Office of the Vice Chancellor
The Office of the Vice Chancellor of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile assists the Chancellor in safeguarding and promoting the Catholic identity of the University. Through the university’s pastoral ministry, values-based education, and the dialogue between faith, science, and reason, it embodies the commitment to the UC Chile identity articulated in the University’s vision.
Father Osvaldo Fernández de Castro
He was ordained as a priest in 2002. During these years, he continued his pastoral studies, finishing a Master’s in Dogmatics at UC Chile. In 2006, he traveled to Barcelona, where he earned a Doctorate in Theology with a focus on Liturgy from the Faculty of Theology of Catalonia. Since 2010, he has been a professor at the UC Faculty of Theology, of the Pontifical Major Seminary of Santiago and the Diaconate School. Currently, he also serves as the Director of the Liturgy Department of Santiago and the National Liturgy Commission.
Core Functions
Appointed by the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor acts as his substitute and participates in university governance, strengthening the relationship with the Church and ensuring the integral development of the UC Chile community. In this way, he embodies the ongoing commitment to the University’s Catholic identity, in accordance with its general statutes.
Units of the Office of the Vice Chancellor
Units
Chaplaincy
Unit responsible for managing UC Chile Campus Ministry, by delegation from the Chancellor. It establishes the ministry guidelines and courses of action. The chaplaincy serves the cause of evangelization at the university and supports initiatives that foster the spiritual growth of the members of the university community.
Office of Campus Ministry and Christian Culture
Led by the Senior Chaplain— a priest appointed by the Chancellor—and the Director of Campus Ministry. This Office has the authority to lead and coordinate all the departments that comprise the university ministry, putting into practice the Church’s mission on campus through community and sacramental life, the dialogue between faith and culture, integral formation in the light of faith, and missionary and Christian solidarity initiatives.
Executive Office
Its mission is to carry out the projects of the Office of the Vice Chancellor, primarily by leading the projects outlined in the UC Chile Strategic Plan. It also ensures proper international participation of the Office of the Vice Chancellor in matters pertaining to Church life at universities and related institutions. Additionally, it oversees the proper management of economic resources throughout the Office of the Vice Chancellor, its departments, and its projects.
Initiatives
Global Compact on Education
The Global Compact on Education is an invitation from the Catholic Church to join forces worldwide to transform education and thus form people of integrity, capable of overcoming divisions to advance towards a more fraternal society. The project is organized around the Global Compact on Education’s ten fundamental objectives and five strategic thematic areas for research.
National and international Catholic Networks
This project promotes collaboration with national and international Catholic universities, supporting the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs, through networks such as the Chilean Chapter of Catholic Universities, ODUCAL (Organization of Catholic Universities in Latin America and the Caribbean, as per its initials in Spanish), Artesanos por la Unidad (translated as Artisans for Unity), the Consortium of Catholic Universities (CCU), among others.
The Chiloé Trail: A Journey of Sea and Faith
The Chiloé Trail is an initiative aimed at designing a pilgrimage route through the inner islands of the Quinchao Archilepago, with plans to open it to the public in 2028. This project stems from the conviction that this region is home to a unique cultural, spiritual, and community heritage that deserves to be documented, highlighted, and made accessible to more people.
Relationship with the Church and the Archdiocese
Through the Office of the Vice Chancellor, UC Chile supports projects and initiatives of the Archdiocese of Santiago, by putting talent, knowledge, and resources at the service of the Church.
Catholic Talent and Leadership Special Admission Program
UC Chile wants to attract young people who have responded with commitment and generosity to the call of the Gospel, who have spearheaded and led initiatives with an impact on their communities through missionary, evangelizing, or service leadership roles, both within and outside their educational establishment, and who wish to continue developing their spiritual life and service at UC Chile.
- Magnifica Humanitas: Encyclical Letter by Pope Leo XIV on the safeguarding the human person in the age of artificial intelligence launch
- Drawing New Maps of Hope: Apostolic Letter by Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the conciliar declaration Gravissimum Educationis launch
- Laudato Si’: Encyclical Letter by Pope Francis on Care for our Common Home launch
