Rt. Rev. Arch Bp. Peter Marque

Biography

Archbishop Peter Marque, O.M.I., served as Archbishop of Colombo from 1929 to 1937, leaving an indelible mark on Catholic higher education and social apostolates. A visionary educator, Archbishop Marque founded Aquinas University College in Colombo to afford Catholic youth the opportunity for tertiary education steeped in Christian ethics. He was deeply attentive to social justice, encouraging Catholic trade unions, workers' relief funds, and organized charity during the difficult Great Depression era. He also actively promoted indigenous vocations, ensuring that local Sri Lankan priests were appointed to key administrative and educational posts within the Archdiocese.