The Catholic University of America mourns the passing of Professor Marshall J. Breger—a renowned legal scholar, dedicated public servant, and cherished member of the Law School community. Professor Breger was a dynamic and influential presence at the Law School for decades, known for his intellectual brilliance, diplomatic insight, and deep commitment to fostering academic and interfaith dialogue.
A leading voice in foreign affairs and administrative and constitutional law, Professor Breger was instrumental in placing the Law School on the global stage through initiatives that bridged legal scholarship, international diplomacy, and interfaith understanding. He had a rare ability to see connections across legal systems and cultures, and a steadfast commitment to building dialogue in even the most delicate of arenas.
He served with distinction as the White House liaison to the Jewish community during the administrations of Presidents Reagan and George H. W. Bush. In addition, he served as the Solicitor of Labor under President Bush, acting as the chief lawyer for the Labor Department, which had a staff of over 800. His expertise on the legal status of holy places earned him recognition among Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and other religious communities. He was widely regarded as a leading world authority in this field.
Professor Breger’s intellectual curiosity led him to take bold and sometimes unconventional paths, including a solo trip to Iran in 2002. Unsure of how he would be received, he nonetheless delivered a lecture on freedom of speech at the University of Tehran. That journey helped inspire what would become one of Catholic Law’s most significant interreligious initiatives: “the Abrahamic Dialogue.” Together with Ayatollah Ahmad Iravani, Professor Breger convened Christian, Jewish, and Muslim scholars and practitioners from the United States, Iran, Europe, and Israel for nearly two decades, making Catholic Law a singular venue for high-level, faith-based diplomatic dialogue. Notably, discussions hosted at the Law School also contributed to the final details of the Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Israel.
Beyond his scholarly accomplishments, Professor Breger was devoted to his family—his wife, Jennie; his daughters, Sarah and Esther; and his grandchildren, who were a source of great joy in his later years. He was equally devoted to his students, whose careers he followed closely and whose growth he championed long after graduation.
“Professor Breger was a towering figure,” said Dean Stephen C. Payne. “He brought the world into our classrooms, challenged our students to think deeply and broadly, and expanded the reach of Catholic Law in ways few others could. His legacy of intellectual courage and deep faith will live on in the lives of the students he mentored, the colleagues he inspired, and the many communities he brought together through dialogue and diplomacy.”
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 4, at 4 p.m. at Woodside Synagogue, 9001 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland. Burial will take place on Tuesday, August 5, at Baron Hirsch Cemetery in Staten Island, New York. Plans are also underway at the Law School for a commemoration of Professor Breger’s life and legacy that will offer an opportunity for colleagues, students, alumni, and friends to honor his extraordinary contributions and pray for the repose of his soul.