Jeffrey L. Morrow, professor of theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary and School of Theology (ICSST), will begin his tenure as professor of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio in August. After announcing this significant personal adjustment and professional career shift, Professor Morrow said: Sunday’s VisitorThey discussed the impact of his career progress, his academic journey, and his own conversion from essentially agnostic/atheistic spiritual beliefs.
“I have been on the faculty of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology at Seton Hall University for 15 years. Prior to that, I taught for seven years at the University of Dayton during my graduate and doctoral studies, including the first two years after graduation, so the majority of my teaching career to date has been spent at ICSST,” Morrow said.
“I have grown and matured as a teacher and scholar since starting as an assistant professor to eventually being promoted to professor. I have found ICSST to be not only a great academic home, but also a vibrant spiritual home. I have been surrounded by many colleagues and students who care deeply about me and my family’s well-being,” he explains.
Camosy shared Morrow’s views, saying, “Every convert’s path to the Catholic faith is different, and some come to the Church in a more twisted and winding way than others. (He) spoke about his own journey from Judaism to Christianity to Catholicism, and what he observed during his time teaching at a Catholic seminary.”
Regarding the significance of his conversion, Morrow said, “The question of whether Jesus rose from the dead was a central part of my conversion process, and in fact wrestling with that question was a pivotal moment in the initial part of my conversion to Christianity, before I joined the Catholic Church.”
Morrow is grateful to his Seton Hall University and ICSST family.
“It has been a great blessing to have been able to develop my career as a theology professor here at ICSST, and this school will always hold a special place in my heart. Unlike most seminaries that are not affiliated with a university, ICSST is located on the campus of Seton Hall University and is an affiliated school as Seton Hall’s School of Theology,” Morrow explained.
“My perspective may be biased, but a seminary with outstanding and highly skilled faculty like ICSST is well positioned to engage students’ intellectual interests, resonate with Catholic values, and embrace the vocation and identity of being Catholic,” he added.
In closing, he said, “The extraordinary talents of our approximately 13 full-time faculty members make it possible to reverse the enrollment declines facing most educational institutions. While I am excited about the future of my career, I will miss so much my time here, especially the memories of my students, colleagues, and people I truly consider friends.”
About ICSST
Immaculate Conception Seminary is a Roman Catholic priestly formation institution and the School of Theology at Seton Hall University. The formation of priests for God’s people is the seminary’s consistent focus, and its faculty are highly educated authors and scholars in their fields who devote their time and energy to preparing them for priesthood amid the challenges of the 21st century. The seminary also focuses on the education of theological lay men and women, perpetual diaconates, religious not studying for ordination, and ordained priests, providing not only academic support but also personal, pastoral, and spiritual formation.
To read the full article, Sunday’s VisitorA theologian reflects on his conversion to faith.
Category: Faith and Service
