Sexual Abuse: Church and Seminary Response

February 11, 6:30-8:00pm

Donations Appreciated

This program will cover the hierarchy’s response to the sexual abuse crisis in the United States. As a member of the John Jay College Research Team at The City University of New York, Sister Katarina Schuth will provide historical information from the data collected beginning in the 1950’s to the present. She will outline the details of the policies and functions of national and diocesan review boards. She will also discuss the initial formation of seminarians on topics related to the prevention of abuse. Her presentation includes an update of ongoing statistics and identifies educational opportunities for priests to prevent abuse in the future. Sister Katarina will comment on the response of parishioners to the current situation.

Franciscan Sister Katarina Schuth is Professor Emerita of Endowed Chair for Social Scientific Study of Religion (1991- 2017) at St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, a part of the University of St. Thomas. Her focus includes Pastoral Ministry, Sociology of Religion, and World Religions. She continues to research seminaries and church life. She has written numerous books and articles and continues speaking engagements in the United States and internationally.