Professor of Systematic Theology and Spirituality;
B.A. in Theology and Philosophy, Villanova University (1974);
M.A. in Special Education, Cardinal Stritch University (1980);
M.A. in Theology (1977), Ph.D. in Theology (1982), The Catholic University of America;
Doctor of Pedagogy, honoris causa, Neumann College;
Doctor of Pedagogy, honoris causa, Alvernia College
Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, Cardinal Stritch University
St. John’s Seminary, 1998
With a Master of Arts in special education as well as in theology, Dr. Michael Downey is the first layperson to receive the Ph.D. in theology from The Catholic University of America. He has lectured in the United States, Canada, France, Ireland, Britain, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, India and Vietnam. Professor Downey’s ongoing research lies in bringing methodological form to the study and teaching of Christian spirituality. Editor of the award-winning New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, he is founding North American editor of Spirituality, an international journal of the Christian spiritual life. Author or editor of more than twenty books, as well as journal articles, essays, and book chapters that number in the dozens, his most recent publications are Altogether Gift: A Trinitarian Spirituality (2000) and The Heart of Hope (2005). A member of the editorial board of Cistercian Studies Quarterly, he works extensively with enclosed contemplative communities, and is active in retreat work. Recipient of the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (2005), Dr. Downey is the Cardinal’s Theologian, Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
April 26, 2004