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Seton Hall University
Porter

 

Rev. Lawrence Porter , Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology
School of Theology

(973) 761-9575
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Rev. Lawrence Porter, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology
School of Theology

The library of Immaculate Conception Seminary is a theological research library, but also is meant to assist in the preparation of men for priestly ministry in the Catholic Church. Since its foundation, this library has always had a priest as its director. Father Lawrence Porter, who served as Director of the Seminary Library through June 30, 2022, taught Systematic Theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology for 32 years, from 1988-2020. During that time, he published two books in theology and 34 articles, and he served for several years as chairman of the Department of Systematic Theology. 

During his time as Library Director, Father Porter built up this library's collection of recordings of religious music and videos. The website of the Seminary Library features two essays by Father Porter: one is his explanation of one of the works fo religious art in this library, and the other is an essay promoting this library's collection of recorded music for worship.

Over the years, Father Porter has mounted in the Seminary Library several displays of historical and biblical artifacts, in its main reading room and in its rare book room. These displays feature rare works such as an autographed letter from Bishop Fulton Sheen and an autographed letter from Cardinal Newman. Father Porter has assembled historical artifacts such as Roman dice and Roman nails, Roman historical artifacts which receive prominent reference in the Bible. He has framed portraits of the Seminary faculty over the years and featured certain faculty who made outstanding contributions not only to this Seminary but also to their profession, either by publication or professional assistance and professional participation in pastoral and educational works. Father Porter is currently working on framed portrait tributes to Monsignor James Turro, after whom Immaculate Conception Seminary's library is named, and to recently-retired Professor Zenobia Fox.