ICSST Professor Finds Blessings in Vibrant Spiritual and Academic Community

Theology Professor Jeffrey L. Morrow of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology (ICSST) will be joining Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio as professor of Theology in August. After announcing this significant personal adjustment and professional career move, Professor Morrow was interviewed by Charles Camosy of Our Sunday Visitor. They discussed his career progression, academic journey, and the influence of his own conversion from essentially agnostic/atheistic spiritual beliefs.

Morrow notes, "I have spent 15 years teaching at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology at Seton Hall University. Prior to that I had experience teaching for 7 years in the course of my graduate and doctoral studies at the University of Dayton, including my first two years after graduating. So, the majority of my teaching career thus far has been at ICSST."

"I have grown and matured as a teacher and as a scholar, from when I began as an assistant professor, all through my final promotion to a full professor. I have found ICSST to be a wonderful academic home, but also a vibrant spiritual home as well. I have been surrounded by so many colleagues and students deeply concerned about my well-being and my family's well-being," he explains.

Camosy shared Morrow’s insights that "every convert’s path to the Catholic faith is unique, and some come to the Church through more winding paths than others . . . (he) spoke about his journey from Judaism to Christianity to Catholicism and what he’s observed in his time teaching at a Catholic seminary."

On the significance of his personal conversion, Morrow notes, "The question of whether or not Jesus rose from the dead was a central part of my conversion process, and, in fact, my wrestling with that question was the pivotal moment of the first part of my conversion to Christianity, prior to entering the Catholic Church."

Morrow is grateful for his Seton Hall and ICSST family. 

"It has been a great blessing to enhance my career as a professor of theology here at ICSST. This institution will always hold a special place in my heart. Unlike most seminaries that are unattached to universities, ICSST is both on campus at Seton Hall University and is an affiliated school serving Seton Hall as its School of Theology," Morrow explained.

"I may be biased, but seminaries with robust and highly skilled faculty, like ICSST, are well positioned to capture the intellectual interest of students, resonate with their Catholic values, and embrace the mission and identity of being Catholic," he added.

In closing, he shared, "With the exceptional quality of approximately 13 full-time faculty members, reversing the decline in enrollment faced by most institutions is attainable. I am excited for what the future holds for my career, but I will miss so much about my time here, including my students and colleagues, all of whom I truly consider my friends."

About ICSST

Immaculate Conception Seminary is a House of Formation for the Roman Catholic priesthood and the School of Theology of Seton Hall University. Forming priests for God's people has remained the seminary's constant focus, and the seminary faculty—well-educated authors and scholars in their own fields—devote their time and energy to preparing these men for priesthood amidst the challenges of the 21st century. The School also focuses on the education of lay men and women in theology, permanent deacons, religious who are not studying for ordination, and already-ordained priests—not only providing for them academically, but also for their personal, pastoral, and spiritual formation.

To read the full article, visit Our Sunday Visitor: A theologian reflects on his conversion to the faith.

Categories: Faith and Service