Monday, May 6, 2019
Bishop Robert W. McElroy and Sister Carol Keehan, DC to receive Honorary Doctorates from Catholic Theological Union for Catholic Social Teaching and Ministry
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kellene Urbaniak, kurbaniak@ctu.edu, 773.371.5416
Bishop Robert W. McElroy and Sister Carol Keehan, DC to receive Honorary Doctorates from Catholic Theological Union for Catholic Social Teaching and Ministry
CHICAGO – On May 23, 2019, Catholic Theological Union (CTU) will present an honorary doctorate in theology to the Most Reverend Robert W. McElroy and an honorary doctorate in ministry to Sister Carol Keehan, DC at the school’s 51st annual commencement ceremony. Honorary degrees are conferred annually by the faculty and Board of Trustees upon individuals whose contributions to the fields of scholarship and service reflect the values to which Catholic Theological Union is committed.
Bishop McElroy is a highly regarded theologian and the Bishop of the San Diego Diocese. The author of two books on American morality and public theology and a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop McElroy has served as Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco, and holds degrees from Harvard, Stanford, and the Gregorian University in Rome. CTU will honor Bishop McElroy for his efforts as bishop to initiate data-driven transparency, dialogue, and action on behalf of victims of sexual abuse by priests in the San Diego area and for his work with the USCCB on domestic justice, international justice, and ecumenism.
Sister Carol Keehan is the recently retired President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States in Washington, DC. She is currently on the Board of Directors for Georgetown University and has chaired or served on the Board of Directors for St. John’s University, Catholic Charities USA, Confederation of Catholic Health Institutions in Vatican City, Catholic Relief Services, Sojourners, and many other organizations. She also served on finance committees for the Florida State Human Rights Advocacy Commission, the Archdiocese of Washington, and the Military Archdiocese of the USA.
Sister Carol was award the Pro Ecclesia et Pontiface Cross by Pope Benedict XVI. She was named “Person of the Year” by the National Catholic Reporter and one of TIME magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World,” and last year was presented the AHA Award of Honor by the American Hospital Association’s award of honor. CTU will honor Sister Carol for her steadfast focus on “the least of these” when wielding significant influence in the complicated and challenging world of American healthcare and healthcare policy.
The commencement ceremony will take place May 23, 2019, at 3:00 p.m., at K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Congregation in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. More than 89 graduates will receive certificates or master’s level degrees in the areas of Intercultural Studies and Ministry; Justice Ministry; Liturgical Ministry; Pastoral Studies; Theology; Master of Divinity; and Doctor of Ministry.
