Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology

The Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology is a Roman Catholic seminary and school of theology in Saint Meinrad, Indiana. It is affiliated with the Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, Indiana. The institution was named after Meinrad of Einsiedeln, a ninth century hermit living in what is today Switzerland.

Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology
TypeRoman Catholic seminary and school of theology
Established1857
AffiliationCatholic Church (St. Meinrad Archabbey)
RectorDenis Robinson
Students170 (78 undergrad, 92 postgrad)
Location, ,
United States

38°09′58″N 86°48′38″W / 38.166008°N 86.810636°W / 38.166008; -86.810636
CampusRural; 250 acres (1.0 km2)
Websitewww.saintmeinrad.edu

History

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In 1857, several Benedictine monks travelled from Einsiedeln Abbey in Einsiedeln, Switzerland, to southern Indiana to establish Saint Meinrad Seminary. At its beginning, Saint Meinrad was a high school program. By 1861, the monks had added courses in philosophy, business, theology and classical literature. A fire in 1887 destroyed the seminary buildings.

When Saint Meinrad reopened after the 1887 fire, it focused only on preparing seminarians for priesthood.[1] It had two divisions:

  • A minor seminary with four years of high school and the first two years of college
  • A major seminary with two years of college courses in philosophy and theology[1]

In 1959, Saint Meinrad reorganized into three divisions:

  • A traditional four year high school, which closed in 1968.[2]
  • A four-year college, which closed in 1998.[3]
  • A theologate, or graduate school of theology[1]

In February 2019, after an internal investigation, Saint Meinrad added two priests to the Diocese of Evansville list of clergy with credible accusations of sexual abuse:[4]

  • Warren Heitz was accused of misconduct dating from the 1970s and 1999. Removed from public ministry in 2002, he spent ten years living in a supervised residence for offenders at Saint Meinrad.
  • Robert Woerdeman had faced one accusation of misconduct. He was defrocked as a priest in 1975.[4]

Academics

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Saint Meinrad offers the following advanced degrees:

  • Master of Divinity
  • Master of Theological Studies
  • Master of Arts in Catholic Philosophical Studies
  • Master of Arts (Theology)
  • Master of Arts (Pastoral Theology)[5]

Saint Meinrad offers programs in:

  • Priesthood formation
  • Theological formation for permanent deacon candidates
  • Lay degrees in theology
  • Continuing adult education
  • Youth leadership
History at a glance
Saint Meinrad Abbey's schoolEstablished1857
Typesecondary school
Saint Meinrad CollegeOpened1861
Typeliberal arts college
Closed1887 due to fire
Transferred toJasper Academy
Saint Meinrad SeminaryOpened1887
Typemajor seminary, minor seminary
Saint Meinrad High School, Seminary, and CollegeReorganized1959
Typemajor seminary, minor seminary, liberal arts college, secondary school
Saint Meinrad CollegeClosed1998[6]

Saint Meinrad is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. It has also been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission or its predecessor, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, continuously since 1979.[7]

Alumni

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Ordinaries

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Deceased alumni cardinals

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Living alumni bishops

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Deceased alumni bishops

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Others

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "History". Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
  2. ^ "St. Meinrad College closing, ending legacy of educating priests-to-be". Religion News Service. January 1, 1997. Archived from the original on 2023-01-20. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  3. ^ Haworth, Karla (May 16, 1997). "Saint Meinrad College to Close Next May". The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  4. ^ a b Goffinet, Jared; O'Rourke, Kate (February 25, 2019). "2 priests found credibly accused after Saint Meinrad internal investigation". WFIE 14 News. Archived from the original on 2019-02-28. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
  5. ^ "M.A. (Theology) - Welcome | Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology". Archived from the original on 2013-05-11. Retrieved 2013-07-03.
  6. ^ "Higher Learning Commission". Ncahlc.org. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  7. ^ "Higher Learning Commission". Ncahlc.org. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  8. ^ Henriott, Paul D. (March 31, 2005). "Chaplain Reverend Father Thomas J. Scecina". Tribute To True Heroes. Archived from the original on 2005-11-01.
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