Chicago, USA. The Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago, Illinois, named Fr. Ferdinand Okorie, CMF as its new Vice President and Academic Dean effective July 1, 2022. He is a member of CTU’s Bible faculty, a New Testament scholar, and leads CTU’s Biblical Lands Study and Travel Programs. In addition to his CTU faculty appointment, he has served as editor-in-chief of US Catholic since July 2020. He received both his MDiv and an MA in Theology from CTU and his Ph.D. in New Testament and Early Christianity from Loyola University, Chicago. His research interests include the Greco-Roman context of Early Christianity, the relationship between Paul’s letters and the Pastorals, the formation of Christian identity, and the intersection between religion and culture.
CTU President Sr. Barbara Reid, OP said,
“I believe Ferdinand is the perfect choice for CTU at this pivotal point in the life of the Church and CTU’s role in developing missionary disciples. We believe that Ferdinand’s voice will help CTU be even more responsive to the needs of the Church, including attracting a new generation of students and people from underrepresented populations.”
Okorie replaces Roger Schroeder, SVD who has served as the interim Academic Dean for nearly 18 months and will be returning to the faculty in his previous role as the Louis J. Luzbetak, SVD, Professor of Mission and Culture.
The Catholic Theological Union is a Roman Catholic graduate school of theology and ministry located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. CTU shares alliances with De Paul University, Dominican University, and the University of Chicago. Its mission is to prepare effective leaders for the Church, ready to witness Christ’s good news of justice, love, and peace. More than 4,500 CTU alumni, vowed religious and laywomen and men, have gone on to minister in 60 countries worldwide.
CTU was founded in 1968, following the Second Vatican Council, during a time of dramatic renewal in the Catholic Church. Fifty years later, CTU has evolved into a premier school of theology and ministry, sponsored by twenty-four men’s religious communities, and enjoys a global reputation for academic and pastoral excellence.
