Katarina Schuth


Katarina Schuth, O.S.F., is an American Religious Sister, who has been a member of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Rochester, Minnesota since 1960, through most of which she has been a faculty member in higher education institutions. She is a leading figure in the fields of Pastoral Theology and the Sociology of Religion. She held an Endowed Professorship for the Social Scientific Study of Religion at The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, in St. Paul, Minnesota, part of the University of St. Thomas.

Education

Educated in the Social Sciences and Theology, Schuth has earned a Master's degree and a doctorate in Cultural Geography from Syracuse University, and a Master of Theological Studies and Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the former Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a Bachelor's degree in History from the former College of Saint Teresa, Winona, Minnesota.

Research

As a researcher and teacher, her primary interests are in theological education and the relationship between the Church and American culture. Recognized internationally as an expert on seminary education, she has written numerous articles and several books on Catholic seminaries.

Publishing

Books

She co-authored:
This most recent book is of interest to the Catholic Church in the United States, which is coming to grips with the severe shortage of priests, thus requiring many of them to serve multiple parishes. In the book Sr. Schuth examines regional and diocesan differences by surveying over nine hundred priests and interviewing nearly a hundred more. They offer information about spiritual and community leadership, staffing, and parish organization in the present situation. Using these suggestions, the book tries to discern what contributes to the building of vital and dynamic parishes, and what causes indifference and dissolution. The book highlights what is successful in maintaining the strength of these small parishes and what practices lead to their diminishment. The book is written not only as an aid to those who find themselves pastoring several congregations, but also seminary educators, diocesan leaders, and congregations.

Articles

Besides these books, Schuth has written numerous book reviews:
Articles:
In recent years Sr. Schuth has been a member of more than ten boards of theological schools, including currently:
Schuth has been awarded honorary degrees from:
Other honors include:
Schuth continues to teach in the areas of Pastoral Ministry, Sociology of Religion, and World Religions and carries on research on seminaries and church life. She holds an Endowed Professorship for the Social Scientific Study of Religion at The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity. Her speaking engagements, workshops, and conferences for numerous institutions, organizations, dioceses, and individual congregations are scheduled regularly in the United States and internationally.