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Contact ICSST
400 South Orange Avenue
South Orange, NJ 07079
Tel: 973.761.9575
theology@shu.edu

Institute for
Christian Spirituality
theology.shu.edu/ICS


Administrators and Faculty Formation Adjunct Faculty
Rev. Monsignor Robert F. Coleman Reverend Antonio I. Bico Andrew Brereton
Rev. Monsignor Thomas P. Nydegger Reverend Donald Blumenfeld Reverend Gabriel Costa
Reverend Joseph R. Chapel Reverend W. Jerome Bracken, C.P. Reverend Lawrence Edward Frizzell
Dianne M. Traflet Reverend Joseph R. Chapel Rev. Monsignor Raymond Kupke
Reverend W. Jerome Bracken, C.P. Reverend Christopher M Ciccarino Sister Marlene Milasus, O.S.B.
Zeni V. Fox Rev. Monsignor Robert F. Coleman Reverend Douglas Milewski
Gregory Yuri Glazov Reverend Pablo T. Gadenz Reverend Francis Moriones, O.A.R.
Reverend Thomas G. Guarino Reverend John S. Grimm Ines Angjeli Murzaku
Rev. Monsignor Gerard H. McCarren Reverend Anthony Kulig Reverend Peter G. Suhaka
Reverend Lawrence B. Porter Reverend Walter D. Lucey Reverend Joseph B. Szulwach
Victor Velarde Rev. Monsignor Gerard H. McCarren Reverend Tadeusz Trela
Rev. Monsignor Robert J. Wister Rev. Monsignor Thomas P. Nydegger Deidre Yates
  Reverend John F. Russell, O.Carm  

Administrators and Faculty

Rev. Monsignor Robert F. Coleman
Rector and Dean
Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology
J.C.D., Pontifical Gregorian University

Reverend Monsignor Robert F. Coleman, J.C.D., Rector and Dean, Associate Professor, Pastoral Theology, earned a J.C.L. and J.C.D. from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He also earned a diploma from the School of Latin Letters, Pontifical Gregorian University. His dissertation was titled: "Canon 369: The Definition of a Diocese in the Code of Canon Law." Ordained to the priesthood in 1978, he served as Advocate, and later, as Judge and Defender of the Bond of the Metropolitan Tribunal, Archdiocese of Newark. From 1994-1996, he was Secretary for Canonical Affairs, Office of the Archbishop of Newark, as well as Coordinator of the Task Force for the Pastoral visit of Pope John Paul II to the Archdiocese. Monsignor Coleman served as Vice-Rector/Business Manager of ICSST from 1996 to 2000; he teaches Canon Law General and Canon Law of Marriage.
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  Rev. Monsignor Thomas P. Nydegger
Vice-Rector/Business Manager
M.Div., Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology

Reverend Monsignor Thomas P. Nydegger, M.Div., Vice Rector/Business Manager, earned an M.Div. from Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, NJ. Ordained to the priesthood in 1992, Monsignor Nydegger served in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor Assistant to the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Newark, NJ; Director of Vocations at the Vocations Office, Newark, NJ; Secretary to the Archbishop, Office of the Archbishop, Newark, NJ; and Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Church, Secaucus, NJ. In May 2002, Monsignor Nydegger was appointed by the Rector and Dean to serve as Director of Formation, effective July 2002.
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Reverend Joseph R. Chapel
Associate Dean
Co-director of the Institute for Christian Spirituality
Associate Professor of Christian Ethics
S.T.D., Academia Alphonsiana 

Reverend Joseph R. Chapel, S.T.D., Associate Dean, Associate Professor, Christian Ethics, earned an M.A. in International Relations from the Paul S. Nitze School for Advanced International Studies [SAIS], The Johns Hopkins University. He also earned an S.T.L and S.T.D. from Accademia Alfonsiana (Lateran University) and an S.T.B. from The Gregorian University. His doctoral dissertation was titled: “Why Confess Our Sins Out Loud? An Analysis Based on the Dialogical Philosophy of Ferdinand Ebner in Light of the Philosophy of Language and the Symbolic Sacramentology of Louis-Marie Chauvet.” Ordained to the priesthood in 1992, Father Chapel teaches Christian Ethics and Preaching Practicum. Publications include “Why Confess Our Sins Out Loud? Some Possibilities Based on the Thought of Ferdinand Ebner and Louis-Marie Chauvet” (The Irish Theological Quarterly) and “Dialogical Personalisms Revisited” (Studia Moralia).
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  Dianne M. Traflet
Associate Dean
Founder and Co-director of the Institute for Christian Spirituality
Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology
S.T.D., Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas

Dianne Marie Traflet, J.D., S.T.D., Associate Dean, Assistant Professor, Pastoral Theology, earned a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, an M.A. in Catholic Theology and Pastoral Ministry from The Institute of Advanced Studies of Catholic Doctrine, St. John’s University, and an S.T.L. and an S.T.D. from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (The Angelicum). She gives numerous lectures and retreats on Edith Stein and related topics in spirituality and has published Saint Edith Stein: A Spiritual Portrait (2008).
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Reverend W. Jerome Bracken, C.P.
Associate Professor of Christian Ethics
Ph.D., Fordham University

Reverend W. Jerome Bracken, C.P., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Christian Ethics, earned a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Fordham University, an M.A. in Theology from St. Michael’s Seminary, Union City, NJ, and a B.A in Philosophy from St. Michael's Seminary, NY. His dissertation was titled, “Why Suffering is Redemption? A New Interpretation of the Theology of the Passion in the Summa Theologica, 3. 46-49 by Thomas Aquinas. Ordained to the priesthood in 1968, he was Associate Retreat Director at Bishop Molloy Retreat House, Jamaica, NY and Associate Retreat Director at Cardinal Spellman Retreat House in Riverdale, NY. Father Bracken’s classes include Health Care Ethics and Catholic Sexual Teaching; his articles have appeared in The Thomist, The Ecumenist, The Passionist, and The Angelicum. His articles include, “Therapy: Friend or Foe to Spiritual Values and the Sacraments,” which appeared in With Mind and Heart, University Press, 2001.
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Zeni V. Fox
Professor of Pastoral Theology
Ph.D., Fordham University 

Zeni V. Fox, Ph.D., Professor, Pastoral Theology, earned an M.A. in Religious Education and Ph.D. in Theology from Fordham University. Her doctoral dissertation was titled, “Lay Ministries: A Critical Three-Dimensional Study.” She is the author of New Ecclesial Ministry: Lay Professionals Serving the Church, published by Sheed and Ward (1997), and is the co-author of Leadership for Youth Ministry, published by St. Mary Press (1984). She has served as an advisor to the United States Bishops Committee on Lay Ministry, and lectures frequently throughout the country on this topic.
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Gregory Yuri Glazov
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies
D. Phil., Oxford University

Gregory Yuri Glazov, D. Phil., Assistant Professor, Biblical Studies, earned an M.Phil. and a D. Phil. in Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman World from Oxford University. His doctoral dissertation, titled: “The ‘Bridling of the Tongue’ and the ‘Opening of the Mouth’ in Biblical Prophecy” was published by Sheffield Academic Press (2001). He has published in Vetus Testamentum and for the Linacre Centre. Dr. Glazov specializes in Old Testament Studies, and in Second Temple Literature. He is currently working on two books: one on Biblical speech-organ imagery and the other, an introduction to and translation of Vladimir Solovyov's writings on Christianity and Judaism.
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Reverend Thomas G. Guarino
Professor of Systematic Theology
S.T.D., The Catholic University of America

Reverend Thomas G. Guarino, S.T.D., Professor, Systematic Theology, earned a B.A. at Seton Hall University, an S.T.B. from Rome’s Gregorian University and an S.T.L. and S.T.D. from the Catholic University of America. His teaching specialties are fundamental theology, faith and revelation, and the Trinity. He is the author of Revelation and Truth (1993) and Foundations of Systematic Theology (2005), and has published in Theological Studies, The Thomist, Modern Theology, Laval Theologique et Philosophique, Science et Esprit, Irish Gregorianum, and Theological Quarterly, Philosophy and Theology, Science Religiuse/Studies in Religion, and Angelicum.
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Rev. Monsignor Gerard H. McCarren                   
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
S.T.D., The Catholic University of America

Reverend Monsignor Gerard H. McCarren, S.T.D., Assistant Professor, Systematic Theology, earned a B.A. from Yale, an M.Div. from Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, and an S.T.L. and S.T.D. from The Catholic University of America. Ordained to the priesthood in 1991, Monsignor McCarren is a weekend assistant at Holy Trinity Church, Westfield. Monsignor McCarren’s area of expertise is John Henry Cardinal Newman; his doctoral dissertation was titled, “'Test' or ‘Notes’? A Critical Evaluation of the Criteria for Genuine Doctrinal Development in John Henry Newman’s Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine.” Monsignor McCarren serves on the Board of the Venerable John Henry Newman Association and serves as program director for the National Newman Conference each summer. He is an editor of the Newman Studies Journal. He teaches such classes as Worship of the Church and Eucharist. Monsignor McCarren has served as Director of Liturgy for Immaculate Conception Seminary and currently serves as Spiritual Director.
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Reverend Lawrence B. Porter
Professor of Systematic Theology
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University

Reverend Lawrence B. Porter, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Systematic Theology, earned a B.A. from Providence College, and an M.A. in English Literature from Brown University. His S.T.B. and S.T.L. are from the Pontifical Faculty of the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, D.C. He earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in History of Christian Thought from Vanderbilt University. His articles have appeared in Theological Studies, The Thomist, Gregorianum, Communio, American Benedictine Review, The Jurist, Homiletic and Pastoral Review, The Bible Today, Crisis, The Priest, and the ecumenical journal Mid-Stream. Father Porter's classes include Christology, Ecclesiology, Mission and Ministry, and Christian Anthropology. He is the author of A Guide to the Church: Its Origin and Nature, Its Mission and Ministries (2007).
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Victor Velarde
Assistant Professor of Philosophical Theology
Ph.D., University of Madrid

Victor Velarde-Mayol, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Philosophical Theology, earned an M.D. from the University of Navarra and University of Bilbao, Spain; an A.B.D. in Theology from the University of Navarra; and a Ph.D. from the University of Madrid.  His doctoral dissertation was titled: "The Theory of Objects."  He has taught philosophy since 1986 and has taught at Seton Hall University since 1999.  Areas of specialization are metaphysics; the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas, Thomism; philosophy of mind/epistemology; and phenomenology.  Dr. Velarde's publications include four books and numerous articles.
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  Rev. Monsignor Robert J. Wister
Associate Professor of Church History
D. Eccl. Hist., Pontifical Gregorian University

Reverend Monsignor Robert J. Wister, D. Eccl. Hist., Associate Professor, Church History, earned an S.T.B. from the Gregorian University, an S.T.M. from Union Theological Seminary, New York City, and a D. Eccl. Hist. from the Gregorian University. His doctoral dissertation was titled, “The Establishment of the Apostolic Delegation in The United States — The Satolli Mission, 1892-1896.” Ordained to the priesthood in 1968, Monsignor Wister teaches such classes as World Christianity, and Popes and Papacy. He also is a Faculty Fellow of Seton Hall’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations, and a consultant to CBS News on matters concerning Catholicism and the Vatican. His articles have appeared in America, U.S. Catholic Theologian, Church History, Catholic Historical Review; he has written 70 articles in The Catholic Encyclopedia.
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Formation

  Reverend Donald Blumenfeld, Ph.D.
Director of Field Education
Ph.D., Graduate Theological Foundation

Reverend Donald Blumenfeld, Ph.D., Director of Field Education, was ordained to the priesthood in 1979 in Rome, the first class ordained by Pope John Paul II. Father Blumenfeld served as Campus Minister at Ramapo College and as chaplain at Union Catholic High School. He has been an adjunct professor of religious studies at Seton Hall University and Felician College. He earned a B.A. in Classical Languages from Seton Hall University, an S.T.B. from the Gregorian University, an M.A. in Judaeo-Christian Studies from Seton Hall, and a Ph.D. in Theological Studies from the Graduate Theological Foundation.
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Reverend W. Jerome Bracken, C.P.
Associate Professor of Christian Ethics
Ph.D., Fordham University

Reverend W. Jerome Bracken, C.P., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Christian Ethics, earned a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Fordham University, an M.A. in Theology from St. Michael’s Seminary, Union City, NJ, and a B.A in Philosophy from St. Michael's Seminary, NY. His dissertation was titled, “Why Suffering is Redemption? A New Interpretation of the Theology of the Passion in the Summa Theologica, 3. 46-49 by Thomas Aquinas. Ordained to the priesthood in 1968, he was Associate Retreat Director at Bishop Molloy Retreat House, Jamaica, NY and Associate Retreat Director at Cardinal Spellman Retreat House in Riverdale, NY. Father Bracken’s classes include Health Care Ethics and Catholic Sexual Teaching; his articles have appeared in The Thomist, The Ecumenist, The Passionist, and The Angelicum. His articles include, “Therapy: Friend or Foe to Spiritual Values and the Sacraments,” which appeared in With Mind and Heart, University Press, 2001.
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  Reverend Joseph R. Chapel
Associate Dean
Co-director of the Institute for Christian Spirituality
Associate Professor of Christian Ethics
S.T.D., Academia Alphonsiana 

Reverend Joseph R. Chapel, S.T.D., Associate Dean, Associate Professor, Christian Ethics, earned an M.A. in International Relations from the Paul S. Nitze School for Advanced International Studies [SAIS], The Johns Hopkins University. He also earned an S.T.L and S.T.D. from Accademia Alfonsiana (Lateran University) and an S.T.B. from The Gregorian University. His doctoral dissertation was titled: “Why Confess Our Sins Out Loud? An Analysis Based on the Dialogical Philosophy of Ferdinand Ebner in Light of the Philosophy of Language and the Symbolic Sacramentology of Louis-Marie Chauvet.” Ordained to the priesthood in 1992, Father Chapel teaches Christian Ethics and Preaching Practicum. Publications include “Why Confess Our Sins Out Loud? Some Possibilities Based on the Thought of Ferdinand Ebner and Louis-Marie Chauvet” (The Irish Theological Quarterly) and “Dialogical Personalisms Revisited” (Studia Moralia).
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Rev. Monsignor Robert F. Coleman
Rector and Dean
Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology
J.C.D., Pontifical Gregorian University

Reverend Monsignor Robert F. Coleman, J.C.D., Rector and Dean, Associate Professor, Pastoral Theology, earned a J.C.L. and J.C.D. from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He also earned a diploma from the School of Latin Letters, Pontifical Gregorian University. His dissertation was titled: "Canon 369: The Definition of a Diocese in the Code of Canon Law." Ordained to the priesthood in 1978, he served as Advocate, and later, as Judge and Defender of the Bond of the Metropolitan Tribunal, Archdiocese of Newark. From 1994-1996, he was Secretary for Canonical Affairs, Office of the Archbishop of Newark, as well as Coordinator of the Task Force for the Pastoral visit of Pope John Paul II to the Archdiocese. Monsignor Coleman served as Vice-Rector/Business Manager of ICSST from 1996 to 2000; he teaches Canon Law General and Canon Law of Marriage.
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Rev. Monsignor Gerard H. McCarren                   
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
S.T.D., The Catholic University of America

Reverend Monsignor Gerard H. McCarren, S.T.D., Assistant Professor, Systematic Theology, earned a B.A. from Yale, an M.Div. from Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, and an S.T.L. and S.T.D. from The Catholic University of America. Ordained to the priesthood in 1991, Monsignor McCarren is a weekend assistant at Holy Trinity Church, Westfield. Monsignor McCarren’s area of expertise is John Henry Cardinal Newman; his doctoral dissertation was titled, “'Test' or ‘Notes’? A Critical Evaluation of the Criteria for Genuine Doctrinal Development in John Henry Newman’s Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine.” Monsignor McCarren serves on the Board of the Venerable John Henry Newman Association and serves as program director for the National Newman Conference each summer. He is an editor of the Newman Studies Journal. He teaches such classes as Worship of the Church and Eucharist. Monsignor McCarren has served as Director of Liturgy for Immaculate Conception Seminary and currently serves as Spiritual Director.
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  Rev. Monsignor Thomas P. Nydegger
Vice-Rector/Business Manager
M.Div., Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology

Reverend Monsignor Thomas P. Nydegger, M.Div., Vice Rector/Business Manager, earned an M.Div. from Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, NJ. Ordained to the priesthood in 1992, Monsignor Nydegger served in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor Assistant to the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Newark, NJ; Director of Vocations at the Vocations Office, Newark, NJ; Secretary to the Archbishop, Office of the Archbishop, Newark, NJ; and Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Church, Secaucus, NJ. In May 2002, Monsignor Nydegger was appointed by the Rector and Dean to serve as Director of Formation, effective July 2002.
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Adjunct Faculty

Andrew Brereton
Adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology
Ph.D. Candidate, Fordham University
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Reverend Gabriel Costa
Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Theology
Ph.D., Stevens Institute of Technology
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Reverend Lawrence Edward Frizzell
Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies
D. Phil., Oxford University
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Rev. Monsignor Raymond Kupke
Adjunct Professor of Church History
Ph.D., The Catholic University of America
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Sister Marlene Milasus, O.S.B.
Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Theology
M.A., The Catholic University of America
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Reverend Douglas Milewski
Adjunct Professor of Church History
S.T.D., Institutum Patristicum Augustinianum
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Reverend Francis Moriones, O.A.R.
Adjunct Professor of Church History
S.T.L., Pontifical Gregorian University
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Ines Angjeli Murzaku
Adjunct Associate Professor of Historical Theology
S.E.O.D. Pontifical Oriental Institute

Ines Angjeli Murzaku, an Associate Professor of Religious Studies, specializes in the History of Catholicism in the Mediterranean. Dr. Murzaku is also a lecturer at the University of Bologna, Center for East European and Balkan Studies.

Dr. Murzaku's book, Catholicism, Culture and Conversion: The History of the Jesuits in Albania (1841-1946), is published by Orientalia Christiana Analecta (2006). She has published internationally; her articles have appeared in The Journal of Eastern Christian Studies (Belgium); Orientalia Christiana Periodica (Italy); Analysis of Current Events (U.S.A.); East European Quarterly (U.S.A.); Studi sull’Oriente Cristiano (Italy); Diakonia, Journal of Eastern Christian Studies (U.S.A.); Wiener Blätter zur Friedensforschung (Austria); and Pajtimi (Albania). Dr. Murzaku currently serves in the executive board of directors of the Association for the Study of Nationalities (ASN), and Christians Associated for Relationships with Eastern Europe (CAREE), as well as in the editorial advisory boards of the Bolletino della Badia Greca di Grottaferrata and Religion in Eastern Europe scholarly journals. She is currently researching the history of the Greek Catholic Abbey of Grottaferrata (Rome) and the Byzantine Catholic Churches in Southern Italy.
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Reverend Peter G. Suhaka
Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Theology
M.Div., Seminary of Christ the King
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Reverend Joseph B. Szulwach
Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Psychology
Ed.S., Seton Hall University
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Reverend Tadeusz Trela
Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies
S.S.L., Pontifical Biblical Institute
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Deidre Yates
Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Theology
M.F.A., The Catholic University of America
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