Rose McDermott, SSJ: Role of Law Response 2002

2002 CITATION

ROLE OF LAW AWARD

 Delivered by Rev. Kevin E. McKenna

 The recipient of our 2002 Role of Law award exhibits in a most profound and worthy way the attributes and qualities that the award is intended to honor. Our recipient has been actively involved in the ministry of canon law in a variety of settings and ministries. Our recipient has contributed most especially in the field of education, beginning in high school and parochial schools in three archdioceses (Philadelphia, Newark and Washington, DC and two dioceses, Camden and Harrisburg). Our recipient received a Bachelor’s degree in English and History at Chestnut Hill College in 1969 and an M.A, in Religious Studies from Providence College in Rhode Island in 1974. Our recipient received a doctorate in canon law from the Catholic University of America in 1979.

Since receiving that degree our recipient has been involved in a variety of teaching positions in the field of canon law, including classes in Canon Law for the Laity at Boston College and Trinity College in Washington; has also taught in seminary formation programs at Mary Immaculate Seminary (Vincentian Seminary) in Northampton, Pennsylvania, St. Charles Archdiocesan Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and seminarians from Theological College and Washington Theological Consortium at Catholic University.

In addition, our recipient has served as a canonist for several Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, has served as a consultant for many bishops, chancellors and Vicars in promoting Consecrated Life.

Our recipient presently serves as a Consultor for the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, an appointment renewed in 2000 for five more years.

Our recipient has published articles on consecrated life in Review for Religious, The Jurist, Commentarium pro Religiosi, Studia Canonica, Bulletin de Saint-Sulpice, and Jeevadhara. The award winner has contributed articles to the New Catholic Encyclopedia as well as to the commentaries on the canons on conse­crated life in The Code of Canon Law: A text and Commentary (1985) and New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law (2000).

Most importantly – our recipient has been a member of the Canon Law Society of America since 1977, serving on the Board of Governors from 1980 – 1982. She has been Assistant Editor of Roma Replies and CLSA Advisory Opinions since 1991. She is presently Associate Professor of Canon Law at Catholic University of America, where in addition to the work she does with licentiate students, continues to be available to assist any and all who call her as a consultant on matters of Consecrated Life and other issues. And she says that her greatest claim to fame is that she is a Sister of St. Joseph. I am extremely proud to present this year’s winner of the Role of Law Award, Sister Rose McDermott.