USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) - Camden Educator Named to U.S. Bishops' Catechetical Office

Camden Educator Named to U.S. Bishops' Catechetical Office

WASHINGTON (October 21, 2003) -- Michael Steier, D. Min., Secretary for Evangelization and Catechetical Formation in the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, has been named Assistant Secretary for Catechesis and Leadership Formation at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

He succeeds Sister of Charity Maureen Shaughnessy, who left the position to become general superior of the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station, N.J.

"I am delighted to welcome Dr. Steier to the U.S. Bishops' Department of Education," said Dominican Sister Glenn Anne McPhee, the U.S. Bishops' Secretary for Education. "His long experience in religious education gives him tremendous insight into this important area of Church ministry. Ours is a vibrant faith and one which must be nourished daily through prayer and faith formation. Dr. Steier is up to the challenges before him."

Dr. Steier has worked in religious education since 1975, when he began work at the parish level. In 1995, he became Camden's Diocesan Director of the Office of Religious Education, and since 2000 has been in his current position.

He holds a doctor of ministry degree from St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore, Maryland, and master of theology and master of divinity degrees from St. John Provincial Seminary, in Plymouth, Michigan. He also pursued Graduate Theological Studies at the Angelicum, a pontifical university in Rome.

The Assistant Secretary for Catechesis and Leadership Formation serves as staff to the Bishops' Committee on Catechesis. This includes working as directed by the committee in issues involving catechesis on all levels: adults, young adults, children and youth.

Dr. Steier is married and father of four children.