Born in Ohio in Midwest USA in 1951; professed first vows in the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in 1971; took part in the Overseas Training Program in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in 1975-1977 during seminary formation in Chicago; professed perpetual vows and ordained a priest in 1979; served as pastor (1980-1983) and taught in seminary and college (1986) in PNG. Studies included: Linguistics studies with the Summer Institute of Linguistics in North Dakota (1978-1979); MDiv at Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago (1979); Licentiate (1985) and Doctorate (1990) in Missiology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, with the thesis: "Initiation Rites as Religious Phenomena: A Case Study from Papua New Guinea." On the faculty of CTU since 1990, and currently a Full Professor of Intercultural Studies and Ministry and the Louis J. Luzbetak, SVD Professor of Mission and Culture. Became a member of Anthropos Institute in 1991 and is currently serving fifth three-year term as the International Coordinator of Anthropos Institute (2007-2021). Served as a member of the initial ad hoc committee on interculturality in 2013; chaired the SVD Resource Committee on Interculturality (RCI) over 2015-2019; co-chairs the reconstituted SVD-SSpS RCI (2019-2022). Chaired organizing teams for interculturality programs for religious congregations with SVD and SSpS (2015, 2016, 2017 in Nemi; forthcoming 2020 in Steyl), at CTU (2017-2020), International Union of Superiors General in Rome (2019 and forthcoming in Nairobi in July 2020). Co-facilitates annual 6-day immersion experience to the Rose Bud and Pine Ridge Lakota reservations in South Dakota, USA.
with Stephen Bevans. Prophetic Dialogue: Reflections on Christian Mission Today. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2011; [Asian edition] – Manila: Logos Publications, Inc, 2013; Dialogo Profetico: La Forma della Missione per il nostro Tempo. Bologna, Italy: EMI, 2014; Diálogo Profético: Reflexões sobre a missão crista hoje. São Paulo, Brazil: Paulinas, 2016; Kindle Edition
What is the Mission of the Church? A Guide for Catholics. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2008; Revised and expanded edition. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2018; Kindle Edition
with Stephen Bevans. Constants in Context: A Theology of Mission for Today. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2004. (xxii + 488); [Asian Edition] – Bangalore, India, and Quezon City, Philippines: Claretian Publications, 2005; Indonesian translation, 2006; Spanish translation, 2009; Italian translation, 2010; Chinese translation, 2011; Korean translation, 2011; Vietnamese translation, 2017; Kindle edition
edited with Stephen Bevans. Mission for the 21st Century. Chicago: CCGM Publications, 2001; Misi Untuk Abad Ke-21. Wairklau, Maumere: Penerbit Puslit Candraditya, 2002 [Indonesian translation]
edited with Stephen Bevans. Word Remembered, Word Proclaimed: Selected Papers from Symposia Celebrating the SVD Centennial in North America. Studia Instituti Missiologici SVD 65. Nettelal: Steyler Verlag, 1997
Initiation and Religion: A Case Study from the Wosera of Papua New Guinea. Studia Instituti Anthropos 46. University Press, Fribourg Switzerland, 1992
“Steps toward Reconciliation: The CTU-Lakota Relationship.” In The Church and Indigenous Peoples in the Americas, edited by Michel Andraos, 160-173. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2019
“Engaging our Diversity through Interculturality.” New Theology Review 30, no. 2 (March 2018): 65-68.
“Missionary Discipleship from an Intercultural Perspective.” In Missionary Discipleship in Glocal Contexts, edited by Lazar Stanislaus, Lazar and vanThanh Nguyen, 151-164. Studia Instituti Missiologici SVD 112. Siegburg, Germany: Franz Schmitt Verlag, 2018.
“Interculturality as a Paradigm for Mission.” In Intercultural Living: Explorations in Missiology, edited by Lazar Stanislaus and Martin Ueffing, 172-185. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2018.
“Mission in Roman Catholic Theology.” In Christian Mission, Contextual Theology, Prophetic Dialogue: Essays in Honor of Stephen B. Bevans, SVD, edited by Dale T. Irvin and Peter C. Phan, 17-36. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2018.
“Indigenous Theologies in the Americas.” Australian Journal of Mission Studies 12, no. 2 (2018): 35-46.
“La interculturalidad como paradigm de mission.” In Interculturalidad: en la vida y la mission, edited by Lazar T. Stanislaus and Martin Ueffing, 417-438. Estella, Spain: Editorial Verbo Divino, 2017.
“Missionary Ecclesiology: Evangelical, Ecumenical, and Catholic Developments in ‘Engaging the Nations’.” In Contemporary Mission Theology: Engaging the Nations: Essays in Honor of Charles E. Van Engen, edited by Robert L. Gallagher and Paul Hertig, 57-67. American Society of Missiology Series, No. 53. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2017. With Stephen B. Bevans.
“Defining New Prospects: Mission Inter-Gentes, Prophetic Dialogue, and Evangelization Today.” In Evangelizing in Time: New Models of Mission in the Ethiopian Context. Proceedings of the Conference, 17-19 December 2015 (Commemorating fifty years of Comboni Missionaries in Ethiopia), 10-21. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Comboni Missionaries, 2016.
“Prophetic Dialogue and Interculturality.” In Mission on the Road to Emmaus: Constants, Context and Prophetic Dialogue, edited by Cathy Ross and Stephen Bevans, 215-226. London: SCM Press, 2015.
“Pontifical Universities.” In Encyclopedia of Christian Education, edited by George Kurian and Mark Lamport. 2: 968. New York and London: Rowman & Littlefield, 2015.
“Mysterium Salutis: The Countenance of Christ in Evangelization.” In The Journey of Mission Ad Gentes, 135-147. Rome: Pontificial Urbaniana University, 2015.
“Interculturality as a Paradigm for Mission.” In Intercultural Mission, Vol. II, edited by Lazar Stanislaus and Martin Üffing, 155-170. Dehli: ISPCK, and Sankt Augustin: Steyler Missions wissenschaftliches Institut, 2015.
“Beginnings of Christian Tradition from a Global Perspective.” In Creating a Welcoming Space: Reflections on Church and Mission, edited by Fishborn, Kelly, Monaghan, and Price, 83-100. Northcote, Vic., Australia: Morning Star Publishing, 2014.
“Mission as Proclamation and Dialogue.” In The Gift of Mission: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow – Maryknoll Centennial Symposium, edited by James Kroeger, 125-129. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2013.
"Interculturality and Prophetic Dialogue." Verbum SVD 54,1 (2013): 8-21.
“Proclamation and Interreligious Dialogue as Prophetic Dialogue.” Missiology: An International Review 41, 1 (2013): 50-61.
“Catholic Teachings on Mission after Vatican II: 1975-2007.” In A Century of Catholic Mission, Regnum Edinburgh Centenary Series, edited by Stephen Bevans, 112-120. Oxford, UK: Regnum Books International, 2013.
“Interculturality and Prophetic Dialogue.” In Interculturality, Roscommon 25 Series, edited by Martin Ueffing, 11-23. Sankt Augustin, Germany: Steyler Missionswissenschaftliches Institut, 2013.
“Forward.” In The Great Age of Mission: Some Historical Studies in Mission History, Studia Instituti Missiologici SVD 100, by Nemer, Lawrence, 9-10. Sankt Augustin, Germany: Steyler Verlag, 2013.
“Interculturality and Prophetic Dialogue.” Perspektif: Jurnal Agama dan Kebudayaan (Malang, Indonesia) 8, 1 (June 2013): 67-79.
“Misi Sebagai Perjamuan Semeja Di Areopagus Abad Ke-21” [“Mission as Table Fellowship in the Areopagus of the 21st Century”]. In: Menerobos Batas – Merobohkan Prasangka [Passing Over – Removing Prejudice]. Vol. I: Pendasaran dan Praksis Dialog [Foundation and Practice of Dialogue]. In Honor of the 65th Birthday of Fr. John Prior SVD, edited by Paul Budi Kleden and Robert Mircel, 87-103. Maumere, Indonesia: Penerbit Ledalero, 2011.
“International Priests: Different Understandings of Sexuality and Gender Roles.” New Theology Review 22.1 (2009): 80-83.
With Stephen Bevans. “We Were Gentle Among You: Christian Mission in Dialogue.” Australian Ejournal, no. 7 (2006). [Also posted on www.instrumentsofpeace.ie]
“Catholic Church Growing Everywhere – Except in Europe.” International Bulletin of Missionary Research 30 (July 2006): 142-143.
With Stephen Bevans. “Missiology after Bosch: Reverencing a Classic by Moving Beyond.” International Bulletin of Missionary Research 29 (2005):2 60-72.
With Stephen Bevans. “Keeping Current: The ‘New’ Church History,” New Theology Review 16: 4 (2003) 79-81.
“S.V.D. Missionary Biographies,” in Reflecting Mission, Practicing Mission: Divine Word Missionaries Commemorate 125 Years of Worldwide Commitment, Heribert Bettscheider, ed. (Nettetal, Germany: Steyler Verlag, 2001) 758-767.
With Stephen Bevans. “Statement of the Consultation ‘Mission for the Twenty-first Century,” Verbum SVD 42:1 (2001) 97-104.
“Entering Someone Else’s Garden: Cross-Cultural Mission/Ministry,” in The Healing Circle: Essays in Cross-Cultural Mission, Stephen Bevans, Eleanor Doidge, and Robert Schreiter, eds. (Chicago: CCGM Publications, 2000) 147-161.
“Women, Mission, and the Early Franciscan Movement,” Missiology 28:4 (2000) 411-424.
"Oceania," in The Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions, A. Scott Moreau, ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000) 702-704.
With Stephen Bevans. “Missionary by Its Very Nature: A Reading of the Acts of the Apostles,” Verbum SVD 41:2 (2000) 199-234.
"Magic and Divination: Pastoral-Liturgical Tradition," in The Collegeville Pastoral Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Carroll Stuhlmueller, ed. (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1996) 577-578.
"A Snapshot of Missiology in North America," Verbum SVD 37:4 (1996) 401-412.
"Communion and Mission," Verbum SVD 35:1 (1994) 5-17.
With Stephen Bevans. "Mission Statement of the Chicago Province: A Commentary," Verbum SVD 35:1 (1994) 19-31.
"Contextualization of Initiation in a Melanesian Community," in Verbi Praecones: Festschrift für P. Karl Müller SVD zum 75. Geburtstag, K. Piskaty and H. Rzepkowski, eds. Nettetal, Holland: Steyler Verlag, 1993. 294-308.
Mission Beyond Ad Gentes: A Symposium, edited by Jacob Kavunkal and Christian Tauchner. Missiology: An International Review 45, no. 3 (July 2017): 349-350.
Catholic Cultures: How Parishes Can Respond to the Changing Face of Catholicism, Patricia Wittberg. Worship 91 (September 2017): 474-475.
Columbans on Mission, compiled by Peter Woodruff, edited by Kate Kenny and Connie Wacha. Australian E-Journal of Mission Studies 8, no. 1 (2014): 89-90.
With Stephen Bevans. “Evangelization and the Tenor of Vatican II: A Review Essay.” Will Many Be Saved? What Vatican II Actually Teaches and Its Implications for the New Evangelization, by Ralph Martin. International Bulletin of Missionary Research 37, 2 (2013): 94-95.
Cross-Cultural Mission: Problems and Prospects, edited by Raymundus Sudhiarsa. International Bulletin of Missionary Research 37, 4 (October 2013): 241-242.
Mission: Collision or Dialogical Encounter? A Chronicle of St. Paul’s Parish, Yobai, Papua New Guinea, by Ennio Mantovani. Missiology: An International Review XL, 4 (2012): 497-498.
In the Name of God: The Making of Global Christianity, by Edmondo Lupieri. Catholic Library World 83, 2 (2012): 139.
Explorers, Guides and Meaning-Makers: Mission Theology for Catholic Education, by Jim and Therese D’Orsa, in Missiology: An International Review 24, 1 (January 2011): 121-122.
Coming Out of the “Iron Cage.” The Indigenists of the Society of the Divine Word in Paraguay, 1910-2000, by Dariusz Piwowarczyk. Anthropos 106, 2 (2011): 700-701.
Sanguma in Pardise: Sorcery, Witchcraft and Christianity in Papua New Guinea, edited by Franco Zocca, Point No. 33, in Catalyst 40, 1 (2010), 147-149.
Translating the Message: The Missionary Impact on Culture, by Lamin Sanneh, revised and expanded edition, in New Theology Review 23, 3 (August 2010), 83-84.
Kaugu Gunan Ma Kaugu Pia My Village and My Land: The Theological Significance of Land in the New Guinea Islands of Papua New Guinea, by William Kenny Longgar. in Missiology: An International Review 38, 4 (October 2010), 486.
News of Boundless Riches: Interrogating, Comparing, and Reconstructing Mission in a Global Era, eds. Max Stackhouse and Lalsangkima Pachuau. International Bulletin of Missionary Research 33.1 (2009): 51-52.
Christians in China: A.D. 600-2000, by Jean-Pierre Charbonnier. Trans. M.N.L. Couve de Murville. New Theology Review 22.2 (2009): 84-85.
Mission in the Twenty-First Century: Exploring the Five Marks of Global Mission, edited by Andrew Walls and Cathy Ross. New Theology Review 22.3 (2009): 92-93.
Anthropophany: Mission as Making a New Humanity, by Jacob Kavunkal. Missiology 37.4 (2009): 575, 577.
Melanesia and Its Churches: Past and Present, by Franco Zocca. Missiology 36.4 (2008): 531.
Alive in Christ: The Synod of Oceania and the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea, 1998-2005. Philip Gibbs, ed. Mission Studies 24, 1 (2007): 161-162.
Blessed Among All Women: Women Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses for Our Times. Robert Ellsberg. New Theology Review 19, 3 (2006): 86-87.
On the Bloody Road to Jesus: Christianity and the Chiricahua Apaches. H. Henrietta Stockel. Missiology 33, 3 (2005) 373-374.
Church in the Service of Asia’s People. Jacob Kavunkal, Errol D’Lima, Mathew Jayanth, eds., Missiology 32, 3 (2004) 396-397.
Presente! U.S. Latino Catholics from Colonial Origins to the Present. Timothy Matovina and Gerald Poyo, eds., Missiology 31, 2 (2003) 250.
La Missione Senza Confini. Marek Rostkowski, ed. International Bulletin of Missionary Research 26:2 (April 2002) 90.
What is Mission? Theological Explorations. J. Andrew Kirk. New Theology Review 14:3 (August 2001) 90-91.
Towards an African Narrative Theology. Joseph Healey and Donald Sybertz. Mission Studies 17 (2000) 299-300.
Studies in Asian Mission History. Arnulf Camps. Mission Studies 17 (2000) 300-301.
The Missionary Movement in American Catholic History. Angelyn Dries, Mission Studies 16:1 (1999) 183-184.
Piety and Power: Muslims and Christians in West Africa. Lamin Sanneh, Catholic Library World 70:1 (1999) 43-44.
Divine Word Missionaries in Papua New Guinea, 1896-1996. Steyler Missionswissenschaftiches Institut, ed. Missiology 26:1 (1998) 102.
Enchiridion della Chiesa Missionaria, Pontificia Opere Missionarie and Direzione Nazionale Italiana, eds. International Bulletin of Missionary Research 22:3 (1998) 138.
Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions, Gerald Anderson, ed. Mission Studies 15:1 (1998) 155-156.
Advertising Missionaries (video), Chris Hilton and Gauthier Flauder. Catholic Library World 69:1 (1998) 94-95.
Mae Enga Myths and Christ’s Message. Maria Dlugosz, Verbum SVD 39:4 (1998) 410-411.
A Listening Church: Autonomy and Communion in African Churches. Elochukwu Uzukwu. Catholic Library World (March 1997) 31.
Racial Conflict and Healing: An Asian-American Theological Perspective. Andrew Sung Park. Catholic Library World (September 1997) 41.
The Social Control of Religious Zeal: A Study of Organizational Contradictions. Jon Miller. Verbum SVD 36:1 (1995) 104-105.
Redemption and Dialogue: Reading Redemptoris Missio and Dialogue and Proclamation. William Burrows. Missiology 23:4 (1995) 480.
Editorial work with the publication of: Ralph Wiltgen, The Founding of the Roman Catholic Church in Melanesia and Micronesia, 1850-1875. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2008
Interlink: Annual newsletter and report of activities of individual and institutional members of Anthropos Institute, 2007-2019
Contributing Editor of Mission Studies. (1997-2007)
Editorial Board of New Theology Review. (2005-2008)
Member of Editorial Committee for ASM Scholarly Monograph Series. (2006-present)
One of the three Associate Editors of International Bulletin of Mission Research. (2016-present)