Choosing the Next Pope: Santa Clara University Experts Available

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the College of Cardinals convenes in Rome soon for the conclave that will choose the next Pope of the worldwide Catholic Church, several Santa Clara University professors are available for media interviews on various aspects of the process, selection, and church history.

The professors are able to address questions such as What do Catholics want from the new Pope? What is the future of the Catholic Church under the newly chosen Pope? What does the selection of a particular Cardinal mean about what is ahead for the Catholic Church? What role does the sexual abuse scandal have in setting the future direction of the Catholic Church?

THEOLOGY/ CATHOLIC CHURCH/ CHURCH GOVERNANCE:

Michael McCarthy, S.J., is a Jesuit priest and professor of theology and executive director of Santa Clara University’s Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education. He can discuss how Catholics are likely to react to the man chosen as the new Pope, and what the selection may mean for the future Church, as well as issues facing the Church today. He can be reached at 408-554-4715 or [e-mail]. Deborah Lohse in Media Relations can also help reach him: [e-mail] or 408-554-5121 (work) or 408-768-6898 (cell).

Thomas Cattoi, Ph.D., associate professor of Christology and cultures at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University (based in Berkeley, Calif.), can discuss the politics and other aspects of the selection process (including tensions between Italian and America Cardinals). His e-mail is [e-mail], and his work number is 510-549-5005. Deborah Lohse in Media Relations can also help reach him: [e-mail] or 408-554-5121 (work) or 408-768-6898 (cell).

Paul Crowley, S.J. is a Jesuit priest and professor of religious studies at Santa Clara University. He can discuss the idea of “the Catholic Church at an impasse,” and how previous Popes have or have not separated the office and the person. Fr. Crowley can be reached at [e-mail] or via Deborah Lohse of SCU Media Relations, 408-554-5121 (work), [phone] (cell) or [e-mail].

Sally Vance -Trembath is a lecturer in ecclesiology (theology as applied to the nature and structure of the Church) at Santa Clara University. She can discuss issues impacting the selection process as well as significant turning points in Church history and key moments in papal history. She can be reached at [e-mail] or via Deborah Lohse of SCU Media Relations, 408-554-5121 (work), [phone] (cell) or [e-mail].

Frederick Parrella, professor of religious studies at Santa Clara University, can discuss the present state of the Catholic Church, and what the election says about the future of Catholicism. He can be reached at [e-mail] or 408-554-4714 or via Deborah Lohse of SCU Media Relations, 408-554-5121 or [e-mail].

PSYCHOLOGY/SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL:

Thomas G. Plante, professor of psychology at Santa Clara University, can discuss the five reasons he believes non-Catholics are so enthralled with the pope-selection process and the history and role that the clergy sexual abuse and cover-up scandal plays in the process. Plante is the Augustin Cardinal Bea, S.J. University Professor of Psychology at Santa Clara University and author of several books on clergy abuse including, Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church: A Decade of Crisis, 2002-2012. His e-mail is [e-mail] and his office phone number is [phone]. Marika Krause of SCU Media Relations can also assist in reaching him: [e-mail] or [phone] (work) or [phone] (cell).