Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Rector of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, today announced the appointment by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., of John M. Haas, Ph.D. to the John Cardinal Krol Chair in Moral Theology.  Dr. Haas was the inaugural holder of the Krol Chair from 1990-1996 and now returns to Saint Charles Seminary after a 22-year tenure as President of the National Catholic Bioethics Center.  His appointment is effective on January 14, 2019.

“Dr. John Haas is an internationally recognized theologian and expert in medical moral issues and has been at the forefront of the Church’s thoughtful response to these issues,” said Saint Charles Seminary Rector Bishop Timothy C. Senior. “Saint Charles Seminary is blessed to have this respected scholar with broad theological expertise now serving in the formation of our future priests who will increasingly be asked to provide pastoral guidance on difficult moral questions.”

“I am deeply grateful to Archbishop Chaput and Bishop Senior for the opportunity to return to St. Charles Seminary after twenty-two years,” said Dr. Haas. “Teaching has always been my first love and I consider it to be an undeserved privilege to be involved once again in the preparation of men for the priesthood.”

Dr. Haas has been the President of The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania since 1996.  He received his Ph.D. in Moral Theology from The Catholic University of America in 1988 and his S.T.L. in Moral Theology (summa cum laude) from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, in 1975.  He also studied at the University of Chicago and the University of Munich, Germany.  Before assuming the Presidency of the NCBC, Dr. Haas was the John Cardinal Krol Professor of Moral Theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia from 1989 until 1996 and Adjunct Professor at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and the Family, Washington, D.C. 

He is a consultant to both the Committee for Pro-Life Activities and the Health Care Subcommittee of the Doctrine Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  He was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as a Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life and later as a member of the Academy’s Directive Council.  In 2011, the Holy Father appointed him as a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers.  In 2018 Pope Francis reappointed him to the Pontifical Academy for Life.  He has received two honorary doctorates (Immaculata University and Franciscan University).  Dr. Haas is a Knight of Columbus.  He is also a member of the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta and has served as the Philadelphia area chairman. He was awarded the

Cross of Commander “Pro Merito Melitensi” by the Order in 2016. Dr. Haas and his wife Martha have nine children and numerous grandchildren and reside in Philadelphia.

The John Cardinal Krol Chair of Moral Theology was founded by His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua in January of 1990. The Krol Chair, named in honor of a great churchman who clearly and unwaveringly proclaimed the moral demands of Christian life, was established to enhance the Seminary’s efforts to promote a better understanding, appreciation and acceptance of Catholic moral teaching. Through teaching, lectures, symposiums, workshops and publications, the Krol Chair contributes to the seminary’s primary mission of preparing men for pastoral service as ordained priests and to its secondary mission of educational outreach to the broader Church community. The previous holder of the Krol Chair from 2008-2016 was Rev. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R. 

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Editor’s Note: Founded in 1832, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary has been forming men for priestly service in the Catholic Church for more than 180 years.  In August 2018, the seminary reported an overall enrollment of 175 seminarians, the largest enrollment since 2000-2001. Of the 52 new seminarians, 18 are seminarians studying for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. With the generosity of many, these young seminarians are able to successfully transform into the compassionate and loyal priests and inspiring leaders of tomorrow’s Church.  For more information on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, please call 610-667-3394 or visit www.scs.edu.