Christine Schenk

St. Joseph Sr. Christine Schenk, an NCR board member, served urban families for 18 years as a nurse midwife before co-founding FutureChurch, where she served for 23 years. Her book Crispina and Her Sisters: Women and Authority in Early Christianity (Fortress, 2017) was awarded first place in History by the Catholic Press Association. She holds master's degrees in nursing and theology.

By this Author

A copy of the Pledge of Allegiance rests on a desk next to an immigrant in a writing class at the U.S. government's holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas, July 9, 2019. (CNS/Eric Gay, pool via Reuters)

Dec 03, 2024

It is time to take a stand for our immigrants

Catholics are being called to stand with immigrants and migrants, writes Christine Schenk.

Attendees are pictured at the first Catholic Social Teaching and Investing Summit in Chicago, held Sept. 25-26. (Courtesy of the Francesco Collaborative)

Oct 17, 2024

A new economy for people and the planet

How can ordinary Catholics support a new "faith first" economic paradigm?

U.S. President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House, July 24 in Washington, about his decision to drop his Democratic presidential reelection bid. (OSV News/Reuters/Evan Vucci)

Sep 03, 2024

Power is a gift to be shared. When used wisely, it will multiply.

Christine Schenk draws parallels between this summer's politics and the Gospel story of Lazarus and Dives.

Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski of St. Louis is seen during his installation Mass Aug. 25, 2020 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. (OSV News/St. Louis Review/Lisa Johnston)

Jun 04, 2024

Good news for smaller parishes? Vatican upholds three merger appeals from St. Louis Catholics

Rome's Dicastery for the Clergy recently upheld an unprecedented third merger appeal from St. Louis Catholics determined to defend their parish homes. Could this be a sign of change?

Pallbearers accompany the casket of Bishop Thomas Gumbleton.

Apr 23, 2024

Sisters bid farewell to a beloved bishop and friend, Tom Gumbleton

Sr. Christine Schenk wanted to pay her respects to Bishop Thomas Gumbleton. She found a personal and heartfelt memorial service at the motherhouse of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters in Monroe, Michigan.

St. Joseph Sr. Helen Prejean speaks in front of a banner that reads, "End the death penalty."

Mar 27, 2024

'Will you be with me when I'm executed?': Interview with Sr. Helen Prejean

Sr. Helen Prejean accompanied Ivan Cantu through his Feb. 28 execution. Her act "mirrors that of the many courageous women who stayed with another man executed for a capital crime," writes Christin Schenk.

Woman stands with a group of children in a classroom. The children are wearing crocheted headbands,

Dec 12, 2023

Rose Torrence: Legendary Catholic school teacher, mentor, poet, friend

The legacy of Rosemary Torrence, who died Nov 11, speaks to the powerful influence of Catholic school teachers.

Mural on a brick wall that says, "Greetings from Cleveland" (Wikimedia Commons/Erik Drost)

Oct 18, 2023

Cleveland Diocese LGBTQ policy a 'slap in the face' to God's creation

Sr. Christine Schenk reflects on the LGBTQ policies issued in the Cleveland Diocese and on the response of her Sisters of St. Joseph community.

Sr. María Rosa Legoll of the School Sisters of St. Francis in the documentary "With This Light"; inset: Nicole Bernardi-Reis, producer and co-director of the film (Photos courtesy of Miraflores Films)

Sep 06, 2023

Q&A with Nicole Bernardi-Reis on her film about Sr. María Rosa Legoll

Nicole Bernardi-Reis speaks to GSR about the award-winning documentary she co-directed, "With This Light," which chronicles the extraordinary life of Honduran Sr. María Rosa Legoll of the School Sisters of St. Francis.

Dec 12, 2020

'O' antiphons: We hope despite the darkness

This sacred season of waiting and expectation is especially poignant now as our world holds its collective breath wondering if joy is even possible amid pandemic pain.

Apr 11, 2020

Where is God in the agony of coronavirus?

When we entered the Lenten season just six weeks ago, who among us would have imagined celebrating Holy Week and Easter amid so much death and suffering?

Dec 06, 2019

To Speak the Truth in Love: 'I included the ordination of women in my greeting. And I want it included'

Book excerpt - A new book by St. Joseph Sr. Christine Schenk details St. Theresa Kane's journey to leadership and her strength and persistence in the face of the Vatican's reaction and efforts to remove her from office.

Dec 05, 2019

To Speak the Truth in Love: 'To me Theresa Kane was, and is to this day, a sign of hope'

Sr. Kate Kuenstler of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, left, seen with St. Joseph Sr. Christine Schenk, receives FutureChurch's Rev. Louis J. Trivison Award in fall 2012. (Courtesy of FutureChurch)

Nov 05, 2019

In appreciation: Sr. Kate Kuenstler, canon lawyer for the people of God

Sister Kate, a Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ, died Oct. 28 at age 70. A canon lawyer, she helped hundreds of Catholics file appeals to save their parish churches threatened with closure.