Father Robinson Named to Head St. Meinrad

Father Denis Robinson, O.S.B., has been appointed as the new president-rector of Saint Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana. Archabbot Justin DuVall, O.S.B., announced the appointment on January 31, following the recommendation of the School's Board of Trustees.

Father Denis will take office on June 1, 2008. He succeeds Father Mark O'Keefe, O.S.B., who is planning to leave at the end of the school year. Father Denis will become the 14th president-rector of the School of Theology.

Since 2007, Father Denis, 45, has served as assistant professor of systematic theology and executive assistant to the president-rector at Saint Meinrad School of Theology. In 2007, he was named subprior (third in leadership) of the monastic community.

"It's a privilege and an honor to work in this way for Saint Meinrad and the School of Theology," said Father Denis. "I want to continue to move forward, as we have under Father Mark's leadership, and continue to be leaders in this work for the life of the Church."

Born Sidney Lynn Robinson on August 13, 1962, in Iuka, Mississippi, Father Denis attended Saint Meinrad College and School of Theology, earning a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1989 and a Master of Divinity in 1993. He was ordained for the Diocese of Memphis on June 13, 1993. From 1993-97, he was parochial vicar for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in the Diocese of Memphis. He joined the monastery on August 6, 1997, and professed his solemn vows on August 15, 2000.

From 1997-2001, Father Denis was director of continuing education and permanent deacon formation and adjunct instructor in systematic theology for the School of Theology. He then attended the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, where he received a master's degree in theology in 2002, a licentiate in sacred theology in 2003, and doctorates in sacred theology and philosophy in 2007.

Father Denis is the author of numerous articles and has contributed to several theological texts. He is the editor of Sacerdos in Aeternum: Reflections on the Priesthood Today and co-editor of Theology and Religious Pluralism.