Sammon, Sean D. 1947-

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Sammon, Sean D. 1947-

PERSONAL:

Born November 26, 1947, in New York, NY. Education: Marist College, B.A., 1970; New School for Social Research, M.A., 1973; Fordham University, M.A., 1976, Ph.D., 1983. Religion: Roman Catholic. Hobbies and other interests: Running, swimming, backpacking.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Rome, Italy. E-mail—ssammon@aol.com.

CAREER:

House of Affirmation, Hopedale, MA, director of research and education, 1981-84; House of Affirmation, Natick, MA, international clinic director, 1984-87; Marist Brothers, Pelham, NY, provincial, 1987-93; Marist Brothers, Rome, Italy, vicar general, 1993-2001, superior general, 2001—.

MEMBER:

American Psychological Association, Sigma Xi.

WRITINGS:

(With others) Fidelity: Issues of Emotional Living in an Age of Stress for Clergy and Religious: Sixth Psychotheological Symposium, Affirmation Books (Whitinsville, MA), 1981.

(Editor) Martin C. Helldorfer, and others, Relationships: Issues of Emotional Living in an Age of Stress for Clergy and Religious: Eighth Psychotheological Symposium, Affirmation Books (Whitinsville, MA), 1983.

Growing Pains in Ministry, Affirmation Books (Whitinsville, MA), 1983.

Study Guide for Growing Pains in Ministry, Affirmation Books (Whitinsville, MA), 1986.

Alcoholism's Children: ACoAs in Priesthood and Religious Life, Alba House (New York, NY), 1989.

An Undivided Heart: Making Sense of Celibate Chastity, Alba House (New York, NY), 1993.

Life after Youth: Making Sense of One Man's Journey through the Transition of Mid-Life, Alba House (New York, NY), 1997.

A Heart That Knew No Bounds: The Life and Mission of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, Alba House (New York, NY), 2000.

Religious Life in America: A New Day Dawning, Alba House (New York, NY), 2002.

Contributor of numerous religious letters and circulars for church use.

SIDELIGHTS:

Sean D. Sammon is a clinical psychologist and member of the Marist Brotherhood. When he was named superior general in 2001, Sammon became the first American to lead the international congregation, which is based in Rome. He is the author of a number of books about religion and faith, particularly as they pertain to modern life. In An Undivided Heart: Making Sense of Celibate Chastity, for example, he addresses the idea of chastity as a part of current religious practice, as well as the ways in which sexuality can be channeled into religion. Religious Life in America: A New Day Dawning addresses American attitudes toward religion and how they have changed in recent years, contrasting them with the religious practices of other Christian nations. Of this book, Rea McDonnell wrote on the Alba House Web site: "New beginnings are not easy, but in this book Sammon has offered his readers a pastoral plan for the continuing renewal of religious life."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

National Catholic Reporter, November 19, 1993, William C. Graham, review of An Undivided Heart: Making Sense of Celibate Chastity, p. 36; February 6, 1998, William C. Graham and Gary R. Ruth, review of Life after Youth: Making Sense of One Man's Journey through the Transition of Mid-life, p. 40.