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.

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La hermana Christine Schenk (St. Joseph), miembro de la junta directiva de NCR, sirvió a familias urbanas durante 18 años como enfermera partera antes de cofundar FutureChurch, donde trabajó durante 23 años. Su libro Crispina y sus hermanas: Las mujeres y la autoridad en el cristianismo primitivo (Fortress, 2017) obtuvo el primer lugar en historia por parte de la Asociación de Prensa Católica. Posee maestrías en enfermería y teología.

By this Author

Participants attend the June 13, 2026, workshop "Neighboring the Dear Neighbor" hosted by the Sisters of St. Joseph at their center in Cleveland. (Kaleigh Tuck-McCalla)

'Neighboring the Dear Neighbor' workshop equips Catholics to support migrants

The workshop "Neighboring the Dear Neighbor," planned and sponsored by Sr. Christine Schenk's own Congregation of St. Joseph in Cleveland, brought together groups serving migrants to share how anyone can help.

After 50 years, women's ordination advocates brainstorm paths to transform institutions

The brainchild of WOC Executive Director Kate McElwee, the "Not if, But How — Reforming Institutions" panel gathered two sociologists and a political scientist to explore concrete strategies for changing institutions.  

Little Sisters of St. Francis Sr. Jane Wakahiu (left) speaks as NBC News correspondent Anne Thompson listens at the "Catholic Women's Leadership to Advance the Common Good" panel at Georgetown University March 9. (Georgetown University/Lisa Helfert)

Georgetown panelists on women's leadership in the church: 'We have a lot of work to do'

Despite the powerful charisms bestowed upon many women, "it is no secret that women leaders face significant obstacles in exercising their God-given gifts within the church," Christine Schenk writes. 

Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago addresses migrants at the Migrant Ministry's first location at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church in Oak Park, Illinois, in a December 2023 photo. Program organizer Celine Woznica is pictured at the right. (Courtesy of Migrant Ministry)

Christine Schenk: Chicago seniors mentor migrants amid deportation threats

The Migrant Ministry of the Catholic Parishes of Oak Park has provided assistance to thousands of migrants — and nearly all of the ministry's volunteers are senior citizens.

West Bank

Jerusalem Christian leaders decry suffering, potential annexation of Palestine

 A Jerusalem Voice for Justice is an ecumenical witness for equality and peace in Palestine/Israel. Christine Schenk interviews its spokesperson, Jesuit Fr. David Neuhaus.

Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale are seen at the Democratic National Convention at Madison Square Garden, July 15, 1976 in New York City. Jimmy Carter died Dec. 29, 2024, his presidential library announced. At 100, Carter was the longest-living U.S. president. (OSV News/Library of Congress handout via Reuters/Warren K. Leffler)

Jimmy Carter was not a failed politician

Christine Schenk reflects on the "prophetic and consequential" presidency of Jimmy Carter.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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."

'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,

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)

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)

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.

(Pixabay/Gabriele Lässer)

'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.

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?

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.

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

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.

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)

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.