Andrew M. Greeley
Priest - Author - Sociologist

• A native of Chicago, Reverend Andrew M. Greeley, is a priest, distinguished sociologist and best-selling author. He is professor of social sciences at the University of Chicago and the University of Arizona, as well as Research Associate at the national Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. His current sociological research focuses on current issues facing the Catholic Church - including celibacy of priests, ordination of women, religious imagination and sexual behavior of Catholics.

• Father Greeley received the S.T.L. in 1954 from St. Mary of Lake Seminary. His graduate work was done at the University of Chicago, where he received the M.A. Degree in 1961 and the Ph.D.. in 1962.

• Father Greeley has written scores of books and hundreds of popular and scholarly articles on a variety of issues in sociology, education and religion. His column on political, church and social issues is carried by the New York Times Religious News Service. He stimulates discussion of neglected issues and often anticipates sociological trends. he is the author of 30 best-selling novels and an autobiography, "Confessions of a parish Priest." His latest novel is "White Smoke," due out in June.

• In 1986, Father Greeley established a $1 million Catholic Inner-City School Fund, providing and scholarships and financial support to schools in the Chicago Archdiocese with a minority student body of more than 50 percent. In 1984 he contributed a $1 million endowment, establishing a chair in Roman Catholic Studies at the University of Chicago. He has funded an annual lecture series on "The Church in Society" at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary.

• Among the honors conferred on Father Greeley are the Thomas Alva Edison Award for "Catholic Hour" radio broadcasts in 1962; the Catholic Press Association Award for the best short story for young people in 1965; the prestigious Freedom to Read Award presented by the Friends of the Chicago Public Library in 1989; the honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from St. Joseph's College (Renssalaer, Indiana) in 1967; the honorary Doctorate of Literature degree from St. Mary's College (Winona, Minnesota) in 1967; the honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree from Bowling Green State university, 1988; the Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from St. Louis University in 1991; the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Northern Michigan University in 1993; the 1993 U.S. Catholic Award for furthering the cause of women in the church; and the Illinois Outstanding Citizen from the College of Lake County.