Earlier in June Elizabeth Liebert became the first Catholic sister to be named as dean of a Presbyterian seminary in the United States. San Francisco Theological Seminary is a school of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Setri Nyomi, the general secretary of the Geneva-based WARC, told Ecumenical News International, “In April this year, while on an official visit to San Francisco Theological Seminary, I was impressed by the way in which SFTS is committed to ecumenical engagement and justice.”
He added, “This appointment indicates how the SFTS understands the truth of the common saying ‘To be Reformed is to be ecumenical’. It will continue to strengthen the formation of a new generation of church leaders and church agents to understand the need to appreciate the gifts of all women and men from the different Christian traditions.”
Liebert has spent more than two decades teaching at the 138-year-old seminary in San Anselmo, Calif.
“We are particularly pleased to be attaining a historic ecumenical milestone,” SFTS President Phil Butin said. “Dr Liebert’s deanship is a sterling example of SFTS’ thoroughgoing commitment to ecumenical theological education.”
