The Dead Theologians Society
By Meghan Ferrara
atholics say we believe in “the communion of saints.” But in the last 50
years, most young Catholics have learned almost nothing about our saints.
Enter The Dead Theologians Society, founded by youth minister Eddie Cotter, Jr in 1997; since then the Society has been implemented in over 550 parishes and schools worldwide. Over 15,000 young people have become members of DTS – in chapters in 45 states in the US, as well as Ireland, Canada, Ghana, Germany and the Philippines.
REGINA’s Meghan Ferrara recently spoke with him on the phenomenal success of his program and why it is more critical than ever in a world where “The tragic result of the recent Irish Referendum on abortion should be a massive wake-up call. The western world, including our own country is a bona-fide mission field. Ignorance of the Catholic faith and indifference towards God and His Church are truly at epidemic levels.”
C
REGINA: What inspired you to start the Dead Theologians Society?
EDDIE: I was the Youth Minister at Church of the Annunciation in Altamonte Springs, Florida. After watching the film, Dead Poets Society, we all spoke of the sad reality that most teens look upon Religion as just another subject they must complete for school. For Catholic teens who don’t attend Catholic schools, so many – if not most – look at attending CCD classes as just a “hoop” they must jump through in order to get Confirmed, so they can then be finished with Religion.
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