REV. MSGR. ROBERT J. DEMPSEY, M.A., S.T.D.

          Msgr. Robert J. Dempsey was born and raised in Chicago.  After earning A.B.Clas. and M.A. degrees in philosophy from Loyola University of Chicago,  he completed his studies at the North American College in Rome, where he received a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and was ordained a priest by Pope John Paul II in 1980. On returning to the Archdiocese, he was an associate pastor at St. Joseph’s, Libertyville (1980-85), St. Ferdinand’s, Chicago (1985-90), and St. Wenceslaus, Chicago (1990-91).  During that time he completed the degree of licentiate in sacred theology at Mundelein Seminary and also served part-time as a notary and field advocate of the Metropolitan Tribunal, member of the Archdiocesan Catholic-Greek Orthodox Dialogue Commission, and master of ceremonies to Cardinal Bernardin.

          In 1991 he was appointed editor of the weekly English edition of L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican’s newspaper, where he served ten years.  He was named a Chaplain of His Holiness, with the title “Monsignor,” in 1996 and returned to the Archdiocese in 2001. He then pursued doctoral studies in theology while residing at St. Patrick’s, Wadsworth (2001-02), and St. Peter’s, Skokie (2002-03).  In February 2003 he successfully defended his dissertation in moral theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology summa cum laude.  He has been pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Northfield since July 1, 2003.  He is also a member of the Presbyteral Council, the College of Consultors, the Archdiocesan Bioethics Commission, and chairman of the Priests’ Advisory Committee of the Respect Life Office.