shaping church leaders for the 21st century
shaping church leaders for the 21st century
Most Rev. George R. Lucey, FCM, is the Presiding Bishop and Founder of the American National Catholic Church (ANCC) and Chancellor of the American National Catholic Theological Institute (ANCTI). As Chancellor, Bishop Lucey provides oversight of the Institute and appoints its rector, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the ANCTI.
With over three decades as a licensed professional counselor and board-certified medical psychotherapist, Bishop George brings a rare integration of pastoral care, theological depth, and clinical expertise to the formation of future clergy and lay leaders. His teaching emphasizes the ANCC’s rootedness in the broader Catholic tradition and its witness to the all-inclusive love of God at the heart of the Church’s mission.
Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Harmon is the first Rector of the American National Catholic Theological Institute and has guided its institutional formation since his appointment in 2020. His responsibilities include the development of Institute policies and procedures, creation and oversight of a teaching faculty, and the supervision of seminarians and other students enrolled in Institute programs and other studies. Working under the authority of the Presiding Bishop, who also serves as the Institute’s Chancellor, Fr. Joseph is assisted by a Vice Rector, Chief Academic Officer, and other staff. He works closely with an Advisory Board that meets quarterly.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, the Master of Divinity degree from The General Theological Seminary, and the Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law.
Rev. Fr. Richard S. Sinacola serves as Vice Rector of the ANCTI. In that capacity he assists the Rector in the administrative duties of overseeing the Institute, especially as a liaison with seminarians. He brings a wealth of teaching and administrative experience to his role as Vice Rector.
Fr. Richard holds an A.B. in Psychology (Music minor) from the University of Detroit, an MSW from Wayne State University, an M.Div. from St. Clement Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Wayne State University and is the author of several professional articles and books.
Fr. Matthew Schnabel, FCM, is the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. He is responsible for reviewing applications from seminarians and students from jurisdictions outside of the American National Catholic Church. He also reviews and makes recommendations for financial aid for seminarians and other students.
Very Rev. Fr. Geety Reyes is the corporate Treasurer for the American National Catholic Theological Institute, Inc. He oversees and maintains the financial records of the Institute and regularly reports on the financial status of the corporation to the Executive Council of the ANCC and the ANCTI Advisory Board.
Fr. Geety Reyes was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. His elementary and high-school education was under the Franciscan Capuchins (OFMs) of Lourdes School of Mandaluyong, where his exposure to Franciscan spirituality began. He continued his studies at Mapua Institute of Technology, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering. He moved to the US in December 2000 to pursue his career as a computer programmer. He studied theology at Newark School of Theology, St. John the Beloved Seminary, and The General Theological Seminary.
Fr. Geety is a Franciscan friar belonging to the Franciscan Community of Mercy. He was ordained a deacon in the ANCC on August 18, 2012, and as a priest on January 3, 2015.
Fr. Bernardo Cardona completed his philosophical studies at Our Lady of the Rosary Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Manizales and his theological studies at Mary Immaculate Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Ibagué, consolidating a solid ecclesial formation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education (BSed) from the Catholic University in Colombia, with a specialization in Religious Sciences. He also holds a master’s degree in human Rights, Management, and Community Development (M.HR.CD), is a Specialist in Pedagogy, and has an Associate Degree in Religious Sciences (A.RS). He will soon receive a master’s degree in the Social Doctrine of the Church from the International Catholic University in West Virginia.
Throughout his career, he has served as an educator at the secondary, university, and adult education levels. He has also held leadership positions in organizations dedicated to protecting and developing vulnerable communities. His master’s degree in theology, with a specialization in the social doctrine of the Church, supports his academic and pastoral approach to forming servants who integrate faith and action in the concrete reality of our communities. In addition to his studies in Catholic social justice, he is also interested in the spiritual formation of seminarians and others.
Since 2016, he has collaborated with an institution serving the elderly, providing spiritual accompaniment and supporting projects aimed at their holistic well-being. He has also participated on the boards of social foundations that strengthen the leadership and dignity of immigrant communities, Afro-descendant workers, and members of LGBT communities, promoting respect and social justice.
His ministry integrates academic formation, social leadership, and pastoral sensitivity, fostering human dignity, transformative education, and the integral development of communities.
Father Bernardo is a priest of the Franciscan Community of Mercy and currently serves as Pastor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Kearny, New Jersey, as Vicar of the Hispanic Apostolate, and as a seminarian formator within the ANCC.
Fr. Mark DeStephano is Chairman and Professor of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures and Director and Professor of the Asian Studies Program at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.A. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Philosophy from Fordham University, four Master’s degrees in Theology from Regis College of the University of Toronto, a Master’s degree in Education from Saint Peter’s University, and his Master’s and doctoral degrees in Romance Languages and Literatures from Harvard University. His research focuses on medieval European literatures and on issues of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and identity in Asian and Latino cultures. His theological expertise is in Biblical Studies, Foundational Theology, and Christology. He has had more than forty years of experience teaching, particularly all levels of multiple languages.
Fr. Joseph Harmon earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, majoring in History with a focus in Medieval History and a minor in religious studies. He received the Master of Divinity degree from The General Theological Seminary with a concentration in Patristic History and Systematic Theology. After over twenty years in parish ministry, he earned the Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law (now Commonwealth Law School) and practiced law with a major corporate law firm in Harrisburg, PA where his practice was focused in health care, property, and administrative law. Although a licensed Pennsylvania attorney, he is no longer in active legal practice, but readily applies his legal background to his ongoing work with the Church.
After over forty years as an Episcopal (Anglican) priest, Fr. Joseph was incardinated with the ANCC. Throughout his ministry, he has taught at various times at primary and secondary Roman Catholic schools in Newark, NJ, and Detroit, MI. He was on the faculty and served as chaplain at a Connecticut preparatory school where he taught ethics, and was Dean of his parish’s K-8 school in Chicago, where he taught science and religion to the upper school.
His current academic and teaching interests are in the areas of primitive and early church history, the Apostolic Fathers, and the Pauline letters.
Fr. Joseph enjoys playing the piano, woodworking, and gardening. He is owned by his loving cat, Ms. Kahdijah.
Bishop George R. Lucey serves as Presiding Bishop of the American National Catholic Church and as a founding faculty member of the American National Catholic Theological Institute. He is a member of the Franciscan Community of Mercy and a former director of formation for the community.
He holds both the S.T.B. and M.Div. degrees from Regis College, the Jesuit Pontifical College at the Toronto School of Theology of the University of Toronto, and an earned Doctorate in Psychology.
Before entering religious life, Bishop George was Assistant Professor of Mental Health in the School of Health Sciences at Hahnemann University and the Medical College of Pennsylvania, where he co-authored one of the nation’s first baccalaureate degree programs in Addiction Counseling Sciences.
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Father Matthew Schnabel, FCM, completed his Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree with a concentration in pastoral theology with honors at Southwest Georgia Theological Institute. His seminary experience was one of ecumenical dialogue with students of various faith backgrounds in the Christian tradition. He was permitted to student teach under the academic dean in course studies focusing on church history and Biblical interpretation and preservation. His main subjects include New and Old Testament survey and interpretation, and church history.
Matthew also has experience in seminary administration, and in the guidance and formation of postulants. He looks forward to developing courses that not only challenge thought, but form minds to truly study scripture and always present the word of God for all people.
Fr. Matthew’s teaching is in the styles of Ignatian spirituality and Franciscan thought and learning patterns. He looks forward to working with laypeople and seminarians alike to equip them to serve the people of God.
Rev. Fr. Richard S. Sinacola is pastor of St. Giles Catholic Community of Palm Springs, CA. He also serves on the chaplaincy staff at Desert Regional Hospital in Palm Springs. In addition to teaching in the ANCTI he is a Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at California State University San Bernardino. He is a licensed psychologist, marriage and family therapist, and professional counselor. He is also a curriculum consultant for the CPE program for chaplains at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage.
A graduate of Ss. Peter and Paul Minor Seminary in Newark Ohio, he also attended Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. He holds an A.B. in Psychology (Music minor) from the University of Detroit, an MSW from Wayne State University, an M.Div. from St. Clement Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Wayne State University. He is the author of several articles and books including:
Basic Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals (3rd Ed). Pearson/Allyn and Bacon
Professional Counselors in Private Practice. Learning Publications
The Five Cs of a Healthy Relationship. Cognella Academic Publishing
Conducting Effective Mental Status and Risk Assessments. PESI Healthcare
Fr. Richard enjoys reading, writing poetry, and composing at the piano.
Mthr. Cheryl Smith earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Quinnipiac University. She earned her Master of Social Work degree at Southern Connecticut State University. Mthr. Cheryl is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She dedicated her career to working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families in a private, non-profit organization that offered inpatient and outpatient treatment, as well as special education services. She was the Chief Operating Officer of the organization when she retired. Mthr Cheryl currently has a private practice providing therapy to people of all ages, including couples and families.
Mthr Cheryl, throughout her career, made numerous presentations at national conferences, developed and provided training programs focused on staff development, and co-authored research focused on polypharmacy reduction for youth in residential treatment with positive treatment outcomes. She’s served as a consultant and trainer for several treatment centers in Connecticut.
After pursuing studies with the American National Theological Institute and the STEP Program of the University of Notre Dame, Mthr. Cheryl was ordained to the priesthood on January 18, 2020, in the American National Catholic Church. She currently serves as Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph of Arimathea Church in Orange, CT. She is also the Vicar of Formation for the American National Catholic Church.
Mthr Cheryl has been married to her husband since 1987. They have one daughter and son-in-law and two amazing granddaughters. Mthr Cheryl loves to spend time with family and enjoys reading, studying scripture, and travelling. She also spends time trying to be a painter, although she rarely shares her artwork because it’s always a work in progress.
Mthr Cheryl’s interests in teaching include Parish Administration and Pastoral Theology.
Fr. Kerry S. Walters earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, his Master of Arts degree in Philosophy at Marquette University, and his Ph.D. at the University of Cincinnati. He is Professor emeritus of Philosophy at Gettysburg College, where he taught for three decades, retiring in 2016. He has also taught at Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, and the University of Essex in England.
He is the author of numerous books on philosophy, religion, and American history, as well as over 200 articles in academic journals, trade magazines, and newspapers. His special fields of interest include Christian mysticism, atheism, the ethics of diet, Christian pacifism, critical thinking, deism in early America, and the history of the early republic. Fr. Kerry is pastor emeritus of Holy Spirit American National Catholic Church.