The University of St. Michael’s College is pleased to announce the appointment of Fr. Andrew Summerson as Academic Director of the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies (MASI) for a four-year term, beginning May 10, 2026.
Fr. Summerson is Associate Professor of Greek Patristics at Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology (RSM), having received tenure in December 2025. He has taught at the University of St. Michael’s College in support of MASI since 2021 and since then has been actively involved in organizing MASI’s diverse programming on campus and in public facing venues. He holds a doctorate in Patristic Theology from the Pontifical Patristic Institute, “Augustinianum.” He is the author of Divine Scripture and Human Emotion in Maximus the Confessor and is currently writing a book about Maximus’s interpretation of the earlier fathers. He is the co-editor of three volumes: Eastern Catholic Theology in Action, The Pastoral Theology of the Early Church, and Newman and Nicaea. His publications and research interests consider Christian theology and philosophy in the first millennium, as well as doctrine, scriptural exegesis, preaching, and hymnography. Beyond his work at MASI and RSM, he is a scholar fellow with the Lumen Christi Institute and board member of the North American Patristics Society. He is also actively engaged in pastoral projects with his wife, Laura Ieraci, a Catholic journalist.
“You can’t be a thinking Eastern Catholic in North America without debts to the Sheptytsky Institute,” says Fr. Summerson. “I am humbled to continue the work of the Institute’s founder Fr. Andriy Chirovsky, its long-time professor and director, Fr. Peter Galadza, and the array of faculty, staff, and MASI Foundation Board members who have made their bodies a living sacrifice for the cause of Eastern Christian theology. Our recent director, Fr. Alexander Laschuk has been an exemplary colleague and friend. I have learned much from his equilibrium, wisdom, and generous ‘yes’ to service.”
University of St. Michael’s College is an ideal home for the Institute, Fr. Summerson explains, because of the University’s historic commitment to theology and the global impact of its research and practice.
MASI plays an important role in the study of early and medieval theology at St. Mike’s, says Fr. Summerson, because these perspectives aren’t locked up in the past — they continue to live in the present traditions of Eastern Christians.
“Name any contemporary global conflict. It is Eastern Christians who are caught in the cross hairs. Their theological traditions provide conviction for martyrs and inspires the heroism of peacemakers, a gift that Pope Leo has called Eastern Catholics to give to the whole church. With St. Mike’s, we are happy to be dialogue partners to promote this theological conversation within the academy, church, and public sphere in the spirit of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, our heavenly patron whose example during his lifetime inspires our work today,” he said.
Professor Jaroslav Skira, the Fr. Terrance Forestell, CSB, Dean of the of the Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology, says that Professor Summerson “is a great witness to the importance of knowing and studying – and praying with – the Eastern Churches.” “I am very pleased to welcome Professor Summerson as the new Academic Director of the Sheptytsky Institute. I am confident that he will bring renewed creative energies and visionary leadership in support of our students, faculty and churches.”
President David Sylvester extended his congratulations to Dr. Summerson adding, “this appointment is another step in the developing relationship with the Sheptytsky Institute,” and expressed his gratitude to the MASI Foundation that has generously supported the Institute at the University of St. Michael’s College.
MASI Foundation President and Board Chair Catherine Pawluch added, “Fr. Summerson brings with him both stellar academic qualifications and a passion for the Institute. Under his leadership, the vision of establishing an authentic Eastern Catholic education, intertwined in a rich prayer and sacramental life, may be realized at the University of St. Michael’s College. It is this compelling vision that inspires and indeed, propels the Foundation’s benefactors and donors, whose immense generosity sustains the Institute.”
The Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies is an autonomous institute of research and learning about the religious traditions of the Christian East in the Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology. Founded in Chicago in 1986, it has been a vital part of St. Mike’s since 2017.