Paul Chaim Schenck (born 1958) is an ordained clergyman, author, and lecturer.
Early life and work
Schenck was born in
Glen Ridge, New Jersey
Glen Ridge is a Borough (New Jersey), borough in Essex County, New Jersey, Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough’s population was 7,802, reflecting an increase of 275 (+3.7%) from the 2 ...
, to Henry P. Schenck and Marjorie M. Apgar. He has two sisters and an identical twin brother with whom he was raised in
Grand Island, New York
Grand Island is an island town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town's population was 21,389 representing an increase of 5.00% from the 2010 census figure. The town's name derives from the French name ''La Grand ...
. His father was born Jewish and his mother
converted to Judaism from the Catholic and Anglican (Episcopal) churches. He and his brother attended Hebrew School in nearby Niagara Falls until the sixth grade. As a teenager, Schenck turned away from Judaism, and after a period of atheism and agnosticism, he became a born-again Christian. He was married in 1977 in an interfaith ceremony in Niagara Falls, New York, presided by Paul Fodor, the Hungarian Holocaust survivor and author. At the time, Schenck was a student in the Institute of Jewish Studies at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Schenck became director of the Empire State Teen Challenge center, a faith-based residential treatment program for persons with "life-controlling problems" such as substance use and abuse, antisocial behaviors, criminal conduct, and relational conflicts. He has been active as a religious professional for more than 40 years as a religious educator, counselor, and executive.
Education and experience
Schenck graduated from the
Luther Rice University in 1984 with a B.A. in biblical studies with a focus on the Hebrew Old Testament. He stood his canonical examinations at the
Philadelphia Theological Seminary in 1995. In 2005, he received a Master Certificate in executive leadership from the
Mendoza College of Business
The Mendoza College of Business is the business school at the University of Notre Dame, a private university in Notre Dame, Indiana. Founded in 1921, it offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. It is ranked among the top 30 business scho ...
at the
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac, known simply as Notre Dame ( ) or ND, is a private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, outside the city of South Bend. French priest Edward Sorin founded the school in 1842. The main campu ...
. He received a master's degree in health care ethics from the Bioethics Institute at
Holy Apostles College and Seminary
Holy Apostles College and Seminary is a Catholic seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut. It was founded in 1956 on a property in Cromwell by Eusebe M. Menard to provide a program of education and formation for men intending to enter the priesthood. ...
in
Cromwell, Connecticut
Cromwell is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States located in the middle of the state. The population was 14,225 at the 2020 census.
The town was named after a shipping boat that traveled along the Connecticut River, which runs a ...
, and received certification in health care ethics. He completed coursework with the
Institute for the Psychological Sciences
The Institute for the Psychological Sciences (IPS) is a graduate school of psychology and an integral part of Divine Mercy University (DMU) in Sterling, Virginia. The institute was founded in 1999 with the mission of basing the scientific study ...
in
Arlington, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county is situated in Northern Virginia on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River directly across from the District of Columbia, of which it was once a part. The county is ...
, where he received a
Master of Science
A Master of Science ( la, Magisterii Scientiae; abbreviated MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master's degree in the field of science awarded by universities in many countries or a person holding such a degree. In contrast to ...
degree in psychology, and holds doctorates in educational leadership and pastoral practice from the School of Arts and Education of
St. Thomas University and the Graduate Theological Foundation. His post-doctoral degree in Jewish studies was awarded in Interfaith Leadership by the faculty of historic Gratz College in Philadelphia. He completed the seminar in Jewish philosophy at the yeshiva
Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem
Ohr Somayach (also Or Samayach or Ohr Somayach International) is a yeshiva based in Jerusalem founded in 1970 catering mostly to young Jewish men, usually of college age, who are already interested in learning about Judaism. It is known as a "baal ...
, and studied Hebrew at
Baltimore Hebrew University
Baltimore Hebrew University was founded as Baltimore Hebrew College and Teachers Training School in 1919 to promote Jewish scholarship and academic excellence. It was the only institution of higher learning in Maryland devoted solely to all aspec ...
. He completed the Master Course in
bioethics
Bioethics is both a field of study and professional practice, interested in ethical issues related to health (primarily focused on the human, but also increasingly includes animal ethics), including those emerging from advances in biology, med ...
at the Kennedy Institute at
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private university, private research university in the Georgetown (Washington, D.C.), Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded by Bishop John Carroll (archbishop of Baltimore), John Carroll in 1789 as Georg ...
. Schenck is a registered practitioner with the
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is education to teach spiritual care to clergy and others. CPE is the primary method of training hospital and hospice chaplains and spiritual care providers in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. C ...
(ACPE), is board certified in pastoral counseling.
Between 1988 and 1992, Schenck became known as an
anti-abortion activist, author, media commentator, and a leader of large public demonstrations. He challenged a federal injunction prohibiting certain demonstration activities. The case, ''
Schenck v. Pro-Choice Network of Western New York
''Schenck v. Pro-Choice Network of Western New York'', 519 U.S. 357 (1997), was a case heard before the Supreme Court of the United States, United States Supreme Court related to legal protection of access to abortion. The question before the cour ...
'', 519 U.S. 357 (1997) was decided by the
U.S. Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over state court cases that involve a point o ...
, which found 8–1 that certain restrictions against Schenck violated the First Amendment, and 6–3, that others were permissible in the interest of public safety. The remaining restrictions were subsequently struck down in ''
McCullen v. Coakley'', 573 U.S. 464 (2014). Between 1994 and 1997, Schenck was executive vice president of the
American Center for Law & Justice
The American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ) is a politically conservative, Christian-based legal organization in the United States. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and associated with Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, ...
, a public interest law firm then headed by attorney
Jay Alan Sekulow
Jay Alan Sekulow (; born June 10, 1956) is an American lawyer, radio, television talk show host and politically conservative media personality. He has been chief counsel of the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ) since 1991. As a member of Pr ...
. Sekulow argued Schenck's Supreme Court case. After 2016, Paul Schenck and his twin brother, Robert, "Rev.
Rob Schenck
Robert Leonard Schenck (born 1958) is an American Evangelical clergyman who ministers to elected and appointed officials in Washington, D.C., and serves as president of a non-profit organization named for Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Since 1982, Schenck ...
", publicly distanced themselves from the anti-abortion movement. Rob Schenck published a memoir entitled, Costly Grace, that criticized the movement for making moral compromises in exchange for political legitimacy. The Schenck brothers no longer consider themselves
anti-abortion
Anti-abortion movements, also self-styled as pro-life or abolitionist movements, are involved in the abortion debate advocating against the practice of abortion and its legality. Many anti-abortion movements began as countermovements in respons ...
leaders.
Professional life
Since 2020, Schenck has been a spiritual integration counselor in private practice with clients in telehealth, clinical, and office practice. He is a member of the
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is education to teach spiritual care to clergy and others. CPE is the primary method of training hospital and hospice chaplains and spiritual care providers in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. C ...
, in which he is a registered practitioner (#16634), and a Certified Clinical Chaplain (NAVAC). He is also a member of the
National Board of Pastoral Counselors
National may refer to:
Common uses
* Nation or country
** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen
Places in the United States
* National, Maryland, c ...
, the
American Counseling Association
The American Counseling Association (ACA) is a membership organization representing licensed professional counselors (LPCs), counseling students, and other counseling professionals in the United States. It is the world's largest association exclus ...
, the
Association for Transpersonal Psychology
The ''Journal of Transpersonal Psychology'' (JTP) is a semi-annual, peer-reviewed academic journal which is published by the Association for Transpersonal Psychology (ATP). The journal is a seminal publication in the field of transpersonal psycholo ...
, the
Association for Jewish Studies
The Association for Jewish Studies (AJS) is a scholarly organization in the United States that promotes academic Jewish Studies. The AJS was founded in 1969 and held its first annual conference that year at Brandeis University
, mottoeng ...
, the
Institute for Jewish Ideas, and the
Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center for Conservative Judaism yeshiva.
In his pastoral counseling practice, he uses an eclectic approach, with the main focus on spiritually interpreted
logotherapy
Logotherapy was developed by neurologist and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl and is based on the premise that the primary motivational force of an individual is to find a meaning in life. Frankl describes it as "the Third Viennese School of Psychothe ...
developed by the neuro-psychiatrist,
Viktor Frankl
Viktor Emil Frankl (26 March 1905 – 2 September 1997)
was an Austrian psychiatrist who founded logotherapy, a school of psychotherapy that describes a search for a life's meaning as the central human motivational force. Logotherapy is part ...
. Logotherapy aims to discover and apply a sense of meaning and purpose in overcoming problems in life such as substance use and abuse, relational conflicts, self-esteem, and self-care, anxiety and depression, and spiritual needs such as love, companionship, enjoyment, optimism, and religious fulfillment.
Schenck has taught at the
Elim Bible Institute
Elim Bible Institute and College is a private Christian college in Lima, New York. It awards bachelor's degrees, an associate degree, and certificates.
History
Elim was founded in 1924 in Endwell, New York, by Ivan and Minnie Spencer. The school ...
,
Lima, New York
Lima (, the name is a shibboleth) is a Administrative divisions of New York#Town, town in Livingston County, New York, Livingston County, New York (state), New York, United States. The population was 4,305 at the 2010 census. The town is in the ...
; the
Reformed Episcopal Seminary
The Reformed Episcopal Seminary is a private seminary in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1887 as the first seminary of the Reformed Episcopal Church.
History
The Reformed Episcopal Seminary was founded in 1887 in West Philadelphi ...
, Philadelphia; and
Thomas More College in
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is a city in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. It is the most populous city in New Hampshire. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 115,644.
Manchester is, along with Nashua, one of two seats of New Hamp ...
, and was a guest lecturer at
Messiah University
Messiah University is a private interdenominational evangelical Christian university in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
History
The school was founded as Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training Home in 1909 by the Brethren in Christ Church. ...
,
Grantham, Pennsylvania
Grantham is an unincorporated community in Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County, in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, best known today for the Christian liberal arts college, Messiah University, whose students make up most of its population.
...
, the
State University of New York
The State University of New York (SUNY, , ) is a system of public colleges and universities in the State of New York. It is one of the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States. Led by c ...
,
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private university, private research university in the Georgetown (Washington, D.C.), Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded by Bishop John Carroll (archbishop of Baltimore), John Carroll in 1789 as Georg ...
, and
American University
The American University (AU or American) is a private federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C. Its main campus spans 90 acres (36 ha) on Ward Circle, mostly in the Spring Valley neighborhood of Northwest D.C. AU was charte ...
. He is a frequent lecturer on religious, moral, and ethical topics, as well as the bible, Jewish-Christian, and interfaith studies. In 2019 ProQuest published his research in the experience and operation of sensual and emotional empathy using the seminal theoretical work of the phenomenologist,
Edith Stein
Edith Stein (religious name Saint Teresia Benedicta a Cruce ; also known as Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross or Saint Edith Stein; 12 October 1891 – 9 August 1942) was a German Jewish philosopher who converted to Christianity and became a ...
.
A member of the ordained clergy, he has served in three denominations: the
Assemblies of God
The Assemblies of God (AG), officially the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, is a group of over 144 autonomous self-governing national groupings of churches that together form the world's largest Pentecostal denomination."Assemblies of God". ...
, the Reformed Episcopal Church (now the
Anglican Church of North America), and the
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
.
Since December, 2021, Schenck has been a clinical chaplain in the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with providing life-long healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 170 VA medical centers an ...
medical center in
Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Lebanon () is a city in and the county seat of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 26,814 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. Lebanon is located in the central part of the Lebanon Valley, east of Harrisbu ...
.
Works
* ''Ten Words That Will Save A Nation'', with Rob Schenck
* ''Constitutions of American Denominations'', with Rob Schenck (3 volumes, Hein Law Publishing, 1983)
* ''Annotated Letter from the Birmingham Jail and Bonhoeffer on Nascent Human Life'' (National Clergy Council, 1989; 1990)
* ''A Tyranny of Consensus'' (Vital Issues Press, 1993)
* ''The Blackstone Commentaries on the Common Law'' (4 volumes, Hein Law Publishing, 1994)
* ''Empathy Towards Persons'' (ProQuest, 2019)
* ''Divorce After Conversion'' (Gratz College/Researchgate, 2020)
* ''Jeremiah: A Psycho-social Profile'' (Gratz College/Researchgate, 2020)
* ''Early American Jewish Personalities'' (Gratz College/Researchgate, 2021)
* ''Eastern European Jewish Culture'' (Gratz College/Researchgate, 2021)
* ''Who Converted the Great Synagogue into a Movie Theater?'' (2021, Gratz College/Researchgate)
References
External links
aclj.orgnationalprolifecenter.orgpaulschenck.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Schenck, Paul
1958 births
Activists from New York (state)
American anti-abortion activists
American Christian clergy
American Episcopal priests
Anglican priest converts to Roman Catholicism
Catholic University of America alumni
Converts to Roman Catholicism
Graduate Theological Foundation alumni
Living people
Luther Rice University alumni
People from Catonsville, Maryland
People from Glen Ridge, New Jersey
People from Grand Island, New York
Religious leaders from Buffalo, New York