Prayer grants perspective in busy, productive life
By Lou Baldwin
Special to The CS&T
PHILADELPHIA — Ana Maria Catanzaro, who was recently appointed to a three-year term on the National Review Board which reviews diocesan compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, certainly comes with high qualifications.
As an associate professor in the School of nursing and Health Sciences at La Salle University, she teaches Public Health, Health Care Ethics and Spirituality in Health Care. She’s also the university’s director of public health programs and director of the La Salle Neighborhood Nursing Center.
Born in Cuba as Ana Maria Suarez Murias, she came to the United States at the age of 8 and grew up in the Washington, D.C. area. She has lived in Philadelphia since 1981.
Catanzaro received a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in public health nursing from La Salle University, a master’s degree in religious studies from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, a third master’s level degree in clinical research from Duke University, and a doctorate from the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America.
A member of Our Lady of Ransom Parish in Northeast Philadelphia, she is married to Vincent Catanzaro, who teaches theology at Holy Family University. They have four grown children; Annie, Liz, Vince and Jim and five grandchildren.
Starting with a humble community college degree, she went to school and worked while raising four kids.
“I can’t take all the credit. God has been good to me,” she said. “When money was tight, help would come from an unexpected scholarship. And I’ve had great support from my family. My mother and mother-in-law were always there to help with the kids.”
An active Catholic, she serves the Church in various capacities including as a member of the parish pastoral council and adult faith formation committee, and is involved in ministry to the Hispanic community. “My life seems a bit busy at times, but what puts everything in perspective for me is prayer,” Catanzaro said.
“My husband and I are truly grateful for the many gifts God has given us. It is important for us to give back.”
Catanzaro first became involved with archdiocesan committees through service with the 10th Archdiocesan Synod in 2002. Then, because of her experience with children as a Philadelphia School District nurse and her expertise in both health and theology issues, she was asked by Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua to serve on the archdiocesan Commission on the Protection of Children and Clerical Conduct, headed at that time by Helen Alvaré. Catanzaro was subsequently appointed to the archdiocesan Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People, which she now chairs.
Its work is distinctly different from that of the National Review Board, which looks at overall policy and how dioceses throughout the United States are complying with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
The archdiocesan Review Board is an advisory panel to Cardinal Rigali. After reviewing all of the evidence of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, the Review Board determines if the allegation is credible or not substantiated and makes a recommendation to the Cardinal regarding the accused person’s suitability for ministry.
“We take everything very seriously. Victims of sexual abuse have suffered tremendously. We want to make sure no one is unjustly accused but we also want to do everything possible to make sure this never happens again,” Catanzaro said.
The Review Board also makes recommendations to the Office of Child and Youth Protection regarding policies and procedures.
“I love the Church,” said Catanzaro. “I would rather be part of the solution than standing on the sidelines criticizing.”
Lou Baldwin is a member of St. Leo Parish and a freelance writer.