Rev. Francis J. Connell, C.S.S.R.

Rev. Francis J. Connell, C.S.S.R. (1888–1967) was an American Redemptorist priest, theologian, and influential figure in 20th-century Catholic moral theology and apologetics. Known as “The American Theologian,” Fr. Connell was a leading authority on moral and dogmatic theology, dedicating his life to teaching, writing, and defending the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Fr. Connell served as a professor and later as dean at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he profoundly influenced theological education. His writings include numerous books, articles, and pastoral guides, often addressing contemporary moral and doctrinal questions with clarity and fidelity to Catholic Tradition.

He contributed regularly to the American Ecclesiastical Review, a prominent theological journal, and frequently wrote for Catholic magazines and newspapers, making complex theological issues accessible to clergy and laypeople alike. His works emphasized orthodoxy, pastoral care, and the need for clear moral guidance in a rapidly changing world.