Dr. Timothy Fortin, Ph.D., joins WCAT Radio Host, Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis for Episode 23 of “Vows, Vocations, and Promises: Discerning the Call of Love,” to discuss his chapter, entitled “Exigent Relations: Philosophical Reflections: on the Centrality of Fatherhood and Sonship,” in the new book: Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century.

Dr. Fortin is an Assistant Professor in Philosophical Theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey where he has engaged in the intellectual formation of seminarians since 2009. Dr. Fortin was a awarded a fellowship at Notre Dame University, in South Bend, Indiana and has spent the past nine months there engaged in research and writing while on sabbatical. Dr. Fortin earned Ph.D. from the Pontifical University of Santa Croce in Rome in 2008, his doctoral dissertation is entitled: “Fatherhood and the Perfection of the Masculine Identity: A Thomistic Account in Light of Contemporary Science.” Dr. Timothy Fortin also holds a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from the Institute for Psychological Sciences and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America.

In this interview, Dr. Fortin shares his fascinating research and expertise with Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis, discussing both the natural and supernatural role of fatherhood to which each man is called. Dr. Fortin explores man’s natural inclination toward fatherhood, as well as the salience of the Thomistic teaching regarding Natural Law and Eternal Law with respect to the role of fatherhood. Dr. Fortin elucidates the generative power of the Cross, as well as the relational validity of espousal and sonship to fatherhood. Dr. Timothy Fortin and Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis consider how the call to the priesthood is ultimately reconciled with the natural and supernatural call to fatherhood which is planted deeply within each man’s heart. In closing, Dr. Fortin offers relevant conclusions for both the formator and seminarian.

Dr. Timothy Fortin’s chapter, “Exigent Relations: Philosophical Reflections: on the Centrality of Fatherhood and Sonship,” is published in Spiritual Husbands- Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, edited by Bishop Felipe Estevez and Bishop Andrew Cozzens, published by Holy Apostles College and Seminary’s En Route Books and Media, which is available at: https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/spiritualhusbands/. (October 19, 2020)