Fr. Stephen Fichter is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Haworth, New Jersey. He has a Ph.L. and an S.T.B. from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, an M.S.W. from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in sociology from Rutgers University. Following in the footsteps of his granduncle, the Jesuit scholar Joseph Fichter, Stephen’s research interests cover all issues related to the sociology of religion, especially those that focus on Catholicism and Catholic priests. His social work thesis from Fordham, which highlighted gender differences in stress among Protestant clergy, was published in Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion. His doctoral dissertation, Shepherding in Greener Pastures, examined the causes and consequences of the dual transition of celibate Catholic priests into married Protestant ministry. His experience before joining CARA in 2008 includes ministering as the parochial vicar of Saint Gabriel the Archangel Church in Saddle River, New Jersey, and teaching Philosophy and World Religions at Bergen Community College. While studying in Europe for nearly twelve years, he learned to speak Spanish and Italian, and held various administrative posts including chief financial officer and vice rector of two seminaries. At CARA, Fr. Stephen specializes in seminary, clergy, and parish research, placing his sociological skills at the service of the Catholic Church and her bishops.