A native Torontonian, Michael is an author, Vatican affairs specialist for the Globe and Mail and CTV Network, Catholic educator, CBC radio documentarian, scholar and administrator. He was professor of English and Religious Studies at St. Jerome’s University in the University of Waterloo. He also served as Chair, Associate Dean, Vice-President and President. He assumed responsibilities as President and Vice-Chancellor of St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick in 2006. Dr. Higgins is currently a Professor of Religious Studies and Vice- President for Mission and Catholic Identity at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield,
Connecticut. He has edited and co-edited, authored and co-authored numerous books. He is the recipient of many awards, including two honorary doctorates, and won the 2013 Gold Medal for International Radio Documentaries awarded by the New York Festivals. He is a Senior Fellow at Massey College, University of Toronto, an International Fellow of the Chester Ronning Centre for Religion and Public Life, University of Alberta, and an Affiliate Graduate Professor of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio.

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The link presented is a PDF document of the article in Commonweal Magazine written by Michael and inspired his presentation at the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate on November 25, 2017.