Dr. Barry Sargent, Ph.D.
A native of California and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Barry graduated from Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, California. While attending Santa Rosa Community College, Barry met Rabbi Sanford Lowe who taught Religious Studies and Biblical History. Rabbi Lowe became a mentor and friend and encouraged Barry to pursue a degree in Religious Studies. Barry went on to receive a B.A. in Religious Studies from San Jose State University. After teaching theology at St. Bernard Catholic High School in Eureka California, Barry went on to receive an M.A. degree in Theology from the University of San Francisco. It was at USF that Barry was introduced to the Jesuit method of critical thinking and theological reflection, especially the theological method of Karl Rahner, S.J. The Jesuits had an enormous impact on Barry’s theological and spiritual life by imparting a deep and abiding love for Christ and His Church and the search for truth in fidelity to Scripture and Church tradition. Barry continued his graduate studies with the Jesuits at Marquette University earning a doctorate in Historical Theology. He studied, researched and wrote his doctoral dissertation on the theological, pastoral and political works of Henry Edward Manning, the late 19th century Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster.
Barry is the former director of Kino Institute of Theology and Pastoral Ministry for the Diocese of Phoenix where he served as its first lay director. While at Kino Institute, Barry designed an accredited formation program that integrated the theological, spiritual, pastoral and human components of adult religious education. In addition, he has taught undergraduates and graduates at various colleges and universities in Religious Studies and Theology.
Currently, Barry serves on the national board of the USCCB Commission on Certification and Accreditation; is an executive board member of the Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers; Co-chair of Theological Dialogue for the Arizona Ecumenical Council. Barry has extensive experience in workshop and retreat facilitation, days of recollection and parish missions as well as parish staff development and leadership. Barry lives in Gilbert AZ with his wife and their four children.
U. S. bishops tap former Kino Institute Director for commission
By Andrew Junker | Nov. 17, 2009 | The Catholic Sun
The former director of the Phoenix Diocese’s Kino Institute was recently named vice chair for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s Commission on Certification and Accreditation.
Barry Sargent was appointed to the position Oct. 23 and will continue his duties for the next three years.
The commission was founded in 1982 as a means for establishing accreditation standards, policies and procedures for ministry formation programs across the country.
“The bishops saw a need to establish a commission to help them get a handle on not only roles, functions and definitions of people involved in lay ministries,” Sargent said, but also to “help make sure they’re being effective, that they’re being formed properly. It raises the level of ministry.” read more