 from Tulane University in 1970 and a Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America in 1983.He served as associate pastor at St. Peter Claver Church in New Orleans until 1972.He was then assigned as pastor of Holy Redeemer Church (1972–75) and of Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian Church (1975–79), both in Washington, D.C., where he also served as an instructor at the National Catholic School of Social Service at the Catholic University of America from 1976 to 1978.