Laurent (Laurence) Alain Cleenewerck (born 1969) is a professor of International Administration and Theology for EUCLID (Euclid University) and a presbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (2004), received in the Orthodox Church in America in 2007. He is also serving as extension faculty at Humboldt State University (OLLI Extension).
He and his wife currently reside in Northern California (2009).
Contents |
Cleenewerck was born in Montpellier, France in 1969 and spent part of his childhood in Connecticut. After earning a Baccalaureat C (Sciences) in 1986, he graduated from two national programs and from the University of Montpellier, France (Institut d'Administration des Entreprises) in 1989 with degrees in Computer Science, International Affairs, Finance (undergraduate BTS and DPECF) and Business Administration (European MS certificate). In addition, Cleenewerck has received several professional certifications in the field of Information Technologies, notably UnixWare Certified Engineer, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Microsoft Certified Trainer and Certified Technical Trainer.
He also obtained a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute (Paris, France) and was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Applied Sciences (honoris causa) by the Université Francophone Internationale (Brussels, Belgium) for his work in the field of bioethical reflection and diplomacy. He also pursued further studies at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary in 2002-2004 and currently with the Ukrainian Catholic University and the Universidad Rural de Guatemala.
Cleenewerck currently teaches theology and international administration for EUCLID (Euclid University), and as extension faculty (Economics, Sciences) for the Humboldt State University.[1] He is the acting rector of St. Innocent's Orthodox parish in Eureka and engaged in public lecturing,[2] ministry, as well as further writing and research.
Prior to 2004, he held managerial and technological positions in Paris and California while being active with various associations, notably in the field of refugee assistance and bioethics (Republic of Lomar Foundation, Human Bioethics Treaty Organization).
Although retired from non-academic public activities, he is a member of several professional and academic associations, including the North American Patristic Association and the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training.
After holding technical positions at IBM and Neurones in the early 1990s, he relocated to Silicon Valley, California and pursued work in applying Internet technologies to social programs. He was one of the co-founders of the Republic of Lomar Foundation, a visionary effort to renew the concept of the Nansen passport which lasted until 2002. In 2003-2004, he also served as Secretary-General of the Human Bioethics Treaty Organization, a non-governmental organization dedicated to inter-religious and non-religious bioethical reflection.
His epistemological approach heavily relies on the primacy of the scientific method of inquiry, critical thinking and dialectical confrontations. Following John Polkinghorne and William Lane Craig, Cleenewerck is convinced that the convergence between science and theology provides for new avenues of dialogue, reflection and apologetics. He considers diplomacy an essential human activity with great applicability to all aspects of human life, especially religious dialogue.
He has co-authored several article dealing with bioethics published in the Journal of Religion and Health. He is currently working on a collaborative effort to publish a popular-level presentation of Digital Physics to coincide with his OLLI courses at Humboldt State University.
Cleenewerck’s main ideas are presented in his comprehensive study of the historical and theological causes of the current separation between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy (His Broken Body – Understanding and Healing the Schism between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches). Like John Zizioulas, he is an advocate of Eucharistic ecclesiology which he articulates as Holographic ecclesiology. The outline and implication of this model were published in the Journal of Ecumenical Studies in 2010. He is a proponent of non-partisan ecumenical dialogue with the ideal of a return to the basics of pre-Nicene orthodoxy.
Pr. Cleenewerck currently serves as editor of the EOB (Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible).
He is also engaged in public debates and interested in constructive dialogue between Christianity and Islam.
- "Maximal care considerations when treating end-stage heart failure patients: Ethical and procedural quandaries in management of the very sick" (with Ernst Schwarz et al.), Journal of Religion and Health, 2010
- "The recovery of Eucharistic and Holographic Ecclesiology as a promising avenue of ecumenical dialogue and broader mutual recognition" (with Ernst Schwarz et al.), Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 2010
- "The Effect of Spirituality and Religion on Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure" (with Jesse J. Naghi, Kiran J. Philip, and Ernst Schwarz), Journal of Religion and Health, 2010
- "Philosophical implications of the systemic and patient-oriented management of chronic heart failure" (with Ernst Schwarz, Anita Phan, Russell Hobbs), Journal of Religion and Health, 2010
- "Japan on the Edge: An inquiry into the Japanese Government’s Struggle for Superpower Status and UN Security Council Membership at the Edge of Decline" (co-authored with Roberto M Rodriguez), (EUC Press), 2009 - ISBN 978-0-578-02053-2
- "His Broken Body: Understanding and healing the schism between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches" (EUC Press), 2008 - ISBN 0-615-18361-1
- EOB: The Eastern Orthodox Bible - New Testament(Editor), 2007-2008
- "In a Cycle of Light: An anthology of homilies in honor of Archbishop Vsevolod of Scopelos" (self-published), 2005
- A Handbook of Basic Bioethics: an HBTO Guide (Editor), 2004
- Meltdown 2000, RDR Publishers, 1999