Rev. David Roth, Ph.D., Abba David, as he is often called, has been in ministry since 1982 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2013. He has worked in parish ministry, teaching, international relief and development, pilgrimages, chaplaincy, and various leadership roles. Today most of his time is dedicated to sex and relationship therapy, writing and editing, and providing consultation in chaplaincy.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Temple University and an MA in religious studies at Providence College, he attended the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (“the Angelicum”) in Rome where he received the diploma in spirituality, a licentiate in sacred theology, and a doctorate in sacramental theology.
He subsequently completed a fellowship in psychoanalysis, a medical school post-graduate traineeship in sex and relationship therapy, and a hospital residency in clinical pastoral education followed by board certification and clinical pastoral training diplomate (supervisor) status. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute in 1989 and became a clinical fellow of the International Neuropsychoanalysis Society in 2019.