Lawrence Matthew Ventline is a Detroit, Michigan native who grew up with his six siblings, including his oldest brother, Lukas, who was killed in Vietnam in 1968.
His farming parents are from Chebo...view moreLawrence Matthew Ventline is a Detroit, Michigan native who grew up with his six siblings, including his oldest brother, Lukas, who was killed in Vietnam in 1968.
His farming parents are from Cheboygan and Port Austin, Michigan.
A pastor since 1975, Father Ventline holds a doctor of ministry degree from Saint Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland. A psychologist, he holds several graduate degrees from the University of Detroit Mercy, and, Capella University. He is a 1971 graduate of Saint Mary's College, Orchard Lake, Michigan. He is retired having served in several parishes and colleges, including some in Wisconsin.
Dr. Ventline is a longtime religion writer for The Detroit News. He also served as first executive director of the ecumenical Michigan Coalition for Human Rights with the late Michigan Episcopal Bishop H. Coleman Megehee, Jr.view less