Father David Pignato

Adjunct Professor of Law

Catholic Social Thought Canon Law Church and State Relations Church History Constitutional Law Establishment Clause First Amendment Law Jurisprudence Law & Religion Legal Philosophy Natural Law Religious Liberty

Father David Pignato teaches jurisprudence and constitutional law at Ave Maria School of Law, with a focus on the Establishment Clause and Church-state relations. A priest of the Diocese of Fall River and graduate of Harvard Law School, his academic work integrates constitutional law, theology, and Catholic intellectual tradition.

Phone: (239) 687-5331

Biography

Father David Pignato is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, and serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Ave Maria School of Law, where he teaches jurisprudence and constitutional law with a focus on the Establishment Clause and Church-state relations.

Father Pignato graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1992 before earning his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1995. After practicing law briefly, he discerned a vocation to the priesthood and entered seminary formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

While in Rome, Father Pignato pursued advanced ecclesiastical studies at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, earning the degrees of S.T.B., S.T.L., and S.T.D. His doctoral dissertation focused on Church-state relations, reflecting his longstanding academic interest in constitutional law, religious liberty, and the relationship between civil and ecclesiastical authority.

Within the Diocese of Fall River, Father Pignato has served in numerous pastoral and diocesan leadership positions, including high school chaplain, pastor of two parishes, Secretary to the Bishop, and Vicar for Priests.

In addition to his pastoral ministry, Father Pignato has taught in seminary and legal education settings. He previously served on the faculty of Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts, where he taught systematic theology, Church history, and constitutional law.

At Ave Maria School of Law, Father Pignato teaches courses examining jurisprudence related to the Establishment Clause and broader questions concerning Church-state relations, religious liberty, and constitutional interpretation.

Education

  • S.T.D., Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas
  • S.T.L., Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas
  • S.T.B., Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas
  • J.D., Harvard Law School, 1995
  • B.A., College of the Holy Cross, 1992

Professional Experience

Following graduation from Harvard Law School, Father David Pignato practiced law briefly before entering seminary formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

After ordination to the priesthood for the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, Father Pignato served in numerous pastoral and diocesan leadership roles, including high school chaplain, pastor of two parishes, Secretary to the Bishop, and Vicar for Priests.

Father Pignato also served on the faculty of Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts, where he taught courses in systematic theology, Church history, and constitutional law.

At Ave Maria School of Law, Father Pignato teaches jurisprudence related to the Establishment Clause and Church-state relations.

Honors & Professional Affiliations

  • Priest, Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts
  • Vicar for Priests, Diocese of Fall River
  • Secretary to the Bishop, Diocese of Fall River
  • Faculty Member, Saint John’s Seminary, Brighton, Massachusetts
  • Pontifical North American College, Rome

Research Interests

Church-state relations, religious liberty, constitutional interpretation, natural law, ecclesiology, and the Establishment Clause.

Courses Taught

  • Constitutional Law
  • Jurisprudence
  • Establishment Clause
  • Law & Religion

Media & Speaking Topics

Religious Liberty, Church and State, Constitutional Law, Catholic Social Thought, Establishment Clause Jurisprudence, Law & Religion, Natural Law