Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life

Trump supporter confronts anti-Trump protesters

Whatever Happened to the Common Good? Divided by Covid, Torn Apart by Politics, Fractured by Faith

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Social Media: Real Connection or the Illusion of Communication?

Resisting a Throwaway Culture: Protecting Life and Creation

About the Initiative

The Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life is a unique effort to promote dialogue on Catholic social thought and national and global issues, build bridges across political, religious, and ideological lines, and encourage a new generation of Catholic lay leaders to see their faith as an asset in pursuing the common good.

Audience at Public Dialogue on Dorothy Day in January 2020

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View of panel discussion in Gaston Hall at Georgetown University

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Pope Francis walks with young people in Poland for World Youth Day on 2016

Dec
2

2021

Social Media: Real Connection or the Illusion of Communication? Event

Pope Francis has asked The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington to bring together young people to reflect on the call in his powerful encyclical letter, Fratelli Tutti, to build a culture of encounter, friendship, and solidarity.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington and the Initiative on…

Other Events

Dec
7

2021

Whatever Happened to the Common Good? Event

News

Pope Francis embraces a young boy during his visit to Washington, DC in September 2015

Twelve Themes from Fratelli Tutti by John Carr

John Carr offers 12 themes from Pope Francis' new encyclical: "Fratelli Tutti is a powerful expression of faith in a time of doubt, a call to hope in a time of fear, and a challenge to love in at a time of anger and division."

Photo: Tony Powell/Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington

I helped write the bishops’ first document on Catholics and voting. Here’s why I’m voting Biden, not Trump.

Initiative director John Carr wrote an article for America on the U.S. Catholic Bishops' document "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" and political homelessness in the 2020 presidential election. On why he's voting for Joe Biden, Carr says, “Character, competence, honesty, and integrity are crucial."

Pope Francis and the Reform of the Church

On August 31 Georgetown University and La Civiltà Cattolica, a prominent Jesuit journal in Rome, hosted a webinar to discuss the challenges facing Pope Francis in his efforts to reform the Church and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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