John Carr, the founder of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University, retired at the end of 2025. This special Public Dialogue and gratitude reception remembered and honored John’s founding of the Initiative in 2013, his more than 25 years of service at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as the head of the bishops’ justice and peace efforts, and his leadership at the Archdiocese of Washington and other vital Catholic and interfaith efforts. The dialogue was also a time to explore how the lessons from John’s leadership could help advance the principles of Catholic social teaching, lift up “the least of these,” and advance the common good in these challenging times. We were grateful to all who joined us in thanking John for founding the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life and for more than half a century of service at the intersection of faith and justice.
The evening included:
- A welcome by Joseph Ferrara, senior vice president and senior advisor to the president at Georgetown University, and an opening prayer by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States;
- A conversation between John and Kim Daniels, John’s successor as director of the Initiative;
- A dialogue on the lessons from John’s leadership and the challenges we face now
- A closing prayer by Cardinal Robert McElroy, archbishop of Washington; and
- A reception honoring John with his family, friends, allies, co-workers, and those who attend the dialogue.
Resources
View articles, videos, and other resources for this dialogue.
Recording
The dialogue starting at 6:00 p.m. EST was recorded and posted online for later viewing.
Photo credit: Vatican Media
