Kim Daniels
Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life
Kim Daniels is the co-director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life. She is also an adjunct professor in Georgetown’s Department of Theology and Religious Studies. Kim was appointed by Pope Francis as a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication in 2016, is a consultor to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee for Religious Liberty, and has been a lead advisor to the U.S. bishops and Catholic organizations on issues where Church teachings intersect with public life, including immigration, human life and dignity, religious liberty, and care for creation. Kim is a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Chicago Law School.
Email: kim.daniels@georgetown.edu
Phone: 202-687-1678
Religion and Race Event
October 13, 2020
The killing of George Floyd sparked a renewed racial justice reckoning in our nation. The national response to police violence against Black Americans has affected our country and communities in a way previously unseen in a generation. These recent…
Election 2020: Left, Right, or Politically Homeless? Event
September 8, 2020
In the middle of a challenging presidential campaign, the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life and the Archdiocese of Washington’s DCCatholic Young Adult Ministry Theology on Tap program partnered to help young U.S. Catholics think…
Justice and Faith, Family and Community Event
June 11, 2020
This Latino Leader Gathering for young Latino Catholics responded to twin crises faced in Latino communities right now: the injustice and racism revealed by the death of George Floyd and the outrage it has created, as well as the disproportionate…
Laudato Sí After Five Years Event
May 29, 2020
Five years ago, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Sí, the first papal encyclical to focus on care for creation as a central moral obligation. His groundbreaking letter brought together the call to protect the environment and to defend the “least of these”…
Moving Beyond a Life on Hold Event
April 27, 2020
This Salt and Light Gathering for Catholics under 40 invited young Catholics to reflect on how the COVID-19 crisis has changed everything from how we work, play, and socialize to how we worship God and serve our neighbors. Many young people are…
The Francis Factor Today Event
November 21, 2019
More than six years ago, Jorgé Mario Bergoglio was elected the first Jesuit and Latin American pope. In choosing the name Francis, he signaled his priorities: “a poor Church for the poor,” peace, and care for God’s creation. Through his humble ways…
A Path Forward: Conversation and Dialogue on Clerical Sexual Abuse Event
March 24, 2019
The Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life has organized a series of dialogues on the clerical sexual abuse crisis and lay leadership to address the anger and anguish haunting our family of faith. This conversation and dialogue brought…
Civil Dialogue in a Divided Nation, Lay Leadership in a Broken Church Event
February 8, 2019
This Dialogue, conducted at a Georgetown University Board of Regents meeting, featured panelists Mark Shields, weekly political analyst for PBS NewsHour and syndicated political columnist; Emma Green, staff writer on politics, policy, and religion at…
Stand for Life, All Life, Every Life: Resisting the Throwaway Culture Event
January 15, 2019
Abortion remains one of the most contested issues in American life. The experiences and voices of pro-life women are too often ignored because they challenge our stereotypes and preconceptions. This timely Dahlgren Dialogue featured women leaders…
Emerging Leaders on Polarization in a Broken Church and Nation Event
December 4, 2018
Where can we find hope and ways forward in tough times? Clerical sexual abuse and its cover-up have caused justified anger and anguish among Catholics, and some are using the suffering of victims to pursue their own ideological agendas. Meanwhile…
Courageous Faith: Archbishop Óscar Romero, Saint and Leader Event
October 10, 2018
On October 14 the Church canonized Archbishop Óscar Romero, a courageous pastor and advocate for the poor who was assassinated in 1980. Gunned down while saying Mass, Romero will be El Salvador’s first saint. His brave witness to his faith and…
Crisis of Faith? Event
September 17, 2018
A Salt and Light Gathering for young Catholic professionals under 40.
This is a time of crisis for the Catholic Church. The horrific Pennsylvania grand jury report on clerical sexual abuse and revelations about Cardinal McCarrick have led to outrage…
Overcoming Polarization in a Divided Nation Through Catholic Social Thought Event
June 4, 2018
At a time of polarization in the United States and divisions in the Church, Catholic Social Thought offers affirmative ways to work together to defend human life and dignity, pursue justice and peace, and advance the common good in our country.
Four…
Though Many, One: Overcoming Polarization Through Catholic Social Thought Event
June 4, 2018
On June 3 through 6, the Initiative hosted an unprecedented leadership Convening, “Though Many, One: Overcoming Polarization Through Catholic Social Thought,” which brought to Georgetown 100 emerging and established Catholic leaders with diverse…
Resisting the "Throwaway Culture": Pope Francis’ Message on Human Life and Dignity Event
September 29, 2014
The second Salt and Light Gathering, meant for Catholic public policy professionals under 40 years old, this event explored Pope Francis’ challenge to resist a “throwaway culture” and its implications for young leaders in public life.
Kim Daniels joins John Carr as Co‑Director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University Feature
Dear friends, supporters, and partners of the Initiative,
I am happy to share the good news that Kim Daniels is joining me as Co-Director of the Initiative. We made this important announcement today at the start of our dialogue on President Biden…
Crisis of Faith? Scandal, Pope Francis, The Synod, And Young People Video
This is a time of crisis for the Catholic Church. The horrific Pennsylvania grand jury report on clerical sexual abuse and revelations about Cardinal McCarrick have led to outrage and calls for action. Appalled at the abuse of vulnerable children and…
Courageous Faith: Archbishop Óscar Romero, Saint and Leader Video
The Church canonized Archbishop Óscar Romero, a courageous pastor and advocate for the poor who was assassinated in 1980. Gunned down while saying Mass, Romero will be El Salvador’s first saint. His brave witness to his faith and courage to stand up…
Emerging Leaders on Polarization in a Broken Church and Nation Video
Where can we find hope and ways forward in tough times? Clerical sexual abuse and its cover-up have caused justified anger and anguish among Catholics, and some are using the suffering of victims to pursue their own ideological agendas. Meanwhile…
Stand for Life, All Life, Every Life: Resisting the Throwaway Culture Video
Abortion remains one of the most contested issues in American life. The experiences and voices of pro-life women are too often ignored because they challenge our stereotypes and preconceptions. This timely Dahlgren Dialogue featured women leaders…
Civil Dialogue in a Divided Nation: Lay Leadership in a Broken Church Video
This Dialogue, conducted at a Georgetown University Board of Regents meeting, featured panelists Mark Shields, weekly political analyst for PBS NewsHour and syndicated political columnist; Emma Green, staff writer on politics, policy, and religion at…
A Path Forward: Conversation and Dialogue on Clerical Sexual Abuse Video
The Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life has organized a series of dialogues on the clerical sexual abuse crisis and lay leadership to address the anger and anguish haunting our family of faith. This conversation and dialogue brought…
Faith and the Faithful in the 2020 Campaign Video
The place of faith and the roles of the faithful in U.S. politics are often misunderstood or neglected; generate confusion and conflict; and create challenges for religious communities and political leaders. The early stages of the 2020 U.S…
Lay Leadership for a Wounded Church and Divided Nation Video
This Public Dialogue focused on the often-overlooked costs of the clergy sexual abuse crisis on the Catholic Church’s credibility and impact on public life in the United States, asking how we can repair the Catholic community’s capacity to defend…
Faith, Race, and Politics Video
In a polarized nation, faith, race, and politics can be divisive topics on their own. Bringing them together can be explosive. This Public Dialogue sought to explore the intersections of faith, race, and politics in the United States in ways that can…
Keeping Faith in Demoralizing Times Video
This Salt and Light Gathering for young Catholic leaders in public life explored how to live with faith, hope, and charity at a time of division in the United States, crisis in the Catholic Church, and paralysis in Washington, DC. Four remarkable…
Fall 2019 Dahlgren Dialogue Video
The Dahlgren Dialogues are a series of substantive conversations with experienced leaders in the context of prayerful reflection on current topics at the intersection of faith and public life. Co-sponsored with the Initiative on Catholic Social…
Nationalism, Post-liberalism, and Pope Francis Video
Rising economic inequality and dislocation, eroded communal ties, and rapid cultural change have helped lead to the rise of nationalist movements and ideas in the United States and around the world. These economic and cultural developments have also…
Where Are We Now? Where Do We Need To Go? Video
In his 2019 Letter to the U.S. Bishops, Pope Francis reminds us that “we are not solitary pilgrims, for ‘If one member suffers, all suffer together.’” The twin crises of clergy sexual abuse and leadership failure in the Catholic Church have led to…
Revolution of the Heart: Special Screening of Major Film on Dorothy Day for Young Leaders Video
Dorothy Day’s compelling faith, call to nonviolence, and care for the poor offer crucial lessons in these difficult days. Her fascinating story, complicated choices, and challenging witness are brought to life in the powerful new film Revolution of…
2020 Cardinal O'Connor Conference - Panel & Closing Video
2020 Cardinal O'Connor Conference on Life panel discussion on "The Consistent Life Ethic and the Law." Panelists are introduced by conference director, Madeleine Ostertag (COL'20): Catherine Glenn Foster, J.D., President and CEO of Americans United…
Moving Beyond a Life on Hold Video
This Salt and Light Gathering for Catholics under 40 invited young Catholics to reflect on how the COVID-19 crisis has changed everything from how we work, play, and socialize to how we worship God and serve our neighbors. Many young people are…
The Papacy Confronts Coronavirus Video
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected religious and spiritual life in innumerable ways, challenging ancient traditions and practices. Shortly before Easter, Austen Ivereigh, biographer of Pope Francis who writes for the Tablet, Commonweal, and America…
Laudato Sí After Five Years Video
Five years ago, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si, the first papal encyclical to focus on care for creation as a central moral obligation. His groundbreaking letter brought together the call to protect the environment and to defend the “least of these”…
Justice and Faith, Family and Community Video
This Latino Leader Gathering for young Latino Catholics responded to twin crises faced in Latino communities right now: the injustice and racism revealed by the death of George Floyd and the outrage it has created, as well as the disproportionate…
Election 2020 Left, Right, or Politically Homeless Video
In the middle of a challenging presidential campaign, the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life and the Archdiocese of Washington’s DCCatholic Young Adult Ministry Theology on Tap program partnered to help young U.S. Catholics think…
Faith, Latinos, and the 2020 Campaign Video
Latino voters could be decisive in the November elections. As the United States faces an ongoing pandemic, an economic crisis, and calls for racial justice, both campaigns are reaching out to Latino voters, one of the largest voting blocs in the…
Fratelli Tutti Video
On Saturday, October 3, Pope Francis traveled to Assisi to the tomb of St. Francis to pray and sign his new encyclical Fratelli Tutti.
On Sunday, October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, his encyclical on human fraternity and social friendship…
Religion and Race Video
The killing of George Floyd sparked a renewed racial justice reckoning in our nation. The national response to police violence against Black Americans has affected our country and communities in a way previously unseen in a generation. These recent…
Faithful Citizenship: Moral and Political Choices for Catholics in the 2020 Election Video
Two weeks before the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the Initiative brought together respected leaders with diverse perspectives to examine the moral and political choices Catholics are facing in the midst of a global pandemic, economic crisis…
Latinos, Young People, and the 2020 Election: What Happened? Why? What Now? Video
This online conversation examined how Latino voters and young voters of faith helped shape the outcome of the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign. Four leaders came together to discuss how the Trump and Biden campaigns reached out to young voters…
Young Catholics and the Biden Administration: Moral Principles and Policy Priorities Video
The election and inauguration of the second Catholic president of the United States has put faith front and center in a new administration and Congress governing amid a pandemic, a reckoning on racial injustice, an economic crisis, and a deeply…
Life, Young Latinos, and COVID-19: Where Do We Go From Here? Video
A year after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the United States and the world, many are reflecting on the past year and where we go from here. It has raised questions about whose life is protected and valued by our health care system, which workers…
Immigration Challenges and Choices: People, Principles, and Policies Video
The United States has a new president with new policies on immigration and refugees. There is a new Congress with old divisions. Developments on the U.S.-Mexico border and violence against Asian Americans and immigrants raise old fears and new…
Communion, Catholics, and Public Life: Where Do We Go From Here? Video
In June 2021, U.S. Catholic bishops vigorously debated and then voted to proceed with a document on “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church.” This discussion and decision have generated considerable conflict, confusion, and…
Pro-life Movement at a Crossroads Video
January 22, 2022, marks the forty-ninth anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion in all 50 U.S. states. This term, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the most important abortion case in…