The founder of a Georgetown University Catholic initiative was commemorated for his retirement at a Georgetown event Jan. 21.
Georgetown’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, which fosters dialogue on Catholic social teaching in connection with global issues, held a public dialogue and gratitude reception for founder John Carr. The dialogue panel, which included Joseph Ferrara (GRD ’96), Georgetown’s senior vice president and senior advisor to the president, Cardinal Christophe Pierre and a panel of Georgetown professors and other cardinals, centered on Carr’s career and contributions.
Pierre said Carr’s beliefs helped bolster the Catholic Church’s mission and purpose.
“For more than 50 years, John has helped the church not in abstract terms, but in belief,” Pierre said at the event. “In reality, the conviction that faith is never separated from concern for human dignity, solidarity and the common good as a prophet among you. I am especially grateful for John’s fidelity to the mission”
Carr helped establish the institute in 2013 after serving as director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for over 20 years. Carr was also previously a member of the Georgetown University Committee on Investments and Social Responsibility (CISR), which advises the board of directors on ethical investment practices.
Pierre said Carr’s commitment to the Catholic Church and the university was enduring.
“He has served the church under four popes, helping to communicate and apply the rich tradition of Catholic social teaching in changing and often difficult circumstances” Pierre said. “Most recently he has given a voice in supporting the leadership and vision of professors.”
Carr said faith-based dialogue can serve as a uniting force for people with diverse backgrounds.
“We’ve learned that people see this as an alternative to the broken politics and frankly, some of the difficulties in our church,” Carr said at the event. “There is a thirst for dialogue in our divided capital and our polarized nation and our church that struggles for free energy, differing perspectives with respect coming from different backgrounds, all united in different ways.”
The Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life has organized over 130 public dialogues with more than 370,000 attendants. The initiative has covered topics including Pope Francis and Pope Leo’s leadership, poverty and immigration.
Carr said faith-based dialogue can help combat current political polarization.
“We need to be principled but not ideological,” Carr said. “We should not give in on our fundamental principles of life and dignity, but we ought to be willing to engage in negotiating work with others who don’t share all our convictions to advance the common good.”
Ferrara said the university appreciates Carr’s commitment to Catholic social responsibility and the Georgetown community, citing former University President John J. DeGioia (CAS ’79, GRD ’95) and interim University President Robert M. Groves.
“DeGioia was deeply committed to the work of the initiative, and it remains and will remain an important part of Jack’s legacy here at Georgetown,” Ferrara said at the event. “On behalf of Jack, our Interim President Bob Groves and our entire university community, I want to express our deep gratitude to John Carr for founding this and for his leadership and dedication to sharing Catholic social thought at Georgetown and around the world.”
Carr said division solidifies the importance of the initiative’s work, presenting Catholic social teaching as a guiding force.
“In many ways our identity shapes our faith, and our politics shapes our faith instead of the other way around, and we lack unity and conviction,” Carr said. “That’s why the work of the initiative is so important. That’s why I’m more convinced than ever that the principles of Catholic social teaching offer a way forward.”
Carr said his work with Georgetown and USCCB were pivotal to following his vocation as a Catholic.
“So tonight I feel enormously blessed and grateful for the fires in my heart, my faith in Jesus Christ, my home Catholic Church, my vocation and helping the church here in a nearby social teaching my colleagues and friends at USCCB and Georgetown, and especially my wife Linda, our four kids and their spouses and ten terrific grandkids,” Carr said.
