Church and World

Church and World

Church and World

A Catholic and Jesuit institution, Georgetown is home to a range of initiatives, centers, and programs that address the Catholic intellectual tradition and the role of the Church in the world.

The Theology Department offers a range of courses on the Catholic tradition, and the university’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life involves faculty, students, and the wider community in its events and programs. Through the Center for the Applied Research in the Apostolate, Georgetown supports inquiry into the challenges facing the Church, nationally and internationally. Additionally, the University’s Campus Ministry and Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching, and Service engage faculty, students, and staff in the Ignatian tradition of contemplation in action.

Select Centers, Institutes,
and Research Programs

A hand holds a U.S. flag, a Vatican flag, and a rosary

Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public LifeGeorgetown Unit

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

Stained glass windows in the Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart

Center for Applied Research in the ApostolateGeorgetown Unit

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate is a Georgetown-affiliated research center focusing on the American Catholic Church. It aims to increase the Church's self understanding, to serve the applied research needs of Church decision-makers, and to advance scholarly research on Catholicism.

Children stand with a CSJ student volunteer

Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching and ServiceGeorgetown Unit

Established in 2001, the Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching and Service is a center for service-based scholarship and community outreach in pursuit of the common good.

Select Academic Programs

Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies

Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies

The Department of Theology and Religious Studies sponsors this Ph.D. program with religious pluralism as a central focus. Students comparatively examine at least two major religions with respect to theology, ethics, and culture.

Major in Theology and Religious Studies

Major in Theology and Religious Studies

Georgetown's Department of Theology sponsors this major for undergraduates. Students have four options for concentration: Christian theology, religious ethics, biblical studies, and religious studies.

Minor in Catholic Studies

Minor in Catholic Studies

The Minor in Catholic Studies allows students to engage the richness of the Catholic intellectual and cultural tradition with the various dimensions of human existence such as the arts, sciences, humanities, law, medicine, politics, business, and economics.

Featured News

Ignatian Tradition and Pilgrimage students on an afternoon walk in Sos Del Rey Catolico.

Contemplatives in Action: Why I’m Grateful for My Spring Break Pilgrimage to Spain

In this blog post, Luke Hughes (SFS’27) tells the story of his spring break pilgrimage to Spain with Magis Immersion Seminars, walking the path that St. Ignatius took from his hometown to the port of Barcelona.

A Georgetown University delegation in front of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City

Georgetown Partners with Vatican, Pope Francis on Initiatives Across the University

How and Why Family Health Is a Religious Concern: A West African Experience with International Cooperation

"The Christian Literary Imagination" Explores God’s Engagement with the World

Upcoming Event

October 06

Fratelli Tutti at Five: An Encyclical for a Divided World

Upcoming Event

September 29

Renewing Politics from the Ground Up

Past Event

September 17

Providing Dignified Care for Persons with Disabilities

Related

Catholic Social Thought Student Fellows Program

Jesuit Worldwide Learning

M.A. in Arab Studies/Ph.D. in Arabic and Islamic Studies

Major in Theology and Religious Studies

Minor in Catholic Studies

Minor in Religion, Ethics, and World Affairs

Minor in Theology and Religious Studies

Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies

Building Bridges Seminar

Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Sister Visiting Scholars

Dahlgren Dialogues

Faith and Culture Series

Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life Public Dialogues

Latino Leader Gatherings

Berkley Center Graduate Fellows

Doyle Engaging Difference Program

Education and Social Justice Summer Research Fellowship

Pulitzer Center International Reporting Fellowship

Spring Break in Rome, Italy: A Theology of Pilgrimage

Study Abroad in Dublin, Ireland - Trinity College Dublin

Study Abroad in Edinburgh, United Kingdom - University of Edinburgh

Study Abroad in London, United Kingdom - School of Oriental and African Studies

Study Abroad in Madrid, Spain: G.U. in Madrid - Comillas Pontifical University

Study Abroad in St. Andrews, United Kingdom - University of St. Andrews

Study Abroad in Tokyo, Japan - International Christian University

Study Abroad in Wellington, New Zealand: Victoria University of Wellington - Institute for Study Abroad

Summer in Fiesole, Italy: Theology of Beauty - Villa Le Balze

Thomas Banchoff

Kelley McCreery Bunkers

Annalisa Butticci

Ananya Chakravarti

Kim Daniels, J.D.

David Hollenbach

Joshua Mitchell

Lauve Steenhuisen

William Werpehowski

Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs

Campus Ministry

Catholic Studies Program

Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate

Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching and Service

Department of Theology and Religious Studies

Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life

Office of Mission and Ministry

Q&A with Kelley McCreery Bunkers, Senior Fellow at the Georgetown University Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues

Religious and Academic Freedom in Nicaragua

Workshop Series Highlights Urgency and Hope on Global Children’s Issues

In Search of Discernment: Hoyas Learn from the Life of St. Ignatius Loyola on Magis Trip to Spain

Faith and the Family: A Reflective Conversation on the Church’s Interaction with Vulnerable Children and Families over Time

Georgetown To Co-Host Christian Literary Imagination Symposium and Conference

Georgetown’s Representative in Rome Releases Book on Pope Francis’ Encyclical Fratelli Tutti

Fratelli Tutti: Gianni Vattimo in Dialogue with Debora Tonelli

Kim Daniels joins John Carr as Co‑Director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University

Katie Rumer (SFS'13, L'20)

Kari Nelson (C’16)

Sean Viscount (B’16)

Michelle Chang (B’14)

Carlos Jimenez (B’14)

Deven Comen (C’12)

Jacobo (G’21)

Michael Bakan (B’19)

Tessa Bloechl (G’21)

Ian Schwenke (G’21)

Joshua Raftis (SFS’16)

Sanjay Iyer (G’19)

Rodolfo Martinez-Don (L'20)

Paige Kirby (SFS’12, G’21)

Tierney Monahan (G'22)

Pope Francis and the Reform of the Church

Faith Communities Persist in Era of Virtual Connection

GU-Q Professor Reflects on Teaching Theology at a Jesuit University in Doha

SFS Hosts Centennial Celebration in Rome on ‘The Jesuits and Global Impact’

Georgetown and the Indian Jesuit Community College Network: A New Partnership

Filing from Colombia: SFS Senior Reports on Religion and Armed Violence During Pulitzer Center Fellowship

Georgetown University and La Civiltà Cattolica Announce China Forum for Civilizational Dialogue

A New Jesuit College Takes Root in Thailand

"Faithful Priorities in a Time of Trump" Recap

Hoyas Translate Academic Excellence into Social Justice through Research Fellowship

Global Governance: A Conversation with Father Endashaw Debrework

Americas Initiative Explores Catholicism in the Region

Georgetown Deepens Commitment to Interfaith Cooperation