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.

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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

Select Academic Programs

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

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

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.

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.

Past Event

March 19

The Francis Factor: The Leadership of the World’s Pastor

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Past Event

March 10

Life, Ideas, and Revelation: Lucy Beckett’s "A Postcard from the Volcano"

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Past Event

March 03

Heroic Christianity: Tolerance, Courage, and Conviction in Willa Cather's “Death Comes for the Archbishop”