Dynamic Leader Cardinal Robert McElroy Steps into the Archdiocese of Washington
Washington D.C. Greets Cardinal Robert McElroy as the Latest Archbishop Following His Appointment by Georgetown
Known for his progressive stance and advocacy for inclusion, immigration, and public life, Cardinal Robert McElroy is the new face of the Archdiocese of Washington. Appointed by Pope Francis on January 6, McElroy's leadership skills, pastoral care, and academic background make him an ideal choice to lead more than half a million Catholics in the Washington D.C. region.
McElroy, a civil rights champion with a Ph.D. in political science and a pastor at heart, will take over from Cardinal Wilton Gregory, 77, who has served as the archbishop since 2019. Interim President Robert M. Groves welcomed Cardinal McElroy warmly, expressing gratitude for his leadership and commitment to Catholic social thought and advocacy in national affairs.
Over the past decade, McElroy has regularly visited Georgetown University, engaging with events hosted by the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life and the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. His engagements with Georgetown include a public dialogue on partisanship in 2014, a discussion on democracy and polarization in politics in 2017, and a webinar on Catholic social teaching and politics following President Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021.
As the sixth bishop of San Diego, McElroy has been an outspoken advocate for the vulnerable, particularly immigrants and refugees. In various public forums, he has emphasized solidarity with refugees and the need to empower them, addressing their suffering in the current U.S. immigration system's broken state.
McElroy has made a significant mark on issues related to politics and the Catholic Church and has been a prominent voice on Catholic theologian John Courtney Murray. He also serves as a member of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, and will be an elector in selecting the next pope.
McElroy's advocacy is centered around creating a more inclusive, compassionate Church that engages deeply with social issues while maintaining its spiritual mission. His contributions extend beyond his leadership roles, with two books to his credit - "The Search for an American Public Theology: The Contribution of John Courtney Murray" and "Morality and American Foreign Policy: The Role of Ethics in International Affairs."
As the new Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal McElroy's insights, empathy, and passion for social justice will undoubtedly reshape the Catholic Church's presence in the nation’s capital and beyond.
Cardinal McElroy: More Than a Title
Cardinal McElroy's journey began early as he took an interest in the priesthood while still in high school. After graduating from Harvard with a degree in American history and earning two doctorates, one in political science from Stanford University and the other in moral theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, McElroy served as a pastor for 30 years before being appointed bishop of San Diego in 2015.
In Rome, McElroy holds vital roles as a member of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life. His extensive academic background and practical experience as a pastor make him an influential voice within the Vatican.
Voice for the Vulnerable
Throughout his career, McElroy has been a vocal supporter of the marginalized, particularly immigrants and refugees. In his speeches, he emphasizes the importance of solidarity with the vulnerable and the need to empower them. McElroy's stance on political and religious issues, such as the Eucharistic discipline and the Church's role in politics, reflects his commitment to maintaining the Church's spiritual mission while addressing contemporary concerns.
His pioneering work on LGBT issues, including the need for a change in sacramental discipline for sexually active LGBT individuals, reflects McElroy's progressive outlook and his desire to foster a more compassionate and inclusive Church.
With the Archdiocese of Washington now under his leadership, Cardinal McElroy will continue to advocate for the poor, the marginalized, and the immigrants of our nation, drawing on his extensive experience and unwavering dedication to Catholic social thought and public life.
Cardinal McElroy, with his extensive background in political science and moral theology, has regularly engaged in discussions related to university affairs, specifically at Georgetown University, focusing on Catholic social thought and public life, international affairs, and politics. He is an elector in selecting the next pope and serves as a member of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, demonstrating his commitment to advocating for the marginalized, particularly immigrants and refugees, in national and international affairs.
In his new role as Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal McElroy's insights, empathy, and passion for social justice will extend beyond the nation’s capital, influencing the Catholic Church's stance on various general-news topics, such as immigration, politics, and human development.
