Catholic Common Ground Initiative moves to Catholic Theological Union
On Saturday, November 14 the Catholic Common Ground Initiative (CCGI), founded by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin in 1996 just months before his death, will move to the Bernardin Center for Theology and Ministry of Catholic Theological Union at Chicago (CTU). The date marks the thirteenth anniversary of the Cardinal’s death.
Cardinal Francis George described the Initiative, formerly housed by the National Pastoral Life Center in New York, as “coming home to Chicago,” the late Cardinal’s archdiocese. “The Initiative is not a forum for negotiating Catholic doctrine but a means to review the challenges to understanding and living our faith in constantly changing circumstances,” added Cardinal George. The Bernardin Center with its rich history and experience of working to build bridges will provide the Catholic Common Ground Initiative with new resources and opportunities.
The Catholic Common Ground Initiative was founded in an effort to lessen polarities and divisions that weaken the communion of the Church. At the origin of the Initiative, the National Pastoral Life Center released a charter statement, “Called to Be Catholic,” proposing guidelines for dialogue within the Church.
The Initiative begun thirteen years ago by Cardinal Bernardin continues today. Through lectures, conferences, and programs in Catholic parishes, schools, and organizations, the Catholic Common Ground Initiative promotes dialogue within the Church on a variety of theological and social issues, including the changing roles of women, human sexuality, healthcare reform, and immigration—challenges facing not just the American Catholic Church but the United States as a whole.
In addition to transitioning to the Bernardin Center at CTU, the Initiative will be launching a new strategic plan, “A Living Witness,” in order to reaffirm its mission to convene “Catholics with differing views about critical issues in the Church to engage in prayerful dialogue for the sake of building up the communion of the Church.” Over the next several years the Initiative will focus on bringing Catholics of diverse perspectives together in dialogue, providing resources for use on many levels within the Church, and engaging younger Catholics.
“The Bernardin Center is honored to take on the leadership for the Catholic Common Ground Initiative. This is an exciting and wonderful opportunity and a natural expansion of our mission,” stated Sheila McLaughlin, director of the Bernardin Center for Theology and Ministry. “I look forward to working with Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk of Cincinnati [chair of the National Advisory Committee] and the other members of the Advisory Committee in implementing our new strategic plan.”
The Bernardin Center was founded in 1997, with Cardinal Bernardin’s endorsement, to undertake initiatives that promote peacemaking, interreligious dialogue, and the consistent ethic of life. The Center provides scholarships for students preparing for ministry, engages in interreligious education and dialogue programs, and provides opportunities for young people contemplating lives dedicated to service within the mission of the Church. The addition of the Catholic Common Ground Initiative will strengthen the Center’s commitment to these signature issues and provide a fuller spectrum of opportunities for those seeking to be involved in the life of the Church.
“Given the challenges facing the Church in the United States, good faith efforts to contribute to the unity of the Church are truly needed,” said Rev. Donald Senior, C.P., president of Catholic Theological Union. “As a Catholic school of theology, we welcome the Catholic Common Ground Initiative to CTU.”
For further information: contact Elizabeth Jennings White, CTU Director of Public Information and Media Relations, at 773-371-5415 or
