The Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life recently held its first Salt and Light Gathering to bring together (relatively) young Catholics across the partisan and ideological spectrum who are working in government or on public policy in some other capacity. The event featured former presidential speechwriters Jon Favreau and Michael Gerson. Millennial editor Robert Christian interviewed the Initiative’s director John Carr, the former director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development at the USCCB, to discuss his efforts to reach out to young Catholics involved in public life:

Robert Christian (RC): What are the goals of the Salt and Light Gatherings?

John Carr (JC): The Salt and Light Gatherings are unique opportunities for young Catholic public policy professionals in Washington to explore the connections between their faith and their work, Catholic social teaching and public policy. Our first Gathering examined how Pope Francis is affirming and challenging young people in public life. These Gatherings encourage Catholics under 40 to learn and discuss how faith can enrich public service and how Catholic social teaching can be a useful framework for public choices. We want to help young Catholics in public life see their service as a vocation and their faith as an asset in their work, to be “salt, light and leaven” in a society which very much needs their leadership and the wisdom of Catholic social teaching.

RC: Why do you think it’s important to bring young Catholics involved in public policy together in this way?

JC: More significantly, young Catholics in public life seem to think this is important. We were thrilled to have so many young leaders join us for our first Gathering and to see their enthusiasm for this effort.

Young Catholic leaders who work on Capitol Hill or in the Administration or in other public policy organizations have too few opportunities to meet one another, to learn about and discuss the links between Catholic faith and public service. These Gatherings examine questions rarely discussed in Washington:

• What do young Catholic public policy professionals have in common, beyond partisan, ideological and other differences?
• What is Pope Francis’ message for young people in public life?
• How is Catholic faith an asset or burden for public service?
• How can Catholic faith enrich this work and how can Catholic social teaching offer a useful framework for public choices?

This effort is unique in bringing together young Catholic public policy professionals across political, ideological and other lines to listen and learn, reflect and discuss their faith and work in Washington. Other faith communities convene young leaders in Washington, but this has been missing in the Catholic community.

RC: What role do these gatherings play in the overall mission of the Initiative?

JC: The mission of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University is to share Catholic social teaching more broadly, deeply, and effectively. A particular part of our mission is to reach out to the next generation of Catholic leaders to help them know, understand, and apply the principles of Catholic social teaching. This is a central priority of the Initiative along with our major Dialogues on Catholic Social Thought and our efforts to bring together Catholic and evangelical leaders to end the silence and stalemate on poverty in the United States. With his strong words and humble ways, Pope Francis is providing tremendous momentum for this mission, especially our efforts to reach out to young Catholic leaders.

RC: Why were Jon Favreau and Michael Gerson chosen to speak at the first gathering?

JC: At this first Gathering, Cardinal McCarrick and I focused on the message of Pope Francis for young Catholic leaders. Jon Favreau and Mike Gerson offered personal reflections on connecting faith and service at the highest levels of government. They both served as presidential speechwriters at a relatively young age, but they bring differing perspectives. Jon worked for President Barack Obama; Mike for President George W. Bush. Jon is a Catholic and Mike is an Evangelical. Jon is a progressive and a Democrat; Mike is a conservative and a Republican. They could each share lessons on what it means to be both a person of faith and a public policy professional and how faith and politics come together and conflict in the real world of Washington.

RC: What do you think were the big takeaways from what they shared?

JC: Who they were was as impressive as what they said, especially their candor and humility. They each acknowledged how hard it is to keep perspective and faith in the polarization of Washington. They urged young people to not lose faith or hope, to not become cynical or obsessed with partisan gamesmanship. They called for greater civility and an assumption of good will, even in political combat. At the end of the session, I shared two statements these gifted wordsmiths had written which summarized their message:

Jon Favreau: “Cynicism isn’t the only response to humanity’s inadequacies and limitations. Cynicism is a choice. It’s just as much of a choice as service to others or faith in God. It is just as much of a choice as love — that bears all things, believes all things, endures all things, and hopes all things.”

Michael Gerson: “Christianity is not identical to any political ideology… It has had great influence precisely because it judges all ideologies. It indicts consumerism and indifference to the poor; it indicts the destruction of the weak and the elderly; it indicts tyranny and the soul-destroying excesses that sometimes come from freedom…When society banishes the influence of faith, it loses one of the main sources of compassion and justice.”                                                      

RC: If others are interested in getting involved with this project, is there a way they can participate?

JC: I invite other Catholic lay men and women under 40 who work on public policy in Washington to join us in this unique and important effort by sending their name, position and email to us at cathsocialthought@georgetown.edu. We also welcome names and emails of others who should be invited to be a part of future gatherings.