If cynicism is the sin of our age, then paralysis in Washington is a temptation to despair.
John Carr
John Carr retired on January 1, 2026, from the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University which he founded in 2013. He previously served as Director of the Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development at the UnitedStates Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for more than 20 years. He also was a Washington Correspondent for America, Chair of the Board of Bread for the World, and a Residential Fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard University.
Posted inIn All Things
A Saint for Our Times
From John Carr at ‘In All Things’: Sargent Shriver was ‘a good man’ and a great model for the rest of us.
Posted inIn All Things
One Baptism and Two Popes
As America rsquo s Washington Correspondent I rsquo m supposed to report and comment on what rsquo s going on in Washington The two dominant stories are the continuing failures of the ldquo Obamacare rdquo web site and U S spying on our allies including the private conversations of heads of sta
Posted inWashington Front
The Francis Factor
The pope challenges us to use our consciences and competence to advance the common good.
Posted inFrom Our Archives
Pope Francis, Cardinal Wuerl and the Washington Post
On Monday Oct 1 more than 700 students and Catholic leaders interfaith partners and Washington insiders filled Gaston Hall at Georgetown University on a lovely autumn evening to discuss ldquo the Francis Factor rdquo The event was the Inaugural Public Dialogue of our new Initiative on Catholi
Posted inWashington Front
Pursuing the Dream
If we truly pursue Pope Francis’ dream, it will help realize Dr. King’s dream as well.
Posted inIn All Things
Washington and War
Washington is facing a decision it didn rsquo t want a choice fraught with moral peril global consequence human costs and political implications President Obama stunned the Capitol by deciding to do what he had said presidents should do require Congress to act before the nation commits military
Posted inIn All Things
Dispatches from the Outer Banks
It turns out that my week of blogging for America is this week when our entire family is on the Outer Banks of North Carolina Our family has grown from a bunch of kids and us in an overloaded van fighting traffic to get to a townhouse that seemed a lot bigger and closer to the beach in the realtor
Posted inWashington Front
Shifting Winds
Washington could use a little of Pope Francis’ faith, hope and charity.
Posted inFrom Our Archives
100 Days of Francis: Observations and predictions
Pope Francis is approaching 100 days as our Holy Father. The beginning of his papal service has drawn massive attention and offered new ways of carrying out the leadership of the Universal Church. There is amazing interest in this unpredictable story. Washington was both fascinated and appalled by a