Going with gratitude and blessing
The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice (JCFJ) gathered to say goodbye to their former Director Dr. Kevin Hargaden on July 26 2026, as he prepared to take up a new post at the University of Notre Dame. The occasion, which current director Niall Leahy SJ said was marked in equal parts by “appreciation and sadness,” celebrated the close of a decade of service in which Kevin established himself as JCFJ’s social theologian and an influential voice for justice.
Kevin himself marked the occasion with a farewell lecture ». A packed John Sullivan Room at Gardiner Street Church listened intently as he spoke to his essay ‘From Moral Monopoly to a Faithful Contribution: Social Theology in Ireland,’ which has been described as a challenging and intriguing essay on what social theology is and how it should operate in our daily lives. The lecture drew colleagues, friends, and supporters who came to honour his contribution and to hear his reflections for one last time in his JCFJ role.
“Kevin needed no introduction,” said Niall Leahy, before introducing the lecture, “but I insisted on embarrassing him with some sincere words of praise before he gave his last lecture as JCFJ’s social theologian.” In his remarks, Niall highlighted both Kevin’s academic gifts and the warmth of his relationships.
“The breadth of your learning is matched by the breadth of your friendships,” he told Kevin. “You have built relationships with people from every social background, every political persuasion, different Christian traditions, other faiths and numerous academic disciplines. You are even friends with a few neoliberals—which, if nothing else, is a testament to your generosity of spirit. You have a remarkable gift for building bridges between people who might otherwise never engage.”
Niall’s tribute emphasised how Kevin had consistently devoted his talents to those most in need. “Most importantly, you have placed all these gifts at the service of those on the margins: the poor, the excluded and the oppressed. Like St John Chrysostom, you recognise them as the Church’s true treasury. Your commitment to justice has never been detached from your faith. You unapologetically pursue justice, and you do so unapologetically as a Christian.”
Kevin has been appointed Professor of Moral Theology at the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Social Concerns. “It is easy to see why the University of Notre Dame has invited you to join its Institute for Social Concerns, where you will continue to promote the justice of the Kingdom in an interdisciplinary way. Our loss is certainly their gain… Go to Notre Dame with our gratitude and blessing,” said Niall, concluding with the Centre’s deep appreciation for Kevin’s decade of service: “Kevin, thank you for all that you have given to this Centre, to the Jesuits, and to so many of us personally. We wish you, Claire and the children every blessing as you begin this new chapter.” Irish Jesuit Communications echoes these sentiments.
