New Director for JCFJ

The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice has announced the appointment of Niall Leahy SJ as its new Director. Niall takes over the running of the Centre from Dr. Kevin Hargaden, who remains a key member of the JCFJ team, now with more capacity to focus on theology and research. The appointment marks a further investment by the Irish Jesuits in the mission and work of Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice. Read the full article below».

JCFJ Has a New Director

The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice is delighted to announce the appointment of Fr Niall Leahy SJ as its new Director. The appointment marks a further investment by the Irish Jesuits in the mission and work of JCFJ.

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Management, the Chairperson, Dr Pat Nolan, has given Fr Niall a warm welcome: “We are pleased and delighted to welcome Fr Niall as the new Director at the JCFJ. His appointment reflects a signal commitment by the Irish Jesuit Province to the future of the Centre.” 

Niall graduated from UCD in 2005 and in 2009, after a short career in accountancy, he joined the Jesuit Order. Since then he has obtained degrees in Philosophy, Education and Theology, with a particular focus on Laudato Si’ and environmental theology. After ordination he served as curate and then Parish Priest of Gardiner St. Parish in Dublin’s north inner city. He helped develop the parish’s outreach to young people and its Care for Creation. In September 2024 he travelled to Sri Lanka to do the international tertianship programme, a six-month preparation programme for final Jesuit vows. Upon his return to Ireland earlier this year, he joined the JCFJ team. 

Commenting upon his move to JCFJ, Niall says, “Working at JCFJ appealed to me for two main reasons. First, the team works on extremely pressing policy issues—housing, the environment, penal policy and social integration—and does so in the light of the Gospel. Secondly, in addition to operating in the world of policy, JCFJ also works within ecclesial circles. I am enthusiastic about working for an organisation that has the capacity to be a resource for both the Irish church and wider Irish society. I think that is a very Jesuit thing to do.”

Niall takes over the running of the Centre from Dr. Kevin Hargaden, who remains a key member of the JCFJ team, now with more capacity to focus on theology and research. Praising Kevin’s work, Niall says, “Kevin has been a visionary and passionate leader for JCFJ, and an inspiration to both the team and those who follow the work of the Centre. He will continue to be at the heart of JCFJ and I will certainly be drawing on his wisdom and knowledge as I settle into the new role. I am extremely grateful for his support.”

For his part, Dr Hargaden reflects on the transition: “In recent years, we have built a remarkable team at the JCFJ, combining deep policy expertise with a commitment to Catholic social teaching. I am confident that under Niall’s leadership, the Centre will continue to grow in impact and imagination. He brings considerable gifts and experience to the role, and I look forward with real anticipation to contributing alongside him. It was an honour to serve as the Director, but it is a real joy to return to my first love of teaching and wrestling with questions of social theology.”

During the summer, the Irish Jesuit Provincial, Fr Shane Daly SJ, established a new Board of Management which has the responsibility of overseeing the management and direction of JCFJ. The Chair, Dr Nolan, is happy that the new appointment will keep JCFJ moving in the right direction: “Following upon the outstanding diligence and commitment of his predecessor, Dr. Kevin Hargaden, Fr Niall brings an array of gifts to further enhance the work of the JCFJ. He comes at an inflection point in terms of the understanding of social justice issues, both in society at large and in the Church. Our vision at the Centre is for a society in which faith promotes justice for all, with a special focus on the care of creation, and those who experience poverty, discrimination and exclusion. I have no doubt that Fr Niall, in applying his many gifts, will bring that vision closer to reality.”

Let us pray for Niall that his work at JCFJ will bear much fruit.