Dean's Message

July 20, 2022 -- Boston College's Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry, Fr. Michael "Mick" McCarthy, SJ. Photographed in Simboli Hall.

Michael C. McCarthy, S.J., Dean of CSTM since July 2022

Welcome to the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry!

As a Jesuit university we draw on a well-known tradition of academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, and theological creativity that goes back almost 500 years. 

For us, though, the pursuit of learning is part of a larger desire for God. It bears fruit in who our students become. It manifests itself in our service to the Church and the world–whether in schools, parishes, doctoral or other advanced studies, hospitals, non-profits, or any of the countless ministries in which our graduates find themselves across the globe. It calls us to a wholeness and holiness rooted in prayer, a reverence for the dignity of others, and an active love.

We take seriously, therefore, our responsibility to walk with our students and offer them an experience of spiritual, intellectual, pastoral, and human formation. Growth in these areas will not only help them lead more fulfilling lives, but also engage in the most critical issues of our times—like climate change, racial justice, and economic justice in a global context.

We approach these issues from a position of Christian faith and as a community of faith comprising students, faculty, and staff from around the world—all of whom contribute to a union of hearts and minds. No two individuals in our community are the same, yet we find common ground in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition that is always responsive to the signs of our times and always discerning where the Spirit will lead us in the future. 

We are especially fortunate to carry out our theological pursuits in Boston, which boasts a higher concentration of colleges and universities than any city in the world and therefore encourages an intellectual connection with so many diverse thought leaders. 

One important example is the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium, which is the largest theological consortium in the world. It brings together more than 10 theology centers to advance excellence in theological education, build interreligious community, and cultivate visionary leadership for a pluralistic world. 

We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our thriving academic community of faith and scholarship. 

Michael C. McCarthy, S.J.
Dean

Dean's message: What makes CSTM distinctive?