At the recent concluded 4^th Global Research Network Symposium, Fr. Thomas Gaunt, SJ, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), reaffirmed CARA’s key role in strengthening the Catholic Church through data, dialogue, and discernment. Rooted at Georgetown University, CARA stands as an independent, non-profit research center that bridges academic excellence with pastoral service, providing evidence-based insights that inform Church leadership and inspire faith-filled action.

With over 60 active research projects annually, CARA has become a cornerstone in ecclesial research—not only in the United States but across the global Catholic community. Fr. Gaunt’s presentation painted a vivid picture of an institution where faith meets research, where numbers tell stories of vocation, and global collaboration fuels pastoral innovation…