Xavier University joins multi-institution program to empower leadership in the Catholic Church
Jan 15, 2026
A new initiative positions Xavier University as a leader among Catholic institutions carrying forward Pope Francis’ legacy of ensuring all voices in the Catholic Church are heard.
Xavier is partnering with 15 Catholic colleges and universities nationwide to launch the Catholic Education Network to Enact and Resource Synodality (CENTERS). The collaboration encourages active listening, dialogue and shared decision-making in the Catholic Church in the United States, a process known as synodality that marked a key aspect of Pope Francis’ papal tenure.
The Lilly Endowment Inc. created the $10 million grant for CENTERS through Loyola University Chicago’s Pathways for Tomorrow initiative, a program designed to help theological schools respond to the most pressing challenges in preparing pastoral leaders for Christian congregations now and in the future.
“We are looking forward to the collaborative opportunities this will support locally and nationally,” says Fr. Eric Sundrup, S.J., Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Xavier University. “Hearing firsthand from our students, faculty and staff who attended the 2024 synod in Rome gives me incredible hope and excitement about the future.”
CENTERS will fund local projects at each participating university to renew internal operations, curricula and partnerships to better prepare pastoral leaders for an evolving Church.
These projects will include conducting retreats, trainings, symposia and peer learning. Along with larger-scale efforts such as convening national assemblies, supporting fellowships and national leadership formation programs.
At Xavier, the grant will invite students and the broader Xavier community to the practice of synodality, deep listening, discernment and encouraging active participation in the life of the Catholic Church.
Xavier will collaborate regionally with University of Dayton, Loyola University Chicago and Catholic Theological Union to further synodality in the Midwest. This initiative supports Archbishop Robert Casey’s call to Catholic universities in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to further synodality in the Church.
CENTERS is anchored by Loyola University’s Institute for Pastoral Studies and governed collaboratively by participating institutions: the Catholic Theological Union, Gonzaga University, Loyola Marymount University, Loyola University New Orleans, Mexican American Catholic College, Xavier University, Xavier University of Louisiana, Saint John’s University, Saint Joseph’s University, Santa Clara University, Southeast Pastoral Institute, University of Dayton, University of Dallas, University of San Francisco and Villanova University.