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WASHINGTON( April 6, 2006)--The Rev. J. Cletus Kiley has been chosen as the new President and CEO of The Faith & Politics Institute.
The Faith & Politics Institute, founded in 1991, is an interfaith, bipartisan organization located on Capitol Hill that provides opportunities for spiritual reflection for members of Congress and their staff through weekly small group discussions, retreats and pilgrimages.
Father Kiley, who is a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, is currently executive director of the Office of Priestly Life and Ministry of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Besides his work with the Bishops' Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry developing programs which support priests and working with national organizations of priests, Father Kiley has also served as a member of the crisis management team assisting in the Church's response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. He staffed the USCCB's Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse, participated in the formulation of a national policy, and helped to create the National Review Board and Office for Child and Youth Protection. He also developed and coordinated training workshops for the bishops and key staff in the implementation of the policy.
Since being ordained in 1974, Father Kiley has held a wide variety of responsible positions in the Archdiocese of Chicago, including pastor of a large parish, president of St. Joseph College Seminary, and director of personnel.
Father Kiley, who begins his new work June 1, was chosen by The Faith & Politics Institute's Board of Directors during an intensive, nationwide search.
He succeeds the Institute's founder, the Rev. W. Douglas Tanner, Jr., who will assume the role of senior advisor. The Rev. Tanner strongly affirmed the choice, stating, "Father Kiley brings wisdom, insight, and maturity that will enable the deep streams in the Institute's history to continue to flow even as they lead in new directions. He also brings personal qualities of warmth, grace, and ease that are strong assets, especially on Capitol Hill."
Cardinal Francis E. George, Archbishop of Chicago, said, "I congratulate Father Kiley on his being chosen to head the Faith & Politics Institute. Father Kiley will bring his personal skills and insight into the continuing conversation about the role of faith in the lives of those who hold public office."
Wardell Townsend, Chair of The Faith & Politics Institute's Board, said Father Kiley was chosen for his theological wisdom and his expertise in spiritual development as well as his management experience.
"With Rev. Kiley at the helm, The Faith & Politics Institute will continue to grow as a force for conscience, courage and compassion in American politics, particularly on Capitol Hill," Townsend said.