Today the future of Catholic identity in the US and UK depends more than ever on leadership and example from an active and committed laity. This is not simply a result of declining numbers of those in religious life, or scandals. It is because the most dynamic agents of social progress today emanate from civilian leadership in philanthropy, business, politics, law and justice, technology, media, government, entertainment and sport.
By identifying the 250 most influential Catholic lay figures across America today, we hope to stimulate a reinvigorated spiritual dimension in an increasingly secular society. To assist in this process of renewal, the Herald is launching the Catholic Herald Institute, a dynamic new Mid-Atlantic think-tank, based in NYC and London, initiative devoted to defending and promoting Catholic values and identity in public life – especially the family. We have set an annual budget of $300,000 and are seeking anchor donors to support our Herald Institute fellowship programme of writers around the world. The Herald has 134 years of intellectual history behind it and few non-profits have our influence in the public piazza.
