Daniel Groody

April 02, 2026

Amid the scenic papal gardens outside Rome in early March, the Vatican and the University of Notre Dame launched a new global sustainability initiative to apply Catholic principles to addressing climate change and other ecological threats facing the planet. Holy Cross Fr. Robert Dowd, president of the Catholic university in Indiana, said in a statement that the alliance left its inaugural meeting "with a renewed sense of purpose and hope" and that its efforts reflect "the deep connections between environmental sustainability and human dignity and flourishing." A central figure was Holy Cross Fr. Daniel Groody, vice president and associate provost for undergraduate education at the University of Notre Dame. They were later joined by Arun Agrawal, a renowned scholar of environmental politics and sustainability who in January 2025 became the founding director of Notre Dame's Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative, which leads the university's efforts around food, energy, water and infrastructure.

March 30, 2026

Among the 11 new members are Holy Cross Fr. Daniel Groody, vice president and an associate provost for undergraduate education at the University of Notre Dame ... For Groody, the appointment signals continuity with longstanding efforts to link theology and global concerns. A professor at the University of Notre Dame, Groody has written extensively on migration and refugee issues and has worked with policymakers and international bodies.