Professor Francis Clooney Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Francis X. Clooney, S.J., Parkman Professor of Divinity and Professor of Comparative Theology at Harvard Divinity School, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies. 

Clooney, whose scholarship in Hindu studies and comparative theology has shaped interreligious dialogue worldwide, is among 20 Harvard faculty members named to the Academy’s 2025 class of nearly 250 newly elected members.  

“I was of course delighted and highly honored to be elected to so venerable and respected an Academy when there are so many wonderful scholars who surely could be thus recognized,” Clooney said. “I am glad that my body of work, in the study of Hindu traditions and in comparative theology, has been recognized by the members of the Academy.” 

The Academy, founded in 1780, recognizes exceptional individuals across academia, the arts, science, industry, and public affairs for their significant contributions to society. 

“These new members’ accomplishments speak volumes about the human capacity for discovery, creativity, leadership, and persistence. They are a stellar testament to the power of knowledge to broaden our horizons and deepen our understanding,” said Academy president Laurie L. Patton. “We invite every new member to celebrate their achievement and join the Academy in our work to promote the common good.” 

After earning his doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1984, Clooney taught at Boston College for more than two decades before joining the Harvard faculty in 2005. He served as director of Harvard’s Center for the Study of World Religions from 2010 to 2017 and continues to shape scholarly and public understanding of religion through his research and teaching. He was elected to the British Academy in 2010 and was president of the Catholic Theological Society of America in 2022-23. 

Clooney has authored well over a dozen influential works in the fields of Indology, interreligious dialogue, and comparative theology. His writings often explore intersections between Hindu and Catholic traditions, bringing distinct theological voices into deep and respectful conversation. 

In his 2024 memoir, Hindu and Catholic, Priest and Scholar: A Love Story, Clooney reflects on his life as a Jesuit priest and scholar, weaving together his deep love for Catholicism and his transformative engagement with Hindu traditions. 

In addition to his academic work, Clooney is a Roman Catholic priest and a long-time member of the Society of Jesus. He serves regularly in a local parish and remains deeply committed to both his scholarship and spiritual life. 

Clooney’s election to the Academy marks yet another milestone in a distinguished career that continues to shape scholarship in the fields of comparative theology and Hindu studies. 

The 2025 inductees will be formally welcomed into the Academy during a ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on October 10–11, 2025.