Thomas H. Groome

Dr. Thomas Groome, a senior Professor of Theology and Religious Education at Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry. He is a renowned author, an award-winning scholar and teacher, and a recognized expert on Catholicism and religious education. He describes his lifelong work as encouraging Christians to “bring their lives to Faith, and their Faith to life.” Prof. Groome has written or edited some ten books, over two hundred essays, two grade school religion curricula, and is the principle creator of the Credo Series, a high school Theology curriculum (from Veritas/Benziger). In addition to a number of essay collections, his best known major books are Christian Religious Education (HarperOne 1980), Sharing Faith (HarperOne 1991), Educating for Life (Crossroads 2001), What Makes Us Catholic (HarperOne 2003), Will There be Faith (HarperOne 2011), Faith for the Heart (Paulist Press 2019), and most recently What Makes Education Catholic (Orbis, Nov 2021). His books have been translated into many languages (including Korean and Chinese). A dynamic teacher and speaker, he has lectured widely throughout the United States and the world, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, England, Scotland, Korea, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Trinidad, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Pakistan, Jamaica, Lithuania, Sweden, Norway, Peru, Ecuador, Germany, Holland, South Africa, and Malta. He is often introduced as “the leading Catholic religious educator of our time” (which Tom says is “a bit of an exaggeration”). He has appeared on many local and national TV channels and radio programs, and is frequently quoted in the press. Prof. Groome has received many awards, including “Master Teacher of the Year” from Boston College’s School of Arts and Sciences. Prof. Groome was born and grew up in Co. Kildare, Ireland. He holds an MA in Religious Education from Fordham University and a Doctorate in Theology and Education from Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary, New York. For many years he was the senior faculty person and then Director of Boston College’s well-known Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry (now a Department within BC’s School of Theology and Ministry, and which he served for many years as Chair). He is former Director of BC’s Church in the 21st Century Center, and for many years has directed the university’s PhD in Theology and Education.