Daniel Horan

Daniel Patrick Horan (born 1983) is an Catholic American theologian, author and former Franciscan priest.^[2]. He is currently the director of the Center for the Study of Spirituality and professor of Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Theology at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana.^[3][4] He is also affiliated Professor of Spirituality at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.^[5] He previously held the Duns Scotus Chair of Spirituality at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and taught at several other academic institutions. He is a columnist for National Catholic Reporter.^[6]

Daniel Horan
Born	November 15, 1983 (age 40) Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
Occupations	theologian author
Years active	2007–present
Academic background
Alma mater	St. Bonaventure University Washington Theological Union Boston College
Thesis	Imagining Planetarity[1] (2016)
Doctoral advisor	Brian Robinette[1]
Influences	John Duns Scotus
Academic work
Discipline	Theology
Sub-discipline	Systematic theology
School or tradition	Scotism
Institutions	Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
Website	danhoran.com

Horan was born on November 15, 1983, in Pensacola, Florida. He studied theology (in the School of Arts and Sciences) and journalism (in the Jandoli School of Journalism) at St. Bonaventure University,^[7] and studied in the Master of Arts in systematic theology and Master of Divinity programs at the Washington Theological Union.^[8] He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in systematic theology from Boston College.^[1]

Horan taught in the Department of Religious Studies at Siena College in Loudonville, New York, and summer courses in the Department of Theology at St. Bonaventure University, the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, and at Catholic Theological Union. He serves on the Board of Trustees of St. Bonaventure University^[7] and the Board of Regents of Franciscan School of Theology. He previously served several terms on the International Thomas Merton Society Board of Directors^[9] and is a former columnist at America.^[10][11]

Horan has written on Franciscan theology, philosophy, and spirituality^[12] as well as given lectures and delivered academic papers (around the United States, Canada, and Europe) on the theological and social significance of the work of Thomas Merton.^[13] He has also given workshops and delivered lectures on the intersection of the millennial generation and spirituality.^[14] His current work focuses on postmodern thought and the use of medieval Franciscan thinkers like John Duns Scotus as well as the authentic retrieval of their thought for contemporary theological inquiry; the life, work and thought of Thomas Merton; and contemporary systematic and constructive theologies.^[15]

Horan has spoken publicly on theological matters related to justice and inclusion in support of the LGBTQ+ community in the Catholic Church and society, including offering scholarly supported criticism of USCCB statements.^[16][17] Additionally, Horan has advocated for a number of other justice issues in academic and popular venues, including in response to the global climate crisis, ecospirituality, and antiracism.^[18]

On October 3rd, 2024, Horan announced that he would be leaving the Franciscan order and ministry as a priest.^[2]

• Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis (First ed.). Cincinnati: Franciscan Media. 2012. ISBN 978-1616361365.
• Francis of Assisi and the Future of Faith: Exploring Franciscan Spirituality and Theology in the Modern World (First ed.). Phoenix: Tau Publishing. 2012. ISBN 978-1619560413.
• Franciscan Spirituality for the 21st Century: Selected Reflections from the Dating God Blog and Other Essays (First ed.). Boston: Koinonia Press. 2012. ISBN 978-0615597539.
• The Last Words of Jesus: A Meditation on Love and Suffering (First ed.). Cincinnati: Franciscan Media. 2013. ISBN 978-1616364090.
• Spirit and Life: A Franciscan Guide for Spiritual Reflection (First ed.). Boston: Koinonia Press. 2013. ISBN 978-0615781167. (With Julianne Wallace)
• Postmodernity and Univocity: A Critical Account of Radical Orthodoxy and John Duns Scotus (First ed.). Minneapolis: Fortress Press. 2014. ISBN 978-1451465723.
• The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton: A New Look at the Spiritual Inspiration of His Life, Thought, and Writing (First ed.). Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press. 2014. ISBN 978-1594714221.
• God is Not Fair and Other Reasons for Gratitude (First ed.). Cincinnati: Franciscan Media. 2016. ISBN 978-1632531414.
• Daybreaks: Daily Reflections for Advent and Christmas (First ed.). Liguori, MO: Liguori Publications. 2017. ISBN 978-0764827303. [Spanish trans: Un Nuevo Comienzo: Reflexiones Diarias Para Adviento y Navidad]
• Daybreaks: Daily Reflections for Lent and Easter (First ed.). Liguori, MO: Liguori Publications. 2018. ISBN 978-0764827310. [Spanish trans: Un Nuevo Comienzo: Reflexiones Diarias Para Cuaresma y Pascua]
• All God's Creatures: A Theology of Creation (First ed.). Lanham: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic. 2018. ISBN 978-1978701533.
• Reading, Praying, Living Pope Francis's Rejoice and Be Glad: A Faith Formation Guide (First ed.). Collegeville: Liturgical Press. 2019. ISBN 978-0814664070.
• Catholicity and Emerging Personhood: A Contemporary Theological Anthropology (First ed.). Maryknoll: Orbis Books. 2019. ISBN 978-1626983366.
• A White Catholic's Guide to Racism and Privilege (First ed.). Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press. 2021. ISBN 978-1646800766.
• The Way of the Franciscans: A Prayer Journey Through Lent (First ed.). London: SPCK. 2021. ISBN 978-0281083176.
• Engaging Thomas Merton: Spirituality, Justice, and Racism (First ed.) Maryknoll: Orbis Books. 2023. ISBN 978-1626985445

• Official website  
• Los Angeles Religious Education Congress "Fear: The Enemy of Christian Discipleship"
• "Franciscan Authors Book on Dating God" Catholic News Service
• 2016 interview with America magazine
• "Faith Seeking Understanding" column for National Catholic Reporter
• The Francis Effect Podcast