Reverend John T. Pawlikowski, O.S.M.

The Reverend John T. Pawlikowski, O.S.M. of Chicago passed away on June 27, 2026, at the age of 85. He was a priest in the Order of Friar Servants of Mary (Servites) and a renowned author, speaker and Professor/Professor Emeritus of Catholic Social Ethics and Catholic-Jewish Relations at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

Fr. Pawlikowski was one of the founding faculty members of the Catholic Theological Union, where he taught social ethics for forty-nine years and served as director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies Program until his retirement in 2017. In addition to his teaching, speaking and prolific writing, he also served as Dean of Students (1969-1972) and Acting President (1975).

As a prominent figure in the Jewish-Christian dialogue, he served two terms as President of the International Council of Christians and Jews and was appointed by Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush to serve four terms on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. Having received his PhD from the University of Chicago he was the author and editor of many books and hundreds of articles on Christian-Jewish Relations, the Holocaust, economic justice and, more recently, environmental justice and the care for creation in the spirit of Pope Francis' encyclical letter Laudato Si.

Fr. Pawlikowski was much sought out as an international speaker, served on numerous international boards, commissions and advisory councils, and received many international honors and awards including four honorary doctorates and the 2014 Catholic Theological Society's John Courtney Murray Award for Distinguished Achievement in Theology. Locally, he was active in the Parliament of the World's Religions and a number of ecumenical and inter-religious organizations, especially in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Fr. Pawlikowski was born in Chicago on November 2, 1940, the only child of the late Thaddeus and Anna (nee Mizera) Pawlikowski. He entered the Order of Friar Servants of Mary, (Servites) in 1958 after graduating from St. Philip High School. He completed his novitiate at Mount Saint Philip, near Milwaukee, WI, professing first vows in August, 1960. He completed his philosophy and early theological studies at Benburb Priory, Northern Ireland; Stonebridge Priory in Lake Bluff, IL; Loyola University, Chicago and Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein, IL. He professed solemn vows in the Servite Order at Stonebridge Priory, Lake Bluff, IL, on September 20, 1964. Following seminary studies, he was ordained to the priesthood on April 27, 1967 by the late John Cardinal Cody, D. D., at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary Chapel in Mundelein, IL. Following ordination, Fr. Pawlikowski pursued graduate studies in theology at the University of Chicago, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1970.

Fr. John was a member of the Servite community at Assumption Priory, Chicago, for thirty-three years until his death.

He is survived by his Servite brothers, one cousin, and numerous friends, colleagues, and former students who cherish his memory.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, July 9, 2026 from 5:00 to 8:00pm and Friday, July 10 from 9:00am until time of Mass 10:00am at Assumption Catholic Church, 323 W. Illinois Street, Chicago.

Arrangements entrusted to Conboy Westchester Funeral Home for further info 708-F-U-N-E-R-A-L.