Father Daniel Mahan, of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, has been named director of the newly created Institute on the Catechism, which is under the auspices of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

“Father Mahan brings a deep understanding of the Catechism, along with the invaluable, longtime expertise of teaching it to the faithful in a meaningful way,” Bishop Frank Caggiano told USCCB. 

“At a time when there is widespread disaffiliation with the faith, and yet a deep desire and hunger being expressed by many to fill the void in their lives, we must take new, bold approaches to help the bishops to equip their catechists with ways to invite people to an encounter with the Lord,” he said, according to USCCB. “I am grateful to Archbishop Thompson for allowing Father Mahan to serve the greater Church with the unique talents he brings to the Institute on the Catechism.”

Father Michael J.K. Fuller has appointed Mahan to the position. The Institute on the Catechism is part of the USCCB's Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis. This appointment will take effect July 1.

The Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis receives guidance from the Subcommittee on the Catechism of the USCCB on matters related to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the U.S. Catholic Catechism for adults and the support of Catholic publishers in creating catechetical resources. The Institute on the Catechism was established to fulfill the subcommittee's mission in adapting to the evolving catechetical environment. 

Mahan was ordained as a priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in 1988, and he has since served in several parishes within the archdiocese. He currently holds the position of pastor for four Southeastern Indiana parishes. He brings with him expertise in reviewing catechetical texts and has also been a team member for the Institute since it was established in November 2022. Mahan obtained his degree from St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, and has a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm in Rome.