Kentucky’s four bishops have appointed Jason Hall to be the new executive director of the Catholic Conference of Kentucky, the public policy arm of the state’s bishops.
Hall succeeds Father Patrick Delahanty, who is retiring effective July 1. Hall currently serves as the associate director of the conference.
In a press release announcing the appointment on behalf of the bishops, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz said that Hall “has ably served the Catholic Conference of Kentucky” as associate director. He added that he was “confident in his ability to advocate for the social ad moral issues that are consistent with Catholic social teaching and critical to the common good in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”
Hall’s appointment, the archbishop said, “comes with a strong recommendation from Father Delahanty, who has been very appreciative of Hall’s skills and dedication over the past several years.”
“All of the bishops of Kentucky are deeply grateful to Father Pat for his fine service and look forward to working with Jason to continue to keep the church’s positions before the Commonwealth.”
Hall, 35, is a native of Owensboro, Ky. He is a graduate of Campbellsville University and attended the University of Kentucky College of Law. Following law school, Hall served as assistant Daviess County attorney, and worked primarily on civil matters involving county government.
In 2005, the release said, Hall relocated to Frankfort where he worked for the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, representing the Department of Corrections. He subsequently spent four years as deputy general counsel to the majority leadership of the Kentucky State Senate, led by Senate President David Williams.
In this role, Hall was involved in the development of public policy in several areas and had the opportunity, the release said, to work with many public interest groups.
He joined the Catholic Conference of Kentucky as associate director in 2011. He converted to Catholicism in 2006 and is a member of Good Shepherd Church in Frankfort, where he works with the RCIA and jail ministry programs. He is also a member of the Social Ministry Leadership Team of the Diocese of Lexington.
