Presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s son received into Catholic Church
The Catholic Herald• April 16, 2025
The son of Nikki Haley, the US politician who at one stage was viewed as a serious rival to Donald Trump for the Republican nomination in 2024, was received into the Catholic Church on Palm Sunday.
Nikki Haley, a former US ambassador to the United Nations and South Carolina governor, was born and raised in the Sikh faith but converted to Christianity after marrying her husband, Michael Haley, in 1996, reports the Catholic News Agency (CNA).
In a 2012 interview, Haley said she and her husband “chose Christianity because of the way we wanted to live our life and raise our children”. She was reportedly baptised in a Methodist church but has attended Baptist churches as well.
“As parents, Michael and I always prayed that our children would have a faith and relationship with God,” Nikki Haley posted on social media following her son being received into the Catholic Church.
“Today we were so proud to support Nalin in his faith journey as he was confirmed into the Catholic Church, completed RCIA, and received his first holy Communion.”
Nalin Haley, 23, is a 2024 graduate of Villanova University, a Catholic institution. During 2023 and 2024 he “distinguished himself for his steadfast presence on the campaign trail and support for his mother”, reports CNA. He is the younger of two Haley children. His sister, Rena, 26, is a paediatric nurse.
Nalin was received into the Catholic Church by Father Jeffrey Kirby at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Indian Land, South Carolina. Fr Kirby also posted on social media to celebrate Nalin being received into the Church, writing: “Congratulations to Wiliam Nalin Peter, who was received into the fullness of the Christian faith today! Welcome home, Nalin!”
Kirby is also the host of the YouTube channel “Daily Discipleship with Father Kirby” and is a regular contributor to Crux, the Catholic Herald’s news partner in Rome and at the Vatican.
Nikki Haley is the first Indian American to serve in a presidential cabinet. She campaigned against Trump for almost two months, and in doing so became first female Republican presidential candidate to win a presidential primary.
Shortly after he was re-elected, Donald Trump announced that Haley would not be appointed to a position in his second administration.
Haley is currently working as the Walter P. Stern chair at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington, DC. Some commentators suggest that Haley is also laying the groundwork for a potential run in the 2028 presidential election.
Despite losing to Trump in the Republican contest in 2024, she has been compared to Ronald Reagan for her ability to connect with American families. Additionally, her criticism of Donald Trump and her strong fundraising and grassroots network could help her build a robust base for the 2028 election, it is argued.
However, JD Vance, the Catholic convert currently serving as vice-president in the second Trump administration, is currently viewed as the most likely Republican contender to make a run in 2028.
Photo: Nalin Haley being received into the Church by Fr Jeffrey Kirby whilst standing next to Nikki Haley (image from Fr Kirby’s social media account @fatherkirby).