About the Institute

Mission:

The Institute conducts research on key issues facing society to help move the Church thoughtfully into the 21st Century. Ignorance of religions and their power leads to bigotry and prejudice, and sometimes leads, tragically, to violence. Rooted firmly in Catholic tradition and thought, and dedicated to ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, the Institute meets critical needs in the world today.

Aims:

The Institute develops distinctive intellectual capital by studying the long and rich Catholic intellectual tradition. That tradition includes not only brilliant theologians and philosophers, but also scientists, social scientists, historians, poets, writers, artists, architects and musicians. The Institute promotes understanding, critiquing, and developing Catholic intellectual life for the service not only of the Church, but all religions, especially as it dedicates itself to the common good.

Global Scholar Network:

The Institute draws upon an international group of scholars, all of whom, whatever their religious background or scholarly discipline, seek to understand Catholicism and its value for the world today.

Growing Impact:

Institute scholars and their research, publications, conferences and articles are internationally recognized as thoughtful contributors to the understanding, clarification and resolution of major issues facing the Church, religions and global society.

Current Publications:

Beyond Violence and Learned Ignorance: An Inquiry into Intellectual Humility Among Jews, Christians and Muslims are currently being translated into French.

Future publications:

True Wealth of Nations: Economics and Social Justice; Catholicism and Other World Religions; Tradition and Authority in the Church; A Symposium: What Happened at Vatican II?

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For more information, please contact, Father James L. Heft at 213-740-3055 or via e-mail at heft@usc.edu