Programs: Caritas in veritate and the United StatesA Symposium Organized by The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and The Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies15–16 October 2010 The True Wealth of Nations | Catholic Education | The Catholic Tradition | Generations in Dialogue | Interreligious and Ecumenical Topics
Program Information | Focus Paper (pdf) | Newsletter Special Edition (pdf) | Participant Biographies Program Information |
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 Caritas in veritateThe Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies was invited by the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace to organize an international symposium to be held at the Vatican October 15th to the 16th, 2010. The focus on the symposium was Pope Benedict XVI’s latest encyclical Caritas in veritate (Charity in Truth) and how it might apply to the United States. A select group of scholars—economists, ethicists, and theologians—was invited from the United States, Europe, and Africa to explore the complex and critically important issues of globalization, economics, the market and justice.
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A Window Into the Work of the Institute For two days in October, the Vatican Conference on Caritas in veritate offered a glimpse into the Institute's unique role within the Church. Scholars from different disciplines and Christian faiths reflected on the pope's latest encyclical as it applies to the United States. The participants said that they came to a deeper understanding of the global crisis and a greater sense of hope for the relevance of such informed dialogue about the challenges confronting the Church and world.  A cornerstone of the Institute's many conferences and books is a commitment to interreligious dialogue. During the Vatican Conference, participants of other religious traditions encouraged honest conversation about areas of agreement and difference. Ruth Groenhout, a philosopher in the Christian Reformed tradition at Calvin College, stated, "I'm very sympathetic [to the challenges of religious diversity]—I'm wrestling with some of the same issues that the Catholic Church is wrestling with on these things." Rebecca Blank, the Undersecretary of Economic Affairs for the Department of Commerce, has worked with numerous civic and religious groups throughout her scholarly and public career. As the conference came to a close, Dr. Blank commented, "I would hope that this is something that the Institute would continue to pursue because I think that dialogue across and among people of faith with common concerns can open up avenues into other conversations within larger political groups, within private market groups, and within other parts of civil society."  Through its location at the University of Southern California, and its connections to scholars in numerous disciplines throughout the world, the Institute is dedicated to the enrichment of the thought and life of the Catholic Church. Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Center (NY), a longtime leader in the American Church and Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the USCCB, had never heard of the Institute before he was invited to the conference. "When I got the invitation I had to Google it!", he recalled. Part of his responsibility is to address social and economic issues in the United States. "The Conference," he said gratefully, "has given me a new set of people that I know and can interact with." An enthusiastic supporter and board member of the Institute, Thomas Condon believes that "the Vatican symposium surpassed our expectations by encouraging lively, spirited discussion of pressing social issues." Merle Mullin added that "the symposium demonstrated the power that dialogue has to bring about change and growth." The Vatican Conference was both an important event in itself and a sign of how the Institute will proceed with future projects. After following the two-day scholarly exchange closely, Julie Condon aptly concluded that "the symposium was a fantastic opportunity to see diligent efforts of the Institute come to fruition in the very home of the Catholic Church."
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An Interview with Cardinal Peter Turkson "I am delighted that you are all here and I am confident that our discussions will be very fruitful and enriching." These words from Cardinal Turkson, the head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, welcomed scholars to the Vatican Conference organized by the Institute. Over two days, Cardinal Turkson offered his personal reflections on the global financial crisis while encouraging the gathered scholars to speak freely with each other about the Church's social tradition. Afterwards, Cardinal Turkson described the Conference as "an excellent opportunity to bring together both academicians and practitioners in the fields of Catholic social doctrine, economics and finance, as well as business sectors at the institutional, non-governmental and governmental levels. The discussions throughout the two-day meeting were rich and engaging, and will assist the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in its awareness of the prospects and challenges offered by the teaching of Pope Benedict XVI in Caritas in Veritate, and specifically in the U.S. context." When asked why the Council felt comfortable partnering with the Institute for such an event, Cardinal Turkson replied, "The Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies is dedicated to serious refection on Catholic thought. Its aim is to help all people, through opportunities for careful and focused study on the Catholic intellectual tradition, to come to a greater understanding, and by extension, a greater acceptance of the wisdom, and indeed, the treasure of the Catholic faith and its teachings." Cardinal Turkson affirmed that the Vatican Conference "was the beginning of a fruitful relationship," reiterating his "gratitude to Father Jim Heft, SM, Professor Dan Finn, and all those who worked to make the Symposium a success." A Message from the
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