Catholic Social Tradition Conference

Justice Sown in Peace⁠—Celebrating 60 years since Pacem in Terris

2023 Catholic Social Tradition Conference 

March 23–25, 2023 | University of Notre Dame

“We are called to establish with truth, justice, charity, and liberty new methods of relationships in human society.” #163, Pacem in Terris

The Justice Sown in Peace conference at the University of Notre Dame recognized the 60th anniversary of the seminal Catholic social tradition encyclical, Pacem in Terris, as well as celebrate the dual 40th anniversaries of the U.S. Bishops peace pastoral, The Challenge of Peace, and the founding of the Institute for Social Concerns. This international gathering examined justice issues by thought leaders like Prof. Dr. Michelle Becka of Julius-Maximilians-University, Wurzburg; Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ of Dead Man Walking fame; and Marie Dennis of Pax Christi International, as well as a panel of higher education experts. The conference focused on particular issues central to our time: migration, violence, racism, internationalization, and the role of political structures. Thank you for joining us at this conference of global scholars working to expand the Catholic social tradition through intellectual, artistic, and social engagement.

Speakers and Schedule

We welcomed the following keynote speakers: 

Prof. Dr. Michelle Becka, Julius-Maximilians-University, Wurzburg 
Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ, Anti-Death Penalty Advocate
Marie Dennis, Pax Christi International
Bernard Prusak, Ph.D., King’s College
Bishop Alfred Agyenta of Ghana

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Conference Organizer

William Purcell, M.Div., Institute for Social Concerns; Director, Catholic Social Tradition; Co-Director, Catholic Social Tradition Minor

Co-sponsors

Institute for Social Concerns; Catholic Charities USA; Catholic Relief Services; Catholic Social Tradition Minor; Center for the Study of Religion and Society; College of Arts and Letters; Cushwa Center for American Catholicism; Department of Theology; Department of Political Science; Keough School of Global Affairs; Klau Institute for Civil and Human Rights; Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies; Nanovic Institute for European Studies; Notre Dame Law School Program on Church, State, & Society; Poverty Studies Interdisciplinary Minor