Biennial Catholic Social Tradition Conference

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Every two years, the institute hosts a significant conference on an aspect of Catholic Social Teaching that brings scholars from around the globe to Notre Dame. The institute aspires to convene excellent gatherings that are attended with great anticipation and become generative of scholarship and new connections.

Past Conferences

Signs of the Times: 60 years since Gaudium et spes and Dignitatis humanae

The 2025 conference marked the 60th anniversary of Gaudium et spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World) and Dignitatis humanae (Declaration on Religious Freedom) by considering the roles of church and state within civil society. Released on the final day of Vatican II, these texts together invited serious consideration of the role of the church and other religious communities in relation to the state. The conference took up the Church’s invitation to discern “the signs of the times” and to attend to the roles of church and state within civil society with a view toward the common good. Scholars explored Christian and other forms of religious nationalism as a significant sign of the current time in particular national and international contexts.

Justice Sown in Peace: 60 years since Pacem in terris

The 2023 conference marked the 60th anniversary of Gaudium et spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World) and Dignitatis humanae (Declaration on Religious Freedom) by considering the roles of church and state within civil society. Released on the final day of Vatican II, these texts together invited serious consideration of the role of the church and other religious communities in relation to the state. The conference took up the Church’s invitation to discern “the signs of the times” and to attend to the roles of church and state within civil society with a view toward the common good. Scholars explored Christian and other forms of religious nationalism as a significant sign of the current time in particular national and international contexts.

Justice in the World

The 2021 conference gathered online to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the World Synod of Bishops’ prophetic vision by examining the justice issues proclaimed by the gospel and addressed by modern Catholic social thought. The conference focused in particular on issues central to the document: racism, ecclesial and political structures, work, internationalization, and the environment.

Option for the Poor: Engaging the Social Tradition

The 2019 conference featured Rev. Gustavo Gutiérrez, O.P., and a variety of scholars who addressed the challenges of the most marginalized and vulnerable people in contemporary societies, as well as how the development and impact of the Latin American theological concept of Option for the Poor has been globally embraced to build a more just and humane world.

The Soul of Development: 50th Anniversary of Populorum progressio

Featuring a remarkable keynote by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the 2017 conference addressed the thematic social justice issues in Populorum progressio, including economic justice, international development, solidarity with the poor, peacebuilding, and globalization.

Joy & Hope: 50th Anniversary of Gaudium et spes

The 2015 conference addressed the thematic social justice issues that have been addressed by modern Catholic social thought, especially those within the pastoral constitution, such as human dignity, political structures, economic development, and internationalization. Keynote presenters included Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, O.F.M., Bishop Ricardo Ramírez, C.S.B., and Miroslav Volf.

Peace Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Celebrating 50 Years Since Pacem in terris

The 2013 conference explored thematic peace and justice issues that have been addressed by modern Catholic social thought, especially those within the encyclical, such as human rights, political structures, ecumenism and environmentalism.

Dear Brothers and Sisters: Celebrating 120 Years Since Rerum novarum

The inaugural conference in 2011 featured Cardinal Peter Turkson, Rev. David Hollenbach, S.J., and other scholars to explore social issues that have been addressed by Catholic social tradition.