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Catholic Church and the World

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The Catholic Church has developed teachings on justice and peace that address global challenges of economic and social development, democracy and human rights, conflict resolution, and interreligious dialogue. These resources examine the Church’s engagement in world affairs, particularly in the areas of nuclear disarmament, environmental stewardship, and diplomacy.

Our Experts

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José Casanova

Senior Fellow
Professor Emeritus

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Drew Christiansen

Senior Fellow
Walsh School of Foreign Service

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David Hollenbach

Senior Fellow
Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Theology and Religious Studies

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Gerard J. McGlone

Senior Research Fellow

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Project Spotlight

Silent Peace Vigil with Sign for the Anniversary of the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Atomic Bombs

The Church and Nuclear Issues

From the very beginning, nuclear weapons have been controversial. In response to this grave global threat the Berkley Center is exploring the policy, ethical, and moral challenges involved in moving toward a world without nuclear weapons.

Blog Posts

A group of masked activists with arms linked

November 30, 2021

Creating a Culture of Encounter

What are the sources and substance of the idea of a culture of encounter, as developed by Pope Francis? What are the implications of a culture of encounter for engagement across divides within the Catholic Church, with other religious traditions, and with the wider world?
A stone statue of Dante in Verona, Italy

October 12, 2021

Dante: A Prophet of Hope

How does the life and work of Dante resonate today? What lessons does Dante provide for dialogue across lines of religious and cultural difference, especially as a Catholic author whose work transcends time and space?
Joe Biden speaks at Georgetown University

March 11, 2021

Joe Biden and Catholicism in U.S. Politics

What are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities when it comes to Catholic engagement in American domestic and foreign policy at the start of the Biden administration? How might the new administration affect diplomacy between the United States and the Holy See?

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Events

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Interviews

Discover the firsthand experiences of faith leaders, activists, and peacebuilding practitioners working on issues ranging from development and education to conflict resolution and foreign policy.

For over a decade, Berkley Center scholars and students have been conducting interviews with individuals working at the intersection of religion and world affairs. These discussions offer unique insights into the inner workings of a wide spectrum of professions touched by religion with interviewees ranging from the highest levels of leadership of international organizations to on-the-ground practitioners. Explore individual interviews here or follow links to our interview collections below:

Recent Interviews

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Current and Past Projects

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Education and Social Justice Project

The Education and Social Justice (ESJ) Fellowship provides students with the opportunity to conduct in-depth examinations of innovative educational initiatives, with a focus on the work of Jesuit secondary and post-secondary institutions.
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The Jesuits and Globalization

Over three years the Berkley Center’s Tom Banchoff and Jose Casanova led an interdisciplinary project on the Jesuits and globalization. The project convened an international group of scholars to explore the historical contributions of the Jesuits to…

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Publications

Article December 17, 2021

Religion and Extractive Industries: Ethics, Practice, and Engagement

In this book chapter, Katherine Marshall explores evolving debates on extractive industry approaches and relevant policies, global and national, from the perspective of a range of religious actors who may speak from a specific tradition or community, or in an interfaith or intrafaith context.

Other Publications

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Videos

January 21, 2022

The Life and Beatification of Rev. Rutilio Grande, S.J. (Video)

Duration: 58 minutes

November 9, 2021

The Culture of Encounter: Keynote Address by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Video)

Duration: 1 hours 10 minutes

November 9, 2021

The Culture of Encounter: The Document on Human Fraternity as a Model for Dialogue (Video)

Duration: 1 hours 5 minutes

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