Catholic Church and the World

Catholic Church and the World

Aerial View of St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

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

José Casanova

Senior Fellow
Professor Emeritus

Drew Christiansen

Senior Fellow
Walsh School of Foreign Service

David Hollenbach

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

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 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?

November 4, 2020

Religion and Integral Ecology: Five Years of Laudato Si

How do different religious traditions understand the intersection of ecology and forms of (in)justice? What do various religious traditions envision as our moral obligations to the environment? What are some of the challenges and possibilities of faith engagement on climate change?

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Events

Church steeple against winter mountains.

Dec
1

2021

What Happened in France?

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST Online

Nov
16

2021

Prière De Ne Pas Abuser (Please Do Not Abuse)

Nov
8

2021

The Culture of Encounter: The Future of Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue

Oct
25

2021

Lifting Up the Voices of Female Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse

Oct
22

2021

The Call of Creation

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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

Front gate and sign for Xavie rLearning Community in Thailand

A Discussion with John McConville, Teacher at Xavier Learning Community, Ching Rai, Thailand

July 2, 2019

Xavier Learning Community students standing in a circle

A Discussion with Chaloemsree Tahong, Sophomore Student at Xavier Learning Community, Ching Rai, Thailand

July 1, 2019

Xavier Learning Community students walking in a local village

A Discussion with Angsumalee Samerporn, Teacher at Xavier Learning Community, Ching Rai, Thailand

June 26, 2019

Students walking outdoors at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland

A Discussion with a Laurentian Society Member, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

June 24, 2019

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Current and Past Projects

Indian Children at School with Girl Writing

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.

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

Lesson Plan July 1, 2021

Religion and the Refugee Crisis: Normative Approaches

This curricular module guide introduces the role of religious communities in refugee resettlement and explores the ethical imperative to aid forced migrants.