The Catholic Church in World Affairs

April 28-29, 2017

Seminar Room, St. Joseph Center

Co-Sponsored by the Veritas Center for Ethics in Public Life

Franciscan University Political Science Department

The 20th century was arguably the most violent century in human history. Two World Wars, the rise of Communism, the Cold War, and widespread socio-political upheaval across the globe challenged the Catholic Church and its mission. These challenges have only continued into the 21st century, as the rise of radical Islam, the emergence of new “state actors,” and the growing disparity of resources have contributed to injustice, religious persecution, and violence across the world.

The Church is not called to stand aside and accept the inequities born from the last century. In fact, the Church has played a vital role in promoting peace, human rights, and resolving conflicts through its work with diplomats and world leaders.

Join Franciscan University of Steubenville in exploring the important role the Church has played and continues to play in international affairs. The two-day conference, which begins on Friday, April 28, in the Seminar Room of the St. Joseph Center, will bring together leading Catholic social scientists in the world today. Focusing on a wide range of historic and contemporary topics from Pope John Paul II’s influence in bringing down the Iron Curtain, to the way in which the Church advises nations on how to counter the rise of Islamic extremism, the conference will include eight separate talks.

Speakers will include Dr. Paul Kengor of Grove City College; Austin Ruse of C-FAM; Dr. William Kirk Kilpatrick, author of Christianity, Islam, and Atheism: The Struggle for the Soul of the West; and Dr. Daniel R. Kempton of Franciscan University.