“A Conscience Fit For Freedom Series”
Is there a difference between faith-formed conscience and secular conscience? What roles have they played in American political life? How do they reconcile the common good and personal freedom? How do we discern the moral and political dimensions of public issues? How does the separation of Church and state impact moral issues in political life? Does the Church play “identity politics” by claiming that some public issues are morally non-negotiable?
A new series, “A Conscience Fit For Freedom,” will examine these questions and others faced by Catholics struggling to balance their faith with the reality of life in the political arena of the United States. The series will be presented at St. Catherine Laboure Church (in the rec room), 3535 Thornwood Avenue in Glenview. Each session will start at 12:00 p.m. There is no fee, and everyone is invited to participate. The schedule is as follows:
Sunday, January 24, 2010 – “Catholic Identity Politics? How A Faith-Formed Conscience Informs Political Convictions.” The speaker will be Dr. Jean Bethke Elshstain, professor of social and political ethics at the University of Chicago Divinity School and professor of political science at the University of Chicago.
Sunday, February 14, 2010 – “What is Justice? Two Views That Compete For Your Conscience.” The speaker will be Dr. John Breen, associate professor of law at Loyola University. Professor Breen will focus on the differences and similarities between the secular legal traditions and the Catholic views on justice, freedom, and the common good.
Sunday, March 14, 2010 – “A Claim On Your Conscience? How Catholics Understand the Teaching Authority of the Church.” The speaker will be Rev. Thomas Baima, provost and professor of theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake. How is the “faith-formed” conscience formed? How does a person have access to the Truth so that he or she might properly form conscience? Do differences in the conception of “religion” change how we understand the nature of conscience both personally and in society? Why does the Church have a role in conscience formation? Fr. Baima will explore the influence of our Catholic faith on our own consciences.
Sunday, April 25, 2010 – The speaker will be His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George (topic to be announced at a later date).
Please note the dates and plan to attend. Refreshments will be served. Bring your questions!