Notre Dame Law School will host the fifth annual Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit from June 22-25 in Dublin, Ireland at the historic Clontarf Castle. The summit is an annual gathering of the world’s leading defenders of religious freedom. The theme this year is “Political Authority, Civil Society, and Religious Freedom.” This theme will guide the Summit’s programming.

Through panel discussions and keynote speeches, the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit stimulates conversations between religious leaders, scholars, and advocates about the future of religious liberty.

“Religious liberty is a fundamental human right, and its protection is a global issue,” said G. Marcus Cole, the Joseph A. Matson Dean and Professor of Law at Notre Dame Law School. “Everyone around the world has the God-given right to live their lives as their beliefs require — proudly and without fear. Through the annual Religious Liberty Summit, Notre Dame Law School is working to promote, protect, and defend freedom of conscience for people and institutions around the world. By gathering diverse perspectives and fostering dialogue, we have the potential to change the world.”

This year, over 100 leading scholars, faith leaders, and advocates will gather in Dublin, Ireland. Over the three days of the summit, more than 20 speakers will participate in panel discussions on topics such as “Suppression of Religion in the Global South,” “Threats to Civil Society - Religious Education,” and “Persecution of Christians Worldwide.”

The Summit will open with a Catholic Mass at the Newman Centre for Faith and Reason in Dublin. The programming on June 23 will include keynote addresses from Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, a powerful voice for youth and marginalized communities in Iraq, and Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik, whose leadership and scholarship have left a lasting impact on American religious life.

The Summit will conclude with a Wednesday evening gala and awards presentation, where the Law School will present the 2025 Notre Dame Prize for Religious Liberty to Professor Michael McConnell of Stanford Law School. A former federal judge and influential constitutional scholar, McConnell has shaped religious liberty law through both advocacy and academia.

The Law School will also honor Dr. Russell Hittinger with the 2025 Religious Liberty Scholarship Award. A leading Catholic intellectual, Hittinger has made foundational contributions to the understanding of religious freedom, natural law, and Catholic social teaching.

More information about the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit can be found at https://law.nd.edu/news-events/events/religious-liberty-summit/

Originally published by Elyse Paul at law.nd.edu on June 18, 2025.