Learn more and register here 2025 Catholic Social Tradition Conference Signs of the Times: Interdisciplinary Responses to Religious Nationalism March 20-22, 2025 This 2025 CST conference will remember the 60th anniversary of two significant Vatican II texts, Gaudium et spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World) and Dignitatis humanae (Declaration on Religious Freedom). Released on the final day of Vatican II, these texts together invited serious consideration of the role of the church and other religious communities in relation to the state. This year’s CST conference takes up Vatican II’s invitation to discern “the signs of the times” and to attend to the roles of church and state within civil society with a view toward the common good. These central CST themes warrant further exploration as Christian and other forms of religious nationalism represent a significant sign of the current time in particular national and international contexts. This interdisciplinary conference invites historical, constructive, and comparative approaches as we consider the ecumenical, interfaith, and transdisciplinary challenges of religious nationalism. For example, what is the history of Christian nationalism in the United States and how is it related to similar movements in other parts of the world? What are the scriptural and theological resources available to analyze these expressions of Christian and national identity? To what degree and under what forms are the academy and the Christian churches complicit with the history and recent expressions of white Christian nationalism? What are the possible connections between the reemergence of various forms of religious nationalism with economic changes, poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation? How has the rise of these political ideologies been facilitated by changes in laws and institutional structures? What are the implications of Christian and other forms of religious nationalism for the relationship of religious bodies and the state in civil society? What are the pedagogical challenges across the disciplines in addressing the significance of Christian and religious nationalism? Normatively, what options for constructive engagement and responses emerge from our shared consideration of these questions?

In presenting this vision, our approach will be twofold: to reflect upon the past and to revitalize the present, to celebrate the feminine genealogy of the faith and to amplify the prophetic mission of women in our current moment. By illuminating the riches of the faith and reading the signs of the times, we hope to equip faithful Catholics and formators with a robust foundation for understanding and articulating the Church’s vision for women in our time. Register Here Originally published at mcgrath.nd.edu.

Mark Gitenstein. Photo by the U.S. Department of State (Public Domain).With many elections in Europe being decided in the past year and more ahead in 2025, the topic of the future of democracy in Europe is timely. It is also a moment of evolving relations between the United States and the European Union. How might democracy and international diplomacy chart a path forward? To invite consideration of this and other pressing questions, the Nanovic Insitutute has partnered with the Notre Dame Democracy Initiative to present a public lecture and dialogue with Mark Gitenstein, former United States Ambassador to the European Union. Gitenstein will be on-campus for several weeks during the spring 2025 semester as the Nanovic Forum Diplomat in Residence. His presentation will also be part of the ND Democracy Talks series. The Nanovic Forum aims to bring Europe's leaders to Notre Dame to engage with students, faculty, and its wider scholarly community. Likewise, the Democracy Talks series creates opportunities for Notre Dame students to better understand current events and pressing policy issues. With these two inter-related goals, this presentation will spark dialogue on the European Union, its relationship with the United States, and where democracy goes from here on both sides of the Atlantic. All are invited and warmly encouraged to participate in this important conversation. A light lunch will be offered to participants beginning 30 minutes prior to the event (12:00 p.m.), while supplies last. This event is co-sponsored by the Nanovic Institute's Nanovic Forum and the Notre Dame Democracy Initiatitive. About the Speaker Mark Gitenstein served as United States ambassador to the European Union from January 24, 2022, through January 17, 2025. Before this post, Gitenstein served as partner and counsel for Mayer Brown LLP for more than 30 years. He also held previous government roles, including serving as U.S. Ambassador to Romania (2009-2012) and working with the U.S. Senate Judiciary and Intelligence committees. Originally published at nanovic.nd.edu.

The Office of Institutional Transformation, in partnership with the Initiative on Race and Resilience, invites students, faculty, and staff to gather weekly for support and fellowship. Wellsprings: A Time for Connection and Care provides a safe space for members of the campus community to discuss fears and concerns related to social divisiveness. Some sessions may feature presentations or information from campus resources. To suggest a topic, please contact Eve Kelly at ekelly11@nd.edu. Originally published at diversity.nd.edu.

Felicity Cain, deputy country director and head of programmes at Turquoise Mountain Afghanistan, will explore how traditional architecture and cultural heritage can serve as powerful tools for crisis response and recovery. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in urban planning, cultural heritage conservation, and sustainable development, she will discuss Turquoise Mountain’s work in Afghanistan, where the restoration of historic buildings and traditional crafts has preserved cultural identity while creating jobs and fostering community resilience. This lecture will highlight case studies from Kabul’s historic Murad Khani district, showcasing how heritage-led regeneration supports sustainable urban recovery in conflict-affected regions. AIA CE credit available. Register Here Originally published at architecture.nd.edu.

In presenting this vision, our approach will be twofold: to reflect upon the past and to revitalize the present, to celebrate the feminine genealogy of the faith and to amplify the prophetic mission of women in our current moment. By illuminating the riches of the faith and reading the signs of the times, we hope to equip faithful Catholics and formators with a robust foundation for understanding and articulating the Church’s vision for women in our time. Register Here Originally published at mcgrath.nd.edu.