THE CALL TO JUSTICE
THE LEGACY OF GAUDIUM AND SPES
40 YEARS LATER
In the economic and social realms . . .the dignity and complete vocation of the human person and the welfare of society as a whole are to be respected and promoted. For the person is the source, the center and the purpose of all
economic and social life (Gaudium et spes, 63).
MARCH 16-19, 2005
VATICAN CITY
Description:On the 40th anniversary of the pastoral constitution Gaudium et spes, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace along with several institutes and centers are hosting a conference on Catholic social thought in light of Vatican II~ A principal question for the conference is how does the social teaching of Vatican II throw light on the connection between justice and the vocation to be a fully human being? The conference organizers are seeking papers that advance the philosophical and theological foundations of the Catholic social tradition, with particular reference to the themes raised by Gaudium et spes, and that attempt to connect this foundation with a reflection on the real-world situations we face today. Further guidance as to the kinds of papers we are seeking follows:
1. Theological Reflection: What does it mean to say that Christ reveals to humanity its highest calling (GS, 22)? What are the, implications of this vocation for a just temporal order? What does it mean to say that humanity is made in the image of God, especially in terms of an understanding of the human person and his or her dignity? How does this theological vision compare and contrast with the contemporary discussions on human dignity and human rights? How does thegospel contribute to reading the signs of the times? How do the theological doctrines of creation, redemption, eschatology, etc., illuminate our understanding of time? What happens when we lose an adequate sense of history and sin as well as a profound sense of the future and eschatology in understanding the present times? How does a hermeneutical relationship between contemporary readers and a contemporary context and the text of the gospels contribute to reading the signs of the times?
2.Exploration of the Church's Mission in the Social Order:
John Paul II has asked for'an examination of conscience regarding the reception of the Second Vatican Council." What has been the reception of Gaudium et spes in the Church? In light of the changes since Gaudium et spes, how does our current situation inform the vocation of the Church in the world today? What has been the impact of Gaudium et spes on the social mission of the Church? In discerning God's will within history, what are the significant questions the Church's social teachings should be facing? How are the various Catholic movements, agencies for social action and other witnesses in the Church responding to the signs of the times, and what can we learn from these witnesses? What are the challenges of the world to the Church, and how should the Church be challenging the world?
3. Examination of Contemporary Economic, Political and Social Issues: What illuminating reflection and analysis can we make of the social problems and issues in light of the Catholic social tradition? What does the gospel, the Catholic social tradition (human dignity, common good, participation, subsidiarity, etc.), and an understanding of the Christian vocation offer to the economic and political questions of our time (globalization, the role of the firm, wealth inequity, poverty, consumerism, international peace, immigration, democracy, terrorism, trade unions, welfare, nationalism, international governing bodies, legislation with regards to life questions, etc.)? What movements and witnesses provide a new understanding of socio-economic and political issues in light of the vision and method of Gaudium et spes? What is the role of culture in forming the political and economic areas? In particular, what is the role of the family in reconstructing diffused trust, community life, substantial democracy, and economic participation?
In order for the conference to discern the signs of the times in light of the gospel, conference organizers want to foster conversations and debates that are:
Grounded theologically and philosophically: exploring ethical issues related to social questions from the perspective of the theological and philosophical foundations of Catholic social thought and in particular Gaudium et spes.
Engaged with various disciplines: engaging the social tradition with the fields of economics, political science, law, business, sociology, etc.
Embodied institutionally: providing a reflection on the thought and action of those who live out Catholic social thought. In particular, we are interested in papers focused on methods within the framework of Catholic social thought aimed at enriching knowledge about concrete models for adequate action against poverty, social sin and suffering.
Conference Sponsors: Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; the John A. Ryan Institute for Catholic Social Thought of the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas; Centre for the Study of Catholic Social Doctrine, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; the Centre for Catholic Social Thought, Catholic University of Leuven; The Cardinal Pavan Chair for Social Ethics, Faculty of Social Science, Pontifical University of St. Thomas, (Angelicum); Faculty of Social Science, Gregorianum; Peter J. Tobin School of Business and the Vincentian Center for Church and Society, St. John's University.
Submissions from the Americas and Australia send a two-page paper proposal by August 1,2004 to:
Michael J. Naughton John A. Ryan Institute for Catholic Social Thought University of St. Thomas 2115 Summit Ave., 55S St. Paul, MN 55105-1096 USA or e-mail or fax (651) 962-5710
Submissions from Europe, Africa and Asia send a two-page paper proposal by August 1,2004 to:
Johan Verstraeten Katholieke Universiteit Leuven The Centre for Catholic Social Thought
De Beriotstraat 26 B-3000 Leuven
Belgium
or e-mail or fax (32)16 32 37 88