A thought-provoking series for people seeking a learning community dedicated to exploring life's meaning and purpose. The series engages the religious, sociopolitical, and scientific issues of our time to identify the best of human values and stimulate thoughtful, creative responses for the enrichment of all peoples and stewardship of our earth.
“Let us strive to make our communities places where the cry of those who suffer finds welcome, and listening opens paths towards liberation, making us ready and eager to contribute to building a civilization of love.” — Pope Leo XIV, February 5, 2026
“The civilization of love is no naïve utopia, but a demanding project, which consists in translating charity into structures of justice, giving institutional form to fraternity and regarding others — whether individuals or peoples — as allies necessary for building the common good.” — Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas
In a world torn by war, competing interests, and the mis-use of facts, humanity and the future of our planet are under threat. Prophetic voices across the continents urge us to safeguard human dignity, nurture human relationships, and build a community of love and justice.
Our distinguished scholars for the Shannon Lectures for Fall 2026 wrestle with the critical questions emerging from behaviors and attitudes that dehumanize individuals and groups — racism and xenophobia, white supremacy and Christian nationalism, disposability and exploitation of vulnerable peoples. Advocating for the uncompromising preservation of human rights, they invite us to a renewed commitment to authentic dialogue, moral freedom, empathy, bold action for justice, and re-discovery of the poetry of the human heart.