We were delighted to Professor Cathleen (Cathy) Kaveny to our latest webinar exploring the intersection of Catholic Social Teaching with key political and social questions and challenges. This webinar looks in particular at Catholic thought in relation to the rule of law and democracy.

Professor Kaveny’s work focuses on the relationships between law, religion, and morality, and she is the first joint appointment to both the faculties of Theology and Law at Boston College. Read more about her background here.

The current geopolitical moment is raising serious questions about the rule of law, its meaning, roots, and efficacy in a world in which power is becoming increasingly associated with the will of individuals. Catholic social teaching has reflected on the rule of law since its modern inception and draws on a longer Catholic tradition of moral theory about the law.

Professor Cathleen Kaveny (Boston College), who holds a joint professorial chair in law and theology reflects with us on some of that history and some of the reasons why we need to renew our tradition's attention to this question today.

This webinar identifies and differentiates teaching on the rule of law from reflection on democracy (to which it is related but distinct), and relates the crisis in the rule of law to the wider crisis in what constitutes the common good.

Professor Kaveny is in conversation with Professor Anna Rowlands, holder of the Saint Hilda Chair of Catholic Social Thought and Practice, and founder of the CCSTP.

The webinar took place on Monday 20 April, 5.30-6.30pm (BST).

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