Murphy Institute
Helen Alvaré Presents Religious Liberty Topics at Murphy Institute Event
On March 21, the Murphy Institute and the Center for Catholic Studies welcomed Professor Helen Alvaré to St. Thomas to present themes from her 2022 book, Religious Freedom after the Sexual Revolution: A Catholic Guide . Alvaré is a professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University with a specialization in family law and ecclesiastical law regarding the relationship of church and state. Her many appointments include serving as a member of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life and a delegate of the Holy See to the United Nations. Alvaré began with an explanation of her motivation to write on this subject. Through her encounters as a scholar, professor, wife, and mother, Alvaré recognized the “enormous contributions that Catholic anthropology and Catholic social institutions were making to the common good.” Further, “Catholic prescriptions for flourishing” in the areas of sex, marriage, and parenting could especially “assist the most vulnerable in the United States.” Alvaré then explained the state’s aggressive stance on sexual expression, particular laws surrounding relevant religious freedom cases, and the needed response by the Church as addressed in her book. Drawing from legal, theological, and empirical sources, Alvaré provided what School of Law Professor Elizabeth Schiltz described as “a brilliant summary of decades of work” to form language to “confidently and even joyfully proclaim how fidelity to Catholic sexual responsibility norms promotes Christ- like love of every neighbor.” The following morning, Alvaré led a small group discussion with undergraduate and law students, faculty, and staff from St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota. The seminar gave participants an opportunity for more in-depth conversation on anthropological truths in relation to cultural trends,
the connection of social justice and sexual expression, and the integrity of mission within Catholic organizations. As questions of religious liberty and non-discrimination continue to be debated, the Murphy Institute will host a program in October featuring two leading national scholars with distinctly different viewpoints.
This program was hosted by the Murphy Institute as part of a series of events on topics of religious liberty. A recording of the March 21 program and other past Murphy Institute events are available in the institute’s video archive.
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