Catholic Studies

As an integral part of the Ethics and Public Policy Center for more than thirty years, the Catholic Studies program explores the many connections between Catholicism and public life and seeks to clarify and deepen knowledge of modern Catholic social thought. We serve as a prominent reference point for government officials, members of Congress, and journalists seeking to understand the social doctrine of the Catholic Church and its application to public-policy questions. We argue for the robust moral and cultural foundations needed to sustain a society that is both free and virtuous.

EPPC Distinguished Senior Fellow George Weigel, who holds the William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies, is one of America’s leading public intellectuals and one of the most prominent Catholic thinkers in the world. His annual William E. Simon lecture provides a prominent forum for his work and has spawned influential essays, articles, and books.

EPPC’s Catholic Studies program runs the Tertio Millennio Seminar on the Free Society, an annual summer seminar on Catholic social teaching and the thought of Pope John Paul II.

EPPC Kate O’Beirne Fellow Mary Rice Hasson also directs EPPC’s Catholic Women’s Forum, which helps shape conversations in the Church and in the culture—about marriage and family, gender and sexuality, the role of women, religious liberty, and the dignity of human life—through expert commentary, presentations, scholarly articles, and in national and international conferences.

Other scholars affiliated with the Catholic Studies Program are EPPC Senior Fellow Francis X. Maier, EPPC Fellow Stephen P. White, EPPC Cardinal Francis George Fellow Mary FioRito, and EPPC Postdoctoral Fellow Gabrielle Girgis.

Please direct all inquiries about the Catholic Studies Program to:

Ella Ramsay
Catholic Studies Program Coordinator
202-715-3496
[email protected]

Program Publications

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Canceled in China

George Weigel

Hallow, the prayer app that debuted in 2018, is one of the most popular spiritual tools on the planet, having…

Articles

Syndicated Column / September 11, 2024

The Appearance of Double Standards

Francis X. Maier

My parents grew up in the Depression Era.  College was financially out of reach.  The focus of their everyday lives…

Articles

The Catholic Thing / September 11, 2024

Imagining the Future

Stephen P. White

Twenty years ago, The New Atlantis published a remarkable essay by Yuval Levin titled, “Imagining the Future.” (The essay was subsequently lengthened and published…

Articles

The Catholic Thing / September 5, 2024

Witness to Hope, Twenty-Five Years Later

George Weigel

My hands were shaky a quarter-century ago as I carried the heavy box from the front door of our house…

Articles

Syndicated Column / September 4, 2024

On Distinguishing Justice and Vengeance

Francis X. Maier

After a decade of media outrage, litigation, purgation, Vatican oversight, victim reparations, and reform, one might expect that the SCV would be allowed a breather to rebuild.

Articles

First Things / August 29, 2024

“Sinicization” Is Not Inculturation

George Weigel

A true inculturation of the gospel in China would call China and the despotic regime that currently controls it to conversion.

Articles

Syndicated Column / August 28, 2024

Lessons of August

Francis X. Maier

The real monsters are always human.

Articles

The Catholic Thing / August 28, 2024

Program Media

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Mary FioRito answers “Is There Room for Pro-Life Democrats?”

The Drew Mariani Show / August 23, 2024

Francis X. Maier on The Church Today

Good Distinctions / August 19, 2024

Mary FioRito on JD Vance’s Comments

The Drew Mariani Show / August 5, 2024

George Weigel speaks to Daniel Côté Davis

EWTN Great Britain / July 5, 2024

Mary FioRito provides Analysis of Supreme Court Ruling on Mifepristone

EWTN / June 21, 2024

George Weigel at the Galveston-Houston Archdiocesan Prayer Breakfast

Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston / June 21, 2024

George Weigel on The Achievement of John Paul II: A Retrospective

Christendom College / June 20, 2024