The creation stories have been studied since the patristic era for their innumerable insights into the Christian life. Additionally, many teachings of the recent Magisterium on the modern world are grounded directly in the creation stories. These include the harmony of the natural law, the connection between the acceptance of creature limitations and the proper understanding of stewardship, and the centrality of solidarity in relationships. Finally, our guests will discuss how our understanding of these connections is affected by Pope Francis’s forthcoming apostolic exhortation on the environment to be promulgated on October 3.

This webinar explores how studying the early chapters of Genesis can help people defend the Catholic vision of human dignity, relationality, and historicity in a poetic and compelling way.

Our discussion draws on the experience of Gideon Lazar, the coordinator for the St. Basil Institute, and Ian Wilders, CEO of the European pharmaceutical company Labo’life, which works with the St. Basil Institute. The views expressed in the webinar do not necessarily represent those of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, its ethicists, or its staff.

This webinar was recorded on October 12, 2023.

Description textSolidarity is a critical component of the Catholic response to suffering in health care and society. Reflecting on this virtue, which is the theme of this year’s Respect Life Month, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops highlights the definition provided by Pope St. John Paul II in Sollicitudo rei socialis: “[Solidarity] is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people. … On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good … to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.”

This straightforward description can be extremely difficult to apply, and it is a crucial task of Catholic identity in health care to find ways to live this principle in our personal and professional lives.

This webinar explores how Catholic ministries dedicated to the sick and marginalized are getting involved by word and deed in the daily lives of the people they serve. Additionally, we will discuss some out-of-the-ordinary ways that Catholics who do not work in ministry can practice radical solidarity in their community.

The discussion draws on the experience of Anne Ferreira, assistant director for education and outreach at the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops; Lacy de la Garza, director of parish and community relations at Catholic Charities Dallas; and and Matt Kemnitz, chief mission officer at Catholic Community Health in Kansas City, KS. The views expressed by the guests do not necessarily represent those of The National Catholic Bioethics Center or its staff.

The webinar was recorded on October 3, 2023. goes here

Most Catholic residents will not complete their training at a Catholic hospital. As a result, they can face the challenge of being expected to perform duties that contradict their faith and values. This is especially true in obstetrics and adolescent medicine. Many residents are not sure what to do in this situation. They do not want to be complicit, but they do not want to lose their job either. Crucial questions include, What is ethical? How do I avoid illicit cooperation with evil? What duties can I ethically perform at a facility that provides immoral service?

This webinar explores a few common strategies that have been observed or tried by Catholic residents who have successfully navigated this delicate situation. Both in the hospital and the clinic, residents can interact with their patients and instructors in ways that provide appropriate care, fulfill residency requirements, and avoid directly contributing to immoral procedures.

Our discussion draws on the experience of Erin Díaz, BSN, RN, MS, a registered nurse working in neonatal intensive care at Texas Children’s Hospital.

The webinar was recorded on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

Description text goeThe Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) expands on federal laws and court decisions that shift the power of determining how marriage fits into public morals from the states to the national government. The RMA reverses key provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act, redefining marriage, requiring state and local governments to recognize all marriages—specifically, so-called same-sex marriages—granted in other states, and creating a mechanism for individuals, organizations, and states to bring civil action against persons who violate the act. Moreover, the RMA’s language suggest that it applies to business, individuals, and nonprofits, raising potential conflicts between religious-freedom and equal-protection rights, especially for Catholic health care and social service organizations. Christopher Wolfe, Arina Grossu, and Phil Tran discuss some key provisions of the RMA, its background, and its potential legal, political, and social ramifications.

The webinar was recorded on March 8, 2023.

Christopher Wolfe is an associate professor of political science at the University of St. Thomas, Houston. Arina Grossu is the founder and principal at Areté Global Consulting and a fellow of the Center on Human Exceptionalism at the Discovery Institute. Phil Tran is a personal consultations fellow with The National Catholic Bioethics Center. The views expressed in this webinar do not necessarily represent those of the NCBC or its staff.s here

Global bioethics developed in response to issues, like pandemics and vanishing biodiversity, that originate in one area but affect many regions or that disproportionately affect some areas but require a global response. A pillar of global bioethics evaluates how priorities set in one part of the world shape many other geographic areas through the social, environmental, and political aspects of globalization. Although equitable global development requires respect for local societies and their worldviews, ideological colonization is evident in the way that international organizations impose a Western mindset on growth and capacity building in developing countries. This webinar explores how the activities of many nongovernmental organizations do not reflect a broader moral perspective informed by the principles of solidarity, subsidiarity, and the common good.

Rev. Shenan Boquet, the president of Human Life International. Dr. Cynthia Jones-Novacek is a physician and bioethicist who actively participates in medical ministries in Uganda.

Human beings’ treatment of nonhuman animals has long been recognized by the Church as an aspect of our stewardship of nature. Although its significance has been emphasized in recent years, especially during the papacy of Francis, the Church arguably does not have a uniform approach to animal ethics. Today Dr. Berkman will discuss some perspectives on animal ethics from Church fathers and magisterial documents, such as the Catechism, as well more recent attempts for synthesize Catholic teaching in a single framework.

John Berkman is a professor of moral theology at Regis College in Toronto.

Dobbs was a significant step forward in recognizing the dignity of all human beings, but it does not take away the challenging circumstances faced by mothers and their children. Local organizations already address many of the social challenges facing women but need greater support from community groups, social services, and policy initiatives to succeed. In addition, Catholic hospitals should increase their focus on identifying abortion’s risk factors and effects, refining pro-life legislation, and partnering with local and national initiatives that assist pregnant and single mothers. Finally, all these efforts need to be accompanied by a pro-life policy-legislative agenda that includes conscience protection, tax credits for families, and increased state and federal funding for grassroots organizations like pregnancy resource centers.

Jessica Schmitz is the assistant director of the Front Royal Pregnancy Center, John Brehany is the executive vice president of The National Catholic Bioethics Center, and Arina Grossu is the founder and principal at Areté Global Consulting and fellow of the Center on Human Exceptionalism at the Discovery Institute.

Since the Supreme Court released its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, commentators across the political spectrum have broadly discussed the potential implication of the ruling. In this webinar presented by The National Catholic Bioethics Center, William Saunders and Arina Grossu unpack the majority’s rationale for why abortion is not guaranteed by the Constitution and look at what Dobbs realistically could mean for state and federal law.

William Saunders is a civil rights lawyer, the director of the program in human rights at the Institute of Human Ecology at Catholic University, and the codirector of the Center for Religious Liberty at Columbus Law School at Catholic University. Arina Grossu is the founder and principal at Areté Global Consulting and a fellow of the Center on Human Exceptionalism at the Discovery Institute. She previously served in the Office of Civil Rights at The US Department of Health and Human Services. Both guests also are political commentators for the National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly.

Description text goes herePatients and payers spend over $800 billion dollars each year to cover the costs of complex administrative procedures, inflated prices, unnecessary and low-value treatment, and uncoordinated care.

Despite advances in care delivery and innovative payment models, health leaders, payers, and government have struggled to control these types of spending.

This webinar explores which categories of waste can be addressed directly, and which are more resistant to change. In addition, our guests will explain how unique aspects of the strategies employed by Ascension Health and Christ Medicus—especially community-based health and patient-centered care—are informed by Catholic social teaching.

Our discussion will draw on the experience and observations of John Paul Slosar, senior vice president of healthcare ethics for Ascension; Michael Vacca, director of ministry, bioethics, and member experience at Christ Medicus Foundation; and Rev. Gerald Coleman, PSS, professor of pastoral ministries at Santa Clara University.

Recorded on June 16, 2022, 11AM EST.

Improving mental health is a critical element of clinical and public health in the United States.·      

Despite consensus on its importance, many secular mental health initiatives do not reflect human beings’ integral well-being as understood through Tradition and natural law.·      

This webinar explores how the Catholic community can promote an authentic vision of health and well-being by examining the Healthy People 2030 objectives for mental health and mental disorders developed by the US Department of Health and Human Services.·      

Our discussion will draw on the wide practical experience of psychiatrist David Chen, MD; faith community nurse educator, Karen Wenger, RN; and Elliott Bedford, PhD, director of ethics integration at St. Vincent Health.

Recorded on April 19, 2022, 11AM EST.

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