Webinar: War and the Wounded Earth: The Impact of Conflict on Creation
In honour of the 2024 Season of Creation’s theme, “To Hope and Act with Creation”, this webinar will delve into the profound ecological consequences of armed conflict on our common home. The panel of experts will aim to examine how warfare and conflict directly contribute to environmental degradation, disrupt international cooperation for environmental protection, and shift societal priorities away from sustainable environmental practices.
Date: Fri 18th October 2024
Time: 1pm-2pm
Venue: Online
Register: Register Via Zoom
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Pioneering parishes: How local church communities can become guardians of creation
The Catholic Church calls on us to work to promote and protect the natural environment, including by reducing carbon emissions.
Date: Wednesday 4th September 2024
Time: 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Venue: Online
St Mary’s University, in collaboration with Cafod and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, have organised an event “Pioneering parishes: How local church communities can become guardians of creation” which builds on St Mary’s University’s “guardians of creation” project designed to provide practical guidance to parishes.
You can sign up here: https://cafod.org.uk/news/events/pioneering-parishes
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In Conversation with Edward Stourton
You are all warmly invited to an event at St. Mary’s University, “In Conversation with Edward Stourton” on Wednesday 18th September 2024 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at St Mary’s University with drinks to follow.
Edward Stourton has worked in broadcasting for 45 years, and regularly presents Radio Four programmes such as Sunday, the World at One and the World this Weekend. He has been a foreign correspondent for Channel 4, ITN and the BBC, and for ten years he was one of the main presenters of the Today programme. He has published 12 books.
To book your place at the event, please follow this link: https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/events/2024/interview-and-qa-with-broadcaster-and-presenter-edward-stourton .
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St Mary’s academics present at key international conference focused on “Catholic universities: in solidarity with their partners and colleagues in conflict zones
Professor Carole Murphy, Dr Ashley Beck and Ms Maggie Doherty recently presented at an important international conference exploring how to build resilience in solidarity with partners and colleagues in conflict zones. The conference was led and organised by the University of Notre Dame, alongside a Consortium of ten Catholic Universities. It took place at the Notre Dame Rome campus from 31 July to 2 July.
Book launch and launch of St Mary’s University Press
You are warmly invited to the launch of St Mary’s University Press and the launch of its first book, “Catholic Social Thought, the Market and Public Policy – twenty-first century challenges”. The book is edited by Philip Booth and Andre Alves, with contributions from: Hugo Chelo, Inês Gregório, Andrew M. Yuengert, Martin Schlag, Jay W. Richards, Robert G. Kennedy, Kaetana Numa, Stephen Nakrosis, Samuel Gregg, Russell Sparkes and Leonardo Franchi. It includes forewords by Rt. Hon. Ruth Kelly (member of the Vatican Council for the Economy) and the Most Rev. John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark.
27th February 2024
The launch will be held at St. Mary’s University, Waldegrave Drawing Room, starting at 6pm.
(How) Does Artificial Intelligence Think? (What) Does it Know
This is reproduced by kind permission of the Centre for Enterprise, Markets and Ethics
The Human Foibles of AI
Should we consider this to be indicative of an approach towards human levels of intelligence or reasoning? After all, even the failings of AI are similar to our own. Most people have given up on a problem as being too difficult at some point in their lives, perhaps giving an inadequate account of their efforts to deal with it. Almost all of us, as school children, will have guessed at the answers to the questions in our maths books and shown some kind of working-out, even if we didn’t have any real confidence in what we had written. Similarly, if asked a difficult question in class, most of us will have attempted to give an answer that consisted of little more than repeating back to the teacher partial information – provided by the teacher in the first place and which we had not understood – in the hope of convincing him or her that we knew what we were talking about.
Perhaps, then, advanced AI models are closer to human beings than we have been willing to accept. If this is the case, where does the difference between AI reasoning and human reasoning lie? Or, rather, on what grounds can we say that human beings reason or think, while machines, however sophisticated, do not? What does it really mean to talk about computers ‘knowing’, ‘remembering’ or ‘working things out’?
Knowing That / Knowing How
There is a distinction to be drawn between conscious, propositional knowledge, and skill or aptitude – between ‘knowledge that’ and ‘knowledge how’. The former is a grasp of a matter of truth and can be held before the mind; the latter is something we are able to do and can often be executed with little thought. It is with this distinction in mind that we can easily agree with the philosopher and essayist Michel de Montaigne, who argued in his long essay An Apology for Raimond Sebond (1576), that if human beings can have knowledge, then animals surely can, too. When we look at the feats of which they are capable, beyond anything that human beings can manage without complex machinery and intricate calculations, how can we claim that they do not ‘know’? Surely a blackbird knows how to build a nest, and a bumblebee knows when to hibernate. A spider’s web is a beautiful and intricate construction that any human being would struggle to build. Their levels of consciousness and their powers of reasoning are far below ours, yet in some sense they ‘know’ what they are doing (even if, we might claim that they do not know why or to what purpose – as a hamster probably does not have a long-term end in view when she hoards food and various other objects). If we think of the difference between the flight of a blackbird and what human beings have managed with aeroplanes and helicopters, the former is a natural aptitude, devoid of reason or thought, while the latter, cumbersome (yet ingenious) as it is, is based on vast array of theory, calculation and applied propositional knowledge.
Knowledge, Reason and Meaning
The distinction between knowledge how and knowledge that is not straightforward: there are various things we might know that might not cleanly fit into one category or the other – such as the knowledge that one is loved by one’s mother. There are also different ways of arriving at knowledge, some highly complex and based on extensive calculation, while others are simply intuitive. Similarly, there are different grades of reasoning, from basic connections of cause and effect or means and end, to highly abstruse relations between concepts. Nevertheless, when we ascribe to AI models the ability to reason or to know, we typically have in mind knowledge of the propositional variety: the AI model uncovers a fact or conclusion about some state of affairs or provides an account of an expedient methods for achieving some goal, by way of a chain of steps.
Leaving aside the question of the extent to which animals possess such knowledge, we might say that, in order to truly constitute knowledge, propositional knowledge requires the ability to understand. That is to say, for a human being to know, he or she must understand what is known, and where reasoning is involved, he or she must have a grasp of why the conclusion reached is valid. Moreover, he or she should understand what that piece of knowledge means in connection with other knowledge possessed, as part of a world filled with knowledge and meaning.
The Capacity of AI in the Absence of Consciousness
To illustrate this, we could point to the difference between solving a problem by understanding the nature of the problem itself, knowing the correct method for addressing it and understanding why the answer is right, and applying a process by conjecture, blindly following it and reaching a solution that might – or might not – be correct. Arguably the latter is still a form of reasoning, but a greatly diminished one. Even where the correct method is invariably applied and the solutions are always correct, the result surely does not constitute knowledge. In the absence of consciousness, these are the highest forms of reasoning and knowledge that AI can possess. When we say that a machine has reasoned or that it knows, we can really mean no more than this.
AI models can be incredibly efficient, solving problems and processing data more quickly than any human mind can manage; they can contribute to our knowledge and lead to hugely beneficial material improvements. For artificial intelligence, however, no matter how sophisticated and even when accompanied by an account of how a solution was reached, there is no knowledge or reasoning in the full, human sense. While a machine can disclose that the sun rose at 5:50 yesterday and can calculate the time of sunrise on any given date in the future, it cannot be said to know the time of sunrise. Between human beings and the most ingenious artificial intelligence, there remains the gulf of consciousness and the grasp of meaning that it renders possible. This might remain the case forever, but as machines approach more closely to human levels of intelligence, perhaps they will enable us to understand ourselves better and some of our own cognitive capacities.
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Photo by Pavel Danilyuk
Pope Francis RIP
As a Catholic University, we have been inspired by Pope Francis’s leadership, humility, and dedication to the promotion of the “joy of the Gospel” in the hearts of the faithful. His Papacy coincided with St Mary’s becoming a full university and his commitment to education, care for the marginalised, and call to protect our common home have resonated deeply with our mission and values and provided inspiration to staff and students through their academic journeys.
In recent years, many members of the University community have had the chance to meet Pope Francis. In 2023 a delegation from the Bakhita Centre at St Mary’s met him to mark Anti-Slavery day, presenting the Holy Father with artwork created by residents of Caritas Bakhita House, London, a safe house for women who have been trafficked, enslaved, and exploited. The artwork was used as the cover of the book Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking: the Victim Journey, edited by Carole Murphy and Runa Lazzarino, a copy of which was also presented to Pope Francis.
In 2024, students and staff from St Mary’s embarked on a Lenten pilgrimage to Rome. During the visit, the group attended Pope Francis’s weekly Catechesis during which the Holy Father extended his greetings and blessings to the members of staff and students at St Mary’s. Staff members have twice been able to attend audiences with Pope Francis as part of a delegation of international academics working to promote service-learning within Catholic universities.
Pope Francis’s impact can be felt more broadly through activity taking place across the University. His second encyclical Laudato Si’, inspired the formation of our research project Guardians of Creation, run in partnership with the Diocese of Salford.
This project is an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional research programme investigating the technical, sociological, organisational and theological paths to sustainable and ecologically sensitive change in the Catholic Church. The project offers guidance on many aspects of how faith-based organisations can respond to the ecological crisis and has a special focus on Catholic diocesan decarbonisation.
May we honour his legacy by continuing to serve others with faith and compassion. In the Global Compact on Education, Pope Francis wrote that educating our students should involve: “bending over those in need and stretching out a hand to them, without calculation, without fear, but with tenderness and understanding, just as Jesus knelt to wash the Apostles’ feet. Serving means working beside the neediest of people, establishing with them first and foremost human relationships of closeness and bonds of solidarity.”
This resonates deeply with St Mary’s mission and history.
In this time of mourning, we offer our prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis and extend our condolences to all those closest to him.
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Photo: Casa Rosada (Argentina Presidency of the Nation), CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Dignitas Infinita – a summary
Presentation
The presentation tracks the five-years development of the document, starting in 2019, highlighting the request of the Holy Father to give more attention to “grave violations of human dignity in our time”. It announces that the first three sections discuss principles and theory with the aim of clarifying the term “dignity”. The fourth section reflects on some of the social and moral modern challenges that threaten that dignity and reaffirms the Church’s condemnation of those. The document defines this dignity as “infinite” (after Pope St John Paul II). The presentation also states that the Declaration aims at strengthening the truth that defending human dignity is a “fundamental condition for our societies to be truly just, peaceful, healthy, and authentically human”.
Introduction (1-9)
The document declares that “Every human person possesses an infinite dignity, inalienably grounded in his or her very being, which prevails in and beyond every circumstance, state, or situation the person may ever encounter” (1). This principle and truth “underlies the primacy of the human person and the protection of human rights” and is the base for the Church’s commitment to protecting the vulnerable (1). This dignity is confirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights issued 75 years ago and calls for its protection have been made by the Church from its foundation, including by recent Popes who have emphasised that restrictions on human freedom and rights are attacks on human dignity thus “greatly offend the Creator” (4). The introduction notes Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti as a contemporary guide for protecting and promoting human dignity, where he sees this as the basis of a just society. He emphasises that dignity is rooted in the Gospel but can also be found through human reason, and it is something we have been given and need to accept with faith and gratitude. Human dignity and its inalienability transcend every culture and are true for every human in history (6).
The introduction makes a fundamental clarification on the meaning of dignity. It distinguishes four sides to the concept of dignity: ontological dignity, moral dignity, social dignity, and existential dignity (7). Ontological dignity is the most important one as it “belongs to the person as such simply because he or she exists and is willed, created, and loved by God” and “remains valid beyond any circumstances”. This is also clarified in the classical definition of the person as an “individual substance of a rational nature” (9). Moral dignity is how “people exercise their freedom”. This dignity can be lost as people can behave in undignified ways and cause evil (7), unless they repent and convert. Social dignity refers to the “quality of a person’s living conditions” (8). Finally, existential dignity is what people may experience to be a “dignified” or “undignified” life. Due to certain, non-economic circumstances (e.g. poor health, complicated family situation, etc) people might feel they are living and undignified life despite being aware of their inherent ontological dignity (8).
Section one: A Growing Awareness of the Centrality of Human Dignity (10-16)
This section traces the history of understanding of human dignity. Even though there was some perception of the existence of human dignity in antiquity, it was still far from current understanding (10). We can find its basis, however, in the Bible from the beginning of the Old Testament, with the creation of the human being in the image and likeness of God and thus the bestowal of dignity by God (11). Throughout the Old Testament it is visible how God and His prophets denounce injustice and call for the protection of the rights of the poor and the vulnerable. Jesus affirms this attitude through His life and works described in the New Testament (12). The “new commandment of love” that the Apostles then start spreading, guides every Christian to “live according to the requirements of dignity and respect for the rights of all people” (12). It is ultimately by “the good done to every human being, regardless of the ties of blood or religion” that Christ will judge us (12). Developments in Christian Thought through the Church Fathers or theologians, such as Thomas Acquinas, build on Revelation and the truth on dignity that it presents (13). Traces of these can be even found in the philosophers of the Enlightenment and later in more contemporary philosophies such as Personalism, which reconsidered subjectivity to include the significance of relationships in defining our being (13).
Nowadays, as noted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the term ‘dignity’ emphasises the uniqueness of the human person, and it is seen as an inherent and inalienable quality of the human being without which it is impossible to recognise human rights (14). Dignity is intrinsic to the person, not granted by others, and cannot be lost or withdrawn (15). Human beings possess it “regardless of whether or not they can express it in a suitable manner” (15). The Second Vatican Council and subsequent Church teachings underscore the universal and inviolable nature of human dignity, grounded in reason and revelation. The Magisterium recognises that “the dignity of every human being prevails beyond all circumstances” (16).
Section two: The Church Proclaims, Promotes, and Guarantees Human Dignity (17-22)
In this section, the Dicastery outlines three convictions that lead the Church to proclaim, “the equal dignity of all people, regardless of their living conditions or qualities” (17). The first one comes from Revelation and “holds that the dignity of the human person comes from the love of the Creator, who has imprinted the indelible features of his image on every person” (18). This emphasises the person’s sacred value and it encompasses the whole person: body and soul, given it is an imago Dei (18). The second conviction comes from God’s elevation of human dignity through the Incarnation of His Son Jesus Christ. He unified Himself to every human being and proclaimed the Kingdom of God for those who were considered “unworthy” (19), a principle which “changed the face of the earth”. The third conviction is that every person has a “vocation to the fullness of dignity” in its “ultimate destiny” which is the calling to be “in communion with God” forever (20). “Consequently, the Church believes and affirms that all human beings—created in the image and likeness of God and recreated [34] in the Son, who became man, was crucified, and rose again—are called to grow under the action of the Holy Spirit to reflect the glory of the Father in that same image and to share in eternal life” (21). Finally, the expression and realisation of our inherent dignity depends on free and responsible choices aligned with the true good, which can however be obscured by sin. That is why faith is important as it complements reason in understanding and upholding human dignity, guarding against distortions and promoting the full recognition of human worth (22).
Section three: Dignity, the Foundation of Human Rights and Duties (23-32)
The section outlines some misconceptions of human dignity which make it an arbitrary and/or individualistic and/or subjective concept. These misconceptions lead to a vision of dignity which is inconsistent with and cannot sustain the inalienable dignity referenced in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (23). Firstly, the document refutes movements that seek to replace human dignity with ‘personal dignity’ or base dignity on an ability to act freely and reason, thus excluding people such as: unborn babies, dependant elders, or some of those with mental illness. Dignity is inherent, “independent of the individual’s situation”, unconditional and should be respected unconditionally. We have it just by virtue of belonging to the human species (24). Secondly, the document re-affirms the objective basis of human dignity coming from “constitutive demands of human nature, which do not depend on individual arbitrariness or social recognition” (25). It thus highlights the misuse of the concept of human dignity to promote false rights, which actually stand against the basis of inalienable dignity and human rights, but rather promote an “isolated and individualistic idea of freedom” whereby every individual preference and subjective desire should be guaranteed as a right and thus are imposed on the community to be respected (25). Such individualistic and self-referential views of freedom ignore the relational aspect of our world which emphasises that we are all members of one human family. Dignity therefore also implies that we assume obligations toward others (27). It is also part of our dignity to recognise the goodness of other creatures and care for creation as a gift entrusted to us by God (28).
The section also emphasises that human freedom can be inclined towards evil and that humans need to be liberated from “negative influences in the moral and social spheres” (29). Distance from God, and thus the truth and source of freedom, weakens freedom and can lead to disrespect for one’s dignity and for that of others. This is because a rejection of objective truth and simply following our own will, makes it difficult to validate anything that is external to one’s own will, and thus difficult to have regard for the will of others (30). This concept of individual freedom that has no limits and is devoid of objective influence is also not realistic because of cultural influences or because, where socio-economic conditions in society are not met, people cannot exercise freedom. Ensuring these conditions is not possible without recognising true human dignity and building structures to protect it, religious freedom being one condition (31).
Section four: Some Grave Violations of Human Dignity (33-62)
This section starts by highlighting the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, which says that “all offences against life itself, such as murder, genocide, abortion, euthanasia, and willful suicide” must be recognized as contrary to human dignity” (34) and denounces death penalty. It then “addresses some specific and grave violations of” dignity:
- The “Drama of Poverty” (36-37): Poverty undermines human dignity, including in richer and also where there is a materialistic and consumeristic mentality. This echoes Poe Francis who notes that “‘new forms of poverty are emerging.’”, such as that which takes away work and the “dignity of work”, e.g. because of unemployment that results from obsession with money and reducing costs.
- “War” (38-39) is described as a ‘defeat of humanity’ which has both short-term and long-term consequences, especially because it affects many more civilians nowadays. It also says that “the intimate relationship between faith and human dignity means it would be contradictory for war to be based on religious convictions”. The section also reaffirms Pope Francis’ teachings on welcoming migrants (40) whose dignity is affected by poverty and the necessity to leave their homeland.
- Paragraphs on human trafficking (41-42) once more denounce the trade in people and the domination of money over humans, including the marketing of organs and sexual exploitation of minors, illegal trade of drugs and weapons, slave labour, terrorism and organised crime. It concludes that trafficking offends the freedom and dignity of the victim and also dehumanises the oppressor.
- The section then reiterates how sexual abuse deeply wounds human dignity because of the unity of body and soul and hinders the mission of the Church (43).
- The document denounces violence against women (44-46), and inequalities between men and women which still remain high despite women’s dignity being recognised in many ways. Women are less able to defend their rights. It also notes that more work needs to be done to “prevent discrimination against those who have chosen to be wives and mothers” and to prevent sexual abuse of women, fuelled by a sexualised and materialistic culture. Abortion, especially coercive abortion, as well as polygamy, which is “contrary to the equal dignity of women and men”, are also violence against women. Finally, it condemns feminicide, by reminding us about our love for Mary.
- The section then reiterates Church teaching on abortion as a denial of human dignity (47), which includes attempts to obscure its true nature, e.g. calling it an ‘interruption of pregnancy’. The Church upholds the intrinsic dignity of human life from conception to natural death. Unborn children also have dignity and are the most defenceless and innocent, meaning they deserve even more protection. It also states that defending unborn life is essential for upholding all other human rights, as it is an affirmation of the sanctity of life. Reason is enough to recognise the inviolable value of each life, but from a faith perspective the violation of such life is an offence against God who created that life. The document then pays tribute to St Teresa of Calcutta’s efforts in this area.
- The document denounces surrogacy (48-50) as a violation of the dignity of the child in the first place, as it becomes object of a contractual agreement. “The legitimate desire to have a child cannot be transformed into a “right to a child” that fails to respect the dignity of that child”. Surrogacy also violates the dignity of the woman and her body, as she is detached from her child and becomes an instrument of the desires of another.
- Euthanasia and assisted suicide (51-52) mistakenly separate the concept of dignity from life itself and place dignity against life. Advocates for euthanasia falsely link it with dignity: “suffering does not cause the sick to lose their dignity”. Regardless of whether euthanasia it is the person’s wish, helping someone to end their life is against the person’s dignity. “There are no circumstances under which human life would cease from being dignified and could, as a result, be put to an end”. Instead, there should be efforts to alleviate suffering and need for palliative care with avoidance of “aggressive treatments or disproportionate medical procedures”.
- The document reminds us that there is a need to protect and support people with mental and physical disabilities, instead of oppressing, marginalising or rejecting them (53-54). Every human “receives his or her dignity from the sole fact of being willed and loved by God” and any physical or mental imperfections do not change that. Instead, the vulnerable require even more protection, and we should not fall into a “throwaway culture”.
- Gender ideology is denounced (55-59). The document upholds the dignity of the person and their right to protection regardless of sexual orientation. It rejects discrimination based on sexual orientation (55). However, the Church warns against the gender ideology, which pushes for non-existent rights and falsely “cancels differences” (56). Such ideologies also promote an attitude of self-determination in such a way that it puts the person in the place of God, and therefore offends Him and His gift that is life and creation (57). Gender theory also denies the truth of sexual difference and the masculine-feminine division (59), which the Church proclaims, and which is a beautiful manifestation of Creation which complements itself and brings new creation (58). “Only by acknowledging and accepting this difference in reciprocity can each person fully discover themselves, their dignity, and their identity” (59). Respect for oneself and one’s body is crucial to affirming dignity and recognising the truth that “‘biological sex and the socio-cultural role of sex (gender) can be distinguished but not separated.”
- The section states that sex-change risks threatening the unique dignity of the person (60) as it disrespects the natural order given by the Creator and uniqueness given to every person by God. This is because “the dignity of the body cannot be considered inferior to that of the person as such” and the body is also “endowed with personal meanings, particularly in its sexed condition”. However, healthcare assistance to resolve genital abnormalities earlier or later in life is permissible and does not constitute sex-change in the sense of rejecting unique dignity.
- Finally, the section highlights the threats to human dignity posed by digital violence (61-62) and that even though digital development can promote human dignity, it can also foster loneliness, breakage of human relationships, addiction, exploitation, self-loathing, e.g. through fake news, pornography, cyberbullying, exposing oneself and one’s life. Instead, technology must be harnessed to promote solidarity, truth, and the common good, thus respecting human dignity.
Conclusion (63-66)
The conclusion reaffirms Pope Francis’ words to look up to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Many great steps have been taken, but there is much to do and sometimes we have had backwards steps (63). The Dicastery therefore “ardently urges that respect for the dignity of the human person beyond all circumstances be placed at the center of the commitment to the common good and at the center of every legal system” (64) as a basis for human rights. This is a shared responsibility between individuals and the State (65) and remains something that the Church promotes (66).
Join us for a conversation on “The Common Good and Government”
This will be an evening discussion on ‘The Common Good: What does it mean for government?’ with Lord Maurice Glasman, Danny Kruger MP, Caroline Slocock chaired by Ruth Kelly.
Politicians regularly say that they want to act for the common good. This is not surprising. After all, who could disagree? But, what does the term mean? And is it an agenda just for politicians? These questions have been discussed in the earlier events on the meaning of the common good, the family and society which you can watch at:
The fourth event starts from the premise that the appropriate role for government is contested – some argue for a strong, centralised state that guides the economy and explicitly supports civil society and the family. Meanwhile, others make the case for a decentralised model, rooted in the renewal of place, and in the revitalising of local and regional institutions. Others believe that only a more hands-off approach will allow civil society and the family the room, freedom and resources to flourish.
This event addresses the role of government for the common good. With the ‘levelling-up’ agenda and the pressing need for civic renewal, this will be a highly relevant conversation. Held at the church of St Mary’s Putney, home of the historic 1647 Putney Debates, our discussion will be opened up by a distinguished panel of active and influential speakers.
Attendance at this event is free, but all attendees must register in advance:
For those not able to attend, the event will be filmed and made available on the online a few days afterwards.
These conversations are supported by CCLA, one of the UK’s largest ethical fund managers, home of the new Catholic Investment Fund. CCLA is generously providing a drinks reception after the event.
The Common Good: What does it mean?’
These days, the vocabulary of the common good is liberally deployed in political, religious and charity sectors. But too often, the term is misapplied and misunderstood. When used to promote utilitarian or utopian ideas, it can provide cover for coercive ideologies that do more harm than good. Such ideas are antithetical to the conception of common good in the Christian, Jewish and Aristotelean traditions, which are underpinned by fundamental human principles such as love, reciprocity, relationship, freedom and mutual respect. Given this background, a coalition of Christian-inspired organisations active in the public square are putting together a series of events to explore the meaning of the common good and the role of the family, society and government in its promotion.
The first event will explore how the common good in its true sense relates to a settled pluralism of identities and interests, the shared life of a society to which everyone freely contributes and is able to flourish and reach fulfilment. It will also explore how important that is given the background of current political discourse. This event will be chaired by Ruth Kelly and feature three discussants Professor Phillip Booth (St Mary’s University, Twickenham), Jenny Sinclair (Together for the Common Good), Dr Sam Bruce (Centre for Social Justice).
This is the first of four events in the series: ‘The Common Good: what does it mean for families, society and government’ produced in partnership between Together for the Common Good, The Centre for Social Justice, Caritas Social Action Network and the Benedict XVI Centre at St Mary’s University Twickenham. The series is sponsored by CCLA, one of the UK’s largest ethical fund managers, home of the Catholic Investment Fund.
Punishment and prisons in 21st century Britain
The Benedict XVI Centre at St. Mary’s University, together with the Caritas Social Action Network and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, evening discussion on Punishment and Prisons in the 21st Century with Bishop Richard Moth and Rev Jonathan Aitken, chaired by Professor Philip Booth.
The UK has an unusually large number of people in prison relative to its population compared with other Western countries. Most Christians would recognise that human sinfulness leads to situations where some people deserve serious punishment and that prison might be necessary to protect the population from some people who have committed criminal acts. However, this does not mean that we should be comfortable with ever-growing numbers in prisons which are often unsafe environments for both prisoners and prison staff and also places without hope.
Rev Jonathan Aitken is a former cabinet minister who himself was once a prisoner and is now an Anglican priest and part-time prison chaplain. Bishop Richard Moth is Liaison Bishop for Prisons for the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales. They will be joined in conversation with Professor Philip Booth of St. Mary’s University to discuss a range of questions, including:
- What is life like in prisons today, especially in the context of COVID?
- How can we ensure that there is hope for those who spend time in prison?
- What steps should we take to reduce prison numbers?
- What forms of punishment could be used which will both protect the public and hold out greater hope of reform of those convicted of crime?
- How do prison chaplains and visitors bring Christian hope into prisons?
- What can we do as individuals to help bring hope to the 83,000 people who are in prison?
“Wednesday 10 February 2021Time:6.00pm – 7.15pm Venue:
For further information about all Catholic social thought events and for bookings for future events please go to: St Mary’s University Events page“