Save the date

We at Villanova are looking foward to hosting the first annual Scarpa Conference in Catholic Legal Studies on Friday, September 15, 2006.  The topic wil be From John Paul II to Benedict XVI: Continuing the New Evangelization of Law, Politics, and Culture.   His Eminence Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., will deliver the keynote address.  Also presenting papers will be MOJers Rick Garnett (Lilly Endownment Associate Professor, Notre Dame Law School), Amy Uelmen (Director, Institute on Religion, Law and Lawyer's Work, Fordham University School of Law), and Patrick Brennan (John F. Scarpa Chair in Catholic Legal Studies, Villanova University School of Law). 

The topic of the conference was chosen before Pope Benedict published Deus caritas est. The enclyclical now provides an excellent focal point for a study of the developing social doctrine of Pope Benedict.  Topics will include love, subsidiarity, libertas Ecclesiae, evangelization, and justice.

If I can answer any questions about this Conference, please feel free to email me.  We hope to see lots of old friends and new faces at Villanova this September.  Those who cannot attend the conference will be pleased to know that all of the papers will be published in the Villanova Law Review.  Those hoping to attend should plan early; we are informed that Parents' Weekend at Villanova will result in high demand for loding on the nights of Sept. 14 and 15. The Conference will be held in Villanova's Connelly Center, which is on the main campus.

By the way, Justice Antonin Scalia has graciously accepted our invitation to deliver the keynote at the Second Annual Scarpa Conference.  We should be able to announce the date and topic in September of this year.  Please stay tuned.