Pope Francis has released his eagerly anticipated encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’. While the document deserves a close reading, its extreme length (80 pages/45,000 words) will make it difficult for many people to process. To help highlight some of the key points I’ve produced a section-by-section summary of the entire encyclical. As with any summary, much of the meaning and context will be lost. But I hope this will provide you with a starting point for greater engagement with...

Kishore Jayabalan, director of the Acton Insitute’s Rome office – Istituto Acton – has issued the following statement today regarding Pope Francis’s much-awaited enviromental encyclicalLaudato Si’.Among other things, Jayabalannotes: “[Francis] seems to blame markets, over-consumption and especially finance, rather than human sin, for all our environmental problems.” I appreciate and e Pope Francis’s encyclical,Laudato Si’, which challenges us to re-examine how we treat the earth and each other. These are non-negotiables for Catholics and there is much we can do...

What is social justice? Is it a vision of a perfectly just society? Is it an ideal set of government policies?Is it a particular theory or practice? Is it a virtue? A religious concept? A social arrangement? In a lecture at Acton University on his ing book, Social Justice: What It Is, What It Isn’t, Michael Novak soughtto answer somethese questions with a particular framework around intermediary institutions. Offeringa broad survey of the term’s origins, history, and modern use and...

Pope Francis’ new encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si, is generating discussion across the web. For a round-up of responses and reactions from Acton, see Acton Speaks on the Environment. There’s plenty left to explore, respond, and reflect on, but in the meantime, it’s worth noting an interesting parallel with another great Catholic thinker (as passed along by a friend of mine). The beginning of the environmental encyclical leads off with the following statement about Earth being our “sister”: LAUDATO...

Who could have predicted, six months ago, what the encyclical Laudato Si’, would hold in store? Seems like Jennifer Roback Morse could. In a January 2015 piece for The Daily Caller, Morse made some predictions that turned out to be spot on. I do not know what he is going to say. Neither, dear reader, does anyone else you are likely to read. However, I can tell you two things that he will certainly not say. And those two unsaid...

Samuel Gregg, Acton’s director of research, writes in The American Spectator today about Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ encyclical which addresses environmental issues. Gregg says that part of the encyclical’s intent is to add to the global discussion regarding the environment and to the climate change debate. However, Gregg believes that the encyclical, rather than enlightening, is muddying the waters. To be sure, there is much about today’s global economy that merits criticism. The encyclical rightly underscores the problem of bailing...

In an op-ed published in theWall Street Journal,Fr. Robert Sirico writes about the encyclical, the role of free markets and the need for continuous conversation about the environment: Let’s cut to the chase: Much of what is in Pope Francis’ encyclical on environmental stewardship, Laudato Si’, poses a major challenge for free-market advocates, those of us who believe that capitalism is a powerful force for caring for the earth and lifting people out of poverty. But one of the most...

Today’s Washington Examiner has a piece that says “conservatives” are slamming Laudato Si’, the new papal encyclical released yesterday. “Slam” may be too strong a word; though there is plenty of vigorous discussion regarding the encyclical. Acton’s director of research Samuel Gregg is quoted in the Washington Examiner piece, and while he is clearly concerned about portions of the encyclical, he does not “slam” this work either. It tends to characterize free markets as unregulated, which is simply untrue. It...

In a lecture on markets and monasticism at Acton University, Dylan Pahman gave a fascinating overview and analysis of the interaction between Christian monasticism and markets. He’s written on this before and has a longer paper on the topic as well. In the talk, he highlighted a range of facts and features, from monastic teachings on wealth and poverty to the historical realities of munities and enterprises. Over the centuries, monasteries have contributed a host of products and services to...

Wednesday was the first full day of Acton University 2015, and it ended with a plenary session featuring GregoryAlan Thornbury, the President of The King’s College in New York City. Thornbury’s address was preceded by an introduction by Acton Institute Research Fellow andassociate professor of theology at The King’s College, Anthony B. Bradley. We’re pleased to present the evening’s program here on the PowerBlog for your edification. ...