The Catholic University of America Office of Public Affairs
The Catholic University of America

May 14, 2009

CUA, Bishops’ Conference and Nuncio to Host Symposium on U.S.-Vatican Relations

Current and former diplomats, academic experts and Catholic Church leaders will explore the evolution of relations between the Vatican and the United States Thursday, May 28, at a daylong symposium marking the silver anniversary of full diplomatic ties between Washington and the Holy See.

Titled “Faith and Freedom: Church and State in the American Experience: On the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of Full Diplomatic Relations between the United States of America and the Holy See,” the symposium will be held in Catholic University’s Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center.

It is sponsored by CUA, the papal nuncio to the United States and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan will speak on the history of U.S.-Vatican diplomatic relations. Mary Ann Glendon, former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, and Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and director of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, will give keynote addresses.

The symposium’s morning session will be devoted to the U.S.-Vatican relationship as it has developed since the establishment of full diplomatic relations by President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II in 1984. In addition to Glendon, two other former U.S. ambassadors to the Vatican — James Nicholson and CUA alumnus Thomas Melady — will share their perspectives, as will Nicholas Burns, a former high-ranking State Department official.

In the afternoon, Princeton University’s George will be joined by Francis Campbell, current British ambassador to the Vatican; Marcello Pera, past president and current member of the Senate of the Republic of Italy; and Patrick McKinley Brennan, Villanova University School of Law professor and John F. Scarpa Chair in Catholic Legal Studies. They will explore the philosophical consequences of an official relationship between church and state.

Pope Benedict XVI has described the basis of such a relationship as “healthy secularism,” i.e., a secularism that recognizes the critical role religious institutions play in a pluralistic democracy as well as the benefits both church and state receive from being in dialogue with one another.

PUBLIC: The symposium is free and open to the public. However, seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Those who do not pre-register by Tuesday, May 26, will not be admitted. To pre-register, send an e-mail to bullock@cua.edu.

MEDIA: To cover the symposium, contact Katie Lee or Mary McCarthy in the Office of Public Affairs at 202-319-5600.

Schedule of Symposium Events

9–9:30 a.m.		Registration in the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center
9:30 a.m.		Welcome to The Catholic University of America The Very Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., President Welcome from the Apostolic Nuncio The Most Reverend Pietro Sambi
9:45 a.m.		A Personal Reflection and Perspective The Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan Archbishop of New York
10 a.m.		Keynote Address The Honorable Mary Ann Glendon Learned Hand Professor of Law Harvard School of Law U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See (2008–2009)
10:45 a.m.		Break and Refreshments
11 a.m.		Panel Response Followed by Questions and Comments The Honorable R. Nicholas Burns Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Politics Harvard Kennedy School of Government Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs (2005–2008)   The Honorable R. James Nicholson U.S. Secretary for Veterans Affairs (2005–2007) U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See (2001–2005) The Honorable Thomas P. Melady Senior Diplomat in Residence, Institute of World Politics U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See (1989–93)
12:15 p.m.		Luncheon for Registered Participants
1:30 p.m.		Welcome from the General Secretary, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops The Reverend Monsignor David J. Malloy
1:35 p.m.		Keynote Address Professor Robert P. George McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and  Director of the James Madison Program Princeton University
2:20 p.m.		Panel Response Followed by Questions and Comments The Honorable Francis Campbell Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Holy See Professor Patrick McKinley Brennan John F. Scarpa Chair in Catholic Legal Studies Villanova University School of Law The Honorable Marcello Pera Former President of the Senate of the Republic of Italy Philosopher, Scholar and Author
3:15 p.m.		Break
3:30 p.m.		Concluding Remarks The Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl Archbishop of Washington

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