Contemporary Issues. Global Challenges. Thoughtful Solutions. 

The Latest

All in the Hall

An essay from theologian and IACS Affiliated Scholar Tricia Bruce offers a backdrop and context to the October 2024 Synod gathering, a capstone to years of local and global consultation. She paints the picture of the hall where more than 350 cardinals, bishops, religious, and lay leaders gathered to forge “a synodal Church” oriented around communion, participation, and mission, and she draws particular attention to the synod as a bold attempt to unify across vast difference – ambitiously, albeit imperfectly.

Home

“The October 2024 Synod gathering was a capstone to years of local and global consultation.”

Tricia Bruce, Ph.D.

Expert commentary that seeks common ground and discovers solutions

    Synodality and the Catholic Church

    Launched by Pope Francis in March 2020, the synod is a multi-year process aiming to generate feedback from Catholics across the globe. Read more from IACS Affiliated Scholars on the impact the global initiative will have on the future direction of the Catholic Church.

    Catholic Ethics and AI

    New and emerging technologies offer the potential to address global challenges and provide positive impact across our society. At the same time, however, they also can pose unprecedented harms to individuals, societies and our natural environment. Too often, the development of new technology is not accompanied by ethical reflection. IACS Affiliated Scholars exploring the role of the Catholic intellectual tradition in guiding the ethics of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and social media.

    A photo of a crowd of people greeting Pope Francis

      Featured Commentary and Analysis

      A purple abstract image depicting humanity and technology

      From Seizures to Transcendence: The Promise and Perils of Emerging Medical Tech

      IACS Logo Hero

      Labor Rights and Catholicism

      St. Peter's reflected in a pool of water

      Listening Practices and the Synod

      Expert commentary that seeks common ground and explores solutions.

      Engaging the Divides is an online forum bringing together leading researchers, scholars and practitioners to discuss contemporary issues and explore solutions to pressing challenges facing society.

      The forum is an initiative from IACS, a global research center located at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. The Institute draws from an international pool of scholars from diverse disciplines and religious traditions to further innovative research, create dialogue and spark ideas on Catholic thought, creative imagination and lived experience.

      IACS supports scholars and artists, produces books, hosts academic conferences and cultural events, engages in sustained dialogue around pressing issues and furthers the intellectual work of the Catholic Church.

      To join our network of contributors, please connect with us at iacs@usc.edu.