Philip J. Murnion Lecture

The Murnion Lecture is an annual event hosted by the Catholic Common Ground Initiative which explores a relevant topic of concern in the Church.  Each lecture features a notable speaker on the topic.  Participants of the lecture have opportunity to dialogue about the topic to gain further understanding on the subject and the various viewpoints in the Church. 

Past lectures include:

2011  Communion Across the Generations:  the Challenge and Promise
          of Intergenerational Dialogue, by Sr. Patricia Wittberg, SC

2010  Catholic Common Ground Initiative:  A Journey to Communion
          in Christ, by Most Rev. Michael W. Warfel

2009  How American Catholics Think About the Church, by Dr. James Davidson

2008  Learning form the Political Process for Common Ground in
          the Catholic Church, by Brian Williams in place of Timothy Russert

2007  Where to Look for Common Ground? by Jill Ker Conway

2006  "Put Your finger Here...Reconciliation and the Refusal to Cease
          Suffering, by Dr. Robert Goizueta

2006 The Role of Dialogue in the Pastoral Life of the Diocese, Tenth Anniversary
              Murnion Lecture Celebration, by Most Rev. Ricardo Ramirez, C.S.B.

2005  Building a Church of Communion, by Most Rev. James A. Weisbgerber

2004  Common Ground in a Global Key, by John L. Allen, Jr.

2003  Dealing with Diversity and Disagreement:  Vatican II and
          Beyond, by Rev. Joseph A. Komonchak

2002 The Church and Contemporary Pluralism, by Cardinal Walter Kasper

2001  Dialogue, Truth, and Communion, Cardinal Avery Dulles, SJ

2000  The Substance of Things Hoped For:  Common Ground and the
          Source of our Disputes, by Dr. R. Scott Appleby

1999  One in Christ:  Unity and Diversity in the Church Today,
           by Cardinal Basil Hume, OSB

Bernardin Conference

The Bernardin Conference brings together various leaders in the Catholic Church in the United States to explore and discuss timely, significant and often divisive topics of the Church.  This conference is hosted for three days and participants have varying perspectives and expertise on the subject being discussed.  The goal of the conferences is to facilitate a process that will hopefully lead to greater unity among conference participants.

Past Conference topics included:

2009 - A Look to the Future of the Catholic Common Ground Initiative

2008 - Understanding the Ecclesial Movements and Their Interaction with the Local Church in the U.S. Today

2007 - The Migration of Peoples and Immigration Policy

2006 - Reflecting on the Past, Looking to the Future

2005 - Religion, Law and Politics

2004 - Sexuality, Culture, and Catholic Tradition