On December 12, 2006 Istituto Acton organized the sixth conference of the eight-part series dedicated to the papal social encyclical, Centesimus Annus. The international conference held at the Pontifical Gregorian University focused on the human, economic and moral-theological conditions for creating a more charitable society. The panel experts provided ample reflection on the teachings and witness of the Catholic Church in this realm, with a particular reflection on Benedict’s first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est and increased dependence on government-provided welfare programs in America and Europe. The audience of academic professors, seminarians, journalists and business persons asked challenging questions about how to implement and advocate the Church’s teachings in their own cultures and societies.

Speakers

• His Imperial and Royal Highness Otto von Habsburg
  Bio

• Mr. George Weigel (Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center)
  Bio

• Dr. Jean Yves Naudet (Professor of Economics, University of Paul Cézanne Aix-Marseille III)
  Bio - Lecture

In the Press

• “George Weigel on “Deus Caritas Est” ” by Viktoria Somogyi, Zenit News Agency, 2006-12-19
• “From Centesimus Annus to Deus Caritas Est” by George Weigel, Vatican Radio, 2006-12-18
• “From Centesimus Annus to Deus Caritas Est” by Jean Naudet, Vatican Radio, 2006-12-18
• “From Centesimus Annus to Deus Caritas Est” by George Weigel, Ethics and Public Policy Center, 2006-12-13
• “It's pope vs. pop star on Africa, Weigel says” by John L. Allen, Jr., National Catholic Reporter, 2006-12-12