On January 21, 2006 Istituto Acton convened the second of an eight-part series dedicated to the papal social encyclical Centesimus Annus at the American seminary in Rome. Before an audience of seminarians, academics and journalists, the expert panel focused their discussion on the institution of the Christian family and its vital importance in the stable economic foundations of society. Discussion centered upon the impact on single parenting, welfare programs in the United Stats and Europe, and how the economy is affected by birthrates falling below replacement level.

Speakers

• H. Em. Cardinal Alfonso López Trujillo (President, Pontifical Council for the Family)
  Bio - Video - Lecture
   
• Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse (Senior Fellow in Economics, Acton Institute)
  Bio - Video - Audio - Lecture
   
• Prof. Manfred Spieker (Professor of Christian Social Science, University of Osnabrück)
  Bio - Video - Lecture

In the Press

• “Vatican Cardinal: We are realizing the worst prophecies of aging and demographic implosion” by John-Henry Westen, LifeSite , 2006-01-31
• “When in Rome” by Jennifer Roback Morse, Townhall.com , 2006-01-30
• "The family and economics" by John Allen, National Catholic Reporter , 2006-01-27
• "God at the Pub" by Elizabeth Lev, Zenit News Agency , 2006-01-26
• "A Catholic Alternative to Europe's Social Model" by Jennifer Roback Morse, Acton News and Commentary , 2006-01-25
• "Economics and The Family - Rome Conference" by Jennifer Roback Morse, Vatican Radio , 2006-01-20