Centesimus Annus Foundation offers new courses on Catholic Social Doctrine

By Vatican News

The Centesimus Annus Pro Pontefice Foundation has announced new courses on the Social Doctrine of the Church, under the theme “The Contribution of the Church's Social Doctrine in a World Between Crisis and Transformation.”

The courses take place from 20 January to 23 March 2024, both in-person and online, under the academic direction of Monsignor Guy-Réal Thivierge.

The course will be inaugurated at the Casa Bonus Pastor in Rome by the Foundation’s president, Anna Tarantola.

The 2024 High Training Course in Catholic Social Teaching aims to achieve more universal human rights and promote pathways to peace, according to a letter by Msgr. Thivierge, available on the Centesimus Annus Foundation - Pro Pontifice website.

Lessons and target audience

The course calendar details that the learning method proposed comprises three levels: in-depth, inductive, and community wisdom.

These courses, organized for the past several years, are aimed at public and private executives, professionals, academics, entrepreneurs, religious figures, and young students preparing to enter the workforce.

The goal is to teach the principles and practices of the Church's Social Doctrine.

Through them, the Foundation seeks to “foster the growth of a thoughtful and cohesive community that can influence the social and economic realities of the world.”

Course structure

The sessions include seven modules, three in-person and four online, designed as educational journeys focused on integral human development, and social friendship and cooperation.

The on-site meetings in Rome will be held at the Casa Pastor Bonus, while the remote sessions will take place from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (GMT+1).

Each session is structured with specialist lectures in various fields of Catholic Social Doctrine and representatives from the economic, financial, and social spheres.

The format includes open dialogues, discussions, free time for lunch, and group work.

For religious participants, the course is entirely free, while a discount may be applied to young attendees at the discretion of the Foundation (requests should be sent to the General Secretariat).

Themes of the courses

The course topics include an introduction, work methodology, and the foundations of the Church’s Social Doctrine.

The second session will focus on “Culture and Society.” The third is dedicated to “Politics and Democracy.” The fourth will address “Economic and Social Responsibility: New Challenges and Pathways.”

The fifth will explore “Communication and New Technologies.” The sixth will delve into “Artificial Intelligence,” and the seventh will tackle “Social Transformations and Education.”