The Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law, and Public Policy and the John A. Ryan Institute for Catholic Social Teaching are pleased to announce that they will join together to become the Terrence J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law, and Business on June 1, 2024.

The newly named institute will deepen the mission-driven legal and business education within the integrated thought and interdisciplinary riches of the Catholic intellectual tradition. By merging the specializations and resources of these two initiatives, the Murphy Institute is even better equipped to elevate its mission in Catholic higher education through impactful scholarship, programming, and ecclesial service.

A partnership between the Center for Catholic Studies and the School of Law and in collaboration with the Opus College of Business, the Murphy Institute engages the Church, the academic community, and the public in rigorous discussions that include historical and contemporary Catholic perspectives to enliven discourse on law, public policy, and business. The Institute draws upon a range of academic disciplines and faith traditions to facilitate scholarship, support students and faculty, and create vibrant programming for the university, Church, and broader legal and business communities.

The Murphy Institute will continue to be led by co-directors comprised of one faculty member each from the School of Law and Catholic Studies. Current leadership includes Professor Greg Sisk, Pio Cardinal Laghi Distinguished Chair in Law, and Monsignor Martin Schlag, Moss Endowed Chair for Catholic Social Thought.

“The Murphy and Ryan Institutes have long track records of mission-centered excellence in law and business,” says University of St. Thomas President Rob Vischer. “By combining their strengths, the new Murphy Institute of Catholic Thought, Law, and Business will grow in influence as a leading forum for exploring the insights Catholic teaching has to offer in these disciplines that are absolutely vital to human flourishing.”

In the coming months, two such events will be particularly impactful. First, a program in October will feature two leading legal scholars presenting their opposing views on the merits of religious exemptions in a spirited yet civil dialogue. Second, a three-day international conference will be hosted next summer in Lima, Peru on sustainability and integral ecology to examine these themes from theological, philosophical, economic, legal, and business perspectives.

For more information on the Murphy Institute and its activities, please visit our website.