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Does social justice require socialism?
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Rev. Robert Sirico
In many of the current public policy debates, particularly the one about health care reform, the protagonists generally argue the merits of socialism versus a free market economy.
Rev. Robert Sirico, co-founder and president of the Acton Institute, welcomes this debate coming to the fore of public attention because he believes it crystallizes the issues.
“A full-blown market economy within the framework of the rule of law represents something of a utopian ideal, but it is not one incompatible with justice, morality, and good economic thinking,” he said.
“A trend toward markets is a trend toward freedom and personal responsibility; a trend toward socialism takes us away from freedom.”
Rev. Sirico will present a lecture focused on the question “Does social justice require socialism?” Thursday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the North Raleigh Hilton. The lectures is being sponsored by the Civitas Institute.
The mission of the Acton Institute is to promote a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles.
Rev. Sirico lectures at colleges, universities, and business organizations throughout the U.S. and abroad. His writings on religious, political, economic, and social matters are published in a variety of journals including: the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the London Financial Times, the Washington Times, the Detroit News, and the National Review. He also provides regular commentary on economics, civil rights, and religious issues for CNN, ABC, the BBC, NPR, and CBS 60 Minutes.
Rev. Sirico received his master of divinity degree from the Catholic University of America, following undergraduate study at the University of Southern California and the University of London.
During his studies and early ministry, he experienced a growing concern over the lack of training religious studies students receive in fundamental economic principles, leaving them poorly equipped to understand and address today's social problems. As a result of these concerns, he co-founded the Acton Institute with Kris Alan Mauren in 1990.
He is also currently pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Rev. Sirico is a member of the prestigious Mont Pèlerin Society, the American Academy of Religion, and the Philadelphia Society, and is on the board of advisors of the Civic Institute in Prague. He also served on the Michigan Civil Rights Commission from 1994 to 1998.
Cost for the lecture is $10 per person, $15 per couple or $5 per student. To register, call (919) 834-2099 ext. 105 or go to www.nccivitgas.org.
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