Cardinal Bernardin Common Cause Series

Named after Joseph Bernardin, Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago from 1982 to 1996, for his influential work toward Church reform after the Second Vatican Council through his Catholic Common Ground Initiative. Bernardin further sought to address social issues, especially in developing his “Seamless Garment Ethic of Life" He also worked toward ecumenism and interfaith dialogue throughout his life.

Inaugurated in April 2017 with speaker Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, the Cardinal Bernardin Common Cause lecture series offers Catholic prelates a platform to engage Loyola’s community in common cause with the Church on issues facing us today.

 

  • 2025 Annual Cardinal Bernardin Lecture featuring Bishop Mark Seitz

    April 22, 2025 | 7–8:30 pm
    McCormick Lounge, Coffey Hall, Lake Shore Campus

    The Hank Center is excited to welcome Most Rev. Mark J. Seitz, Bishop of El Paso and Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, to deliver the annual Cardinal Bernardin Common Cause lecture.

    Immigration is a particularly critical issue at the present moment in the United States. In the midst of the contentious public dialog, Catholics find themselves at an important theological and moral crossroads. This is especially true in light of Pope Francis’ recent letter to the United States calling for all bishops to work closely with migrants and refugees, and for all Catholics to reject narratives that discriminate and dehumanize. Just as Pope Francis has been a consistent and firm voice on the infinite dignity of migrants over the past decade, so too has Bishop Seitz.

    In addition to being outspoken on the duty to care for immigrants, Bishop Seitz has served migrant families and refugees face-to-face in El Paso with compassion, solidarity, and love. Yet as Bishop Seitz’s ministry models, the gospel obligation to welcome the stranger with openness is not just the work of a ‘border bishop’ like himself, but rather it is for all who are part of a true ‘border church,’ which, in the vision of Pope Francis, exists to go out to the margins.

    This event is free and open to the public.

  • 2024 Annual Cardinal Bernardin Lecture featuring Papal Nuncio, Cardinal Christophe Pierre

    April 11, 2024 at 7pm
    McCormick Lounge, Coffey Hall, LSC
    This lecture, named after Joseph Bernardin, Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago from 1982 to 1996, for his influential work toward Church reform after the Second Vatican Council through his Catholic Common Ground Initiative. Bernardin further sought to address social issues, especially in developing his “Seamless Garment Ethic of Life" He also worked toward ecumenism and interfaith dialogue throughout his life. This year’s Bernardin Lecturer was Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. His lecture was entitled, "Pope Francis: Discernment and the Dialectic of Mercy."
    This event is free and open to the public. Event Video Coming Soon.

  • 2023 Annual Cardinal Bernardin Common Cause Lecture - Bishop John Stowe, O.F.M. CONV.

    Tuesday, April 11, 2023
    7:00PM-8:30PM CT
    McCormick Lounge, LSC and Livestreamed
    The Cardinal Bernardin Common Cause lecture series provides Catholic prelates a platform to engage people of good will in common cause with the Church on important issues facing us today. The Hank Center welcomed our 2023 Bernardin Lecturer - the Most Rev. John Stowe, O.F.M. Conv., Bishop of Lexington, Kentucky. Rev.
    This event was free and open to the public. Event recording is coming soon.

  • The 2022 Cardinal Bernardin Common Cause Lecture: Bishop Daniel Flores

    May 5, 2022, 6:00 PM CDT
    Zoom Forum
    The Cardinal Bernardin Common Cause lecture series offers Catholic prelates a platform to engage people of good will in common cause with the Church on important issues facing us today. The Hank Center welcomed our 2022 Bernardin Lecturer - the Most Rev. Daniel E. Flores, Bishop of Brownsville, Texas.
    Video Available.

  • The 2021 Cardinal Bernardin Common Cause Lecture: Cardinal Joseph Tobin

    May 4, 2021, 4:00 PM CDT
    Zoom Forum
    Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, offered this year’s Bernardin Lecture, which seeks to engage LUC’s community in dialogue about issues facing the Church today. Co-sponsored by Loyola’s Jesuit Community. Free and open to the public.

  • SPRING 2019: Quo Vadis? Scholars and Journalists Discuss the Future of Catholicism

    Catholicism in America is at a crossroads. What are the hopes and challenges of American Catholics today? Thanks to those who joined our panelists for a conversation on accountability, leadership, participation, and other issues facing the Church in America.

  • The Future of Catholicism in America Discussion

    In-depth dialogue on the publication The Future of Catholicism in America. Editors Patricia O’Connell Killen & Mark Silk, alongside other scholars, discussed themes explored in the book

  • The 2018 Cardinal Bernardin Common Cause Lecture

    In honor of Cardinal Bernardin's legacy, Bishop Robert McElroy outlined resources for forming an astute political imagination in a time of cultural crisis. How might a Catholic imagination amplify a national moral aspiration founded in justice, freedom, and solidarity?

  • The 2017 Cardinal Bernardin Common Cause Lecture

    In honor of Cardinal Bernardin's legacy, Cardinal Blase Joseph Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, addressed our common ground in a time of division. How do we bear witness to hope and encourage others to live and defend the faith?