An Integral Ethic of Solidarity: Cardinal Blase Cupich on the Enduring Legacy of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin

Forty years after Cardinal Bernardin’s landmark speech at Fordham University in which he set out a “consistent ethic of life,” his successor as Archbishop of Chicago continues to broaden the conversation first begun in 1983.

The timing of this talk could not be more propitious: Pope Francis has been promoting a “seamless garment” view of Catholic teaching throughout his decade-long pontificate, arguing that all life is sacred and that Catholics cannot prioritize one issue at the expense of others. Moreover, the Dobbs decision created a new landscape regarding abortion, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is set to debate an updated version of its guide for Catholic voters ahead of next year’s elections.

In this talk, Cardinal Blase Cupich will amplify the vision of both the pope and Cardinal Bernardin, setting it in the contemporary American context and pointing toward a path beyond the culture wars.

Cardinal Cupich was appointed the ninth Archbishop of Chicago by Pope Francis in 2014, and the pope elevated him to the College of Cardinals in November 2016.

David Gibson, director of Fordham’s Center on Religion and Culture, will moderate a discussion after the talk, including questions from the audience.