On March 27, the Lumen Christi Institute hosted “Polarization, Social Cohesion, and the Economy,” its 10th Conference on Economics and Catholic Social Thought. This continues an initiative running since 2008 that interrogates economic thought and the contemporary market with the principles of Catholic teaching concerning justice on the human, political, and societal levels. Originally envisioned by Thomas Levergood, Cardinal Francis George, and Joseph Kaboski, for nearly two decades the project has carved out a distinctive space where economic inquiry meets moral and theological reflection. This year’s conference coincided with the fifth anniversary of Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis’s encyclical on fraternity and social friendship, which encouraged revisiting the document’s call for solidarity and reconciliation.
While polarization often feels like a uniquely American issue, this conference — organized with scholars from Germany — deliberated on the global nature of today’s social and economic divisions. In contrast to the parochialism that can dominate domestic discourse, speakers highlighted how Fratelli Tutti provides a framework for healing fractured societies — emphasizing the importance of social cohesion, trust, and the common good. The conversations made clear that these are not merely moral imperatives but economic ones, essential for well-functioning markets and sustainable growth. It is the good not just of the actors’ souls but even the mechanical functioning of the society, to treat human beings as persons with dignity.
During the full-day conference, University of Chicago economist Luigi Zingales captured this intersection powerfully in his presentation on trust, corporate governance, and the need for values in business. The other mainstage discussions echoed this theme, where even traditionally market-oriented scholars advocated for deeper integration of higher values into corporate and economic life. The conference stood as a testament to the Institute’s ongoing mission: fostering a dialogue wherein the Church sets an example for how faith and reason, economics and ethics, can come together to chart a path toward a more just and unified global community.