St. Norbert College will host the Fall 2026 Killeen Chair of Theology & Philosophy Lecture, “Has the Catholic Church Rejected War? How to Answer Papal Calls for Peace,” featuring Daniel Philpott, professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame.

Pope Leo XIV’s and Pope Francis’s statements against war are only the latest in a series of vociferous condemnations of war dating back to Pope Benedict XV at the time of World War One. Has the magisterium rejected the Church’s traditional just war ethic? Philpott argues that we can answer the popes’ summonses by expanding the Church’s traditional notion of justice and thus the meaning of a just peace. In practice this means taking up and developing new practices of non-violence, peacebuilding, and reconciliation that have arisen around the globe in recent years. Among others, U.S. policymakers can profit from these practices in light of its fraught efforts to end war in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places.

Philpott earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University and specializes in religion and global politics, focusing on religious freedom, reconciliation, the political behavior of religious actors, and Christian political theology.

WHEN:

Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026 | 7 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. A post reception of beverages and desserts will follow.

WHERE:

Fort Howard Theater

F.K. Bemis International Center

St. Norbert College

MORE INFORMATION:

Visit https://snc.edu/killeen/philpott for more information.