Since the end of society is to make people better, the chief good that society can possess is virtue.
Pope Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum
In a world that moves constantly farther away from God, it’s plain to see the devastating effects on society.
A culture indifferent to the dignity of life has a ripple effect on all areas of our lives. Radical individualism, moral relativism, and a rejection of the dignity of life from conception to death have contributed to the brokenness within our society.
As God’s children, we have a unique, personal bond with our Creator. But our relationship with God extends beyond our personal lives. We also belong to each other. We are a covenant family.
Our covenant is broken. It needs to be restored, and it's up to us to do it.
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) can serve as our map. Rooted in scripture and tradition, CST centers on seven themes that work together to build a just society.
Join us as we discuss how these principles, values, and virtues of the Catholic faith have the power to completely transform our culture into one that recognizes and upholds the inherent dignity of every human person.
Each one of us has a role to play in society. We belong to one another. If you desire to be part of the movement to renew society by re-establishing our shared values, then this conference is for you. All are welcome.
Primer: Origins and Content of CST
Why attend?
Introduction
Catholic Conscience’s next annual conference on Building a Culture of Life and Dignity will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at De La Salle Oaklands College, 131 Farnham Avenue, in Toronto, Ontario.
The topic of this year’s conference is Restoring the Covenant: CST as Common Social Ground. As a part of the larger series, the conference series is intended to advance at least three separate but related purposes:
- To advance civic conversation on the restoration of a social covenant based on shared principles and values
- To bring together all Canadian Catholic social and civic initiatives (along with others of goodwill), to increase awareness and promote cooperation among them
- To promote volunteer, full- and part-time employment, and fundraising possibilities for such civic initiatives
This conference should be of interest to all Catholics and others of goodwill who seek to improve society by re-establishing common social principles and values, as an alternative to radical individualism and other social currents that tend to draw people apart from God and one another. We anticipate a number of relevant presentations and discussions, including the participation of many leading Canadian Catholic voices. Side meetings and small group conversations will also be encouraged throughout the day.
Facilities will be provided for organizations wishing to share literature, etc., with attendees. Please contact us at registration@catholicconscience.org for more information.
Conference Schedule Overview
8:00AM
Registration
Coffee and pastries will be available for all attendees.
8:15AM
Rosary
The Rosary of the New Covenant will be prayed in the Chapel, during the early part of the registration period. Reflections will focus on Christ as bringer and teacher of the New Covenant. Time will be available afterward to complete registration and for coffee and pastry.
9:00AM
Welcoming & Opening Keynote
The Most Reverend Mark Hagemoen, Bishop of Saskatoon, will speak on Spiritually Formative Political Engagement: the Call to Differentiated Responsibility.
Plenary #1
Father John Meehan, SJ, of the University of Saint Michael's College, will speak on the topic of Truth, Well-Being, and Reconciliation: Canada, the Papal pilgrimage, and how Catholic Social Teaching ca inform the Church's response to the TRC's 94 Calls to Action.
Plenary #2
Peter Copeland of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute will be joined by Harvard's John and Daria Barry postdoctoratal Fellow Tucker Sigourney in speaking on the topic of human flourishing, and how to measure it.
Plenary #3
Moira McQueen, LLB, MDiv, and PhD will speak on the relationship between CST and social wellness indices. Dr McQueen is a consultant in moral theology and bioethics.
12:00PM
Networking Lunch
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Breakout Sessions
From 1 - 4 PM three sessions of four concurrent discussions will take place. 15 minute breaks will be provided between sessions. All sessions will be recorded and available for later viewing by participants, as it will not be possible for anyone to attend all sessions live.
Spaces will be available for groups and individuals wishing to host side conversations on topics of special interest.
1:00 PM
Session 26-1: The Family as Domestic Church
Holly Raj of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys FertilityCare will facilitate a small panel discussion the role of the family first educators and first caregivers, including in teaching, promoting and witnessing social values. Panelists include Kathleen Muggeridge, Althea Barthos M.D., Matthew Marquardt.
Session 26-2: Parish Social Action at the Borough Level: Montreal's Initiative
Louise Royer, Director of the Office of Social Outreach of the Archdiocese of Montreal, will describe Montreal's experience with parish-based social activism at the neighbourhood or borough level.
Session 26-3: The Role of the Media in Promoting and Shaping Social Values
Peter Stockland, one of Canada's most prominent journalists leads journalist Luke Manadato, novelist and professor Randy Boyagoda, and communications specialist Dominic Chan in a discussion of the roles of newspapers, popular media, literature, and electronic communications.
Session 26-4: An Economy for All
Peter Copeland of the McDonald-Laurier Institute leads Dr Tucker Sigourney of Harvard University; Myron Rogal, social justice coordinator for the Diocese of Saskatoon, and Renze Nauta of Cardus in an exploration of Catholic alternatives for building an economy that supports real human well-being.
2:00 PM
Session 26-5: The Family & Society
Holly Raj leads Dr Mary Marrocco, Dr Moira McQueen, Professor Christian Elia, and Nurse Margaret Smith in a discussion of the civic role of the family, its rights, obligations, and social challenges.
Session 26-6: The Bonds of Solidarity: Subsidiarity and Refugee Resettlement
Renza Nauta of Cardus will discuss one of his latest studies with Dr Miles Smit.
Session 26-7: Civic Participation
Raphael Fernandez and Kathleen Muggeridge will discuss options for civic participation by individuals as a means of civic evangelization.
Session 26-8: Promoting Peace
Brian McDonough, founding director of the Office of Social Outreach of the Archdiocese of Montreal.
3:00 PM
Session 26-9: Pre-K through Post-Grad Education
Sophia Tierney of the Young Professional Catholics of Toronto will facilitate a discussion of the role and purpose of education in society, and the roles of educators and other social institutions in deciding what values should be taught to children, who should teach them, and how they should be taught.
Session 26-10: Civic Role of Prayer
Myron Rogal, Social Justice Coordinator for the Diocese of Saskatoon, will discuss the role of civic prayer involving the individual, the parish, and the larger institutional Church.
Session 26-11: Professional Witness - the Roles of Guilds and Professional Associations and Regulators
Dr Miles Smit will discuss the role of guilds, associations, and professional regulators in influencing social values.
Session 26-12: Justice, Peace and the Earth
Luke Stocking, Director of Public Engagement of Development and Peace - Caritas Canada will address the need to consider the needs of our common home when setting social policy.
4:00PM
Closing Plenary & Remarks
Closing Plenary
Maria Lucas, Esq., will speak on the topic of Living Covenant.
Thanks and closing remarks
5:00PM
Closing Plenary & Remarks
Holy Mass
His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, who has served as Archbishop of Toronto and as a member of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, the Congregation for Catholic Education, and the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, will celebrate Holy Mass and send us forth to share Gospel values with the world.
6:00PM
End of the Conference
Conference Pass
Early Bird Registration
by April 30, 2026
$75
Registration
From May 1, 2026
$90