The First
The Monthly Newsletter of Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church
December 2019
Announcing Virtual Tables
As a network, CTEWC seeks to facilitate and promote debate among theological ethicists. This takes place via meetings, conferences and other forms of encounter. Here we offer a new format: virtual tables . In regular video conferences, ethicists from different regions of the world come together to discuss a topic. A virtual table works over a longer period of time (initially one year) in order to enable a serious and continuous discussion of the topic.

As a discussion forum, the virtual table is an end in itself. Nevertheless, the groups can decide whether they want to plan further joint projects (book project, workshop, etc.). In the First and on the CTEWC website, the virtual tables will provide quarterly information about their work.
The first round of the virtual tables starts in December, 2019. Interested persons can apply to the organizers of the virtual table in which they are interested by December 22, 2019 . Please note: the number of participants is limited in order to ensure the ability to work. We therefore ask for your understanding if participation in a certain case may not be possible.


There is also a form to propose new virtual tables . The next virtual tables are expected to start March, 2020.  

Featured Forum Articles
African Forum : "Impugning the Nairobi Summit (ICPD25)"
- Kakeeto Augustine Richard

European Forum : "Thirty Years after the Fall of the Wall"
- Ingeborg Gabriel

North American Forum : "Advent Anticipation in a Time of Endless War"
- Mary Jo Iozzio
Asian Forum : "Initiative from a Retired Moral Theologian"
- Dionius Bismoko Mahamboro

Latin American and Caribbean Forum : "Tierras, una urgencia para la Paz"
- Susana Nuin Nuñez

Junior Scholars Forum : " Paternidad responsable o aborto masculino"
- Jutta Battenberg
Asian Regional Report
Invitation to Join Ecclesia of Women in Asia IX Video Conferencing

On Friday, January 17, 2020, 8:30 AM in Malaysia (January 16, 2020, Thursday 7:30 PM US-CST Time) there will be an interactive video conference featuring one of the paper sessions of the biennial conference of the Ecclesia of Women in Asia (EWA), which will be taking place at the Monash University, Malaysia Campus. EWA is a forum of Catholic women doing theology in Asia. EWA’s vision is the development of theologizing from Asian women’s perspectives and the recognition of Asian Catholic women theologians as equal partners in theological discussions within the Church and Academe. This is the 4th video conferencing that EWA is holding in collaboration with partners from the Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church.

The theme of the conference is "Displacements and Disqualifications: Its Shadows and Silhouettes,” which focuses on the intersectionality of migration.  Click here for further information.
New Book

The Family Moral Values in Vālmīki Rāmāyana and in the Teachings of the Catholic Church: A Comparative Study , by Michael Peters, is a first attempt to make a systematic study to cull-out the ethical and moral family values enshrined in Vālmīki Rāmāyana which is one of the most ancient Epics of the Hindu tradition that forms part of Hindu Puranas and an indispensable part of Hindu Scriptures. Read more about the book .
European Regional Report
Scholarships for Projects in Historical Religious Studies, University of Mainz
The EU funded project “Research Infrastructure on Religious Studies” (ReIReS) offers docs, postdocs and senior scholars the opportunity to carry out their research project in Historical Religious Studies, including projects in Christian Ethics with a historical perspective (e.g. History of Moral Theology). Scholars throughout Europe are invited to apply for a transnational access scholarship to consult the collections of libraries and archives (including digital resources) with the help of local experts, while ReIReS covers the costs for travel and accommodation. ReIReS offers scholarships in outstanding European research centres, libraries and archives in Leuven, Sofia, Paris, Mainz, Hamburg, and Bologna.

For the historical study of Christian Ethics special attention is drawn to the libraries in Mainz, with their rich holdings on scholasticism and neo-scholasticism in the diocesan library (Martinusbibliothek) and the newly arranged Theology Faculty Library (Protestant and Catholic; Bereichsbibliothek Theologie). Access is also provided to the extensive holdings of the Mainz university library with 3.5 million print media, 30,000 e-journals and 85,600 e-books.

The call for applications will be open from January 6 until February 16, 2020; for detailed information about research opportunities and the application procedure visit the website .
  New Books

Grégoire Catta's Catholic Social Teaching as Theology focuses on a few post-Vatican II papal social encyclicals, namely Paul VI’s Populorum progressio, John Paul II’s Sollicitudo rei socialis, Benedict XVI’s Caritas in veritate, and Francis’ Laudato Si’. Obviously, particular historical challenges and specific world views adopted by the popes shape their ethical reasoning and political priorities for action, but these papal documents do more. Social encyclicals have a lot to teach us about, say, Christology, theological anthropology, or divine revelation.
In Approaches to Theological Ethics: Sources, Traditions, Visions, Maureen Junker-Kenny offers a systematic overview of the discipline of theological ethics in the variety of its approaches, which draw upon different philosophical traditions and theological visions. Part One examines the four sources of theological ethics: the Bible, tradition, philosophical accounts of the human, and the individual human sciences. Part Two compares five frameworks in English- and German-speaking theological ethics, based on virtue, worship, natural law, autonomy, and feminist analyses. Part Three compares three types of vision - integralist, praxis-oriented, and discourse-focused, and concludes with current exchanges on religion in the public sphere.
University of Wuerzburg, Germany

Postdoctoral Research Associate (f/m/d) full-time (part-time is possible)
Topic: “To serve and not to rule. On a difficult theological line of argument”

Doctoral Research Associate (f/m/d), part-time (50%)
Topic: “Courage and religious resistance”

"The 'Good' Algorithm? Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, Law, Health"

From February 26-28, 2020, the Pontifical Academy for Life in Vatican City will host the workshop "The 'Good' Algorithm: Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, Law, Health" during the 26th General Assembly of Members. The workshop is open to all those interested in this field. Poster presentation is welcome during the congress.
For information, registration and poster submission, please visit us on the Web or Twitter.
Latin American and Caribbean Regional Report
El Prof. Pablo A. Blanco Gonzalez (miembro del comité de CTEWC Latinoamérica) comparte el artículo que le fue publicado por la revista Criterio (Argentina) en su último número, bajo el título: “Gestos, palabras y praxis pastoral de Francisco”. Enlace al artículo.
Grants and Fellowships
Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, USA

The Kroc Institute is hosting a Visiting Research Fellowship for 2020-21 (one semester or full year) on sustainable development and climate change, especially from a Catholic perspective. It is open to theological ethicists from around the world. Details and information can be found here , and the deadline for applications is January 1.

Marion and Jasper Whiting Foundation

The foundation is now accepting fellowship grants for travel and related expenses for 2020 from current college and university teachers in the New England region of the United States. More information here , and applications are due January 10.