Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at USC

Research. Dialogue. Understanding. IACS works to spark ideas and sustain academic research on Catholic thought, creative imagination and lived experience. In a divided world, our mission has never been more essential. dornsife.usc.edu/iacs/ #IACS

We are approaching the 225th birthday of John Cardinal Newman, the towering intellectual figure of 19th century Catholicism. Mike Moreland, Chair of the IACS Board, will speak at Penn's Collegium Institute on "Cardinal Newman, Pope Leo, and Americanism" collegiuminstitute.org/calendar/2026-…

Archbishop José Gomez led Mass for immigrants at @olacathedral , opening with a prayer for all who come to contribute to the American community, for the safety of law enforcement & protestors, and that government leaders open their hearts to the dignity of all. Lovely. #Catholic

The passing of a dedicated and faithful Catholic journalist, committed to a better society and a Church of witness. Too young but at rest at last; prayers for Elise. @IACSUSC #CatholicTwitter #Catholic John L. Allen Jr, 1965-2026 cruxnow.com/church/2026/01…

A great Christmas story, of God encountered as Beauty & Love, not ideas—at least not first or only ideas: from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. nytimes.com/2018/04/30/opi…

Thought-provoking piece by @DavidAFrench in @nytimes — not your typical partisan jab. He goes deep on how religion and politics in the US are entwined, and why that matters beyond left vs right. Worth a read: nytimes.com/2025/11/16/opi…

Two very different reactions to Pope Leo's comments that being authentically pro-life is much wider than just abortion. Which do you think gets it right? 1. Leo wasn’t contradicting John Paul II on ‘pro-life,’ he was echoing him cruxnow.com/news-analysis/…

IACS-affiliated scholars: great sabbatical or book opportunity: note imminent deadline! Collegeville Institute collegevilleinstitute.org/residencies/av…

@IACSUSC president Richard Wood spoke overnight in a worldwide webinar on "Catholic Thought in Asia" with leading scholars from that region. Webinar led by Dr. Paolo Garona of the Centesimus Annus Pontifical Foundation and @IACSUSC friend and collaborator Fr. Albert Alejo.

Last night with Brazilian jazz legend Ivan Linz and band, at Disney Concert Hall in LA. Gentle, romantic jazz in a brazileiro mode: #jazz

A deeply thoughtful Catholic take on one of today’s most divisive issues. This reflection brings clarity, compassion, and moral depth to the immigration debate. IACS offers that kind of thinking to both church and society. 👉 ncregister.com/commentaries/t… ncregister.com/commentaries/t…

If you live in Los Angeles: If you have a way to get to Los Angeles: If you love classical music: RUN do not walk to get a ticket to LAPhilharmonic this next 3 days! Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony” (2nd) Truly extraordinary.

We are excited to learn from IACS affiliate Maureen K. Day. Join us on Tuesday, September 30 for a discussion of her new book, Catholicism at a Crossroads: The Present and Future of America's Largest Church. Parking available across the street at the USC Village 3301 S Hoover St

Tomorrow: to meet the Pope Leo: of Chicago, USA and Latin America!

Pope Leo canonizes “God’s influencer,” the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint! apple.news/ADAWonWMDRQiQC…

IACS Research Scholar Dr. Tricia Bruce delivering her Presidential Address at the 2025 Association for the Sociology of Religion annual meeting in Chicago today— on her Chicago forebear Aunt Chuck, Pope Francis, and Pope Leo, and the place of Catholic scholars in ‘thinking with the Church’ into the future.

Dr. Maureen Day speaking on "Catholic Theology of Family" at the two-day Symposium on the Future of Catholicism, co-sponsored in Chicago by IACS & ASR—some 40 Catholic scholars thinking together about the complex realities of contemporary families. #Catholic #CatholicTwitter

IACS building global networks:

IACS President Richard Wood is one of 45 attendees from Church, labor, business & academic sectors convened by the Holy See & US bishops’ conference on meeting challenge of constructive social dialogue (Spanish versiion) #Catholic ⁦⁦⁦@USCCB⁩ vaticannews.va/es/iglesia/new…

Important and challenging article by great African friend of IACS @stanchuilo Ending Aid Dependency: The Catholic Church and Africa’s Path to Dignity - voiceafrique.org/ending-aid-dep…