The Challenge for a More Humane Economy
The Catholic Church holds a rich tradition of thought on the governance of society and individuals, based on their beliefs and relationships with God, themselves, others, and nature. Throughout history, the Church has urged humanity towards a civilization shaped by the spirit and principles of Christian love. At the end of the 19th century, in response to profound social changes brought about by industrial development, the Church formally articulated its social message with Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum (1891). Since then, social encyclicals have expressed and spread the call for justice and peace, highlighting true development in accordance with divine wisdom and contemporary issues.
These encyclicals have increasingly inspired Catholic scholars, economists, and the world of finance and business to infuse market economies with Christian culture, emphasizing the importance of Catholic contributions to the theory and realization of a more humane and fraternal economy. The core of MCE’s mission is to respond to this challenge.
Catholic Social Teaching
MCE and its network of scholars are dedicated to making the Church’s social encyclicals accessible by translating them into clear and concrete language. Through dialogue with the public, they offer a Catholic perspective on the most pressing challenges of our time and promote a vision of global development that is truly inclusive, free, and just.
History of Economic Thought
MCE, by rediscovering economic thought and social theory, highlights the fundamental role of culture and ethics in shaping economic and social life. At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of a deeper anthropological perspective to guide the social sciences toward a more humane and sustainable future.
Publication Storia del pensiero economico e fede cristiana, eds. M. Schlag, A. Roncella, ESC 2020
Church Management
MCE studies the field of Church Management, exploring solutions for the sustainable management of ecclesiastical resources. In addition to research, it organizes practical workshops to support institutions in improving their administrative practices in line with the principles of Catholic social teaching.
Publication Economics for Ecclesiastics. A Guide, eds. M. Schlag, G. Schlitzer, Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2024
Empowering Marginalized People through Social Business Hybrids
MCE explores the role of social innovation in the contemporary world, examining the performance of innovative economic and financial models in fostering more inclusive development. At the same time, it highlights how businesses can contribute to building a fairer and more human-centered economy.
Webinar Series "Empowering People"
Christian Identity in Healthcare Organizations
This research area focuses on the relationship between Catholic identity and the management of healthcare organizations, with particular attention to how Christian values are expressed in the selection and delivery of services to the sick. The research examines how Catholic healthcare institutions balance fidelity to their spiritual mission with the economic and market demands of the healthcare sector.
Publication Riscoprire il carisma fondazionale vivendone le virtù sul lavoro, a cura di M. Schlag, Edizioni Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo 2013
Publication Intrasectoral variation in mission and values: The case of the Catholic health systems, K. R. White & R. Dandi, Health Care Management Review, 34(1), 68-79, 2009
Publication Catholic hospital services for vulnerable populations: Are system values sufficient determinants?, K. R. White, T. H. Chou, R. Dandi, Health Care Management Review, 35(2), 175-186, 2010
Training Course “Riscoprire il carisma fondazionale vivendone le virtù sul lavoro" A course designed for employees - particularly middle and senior managers - of Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza in San Giovanni Rotondo, the hospital founded by Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. It offered a reflection on the role of virtues in daily work in the service of the sick. The course was held over nine editions from 2010 to 2019.
Webinar "Management Issues in Fulfilling the Mission of Catholic Health Care Organizations" (January 16, 2020)
Interreligious Dialogue, Justice, and Peace
MCE explores the connection between interreligious dialogue, justice, and peace, analyzing how cultural and religious encounters can foster a more equitable and harmonious society. It studies the role of religions in promoting social justice and intercultural integration. Through an interdisciplinary approach, this line of research aims to build bridges between different faith communities, contributing to a more inclusive and conscious coexistence.
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