In today's highly divided political climate conversations concerning capital punishment, same-sex marriage, and abortion often result in heated debates. Does the U.S. Constitution guarantee gay and lesbian couples the right to marry? Should a fetus be granted the same rights as an adult woman? Is capital punishment 'cruel and unusual' in every circumstance?

This spring, CSLR faculty report a number of major national and international lectures, newly published and forthcoming books, and high academic honors, including the election of Senior Fellow Jean Porter (Notre Dame) to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

CSLR Senior Fellow Michael J. Perry recently spoke on one of the nation's most contentious issues -- same-sex marriage as a human right -- at King College in Bristol, Tenn, where he was a featured speaker of the Buechner Institute Lecture Series.

Catholic bishops have been in the news lately saying that the federal mandate that private insurers cover contraceptive services violates religious freedom.

CSLR senior fellows continued their formidable global lecture schedule during the 2010-2011 academic year to increase understanding among students, religious leaders, and policymakers of the complex issues surrounding religious liberty, international human rights, marriage and family law, bioethics, and neighborhood stabilization policies.