The Annual Meeting of the Society of Christian Ethics, a professional society of approximately one thousand people who teach and write and work in the areas of Christian Ethics and Moral Theology, will meet next week at the Palmer House in Chicago. The SCE, which includes members from a wide variety of traditions within Christianity, meets annually in conjunction with the Society of Jewish Ethics and the Society for the Study of Muslim Ethics.

Because I am the president of the SCE this year, I got to set the theme: Law and Christian Ethics. And I am so delighted with the result!

As you can see if you peruse the program, we have a great set of papers to hear, on topics related to the theme and on other topics as well.

The two plenary sessions should be fascinating.

The opening plenary is a session organized around Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, who will offer his perspective on the challenges of governing in a religiously pluralistic society. His interlocutors include prominent members of the three societies which meet together each year. Governor O'Malley has thought very deeply about questions at the intersection of law, politics, and faith--I can't wait to hear the conversation, which will be moderated by the incisive and nimble Bill Werpehowski.

Friday, January 9

9:00-10:30am SCE Plenary Grand Ballroom - 4th

Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland
"The Challenges of Political Leadership in a Religiously Pluralistic Society"
Respondents: Jonathan K. Crane, Emory University
Sohail Hashmi, Mount Holyoke College
Sondra Wheeler, Wesley Theological Seminary

Convener: William Werpehowski, Georgetown University

The second plenary moves to international matters. Is "civil disobedience" ever justified with reference to the international law of war? Can one go to war for humanitarian reasons? This question will be discussed by Mary Ellen O'Connell, who is a highly distinguished international lawyer, and Nigel Biggar, a highly distinguished Christian ethicist. Bill George, an expert in international law and Christian ethics himself, will wisely and insightfully ask the key questions.

9:00-10:30am SCE Plenary Grand Ballroom - 4th
Mary Ellen O'Connell, University of Notre Dame
"The Just War Tradition v. The International Law Against War"
Respondent: Nigel Biggar, Christ Church, Oxford University

Convener: William George, Dominican University

People tell me the SCE has never been snowed out in Chicago--but there is always a first time!
Who is the patron saint of weather--any prayers on behalf of our conference would be greatly appreciated!