WEDNESDAY, JULY 10
The Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Initiative’s fourth annual Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit culminated on Wednesday, July 10 with its Religious Liberty Gala and Awards Dinner and Dedication of the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic in Notre Dame’s Dahnke Ballroom.
At the gala, the 2024 Notre Dame Prize for Religious Liberty was awarded to Nazila Ghanea, and the 2024 Religious Liberty Initiative Scholarship Award was presented to Thomas C. Berg. Lindsay and Matt Moroun and family, generous benefactors of the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Clinic, were also recognized with a special dedication.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WELCOME REMARKS
Professor Stephanie Barclay
Professor Stephanie Barclay, director of the Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Initiative, offered remarks at the gala, during which she highlighted the unique work of the Religious Liberty Initiative and its important role at Notre Dame and within the international religious freedom community at large.
"Something that is unique about Notre Dame, and the reason why we want to bring the summit back to this campus regularly, is the special and unique spirit that you find at Notre Dame. It's that spirit that first drew me to accept Marcus's offer to join the faculty here at Notre Dame Law School. This week, we hope that as you have discussed difficult and timely issues, you have felt that spirit. You have certainly added to it with your courage and your vulnerability in pursuit of truth."
Stephanie Barclay, Director of Notre Dame Law School’s Religious Liberty Initiative
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE OPENING REMARKS
Dean G. Marcus Cole
Notre Dame Law School Dean G. Marcus Cole, founder of Notre Dame Law School’s Religious Liberty Initiative, spoke about the initiative's inception, its personal importance to him, and the significance it plays in the University of Notre Dame and Notre Dame Law School communities.
"If we are to win the case for religious freedom, we must prove to the secular world that the world is a better place with freedom of religion or belief, even if they do not believe. We must win this case in the court of public opinion, and that courtroom is in each heart. We cannot win hearts with reason; we must win hearts with love."
"Don’t get me wrong; law is important. But for America, and the world, we must restore faith in faith. While we are fighting the battles over the separation of church and state, we must win the battle for separation of church and hate. We will win both battles with our most powerful weapon — love."
Dean G. Marcus Cole, Founder of Notre Dame Law School’s Religious Liberty Initiative
2024 RELIGIOUS LIBERTY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Professor Thomas C. Berg
The 2024 Religious Liberty Initiative Scholarship Award was awarded to Thomas C. Berg, the James L. Oberstar Professor of Law and Public Policy at the University of St. Thomas School of Law.
The award recognizes Berg’s scholarly accomplishments in the field of law and religion, and the many careful contributions made to theoretical thinking about religious liberty.
"For religious freedom to remain vital, we must make it strong for all faiths, and also think carefully about the boundaries of religious freedom that do need to take into account other important interests while still protecting religious liberty, and that's where intellectual work and careful thinking comes in."
"The long-term health of religious liberty requires defending it with arguments that can cross ideological lines, that can persuade people who are not already predisposed to accepting religious liberty or the particular claim in question."
Professor Thomas C. Berg, University of St. Thomas School of Law
2024 NOTRE DAME PRIZE FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Professor Nazila Ghanea
The 2024 Notre Dame Prize for Religious Liberty was awarded to Nazila Ghanea in recognition of her outstanding service advocating for freedom of religion or belief and its interrelationship with other human rights all across the world. Ghanea serves as the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Director of International Human Rights Law Programmes at the University of Oxford.
The prize is given annually to one individual in recognition of their achievement and support in preserving religious liberty. Ghanea is the fourth recipient of the Notre Dame Prize for Religious Liberty.
"This summit provides such a wonderful opportunity for those who cherish freedom of religion or belief for all, for all who seek to advance it both at home and around the world. We can share experiences, consider challenges, regain strength, and seek the opportunities together."
"By seeking to advance this freedom for others, we too are enriched. Our understanding of what others hold dearly as matters of conscience grow; our efforts to appreciate that diversity expand our horizons and our empathy. As we consult those who are impacted and seek to support them, we learn together how to uphold respect for everyone in the process."
Professor Nazila Ghanea, UN Special Rapporteur on FoRB and Director of International Human Rights Law Programmes at the University of Oxford
Dedication of the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic
The gala also featured a special dedication to the Moroun family, whose transformational gift led to the establishment of the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Clinic in 2020. In recognition of their generous contribution, it was announced at the gala that the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Clinic will now be known as the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic.
Within the Law School's Catholic tradition, the Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic will continue to prepare the rising generation of religious liberty advocates by training students in the practice of the law as they defend the freedom of religion or belief for all people.
"As a Catholic university, Notre Dame has from its founding proven that faith is not only compatible with a free society and the open pursuit of truth; it is necessary to their fulfillment. That is why Notre Dame Law School is the ideal home for an initiative that prepares its students to be fearless defenders of every person’s God-given right to live their lives according to their beliefs. We are thrilled to support this mission, and to ensure that it can continue as long as necessary."
"Protecting religious freedom doesn't mean just your religion. All beliefs and lives carried out according to those beliefs must be protected…We are blessed and honored to be a part of the Law School's Clinic as it leverages the talents and zeal of its leaders and law students to protect this foundational freedom."
Lindsay and Matt Moroun
CLOSING REMARKS AND BENEDICTION
President Fr. Robert Dowd, C.S.C.
University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. delivered the closing remarks and benediction.
"We're so grateful for your support of Notre Dame's mission and for your support of the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic. I'm excited about the future and what we're going to be able to do on behalf of religious liberty and in defense of the dignity of the human person."
Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., President of the University of Notre Dame
Read more about the Gala and Awards Dinner and Dedication of the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic here: 2024 Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit hosts Gala and Awards Dinner and Dedication of the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic
Read more about the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic here: Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Clinic to be named the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic
Read the other daily recaps from the 2024 Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit: