Catholic Thought, Law, and Business
A partnership between the Center for Catholic Studies and the School of Law and in collaboration with the Opus College of Business, the Terrence J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law, and Business (“the Murphy Institute”) serves to deepen mission-driven legal and business education within the integrated thought and interdisciplinary riches of the Catholic intellectual tradition. Through local, national, and international seminars, conferences, talks, debates, and publications, the Murphy Institute works to engage the Church, the academic community, and the public in rigorous discussions that include historical and contemporary Catholic perspectives to enliven discourse on law, public policy, and business. The Institute draws upon a range of academic disciplines and faith traditions to facilitate scholarship, support students and faculty, and create vibrant programming for the university, Church, and broader legal and business communities.
The development of students and faculty is essential to the activity of the Murphy Institute. We regularly provide opportunities for students to engage in the intellectual, moral, and spiritual relationship between Catholic social teachings and business and legal theory and practice. A fellowship is also available to select graduate students through the Murphy Scholars program for further exploration of the intersection of law, business, and the Catholic intellectual tradition.
To support of faculty development, we offer seminars and events on the mission and identity of the Catholic university related to Catholic social thought and legal and business education. A Ryan Fellow is sponsored by the Institute each year to provide additional resources toward research focused on intersection of Catholic social thought and business.
The Murphy Institute offers a variety of public programming on contemporary issues related to legal, economic, and cultural topics to increase the intellectual rigor of the relationship between faith and reason. Recordings of past public programs can be found in our video archive.
As a sponsor agency with the Minnesota State Board of Continuing Legal Education, Murphy Institute programs are often eligible for CLE credit. For more information on these offerings, please visit our CLE page.
The Murphy Institute seeks to develop and grow an international network of institutions, scholars, and practitioners who will contribute to the scholarship of Catholic social thought in the areas of law, public policy, and business. The Institute supports these efforts by sponsoring seminars, conferences, publications, and projects to cultivate a deeper integration of Catholic social thought and professional life.
The Murphy Institute is dedicated to the service of the local, national, and global Church by bringing the full weight of the Catholic intellectual tradition to bear on contemporary questions.
In collaboration with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the Institute offers a series on fundamentals of Catholic Social Teaching to deepen the understanding and application of Church doctrine by the local faithful. We also contribute to international Church management programming that teaches fundamental business principles and managerial practices in accordance with Canon Law and in conformity with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
The development of students and faculty is essential to the activity of the Murphy Institute. We regularly provide opportunities for students to engage in the intellectual, moral, and spiritual relationship between Catholic social teachings and business and legal theory and practice. A fellowship is also available to select graduate students through the Murphy Scholars program for further exploration of the intersection of law, business, and the Catholic intellectual tradition.
To support of faculty development, we offer seminars and events on the mission and identity of the Catholic university related to Catholic social thought and legal and business education. A Ryan Fellow is sponsored by the Institute each year to provide additional resources toward research focused on intersection of Catholic social thought and business.
The Murphy Institute offers a variety of public programming on contemporary issues related to legal, economic, and cultural topics to increase the intellectual rigor of the relationship between faith and reason. Recordings of past public programs can be found in our video archive.
As a sponsor agency with the Minnesota State Board of Continuing Legal Education, Murphy Institute programs are often eligible for CLE credit. For more information on these offerings, please visit our CLE page.
The Murphy Institute seeks to develop and grow an international network of institutions, scholars, and practitioners who will contribute to the scholarship of Catholic social thought in the areas of law, public policy, and business. The Institute supports these efforts by sponsoring seminars, conferences, publications, and projects to cultivate a deeper integration of Catholic social thought and professional life.
The Murphy Institute is dedicated to the service of the local, national, and global Church by bringing the full weight of the Catholic intellectual tradition to bear on contemporary questions.
In collaboration with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the Institute offers a series on fundamentals of Catholic Social Teaching to deepen the understanding and application of Church doctrine by the local faithful. We also contribute to international Church management programming that teaches fundamental business principles and managerial practices in accordance with Canon Law and in conformity with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
Supporting academic scholarship and the intellectual and spiritual development of students and faculty is foundational to the Murphy Institute. We recognize the crucial interplay between law, business, and the Catholic intellectual tradition.
The Murphy Scholars fellowship is a program for full-time, in-residence students in the Master of Arts in Catholic Studies or Law (JD) programs. Murphy Scholars participate in the activites of the Institute along with exclusive opportunities for intellectual, spiritual, and professional formation.
The Ryan Fellows program is a collaboration between the Murphy Institute, St. Thomas Opus College of Business, and international non-resident fellows to support and advance world-class scholarship and research at the intersection of Catholic social thought and business.
Murphy Institute is a sponsor agency with the Minnesota State Board of Continuing Legal Education. Various Murphy Institute events throughout the year may be approved for continuing legal education (CLE) credits. An online event listing and promotional material will indicate if CLE is applicable.
Co-Director | Pio Cardinal Laghi Distinguished Chair in Law
Co-Director | Moss Endowed Chair for Catholic Social Thought
Program Manager
The Murphy Institute was founded in 2003 to pursue Monsignor Terrence J. Murphy's vision of the integration of law and the Catholic intellectual tradition. Msgr. Murphy was president and chancellor of the University of St. Thomas for more than 35 years during which time he played an integral role in establishing the School of Law in Minneapolis. The Institute's endowment came from the combination of a bequest in Murphy's estate and contributions from a group of his friends who shared his vision.
In 2024, the Murphy Institute assumed the activities of the John A. Ryan Institute for Catholic Social Thought to become one unified entity. By merging the specializations and resources of these two initiatives, the Murphy Institute is even better equipped to elevate its mission in Catholic higher education through impactful scholarship, programming, and ecclesial service.
An Advocate of Integration
In his 2001 book, A Catholic University Vision and Opportunities, Msgr. Murphy emphasized the themes of teaching religious and ethical values; ecumenism and openness to those of all faiths and cultures; service; recognizing and meeting community needs; and, an entrepreneurial spirit.
A Pioneer of Social Reform
December 21, 2020 marked the 100th birthday of Monsignor Terrence J. Murphy, president of the University of St. Thomas from 1966-1991 and namesake of the Murphy Institute. In celebration of this milestone, the Murphy Institute announced a forthcoming digital archive featuring a collection of Msgr. Murphy's original manuscripts. This commemorative archive is possible due to the generous gift of digitized copies of over 150 sermons, dedications and addresses from the Murphy family.
The full collection is now available along with a foreword authored by Joan Wieland, '20, CSMA '22.
Phone: 651-962-4842
Email: murphyinstit@stthomas.edu