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.
In 2024, the Murphy Institute assumed the activities of the John A. Ryan Institute for Catholic Social Thought to become one unified entity. Learn more about the merge of these two institutes.
The development of students and faculty is essential to the mission of the Murphy Institute. We regularly provide opportunities for students to engage with the intellectual, moral, and spiritual tenets of Catholic social teachings in relation to the theory and practice of business and law. Fellowships at the undergraduate and graduate levels are available for select students in the St. Thomas business and law schools to further explore the Catholic tradition as it pertains to their work, studies, and professional identity.
To support faculty development, the Institute sponsors a Ryan Fellow each year and provides resources toward their research focused on the intersection of Catholic social thought and business. Additionally, we offer seminars and events on the mission and identity of the Catholic university related to Catholic social thought and legal and business education.
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.
Select texts including Vocation of the Business Leader: A Reflection and Respect in Action: Applying Subsidiarity in Business are available here.
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.
The Institute contributes to a series of international Church management programming dedicated to fundamental business principles and managerial practices taught in accordance with Canon Law and in conformity with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. The 2026 workshop "Transparency, Accountability, and Evaluation in the Catholic Church: A Practical Journey" will be hosted from July 7-11 in Rome, Italy.
The development of students and faculty is essential to the mission of the Murphy Institute. We regularly provide opportunities for students to engage with the intellectual, moral, and spiritual tenets of Catholic social teachings in relation to the theory and practice of business and law. Fellowships at the undergraduate and graduate levels are available for select students in the St. Thomas business and law schools to further explore the Catholic tradition as it pertains to their work, studies, and professional identity.
To support faculty development, the Institute sponsors a Ryan Fellow each year and provides resources toward their research focused on the intersection of Catholic social thought and business. Additionally, we offer seminars and events on the mission and identity of the Catholic university related to Catholic social thought and legal and business education.
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.
Select texts including Vocation of the Business Leader: A Reflection and Respect in Action: Applying Subsidiarity in Business are available here.
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.
The Institute contributes to a series of international Church management programming dedicated to fundamental business principles and managerial practices taught in accordance with Canon Law and in conformity with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. The 2026 workshop "Transparency, Accountability, and Evaluation in the Catholic Church: A Practical Journey" will be hosted from July 7-11 in Rome, Italy.
The Murphy Scholars fellowship is open to students in the Catholic Studies Master's or Law (JD) programs. Murphy Scholars are engaged in the full range of Institute activities and participate in unique opportunities for formation, professional development, and service.
The Ryan Fellows program is a collaboration between the Murphy Institute, 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.
The Murphy Institute is dedicated to fostering constructive discourse through the ongoing event series, "Hot Topics: Cool Talk." These programs feature two leading scholars with differing views in conversation on contentious topics including religious liberty, education, criminal justice, economics, healthcare, and ethics. Through spirited yet civil dialogue, the "Hot Topics: Cool Talk" series provides a model of nuanced discourse and respectful disagreement inspired by civic virtue for the sake of the common good.
The recording of past "Hot Topics: Cool Talk" programs are available to view in our video archive.
The 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. Event listings and promotional materials will indicate if CLE is applicable.
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.
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.
Phone: (651) 962-4842
Email: murphyinstit@stthomas.edu