Centre for Public Ethics
The Centre for Public Ethics at Martin Luther University College (formerly Waterloo Lutheran Seminary) promotes dialogue, research and education on the choices we make together in support of the public good.
While ethics is about the life choices we make, public ethics is about the life choices we make to serve the common good — whether to serve our neighbours across the street or around the world.
The centre hosts a number of public events each year. To receive email notifications about upcoming events, please send a note to stayconnected@luther.wlu.ca and write PUBLIC ETHICS in the subject line.
Book: Politics and Faith in a Polarised World: A Challenge for Catholics; honoured by the Catholic Media Association 2022 Book Awards
Podcast: The sixth episode in The Moment podcast's series on polarization: Conversation with Fanis Juma.
Our Mission
In short, the centre’s mission is to help us reclaim the art of political service — of bringing our deepest values and highest convictions to the practice of politics. To fulfil its mission, the centre organizes and participates in events that promote dialogue, research and education on ethical public service.
The mandate of the centre, which began in 1986 as the Institute for Christian Ethics, has evolved to explore secular as well as faith-based ethics.
Key Members
- John Milloy, director and assistant professor of public ethics. While serving a member of provicical parliament for Kitchener Centre riding, John Milloy also served as minister in five cabinet positions.
- David Pfrimmer, fellow and professor emeritus. David Pfrimmer, professor emeritus at Martin Luther University College, is former director of the centre and served as Luther's principal-dean from 2005-2015.
Podcast
Welcome to The Moment podcast during which we try to re-imagine our post-pandemic life together after our COVID-19 life apart.
- The sixth episode in The Moment podcast's series on polarization. Conversation with Fanis Juma: founder and lead practitioner with the African Community Wellness Initiative; racial justice educator; founder of Black Lives Matter Waterloo Region; and adjunct faculty at Martin Luther University college.
- The fifth episode in The Moment podcast's series on polarization. Conversation with Nina Karachi-Khaled, president of the National Board of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women.
- The fourth episode in The Moment podcast's series on polarization. Conversation with Sean Speer, former senior policy advisor to former prime minister Stephen Harper.
- The third episode in The Moment podcast's series on polarization. Conversation with Akaash Maharaj, past CEO of the Mosaic Institute and past CEO of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption.
- The second episode in The Moment podcast's series on polarization. Conversation with Jonathan Malloy of Carleton University.
- The first episode in The Moment podcast's series on polarization. Conversation with Kathleen Wynne, former premier of Ontario.
- Communication Technology in a COVID and Post-COVID World with Sherry Coman, associate professional faculty at Martin Luther University College, and deacon in the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
- Ethical Framework for a Post-COVID Recovery, with Joe Gunn of the Centre Oblat — A Voice for Justice Office at St. Paul University, Ottawa; and Sue Wilson of the Office for Systemic Justice, Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada, London, Ontario.
In the news
Here are some of the latest stories about the centre and guest columns, written by the centre's members, published in the popular press:
Building a consistent culture of life; The Catholic register, July 8, 2022
Politicians should admit their dumb mistakes; Hamilton Spectator, June 27, 2022
Mandatory voting isn't the answer to low voter turnout in National Newswatch, June 16, 2022; and on The Mike Farwell Show (starting 42:58) on June 23, 2022
Why the Ontario Liberals and NDP should not merge, in the Toronto Star, June 6, 2022; and on The Mike Farwell Show (starts at 101:51) June 15, 2022.
Where is the progressive counter-narrative to Pierre Poilievre? National Newswatch, June 3, 2022; and The Mike Farwell Show, audio clip begins at 43 minutes, June 6, 2022
Minoritarianism, The Mike Farwell Show, audio clip begins at 1:02, May 31, 2022
Minority rule not good for democracy, The Hamilton Spectator, May 29, 2022
The Bloc demonstrated a shallow understanding of religion, a narrow view of secularism, and a lack of imagination in trying to end prayer in the House of Commons, National Newswatch, May 18, 2022Catholics can’t just leave politics to others; The Catholic Register, May 11, 2022
Let's take a deep breath over Roe V. Wade; Hamilton Spectator, May 6, 2022
What’s Doug Ford got to hide in his mandate letters?; Waterloo Region Record, April 5, 2022
CHARTING THE WAY FORWARD: Review of 'Politics and Faith in a Polarized World: A Challenge for Catholics' by John Milloy; Christian Courier, April 4, 2022
Catholicism has become a punchline in Canadian politics. It need not be this way; National Post, Sept. 8, 2021
Where is the outrage over Quebec’s discriminatory law?; The Hamilton Spectator, June 18, 2021
Joe Biden proves that religion and politics can, indeed, mix; Waterloo Region Record, Jan. 31, 2021
Why wouldn’t politicians be among the first to be vaccinated?; Hamilton Spectator, Dec. 16, 2020
New assisted death legislation pushes the boundaries too far; Hamilton Spectator, Dec. 3, 2020
MPs look to bridge gap in faith, politics; The Catholic Register; Oct. 21, 2020
Mixing faith and politics could be a good thing for Canada; Hamilton Spectator; Oct. 21, 2020
In Canada, it matters who has jurisdiction and who does not; Waterloo Region Record; July 5, 2020
We need an ethical compass for fixing long-term care during the COVID-19 crisis; The Conversation; June 21, 2020
videos and other resources
Publications
Faith and Politics Matters, John Milloy, Novalis (2015).
National Newswatch, regular columns by John Milloy.
The Art of Dying Well: Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) in Canada and other publications by David Pfrimmer are available here.
Videos
- Faithful Election Conversations
- Housing and the Ontario Election 2022
- A Wampum Belt Presentation: The Friendship Belt
COVID-19 and Indigenous Health Determinants https://youtu.be/qgPhiplqntY A Faithful Election Conversation 2021 - Faith as a Vehicle for Dialogue: A View from the Community (full video 1:32:49)
- Faith as a Vehicle for Dialogue: A View from the Community (edited audio 46 minutes)
- Faith as a Vehicle for Dialogue: A View from the Hill (full video 1:10:00)
To view more videos, visit the Centre for Public Ethics playlist on YouTube.
2020 Kathleen Wynne
Kathleen Wynne, who served as Ontario's 25th premier (2013-2018), shared how her faith and work in her United Church of Canada congregation transitioned seamlessly into her political career. Presented at Martin Luther University College in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, on January 24, 2020. View the video or photo albums on Flickr.
2019 Federal Election
The centre co-hosted, with Ottawa-based Citizens for Public Justice, the election town hall Shaping a Just Canada. View albums of event photos on Flickr.
View CPJ's downloadable election bulletin.
How can faith groups get engaged? Check out our short video.