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.
Most recent:
- A Wampum Belt Presentation: The Friendship Belt (video)
- A Faithful Election Conversation 2021 (video)
- COVID-19 and Indigenous Health Determinants (video)
- The Moment podcast: Communication Technology in a COVID and Post-COVID World
- The Moment podcast: Ethical Framework for a Post-COVID Recovery
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.
- 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:
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
- 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 Facebook and 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 Facebook and Flickr.
View CPJ's downloadable election bulletin.
How can faith groups get engaged? Check out our short video.