International Call for Papers
The Truth About the Human Person and Civil Law Reform
October 21–23, 2026
Universidad del Istmo (UNIS), Guatemala City, Guatemala
Hosted by the Prolife Center at the University of St. Thomas & the VITA Research Center (UNIS)
Conference Theme
The Prolife Center at the University of St. Thomas and the VITA Research Center at Universidad del Istmo (UNIS) invite scholars to participate in an international conference dedicated to examining the anthropological foundations of civil law in light of the Christian understanding of the human person.
Celebrated on the Feast of St. John Paul II, this conference takes inspiration from his profound contribution to theological anthropology, human dignity, and the relationship between truth and freedom. At a moment when civil law is increasingly shaped by contested views of the person—particularly in matters of sexuality, biotechnology, family life, and human rights—this gathering seeks to recover and articulate a coherent account of the human person grounded in reason and illuminated by faith.
Faithful to the Catholic intellectual tradition and open to ecumenical and interdisciplinary dialogue, the conference will explore how law both reflects and forms society’s understanding of the human person. We welcome contributions that draw upon Scripture, Thomistic and personalist philosophy, natural law theory, Catholic social teaching, and related traditions.
Guiding Questions
- What is the nature of the human person, and how should this truth shape civil law?
- How does the Christian understanding of embodiment, relationality, and complementarity inform legal norms?
- Can civil law remain neutral about anthropology?
- What happens to human rights when detached from a robust account of human dignity?
- How should lawmakers respond to technological developments that challenge the givenness of the human body?
Areas of Inquiry
I. The Nature and Being of the Human Person
- Thomistic and personalist accounts of personhood
- The metaphysical foundations of dignity
- Natural law and legal reasoning
- Truth, freedom, and civil authority
II. Human Rights and Legal Normativity
- Religious liberty and freedom of conscience
- The moral foundations of constitutionalism
- The relationship between natural law and positive law
- The anthropology presupposed in contemporary human rights discourse
III. Embodiment, Vulnerability, and Disability
- The theological meaning of embodiment
- Disability and the equal dignity of persons
- Inclusion, justice, and the preferential option for the vulnerable
- Bioethical implications for civil law
IV. Technology, Transhumanism, and the Limits of Human Enhancement
- Transhumanism in light of Christian anthropology
- Biotechnology and the integrity of the human body
- Artificial intelligence and the boundaries of legal personhood
- Neurotechnology and moral responsibility
V. Engendered Persons: Sexual Difference and Civil Law
- Complementarity and sexual equality
- Gender identity and legal recognition
- Body identity disorders and pastoral-legal tensions
- Marriage and family in Catholic social teaching
VI. Human Fertility, Procreation, and the Future of the Family
- Contraception, abortion, and demographic decline
- IVF, surrogacy, and the rights of the child
- Artificial reproductive technologies and moral theology
- Pronatalism and family policy reform
Audience and Participation
- Scholars in Catholic universities and seminaries
- Faculty in law, philosophy, theology, political theory, and bioethics
- Canon lawyers and civil jurists
- Clergy engaged in academic work
- Scholars participating in Catholic, ecumenical, or faith-based academic networks Interdisciplinary and ecumenical dialogue is encouraged. While rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, the conference welcomes contributions from scholars of all faith backgrounds who are seriously engaged in questions of anthropology and law.
Submission Guidelines Please submit:
- An abstract (500–750 words) clearly presenting your thesis and methodology
- A brief curriculum vitae (2–3 pages)
- Institutional affiliation and contact information
Submission Deadline: March 31, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: April 30, 2026
Full Draft Deadline (for commentators): September 15, 2026
Submissions should be sent in PDF format to: [Insert submission email address]
Publication Opportunities
The organizers anticipate pursuing publication of selected papers in an edited scholarly volume or peer-reviewed journal consistent with the conference’s themes.
About the Organizers
Prolife Center at the University of St. Thomas (MN)
Rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, the Prolife Center is committed to integrating faith and reason in the formation of legal professionals.
VITA Research Center, Universidad del Istmo (UNIS)
A Natural Law Center for human flourishing. Dedicated to research on the dignity of the human person and its implications for law, culture, and public policy.
For further information, please contact:
Teresa Collett Jary Méndez Maddaleno, PhD.
Professor of Law Vicedecana
Director of the Prolife Center at the Facultad de Derecho
University of St. Thomas University of St. Thomas (MN) VITA Research Center
Universidad del Istm
tscollett@stthomas.edu jmendez@unis.edu.gt