The purpose of this conference was to examine Pope John Paul II's claim that a pervasive Culture of Death threatens the sanctity and dignity of human life. The central question of the conference was whether there is a culture of death as suggested in Evangelium vitae, and if so, what its sources and its manifestations are. The Center was proud to welcome Helen Alvaré, Sidney Callahan, H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jorge Garcia, Laura Garcia, Thomas Hibbs, Margaret Monahan Hogan, Ralph McInerny, John T. Noonan, and Sr. Helen Prejean as plenary speakers for this inaugural event.
