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Roberto Dell'Oro

Roberto Dell'Oro

Director, The Bioethics Institute
Professor of Theological Studies, Department of Theological Studies

Loyola Marymount University
1 LMU Drive, Suite 3700
Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659, USA

Office: University Hall 4515
Email: rdelloro@lmu.edu
Phone: (310) 338-2752
Fax: (310) 338-1947

 

 Roberto Dell'Oro

 

Roberto Dell’Oro is the Director of the Bioethics Institute and a Professor in the Department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University.  He studied philosophy and theology at the Facolta’ Teologica dell’Italia Settentrionale and the Catholic University of Milan (Italy), the Hochschule für Philosophie in Munich (Germany), and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.  In 1992, he earned a doctorate in theological ethics, under the direction of Klaus Demmer, with a dissertation on Dietrich von Hildebrand’s phenomenology of moral experience. From 1993 to 1995, he was a post-doctoral fellow in bioethics at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University -- with the late Edmund Pellegrino, the former chair of the President’s Council of Bioethics, as a mentor.  In 1995, he became a Senior Scholar at the Center for Clinical Bioethics at Georgetown University, with teaching appointments in the Medical School and the Department of Philosophy.  In the fall 2003, Roberto moved to the Department of Theological Studies at LMU, where he is a full professor and the Director of the Bioethics Institute. 

 

Over the years, Roberto has held clinical and research appointments in bioethics: from 2003 to 2006, he served as a clinical bioethicist at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, CA, concentrating especially on ethical issues in obstetrics, perinatology and neonatology; from 2001 to 2007, he was the medical ethicist for the “Data and Safety Monitoring Board” at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at N.I.H. in Bethesda, Maryland; from 2007 to 2011, he chaired the bioethics committee at St. John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica, CA.  In 2010, he was selected for a sabbatical as Erasmus Mundus Professor of Bioethics at the University of Padua (Italy).  Since 2003, he has been an Affiliate Scholar at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Recently he has appointed on another Data and Safety Monitoring Board at N.I.H.  Since 2014, he is also member of the Theological Commission of the Diocese of Los Angeles.

 

Roberto teaches in the areas of bioethics, fundamental moral theology, and ethical theories, with a special interest in anthropological themes at the crossroad of theology and philosophy.  Roberto has lectured internationally in five languages.  He is the author/co-author of three books, Health and Human Flourishing: Religion, Moral Anthropology, and Medicine (Washington: Georgetown University Press, 2006), Esperienza morale e persona (Rome: Gregorian University Press, 1996) and History of Bioethics: International Perspectives (San Francisco: International Scholars Publications, 1996), translated two books from German, and published in national and international journals, such as Theological Studies; Gregorianum; Health Progress; Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy; The Journal of Contemporary Health Law and Policy; INTAMS review; Rivista di teologia morale; Vida y Etica.  He is currently working on a book tentatively titled Method and Meaning: Hermeneutical Reflections in Bioethics.

Current Positions

Affiliations

  • Faculty Affiliate, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University
  • Associate Fellow, International Institute for Hermeneutics, Toronto (Canada)

Education 

  • 1992 - Doctorate in Moral Theology (S.Th.D., Ph.D. equiv.), Summa cum Laude, Gregorian University, Rome (Italy).  Dissertation: “Moral Experience and the Person: An Assessment of Dietrich von Hildebrand’s Phenomenological Ethics,” Director: Prof. Klaus Demmer  
  • 1986-1987 - Visiting Researcher in Philosophy, Hochschule für Philosophie, Munich (Germany).  Advisor: Prof. Johannes Baptist Lotz 
  • 1985 – Dr. Phil. (“Laurea in lettere e filosofia”), equipollence of the S.Th.L. degree for the Italian state
  • 1985 - Licentiate in Theology (S.Th.L., M.A. equiv.), Summa cum Laude, Gregorian University.  Thesis in Moral Theology: “Philosophical Anthropology and Ethics: Paul Ricoeur’s ‘Philosophie de la Volonté,” Director: Prof. Klaus Demmer 
  • 1983 - Baccalaureate in Theology (S.Th.B.), Magna cum Laude, Facolta’ Teologica dell’Italia Settentrionale, Milan (Italy).  Thesis in Philosophy of Religion: “Italo Mancini on the Hermeneutic Foundation of Philosophy of Religion,” Director:  Prof. Giuseppe Colombo 
  • 1978 - Classical School State Exam (Liceo Classico).  Awarded 60/60 (maximum score)

 

Languages

  • Fluent in Italian, English, Spanish, German, and French. Reading abilities in Classical Greek, Latin, and Portuguese.

Research and Teaching Positions

  • Director, Bioethics Institute, appointed May 15, 2013
  • Recipient of the Erasmus Mundus Professorship in Bioethics, University of Padua, spring 2010
  • Full Professor, Department of Theological Studies, since fall 2009
  • Associate Professor, Department of Theological Studies, 2005-2009
  • Graduate Director, Master of Arts Program in Bioethics, The Bioethics Institute, Loyola Marymount University, Fall 2004-2006
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University, 2003 – 2005
  • Senior Scholar, Center for Clinical Bioethics, Georgetown University Medical Center and Research Assistant Professor of Bioethics, Department of Philosophy and Medical School, Georgetown University, 1995-2003
  • Director of the Georgetown University-Bon Secours Program in Clinical Bioethics, 1997-2001
  • Director of the International Visiting Scholar Program, Center for Clinical Bioethics, 1995-2003
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, Center for the Advanced Studies of Ethics and the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University, 1993-1995
  • Assistant Professor of Moral Theology, Facolta’ Teologica dell’Italia Settentrionale, Milan (Italy),1987-1990
Other Professional Experience
  • Member of the Scientific Committee of the Bioethics Center at the Catholic University of Milan, Italy, appointed in 2015
  • Board Member, South California Bioethics Committees Consortium, appointed on April 2014
  •  Medical Ethicist for the Data and Safety Monitoring Board, Division of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda (MD), since 2014 
  •  Member, Theological Commission, Diocese of Los Angeles, since 2014
  • Chair, International Bioethics Group, Brussels, Belgium
  •  Member of the Ethicist/Theologian Committee, Catholic Health Association, 2008-2011
  •  Member of the International Forum of Catholic Bioethicists, 2003-2009
  •  Chair of the Ethics Committee, Saint John’s Medical Center, Santa Monica, CA, (January 2007-December 2010)
  •  Director, The Bellarmine Forum, Loyola Marymount University, fall 2009
  •  Medical Ethicist for the Intramural Data and Safety Monitoring Committee, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at N.I.H., Bethesda (MD), 2001-2007
  •  Member of the Selection Jury for the Manuel Velasco Suarez Award in Bioethics, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), since June 2007
  •  Clinical Bioethicist, The Family Life Center, San Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, CA (areas of involvement: Obstetrics, Perinatology, and Neonatology), 2003-2006
  •  Expert Advisor for a study by RAND Corporation on “Developing a Regional Consensus on Setting Limits for Aggressive Care at the End of Life,” 2004
  •  Member of the Institutional Advisory Board, St. Francis Career College, Lynwood, CA, 2003-2006
  •  Bioethics Consultant, The Renaissance Pediatric Unit, Iliff Nursing Home, Dunn Loring (VA), 1999-2003
  •  Ethicist in the Institutional Review Board of Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C, 1998-2003
  •  Instructor of Italian Language, Graduate School USDA (Washington, D.C.) and Istituto Italiano di Cultura (Washington, D.C.), 1993-1995
  •  Editor of NAPMR Quarterly, Leading Ministry with Persons with Mental Retardation, 1993-1995
  •  Translator for Vita e Pensiero, Publisher of the Catholic University of Milan, 1992 

 

Professional Societies

  • American Society for Bioethics and Humanity
  • Catholic Theological Society of America
  • Society for Christian Ethics
  • ATISM (Italian Theological Society for the Study of Ethics

Selected Publications

Books

  • Pope Francis on the Joy of Love: Theological and Pastoral Reflections on Amoris Laetitia, with Thomas Rausch, S.J. (New York/Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press, 2018)
  • Health and Human Flourishing: Religion, Medicine, and Moral Anthropology, with Carol Taylor (Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2006)
  • History of Bioethics: International Perspectives, with Corrado Viafora (San Francisco: International Scholars Publications, 1996)
  • Esperienza morale e persona. Per una rilettura dell’etica fenomenologica di Dietrich von Hildebrand (Rome: Gregorian University Press, 1996)

Translated

  • Klaus Demmer, Shaping the Moral Life: An Approach to Moral Theology (Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2000), from the German Einführug in die Moraltheologie (unpublished manuscript)
  • Karl Rahner, Visioni e profezie: mistica ed esperienza della trascendenza (Milano: Vita e Pensiero, 1994), from the German Visionen und Prophezeiungen: Zur Mystik und Transzendenzerfahrung (Freiburg; Herder, 1989)

Articles / Book Chapters / Translations 

  • “On the Ultimate That Is the First: Thinking Beyond Bioethics,” Gregorianum 2019 (accepted and forthcoming)
  • “Retrieving the Primal Ethos of Life: Bioethics in the Love of Being,” in Dennis Vanden Auweele, ed., William Desmond’s Philosophy between Metaphysics, Religion, and Aesthetics: Thinking Metaxologically (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018), 177-193
  • “The Experimental Man: Generation Between Procreation and Reproduction,” in Vincenzo Paglia and Renzo Pegoraro, ed., Accompanying Life: New Responsibilities in the Technological Era (Rome: Pontifical Academy for Life, 2018), 45-50
  • “Should We Hope for a Cure?  Raising a Child with Autism,” in Aldegonde Brenninkmeijer-Werhahn, ed., Marriage – Constancy and Change in Togetherness (Berlin: LIT Verlag, 2017), 199-208
  • “Sollen wir auf Heilung hoffen? Die Erziehung eines Kindes mit Autismus,” in Aldegonde Brenninkmeijer-Werhahn, ed., Ehe – Bestand und Wandel im Miteinander (Berlin: LIT Verlag, 2017), 225-236  
  • “Moral Truth and Anthropological Mediation in the Theological Ethics of Klaus Demmer,” Gregorianum 1(2017): 37-50
  • “Conscience after Vatican II: Theological Premises for a Discussion on Catholic Health Care,” in David De Cosse and Thomas Nairn, ed. Conscience and Catholicism: From Clinical Context to Government Mandates (Maryknoll: NY, Orbis Books, 2017), 33-48
  • “Professionalism and Virtues,” in Ignacio Carrasco de Paula, Vincenzo Paglia, and Renzo Pegoraro, ed., Virtues in the Ethics of Life (Rome: Pontifical Academy for Life, 2017), 125-135
  • “Why Clinical Ethics? Experience, Discernment, and the Anamnesis of Meaning at the Bedside,” Persona y Bioetica vol. 20 (2016)1: 86-99
  • “Il dibattito bioetico sulla “buona morte”: una ricostruzione tipologica,” in Proposte per una Biopolitica Personalista, Antonio Spagnolo and Vittoradolfo Tambone ed. (Roma: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2015), 23-41
  • “Between Resistance and Surrender: The Ethics of Research with Persons with Autism,” (forthcoming) 
  • “Embodiment as Saturated Phenomenon: Medicine, Theology, and Some Metaphysical Premises of Modernity,” in International Journal of Philosophy and Theology, vol. 2, n. 4 (2014): 69-84 
  • “Aging, Disability, and the Ethics of Dying,” in Ignacio Carrasco de Paula and Renzo Pegoraro, ed., Aging and Disability: Ethical Questions and Proposed Solutions, (Rome: Pontifical Academy for Life, 2014), 201-212 
  • “Remembering Prof. Edmund Pellegrino,” in Ignacio Carrasco de Paula and Renzo Pegoraro, ed., Aging and Disability: Ethical Questions and Proposed Solutions, (Rome: Pontifical Academy for Life, 2014), 279-282 
  • “La buona morte tra conatus e passio: riflessioni a partire dal dibattito in bioetica,” in Corrado Viafora and Francesca Marin, ed., La buona morte in un contesto interculturale (Milano: Franco Angeli, 2014), 86-100 
  •  “Can Virtue Save Medicine?  (forthcoming) 
  • “Analogia Libertatis: Moral Theology between Autonomy and Freedom,” in Desmond and Theology, Christopher Ben Simpson ed., (Notre Dame University Press, 2014), forthcoming 
  • “Oltre la censura del senso: riflessioni sul futuro della bioetica,” in Medicina e Morale [Catholic University of Rome] (2014/2): 233-246
  •  “Why Bioethics? On the Anamnesis of Meaning in Medicine,” in Medicine and Law 32 (2013): 163-176 
  • “Recasting Fundamental Moral Theology: Notes on Klaus Demmer’s Christological Anthropology,” in Gregorianum 93/3 (2012): 463-483 
  • “La filosofia di Klaus Demmer: sull’infrastruttura trascendentale del suo pensiero,” in Aristide Fumagalli e Vincenzo Viva, ed., in Pensare l’agire: in onore di Klaus Demmer (Milano: Paoline, 2011), 15-49 
  • “L’approccio ermeneutico in bioetica,” in Corrado Viafora, ed. Il linguaggio filosofico della bioetica (Milano: Franco Angeli, 2011) 
  • “Il futuro della bioetica,” in D’Aloia e Pisu, ed., Le sfide della bioetica nell’era del progresso tecnologico (forthcoming 2011)  
  •  “Ethics in Medicine: Hermeneutical Considerations on the Anamnesis of Meaning,” in Corrado Viafora and Kathrin Ohnsorge, ed., Clinical Bioethics (Padua/Basel: Erasmus Mundus, 2010), 7-23 
  • “Theological Anthropology and Bioethics,” in Giovanni Grandi and Marcello Ghilardi, ed., Religion and Bioethics (Padua: Erasmus Mundus, 2010), 89-100 
  • “Theologie in der Öffentlichkeit: Ein anthropologischer Beitrag zur Bioethik,” in Theologische Reihe der Universität Wiens (Wien: Universitätsverlag, 2010)
  •  “Voraussetzungslosigkeit in der Bioethik?  Klonierung und anthropologisches Vorverständnis,” in Theologische Reihe der Universität Wiens (Wien: Universitätsverlag, 2010) 
  • “Die Funktion der Bioethik in der Medizin: Hermeneutische Erwägungen,” in Theologische Reihe der Universität Wiens (Wien: Universitätsverlag, 2010)   
  • “Ethical Issues in Diagnostic Radiology,” in Radiation Protection Dosimetry, Vol. 135/2 (2009): 122-127 
  • “At the Boundary: On the Contribution of Theological Anthropology to Bioethics,” in OMEGA: Indian Journal of Science and Religion (2007): 52-74 
  • “Bioéthique et recherche du sens en medicine,” in Armelle de Bouvet et Jean-Philippe Coubbaut (ed.), Une bioéthique pour un monde habitable?  La bioéthique en discussion (Presses Universitaires du Septentrion, 2006), 41-56 
  • “La dimensione ermeneutica nell’esperienza della cura: una ricognizione fenomenologica,” in Corrado Viafora and Silvia Mocellin (ed.), L’argomentazione nel giudizio bioetico (Milano: Franco Angeli, 2006), 183-198 
  • “La Contribucion de la Religion a la Bioetica,” in Vida y Etica, 6/1 (2005): 25-40  
  • “Cloning, Marriage, and Family: Ideological Premises and Forgotten Issues,” INTAMS review 11(2005): 67-79 
  • “Interpreting Clinical Judgment: Epistemological Notes on the Praxis of Medicine,” in (ed.) Corrado Viafora, Clinical Bioethics: A Search for the Foundations (Dordrecht: Springer Academic Publisher, 2005), 155-168 
  • “Il rapporto medico paziente e i fini della medicina,” in (ed.) Marianna Gensabella Furnari, Il paziente, il medico e l’arte della cura (Messina: Rubettino, 2005), 33-51 
  • “La tecnologia genetica: tra promessa terapeutica e responsabilita’ morale,” in S. Pisu, G.Castello and G. Caocci (ed.), Scienza e coscienza.  Questioni cruciali per la bioetica (Cagliari: Edizioni CUSL, 2005), 121-134 
  • “Contextualizando la discussion sobre clonacion: premises ideologicas y asuntos olvidados,” Vida y Etica vol. 4 (2003), no. 2: 53-65 
  • “La bioetica clinica come etica applicata: problemi teorici della consulenza etica nell’istituzione sanitaria,” in (eds.) Mario Picozzi, Mario. Taviani and Paolo Cattorini, Verso una professionalizzazione del bioeticista (Milano: Giuffre’, 2003), 42-66 
  • “Il rapporto medico paziente: una descrizione fenomenologica,” in (ed.) Marianna Gensabella Furnari, Alle frontiere della vita: eutanasia ed etica del morire (Soveria Mannelli: Rubettino, 2003), 20-34 
  • “The Climate of Western Bioethics: Between Individual Liberalism and Social Solidarity,” in Bioethics in Multicultural Space: Locating Values and Translating Lessons (Proceedings of the International Academic Conference of Bioethics, Changsha, China, December 2-4, 2002) 
  • “La Bioetica en Estados Unidos: Universidad Catolica Argentica-Georgetown Dialogos de Bioetica,” Vida y Ética 3 (2002): 19-41 
  • “Theological Discourse and the Postmodern Condition: The Case of Bioethics,” Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, 18 (2002) 3: 127-136 
  • “L’eticista come mediatore,” in Janus 8 (2002): 50-56 
  • “Market Ethos and the Integrity of Health Care,” Journal of Contemporary Health Law and Policy, 18 (2002) 3: 641-647 
  • “On the Ethics of Twins Separation: Analysis of a Recent Case,” Itinerarium 10 (2002): 89-106 
  • “Philosophy and Program of the Center for Clinical Bioethics,” Itinerarium 10 (2002): 17-31 
  • “Integrity and Compliance: Medicine and the Ethics of Health Care Institutions,” Health Progress (September-October 2001): 29-36 
  • “The Center for Clinical Bioethics at Georgetown University: Philosophy and Activities,” Cuadernos de Bioetica (Edicao do Centro de Estudios de Bioética de Azores), 26 (2001): 21-36 
  • “Confidencialidad en medecina: el problema de la proteccion de datos sanitarios,” in Actas de la I Jornadas de Proteccion de Datos Sanitarios (Madrid: Agencia de Proteccion de Deatos de la Comunidad de Madrid, 2000), 69-92 
  • “Antropologia dell’intimita’ e segreto professionale,” in Quaderni di etica medica (Padova: CIC Edizioni Internazionali, 2000), 65- 79 
  • (with Warren Reich) “A New Era for Bioethics: The Source of Meaning in Moral Experience,” in (ed.) Allen Verhey, Religion and Medical Ethics: Looking Back, Looking Forward (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996): 96-119 
  • “Esperienza e verita’ morale,” Rivista di teologia morale 28 (1996): 63-82  
  • “Antropologia ed etica: oltre al bioetica nordamericana,” Rivista di teologia morale 27 (1995): 203-220 
Translated 
  • Warren Reich, “Prendersi cura dei vulnerabili: il punto d’incontro tra etica secolare ed etica religiosa nel mondo pluralistico,” Istituto Trentino di Cultura (June 2001) [original in English]
  •  
  • Corrado Viafora, “Towards a Methodology for the Ethical Analysis of Clinical Cases,” European Society of Philosophy of Medicine (August 1997) [original in Italian]
  •  
  • Warren Reich, “Curare e prendersi cura. Nuovi orizzonti dell’etica infermieristica,” L’arco di Giano, 10 (January-April 1996): 9-24 [original in English]
  •  
  • Hans Martin Sass, “Cooperazione fiduciaria nel rapporto medico-paziente,” KOS: Rivista di medicina, cultura e scienze umane, 118 (July 1995): 46-51 [original in German]
  •  
  • Gisbert Greshake, “Coscienza ecologia e teologia della creazione,” in Questione ecologica e coscienza cristiana (Brescia: Morcelliana, 1988), 125-136 [original in German]
Book Reviews 
  • Michel Messier, Agapè: Recherches sur l’histoire de la charité (Editions Fides, 2007), in Theological Studies, (forthcoming)
  • Craig A. Rimmerman and Clyde Wilcox, eds., The Politics of Same Sex Marriage (Chicago, IL:  Chicago University Press, 2007), in INTAMS Review 2008/4
  • Amy Laura Hall, Conceiving Parenthood: American Protestantism and the Spirit of Reproduction (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008), in INTAMS Review 2008/4
  • Richard A. Cohen, Ethics, Exegesis and Philosophy: Interpretation After Levinas (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001), in Theological Studies, (forthcoming)
  • Benedict M. Ashley and Kevin O’Rourke, Ethics of Health Care: An Introductory Textbook, 3rd edition (Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press), in Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy (forthcoming)
  • Andreas Lienkamp, Theodor Steinbüchels Sozialismusrezeption: Eine christliche-sozial-ethische Relekture (Paderborn: Schöning, 2000) in Theological Studies, (forthcoming)
  • Klaus Demmer, Angewandte Theologie des Ethischen ((Freiburg: Herder, 2003) in Theological Studies, 65 (2004): 873-875
  • Melanie Wolfers, Theologische Ethik als Handlungsleitende Sinnwissenschaft (Freiburg: Herder, 2003) in Theological Studies, 65 (2004): 875-876
  • Maurizio Chiodi, Tra cielo e terra: il senso della vita a partire dal dibattito bioetico (Assisi: Cittadella Editrice, 2002) in Theological Studies, 65 (2004): 682-683
  • Klaus Demmer, Fundamentale Theologie des Ethischen (Freiburg: Herder, 1999), in Theological Studies, 62 (September 2001): 633-635
  • Michel Maret, L’euthanasie: alternative sociale et enjeux pour l’éthique chrétienne (Editions saint-Augustin, 2000), in Theological Studies, 62 (March 2001): 188-190
  • Hilary Bok, Freedom and Responsibility (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1998), in Theological Studies, 61 (March 2000): 177-179
  • Quentin Smith, Ethical and Religious Thought in Analytic Philosophy of Language (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1998), in Theological Studies, 60 (June 1999): 379-381
  • Thérèse Vanier, Nick: Man of the Heart (Dublin: Gill and MacMillan, 1993), in NAPM Quarterly, 26 (Spring 1995): 23-24
  • Henri J.M. Nouwen, With Burning Hearts: A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life (New York: Orbis Book, 1994), in NAPMR Quarterly, 26 (Spring 1995): 22-23
  • Janet Miller Rife, Injured Mind, Shattered Dreams (Cambridge, MA: Brookline Books, 1994), in NAPM Quarterly, 25 (Fall/Winter 1994): 22-23 
  • Jean Vanier, The Broken Body (New York: Paulist Press, 1988), in NAPM Quarterly, 25 (Fall/Winter 1994), 23.

Invited Lectures and Conferences

Academic Presentations

  • "Letting be: on the Ethics f Dying," Georgetown University, November 9, 2018. 
  • "Global Bioethics," Chairman of the Working Group of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Roe, June 25-27, 2018. 
  • "Retrieving the Primal Ethos of Life: (Bio)ethics in the Love of Being," Between Love, Community, and Truth: A Symposium on William Desmond and the Intimate Universal (with William Desmond, Cyril O'Regan, David C. Schindler), Villanova University, Villanova, October 27, 2017. 
  • "The 'Experimental Man': Production, Reproduction, and Procreation," (Response to Prof. Adriano Pessina), Workshop of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Rome, October 5-7, 2017. 
  • "Conscience after Vatican II: Theological and Philosophical Premises for a Discussion on Catholic Health Care, Catholic Theological Society of America Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, June 9, 2017. 
  • Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia: A Comparative Analysis of American and European Legal Landscape," Respondent at the Annual Conference of the International Bioethics Group, Brussels, May 19-19, 2017.
  • "Letting Go: the Good Death and the Ethics of Dying Well," Paper presentation at the Annual Conference of the International Bioethics Group, "Physician Assisted Suicide and End of Life Issues," Brussels, June 10-11, 2016. 
  • "Professionalism and Virtues," Workshop of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Rome, March, 4 2016. 
  • "Conscience and Moral Theology after Vatican II: Implications for Catholic Health Care," Santa Clara University, February 11, 2016. 
  • “Why Clinical Ethics? Experience, Discernment, and the Anamnesis of Meaning at the Bedside,” Plenary Speaker, European Association of Centers of Medical Ethics (EACME) Annual Conference: Clinical Ethics: Past, Present, and Future, Cagliari, Italy, September 18, 2015 
  • “Il dibattito bioetico sulla “buona morte”: una ricostruzione tipologica,” Una cultura per un nuovo umanesismo: XII simposio internazionale dei docenti universitari, Roma, 24-27 June 2015 
  • “Synthetic Biology: The End of the Theory of Natural Law or a Turning Point?” Paper presentation at the Annual Conference of the International Bioethics Group, “Life: Given or Constructed?  The Ethics of Synthetic Biology,” Brussels, May 8-9, 2015 
  • Moral Truth and Anthropological Mediation in the Theological Ethics of Klaus Demmer,” La Moral Theology of Klaus Demmer: An International Symposium (English, Italian, and German), Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, April 17-18, 2015 
  • “Brain Death: Facilitating Family Hospital Dialogue about Death by Neurological Criteria,” Southern California Bioethics Committee Consortium and The Bioethics Institute, Loyola Marymount University, January 18, 2015  
  • “Autism: Ethical and Legislative Aspects of Research and Treatment,” XXIX International Conference of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers on “The Person with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Animating Hope,” Vatican City, 20-22 November 2014 
  • “Response” to John Evans, “A More Democratic Bioethics Debate for Our Polarized Times,” Annual Bioethics Lecture, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, October 1, 2014 
  • “Clinical Judgment, Epistemology, and the Hermeneutics of Medical Praxis,” 1st Annual Seminar of The Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics, March 21, 2014 
  • The Body as Gift: Medicine, Theology, and the Question of Embodiment,” 11th Annual John Collins Harvey Lecture, Georgetown University Press, March 20, 2014 
  • “Embodiment as Saturated Phenomenon: Medicine, Theology, and Some Metaphysical Premises of Modernity,” Responding to the Limits and Possibilities of the Body: Third Annual Conference on Medicine and Religion, Chicago, March 8, 2014 
  •  “Aging and Disability: Ethical Questions and Proposed Solutions,” A Symposium of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Rome, February 21, 2014  
  • “Remembering Prof. Edmund Pellegrino: A Tribute Read at the Meeting of the Pontifical Academy for Life,” Rome, February 20, 2014  
  • Co-Chair, Pacific Section, Society of Christian Ethics, Loyola Marymount University, February 7, 2014 
  • “Life: Given or Constructed?  The Case of Synthetic Biology,” A Discussion with the International Bioethics Group, Bruxelles (Belgium), October 12, 2013 
  • “The Future of Bioethics,” International Symposium of Herniamesh on Medicine and Ethics, Reggia di Caserta, Italy, September 28, 2013 
  • “The Philosophy of Medicine of Dr. Edmund Pellegrino: An Assessment of his Work and Legacy,” International Symposium of Herniamesh on Medicine and Ethics, Reggia di Caserta, Italy, September 27, 2013 
  • “The Ethos of American Bioethics: Between Individual Liberalism and Social Solidarity,” Annual Bioethics Lecture, Loyola Marymount University, September 24, 2013 
  • “Can Virtue save Medicine?” A Symposium Honoring the Achievement of Dr. Edmund Pellegrino, Georgetown University, March 15, 2013 
  • “Epistemology, Clinical Judgment, and the Hermeneutics of Medical Praxis,” Theological Colloquium, Department of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University, February 21, 2013
  •  
  • “Perplexities about the Good: The Case of Bioethics,” Friday Faculty Colloquium Series, Loyola Marymount University, November 30, 2012 
  • Moderator at the 2012 Meeting of the Society for Continental Philosophy and Theology (SCPT), Creation, Creatureliness, and Creativity: The Human Place in the Natural World, Loyola Marymount University, April 20-21, 2012 
  • “The Philosophy of Klaus Demmer: On the Transcendental Infrastructure of his Moral Theology,” Symposium on the Moral Theology of Klaus Demmer on the Occasion of his 80th Birthday, Gregorian University, Rome, November 9, 2011 
  • “A New Look at Contemporary Bioethics: Facing Metaphysical and Theological Premises,” A Discussion with the International Bioethics Group, Bruxelles (Belgium), November 6-7, 2011 
  • “Il futuro della bioetica,” Paper for the National Conference on Le sfide della bioetica nell’era del progresso tecnologico, Universita’ di Cagliari, Italy, December 15, 2010 
  • “Ricerca e educazione: il caso della bioetica,” Paper for the National Conference on Scientific Research and Ethics, Universita’ di Cagliari, Italy, September 20, 2010 
  • “Le figure della buona morte nella cultura occidentale,” Paper for the National Conference on La buona morte in un contesto multiculturale: problemi e compiti per le istituzioni sanitarie, Universita’ di Padova, Padua, Italy, April 29 2010 
  • “Teorie e metodi della bioetica clinica,” Corso di Perfezionamento in Bioetica, Universita’ di Padova, Padua, Italy, May 7, 2010 
  • “Recasting Fundamental Moral theology: Notes on Klaus Demmer’s Transcendental Hermeneutics,” Society of Christian Ethics -- Pacific Section, University of Santa Clara, San Jose’, CA, February 12, 2010 
  • “Bioethics and the Hermeneutic of Medical Practice,” Erasmus Mundus European Master of Bioethics, University of Padua, April 21, 2009 
  • “Living the Moral Truth: On the Ethical Hermeneutics of Klaus Demmer and Its Significance for Moral Theology,” Society for Christian Ethics, Chicago, January 11, 2009 
  • “Theologie in der Öffentlichkeit: Ein anthropologischer Beitrag zur Bioethik,” European Society for Catholic Theology, University of Vienna, Austria, November 15, 2008 
  • “Voraussetzungslosigkeit in der Bioethik?  Klonierung und anthropologisches Vorverständnis,” Public lecture, University of Vienna, Austria, November 13, 2008 
  • “Die Funktion der Bioethik in der Medizin: Hermeneutische Erwägungen,” International Congress, Bioethik in Mittel- und Osteuropa, Institut für Moraltheologie, University of Vienna, Austria, November 12, 2008 
  • “Having a Child to Save Another: Embryonic HLA Typing in Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis,” A Discussion with the International Forum of Catholic Bioethicists, Bruxelles (Belgium), November 8-9, 2008 
  • “Clinical Bioethics as Hermeneutic of Medical Practice,” Erasmus Mundus European Master of Bioethics, University of Padua, April 7, 2008 
  • Program Director, Society of Christian Ethics – Pacific Section, Claremont School of Theology, February 15, 2008 
  • “Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis: The Case of familial Alzheimer Disease,” A Discussion with the International Forum of Catholic Bioethicists, Bruxelles (Belgium), November 10-11, 2007 
  • “The Ethics of Stem Cell Research,” A workshop at UCLAMedicalSchool, October 27, 2007 
  • “Clinical Bioethics: Theories and Methods,” Erasmus Mundus European Master of Bioethics, University of Padua, April 16, 2007 
  • “Ethical Issues in Radiology and Nuclear Medicine,” Sentinel Workshop, European Commission, Mercer Hotel, Dublin, Ireland, 27th – 28th October 2006 
  • “Bioethics and Human Reproductive Cloning,” Symposium on Contemporary Issues in Bioethics (with Siobhan O’Sullivan, Emmanuel Agius, and Maureen Junker-Kenny), Faculty of Philosophy, Milltown Institute, Dublin, Ireland, October 26th, 2006 
  • “The Ethics of Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis,” A Discussion with the International Forum of Catholic Bioethicists, Bruxelles (Belgium), December 9-12, 2006 
  • “Orientamenti e tendenze della bioetica americana,” A Public Lecture at the University of Padua, January 27, 2006 
  • “The Ethics of Reproductive Cloning,” A Discussion with the International Forum of Catholic Bioethicists, Bruxelles (Belgium), December 11-13, 2005 
  • “Methods in Bioethics,” Georgetown International Health Care Ethics Colloquium, Center for Clinical Bioethics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C., October 17, 2005  
  • “Where Is Bioethics Going? Physician Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia,” A Response to Paul Schotsmans, The 2005 Annual Bioethics Institute Lecture, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, September 21, 2005 
  • “La Contribucion de la Religion a la Bioetica,” 5Congreso de Bioetica de America Latina y del Caribe, August 10, 2005, Panama 
  • “Bioetica y Pobreza,” [panel discussion with Nancy Andrade Castro (UNICEF Panama) and Francesc Abel (Spain)] 5Congreso de Bioetica de America Latina y del Caribe, August 10, 2005, Panama 
  • “Los Comites de Bioetica Asistenciales y su incidencia en la configuracion de una nueva cultura en las practicas hospitalarias,” [panel discussion with Leila Malave (Portorico) and Jose Torres Mejia (Mexico)] 5Congreso de Bioetica de America Latina y del Caribe, August 12, 2005, Panama 
  • “Ethics Committees and Ethics Consultations: An American Experience,” 2nd International Conference on Clinical Ethics Consultations, University of Basel (Switzerland), March 17-20, 2005 [panel presentation] 
  • “L’etica medica tra curare e prendersi cura”, Lanza Foundation, Padua (Italy), December 16, 2004 
  • “The Ethics of Stem Cell Research,” A Discussion with the International Forum of Catholic Bioethicists, Bruxelles (Belgium), December 12-13, 2004 
  • “The Ethics of Stem Cell Research: Thoughts on  Proposition 71” a Panel Discussion with Prof. Brietta Clark and Rabbi Jaim Abadia, Loyola Law School, November 18, 2004 
  • “Questions at the Boundary: Theological Anthropology and Bioethics,” a paper for the symposium on Health and Human Flourishing: Religion, Medicine, and Moral Anthropology, GeorgetownUniversity, November 5-6, 2004 
  • “Bioethics: A Place of Creativity in Medicine,” A paper read on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Centre d’Éthique Médicale, Université Catholique de Lille, France, October 16, 2004 
  • “Divine Shadows in the Nursery: Bioethics and the Suffering of Children,” The Annual Bioethics Institute Lecture, Loyola Marymount University, October 7, 2004 
  • “To Clone or Not to Clone: Bioethics on the Threshold of a Brave New World,” Loyola Marymount University Donors Retreat, St. Helena, CA, September 25, 2004 
  • “Nature and Function of Ethics Committees in the United States: A Bioethical Analysis," Workshop on "Ethics Committees in Medical Research and Practice," Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Rome (Italy), June 18-19, 2004   
  • “Life in the Laboratory, Marriage and Family: A Bioethical Analysis,” Public Lecture at the International Academy of Marital Spirituality, Bruxelles, Belgium, December 16, 2003 
  • “The New Genetics: Therapeutic Promise and Ethical Responsibilities,” University of Cagliari (Italy), May 29, 2003 
  • “The Goals of Medicine and the Physician-Patient Relation,” Ospedale Policlinico,  Messina (Italy), January 25, 2003 
  • “The Bioethicist as a Mediator: The Ethics Consultation Service in Health Care Institutions,” Istituto Teologico San Tommaso, Messina, January 24, 2003 
  • “Bioethics: History, Concepts and Current Challenges,” State University of Messina, January 24, 2003 
  • “The Climate of Western Bioethics: Between Liberal Individualism and Social Solidarity,” International Conference: “Bioethics in Multicultural Space: Locating Values, Translating Lessons,” Changsha, Republic of China, December 1-4, 2002 
  • “The Beginning of Personhood: Philosophical and Ethical Implications,” The Dean’s Biomedical Lecture Series, St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA, November 14, 2002  
  • “Challenges for Bioethics in the XXI Century,” XV Conferencia Boyd B. Palmer, Universidad Interamericana de Puertorico, Recinto de San German, October 19, 2002 
  • “Bioethics and Humanities Research: Genetics and Worldview Workshop,” National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institute of Health, July 2, 2002 
  • “Just Health Care: Moral Critique, Outrage and Response,” [with Dan Callahan, Jack Glaser and Laurie Zoloth], Center for Clinical Bioethics Conference on Justice in Health Care, GeorgetownUniversity, April 12, 2002 
  • “The Status of the Human Embryo: Scientific Data and Ethical Interpretation,” Theology and Embryology Conference, Santa Clara University, February 14-16, 2002 
  • “Ethical Issues in Research with Human Subjects,” Regulator Compliance Training Sessions for GeorgetownUniversity Investigators, November 12, 2001 
  • “Stem Cell Research: Science, Religion and Ethics in Dialogue,” GeorgetownUniversity Bioethics Colloquium [with Kevin FitzGerald and Leroy Walters], October 29, 2001
  •  “Market Ethos and the Integrity of Health Care,” German and American Health Care Systems, A Symposium Organized by the Catholic University Of America Law School, the School of Philosophy and the German Embassy, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., October 4, 2001 
  • “Moral Absolutes and Bioethics,” University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, April 6, 2001 
  • “Integrity and Compliance: The Moral Divide,” Organizational Ethics Workshop for Health Care Professionals, Georgetown University, March 15, 2001 
  • “Clinical Ethics in the United States: An Assessment,” Cycle de formation en deux journées pour le Diplome d’Université d’Éthique de la Santé, Centre d’Éthique Medicale, Université Catholique de Lille (France), March 11-13, 2001 
  • “Rethinking Hippocratic Ethics,” National Portuguese Conference of Bioethics, Azores (Portugal), January 27, 2001 
  • “Clinical Ethics as Applied Ethics: The Case of Ethics Consultations,” International Conference on Clinical Bioethics, Universita’ dell’Insubria, Varese (Italy), January 22, 2001 
  • “Ethics of Genetics,” Advanced European Bioethics Course, University of Nijmegen (Holland), November 17-19, 2000
  •  “Aristotle Retrieved: The Changing Faces of American Principlism,” Center for Bioethics and Law, University of Leuven (Belgium), November 16. 2000 
  • “Hospital Ethics Committees: History and Evolution,” Clinical Ethics Workshop, GeorgetownUniversity, November 9-11, 2000 
  • “Research with Human Tissues: Regulatory and Ethical Aspects,” Van Andel Institute, Ann Arbor, MI, September 29, 2000 
  • “Ethical Issues in Research with Human Subjects,” Regulatory Compliance Training Sessions for Investigators, GeorgetownUniversityMedicalCenter, September 12, 2000 
  • “The Center for Clinical Bioethics: Philosophy and Activities,” International Meeting of Catholic Bioethics Centers, Vatican City, February 14-17, 2000 
  • “Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia: An Overview of the International Debate,” [with Thomas Kopfensteiner, William Buckley, and Lars Reuter], Society for Christian Ethics Annual Meeting, Washington D.C., January 8, 2000 
  • “Rethinking the Goals of Medicine,” International Conference of Clinical Bioethics, Padua (Italy), October 19-23, 1999
  •  “From Medical Ethics to Bioethics,” International Symposium on the History of Medical Ethics, Catholic University of Rome (Italy), May 29-30, 1999 
  • “Institutional Review Boards: A Context for Ethical Discourse,” [with Jeff Collmann] Workshop on IRBs: Member Responsibilities and Related Competences, GeorgetownUniversity, March 23-24, 1999 
  • “Anthropology of Intimacy and Medical Confidentiality,” UniversityHospitalGregorio Marañon, Madrid (Spain), January 28-29, 1999 
  • “Bioethics in the United States: An Assessment from a European Perspective,” Lanza Foundation, Padua (Italy), May 22, 1998 
  • “International Perspectives on the History of Bioethics,” [with James Drane, Warren Reich, John Collins Harvey and Corrado Viafora], National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, June 6, 1996 
  •  “Environmental Crisis and Ethical Awareness,” The Cultural Center of Varese (Italy), March 8, 1989 
  • “Moral Theology and Reproductive Technologies,” Public Lecture, Centro Culturale di  Varese (Italy), November 18, 1988 
  • “The Tradition of Catholic Social Ethics,” Symposium on Social Ethics, Catholic University of Milan, February 15, 1998

Bioethics Conferences for Healthcare Settings

  • “The Formation of the Ethicist in Health Care Institutions,” Theologian/Ethicist Committee (TEC) Meeting, Catholic Health Association, Saint Louis, March 4, 2011
  • Theologian/Ethicist Committee (TEC) Meeting, Catholic Health Association, The Westin O’Hare Hotel, Chicago, November 4-5, 2009
  •  “Curing at Any Cost? On Embryos, Stem Cell Research, and the Ends of Medicine,” Bioethics Grand Round, St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, CA, July 31, 2006
  •  “Why Being Ethical?  Meaning, Functions, and Limits of Bioethics in the Hospital Setting,” Bioethics Grand Round, St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, CA, June 27, 2006
  •  “Western and Eastern Philosophies in Alleviating Pain and Suffering in the Dying,” 3rd Annual Compassionate End-of-Life and Descendent Affairs Conference, St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, CA, April 22, 2006
  • Making Decisions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit:  How Do We Talk to Parents,” Bioethics Grand Round, St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, CA, November 21, 2005
  •  “How Do We Die with Dignity? Quality of Life in Clinical Decision Making,” Critical Care Symposium, Westin Hotel, Long Beach, CA, October 14, 2005
  •  “Honoring the Dignity of the Expiring Hospital Patient,” 2nd Annual Compassionate End-of-Life and Descendent Affairs Conference, St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, CA, September 24, 2005
  •  “Caring and Curing in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit,” 5th Annual High-Risk Mother/Infant Conference, St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, CA, May 21, 2005
  •  “What is Death with Dignity? Bioethical Considerations on the End of Life” Bioethics Grand Round, St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, CA, April 4, 2005
  •  “How Do We Die with Dignity? Ars Moriendi for the 21th Century,” 2005 Medical Humanities Lecture, Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center, Harbor City, CA, February 17, 2005
  •  “Honoring the Dignity of the Expiring Hospital Patient,” 1st Annual Compassionate End-of-Life and Decedents Affairs Conference, St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, CA, January 14, 2005
  •  “Early Induction of Labor: Ethical Conflicts and Possible Solutions for Catholic Hospitals,” Bioethics Grand Round, St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, CA, July 21, 2004
  • “Whose Decision, Whose Responsibility?  Thoughts on Informed Consent from the NICU,” Bioethics Grand Round, St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, CA, March 8, 2004
  •  “Ethics in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: The Case of Trisomy 18,” Bioethics Grand Round, St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, CA, October 30, 2003
  •  “Breaking the Iron Cage: Moral Integrity and Catholic Health Care,” Key Note Address, Bon Secours Health Care System Planning Board Meeting, Orlando, FL, May 3, 2001
  •  “Moral Absolutes and Catholic Health Care Ethics,” A Retreat for the Bioethics Committee of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Tampa, FL, April 5, 2001
  •  “The Future of Hospital Ethics Committees,” Bioethics Grand Round, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Tampa, FL, April 5, 2001
  •  “Introduction to the Ethics of Medicine,” Lecture Series for the Association of Catholic Physicians, Milan (Italy), May 1990
  • “Principles of Medical Ethics,” Lecture Series for Health Care Professionals, Hospital of Monza (Italy), May-June 1988

Other Conferences

  • “The Moral Formation of the Lay Minister: Opportunities and Challenges,” XIV Annual Theological Symposium, Ministry Formation Institute, Diocese of San Bernardino, April 25, 2015 
  • “At the Heart of Christian Ethics: Pope Francis and the Tenderness of God,” Los Angeles Religious Education Congress 2015, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA, March 14, 2015 
  • “Al centro de la etica Cristiana: Papa Francisco y la ternura de Dios,” Los Angeles Religious Education Congress 2015, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA, March 15, 2015 
  • Presenter on Morality at the Advanced Catechetical Ministries (ACM) Program, Diocese of Los Angeles, Mission Hill, CA, February 2, 2015 
  • “Solutions to the Eugenics Movement,” Panel Presentation for the Bioethics and Eugenics Conference, National Catholic Bioethics Center and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, July 26, 2014 
  • “Who Shall Live?  On the Meaning of Modern Medicine and the Relevance of Bioethics,” LMU Heritage Association of Retired Faculty and Staff, Loyola Marymount University, April 2, 2014 
  • “Who Wants a Perfect Child? Procreation and Parenthood in the Age of Artificial Reproduction,” LMU Women’s Leadership Council, March 21, 2014 
  • “Who Cares about the Common Good? An Introduction to Catholic Social Ethics,” Distinguished Speakers Series, American Martyrs Church, Manhattan Beach, CA, December 18, 2013 
  • “Homosexuality: A Moral Theological Assessment,” A workshop for the Jesuit sponsored initiative Catholics in Conversation on Homosexuality, Loyola Marymount University, December 9, 2013 
  • Presenter on Morality at the Advanced Catechetical Ministries (ACM) Program, Diocese of Los Angeles, Mission Hill, CA, February 9, 2013 
  • “Making Sense of Catholic Life Ethics: An Assessment,” Distinguished Speakers Series, American Martyrs Church, Manhattan Beach, CA, December 19, 2012 
  • “In Good Conscience: A Theological Reflection on Conscience Formation,” Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, San Clemente, CA, December 13, 2012 
  • “Death and Dying: An Ethical Framework for Catholics,” St. Irenaeus Church, Cypress, CA, September 24, 2012 
  • What is Christian Ethics? Rethinking the Basics,” Theological Symposium, Diocese of San Bernardino, April 28, 2012 (in English and Spanish) 
  • “In Good Conscience: A Theological Reflection on Conscience Formation,” Los Angeles Religious Education Congress 2012, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA, March 25, 2012 
  • “Whatever Happened to the Common Good?” Los Angeles Religious Education Congress 2012, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA, March 23, 2012 
  •  “Ethical Transplant Issues: An Inter-Faith Conversation,” (with Rabbi Elliott Dorff, Dr. Reinhold Kraus, and President Maurice Lam), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Palos Verdes, CA, March 13, 2012  
  • “The Ethics of Artificial Reproductive Technologies: A Catholic Assessment,” Distinguished Speakers Series, American Martyrs Church, Manhattan Beach, CA, February 22, 2012 
  • “From Law to Freedom: A Theology of Moral Conscience,” Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, San Clemente, CA, November 17, 2011 
  • “Roman Catholic Perspective on Environmental Ethics,” Brave New Planet Conference: Imagining Ecological Communities, Claremont Presbyterian Church, October 28-29, 2011 
  • Co-Director, Bellarmine Forum 2009, Loyola Marymount University, October 25-31, 2009 
  • “The Suffering of Children and the Impossible Claim of Theodicy,” Distinguished Speakers Series, American Martyrs Church, Manhattan Beach, CA, November 1, 2009 
  • “Am I My Brother’s Keeper? On the Duty to Rescue,” Loyola Marymount University, October 12, 2009 
  • “The Vatican Instruction on Bioethics: An Ecumenical Symposium on Dignitatis Personae,” Loyola Marymount University, March 18, 2009 
  • “Perfecting Mother Nature: Ethical Issues in Genetic and Reproductive Medicine,” President’s Day, Loyola Marymount University, March 15, 2008 
  • “Ethics of Life and Bioethics: Contributions from Moral Theology,” Annual Conference for Church Ministers, Diocese of San Diego, CA -- San Diego Convention Center, September 15, 2007 [in Spanish] 
  • “Anointed to Serve,” Keynote Address, Diocese of Orange Congress, Mater Dei High School, Santa Ana, CA, September 8, 2007 [in Spanish] 
  • “Rethinking the Gift: Origin, Creation, and the Ethics of Life,” Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, Anaheim Convention Center, March 2, 2007 [in English and Spanish] 
  • “Ethics of Life and Bioethics: the Contribution of Moral Theology,” 2006 Religious Education Congress, Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA, April 2, 2006 [in Spanish] 
  • “God, the Embryo, and the Ends of Medicine: The Case of Stem Cell Research,” LMU President’s Day, Loyola Marymount University, March 18, 2006 
  • “Evangelize by Educating & Educate by Evangelizing,” Keynote Address, 2005, Congress of the Diocese of Orange, Marywood Center Institute for Pastoral Ministry, Orange, CA, September 10, 2005 [in English and Spanish]
  • “Cruzando el Campo de Batalla Moral Catolico: No Todo es Negro y Blanco o Gris,” Annual Theological Symposium of the Diocese of San Bernardino, Diocesan Pastoral Center, San Bernardino, CA, April 23, 2005 [in Spanish]
  • “Forum on the Legacy of John Paul II,” A Panel Discussion [with Dr. Bo Oppenheim, Dr. Christopher Kazor, and Dr. Michael Horan] Loyola Marymount University, April 12, 2005 
  • “The Befuddled Stork: A Catholic Perspective on Beginnings of Life,” Public Lecture, Martin Luther King Library, Washington D.C., March 15, 2002 
  • “The Gospel of Life,’ A Series of Lectures for the Adult Education Program, St. Mary of the Mills Church, Laurel, MD, February-March 1996 
  • “Introduction to Theological Ethics,” Lecture Series for University Students, Milan, April-May 1990 
  • “The Emergence of Medical Ethics in Moral Theology,” Lecture Series for the Clergy of the Diocese of Milan (Italy), April 1990 
  • “Ethics and Culture,” Workshop for the Clergy of the Diocese of Ravenna (Italy), January 4, 1990 
  • “Moral Theology and the Challenges of Pastoral Care,” Workshop for the Clergy of the Diocese of Milan (Italy), January 21, 1989 
  • “Love One Another: Towards a Christian Ethics of Sexuality,” Lecture Series for University Students, Milan (Italy), January 1988

Awarded Grants / Stipends

  • Awarded UNIHEALTH Foundation Research Grant for 2016-2017
  • Awarded the Daum Professorship Award for 2015-2016
  • Erasmus Mundus Professorship in Bioethics, University of Padua, spring 2010
  • “Vulnerability and the Human Condition,” Proposal Selected for the Bellarmine Forum, Loyola Marymount University, 2009
  • Summer Research Grant, Loyola Marymount University, Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, 2004 (A Ground for Meaning: An Appraisal of Klaus Demmer’s Hermeneutics and Its Significance for the Field of Bioethics)

Teaching Activities 

Spring 2019

  • Clinical Bioethics - BIOE 6500
  • Bioethics at the Beginning of Life - BIOE 6400

Fall 2018

  • Foundations of Philosophical Ethics - BIOE 6700

Spring 2018

  • On Sabbatical Leave

Fall 2017

  • Introduction to Bioethics - BIOE 6000
  • Bioethics at the Beginning of Life - BIOE 6100

Summer 2017

  • Ethics of Medical Research - BIOE 6500

Spring 2017

  • Foundations of Philosophical Ethics - BIOE 6700

Fall 2016

  • Introduction to Bioethics- BIOE 6000

Summer 2016

  • Clinical Bioethics - BIOE 6400
  • Ethics of Medical Research BIOE 6500

Fall 2015

  • Introduction to Bioethics - BIOE 6000 

Summer 2015

  • Catholic Health Care Ethics – BIOE 6500 

Spring 2015

  • Bioethics at the Beginning of Life – BIOE 6100
  • Foundations of Theological Ethics – THST 660 

Fall 2014

  • Introduction to Bioethics - BIOE 6000
  • Foundations of Philosophical Ethics – BIOE 6700 

Summer 2014

  • God and the Good: Thomas Aquinas and Immanuel Kant – THST 698 

Spring 2014

  • Bioethics:  A Theological Introduction – THST 368 (2 sections) 

Fall 2013

  • Bioethics:  A Theological Introduction – THST 368

Summer 2013

  • Intensive Bioethics Course, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University
  • Bioethics:  A Theological Introduction – THST 368

Spring 2013

  • Imago Dei – HNRS 215
  • Bioethics:  A Theological Introduction – THST 368

Fall 2012

  • Proseminar – THST 692
  • Contemporary Theological Ethics – THST 498
  • Bioethics:  A Theological Introduction – THST 368

Spring 2012

  • Bioethics:  A Theological Introduction – THST 368
  • Foundations of Theological Ethics – THST 660
  • From Philosophy to Theology: Karl Rahner – THST 698

Fall 2011

  • Proseminar – THST 692
  • Foundations of Theological Ethics – THST 660

Spring 2011

  • From Philosophy to Theology – THST 698
  • Philosophical Theology -- THST 498
  • Bioethics:  A Theological Introduction – THST 368

Fall 2010

  • Foundations of Theological Ethics – THST 660
  • Bioethics – THST 198
  • Bioethics:  A Theological Introduction – THST 368

Spring 2010

  • On Sabbatical

Fall 2009

  • Co-Director of the Bellarmine Forum
  • Foundations of Theological Ethics – THST 660
  • Bioethics:  A Theological Introduction – THST 368

Spring 2009

  • Foundations of Theological Ethics – THST 660/1 (Orange Cohort)
  • Beyond Good and Evil – HNRS 330

Fall 2008

  • Foundations of Theological Ethics – THST 660/1
  • Foundations of Theological Ethics – THST 660/2
  • Bioethics:  A Theological Introduction – THST 368

Spring 2008

  • On Suffering: Philosophical and Theological Approaches – THST 698/PHIL 698
  • On Suffering: Philosophy and Theology – THST 498/CATH 498

Fall 2007

  • Foundations of Christian Moral Life – THST 660
  • Bioethics and Christian Morality – THST 368

Summer 2007

  • Ethical Theories in Bioethics – BIOE 660/PHIL 678
  • Phenomenological Ethics – THST 699
  • Bioethics and Christian Morality – THST 368

Spring 2007

  • Issues in Bioethics – THST 663/BIOE 600
  • Bioethics and Christian Morality – THST 368

Fall 2006

  • Ethical Theories in Bioethics – BIOE 660
  • Methodological Issues in Bioethics – BIOE 600

Summer 2006

  • Bioethics and Christian Morality – THST 368
  • Intensive Bioethics Course, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University

Spring 2006

  • Ethical Theories in Bioethics – BIOE 660

Fall 2005

  • Topics in Bioethics: Foundations of Catholic Bioethics – BIOE 630
  • Bioethics and Christian Morality – THST 368

Summer 2005

  • Intensive Bioethics Course – Georgetown University
  • Bioethics and Christian Morality – THST 368

Spring 2005

  • Foundations of Christian Moral Life – THST 660

Fall 2004

  • Bioethics and Christian Morality – THST 368
  • Methodological Issues in Bioethics – THST 698

Summer 2004

  • Bioethics and Christian Morality (1 section) – THST 368
  • Intensive Bioethics Course, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University

Spring 2004

  • Bioethics and Christian Morality (2 sections) – THST 368
  • The New Genetic Medicine (Individual Course) – THST 399

Fall 2003

  • Moral Issues/Christian Responses (2 sections) – THST 360

Summer 2003

  • Intensive Bioethics Course, Kennedy Institute of Ethics

Spring 2003

  • Clinical Ethics, Part II (2nd year Medical Students)

Fall 2002

  • Philosophical Methodologies in Bioethics – PHIL 486
  • Clinical Ethics, Part I (1st year Medical Students)

Summer 2002

  • Intensive Bioethics Course, Kennedy Institute of Ethics
  • Proseminar in Clinical Bioethics – PHIL 790

Spring 2002

  • Philosophical Methodologies in Bioethics – PHIL 486
  • The Ethics of Thomas Aquinas (Tutorial) – PHIL 460
  • Clinical Ethics, Part II (2nd year Medical Students)
  • Organizational Ethics (Survey Course in Bioethics for Health Care Professionals- Module 4)

Fall 2001

  • Clinical Ethics, Part I (1st year Medical Students)
  • The Ethics of Human Subject Research (Survey Course in Bioethics for Health Care Professionals- Module 3)

Summer 2001

  • Intensive Bioethics Course, Kennedy Institute of Ethics
  • Proseminar in Clinical Bioethics – PHIL 790

Spring 2001

  • Clinical Ethics, Part II (2nd year Medical Students)
  • Birth, Suffering and Death: Ethical Decisions at the Edges of Life (Survey Course in
  • Bioethics for Health Care Professionals- Module 2)

Fall 2000

  • Clinical Ethics, Part I (1st year Medical Students)
  • Foundations of Clinical Ethics (Survey Course in Bioethics for Health Care Professionals- Module 1)

Summer 2000

  • Intensive Bioethics Course, Kennedy Institute of Ethics
  • Proseminar in Clinical Bioethics – PHIL 790
  • The Ethics of Immanuel Kant (Tutorial) – PHIL 468

Spring 2000

  • Clinical Ethics, Part II (2nd year Medical Students)
  • Introduction to American Bioethics (Seminar for International Visiting Scholars)
  • Organizational Ethics (Survey Course in Bioethics for Health Care Professionals- Module 4)

Fall 1999

  • Clinical Ethics, Part I (1st year Medical Students)
  • The Ethics of Human Subject Research (Survey Course in Bioethics for Health Care Professionals- Module 3)

Summer 1999

  • Intensive Bioethics Course, Kennedy Institute of Ethics
  • Proseminar in Clinical Bioethics – PHIL 790

Spring 1999

  • Clinical Ethics, Part II (2nd year Medical Students)
  • Birth, Suffering and Death: Ethical Decisions at the Edges of Life (Survey Course in Bioethics for Health Care Professionals- Module 2)

Fall 1998

  • Clinical Ethics, Part I (1st year Medical Students)
  • Foundations of Clinical Ethics (Survey Course in Bioethics for Health Care Professionals- Module 1)

Summer 1998

  • Intensive Bioethics Course, Kennedy Institute of Ethics
  • Proseminar in Clinical Bioethics – PHIL 790

Spring 1998

  • Clinical Ethics, Part II (2nd year Medical Students)

Fall 1997

  • Clinical Ethics, Part I (1st year Medical Students)

Summer 1997

  • Proseminar in Clinical Bioethics – PHIL 790

Spring 1997

  • Clinical Ethics, Part II (2nd year Medical Students)

Fall 1996

  • Clinical Ethics, Part I (1st year Medical Students)
  • Summer 1996
  • Proseminar in Clinical Bioethics – PHIL 790

Spring 1990

  • Fundamental Moral Theology II (S.T.B. program)
  • Principles of Sexual Ethics (S.T.B. program)
  • Seminar in Philosophical Ethics (S.T.B. program)

Fall 1989

  • Fundamental Moral Theology I (S.T.B. program)
  • Theology of Marriage and Family (S.T.B. program)

Spring 1989

  • Fundamental Moral Theology II (S.T.B. program)
  • Principles of Sexual Ethics (S.T.B. program)
  • Seminar in Philosophical Ethics (S.T.B. program)

Fall 1988

  • Fundamental Moral Theology I (S.T.B. program)
  • Theology of Marriage and Family (S.T.B. program)

Spring 1988

  • Fundamental Moral Theology II (S.T.B. program)
  • Principles of Sexual Ethics (S.T.B. program)
  • Seminar in Philosophical Ethics (S.T.B. program)

Fall 1987

  • Fundamental Moral Theology I (S.T.B. program)
  • Theology of Marriage and Family (S.T.B. program)