Hope and Healing: The Promise of Catholic Social Teaching for a Divided America

The Hope and Healing series is a new interdisciplinary lecture series in honor and memory of Reverend David T. Link, former dean of the Notre Dame Law School, founding dean of the St. Thomas School of Law, faithful husband, father, and, later in life, a Roman Catholic priest who, throughout, served compassionately those on the margins of society. Hope and Healing will bring together Catholic and non-Catholic scholars, leaders, and advocates to educate, inspire, foster dialogue, and propose practical solutions to the complex issues and challenges facing American society and the Catholic Church.

Fall 2025 Hope and Healing Speaker
Sister Raffaella Petrini, F.S.E. President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of Vatican City State

Hope and Healing: The Promise of Catholic Social Teaching for a Divided America

The Reverend David T. Link Lecture Series

Featuring Rob Vischer, President of the University of St. Thomas, and Marcus Cole, Dean of the Notre Dame Law School.

The Power of Faith and Values-Based Education in the Pursuit of Hope and Healing

Co-sponsored by the Initiative on Restorative Justice and Healing.

The Initiative on Restorative Justice and Healing (IRJH) was launched in 2021 to teach law students, and the broader community, how to utilize restorative justice practices within our courts and communities to facilitate healing, build bridges and bring about a more just and inclusive society.

Dean G. Marcus Cole

The Law School, University of Notre Dame

Dean Cole is a leading scholar of the empirical law and economics of commerce and finance. He was a faculty member at Stanford Law School from 1997 until he came to Notre Dame. At Stanford, he held two endowed chairs and taught courses in the areas of bankruptcy, banking, contracts, and venture capital. In addition, he served for five years as associate dean for curriculum and academic affairs.