Legatus member receives Acton prize

Andrew Abela wins Novak Award, calls for greater moral engagement in market place . . .

Dr. Andrew Abela

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Professor Andrew V. Abela of Catholic University of America gave the 9th annual Calihan Lecture on Oct. 8 at CUA’s Pryzbyla Student Center. Abela spoke on “Consumerism, Subsidiarity and the Market.” The Calihan Lecture is delivered by the recipient of the Novak Award, a $10,000 prize.

Andrew Abela, a charter member of Legatus’ Arlington Chapter and Legatus Magazine contributor, is an associate professor of marketing and chair of the Department of Business and Economics at the Catholic University of America in Washington. His main areas of interest include consumerism, marketing ethics, Catholic social teaching and internal marketing communication.

A frequent guest on television and radio programs, Abela has recently addressed such issues as the moral underpinnings of capitalism, the current financial crisis and ethics in advertising.  Abela is also widely published in academic and professional journals including The Journal of Marketing, The Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science and The Journal of Markets & Morality.

The Novak Award is named after the theologian and social philosopher, Michael Novak.  The award acknowledges and rewards those who, relatively early in their academic careers, have made significant contributions to the study of the relationship between religion and economic liberty, and who are deemed likely to make further important contributions. Recipients of the Novak Award make a formal presentation on such issues at an annual public forum known as the Calihan Lecture. The Novak award forms part of a range of scholarships and awards available from the Acton Institute.

The Acton Institute is a nonprofit, ecumenical think tank located in Grand Rapids, Mich. The Institute works internationally to “promote a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles.”

Source: Acton Institute news release.

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