George Weigel

George Weigel (Baltimore, 1951 - ) is an American conservative author, Roman Catholic theologian and polical and social activist. He serves as a Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and as an Adjunct Fellow of the Discovery Institute's Religion, Liberty & Public Life Program. Weigel was also Founding President of the James Madison Foundation. He is the author of the biography of Pope John Paul II, Witness to Hope.

Related Topics:
Baltimore - 1951 - Roman Catholic - Discovery Institute's - Pope John Paul II

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Weigel grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where he attended St. Mary's Seminary and University, and he lated received his masters degree from the University of St. Michael's College in Toronto. Weigel has received eight honorary doctorate degrees, in addition to the papal cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice.

Related Topics:
Baltimore, Maryland - University of St. Michael's College - Toronto

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Weigel lived in Seattle, serving as Assistant Professor of Theology and Assistant Dean of Studies at the St. Thomas Seminary School of Theology in Kenmore, Scholar-in-Residence at the World Without War Council of Greater Seattle, before returning to Washington, D.C., as a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Related Topics:
Seattle - Kenmore - Washington - D.C. - Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Weigel founded in 1986 the James Madison Foundation.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In his political writings, Weigel argues for a foreign policy of "moralism without illusions." His position is that the threat of evil in the world cannot be escaped, negotiated with, reformed, or constrained by international norms. Facing a world where "evildoers" still roam free, Weigel advocates a U.S. foreign policy guided not by moral notions about how nations should behave, but by moral reasoning.{{ref|American_purpose}} In some cases, he adds, moral reasoning may require that the United States support authoritarian regimes to fend off the greater evils of moral decay and threats to the security of the United States, which in his view is "the champion of all that is good and right."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Weigel and his wife Joan live in North Bethesda, Maryland with their three children.

Related Topics:
North Bethesda - Maryland

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~