ND Law will hold sixth annual Religious Liberty Summit in Chicago

Notre Dame Law School will host the sixth annual Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit from July 5-8 in Chicago. The summit is an annual gathering of the world’s leading defenders of religious freedom. The theme this year is “We Hold These Truths,” which will guide the programming.

Through panel discussions and keynote speeches, the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit stimulates conversations between religious leaders, scholars, and advocates about the future of religious liberty.

“Religious liberty is a fundamental human right, and its protection remains a matter of global importance,” said G. Marcus Cole, the Joseph A. Matson Dean and Professor of Law at Notre Dame Law School. “As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, our theme invites us to reflect on the enduring principles of human dignity, freedom of conscience, and the God-given right of every person to live according to their beliefs. By fostering thoughtful dialogue and engaging diverse perspectives, we can help promote religious flourishing and strengthen the protection of this essential freedom for people around the world.”

This year, over 100 leading scholars, faith leaders, and advocates will gather in Chicago, Illinois. Over the three days of the summit, more than 20 speakers will participate in panel discussions on topics such as “Religious Freedom and the Making of Free Societies,” “Religious Foundations of the American Revolution,” and “Localism, State Political Experimentation, and Religious Freedom.”

The Summit will open with a Catholic Mass at St. James Chapel in Chicago. The programming will include keynote addresses from Dr. Jacqueline Rivers, a scholar and leader in advancing the cause of religious freedom for all, including minority groups, and fostering religious coexistence in pluralistic societies, and Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik, whose leadership and scholarship have left a lasting impact on American religious life.

The Summit will conclude with a Wednesday evening gala and awards presentation, where the Law School will present the 2026 Notre Dame Prize for Religious Liberty to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a nonprofit public interest law firm based in Washington, D.C., with a mission to protect the free expression of all faiths. Becket has an unparalleled record at the U.S. Supreme Court. In the last 15 years, Becket has won 13 Supreme Court cases. Six of those victories were unanimous. Almost half of all Supreme Court victories for religious freedom over the last decade were Becket cases.

The Law School will also honor Professor John Witte with the 2026 Religious Liberty Scholarship Award. A leading specialist in legal history, human rights, religious freedom, marriage and family law, and law and religion, Witte has published over 300 articles, 18 journal symposia, and 45 books.

More information about the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit can be found at https://law.nd.edu/news-events/events/religious-liberty-summit/