For the past 15 years, the Denise ’90 and Michael ’91 Mattone Center for Law and Religion has served as a platform at St. John’s University-New York for examining the intersection of law and religion from domestic, international, and comparative viewpoints. The Center organizes programs that encourage students, scholars, and practitioners to analyze how legal systems influence relationships between religion and state, explore legal principles in various religious traditions, and participate in discussions on law and religion issues at multiple levels.

In November, the Mattone Center hosted several events aimed at engaging students with these topics. One event was a biannual reading group where 30 students discussed C.S. Lewis’s "Mere Christianity," focusing on natural law under the guidance of Professor Mark Movsesian, Director of the Center. “The reading groups give students a chance to explore sources other than the statutes and judicial opinions that typically shape their classroom learning,” Professor Movsesian said. “We always have a great turnout and a great discussion at these events.”

The Center also held a two-day International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (ICLARS) conference that brought together scholars and judges from both the United States and Europe. The conference addressed subjects such as public funding for religious schools—including single-sex education policies—and examined denominational instruction as well as rights of teachers and students regarding morally sensitive issues. Another panel focused on curriculum design and academic freedom with comparative insights from different countries.

Additionally, Hon. Ioannis Ktistakis of the European Court of Human Rights visited campus to share his experiences in teaching law in Greece and Turkey, litigating before the European Court, and serving as a judge there. Students learned about judicial appointments, transparency practices at the Court, and case management strategies for handling large caseloads.

Anastasia Kaliabakos ‘27 commented on Judge Ktistakis’s visit: “As a member of the Hellenic Law Students Association, I can speak for us all in saying how inspiring it was to see a Greek judge of such distinction take the time to meet with us. His guidance and example reminded us of the importance of our shared heritage and of pursuing meaningful careers in law.”

Dean Jelani Jefferson Exum noted: “The Mattone Center is widely recognized as a center of excellence and prominence in the law and religion field,” she said. “Through timely events for students and others as well as its Law and Religion Forum blog, Legal Spirits podcast, and Landmark Cases in Religious Freedom animated video series, the Center is making a significant impact at, and well beyond, St. John’s Law that will only continue to grow in the coming years.”