According to the announcement of the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Professor Kuan Hsin-Chi, department head of the Department of Government and Public Administration, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, as a member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Science. The Centre for Catholic Studies sends our congratulations to Professor Kuan for this special honor.

The Pontifical Academy of Social Science was established in 1994, aims at promoting academic research in the social, economic, political and legal areas, in light of the Church蹋s social teachings.

Professor Kuan is a Catholic and has wide academic research interest, including political culture and political participation, comparative politics, and development in political studies. He is a member of the advisory committee of the Centre for Catholic Studies.

For those who are interested in knowing more the viewpoints of Professor Kuan on the relationship between the Church and the State, please join the seminar on February 26, 2006. For details please visit our website.