Environmental ethics and a spiritual discipline for those promoting peace are among the topics to be discussed at the Diocese of Peoria’s Institute for Catholic Social Ministry on Saturday, Oct. 9.

The institute — open to all interested persons and coordinated by Msgr. Doug Hennessy and Father Dick Bresnahan, diocesan co-moderators of social justice — will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Spalding Pastoral Center, 419 N.E. Madison Ave., Peoria.

“I’d like to get every person in every pew there,” said Father Bresnahan, emphasizing the importance of Catholic social teaching in helping Catholics relate to many of the issues of our time. He offered special invitations to parish leaders, permanent deacons, those who have gone through the JustFaith experience, and “all persons of a social conscience.”

Those attending will hear presentations by two keynote speakers: Father Robert (Bud) Grant, a professor in the theology department at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and Tom Cordaro, justice and outreach minister for St. Margaret Mary Parish in Naperville and author of the recently published book “Be Not Afraid: An Alternative to the War on Terror.”

Father Grant, whose specialty is environmental ethics, will offer an overview of that topic in his talk, “Back to the Garden.” He will link social justice and environmental responsibility with the role that “redistributing suffering” plays in restoring God’s creation.

Cordaro, who was recently named an Ambassador of Peace by the national Catholic peace and justice organization Pax Christi USA, will speak on “Redemptive Violence or Redemptive Suffering: Which is the True Path to Peace?” His talk will offer advice on breaking out of the intellectual and spiritual dead end of violence and offer a spiritual discipline to sustain peace activists in their work.

Cordaro has been involved in faith-based peace and justice work for more than three decades.

A $15 registration fee includes lunch. Registrations should be sent by mail to Father Dick Bresnahan at 2435 29th St., Moline, IL, 61265, or by e-mail to r.bresnahan@mchsi.com.

Payment can be made at the door, but pre-registration is requested.

For more information on the institute, call Father Bresnahan at (309) 762-3168.