Matteo Ricci Award Honors Callahans

The scholars and authors Daniel Callahan and his wife, Sidney de Shazo Callahan, were honored for their distinguished contribution to culture on April 7 by the editors of America with the Matteo Ricci, S.J., Award. The Callahans were recognized for their many contributions to the world of ideas, to letters, bioethics, moral philosophy and theology, psychology, spirituality and journalism. The award is named after the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci (1552-1610), who helped bridge European and Chinese culture. Drew Christiansen, S.J., editor in chief of America, in presenting the award, said: “In honoring Sidney and Daniel Callahan, we believe we are honoring two scholars, writers and public intellectuals who exemplify the Riccian spirit. Throughout their careers, they have bridged disciplines and different communities’ ideas, and in so doing they have exercised enormous influence on American society, Catholic intellectual life and the advance of ethical understanding across continents.”