The Hayek Medal was awarded to Martin Rhonheimer in 2021, recognizing a career defined by his integration of political philosophy and Catholic theology. Born in Zurich in 1950, he has spent his working life navigating the intersection of natural law, liberal economic theory, and the doctrinal frameworks of the Catholic Church.
Academic and Theological Foundation
Rhonheimer pursued his early education in Zurich and Rome, studying history, political science, theology, and philosophy. In 1974, he joined the personal prelature Opus Dei as a numerary member and was subsequently ordained as a priest in 1983. His professional tenure includes a long-standing role as a teaching professor at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, an institution affiliated with Opus Dei.
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His research centers on the ethics of moral action, virtue ethics, and the thought of Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle. Rhonheimer is known for defending free-market capitalism, asserting that the pursuit of profit is inherently positive when conducted within a lawful, free-market system. In 2017, he publicly dissented from Pope Francis' characterization of the global economy, arguing that modern reliance on the welfare state has compromised the church's ability to advocate for principles such as subsidiarity.
Church, State, and Political Theory
A central theme in his political philosophy is the separation of church and state, which he identifies as a foundational requirement of Christianity. Beyond his academic books, he has contributed editorial pieces to the Neue Zürcher Zeitung. His published body of work spans topics from bioethics and the ethics of procreation to the philosophical paradigm of Thomas Hobbes.
Fast facts
- Born: 1950, Zurich, Switzerland
- Citizenship: Switzerland
- Occupation: Philosopher, priest, university teacher
- Affiliation: Opus Dei
- Employer: Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
- Award: Hayek Medal (2021)
- Membership: Real Academia de Doctores de España
Questions readers ask
What is Martin Rhonheimer's primary field of study?
He specializes in political philosophy, ethics, the history of liberalism, and the application of Thomistic moral philosophy.
What is his stance on the Catholic Church's relationship with politics?
He argues that a foundational element of Christianity is the separation of church and politics, which he views as synonymous with the separation of church and state.
Achievements
- Hayek Medal — 2021
- Held posts at Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
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