Department Chair
Michael P. Walsh Professor of Bioethics
Professor of Theological Ethics
Stokes Hall 329N
Telephone: 617-552-3572
Email: andrea.vicini@bc.edu
ORCID
Andrea Vicini, S.J., is an alumnus of Boston College (S.T.L. and Ph.D.) and holds an M.D.from the University of Bologna and an S.T.D. from the Pontifical Faculty of Theology ofSouthern Italy in Napoli. At Boston College, Andrea was Gasson Professor (2009-2010) and taught as theÌýGloria L. and Charles I. Clough School of Theology and Ministry (2011-2019). He also taught in Italy, Albania,Mexico, Chad, and France. He is co-chair of the international network as well as lecturer and member of associations of moral theologians and bioethicists in Italy, Europe, and the U.S. His research interests and publications include theological bioethics, global public health, new biotechnologies, environmental issues, and fundamental theological ethics. During the academic year 2015-2016, he had a researchfellowship at the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, NJ, on the Societal Implications of Astrobiology. Since 2021 he is a Fellow of the .
Books
Genetica umana e bene comune (Human Genetics and the Common Good),Ìý(Cinisello Balsamo: San Paolo, 2008).
Translation:ÌýGenética humana e bem comumÌý(São Paolo: Loyola, São Camilo, 2011).
Co-authored Books
AI (Artificial Intelligence) Research Group for the Centre for Digital Culture of the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See, Reclaiming Human Agency in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, P. Scherz and B.P. Green, eds., Theological Investigations of Artificial Intelligence, (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications by Wipf and Stock, 2026). See also: Reclaiming Human Agency in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, P. Scherz and B.P. Green, eds., Theological Investigations of Artificial Intelligence, Journal of Moral Theology (2025),Ìý
AI (Artificial Intelligence) Research Group for the Centre for Digital Culture of the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See, Encountering Artificial Intelligence: Ethical and Anthropological Explorations, M. J. Gaudet, N. Herzfeld, P. Scherz, J. J. Wales, eds., Theological Investigations of Artificial Intelligence, (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications by Wipf & Stock, 2024). See also: Encountering Artificial Intelligence: Ethical and Anthropological Explorations, M. J. Gaudet, N. Herzfeld, P. Scherz, J. J. Wales, eds., Theological Investigations of Artificial Intelligence, Journal of Moral Theology (2023). .
Translation: Encountering Artificial Intelligence: Ethical and Anthropological Investigations (Korean Translation) (Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea: Suwon Catholic University Press, 2024).
Edited books
Intercultural Theological Ethics: Fundaments, Frameworks, Processes, S. Müller, M. Salfinger, A. Vicini, SJ, eds., Global Theological Ethics 8, (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications by Wipf and Stock, 2026). See also: Intercultural Theological Ethics: Fundaments, Frameworks, Processes, S. Müller, M. Salfinger, A. Vicini, SJ, eds., Global Theological Ethics 8, Journal of Moral Theology (2025), .
Plastic Pollution, Theological Ethics, and the Call of Laudato Si™, A. Vicini, P.J. Landrigan, and K. Bullock, eds., Global Theological Ethics, (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications by Wipf & Stock, 2025). See also: Plastic Pollution, Theological Ethics, and the Call of Laudato Si™, A. Vicini, P.J. Landrigan, and K. Bullock, eds., Global Theological Ethics 7, Journal of Moral Theology (2025), .
The Rising Global Cancer Pandemic: Health, Ethics, and Social Justice, A. Vicini, P. J.ÌýLandrigan, and K. Straif, eds., Global Theological Ethics 2, (Eugene, OR: Pickwick PublicationsÌýby Wipf & Stock, 2022).ÌýSee alsoÌýThe Rising Global Cancer Pandemic: Health, Ethics, and Social Justice, A. Vicini, P. J. Landrigan, and K. Straif, eds., Global Theological Ethics 2,ÌýJournal of Moral Theology, (2022),Ìý.
Ethics Challenges in Global Public Health: Climate Change, Pollution, and the Health of theÌýPoor, P. J. Landrigan and A. Vicini, eds., Global Theological Ethics 1, (Eugene, OR: PickwickÌýPublications by Wipf & Stock, 2021).ÌýSee also: Philip J. Landrigan and Andrea Vicini, SJ, eds. Ethical Challenges in Global Public Health: Climate Change, Pollution, and the Health of the Poor, Global Theological Ethics 1, Journal of Moral Theology (2021), .
Reimagining the Moral Life: On Lisa Sowle Cahill Contributions to Christian Ethics, K.J.ÌýChoi, S. Moses, and A. Vicini, eds., (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2020).
Building Bridges in Sarajevo: The Plenary Papers of Sarajevo 2018, J.F. Keenan, K. Heyer, andÌýA. Vicini, eds., Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church Series, Vol. 7, (Maryknoll, NY:ÌýOrbis Books, 2019).
Just Sustainability: Technology, Ecology, and Resource Extraction, C.Z. Peppard and A. Vicini,Ìýeds., Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church Series, Vol. 3, (Maryknoll, NY: OrbisÌýBooks, 2015).
Indian edition: Just Sustainability: Technology, Ecology, and Resource Extraction, C.Z. Peppard and A. Vicini, eds., Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church Series, Vol. 3, (Bengaluru: Dharmaram Publications, 2016).
The Legacy of Vatican II, M. Faggioli and A. Vicini, eds., (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2015).
Selected Podcasts
"What if We Are not Alone in the Universe?,� Pulled Up Short: Season Two, Carolyn A. andÌýPeter S. Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Boston College (November 15,Ìý2021).
œWater: Public Health, Justice, and the Common Good,� , October 30, 2019,Ìý..
Selected Journal articlesÌý
œAgire Cristiano e Teologia: Prospettive e Sfide dal Nord America (Christian Agency and Theology: Perspectives and Challenges from North America),� Teologia 50, no. 4 (2025): 577-607.
œIndicators of the Dimensions of Trust (and Mistrust) in Early Primary Care Practice: AÌýQualitative Study� (et al.), BMC Primary Care 24 (2023) art. 150. DOI:Ìý
œ˜Don™t Worry, You Can Trust Me™: Indicators of the Role of Trust in Residents™ ReflectiveWriting� (et al.), Patient Education and Counseling 109, Supplement (April 2023): art. 54. DOI:ÌýÌý.
œThe Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health� (et al.), Annals of GlobalÌýHealth 89, no. 1 (2023): art. 23, 1-215. DOI: .
œTheory Building as Integrated Reflection: Understanding Physician Reflection Through HumanÌýCommunication Research, Medical Education, and Ethics� (et al.), Journal of Health Ethics 18,Ìýno. 2 (2022): .
œWhen Social Justice Meets CRISPR,� Sojourners 51, no. 11 (December 2022): 14-15. 2022ÌýAward of Excellence of The Associated Press Church Awards for: Science Writing for the WorldÌýof Faith: Short Format.
œ� (et al.), Journal ofÌýHealth Ethics 18, no. 1 (2022).
œThe Coronavirus Pandemic: Ethical Challenges in Global Public Health,� Journal of the SocietyÌýof Christian Ethics 42, no. 1 (Spring/Summer 2022).
œ,� JournalÌýof Moral Theology 11, no. 1 (2022): 41-69.
œ� (et al.), Journal of MoralÌýTheology 11, no. 1 (2022): 13-40.
œ,� La Civiltà Cattolica English Edition 5, no. 12Ìý(December 2021), [translations in Italian and Spanish].
œÌý(Noviembre 5, 2021).
œHealthcare Practice at the End of Life: Addressing Opposite Attitudes and Diverse Contexts,�ÌýConcilium: The End of Life: Making Sense of Our Finitude, M. Gruber, L. Hogan, and S.ÌýKnauss, eds., no. 5 (2021): 45-55 [translations in German, Italian, and Spanish].
œCorrecting the Genome with CRISPR: Ethical Challenges,� La Civiltà Cattolica EnglishÌýEdition (September 28, 2021) [translations in Italian and French].
œ),� Journal of Moral Theology 10, no. 2 (2021):Ìý100-109.
œPosthumanism in Popular Culture: Ongoing Challenges,� Concilium: Posthumanism and theÌýIncarnation in a Post/Human Age, S. Abraham, B. Caero Bustillos, and Po Ho Huang, eds., 57,Ìýno. 3 (2021): 54-63 [translations in German, French, and Italian].
œCOVID-19: A Crisis and a Tragedy“What Next?,� Theological Studies 82, no. 1 (2021): 116-Ìý137.
œArtificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Bioethical Challenges and Approaches,� Asian Horizons:ÌýDharmaram Journal of Theology 14, no. 3 (2020): 615-627.
œPreserving the Earth and Promoting Health: Challenges for the Common Good,� StudiaÌýMoralia 58, no. 1 (2020): 97-122.
œLife in the Time of Coronavirus,� La Civiltà Cattolica English Edition 4, no. 4 (April 2020)Ìý[translations in Catalan, Italian, and Spanish).
œReflecting on CRISPR Gene Editing,� Health Progress 101, no. 1 (January-February 2020): 5-Ìý9. 2021 Catholic Press Awards, for Best Writing“Analysis in the magazineÌýdivision.
œ,� (with B. O™Neill, S.J.), La Civiltà CattolicaÌýEnglish Edition 4, no. 1 (2020): 40-52 [translations in Catalan, Italian, and Spanish].
œ,� La Civiltà Cattolica English Edition 3, no. 9Ìý(2019): 92-104 [translations in French, Italian, and Spanish].
œSocial Justice and the Promotion of the Common Good in Medical Missions to Low-ResourcedÌýCountries,� Annals of Global Health 85, no. 1 (2019): 83-84.
œAstrobiology and Us: Social and Political Implications of a ˜New™ Science,� La Civiltà ÌýCattolica English Edition 1, no. 5 (2017): 29-41 [translations in Italian and Spanish].
œCultivating the Inner Life of a Physician Through Written Reflection� (et al.), Annals of FamilyÌýMedicine 15, no. 4 (2017): 379-381.
œOn the Inner Life of Physicians: Analysis of Family Medicine Residents™ Written Reflections�Ìý(et al.), Journal of Religion and Health (2017):1-10.
œThe Role of Emotions at the End of Human Life,� Studia Moralia 55, no. 1 (2017): 99-119.
œLearning to See Beneath the Surface: A Qualitative Analysis of Family Medicine Residents™ÌýReflections About Communication� (et al.), Journal of Health Communication 20, no. 12 (2015):Ìý1441-1448.
œLonging for Transcendence: Cyborgs and Trans- and Posthumans� (with A. Brazal),ÌýTheological Studies 76, no. 1 (2015): 148-165.
œLe Neuroscienze e la Bioetica (Neurosciences and Bioethics),� La Civiltà Cattolica II, no. 3932Ìý(2014): 143-158.
œMapeamento do Cérebro: Uma Questão Ética? (Mapping the Brain: An Ethical Issue?),�ÌýBioethikos 7, no. 4 (2013): 426-430.
œBioethics: Basic Questions and Extraordinary Developments,� Theological Studies 73, no. 1Ìý(2012): 169-187.
œEthical Challenges of Human Genetics Today: From the Lab, through the Clinic, to the Pews,�ÌýStudia Moralia 50, no. 1 (2012): 145-174.
œImaging in Severe Disorders of Consciousness: Rethinking Consciousness, Identity and Care inÌýa Relational Key,� Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics 32, no. 1 (2012): 169-191.
œLa Loi Morale Naturelle: Perspectives Internationales pour la Réflexion BioéthiqueÌýContemporaine (The Moral Natural Law: International Perspectives for Today BioethicalÌýReflection),� Revue de l™Institut Catholique de Paris “ Transversalités 122 (2012): 125-151.
œLe Cas de la Grippe Aviaire H5N1: La Recherche en Biologie entre Questions, Pauses etÌýLimites (The Case of the H5N1 Avian Flu: The Research in Biology between Questions, Pauses,Ìýand Limits),� ɳٳܻå±ð²õ 417, no. 4 (2012): 317-327.
œNew Insights in Environmental and Sustainable Ethics,� Asian Horizons: Dharmaram JournalÌýof Theology 6, no. 2 (2012): 309-328.
œAllocazione delle Risorse Sanitarie: Come Promuovere la Giustizia e il Bene Comune? (TheÌýAllocation of Health Care Resources: How Can We Promote Justice and the Common Good?),�ÌýRivista di Teologia Morale 43.169, no. 1 (2011): 69-78.
œEtica Teologica, Pratica Medica e Sanità : Per una Maggiore e Migliore Giustizia (TheologicalÌýEthics, Medical Practice, and Healthcare: To Promote a Greater and Better Justice),� StudiaÌýMoralia 49, no. 2 (2011): 439-463.
œO Futuro da Bioética (The Future of Bioethics)� (with J.F. Keenan), Bioethikos 5, no. 1 (2011):Ìý10-20.
œOncofertility and the Boundaries of Moral Reflection� (with P. Lauritzen), Theological StudiesÌý72, no. 1 (2011): 116-130.
œLa Riforma Sanitaria negli Stati Uniti (The Health Care Reform in the USA),� La Civiltà ÌýCattolica II, 3839 (2010): 466-478.
œThe Search for a Universal Ethic: The International Theological Commission 2009 DocumentÌýon Natural Law,� Concilium: Human Nature and Natural Law, L. Sowle Cahill, H. Haker, and E.ÌýMessi Metogo, eds., 3 (2010): 111-117.
Selected Book chapters
œTheological Bioethics in a Globalized World,� in Globalization and the New World Order, J. Ogbonnaya and L. Lushombo, eds. (Milwaukee, WI: Marquette University Press, 2026), 55-83.
œSocial Persons and AI: Striving to Promote the Common Good,� in Artificial Intelligence and Care of Our Common Home: A Focus on Industries, Finance, Education and Communication, A. M. Tarantola, ed., (Rome: Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities-SACRU and Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation-CAPPF, Vita & Pensiero, 2025), 77-91.
œNeurowissenschaft und menschliche Freiheit: Ethische Perspektiven� (Neurosciences and Human Freedom: Ethical Perspectives),� in Mensch sein in Zeiten der Transformation. Interdisziplinäre Wege zu einer ethischen Anthropologie (Being Human in Times of Transformation: Interdisciplinary Paths to an Ethical Anthropology), S. Müller, ed., Religion and Transformation in Contemporary European Society, vol. 36, (Wien: Brill/Schöningh, 2025), 75-101.
œPreface� (with Philip J. Landrigan), in Plastic Pollution, Theological Ethics, and The Call of Laudato Si™, A. Vicini, P. J. Landrigan, and K. Bullock, eds., Global Theological Ethics, (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications by Wipf & Stock, 2025), 1-8.
œThe Plastics Crisis and Catholic Social Teaching,� in Plastic Pollution, Theological Ethics, and The Call of Laudato Si™, A. Vicini, P. J. Landrigan, and K. Bullock, eds., Global Theological Ethics, (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications by Wipf & Stock, 2025), 98-107.
œA Discerning Bioethics: Francis Threefold Approach,� in The Moral Vision of Pope Francis: Expanding the US Reception of the First Jesuit Pope, C.M. Kelly and K.E. Heyer, eds., Moral Traditions series, (Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2024), 183-199.
œAn Incarnated Bioethics,� in Tony Mifsud: Vida Plena y Compromiso, J. de la Torre DÃaz and C. Montero Orphanopoulos, eds., (Madrid: Dykinson, 2023), 65-76.
œThe Legacy of Paul Farmer for Theological Ethics,� in A Prophet to the Peoples: PaulÌýFarmer Witness and Theological Ethics, J. Weiss Block, M. T. Lysaught, and A. A. Martins,Ìýeds., Global Theological Ethics 3, (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications by Wipf & Stock, 2023),Ìý299-312.
œNeuroscience and Theological Bioethics: An Interdisciplinary Dialogue,� in Neurowissenschaften in der Diskussion “ Anregungen zum Weiterdenken / The Moral Brain: “ Stimuli for Further Reflection, S. Müller and P.J. Morciniec, N. Polgar, eds., Bioethik in derÌýDiskussion / Bioethics in Discussion 4, (Wien: Facultas, 2022), 25-44.
œThe Challenging Global Cancer Pandemic,� in The Rising Global Cancer Pandemic: Health,ÌýEthics, and Social Justice, A. Vicini, P. J. Landrigan, and K. Straif, eds., Global TheologicalÌýEthics 2, (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications by Wipf & Stock, 2022), iii-ix.
œCancer in the Context of Global Inequities and Disparities in COVID Times: An EthicalÌýReflection,� in The Rising Global Cancer Pandemic: Health, Ethics, and Social Justice, A.ÌýVicini, P. J. Landrigan, and K. Straif, eds., Global Theological Ethics “ Book Series, vol. 2,Ìý(Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications by Wipf & Stock, 2022), 143-151.
œGlobal Public Health and the Promotion of the Common Good,� in Ethics of Global PublicÌýHealth: Climate Change, Pollution, and the Health of the Poor, P. J. Landrigan and A. Vicini,Ìýeds. (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications by Wipf & Stock, 2021), 1-12.
œAn Ethical Agenda for Global Public Health� (with P. Farmer), in Ethics of Global PublicÌýHealth: Climate Change, Pollution, and the Health of the Poor, P. J. Landrigan and A. Vicini,Ìýeds. (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications by Wipf & Stock, 2021), 193-198.
œChristian Ethics: Past, Present, and Future,� in T&T Clark Handbook of Christian Ethics, T.ÌýWinright, ed., (London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2020), 483-485.
œTransformative Engagement in Dialogue,� in Reimagining the Moral Life: On Lisa SowleÌýCahill Contributions to Christian Ethics, K.J. Choi, S. Moses, and A. Vicini, eds., (Maryknoll,ÌýNY: Orbis Books, 2020), xi-xxiii.
œWho Are We, Where Do We Come From, and How Did We Get to Sarajevo?,� in BuildingÌýBridges in Sarajevo: The Plenary Papers of Sarajevo 2018, J.F. Keenan, K. Heyer, and A.ÌýVicini, eds., Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church Series, Vol. 7, (Maryknoll, NY:ÌýOrbis Books, 2019), 12-14.
œEnvironmental Ethics as Bioethics� (with T. Winright), in Catholic Bioethics and SocialÌýJustice: The Praxis of US Health Care in a Globalized World, M.T. Lysaught and M. McCarthy,Ìýeds. (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2018) 377-388.
œEmpowered by the Holy Spirit,� in The Holy Spirit: Setting the World on Fire, R. Lennan andÌýN. Pineda-Madrid, eds., (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2017) 162-172.Ìý
œAnthropocentric, Theocentric, Biocentric, and Cosmocentric: Ecotheological Visions inÌýTension,� in M. Patenge, R. Beck, and M. Luber, eds., Schöpfung bewahren: Theologie undÌýKirche als Impulsgeber für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung (Preserving Creation: Theology andÌýChurch as Stimuli for a Sustainable Development), Weltkirche und Mission 7, (Regensburg:ÌýFriedrich Pustet, 2016), 164-188.
œA Renewed Hope,� in The Legacy of Vatican II, M. Faggioli and A. Vicini, eds., (Mahwah, NJ:ÌýPaulist Press, 2015), 273-278.
œOn Just Sustainability and Its Challenges,� (with C. Z. Peppard), in Just Sustainability:ÌýTechnology, Ecology, and Resource Extraction, C.Z. Peppard and A. Vicini, eds., CatholicÌýTheological Ethics in the World Church Series, Vol. 3, (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2015), 1-8.
œHope Springs: Shaping the Moral Life,� in Hope: Promise, Possibility, and Fulfillment, R. LennanÌýand N. Pineda-Madrid, eds., (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2013), 168-181.
œRoman Catholic Commitment to Promoting Sustainability,� in Protecting Nature, SavingÌýCreation: Ecological Conflicts, Religious Passions, and Political Quandaries, P. Gagliardi,ÌýA.M. Reijnen, P. Valentini, eds. (London: Palgrave Macmilllan, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, 2013),Ìý253-258.
œRoman Catholic Contributions to Address the Current Ecological Crisis,� in Protecting Nature,ÌýSaving Creation: Ecological Conflicts, Religious Passions, and Political Quandaries, P.ÌýGagliardi, A.M. Reijnen, P. Valentini, eds. (London: Palgrave Macmilllan, Fondazione GiorgioÌýCini, 2013), 113-138.
œLiving with Indigenous Communities in Chiapas, Mexico: The Transformative Power ofÌýPoverty and Suffering,� in Ethnography as Christian Theology and Ethics, C. Scharen and A.M.ÌýVigen, eds., (London: Continuum, 2011), 161-183.