Headline News and Catholic Social Teaching

In this episode we look at Christian nationalism and what light Catholic Social Teaching might shed on this convergence of religion and national assertion, and we take a brief look at two recent US Catholic news stories – the consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the "one nation under God" theme selected by the 2026 National Eucharistic Congress – and ask if...

  This episode looks at a headline news story that is itself all about Catholic Social Teaching: the publication of Pope Leo the 14th’s first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas, or “magnificent humanity,” on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence.  It was signed by Pope Leo on May 15 and published on May 25. Here are notes and references: Download and read Magnifica Hum...

  In this episode, my friend and collaborator Stan Werne provides his response to the previous episode on Gender Legislation, which was episode number 10. “Intersex,” The Cleveland Clinic  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16324-intersex Declaration “Dignitas Infinita,” on Human Dignity https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/04/08/240408c.html “Four Th...

  In this episode we look at recent abortion legislation, Catholic teaching on abortion, and the attitude maintained by some that one can be personally opposed to abortion while at the same time supporting legal access to abortion. Here are notes and references: How Federal and State Abortion Policies Shifted in 2025 Abortion in the United States Dashboard - US map showing current legal status of...

In this episode, my friend – and now collaborator – Stan Werne provides his response to the recent episode on Birthright Citizenship.  If you haven’t already done so, you’ll probably want to listen to that episode, which was episode 13,  before you listen to Stan’s response.  It’ll make a lot more sense that way. Stan references some of the notes from Episode 13 in his comments, and so those notes...

This episode introduces a new person and a new feature of the podcast.  My friend and college classmate Stan Werne is going to join the podcast as an occasional contributor, and in this episode Stan tells us about himself, his background, and his interest in Catholic Social Teaching.   Below are additional Catholic Social Teaching references provided by Stan: Another useful resource on CST from St...

In this episode we look at recent news regarding the US Farm Bill, and more specifically the part of the Farm Bill that deals with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, and see what light Catholic Social Teaching might shine on this issue. References and notes below: House passes 2026 farm bill - Apr 30, 2026 Farm Bill Primer : Overview and Status - M...

In this episode we’ll look at declining birth rates and see what Catholic Social Teaching has to say about this global long-term trend. Here are references and notes: National Center for Health Statistics - Births: Provisional Data for 2025 – report issued April 2026 World Bank - Interactive chart showing birth rate trends for US and all other countries Which countries have fertility rates above o...

In this episode you’ll hear about the issue of birthright citizenship and whether Catholic Social Teaching has anything to say about it. Here are references and notes: Executive Order that would end birthright citizenship for certain immigrants FAQ about the Executive Order from the Legal Defense Fund, an entity that is opposed to the Executive Order Article about Senate hearing on birthright citi...

This episode is about the war in Iran and what Catholic Social Teaching has to say about the war, focusing on news and reactions from February 28 to April 8, 2026. Here are references and notes: Here's what the Trump administration has said motivated the strikes. Persons killed and injured in Iran and US casualties through early April 2026 Persons displaced by the war in Iran Estimated US exp...

  This episode is about the significant reduction in global humanitarian assistance that started in 2025 and continues into 2026. Here are notes and references: A Generational Collapse : Tracking the Toll of Trump’s Humanitarian Aid Cuts - February 5, 2026 Documents reveal scope of Trump’s foreign aid cuts - March 26, 2025 The Great Aid Recession: 2025’s Humanitarian Crash in Nine Charts - Dec 23,...

This episode is about the fairly remarkable amount of recent legislative activity related to transgenderism, and what Catholic Social Teaching has to say about this topic. Here are references and additional resources. Supreme Court temporarily blocks California policy against parental notification of gender identity Map of US showing which states shield and which states ban gender-modifying medica...

This episode is about the recent withdrawal of the United States from a variety of  efforts aimed at responding to global climate change, and what Catholic Social Teaching has to say about this related series of newsworthy actions.  Here are references and additional resources. EPA reverses climate change endangerment finding The United States exits Paris Climate Agreement What Trump’s US exit fro...

This episode is about the recent expiration of the New START nuclear weapons treaty between the United States and Russia, with no new agreement on the horizon, and how this situation looks from the perspective of Catholic Social Teaching.  Here are references and additional resources. Russian and U.S. nuclear arsenals could expand for the first time in three decades.  Feb 3, 2026 The U.S. Needs to...

This episode is about growing support for the legalization of assisted suicide, both in the United States and worldwide, and what Catholic Social Teaching has to say about this news story.   Here are references and additional resources. 2025 Saw Expanded Access to Physician-Assisted Suicide .  National Catholic Register article 12/29/2025 Catholic bishops speak out as New York governor pledges to...

  This episode is about the US military intervention in Venezuela that involved the capture of the now-former Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, and how this news story looks from the perspective of Catholic Social Teaching.  Here are references and additional resources. Maduro raid killed about 75 in Venezuela , U.S. officials assess  January 6, 2026 Rubio briefs la...

  This episode is about the death penalty and executions carried out in the United States in 2025, and what Catholic Social Teaching has to say about this news story.  Here are references and additional resources. The Death Penalty in 2025 article from the Death Penalty Information Center State By State Death Penalty Map from the Death Penalty Information Center Florida Catholic bishops urge Gov....

This episode is about U.S. military strikes on boats off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia, and what Catholic Social Teaching has to say about this unfolding news story.   Here are references and additional resources. At least 104 people have been killed in a total of 28 strikes on alleged drug boats , according to the Trump administration. ABC News  December 19, 2025 U.S. Strikes Three Boats i...

  This episode takes a look at the immigration enforcement story that has filled a lot of headlines in the United States in 2025.  Here are references and additional resources. U.S. Bishops Special Message on Immigration   Full text of the Bishops’ Special Message “ Protecting The American People Against Invasion ”  White House document that lists Executive Orders and other actions launching the i...

  This episode is about the suspension of the Refugee Admissions Program in the United States.  I’m going to outline the news story as it has unfolded in 2025, and then see what Catholic Social Teaching has to say. Here are references and resources:  Executive Order  Presidential Suspension of the Refugee Admissions Program - 01/20/2025 News Item from Our Sunday Visitor News  Trump Administration...

The purpose of this episode is to introduce the podcast series.  I’ll provide an overview of what this podcast is all about and the approach that it will take, to give you an idea of what to expect from upcoming episodes. Helpful notes and references for this episode (links underlined): US Conference of Catholic Bishops Overview of Catholic Social Teaching   Great place to start if you’re new to t...