Headline News and Catholic Social Teaching

In this episode, my friend and collaborator Stan Werne takes up the issue of embryo adoption that was raised in episode 23 on in vitro fertilization (IVF).  Notes and references:“Moral Contraindications to the Adoption of Abandoned, Frozen Human Embryos,” John Haas & Tadeusz Pacholczyk.  The Linacre Quarterly, 2023  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10265392/“The Moral Basis for the Adoption of Abandoned, Frozen Human Embryos,” Kent Lasnoski. The Linacre Quarterly, 2023 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10265385/“A Thomistic Analysis of Embryo Adoption,” Charles Robertson. The National Catholic Bioethics Center, 2014. https://www.academia.edu/10060756/A_Thomistic_Analysis_of_Embryo_Adoption“The Magisterial Liceity of Embryo Transfer: A Response to Charles Robertson. The National Bioethics Center, 2015.  https://adoptembryos.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Q15.4_RexArticle_w-permission.pdfWebinar by Robertson and Bothamly Rex, May 8, 2021, at the Institute for Theologial Encounter with Science and Technology https://faithscience.org/embryo-adoption/"Is Embryo Adoption Consistent with Catholic Teaching?" article by Melissa Moschella in Church Life Journal - October 13, 2026 - recent article which makes the case that embryo adoption is consistent with Catholic teaching. https://churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/is-embryo-adoption-consistent-with-catholic-teaching/Podcast website with full transcripts for this episode and all other episodesSend me a text or voicemail

Announcement that the podcast will be on pause for the next 2-3 months.Send me a text or voicemail

This episode looks at the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, a conflict which has focused on the disputed territories of Gaza and the West Bank, and what Catholic Social Teaching has to say to us and to those who are engaged in this conflict.Notes and references:Global Conflict Tracker - Israeli-Palestinian Conflict - step-by-step overview from the Council on Foreign RelationsIsraeli-occupied territories - maps and historical timelines for the past 80 yearsUnderstanding Israel & Palestine: A Current Events Resource Guide: MapsPope calls for end to West Bank violence, pursuit of two-state solution - August 17, 2026Address of Pope Leo XIV to members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See - January 9, 2026The Pope, the Holy See and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - summary of statements from recent Popes - May 14, 2025Book of Matthew, Chapter 5 - see verse 9How Catholics Should Approach the Arab Israeli Conflict - March 3, 2026Disambiguating Zionism, Anti-Semitism, and Israel - March 31, 2026Catholics Can Be Zionists – But they can't say modern Israel is the same as the Israel of the Bible - February 27, 2026Podcast website with full transcripts for this episode and all other episodesSend me a text or voicemail

This episode looks at recent news related to housing availability and affordability, one of the most challenging social and economic issues of our time, and how Catholic Social Teaching can guide our response to the need for more affordable housing.Here are notes and references:21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Implementation TrackerThe Success of the New Federal Housing Law Now Rests on States and Localities - August 4, 2026Letter to the Senate on the ROAD to Housing Act - October 28, 2025America’s Housing Shortage Is Turning Into a Moral Crisis - July 27, 2026Home Prices Surge to Five Times Median Income, Nearing Historic Highs - October 6, 2025No State Has an Adequate Supply of Affordable Rental Housing - Interactive mapCatechism of the Catholic Church, see #2211Affordable Housing and Homelessness - USCCB advocacy resourcesSollicitudo Rei Socialis 1987 - see #17Amoris Laetitia 2016 - see #44Holy See: Urban planning must address homelessness to promote human dignity - July 28, 2026Overview of Catholic Charities activities related to affordable housingUniversity of Notre Dame - Church Property Conversion TrackerParishes turn former convents into affordable housing for teachers - Feb 12, 2024Vacant East Village church to become 500+ affordable housing units - August 1, 2024Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church - see #177Populorum Progressio - 1967 - see #23Thoughtful commentary about Catholic Teaching on Private Property, moral theologian provides overview of Catechism treatment of possessions, and "What Catholics Should Do With Their Money" from a Franciscan priest who recommends three books for additional studyPodcast website with full transcripts for this episode and all other episodesSend me a text or voicemail

 In this episode, we look at several recent news items related to in vitro fertilization, or IVF, a procedure for getting pregnant that is growing in popularity and usage in the United States and around the world, and why the Catholic Church teaches that IVF is not morally acceptable. References and notes:Senate Democrats reintroduce "Right to IVF Act" - July 23, 2026Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization - Executive Order - February 18, 2025Trump Administration proposes rule to expand access to fertility benefits - May 10, 2026Recent state legislative IVF activity in Georgia and Tennessee and in Arkansas, Oklahoma and TexasInside IVF clinic embryo mix-upOpinion poll - Americans overwhelmingly say access to IVF is a good thing - May 13, 2024For the First Time, More Than 100,000 Babies Born Through IVF in the U.S. in a Single Year - March 24, 2026Begotten Not Made: A Catholic View of Reproductive Technology - 1998 USCCB documentWhat Is the Catholic Church’s Position on IVF? - Feb 28, 2024Donum Vitae - February 22, 1987Dignitas Personae - September 8, 2008Catechism of the Catholic Church - see #2374-2379More human embryos destroyed through IVF than abortion every year - Updated Sept 26, 2025Description of the Church's position on IVF, suggesting that embryo adoption might be morally acceptable - December 9, 2020Catholic Ethicists Discuss the Fate of the Estimated 1 Million Human Embryos on Ice - Jan 17, 2023The Magisterial Liceity of Embryo Transfer - Perspective from a Catholic theologian who supports embryo adoption - 2015Moral Contraindications to the Adoption of Abandoned, Frozen Human Embryos - June 11, 2023Exploring the state of the Catholic debate over embryo adoption - August 5, 2025Podcast website with full transcripts for this episode and all other episodesSend me a text or voicemail

This episode brings together two news stories related to eradicating poverty, stories that didn't get a lot of attention but stories that have profound and practical significance for our lives as followers of Christ.Here are references and notes:Roadmap for Eradicating Poverty Beyond Growth presented to the UN Human Rights Council June 25, 2026Opinion Piece originally published in The Guardian June 10, 2026Pope Leo in 'Dilexi te': Faith cannot be separated from love for the poor - Oct 2025Summary of Dilexi te from CAPP-USADilexi te full text in EnglishSummary of the Roadmap for Eradicating Poverty Beyond Growth from The Tablet, UK Catholic magazineCaritas Europe on why the Roadmap is a key milestone - April 22, 2026The European Laudato Si’ Alliance welcomes the newly launched Roadmap for eradicating poverty beyond growth - April 22, 2026Maryknoll Missionaries Office of Global Concerns Action Alert Regarding the Roadmap - June 23, 2026Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations - Call for the eradication of poverty - July 8, 2026Country Overshoot Days 2026 - Marking the date when the planet’s annual biocapacity budget would be used up if everyone on Earth consumed as much as the residents of that particular country.Learning to Live Simply - September 7, 2023Guide to Minimalism as a CatholicPodcast website with full transcripts for this episode and all other episodesSend me a text or voicemail

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 either of these stories relate to the idea of Christian nationalism.  Here are notes and references:Commanders Accused of Framing Iran War as Biblical MandateAt Pentagon Worship Service, Hegseth Casts Iran Conflict as Violent Holy War Against God’s Enemies - Brian Kaylor - Mar 25, 2026Pope Leo at Palm Sunday Mass - March 29, 2026, Pope Leo decried political leaders who invoke religious beliefs to justify conflicts or nationalist policies - December 18, 2025, and Pope Leo criticized the surge of nationalist political movements in the world - June 8, 2025Article referencing Andrew L. Whitehead and Samuel L. Perry, authors of “Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States,” published 2020.Review of "Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States," making the case that Christian Nationalism has become the de facto view of Christianity among the general population, contributing to the disaffection with real ChristianityQuotes from Amanda Tyler, executive director of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious LibertyAuthentic Christianity vs. Christian Nationalism - July 2, 2023 - blog of Pastor John WhitsettAgainst Christian Nationalism: A Catholic Response to Stephen Wolfe - August 19, 2024 by Br. Anthony Maria Akerman, O.P. - includes nationalism/patriotism quotes from Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Pius XIFrom the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: Principle of the Common Good, Principle of the Universal Destination of Goods, and Principle of SolidarityNot feeling celebratory as America turns 250? Read John Courtney Murray’s work - Will Cohen - June 17, 2026 - insight from a theologian who died in 1967America Needs a Better Gospel Than Christian Nationalism - May 20, 2026 - perspective from evangelical Russell MooreUS bishops’ consecration of nation to Sacred Heart of Jesus affirms ‘our reliance on God’ - Kimberley Heatherington - May 13, 2026Why the bishops are consecrating the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski - Jun 10, 2026National Eucharistic Congress says use of ‘one nation under God’ is about ‘spiritual renewal’ - Gina Christian - April 21, 2026Podcast website with full transcripts for this episode and all other episodesSend me a text or voicemail

 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 Humanitas online, listen to an audio recording of Magnifica Humanitas, or even download an epub version for use with reading apps.Watch the Magnifica Humanitas presentation video (just under 4 minutes) - visual expression of the emotional power of what's at stakeAdditional Magnifica Humanitas resources from the Vatican, including infographics, videos and a pastoral kitVideo of 6 Catholic leaders discussing Magnifica Humanitas, from the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University (1 hour and 19 minutes)U.S. Bishops Echo Pope Leo’s Concern of AI Use in War - June 4, 2026Pope Leo XIV declares the digital age a mission field in ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ - Ines San Martin - May 26, 2026‘A Hopeful Document’: Catholic Thinkers on AI Assess ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ - May 26, 2026Can Catholics as consumers drive a better AI future? - Interview with Ron Ivey, a research fellow at Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program and founder of the Noesis Collaborative, a nonprofit focused on steering AI development toward human benefit - May 30, 2026Women Are Being Left Out of the AI Conversation: Should We Care? - Solène Tadié - June 3, 2026AI to Gen Z: Young Catholic Job Seekers and Employees Wrestle With the Future of Work - May 29, 2026Why Protestants should read the pope’s encyclical - Rev. Michael W. DeLashmutt - May 28, 2026Podcast website with full transcripts for this episode and all other episodesSend me a text or voicemail

 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-intersexDeclaration “Dignitas Infinita,” on Human Dignity https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/04/08/240408c.html“Four Things Catholics Need to Know About Transgender People,” Luisa Derouen, O.P. https://outreach.faith/2022/07/four-things-catholics-need-to-know-about-transgender-people/“What is it like being Catholic and transgender?” Christine Zuba https://outreach.faith/2025/12/what-is-it-like-being-catholic-and-transgender/“A transgender Catholic reflects on what keeps her in the church,” Danielle Koutsoufis https://outreach.faith/2025/08/a-transgender-catholic-reflects-on-what-keeps-her-in-the-church/“Catholic Tradition Has Always Included Trans People Like Me,” Max Kuzma https://sojo.net/articles/opinion/catholic-tradition-has-always-included-trans-people-me“Love-in-Truth: Accompanying Those Suffering Gender Dysphoria,” Archbishop Paul S. Coakley https://whatweneednow.substack.com/p/love-in-truth-accompanying-those“Answers to Several Questions . . .,” Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (English version) https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_20231031-documento-mons-negri_en.html“Pope Francis meets with transgender, intersex and ally Catholics,” Jeannine Gramick, SL https://www.lorettocommunity.org/pope-francis-meets-with-transgender-intersex-and-ally-catholics/Podcast website with full transcripts for this episode and all other episodesSend me a text or voicemail

 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 2025Abortion in the United States Dashboard - US map showing current legal status of abortion in each state (from a source that supports abortion)State Funding to Replace Federal Medicaid Funding to Planned Parenthood - Feb 25, 2026 - from a source that supports abortionAbortion in the United States - March 2026 - data and estimates from a source that supports abortionAbortion pills can be ordered "just in case" they'll be needed in the future - May 21, 2026The reality of the abortion pill - May 21, 2026Joint Letter and Catholic Medical Association Paper to the FDA on Mifepristone (July 7, 2025)Catechism of the Catholic Church - Respect for Human Life - scroll to sections 2270-2275Respect for Unborn Human Life: The Church's Constant Teaching - Fact sheet by the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life ActivitiesCatholic apologist Trent Horn makes the case that Catholics Can’t Be Pro-Choice - Sept 30, 2025 It is possible to be morally pro-life and politically pro-choice at the same time. - Jan 22, 2019Pro-life? Pro-choice? Try being pro-grace instead - Jan 19, 2026'Personally pro-life' but politically pro-choice? - October 2025Why the Arguments about “Bodily Autonomy” and “Forced Birth” Fail to Justify Abortion - June 22, 2022Option Line referral to pregnancy resource centers that don’t refer for abortionPodcast website with full transcripts for this episode and all other episodesSend me a text or voicemail