The Social Doctrine of the Church

In this episode The Social Doctrine of the Church, Michael Vacca and Robert Fastiggi  interview Iain Benson on subsidiarity (October 9, 2025)

In this episode of Social Doctrine of the Church, Michael Vacca and Robert Fastiggi interview John Hittinger on Human Rights, Freedom, and the State in the Magisterium of St. John Paul II.

In light of Dr. Hittinger's expertise as the former director of St. John Paul II Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston:

1. How did John Paul II's experiences of the totalitarian regimes of the Nazis and the Soviet Communists influence his understanding of human rights?
2. According to the Catholic Church and John Paul II, what are the foundations of human rights?
3. What is the Catholic Church's understanding of religious freedom and how is this freedom rooted in the teaching of Vatican II?
4. John Paul II said that human beings must have the freedom to seek the truth. Could you explain what this means?
5. What was John Paul II's view of the freedom of conscience?
6. Does the state have authority over the conscience of people?
7. What is the responsibility of Catholic citizens towards civil law? Are there cases in which Catholics are required to resist unjust laws? Could you give some examples?

In this episode of Social Doctrine of the Church, Michael Vacca and Robert Fastiggi talk with John Klink about Catholic Social Doctrine and Migration and National Integrity.

These social encyclicals were all released by different popes to address major social issues during their time. Starting in the 19th century, popes began to use their encyclicals to address hot-button social issues of their time. Each pope addressed a different issue, but built upon the legacy that the previous pontiffs created.

Rerum Novarum

On May 15, 1891, Leo XIII wrote Rerum Novarum, deploring the inhumane working conditions of the working class.

Quadragesimo Anno

Pius XI, 40 years later on May 15, 1931, reiterated the principal points of his predecessor in his encyclical entitled  Quadragesimo Anno . He continued to develop the Church's stance in regards to workers as well as commenting on the social order.

Mater et Magistra

On May 15, 1961, St. John XXIII wrote Mater et Magistra on social progress. He built upon his predecessors work and continued to dwell upon the rights of individuals and their relationship with the state.

Pacem in Terris

On April 11, 1963, St. John XXIII wrote  Pacem in Terris , which further explored the rights of individuals in society.

Populorum Progressio

St. Paul VI wrote  Populorum Progressio on March 26, 1967, to comment on the development of peoples." He again built upon the foundation of prior encyclicals and reiterated the Church's response to society's pressing issues.

Laborem Exercens

St. John Paul II wrote  Laborem Exercens  on September 14, 1981 to reinforce the Church's  teaching about workers' rights and solidarity. It was to be published on May 15, but was delayed due to the assassination attempt on his life on May 13, 1981.

Centesimus Annus

On May 1, 1991, St. John Paul II wrote,  Centesimus Annus  to further cement the principles in Rerum Novarum and to apply it to the current time.

Caritas in Veritate

Pope Benedict XVI released Caritas in Veritate on June 29, 2009, focusing on the concept of charity and how it should effect every corner of society.

Laudato Si'

In the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis wrote  Laudato Si'  on May 24, 2015 to address the many social problems caused by poor stewardship of creation.

Fratelli Tutti

Pope Francis wrote his encyclical,  Fratelli Tutti, on October 3, 2020, and sought to apply the many principles of his predecessors to the current world, which at the time was in the midst of a pandemic.

In this episode of Social Doctrine of the Church, Michael Vacca talks with Jane Adolphe and Robert Fastiggi about Catholic Social Doctrine and Issues of Equality and Non-discrimination.

These social encyclicals were all released by different popes to address major social issues during their time. Starting in the 19th century, popes began to use their encyclicals to address hot-button social issues of their time. Each pope addressed a different issue, but built upon the legacy that the previous pontiffs created.

Rerum Novarum

On May 15, 1891, Leo XIII wrote Rerum Novarum, deploring the inhumane working conditions of the working class.

Quadragesimo Anno

Pius XI, 40 years later on May 15, 1931, reiterated the principal points of his predecessor in his encyclical entitled  Quadragesimo Anno . He continued to develop the Church's stance in regards to workers as well as commenting on the social order.

Mater et Magistra

On May 15, 1961, St. John XXIII wrote Mater et Magistra on social progress. He built upon his predecessors work and continued to dwell upon the rights of individuals and their relationship with the state.

Pacem in Terris

On April 11, 1963, St. John XXIII wrote  Pacem in Terris , which further explored the rights of individuals in society.

Populorum Progressio

St. Paul VI wrote  Populorum Progressio  on March 26, 1967, to comment on the development of peoples." He again built upon the foundation of prior encyclicals and reiterated the Church's response to society's pressing issues.

Laborem Exercens

St. John Paul II wrote  Laborem Exercens  on September 14, 1981 to reinforce the Church's 
teaching about workers' rights and solidarity. It was to be published on May 15, but was delayed due to the assassination attempt on his life on May 13, 1981.

Centesimus Annus

On May 1, 1991, St. John Paul II wrote,  Centesimus Annus  to further cement the principles
in Rerum Novarum and to apply it to the current time.

Caritas in Veritate

Pope Benedict XVI released Caritas in Veritate on June 29, 2009, focusing on the concept of charity and how it should effect every corner of society.

Laudato Si'

In the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis wrote  Laudato Si'  on May 24, 2015 to address the many social problems caused by poor stewardship of creation.

Fratelli Tutti

Pope Francis wrote his encyclical,  Fratelli Tutti , on October 3, 2020, and sought to apply the many principles of his predecessors to the current world, which at the time was in the midst of a pandemic.

In this episode of Social Doctrine of the Church, Robert Fastiggi and Michael Vacca talk with Fr. Paul Sullins about Human Dignity and the Threat of Gender Ideology.

1. Could you please tell us a little about yourself?
2. What is meant by gender ideology or gender theory?
3. The topic of “gender identity” is briefly touched on in no. 224 of the 2005 Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. How has the problem of “gender ideology” increased in the 20 years since the publication of the Compendium?
4. One major theme of Catholic social doctrine is human dignity. How does gender ideology threaten human dignity?
5. What has the Catholic Church taught on gender ideology? Has the Church’s position been adequately expressed in documents such as the 2024 declaration, Dignitas Infinita, of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith? What more needs to be done or said? 
6. Some people argue that the Church should accept sex-change operations because of the increased risk of suicide for those who are denied sex-transition procedures? What is your perspective as a sociologist?
7. What do you believe is a proper pastoral approach to those suffering from sexual identity confusion?
8. What do you believe is a proper pastoral approach to those who have underdone sex-change operations? 
9. What further research still needs to be done regarding sexual transitioning?
10. How are the Church's teachings on marriage, contraception, abortion, homosexuality and gender identity related? 
11. Sociologically, how are sexual orientation confusion and gender identity confusion related to the decline of marriage?
12. What do the Incarnation and the Eucharist suggest to us about gender identity?
13. Are there any heresies implicit in gender ideology? For example, some point to gender ideology as a type of Gnosticism or dualism between body and soul.

Catholic Social Doctrine and the Role of Conscience: Interview with Michael Vacca, Esq by Robert Fastiggi

In this episode of The Social Doctrine of the Church, co-hosts Michael Vacca and Robert Fastiggi interview Daniel Gallagher on the development of Catholic Social Doctrine since Pope Leo XIII.

1. Many people regard Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical, Rerum Novarum, as the first of the major social encyclicals. What were some of the key teachings of this encyclical?
2. Pius XI wrote his 1931 encyclical, Quadragesimo Anno, 40 years after Rerum Novarum. How did he help to develop Catholic social doctrine in this encyclical? 
3. How did St. John XXIII help to develop Catholic social doctrine in his encyclicals, Mater et Magistra (1961) and Pacem in Terris (1963)?
4. What contributions did Vatican II make to Catholic social doctrine?
5. What do you think are the contributions to Catholic social doctrine found in St. Paul VI’s 1967 encyclical, Populorum Progressio? 
6. What do you think are the contributions of St. John Paul II to Catholic social doctrine found in his encyclicals, Laborem Exercens (1981), Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (1987), and Centesimus Annus (1991)?
7. What do you think are the contributions to Catholic social doctrine found in Benedict XVI’s 2009 encyclical, Caritas in Veritate?
8. What do you think are the contributions of Pope Francis to Catholic social doctrine found in his encyclicals, Laudato Si' (2015) and Fratelli Tutti (2020)?
9. Are the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992/1997) and The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (2005) good sources for Catholics who wish to understand the key principles and applications of Catholic social doctrine?
10. Why is it important for Catholics to know Catholic social doctrine?

Podcast 1 (July 15, 2025):

1. What is meant by the social doctrine of the Catholic Church?
2. Many claim that Catholic social doctrine only began with Pope Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical, Rerum Novarum. Is this accurate? Are there not biblical and Patristic roots to Catholic social doctrine?
3. What do you believe are the key principles of Catholic social doctrine? What do you focus on when you teach courses on Catholic social doctrine at the Catholic University of America? How does the social doctrine of the Church relate to issues of war and peace?
4. Some Catholics believe the Church should stick to spiritual matters and not enter into discussions on social matters (e.g. on the environment, immigration, economics, etc.). How would you respond to such Catholics?
5. Is there a hierarchy in Catholic social doctrine? Some people are concerned that the "seamless garment" approach puts all social issues at the same level. How would you respond to these people?
6. Why is it important for Catholics to know about the social doctrine of the Church?

Interview conducted by Michael Vacca and Robert Fastiggi of Prof. Joseph Capizzi, Dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies of the Catholic University of America: https://trs.catholic.edu/faculty- and-research/faculty-profiles/capizzi-joseph/index.html