Catholic Social Teaching: Rorschach Test or Roadmap? (#398)
Considering Catholicism
Catholic Social Teaching, rooted in Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, is meant to guide Catholics in building a just society, but today it’s often a battleground for political agendas. In this episode, Greg reflects on preparing a lecture for his Catholic adult education course, exploring why CST divides progressives and conservatives and how technology like AI complicates its application. Drawing from Rerum Novarum’s timeless principles—dignity, common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity—he offers practical ways to live them out in 2025 with reason and discernment. Join us for a conversation about finding the heart of Catholicism in a messy, tech-driven world. SUPPORT THIS SHOW Considering Catholicism is free and ad-free for everyone, thanks to listeners like you. Become a patron for a Q&A video every other week, curated topic collections, Deep Dive courses, and a monthly live session: https://patreon.com/consideringcatholicism Or give a one-time or recurring gift with PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5LGR5E89Z7Y2Y CONNECT WITH US • Website & contact form: https://consideringcatholicism.com • Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com • Leave a comment on Patreon (I read every one!) RATE & REVIEW If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating (and even better, a review) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — it really helps new listeners find us. SHARE THE SHOW Know someone who’s curious about Catholicism? Send them a link or share an episode on social media. Thank you! Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat.
About Podcast
Considering Catholicism explains the beliefs, history, Scripture, and life of the Catholic Church clearly and charitably. It's for curious Protestants, seekers, people in OCIA, and Catholics who want to know and share their faith. Host Greg Smith spent decades serving across the Protestant world, which gives him an insider's understanding of the questions people bring. Faithful to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
