Headline News and Catholic Social Teaching
A brief look at specific stories in the news through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching.
Episodes
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 sign into law assisted suicide EWT...
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 lawmakers on 'threefold process&a...
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. DeSantis to stay two executions Our...
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 in the Pacific, Raising Legal and Ev...
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 immigration enforcement actions of the...
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 Terminates U.S. Bishops Refugee Res...
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 the idea of Catholic Social Te...
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