Regular guest Dr. Jon Schaff returns to the show to unpack a new address given by Archbishop Jose Gomez, president of the USCCB, titled, “Reflections on the Church and America’s New Religions,” in which he proposes that Marxist secular ideologies must primarily be understood in spiritual terms in their quest to displace Christianity and authentic cultural forms. Jon and Chris walk through the underlying ideas at stake and the Christian answer. Archbishop Gomez’s full address can be found here. They also briefly discuss a recent lecture given by Alasdair MacIntyre on human dignity and justice. Jon also mentions a Bishop Barron video on René Girard, here.
Faith & Politics
F&P Episode 110: The abortion threat in South Dakota
Michael Pauley is joined by Jon Hansen for a discussion of a proposed amendment that would create a right to abortion in the South Dakota state constitution. Hansen is the Speaker Pro Tempore of the South Dakota House of Representatives and also serves as Vice President of South Dakota Right to Life. Hansen and Pauley discuss the implications of the proposed constitutional amendment, which would be placed on the ballot for the November 5, 2024 election, if sponsors are able to gather the legally required number of signatures. Supporters of the amendment describe it as an initiative to put Roe v. Wade into the state constitution, but Hansen explains the amendment would impose a legal regime of unrestricted abortion-on-demand that is far more radical than the policy under Roe.