On Episode 7, we’re joined by Dr. Chris Burgwald, Director of Adult Discipleship and Evangelization for the Diocese of Sioux Falls to discuss HB 1057, known as the Vulnerable Child Protection Act, a bill filed Tuesday that would prohibit medical providers from prescribing puberty-blocking drugs and cross-sex hormones, or conducting mutilating surgeries on a child who has emotional distress surrounding his or her sex. We discuss the Church’s understanding of the human person as created by God. For additional reading on this topic, check out a helpful resource compiled by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which includes several statements and teaching documents from Pope Francis over the last several years, or this 2019 document published by the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education.
Faith & Politics
F&P Episode: 99 – Virtue, Law, and Community
Chris welcomes back Dr. Chris Burgwald. First, they discuss Pope Francis's recent invitation to the bishops of the world to join him in consecrating Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. They then discuss a book they're reading together, After Virtue, by philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre. They specifically dive into the themes of Chapter 12, titled "Aritsotle's Account of the Virtues," using a reading guide authored by Christopher Lutz. They discuss the connections between virtue, law, and community; the virtue of prudence; and Aristotle's view of "friendship" as a foundational virtue for a polis or civil community, prior even to the virtue of justice!