The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture Bishop Robert Barron

A recent article in The Atlantic magazine highlights the crisis of isolation befalling the United States. Americans have never been—or felt—more solitary, especially the younger generations. And the consequences are often fatal: loneliness is a major cause of the recent spikes in depression, anxiety, and suicide, which are at unprecedented levels. Today, we discuss the loss of our social bonds and how Catholic thought can help heal and re-unite us.

A listener asks, given free will, does God know what choices we will make?

00:00 | Intro
01:23 | Bishop Barron’s recent USCCB and diocesan work
02:22 | Why should a person’s chosen isolation matter to anyone else?
04:34 | Individuality vs. the Catholic conception of the individual
09:11 | Distinguishing between solitude and isolation
12:43 | Why in-person communities matter
14:00 | The role of unchosen communities in an individual’s development
16:09 | How to view the company of others
17:34 | Can one adequately substitute animal companionship for community?
22:06 | New media, smart devices, and screen time
26:45 | Advice to encourage more in-person gatherings
27:53 | Listener question
29:32 | Join the Word on Fire Institute

Show Notes:
“Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out” article in The Atlantic Screen time stats: https://www.harmonyhit.com/phone-screen-time-statistics/?clreqid=a5b99b78-5919-4ddd-a2d7-5cb3c4e66e6d&kbid=58587 Learn about the Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/

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Today we are excited to bring you the first lecture from Bishop Barron’s popular course, “Dante’s Catholic Imagination,” which is available in its entirety inside the Word on Fire Institute. We hope you enjoy this deep dive into Dante’s evergreen, always-relevant poetic, moral, and theological genius. 


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Pope St. John Paul II used the term “culture of death'' in his 1995 encyclical Evangelium Vitae to capture the secular world’s dark confluence of poisonous ideas and practices that lead—directly and indirectly—to spiritual and physical ruin.
Sadly, we’ve seen the the culture of death advance on many fronts. Today, we focus on the increasing legalization of suicide in the United States and abroad. Listen as we discuss the issue and how Catholics can and should respond to it. 
A listener asks why we pray for the dead, and can we pray for the souls on atheists and non-Catholics?
00:00 | Intro 
01:18 | Bishop Barron's recent diocesan work 
02:34 | The role of euphemism in the euthanasia debate 
06:39 | Unpacking "autonomy" and "compassion" 
12:31 | Responding to critics of the slippery slope argument 
20:56 | The State's role in moral disputes 
24:40 | How can Catholics positively respond to euthanasia? 
26:50 | Listener question 
28:15 | Word on Fire Institute
SHOW NOTES:

Evangelium Vitae “It’s Not Your Life, It’s Not Your Death, It’s Not Your Choice” article by Bishop Barron https://www.compassionandchoices.org/resource/states-or-territories-where-medical-aid-in-dying-is-authorized https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254197/assisted-suicide-in-the-united-states-where-is-it-legal Learn more about the Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/
NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member! Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners . . . like you! So become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

Today we bring you Bishop Barron's keynote address from the recent Good News Conference. In it, he speaks in depth about what it means to be a full witness to Jesus Christ. Enjoy! 


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According to Fortune magazine, overall undergraduate enrollment experienced the steepest rate of decline on record from 2019 to 2022, and it has only worsened since then. There are several explanations, but one cause is entirely self-imposed: most universities and colleges have now replaced education with ideology, subverting the search for truth with political indoctrination. Today, we discuss the ideological takeover of higher education and how the Catholic conception of the university can help provide an antidote. 

A listener asks, if priests are meant to represent Jesus, are nuns supposed to represent Mary?

00:00 | Intro
01:47 | Catholic social thought tradition and the higher education crisis
03:50 | Differences between Catholic and secular universities
04:50 | Seeking while knowing the truth
07:33 | Resisting relativism
09:30 | Catholic staff ratios for Catholic universities
11:16 | Segregating Catholic identity
13:51 | Academic freedom at Catholic universities
15:46 | Dicy freedom of speech claims
17:06 | Catholic universities and male participation
18:37 | Higher education and vocational training
20:35 | High costs and accessibility
21:51 | What can we do to course-correct universities that have lost their way?
24:50 | Listener question
26:01 | Word on Fire Institute

Links
“Ivy League Presidents and the Collapse of Moral Reasoning” by Bishop Barron Statistic on men in 4-year schools: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/12/18/fewer-young-men-are-in-college-especially-at-4-year-schools/ Learn more about the Word on Fire Institute: Institute.WordonFire.org

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Today, we are bringing you a recent conversation from the “Bishop Barron Presents” series between Bishop Barron and Congressman Ro Khanna. Congressman Khanna represents California’s 17th Congressional District, best known as the home of Silicon Valley. Over the course of the conversation, the Bishop and he discussed his background, Catholic social teaching, various policy matters, finding common ground, and why the American experiment is a great and worthwhile endeavor. Enjoy!


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