In this episode of “The Social Doctrine of the Church,” Michael Vacca and Robert Fastiggi interview Andrew Likoudis on Faith in Crisis: Critical Dialogues in Catholic Traditionalism, Church Authority, and Reform.
Summary
- Faith in Crisis equips Catholics to navigate today’s fiercest ecclesial debates. With a foreword by philosopher-statesman Rocco Buttiglione, the volume unfolds in three sections: Traditionalism — exposes the roots of fundamentalist rigor, private-revelation subcultures, and reactionary dissent. Church Authority — outlines papal primacy, collegiality, and the distinction between the ordinary and extraordinary Magisterium—showing how trust erodes and how to rebuild it. Reform — revisits Vatican II and the postconciliar reforms, synodality, ecumenism, and interreligious dialogue, showing that legitimate change is always a reform in continuity.
- Amid a polarized media atmosphere and doctrinal fog, these essays offer the clarity and pastoral realism Catholics need to remain anchored in a Faith ever ancient, ever new. Available at: https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/fait…
Questions addressed in the discussion include:
1. Can you tell us why you edited this book and how it touches on Catholic social doctrine?
2. One of the chapters in this book is entitled “Catholic Clickbait: Digital Media & Outrage Culture in the Church.” You are the author of this chapter (as well as 2 others). You begin this chapter by noting several guidelines provided by the Catholic Church on the proper use of social media. What are these guidelines and where can they be found?
3. How has the online culture of the Internet affected the Catholic culture of social communication in ways that are positive and negative?
4. In your chapter you discuss the guidance of the Church on disagreement and dialogue. What are the guidelines offered by the Church in this regard?
5. In what ways do you see these guidelines being violated by online Catholic discourse today?
6. In your chapter you mention the abuses of detraction and calumny. How are we to understand these terms? What would be some examples of calumny and detraction in Catholic online postings in recent years?
7. How are we to distinguish responsible requests for clarification regarding certain magisterial documents from open dissent or hostility? What guidance can you offer?
An audio version of the podcast is available here.