Episode 4 of The Social Doctrine of the Church with Michael Vacca and Robert Fastiggi (August 6, 2025)

I Thought You'd Like to Know

In this episode of Social Doctrine of the Church, Robert Fastiggi and Michael Vacca talk with Fr. Paul Sullins about Human Dignity and the Threat of Gender Ideology.

1. Could you please tell us a little about yourself?
2. What is meant by gender ideology or gender theory?
3. The topic of “gender identity” is briefly touched on in no. 224 of the 2005 Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. How has the problem of “gender ideology” increased in the 20 years since the publication of the Compendium?
4. One major theme of Catholic social doctrine is human dignity. How does gender ideology threaten human dignity?
5. What has the Catholic Church taught on gender ideology? Has the Church’s position been adequately expressed in documents such as the 2024 declaration, Dignitas Infinita, of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith? What more needs to be done or said?
6. Some people argue that the Church should accept sex-change operations because of the increased risk of suicide for those who are denied sex-transition procedures? What is your perspective as a sociologist?
7. What do you believe is a proper pastoral approach to those suffering from sexual identity confusion?
8. What do you believe is a proper pastoral approach to those who have underdone sex-change operations?
9. What further research still needs to be done regarding sexual transitioning?
10. How are the Church's teachings on marriage, contraception, abortion, homosexuality and gender identity related?
11. Sociologically, how are sexual orientation confusion and gender identity confusion related to the decline of marriage?
12. What do the Incarnation and the Eucharist suggest to us about gender identity?
13. Are there any heresies implicit in gender ideology? For example, some point to gender ideology as a type of Gnosticism or dualism between body and soul.