Book Review: Integralism w/ Dr. Alan Fimister & Fr. Thomas Crean, OP

About this sermon

What is Catholic integralism, and what would society look like if it truly recognized the Kingship of Jesus Christ? Steve Cunningham interviews Father Thomas Crean, O.P., and Dr. Alan Fimister about their book, Integralism: A Manual of Political Philosophy. They explain the relationship between the Catholic Church and temporal authority, religious liberty, natural law, political power and man’s supernatural destiny. The authors describe integralism as the principles underlying a Catholic social order: civil authorities should recognize the truth of the Catholic faith and govern with an awareness that man’s ultimate purpose is eternal life with God. Integralism therefore stands opposed to secularism and liberalism’s claim that government can remain neutral regarding the meaning and purpose of human life. The conversation examines the decline of medieval Christendom, the Protestant Reformation, the French Revolution and the rise of the modern secular state. Father Crean and Dr. Fimister discuss whether religious neutrality is possible, why forced conversion is forbidden, and how a Catholic political order differs from religious coercion. They also explore Gabriel García Moreno’s Ecuador, the Irish Constitution, the American states, the United Kingdom’s established religion and the possibility of restoring the social reign of Christ in modern nations. Drawing upon Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas Aquinas, the guests explain the two cities: the City of God, founded upon love of God, and the city of the world, founded upon self-love and rebellion. They examine the spiritual and temporal powers, the symbolism of the two swords, and why the temporal order cannot achieve even its natural purpose without divine grace. The interview also addresses obedience, tyranny, revolution and legitimate resistance. Can Catholics resist a ruler who commands something contrary to natural or divine law? Was the American Revolution legitimate? What happens when governments and courts violate their own laws? Finally, Father Crean and Dr. Fimister offer practical guidance. Restoring Christendom begins with Catholics believing the entire faith, living in a state of grace, frequenting the sacraments, forming strong families, evangelizing without fear and placing spiritual goods above temporal advantage. 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Meet the authors 01:25 Why they wrote the book 01:53 Religious liberty and Vatican II 06:29 The decline of Christendom 14:01 What is integralism? 15:15 Integralism versus liberalism 20:41 Why conversion cannot be forced 24:20 García Moreno and Catholic government 27:20 Catholicism and Ireland 32:19 Religion in the American states 36:37 America compared with Britain 41:54 How the book is organized 47:32 Saint Augustine’s Two Cities 59:21 Why the authors avoid “the state” 1:02:01 The spiritual and temporal swords 1:04:29 Resistance and rebellion 1:14:12 The American Revolution 1:21:44 Restoring Christian society 1:32:18 Spiritual authority and civil power 1:33:22 Conclusion Purchase Integralism: A Manual of Political Philosophy through the link below. http://dialogos-institute.org/ https://www.amazon.com/Integralism-Thomas-Crean/dp/3868382259 ***Donations to Sensus Fidelium is 501(c)3 tax deductible*** 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #Integralism #CatholicIntegralism #CatholicSocialTeaching #KingshipOfChrist #ChurchAndState #CatholicPolitics #PoliticalPhilosophy #ThomasCrean #AlanFimister #Christendom #ReligiousLiberty #NaturalLaw #CatholicChurch #SensusFidelium #BookInterview