Humanism – True and Untrue, by Dr. Robert Royal

By Dr. Robert Royal, Editor-in-Chief, The Catholic Thing, May 18, 2020

Dr. Robert Royal is editor-in-chief of The Catholic Thing, and president of the Faith & Reason Institute in Washington, D.C. His most recent book is A Deeper Vision: The Catholic Intellectual Tradition in the Twentieth Century, published by Ignatius Press. The God That Did Not Fail: How Religion Built and Sustains the West, is now available in paperback from Encounter Books.

Note: Today is the 100^th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s birth, beyond all controversies and missteps, one of the great Catholics – and great human beings – of recent times. Among many other high points, he understood something I write about today: what a true Christian humanism, realistic and shrewd (did I mention realistic?), would have to be in our day. If you haven’t already, read his Veritatis Splendor (“The Splendor of Truth”) and Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason), both encyclicals inspirations for the Faith & Reason Institute, the parent institution of The Catholic Thing. Despite the virus, we’re going strong. Look for our second Podcast today in the left-hand column, a conversation with FRI Senior Fellow Mary Eberstadt on her new book “Primal Screams” and related subjects. Fr. Gerald Murray and Robert Reilly are on deck for the next episodes. We’ve been encouraged, not only by the donations readers have sent, but also the kind messages of appreciation. There’s still a way to go, however. And, as always, what’s at stake is the ongoing existence of our Thing. Many of you have responded but we still need others to do their part. Click the Donate button. Keep The Catholic Thing going not only for the rest of 2020 but for many years to come. – Robert Royal

We’re all lamenting many things that we cannot do because of the virus lockdown – true human goods to be recovered as the world now carefully begins to re-open. But we should also be grateful for many things that are not happening, some inside the Vatican.

Personally, I’ve been healthier, maybe even happier these past months, not having to spend hours on planes. Particularly, not having to fly, in March, to a meeting in Assisi on the Economy of Francis and, last week, to the planned activities in Rome on a Global Education Pact for a “new humanism,” both now postponed to the Fall.

Economists close to Vatican offices are trying to introduce more proven, less Socialist-Lite principles into the preparations for the economics meeting.  …

Read more here:  https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2020/05/18/humanism-true-and-untrue/