How the Church Changed the World, Part I

Taking his lead from the Church's liturgy, Fathers, Scripture, and Vatican II, Fr. Wahlmeier argues that the Church is to the world what the soul is to the body. Far from being an enemy to progress and human flourishing, the Church has enlivened and elevated the world.

Fr. Wahlmeier organizes his argument around the theological and cardinal virtues. Proceeding through each virtue, he argues that the Church has directed man's faith and hope toward something transcendent and enduring rather than the fleeting glories and pleasures of the world. The Church has elevated man's love, teaching the dignity of the person and redefining love around the self-sacrificial love of Christ. Regarding prudence, the Church has preserved and fostered the sciences, created universities and public education.

And similarly with the other virtues, Fr. Wahlmeier presents a compelling case for the how the Church has changed the world.

This talk was given as part of the Martyr's Speaker Series at North American Martyrs Catholic Church.