Episode 7: John Hittinger on Human Rights, Freedom, and the State in the Magisterium of St. John Paul II (September 18, 2025)

In this episode of Social Doctrine of the Church, Michael Vacca and Robert Fastiggi interview John Hittinger on Human Rights, Freedom, and the State in the Magisterium of St. John Paul II.In light of Dr. Hittinger's expertise as the former director of St. John Paul II Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston:How did John Paul II's experiences of the totalitarian regimes of the Nazis and the Soviet Communists influence his understanding of human rights?According to the Catholic Church and John Paul II, what are the foundations of human rights?What is the Catholic Church's understanding of religious freedom and how is this freedom rooted in the teaching of Vatican II?John Paul II said that human beings must have the freedom to seek the truth. Could you explain what this means?What was John Paul II's view of the freedom of conscience?Does the state have authority over the conscience of people?What is the responsibility of Catholic citizens towards civil law? Are there cases in which Catholics are required to resist unjust laws? Could you give some examples?