In this episode, drawn from the archives of the SSPX Podcast, we address the question of why do some say “Holy Spirit” and others “Holy Ghost” when referring to the third person of the Holy Trinity. Do they mean the same thing? And if so, what are the origins of this terminological difference? And, most importantly, does it matter?

Before the scientific discoveries of the late 19th century, most adherents of Catholicism and Protestantism believed that the earth and universe were 6000 years old, based on a chronology derived from the Bible. However, after the discovery of the radioactive behavior of atoms, developments in the study of geology, and accurate measurement of star distances provided solid scientific evidence for a universe and earth of an age in the billions of years, Catholic exegetes abandoned the idea that the earth was 6000 years old.

On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we continue our discussion from the last episode on Young Earth Creationism. As covered on the last episode, Catholics are not obligated to believe the earth or universe is 6,000 years old; it is not a question of faith. In this episode we examine more closely specific arguments which suggest that young-earth-creationism and geocentricism—a description of the universe that places earth at its center—are parts of the deposit of the Faith. In so doing, Fr. Paul Robinson helps Catholics further distinguish between what the Catholic Church teaches infallibly and scientific views of creation and the world which develop over time in the light of new research.

On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we’ll dive back into our Questions with Father episodes with a topic we touched on about 6 years ago: Young Earth Creationism. Many Catholics claim that it is doctrinal, and morally necessary to believe that the earth was created in a particular time, or in a particular way. In this episode and a following one to come later, Fr. Paul Robinson will lay out the Catholic perspective on not just this topic, but broadly, what a Catholic should believe in terms of Scripture and Science.

In vitro fertilization, or IVF, has been front and center in the news following the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling that embryos created through IVF are legally “children” for the purposes of that state’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. In the wake of the decision, politicians, religious leaders, and laypeople who view themselves as “pro-life” have wrestled publicly with legal and practical questions surrounding IVF, including its availability. Catholics, for their part, know–or ought to know–that the Church opposes IVF, though many remain unsure as to why. If IVF assists couples in having children, is this not a good thing? What crucial moral issues does IVF raise and how should Catholics address them? In this timely episode, Fr. Ian Palko explains the mechanics of IVF while situating the procedure in a classical Catholic moral framework. He also stresses the importance of not separating procreation from its proper, marital context.