Sed Contra: A Podcast of Catholic Theology

The Sacra Doctrina Project

St. Thomas Aquinas

Theology

The Sacra Doctrina Project

Original Sin

Philosophy

St. Bonaventure

God

Catholic Theology

Thomas Aquinas

Faith

Aquinas

Liturgy

Corpus Christi

St. Augustine

Grace

History

Beauty

Epistemology

Academy Awards

Beatific Vision

A podcast featuring some of the founding members of The Sacra Doctrina Project discussing theological questions with other academic theologians and philosophers. The podcast takes place in a quaestiones disputatae style, encouraging lively and charitable debate. Listen to the most recent episode below.

74 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	73	Founded	7 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	PhilosophyChristianityReligion & SpiritualitySociety & Culture

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Guests Hosts Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

The Hymns of Corpus Christi

Last year's Corpus Christi episode: sed-contra-a-podcast-of-catholic-theology.simplecast.com/episodes/corpus-christi

1 Jun 2026 • 1 hr 15 min • Most popular

Quodlibet 26: Do All Dogs Go to Heaven?

Is it possible for animals to go to heaven? Is chewing gum for pleasure a sin? Do habitual grave sins count as mortal sin? Join us for these questions and more!

20 May 2026 • 52 min

Aquinas, the Bible, and the Fathers

Fr. Ambrose Dobrozsi, Dr. Kevin Clarke, and Dr. Jane Peters discuss an overlooked work of St. Thomas Aquinas: His Catena Aurea. This commentary on the Gospels is a "golden chain" of patristic citations worked into a single commentary on the Gospels. ... more

5 May 2026 • 59 min

Quodlibet 25: Does God Know the Taste of Orange Chicken?

Does God know what Panda Express Orange Chicken tastes like? Does changing a baby's diaper during consecration mean that you have not fulfilled your Sunday obligation? Why have recent popes seemed to condemn war so often? Does Catholicism require pas... more

30 Apr 2026 • 37 min

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Recent Guests

Dr. Joey Begheza

Theologian guest discussing Corpus Christi hymns

The Sacra Doctrina Project

Episode: The Hymns of Corpus Christi

Kevin Clarke

Associate professor and Maximus/Church Fathers scholar

Sacra Doctrina Project; Sacred Heart Major Seminary

Episode: Aquinas, the Bible, and the Fathers

Jane Peters

Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies, expert on Thomas Aquinas's biblical interpretation

University of Mount Saint Vincent

Episode: Aquinas, the Bible, and the Fathers

Father Dylan

Guest theologian appearing for discussion

The Sacra Doctrina Project

Episode: Divine Mercy and Indulgences

John O'Neill

Ordinary member of the Sacra Doctrina Project, Assistant professor at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Connecticut.

Holy Apostles College and Seminary

Episode: Theology and History II

Elliot Polsky

Affiliate member of the Sacra Doctrina Project, teaching in the philosophy faculty at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado.

St. John Vianney Theological Seminary

Episode: Theology and History II

Joey Belleza

Ordinary member of The Sacra Doctrina Project

The Sacra Doctrina Project

Episode: The Theology of Fr. Peter Damian Fehlner

Fr. Charles Robinson

Franciscan from the Franciscans of the Immaculate and affiliate member of the SDP

Franciscans of the Immaculate

Episode: The Theology of Fr. Peter Damian Fehlner

Dr. Jared Goff

Affiliated with the Byzantine Catholic Seminary and the College of St. Joseph the Worker

Byzantine Catholic Seminary

Episode: The Theology of Fr. Peter Damian Fehlner

Hosts

Taylor Patrick O'Neill

Co-host with frequent involvement in The Sacra Doctrina Project and related podcasts; often engages in Thomistic and Catholic theological discussions.

Matthew Duganzig

Co-host frequently appearing with theological and philosophical discussions, often tied to The Sacra Doctrina Project.

Father Ambrose Dobrozsi

Priest and host associated with Sed Contra; recurring contributor on Catholic theology topics and Franciscan discussions.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 74 ratings

Thank You
This is one of my go-to’s for ongoing theological formation.
Apple Podcasts
5
ignatiusm
United States9 months ago
A Great Podcast
Phenomenal in both its depth and accessibility, this is a great podcast for anyone wanting to delve into a serious, but entertaining and understandable conversation on theology.
Apple Podcasts
5
AndrewNat
United States7 years ago
An Outstanding New Catholic Podcast
As a follower of Dr. Taylor Patrick O'Neill's work, I'm very excited to see this podcast launched. All of the hosts are knowledgeable in many areas of sacred doctrine. Dr. O'Neill is a Catholic scholar who understands Aquinas well and does a fantastic job of communicating his thought to others. I look forward to making this show part of my podcast routine!
Apple Podcasts
5
jderosa1990
United States7 years ago
Excellent theological podcast
Kudos to the founders of the Sacra Doctrina Project. I have enjoyed the first few episodes and am confident in their theological acumen.
Apple Podcasts
5
Mommisson
United States7 years ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Great source for theologians and philosophers looking for rigorous dialogue.

High level of scholarship, makes dense ideas approachable.

Excellent depth on theological topics, presented accessibly.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#160	United States/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#14	Mexico/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#63	Indonesia/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#83	Philippines/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#116	Argentina/Society & Culture/Philosophy
Apple Podcasts	#179	Mexico/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Quodlibet 26: Do All Dogs Go to Heaven?

Q: Ben Kerchevall asks about mortal sin and its eternal consequences, and whether there can be extenuating circumstances or a fundamental option concept.

They explain mortal sin requires grave matter, full knowledge, and full consent, but present the pastoral reality that many factors can mitigate culpability, including habit, conversion, and the dynamics of grace. Fundamental option theory is rejected as an adequate framework because it oversimplifies moral agency and runs contrary to Catholic teaching, which recognizes the possibility of God's grace acting within a person even after grave sin. Confession remains a pastoral tool to restore grace, not a mere calculation of sins.

Quodlibet 26: Do All Dogs Go to Heaven?

Q: We have a great question here from Jonathan Lucci. Does the idea that animals participate in eternal life contradict Catholic teaching beyond Thomism, and can non-Thomists affirm this possibility?

The hosts argue that Thomism is not the only framework; while Thomism holds that animals do not enter into the beatific vision as understood in that tradition, it does not mean Catholics must reject the possibility entirely. They emphasize that rationality, free will, and grace shape the understanding of eternal life, and they note that Catholic teaching does not clearly establish animals' participation in heaven. The discussion shifts to distinguishing philosophical limits from theological commitments, underscoring that the absence of rationality in animals does not automatically resolve every related question within Catholic teaching.

Quodlibet 25: Does God Know the Taste of Orange Chicken?

Q: From Ned McKinley: since World War I, popes have condemned almost all wars; does that imply modern Christians must be pacifists, given the complexities of just war in contemporary warfare?

The speakers argue that papal teachings emphasize peace and prudence rather than blanket pacifism, noting that just war criteria are harder to meet in modern warfare, but the Church can still acknowledge the necessity of armed defense in certain circumstances, while stressing the duty to seek peace and avoid unnecessary violence.

Quodlibet 25: Does God Know the Taste of Orange Chicken?

Q: Regarding the precept to attend Holy Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, would actions like changing a baby's diaper during consecration preclude external attention or negate the obligation?

Changing a diaper may be necessary, but it does not automatically negate the obligation; the Church recognizes the priority of caring for a child, and if the child's needs make participation impossible, one may stay away, otherwise attending Mass remains the obligation, with the parent prioritizing the child while striving to participate as much as possible.

Quodlibet 25: Does God Know the Taste of Orange Chicken?

Q: Luke asks us, to what extent does God have knowledge of our human phenomenal experiences or qualia, and does God know what it is like to eat Panda Express Orange Chicken?

The hosts explain that God's knowledge does not come from sensory experience; God knows by being the source of all things and by projecting intelligible content through his intellect, so he knows the world more completely than we do, though not through human experiential processing.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A quaestiones disputatae–style show featuring founding members of a Catholic theology project, hosting rigorous but charitable discussions with scholars and philosophers. Conversations often center on Thomistic philosophy, Catholic doctrinal topics, and practical pastoral concerns, weaving in classical authorities (Aquinas, Augustine, Teresa of Avila) with contemporary church life. Recent episodes explore humility, original sin, liturgy, the relationship between doctrine and practice, and the role of authority in theology, all through a friendly, debate-friendly format that appeals to academically minded listeners seeking rigorous yet accessible theological dialogue. Noteworthy is the show's sustained focus on the Franciscan and Thomistic t... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Thomistic Institute
2. The Catholic Current
3. Godsplaining
4. Pints With Aquinas
5. Evangelization & Culture Podcast

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this podcast launched 7 years ago and published 73 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Dr. Joey Begheza
2. Kevin Clarke
3. Jane Peters
4. Father Dylan
5. John O'Neill
6. Elliot Polsky
7. Joey Belleza
8. Fr. Charles Robinson

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