What is Catholic Social Teaching? – Fr. Brad Elliott, O.P.

About this episode

Fr. Brad Elliott discusses Catholic Social Teaching as a theological vision of the human person in relation to family, polity, and Church.

Fr. Brad Elliott argues that it is really a theological vision of the human person as a social being ordered to God through family, polity, and Church, showing how the common good, friendship, and the distinct missions of these three societies shape both public life and spiritual life. This lecture was given on January 23rd, 2026, at Vanderbilt University. To make a gift this June, visit  https://truth.thomisticinstitute.org/pod . About the Speaker: Fr. Brad Elliott was raised in Dayton Ohio and studied Jazz percussion at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. After being raised as a Missouri Synod Lutheran he entered the Catholic Church in 2002. After moving to California, Fr. Brad became an active, performing musician, with a reputation as a highly sought after drummer on the international scene. Working in Los Angeles, CA, he performed and recorded various styles of modern music from Rock to jazz and big band. During his time in Los Angeles he performed and toured extensively with artists such as Annie Stela and Brie Larson. After ten years as a professional drum set player and feeling a call to commit himself entirely to Jesus Christ, Fr. Brad chose…

People in this episode

Host: The Thomistic Institute

Guest: Fr. Brad Elliott

Topics covered

• Catholic Social Teaching
• theological vision
• human person
• common good
• family
• polity
• Church

Keywords

• Catholic Social Teaching
• theological vision
• human person
• common good
• family
• polity
• Church
• Fr. Brad Elliott
• lecture
• Vanderbilt University

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Thomistic Institute

Books & works: St. Dominic’s Church

Places: Dayton Ohio, California, Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA

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