In this episode of Catholic Unscripted, Katherine Bennett and Mark Lambert are joined by Theo Howard for a thoughtful conversation addressing the announcement that the Society of St Pius X intends to consecrate bishops without explicit Vatican approval this July.

Rather than approaching the issue through polemic or reaction, the discussion explores the broader theological and spiritual questions raised by such developments: what does it mean to remain faithful in times of ecclesial tension? How should Catholics understand tradition as something received rather than constructed? And how can the faithful navigate uncertainty without losing peace?

Drawing on his experience as host of The Two Cities Podcast and his engagement with Catholic social doctrine and the lay apostolate, Theo reflects on the importance of stability, continuity, and “holding fast” to what has been handed down. The conversation considers the distinction between reaction and fidelity, the role of the laity in the temporal order, and the possibility of maintaining interior peace even amid ongoing crisis.

This episode offers a calm and serious exploration of faithfulness, tradition, and spiritual posture in complex ecclesial circumstances.

Please find Theo's work here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC61YYDR3XzqLNMUX-Rwhhkg

Topics Discussed

The SSPX bishop consecration announcement
Ecclesial crisis and Catholic response
Tradition as stability rather than innovation
“Holding fast” to what has been received
The experience of agitation and peace in practice of faith
Lay apostolate and Catholic social doctrine

Navigating contested ecclesial realities

Fidelity without polemic

The role of spiritual posture in turbulent times

Key Themes

Tradition as inheritance

Stability amid ecclesial tension

Faithfulness vs reaction

Interior peace in crisis

Lay vocation in the temporal order

About the Guest

Theo Howard is host of The Two Cities Podcast, where he explores Catholic social doctrine, philosophy, theology, and the lay apostolate in the temporal sphere, engaging questions of culture, politics, and ecclesial life.

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