Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 7 March 1274), was a Doctor of the Church, Philosopher, Theologian, Jurist, Dominican Friar, and Priest. Known as Doctor Angelicus "Angelic Doctor," and the Doctor Communis "Universal Doctor" his writings serve as a defense and proof of the validity of Christ's authority over all. The Summa contra Gentiles (also known as Liber de veritate catholicae fidei contra errores infidelium, "Book on the truth of the Catholic faith against the errors of the unbelievers"). The Summa contra Gentiles consists of four books. The structure of Saint Thomas's work is designed to proceed from general philosophical arguments for monotheism, to which Muslims and Jews are likely to consent even within their own respective religious traditions, before progressing to the discussion of specifically Christian doctrine.
Book I begins with general questions of truth and natural reason, and from chapter 10 investigates the concept of a monotheistic God. Chapters 10 to 13 are concerned with the existence of God, followed by a detailed investigation of God's properties (chapters 14 to 102). When demonstrating a Truth about God which can be known through reason, St. Thomas gives multiple arguments, each proving the same Truth in a different way.
Whether you are a history enthusiast, a student of religion, or simply curious about the impact of the Roman Catholic Church on the world, this playlist is designed to provide an informative and engaging journey through its captivating past. Subscribe to the Contemplating History channel for more educational content and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history.
20 June 2026
What is Transhumanism: The Philosophical and Scientific Movement of Augmenting Human Capabilities
From EWTN
Are you curious about the concept of transhumanism? This video delves into the philosophical and scientific movement of using emerging technologies to enhance human capabilities and improve the human condition. Join us as we speak with Fr. Michael Baggot, a professor of bioethics at Regina Apostolorum in Rome, who shares his insights on transhumanism and how the Church can provide guidance in navigating this new issue. Learn about the goals of transhumanism, including reaching immortality and a post-human state, and discover how the Church reminds us of our call to immortality through grace. We'll also discuss the potential risks and benefits of transhumanist technologies and how close we are to achieving some of the movement's goals. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation on the intersection of technology, philosophy, and faith.
Scandalous Love Life of George I | The Wife of George I | Messy Royal Marriages
From History Calling
GEORGE I’S MESSY LOVE LIFE meant that neither of the women he married (or supposedly married) actually became his official consort. His wife and cousin, Sophia Dorothea of Celle, was the woman who should have been Queen of England after the man she’d married came to the throne in 1714, but instead her story is one of the scandals of the House of Hanover. Though George had been constantly unfaithful to her, when her affair with Count Philip Christoph von Königsmarck was discovered, her lover disappeared under suspicious circumstances, and his fate quickly became a Hanoverian royal murder mystery. Sophia Dorothea was divorced in 1694, imprisoned for the rest of her life and never saw her children again. When her ex-husband went on to become King of England, he took with him his long-term mistress, Ehrengard Melusina Von Der Schulenberg, whom he made the Duchess of Kendal and Munster and with whom he had several daughters. These children were passed off as the offspring of her sisters. It is unknown if he ever married Melusina (as she was known), or if she remained his mistress, but in many ways, she acted as though she was the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland.
In this German and English royal history documentary from History Calling, we look at these messy royal marriages and at a story which involves murder, adultery and the imprisoned princess who was the mother of George II. At the centre of it all was Georg Ludwig, Elector of Hanover and the future King of England; the first monarch of the House of Hanover.
Grim Milestone: Canada Hits 10 Years of Assisted Dying
Call it what it is! It's NOT "assisted dying"; it's the legal murder of the sick and vulnerable, often without their consent at the insistence of relatives.
From Aleteia
From Aleteia
By Theresa Civantos Barber
Canada’s bishops and other advocates continue to speak out against expansions of the law that are being considered, voicing concern and calling for prayers.Ten years ago this week, Canada legalized assisted suicide. Since then, more than 76,000 Canadians have died this way — now more than 5% of deaths per year — making it one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing assisted-dying programs.
Canada’s bishops and other advocates for life in Canada continue to speak out against possible expansions of the law under consideration, voicing concern and calling for prayers while grieving the many lives lost in the past 10 years.
Alarming stories continue to circulate about abuses of the existing law, such as one last month about a Catholic priest recovering from a hip fracture who was offered death not just once, but twice.
In a statement marking the sobering anniversary of “Medical Aid in Dying” (MAiD), the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops urged Catholics and all people of goodwill “to remain steadfast in opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide, to pray for the conversion of hearts and minds away from this practice, and to be present to persons who are sick and vulnerable.”
Even after 10 years, they wrote, Canadians must “reject complacency with the status quo on euthanasia” and instead “draw near to those who suffer … [and] accompany them with compassion, practical care, and hope.” They resoundingly affirmed the Catholic belief that “every human life is a gift [and] holds profound dignity and value.”
What bishops fear next
At the same time, the bishops gave a dire warning about where MAiD is headed, as Canada plans various expansions to the already permissive MAiD criteria. The bishops wrote:
Grave concern is warranted regarding the continued expansion of the eligibility criteria for “MAID,” which puts increasing numbers of Canadians at risk.
In 2016, only individuals whose death was “reasonably foreseeable” were eligible for “MAID” with so-called “safeguards” in place.
Subsequent legislation in 2021, however, considerably broadened the criteria, expanding access to include those whose death is not reasonably foreseeable, but whose condition is “grievous and irremediable.”
As Canada plans to expand MAiD to those with mental illness as the sole criterion for death, and as debate continues around allowing “mature minors” to choose MAiD, the bishops sounded the alarm that life could be held even more cheaply in Canada.
Disability rights advocates are also calling for everyone to oppose expansion — regardless of religious beliefs.
Krista Carr, Chief Executive Officer of Inclusion Canada, said in a statement:
Canada's assisted dying law currently allows people with disabilities who are not at end of life to receive assisted suicide. The United Nations has stated unequivocally that this practice violates the rights of persons with disabilities and should be repealed. We urge the Government of Canada to … remove eligibility for assisted death for people who are not at end of life, and ensure it is never extended to people with mental illness or mature minors.
Assisted suicide continues its march
This grim march is not just advancing in Canada, of course. Assisted suicide is spreading in the U.S., with the practice now legal in Washington, D.C., and 12 states — California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington — with New York set to join in August.
Canada’s bishops and other advocates repeatedly have warned that offering assisted death acts as a substitute for essential medical care, arguing that vulnerable individuals are being offered MAiD instead of adequate palliative care, mental health support, and disability resources. Canada is something of a cautionary tale, yet an increasing number of other places are following its example.
What can be done?
Prayer is always the first line of defense, and the bishops urged Catholics to persevere in prayer “for those who are sick, suffering, isolated, or nearing the end of life; for their families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals; and for the conversion of hearts and minds toward a culture that receives every life as a gift and never abandons those most in need.”
Besides prayer, offering meaningful alternatives to assisted suicide is of utmost importance. The Catholic Church in Canada continues its steadfast commitment “to building compassionate communities, promoting authentic palliative care, and providing practical support to all who suffer.”
The bishops and all Catholics can join the Church in Canada and throughout the world in making sure the Christian community remains “a place where people, especially the sick, elderly, disabled, suffering, and dying, are received with love, accompanied with compassion, and reminded that their life remains precious in the eyes of God.”
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