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SSPX Podcast

Did the Church Ban Books? A Catholic Explanation – Questions with Father #58

SSPX Podcast

SSPX / Angelus Press

Christianity, Society & Culture, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy

4.9 • 729 Ratings

🗓️ 27 February 2026

⏱️ 60 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Today on Questions with Father, we tackle a topic that may sound shocking to modern ears: the Index of Forbidden Books. Did the Catholic Church really ban books? Does the Church reject “freedom of speech”? And what does any of that mean for Catholics today living in an age of unlimited media and instant access to everything? Fr. Ian Andrew Palko walks us through the history of the Index, the natural law principles behind censorship, and why the Church once considered certain books more dangerous than many visible sins. This episode offers clarity, historical context, and practical guidance for guarding the Catholic Faith in a world saturated with false ideas.

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What is the SSPX Podcast?

The SSPX Podcast is produced by Angelus Press, which has as its mission the fortification of traditional Catholics so that they can defend the Faith, and reaching out to those who have not yet found Tradition.  – – – – – –

What is the SSPX?

The main goal of the Society of Saint Pius X is to preserve the Catholic Faith in its fullness and purity, to teach its truths, and to diffuse its virtues, especially through the Roman Catholic priesthood. Authentic spiritual life, the sacraments, and the traditional liturgy are its primary means of bringing this life of grace to souls. Although the traditional Latin Mass is the most visible and public expression of the work of the Society, we are committed to defending Catholic Tradition in its entirety: all of Catholic doctrine and morals as the Church has always defended them. What people need is the Catholic Faith, without compromise, with all the truth and beauty which accompanies it. https://sspx.org

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Today on Questions with Father, we tackle a topic that may sound shocking to modern ears,

0:11.7

the index of forbidden books.

0:14.2

Did the Catholic Church really ban books?

0:16.8

Does the Church reject freedom of speech?

0:19.2

And what does any of that mean for Catholics today,

0:21.5

living in an age of unlimited media and instant access to everything?

0:26.4

Father Ian Andrew Palco walks us through the history of the index,

0:29.9

the natural law principles behind censorship,

0:33.0

and why the Church once considered certain books more dangerous than many visible sins. This episode offers

0:39.5

clarity, historical context, and practical guidance for guarding the Catholic faith in a world saturated

0:45.0

with false ideas. This episode is free to listen to and always will be, but if you can help with a

0:49.9

one-time or a small monthly recurring donation on SSPXpodcast.com, you'll be making sure that we

0:55.1

can continue this work of producing good Catholic content on a regular basis. Now let's join Father

1:00.4

Palco for questions with Father number 58. Did the church ban books? A Catholic explanation.

1:08.0

Father Palco, great to have you back as always.

1:11.2

Since we've last talked, you've been on a little bit of vacation and hopefully had some time to recharge, relax a little bit.

1:18.2

I did. Yes, I did. I was got a chance to go for a 50th anniversary of a couple that I took care for a number of years earlier in my ministry over in New Zealand.

1:29.1

So sort of back to the old stomping grounds and then now back to work.

1:34.1

Fantastic. Well, I'm glad you're here. I'm glad you had a great time. And God's blessings to the couple.

1:39.5

That's a wonderful achievement. 50 years. Yeah, 50 years. And it was really neat to sort of a family reunion as well.

1:46.0

And when they brought everybody together, they got all of the grandchildren T-shirts with all of the numbers.

1:51.0

Oh, wow. That's cool. That's great.

...

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