In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by the wonderful Dr. Mark Giszczak from the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology to talk about suffering.

It's a perennial topic and, as I suggest in this episode, one of the top reasons that I hear about for people leaving the Catholic faith. Why does God allow so much suffering? What's the difference between human-caused suffering and natural disasters and sicknesses? How is suffering just? And, incredibly, how does the Catholic faith actually propose the best framework for understanding evil and suffering – something that atheists simply can't explain.

This and much more in this week's episode.

For more from Dr. Giszczak check out his book Suffering: What Every Catholic Should Know from the Augustine Institute and Ignatius Press.

And visit Dr. Giszczak's website, Catholic Bible Student.

For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.

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Join myself and my parish priest Fr. Joseph on a pilgrimage experience to France.

This retreat-like pilgrimage takes place August 12 - 20, 2025. With Mass every day, we'll walk in the footsteps of St. Joan of Arc in Rouen, retreat to the home of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the iconic Mont-Saint-Michel, and explore the newly restored Cathedral de Notre Dame de Paris.

Visit Trinity Travel Tours for more information.

This show is brought to you in a special way by our Patreon Co-Producers. Thank you to Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William. 

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