FACTS

Did the Vatican Just Clarify Mary’s Role in Salvation?

In this episode of The FACTS Podcast, Stephen Boyce breaks down the Vatican’s newest doctrinal note, Mater Populi Fidelis, issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in November 2025. This document reaffirms Christ as the sole Mediator while clarifying the Church’s language about Mary’s cooperation in redemption and her unique maternal role in the life of the Church. We examine why the Vatican discourages titles such as Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces, how this statement fits into historic Marian teaching, and what it means for theology, devotion, and ecumenical dialogue going forward. Article: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20251104_mater-populi-fidelis_en.html #FACTSPodcast #StephenBoyce #MaterPopuliFidelis #VaticanDocument #MarianDoctrine #Mariology #CatholicTeaching #MaryAndSalvation #VaticanClarification #DoctrinalNote #CatholicTheology #MaryMotherOfGod

Stop Saying “We Don’t Have Priests”—Scripture and History Disagree

Many modern Christians insist, “We don’t have priests — only pastors.” But both Scripture and the early Church tell a different story. In this episode, Dr. Stephen Boyce of The FACTS Podcast uncovers how the Bible and the earliest Christian writings describe bishops, presbyters, and deacons as the new Temple order — high priests, priests, and Levites serving Christ, our Great High Priest. From the Book of Hebrews to 1 Peter, Revelation, the Didache, and 1 Clement, we see a consistent pattern: the Church understood her ministers as participating in Christ’s priesthood, not replacing it. Discover how the first Christians viewed the Eucharist as a true offering, how bishops inherited the role of high priest, and why denying the priesthood of pastors ignores both biblical typology and apostolic history. If you’ve ever heard someone say “we don’t have priests,” this episode will show why Scripture and history disagree — and why reclaiming the language of priesthood restores the Church’s true identity as a kingdom of priests. If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7 #StephenBoyce  #FACTSPodcast  #ChristianHistory  #BiblicalPriesthood  #EarlyChurch  #Hebrews  #1Peter  #Revelation  #Didache  #1Clement  #KingdomOfPriests  #ApostolicSuccession  #Catholic  #Anglican  #Patristics  #ChurchFathers

The Seven Ecumenical Councils, Part 3: Ephesus (431)

Join Dr. Stephen Boyce and Pat May on the FACTS Podcast as they unpack one of the most defining moments in Christian history—the Council of Ephesus (431 AD). This historic gathering of bishops from across the early Church settled the question: Who is Jesus Christ, and why is Mary called the “Mother of God”? Discover the theological debates, political drama, and spiritual insights behind the Third Ecumenical Council, where the Church declared that the one born of Mary is truly God made flesh. #ChristianHistory #CouncilofEphesus #Theotokos #CyrilofAlexandria #Nestorius #EarlyChurch #TheFACTSPodcast #StephenBoyce

What Is the Anglican Ordinariate—and Should Anglicans Join It?

What exactly is the Anglican Ordinariate — and should Anglicans join it? In this episode of The FACTS Podcast, Stephen Boyce explores one of the most fascinating developments in modern Christianity: Pope Benedict XVI’s creation of the Ordinariate, a home for Anglicans entering full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving the beauty of their own liturgical and spiritual heritage. We’ll unpack what the Ordinariate is, why it was founded, how it functions today, and the real questions Anglicans face when discerning whether to remain in the Communion or cross the Tiber. Whether you’re an Anglican curious about Catholic unity, a Catholic intrigued by Anglican tradition, or simply someone passionate about church history and Christian unity—this episode is for you. 👉 Subscribe, share, and join the conversation as we ask: What does unity look like without losing identity? If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7 #AnglicanOrdinariate #PopeBenedictXVI #AnglicanorumCoetibus #AngloCatholic #AnglicanPatrimony #OrdinariateOfTheChairOfStPeter #OurLadyOfWalsingham #OurLadyOfTheSouthernCross #AnglicanismAndCatholicism #JoiningTheCatholicChurch #AnglicanLiturgy #AnglicanCatholicUnity #AnglicanTradition #Ecumenism #ChristianUnity #FACTSPodcast #StephenBoyce

The Cadaver Synod: When a Dead Pope Stood Trial

In this episode of The FACTS Podcast, we explore one of the most shocking and macabre events in Church history—the Cadaver Synod. In 897 AD, Pope Stephen VI ordered the corpse of his predecessor, Pope Formosus, to be exhumed, dressed in papal vestments, and placed on trial for crimes against the Church. Why did this happen? What political and theological tensions led to such a grotesque spectacle? And what does the Cadaver Synod reveal about the state of the papacy in the late 9th century?Join Dr. Stephen Boyce as he unpacks the story behind the trial of a dead pope, the chaos of the post-Carolingian Church, and the aftermath that reshaped medieval Rome.If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7 #CadaverSynod #ChurchHistory #PapalHistory #TheFACTSPodcast #PopeFormosus #MedievalChurch #DarkAges #ChristianHistory #StephenBoyce #CatholicHistory