Abstract: Over a century has passed since Leo XII’s promulgation of Rerum Novarum in 1891. We are now at the beginning of a new Leonine era. It may therefore be an appropriate time to pause and consider what we can learn from the works of MacIntyre about the Church’s relationship with the culture of modernity and in particular the mistakes that were made by ecclesial leaders over the past century when managing this relationship. In his first address to the members of the Vatican Diplomatic Corps in January 2026 Pope Leo made some very MacIntyrean-style observations about the political use or misuse of language. MacIntyre had much to teach the Church about this very issue, but not only this issue. MacIntyre also had significant advice to offer about the bogus neutrality of the social sciences; the bogus epistemic authority of experts; the work of bureaucracies in stifling appeals to first principles; the own goals scored by the Church’s adoption of the rhetoric of liberal natural rights; and the manner in which “plain persons” and “masters of intellectual traditions” arrive at the truth. Each of these elements of MacIntyre’s thought has something to offer in a much over-due audit of the Church’s engagement with the culture of modernity.

This is the first of two public lectures that are being organised as part of the conference on 'MacIntyre in the Conflicts of Modernity'. More details about the conference can be found here.