Hundreds of young men attended the SEEK 2026 conference in the Fort Worth, Texas, Diocese to discuss masculinity formed by Jesus Christ and the Church. John Bishop, founder of Forge, advised attendees to live for something higher than their 'animalistic desires'. Bishop referenced Adam's initial view of Eve, stating that Adam did not lust but recognized her as a manifestation of her soul, made to receive his self-gift. A key point emphasized by Bishop was the sin of inaction, citing Adam's failure to act when the snake entered the garden. Bishop criticized modern male inaction regarding brothers sinning, inappropriate dress by daughters, and the negative cultural direction.
2 months ago
Hundreds of young men gathered at the SEEK 2026 conference in Grapevine, Texas, on January 2, 2026, for John Bishop's talk titled “God Made Men.”1 2
Bishop, founder of Forge—an organization focused on family and masculinity—addressed what it means to be a man shaped by Jesus Christ and the Church.1 2
Bishop drew from the story of Adam and Eve, noting Adam's first sight of the naked Eve sparked no lust but recognition of her soul through her body.1 2
He referenced Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, portraying Adam as designed to gift himself to Eve.1 2
Bishop humorously called Adam “the Elon Musk of the garden,” eliciting laughter from the crowd.1 2
Bishop condemned men's common sin of passivity, exemplified by Adam's failure to act against the serpent.1 2
He highlighted modern examples: ignoring brothers' sins, daughters' immodesty, or cultural decline while watching football.1 2
This “toxic” inaction, he argued, plagues men worldwide.1 2
Men are “much more than animalistic desires” and must live higher for God, Bishop urged.1 2
“The image of God lives in a man fully alive,” he said, citing studies on the multiplying impact of a committed man's life.1 2
“You’re called to act!” he exhorted, pushing past doubt to take first steps.1 2
Bishop advised embracing suffering—“no glory without the cross”—through physical challenges for future fruit.1 2
He recommended building masculine friendships that spur sainthood.1 2
Emulate St. Joseph, “one of the most manly men in Scripture,” by acting silently: “Zip it and act!”1 2
Texas A&M sophomore Patricio Parra praised the talk for countering society's view of masculinity as toxic.1 2
Parra noted a lack of good male role models, unlike “deformed” ones on YouTube, and shared his group's “Zip it and act!” gesture.1 2
He emphasized striving for Adam-like dignity in seeing women and took the advice to heart for action in dating or seminary.1 2
Examine Catholic teachings on male responsibility and action
Catholic teachings on male responsibility and action emphasize a complementary masculinity rooted in the divine design of the human person, as revealed in Scripture, Tradition, and the Theology of the Body. Men are called to active initiative, protection, provision, and self-gift, whether in marriage, family, society, or the priesthood. This vocation flows from the "spousal meaning of the body," where the male body and psyche orient toward responsibility, work, and guardianship, integrating personal freedom with service to others and the common good. Drawing from papal audiences, catechisms, and scholarly reflections, these teachings counter partial views of humanity by affirming men's integral role in building the Kingdom through conscientious action.
Pope St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body provides a foundational lens, portraying the male body not as a mere biological entity but as a sign bearing the "spousal meaning" that reveals the gift of self. Men embody a distinctive readiness "to accept responsibility, to work, to protect and provide" as husbands and fathers, reflecting psychosomatic structures oriented toward action and initiative. This contrasts with feminine openness, highlighting masculine traits like hierarchical thinking, competitiveness, and a "doer" mentality that proves value through labor.
In priestly celibacy, this masculinity finds redemption: the male "knocks" and "initiates," channeling sexual finality toward spiritual fecundity and self-gift to the Church. Celibacy affirms male bodiliness by renouncing physical union for the "inseparable connection" of union and fruitfulness in service, mirroring Christ's spousal love for His Bride. Such responsibility demands self-mastery, ensuring actions align with human dignity and the Creator's plan.
Men bear primary duties in the marital act and family life, where intercourse signifies unitive and procreative love. Spouses must exercise "responsible parenthood," spacing births for just reasons while conforming to moral criteria, avoiding selfishness. Natural family planning fosters self-mastery, allowing truthful expression of the body's "language" through mutual gift rather than use.
Participation in the common good begins at home: men educate their families, perform conscientious work, and cultivate generosity. True development enhances each person's vocation, calling fathers to respond to God's summons through integral growth. This echoes the personalistic norm where men, as rational agents, freely seek perfection by cleaving to the Creator amid family responsibilities.
Beyond the domestic sphere, Catholic men are urged to transform the temporal order with Gospel spirit. Pope Paul VI called laity, especially men in developed nations, to infuse Christian mentalities into laws, structures, and aid for developing countries, using skills proactively without awaiting directives. This active charity addresses global inequities, prioritizing moral precepts and justice.
Historically, Pope St. Pius X exhorted French Catholic men to defend the Church through "perseverance and energy," fortifying rights firmly yet non-violently, uniting in perfect understanding. Such action models non-seditious struggle, breaking enmity through steadfastness rather than force. Men's societal role thus extends personal responsibility to communal flourishing, rejecting objectification for subjective moral agency.
Across vocations, male responsibility integrates transcendence: the body reveals divine realities, demanding actions that honor dignity, foster self-gift, and promote fruitfulness. Whether initiating spousal love, providing for kin, aiding the poor, or safeguarding faith, men act as responsible subjects under God's counsel. This holistic vision counters modern fragmentations, urging fidelity to the "truth of the person."
In summary, Catholic teachings summon men to bold, self-mastered action—protecting, providing, initiating, and uniting—rooted in the body's spousal theology and oriented toward eternal communion. By embracing this, they fulfill their vocation in Christ.