Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!

The spark was small—a tweet from Bishop Barron about synodality and doctrine—but the questions behind it are huge: What should a synod actually decide? How did “the spirit of Vatican II” turn into perpetual uncertainty? And why are everyday Catholics still getting side-eyed for kneeling at communion? We open the hood on a consistory that could reset expectations, sift Barron’s argument for what it gets right and wrong, and get painfully practical about reverence, freedom, and pastoral authority.

Along the way, we share a happier twist: a priest reached out and offered to accompany our Italy trip, making daily Latin Mass not only possible but likely across private chapels in Rome and beyond. That momentum matters. People don’t want liturgical roulette; they want beauty, clarity, and worship that deepens faith. The pastoral playbook that treats piety as a problem is wearing thin, and that comes into sharp focus with a diocese banning portable kneelers for the elderly and Jonathan Roumie describing how he was told to stand when he tried to receive on his knees. Reverence isn’t performance; it’s love braving friction.

We don’t dodge the tough map either. Under Francis, a common foe united disparate trad corners. Under Leo, the tone is calmer, but the doctrinal direction still worries many. Could a non-territorial jurisdiction—an ordinariate-style solution with bishops from traditional communities—offer stability without schism? Maybe. Or maybe it risks a new ghetto unless leaders honor what’s already law: the right to kneel, the right to receive on the tongue, and the call to worship God with proper solemnity. We’re watching the consistory, reading the dubia, and building something constructive: a pilgrimage ordered to daily prayer and the Eucharist.

If this conversation hits home, follow the show, share it with a friend who cares about liturgy and clarity, and leave a quick review. Your feedback helps more people find thoughtful Catholic conversations that aim higher.

Support the show

Take advantage of great Catholic red wines by heading over to https://recusantcellars.com/ and using code "BASED" for 10% off at checkout!

Check out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off!

Want the best potato chips in the world? Head over to fatthins.com and use code AB10 for 10% off!

********************************************************

Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1

https://www.avoidingbabylon.com

Merchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.com

Locals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.com

Full Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribe

RSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss

Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6029316625530880

10 Questions With Rich Hofmann: Sixers Check-in, Phillies, Eagles, and More!

The Ringer's Philly Special

Intro

The AI-powered Podcast Player