The Pillar Podcast

Father Frank Cancro has the most unusual priestly apostolate you’ve ever heard of: He is America’s official circus priest.In this bonus episode of The Pillar Podcast, Fr. Cancro talked with JD about his unusual ministry, his unusual background, and the history of clowning around. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

JD talks Ed through what he’s learned about Gaudium et Spes, Ed retaliates by catching JD up on the Order of Malta, and then they both talk about the best sports not in the Winter Olympics. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

In this feature-length double episode, they talk about the independent report on the Archdiocese of Munich, and what it means for the legacy of Pope Benedict XVI. Then they go over the whole Knights of Malta thing, because seriously, it matters.Also, two things: We know that half of you don’t like it when we chat among themselves at the beginning of the show. We understand that. But, and here’s the other thing, the other half do seem to like it and we want you all to be happy.So, if you’d like to skip straight to the serious stuff, fast forward to 13:30. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode of The Pillar Podcast, Ed and JD are joined by The Pillar’s contributing editor Brendan Hodge. They talk about data, and then they talk about Data. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

The hosts discuss the long-lasting effects of the Second Vatican Council on the Catholic Church, the potential impact on the church's teachings and practices in the future, and the misinterpretation and misuse of the council's texts. They also express gratitude to listeners and briefly talk about car accidents in New Jersey, their low key Christmas celebration, and the tragic accident of the Flying Willendas.

In a special Christmas Eve episode, Ed talks to Bishop Richard Umbers of the Archdiocese of Sydney about which Christmas Mass is the worst, the impossible banality of meetings, and the new evangelization.Fair warning, the first seven and a half minutes are about cricket, so either fast forward, or just deal with it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

Merry Christmas! Ed hosts an end of year news quiz with special guests Katie Ruvalcaba, Stephanie Slade, and Stephen White, and JD behaves about as well as you’d expect. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

JD and Ed talk about an unpublished document from Rome, and what might happen with new guidance on the old Mass. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

Ed explains why the Perlasca Tapes are the best thing on TV, and JD parses the law and language of a diocesan policy on baptism and transgender issues. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

JD and Ed talk about family leave, economic justice, and fight about the essential nature of corporations — no seriously. And JD plays Minnesota Yes or No. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe