

Controversies in Church History
Darrick N Taylor
My name is Darrick Taylor, and I am the founder and proprietor of Controversies in Church History, a podcast that takes an in depth look at difficult, even disturbing, issues in the history of the Catholic Church. My perspective is unique, in that I am a faithful Roman Catholic, yet trained as a secular historian. Designed for Catholics but accessible for anyone interested in history, it balances storytelling with an academic sensibility.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 3, 2021 • 1h 22min
The Traditionalist Movement, Episode 5: Back to the Future, 1988-Present
The podcast explores the growth of traditionalist orders in communion with Rome, the influence of Pope Benedict XVI on traditionalism, and the impact of Francis' motu proprio Traditionis Custodes on traditionalists and the Church. It also delves into the split in the Society of St. Pius X, the formation of Fraternal Society of St. Peter, opposition faced by traditionalist organizations, interpretation of the Second Vatican Council, controversial actions against traditionalist orders, and the importance of maintaining access to the traditional mass.

Aug 27, 2021 • 56min
The Traditionalist Movement, Episode 4: Divisions, 1976-1988
This podcast explores the divisions within the Catholic Church after the Second Vatican Council, including the rise of conservative Catholicism. It delves into the struggles of the Society of St. Pius X in rejecting the Council while seeking recognition from Rome. The podcast discusses the formation of new priestly societies and tensions with Pope John Paul II. It also explores the efforts to bring back the old Roman rite and the controversy surrounding the traditionalist movement. The podcast concludes by examining the impact of Marcel Lefebvre's actions and the challenges faced by traditionalists.

Aug 20, 2021 • 1h 40min
The Traditionalist Movement, Episode 3: Rebel Priests, 1964-1978
This podcast explores the resistance of priests to changes in the liturgy after Vatican II. It discusses the destruction of the Roman Rite, secret masses held by traditionalists, and the arguments about the Pope's authority in making changes. The podcast also covers the resistance of priests in Normandy and Brazil, the implementation of reforms, and the takeover of a church in France by traditionalist priests. It provides background on Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and the founding of the Society of Saint Pius X, and highlights the role of Ana Balblinini in the traditionalist movement.

Aug 9, 2021 • 52min
The Traditionalist Movement, Episode 2: "Disobedient People," 1964-1974 (Pt. 2)
The podcast explores the traditionalist movement's efforts to preserve the old Roman liturgy after the new Roman missal was introduced in 1970. It discusses the emergence of traditionalist movements in Europe and America, the critics of the post-consilior church, and the organizational support for the traditionalist movement. The podcast also delves into the critiques of the Catholic Church and Anglican reforms, the power dynamics between bishops and traditionalists, and a debate on the authority of the pope.

Aug 8, 2021 • 44min
The Traditionalist Movement, Episode 2: "Disobedient People," 1964-1974 (Pt. 1)
In this episode, we recall the history of lay men and women's efforts to preserve the old Roman liturgy from suppression in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council. From the growth of such lay movements as Una Voce, we examine the response of those laymen attached to the old rite to the promulgation of the new missal, and the attempts to end the celebration of the older rite. (Note: the episode was much longer than I planned, so it will be broken up into two parts.)
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Jul 24, 2021 • 46min
The Traditionalist Movement, 1964-Present: Episode 1, The Outsiders
The podcast discusses the Traditionalist movement in the Catholic Church from its beginnings in the 1960s to the present day. Topics include the origins of the movement, changes to the Mass and the Interim Missile, the shift in Catholic Church liturgy, the emergence of the New Right, and changes in the Church following the Second Vatican Council.

Jul 14, 2021 • 26min
Catholic Lives, Episode 13--The Outlaw: "Bloody" Bill Longley
The latest episode of Catholic Lives examines the life and career of the notorious Texas gunman, "Bloody" Bill Longley, whose murderous life ended with his execution--and a jailhouse conversion to the Catholic Church.
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Jul 7, 2021 • 1h 24min
Great Heresies: Jansenism, 1640-1801
From the early seventeenth century to the beginning of the modern era, a dispute over ideas of salvation and sin, eucharistic discipline and the nature of the Church's authority divided the Latin Church. Labeled Jansenism, a group of writers, priests and religious espoused a rigorous form of Catholic life, inspired by the writings of St. Augustine. Clashing with the Jesuits, whom they accused of promoting laxity in faith and morals, supporters of Jansenism fought a decades long battle to instill their ideas into Church teaching, only to have their ideas condemned by the pope. In this episode, Controversies in Church History takes a deep dive into the history and continuing legacy of this turbulent intellectual challenge in the Church.
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Jul 4, 2021 • 15min
Catholic Lives Ep. 7: The Catholic Founding Father
*Originally released 7/3/19*
This special Fourth of July episode focuses on the life of Charles Carroll of Carrollton (1737-1832), the Catholic landowner, politician and businessman who signed the Declaration of Independence, and helped transform an anti-Catholic British colony into a part of a union one of whose basic rights was religious freedom.
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Jul 3, 2021 • 21min
Catholic Lives, Episode 12--From Victim to Icon: Artemisia Gentileschi
This week's episode of Catholic Lives takes a look at the life and times of Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1656?). A master of the Baroque era in an age when almost no woman attained such a stature as an artist, she is perhaps more well known for her somewhat scandalous life: raped at the age of 17 by a painter, she was vindicated in court, and went on to become a successful artist in her own right. In this episode we will discuss her life, and why should be considered a Catholic artist, despite her controversial life.
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