Jesuitical

What would it take to build a radically inclusive church? That is the question Cardinal Robert McElroy took up in a recent article published by America. In it, he called on the church to dismantle the “structures and cultures of exclusion” that alienate some Catholics, including women, the poor, divorced-and-remarried couples and L.G.B.T. Catholics. Most controversially, he argued that people who do not conform to the church’s teaching on sex and marriage should not be excluded from receiving Communion.The article sparked a wide range of reactions online, and this week on “Jesuitical,” Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless bring on Cardinal McElroy on to the podcast to continue the conversation. They ask the cardinal whether he is in favor of open Communion, if the inclusion he’s advocating for requires a change in church teaching and if he’s worried that disagreements over the place of women and L.G.B.T. Catholics in the church could lead to schism.Cardinal McElroy shares his view that “judgmentalism is the worst sin in the Christian life,” and says his “pastoral vision here in San Diego is to make—and it’s hard to accomplish this—to make L.G.B.T. people feel equally welcome in the life of the church as everyone else.”Read, "Cardinal McElroy on ‘radical inclusion’ for L.G.B.T. people, women and others in the Catholic Church"Read the full transcript of Jesuitical's interview with Cardinal McElroy here.Watch: Why Pope Francis is going to South Sudan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The human person is an autonomous, self-governing and self-actualizing being. It has individual rights that no government or obligation should infringe upon. At least, that is the traditionally American, classically liberal way of viewing a human being. But does this view match up with a Christian anthropology? And what does that mean for how Christians should engage in the public sphere?This week, Ashley and Zac are joined by Susannah Black Roberts to discuss all of this and more. Susannah is a senior editor at Plough Quarterly and Mere Orthodoxy and the co-host of “The Ploughcast” podcast.During Signs of the Times, the hosts give an overview of a new interview with Pope Francis and talk about his disdain for “long homilies.” Links from the Show: Pope Francis gives major interview on his critics, sex abuse, decriminalizing homosexuality and morePope Francis: Long homilies are ‘a disaster’—keep it under 10 minutesOur post-liberal moment: What do we want? The common good! When do we want it? Now!Susannah Black Roberts and Christian Post-LiberalismIs Christianity Opposed to Liberalism?Plough QuarterlyThe Anchored Argosy: Alastair & Susannah Roberts' freight of wondersWhat’s on tap?Cosmopolitan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re changing things up a bit today and bringing you a preview of a new podcast we’re enjoying and think you will, too. Where There’s a Will searches for the surprising places Shakespeare shows up outside the theater.Host Barry Edelstein, artistic director at one of the country’s leading Shakespeare theaters, and co-host, writer and director Em Weinstein, ask what is it about Shakespeare that’s given him a continuous afterlife in all sorts of unexpected ways? You’ll hear Shakespeare doing rehabilitative work in a maximum security prison, helping autistic kids to communicate, shaping religious observances, in the mouths of U.S. presidents, and even at the center of a deadly riot in New York City.Join Barry and Em as they uncover the ways Shakespeare endures in our modern society, and what that says about us. In this preview, Barry and Em take a deep dive into how Shakespeare informs contemporary religious practices and faith traditions, and explore one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays—The Winter's Tale. Hear more from Where There’s a Will: Finding Shakespeare here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For many Christians, the prevalence of the religious imagery at the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol—crosses, rosary, a flag proclaiming “Trump Is My President—Jesus Is My Savior”—came as a shock. But not for this week’s guest, Brad Onishi, who joined (and eventually left) an evangelical church that combined the conservative politics and “God and country” faith embraced by many who sought to overturn the 2020 election that day. Brad is a co-host of the “Straight White American Jesus” podcast and the author of the new book, Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism – And What Comes Next. We discuss the history of white Christian nationalism, how Catholics and evangelicals became allies in our political and culture wars, and if there’s a non-toxic way to mix faith and politics.In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley mark the passing of Sister André, a French nun and oldest known person in the world, who died this week at the age of 118; the late Pope Benedict XVI’s custom-made cologne; and the future of the March for Life on its 50th anniversary.Links from the show:Sister André, a French nun and oldest known person in world, dies at age 118Pope Benedict Has Custom-Designed CologneThe March for Life has always had one message: End Roe v. Wade. What is its mission now?Podcast: The future of the March for Life now that Roe v. Wade is goneStraight White American Jesus podcastPreparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism--and What Comes, by Brad OnishiWhat’s on tap?Aperol SpritzMusic: City Girl by Flux Vortex Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There has been no shortage of commentary on the life of Pope Benedict XVI since his death on Dec. 31. But one aspect of Benedict’s legacy that many Americans miss is his contributions to Catholic social teaching. John Carr would know.John is the founder of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University and for 20 years served as director of the Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. John has more than five decades of experience working in the Catholic Church to help promote its public witness to justice. We talk to John about Pope Benedict, the perception of the church and politics as well as his personal and professional experience with the sexual abuse crisis.As you can probably tell from Ashley’s voice in the interview, we decided to give her vocal cords a rest. So you’ll hear an abbreviated version of the rest of the show. What’s on tapOrange FantaLinks from the show: Pope Benedict’s greatest disconnect from U.S. elites wasn’t about sex. It was over economic justice.I helped write the bishops’ first document on Catholics and voting. Here’s why I’m voting Biden, not Trump.Eight lessons to help us move forward from the sex abuse crisis.Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public LifeA timeline of Pope Benedict XVI’s life and papacy: From humble beginnings to historic resignationPope Benedict XVI, defender of orthodoxy defined by historic resignation, dies at 95 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Ashley and Zac turn over the keys to their listeners. In their first ever mailbag episode, they answer listener-submitted questions on a range of topics, from what it's like being a professional Catholic in a parish, to what theological mystery they struggle with the most and who they cheered for in the World Cup. What's on tap?Rosso di Montalcino, combined with a great story!Note: This episode was recorded on Dec. 20, 2022. Early access to this episode was available to Patreon supporters. Join the community at: www.patreon.com/americamedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas drinks, Christmas carols, Christmas movies–it's the Jesuitical Christmas special! On today's festive episode, Ashley McKinless and Zac Davis are joined by two colleagues, Maggi Van Dorn, the host of America Media's podcast "Hark! The stories behind our favorite Christmas carols" and associate editor Jim McDermott, S.J., to discuss the making of "Hark!", the incredible history of the Ukrainian classic, "Carol of the Bells", and why carols are so meaningful year, after year, after year. They also channel Mr. Grinch and discuss their least favorite carols. Merry Christmas to all!The story of ‘Carol of the Bells,’ a Christmas classic born in UkraineDon't forget to follow Hark! The stories behind our favorite Christmas carols on your podcast app! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is there a question you have about the Catholic Mass that you’ve always been too embarrassed to ask? Like: When we say, “Only say the word and my soul shall be healed,”...what’s “the word”? You’re in luck. This week, we’re talking to Father Dave Dwyer, the executive director of Busted Halo, a media outreach of the Paulist Fathers, and the author of the new book Mass Class: Your Questions Answered. Zac and Ashley ask Father Dave their own burning questions about the liturgy, what he would say to Catholics who lost their “Mass habit” during the pandemic and how to make sure Mass etiquette does not get in the way of true reverence.In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley talk with Carol Zimmerman, who has worked for Catholic News Service for 30 years reporting on education, health care and the Supreme Court. What will the church in the United States lose when the domestic operations of CNS close on Dec. 30?Finally, it’s your last chance to submit questions for Zac and Ashley mailbag episode! Post your questions on Twitter, Facebook, Patreon or to jesuitical@americamedia.org by Monday, Dec. 19.Links from the show:U.S. bishops announce Catholic News Service to cease domestic operations at year’s endCatholic News Service provides vital context that secular media misses. Shutting it down is a mistake.Mass Class: Your Questions Answered, by Father Dave DwyerWhat’s on tap?Pick your poison: Paloma or Negroni  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Ashley and Zac are joined by Matt Maher. Matt is a nine-time-GRAMMY nominee and three-time-GMA Dove Award winning musician. His latest album is “The Stories I Tell Myself.” They talk to Matt about his connection with the hit TV show “The Chosen” and how the events of the past couple of years influenced his new album. They discuss how the pandemic affected his art, why he decided to write songs about racial justice and polarization and they get Matt’s take on the liturgy wars.During Signs of the Times, the hosts discuss new allegations of sexual abuse against a prominent Jesuit artist. Plus, how should we think about lifting Covid-19 protocols at Mass around the Communion cup and sign of peace?Links from the show:Prominent Jesuit artist restricted from ministry after allegations of sexually abusing women religiousU.S. dioceses begin to bring back Communion CupItaly's Catholic Church reintroduces handshakes during MassMatt Maher's tour dates and the new album, "The Stories I Tell Myself" What’s on tap?Thoroughbred Mule Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s not every day your colleague gets to interview—and share a laugh with—Pope Francis. So this week we’re talking to Kerry Weber, an executive editor at America, who was one of five America editors who spent two hours speaking with the pope on Nov. 22. We ask Kerry what surprised her most about the Holy Father and what it was like to be a woman asking Francis about women’s ordination, a question considered by many to be off the table, within the walls of the Vatican.In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the appointment of a Chinese bishop to a diocese not recognized by the Holy See—and the Vatican’s unusually harsh response.And finally, stick around after the credits for a preview of America Media’s new season of its Advent podcast “Hark! The stories behind our favorite Christmas carols.”Links from the show:Exclusive: Pope Francis discusses Ukraine, U.S. bishops and moreBehind the scenes: What it’s like to interview Pope FrancisVatican statement suggests China violated agreement over appointment of bishopsChina vows more ‘friendly consensus’ after unusually harsh Vatican statementThe Catholic Church in China | A Short DocumentaryThe story of ‘Carol of the Bells,’ a Christmas classic born in UkraineWhat’s on tap?Champagne  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices