Jesuitical

The debate about whether the Catholic Church should ordain women to the diaconate often focuses on theological and historical arguments. Rarely, though, do we hear from women who themselves feel called to this ministry. Meet Casey Stanton, co-director of Discerning Deacons, a project to engage Catholics in the active discernment of the church about women and the diaconate. We talk to Casey about how and why she feels like she’s called, and how she tempers feelings of frustration with a commitment to staying in the church. Links from the Show: America’s special women in the church issueAvery Dulles on women and the priesthood (from 1996)Learn more about Discerning Deacons. And read their new study: Called to Contribute: Findings from an In-depth Interview Study of US Catholic Women and the DiaconateWhat’s on tap?Hope Punch: The church is a pomegranate–service to the many in the one Rum for fortification Champagne for joy in the midst Lemon with sugar to balance the pastoral with the prophetic Garnished with thyme and the patience to wait and to push...to insist on justice now knowing you will stay....to the eschaton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The classics" have been in the news recently—and not always in a good way. From colleges shutting down classics departments as students flock to more “practical” majors to criticisms that books written by “dead white men” cannot be separated from the legacies of slavery and colonialism, works that have stood the test of time are being tested anew. This week’s guest, Jeremy Tate, argues that not only are the classics worth studying for their own sake but that abandoning the Western canon will have disastrous effects for our (already toxic) public discourse. And he has some advice for continuing your classical education—even if you’re out of school.In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley give their first reactions to Pope Francis’ recent comments on the debate over the Eucharist and pro-choice politicians. What’s on tap?Kim’s Grapefruit: 1.5 ounces Empress Gin, .5 ounces St. Germain elderflower, juice of half a grapefruit, sugar-rimmed glass. (Modification: Don’t like—or can’t find—grapefruit? Use an orange instead!)Links:Pope Francis: ‘I have never denied Communion to anyone.’Jeremy Tate's article in America Magazine: In defense of a classical educationAshley's reported story from Wyoming Catholic College: A visit to the rural Catholic college that has 171 students, 12 horses and zero textbooksLearn more about The Classic Learning Test Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you attended a Jesuit university or high school in the last decade, you were most likely at some point assigned Father Greg Boyle’s first book (and a New York Times best-seller—so, you didn’t need to have attended a Jesuit school to encounter it) Tattoos on the Heart. Father Boyle is a Jesuit priest, the founder of Homeboy Industries and the author of the a new book, The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness, which is scheduled to be released this fall.Ashley and Zac talk to Father Boyle about how Covid and the pandemic restrictions affected his sense of identity and Homeboy Industries’ work, what he’s learned looking back on his years in ministry, and why he is becoming more mystical as he gets older.To support Jesuitical and access all of America's content, get a digital subscription today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On our season finale, Zac and Ashley talk to Dr. Paul Farmer, the co-founder and chief strategist of Partners in Health (PIH). Founded in 1987, PIH has pioneered an approach to medicine that actually resembles Catholic social teaching’s preferential option for the poor. They talk about the challenges of bringing the Covid-19 vaccine to the poorest and sickest countries and how to salvage hope in desperate times. In Signs of the Times, we break down exactly what is happening with the U.S. Bishops and the debates around whether or not President Biden should receive Communion.What’s on tap: Duckhorn Chardonnay Links from the show: Take the Jesuitical Listener Survey! Partners in Health Dr. Farmer’s latest book: Fevers, Feuds, and Diamonds: Ebola and the Ravages of History Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zac and Ashley break down a story that’s been dominating headlines inside and outside of the Catholic Church this week: The U.S. bishops overwhelming vote to draft a document on “eucharistic coherence,” and what it does and does not mean for President Joe Biden and other politicians. This is an excerpt from this week’s full episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley talk with Brittany Barnett about unjust sentencing laws, the experience of visiting her own mother in prison and her work fighting to get clemency for men and women sentenced to life without parole for drug offenses. Brittany is an attorney and the author of the Christopher Award-winning book A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom. Links from the show:A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and FreedomSign up for your free trial of Wondrium! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Ashley and Zac are joined by Gloria Purvis, the host of America Media’s latest podcast “The Gloria Purvis Podcast.” They discuss conversations about racism in Catholic spaces, the consistent life ethic, her hopes for the podcast, and more. During Signs of the Times, they examine the discovery of 215 bodies buried on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School run by the Catholic Church and unpack why Cardinal Marx of Germany asked Pope Francis to accept his resignation (since the time of recording, Pope Francis has declined Cardinal Marx’s request). Links from the show: The Gloria Purvis Podcast Pope Francis calls for abandonment of colonial mentality after discovery of buried Indigenous children in Canada Pope Francis rejects Cardinal Marx’s offer of resignation, calls on all bishops to take responsibility for the abuse crisis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Zac and Ashley talk with Eve Tushnet about her recent feature article for America magazine, “Conversion therapy is still happening in Catholic spaces—and its effects on L.G.B.T. people can be devastating”. During Signs of the Times, they unpack a major overhaul to the church’s legal code and wonder: is basketball the holiest sport?What’s on tap?White Claw Links from the show: Conversion therapy is still happening in Catholic spaces—and its effects on L.G.B.T. people can be devastating Pope Francis overhauls church’s criminal code to punish the sexual abuse of adults by priests Pope: Basketball helps young people to ‘look up’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Zac and Ashley discuss how Christians have fueled Islamophobia and what we can do to combat anti-Muslim bias in ourselves and in our communities with Jordan Denari Duffner. Jordan, a scholar of Muslim-Christian relations, has faced pushback for her work from fellow Catholics—but says her study of Islam and friendships with Muslims have strengthened her own faith. Our Guest: Jordan Denari Duffner, author of Islamophobia: What Christians Should Know (and Do) about Anti-Muslim DiscriminationRelated Links:  Father James Altman, who said Catholic Democrats would ‘face the fires of hell,’ asked to resign by his bishop Pope Francis asks the Vatican’s media department, its most expensive office: Who actually reads your news? Buy Jordan’s book! What’s on tap: Water and lime for Zac; Lemon ginger tea for AshleySubscribe: Apple Podcasts / Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're dropping the first episode of "The Gloria Purvis Podcast" from America Media! Gloria's show centers the voices of people who have been marginalized in the Catholic Church and in society. On this first episode, Gloria reflects on the murder of George Floyd one year later and speaks to a priest ministering in a historic Black Catholic community in Minnesota about the traumatic experience and how Catholics responded across the country.Search and subscribe to "The Gloria Purvis Podcast" wherever you listen to Jesuitical! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices