Jesuitical

Do “real Catholics” have to vote for Donald J. Trump? That’s what Jeannie Gaffigan was hearing from Twitter trolls and loved ones alike following her husband Jim Gaffigan’s uncharacteristically profanity-laced tirade against the president and his supporters during the Republican National Convention.  This week, Jeannie, one half of the Gaffigan comedy duo and author of the book When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People, takes us back to that night and the examination of conscience it inspired. What was it like as a Mass-going mother of five to have her commitment to life challenged? What’s the best way to engage with friends and family across political divides?  In “Signs of the Times,” we discuss two pieces of news that came out of a newly released documentary about Pope Francis: an endorsement of same-sex civil unions and a sharp critique of the Trump administration’s family-separation border policy from Francis. (We recorded the conversation on Wednesday afternoon. The story behind Pope Francis’ comments about civil unions has developed since then, and more coverage can be found at americamagazine.org.) A reminder that we’ll be discussing Pope Francis’ latest encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti” in reading groups (over drinks) with all members of our Patreon community throughout the month of November. There’s still time to sign up to support the show and guarantee a spot in the reading group.  Links from the show:  Jeannie Gaffigan: My loved ones told me ‘real’ Catholics vote for Trump. Here’s my response. Pope Francis declares support for same-sex civil unions for the first time as pope Pope Francis calls Trump’s family separation border policy ‘cruelty of the highest form’ Plot thickens over origins of Pope Francis’ civil union endorsement Check out The Imagine Society What’s on tap:“Irish Coffee,” which means very different things to both Zac and Ashley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Father Pat Conroy has served as the 60th chaplain to the U.S. House of Representatives since 2011 (with a brief interruption thanks to former Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan). He’s a Jesuit priest, but that doesn’t mean he’s the Catholic chaplain—he’s chaplain to all 435 members.  We talk to Father Conroy about his role, what Americans don’t understand about their representatives and what his prayer for our country is as we head into a heated presidential election.  During Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Carlo Acutis, who is on the way to becoming the first millennial saint, and ask why Pope Francis won’t wear a mask, even with rising Covid-19 cases at the Vatican.  If you haven’t had the time to read all of Pope Francis’ new encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti,” we have some good news. Jesuitical is sponsoring a virtual reading group happy hour (yes, that means over drinks) throughout the month of November for Patreon supporters. For more details about that and how to support the show, visit our Patreon page. Links from the show:  Jesuit House chaplain prays to expel ‘darker spirits’ from the U.S. Capitol Report: House chaplain, a Jesuit priest, was forced out by Speaker Paul Ryan Teen was ‘influencer for God,’ mother says on eve of son’s beatification Podcast: Covid cases are rising in Vatican City. Is Pope Francis at risk? What’s on tap?  Champagne + Prosecco, to celebrate some good news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our lives are shaped by language, even if most of us are not poets. But it helps to talk to one if you want to reflect deeply on how language, in the words of this week’s guest, can make or break a world, can fail us or save us. Pádraig Ó Tuama is an Irish poet and theologian and host of the podcast “Poetry Unbound” with On Being Studios. We speak with Pádraig about his love for words, the politics of poetry and the need for creativity in the work of peace and reconciliation. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Pope Francis’ new encyclical of human fraternity, “Fratelli Tutti.” The hosts give their top three takeaways and share what part of this (very long) document spoke to them personally.     We cannot do this work without your support, whether that’s becoming a member of our Patreon community, leaving a review on Apple podcasts or telling your friends and family about the show. Links from the show Fratelli Tutti Pope Francis closes the door on the death penalty in ‘Fratelli Tutti’ America’s comprehensive coverage of “Fratelli Tutti” Poetry Unbound Voting Catholic  What’s on tap? Tea Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the midst of a global pandemic, an economic recession and renewed unrest around racial injustice, it can feel overwhelming to highlight yet another crisis. But the Catholic Church is only two years removed from the summer of 2018, when the sexual abuse crisis came roaring back after the release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report and the crimes of former Cardinal Theodore McCarick had come to light.  “Crisis,” a new podcast from The Catholic Project at The Catholic University of America, is trying to keep this issue on the minds and hearts of Catholics. This week, we talk to the show’s host, Karna Lozoya, about what has happened since 2018 and what the church still needs to do.  In Signs of the Times, we take a deeper look at the controversy around Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s religious affiliations, and ask whether or not the media and politicians need to learn to ask better questions about religion.  If you’re enjoying the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. If you’re feeling called to support the show financially, please check out our Patreon page.  Links from the show: Crisis Explainer: Amy Coney Barrett’s relationship with People of Praise Shakeup at St. Louis archdiocese over handling of immigration webinar What’s on Tap?  Pedialyte  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For many, the killing of George Floyd was a turning point. People of every age and race poured into streets across the country, demanding justice for not only Mr. Floyd but Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake, Ahmaud Arbery and countless other Black men and women victimized by racist structures. But for this week’s guest, Anthea Butler, this moment feels more like a precipice than a turning point. Dr. Butler is an associate professor of religion and Africana studies at the University of Pennsylvania, who has been seeking to raise awareness about systemic racism in her students and the wider culture for years.  We talk to Dr. Butler about how she sees these protests in the context of U.S. history, racism among Catholics and evangelicals, and the role of academics in the fight for racial justice. In Signs of the Times, the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg has created an opening on the Supreme Court, and the two most likely judges to fill her seat are both Catholic women. Zac and Ashley discuss the history of Catholics on the court and why they have come to dominate the bench in the 21st century. Plus, we talk about the case of an Irish priest suspended from ministry in 2012 because of his support for women’s ordination and same-sex marriage and ask: What has and has not changed about how the Vatican disciplines dissenting priests under Pope Francis? This was our 150th episode! Thanks to everyone who has stuck with us over the past two-and-a-half years. Making this podcast is the best part of our jobs, and we couldn’t do it without this amazing community of listeners. And a special thanks to members of our Patreon group. If Jesuitical is an important part of your life as a Catholic, please consider supporting the show.  Links from the show Why do Catholics make up a majority of the Supreme Court? Suspended Irish priest Tony Flannery calls Vatican inquiry ‘unjust’ Dr. Anthea Butler’s website and Twitter What’s on tap? Birthday girl’s choice: Shots of Bulleit Bourbon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yes, we know that you’re (probably) already sick of the presidential campaign. The next six weeks are going to be filled with television ads, yard signs, push notifications and Facebook flame wars among friends and family. Yet we know that Catholics have a duty to be in political conversations, so the solution at America is not to tune out but to be more discerning about what to tune in to.  That’s why this week we’re talking with one of the best political reporters in the business: Scott Detrow. Scott covers the presidential campaigns for NPR and co-hosts the NPR politics podcast. We talk to him about how he approaches covering both the Biden and Trump campaigns, how Catholics are influencing this election and what role Joe Biden’s Catholic faith plays in his campaign. In Signs of the Times, a new poll found that 36 percent of young Catholics say they will attend Mass less often after the pandemic. Zac and Ashley discuss what churches can do to keep young people in the pews. Plus, we bring on America’s editor in chief, Matt Malone, S.J., to talk about the magazine’s unprecedented editorial on President Trump and the 2020 election.  We cannot do this work without your support, whether that’s becoming a member of our Patreon community, leaving a review on Apple podcasts or telling your friends and family about the show.  Links from the show Cardinal Sarah to bishops: Facilitate Mass in person as soon as conditions permit New poll: 36 percent of young Catholics say they will attend Mass less often after pandemic America magazine: Donald Trump is a unique threat to the Constitution Scott’s first appearance on Jesuitical from 2017 What’s on tap? Margaritas, recommended by Scott Detrow: The true drink of 2020 is coffee. But my favorite drink this year—the go-to drink sitting in the backyard processing everything and relaxing—has been a stripped down margarita recipe. 2 oz white tequila, an ounce of simple syrup, and one squeezed lime all shaken up with salt on the rim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anyone who is familiar with “Catholic Twitter” or dives into the comments section of Catholic publications knows there are some ugly fights happening between Catholics on the internet—especially about Pope Francis. But is this just a social media phenomenon? This week’s guest doesn’t think so. Mike Lewis believes the pope’s most strident, reactionary critics are not just a fringe to be ignored or dismissed but an influential faction that is dividing the church and families. We talk to Mike about witnessing his own mother become convinced that Pope Francis was a heretic and how that affected his family and his faith. We ask why this pope has inspired such fierce opposition and what can bishops and the people in the pews do to promote unity within the church. In Signs of the Times, Pope Francis will sign a new encyclical on human fraternity, titled “Fratelli tutti,” on Oct. 3 at the tomb of St. Francis Assisi. Zac and Ashley discuss what solidarity means during (and after) the pandemic and what the document might say to young Catholics. Next, should your priest tell you how to vote? With the 2020 presidential race kicking into high gear, some Catholic leaders are publicly endorsing the candidates. We discuss what U.S. law and church teaching say about political advocacy from the pulpit.  We are so excited to be back in your feeds and are ready to dive into the big stories in the church and the world that are coming this fall. We cannot do this work without your support, whether that’s becoming a member of our Patreon community, leaving a review on Apple podcasts or telling your friends and family about the show.  Links from the show Pope Francis’ critics are dividing the church and families—including mine Where Peter Is Pope Francis will sign new encyclical on human fraternity at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi Explainer: Can a priest or a member of a religious order publicly endorse a political candidate? What’s on tap? Stiegl Radler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please tell us what you think about Jesuitical by filling out our listener survey! It takes about 10 minutes to fill out and can be found here. If you’ve spent any time looking for Catholic resources online, you have certainly come across the work of Bishop Robert Barron. The auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the founder of Word on Fire Ministries and has been called a “Fulton Sheen for the 21st century.” He reaches millions of people over social media and has spoken about God in the expected (seminaries, Cathedrals) and unexpected (Google headquarters, Reddit AMAs) places alike. We caught up with him to talk about his ministry during coronavirus, attracting controversy (yes, we talk about that Jordan Peterson interview), West Coast Catholicism and the recent Black Lives Matter protests. This is our final show before our summer break. We’ll be popping in the feed periodically to share some thoughts and conversations with you, but otherwise we will be hard at work improving Jesuitical so we can come back better than ever in the fall. But to do that, we need your help.  Please tell us what you think about Jesuitical by filling out our listener survey. It will help us make the show better and tell our sponsors more about who you are. It takes about 10 minutes to fill out and can be found here. Until then, please keep us in your prayers. We’ll be praying for you.   During the Covid-19 pandemic, the production of Jesuitical has been made possible, in part, by the generous support from American Bible Society. To learn more about American Bible Society and their amazing work visit www.americanbible.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you are paying attention to the news these days, you have probably heard the term “systemic racism” used to describe the conditions in this country that made something as horrific as the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in broad daylight possible. The disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on people of color has also been talked about as an issue of “systemic racism.” But what exactly does that mean? How does it play out in different parts of American society and in individual lives? How do history, individual prejudices, government policy and social arrangement conspire to devalue the lives of some Americans? This week, we explore those questions through a specific lens: health care. Sarah Kureshi is a doctor of family medicine who teaches a course at Georgetown University on racial bias in the health care system. We ask Dr. Kureshi about the root causes of health inequalities, what the medical community is doing to root out racism and what the coronavirus pandemic has revealed about what and who this country considers essential. In Signs of the Times, we discuss the Supreme Court’s decision to extend discrimination protections to L.G.B.T. workers and how the Catholic media should cover Archbishop Carlo  Maria Viganò’s conspiratorial letter to Donald J. Trump. Tell us what you thought about today’s show on Jesuitical’s Facebook page. And if Jesuitical has been an important source of information or nourishment for you during these trying times, please consider becoming a member of our Patreon community. We can’t make the show without your support. Thank you.   Links from the show Supreme Court says federal law protects L.G.B.T. workers from discrimination President Trump tweeted about Archbishop Viganò. So, who is he? Archbishop Viganò is aligning with Trump to stay in the spotlight. Pay him no attention. Inside the Vatican Podcast: Why is the Vatican silent on Archbishop Viganò?   What’s on tap? Aperol Spritz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In cities across the country, Americans are taking to the streets and plazas to express their outrage over the killing of yet another black man at the hands of a white police officer and to demand radical changes in how law enforcement is carried out in the United States. And at dinner tables and on social media platforms, many families and friends are haltingly, belatedly, beginning to have conversations about what the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the countless victims of police brutality who preceded them say about the soul of this country—and our own role in the longstanding injustices now captured so vividly on cell phone cameras and streamed on screens around the world. These conversations are not easy to have, and we shouldn’t expect them to be. But it helps when you have someone as knowledgeable, passionate and patient as our friend and former co-host Olga Segura to help you work through the issues. This week, we ask Olga how she approaches conversations about racism with her only family, the role of the Catholic Church in the fight for racial justice and what white Catholics can do to become allies in that fight. We had a lot of ground to cover with Olga, so no Signs of the Times or Consolations and Desolations this week. If you found this conversation helpful, please share it with a friend or family member, and keep the conversation going on our Facebook page. If you’d like to support Jesuitical, consider becoming a member of our Patreon community.    Links from the show How can Catholics help lead the fight against racism? Remembering the NYPD Shooting of Dominican Immigrant Kiko García and What It Means During Today’s #BlackLivesMatter Movement Fordham’s Bryan Massingale: White Catholics need to sit with the discomfort of systemic racism Follow Olga on Twitter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices