Jesuitical

Vinson Cunningham doesn’t meet many people who believe in hell—but he still does. We sit down with Vinson, who is staff writer at the New Yorker, to discuss his recent essay “How the Idea of Hell Has Shaped the Way We Think.”   We talk about our first memories of hell, how it still impacts our lives and our culture, and why it might be easier to describe hell than heaven.   In Signs of the Times, we look at the laicization of former cardinal Theodore McCarrick and preview the Vatican’s summit on sexual abuse. Sister Norma Pimentel, a former guest on Jesuitical, runs into conflict with the city commissioners of McAllen, Tex. And could contactless payment be on the way for church donations? One cluster of parishes in Dublin, Ireland, is trialing it, and we are here for it.   We want to hear from you! One great place to do that—and chat with other Jesuitical listeners—is our Facebook group. We’re sharing news and consolations and desolations throughout the week.   Links from the show: “How the Idea of Hell Has Shaped the Way We Think.” Vatican sex abuse summit: what you need to know Vatican emphasizes transparency and accountability at upcoming sex abuse summit Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick laicized by Pope Francis New York gives sex abuse victims more time to sue, press charges Border city to close Catholic Charities center run by Sister Norma Pimentel Catholic Church To Trial Contactless Payment For Donations More of Vinson Cunningham’s writing   What’s on tap? Wild Turkey Bourbon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, America and Spoke Studios published “Deliver Us,” a new podcast about the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. Maggi van Dorn is the host and executive producer of “Deliver Us.” Following the release of the Pennslyvania grand jury report last summer, Maggi, like so many Catholics in the United States, found herself asking: How did could happen? And what, if anything, could Catholics do to help? She put her resources and audio skills together and decided to create “Deliver Us,” which features survivors, experts and advocates discussing ways in which the church and Catholics can move forward. We talk to Maggi about how the podcast centers the stories of survivors and what it means to be hopeful as a Catholic during this crisis. In Signs of the Times, Pope Francis has, for the first time, acknowledged the abuse of Catholic sisters. We discuss why this matters and what it shows us about the sex abuse crisis. Last month, Nicolás Maduro was sworn in as Venezuela’s president, which has led to protests across the country. Political leaders, including President Trump, state that the rightful president is Juan Guaidó, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly. Pope Francis has stated that he is “always available” to assist diplomatically but that these negotiations can only occur if both sides ask for help. Pope Francis has a history of getting involved in Latin America. Why does this matter?   On Feb. 7, the Supreme Court allowed the execution of Domineque Ray, a Muslim death-row inmate in Alabama, to proceed without an imam; and a young Catholic asks the pope to go vegan for Lent. Finally, we ask: Do you have an obligation to attend your local parish?   Feel free to send us your questions, concerns or cocktail recipes to jesuitical@americamedia.org, or join us for discussion on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a member of our Patreon community.   Links from the show: Women religious organization issues statement on abuse of sisters Nun’s Rape Case Against Bishop Shakes a Catholic Bastion in India U.S. bishops condemn court's denial of imam's presence at execution Francis expresses openness to Vatican mediation in Venezuela Venezuela opposition envoys visit Vatican, Rome officials to press Juan Guaido's cause Open letter asks Pope Francis to adopt vegan diet during Lent   What’s on tap? Coffee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In recent years, there has been a lot of debate around the word “consent” when it comes to preventing sexual assault on campus. What can Catholic colleges and universities bring to these discussions? To find out, we talk with Brianna Maturi, who leads Loyola Marymount University's consent program, called LMU Cares. We ask Brianna about the hook-up and dating scene on campuses today, what a culture of consent looks like after college and what bystanders can do prevent sexual assault and harassment. In Signs of the Times, we discuss Pope Francis’ historic trip to the Arabian Peninsula and Cuba’s newest Catholic Church. Next, how should bishops respond when Catholic politicians support abortions. And in Midwest news: The bishops in Illinois come out against the legalization of recreational marijuana, and the University of Notre Dame covers up murals of Christopher Columbus. Let us know what you think about our conversation with Brianna or any of these stories on our Facebook page or Twitter. And please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a member of our Patreon community. Also: If you want to learn more about Pope Francis’ trip to the U.A.E., check out the latest episode of Inside the Vatican, from our colleague and friend of the podcast, Colleen Dulle. Links from the show Pope Francis to world’s religious leaders: We build the future together or there will be no future Cuba’s first church inauguration since the revolution Canon law examined in wake of push for excommunication over abortion Illinois Bishops Advise Against Legalization of Marijuana University of Notre Dame to Cover Up Prominent Columbus Murals How one Catholic university is trying to create a culture of consent   What’s on tap Margaret River Distilling Co.’s Giniversity, provided by our friends at Adelaide’s Catholic Office for Youth and Young Adults and Pub Theology Adelaide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jesuitical is coming to you live from Australia. We’ve mastered driving on the left side of the road (sort of); we got up close and personal with a kangaroo; and even though Ashley tried to leave me to drown in the Great Barrier Reef, we managed to record this week’s episode.   On our first international trip, we headlined the Archdiocese of Adelaide’s World Youth Day celebrations. In addition to leading workshops and giving a few talks, we recorded this live show. In Signs of the Times, we talk about Pope Francis’ visit to Panama for World Youth Day, review the pope’s new prayer app, “Click to Pray,” look at a few stories from the Australian church, and break down the Covington Catholic controversy.   In our interview, we chat with Sebastian Duhau, Australia’s representative at the Synod on Young People. We look at the Synod’s final document and talk about what still needs to be done to have young people lead in the Catholic Church.   P.S. A HUGE thank you to the Catholic Office for Youth & Young Adults at the Archdiocese of Adelaide for inviting us to the other side of the planet and for being amazing hosts.   What’s on Tap? Adelaide’s own Coopers Birell low-alcohol beer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2004, Destiny Herndon-De La Rosa founded New Wave Feminists, a pro-life feminist organization dedicated to changing the divisive language surrounding the abortion debate. New Wave works to give women the support and resources needed to make motherhood a feasible option. Destiny was inspired to form the pro-life feminist organization by her own experience as a young mother. Destiny is one of the few people who has attended the Women’s March and the March for Life in the same weekend in good faith. (Two years ago, Destiny and New Wave made headlines after they were removed as sponsors of the Women’s March because they were pro-life, but Destiny and her colleagues marched there anyway.) This week, Destiny will be at the Women’s March and the March for Life yet again. We talk to Destiny about her advocacy and how to create dialogue within and outside the pro-life feminist movement. In Signs of the Times, the president and the Catholic Church battle over La Lomita Chapel on the U.S.-Mexico border. In sex abuse news, the Northeast Province of the Jesuits release the names of all clergy accused of sexual abuse since 1950. A new Gallup survey says the crisis has led Catholics to lose faith in church leaders. We remember the life of Bishop Joseph Howze, the first black bishop to lead a U.S. diocese, who died at the age of 95 on Jan. 9. In international news, a new art exhibit featuring a crucified Ronald McDonald angers Christians in Israel. Finally, the Vatican officially launches a new track team, which includes nuns, priests and migrants. Feel free to send us your questions, concerns or cocktail recipes to jesuitical@americamedia.rog, or join us for discussion on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a member of our Patreon community. Next week, we will be in Australia and you can follow along on Patreon and social media! A special thanks this week to “Catholic Health USA,” the podcast of the Catholic Health Association. Make sure to listen and download! Links from the show: Trump, Catholic Church Battle Over Chapel in Way of Border Wall USA Northeast Province releases names of Jesuits credibly accused of sexual abuse Catholics are losing faith in clergy and church after sexual abuse scandal, Gallup survey says Bishop Howze, founding bishop of Diocese of Biloxi, Miss., dies at 95 Haifa Catholic Church Leader Blasts 'McJesus' Sculpture: 'What's Suitable for Europe Isn't Suitable for Us' The Vatican’s New Track Team Includes Priests, Nuns and a Scholar   What’s on tap? Lemon ginger tea Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Catholic Church, according to this week’s guest, is facing not one but two crises. The first is the sexual abuse of children and its cover-up; the second is a complete break down of trust in church leadership. Kerry Alys Robinson has been working to confront both over a decade as the founding executive director of Leadership Roundtable, a group that brings together clergy, religious and laypeople to promote the best practices in the areas of finance, human resources and management. We ask Kerry about the biggest obstacles to greater lay involvement in church governance, what concrete steps the bishops and laypeople can take to restore trust and protect children, and how women and mothers, in particular, can lead the way. In Signs of the Times this week, we take a look at the religious make-up of the new Congress and discuss an update to the church’s teaching on hysterectomies. Plus: The U.S. bishops are on retreat to pray about the sex abuse crisis. Should they be doing something instead? And finally, a laywoman is picked to head a parish in New Haven—and the layman who has pretended to be a priest for 18 years is finally caught. You can let us know what you think about our conversation with Kerry or any of our stories in our Facebook group. And thanks as always to our supporters on Patreon!     Links from the show How many members of the new Congress are Catholic? Jesuit priest remains House Chaplain in new Congress Hysterectomy can be morally licit in limited situations, Vatican says Why are the bishops praying about the abuse crisis instead of doing something about it? Sex Abuse Crisis: What dioceses have released names (so far)? Bishop Announces New Leadership Model At St. Anthony Shocking: Man Caught Pretending to be a Catholic Priest After 18 Years, Here’s the Details   What’s on tap? The alcoholic drink that’s even better for you than wine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  Sister Helen Prejean has been the face of the anti-death penalty movement for decades. A member of the Congregation of St. Joseph, Sister Helen has been accompanying inmates on death row and lobbying against capital punishment in the United States (and in the church) for decades. She blew up on the national scene for her book Dead Man Walking, which was adapted into an Oscar-winning film, and she was crucial to the Vatican’s eventual decision to ban the death penalty in the Catechism. We talk to Sister Helen about how she became an anti-death penalty activist and how the fight against the death penalty has changed throughout the years—and how “sneaky Jesus” changed her life forever. In Signs of the Times, we talk about two Jesuit provinces releasing the names of more than 150 priests and other ministry leaders who were found to have “credible allegations” of sexual abuse. We break down a few “nun” stories and ask an important question before we go on break for Christmas: How can parishes welcome newcomers at Christmas Masses? On that note, we just wanted to thank everyone in the Jesuitical community: Whether you are a Patreon supporter, Facebook group poster (or lurker), or a casual listener—the whole Jesuitical team wishes you the peace and joy of the baby Jesus this Christmas. We’ll see you in the New Year. Links from the show: Two Jesuit provinces release 153 names of accused abusers Dear @POTUS: The Nun Who Tweets a Daily Prayer to President Trump 2 Nuns Accused Of Embezzling $500,000 From Catholic School Pope Francis will visit Abu Dhabi ‘Of Gods and Men’ monks beatified Detroit’s Back to Christmas Campaign     What’s on tap? Bob Dylan’s Double Barrel Rye Whiskey, courtesy of our colleague Ed Schmidt, S.J. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Reflecting on death is not a morbid affair,” believes Sister Theresa Aletheia, “it is a healthy and often healing practice that helps us accept the inevitable with hope.” Sister Theresa is a self-proclaimed #MediaNun with the Daughters of Saint Paul and the founder of the Memento Mori Project, an online revival in which she offers daily reflections about death.   This week, we talk to Sister Theresa about her faith journey and why Catholics should imagine their deaths, especially during Advent. Inspired by Blessed James Alberione, the founder of her order, Sister Theresa placed a ceramic skull on her desk and began tweeting about memento mori, Latin for “remember you will die,” in 2017. She says it’s impossible to value life without paying proper attention to what it means to die, and that the practice has enabled her to be more present in her daily life. In Signs of the Times, investigators in Texas executed a search warrant at the offices of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, headed by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, following complaints from survivors on how DiNardo and his staff handled their abuse allegations. In a soon to be published book, Pope Francis is quoted as saying that he is worried about homosexuality in the priesthood. Catholic priests in England and Wales received new identification cards.   Finally, we discuss Pope Francis’ thoughts on consumerism: “Consumerism is a great disease today. I am not saying that we all do this, no. But consumerism, spending more than we need, is a lack of austerity in life; this is an enemy of generosity.” How should we reflect on these words during the Christmas season?   Feel free to send us your questions, concerns or cocktail recipes to jesuitical@americamedia.rog, or join us for discussion on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a member of our Patreon community. And, if you’re looking for some last minute Christmas gift ideas, check out some Jesuit Swag.   Links from the show: As investigation hits home diocese, can Cardinal DiNardo continue to lead on the abuse crisis? In new book, Pope Francis says he is worried about homosexuality in the priesthood Catholic priests issued with photo cards to confirm their identities Consumerism is the enemy of generosity, pope says   What’s on tap? Bon Appetit Best Masala Chai made by America’s own, Vivian Cabrera Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Juan Carlos Cruz was abused by the notorious predator Fernando Karadima, a Chilean Catholic priest. For years, the Catholic Church in Chile disregarded the abuse allegations against the powerful cleric. One cardinal even told Juan Carlos it was hard to believe he was a victim because he is gay and “might have liked it.” When Pope Francis visited Chile earlier this year, he initially dismissed as “slander” allegations from Juan Carlos and other victims that a bishop had covered up Karadima’s abuse. Yet Juan Carlos persisted and, by sharing his story, has changed the church in Chile and given hope to many other survivors.   We ask Juan Carlos: What it’s like to feel betrayed by the pope—and to have the pope ask for your forgiveness? What concrete steps do Pope Francis and the church need to take to protect and bring healing to survivors of sexual abuse?   In Signs of the Times, the International Union of Superiors General is urging sisters who have been abused to report the crimes to police and their superiors, more details emerge about February’s global summit on sex abuse at the Vatican and Catholics respond to the migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. Plus, we discuss the U.S. bishops’ new pastoral letter on racism. It’s been 40 years since the bishops have spoken together on racial justice. Does this statement go far enough?   Let us know what you think about our conversation with Juan Carlos or any of these stories on our Facebook page or Twitter. And please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a member of our Patreon community.   Also: If you want to learn more about the Vatican’s meeting on sex abuse, check out the latest episode of Inside the Vatican, a new podcast from our colleague and friend of the podcast, Colleen Dulle.   Links from the show: Catholic Nuns Urge Sisters Around the World to Report Sexual Abuse to Police Exclusive: Archbishop Scicluna says February meeting start of ‘global approach’ to fighting sex abuse Caravan migrants join long queue of asylum seekers in Tijuana U.S. bishops adopt new anti-racism letter, first in almost 40 years   What’s on tap? Holy Water, courtesy of Zac’s mom and future in-laws: Peach schnapps, vodka, blue curaçao, Crystal Lite lemonade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Catholic Church is failing to engage Catholic women. A groundbreaking survey of Catholic women published by America earlier this year found that 26 percent rarely or never attend Mass; 27 percent only attend a few times a year; and 67 percent of Catholic women have never served in a parish in any ministry. The GIVEN Institute is trying to fix that. This week we chat with Elise Italiano, the group’s executive director, about what they’re doing to help Catholic women lead inside and outside the church. On Signs of the Times, our weekly Catholic news roundup, we scratch our heads at the U.S. bishops’ inaction on sexual abuse at the annual meeting in Baltimore, look at the next U.S.-born #Blessed, see how an N.B.A. rookie is helping out his Catholic high school, and more. Links from the show: Given Institute Vatican tells U.S. bishops to delay votes on new sex abuse protocols Pope Francis appoints Archbishop Scicluna to top role in addressing abuse crisis Jesuits to release names of accused priests in the west Pope recognizes martyrdom of U.S. Christian Brother Kevin Knox’s deal with Puma also benefits Tampa Catholic’s basketball program What’s on tap? Trappist Ale from Spencer Brewery, courtesy of listeners (and Patreon supporters!) Stephen and Dina Grant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices