USCCB Clips

In this special episode, we reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis, a shepherd whose papacy transformed hearts and guided the global Church with humility, compassion, and courage.

Catholic Current Refugee Resettlement by USCCB Clips

Pope Francis officially proclaimed that 2025 will be an Ordinary Jubilee year. Guests discuss preparations for the Jubilee, what pilgrims can expect throughout this occasion, and how the universal Church can celebrate this Holy Year.

Michael B. Sheedy, Executive Director of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, discusses the important role that state Catholic conferences play in community and political participation at the state and local levels. Learn about the Call to Family, Community, and Participation at https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/call-to-family-community-and-participation National Association of State Catholic Conference Directors (NASCCD) website: https://www.nasccd.org/

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for the 2024 Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, November 11-14. Among the speakers were Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, and President of the USCCB, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio. Watch the livestream and read related materials at www.usccb.org/plenary-assembly-november-11-14-2024 Catholic Current also spoke with Ukrainian Bishop Stepan Sus, delegates to the Synod on Synodality, and Bishop Roy Campbell, who shared the history of the National Black Catholic Congress.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for the 2024 Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, November 11-14. Among the speakers were Archbishop Borys Gudziak on the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si', Bishop Timothy Senior on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Bishop Seitz on the Church's support for migrants and refugees, and Bishop Robert Baron, Bishop Thomas Daly, and Bishop Michael Burbidge on the teaching of Dignitas Infinita .

Archbishop William E. Lori, Vice President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, discusses the importance of political participation in Catholic teaching. The bishops' teaching document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility and related materials are available online at www.FaithfulCitizenship.org.

Guest Bishop Arturo Cepeda, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit and Chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church, shares how the Church can accompany and evangelize young people. The document Listen, Teach, Send: A National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and with Young Adults is available online.

Guest Archbishop Charles Thompson of Indianapolis and Chair of the USCCB's Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis discusses the important role of catechists as the Eucharistic Revival enters its Year of Mission. September 15, 2024, is Catechetical Sunday. Learn more about this day to recognize and celebrate the gift that catechists bring to a parish community: https://www.usccb.org/committees/evangelization-catechesis/lord-when-did-we-see-you-hungry

Guest Ansel Joseph Augustine, D.Min., Assistant Director of the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, talks about the Feast of Saint Peter Claver and the 40th Anniversary of “What We Have Seen and Heard,” a pastoral letter on evangelization from the Black bishops of the United States. The Pastoral Letter What We Have Seen and Heard is available online, along with a study guide. The documentary film, Going Home Like a Shooting Star: Thea Bowman's Journey to Sainthood, presents the riveting life of Sister Thea Bowman, an African American Catholic Franciscan Sister who used her powerful gifts to educate and challenge the church and society to grow in racial inclusivity.

Guest Anthony Granado, Associate General Secretary of the USCCB, discusses the dignity of work, the rights of workers, and the role of immigrants in the U.S. economy.

Catholic Current talks with Bishop Peter Smith, chairman of the Subcommittee on the Church in Africa, about the Solidarity Fund. Bishop Smith shares his experiences with the vibrant faith in Africa, including the blessings we share with one another.

Nearly 50,000 people will gather in Indianapolis on July 17–21 for five days of transformation, prayer, and community. Archbishop Charles Thompson, chairman of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, and Bishop Andrew Cozzens, chairman of the National Eucharistic Congress, offer a preview of what to expect and share their hopes.

The USCCB Spring 2024 plenary assembly concludes with a report on the upcoming Eucharistic Congress, discussion about religious workers' visas, an outgoing address from Suzanne Healy, the chair of the National Review Board, and approval of the new pastoral framework for Native and Indigenous people, “Keeping Christ's Sacred Promise.”

The USCCB Spring 2024 plenary assembly gets underway with addresses from Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, as well as Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the USCCB. Catholic Current also spoke with Bishop Robert Barron, Chairman of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life & Youth, about the proposed pastoral framework for youth and young adults.

Guest Andrew Middleton, Director of the Archdiocese of Baltimore's Apostleship of the Sea, discusses ministry to the crew of the container ship Dali, which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing its collapse and the death of six construction workers.

Making Catholic education inclusive and accessible for students with special needs is a priority for the Committee on Catholic Education. Guests Mary Pat Donoghue, Executive Director of USCCB's Secretariat for Catholic Education, and Maggie Hubbard, Ed. D, with the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, discuss the importance of serving all students in Catholic schools.

In his recently published book, Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect, John Inazu reflects on his experiences as a law professor and considers how we can build bridges with our neighbors, coworkers, and loved ones. Dr. Inazu talks with Aaron about the unique approach he takes in this book and what we can learn about how to disagree better.

Bishop Edward J. Burns of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life & Youth discusses the issue of mental health among the clergy with Rev. James E. Garvey, O.Praem., D.Min. (St. Luke Institute), Patricia Donoghue, Ph.D. (St. John Vianney Center), and Anthony Isacco, Ph.D. (Chatham University).

We speak with Cathy McCarthy of the Diocese of Gallup, a “mission diocese” in New Mexico, about the reality of life in mission dioceses and how the Catholic Home Mission Appeal strengthens the Church “at home.” Learn more at https://www.usccb.org/committees/catholic-home-missions.

Dr. Kenneth Craycraft of Mount St. Mary's Seminary & School of Theology in Cincinnati discusses his most recent book, Citizens Yet Strangers: Living Authentically Catholic in a Divided America. The book aims to help Catholics recover the grammar and moral imagination of Catholic teaching in their engagements with American culture.

Bishop Robert E. Barron, Chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, discusses the mental health crisis among young people with two Catholic psychologists. The discussion touches on issues such as social media, depression, and spiritual engagement.

Guests Jeffrey Monforton, chair of the Subcommittee on Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, and Fr. Anthony Corcoran, SJ, Apostolic Administrator of Kyrgyzstan, discuss the mission of the Catholic Church in Central Asia and the importance of solidarity among Catholic globally.

Dr. Abigail Favale of the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame discusses her book The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory, which weaves personal experience with expert knowledge to provide an in-depth yet accessible account of the gender paradigm—a framework for understanding reality and identity that has recently risen to prominence.

Carol Glatz, Correspondent with Catholic News Service Rome, speaks with Ambassador to the Holy See Joe Donnelly about diplomacy and working with the Vatican on global issues such as peace, human trafficking, and environmental concerns.

Hope and Healing After Abortion – Project Rachel Ministry by USCCB Clips

Ministries Along the Border and the Need for Immigration Reform

Michael Dunnigan discusses his book Religious Liberty and the Hermeneutic of Continuity: Conservation and Development of Doctrine at Vatican II. He addresses issues such as the foundation of religious liberty, whether Vatican II changed Catholic teaching, and what Dignitatis humanae is most fundamentally about.

Guests Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Kyiv Andriy Khimyak and Jennifer Healy, Director of the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, discuss the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine on the faithful and how the support of Catholics in the United States has brought hope to people in need.

Guest Father Dustin Dought, Executive Director of the Secretariat of Divine Worship, discusses the observance of Ash Wednesday and Lent.

Catholic Current talks with veteran Vatican reporter Cindy Wooden about her recent meeting with Pope Francis in Rome and the Holy Father's message for the global Church.

Dan Balserak, Director of Religious Liberty at the USCCB, discusses the USCCB's first Annual Report on Religious Liberty in the United States.

We are currently experiencing the largest and fastest religious shift in US history. Political scientist Ryan Burge, who contributed to the book The Great Dechurching, by Jim Davis and Michael Graham, joins Mary and Aaron to talk about who's leaving, why they are going, and what it will take to bring them back.

Fr. Gregory Schnakenberg of the Dominican House of Studies talks about the history, meaning, and contemporary relevance of the Solemnity of Christ the King.

Richard Garnett of the University of Notre Dame discusses the book Religion and the American Constitutional Experiment, 5th edition. He talks about how different understandings of religion contributed to our constitutional order, and describes six principles of the American vision of religious freedom.

Vincent Phillip Muñoz discusses his book Religious Liberty and the American Founding, which explores the political philosophy of the Founders and their understanding of religious freedom.

Jose Pulido knows what it takes to evangelize men and to drive men to evangelize others. He's done it in his ministry At the Service, and he knows how scripture can help make it happen. Later, (21:10) Kara joins to get a jump on the upcoming Christopher Nolan film Oppenheimer by looking back at Inception and its overlooked emphasis on the role of objective reality in truly loving relationships. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/07/14/ep-117-evangelizing-men-plus-inception/

We're back with the rest of our conversation with Jason Evert on his book Male, Female, Other? and how it can help us approach gender theory and those who experience gender discordance. Then (19:35), Kara joins to finish talking about Pixar's Inside Out. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/06/23/ep-116-jason-evert-on-gender-theory-plus-inside-out-part-2/

Jason Evert of the Chastity Project joins to discuss his new book Male, Female, Other?, which addresses the current state of gender theory in our culture. He goes into great detail about how to address the problems in the ideology, but more importantly he provides insight into how to lovingly speak and listen to someone struggling with gender discordance, not as an advocate, but as a child of God. Later (18:55), Kara joins in advance of Pixar's new film Elemental to talk about another Pixar movie, one that has a lot to say, both true and misleading, about the human person: Inside Out. Will Andrew be able to restrain his philosophical finger-pointing to recognize the positive elements? Only one way to find out! Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/06/09/ep-115-jason-evert-on-gender-theory-plus-inside-out-part-1/

Does God need us? Why would he create us (or anything) if he didn't? How is God's relationship with us and with the world different than any other religion's account? How does it change the way we love? Bishop Robert Barron, head of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and Word on Fire, discusses how the Christian distinction answers all of those questions and more. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/05/26/ep-114-bishop-robert-barron-on-everything/

Our conversation on human ecology continues with Dr. Jennifer Frey, who dives deeper into the mind of the Church and the work of the Institute for Human Ecology. Then (19:15), we celebrate Mother's Day with Kara by talking about Lady Bird. The prestigious 2017 movie has a surprisingly nuanced take on family life and love-related wounds, without turning its nose up at Christianity. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/05/12/ep-113-human-ecology-part-2-plus-lady-bird/

When talking about humanity's relationship with nature, John Paul II used the phrase "human ecology". Benedict XVI used a similar phrase. So did Francis. What do they all mean by it? Dr. Jennifer Frey, of the Institute for Human Ecology and a philosophy professor at the University of South Carolina, helps unpack this theme in the Church's recent tradition. Kara hops in to talk about Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 (20:25) and its bad dad before the release of volume 3. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/04/28/ep-112-human-ecology-plus-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2/

Dan Balserak and Madeleine Ostertag talk with Mary and Aaron about the latest updates on the seven proposed federal regulations that could harm religious freedom for healthcare workers, religious student groups, and faith-based organizations.

Happy Easter! We're back with a shorter episode during the Easter Octave, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Sleepless in Seattle! Kara and Andrew complete their coverage of the Nora Ephron-Meg Ryan romcom trilogy. Destiny takes a hand, or does it? Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/04/14/ep-111-sleepless-in-seattle/

The addictive danger to our families from pornography is far too great to ignore, which is why Amanda Zurface of Covenant Eyes is here to help. She talks about how communities and families can guard against these risks, and how parishes can do the same, with Safe Haven Sunday. Then, Kara joins (18:00) to chat about the recent AI/chatGPT news developments, through the lens of the film Her (2013), directed by Spike Jonze. Could an advanced AI genuinely take part in a romantic relationship? (Spoiler: of course not). Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/03/31/ep-110-protecting-from-porn-plus-ai-dating/

When you think of your soul leaving your body, what image comes to mind? If it's a ghostly duplicate of your physical body, boy do we have a show for you. Dr. Therese Scarpelli Cory joins from Notre Dame's philosophy department to examine how that view has some unintended side effects for our sense of self, how to improve on that view, and what it has to do with our relationship with Jesus Christ. Then, Kara joins to finish our Oscars run-up with the rest of our heartfelt discussion of last year's Academy Award Best Picture winner, CODA (21:10). Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/03/10/ep-109-spooky-body-problems-plus-coda-part-2/

Robert Vega, Director of Public Policy for the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, discusses recent attempts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and why the USCCB is concerned.

Why do we feel more isolated than ever? How do kids from smaller families have a harder time forming connections later in life? What do people mean when they talk about identity, using phrases like "it's who I really am"? Mary Eberstadt discusses answers to those questions, her new book Adam and Eve After the Pill Revisited, and the unfolding impact of the Sexual Revolution. Later (32:00), Kara joins as we continue our run-up to the Oscars with part 1 of our discussion of CODA, last year's Academy Award Best Picture winner. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/02/24/ep-108-the-revolutions-aftermath-plus-coda-part-1/

Our coverage of the National Eucharistic Revival continues with Sr. Alicia Torres, managing editor of the Eucharistic Revival's newsletter, who shares how her relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist animates her calling as a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist. Later (18:45), Kara Bach joins as we attempt to wrap our minds around Everything Everywhere All at Once. This Academy Award front-runner has a lot to say about a lot (as the title might suggest), and we try to separate the googly eyes from the sinister bagels. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/02/10/ep-107-eucharist-and-vocation-plus-everything-everywhere-all-at-once/

Lucas Koach talks with Aaron Weldon and Todd Scribner about the 2023 International Religious Freedom Summit, and about the USCCB's role in promoting religious freedom around the world.

Kara and Andrew devote an entire episode to Titanic on the 25th anniversary of the film's long run in theaters, which happens to coincide with director James Cameron's new film, Avatar: The Way of Water. The aquatic adventure from 1997 has quite a bit more to offer for reflection on the call to love, however. As is unavoidable when talking about this movie, the conversation gets emotional.  Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/01/27/ep-106-titanic/