Podcast appearances and mentions of john thavis

John Thavis is a Former Rome Bureau Chief for Catholic News Service and an author and speaker specializing in Vatican and religious affairs. He is the author of the best-selling books, "The Vatican Diaries: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Power, Personalities, and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church," and "The Vatican Prophecies: Investigating Supernatural Signs, Apparitions, and Miracles in the Modern Age." John talks with with diocesan chancellor and former editor of the central Minnesota catholic Joe Towalski about the papal transition. For more about John, visit his website: Johnthavis.com.

Pope Francis—the first Jesuit and Latin American pope—has died. As 1.4 billion Catholics begin mourning the loss of their pastor, and the world grieves one of its most prominent spiritual leaders, the Church remembers the pope who saw himself not only as the bishop of Rome, but as a parish priest to the whole world. Now, a momentous process begins in Rome: the funeral, the mourning rites, and the election of a new pope. In this special deep-dive episode of Inside the Vatican, host Colleen Dulle guides listeners through the rituals, rules, and hidden dynamics that unfold when a pope dies—from the certification of his death and the breaking of the papal ring to the solemn gathering of cardinals from around the world, and the quiet conversations that begin among them as they prepare to discern who will lead the church into its next chapter. These cardinals will soon enter the conclave—the oldest surviving method of leadership selection in the world. Held beneath Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, the conclave is a spiritual event wrapped in secrecy and tradition. There, 135 cardinal electors, bound by oath and guided by prayer, will choose the next successor of Peter. You'll hear from: John Thavis, veteran Vatican journalist and former Rome bureau chief for Catholic News Service, and author of The Vatican Diaries Anne Thompson, NBC News' Chief Environmental Affairs Correspondent, who has long reported on the Catholic Church Gerard O'Connell, veteran Vatican correspondent for America magazine, co-host of Inside the Vatican, and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History Join us as we explore the sacred traditions and profound moments that shape a papal transition—and gain unique insight into the process of choosing the next leader of the Catholic Church. Please support Inside the Vatican by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media. Links for further reading Pope Francis, trailblazing Jesuit with a heart for the poor, dies at 88 How Pope Francis changed the place of women in the church Pope Francis never stopped being a Jesuit Trump, Vance and Biden react to the death of Pope Francis A prayer for our beloved Pope Francis Vatican releases Pope Francis' final testament What happens after a pope dies? Pope Francis died after stroke and heart attack, Vatican says Pope Francis' funeral set for April 26, first photos of his body released Before picking a new pope, the cardinals will politick In last words, Pope Francis thanked his nurse ‘for bringing me back to the square' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spiritual healing, Satan's possession, visits by the Virgin Mary. Superstitions or Super Holy. Vatican journalist John Thavis separates fact from fiction - miraculously!

Pope Francis has asked synod participants to “fast from public words”—and they've been instructed in the synod's official rules not to speak about their own or others' interventions in the synod, even after the meeting ends. In this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle interviews John Thavis, the former Rome Bureau Chief of Catholic News Service and author of “The Vatican Diaries” and “The Vatican Prophecies,” about how synods and their guidelines around secrecy have evolved over time. Read the full show notes and find links to read more here. Please support this podcast by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martin Keller has published a truly landmark achievement in UFO literature. This multi-layered memoir of an “experiencer”—who was also an insider of the UFO researcher world — is not only deeply personal but resonantly aimed. Martin Keller spent 10 years embedded in the Close Encounters of the 5th Kind movement, which aims for human-initiated contact and increased governmental disclosure about the phenomenon. The writer's adventures with the elites of ufology took him to many unusual and “active” high strangeness locations, including his own bedroom. The reader is pulled into the author's provocative odyssey as he explores the interesting historical and cultural context for UFO/UAP activity, sifting through the ample evidence in search of fresh insights, which are abundant. Endorsed by Dan Aykroyd, this highly readable book was released just as the Big Thaw in UFO disclosures was beginning. A must-read for UFO newcomers and veterans alike! Advance Reviews “Martin Keller's book combines an intriguing personal journey with a careful evaluation of the theories and personalities of the UFO world, striking a perfect balance between skepticism and open-mindedness. His adventures are described honestly and with a flair for detail. The author sifts through the evidence thoughtfully, moving past the clichés and conventional thinking about other-worldly visitors and exploring new scientific theories that involve quantum physics and human consciousness itself. Readers will have their preconceptions shaken, which is a good thing.” John Thavis, bestselling New York Times author of The Vatican Diaries, and The Vatican Prophecies “Martin Keller lays out an entirely convincing and gripping account of his own eye-witnessed and continually credible events as an experiencer and his subsequent pursuits for truth and understanding while ultimately surviving travels through the ‘UFO Ghetto. This comprehensive journey into the nature of how the inquiry into these matters can obsess one is packed with deep sound witness testimonies, lots of history, classic sightings, lore and a realistic view of the preachers in the skeptic church. The Space Pen Club is also an essential read for anyone interested in getting to the truth about one of the greatest mysteries and enigmas in our existence. The mechanisms and fuel sources in these crafts could help save our planet and provide basic needs for millions - power, clean water and climate temperance.” Dan Aykroyd, legendary SNL cast member, Blues Brother, producer and writer with a lifelong interest in all things psi, paranormal and saucerlogical “I never told anyone what happened at dusk that night as my girlfriend and I cruised between cornfields on a small highway back to Minneapolis from Hutchinson, Minnesota. I did not want to hear disbelief or suffer the humiliation of telling my truth. I never told anyone that is until Martin Keller shared his truth with me one afternoon over lunch and a little Prince gossip. Kudos to Keller for helping me come to grips with a series of events that happened to me so many years ago and for finally sharing his own story in this personal, page-turning epic called The Space Pen Club!” Owen Husney, author of the memoir Famous People Who've Met Me and the man who discovered Prince “This is not just another book about UFO sightings, but rather a captivating look at how the public disclosure of UFOs has relentlessly unfolded under the pressure of dedicated activists, the ubiquity of cell phone cameras, a growing acceptance of UFO phenomena, an erosion of the government's grip on information, and an intensity of contact. Anyone interested in this topic will be captivated by this well-researched and lively written account by a true insider.” Adrian Lee, author of Ghosts & UFOs: Connecting Paranormal Phenomena through Quantum Physics --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/chucktuck/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/chucktuck/support

Martin Keller has published a truly landmark achievement in UFO literature. This multi-layered memoir of an “experiencer”—who was also an insider of the UFO researcher world — is not only deeply personal but resonantly aimed. Martin Keller spent 10 years embedded in the Close Encounters of the 5th Kind movement, which aims for human-initiated contact and increased governmental disclosure about the phenomenon. The writer's adventures with the elites of ufology took him to many unusual and “active” high strangeness locations, including his own bedroom. The reader is pulled into the author's provocative odyssey as he explores the interesting historical and cultural context for UFO/UAP activity, sifting through the ample evidence in search of fresh insights, which are abundant. Endorsed by Dan Aykroyd, this highly readable book was released just as the Big Thaw in UFO disclosures was beginning. A must-read for UFO newcomers and veterans alike! Advance Reviews “Martin Keller's book combines an intriguing personal journey with a careful evaluation of the theories and personalities of the UFO world, striking a perfect balance between skepticism and open-mindedness. His adventures are described honestly and with a flair for detail. The author sifts through the evidence thoughtfully, moving past the clichés and conventional thinking about other-worldly visitors and exploring new scientific theories that involve quantum physics and human consciousness itself. Readers will have their preconceptions shaken, which is a good thing.” John Thavis, bestselling New York Times author of The Vatican Diaries, and The Vatican Prophecies “Martin Keller lays out an entirely convincing and gripping account of his own eye-witnessed and continually credible events as an experiencer and his subsequent pursuits for truth and understanding while ultimately surviving travels through the ‘UFO Ghetto. This comprehensive journey into the nature of how the inquiry into these matters can obsess one is packed with deep sound witness testimonies, lots of history, classic sightings, lore and a realistic view of the preachers in the skeptic church. The Space Pen Club is also an essential read for anyone interested in getting to the truth about one of the greatest mysteries and enigmas in our existence. The mechanisms and fuel sources in these crafts could help save our planet and provide basic needs for millions - power, clean water and climate temperance.” Dan Aykroyd, legendary SNL cast member, Blues Brother, producer and writer with a lifelong interest in all things psi, paranormal and saucerlogical “I never told anyone what happened at dusk that night as my girlfriend and I cruised between cornfields on a small highway back to Minneapolis from Hutchinson, Minnesota. I did not want to hear disbelief or suffer the humiliation of telling my truth. I never told anyone that is until Martin Keller shared his truth with me one afternoon over lunch and a little Prince gossip. Kudos to Keller for helping me come to grips with a series of events that happened to me so many years ago and for finally sharing his own story in this personal, page-turning epic called The Space Pen Club!” Owen Husney, author of the memoir Famous People Who've Met Me and the man who discovered Prince “This is not just another book about UFO sightings, but rather a captivating look at how the public disclosure of UFOs has relentlessly unfolded under the pressure of dedicated activists, the ubiquity of cell phone cameras, a growing acceptance of UFO phenomena, an erosion of the government's grip on information, and an intensity of contact. Anyone interested in this topic will be captivated by this well-researched and lively written account by a true insider.” Adrian Lee, author of Ghosts & UFOs: Connecting Paranormal Phenomena through Quantum Physics --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/chucktuck/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/chucktuck/support

Pope Francis made news when a documentary showed him endorsing legal civil unions for same-sex couples.  But the statement had been censored and buried by the Vatican for a year.  John Thavis, author of The Vatican Diaries was a working journalist covering the Vatican for decades.  He’ll explain the meaning of the Pope’s statement and its delayed release. 

This year, the Catholic Church declared John Henry Newman a saint following a lengthy investigation which concluded that two miraculous cures had resulted from the Cardinal’s intercession. It’s not only the Christian Church that believes in miracles. But what actually are they and should we find a new and broader definition for the 21st century? Nuclear scientist Professor Ian Hutchinson; John Thavis, former Rome Bureau Chief for the Catholic News Service and Dr Sarah Shaw, a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, join Ernie to discuss. Producer: Helen Lee

This year, the Catholic Church declared John Henry Newman a saint following a lengthy investigation which concluded that two miraculous cures had resulted from the Cardinal’s intercession. It’s not only the Christian Church that believes in miracles. But what actually are they and should we find a new and broader definition for the 21st century? Nuclear scientist Professor Ian Hutchinson; John Thavis, former Rome Bureau Chief for the Catholic News Service and Dr Sarah Shaw, a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, join Ernie to discuss. Producer: Helen Lee

How do we begin healing after divorce? This week we speak with Lisa Duffy, author of the Catholic Guide to Dating After Divorce. On Connect5, Sebastian Gomes speaks with Vatican commentator, John Thavis about Amoris Laetitia, Gillian Kantor learns something new from her kids and we meet Sounds of ...

How do we begin healing after divorce? This week we speak with Lisa Duffy, author of the Catholic Guide to Dating After Divorce. On Connect5, Sebastian Gomes speaks with Vatican commentator, John Thavis about Amoris Laetitia, Gillian Kantor learns something new from her kids and we meet Sounds of ...

The Church of England wants to attract a more diverse range of people into the vocations. William Crawley is joined by Rev Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy and Rev David Isiorho to discuss why, despite repeated efforts, the Church remains a predominantly white institution. Trevor Barnes has been delving into the fascinating and sometimes controversial world of religious tattooing. After the bombing of a humanitarian aid convoy in Syria the United Nations has suspended all further aid convoys to Aleppo. William talks to Christine Latif from the Christian aid agency World Vision about the current crisis. 500 years ago Venice established the world's first Ghetto. Although it was the place where Jews were forced to live, it became a cultural crossroads. Judi Herman reports on events marking the anniversary. According to theologian Harvey Cox, business and theology aren't so far apart. The Harvard Divinity professor discusses his new book, 'The Market as God', with William. The "biggest and most important" changes in 100 years to cremation laws in England come in to force next week after it came to light that some families were denied their baby's ashes. William Crawley talks to Glen Perkins about what happened to his daughter's ashes and whether the new laws will prevent it happening again. Has Pope Francis finally opened the way for divorced and remarried Catholics to take communion? It might depend on who you listen to. Vatican watcher John Thavis gives us his verdict. The idea of mosques run by women is still something of a novelty in many parts of the world but in China women have been running mosques for over 300 years. Dr Maria Jaschok explains their unique history to William Crawley. Producers: Catherine Earlam and Peter Everett Series Producer: Amanda Hancox Tattoo: Anton Ivkin Photograph: Alexander Kuzovlev.

When most of us think of the supernatural in the Catholic religion, we think of the Shroud of Turin, or sightings of Mary, or exorcisms. These are just the big ones in a limitless line of claims which the Church must investigate. John Thavis has years of experience working in the Vatican as he was…

When TATA Steel announced the loss of 900 jobs at their plant in Scunthorpe, one of the first people on site was industrial chaplain Peter Vickers. Bob Walker spent the day with him to hear how he is galvanising support for those affected. Scandals in the NHS, Parliament and religious groups have undermined the public's trust in these institutions. On Monday, Lord Blair chairs a discussion with the Archbishop of Canterbury and Chief Rabbi about the challenges religious leaders face. Lord Blair tells William Crawley why he believes organisations have lost the confidence of the public and what they need to do. The battle took place in 1415 near modern-day Agincourt in northern France. King Henry V was victorious. Juliet Barker author of Agincourt: Henry V and the Battle That Made England, tells us about the faith driven king A recent report claims the majority of British Jews will be from the ultra-orthodox community by the end of the century. Rosie Dawson visits one of the largest communities in Manchester to explore the changes this could bring. It's been 3 weeks of 'Cardinals clashing' and our reporter Helen Grady has been in Rome observing Church politics during the Synod on the Family. Father Alexander Lucie-Smith and commentator John Thavis debate the direction they think the Church will head after this Synod. A 400 year old Bible that encourages adultery will go on sale next month. The typo caused a scandal when the mistake was discover in 1631 and led to the downfall of the printers. Professor Gordon Campbell looks at this and other unholy printing errors. Producers: David Cook Rosie Dawson Editor: Amanda Hancox.

For John Thavis, the timing couldn't have been better. His book, “The Vatican Diaries: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Power, Personalities and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church,” was released in February 2013, just as Pope Benedict XVI announced he would be the first pope in 600 years to resign.

Winston Churchill one refereed to the former Soviet Union as an enigma, wrapped in "a riddle, surrounded by mystery." Much the same might be said about the Vatican.  A large bureaucracy, competing political interests, the potential and reality of scandal and cover up.John Thavis, has spent almost 30 years covering the Vatican. He walked the hallowed halls, was one of the "boys on the bus" on the papal plane and understands both the human and spiritual side of this seemingly monolithic and often flawed institution.Now free of daily reporting, he allows himself to look back in The Vatican Diaries: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Power, Personalities, and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church.My conversation with John Thavis: 

As the former Rome bureau chief for Catholic News Service, few understand the inner workings of the seat of Roman Catholicism better than John Thavis. His book reveals that Vatican City's public image of power, hierarchical authority and reverence for the past often masks a disorganized, inept and uncertain organizational culture.

Author of "The Vatican Diaries: a Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Power, Personalities and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church"

**Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Susan Abbott **Today's guest(s):** Gregory Tracy, Managing Editor of The Pilot newspaper, and Father Roger Landry, Executive Editor of The Anchor newspaper.  * [The Pilot](http://www.pilotcatholicnews.com) * [The Anchor](http://www.anchornews.org) **Today's topics:** Catholic reaction to Osama bin Laden's death; wrap-up of Bl. John Paul's beatification; followup on MariaTalks.com; Apostolic Nuncio coming to Boston; Pope Benedict teaching us to pray **A summary of today's show:** Scot, Susan, Gregory, and Fr. Roger consider how Catholics should react to Osama bin Laden's death, then switch gears to give a last look at the beatification of Bl. John Paul. In local news, the Mass. bishops spoke out on a controversial website, but the Governor refuses to act; the Pope's representative the US is coming to Boston; and Pope Benedict begins a new teaching series on prayer. **1st segment:** Scot welcomes Susan. She said last said Sunday a grandson received First Communion and this Saturday a granddaughter will receive First Communion at another parish. Bringing a child to the table of the Lord is best thing a parent can do for a child. For Mother's Day, Scot asked her about her children and grandchildren: She has three daughters and 5 grandchildren locally and a son and another grandchild on the West Coast. **2nd segment:**  * [Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2302-2317: On Just War and Safeguarding Peace](http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P81.HTM) * ["What is Just War?," Colin B. Donovan, STL, EWTN.com](http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/just_war.htm) * ["Vatican says bin Laden's death cause for reflection, not rejoicing," John Thavis, Catholic News Service](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1101730.htm) Scot welcomes Gregory and Fr. Roger to the show. First thing Monday morning, Scot saw the news about Osama bin Laden and it became clear to him that he wasn't sure how we're supposed to respond as American Catholics. On the one hand, we're happy he was no longer able to hurt innocents, but some of the celebrations seemed out of hand. Fr. Roger said that as a Catholic we're called to love even our enemies. In the case of a mass murderer, it's very hard. In terms of those who want to harm the innocent, all those who have a duty to protect others need to do what's possible to carry out that mission. If bloodless means are insufficient, then legitimate authority may use lethal force. If he had been imprisoned by the US, could he have been able to carry out harm just by his existence. Scot asked Gregory what he thought of the Vatican's statement that "in the face of a man's death, a Christian never rejoices"? Gregory said it's a question of rejoicing in his death. We can rejoice because the world is safer, but we cross a line when we celebrate the fact that someone had to die. If it's necessary to sue deadly force then so be it, but it's always a regrettable choice. Even Blessed John Paul II used to say that only if there's another reasonable way to make society safe, then death is a possibility. Susan said there was a lot to process in the news. She heard the news on Sunday night after having watched videos on the beatification and it was an odd juxtaposition. She had a sense of relief at the world being safer, but she goes back to Matthew 5:43 in which Christ calls us to love our enemy. Scot reviewed the three conditions for an act within war to be morally justified: >First, the act must be good in itself. The use of force to obtain justice is morally licit in itself. Second, it must be done with a good intention, which as noted earlier must be to correct vice, to restore justice or to restrain evil, and not to inflict evil for its own sake. Thirdly, it must be appropriate in the circumstances. An act which may otherwise be good and well motivated can be sinful by reason of imprudent judgment and execution.  > >In this regard Just War doctrine gives certain conditions for the legitimate exercise of force, all of which must be met: > >"1. the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain; > >2. all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective; > >3. there must be serious prospects of success; > >4. the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition" [CCC 2309]. The other big question of debate on this news has been whether the White House should release the photos of Osama's body. Fr. Roger said an important component of leadership is the virtue of prudence and making good judgment. Some people want photos for absolute proof of Osama's death, but had Obama released the photos it could have poured fire on Muslim sentiments and created violence. On the other hand, if someone wants to think conspiratorially, there's no proof that will ever be sufficient. So it's not clear any good would be done by releasing them and it's very clear that there would be harm. Scot said when we thinks of places where Christians are a persecuted minority, their prayers were answered when the president didn't release the photo. Susan said there would be no good result by releasing the photo. Gregory said he could see where the ground could laid for conspiracy theories and just because you can release a photo doesn't mean you should. He uses that same judgment as a newspaper editor. There's even still people who don't think men have walked on the moon, so it would do nothing useful. Scot said as a Catholic Christian, if we're rejoicing at the world being a safer place, that's good, but if we're rejoicing at our revenge being completed on Osama, that's too much, even though that's a natural human response. Susan said that section in the Gospel of Matthew says we must be perfect as our Father is perfect and we're called to be better than our human inclinations. **3rd segment:**  * ["Crowds pack Vatican for Pope John Paul II's beatification ceremony," The Pilot/CNS, 5/6/11](http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1101725.htm) * [Pope Benedict's homily for the beatification Mass](http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20110501_beatificazione-gpii_en.html) * ["Cardinal Dziwisz: I must rediscover John Paul II," The Pilot/Zenit, 5/4/11](http://www.zenit.org/article-32439?l=english) Scot said we've talked a lot about the beatification, but it was a magnificent day starting with Saturday night's vigil. Susan said in the Pope's comments, you could the tremendous affection he had for his predecessor. The Pope also talked about Bl. John Paul's prayer life, which seems to be a recurrent theme in all the talk about him. Susan said Bl. John Paul was also a real mensch, a skier, a playwright, someone who worked as a miner, was theologically brilliant, someone we can all emulate. Scot said the cover photo in the Pilot this week of the immense crowd around St. Peter's is one of his favorite photos in the Pilot ever. Gregory said it shows the 1.5 million to 2 million people present. He said the ceremony brought him back to John Paul's funeral in 2005, at which he was present. It brought him back to see Pope Benedict XVI, who celebrated the funeral, to be there celebrating the beatification. The image of the casket inside St. Peter's brought back thoughts of the casket on the steps of the basilica in 2005. He was also moved by Pope Benedict talking about the way that Pope John Paul let suffering into his life. Gregory had been at many of the World Youth Days and remembers chronicling his decline over the years. Pope Benedict said John Paul became more eloquent as he become more ill. Fr. Roger said he woke at 4am on Sunday to watch the beatification and he was struck that he was watching his spiritual father receiving the greatest honor anyone ever can from God Himself. It was one of the most moving moments in his entire life and he rejoiced like he had never rejoiced before. Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz told reporters that Pope John Paul's entire life was prayer: >I am asked how many hours the Pope prayed. How many rosaries he said every day. I answer that he prayed with all his life. He always had the rosary with him, but above all he was united to God, a man of God, immersed in God.  > >Though people didn't realize it, he always prayed for those who came to him, after conversations he prayed for the persons with whom he had spoken. The whole day began with prayer, meditation, and ended always with the blessing of his city, Rome. Always, when he could still walk, he went to the window; at the end, when he was very weak, he would ask "lift me" to see Rome again and to bless her. This was always the last gesture of every day to bless the people of Rome, his diocese. Fr. Roger said the cardinal was always a welcoming man as the pope's secretary, who called himself the moon to the Pope's sun. He was clearly someone who loved and admired John Paul very much. Gregory said he was also struck by this interview which spoke to his interior life. In this article, the interviewer asks about a personal memory of John Paul. The cardinal responds: >I must say that I must discover him again. Discover him and perhaps still love him more. He was a man of great spiritual wealth, all that was within him. He rarely opened himself but people felt that something was within him. And today I see the need to discover this spiritual and also intellectual profundity. I esteemed him as a father and now I esteem him as a father and as a blessed. **4th segment:** * [Massachusetts Bishops's statement about state funding of MariaTalks.com](http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Utility/News-And-Press/Content.aspx?id=20354) * [Fr. Medieros and Fr. de Nigris on The Good Catholic Life, 4/4/11](http://www.thegoodcatholiclife.com/2011/04/04/program-0019-for-monday-april-4-2011/) * [A brief biography of Archbishop Pietro Sambi](http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2005/05-287.shtml) * [Regis College](http://www.regiscollege.edu/) * [Announcement of the appointment of Dr. Antoinette Hays as president of Regis](http://www.regiscollege.edu/about_regis/news.cfm?nid=Antoinette%20Hays%2C%20PhD%2C%20to%20become%20the%2010th%20President%20of%20Regis%20College) Now following up to last week's topic on the MariaTalks.com website. Last Friday, the bishops of Massachusetts issued a statement about the website and outlined five problems with the site: >[...] it promotes an overall message that sexual conduct for unmarried minors is acceptable whenever it “feels right.” Additionally, the website describes abortion in misleadingly opaque terms, touting the procedure as “easier than you think,” and emphasizes ways to obtain an abortion without parental knowledge.  The website fails to acknowledge that many women, especially those undergoing an abortion in their teenage years, suffer long-term negative consequences.  Furthermore, the website limits the list of available resources to organizations that advocate for or provide abortion and contraception. Then end with a powerful comment: >We do not agree that the only choices available are limited to keeping the website running with tax dollars or doing nothing at all to address the problem of teen pregnancy.  The state should work together with all sectors of the community, not just those with a vested interest in offering teens contraception and abortion, to find solutions that respect the dignity of young people and their capacity to make good and wholesome choices. Susan said that as a taxpayer point-of-view spending $100,000 of scarce tax dollars is insane. As a commonwealth, we should be working together for the common good and this website does not. Susan quoted one of the legislators who pointed out that the site doesn't even deal with girls who are victims of abuse, incest, or rape. She said the site sells our kids short. Gregory said Gov. Deval Patrick has said the website will stay up, allowing only modification of content. He referred the Pilot to the Department of Health for comment, which said they were interested in offering medically accurate information, which many critics dispute it offers. Scot said it's clear that they're not interested in hearing any criticism of the website. Fr. Roger wrote in his editorial this week about why they seemed to call this site "Maria" talks. Maria is now the 71st most popular name for girls in America, but when we hear it we think of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of the many Hispanic girls from strong Christian families. The choice of "Maria" seems to show they are targeting a specific demographic and some of the content seems to put the girls at odds with the theoretically strongly Catholic parents. It's quite clear that this site is written so that young girls looking at it are persuaded to think like the Aids Action Committee of Massachusetts, not with the values of their parents. Also in The Pilot this week is news that the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States is coming next Sunday to a fundraiser for the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary. Archbishop Pietro Sambi is being honored and is expected to make some remarks. Gregory said the archbishop keeps a fairly low profile, but he's very inspiring and we are graced to have him. Scot said the seminary is one of the three seminaries in Boston, including St. John and Bl. John XXIII (which is for late vocations). Redemptoris Mater has 18 seminarians, which equal roughly 1.3 of Boston's seminarians. Fr. Roger said the nuncio has a dual role when he's sent to a country by the Pope. Firs,t he is essentially the pope's ambassador. Second, within the Church he is the pope's representative to the local Catholic church. One of his duties is to provide the names of potential candidates for becoming bishops. He has a huge impact by prioritizing particular qualities in the priests who are promoted for eventually becoming bishops. Fr. Roger got to know him as a deacon in the Holy Land where Archbishop Sambi was the Apostolic Nuncio to the Holy Land. He is a real mensch with a great sense of humor and is always very inspiring. The gala dinner is also honoring Jack Shaughnessy, who is a wonderful local businessman who has done so much for the Church in Boston and has been a big supporter of the seminaries. The dinner will be on May 15, 5pm at Lantana's in Randolph. For details email [seminary@rmsboston.org](mailto:seminary@rmsboston.org) In more news, Regis College has a new president. The local Catholic college in Weston, Mass., has appointed Dr. Antoinette Hays, who received her bachelor's degree in nursing from Boston College and received her doctorate from Brandeis. She also has a background in fine arts. Susan, who graduated from Regis, said the school's nursing program is relatively new and has taken off. Hays is the second lay leader of the college after her predecessor Dr. Mary Jane England. **5th segment:** * [We Must Learn How to Pray, says Pope](http://www.zenit.org/article-32485?l=english) * [Pope Benedict's remarks at his general audience of May 4, 2011](http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20110504_en.html) On Wednesday, Pope Benedict launched a new series of catecheses for his weekly general audiences. The topic is on prayer. Fr. Roger thinks this will be one of the more significant teaching plans of the Pope's papacy. Pope Benedict has said that the principal job of the Church in leading people to salvation is to be a school of prayer. One of the greatest privileges in life is to be able to converse with God. We don't know how long this series will go on, but it follows a five-year series he has done on the saints. Now he is embarking on teaching us a pathway to sainthood. Fr. Roger said Pope Benedict will offer the fruit of his 40-years of teaching and study, building on and amplifying what has been written before, plus new raw materials that he will synthesize and present to us. Pope Benedict said yesterday prayer is part of the human experience, not just the Christian experience and that he still hopes to learn more about prayer. Susan said he's modeling for us. Also prayer cannot be taken for granted. Gregory said the Holy Father is saying that in many ways we need to be taught how to pray. Every civilization has prayed, from cavemen on, but in Christ we have been taught to call God our Father. "That will conclude today's presentation of The Good Catholic Life. For recordings and photos of today's show and all previous shows, please visit our website: TheGoodCatholicLife.com. You can also download the app for your iPhone or Android device at WQOM.org to listen to the show wherever you may be. We thank our guests Gregory Tracy and Father Roger Landry. For our co-host, Father Susan Abbott, our Production team of Rick Heil, Anna Johnson, Justin Bell, Dom Bettinelli & George Martell, this is Scot Landry saying thank YOU for listening, God bless you and have a great evening!"