Crisis Magazine

After decades of cultural and political losses, what is the point of the modern Conservative Movement? Should Catholics still embrace this failed movement?

All eyes in the Catholic world have recently been on Tyler, Texas. Today we'll talk to a deacon of that diocese about what it was like to live as a Catholic in the Diocese of Tyler under Bishop Strickland. Guest: Deacon Keith Fournier is the Chairman of the Board, Founder and President of Common Good Foundation and Common Good Alliance. He is a Deacon of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas. Links: • Common Good Foundation: https://commongoodonline.org • Catholic School Online: https://www.catholiconline.school

When someone leaves Catholicism due to scandals in the Church, it does no good to accuse him of unfaithfulness or blame those who are exposing the crisis in the Church.

The Middle East and Ukraine are engulfed in war, society has become increasingly (and violently) anti-Catholic, and millions are leaving the Church; meanwhile, Church leaders are meeting together to talk about meetings.

The institution of marriage is under attack; in fact, in many ways it seems to be on its last legs. How have Catholic leaders failed in defending marriage, and how can Catholics rebuild our respect for this sacred institution? Guest John Clark is a columnist, political speechwriter, and ghostwriter. He has authored two books on fatherhood and written approximately five hundred articles and blogs about Catholic family life and apologetics in such places as The National Catholic Register, Seton Magazine, and Magis Center. He holds a degree in Political Science and Economics from Christendom College. John and his wife Lisa have nine children and live in central Florida. His most recent book is Betrayed Without a Kiss: Defending Marriage after Years of Failed Leadership in the Church. Links • Betrayed without a Kiss (book): https://tanbooks.com/products/betrayed-without-a-kiss-defending-marriage-after-years-of-failed-leadership-in-the-church/ • John Clark at National Catholic Register: https://www.ncregister.com/author/john-clark

The recent attack on Israel by Hamas has led many prominent voices in government and media to call for a substantial response, including an escalation of the conflict to include America and Iran. How should Catholics judge this conflict and America's role in it?

Fr. Dwight Longenecker has had quite a life. Brought up Evangelical Protestant, he attended the fundamentalist Bob Jones University. He eventually went to Oxford and became an Anglican minister. Finally, he was received into the Catholic Church and was ordained a Catholic priest. Links: • There and Back Again – A Somewhat Religious Odyssey (book): https://dwightlongenecker.com/shop/there-and-back-again-a-somewhat-religious-odyssey/ • Fr. Dwight Longenecker (website): https://dwightlongenecker.com

After years of episcopal silence in the face of heresy, corruption, and scandal, we're starting to see some successors to the apostles boldly standing up for the Faith. Link: • "Credo: Compendium of the Catholic Faith" by Bishop Athanasius Schneider: https://sophiainstitute.com/promo/credo/

Cardinal Dolan recently wrote an article asking if Sunday Masses were too long. While taking a potshot against more traditional features of the liturgy, he also seems to completely miss the essence of what makes the Mass different than any other human activity. Link: "Cardinal Dolan: Are Sunday Masses just too long?" (article): https://www.oursundayvisitor.com/cardinal-dolan-are-sunday-masses-just-too-long/

Proponents of women's ordination—to both the priesthood and to the diaconate—are hoping that the upcoming Synod on Synodality will support their cause. Is this wishful thinking on their part? Can the Synod even do such a thing?

In this age of confusion, we see many competing ideas on how Catholics should understand the papacy. The most extreme forms—hyperpapalism and sedevacantism— both include an overexaggerated sense of the papacy. Synodality, at least on paper, appears to be the opposite extreme. Is there a better way forward? Guest: Fr. Jason Charron was ordained to the priesthood in the Ukrainian Catholic Church for the Diocese of St. Josaphat in 2008. He has served in parishes in NC, WV and PA. Currently he is pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church, Carnegie, Pa, and as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Wheeling, WV. He serves on the presbyteral council of the Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Parma, Ohio. Links: • "Greek Catholic Bishop: Synod on Synodality Is Not Like Eastern Synods" (article): https://www.ncregister.com/blog/bishop-manuel-nin-synod-on-synodality-unlike-eastern-synods • "Archbishop Fernandez Warns Against Bishops Who Think They Can Judge ‘Doctrine of the Holy Father’" (article): https://www.ncregister.com/interview/exclusive-archbishop-fernandez-warns-against-bishops-who-think-they-can-judge-doctrine-of-the-holy-father • "Is Francis the Pope?" (article): https://onepeterfive.com/is-francis-the-pope/ • Fr. Charron's Parish for donating to Ukraine relief: https://htucc.com/campaign/pray-for-ukraine-fund/

The Book of Genesis proposes answers to some of life's most important—and most controversial—questions. But often readers misunderstand or miss those answers. How can we properly interpret this most important Biblical text? Guest: Stephen K. Raywas raised in a devout and loving Baptist family. His father was a deacon and Bible teacher, and Stephen was very involved in the Baptist Church as a teacher of Biblical studies. After an in-depth study of the writings of the Church Fathers, both Steve and his wife Janet converted to the Catholic Church. He is the host of the popular, award-winning film series on salvation history,The Footprints of God. Steve is also the author of the best-selling booksCrossing the Tiber,andmost recently, Genesis: A Bible Study Guide and Commentary. Link: • "Genesis: A Bible Study Guide and Commentary" (book): https://www.steveraysstore.com/genesis-a-bible-study-guide-and-commentary-signed-by-author/

Some Catholics argue that vaccines—whether the flu shot or the Covid vaccine or any other vaccine—are morally obligatory to receive. We will dissect the many flaws in this argument in today's podcast. (Apologies on the quality of the video degrading near the end of the podcast. I thought I solved that problem, but obviously I still need to determine the cause. - ES)

In April of this year, the body of Sr. Wilhelmina Lancaster, founder of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, was found to be incorrupt four years after her death. Who was Sr. Wilhelmina and what is God trying to tell us through this miracle? We'll talk to a member of the order she helped found to discover what made this woman so remarkable. Guest: Sr. Mary Josefa of the Eucharist entered the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles in 2010. In 2019, she was sent as one of the founding members of the community’s first daughter house, the Monastery of St. Joseph, in the Ozark mountains near Ava, MO. She is one of the four sisters who prepared Sr. Wilhelmina's body for burial upon her death. Links: • "The Life of Sr. Mary Wilhelmina" (book): https://tanbooks.com/products/books/sister-mary-wilhelmina/ • Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles (website): https://benedictinesofmary.org • "Sister Wilhelmina: An American Incorruptible" (podcast): https://youtu.be/GmbbX4HKwig?si=q0eOomDOD2-5PYar

Pope Francis was recently asked his opinion of American Catholics, and he didn't hold back in his criticisms. But are his criticisms legitimate?

Perhaps the greatest apologetical challenge for Catholics today is defending the papacy when its occupant is doing such a poor job. How can Catholics still support the papacy from the attacks of Protestants, Orthodox, and others?

Wokeness surrounds us, from government to Hollywood to corporations to social media. What are practical ways we can escape its grasp in our own lives? Guest: Teresa Mull's writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Baltimore Sun, the Miami Herald, the New York Post, the American Conservative, and many other publications. Teresa is currently an assistant editor of the Spectator World, a policy adviser for education at the Heartland Institute, and part-time editor of the Philipsburg Journal. She is the author of Woke-Proof Your Life: A Handbook on Escaping Modern, Political Madness and Shielding Yourself and Your Family by Living a More Self-Sufficient, Fulfilling Life. Links: • "Woke-Proof Your Life" (book): https://crisismagazine.com/product/woke-proof-your-life • The American Front Porch (website): https://www.theamericanfrontporch.com • "10 of the Best Cities in America to Raise a Catholic Family" (article): https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/10-of-the-best-cities-in-america-to-raise-a-catholic-family