In March 2026, the Vatican’s doctrine office released its final report on women’s participation in the life and leadership of the Catholic Church. The report brings to a close the two-year work of Study Group 5, which, as part of the Synod on Synodality, was tasked with studying women’s ministries and leadership. In this special roundtable conversation, editors at America magazine discuss the report’s content and proposals, and ask if the document changes the status quo for women in the Catholic Church.
Jesuitical
A podcast for saints and sinners from America Media. Hosted by Ashley McKinless and Zac Davis.
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Interview: Charlotte’s Bishop Martin on making disciples in a booming diocese, and why we should all care about the liturgy
This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac speak with Bishop Michael Martin, O.F.M. Conv., of the Diocese of Charlotte. Bishop Martin sparked headlines in 2025 when a document leaked with plans to restrict the Latin Mass and other liturgical practices in his diocese.
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Exploring the Catholic mystical tradition with James Finley
This week on a special episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley, Zac and Jesuitical producer Sebastian have a conversation with Dr. James Finley about first-half-of-life mysticism. Jim is a clinical psychologist and faculty member at the Center for Action and Contemplation where he teaches and writes on the Christian mystical tradition. He’s also the host of the podcast, “Turning to the Mystics.”
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Podcast: U.S. culture has a contempt problem, with Timothy Shriver
This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac speak with Timothy Shriver, chairman of Special Olympics and founder of the nonprofit UNITE, which incubated the Dignity Index, a language evaluation tool that aims to bring greater dignity to our public discourse. Zac, Ashley and Tim discuss: In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Pope […]
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Just or unjust? Catholics respond to the Iran war
This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley sits down with America’s chief correspondent, Kevin Clarke, to discuss the widening conflict with Iran and whether the U.S. intervention in the conflict can be justified under just war theory.
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Father James Martin on the summer jobs that shaped him
This week on a special, interview-only episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian talk with James Martin, S.J., editor at large for America, about his new memoir Work in Progress: Confessions of a busboy, dishwasher, caddy, usher, factory worker, bank teller, corporate tool, and priest. Ashley, Sebastian and Father Jim discuss: Links for further […]
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When your son becomes a priest—and you’re not so sure about the Catholic Church
This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian sit down with Kristen Gilger, author of ‘My Son, The Priest: A Mother’s Crisis of Faith,’ and her son, Patrick Gilger, S.J., to discuss their interwoven journeys of faith.
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The Black Masking Indians of Mardi Gras
This week, on a special Mardi Gras episode, “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Sebastian speak with Dr. Ansel Augustine about the harrowing and sacred culture of the Black Masking Indians of Mardi Gras.
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Minneapolis Bishop on ICE, immigration and human dignity
Bishop Kevin Kenney was born in Minneapolis and has ministered to Latino communities there for years. Now an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, he speaks to America about the realities facing Latino Catholics on the ground and what the Catholic Church is doing to support them.
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Prayer in sports: healthy spirituality or superstition?
This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian sit down with Patrick Kelly, S.J. Father Pat holds the Heider Chair at Creighton University and is an expert in the theology of Sports. Ashley, Sebastian and Father Pat discuss: Then, in a special faith-sharing segment, the hosts speak with Patrick Hyde, O.P., a Dominican priest […]