Podcasts

The papacy of Pope Benedict XVI has been marred by a series of communications mishaps, from an affair involving a Holocaust-denying bishop to public statements from Vatican officials which aggravated the sexual abuse crisis. John L. Allen Jr. spoke with America about the Vatican’s PR problems at the L.A. Religious Education Congress. Allen is a […]

The papacy of Pope Benedict XVI has been marred by a series of communications mishaps, from an affair involving a Holocaust-denying bishop to public statements from Vatican officials which aggravated the sexual abuse crisis. John L. Allen Jr. spoke with America about the Vatican’s PR problems at the L.A. Religious Education Congress. Allen is a […]

Michael Leach, an editor-at-large and publisher emeritus at Orbis Books, explains why he remains a committed Catholic in the age of falling Mass attendance and the clerical sexual abuse crisis. His new book, Why Stay Catholic?, lists 100 people, places and ideas that make the Catholic Church a compelling institution. On that list: the papacy, […]

Fr. Francis X. Hezel has spent over 40 years ministering in Micronesia, and now serves as guest editor at America. Here he discusses the Jesuit mission in Micronesia, and offers six lessons to young people that he has learned over a lifetime. His first insight: “Life grows simpler as you grow older.” Read his article, […]

Mario J. Paredes talks about his work at the American Bible Society, where he coordinates outreach to Catholic leaders throughout the country. Paredes has helped setup Bible summits featuring noted Scripture scholars and taught pastors and pastoral ministers about the practice of lectio divina. Learn more about the outreach of the American Bible Society, and […]

Peter A. Quinn worked ten years on his first novel, Banished Children of Eve, writing in the early hours of the morning while working a day job as a speechwriter for New York Governors Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo. As he writes in the March 14 issue, he can relate to St. Peter because he […]

Elizabeth Lev traces the de-Christianization of sacred art since the Renaissance and explains why artists like Michelangelo and Caravaggio should be seen in a Christian rather than secular context. Read Professor Lev’s essay from the March 7 America.

M. Cathleen Kaveny lists the many ways in which the Catholic Church is a feminist church, while also raising questions about “complementarity” and other ways in which the church has sought to define women’s particular gifts. Speaking of the “new feminism,” she encourages young scholars to engage the work of their predecessors, and to be […]

In the small Latin American country of Uruguay, the literacy rate is 97 percent and the Catholic Church is much less influential than in neighboring countries. Retired Bishop Luis Del Castillo talks with Kerry Weber about the unique challenges and opportunities presented by these circumstances.