Mike and Dominic react and respond to the removal of Bishop Joseph Strickland from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Tyler. What were the reasons? Was this a surprise?What's next?Links:Strickland's attack on the sacred - Where Peter Ishttps://wherepeteris.com/stricklands-attack-on-the-sacred/Bishop Strickland Relieved from Pastoral Governan…

Mike and Dominic discuss the latest developments in the abuse scandal involving the priest artist Marko Rupnik, the "spiciest" paragraphs in the final report of the 2023 Synod, and Bishop Strickland's visit to Rome.ABOUT THE DEBRIEFIntro Episode: youtu.be/LevSkGFqq4UA weekly show where we dive deep into the news, topics, questions, and controversie…

Mike and Dominic discuss the competing understandings of "tradition" in the Catholic Church today. Beginning with a discussion of Ratzinger's dynamic understanding, they explore how ideologies undermine the faith and foment schism, as exemplified by Cardinal Raymond Burke's dissent against the Church's doctrine on the office of the pope.ABOUT THE D…

Mike and Dominic discuss Pope Francis's new exhortation on St. Therese, Mike gives a non-update on the Synod, and then they take a close look at "Credo" - a very problematic Catechism by Bishop Athanasius Schneider.ABOUT THE DEBRIEFIntro Episode: https://youtu.be/LevSkGFqq4UA weekly show where we dive deep into the news, topics, questions, and cont…

In this episode of the Debrief, Dominic and Mike discuss an eventful week at the Vatican in the lead-up to the synod, a day filled with dubia about Pope Francis’s teachings, and the new apostolic exhortation on the climate crisis that will be released tomorrow.Show notes(1) Busy week at the Vatican before the SynodLinks:- Pope Francis creates 21 ne…

Mike Lewis speaks with Phyllis Zagano in a wide-ranging discussion about the Church, the upcoming synod, the role of women, and the meaning of synodality. In particular, they discuss her article on the upcoming Synodal assembly, “The secret synod,” and her most recent book, “Just Church: Catholic Social Teaching, Synodality, and Women,” which is en…

Mike Lewis interviews Fr. Ivan Montelongo, one of six non-bishop voting delegates from the United States who will be taking take part in next month’s Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome. Fr. Ivan is a priest of the Diocese of El Paso, Texas, ordained to the priesthood in 2020. He is a Canon Lawyer and is a graduate of Mundelein Seminary. This …

Mike and Dominic return for another discussion of important topics in and around the Catholic Church.Notes:(1) Pope Francis visited the French port city of Marseille, on Friday and Saturday. The second-largest city in France is considered a multiethnic and multifaith melting pot. We discuss the highlights of the trip and the pope’s comments on the …

This week on the debrief, Mike and Dominic discuss1) Silence, communication & the synod 2) Archbishop Fernandez and ideological Catholics3) The “Strickland Watch” in Tyler continuesSummary1) Media access and transparency are becoming key topics as we approach next month's synodal assembly. Vatican journalists and synod watchers are expressing conce…

Mike and Dominic are back to discuss recent comments by Pope Francis and Cardinal-elect Christophe Pierre's comments about the US Church, the Pope's trip to Mongolia, and the recent beatification of a Polish family killed by Nazis in the second World War.Notes and Links:1) The Vatican and the US ChurchLinks:Cardinal Cupich, Synodality, and Prophets…

Mike and Dominic are back to discuss Pope Francis's comments released today on the problem of a reactionary US Church, the upcoming "Part 2" to Francis's encyclical Laudato Si', and a recent pastoral letter by Bishop Strickland and a surprising endorsement by Scott Hahn.Notes and Links:1) Pope Francis's dialogue with Portuguese Jesuits‘The Water Ha…

Strickland Schism? - Persecution in Nicaragua - Runaway Alabama PriestMike Lewis and Dominic de Souza return to The Debrief after a short hiatus to catch up on the big stories in the Church, including:1. Bishop Strickland on Pope Francis and schism2. Persecution of Catholics in Nicaragua 3. Alabama priest abandons his post4. World Youth Day and the…

Mike Lewis talks to Pedro Gabriel and Claire Domingues about their experiences at World Youth Day in Lisbon - what they saw, what they heard, and what they learned.To read their coverage of WYD Lisbon at Where Peter Is, please visit https://wherepeteris.com/category/news/wyd-2023/To read their coverage at their own website, The City and the World, …

Vatican-China Deal Broken?On this week's debrief, Mike and Dominic return to discuss three bishops in the global Church: one from Asia, one from Latin America, and one from Africa.Topics: 1) Pope Francis officially appoints a bishop for Shanghai2) Nicaraguan Bishop released, then returns to prison3) A brief profile of a new African cardinalSummary …

Mike and Dominic are back to discuss controversies, news, and questions in the Catholic Church today.Topics:1. Did a recently-appointed Cardinal say that WYD isn’t about evangelization?2. What should we do with our hands during the Lord’s Prayer? 3. Tips for trolls on Catholic TwitterSummary and Links:1) Mike and Dominic discuss a controversy surro…

Mike and Dominic are back to discuss some big news from the Vatican and the latest controversy surrounding an outspoken Wisconsin priest.Topics:The participants for the October 2023-2024 assemblies for the Synod in RomePope Francis Names 21 new CardinalsThe latest controversies surrounding Father James Altman Summary and Links:1) Synod participants…

Adam Rasmussen joined Mike Lewis for a super-sized catch-up episode of The Debrief on Sunday night. Topics included the Apostolic Visitation in Tyler, the new Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the Working Document for the October Synod meeting.They also discussed the pushback against Pope Francis, and how a crisis of faith…

This week, Mike and Dominic give an update on Pope Francis's health and his audience and travel schedule. Next, they discuss the message that the US papal nuncio, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, delivered to the US bishops gathered in Orlando this week. Finally, they touch on some of the highlights of the Vatican document on use of social media.SHOW …

This week, Mike and Dominic give an update on Pope Francis's condition following surgery, and his meditation on St Therese. They discuss the disconnect between the US Church and the rest of the world. Finally, they discuss areas where the institutional Church needs to improve its approach to communication.SHOW NOTESTopics:1) Pope recovering well fr…

Mike Lewis and Dominic de Souza wrap up the week with a discussion of the key issues and controversies in the Catholic Church today.SHOW NOTESTopics:1) The vincible ignorance of Catholic leaders 2) Will Pope Francis approve new SSPX bishops?3) Carmelite nuns in Texas take on their bishop 4) Tensions and conflicts among Catholics in the Month of Jun…

Just in time for Pentecost Sunday and Labor Day weekend, Mike Lewis and Dominic de Souza break down the latest news from Pope Francis.Topics:1. Pope Francis’s urgent message on care for creation2. Telemundo interview: Francis on abortion and personhood3. How does Francis respond to the question, “And what do you feel you still have to do?”Be sure t…

SHOW NOTESTopics:1) Catholic speakers withdraw from “Hope Is Fuel”2) A Texas Bishop crosses the line3) Marshall for President? Summary and Links:1) Once discovering that the "Hope Is Fuel" event that they've agreed to headline is organized by sedevacantist Patrick Coffin and will feature E Michael Jones, a notorious antisemite, a group of Catholic …

Topics:The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX)The diary of a predator priestPope Francis names 21 new saints today in an unprecedented ecumenical gestureSummary and Links:1) The SSPX just consecrated a $42 million new Church in St. Mary's, Kansas over the weekend- Taylor Marshall was in attendance- Two bishops from the mainstream Church, Schneider and Huo…

Pope Francis goes to Hungary! What was his message to the Hungarian people?Is Pope Francis working on a secret mission for peace in Ukraine?Returning to one of last week’s topics: the disconnect between the Pontifical Academy for Life and US pro-lifers SHOW LINKS “True faith is open to others, pope repeatedly says in Hungary”https://www.usccb.org/n…

Vatican Archbishop under fire for comments on assisted suicide?An Anglican liturgy in a Roman Cathedral? Does Synod Voting now includes the whole church?Will Pope Francis be visiting Argentina?Next week: Pope Francis is traveling to HungarySHOW LINKS • Mike Lofton @ReasonandTheology • Vatican News article, “Archbishop Paglia clarifies stance on ass…

On this Episode of the Debrief, Mike Lewis and Dominic de Souza discuss: The conflict over Eucharistic Adoration in ChicagoWhen should absolution be denied in Confession?Is Limbo dead?Next week: An Anglican Mass in a Catholic basilica in Rome?SHOW LINKS• "A eucharistic revival that renews the church" by Cardinal Cupich: https://www.chicagocatholic.…

Does the German Synod threaten a break with Catholic teaching?'Amen: Pope Francis Answers' from DisneyThe Global Synod enters a new phaseSHOW LINKS Mike Lewis on the German Synodal Way: https://wherepeteris.com/the-german-s...Vatican News article on "The Pope: Answers": https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/ne..."Work on the Instrumentum Laboris for t…

The latest on Pope Francis in Holy week after a hospital scareIs Pope Francis destroying contemplative life?Was the Church’s agreement with China a mistake? Will there be a new document to further restrict the old Latin Mass, as was rumored April 3?SHOW LINKS • Pope Francis & Holy Week: https://wherepeteris.com/the-suffering-of-jesus-were-many/• Nu…

Welcome to a weekly show where we dive deep into the news, topics, questions, and controversies facing the Catholic Church today. Hosted by Dominic de Souza, founder of SmartCatholics, posing questions to Mike Lewis, editor and cofounder of Where Peter Is. We bring you commentary, analysis, and context on tough questions that the Church is facing. …

A discussion between Pedro Gabriel and Eduardo J. Echeverria on the issues and controversies surrounding Pope Francis’s 2016 post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia. Panelists: Eduardo Echeverria, Professor of Theology of Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Pedro Gabriel, co-founder of the website Where Peter IsModerator:James Keating, Professo…

Theologian Adam Rasmussen delivers an audio presentation of the final entry of his series on salvation. In this installment, he takes a look at Universalism - the idea that all will be saved. Who have been its proponents, what forms has it taken, and how has the Church responded?https://wherepeteris.com/universalism-and-hell/…

50% off! Use the discount code "AMORIS" when you order 'The Orthodoxy of Amoris Laetitia' by Pedro Gabriel at this link:https://wipfandstock.com/9781666733280/the-orthodoxy-of-amoris-laetitia/Critics of Pope Francis have cast doubt over the doctrinal orthodoxy of his apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia. A few prominent Catholics have gone as far …

Jeannie Gaffigan and Mike Lewis are joined in the field hospital by David Lafferty to talk about how many Catholics, notably actor Jim Caviezel, have transformed into true believers of the QAnon conspiracy theory.Jim Caviezel's speech at the "For God & Country: Patriot Double Down" convention held in Las Vegas in October: https://youtu.be/_1CiCur4Q…

Part 2 of our conversation with Jeannie Gaffigan on how to live our faith in the world and how we can heal the divisions in the Church. Jeannie joins Rachel Amiri, Mike Lewis & Melinda Ribnek.Link lo order Jeannie's book, "When Life Gives You Pears"amzn.to/2TjXc6dVisit us: www.wherepeteris.comSupport us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/where_peter_isLik…

DW Lafferty and Mike Lewis conclude their discussion of the unexpected death of Pope John Paul I. They dig into the financial scandal that surrounded the Vatican at the time, as well as Propaganda Due (or P2), a secretive lodge in Italy with masonic origins.Visit us: www.wherepeteris.comSupport us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/where_peter_isLike us o…

This week on The Critical Catholic, DW Lafferty and Mike Lewis shift gears and discuss the questions and conspiracies surrounding the death of Pope John Paul I, who died unexpectedly in 1978 at the age of 65 after serving as pope for only 33 days.Visit us: www.wherepeteris.comSupport us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/where_peter_isLike us on Facebook:…

Part 1 of a conversation with writer, producer, comedian & Catholic mom Jeannie Gaffigan, who joins Rachel Amiri, Mike Lewis & Melinda Ribnek to talk about the challenges of parenting in the last year. Link lo order Jeannie's book, "When Life Gives You Pears"https://amzn.to/2TjXc6dVisit us: www.wherepeteris.comSupport us on Patreon: www.patreon.com…

D.W. Lafferty, Brett Salkeld, and Mike Lewis discuss what happens when the conspiracy theory gets something partially right. In light of the growing speculation that the pandemic began as a leak in a Wuhan laboratory, how do we discern where well-reasoned discussion ends, and where conspiracism begins?Visit us: www.wherepeteris.comSupport us on Pat…

D.W. Lafferty and Mike Lewis discuss the continuing ignorance and denial of science by many Catholics. They discuss the Church's approach to science in contrast to that promoted by dissident public figures, including the recently suspended Father James Altman of the Diocese of La Crosse.Visit us: www.wherepeteris.comSupport us on Patreon: www.patre…

Rachel Amiri, Mike Lewis, and Adam Rasmussen are joined by guest contributor Malcolm Schluenderfritz to discuss the alleged failure of Vatican II and the barriers to its reception and full implementation.Visit us: www.wherepeteris.comSupport us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/where_peter_isLike us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wherepeterisFollow us on …

Rachel Amiri is joined by David Lafferty and Daniel Amiri on this week’s episode to recap recent papal comments on peacemaking and discuss the appearance of a “virtual synod” of bishops in US Catholic media.Visit us: www.wherepeteris.comSupport us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/where_peter_isLike us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wherepeterisFollow us …

D.W. Lafferty and theologian Brett Salkeld discuss the psychology behind conspiracy theories, and how conspiracy theories are designed to be "slippery." Brett also discusses how many Catholics approach creationism in the same way people approach conspiracy theories. References:Catholic Creationism as a Conspiracy Theory by Brett Salkeld(https://chu…

D.W. Lafferty, Paul Fahey, and Mike Lewis discuss the desire of many to restore Christendom, the phenomenon of "highbrow" conspiracism, and other subjects entering Catholic discourse.Sources:The Church’s Mission and the Allure of Neo-Christendom by Paul Faheyhttps://wherepeteris.com/the-churchs-...How American Christendom Weakens American Christian…

Where Peter Is - Live! Episode 13Rachel Amiri and Melinda Ribnek are joined by Thabo Bailey Hall and Theresa Zoe Williams to talk about what it's like to come up against the idealization of motherhood in the culture and in our Church. What are some ways we have come to understand motherhood in terms of growth in limits and in suffering?Visit us: ww…

In the second episode of The Critical Catholic, DW Lafferty and Mike Lewis look at the censorship of outlets like LifeSiteNews for disseminating conspiracy theories and misinformation by social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube, as well as the alternate platforms that have sprung up. We also discuss Patrick Coffin’s “Truth over Fear” summit…

Don Clemmer joins Rachel Amiri, Mike Lewis, and D.W. Lafferty to discuss the relationship between two key themes of Pope Francis’s papacy: mercy and synodality. We will discuss Don’s article, “Pope Francis and the Age of Mercy” and Cardinal Joseph Tobin’s recent Cardinal Bernardin Common Cause Lecture on Pope Francis’s vision of synodality.Don’s wo…

David Lafferty and Mike Lewis discuss some of the dangerous trends and ideologies threatening Catholics today in the first episode of the critical Catholic.Topics include the latest Vigano letter, Jim Caviezel and QAnon-adjacent conspiracies, the cancelation of Patrick Coffin’s Covid-denier, anti-vax conference.Visit us: www.wherepeteris.comSupport…

Rachel Amiri, Melinda Ribnek, and Mike Lewis will be joined by political theorist Steven P. Millies, director of the Bernardin Center at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.What is the role of politics envisioned by the Church and articulated in Pope Francis’s encyclical Fratelli Tutti? This is a lively discussion of the effects of political pola…

Mike Lewis and Melinda Ribnek are joined by Sam Rocha and Thabo Hall to discuss race and racism through a Catholic lens and in light of Catholic social teaching. They discuss misconceptions about Black Lives Matter and Critical Race theory among Catholics and the struggles of people of color in a Church with a history of racism.Visit us: www.wherep…

Rachel Amiri, Melinda Ribnek, Mike Lewis and DW Lafferty discuss "Postcards from the Camino," dissent on the Catholic right, and how Vatican II set the course for how the Catholic Church should engage the modern world.Visit us: www.wherepeteris.comSupport us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/where_peter_isLike us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wherepeteri…