Welcome to Season 2! This week Simone Rizkallah is joined by Peter Wolfgang, an orthodox Catholic from a Jewish family. They discuss the religious and political landscape of the Church, the world, and the Near East—what to be aware of and what to do, particularly as American Catholics. 

Peter Wolfgang is President of Family Institute of Connecticut Action, a Hartford-based advocacy organization whose mission is to encourage and strengthen the family as the foundation of society.  He is a widely-published writer. Peter lives in Waterbury, Conn., with his wife and their seven children.

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This week Simone Rizkallah and James O’Reilly are joined by Fr. Deacon Andrew Bennett, founder of the Canadian Christian Declaration on Antisemitism, for a timely and urgent conversation about the growing crisis of antisemitism in Canada. Drawing from Church teaching, public theology, and his experience in public life, Fr. Deacon Andrew explores how Christians are called to respond with courage, clarity, and conviction.

The discussion also reflects on the roots of antisemitism in Canadian culture, the role of the Church in building solidarity with the Jewish people, and how Christians can offer a public witness to truth and justice through their words and actions.

Fr. Deacon Andrew Bennett is a deacon of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, program director for religious freedom at Cardus, and a senior fellow at the Religious Freedom Institute.

Beyond Rome is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and a variety of other media platforms!

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This week Simone Rizkallah and James O’Reilly are joined by Dominican priest and theologian Fr. James Brent, O.P., for a powerful conversation about Pentecost and the transformative power of truth in the Christian life. Drawing from Scripture, philosophy, and the Church Fathers, Fr. Brent explores how the descent of the Holy Spirit reveals not only divine power, but divine reason. The discussion also delves into the Catholic understanding of truth, freedom, and evangelization in a post-truth age, offering listeners both intellectual clarity and spiritual inspiration.

Fr. James Brent is a member of the Dominican Province of St. Joseph and serves as a professor at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. He is known for his accessible and profound teaching on Thomistic philosophy, the interior life, and the renewal of the mind in Christ.

Beyond Rome is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and a variety of other media platforms!

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This week, James O’Reilly is joined by Fr. Chris to explore the life and legacy of St. Ephrem of Syria—the only Syriac Christian recognized as a Doctor of the Church. A prolific hymnographer, theologian, and poet, St. Ephrem’s writings continue to shape both Eastern and Western Christian thought.

The conversation also dives into the beauty of Eastern Catholic spirituality and its unique contributions to the universal Church. Fr. Chris shares insights on prayer, theology, and the rich liturgical life of the Eastern tradition.
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This week James O’Reilly is joined by David Moss, president of the Association of Hebrew Catholics (AHC), to discuss how Hebrew Catholics live and express their faith within the universal Church. The conversation also addresses the special challenges and role of Jewish Catholics in the 21st century. 

The Association of Hebrew Catholics works to preserve the identity and heritage of Catholics of Jewish origin within the Church, to enable them to serve the Lord and all people within the mystery of their irrevocable calling. Additionally, the AHC is a voluntary association of Catholics of both Jewish and non-Jewish origins. As a lay apostolate, the AHC is faithful to the teaching and discipline of the Magisterium and is in accord with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and all other official Catholic teaching.

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Timestamps:

00:00-9:34 — What is the Association of Hebrew Catholics? 

9:34-18:11 — David’s story and work at the Association of Hebrew Catholics

18:11-27:44 — The challenges and blessings for Catholics with Jewish heritage

27:44-37:49 — Assimilation, Supersessionism, and Philosemitism in the Catholic Church

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Giving to Philos Catholic:

If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please consider supporting our work! You can mark your gift for "Beyond Rome" through our giving page (see link below).

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Resources:

➡️ Learn more about the Association of Hebrew Catholics here.

➡️ Read the latest issue of The Hebrew Catholic here.

➡️ Watch Can You Be Both Jewish and Catholic? on YouTube by clicking here.

➡️ Watch the Association of Hebrew Catholics’ interview with Cardinal Raymond Burke by clicking here. 

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This week Simone Rizkallah and James O’Reilly are joined by Matias Perttula and Dan Harre of Save Armenia to discuss the recent and ongoing events in Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia, as well as the history and importance of the Armenian people.

Matias Perttula is the Director of Save Armenia. Previously, Perttula served as the Director of the Center for American Values at the America First Policy Institute. Perttula completed his master’s in business administration in 2013 at Southeastern University and was named the most outstanding graduate of his class. Perttula completed his bachelor’s degree in political science and history at the University of California, Los Angeles. He also studied at the Harvard Extension School in International Security Studies.

Dan Harre is the Deputy Director of Save Armenia. Before joining Save Armenia, Dan served as the Leadership Network Associate at The Philos Project. He is a graduate of Regent University’s Robertson School of Government where he earned an M.A. in National Security Studies with an emphasis in Middle East Politics. Prior to attending Regent, he worked as the Statewide Field Director on Josh Hawley’s 2016 attorney general campaign, and as a staff assistant for U.S. Senator Roy Blunt.

Save Armenia exists to rally support for the oldest Christian nation in the world and to ensure its continued survival and flourishing. We accomplish this mission by rallying leaders across the spectrum of Christian and Jewish communities, as well as conservative leaders on Capitol Hill, to ensure that Armenian Christians have a voice!

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Timestamps:

00:00-08:00 — The 1915 Armenian Genocide and the birth of Save Armenia
08:00-16:21 — The 2023 destruction of Artsakh and ongoing cultural and religious destruction
16:21-19:24 — American responses to the Arsakh crisis of 2023 and the Armenian question
19:24-33:16 — Isreal and Armenia: only two Judeo-Christian countries in the Islamic world

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Giving to Philos Catholic:

If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please consider supporting our work! You can mark your gift for "Beyond Rome" through our giving page (see link below).

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Resources:

➡️ Read The UN is Greenwashing Genocide by Dan Harre by clicking here.

➡️ Read Why American Christians Should Care About Armenia: A Call to Recognize Armenia's Cultural and Religious Significance by Matias Perttula by clicking here.

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As one of the bonus episodes for Beyond Rome, we are sharing the closing keynote address from Catholics and Antisemitism—Facing the Past, Shaping the Future, our conference with the Catholic Information Center in Washington DC, March 10, 2025. 

Given by George Weigel, this keynote address illustrates Pope St. John Paul II as one of the greatest exemplars of Catholic-Jewish friendship and offers us ways to combat antisemitism today.

George Weigel is the Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC), is a Catholic theologian and one of America’s leading public intellectuals. He holds EPPC’s William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies.

From 1989 through June 1996, Mr. Weigel was president of the EPPC, where he led a wide-ranging, ecumenical and inter-religious program of research and publication on foreign and domestic policy issues.

Mr. Weigel is perhaps best known for his widely translated and internationally acclaimed two-volume biography of Pope St. John Paul II: the New York Times bestseller, Witness to Hope (1999), and its sequel, The End and the Beginning (2010). In 2017, Weigel published a memoir of the experiences that led to his work as a papal biographer: Lessons in Hope — My Unexpected Life with St. John Paul II.

Beyond Rome is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and a variety of other media platforms!

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Giving to Philos Catholic:

If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please consider supporting our work! You can mark your gift for "Beyond Rome" through our giving page (see link below).

Give here ➡️ https://raisedonors.com/philosproject/give-philos-catholic
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Resources:

➡️ Watch the full YouTube recording of this keynote address here.

➡️ Listen to our most recent episode of Beyond Rome with George Weigel here.

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As one of the bonus episodes for Beyond Rome, we are sharing the third panel from Catholics and Antisemitism—Facing the Past, Shaping the Future, our conference with the Catholic Information Center in Washington DC, March 10, 2025. This panel discussion explores practical strategies and tools to address and combat antisemitism within Catholic circles.

Moderated by Simone Rizkallah, the Director of Philos Catholic, the panelists for this talk include: 

Maggie Phillips has authored the series “Religious Literacy in America” for Tablet Magazine, work made possible by a grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. Her writing has appeared in America Magazine, Real Clear Investigations, Military Review, Military Spouse Magazine, Word on Fire, and Arc Magazine. 

Kathryn Jean Lopez is a senior fellow at the National Review Institute where she directs the Center for Religion, Culture, and Civil Society. She is also religion editor of National Review magazine. She is published widely in Catholic and secular publications and is also a nationally syndicated columnist with Andrews McMeel Universal. 

Phillip Dolitsky is a Strategic Advisor at The Philos Project. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in History from Yeshiva University and his Master’s in International Relations from American University. Prior to joining Philos, Phillip worked at a national law firm doing research and analysis for several high-profile counterterrorism cases.

James O’Reilly is the Associate Director of Philos Catholic. He graduated from Christendom College with a BA in Philosophy, focusing on the relationship between language, morality, and truth. In 2022, he founded The Broken Binnacle, a platform of writers seeking to revitalize American Catholic culture through writing, art, and the humanities.

Beyond Rome is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and a variety of other media platforms!

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Giving to Philos Catholic:

If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please consider supporting our work! You can mark your gift for "Beyond Rome" through our giving page (see link below).

Give here ➡️ https://raisedonors.com/philosproject/give-philos-catholic
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Follow Philos Catholic on social media:

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Resources:

➡️ Watch the full YouTube recording of this panel here.

➡️ Learn more about Maggie Phillips here.

➡️ Learn more about Kathryn Jean Lopez here.

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As one of the bonus episodes for Beyond Rome, we are sharing the second panel from Catholics and Antisemitism—Facing the Past, Shaping the Future, our conference with the Catholic Information Center in Washington DC, March 10, 2025. This panel discussion examines the historical roots and evolution of Catholic antisemitism, providing context for our current challenges. 

Moderated by Simone Rizkallah, the Director of Philos Catholic, the panelists for this talk include: 

Dr. Russell Hittinger is the Executive Director of The Institute for Human Ecology at the Catholic University of America. From 1996-2019, Dr. Hittinger was the incumbent of the William K. Warren Chair of Catholic Studies at the University of Tulsa, where he was also a Research Professor in the School of Law. On Sept. 8, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Professor Hittinger as an ordinarius in the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, in which he finished his ten-year term in 2019. A prolific writer, Dr. Hittinger's most recent work is On the Dignity of Society, a book on Catholic Social Teaching and the Natural Law. 

Dr. Richard F. Crane is a professor of history at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. A former visiting fellow at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, he is the author of Passion of Israel: Jacques Maritain, Catholic Conscience, and the Holocaust (2010/2014). His research interests include World War II, the Holocaust, and Catholic-Jewish relations since 1945. His articles, book reviews, and essays have appeared in such periodicals as The Catholic Historical Review, Studies in Christian-Jewish Relations, Patterns of Prejudice, and Theological Studies, as well as America and First Things. 

Beyond Rome is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and a variety of other media platforms!

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Giving to Philos Catholic:

If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please consider supporting our work! You can mark your gift for "Beyond Rome" through our giving page (see link below).

Give here ➡️ https://raisedonors.com/philosproject/give-philos-catholic
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Follow Philos Catholic on social media:

➡️ Website: https://philosproject.org/catholic 
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Resources:

➡️ Learn more about Catholics and Antisemitism—Facing the Past, Shaping the Future here.

➡️ Watch the full YouTube recording of this panel here.

➡️ Learn more about Dr. Russell Hittinger here.

➡️ Learn more about Dr. Richard Crane here.

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As one of the bonus episodes for Beyond Rome, we are sharing the first panel from Catholics and Antisemitism—Facing the Past, Shaping the Future, our conference with the Catholic Information Center in Washington DC, March 10, 2025. This panel discussion explores the contemporary relevance and presence of antisemitism within Catholic communities.

Moderated by Simone Rizkallah, the Director of Philos Catholic, the panelists for this talk include: 

Trent Horn earned three master’s degrees in the fields of theology, philosophy, and bioethics. He serves as a staff apologist for Catholic Answers, where he specializes in teaching Catholics to graciously and persuasively engage those who disagree with them. Trent is the host of The Counsel of Trent and has authored or co-authored over a dozen books, including The Case for Catholicism, Persuasive Pro-life, and Why We’re Catholic: Our Reasons for Faith, Hope, and Love.

Mary Eberstadt is an American writer and author of several influential books including Adam and Eve after the Pill, Revisited, Foreword by Cardinal George Pell (2023); Primal Screams: How the Sexual Revolution Created Identity Politics (2019); and How the West Really Lost God: A New Theory of Secularization (2013). Mary is a senior research fellow at the Faith and Reason Institute in Washington, D.C., and she occupies the Panula Chair in Christian Culture at the Catholic Information Center.

Dr. Jonathan Silver is the Chief Programming Officer of Tikvah, the editor of Mosaic, and the Warren R. Stern Senior Fellow of Jewish Civilization. As the host of the Tikvah Podcast, he has hosted hundreds of writers, rabbis, educators, military officers, artists, and political figures, including members of Israel’s Knesset, the U.S. Senate, and the prime minister of Israel.

Beyond Rome is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and a variety of other media platforms!

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Giving to Philos Catholic:

If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please consider supporting our work! You can mark your gift for "Beyond Rome" through our giving page (see link below).

Give here ➡️ https://raisedonors.com/philosproject/give-philos-catholic
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Follow Philos Catholic on social media:

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Resources:

➡️ Watch the full YouTube recording of this panel here.

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