Crown and Crozier

Should pastors be political?

Before we instinctively leap to the answer “NO!”...

What if we examine that question in the light of what the Church teaches are a pastor’s three primary responsibilities - teaching, sanctifying and governing?  And what if by “political” we simply mean the many things relating to our life in common in the body politic, as opposed to the political vocation or mere partisanship?

Joining us to help tackle these questions is Dr. Ben Dunson, author of “Should pastors be political?”, published by First Things in August 2022.  Dr. Dunson is editor-in-chief of American Reformer and visiting professor of New Testament at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Greenville, South Carolina.

Documents/Websites Referenced

Dr. Ben Dunson biography

Ben Dunson, “Should Pastors Be Political?” First Things (August 26, 2022)

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Please note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

Long before Joe Biden, John Kerry and JFK threw their hats in the ring for President, Alfred E. Smith blazed the trail in 1928 as the first Catholic nominee for the White House.

Smith’s story is the stuff of legend.  The son of a poor Irish immigrant, Smith grew up in Lower Manhattan, laboured in the local fish market, served in the New York assembly for over 10 years, and won four elections for Governor.   During the 1928 presidential election, he encountered an avalanche of anti-Catholic bigotry, much of it spearheaded by the Ku Klux Klan.

Join us as we examine the life and legacy of a good man who lived and defended the faith in public office, and whose witness can help shape our vision of what to look for in any politician, let alone a Catholic one.  Our guest is Dr. Robert Slayton, Professor Emeritus of History at Chapman University and author of Empire Statesman: The Rise and Redemption of Al Smith.

Documents/Websites Referenced

Dr. Robert Slayton biography

Robert Slayton, “Empire Statesman: The Rise and Redemption of Al Smith”

Alfred E. Smith, “Catholic and Patriot”, The Atlantic (May 1927)

“How Al Smith and FDR countered the KKK and anti-Catholic prejudice in politics”

“The Knights vs. The Klan”

“Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire”

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We take advantage of the Canadian House of Commons’ summer recess to sit down with Garnett Genuis, Member of Parliament for Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan in Alberta.

We shoot the summer breeze getting to know Garnett better: how his political discernment was partly inspired by a Holocaust survivor in his family and a German bishop who resisted the Nazis; how he juggles his obligations as parliamentarian and father of five; and how the Christian faith is practiced, shared, interpreted and sometimes maligned on Parliament Hill.

Our discussion also features a lively mix of current events: Pope Francis’ recent trip to Canada and the legacy of Indian residential schools; religious freedom at home and abroad; the state of the national pro-life movement; and the outlook for upstart political parties seeking to challenge the conservative establishment.

Oh, and there’s that whole Conservative Party of Canada leadership race to talk about too.

Garnett was first elected to federal office in 2015 and was likewise victorious in the 2019 and 2021 elections.  At 35 years of age, he’s spent nearly 20% of his life representing his constituents.  He’s the host of his own political podcast, Resuming Debate.  Garnett and his wife, Rebecca, live outside Edmonton, Alberta and have five children.


Documents/Websites Referenced

Garnett Genuis biography (official website)

“Resuming Debate” podcast hosted by Garnett Genuis

“What the bishop who resisted the Nazis can teach us today,” Catholic News Agency (December 17, 2017)

“Pope Francis in Canada” (official webpage for the July 2022 papal visit)

“‘Terrible and tragic’: Century-old Catholic Church in Morinville, Alta., destroyed by fire,” CBC News (June 30, 2021)

Garnett Genuis tweets #1 and #2 endorsements in 2022 Conservative Party of Canada leadership race

“Canada election: Did the PPC split the Conservative vote? Maybe - but it’s not that simple,” Global News (September 22, 2021)

“Alberta MP among those calling for re-opening of national Office of Religious Freedom,” Grandin Media (March 10, 2021) 

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Please note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

From July 24-29, 2022, Pope Francis will be visiting Canada. During the trip, the Pope is set to deliver an apology on Canadian soil for the involvement of Catholic dioceses and religious orders in the operation of residential schools from the 1870s through the 1990s.

Residential schools were established under a federal government program which was intended to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture, and equip them with the education and skills deemed necessary to participate in Canada’s economic and social life.

In anticipation of the Holy Father’s visit, this episode explores Indigenous reconciliation and ministry, major themes and challenges from Pope Francis’ pontificate, and whether Canada has a unique contribution to make to the Church’s mission in the 21st century.

Along the way, we take some scenic detours, including reminiscing about the last time a pope visited Canada for the occasion of World Youth Day in 2002, and reminding ourselves of the importance of continuously building communities of faith.

Our guest is John Paul Meenan, Assistant Professor of Theology at Seat of Wisdom College in Barry’s Bay, Ontario. John Paul was the co-founder of the small academic community which eventually became Seat of Wisdom College.  He's also the Editor in Chief of the online magazine Catholic Insight.

Documents/Websites referenced

John Paul Meenan biography (Seat of Wisdom College): https://www.seatofwisdom.ca/academics/faculty-2/jpmeenan/

“Pope Francis in Canada” (official webpage for the papal visit): https://www.papalvisit.ca

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Brief History of Indian Residential Schools”: https://www.cccb.ca/indigenous-peoples/resources/indian-residential-schools-truth-reconciliation-commission/

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Statement of Apology by the Catholic Bishops of Canada to the Indigenous Peoples of This Land” (September 24, 2021): https://www.cccb.ca/letter/statement-of-apology-by-the-catholic-bishops-of-canada-to-the-indigenous-peoples-of-this-land/

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Visit 2002”: https://www.cccb.ca/the-catholic-church-in-canada/papal-visits-canada/john-paul-iis-third-visit-canada-july-2002/

Pope Francis, Apostolic Letter Traditionis Custodes (July 16, 2021): https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/motu_proprio/documents/20210716-motu-proprio-traditionis-custodes.html

Catholic Insight magazine: https://catholicinsight.com/

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Please note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

2022 marks the 40th anniversary of Canada’s bill of rights, or what is formally known as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Against that backdrop, in this episode we examine the present-day landscape in Canada for freedom of religion – the first fundamental freedom listed in the Charter.

We talk about the implications of COVID restrictions; why recent federal legislation banning conversion therapy may be the greatest threat to religious freedom at this moment; and what the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on abortion may or may not mean for Canada.

We also discuss a unique type of “trial” for members of today’s legal profession – namely, the ability to practice one’s faith while practicing law.

Joining us is Albertos Polizogopoulos, one of the most prominent legal practitioners in Canada when it comes to cases and questions involving freedom of religion.  On behalf of his broad range of clients – churches, charities, dioceses, schools, universities, hospitals – Albertos has appeared numerous times in front of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Albertos is a partner and founder at his Ottawa-based law firm, The Acacia Group.


Documents/Websites referenced

Albertos Polizogopoulos’ biography (The Acacia Group)

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Bill C-4, An act to amend the criminal code (conversion therapy)

U.S. Supreme Court - Dobbs vs. Jackson

Supreme Court of Canada - R. v. Morgentaler

Supreme Court of Canada - Trinity Western University v. Law Society of Upper Canada

Paul Schratz, “Department of National Defence panel addresses racism with more racism”, Catholic Register (May 5, 2022)

Legal Leaders for Diversity and Inclusion

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Please note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

From January 29 - February 20, 2022, the eyes of the world were upon Ottawa, Canada as hundreds of truck drivers and thousands of their supporters engaged in the self-styled “Freedom Convoy” protest against COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates.

In this episode of Crown and Crozier, we examine the Freedom Convoy through the lens of key tenets of the Catholic Church’s teaching – especially St. Thomas Aquinas’ formula for what constitutes just law and the principles that underlie when civil disobedience is permissible.

In particular, we pose the following questions:

• According to the Catholic Church, what constitutes authentic human freedom?
• Was the Freedom Convoy justified in protesting against COVID restrictions which may not have fulfilled the criteria for just laws?  
• Could a Catholic participate in the Freedom Convoy in good conscience?

Our guest is Dr. Mary Catherine Sommers, Professor Emerita of Philosophy and past director of the Center for Thomistic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas.


Documents/Websites referenced

St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, 1st part of the 2nd part: Q90

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 2242 (refusing obedience to civil authorities)

Pope Leo XIII, Sapientiae Christianae - Encyclical on Christians as Citizens (1890)

Mark R. MacGuigan, “Civil Disobedience and Natural Law”, The Catholic Lawyer (1965) [quotation of St. Alphonsus Liguori - “when it is doubtful, the law is presumed to be just”]

Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision granting injunction on use of air horns and train horns by Freedom Convoy participants (February 7, 2022)

Quinton Amundson, “Ottawa basilica cancels Masses due to Freedom Convoy protest”, The Catholic Register (February 9, 2022)

Rachel Parent, “‘We’re not lawyers’: Ottawa protest organizer says MOU not meant to endorse toppling the Canadian government”, Saltwire (February 10, 2022)

“‘Blurred lines’ - Ottawa archdiocese says there’s no easy take on trucker protests”, The Pillar (February 11, 2022)

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Please note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

Chances are that you’ve heard about the political forces and players involved in the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.  But what may be less familiar is the complex, centuries-long religious and historical backdrop against which the war is unfolding.

Joining us to help unpackage these dimensions of the conflict is Dr. Anatolii Babynskyi.  Dr. Babynskyi is a research fellow at the Institute of Church History at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, Ukraine.  He is also the Ukrainian correspondent for the American online Catholic news service, The Pillar.

Our conversation touches on numerous topics: the rich tapestry of ecclesiological and liturgical traditions that underpin the Christian character of Ukraine; the historical relationships and tensions between those traditions and Russian Orthodoxy; whether Ukrainian national identity is actually a thing; the leadership of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky; and the outlook for Ukraine’s future amidst the fog of war.

Documents/Websites referenced

Dr. Anatolii Babynskyi (LinkedIn)

@MrAnatolius

Anatolii Babynskyi, “‘Russkiy mir’ - The ‘Russian World’ meets Ukrainian politics and Vatican diplomacy”, The Pillar (March 3, 2022)

Anatolii Babynskyi, “Split from Kirill is coming, say Ukrainian Orthodox priests”, The Pillar (March 9, 2022)

Anatolii Babynskyi, “‘I have never seen such fear’ - Ukraine’s refugees, and the Catholics helping them survive”, The Pillar (March 24, 2022)

Union of Brest

Ecumenical Council of Florence

Caritas Internationalis

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Please note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

In Canada, anticipation has been building in the lead-up to the visit of a delegation of Indigenous elders, youth, and residential school survivors to the Vatican in Spring 2022.

The visit comes on the heels of the announcement in 2021 that the remains of 215 children in unmarked graves had been discovered on the site of a former residential school near Kamloops, British Columbia.

In this episode of Crown and Crozier, we explore the issue of residential schools through the lens of a unique personal story.

Father Cristino Bouvette’s grandmother was a member of the Cree First Nation.  Despite being forced away from home to attend a residential school in Alberta, his grandmother - or “kokum” - held onto her Christian faith until she died shortly before her 100th birthday.

Our conversation with Father Bouvette examines the witness of his kokum, the blend of Christian identity and Indigenous heritage in his family, what authentic reconciliation looks like, and the incredible healing power of forgiveness.

Father Bouvette serves as the Vicar of Vocations and Young Adults in the Diocese of Calgary, as well as the Chaplain for the Diocese’s youth ministry, the St. Francis Xavier Council.

(Note - for background information on the Indian residential school system in Canada, see the link below to the website of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops).

Documents/Websites referenced

Father Cristino Bouvette (biography)

@frcris

Father Cristino Bouvette, “Reality in Truth and Reconciliation”, Convivium (June 16, 2021)

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Brief History of Indian Residential Schools”

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Canadian Bishops and Indigenous Delegates Depart on Historic Trip to the Holy See” (March 24, 2022)

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Statement of Apology by the Catholic Bishops of Canada to the Indigenous Peoples of This Land” (September 24, 2021)

Raymond de Souza, "Historically inaccurate to suggest Catholic Church hasn’t apologized for residential schools", National Post (June 2021)

Diocese of Prince George (British Columbia), Rose Prince Pilgrimage

Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement

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Please note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

Can a ruler be both powerful and pious? 

This combination may be rare in our political leaders today. But the life of Blessed Karl of Austria teaches us that the answer to this question can indeed be a resounding “yes.”

With April 1, 2022 marking the 100-year anniversary of his death, in this episode we examine the legacy and witness of the last emperor of one of Europe’s most long-standing Catholic dynasties. Proving that a deep faith in God was not at odds with service in the highest imperial office, Blessed Karl strove for a peaceful resolution to the First World War and ultimately died in exile after only two short years on the throne.

Karl’s life represents a compelling example of Church-State cooperation in an authentic pursuit of the spiritual and temporal welfare of the people - and serves as a contrast to the corrupt entanglement of altar and throne in modern-day Russia.

Joining us to explore these themes is Father Raymond de Souza. One of North America's most well-known Catholic commentators, he is a regular columnist for the National Post and the National Catholic Register. Father de Souza is a Senior Fellow at Cardus, Canada's leading Christian think tank. He also serves as a parish priest in the Archdiocese of Kingston, Ontario.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting Crown and Crozier with a tax-deductible donation here:  DONATE  

Documents/Websites referenced

Father Raymond de Souza (biography)

@fatherdesouza

Blessed Karl of Austria (Vatican biography)

Blessed Karl of Austria - Cause for Canonization USA / Canada

K.V. Turley, “Blessed are the peacemakers: Lessons from the life and legacy of Blessed Karl”, National Catholic Register (October 21, 2020)

“Caesaropapism” (CatholicCulture.org)

“Josephinism” (CatholicCulture.org)

Father Raymond de Souza, “The Kirill Question”, National Catholic Register (March 9, 2022)

Father Raymond de Souza, “Putin is using a ‘spiritual’ lie to further his imperialist aims”, National Post (February 26, 2022)

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Please note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

To be convicted of a crime, a person must be proven guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Indeed, “reasonable doubt” is one of the hallmarks of our modern criminal justice system. It’s typically understood as a legal rule intended to help determine the facts of a specific case and protect the accused.

But what if everything we think we know about “reasonable doubt” is wrong? What if its original purpose was actually to shield the souls of judges and juries from eternal damnation? What if it was conceived, not as a tool of the secular law, but as a moral concept steeped in a distinct theological tradition of the Middle Ages and Christendom? A tradition that was preoccupied not with facts, but with the spilling of blood?

Our guest for this episode makes this exact argument. Dr. James Whitman has taught at Yale Law School since 1994 and currently serves as the Ford Foundation Professor of Comparative and Foreign Law. He is the author of numerous books and articles, including his award-winning work honoured by the American Bar Association, The Origins of Reasonable Doubt: Theological Roots of the Criminal Trial.


00:00 - Introduction
03:45 - Defining reasonable doubt (or not)
07:50 - The theology of blood
12:00 - What an "ordeal"!
17:30 - Fourth Lateran Council bans blood-shedding by priests
21:30 - Emergence of trial by jury
23:20 - Got doubt? Better not act
27:50 - Court testimony: the Middle Ages' risky business
35:00 - "It is the law that condemns and not I"
36:40 - Reasonable doubt: fact finding or moral comfort formula?
40:00 - John Adams echoes Pope Innocent III
42:30 - Things get fuzzy as public morality fades
46:20 - Presumption of innocence vs. presumption of mercy
49:35 - Conclusion


If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting Crown and Crozier with a tax-deductible donation here:  DONATE  

Documents/Websites referenced

Dr. James Whitman (biography)

Dr. James Whitman, “The Origins of Reasonable Doubt: Theological Roots of the Criminal Trial” (2008)

Catholic Encyclopedia, “Fourth Lateran Council”

History.com, “Why John Adams Defended British Soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials”

Magna Carta (English translation)

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Please note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.