Glad You Asked

St. Augustine of Hippo, the fourth century theologian, philosopher, and doctor of the church, shaped Christian theology in myriad ways. Multiple Christian denominations draw heavily on Augustine's ideas about grace, original sin, free will, and the trinity. And now, with the election of Pope Leo XIV, an Augustinian priest is steering the entire global Catholic Church.

But one area of Augustine's thought doesn't get addressed as often: his beliefs about slavery. Did Augustine support the institution of slavery? How did he reconcile his beliefs with the gospel's commitment to radical equality? And why, if we want to understand racism in the United States, do we need to go all the way back to a fourth century theologian's theses about politics, society, and the relation of humanity to God?

On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to Toni Alimi about Augustine's ideas about slavery. Alimi is assistant professor in the Sage School of Philosophy at Cornell University. His research and teaching span ancient Roman philosophy, intellectual history, contemporary ethics and politics, and philosophy of religion. His book, Slaves of God, explores Augustine's arguments slavery and argues that slavery is a central theme in his broader ethics and politics.

Learn more about this topic and Alimi's scholarship in these links.

Slaves of God: Augustine and Other Romans on Religion and Politics, by Toni Alimi Slaves of God | Princeton University Press

"Augustine was 'wrong about slavery': Book reexamines key figure," by Kate Blackwood Augustine was 'wrong about slavery': Book reexamines key figure | Sage School of Philosophy

"When did the church condemn slavery?" by Jacob Kohlhaas When did the church condemn slavery? - U.S. Catholic

"How the U.S. Catholic Church profited from slavery," A U.S. Catholic interview How the U.S. Catholic Church profited from slavery - U.S. Catholic

"What did St. Augustine say about original sin?" by Kathleen Bonnette What did St. Augustine say about original sin? - U.S. Catholic

Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

Conversations among Catholics about trans people and the church often center on questions of inclusion and belonging in relation to church life and teachings. Can trans people be baptized into the church or partake in other sacraments? Should trans Catholics be allowed to join religious orders? The conversations often proceed as though trans Catholics are fundamentally a problem to be solved.

Even when the intention is to be welcoming, making this the primary discussion among Catholics fails to recognize that trans Catholics are already part of our families, communities, workplaces, and parishes. Trans Catholics are already a part of the church.

Some theologians and pastoral leaders suggest that shifting the focus of these discussions could lead to a broader understanding of church life. As well as considering what we owe to trans people, we should also consider how trans people enrich the church—how their active participation in church communities might help us deepen our theology and pastoral witness.

On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to guest Kori Pacyniak about what the church can learn from trans Catholics. Pacyniak is a queer, nonbinary, and trans Catholic who is a doctoral candidate at the University of California Riverside. They studied religion and Portuguese at Smith College and have a master of divinity from Harvard and a master's degree in theology and trauma from Boston University. Ordained as a priest through Roman Catholic Womenpriests, Pacyniak focuses on creating sacred space and liturgy by and for queer and trans Catholics.

Learn more about this topic and read some of Pacyniak's writing in these links.

"Gender diversity has always been part of the church," by Emma Cieslik Gender diversity has always been part of the church - U.S. Catholic

"As a transgender Catholic, I don't see gender diversity as a threat to our faith," by Maxwell Kuzma As a transgender Catholic, I don't see gender diversity as a threat to our faith - Outreach

"Trans and Catholic: A parent's perspective," by Deacon Ray Dever Trans and Catholic: A parent's perspective - U.S. Catholic

"We cannot abandon trans Catholics," by Father Bryan Massingale We cannot abandon trans Catholics - U.S. Catholic

"Pope Francis Calls for the Inclusion of Trans People in Catholic Church Practices," by Dallas Knox Pope Francis Calls for the Inclusion of Trans People in Catholic Church Practices | GLAAD

"God Doesn't Want You to Be Miserable," by Kori Pacyniak "God Doesn't Want You to Be Miserable." - New Ways Ministry

"The Women Who Want to Be Priests," by Margaret Talbot The Women Who Want to Be Priests | The New Yorker

Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

The Catholic Church, albeit not a democratic nation-state, has one of the most long-standing voting traditions in the world. When a pope dies, their successor is chosen by election. However, only a few Catholics—the cardinals of the church—participate. And the Catholic magisterium teaches that even though humans vote, it's the Holy Spirit guiding the process. Even though the pope is the head of state for Vatican City, the election of a new pontiff is supposed to be about God's will for the church, not about the triumph of this or that political faction.

The Catholic Church has held many conclaves over the centuries, some contentious. The recent death of Pope Francis provoked widespread media speculation not only about who would succeed him but how the process of choosing a pope works at all. Especially in an era where everything is visible and conducted for an audience, the very secrecy of the conclave—as the voting process is called—adds to the intrigue.

On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to guest Don Clemmer about who chooses a pope, how the process works, and some of the traditions associated with the conclave. Clemmer is editor of Connection magazine for the NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice and coproducer of the Just Politics podcast. He has written extensively for U.S. Catholic, as well as for many other publications, and previously worked in the media relations office of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Find out more about this subject, and read some of Clemmer's work, in these links.

"How is a pope chosen?" by Jacob Kohlhaas How is a pope chosen? - U.S. Catholic

"What happens when a pope dies?" by Amanda Osheim What happens when a pope dies?

"What is the College of Cardinals?" by Jacob Kohlhaas What is the College of Cardinals? - U.S. Catholic

"What is the origin of the papal smoke?" by David Pitt What is the origin of the papal smoke? - U.S. Catholic

"The 12 cardinals who might succeed Pope Francis," by Don Clemmer The 12 cardinals who might succeed Pope Francis - U.S. Catholic

Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

According to the gospel of Matthew, shortly after Jesus was born an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him to flee with his family to Egypt, since King Herod was going to try to kill the new baby. They stayed there, according to Christian tradition, until Herod had died and it was safe to return. This incident, popularly known as the "flight to Egypt," has inspired an array of artistic depictions. It has also inspired a popular pro-immigration argument: Christians should welcome those seeking safety in their country, because Jesus, too, was a refugee. The Vatican has even published various documents citing Jesus' refugee status.

But was Jesus really a refugee? Would the Holy Family be granted refugee status, according to the laws and definitions of today? On this episode of the podcast, theologian and social ethicist Glenn Butner talks to the hosts about what it means to be a refugee, the significance of the flight to Egypt, whether it is accurate to call Jesus a refugee, and the theological implications of this topic.

Butner is an associate professor of theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and the author of multiple books on theology and social ethics, including Jesus the Refugee: Ancient Injustice and Modern Solidarity.

You can learn more about this topic and Butner's work in these links.

Jesus the Refugee: Ancient Injustice and Modern Solidarity, by D. Glenn Butner Jr.

Jesus the Refugee: Ancient Injustice and Modern Solidarity | Fortress Press

"Was Jesus a refugee?" by Alice Camille

Was Jesus a refugee? - U.S. Catholic

"Think of the Holy Family fleeing Herod and pray for migrants, pope says," by Cindy Wooden

Think of the Holy Family fleeing Herod and pray for migrants, pope says | National Catholic Reporter

Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for the 93rd World Day of Migrants And Refugees

Message on the occasion of the 93rd World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2007 (October 18, 2006) | BENEDICT XVI

What is a refugee? Definition and Meaning

What is a Refugee? Definition and Meaning | USA for UNHCR

Refugees and Asylum

Refugees and Asylum | USCIS

Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

Belief in a literal six-day creation, including a literal Adam and Eve, is more associated with evangelical Christianity than with Catholicism. Most Catholic schools teach evolutionary theory as the best and most reliable account of the origin of life and see no conflict between this and orthodox Catholic faith. At the same time, some Catholics still promote a creationist view on the origins of humanity.

What does the Catholic Church have to say about this? Are Catholics obliged to believe that Adam and Eve were real people who talked to God, were tempted by a snake, and got cast out of a garden because they ate a forbidden fruit? If so, how does this fit with everything science has to tell us about evolution? And if the church accepts evolution, how does this affect other core Catholic teachings, especially on original sin?

On this episode of the podcast, science writer John Farrell talks about how the Catholic Church has grappled with the challenges posed by evolution over the years, as well as what science has to say on the question of whether Adam and Eve were real.

John Farrell is the author of The Day Without Yesterday: Lemaître, Einstein and the Birth of Modern Cosmology (Basic Books, 2005) and The Clock and the Camshaft: And Other Medieval Inventions We Still Can't Live Without (Prometheus Books, 2020). He has contributed to U.S Catholic and many other publications, including Commonweal, Cosmos Magazine, New Scientist, the Wall Street Journal, the Guardian, the Boston Globe, Salon, Forbes and the Tablet of London.

You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Farrell's writing, in these links.

"Do Catholics believe in evolution?" by John Switzer

"What is original sin?" by Joel Schorn

"Benedict's thinking on creation and evolution," by John L. Allen Jr.

"Middle ways on evolution," by John Farrell

"What would an updated natural law ethic look like?" by John Farrell

"The Bible is far more than history. It is legendary." by Alice Camille

"Evolution is our fundamental reality," by Ilia Delio

Original Sin: Origins, Developments, Contemporary Meanings, by Tatha Wiley

Original Selfishness: Original Sin and Evil in the Light of Evolution by Daryl P. Domning and Monika K. Hellwig

Lone Survivors: How We Came to Be the Only Humans on Earth, by Chris Stringer

Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

Nearly a century ago, a Spanish priest named Josemaría Escrivá founded a religious movement intended to summon Christians of all races, ages, and social classes to renew the world, not by separating themselves from it, but by making their everyday lives holy.

Today, the group Escriva founded, known as Opus Dei ("Work of God") is a highly respected group with approximately 90,000 members, active in 70 countries. St. Pope John Paul II was an admirer of Escrivá and officially canonized him in 2002. Opus Dei members include priests and religious but also laypeople who work ordinary jobs, have families, and are involved in the life of their parishes.

Many of these Opus Dei members are unaware that the organization has been accused of human trafficking and labor exploitation and is the subject of a criminal investigation in Argentina. According to the report that concluded the investigation, people holding different positions within Opus Dei recruited women and girls from low-income families in several South American countries, promised them job training, and placed them in grueling work situations without pay. Opus Dei has also been accused of financial crimes such as fraud and money laundering.

Opus Dei leadership denies these allegations, claiming their critics have concocted false charges by taking details out of context. So how do we balance these allegations with the experience of thousands of ordinary Catholics and with Escrivá's vision of an inclusive church? What exactly is Opus Dei and how does it relate to the rest of the church?

On this episode of Glad You Asked, hosts Emily Sanna and Rebecca Bratten Weiss talk to journalist Gareth Gore about what Opus Dei is, how it functions, and the details of the allegations against the group. Gore is the author of Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy inside the Catholic Church (Simon & Schuster). Based in London, Gore has reported from over 25 countries and covered some of the biggest financial stories in recent years.

For more information about this topic, and to read about Gore's book, check out these links.

Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy inside the Catholic Church, by Gareth Gore

Opus | Book by Gareth Gore | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster

"Argentine prosecutors accuse Opus Dei leaders in South America of trafficking and labor exploitation," by Debora Rey

Argentine prosecutors accuse Opus Dei leaders in South America of trafficking and labor exploitation | AP News

"Women in Argentina claim labor exploitation by Opus Dei," by Debora Rey

Women in Argentina claim labor exploitation by Opus Dei | AP News

"How Opus Dei manipulated its way into power," by John Farrell

How Opus Dei manipulated its way into power - U.S. Catholic

"In Argentina, Opus Dei 'categorically' denies allegations it's involved in human trafficking," by Junno Arocho Esteves

In Argentina, Opus Dei 'categorically' denies allegations it's involved in human trafficking | National Catholic Reporter

"Peruvian Opus Dei cardinal denies allegations of sexual abuse of minor," by Elise Ann Allen

Peruvian Opus Dei cardinal denies allegations of sexual abuse of minor - Catholic Herald

"Opus Dei Contests Charges of Malfeasance in Author's New Book," by Ken Oliver-Méndez

Opus Dei Contests Charges of Malfeasance in Author's New Book| National Catholic Register

"Miracle attributed to Blessed Josemaria is approved"

Miracle attributed to Blessed Josemaria is approved - Opus Dei

"Split in Vatican on Opus Dei's miracle," by Giles Tremlett

Split in Vatican on Opus Dei's miracle | World news | The Guardian

Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

Christian history has multiple stories of people who felt called by God to separate themselves from the bustle of society and live alone, often in remote places. In the first centuries of Christianity, the desert fathers and mothers went into the wilderness seeking a simple life of spirituality and prayer. In the Byzantine Empire there were the stylites, or pillar-saints, who lived atop columns and practiced extreme asceticism.

Other hermits lived in seclusion within society, sometimes in little cells attached to churches. In the Middle Ages, this practice became more popular, especially among women, some of whom were physically walled up in their cells, with no door or means of exit, representing their death to the world. Known as anchorites or anchoresses (from the ancient Greek ἀναχωρεῖν, meaning "to withdraw"), the most famous of these was the mystic and theologian Julian of Norwich.

The tradition of the hermit vocation has deep roots in pre-Christian practices, too. Hebrew scriptures are filled with stories of people fleeing into the desert to escape society and draw closer to God. In the New Testament, both John the Baptist and Jesus follow their example. And other religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sufism, also have traditions associated with the eremitic life.

But what about today? What does the life of a Christian hermit look like, in the modern era? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to Brother Christian Matson, a professed hermit in the Diocese of Lexington. Brother Christian professes a rule of life that allows him to support himself financially through his work in the arts while he lives a life of contemplation in a private hermitage.

You can learn more about the hermit vocation, and about Brother Christian's work, in these links.

"What is a hermit?" by John Christman

What is a hermit? - U.S. Catholic

"How To Be Alone," by Alexander Jusdanis

How To Be Alone | Sojourners

"Medieval anchoresses found spiritual freedom in tiny cells," by Ellyn Sanna

Medieval anchoresses found spiritual freedom in tiny cells - U.S. Catholic

"Sixty Feet Above: The Difficult Sanctity of Simeon Stylites," by Eric Shuler

Sixty Feet Above: The Difficult Sanctity of Simeon Stylites

"The Desert Fathers and Mothers"

The Desert Fathers and Mothers — Center for Action and Contemplation

"Catholic diocesan hermit approved by Kentucky bishop comes out as transgender," by Jack Jenkins

Catholic diocesan hermit approved by Kentucky bishop comes out as transgender | National Catholic Reporter

"Theater partnership puts depression, suicide prevention under spotlight," by Buddy Forbes

Theater partnership puts depression, suicide prevention under spotlight

Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

The Bible is full of vivid, fascinating characters: heroes and antiheroes, tricksters and villains. One of the most memorable biblical villains is Queen Jezebel, wife of King Ahab in Kings 1 and 2. Jezebel shows up in multiple stories: persecuting the prophet Elijah, trying to institute the worship of the god Ba'al, conniving to steal a vineyard, and finally dying a gruesome death. She is mentioned in the book of Revelation, too, when the author refers to a woman in the church at Thyatira who "calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to engage in sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols" (Rev. 2:20).

Because she lured her husband to worship a false god, and because she is remembered as wearing makeup and finery, she has come to be associated with ideas about women as dangerous, immoral temptresses. The name "Jezebel" has become a slur for a promiscuous woman who leads men astray, and this slur has been used especially to demean and demonize Black women.

But who was Jezebel really? Was she the sexually promiscuous character these slurs imply, and why does scripture depict her as a super-villain?

On this episode of Glad You Asked, theologian and biblical scholar Stacy Davis talks to the host about the character Jezebel and the history of using her as a weapon against Black women. Davis is a professor of religious studies and Theology at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and the author of Haggai and Malachi in the Wisdom Commentary Series (Liturgical Press). She is an associate editor of The Africana Bible: Reading Israel's Scriptures from Africa and the African Diaspora, as well as for the forthcoming Westminster John Knox Bible.

You can learn more about this topic in these links:

"Jezebel from an African-American Perspective," by Stacy Davis

whc.bibleodyssey.com

"The Jezebel Stereotype," by David Pilgrim

The Jezebel Stereotype - Anti-black Imagery - Jim Crow Museum

"Who Exactly Was the Original Jezebel?" by Wednesday Martin

Who Exactly Was the Original Jezebel? ‹ Literary Hub

"Jezebel Isn't Who You Think She Is," by Nyasha Junior

Jezebel Isn't Who You Think She Is - Dame Magazine

"Naming the 333 women in the Bible," by Alice Camille

Naming the 333 women in the Bible - U.S. Catholic

Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

As of March 2025, Elon Musk, the richest person in the world according to Bloomberg, was valued to be worth 311 billion dollars. To help put this quantity in perspective: In order for the average middle-class person earning around $45,000 a year to earn even $1 billion, they would have to devote all their time to work, while spending nothing, for over 21,000 years—that is, longer than human history.

Given the extent of dire need across the world, it seems grossly unethical for anyone to have that kind of money. From a Catholic perspective, we need to take seriously not only concerns rooted in natural law ethics, regarding the flourishing of the person and the common good, but also traditional teachings about the moral obligations around money. Scripture is filled with warnings about the serious, possibly eternal punishments in store for those who hoard wealth at the expense of the poor. Does that mean billionaires are going to hell?

On this episode of Glad You Asked, hosts Emily Sanna and Rebecca Bratten Weiss talk to moral theologian Nicholas Hayes-Mota about the Catholic Church's teaching on wealth and whether amassing vast amounts of money is a sin.

Hayes-Mota is a social ethicist and public theologian whose research interests include the theology of community organizing, Catholic social thought, contemporary virtue ethics, democratic theory, and AI ethics.

Read more about the ethics of wealth inequality:

"Pope Francis: Powerful and Rich Risk Going to Hell If They Ignore the Poor," by David Gibson

"Why the wealth gap is bad for everyone." A U.S. Catholic interview

"Why wealth inequality matters," by Kevin Clarke

"The Universal Destination of Goods in St. John Chrysostom," by Antônio Lemos

Rerum Novarum (Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor), encyclical of Pope Leo XIII

Populorum Progressio (On the Development of Peoples), encyclical of Paul VI

Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship), encyclical of Pope Francis

Read more by Nicholas Hayes-Mota:

"We need to reclaim the legacy of Christian nonviolence," U.S. Catholic

"Principle in Practice: A MacIntyrean Analysis of Community Organizing and the Catholic Social Tradition." Journal of Catholic Social Thought

"Partners in Forming the People: Jacques Maritain, Saul Alinsky, and the Project of Personalist Democracy." Journal of Moral Theology

"An Accountable Church? Broad-Based Community Organizing and Ecclesial Ethics," Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics

In the United States, nativity scenes are part of the ordinary landscape of Christmas—even in secular spaces. You might see a blow-up nativity scene, all in garish colors, in front of a neighborhood store. Or in church, traditional statuary depicting European-looking characters. Some homes and religious organizations feature nativity scenes from around the world, with the holy family in diverse cultural garb. But no matter the aesthetic there are common elements in most nativity scenes: Baby Jesus in the manger, Mary and Joseph close by, a few placid animals, some devout shepherds and magi, with an angel hovering on high.

But how accurate are these scenes? Would the Holy Family really have been surrounded by animals? Did shepherds actually show up immediately after Jesus was born? And did Mary worry at all about the safety of putting a newborn infant in an animal's feeding trough?

On this episode of the podcast, scholar Jaime Waters talks to the hosts about what the nativity was really like and who was there. Waters is an associate professor of Old Testament at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. She is presently working on a commentary on the book of Jeremiah for the Wisdom Commentary Series from Liturgical Press, and a book on methods of biblical interpretation. She has written multiple articles for America magazine about the intersection of scripture and justice issues.

You can learn more about this topic and read some of Waters' writing in these links:

"Who was really at the Nativity?" By Emily Sanna https://uscatholic.org/articles/201912/who-was-really-at-the-nativity/

"What are we missing in our depictions of the nativity?" By Kelly Nikondeha https://uscatholic.org/articles/202212/what-are-we-missing-in-our-depictions-of-the-nativity/

"A nativity collection shows different imaginings of Christmas" By Jerry Bleem, O.F.M. https://uscatholic.org/articles/201712/a-nativity-collection-shows-how-different-cultures-imagine-christmas/

"The journey of the magi is long and risky, but it ends with joy" By Jaime Waters https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/12/16/epiphany-scripture-reading-242059

"The loving dynamics in the Holy Family" By Jaime Waters https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/11/18/word-scripture-lectionary-liturgy-readings-mass-241843

Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.