On this special crossover episode of Jesuitical and Inside the Vatican, Zac Davis speaks with his colleagues Gerard O’Connell, Sam Sawyer, S.J., and synod member James Martin, S.J., about the concluding document of the recent synod on synodality in Rome. They discuss:

The open debate about women’s ordination to the diaconate

Why reference to L.G.B.T. Catholics was not included in the synthesis document

What the synthesis document is and how it can be read and used widely

Was this really a synod of bishops?

Plus, new paths for appointing bishops and performance reviews


Links:

Father James Martin: What happened at the Synod on Synodality

Cardinal Cupich on the synod, women deacons, giving bishops job reviews and why ‘LGBTQ’ was left out of the final doc

Synod publishes final report and votes: Calls for more discussion on synodality, women deacons and more

Full text: Pope Francis’ homily closing the 2023 Synod on Synodality


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Synod on Synodality Debrief with Father James Martin

Welcome to Jesuitical, a podcast for young Catholics hosted by two young, lay editors at America—Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless. Each episode features a guest who offers a unique perspective on faith, culture or current events. We also bring you some of the top (and maybe more obscure) Catholic news of the week. And we'll ask: Where do we find God in all this?

Religion & Spirituality

Other

Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

News

News Commentary

Few events inspire a media spectacle quite like the election of a pope. The white smoke, cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel, secret ballots and ancient rules—it’s catnip for secular and Catholic journalists alike. But how did these customs evolve—and how might they change in the future?
To find out, Zac and Ashley talk with Miles Pattenden, a historian, expert in the history of papal conclaves and the author of Electing the Pope in Early Modern Italy, 1450-1700.
They discuss:
How the election of popes evolved from St. Peter to today
The role of the Holy Spirit—and politicking—inside conclaves
And whether the secrecy of conclaves can survive in a modern world that prizes transparency
In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a new Justice Department investigation into last year’s leaked F.B.I. memo about the potential domestic threat posed by “traditional Catholics.” Plus, in a talk about forgiveness, a Michigan bishop called on Catholics not to “hate” politicians like Joe Biden—and then called the president stupid. 
Want to advertise your school, ministry program, book or anything else on Jesuitical? Send us an email at jesuitical@americamedia.org 
Links from the show:
No Bias Found in F.B.I. Report on Catholic Extremists
Biden ‘doesn't understand the Catholic faith,’ bishop says: ‘I’m not angry at him, he’s just stupid’
Electing the Pope in Early Modern Italy, 1450-1700, by Miles Pattenden 
MilesPattenden.com
What’s on tap?
Amaro Spritz

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The quirky history (and future) of papal conclaves

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Megan Nix, the author of Remedies for Sorrow: An Extraordinary Child, a Secret Kept from Pregnant Women, and a Mother's Pursuit of the Truth. The memoir details Megan’s journey after her daughter, Anna, contracted a little-known but relatively common congenital disease, cytomegalovirus, or CMV, during Megan’s pregnancy.
They discuss: 
Megan’s experience of her daughter’s diagnosis and the lack of awareness and support surrounding CMV
The tension of loving Anna as she is and wanting to improve her quality of life
How St. Thomas Aquinas’s five remedies for sorrow helped Megan understand the joys and sorrows of raising a child with disabilities
In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley talk about a recent proposal out of Baltimore that would cut the number of parishes from 61 to 21. They also cover an imposter priest wreaking havoc throughout the New York area and Pope Francis’ plans to reinstate Pope Benedict XVI’s former secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, as an apostolic nuncio.
What’s on tap?
A mojito (with fresh mint!)
Links from the show:
Baltimore archdiocese proposes cutting 61 parishes to 21 in the city
Imposter Priest Who Robbed Catholic Churches Nationwide Arrested in California
After public rift, Francis restores Benedict XVI’s former secretary to Vatican service
Remedies for Sorrow: An Extraordinary Child, a Secret Kept from Pregnant Women, and a Mother's Pursuit of the Truth

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A mother’s mission to change how we talk about pregnancy and disease

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Amir Hussain, a theology professor at Loyola Marymount University. Amir shares his insights about navigating life as a Muslim teaching theology at a Catholic university, prompting a conversation ranging from the imperative and blessings of interfaith dialogue to life without a cell phone.
They also cover:
Amir’s experience completing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
The history and diversity of Muslims in the United States
Finding common ground and sharing experiences with people of different faiths
In Signs of the Times, Jesuitical’s producer, Sebastian Gomes, and “Inside the Vatican” host Colleen Dulle join Ashley to break down “Dignitas Infinita,” the recent declaration from the Vatican covering issues surrounding human dignity like gender theory, human trafficking, surrogacy and more.
What’s on tap?
Boulevardier
Links from the show:
New Vatican doc ‘Dignitas Infinita’: What it says on gender theory, surrogacy, poverty and more
Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell discuss Dignitas Infinita on “Inside the Vatican”
What meeting John Wooden taught a Muslim theologian about Jesuit education
Muslims and the Making of America
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A Muslim theologian on teaching at a Jesuit university

On Aug. 19, 2014, the world watched in horror as the American journalist James Foley read a script prepared for him by ISIS terrorists, who filmed him from an unknown location in the Syrian desert. Mr. Foley, who had been in ISIS captivity for almost two years, was then beheaded by his captors. That is how Diane Foley learned that her son, who had been kidnapped in Libya on a previous reporting trip, would not be coming home this time.
In the new book, American Mother, Diane teams up with Colum McCann, an award-winning and international best-selling author, to tell her and her son’s story. Both authors join Zac and Ashley this week for a powerful conversation about grief, forgiveness and perseverance.
They discuss:
How Diane’s son James discovered his vocation as a journalist 
Why Diane decided to meet with one of her son’s killers 
How her Catholic faith sustained her through James’s years of captivity and after his death
In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a new book of interviews with Pope Francis, in which he discusses his relationship with Pope Benedict XVI and the conclave that elected him and his predecessor. Plus, Cardinal Wilton Gregory calls President Biden a “cafeteria Catholic” during an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Easter Sunday, and the Society of Jesus releases a strongly worded statement on the war in Gaza.
Links from the show:
Pope Francis opens up about Benedict XVI, past conclaves and more in new book
Important U.S. cardinal says Biden is a ‘cafeteria Catholic’
‘We cannot be silent’: A statement from the Jesuits on Gaza
American Mother, by Colum McCann with Diane Foley
Bonus episodes available now through Patreon:
​​The quirky history of papal conclaves
Cardinal Gregory on young people, politics and becoming a listening church
Live show!
If you live in the Cincinnati area, you’re invited to join Zac, Ashley and Father Eric Sundrup (Jesuitical’s spiritual director) for a live show at Xavier University, on Tuesday, April 9, 6:30-7:30 pm. The event will be held in the Conatan Board Room in Schmidt Hall and will be followed by Mass. 
What’s on tap?
Cielo prosecco, a.k.a, Easter Bubbly 
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Her son was beheaded by ISIS. Here’s what she’s learned about mercy

Although “Jesuitical” is often recorded over drinks, longtime listeners know that the hosts abstain from alcohol during Lent, which means there’s no better time to welcome Derek Brown to the show. He’s an award-winning mixologist, the founder of Positive Damage Inc., and an expert on no- and low-alcohol cocktails and mindful drinking. Derek joins Zac and Ashley for an enlightening conversation about drinking, its place in our culture and evaluating its place in our lives.
They discuss: 
Derek’s journey from award-winning bartender to mindful drinking advocate—and how his faith informed that decision
Why it seems like so many people today are re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol
Tips for taking a more mindful approach to drinking
Links from the Show
Confessions of a Catholic Bartender
Derek’s Positive Damage substack
What’s on tap?
Pinch hitters (0% ABV—it’s still Lent!)
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Synod on Synodality Debrief with Father James Martin

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