Controversies in Church History

In this episode, I take a look at some of the most important magisterial documents that state there are limits to papal authority issued in the recent history of the Church (since 1870).

Hey everyone. On this episode of the podcast, I read a blog post in which I look at the term and concept of "synodality," and argue that it is an unnecessary novelty which neither "conservative" or "traditionalist" Catholics should not use.

The latest episode in our series on Latinization deals with the Church of the East, the ancient Church of Persia associated with the Nestorian heresy, which flourished in the first millennium but declined thereafter. In this, we talk about how some of these Eastern Christians came into communion with Rome in 1553, creating the Chaldean Catholic Church, which is one of the Eastern Rite Churches in communion with Rome today. 

In this brief episode, I respond to a listener's question about Elisabeth Anscombe and Truman, while also giving an update on future episodes of the podcast.

In this episode, I take a look back at a 1995 book by the Polish philosopher Lezsek Kolakowski, "God Owes Us Nothing: A Brief Remark on the Religion of Pascal and the Spirit of Jansenism." Kolakowski's book tackles the problem of theodicy (how a good and just God can allow evil in the world) via an examination of the 17th century heresy of Jansenism. In this episode I take a look at his arguments for the idea that God is not a subject of any human moral obligations, and that the modern split between faith and science has left believers with an all-powerful but inscrutable God who "owes us nothing."

From the blog, a meditation on the controversy over World Youth Day, and what it says about larger trends in the Church since Vatican II. You can check out the original post on the website here:

https://churchcontroversies.com/2023/08/14/world-youth-day-syndrome/

In this brief episode, I discuss Elisabeth Anscombe's argument against the dropping of the atom bomb on Japan and defenses of Harry Truman's actions. But the real purpose is to ask the listeners what they think--was Anscombe right in saying that Truman was a mass murderer?

In this episode, I read an article of mine which takes at look at the attitude so common in Western life today, which sees its past and its heritage as a backward stage in history that needs to be overcome. In doing so, I compare the influence of Modernism to that of 19th century Western Colonialism, reading this attitude through the prism of Chinua Achebe's book, Things Fall Apart.

In this episode, we take a look back at Ridley Scott's 2005 film "Kingdom of Heaven," his epic about the Third Crusade which ended with capture of Jerusalem by the Muslim prince Saladine. We examine how it treats the beliefs of characters in the past, specifically those of Christian Crusaders, and what it says about modern Hollywood's sense of history--or lack thereof. 

In 1970, three professors at the University of Kansas created a unique humanities program--the Pearson Integrated Humanities Program--that captivated students, introducing them to the "Great Books" of the Western tradition and the "perennial philosophy." But some in the university did not care for this program, and pointed to the Catholic faith of the three professors in claiming they were "brainwashing" their students. When six students in the program entered a monastery, their opponents seized on this to help bring the program to an end. In this episode of Controversies in Church History, we take a closer look at the rise and fall of the IHP, and the role of ideology and anti-Catholicism in its demise.

In the fourth installment of our series on Latinization of the Eastern Churches, we take a look at Rome during Renaissance and Reformation era and its relationship with the Eastern Churches that come into communion with it, above all the Maronite Church. We also take a look at the influence of European powers on this process, as well as the creation of new Eastern Catholic Churches in the 18th century.

In this episode of Controversies in Church History, we take a look at the 1964 feature film Becket, a bio pic about the medieval marytr and bishop St. Thomas Becket. After a brief relation of the history of Becket's martyrdom, we take a look at the film, which based on the play by Jean Anouilh, and assess its strengths and weaknesses as a film and as history. 

Hey everyone! This is new Short, a preview of the latest patron only episode for everyone else. This is from Episode IV of our series on Latinization, which is on Rome's relationship with Eastern Christians in the Ottoman Empire between 1450 and 1800. In this clip, I discuss the relationship between Rome and the Maronite Church of Lebanon during the late 16th century, and how both sides sought to gain from their relationship, but which contributed to Latinization of the Maronites in the long run. The full episode will be available to all listeners at months end, but if you want to listen to it now (and free of ads), consider becoming a patron of the podcast. Pax Christi!

Hello! The latest episode of the podcast is another "ReView" of an historical film This time, I riff on the one of the most heralded movies about a ever made about a Catholic historical figure. I am of course talking about "A Man For All Seasons," the biopic about St. Thomas More which won six Oscars in 1966, and in the film I discuss what it gets right and wrong historically, and also talk about the inspiration for the film's writer, Rober Bolton, to write about a Catholic saint.

Hi everyone! In this episode, we give a brief overview of the trends in the early modern era that affected Rome's attitude toward Eastern Christian customs, and how that led to instances of "Latinization." We take a look at papal policy in that era, as embodied by a papal encyclical of Benedict XIV, which lays out the papal rationale for altering (or not altering) Eastern Christian customs. 

Our latest episode is now available. In this installment, I take a look at the "Galileo Affair" as it is often called, and talk about how it became a founding myth of modernity, not only concerning the relationship between science and religion, but also the myth of the modern "expert," which is very much still a crucial part of our world today. 

Hey everyone! This is a new feature I will be using going forward. I provide early access to certain episodes to my supporters on Patreon, in particular the episodes in my longer ongoing series. After a month, I drop the episode for everyone. So, to give non-subscribers a sneak preview, I am going to share clips of the full episodes before they drop, to give you a sense of what's going on. The current series is on the topic of Latinization, how Rome "latinized" or otherwise made Eastern Churches in communion with her adopt Latin liturgical and disciplinary customs. This clip is from Episode III of that series, a primer for the Early Modern Period.

In it, I discuss Pope Benedict XIV, a scholar and pontiff of the 18th century who wrote an encyclical on the Eastern Rites in communion with Rome called Allatae Sunt (1755). The clip focuses on his contention that, barring any question of orthodoxy (which popes have a natural right to investigate), Eastern Christians in communion with the Holy See ought to keep and celebrate their own rites and not be "Latinized" by missionaries. You can hear the full discussion of this episode later in the month, or you can go to Controversies in Church History's patreon account to get access now. Thanks to all of my listeners as always. Pax Christi!

It is common to hear Catholics say the pope is an "absolute monarch." But is that true? In this episode, I examine the question and conclude that yes, he is--but not in the way you probably think.  

In this re-recording of an earlier episode, I take a look at the Arian Crisis of the Fourth Century, when conflict over the nature of Christ's divinity shook the Church for over half a century. In it, I discuss the nature of the dispute as well as how the Roman emperors played a role in the conflict. Finally, I consider the Arian Crisis in comparison with the current crisis of faith in the Church today, to which many have compared it.

In this second installment of our series on Latinization, we tell the story of how Rome's reforms in the 11th and 12th centuries led to conflicts in the border lands of Eastern and Southern Europe with the Byzantine Orthodox, and how the Crusades set in motion the (mostly) voluntary Latinization of the Armenian and Maronite Churches. We end with a consideration of the reunion councils held between the Eastern and Western Churches, and whether they can be considered attempts at "Latinization." Finally, we discuss the role of political power and ideals of "ecclesiastical universalism" in the whole question of Latinization.  

Hello everyone! On this episode of Controversies in Church History, I take a look back at another piece of recent cultural history. This time, I review the HBO TV series Rome, which aired from 2005-2007, and look at how the creators of the Show framed the series as a contrast between pagan Roman and Christian morality. 

In this episode of Controversies in Church History, we look at the reign of Pope Joan (855-857), the only woman ever to reign as bishop of Rome. If you like the podcast, please follow us on Spotify for Podcasters, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel, and if you are so inclined, become a patron of the podcast via our Patreon account.

In this episode, I take a look back at the Showtime historical drama The Tudors (2007-2010), and show why it was a worthy attempt to depict the Reformation era of Henry VIII, despite being what its own producers called a "soap opera." In it, I discuss what they did and did not get right about Thomas More, and why long series like this are better vehicle for history than feature films. Cheers!

For this episode of Controversies in Church History, we are doing something a bit different. In it, we take a look back "The Roman Option: Crisis and Realignment in English Speaking Christianity" by the Catholic journalist William Oddie. Published in 1998, Oddie details how a group of Anglicans disaffected by the Church of England's decision to "ordain" women attempted the "Roman Option," to create a corporate union of these groups in communion with Rome but were thwarted by opposition, both in and outside the Catholic Church in England. We drawe some lessons about how synodal government brought radical change to the Church of England and how inertia and indifference among its bishops allowed it to happen, both of which appear to have parallels within the Catholic Church today.

In this brief episode, I take a look at a very suspect historical claim that Cardinal McElroy makes in his recent response to critics in America Magazine. If you like what hear, please follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel, and if you are so inclined, became a patron of Controversies in Church History by visiting our Patreon page. Pax Christi!

In the first episode of our new series on Latinization, I define what Latinization is, and why it is important for understanding the Catholic Church today.  

If you like this topic, please follow us on Spotify for Podcasters, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also listen on the Controversies in Church History YouTube channel (please subscribe there if you follow somewhere else--I am trying to build up the channel). Finally, if you would like to support the podcast, please check out our Patreon page, where for a small monthly donation you will get early access to ad free episodes, as well as exclusive content for subscribers only.

Pax Christi!

In this re-recording of a lecture given in early 2020, I take a look at the Gregorian Reform movement, a medieval movement that sought to reform the Christian world with the papacy as its champion. Beginning with monastic reforms in the tenth century, a series of reforming monks and clergy sought to free the Church from lay control while reforming the behavior of the clergy. When one of their number became Pope Gregory VII in 1073, the stage was set for a clash with the Holy Roman Emperor, as the reformers exalted papal authority in a bid to reform not only the Church itself but the entire Christian world. 

If you like the podcast, please follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, and leave comments if you have anything to say. We love the feedback! You can also subscribe to us on YouTube as well. Finally, if you want to support the podcast, please visit our Patreon page and became a patron. Pax Christi!

Hello friends! I am busy at work on the next few episodes of the podcast, and will be dropping some shorter episodes available to all listeners and not just subscribers. This begins now, with a short episode in which I give some updates but also read a post from my blog that I wrote several years ago, defending the Ordinariate liturgy (if you don't know what an Ordinariate is, I explain it in the episode). Be on the look our for a few more shorter episodes coming this week, free for all.  Cheers!

An update on the podcast, personal news, and an appeal to help grow the podcast from yours truly.

A review of some of the more interesting/enlightening books I've read  this past year, though not all of them have to do with Catholicism. Enjoy!

Our series of mini-biographies we call "Catholic Lives" takes a look at  the life and career of Orestes A. Brownson (1803-1876), a convert from  New England whose spiritual journey took him from Evangelical revivalism  to Unitarianism and the Transcendentalist Movement, before entering the  Catholic Church in 1844. A thinker with a wrestling, combative style,  Brownson became one of the premier Catholic thinkers in 19th century  America, and someone whose political thought was grounded in the need  for transcendent truths, above all the truth of the Catholic faith.

Controversies in Church History will return to regular (or semi-regular) podcasting in the spring. Until then, take a listen to a short audio presentation of post on the blog post concerning recent news items involving the Church in the past week. Cheers!

There is a specter haunting the Catholic world, whose name is "integralism." The term "integralism" has been used in recent years by Catholic thinkers who want to reassert the Church's teaching on the superiority of the spiritual power to that of the temporal power, and the rights of the Church over society. Some Catholic thinkers have even brought this term into American political debate on the Right. Some have decried this trend as a resurgence of theocracy or even of fascism. In this episode, I will discuss the historical origins of "integralism" in 19th century Spain and early 20th century France, before discussing its relevance for the Church today.

In 1871, the German Empire began passing laws meant to control the Catholic Church in Germany, which it regarded as a potential fifth column. This legislation inspired attempts by other German speaking countries, and within five years governments arrested and exiled bishops, removed priests from their parishes, seized church property and expelled religious orders from their countries. This episode has become known as the "Kulturkampf," the civilizational struggle between a modernizing German nation and the retrograde Catholic Church. Join me for this episode as I dive into the causes, effects and legacy of this traumatic event in the history of Europe and the Catholic Church.

CORRECTION: in the podcast I incorrectly refer to Silesia as a province of Germany populated by a French minority. Silesia was a Polish minority province. I meant to refer to Alsace-Lorraine, a former French territory conquered by Prussia during the Franco-Prussian War.

In 1899, pope Leo XIII wrote a letter to Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore, condemning something called "Americanism." Many contemporary Catholic historians and scholars have claimed that "Americanism" is a phantom, a term of abuse by "conservative" Catholics hurled at their opponents. In this episode, we will talk about what "Americanism" is and and isn't, the American Church in the 19th century, and why pope Leo XIII condemned the ideas associated with the term "Americanism."  Pax Christi! Please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform and share with friends. You can also subscribe on YouTube and find us on the web at churchcontroversies.com. Pax Christi!

Catholic images, beliefs, and even practices, dot the plays of William Shakespeare, the greatest playwright in the English language. And relatives of his can be identified as Catholic, even one that was executed for treason. But was William Shakespeare himself a Catholic? In this episode, we dive into the evidence for Shakespeare as a Roman Catholic, and take a look at the changing landscape of historical and literary scholarship that has led the "Catholic Shakespeare" thesis to become a popular one in recent decades. 

In this episode, I take a look at the otherwise admirable "Mass of the Ages" film, and claims of conspiracy with regard to history. Specifically, I talk about why the liturgical reform of the 1960s was NOT the result of a conspiracy and why conspiracy theories in general are poor explanations for complicated historical events.

In response to a viewer's request, I hereby present you with the story of my conversion to the Catholic Church, and how I went from atheism to believing in Jesus Christ. 

Our series of mini-biographies we call "Catholic Lives" takes a look at the life and career of Orestes A. Brownson (1803-1876), a convert from New England whose spiritual journey took him from Evangelical revivalism to Unitarianism and the Transcendentalist Movement, before entering the Catholic Church in 1844. A thinker with a wrestling, combative style, Brownson became one of the premier Catholic thinkers in 19th century America, and someone whose political thought was grounded in the need for transcendent truths, above all the truth of the Catholic faith.  

In this episode of our "Catholic Lives" series, we look at the life of Hugh-Ross Williamson, the son of a Presbyterian minister, journalist, author historian, playwright, and an Anglican clergyman before his conversion to the Catholic Church in 1955. In his later life, he was a critic of the new rite of the mass introduced in 1969, and became one of the founders of the Latin Mass movement in England. 

In the final episode, I briefly discuss the legacy of 19th century Catholic Liberalism, and how it influenced theological movements in the 20th century. In particular, I look at the impact of Catholic Liberalism on the thinkers who prepared the way for Vatican II, and how knowledge of Catholic liberalism helps us understand the era that followed the Council. 

The latest episode in our series on Catholic Liberalism is now available. "Eclipse, 1870-1905," begins in the aftermath of Vatican I, when the Church faced even greater hostility from liberal governments, making the position of Catholic Liberals even more difficult. The Ralliement under Leo XIII seems to embrace Catholic liberal ideals, but its failure followed by the condemnation of Americanism and the final separation of Church and State in France put an end to liberal hopes. Finally, we explore how the intellectual and social dimensions of Catholic Liberalism fed into the Modernist Crisis of the early 20th century. 

Greetings! The next episode in our series on Catholic Liberalism is now available. "Catholic Liberalism in Retreat, 1848-1870," explores how political events and a changing papacy conspired to derail the movement of Catholic Liberalism. The Revolutions of 1848, and the wars of unification in Italy and Germany, left the Church exposed to hostile, anti-clerical governments, and in response Catholics across Europe turn to the power of the papacy to shield them. At the same, time, pope Pius IX and his advisors decided on a combative stance toward political liberalism in Europe, issuing the Syllabus of Errors in 1864, and convoking the First Vatican Council in 1870, which made papal infallibility a dogma binding on the faithful. These events seemed to lead to the demise of any Catholic liberalism hoping to compromise with the modern world--or did they? 

Greetings everyone! In the fourth installment in our series on Catholic Liberalism, we look at the sources of Catholic liberalism beyond France. Specifically, we look at the making of Catholic liberalism in Italy, where dissatisfaction with the government of the Papal States fueled Catholic engagement with liberalism. Also discussed are Church-State relations in German speaking lands, and the emergence of theological liberalism in German Catholic circles. Finally, we note the connection between Catholic liberalism and the beginnings of the Catholic Revival in England, including its connection with John Henry Newman.

In the third installment of our series on Catholic Liberalism, we take a look at the meteoric rise and tragic fall of Felicite Robert de Lamennais (1782-1854), the apologist, writer and priest who inspired a young generations of Catholics to engage with the modern world, but whose embrace of liberalism clashed with the Vatican. Though Rome condemned his teachings, he left a legacy that influenced the Church in its attempts to come to grips with the modern world, and ensured that Catholic liberalism would long outlive him.

In the second installment of our series on Catholic Liberalism, we delve into the historical background out of which a Catholic form of liberalism emerged. We discuss the French Revolution and its impact on the French Church, the emergence of political liberalism in Restoration France, and the nature of the French Church after 1814, and how these contributed to the birth of Catholic Liberalism. If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and recommend it to friends and other interested parties. 

Controversies in Church History is back with a new series. This time, we delve into the history of Catholic Liberalism, a movement that began in the French Church in the early 1800s, and whose influence touched most of Europe and even the United States during the nineteenth century. This movement sought to reconcile the Church to modern society in France, was condemned by the papacy more than once, and left a lasting impact on the Church. In this episode, we discuss what Catholic Liberalism as a movement sought to achieve, its main intellectual sources, and key terms that will help us understand this important, and still very relevant, episode in the life of the Catholic Church. 

In the final episode of our series on Liberation Theology, we examine the Vatican efforts to curb the excesses of the movement in the 1980s, as historical events lead to its decline in the 1990s. Finally, we consider Pope Francis and his relationship to this movement, and what it means for the Church today.