Initial Impressions: Fratelli Tutti
A few thoughts about the pope’s latest encyclical.
85: We Must Help the Poor. But How?
Started January 8, 2019
Helping the poor has in modern times become a “liberal” issue. But if you are a Christian, no matter your political leanings, you are obligated to help the poor. But what are the best ways to do that?
84: Toward a Simpler 2019
Started December 28, 2018
t’s the end of the year, which means it’s time for New Year’s Resolutions. In this episode, I discuss my own resolution to live a simpler 2019, which is something Pope Francis also called for in his recent Christmas Eve...
80: Is Benedict XVI Still the Pope?
Started December 11, 2018
Discontent with Pope Francis has led some Catholics to suspect that perhaps he’s not the real pope. Instead “Pope Emeritus” Benedict XVI is still the true pope. I look into this assertion in this episode of Swimming Upstream.
What Pope Francis Gets Right—and Wrong—About Poverty and Wealth
Pope Francis urges us to help the poor. But does he understand how poverty and wealth happen?
74: What Makes for a Bad Pope?
Started October 15, 2018
The history of the papacy is filled with saints and sinners, good popes and bad popes. Sometimes Catholics want to deny that we can have bad popes, or that the pope they are living under could be a bad pope. In this episode of Swimming Upstream...
On Deposing Popes: A Historical Review
This article is also available as a printer-friendly PDF document. Asking the Question Throughout his five-year reign, Pope Francis has been a controversial figure. He has pushed for novelties and innovations to both the papacy and the Church...
73: The Battle for the Soul of the Vatican
Started October 9, 2018
For decades there’s been a battle for the soul of the Vatican – will it be faithfully Catholic, or will it conform to the world? For most of that time this battle has been quietly raging behind the scenes, but in recent months it’s come out...
The Papolatry of Cardinal Ouellet
Over a month ago Archbishop Carlo Vigano, former apostolic nuncio to the United States, made a number of accusations against Pope Francis and others regarding their alleged cover-up of the Cardinal McCarrick affair. More recently Archbishop...
69: 4 Steps for Reforming the Catholic Hierarchy
Started September 10, 2018
With the rampant corruption infecting the Catholic hierarchy, it’s time to look to reform. And I don’t mean rejecting the institution of the hierarchy, a la Protestantism. I mean reforming the human elements of how things operate at...
67: Should Pope Francis Resign?
Started August 28, 2018
The recent allegation that Pope Francis knew about former Cardinal McCarrick’s immoral activities has sent shockwaves throughout the Catholic Church. Some are calling for the Pope’s resignation. Should he resign? If he doesn’t...
