Ncr In Conversation

Billy and Robin Worley explain how Global Sisters Report led them to connect with the Catholic sisters who cared for their adopted daughter in her infancy.

GSR's Soli Salgado is on the show to discuss Nuns and Nones, a new movement that brings together Catholic sisters and Millennials who are religiously unaffiliated. Dominican Sr. Gloria Marie Jones and Mercy Sr. Judy Carle discuss why they’re excited by meeting with young adults who, at first blush, are walking a different path than Catholic sisters.

Fr. Joseph Brown, a Jesuit priest and professor at Southern Illinois University, offers a critique of the pastoral letter and outlines his vision for how the Catholic Church ought to challenge itself to grow in diversity and leadership.

Julia Lieblich, a Chicago journalist and author, and Rabbi James Rudin, who spent years as the American Jewish Committee's Interreligious Director and Senior Interreligious Adviser, talk about what they appreciate about Catholicism. Maureen Day, who teaches at the Franciscan School of Theology, examines the history of conflict in the Catholic Church and offers possible solutions to polarization.

This week, as folks in the United States sit down to tables full of food for Thanksgiving, NCR columnist Colman McCarthy warns against enjoying that turkey or ham as a centerpiece, explaining that emissions from animals raised to feed people worldwide is greater than the air pollution by cars, trucks, planes and boats combined. NCR staff writer Brian Roewe also talks about the upcoming COP24 summit which will discuss just how well countries across the globe are holding up to their promises of lowering carbon emissions.

NCR national correspondent Heidi Schlumpf and columnist Michael Sean Winters discuss the U.S. bishops' annual fall meeting and what it means for a church in crisis. Dan Stockman, national correspondent for Global Sisters Report, talks about the bishops’ vote to advance Sr. Thea Bowman’s cause for sainthood.

Elizabeth Eisenstadt Evans, a contributor to NCR and Global Sisters Report, talks about her reporting on the opioid epidemic and the efforts of faith-based groups and Catholic sisters to stem the tide of opioid abuse in the US.

NCR reporters Heidi Schlumpf, Brian Roewe and Maria Benevento talk about their recent political reporting and how polarity is changing the culture in some key midterms states. Columnist Michael Sean Winters explains the institutional and personality hurdles facing the November 6th midterm elections.

Brenda Nettles Riojas, director of diocesan relations for the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, and Clara Dina Hinojosa, associate editor of Celebration, talk about the plight of migrant families coming to the U.S. and how Catholics can help them.

NCR Vatican correspondent Joshua McElwee and national correspondent Heidi Schlumpf talk about their recent reporting from Rome on the synod of bishops focused on youth and young adults.

Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero will be made a saint on Sunday, along with Pope Paul VI, Fr. Francesco Spinelli, Fr. Vincenzo Romano, Mother Catherine Kasper, Nunzio Sulprizio and Nazaria Ignacia March Mesa. Pat Marrin talks about Romero’s legacy and his connection to Pope Paul VI. Dan Stockman shares the story of Blessed Catherine Kasper, founder of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.

Researcher Mary Li Ma and Michael Agliardo, SJ, explain the historical and political context for the Vatican's recent agreement with Chinese officials over the appointment of bishops and what it means for the Catholic Church in China.

John Gehring and Jeanne Isler of Faith in Public Life discuss systemic racism in the United States and what Catholics can do when bishops fall short of their call to act in the face of injustice.

NCR columnist Brian Harper, contributor Julie Bourbon and theologian Annie Selak talk about how young Catholics are staying in the church and fighting for reform after the fallout of the clergy sexual abuse crisis.

Global Sisters Report staff writer Soli Salgado talks about the upcoming V Encuentro, a national gathering of Hispanic Catholics in Grapevine, Texas.

NCR's Joshua McElwee, Heidi Schlumpf, Michael Sean Winters and Dennis Coday talk about the summer's events that have led to an internal power struggle and an emerging layer of the sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church.

Released by Pope Paul VI in 1968, Humanae Vitae, or “Of Human Life,” established church teaching on family planning and artificial contraceptives. In this episode, NCR columnist Jamie Manson and Todd Salzman discuss the encyclical and its effect on generations of Catholics. Todd is the Amelia and Emil Graff Professor of Catholic Theology at Creighton University and co-author with Michael Lawler of The Sexual Person.

Sr. Mary McGlone, a contributor to NCR’s column Scripture for Life, talks about the liturgical season of Ordinary Time and its significance to the Catholic faith.

NCR staff writer Brian Roewe's three-part series "Reducing Waste" looks at the challenge posed by plastic pollution — the theme of Earth Day 2018 — and how Catholic parishes and communities are taking steps to reduce the waste and change lifestyles.

NCR Vatican correspondent Joshua McElwee and Fr. James Connell, a retired priest in the Milwaukee Archdiocese, canon lawyer, and a founding member of Catholic Whistleblowers, discuss recent news developments in Chile, including Francis’ recent meetings with victims of clergy sex abuse and the resignation of 34 Chilean bishops.