…with the Messenger of St. Anthony (not to be confused with Saint Anthony Messenger). The former is an Italian journal while the latter is based in the US.
It was about a half hour interview over Zoom and we covered a surprising amount of ground in such a short time ranging from my double conversion (first from agnostic to Evangelical, then to Catholic), my career as a writer, how I imagine God, what I think of Pope Leo, and my views on Catholic Social Teaching and my relationship with my family.
What are your thoughts on the election of Pope Leo XIV?
I absolutely love him and grow more impressed with him every day. When I saw the announcement live, I caught that he chose the name Leo, but didn’t realize he was American – I honestly thought the next pope would never be from the US, so this was a wonderful surprise.
Pope Leo clearly intends to carry forward Pope Francis’s mission. They are very much aligned, and I believe both are the Holy Spirit’s choice for our time. As an American, I’m hopeful – not out of nationalism, but because Pope Leo understands the deep challenges facing both the US and its Church. Those who dismissed and even defied Pope Francis with the claim that he didn’t understand America can’t say that about Leo. I eagerly await how the Holy Spirit will guide him, confident that this Pope is exactly who we need.
Pope Leo XIV is sharply focused on Catholic social teaching. Why do you think this part of Church teaching often goes overlooked?
Many Catholics assume that visible piety or agreement with certain moral teachings is enough, while ignoring the Church’s broader social doctrine. But Jesus asks, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?”
While dogma is clear and limited, Catholic social teaching – though virtually never dogmatic – is central because it expresses love for neighbor: caring for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. Too often, people pick what aligns with their politics, letting human ideologies shape their beliefs rather than the Church. We must embrace the full fabric of Catholic social teaching. Selectively pulling threads distorts the whole weave. The word for this in antiquity was haereses, from which we get heresy. Pope Francis challenged this mindset, and Pope Leo will continue that necessary work. This whole weave teaching is essential and cannot be ignored.
How has being a husband, father and grandfather shaped your faith?
It has shaped me deeply. The family is the domestic Church, where faith is first learned. It’s a great responsibility, and like all fathers, I’ve had my struggles reflecting God the Father to my children. I often reflect on how I can do better.
My relationship with Janet – second only to the Eucharist – is the most spiritually nourishing in my life. She has been a true sacrament of God’s love and mercy to me, especially in my failings.
Advertisement
One Response
I enjoyed reading the interview and learning more about your background. I find it interesting that after you were confirmed, you took advantage of more opportunities that came your way to witness and evangelize – just what the sacrament is designed to make happen, pretty cool! I feel that for many modern Catholics, life is about “getting ahead,” in terms of material things (bigger house, nicer cars, second homes, etc.) – partly because of the “immigrant makes good” mythology so many were raised with – some are so grateful they “give back,” as they say, while others are intent on preserving what they have to pass to their children and feel others can/should do what they have done and make their own way in the world without assistance, as they view themselves as having done that, perhaps without considering all the assistance they have had whether they realize it or not. I think there is a tinge of the prosperity gospel in all this, a feeling that one is blessed with material things as a result of doing the “right things,” and that material success is somewhat of a favor from God. I was a business major at a large Catholic university and the emphasis was on getting placed in a job with the most opportunity to succeed financially. Little was said about Catholic values – this was in the late 1970s, and I would be happy if things had changed, but I doubt they have since colleges are competing for students and parents hope the investment will yield financial dividends for their child so placement rates with top businesses are touted. Of course, the kid has to make a living but I would like to see more of our faith brought into the classroom. I do not like any trend away from theology, philosophy and ethics courses in Catholic schools as that hopefully is their secret sauce, as it were – knowing why we are here, not just how to profit from being here. I would say I think mainstream Catholics have bought into the culture, but maybe they always did? Maybe humans have just always admired material success and it really takes a lot to go against that instinct? I guess that’s why the saints are saints, because they were so unusual for whatever time in which they lived, like St. Thomas More, for example. It is hard to trust in God instead of your stuff and your status. If you read this, please excuse my rambling, and thank you for what you do.