FutureChurch Podcasts

Donald Cozzens, priest, commentator and author of the award-winning book The Changing Face of the Priesthood discusses specific steps lay persons can take -- on a personal level -- to help dismantle a culture of clericalism in the church.

Michele Dillon, Ph.D.,  Professor of sociology at the University of New Hampshire and expert in autonomy and authority in the Catholic Church, discusses the hiearchy's use of euphemization to both downplay the tragedy of the clergy abuse crisis and coverup and to maintain their own power and prohibit women from leadership and ministerial roles.

Canon lawyer, Tom Doyle, offers invaluable insight from his 35 years of experience working for justice for victim-survivors and their families into how canon law upholds a clerical system and culture in the Church, which perpetuates a cycle of abuse and coverup. He discuss which canons in particular lay a foundation for clericalism and argues that the entire church structure -- including canon law -- must be radically reformed if the violence and abuse of people and power is to stop.

Francine Cardman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry presents an overview of the development of hierarchy and clericalism in the Roman Church, addressing the Church's evolving understanding of charism, office, ordination, and authority; the influence of sacramental theology; as well as the role of secular political realities. She also takes participant questions. This teleconference was the second in the series "Power to the People: From Clericalism to Collaboration" throughout 2019.

Author and journalist Thomas Reese, SJ provides an overview of the clergy sex abuse crisis, assessing the effectiveness of steps that have already been taken, reflecting on the latest developments, and outlining the challenges and opportunities ahead as we seek to move from a culture of clericalism to a culture of synodality in the Church. Fr. Reese also takes listener questions about the crisis and how lay people hold Church officials -- at every level -- accountable. This teleconference was the first in the series "Power to the People: From Clericalism to Collaboration" throughout 2019.

Professor Thomas O'Loughlin shares his expertise regarding the historical theology of the Eucharist.  He shows the developments until now and helps restore the original understanding of the Eucharist as giving thanks to God.

Sisters Andrea Koverman, Leslie Keener, and Julia Walsh share their insights and hopes for the future of religious life from the perspective of young Catholic sisters.

Fr. Joseph Healey shares his expertise in helping develop Small Christian Communities in Africa.

Chris Lowney discusses the future of lay leadership and ministry in the Catholic Church.

Jamie Manson discusses her innovative ideas about the shape and direction of religious life for the 21st century.

Fr. Robert Duch discusses Bishop Fritz Lobinger's model for electing community leaders.  Learn about the basic structure of the model and its potential in the Catholic Church.

Professor Ed Hahnenberg discusses innovative models of ministry being developed to meet the needs of the Church today.  He draws on pioneering models in Christian history to show how every age innovates according to the needs of its era.

Msgr. Ray Cole discusses the plan developed by the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests for priestless parishes.

Macy, Ph.D., discusses the evidence that women served as deacons in Rome and in the rest of Western Europe until the twelfth century.  He also addresses the question of when women stopped being ordained and why.

Dr. Gary Macy, John Nobili, S.J. Professor of Theology at Santa Clara University, received both his Bachelor's and his Master's degrees from Marquette University where he specialized in historical and sacramental theology. He earned his doctoral degree in Divinity from Cambridge University in 1978.  In 1991-2, Dr. Macy was Heroditus Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and during the 2005-2006 academic year was awarded the Senior Luce Fellowship at the National Humanities Center in North Carolina.  Among other works, Dr. Macy has published The Hidden History of the Ordination of Women in 2007 and with William Ditewig and Phyllis Zagano, Women Deacons: Past, Present and Future in 2012.

This podcast features three women ready to serve as deacons. Connie Walsh has always felt a particular call to the permanent diaconate, not priesthood or religious life. Cynthia (Sam) Bowns recognized her desire to serve as a deacon as she accompanied her husband through his diaconal formation program. Natalie Terry is engaged in and feels called to greater ministerial leadership, and would seriously consider the diaconate if opened to women. After each speaker shares her story, Luke Hansen,  facilitates questions and discussion.

Celebrated theologian, Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ, explores the role of Mary, Mother of Jesus, in our Salvation History.

Presentation by Fr. Tony Flannery "People of Conscience: Reforming the Catholic Church Today." Catholic Tipping Point Tour 2014.

Presentation by Fr. Michael Crosby on “Repairing My House: A blueprint for reform in the the Church.”

Presentation by Theresa and Anthony Padovano on what marriage can offer to the priesthood and what opportunity they see for reform with Pope Francis.

The podcast from our conversation with Sr. Sandra Schneiders, "Moving Beyond Patriarchy", a discussion of biblical interpretation as a tool to promote and enhance the full personhood of women.

Fr. Donald Cozzens engages conference participants in a discussion about priestly celibacy. He discusses the history, political dimensions and impact of mandatory celibacy showing how mandatory celibacy is used as a form of power and control while making a case for giving those who are called to the priesthood the freedom to marry or to be celibate.

Dr. Phyllis Zagano presents the case for ordaining women to the permanent diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church

Dr. Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ, Presents on Connecting with our Sisters: The Life and Times of Phoebe, Priscilla and Perpetua. She addresses how these women in the churches of the first generations lived and expressed their faith, how they envisioned a future church, and how we today can follow their example in humility and hope. Sr. Carolyn is a past president of the Catholic Biblical Association and co-author of many books including A Woman's Place: House Churches in Earliest Christianity.

On February 23, 2011, FutureChurch held a free phone conference entitled, Biblical Women Missing from the Lectionary - Why It Matters with a presentation by Regina Boisclair, Ph.D.

Regina Boisclair, PhD. is the Cardinal Newman Chair of Catholic Theology at Alaska Pacific University and author of Amnesia in the Catholic Sunday Lectionary: Women- Silenced from the Memories of Salvation History published in Women and Theology, the annual publication of the College Theology Society, 1994

The teleconference included a presentation by Dr. Boisclair as well as time to learn about the FutureChurch resources that are available to assist in putting more women back in the biblical picture, especially during Holy Week and the Easter season.

NPR's Sylvia Poggioli presented her analysis of world events for almost 20 years including her take on happenings in and around the Vatican and the creation of the European Union.

Sylvia Poggioli is the senior European correspondent for National Public Radio's foreign desk and reports from Rome, Italy; the Balkans; other parts of Europe; and the Middle East. She often covers events at the Vatican and covered FutureChurch's 2006 and 2007 pilgrimages to Rome archaeological sites of early women leaders. Poggioli can be heard on NPR's award winning newsmagazines Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend was the featured speaker at FutureChurch's 18th annual fund raising banquet held in Cleveland on September 18, 2008. Kathleen is the oldest daughter of Robert Kennedy and served two terms as lieutenant governor of Maryland. Her warm and relational style was well received as she shared some of the main themes of her recent book, Failing America's Faithful: How Today's Churches are Mixing God and Politics and Losing Their Way.

Going back to the Bible and, above all, to the teaching of Jesus, Bishop Geoffrey Robinson presents an approach to sexual morality that is profound, compassionate, and people-centered. He stresses the priority of the hierarchy of holiness over the hierarchy of power and offers nothing less than a vision for a church of the third millennium.

Bishop Geoffrey Robinson, who has degrees in philosophy, theology, and church law, was Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Sydney from 1984 until his retirement in 2004. In 1994 he was elected by the Australian Bishops to the National Committee for Professional Standards, coordinating the response of the Catholic Church in Australia to revelations of sexual abuse, and from 1997 until 2003 he was cochairman of this committee.

This presentation was given on June 5, 2008, in Cleveland, Ohio and was sponsored by FutureChurch.

Wondering what progressive Catholics believe are the best ways to promote women's full ministerial equality in the Catholic Church? Sr. Chris Schenk discusses the findings of FutureChurch's Advancing Women in Church Leadership Survey of over 40,000 reform-minded Catholics. Learn about current trends and concrete strategies that are transforming institutional Catholicism from within and without.

Christine Schenk csj is joined by panelists Fr. Gerry Bechard of Detroit’s Elephants in the Living Room; Stan Doherty of CTA New England and VOTF in the Boston archdiocese; and Dan Theil, president of Toledo’s United Parishes. Listen to learn about strategies to preserve viable parishes in your diocese and resist unjust closures. Hear the stories of the panelists who are working in the trenches to keep parishes open. Learn more about FutureChurch’s “Save Our Parish Community” project that is stirring a national discussion of best practices for keeping viable parishes open rather than closing them because of real estate values or simply because no priest is available.

This presentation was given on November 3, 2007 at the national Call To Action conference.

“Because church reform is exhausting work . . . (and) needs to be centered in strong and deep relationship with God.” Elizabeth Johnson focuses on three theological frontiers we now face in our relationship with God: the feminist, the interreligious, and the ecological.

Dr. Johnson, Distinguished Professor of Theology at Fordham University and past president of the Catholic Theological Society of America, titled her talk, “Questing for the Living God,” similar to the full title of her latest book, hot off the press, Quest for the Living God: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God (New York: Continuum, 2007)

This presentation was given at the 17th annual FutureChurch benefit on October 18, 2007, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Canon Law is so much more than a list of "do nots," it is a positive affirmation of our rights. Especially timely for those seeking to preserve vibrant parishes. Sister Kate Kuenstler PHJC, JCD speaks from a background as a former diocesan tribunal lawyer, teacher, parish catechetical director, and diocesan director of religious education. She is now an advocate for the laity, lecturing in
various states on the topic of the laity and their role in Catholic Church.

This lecture was recorded on May 17, 2007 at a FutureChurch program in Cleveland, Ohio.

Fr. William A. Clark, S.J., S.T.D.discusses a theology of parish that empowers the laity to renew the whole Church through the renewal of the local community. His insights are especially valuable as dioceses nationwide are considering parish reconfigurations because of the priest shortage. William A. Clark, S.J., S.T.D., is the author of A Voice of Their Own: The Authority of the Local Parish (Liturgical Press). He is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Holy Cross College, Worcester, MA where he teaches courses in Catholicism, Christian prayer, and the Church. In addition to his academic work on the role of local church communities, Father Bill has extensive experience in parish pastoral work, retreat direction, and music ministry.

This lecture was given on February 27, 2007. John Carroll co-sponsors included the Institute of Catholic Studies, the Cardinal Suenens Center in Theology and Church Life, Campus Ministry, the Department of Religious Studies, and the Department of Communication and Theater Arts.

Should vibrant, solvent parishes with effective apostolic outreach be closed or merged solely because no priest is available to live on the premises? Do parish communities have theological integrity, inherent authority and rights and responsibilities to be exercised in communion with the universal church? What can pastors, parish council leaders, lay ministers, and ordinary parishioners do to claim and vindicate these rights?

Peter Borre, spokesperson for Boston's Council of Parishes shares the lived experience of 15 vibrant but threatened parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston.

This presentation was given on November 4, 2006 at the national Call To Action conference.

The 1999 debate at Georgetown University between Sr. Maureen Fiedler SL and Fr. Joseph Fessio SJ on the topic Can a Woman Receive the Sacrament of Orders?

This debate was moderated by Fr. J. Augustine DiNoia, At the time, Fr. DiNoia, was serving as theological staff to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine. This quote from the Fr. DiNoia adds context to the discussion:

Also I should mention that there have been some questions, of course, about an odd idea that one is not allowed to speak about this subject. There is no such ruling. One cannot come to an understanding and deepening of the reflection of the nature of the gift of (that) holy orders is to the Church without speaking about it. So we must not think that we’re transgressing here any rulings of any kind. This is exactly the kind of debate and reflection that our Holy Father and indeed the entire theological tradition has always expected and indeed urged.