Daniel P. Horan

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David look at the recent testimony of former President Donald Trump and the recent election of Mike Johnson as House speaker, and Heidi talks with Fr. James Martin about the synod.

Before the close of this year's synod session, Pope Francis restated what the church is at its core and, in doing so, denounced a church governed by clericalism.

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel, and David reflect on the last four weeks of the synod on synodality and give their thoughts on the synthesis document. Also, Heidi interviews NCR Vatican correspondent Christopher White.

When overwhelmed by the magnitude of global violence, Dan Horan returns to an essay by Thomas Merton: "The Root of War Is Fear."

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel, and David explore the dysfunction of the Republican Party, and discuss Pope Francis' Laudate Deum. Also, Heidi interviews Kate McElwee of the Women's Ordination Conference.

Laudate Deum reads like the treatises of the early Christian theologians who sought to articulately defend the fundamentals of Christian faith against cultural and religious skepticism or hostility. 

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David discuss the threat of U.S. government shutdown and look at recent friction in Germany over blessing same-sex unions. Also, Heidi interviews Brian Flanagan of New Ways Ministry.

The term "ecophobia" gives us a lens through which to view the human behavior that has harmed the rest of creation, writes Dan Horan. 

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David look at the Catholic response to the ongoing migrant crisis and at the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes through a lens of Catholic teaching, and Heidi interviews Gustavo Arellano of the LA Times.

On Oct. 4, Pope Francis is scheduled to release a new apostolic exhortation on the environment. In the meantime, writes Fr. Dan Horan, we would all do well to revisit the teachings of Laudato Si'.

Listen: Season 13 of "The Francis Effect" kicks off as Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David catch up on summer 2023; they discuss indictments against former President Donald Trump; and they look ahead to the Season of Creation.

Fr. Daniel P. Horan asks: What if, instead of running away from the discomfort and difficult subjects necessary to be a well-educated citizen, moral person and good community member, we sought out those challenging educational opportunities on purpose?

"Ted Lasso," "The Bear" and the upcoming "Ahsoka" are on Fr. Daniel Horan's summer watching list, but he is aware that these shows are created by people who deserve a fairer profit in the age of streaming platforms.

Fr. Daniel P. Horan says that while he was watching "Oppenheimer," he had to remind himself that this was not a scary work of fiction, but an even more frightening reality. 

With the arrival of the new app Threads, columnist Fr. Daniel Horan recommends Catholics consider the Vatican's recent document about how to engage on social media platforms.

Rather than let others speak for transgender persons, you can listen to their own stories, starting with two recently published memoirs, both of which columnist Fr. Daniel Horan has read.

The actor who portrayed the "assistant to the regional manager" on the comedy show "The Office" has some surprisingly insightful spiritual thoughts in his new book, Soul Boom, says Fr. Daniel Horan.

Two 13th century saints' practice of 'evangelical poverty' may contain a key for addressing white supremacy today, says columnist Fr. Daniel P. Horan.

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David go on the road for a live taping at St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, where they look ahead to Pride Month and to next year's elections, and share a pop culture roundup.

The Gospels clearly say to love your neighbor, not shoot your neighbor, says Daniel P. Horan.