Conversion therapy is all over the Catholic Church. In the latest Mezzo episode, I outline how to identify and resist it. Link in profile

"Terrorism threatens, wounds, and kills indiscriminately; it is gravely against justice and charity." Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2297

What’s the relationship between conversion therapy and the Catholic Church? Get your 1-hour overview in the latest Mezzo episode! Link in profile!

LGBTQ+ Christians face a SCOTUS decision protecting conversion therapy while entering into Easter. This gives an chance to reflect on how Satan and all his empty promises will not prevail. New Mezzo episode is out, on conversion therapy and Catholicism: chrisdamian.substack.com/p/conversion...

We see once again the mangling of Christ’s body, the Church, in the glorification of violence in the name of Christianity. Christ is abused by the State in its violence towards His image in the vulnerable, the immigrant, the poor. And Easter reminds us that this is not the end.

Wherever we fall, whether hurters or healers, caring or complacent, awake or ignorant, or (like most of us) some combination of these… We are one Church. We are all called to conversion. We are all wanted in love. We all have a role to play in the history of salvation. Christ is risen.

Good Friday gives an opportunity to reflect on suffering and how it can change us. I’m grateful to Laura Fanucci for sharing how suffering informs her life as a Catholic. You can listen to our full discussion on the Mezzo episode: Minnesota Catholics respond to ICE Occupation

In our discussion, Catholic psychologist Dr. Julia Sadusky shared what it means to debate other Catholics in the public sphere on conversion therapy. At times, this includes even lawyers for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. You can find our full discussion on the Mezzo podcast.

Even given the SCOTUS decision on CO's minor conversion therapy law, a lot of what conversion therapists do might still be illegal. SCOTUS held the law regulates speech based on viewpoint, as applied to *just* talk therapy. It may still apply when EMDR, ART, etc. involved...

“I hid behind a trash can during the Eucharist.” Kind of sums up Lindsay’s story of working for the Catholic ministry Blessed is She. But there were good memories too. You can find out more on our discussion on the Mezzo podcast. Link in profile.

Another story from Blessed is She that left me speechless. But unfortunately things like this happen in Christian ministry more often than people realize. You can find our full discussion on the Blessed is She ministry on the Mezzo podcast. Link in profile.

Yesterday SCOTUS released their decision against Colorado’s conversion therapy ban. And I was able to pull together a conversation on the Church and the case with psychologist Dr. Julia Sadusky, Simon Fung who consulted for Colorado, and others! chrisdamian.substack.com/p/the-suprem...

When Lindsay worked for Blessed is She, she was terrified of mistakes. But in the midst of her battle with cancer, she missed responding to a message. Which led to her being berated and told she couldn’t be forgiven… You can listen to our full conversation on the Mezzo podcast.

SCOTUS has overturned Colorado’s conversion therapy ban. It feels devastating. But our work is not over. I will stand with survivors and continue my commitment to promoting the truth about conversion therapy with them.

I was floored by Lindsay’s experiences while working for the Catholic ministry Blessed is She… Link in profile for our full discussion.

Several thousand packed a #NoKings rally in Duluth, Minnesota. 📷️: Jana Hollingsworth

In deconstructing, Patty found faith wasn’t so much about certainty as it was about how much she had to unlearn. Check out the Mezzo podcast’s discussion of Blessed is She to learn more!

Want to know what Shannon was reacting to in the video yesterday? Here it is! The story of Patty getting kicked out of the Catholic ministry Blessed is She… Full conversation is out now on the Mezzo podcast!

Want to know what Shannon was reacting to in the video yesterday? Here it is! The story of Patty getting kicked out of the Catholic ministry Blessed is She… Full conversation is out now on the Mezzo podcast!

Tune in tonight (3/23) on the Mezzo podcast to find out what got this reaction out of Shannon… We’re joined by former leaders from Blessed is She to unpack their experiences in the ministry. Things came out that some of the other panelists didn’t even know!

Video goes live tomorrow (Monday) at 7pm!

Conversion therapy is helpful… at first. But then things take a turn. Learn more in the Mezzo episode: How Catholic Seminarians are Subjected to Conversion Therapy

How do you find hope and motivation as an immigration attorney right now? This was one of the questions I raised with lawyer (and personal friend) Rachel Davis. You can find our full conversation on the Mezzo podcast episode: A Catholic Interviews an Immigration Attorney

Next up on Mezzo: the untold story behind the Catholic ministry Blessed is She. I’ll be joined for a discussion with some of its former leaders on why they were so excited about the ministry and why they left. Episode drops Monday!

Can a Christian have sex before marriage while still growing in chastity? According to the Catechism and the writings of Pope Benedict XVI, yes. More in the Mezzo podcast episode “What Catholics get wrong about chastity.” Link in profile!

Blessed *was* she…

Coming out can be the start of theologizing your body. When we accept our own embodied realities, we can develop a new relationship to God, the world around us, and ourselves. We explore this and much more on the “Catholic Insiders” series, now available on the Mezzo podcast! Link in profile!

How should the Catholic concept of Ordo Amoris inform our treatment of immigrants and those on the other side of the globe? I explore this and much more in my recent conversation with Dan Tillson! Link in profile for the full Mezzo episode!

An immigration policy that actually works needs to be able to deal with complexity and operate in the gray spaces. I discuss this and much more in my conversation with Dan Tillson. Link in profile for the full Mezzo episode!

Coming soon on the Mezzo podcast. Which ministry do you think it is?

What does faith look like under ICE occupation? I explored this and much more in my live conversation with Jacqui Skemp and Laura Kelly Fanucci. You can watch our full conversation on “Minnesota Catholics respond to ICE occupation” on the Mezzo podcast!

When we dig into thinkers like Plato, we can find how erotic desire is about every experience of beauty and how it drives us to creativity. I dig into this and much more on the Mezzo podcast! Check out the episode on: Does Catholicism Really Forbid LGBT People from Falling in Love

Is there a future for “compassionate conservatism”? I discuss this and much more in my upcoming podcast episode with Dan Tillson. Episode drops Monday!

Christian and Catholic ministries like NET need to grapple with how their structures encourage grooming behavior, including with youth. I dug into this and much more with Justin Telthorst and Max Kuzma recently in the Whiplash podcast, out now!

I really like Christian Smith, Cathleen Kaveny, and Robin Darling Young. But I was disappointed in how they engaged the question of Notre Dame’s identity as a Catholic university. My thoughts on that today in the National Catholic Reporter… www.ncronline.org/opinion/chri...

What is “homoerotic desire”? And how might recovering the concept help the Church move forward on questions of sexuality? I explore this and much more in my latest podcast episode. Link in profile!

A lot of Christians want to draw sharp distinctions between eros and agape. But doing so risks losing the fullness of what love is, who God is, and what we are called to become. More in today’s podcast episode. Link in profile!

Does the Catholic tradition condemn same-sex love? Well… not until recently. I did into this and much more in today’s podcast episode! youtu.be/QDG_o1zhGMg?...

Eros isn’t just about sex. And drawing from the work of John Paul II and others can help us expand our understanding of eros, so that we have greater space for positive accounts of things like homoerotic desire. More in tomorrows podcast!

Don’t like the way I live my life as a gay Catholic? Well I have very exciting news for you: you don’t have to live my life.

People often misread Catholic teaching on homosexuality, leading to a lot of hurt and confusion for LGBTQ+ Catholics. In my next podcast episode, I do a deep dive into the concept of “homoerotic desire” and how it can help us get out of this mess. Episode drops Monday!

Edith Stein faced injustice and chose solidarity… What formed her to exercise such heroic solidarity, and what might this offer those facing injustice today? I explored this question in my conversation with Meg Hunter-Kilmer. You can find it now on the Mezzo podcast!

According to Noem, 650 DHS agents are still in MN, which is about 5x normal levels. Doesn’t seem like the “surge” is over… Today (Thursday) our response includes Twin Cities Bridge Brigade, 1st amendment action, chemical weapons training, and more! Latest list here: substack.com/profile/1198...

The concept of scandal is often deployed as a way to control LGBTQ+ Catholics. But if we explore how Aquinas understands it, we might find be able to see “scandal” as a way to protect and empower LGBTQ+ Catholics… More in my conversation on the latest episode of Whiplash! Link in profile!

When people explore the problem of loneliness in Genesis, they often focus on the question of sexual difference. But in his reading, Pope John Paul II focuses elsewhere, on man’s fundamental loneliness that isn’t just about seeking a wife. More in today’s podcast. Link in profile!

Happy Monday, Twin Cities and allies! Hundreds of DHS agents are still in the Twin Cities. Thousands are afraid to leave their homes. Our response continues. Today there’s Bridge Brigade, legal observer training, a film screening fundraiser, and more! Latest list here: substack.com/profile/1198...

This is how cute the Twin Cities are. One of my neighbors is hosting a going away party because he’s moving out of our neighborhood. Not because he’s moving out of town. Because he’s moving to a different neighborhood.

It’s now the Weekend of Action for the Twin Cities and allies! Today’s agenda includes anti-ICE screenprinting, author events, bar crawl for mutual aid, observer training, and a Block Party at Indigenous Roots! Updated list through next week here: substack.com/profile/1198...

My good friend lives in a (very red) town in Indiana. This week her neighbor took down their Trump flag. That’s the update.

Whether you’re privileged or oppressed, the saints offer models of holiness and meaning-making for hard times. I explored this and much more in my discussion of “saints in hard times” with Meg Hunter-Kilmer. Check out my YouTube channel for our full discussion!