Register Radio: Recent Episodes
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Register Radio shines the truth of the Gospel on the events of the day…to equip Catholics with the insight and encouragement necessary to engage the culture for Christ.
We are now only a few weeks away from the start of the Synod on Synodality in Rome, and Synod officials have announced that the media will have limited access to the Synod’s sessions. This raises the question: Is a Tightly-Controlled Information Flow the Best Way to Go? This week on Register Radio we talk with Russell Shaw one of the great veterans of the Catholic Press about the Synod, secrecy, and the state of Catholic media.
The Pope of the Peripheries makes history in Mongolia. Catholic News Agency’s Courtney Mares traveled in the papal press corps during first ever papal visit to the north central Asian country. She joins us now with her traveler’s diary notes. Then we look at AI on College Campuses. How are Catholic colleges and universities handling this new moment of artificial intelligence. There’s no one size fits all answer. Register writer Matthew McDonald gives us perspectives from the field.
Students are back in school or soon will be. And parents of public school students are, in some places, on high alert to safeguard their children from politicized agendas – especially in regards to gender identity in their school curriculum, Senior editor Joan Desmond has been following the latest developments in parental rights in California and across the country, she joins today. But first we turn to news from the Vatican. Roman holidays – that is the traditional August escape from hot and humid Rome – is over and Pope Francis has picked up a busy schedule with a 4 day trip to Mongolia, continued preparations for the synod, the signaling of support for the cause of Dorothy Day and confirmation that sequel to Laudato Si is in the works.
The Maui fire devastation and a spared Catholic Church, a court ruling reinstating limits on abortion pills, Ohio pro-lifer’s gearing for an aggressive abortion ballot measure in November and Churches destroyed by a mob in Pakistan are some of the stories that Matthew Bunson and Jeanette De Melo talk the latest news in an Editors’ corner. Then EWTN New legal analyst Andrea Picciottt Bayer gives an update on a few religious liberty cases making their way through state courts.
World Youth Day surpassed expectations last week with 1.5 million pilgrims joining Pope Francis for a vigil and then the closing mass Aug 6 in Lisbon. Blogger and WYD pilgrim Kevin McCartney & Father Sean Conroy join us now to talk about their experience.
Then we turn to another summer blockbuster – Barbie, which made history as the first film solely directed by a woman to surpass 1 billion in global box office sales. Register writer Meghan Schultz gives her take on the film.
Editors Corner with Jeanette DeMelo and Matthew Bunson discussing World Youth Day and Lauretta Brown on the latest White House challenges to abortion policy.
Hundreds of thousands of young people will meet Pope Francis in Portugalfor World Youth Day 2023 . The Holy Father doesn’t want this opportunity to be simply religious tourism… it’s a spiritual pilgrimage. Father Roger Landry joins us now to talk about how WYD people can help us all on our spiritual pilgrimage of life. Then we turn to another well know pilgrimage site Lourdes. The film The Miracle Club highlights the journey of a group of women to Our Lady’s shrine at Lourdes in France. Register senior editor Joan Desmond reviews the film plus offers her own experience of assisting pilgrims to Lourdes.
Sound of Freedom has now topped box office charts. Register writer Patti Armstrong has followed the movie’s production, its success and its serious subject matter – human trafficking. Then we turn to a subject not easy to speak about but that everyone faces at some point in life—grief. We explore how to grieve the Catholic Way: Seeking Heavenly Help Through Sorrow and Trauma. And then don’t forget Grandparents’ Day July 23.
The Supreme Court ended its term with two religion-related decisions, ruling in favor of religious accommodation and free speech. Andrea Picciotti Bayer explains the Court’s decisions and relevance for any believer and the common good. Then Pope Francis announced last week a new head for the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith. Edward Pentin offers reporting and analysis on Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez.
Happy Fourth of July! As we prepare for Independence Day, let’s do some trivia on Catholic connections in the American Revolution. Register writer Joseph Pronechen has the fact about some of the unsung Catholic heroes who made their mark at our nation’s beginnings. But first we look at important Church news US this week – Register editor in chief Shannon Mullen discusses the Vatican’s apostolic visitation of Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler Texas.
The #Synod on Synodality concluded its preparatory phase this week with the release of the planning document that will guide the October gathering of synod members. The document lays out what promises to be a wide-ranging discussion on #Pope Francis’ vision of a more inclusive, decentralized and “listening” church. Register Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl joins us with analysis. Then we hear from a young woman who converted from #Judaism then Protestantism to Catholicism and now is witnessing to others the power of the #Eucharist. Joanna Wischer shares her story.
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Baseball, LGBTQ+ pride, a troupe of men grotesquely dressed in nuns’ habits receiving honors for their so-called charity and other men dress in women’s jerseys receiving top prizes in women’s competition. Then Father’s Day thrown into the middle of this. These are the marks of the month of June. How did we get into this madness and where do we go from here? Two authors and fellows at the Ethics and Public Policy center offer their insights: Carrie Gress and Noelle Mering join us today.
Alyssa Murphy talks with The Hillbilly Thomists, Dominican Friars that are combining Catholic theology with bluegrass music.
Interview with Len Oswald who is retiring from EWTN radio largest affiliate Guadalupe Radio Network after 27 years. Then Register columnist Father Roger Landry talks about HOPE and how it helps those who are sinking into suicide and depression.
Hundreds of pilgrims have flocked to a Missouri monastery this week to see the remains of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, a Benedictine sister who died 4 years ago and whose recently exhumed body shows very little signs of decay. EWTN News’ Kelsey Wicks, went to Gower, Missouri last weekend to cover this remarkable story.
The month of May with its celebration of mothers, can leave some women feeling desolate. Today we talk to women who have experienced the pain of infertility and who have leaned into their suffering through God’s help to yield beautiful witnesses to adoption and spiritual motherhood. We talk to two women who are writers and advocates Leigh Snead and Mary Bruno.
We celebrate Mothers Day this Sunday with warm appreciation for all the women who are mothers – physically or spiritually bearing, nurturing and loving children. On Register Radio, Register managing editor of ncregister.com Alyssa Murphy talks to Lisa Wheeler about entering motherhood through fostering and adoption children. And them we talk about the special role of women in bringing children to Christ with feature writer Lindsey Weishar.
One of the top stories at the NCRegister.com last month was about a web platform that seeks to combat porn addictions that took its inspiration from an unlikely source: Blessed Carlo Acutis. Register writer Solene Tadie wrote that story. She joins us now from Rome just days after she followed Pope Francis’s travels to Hungary last weekend. Solene gives us highlights about the unique ways of evangelizing in our culture and the impact of the Holy Father on young and old alike in Hungary. Then we turn to happenings in the Church in another European country. Jonathan Liedl has more on the German situation – and we examine the question: how does the German tax influence German Catholicism?
Heightened attention is on the Supreme Court again these days over issues of abortion and religious liberty. Today Register columnist Andrea Picciotti-Bayer provides insights into the Supreme Court’s latest cases, including the ruling on the abortion pill and the oral arguments the justices heard related to a former postal worker, who refused to work on Sunday. Then we turn to hearing about a Catholic university that’s stepping up its commitment to life and dignity by offering young, single moms childcare, housing and a compassionate community. Register’s national correspondent Lauretta Brown has the story.
Happy Birthday to Mother Angelica! On April 20, Mother Mary Angelica, the nun who created the world’s largest Catholic media networked, would have turned 100 years old. EWTN Global Catholic Television Network’s founder, who died in 2016, has had a profound impact on Catholics in the United States and around the world. Today on Register Radio, Father Joseph Mary shares stories of Mother Angelica’s great trust and how that continues to impact EWTN’s work. Then the Register’s Digital Managing Editor Alyssa Murphy brings us stories from listeners and readers who have been touched by Mother.
This weekend the Universal Church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday. Pope John Paul dedicated the Second Sunday of Easter to “The Feast of Mercy” in 2000 at the Canonization of the Polish religious sister Saint Faustina Kowalska and since then devotion has grown tremendously. Today on Register Radio, Register writers Matt McDonald and Lauretta Brown talk about the growth of Divine Mercy devotion as well as some ways to partake in this feast day’s greatest offerings.
Prayers for Pope Francis were called for this week when the Holy Father spent a few days in the hospital before one of the busiest times of the liturgical year. On Register Radio today Matthew Bunson and I discuss the Pope’s health and Holy Week. Then we turn our attention to Germany, where a bishop’s resignation and other events seem aimed to deter the heterodox path of the German Synodal Way. Jonathan Liedl, the Register’s senior editor who recently returned from Germany, offers his analysis.
How tough a Catholic are you? How would you have done with the Catholic Church’s practice of fasting if you lived 100 years ago? Today we discuss Lent and Fasting – now and then with Register staff writer Matthew McDonald. Then we turn to the troubling trend of interest in the Occult and discuss ways of “putting the devil on the run” with Register contributor Mary Frances Myler.
On today’s show Register columnist Father Raymond J. De Souza examines the highlights and lowlights of Pope Francis’ pontificate and then, along with Register Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl, we look at one of Francis’ biggest challenges the German Synodal Way.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is mourning the loss of Bishop David O’Connell, who was shot and killed two weeks ago. He has been remembered as shepherd who knew the smell of his sheep and who tirelessly served the community. Senior editor Joan Frawley Desmond who has covered the story joins us on Register Radio. Then Matthew Bunson and Jeannette DeMelo have an editors corner that highlights news of the first anniversary of Ukraine- Russia war, the Vatican’s latest communication on the Traditional Latin Mass, a feature on 6 American Black Catholics Are on the Road to Sainthood and more.
Lent 2023 is here and Catholics across the globe turn to prayer, fasting and works of charity in order to more fully unite themselves to Christ. The National Catholic Register provides resources to aid this spiritual journey. Today Doctor Scott Hahn joins us to discuss his new free Bible study, "Holy Is His Name"? Then the Register’s associate editor Amy Smith gives us highlights of other Lenten materials.
Eight Nicaraguan Priests who were expelled from their country by the Ortega regime celebrated Mass for first time in six months last weekend at a small chapel in Washington DC. The Register’s senior editor Joan Frawley Desmond who has covered this story of faith in the face of persecution joins us on Register Radio along with Register columnist Andrea Picciotti Bayer, who covers religious liberty issue world-wide.#EWTN #Catholic #Radio #Religious #Freedom
The Register has a new editor in chief. EWTN announced last month that Shannon Mullen will be lead the 95 year old National Catholic Register. Shannon joins us to talk about his dedication to journalism and his mission in Catholic media. Jeanette & Matthew also talk with Register Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl about his recent trip to Israel – the highlights of pilgrimage but also the ongoing strife in the region. And lastly we take another look at conflicting concepts of synod that continue to cause tension in the church. Listen to the program on EWTN Catholic radio.
Matthew Bunson interviews Jeanette De Melo, the Register's editor in chief about what it takes to run the National Catholic Register. They discuss the history of this almost 90 plus year old paper and how Jeanette came to work work there.
This weekend men and women, young and old from around the country rallied in demonstration of the tragedy of abortion. Their protest marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade which was decided 50 years ago on Jan 22, 1973, despite the fact that Roe has been overturned. Pro-life organizers told the Register’s national reporter Lauretta Brown that the marches are now more important than ever. She joins now to explain why.Then we turn to a different kind of pro-life question: Is Human Composting a moral option? Register columnist John Grondelski joins us to explain the Church’s teaching on proper Christian burial.
Father Raymond de Souza has interviewed both Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal George Pell of Australia. This week on Register Radio Fr. De Souza talks with Jeannette DeMelo and Matthew Bunson on the legacy of Pope Benedict and his long friendship with Cardinal Pell.
Register’ Rome correspondent Edward Pentin and Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl share impressions on Pope Emeritus Benedict XI's funeral and insights into his legacy.
As we closed out 2022, the Register prepared our year in review edition. The Register’s national correspondent Lauretta Brown gives special attention to #pro-life heroes this year marking their long hard work to overturn Roe vs Wade. Then the Register’s Rome correspondent Edward Pentin for a look back at this year’s happenings involving the #Pope and the #Vatican.
As pilgrims make their way to Rome for Advent and the Christmas season, important Vatican news continues, including the crisis of the German Synodal Path, the Synod on Synodality, and the on-going trial of Cardinal Angelo Becciu. This week on Register Radio, we are joined by the Register’s Rome correspondent, Edward Pentin with the latest on these stories and more.
Johnnette shares that the Immaculate Conception is the Catholic dogma that states that Mary was conceived without original sin or its stain. That’s what “immaculate” means: without stain. She asked listeners to share how Mary has changed their life. Anne tells of how putting 'Miraculous medals ' in her son's car helped him to make good decisions. Judy, Madalyn, Barbara all share their stories too .
Alyssa Murphy talks with The Hillbilly Thomists, Dominican Friars that are combining Catholic theology with bluegrass music.
Scripture scholar John Bergsma help us deepen our understanding of the ‘A’ cycle of readings we hear at Sunday Mass. Then explore the new sainthood causes for 3 American women in an editor’s corner.
The U.S. #bishops met this week to choose new leaders for their conference and discuss key priorities for the Church in the America including life issues after #Dobbs, #Synod on Synodality and #Marriage catechumenate. EWTN News was on the ground reporting from the event. The Register’s Lauretta Brown and Jonathan Liedl join us with their take aways. #USCCB
The 2022 Mid-Term elections did not deliver the anticipated Red Wave that was expected to carry the Republicans back to power in Washington, DC. It did bring some major surprises, however, and left the GOP poised to block President Biden’s agenda for the next two years. What were the biggest takeaways from the midterms? This week on register Radio, we are joined by Lauretta Brown, Register staff writer who has been covering the midterms. And then, we talk with Register Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl about the upcoming USCCB Fall General Assembly.
As Election Day Approaches, many Catholics have joined EWTN in praying a Marian Novena for Our Nation. At the Register we are praying as well as continuing to cover the important issues at play in the midterms. The Register’s National Correspondent Lauretta Brown joins us from Washington. And then Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl talks about the latest on the Synod on Synodality including what’s in the working document and who will represent the US in the continental phase.
Pope Francis has decided to extend the Synod on Synodality to October 2024. His announcement on Oct. 16 included his decision to divide the Synod of Bishops into two sessions that will meet in Rome in October 2023 and October 2024. Register Rome correspondent Edward Pentin joins us with analysis of this news. Then EWTN Legal Analyst Andrea Picciotti-Bayer joins us to discuss the new term at the US Supreme Court and cases Catholics should watch. She’ll also highlight how Religious Liberty is in the crosshairs of midterm election campaigns
On Oct. 11, 2022, the Catholic Church recognized the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council by Pope John XXIII. To commemorate the Council and examine the mark it continues to have on the Church these 60 years later, the National Catholic Register published a symposium of voices. Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl helped organize this effort and Theologian Larry Chapp contributed to the special edition. Both join Jeanette DeMelo to discuss Vatican II’s continued relevance in this moment as well as its significance for the future of the Church.
As midterm elections are only one month away, pollsters are taking a pulse on what’s important to voters and gaging how they intend to cast their ballot. EWTN News has commissioned polls of Catholic voters. Here on Register Radio we examine the latest poll data that shows that confidence in President Joe Biden has plummeted and the economy is top on voters’ minds. We’ll also look at the consistent way weekly Mass going Catholics stand out in their views from the general population. Then we turn to something lighter and yet deeper art, culture and eternal perspectives with Register UK Correspondent KV Turley.
“Hooked on the Camino” that’s how one bishop described his 5th pilgrimage on the ancient way of St. James. Recently 3 US Bishops traveled the Camino de Santiago together for two and half weeks. They shared their pilgrimage experience with the National Catholic Register’s Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl.
Pope Francis went to Kazakhstan this week to visit the small Catholic community there as well as attend a congress for leaders of world religions. AC Wimmer, an editor and journalist for EWTN News joins us on Register Radio to discuss the papal trip as well the latest news of the German synodal path. Then we turn to Register national reporter Lauretta Brown to look at Planned Parenthood’s thriving transgender services business and how a growing number of people are speaking out against the adversely affected by a so-called gender transition.
The late Queen Elizabeth II, as monarch of Great Britain and the head of the Church of England, met five popes in her lifetime. Pope Francis in his statement upon her death Sept. 8 promised prayers for her peaceful repose and praised her for “her example of devotion to duty, her steadfast witness of faith in Jesus Christ and her firm hope in his promises.” Edward Pentin, the Register’s Rome Correspondent, who hails from England, joins us now to remember the Queen. Then EWTN News’ executive director Matthew Bunson and National Catholic Register’s Jeanette De Melo discuss Mother Teresa and the film “Mother Teresa: No Greater Love” marking the 25th anniversary of her death.
School days are back. And so is college football. Ahead of college football season 2022 week 1, the Register’s Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl talked to the Fighting Irish’s new head coach Marcus Freeman about faith, fatherhood and Notre Dame football.
This is a week of consistories at the Vatican – there will be three of them! On August 27 Pope Francis will place a red biretta on the heads of 20 new cardinals in an ordinary consistory. Then he’ll have another consistory to approve the canonization of new saints. And then there’s an extraordinary consistory, for which all the cardinals of the Church were invited to Rome. This extraordinary consistory to discuss the governance changes brought by the Roman Curia’s new constitution, Praedicate evangelium. EWTN News’ executive editor Matthew Bunson is covering these events in Rome. Before his trip Matthew gave us a preview on what to expect during this unusually busy August at the Vatican. Then Andrea Picciotti-Bayer talks Religious Liberty across the globe – with a look at China, Nicaragua and Nigeria.
Over the last month, the leftist regime of President Daniel Ortega has cracked down on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua with several acts of suppressing clergy, Catholic media outlets and public worship. Last week the Vatican expressed the Holy See’s concern for the situation. The Register’s senior editor Joan Desmond brings us the story. Then Register writer Lauretta Brown reports on another crackdown, this time one that can potentially be positive: Visa and P0rnhub are facing a lawsuit that could help curb the powerful porn industry’s role in child abuse and sex trafficking.
After the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade’s false assertion that abortion is a federally protected “right, ” the question of regulating abortion in America has returned once again to the fifty states. Many legislators and citizens will be faced with decisions on this important topic in the coming months. This week on Register Radio, we are joined by Paul Linton, a Catholic attorney and author of Abortion Under State Constitutions to discuss upcoming state battles on abortion. And then, we talk with Alyssa Murphy the Register's Managing Editor of NCRegister.com with a round-up of the stories you won’t want to miss.
Pope Francis was in Canada this week on what he has called a “penitential pilgrimage.” His aim was to address the harms suffered by Indigenous individuals and communities in Canada. The papal trip had three main stops: first Edmonton in the west, then Quebec City in the east, for the Pope to meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and, finally, a visit to the remote Baffin Island community of Iqaluit, in the far north. EWTN News was able to travel with the papal press corps during the trip. And the Register provided a special report from Edmonton by Colm Flynn just before the Holy Father touched down in North America. Colm Flynn joins us here with his story.
A month after the Supreme Court issued their decision in Dobbs effectively sending the legalization of abortion back to each state to legislate, we take a look at what’s happened in the national abortion policy debate and what states to watch. Lauretta Brown, the Register national correspondent will report. Then Senior Editor Joan Frawley Desmond discusses another intense topic: pregnant persons… that’s right not pregnant women but generic persons. How has the transgender movement and the pro-abortion movement conflicted over what it means to be a woman.
Every summer the Catholic Press Association gathers together Catholic media personnel for an annual convention and for award recognitions. This year the National Catholic Register took home 22 awards as well as the top accolade of Newspaper of the Year in the national division. Listen in to Register Radio for a rundown of EWTN News’ honors. We’ll also discuss with Register senior editor Jonathan Liedl the Pontifical Academy for Life’s latest document that seems to contradict established Church teaching on contraception and lastly we’ll hear from our newest intern Hannah Cote on her coverage of culture and arts – particularly discussing her reviews of Disney flicks you’ll want to pass on.
Matthew Bunson interviews Jeanette De Melo, the Register's editor in chief about what it takes to run the National Catholic Register. They discuss the history of this almost 90 plus year old paper and how Jeanette came to work work there.
Catherine Hadro and Lauretta Brown join Register Radio host Jeanette DeMelo to discuss the SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe vs Wade
June brings Summer sun and often vacation fun. For the Church it is packed full of important feasts, from Pentecost to Trinity Sunday to Corpus Christi and many in between. Register columnist John Grondelski helps us raise our hearts and minds to that which matters most union with God as we contemplate June’s holy days. Then Jeannette DeMelo and Matthew Bunson look at today’s headlines in an Editors Corner
The national response to tragic gun violence in recent weeks, including mass shootings at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have fallen along predictable party lines. The US bishops and many Catholic voices have responded in ways that addresses both policy issues related to gun access as well as other underlying cultural factors. Register senior editor Jonathan Leidl will report on what he calls the “both/and” Catholic response to this national crisis. But first we turn to a Church leader who more than 20 years ago was part of the first Catholics who responded to the mass shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton Colorado. Jim Beckman who was a part of the youth ministry team at St. Francis Cabrini Church shares how a mass shooting in his town changed the way he did ministry forever
Happy Birthday Church. Pentecost Sunday is here. And given current events there is a need more than ever to celebrate the Holy Spirit’s constant presence in the Catholic Church. To help us prepare for Pentecost we’ve invite Scripture Scholar John Bergsma back to Register Radio. And then, we catch up with Edward Pentin with insights on the new cardinals.
A week ago Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone made the bold pastoral move to notify House Speaker Nancy Pelosi she would not be permitted to receive the Holy Eucharist in the San Francisco archdiocese until she publicly recants her support for abortion. How will this action reverberate beyond Pelosi? Register Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl brings us the story. Then, in light of this week’s Solemnity of the Ascension, we turn to another question: Were the disciples sad when Christ Ascended into Heaven? On this topic, Register blogger John Clark has some insights to share.
When Cardinal Joseph Zen, the 90 year old bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, was arrested and released on bail two weeks ago it sent a clear signal of just how far China will go in trespassing on religious freedom. What’s next for Cardinal Zen and for Catholic and other religious believers in Hong Kong? Register Rome correspondent Edward Pentin brings us that story and more, including how European prolifers are hailing the expected Dobbs decision.