Crown and Crozier

Depending on who you ask, former Congressman Dan Lipinski is something of a rare specimen, endangered species - or perhaps even a white martyr.He represented the 3rd congressional district of Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2005 to 2021.Among his claims to fame is maintaining both his Democratic Party affiliation and a staunchly pro-life voting record, even in the midst of his party leadership adopting permissive and militant policy positions in favour of abortion.This courage played a huge role in the party establishment and activists mobilizing to defeat him in the Democratic primary for his House seat in early 2020, and thus close the curtain on his service in elected office.In this episode, we talk with Congressman Lipinski about what it’s like being the last pro-life man standing in a political party; the role of faith in public life; the state of U.S. politics and the 2024 election campaign; evangelizing the culture and restoring its capacity to love; and what insights Pope Leo XIII may have for us in the current political moment.Congressman Lipinski holds a Ph.D in political science.  He serves as Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, and Pope Leo XIII Fellow on Social Thought at the University of Dallas.  He’s also the President of his own consulting firm, Lipinski Solutions.Resourceshttps://danlipinski.com/ (official website)@DanLipinski2Daniel Lipinski, “Be Catholic First”, First Things (November 2022)Pope Leo XIII, Sapientiae Christianea / On Christians as Citizens (January 1890)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

It’s a well-known and tragic truth that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.In this episode, we explore the unique legacy and witness of a specific subset of the holy martyrs - those who perished at the hands of communism, one of the most sinister ideologies of human history and enemies of the Church.Our guest is Kristen Theriault, author of the recently published book, “When the Sickle Swings - Stories of Catholics Who Survived Communist Oppression.”This is an inspiring conversation about ordinary men and women who resisted Communist persecution and paid the ultimate sacrifice while professing and defending the faith with courage.Kristen holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history, and researches Catholics who survived totalitarianism in the 20th century.  She’s the editor of Catholic Exchange, a forum for news and prayer devotions, and serves as a media spokesperson for Sophia Institute Press.ResourcesKristen Theriault (biography)Kristen Theriault, When the Sickle Swings: Stories of Catholics Who Survived Communist Oppression (2023)Catholic Exchangepodcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

To work in the Vatican during one pontificate is a rare privilege for any member of the laity.  To work for three different pontificates, including as an official representative of the Holy See (and a female representative, no less) - well, that just puts you in the hall of fame.Mary Ann Glendon has cultivated a long and distinguished record of service to the Catholic Church: head of the Holy See’s delegation to the World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995; Member and President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences; US Ambassador to the Holy See; and appointee to the independent board which oversees the Vatican Bank.In this episode, we talk with Mary Ann about the reflections and insights in her hot-off-the-press book, “In the Courts of Three Popes: An American Lawyer and Diplomat in the Last Absolute Monarchy of the West.”One part memoir, one part commentary on the vital role of the laity in the Church, it’s a fascinating firsthand account of the inner workings of the Vatican under Pope St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.ResourcesMary Ann Glendon (Harvard Law School biography)Mary Ann Glendon, In the Courts of Three Popes: An American Lawyer and Diplomat in the Last Absolute Monarchy of the West (2024)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

Religion declared “non-essential.”  Skeptical voices censored.  The elderly dying alone.  Christmas in lockdown.These are just a few examples from the lengthy hit-list of government violations of Canadians’ civil liberties during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our guests for this episode are co-authors of Pandemic Panic: How Canadian Government Responses to COVID-19 Changed Civil Liberties Forever.  The book attempts to ensure that the implications of government overreach aren’t simply lost down the memory hole forever.We also discuss our guests making international headlines after a federal judge in Canada ruled in favour of their court challenge against the Federal government’s use of emergency authority in response to the Freedom Convoy protests in 2022.Joanna Baron and Christine Van Geyn are the Executive Director and Litigation Director for the Canadian Constitution Foundation.  The CCF is a national non-profit charity committed to defending the constitutionally-protected rights and freedoms of Canadians.ResourcesJoanna Baron and Christine Van Geyn (official CCF biographies)Canadian Constitution Foundation@CDNConstFoundJoanna Baron and Christine Van Geyn, Pandemic Panic: How Canadian Government Responses to COVID-19 Changed Civil Liberties Forever (2023)“Ottawa's use of Emergencies Act against convoy protests was unreasonable, violated Charter, court rules”, CBC (January 2024)Joanna Baron and Christine Van Geyn, “The government violated Canadians’ rights during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the courts are giving them a pass”, The Hub (November 2023)Emily Oster, “Let’s declare a pandemic amnesty”, The Atlantic (October 2022)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

In this episode, Dr. Yuval Levin offers a spirited defense of capitalism on moral grounds, recognizing that the most serious criticisms against capitalism aren’t necessarily about prosperity and wealth, but about the perceived moral failings of the economic system.This approach is actually consistent with the original case for capitalism, articulated by Adam Smith himself, who was first and foremost a moral philosopher.Along the way, we talk about the essential virtues within Smith’s philosophy; who coined the term “capitalism”; the need for social institutions like families and churches to temper economic appetites; the breadth of common ground between Adam Smith and Catholic social teaching; buying and selling as moral actions; and the enduring truth that man does not live by bread alone.Dr. Levin is the Director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute - one of the leading conservative think tanks in Washington, DC.He is also the founder and editor of National Affairs, senior editor at The New Atlantis, a contributing editor at National Review, and an opinion writer at The New York Times.In addition, he served as a member of the White House domestic policy staff under President George W. Bush, and as the executive director of the President’s Council on Bioethics.ResourcesYuval Levin (official AEI biography)American Enterprise Institute, The Morality of MarketsAdam Smith, The Wealth of Nations (Britannica.com summary)Pope John Paul II, Centesimus Annus (1991)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

What is a nation?  What is a Christian nation?  Is nationalism virtuous?  What does it mean to practice "complacent" love, which is the natural expression of a greater affinity for those closest to us?  How can we expect to renew our society and civilization in the absence of committing ourselves as persons and as a nation to Christ?  And is a Capitol Hill rioter from January 6, 2021 the archetype or the caricature of a Christian nationalist?We explore these and other questions with our guest, Dr. Stephen Wolfe, author of The Case for Christian Nationalism. Dr. Wolfe has a PhD in political philosophy and is a country scholar based in North Carolina.  He’s the co-host of the Ars Politica podcast and is a contributor to numerous U.S.-based Christian publications.Resources@PerfInjust (X / Twitter)Stephen Wolfe, The Case for Christian Nationalism (2022)Stephen Wolfe, “No Christian Nation, No Christian Family”, American Reformer (November 27, 2023)Daniel Sillman, “Christian nationalism debates expose clashing views of power”, Christianity Today (October 31, 2022)Ars Politica (podcast)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

Join us as we revisit the highs and lows of 2023!We glance back at major stories like the Synod on Synodality, demotions of high-profile prelates, discovery of the incorrupt remains of an African-American nun who loved the ancient liturgy, U.S. federal law enforcement targeting “radical traditionalists”, and Canada’s Parliament enjoying a moment of clarity in determining that Christmas is, in fact, not a discriminatory holiday.In true Crown and Crozier style, we don’t just dwell on current events. Along the way, we take some scenic detours into reflections on suffering, grace, gratitude, beauty and apocalyptic unveilings.Our guest is fellow Canadian and Catholic commentator, Kennedy Hall, host of The Kennedy Report (thekennedyreport.com) and author of SSPX: The Defence.(N.B. this podcast was recorded in early December, prior to the release of Fiducia Supplicans on December 18).ResourcesThe Kennedy Report (website)The Kennedy Report (YouTube)@kennedyhallKennedy Hall, Mere Tradition (Substack)Kennedy Hall, SSPX: The Defence (2023)Should I Join the SSPX? (YouTube interview between Brian Holdsworth and Kennedy Hall)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

This episode is our second installment in a two-part series looking at “integralism”, which holds that the State should recognize Catholicism as true and ought to unite with the Church as body to her soul. In Part 1 of our attempt to give integralism a fair hearing, we were treated to a critique of the theory.  In this second half, we give the floor to one of the leading intellectual voices and proponents in the integralist movement, Dr. Thomas Pink. Dr. Pink argues that integralism is first and foremost what the Catholic Church has taught for centuries about the proper ordering of Church and State.  In addition, our guest makes the case that integralism delivers a more realistic view of how states actually function and the true nature of legal authority. Regardless of whether this two-part series leaves you feeling more or less inclined to accept integralism, we hope that you’ll find this exploration to be a rich and meaningful examination of this critically important tradition within Church teaching. Dr. Thomas Pink is Professor of Philosophy at King’s College in London, England. He’s written extensively on ethics, metaphysics, free well, political and legal philosophy, and on the history of these subjects. Don’t forget to subscribe to Crown and Crozier, and be the first to know when a new episode drops on Church, State and faithful citizenship!ResourcesDr. Thomas Pink (official bio)@thomaspink1 Thomas Pink, Papal Authority and the Limits of Official Theology, The Lamp (December 2022)Reconciling integralism, the magisterium, and the modern world, The Pillar (September 2022)Thomas Pink, Integralism, Political Philosophy, and the State, Public Discourse (May 2020)Thomas Pink, In Defence of Catholic Integralism, Public Discourse (August 2018)Thomas Pink, Dignitatis Humanae: continuity after Leo XIIIPope Paul VI, Declaration on Religious Freedom: Dignitatis Humanae (December 7, 1965)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

Centuries ago, when what we now refer to as “States” were just starting to take shape, who did they turn to for guidance on how to perform their basic functions?  Who taught them the equivalent of accounting, record-keeping, law, taxation and dispute resolution 101?  Who served as a model for how to administer justice and organize an assembly of representatives?And who, by extension, do we have to thank for the great inheritance of such fundamental principles as the rule of law, that have been passed down generation after generation?That’s right, the Roman Catholic Church of the medieval era!Our guest for this episode is Dr. Anna Grzymala-Busse, author of the recently published book, Sacred Foundations: The Religious and Medieval Roots of the European State.Dr. Grzymala-Busse researches and teaches at Stanford University, where she serves as the Michelle and Kevin Douglas Professor of International Studies in the Department of Political Science, the Director of the Europe Center, and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute.  Her areas of expertise include the historical development of the state and its transformation, political parties, and religion and politics.ResourcesAnna Grzymala-Busse (faculty bio)Sacred Foundations: The Religious and Medieval Roots of the European Statepodcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

With the 2024 U.S. presidential election campaign heating up, we’re delighted to bring you an episode featuring the wisdom and experience of someone who’s endured the grueling ups and downs that come with life on the campaign trail.Our guest is Rick Santorum, who twice contested the race for the highest executive office in the United States - first in 2012 and then in 2016.Prior to his presidential runs, he served in the U.S. Congress for 16 years - the first four in the House of Representatives, followed by two six-year terms in the Senate, representing the State of Pennsylvania.A devout Catholic, devoted husband, and father of 7 kids, Rick was a stalwart pro-life champion during his time in office, with his signature accomplishments including helping to shepherd a ban on partial birth abortion into law.In our conversation with Rick, we talk about the 2024 election cycle, what he makes of the current crop of presidential candidates, his own experience on the hustings, the surprising absence of authentic solidarity among Catholics on Capitol Hill, ensuring our faith guides our politics rather than the other way around, and the need for happy, hopeful warriors in the public square. ResourcesRick Santorum (biography)@RickSantorumpodcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

If you’re a regular consumer of Catholic and Christian media, there’s a good chance that you’ve come across the term “integralism."“Integralism” refers to the school of thought which says that the Church can direct the State to adopt policies which advance the ends of the Church and help enforce Church law.Sounds wild, doesn’t it?And yet, if you look more closely, there’s actually a lengthy record of Church teaching tilting in the direction of what integralists assert.Integralism engages fundamental questions about what it means to be subject to Christ’s kingship and to the legitimate authority of the State.  So it’s little wonder that the topic is capable of igniting spirited views on either side.This episode is the first installment in a two-part series planned by Crown and Crozier, in which our objective is to give integralism a fair hearing.Our guest is Dr. Kevin Vallier, who recently authored a detailed critique of integralism entitled All the Kingdoms of the World: On Radical Religious Alternatives to Liberalism.Dr. Vallier has written several books on political philosophy and currently serves as Associate Professor at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where he also directs the university’s program in Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law.ResourcesKevin Vallier (official website)Kevin Vallier, All the Kingdoms of the World: On Radical Religious Alternatives to LiberalismThomas Pink, In Defence of Catholic Integralism, Public Discourse (August 12, 2018)Kevin Vallier, What is integralism? (The Liberal Tortoise - Substack blog)The Josias (integralist blog)Pope Paul VI, Declaration on Religious Freedom: Dignitatis Humanae (December 7, 1965)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

Antonin Scalia was a larger than life presence in the conservative legal movement and in the judicial branch of the U.S. government during the latter part of the 20th century and the early years of the 21st.In this episode, we get to know the late Supreme Court justice at a personal level - as the boy who became the student, who became the lawyer, who became the judge, who ultimately exerted more influence on the highest court during his 30-year tenure than perhaps any of his peers in the post-World War II era.Perhaps most importantly, we get to know him as the deeply devoted follower of Jesus Christ who took seriously the obligation to discern and pursue his vocation.Our guest is James Rosen, author of the recently published biography Scalia: Rise to Greatness, 1936-1986. The book is the first installment in a planned two-volume biography of Scalia, which is already earning accolades as the authoritative chronicle of the late justice’s life and legacy.An author, historian and journalist, James Rosen currently serves as the Chief White House Correspondent for Newsmax.ResourcesJames Rosen (biography)@JamesRosenTVJames Rosen, Scalia: Rise to Greatness, 1936-1986podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

In this episode, we turn attention to one of the greatest statesmen in Canadian history.Thomas D’Arcy McGee was a father of Canadian confederation, a champion of minority rights, and the principal architect of the unique constitutional protections afforded to Catholic schools in Canadian provinces - protections which are arguably unprecedented and unrivaled among Western democratic nations.Although overlooked in the history books of the Great White North, McGee exerted enormous influence on the founding of Canada and has many things to teach us in a present-day context defined by polarized political debates. Sadly, one of those lessons stems from the untimely death he encountered courtesy of an assassin’s bullet.Our guest is Dr. David Wilson of the History Department and Celtic Studies Program at the University of Toronto. Wilson is the author of the two-volume authoritative biography of D’Arcy McGee, which won the Canadian Historical Association prize for political history. His fields of expertise include the Irish in North America, revolutionary movements, as well as religion and nationalism.ResourcesDr. David Wilson (biography)David Wilson, Thomas D'Arcy McGee, Volume 1: Passion, Reason, and Politics, 1825-1857David Wilson, Thomas D'Arcy McGee, Volume 2: The Extreme Moderate, 1857-1868podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

We often think of patriotism as loving our country. But what if our country is going completely off the rails? What if our culture and society is so broken and divided that we can’t even agree on why we should love our country and how best to express that love?In this episode, we take a look at patriotism through a different lens - one that might be more satisfying, settling and capable of navigating the ethical and moral questions that arise when our country is headed in the wrong direction.This perspective involves looking at patriotism as a form of piety - meaning it’s not necessarily about feeling the love, but more about acknowledging and honoring a debt that can’t possibly be repaid.Our guest is Dr. Sarah Houser, professorial lecturer in the Department of Government at American University in Washington, DC. Dr. Houser’s areas of expertise include patriotism and the nation-state, and she’s the author of the forthcoming book Recovering Patriotism: Friendship and the Politics of Place.ResourcesDr. Sarah Houser (biography)A Tour of the Summa: Piety“What St. Thomas Aquinas teaches us about patriotism”, The Catholic Herald (July 2019)“White House accused of US Flag Code violation over Pride Month display”, Fox News (June 2023)“POLL: Majority of Americans disagree with Colin Kaepernick's protest”, CBS Sports (September 2016)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

Does protecting kids mean we have to turn priests into government informants?It might sound like a far-fetched question. But during their recent legislative sessions, a few U.S. state legislatures found themselves wrestling with this exact question.Under the guise of seeking to strengthen measures to safeguard children, several legislative proposals would have required priests to violate the seal of confession if information regarding incidents of abuse came to their attention in the confessional.Joining us to discuss the profound implications of these bills is someone who had a front-row seat during the debates in the state legislatures which were recently examining this issue.Eric Kniffin is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and has been an attorney focused on religious liberty for almost 20 years. He worked in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice during the George W. Bush Administration. In private practice, Eric has defended hundreds of religious employers from federal mandates regarding contraception, abortifacients and gender transition.Resources & References@ekniffin (Twitter)Eric Kniffin (biography)Eric Kniffin, “Attacks on the Seal of the Confessional”, First Things (March 30, 2023)Ethics and Public Policy Center, “EPPC Scholar Urges Washington State Not to Pressure Clergy to Violate Seal of the Confessional” (March 21, 2023)Jason Dearen and Michael Rezendes, “Churches defend clergy loophole in child sex abuse reporting”, Associated Press (September 28, 2022)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

The Church defines virtue as the “habitual and firm disposition to do good.”But as our guest for this episode points out, virtue as a concept and as a practice is increasingly under attack these days.In his recent book, War on Virtue: How the Ruling Class is Killing the American Dream, Bill Donohue argues that the widespread inculcation and exercise of virtues - especially the core virtues of self-discipline, personal responsibility and perseverance - are being subverted by political, corporate and cultural elites through actions aimed at promoting racial divisions, devaluing the family, giving up on the poor, sabotaging education and rewarding incivility. What’s needed in response, according to the author, is a concentrated campaign to instill virtue in every person, young and old, so that society can be reformed and re-normed, and the aspirations for genuine human flourishing can be realized.Since 1993, Bill Donohue has served as the President and CEO of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, the largest Catholic civil rights organization in the United States. He’s a prolific author and commentator on civil liberties and religion, as well as a former teacher whose career began at an inner city school in New York City.@CatholicLeague (Twitter)Bill Donohue (biography)Bill Donohue, War on Virtue: How the Ruling Class is Killing the American Dream (2023)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

Our guest for this episode is a member of one of Europe’s most famous Catholic families and dynasties.For 800 years, the Habsburgs have done and seen it all - occupying the highest offices of the land, both civil and religious; ruling over kingdoms stretching across the continent and the ocean; and serving as last men standing in the defense of Christendom and Western civilization against outside aggressors.In this conversation, Ambassador Eduard Habsburg highlights the rich legacy and stories of the Habsburgs, drawing upon his recently published book The Habsburg Way: Seven Rules for Turbulent Times.  Although their political empire may have faded into the history books, this fascinating family still has a lot to teach men and women of faith and goodwill in the 21st century.We also discuss what it’s like having a front row seat as a diplomat in the corridors of the Vatican.  To cap things off, we talk about the Ambassador’s boss, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban - who’s described by his critics as a threat to democracy and European unity, and by his supporters as one of the Western world’s few remaining defenders of fundamental freedoms.Eduard Habsburg has served as Hungary’s Ambassador to the Holy See and Sovereign Order of Malta since 2015.  Prior to joining the foreign service, he wrote screenplays for zombie movies and novels, and also produced cartoons.Websites / resources referenced@EduardHabsburg (Twitter)Eduard Habsburg, The Habsburg Way: Seven Rules for Turbulent Times (2023)Jason Horowitz, “Hungary’s Ambassador to the Pope, With an Offbeat Resumé”, The New York Times (August 27, 2023)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

Pop quiz!Out of all the violence and persecution in the world that is religiously-motivated, 75% of victims belong to which religion?Sadly, if you guessed Christianity, you would be right.In this episode, we speak with Dr. Thomas Williams, author of the recently published book The Coming Christian Persecution: Why Things are Getting Worse and How to Prepare for What is to Come. Williams highlights how the persecution of Christians is not just an artifact of history - it’s happening right now, in ways and at a scale that believers and non-believers alike fail to fully grasp.We discuss how systematic persecution of the followers of Christ persists in countries like North Korea, Nigeria, Pakistan and China; how “soft” persecution against Christians - as well as instances of violence - are on the rise in the West; how those who profess Jesus as Lord are called to both prepare for suffering and resist oppression; and how combating persecution ultimately begins and ends with cultivating the proper disposition of heart and mind.Dr. Williams currently serves as Rome Bureau Chief for Breitbart News and is the author of 17 books in the fields of theology, philosophy, ethics and spirituality. He teaches theology at the Rome campus of St. John’s University and has served as a media commentator on faith, ethics and religion for such networks as NBC, CBS and Sky News. He was appointed by the Holy See as spokesman for two Synods of Bishops (1997 and 2001).Websites / resources referencedDr. Thomas Williams official website@tdwilliamsrome (Twitter)Dr. Thomas Williams, The Coming Christian Persecution: Why Things are Getting Worse and How to Prepare for What is to Come (2023)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

God Save the King and Rule Britannia!To mark the occasion of the crowning of Britain's new king and Canada's new head of state, this episode features a special guest from the other side of the Atlantic.Ann Widdecombe served as a Conservative Member of Parliament in the British House of Commons from 1987-2010.  During that time, she held several Cabinet portfolios, and early on in her tenure, converted to the Catholic faith.  She also held a seat in the European Parliament as a representative of the Brexit Party from 2019-2020.A well-known political commentator and public personality, Widdecombe makes the case for why Britain's withdrawal from the European Union was necessary (and why it was fully in line with Catholic social teaching on subsidiarity). She also reflects on her conversion, the future of the Anglican Church, the present state of conservatism in the United Kingdom, and the first coronation of a British monarch in 70 years.Websites / resources referencedAnn Widdecombe official websiteAnn Widdecombe, “Conservatives are not conservative - it's why I can't back the Tories,” The Daily Express (March 21, 2023)Ann Widdecombe: Brexit, Trade, and the European Union“The King’s coronation oath: an explainer for Catholics,” Catholic Herald (May 2, 2023)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

“If you reject me on account of my religion, I shall thank God that He has spared me the indignity of being your representative.”Like most of the words that escaped from his mouth or his pen, Hilaire Belloc’s famous speech to British voters was fiery, forceful and fueled by his faith.It’s a great tragedy of history that Belloc has been pushed into the shadow of his friend and collaborator, G.K. Chesterton. Whether in prose or Parliament, Belloc was a force of nature. His life was one extended adventure, from escaping death as an infant to achieving fame as Oxford’s top debater to challenging the anti-Catholic prejudices of the British establishment.And although he lived from 1870-1953, the alarm bells which he rang against elitist assaults on the Christian foundations of Western civilization are as prophetic and resonant today as they were in his time.Our guest for this episode is Belloc biographer and internationally acclaimed writer, scholar and speaker, Joseph Pearce. Pearce is the author of over a dozen books. Alongside Old Thunder, his biography of Hilaire Belloc, his works include best-selling volumes on G. K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Shakespeare. Pearce currently serves as St. John Henry Newman Chair in Catholic Studies at Thomas More College, Director of Book Publishing at the Augustine Institute, editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions and the St. Austin Review, and senior contributor at The Imaginative Conservative.Websites / resources referencedJoseph Pearce official websiteJoseph Pearce, Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire BellocHilaire Belloc (Encyclopedia Britannica)Hilaire Belloc, The Path to Rome (1902)Hilaire Belloc, The Servile State (1912)Joseph Pearce, “What is Distributism?” The Imaginative Conservative (June 12, 2014)Pope Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum (1891)podcast@crownandcrozier.comwww.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.