The Home Front

Show Notes:Statement of Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, on the Keep Hope Alive AwardPope Leo’s comments on Cardinal Cupich’s intention to award Sen. Dick DurbinThe Pope’s statement on the Durbin award: wrong, and irrelevant; if Pope Leo is quoted here accurately (and I have no reason to think otherwise), it’s a terribly disappointing statement for several reasons; Durbin’s decision to decline the Chicago award has the ‘look and feel’ of a negotiated solution; Pope Leo describes American immigration policy as “inhuman.” Well…Dick Durbin says he was ‘overwhelmed’ by pope’s support (Politico)Phil Lawler on the Durbin award: The Cupich assault on episcopal unity Cupich needs fraternal correction by Phil LawlerMaybe it’s a coincidence that the Archdiocese of Chicago was forced to cancel a meeting of the board of the Catholic Conference of Illinois (CCI), right after a board member indicated that he would raise an objection to the plan to honor Senator Richard DurbinThe Faithful Departed by Phil Lawler (affiliate link)How the Government Built the American Dream House by Joseph Lawler, New Atlantis, Number 81, Summer 2025“Across the United States, it is functionally illegal to build housing like what you find on Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia, one of the most photographed residential areas in the country, famous for its gorgeous row houses in the middle of the city. At the same time, the federal government subsidizes the construction of McMansions in greenfield locations miles from the nearest town center.” “This system is a deliberate creation of the government, going back many decades. It is not a product simply of demand meeting supply at agreed-upon prices. Ostensibly, it is meant to promote homeownership. But in reality, it does not. Instead, it encourages mass financial speculation on housing, urban sprawl, and widespread resistance to new construction.”Do you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free! Or you can choose to support us financially if you are able— either way, we appreciate you!Your paid subscription means a lot to us and helps us continue our work.Want to tell a friend? Please do!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this, if you enjoyed this episode: Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe

Show Notes:JD Vance’s Sharp-Elbowed Theology by Tony Badran, The Tablet — I don’t know what he’s saying, and neither do youCharlie Kirk DM’d me before he was murdered. Here’s what he said by Van Jones, CNN — what’s missing in this statement is any call to the Left to stand down.Paprocki ‘shocked’ by Durbin’s Chicago award (The Pillar)Archbishop Cordileone supports PaprockiStatement of Cardinal Blase J. CupichThe Scandalous Case of Cardinal Cupich and Senator Durbin, by Jayd Hendricks - Catholic World Report. Hendricks, who studied in a seminary where Cupich was the rector, and later worked on the staff of the US bishops’ conference, has some interesting background on the cardinal’s rise through the ecclesiastical ranks.John Henry Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons (affiliate link). Sermon 22, The Gospel a Trust Committed to Us Barnaby Rudge by Charles DickensThe Cypresses Believe in God (affiliate link), by José Maria Gironella (A novel about the onset of the Spanish Civil War.) Do you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free! Or you can choose to support us financially if you are able— either way, we appreciate you!Your paid subscription means a lot to us and helps us continue our work.Want to tell a friend? Please do!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this, if you enjoyed this episode: Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe

Show Notes:Leila on Pam Bondi’s errorActually, Tim Walz [and Pam Bondi! —Ed.], the First Amendment Does Protect Misinformation and “Hate Speech,” by David Inserra and Jennifer HuddlestonLaw & Liberty: Freedom of expression in the university: excellent essay by John O. McGinnis Do you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free! Or you can choose to support us financially if you are able— either way, we appreciate you!Your paid subscription means a lot to us and helps us continue our work.Want to tell a friend? Please do!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this, if you enjoyed this episode:Ida Friederike Görres: A Forgotten Catholic Rediscovered by Jennifer S. Bryson Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe

Show Notes:Part One:* President Trump on Truth Social, about the Covid shots: “…I hope OPERATION WARP SPEED was as “BRILLIANT” as many say it was. If not, we all want to know about it, and why??? Thank you for your attention to this very important matter! President DJT” * Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. invokes compulsory vaccination as a principle to justify the verdict regarding sterilization laws in the landmark case, Buck v. Bell, 1926, quoted in this excellent article analyzing vaccine mandates by Roman Bystrianyk. He also looks into the Jacobson case that forms the basis of today’s mandates.* The full announcement of Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Surgeon General of Florida, announcing his department’s determination to eliminate vaccine mandates in that state entirely.* My post with resources on the questions about vaccine safety and resources including about moral issues:Part Two:Perspectives on organ donation— all from the New York Times:• The Times reports on the federal investigation that uncovered abuses in organ procurement. Doctors Were Preparing to Remove Their Organs. Then They Woke Up (New York Times, June 2025)• Then the Times adds its own report, underlining the problem. A Push for More Organ Transplants Is Putting Donors at Risk (New York Times, July 2025) • No doubt in response, three cardiologists write an op-ed in the Times, arguing that the solution is to accept an even broader definition of “death” so that more organs can be harvested! Donor Organs Are Too Rare. We Need a New Definition of Death (New York Times, July 2025)• Actually doctors have advanced a new definition of “death”— to be used alongside the spurious diagnosis of “brain death.” Removing organs after a proclamation of “circulatory death” was recognized quickly as “kind of a creepy thing to be doing.” But it’s still being done. When Does Life Stop? A New Way of Harvesting Organs Divides Doctors (New York Times, November 2023)Do you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free! Or you can choose to support us financially if you are able— either way, we appreciate you!Your paid subscription means a lot to us and helps us continue our work.Want to tell a friend? Please do!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this, if you enjoyed this episode: Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe

Show Notes:Fr. James Martin SJ puts his spin on the meeting with Pope Leo: Notable quotes:The message I received from him, loud and clear, was that he wanted to continue with the same approach that Pope Francis had advanced, which was one of openness and welcome. So, it was very much a hopeful message of continuity.So while LGBTQ issues are on his radar, other things may be more pressing for the time being. And even when addressing LGBTQ issues, he may not move as fast as some might like.“Diogenes” (Fr. Paul Mankowski, SJ, RIP): Just the facts, ma’am — “To speak of a gay Catholic is a contradiction in terms, like calling someone a pro-abortion Catholic.”Pontifex Minimus: Fr. Mankowski’s review of Fr. Martin’s book, Building a Bridge in First ThingsTames in Clerical Life by Fr. MankowskiProfessor Robert George challenges Martin to say he accepts the Church’s teaching.Phil: Charitable take on Professor George’s view: “Still, I think a case can be made that, whatever Fr. Martin is doing, he is not exactly lying.Though George also wrote this glowing report: Fr. James Martin, Friendship and Dialogue, and the Truth about Human Sexuality, which to Leila is “a bridge too far,” to reference Fr. Mankowski’s assessment, especially when he leans on those of us who still have questions (simply by reading Fr. Martin’s statement) with this:If Fr. Martin is lying, which I resolutely do not believe he is, then he, of course, is answerable for that to God. But please note that by the same token, anyone who falsely accuses him of lying is also answerable to God.{We offer these links as an extension of our mild disagreement in the podcast, to recover the discussion as it transpired at the time. As we say, we respect Prof. George’s efforts to reconcile rather than divide, when possible.}Ex-CDC vaccine chief Dr. Demetre Daskalakis: "I only see harm coming... Based on what I'm seeing... they’re really moving in an ideologic [sic] direction where they want to see the undoing of vaccination."Secrets inside the Westman Family: Has Mary Westman Been Wrongly Vilified? by Andrew NgoNo One Is Talking About The Direct Pipeline From Divorced Parents To School Shooters by Beverly WillettGuardian article: Book burning, Latin prayers – and a lot of kids: inside the American ‘trad family’ movement: The movement towards simple, Christian living can be a yearning for order in a chaotic age. It’s also alarmingly retrograde by J. Oliver ConroyDo you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free! Or you can choose to support us financially — either way!Your paid subscription means a lot to us! Thank you!Want to tell a friend? Please do!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this, if you enjoyed this episode: Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe

Show Notes:Prohibition detached our will to protect the common good but it also stole our orchard economy: How the government almost killed the appleRussell Kirk on the Errors of Ideology by Bradley J. BirzerLink fixed: In the First Circle by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (affiliate link)“In 2023, the "Old Country Store" celebrated Pride by unveiling rainbow-colored rocking chairs. Cracker Barrel sponsored the Nashville Pride Parade in 2024.” Do you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free! Or you can choose to support us financially — either way!Your paid subscription means a lot to us! Thank you!Want to tell a friend? Please do!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this: Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe

Show Notes:Exploring Just-War Principles: An in-depth discussion of classical Catholic thought on the morality of warfare, and how it could be applied to contemporary conflicts.Is Phil good at predicting things? A Just-War Perspective on the War in Ukraine: An address given by Phil Lawler three years ago.Do you love our podcast and look forward to it? Don’t miss an episode!Gay man explains embryo selection processLesbian talks about her “embryogate” — I can’t say I understand what’s going on in this account (there’s this and much more but I’ll spare you), but I know it’s a — how shall I put this — scatological meteorologic event and it is to be prevented in the future at all costs, as is Gay Man’s.Meet the man suing to end no-fault divorce — The FederalistPaul Jernberg, composerDo you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free! Or you can choose to support us financially — either way!Your paid subscription means a lot to us! Thank you!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this: Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe

Show Notes:My Hero, Kim Davis by Leila Marie LawlerWill the Supreme Court revisit its ruling on same-sex marriage? SCOTUSblogKim Davis: Political Prisoner? Culture-War Martyr? Kim Davis: Shipwreck of Religious Liberty by Rod DreherKentucky clerk case driving wedge into conservative Christian camp Daily AmericanFilm: The Well Digger’s Daughter One beautiful aspect of this film is the refined delicacy with which the transgression of the daughter is handled. The theme is how to handle the matter of the out-of-wedlock child; the treatment is anything but vulgar. Parents have to decide for themselves, but I consider it suitable for mature teens’ viewing. A Thought on Teen Pregnancy by Leila Marie LawlerOur civilization’s death wish by Phil Lawler Film: True Confessions Do you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free! Or you can choose to support us financially — either way!Your paid subscription means a lot to us! Thank you!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this:We are so grateful when you share our episodes! Sharing is a great way to support us! Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe

Show Notes:The Just-War debate: last call to join Phil Lawler’s Substack SeminarA Critical Review of Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the U.S. Climate Climate Working Group United States Department of Energy July 23, 2025The Ultimate Resource, by Julian Simon- 1983 (affiliate link)The Resourceful Earth, edited by Julian Simon and Herman Kahn— 1984Washington Post: White House has no plan to fund IVF (archived article)California Bill 495, “Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025”: “Presto, Someone Walks Away with Your Child”: Critics Slam AB 495’s Threat to Parental RightsDo you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free! Or you can choose to support us financially — either way!Your paid subscription means a lot to us! Thank you!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this:We are so grateful when you share our episodes! Sharing is a great way to support us! Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe

Show Notes:How and why the American Academy of Pediatrics wants to take away parental rights (Vaccines are only the thin edge of the wedge)The media just don’t report that Big Pharma funds itA convicted pedophile and his “husband” procure a child via surrogacy and no, there are no laws against that: Brandon Keith Mitchell: Sex Offender’s Surrogacy Journey With HusbandArchbishop Weisenburger and the episcopal double standardDetroit archbishop fires seminary professorsDo you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free! Or you can choose to support us financially — either way!Your paid subscription means a lot to us! Thank you!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this:We are so grateful when you share our episodes! Sharing is a great way to support us! Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe

Show Notes:Israeli forces strike Catholic Parish in Gaza (Vatican News)Pope Leo’s Angelus audienceIsraeli ambassador to Holy See says actions of Hamas reason for war in Gaza (Cruxnow)Gaza: History will not forgive this barbarism and complicity (Caritas International)Jerusalem’s Christian leaders deplore ‘heinous’ Israeli attack on Gaza’s Catholic parish (CWN)Holy See Press Office Press Release: Telephone conversation of the Holy Father with the Prime Minister of Israel, 18.07.2025Pope speaks with Palestinian President, urges respect for Humanitarian Law (Vatican News)HHS Finds Systemic Disregard for Sanctity of Life in Organ Transplant System (US Department of Health and Human Services)Living Organ Donation (Health Resources & Services Administration)Donor DNA is detected in recipient blood for years after kidney transplantation using sensitive forensic medicine methods (PubMed)Do you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free, or you can choose to support us financially.Your paid subscription means a lot to us!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this:We are so grateful when you share our episodes! Sharing is a great way to support us! Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe

Show NotesDemographics, fertility: Jesús Fernández-Villaverde on X (thread): 2023 fertility ratesArguing about Slavery: John Quincy Adams and the Great Battle in the United States Congress by William Lee Miller (affiliate link)Supreme Court Clears the Way for Trump’s Cuts to the Education Department (New York Times) Report: NPR is not indispensable for rural Americans and emergency alerts, despite claims (CatholicVote)Bishop Conley the Beekeeper Enjoys Time in the ‘Really Real’ (National Catholic Register)Scottie Scheffler's take on success in golf: 'What's the point?'Do you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free, or you can choose to support us financially.Your paid subscription means a lot to us!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this:We are so grateful when you share our episodes! Sharing is a great way to support us! Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe

Show Notes:EXCLUSIVE: Official Vatican Report Exposes Major Cracks in Foundation of Traditionis Custodes by Daine MontagnaThose Views of the Bishops on the Old Rite That Francis Forbade to Be Published. Because They Went Against His Will (Diakonos)— includes full text of Overall AssessmentVatican says leaked documents were only part of information Pope Francis used to restrict Latin Mass (AP)RFK Jr.'s vaccine policy sparks a lawsuit from the American Academy of Pediatrics NPRNo More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner HarrisDo you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free, or you can choose to support us financially.Your paid subscription means a lot to us!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this:We are so grateful when you share our episodes! Sharing is a great way to support us! Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe

Can bombing Iran satisfy just-war criteria? by Phil LawlerPreventive war and the U.S. attack on Iran by Edward FeserAttacks ‘Effectively Destroyed’ Iran’s Program (Wall Street Journal) — Note: “It will be a long time before Iran comes anywhere near the capability it had before the attack. That being said, there are residuals such as stocks of 60%, 20%, and 3-5% enriched uranium and the centrifuges manufactured but not yet installed at Natanz or Fordow. These non-destroyed parts pose a threat as they can be used in the future to produce weapon-grade uranium.”“In many respects, democratic socialism was and is close to Catholic social doctrine and has, in any case, made a remarkable contribution to the formation of a social consciousness.” --- Pope Benedict XVI Christopher Caldwell: Reflections on the Revolution in Europe: Immigration, Islam, and the West (affiliate link)Do you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free, or you can choose to support us financially.Your paid subscription means a lot to us!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this:We are so grateful when you share our episodes! Sharing is a great way to support us! Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe

Show Notes: Archbishop Broglio, USCCB president, supports immigrants, rips ICE raidsWhat We Can’t Not Know by J. Budziszewski (affiliate link)The Hell There Is: An Exploration of an Often-Rejected Doctrine of the Church by Msgr. Charles Pope (affiliate link)The Weaponization of Loneliness by Stella Morabito Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C. S. Lewis by Michael Ward (affiliate link)Do you look forward to our podcast? Do not hesitate to subscribe! It’s free, or you can choose to support us financially.Your paid subscription means a lot to us!Don’t wish to take out a paid subscription just now? We understand!How about this:We are so grateful when you share our episodes! Sharing is a great way to support us! Get full access to Happy Despite Them at leilamarielawler.substack.com/subscribe