The National Catholic Reporter reports on the saga of Scott Peyton, my pro bono client

Catholic Deacon Scott Peyton trusted his pastor. Then he learned that the pastor had sexually abused his son. 

After learning of the abuse, Peyton trusted his bishop to ensure justice for his son and pastoral care for his family. To put it mildly, that didn't happen. 

Finally, when Peyton's children could no longer tolerate worshiping in a diocese that had failed them in manifold ways, he resigned his position as deacon, telling his bishop that, to keep his family in Christ, they would worship at a non-Catholic church. That's when his bishop excommunicated him. 

I am grateful to represent Scott Peyton pro bono in his appeal of his excommunication. Read more in Camillo Barone's feature article in today's National Catholic Reporter: "Louisiana deacon awaits Vatican decision on his excommunication."

Father Ed: Bill W.'s Spiritual Sponsor — and Ours

On March 11, I had the joy of sharing the story of Father Edward Dowling, SJ—the subject of my book Father Ed: The Story of Bill W.'s Spiritual Sponsor—with a terrific audience at St. Mary's University in Calgary, Alberta. I'm so glad that the talk was captured on video, as it was among the best that I've given on Father Ed. If you would like to invite me to give a talk on Dowling and his friendship with Bill W., please write to me at the email address listed on my Biography page.

Coming to Canada!

I am excited to be traveling for the first time to Alberta, where I have been invited to give talks on Father Ed: The Story of Bill W.'s Spiritual Sponsor. Visit my Upcoming Talks page for details, and do come if you can!

Alex Pretti, my brother in Christ

I want to tell you about Alex Pretti, my fellow Catholic, my brother in Christ; 

Alex Pretti, the good Samaritan who stopped to help his injured neighbor;

Alex Pretti, who died the way that each of us should hope to die when our time comes—giving his life for another, in pure, selfless love.

"Lifting the Veil on Annulments"

I have started a new YouTube series aimed at demystifying the process of applying for and pursuing a decree of nullity for a marriage that has ended in civil divorce. Episode 1 is above; episode 2 and future episodes (Lord willing) may be found on my playlist Lifting the Veil on Annulments.

The Southern Jesuit who preached racial equality while jackbooted thugs protested outside

On my Substack, I've just published a transcript of Father Louis J. Twomey, SJ's historic May 1961 address at a New Orleans NAACP rally, which he delivered while members of the American Nazi Party protested outside. Please pray that the Lord opens up a way for me to complete my Father Twomey biography, which has been sidelined due to circumstances that I have described elsewhere.

"From Rock Music to Theology": a new podcast interview

At Cafe Atlantique, Milford, CT, 11/2/25

I'm grateful to Father Jack Bentz, SJ, for giving me the opportunity to speak about my faith and life on his podcast Catholics in Ordinary Time. Click here to hear or download the episode.

Vatican newspaper reviews my book on the Sacred Heart

The review of my book as it appears on L'Osservatore Romano's website

What a joy to discover that today's L'Osservatore Romano features a review of my book The Sacred Heart: A Love for All Times! Many thanks to Osservatore culture editor Giulia Galeotti and reviewer Silvia Gusmano for this beautiful essay. It makes me very happy to know that Pope Leo XIV is reading about my book today!

Here is an image of the page of L'Osservatore with the review (click to enlarge). If the review makes it into the English-language edition or Vatican News, I'll update this post with a link to the translated version.