De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

In this episode of Catholic Unscripted, Katherine Bennett and Mark Lambert sit down with "radical firebrand" Fr James Altman to hear the remarkable story of his vocation, a journey that led him from a successful life as a lawyer (and MBA) to the seminary, and ultimately to the priesthood. Fr Altman shares how God’s hand was at work long before he ever imagined a collar: childhood loneliness that became spiritual strength, the quiet grace of holy religious sisters, early devotion to the martyrs, years of serving in the Church while feeling “different,” and then a single, overwhelming moment at an ordination that changed everything. This conversation is honest, intense, funny in places, and deeply encouraging for anyone who’s ever wondered: “Is God calling me… and what do I do if He is?” We live in an age that glorifies self-creation, self-expression and self-sovereignty. But Christianity is built on something utterly different: obedience, surrender, and being sent. A priest...

Over the past week, many Catholics have been anticipating Pope Leo XIV’s first extraordinary consistory with a mixture of hope, relief, and unease. On the surface, the signals look familiar: synodality, Vatican II, liturgical reform, participation. For some, that familiarity is reassuring. For others, it raises an immediate and troubling question: are we simply returning to the same categories, the same debates, and the same unresolved tensions that have defined the post-conciliar Church for decades? In a new, long-form analysis now published on Catholic Unscripted on Substack, I take a close look at what has actually happened so far during this consistory, what has been said publicly by Pope Leo, cardinals, and bishops, and what these signals may mean beneath the surface. One of the most important moments came not in a formal decree, but in Pope Leo’s general audience catechesis on Vatican II. His emphasis on liturgical reform and active participation has been widely reported, bu...

“Is there more to life than money?” That’s not just a rhetorical question, it’s the gateway to a deeper question: Is there more to life than material reality itself? In a culture obsessed with success, power, and profit, what does it mean to truly invite Christ into the way we think about the world and ourselves? In Katherine’s latest article “Between Flesh and Spirit: Lily Phillips and What It Means to Invite Christ In,” She unpacks this very tension: how a purely material worldview shapes the choices we make, the values we embrace, and ultimately how we understand sin, redemption, and the person of Jesus. In an age where commodification extends even to intimacy and identity, what does it look like to see the material world through the lens of Christ? 👉 Katherine explores how Machiavellian metaphysics, the idea that reality is only material facts and there are no ideals, drives decisions that sacrifice human dignity for gain. And she offers a vision shaped by Catholic truth: that ...

We enjoyed our live broadcast this evening where we got a chance to interact with you all, discuss topics and answer questions. You can catch up with the discussion on YouTube:

In an age of empty confessionals and casual Communion, many Catholics quietly wonder what difference the faith really makes. This article returns to St Paul’s sobering words in 1 Corinthians 11:27 to rediscover why the Eucharist is not a symbol, but Christ Himself, and why how we receive Him matters. By recovering reverence, confession, and a living faith in the Real Presence, we begin to see the extraordinary power of the Eucharist to heal, transform, and renew our lives and families. Read my latest article now: CLICK HERE!

The Traditional Family is God’s Instrument — a powerful reflection for the end of 2025 and the start of 2026 on the role of the family in God’s plan. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨ In this beautiful piece by Fr Sean Sheehy, we’re reminded that God chose a family — the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph — as His instrument in the world. The article explores why a stable, God-centred family — rooted in marriage between a man and a woman, is essential not just for society, but for raising holy, virtuous adults. It shows how the health of society flows from the health of the domestic church at home. Catholic Unscripted 👀 If you care about the future of Catholic life and culture, this is a must-read. 👉 Click the link, read the full article, and be inspired: ➡️ READ HERE 💡 Support faithful Catholic commentary! Consider becoming a paid subscriber to Catholic Unscripted — your support keeps deep, courageous, and orthodox writing going, and gives you full access to thoughtful pieces like this one. ...

We were deighted to be asked on to the US Podcast Avoiding Babylon which has a large following of younger viewers.

Is unity without freedom really heaven — or something far darker? I’ve just published a long-form review of Pluribus, Apple TV’s most quietly disturbing new series from Vince Gilligan. On the surface, it offers peace, harmony, and an end to conflict through a benevolent hive mind. But beneath that promise lie some profoundly unsettling questions: What happens to conscience when individuality is erased? Can there be love without the freedom to say no? Is a happiness built on mass death and coerced unity morally coherent? And why does this vision of “heaven on earth” feel so deeply un-Christian? In the piece, I look closely at: Carol’s resistance to conformity and the cost of conscience Koumba Diabaté as an unexpectedly profound witness to human dignity The Joined’s contradictions around consent, harm, and survival Why Pluribus ends up asking theological questions it may not fully realise it’s asking This isn’t a culture-war rant or a TV recap. It’s an attempt to read modern...

Before anything else, I want to say how grateful I am to each of you who reads, subscribes, comments, shares, and supports this work. Your attention, encouragement, and prayers mean more than you know. Writing in this space is not a monologue; it is a quiet conversation, and we are deeply thankful to have you here. Today is the long-awaited day. In Jesus, God’s Son, we receive the most precious gift imaginable. Through His birth, we are reborn. Through His coming into the world, we are enabled to live in the light of Him who is the radiant light of God’s glory. Christ makes it possible for us, not merely to know about God, but to share in the very life of God. Read my Christmas Reflection in full HERE

I thought I would have a serious look at the Gospel today. I've reproduced the text here so you have it in front of you. This is the RSV Catholic Edition translation: Jn 20:19-23 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Today's Gospel constitutes an anticipation of Pentecost. Jesus is raised from the dead with the same body which was crucified and died a short time earlier ( 20: 25, 27 ). The marks of His earthly sacrifice ...