Though we worked on a book together last year, I first met Thomas Peters back in May. We were both in Rome for the inaugural Vatican blogger meeting, and because it was held right after Pope John Paul II’s beatification, the streets were teeming with priests, religious, and seminarians.
After our meeting wrapped up we decided to join some other folks for dinner. But as we walked down the cobblestone streets, I noticed something strange.
Almost every time we passed a group of seminarians, they did a double-take. I kid you not–this happened several times in the short walk. In fact when we we passed one pair of seminarians, I heard them whisper, “Hey, is that the American Papist?!”. After confirming their suspicions, they stopped to chat.
As this episode attests, Thomas is known throughout the world for his American Papist blog where he shares keen commentary on faith, politics, and pro-life issues. He’s been blogging since 2005 and in that time the site has received more than four million visits.
Thomas recently sat down with me to talk about the recent HHS mandate, ‘faithful citizenship’, marriage, blogging, and much more. Stream or download the interview below:
Interview
Download the mp3 here (10 minutes)
Topics Discussed:
1:14 – HHS Mandate background and update
3:44 – Faithful Citizenship and forming our consciences
4:20 – Resources to form your conscience
5:28 – Threats to traditional marriage
6:03 – Simple ways to defend traditional marriage
6:41 – Marriage as a natural reality
7:15 – Respecting the dignity of gays and lesbians
8:00 – Is blogging a calling or charism?
8:54 – The simple reason why Thomas blogs
Excerpts
Q: What are some good resources that Catholics can turn to in order to prepare themselves and form their consciences for the upcoming election?
A good start is always the Catechism of the Catholic Church, certainly the sections on the Church’s social teaching. I have to say, though, that the bishop’s and diocesan websites really are a good resource. If you look at a lot of the diocesan websites, they’ll have a part about Faithful Citizenship, as well as their own resources to give you an education for issues that are happening in your state.
Q: For the average Catholic, what are some good, simple ways to explain why marriage must be between one man and one woman?
Well, the simplest way to describe why marriage is the way it is, is that kids deserve a mom and a dad. And they do best when raised by their biological mother and father. That’s what marriage is designed to do. That’s the great public purpose of marriage.
Be sure to follow Thomas through his American Papist blog, and on Facebook and Twitter as well.
And if you liked this interview, check out my other discussions with people like Fr. Robert Barron, Christopher West, Bishop Christopher Coyne, Marc Barnes, Dr. Michael Barber, and Lisa Hendey.
Be sure you don’t miss future interviews by subscribing to The Thin Veil via RSS or email.
How do you think Catholics should engage in politics?