LIVE SOON: Jen Gerson On The Line with a Vatican expert to ask, is this pope woke?
On the Vatican intrigue, the secular culture of newsrooms, and why journalists inclined to view religion as a mental illness can't tear themselves away from the spectacle.
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In this episode of On The Line, The Line's Jen Gerson interviews David Perlich, a CBC producer and Vatican analyst, about his experiences covering papal conclaves. They discuss the intricacies of the conclave process, the role of Cardinals, and the dynamics of voting for a new pope. Perlich shares insights from his time in Rome, the historical significance of the events, and the unique pressures faced by cardinals during the election. The conversation also touches on the cultural implications of having an American pope and the broader context of religion and politics.
In the second segment, they talk about how Perlich went from a gay southern Alberta farm boy, to almost-Jesuit, to a CBC producer and in-house Vatican analyst. They discuss the secular culture of newsrooms, and why journalists more inclined to view religion as a mental illness can't tear themselves away from the spectacle of a conclave.
Lastly, they dig into the geopolitical implications of an American pope. Is he a Woke Pope? Or do Vatican politics transcend the earthly realm and the culture wars?
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You can definitely tell Mr. Perlich has spent a lot of time with Bosnian Croatian Catholics. (It's that obvious, lol)
This was really excellent, hats off to Mr. Perlich (and Jen for her interviewing prowess).
I particularly liked his answer re his sexuality and choice of education - “it’s just one of the circles in the diagram of my life” - a response that often confounds people who can’t understand how one aspect of someone’s life doesn’t dominate their worldview (similar vein to “how can you be a woman and be conservative” or “aren’t all Catholics right wing bigots”).
The Catholic Church is a uniquely fascinating political institution given its longevity and massive role in western affairs, both positive (ie the preservation of essentially all knowledge through the Middle Ages) and negative (I won’t go through that list but you know what’s on it).
I specifically liked the usage of the phrase “secular humanism” as reflected in newsrooms across the country - the very existence of humanism is a distinctly Christian phenomenon and, whether you like it or not, we owe its dominance to Christianity. I assume Mr. Perlich has read “Dominion” but it presents a compelling case for that thesis. Doing more to understand the “why” and not just the “what” could be good for everyone.