PUBLIC FIGURES AND THE EUCHARIST

This discussion will negotiate the so-called “Communion Wars” over whether political figures who publicly espouse views contrary to Church teachings should be allowed to receive Holy Communion. In doing so, the conversation will bring together both those who view the Eucharist (to quote Pope Francis) as, “a medicine and nourishment for the weak, not a prize for the perfect” and those who hold that doing so invites moral confusion among the faithful and erodes reverence for the Sacrament.

ABOUT THE ART OF CONTROVERSY

The Sheen Center kicks off a season of conversation with a new Sheen Talks series hosted by Gloria Purvis, host of The Gloria Purvis Podcast from America Media. The series will honor the spirit of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen’s words and the wise counsel of G. K. Chesterton that an ugly “quarrel” should never interrupt a good “argument.”

The Art of Controversy leans into important and timely discussions about Catholic faith and culture. Bringing together guests of differing views, the series will lead with civility, inclusiveness, and a willingness to listen, neither shying away from the teachings of the Catholic Church nor the charitable love with which the faithful are called to proclaim them. And always leading with a spirit of hope, not fear.

Sheen Talks are part of the Sheen Center’s “Catholic Life” programming which is designed to explore the many facets of the Catholic faith and Catholic cultural identity. Topics are paired with speakers to elicit lively, deeply informed conversations that explore the range and depth of the Catholic experience from ancient times to the present.

The Art of Controversy is a Sheen Presents event.

ABOUT GLORIA PURVIS

Gloria Purvis is an author, commentator and the host and executive producer of The Gloria Purvis Podcast. Through her media presence, she has been a strong Catholic voice for life issues, religious liberty, and racial justice.

She has appeared in numerous media outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, PBS Newshour, NPR, Newsweek, and Catholic Answers Live and hosted Morning Glory, an international radio show.

She recently debuted a video series entitled Racism, Human Dignity and The Catholic Church through the Word on Fire Institute.

She is the Inaugural Pastoral Fellow at the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame University and recently received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from the University of Portland in Oregon.