Former diocesan priest Tom Smith, author of Church Chat: Snapshots of a Changing Catholic Church, among other books, takes up the subject of Cardinal McCarrick; Pope Francis’ condemnation of the death penalty in all instances; who should be allowed to receive communion; Catholic identity; the problem with “catechism answers”; and the choice cranky Catholics have to stay or go.

Tom will be back on a future episode to talk about his daughter Karla’s suicide. In the meantime, you can learn about coping with the suicide of a loved one at karlasmithbehavioralhealth.org.

Also, Tom writes occasional  National Catholic Reporter Soul Seeing columns. Here are links to two of his most recent

https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/soul-seeing/grace-human-nature-and-my-three-homes

https://www.ncronline.org/news/spirituality/my-parents-opened-door-unmerited-gift-grace