Heidi Schlumpf
@heidischlumpf.bsky.social
Religion journalist; co-host of the Francis Effect podcast Heidischlumpfwrites@gmail.com
I had hoped that the novel, "Yesteryear" would give me more understanding of the tradwife phenomenon, but it failed to deliver. My reflections, plus some insights from two historians who study conservative women. www.commonwealmagazine.org/schlumpf-hei...
Why We Love to Hate Tradwives
“Yesteryear,” this year’s breakout novel, promises insights into the antifeminist phenomenon, but it doesn’t deliver.
commonwealmagazine.org
I was on @fox32chicago.bsky.social to talk about policies for priests accused of sex abuse. One thing I note: Bishops, unlike priests, are not removed while being investigated. Watch here: www.fox32chicago.com/video/fmc-mx...
St. Sabina defends Father Pfleger amid new sex abuse allegations
St. Sabina leadership and supporters stand by Father Michael Pfleger following new sex abuse allegations. Commonweal Senior Correspondent Heidi Schlumpf joins The Loop to discuss the latest developmen...
fox32chicago.com
"It’s not every day you hear a couple of sheep discussing the nature of God." @heidischlumpf.bsky.social writes on grief, faith, and memory in 'The Sheep Detectives':
Of Sheep, Grief, and Memory
'The Sheep Detectives' is a family-friendly whodunit that also takes up profound questions about the human condition. Its worldview isn't wholly incompatible with the complexity of our faith.
commonwealmagazine.org
Just in time for the nation's 250th, my visit to the Obama Presidential Center restored my hope in democracy but the contrasts to today were striking. My piece in @commonwealmagazine.org @obamafoundation.bsky.social www.commonwealmagazine.org/schlumpf-oba...
‘You Are America’
The Obama Center is surely a monument to one man’s leadership—but it also issues a call to every American to do their part in making the country a better place.
commonwealmagazine.org
I listened to a bunch of Vice President JD Vance's interviews about his new book "Communion" so you don't have to. He sounds more like a politician looking for votes than a spiritual seeker. My latest piece @commonwealmagazine.org : www.commonwealmagazine.org/schlumpf-van...
Book Tour or Campaign Stump?
When J.D. Vance discusses his faith journey, he is careful not to offend any constituencies he may need in a presidential run.
commonwealmagazine.org
A few weeks ago I interviewed Bishop Steven Biegler of Cheyenne, Wyoming about his pastoral letter on immigration. Yesterday's SCOTUS decisions make this all the more urgent. Listen here at the @commonwealmagazine.org podcast: www.commonwealmagazine.org/podcast/how-...
How to Exit ‘Enemy Mode’ on Immigration
Catholic social doctrine holds mass deportation is plainly immoral. Here’s how one bishop in deep-red Wyoming is pressing the case for compassion.
commonwealmagazine.org
As we wait for the SCOTUS decision on birthright citizenship, a reminder that the US bishops support it. My piece ICYMI: www.commonwealmagazine.org/schlumpf-bir...
Fight for the Fourteenth
The bishops filed an amicus brief in support of birthright citizenship. Conservative critics aren’t happy.
commonwealmagazine.org
If their latest meeting is any indication, U.S. bishops may be letting synodality fade—even on issues as important as the abuse crisis. My piece in @commonwealmagazine.org www.commonwealmagazine.org/whatever-hap...
Whatever Happened to Synodality?
If their latest meeting is any indication, U.S. bishops may be letting synodality fade—even on issues as important as the abuse crisis.
commonwealmagazine.org
Religious leaders and communities cannot become complacent on immigration. As the midterm elections approach, the Church must embrace more explicitly political strategies to combat Trump’s war on immigrants. My latest with Dylan Corbett of Hope Border: www.commonwealmagazine.org/schlumpf-ice...
Changing the Calculus of Power
As the midterm elections approach, the Church must embrace more explicitly political strategies to combat Trump's war on immigrants.
commonwealmagazine.org
ICYMI I forgot to post this interview with the amazing data master Ryan Burge, who dispels all kinds of myths about American religion. His newish book is "The Vanishing Church." www.commonwealmagazine.org/great-sort-a...
The ‘Great Sort’ in American Religion
Political scientist and statistician Ryan Burge discusses polarization, declining institutions, and the future of religion in the United States.
commonwealmagazine.org
"Can the Church bear a credible witness on technology, on just war, on what it means to be human?" NEW from @heidischlumpf.bsky.social on 'Magnifica humanitas' and the credibility of the Church:
Will the Encyclical Reach ‘People of Goodwill’?
If the Church itself does not recognize the full humanity of half its own members, how can it expect Silicon Valley and heads of state to respect its sermon on human dignity?
commonwealmagazine.org
#Magnificashumanitas deserves the widest possible reading and consideration. But Until the Church practices what it preaches, it might not get the welcome reception it deserves. My column @commonwealmagazine.org : www.commonwealmagazine.org/leo-magnific...?
Will the Encyclical Reach ‘People of Goodwill’?
If the Church itself does not recognize the full humanity of half its own members, how can it expect Silicon Valley and heads of state to respect its sermon on human dignity?
commonwealmagazine.org
The best summary and analysis of Pope Leo's encyclical I've read so far is this one by Antonio Spadaro @antoniospadaro.bsky.social www.commonwealmagazine.org/spadaro-leo-...
Pope Leo and the ‘Babel Syndrome’
What Leo XIII did for wages and the right of association, Leo XIV does for the human person in the era of the algorithm.
commonwealmagazine.org
"Calling for prudence, rigorous evaluation and even, at times, a slower pace in adopting AI does not mean opposing progress; instead, it is an exercise of responsible care for the human family." #magnificahumanitas www.reuters.com/technology/q...
Quotes from Pope Leo's document warning world of AI risks
Below are snippets from the document, a nearly 43,000-word encyclical titled "Magnifica Humanitas."
reuters.com
Trump is not only the most corrupt president in American history—he is more corrupt than all other corrupt presidents by orders of magnitude. Commonweal's editorial: www.commonwealmagazine.org/trump-editor...
A Presidential Smash and Grab
Trump is not only the most corrupt president in American history—he is more corrupt than all other corrupt presidents by orders of magnitude.
commonwealmagazine.org
I maintain, however, that his liturgical dance to “The King of Glory” is his funniest performance ever—something only a Catholic who grew up in the 1960s and ’70s could know to mock. (Video below) www.commonwealmagazine.org/schlumpf-col...
Colbert the Critic
By serving as a voice for truth and challenging Americans to think critically about complex political issues, Colbert will go down in history as more than a comedian.
commonwealmagazine.org
Why I think Stephen Colbert will go down in history as one of the bravest and most effective cultural critics of his generation. www.commonwealmagazine.org/schlumpf-col...
Colbert the Critic
By serving as a voice for truth and challenging Americans to think critically about complex political issues, Colbert will go down in history as more than a comedian.
commonwealmagazine.org
A more holistic alternative to the Cardinal Newman Society-style of Catholic identity for colleges and universities. My piece, based on the research of Jason King. @jking66.bsky.social www.commonwealmagazine.org/schlumpf-cat...
Leaning into Catholic Identity
These are tough times for Catholic colleges and universities. A commitment to educating the whole person remains the best path forward.
commonwealmagazine.org
"It’s not just an issue about equal opportunities for women and laymen; it’s about the need for better preaching, which requires diverse voices in the pulpit." @heidischlumpf.bsky.social makes the case for lay preaching:
The Case for Lay Preaching
Allowing lay preaching in the pulpit during Sunday liturgy would model that the Church is serious about synodality.
commonwealmagazine.org
Thanks to @brianmackey.com for inviting me on NPR's @21st.show to talk about Pope Leo and US politics. Also featuring my former colleague Mary FioRito! (And an interview with Cardinal Cupich, which I will link to in comments) will.illinois.edu/21stshow/sto...
to.talk
New feature on the Commonweal podcast: Me!--discussing the news with Editor Dominic Preziosi. Then stay for the amazing interview with Fr. Jim Martin on the topic of work and vocation. www.commonwealmagazine.org/podcast/humb...
Humble Work
Many of us have jobs we don’t enjoy. Fr. James Martin explains how we can make our work meaningful anyway.
commonwealmagazine.org
Trump keeps pushing policies that are opposed by Catholic teaching—and this U.S.-born pope doesn’t seem to be willing to keep quiet about them. @heidischlumpf.bsky.social on Trump, Leo, and capital punishment:
Pope and President, at Odds Again?
Trump keeps pushing policies that are opposed by Catholic teaching—and this U.S.-born pope doesn’t seem to be willing to keep quiet about them.
commonwealmagazine.org
Trump keeps pushing policies that are opposed by Catholic teaching—and this U.S.-born pope doesn’t seem to be willing to keep quiet about them. My reflections on the coincidentally dueling statements on the death penalty last week. www.commonwealmagazine.org/schlumpf-leo...
Pope and President, at Odds Again?
Trump keeps pushing policies that are opposed by Catholic teaching—and this U.S.-born pope doesn’t seem to be willing to keep quiet about them.
commonwealmagazine.org
In the last Francis Effect episode of this season, we discuss the saga of US political leaders trying to lecture the Pope on Catholic doctrine, then consider Earth Day as a lament. Plus guest Natalia Imperatori-Lee about the upcoming Women's Ordination Conference. francisfxpod.com/current/2608
President Trump's clashes with Pope Leo, Earth Day and ecospirituality, and an interview with Natalia Imperatori-Lee — The Francis Effect
Heidi, Daniel, and David discuss the continuing saga of American political leaders trying to lecture the Pope on Catholic doctrine, and then they turn to a discussion of the recent Earth Day remembran...
francisfxpod.com
GOP attacks on Pope Leo misunderstand the social demands of the Gospel. (And they cherry pick which issues it's OK for the church to be political about). My column: www.commonwealmagazine.org/schlumpf-tru...
In Praise of a Political Church
The Church is gaining credibility for speaking up for Gospel values in the public square—even when it means criticizing a president that nearly 60 percent of Catholic voters chose.
commonwealmagazine.org
I am late in sharing this but it was great to talk our current economic reality with @heidischlumpf.bsky.social on The Francis Effect last month! francisfxpod.com/current/2606
Cesar Chavez controversy, Pope Leo speaks out against the Middle East war, and an interview with Kate Ward — The Francis Effect
Heidi, Daniel, and David look at recent horrific revelations about the labor leader, Cesar Chavez, as well as exploring the Pope's pushback against the war with Iran. In our third segment, Heidi inter...
francisfxpod.com
The recent Supreme Court decision seems to give a green light to the discredited and dangerous practice of conversion therapy, which is actually prevalent and widespread in Catholic circles. My story: www.commonwealmagazine.org/conversion-t...
Get Conversion Therapy Out of the Church
Conversion therapy is psychologically unhealthy and spiritually hazardous. Catholic bishops and organizations must stop supporting it.
commonwealmagazine.org
Finally got my voice back (literally, after being sick) so was able to give my two cents about the Trump v. Pope brouhaha: www.fox32chicago.com/video/fmc-p8...
Trump, Pope Leo XIV clash draws reaction from religious leaders | ChicagoNOW
Tensions escalate between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV after the president criticized the Chicago-born pope’s stance on global conflict and shared a controversial AI image of himself as a r...
fox32chicago.com
Chicago area peeps: I'll be doing this presentation at Old St. Pat's next Sunday evening. Would love to see some of you there. Register here: osp.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/1...?
Old St. Patrick's Church
osp.ccbchurch.com
"RNS has been unable to independently confirm many of the details of the story ...but in a statement sent to RNS on Wednesday, a Department of Defense official confirmed the meeting occurred, while disputing The Free Press’ assessment." religionnews.com/2026/04/08/p...
Pentagon-Vatican meeting latest flash point in Trump's clash with religious leaders
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The increase in faith-fueled militaristic rhetoric is pitting the president against a growing list of faith leaders, ranging from local clergy to the pope.
religionnews.com