National Catholic Register News https://www.ncregister.com/author/matthew-bunson

Completing Lent Properly

This weekend we embark upon the holiest week of the year. It is an opportunity to journey with our Lord and have revealed to us the glory of the Paschal Mystery. This week on Register Radio, Register contributor Fr. Jeffrey Kirby returns to help us finish our lent properly. And, the fashion giant Chanel is restoring Aubazine Abbey, a jewel of medieval Cistercian heritage nestled in the heart of southwestern France. Solène Tadié, Europe Correspondent for the National Catholic Register, tells us why.

Matthew Bunson Register Radio April 11, 2025

Catholic and Feminist?

Should Catholics identify as “feminists?” That was the question posed to a panel of some of the most prominent female Catholic thinkers at a recent conference. The conference’s organizer, Abigail Favale and Register senior editor Jonathan Liedl to tell us more. And, we are approaching the tenth anniversary of the deaths of the Ethiopian Martyrs at the hands of ISIS. We talk with Alberto Fernandez on the legacy of these martyrs for the faith.

Matthew Bunson Register Radio April 4, 2025

Pope Francis Returns to the Vatican

Pope Francis returned to the Vatican last Sunday and is expected now to face two months of rest and recovery. Is this a new phase in his pontificate? This week on Register Radio, we talk to Frank Rocca, EWTN News Senior Vatican Analyst. And, as we move closer to Holy Week, the Register has taken a long look at the “Art of Holy Week.” We are joined by Dominican Sister Mary Madeline Todd from Aquinas College and a contributor to our coverage.

Matthew Bunson Register Radio March 28, 2025

Catholic Entrepreneurship

Catholic business leaders and innovators are leaving their mark on the world of entrepreneurship. We talk to Register Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl and Register contributor James Day. And, as the country of Syria labors to establish order and peace in the aftermath of the fall of the Assad regime, Christians and religious minorities have been caught in the upheaval. We are joined by EWTN News Contributor Alberto Fernandez with analysis.

Matthew Bunson Register Radio March 14, 2025

Stepping Into the ‘Mystery of Lent’

This week on Register Radio, Register contributor Fr. Jeffrey Kirby helps us to step into the “Mystery of Lent.” And Senior Vatican Analyst Frank Rocca gives an update on Pope Francis’ health.

Matthew Bunson Register Radio March 11, 2025

Pope Francis Continues to Recover

Pope Francis has been undergoing care and battling pneumonia now for some two weeks, even as Catholics and non—Catholics alike pray for his recovery. This week on Register Radio we are joined by EWTN Senior Vatican Analyst, Frank Rocca with the latest from Rome. And then, we are only days away from Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten season. We hear from Register contributors Katie Warner and Debbie Cowden how to get the most out of Lent.

Matthew Bunson Register Radio March 3, 2025

Notre Dame, DEI, and Catholic Identity

The university of Notre Dame is facing criticism for the recent DEI declaration by its chief academic officer. Register senior editor, Jonathan Liedl, reports. And then, Register staff writer, Matthew McDonald, looks at JD Vance’s claims about abortion and free speech in Scotland.

Matthew Bunson Register Radio February 21, 2025

Catholics and President Trump’s Executive Orders on Transgender Ideology

President Donald Trump has issued a flurry of executive orders focusing on transgender ideology. What is the Catholic response to the executive orders? This week we are joined by Register contributor Jennifer Roback Morse to discuss Bishop Robert Barron’s recent public assessment. And then, Register Senior Correspondent Edward Pentin talks to us about the deepening crisis of faith facing England.

Matthew Bunson Register Radio February 17, 2025

Can Catholics use DeepSeek AI?

Artificial Intelligence, AI, is emerging as one of the most influential technological developments in recent decades. Pope Francis has warned of its potential risks but also has lauded its potential benefits. China has now also weighed into AI with its own chatbot, DeepSeek. What should Catholics think? This week on Register Radio we are joined by Courtney Mares, Rome correspondent for Catholic News Agency. And then, the Register has been taking a close look at Marriage and Courtship. Register senior editor Jonathan Liedl tells us what we found.

Matthew Bunson, Shannon Mullen Register Radio February 7, 2025

A Global Perspective on Immigration/ Big Blessings in Catholic Education

A conflict between the US bishops’ conference and the Trump administration over immigration caught the media’s attention earlier this week but such tensions aren’t isolated to the Church in the United States or Trump policies or even the current political moment. EWTN News contributor Alberto Fernandez gives us a broader, more global perspective on the Catholic Church and issues of migration. And on a policy issue, where the US bishops and the current White House agree, President Trump expanded school choice. That decision came during Catholic Schools Week. We take a look with Register columnist Susanna Spencer at how to preserve the biggest blessings of Catholic education.

Matthew Bunson, Jeanette De Melo Register Radio February 3, 2025