Donald Cozzens, priest, commentator and author of the award-winning book The Changing Face of the Priesthood discusses specific steps lay persons can take -- on a personal level -- to help dismantle a culture of clericalism in the church.

Michele Dillon, Ph.D.,  Professor of sociology at the University of New Hampshire and expert in autonomy and authority in the Catholic Church discusses the hiearchy's use of euphemization to both downplay the tragedy of the clergy abuse crisis and coverup and to maintain their own power and prohibit women from leadership and ministerial roles.

Katie Grimes, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Theological Ethics at Villanova University expands upon her essay on Episcopal Accountability, which appeared in A Pope Francis Lexicon, presenting an overview of how the Church's language and tradition around priesthood, episcopacy, and servant leadership create a barrier to a culture of accountability. The following question and answer session explores some ways lay Catholics can help to overcome the obstacles.

Canon lawyer, Tom Doyle, offers invaluable insight from his 35 years of experience working for justice for victim-survivors and their families into how canon law upholds a clerical system and culture in the Church, which perpetuates a cycle of abuse and coverup. He discuss which canons in particular lay a foundation for clericalism and argues that the entire church structure -- including canon law -- must be radically reformed if the violence and abuse of people and power is to stop.

Francine Cardman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry presents an overview of the development of hierarchy and clericalism in the Roman Church, addressing the Church's evolving understanding of charism, office, ordination, and authority; the influence of sacramental theology; as well as the role of secular political realities. She also takes participant questions. This teleconference was the second in the series "Power to the People: From Clericalism to Collaboration" throughout 2019. Click here to register for future calls.

Author and journalist Thomas Reese, SJ provides an overview of the clergy sex abuse crisis, assessing the effectiveness of steps that have already been taken, reflecting on the latest developments, and outlining the challenges and opportunities ahead as we seek to move from a culture of clericalism to a culture of synodality in the Church.

Distinguished Professor of Catholic Thought at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, Dr. Higgins argues that the "demolition" of the seminary system is the "kind of radical change the Catholic Church needs if it is to tackle the systemic evil that is clericalism," which is "the root cause of our institutional pathology."

Professor Thomas O'Loughlin shares his expertise regarding the historical theology of the Eucharist.  He shows the developments until now and helps restore the original understanding of the Eucharist as giving thanks to God.

Founders of the Benincasa Community in New York discuss their community's founding impulse, their work, commitments, and their learnings. They also explain why they no longer worry about distinctions such as "religious" and "lay".

Sisters Andrea Koverman, Leslie Keener, and Julia Walsh share their insights and hopes for the future of religious life from the perspective of young Catholic sisters.

Fr. Joseph Healey shares his expertise in helping develop Small Christian Communities in Africa.

Chris Lowney discusses the future of lay leadership and ministry in the Catholic Church.

Jamie Manson discusses her innovative ideas about the shape and direction of religious life for the 21st century.

Fr. Robert Duch discusses Bishop Fritz Lobinger's model for electing community leaders.  Learn about the basic structure of the model and its potential in the Catholic Church.

Professor Ed Hahnenberg discusses innovative models of ministry being developed to meet the needs of the Church today.  He draws on pioneering models in Christian history to show how every age innovates according to the needs of its era.

Msgr. Ray Cole discusses the plan developed by the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests for priestless parishes.

Michael Lawler, Ph.D. and Todd Salzman, Ph.D. discuss the development of the concept of complementarity in papal documents.

Susan Ross, Ph.D. discusses the impact of complementarity on our sacramental imagination.

Natalia Imperatori-Lee, Ph.D. provides a primer to the concept of complementarity: what it is, where it came from, and how it harms all Catholics.

Three millennials speak out about what being Catholic means to them.

Sociologist, Patricia Wittberg, S.C., Ph.D. discusses the latest data that shows young women leaving the Church at greater rates than their male counter parts.

Gary Macy, Ph.D. examines the historical evidence that women served as deaons in the Roman Catholic Church.

Expert on women deacons, Phyllis Zagano, Ph.D., discusses the findings of essays in her collection.

Sam Bowns, Natalie Terry, and Connie Walsh -- who are ready to serve as deacons share their vocation stories in this conversation moderated by Luke Hansen, SJ.

Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ discusses the role of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in our Salvation history -- and why it is so imperative that we rediscover the Scriptural Mary.

Astrid Lobo Gajiwala discusses her role in and the development of a gender policy adopted by the bishops of India intended to bring more women into positions of influence  in the Indian Church.

Richard Gaillardetz, Ph.D. discusses opportunities and challenges for reform under a Francis papacy.

Fr. Tony Flannery's presentation from the 2014 Catholic Tipping Point Tour

Fr. Michael Crosby discusses insights from his book “Repairing My House: A blueprint for reform in the the Church.”

Theresa and Anthony Padovano on what marriage can offer to the priesthood and what opportunity they see for reform with Pope Francis.

Sr. Sandra Schneiders discusses using biblical interpretation as a tool to promote and enhance the full personhood of women.

Fr. Don Cozzens discusses the history, political dimensions and impact of mandatory celibacy showing how mandatory celibacy is used as a form of power and control while making a case for giving those who are called to the priesthood the freedom to marry or to be celibate.