Do you know why you're Catholic? Ep. 35

“What does religion have to offer me?” It’s a question more people are asking as affiliation with organized religion continues to fall. Brandon Vogt thinks that Catholics should be ready with answers.

“Today, as the world becomes more and more disinterested and disenchanted with religion, we need this positive approach [to being Catholic more] than a negative defense,” he says.

Vogt, the guest on this week’s episode of Jesuitical, is the author of Why I am Catholic (And You Should Be Too). In it, Vogt recounts his conversion to Catholicism and the arguments that convinced him to enter the church. He also outlines arguments he thinks will convince those skeptical of what the Catholic Church teaches.

Before the interview with Vogt, we summarize and discuss the top Catholic news stories of the week: A cardboard cutout of Pope Francis goes missing; some prisoners break out of jail when they’re supposed to meet the pope; are there changes coming to the church’s teaching on the death penalty?

Jesuitical is a weekly podcast from the young, lay editors of America. You can listen to it on iTunes here, in the embedded player at the top of this page or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. If you like the show, please consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts. If you don’t know how, that’s O.K.! Tweet one of the hosts and we’ll be happy to help (@AshleyMcKinless , @OlgaMSegura , @ZacDayvis).

Links from the show:

Life-size Pope cutout stolen from church returned intact

Pope invites prisoners to lunch, they break free instead

Pope Francis: The death penalty is contrary to the Gospel

Mexican state plans $4.2 million 147-foot Our Lady of Guadalupe statue

Holy spirits: Closed churches find second life as breweries

Baltimore middle-schoolers’ viral rendition of ‘Rise Up’ helps soothe a troubled nation

What’s on tap?

Pisco Sour
1 oz lemon juice, 1 egg white, 1 1/2 oz Pisco, 3/4 oz simple syrup