#12257 Bishop Earl Fernandes on Education and the Role of the Church in Society - Cy Kellett
Catholic Answers Live
Catholic Answers
4.8 • 2.1K Ratings
🗓️ 26 June 2025
⏱️ 55 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this inspiring episode of Catholic Answers Live, Bishop Earl Fernandes of Columbus, Ohio, shares his powerful family story of immigration, perseverance, and vocation—from the son of Indian immigrants to Catholic bishop. Hear how Catholic education, hard work, and faith helped his family rise from poverty, and why he believes Catholic schools remain a vital force for evangelization and community renewal. Bishop Fernandes discusses universal school vouchers in Ohio, how Catholic schools transform lives, and the Church’s role in serving the common good—through education, healthcare, housing, and workforce development. He also reflects on the lasting impact of Catholic formation and why authentically Catholic education must form the whole person.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Buying or selling your home, real estate for life can connect you with a pro-life real estate agent. |
| 0:05.8 | When Real Estate for Life receives a referral fee, they donate 65% to Catholic Answers. |
| 0:11.5 | Learn more at realestateforlife.org. |
| 0:14.5 | Thank you. Thanks so much for taking the time to be here with us. |
| 0:41.4 | And a great hour, exciting hour. I hope you'll hang around for the whole hour, because we're going to talk to one of the most interesting people in America, the Bishop of Columbus, Ohio, Bishop |
| 0:48.2 | Earl Fernandez, is our guest. And, well, let me start by welcoming you, Bishop. |
| 0:52.6 | Thank you for having me. You didn't know you're going to get that introduction, did you? One of the most interesting people in America. |
| 0:56.7 | I think my brothers would disagree. Well, and you've got four of them. I have four of them. |
| 1:01.2 | You have four of them, and you have a fascinating story. And also lots of wonderful things happening |
| 1:06.9 | in Columbus, Ohio. You have the Ohio State University there. Lots of, well, that may be |
| 1:15.7 | part of a larger story of people of college age, take a renewed interest in the Catholic Church. |
| 1:23.0 | But lots of great stuff to talk about, but also your personal story, Bishop. |
| 1:27.1 | Yeah, so I'm a son of Indian immigrants. My mom and dad came to the United States, |
| 1:31.3 | along with my two oldest brothers in 1970, and in 71, 72, 73, they had three more boys. |
| 1:36.6 | So my father was a physician working in India. He wanted a better life for his family. |
| 1:41.7 | The Vietnam War was on in the United States. There was a shortage of physicians. |
| 1:45.0 | The American government was trying to recruit doctors from India, Pakistan, Philippines. |
| 1:48.0 | My dad took his U.S. medical board exams while still in India passed. |
| 1:52.0 | And he moved to Toledo, Ohio, because the sisters of mercy ran St. Charles Hospital there. |
| 1:57.0 | They offered him a place to stay. |
| 1:59.0 | So my dad rode his motorcycle to the airport with all his possessions in his trunk, |
| 2:02.4 | came to the United States with $5 to his name, having sold the motorcycle, and the nuns gave him a place to stay. |
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