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Jesuitical

Sister Helen Prejean fought the death penalty—and won. Ep. 87

Jesuitical

America Media

Spirituality, Christianity, News, News Commentary, Religion & Spirituality

4.8949 Ratings

🗓️ 14 December 2018

⏱️ 40 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Sister Helen Prejean has been the face of the anti-death penalty movement for decades. A member of the Congregation of St. Joseph, Sister Helen has been accompanying inmates on death row and lobbying against capital punishment in the United States (and in the church) for decades. She blew up on the national scene for her book Dead Man Walking, which was adapted into an Oscar-winning film, and she was crucial to the Vatican’s eventual decision to ban the death penalty in the Catechism. We talk to Sister Helen about how she became an anti-death penalty activist and how the fight against the death penalty has changed throughout the years—and how “sneaky Jesus” changed her life forever. In Signs of the Times, we talk about two Jesuit provinces releasing the names of more than 150 priests and other ministry leaders who were found to have “credible allegations” of sexual abuse. We break down a few “nun” stories and ask an important question before we go on break for Christmas: How can parishes welcome newcomers at Christmas Masses? On that note, we just wanted to thank everyone in the Jesuitical community: Whether you are a Patreon supporter, Facebook group poster (or lurker), or a casual listener—the whole Jesuitical team wishes you the peace and joy of the baby Jesus this Christmas. We’ll see you in the New Year. Links from the show: Two Jesuit provinces release 153 names of accused abusers Dear @POTUS: The Nun Who Tweets a Daily Prayer to President Trump 2 Nuns Accused Of Embezzling $500,000 From Catholic School Pope Francis will visit Abu Dhabi ‘Of Gods and Men’ monks beatified Detroit’s Back to Christmas Campaign What’s on tap? Bob Dylan’s Double Barrel Rye Whiskey, courtesy of our colleague Ed Schmidt, S.J. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hello and welcome to Judge Whiticle, a podcast by the Goldenly Young, Frankly Hip, and Merckfully Lay editors of American

0:17.6

Media.

0:18.6

That lay part means we aren't Jesuits, but we work with them.

0:21.6

Join us each week for a smart Catholic take on faith

0:24.0

culture in the news often over drinks. I'm Ashley McKinless and I'm joined by

0:28.6

Olde cigarette. Hey guys and Zach Davis. I've got a Christmas joke for everybody.

0:33.0

Oh, Lord that's the third Wiseman said after the first two presented their gifts to Jesus.

0:39.0

No, what do you say?

0:40.0

But wait, there's Mer. Oh my God.

0:45.0

Wow, well, well,

0:47.0

listeners, you can use that this holiday season

0:49.0

and you don't even have to credit me.

0:51.0

Just kidding, tell them all that you heard it on.

0:52.8

For all, all the laughs you didn't get from Ashley throughout this just a

0:56.8

musical season, this made up for it. She laughed really hard at that.

1:01.2

Yeah, that's usually reserved for squirrel memes.

1:03.8

Yeah, actually laugh. Oh man, you guys, it's almost Christmas.

1:08.6

I know.

1:09.6

I'm so excited. Yeah, it's our last episode until the new year. But we've got a great one to end on and just wait.

1:16.8

Listeners, it's worth it.

1:18.2

What are we drinking, Zach?

1:19.7

Oh, yes.

...

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