These are the words that Kevin J. Christiano uses to describe American Parishes: Remaking Local Catholicism, a book I edited with Gary Alder and Brian Starks (2019, Fordham University Press). Christiano brings the reader in with the following personalized account in his review: We are grateful for Christiano's careful read and positive review that concludes … Continue reading “_American Parishes_ is a specialized publication of the best kind…”

I am honored to receive word of my election to Council for the Association for the Sociology of Religion (ASR). This is a great organization with a supportive network of scholars in the sociology of religion and related fields. Its Sociology of Religion journal ranks among the top in the sub-discipline. While we won't be … Continue reading Election to ASR Council

Who's leaving Catholicism? This was one of the driving questions behind a documentary project of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for which I was invited to consult. Who leaves? Half of American Catholics do, at some point in their lives. View this documentary video to learn more, including how Catholic leaders are … Continue reading Who’s Leaving Catholicism?

I enjoyed my conversation with Iowa Catholic Radio's latest episode of "Straight Talk" hosted by Jeanne Wells, during which we talked about Catholics in and out of the church. Social distancing from the church is not a new phenomenon! Listen to the show here or on any podcast player. https://soundcloud.com/iowacatholicradio/straight-talk-being-catholic-is-hard-work-3242020

In this extraordinary time, we recognize just how connected we are to one another. Thanks to WBIR for the invitation to speak to concerns raised by Covid-19 and the collective network of support its response requires. Grateful to join a panel in-studio as well as doing this interview earlier in the week. https://www.wbir.com/video/news/health/coronavirus/dr-tricia-bruce-talks-about-keeping-calm-as-coronavirus-spreads/51-608effa7-4316-4f8d-8bd2-04a35028176e

The trial and conviction of Harvey Weinstein signals an important outcome of global efforts to address sexual harassment in the workplace. Thanks to WBIR for the invitation to talk through what this conviction says about social movements and their promise for lasting social change.

The Proceedings of the Sixth Biennial Conference on Religion and American Culture held last June in Indianapolis, IN are now available online. They include a written version of an invited panel I participated in on the topic of religion and refugees. Thanks to Indiana University-Purdue's Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture and … Continue reading Proceedings of the Sixth Biennial Conference on Religion and American Culture

The Review of Religious Research journal has published an advance online version of my 2019 H. Paul Douglass Lecture, "I Can't Keep Quiet: Engaging with Scholarly Research on Religion." I was honored to deliver this address to the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association and Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. A print … Continue reading Advance online publication of my 2019 H. Paul Douglass Lecture, “I Can’t Keep Quiet”

The occasion of Communion denial by a bishop to a politician provided an opportunity to talk with Religion New Service reporter Jack Jenkins about politics and notions of a "good" Catholic. Read the RNS article with my sociological commentary on the topic here. Also check out the book I coedited with Charles Camosy and Mary … Continue reading Politics and “Good” Catholics