Our professors and community members are frequently consulted on issues of both local and global importance.
Here is a sampling of some recent interviews community members have done. Links are provided if available.
The Honouring Indigenous Aid Exhibit, which launched at Regis St. Michael’s College in November 2024, will be displayed in high schools in the Durham Catholic District School Board. The exhibit features archival materials demonstrating the generosity of the First Nations in Ontario to Irish Famine Relief. Global News covered the arrival of the exhibit at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School and interviewed Professor Mark McGowan. Watch ‘Durham Catholic high schools to display exhibit honouring First Nations’ contributions to Irish Famine relief‘
Professor Mark McGowan appears in the final segment of Honouring Indigenous Famine Aid from Quebec and Ireland Lacrosse. The film pays tribute to the Mohawk, Abenaki, and Huron-Wendat First Nations in Quebec, which contributed to Irish Famine relief in 1847. Their donations were made in March during Catholic ceremonies that blended Indigenous beliefs and practices. The film also highlights the role of wampum in fostering alliances, such as when the Haudenosaunee Nationals lacrosse team gifted Team Ireland a Two Row wampum belt after ceding their place for the more highly ranked team at the 2022 World Games. Funded by the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme.
Professor Mark McGowan appears in the final segment
of Honouring Indigenous Famine Aid from Quebec and Ireland Lacrosse. (7:00)
View on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Bo6eWe77b/
St. Mike’s Book & Media Professor Xianwei Wu was quoted in the Toronto Star on the fandom culture surrounding the hit show ‘Heated Rivalry’. Read ‘‘Heated Rivalry’ was a sanctuary for joy. Are toxic fans poisoning the well?‘
Professor Pa Sheehan comments on St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Toronto on CP24’s Breakfast Television. (Interview begins at 5:04)
CBC’s The Current visits an Irish language class at the University of Toronto. The video includes interviews students and Irish Language Instructor Ceithleann Ní Dhuibhir Ní Dhúlacháin. Watch ‘Learn a ‘cúpla focal’ at this Irish class‘ and listen to ‘An bhfuil Gaeilge avat? Why Irish ‘isn’t a dead language‘
St. Mike’s Irish Language Instructor Ceithleann Ní Dhuibhir Ní Dhúlacháin and Celtic Studies Professor Pa Sheehan discuss growing interest in the Irish language, with comments from student Billie Shannon on CBC’s The Current.
St. Mike’s Irish Language Instructor Ceithleann Ní Dhuibhir Ní Dhúlacháin spoke about preserving the Irish language on CBC Radio’s Fresh Air.
The Catholic Register published an article on St. Michael’s Mediaeval Saturday Symposia. The piece explores Toronto’s role as a global centre for Mediaeval Studies and previews the April 11th symposium, ‘Mappa Mundi: Mapping the Mediaeval World’. Read ‘Mapping the Mediaeval World at St. Michael’s College‘ in The Catholic Register.
An article in the Catholic Register noted Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies (PIMS) at the University of St. Michael’s College’s acquisition of a complete first-edition Douay-Rheims Bible thanks to a donation from Tony Comper, the former Bank of Montreal CEO and longtime board chair of PIMS. Read ‘PIMS home to rare Bible dating to 1500s‘.
Prof. Michael W. Higgins, Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought, examines the impact of Quebec’s Bill 21 on Catholic culture in the Globe and Mail. Read ‘Will Bill 21 complete Quebec’s unfinished revolution against Catholic culture?’ (Available for Globe subscribers)
Michael W. Higgins, Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought, argues in the Globe and Mail that there are religious elements to Mark Carney’s Davos speech. Read ‘At the world’s crossroads, Carney draws on a legacy of religious thinkers.’ (Available for Globe subscribers)
St. Mike’s Professor Paolo Granata explains the “Friction-maxxing” trend and how it can increase AI literacy for CTV News Online. Read ‘‘Learning by suffering’: How a new trend embraces inconvenience for happiness‘
The Catholic Register featured Michael Higgins’, St. Mike’s College’s inaugural Basilian Distinguished Fellow in Contemporary Catholic Thought, newest book titled Synod Diary: Sixty Days That Shook the Church in advance of its launch on March 26, 2026. Read ‘Inside the synod: a synodal diary‘.
Prof. Stephen Tardif recently had a letter to the editor published in the Wall Street Journal. In his letter, he defended poetry critic and his dissertation advisor, Helen Vendler, after book reviewer Micah Mattix commented that her final book demonstrates that she “never really understood religion.” In his reply, Tardif sought to correct the record by offering his rebuttal titled ‘Helen Vendler Didn’t Get Religion? Really?‘. (paywall)
Associate Professor of Practical Theology Jean-Pierre Fortin was quoted in the Catholic Register on how Catholics can observe the start of another year, suggesting that Mother Mary provides a good example on how to ring in the New Year. Read ‘Make the most of a Catholic New Year’s‘.
Prof. Paolo Granata of Book and Media Studies discusses the significance of the Oscars being streamed on YouTube on The Big Story podcast. Listen to ‘And the Oscar goes to … YouTube‘.
Michael W. Higgins, Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought, writes in the Globe and Mail about a potential clash between Pope Leo and Donald Trump. Read ‘Pope Leo and Donald Trump are on a Collision Course‘. (Available for Globe subscribers)
St. Michael’s Fellow Dr. Jacqueline Murray writes for the Religion News Service on how religious sisters have defied assumptions since the Middle Ages. Read ‘Nuns are earning a reputation for being defiant, but obedience has always had its limits‘.
Dr. Michael W. Higgins, Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought, reflects on why canonizing Charlie Kirk would be harmful. The Globe and Mail. Read ‘Turning Charlie Kirk into a saint is a dangerous game‘. (Available for Globe subscribers)
Dr. Michael W. Higgins, Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought, reflects on the enduring tragedy of school shootings in the U.S. in The Globe and Mail. Read ‘The school shooting in Minneapolis shows how nothing has changed since Sandy Hook – and nothing will‘. (Available for Globe subscribers)
Christine Way-Skinner, a doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto Regis-St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology, is studying synodality for her PhD in systematic theology. She was interviewed for an article published by Canadian Affairs about a four-day conference that was an experiment in synodality. This conference brought a listening technique employed by Pope Francis in Rome to St. Jerome’s University College in Waterloo, Ont. Read ‘‘We love to blah, blah, blah’: Canadian Catholics embrace learning to listen‘.
The St. Michael’s University community offer joyful prayers of thanksgiving on the election of Pope Leo XIV as he takes up his leadership of the world’s 1.406 billion Catholics… and builds on the visionary servant leadership of Pope Francis.
Pope Leo XIV: Habemus Papam! Photo: Vatican News
Anne Leahy, Chair of Regis College’s Governing Council, speaks about Leo XIV, in the tradition of Leo XIII, initiator of the Church’s social teachings. “Disarming and disarmed peace”, unity and synodality are already keywords.
Professor Mark McGowan speaks on CP24 about the election of Pope Leo XIV, explaining the significance of the name and what ties there might be between the new pope and Pope Francis.
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He also appeared on Global News to talk about Pope Leo XIV.
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Professor McGowan and Executive Director of the Executive Director of the Toronto School of Theology Professor Darren Dias, O.P. were on CBC’s Just Asking to answer listeners’ questions about the new pope. Listen
Professor Michael Higgins, who holds the St. Michael’s Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought, spoke about his predictions for the conclave on CTV News and answered ‘What’s Next for the Catholic Church Under Pope Leo XIV?‘ on TVO’s The Agenda.
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He wrote an opinion piece for The Globe and Mail on ‘In becoming Leo XIV, the new Pope may be eschewing the Vatican’s factionalism‘ (for Globe subscribers).
Professor Reid Locklin, professor of Christianity and culture, comments on the new pope on CP24 TV.
Fr. Kevin Storey, CSB, the superior general of the Basilian Fathers, previously met Pope Leo XIV when he was Cardinal Robert Prevost. He says he believes the new Catholic leader will be ‘very human, very humorous and very competent.’ Watch the CBC interview.
St. Michael’s Fellow Dr. Jacqueline Murray wrote a piece for The Globe and Mail about the history of conclaves titled ‘Ever since the Middle Ages, papal conclaves have been rife with intrigue‘ (available to Globe subscribers). She was interviewed for CTV Kitchener about the significance of electing a pope from North America.
Dr. Michael W. Higgins on Pope Leo XIV’s First 100 Days
Dr. Michael W. Higgins, Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought, reviews Pope Leo XIV’s first 100 days in the role for the Globe and Mail. Read ‘The Vatican was looking for an improved Francis model, and just might have found one in Leo XIV‘ (available for Globe subscribers).
In the wake of the death of Pope Francis, Canadian news outlets have called upon the expertise of St. Michael’s faculty to understand this moment in Church history. Over the past days, our professors have shared their personal encounters with the late pope and added their voices to the discourse on the legacy he leaves behind. Below is a sampling of the many media appearances.
CBC News: Toronto priest struck by serenity of crowd gathered to view Pope Francis.
RSM Professor Darren Dias, O.P. has arrived in Rome to offer commentary for CBC on the Pope’s funeral. He notes that visitation was extended past midnight due to the crowds, who faced a five-hour wait.
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He described the late Pope as, “a great voice in the geopolitical world that we live in” in this article for CBC online and was also interviewed for CBC radio.
St. Michael’s Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought and Pope Francis biographer, Professor Michael Higgins, reflected on the legacy of Pope Francis in an opinion piece for the Globe and Mail, titled ‘The legacy of Pope Francis: Choosing faith over fear’ (April 21).
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The Globe and Mail also published an excerpt from Higgins’ book, The Jesuit Disruptor, available to Globe and Mail subscribers. (‘What’s in a name? Everything.’)
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Higgins speaks about how Francis’ passing could affect the synodal process in the Catholic Register’s ‘Church expected to follow synod’s pathway‘(May 1)
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Higgins explains the process of choosing the next pope for CTV online.
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He was interviewed for The Walrus about ‘What Pope Francis’s Death Reveals about the Future of Catholicism‘
History Professor Mark McGowan reflects on the significance of some of Pope Francis’ final moments in interviews for CBC Radio. He was quoted in an article for the Canadian Press, ‘None of Canada’s five cardinals likely to be next pope, Vatican experts say’ (April 21) and spoke with Jas Johal on CKNW Vancouver. He was on Halifax’s The Todd Veinotte Show, on April 22 (his interview starts at the 45 min mark) and The Vassy Kapelos Show.
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In anticipation of the Conclave, McGowan was quoted in an article in the Toronto Star (May 4) on ‘How to pick a pope? Here are the issues and hotly debated candidates as the cardinals prepare to vote.’
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He was also on The Vassy Kapelos Show with Tim Powers filling in, and iHeart Radio at 1:35 pm (May 5).
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McGowan spoke about the process of choosing the next Pope for Bell Media radio.
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McGowan was interviewed on the Jas Johal Show in Vancouver on CKNW AM-750.
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Beyond the Headlines episode featuring Professors Reid Locklin (0.55 minute mark) and Mark McGowan (29.17 minute mark) called Doctrine, Diplomacy, and Influence: The Papacy and the Catholic Church on the Global Stage. The episode examines the evolving role of the Catholic Church at the intersection of faith, diplomacy, and global politics.
Dr. Moira McQueen, an ethicist who taught at St. Michael’s and is the Executive Director of The Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute, said Pope Francis acted “as a bridge in society” in this interview for CTV.
Professor Reid Locklin, professor of Christianity and culture, explains how Pope Francis’s successor will be chosen on the following news outlets: Global online, CHCH TV, 680 News Radio, CBC Radio One and CityNews radio.
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Beyond the Headlines episode featuring Professors Reid Locklin (0.55 minute mark) and Mark McGowan (29.17 minute mark) called Doctrine, Diplomacy, and Influence: The Papacy and the Catholic Church on the Global Stage. The episode examines the evolving role of the Catholic Church at the intersection of faith, diplomacy, and global politics.
On April 30, Christianity & Culture Professor Jean-Olivier Richard was interviewed by David Common on CBC ‘s Metro Morning to discuss the rising popularity of astrology with Millennials and Gen Z. He could also be heard on Radio Canada’s “Y’a pas deux matins pareils” hosted by Nicolas Haddad on May 2.
St. Mike’s alumna and Friends of the Kelly Library volunteer Antoinette Fracassi gets a shout-out for her volunteer work in the Toronto Reference Library.
Inside a Toronto bookstore that does more than sell books
Prof. Felan Parker was interviewed for campus radio’s Curious Campus podcast about his research on comic cons and other media industry/fan events: https://curiouscampus.podbean.com/e/cosplay-crowds-and-culture/
One of the things discussed is the research-based comic book Parker and collaborator Ben Woo are putting together based on the project, the first issue of which is free online here: https://roccetlab.ca/2024/10/19/comic-con-comics-1/
The two are doing a panel about the research at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival Libraries & Education Day this Friday June 6, with a couple of the BMS alumni who worked on the project: https://www.torontocomics.com/libraries-and-education-day
Historic academic year concludes at Toronto’s Sheptytsky Institute
The Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies at the University of St. Michael’s College (USMC) in the University of Toronto concluded an historic academic year. Last October 30, the Institute honoured James and Louise Temerty and Leah Temerty-Lord of the Temerty Foundation for their transformational gift of five million dollars to the Sheptytsky Institute. 200 guests gathered at the University of Toronto’s premier venue, Hart House, to celebrate their generosity.
