How do you tell the truth about the Church – and keep your faith?

Vatican reporter and author Colleen Dulle joins Geraldine Doogue in this new year episode of The Big Tent to reflect on what it means to remain – and grow – as a Catholic in the face of disenchantment and polarisation in the institution. How might Pope Leo's Lenten call to disarm our language, 'refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour,' be heard by Catholics everywhere but especially in Leo's American Catholic heartland, schooled in a more permissive speech culture? And how will Leo be known by his words and actions about women and leadership in the Church? Mentioned in this episode: Pope Leo's Lenten message, Listening and Fasting: Lent as a Time of Conversion Massimo Faggioli's Commonweal article, Leo’s Transatlantic Task Hendro Munsterman's Substack article, Lay People Exercising Authority Over Clergy Colleen's book, Struck Down, Not Destroyed: Keeping the Faith as a Vatican Reporter and her reporting for America Magazine Follow us on Facebook and let us know where you'd like us to head next in 2026.