The Solid Right and Scattered Left of the Church: A Conversation with Nick Olkovich on the Pope Francis Conference

The guest on this episode is Nicholas Olkovich, my colleague at St. Mark’s College in Vancouver. Nick was just promoted to Associate Professor at St. Mark’s and is the Marie Anne Blondin Chair of Catholic Theology at St. Mark’s. Nick has a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of St. Michael’s College (2009-2016), an S.T.L., Regis College (2009-2013), an M.Div., University of St. Michael’s College/University of Toronto (2005-2009), and a B.A., Honours, History and Philosophy, University of Toronto (2001 – 2005) As his online bio states, "Nick teaches in the areas of foundational, systematic and pastoral theology. His ongoing research focuses primarily on the relationship between ethics, politics and religion in democratic contexts and on a variety of issues in theological anthropology, fundamental ecclesiology, and foundational theology. His teaching and research is strongly influenced by the work of Canadian Jesuit philosopher and theologian Bernard Lonergan." Nick and I discussed the upcoming Pope Francis conference in Vancouver  (May 4-6, 2023) sponsored by The Centre for Christian Engagement , the Cullen family, the Marie Anne Blondin Chair, and the RCAV. We are co-organizers of this conference and we could have shared how we have bonded over logistical details, but no one wants to hear about that on a podcast, so we discussed why a conference on Pope Francis, his writing and his teaching, is so important after 10 years and some of the topics that will be covered (Laudato Si', polarization in the Church, reaching out to the margins, etc.). Please enjoy this conversation with my colleague and friend Nick Olkovich.  John