Heidi Schlumpf
LightNews LightNews
banner
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
Heidi Schlumpf
@heidischlumpf.bsky.social
850 followers 190 following 240 posts
Religion journalist; co-host of the Francis Effect podcast
Heidischlumpfwrites@gmail.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
I'm shocked but not surprised at the blatant racism from this president. And this kind of thing gives others "permission" to be blatantly racist too. Just sickening.

www.cnn.com/2026/02/06/p...
Trump shares racist video depicting Obamas as apes on Truth Social, then removes it amid bipartisan outrage | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump shared a racist video on his social media platform Thursday night that depicted former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes in a jungle, then remo...
www.cnn.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:50 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
Religious folks are leading the way in MN but the response from Catholic clergy is relatively weak.
January 29, 2026 at 1:51 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
Great event at the Hank Center last night where I responded to Fr. Mark Massa's talk on Catholic fundamentalism (including some conversation about fundamentalism on social media) @hankcenterloyola.bsky.social @boisicenter.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 1:49 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
"While the response from religious leaders overall is encouraging, the small numbers of Catholic clergy from the St. Paul–Minneapolis archdiocese is disappointing. If ever there were a time for the Church to be courageous and outspoken, it would be now."

www.commonwealmagazine.org/ice-good-pre...
‘How Will You Say No?’
A religious movement is underway to correct the sad course our country has taken. Catholics should be part of it.
www.commonwealmagazine.org
January 28, 2026 at 7:40 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
"The US is not Germany in the 1930s. But it is sobering to see similar patterns reemerging from that fateful decade. We have reason to worry about the direction our society has taken in recent years." --Bishop Taylor, who lost family in the Holocaust

t.co/85FQLeZM91
https://arkansas-catholic.org/2026/01/26/polarization-partisanship-warning/
t.co
January 27, 2026 at 1:21 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
Nine months into his papacy, we are starting to get a feel for Pope Leo's leadership. Signs point to him having some decent managerial skills. My latest for Commonweal:

www.commonwealmagazine.org/schlumpf-leo...
Leo the Manager
Leo possesses the mind of a mathematician and canon lawyer. He has the makings of an effective manager—even of a sprawling organization like the Church.
www.commonwealmagazine.org
January 26, 2026 at 2:51 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
What does Catholic Social Teaching have to say about the Renee Good killing? My latest for Commonweal:
January 19, 2026 at 4:18 AM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
"That other presidents have unilaterally exercised force to topple governments abroad in no way excuses Trump’s attack on Venezuela. All such actions are dark marks on our history. Many have also had catastrophic consequences." --Commonweal editors

www.commonwealmagazine.org/editorial-ve...
Trump’s Pyrrhic Victory
Trump has made clear his intention to turn the United States into a reflection of himself: a rogue nation with the methods and morals of a mob boss.
www.commonwealmagazine.org
January 7, 2026 at 2:49 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
"We have spawned a culture of online Catholic influencerism that has poisoned the church, twisted it into two opposing camps locked in a seemingly endless contest that does little to advance the reign of God but raises a lot of money and exerts remarkable political influence."
January 5, 2026 at 1:32 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
Icymi

religionnews.com/2025/12/23/w...
Why the news leak about New York's change in archbishops should trouble Catholics
(RNS) — We must end the sense among Catholics that one ‘side’ is winning or losing.
religionnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Reposted by Heidi Schlumpf
commonweal.bsky.social
"The second-most-important American leader seems intent on implementing policies that go against nearly every Catholic moral priority."

@heidischlumpf.bsky.social: 2025 will be remembered for two U.S.-born leaders who couldn’t be more different.
www.commonwealmagazine.org/leo-trump-po...
A Year of Contrasts
2025 saw the eclipse of Donald Trump as the most important American in the world.
www.commonwealmagazine.org
December 30, 2025 at 1:58 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
My year-end column on Pope Leo and Donald Trump.

www.commonwealmagazine.org/leo-trump-po...
A Year of Contrasts
2025 saw the eclipse of Donald Trump as the most important American in the world.
www.commonwealmagazine.org
December 30, 2025 at 4:20 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
Four deaths in four days. These are concentration camps.

religionnews.com/2025/12/21/e...
Eritrean imam dies in ICE custody as detainee deaths hit 20-year high
(RNS) — Fouad Saeed Abdulkadir is one of four people who died in immigration detention over a four-day period this month, raising alarm among advocates about deteriorating conditions at immigration fa...
religionnews.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:39 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
The black plastic zip ties around the baby Jesus’ wrists are shocking. But then so were the eyewitness reports that children were zip-tied during a violent immigration-enforcement operation at a Chicago apartment building in October.

www.commonwealmagazine.org/ice-nativity...
Controversial Crèches
Christmas crèches have always included a prophetic purpose. This year, some churches are using their nativity scenes to call out mass deportations.
www.commonwealmagazine.org
December 21, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Reposted by Heidi Schlumpf
hofferdal.bsky.social
"Some #churches, using public art [Anti-ICE nativities] to do public #theology, have chosen to be #prophetic about this key political and moral issue [dignity of immigrants] of our time", writes @heidischlumpf.bsky.social in a key reflection for @commonweal.bsky.social.
December 21, 2025 at 7:07 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
Church leaders talk a lot about evangelization but ignore the most obvious way to bring people in. My column on the deacons commission's report:

www.commonwealmagazine.org/heidi-schlum...
Lost Generations
The Vatican's report opposing the ordination of women deacons only makes it harder for women to remain in the Church.
www.commonwealmagazine.org
December 12, 2025 at 1:34 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
Our last episode of the Francis Effect podcast of the season. See you in the new year! @daultradio.bsky.social

francisfxpod.com/current/2516
The Pope's first trip, the continuing saga of women deacons, and a pop-culture roundup — The Francis Effect
We end our 17th season with a look at the current state of the Catholic Church, as well as with a look at what we've been watching, reading, and listening to lately
francisfxpod.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:04 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
After attending a talk by Timothy Snyder and Rachel Maddow, I realized our faith says the same thing he did: keep doing the thing. (With thanks to Ann Garrido!)
December 8, 2025 at 1:03 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
My second piece for the RNS series on Catholic higher education, this one on how "trad" schools seem to be growing and doing well financially.

religionnews.com/2025/12/03/c...
Conservative Catholic colleges growing as families opt for ‘faithful’ schools
(RNS) — Several ‘trad Catholic’ schools have shown surprising financial strength in a time when other small colleges are struggling.
religionnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:01 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
Also I'll be part of this webinar panel on Thursday:
religionnews.com/2025/11/13/c...
Can Catholic Universities Stay Catholic?
Religion News Service (RNS)
religionnews.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:32 AM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
St. Norbert is not the only Catholic institution facing demographic and fiscal challenges, nor is it the only one to cut liberal arts to try to address those issues. My story for @RNS:
religionnews.com/2025/12/02/w...
When Catholic colleges cut theology majors, what happens to Catholic identity?
(RNS) — Just 63% of Catholic higher education institutions have theology or religious studies departments, down from 69% in 2016.
religionnews.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:32 AM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
I KNOW!!!!
November 25, 2025 at 6:05 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
My piece with comments from @ordainwomen.bsky.social, Discerning Deacons and Phyllis Zagano.
November 25, 2025 at 6:05 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
Advent is not a 12-day season of buying yourself more stuff. My rant--I mean, column:

www.commonwealmagazine.org/advent-calen...
Advent Calendars Gone Wild
Can Advent calendars stuffed with hot sauce, stuffed animals, and panties still stir feelings of anticipation and mystery?
www.commonwealmagazine.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:23 PM
heidischlumpf.bsky.social
New podcast episode this week includes my interview with the amazing Kat Armas on resisting empire for Advent.

francisfxpod.com/current/2515
The USCCB Conference, reopening the government, and an interview with Kat Armas — The Francis Effect
Heidi, Daniel, and David do a deep dive into the recent Bishops' Conference, and we look at the ongoing fallout from the government shutdown as the country struggles to reopen. Then Heidi interviews K...
francisfxpod.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:21 PM