Creative Catholicism

This is the first in a news series by Father James Grant.
In this episode of Modern Martyrs, Father James Grant reflects on the life of St. Max Kolbe, the Polish Franciscan priest who gave his life at Auschwitz. Beyond his famous act of sacrifice, Kolbe’s daily devotion, service to the poor, and deep love of Mary reveal a model of faith lived out in both quiet suffering and extraordinary courage.

Father James Grant unpacks the heart of Catholicism — God becoming one of us, living out our calling, embracing forgiveness, and finding prayer in everyday life — with honesty, warmth, and a dash of humour.

In episode 20 of Making Catholicism Work, titled "Change and Unchangeable Foundations", Father James Grant explores the tension between modern calls for institutional reform and the enduring truths of the Catholic faith. Drawing from his experience in industrial chaplaincy, Father Grant challenges the assumption that churches must adapt to survive, arguing instead that clarity, not conformity, is what sustains faith. He critiques the rewriting of history, the culture of resentment, and the erosion of gratitude in modern Australia, while affirming the Catholic call to use our God-given gifts in service of truth, humility, and thankfulness.
Sales of Father James Grant's "Making Catholicism Work", along with his previous works, can be obtained from Connor Court Publishing.
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In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, Father James Grant reflects on his time living and working in communist East Germany and Hungary during the 1980s. He explores the illusion of state-provided security and the spiritual toll it took on society—highlighting how fear and dependency replaced freedom and personal responsibility. Drawing a striking parallel to modern Australia, particularly among disconnected and anxious youth, Father James warns of a creeping "psychological communism" marked by fear and comfort over courage and meaning. He offers a bold message from the Catholic faith: true security is not found in safety or control, but in a life of faith, freedom, and service to others.

Pilgrimage, or a journey to emulate someone’s life, is a powerful antidote to a lifeless faith. It involves detaching from self-centeredness and embracing a deeper connection with God and others. Through pilgrimage, we learn gratitude, compassion, and the importance of community, ultimately transforming our lives and relationships.

Father James Grant questions the true nature of freedom in modern society, contrasting it with the sacrifices made by Anzac soldiers. He argues that while Australians enjoy unprecedented freedom of choice, many lack freedom from fear and insecurity. Grant emphasises the Catholic perspective on freedom, rooted in the resurrection of Jesus, as a freedom from fear and a call to live a life that exemplifies true freedom for others.

Catholics value tradition as a preservation of truth, not just as an example. Modern Australians often criticise the church for needing change, yet are captivated by grand ceremonial events. Father James Grant argues that true love and commitment, like the Catholic faith, transcend personal needs and feelings, challenging the transactional nature of modern culture.

The Catholic Church has largely stopped speaking about or calling people to a sense of vocation, which is the fundamental question of what task God is calling us to. This lack of discussion about vocation is the fundamental reason for the loss of energy and vitality in faith communities and the dismal connections to the wider community. The removal of Mary from parishes has had a crippling effect on parish life, as her life is the quintessential life of vocation, and her words are the most powerful words ever spoken by a human being.

Father James Grant discusses his directive approach to counselling, contrasting it with a more hands-off method. He applies this to religious beliefs, comparing the Catholic understanding of God as a communicating, self-giving Trinity to the more distant, aloof God of Judaism, Islam, and secularism. The Catholic belief in the Trinity, as a statement of God’s closeness and communication, is seen as a radical departure from these other perspectives.

Father James Grant discusses Alexander Solzhenitsyn, a Russian author and dissident, criticised Western naivety towards communism, particularly American support for the Soviet Union. He argued this support strengthened communism and enabled the suppression of freedom movements. Solzhenitsyn also analysed the Catholic Church’s compromises with communist regimes, highlighting the need for a realistic understanding of Chinese communism and its suppression of religious freedom.