Benjamin French
@benchwarmerbenji.bsky.social
Catholic / Humanist / Australian / Cinephile / Cricket and NRL fan.
Reposted by Benjamin French
Here’s my problem: Bishop Barron consistently chooses only targets on one side of the political aisle to critique—and it‘s not the side in power. Nothing President Trump or his minions say against any principle of Catholic social teaching ever elicits a word from him.
Zohran Mamdani, Trump, and Bishop Barron’s selective political outrage
[What does, or doesn’t, take a bishop’s breath away?]
greydanus.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Here’s my problem: Bishop Barron consistently chooses only targets on one side of the political aisle to critique—and it‘s not the side in power. Nothing President Trump or his minions say against any principle of Catholic social teaching ever elicits a word from him.
Reposted by Benjamin French
Literally the U.S. government’s position is “The strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.”
TAPPER: Can you rule out the US is going to take Greenland by force?
MILLER: Greenland should be part of the US. By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? The US is the power of NATO
T: So force is on the table?
M: Nobody is gonna fight the US militarily over future of Greenland
MILLER: Greenland should be part of the US. By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? The US is the power of NATO
T: So force is on the table?
M: Nobody is gonna fight the US militarily over future of Greenland
January 6, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Literally the U.S. government’s position is “The strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.”
Reposted by Benjamin French
obviously not the biggest issue here, but an AI cannot feel regret or be sincere so this “apology” is utterly worthless
January 1, 2026 at 11:28 PM
obviously not the biggest issue here, but an AI cannot feel regret or be sincere so this “apology” is utterly worthless
Reposted by Benjamin French
Kyrie, eleison. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.
January 3, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Kyrie, eleison. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.
Reposted by Benjamin French
I’ve been hard at work on this all month: an epic history of the theme of Jesus’ birth and the Gospel infancy narratives in “Peanuts.” I couldn’t get it done by Christmas Day, but hey, it’s still the Christmas season! I hope you enjoy it. This is, I think my comics writing magnum opus so far.
‘Peanuts,’ Christmas, and Jesus: 30 years of returning to Bethlehem with Charles Schulz
[LONGREAD: Linus the prophet, the ‘Peanuts’ gang, and the Gospel infancy narratives, 1958–1988]
greydanus.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I’ve been hard at work on this all month: an epic history of the theme of Jesus’ birth and the Gospel infancy narratives in “Peanuts.” I couldn’t get it done by Christmas Day, but hey, it’s still the Christmas season! I hope you enjoy it. This is, I think my comics writing magnum opus so far.
Reposted by Benjamin French
The last book I read was The Gospel According to Luke, so . . . wow.
Well, now I'm an English professor...
December 29, 2025 at 8:42 PM
The last book I read was The Gospel According to Luke, so . . . wow.
Reposted by Benjamin French
Spread this far and wide. An ethically and legally compromised editor at CBS killed this story by bowing down to bullies.
December 23, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Spread this far and wide. An ethically and legally compromised editor at CBS killed this story by bowing down to bullies.
Reposted by Benjamin French
The man who wrote that headline—condemning Father Jud along with Msgr. Wicks—would 100 percent have been on the coalition to hand Jesus over to Pilate for crucifixion. Good thread.
My old college classmate Brett McCracken has frustrated me many times in the past with his Gospel Coalition conservatism, but this review of Wake Up Dead Man seems targeted to upset me. He twice uses the term “true Christianity.” The headline itself is outrageous bothsidesism.
December 18, 2025 at 3:09 PM
The man who wrote that headline—condemning Father Jud along with Msgr. Wicks—would 100 percent have been on the coalition to hand Jesus over to Pilate for crucifixion. Good thread.
Reposted by Benjamin French
Here's the WAKE UP DEAD MAN (and, honestly, KNIVES OUT trilogy) take I've been waiting for.
WAKE UP DEAD MAN is about an impossible murder, among other impossible mysteries; it’s also about the sociopolitical implications of two opposing conceptions of Christianity and of Catholicism in particular. In a word, it’s SDG catnip, and I loved it.
In ‘Wake Up Dead Man,’ Benoit Blanc goes to church
The third installment in Rian Johnson's murder mystery series offers two contrasting visions of the church—and a reflection on mercy.
uscatholic.org
December 12, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Here's the WAKE UP DEAD MAN (and, honestly, KNIVES OUT trilogy) take I've been waiting for.
Reposted by Benjamin French
Reposted by Benjamin French
Listen very carefully.
"Hate" is a strong word, and it shouldn't be thrown around. Furthermore, I respect varying opinions across the board. I could never bring myself to hate anyone who disliked a certain movie.
That said, if you don't like Paddington 2, we are gonna argue atop a live volcano.
"Hate" is a strong word, and it shouldn't be thrown around. Furthermore, I respect varying opinions across the board. I could never bring myself to hate anyone who disliked a certain movie.
That said, if you don't like Paddington 2, we are gonna argue atop a live volcano.
Ok, I have to ask. What's a movie that if someone doesn't like you'll hate them?
December 4, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Listen very carefully.
"Hate" is a strong word, and it shouldn't be thrown around. Furthermore, I respect varying opinions across the board. I could never bring myself to hate anyone who disliked a certain movie.
That said, if you don't like Paddington 2, we are gonna argue atop a live volcano.
"Hate" is a strong word, and it shouldn't be thrown around. Furthermore, I respect varying opinions across the board. I could never bring myself to hate anyone who disliked a certain movie.
That said, if you don't like Paddington 2, we are gonna argue atop a live volcano.
Reposted by Benjamin French
i’m setting you free. i’m releasing you from the discourse
December 2, 2025 at 1:39 AM
i’m setting you free. i’m releasing you from the discourse
Reposted by Benjamin French
I did not know the Nazi and racist origins of this stupid, ugly word. Learn more: bit.ly/4rqZ0G9
A reminder for those who are not aware: "remigration" is the process of deporting all non-white people from a country. It includes citizens and is, by definition, ethnic cleansing.
And to be clear: this is not fake. I just screenshot it myself.
And to be clear: this is not fake. I just screenshot it myself.
November 29, 2025 at 1:51 PM
I did not know the Nazi and racist origins of this stupid, ugly word. Learn more: bit.ly/4rqZ0G9
Reposted by Benjamin French
"Russia should immediately return all the children it has forcibly transferred from Ukraine and release all the Ukrainian captives it is holding unlawfully."
"Peace deal or no peace deal, such matters are urgent and must be non-negotiable."
#Ukraine #Russia #USA #Incarceration #Military
"Peace deal or no peace deal, such matters are urgent and must be non-negotiable."
#Ukraine #Russia #USA #Incarceration #Military
Ukraine peace plan must not compromise on justice or accountability
Human rights and victims-focused justice must be at the heart of any agreement.
www.amnesty.org
November 26, 2025 at 12:10 PM
"Russia should immediately return all the children it has forcibly transferred from Ukraine and release all the Ukrainian captives it is holding unlawfully."
"Peace deal or no peace deal, such matters are urgent and must be non-negotiable."
#Ukraine #Russia #USA #Incarceration #Military
"Peace deal or no peace deal, such matters are urgent and must be non-negotiable."
#Ukraine #Russia #USA #Incarceration #Military
Reposted by Benjamin French
One of Pope Francis' final wishes fulfilled:
"Pope Francis died on April 21 aged 88, and his final wish for Gaza's children was that the popemobile should become a mobile health unit, the official Vatican News portal said in May."
www.france24.com/en/live-news...
"Pope Francis died on April 21 aged 88, and his final wish for Gaza's children was that the popemobile should become a mobile health unit, the official Vatican News portal said in May."
www.france24.com/en/live-news...
Popemobile transformed into Gaza mobile children's clinic
The popemobile used by the late pope Francis on his 2014 visit to Bethlehem re-emerged on Tuesday as a mobile children's clinic to be deployed in Gaza.
www.france24.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:02 PM
One of Pope Francis' final wishes fulfilled:
"Pope Francis died on April 21 aged 88, and his final wish for Gaza's children was that the popemobile should become a mobile health unit, the official Vatican News portal said in May."
www.france24.com/en/live-news...
"Pope Francis died on April 21 aged 88, and his final wish for Gaza's children was that the popemobile should become a mobile health unit, the official Vatican News portal said in May."
www.france24.com/en/live-news...
Reposted by Benjamin French
NEW: ICE’s policy of mass detaining immigrants w pending deportation proceedings has led to an avalanche of rejections in court.
More than 220 judges — including 23 Trump appointees — have called it an illegal distortion of long-settled law. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
More than 220 judges — including 23 Trump appointees — have called it an illegal distortion of long-settled law. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
November 28, 2025 at 12:06 PM
NEW: ICE’s policy of mass detaining immigrants w pending deportation proceedings has led to an avalanche of rejections in court.
More than 220 judges — including 23 Trump appointees — have called it an illegal distortion of long-settled law. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
More than 220 judges — including 23 Trump appointees — have called it an illegal distortion of long-settled law. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Benjamin French
Last week we saw something remarkable: the Church raising its public voice with unusual strength in the arenas of public policy and culture.
Under Leo XIV, the Church’s public voice rings with new strength
[U.S. bishops speak out powerfully on immigration; Pope Leo XIV meets with cinema world representatives]
greydanus.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Last week we saw something remarkable: the Church raising its public voice with unusual strength in the arenas of public policy and culture.
Reposted by Benjamin French
The only writing on WAKE UP DEAD MAN I can’t wait to read is by @decentfilms.bsky.social. No pressure or anything, pal.
November 21, 2025 at 4:04 AM
The only writing on WAKE UP DEAD MAN I can’t wait to read is by @decentfilms.bsky.social. No pressure or anything, pal.
Reposted by Benjamin French
“Nothing in the world can be compared to the human face. It is a land one can never tire of exploring. There is no greater experience…than to witness the expression of a sensitive face under the mysterious power of inspiration. To see it animated from inside, and turning into poetry.”
-Carl Dreyer
-Carl Dreyer
October 29, 2025 at 6:40 AM
“Nothing in the world can be compared to the human face. It is a land one can never tire of exploring. There is no greater experience…than to witness the expression of a sensitive face under the mysterious power of inspiration. To see it animated from inside, and turning into poetry.”
-Carl Dreyer
-Carl Dreyer
Reposted by Benjamin French
Some inspiring words on cinema in the streaming era from the Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
November 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Some inspiring words on cinema in the streaming era from the Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Reposted by Benjamin French
It makes perfect sense that the first Muslim mayor of New York City would be a nice Catholic boy.
November 12, 2025 at 8:22 PM
It makes perfect sense that the first Muslim mayor of New York City would be a nice Catholic boy.
Reposted by Benjamin French
“A Church that sets no limits to love, that knows no enemies to fight but only men and women to love, is the Church that the world needs today.” (Pope Leo XIV)
“The way of salvation is the way of love—and, in particular, there is no salvation apart from love for the poor and vulnerable: the hungry, the sick, prisoners, immigrants and refugees, and all who are excluded or marginalized.” From my homily for the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Saint John Lateran, living water, and love of the poor and vulnerable
[Homily for the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, 2025]
greydanus.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:54 PM
“A Church that sets no limits to love, that knows no enemies to fight but only men and women to love, is the Church that the world needs today.” (Pope Leo XIV)
Reposted by Benjamin French
Why? In God’s name, why?
If this story has been accurately reported, no American can feel anything but shame, unless what they feel is irrational, nationalistic bigotry. Those are your choices. Pick one.
If this story has been accurately reported, no American can feel anything but shame, unless what they feel is irrational, nationalistic bigotry. Those are your choices. Pick one.
He fought the Taliban alongside US troops. He followed all our immigration laws. The US is paying him back with prison time.
Mohammad Ali Dadfar is the father of four children and has no criminal record. ICE won't say why he's being held in a Missouri prison.
thesestories.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Why? In God’s name, why?
If this story has been accurately reported, no American can feel anything but shame, unless what they feel is irrational, nationalistic bigotry. Those are your choices. Pick one.
If this story has been accurately reported, no American can feel anything but shame, unless what they feel is irrational, nationalistic bigotry. Those are your choices. Pick one.
Reposted by Benjamin French
New today:
"At its core, HIGH NOON is a parable about civic abandonment, the inherent danger in waiting for the moment to act & discovering that no one will stand beside you—a quality which makes it an apt tale for our current political moment."
- Riley Womack
(🎨 by @studioralston.bsky.social)
"At its core, HIGH NOON is a parable about civic abandonment, the inherent danger in waiting for the moment to act & discovering that no one will stand beside you—a quality which makes it an apt tale for our current political moment."
- Riley Womack
(🎨 by @studioralston.bsky.social)
High Noon (1952): Wait Along, Wait Along…
At its core, High Noon is a parable about civic abandonment, the inherent danger in waiting for the moment to act and discovering that no one will stand beside you.
www.brightwalldarkroom.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:53 PM
New today:
"At its core, HIGH NOON is a parable about civic abandonment, the inherent danger in waiting for the moment to act & discovering that no one will stand beside you—a quality which makes it an apt tale for our current political moment."
- Riley Womack
(🎨 by @studioralston.bsky.social)
"At its core, HIGH NOON is a parable about civic abandonment, the inherent danger in waiting for the moment to act & discovering that no one will stand beside you—a quality which makes it an apt tale for our current political moment."
- Riley Womack
(🎨 by @studioralston.bsky.social)