Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, the editor of The Western Kentucky Catholic, speaks with fellow Catholic media panelists and facilitator Dr. Amy Uelman on Nov. 6, 2025, during the “Deepening Communion in a Polarized World” conference at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. RILEY GREIF | WKC
How to ‘deepen’ communion in increasingly polarized world is focus of Indiana conference
BY OSV NEWS
Reflecting on the polarization in the United States and even the Catholic Church, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, advised that overcoming divisions requires a nuanced approach.
“My experience tells me that polarization is not an issue that you can come at head on,” he said. “You have to come at it at a 45-degree angle, because if we come at head on, conversation is entirely defensive.”
Cardinal Tobin suggested taking an approach promoted by the late Pope Francis: synodality. It’s a method of conversation marked by prayerful listening, times of silent reflection and an openness to be led by the Holy Spirit.
He made the comments during a session with Seattle Archbishop Paul D. Etienne at a Nov. 4-6 conference on “Deepening Communion in a Polarized World,” hosted by Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad and co-sponsored by the seminary and the Glenmary Home Missioners religious order.
The gathering was facilitated by Glenmary Fr. Aaron Wessman, Benedictine Br. John Mark Falkenhain, and Dr. Amy Uelman, the director for mission and ministry at Georgetown Law School and a member of the Focolare Movement.
Clergy, seminarians, religious and lay Catholics from across the country participated in the three-day event, which highlighted topics like “Deepening Communion in the Catholic Hierarchy,” “Deepening Communion Through the Liturgy” and “Deepening Communion in the Implementation of Vatican II.”
A final session, “Deepening Communion through Catholic Media,” was held in the morning of the last day of the conference, and featured J.D. Long-García of America Media, Jeanette De Melo of EWTN News, and Elizabeth Wong Barnstead of The Western Kentucky Catholic. The conversation, facilitated by Dr. Uelman, discussed the challenges of polarization in different corners of Catholic media and the need for local Catholic news to inform local communities.
“No, one side did not leave victorious as another left defeated,” said Owensboro diocese seminarian Wes Wheatley, who attended the conference. “We more or less realized we are all on the same team. Yes, there are differences. That is true. However, the point is not to rid ourselves of our differences. Rather, we are more called to realize our differences and engage with one another regardless of them.”
WKC staff contributed to this report.
The archabbey church at Saint Meinrad is seen during the Nov. 4-6 conference on “Deepening Communion in a Polarized World” which was hosted at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Originally printed in the December 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
