In recent years, there has been a lot of debate around the word “consent” when it comes to preventing sexual assault on campus. What can Catholic colleges and universities bring to these discussions? How do we talk about sexual encounters that church teaching says shouldn’t be happening outside of marriage in the first place? To find out, we talk with Briana Maturi, who leads Loyola Marymount University’s consent program, called LMU CARES.


We ask Briana about the hook-up and dating scene on campuses today, what a culture of consent looks like after college and what bystanders can do prevent sexual assault and harassment.

In Signs of the Times, we discuss Pope Francis’ historic trip to the Arabian Peninsula and Cuba’s newest Catholic Church. Next, how should bishops respond when Catholic politicians support abortions. And in Midwest news: The bishops in Illinois come out against the legalization of recreational marijuana, and the University of Notre Dame covers up murals of Christopher Columbus.

Let us know what you think about our conversation with Brianna or any of these stories on our Facebook page or Twitter. And please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a member of our Patreon community.

Also: If you want to learn more about Pope Francis’ trip to the U.A.E., check out the latest episode of Inside the Vatican, from our colleague and friend of the podcast, Colleen Dulle.

Links from the show

Pope Francis to world’s religious leaders: We build the future together or there will be no future

Cuba’s first church inauguration since the revolution

Canon law examined in wake of push for excommunication over abortion

Illinois Bishops Advise Against Legalization of Marijuana

University of Notre Dame to Cover Up Prominent Columbus Murals

How one Catholic university is trying to create a culture of consent

What’s on tap

Margaret River Distilling Co.’s Giniversity, provided by our friends at Adelaide’s Catholic Office for Youth and Young Adults and Pub Theology Adelaide