Writings + Interviews

NOTE: This is not an all-inclusive list, just the ones for which we’ve found links or other information so far.
Let us know if you are aware of something that could be added.

Book Chapters

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(Links to book information provided; texts not available.)

“Blasphemy, Conversion, and Liberation: ‘Christian’ ‘Punk’ in Theological Perspective”
January 2020
Christian Punk: Identity & Performance

“More Than Music: Notes on ‘Staying Punk’ in the Church and in Theology”
2013
Secular Music and Sacred Theology

“Punk Rock and/as Liberation Theology”
2017
Music, Theology, and Justice

Book Reviews

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“Clearing Up Appalachia’s Smoky History: Two Books Reflect Revival, Debates”
May 18, 2018
National Catholic Reporter
Summary: Review of books by Elizabeth Catte and Steven Stoll

Karl Rahner: Theologian for the 21st Century
April 2013
Toronto Journal of Theology
Summary: Review of book edited by Fainche Ryan and Pádraic Conway

Jesus of Galilee: Contextual Christology for the 21st Century
December 2012
Political Theology
Summary: Review of book by Robert Lassalle-Klein

Racial Justice and the Catholic Church
September 2010
Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Religion
Summary: Review of book by Father Bryan Massingale

The Kings and Their Gods
June 2008
The Catholic Register
Summary: Review of book by Daniel Berrigan

Interviews (featuring MJI)

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“Catholic lay leader says release of diocese audit is significant but not enough”
February 24, 2020
Metro News (WV)
Summary: Discussion of details of the audit release by the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and what it reveals about the DWC’s expenses in the Bransfield saga, diocesan ties to fossil fuels, and more

“Iafrate Fighting for a Better Church”
November 29, 2018
Weelunk
Summary: Part of a continuing series on how Ohio Valley residents express their spirituality, focusing on Michael’s social justice calling

“Hidden spiritual gems found in song”
August 27, 2017
The Catholic Register
Summary: Michael discusses his music, and the larger role of music, in the context of the book Music, Theology, and Justice to which he contributed a chapter. Also features the book’s editor, Michael O’Connor.

“New book explores theology in music, from choir to metal to punk”
August 27, 2017
The B.C. Catholic
Summary: Discussion of the book MUSIC, THEOLOGY, & JUSTICE to which Michael contributed a chapter; also features book’s editor, Michael O’Connor

“In God’s Country: An Interview with Michael Iafrate of M Iafrate & The Priesthood”
July 7, 2017
Ghetto Blaster Magazine
Summary: Coming soon.

“Appalachian Spring”
July 2017
Sojourners
Summary: Article by Barry Hudock. Discussion of The People’s Pastoral framed in the context of Michael’s flight over the Hobet Mine mountaintop removal site

James Wodarcyk Experimental Podcast – 11 – Michael Iafrate
Spring 2017
James Wodarcyk Experimental Podcast
Summary: Michael discusses the release of his album Christian Burial

“Putting Liberation Theology into Practice in Appalachia”
January 24, 2016
Appalachian Chronicle
Summary: Discussion of the People’s Pastoral and the concept of a “Magisterium of the Poor”; also features Jeannie Kirkhope, CCA Co-Coordinator

“Powerful Stuff: Michael J. Iafrate talks about his life and music”
March 4, 2011
WV Rock Scene
Summary: Michael discusses his 5-song EP, No Matter How Deep the Darkness, He Descends Deeper Still, and reflects on the coexistence of punk and spiritual ethos.

Popular Media

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“Bishop Brennan must address racism in his diocese”
July 12, 2020
Charleston Gazette-Mail
Summary: Op-Ed co-authored with Jeannie Kirkhope regarding unaddressed racism with the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, including among ordained clergy.

“Church Should Investigate Allegations about Bransfield Fully”
December 20, 2019
Wheeling Intelligencer
Summary: Op-ed with co-authored with Jeannie Kirkhope.

“Too many questions remain unanswered in the case of West Virginia Bishop Michael Bransfield,”
August 2, 2019
Washington Post
Summary: Perspective piece demanding the release of the full Bransfield report and questioning the omissions of Bishop Lori’s probe of the former bishop

“New Details of W.Va. Priest Case Raise More Questions About Diocesan Response to Abuse Allegations”
June 9, 2019
Appalachian Chronicle
Summary: Co-authored with Michael Barrick; regarding the allegations of sex abuse against former diocesan clergy member, the late Charles E. McCallister

“Catholic Community Needs Archbishop Lori to Listen”
May 4, 2019
Charleston Gazette-Mail
Summary: Op-ed co-authored with Jeannie Kirkhope

“West Virginia Catholics Want to ‘Follow the Truth Wherever It Leads,’ Including to Philadelphia”
February 4, 2019
Philadelphia Inquirer
Summary: Co-authored with Jeannie Kirkhope

“The Laity Is the Catholic Church’s Last Hope”
January 13, 2019
Associated Press
Summary: Co-authored with Jeannie Kirkhope

“‘Follow the Truth Wherever It Leads’: Resisting the Jurisdictional Mentality that Protects Abusers in the Church”
December 13, 2018
Medium
Summary: Coming soon.

“‘Lay Investigation’ of Diocese Doesn’t Equate Transparency”
November 22, 2018
Charleston Gazette-Mail
Summary: Coming soon.

“’Lay Involvement’ in Church Investigation Does Not Guarantee Truth or Transparency”
October 29, 2018
Medium
Summary: Coming soon.

“Open Letter to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston: WV Catholics Want ‘Specific, Achievable Actions,’ Full Investigation”
September 15, 2018
Charleston Gazette-Mail
Summary: Coming soon.

“Ordinary Prophets”
July 16, 2018
Ignatian Solidarity Network: Rise Up
Summary: Reflection on the power of “ordinary” people to speak against oppression with prophetic audacity

“Holy Thursday: Radical Reversals”
March 29, 2018
Ignatian Solidarity Network: Break Forth
Summary: Reflection on the Holy Thursday ritual of the washing of the feet as more than a call to service, but also as an opportunity for radical subversion in placing ourselves among the dominated centering the experiences of the marginalized

“Religion Writing in the Time of Trump”
February 21, 2018
Sojourners
Summary: A call to Catholic religion writers to “fight racism at every turn” and to cease the normalization of racism as a simple difference of opinion that people of faith may have

“Gopala, Jesus, and the Friendly Beasts: Interspiritual Friendships and the Care of Animals”
December 22, 2017
Creature Kind Blog
Summary: Link unavailable

“Comforting the Afflicted, Afflicting the Comfortable”
December 11, 2017
Ignatian Solidarity Network
Summary: Advent reflection on the weekly readings, including a call to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable, as well as a call to withdraw ourselves, even in small ways, from systems of injustices

“A Place at the Table”
October 16, 2017
Ignatian Solidarity Network
Summary: A call for the Catholic Church to put action to the words “All are welcome,” particularly in regard to the LGBTQ+ community

“Wednesday of Holy Week: Silence Crucifies”
April 12, 2017
Ignatian Solidarity Network
Summary: A call to speak prophetically against injustice and a warning to the harm of silence

“Day 11: Love Your Enemies”
March 11, 2017
Ignatian Solidarity Network
Summary: A Lenten reflection on what it means to “love your enemies,” including those we make for our rejections of imperial forces; also asks us to reflect on those who consider us enemies for our attitudes that oppress or exclude them.

“’Chains Shall He Break’: Justice in the Music of the Christmas Narrative”
December 21, 2016
Ignatian Solidarity Network
Summary: Co-authored with Kelly Swan and Alyssa Pasternak-Post; discusses holiday carols as “resistance literature” teaching lessons of truth and justice

“A West Virginia Catholic Worker at Standing Rock: Q&A with Nic Cochran”
December 14, 2016
Ignatian Solidarity Network
Summary: Interview with Nic Cochran, WV activist present at Standing Rock protests

“West Virginia Catholic Diocese Challenged to Reject Coal’s ‘Dirty Money'”
April 25, 2016
Appalachian Chronicle
Summary: Discussion of the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston’s financial ties to fossil fuels and a call for the DWC to refuse financial benefits from an industry that has exploited the people of Appalachia

“Dirty Money in the Appalachian Church: Six Years After Deadly Coal Mine Disaster, Where Are We Now?”
April 14, 2016
Religion Dispatches
Summary: Discussion of the DWC’s ties to the exploitative coal industry and a call for the DWC to cut ties to the fossil fuel industry

“Pope Francis’ Environmental Encyclical Gets Waylaid in West Virginia”
July 1, 2015
National Catholic Reporter Online
Summary: Discussion of the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston’s ties to the fossil fuel industry as contradictory to the call of the pope’s encyclical for an “ecological conversion”

“A Glimpse of the Resurrection During the Church’s Way of the Cross”
April 13, 2010
Vox Nova
Summary: Contribution to Vox Nova blog. Reflections on troublesome Easter Triduum observances in local parishes, particularly in light of abuse scandals, and an instance of one priest offering hope of ‘resurrection’ in the face of a Westboro Baptist protest following Easter Monday’s fatal Massey mine explosion.