In Podcasts, The Inner Life

English Literature – The Inner Life – March 10, 2026

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Fr. Spencer Howe joins Patrick to discuss English Literature

  • (2:41) what is the role of Literature in the life of the Church?
  • What is the history of the Catholic Church in England?
  • (10:26) what is the Catholic influence of Shakespeare.

(18:55) Break 1

  • (19:50) Richard – I’m a reader of CS Lewis, George McDonald. I can tell you how I was put on to CS Lewis and then George McDonald.
  • (23:54) C.S. Lewis one of the evangelists?
  • (28:43) Karen – Wanted to talk about reading Tolkien and then becoming Catholic. Heard about it on Fr. Simon’s show.

(34:00) Break 2

  • WWI’s influence on English Writers in their literature.
  • (37:56) St John Henry Newman’s authorship and teaching.
  • Who was Ronald Knox and why is he so important?
  • (45:32) Chesterton’s importance in the common people’s mind.

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Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley was born, raised, and baptized in Wisconsin in a Protestant tradition. After meeting his wife, Kendra, through an Evangelical ministry at the University of Minnesota, they entered the Catholic Church in 2010. They listened to Relevant Radio, specifically The Inner Life, while preparing to enter the Church. Conley now holds a degree in theology from Oxford University and has served the Church in both academic theology and grassroots pastoral ministry. Conley teaches religion classes in a Catholic elementary school, serves as his parish Director of Religious Education, and is in formation for the permanent diaconate. He also hosts Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio, exclusive to the Minneapolis area’s airwaves, and is a traveling presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute apostolate. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their bulldogs, Georgie and Bingley.