As the world marks the historic election of Pope Leo—the first pope from the United States—this webinar explored what his papacy could mean for Anglican–Catholic relations, global moral leadership, and local pastoral realities.
Moderated by the Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese New York, the conversation examined Pope Leo’s emerging priorities in the context of ongoing global crises such as migration, nationalism, and war, and considered how could his leadership build on the legacy of Pope Francis’s emphasis on justice and pastoral care.
Panelists reflected on the evolution of Anglican–Catholic ecumenical dialogue over recent decades and what new possibilities Pope Leo may open, both at the level of theological collaboration and in the day-to-day lives of parishioners—especially those who have moved between the two traditions.
This timely discussion moved from global analysis to local implications, inviting us to consider how our churches can meet this moment with shared witness, renewed relationship, and hope.
This event has now passed. You can watch the recording below.
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The Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd
Moderator
The Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd is the Bishop of New York, installed in February 2024 after serving as bishop coadjutor since May 2023. Previously, he served as rector of Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City and as Director of Faith in Action at Trinity Church Wall Street. His career spans work in education, nonprofit leadership, and church-based social engagement, including roles supporting the Episcopal Service Corps, launching Episcopal Charities, and partnering with the King family on youth service initiatives. Bishop Heyd holds advanced degrees from Yale Divinity School and General Theological Seminary. He serves on numerous boards, including as Chair of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees for Episcopal Divinity School.
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Dr. Tony Alonso
Dr. Tony Alonso is a theologian and composer who works at the intersection of theology and culture, with a particular focus on worship and ritual practices. A Latin Grammy-nominated composer, he has published over 200 sacred compositions, including the responsorial psalm for the first Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in the U.S. in 2015. He is the author of Commodified Communion: Eucharist, Consumer Culture, and the Practice of Everyday Life (Fordham University Press, 2021), which won the Hispanic Theological Initiative Book Prize. His forthcoming book, The Intimate Notion of Things, explores material transformations in U.S. Catholicism since Vatican II. Alonso also received the Catherine Mowry LaCugna Award from the Catholic Theological Society of America in 2019.
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Miskopwaaganikwe – Leora Tadgerson
Miskopwaaganikwe – Leora Tadgerson is a proud dual citizen of Gnoozhikaaning, Bay Mills and Wiikwemkong First Nations. She serves as Director of Reparations and Justice with the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan. Leora’s role is focusing on truth telling, racial equity through restorative justice action, reconciliation research from the Native American boarding school era, and place-based community work/bridge building as a tribal liaison. Her research involves the Michigan based Indian boarding school experience and the Episcopal run schools, where she serves as Chair for the MW062, Executive Council Committee for Indigenous Boarding Schools and Advocacy. Through Leora’s research, she hopes to aid in the healing of Native hearts.
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Dr. Jon Nilson
Dr. Jon Nilson is Professor Emeritus of Theology at Loyola University Chicago. He was a Catholic representative on ARC/USA (the Anglican-Roman Catholic Consultation in the United States from 1984 to 2007 and was President of the Catholic Theological Society of America in 2002-2003. Along with numerous articles and reviews, his most recent book is Hearing Past the Pain. Why White Catholic Theologians Need Black Theology. Currently he serves as Theological Consultant in the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
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The Rev. Dr. Ellen K. Wondra
The Rev. Dr. Ellen K. Wondra is Research Professor of Theology and Ethics at Bexley Seabury Seminary. A noted ecumenist, she served on the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order, the Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations of the Episcopal Church (2001–2006), and the Anglican-Roman Catholic Consultation in the U.S.A. (ARCUSA) for nearly two decades. Dr. Wondra holds an MDiv from Church Divinity School of the Pacific and a PhD in Christian Theology from the University of Chicago. She has served as academic dean at Seabury and editor of the Anglican Theological Review. Her career is marked by a deep commitment to ecumenical dialogue and theological education.