Liberal Catholics Have Lost It Again. This Time They're Defending The Devil?
Opinion
America Magazine Has Lost It Again. This Time It’s The Strangest Target.
OPINION
(Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)
Lucy Spence Contributor June 25, 2026 2:58 PM ET June 25, 2026 2:58 PM ET Lucy Spence Contributor Font Size:Just when we thought disgruntled liberal Catholics couldn’t find any more Church practices to take issue with, America Magazine has delivered. But this time it’s the strangest target.
An associate editor at the liberal Jesuit magazine recently brought his personal liturgical angst to X, decrying — of all things — the Prayer to St. Michael. Often said at the end of Mass, the prayer asks the intercession of the archangel Michael against the “wickedness and snares of the Devil.” (RELATED: Vatican Publishes ‘Emerging Issues’ Report On Engaging With The Gays)
The devotion is viewed by Catholics as a prayer of protection, asking God to defeat the demons who wander the world and seek its destruction.
But the sentiment expressing hatred for the Devil — the Father of Lies — is apparently too strong for this editor, who wrote, “I cannot express how much I dislike the St. Michael Prayer after Mass. it [sic] is so, so jarring to me every time.”
I wouldn’t think to describe a prayer commonly recited at Mass as a sudden or extremely uncomfortable shock — but I digress.
I cannot express how much I dislike the St. Michael Prayer after Mass. it is so, so jarring to me every time.
To say nothing of the intent/content of the prayer, the language, and repetition and prominence given to it breed a sense of paranoia and cynicism. Instead of going out… https://t.co/ASuJJbxS3m
— Zac Davis (@zacdayvis) June 24, 2026
The editor continues: “To say nothing of the intent/content of the prayer, the language, and repetition and prominence given to it breed a sense of paranoia and cynicism. Instead of going out to evangelize the world, everyone is ready to go to war with it.”
Beyond the strong implications given here that the post’s author fundamentally disagrees with a plea for protection against the Devil (excuse me?), the man just gets the prayer wrong.
The St. Michael Prayer doesn’t wage war against the world; it actually asks for the downfall of those who seek to destroy it. It’s an intercession to God on behalf of the world. And the author’s attacks against the prayer’s “repetition and prominence” are difficult to justify. The practice of reciting the St. Michael Prayer after Mass is optional and done after the final blessing — and is therefore outside the official liturgy. (RELATED: Catholic Conversions Skyrocket During Easter As Numbers Rebound)
And let’s be clear: The Devil is, in fact, your enemy.
The author’s not done yet, though. The post concludes: “This prayer is totally fine in private devotion. It does not belong in the liturgy (or effectively within the liturgy, when it is said after the final blessing but before the recessional hymn).”
The lay pontificating couldn’t be more ridiculous, given that the prayer was composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1884. Pope Francis, moreover — beloved by America Magazine — actually suggested that the St. Michael Prayer be reintroduced into liturgies after it was no longer mandatory following the Second Vatican Council.
Following the new revelations of church scandals in 2018, Pope Francis said, “[The church must be] saved from the attacks of the malign one, the great accuser and at the same time be made ever more aware of its guilt, its mistakes, and abuses committed in the present and the past.”
Francis had also earlier consecrated the Vatican to St. Michael and St. Joseph in 2013, with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in attendance, asking the angel to “defend us from the Evil One and cast him out.” (RELATED: Vatican Shuts Down German Bishops’ Bid For Lay Preachers)
The reactions on X have been, as they usually are, priceless. A seminarian — Jesuit, no less — politely pointed out, “Sir, the prayer seeks the wellbeing [sic] of the world. It is a prayer for protection against the enemy of all humanity.”
Another priest wrote: “The paranoia and cynicism isnt [sic] coming from the St. Michael’s prayer. It’s coming from a worldview so comfortable with the age it has forgotten the Church is by divine design ALWAYS in battle. The St. Michael Prayer is simply the honest acknowledgment of that fact.”
But the MVP award must go to Michael Knowles. I’ll let the image speak for itself.
https://t.co/GTsl0o44f6 pic.twitter.com/EfhRc8Oiy9
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) June 24, 2026
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
