Ugly as Sin (Erika Ahern) 4/21/26

About this episode

Erika Ahern discusses the evolution of modern church architecture and its impact on worship and reverence.

We welcome back seasoned journalist Erika Ahern to examine why many modern churches became plain or ugly, tracing causes from the Reformation and Enlightenment to 20th-century trauma and post‑conciliar changes. Has a loss of reverence and faith in the Eucharist shaped our worship spaces? Father finishes with Timely Thoughts. Show Notes The Real Reason Modern Catholic Churches Are Ugly | The Deep Ugly As Sin: Why They Changed Our Churches from Sacred Places to Meeting Spaces-And How We Can Change Them Back Again Duncan G. Stroik Catholic Art Institute Cornelius Edmund Sullivan New portal of Angers Cathedral: “But how can you ask a renowned architect to efface himself before the monument?” Duncan Stroik | Adoremus Dover Beach | The Poetry Foundation Why Catholics Can't Sing: The Culture of Catholicism and the Triumph of Bad Taste iCatholic Mobile The Station of the Cross Merchandise - Use Coupon Code 14STATIONS for 10% off | Catholic to the Max Read Fr. McTeigue's Written Works! "Let's Take A Closer Look" with Fr. Robert McTeigue, S.J. | Full Series Playlist Listen to Fr. McTeigue's Preaching! | Herald of the Gospel Sermons Podcast on Spotify Visit Fr. McTeigue's Website | Herald…

People in this episode

Host: Father McTeigue

Guest: Erika Ahern

Topics covered

• modern church architecture
• Eucharist
• Reformation
• Enlightenment
• worship spaces
• Catholicism

Keywords

• modern churches
• ugly architecture
• Catholic worship
• Eucharist reverence
• Reformation impact
• 20th-century trauma
• post-conciliar changes

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Catholic Art Institute, The Poetry Foundation, iCatholic Mobile, The Station of the Cross

Books & works: Ugly As Sin: Why They Changed Our Churches from Sacred Places to Meeting Spaces-And How We Can Change Them Back Again, Why Catholics Can't Sing: The Culture of Catholicism and the Triumph of Bad Taste

More episodes of The Catholic Current

• A Second Look at Pope Leo’s First Encyclical (Fr. Robert McTeigue, S.J.) 6/12/26 · June 12, 2026 · 51 min
• 2026 Spring Appeal Goal Met - Thank You! (Joe McClane) 6/11/26 · June 11, 2026 · 50 min
• 2026 Spring Mini On-Air Appeal - Day One (Joe McClane) 6/10/26 · June 10, 2026 · 51 min
• Better Marriage Preparation (Christian Meert) 6/9/26 · June 9, 2026 · 51 min
• The Most Unsatisfying Sin? | Fr. Robert McTeigue, S.J. · June 8, 2026 · 7 min
• A First Look at Pope Leo’s First Encyclical (Fr. Robert McTeigue, S.J.) 6/5/26 · June 5, 2026 · 52 min