PUBLICATIONS

Can this far-right Christian militia de-radicalize?

The Bratstvo Battalion was once known for its antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. Now it’s fighting alongside diverse Ukrainians to save the country from Russia. Christian Century, August 2026

Hungarian far-right recruitment in Serbia’s Vojvodina: Not going according to plan

If Hungarian right-wing groups are recruiting in Serbia’s ethnic Hungarian minority community, are they achieving success? Balkan Insight, March 2026

Hungary’s Viktor Orbán reignites his hostility towards Ukraine

A deeper dive into the region’s history shows that Orbán has often picked diplomatic fights with neighbouring states, with Ukraine taking the brunt of this campaign. The Conversation, March 17, 2026

Trump-Putin Budapest summit would have posed threat to international rule of law

While the summit may yet be revived, scepticism that any progress will be made towards peace is probably the right response. The Conversation, October 2025

The military chaplains of Ukraine

President Trump’s transactional approach would have us believe that Ukraine is an economic asset. But if we listen to Ukraine’s military chaplains, we can see past this dehumanizing economic calculus. America, April 2025

Disinfo or Documentary? ‘Russians at War’ confuses festival organisers, audiences

The film about a Russian Army battalion fighting in Ukraine will be available on streaming services from April, but its screenings at festivals have been dogged by criticism, protests and uncertainty over how to engage with the work. Balkan Insight, April 2025

China could test the limits of Hungary’s foreign policy of ‘Principled Realism’

Trump has nominated three officials with ties to Hungary for key national security posts, but the anti-China bent of his team could still pose a problem as the Orban administration tries to deepen cooperation with Beijing. Balkan Insight, January 2025

In Romania, signs of far-right ‘values’ overriding ethnic loyalty

The far-right in Romania used to whip of ethnic tensions with the Hungarian minority as a way to win votes; now they’re seeking common cause. Balkan Insight, January 2025

Joint Ukrainian-Polish icon painting initiative goes where liturgists fear to tread

Ukraine’s contemporary icon painters intervene at the limits of the church's liturgy by exploring difficult questions about justice and divine purpose. National Catholic Reporter, December 2024

‘Child protection’: Hungary’s far-right Is grabbing the initiative in the culture wars

At least for the moment, it seems that Fidesz has lost control of the political narrative, first on the left and now on the right. Balkan Insight, November 2024

Pope’s new Cardinals may rile Hungary’s Orban, rebuild bridges with Ukraine

Far from ignoring Europe, with these choices Pope Francis has announced his intent to stay involved in two major political issues facing Europe: the war in Ukraine and migration. Balkan Insight, November 2024

The Most Dangerous Preacher in Hungary

Methodist leader Gábor Iványi is perhaps Viktor Orbán’s fiercest critic. He’s looking to Americans for solidarity. Christian Century, November 2024

Ukrainian Military Chaplains Learn Pluralism on the Job

What to do if a soldier from another denomination asks for a prayer? Christian Century, July 2024

Stronger Together

The need for the increasingly beleaguered Ukrainians to come together is breaking down historical boundaries and animosities. The Tablet, June 15, 2024

Ukraine’s Muslim Military Chaplains Fight for Recognition

…even as they build solidarity. Inkstick, March 5 2024

Neutrality or Solidarity for Charities in Ukraine?

In Ukraine, faith-based humanitarian workers face a fundamental question about the nature of their work. Christian Century, December 2023

R.M.N. Is a Kaleidoscopic Allegory of All of Western Civilization

Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu takes a hammer to true-to-life events and then puts the pieces back together again. Christian Century, November 2023

How a Buddhist-Inspired High School is Boosting Hungary’s Roma

The Dr. Ambedkar School is working to empower intellectual and political leaders from within Hungary’s Roma community, based on the Indian social reformer’s example. Christian Science Monitor, September 6, 2023

Hungary’s Progressive Christian Resistance

Viktor Orbán has tried to buy the loyalty of the churches, but not everyone is selling. Christian Century, June 2023

Leading Hungarian Physicist Says Pope’s Sentimentality Is Roadblock to “Ethical AI”

János Kértész, head of an international consortium of scientists and industry experts that promote “humane” artificial intelligence, says pope has an idealized vision of society. La Croix International, May 22, 2023

Pope To Address Hungary’s Intellectuals as Government Control Over Universities Has Increased

Francis goes to Pázmány Péter Catholic University in Budapest on Sunday, the final day of his official three-day visit to Hungary. La Croix International, April 29, 2023

The Pope in Hungary: Europe’s Special Case

Pope Francis will next weekend visit Hungary, a country taking a controversial and divisive path of social and political reform. The Tablet, April 22, 2023

Famous Hungarian Priest Reveals He Is Survivor of Clergy Sex Abuse

In run-up to Pope Francis’ visit to Budapest next month, revelations by Father András Hodászd have some asking if an influencer can have any “real” influence on Church. La Croix International, March 2, 2023

Franciscan Acting Workshops Help Ukrainians Express War Trauma

Meeting in a school auditorium in Legnica, Poland, the weeklong intensive training prepared Ukrainian actors to work with refugees in Poland and others in Ukraine who are struggling with the social and psychological wounds of war. National Catholic Reporter, October 10, 2022

Pope Francis Will Visit Hungary in 2023, According to Country’s President

The pope should make nuclear energy and the environment key talking points if and when he actually makes the trip. La Croix International, September 1, 2022

The Church in Eastern Europe Has a Chance to Improve Its Record on Refugees

This is a chance for the Catholic Church in Hungary, whose government has loudly opposed accepting refugees in the past, to correct its mixed record on fighting xenophobia. America, March 10, 2022

Postcards from a World on Fire: Romania

The sounds of farmers harvesting potatoes with horse-drawn plows have been heard across Transylvania for generations. But heavy, intense rainfall has caused rivers to overflow, destroying thousands of acres of potato fields. New York Times, December 13, 2021

Lesson from Hungary: Anti-Catholicism Is Not a Good Response to Anti-L.G.B.T.Q. Laws

Some activists in Hungary have reacted to an anti-L.G.B.T.Q. law by calling for an investigation of the clergy sexual abuse crisis. But turning the crisis into a political football may backfire. America, July 22, 2021

Pope Francis’ Simple (and Radical) Apology to the Roma

Pope Francis spoke of the importance of appreciating the Roma community’s culture and traditions and apologized for the church’s inability “to defend you in your uniqueness.” America, June 7, 2019

A Message to Pope Francis: Be Wary of Right-Wing Populists When You Visit Romania

The pope will visit a section of Romania with a large ethnic Hungarian population—and a Marian shrine that has attracted allies of the autocratic, anti-migrant Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán. America, April 19, 2019

Two Very Different Ways of Fighting Communism

Last week, the Cause of Cardinal József Mindszenty of Hungary (1892–1975) took a major step forward: Pope Francis declared Mindszenty Venerable. This Cold War leader—who was arrested, tortured and forced into seclusion by the Hungarian communist regime—demonstrated heroic courage in perilous times for the Church. Catholic Herald, February 21, 2019