Following are NCR reader responses to recent news articles, opinion columns and theological essays with letters that have been edited for length and clarity.
'The Testament of Anne Lee'
Fantastic interview with Lewis Pullman (NCR, Jan. 31, 2026)! I haven't had the opportunity to see "The Testament of Ann Lee" yet but it's been one of my most anticipated films for months now. I'm a big fan of director Mona Fastvold's past work, most notably "The World to Come" (2020) and "The Brutalist" (2024), which she co-wrote.
Even before I noticed Fastvold's name as Testament's writer/director, I knew the film was a must see based on its powerhouse cast: Amanda Seyfried, Stacy Martin, Thomasin McKenzie, etc. And then there are Daniel Blumberg's songs, which entered my playlist immediately. All together it really gives me the sense that Testament is something wonderful.
I'm glad that "The Starling Girl" (Parmet, 2023) was briefly discussed. It's thanks to an NCR piece by the great Jose Solís that I initially became aware of the film, which has become one of my favorites of the last few years. Eliza Scanlen, criminally underutilized by Greta Gerwig in her 2019 "Little Women", is incredible in it.
I'm happy to see that Lewis Pullman is getting to do such compelling work. While I have no intention of ever seeing "Thunderbolts" (Schreier, 2025), I have to admit that even his experience in that film must have been valuable to Pullman as an artist, since he was able to work with Florence Pugh, a generational talent.
JEFFREY JONES
Hamburg, New York
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The Priestly Society of St. Pius X
Pope Leo XIV would be remiss if he did not deal promptly with the current spat in regard to the Society of St. Pius X's determination to select its own bishops in defiance of Rome (NCR, Feb. 2, 2026). Delay just causes more confusion in the flock.
In consulting scripture for his deliberation on this subject, how can he not take into consideration JEsus' words in Matthew 12:30: "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." "With me" many Catholic-Christians believe means being united completely with the Magisterium of the Church as it strives slowly but surely to follow the lead of the Spirit in all matters, including liturgical reform.
Those of us who have intimate knowledge of this "scattering" in our parishes know that it can take just a small minority of society-type followers to create a tense atmosphere within every aspect of parish life; not just Mass, but also a parish's religious education and fellowship programs. Not a very welcoming atmosphere for those sensitive to such things.
NANCY McGUNAGLE
Kalispell, Montana
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John L. Allen Jr.
I was saddened to learn of the passing of John L. Allen Jr., one of the great Catholic journalists of our time whose smooth and balanced writing was an influence on me (NCR, Jan. 22, 2026).
I only had the good fortune of meeting John once, when he was visiting Vancouver and called to invite me for coffee and a chat about Canadian Church issues. I had been editor of The B.C. Catholic only a short time, and I was honored by his gesture.
We met at the Hotel Vancouver and talked over coffee (for me) and orange juice (John). It quickly became obvious that he knew more about Catholicism across Canada than I did.
When the bill arrived, I insisted on paying, despite John's protests. Then I looked down and saw it came to over $20 — the orange juice alone was about $12. All I had was a single ten in my wallet.
Chagrined, I told John I hadn't expected the total to be so much. John just chuckled and said, "give it to me."
From that day on I remembered John as the definitive gentleman and scholar. May he rest in peace.
PAUL SCHRATZ
Vancouver, Canada
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