‘Dumbed-Down Catholicism Was a Disaster’

Chancey’s views started to change in college. A friend invited him to the Catholic hub on campus, where he immediately felt welcome. One night, at the home of a Catholic family, his hosts suggested watching an episode of a 2011 documentary series called Catholicism. Until then, Chancey said, “I had seen Jesus as one of two extremes: either a really angry guy who was judging people and condemning them to hell, or he was this domesticated hippie figure.” The series, by contrast, presented Jesus as “mysterious; his own followers were amazed and afraid.” Chancey devoured the 10-part box set. “It all made sense to me. What do you do with that? It was kind of scary. There was only one pathway forward.” Chancey converted to Catholicism. Now he works for the Church in his home state, overseeing programs in youth and young-adult ministry.