Radio Interview: The true story of ‘Xavier Rynne’ July 28, 2025By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: CR Radio, Feature, Local News, News, Radio Interview During the Second Vatican Council, a mysterious voice began reporting from inside the closed-door sessions — exposing tensions and calling for reform. That voice belonged to Xavier Rynne, the pseudonym of Father Francis Xavier Murphy, a Redemptorist priest who risked everything to write anonymously about the council’s inner workings. George Matysek talks with Richard A. Zmuda, author of the new historical novel, “The Mole of Vatican Council II: The True Story of ‘Xavier Rynne,'” which brings Father Murphy’s remarkable story to life. Zmuda, a parishioner of the Redemptorist parish of St. Mary in Annapolis, draws on personal letters, diaries and secret Vatican files to explore why Father Murphy wrote, what he risked and how his bold reporting still echoes in today’s Church. Click play below to listen to the full interview: More radio interviews Radio Interview: Franciscan spirituality and the 800th anniversary of Francis’ death With 66 seminarians in formation, Archdiocese of Baltimore sees vocations surge Radio Interview: Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s enduring legacy Radio Interview: Faith, community and a new school year Radio Interview: The faith behind the Fighting Irish Radio Interview: Get on board the Mercy Train Copyright © 2025 Catholic Review Media Print
