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: From addiction to purpose Radio Interview: Author shares her family’s tragic connection to a Nazi atrocity Radio Interview: Faith in times of crisis Radio Interview: Archbishop Lori and Cardinal Dolan discuss Catholics in civic life Radio Interview: The Future of AI and Its Ethical Implications: Insights from an AI expert Radio Interview: Catholicism, religious freedom and the early United States Copyright © 2025 Catholic Review Media Print
