Commentary: We will miss the divine and very human ministry of Stephen Colbert

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Stephen Colbert has had a remarkably versatile career, working as a comedian, political commentator, and cultural critic. For the past eleven years, he’s also successfully hosted CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” consistently ranking as the most-watched late-night program.

I know it sounds weird, but honestly, this late-night host—who’s stepping down soon—has always been, in my mind, the best reason to consider letting married Catholic priests serve. It’s just how I see it – his life and career have always felt… a good example, in a way.

Stephen Colbert has never expressed interest in becoming a priest, but as someone who often wrestles with my Catholic faith, I’ve often found myself wondering what a church service would be like if he gave the homily. His humor is sharp, but also surprisingly insightful and deeply connected to faith.

Colbert has made a significant impact through his work, reaching millions of people in a way that few public figures outside of religion have. For over twenty years, he’s presented a relevant and engaging take on faith, all while staying connected to modern culture, unafraid to address politics, and consistently delivering hilarious content.

He’s known for being a harsh comedian. For example, when Roger Ailes stepped down from Fox News after accusations of sexual harassment, Colbert made a joke comparing him to a character from Star Wars. He also admitted that a joke he made about President Trump was unnecessarily vulgar. While known for pushing boundaries, these instances show a tendency towards unkind humor.

Television

Our writers reminisced about their favorite parts of the late-night talk show, recalling both funny and heartfelt interviews covering topics like loss, belief, and current events.

He’s always believed in both speaking honestly to those in authority and the importance of forgiveness, carefully balancing the two.

Okay, so when Paramount – you know, the folks behind CBS – handed over a whopping $16 million to Trump, it was seriously shocking. Stephen Colbert called it a straight-up bribe, and honestly, I get why. It all went down after a “60 Minutes” piece got some edits, and it seemed like Paramount was trying to get on Trump’s good side so he’d approve their deal to be bought by Skydance. It just felt…wrong, you know?

Shortly after the sale was finalized, “The Late Show” was canceled. While CBS stated the decision was due to financial concerns, many suspect it was a move by David Ellison, the head of Paramount Skydance, to gain favor with the president. Trump, who has repeatedly demanded the firing of his critics – including Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel – publicly expressed his approval and satisfaction with the cancellation.

Despite the controversy and anger surrounding Trump’s actions that had shaken up the entertainment world, Colbert didn’t address any of it when he won an Emmy for “Late Night.” He simply thanked CBS and ended his brief acceptance speech with a heartfelt expression of patriotism: “I’ve never loved my country more desperately. God bless America. Stay strong, be brave, and if life tries to get you down, fight back with everything you’ve got!”

A cheek has never been turned more obviously, publicly or sincerely.

So, CBS canceling Stephen Colbert and his show… honestly, it feels like a huge mistake. At first, it seemed like they were just trying to appease everyone, but now it feels like something much worse – like they’re silencing a unique voice. Maybe his take wasn’t always what I wanted to hear, but that’s okay! Some people even find something as beautiful as a mockingbird’s song irritating, you know? It’s just…wrong to get rid of something different.

It’s ironic – and telling – to see a president who has frequently used Christianity for political gain now praising the firing of a late-night host who openly shared his Christian faith.

While some conservatives lamented what they saw as a decline of Christianity in America, Stephen Colbert consistently demonstrated his own deep faith. A practicing Sunday school teacher, he often marked Ash Wednesday with a visible smudge on his forehead, seamlessly weaving scripture into conversations alongside references to J.R.R. Tolkien – another committed Catholic. His show frequently featured religious leaders and explored meaningful discussions about themes like loss, hope, forgiveness, and the power of faith.

He speaks frankly and with deep understanding about both finding God during difficult times – something he’s discussed with Anderson Cooper on multiple occasions – and the need to keep church and state separate, as he recently explained on the “Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin” podcast.

It’s no surprise that none of the Trump administration officials who attended the recent nine-hour prayer event focused on American Christian history spoke out when CBS cancelled Stephen Colbert’s “Late Night” show.

Stephen Colbert is Catholic, and notably, he’s a progressive one. He genuinely follows the teachings of Jesus, particularly the Sermon on the Mount, prioritizing the well-being of the community – especially those who are marginalized or suffering – over personal wealth or advantage. (As recently pointed out by Pete Hegseth, this isn’t the type of Christianity favored by the current administration.)

Stephen Colbert isn’t trying to convert anyone; he’s primarily a comedian. Unlike many performers who keep their beliefs private, he frequently talks about his faith, viewing it as essential to his identity, just like his family.

Hollywood Inc.

Federal Communications Commission chief Brendan Carr is employing a little-known regulation to create problems for the TV networks that former President Trump disliked.

It’s hard to call any comedian ‘humble’ – as Stephen Colbert pointed out, even with some hesitation, everyone is ultimately the target of someone’s joke. But Martin’s gift for satire has always been rooted in genuine feeling, which is essential for truly good satire.

He’s a naturally gifted interviewer because he’s genuinely curious about the people he talks to. He doesn’t just ask questions from a list; he truly listens and connects with his guests, which is one of the things that makes him such a great TV host. He’s also uniquely willing to do things like ask Helen Mirren to read from Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s “Ulysses” and clearly enjoys the experience.

For people who’ve questioned some Catholic teachings or the Church’s shortcomings, Stephen Colbert provides a hopeful example. He skillfully combines humorous cultural commentary with sincere and open faith.

Rather than hindering his ability to think critically, his faith and deep understanding of the Gospels actually strengthen his resolve to expose the dangers of power and corruption, all while maintaining a belief in the possibility of improvement and redemption.

During a 2022 conversation with Dua Lipa about her new podcast, Stephen Colbert playfully requested she interview him. Lipa then asked Colbert if his religious beliefs influenced his comedy, noting that many people found his faith relatable.

This is how he answered:

As someone who deeply believes in my faith – I’m both Christian and Catholic – I’ve always connected love and sacrifice. It’s about giving yourself to others, and understanding that even death isn’t a final defeat. I think of sadness as a small emotional death, but it doesn’t have to feel like losing. If you can find humor in it, laugh it off, it really takes away the fear. And that’s key, because fear is what makes you reach for unhealthy, even harmful, ways to cope. I often think of a quote by Robert Hayden: we can’t let fear trick us into accepting bad solutions, we have to keep fighting to stay true to ourselves, even when things feel abstract and overwhelming. So, if my faith informs my comedy, it’s this: no matter what life throws at you, you’re never truly defeated. It’s about seeing things with a sense of perspective, understanding there’s something beyond the immediate pain, and finding ways to connect with others through love and laughter.

As Dua Lipa said when he had finished, “Stephen Colbert, everybody.”

It’s hard not to view the election of the first American pope as something meant to be. While Pope Leo XIV would have been a perfect guest on Stephen Colbert’s show, he’s quickly becoming a similar cultural figure, even echoing Colbert’s conflicts with Donald Trump. It seems His Holiness is poised to fill the void Colbert will leave.

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2026-05-19 13:32