Publication: Busted Halo
Topic(s): Faith, Catholicism, spirituality, personal essays, religion and modern life, church and society
Rate: $100 USD per published article
Deadline: Rolling
Name of Editor: Not specified
Submit Via: Email – editor@bustedhalo.com

Busted Halo is commissioning personal essays for a new vertical launching in early 2026 titled Voices From the Back Pew.

This section is designed for writers who have a complex, honest, or evolving relationship with the Catholic Church. The publication is particularly interested in reflective, first-person narratives that explore faith, doubt, struggle, tension, and hope at the intersection of spirituality and modern life.

The goal is not polemics or attacks, but truthful storytelling that helps readers feel less isolated in their spiritual journeys.

What They’re Looking For

Writers are encouraged to pitch if they can speak authentically to any of the following:

• Searching for God but feeling excluded or disconnected from the Catholic Church
• Wrestling with, or having overcome, a specific struggle with Church teachings or structures
• Returning to the Church after time away and reflecting on what brought you back
• Experiences of Catholic Social Teaching in action (e.g. environmental justice, immigration, social equity)
• Tension around Church positions on LGBTQ issues, divorce, women’s roles, or authority
• Feeling at odds with Church hierarchy or doctrine
• Questioning the relevance of Catholicism in everyday, modern life

Essays should be deeply personal, thoughtful, and reflective, while maintaining a tone of hope—even when addressing difficult or unresolved questions.

Article Length & Style

• 700–1,200 words
• Personal essay format
• Reflective, honest, spiritually grounded
• Willingness to engage challenging topics with nuance and empathy

This is a strong opportunity for writers with lived experience in faith, theology, or spirituality—especially those interested in religion writing jobs, faith-based publications, and paid spirituality essays.