| TCA Podcast, – “Conversations with Consequences.” Episode 51 – Helen Alvaré and Mary Rice Hasson join on Cardinal Pell and the Coronavirus Quarantine On a special Holy Saturday episode of Conversations with Consequences, The Catholic Association’s Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer discuss the recent news from Australia regarding Cardinal Pell now free just in time for Easter with Helen Alvaré, a Professor of Law at Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. Mary Rice Hasson of the Catholic Women’s Forum also joins with a thoughtful look at the opportunities for growth and advancement during this time of coronavirus quarantine. Stay tuned ‘til the end for a special homily for Easter Sunday with Father Roger Landry and make sure to catch us every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio! https://soundcloud.com/user-397480603/ep-51
___________________________________________________________ 1. Acquitted Cardinal Pell Remains a Polarizing Figure in Australia, Church: Pell is most senior Catholic cleric ever to be tried for sexually abusing children. By Francis X. Rocca and Rachel Pannett, The Wall Street Journal, April 8, 2020, Pg. A11 The reversal of Cardinal George Pell’s conviction on child sex-abuse charges generated support and anger in Australia and around the world and left leaders of the Catholic Church in a difficult position as they continue to deal with a prolonged crisis over clerical wrongdoing. … For his detractors, Cardinal Pell is a symbol of the abuse crisis. To his supporters, he is a scapegoat who was targeted by enemies of the church. … Cardinal Pell has said privately that he wants to remain in Australia, near friends and family members, following his release from prison. But his continued presence in Australia, where he is the most prominent symbol of the clerical-abuse crisis, might make it harder for church leaders there to move beyond the scandals, raising the possibility that he might move to a third country. https://www.wsj.com/articles/acquitted-cardinal-pell-remains-a-polarizing-figure-in-australia-church-11586265201?
___________________________________________________________ 2. Pope creates new expert commission to study women deacons. By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press, April 8, 2020, 8:32 AM The Vatican said Wednesday that Pope Francis has created a new commission of experts to examine whether women can be deacons, an ordained role in the Catholic Church currently reserved for men. The 10-member commission, the second of Francis’ pontificate to study the fraught issue, includes equal numbers of men and women representing the United States and six European countries. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/pope-creates-new-expert-commission-to-study-women-deacons/2020/04/08/006f0b76-7995-11ea-a311-adb1344719a9_story.html
___________________________________________________________ 3. Pope Francis Denounces Pandemic Profiteers. By Associated Press, April 8, 2020, 6:51 AM Pope Francis is denouncing the mafia and all those who are taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to make money. Francis opened his morning Mass on Wednesday by praying that “all those who profit off the needs of others, and sell them” experience spiritual conversion. https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/04/08/business/ap-virus-outbreak-the-latest.html?
___________________________________________________________ 4. Pope says pandemic a chance to ‘see’ the poor and rethink production, consumption. By Inés San Martín, Crux, April 8, 2020 Pope Francis believes the COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity to genuinely see the humanity of the poor, to rethink global patterns of production and consumption, and to end “hypocrisy” such as lamenting world hunger while manufacturing weapons. https://cruxnow.com/covid-19/2020/04/pope-says-pandemic-a-chance-to-see-the-poor-and-rethink-production-consumption/
___________________________________________________________ 5. Appeals court upholds Texas abortion restrictions during coronavirus pandemic. By Ariane de Vogue and Caroline Kelly, CNN, April 7, 2020, 6:19 PM A federal appeals court Tuesday ruled in favor of Texas and allowed an executive order that restricts abortion access during the coronavirus pandemic to remain in effect. A 2-1 panel of the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals wiped away a lower court opinion that had blocked the order and said it was taking the “drastic and extraordinary” step because the lower court ignored state emergency health regulations. … The case could ultimately be headed to the Supreme Court. https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/07/politics/abortion-coronavirus-appeals-texas/index.html
___________________________________________________________ TCA Media Monitoring provides a snapshot from national newspapers and major Catholic press outlets of coverage regarding significant Catholic Church news and current issues with which the Catholic Church is traditionally or prominently engaged. The opinions and views expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Catholic Association. | 
