TCA Podcast, – “Conversations with Consequences,” Episode 72 – Trump’s Judicial Wins With Carrie Severino + Modern-Day Martyrs With Father Ben Kiely!
On a new episode of Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie and Carrie Severino of the Judicial Crisis Network how the Trump Administration has transformed the judiciary these last four years–and what is at stake with the upcoming 2020 election. We also get a glimpse into the lives of modern-day martyrs with Gia Chacon, founder of March for Martyrs. Father Ben Kiely of Nasarean.org also joins with a look at the impact the coronavirus is having on persecuted Christians around the world. Father Roger Landry also joins with an inspiring homily–tune in every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!
https://thecatholicassociation.org/podcast/ep-72-trumps-judicial-wins-with-carrie-severino-modern-day-martyrs-with-father-ben-kiely/
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1. A First Step Toward Loving Our Enemies, By John C. Danforth and Matt Malone, The Wall Street Journal, September 4, 2020, Pg. A13, Opinion
Today a growing number of Americans regard their political opponents not as fellow citizens with whom they disagree but as enemies; as politically, socially and even morally irredeemable.
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For Christians to embark consciously on a ministry of reconciliation would be a profound gift to America. This would be an ambitious ministry requiring dedication, imagination, persistence and interfaith coordination. But with prayer and imagination, we can find countless ways in countless situations to exchange the peace.
It is essential that people of faith take responsibility for healing the divisions caused by polarization, and that we bear witness to the solution and not add to the problem. Americans generally, and Christians specifically, have a duty to act civilly, to will the good of others—or, in Christian terms, to bear witness to that divine love that knows no borders; to the God for whom love, mercy and justice are the only standards of human action.
Mr. Danforth, an Episcopal priest, is a former U.S. senator from Missouri. Mr. Malone, a Jesuit priest, is editor in chief of America magazine.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-first-step-toward-loving-our-enemies-11599174418
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2. Pope tells leaders post-pandemic economic models must change, By Philip Pullella, Reuters September 4, 2020, 8:12 AM
Pope Francis said on Friday that the coronavirus pandemic had “toppled the shaky pillars” of a world economic model built on the idolatry of money and domination by the rich and powerful.
In a message to participants of the annual European House-Ambrosetti Workshop, which gathers some 200 top managers, economists, and politicians from around the world, he called for new models that would be more inclusive and reduce social inequality.
He also urged “an ecological retooling” of the economy to save the environment and reduce wasteful consumption.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pope-economy/pope-tells-leaders-post-pandemic-economic-models-must-change-idUSKBN25V1P5
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3. Europe’s Catholic bishops back archbishop blocked from returning to Belarus, By Catholic News Agency, September 4, 2020, 3:00 PM
Catholic bishops across Europe have expressed support for an archbishop who was refused entry to his homeland of Belarus.
In a Sept. 3 statement, the presidency of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE) said it hoped that Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz would be allowed to return home immediately.
“While ensuring their own prayers for the beloved pastor and for the whole Belarusian community, they hope for an immediate return home for the Archbishop of Minsk and a resumption of his episcopal ministry,” the statement on behalf of bishops from 45 European countries said.
The archbishop of Minsk-Mohilev was turned back by border guards when he attempted to return to Belarus Aug. 31 following a trip to Poland. He told CNA Sept. 1 that he was “very much surprised” and had demanded an official explanation.
The incident occurred amid ongoing demonstrations in Belarus following a disputed presidential election Aug. 9.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/europes-catholic-bishops-back-archbishop-blocked-from-returning-to-belarus-92335
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4. Cardinal: Pandemic may have accelerated secularization of Europe by 10 years, By Catholic News Agency, September 4, 2020, 6:00 AM
A cardinal has suggested that the coronavirus pandemic may have accelerated the secularization of Europe by 10 years.
In an interview with L’Osservatore Romano Sept. 2, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich said he believed that the number of Catholics going to church would decrease as a result of COVID-19.
Asked whether he thought the Church in Europe would emerge stronger or weaker from the pandemic, he said: “I think about my country: we will be reduced in number. Because all those who no longer came to Mass, because they came only for cultural reasons, these ‘cultural Catholics,’ left and right, no longer come. They have seen that life is very comfortable. They can live very well without having to come to church. Even First Communions, the catechism for children, all this will decrease in number, I am almost certain.”
“But it’s not a complaint on my part. We would have had this process even without a pandemic. Perhaps it would have taken us 10 years longer.”
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-pandemic-may-have-accelerated-secularization-of-europe-by-10-years-33881
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5. Nevada governor mulls church changes as court battle resumes, By Scott Sonner, Associated Press, September 3, 2020, 8:41 PM
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak said Thursday he is pursuing the possibility of easing COVID-19 restrictions on religious gatherings as a rural church pushes forward with its legal effort to strike down the current 50-person cap as unconstitutional.
Lawyers for Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley filed new briefs in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Wednesday after the U.S. Supreme Court narrowly refused its bid in July for an emergency order suspending the hard cap.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/nevada-governor-mulls-church-changes-as-court-battle-resumes/2020/09/03/5a27f91c-ee47-11ea-bd08-1b10132b458f_story.html
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6. Court blocks Trump administration abortion rules in Maryland, By Sarah Rankin, Associated Press, September 3, 2020, 4:45 PM
A divided federal appeals court on Thursday upheld a lower court’s decision blocking the enforcement in Maryland of Trump administration rules that prohibit taxpayer-funded family planning clinics in the Title X program from making abortion referrals.
The Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed an existing permanent injunction. It wrote that the administration’s rules “failed to recognize and address the ethical concerns of literally every major medical organization in the country” and “arbitrarily estimated the cost” of implementing part of the rules.
The decision, which came in a lawsuit filed by Baltimore city officials, means Maryland remains the only state where enforcement of the rules is enjoined.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/court-blocks-trump-administration-abortion-rules-in-maryland/2020/09/03/5a621ef6-ee26-11ea-bd08-1b10132b458f_story.html
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7. No-fault divorce law faces legal challenge in Nebraska, By Grant Schulte, Associated Press, September 3, 2020, 2:17 PM
A devoutly Catholic husband who refused to grant his wife a divorce on religious grounds urged Nebraska’s highest court Thursday to overturn the state’s no-fault divorce law in a case that could leave Nebraska as the only state without a law that lets couples end their marriage without assigning blame.
Michael Dycus is challenging a district court judge’s decision to approve the divorce, contending that his wife didn’t give a valid reason why their 33-year marriage failed. In oral arguments before the Nebraska Supreme Court, his attorney argued that the state’s no-fault divorce law violates the state constitution because it doesn’t allow him the same due-process and equal-protection rights that he’s guaranteed in other types of court cases.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/no-fault-divorce-law-faces-legal-challenge-in-nebraska/2020/09/03/b442c480-ee11-11ea-bd08-1b10132b458f_story.html
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8. Vatican official: Human fraternity is the Christian response to identity politics, By Catholic News Agency, September 3, 2020, 9:00 AM
The secretary of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has argued that as tribalism and identity politics increase, the Catholic Church should cooperate with other religions to promote human fraternity.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-official-human-fraternity-is-the-christian-response-to-identity-politics-17498
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9. Pope Francis says Amazon synod was for discernment, not fighting on married priests, By Catholic News Agency, September 3, 2020, 12:45 PM
Pope Francis did not approve a proposal to ordain married men in the Amazon region because the idea was discussed, and even argued about, but not prayerfully discerned at a 2019 synod of bishops, according to notes from the pope included in an article published Thursday in the Catholic periodical La Civiltà Cattolica.
“There was a discussion … a rich discussion … a well-founded discussion, but no discernment, which is something different than just arriving at a good and justified consensus or at a relative majority,” Pope Francis said, on the issue of addressing a priest shortage in the Amazon by ordaining so-called viri probati, or older, mature and married men from local communities.
The pope clarified that synods of bishops should be opportunities for prayerful reflection, not parliamentary lobbying.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-says-amazon-synod-was-for-discernment-not-fighting-on-married-priests-63363
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10. AG to be honored at virtual Catholic prayer breakfast, By Catholic News Agency, September 3, 2020, 3:00 PM
The 2020 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast (NCPB) will be streamed online on Sept. 23 the organization announced on Wednesday. The event will honor Attorney General William Barr.
Former presidents and vice presidents have made appearances at the gathering—Vice President Mike Pence addressed the annual event in 2017, and former President George W. Bush spoke at the breakfast each year from 2005 to 2008.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/ag-to-be-honored-at-virtual-catholic-prayer-breakfast-10978
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11. Trump says second term will ‘fight’ for unborn children in letter to pro-lifers, By Catholic News Agency, September 3, 2020, 4:40 PM
President Donald Trump on Thursday released a letter addressed to “pro-life leaders and activists” indicating his intention to advance legislative and administrative priorities against abortion if he is elected to a second term.
“As I seek re-election this November, I need your help in contrasting my bold pro-life leadership with Joe Biden’s abortion extremism,” Trump’s letter said.
“The Democratic Party unequivocally supports abortion on-demand, up untl the moment of birth, and even infanticide — leaving babies to die after failed abortions. Joe Biden’s embrace of this extreme position is most evidenced by his support for taxpayer funding of abortion on-demand. Forcing taxpayers to pay for abortions is an abhorrent position that must be defeated at the ballot box,” the president added.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/donald-trump-says-second-term-will-fight-for-unborn-children-in-letter-to-pro-lifers-61750
___________________________________________________________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. |
