1. Pope to Pontifical Representatives: ‘World shaken by risk of nuclear war’, By Devin Watkins, Vatican News, September 8, 2022
The Pope’s representatives in nations across the globe met with the Holy Father on Thursday as part of their triennial encounter in the Vatican.
The group includes 91 Apostolic Nuncios and 6 Permanent Observers, while 5 Pontifical Representatives were unable to attend due the health reasons or other impediments.
Pope Francis spoke to his representatives about various global issues affecting nations and the Church in the world.
The Pope noted that this encounter comes in the wake of the pandemic.
“The tempest of the Covid-19 pandemic forced various constraints on our daily lives and pastoral activities,” he said. “Now it seems the worst may be behind us, and thank God we are able to meet.”
However, added Pope Francis, the spectre of war has descended on Europe and the world.
“Unfortunately, Europe and the entire world are shaken by a particularly serious war, due to the violation of international law, the risks of nuclear escalation, and the grave economic and social consequences.”
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-francis-pontifical-representatives-triennial-audience.html
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2. Judge rules against required coverage of HIV prevention drug, By Paul J. Weber, Associated Press, September 7, 2022, 6:55 PM
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that required coverage of an HIV prevention drug under the Affordable Care Act violates a Texas employer’s religious beliefs and undercut the broader system that determines which preventive drugs are covered in the U.S.
The ruling was handed down by U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor, whose courtroom in Fort Worth is a favored venue for conservative opponents of the federal health care law that’s also known as “Obamacare.” He ruled in 2018 that the entire law is invalid but was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/judge-rules-against-required-coverage-of-hiv-prevention-drug/2022/09/07/472159d6-2eea-11ed-bcc6-0874b26ae296_story.html
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3. Senate to vote on same-sex marriage in coming weeks, By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press, September 7, 2022, 5:51 PM
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed Wednesday that the Senate will vote on legislation to protect same-sex marriage “in the coming weeks” as a bipartisan group backing the bill negotiates changes to gain more Republican support.
The vote, expected by the end of the month, comes as Democrats and a small group of Republicans are moving to safeguard same-sex marriage following the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and the federal right to an abortion. Lawmakers fear the court’s ruling, and a concurring opinion from Justice Clarence Thomas, indicate that an earlier high court decision protecting same-sex marriage could come under threat.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-to-vote-on-same-sex-marriage-in-coming-weeks/2022/09/07/353df956-2ef7-11ed-bcc6-0874b26ae296_story.html
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4. Judge strikes down 1931 Michigan law criminalizing abortion, By Ed White, Associated Press, September 7, 2022, 5:36 PM
A judge on Wednesday struck down Michigan’s 1931 anti-abortion law, months after suspending it, the latest development over abortion rights in a state where the issue is being argued in courtrooms and, possibly, at the ballot box.
The law, which was long dormant before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, violates the Michigan Constitution, said Judge Elizabeth Gleicher.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/judge-strikes-down-1931-michigan-law-criminalizing-abortion/2022/09/07/0eaebea8-2ed7-11ed-bcc6-0874b26ae296_story.html
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5. Omaha archdiocese to delay and revise new gender identity policy, By Jonah McKeown, Catholic News Agency, September 7, 2022, 4:00 PM
The Archdiocese of Omaha will delay the implementation of a new policy for Catholic schools on gender identity and gender dysphoria and will incorporate feedback from parents and educators to promulgate a new policy for the 2023–24 school year, according to a letter to parents from Archbishop George Lucas.
In the Aug. 31 letter, shared by local news station WOWT, Lucas wrote that the policy, which he had issued just days before, would be delayed and revised following “feedback and questions from school administrators and members of school communities.”
“We will use feedback to draft revised norms that will be more clearly focused and will not compromise the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Church,” Lucas wrote, saying that a revised policy would be released by the end of 2022.
Under the Aug. 25 policy — which was to come into effect Jan. 1, 2023 — all students, parents, guardians, employees, and volunteers would have been required to “act toward a person in accordance with his or her biological sex at birth.”
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252232/omaha-archdiocese-delay-revise-new-gender-identity-policy
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6. Australia’s bishops unveil gender and identity guide for schools, The document outlines principles for ‘effective pastoral care for gender variant students.’, By Luke Coppen, The Pillar, September 6, 2022, 1:00 PM
Australia’s bishops issued Tuesday a guide on gender and identity for Catholic schools.
The 12-page document, “Created and Loved,” underlined that Catholic schools “naturally wish to provide effective pastoral care for gender variant students.”
But it rejected views that are “inconsistent with a Christian understanding,” such as that “gender is something entirely separate from biological sex.”
The guide made practical recommendations, including that schools “provide a unisex toilet and change room area” and offer “flexibility with uniform expectations.”
The text also said that schools should ensure they record “students’ biological sex at the point of enrolment” and suggested they could exclude students from sports teams “where the strength, stamina or physique of competitors is relevant” and it is lawful to do so.
It added that schools must provide “appropriate bathroom and sleeping arrangements where all students feel safe and supported” at school camps and other events.
https://www.pillarcatholic.com/australias-bishops-unveil-gender-guide-for-schools/
__________________________________________________________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. |
