Mexican Community

A glance at the Mexican community of our Diocese. Interview members of the Mexican Ministry, Bishop Cisneros and Fr. Jorge. Catholic Migration Services office too.

Featuring: Bishop Octavio Cisneros, Aux. Bishop, Diocese of Brooklyn; Fr. Jorge Ortiz Garay, Director of Mexican Ministry, Diocese of Brooklyn

Missing Women of Juarez

Juan Carlos Aguirre talks about “Femicide” or the targeted violence towards women in the border town of Juárez are done mostly by the maquiladoras.  Mr. Aguirre also talks about the economic opportunity border towns have for migrant workers (who are mostly women) and the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of “femicide” because of the inaction and general mistrust for the police or designated authorities.

Juan Carlos Aguirre, Executive Director Mano a Mano (Mexican Culture Without Borders)

Papal Visit Brings Hope to Once-Infernal Prison

Cereso No. 3, the Juarez prison that Pope Francis will visit, was at one time the center and symbol of gang power. There were knifings and shootings as imprisoned gang members ran the facility themselves. The wife of one inmate and the prison chaplain, Fr. Alberto Melendez, relate their own experiences and their hopes for the Holy Father’s visit. Currents Correspondent Katie Breidenbach reports.

The Papal Trip Begins

This week on another very special ‘In the Arena’, join host Monsignor Kieran Harrington, the Vicar of Communications of the Diocese of Brooklyn, as he discusses the historic meeting of the pope meeting the Russian-Orthodox patriarch and the upcoming Papal trip to Mexico with in studio guests, editor of the Tablet, Ed Wilkinson, and David Gibson, reporter for Religion News Service. The conversation continues with special phone-in guests Cesar Zuniga, Vice-Chair, Brooklyn Community Board 7, Father Joseph Zwosta, Associate Vicar for Ecumenical Affairs, and long-time friend of the show, Grant Gallicho.

Holy Father to Visit Mexico’s Mother

About 32,000 people will fill the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City for the Mass given by Pope Francis. Currents Correspondent Katie Breidenbach gets an exclusive look at the Basilica’s preparations and reports on the faith of the people.

Artists for Pope Francis

Katie Breidenbach gets the inside scoop on all of the items made for Pope Francis by Mexican artists for his visit to Mexico.

Mexico Awaits Holy Father With Hope

Currents Correspondent Katie Breidenbach reports from Mexico City, where the people await the arrival of Pope Francis. Many hope he will address some of the problems plaguing the country, like government corruption, poverty, and violence.

Brooklyn Aids Syrian Refugees

Brooklyn responds to the war in Syria that is creating an overwhelming refugee crisis. A local Eastern Bishop, Gregory Mansour, calls all to prayer. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams also campaigns to collect baby carriages to send to the refugees in Europe with the help of the website, www.birthfocus.com. Currents Correspondent Katie Breidenbach reports.