Trump’s Victory Backed by Catholic Voters as Economy Takes Center Stage in 2024 Election

By Currents News

According to political analyst Ryan Burge of Eastern Illinois University, the fact that the 2024 U.S. presidential election was largely over by midnight on November 6 night is indicative that the race for the White House between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris wasn’t even close.

The associate professor of political science tells Currents News that this election season President-Elect Donald Trump seems to have made inroads with basically every single group of voters.

Burge, who also conducts polls on the interaction between religion and politics, says Catholics had a big say in the election outcome: “White Catholics are becoming, every election cycle, an increasingly stronger GOP voting block.” Not only this, he explains, “but one thing we’re seeing is the Hispanic vote mattered a whole lot and I think Hispanic Catholics were a huge part of that.”

Despite Puerto Rico being disparaged at a Madison Square Garden Trump rally, Hispanics helped carry the former president to victory once again.

According to CNN exit poll results, 56%t of catholic voters supported Trump, while 41% backed Vice President Kamala Harris. While issues important to Catholics – like abortion and immigration – were factors when they cast their ballots, there’s one issue that Burge says trumped the rest.

“It’s not even being a Catholic, it’s being an American,” he explains. “Having to pay for gas and groceries – I think if you look at the data it’s about the economy, economy, economy. I think clearly what we see is this was a referendum on that one topic of, ‘Are you financially doing better today than you were doing four years ago?’ and it looks clearly like a lot of Americans said, ‘No, I’m not’”

With the results settled, among those congratulating President Trump on his win was the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Timothy Broglio. He asked Catholics to pray for the President-Elect as well as all leaders in public life, that they may rise to meet the responsibilities entrusted to them.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 11/6/2024

Former President Donald Trump, now president-elect for the second time, will return to the White House after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. Currents News is digging deep to see how the Catholic vote contributed to his victory.

A disappointing result for many Catholics, New York voters approved Proposition 1, a pro-abortion measure labeled a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” by local bishops, with 62% voting to enshrine abortion on demand in the state’s constitution.

In the Archdiocese of Newark, Elvis may have left the building, but one local deacon brought him back to the chapel. Anthony Liguori, better known as “Deacon Elvis,” pays tribute to the king of rock and roll while serving the King of Kings.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 11/5/2024

As voters across the U.S. head to the polls on Election Day, New Yorkers face a pivotal choice beyond the presidential race, including Proposition 1, which would enshrine unrestricted abortion rights in the state constitution. Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan has spoken out against the measure, highlighting the divisive nature of this election season.

Security has been stepped up across New York City. Mayor Eric Adams says two police officers will be present at each polling site, and the FBI in New York also has a command post assessing any threats, including targeting election workers, voter fraud, and civil rights violations.

Join Current News and Bishop Brennan for the last day of our nine-day novena as we pray for our country and prepare to vote with our conscience.

On Election Day New York Catholic Voters Weigh In On Presidential Powers, Prop. 1

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have made their final push for votes right down to the wire, hitting all of the battleground states leading up to Election Day. Hours ahead of the polls opening, Trump campaigned in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he closed out his 2016 win.

Kamala Harris made her big push in Pennsylvania, where votes are crucial. However, on Election Day, both presidential candidates hope these last-minute stops will make a difference.

Meanwhile, voters in New York State weigh in on more than just the next president as they head to the polls: Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan has been urging voters to say no to Proposition 1, which, if passed, cements abortion on demand without any restrictions at any point during pregnancy. Catholics are called to oppose this measure, as it disregards the sanctity of human life and risks normalizing the destruction of innocent lives.

St. John’s University’s political analyst and government affairs professor Brian Browne joins Currents News to discuss what voters weigh in on as they head to the polls.

For The Love of God and Elvis: Deacon Lives Out Faith, Pays Tribute To The King of Rock and Roll

by Jessica Easthope

When Elvis Presley’s “Amazing Grace” rings out of Corpus Christi Church in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, the music has the power to bring you back in time.

So does the musician playing the guitar – with the hair, clothes and voice to match. But Deacon Anthony Liguori doesn’t impersonate Elvis, he pays tribute to him. Better known as “Deacon Elvis,” Deacon Anthony says he and the king of rock and roll were both fans of a greater King.

“Elvis became more to me, I wasn’t obsessed in the sense of some of these fans,” he tells Currents News. “:I just really, genuinely, connected with him… Elvis would be in concert and sometimes people would scream out in the audience, ‘Elvis, you’re the king!’ And he would say, ‘No, I’m not the king. Jesus Christ is the king.’”

Deacon Anthony has been an Elvis tribute artist for decades, packing up his guitar and traveling the country performing as the late entertainer in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Nashville. He’s someone who became a fan early on in life.

“My grandmother and my great-grandmother would watch Elvis movies, with the whole guitar and the hairdo and the motorcycles and everything that went along with it,” he recalls. “I became an instant fan.”

While wearing out the grooves on his Elvis records as a kid, Deacon Anthony realized that what kept his attention was much deeper than what first caught it.

“I guess I was intrigued by everything about his life and his generosity and the way he treated other people and his gospel music as well was a big, important influence in my life,” he explains.

But in his twenties, Deacon Anthony had a nearly fatal health scare and an experience that would go on to shape the rest of his life. “I was on the forefront of paradise, of heaven,” he tells Currents News. “I could see the golden glow and the angels singing. And that’s when I met Jesus. I could feel this warmth of love coming through him. And then ultimately, he had sent me back and said it wasn’t my time.”

Today Deacon Anthony – who is a singer-songwriter himself – still performs as Elvis, and the look and music have become his tools for evangelization.

“For me, it’s Jesus, one-on-one love, compassion. That’s where my ministry takes me,” he says, “And in the end, that’s all that really matters. And maybe someday He’ll say, ‘well done.’ I don’t know, but hopefully.”

In the end, his goal will always be to be remembered as someone who helped and made a difference – not as Elvis – but as Anthony.

Lost WWII Purple Heart Medal Returns to NJ Family After 31 Years, Rekindling Memories of Veteran’s Sacrifice and Smile

For Margarita Manhardt, her Uncle George Cerrito’s memory was all she thought she had left. But after more than three decades, a lost Purple Heart medal and other mementos have reconnected her with his life story.

George Cerrito was a man full of life. He wore a suit every day, loved a good day at the racetrack, and served as a devoted usher at two New Jersey parishes. But what Manhardt remembers most was his smile.

“He couldn’t explain his feelings very well,” Manhardt said, “but you could see the joy in his face. He was a very happy, jovial guy all through his life.”

During World War II, Cerrito served as a turret gunner in General Patton’s 3rd Army.

In the Battle of Bastogne, a mortar shell hit his tank. He was shot in the head, sustaining a traumatic brain injury.

Another crew member pulled him to safety, but Cerrito returned home needing intensive therapy to walk and talk again.

“The first time I saw Uncle George after he was wounded, he couldn’t walk, he couldn’t talk. But he could laugh, and his face lit up when he saw the family,” Manhardt recalled.

One thing that kept him going was his Purple Heart, his most treasured possession.

After his death in 1993, his belongings, including the Purple Heart, were taken by a relative’s fiancée who was unknown to the family.

For decades, the medal was lost.

“We no longer had access to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, and I knew in my heart his things were gone,” Manhardt said.

Then, after 31 years, Manhardt received a life-changing call.

Cerrito’s Purple Heart and other medals had been found at a flea market in Dallas, Texas, and returned to Purple Hearts Reunited, an organization that returns lost military medals to veterans’ families.

“I almost fell out of my chair,” she said. “It was so emotional. I couldn’t believe it. Knowing what he did for us, what it cost him. This means everything.”

Manhardt doesn’t know how her uncle’s medals ended up 1,500 miles away. But now, they’re back in her hands, where she believes they belong.

“He’d be thrilled that they’re found, and that the family has them again. I can see his smile. He wouldn’t be able to talk, but the smile would be so great,” she said.

Recently, Manhardt discovered more of her uncle’s wartime items, including a blood-stained coat and shirt. With his Purple Heart home, George Cerrito’s legacy and sacrifice are safe in the family’s memory, alongside his unforgettable smile.

TONIGHT AT 7: Brooklyn, Queens Residents Show Up to Polls, Prepared to Vote on Key Social Issues

One of the most divisive election seasons in the nation’s history is ending. In New York City, voter turnout and outrage have been off the charts, and many expect the aftermath to be just as contentious.

This Election Day, Currents News is out at the polls with voters throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn, where those waiting in line are voicing their day-of concerns on what issues they believe Donald Trump and Kamala Harris need to tackle as part of their political platform.

Catholic Baker Creates Pastries of Both Presidential Candidates

by Katie Vasquez

Most bakeries offer you flavor choices like vanilla or chocolate, but Circo’s Pastry shop gives you the choice between Democrat or Republican.

It’s “a fun way to finish off this election, keep it light,” explains Circo’s Pastry Shop co-owner, Anthony Pierdipino.

His Bushwick bakery is folding politics into their pastries by selling sweet treats bearing the faces of both presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

But unlike the two candidates, there’s no difference between the two cookies.

“Both taste exactly the same,” he tells Currents News. “There’s no difference. It’s a shortbread cookie, crunchy, glazed with a little bit of vanilla icing and the edible picture on top.”

Pierdipino only made a few dozen initially but the sweet treat has taken off, selling close to 500.

“I started it as a joke, to be honest with you,” he admits. “I brought them out to the store and a couple guys said ‘let me get some of those’ and started making a big deal about it. I was like, ‘Wow, people really like these.”

One longtime customer, Manuel Montanez, bought one to show off his patriotism.

“It’s pride,” he says. “Pride in the country, that’s it. Pride in whoever I think offers me the most,” he adds.

Fellow patron Jonathan Evans says the cookies are a good reminder.

“At one point I didn’t want to vote,” he admits. “So now I’m voting now, too. I think everybody should do it.”

As it turns out, it’s not just Brooklynites buying these cookies. Pierdipino says he’s getting orders from as far away as California.

“We go nationwide from all over the states and you have people, people from left and right. It’s quite interesting,” he adds.

The Catholic baker hopes the cookies encourage people not only to head to the ballot box in November, but to vote their conscience come Election Day.

“We’re electing a lawmaker and the presidential position is very important. Let’s not forget about our God in our laws that we live by,” says Pierdipino. “Whoever wins or loses, it’s definitely in God’s hands.”

The shop has orders continuing, even after the polls close.

If you would like to buy your own cookies, you can visit the shop at 312 Knickerbocker Avenue in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

You can also order online at https://circospastryshop.com/.

Catholic News Headlines for Monday 11/4/2024

Despite facing pressure to abort and now battling for her son’s medical care, Yami Johnson remains unwavering in her support for her special needs child.

Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated All Souls Day Mass at Mount St. Mary Cemetery in Queens, one of several field masses across the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Election Day is tomorrow and the Catholic co-owner of Circo’s Pastry Shop in Brooklyn is encouraging customers to vote with cookies in the likenesses of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

As Currents News nears the end of our nine-day novena, we mark day eight with a prayer to guide voters’ consciences.

In Brooklyn, Circo’s Bakery Catholic Baker Creates Presidential Cookies for Election Day

by Currents News

Polls are closed for voting today but the co-owner of Circo’s – one of Brooklyn’s most popular bakeries – is getting the vote out with pastries. The shop has created cookies with the faces of presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on them. Anthony Pierdipino, a Catholic baker, hopes the cookies encourage voters to head to the ballot box and vote their conscience tomorrow on Election Day.