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President Biden Says Many Places in the Country Have Become Killing Fields for Gun Violence

Currents News Staff

Americans are struggling to grasp a lethal wave of mass shootings that are traumatizing communities and tearing lives apart. 

“After Columbine, after Sandy Hook, after Charleston, after Orlando, after Las Vegas, after Parkland,” said President Joe Biden, “nothing has been done.”

President Biden is calling out Congress to come together and work on bipartisan gun reform laws.

“This is not about taking about anyone’s guns,” he said. “It’s not about vilifying gun owners. In-fact, we believe we should be treating responsible gun owners as an example of how every gun owner should behave.”

The president laid out actions he believes need to be taken.

“If we can’t ban assault weapons, then we should raise the age to purchase them from 18 to 21,” President Biden said. “Strengthen background checks, enact safe storage law and red flag laws, repeal the immunity that protects gun manufacturers from liability, address the mental health crisis.”

Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell says he’s “hopeful and optimistic” lawmakers can compromise on legislation to address mass shootings to have ready to unveil when the Senate returns to session next week.

“Mental illness and school safety are what we need to target,” said Sen. Mitch McConnell.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday, 6/2/22

The community of Tulsa Oklahoma is pulling together in prayer after another mass shooting — this time at a Catholic hospital.

New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams names a “gun violence czar” to stem the rise in shootings.

Milk banks across the U.S. are stepping up amid a shortage of baby formula.

Pope Francis sends well wishes for Queen Elizabeth II as she begins celebrating her platinum jubilee.

Tulsa Bishop Prays for Hospital Shooting Victims At Memorial Mass: ‘Evil in our Midst’

Watch the full Memorial Mass Here: St. Francis Hospital Memorial Mass

Currents News Staff and Rhina Guidos

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Tulsa Bishop David A. Konderla celebrated a memorial Mass at St. Francis Hospital June 2 following a mass shooting on the hospital’s campus in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“Today we gather to comfort one another and to support one another in prayer as a family, even as we have some of the family members of the deceased here with us,” Bishop Konderla said at the Thursday Mass.

The Catholic hospital’s became the scene of the country’s 233rd mass shooting of the year the day before, June 1, leaving four dead, including a doctor, who had treated the gunman for back pain.

“In the days and weeks ahead, this family — this St. Francis family — will have many difficult times,” the bishop said in his homily. “The grief that is on our hearts is heavy. The event that happened was an evil in our midst, and yet it does not have the power to overwhelm the love that resides in the hearts of everyone connected to this hospital system, for the people of this community who need the care that you provide.”

Tulsa authorities said in a June 2 news conference that the shooter, who committed suicide after the shooting at the St. Francis Health System’s Natalie Medical Building, entered the medical complex armed with a handgun and rifle and opened fire shortly before 5 p.m. inside an orthopedic clinic.

Chief Wendell Franklin of the Tulsa Police Department identified Michael Louis as the suspected gunman, saying that he fatally shot himself after shooting several people, including Dr. Preston Phillips, who had treated him for back pain.

“He blamed Dr. Phillips for the ongoing pain following the surgery,” Franklin said, adding that police found a letter written on the gunman stating what he was going to do and why.

Louis had gone in for surgery in mid-May, was released a few days later but kept complaining of pain. An hour before the shooting, police said, he bought an AR-15 rifle at a pawn shop and headed for the hospital in search of Phillips. In the process, he killed a patient, another doctor and a receptionist, and left several others injured before shooting himself seconds before police reached him.

The large complex where the clinic is located also includes a children’s hospital and St. Francis Health System Convent, where the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, live and work on the hospital grounds.

The Diocese of Tulsa said Bishop Konderla, several priests and religious sisters offered pastoral support to those affected by the shooting.

Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul S. Coakley commended their work in tending to the “pastoral needs of those involved in this latest act of mass gun violence.”

“I ask Catholics and all people of faith to pray for the men and women killed today and for their families who now must grieve tremendous loss,” he said in a statement. “We need to speak louder in defense of all human life from conception until natural end, and find ways to stop the mass killing of innocent human beings.”

Unable to hold her tears, Dr. Ryan Parker, associate chief medical officer at the hospital who also is a practicing emergency room physician, said she witnessed efforts to save the life of the patient who was shot, William Love. Some witnesses said Love had helped others escape the violence.

“To the family of Mr. Love, I’m so sorry we couldn’t save you,” Parker said during the news conference. “When I woke this morning, I really just wanted this to all be a bad dream, but this is the reality of our world right now.”

She said it was “just incomprehensible” that caregivers were the victims. In addition to Phillips, Dr. Stephanie Husen, who practiced osteopathic medicine, also was fatally shot as well as receptionist Amanda Glenn.

“We are supposed to be the ones that are caring for others during tragedies like this,” Parker said. “They died while serving others. They died in the line of duty.”

Dr. Cliff Robertson, the hospital’s president and CEO, said during the news conference that he walked through the clinic the morning after the shooting and prayed over the areas where people had died, “including the perpetrator.”

He said he sent a letter to the staff, knowing the event would change the hospital.

“It is up to us to not allow this horrible event, this situation, we cannot allow that to make us turn our back on the reason that we’re here. We were all called into this profession to care for others,” he said. “And while it’s human nature to want to turn our backs and walk away, we cannot do that and we won’t do that.”

The incident renewed calls for regulating the public’s purchase of weapons with a high capacity for killing human beings. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has continually asked for such gun control.

The 2022 figure on mass shootings in the U.S. was tabulated by the Gun Violence Archive. The Washington-based nonprofit defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people are shot or killed, excluding the attacker.

In Tulsa, St. Francis’ Parker requested prayers from those with religious beliefs, and also from those without them.

“Whatever faith you subscribe to, and even if you don’t subscribe to a faith, I will tell you that a prayer is just a solemn request for help and I think we can all agree that our world needs a little bit of help right now,” she said.

Milk Donations Increase as Mothers Help Each Other Amid Formula Shortage

Currents News Staff

Meghan Doyle is one of the growing number of moms donating their extra supply of breast milk. The U.S. Navy pilot and mother of 5-month-old June says the baby formula shortage has inspired her to step up. 

“As a sailor and in the Navy and an officer you learn to be selfless,” said Lt. Doyle. “So this is just another way to give that selfless service back to our country.”

Every drop is making an impact. Donations are pouring in at the University of California health milk bank in San Diego. Executive Director Lisa Stellwagen says they’ve seen a fivefold increase in people signing up to donate.

“The unexpected response to this formula shortage has been the outpouring of desire to help other people from families in our community,” said Lisa. “We had a call from a young woman who wanted to try to lactate so she could help us. She does not even have a child.”

That surge in donations meant the nonprofit could expand its supply at a time when families are struggling to find formula on store shelves to feed their babies.

“It could be a child born and adopted, a child born via surrogate pregnancy and the family isn’t going to have access to the mother’s milk,” said Lisa.

Thanks to that generosity, hospitals relying on the milk bank are able to send new families home with a lifeline.

UC San Diego Pediatrician Michelle Leff says the donations are critical for women who are not able to produce any milk or enough of it, including those with biological or medical limitations.

“Approximately half of our newborns need some amount of supplementation,” said Dr. Michelle. “And I would say that 75% of those choose to use the donated human milk.”

Back at the milk bank, before the “precious liquid” reaches hospitals or homes, donors are required to take a questionnaire, get written clearance from a physician and take a blood test. Then the donated milk is pastuerized and tested. 

Moms are taking action and helping each other during this desperate time. 

“It actually makes me feel really sad,” said Liezl Macalintal, a milk donor. “But also happy that I’m able to help you know.”

Vicariate of Black Catholic Concerns to Host Interfaith Prayer Service For Recent Mass Shootings

Currents News Staff

The Vicariate of Black Catholic Concerns in the Diocese of Brooklyn is asking the community to join them in an interfaith prayer service for the victims of the recent mass shootings. 

The service will take place at 4 p.m., Sunday, June 5 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica Estates. The address is 86-45 Edgerton Boulevard.

Bishop Robert Brennan will preside over the service and will be joined by Father Alonzo Cox as well as other religious leaders in the community.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday, 6/1/22

The Diocese of Columbus, Ohio now has a new bishop filling a void left by now-Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan.

More questions arise about how authorities responded to the scene of that devastating mass shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas.

President Biden is holding a roundtable on how to end the shortage of baby formula in the U.S.

A veteran marks Memorial Day — and celebrates his 100th birthday — all at the same time.

Uvalde Schools Police Chief Speaks Out About Questions Surrounding Texas School Shooting

Currents News Staff

Harrowing details of survival and questions comes days after a gunman entered the Robb Elementary School and opened fire inside two adjoining classrooms, killing 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas. Contradictions and shifting narratives continue to emerge about law enforcement’s response.

Pedro Arredondo, the Uvalde Schools Police Chief who led the flawed law enforcement response was seen for the first time.

According to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Arredondo has not responded to a request for a follow-up interview with the Texas Rangers. Arredondo will only say they are talking. 

“I’ve been on the phone with them every day,” Arredondo said.

DPS is now saying that the door the shooter used to enter the school was closed, but not locked. That’s a change from last week, when the Department first said the door had been propped open by a teacher. 

While victims and survivors demand answers, families mourn.

“I believe that Alithia would want us to be strong,” said Ryan Ramirez, father of Alithia Ramirez, “and that she’s in a better place.”

Funeral services will be held Wednesday for 10-year old Jose Flores Jr., Irma Garcia, one of the teachers who was killed and her husband, who died from a heart attack days later.

Visitation and rosary services will be held for Nevaeh Bravo, Jayce Luevanos and Jailah Nicole Silguero. All of them were only 10 years old.

Michigan Baptist Church Gives Away Free Gas For Buffalo Residents

Currents News Staff

Free gas was given away at Mandela Market to the first 200 people equaling $10,000 in gas thanks to one Baptist church pastor and his ministry.

“I couldn’t not do anything,” Pastor Carlton Lynch.

He flew in over the weekend to support the Buffalo community after the Tops supermarket mass shooting.

“This has become a food desert since the tragedy,” said Pastor Carlton, “so I thought about bringing resources to the community.”

Volunteers pumped gas for each car that pulled up. Police stepped in to control the traffic as drivers lined up down Jefferson for hours – drivers like Davida Wright.

“It’s all right,” Davida said. “It’s all right, a little patience.”

Davida is now inspired to give back after the huge help to her wallet.

“It takes me another week where it’s not so financially strained,” she said.

Each car got forty dollars worth of gas. It helped those in important situations, like Victoria Buggs.

“It’s going to help me get my kids to school this week,” said Victoria.

Diocese of Columbus Welcomes First Indian-American Bishop in U.S.

Bishop Brennan helps install successor, who says he has ‘big shoes to fill’

Currents News Staff and Bill Miller

WESTERVILLE, Ohio — The Diocese of Columbus welcomed its new shepherd Tuesday, May 31 with the ordination and installation of Bishop Earl Fernandes — a U.S.-born son of immigrant parents from India.

As the diocese’s 13th bishop, he succeeds Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn, who returned to Ohio to conduct the consecration with Archbishop Dennis Schnurr of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Fernandes, 49, is the first U.S. bishop of Indian-American heritage.

The ordination and installation rites were held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Westerville, about 15 miles northeast of Columbus, the state capital.

Throughout these ceremonies, Bishop Fernandes beamed his trademark smile, but he took a serious tone as he addressed the congregation, stressing the urgency to bring more men into the priesthood.

“I promise to work hard for you, to spill my blood for you,” he pledged. “But I bring to your attention that this year, in the Diocese of Columbus, there will be more bishops than priests ordained.

“We need a new Pentecost to set the world on fire,” he said. “We need missionaries and priests willing to make a gift to themselves in the service of the Gospel. I ask every man, woman, and child to pray for vocations to the priesthood, especially for our diocese.”

Family, friends, priests, religious men and women, and prelates from around the U.S. filled the church to celebrate the new bishop.

Three former bishops of the diocese attended: Bishop Brennan, and Bishops Emeritus James Griffin and Frederick Campbell.

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, read the special letter from Pope Francis, informing everyone that the new bishop is eminently qualified and thus chosen by him, the Holy Father, to lead the Diocese of Columbus.

Bishop Fernandes followed Church tradition by proudly holding the apostolic letter aloft and parading it around the congregation for all to see. Thunderous applause ensued.

Bishop Fernandes was born Sept. 21, 1972, in Toledo, Ohio — the fourth of five sons of Sydney and Thelma Fernandes.

His late father was a physician, and Fernandes also entered medical school. But after two years, he chose the seminary and was ordained a priest in 2002.

Bishop Fernandes worked in numerous pastoral ministries, but he later became secretary of the Apostolic Nuncio staff from 2016 to 2019.

Immediately after his installation, his old boss, Archbishop Pierre, reached over and adjusted the new bishop’s distinctive headgear.

“I’m grateful for his paternal affection shown to me over the course of many years,” Bishop Fernandes said of Archbishop Pierre. “I am also grateful that he fixed my miter!”

On Monday evening, Bishop Brennan led the solemn vespers prayer service for his soon-to-be successor.

“I want to thank Bishop Brennan and welcome him back to Ohio,” Bishop Fernandes said Tuesday. “I have big shoes to fill. He was here only briefly, but he lifted the morale of both the people and the clergy, and we are happy to have him back, if only for a few days.”

Pope Francis announced on April 2 that Bishop Fernandes would be the successor. At the time, Bishop Brennan called the announcement “great news indeed.”

“I couldn’t be happier for him and the Church in Columbus,” he said.

On Tuesday, Bishop Brennan stated on social media that he was thankful to God to be back in Ohio for his successor’s installation.

“Knowing the faithful of this diocese, I am confident he will be a wonderful shepherd for God’s people in Columbus,” Bishop Brennan said. “With great joy and prayers, I congratulate Bishop Fernandes as he begins his episcopal ministry.”

Frail health prevented Bishop Fernandes’ mother from attending the ceremonies. He recalled breaking the news to her that Pope Francis chose him to be a bishop.

“She said, ‘That is good news. This will be a blessing. It will be a blessing for our family. It will be a blessing for everyone,’” Bishop Fernandes shared. “Let us hope and pray that she was being prophetic.”

The Diocese of Columbus covers 23 counties in central and southern Ohio — about 11,310 square miles, with a Catholic population of about 207,000.

More than 2.8 million total people live there, a statistic underlining the new bishop’s call for more priests.

Meanwhile, Bishop Fernandes addressed his already-ordained clergymen.

“I am so happy to be your shepherd and your brother, and I look forward to listening to you and to working with you in the Lord’s vineyard,” he said. “I want to work for you, though, so that you may exercise your ministry with joy.

“I promise, I will be close to you.”