U.S. Officials Report Signs of Military Action in Russia as Vital Medical Supplies Sent to Troops

Currents News Staff

U.S. intelligence officials have confirmed that they believe that blood supplies are being sent to Russian troops who are supposedly exercising close to the borders with Ukraine and in Belarus. This is being interpreted by the United States as yet another indicator that some kind of military action against Ukraine, a cross border incursion at the very least, could be imminent.

From the Ukrainian perspective, they’re treating these reports with some cynicism, some officials denying them, others perhaps suggesting that this is a normal part of what you would see in any military exercise. And the reason for the dissonance between the two very close allies, remember, the United States is the biggest military donor to the Ukrainians in their effort to try to see off any potential Russian invasion is the economy.

The Ukrainians here believe that every time there is mention of an imminent threat to their country, there is capital flight, the economy takes a knock, and that ultimately could lead to political instability, all of that playing into the hands of Vladimir Putin.

Syrian Father and Son Head to Italy After Viral Photo Spurs International Fundraiser

Currents News Staff

This picture was declared “Photo of the Year” at the 2021 Siena International Photo Awards. It’s called “Life’s challenges.”

The father’s name is Munzir. He lost his leg during a bombing in Syria. His son, Mustafa, was born without arms or legs because of a chemical attack during the war that affected his mother when she was pregnant.

The picture was taken by Mehmet Aslan and is considered an accurate representation of the difficulties of the war in Syria. But it’s also an ode to hope. What Mehmet never imagined was that it would one day go viral and help bring the family to Italy.

The festival organizers decided to put together a fundraiser to bring the family to a center where they could receive treatment and the prostheses they need.

“When we saw that the picture was being re-posted by actors, famous people and the world’s most important news outlets, beyond the satisfaction of having succeeded in diffusing this photo, we began to wonder if it was enough to talk about this story as an example of the consequences of war, or if we could do something more to actually change this family’s life,” said Siena International Photo Awards’ Luca Venturi.

Luca Venturi, the festival director, explains that they have so far managed to raise the money necessary to get the family to Italy and provide them with initial medical attention. But they still have a long road ahead of them, since they will need to raise even more money to get the boy new prostheses as he continues to grow.

Venturi says it’s too early to claim victory, but for the family, it’s progress in their search for a better future. Mustafa and his family landed in Rome earlier in January and will later be resettled in Siena, the home of the photography festival.

Mass Trials Underway in Cuba as Protestors Face Up to 30 Years in Prison

Currents News Staff

After anti-government protests swept across Cuba in July, police arrested hundreds of the people who had taken to the streets denouncing chronic shortages and lack of basic freedoms. Teams of special forces units went house by house searching for the protestors.

Two days after the disturbances first broke out, police and special forces troops raided the home of protestor Daniel Cardenas Diaz.

His wife Marbelis Hernandez, who managed to film some of the violent altercation, says police fired multiple shots – one that she says grazed her husband’s head and beat him, leaving a pool of blood on the living room floor.

“When I saw him on the floor, and they were hitting him with a baton,” said Marbelis. “He was on the floor covered in blood, in a huge pool of blood. I thought he was dead.”

Following Cardenas’ arrest in July, Cuban state-tv released video of his police interrogation to dispute accounts that he was gravely injured.

According to his wife, Cardenas was convicted of sabotage and public disorder for damage the government says he caused to this gas station during the protests.

He now faces up to a 15 year sentence in jail.

From her cinder block home on a dirt street, Marbelis says many Cubans are fed up with the neverending economic hardships.

“There has been no medicine, nothing and on top of that they sell everything in a currency that most Cubans don’t have,” said Marbelis.

Despite widespread calls for amnesty for the protesters, the government is holding mass trials and handing down lengthy prison sentences.

Marbelis says she lies to her two-year-old twins when they ask where their father is and she knows he might not be with them again for years.

“And these people didn’t kill anyone, they didn’t put bombs,” she said. “They threw rocks and asked for liberty, that was all. And they are being sentenced to more than 20 years in prison.”

Peace Activists Ask Pope Francis to Help Prevent War in Ukraine

Currents News Staff

A banner with the words “Human right to peace” stood out in St. Peter’s Square at Pope Francis’ Angelus on Jan. 24. A few days later, the co-founder and chairman of that same group attended the pontiff’s General Audience for the second time in two weeks.

“We have high tensions between Russia, Ukraine and the NATO states in Europe,” said Chairperson of the Society Culture of Peace, Henning Zierock. “And so we thought it’s important to come here and to offer him the possibility that he could play a role, Pope Francis, to bring the people together, to discuss and not to go to war.”

This is a copy of the letter Zierock and other representatives of Society Culture of Peace gave to Pope Francis, asking him to take action to prevent war in Ukraine.

And this is a copy of the poster they gave him, with the same urgent appeal. It shows a Pablo Picasso painting representing “peace for all nations.”

When Pope Francis announced that Jan. 26 would be a day of prayer for peace in Ukraine, Zierock decided to change his flight and attend the pontiff’s General Audience again, precisely on that day of prayer for peace.

“I decided I would stay here and give him also a sign… to communicate once more that we took some action,” said Zierock. “We have to win the peace and not the war. And so we say always: Give peace a chance.”

Zierock wasn’t disappointed at his second papal audience, where Pope Francis reiterated his concern for Ukraine.

“[Ukraine] is a suffering people; [in the past] they have suffered famine, they have suffered so much cruelty and deserve peace,” said Pope Francis. “May the prayers and invocations that are being raised to heaven today touch the minds and hearts of those responsible on earth, so that dialogue may prevail and the good of all be put before the interests of one side. Please, let there never be war.”

Zierock says the pope could play a big role to help efforts.

“I think the Pope could play the role to give a bigger umbrella and to say, Okay, let’s find a structure in Europe where everybody has a feeling that he is secure and not one side thinks, I’m not protected and you are the aggressor,” said Zierock. “I think that is a possibility he has, and to organize by words, praying, but also by diplomatic activity.”

For more than 30 years, Society Culture of Peace has spearheaded a number of initiatives, including benefit concerts and conferences, to promote peace in places affected by conflict. The organization brings together artists, academics and peace activists driven by a common desire to put an end to wars.

Detective First Grade Jason Rivera Posthumously Promoted at his Funeral

By Jessica Easthope

The funeral Mass for Detective First Grade Jason Rivera could be heard for blocks in Midtown Manhattan. Within a week, the city of New York has been shaken by an ambush attack on two young officers. The shockwaves are reverberating around the country and within the NYPD as they lay one of their own, Jason Rivera, to rest.

Jason Rivera’s end of watch put New York City at a standstill.

Hundreds said one last goodbye to the 22-year-old whose smile has been seen around the world. The public got their first glimpse of who Jason Rivera was.

“This kid was just out of this world, my brother was dedication, he was integrity,” said Rivera’s older brother, Jeffrey.

During his eulogy, Jeffrey spoke of how nothing could stand in the way of Jason’s dream of serving and protecting.

“My brother was afraid of heights, he was afraid of rats, he was afraid of dogs but he was not afraid to die or to wear that uniform,” he said.

In death, Rivera reached a milestone – being posthumously promoted to Detective First Grade by Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell.

“Jason rose to every challenge that crossed his path, he was everything this city and the NYPD needed him to be and it is with sincere admiration and appreciation that I promote him today to Detective First Grade,” she said.

Rivera was shot and killed one week ago while responding to a 9-1-1 call. His partner officer Wilbert Mora was also shot and died days later. His wife Dominique Luzuriaga recounted their final moments together and when she got the worst call of her life.

“Seeing you in a hospital bed wrapped up in sheets, not hearing when I was talking to you broke me, I said ‘wake up baby, I’m here,’” she said.

Diocese of Brooklyn’s Bishop Robert Brennan said Rivera has become a symbol of hope for all of New York City and the NYPD.

“He himself, Officer, now Detective Rivera, was a man of great hope and saw his role as giving hope to other people and sadly even in death he shows us the meaning of hope,” said Bishop Brennan.

And Mayor Eric Adams expressed his own hope for the city and putting an end to the violence that took Rivera’s life.

“We will ensure everything in our powers to not lose our family members through this senseless violence,” said Mayor Adams.

A surge of crime in New York City and the deaths of Rivera and Mora has gun violence front and center. Their final salutes are coming far too soon.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday, 1/28/22

A city weeps and comes together for a final goodbye to a fallen NYPD officer, gunned down in the line of duty.

Jason Rivera’s wife, Dominique, received a standing ovation for her remarks. The fallen hero was then laid to rest at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York in a private ceremony.

The wake and funeral Mass for Officer Rivera’s partner Wilbert Mora will also be at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.

President Biden and New York City Mayor Eric Adams Plan to Discuss Strategy to Combat Gun Crime

Currents News Staff

President Joe Biden will meet with New York City Mayor Eric Adams to talk about gun violence, according to the White House.

The meeting is set to take place in Manhattan next Thursday, Feb. 3. They’ll focus on President Biden’s “comprehensive strategy to combat gun crime.”

That plan includes funding for cities and states to put more cops on the street and to invest in prevention programs.

Pope Francis’ Next Papal Trip to Malta Scheduled For Early April

Currents News Staff

Pope Francis is planning a two-day visit to Malta. The Times of Malta says the Vatican told church leaders the Holy Father will travel there on April 2-3, 2022.

The Holy Father had planned to visit the island nation in the Mediterranean Sea last May, but that trip was postponed. An overwhelming majority of Malta’s half a million population are baptized Catholics.

Ukrainian Bishop Calls for Peace, Encourages World Leaders to Apply Pressure on Putin

Currents News Staff

In the United Kingdom, the Ukrainian Catholic bishop for Britain is calling on the international community to continue putting pressure on Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Calling the crisis a “tragedy that is unfolding before our very eyes,” Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski says the Russian president is only “interested in reforming” something like the Soviet Union.

And while the bishop says world leaders should continue applying pressure, he is also encouraging the faithful to pray for peace.

Cafe Con Cristo: Todos te fallarán, pero Dios jamás lo hará

Sé muy bien lo que se siente cuando alguien te decepciona. ¿Te ha sucedido a ti? ¿Has puesto toda tu confianza en alguien o en algo para luego descubrir que todo era una mentira? En el episodio de hoy descubriremos que, aunque todos nos fallen, Dios jamás lo hará. ¿Sabes por qué? ¡Porque será cómo Dios ha dicho! Créelo.