Archives

Sri Lankan Survivors Will Meet Pope Francis in Rome Three Years After Easter Bombings

Currents News Staff

On Easter Sunday 2019, a series of coordinated bombings in churches and hotels killed more than 260 people across Sri Lanka. The country’s minority Christian community was the primary target.

Three years after the Easter bombings, Sri Lankan Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith will come to Rome to celebrate Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica with survivors of the attacks and families of the victim, who will also meet the Pope. The Sri Lankan Catholic community in Rome is helping to coordinate the trip for those who, three years later, remain devastated by the attacks.

“We lost so many lives,” said Father Malith Thiwantha Kaluarachchi, a Sri Lankan priest in Rome, “and also the attacks left so many people injured, and up until now, there are some people who are bedridden without legs, limbs, and there are so many families that are suffering to date.”

The nine suicide bombers were identified as being linked to ISIS. Although 25 men are currently facing trial for the involvements in the attack, Fr. Malith says Sri Lankans are frustrated with the slow progress in bringing those responsible to justice, adding pressure to the government which is currently facing massive protests over the country’s severe economic crisis.

“We want to know,” Fr. Malith said, “The victims, they are demanding to know, who actually did this, who led this, who took the lives of our parents, our children, so that’s why, we are still waiting.”

By coming to Rome, Sri Lankan Catholics hope to send a message to minority Christian communities around the world to remain strong, and remember that they are not forgotten by the Church.

“To other churches in other countries who are suffering because of their faith, and those who are being persecuted, those who are going through difficulties, to say that our shepherd is feeling for us, to say that the Church is with us, that is a great evangelical message I guess,” Fr. Malith said.

With Pope Francis’ blessing, they will return home to advocate for justice for the communities devastated by the bombings, and on behalf of Christian minorities around the world.

Russia Continues its Hostile Attack on Ukraine on Orthodox Easter

Currents News Staff

Intense fighting continued across Ukraine on Orthodox Easter Sunday, April 24. But amid major Russian bombardment, some Ukrainian parishioners still made their way to church to honor traditions and to pray for those on the frontline of the war.

“It’s less festive this year…” said Lviv resident Larysa Kovalyk.

Some parishioners in Lviv ignored the warnings to celebrate the Orthodox Easter holiday from home.

“But we want to keep up our traditions and we want our kids to understand that God is with us,” Larysa said, “he helps us.”

Supporting troops on the frontline with food donations and prayers, as fighting rages on in Mariupol. Ukrainian officials say Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected a holiday ceasefire.

On Sunday, Russian forces continuously shelled a steel plant where hundreds of soldiers and civilians were holed up, according to a senior Ukrainian official. To the west of Mariupol, in Melitopol, the mayor there says Putin’s goal is clear.

“He wants to kill all Ukrainian nation,” said Mayor Ivan Fedorov. “And of course he start from occupied cities and now we can’t deliver humanitarian aid.”

In Odessa, new video shows a Russian missile strike on an apartment building. Odessa’s mayor says eight people were killed, including a three-month-old baby and her mother.

The White House said Ukraine can expect more announcements on U.S. assistance this week. The first Ukrainian-born member of congress is urging the U.S. to send more than money and weapons to Ukraine.

“It’s important for us to be on the ground and shows that, you know, our country stands with the people of ukraine,” said Indiana Rep. Victoria Spartz. “And I hope President Biden will actually someday, make it here, to meet with President Zelenskyy.”

Catholic News Headlines for Friday, 4/22/22

Easter Sunday is over but our celebration of the resurrection of Christ is not.

This Easter marked the first-year services and celebrations in the Diocese of Brooklyn took place the same way they did before the pandemic.

 

What These Nuns in Ukraine War Zone Are Doing to Protect Refugees and Themselves

Currents News Staff

When the invasion of Ukraine first began, Currents News spoke to a nun who just narrowly escaped the capital city. Sister Anna Andrusiv went home to her convent in the western city of Lviv, which was thought to be a safe haven for refugees.

But just a day after Easter, missiles hit the city. Still, she says this is where God wants her. Sister Anna joined Currents News to discuss her daily life in the besieged city.

 

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday, 4/21/22

President Biden announced an additional 800-million dollars in military assistance for Ukraine.

 We talk to a nun who is in Ukraine right now.

 The back and forth over whether to wear masks or not is leading to a lot of confusion among Americans.

More Help Arrives for Ukraine as President Biden Sends Additional Military Aid

Currents News Staff

Outside the besieged city of Mariupol, the city is Ground Zero. The Azovstal Steel Plant stands as Mariupol’s last line of defense.

Russian President Vladimir putting has scrapped plans to storm the plant and ordered soldiers to instead encircle it.

“There will be nobody left in this area. They will be dead,” said George Kurparashvili, Azov Battalion Commander, “all the children. I’m not talking about the soldiers, but the civilians will be eliminated and it will be on us, the civilized world.”

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy warns that his troops do not have enough “serious and heavy” weapons to defeat the Russians there.

The U.S. is responding. President Biden unveiled his latest presidential draw-down. Any more money would need congressional approval.

“We’re in a critical window,” said the president. “Now of time where they’re going to set the stage for the next phase of this war.”

He Defense Department is now set to pull weapons and equipment like howitzers, ammo and drones from U.S. inventories to send to Ukraine.

“Putin has failed to achieve his grand ambitions on the battlefield,” Biden said. “After weeks of shelling, Kyiv still stands.”

In a move to further isolate Moscow, Russian-affiliated ships are now banned from American ports. In Mariupol, the help can’t come soon enough.

Ukrainian soldiers are remaining defiant and resisting Russian attacks and ignoring their calls to surrender.

Mask Confusion Continues as DOJ Appeals Ruling Against Mask Mandate on Public Transportation

Currents News Staff

On planes and trains, mask mandates are vanishing. But not everyone is on board.

“I felt much more comfortable keeping mine on,” said one passenger.

And the rules aren’t the same everywhere. Some trains, airports and cab companies still require masking-up. Plus children under the age of five are not eligible to be vaccinated. Their parents and those that are immuno-compromised or in high-risk categories are now left wondering: is it safe to travel with the unmasked?

“I’m really worried about busses and subways and places that don’t have great ventilation,” said Dr. Leana Wen, the former city of Baltimore Health Commissioner.

Some research suggests masks can protect a wearer alone. It acts as a barrier between particles and your nose and mouth. But the level of protection with one-way masking depends on two factors: the quality of your mask and how it fits.

“If someone’s not wearing a mask,” said Dr. Zeke Emanuel, Former member Biden transition team COVID-19 Advisory Board, “even if you’re wearing a very high quality mask like this, an N 95 mask, They’re infected, you have about an hour, hour and 15 minutes of protection from them.”

According to research from the University of California, a well-fitting N-95 can cut down potentially infectious particles you inhale by more than 20 times compared to not wearing a mask. With a surgical mask, it’s by a factor of 9 and a cloth mask, by 3.

“Just because the government is saying you don’t need to wear a mask, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t” said Dr. Leana Wen.

The choice, for now, in most places, is up to you. Carriers are juggling sweeping changes in the middle of a Spring Break travel surge.

There’s also staffing shortages and an increased demand for air travel. The pilot’s union for Southwest says its employees are suffering from an epidemic of fatigues. And Jet Blue Airways says its trimming flights up by 10 percent this summer.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday, 4/20/22

The Catholic Church is rushing to keep two death row inmates from being executed.

Why you may not be able to fly mask-free for long – the latest legal maneuver that could change everything.

Pope Francis did something he hasn’t done in more than two years – greeting pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square.

A WWII veteran finally gets his medals – more than seven decades later.

Fighting For Life: Catholic Church Trying to Prevent Two Federal Executions

Currents News Staff

Melissa Lucio is making a last ditch effort to postpone her execution. She’s set to die next week on April 27. The first Hispanic woman on Death Row was found guilty of killing her two-year-old daughter in 2007. She insists the toddler fell down the stairs outside of the family’s home in Texas. But after a seven hour interrogation, the mother of 14 told investigators “I guess I did it, I’m responsible.”

Sabrina Van Tassel directed a documentary about the case.

“She wasn’t guilty, so she decided to answer the questions without knowing what the outcome would be,” Sabrina said. “She basically gave up – that’s what she told me.”

Bishops in Texas sent a letter to the state’s board of pardons and paroles but Gov. Greg Abbott and the District Attorney are advocating on Lucio’s behalf. They wrote:

“We are also fervently praying that clemency be granted to ms. lucio, not solely because of the church’s opposition to the death penalty and the inherent dignity of every human life, but also due to the mitigating circumstances surrounding her case.”

Meanwhile, another death penalty case in South Carolinas caught the attention of Catholic leaders. Richard Moore will be put to death by a firing squad next Friday April 29. The convicted murderer chose that option over the electric chair  after being told lethal injection drugs are not available.

In a statement, the Diocese of Charleston called the choice he had to make “modern-day barbarism” and went on to say:

“Respect for life is, and must remain, unconditional. this principle applies to all, even the perpetrators of terrible acts.”

Pope Francis has spoken out against the death penalty several times.

“However serious the crime committed may have been,” Pope Francis said, “the death penalty is inadmissible because it undermines the inviolability and dignity of the person.”