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Catholics Look to the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Wake of Racial Unrest

By Jessica Easthope

The powerful words of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” reverberated through the rafters of Our Lady of Victory Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, on Monday, Jan. 18. It’s the 35th time the nation has come together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. but this year is very different.

“With the murder of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, the protests that we’ve seen throughout our Diocese, the words of Dr. King resonate now more than ever. So I think we have to gather today, on his birthday, in deep prayer,” said Father Alonzo Cox, the pastor of St. Martin de Porres Parish and the Coordinator for the Vicariate of Black Catholic Concern for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

This past summer, what could be called a new civil rights movement, erupted across the country. Father Cox says Dr. King’s words can be applied to 2020 just as they were to the 1960s.

“He ends the speech by saying we have some rough days ahead and we do. The words just come alive. He said these words 53 years ago, and they’re really ringing true today in 2021,” Father Cox said.

In years past hundreds would have attended the mid-day prayer service, but in the midst of the pandemic only a fraction came in-person to celebrate Dr. King.

“We have a long way to go, but it’s good that it’s being discussed and brought to the forefront so we can actually have a discussion of these issues and confront them,” said Michelle Joseph, the Director of Religious Education for St. Martin de Porres and a member of the parish’s choir.

As Dr. King was guided by his faith, the Church is renewed in its mission to end the sin of racism.

“We need healing in our nation and his words. His legacy can be the starting point to begin the healing process,” said Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto, the Vicar General for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

“This Martin Luther King Day is making me think a lot about hope and hope for the future and how we are going to make that progress over the next five to ten years,” said Tevin Williams a member of the Diocesan Commission on Racism and Social Justice.

The question this year is not “What would Dr. King do?”  But rather, what will we do?

U.S. Capitol Fortified and on High Alert in Advance of Inauguration Day

Currents News Staff

On a day meant to commemorate Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s fight for freedom and equality, the United States is in crisis.

The U.S. Capitol is fortified and on high alert. 21,000 troops are now in our nation’s capital, screened by the FBI to prevent against any insider threats.

More than half a century after King stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and shared his dream for the future, barbed wire and checkpoints barricade the National Mall, while tens of thousands of national guards troops stand watch.

“We’re part of the layered defense to ensure that the bubble, the bubble that will be around the vice president-elect and the president-elect, so that we can have a peaceful transfer of power,” explained Major General William Walker, Washington D.C. National Guard Commander.

But after a violent mob seized the U.S. capitol, some worry about extremism in the ranks.

“There were military people and police who took oaths to defend the Constitution and to protect and defend who didn’t do it who were in the insurrection, so it does concern me,” said Democratic Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee.

To alleviate concerns, all national guard troops deployed to D.C. have to go through additional layers of screening.

“The FBI is part of it, the Secret Service is part of it, and once they are certain that there’s no insider threat, then that soldier, guardsman or airman is given a credential,” said Walker. 

The head of the D.C. National Guard says the vetting process hasn’t flagged any issues with incoming troops.

“We want to make sure that everybody in this bubble of security that we’re providing has the privilege to be there,” Walked added. 

Yet, more work needs to be done to make the United States less divided

“We’ve got to do a better job of listening to each other, understanding where the frustrations are and how we find that common ground,” said Democratic Representative Debbie Dingell of Michigan. 

Pope Francis Blesses NBA Jersey Honoring Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King

Currents News Staff

MANHATTAN — Pope Francis now has his own special edition Atlanta Hawks basketball jersey, celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The team will also wear the 20-21 MLK Nike City Edition jerseys for Monday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of their commitment to those values. 

In November, members of the National Basketball Players Association met with Pope Francis at the Vatican to discuss economic inequality, social justice and the organization’s initiatives to promote community. 

The Hawks sent the jersey — which reads “Francis” with the number 1 on the back — to the pontiff by mail. He blessed and signed the jersey on Friday, Jan. 15, which would have been Dr. King’s 92nd birthday. 

The Hawks unveiled the jersey last fall. The special edition jersey marks the first time in NBA history that an individual’s initials will be featured prominently on the front of an official game uniform. Profits from jersey sales are going directly towards supporting the Georgia community.

Brooklyn Diocese’s Catholic Nursing Homes Begin Vaccinating Residents and Staff Against COVID-19

By Emily Drooby

It’s a long-awaited shot in the arm, and a shot at hope for the first time in months: seniors and staff were given the COVID vaccine inside of Saints Joachim and Anne Nursing and Rehab Center in Coney Island, Brooklyn, bringing a sigh of relief to the Catholic nursing center after days and nights filled with anxiety and grief.

“Whether they’ve contracted the virus or not, everyone has been affected,” explained Barry Breskin, who is with the center.

In the last three weeks of December alone, New York State has seen over 600 nursing home deaths, continuing a tragic legacy that started in the early days of the pandemic. The state is one of the deadliest in the country, with over 8,000 nursing home deaths.

That’s only the deaths that have been counted — it doesn’t include nursing home residents who died in the hospital. Governor Andrew Cuomo recently delayed the release of those numbers until the end of March.

Saints Joachim and Anne wasn’t immune — they did have cases. Still, about two-thirds of the center remains full.

“We’ve persevered, it’s been difficult,” Barry told Currents News. “But we have a wonderful staff who’s done a tremendous job with infection control and maintaining quality health care.”

Now, they think they can almost see the finish line. During this round of vaccinations, they had 200 doses to give out to just over 400 staff and residents.

There were “very few, if any adverse reactions,” he explained. “And as the process goes on more and more people sign up, we give them every opportunity and encourage them and educate them.”

Cell phone footage of the effort was captured for Currents News, as COVID restrictions barred us from going into the facility.

Visitors have also been barred. Families have been unable to see their loved ones. It’s a standard practice as homes around the country tried to keep COVID out. Now the vaccine brings hope that that will change soon.

“We’ve come up with solutions and window visits and everything, but a sense of normalcy to get the comradery back together to get residents in more of a social setting, that only improves rehabilitation and health,” said Barry.

He says that while they don’t know how long things will take to get back to normal, they’re grateful for this first step and first round of protection.  More doses should be coming soon.

Currents News full broadcast for Fri, 1/15/21 (Catholic news)

Currents News reports secular and religious news from the Catholic perspective.

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

With cases and deaths still surging, COVID vaccinations are more urgent than ever. But there’s a problem across the country.

The United States is playing catch up. Demands aren’t being met. The rollout has been too slow – it could get worse, before it gets better.

Could new variants undermine shots in the arm? When is your turn?

Questions about how and where – and encouragement from the bishop who got it before everyone else.

Pope Francis calls the shots a moral obligation. He’s already gotten his, and hopes you will do the same.

All your vaccine questions answered on this special edition of Currents News.

How Will the Biden Administration Impact Small Business Owners?

Currents News Staff

Things could change for small businesses as a new administration prepares to take over. 

President-Elect Joe Biden wants to make small business a centerpiece of his economic policy plans.

Business consultant Paul Karch, president and CEO of Solaiya joins Currents News to share his insight on how the new Democratic administration could affect small business owners? 

 

Currents News full broadcast for Thurs, 1/14/21 (Catholic news)

Currents News reports secular and religious news from the Catholic perspective.

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

The stunning numbers just released: Christian persecution is up 60 percent worldwide – the ongoing pandemic a major cause.

20,000 National Guard troops have descended on the nation’s capital as fears of more violence push anxiety levels to the brink.

If you have questions about taking the COVID vaccine, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will be here to address those concerns.

During the pandemic small businesses are struggling and blood donations are down, so why not partner up? We meet a business owner who started a program that gives a pint of Guinness to anyone who donates a pint of blood.

Worldwide Christian Persecution Has Increased During the Pandemic

By Emily Drooby

The pandemic locked billions of people across the world in their homes. However, that didn’t stop the scourge on society that is Christian persecution. Unfortunately, the problem actually got worse in 2020. It also took on new forms, including the loss of much-needed aid to the faithful.

“Very early on there definitely were reports. We had reports out of India, reports out of Pakistan, and reports out of parts of Africa, talking about the disparity in treatment that’s happening at the local level,” said Ed Clancy of Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic organization fighting Christian persecution.

He explained that governments blame access to certain communities. But a question remains unanswered.

He asks, “Why is it that these Christian communities seem to be the ones that are suffering more when it comes to not receiving government aid?”

Christian religious gatherings have also been targeted. Ed explained that in some places, “they went in and said that the church could not have its function. Yet every day, a Mosque has hundreds of people come in and out with nobody there stopping them.”

Safety is a big concern. Christian advocacy group Open Doors says that in 2019-2020, the number of Christians being murdered for their faith went up 60 percent.

“We had the pandemic which caused military or government or policing groups to be stretched to the limits, so there’s more opportunity to do bad,” said Ed.

The numbers are grim. 340 million Christians face discrimination. Daily, 13 are killed for their faith and 12 churches or Christian buildings are attacked.

The United Nations even warned that terrorists are exploiting the pandemic and the pain it has caused, using it to recruit.

At the same time, because of restricted church attendance it’s harder to spread word of what’s happening.

“Their most trusted source is their parish, so we essentially removed part of that,” explained Ed. “So, it becomes harder for the message, for the information to be delivered.” He says that Aid to the Church in Need routinely finds that church is where a lot of people learn about Christian persecution.

If you want to help Christians facing persecution around the world, donate to Aid to the Church in Need at https://www.churchinneed.org/.

Stout NYC and New York Blood Center’s ‘Give a Pint, Get a Pint’ Is a Hopeful Collaboration

By Jessica Easthope

Every time someone donates blood a life could be saved.

The New York Blood Center used to hold up to 50 blood drives a day. During the pandemic that number dropped to six, causing a massive backorder on life-saving blood. But now that’s slowly changing, thanks to Martin Whelan.

“I’d like to think that anyone would do this if they had the opportunity to. I just happened to come up with a good idea,” said Martin, the owner of restaurant group Stout NYC.

He owns 11 bars and restaurants in New York City, but he’s brought in less than 10 percent of his normal revenue because only three are open. The rest have been transformed into blood drive sites.

While there’s no steady flow of business, Martin partnered with the New York Blood Center to host blood drives in his bars. So far, they’ve hosted about 20 and have donated more than 800 pints of blood.

“Things are pretty dire right now, and any kind of help we can offer to other human beings I think is great,” said Stefanie Izzo, who donated blood for the first time Jan. 14.

Right now, blood is in high demand. Hospitals have resumed non-emergency surgeries, and COVID-19 patients are in desperate need of antibody-rich plasma, which is why people were lining up to do their part at Rivercrest in Astoria, Queens on Thursday.

Those who donated blood left with more than just a good feeling. They got a New York Mets t-shirt and a voucher for two tickets to a game. They’ll also be sent something that makes this program unique.

“They used to give a free pint of Guinness in Ireland when you gave a pint of blood because it’s iron rich, and I contacted the New York Blood Center and said, ‘Can we start a program and we call it ‘Give a Pint, Get a Pint?’ We can’t give you the pint of Guinness the day you give blood but we give you a voucher,” Martin said.

Martin’s Catholic faith motivated him to see the positive in this hard time. It’s also why Monsignor Fernando Ferrarese donates his blood, which is among one of the rarest types in the world.

“Local businesses receive so much from the community and give so much to the community that it’s like synergy to work together, so I think it’s always a good sign,” said Monsignor Ferrarese, the pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Astoria.

Martin doesn’t receive a cent for hosting the blood drives, but he plans to continue the program indefinitely. All he hopes is that those who come in for their free pint: buy a second.

Upcoming “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” Blood Drives:

Jan. 20: Amity Hall Downtown

Jan. 22 : Rivercrest, Astoria 

Jan. 27: Amity Hall Downtown

Jan. 28: Stout FiDi 

Jan. 29: Rivercrest, Astoria

Feb. 16: Amity Hall Uptown

Feb. 17: Amity Hall Uptown