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Voters Consider Crime, COVID-19 and Crippling Traffic in Mayoral Race at Election Day Polls

By Jessica Easthope

The fate of New York City is in the hands of these voters – and it’s a responsibility they don’t take lightly.

“I grew up my life in this parish and it’s so bad, it’s important to get out and vote,” said Patricia McLaughlin.

“I’m just trying to find a mayor that’s going to care about New York, not themselves,” Sabine Fuentes said.

The race for the city’s new mayor has been hotly contested as voters decide between two very different frontrunners: Republican and Guardian Angels founder, Curtis Sliwa and Democrat former NYPD officer and Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams. The men hold opposing views on almost every issue. Both, however, have vowed to crack down on crime.

There has been a nearly 21 percent increase in gun arrests in 2021 and in September overall crime was up 2.6 percent compared to 2020. Felony assaults were up 18.5 percent.

For those who say crime is their number-one issue, Sliwa has their vote.

“I thought Adams would be a continuation of the de Blasio administration,” said Edward McGarrity.

“He knows what the city has gone through, he was around at the time when it was very bad,” said Patricia McLaughlin.

“If I’m going to vote for someone who’s really strong on it, it’s Sliwa,” Richard Nieves said.

And what’s also indirectly affected by crime – New York City traffic. More than 70 billion dollars has been allocated for infrastructure repairs but delays have commuters bumper-to-bumper.

“Where did all that money go for infrastructure? Now with the BQE, it’s down to two lanes. It takes you three hours to get home,” McLaughlin said.

And some say who would want to feel unsafe taking mass transit?

“We’ve liked stepped back in time 40 years ago,” said McGarrity referring to crime numbers from the 1980s.

“People are scared to take the subway, people are scared of everything, you need to take care of the homeless problem this is New York City,” said Fuentes.

But voters said during campaign season they’ve been paying close attention to the energy the candidates have and what they’re willing to fight for.

“I like the passion and you can tell Sliwa loves New York City so much,” Nieves said.

But those voting for Eric Adams says it’s his calm and reserve that won them over.

“It just seems hectic right now and we just need calm and someone who can bring assurance to the citizens,” said Lupita DeLeon.

And others just don’t know yet.

“Only time will tell,” said Fuentes. “People thought de Blasio was going to be a great mayor too.”

For voters, it might come down to pure attitude and how each candidate approached their campaign and it doesn’t get any more New York than that. Polls across the city close Tuesday at 9 p.m.

Currents News Update for Tuesday, 11/2/21

Today is Election Day in New York City and across the country.

The Supreme Court is now deciding what action, if any, it will take in response to Texas’ six-week “heartbeat” abortion law.

This All Souls Day, Pope Francis walked among the tombs of French soldiers killed during World War II.

On All Souls’ Feast, Pope Francis Decries War and Weapons of Mass Destruction During Visit to WWII Military Cemetery

Currents News Staff

Pope Francis walked alone among the tombs of French soldiers killed during World War II, leaving white roses and stopping for moments of silent prayer.

Nearly 2,000 soldiers, not all of them Catholic, are buried in this little known cemetery in Rome. Some were Moroccan soldiers who joined the French army. They were known as “goumiers.” It was a ceremony marked by a sense of deep contemplation.

Pope Francis noted that some of the tombstones lacked names and had only the words, “died for france.”

“Not even the name is there,” Pope Francis said. “In God’s heart are all of our names. But this is the tragedy of war.”

The “goumiers” were known for being especially violent, but Pope Francis said that we should look, not at the soldiers, but at those who promote war.

“Today’s homily should be about looking at the tombs “died for France,” Pope Francis said.”Some have a name. A few do not. But these tombs are a message for peace. Stop, brothers and sisters. Stop. Stop, arms manufacturers. Stop.”

Pope Francis on various occasions has suggested contemplating the tombs of soldiers killed during the world wars.

In 2014, he visited Redipuglia, a huge cemetery where more than 100,000 Italian soldiers killed during World War I are buried. In 2017, he visited a cemetery for American troops killed in Italy in 1943.

Currents News Update for Monday, 11/1/21

A silver celebration here in the Diocese of Brooklyn — His excellency Nicholas DiMarzio marked 25 years as a bishop.

Today is All Saints Day and Pope Francis talked about it during this morning’s Angelus.

With Thanksgiving just weeks away, some Catholic students in Queens gave thanks to their priests.

Bishop DiMarzio Celebrates 25th Anniversary of His Episcopacy

By Jessica Easthope and Paula Katinas 

Frank DiMarzio always knew his big brother Nicholas was going to become a priest, even when they were kids growing up in New Jersey.

“At 10 years old, he had built an altar under the pantry in our kitchen,” Frank recalled.

Nicholas DiMarzio did indeed become a priest. He was ordained on May 30, 1970, and elevated to the rank of auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Newark by Pope John Paul II on Oct. 31, 1996. He was installed as Bishop of Camden on July 22, 1999, and as Bishop of Brooklyn on Oct. 3, 2003.

Eighteen years later, on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, Frank DiMarzio was one of the hundreds of people who came to the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, Prospect Heights, to see Bishop DiMarzio celebrate Mass to mark the 25th anniversary of his episcopacy.

The Mass was attended by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, several bishops, priests, laypersons from parishes in the Diocese of Brooklyn, and family and friends.

One of the highlights of the Mass took place when the grandnieces and grandnephews presented the gifts to Bishop DiMarzio as the Liturgy of the Eucharist began.

The Mass gave Bishop DiMarzio a chance to reflect on his quarter-century as a bishop.

“I think I learned a lot more in 25 years. And what I thought it would be and what it is, is something else,” he said. “But it’s even greater than what you expect.”

In his homily, he talked about the role of a bishop, likening it to a juggler, referring to how he worked to encourage priestly vocations, support Catholic education, and make immigrants feel welcome.

“A bishop must be the center of unity in the diocese,” he said.

Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto announced that a replica of the sculpture “Angels Unawares,” which depicts migrants fleeing persecution, as well as images of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, would be installed in front of the Co-Cathedral in tribute to Bishop DiMarzio’s lifelong work on behalf of immigrants — and in recognition of the diocese’s reputation as the “Diocese of Immigrants.”

The original sculpture was displayed in St. Peter’s Square in 2019 in honor of the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. In 2020, the Diocese of Brooklyn welcomed a replica displayed at Grand Army Plaza during the Christmas season.

Cardinal Dolan called Bishop DiMarzio an inspiration to priests, saying, “I always tell our future priests, ‘Don’t be in your room in front of the computer. Go out on the streets. That’s where your people are.’ And that’s where he was. You might not see him in the library, but you’ll see him at a parish festival eating a hot dog.”

Frank DiMarzio, who is 16 months younger than his brother, remembered their childhood with fondness.

“We would get into big battles like little kids do. But he was always there for me,” he told The Tablet before Mass.

Bishop DiMarzio’s common touch appeals to everyday Catholics, said Shaniqua Wilson, a parishioner of St. Bonaventure-St. Benedict the Moor Parish, Jamaica.

“He will be retiring,” she said, “but he’ll still be here in residence with us, and we wanted to let them know that we care and that we love him.”

Bishop DiMarzio will retire on Nov. 30 when Bishop Robert Brennan of Columbus, Ohio, is installed as the Eighth Bishop of Brooklyn.

To watch Bishop DiMarzio’s full homily: click HERE

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio’s Anniversary Homily Recalls 25 Years of Ministry and Leadership in the Diocese of Brooklyn

Currents News Staff

Nicholas DiMarzio was ordained on May 30, 1970, and elevated to the rank of auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Newark by Pope John Paul II on Oct. 31, 1996. He was installed as Bishop of Camden on July 22, 1999, and as Bishop of Brooklyn on Oct. 3, 2003.

Eighteen years later, on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, hundreds of people came to the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, Prospect Heights, to see Bishop DiMarzio celebrate Mass to mark the 25th anniversary of his episcopacy.

Currents News Update for Friday, 10/29/21

President Biden met with Pope Francis at the Vatican this morning — Biden says they did not discuss abortion.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been charged with a sex crime.

The Vatican is again granting a plenary indulgence to Catholics who pray for the dead at a cemetery throughout the month of November.

Pope Francis and President Biden Discuss Global Issues During Extended Vatican Meeting

By Jessica Easthope

90 minutes – that’s how long President Biden and Pope Francis spent together, longer than any president in recent history.

Something else unprecedented happened: the initial hellos between the leaders weren’t caught on camera. Despite protest from reporters, the Vatican instead released edited footage of the greeting.

The two men exchanged gifts. President Biden gave Pope Francis a coin with the U.S. seal on one side and the insignia of his late son, Beau Biden’s Delaware National Guard Unit on the other. President Biden told the pontiff the coins are given to warriors and leaders.

“I know my son would want me to give it to you. You’re the most significant warrior for peace I’ve ever met,” President Biden said.

The two spoke about climate change, global poverty and the ongoing pandemic, but what wasn’t on the agenda – abortion.

President Biden has been criticized by some church leaders on his pro-abortion policies, sparking a debate over whether he should receive communion. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has chosen not to single the president out but instead create a teaching document for all Catholics about the meaning of the Eucharist to the life of the Church.

“Did you discuss the Conference of Bishops,” one reporter asked the President. “That’s a private conversation,” he said.

But after the meeting, President Biden said Pope Francis commended him for continuing to receive the host; however he did not give him communion during their time together.

When asked if abortion came up during the meeting, the president responded, “We just talked about the fact that he was happy I was a good Catholic and keep receiving Communion.”

At the end of their meeting, Biden joked about their advancing ages. Biden, who is 78, shared a quote from baseball player Satchel Paige with Pope Francis who is 84.

“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were,” the president joked.

The USCCB’s teaching document on the Eucharist is being drafted and will be discussed at its next meeting in Baltimore, Maryland in November.