The Race To Find Survivors Continues After Deadly Florida Building Collapse

Authorities are trying to find survivors after a massive 12-story condo partially collapsed in Surfside, Florida, just north of Miami.

At least one person is dead and dozens were rescued while nearly 100 are still missing.

“This is beyond crazy,” says Surfside Mayor Charles W. Burkett. “This doesn’t happen in first world countries. Buildings just don’t fall down like this.”

Rescue crews dig through the rubble and debris of a collapsed condo building desperately searching for survivors.

“They are doing everything they can to save lives and that is ongoing,” says Gov. Ron DeSantis, “and they are not going to rest.”

About 55 units crumbled to the ground without warning around 1:30 Thursday morning.

Barry Cohen was rescued from the condo.

“I opened the door and it was a pile of rubble and dust and smoke billowing around,” he said. “And I couldn’t walk out past my doorway.”

Aaron Miles was a witness to the chaos.

“Everybody was screaming and panicking,” says Aaron.

Trapped in the debris was a 10-year-old boy. Nicholas Balboa helped rescue the young boy from the rubble.

“I saw an arm sticking out of the wreckage and he was screaming, ‘Can you see me?’” Nicholas says. “He was screaming, ‘don’t leave me, don’t leave me, don’t leave me.'”

Crews, with the help of Good Samaritans, pulled the boy out from under the wreckage.

“He has a guardian angel, that’s all I can say,” Nicholas continues. “Given all that happened, he came out unscathed.”

But dozens are still missing and the time to find survivors may be running out.

David Paulison is the former Chief of the Miami – Dade fire rescue and says the rescue is going to be tough.

“This is going to be a very difficult rescue for those who are still trapped,” David says.

As the search continues, so do the questions about how a building standing for 40 years can suddenly fall.

“Yesterday the building seemed normal, nothing seemed off,” adds Aaron.

“We just don’t have any answers right now, but we’ll get them,” the Florida mayor says. “We’re going to find out what happened.”

Chinese Catholics Reflect on Religious Freedom in the Wake of Country’s New Three-Child Policy

By Jessica Easthope

Kathleen can’t tell you her last name, but she wants you to know her story.

“I was pregnant at the time,” she says. “It was my second and they told me if I gave birth in China, I would get in a lot of trouble, like losing my job and losing my property.”

It’s the story of so many Chinese families, torn between a government policy and faith. After having her first daughter, Kathleen dodged the government mandated birth control. Then in 1998, she became pregnant with her second daughter. She knew she would be forced to go against God’s will.

“I just sneaked away. I didn’t do that, so when I got pregnant, I must get an abortion,” Kathleen says. “There is no choice.”

Years later, China is undergoing a major policy shift – one the government hopes will help grow its now declining population. For the first time in decades, married couples are allowed to have three children. In 1980, China’s one-child policy went into effect, shortly before the country became home to more than one-billion people.

“The third-child policy right now, I think in terms of policy, of course it’s a major switch, a major change,” said Sister Monica Gan, C.S.T., the pastoral associate at St. John Vianney Church in Flushing, Queens. “But in reality, it does not make a change.”

Sister Monica says while much of the world views the third-child policy as progress, Chinese people, especially Chinese Catholics, do not.

“One child policy, three-child policy, even ten-child policy, it’s the same thing,” Sister Monica says. “The government makes the decision for you and we know the right of reproduction comes from God. Human beings cannot interfere.”

Though the third-child policy is still impossible to live under for many Chinese Catholics, if it had been in place in 1998, Kathleen would be raising her family in China today.

“Yes, I would have stayed in China,” she said. “My family is there, my parents were there. Of course we wanted to stay together. I think I have no choice.”

They believe it’s another form of religious persecution that is rampant in the country.

“The limited family and Christian persecution expose the same problem – no human rights,” Sister Monica says.

Experts at the Centre for China and Globalization say the country could abolish family planning policies all together within the next few years.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday, 6/24/21

Religious Freedom Week puts its focus on The Equality Act. The measure meant to fight discrimination could itself discriminate against the Church.

An intense rescue effort after a building collapse in Miami. The archdiocese is praying for the victims and first responders.

Republicans on Capitol Hill are pushing to make the Hyde Amendment permanent.

President Biden and lawmakers come to an agreement on infrastructure —but their work is far from over.

U.S. Bishops and Critics of The Equality Act Claim It Will Lead to Discrimination Against Catholics

By Emily Drooby

The ability to live out one’s faith is at risk if The Equality Act passes in the U.S. Senate.

That’s according to Ed Mechmann, the Archdiocese of New York’s Director of Safe Environment. The Equality Act is supposed to stop discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. However, critics including U.S. bishops, argue it actually discriminates against Catholics.

“They’re not bad people, they have good motives,” said Ed. “They want to ban discrimination. That’s fine, but I don’t think they realize the implications of a bill like this on religious organizations and religious people.”

Ed says the impact would be great, especially since it eliminates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as its potential defense.

What that means, for example, is if a Catholic hospital did not approve of doing a gender reassignment surgery, faith wouldn’t be an excuse to say ‘no.’

“We would be forced to say things and do things that our faith really forbids us from doing,” Ed said.

He called the potential elimination “unprecedented in American history.”

The implications of this broad act could be far reaching. For example, it would likely force hospitals to perform abortions and have employees cover the operation.

When it comes to schools, it could force women to share spaces like dorms or locker rooms with men and could force schools to become co-ed.

It could possibly allow men into women’s prisons, which could be seen as a potential safety issue.

“They have full-bodied males who claim to civil rights [in order] to be housed with the women, putting them at risk,” explains Mary Hasson. She is the Kate O’ Beirne Fellow at The Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

As a fellow on public policy, she’s an expert on issues affecting faith and women. She’s very concerned about this act.

“It tips the scales and says it’s sort of a “winner take all” that these sexual orientation and gender identify categories are always going to trump anyone’s religious beliefs,” Mary said.

The Equality Act has already passed in the House.

“It is just a hugely important bill to defeat in the Senate if it comes up to a vote,” Mary added.

Critics and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops are trying to do just that, reaching out to lawmakers, educating them on the negative effect it could have on the faithful.

While there has been some talk of the Senate getting to this legislation during Pride Month – it has recently stalled. Catholics are already gearing up for legal battles in case the act does get a majority vote and pass.

Religious Freedom Week: Church Vandalism (Full)

Members of the Diocese speak out on the recent acts of vandalism that have taken place. From the toppling of the cross outside of St. Athanasius Church to the destruction of the Rosary garden at the Shrine Church of St. Gerard Majella, each video details the unthinkable crimes and shows the unwavering faith in each parish

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday, 6/23/21

Catholic school students took the field after hitting home runs in the classroom.

The ballots have been cast in the city’s mayoral primary but we still don’t know which democrat will be on the ticket in November.

President Biden has a plan to tackle crime, while gun violence spikes nationwide.

St. John’s Bread & Life Remains Steadfast for Brooklyn Residents in Need Beyond the Pandemic

By Jessica Easthope

Nearly a year and a half into the pandemic and the lines at St. John’s Bread & Life in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn still stretch the block. As people get back to normal and hope to leave the crisis behind them, Bread & Life is working overtime to make sure those in need are not forgotten.

“Food unites us and whether you’re 90 years old or 30 years old, we all have to eat,” said Sister Caroline Tweedy, the executive director. “And we see a need and really try to live out that Catholic social teaching of doing for the other.”

Over the last year, Bread & Life fed 77,000 people, handed out three-million meals and sustained food pantries in 24 other communities across Brooklyn.

“We never turn anyone away, which is what I’m proudest of,” Sister Caroline said. “We’ve never turned anyone away. Not everyone is called to work here, but everyone is called to do something.”

They’ve mastered the “bread” but what about the “life” part? As the organization moves from crisis to recovery, the people who need Bread & Life for social services are also lining up.

“When they come to us, we’re going to fight 100 percent to get their benefits put in place,” said Mildred Gutierrez. She’s a senior case worker at Bread & Life. “It’s been hard on them, but they come here. We give them as much food as we can and as much help as we can and at the end of the day, they come out winning.”

St. John’s Bread & Life is a one-stop shop. They not only provide food, but also help with benefits, rent assistance and medical needs, hoping to enrich every aspect of life.

“Through your work and your clients, it makes a whole lot of difference. It makes your life worth living actually, helping others,” Mildred said.

The pandemic tested Bread & Life’s mission and challenged its staff. Yet, they proved no one was above pitching-in.

“The first time I saw Sister Marie pushing a pallet jack, I knew we’ve done it,” Sister Caroline said. “The first time I saw our security staff in there packing bags, this is what it’s all about. It’s teamwork because it could be any one of us on that line.”

The operation has tripled – and now there’s no turning back. St. John’s Bread & Life is ready for anything.

Top Students in the Diocese of Brooklyn Honored During Catholic Schools Night

By Emily Drooby and Erin DeGregorio

CONEY ISLAND — Gray skies and rainy, wind-swept weather didn’t stop some of the best and the brightest students in the Diocese of Brooklyn from celebrating their academic achievements at the annual Catholic Schools Night event.

The festivities, sponsored by the diocese, DeSales Media Group, and the Catholic Telemedia Network, took place June 22 at Maimonides Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Valedictorians and salutatorians from the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Catholic academies and parish schools were honored on the diamond prior to the Cyclones taking the field against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Gina Krainchich, director of educational media services for DeSales Media, the parent company of The Tablet, said the 55 honorees were the highest number of invited eighth-graders in Catholic Schools Night history.

“This is the third year that we’re doing it [Catholic Schools Night],” Krainchich said regarding the return of the event. “We did not do it last year because of the pandemic, so we’re thrilled to be back at the stadium.”

In recognition of their academic excellence, the recent graduates were each presented with a medal and a commemorative Catholic Schools Night t-shirt in front of hundreds of fans.

Michael Sheehan and Kaylie Cruz, this year’s valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, from St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Academy in Windsor Terrace, were ecstatic to be invited to the game.

“It’s really nice that we’re going to be able to meet up, especially after graduation,” said Sheehan, who will be attending Xaverian High School this fall.

Cruz, who is bound for St. Saviour High School, added: “Being able to finally be free without the mask, without the restrictions, without all of these things prohibiting you from doing what you would usually do — and finally being able to go back to the way things used to be — I think that’s just great and very exciting.”

Leeannah Solages, the salutatorian from Our Lady of Trust Catholic Academy in Canarsie, credited her family for helping her finish out the school year on a high note.

“My parents and my [older] brother, as well, helped me focus, helped me study,” Solages said. “They’re my biggest inspiration and they helped me throughout the whole year.”

Ann Marie Spies, an eighth-grade teacher and the assistant principal at Divine Mercy Catholic Academy in Ozone Park, came out to Maimonides Park to support her students and fellow colleagues.

“We love doing things as a school and as a family, and it’s just so important that these children are recognized for all the hard work that they put in,” she said.

“It was just really a magnificent show of love and support in a really difficult time,” said Spies, explaining how the school community bonded closely throughout the year. “That’s what children are all about. They are our future.”

Joan McMaster, the associate superintendent for principal and teacher personnel in the diocese, also noted the commitment families and school staff members made to help the students finally reach the end of another school year.

“All of our teachers, principals, and students worked tirelessly all summer so that school could be open for in-person [learning],” she said. “So, being at this point now is unbelievable that we made it. We did it and we all did it together collaboratively.”

Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, the diocese’s vicar for development, echoed McMaster’s sentiments.

“We’re proud of what they have done,” he said. “We want to make sure that they have a great future and that they know they always have a family to come back to.”

Editor Emeritus of The Tablet Ed Wilkinson — who retired from the newspaper staff last September after a 50-year-long career — was also an MVP of the night. Miniature bobbleheads in his likeness were distributed to families who purchased a baseball game ticket as part of the celebration.

“Tonight is the first night that the ballpark is being sold at 100-percent capacity,” he said before throwing out the first pitch.

“It shows that Brooklyn is back and our event is back,” Wilkinson continued. “We’re really happy that we could get as many people in here tonight for this event — to give the kids the recognition that they deserve and also to give a little exposure to Catholic schools.”

Music Is Back in NYC’s Subways After the Program Shut Down for the Pandemic

By Emily Drooby

Through the unmistakable sounds of the morning commute on New York City subways, music can be heard. It’s a welcome sound that has been missed for 14 months.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) is finally restarting the Music Under New York Program, which was shut down during the pandemic.

That means a music revival will reopen some of New York’s most populated stages to about 350 performers including Eganam “Égo” Segbefia.

In between performances, Eganam told Currents News that it feels good to be back.

“Coming back here, there’s a different feel,” he said, “and to now to have that option to say, you know I’m going to sign up, it’s something that I’m definitely looking forward to.”

A delicate dance occurs when his fingers move seamlessly across the trumpet. It’s a gift he has been perfecting since the fifth grade. The instrument was his solace after moving to New York from Nigeria.

“I used to get teased for my English,” Eganam said, “and so the band class was the one class that everybody had something to cover their mouth, so no one was teasing me. And it became my safe haven.”

His talents became a safe haven and a beautiful gift that eventually became a job. However, that was threatened when the pandemic hit.

“It was rather tough, especially financially,” he said. “Our industry was literally shut down because we were predicated on being intimate with people.”

He played in Central Park and held livestream concerts for 52 weeks straight. Eganam never gave up on his great love. Now, like the city itself, live music is back, too.

Through his songs, this Christian man is bringing life and a smile to commuters. Hearing performers in the subway system has always been a treat, but now it’s an inspiration and a sign that NYC is healing.

“Music has that way of just bringing us life,” he said.

‘We’ll Be Back in the Courts’ Says Archbishop Thomas Wenski As Foster Care Ruling Declared a ‘Victory’ for Religious Freedom

Currents News Staff

Archbishop Thomas Wenski, the former chairman of the United States Bishop’s Committee for Religious Liberty, joined Currents News.

The archbishop from the Diocese of Miami discussed the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling between Catholic Social Services and the city of Philadelphia. He also spoke about what the ruling means for religious freedom rights.