How Will Voters’ Religious Identity Impact the 2020 Presidential Election?

Currents News Staff

Both camps are fighting hard to win over Americans with no religious identity. Nones, as they’re called, make up one-fifth of the U.S. population and tend to skew the younger generation with less interest in religion and in voting.

Catholic voters and their religious identity are on the ballot this year with Joe Biden being only the fourth major party Catholic candidate in U.S. history.

“My Catholic faith has helped me through the darkness,” Biden has said.

A win in November would make him the second Catholic to ever hold the nation’s highest political office since John F. Kennedy. That’s something Chris Vogt, the Chair of Theology and Religious Studies Department at St. John’s University, thinks could reinvigorate Catholics in this country.

“As Catholics, we are called to be attentive to Church teaching, but really it is in our conscience where God speaks to us and where we need to come to a decision about the person we need to support in this election,” he told Currents News.

Religion can be central to a voter’s identity. Studies conducted by the Pew Research Center show that Catholics, just like many other religious groups, want a president who lives an ethical and moral life more than a president who shares their own religious beliefs.

Sixty-two percent of them say it’s “very important,” compared to just 14 percent for the latter. The faithful also view religious organizations as forces for good in society. A majority – 62 percent – believe churches and other religious institutions should stay out of politics, versus 37 percent who do not.

While the Catholic vote is critical, non-Christian faiths will play a role too. Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, President of The National Jewish Center For Learning and Leadership, thinks the Jewish vote will reflect the hard choices all voters have to make come November.

“What we have at their best in each community are voters who are seeking to live their values as deeply as possible,” says Rabbi Brad, “and to appreciate that a single value can be lived in politically diametrically opposed ways.”

Those divisions resonate with non Judeo-Christian faiths too, like Muslims, Buddists and Hindus – who make up two to four percent of the U.S. population. A tiny slice that could make a big difference.

“Someone’s deeply held faith should help them seek their conscience and lift up the values they most dearly hold,” says Rabbi Brad. “I actually think that is incredibly beautiful for many of us people of faith. It’s as natural as breathing.”

Religious identity could also affect the vice-presidential debate, starting with the candidates. Kamala Harris is a Baptist, but her mother was a practicing Hindu. Both are diverse religious beliefs that could attract voters to the Biden camp.

Vice President Mike Pence has a strong Evangelical following. Pence is a self-described “Born Again Evangelical Catholic” with strong ties to the Catholic cultural tradition and moral teachings of the Church.

“It’s hard to talk about the religious sensibilities of either Vice President Pence or Senator Harris,” says Rabbi Brad. “The fact of the matter is that they have an opportunity to show us all that – regardless of affiliation with the party or views – on particular issues. Their commitment again to dignity, decency and democracy transcends their desire to win an office.”

The Pence/Harris faceoff is the only vice-presidential debate this election season. With the fate of the two remaining presidential debates still hanging in the balance, it’s impact could be more important than ever.

Bishop DiMarzio Strongly Reacts to State’s Church Restrictions That Put Limits on Church Attendance

By Emily Drooby and Paula Katinas

WINDSOR TERRACE – Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said Wednesday that the rights of Catholics in the Diocese of Brooklyn are being violated, following news that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is mandating new COVID-19 restrictions on church attendance across the Diocese of Brooklyn.

The bishop said that New York State should ease the restriction Cuomo placed on religious institutions, during a news conference on Oct. 6, in so-called red zones, or COVID-19 hot spots, limiting attendance at services to a maximum of 10 people. The bishop wants churches in red zones to be able to operate at 25 percent capacity, without a cap of 10 people. Under the governor’s new order, churches in red zones are allowed to hold religious services at 25 percent capacity but with a 10 percent limit.

“It is outrageous that after incurring great expense to implement all the safety protocols, our parishes are being forced to reduce capacity to a maximum of 10 people in the red zone and 25 people in the orange zone,” Bishop DiMarzio said in a statement released by the Diocese of Brooklyn Tuesday night. “To think that some of our churches have the capacity to hold a thousand people for Mass, a capacity range of 10 to 25 people is disrespectful to Catholics and to the clergy who all have followed the rules and, as such, have prevented a spike in COVID cases within the confines of the hot zones.”

While areas in several neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens have seen increases in COVID-19 cases, the churches have not seen a spike, according to Bishop DiMarzio.

On the governor’s order banning mass gatherings of people, Bishop DiMarzio said the diocese has been obeying that rule all along and has been limiting attendance to 25 percent capacity for Masses. “The fact of the matter is we don’t have mass gatherings,” he said. All church activities, except for Masses, have been temporarily suspended.

Cuomo’s mandate limits attendance at religious services to just 10 people in so-called red zones, where COVID-19 cases are on the rise. The red zones are seeing a positivity of three percent, according to the New York City Department of Health.

Under Cuomo’s directive, three zones are being created – red, orange and yellow – with red zones being neighborhoods where COVID – 19 has seen positivity rates of at least three percent. Orange zones are neighborhoods next the red zones. Next to orange zones are yellow zones.

In orange zones, attendance at religious services is restricted to 33 percent capacity, 25 people maximum. In yellow zones, the capacity will be capped at 50 percent.

Mayor Bill de Blasio released a list of the red and orange zones on Oct. 7, along with a caveat that parts of some neighborhoods straddle both red and orange.

The map shows the affected zones in Brooklyn. (Photos: Courtesy of the Governor’s Office)

In Brooklyn, the red and orange zones are: Borough Park, Kensington, Bensonhurst, Midwood, Flatlands, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Sunset Park, Bergen Beach and parts of Brighton Beach and Coney Island.

The Queens neighborhoods are: Kew Gardens, Briarwood/Jamaica, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Corona, Forest Hills, Edgemere/Far Rockaway, Arverne.

In addition to his objections to the governor’s order, Bishop DiMarzio said Cuomo didn’t reach out to him before making the announcement to give him a heads-up. “I felt disrespected,” he said.

In a press conference on Oct. 6, the governor stated that in addition to closing all schools in those nine zip code areas, he was instituting strict new guidelines on attendance at religious services in those and other neighborhoods.

“Now, we’ve reduced the number of people in houses of worship. I have no problem politically enforcing it,” Cuomo said.

For now, the governor said he is permitting religious institutions to remain open. But on Oct. 5, he suggested the possibility of closing them down if they flout safety rules.

“If you do not agree to follow the rules, then we will close the institutions down. I am prepared to do that,” Cuomo said.

Cuomo’s restrictions cover a wider area than envisioned by Mayor Bill de Blasio who had sought the state’s permission to place restrictions on nine ZIP code areas in Brooklyn and Queens that have seen spikes in COVID-19 cases.

There are two COVID-19 hotspots in Queens. Here is one area.

The ZIP codes are: Edgemere/Far Rockaway (11691), Borough Park (11219), Bensonhurst/Mapleton (11204),Gravesend/Homecrest (11223), Midwood (11230), Flatlands/Midwood (11210), Gerritsen Beach/Homecrest/Sheepshead Bay (11229), Kew Gardens (11415), and Kew Gardens Hills/Pomonok (11367).

The flurry of decisions coming from the mayor and governor aren’t sitting well with Catholics, who charged that religious institutions are being unfairly targeted.

“It’s ridiculous. It absolutely makes no sense,” said Joseph Esposito, a parishioner of St. Athanasius Church, Bensonhurst, a parish located in the 11204 ZIP code area.

Esposito, a former commissioner of the New York City Office of Emergency Management, chaired a committee organized in by Bishop DiMarzio in the spring to develop a plan to safely reopen churches in the diocese once Cuomo allowed churches to reopen following a months-long shutdown.

Churches were closed from March until May, when they were permitted to reopen for private prayer. Weekday Masses resumed in June. Sunday Masses resumed in July. The plan put together by Esposito’s committee includes limiting seating to 25 percent capacity in churches, adhering to social distancing and mandatory wearing of face masks.

“We go out of our way to make sure it is safe. The churches have been doing the right thing. We are being punished for our hard work. And why this is being done by zip code makes no sense. What if you live in one neighborhood and go to church in another?” Esposito told The Tablet.

The second area in Queens where Gov. Andrew Cuomo established zones.

Church leaders reacted with shock to the governor’s comments about the possibility of closing religious institutions.

“We have been following the rules. We have been doing everything to keep our parishioners safe,” said Father José López, administrator of Holy Spirit Parish, Borough Park. “We have signs around the church to remind parishioners of the rules. I appointed six people to spray hand sanitizer when people enter. It would be very hard on us if we had to close now.”

Fr. William With, pastor of Resurrection Church, Gerritsen Beach, said closing his church at this point in time would be a spiritual hardship as well as a practical hardship on his parishioners.

“The sacramental celebrations are so important. It is essential that we stay open,” he told the Tablet.

His parishioners are “just starting to come back” after seeing their church closed for several months, he said. “We have not fully recovered. They are coming back slowly but surely. It would be a bad sign for our people if we had to close now.”

Amy Coney Barrett’s ‘Fidelity Is to the Rule of Law,’ Says Notre Dame Law School Colleague

Currents News Staff

Religion has been a big topic when discussing President Trump’s choice for the supreme court.Conservative Catholic Judge Amy Coney Barrett has been nominated to fill the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat.

Barrett is a mother of seven and a graduate of Notre Dame Law School. She also teaches at the law school.

Joining Currents News is one of her colleagues, and a friend of 22 years, Professor of Law at Notre Dame, Nicole Garnett.

Brooklyn Diocese Parish Communities Confused Over New COVID-19 Restrictions

By Jessica Easthope

Nick DiMola does the same thing every day. Come 8:30 a.m. you know where to find him: in the front left pew of Our Lady of Grace in Gravesend, Brooklyn.

“I don’t think they could stop me even if they locked the doors — I’d say a prayer outside I guess. All my life I’ve been going to church every day, we need it more than ever right now,” he told Currents News.

Just as Catholics like Nick are getting back to church, the threat of closing is once again looming over the Brooklyn Diocese. Parishioners say the way they practice their faith feels like it’s under attack.

“I feel like it’s a persecution. It’s a sacrament — you can’t watch it on TV, you need to receive it. It’s our right to receive the sacrament. We can’t be making these lockdowns and preventing people from practicing their faith in the United States of America, it’s horrible,” said Patricia and John Gallagher, parishioners at Our Lady of Grace.

Church communities are desperate for answers, and pastors are not much more in the know.

“Do everything we ask you to do and still, even after that you can’t worship in church. How sad, how disheartening, what are we supposed to do,” said Father Vincent Chirichella, the Pastor of Our Lady of Grace during his homily Oct. 7.

Father Vincent says state and city leaders are sending mixed messages.

“It’s illogical what they’re doing. If social distancing, masks and hand sanitizing are the things that are supposed to keep us safe and we’re doing it, why are we limiting it to 10 people,” he said.

The confusion surrounding the changes swirled throughout the diocese on Wednesday.

“10 maximum or 25 percent which didn’t make any sense to me which is a very confusing thing for us,” said Father David Dettmer, pastor of St. Edmund’s Church in Sheepshead Bay.

Father David says he’s frustrated knowing his church will once again see attendance go down. But it’s more than just wanting parishioners to come worship, for some churches, the future depends on it.

“It will also affect us financially, because it will affect the collection and that will affect the parish,” said Father Vincent.

As “Red Zone” parishes wait for further instruction, Catholics are again forced to imagine life without church and wonder what more could have been done.

Dedication of Annunciation

Anthony Mangano and Msgr. Jamie go over the history of Annunciation leading up to the blessing of the church by our most holy, Bishop DiMarzio.

Currents News full broadcast for Tues, 10/6/20 (Catholic news)

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

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

Parents and students at Good Shepherd Catholic Academy protest the sudden closure of their school.

Governor Cuomo announced new restrictions on churches in the coronavirus hotspots and surrounding areas.

How the power of prayer is helping so many Catholics during the COVID crisis.

Joe Biden says he’ll make Roe v. Wade the law of the land – as Republicans push to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.

Parents, Students Protest Catholic School Closure as Brooklyn COVID Hot Spot Faces More Restrictions

By Emily Drooby

Parents and students outside of Good Shepherd Catholic Academy in Marine Park, Brooklyn are demanding the State of New York let the school reopen.

“I said, ‘This time we’re not doing this without a fight,’ because there’s really no reason this time for the shut down,'” parent Katie Biscione told Currents News.

The parent organized protest was in response to the last-minute forced closure of all schools in nine COVID hot spot zip codes.

“It just came as a shock, seeing the kids coming out of school crying was a real heartbreaker, and that’s why today as parents our voice needs to be heard,” David Evans, who helped organize the event, explained.

Parents argued that the school has been safe, while Principal John O’Brien they’ve had zero cases of COVID since they opened on September 9.

“So, why should our students have to be home today? They’ve been taking their precautions. They’re healthy, thank God,” he said.

The school was already using a hybrid model of learning.

Five other Catholic schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn have been affected by the closure: St. Edmunds Prep, Brooklyn Jesuit Prep, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy in Gravesend, St. Edmund Elementary School in Sheepshead Bay, and St. Athanasius In Bensonhurt.

Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn, Thomas Chadzutko, is proud of how schools handled the last-minute closure, they were given less than 24 hours’ notice.

“We were able to do what we really wanted to do and to teach the children this morning and make sure they had best they could a normal day, because children are upset,” he explained.

Parents that spoke out at Good Shepherd Catholic Academy said they’re considering legal actions.

Just a few hours after the protest, the governor announced further restrictions to attack these COVID clusters. There will now be three zones around them – red, orange and yellow. All schools in the red and orange zone will be closed, while all schools in the yellow zone will be subject to mandatory testing.

As of right now, the schools office tells Currents News they are not yet sure which schools these new changes will affect.

The new rules will last for at least two weeks. They have to be in effect no later than Friday.

Bishop Paprocki Challenges Government Mandated Lockdowns

Currents News Staff

Prolonged government shutdowns and the threat of renewed coronavirus lockdowns are pushing many communities to their breaking point.

Joining Currents News is the Bishop of Springfield, Ill., Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, who has been living through stay-at-home orders for months and is now suggesting that some measurements should be avoided in the future.

How Praying the Rosary Helped One Woman Through COVID-19 Loss

By Jessica Easthope

Liz Basile’s faith has always been strong.

“We always went to church together and learned the rosary from the time we were young,” Liz said.

So when the unthinkable happened, her first instinct was to pray.

“I prayed, I watched the Mass every day on Zoom at St. Patrick’s Cathedral,” she explained. “I read my ‘Jesus Calling,’ that was certainly my first reaction,” she said.

Earlier this year coronavirus devastated Liz’s family. Liz, her husband Allen, her brother Michael and her mother Josephine all contracted the virus.

“The virus and the power that it has is something you just can’t battle,” Liz said.

After lengthy stays in the hospital, her brother and husband thankfully recovered. But her mom, Josephine lost her battle with coronavirus on April 11.

“She was a diabetic and she was 90 and when people say how old that doesn’t necessarily mean she was ready to pass,” Liz said with tears in her eyes.

For as long as Liz can remember, Josephine’s faith and family were the center of her life. During the pandemic, Liz became attached to the rosary and began to view it with the same devotion as her mother did.

“She had rosaries all over her house and she never was afraid and she said I prayed my rosary why would I be afraid,” said Liz.

When it felt like the virus had defeated her big, tight knit family, Liz found her strength in faith. Her prayer group, her parish — St. Patrick’s on Staten Island, and a bereavement group have been sources of comfort. But her family is the driving force bringing her closer to God.

“If we turn away we don’t have any hope. If we turn toward, we will be strengthened,” said Liz.

So just like the way her mother lived — without fear — Liz knows exactly where to turn.

Custody of the Holy Land Offers Christians in the Region Affordable Housing, Edu. During Pandemic

By Claudia Torres

For decades, Christians have been leaving the Holy Land for other parts of the world, including the United States, South America and Australia, in search of better opportunities and peace.

“These are the main reasons why the Christians left the Holy Land, because of the war, the continuous war and the difficulties the war gave to them. Especially the economical difficulties pushed the Christians to start leaving in order to find places where they can work, they can gain money and they can live peacefully,” explained Fr. Ramzi Sidawi, General Administrator of Custody of the Holy Land

That’s why the Custody of the Holy Land, part of the Franciscan mission there, has been offering Christians affordable housing and education, with a number of low-tuition schools for kids to attend.

The Custody has over 500 houses in the city of Jerusalem alone; some in Bethlehem and a few in Nazareth. It’s working on setting up additional houses, renting them out for no more than 25 percent of the city’s normal rental price.

“For other communities, where they don’t have this possibility of having these houses, a lot of people left. So we understand now that giving this possibility of having a peaceful house helped a lot the Christians to remain here,” Fr. Ramzi told Currents News.

The situation is becoming even more precarious, as Israel is the first country to go into a second full lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Now the tourist industry is completely shut down, and the number of pilgrims is down to zero. This has been a crippling blow especially for the Christian community, whose livelihood relies heavily on these sectors. All of this is added to the long-standing challenges of being a relatively tiny religious group in the region.

“We are living among our brothers, Jews and Muslims. We live together. We study together. We work together, and we want to remain. The future for us is the same future for the Holy Land. So what’s going to happen for everybody, it’s going to happen for our people,” Fr. Ramzi said.

With the future of the Holy Land so uncertain, Fr. Ramzi is concerned that Christians will be the first to suffer because they are such a small group. That’s why the Custody continues to offer them as much support as it can.