First New York Coronavirus Case Puts City Officials on High Alert

By Emily Drooby

Coronavirus has made its way to New York City. On March 2, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and city Mayor Bill de Blasio teamed up to give details on the case: a 39-year-old woman who is a healthcare worker.

She was working in Iran and flew back to New York Feb. 25.

“She did not take any public transportation,,” said Gov. Cuomo. “As she was a healthcare worker, she was very aware of this situation and the potential for this situation. We don’t believe that she was contagious when she was on the plane.”

Still, they’re contacting the other passengers just in case. They did not say which airport or airline were involved, and the woman took a private car to her home.

According to Gov. Cuomo, the woman was tested at Mount Sinai. She’s now quarantined inside her home along with her husband, who health officials say is the only person she had prolonged contact with.

The governor also said that while they’re taking precautions, more cases are likely.

“You’re not going to eliminate the spread, but you can limit the spread and testing is very important,” he explained, “and that’s why the federal government allowing us to test is a very big deal.”

New York City should be able to test for coronavirus starting March 6. Officials are calling that a big deal when it comes to prevention – results will take hours instead of day.

Along with New York, first cases have also been reported in Rhode Island and Florida, meaning the virus is now in at least 10 U.S. states.

Some schools in Washington and Oregon have closed for cleaning, and top U.S. officials say they’re working on a vaccine.

President Trump is asking that vaccine production to be accelerated, and will be sitting down with pharmaceutical CEOs to discuss.

Gov. Cuomo said he understands the anxiety regarding the coronavirus, but he told everyone to relax, adding that the city is working hard to fight the virus and putting new cleaning protocols into place in schools and on public transportation.

Officials added that if you think you might be sick, get to a healthcare provider right away – you can call 3-1-1 if there are any issues getting to one.

Pope Francis Cancels Annual Lenten Retreat Due to Cold

By Tim Harfmann

Pope Francis was visibly sick Sunday, March 1 as he delivered the Angelus in Saint Peter’s Square.

The 83-year-old pontiff said a cold forced him to cancel plans to attend a Lenten retreat.

“Unfortunately, this cold is keeping me from participating this year. I will follow the reflections from here,” he told the crowd.

The Holy Father usually attends the annual, week-long retreat in southern Italy with top officials of the Roman Curia.

“I unite myself spiritually to the Curia and all the people living moments of prayer by doing the spiritual exercises at home,” he said.

Pope Francis stopped several times during Sunday’s audience. It was his first public appearance in days. The Holy Father has been under the weather since last week.

On Ash Wednesday, he could be seen coughing and wiping his nose.

Riding around Saint Peter’s Square last week, the popemobile didn’t stop as pilgrims shouted to the Holy Father.

“We pray for you. We pray for you, Holy Father. We pray for you,” a group of pilgrims yelled.

As of now, Pope Francis continues to celebrate early morning Mass in Santa Marta and keep individual meetings

‘Fatima’ Film Tells True Story of Marian Apparitions

Currents News Staff

In 1917, three children in the town of Fatima, Portugal, received a number of Marian apparitions. 100 years later, their experience continues to impact the world.

The film “Fatima” is inspired by real events and tells the story of siblings Francisco and Jacinta, and their cousin, Lucia, who at a young age receive several apparitions from the Blessed Mother.

“Who are you?” they asked.

“I come from Heaven,” the Blessed Mother told them.

The film shows how the children’s communication of these episodes is met with mixed reactions. Some respond with skepticism and even anger.

“It is a sin to be making lies up,” the mother of the children told them.

“It’s true, momma,” they said. “She was as real as you are.”

“Why would the Mother of God choose you? What’s so special about you?” she asked the youth.

Others in the film, however, are drawn to the mystery of the Lady of which the children speak.

Thousands of pilgrims then travel to Fatima, hoping to see a miracle. What they see there changes them forever.

The film is directed by Marco Pontecorvo, and the soundtrack features the voice of Andrea Bocelli in the song, “Gratia Plena.”

The apparitions in Fatima remain widely known even today. After the Church verified the legitimacy of the miracles, the town became one of Portugal’s most popular pilgrimage sites, drawing over five million visitors each year.

Even Pope Francis visited in 2017, for the 100-year anniversary of the apparitions.

The film will be released in theaters throughout North America, on April 24, 2020.

NYC Faces First Known Case of Coronavirus as U.S. Concerns Grow

Currents News Staff

The U.S. is on heightened alert following the first two deaths from the coronavirus in the country. The White House coronavirus task force is expressing “great concern” there will be more person-to-person transmissions of the disease on American soil.

“My concern is as next week or two go by, we’re going to see a lot more community-related cases,” explained Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

One of the men was a resident at a long-term care facility in Kirkland, Washington, where officials are monitoring a possible outbreak.

Also in Washington state, and nearby Oregon, a handful of schools are closed for cleaning after people either tested positive for the virus, or are undergoing testing.

“Everyone’s been extra cautious, extra hand washing,” explained Lanie Kelly, a parent in the region.

These are just the latest precautions being taken following an increase in cases across the U.S., and thousands are being monitored, tested or under some type of quarantine across the country.

To date, over 80 cases have been reported in the U.S., including the first known case in New York City — a 39-year-old woman who had been working in Iran and returned to New York by plane Feb. 25.

March 2, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo held a joint press conference where they provided additional information regarding the case and said that the risk of coronavirus in the city remains low.

According to Gov. Cuomo, the woman — a healthcare worker — was aware of the situation and the potential for the spread of the virus, and for that reason did not take public transportation during her travels.

“We don’t believe that she was contagious when she was on the plane or when she took a private car from the airport to her residence, but out of an abundance of caution, we will be contacting the people who were on the flight with her from Iran to New York and the driver of that car service,” he explained.

The healthcare worker’s spouse also traveled with her from Iran and is being tested as well. “We are assuming that he would be positive given the circumstances, and he has been following the same protocols that she has been following,” Gov. Cuomo added.

Now, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are negotiating a multi-billion dollar spending package to deal with the virus on a national scale.

Democrats have blasted President Trump for his handling of the virus, at times contradicting the Centers for Disease Control and other medical experts on the severity.

“I think the administration was slow to react in the beginning,” said Democratic Senator Doug Jones of Alabama. “I don’t know if it was just denying the science or what. I think they’re doing a lot more to try and get a handle on this.”

Vatican’s World War II Archives Open to Scholars

Currents News Staff

March 2 marks a moment of truth for the Vatican, as the world waits to discover what is in the archives of Pope Pius XII.

The archives contain several million letters, cables and documents relating to Pope Pius XII, pontiff during the World War II, who has been accused of not doing enough to help save people of Jewish faith during the Holocaust.

Menachem Rosensaft, executive director of the World Jewish Congress, said the opening of these archives is a “tremendous step forward.”

“I think we need to express our enormous gratitude and appreciation to Pope Francis for taking this step of relying on the verdict of history and handing over to scholars what is the last archive that remains to be explored,” he said.

The reputation of Pope Pius XII has long been tainted by accusations that he remained silent in the face of the Holocaust.

Dr. Johan Ickx, head of Vatican secretary of state archives, said he has personally reviewed over one million documents, and the accusations against Pope Pius XII are unfounded.

“He was not at all silent, and all his nuncios in central Europe and also in the north of Europe were also actively doing nothing else than trying to save people, people – also jews – people – because that was one of their charges,” he explained.

From March 2, scholars will be allowed into the Vatican archives to study the files

When Pope Francis decided to open these archives he said, “the Church is not afraid of history,” and that he hopes these files will shed light on what he calls the “hidden but active diplomacy” of Pope Pius XII during the war.

A group of Jewish scholars will also be among those studying the papers.

“We can’t rewrite history,” explained Rosensaft, “but history has to be written based on full evidence and that is what we’re looking for.”

This evidence is now available at the Vatican, waiting for history to be written.

Coming to Christ: New Catholics Prepare to Receive Sacraments

By Tim Harfmann

Walking across the stage, people took their final steps to becoming Catholic on March 1.

Abiola Arawumi was one of them. He attends Mass, but wants more for his life.

“I call myself a Christian, but at the same time I’m not being Christ-like in a way,” he said.

Arawumi will become a full-fledged member of the Church at this year’s Easter Vigil, when he receives the sacraments.

Many of the people attending the ‘Rite of Election’ ceremony are the ‘catechumens,’ meaning they’ll be baptized, confirmed and receive first communion at the vigil.

In the Brooklyn Diocese, there are 484 adults and 84 children who are catechumens.

There are also the ‘candidates,’ baptized Christians seeking a full, Catholic sacramental life.

There will be 413 confirmed and receiving the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. An additional 105 are Christian converts to Catholicism.

Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio is encouraged by the large group.

“It’s a very good boost because we see people that are enthusiastic about the work of the Church, they want to be part of the Church, so it is really an affirmation,” Bishop DiMarzio said.

Grace Wang, who came from China two years ago, is enthusiastic about receiving her sacraments.

“I had no chance to be a real Catholic in China, so I came here.”

Wang endured her faith despite facing persecution from the Chinese communists.

“Sometimes the government told me no, they don’t allow me to [receive sacraments]. so, for a long time, I couldn’t go the church. I could just pray in my home,” Wang said.

The Easter Vigil will be on Saturday, April 11.

Pope Francis Not Concerned About Coronavirus, Said to Be ‘Slightly Unwell’

By Melissa Butz

Amidst fears of the coronavirus spreading throughout Italy, Pope Francis is home sick for the second day in a row. He canceled all his meetings for the day, apart from morning Mass.

The 83-year old pontiff first showed signs he was ill on Ash Wednesday, when he was seen coughing while outside in the cold weather.

Feb. 28 he canceled some of his meetings after skipping a penance service with Rome priests Feb. 27.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni has said Pope Francis is “slightly unwell.”

However, Thursday morning Pope Francis met with members of the Global Catholic Climate Movement and Friday morning he celebrated Mass as Casa Santa Marta.

From all indications, the Holy Father is suffering from a mild cold and is not concerned about having the coronavirus since he greeted pilgrims at both events and is still participating in private meetings from his home.

Pope Francis spoke about the virus at his General Audience Wednesday morning. It is spreading throughout Italy, but no one in Rome is infected.

“I want to express, once more, my closeness to the sick infected by the coronavirus, as well as to medical workers caring for them, civil authorities and everyone working to treat the sick and contain the spread,” Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis didn’t seem too concerned about his health on Wednesday though, as he still toured St. Peter’s Square and even greeted pilgrims.

Most likely, the pontiff is laying low and taking care, especially since he only has one lung. The other was removed as a teenager, likely from an infection.

By resting now, he can be healthy and ready to depart on his week-long, spiritual Lenten retreat in the south of Rome on Sunday afternoon.

The Holy Father is under the care of his personal physician while resting at his home inside the Vatican, Casa Santa Marta.

Currents News full broadcast for Fri, 2/28/20

On the newscast: The latest on the coronavirus; Plus – for a second day – Pope Francis cancels scheduled events after apparently coming down with a cold; A real-life lesson in law and order for Xaverian High School students – inside the Kings County courthouse; Also: Hillary Clinton takes on a very different job; And students at Our Lady’s Catholic Academy in South Ozone Park – marking Black History Month with a unique celebration.

Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.

‘In God We Trust’: Catholic Students Learn About the Judicial System

By Jessica Easthope

When Judge Vincent Del Giudice steps onto the bench, he can be pretty tough.

But his stern public persona is nowhere to be found when he talks about something close to his heart: his alma mater, Xaverian High School in Downtown Brooklyn.

“My family made it important for me to have a Catholic education, and instilled in me the value of education, and so did the Xaverian brothers and for what you take, you have to give back,” he explained.

For the acting Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice, giving back looks like this: every year he invites a group of seniors from Xaverian to get an inside look at what it’s like to do his job.

This year, students who are in a law class toured his chambers and watched him make rulings on some of the many murder cases he presides over. It’s all part of a Catholic education that takes them far beyond the walls of a classroom.

“It’s great to see all the Xaverian stuff especially behind me,” said senior Edward Conti from the courthouse. “Once you leave, you’re always paying homage to it.”

Although these students got a full rundown of the judicial system what they found most valuable is something you can’t learn in a courtroom or a classroom.

“We do a lot of things based on community service and what’s right and wrong in terms of the religious aspect,” explained senior Nicole Montana, “so I feel like this ties into that well.”

“It’s more of a moral thing,” Edward observed of Judge Del Giudice’s duties. “It’s not just this, and that he’s more of a person inside and has to look through the case himself.”

It’s Xaverian High School that Judge Del Giudice credits for his balanced scales of justice.

“As a Catholic you use your moral compass in deciding issues, and that’s what I try to instill in these students,” he said.

50 Years Gone, But Not Forgotten: NYPD Hero Remembered at Queens Church

Currents News Staff

A memorial service was held for fallen NYPD Transit Officer and Catholic, Michael Melchiona, who 50 years ago on Feb. 28 was shot while in pursuit of a gunman.

He left behind a wife, a two-year-old, and a five-week -old infant. Those children and the rest of his family were at the church.

One of his brothers, Henry, was moved by the cop’s memorial.

“Michael was 29-years old when he was killed,” Henry recalled

Officer Melchiona grew up on Skillman Avenue, not far from Saint Sebastian Church in Woodside, Queens, where the memorial was held.