Pope Francis Cancels Meetings for Second Day in a Row

By Melissa Butz

For the second consecutive day Pope Francis has canceled his meetings due to a bad cold.

The Vatican spokesman said Feb. 28 the pontiff celebrated morning Mass and greeted the participants, but decided not to leave home.

Pope Francis, 83, had to cancel an important meeting with managers of IBM and Microsoft to sign a “call to ethics” in Artificial Intelligence.

On Feb. 26, it was very cold outside during the General Audience. Later that day, he processed through the streets of Rome and celebrated Mass on Ash Wednesday in an ancient and cold Roman basilica.

The Holy Father has his doctor, Fabrizio Soccorsi, who he consults for these delicate issues.

His doctor has advised him to take care of himself and not leave Casa Santa Marta.

Currents News full broadcast for Thurs, 2/27/20

On the newscast: Pope Francis cancels a visit with Rome’s priests because he’s under the weather; Students at a Bishop Loughlin High School get a first-hand look at the effects of vaping; A special report on facial recognition technology. Women of faith now shining a light on companies using it to track your every move; Plus: Can you eat a meatless burger on Fridays during Lent?

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.

Catholic Retreat House to Close Doors for Renovation

By Tim Harfmann

The Bishop Molloy Retreat House in Jamaica Estates, Queens, is run by the Passionate priests.

It’s been open for nearly 100 years, but that’s changing — not enough people are going to the oasis for prayer and reflection.

“If we have 70, that’s a very good size group for us,” explained Father John Lee, the retreat house’s director.

According to Fr. Lee, come June the once-flourishing center is closing down to get ready for a comeback.

Bishop Molloy Retreat House is going to be refreshed and renovated to present a brighter face to Catholics.

The programs are all going to be updated with a special focus on a new generation of believers.

“I don’t think it’s a mystery that maintaining these large institutions has become increasingly challenging,” said Father Jim O’Shea, Provincial of the Eastern Province of Passionists.

“We see closures happening all over the place…despite the excellent work, you’re still dealing with a church that’s extraordinarily different than the church that founded this place many, many years ago.”

“But the renovations won’t only be happening inside the retreat house,” he added. “Changes will be made outdoors as well. Solar panels will be installed in the parking lot you see behind me to help save God’s green earth and cut down on costs.”

“And that will produce a significant amount of clean energy that will help to fulfill the mission that Pope Francis has asked us to do, but also it’s our moral responsibility as leaders,” he said.

“I think we really are latching onto something that has high potential,” said Fr. Lee.

The retreat house plans on being back in business within a year.

Eyes on You: Nuns Are Keeping Facial Recognition Companies In Check

By Tamara Laine

Advances in facial recognition software are just the latest in polarizing technology that has limitless potential for mankind, and for abuse.

It is a 5 billion dollar industry, and rising. Companies are developing technology that can track your every move, use your face to unlock doors and even follow your church attendance.

But as tech giants and little-known startups race to sell their software, their efforts have collided with an unlikely force: religious sisters who are showing no mercy.

“There are wonderful contributions that technology has given us, but we also have to be attentive to the misuse,” explained Sister Pat Daly of the Sisters of Saint Dominic.

“The fact that it has the potential to be such a violation of human rights on so many levels,” is a concern, added Sister Patricia Mahoney of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Brentwood, Long Island.

These two women of faith are taking on some of America’s most powerful companies —

Amazon and Northrop Grumman —and they are doing it as major shareholders and investors, banning together to leverage their influence to pressure corporations for change.

“If you have shares in a company, you have a right as a shareholder,” explained Sr. Mahoney, “to launch a proposal or gather others to do it with you, which is what we do.”

Tucked away in a humble office in Brooklyn, New York, Sr. Mahoney reviewed a shareholder proposal that her coalition of investors submitted to Amazon in 2019.

“It’s a very brief resolution, asking simply that they stop marketing it to ICE, making it available to ICE, and that the hope is further really, sophistication of the product and regulation in place,” she said.

Amazon and Northrop Grumman are two of hundreds of companies racing to create technology driven by artificial intelligence.

Last quarter alone, Amazon’s web services division, which operates their recognition app, brought in 10 billion dollars in revenue. Though their software is available to the general public, they’ve made a major push to sell it to law enforcement.

A major concern for Sr. Daly, was the recent Northrop Grumman deal with the Department of Homeland Security. The 95 million dollar contract to build a biometrics database, raising red flags for women of faith.

“Representatives from faith communities come together, and what they’re doing is really leveraging the power that we have as investors,” said Sr. Daly. “So when you’re an investor in a company, you are one of the owners.”

She is leading the fight to have Northrop Grumman include a code of ethics in its technology.

“If you’re an investor, you certainly have benefits, financial benefits, but you have the responsibility to participate and to be attentive to the work of that company,” Sr. Daly added.

Both sisters are members of the Tri-State Coalition of Responsible Investment, which represents a group of faith-based investors with over 1.32 billion dollars worth of assets.

“The technology is great and pretty accurate if you’re a white person or especially a white man,” explained Sr. Daly. “But if you’re a person of color, there are a lot of problems. And so it’s very dangerous to be pinning using this as evidence against people of color, until the technology is really addressed.”

A recent federal study confirmed this bias. In December, researchers tested 200 facial recognition algorithms and found minorities were far more likely than white people to be misidentified.

Some experts, like A.I. policy advisor and Harvard Fellow Mutale Nkonde, argue that human rights violations are already being seen around the world.

“I think one of the saddest stories that we’re seeing in facial recognition is in Eurasia, with the Uighur people in China,” says Nkonde. “This group of people are darker and they’re Muslim, and the use of facial recognition is being used to control them. So every hundred meters, they have to go through a checkpoint, where face cams are taken under match to see if it’s them and they can move forward.”

While it is seen by some as a problematic development in surveillance capitalism, others like Moshe Greenshpan see it as a positive tool in unlocking the vast potential of data.

His Isreali-based company, Face-Six, has developed facial recognition solutions for health, education and security uses, and even software for churches that tracks attendance.

“The facial recognition market is really big and diverse,” he explained. “Facial recognition is not only used at churches, the technology is being used via security, by security agencies, by army, by police. And they are all doing it for a good purpose.”

There may be good uses of facial recognition and artificial intelligence.

“I think some of the great uses of facial recognition technology are certainly when we’re looking to recover people, children that have been kidnapped, people with alzheimer’s, who may wander away and they don’t know their family they don’t know where they are,” said Nkonde.

While the potential of facial recognition technology spans far beyond surveillance, the major force driving the market’s growth is increased demand from government and law enforcement agencies.

“What they’re doing is using the pictures of innocent people to try and identify suspects,” said Nkonde citing the growing number of reports on databases built from scraping photos from social media platforms and phone applications.

Sean DiSomma, who advises Fortune 500 companies on combating shareholder proposals, says that the sisters are “racking up the wins.”

“More importantly,” he explains, “they’re having the conversations even now when you look at what’s going on with Amazon or with Northrop Grumman, they’re engaging on issues around human rights.”

For Sr. Daly and Sr. Mahoney, socially responsible investing is merely an extension of their mission for social justice.

And there are good reasons for companies to fear these women of faith. In recent years, they have been pivotal in changing the bad habits of corporations for the good intentions of others.

Currents News reached out to Amazon and Northrop Grumman for comment, and have not yet received a response.

Although their initial proposals have not been adopted, support for these concerns continues to grow.

Next the sisters have filed proposals to be considered at the upcoming annual shareholder meetings to raise awareness on important issues around technology, surveillance, and human rights impacts on business.

Health Officials to Americans: Prepare – Don’t Panic – Over Coronavirus

Currents News Staff

President Donald Trump is downplaying the threat of coronavirus in the United States, despite the CDC’s warning the threat will only get worse before it gets better.

“I don’t think it’s inevitable, it possibly will, probably will,” said Trump. “It could be at a small level or a larger level. Whatever happens, we’re totally prepared.”

This comes as another person in the U.S. tested positive for novel coronavirus, and that person in California could be the first patient who hadn’t traveled to the affected areas or been exposed to another known patient.

Meanwhile, many American students studying abroad are being told to pack their bags and come home. As the virus continues to spread, at least five universities have suspended programs in Italy. Other colleges have canceled their programs in China and South Korea.

“We’re still obviously kind of in shock but i’m very disappointed,” explained student Nicholas Kohler. “This is something we’ve talked about for years. This is something you get excited about. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we’re not even halfway through. It’s been cut short. I’m pretty devastated.”

So, once they’re home, what can they — and everyone else — do to prepare or fend off coronavirus? Experts say there are some very simple, but important steps.

“Those include items like washing your hands for 20 seconds,” said Chris Meekins, former Department of Health and Human Services assistant secretary. “Most people do it less than five to 10, including not touching your face, not touching your eyes, if you haven’t washed your hands recently.”

Fist or elbow-bumps, according to experts, would be good alternatives to shaking hands while the outbreak is at its height.

Use knuckles or elbows to touch elevator buttons and door knobs instead of your fingers. Stay home if you’re sick.

Americans have also been advised to make longer-term preparations. Experts recommend thinking of it like an approaching hurricane.

“Having maybe two-weeks worth of food at home, in terms of dry goods, canned goods, frozen goods, in case for whatever reason there were to be some quarantine instituted,” said Dr. Celine Gounder of the NYU School of Medicine. “And most importantly, having a good supply of prescription medications on hand.”

Black History Month: Teaching Catholic Youth How ‘Everybody Belongs’

Currents News Staff

During Black History Month, Currents News is taking a different look at the future of race relations in America through the eyes of children. Bishop Shelton Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in Louisiana.

His 2018 pastoral letter against racism inspired the new children’s book, “Everybody Belongs.”

Bishop Fabre is sharing how the idea to turn his pastoral letter into a children’s book came about, its message you hope it gets across, and the future for young people combatting prejudices and racism.

Catholic School Uses Science to Show Dangers of Vaping

By Emily Drooby

Students at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn have learned a science lesson — but also a life lesson — about the dangers of vaping.

A 2019 CDC survey showed e-cigarette usage is prevalent among young people, with 28 percent of high school teens and 11 percent of middle schoolers admitting they had recently used e-cigs.

It can also be dangerous – over 2,000 people have been hospitalized for lung issues related to vaping.

That’s where this experiment comes in. Developed by Cornell University, the Clinton Hill school is one of the first to use it as a lesson. Students use tetrahymena, a substance which mimics a living cell, and introduce it to e-cigarette vapor. The results are eye-opening.

“Until they see it, until they do it, they’re not necessarily going to believe it,” said Orlando Santiago, chair of the school’s science department.

“When we put the e-cig juice in, all the tetra stopped swimming,” explained student Robert Simpson. “The black particles also represent metal that would be bad in my lungs. So it shows how it’s bad for us.”

“The tetra actually die off,” explained Devonnie Moore, a teacher at the school. “They slow down, their speeds decrease.”

“The steps to correct it with young people is to diminish its attractiveness to use,” said Brother Dennis Cronin, the school’s president. “That’s why I think this program is very important.”

It’s a scary lesson, but it’s one students say they’ll always remember.

“I’m definitely not going to try it because it’s not healthy, it’s not good for your lung,” said student Faith Felix-Patrick

“Many people look to vaping as an alternative to smoking, but now I can prove to people that it’s not that different than smoking,” added fellow student Lawson Thomas.

Currents News full broadcast for Wed, 2/26/20

On the newscast: Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio brings a message of hope and comfort this Ash Wednesday to a Brooklyn parish whose parishioners are worried about the coronavirus; Hope for treating the coronavirus as the U.S. starts testing a new drug; A place that helps pregnant women choose life may be facing an uncertain future; And how teachers are learning new ways to help children grow in their Catholic faith.

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.

Hope on Ash Wednesday at Chinese Parish Amid Coronavirus Fears

SUNSET PARK — At one Chinese parish in the Diocese of Brooklyn, the start of Lent came with a message of hope amid concerns about the coronavirus.

“At a time of great concern over the coronavirus, I thought it would be good to support our Chinese community and to offer prayer and solidarity as we begin the Holy Season of Lent,” Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said in a statement that was released on Feb. 25, the day before Ash Wednesday, when he celebrated Mass and distributed ashes at St. Agatha Parish in Sunset Park.

Earlier this week, government health officials warned about the likelihood of coronavirus, or COVID-19, spreading in the U.S. As of Feb. 26, the virus has killed more than 2,700 people, most of them in China.

During his homily at St. Agatha’s, Bishop DiMarzio read from a pastoral letter he wrote in light of the worldwide epidemic. In the letter, Bishop DiMarzio encouraged hope and expressed the urgency of conversion during Lent, a time of reflection and repentance in preparation for Easter. Overcoming evil in the world, including deadly viruses, is an invitation to dialogue with God, he said.

Parishioners received a copy of the Bishop DiMarzio’s letter in Mandarin.

Bishop DiMarzio told The Tablet that he came to the parish in solidarity with Chinese immigrants and their families, especially as the community faces xenophobic attacks in New York and around the world because of the coronavirus, which originated in the Hubei province in central China.

“It’s a time people need comfort, hope and encouragement,” Bishop DiMarzio said. “On Ash Wednesday, we say, ‘Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.’

“We face the prospect of death itself … Ash Wednesday is a good time to take stock and see where we’re going, especially in the journey towards Easter,” he said. “We don’t dwell on death as an end, but as the beginning of new life. So we pray for those affected by this coronavirus, especially for countries in disarray that don’t know what to do. This is a time we need to pray, to be calm and to do the right thing.”

Father Vincentius T. Do, the pastor of St. Agatha’s, and Fathers Shengjiao Lin C.M., and Juan Angel Pichardo, both parochial vicars at the parish, concelebrated the Mass.

Father Do said parishioners are concerned about the coronavirus, but continue to be faithful, attending daily Mass and Holy Hour and reciting the rosary to pray for a cure.

“As soon as we heard the news, our parishioners have been in constant contact with their family members in China, and we are very much aware of the danger of spreading the virus; [we’re] taking all the precautions,” Father Do said. “It’s not just a Chinese crisis, it’s a human crisis. Just like the flu, as long as we are careful, we can overcome it. At the same time, we are telling people to be careful, but [we] don’t want people to be panicky. We turn to prayer, put our trust and faith in God and hope that everything will be okay in the end.”

Lizhen Zheng, a parishioner, said she’s encouraged by Bishop DiMarzio’s message of fasting and prayer during Lent.

“We are very prayerful, and I know God hears our prayers,” Zheng said.

Religious Education Goes High-Tech in Brooklyn

By Christine Persichette

Through prayer, conversation and a lot of note-taking, on Feb. 25 educators learned how to help children grow in their faith.

An annual gathering, held this year at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church in Queens, brought together hundreds of Catholic school teachers, directors of religious education and catechists from throughout the Brooklyn Diocese to share ideas and learn new ways to allow young Catholics to become more faithful.

Their mission, according to Ted Musco who oversees catechesis programs in the Brooklyn Diocese as the Secretary for Evangelization and Catechesis, is to go out and make disciples.

“The takeaway for tonight is that people will leave here renewed and enthused about the mission of the Church,” he explained. “As catechists they have an opportunity on a weekly basis or a monthly basis to convey the true faith to young people, as well as their parents and other family members.”

Participants used books from Sadlier’s Publishers to do that. To connect with students today, those books have gone high-tech with a new program– called “Christ In Us,” which helps catechists reach out to the next generation of Catholics.

“It’s a K through 6 program,” explained Deacon Matt Halbach, Sadlier’s Executive Director of Catechesis. “It’s very technology rich and deep. It allows access online to very integrated, intentional resources that pair with the print lessons.”

Those lessons can be accessed from anywhere on phones, tablets and computers. This allows children to share the resources with their family members, which these catechists find so important.

“I feel it’s a very dynamic program,” said Sister Ancy Jacob, the Religious Education Director of Saint Michael’s Church in Flushing, Queens. “I really wanted our parents involvement in our parish as well as our children. We can’t do it alone, anything, we need the support of the parents.”