De Blasio Calls Move to Honor Mother Cabrini a ‘Manufactured Controversy’

By Tim Harfmann

Laura Eng, a Brooklyn resident and one of many Catholics outraged over the Mother Cabrini statue controversy, turned her anger into action and emailed the city’s ‘She Built NYC’ campaign when the results of the poll were announced.

The city’s response: Mother Cabrini would be considered in the future.

“I feel slighted, definitely feel miffed; and I want her to get her due. She’s due this honor,” said Laura.

She was one of many in Brooklyn and Queens who voiced their frustrations against the snub. Mother Cabrini overwhelming received the top spot.

The Catholic activism throughout the Brooklyn Diocese ultimately caught the attention of New York’s politicians.

Governor Andrew Cuomo showed his support for the first time before the city’s Columbus Day Parade on October 14.

“Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has said this is an affront, and the Brooklyn Diocese wants to build a memorial to Mother Cabrini. They are right! We should applaud their courage and their activism,” Cuomo said the night before the parade.

Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said the support is due to those who spoke up, wrote letters and refused to stay silent.

“I think I’m encouraged today. Again, if we didn’t speak up and we didn’t try to do this, nothing would’ve happened. So, sometimes you have to make a little bit of noise so that people pay attention to you.”

An Italian-American Catholic himself, Cuomo pledged his backing for a memorial to the saint after the parade, saying, “We are also pleased to announce we are going to build a statute to Mother Cabrini.”

“We’re very happy about that, so it’s a good thing,” said Bishop DiMarzio. “We encourage that that happens; and we’ll work with him to put it in a proper and have the proper statue.”

But speaking exclusively to Fox 5 News after the parade, Mayor Bill de Blasio took jabs at the governor.

“I think it’s a manufactured controversy. It’s very sad that some people have chosen to do this,” said de Blasio.

“If this is a city initiative, it should be reflective of the desires of the people. And the people have spoken! They voted! It’s not manufactured,” said Laura.

Currents News reached out to City Hall October 15 for additional comment, and received a written statement from city spokesperson Jane Meyer.

“We applaud the governor for joining us in our commitment to erect statues of women who have made an impact on New York City and look forward to having a statue of Mother Cabrini here,” Meyer wrote.

As the statue controversy swirls, Catholics in the Brooklyn Diocese are remaining resilient.

U.S. Issues Sanctions, Calls for Ceasefire in Turkey-Syria Conflict

Currents News Staff

Russia is now joining Syrian government troops near the Syria-Turkey border as Turkey continues military strikes in the region.

Moscow continues to expand its influence there following President Trump’s highly criticized decision to withdraw U.S. troops from the area last week. “Turkey, Syria — let them take care of it,” said Trump.

The Kurdish-led fighters in northern Syria were a key U.S. ally in the fight against ISIS.

With the U.S. departure, the Kurds have turned to Russia and the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad for help.

“We knew it was going to happen when the United States pulled forces out of northern Syria that the only winners were going to be Russia, Iran and the barbaric Assad regime,” said Democratic Representative Anthony Brown, Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee.

Fear and heartbreak consuming the once relatively peaceful part of Syria as the humanitarian crisis grows amidst another looming crisis: of 10,000-plus ISIS prisoners held throughout northern Syria, some have already escaped amidst the fighting.

Turkey is still pushing further into Syria despite international pressure, claiming factions there as threats to their nation.

The White House announced sanctions against Turkey, and that Vice President Pence is planning a trip there.

“The United States of America wants Turkey to stop the invasion, to implement an immediate cease fire and to begin to negotiate with Kurdish forces in Syria to bring an end to the violence,” said Pence.

There is no word on when Pence will visit, or if Turkey is ready to discuss a ceasefire.

Imprisoned in Siberia, Lithuanian Cardinal Finds Strength in the Cross

By Melissa Butz

With his eyes full of tears, Cardinal Siguitas Tamkéavichus, recalled his time in a gulag in Siberia.

His crime was sharing with journalists of the western world the “Chronicles of the Church in Lithuania,” a written series documenting real cases of Christian persecution. He served a 10-year sentence for reporting on the Soviet Union’s practices in Lithuania.

“The hardest moment of my time in prison was the interrogation. It would last up to seven hours. It was terribly exhausting,” Cardinal Tamkéavichus said.

“A beautiful thing that happened was when one of the inmates, after being interrogated, found the faith and asked me to baptize him. I baptized him in prison,” he explained.

Cardinal Tamkéavichus never lost faith, even in the midst of the forced labor to which he was subjected.

Instead, his experience was quite the opposite. He looked for ways to celebrate Mass while he was forced to work in a laundry room from sunrise to sunset.

He even found a way to make a rosary with the little he had, finding in faith the strength he needed to survive the suffering.

“I prayed everyday. I made a rosary out of balls of bread and prayed all the mysteries with it everyday. When I could, I tried to say Mass,” he said.

In 2018, Pope Francis saw the soviet prisons for himself. As archbishop of Kaunas, Lithuania at the time, Tamkéavichus accompanied him on this visit.

Just a year later, the Holy Father named him cardinal, a decision that for Cardinal Tamkéavichus is not only for him, but for all Lithuanians.

“With this appointment I think Pope Francis wanted to recognize the Way of the Cross walked by all Lithuanians,” he said.

Cardinal Tamkéavichus is living proof of resistance, through faith, to religious intolerance.

As such, he assures his desire to be a witness for those who suffer persecution simply for being Christian.

2020 Presidential Debates: Democrats and the Right to Life

Currents News Staff

Leading up to the 2020 presidential election, the Democratic debate on October 15 will be the biggest primary debate ever.

Twelve candidates will take the stage at a crucial moment where Joe Biden is no longer the sole front-runner and Elizabeth Warren is already under fire as a top contender.

Bernie Sanders is still recovering from a heart attack.

While there are many issues sure to take center-stage — among them Trump, impeachment, health care, climate change and gun control — candidates at the debate are highly unlikely to express support for the lives of unborn children.

Abortion is a settled matter for all the Democrats who will be on stage, who support Roe v. Wade.

Wendi Enright, the New York State Coordinator of Democrats for Life, joins Currents News to discuss the moral and political conflict within the Democratic party’s support for abortion, and how Democratic Catholic voters can appeal to others in choosing life.

Currents News for Monday, October 14, 2019

On the newscast: Two Italian figures wrapped up in a lot of controversy this Columbus Day; A New York State Democrat is here to explain that at tomorrow’s debate, the candidates will avoid talking about protecting unborn children; The Bishop of El Paso, Texas is labeling the border wall a monument to hate; The Navy vet whose soul now belongs to God.

Mother Cabrini Statue in Sight, Italian-Americans Rally for Heritage and Faith

By Emily Drooby and Andrew Pugliese

MANHATTAN — After marching in the Columbus Day Parade on Oct. 14, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that New York state will build a statue of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.

Cuomo’s remarks came after Italian-Americans and Catholics in the Diocese of Brooklyn have for weeks criticized the She Built NYC initiative, headed by New York City first lady Chirlane McCray, for excluding Mother Cabrini from a first round of statues even though she received the most nominations.

“We appreciate Mother Cabrini. We appreciate the Italian-American community. We appreciate Catholics” Cuomo said, “so the state will provide the funding. They don’t have to do it on their own.”

Cuomo said a state commission will work with the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Columbus Citizen Foundation to find a site for and fund the new statue.

“I’m encouraged today,” Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said. “If we didn’t speak up, if we didn’t try to do this, nothing would happen. Sometimes, you have to make a little bit of noise, so that people pay attention to you.”

On Oct. 12 at the annual Columbus Citizens Foundation Gala in Manhattan, Cuomo pledged his “full support” for a Mother Cabrini statue.

“Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has said that this is an affront, and the Brooklyn Diocese wants to build a memorial to Mother Cabrini. They are right,” Cuomo said. “We should applaud their courage and their activism. But, my friends, we should even do more. We should support them. Let’s join with them tonight.”

John Heyer — the pastoral associate of Sacred Hearts – St. Stephen in Carroll Gardens who has been spearheading the diocese’s effort for Mother Cabrini — said he was “ecstatic” and “overwhelmed” by the governor’s support. He said the movement is a testament to Mother Cabrini and the work she did.

“It’s great that there’s so much support behind Mother Cabrini,” Heyer said. “People are making donations constantly for a statue. They’re writing letters to the mayor on their own part. It’s as grassroots and organic as you would ever want to organize something. It’s not organized. It’s the Holy Spirit.”

Heyer said the Mother Cabrini Statue Fund, which was launched by the Catholic Foundation of Brooklyn and Queens on Oct. 6 at the diocese’s annual Italian Apostolate celebration, has already raised more than $25,000.

Mayor Bill de Blasio told Bishop DiMarzio at the Columbus Day Parade that a statue will be built. In a statement on Oct. 15, de Blasio spokeswoman Jane Meyer said the administration welcomes the governor’s support for honoring the women who built New York City.

The statement came a day after de Blasio told Fox 5’s Lisa Evers on that he thinks the Mother Cabrini uproar is “a manufactured controversy.” He said he was saddened because the project is about recognizing women after centuries of being unrepresented in city monuments.

De Blasio said the statues of the seven women announced are just the first round and said he believes Mother Cabrini should be one of the next, saying, “She’s amazing and a historical figure of such importance to this city.”

He also told Evers that a lot of people with different motives are playing games with the cause for Mother Cabrini, including the governor.

“God bless him,” de Blasio told Evers. “But, again, a lot of people out there, for whatever agendas, playing all those games, it’s not fair to people. It’s not fair to the memory of Mother Cabrini.”

Rosemary Neri Villanella grew up in Gravesend at Sts. Simone & Jude. Her grandmother was raised by sisters in Mother Cabrini’s order at their orphanage in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., after her parents died.

Villanella applauded the governor for supporting the case for Mother Cabrini. However, she said he still has more, referencing the Reproductive Health Act that Cuomo signed in January.

“I am delighted that he following the lead of Eric Adams, Brooklyn Borough President, who offered to have the statue funded by private funds, put up at Brooklyn Borough Hall,” Villanella said. “I just wish the governor would take the Catholic stand on abortion.”

Still, Cuomo championed the Columbus Day festivities as a symbol of unity at a time in America where he said there is “enough division.”

In a statement on Oct. 14, he lauded Mother Cabrini for her work helping immigrants who came to New York City and for being the first naturalized American saint.

“We want to honor immigrants as much as we want to honor her,” Bishop DiMarzio said. “In a day when immigration has become a social policy that nobody wants to solve in our country, we need her intercession to solve this.”

There is no timeline yet on when the statue will be completed, although Cuomo said in his Oct. 14 statement that it will happen “as soon as time allows.”

Brooklyn Diocese Celebrates Italian Pride With Mother Cabrini Float at Columbus Day Parade

By Tim Harfmann

As the centerpiece of the Brooklyn Diocese’s Columbus Day parade float, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini made her way up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Surrounding the five-foot statue of Mother Cabrini were students from Catholic academies across Brooklyn and Queens.

“I think it’s interesting and I think it’s really fun,” said student Izabella Sepulveda, for whom riding on the float was a first-time experience.

“I feel really happy and excited because it’s my first time being in a parade,” she added.

It’s also the first time the diocese has made Mother Cabrini part of the parade.

John Heyer, director of the diocese’s Annual Catholic Appeal and special assistant to the vicar for development, helped design the 40-foot long float.

“Among the different items is the statue that we used for our Italian Apostolate day of Mother Cabrini, as well as a replica of the Mother Cabrini mural that can be found on Hicks Street in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn,” John said.

Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio got onboard float outside Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, saying that on this Columbus Day, there’s great support for the patroness of immigrants.

“Today we’re rooting for Mother Cabrini to have a statue of her in New York, in a place of honor, because she was one of the courageous women that really built New York City,” Bishop DiMarizo said.

One way Mother Cabrini helped build the Big Apple was through education.

“She worked so hard for Catholic education, which is one of the things that we’re trying to promote here with the float today,” explained John.

The float was co-sponsored by the Brooklyn Diocese and Futures in Education, which awards scholarships to children in need so they too can benefit from a Catholic education.

Catholics like Fran Rutigliano, a parishioner at St. Frances Cabrini Church, walked alongside felt proud to highlight the work of Mother Cabrini.

“We always want a true Italian representing our Columbus Day parade; so she represented the true values of an Italian: giving, loving, affectionate,” said Fran.

Pope Francis Appeals for Peace in Syria, Ecuador

By Melissa Butz

As Turkey continues its military operation against Kurdish fighters in Syria, Pope Francis used the canonization of five saints on Oct. 13 to call on the international community for help.

The nine-year war in Syria doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon. Turkey’s offensive against Kurdish militias in Northeast Syria has killed, wounded and displaced nearly 500,000 people in less than a week.

From St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis pled for solutions.

“In these populations, there are also many Christian families. To all those involved, and the international community, please; I renew the appeal to engage with sincerity, honesty and transparency on the path of dialogue to find effective solutions,” Pope Francis said.

The pontiff’s words were applauded before he spoke of yet another crisis, that in Ecuador.

“I am following, with much concern, what has been happening in the past few weeks in that country. I entrust them to joint prayer and to the intercession of the new saints. I join in grieving for the dead, the wounded and those missing,” he said.

The Holy Father’s concern even carried into the synod hall as Ecuador, one of the nine countries comprising the Amazon region, was spoken about during a press briefing.

“This morning, our work began with a prayer by the pope for Ecuador. The Synod is not a place where world events do not resonate, particularly for countries who are part of the Synod,” said Paolo Ruffini the prefect of Vatican Communications

“I am in an international setting saying we are the people who are called to seek allies to protect our life,” explained José Gregorio Díaz Mirabal, president of the Coalition of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin. “What is happening in Ecuador is an example for our entire Amazon basin,” he said.

At the briefing, panel members said beginning the second week of the Amazon Synod, one topic discussed was how the Catholic Church can be a voice for the voiceless and especially speak out on international issues.

The “voiceless” include those who are persecuted, migrants and those who are homeless, particularly the victims of the attacks in Syria and the oppressed indigenous peoples of the Amazon region.

Governor Cuomo Speaks in Support of Mother Cabrini Statue

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is expressing his support for the creation of a New York City statue honoring St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.

“Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has said that this is an affront and the Brooklyn Diocese wants to build a memorial to Mother Cabrini. They are right,” said Cuomo during an Oct. 13 speech at the Columbus Citizens Foundation Gala.

“Let’s stand up and demand respect for our community. Let’s lead the way by taking action and let’s build a memorial to Mother Cabrini, and I pledge my full support tonight,” he said.

There may be hope for the cause to commemorate St. Frances Xavier Cabrini — the patron saint of immigrants who is known as Mother Cabrini — with a statue in New York City.

The Italian-American saint was excluded by the She Built NYC initiative, an arts program headed by the city’s first lady, Chirlane McCray, that was created last year to build monuments of influential women in the city.

Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-Brooklyn/Staten Island) said that she was contacted by Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office on Oct. 11 to say that Mother Cabrini is still in the running for the next round of statues to be built around the city.

“The Mayor’s Office contacted me this morning and informed me that they will be announcing another round of statues, and Mother Cabrini is still being considered,” Malliotakis said in an email.

“I am glad that they are reconsidering their decision and listening to the countless Catholics and Italian-Americans, as well as elected officials, who are pushing to get Mother Cabrini her rightfully deserved statue in city public space,” Malliotakis said.

More than 300 women were nominated, and seven were chosen in the first round. But Mother Cabrini, foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, wasn’t one of them, even though she received the most nominations.

“As both a woman and daughter of immigrants, I believe it is fitting that our city recognize the many contributions Mother Cabrini made for new immigrants, children and those suffering with illness,” Malliotakis said.

More than one thousand people rallied on Oct. 6 in Carroll Gardens in support of a Mother Cabrini statue. She will also be publicly recognized on a float sponsored by the Diocese of Brooklyn at the annual Columbus Day Parade in Manhattan on Oct. 14.

Brooklyn Parishes Celebrate Canonization of John Henry Newman

By Tim Harfmann

Catholics at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Brooklyn Heights have been praying about the canonization for decades.

Cardinal John Henry Newman is a saint.

“We’ve been praying for this for about 30 years, about the whole length of the existence of the Brooklyn Oratory,” said Father Anthony Andreassi. He oversees the Brooklyn Oratory, which is a congregation gathering for prayer and Church teachings.

The Oratory parishes are made up of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and nearby Saint Boniface church.

The parishes have a great devotion to Saint Newman because he introduced the English-speaking world to the Oratory religious community.

In front of 50,000 people at the Vatican, Pope Francis elevated Newman and four women to sainthood on Sunday, October 13.

Newman was a convert, leaving the Anglican Church for Catholicism at the age of 44.

During the canonization, Pope Francis said Newman described the “holiness of daily life,” calling Christians kind, courteous and gentle.

“Let us ask to be like that, kindly lights amid the encircling gloom,” said Pope Francis.

“I always felt a kind of closeness in that regard because when I found the oratory, it changed my life,” said Richard Carlson, a Brooklyn resident who relates to the nineteenth-century saint because, he too, is a convert.

Growing up Lutheran, Richard said the Oratory community played a key role in his conversion nearly 30 years ago.

“We use an expression, ‘I feel like I came home;’ and I think Newman must’ve felt that in his language of his day.”

Newman is also known for his writings, some of which were on display Sunday October 13 during a prayer service at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“Newman was so strong on seeing a central role that lay people play in the life of the Church,” said Fr. Anthony.

Lay people, like Jorge and Emily Corona, are involved with Young Adult Ministry. They’re turning to the new saint to grow closer to Christ.

“It feels like a prime time for people like us, who might not know everything about the former cardinal, to read up on him and know what his work was about and how he fits into the Church,” said Jorge.

The Brooklyn Oratory plans on hosting group discussions, so Catholics can learn more about the newest saint.