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Currents News for Wednesday, June 5, 2019
On the newscast: Church officials are denouncing an Associated Press story about Cardinal Daniel DiNardo. The story is being labeled biased and one-sided; The Coast Guard comes ashore in Bay Ridge and gets together with the kids at Saint Anselm’s Catholic Academy; The Women’s World Cup begins while the Vatican’s soccer team is on the field for the first time; Caught on camera stealing from the front porch of homeowner.
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U.S. Coast Guard Visits Catholic Academy
By Tim Harfmann
Wide-eyed students from Saint Anselm Catholic Academy in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn received a special visit from members of the U.S. Coast Guard on June 5.
“They go on lots of missions, and they protect the community That’s a really good job,” said Hayes Brennan, a first grader whose parents serve on the Coast Guard’s Safety and Security Team.
His father, Commander Devon Brennan, explained their mission to the children.
“We’re an organization of service, which is certainly something they’re learning at St. Anselm, to give back. That’s something we want to showcase today.”
Students from kindergarten through second grade got hands-on experience by touring response boats, which protect ports and harbors around the world. They even got to try on the Coast Guard gear.
“The Coast Guards wear a lot of armor, and they are very trained,” said second grader Casey Downes.
That training was on full display, as the K-9 unit demonstrated the process of sniffing out explosives with K-9 officer ‘Ruthie.’
“It was cute and it did tricks!” said Katherine Cassidy, a kindergarten student at Saint Anselm Catholic Academy.
She may only be five-years-old, but Katherine already has some understanding of the Coast Guard’s mission. “They could save people once they’re in the water.”
Seventy-five years ago, the Coast Guard joined other military branches and allied forces, invading Normandy during World War II.
Commander Brennan saw the school visit as a way to teach children how the country is protected.
“This is an opportunity that, at the end of the day, we’re just people just like them. We made a choice to serve our country and to serve a bigger purpose than just ourselves.”
It’s a choice his son, Hayes, is thinking about making for himself.
“My mom and dad have been in the Coast Guard since I was born. And all the stuff here is really cool, and I would like to save people.”
Hayes and his classmates learned rescue tactics and how to follow the Coast Guard’s motto — ‘always ready.’
Texas Archdiocese Slams AP Story on Cardinal DiNardo
Contributing to this story was Ed Wilkinson, Mark Nacinovich, Allyson Escobar and Melissa Enaje.
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston denied an Associated Press story that claims Cardinal Daniel DiNardo mishandled a sexual-abuse case, calling it “unprofessional, biased and one-sided.”
“At each step in this matter, Cardinal DiNardo has reacted swiftly and justly… A number of the quotes attributed to the Cardinal are an absolute fabrication,” the archdiocese said in a statement on June 4.
The AP story claims that Cardinal DiNardo, who’s the president of the United States Conference on Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, mishandled allegations of sexual abuse against Msgr. Frank Rossi, a former vicar general and chancellor of the archdiocese.
In April 2016, Laura Pontikes, a 55-year-old woman from Houston, told Cardinal DiNardo that Msgr. Rossi had “manipulated her into a sexual relationship,” the AP reported.
After Pontikes reported the alleged relationship, the archdiocese, according to the AP, told Pontikes to report the matter the police. She didn’t so initially, but the allegations were reported to the police to the 2018, according to the AP.
Msgr. Rossi, according to the AP, resigned from his parish in Houston in May 2016, and the Archdiocese of Houston-Galveston and Pontikes began two years of mediation.
Cardinal DiNardo initially declared Pontikes the “victim” and thanked her for coming forward with her story. But in July 2017, the Archdiocese of Houston-Galveston granted Msgr. Rossi retirement status with permission to serve in the Diocese of Beaumont, where he became pastor of Our Lady the Pines Parish in Woodville, Texas.
When Pontikes’ husband, George, confronted Cardinal DiNardo about the reassignment, Cardinal DiNardo reportedly “warned that the archdiocese would respond aggressively to any legal challenge” and the consequences would “hurt” their family and business, according to the AP story.
On June 4, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston announced it has removed Msgr. Rossi, 62, from his post as pastor at Our Lady of the Pines and has temporarily placed him on administrative leave, at the request of the Pontikes family.
Emails and documents obtained by the AP revealed that the relationship between Laura Pontikes, a construction executive, had reportedly “gone on for years.”
They met in 2007, but it wasn’t until 2012 that a sexual relationship began. Msgr. Rossi allegedly heard Pontikes’ confessions, counseled her husband on their marriage and “pressed the couple” for thousands of dollars in donations, the AP said.
According to a Catholic News Agency report, Msgr. Rossi absolved Pontikes sacramentally of sexual sins he committed with her, a serious violation of Church law that can lead to excommunication.
“He took a woman that went into a church truly looking for God, and he took me for himself,” Pontikes told the AP.
According to KHOU-TV, George Pontikes said Msgr. Rossi became a part of their family and
said the relationship he and his wife, Laura, built with Rossi was initially a special one.
“He traveled with us on our family trips, he entertained at our house and dined with us frequently. In fact, we eventually built him private quarters in our home,” George Pontikes told KHOU-TV.
Dan Cogdell, Msgr. Rossi’s attorney, told the AP that the priest was “cooperating fully with the investigation and had met with police, but declined further comment.”
According to the archdiocese, at the request of the Pontikes family, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston entered into a “tolling agreement,” basically suspending the time limit during which the family could file a lawsuit.
“There was later a mutual agreement to enter into a confidential mediation process, which is still ongoing,” the statement reads.
In August 2017, Pontikes met with a representative of the Archdiocese of Houston-Galveston and reportedly made a demand for a $10 million payment, along with other requests.
The archdiocese says that Msgr. Rossi completed his rehabilitation program, and was initially recommended to be returned to active ministry. But “at the request of the Pontikes,” Cardinal DiNardo “agreed not to reassign Monsignor Rossi in any capacity… He communicated this decision to the Pontikeses, and Mr. Pontikes expressed his gratitude for that decision.”
“The Archdiocese will continue cooperating with the authorities looking into this matter,” the statement from June 4 concluded.
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston serves 1.7 million Catholics, and is the fifth-largest Roman Catholic diocese in the United States.
Vatican Soccer Team – Female Employees Form Team
Currents News Staff
The Women’s World Cup is set to begin on Friday, but Vatican women are kicking off a whole new start with their very own soccer team.
At Vatican Family Day last June, women created a small group to also play soccer against one another, like the men have done for years.
The idea scored among the female Vatican workers.
Now, around 25 women, aged 22 to 51 have formed a team, flashing these bright yellow and white jerseys on the field.
“We are dressed in this role, which seems like a novelty. But in reality, women also play soccer. Obviously for the Vatican though, maybe it’s particular and new,” said Cristina Albini, a team member and member of the Vatican press office.
“It’s fair to have a women’s team. Above all, because the pope keeps women in consideration and believes it’s important. This year, we also have the Women’s World Cup. After a couple years, who knows, maybe the Vatican could participate,” said team member Orietta Ferretti.
Many of these women had never met, despite working in the smallest country in the world.
The team’s manager says the aim is not necessarily to win, but to have fun and build community.
We just want to send the message that we want to be together and represent the Holy Father and the Holy See, as women that work in the Vatican, who are mothers, workers, and also, of course, play soccer,” said team member Susan Volpini.
They have played against local teams, like Roma, and are currently participating in a tournament with the Vatican’s Bambino Gesu Hospital. However, they are excited for the future and where they’re going next.
With two months of experience under their cleats, the team will be leaving Vatican stomping grounds and traveling to Vienna, Austria for their very first international trip on June 22.
Last Abortion Mill Could Close in Missouri
Currents News Staff
There’s a lot of anticipation in Missouri tonight.
The state’s only abortion mill could be shut down at any moment.
A St. Louis circuit judge is expected to rule soon on whether a Planned Parenthood clinic will be able to renew its license.
If Planned Parenthood loses, Missouri would be the first state where there are no abortion clinics since the Roe v.s. Wade decision.
The legal battle over the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic is the latest development in Missouri about the protection of life.
Joining us is the Missouri Catholic Conference’s Legislative Counsel Jamie Morris to discuss the state’s grassroots pro-life movement.
Currents News for Tuesday, June 4, 2019
On the newscast: Arrests in Albany today as Catholic housing advocates fight for reform. New York’s rent laws are about to expire. A report from the Capital is coming up; Warning alarms are being sounded over a possible law that could rip away the seal of confessions in California; He’s off and running… Father Michael Falce is starting priestly life after a joyous ordination; The story of neighborly love… that withstood flames.
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After Ordination: Father Michael Falce’s First Days as a New Priest
By Tim Harfmann
For Father Michael Falce, the feeling of being newly ordained to the priesthood is setting in.
“Wow, all these years of, ‘I want to be a priest! I want to be a priest!’ Well, now I’m a priest, so I’m ready to get to work,” he said.
And he went straight to work — hearing confessions just hours after being ordained by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio last Saturday, June 1.
“I was very nervous about the first time sitting there, I’ll be very honest,” he recalled.
“But after the first couple of people it became, wow, a wonderful experience. And I sat there saying to myself, ‘I have a very long road ahead of me.’”
On the long journey, the focus of his priesthood is celebrating the Eucharist.
Father Falce celebrated his first Mass on Sunday, June 2 at his home parish of Saint Pancras in Glendale, Queens.
“You could really see the joy of many parishioners who, for so many years every time they saw me when I would come home, the question would be, ‘how many more years? how many more years?’” as they waited for him to be ordained to the priesthood.
Now, that question is finally answered.
On June 4, he visited Saint Mel’s Church in Flushing and celebrated Mass for the Catholic academy’s seventh graders.
Students took time to ask the new priest questions.
“What’s it like being a priest?” asked one.
“These first three days have been wonderful,” he said.
Father Gerard Sauer concelebrated at the Mass. He is St. Mel’s current pastor.
But in a few weeks, Father Sauer will become the pastor of Saint Patrick’s Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn — where Father Falce has been assigned.
Father Sauer recalled the advice he received from his first pastor after being ordained in 2001.
“‘For every single day you’re a priest, you meet somebody else,’ and he goes, ‘the more you’re a priest, the more people are going to meet you, and want you, and need you.’
Father Sauer bestowed his own advice on his brother priest.
“Enjoy every bit of it, take it slow, and continue to serve the Lord,” he said.
Father Falce plans on doing just that, as soon as reality completely sets in.
“I have to keep saying to myself, ‘I am a priest,’” Father Falce admitted.
New Yorkers Take to Albany in Fight for Tenant Rights
By Tamara Laine
Hundreds of social justice crusaders stormed the capital in an act of civil disobedience to fight for tenant rights. The protest was a last ditch effort to demand action on pending legislation that would strengthen protections for tenants.
One by one, they were carted away by police.
A peaceful act of civil disobedience at times turned chaotic, as protesters tried to block off major sections of the Capitol building hoping to be heard.
“People deserve to have a roof over their heads,” said Charlie Dulik, a Catholic organizer from Churches United For Fair Housing.
“There’s a million quotes in the Bible to that affect. There’s a million teachings that all of us have had in church over the years about providing for people, especially those who are most vulnerable.”
The reforms are a package of nine bills that have been proposed for renters rights, which would strengthen protections for the nearly one million rent-stabilized tenants living in New York City, as well as renters across the State.
“My own sort of fear and frustration with the housing system, coupled with seeing people on all sides of me suffering, really radicalized me in housing. That’s what brought me here,” said Peter Harrison of the Democratic Socialists of America.
This is an issue personal to many residents in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, many of whom pay more than 30 percent of their income on rent.
In a statement, State Senator Julia Salazar who introduced one of the bills and represents parts of Brooklyn said, “It’s important that New Yorkers understand that this crisis is entirely man-made. The landlord lobby has used its political power and campaign cash to write our housing laws for their own benefit.”
However, some pro-landlord organizations who have not yet returned Current New’s request for comment, have argued that reforms will put working-class landlords and contractors in a financial pinch.
State Senator Zellnor Myrie argued that now is the time to fight back.
“Too many bad landlords have gotten away with charging sky-high rents and making record profits while their buildings fall apart and their tenants struggle to feed their families,” he said.
“This is not just a housing crisis, but a moral crisis.”
They vow that this not the end of the fight.
Current regulations are scheduled to sunset on June 15, as this is an ongoing issue that continues to affect many living in Brooklyn and Queens.
Currents News will continue to cover this story as it develops this month.
Missouri Courts to Decide Fate of State’s Last Abortion Clinic
Currents News Staff
The future of Missouri’s last abortion clinic remains uncertain.
A judge heard arguments on June 4 before deciding the fate of the state’s one and only clinic.
A dispute between the state and Planned Parenthood began in March, when officials refused to renew the clinic’s license.
“There are a number of serious health concerns that still exist at the Planned Parenthood in St. Louis,” said Missouri Republican Senator Mike Parson.
“Every step should be taken to ensure that all laws are followed for safety and well-being of women’s healthcare.”
Last week a judge ruled to temporarily keep the clinic open and operating, citing “immediate and irreparable injury” if it were to shut down.
If the clinic closes, Missouri would become the first state in the U.S. with no abortion clinics or services since the passing of Roe v. Wade.
The case in Missouri is just one in a number of state-wide battles that carry national implications.
“A state with no access to abortion is obviously devastating,” said Dr. Colleen McNicholas from the Planned Parenthood of St. Louis.
She said that as the sole abortion clinic they see about 3,000 Missourians for abortion services a year, and that closing the clinic could have dangerous effects for women.
“It’s really devastating when you think about the impact on their own individual health and the health of their families,” she added.
Missouri has some of the strictest abortion laws in the country, banning abortion at 8 weeks of pregnancy.