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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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