Highway Crash Claims The Lives Of Over 20 Pilgrims In Mexico

Currents News Staff – *Some viewers may find this video disturbing

A group of pilgrims who were returning from their visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City were caught in a bus crash that left over 20 dead and 30 others hospitalized, according to local authorities.

Photo: Arquidiócesis de Tuxtla

CNN Español reported that the bus was on its way to the Archdiocese of Tuxtla in Chiapas when it crashed into two other vehicles and a trailer truck on the Puebla-Veracruz highway.

The collision caused the bus carrying the travelers to catch fire and burn. Eyewitness video confirmed the state of the crash.

In the video footage, witnesses on the scene can be heard expressing concern that the burning bus would soon explode and asking for firefighters to arrive on the scene as soon as possible.

“In a coordinated manner, the task forces of the Government of Veracruz are working to address the accident that occurred on the Puebla-Veracruz highway, near the municipality of Maltrata,” said the local government in a statement via Twitter.

“We continue to provide support to the people who were involved in the tragedy,” the statement continued.

*Information on this story has been translated from its original Spanish.

Pope Francis Hopes To Ease Religious Tensions During Visit To Romania

Currents News Staff

Pope Francis will visit Romania from May 31-June 2.

He will be following in the footsteps of St. Pope John Paul II, who was there in 1999 as the first pope to visit an Orthodox-majority country.

“I will go to Romania, a beautiful and welcoming country, as a pilgrim and brother,” the Holy Father said in a video message addressing Romanians in the days before starting his 30th international trip.

On Friday, May 31, he will arrive in Bucharest where he will meet with the country’s civil authorities.

Then he will meet the Orthodox Patriarch of Romania and the Permanent Synod of the Romanian Church, an important moment for the three religious leaders who currently have strained relations.

Pope Francis will visit and pray with the patriarch at the new Orthodox Cathedral, an impressive building that St. Pope John Paul II donated close to $200,000 to help build.

The day will conclude with a Mass at the Catholic Cathedral in which more than 30,000 people could attend.

On Saturday, Pope Francis will visit a very important Marian sanctuary for Romanians and Hungarians, Our Lady of Csíksomlyó.

For Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who will be traveling with the pontiff during the trip, that moment will be an occasion to overcome religious divisions between the two Christian faiths.

“His presence in this Marian shrine will be a message for all to overcome divisions, including historical divisions. To find what unites us, above all, from a faith point of view,” Cardinal Parolin said.

In the northern town of Iasi, Pope Francis will meet with families and young people. More than 100,000 people could participate in the meeting.

Romania is a country especially marked by the Communist regime’s religious persecution. For this reason, one of the most touching moments will be the beatification of seven martyrs. The ceremony will be on Sunday in Blaj, in the center of Romania.

“Among you there were many martyrs,” said Pope Francis in his address to the people of Romania.

“Also in recent times, like the seven Greek-Catholic bishops who I will have the joy of proclaiming ‘blesseds.’ What they have suffered, to the point of offering life, is too precious a heritage to be forgotten. It is a common heritage that calls us not to distance ourselves from the brother with whom we share it.”

Before leaving the country, he will meet with some of the Romani people. Pope Francis will leave Romania on Sunday, June 2, at 5 p.m.

Louisiana Becomes Latest State To Pass Strict Abortion Bill

Currents News Staff

Louisiana is now the latest state to pass their version of what’s known as a “heartbeat bill.” The ban will add new restrictions to abortions in the state and includes no exceptions for rape or incest.

Mississippi, Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky and Missouri have all passed similar bills this year.

“The abortion industry has taken its war against our children to our very doorstep. And we have determined to take the fight to the abortion cartel through the law and prayer to stop the horrific infanticide which is being inflicted upon our children,” said Louisiana Senator John Milkovich.

On May 29, legislators voted to ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected. This can happen as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.

Democratic Governor Jon Bel Edwards has said he will sign the bill into law.

“We choose to confront the culture of death,” said Milkovich.

“We will continue to fight for the next generation of Louisianans. We will continue to fight for the next generation of Americans, and we will continue to fight for the defenseless unborn.”

Catholic Charities’ New ‘Friendly Visiting Program’ Cares For Homebound Residents

By Tim Harfmann

Linda Kadluboski Lacoma volunteers once a week, visiting 87-year-old Ellen Ferguson and her husband, Julio Rivera, at their Jamaica, Queens home. For a few hours, Linda checks on their well-being. “It lifts me up,” said Ferguson.

The interaction is thanks to the “Friendly Visiting Program” — a new initiative by Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens that’s sponsored by the city’s Department of the Aging. Stephanie Mitchell, coordinator of the program, said the goal is to be there for homebound residents; “It has been scientifically proven that isolation causes a lot of diseases. It causes depression. Isolation can even cause death.”

Retired from law enforcement, Linda saw an ad in her church bulletin. Having an elderly mother herself, Linda wanted to volunteer. “I feel good when I come because I feel like I’m doing something good for her; and she also makes me feel good when I’m here, too.”

And she’s putting her Catholic faith into action. “That’s been part of our life growing up, just giving back to the community, giving back to others, helping people when you can,” said Linda.

Ellen, a retired nurse, is a mother of eight children. She’s also a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She said sometimes it’s hard for her family to visit. “They may not be able to make it. But if Linda says, ‘I’ll be at 11,’ I can almost look for her at 11 because she will be here by 11,” said Ellen.

The two talk about everything from Ellen’s extensive doll collection to baking. On May 29, the two looked at the photo album Ellen is putting together. Linda brought fabric from home for the cover.

“I can feel the warmth. I can feel the love. That’s why I feel that this program is a very good program if people can’t really get out,” said Ellen on how grateful she is to Catholic Charities for the new program.

And she looks forward to her weekly visits with Linda; “It’s like some kids looking for Santa Claus to come!”

Catholic Charities needs volunteers in Southwest Queens — made up of neighborhoods including Jamaica, Hollis, Saint Albans, Woodhaven, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, and Howard Beach. If you would like to be a volunteer, you can go online to the Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens website, www.ccbq.org. Potential participants must be at least 18 years old and clear a background check and an interview.

St Joseph High School Set To Close Its Doors

By Emily Drooby

St. Joseph Catholic High School has announced it will be closing after the upcoming school year. Students like Uriah Denham described their school as special.

“I’m defiantly going to miss, like, my teachers and the environment,” she said.

The Downtown Brooklyn institution is closing because of declining enrollment and rising costs, two problems hitting Catholic schools all over the United States.

St. Joseph High School opened in 1904. It was started by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood to serve both immigrants and working-class families.

A letter to students explained that although a lot of thought and effort was put into saving the school, it just wasn’t feasible.

The letter was co-signed by a representative for the school’s board of trustees and by Sister Helen Kearney, the president of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the order that runs the school.

“However, the painful reality is that long-term operation under the financial conditions would diminish our ability to deliver the type of innovative, inclusive education we have always strive to provide,” the letter read.

Students are heartbroken over the closure.

“It’s really difficult for us,” said Angelica Martinez, “it didn’t hit us until now.”

Nylah Rogers, a fellow student explained why:

“This school bettered me as a human being, as a young lady, it made me more humble and it made me feel as if I were home.”

“I will mainly miss the teachers because they helped me a lot to pass my class,” said Nalani Fry Dicaprio. “I will miss my guidance counselor for helping me and being on me about my grades. I’ll miss the whole school.”

It has been a tough year for students, they lost their beloved principal Caroline Latham suddenly back in February.

This is the second Catholic high school to announce its closure in the Diocese of Brooklyn this month. Bishop Kearney High School in Bensonhurst will close its doors August 31. Both schools are administered by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

An informational meeting for parents and students will be held at the school next week.

Currents News for Wednesday, May 29, 2019

On the newscast: After of century of Catholic education in Brooklyn, St. Joseph High School is closing its doors; Abortion battles are being waged all over the country. Could the fight go all the way to the Supreme Court?; And ahead of Pope Francis’ apostolic journey this weekend, the Pontiff shared a message with the people of Romania; Plus, the family of Harriet Tubman speaking out about the decision to delay putting her image on the $20 bill.

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.

Supreme Court Allows Fetal Burials, Rejects Abortion Limits In Indiana

By Carol Zimmerman

WASHINGTON (Catholic News Service) — The U.S. Supreme Court weighed in on two different aspects of Indiana abortion laws May 28.

It upheld a state law — reversing an appeals court ruling — that requires abortion providers to bury or cremate fetal remains. It also refused to take up a challenge to a block of the state law that would prevent women from obtaining abortions based on the gender, race or a potential diagnosis of Down syndrome of the fetus.

“We’re pleased that they did rule in favor of one part it — recognizing the dignity of the fetus and proper disposal is important part of the sacredness of life — and disappointed, of course, that (the court) is not dealing with the question of abortion based on sex, race or disability,” said Glenn Tebbe, Executive Director of the Indiana Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s bishops.

“At least one is a step in the right direction,” he said, noting that “fetal life is life and should be treated in a respectful or proper way.”

The court’s three-page decision, issued without oral arguments, was unsigned. It said its decision to uphold the law concerning the disposal of fetal remains “does not implicate our cases applying the undue burden test to abortion regulations” nor does it involve a challenged that the law “imposes an undue burden on a woman’s right to obtain an abortion.”

The court said the state has “a legitimate interest in proper disposal of fetal remains,” referring to a 1983 court decision, Akron v. Akron Center for Reproductive Health, Inc. The justices voted 7-2 to uphold the fetal remains aspect of the state’s law, with Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor dissenting.

The court also examined the appellate court’s ruling which struck down a provision in the state law that prevented women from obtaining abortions because of fetal characteristics.

Both laws were signed in 2016 by Vice President Mike Pence when he was Indiana’s governor and were blocked by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last year.

Ginsburg and Sotomayor said they would have denied review of both issues in the case.

Justice Clarence Thomas in a 20-page opinion, not joined by other justices, said he agreed with the court for not taking up the issue of abortion limits at this time but said it would have to do so in the future, warning that the provision promotes a “compelling interest in preventing abortion from becoming a tool of modern-day eugenics.”

“We cannot avoid them forever.” he wrote. “Having created the constitutional right to an abortion, this Court is duty bound to address its scope.”

“Given the potential for abortion to become a tool of eugenic manipulation, the court will soon need to confront the constitutionality of laws like Indiana’s,” Thomas stated in the document, according to the Associated Press.

The court’s decision will keep the appeals court ruling in place on abortion limits and uphold the law requiring abortion providers to bury or cremate fetal remains.

All eyes have been on the court taking up an abortion case to potentially challenge its 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide.

Missouri Could Become First State Where No Abortions Can Be Performed

ST. LOUIS (Catholic News Service) – The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has told Planned Parenthood officials it will not renew its St. Louis clinic’s license expiring May 31 unless the clinic makes changes to comply with various state health regulations.

The Planned Parenthood clinic is the only abortion facility in Missouri. If it closes, Missouri will be the first state without an operating abortion facility since the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling on Roe v. Wade in 1973. Women who want an abortion would have to go to the neighboring state of Illinois.

CBS News May 28, quoted Planned Parenthood officials as saying that the state health department had informed them May 20 that the facility might lose its license.

According to the news report, state health officials said the clinic must provide state-mandated counseling services, conduct an additional pelvic exam on a woman prior to performing her abortion and resolve what health officials described as “deficient practices” by doctors at the clinic.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson was scheduled to hold a news conference midday May 29. Also, a hearing was planned that afternoon regarding Planned Parenthood filing for a temporary restraining order on actions by the state health department.

Dr. Leana Wen, Planned Parenthood’s CEO, said the possibility the clinic might close is “a real public health crisis,” adding: “Abortion care is health care. Period.”

Meanwhile, Parson signed into law the Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act May 24. It bans abortions on or beyond the eighth week of pregnancy.

Set to take effect Aug. 28, the law provides an exception in cases of medical emergencies, but there are no exceptions for rape or incest. Doctors who perform abortions after eight weeks face five to 15 years in prison. There is no punishment for the mother.

With the ban, the state’s lawmakers “have taken a giant step forward for the pro-life movement,” said St. Louis Archbishop Robert J. Carlson. “We need to continue to show persistence and determination in proclaiming a culture of life.”

On May 28, the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri announced it will seek signatures to put a referendum on the 2020 ballot to repeal the new law. The organization has until Aug. 28 to gather 100,000 signatures to place the issue on the ballot for an up-or-down vote.

If the organization gets the needed signatures, the law will not take effect as scheduled and voters will decide its fate. A “yes” vote would mean the ban becomes law, while a “no” would mean it doesn’t.

Currents News for Tuesday, May 28, 2019

On the newscast: New documents surface about disgraced former cardinal Theodore McCarrick. And Pope Francis is speaking out; The Holy Father also comments on abortion, calling all children a gift to their families no matter the situation; The Brooklyn Diocese welcomed 19 new deacons to help lead the faithful; A beloved Queens priest leaves the parish he loves to keep serving God and his country on the high seas.

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.

Documents Reveal Vatican Imposed Restrictions On McCarrick

By Tim Harfmann

New allegations are now being made against Theodore McCarrick, a former cardinal laicized over sexual misconduct and abuse charges.

He was once one of the most powerful Catholic leaders in the United States.

A 10-page report obtained exclusively by Crux showed that the Vatican imposed restrictions in 2008, ordering McCarrick not to travel.

An ex-aide to McCarrick is responsible for releasing the documents.

McCarrick claimed that Cardinal Donald Wuerl was aware of the restrictions and was involved in conversations about their implications. A spokesperson for Cardinal Wuerl denied the assertion.

Cardinal Wuerl recently resigned after controversy surrounding his handling of abuse cases when he was bishop of Pittsburgh.

In a new interview on May 28, Pope Francis claimed he had no knowledge of the sanctions, which were imposed over a decade ago during Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy.

The Vatican’s former U.S. ambassador, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, released an 11-page letter last August, claiming that Pope Francis was aware of the McCarrick allegations.

“Read the document carefully and judge it for yourselves,” was the pontiff’s response, “I will not say one word on this.”

McCarrick denied any sexual relations, but does acknowledge sharing his bed with seminarians in their twenties and thirties.

Last October, Pope Francis ordered a “thorough study” of the McCarrick case. To date, no results have been public.