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.

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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.

Crux Exclusive: Documents Claim Vatican Imposed Restrictions On McCarrick In 2008

Currents News Staff

Documents obtained exclusively by Crux confirm that travel restrictions were imposed on ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick over a decade ago, barring him from travel. The documents also allege that Cardinal Donald Wuerl was “in the know” regarding these restrictions.

Editor in chief of Crux, John Allen, and Crux’s Rome bureau chief, Inés San Martín, join us to talk about the newly obtained documents, and the fallout that could occur in its wake.

Knife Attack In Japan Leaves One Child Dead, Others In Critical Condition

Currents News Staff

A 12-year-old girl and a 39-year-old man were killed in a stabbing spree in Japan on May 28, a rare act of public violence in a country considered one of the safest in the world.

17 others were wounded when the attacker assaulted a crowd near a park in the city of Kawasaki, south of Tokyo. Most of the victims were girls from a Catholic elementary school who were lined up at a bus stop near the park when a man in his 50s began slashing them with knives.

Police say the attacker died from a “self-inflicted wound” as he was being detained, according to police reports from Japanese public broadcaster NHK.

The Kawasaki fire department has reported that 16 elementary school students and three adults were injured.

Victims were taken to four different hospitals. A spokesperson at the Nippon Medical School Musashi Kosugi Hospital confirmed the deaths of the victims.

“It was horrifying incident,” said Yoshihide Suga, the Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan.

NHK reported earlier Tuesday that three people, including an elementary school student, were in critical condition. It is unclear if the girl who died was among them.

Japan is considered one of the world’s safest developed countries, boasting one of the world’s lowest homicide rates, according to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime.

Mass stabbings are extremely rare.

In 2016, 19 people were killed in a stabbing spree at a care home for disabled people, the deadliest mass killing in Japan since the end of World War II.

The country also strictly regulates weapons, and it’s illegal for people to carry a pocket knife, craft knife, hunting knife or box cutter in public, according to the U.S. State Department.

The incident took place during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the country.

Speaking aboard a Japanese helicopter carrier, Trump said the American people grieved for the victims’ families.

Queens Church Honors Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day

By Tim Harfmann

Catholics gathered in Belle Harbor, Queens, on Memorial Day to honor the nation’s greatest — the war heroes who lost their lives defending the country. This year, there is someone new to remember — Private Daniel Edward O’Connor.

“I had heard years and years ago about a boy from the parish who was on this ship, and the only thing I heard was that his name was O’Connor,” said Monsignor John Bracken, a former pastor of Saint Francis de Sales Church.

That boy Monsignor Bracken heard about grew up to be Private O’Connor of the U.S. Army. On February 3, 1943, he steamed across the Atlantic on the troop ship, the S.S. Dorchester.

A German U-boat stalked them. Off the coast of Greenland, torpedoes were launched and the Dorchester sank beneath the waves.

The World War II tragedy was made famous because of the four chaplains who died after giving away their life vests to save others on board the ship.

Few knew about Private O’Connor, even though he was from Saint Francis de Sales. So, Monsignor Bracken searched the parish’s archives to learn more.

Daniel received his First Communion and Confirmation at the church — and graduated from the parish’s elementary school in 1932. He was a good student with a 92 average and got an ‘A’ in conduct.

So that everyone will always know about Private O’Conner, a tree was planted in his honor. “To see a connection and say, ‘these are real people. They went to the same school that I did. Look at what they’ve done. I must never forget,” said Monsignor Bracken.

The four chaplains have already been saluted in a similar way, with a plaque outside the church dedicated to the Catholic priest, the rabbi and the two Protestant ministers who went down with their ship. “Why not single out these men as symbols of the contribution that was made by this community, in the great effort against the Nazis and Totalitarianism?” asked Monsignor Bracken.

Seventy-five years after Private O’Conner died in the sinking of the Dorchester, a Memorial Day parade stepped off in Belle Harbor.

“They served and tried to help us, and they protected us,” said Michael Noone, a 2^nd grader in the parish’s Catholic academy.

And so they are always remembered, Saint Francis de Sales church installed a plaque — and planted a tree.

Queens Priest Becomes Navy’s Newest Chaplain

By Tim Harfmann

An emotional Father Mark Bristol was sworn in as the Navy’s newest chaplain on Sunday, May 26. The ceremony took place at Saint Anastasia Church in Douglaston, Queens, where the priest has been assigned. “I feel moved,” said Father Bristol. “Moved spirituality, moved physically — brought to tears.”

Father Bristol is no stranger to the Navy. The Brooklyn native enlisted in 2002 at the age of 17. He was deployed throughout the Mediterranean on the U.S.S. Mount Whitney, the flagship for the sixth fleet. During his naval service, he heard God calling him to become a priest. Now, he’s returning to the sea to meet a need. “Currently, there are less than 47 priests in the military; and many of our sailors, marines, and coast guardsmen go out to sea without the ability to go to Mass or receive the sacraments,” said Father Bristol.

“Think about the military: the Navy, the Coast Guard, and the Marine Corp.” said Father Daniel Mode, a friend of Father Bristol’s who presided at the commissioning. “If you put all that together, that’s about 600,000 persons who are deployed throughout the world. Of that, 20-to-25 percent are Roman Catholic.”

Father Bristol is returning to active duty on July 1. He’ll be stationed on board the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, patrolling the pacific for two years. He’ll minister to nearly 6,000 service members of all faiths. “I’ll be meeting their spiritual needs, providing care for those not of the Catholic faith, of any faith; and also advising the commanding officer on issues of moral and ethics,” said Father Bristol.

Henry and Mary Macchiaroli, parishioners at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church in Ridgewood, have known Father Bristol since he was a seminarian. They said he makes a perfect fit to be a chaplain; “He’ll do a fine job. We all love him. He’s a very charismatic priest. He works very, very hard. He cares about all types of people.”

And as he leaves the Brooklyn diocese, Father Bristol described how he feels towards the men and women who have been instrumental throughout his vocation; “A tremendous amount of gratitude because you formed me to be the priest that I am today; and no matter where I go in the world — I will always be a Brooklyn priest.”

A Brooklyn priest — serving God and country.

New Deacons Ordained In The Brooklyn Diocese

By Emily Drooby

Saturday was one of the best days of Andrzej Lewandowski’s life because it was the day he became a deacon.

He said, “I am very happy and I am ready to serve God and to serve the Church”

Lewandowski said he couldn’t have done it without the support of his daughters and Maria, his wife of 37 years, who stood at his side every step of the way, even being there during his training.

Maria said, “People should know the faith very deep and we got that.”

Andrzej’s daughter, Dorota said, “Seeing his hard work and seeing the smile on his face at the alter it’s unbelievable. My dad finally accomplished a really big dream.”

His daughter Gosia added, “It was incredibly amazing, because my dad was beaming, and therefore we saw this light.”

Brooklyn’s Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio ordained 18 men as permanent deacons, they will serve the Church forever as deacons. He also ordained one man as a transitional deacon, he’s preparing for the priesthood.

The Bishop said he’s thrilled to see so many ordained, “It’s really such a great day for the Diocese…People still believe in the Church they have confidence, they want to serve the Church they want to serve God’s people, it’s a real shot in the arm.”

This class of deacons will also help provide wonderful diversity, like Anwar Iqbal who is originally from Pakistan.

Iqbal said, “I feel so happy because for the last 25 years there was not any deacon from Pakistani community here in New York.”

Deacons are clergy who can perform sacraments like weddings, baptisms and funerals. They can also proclaim the gospel and preach at Mass.

With their family and friends looking on in admiration, the deacons promised life-long obedience to the Church. Prostrating themselves and praying for guidance.

Following the ordination, the deacons received word on their parish assignments.

Francis Cuffie is excited to be going to Holy Cross in Flatbush, “I feel the power of God in my life, and I am ready to go, to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth”

With the Church behind them, God in their hearts and family by their sides, these deacons are now ready to serve the Catholics living in Brooklyn and Queens.