Archives

Pope To Healthcare Workers: The Patient Is Not A Number

Currents News Staff

When doctors, nurses and health care workers conscientiously object to a procedure to protect the life and dignity of their patients, they must do so respectfully, Pope Francis said.

Without respect, conscientious objection can be “a reason for contempt or pride” that would impede dialogue “with those who hold different positions” and mask the true reason of that objection, which is to the seek the patient’s well-being, Pope Francis told a group of Catholic health care workers May 17 at the Vatican.

“To become the traveling companion of those near us, especially the last ones, the ones often forgotten, the excluded: This is the best way to understand in depth and with truth the different situations and the moral good that it implies,” he said. “This is also the path to give a better witness to the Gospel, which casts upon the person the powerful light that our Lord Jesus continues to shine on every human being.”

Pope Francis met with the delegation from the Italian Catholic Association of Health Care Workers, which was in Rome to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding of the organization.

In his address, the Holy Father thanked the organization for its efforts to promote and defend life, especially “those who are the most helpless or in need of assistance because they are sick, elderly, marginalized.”

He also warned about many health care systems today that treat the sick “as numbers” and not as people. Those systems, he said, place the need to reduce costs and efficiency over the actual patient “who needs to be understood, listened to and accompanied just as much as he or she needs a correct diagnosis and effective treatment.”

Pope Francis also emphasized the importance of spirituality not only for patients but also for health care workers who run the risk of being “burned out” by long shifts, high stress emergencies or the emotional impact of their work.

Healing, he said, “among other things, passes not only through the body but also through the spirit.”

Catholic Convert Graduates From St. John’s University

By Tim Harfmann

Decked out in their caps and gowns, nearly 2,300 graduates walked across the stage at St. John’s University on Sunday, May 19th.  It was the largest graduating class in three decades. Derrell Bouknight was part of the class. He had an outstanding college career at the university.  The journalism major received his diploma in three-and-a-half years, while posting a 3.84 grade point average. Bouknight was deeply involved in many journalism-related activities at school and earned the dean’s award. Besides his success in the classroom, he achieved an even greater success in life. “I wasn’t Catholic, but I was so invested and so interested in learning about the faith,” said Bouknight.

The 22-year-old was raised in Washington, D.C. and grew up a Baptist. When he arrived at St. John’s, Bouknight experienced a transformation; “To be honest, I didn’t know if it was possible to change your religion or become Catholic or convert from religion to another.”

Bouknight was attending a campus Mass when he learned about the Catholic Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults – known as R.C.I.A. After eight months of preparation, he was confirmed a Catholic, receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit through Sacred Chrism Oil. “Bishop [Octavio] Cisneros took the oil and anointed me, put it on my forehead. Without St. John’s and the RCIA program here, I wouldn’t have been able to fulfill one of my dreams — which was to learn about the faith and actually live it out,” said Bouknight, who also credited his girlfriend, Maggie Moore, for supporting his decision. Moore also graduated on May 19th and was Bouknight’s sponsor at his confirmation. “I said, ‘you know it’s your choice, obviously. I will support you and be here for you if you choose to. If not, we can still remain friends and I will not think of you any differently. But he decided to do it,” said Moore.

Staying true to the faith is a challenge for some of their peers. According to a study by CARA — the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate — fewer than two-thirds of millennials, raised as Catholics, remain so as adults. Brooklyn’s Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio praised St. John’s for making faith a crucial part of the school’s curriculum; “It is giving the Catholic values in all of its courses, with its teachers and its theology; so it’s a very positive atmosphere that supports the faith.” Bishop DiMarzio delivered the invocation at the commencement.

As for Bouknight and Moore, he’s starting his journalism career as a CBS news associate, with an eye on eventually becoming a sports broadcaster. She’s hoping to teach history and will go for her master’s degree at New York University. Bouknight said their Catholic faith is the driving force in their lives; “I believe everybody has some sort of inner calling or inner spirituality.”

Interfaith Solidarity March

From the City of Los Angeles: Joe Estevez interviews commentator Reza Aslan along with representatives from the various religions in Los Angeles who hope to achieve peace through understanding with positive interfaith activities.

Currents News for Friday, May 17, 2019

On the newscast: The preparations are quickening in the Brooklyn Diocese: soon there will be new priests; At the Vatican, Pope Francis ordained 19 men to serve God’s people in Rome; A church in Brooklyn wants you to become part of a great tradition in the Diocese that is over a century old; Be on guard against a scam that’s hitting the Diocese: Crooks are posing as pastors.

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.

Patrick Creadon

Craig Syracusa had the chance to speak with Catholic director Patrick Creadon about the new documentary film Hesburgh, about the life and work of Fr. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C, the longtime president of the University of Notre Dame and one of the most influential figures in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States. Fr. Hesburgh was also an advisor to presidents and Popes. In 1964, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and in the same year, he delivered a speech at Dr. Martin Luther King’s rally in Chicago. He was also awarded over 150 honorary degrees and penned numerous books. Tune in to find out more about the film and Patrick himself.

Knights of Columbus Dedicate Statewide Holy Hour to Persecuted Christians

By Tim Harfmann

 A special hour of prayer — dedicated to the plight of persecuted Christians — was held simultaneously throughout New York State. Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio led members of the Knights of Columbus before the Blessed Sacrament and the icon of Our Lady Help of Persecuted Christians.

“It’s terrible that people would use violence against people of faith, especially when they’re praying. Praying for an end to violence is something that we know we can do. The Lord listens to our prayers. We have to ask,” said Bishop DiMarzio.

The international Catholic organization is at the forefront of helping Christians facing violence because of their faith — and 2019 is projected to be Christianity’s bloodiest year yet.

Kenneth Latham, New York State’s deputy, leads 86,000 knights and said they stand in solidarity with worshipers overseas; “They need money. They don’t have houses. They don’t have shelter. This is what the Knights of Columbus is helping to provide to persecuted Christians.”

Father Michael Gelfant, Knights of Columbus chaplain, said the persecution is also felt here at home; “Our Christian values are being attacked by certain laws and politicians; and there’s this sense of the Church also being under attack.”

The latest attacks against Christians was also remembered on this night. Ten worshippers were killed in just two days in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Before that, over 250 people were killed in Sri Lanka during the Easter Sunday bombings.

Following the prayer service at the Saint James Cathedral Basilica in Downtown Brooklyn was the recognition of a newly formed council. It is named in memory of late Brooklyn Bishop Thomas Daily. The group became the 17,000th official Knights of Columbus council in the world. “[Bishop Daily] just loved the Knights of Columbus. I had so many great conversations with him, and his love of the order just came from him naturally,” said Latham. “He was so proud to be a knight. His father had worked for the Knights of Columbus. He was a very faithful knight, and this is something to his memory,” said Bishop DiMarzio.

The new council joined the fight for an end to violence against persecuted Christians.

Currents News for Thursday, May 16, 2019

On the newscast: Mayor Bill de Blasio is now in the race for President. How his liberal politics stack up with church teachings; Alabama’s governor signs into law the nation’s strongest protections for the unborn; Brooklyn deacon John-Paul Obiaeri will soon become a priest after a path filled with twists and turns; and a new painting that caused one visitor to exclaim he feels he knows Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
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.

Currents News for Thursday, May 16, 2019

On the newscast: Mayor Bill de Blasio is now in the race for President. How his liberal politics stack up with church teachings; Alabama’s governor signs into law the nation’s strongest protections for the unborn; Brooklyn deacon John-Paul Obiaeri will soon become a priest after a path filled with twists and turns; and a new painting that caused one visitor to exclaim he feels he knows Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
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.

The Road To Priesthood In The Brooklyn Diocese: JohnPaul Obiaeri’s Story

By Katie Engesser

Voices are raised in a joyful noise as parishioners of St. Clement Pope Church in Jamaica, Queens celebrate their African heritage. For Deacon JohnPaul Obiaeri, it’s a welcome reminder of his childhood home and his road to the priesthood. 

“My coming to Brooklyn was totally providential,” Deacon JohnPaul explained.

Deacon JohnPaul’s faith was formed in Ebenator Nigeria, a small town that in English means “three homes” or “three places.” His family, including three brothers and one sister, and his community are all deeply devout.  “The Catholic faith is almost 70 to 80 percent in the eastern part of Nigeria,” said Deacon JohnPaul.

“In some families in my area we have like three, four priests coming from siblings,” he added. Deacon JohnPaul followed suit; eventually becoming so inspired by his parish priests, he decided to enter the seminary.

As Deacon JohnPaul began to study philosophy and question everything around him, he started to have doubts which caused him to leave.  “At some point I said, ‘this is not what I want to do,’ he explained.

Deacon JohnPaul then tried to find his way.  His family, who were concerned, asked him how they could help. Deacon JohnPaul had an idea. “If you want to help me, I want to go abroad. I want to study abroad,” he said.

Happy to help however they could, his family agreed. He narrowed down his choices to three schools: Boston College, Fordham University and St. John’s University.  Deacon JohnPaul had made up his mind to go Boston, and then tragedy struck. The Boston Marathon bombing caused the college to curtail the number of new foreign students, Deacon JohnPaul among them.

He then decided to go to Fordham and room with a friend in Canarsie.

“That was actually how I came to know Brooklyn,” he explained.

While he attended classes, more and more people were mistaking him for a priest. He started considering his vocation again, and as he grappled with the difficult decision, he asked God for help.

“I said ‘God, if this is what you want me to do, then make it easy for me. Make it easy in such that when I call the Diocese, that the Diocese is able to respond,” he prayed. God answered his call.

Now, Deacon JohnPaul is serving the Brooklyn Diocese, the place he calls home.  As he prepares for his ordination, his doubts are gone; thanks to God, his family, and the faithful from the Diocese of Brooklyn.

“People don’t want me to be another Jesus Christ, they just want me to be a priest of Jesus Christ. And that is the most I can be. To be a priest for the people and I’m so, so excited and looking forward to getting into that position,” he said.

De Blasio Formally Jumps Into Presidential Campaign Pool

By Allyson Escobar

Mayor Bill de Blasio formally announced his campaign for president on May 16, becoming the 23rd candidate to join the Democratic field that includes such national figures as former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

“I’m a New Yorker, I’ve known Trump’s a bully for a long time. This is not news to me or anyone else here. And I know how to take him on,” de Blasio, 58, said in his campaign video announcing the news. In the video, he boasts about some of his accomplishments as mayor of New York such as launching the Green New Deal, starting universal free pre-K program and establishing a citywide $15 minimum wage.

“As president, I will take on the wealthy, I will take on big corporations. I will not rest until this government serves working people. It’s time we put working people first,” de Blasio said.

De Blasio is now serving his second term as mayor. He was first elected in 2013 on a platform of fighting inequality and the wage gap. He won re-election in 2017 with the slogan “Promises Made, Promises Kept,” the same slogan that President Donald Trump has used. Previously, de Blasio was the city’s public advocate. A native of New York City who grew up near Boston, he lived in Park Slope before becoming mayor.

“I have never run for anything without intending to win,” De Blasio said at a press conference last week, although he is widely seen as a long shot at best. A Quinnipiac poll in March found that 76 percent of New York voters were not in favor of him running.

“Can you like, fix the subway first,” one disgruntled New Yorker responded to his candidacy announcement.

De Blasio has some history with Pope Francis. He visited the Vatican for a papal conference on climate change in 2015, and met the pope during the pontiff’s visit to New York, the same year. The liberal mayor has long called himself “spiritual,” not religious, according to the New York Times.

A Trump tweet following the campaign announcement called De Blasio “the worst mayor in the U.S.” and a  “JOKE, but if you like high taxes and crime, he’s your man.”

De Blasio said Trump he “must be stopped. I’ve beaten him before, and I will do it again.”