‘Christ Is Alive’ – Francis Publishes Document On Young People

Currents News Staff

Christus Vivit, or officially “Christ is Alive” in English, draws on ideas established during the Synod, presenting them over nine chapters.

[Read the entire document here]

The exhortation presents ideas of change within the Church, calling for a young Church. Pope Francis also asks for a Church with open doors and inclusive youth ministry. He states “one does not have to accept fully all the teachings of the Church to take part” but “have an open mind.”

“They are concrete themes specific to young people. The digital world, the world where they live, the family and the relationship of dialogue needed within it, especially with the elderly. The pope has repeated this, many times,” said Msgr. Fabio Fabene, the Under-Secretary, Synod of Bishops.

Sexual morality is defined as a source of “incomprehension and alienation from the Church”, viewed as “a place of judgment and condemnation” for young people. The pope admits that youth question “gender identity” and “homosexuality,” while terminology like LGBT is avoided.

The document calls youth to greater responsibility, even amidst the abuse crisis. He asks that young people be courageous enough to remind priests of their mission, if they see he is at risk or is taking the wrong path.

Trafficking, violence and abuse are discussed along with migrants. Pope Francis asks youth not to see them as a threat, or lacking the same dignity as every other human.

Women, which was a key synod topic, is also mentioned. It says Church history shows “male authoritarianism, domination, enslavement, abuse and sexist violence.” The pope calls for greater equality between males and females, but says the Church does not agree with everything feminists propose.

Discernment toward marriage, religious life or consecration is also included, calling the family the first place of accompaniment for every young person.

With each of these themes, Pope Francis’ main message is one of hope, encouraging young people to continue despite painful or dark situations. He reminds that God is love, is alive and asks youth to swim against the tide.

Gastoń Pauls

Actor Gastoń Pauls speaks with Craig Syracusa about his role in the movie “Palau”, the story of Luis Palau, a famous evangelist from South America. They also speak about how Gastoń’s life led him to not only play the evangelist but also meet him!

Currents News for Monday, April 1, 2019

On this newscast: The Pope’s Mission to Morocco; the journey to build Christian-Muslim unity included a surprise statement about Jerusalem. The latest on the border crisis, as a flood of Central American migrants overwhelm Texas towns; Catholic Charities is working hard to help out. An exclusive interview with the founder of the Vatican’s Women’s Magazine; she explains why she and her team quit their jobs. A large turnout of young adults on Saturday, coming together to ‘ignite’ the faith at Catholic Youth Day.

Today’s top news from the Catholic perspective anchored by Liz Faublas. Currents News airs Monday through Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET on NET-TV (netny.tv)

Pope Francis Takes Apostolic Journey to Morocco

By Emily Drooby

In Morocco, the Pope did something unexpected.

Not long after his arrival in the capital of Rabat, he sat down with the country’s king, Mohammed VI. Together they signed an important statement on Jerusalem and its spiritual significance as a city of peace. They urged that Jerusalem be preserved for humanity and pointed to its religious importance.

Their joint statement said, “It is our hope, therefore, that in the Holy City, full freedom of access to the followers of the three monotheistic religions and their right to worship will be guaranteed…”

Although, the Pope didn’t address it directly, both Israel and the Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital city.

The Holy Father did focus on a pillar of his pontificate, creating stronger unity between Christians and Muslims.

Pope Francis said, “it is vital to foster the culture of dialogue and adhere to it unfailingly, to adopt mutual cooperation as our code of conduct and reciprocal understanding as our method and standard”.

Nearly the entire population of Morocco are believers in Islam. Less than one percent are catholic about 23,000. There are two Archdioceses in the nation, served by 15 diocesan priests and 31 religious’ priests. There are also 15 catholic schools.

On Sunday, the pope celebrated outdoor mass at a Rabat Sports Complex.

Thousands attended, including Muslim leaders in a sign of unity.

In his homily the Holy Father talked about rejecting hate and promoting tolerance, he said, “…to continue to let the culture of mercy grow, a culture in which no one looks at others with indifference, or averts his eyes in the face of their suffering…continue to be a sign of the Father’s loving embrace”.

Francis also praised Morocco’s Catholics for their support in helping migrants who pass through the African country while heading to Europe. The Holy Father visited a small group of migrants as a sign of his support.

The Pope concluded his journey by speaking with Morocco’s Catholic clergy and paying his respects at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the king who is considered the father of modern Morocco.

Vatican Women’s Magazine Resignations: “Others Who Are More Obedient, Will Continue It”

Currents News Staff

Resignations are continuing amidst the 5-year Vatican Communication revamp. This time, the entire editorial committee for the Vatican’s Women’s Magazine have made their voice heard louder than ever with 11 simultaneous resignations.

In an open letter to Pope Francis and an official announcement in their April edition, “Women Church World’s” founder, Lucetta Scaraffia, and her hand-picked team have all resigned.

“There are many causes. Under the new direction of Vatican Communications, a process of delegitimization began toward our magazine. We thought we could resist, but the process was wearing us out, so we thought it best to leave,” said Scaraffia.

The seven-year-old monthly magazine was published by the Vatican’s L’Osservatore Romano. On Dec. 18, the director changed from Scaraffia’s friend, Giovanni Maria Vian to Andrea Monda.

Scaraffia says it was a painful decision to resign, yet, the women’s autonomous work was under threat.

“When the new Communication Director, Monda, arrived, they said they wanted to make him director of the magazine and to participate in our meetings. We said no, so we quit,” Scaraffia added.

Monda did not respond for comment. Rather, he referred to his printed response which states, he granted “total autonomy and freedom” to the women and “refrained from interfering in any way,” only suggesting possible themes or authors.

He asserts the magazine will continue to be published.

“Others, who are more obedient, will continue it,” said Scaraffia.

Lucetta believes her article “Senza Tatto,” about women religious who are abused by priests was a turning point. It led to Pope Francis being the first pope to admit abuse of religious women is happening within the Catholic Church.

“I cannot say that ‘in my house’ this does not happen. It’s true,” Francis said back in February.

While the magazine began under Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis also supported their journalistic work.

These are not the only resignations in the revamping of Vatican Communications. Last March, Dario Vigano the prefect of the Secretariat for Communication over the “lettergate” scandal and the two papal spokespersons on December 31st.

Catholic Charities Helps Migrants As They Face Unknown Future

Currents News Staff

Arel Garcia can’t remember which day he got to the U.S. It’s been a blur.

U.S. authorities gave him an ankle bracelet and he’s trying to get to a relative in Kansas. All to escape the dire economy and violence in Guatemala.

“I worked on the fields. Growing coffee plants,” he said.

He’s one of at least two thousand migrants who have already been dropped off by Customs and Border Protection into McAllen, Brownsville and Harlingen, because officials say there’s just no room to hold them.

In McAllen, Customs and Border Protection dropped migrants off at Catholic Charities.

If their U.S. relatives can buy them a bus ticket, they are then taken to the central bus station.

Their long journey to the U.S. is now followed by confusion – a release, with notices to appear in court – which many of them don’t understand.

“I explain to them what to expect up front. I tell them that immigration is going to ask you where you’re going.” said volunteer Luis Guerrero. He’s seen and heard all their stories.

Including that of a four-year-old girl whose family was robbed by men with machetes. “She said, I’ll never forget you, and I said, why momma? She said, because you were the first to tell us welcome to United States. That really hit me,” Guerrero shared.

He helps all of them on to their next destinations, to meet with family, or start a new life of the unknown.

Pope Francis In Flight Presser: “You Can’t Call Yourself A Christian And Treat Migrants This Way”

Currents News Staff

The Pope made more news on his flight back to the Vatican.

Speaking to reporters on board the Papal Plane, he reiterated his call for compassion when it comes to migration and rejected the construction of walls to keep migrants out.

Flying with the Pope on his plane was Crux Rome Bureau Chief Ines San Martin and she joins Currents News to discuss the Pope’s inflight press conference.

Ed Wilkinson

Craig Syracusa sits down with celebrated newsman Ed Wilkinson. They talk about life, family, and faith, as well as Ed’s career and how he left the seminary to become one of the most trusted men in Catholic journalism today. Then, Ed turns the tables and interviews Craig!

Brooklyn & Queens Catholic Youth Day ‘Ignites’ Faith

By Tim Harfmann

For seventh grader Grace Carlin, attending the 2019 Brooklyn and Queens Catholic Youth Day was an eye-opening experience. “It’s incredible because you don’t really know how much God has impacted anybody until you really see it,” said Carlin, who attends Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Academy in Belle Harbor, Queens.

Carlin joined nearly 1,200 other young people for the diocese’s special rally in Brooklyn’s Windsor Terrance neighborhood. Their theme was ‘Ignite.’

“The fire begins with one match and spreads. I think that is what’s going to happen with these young men and women from the diocese. They’re going to ignite each other in the fire of the spirit,” said Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros.

The bishop celebrated Mass for the young women and men, who also had the opportunity to go to confession and adore the Blessed Sacrament. “If you come as a Church, He has to be the center of it all. It is Jesus that will ignite our hearts, our lives,” said Bishop Cisneros.

For Tiffany Chyke-Okpuzor, a Queens high school senior, all of the day’s activities, including live music and motivational speakers, moved her spirit. “I feel that music is a way for everyone to just get up and have fun. So, with music that praises God, it can make other young people understand that Church is not boring. It can actually be lively and fun and interesting,” said Chyke-Okpuzor.

Paul Morisi, director of youth and young adult formation in the Brooklyn diocese, helped rally the young people on Saturday, March 29^th; “Usually we get some young people who start off kind of sluggish on a Saturday morning, but once they hear the music, see there’s a bishop here with them, and there’s some praise and worship opportunities; by the end of the day, they’re really excited. So, it’s a wonderful opportunity to see that transformation in young people.”

Chyke-Okpuzor judged the youth day to be a big success, and she’s ready to ignite the faith when she’s back at her Saint Clare parish in Rosedale, Queens. “It inspires me to continue helping others and to continue bringing other people to be able to experience the same experience I had at these youth days,” said Chyke-Okpuzor.

Currents News for Friday, March 29, 2019

On the newscast: The Pope takes new action to protect minors; We’ll have all the details on what the Holy Father is doing. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will be here to talk about mobilizing the Brooklyn Diocese in support of the unborn; He’s pledging support for the international 40 Days for Life campaign. The battle is still raging over the Mueller Report; It’s President Trump versus congressional Democrats. One Queens Catholic school is taking is taking their arts and music program to a whole other level; Emily Drooby has the story.

Today’s top news from the Catholic perspective anchored by Liz Faublas. Currents News airs Monday through Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET on NET-TV (netny.tv)