Papal Knight: Pius Knew Hitler Planned to Invade the Vatican

Currents News Staff

Tuesday marked the 80^thanniversary of the election of Pope Pius. He headed the Catholic Church until his death in October 1958.

Pope Francis has told the world that in less than one year, the secret Vatican archives concerning Pius, the holocaust and World War Two will be opened.

The decision comes after three decades of pressure from historians and Jewish organizations who want to learn the truth of how the Vatican responded to Nazism.

Joining Currents News to talk about what could lie within those pages is Gary Krupp, founder of Pave The Way Foundation, an organization that looks to build bridges among faiths.

Feds Charge Big Names in Massive Admissions Scam Bust

Currents News Staff

A massive FBI investigation is coming to head as the justice department announced it is charging fifty people in an elaborate scheme aimed at securing admission to prestigious universities.

“We are here today to announce charges in the largest college admissions scam ever prosecuted by the department of justice,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling of the District of Massachusetts. Adding, “We have charged three people who organized these scams, two S.A.T. or A.C.T. exam administrators, one exam proctor, one college administrator, nine coaches at elite schools and 33 parents.”

Among the parents charged are several notable names, including CEOs, a fashion designer, and actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, who were arrested in Los Angeles.

Much of the indictment revolves around a man named William Singer, the founder of a college preparation business.

The scam worked in two ways, through test scores and athletics.

In some cases, parents were allegedly paying for third-parties to take A.C.T. and S.A.T. exams on behalf of their children.

In others, Singer contacted college coaches to help students gain admission as recruited athletes, regardless of their athletic ability.

“For every student admitted through fraud an honest, genuinely talented student was rejected,” said Lelling.

Additional Countries Ground Their Boeing 737 Max 8 Jets

Currents News Staff

The European Union suspended Boeing 737 Max 8 jets across its airspace, joining aviation authorities in China, Singapore and Indonesia, as well as individual airlines around the globe.

So far, the U.S. hasn’t followed suit.

Boeing meanwhile said, “safety is Boeing’s number one priority and we have full confidence in the safety of the max.”

Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday – 157 people were killed.

The airline’s C.E.O. said the pilots reported something amiss, in an exchange with air traffic control.

“The pilot reported flight control problems. So, he was having difficulties with the flight control of the airplane, so he asked to return back to base,” said Tewolde GebreMariam, Ethiopian Airlines C.E.O.

A Lion Air flight using the same Boeing model, crashed off the coast of Indonesia, last October.

The flight attendant’s union, lawmakers, and others, are seeking F.A.A. action.

One former transportation official says, the agency typically trusts Boeing knows its aircraft best.

“The FAA does not have the kind of expertise that Boeing and other major manufacturers have so they really take them at their word,” said Mary Schiavo, a former Transportation Department Official.

But, a former NTSB official says, barring some revelation in the Ethiopian investigation.

“They are going to have to act. And I think the pressure is building on the carriers, too,” said Peter Goelz, a former NTSB Managing Director.

American and Southwest are among U.S. carriers flying the Boeing 737 Max 8s. Both have expressed confidence in their fleets.

Utah Teacher: “I Had No Idea It Was A Religious Symbol”

Currents News Staff

We are hearing for the first time from a Utah elementary school teacher who asked one of her students to wipe off an Ash Wednesday cross from the forehead.

She says what happened in the classroom last week was nothing more than a misunderstanding.

“I had no idea it was a religious symbol,” said Moana Patterson.

She’s at the center of a headed controversy over a sacred symbol for the Catholic faithful – an ash cross on the forehead to mark the holy day, Ash Wednesday.

“My entire life has been centered around respecting diversity,” she said.

But last Wednesday Patterson told 9-year-old William McLeod to wipe his ashes off. This is the first time she’s given her side of the story.

“A student came into my classroom with what appeared to be dirt on his forehead. I gave him a wet wipe to clean it off. When I learned it was a sacred symbol for Ash Wednesday I immediately apologized to the boy and his family,” she said.

We spoke to William last week and he told us Patterson said, “William, I’m so sorry about what happened today. I hope we can move forward from this.” He added, “I told her I accept her apology because she’s a really nice teacher.”

But William’s dad is not buying Patterson’s statement about thinking it was dirt. He says she knew it was a sacred symbol because his son told her.

“It’s pretty serious where somebody is treated like that for their religion,” said Gary McLeod. Adding, “He explained to her it was Ash Wednesday, it was from church and he was not allowed to take it off.”

The teacher is currently out of the classroom while the school district reviews what happened.

A school district spokesperson said last week that her actions were unacceptable, adding that no student should be asked or required to move an ash cross from their forehead.

CRS Staff Members Among the Dead in Ethiopian Plane Crash

Currents News Staff

Catholic Relief Services is in mourning the loss of several staff members who died in the Ethiopian Airlines crash this past Sunday.

Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 was headed to Nairobi before it went down moments after take-off. All 157 people on board were killed.

Catholic Relief Services released the following statement:

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that four members of our staff were killed. All four individuals were Ethiopian nationals traveling to Nairobi to attend a training on our behalf.”

Pope Francis is praying for the victims and their families.

The Vatican’s Secretary of State, said in a statement that “Pope Francis sends heartfelt condolences to their families, and upon all who mourn this tragic loss he invokes the divine blessings of consolation and strength.”

Currents News for Monday, March 11, 2019

On the newscast: remembering the life and legacy of the late Auxiliary Bishop Rene Valero who left a lasting impact on the Diocese of Brooklyn; 157 people are dead after an Ethiopian jet crashed on Sunday; NBC is under fire for comments made during Saturday Night Live.

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)

Retired Auxiliary Bishop Rene Valero Dies

By Emily Drooby

On Monday, Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros spent time reminiscing over a photograph of Retired Auxiliary Bishop Rene Valero.

Bishop Valero passed away on Sunday, March 10.

Bishop Valero was born in West Harlem in 1930, to parents who were immigrants from Caracas, Venezuela. Bishop Valero would go on to become the Diocese of Brooklyn’s first auxiliary bishop of Hispanic heritage.

Bishop Cisneros, who is the Vicar for Hispanic Concerns, Diocese of Brooklyn, said, “He’s a giant in the Diocese of Hispanic ministry and I’m sure all of us are going to miss him.”

Bishop Valero accomplished many things during his life. In 1962, he earned a masters from Fordham University School of Social Service.

Bishop Valero went on to spend 12 years at Catholic Charities, notably working for the Office of Aging.

Bishop Valero also held the position of pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church, in Jackson Heights and was picked to direct the Catholic Migration Office.

While Bishop Valero will be known for his great accomplishments, Auxiliary Bishop Cisneros and Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto, say he will also be remembered for his joy, his wit, and for his humility.

Bishop Chappetto, said, “Very, very kind, very witty and very entertaining, he always had good stories he always had a lot of joy to share with us.”

While Bishop Cisneros, added, “He was always available to the people. I happened to be his secretary during confirmations, he always had time for the families, not just the boy or girl that was being confirmed, the parents, the grandparents, he was always available to them. What a great example to all priests and to bishops of his availability, his gentleness, his humility.”

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio also released a statement on Bishop Valero’s passing, writing, “…it is certain that Bishop Valero’s legacy will live on in Brooklyn and Queens for many years.”

The Vigil Mass for Bishop Valero will be held on March 19th at 7:30 pm at Blessed Sacrament. Bishop Chappetto will be celebrating the mass.

The funeral will be on Wednesday, March 20th at 10:30 AM at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston.

Brooklyn Diocese Response to SNL Skit Attacking Catholic Church

Currents News Staff

The Diocese of Brooklyn is asking for a public apology from NBC.

Over the weekend comedian Pete Davidson made a shocking comparison between the Catholic Church and fans of singer R. Kelly, who is facing child sex abuse charges. It happened during a segment of Saturday Night Live.

There was a shocked reaction from the Saturday Night Live audience when Davidson made the comparison.

Many Catholics say Davidson’s so-called joke wasn’t funny at all, instead calling it a blatant attack on the Church.

The Diocese of Brooklyn released a statement, saying in part:

“Apparently, the only acceptable bias these days is against the catholic church. The faithful of our church are disgusted by the harassment by those in news and entertainment, and this sketch offends millions. The mockery of this difficult time in the church’s history serves no purpose.”

The strong measures the Church has put in place to stop and prevent sexual abuse date back to 2002, when the USCCB established the Dallas charter.

Some of the measures include creating the Office of Victim Assistance to help abuse individuals who come forward with allegations of abuse. The office provides counseling, referrals for therapy and other important resources.

Every employee of the Brooklyn Diocese, including students, undergoes mandatory training, designed to spot the signs of abuse and how to stop it.

Bishop DiMarzio meets with survivors and listens to them carefully. One result of those talks is the annual Mass of Hope and Healing in the diocese.

The diocese’s safe environment office, run by Maryellen Quinn, holds training programs to prevent abuse.

The Diocese of Brooklyn, along with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, remain advocates for survivors.

In 2017, the diocese established the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program, as a means of finding healing and closure for survivors.

And most recently, the diocese released a list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse against minors.

The statement put out by the diocese today went on to say: “The clergy sex abuse crisis is shameful, and no one should ever get a laugh at the expense of the victims who have suffered irreparably. It is likely that no other institution has done more than the Catholic Church to combat and prevent sexual abuse. The insensitivity of the writers, producers, and the cast of SNL around this painful subject is alarming.”

—

The following is the full statement issued by the Diocese of Brooklyn.

The Diocese of Brooklyn is demanding an immediate public apology from “Saturday Night Live” and NBC after Saturday night’s disgraceful and offensive skit in which cast member Pete Davidson, during the Weekend Update segment, said: “If you support the Catholic Church, isn’t that the same thing as being an R. Kelly fan?” The statement clearly shocked the studio audience as gasps could be heard off camera.

Apparently, the only acceptable bias these days is against the Catholic Church. The faithful of our Church are disgusted by the harassment by those in news and entertainment, and this sketch offends millions. The mockery of this difficult time in the Church’s history serves no purpose.

The clergy sex abuse crisis is shameful, and no one should ever get a laugh at the expense of the victims who have suffered irreparably. The Diocese of Brooklyn strives every day to ensure that sexual abuse by clergy never happens again.

For nearly two decades, the Diocese of Brooklyn has taken this crisis seriously and instituted widespread changes mandated by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Those changes include a zero-tolerance policy in which any clergy member credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor is permanently removed from ministry. Since 2002, the Diocese of Brooklyn has shared all of its files and allegations against clergy with the District Attorneys of Brooklyn and Queens. In 2004, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio instituted a reporting line that sends reports directly to law enforcement authorities.

The charter also mandates sexual abuse awareness training for all clergy members, teachers, parish/academy/school employees, catechists and volunteers who work directly with children. Employees and volunteers also must agree to initial and ongoing criminal background checks and must sign a code of conduct.

To help victims, the Office of Victim Assistance provides referrals for therapy, support groups for survivors and an annual Healing Mass to pray for all who have been impacted by sexual abuse. The diocese also started the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program as another possible mechanism for healing that may help bring closure to victim-survivors of clergy sexual abuse.

It is likely that no other institution has done more than the Catholic Church to combat and prevent sexual abuse. The insensitivity of the writers, producers, and the cast of SNL around this painful subject is alarming.

President Trump Fights For Border Wall With New Budget Plan

Currents News Staff

The White House on Monday defended a budget blueprint that proposes deep cuts to domestic programs in education, health and environmental programs.

“Washington has a spending problem and it endangers the future prosperity of Americans for future generations to come,” said Russell Vought, Acting White House Budget Director.

The proposal: two-point-seven trillion dollars in spending cuts in some areas, and boosting others, with an eye toward the president’s 2020 re-election campaign.

“The president’s budget is to remind everyone, is a reflection of his priorities. Every president budgets a reflection of their priorities,” said Rep. Michael Waltz.

It proposes a five percent increase in defense spending and eight-point-six billion dollars for a border wall – reviving a battle with Congress that resulted in a recent 35-day government shutdown.

Hill democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer said the president won’t get that wall money.

Others say he needs to mind the budget process.

“Let’s get this out in the open. One of the biggest criticisms of the presidents ask is we haven’t seen what he really wants and let the experts talk about it in a hearing. So we’ll see how it goes. I think it’s part of the budgetary process where you ask and then negotiate,” said Sen. Doug Jones.

This week, the Senate is poised to reject the emergency declaration the president made to access funds for his border wall, when Congress wouldn’t approve the request last month. The president has said he’ll veto the measure.

Black Boxes Found From Ethiopian Plane Crash

Currents News Staff

Boeing 737 Max 8 planes around the globe are grounded after 157 people were killed Sunday when a flight operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashed shortly after take-off.

The airline announced the discovery of the plane’s black boxes as investigators are trying to piece the final moments of flight ET302.

“We don’t know the cause of the accident, we’ll comply with the all the international regulations,” Tewolde GebreMariam, Ethiopian Airlines CEO.

This is the second time in six months that one of the brand-new planes went down just minutes into flight. In late October, a 737 Max 8 flown by Lion Air crashed off the coast of Indonesia.

Now, there are doubts about one of Boeing’s most popular jets.

Ethiopian Airlines grounded its four remaining 737 Max 8s. China ordered its entire 97 plane fleet to be out of the air until more details on the latest crash emerge.

In a statement Boeing said, “based on the information available, we do not have any basis to issue new guidance to operators.”

Many airlines are still keeping their 737s operating.

Sunday’s flight, lost contact with authorities just six minutes after take-off.

Citizens from 35 countries were on board the flight, including eight Americans and 22 United Nations staff members.