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Pope Concludes Historic UAE Trip

By Emily Drooby

A moment that will go down in history. Pope Francis celebrated Holy Mass for an estimated 180,000 people, the first-ever Papal Mass on the Arabian Peninsula.

A majority of the Catholics living in the United Arab Emirates are migrants, especially Filipino and Indian workers, who came to the country because of its rapid economic expansion. The Holy Father’s Homily included a nod to those migrants. He said, “It is most certainly not easy for you to live far from home, missing the affection of your loved ones, and perhaps also feeling uncertainty about the future.  But the Lord is faithful and does not abandon his people.”

The Pope also saying that if you are with Jesus and you try to live out his word, then you are blessed, calling blessedness a present reality, not a future state, also calling the Beatitudes a roadmap for life.

Pope Francis said, “They do not require superhuman actions, but rather the imitation of Jesus in our everyday life.  They invite us to keep our hearts pure, to practice meekness and justice despite everything, to be merciful to all, to live affliction in union with God.  This is the holiness of daily life, one that has no need of miracles or of extraordinary signs.”

Keeping in line with the visit’s theme of interreligious dialogue and connection, about 4,000 Muslim people were in attendance.

Earlier in the day, Pope Francis visited St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the first Catholic church to open in Abu Dhabi, taking time to bless parishioners.

Following the historic mass, Pope Francis wrapped up his whirlwind apostolic visit, boarding his plane for Rome.

The Fruits of Labor: Pope’s Trip to U.A.E.

Currents News Staff

The Holy Father has made history with his mission to the United Arab Emirates, as the first ever Pope to go there.

We’re joined by Crux Editor-In-Chief, John Allen, to discuss the possible outcomes of this journey.

State of The Union Address Preview

Currents News Staff

President Donald Trump will be up on Capitol Hill tonight for first time since that 35-day shutdown and the debate over border security funding – and a week after the State of the Union was originally scheduled.

In a politically divided Capitol, to a deeply polarized nation, President Trump is set to deliver his second State of the Union.

According to a White House official, the President will address the high cost of prescription drugs, infrastructure, and national security. The theme: Choosing Greatness.

The official saying the President will aim to strike a bipartisan and optimistic tone, saying, “together we can break decades of political stalemate, we can bridge old divisions, heal old wounds, building new coalitions, forge new solutions, and unlock the extraordinary promise of America’s future.”

But with less than two weeks until the government is scheduled to shut down again, President Trump is also teasing some potentially not-so-bipartisan remarks, like sticking with his demand for border wall funding, and possibly declaring a state of emergency to get the wall built.

“I don’t want to say. But you’ll hear the State of the Union and then you’ll see what happens right after the State of the Union, OK?”, said Trump.

The President’s speech was originally scheduled for January 29th but was canceled by Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who cited the ongoing shutdown.

Faith and Community Service – Black History Month Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

By Liz Faublas

The first weekend of Black History Month and the Catholic faith was front and center at the annual Archdiocesan Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

A call to service, unity and faith – and of course what’s a celebration, without song?

Powerful, charismatic sounds of celebration, praise and prayer erupted from hundreds gathered in St. Patrick’s Cathedral to celebrate Black History Month and the National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family.

The annual Mass is a tribute to the historic contributions of African Americans and a call for many to come together as one.

Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop Guy Sansaricq served as the principal celebrant.

“Many times, we diversify and sometimes we take diversity as a cause for separation and division. There Is unity in diversity and diversity in unity,” said Sansaricq.

Brother Tyrone Davis, the Director of the Office of Black Ministry of the Archdiocese, helped organize the program – which also honored the legacy of service and faithfulness of historically black fraternities and sororities. Many of them are members of the Catholic community and they are known as the “Divine Nine.”

“The nine black fraternities and sororities have been in existence starting in the early 1900’s. They are a group that has been deeply committed service and a faith-filled group too. And some of those who are members are also serving in Catholic churches,” said Davis.

Priests from various dioceses helped co-celebrate the Mass. The faithful raised their hands and voices in prayer as the theme for the Liturgy, Serving Our Brothers and Sisters, echoed throughout the historic cathedral.

Homilist Father Andrew Smith, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago affirmed another common thread.

“We pray for all of those who are struggling whether it be spiritually psychologically or emotionally, everybody is dealing with something,” said Smith.

The special Mass was a rousing start to Black History Month that many agree must not end with the final blessing.

“From here we challenge our communities and empower our communities because just cause we wear these letter, doesn’t me we are the be all end all,” said Dr. Ansel Augustine from the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Currents News for Monday, February 4, 2019

On the newscast: Pope Francis travels to the United Arab Emirates on a mission to bridge a religious divide; We take a look at the Holy Father’s history of Muslim outreach; Ines San Martin is right by the Pope’s side, flying with him to the U.A.E. and she gives us the latest details about the journey; a report on the powerful Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral to begin the celebration of Black History Month.

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

Pope Francis Continues to Strengthen Interreligious Dialogue

By Tim Harfmann

Inside Brooklyn’s Islamic Society of Bay Ridge, Muslim worshipers understood the importance of Pope Francis’ mission to bring Christians and Muslims closer together. “It’s always good for people to get together and just talk, get to know each other, get to understand each other,” Rajeh Jawad, a Muslim from Bay Ridge.

The Holy Father has a history of getting to know and understand Muslims throughout his six-year pontificate, including a visit to the home of a Muslim family when Francis was in Milan in2017. He also planted a peace tree at the Vatican in 2014 with a host of Muslim leaders, as well as the Israeli and Palestinian presidents.

Monsignor Guy Massie, vicar for ecumenical and interreligious affairs for the Brooklyn diocese, said these activities are essential. “It’s very important for world religious leaders to respect each other. If anything, if they believe in God, then they believe in God’s creation, then they believe in the dignity of humanity.”

Monsignor Massie argued that as global moral leaders, the Church should be at the forefront of fostering improved religious relations. “Having that position, we can take that responsibility to say, ‘let’s talk for our good and the good of everyone else.” And that dialogue can then lead to even more serious conversations. “Now, I’ve established a relationship with you. Now, we can sit down and talk about the more thorny issues,” said Monsignor Massie.

For Brooklyn Muslims, they said that through talking with one another, the stronger the relationship would become. “Knowledge is power. As long people understand each other, it’s a good thing. Then they don’t fear each other,” said Jawad. “Some people, they think that we bad and we are terrorists. We’re not,” said Mohamed Ehmed, another Brooklyn worshiper.

Many of the Muslims at the mosque insisted the Holy Father’s mission is a vital one and a great way to enhance interreligious respect and understanding

Pope Francis visits UAE

By Emily Drooby

Pope Francis spoke of peace at an interreligious meeting during his three-day trip to Abu Dhabi. He said, “We are here to desire peace, to promote peace, to be instruments of peace.”

Pope Francis condemned violence in the name of religion as he spoke to hundreds of religious leaders and scholars. He said, “…every form of violence must be condemned without hesitation, because we gravely profane God’s name when we use it to justify hatred and violence against a brother or sister. No violence can be justified in the name of religion.”

Discussing the importance of dialogue and prayer and criticizing the arms race, specifically mentioning the crisis in Yemen.

Pope Francis said, “Human fraternity requires of us, as representatives of the world’s religions, the duty to reject every nuance of approval from the word “war”…I am thinking in particular of Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Libya.”

This speech, happening during the first papal trip ever to the Arabian Peninsula. It kicked off Sunday after the Pope landed at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport.

On Monday the Holy Father attended a welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace, his small Kia car greeted by cannons and music.

While at the palace, Pope Francis signed the Book of Honor and had a private meeting with government authorities including Abu Dhabi’s crown prince who tweeted that they discussed quote, “enhancing cooperation, consolidating dialogue, tolerance, human coexistence & important initiatives to achieve peace, stability and development for peoples and societies.”

Pope Francis also touring the Grand Mosque of Sheik Zayed and attending a private meeting with members of the Muslim Council of Elders. Also signing a Human Fraternity Document which calls for inter-faith harmony and the spreading of peace. The goal of this historic trip, to strengthen ties with the Muslim world.

 

Northam Refuses To Go As Furor Over Racist Photo Grows

Currents News Staff

Protesters gather outside Virginia’s Capitol as the governor huddles inside with staff.

Ralph Northam is trying to figure out how to move away from this racist photo. It appeared on his page from his 1984 medical school yearbook.

Initially, the governor said he was in the photo.

“I accept responsibility for my past actions,” said Gov. Ralph Northam.

And 24 hours later, Northam changed his tune.

“I’m telling the truth today. That was not my picture,” he said.

Almost instantly, members of both parties called for his resignation.

“The governor has lost the confidence of the people and cannot effectively govern,” said Kirk Cox, the Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates.

“We don’t think there is place for this in the 21st century,” Rep. Jamie Raskin, a democrat from Maryland.

“I believe him to be a good person, however I think for the betterment of our commonwealth of Virginia, he has to step down and step aside,” said Wes Bellamy, a friend of Gov. Northam.

According to Virginia’s constitution, a governor can be removed from office, but it’s not easy.

“And obviously on impeachment, that’s a very high standard. And so that’s why I think we’ve called for resignation. We hope that’s what the governor does. I think that would obviously be less pain for everyone,” said Cox.

As the governor asks for time, and space, to make his decision, he remains in power but with little support.

“I believe the Governor’s has to make a decision that’s in the best interest of the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Justin Fairfax, the Lt. Governor of Virginia.

Obesity-Related Cancers On The Rise

Currents News Staff

A troubling trend involving millennials – rates of obesity-fueled cancers are now rising in younger age groups.

That’s according to a major study by the American Cancer Society.

The research examined 12 types of cancer linked to obesity. Those most at risk – people aged 25 to 49.