On the newscast: He’s out – Jeff Sessions resigns at the request of Trump; The President sounds off about last night’s election results; A shift in how people are preparing for death.
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)
Currents News Staff
After the most expensive and one of the most contentious midterm campaigns in U.S. history, both parties are walking away with something to talk up.
“This election marks the largest Senate gains for a President’s party in the first midterm election since at least President Kennedy’s in 1962,” said President Donald Trump.
In an often-combative press conference on Wednesday, President Trump took credit for wins in tight senate races.
Democrats took control of the House for the first time in eight years, and they are pledging to keep the President and Republicans in check.
“The American want to put an end to unchecked GOP control of Washington restoring again the checks and balances envisioned by our founders,” said Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
The democratic victory in the House is seen as a voter rebuke of the President, his policies, and his rhetoric.
But Republicans are holding on to the Senate and ousting at least three Democrats in red states in the process.
A divided Congress will now require a more bipartisan approach to legislating in order to avoid gridlock in Washington.
Director of Communications for the New York State Catholic Conference, Dennis Poust, joins Currents News to discuss how the outcomes of yesterday’s elections impact the Catholic community.
Currents News Staff
Particular devotions of each Pope arouses a certain curiosity among people. They want to know the roots of each devotion and the history behind them.
Pope Francis’ devotion to the Blessed Mother has a very particular explanation, the one that Fr. Alexandre reveals in his book, “She is my Mother.” In it, he expressed his conversation with the Pope. Pope Francis told him that one of the fundamental factors that led him to love the Mother of God was the devotion of the people.
“I believe the people also taught him to love Our Mother. When he made the pilgrimages as a pastor, he participated with young people and discovered that the more we love people, the more we love the way people pray. That’s why he values popular piety so much,” said Father Alexandre Awi Mello, Secretary, Dicastery Laity, Family and Life.
Another place where devotion for the Blessed Mother was deeply instilled was in his own family, thanks to his grandmother and priest Enrique Pozzoli, a close friend of the Bergoglio family.
“He said his grandmother taught him to pray. In fact, that is a part of his history. His love for the Our Lady also grew very spontaneously through his family relationship. He had a Salesian priest who always visited his house. He was the family priest. The priest left an impression on him because the blessing he received from this Salesian priest contained the prayer ‘Sub tuum praesidium.’ So one sees how that family relationship was influencing his devotion to the Blessed Mother,” said Mello.
The prayer “Sub tuum praesidium,” which translates to “We fly to thy patronage,” is the prayer Pope Francis asked all Catholics to pray. He especially asks it during the month of October, to resist the devil’s attacks and attempts to divide the Church.
“When I no longer had questions to ask him, he said, ‘Do not you have any more questions?’ ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘If you had to summarize it very briefly, who is Our Lady for you?’ He told me very tenderly, ‘She is my mom. I think she is the only person with whom I can and I dare to cry,’” said Mello.
Since May 31, 2017, Fr. Alexandre has been the secretary of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, but he has known the pope for years. Through his book, he tries to delve into a deep and personal aspect of Pope Francis’ life that has often gone unnoticed.
Currents News Staff
During the General Audience, Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the Ten Commandments. This week he focused on the seventh commandment ‘You shall not steal.’
The Pope stressed the importance of respecting one’s right to private property. However, in referring to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, he said to remember the property owner is a ‘steward of Providence, with the task of making it fruitful and communicating its benefits to others.’
He added that the world has enough resources for everyone but sadly many people suffer from starvation; and ‘lack of sound economic decisions inspired by solidarity and justice.’
Pope Francis concluded by reminding everyone that Christ ‘though rich became poor for our sake.’ He said this reveals the true meaning of wealth which is at ‘the service of love, freedom and human dignity.’
SUMMARY OF POPE’S CATECHISIS IN ENGLISH
Dear brothers and sisters,
In our continuing catechesis on the Ten Commandments, we now turn to the seventh commandment: “You shall not steal.”
This commandment deals specifically with theft and with respect for the property of others. Yet it also invites us to consider, in the light of faith and the Church’s social doctrine, that the goods of creation are destined for the entire human race.
The universal destination of goods does not detract from the right to private property, but sets that right in proper perspective. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “the ownership of any property makes its holder a steward of Providence, with the task of making it fruitful and communicating its benefits to others” (No. 2404).
Our world has sufficient resources to meet the primary needs of all its inhabitants, yet so many members of our human family continue to suffer extreme want and even starvation for lack of sound economic decisions inspired by solidarity and justice.
The example of Christ, who, though rich became poor for our sake (cf. 2 Cor 8:9), reveals the true meaning and purpose of all wealth: it stands at the service of love, freedom and human dignity.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those from Denmark, Japan, the Philippines and the United States of America. I offer a special greeting to the participants in the first International Men’s Meeting here in Rome. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke the Lord’s blessings of joy and peace. God bless you!
Currents News Staff
While some of the final contests are waiting to be called, the 2018 midterm elections have come to a close. A blue wave washed over part of Congress, with Democrats taking back the House of Representatives and Republicans holding onto the Senate.
“The first refugee ever elected to Congress. And one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress,” said Ilhan Omar, Democrat Minnesota Congressional Candidate.
Election night is always an exciting time for Americans. But this midterm election was extra exciting for several groups of people, previously underrepresented in politics. Congress will have its first two female Muslim members after victories in Minnesota and Michigan.
And Colorado has elected the country’s first openly gay governor. Voters in Kansas and New Mexico are sending the first Native American women to congress.
“I never imagined a world where I would be represented by someone who looks like me. Tonight New Mexico, you are sending one of the very first Native American women to congress,” said Deb Haaland, Democrat New Mexico Congressional Candidate.
Joining them will be the first female Senator representing Tennessee and the first female governor of South Dakota.
But what is still uncertain Wednesday morning as votes continue to be collected and counted, the race for governor in Georgia is still too close to call.
Democrat Stacey Abrams, who could be the nation’s first black female governor, is trailing Republican Brian Kemp. It’s a battle that has been rife with controversy, as well as high profile support from presidents and celebrities.
“Votes remain to be counted. there are voices that are waiting to be heard. Across our state folks are opening up the dreams of voters in absentee ballots. And we believe our chance for a stronger Georgia is just within reach,” said Stacey Abrams, Democrat Georgia Governor Candidate.
Our Lady of Fatima is small town church with a big heart. In the 1940’s, when no other funding was available for a much needed local church, its construction was assisted by the local Ladies Guild of Manorhaven. Since then, the parish mission to serve the local community has continued, as the parishioners and clergy will explain.
On the newscast: Team coverage of the midterm elections – what is at stake and what it could mean for the U.S. Bishops meeting next week; The Diocese of Buffalo released 36 more names of priests with credible allegations of abuse; Nukes for North Korea? The country says it may start up it’s nuclear weapons program again.
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)
National Correspondent for the Tablet and Crux, Christopher White, talks about how the outcome of the elections will impact the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s meeting in Baltimore this Sunday.
By Tim Harfmann
Rain didn’t stop these New Yorkers from heading to the polls.
“I think voting in this election is exceedingly important! Our country is not in a good condition,” said Eileen Dirnfeld.
Voter Mike singer added, “we’ve gotta show that, at least I’m not satisfied with the direction. And I hope these other people feel the same way.”
One of the biggest hot button issues not only for the country, but also for Catholics is immigration.
“We are a country of immigrants! We can’t brush them away from our borders,” said Dirnfeld.
And fellow voter Juliet Moser agrees. “I think it’s important to protect immigrants that come into this country,” said Moser.
“I mean, obviously we can’t let 100,000 undocumented people just come into the country. But I think there has to be some legislation that gives people a chance and yet guards our security,” added Singer.
Another issue on the minds of voters is healthcare. “I do think it’s something that should… access should be expanded, for sure,” said Moser.
Singer adds “if the Republicans and the Democrats could get together, they can come up with some improvements. It’s not perfect, for sure.”
All 435 seats are up for election in the house. Democrats need at least two dozen seats to take control.
In the Senate, 35 seats are up for grabs. The Democrats need at least two seats to win majority in the chamber.
Some of the major races in New York include Republican Marc Molinaro challenging Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo looks to win a third term. “I don’t always agree with Andrew Cuomo… but I voted for him today,” said Dirnfeld.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Letitia James faces Republican Keith Wofford.
In the race for State Comptroller, Thomas Dinapoli against Republican Jonathon Trichter – and Democratic Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, faces reelection against Republican Chele Farley.
Voters say regardless of where you stand on the issues, you must cast your vote.
“It’s important. I think it’s your civic duty to come out. And I came this morning, but the line was all the way around the block, so I came during my lunch break instead,” said Moser.