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Pope Francis Meets President of the UN General Assembly

Currents News Staff

The President of the UN General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, met with Pope Francis in Rome.

“Your Holiness, thank you for seeing me. Delighted, a pleasure,” Espinosa said.

Espinosa is the fourth woman to hold that office. She comes from Ecuador and gave Francisco gifts made by indigenous artisans.

“Painted by the indigenous people of Zumbahua, which is an indigenous community. They live from this painting. And here, also from the Andes, this is a small alpaca scarf, also made by Indians but from another community,” she said.

On the table were issues of entity such as the protection of indigenous people or the next World Migration Conference in December in Morocco. An attempt will be made to define a global pact for the protection of refugees, the first in the history of the United Nations. In 2017 the UN agency for refugees estimates that more than 68 million people today have been forced to leave their homes because of the violence.

Faiths Combine During Times of Suffering

After 11 people were murdered during Saturday’s synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, other religions have stood up in solidarity with those grieving. Monsignor Guy Massie, the Vicar for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs for the Diocese of Brooklyn, talks about how Brooklyn Catholics can show support for their Jewish brothers and sisters.

Currents News for Monday, October 29, 2018

On the newscast: Tragedy at a Pittsburgh synagogue – we have reaction from the Pope; The synod has concluded and their highly anticipated report is out; Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio leads thousands of diocesan parishioners on a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C.

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)

 

Brooklyn Worshipers Concerned But Resilient After Pittsburgh Shooting

By Tim Harfmann

Jewish worshipers at a synagogue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn are still in shock following the deadly shooting in Pittsburgh.

“I don’t know why he would have such hatred for Jews,” said Edward Klein as he left the Brooklyn temple.

Now, they’re concerned for their own safety. The NYPD increased security around the city as a precaution. Additional officers, including members of the Strategic Response Team, patrolled the synagogue on the corner of Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue. Every day, thousands worship at the temple.

“The Jewish people always feel like a family. And when we see something happen over there, we also become afraid over here,” said Rabbi Gavriel Avichzer.

There was a big jump in anti-Semitic attacks in 2017 — up more than 50 percent from 2016, according to the latest report from the Anti-Defamation League.

Brooklyn is home to 600,000 Jews. One-in-four residents in the borough follow the faith.

Klein is an auxiliary police officer. When he attends synagogue, he carries his legally authorized pistol as a precaution. “God forbid if I have to use it, according to the law, I can. And I probably would,” said Klein.

Four blocks away from the synagogue, Father Frank Black is concerned for his community. He is the pastor of Saint Matthew Church.

“At this stage of our existence, it’s shocking that this is happening. It’s really crazy. I thought we’ve come so far, then you see things like this, and we’re taking steps backwards. It’s hurtful,” said Father Black.

But hoping to move forward, Father Black said his Catholic parishioners want to reach out to their Jewish neighbors to learn about their faith.

“As a result of this, they really want to build up the unity and the commonality we have as decent people rather than look at what separates us. so they’re really trying to reach out to that, and I hope that will happen this year.”

And as far as taking precautions, worshipers echoed the line New Yorkers know well — If you see something, say something.

Brooklyn Diocese Makes a Major Pilgrimage for Blessed Mother

By Katie Engesser

Around 2,500 Brooklynites pray to the Blessed Mother. Led by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, the Catholics journeyed to the nation’s capital; a long trip on a stormy Saturday.

“Pilgrimage is meant to be difficult,” Bishop DiMarzio said, “we have to go out of our way to find God and Our Lady.”

The destination is America’s foremost site dedicated to Our Lady: The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Every 2 years, Catholics from the Brooklyn Diocese make the trip, with Bishop DiMarzio leading the way. It’s a tradition.

“Since 1923, before the edifice was even built, Brooklyn was on pilgrimage here,” the Basillica’s pilgrimage director, Monsignor Vito Buonanno, said.

The basilica is America’s largest Catholic church and a national sanctuary of prayer and pilgrimage. Nearly a million faithful visit each year and that includes some big figures in the church. The past three Pontiffs- Pope Francis, Pope Benedict, and Saint John Paul II- as well as Mother Teresa, have all been to the shrine.

The shrine was built brick by brick by donations from the faithful. The church’s latest masterpiece, The Trinity Dome, was completed with help from the Brooklyn Diocese: over $100,000 contributed. Monsignor Vito Buonanno is a Brooklyn priest who’s now the basilica’s pilgrimage director. He understands what makes this shrine so special.

“This is a place of prayer, this is a place that is sacred,” Monsignor Buonanno explained.

The Shrine isn’t the only reason why Brooklynites travelled 5 hours by bus through a nor’easter.

“She’s done so much for us, it’s the least we could do for her,” said first time visitor, Edward Pena.

For the pilgrims, the Shrine is a source of great comfort.

“We come with joys, with sorrows, with suffering… we come here with the pain of what the church is going through, the joys the church is going through, we come to our mother.” Father Gerard Sauer, the Diocese’s director of pilgrimages said.

Arnold Valle, another first time visitor to the shrine, proudly said: “She’s the first person I turn to.”

Suspected Synagogue Shooter Makes First Court Appearance

Currents News Staff

Handcuffed and in a wheelchair, the man accused of gunning down members of a synagogue, made his first court appearance in Pittsburgh Monday. The alleged gunman, Robert Bowers, was injured in a fire fight with police at The Tree Of Life Synagogue Saturday, and was released from the hospital shortly before appearing in court.

“My office charged Robert Bowers with federal murder and assault charges relative to the horrific acts of violence he committed at the Tree of Life synagogue,” said Scott Brady, U.S. Attorney, Western District of Pennsylvania.

The suspect faces 29 federal charges in the shooting death of 11 people. He was initially represented by public defenders.

“We will have the opportunity to present evidence presenting that Robert Bowers murdered 11 people who were exercising their religious beliefs and that he shot or injured six others, including four of whom were police officers responding to the shooting,” said Brady.

One of the rabbis leading his congregation at the synagogue Saturday morning, recalls the moment he realized he heard gunfire, and how he tried to save as many of his members as he could.

“I quickly tried to usher some up to the front, out some doors in the front towards exits or closet, some place they could hide, some place safe. I turned back to see if I could help the remaining people in the back of my congregation. There was nothing I could do,” said Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers, Tree of Life Synagogue.

Despite the hateful act, he insists the synagogue will reopen, stronger than before.

“Tree of Life has been in Pittsburgh for 154 years. We’re not going anywhere. I will not let hate close down my building,” said Myers.

 

Synod Publishes Final Document Addressing Women, Sexuality And Abuse

Currents News Staff

The Synod on Youth and Vocation has ended with the publication of this 60-page document with 167 points. It’s the fruit of the month-long discussions between 267 bishops and cardinals and around 35 auditors.

Some of the main topics included women, sexuality and abuse.

The role of women in the Church is stated as “a duty of justice.” Thus it welcomes “the presence of women in ecclesial bodies at all levels, respecting the role of the ordained ministry.”
The synod document includes that God loves every person denouncing “discrimination and sexually-based violence.” It also recalls the “difference and reciprocity between man and woman” and saying a person’s identity cannot only be defined by their ‘sexual orientation.’”

It praises “paths of accompaniment in the faith for homosexual people,” available in some country and recommends they continue.

Abuse is called a “serious obstacle” to the Church’s mission. It does not include the term “zero-tolerance” but rather “the firm commitment for the adoption of rigorous prevention measures.”

After the text publication, Pope Francis issued an apology to youth at the closing Mass Sunday morning.

“I would like to tell the young people, on behalf of us adults: forgive us if we have not often listened to you. If instead of opening your hearts, we have filled your ears,” said Francis.

Pope Francis said in addition to listening, a Christian must give concrete help, not only theoretical or doctrinal.

Likewise, when closing the synod with bishops, he said “the result of the synod is not a document” but “the Holy Spirit gives us the document so it may work in our heart.”

 

Preview: Brooklyn’s Bishop Leads Pilgrimage To Washington, D.C.

Thousands from the Diocese of Brooklyn travelled to Washington, D.C. this Saturday to visit the national shrine devoted to the Virgin Mary. Bishop of Brooklyn, Nicholas DiMarzio, led the pilgrimage, which is a long held tradition for the diocese. You can see this story in its entirety tonight on Currents News.

El tiempo y la interpretación de la Biblia.

Con el tiempo los idiomas cambian, los significados originales se vuelven menos claros. Entonces, ¿cómo interpretar la Biblia, una colección de libros escritos hace más de dos mil años? Jorge Domínguez tiene muchas preguntas sobre este tema y el padre Tomás las respuestas. Los géneros literarios, el contexto cultural y el tiempo son parte de esta charla.