On the newscast: Seven new saints for the Catholic church – one has ties to Brooklyn; A local priest convinced he was going to die – his prayer to another Brooklyn priest; The shining stars of Brooklyn are honored; Goblins and ghouls take over Bay Ridge for the Ragamuffin parade.
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Nikki Haley Says Abuse Isn’t Limited To Catholic Church
Currents News Staff
During a keynote speech at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner, Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley discussed the crisis surrounding the Church right now.
“The issue of sexual assault is not limited to the Catholic family. It deeply touches the American family. The horrendous crimes that have been committed are harmful. There’s the devastation of the sexual abuse itself. And there’s the fact that the perpetrators of these crimes were people in a position of faith and trust. The church’s place must be with the victims that carry the pain with them. I know the church leaders recognize its deep responsibility to address this moral failing and it is taking action,” said Haley.
Currents News for Thursday, October 18, 2018
On the newscast: The Holy Father and South Korea’s President meet – the latest on a possible historic invitation; The latest on missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi; President Trump threatens to mobilize the military to stop migrants marching north; Bishop DiMarzio joins us for ‘Into The Deep.’
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)
Pre-Midterms, Democrats Already Looking Ahead To 2020
Currents News Staff
At rally after rally, President Trump has been on a blitz to boost Republican fortunes next month.
But even as they support their party’s midterm candidates, some Democrats may be looking further ahead – with many heading to places like South Carolina in the coming weeks.
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was in South Carolina Thursday, home of an early 2020 Presidential primary. One week after announcing he’d re-registered as a Democrat the billionaire businessman took aim at the President on trade. “I think the trade policies of this administration are disastrous for America,” said Bloomberg.
Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey was also in the state Thursday. “Right now, we are called to stand up and participate to ensure that we have a democracy to pass onto our children,” said Booker.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York was headed for New Hampshire.
For some weighing a 2020 bid, it’s about introducing themselves to voters in early states, and donors.
Others need little introduction. While accepting a civil rights award in Memphis Wednesday night, Former Vice President Joe Biden had sharp criticism for the President’s handling of events like last year’s Charlottesville clashes. Biden also said Trump has prompted a critical moment. “We’re once again living through literally a battle for the soul of this nation,” said Biden.
President Trump may be campaigning for midterm candidates right now, but FEC filings this week showed his re-election bid has already raised more than 100 million dollars.
Pope Meets the President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in
Currents News Staff
During a nine-day tour of Europe, the President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in, made a stop in the Vatican. He met Pope Francis, thanking him and telling him that he too is Catholic and has ‘Timothy,’ as his baptismal name.
The goal of the meeting was for Moon Jae-in to deliver a special message from the North Korean leader: that Kim Jong Un would welcome the Pope into his country if he visits Pyongyang.
According to Moon’s top press secretary, the President delivered the invitation verbally to the Pope. He in turn, said he would “certainly” answer if an official invitation arrives and he can go.
Moon Jae-in brought gifts for the Pope, including a small statue of Mary and an image of Jesus’ face.
Pope Francis said that in continuing the theme of peace from their meeting, he wanted to give him a special symbol, an olive branch. Also, he gave his Message for the World Day of Peace 2018 and a drawing of the original plan for St. Peter’s Square, which the President seemed to have liked very much.
Moon Jae-in’s wife, Kim Jung-sook, also met the Holy Father, along with a whole delegation that was present. They cordially left the Pope, and the President thanked him for his time.
Moon Jae-in then went to meet with Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and with Msgr. Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.
According to a Vatican statement, “the parties evoked the positive contribution of the Church” socially, in education and in healthcare. They also discussed the “promotion of dialogue and reconciliation between Koreans.”
There was a “strong appreciation for useful initiatives to overcome the tensions that still exist in the Korean Peninsula, in order to usher in a new season of peace and development.”
No Pope has never visited North Korea before, so if Pope Francis goes, he will be making history.
Rohingya Refugee Crisis – Huge Numbers Held In Outdoor Camps
A new report from the United Nations on what happened to the Rohingya Muslims has declared it to be genocide. This is a rare look at part of Myanmar’s Rakhine State that’s known as “no-man’s land.”
Bishop DiMarzio Holds Regional Meeting With The Faithful Of The Diocese
Currents News Staff
Bishop of Brooklyn, Nicholas DiMarzio, hosted a regional listening session at Our Lady of Angels, Bay Ridge last night. He addressed the current sex abuse crisis.
He was joined by Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto, Jasmine Salazar, L.M.S.W., Vice Chancellor and Victim Assistance Coordinator and Maryellen Quinn, Coordinator of the Safe Environment Office.
After a prayer service and presentation, the faithful of the diocese had the opportunity to ask any questions they had.
“Hopefully everybody was satisfied with the answers,” said Bishop DiMarzio. “We’re using the footage now so that we can put together a comprehensive film program that we can use in all the parishes,” he continued.
The crowd was made up of parish representatives invited by their pastors to attend.
“People are concerned about it now. They’re asking questions. 150-160 people wouldn’t have come tonight unless they were concerned,” said Bishop DiMarzio.
Hurricane Michael Residents Return
Currents News Staff
Mexico Beach is all but unrecognizable to those who call this place home.
“It’s almost like you’re in a dream. Like its not really real but you know it is. Just complete devastation,” said Shelly Breedlove, beach house owner.
Residents are literally picking up the pieces left by Hurricane Michael.
“Pictures, anything you can’t replace. Everything else, you know, we’re not trying to scavenge, just the things that are irreplaceable,” said Monie Phillips, Mexico Beach resident.
“Our house… what’s left is a concrete slab. And everything, the house and whatever was in it… is in that pile of debris that’s up at the street,” said Linda Powell, beach house owner.
Hurricane Michael is responsible for at least 32 deaths in four states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.
Roughly half of the confirmed fatalities were in Bay county, Florida, where Michael landed at category four status.
But sheriff’s deputies say they’re finding more victims as the water recedes. They also say people who did not evacuate could be buried beneath piles of concrete, wood, and metal.
Despite the damage, residents say a renaissance is on the way. “We will rebuild and we’ll be okay,” said Shelly Breedlove, beach house owner.
Kimberly Shoaf, the President of the Mexico Beach Community Development Council said “This isn’t the end of Mexico Beach. We still have a big story to write and we’re gonna write one.”
FEMA has teams in Florida helping residents register for disaster help.
There are also dozens of distribution stops in Florida and Georgia where victims can get food and water.
Currents News for Wednesday, October 17, 2018
On the newscast: What happened? – searching for answers after the murder of a Washington Post journalist; Flying high – Canada’s legalizes recreation marijuana and it’s causing some to be concerned; The world’s top Catholic meets with the world’s top Sunni Muslim at the Vatican; The numbers are in – huge donations were made at the Futures in Education dinner.
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 Diocese Paper Sees New Editor-In-Chief
By Tim Harfmann
In 110 years, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s newspaper, The Tablet, has never missed an issue. Jorge Dominguez says it never will.
He is the Catholic newspaper’s new editor-in-chief — and the first Hispanic to take on the responsibility.
“It is a big responsibility, first and foremost. It is very challenging, of course, but at the same time very exciting,” Dominguez said.
He’s no stranger to Catholic reporting.
A native of Cuba, Dominguez started a religious magazine as a teenager and later a newspaper for the Archdiocese of Havana.
He continued writing for Catholic media outlets after migrating to the United States in 1992.
For the past three years, Dominguez has served as editor of Nuestra Voz, the Spanish newspaper of the Brooklyn diocese, where he was named editor-of-the-year by the Catholic Press Association.
Dominguez reports to Vito Formica, the executive director of news content and development for DeSales Media Group.
“He’s going to bring a lot of knowledge and experience and quality journalism to The Tablet. We’re already seeing it in the issues that are coming out,” Formica said.
The Tablet newspaper prints nearly 70,000 copies every week. It is distributed throughout 45 states.
The paper’s editor emeritus, Ed Wilkinson, was at the helm for over three decades and gave Jorge his blessing.
“I think Jorge’s a great guy. He loves the Church. He loves the diocese. He’s very knowledgeable about the Church, so I was really thrilled when I found out he was going to be my successor,” Wilkinson said.
Dominguez has big shoes to fill, but he’s up for the challenge.
“The paper became the true reflection of the life of the Diocese of Brooklyn! We have to keep that,” Dominguez said.
Wilkinson gave Dominguez the same advice he received when he took over the paper in 1985 — go with your gut.
“The paper’s going to change. You’re going to have to take it in a new direction. Don’t be afraid to go in a new direction. It’s not going to be the way it used to be, so don’t worry about trying to make it what it used to be,” Wilkinson said.
Dominguez already has plans to evolve The Tablet — growing it digitally.
“We can bring back that legacy of being a paper that is not just for Brooklyn and Queens because, now, we have a growing presence on the internet.”
A way for Catholics to learn about their faith in print or on the web.