A Message from the Editor
America has always been a racist society. White Supremacy and the Alt-Right are expanding in the US and other countries. When we remain silent to these challenges, our silence contributes to this epidemic. The vitriol of hatred of the other by political leaders in the United States and the lack of mental health services could result is the screams of more people of color being tortured and murdered.
Special Prayers
A Prayer to End Racism
As we gather together for prayer and communion, we are reaffirming our commitment to love unconditionally, welcome all people and work to root out the cancer of racism that betrays our faith and country’s highest principles.”
by The Rev. Dr. Darryl Roberts, Senior Pastor, Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, Washington. DC
A Quote to Remember There is power in naming racism for what it is, in shining a bright light on it, brighter than any torch or flashlight. A thing as simple as naming it allows us to root it out of the darkness and hushed conversation where it likes to breed like roaches. It makes us acknowledge it. Confront it.
by Jesmyn Ward
Interviews
General Articles/Commentaries
What Is Racism? by Deacon Greg Kandra Patheos Link to Racial Challenges
Cyntoia Brown and how the U.S. criminal justice system fails black women and girls by Nyasha Junior America
Catholic Church sometimes has been part of racism problem, says Bishop Murry by US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Black priests and nuns celebrate history of Baltimore at joint conference by Catholic News Service/America
An Oral History of Trump’s Bigotry'His racism and intolerance have always been in evidence; only slowly did he begin to understand how to use them to his advantage. by David A. Graham, Adrienne Green, Cullen Murphy, and Parker Richards The Atlantic
Republicans have a constitutional duty to condemn Trump’s racist attacks by The Editors America
Cyntoia Brown and how the U.S. criminal justice system fails black women and girls by Nyasha Junior America
Church official warns lawmakers over Duterte’s death penalty bid by Catholic News Service/The National Reporter
Catholic leaders decry Barr’s decision to revive federal death penalty by Kevin Clarke America Link to Death Penalty
Priest donates $20,000 to coal miners whose company filed for bankruptcy by Associated Press/ America
Pro-lifers say Wen’s firing shows abortion is Planned Parenthood priority by Catholic News Service/America Link to Abortion
Catholics protest U.S. practice of caging immigrant children by Tony Magliano Association of U.S. Catholic Priests
ISN Joins Hundreds of Catholic Leaders, Including 70 Arrested in Senate Rotunda While Demanding an End to Detention of Immigrant Children by ISN Staff Ignatian Solidarity Network:
The ailing priest who gives hope to tormented souls, Father Jean-Marie Martin searches the souls of the darkest characters, seeking a beauty that will save them by Françoise Siri La Croix International
Helping Out at a Special Needs Mass by Fr, Matthew Schneider Patheos
Inclusive Children's Religious Formation: Three Parts, One Community by Susan Amann in Issue #4.3 of The Catechetical Review Link to Catholic Education and to Children Outreach/Protection
The Latest Confusion in Rome by Fr. Gerald E. Murray The Catholic Thing
A tale of two cockatiels, Boris and Donald by Cahir O'Doherty IrishCentral
Catholic Church in Germany lost 200,000 members last year by Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report
Bishop sends letter to Trump, urging end to ‘stranglehold’ on immigration by Catholic News Service/America
Despite legal setbacks, Plowshares 7 hold to religious freedom defense by Jesse Remedios The National Catholic Reporter
Italian bishops provide $1.1 million in humanitarian aid to South Sudan by Francis Njuguna Angelus/Crux
This priest was saved from a bullet by wearing his Brown Scapular by Pascal Deloche Aleteia
Vatican Issues Disciplinary Measures Against Bransfield by Deacon Greg Kandra Patheos
The Vatican's next Synod of Bishops should focus on women by Don Clemmer The National Reporter Link to Women's Challenges
Inclusive Children's Religious Formation: Three Parts, One Community by Susan Amann in Issue #4.3 of The Catechetical Revie Link to Children Outreach/Protection and to Catholic Education
Awaiting trial for breaking into a nuclear base, 7 Catholic activists are unrepentant by Yonat Shimron Religion News Service Link to Nuclear Challenges
The practical “do’s” and “don’ts” of vocation discernment by UCANews.com Reporter UCANews,com Link to Vocations
US honors Muslim leader for saving lives of Christians during attack by Zelda Caldwell Aleteia
Abuse accuser wants Steubenville university to be accountable by Jenn Morson National Catholic Reporter Link to Sexual Violence Against Women
Reform or Dismantle? Why We Need to Keep the Institutions that Keep Us by Massimo Faggioli Commonweal
West Virginia woman shares her story of addiction and recovery by Colleen RowanJul Crux Link to Substance Use/Addiction
Pope Francis has been bombarded with insults after urging Catholics to pray for migrants. by CathNews Link to Italy Challenges
In Defense Of Mary’s Assumption by Rene Albert Patheos
German bishop says only a new theology can save the Church, Heiner Wilmer of Hildesheim diocese says clerical abuse of power is destroying Catholicism by Christa Pongratz-Lippitt La Croix International
Half of babies affected by Zika virus are developing normally by age 2 by Chelsea Whyte New Scientist Link to ZIKA Virus
Genocide survivor shares message of forgiveness with young adults by Michelle Martin Chicago Catholic Link to War/Terrorism/Genocide and to Forgiveness
Experts engage lay movements in fight against abuse by Elise Harris Crux Link to Clerical Sexual Violence Against Minors
Italian Bishops’ Conference donates one million euros to South Sudan .Eight years after independence, South Sudan is still suffering from one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Italy's Bishops have renewed their commitment to assisting the people of South Sudan. by Vatican News Link to African Challenges
Writing Sentences for Causes of Marital Nullity by John R Amos Managing Partner at Canon Lawyers in Solidum Link to Canon Law
The priesthood is being crucified on the cross of celibacy by Fr. Peter Daly The National Catholic Reporter Link to Sexuality
Church volunteers help homeless during Argentina’s winter by Inés San Martín Crux Link to Homeless
Can laypeople lead a parish? Look to Louisville for a thriving example by Jospeh Martos National Catholic Reporter
How to network as an Irish person in the US by Michael Dorgan Irish Central
Jewish Activists Are Protesting ICE Detention Centers Across The Country; These young, progressive Jews are insisting that saying “Never again” to the Holocaust means speaking up about the government’s treatment of migrants. by Carol Kuruvilla The Huffington Post Link to General United States Immigration Challenges
Trump should lift sanctions on Iran, for both moral and diplomatic reasons. by The Editors America
Kin of Philippine drug war victims appeal for UN help by Marielle Lucenio UCANews.com Link to Human Rights
Why I gave up my job at NASA to become a nun by Libby Osgood America
Eight Years After Independence, Highest Number of People Ever Face Critical Food Shortages in South Sudan Nearly 7 million people, or 61 percent of the population, face acute food insecurity by Zenit Staff Zenit Link to Poverty
Priest Linked to Lady Gaga Charged with Sexual Misconduct by Deacon Greg Kendra Patheos
Philippines: Archbishop Calls on Church to Confront Suicide by Roy Lagarde Zenit Link to Suicide/Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia
Q & A with Sr. Marie Agnes Buasap, teaching young people in Thailand to avoid being trafficked by Joyce Meyer Global Sisters Report Link to Human Trafficking
Bangladesh grapples with millions of climate refugees by Stephan Uttom UCANews.com Link to Environment Challenges
Da Vinci masterpiece on loan from Vatican to be displayed in New York by Christopher White Crux Link to Spirituality and Art
US Catholics to demonstrate against detention of migrant children by Independent Catholic News Link to Children Outreach/Protection and to General United States Immigration Challenges
Nigerian priests face increasing threat of kidnapping, murder by Patrick Egwu National Catholic Reporter Link to War/Terrorism/Genocide and to African Challenges
Resistance grows to Vatican's China clergy guidelines by UCANews.com Reporter UCANews.com Link to Catholicism and China
China is practicing child separation and organ harvesting against Uighur Muslims, new reports allege by Aysha Khan, Religion News Service/America Link to Organ Harvesting
Please support one of our organizations and people who need help
Please send a donation for help save the life of my close friend Alwin Rex in India. Please read the article How do we love our neighbor as ourselves? and send a donation of $10.00 or more to help cover his healthcare costs to Father Thomas Ayyaneth, Syro Malankara Catholic Eparchial Chancery,1500 DePaul Street, Elmont, New York 11003, USA with a notation that the donation is for Alwin Rex. Father Thomas will process donations and send them to his pastor. Thank you Gordon Nary Editor, Profiles in Catholicism
When Children are Set Free by Father Shay Cullen Preda Foundation
Book Reviews/Commentaries
Confronting Hate: The Untold Story of the Rabbi Who Stood Up for Human Rights, Racial Justice by Deborah Hart Strober, Gerald S. Strober Reviewed by Dr. Eugene Fisher Profiles in Catholicism
Rebuilding Catholic Culture: How the Catechism Can Shape Our Common Life by Ryan. S. Topping Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Unrepeatable: Cultivating the Unique Calling of Every Person by Luke Burgis and Joshua Miller PhD Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Why We’re Catholic by Trent Horn Reviewed by Randal Rauser Christian Post
Never Doubt Thomas: The Catholic Aquinas as Evangelical and Protestant. by Francis J. Beckwith Interviewed by Charles C. Camosy Crux
Film Reviews/Commentaries
The Farewell Reviewed by Brother Antonio D. Sison National Catholic Reporter
Oklahoma Reviewed by John Anderson America
Feasting with the Saints
Prayers
A Prayer for Those Who Have Suffered Abuse by the Clergy
God, in your providential love you comfort those who are wounded and afflicted.
Hear our prayers for those who have suffered abuse by those in their families or by those entrusted with their care.
In a special way, we pray for those who suffered abuse by clergy who betrayed a sacred trust and who were meant to stand for your loving presence in their lives.
May those who have been hurt find support and encouragement in communities of faith, hope, and love.
May they discover healing in genuinely loving and caring relationships.
May they reclaim hope for themselves.
May they be strengthened and confirmed in their resolve to set things aright.
May they rest in you who make all things work for the good. Amen
by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer to End Gun Violence
Lord Jesus, as you approached the city of Jerusalem,
Before your passion,
As your people waved palms in your honor,
You saw the city and wept over it because you
Loved it.
You knew of the violence and chaos you would suffer
In that beloved city
still you loved it and wept over it.
Lord Jesus, look upon our cities, weep over them,
Love them and protect them.
Weep over us and strengthen us as we suffer
Violence and chaos.
Weep over us and love us.
Lord Jesus, weep over us and love us. (See Lk 19)
by Father David O. Brown, O.S.M.. Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer for Migrant Children
Good Lord, who said “Whoever receives one of these little ones, receives me,” bless the little ones who are caught in the struggle of migration,separation, and abuse. Give all those adults who are responsible for them and for their welfare the wisdom and courage to do the children justice and to protect them. Make our hearts more ,loving and willing to do the right thing by them. May we see in all people young and old your image and so reverence their great dignity. We make our prayer through you who came among us as a child and who was forced to flee the threat of violence Amen by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism
Videos
Consecration to St. Joseph by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC
The Auschwitz Album- Visual Evidence of the Process Leading to the Mass Murder at Auschwitz-Birkenau
by Yad Vashem
You Don’t Know What Love is
by Chet Baker