A Message from the Editor
Do Americans share the moral responsibility for the torture and murder of Kurdish children, women, and men by the Syrians? Ethicists differ in their concerns. However, when we fail to speak out against such crimes to our Congressional representatives, the White House, and even our churches, synagogues, and mosques, we may share some moral culpability. Silence is not always golden.
On another challenge, Fr. Jesu Sathianathen cares for hundreds of children that have mental health challenges and many other disorders. He needs our help. Could you send a check to him for $10,00 or more?. Please send the check to Father Thomas Ayyaneth, Syro Malankara Catholic Eparchial Chancery,1500 DePaul Street, Elmont, New York 11003, USA with a note to forward it on to Father Jesu.
Special Prayer
PRAYER FOR MID-EAST PEACE
(Hosea, passim)
O Lord, it was your prophet Hosea who one time gave words to your indignation at Israel.
He noted their arrogance and their guilt. They lost their flocks, their possessions. They lost everything. They were unfaithful. They were untrue.
Rightly you sounded the alarm, declared a day of waste, a time of chastisement. You threatened their total rejection.
Did You have a second thought? You spoke to them gently and were kindly.
Come, returned to the Lord. He will heal you. He will bind up you wounds. He will revive you. He will raise you up.”
O Lord God of Ancient times, in our day we see in, around and about the lands you made Holy by presence of the Lord Jesus your Son, now troubled and in turmoil with disasters, devastation, wrong doing, and murder.
So we are moved to pray, O Lord God of Ancient times, we implore you Lord God to today:
Hear your children’s prayer.
Revive you people.
Look kindly on them.
Bind up their wounds.
Raise them up again.
Grant them peace.
Grant them peace, Lord God.
This is our prayer Lord God, made in the name of Jesus you Son
Who suffered and died for them and us all. Fill them with your Holy Spirit. by Father David O. Brown, O.S.M.. Profiles in Catholicism
A Quote to Remember
“Genocide is not just a murderous madness; it is, more deeply, a politics that promises a utopia beyond politics - one people, one land, one truth, the end of difference. Since genocide is a form of political utopia, it remains an enduring temptation in any multiethnic and multicultural society in crisis._”
By Michael Ignatieff
Interviews
General Articles/Commentaries
The Legacy of Trump is a Genocide by Mary Pezzulo Patheos Link to War/Terrorism/Genocide
Humanitarian groups scramble to help people fleeing northeast Syria by Dale Gavlak Catholic News ServiceAngelus
Caritas works to help Syrians displaced by Turkish bombings by Dale Gavlak Catholic News Service/America
'A threat to democracy': William Barr's speech on religious freedom alarms liberal Catholics by Philip Shenon Religion News Service
El Paso bishop: Trump’s border wall merges ‘nationalistic vanities’ with racism by Christopher White Crux Link to Racial Challenges
Catholic Priest Kidnapped and Murdered in Kenya - RIP Fr. Michael Maingi Kyengo at age 43 by Jesus Caritas Catholic News World Link to Murdered Priests
Letter from Rome: A controversial synod and an unusual consistory by Robert Mickens UCANews.com
Thousands in Berlin protest against anti-Semitism by Kirsten Grieshaber , The Associated Press/ National Catholic Reporter Link to Antisemitism
In his letter on racism, Seitz gets right what US bishops got wrong” by Father Daniel P Horan, OFM Chicago Theological Union Link to Racial Challenges
One man, two churches: John Henry Newman’s legacy lives on for both Catholics and Anglicans by Sean Salai, S.J. America
U.N. nuncio praises nations for recognizing rights of indigenous peoples by Catholic News Service/National Catholic Reporter
St. Augustine would have embraced Pope Francis’s ‘field hospital’ Church by James K.A. Smith Crux
Report outlines 'dangers, harms' assisted suicide laws pose to disabled by Julie Hasher CNS/Nation/The Pilot Link to Suicide/Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia and to Disabilities
Nigerian, other African bishops stand against xenophobia in South Africa by Patrick Egwu National Catholic Reporter Link to Fear, Hate, Prejudice, and Discrimination against Others
Dominican sisters' love for children in Vietnam by Mary Nguyen Thi Phuong Lan Global Sisters Report
Prayer life isn’t about bargaining or performance, it’s about God by Father Jeffrey F. Kirby Crux
Resignation of pope’s bodyguard signals tension amid Vatican finance leaks by Claire Giangravé Religion News Service Link to Financial Crimes
Different clicks, same prayer: Pope asks Catholics to pray the rosary by Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service/Angelus Link to The Rosary
Shunned TB sufferers trapped in poverty in Vietnam by UCANews reporter UCANews,com/La Croix International Link to Tuberclosis
The Healing Of The Lepers: The Detail You May Have Missed by Gary Zimak Patheos Link to Leprosy
Pope Francis' silence disappoints India's Dalit Catholics by Bijay Kumar Minj UCANews.com
We Must Not Neglect The Homeless Nor Let Them Become Hidden From View by Henry Karson Patheos Link to Homeless
How Can I Forgive Someone Who Won’t Admit They’re Wrong? by Team Busted Halo Busted Halo Link to Forgiveness
40% of Muslim students in CA report being bullied due to religion, according to survey by Alejandra Molina Religion News Service Link to School Bullying
Animal Exploitation And Consequentialism by Henry Karlson Patheos Link to Animal Challenges
Youth Standing Up to Climate Change: Reflections from the Strikes by ISN Staff Ignatian Spirituality Network Link to Environment Challenges
Catholics ‘run the race’ in the fight against homelessness by Christopher White Crux
The Agreement between the Holy See and China: Whence and whither? by Federico Lombardi, SJ Emeritus editor, La Civiltà Cattolica Link to Catholicism and China
Seminaries and formation: One priest’s perspective and suggestion by Fr. John Chalny, STD Catholic World Report Link to Vocations
Christians, Please Call Us Autistic, Blind, and Deaf by Matthew Schneider Patheos
A Capuchin, a card trick, Pope Francis and… laughter by 'La Croix International staff La Croix International
Faith Leaders Support Plan to Close Jails on Rikers Island by The Tablet Staff The Tablet Link to Prison Challenges
Trump is stonewalling Congress. The House should respond with a formal impeachment inquiry vote. by The Editors America Link to United States Politics
4 ways parishes can engage in creation justice by Emily Sanna U.S. Catholic
Philippine Church urged to help address rise in suicides by UCANews Reporter UCANews.com
Leaked documents detail $200 million Vatican deal for swanky London property by John L. Allen Jr. Crux
Pope confronts world's obese over 820 million starving people in the world by IrishCentral Staff IrishCentral
Tom Reese, SJ on the Amazon Synod: An Interview by Kevin Kuehl The Jesuit Post
Anti-Semitism tops American Jewish concerns in latest survey by Yonat Shimron Religion News Service Link to Antisemitism
Pope: beauty and art foster brotherhood, openness by Robin Gomes Vatican News Link to Spirituality and Art
The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor. Do We? by Franciscan Action Network Link to Poverty
Catholic Anti-Nuclear Activists On Trial During Respect Life Month by Billy Critchley-Menor, SJ The Jesuit Post Link to Nuclear Challenges
What the Day of the Dead can teach us about life by Sonja Livingston America
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
God: the Oldest Question by William J. O’Malley, S.J. Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
A Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen, Reviewed by Susana L. Vasquez Profiles in Catholicism
"Giudizio Universale" ("Universal Judgment"), by Gianluigi Nuzzi Commentary byJunno Arocho Esteves The Pilot
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett Reviewed by Diane Scharper America
Film Reviews/Commentaries
By the Grace of God Commentary by Brad Miner The Catholic Thing
Jojo Rabbit Reviewed by Liel Leibovitz Tablet
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Reviewed by Catholic News Service/ John Mulderig The Catholic Spirit
Theater Reviews and Commentaries
Porgy and Bess Commentary by Meghan J. Clark America
Kingfishers Catch Fire Commentary by Retta Blaney National Catholic Reporter
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 relationship. 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
An Encounter with Silence
Loving God, I come before you to pray for my brothers and sisters, your children and members of Christ’s body, at the southern border of the United States today.
What we read of their suffering seems nothing less than a Passion for thousands. Little children crowded into cells where they scarcely have room to stand. Without decent sanitation or food, separated from their families, the older ones taking care of the younger.
God of mercy, I believe that you live within whatever and whoever I am, the ground of my existence, its gracious cause and hope, its true future, its blessed promise of eternal life. I could not always have said so much. But now through your grace I do believe it.
But God of all, I am shaken in that faith when I read of what is happening on the threshold of my country. Are not the women and men and children there also vessels of your eternal presence? Many of them, most perhaps, from what we call the Northern Triangle, have indeed been baptized. But your incarnate Word is addressed to all of them. Your Spirit of freedom hovers over all of them
by Leo J. O’Donovan, S.J .America
Videos
After Trump Abandoned Kurds, Turkish Invasion Raises Fear of Kurdish Genocide & ISIS Resurgence
I was human trafficked for 10 years. We can do more to stop it | Barbara Amaya | TEDxMidAtlantic