Great news! Details: Vice President Mike Pence will speak on Friday to a gathering of anti-abortion activists on the National Mall, a sign of the movement’s new and growing authority in a government now dominated by Republicans. The organizers for the event, the March for Life, had extended invitations to President Trump and Mr. Pence. A senior White House official confirmed that Mr. Pence would address the marchers. Mr. Pence’s appearance will come just a few days before Mr. Trump... Read more
A couple weeks ago, my pastor and I attended an interfaith gathering at a local Queens synagogue. The purpose was to express community solidarity amid the anxiety and uncertainty following the recent presidential election. The Queens Borough President Melinda Katz was there, along with members of the local police precinct and about 75 congregants from the synagogue. The fear and unease were palpable. We heard parents talk about children coming home from school saying that they were afraid they would be deported.... Read more
Details: Employment rates among Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland are now level, with both communities evenly matched in most types of jobs, according to a report. The statistics mark a transformation on 30 years ago, when the unemployment rate was twice as high in the Catholic community. But the new report shows that in four out of 13 industrial sectors, there were more Protestant employees, with the biggest disparity in agriculture, forestry and fishing, where 65% of employees were... Read more
From the BBC: The Netherlands is to set up an international fund to support abortion services hit by President Donald Trump’s order to cut US foreign aid. Lilianne Ploumen, a Dutch minister, said it would set up “a well-financed fund” to allow other governments, businesses and charities to donate. The Netherlands would do everything in its power to help women “remain in control of their own bodies”, she said. President Trump ordered a ban on US aid to support abortion... Read more
The TV legend died today at 80: Mary Tyler Moore, the Oscar-nominated actress best known for her roles in the television sitcoms “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” has died. She was 80. “Today, beloved icon, Mary Tyler Moore, passed away at the age of 80 in the company of friends and her loving husband of over 33 years, Dr. S. Robert Levine,” her publicist, Mara Buxbaum, told ABC News. “A groundbreaking actress, producer, and... Read more
Video of the encounter is posted above, from Rome Reports. It happened today: Among those greeting Pope Francis at the General Audience on Wednesday was Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former governor of the US state of California. Schwarzenegger has been promoting the “R20 – Regions of Climate Action”, an NGO he founded in 2010 which seeks to help sub-national governments around the world to develop and communicate low-carbon and climate resilient economic development projects. TIME notes: Schwarzenegger, who rose to fame as... Read more
Today, the Church marks the Conversion of St. Paul, a memorable event in the Acts of the Apostles that was immortalized by the artist Caravaggio hundreds of years ago in the painting shown above. The moment in scripture is described here: Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he... Read more
You may remember when the bishop of Rockford got into the act a few months ago. He seems to have started a trend. Now, here comes Trenton’s bishop, David M. O’Connell, CM, promoting his diocese’s Diocesan Youth Conference. Read more
Details: Someone sprayed graffiti on Pro-Life Action Ministries in St. Paul, including, “Another (expletive) mouth to feed,” “(Expletive) Trump” and an upside down cross, the group said Monday. The organization reported to police on Monday about 9 a.m. that their building at 1163 Payne Avenue had been vandalized overnight. The non-profit said it had not endorsed Donald Trump for president. Pro-Life Action Ministries’ leader, Brian Gibson, said he also received a harassing phone call on Sunday afternoon, the 44th anniversary of... Read more
Good for her: Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton came to the defense of Barron Trump on Sunday after he was subjected to taunts from internet bullies, though her statement quickly turned political. Ten-year-old Barron was subject to a series of cruel taunts after Friday’s inauguration including one from an Saturday Night Live writer who said he will turn into a ‘homeschool shooter’. Chelsea called for the public to lay off of Barron, while simultaneously encouraging her followers to oppose policies... Read more
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