Sunday, March 30, 2025
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Friday, March 28, 2025
A Loitering Spirit
I could not sleep past two o'clock this morning. During the night season I was in council. I was pleading with some families to avail themselves of God's appointed means, and get away from the cities to save their children. Some were loitering, making no determined efforts.
The angels of mercy hurried Lot and his wife and daughters by taking hold of their hands. Had Lot hastened as the Lord desired him to, his wife would not have become a pillar of salt. Lot had too much of a lingering spirit. Let us not be like him. The same voice that warned Lot to leave Sodom bids us, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, ... and touch not the unclean.” Those who obey this warning will find a refuge. Let every man be wide awake for himself, and try to save his family. Let him gird himself for the work. God will reveal from point to point what to do next.
Hear the voice of God through the apostle Paul: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Lot trod the plain with unwilling and tardy steps. He had so long associated with evil workers that he could not see his peril until his wife stood on the plain a pillar of salt forever.—The Review and Herald, December 11, 1900.
Country Living, pp.6,7.
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
A Closer Look at John Lomacang's MAGA Sermon
March 16, 2025
Gerry Wagoner
59:32 – He states, without offering evidence, that some in our church are leaning towards evangelicalism, and buying into their agenda. Exactly what that agenda is, he doesn’t say, but it is presumed to be bad.
59:56 – He says conservatism is not biblical, and we should not get the two mixed up. In this he appears to be taking a shot at those who oppose unbiblical liberalism in the church. He quotes selectively from 5T:
“The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances. The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced or withheld must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith. And at that time the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith”--5T 463 (1885).
I believe Lomacang uses this particular passage in 5T because of the word conservatism, which provides a springboard to his political concerns which follow.
He fails to point out that Ellen White is not referring to theological conservatism, but rather those who put “worldly conformity” first and God’s cause second. We agree with him that superficial believers will renounce the faith, the Bible is clear on that, calling it the ‘Falling away’ in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. The term ‘falling away’ comes from the Greek word apostasia which refers to defection from the one true God—‘repenting’ from good unto evil. Christ declared, “As it was in the days of Lot, … even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:28-30). This is home central for apostate Protestantism and apostate Adventism, which are ideologically aligned and will become more so in these last days.
John Lomacang recently gave a sermon titled Make Adventism Great Again. While the title is praiseworthy, the latter part of his sermon drifted into politics, highlighting his own political preferences. Some of the high points of his message are:
59:32 – He states, without offering evidence, that some in our church are leaning towards evangelicalism, and buying into their agenda. Exactly what that agenda is, he doesn’t say, but it is presumed to be bad.
59:56 – He says conservatism is not biblical, and we should not get the two mixed up. In this he appears to be taking a shot at those who oppose unbiblical liberalism in the church. He quotes selectively from 5T:
“The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances. The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced or withheld must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith. And at that time the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith”--5T 463 (1885).
I believe Lomacang uses this particular passage in 5T because of the word conservatism, which provides a springboard to his political concerns which follow.
He fails to point out that Ellen White is not referring to theological conservatism, but rather those who put “worldly conformity” first and God’s cause second. We agree with him that superficial believers will renounce the faith, the Bible is clear on that, calling it the ‘Falling away’ in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. The term ‘falling away’ comes from the Greek word apostasia which refers to defection from the one true God—‘repenting’ from good unto evil. Christ declared, “As it was in the days of Lot, … even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:28-30). This is home central for apostate Protestantism and apostate Adventism, which are ideologically aligned and will become more so in these last days.
Trump admin moves to crack down on illegal migrants living in public housing: ‘wasteful misappropriation’ of taxpayer money
By Victor Nava
Published March 24, 2025, 8:08 p.m. ET
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner announced Monday that their agencies will work together to prevent illegal migrants from living in public housing.
The Trump administration aims to end the “wasteful misappropriation” of taxpayer money going to subsidize housing for illegal migrants by having DHS “identify illegal aliens who are ineligible for Federal housing assistance” to HUD, according to the new memorandum of understanding between the two agencies.
“American tax dollars should be used for the benefit of American citizens, especially when it comes to an issue as pressing as our nation’s housing crisis,” Turner said in a statement. “This new agreement will leverage resources including technology and personnel to ensure American people are the only priority when it comes to public housing.”
“We will continue to work closely with DHS to maximize our resources and put American citizens first.”
HUD Secretary Scott Turner and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem signed the agreement on Monday.X / @SecretaryTurner
The MOU indicates that “veterans in need” stand to benefit from the cooperation agreement, which will facilitate “data sharing” between HUD and DHS.
“The Biden Administration prioritized illegal aliens over our own citizens, including by giving illegal aliens taxpayer-funding housing at the expense of Americans. Not anymore,” Noem said in a statement. “The entire government will work together to identify abuse and exploitation of public benefits and make sure those in this country illegally are not receiving federal benefits or other financial incentives to stay illegally.”
“If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now,” the DHS chief added. “The gravy train is over.”
HUD cited data from the Center for Immigration Studies showing that about 59% of illegal migrant households benefit from at least one government welfare program, creating roughly $42 billion in costs.
HUD cited data showing that 59% of illegal migrant households benefit from taxpayer-funded programs.Stephen Yang
The move is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.James Keivom
The agency said there are at least 9 million residents of public and subsidized housing “without proper information sharing to determine eligibility status.”
In addition to signing the MOU, Turner also instructed the offices of Public and Indian Housing (PIH), Moving to Work (MTW) and Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to comply with federal laws that already prohibit HUD-funded service providers from providing financial assistance to illegal migrants.
Monday, March 24, 2025
Why True Christians Reject the Pope and Roman Catholic Doctrine (Ian Pai...
The Sharper Sword
Sep 19, 2015
Ian Paisley in an awesome sermon warning against the Pope and the coming kingdom of Antichrist from the very frontlines of the onslaught of the ecumenical movement which he and his congregation stood against in Ulster, successfully. Paisley teaches us by his life's example what spiritual warfare will be like for true Christians all over the world in these final days of this Age. This sermon touches on many verses to support the idea of purity in both doctrine and deed, including Biblical support for the permissibility of protesting and resisting all heresy, ungodliness, and cultural wickedness; but this sermon is most prominently rooted in the prophecies, of 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2, which tell of the coming Antichrist. And for nearly 1600 years now, the most Antichristian force in the Western world has been the Roman Catholic Church. Although there are many in that church and elsewhere who (falsely or not) call themselves Christians, you ought to know by now that the devil prefers to camouflage himself as a friend rather than to appear overtly and honestly in a form that shows who he truly is in his heart: a liar, a thief, and a murderer from the beginning. Follow along in the real Bible here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/....
This sermon and more than 1000 more from Dr. Ian Paisley are available on sermonaudio.com for free here: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo...
JESUITS OPEN MOSQUE AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY - 6.22.23 - NOTR
Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 5:43PM
Today's Show: JESUITS OPEN MOSQUE AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY - 6.22.2023
Chris gives updates on the new documentary: "American Jesuits" and its progress. We also discuss the new Islamic mosque that has opened at Georgetown University, said to be the "first of its kind on a U.S. college campus." The mosque is the latest Islamic feature at Georgetown, since the university has for years hosted the "Bridge Initiative" -- a Jesuit interfaith program where they indoctrinate students to accept the concept of Islamophobia. They even offer the opportunity to "sign up" and receive "daily updates ... about Islamophobia." Also at Georgetown is the Muslim professor Jonathan Brown, who openly teaches that slavery is acceptable, since it was practiced by the prophet Muhammad. We hear audio of some of Professor Brown's teachings, and discuss what might possibly be the greater agenda.
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Friday, March 21, 2025
With US immigration policies in flux, volunteers remain steady at Kino Border Initiative
Sophomore Victoria Mendoza-Cardena, 16, from Sacred Heart Preparatory in Atherton, California, serves a Central American mother and her two young daughters breakfast on Feb. 19, 2025, at the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, Mexico. (Anita Snow)
by Anita Snow
Nogales, Mexico — March 19, 2025
Documentary filmmaker Kip Doyle drove a recreational vehicle from Chicago to volunteer for two weeks serving meals to migrants just south of the Arizona-Mexico border.
A group of teenagers from a Catholic school in Northern California traveled here to volunteer during their recent winter break, and several times a week, retiree Bob Kee drives an hour from Tucson, Arizona, to administer first aid.
They all volunteered at the Catholic-run Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, just across the Arizona border. The center provides food, shelter, health care, legal help, social workers and job skills for migrants deported there or stranded in Mexico.
It has been a tumultuous few months for the 17-year-old humanitarian group since President Donald Trump took office and implemented a series of enforcement changes that have upended the lives of immigrants and caused anxiety, chaos and fear along the southern border.
The number of migrants arriving at the center has increased in recent weeks as the Trump administration has ramped up deportations. That followed an initial brief drop when arrests for illegal border crossings plummeted.
New Urgent Statement on Pope Francis's Condition: 'The Doctors Have...'
Pope Francis remains hospitalized |
Getty Images Pro de 2Mmedia, Deemakdaksina, Instagram, @franciscus, en.e-noticies.cat
PEOPLE
The latest update on Pope Francis's health status comes to light. These are the Measures doctors have taken with the Pontiff
20/03/2025 09:50:00h
by
África Fernández Juez
The health status of Pope Francis remains a concern in the Vatican. Since his admission to the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, there has been much anticipation about his progress. Now, a new statement has provided relevant details about Pope Francis's recovery.
Although doctors have indicated that Pope Francis's health has been improving, they insist that caution can't be abandoned. The Pontiff's situation remains delicate, but he has already shown several positive signs in his progress. His treatment continues under strict medical supervision, but Pope Francis's health is now stable.
África Fernández Juez
The health status of Pope Francis remains a concern in the Vatican. Since his admission to the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, there has been much anticipation about his progress. Now, a new statement has provided relevant details about Pope Francis's recovery.
Although doctors have indicated that Pope Francis's health has been improving, they insist that caution can't be abandoned. The Pontiff's situation remains delicate, but he has already shown several positive signs in his progress. His treatment continues under strict medical supervision, but Pope Francis's health is now stable.
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Monday, March 17, 2025
WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS?
Excerpt taken from "Night Journey From Rome"
Copyright © 1982 by Chick Publications, Inc.
CHAPTER SIX
WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS?
When I walked out of St. Clare’s Catholic church on the morning of August 6, 1978, reborn in Jesus Christ, one of my abiding new realizations was that all the sins of my lifetime had been forgiven. Jesus had washed them in His blood; they had been annihilated; no guilt remained requiring me to perform acts of penance. I could now walk with God, my sins erased, no longer under the burden of having to confess to a human priest and beg his absolution. Truly Christ had released me from captivity according to His promise.
And thus I thought with relief that I would never again have to set foot in a Roman Catholic church building to seek forgiveness, justification, the Holy Spirit, Jesus in the Eucharist —whatever— through the Roman labyrinth of sacramental dispensation of grace. But I knew that someday it might be fitting or expedient, through courtesy or familial bonds of charity to enter a Catholic church building in consideration of the feelings of others. That is precisely what happened in a relatively short while.
Some six months after I was led to the Lord, a young Hispanic and Catholic Detroit police officer took his life in a violent manner. I did not know the young man personally; I knew of him and that he had problems. The deceased and I had a mutual friend, Steve, also a Detroit police officer, Puerto Rican, and Catholic. Steve and I are casual but good friends in the Department, often meeting for lunch “in Spanish” at a downtown Mexican restaurant. Steve is Catholic in name only, largely ignorant of the teachings of his church. But he knows I am a former priest, and he questions me continually about religion. And I witness Jesus Christ to him.
Law Enforcement Responds to False Threat at Loma Linda University Medical Center
Ezrica Bennett| March 13, 2025![]()
On the evening of March 12, 2025, at approximately 6:06 PM, an unidentified male placed a call to a non-911 dispatcher stating that he was hearing voices instructing him to harm the children at Loma Linda University (LLU) Children’s Hospital. During the call, he claimed to have entered the hospital armed with an AR-15 rifle and a bomb.
Within minutes, LLU called a code silver signifying an active threat. A university-wide alert was sent to all students, faculty, and staff, warning of a reported armed assailant in the pediatric emergency department. The message emphasized: “This is not a drill,” urging everyone to take immediate protective action.
Deputies stationed on campus were the first to respond, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department quickly requested additional SWAT resources due to the size and complexity of the medical campus. Upon arrival, law enforcement swiftly initiated security protocols, securing all hospital entrances and surrounding streets. Officers were stationed on every floor, systematically clearing the hospital room by room as part of their standard procedure.
On the evening of March 12, 2025, at approximately 6:06 PM, an unidentified male placed a call to a non-911 dispatcher stating that he was hearing voices instructing him to harm the children at Loma Linda University (LLU) Children’s Hospital. During the call, he claimed to have entered the hospital armed with an AR-15 rifle and a bomb.
Within minutes, LLU called a code silver signifying an active threat. A university-wide alert was sent to all students, faculty, and staff, warning of a reported armed assailant in the pediatric emergency department. The message emphasized: “This is not a drill,” urging everyone to take immediate protective action.
Deputies stationed on campus were the first to respond, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department quickly requested additional SWAT resources due to the size and complexity of the medical campus. Upon arrival, law enforcement swiftly initiated security protocols, securing all hospital entrances and surrounding streets. Officers were stationed on every floor, systematically clearing the hospital room by room as part of their standard procedure.
Heavily-armed members of law enforcement swarm Loma Linda University Health.
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Salvadoran-born Bishop Evelio Menjivar: Migrants ‘make the United States a great nation’
Bishop Evelio Menjivar speaks with “EWTN News in Depth” on Friday, March 14, 2025. | Credit: “EWTN News in Depth”
By Tessa Gervasini
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 15, 2025 / 07:00 am
Evelio Menjivar came to the United States as an undocumented immigrant in 1990. Today he serves as an auxiliary bishop of Washington, D.C., and is the first Salvadoran U.S. bishop in an archdiocese that is home to over 200,000 of his former countrymen.
In an interview with “EWTN News in Depth,” Menjivar shared his conviction that immigrants “make the United States a great nation” and “make society better.”
After years of “blue-collar jobs,” upon his arrival to the U.S., Menjivar felt a calling to the priesthood and was ordained in 2004. He served as a parish priest in Washington for almost two decades until Pope Francis appointed him auxiliary bishop in 2022.
“I came here when I was 20 with a great desire to work hard, to go to school, to contribute to the well-being of this great nation that became my home country,” Menjivar told Montse Alvarado, EWTN News president and COO.
Menjivar said he attempted to enter the country three times before making it to Los Angeles. He explained: “I don’t feel proud that I crossed the border without documents.”
“But it is a testimony that many people cross the border with good intentions,” he said.
“Most immigrants come here because they do not find any other option in their countries and they put their own lives at risk. But once we enter here, we contribute with our own talents, with our own energy,” he told Alvarado.
Christians decry plan in India for death penalty for conversions
Activists display a long list of atrocities against minorities on the first 300 days of the Narendra Modi government on March 19, 2015. (Anto Akkara via CNA)
Activists in India are decrying remarks from the leader of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in which the politician threatened to prescribe the death penalty for religious conversions in Madhya Pradesh state.
“A provision for capital punishment will be made in the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act for religious conversion,” declared Mohan Yadav, BJP chief minister of the state, at an International Women’s Day program on March 8.
Yadav said the state government “wouldn’t spare those behind illegal conversions.”
“Proposing the death penalty for religious conversion of girls is not only bizarre but deserves to be condemned by all who cherish the rights and freedoms enshrined and guaranteed in the constitution,” outspoken Jesuit peace activist Father Cedric Prakash told CNA on March 13.
Asserting that Article 25 of Indian Constitution “unequivocally states that every citizen has the right to freely preach, practice, and propagate one’s religion,” Prakash said the chief minister’s remarks were “demeaning a citizen’s fundamental right,” which he said “speaks volumes of the abysmal depth to which fascism has taken the country.”
The United Christian Forum (UCF) has listed 834 crimes against Christians in India in 2024, shooting up from 127 in 2014 when the Hindu nationalist BJP captured power at the national level.
The majority of the incidents have been assaults and arrests of Christians on conversion charges that critics have deemed fraudulent.
There is “a very clear political agenda behind the conversion rhetoric,” Prakash said.
“It polarizes the people — we against them; majority vs. minority,” he said. “It helps create fear among the majority [Hindus] that the minorities of the country — namely Muslims and Christians — will take over the reins of power in the country.”
While Hindus account for nearly 80% of India’s 1.44 billion people, Muslims account for 14% and Christians 2.3%.
Other minorities like Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists account for the remaining population.
John Dayal, a Catholic columnist and social activist, told CNA that the call for the death penalty for conversions “exposes the cavalier, and cynical, manner in which [Hindu nationalists] have crafted this political strategy to criminalize Christian presence and community growth in the state.”
Madhya Pradesh state has reported several incidents of harassment of Christian institutions and arrest of clergy, pastors, and lay Christians. Christians are below one-half of 1% of the state’s 89 million people.
“The Christian community, and civil society too, must challenge anti-conversion laws in India as a travesty to human rights and a fraud on the constitution of democratic India,” Dayal said.
A.C. Michael, the Catholic coordinator of UCF, told CNA the threat to introduce the death penalty for conversions is “mere propaganda to boost Hindu nationalist forces.”
“As a matter of fact, the very anti-conversion law being framed under the garb of ‘freedom of religion’ is itself an anti-constitution law. We are hopeful it will not stand scrutiny in court of law when challenged,” Michael said.
He noted that the Supreme Court of India itself last year said the law may run afoul of the national constitution.
Though a dozen of India’s 28 states have enacted anti-conversion laws, Michael pointed out: “There has been hardly any conviction for forceful conversions despite hundreds being arrested regularly on conversion charges, mostly in BJP-ruled states.”
Church officials did not respond to requests for comment on the chief minister’s remarks.
Activists in India are decrying remarks from the leader of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in which the politician threatened to prescribe the death penalty for religious conversions in Madhya Pradesh state.
“A provision for capital punishment will be made in the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act for religious conversion,” declared Mohan Yadav, BJP chief minister of the state, at an International Women’s Day program on March 8.
Yadav said the state government “wouldn’t spare those behind illegal conversions.”
“Proposing the death penalty for religious conversion of girls is not only bizarre but deserves to be condemned by all who cherish the rights and freedoms enshrined and guaranteed in the constitution,” outspoken Jesuit peace activist Father Cedric Prakash told CNA on March 13.
Asserting that Article 25 of Indian Constitution “unequivocally states that every citizen has the right to freely preach, practice, and propagate one’s religion,” Prakash said the chief minister’s remarks were “demeaning a citizen’s fundamental right,” which he said “speaks volumes of the abysmal depth to which fascism has taken the country.”
The United Christian Forum (UCF) has listed 834 crimes against Christians in India in 2024, shooting up from 127 in 2014 when the Hindu nationalist BJP captured power at the national level.
The majority of the incidents have been assaults and arrests of Christians on conversion charges that critics have deemed fraudulent.
There is “a very clear political agenda behind the conversion rhetoric,” Prakash said.
“It polarizes the people — we against them; majority vs. minority,” he said. “It helps create fear among the majority [Hindus] that the minorities of the country — namely Muslims and Christians — will take over the reins of power in the country.”
While Hindus account for nearly 80% of India’s 1.44 billion people, Muslims account for 14% and Christians 2.3%.
Other minorities like Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists account for the remaining population.
John Dayal, a Catholic columnist and social activist, told CNA that the call for the death penalty for conversions “exposes the cavalier, and cynical, manner in which [Hindu nationalists] have crafted this political strategy to criminalize Christian presence and community growth in the state.”
Madhya Pradesh state has reported several incidents of harassment of Christian institutions and arrest of clergy, pastors, and lay Christians. Christians are below one-half of 1% of the state’s 89 million people.
“The Christian community, and civil society too, must challenge anti-conversion laws in India as a travesty to human rights and a fraud on the constitution of democratic India,” Dayal said.
A.C. Michael, the Catholic coordinator of UCF, told CNA the threat to introduce the death penalty for conversions is “mere propaganda to boost Hindu nationalist forces.”
“As a matter of fact, the very anti-conversion law being framed under the garb of ‘freedom of religion’ is itself an anti-constitution law. We are hopeful it will not stand scrutiny in court of law when challenged,” Michael said.
He noted that the Supreme Court of India itself last year said the law may run afoul of the national constitution.
Though a dozen of India’s 28 states have enacted anti-conversion laws, Michael pointed out: “There has been hardly any conviction for forceful conversions despite hundreds being arrested regularly on conversion charges, mostly in BJP-ruled states.”
Church officials did not respond to requests for comment on the chief minister’s remarks.
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Friday, March 14, 2025
Christians, Muslims can speak out against injustice, proclaim beauty of diversity, Vatican says
In a message for Ramadan, Vatican officials call on Christians and Muslims to foster fraternity, justice and mutual respect through dialogue. Highlighting shared values like compassion and respect for creation, the letter emphasizes building bridges, rejecting exclusion and working together toward a future of hope.
The dome of the Istiqlal Mosque across from the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is seen at sunset in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 4, 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez).
The dome of the Istiqlal Mosque across from the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is seen at sunset in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 4, 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez).
Carol Glatz
March 7, 2025
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a world where people are tempted to build walls to exclude others, Christians and Muslims are challenged to build, through dialogue, a shared future based on fraternity, leaders of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue said in a message to Muslims around the world.
"We do not want simply to coexist; we want to live together in sincere and mutual esteem," said the message for the month of Ramadan, which began Feb. 28 in many countries and ends March 29.
"The values we share, such as justice, compassion and respect for creation, should inspire our actions and relationships, and serve as our compass in constructing bridges rather than walls, defending justice rather than oppression, protecting the environment rather than destroying it," it said.
March 7, 2025
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a world where people are tempted to build walls to exclude others, Christians and Muslims are challenged to build, through dialogue, a shared future based on fraternity, leaders of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue said in a message to Muslims around the world.
"We do not want simply to coexist; we want to live together in sincere and mutual esteem," said the message for the month of Ramadan, which began Feb. 28 in many countries and ends March 29.
"The values we share, such as justice, compassion and respect for creation, should inspire our actions and relationships, and serve as our compass in constructing bridges rather than walls, defending justice rather than oppression, protecting the environment rather than destroying it," it said.
Cardinal George Koovakad, prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, greets journalists aboard Pope Francis' flight to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore in this file photo from Sept. 2, 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Cardinal George Koovakad, dicastery prefect, and Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kankanamalage, secretary, signed the letter, which was released by the Vatican March 7.
"This year, Ramadan largely coincides with Lent, which for Christians is a period of fasting, supplication and conversion to Christ," the Vatican officials wrote. "This proximity in the spiritual calendar offers us a unique opportunity to walk side-by-side, Christians and Muslims, in a common process of purification, prayer and charity."
"This year," they wrote, "we wish to reflect with you not only on what we can do together to live better lives, but above all on what we want to become together, as Christians and Muslims, in a world in search of hope. Do we want to be simple co-workers for a better world or genuine brothers and sisters, bearing common witness to God's friendship with all humanity?"
"Our world is thirsting for fraternity and genuine dialogue," they said. "Together, Muslims and Christians can bear witness to this hope, in the conviction that friendship is possible despite the burden of history and ideologies that promote exclusion."
Cardinal George Koovakad, dicastery prefect, and Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kankanamalage, secretary, signed the letter, which was released by the Vatican March 7.
"This year, Ramadan largely coincides with Lent, which for Christians is a period of fasting, supplication and conversion to Christ," the Vatican officials wrote. "This proximity in the spiritual calendar offers us a unique opportunity to walk side-by-side, Christians and Muslims, in a common process of purification, prayer and charity."
"This year," they wrote, "we wish to reflect with you not only on what we can do together to live better lives, but above all on what we want to become together, as Christians and Muslims, in a world in search of hope. Do we want to be simple co-workers for a better world or genuine brothers and sisters, bearing common witness to God's friendship with all humanity?"
"Our world is thirsting for fraternity and genuine dialogue," they said. "Together, Muslims and Christians can bear witness to this hope, in the conviction that friendship is possible despite the burden of history and ideologies that promote exclusion."
A commemorative plaque signed by Pope Francis celebrates his visit to the Tunnel of Friendship, which connects a mosque and a Catholic cathedral, during an interreligious meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sept. 5, 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
"Our trust in God is a treasure that unites us, far beyond our differences," the message said. "It reminds us that we are all spiritual, incarnate, beloved creatures, called to live in dignity and mutual respect."
"We desire to become guardians of this sacred dignity by rejecting all forms of violence, discrimination and exclusion," the Vatican officials said. "We have a unique opportunity to show the world that faith transforms people and societies, and that it is a force for unity and reconciliation."
Today there is a temptation to "build a culture of walls" to prevent encounters with other cultures and other people, they said. "Our challenge is to build, through dialogue, a common future founded on fraternity."
"Our faith and its values should help us to be voices that speak out against injustice and indifference, and proclaim the beauty of human diversity," they said.
"Our trust in God is a treasure that unites us, far beyond our differences," the message said. "It reminds us that we are all spiritual, incarnate, beloved creatures, called to live in dignity and mutual respect."
"We desire to become guardians of this sacred dignity by rejecting all forms of violence, discrimination and exclusion," the Vatican officials said. "We have a unique opportunity to show the world that faith transforms people and societies, and that it is a force for unity and reconciliation."
Today there is a temptation to "build a culture of walls" to prevent encounters with other cultures and other people, they said. "Our challenge is to build, through dialogue, a common future founded on fraternity."
"Our faith and its values should help us to be voices that speak out against injustice and indifference, and proclaim the beauty of human diversity," they said.
Opus Dei prelate: ‘These are difficult times in the world and in the Church’
Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz gives a talk during his July 2024 visit to Santiago, Chile. | Credit: Courtesy of Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus De/Flickr
By Nicolás de Cárdenas
Madrid, Spain, Mar 13, 2025 / 14:20 pm
In his latest pastoral letter, the prelate of Opus Dei, Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz, reflected on how Christians should live joyfully in the context of “difficult times.”
“Joy, in general, is the effect of the possession and experience of something good. Depending on the type of goodness, joy has a greater or lesser intensity and permanence. When joy is not the consequence of some particular experience of a good, but the consequence of one’s whole existence, it is usually called happiness,” explained the successor of St. Josemaría Escrivá.
The prelate, who noted that “these are difficult times in the world and in the Church (and the [apostolate] is a small part of the Church),” also reminded that “always and in every circumstance, we can and should be happy.”
In this regard, he recalled how St. Josemaría was happy during his final years, despite the difficulties: “All of us who saw and heard our [spiritual] father in Villa Tevere during the last seven or eight years of his life saw that he was truly content and happy, even though he suffered greatly during these years, both physically and, above all, because of the serious difficulties in the life of the Church.”
Ocáriz also addressed the question of Christian joy in relation to the theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity.
Regarding faith, he noted: “Our natural joy, elevated by grace, is found especially in union with God’s plans” and is related to being aware of God’s paternal love and so “it is good to renew the conviction of our faith in God’s love.”
The prelate pointed out that “faith in God’s love for us brings with it great hope” that “has as its specific object a future and possible good,” which fundamentally consists of “full happiness and joy in definitive union with God in glory.”
In the realm of charity, Ocáriz said that “love for God and for others is linked, along with joy, to faith and to hope.” Thus, the shared essence of the different expressions of love is “desiring — and to the extent possible, seeking — the good of the person who is loved, along with the consequent joy that comes from knowing that this good is finally present.”
Trending
1 Catholic bishop warns against ‘culture of death’ as Idaho backs firing squad executions
2 Trump’s top lawyer at FDA resigns after outcry over record defending abortion pill
3 Pope Francis marks 12th anniversary of pontificate and nearly 1 month in the hospital
4 Regnum Christi to review abuse prevention policies following arrest of former official
5 Opus Dei prelate: ‘These are difficult times in the world and in the Church’
Thus, the prelate continued, “love, as a source of joy, is manifested in a special way in giving ourselves to others,” and when it consists of taking up the cross for love of God, “is a source of happiness,” and this joy “has its roots in the shape of the cross.”
Invoking Mary as “the cause of our joy,” the prelate concluded with an invitation to “always be happy and to be sowers of peace and joy in all the circumstances of our lives. We ask her for this in a special way now in this Jubilee Year of Hope, closely united to the suffering of Pope Francis.”
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Mike Pence stokes backlash for calling Pope Francis 'Holy Father,' posting anti-Trump op-ed
By Jon Brown, Christian Post Reporter
Monday, March 03, 2025
Pope Francis speaks with former Vice President Mike Pence during a private audience at the Vatican, Jan. 24, 2020. | ALESSANDRO DI MEO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Former Vice President Mike Pence drew criticism over the weekend for a Friday X post in which he referred to Pope Francis as "the Holy Father," prompting some to accuse him of affirming Roman Catholicism despite being an outspoken Evangelical Protestant.
"One of my greatest honors as Vice President was the hour I spent with Pope Francis at the Vatican in January 2020," Pence tweeted. "[Karen Pence] and I join Catholics around the world Praying for this humble and godly man. God Bless the Holy Father."
Pope Francis remains at Rome's Gemelli Hospital recovering from double pneumonia. According to the Vatican, he remained in stable condition and did not require any mechanical ventilation Sunday, though he suffered two episodes of "acute respiratory failure" on Monday.
Former Vice President Mike Pence drew criticism over the weekend for a Friday X post in which he referred to Pope Francis as "the Holy Father," prompting some to accuse him of affirming Roman Catholicism despite being an outspoken Evangelical Protestant.
"One of my greatest honors as Vice President was the hour I spent with Pope Francis at the Vatican in January 2020," Pence tweeted. "[Karen Pence] and I join Catholics around the world Praying for this humble and godly man. God Bless the Holy Father."
Pope Francis remains at Rome's Gemelli Hospital recovering from double pneumonia. According to the Vatican, he remained in stable condition and did not require any mechanical ventilation Sunday, though he suffered two episodes of "acute respiratory failure" on Monday.
Pence was raised Roman Catholic but later left the Catholic Church to become an Evangelical when he was in college, according to a profile in The New York Times.
Monday, March 10, 2025
Sunday, March 09, 2025
Saturday, March 08, 2025
Thursday, March 06, 2025
Wholly Coincidence in March
- Ramadan: Friday, February 28, 2025 and end on Saturday, March 29, 2025 (Muslim)
- Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras: Tuesday, March 4 (Catholic)
- Ash Wednesday: Wednesday, March 5 (Catholic)
- Holi: Friday, March 14 (Hindu)
- Purim: Friday, March 14 (Jewish)
Martin Makary
Martin Adel Makary (/məˈkæri/) is a British-American surgeon, professor, author, and medical commentator. He practices surgical oncology and gastrointestinal laparoscopic surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, is Mark Ravitch Chair in Gastrointestinal Surgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and is the chief of Islet Transplant Surgery at Johns Hopkins.
Makary is an advocate for disruptive innovation in medicine and physician-led initiatives, such as a surgical checklist that he developed at Johns Hopkins.[1][2] In 2018, Makary was elected to the National Academy of Medicine.[3]While supporting universal masking early in the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines for adults, he opposed broad vaccine mandates and certain school and university restrictions.[4][5][6][7]
In November 2024, President-Elect Donald Trump announced Makary would be his nominee to head the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as its commissioner.[8][9]
Early life and education
Makary was born in Liverpool, England, and moved to Baltimore as a young child. His Egyptian family later moved to Danville, Pennsylvania, when his father took a job as a hematologist at the Geisinger Medical Center. Makary holds degrees from Bucknell University, Thomas Jefferson University and Harvard University. He was president of the student body at Harvard and later served on the alumni board. He completed a Masters of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree, with a concentration in health policy.
Professional career
Makary completed a surgical residency at Georgetown University[10] in Washington D.C. where he also worked as a writer for The Advisory Board Company. Makary completed sub-specialty surgery training at Johns Hopkins in surgical oncology and gastrointestinal surgery under surgeon John Cameron, before joining Cameron's faculty practice as a partner.[11] In his first few years on the faculty at Johns Hopkins, Makary researched and wrote articles on the prevention of surgical complications.[12] He published on frailty[13] as a medical condition, and on safety and teamwork culture in medicine. Makary is the first author of the original scientific publications describing "The Surgery Checklist".[14] Makary worked with the World Health Organization[15] to develop the official World Health Organization Surgical Checklist.[1]
Trump's hot mic moment with Chief Justice John Roberts sparks conspiracy...
--------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, March 05, 2025
Holy Crucifix! American Politics is Catholic
Today, Mayors from several Sanctuary Cities testified before Congress on Capitol Hill.
The hearings took place on Ash Wednesday, a significant day in the Roman Catholic calendar. It was interesting to see several participants on both sides of the dais wearing crosses of ashes on their foreheads.
This last picture is from a commercial during the televised hearings.
The hearings took place on Ash Wednesday, a significant day in the Roman Catholic calendar. It was interesting to see several participants on both sides of the dais wearing crosses of ashes on their foreheads.
This last picture is from a commercial during the televised hearings.
Tuesday, March 04, 2025
António Costa - President of the European Council
António Costa | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2024 | |
| President of the European Council | |
| Assumed office 1 December 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Michel |
| Prime Minister of Portugal | |
| In office 26 November 2015 – 2 April 2024 | |
| President | Aníbal Cavaco Silva Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa |
| Preceded by | Pedro Passos Coelho |
| Succeeded by | Luís Montenegro |
| Secretary-General of the Socialist Party | |
| In office 22 November 2014 – 7 January 2024 | |
| President | Carlos César |
| Deputy | Ana Catarina Mendes José Luís Carneiro João Torres |
| Preceded by | António José Seguro |
| Succeeded by | Pedro Nuno Santos |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 22 November 2014 – 26 November 2015 | |
| Prime Minister | Pedro Passos Coelho |
| Preceded by | António José Seguro |
| Succeeded by | Pedro Passos Coelho |
| Mayor of Lisbon | |
| In office 1 August 2007 – 6 April 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Carmona Rodrigues |
| Succeeded by | Fernando Medina |
| Minister of Internal Administration | |
| In office 12 March 2005 – 17 May 2007 | |
| Prime Minister | José Sócrates |
| Preceded by | Daniel Sanches |
| Succeeded by | Rui Pereira |
| Minister of Justice | |
| In office 25 October 1999 – 6 April 2002 | |
| Prime Minister | António Guterres |
| Preceded by | José Vera Jardim |
| Succeeded by | Celeste Cardona |
| Minister of Parliamentary Affairs | |
| In office 27 November 1997 – 25 October 1999 | |
| Prime Minister | António Guterres |
| Preceded by | António Couto dos Santos |
| Succeeded by | Luís Marques Mendes |
| Member of the Assembly of the Republic[1][2] | |
| In office 23 October 2015 – 26 March 2024 | |
| Constituency | Lisbon |
| In office 5 April 2002 – 9 March 2005 | |
| Constituency | Leiria |
| In office 4 November 1991 – 26 October 1995 | |
| Constituency | Lisbon |
| Member of the European Parliament | |
| In office 20 July 2004 – 11 March 2005 | |
| Constituency | Portugal |
| Personal details | |
| Born | António Luís Santos da Costa 17 July 1961 Lisbon, Portugal |
| Political party | Socialist (since 1975) |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Spouse | Fernanda Tadeu (m. 1987) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
|
| Alma mater | University of Lisbon |
| Signature |  |
| Website | portugal.gov.pt/pm |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Portugal |
| Branch/service | Portuguese Army |
Donald Trump’s speech addresses joint session of Congress, JD Vanc...
Scheduled for Mar 4, 2025 #jdvance
President Donald Trump is set to speak before a joint session of Congress this week, marking his first address since returning to the White House. This will be the first speech of its kind Trump has made during his second term in office. Traditionally, presidents deliver an annual report to Congress informing them about the state of play in the U.S., including goals, accomplishments, and plans for the year ahead. Usually, this occurs within the first few months of the year and is broadcast to the entire nation. Trump is expected to talk about what he's done since taking office in January and his agenda for the next four years. #jdvance
-------------------------------
P.S.
Monday, March 03, 2025
The Krieger Files - February 6, 2025
Note: Joel Skousen's participation starts at approx. 27.45 Mins.
A Trump-Putin Accord?
By Paul Craig Roberts
PaulCraigRoberts.org
March 1, 2025
Why is it that American liberal Democrats and Europeans are so disturbed that Trump is moving the United States toward normal relations with Russia instead of maintaining a hostile approach to Russia based on proxy wars, sanctions, and endless propaganda? We know why the think tanks and university faculties supported by the military/security complex are upset–their incomes are at stake. But why the Democrats and Europeans? The answer will have to wait until another occasion. This column addresses readers’ questions about the many varied conflicting reports about a Trump-Putin deal.
What are my expectations, readers ask, for the Trump-Putin meeting about the conflict in Ukraine? I am pleased that readers think I have been sufficiently correct over the years for my analysis to be of interest.
The outlook for the resolution of the conflict and for a final end of the Cold War is good, but never forget the adage that “there’s many a slip between cup and lip.”
First of all, neither leader wants the war. Putin did everything he could to avoid war. He devised the Minsk Agreement which kept the breakaway Donbas republics in Ukraine. He begged for a mutual security agreement and was cold-shouldered. He was forced to intervene in Donbas by Washington, a conflict for which Russia was unprepared. Putin has fought the conflict in the least effective way possible in order to counter the Western propaganda that he had “invaded Ukraine” and Europe would be next.
Trump regards the orchestrated conflict the American Zionist neoconservatives created with Russia as a stupidity that is in the way of profitable business between the US and Russia and as a stupidity that is leading to the rise of BRICS and the denial of American business relationships with a large part of the world.
A war leader is the last thing Putin is, a job for which he has no talent. Trump favors business uber alles. So a deal is the most likely outcome.
Moreover, statements from Trump, Putin, Lavrov and other officials have created such expectations of an end to the conflict that it is now almost impossible not to deliver a mutually acceptable outcome.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)