Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday, with a caution: We will begin with some classic deflection. Pope Leo said “Jesus does not listen to prayers of those who wage wars.” The White House deflects: there is nothing wrong with “calling on the American people to pray for our service members.” That’s the kind of thing that makes a seeker of wisdom wish for a “he said – they said” argument, instead of a “he said – but they denied what he didn’t say, deflecting distraction.” Learn about deflection’s impact on honest communication.
Even so, we can say, Happy Easter! And we include personal stories of faith this week in the hope you find in them inspiration, hope, and a bit of wisdom.
War of words
From Vatican News on Palm Sunday: Pope says “Jesus does not listen to prayers of those who wage war.”
Independent Catholic News also reported what Pope Leo said: ‘Jesus does not listen to prayers of those who wage war’
In response, EWTN announced: “White House defends praying for U.S. troops after pope condemns using prayers to justify war.” In deflection, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said there is nothing wrong with the president and military leaders “calling on the American people to pray for our service members.”
Why the Iran war is immoral
Cardinal Robert McElroy explained best why the Iran war is immoral: That our adversaries use unjust means does not justify our doing the same. From Religion News Service.
‘Adventure without return’
EWTN reported that the Cardinal of Tehran prays in Rome for ‘end to violence’ in Persian Gulf. In the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome, Cardinal Dominique Mathieu, archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan, on Monday evening stood in prayer for peace. The cardinal called for an end to violence, describing war as a “spiral” and an “adventure without return.”
Immigration
In El Paso, two Catholic sisters follow detained immigrants wherever ICE takes them. Though faith groups across the country are accompanying immigrants in court and detention centers, the integrated system built by the Scalabrinian sisters for the Diocese of El Paso is rare. From Religion News Service.
New Archbishop of Canterbury
The new Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honorable Dame Sarah Mullally, set out last week on a six-day walking pilgrimage from London to Canterbury, as part of her spiritual preparation for her Installation service at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday, 25 March. From Independent Catholic News.
Pope sends personal message to the Archbishop of Canterbury on her installation. From Independent Catholic News.
Vatican shuffle
Pope Leo reshuffles top Vatican posts, tapping new chief of staff. From Religion News Service. Nearly a year into his pontificate, Leo is tightening his grip on the Vatican, elevating low-profile diplomats and sidelining a top official linked to past financial turmoil.
Genocide and the Palestinian People
VIEWPOINT: Why US priests are struggling with this social justice Issue. By Fr John Heagle March 27, 2026, updated Mar 28, 2026, published by Independent Catholic News.
World Council of Churches: Cuba
WCC: “Cuba offers a prophetic witness to the global church,” from Independent Catholic News.
An ‘eco-village’ in North Carolina
A Hindu-inspired eco-village reimagines sustainable, spiritual life in North Carolina. A Vedic Village isn’t just for Hindus: ‘It’s a New Age community. It’s a one-stop solution for all the problems that we have,’ said founder Prakash Buchireddy. From Religion News Service.
Mistrial
From the Associated Press: Vatican appeals court declares mistrial in the ‘trial of the century’ against a cardinal. Defense lawyers said such a ruling was enormously significant if not historic, since it amounted to a Vatican court declaring that an act of the pope had no effect.
Polygamy, pastoral concerns
From EWTN: Bishops’ commission considers social, cultural, and pastoral factors behind polygamy in Africa. The final report addressing the pastoral challenge of polygamy in Africa draws attention to a wide range of social, cultural, and pastoral realities shaping the practice across the continent.
Palm Sunday incident
Israel apologizes after barring cardinal from Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday. Israeli authorities apologized after barring Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, an incident that drew sharp criticism from global leaders and church officials. From Religion News Service.
OPINION: Christian nationalists are panicking because religious progressives are thriving
Christian nationalists’ preferred framing of American politics as ‘secular left vs. Christian’ is false. From Religion News Service.
ANALYSIS by ROBERT P. JONES
PRRI’S large new survey covers a lot of ground related to immigration, including support for how President Donald Trump’s second administration is handling immigration, the aggressive tactics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, the construction of internment camps and due…
Baptist News Global: Hegseth declares war on Defense Dept. reporters, photographers
Hegseth declares war on Defense Dept. reporters, photographers.
From talk to reality
American politicians talk about persecuted Christians abroad – but here’s what happens when those Christians migrate to the US. Two months ago, Terez Metry arrived at a Department of Homeland Security office in Nashville with her husband, a U.S. citizen, expecting a routine step in beginning her green card application. Immigration officers detained Metry and transferred her to an immigration detention facility in Alabama. From The Conversation.
Holy Week fundraising
Last year, Paula White offered her followers seven Easter blessings for a gift of $1,000. This Holy Week, she’s using support for Israel as a motivation to give money to her. In addition to being a health-and-wealth televangelist — soundly critiqued by most of mainstream Christianity — White leads President Donald Trump’s White House Office of Faith. From Baptist News Global.
Constitutional confusion
Just two days before the No Kings rallies, evangelist Franklin Graham told a CPAC gathering in the DFW Metroplex they need to work to get Trump re-elected — even though the U.S. Constitution prohibits Trump from a third term in office. Graham later backtracked and said he meant to urge evangelicals to keep voting for Trump’s agenda, not for the man himself. From Baptist News Global.
What is Black theology, and why does it matter?
Tamika Royes writes, on the need for continued understanding of Black Christian perspectives, especially in the Catholic Church of the Western diaspora. From Black Catholic Messenger.
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