Wisdom Wednesday | April 21st

April 21AUSCP NewsRoundup

It’s Earth Day tomorrow and Wisdom Wednesday has ways you can get involved. We have reports on the righteous fear of Sikhs in the United States and Catholics in Afghanistan.

We bring you a study of the U.S. Supreme Court and its recent rulings regarding religious liberty, and a report on how Pope Francis views the Muslim world. To conclude, did you know Prince Phillip was a south sea island deity?

Before we dive in, though, a word from AUSCP Leadership Chair Greg Barras on the breaking news of Derek Chauvin’s conviction:

With the decision of the jury, this afternoon,  I believe the power of prayer, that justice be experienced, is realized in very profound and significant ways.

Prayer through people all over the country as well as the world resulted in a decision that harbingers a needed change in violence and abuse from those in authority toward African American women, men, and children.

This is only the beginning, a first significant choice, admitting racism exists and there are solutions. It takes a desire by everyone to change our enculturated conscience and transform into a non-violent gospel posture.
I love the children’s story, “The Little Engine That Could.”  “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.  We did.”

Earth Day Hub

Tomorrow is Earth Day. Active members of the AUSCP have prepared a list of ways you can get involved.

Here are just a few of our top picks:

Parallel to the Biden Administration’s global climate summit, EARTHDAY.ORG will have its second Earth Day Live digital event. You’ll find details on the home page of Earth Day 2021.

The Catholic Action Team at Citizens’ Climate Lobby invites you to a virtual conference May 15 to mark the sixth anniversary of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’. Speakers will include Lexington Bishop John Stowe and San Diego Archbishop Robert McElroy. and Jose Aguto from Catholic Climate Covenant. The event will also include informative breakout sessions to help you connect with Catholics in your Congressional District to show support for the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. Read all about it.

Want to read, or read again, what Pope Francis said about our common home? Go to the source – the Laudato Si’ Encyclical.

Minority (and) Religious Fears

The Sikh Coalition wants the Biden administration to appoint a Sikh American liaison in the White House Office of Public Engagement to ensure a ‘wide range of the community’s voices are heard and acted upon.’ Religion News Service reports the request follows the Indianapolis FedEx shooting.

On the other side of the globe, a Catholic leader in Afghanistan dreads US pull-out. The head of the tiny Catholic jurisdiction in the overwhelmingly Muslim country warns of looming civil war. The story is reported by La Croix International.

And around the world, the church is losing religious. After Vatican said ‘God cannot bless sin,’ some LGBTQ people are leaving Catholic identity behind. Religion News Service has a report.

Thoughts on Religious Liberty

The head of the Irish bishops denounces a new health-related law that makes attending Mass a criminal offense. America Magazine has the details.

At the U.S. Supreme Court, liberal justices often join their more conservative colleagues in rulings favoring religious rights, according to a Deseret News analysis. The analysis comes from Church News, published by Deseret News from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ramadan and Good Relationships

From NCR:

Christians and Muslims share a conviction that God calls them to be “witnesses, restorers and builders of hope” both in this life and for the life to come, said the leaders of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in Rome.

NCR reports the officials wished Muslims a peaceful and fruitful month as they fast during Ramadan and a joyful celebration of Eid al-Fitr when Ramadan is over. Read the full story.

America Magazine provides an inside look at how Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar have revolutionized Catholic-Muslim relations.

… and finally

Married for 73 years to the head of the Church of England, Prince Phillip built a religious profile that was more complicated than his official role might suggest. Read: Anglican convert and Pacific Island deity: 5 faith facts about Prince Philip.

Video Opportunities

REGISTER – Finally, you won’t want to miss this upcoming webinar, The First 100 Days of Joe Biden, America’s Second Catholic President. on Catholicism And Politics In The United States. Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office have revealed the enormous challenges that face the country at this pivotal historical moment. Join Massimo Faggioli and Robert Mickens for an informative and insightful examination of the current political and ecclesial landscape and the man elected to lead the United States. It is scheduled April 27, from 11 a.m. to noon Eastern Time. Register in advance.

WATCH – Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego challenged participants at the AUSCP Assembly in Albuquerque to examine Pastoral Theology for a post-Modern World. His keynote address is available in our AUSCP archives.

NEW! ASSEMBLY RECAP – AUSCP Executive Director Bob Bonnot continues his series of webinars on the themes of AUSCP Assemblies. Check out his latest from April 12, on the 2012 theme, Our Passion for the Vision of Vatican II.

And as a reminder, you can watch keynote presentations from all of our past assemblies on our Past Assembly Videos page.

We hope you have enjoyed this roundup of recent news about faith, politics, and culture. We will return next week with another edition of Wisdom Wednesday. 

Until next week, please follow us on social media with the buttons below to make sure you don’t miss the latest news from the AUSCP!

LinkedIn
Instagram

You may also be interested in…

Menu