As we prepare the way for the coming of the Christ Child and the Second Coming of our Lord, we pray you will have some time to reflect on our spiritual and political journey. Columnist Jim Bacik reflects on the U.S. election and AUSCP member Dave Bruning reflects on his synodal pilgrimage to Rome. Major moral decisions are in progress in the U.S and in the U.K.
Reflections
Now that some time has passed, our Advent invitation is to reflect with Jim Bacik on the U.S. election and with Dave Bruning on the Synod. Bacik says Catholic Social Teaching offers some guidance, and Bruning says, \“Travelling to Rome with a group of women in ministry helped me understand the Synod.”
How do pastors lead amid cultural division?
Religion News Service offers some thoughts, that Leaders in these times need to be curious about those we’re trying to reach and to grow in our ability to disagree well.
The Synod
In the weeks following the conclusion of the church’s synod on synodality, Europe’s bishops have been pondering its practical implications, especially in more conservative countries where some reform postulates have faced resistance.
Law and morality
At the U.S. Supreme Court today, issues of child welfare, gender identity, and constitutional rights will converge in one of the most significant cases the court will decide this term. A transgender question asks whether the state or parents are responsible for protecting vulnerable children. In the United Kingdom, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill proposes giving terminally ill people the right to choose to end their life.
Preparing for the Second Trump Administration
Congregations and agencies are racing to resettle refugees ahead of Trump’s inauguration as Texas offers land for Trump’s deportation facilities. Some Latino Protestant Leaders went to Panama to experience a migrant journey firsthand. More U.S. chaplains are needed for the deportation plans – even as most Americans want undocumented immigrants to stay legally under certain conditions.
Advice to Biden
Reactions vary to President Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, some saying it was a “selfish move.” National Catholic Reporter’s editorial staff is clear: By granting clemency to all federal inmates on death row, Joe Biden could embody the most profound teachings of his faith and leave a legacy of compassion that will resonate for years. Gallup finds young people are taking the lead on this moral issue.
The Mideast
The Guardian is a reputable source of information on the rapidly developing events of the Israeli-Hezbollah cease-fire. The newspaper promises live updates.
More US political developments
To Shake Up the FBI: If Trump’s nominee is confirmed, Kash Patel will head an agency shrouded in controversy, including the targeting of traditional Catholics and pro-life activists in recent years. The report comes from National Catholic Register.
Retribution: WIRED Magazine reports, “As FBI Director, Kash Patel Could Offer January 6 Rioters Retribution Against Their Enemies.” Patel has proposed investigating the investigators of the failed insurrection.
Republican Bill to Define ‘Male’ and ‘Female’: Biological Differences would be the key, according to a news release cited by the National Catholic Register. The legislation would restore the legal right to reserve girls’ and women’s sports and scholarships for biological girls and women.
‘Immutable’: A new memo from the Department of Health and Human Services seeks definition ‘based on the immutable biological traits.’ From the National Catholic Register.
Anointed ‘elders’ seek to take over: Oklahoma is the home base of a relatively new organization that wants evangelical Christians to take over all levels of government and reign as “elders” anointed by God. City Elders, which now is a trademarked name, describes itself as “a national network of elders charged with the mission of governing the gates of every city in America to establish the kingdom of God with strength, honor and courage.” From Baptist News Global.
Personal stories
Nonviolent lay Christian Community: A 40-year-old Christian commune faces an uncertain future. Approaching their 80s, peace activists Brayton and Suzanne Shanley wonder what’s next for the nonviolent lay Christian community they built from the ground up 37 years ago.
A Catholic family acts to opposing abortion: The Associated Press finds a conservative Catholic family that chooses to live their anti-abortion beliefs through adoption, foster-parenting and raising their children to believe in the sanctity of life.
Papal plans and actions
Celebrating the Council of Nicaea: Pope Francis said on Thursday that he hopes to travel to Turkey next year to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, Christianity’s first ecumenical council. Francis is likely to use the occasion — the anniversary of a council before the Great Schism of 1054, which divided the church between East and West — to once again reach out to Orthodox Christians.
Promoting a ‘zero waste farm and gardens: Pope Francis’ eco-village will promote ecological conversion at the 2025 Jubilee. Pilgrims and visitors will be invited to walk through an immersive experience of the pope’s zero-waste farm and gardens.
Texas Carmelite Monastery suppressed: The Vatican has suppressed a Carmelite Monastery following a long-running controversy. The Holy See decree follows the dismissal of the former nuns in October by their superior after a series of disagreements with the local bishop.
Book Reviews
On Opus Dei: A new book on Opus Dei is salacious, but fails to offer critical insight, according to the review in National Catholic Reporter.
Gender transition: Before her gender transition, Laurie Lee Hall was a stake president and worked as a lead architect for the church’s temple building program. Her new memoir tells of her long quest to live authentically as a woman.
What White Christians did to Black Charlotte: The Christian Century reviews the book, Our Trespasses: White Churches and the Taking of American Neighborhoods. Greg Jarrell explores how one congregation in his city took advantage of racist urban renewal policies.
Priest relieved of parish duties:
Popular New York City priest accused the Diocese of Brooklyn of a “witch hunt” after the diocese announced Nov. 18 that he had been relieved of parish duties after an investigation that uncovered evidence of mishandled parish funds.
Reminder: AUSCP offers priests Mutual Support
Who prayed on Thanksgiving?
Saying grace at Thanksgiving is especially common among certain religious groups. For example, 91% of White evangelical Protestants say someone at their Thanksgiving dinner typically says a prayer or blessing. The same is true for 88% of Black Protestants, 74% of Catholics and 72% of White nonevangelical Protestants. Prayer is much less common among those who say their religion is “nothing in particular” (45%), agnostics (39%), atheists (22%) and Jewish adults (22%).
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