Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday, January 22. Among the scores of commentaries this week, many justifiably fearful, we found “a glimmer of hope” and the assertion that Catholics “must be a beacon of justice.” This glimmer of hope comes from Black Catholic Messenger, where writer Tulio Huggins examines the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump, and notes that two events were in some ways overshadowed on that day: Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the feast of St. Sebastian. It is the first of many items this week.
A glimmer of hope
Martin Luther King Jr. Day feels almost too ironic to dive into, says Huggins, but the feast of St. Sebastian, a Diocletian martyr, gives me a glimmer of hope for the future as we face the challenge of human dignity under the 47th U.S. president, who may resemble a Roman Emperor of old. Huggins says, “I’m worried, simply put, but . . . Jesus promised that he will never leave us or forsake us. This doesn’t mean as Catholics we shouldn’t push for justice. Instead, the Catholic Church must be a beacon of that justice. . . . emulating Sebastian as he freed prisoners and proclaimed Christ to the emperor.”
‘Catholics on edge’
Trump’s second term brings migration crackdown and the exit from the Paris climate accord. Brian Rowe, at National Catholic Reporter, examines the flurry of executive orders, declaring national emergencies on energy and at the U.S. southern border.
‘A mix of ego and doom-and-gloom’
ANALYSIS by Michael Sean Winters at National Catholic Reporter. Promising to deport “millions and millions” of migrants and repeating his “drill, baby, drill” mantra, Trump’s second inaugural speech could have been a campaign speech if not for the venue.
‘Saved by God’
Trump says he was “saved by God to make America great again.” Religion News Service reports that Dolan and Graham were there among faith leaders – but the imam was removed.
‘A disgrace’
Pope Francis on Jan. 19 denounced President Donald Trump’s provisional plans to carry out a massive deportation of migrants as a “disgrace.” From ncronline.
Threat to Catholics
The U.S. bishops fear the Trump administration will increase “efforts to restrict the ability of Catholic ministries serving migrants,” and may rescind a policy against performing immigration enforcement raids in “sensitive locations,” such as churches.
The Guardian
From the UK, the Guardian offers live coverage of inaugural events, executive decisions, updating reports frequently. Check out the coverage here.
‘Trump the wrecking ball brings chaos to order’
ANALYSIS The Guardian examines the Trump decisions, as the “planet-sparing Paris agreement goes out the window, along with punishment for January 6 insurrectionists, as Donald Trump glories in his return to power.”
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
As President Trump was sworn in three miles away at the U.S. Capitol, hundreds of people rallied at an African Methodist Episcopal Church to make a Martin Luther King Jr. Day pledge to support diversity, equity and inclusion, in direct opposition to Trump’s Inauguration Day promise to reduce programs supporting DEI. Rev. Al Sharpton led the oath, as reported by Religion News Service.
At Black Catholic Messenger, Daryl Grigsby examines Martin Luther King and the Black Social Gospel. Grigsby ponders “the socio-theological currents underlying America’s most impactful religious thinker, and his allies in the fight for justice.”
Delivered from deportation
With a last-minute pardon, Biden delivered immigration activist Ravi Ragbir from deportation, reports Religion News Service. A chorus of nationally known faith leaders and other clergy in the New York area had supported the New Sanctuary Coalition director’s plea to be spared deportation
Whirlwind in Washington
Reuters reports on the tech billionaires, foreign diplomats and CEOs who shadowed U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, with several attending St. John’s Church in Washington and seated prominently on the dais in the U.S. Capitol ahead of his speech. The Associated Press reports on Trump’s flurry of executive action.
‘Sign of Peace’
The Gaza Ceasefire is an “Encouraging Sign of Peace” for the Middle East. The negotiations of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and the ongoing release of hostages were commended as an “encouraging sign of peace” by Bishop Zaidan, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace.
Wildfires
A Catholic family in Altadena holds off flames, looters with courage — and prayer. The story from NCR Online.
Cardinal DiNardo retires
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and has appointed Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, as his successor.
OPINIONS AND VIEWPOINTS
- McElroy ‘an antidote to division: OPINION from National Catholic Reporter. Editorial: McElroy is an antidote to a US capital and church riven by division
- How to diminish the polarization: How might Catholics engage secular culture with a view to diminishing the polarization and hostility that colors so much contemporary social discourse, especially on the heels of the presidential inauguration Jan.20? From the National Catholic Register.
- What Can Catholics Expect: The National Catholic Register examines Trump 2.0 and finds Catholics in prominent administration positions.
How dangerous is Christian nationalism?
Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin says it is very dangerous — to America; to Jews and other religious minorities — and yes, to Christianity itself.
A group of Black ministers has released a new document to protest white Christian nationalism and provide moral and spiritual strength to African Americans during the coming Trump presidency. “A Credo to Legatees of the Black Church Tradition” is rooted solidly in the Black church tradition of resistance, praises Black Lives Matter and Critical Race Theory and condemns Project 2025 as an effort to protect “white mythology.”
Satire and opinion
Last week, Satirist Andy Borowitz offered links to historic events that he judged were alternatives to watching the inauguration of Donald J. Trump. The inauguration took place January 20, of course, but the historic references bring perspective to American politics. The links to historic videos speak for themselves. The viewpoint of Andy Borowitz is his own, not the view of the AUSCP.
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