Wisdom Wednesday | September 30th

You may have already read and watched at least a few stories about the papal visit to Catholicism’s eldest daughter so this week, so Wisdom Wednesday has sought out other than our typical sources, including the Arab news service (in English), Al Jazeera from Doha, Qatar. All opinions are clearly identified as the property and responsibility of the writers and publishers, not endorsed by AUSCP.

The pope’s visit to France

Know your sources. Al Jazeera was launched as the first independent news channel in the Arab world, breaking the mold of state-controlled regional media by introducing live debates, critical reporting, and diverse perspectives.

‘Let it overflow’: Pope Leo draws 800,000 to open-air Mass in Paris. From Al Jazeera.

Pope Leo XIV warns AI could undermine humanity during France visit. Paris. From Al Jazeera, reporting from Paris where the pope warns against a ‘paradise of machines’ at the Elysee Palace.

Pope pledges action on clergy child abuse in meeting with French survivors. From Al Jazeera. The head of the Roman Catholic Church holds ’emotional’ two-hour meeting with seven abuse survivors in French town of Lourdes.

French Catholics believe they’re having a moment. Pope Leo seems to agree. From National Catholic Reporter.

Papal visit to Paris university blends baptism boom and pope’s favorite spiritual writing. From UCA News (Union of Catholic Asian News). The French Church has seen a surge in adult and young catechumens in recent years.

Pope Leo says pursuing peace is not ‘naive’ in sweeping defense of multilateralism. From National Catholic Reporter. (This (article includes links to all NCR reports on the papal visit.) The pope says dialogue and multilateralism remain “the best antidote to the desire for domination, which lies at the root of every conflict.

Aboard the papal plane: Pope Leo says existential concerns about AI ‘should be taken seriously.’ From Religion News Service. “If someone were to ask me, am I in panic mode? No, I sleep at night,” the pope said. But, he doesn’t believe the warnings regarding AI are ‘fake news, as some have said.’

Pope Leo met with the sick, volunteers, and healthcare workers at the Notre Dame Shelter. Amid testimonies and speeches, this young woman—dressed as Bernadette Soubirous—took the stage and delighted those present with her singing. This video report, from Rome Reports, an independent, international television news agency based in Rome, Italy, that specializes in covering the Pope, the Vatican, and the Catholic Church.

Pope ends visit to France with the most overtly political message. A video report from France 24 English.

Data centers

The data center boom puts water, power costs and Catholic concerns on the ballot. From National Catholic Reporter.

Knife attack at Polish monastery

Ukrainian man kills one, wounds four in Catholic monastery in Poland. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy denounces ‘horrific crime’ after 31-year-old attacks clergy and worshippers in border town. From Aljazeera.

Seeking protection for Jerusalem religious sites

Top Arab, Muslim diplomats have launched a plan to protect Jerusalem religious sites. Al Jazeera reports on a warning that Israeli violations may spark religious conflict,jepardising peace and security.

The rise of the Jim Crow theobros

A group of Reformed pastors and influencers has wedded old-school segregationist theology with the hypermasculinity of the manosphere to preach and sell white supremacy, antisemitism and patriarchy to angry young men. From Religion News Service. Its audience is small but growing, and their movement has ties to powerful religious and political figures.

An internet for Christian Nationalists

From Religion News Service. Booted from mainstream social media websites, outraged Christian nationalists are creating some of their own.

Americans using AI for spiritual reasons

A surprising number responded to a poll, reported by National Public Radio. Here’s what they told us: The poll found that 11% of AI users have sought spiritual guidance from artificial intelligence, while 13% have used the technology to generate prayers, and 15% say they have used it to study Scripture.

The first Arab Episcopal bishop

From Religion News Service. As a Christian minister with a Muslim father and a mother of Jewish heritage, Bishop Adam Shoemaker hopes to use his background to facilitate more reconciliation, integration and “the understanding that we are inextricably linked,” he told RNS.

A charity cuts ties and changes its name

Under congressional pressure, a major Muslim charity, Islamic Relief USA, has a new name after members of Congress threatened to have its tax-exempt status revoked. From Religion News Service. The humanitarian organization with a $150 million annual budget, rebranded itself as the Islamic Development and Empowerment in America.

Thoughts and Reflections

New book: “The Progressives’ Bible: How Scriptural Interpretation Built a More Just America” by Claudia Setzer. The Christian Century says the book traces a bold tradition of reading scripture for the love of God, neighbor, and a more humane society.

In Times of Suffering, Dr. Ansel Augustine Reminds Us: “God Is Not Finished” — a reflection shared by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Dr. Ansel Augustine draws on Scripture to offer hope amid suffering and remind Catholics that their stories are not over yet. From Black Catholic Messenger.

‘Remember, most Americans oppose Christian nationalism’

Christian nationalists get so much attention that it’s important to focus on the majority of Americans who completely or partially disavow the ideology, sociologist Ruth Brunstein said, reported by Baptist News Global.

The grotto and the Gospel: Why the Church preserves Lourdes without adding to revelation. Standing as a pilgrim at the Grotto of Massabielle, Pope Leo XIV offered a visible reminder of why the Church upholds apparitions such as those at Lourdes. From EWTN News.

Chicago pastors speak out on Lee Man-hee’s detention.The faith leaders were not challenged to adopt Shincheonji’s doctrine, or to share any aspects of it with their congregations. They were asked a more fundamental question: Whether continued pretrial detention remains necessary and proportionate in this particular case. From Baptist News Global.

Child martyrs commemorated

Mexico commemorates 500th anniversary of Child Martyrs. From EWTN News. The first martyrs of the Americas were not missionary priests but three young Indigenous boys in Mexico who sought to spread the faith they were taught and embraced 500 years ago.

A shared frontier faith

Border cities El Paso and Ciudad Juárez remember the Cristero War. From EWTN News. With a view toward defending the faith today, a pro-life and pro-family group aims to highlight the role the U.S.-Mexico border region played during the anticlerical persecution in Mexico.

Blessed Bishop Sheen

Illinois bishop announces first-ever parish to be named after Blessed Fulton Sheen. From EWTN News. The combined parish of St. Mary in El Paso, Illinois, and St. John in Benson, Illinois, will be the first parish in the world to be named after the new blessed.

A look at Blessed Fulton Sheen’s relics. From EWTN News.

The Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Rochester will each be given a significant relic for veneration in the dioceses.

Sheen: The Beatification of an American Icon. From National Catholic Register. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the Emmy-winning American media pioneer, brought Catholic teaching to millions with wit and clarity, rooted in a deep devotion to the Holy Eucharist. The Register offers a series of reports — “complete coverage of his legacy and beatification, from his groundbreaking work in radio and television to the holiness that shaped his life.”

Pew data: 9 ways US Mormons are changing

From Religion News Service. Latter-day Saints have grown more diverse and a bit less religious, and more of them are leaving the church, says a new report from Pew Research Center.

Diocese inspired by Disneyland

The National Catholic Register reports “How Disneyland Inspired One Diocese to Double Down on ‘Radical Hospitality.’” Former Disney executives are stepping in to help one California diocese boost its evangelization efforts.

The Crystal Cathedral

New Book: Neither Crystal nor Gold — How the Protestant Crystal Cathedral Became a Catholic Cathedral. From the National Catholic Register. Catholic business leader Tim Busch, who contributes the foreword to the book, describes the Crystal Cathedral’s purchase as “providential” and a story that needed to be told.

Cardinal McElroy: Take action

Americans can no longer ‘pass on by,’ ignoring how US is treating immigrants, he says. From National Catholic Reporter.

Rather than passing by a suffering victim like the priest and the Levite did in the parable of the good Samaritan, Americans need to take action to support immigrants who are in this country without documents and are suffering under the government’s mass deportation policy, Washington Cardinal Robert W. McElroy said.

Columnists

Thomas Reese: Churches must help protect election integrity and restore faith in democracy. From Religion News Service. Churches should encourage their members to volunteer as poll workers and watchers for this year’s midterm election.

Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin: Roy Cohn was an American Jewish Darth Vader. From Religion News Service. Why Cohn still matters.

Raymond Desouza: A Filial Response To Pope Leo And His Friendship With Islam. From traditional source The Wanderer. The writer at the conservative newspaper believes “a misguided sense of ecumenism tends to equate the main monotheistic religions as different ways to worship the same God.”

Michael Sean Winters: Bishop Barron swings and misses, again. From National Catholic Reporter. Bishop Robert Barron appeared on EWTN’s “The World Over with Raymond Arroyo” last week. It was unfortunate.His advocacy for the unborn is damaged by his failure to defend the undocumented. Inconsistency is the enemy of moral leadership.

Change of Seasons

October marks the End of the Season of Creation observance with the Feast of St. Francis and the beginning of Respect Life Month, says Barbara Molinari Quinby. All life on this planet is interconnected and so should respecting human life be interconnected with respect for the life of the biodiverse natural world. Quite simply, human beings cannot exist without clean air and clean water.