CNA Newsroom

It’s time for our Fourth of July bonus episode. CNA editors JD Flynn, Michelle La Rosa, Ed Condon, and the inimitable Carl Bunderson discuss and debate the week’s news. Topics include reports of inhumane living conditions for migrants at the US/Mexico border; a letter from Pope Francis to the bishops of Germany; a disabled Frenchman who may soon be taken off life support; and the canonization of Blessed John Henry Newman. And, by popular demand, Ed finally gets a taste of his own medicine and plays “Yes or No.” Further reading: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/doctors-to-remove-nutrition-from-disabled-frenchman-51280 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/the-situation-is-dramatic-on-the-papal-letter-to-catholics-in-germany-23488 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/us-mexico-border-bishops-sorrowed-by-migrant-deaths-75901 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/blessed-john-henry-newman-to-be-canonized-in-october-13-80392

Six segments - all about the 4th of July. You'll hear about the Italian blessed whose feast day falls on July 4, the Catholic who signed the Declaration of Independence, liturgical guidelines for Independence Day, a Catholic who has been out of the country the past several years for the Fourth of July, a historic basilica in Virginia, and a very special sixth segment. Show notes: https://frassatiusa.org/ https://eppc.org/ https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/rebuilt-from-the-ashes-the-story-of-an-american-basilica-75959 https://www.amazon.com/Charles-Carroll-Carrollton-Faithful-Revolutionary-ebook/dp/B07H71BSTY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=charles+carroll+of+carrollton+faithful+revolutionary&qid=1562177191&s=gateway&sr=8-1

CNA editors Michelle La Rosa, Carl Bunderson, and Ed Condon discuss and debate the week’s news, including the Amazon synod; abortion access for transgender people; a forced abortion ruling in the UK that was overturned; the arrival of Venerable Fulton Sheen's remains in Peoria; and much more. Plus, this week Michelle is in the hot seat as she takes her turn playing“Yes or No.” Links to further reading: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/democratic-candidates-tout-abortion-credentials-in-first-debate-90344 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/people-not-politics-pro-life-groups-unite-to-send-aid-to-the-border-76417 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/fulton-sheens-remains-arrive-in-peoria-sainthood-cause-resumes-40990 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/amazon-synod-to-consider-possible-ordination-of-married-men-13528 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-could-see-final-draft-of-new-curial-constitution-by-september-63193

This week on CNA Newsroom: the story of Michigan grandfather Irving “Francis” Houle. Irving received the stigmata— the wounds of Christ on the cross— and he could one day be officially recognized as a saint in the Catholic Church. This is a story of intense pain, but also miraculous healing - for Irving and for others. For more information about the Irving C. “Francis” Houle Association, email Deacon Terry Saunders at tjsaunders1955[at]gmail.com or send a letter to 709 1st Ave South Escanaba, MI 49829. Links: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/was-this-michigan-grandfather-on-a-mission-from-god-13142 http://usccb.org/news/2019/19-112.cfm

Why can’t celiacs use gluten-free hosts? Can germs spread by sharing the cup at Mass? And where does the bread used at Mass come from, anyway? This week, in honor of the feast of Corpus Christi, we asked the questions you never thought to ask about the Eucharist...and found the answers. Helpful links: https://benedictinesisters.org/ https://www.cavanaghco.com/ https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/midwest-drought-to-impact-altar-bread-prices https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/gluten-and-communion-whats-a-celiac-to-do-72220 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/solemnity-of-the-most-holy-body-and-blood-of-christ-270 https://www.cathmed.org/ http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/celiac-disease-and-alcohol-intolerance.cfm http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/norms-for-holy-communion-under-both-kinds/index.cfm

(Note: Some listeners reported audio issues with this track earlier today. If you're experiencing issues, please alert jmckeown[at]catholicna.com. Thanks!) Editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the week’s most compelling news stories, including recent developments in the McCarrick scandal (one year after the news of former Cardinal McCarrick’s misconduct first broke), and a Jesuit school in Indiana that can no longer call itself “Catholic” after defying the authority of the bishop. Then later, JD takes a page out of Carl’s book and plays a little game of “Yes or No,” and Ed plays “Say Something Nice." Links to further reading: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/disgraced-ex-cardinal-mr-mccarrick-remains-at-kansas-friary-one-year-later-30681 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/one-year-since-the-mccarrick-allegations-a-cna-timeline-58910 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/indianapolis-archbishop-revokes-jesuit-prep-schools-catholic-identity-52408 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/peace-cross-can-stay-supreme-court-rules-84800

Archbishop Jose Gomez and Bishop Robert Deeley talk about the US bishops’ meeting in Baltimore last week. Editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon analyze the meeting. For more information: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/us-bishops-authorize-reporting-mechanism-for-episcopal-abuse-cases-89584 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/usccb-passes-three-measures-in-response-to-abuse-crisis-45731 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/analysis-job-begun-not-job-done-in-baltimore-99464

Bishop Thomas Paprocki says no Holy Communion for pro-abortion Illinois lawmakers, the findings against Bishop Michael Bransfield, Cardinal George Pell’s appeal. Join editors JD Flynn, Ed Condon and Carl Bunderson for ‘High/Low’ and ‘Yes/No’. For more information: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/bishop-paprocki-bars-pro-abortion-illinois-lawmakers-from-holy-communion-97103 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/no-excuse-no-adequate-explanation-lori-releases-findings-of-bishop-bransfield-investigation-39836 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/prosecution-falters-during-cardinal-pell-appeal-hearing-14887

Cardinal Raymond Burke and seminary professor Ralph Martin talk about the Holy Spirit and how it is at work in the world - and the Church - today. We explore a Pentecost tradition at St. John Cantius Parish in downtown Chicago. For more information: http://www.renewalministries.net/?module=Home https://www.natl-cursillo.org/ https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/tags/holy-spirit

Editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon talk about the latest news about Theodore McCarrick, ‘Vos estis’ taking effect, abortion laws and liberalism. For more information: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/priest-says-mccarrick-admitted-sharing-bed-with-seminarians-in-letter-to-vatican-official-93154 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/a-giant-step-forward-archbishop-applauds-missouri-abortion-ban-63391 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pro-life-democrats-have-key-role-in-party-and-society-organizer-says-17755 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/kamala-harris-proposes-federal-restrictions-on-state-abortion-laws-12171 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/difficult-to-work-in-georgia-after-heartbeat-bill-says-disney-ceo-55826

James Grein, a man who was serially sexually abused by Theodore McCarrick, shares his story. We also talk with Teresa Pitt Green, a survivor of clerical sex abuse who is working to bring healing to the Church through her organization Spirit Fire. For more information: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/mccarrick-abused-youth-during-confession-lawyer-charges-95617 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/mccarrick-laicized-by-pope-francis-31512

Editors Ed Condon and Carl Bunderson talk about California’s confession bill, Archbishop Wilton Gregory’s installation in Washington and abortion rhetoric. Then, Carl takes questions from Twitter. For more information: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/california-advances-bill-to-violate-sacramental-seal-27057 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/archbishop-gregory-pledges-openness-at-defining-moment-in-washington-archdiocese-69876 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-accepts-resignation-of-bishop-robert-w-finn-85976 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pro-life-leaders-invite-gop-to-discuss-language-surrounding-abortion-exceptions-84790 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/biden-backs-federal-abortion-protections-if-necessary-26738 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilmore_Girls https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaaANll8h18

Kendrick Castillo gave his life to protect his friends when he jumped into the line of fire to stop a school shooter on May 7, 2019. He was the only casualty in the shooting at STEM High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Show notes: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/no-greater-love----denver-catholics-remember-kendrick-castillo-who-died-in-stem-school-shooting-20922 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/we-all-need-to-be-a-little-more-like-kendrick-friends-and-family-remember-stem-hero-21993 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/the-young-man-with-a-big-good-heart-stem-hero-kendrick-castillo-laid-to-rest-95223

Editors JD Flynn and Ed Condon discuss the most important news topics of the week, including state-level efforts to restrict abortion and challenge Roe v Wade, and why lawmakers in California are trying to force priests to break the seal of Confession. Further reading: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/analysis-which-state-pro-life-laws-could-arrive-at-the-supreme-court-88241 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/appeal-proof-abortion-ban-advances-in-missouri-83492 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/california-confession-bill-wont-prevent-abuse-but-threatens-religious-liberty-critics-say-81913 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/alabama-senate-outlaws-abortion-setting-up-supreme-court-roe-v-wade-challenge-42423

This week, we talk about forgiveness with a woman who lost most of her family in the Rwandan genocide, a survivor of clerical sex abuse, and the mother of an American journalist beheaded by ISIS. Shownotes: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/twenty-years-after-rwandan-genocide-church-helps-bring-healing https://mgoretti.org/ https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/saint-maria-goretti-calls-us-to-be-witnesses-of-forgiveness-19175 https://mariagoretti.com/ https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/another-resignation-at-snap-as-controversy-continues-93810 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/prayer-a-stronghold-in-life-death-of-catholic-journalist-james-foley-22401 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-sends-letter-of-condolence-to-family-of-james-foley-43169 https://jamesfoleyfoundation.org/