GERMAN CHURCH GOES ROGUE? Blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples? Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich and Freising, opened the door to such a practice. He told Bavarian State Broadcasting that “there can be no rules” about this question. Marx is president of the German Bishops’ Conference. http://cvote.it/2Ef45MV
MEMO RELEASED, NOW WHAT? Despite all the media scorn and hysteria over its release, the House Intelligence Committee memo on wiretapping abuses did raise three substantial questions that deserve a closer look. http://cvote.it/2EfCk6U
HOUSE 2018 ABC News dug a little deeper in their newest congressional poll. They discovered that Democrats have a massive 38-point polling lead in districts that are already held by Democratic members. Likewise, in districts held by Republicans, the GOP have a lead, albeit a narrower six-point advantage. The polling evidence suggests that a blue wave is not automatic, especially if Republican voters turn out in November. http://cvote.it/2EiQpQW
PARTY STRENGTH One thing that could hold back the Democratic Party? They’re ‘dead broke.’ with leadership troubles and internal squabbling, the DNC ended 2017 with $6.5 million in the bank, but with $6 million in debt — for about $400,000 overall. By contrast, the Republican National Committee has nearly $40 million cash on hand, with no debt. http://cvote.it/2EiJk31
NEW HEALTH SECRETARY Alex Azar was sworn into office last week as Secretary of Health and Human Services. “He is a deep-in-the-bones social conservative,” said Yuval Levin, vice president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center. “He is pro-life and a big believer in the importance of bringing that to bear in agency decisions.” http://cvote.it/2EdK2OW
PAID FAMILY LEAVE Sen. Marco Rubio and Ivanka Trump are said to be considering a paid parental leave proposal that would allow families to draw Social Security benefits for six weeks. Workers would then have to delay collecting Social Security checks for six weeks after they reach retirement age. http://cvote.it/2EfGtYp
TAX CUT BONUS Best Buy becomes the latest corporation to give out bonuses because of the tax reform law. A total of 100,000 workers will get a bonus, with full-time workers getting $1,000 and part-time workers getting $500. http://cvote.it/2Egambe
QUOTE OF THE DAY “A real reform of male behavior will never come about through feminist lectures and mass media man-shaming by celebrities and award ceremonies. In a lot of men, that kind of hectoring will merely breed nominal repentance and inner resentment. A man’s actions and words change only when his heart changes for the better. And his heart only changes for the better when he discovers something to believe in that transforms and gives meaning to his life; something that directs all of his reasoning and desires.” -Archbishop Charles Chaput. Honestly, go read the entire article about his speech: http://cvote.it/2EdIF2K
IN MEMORIAM German Grisez, professor emeritus of Christian ethics at Mount St. Mary’s University, died on Feb. 1 at the age of 88. Grisez was a powerful defender of Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI’s encyclical on contraception and sexual morality. July 25 will mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of Humanae Vitae. http://cvote.it/2EhcxeM
SAINT OF THE DAY Saint Agatha was arrested during the persecution of Decius in 251. Tortured for her beauty and tempted to violate her chastity, Agatha was eventually martyred. . http://cvote.it/dailysaint
DAILY MASS READINGS “Lord, go up to the place of your rest!” (Ps 132:8) – http://cvote.it/Daily-Readings
TRUTH