MONDAY, MARCH 19 |
MORE VATICAN PRESS FALLOUT Accused of concealing information, the Vatican’s communications department has finally released the full letter of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, revealing a previously unpublished paragraph in which Benedict is critical of an author selected to write about the theological formation of Pope Francis. Benedict wrote: “I would like to note my surprise at the fact that among the authors is also Professor Hünermann, who during my pontificate had distinguished himself by leading anti-papal initiatives.” READ |
FBI DEPUTY DIRECTOR FIRED Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired Deputy Director Andrew McCabe after reading a detailed investigation conducted by the Justice Department’s inspector general, who recommended McCabe’s termination. READ |
DEATH PENALTY FOR DRUG DEALERS The White House said that it intends to seek the death penalty for drug traffickers to slow down the country’s opioid epidemic. The Justice Department said the federal death penalty is available for several limited drug-related offenses, including violations of the “drug kingpin” provisions of federal law. READ |
DEMOCRAT DILEMMA Democrat Conor Lamb ran as a pro-gun prosecutor and Marine who said he would not vote for Pelosi for Speaker. He also claimed to be “personally opposed” to abortion (he still supported it 100%). But the liberal base of the Democratic Party seems unwilling to allow this playbook to be replicated all over the country. READ |
ILLINOIS ELECTION TOMORROW The editors of National Review call on Republican voters in Illinois to ditch Bruce Rauner, the pro-abortion Republican governor of Illinois. The alternative is Jeanne Ives, a state legislator who is fearless and pro-life to boot. Knocking off a sitting governor in a party primary is a very tall order, but Ives is within range. A recent poll showed her just 7 points back. READ |
CAMPUS REFORM Florida Gov. Rick Scott has signed into law a bill banning so-called “free-speech zones” at public universities and allowing students and speakers to sue the schools for violating their First Amendment rights. READ |
ANTI-RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION The City of Philadelphia is now refusing to partner with the Catholic Social Services’ foster care program because the organization does not place children with same-sex couples. READ |
BABIES AREN’T US? Toy store giant Toys R Us is closing down. And it’s obvious that online retailers like Amazon hurt their business. But one reason the company cited? “Our revenue are dependent on the birthrates in countries where we operate. In recent years, many countries’ birthrates have dropped or stagnated…” READ |
FINISHING LENT STRONG Three saints provide us three different approaches to grow in holiness and finish Lent well. READ |
SAINT OF THE DAY We know very little about Saint Joseph, except that he was the husband of Mary and foster-father of Jesus. Scripture calls him a just man and points out a few incidences in which he showed virtuous behavior. After he and Mary found Jesus in the Temple, Saint Joseph is not mentioned again. READ |
DAILY MASS READINGS “The son of David will live for ever.” (Ps 89:37) READ |
BEAUTY What causes young people to convert? Beautiful churches and cathedrals, according to a new study. (But we knew that anyway!) READ |