Results: Catholic Business Journal 5-Question Coronavirus Survey

Results: Catholic Business Journal 5-Question Coronavirus Survey

For a summary of survey results, to here. Q.  Was your business or company affected by the coronavirus shutdown? Nearly 80% said YES! Q. In what ways has the coronavirus crisis shifted your business priorities? We have and continue to explore new opportunities We’re in wait and see survival mode We’ve become much more short-term…

UK Bishops Speak Out: Elderly and disabled have same right to treatment as others amid pandemic, say bishops

UK Bishops Speak Out: Elderly and disabled have same right to treatment as others amid pandemic, say bishops

CNA—Elderly and disabled coronavirus patients have the same right to life-prolonging treatment as others, the bishops of England and Wales have said, including Bishop Paul Mason (featured image). In a statement April 20, the bishops noted that the pandemic had placed immense strain on Britain’s National Health Service (NHS).  “With the escalation of the coronavirus,…

Seminarian in Spain returns to roots as doctor amid pandemic

ACI Prensa/CNA—While most of the students at the San Fulgencia Seminary in Cartagena, Spain, returned home when the country declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic, one seminarian felt a different calling. With a background in medicine, first-year seminarian Abraham Martínez Moratón asked permission of the rector at his seminary to go back…

OBIT: Grand Master of the Order of Malta dies at 75

OBIT: Grand Master of the Order of Malta dies at 75

CNA—The Grand Master of the Order of Malta Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre died early Wednesday at the age of 75. Dalla Torre had been in treatment for throat cancer in Rome in recent months. He is remembered by the Order of Malta for his kindness, appreciation of the arts, and charity towards the poor and…

Italy’s bishops criticize state for keeping public Mass ban

Italy’s bishops criticize state for keeping public Mass ban

CNA—Italy’s bishops have criticized Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte for failing to lift the ban on public Masses. The Italian bishops’ conference Sunday released a statement denouncing Conte’s decree on “phase 2” of the coronavirus lockdown restrictions, which it says “arbitrarily excludes the possibility of celebrating Mass with the people.” During a press conference April 26…

Las Cruces bishop first in US to resume public Masses amid pandemic

Las Cruces bishop first in US to resume public Masses amid pandemic

CNA—The Bishop of Las Cruces, New Mexico, has lifted a diocesan ban on the public celebration of Mass, issued guidelines for distribution of Holy Communion, and told priests they may resume sacramental ministry if they follow state-ordered health precautions. “We [as priests] have been called by Christ and ordained to serve the people of the…

U.S. History:  Trump Rewrites the Book on Emergencies

U.S. History: Trump Rewrites the Book on Emergencies

“Washington’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic is upending one of the most durable patterns of American politics. Throughout history, national emergencies have led to a more powerful and centralized federal government and to the transfer of federal power from Congress to the executive branch. This time, the federal response rests largely on state and local…

Interview with Funding Options chief executive Simon Cureton: UK Chancellor’s £350bn business loan scheme leaves fintech lenders out in the cold

Interview with Funding Options chief executive Simon Cureton: UK Chancellor’s £350bn business loan scheme leaves fintech lenders out in the cold

UK-based Learn Bonds—Millions of Britain’s small businesses are desperate for cash to cover wages a month into the coronavirus lockdown – but the alternative finance industry feels the government has left them with their noses pressed against the window while high street banks dither over approvals. That is certainly the view of Funding Options chief executive Simon Cureton…

BOOK REVIEW: Responding to the Universal Call of Grace – riveting journey from Islam to Catholicism

BOOK REVIEW: Responding to the Universal Call of Grace – riveting journey from Islam to Catholicism

While attending the Napa Institute, I asked Ignatius Press’ Tony Ryan for his recommendation on a good book to read. Tony immediately told me, “From Fire by Water: My Journey to the Catholic Faith,” which was one of Ignatius’ bestsellers. I got a copy and found that Tony was right on the money. This is…

RARE EVENT: Shroud of Turin to be displayed via livestream on Holy Saturday amid pandemic

RARE EVENT: Shroud of Turin to be displayed via livestream on Holy Saturday amid pandemic

Vatican News, CNA, CBJ—Catholics around the world are invited to pray virtually before the Shroud of Turin on Holy Saturday, as the world struggles to contain the coronavirus pandemic. This rare public showing begins at 5pm local time (Turin, Italy) on April 11, 2020. It will be broadcast live on television and live-streamed on social…

Known Unknowns: Faith-Based Organizations and the CARES Act Loan Programs

Known Unknowns: Faith-Based Organizations and the CARES Act Loan Programs

April 2, 2020-See byline details at end of article—Bottom Line: The CARES Act contains two loan programs which could potentially impact faith-based organizations. As of this writing, there are significant unanswered questions about the impact acceptance of these funds would have on a recipient’s ability to pursue its mission and maintain its religious identity. We are…

Coronavirus – Be Not Afraid – With God All Things Are Possible

Coronavirus – Be Not Afraid – With God All Things Are Possible

I could never have fathomed all the things that have happened in our country during March 2020. I must admit that particularly over the last two weeks, I have been in somewhat of a “funk” because of the Coronavirus pandemic and all the uncertainty surrounding it. The news cycles on TV have been bad for…

Media Dust, Ethics, and Truth in a pandemic

Media Dust, Ethics, and Truth in a pandemic

A frivolous amount of media dust has arisen regarding a proper name for the virus turned pandemic. Some say it’s wrong if the name offends anyone. Others callout leaders for not being politically correct in the name they use.  But there’s no ethical merit in naming a thing according to whether or not it offends.…

More than 60 Italian priests have died after contracting coronavirus

More than 60 Italian priests have died after contracting coronavirus

CNA—In the past week alone, more than 3,000 people have died in Italy after contracting the coronavirus. Among the dead are at least 60 priests this month, according to local media reports. “I pray to the Holy Spirit to give us the gift of light and strength. Everyday I do the Via Crucis asking the…

Lives worth living? Why healthcare rationing must be ethical

Lives worth living? Why healthcare rationing must be ethical

CNA—As state health officials plan for health care rationing during the coronavirus pandemic, lawyers, ethicists and theologians are warning that denying care on the basis of age or disability violates federal law.  “There’s always the temptation when things get rough, and when you’re looking at rationing situations and looking at triage, to fall into the…

Priest finds peace amid pandemic

Priest finds peace amid pandemic

Writing on his Facebook page, Rev. Jerome Zeiler, O.P. , offers the following poignant dialogue about some of the many ways Our Lord is at work during this time of ubiquitous closures and social distancing. Fr.Jerome writes: Satan: “I will cause anxiety, fear, and panic. I will cause the churches to lock their doors. I…

Inspiration: Quarantined Italians Sing from Balconies

Inspiration: Quarantined Italians Sing from Balconies

Churches closed. Quarentine. Lockdowns.  But Italians spread joy and hope from their balconies! After seeing these videos, I’m looking for a balcony, good Italian Catholic neighbors, and maybe some good vino and olive oil to stave off starvation … What could be better in a lockdown crisis?  See for yourself: In Siena – neighbors in…

CHRIST, COVID19 and OUR FAITH

CHRIST, COVID19 and OUR FAITH

Pastoral Message for the Archdiocese of Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates B Villegas March 10, 2020 The epidemic of godless fear of the unknown is spreading and we must return to the basics of our Catholic faith. Let us not leave God out of the threat of COVID 19. Our first combat gear against all sickness…

‘Medicare for All’ would hit household income, study says

‘Medicare for All’ would hit household income, study says

Most Americans will pay much higher taxes and earn less income if Medicare for All becomes law, a new study by The Heritage Foundation states. “How ‘Medicare for All’ Harms Working Americans” found 73.5 percent of Americans would shoulder financial hardships under the proposed universal health care system. Most workers would pay 21.2 percent more…

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