Morning Briefing
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NCR Today
NCR Today is the group blog of NCR. Each member of our diverse team of bloggers writes on different topics, including the politics of the church and secular society (and the interaction between the two), culture, management of the church and more.
Swiss abbot's 'fiery appeal' available in English
Paulist Press has published a book by Abbot Martin Werlen, who compared the church to an ash heap that he knows contains embers waiting to be ignited.
The Mind of Francis: Capitalism, Jobs & Globalization
NCR Today: It turns out Pope Francis is not a big fan of capitalism, which he says fosters "a civilization of consumerism, of hedonism."
Ice cream peddler a role model for nonviolent action
NPR's "Weekend Edition" ran a story about the Qalandia checkpoint between Jerusalem and the West Bank. Amid stone-throwing boys and tear-gas-shooting soldiers, an Arab peddler was selling ice cream. I've been across that checkpoint, and I had a vivid image of the scene. It made me think about pundit complaints that protesters don't use nonviolence. And it reminded me of rock-throwing in Northern Ireland.
Stephen Colbert takes on 'medical repatriation' of undocumented workers
As immigration continues to be a hot-button issue, Catholic comedy show host Stephen Colbert takes on an Iowa hospital deporting undocumented workers back to their countries in a segment of "The Colbert Report" called "The Word."
"Newark Archbishop John Myer's priorities are appalling"
New Jersey Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle is one of the best voices at the statehouse in Trenton. She has an amazing record of standing up for the middle class and the "least of these" among us--no wonder she is a life long Catholic. She wrote a powerful piece that all lay-Catholics should read. It is a piece that touches on a scandal that has made so many feel as though their Church has abandoned them. More importantly, she talks about the difficult responsibility of balancing faith and life as a public official. The op-ed was originally published in the Star Ledger and can be found here: Assemblywoman: Newark Archbishop John Myer's priorities are appalling
Morning Briefing
NCR Today: Francis' May Day message; more Newark fallout; naked art students and hipster Jesus.
Pope Francis calls for end to 'slave labor'
Marking the feast of St Joseph the Worker and World Labor Day today, Pope Francis made an appeal worldwide to take decisive steps to end slave labor.
Speaking during his general audience in Italian he said: “I would like to add a word about another particular work situation that concerns me. I am referring to what we could define as ‘slave labor’, the work that enslaves. How many people worldwide are victims of this type of slavery, in which the person is at the service of his or her work, while work should offer a service to people so they may have dignity?
Checking IDs on the Road to Emmaus
One of the best passages in scripture comes from Luke’s Gospel: the Appearance of Christ on the Road to Emmaus. Two journeyers are taking the long trek to Emmaus, an ancient town northwest of Jerusalem, while discussing the crucifixion of their Messiah. While wandering, Jesus appears on the road and asks about the events they’re discussing—but they do not recognize him.
One of the travelers almost rudely asks Jesus, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?”
Jesus continues to act as though he is unaware of the situation that had unfolded, prompting the disciples to explain the events to him.
Washington Post features trio who broke into nuclear weapons facility
I was stunned to open my Washington Post this morning, and find that the front page of the Style section (which is widely read) featured the opening of a multipage story about Catholic peace activists who broke into a nuclear weapons facility in Oak Ridge, Tenn. It was headlined, "The Prophets of Oak Ridge."
I wondered for a moment whether I was reading The Washington Post or the National Catholic Reporter!
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In This Issue
May 24-June 6, 2013
- The paradox of Pope Francis
- Editorial: Questions linger after dynamic sisters' meeting
- [Coming Soon] Name your treasure and pass it on
- [Print Edition Only] Special Section: Family Life
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