Protests
Plus: Pope Francis asks pastors to be "missionaries of synodality"
Good morning and happy Saturday and happy Easter.
This week we saw several violent protests around the country, particularly at the University of California: Los Angeles and Columbia University in New York City, New York. I have also reported about small encampments at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University on Michigan Mornings™.
Now, many will likely critique the long delay that it took for President Joe Biden to comment on the unrest, but when he finally did speak on the matter he rightly said that protests that included trespassing and vandalism do not fall under the category of protected speech.
I have also heard a number of commentators try to equate these protests to those of the civil rights protests of the 1960s. Unfortunately for them, the comparison is incomprehensible. Black Americans didn’t occupy a university building and then demand catering as a human right.
As Catholics and Americans, we need to uphold and promote the right to protest. After all, if the first amendment has more and more restrictions tacked onto it, it could prevent our ability to spread awarness and march for the sanctity of life and for the unborn. But note that no one ever vandalized the National Mall during the March for Life or set up a tent encampent on the headquarters of Planned Parenthood.
Protesting is important and we should value our right to do it. But keep in mind that there are limits and clearly the occupations at UCLA and Columbia Unviersity this week crossed the line.
Below, I have several articles that quote the Catholic chaplain at Columbia University where he said that outsiders were open communists and that Catholics ought to the be the peacemakers in these situations.
Let me know if you agree or disagree with me in the comments or connect with me on X (@RadioHandley).
At Mass this Sunday we will hear readings from Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Psalm 98:1-4; 1 John 4:7-10; and John 15:9-17.
In the Liturgy of the Hours, we are continuing to Psalter Week II. In the Office of Readings we will be reading from the first letter of St. John. Here is a calnedar for the rest of the week:
Thursday, May 9 - Solemnity of the Ascension*
Friday, May 10 - Memorial of Saint Damien of Molokai, Priest (optional) or Saint John of Ávila, Priest and Doctor (optional)
*If you live in the Dioceses of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha, and Philadelphia. The Solemnity of the Ascension is on Thursday and it is a holy day of obligation. For all other dioceses, that solemnity is transferred to Sunday.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord,
and my Father will love him and we will come to him.
John 14:23
In the news:
The United States
For those who need some red: Chaplain at Columbia University says protests were pushed by “explicitly communist” outsiders - Catholic News Agency
Columbia University’s Catholic chaplain says anti-Semitism “must be stopped” - Crux
For those who need some blue: Bishop John Stowe (Lexington, Kentucky) protests outside White House for peace in Gaza - Religion News Service
The repeal of Arizona’s abortion ban is more than a political loss - America Magazine
Chicago priest blesses same-sex couple in a setting that looked a lot like a wedding; priest cites Fidducia supplicans as basis for the event - Catholic News Agency
What changed when parents gave their 10-year-old her first iPad? - Terry Mattingly in Rational Sheep
Why almost nobody likes a politician shooting her dog - Russell Moore in Christianity Today
Master’s degree in Catholic Women’s and Gender Studies the first of its kind - Catholic World Report
One of oldest books in existence will be sold, worrying scholars - Christianity Today
The Vatican
Pope calls pastors to be “missionaries of synodality” - Catholic News Service
The World
Requiescat in pace
Have a good weekend,
Matthew