Ukraine Uses U.S. Missiles on Russia for First Time

 The Russian Defense  Ministry said today (Nov. 19, 2024) that Ukraine launched ATACMS missiles at Russia's Bryansk region shortly after Joe Biden gave approval for U. S. military supplies to be deployed on Russian territory, the EuroNews website reports. 

The ministry said Ukraine "struck a facility in the Bryansk region with six ballistic missiles." 

Moscow went on to say its air defenses shot down five of the missiles and damaged one more. 

"The fragments fell on the tactical territory in the Bryansk  region, causing fire that was quickly extinguished. There were no casualties or any damage. 

The strike marks the first case of  Ukraine using the U.S.--made and supplied ATACMS missiles on Russian territory since Washington lifted its restrictions a few days ago. 

Carrots Recalled after E. Coli Outbreak Leaves 1 Dead, Dozens Ill

Organic carrots from Grimmway Farms have been recalled, after the produce was linked to an E. coli outbreak, leaving 38 ill and one dead, the Health website reports today (Nov. 18, 2024). 

The affected bags of baby and whole carrots were sold at Trader Joe's, Wegman's, Whole Foods, and other stores from August to October. 

The CDC  (Center for Disease Control) says the recalled carrots are likely no longer in stores, bu it is urging everyone to check their fridge for the affected products and throw them away. 

Grimmway Farms voluntarily recalled multiple brands of bagged organic baby and whole carrots connected to 39 E. coli infections , including 15 hospitalizations and one death in California. The cases were reported from Sept. 6 to Oct. 28in 18 states, with the most illnesses in Washington state, New York, and Minnesota. 

The true number of cases is likely much higher   than the current figure because it takes three to four weeks to determine if an illness is part of an outbreak, and many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli. The outbreak may also affect more states than the ones with known illnesses. 

Pope Honors Christian Martyrs in All Denominations

In a heartfelt address to participants of a Vatican conference on martyrdom, the pope highlighted the unity of Christians in the face of persecution, regardless of denominational differences, the Christian Today website reports today (Nov. 17, 2024).

"Even today, in many parts of the world, there are many martyrs who gave their lives to Christ," Pope Francis said, speaking to the "No Greater Love: Martyrdom and Offering of Life" conference. 

He lamented that, "In many cases,  Christians are persecuted because, pushed by their faith in God, they defend justice, truth, peace, and human dignity."

The conference, which took place from Nov. 11 to 14 in Rome, brought together theologians, scholars, and religious leaders to explore the theological, historical, and cultural significance of martyrdom. 

In a bid to further honor these sacrifices, Pope Francis announced the establishment of a special commission within the Dicastery  for the Causes of Saints. This initiative is dedicated to studying and documenting the lives and testimonies of contemporary martyrs from various Christian traditions, aiming to inspire faith and solidarity among Christians worldwide through 2025.

Archbishop of Canterbury Resigns over Handling of Abuse Cases

 Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby announced his resignation on Nov. 12, 2024, saying he takes "personal and institutional responsibility"  for the misleading of a number of high --profile abuse cases in the Anglican Church since taking the reigns in 2013, the Catholic World Report website reports today (Nov. 16, 2024). 

"I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down, I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse," Welby said in a statement.

Although not accused of abuse himself, Welby was criticized for his response to a number of abuse cases within the church he led. Calls for Welby's resignation reached a fever pitch in recent days, led by victims of a notorious Anglican serial sexual abuser, John Smyth.

A prominent attorney who volunteered at Christian summer camps in the 1970s and 1989s, the deceased Smyth was later found to have committed physical abuse and psychological coercion against over 100 boys and young men across multiple countries. 

In 2013, after taking office as archbishop, Welby was verbally informed of Smyth's abuse, but said he mistakenly believed that police and local authorities had been informed and chose to take no further action, the report says. 

Many Anglican Christians believe that Justin Welby had a personal and moral responsibility to pursue this further, regardless of the policies at play at the time required. 

New Study: Obesity Is Huge Risk Factor for Early Death

 A new study that looked into the U.S. obesity epidemic predicted that 260 million Americans could be obese or overweight by 2050, the Yahoo News website reports today (Nov. 15, 2024). 

The study noted that obesity among U.S. adults and older teens has doubled in the past three decades. Being overweight and obese are among the fastest--growing risk factors for early death. Study co--author Dr. Marie Ng said the U.S. is at a "crisis point." 

Ng said that while demand for weight loss drugs may increase, they're "not a silver bullet," and called for  more focus on prevention, starting with pregnancy and infant feeding practices, healthier school meals, and nutrition regulations. 

U.S. Bishops Vote to Prioritize Evangelizing the Unaffiliated and Youth

 Out of the U.S. Bishops' Conference 2024 fall general assembly comes a new mission directive to guide the conference's work from 2025--2028, which places an emphasis on reaching the religiously unaffiliated, disaffiliated,, and young people, the Crux website reports today (Nov. 14, 2024). 

The new mission directive, which was overwhelmingly approved on Nov. 13 in a 225 --7 vote, states : "Responding even more deeply to the call to proclaim the Gospel and form Missionary Disciples, the Committees and Staff of the USCCB will prioritize  the work of the Conference to help equip bishops, clergy, religious, and the laity in evangelizing those who are religiously unaffiliated from the Church, with special focus on young adults and the youth.

The new mission directive was presented by Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, the Secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, during the Nov. 12 public session. There, Coakley told his fellow bishops that the directive does not replace the work that is mandated by each USCCB committee, but instead "asks that each committee find new and creative ways in which it can dedicate time and effort to address the mission directive." 

"This proposed mission directive directs the work and resources of the conference, requiring each committee to prioritize ways in which it can help aid bishops,  priests, and laity in evangelizing the disaffiliated ," Coakley explained. 

Church Leaders : Synod and Eucharistic Revival Require Work that Lies Ahead

In separate addresses to the American bishops, Cardinal Christophe Pierre and Archbishop Timothy Broglio spoke on two major Church events of   the past year --the Synod of Bishops on Synodality and the National Eucharistic Revival  -- and the need to keep each alive,the Crux website reports today (Nov. 13, 2024). 

Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, connected the synod and Eucharistic revival, as well as the upcoming jubilee of 2025, to Pope Francis's recent encyclical, Dilexit nos (heloredus) on the Sacred of Jesus, in which the Holy Father underlines the social dimension  of Christ's love and caring for other sas an extension of a personal , intimate relationship with God. 

"Eucharistic revival, a more synodal form of evsangelization,a jubilee year of hope --all of these experiences will produce fruit provided that we return to the heart of Christ, that sacred place where human longing and divine love are united," Pierre told the American bishops.