Pope Voids Meeting with Russian Orth.Patriarch; Had Been Planned to Help End War in Ukraine

 Pope Francis has canceled a summit with the leader of Russia's Orthodox Church amid diplomatic wrangling over the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Worthy News website reports today (April 30, 2022). 

The meeting between the pope and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill was due to occur in Jerusalem, Israel, on June 12 during the pope's trip to nearby Lebanon.

"I regret that the Vatican has had to cancel a second meeting with Patriarch Kirill," Pope Francis said in an interview published in the Argentine newspaper La Nacion (The Nation).

Court Ends Attempt to End TX "Heartbeat Act;" Heartbeat Law Blocks 100 Abortions Every Day

 The Texas Supreme Court has made a ruling that dismisses all attempts by pro-abortion advocates and providers to overturn Texas' "Heartbeat Act." the New American website reports today (April 29, 2022)-

It also requires a lower court to consider whether those bringing challenges even have legal standing to do so.

In short, Texas' "heartbeat law" stands and will save an estimated 100 babies from being murdered by abortion every day. 

Israel Marks Holocaust Memorial Day with Halt; Tens of Thousands of Candles Lit around Globe

Tens of  thousands of yellow candles were lit around the globe  as Jews commemorated Yom Hashoah, the annual Jewish day of remembrance for the Holocaust, the Jewish News website reports today (April 28, 2022).

In a project organized by Macabi GB, over 32,000 individual flames were lit worldwide to remember the lives cut short. 

In Israel, the country stood still for a moment as a single-torn siren sounded across the country. 

Dr. Fauci: US No Longer in COVID Pandemic; COVID Is Now at a Lower Level Than Before

 The U.S. is no longer in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the coronavirus' continuing global threat, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to President Biden, the NPR website reports today (April 27, 2022). 

However, Fauci also warned that people should still be mindful of the disease. 

"We are certainly right now in this country out of the pandemic phase," Fauci said today. "We are at a low level right now."

Biden Observes Anniv. of Armenian Genocide; Turkey Denies There Was an Armenian Genocide

 President Joe Biden on April 24 commemorated the 107th anniversary of the start of the "Armenian genocide," issuing a statement in memory of the 1.5 million Armenians "who were deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths in a campaign of extermination," the Newsy website reports today (April 26. 2022).

The statement did not reference the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which President Biden has called a genocide. Yet President Biden used the anniversary to lay down a set of principles for foreign policy as the U.S. and its allies arm Ukrainians and impose sanctions on Russia. 

"We renew our pledge to remain vigilant against the corrosive influence of hate in all its forms," the president said. "We recommit ourselves to speaking out and stopping atrocities that leave lasting scars on the world." Turkey has denied its genocide of Armenians.

Russia Warns US Not to Send Arms to Ukraine; US Sends Ukraine Drones, Howitzers, Missiles

 Russia told the U.S. today to stop sending more arms to Ukraine, warning that Western deliveries of weapons were inflaming the conflict, and would lead to more losses. the Reuters website reports today (April 25, 2022).

Russia's Feb, 24 invasion of Ukraine has killed thousands of people, displaced millions more, and raised fears of a wider confrontation between Russia and the U,S,

The U.S. has ruled out sending its own forces to Ukraine, but Washington has supplied weapons to Kyiv, such as drones, howitzers, and anti-aircraft missiles.

Pope Calls for Orthodox Easter Truce in Ukraine; Says Russian Attacks on Ukraine Must Stop Now

 Pope Francis called for a halt to attacks in Ukraine today (April 24, 2022), so aid can reach the exhausted population and urged leaders to "listen to the voice of the people," who fear an escalation, the Newsmax website reports.

Speaking to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square, he noted that the day most Eastern Christians, including most in Ukraine and Russia, celebrate Easter (today) coincided with the two-month mark of the war.

"I renew an appeal for an Easter truce, the minimum and tangible sign of a willingness for peace. Stop the attacks in order to help the exhausted population. Stop," Francis said. 

Orth.Christians Have Holy Fire at Holy Sepulcher; Tens of Thousands Attend Ritual at Jesus' Tomb

 Orthodox Christians celebrated their "Holy Fire" ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem today (April 23, 2022). amid rising tensions with Israel over new restrictions on attendance this year, the Euro News website reports today.

Israel said it wanted to prevent violence after a stampede during a Jewish celebration last year killed dozens, but Christian leaders say there is no need to alter a ceremony that has been held for centuries. 

The Holy Fire ceremony, which celebrates Jesus' resurrection, draws tens of thousands of Orthodox Christian pilgrims to the Holy Sepulcher, which is believed to contain the tomb where Jesus lsy two thousand years ago. Greek Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter this year on April 24 -- one week after the Roman Catholic Easter.

Biden OKs Ukrainian Refugee Sponsorship Plan; Lets 100K Ukrainians Fleeing Russians into U.S.

 President Joe Biden's administration announced a new sponsorship program yesterday aimed at helping Ukrainian refugees enter the U.S., the Daily Caller website reports today (April 22, 2022).

The program, called "Uniting for Ukraine," will launch April 25. In addition to allowing up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion into the U.S., the program is meant to discourage these individuals from entering the U.S. illegally through the southern border, administration officials said.

"Uniting for Ukraine" will allow American citizens and organizations  to sponsor Ukrainians  wishing to come to the U/S. 

DOJ Will Appeal Mask Ruling by Federal Judge; CDC:Wearing Mask Still Necessary for Protection

The U.S. Justice Department said yesterday it is appealing the ruling by a federal judge this week that voided the mask mandate for public transportation, the NPR website reports today (April 21, 2022).

DOJ spokesman Anthony Coley said the appeal had been filed in light of the determination by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that wearing a mask "remains necessary to protect public health."

The CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in all indoor public transportation settings and says "wearing masks is most beneficial in crowded or poorly ventilated locations, such as the transportation corridor."

Homeschooling Surge from COVID Continues; Parents Reject School Policies,Use Own Agenda

Following the most rapid rise in homeschooling ever seen in the U.S. during  the COVID pandemic, many homeschool parents are continuing this trend by directing their children's education themselves, the New American website reports today (April 20, 2022).

Prior to COVID, about three percent. or two million, young people were being homeschooled, according to the Census Bureau. That number tripled during the 2020-2021 school year said the Associated Press, and fell off only slightly the next year. 

The Associated Press gave three reasons homeschooling parents are staying with the program: Health concerns, disagreement with school policies, and a desire to keep what has worked for their children.

Pope Calls for Reconciliation to Replace War; Asks Thousands on Easter Monday to Use Jesus' Model

 On Easter Monday, known in Italy as Pasquetta or little Easter,  Pope Francis called for reconciliation instead of war, as he addressed thousands of people in St.Peter's Square, the Crux website reports today (April 19, 2022).

"May the grace of the risen Lord bring comfort and hope to those who are suffering, so that no one is abandoned," Frances said at noon Rome time. "May disputes, wars, conflicts give way to understanding and reconciliation." 

The pope noted that what Jesus did with His "Calvary and resurrection," is to reconcile humanity, both with God the Father and with each other. 

Easter Celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ; Jesus Died for Our Sins, Raised to Heaven by God

 While the Western (Roman Catholic)  Churches celebrated Easter on April 17 and the Eastern (Greek Orthodox) Churches will celebrate Easter on April 24, Easter is the day when all Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, the WND website reports today (April 18, 2022).

The resurrection of Jesus assures us that we are accepted by God. The Bible tells us that Jesus "was handed over to die because of our sins, and He was raised to life to make us right with God." (Romans 4:25)

The resurrection of Jesus also assures us that we have all the power we need to live the Christian life. The apostle Paul wrote, "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.  And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you."  (Romans 8:11) 

Russia Warns of Fights with NATO in Arctic Area; Says New Arctic NATO States May Cause Conflicts

 Moscow is concerned with the growing activities of the US-led NATO bloc in the Arctic region, which msy hsve grave security and ecology implications, a senior Russian representative to the Arctic Council, Nikolay Korchunov, said, the RT website reports today (April 17, 2022).

The official made the remarks to the TASS news agency in an interview today. 

"The internationalization of the alliance's military activities in high altitudes, involving non-Arctic NATO states, causes nothing but concern," Korchunov said. 

Uganda Muslims Abduct, Burn Christian Teacher; Planned to Kill Him for Converting to Christianity

 In Uganda, a Christian teacher was abducted from his home  and dragged inside a mosque where he was beaten and burned by his collegues at an Islamic school who planned to kill him for praying in Jesus' name, the Christian Post website reports today (April 16, 2922).

The victim, Yusufu Mwanje,,  converted to Christianity earlier this year after  hearing a Christian businessman who supplied equipment to the school praying to Jesus in his office.

Before he lost his job on April 2 for  being a Christian, Mwanje had led the Ibunbaz Primry School in Bugiri.

Pope:A Worldly Priest Is a Clericalized Pagan; Slams Worldliness,Pragmatism,Functionalism

 Pope Francis told an audience this week that any priest who indulges in "worldliness" is no better than a "pagan," the Yahoo News website reports today (April 15, 2022).

The pontiff told the audience at his homily yesterday that "idolatry" was a persisting problem among Christians, but not always easily recognizable. 

The pope claimed that "spiritual worldliness,"  "pragmatism,"  and "functionalism" all continued to dilute and corrupt both clergy and laity.

WCC Debates Expelling Russian Orthodox Church; Due to Patriarch Kirill Backing Russia's Aggression

 The World Council of Churches (WCC) is under  pressure to oust the Russian Orthodox Church from its ranks, with detractors arguing the church's leader, Patriarch Kirill, invalidated its membership by backing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Religion News website reports today (April 14, 2022).

The debate drew a response on April 11 from the Rev. Ioan Sauca, acting general secretary of the WCC, which has 352 member churches representing some 580 million Christians around the world. 

Sauca, a priest in the Romanian Orthodox Church, pushed back on the suggestion of expelling the Russian Orthodox Church, arguing that doing so would deviate from the WCC's historic mission to enhance ecumenical dialogue. 

Priests in Ukraine Move to Expel Patriarch Kirill; Due to Kirill Backing Russia's Ukraine Aggression

 Because Patriarch Kirill of Russia is  supporting Russia's aggression in Ukraine, many priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate are collecting signatures for an appeal to the Council of Primates of the Ancient Eastern Churches for "a lawsuit against Patriarch Kirill," the Crux website reports today (April 13, 2022).

If found guilty by a pan-Orthodox court, the signatories want Kirill to be deprived "of the right to occupy thr pstriarchal  see."

Over 320 priests signed the petition in 36 hours, and the list continues to grow. 

Finland, Sweden Plan to Join NATO by Summer; Due to Russia's Unprovoked Invasion of Ukraine

 Russia has made a "massive strategic blunder" as Finland and Sweden now plan to join NATO as early as summer, the Jerusalem Post website reports today (April 12, 2022).

U.S. officials said that NATO membership for both Nordic countries was "a topic of conversation and multiple sessions" during talks between the alliance's foreign ministers last week attended by Sweden and Finland.

Russia's recent invasion and ongoing war in Ukraine have caused several European countries to seek enhancing their military potential, as a Russian attack could occur at any time. 

Pope Appeals for a Truce on Easter in Ukraine; Says God Can End Massacres, Cruelty of War

 At the start of Holy Week, Pope Francis on Sunday appealed for an immediate cease-fire to the war in Ukraine, saying Easter is time to choose life over death, the Crux website reports today (April 11, 2022).

Speaking to about 65,000 believers gathered in St. Peter's Square for his Palm Sunday Mass, which marked his first outdoor Mass since the coronavirus pandemic began, the pope noted that during the Annunciation passage of the Gospel, the Angel Gabriel tells Mary that "nothing is impossible for God."

"Nothing is impossible for God, not even to put an end to a war whose end is not in sight. A war that every day puts before our eyes brutal massacres and cruelty committed against unarmed civilians," he said. 

Russia Is Ousted from UN Human Rights Council; Due to Its Aggression and Savage Acts in Ukraine

 Russia has been suspended from the United Nations' Human Rights Council (UNHRC), as a result of its invasion of Ukraine, the Worthy News website reports today (April 10, 2022).

The UN General Assembly voted 93 to 24 to suspend Russia, with 58 abstentions, over allegations of horrific rights violations by Russian  soldiers, which the U.S. and Ukraine have called war crimes. 

Moscow described the move as an "unfriendly gesture" and said there will be consequences for bilateral ties.

Egyptian Coptic Orth. Priest Stabbed to Death; Was an Archpriest in Alexandria Near Med.Sea

 A knife-wielding man in Egypt stabbed a Coptic Orthodox priest several times in the neck, which led to his death, the Christian Post website reports today (April 9, 2022).

The country's interior ministry said the accused, a 60-year-old man, has been arrested. 

Arsanios Wadeed, an archpriest of the Church of the Virgin Mary and Mar Bolous in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, was stabbed on April 7 while he was walking in the Corniche area, a popular seaside promenade.

Senate OKs Ketanji Jackson for Supreme Court; Now 1st Black Woman to Be Supreme Court Judge

 The Senate voted yesterday to elect Ketanji Brown Jackson as a judge on he U.S. Supreme Court, a judge who supports abortion and has often been criticized for her light prison sentences for child pornographers, the Life News website reports today (April 8, 2022).

The vote was 53-47 with Republicans Mitt Romney, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins voting with all 50 Democrats.

As a result of yesterday's Senate vote, Jackson becomes the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court,

Pope Says United Nations Is Useless Organization; Has No Effect on Russia's Savage War in Ukraine

Pope Francis said that the United Nations has proven to be useless in stopping violence and atrocities in the war in Ukraine, the Crux website reports today (April 7, 2022).

Speaking yesterday about the massacres in the recently freed city of Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, the  pope denounced the "increasingly horrendous cruelties that are also committed against civilians and defenseless children.  

Regarding his trip to Malta last weekend, the pope said the Mediterranean nation was a country that represents the "rights and power" of the nations that, though being small, are rich in history and civilizations. 

Many Patients Now Returning to Doctors' Offices; Result of the Fading of the Coronavirus Pandemic

 With the worst of the Omicron surge in the pandemic fading in much of the country, many people in the U.S.  are returning to doctors' offices, hospitals, and clinics for in-person exams, cancer screenings, and other medical services, the UPI website reports today (April 6, 2022). 

However, because of the crush, some patients find it difficult to secure appointments quickly.

Moreover, healthcare facilities that have had staff departures during the pandemic because of burnout and other factors are overwhelmed, the providers said. 

Biden Calls for War Crimes Trial against Putin; Due to Russia's Savage Acs in Ukraine's Bucha

 President Joe Biden yesterday called for a war crimes trial against Russian President Vladimir Putin and more sanctions against Russia, following new reports of atrocities in Ukraine after Russian troops retreated from areas around Kyiv, the USA Today website reports today (April 5, 2022).

"We saw what happened in Bucha. He is a war criminal," Biden said.

The U.S. State Department later said the barbaric acts were not rare individual instances, but rather "part of a broader troubling campaign."

Pope Tries to Meet with Russian Orth. Patriarch; Patriarch Kirill Backs Putin's Invasion of Ukraine

 Pope Francis said yesterday he was still working on arranging a meeting with the head of the Russian  Orthodox Church, despite the patriarch's justification for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and said he wouldn't rule out traveling to the region if it would help, the Yahoo News website reports today (April 4, 2022). 

Speaking to reporters on a plane en route home from Malta, Francis said he and Patriarch Kirill were thinking of a possible location in the Middle East, 

Kirill has called for peace and for civilians to be spared, but has justified Russia's invasion of Ukraine by casting it as a "metaphysical" battle with the West and its "gay parades."

Pope Francis Is Now Considering a Trip to Kyiv; Blasts Putin over Russia's Aggression in Ukraine

 Pope Francis said yesterday he as considering a trip to Kyiv, capital of Ukraine, and criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying a "potentate" was fomenting conflict for nationalist interests, the Reuters website reports today (April 3, 2022).

Francis made the comments, first to reporters on a plane taking him to Malta for a two-day visit, and then in a hard-hitting speech in the island's presidential palace that left little doubt who he was referring to.

"From the east of Europe, from the land of the sunrise, the dark shadows of war have now spread. We had thought that invasions of other countries, savage street fighting, and atomic threats were grim memories of a distant past," the pope said. 

Franklin Graham Writes to Putin and Zelensky; Requests They Hold Cease-Fire on Holy Week

 Evangelist Franklin Graham this week wrote to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, requesting a cease=fire from the war during Holy Week of the Western and Eastern churches, the Christian Headlines website reports today (April 2, 2022).

Holy Week for Western churches begins April 10, and for Eastern churches April 17.

"If they can stop fighting for a week or 10 days, maybe they can stop fighting for two weeks," Graham said. "If they stop for two weeks, maybe they can stop for a month. If they stop for a month, maybe they can stop for good. You've got to start somewhere."

Biden Has 1M Barrels of Oil a Day from Reserve; Due to High Cost of Gas Caused by Ukraine War

President Joe Biden ordered the release of one million barrels of oil per day for the next six months from the nation's petroleum reserve, the Cheddar News website reports today (April 1, 2022). 

Biden took the action with hopes to control energy prices and ease the pressure at the pump for Americans. 

AAA reports that the national average price for gas is about $4.21 a gallon, compared to $2.87 a year ago.