Little Interest of Synod on Synodality in Brazil; World's Largest Cath. Nation Lacks Synod Interest

 While fallout from Pope Francis's Oct. 4--29 Synod of Bishops on Synodality continues to fuel Catholic debate in the West, arousing disappointment in some quarters and cautious optimism in others, most churchgoers in Brazil -- the world's largest Catholic nation -- don't seem to have paid much attention to the whole  synodal exercise, the Crux website reports today (Oct. 31, 2023). 

In the opinion of many Brazilian  analysts, the unique realities of Brazilian culture, and of the Church in the world's largest Catholic nation, may combine to make the synod seem less relevant to their situation. 

"Most Brazilian Catholics who want some kind of transformation have a disagreement with their priest's pastoral approach. They might want him to be more progressive or more traditionalist. That's not connected to  great reforms," said Francisco Borba Neto, director of the Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo's Center of Faith and Culture. 

Biden:Mid East Leaders Must Have 2-State Solution; Best Way to End Israeli-Hamas War

 As the three-week-old Hamas war enters what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says could be a  "long and difficult"  new stage, President Joe Biden is calling on Israeli and Arab leaders to think hard about their eventual postwar reality, the AP website reports today (Oct. 30, 2023).

It's one. he argues, where finally finding agreement on a long-sought two-state  solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be a priority.

"There's no going back to the status quo as it stood on Oct. 6," Biden told reporters, referring to the day before Hamas militants attacked Israel and set off the latest war. Biden conveyed the same message directly t o Netanyahu during a telephone call last week. 

Netanyahu: Mil. Opened 2nd Stage in Hamas War; Israel Is Fighting for Survival, Will Be Victors

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israel tonight (Oct.28, 2023)that the military has opened a "second stage" in the war against Hamas  by sending ground forces into Gaza and expanding attacks from the ground, air, and sea,the Yahoo News website reports.

Casting the war was a fight for his country's very survival, he warned that the assault would intensify ahead of a ground invasion into the territory.

"There are moments in which  a nation faces two possibilities: to do or die," Netanyahu  said. "We now face that test and I have no doubt how it will end. We will be the victors."

"We Are in a Move of God;" Thousands Attend Free Chapel Services

 A special revival service went into its fourth night on Oct. 26 with plans to go through Sunday (Oct. 29), as hundreds are traveling to Gainesville, Georgia to be a part of a "move of God taking place at Free Chapel Church, the CBN website reports.

"The past few nights have been life-changing and we give God all the glory for what He is doing,"wrote Free  Chapel on social media on Oct. 25. We will be extending the Revival through Sunday night with Pastor Perry Stone.

"The unexpected outpouring has led hundreds of people to pack the altar of the church seeking forgiveness,healing, and rededicating their lives to Jesus Christ."

Parrticpants of Synod: It Isn't about Ideology; Lay People Vote in Unprecedented Experience

 In a letter addressed to the entire People of God at the  close of this month's synosd discussion, participants rejected suggestions that the process has been influenced by ideology and said contemporary Church must be better at listening and inclusion, the Crux website reports today (Oct. 26, 2023). 

Published Oct. 25, the letter called the synod "an unprecedented experience,"noting that, for the first time, lay people, including women, were invited to take part not as observers but as full voting members.

Through "conversation in the spirit," participants said they were able to share the "wealth and poverty" of their respective communities from every continent in order to discern "what the Holy Spirit wants to say to the Church today." 

Special Reival Service Occurring at Ga. Church; Hundreds of People Pack Church for God's Forgiveness

Evangelical leaders say a move of God is taking place in Gainesville, Georgia as hundreds of people pack the alter of Free Chapel Church seeking forgiveness, healing, and rededicating their lives to Jesus Christ, the CBN website reports today (Oct. 25, 2023).

A special revival service is heading into its third night tonight after Evangelist Perry Stone,Jr. was set to close out a special end times Series on Sunday.

"Such a powerful move of God yesterday at Free Chapel," wrote Jentezen Franklin, the Senior Pastor of Free Chapel. 

Fake Priests Charge Hundreds of Dollars for Sacraments; Used by Trusting Cath. in Modesto and Stockton, Calif.

 A number of Spanish-speaking conmen, posing as Catholic priests from Mexico, have been charging unsuspecting believers in Modesto, and Stockton, Calif. hundreds of dollars to celebrate sacraments, teach classes and issue certificates, and the Diocese of Stockton is warning members of the community to call 911 should they encounter these "wolves in sheep's clothing," The Christian Post website reports today (Oct.24, 2023). 

"They resort to intimidation tactics against anyone questioning their identity or authority,  often threatening legal action for defamation, although  these threats lack substance," a  release last week  from the Diocese of Stockton said.

The conmen are reportedly charging $600 per home visit plus $70 for each child they bless.  

Pope Calls Biden as Israel-Hamas War Escalates; Discuss Importance of Humanitarian Assistance

Pope Francis and U.S. President Joe Biden spoke last night (Oct. 22, 2023) in a 20-minute phone call about the war between Israel  and Hamas, among other things discussing the importance  of humanitarian aid, the Crux website  reports.       

Patriarchs and Church leaders in the Holy Land also issued a statement condemning the  targeting   of civilian infrastructure and calling for a ceasefire.

Also yesterday, Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and thanked him for allowing two convoys of humanitarian assistance to enter  Gaza and the two agreed that there will be a "continued flow" of critical  assistance.

Hamas Violently Attacked Many Israeli Citizens; Raped Women with Such Force They Broke Women's Pelvises

 On October 7, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza by land sea, and air , killing over 1,200 people and wounding around 2800; Israeli soldiers and civilians have also been  hostage by Hamas and moved into Gaza.

The attack prompted a declaration  of war by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the announcement of an emergency wartime government.

An Israeli woman said what Hamas did to Israeli civilians is "beyond words." There is evidence of mass rape so brutal they broke their victims' pelvises. She said she saw "people whose heads have been cut off." She even described a baby "cut out of a pregnant woman and beheaded and then the mother was beheaded"

Abp.:We Must Not Blame Holy Spirit for Synod Conflicts;Holy Spirit Is Spirit of Father, Son, Apostolic Tradition

 Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney, Australia said "We've got to be careful about blaming everything -- our opinions, our interests, lobbies, and factions -- putting all that on the Holy Spirit," the National Catholic Register reports today (Oct. 21, 2023).

During the Synod on Synodality, we must be careful about "blaming everything on the Holy Spirit," Archbishop Fisher said,noting that if a proposal is at odds with the Gospel then "that's not of the Holy Spirit"

"The Holy Spirit is Christ's Spirit. He is the Spirit of the Father and the Son, and so He is only ever going to be saying things that are consistent with what Christ has revealed to us in the apostolic tradition," Archbishop Fisher told CNA in an interview in Rome this week.

Pope Leads Synod Members in Praying for Migrants; Many Routes Are Unsafe as Migrants Are Robbed, Stripped

 Pope Francis led Synod on Synodality members in praying for migrants and refugees at a service at the Vatican last night, urging them to take to heart the parable of the Good Samaritan in helping those forced from their homeland, the Catholic News website reports today (Oct. 20, 2023).

"The road leading from Jerusalem to Jericho was not a safe route, just as today the many migration routes that traverse deserts, forests, rivers and seas are not safe," the pope said at the service in St. Peter's Square. 

"How many of our brothers and sisters find themselves today in the same condition as the traveller in the parable?" the pope asked. "How many are robbed, stripped and beaten along the way?" 

Biden in Israel Asserts He's Committed to Jews; Netanyahu Likens Israel to Civ., Hamas to Barbarism

 Upon President Joe Biden's arrival in Israel yesterday (Oct.18, 2023), he reiterated his commitment to the Jewish state, telling Israeli leaders, "Americans are grieving with you, they really are and Americans are worried," the CBN website reports.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu extended his thanks to Biden and the U.S. for standing with Israel during what might be a protracted time of conflict. 

"Above all, Mr. President, the world sees that support and the moral clarity that you have demonstrated from the moment  Israel was attacked. You've rightly drawn a clear line between the forces of civilization  and the forces of barbarism. You describe what Hamas did as sheer evil. It is exactly that."

Participants: Synod Isn't Driven by Pope's Agenda; Synod Is Inclusive and Discusses Women's Issues

 Participants in this month's Synod of Bishops  on Synodality have praised the process as open and balanced, saying everyone is welcome in the Church and there is no "private agenda" dominating the discussion, the Crux website reports today (Oct.  18, 2023). 

They also applauded the process as being inclusive, and said the synod has done a sufficient job at including women's voices.

At the same time, they insisted that the synod is not going to make decisions on any singular issue, but is rather aimed at promoting a "synodal culture" within the Church.

Tex. Church Has Record No. of Baptisms This Yr.; Champion Forest in Houston Had 755 Baptisms

A church in Texas announced it has seen a "record-breaking" number of baptisms for the third consecutive year, the Worthy News website reports today (Oct. 17, 2023).

The Champion Forest congregation in Houston, Texas saw 755 baptisms this church year (October 1--September 30).

Champion Forest leaders wrote baptisms represent not numbers but "lives forever changed,  families transformed, and testimonies of God's relentless grace." 

College Given $1.2M to Create Center for Preaching; Milligan Univ. in Tenn. Got Award to Aid Preaching

The private Christian liberal arts school Milligan University in Tennessee received an award grant of over one million dollars from a private philanthropic foundation to strengthen and expand the preparation, support and development of engaging and effective preaching, the Christian Post website reports today (Oct. 16, 2023). 

Lilly Endowment Inc., a foundation that aims to "support the causes of religion, education and community development," awarded Milligan University a $1.2 million grant to foster and support preaching initiatives and establish a Center for Preaching at the university.

"We are grateful to Lillly Endowment for providing this crucial support, which will enable us to further prepare and equip future preachers for service for the Kingdom," Milligan University President Bill Greer said in a statement. 

Biden Lacks Credibility on Sending $6B to Iran; Iran Uses Its Money for Terrorists, Like Hamas

The administration of Joe Biden is lacking credibility on the issue of the $6 billion he has tried to turn over to Iran, the WND website reports today (Oct. 15, 2023). 

A report at the Washington Stand explains the $6 billion arose as an issue last week when terrorists of Hamas attacked Israel and killed more than 1,000 people, including babies who were decapitated. 

Biden had arranged for those funds to be moved from South Korea to Qatar pending release to Iran, which uses its money to fund terrorism. including Hamas. 

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Israel Warns 1 Million in Northern Gaza to Leave; Warning Due to Wider Offensive on Gaza Hamas

Israel has told more than one million Palestinian civilians to evacuate northern Gaza in the next 24 hours, a warning that signals a wider offensive is imminent as the country works to defeat an enemy that committed the worst atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, the CBN website reports today (Oct. 14, 2023).  

"Civilians  of Gaza City, evacuate south for your own safety and the safety of your families and distance yourself from Hamas terrorists who are using you as human shields," the IDF said. 

"Hamas terrorists are hiding in Gaza City inside tunnels, underneath houses, and inside buildings populated with innocent Gazan civilians," it added. 

Synod Members Lead Assembly of Synod for Mideast Peace; Pray for israel and Palestine, Mainly Kids

Synod participants who have known war and conflict firsthand led the assembly  of the Synod of Bishops yesterday by praying for peace between Israel and Palestine, throughout the Middle East and across the globe, the Catholic News website reports today (October 13, 2023). 

Iraqi Sister Caroline Saheed Jarjis, a member of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, read in Arabic the day's Gospel passage  from Luke, which included the line: "Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find;  knock and the door will be opened to you."

Margaret Karram, a Palestinian born in Israel , read prayers of petition for "the Holy Land; for the people of Israel and Palestine, who are in the grip of unprecedented violence, for the victims, especially the children, for the injured, for those being hostage, for the missing and their families. 

Pope Condemns Hamas' Terrorist Attacks on Israel; Calls for End of Israel's Attacks on Gaza

 Pope Francis yesterday condemned Hamas' terrorist attacks on Israel and pleaded with the militants to free their hostages unharmed, but he  also expressed concern about Israel's tightening siege on Gaza and its impact on innocent civilians, the Catholic News website reports today (Oct. 12, 2023).  

"I continue to follow with sorrow and apprehension what is happening in Israel and Palestine. So many people killed , and others injured," the pope said. 

As the pope spoke, the Israeli Defense Forces website was reporting more than 1200 Israelis killed and more than 2800 Israelis injured. At the same time, the Gaza Ministry of Health was reporting a death toll of more than 950 Palestinians and said 5,000 others were injured as Israel continued its airstrikes on Gaza.

Poll: Biden's Approval Nearly Lowest of His Term; Only 40% of Pop. Approves His Performance

 A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that U.S. President Joe Biden's popularity was near the lowest level of his presidency this month, as Americans' concerns over immigration rose to their highest level since 2019. before he took office, the Yahoo News website reports today (Oct. 11, 2023). 

The three-day opinion poll, which ended on Oct. 8, showed 40% of respondents approved of Biden's performance as president, down from 42% a month earlier. 

While the economy is the perennial top concern among U. S. voters, in October the share of poll respondents who rated "immigration" the number one problem rose to 14% from 8% in September. 

Biden: Hamas Atack on Israel Is Like ISIS Terror; Defends Israel's Right to Destroy Hamas Terrors

In a very angry address today (Oct.10, 2023), President Joe Biden condemned the "sickening atrocities" carried out by Hamas in which more than 1,000 people . including 14 Americans. were killed and more than 100 more were placed in captivity, the WIN (World Israel News) website reports.

The statement from the President comes three days after his initial video response to the attacks on Oct. 7. 

 "You know there are moments in this life -- I mean this literally -- when a pure, unadulterated  evil is unleashed on this world," he said. "The people of Israel lived through one such moment this weekend."

Hamas Picked rhe Perfect Time to Attack Israel; Most Israelis Were on Holiday or Home with Family

 Multiple failures occurred before Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel, a former lieutenant colonel in the Israeli army said, the EuroNews website reports today (Oct. 9, 2023).

The Suket festival weekend meant many people were already on holiday, or had returned home to spend Shabbat with their families.

The Israeli Defense Forces were at a "minimum operational capability"  with the lowest possible level of forces manning checkpoints and military bases, said retired Lt. Col. in the Israeli Defense Forces Peter Lerner.

UNICEF: Climate Change and Displacement Are Related; Clearer Than Ever Climate Change Affects Kids

UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund) stresses that while the link between climate change and displacement is complex, it's clearer than ever that there is a correlation, the EuroNews website reports today (Oct. 7, 2023).

Storms, floods, fires and other extreme weather events led to more than 43 million displacements involving children between 2016 and 2021, according to a United Nations report.

More than 113 million displacements of children will occur in the next three decades,estimated the UNICEF report released Oct.13, which took into account risks from flooding rivers and cyclonic winds. 

Biden Will Build More Walls on Mexican Border: Changed Mind Due to Huge Illegal Aliens' Entry

Joe Biden's administration has abandoned the president's campaign pledge against building  any more barriers on the US-Mexico border, saying it will construct a new section of the controversial wall started  by predecssor Donald Trump to help stem the heavy flow of illegal aliens into t he U.S., the RT website reports today (Oct. 6, 2023).

"There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into thew United States in the project areas," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said on Ocrt. 4 in a public filing. 

The need is so acute, in fact, that the administration will waive dozens of federal laws and regulations to fast-track the project, which will be built in Starr Country, Texas, Mayorkas conceded.

Ukraine Faces Shortage of Money If US Ends Grants; Wall St. Journal: Ukraine Funds May Dry Up by Nov.

 Kiev is concerned it will not be able to pay its civil servants in November if the U.S stops. sending it money, rhe Wall Street Journal reported yesterday (Oct. 3, 2023).

The Ukrainian government could face a shortage of money and be unable to pay salaries if the U.S. Congress fails to approve another injection of funds into the Ukrainian economy,  the Wall Street Journal reported.

The Journal said the U.S. and other donor nations currently pay salaries to some 150,000  civil servants in Ukraine as well as over half a million teachers, professors,and school workers. 

House Votes Kevin McCarthy Out as Speaker;It's the First Time in U.S. History Speaker Was Ousted

 For the first time in its 200-year-plus history, the U.S. House of Representatives removed its Speaker from his office, the WND website reports today (Oct. 4, 2023).

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was voted out yesterday as the result of a rebellion among House GOP members who wanted to adopt a more conservative. and more aggressive posture. 

The vote, 216--210, came on a handful of GOP members upset with McCarthy's leadership and  all Democrats.

Cath. Doctrine Chief to Answer Queries Fairly; Card. Fernandez Vows to Respond Sincerely

Pope Francis's new doctrine chief has said he believes a revised structure for his department is working well, and now includes a "democratic system " for handling whatever queries or complaints might arrive that prohibits him from making unilateral decisions, the Crux website reports today (Oct. 3. 2023).

New Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, a close papalfriend and ghostwriter who recently became prefect of thew Vatrican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, spoke to journalists on Sept. 30 after getting his red hat from Pope Francis alongside 20 other prelates from around the world. 

Asked how he plans to engage any direct queries he receives, Fernandez acknowledged that in the past, "I was used to responding  directly through Facebook, but now I have to take a little more care of how I move.." 

China Tries to Dominate World Supply of Food; This Is Dangerous for U.S. Since "Food Is Power"

 During the pandemic, Americans experienced food shortages due to the impact on the world's vulnerable supply chain, the CBN website reports today (Oct. 2, 2023).

Experts warn that a brewing battle  between the U.S. and China over control of the world's food supply could lead to that experience becoming the new normal.

"Food is power. We need to remember that. And this is very dangerous for the United States," warned Kip Tom, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.for Food and Agriculture.

Kurdish PKK Party Bomb Attacks Turkey's Parliament; Occured after Parliament Opened after 3-Month Recess

A Kurdish PKK Party bomb attack on Turkey's Interior Ministry occurred today (Oct. 1, 2023), the EueroNews website reports. 

The outlawed Kurdistan  Workers' Party has accepted responsibility, according to the group. 

It has carried out an insurgency since 1984, demanding greater linguistics, cultural, and political rights for the Kurdish minority in Turkey.