Biden: GOP Blocks Efforts to Lower Gas Taxes; But Many Democrats Oppose Federal Gas Tax Cuts

 President Biden took aim at the opposing party yesterday by falsely claiming that Republicans -- rather than members of his own party -- are preventing Congress from implementing his proposed federal gas tax holiday to blunt fuel costs, the Washington Times website reports today (July 7, 2022).

"All Republicans do nothing and obstruct our efforts to lower your gas taxes." Biden said.

But many Democrats say it would be a drop in the bucket when prices are nearly $5 per gallon or the savings may not be passed on to consumers.

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Consecrated; NYC Church Was Destroyed in 9/11 Terror Attacks

 St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine , which had been destroyed during the 9/11 terror attacks, was consecrated on July 4 in New York City, the Religion News Service website reports today (July 6, 2022).

"The rebuilding of the St. Nicholas as a shrine for the Nation is also an act of restoration," said Archbishop Epidophoros, the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, in an encyclical on July 3.

The restoration had been stalled for many years due to ongoing issues with funding.

:Pope Condemns Shooting in Suburban Chicago; At Least 6 People Were Killed at July 4th Parade

 Pope Francis expressed shock and sadness over the mass shooting that led to the deaths of at least six people and wounded some 30 others at a Fourth of July parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, the National Catholic Register website reports today (July 5, 2022).

In a telegram sent to Cardinal Blase Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago, the pope condemned the "senseless shooting," appealing for a rejection of all forms of violence.

Pope Francis asked the cardinal to convey his spiritual closeness to all affected by this attack.

Glacier Ice Chunk Collapse Kills 7 in NE Italy; Italian PM Says It's Linked to Climate Change

 The collapse of a chunk of glacier ice in northeastern Italy yesterday left at least seven people dead and several others injured, the Euronews website reports today (July 4, 2022).

The ice crashed into a group of more than a dozen hikers  who were making their way across a popular trail on the Marmolada glacier at more than 3,300 meters, the highest mountain in the Italian Alps.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi came to the site of the accident and said ,"This is a drama that certainly has unforeseen elements, but certainly also depends on the deterior action of the environment and the cliimate situation."

Crime Increases on Los Angeles Buses and Trains; LA Tansportation Authority Adds 300 Workers

 A $122 million pilot program, approved by the executive board of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority in June, will place up to 300 uniformed workers on trains and buses starting this fall, the LA Times website reports today (July 3, 2022).

The new workers will help with directions, alert police of a threat, point people to homeless services, keep an eye on vulnerable, and check that seats are clean and passengers are safe.

The program will run up to five years and could be expanded if successful.

FBI Opens New Orleans Probe of Clergy Abuse; Priests May Have Taken Kids across State Lines

 The FBI has opened a widening investigation into the sex abuse in rhe Roman Catholic Church in New Orleans, going back decades, looking into whether priests took children across state lines to molest them, the AP website reports today (July 2, 2022).

More than a dozen alleged abuse victims have been interviewed this year as part of the probe.

Some of the New Orleans cases under review include abuse by clergy during trips to Mississippi camps or amusement parks in Texas and Florida.

Pope Toughens Tone on Ukrqaine to Orth .Clerics; Many Have Lost Loved Ones in Senseless War

 In some of his strongest language yet on the Ukraine war, Pope Francis on June 30 told delegations of Greek  Orthodox leaders that the conflict in Ukraine amounted to a "war of aggression" that was unacceptable  for  Christians to support, the Crux website reports today (July 1, 2022).

Speaking to a delegation from the Ecumnical Patriarchate of Constantinople who were in Rome to celebrate the Catholic Feast of Peter and Paul, Francis stressed the importance of Christian unity at a time when "our world is disrupted to a cruel and senseless war of aggression in which many,many Christians are fighting one another.

Francis also lamented the suffering of those "who have lost their loved ones and been forced to abandon their homes and their own country."