Catholic Archives - The Minnesota Sun

Minnesota Catholic School Offers ‘Social Justice Algebra’

December 1, 2021December 1, 2021 Admin

Benilde-St. Margaret’s students gathered in a common area

Some students at Benilde-St. Margaret’s (BSM), a Catholic preparatory school for grades 7-12 in St. Louis Park, are actively working to weave “social justice” themes into the curriculum.

The school’s student newspaper, Knight Errant, published an article last Thursday which stated that social justice is “a key part of Catholic education,” though it did not make a necessary distinction between the historic meaning of the term and its contemporary 21st century meaning.

“BSM has committed to upholding the seven Catholic Social teachings in its strategic plan, and incorporating social justice into the BSM community is an important part of meeting that goal,” the article claims.

60 Catholic Democrats Accuse Bishops of Weaponizing Eucharist Against Biden

June 21, 2021June 20, 2021 Minnesota Sun Staff

Catholic congressional Democrats are accusing U.S. Catholic bishops of weaponizing the Eucharist against President Joe Biden.

Sixty Catholic Democrats issued a “Statement of Principles” Friday warning U.S. bishops against “the weaponization of the Eucharist.” Signers included Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro and New York Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez.

Most of the Democrats who signed the statement appear to publicly support abortion in direct conflict with Catholic Church teaching.

China Will Control Appointment of Chinese Catholic Clergy Without Input from Vatican

February 17, 2021February 16, 2021 Minnesota Sun Staff

New rules from the Chinese government indicate that China will exercise control over the appointment of Catholic clergy without any input from the Vatican.

The “Administrative Measures for Religious Clergy,” which will go into effect May 1, clarified that the state-run Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA) will select candidates for clergy who will then be “approved and consecrated by the Chinese Catholic Bishops’ Conference.”

Parents, Educators and Activists Fight Back Against Radical School Curriculums: Trend

January 26, 2021January 25, 2021 Minnesota Sun Staff

Parents, educators and activists are taking on left-leaning school curriculums in a variety of ways, from speaking out and filing lawsuits to crowdsourcing solutions and creating alternative educational resources.

In California, for example, a group called “Educators for Excellence in Ethnic Studies” has banded together to lobby for the removal of critical race theory from the state’s ethnic studies model curriculum.

Pro-Life Leaders Condemn ‘Devout Catholic’ Biden over His Vow to ‘Codify’ Roe V. Wade

January 25, 2021January 24, 2021 Minnesota Sun Staff

Pro-life leaders heavily criticized President Joe Biden on Friday, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, after the Catholic president vowed to make Roe v. Wade the law of the land.

“Joe Biden repeatedly insists he is a devout Catholic,” tweeted Live Action founder and President Lila Rose. “He used this claim frequently during his campaign. He just released a statement praising Roe v Wade, but wouldn’t even use the word ‘abortion.’ His deception is disgusting. The violence of what he proudly supports is horrific.”

Commentary: The Clarence Thomas-ing of Amy Coney Barrett

October 14, 2020October 13, 2020 Minnesota Sun Staff

Former Vice President Joe Biden blurted out this reality not long ago when he told a black talk-show host that “if you’re for Trump you ain’t black.”

But as Judge Amy Coney Barrett is finding out this week, the idea of blacks as political property on the liberal plantation isn’t limited to blacks — it also includes women. (And, for that matter, Hispanics and gays.)

Cardinal Says Biden ‘Not a Catholic in Good Standing,’ Should not Receive Communion

October 6, 2020October 5, 2020 Minnesota Sun Staff

Cardinal Raymond Burke said Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who describes himself as a “devout Catholic,” is “not a Catholic in good standing” and “should not approach to receive Holy Communion.”

In an interview with Catholic Action for Faith and Family released last week, Burke said he doesn’t intend to endorse any political candidate, but simply wants to state that “a Catholic may not support abortion in any shape or form because it is one of the most grievous sins against human life, and has always been considered to be intrinsically evil and therefore to in any way support the act is a mortal sin.”

Trump Promises Navy, DOD Will ‘Not be Cancelling’ Contract with Catholic Priests

September 10, 2020September 9, 2020 Minnesota Sun Staff

President Donald Trump promised Wednesday that neither the Navy nor the Department of Defense will cancel contracts with Catholic priests allowing serving military members.

“The United States Navy, or the Department of Defense, will NOT be cancelling its contract with Catholic Priests who serve our men and women in the Armed Forces so well, and with such great compassion & skill,” the president tweeted Wednesday morning, tagging the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan. “This will no longer be even a point of discussion!”

Mass Celebrated after Fire Damages Centuries-Old Church

July 14, 2020July 13, 2020 The Associated Press

Mass was celebrated Sunday on the grounds of a historic Catholic church in Southern California that had been heavily damaged by fire a day earlier.

The blaze early Saturday destroyed the rooftop and most of the interior of San Gabriel Mission, which was undergoing renovation to mark its upcoming 250th anniversary celebration.

Fire Destroys Much of 249-year-old Church in California

July 13, 2020July 12, 2020 The Associated Press

A fire early Saturday destroyed the rooftop and most of the interior of a Catholic church in California that was undergoing renovation to mark its upcoming 250th anniversary celebration.

Fire alarms at the San Gabriel Mission rang around 4 a.m. When firefighters arrived, they saw smoke rising from the wooden rooftop in one corner of the historic structure, San Gabriel Fire Capt. Paul Negrete said.

Conservatives Praise Supreme Court for Ruling States Can’t Discriminate Against Religious Schools

July 1, 2020June 30, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The U.S. Supreme Court said Tuesday that states can’t cut religious schools out of programs that send public money to private education in a 5-4 ruling.

Hailed as a victory for religious freedom, the justices upheld a Montana scholarship program that allows state tax credits for private schooling in which almost all the recipients attend religious schools.

Video Appears to Show Mob Attacking Catholics Praying at St. Louis Statue

July 1, 2020June 30, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Multiple videos recorded after a Saturday prayer vigil in St. Louis appear to show Black Lives Matter agitators assaulting Catholics who participated in the event.

“Yesterday, while praying for peace and unity in our city and the protection of the St. Louis statue, Black Lives Matter protesters started to harass, berate, and assault the Catholics that were peacefully praying. We did nothing in retaliation,” Conor Martin, a candidate for Bedford Township Republican committeeman, claimed on Twitter.

Catholic Charities Leader: ‘My Catholic Church and Catholic Charities Organization Is Racist’

June 29, 2020 Minnesota Sun Staff

In a video expressing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement last week, the CEO of Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington denounced his own church and charitable organization as “racist.”

“In America, racism is no longer a question. But rather, it’s the toxic water in which we all swim,” said Rob McCann, president and CEO of the Spokane-based nonprofit. “My Catholic Church and my Catholic Charities organization is racist.”

Minnesota to ‘Allow’ Churches to Reopen After Faith Leaders Defy Governor’s Orders

May 24, 2020May 24, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Gov. Tim Walz announced Saturday that he would lift his restrictions on religious services and allow all places of worship to open for larger groups beginning Wednesday.

Archbishop Hebda Tells Priests Not to Vote in Primary Because of Privacy Concerns

March 1, 2020February 29, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Archbishop Bernard Hebda urged clergy in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to “abstain from voting” in Minnesota’s March 3 presidential primary.

Minnesota Catholic Conference Calls for Support of Pathway to Citizenship for Dreamers

November 18, 2019November 17, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The Minnesota Catholic Conference, the self-described “public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota,” is asking Minnesota Catholics to thank their U.S. Senators for supporting “The American Dream and Promise Act of 2019.”

St. Thomas Alumni Call for Treating Hate Crimes Like ‘Acts of Terror’

October 18, 2019October 18, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

University of St. Thomas alumni is circulating a letter to the school’s administration demanding a “required course for all students” examining the “history of white supremacy” and “anti-racist curriculum.”

Notre Dame Is Still Standing, But Not for Much Longer Unless It’s ‘Stabilized,’ Expert Says

April 17, 2019April 16, 2019 Minnesota Sun Staff

by Tim Pearce and Joshua Gill The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is still standing after suffering extensive damage from a fire that consumed its roof Monday, but the building’s main structure is still in danger, according to one expert. “It’s wonderful that what has survived, survived,” professional architect…

Minnesota Bishops Double-Down on Supporting Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Immigrants

April 1, 2019March 31, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Leaders of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis are doubling-down on their support of a bill that would provide driver’s licenses to people in the country illegally. Under House File 1500, a person would not be “required to demonstrate United States citizenship or lawful presence in the United States…

Catholic Dem Congresswoman From Minnesota Has 100% NARAL Score

January 12, 2019January 12, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), a Catholic, has a rating of 100 percent from the pro-choice organization NARAL, and a corresponding zero percent from National Right to Life. According to the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Liberty, McCollum has voted with pro-choice causes 100 percent of the time. Between 2015…