Speaking to Crux during the Synod of Bishops on Synodality in Rome, Cardinal Gregory stressed the need for Catholics to have a comprehensive view of the nation's key issues.

"No political party and certainly no individual candidate that I've experienced embraces the full range of Catholic social, moral teaching" he says. "Obviously, the reverence, the respect of human life is a dominant concern."

The cardinal questioned whether Catholics should engage in single-issue voting based solely on a candidate's stance on abortion without considering their other positions.

"Yes, it is foundational, the dignity of unborn life, but does it dispense with all of the other awful proposals that are out there?" Gregory asked.

Umbrella of respect for human life

Gregory highlighted several issues that fall under what he described as the "umbrella of respect for human life". These include immigration, capital punishment, poverty, racism and mental health.

The cardinal noted that issues such as race, gender and gun violence have also come to the forefront of the election. The cardinal pointed to the ongoing violence in the US and internationally as areas voters should consider carefully.

He also mentioned economic issues including the challenge of earning a living wage, child care and racial disparity, which remain pressing concerns in American life.

Lesser of two evils

Pope Francis recently urged American Catholics to choose the lesser of two evils in the upcoming US presidential election, criticising both Donald Trump's immigration policies and Kamala Harris' support for abortion rights.

The pope condemned the refusal to welcome migrants as a "grave sin" and described abortion as an "assassination".

Francis said both candidates' policies are "against life".

"Whether it is the one who is chasing away migrants or the one who kills children, both are against life."

Sources

Catholic Herald

CathNews New Zealand

This year at his annual blessing of the animals (held in St Francis of Assisi's honour), Haitian immigrant Rev. Jean Beniste invited people to bring their pets to church.

"Bring your pet. Bring your dog and cat. I am a Haitian, and I am not going to eat them," he told the 60-strong crowd.

"I will bless them. I will embrace them. I will embrace you. I will make community with you."

It was the first of several laugh-triggering allusions Beniste and other speakers made in reference to Trump's 10 September allegation that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio are "eating the pets of the people that live there".

Blessings not curses

While Trump's allegation and similar rumours spread like wildfire on social media, they were swiftly debunked. But Beniste says a problem remained.

The hostile rhetoric had a particularly negative effect on Haitians and other immigrants.

So those gathered at St Paul's Episcopalian Church joined together to turn one of Christianity's more light-hearted rituals — an annual blessing of animals — into an act of good-natured resistance.

The Blessing of the Animals is an early October rite observed by various Christian denominations.

Household pets and sometimes livestock come with their owners to receive a clerical blessing that acknowledges their importance to God.

This year St Paul's service was also about depicting an embattled immigrant group as worthy of trust and empowerment.

That reframing drew new participants who wanted to show solidarity, RNS News reports.

"This year the Blessing of Animals takes on a new, even prophetic, meaning" the Rt Rev. Robert Hirschfeld, Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire, wrote when he invited the whole diocese to participate.

"Our gathering of blessing, instead of cursing, can be seen as an act of resistance to a culture that is fomenting violence of thought, speech and action."

Transformational

Hirschfeld told those attending the blessing that the Church's response to the false allegations was like that of Jesus, who defies Herod in Luke 13 and keeps on blessing the people.

"This is a way of turning the energy of the world on its head" Hirschfeld said.

"Let's turn this into a blessing rather than continuing with the vitriol."

Source

• Religion News Service

Rev. Carl Ruby of Central Christian Church addressed the issue directly during a service, declaring "Haitians are not eating pets in Springfield".

Rev. Ruby's remarks came after former President Donald Trump made the unfounded claim during a presidential debate.

The allegation has since gained traction online and caused unrest in the community.

"Jesus said that He is the way, the truth and the life. Jesus is with us in truth. And the truth is that Haitians are not eating pets in Springfield" said Ruby, gripping the pulpit as he spoke.

Over the past decade, the city has seen an influx of up to 20,000 Haitian migrants who have arrived seeking employment and stability.

Local faith communities including the Central Christian Church have played a key role in supporting these new residents.

Tense atmosphere

Ruby also used the service to call on President Joe Biden and former President Trump to help ease tensions.

He appealed to Trump to retract his statements and urged hate groups to leave the city. At the same time, he asked President Biden to provide more resources to help the city manage the growing population.

The atmosphere in Springfield has been tense following Trump's comments.

Local schools, hospitals and government offices faced bomb threats last week, forcing closures.

Additionally, flyers from a white supremacist group known as the Trinity White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan were circulated, calling for the removal of Haitians from the area.

Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio which provides migrant services has also been affected. Tony Stieritz, the charity's chief executive, revealed that they had received verbal and written attacks, further heightening concerns.

Despite these challenges, community efforts to support Haitian migrants continue.

On the same day as Ruby's service, about 60 Haitians attended English language classes at First Evangelical Haitian Church where local volunteers participated in solidarity.

Flowers and baked goods were shared, symbolising unity between Springfield's residents and the Haitian community.

Springfield, historically a manufacturing hub, has struggled with economic decline and population loss in recent years.

The arrival of Haitian migrants has helped reverse some of these trends by filling job vacancies and contributing to the local economy.

Sources

Religion News Service

NBC News

CathNews New Zealand

Francis made the comments during a press conference aboard the Papal plane on his flight back to Rome from Singapore.

Without naming Donald Trump or Kamala Harris directly, Pope Francis referred to policies on immigration and abortion as serious moral issues.

He condemned the refusal to welcome migrants as a "grave sin" and described abortion as an "assassination".

The pope encouraged Catholics to vote, urging them to reflect deeply and decide in good conscience, saying "Not voting is ugly. It is not good. You must vote".

"You must choose the lesser evil" he said.

"Who is the lesser evil? That lady, or that gentleman? I don't know. Everyone, in conscience, (has to) think and do this."

52 million US Catholics

US Catholics, numbering around 52 million, are seen as a key voting bloc in the November election. Catholics make up significant portions of the electorate in swing states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin where their votes could sway the election outcome.

The pope reiterated the Church's longstanding opposition to abortion, stating clearly that it is "killing a human being" and that no exceptions could justify it.

Similarly, he emphasised the Church's support for the rights of migrants, referencing biblical teachings that call for the care of orphans, widows and foreigners.

Trump has promised, if elected to a second term as president, to crack down on illegal immigration and deport millions of immigrants already in the US.

He has also refused to rule out building detention camps for undocumented immigrants.

Harris has promised to sign any legislation passed by Congress to restore national protections for abortion access, which the Supreme Court struck down in its 2022 Dobbs decision.

Francis said both candidates' policies are "against life".

"Whether it is the one who is chasing away migrants or the one who kills children, both are against life."

Sources

Reuters

Religion News Service

CathNews New Zealand

In a press release, the Trump-Vance campaign said the Republican nominee "announces ‘Catholics for Trump,' a coalition committed to safeguarding the vital principles of religious liberty and defending family values that President Donald J Trump has ardently championed."

The website for the coalition claims Trump "did more for Catholics than any administration in history," touting the Department of Health and Human Services' creation of a new Conscience and Religious Freedom Division.

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Thomas Jolly, the 42-year-old mastermind of the ceremony, addressed the controversy surrounding one of the most debated scenes which featured a nearly nude performer.

He firmly denied that this tableau was inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci's "The Last Supper", a piece of Christian iconography.

"The concept was to create a grand pagan celebration connected to the gods of Olympus" Jolly explained to BFMTV.

"I aimed for a ceremony that unites people, that reconciles while also affirming our Republican values of liberty, equality and fraternity."

The scene, which depicted drag queens in a manner reminiscent of "The Last Supper", sparked widespread criticism for its perceived mockery of a sacred Christian event.

Apology-lite

Representatives of the Paris 2024 Olympics Committee have since apologised to those offended, insisting they intended to foster inclusion and celebrate diversity.

"Clearly, there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. If people have taken any offence, we are of course really, really sorry" Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps said during an International Olympic Committee news conference.

However, the apology has not quelled the controversy.

Bishop Barron's 'both barrels'

Bishop Robert Barron, a prominent Catholic commentator, called on Christians to "keep raising our voices" against the Paris Olympics.

Barron condemned the depiction as a "gross mockery of the Last Supper" and criticised the committee's apology as disingenuous.

"Give me a break" Barron said.

"We have a group of drag queens cavorting in a sexually provocative way, clearly in imitation of Da Vinci's Last Supper, and no disrespect was meant? You think anyone takes that seriously?"

Wider criticism

The controversy has extended beyond Christian circles, with top government officials in the US, Iran and Turkey also speaking out against the performance.

Republican Presidential hopeful Donald Trump said on Monday he thought it was "a disgrace".

"I'm very open-minded" the former president told Fox News host Laura Ingraham, "but I thought what they did was a disgrace."

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned the "insults" against Jesus Christ, noting that Jesus is a respected figure in Islam.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his intention to discuss the matter with Pope Francis, saying "The disgraceful scene in Paris offended not only the Catholic world, not only the Christian world, but also us as much as them."

Performer takes legal action

Meanwhile, French DJ and women's rights activist Barbara Butch has filed a formal complaint with authorities following a wave of online harassment stemming from her appearance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

Butch, who performed in a segment that critics likened to Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper", says she has faced a barrage of discriminatory messages and threats since the event last Friday.

The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed receipt of Butch's complaint and has assigned a specialised hate crimes unit to investigate.

According to officials, the probe will focus on "discriminatory messages based on religion or sexual orientation that were sent to her or posted online".

Sources

• rfi
• Daily Wire
• USA News
• CNA

Trump's supporters have attributed his survival to divine intervention, heightening the event's religious fervour.

Traditionally, invocations at political conventions are confined to opening and closing prayers. This year, however, Trump's near-death experience has led to numerous references to God's influence.

"God was with me"

Trump himself credited "God alone" for saving his life, a sentiment echoed by many speakers and attendees.

"God was with me" Trump told convention delegates on Wednesday, adding that the near disaster "in many ways changes your attitude, your viewpoint on life. I think, honestly, you appreciate God even more".

Pauline Shultz, a Catholic delegate from Minnesota, views Trump's survival as a divine signal. "I believe that when President Trump gets back in, he's going to be a changed man. He will be led by the Holy Spirit, and I think he'll be softer in his spirit, but lead in strength" Schultz said.

"I believe that we as a nation are moving into a reawakening, or awakening" Shultz added.

Christian killed in assassination attempt

The assassination attempt tragically claimed the life of Corey Comperatore, a Christian who died protecting his wife and daughter. Throughout the convention, many speakers honoured Comperatore's bravery and sacrifice, and acknowledged his heroic actions.

However, former US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan highlighted the moment Trump turned his head to avoid the fatal bullet.

"I'm a Christian too and I believe in divine intervention. I think that's what we saw that day" Morgan told CNA. "If he had not turned his head to look at that chart, we would be going to a funeral."

"Mankind is in the hands of God"

US Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina in his speech reinforced the theme of miraculous survival.

"If you didn't believe in miracles before Saturday, you better be believing right now" Scott said.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, reminding attendees of the fragility of life and the importance of divine providence.

"The last few days remind us that the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind is in the hands of God" Rubio said.

Pastor Corey Brooks of Chicago's New Beginnings Church led delegates in a jubilant praise session, highlighting the contrast between the potential tragedy and the current celebration. "This week we could be having a week of mourning but, because God did not let any of those things be, this is a week of celebration and a week of life" Brooks said.

Sources

Catholic News Agency

CathNews New Zealand

"By getting rid of Roe v Wade, I was able to get it back into the states, and now I've given it back to the people, the people are voting and frankly, the people are voting in many cases quite liberally," he said.

He added, "They can vote the way they want. It's not a federal issue, and it will never be a federal issue again."

In the interview, Trump was questioned about his stance on Project 2025, a policy agenda published by the conservative Heritage Foundation.

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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro described Comperatore as a dedicated Christian, a devoted family man and a community hero.

Comperatore, a firefighter and a father of two daughters, "went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community. Most especially, Corey loved his family" said Shapiro

Shapiro spoke with Comperatore's wife and daughters and shared that Corey died protecting his family.

"I asked Corey's wife if it would be okay for me to share that we spoke. And she said yes" Shapiro said on Sunday.

"She also asked that I share with all of you that Corey died a hero. That Corey dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally. Corey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing."

"He's my hero"

Mr Comperatore was a prominent supporter of Trump and was thrilled to attend the rally with his family. Tragically, they were moved to seats behind the former president shortly before the shooting occurred, according to a Facebook post by his wife Helen.

"He's my hero" Mrs Comperatore told The New York Post from her home on Monday. "He just said ‘Get down!' That was the last thing he said."

Comperatore's sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, posted on Facebook about her brother's heroic actions. He "was a hero who shielded his daughters. His wife and girls just lived through the unthinkable and unimaginable. My baby brother just turned 50 and had so much life left to experience".

His daughter Allyson also expressed her grief and admiration on social media, calling her father "the best dad a girl could ever ask for. He was a man of God, loved Jesus fiercely and also looked after our church and our members as family" she wrote.

Governor Shapiro announced flags would be flown at half-staff in honour of Comperatore.

A GoFundMe campaign set up to support the Comperatore family had raised nearly $500,000 by Sunday evening, reflecting the community's solidarity and compassion.

Two other rally attendees, David Dutch 57 and James Copenhaver 74, both of Pennsylvania, were wounded in the attack. State police reported they were in the hospital in stable condition.

Sources

Catholic News Agency

The New York Post

CathNews New Zealand

The discovery was made just before the Pope's visit on Sunday.

Italian television programme RAI reported that police sources had identified a man leaving the suitcase in a station bar. The case contained a Czech-made semiautomatic pistol, a magazine with 14 bullets, and unused clothing of Turkish origin.

Bar staff alerted the police, leading to an immediate response from Italy's security agency.

Pope Francis continued with his planned activities in Trieste despite the security threat. He was there to participate in the 50th Catholic Social Week. He travelled around the city in an open electric vehicle and celebrated an open-air service in the main square.

Pope welcomed with joy

Bishop Enrico Trevisi of Trieste confirmed that the Pope was informed about the incident but remained calm.

"The citizens of Trieste welcomed the Pope's arrival with great joy, and we don't want this joy to be disturbed by other thoughts", Bishop Trevisi told Il Piccolo, Trieste's leading newspaper. After the discovery, security measures were reinforced, with anti-terrorist units and secret service forces readied.

A man about 5 feet 9 inches tall with a dark complexion is shown on surveillance footage - he leaves the suitcase in the station before exiting. Authorities are still working to identify him and determine any connections to the Pope's visit.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated that the matter is under the jurisdiction of the Italian authorities.

Despite the threat, Pope Francis' visit proceeded without further incident, focusing on promoting Catholic social doctrine.

Meanwhile the Holy See has condemned acts of violence in the wake of the 13 July shooting in which former US President Donald Trump was injured. The incident occurred at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania - one spectator was killed and others were injured.

In a brief statement on July 14, Bruni said the Holy See "is united to the prayer of the US bishops for America, for the victims, for peace in that country, and that the motives of the violent may never prevail".

Sources

Catholic News Agency

Katholisch

Starting Wednesday, the policy pauses entry at the border once 2,500 illegal entries have occurred in any 24-hour period.

The executive order follows two failed attempts in Congress this year to pass bipartisan immigration reforms. One effort included a bill negotiated between Republican and Democratic lawmakers that was blocked in the Senate in January after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump criticised it.

Tuesday's action by the Biden White House drew fierce backlash from agencies that partner with the federal government to resettle refugees once they are processed by the Border Patrol. Six of those nine agencies are faith-based and have a long history of advocating for immigrants.

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In the latest example of a bully is Minnesota Bishop Robert Barron's Word on Fire organisation threatened Commonweal magazine and theologian Massimo Faggioli over Faggioli's April 22 essay, "Will Trumpism Spare Catholicism?"

The commotion is too weird to behold.

Sticks and stones

It began like all schoolyard fights.

Barron, or someone who works for him, thought Faggioli, who teaches at Villanova University, called the bishop a name.

In best fourth-grade fashion, an unsigned "cease and desist" email went to Faggioli and to Commonweal editor Dominic Preziosi.

Apparently without a lawyer or even a dictionary nearby, the email claimed Commonweal and Faggioli were guilty of "slander,".

That name is usually applied to spoken defamatory statements, instead of published ones, which are libel.

Faggioli's opinion piece examined the influence of conservative, anti-Francis bishops.

He described them as the ones whose political alliances mix "ahistorical, magisterial fundamentalism in militant Catholicism with nationalistic impulses masquerading as concern for the ‘forgotten' common American."

He apparently included Barron in what he called the "'Trump-Strickland' axis,".

He was referring to former Texas Bishop Joseph E. Strickland, a named supporter of the pro-Trump "Catholics for Catholics" organisation.

That organisation counts among its supporters former Trump advisers Michael Flynn and Steve Bannon.

Barron's company complained about his inclusion, and Commonweal indulged him, writing in an editor's note:

"With the author's permission, the editors have removed a paragraph that originally appeared here because Bishop Robert Barron's media ministry, Word on Fire, informed us that they consider it slander for them to be in any way associated with Donald Trump or Trumpism."

Unwilling to take yes for an answer, Barron's folks sent another unsigned email, this time to the entire Commonweal staff.

It said that the retraction notice was "clearly malicious" and that the email was "a formal notice to preserve all records in anticipation of litigation."

Strange and bullying

To be clear, no Catholic, let alone a bishop, should want to be connected to Trump, whose ongoing legal entanglements and documented disrespect for women and migrants are outside the pale.

That Trump benefited from a strange Catholics for Catholics fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago is enough to warn anyone.

It was there a man identified as Father Dennis led what he called "the meal prayer" and former Trump national security adviser Flynn said they would "do the rosary,".

But bullying a 100-year-old liberal Catholic opinion journal emphasises the conservative bent of Barron's enterprises.

It smacks of the sort of "conservatism" Pope Francis recently called "suicidal" on CBS' "60 Minutes."

The "suicidal conservatism" Francis worries about stifles growth and, he said, leaves people "closed inside a dogmatic box."

Those U.S. bishops who cannot think out of the box — and there are many — daily damage the beliefs of Catholics who think Catholic social teaching is a good thing and who wish for less clericalism and more transparency in church matters.

To to start with, where, exactly, does the money go?

The ubiquitous Catholic bully

Bully clerics abound at every level, in the United States and around the world. And bullying Catholic lay initiatives is not new.

In the 19th century, Mother Cabrini, the champion of immigrants, had her problems with Archbishop Michael Corrigan, who wanted her out of New York.

In the 20th century, another archbishop of New York might have wished the same for Dorothy Day.

Now, in the 21st century, a group of lay Catholics suffers a legal threat come some 1,300 miles from Minnesota to a small office suite on New York's Upper West Side.

It may be a good thing that Barron wants to distance himself from Trumpism, because many of his followers may still think Trump is OK.

But bullying is not the way to do it.

• First published in Religion News Service
• Phyllis Zagano PhD is a Senior Research Associate in Residence at Hofstra University. She has written and spoken on the role of women in the Roman Catholic Church and is an advocate for the ordination of women as deacons. Phyllis is also an author at Religion News Service

Pew Research released a report on Apr 30 exploring support for presidential candidates sorted by religious affiliation.

The poll found that 55% of Catholics support or lean towards supporting former President Donald Trump in a head-to-head against Biden.

Conversely, only 43% of Catholics support Biden in the same one-on-one pairing.

The 12% margin of support for Trump marks a significant shift from 2020 when he held an extremely narrow lead—50% to 49%.

Biden currently leads among Hispanic Catholics with a narrow 49%-47% split, but the close contest marks a major shift rightward for the demographic.

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