It’s roundup time!
First, big news: President Obama announced executive action to reform immigration Thursday (and he quoted Exodus 23:9 during his address). The president is expected to sign memorandums Friday that will defer the deportation of those who came to the United States as children as well as for the parents of children who are citizens or permanent residents, if they meet requirements. Bloomberg has a nice graphic about what this all actually means.
And next, we don’t know how you could have missed this, but just in case: Pope Francis confirmed he will visit Philadelphia next September for the World Meeting of Families. So, you’re all going to go, right? OK. Here’s how.
Two Palestinians killed four Jews, three of which were U.S.-born, and wounded eight at a West Jerusalem synagogue Tuesday. The violence follows other Israeli-Palestinian conflicts in recent weeks, and Israeli forces have started demolishing the attackers’ homes in response.
A new ISIS video released Sunday shows the execution of American aid worker, Peter Kassig. President Obama called Kassig’s death “an act of pure evil.”
Something worth checking out: The New York Times shared a gallery of moving photos taken by uprooted Syrian youths living in Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp.
Finally, some good Ebola news: the C.D.C. says the spread of the disease has slowed in Liberia.
Archbishop Blase Cupich knocked three times on the door of Holy Name Cathedral and officially became Chicago's archbishop Tuesday, succeeding Cardinal Francis George. He also said he panicked when he learned the gospel reading was about Jesus walking on water. “I have to admit,” he said, “I had a bit of a panic attack when I saw the Gospel provided in the Lectionary for this day, which we have just heard. I realize this new responsibility is going to be demanding, but seriously folks, I don’t do ‘walking on water.’ I can barely swim.” Hee hee.
And, look! The U.S. Postal Service unveiled this year’s Christmas postage stamp.
And now for the papal rapid fire roundup:
This week, Pope Francis:
- Planned a raffle.
- Kissed a baby.
- Talked about family values.
- Denounced the right to die movement.
- Believes food is a human right.
Before you go, we've got a question for you. Is it OK to be a cafeteria Catholic? Please read this article and take our survey.
