at
| THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 |
| GOP TO ACCUSER: PLEASE TESTIFY Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley makes clear that he is willing to let Brett Kavanaugh’s accuser testify in a public hearing or a private hearing. And Grassley didn’t hold back while slamming Sen. Feinstein for leaking Dr. Ford’s information to the press: “I certainly can understand that Dr. Ford might be distrustful of the Committee’s ability to keep matters confidential based on the Democratic members’ recent conduct, but I sincerely hope that, if she chooses to testify in a closed session, that my colleagues can see their way to plugging the leaks which have plagued this nomination and gain her trust.” READ |
| INVESTIGATE WHAT? Former FBI assistant director Chris Swecker said that the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh are not within the scope of a potential FBI investigation. Swecker told CNN: “The FBI has no independent jurisdiction to open up a standalone investigation of rape allegations or assault allegations that may have taken place 36 years ago. That is a local crime. Unless it involves a federal official or on federal land or has some federal nexus, there’s just no jurisdiction to do it.” READ |
| MISSOURI DEMOCRAT TO VOTE NO Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-MO, announced she is voting ‘no’ on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, but she cited his judicial opinions and not the sexual misconduct allegations as the reason. McCaskill claims to be Catholic but consistently votes for abortion. Her pro-life challenger, Josh Hawley, said: “No surprise here. McCaskill always comes home to the party line in the end. Now 0-6 on Supreme Court nominees.” READ |
| U.S. BISHOPS ANNOUNCE NEW PLAN The U.S. bishops’ conference announced new four accountability measures — one of which is the establishment of an independent reporting mechanism to receive complaints about bishops. “This is a time of deep examination of conscience for each bishop. We cannot content ourselves that our response to sexual assault within the Church has been sufficient,” the U.S. bishops’ conference said in a statement. READ |
| QUOTE OF THE DAY “The USCCB … notes 4 initiatives taken at last week’s DC talks… but quietly signals a bigger story – U.S. proposals for Apostolic Visitation and lay board reporting to Nuncio nixed by Rome.” -Rocco Palmo |
| ENERGY INDEPENDENCE FROM RUSSIA Energy Secretary Rick Perry is trying to assure that Central European countries won’t be dependent on Russian energy. Perry announced a U.S.-led “Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation” at a summit in Bucharest, Romania. READ |
| FIGHTING EXPLOITATION Several counties in Nevada have legalized prostitution. A group of concerned citizens in Lyon County, NV, are organizing a ballot initiative to make the practice illegal. “They turn 18, and they’ve grown up in a state that says, ‘Hey, this is a viable option for you, so let’s legally continue the exploitation,’” said Melissa Holland, of the nonprofit Awaken. “They have been told this is what you’re good for, and Nevada has said let’s make that a viable option.” READ |
| NEW PRO-LIFE MOVIE Abby Johnson’s story is coming to film. The people behind the movie God’s Not Dead have just wrapped up filming of a movie called Unplanned, which chronicles Abby Johnson’s conversion from former director of a Planned Parenthood facility into a national pro-life activist. READ |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES RESPONDS Hurricane Florence is now a tropical depression, but it’s left behind significant damage. Catholic Charities in North Carolina is offering assistance to those in need. READ |
| SAINT QUOTE “Whatever good works you begin to do, beg of God with most earnest prayer to perfect it.” -Saint Benedict |
| SAINT OF THE DAY The Korean martyrs, including Saints Andrew Kim and Paul Chong Hasang, spread the gospel in their native land under extremely difficult circumstances. The holy companion martyrs include bishops, priests, and laity, some of whom were French missionaries. READ |
| DAILY READINGS “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.” (Ps 118:1) READ |
| BISHOP GETS ILL DURING MIRACLE It was likely because of the heat, but Naples Archbishop Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe had to sit down as he was officiating over the St. Januarius miracle Wednesday. On the anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Januarius, the blood of Naples’ patron saint will often liquefy (as it did this year). The ritual’s success is considered a good omen for the city. READ |