CCI Radio Hour: Dec. 21, 2020
Greg Schleppenbach of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops discusses the moral guidance on COVID-19 vaccines issued by the organization. Then, Kevin Grillot of weDignify talks about next month's March for Life Chicago. Then, Louis Jones of the Diocese of Belleville discusses the anti-poverty work that garnered him the 2020 USCCB Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award. Closing out the show, Glenn Van Cura of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet talks about his 10 years at the helm of the agency as he gets ready to start a teaching position in the Republic of Korea.
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Illinois bishops join U.S. bishops’ statement on COVID-19 vaccines
Illinois bishops today joined the U.S. bishops' statement on COVID-19 vaccines that have been in recent news. The guidance issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops – "Moral Considerations Regarding the New COVID-19 Vaccines" – offers a detailed analysis of the origin of current vaccines and concludes that the Modern and Pfizer vaccines are morally acceptable. We urge all Catholics to read the document.
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CCI Radio Hour: Nov. 16, 2020
Ryan Burge, assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, talks about the Catholic vote in the Nov. 3 presidential election. Kent Redfield, retired professor of political science at the University of Illinois Springfield, discusses the dizzying amount of money spent in the Nov. 3 election on the "fair tax" ballot initiative, the retention bid of an Illinois Supreme Court justice, and targeted legislative races. Then, David Spotanski, COO of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, talks about the upcoming Nov. 28 elevation to cardinal of Archbishop Gregory of Washington, D.C. Finally, Fr. Mike Meany of St. John Brebeuf parish in Niles talks about the Archdiocese's online photo exhibit honoring his late uncle, WWII chaplain Fr. John Beyenka.
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USCCB, Illinois bishops respond to Vatican report on former Cardinal McCarrick
The Vatican today released a report on its investigation into the career of the former high-ranking and now-disgraced U.S. Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick. Published by the Vatican's Secretariat of State office, the report draws on documents from five Vatican departments, four U.S. dioceses, two U.S. seminaries and the Vatican's U.S. embassy. Investigators also interviewed more than 90 people.
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Illinois organizations unite in informal association to fight assisted suicide under Stop Assisted Suicide Illinois
Several organizations in Illinois have united in an informal association to fight the legalization of assisted suicide in Illinois, using the name of Stop Assisted Suicide Illinois. The loose coalition includes representatives of the following communities: disability rights, patients’ rights, health care, civil rights and various faith-based advocacy organizations.
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CCI Radio Hour: Oct. 19, 2020
Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, gives an overview of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which the Illinois Legislature is expected to consider in the spring session. Then Chris Ross, an attorney with Catholic Charities USA, discusses the historically-low refugee cap of 15,000 proposed by the federal government for the new fiscal year. Next, Pat Winn of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockford reminisces about his nine years at the helm of the agency as he prepares to retire. Wrapping up the show, Fr. Mike Bradley of Chicago shares the "neighborhood version" of the cancelled Chicago Marathon that he ran to raise money for the Heart to Heart ministry at St. Gertrude parish in the city's Edgewater neighborhood.
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Illinois bishops offer guidance for Election Day 2020
The general election set for Nov. 3 offers voters the opportunity to make their voices heard about representation for federal, state and local elected offices. Illinois residents will also consider an amendment to the state Constitution that will change the income tax from a flat rate to a graduated rate. The bishops of Illinois offer voting guidance during presidential election years and have approved the following reflection points for Catholics to consider before casting their ballot.
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Pope Francis releases new encyclical, “Fratelli tutti”
Pope Francis today called for a renewed spirit of global community with the release of his new encyclical, 'Fratelli tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship." The eight-chapter encyclical examines contemporary social and economic problems against a backdrop of the current coronavirus pandemic, which "unexpectedly erupted" during its composition. Yet Pope Francis notes the global health crisis only underscores that “no one can face life in isolation” and that the time has truly come to “dream, then, as a single human family” in which we are “brothers and sisters all."
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Illinois bishops offer thoughts on clean energy in Illinois
State lawmakers are expected to craft clean energy legislation during the spring 2021 legislative session. After celebrating the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis's Laudato Si' encyclical on the environment this past June, our Illinois bishops have looked to the groundbreaking document for specific points that would do well to be included in any legislation. The result is the following statement.
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CCI Radio Hour: Sept. 21, 2020
Gloria Purvis, co-host of EWTN Radio’s "Morning Glory" show, talks about her call for Catholics to confront the sin of racism in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. Then, state Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, discusses the efforts of the Illinois Legislature’s Black Caucus to craft comprehensive legislation targeting systemic racism slated to be unveiled during the fall veto session. Next, Sr. Stephanie Baliga, a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist of Chicago who ministers from the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels in Chicago, last month ran a marathon on a treadmill after learning the Chicago Marathon was cancelled because of the ongoing pandemic. Finally, Molly Perry, board member of Aid for Women, talks about the crisis pregnancy center's virtual benefit dinner on Oct. 7 featuring retired Super-Bowl winning tight end Benjamin Watson as the keynote speaker.
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