Trump's treatment of the vulnerable shifted the US Catholic bishops' politics The only possible savior of this relationship is the Democrats' ability to push the bishops back into the Republican camp.

We are at a possible paradigm shift or turning point in the US Bishops (largely unqualified) support of the GOP, but as Reese notes, the Democrats can "save" the GOP alliance by their own single issue extremism www.ncronline.org/node/324926 via @NCRonline

The Vatican's 'no' to Trump Board of Peace offers clear warning "The message is clear," writes Joshua Villanueva. "Peace that depends on a single figure may move fast, but it will not last."

The Vatican leads in a way that defies today's political playbook. It moves with intention and values continuity over quick wins. It speaks the language of principles & institutions, not personalities & trophies. www.ncronline.org/node/324826 via @NCRonline

The Cruelty Inside The Trump administration is constructing a network of concentration camps on U.S. soil. Have the American people seen enough?

Trump has suggested he’d also like to deport and imprison abroad the “homegrowns”—U.S. citizens who are “criminals,” however Trump or random ICE agents may choose to define that term. www.commonwealmagazine.org/munch-trump-...

A Shrine and a School Christian Smith wants Notre Dame to be pure. But shrines are never pure—and Notre Dame is an American Catholic shrine.

“Catholic” means “here comes everybody,” even and especially when they disagree. See if it isn’t the same way in the Vatican; as the late Pope Francis said, “Todos, todos, todos!”
www.commonwealmagazine.org/kaveny-young...

German bishops’ conference elects proponent of controversial Synodal Way as president: "Catholics must abandon this notion that the Church is entirely pure and spotless because there are structures of evil within..."it www.americamagazine.org/news/2026/02...

Trump Throws Tantrum at SOTU, Tries to Co-Opt Men's Hockey Olympic Gold Medal Victory: A Closer Look YouTube video by Late Night with Seth Meyers

youtube.com/watch?v=3p_f...

Kash Patel Parties in Italy, SCOTUS Strikes Down Tariffs, Trump to Release UFO Files: A Closer Look YouTube video by Late Night with Seth Meyers

youtube.com/watch?v=A3_s...

For a smile courtesy of Bizarro to start the week:

Kindergarten teacher wants kindergartener deported. Starting new tour soon, be first to get notified of shows in your area: https://benpalmertour.com unposted bits: https://benpalmerpatreon.com TikTok video by Ben Palmer

In case you're looking for the ICE-related Parody account in which a kindergarten teacher tries to have her student's parents deported since "they don't look like they belong": www.tiktok.com/@palmertroll...

Leo XIV: life & health are equally fundamental values for all, but at the same time, we ignore the structural causes & policies that determine inequalities. ...all lives & health are not equally respected, protected nor promoted in the same way for all www.vatican.va/content/leo-...

Opinion | The 2020 ‘stolen election’ obsession: Cynical? Delusional? Reptilian? Trump believes his losing at anything is impossible. Thus, Biden’s win must be fraudulent.

GW: "Donald Trump’s belief in widespread fraud in the casting and counting of 2020 ballots is entailed by his belief that it is theoretically impossible for him to lose at anything." The 2020 ‘stolen election’ obsession: Cynical? Delusional? Reptilian? wapo.st/4aVcfIK

Over Thirty Pro-life Groups Call on the Adminstration to Restore Safeguards for Pregnant Moms Pregnancy is one of life’s most vulnerable moments—when a woman and her body are carrying an extraordinary weight.

Over Thirty Pro-life Groups Call on the Adminstration to Restore Safeguards for Pregnant Moms
open.substack.com/pub/prolifed...

"What has become the norm for many bishops [to] issue watered-down statements, seemingly not wanting to offend [President Trump] . Statements mired in moral ambiguity or offering milquetoast condemnations of "both sides" fail to live up to the moment"

Happy Lunar New Year's (Year of the Red Fire Horse)

"I Hold Pam Bondi in Contempt: She opted for contempt. It’s the Trumpian way. But is it the American one? Has the country sunk quite this far? I don’t think so. She and her fellow insult mongers aren’t owning the libs; they’re beclowning themselves." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/o...

Politics as pigsty: Demise in civility drags down recent House hearing The professional wrestling match, I mean the House Judiciary Committee hearing with Attorney General Pam Bondi, was a series of nasty verbal insults and partisan attacks that did nothing to advance th...

MSW: Yes, "Bondi was evasive if not outright deceitful. Yes, she was rude & demeaning. Still, the old adage applies: 'Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty &, besides, the pig likes it', The Democrats need to convince disaffected Americans ..." www.ncronline.org/node/323956 via @NCRonline

Catholic congressional Dems rebuke Johnson's biblical defense of ICE "Scripture consistently reminds us of our obligation toward the vulnerable & displaced. Jesus himself identifies with the migrant: 'I was a stranger & you welcomed me.' "https://www.ncronline.org/node/323991 via @NCRonline

Ave Maria University battles measles outbreak Ave Maria University reported on its website that it first became "aware of suspected cases" on its campus Jan. 28, and "promptly reported" them to the Florida Department of Health.

Ave Maria University (more Catholic than the Pope) battles measles outbreak www.ncronline.org/node/323936 via @NCRonline

Archbishop Wester warns House speaker against using Scripture to undermine human dignity House Speaker Mike Johnson defended mass deportations in response to Pope Leo XIV’s opposition. Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe said the lawmaker’s response was “deeply concerning.”

Speaker Johnson said that biblical command to welcome the stranger falls on “individuals” instead of “civil authorities,” which Archbishop Wester said is contrary to Christian ethics. www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/wes...

Senior U.S. Church leaders call for presidential apology in wake of racist social media post Cardinal Blase Cupich Archbishop Edward Weisenburger called on Trump to apologize for sharing a racist video meme to his Truth Social account, calling the harm done by his action real and saying his e...

Queries from Crux to the White House press office asking whether Trump had received or was aware of the calls from Cupich and Weisenburger and whether Trump intends to apologize, were without reply at time of publication. cruxnow.com/church-in-th...

March for Life rally, national shrine, CUA among infection sites for confirmed measles cases in DC The March for Life rally, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and several buildings at The Catholic University of America were among infection sites for confirmed measles ...

Like the King James Bible: Without (further) note or comment: March for Life rally, national shrine, CUA among infection sites for confirmed measles cases in DC www.ncronline.org/node/323506 via @NCRonline

Cardinal Cupich: "As the USCCB stated last week, 'as long as Congress fails in this regard, and the current conditions in Haiti persist, the onus is on the executive branch to act in a just and merciful way'.” www.chicagocatholic.com/web/chicago-...

Pope Leo to move into converted suite in Apostolic Palace The pontiff will live in a newly prepared space above the traditional papal apartment, created from former staff and guest quarters and set to include a small chapel and a workout area.

Leo's decision to take up what were the guest quarters above the papal apartment suggest a more nuanced message from Leo: a nod to pre-Francis era papal customs, imbued with the freedom his predecessor carved out to break from the norm

Opinion | Time to Say Goodbye

This is an awesome article and one I'm going to put on the required reading list for my students. Highly recommended for everyone else! Time to Say Goodbye www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/o...

On ‘S.N.L.,’ Tom Homan’s Advice to ICE: ‘Don’t Get Filmed’

Try to laugh so as not to weep! On ‘S.N.L.,’ Tom Homan’s Advice to ICE: ‘Don’t Get Filmed’ www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/a...

"It is necessary to guard against the rise of new forms of racism or xenophobic behavior, which attempt to make these [immigrant] brothers and sisters of ours scapegoats for what may be difficult local situations." St. John Paul II Message for World Day of Migration, 1996

ICE Denies Detainee's Request to Attend His Son's Funeral, Attorney Says Maher Tarabishi was the primary caretaker of his son, Wael Tarabishi, 30, who died on Friday, Jan. 23, from complication

Maher Tarabishi was detained in October during a scheduled check-in at an ICE facility.

He was the primary caretaker of his son, who died last week.

The family is seeking Maher's release so he can attend his son's funeral.

ICE reportedly denied the request.

Unimaginable cruelty.

Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio) YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

Stay free

Opinion | They don’t give an inch. Even when an American is killed. For Trump officials, fighting the administration’s enemies is more important than being decent.

"Noem was either lying or speaking with an indifference to truth that is morally indistinguishable from lying — all to trash the reputation of someone her department had just killed." They don’t give an inch. Even when an American is killed. wapo.st/3NIhWkm

GOP Sen. Tillis described Noem as incompetent, calling on her to resign. If she does not step down, Trump should fire her.“I feel like she is discrediting the law enforcement officers... She is way out of her depth. She needs to get out of the DHS.”https://wapo.st/4rc9PuI