Bishop Daniel R. Jenky’s homily at the “A Call to Catholic Men of Faith” Mass in Peoria on April 14 is making headlines because it included some daring assertions. The reporters covering and analyzing the story in the ensuing days weren’t actually at the Mass. Neither were the vast majority of the thousands now sharing their opinions via social media, radio call-in shows, emails, etc.
Maybe that’s why so many are missing the bishop’s boldest claims.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — While Iran’s secret nuclear program has raised serious questions about that country’s intentions, a military attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would not be justified under Catholic teaching in the eyes of the U.S. bishops and other Catholic leaders.
Further, any attack on Iran by Israel or the U.S. would greatly destabilize an already volatile Middle East, setting the stage for retaliatory military strikes that would place innocent civilians at risk and serve little more than to lead to an expanded arms race in the region, several Catholic observers told Catholic News Service.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI said that during his recent journey to Mexico and Cuba, he experienced “unforgettable days of joy and hope.”
While he went as “a witness of Jesus Christ,” it was also an opportune occasion to call for reform, especially in allowing greater religious freedom, he said.
At his weekly general audience April 4 in St. Peter’s Square, the pope told an estimated 11,000 pilgrims and visitors about his March 23-28 visit.
“I reminded everyone that Cuba and the world need change,” he said.

By John Garvey
As I write this column, I am sitting in a hotel room in Santiago, Chile. I’ve been up all night because my flight was delayed and I missed a connection in Panama City. The airline also lost my bag, so I am without a change of clothes, my toothbrush and my computer.
Under these circumstances, it seems somewhat natural to think about the long-honored custom Catholics have of giving things up for Lent.

By Father William J. Byron, SJ
On March 22, 1959, when the oldest of the baby boomers were in their early teen years, poet Robert Frost appeared on the Sunday morning television news show, “Meet the Press.”
The interviewer was Lawrence Spivak, who preceded Tim Russert and David Gregory as host of that long-running — since 1947 — Sunday morning TV show.
Mr. Spivak asked Mr. Frost, “Do you think American civilization has improved or deteriorated during your lifetime?”

Measured by the savagery of their effects on the very fabric of Greek society, the European Union’s present policies toward Greece demand to be called into question. Examining the economic logic behind those policies, however, leads to an even more alarming conclusion.

What are the folks at Komen thinking? Perhaps the better question is: Are they thinking at all, or are they allowing themselves to be swayed by political pressures?
For years, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (now known as Susan G. Komen for the Cure) has raised awareness and funds to fight breast cancer.

By Stephen Kent
Anyone looking for validation of the pope’s frank assessment of the state of the culture in the United States didn’t have long to wait.
A day after Pope Benedict XVI described to a visiting delegation of American bishops his view of hostility to unchanging moral truths in the United States, the government offered the perfect example to prove his point.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rejected requests from Catholic leaders and institutions to revise the religious exemption from its requirements that all health insurance plans cover contraceptives and sterilization free of charge.
Showing what was either a gratuitous insult or abysmal ignorance, Kathleen Sebelius, HHS secretary, said groups that do not currently provide contraceptive coverage will have an additional year “to adapt to this new rule.”

By Tony Magliano
What a wonderful sight to behold: From the top of Capitol Hill as far as I could see, there were a sea of people on the march for life!
But the 39th March for Life was bittersweet.

By Father John Catoir
Many husbands abuse their wives habitually at home. Women need to defend themselves by breaking the cycle of secrecy. Abusive husbands often present themselves to the world as nice guys or, at least, as decent human beings. However, in the privacy of their homes, they are relentless, mean-spirited bullies who need to be exposed for what they really are.