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Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut officials react to death of Pope Francis

Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut officials react to death of Pope Francis

Yahoo21-04-2025

CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — The Archdiocese of Hartford and officials across Connecticut react following the news of Pope Francis, who died at 88 on Monday morning.
Pope Francis was history's first Latin American pontiff, known for his humble style.
Bells tolled across Rome following the announcement, read by Cardinal Kevin Farrell from Francis' home at the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta. Farrell said Francis 'returned to the home of the Father' at 7:35 a.m.
'As we pray for all Christians at the moment of death, we offer the Chruch's prayer for God's servant Francis:
Go forth, kind soul, from this world in the name of God the almighty Father, who created you, in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who suffered for you, in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you, go forth, faithful friend.
May you live in peace this day, may your home be with God in Zion, with Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, with Joseph, and all the Angels and Saints.'
The Archdiocese of Hartford.
Photos: Pope Francis through the years
Gov. Ned Lamont said he joins Catholics across the world in mourning in a statement on X.
'Leading by his words and example, Pope Francis was one of the most inspiring Popes and spiritual leaders of my lifetime, at a time when we needed him most. He brought people together, teaching mercy, compassion and reconciliation. I join Catholics across the world in mourning,' Lamont said.
Sen. Stephen Harding released a statement on behalf of the Senate Republican Caucus.
'Pope Francis's message and mission was based on compassion. Compassion for the less fortunate. Compassion among races and religions. He was loved by millions of people across the globe. We collectively remember that compassion and we mourn his passing,' Sen. Harding said in a written statement.
A parishioner, Tom Hall, who regularly attends the catholic church in Waterbury, said he hopes things go back to traditional basics, like in the past. He also said he is happy Pope Francis is in a better place.
'In a polarized world, Pope Francis showed us the power of God's love. He was not shy about challenging powerful forces who harmed or demonized our fellow human beings. He spoke out against injustice and always lead with compassion and empathy. May he rest in eternal peace. Well done good and faithful servant,' Sen. Jorge Cabrera wrote.
Tributes from around the globe pour in for Pope Francis after his death
His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, just a day before his death, to bless thousands at St. Peter's Square.
Francis was the 266th pope introduced 12 years ago on March 13, 2023.
The AP contributed to this post.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Bishop's village attacked, 20 slain after recent testimony to Congress on Christian persecution
Bishop's village attacked, 20 slain after recent testimony to Congress on Christian persecution

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Bishop's village attacked, 20 slain after recent testimony to Congress on Christian persecution

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Jay Tcath: The phrase ‘Free Palestine' is freeing no one, but it is killing some of us
Jay Tcath: The phrase ‘Free Palestine' is freeing no one, but it is killing some of us

Chicago Tribune

time5 hours ago

  • Chicago Tribune

Jay Tcath: The phrase ‘Free Palestine' is freeing no one, but it is killing some of us

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Southern Baptists target porn and ‘willful childlessness'
Southern Baptists target porn and ‘willful childlessness'

Chicago Tribune

time14 hours ago

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Southern Baptists target porn and ‘willful childlessness'

Southern Baptists meeting this week in Dallas will be asked to approve resolutions calling for a legal ban on pornography and a reversal of the U.S. Supreme Court's approval of same-sex marriage. The proposed resolutions call for laws on gender, marriage and family based on what they say is the biblically stated order of divine creation. They also call for legislators to curtail sports betting and to support policies that promote childbearing. The Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination, is also expected to debate controversies within its own house during its annual meeting Tuesday and Wednesday — such as a proposed ban on churches with women pastors. There are also calls to defund the organization's public policy arm, whose anti-abortion stance hasn't extended to supporting criminal charges for women having abortions. 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He said the Christian church has always asserted that the created order 'is binding on all persons, in all times, everywhere.' Separate resolutions decry pornography and sports betting as destructive, calling for the former to be banned and the latter curtailed. At least some of these political stances are in the realm of plausibility at a time when their conservative allies control all levers of power in Washington and many have embraced aspects of a Christian nationalist agenda. A Southern Baptist, Mike Johnson, is speaker of the House of Representatives and third in line to the presidency. At least one Supreme Court justice, Clarence Thomas, has called for revisiting the 2015 Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. 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The commission has appealed to Southern Baptists for support, citing its advocacy for religious liberty and against abortion and transgender identity. 'Without the ERLC, you will send the message to our nation's lawmakers and the public at large that the SBC has chosen to abandon the public square at a time when the Southern Baptist voice is most needed,' said a video statement from the commission president, Brent Leatherwood. A group of Southern Baptist ethnic groups and leaders signed a statement in April citing concern over Trump's immigration crackdown, saying it has hurt church attendance and raised fears. 'Law and order are necessary, but enforcement must be accompanied with compassion that doesn't demonize those fleeing oppression, violence, and persecution,' the statement said. The Center for Baptist Leadership, however, denounced the denominational Baptist Press for working to 'weaponize empathy' in its reporting on the statement and Leatherwood for supporting it. Texas pastor Dwight McKissic, a Black pastor who shares many of the Southern Baptist Convention's conservative stances, criticized what he sees as a backlash against the commission, 'the most racially progressive entity in the SBC.' 'The SBC is transitioning from an evangelical organization to a fundamentalist organization,' he posted on the social media site X. 'Fewer and fewer Black churches will make the transition with them.' An amendment to ban churches with women pastors failed in 2024 after narrowly failing to gain a two-thirds supermajority for two consecutive years. It is expected to be reintroduced. The denomination's belief statement says the office of pastor is limited to men, but there remain disagreements over whether this applies only to the lead pastor or to assistants as well. In recent years, the convention began purging churches that either had women as lead pastors or asserted that they could serve that role. 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