Latest news with #Archdiocese
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Miami archbishop asks to hold Mass at Alligator Alcatraz. ‘Still waiting' for answer
Miami's top Catholic leader stopped by the state's controversial Everglades detention center for migrants during a Sunday motorcycle ride with dozens of other Catholic bikers. Archbishop Thomas Wenski visited 'Alligator Alcatraz,' Florida's new migrant detention center located in an isolated airstrip near the Big Cypress National Preserve, to pray for for detainees. But the entrance of the facility is as far as he was able to go without approval from officials. 'Sunday PM about 25 Knights on Bikes stopped at entrance of Alligator Alcatraz and prayed a rosary for the detainees,' Wenski wrote on a post on X. 'Archdiocese is still waiting for approval to access to provide Mass for detainees.' Officials at the Archdiocese said they are still awaiting a response from the facility to allow chaplains and clergy to visit and 'offer spiritual care, the sacraments, and the healing presence of Christ to those in detention.' Wenski, who recently denounced the detention center, was joined by around 25 'Knights on Bikes,' a charitable Catholic men's ministry within the Knights of Columbus organization, and shared photos and videos of the pastoral excursion. The Archdiocese of Miami called the visit 'a powerful moment of prayerful solidarity,' that reflects the organization's 'ongoing commitment to ministering to the marginalized and incarcerated.' '...Decency requires that we remember the individuals being detained are fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters of distressed relatives,' Wenski said in a statement. 'We wish to ensure that chaplains and pastoral ministers can serve those in custody, to their benefit and that of the staff.' Sunday's motorcycle visit is the second act of solidarity the Catholic church has shown in recent weeks to oppose Florida's crackdown on deportations. In a prior statement, Wenski said it was 'alarming to see enforcement tactics that treat all irregular immigrants as dangerous criminals.' In the strongly word column posted to the Archdiocese of Miami's website earlier this month, Wenski said 'the apparent lack of due process in deportation proceedings in recent months,' was surprising and called the rhetoric surrounding the 'Alligator Alcatraz' 'intentionally provocative.' Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials have repeatedly defended conditions for detainees at the pop-up migrant camp. Earlier this month, Stephanie Hartman, a spokeswoman for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said detainees' stories about problems at the facility — including toilets that don't flush, large bugs and temperatures that fluctuate from icy to sweltering — were inaccurate. 'The reporting on the conditions in the facility is completely false,' Hartman told the Herald. 'The facility meets all required standards and is in good working order.' This story will be updated. This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, including Khalid and Diana Mirza, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Will Pope Leo forge greater LGBTQ+ inclusion? Chicago-area Catholics pray for ‘reconciliation rather than division.'
With a mix of curiosity and a little apprehension, the man stepped inside Our Lady of Mount Carmel in East Lakeview to celebrate Mass on a recent Sunday. It was the first time David Charles of Des Plaines had entered a church in roughly 20 years. During college he felt called to ministry, until his on-campus Methodist pastor in another state discovered he'd been secretly dating a man. 'In no unclear terms he said, 'You either stop this now or this is where our road ends,' Charles recalled. 'So I said, 'This is where our road ends.' And that was that. It was devastating … like a path was taken from me.' Ever since, Charles felt like a nomad without a spiritual home, yearning for the religious community and collective worship he had left behind. Yet at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, he found an acceptance and inclusion he couldn't have envisioned two decades prior. The July 13 Mass was organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago's LGBTQ+ outreach ministry, AGLO Chicago, with special prayers dedicated to family members, friends and allies of the queer community. 'AGLO Chicago invites parents, family and friends of the LGBTQ+ community to join them to understand what it means to be LGBTQ+ and Catholic, and for those who are struggling to reconcile and unify these sometimes-competing identities,' an invitation to the service stated. 'Parents and family members may quietly grapple with questions of faith, identity and belonging when a loved one comes out as LGBTQ+.' The mood at the church was an odd blend of optimism and worry, emanating from the state of Catholicism as well as national politics: Many worshippers conveyed hope that newly elected Pope Leo XIV — a Chicago native who preaches bridge-building and social justice — will forge greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in the worldwide church. At the same time, some described a growing fear for the queer community as the Trump administration attempts to rescind various LGBTQ+ rights and protections, often using Christian or biblical rhetoric to support these policies. The recent liturgical service at Our Lady of Mount Carmel focused on family and friends of LGBTQ+ Catholics because so many parents and relatives have relayed trepidation at the increasing hostility of the national climate, said Rick Guasco, co-director of AGLO Chicago. 'They want them to feel safe and feel accepted by the church,' he said. 'They want them to still feel connected to the faith they grew up in. What better way to send that message than to have a Mass that recognizes our families?' As worshippers bowed their heads, the Rev. Andy Matijevic offered a special prayer for the LGBTQ+ community and their loved ones. 'Shower your blessings on these families gathered here in your name,' he said. 'Enable those who are joined by one love to support one another by their fervor of spirit and devotion to prayer.' The words made Charles tear up. In the wood pew, he sat next to his fiance Philip Odango, who was raised Catholic. 'We have been, I feel like, building up to this moment,' Odango said. 'Because we have very deep conversations about faith and spirituality.' Even as the United Methodist Church made great strides toward LGBTQ+ inclusivity and reconciliation — lifting the denomination's longtime bans on gay marriage and clergy in 2024 — Charles said his wounds have remained. 'Not only was I ousted but I was trying in my own way, however I could, just to provide counsel to other queer people who were being told similar things,' he recalled. Three days before Mass, the couple searched the terms 'gay' and 'Catholic Church' online, which led them to AGLO Chicago and the service at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. AGLO Chicago, which was founded in 1988, celebrates Mass weekly at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The simple act of walking side-by-side down the aisle of the English Gothic-style church and facing a Carrara marble altar proved empowering for the couple. Stained glass images of archangels, known as protectors of humanity and messengers from God, loomed overhead in the apse. A pipe organ accompanied the liturgical service's hymns. Odango was encouraged earlier this month when a Vatican official indicated Pope Leo will continue to allow blessings for same-sex couples, which were first approved through a landmark and controversial declaration of his predecessor Pope Francis in 2023. 'One of the things I think everyone loved about Pope Francis was leading with humility,' Odango said. 'We're hoping Pope Leo will continue that journey of leading with humility. … I'm hopeful Pope Leo will continue to be inclusive.' Same-sex blessings were an important first step, Odango said. 'I don't foresee it quite yet where we're getting a marriage certificate through the church,' he said. But one can dream, Charles added. 'Hear our prayer' Through a series of petitions, worshippers at Our Lady of Mount Carmel prayed that the church serves as an instrument of healing rather than hurt; of reconciliation rather than division. That fear, judgment, apathy and walls to this healing will be replaced with attentiveness and care. And that all who are in need of God's healing touch — especially those in the LGBTQ+ community — will find welcome in the living body of Christ and the church. 'Lord, hear our prayer,' they responded in unison after each supplication. In the group's May newsletter, AGLO Chicago co-director Angelina Rossi welcomed Pope Leo XIV's May 8 election, noting that his first message to the world from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica began with the words 'peace be with you all.' 'He asked that we be a church with open arms for everyone and that he believes in dialogue, love, and charity, especially to those who are suffering,' she wrote in the article. 'We hope he is including the LGBTQ+ Catholic community in there as well.' So far, his stance on LGBTQ+ inclusion has been complicated. In 2012, as the Augustinian prior general in Chicago, he made critical statements of what he referred to as the 'homosexual lifestyle' as well as the media's promotion of acceptance of same-sex marriage, which is in conflict with Catholic doctrine. A little over a week into his papacy, he upheld that family is 'founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman' during his first meeting with the Vatican diplomatic corps. Yet many LGBTQ+ advocates were heartened earlier this month when the head of the Vatican's doctrine office told Italian media that the blessing of same-sex couples 'will remain' under Pope Leo. Under Pope Francis, the groundbreaking document entitled 'Fiducia Supplicans' permitted blessings of people in same-sex relationships, so long as they're not confused or conflated with the ritual of marriage, while still maintaining the church's strict ban on gay marriage. The declaration, a hallmark of Pope Francis' decade-long outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, also faced great opposition around the globe. Many Catholic leaders rejected the pope's stance, with bishops in Africa, Poland and other parts of the world refusing to implement the policy or barring their clergy from offering these blessings. Locally, a same-sex blessing last year at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Lincoln Park drew much rebuke online. The religious order of the priest who performed the blessing later issued an apology for the way it took place, stating that same-sex blessings 'do not equate to a wedding and should not employ the clothing and gestures that accompany a wedding.' 'I am deeply sorry for any confusion and/or anger that this has caused, particularly for the People of God,' the priest said in the statement. The couple — two wives who were married in the Methodist church — said the apology didn't diminish the sacred nature of the blessing for them. 'We want the Catholic Church to continue this ministry to the queer community because it is so important and so meaningful to people of faith,' one of the wives, a Methodist pastor, told the Tribune last year. LGBTQ+ issues are still very controversial in the Catholic Church 'and there's a lot of room for the church to grow,' said Jason Steidl Jack, assistant teaching professor of religious studies at St. Joseph's University in New York. 'The church moves in centuries not in years,' said Steidl Jack, a gay Catholic theologian. 'Most LGBTQ+ folks have not had experiences in Roman Catholicism where they are welcome. Where they are included. Where they're represented in parish life. For a long time, we've been sort of shoved down into the basement.' While Pope Leo has been more reserved and measured than Pope Francis, Steidl Jack predicts the new pope will continue in the trajectory of his predecessor. The professor believes the papal conclave selected Pope Leo to continue Pope Francis's 'agenda of synodality,' a commitment to consultation and deep dialogue with global Catholics, particularly those who have been marginalized in the past. 'The church is making strides at the grassroots level but also at the Vatican level, first under Pope Francis and now, God willing, under Pope Leo,' he added. 'Pope Francis started us out on a journey. And I believe Pope Leo is going to continue that.' Questions and answers The gospel reading during Mass told the parable of the good Samaritan who helped a Jewish stranger beaten by robbers and left for dead, even though Jews and Samaritans were enemies at the time. The story goes that religious leaders passed by without offering aid. 'Who was the neighbor?' the church program said. 'The one who treated him with mercy.' The passage spoke to Guasco. 'Some people think that LGBTQ+ people can only be helped if they do this or that first. There's a requirement first in order to get that help and acceptance,' he said, shaking his head. 'If you don't meet someone where they are, if you don't help someone in the way they need to be helped, then what are you doing? Is it truly acceptance? Is it truly help?' After the service, some of the worshippers lingered for coffee and sweets — and a question-answer session with Matijevic, the priest, on LGBTQ+ issues and the Catholic Church. 'Every person is made with God's imprint,' Matijevic told the room. 'No matter who is made, God had made them. And we have to respect them, love them and care for them. Because all of us are on the same journey of life together. Because we are not meant to be alone.' The crowd posed some difficult questions on theology, church politics and the future of LGBTQ+ inclusion. Will the trend of the Holy Father's openness to the LGBTQ+ community continue? 'I would say yes. I hope Pope Leo will continue to be one of inclusion. I can't speak for the pope, but he is from Chicago, so …' Mtijevic said, shrugging and eliciting laughter from the room. How can we get Pope Leo to talk to advisers who are positive about LGBTQ+ matters? Another participant jokingly suggested contacting the pope's brother, who lives in the south suburbs, in the hopes that he'll pass along the message to his sibling. A church secretary from another Catholic parish requested advice on starting an LGBTQ+ ministry there. She noted that other local Christian churches offer LGBTQ+ outreach programs 'and do it really well.' 'I want the Catholic church in the area to also say the same thing and have the same loving presence,' she added. Recent polls show American Catholics tend to be largely accepting of LGBTQ+ people, rights and inclusion. A Pew Research Center 2023 to 2024 survey found that nearly three-quarters of Catholic adults believed homosexuality should be accepted by society and 70% supported same-sex marriage. More than three-quarters of Catholics said their fellow Catholics who identify as LGBTQ+ should be allowed to receive Communion and 65% said the church should allow openly gay men to be ordained, according to a 2022 Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey. Toward the end of the discussion at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Charles asked a question that has plagued him for more than 20 years. 'How is it that heterosexual marriage, which can be sanctioned by the church, is a blessing of God?' he said. 'Yet my love — which in my eyes is of no ill will or no ill intention, no malice — is not?' 'God never left you,' another man responded from across the room. 'The church may have left you. And the church is playing catch-up.' But God never left you, he repeated.
NBC News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Miami archbishop slams Everglades immigrant detention site as 'unbecoming' and ‘corrosive'
The Archdiocese of Miami is condemning Florida's controversial migrant detention facility — which state officials have named 'Alligator Alcatraz' — calling it 'unbecoming of public officials' and 'corrosive of the common good.' In a strongly worded statement posted to the Archdiocese's website, Archbishop Thomas Wenski criticized both the conditions at the remote detention site in the Everglades and the rhetoric surrounding it. He wrote: 'It is unbecoming of public officials and corrosive of the common good to speak of the deterrence value of 'alligators and pythons' at the Collier-Dade facility.' Wenski's statement also highlighted humanitarian concerns, noting the isolation of the facility from medical care and the vulnerability of the temporary tent structures to Florida's harsh summer weather and hurricane threats. He also called for chaplains and ministers to be granted access to serve those in custody. Meanwhile, a group of Democratic state lawmakers has filed a lawsuit against the state after being denied entry to the site last week. The complaint argues they are legally entitled to 'immediate, unannounced access' to the facility. 'We weren't looking for a sanitized field trip,' said State Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-District 34). 'If [the allegations are] false, prove it. Show it.' NBC6 has been reporting on detainees' and family members' allegations of "inhumane conditions": limited access to showers, spoiled food, extreme heat, and mosquito infestations. The state has categorically denied these claims. Lawmakers were later invited to a scheduled, 90-minute guided tour of the facility — but some say that's not sufficient to ensure transparency. Speaker of the House Danny Perez (R) defended the facility, stating, 'It's not a five-star hotel nor should it be a five-star resort. This is a detention center holding criminals.' Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has also requested access to the site. Her office says she is still waiting for a response, emphasizing that the property is located on county land. The legal battle and public outcry add new urgency to the debate over immigration enforcement in Florida and the use of isolated, heavily guarded detention sites.
Herald Malaysia
11-07-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Strengthening parish service
A Chancery Training and Formation session for parish office administrators was held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, June 21. Jul 11, 2025 Fr Dr Clarence Devadass sharing the insights of procedural responsibilities and pastoral care. By Amanda PumalaA Chancery Training and Formation session for parish office administrators was held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, June 21. Organised by the Chancery Office of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, the event brought together 48 participants from 36 parishes. The session aimed to strengthen the foundations of parish communities by affirming the vital role and service of those who manage parish administration. Fr Dr Clarence Devadass, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, led the training, offering guidance and insight into both procedural responsibilities and pastoral care. Participants explored their vocation as Parish Office Administrators — a role that demands interaction with people through phone calls, walk-ins, and emails, both locally, within the diocese, and beyond. They serve as important representatives of the Catholic Church, carrying the Church's mission forward in everyday encounters. The session featured discussions on challenges faced by priests and administrators alike. Attendees were invited to reflect on the practical struggles of managing inquiries and requests and to collaborate on solutions. Emphasis was placed on proactive empathetic service: resolving issues, guiding parishioners, and implementing positive change within the Church community. Equally significant was the opportunity for administrators to connect in person. Many participants had long worked alongside one another by phone or email, but had never met face-to-face. This formation created space for conversation and mutual understanding, strengthening collaboration across parishes. Feedback following the training was overwhelmingly positive. Joan Bernadette from Christ the Light parish described the event as 'an inspiring and supportive session.' Margaret Raj from the Church of the Good Shepherd remarked that 'it was indeed a very fruitful session.' Daisy Raj from the Church of the Holy Rosary found 'the formation was informative.' The Chancery Training and Formation session achieved its goal: it renewed parish office administrators' sense of calling, enhanced their practical and pastoral competencies, and fostered connections that will enrich Catholic communities throughout the archdiocese.
Business Wire
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Vanbarton Group Closes on 1011 First Avenue with $250 Million Loan from Eldridge
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vanbarton Group, a privately owned, vertically integrated real estate development, investment, and advisory firm, today announced the acquisition of 1011 First Avenue for $103,000,000 from The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. The loan is being provided by Eldridge Real Estate Credit, the real estate investing strategy of Eldridge Capital Management. The 20-story, nearly 400,000 square foot property has been the headquarters for the Archdiocese since 1973, and was known as the Cardinal Terrence Cooke Center. Vanbarton plans to convert the building into a 26-story, 420-unit luxury residential property, which includes 105 affordable housing units, nearly 8,000 square feet of retail at the base, and over 55,000 square feet of amenities. Vanbarton has established itself as one of the leaders in the rapidly growing office-to-residential conversion movement in New York City. Its most recent success with Pearl House—a conversion of 160 Water Street in the Financial District that launched last year and quickly leased up—has positioned the firm at the forefront of adaptive reuse. With several additional conversion projects underway or under contract—including 77 Water Street, 6 East 43rd Street, 2601 Elliott Avenue in Seattle, and the just completed Quincy at 980 Avenue of the Americas—Vanbarton is now bringing its downtown transformation momentum to the Midtown neighborhoods of New York City, as well as nationally. The Archdiocese of New York thoughtfully transitioned its Catholic Center to 488 Madison Avenue, a right-sized workspace that brings them closer to St. Patrick's Cathedral. After more than 50 years of faithful service from 1011 First Avenue, the Archdiocese recognized an opportunity to better align its physical presence with its pastoral mission. The move positions leadership closer to the Cathedral and the vibrant heart of Catholic life in New York, while allowing resources to be directed more intentionally toward the communities it serves. This transition reflects the Archdiocese's ongoing commitment to being good stewards of both its mission and its resources, particularly as a way to help address the ongoing housing crisis families continue to face. Eldridge Real Estate Credit invests in real estate credit opportunities throughout the US, UK, and Europe, including construction, transitional, and special situation opportunities across the capital structure. The platform has originated over $10 billion in loans, leveraging an experienced team with a disciplined approach seeking to create long-term value. 'The addition of 1011 First Avenue to our portfolio marks a significant step in expanding our office-to-residential conversion efforts, building on the success of nearly two decades of converting underutilized real estate, encompassing over 5 million square feet and 5,000 residences,' said Joey Chilelli, Principal at Vanbarton Group. 'This transformation underscores our expertise in revitalizing existing architecture to create elevated residential experiences and reinforces our enduring commitment to innovation and community-driven development.' 'This transaction marks our first office-to-residential conversion in New York, a strategy we intend to grow,' said Matthew Rosenfeld, Head of US Real Estate Credit at Eldridge Capital Management. 'New York City is in need of quality new homes and we are proud to support Vanbarton as they unlock this asset's residential potential with creativity and vision.' "This was the perfect opportunity at the right time for great partners," said Doug Middleton, Vice Chairman at CBRE. "The building will blend seamlessly into the area while serving its best possible use. As the Archdiocese moved to its new home, it presented an exceptional conversion opportunity that includes affordable housing, fitting naturally within a vibrant residential neighborhood. The Vanbarton Group has the experience and track record in these types of conversions to make this project a success for everyone involved." CBRE's Doug Middleton and Pierre Hills advised the Archdiocese on the sale, and Greenberg Traurig represented Vanbarton Group. About Vanbarton Group Vanbarton Group, founded in 1992, is a vertically integrated real estate investment and advisory Firm. The Firm manages private funds and programmatic ventures, employing diverse credit and equity investment strategies for global institutional investors. With a team strategically located throughout the U.S., Vanbarton Group maintains a comprehensive market presence and investment history, further enhancing its capabilities to source and manage assets as both an owner and lender. For more information, please visit About the Archdiocese of New York The Archdiocese of New York serves the pastoral and spiritual needs of 2.5 million Catholics in nearly 300 parishes throughout its three boroughs of New York City and seven counties to the north. In addition, there are 172 Catholic schools serving more than 53,000 students, and more than 400,000 individuals served each year through its Catholic Charities and affiliated agencies. About Eldridge Eldridge is an asset management and insurance holding company with over $70 billion in assets under management that consists of two divisions: Eldridge Capital Management and Eldridge Wealth Solutions. Eldridge Capital Management, through its subsidiaries, focuses on four investment strategies – diversified credit, GP solutions, real estate credit, and sports & entertainment. Eldridge Wealth Solutions, an insurance and retirement solutions platform, is comprised of Eldridge's wholly owned insurance companies, Security Benefit and Everly Life. Eldridge is wholly owned by Eldridge Industries. To learn more, visit
