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Welcome to Thursday. In a commentary for NCR, Craig A. Ford Jr. examines the theologically dangerous "1776 Report," produced by the Trump-appointed 1776 Commission. Catholic clerics increasingly are victims of violent attacks across Nigeria. And at Global Sisters Report, Catholic sisters in Africa are leading the way in creating new models of caring for children.
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** We must reject the white racist God of the '1776 Report' ([link removed])
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In a commentary for NCR, Craig A. Ford Jr., an assistant professor of theology and religious studies at St. Norbert College, examines the "1776 Report," produced by the Trump-appointed 1776 Commission.

Upon its release, the commission's report was denounced both for its gross historical inaccuracies as well as for its plagiarism and ideological slant, Ford writes. The document was withdrawn by executive order on President Joe Biden's inauguration day, just three days after its release, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

"The goal of the report was to explore the contours of what the authors call an 'enlightened patriotism,' which is essentially an account of the relationship among God, America's founding ideals and how to read America's history," Ford writes.

That relationship from the Declaration of Independence in that "all men are created equal" and therefore have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

"As Catholics, we are very much committed to something like this view," Ford writes. "… But what makes this position theologically dangerous, however, is that while this account is compatible with a Christian ideal of hope, it misses the heart of the Gospel message that calls Christians not merely to amelioration of the world's suffering but to the liberation of others from the world's suffering."

You can read more of the commentary here ([link removed]) .
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** Brutal attacks against clergy in Nigeria cause fear among Catholics ([link removed])
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When Fr. John Gbakaan was leaving Nigeria's Benue state after visiting his mother there last month, it is hard to imagine he knew he was bidding her farewell for the last time.

On Jan. 15, barely 24 hours after the priest left home along with his brother, they were attacked at night along a notorious highway in Niger state, about two hours from St. Anthony's Parish where Gbakaan worked. The attackers reportedly hacked the priest to death, tied his body to a tree in a nearby bush and left with his brother.

While locals are still reeling from the shock of the priest's murder, the incident is just the latest in what has become a devastating reality: Catholic clerics increasingly are victims of violent attacks across Nigeria.

Although the Catholic secretariat of Nigeria, the church's administrative body in the country, told NCR it does not have official records of the number of bishops, priests and sisters who have either been abducted or killed in recent months, its secretary general said there appears to be a clear anti-clergy bias.

You can read more of the story here ([link removed]) .
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** More headlines
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* At Global Sisters Report ([link removed]) , Catholic sisters in three African nations — Uganda, Zambia and Kenya — are leading the way in creating new models for caring for children, one of many faith groups leading policy reform and family-based alternatives to institutional care.

* The German Catholic news agency KNA reports ([link removed]) that parish councils, priests and most recently the diocesan council have criticized Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki for his handling of an abuse investigation.

* In the latest Francis, the comic strip ([link removed]) , Francis, Brother Leo and Gabby discuss the problems plaguing America.

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** Final thoughts
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In the fourth essay of her series at Global Sisters Report ([link removed]) , Phyllis Zagano writes about women's religious institutes being "outside the system" and thereby freer to act on behalf of the people of God. The question arises: Would ordination co-opt women's religious life? You can catch up with the rest of the Women Religious, Women Deacons: Questions and Answers series here ([link removed]) . Sign up for email alerts ([link removed]) to get the latest news and columns from Global Sisters Report.

Also, you can register for a session ([link removed]) with Zagano and Sr. Colleen Gibson in a conversation about women religious and women deacons. The conversation will be held at 2 p.m. Central, Friday, Feb. 12.

Until Friday,

Stephanie Yeagle
NCR Managing Editor
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Twitter: @ncrSLY ([link removed])

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