CNA Newsroom

Matthew Schmitz of First Things details some unusual foods you’re allowed to eat during Lent. Fr. Timothy Laboe and Dr. Edward Peters explain how it came to be that Catholics in Detroit eat muskrat during Lent. By popular demand, Deputy Editor-in-chief Michelle La Rosa and Producers Jonah McKeown and Kate Veik taste-test the fish sandwich at Arby’s. Editor-in-chief JD Flynn shares a 2017 essay of his about Lent and ‘finding’ Christ in the desert. Show notes: https://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2017/03/christ-in-the-desert https://clearcreekmonks.org/ https://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2013/02/the-ten-most-wonderful-and-strange-foods-for-lent https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/alligator-ok-to-eat-on-lenten-fridays-archbishop-clarifies

This week on CNA Newsroom, we're talking converts! We interview three converts to the Catholic Faith: Sister Brittany Harrison, comedian Jeremy McLellan and journalist Sohrab Ahmari.

CNA’s Editor-in-chief JD Flynn and D.C. Editor Ed Condon have a fast-paced discussion - in the style of ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption” - about several top stories this week, including the Vatican abuse summit, Cardinal George Pell and some U.S. diocesan efforts to restore the original order of the sacraments. For more information: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/analysis-in-spite-of-itself-vatican-abuse-summit-may-still-do-some-good-17909 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/new-documents-challenge-vatican-claims-about-accused-argentine-bishop-18985 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/analysis-the-non-trial-of-theodore-mccarrick-25046 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-pell-awaits-sentencing-in-police-custody-52501 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/holy-see-issues-statement-on-conviction-appeal-of-cardinal-pell-46914 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/gallup-diocese-restores-order-of-sacraments-of-initiation-96860 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/virginia-bishops-speak-out-over-appalling-senate-abortion-vote-58396

Here’s the story of Chen Guangcheng, a Chinese human rights activist who was imprisoned and tortured by the Chinese government for speaking out, who made a harrowing escape from the Chinese, and made his way to the U.S. He did all of this while being blind. Today, Chen Guangcheng lives in Washington D.C. But his fight for human rights in China is not over. In this episode, Chen Guangcheng shares his story of escape and Rep. Chris Smith (NJ) tells us about his own involvement from the U.S. For more information: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/chinese-human-rights-activist-on-vatican-china-deal-a-slap-in-the-face-82186 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/christian-bale-presents-award-to-blind-pro-life-activist-from-china https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/activists-departure-from-nyu-draws-fear-of-chinese-pressure https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/despite-changes-genocide-of-chinas-one-child-policy-endures-activists-say-42712 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/blind-activist-appeals-to-us-over-chinas-human-rights-abuses

In this bonus episode, CNA editors J.D. Flynn, Michelle La Rosa, Ed Condon and Carl Bunderson discuss the recent laicization of Theodore McCarrick and the Vatican sex abuse summit. For more information: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/mccarrick-laicized-by-pope-francis-31512 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/mccarrick-might-be-laicized-this-week-whats-that-38036 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/analysis-after-mccarrick-sex-abuse-verdict-money-and-power-questions-remain-85091 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/analysis-what-can-the-vatican-sex-abuse-summit-deliver-69698

China is fertile ground for the Christian faith — but clashes with the Communist government make this one of the hardest countries in the world to be a Christian. Join us this week for the first of two episodes about the Church in China. (02:36) CNA’s Rome correspondent - and resident China expert - Courtney Grogan, offers some context and history of the relationship between the Chinese government and the Vatican. (10:35) Cardinal Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, speaks with CNA’s deputy editor-in-chief Michelle LaRosa in the podcast’s first interview with a cardinal. (17:28) Producer Kate Veik speaks with a Catholic entrepreneur, who has lived and worked in China for decades, about the reality of practicing the Catholic faith in China. Links to further reading: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-signs-deal-with-china-73894 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-takes-responsibility-for-china-deal-45236 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/chinas-crackdown-on-christians-continues-59665 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-zen-the-vatican-is-badly-mishandling-china-situation-19677

In a Feb. 8 interview with Ed Condon, Sen. Marco Rubio called the humanitarian and political impasse in Venezuela “unsustainable,” and compared a blockade stopping food and medical aid from entering the country to a war crime. Here is their full conversation. For more information: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/rubio-blocking-aid-to-venezuela-is-a-crime-against-humanity-21754

In this bonus episode, editors J.D. Flynn and Michelle La Rosa discuss the sex abuse crisis, late-term abortion, and civil discourse in the age of social media.

(3:26) Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) speaks with D.C. Correspondent Christine Rousselle about New York and Virginia's radical abortion agendas; his efforts to legally protect the unborn; and the future of the pro-life movement in the U.S. (7:08) We hear the stories of two Virginia mothers who faced with extremely difficult pregnancies. Both were advised to have abortions. Though the outcomes for these two women were very different, both their lives were changed forever. (21:30) Bishop Thomas Daly of Spokane, Washington made headlines last week for announcing that pro-abortion politicians should not receive the Eucharist in his diocese. Editor-in-chief JD Flynn quizzes Bishop Daly on his announcement, his thought process and his prayer life. Links to learn more: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/sen-sasse-va-gov-northam-is-a-creep-with-no-regard-for-human-dignity-18011 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/sen-ben-sasse-seeks-to-fast-track-bill-to-protect-abortion-survivors-40083 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/medical-care-for-abortion-survivors-blocked-by-senate-democrat-88856 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/legislators-propose-abortion-at-birth-as-state-level-fights-continue-53883 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/bishop-daly-pro-choice-pols-should-not-receive-eucharist-97896 This episode was sponsored by spiritualdirection.com.

Reporter Mary Rezac interviews producer Jonah McKeown and social media director Ursula Murua about their experience at World Youth Day in Panama. Producer Kate Veik connects with Rome correspondent Courtney Grogan about their recent trip to Portugal and what World Youth Day pilgrims can look forward to in 2022. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/twenty-killed-in-explosions-at-mass-in-philippines-cathedral-81161 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-says-he-is-against-making-priestly-celibacy-optional-in-the-latin-rite-13209 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/tags/world-youth-day-panama https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/tags/portugal

In this Very Special Editors' Edition Bonus episode, JD Flynn talks with CNA's Deputy Editor-in-Chief Michelle La Rosa, Managing Editor Carl Bunderson and D.C. Editor Ed Condon about calls to excommunicate N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo after his passage of an expansive abortion law. *This discussion was edited for length and content.* This bonus content is sponsored by spiritualdirection.com.

Deputy Editor-in-chief Michelle La Rosa talks with David Daleiden, producer Kate Veik talks with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers about the life of the first black Catholic priest in the U.S, Father Augustus Tolton, and a few of us sit down with Father Mike Rapp - from the podcast Catholic Stuff You Should Know - to talk about Marie Kondo. Is she helpful or a hindrance for Catholics? This episode was sponsored by spiritualdirection.com. Show notes: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-says-panama-to-be-a-hub-of-hope-during-world-youth-day-32827 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/venezuelan-army-besieged-hundreds-of-protesters-in-maturin-cathedral-23395 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/runaway-slave-turned-priest-moves-closer-to-beatification-20694 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/what-catholics-can-learn-from-tidying-up-with-marie-kondo-89845

This special bonus track is a companion of Ep. 9. Our host JD Flynn goes in-depth with D.C. Editor Ed Condon about Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, mercy and justice.

Michelle La Rosa asks what would really happen if Roe v. Wade was overturned, Jonah McKeown looks into a push to legalize assisted suicide in New Mexico, and a family shares their story of adoption.

JD Flynn and D.C. Editor Ed Condon discuss the ongoing clerical sex abuse crisis. Producer Jonah McKeown profiles a unique center for homeless men in Washington D.C. Reporter Mary Rezac reviews the self-help book - and New York Times bestseller - “Girl, Wash Your Face” by blogger and motivational speaker, Rachel Hollis.