In this week’s edition:

• Cardinal Toobin orders investigation investigation (no, that’s not a typo)

• President Trump’s border czar defends treatment of deportees

• Pro-life Catholics looks for relief relief (again, not a typo)

• Federal tax credit for school choice gets backing of Catholic leaders

• and more!

Cardinal Tobin Initiates Review of Seton Hall President's Actions Related to McCarrick

Summary: Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark has commissioned an independent review to assess whether Msgr. Joseph R. Reilly, current president of Seton Hall University, appropriately managed issues concerning former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.

Details:

• Msgr. Reilly served as rector of Seton Hall's College Seminary at St. Andrew's Hall from 2002 and led the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology between 2012 and 2022.

• In 2019, Seton Hall conducted an internal investigation revealing that McCarrick, as Archbishop of Newark, fostered a culture of fear and intimidation, leading to the sexual harassment of seminarians.

• The university's 2019 statement indicated that while McCarrick's misconduct affected seminarians, no minors or other university students were involved.

• The current review, led by the law firm Ropes & Gray LLP, aims to evaluate Msgr. Reilly's handling of the situation during his tenure at the seminary.

Why we care: While I’m glad the the McCarrick situation has been somewhat resolved, one must wonder whether any potential impropriety Mgsr. Reilly may have had an impact on the investigation into the cardinal. It’s not clear that his actions did or even may have affected the outcome, but it is unfortunate that this whole situation, which was tainted for years by the mishandling of allegations against McCarrick, is now again under scrutiny for a separate potential scandal. I recognize that the Church will never be truly free of scandal thanks to human frailty, but it would be nice if they spaced themselves out a bit more.

Former ICE Director Defends U.S. Immigration Policy Amid Criticism

Summary: Tom Homan, former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, defended U.S. immigration policies, asserting they uphold human dignity despite ongoing criticism.

Details:

• Homan argued that strict immigration enforcement discourages dangerous border crossings, protecting migrants from exploitation by human traffickers.

• He claimed that policies promoting legal immigration routes prevent migrant deaths by deterring hazardous illegal crossings.

• Homan criticized the Biden administration's approach, arguing that relaxed border enforcement encourages illegal immigration and empowers cartels.

• He maintained that border security and respect for human dignity are not mutually exclusive, citing recent Vatican laws and emphasizing the importance of enforcing immigration laws humanely.

Why we care: It was news to me - and in someways reassuring - to find that Mr. Homan is a lifelong Catholic. Of course, as we’ve learned in previous articles, self-reporting as Catholic doesn’t always mean much, nor does being a Catholic - even a practicing one - bestow infallibility. That said, there’s been much ado over the treatment of migrants and we as Catholics are right to be concerned for the dignity of our fellow humans. It is of course possible to both enforce the law and treat criminals with respect, and my hope is that Mr. Homan and those doing the leg work can tread that fine line carefully as we continue to pray for our nation.

Enjoying our newsletter while drinking your morning coffee? Why not support the pro-life movement, a veteran-owned business, and this newsletter while you’re at it? Be sure to check out North Arrow Coffee Co. for your caffeine supply, and use code HOLYSCROLLERS for 10% off your order!

U.S. Foreign Aid Freeze Continues to Affect Global AIDS Relief Program

Summary: The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) remains impacted by a foreign aid freeze, affecting its funding and international support efforts.

Details:

• The funding freeze stems from political disputes over allegations that PEPFAR funds were being used to support organizations promoting abortion, leading to backlash from pro-life groups.

• Some Republican lawmakers have withheld approval for PEPFAR's reauthorization, seeking assurances that funds will not support abortion-related activities.

• The aid freeze has raised concerns about potential disruptions to global HIV/AIDS programs, particularly in African countries heavily reliant on PEPFAR support.

Why we care: Call me cold-hearted or too much of a fan of efficiency, but I think the pause is good. It’s clear to me that the U.S. is in desperate need of some house-cleaning, particularly when it comes to budgetary issues, and recent news has shown how much waste there has been on the part of USAID. Nonetheless, I think our Catholic sensibilities demand that once assurance have been made to quell the appropriate pro-life concerns funding be restored. Out of all the wasteful spending, this seems a worthy cause given that the money is being used as appropriated. There are certainly other examples of humanitarian aid that are justified as well, but I’d like to see those funds reviewed and our issues at home addressed before we try to solve the worlds’.

Catholic Leaders Support Federal School Choice Tax Credit Proposal

Summary: Catholic leaders are advocating for a proposed $10 billion federal tax credit program designed to expand school choice, allowing families to choose private, religious, or public schools for their children.

Details:

• The proposal, introduced by Senator Bill Cassidy, would provide federal tax credits to donors who contribute to scholarship funds.

• The initiative aims to increase educational opportunities by helping students to attend schools of their choice, including religious institutions.

• Supporters argue that the program empowers parents and promotes educational freedom.

• Catholic leaders highlight the importance of the policy in supporting parental rights and religious education options.

• The bill would also explicitly include religious schools and prevents government control of them.

Why we care: Something definitely has to change with public schooling. The performance, lack of incentive structure and social indoctrination leave much to be desired and have driven folks to charter schools and home-schooling. I’m personally a fan of these alternative forms of education and would love to see our tax dollars made available in more of a free-market form to be able to vote with our money and provide schools with an incentive to perform. Unfortunately, money from the government usually comes with strings attached. This seems like a good first step to making school choice accessible while working out the kinks of the voucher programs.

Other Stories

• At home…

  • Vatican investigation clears Cardinal Gregory of sexual harassment allegations prior to his retirement

  • New numbers show Mass attendance back to pre-pandemic levels

  • Family of recently-released teacher Marc Fogel cite Rosary, faith as sources of strength during his detention in Russia

  • Film on Bl. Carlo Acutis to be released on April 27, the date of his canonization

  • CT teacher sues after being fired for refusing to remove a crucifix from near her desk

• …and abroad…

  • Archdiocese of Seoul, South Korea ordains its 1,000th priest, bringing national total to over 5,700

  • Vatican prefect criticizes Trump administration’s “crackdown” on illegal immigrants and foreign aid, saying people are “hurt and terrorized”.

• …and on the pro-life front:

  • Over 20,000 lives were saved in 2023 thanks to pro-life laws, data shows

Quote of the Week

What’s going on:

• Today is the Feast of the Seven Founders of the Order of Servites

• Feb. 22 is the Feast of The Chair of St. Peter.

• Feb 23 is Sexagesima

• Upcoming feast days:

Enjoying our newsletter? Share it with your friends!

Want to support Holy Scrollers? Click here 👇️ 

Were you forwarded this email and want to subscribe? Click here 👇️