Dr. Widad Akreyi will receive the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award. It will be Presented by Bishop Thomas Zinkula Sunday, October 22, 2017, 2:00 P.M. Christ the King Chapel, St. Ambrose University 518 W. Locust Street, Davenport, Iowa FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: I, along with other bishops across the country, join the voice of Bishop Joe Vasquez, Chair of the Committee of Migration and Refugees for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, regarding the actions of President Trump concerning our dealings with Mexico and refugees.

In 2013, the Diocese of Davenport received a report which stated that Father John Stack, Chaplain at Mercy Medical Center in Clinton, inappropriately touched minors in approximately the 1980s. The Diocese reported this to the Scott County Attorney in compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Diocese and the County Attorney. Father Stack was removed from ministry while this matter was investigated.

WASHINGTON—In this blessed Advent season, we sing hopeful carols anticipating the miracle of Christmas. We have reason to announce the need for peace and goodwill throughout the world with even stronger voices this year, in light of the recent mass shooting in San Bernardino. Violence and hate in the world around us must be met with resolve and courage.

The recent movement of 27 governors in the United States to apparently oppose entrance to Syrian refugees to their respective states (CNN, 11/16/2015) revives an embarrassing experience in our country’s history...

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, renowned for bridging Eastern and Western spirituality, is the 2015 Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award recipient.

Please see the attached press release from the four bishops of Iowa regarding the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Persecution of Christians and other non-Islamic faiths has reached appalling proportions in the Middle East. Many have died and many more are displaced, running for some place of refuge from the attacking extremists. The Middle East, the cradle of the faith for Christians, Jewish and Muslims, is not a place of co-existence but a broad and shifting war zone where various factions maneuver for dominance and power. Iraq, Syria and Gaza are now places where violence is directed at so many Christians and others who seek just to protect their children and survive. Life with peace and dignity is impossible...

A November 2013 report from the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Committee on Migration alerted us to the ongoing increase in migration of unaccompanied children across the border. More than 52,000 unaccompanied children have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border since the beginning of the year...

From Most Rev. Martin Amos, Bishop of Davenport: “I am deeply saddened by the news we heard today of the abuse in Hinsdale, Illinois by James Janssen in the 1950’s that was found credible by the Diocese of Joliet. I was unaware of the recent report made to the Archdiocese of Chicago by a person who was abused by Janssen over 50 years ago. James Janssen was laicized (defrocked) by the Vatican in 2004 and no longer functions as a priest. I continue to pray and urge everyone to pray that the healing process for the survivors of abuse will continue.”...

Once again, Congress is considering the reform of our country’s broken immigration system. Many immigrants have been forced to leave their most basic needs of themselves and their families. The desperation of their circumstances does not correspond to the inordinate length of time (sometimes over 15 years) required to wait in line for the present system to process a visa request.

From Bishop Amos, Bishop of Davenport: The Diocese of Davenport is deeply disappointed in the ruling today by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding two cases relating to marriage. The Diocese joined the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and other organizations and individuals in urging the Court to uphold both the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Proposition 8...