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Hello, I'm Gina Christian, and you're listening to our OSV Newscast for Friday, September 11th, 2026. Today is the 25th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, and we pray for all those who lost their lives on that day and those who have suffered since. You can read more of how Catholics in the nation marked this milestone by visiting our website at osvnews.com. Now let's catch you up on more Catholic News of the Day, and here we go. Healing, peace, justice, and unity do not just happen. We have to work for it. That's what Archbishop Ronald Hicks of New York said in his homily at his first September 11th Memorial Mass since becoming New York's Archbishop. Last evening he addressed a congregation of about 2,000 clergy and laypeople at St. Patrick's Cathedral, and he told them, Faith does not allow us to stop at remembrance. Among those in the congregation were former U.S. President Joe Biden, New York Governor Kathy Hokel, and New York City Mayor Zoran Mandami. Other civic leaders in attendance included New York Police Department Chief Jessica Tisch and Fire Department of New York Chief John Esposito, along with former New York Governor George Pataki. Archbishop Hicks was the principal celebrant of the Memorial Mass, which was celebrated in honor of the 25th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. Concelebrating the Mass with Archbishop Hicks was Bishop Robert Brennan of Brooklyn, New York. Archbishop Hicks said, Knowing that God is walking with us has given the country hope, as has our commitment to healing together. At the end of the Mass, he expressed his gratitude to everyone who attended, and he exhorted everyone to continue to pray for all the victims of 9-11 and for peace in our hearts, in the church, and in our world. Termination of Haiti's TPS designation became effective on July 27th. TPS for El Salvador was scheduled to expire on September 9th. However, the Trump administration appeared to delay that expiration, saying it would make an announcement at the appropriate time, and adding that until then, Salvadoran individuals present in the U.S. under TPS retain protection. However, that statement left legal status for 200,000 Salvadoran immigrants uncertain, and their attorneys have said work permits have still expired. A grave humanitarian crisis and widespread gang violence persist in Haiti. The U.S. Department of State urges U.S. citizens not to travel there. He was declared venerable by Pope Francis in 2021, and Schumann is remembered as a model of Christian engagement in politics and a champion of reconciliation between France and Germany. As foreign minister, Schumann issued his landmark 1950 declaration proposing a European coal and steel community, seeking to replace rivalry and war with economic cooperation and lasting peace. He later became the first president of the European Parliament. Father Bernard Ardura, postulator of Schumann's cause, said Pope Leo sees Europe as a force with a historic vocation to build peace. Archbishop Philippe Ballot said the Pope's Mass at Metz Cathedral will highlight Schumann's message that former enemies can become brothers. For the Archbishop, Schumann is a figure of reconciliation who can, even today, inspire in everyone's heart, especially among young people, the desire to see brotherhood grow in Europe and beyond. In a September 4th statement concluding their plenary assembly, the Bishop's Conference pressed authorities for answers, noting investigators have released no details identifying who ordered or carried out the killing or any motive. The bishops called the slaying a harsh blow to the nation's church. Bishop Sittora Afonso's violent death, which took place at the hands of an assassin, signaled the loss of a brother who was still young and from whom much was expected, wrote the bishops. The murdered prelate had just turned 54 on May 6th. Pope Leo XIV, who met with Mozambican church leaders at the Vatican in July, has closely followed the case, condemning the violence, while urging the local church toward renewal and perseverance. And finally, on this 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, friends of Father Michael Judge are remembering the Franciscan Fire and New York City Fire Department chaplain for his ministry to first responders, the poor, the sick, and others who were often forgotten. The 68-year-old Father Judge was killed when the World Trade Center's South Tower collapsed at 9 59 a.m. He had been stationed in the North Tower lobby and was later carried to St. Peter's Catholic Church, where his lifeless body was placed before the altar. He was eventually designated as New York City's first identified victim. Friends recalled Father Judge as someone who was fully present to those he encountered. Fellow Franciscan Father Kevin Mullen said people could speak openly with the priest because he was going to be there for them. Journalist Michael Daly remembered Father Judge ministering to homeless people, counseling firefighters and their families, and caring for AIDS patients when others were reluctant to make physical contact. Father Christopher Keenan, who entered the Franciscan Order at Father Judge's urging, recalled sitting with his friend's body for about an hour on 9-11. Father Mullen urged Americans not to forget the families who continue to experience their loss. He said, it's never over for those families. Never, ever over and that's your OSV Newscast for today. I'm Gina Christian. Check out the show notes for a link to our website. You can find the stories in this episode. As always, please do make sure to subscribe to this podcast, follow us on social media, and bookmark osvnews.com. We're grateful as always to our listeners around the world. Keep sending those messages and keep on checking in. We'll be back on Monday. Thanks so much for listening and God bless.
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