The LOOP
The Wednesday Loop - January 22, 2025
SHOCKING LEGAL CASE CHALLENGES MINNESOTA ABORTION LAWS
Clara Munger is challenging Minnesota’s abortion laws, claiming she was coerced into an abortion she did not want due to a lack of informed consent and proper counseling. Munger is just one of the mothers bravely sharing their emotional and psychological scars from coerced abortion in the landmark case Women’s Life Care Center v. Ellison.
SENATE PASSES LAKEN RILEY ACT WITH 12 DEMS IN FAVOR
The Senate passed the Laken Riley Act, a border security measure aimed at reducing the number of criminal illegal migrants in the country, hours after Trump was sworn into office Monday. The legislation passed by a wide margin of 64-35. Twelve Democrats joined all 52 Republicans in voting for the bill.
SUPREME COURT TAKES LANDMARK PARENTS’ RIGHTS CASE
The Supreme Court agreed on Jan. 17 to hear a Maryland case on whether religious parents have the right to opt their children out of pro-LGBT book readings at school. The Court is expected to hear the case brought by Muslim, Catholic, and Jewish parents this spring.
TRUMP CALLS FOR APOLOGY AFTER BISHOP'S LEFT-WING SERMON
The Episcopal bishop of Washington, D.C. delivered a stridently political sermon about “transgender children” and illegal immigrants in the presence of President Donald Trump during a traditional national prayer service held at the Washington National Cathedral Tuesday. Trump later called on her to apologize to the public for the "ungracious" sermon.
ANALYSIS: BIDEN’S PARDONS AND TRUMP’S
The Biden Department of Justice told January 6 defendants just last month that if any of them were to be pardoned, accepting the pardon would amount to “a confession of guilt.” Then President Joe Biden pardoned the January 6 committee members who had targeted those defendants. Dr. Susan Berry analyses the facts for CatholicVote.
STATUE OF MARY MIRACULOUSLY UNSCATHED BY FIRE
A statue of Mary emerged unscathed among the ruins of Rick and Tracy McGeagh’s home following the devastating fire that swept through the Pacific Palisades area Jan. 7. “The fact that she survived and our Viking stove melted is just a miracle to me,” said Rick. READ
RAMASWAMY RUNNING FOR OHIO GUV
Vivek Ramaswamy is stepping down from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to run for governor of Ohio. A Trump spokesperson thanked Ramaswamy for his role in creating DOGE and added that “we expect him to play a vital role in making America great again.”
STOP COERCED ABORTIONS
A powerful lawsuit against Planned Parenthood and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is underway, led by brave pro-life groups. This is more than just a solitary legal battle – this is a fight for life itself. Thanks to a generous donor, your gift will be doubled – up to $500,000 – but only until Jan. 28th. Join us in protecting women, saving babies, and rewriting the legacy of Roe. DONATE NOW
MONTANA BILL WOULD FORCE PRIESTS TO BREAK CONFESSIONAL SEAL
The Montana State Senate is considering a bill that would force Catholic priests to break the seal of Confession. The bill would eliminate the Catholic clergy’s exemption from mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect when disclosed in the Sacrament of Confession.
WHAT DOES CHATGPT THINK OF ABORTION?
Philosophy professor George Matwijec, who teaches at Immaculata University, recently “interviewed” ChatGPT on 25 topics, including abortion. “To my surprise,” Watwijec wrote, “ChatGPT admitted that abortion is the termination of a living human organism — a significant acknowledgment. It warrants closer examination.”
FACE-TO-FACE CONVERSATION
Face-to-face conversations have become unprecedentedly rare. In-person communication is critical for us as social animals, but there is a Catholic spiritual perspective of its importance as well. Here’s how face-to-face conversations drive you beyond yourself, call you into a sacred space, and reveal your identity as God’s image.
CATHOLIC 101
Catholics must be well-equipped to debate with pro-abortion advocates. Here's some excellent material: Stephanie Gray Connors and Matt Fradd answer the best pro-choice arguments.
SAINT OF THE DAY
St. Vincent (d. 304) acted as a spokesman for his friend and fellow saint Bishop Valerius and preached throughout the diocese. Roman Emperor Diocletian imprisoned both Vincent and Valerius and attempted to break them through torture. Valerius was ultimately exiled, leaving Vincent to suffer the cruelty of the Roman Empire alone. Dacian, the Roman governor, brutally and repeatedly burned Vincent with a hot gridiron. The saint died in prison from his wounds.
DAILY PSALM
“You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
COURSE
Transform Your Understanding of the Bible with Christendom's FREE 7-Lecture Series.