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Amid record flooding in Kentucky that has left at least 30 people dead, Catholic Charities of Lexington is collaborating with other Christian churches as well as Catholic Charities USA to provide aid to those affected. The flooding began with heavy rains on July 27, leading to widespread flooding across at least five eastern Kentucky counties by the weekend. At least 18,000 people remained without power Monday, and reports suggest that entire towns — many of which are in already impoverished areas — have been inundated. The Catholic churches in the diocese have a strong collaborative partnership with other Christian communities, since at only 3% to 4% of the population, the majority of the people in eastern Kentucky are not Catholic, especially in the countryside. He said the Catholic communities in rural Kentucky have been working to provide what aid they can for the poor and needy. The Catholic Charities office in Lexington has been in close contact with Catholic Charities USA, working to coordinate national relief efforts.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251933/kentucky-catholic-charities-coordinates-national-aid-amid-devastating-floods
Voters in Kansas are set to decide Tuesday on an amendment to the state constitution which would reverse an earlier state supreme court decision, and exclude a right to abortion in the state. It marks the first statewide vote on abortion in the United States since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in June. The amendment would not ban abortion, but instead, it empowers state lawmakers to regulate abortion as they see fit. Pro-life volunteers in Kansas have been going door to door canvasing for the amendment ahead of today’s vote.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251928/kansas-pro-lifers-counter-misinformation-on-value-them-both-amendment
Lawmakers in the Australian Parliament have proposed a bill to allow two of Australia’s ten territories to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide, following the legalization of the practices in all six Australian states despite vocal Catholic opposition. Australia has six states and ten territories, though the lawmaking abilities of the latter can be restricted by the federal parliament. If the proposed bill passes, the legislation would allow the legislatures of the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide, which its backers characterize as “assisted dying.” In 1995, the Australian Capital Territory was the first place in the world to legalize voluntary assisted suicide, leading to four deaths by suicide.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251935/australian-bill-would-allow-legalization-of-assisted-suicide-euthanasia-in-territories
Today, the Church celebrates Saint Peter Julian Eymard, who helped many Catholics, both clergy and laypeople, to rediscover the importance of the Eucharist. He is also considered a pioneer in involving laypeople more actively in the life of the Church. In 1851, he answered a call to establish a community of men dedicated to Eucharistic Adoration, called the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Its mission was to promote the importance and significance of the Eucharist. The congregation also worked with the poor and helped them to prepare for first Communion.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-peter-julian-eymard-551