FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23

CBS WITHHOLDS PERSONAL FILES Catherine Herridge, a veteran news reporter, was investigating the Hunter Biden laptop story when she was among 20 CBS News staffers let go during budget cuts from its parent group Paramount Global. Her firing apparently stunned co-workers, but the network’s decision to seize her confidential documents and files has left staffers shaken, according to the New York Post. READ

CATHOLICS: PROSECUTE ‘HATE CRIME’ CatholicVote President Brian Burch called on New York officials to prosecute those who “profaned” the holy St. Patrick’s Cathedral and “mocked the Catholic religion.” Burch said: “Video footage shows that transgender activists intentionally used deception to obtain permission to enter St. Patrick’s and the facts show that access was used to desecrate that sacred space and mock Catholic faith and morals.” READ

POLITICIANS REACT TO ALABAMA EMBRYO RULING President Joe Biden called it “outrageous and unacceptable” that a state affirmed the human rights of human embryos conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF). “Make no mistake: this is a direct result of the overturning of Roe v. Wade,” Biden said. Nikki Haley, who is Trump’s remaining high-profile Republican challenger, appeared to initially support the Alabama ruling, only to quickly walk back her remarks. READ

INVOKING THE 25TH AMENDMENT Members of Congress are calling on the President’s Cabinet to invoke the 25th amendment and remove Joe Biden from office. “Special counsel Hur cited President Biden’s lack of mental fitness as an excuse not to prosecute him for willfully mishandling classified documents,” said Sen. Josh Hawley. “It’s time for [Attorney General Merrick] Garland to stop treating our commander in chief with kid gloves and either invoke the 25th Amendment or rightfully prosecute him.” READ

LIBERAL STATES PLOT ABORTION PILL PUSH The New York Times released two articles Thursday, highlighting efforts in six blue states to promote chemical abortion in pro-life states through “shield laws.” According to Pam Belluck, these laws “promise to protect doctors, nurse practitioners, and midwives licensed in those six states who prescribe and send abortion pills to patients in the nearly two dozen states” that have enacted pro-life laws. READ

UK GOVT: 'CHESTFEEDING' MILK JUST AS GOOD A UK National Health Service (NHS) trust is arguing that milk produced in men artificially by means of hormone drugs is “comparable” in quality to that produced by a woman following the birth of her baby. READ

EDIFY: ARE GUNS THE PROBLEM? Is gun control actually preventing violence? Statistician Leah Sargeant explains how the real remedy for the horrors of gun violence goes much deeper than a one-size-fits-all solution…. And how reality changed her mind on the issue. WATCH

CV EXPLAINER: SANCTUARY CITIES Over 500 cities and municipalities in the United States have declared themselves “sanctuary cities.” Many Americans have grown uneasy, however, as state and local governments prioritize “sanctuary” for illegal immigrants over safety for citizens. As more cities declare themselves points of “sanctuary,” CV asks: what exactly is a “sanctuary city” and what does it mean for residents? READ

LOOPERS’ LENTEN RECIPES! We called, and you answered. If you’re looking for meatless Friday inspiration beyond another PB&J or plain cheese pizza, our LOOP subscribers sent their favorite recipes for you to try. READ

LET LENT BE LENT A rave in a cathedral lets people “discover” the sacred space “on their own terms.” A poster declares, “Ashes say you belong.” These two things play into an idea that religion must be super happy, positive, fun, and feel-good all the time. But who among us is actually like that? Religion touches every part of us, and Lent is a season that highlights the more somber, less pretty parts of ourselves and our salvation story. In this article, Bishop Barron says, “Let Lent be Lent!” READ

CATHOLIC 101 When we’re in pain it’s only natural to find solace in people with wounds like our own. Grief and its stages are so difficult to navigate, which is why this piece written by a father as a Lenten reflection on the death of his adult son is so powerful. Its author is honest about the pain of loss and hopeful without being saccharin. Are you grieving today? READ

SAINT OF THE DAY St. Polycarp, a saint from the first century, was the disciple of St. John. He is known for his dramatic martyrdom: When he entered the arena, a voice came from the sky: "Be strong, and show yourself a man, O Polycarp!" Polycarp should have been burned alive, but the flames did not consume him. The Roman executioners had to resort to stabbing him. READ

DAILY PSALM “If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?” (Psalm 130:3) READ

DAILY READINGS Today's Mass readings READ

BEAUTY The Dominican House of Prayer offers a moving meditation on the sorrows of Christ from the 17th-century priest Pere Louis Chardon. Begin your Lenten Friday remembering the suffering of God's only Son, who loved us unto death. WATCH