Missouri
Nun whose body shows little decay since 2019 death draws hundreds to rural Missouri
Hundreds of people flocked to a small town in Missouri this week and last to see a Black nun whose body has barely decomposed since 2019. Some say it’s a sign of holiness in Catholicism, while others say the lack of decomposition may not be as rare as people think.
Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster was exhumed in April, according to a statement from the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, in Gower, Missouri.
The nuns had been preparing for the addition of a St. Joseph shrine, and that involved “the reinterment of the remains of our beloved foundress, Sister Wilhelmina,” the statement said.
When they exhumed Lancaster, they were told to expect only bones, since she had been buried in a simple wooden coffin without any embalming four years ago.
Instead, they discovered an intact body and “a perfectly preserved religious habit,” the statement said. The nuns hadn’t meant to publicize the discovery, but someone posted a private email publicly and “the news began to spread like wildfire.”
Volunteers and local law enforcement have helped to manage the crowds in the town of roughly 1,800 people, as people have visited from all over the country to see and touch Lancaster’s body.
“It was pretty amazing,” said Samuel Dawson, who is Catholic and visited from Kansas City with his son last week. “It was very peaceful. Just very reverent.”
Dawson said there were a few hundred people when he visited and that he saw many out-of-state cars.
Visitors were allowed to touch her, Dawson said, adding that the nuns “wanted to make her accessible to the public … because in real life, she was always accessible to people.”
The monastery said in a statement that Lancaster’s body will be placed in a glass shrine in their church on Monday. Visitors will still be able to see her body and take dirt from her grave, but they won’t be able to touch her.
The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph also released a statement.
“The condition of the remains of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster has understandably generated widespread interest and raised important questions,” the diocese said. “At the same time, it is important to protect the integrity of the mortal remains of Sister Wilhelmina to allow for a thorough investigation.”
“Incorruptibility has been verified in the past, but it is very rare. There is a well-established process to pursue the cause for sainthood, but that has not been initiated in this case yet,” the diocese added.
The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, also said that Lancaster has not yet reached the required minimum of five years since death for the sainthood process to begin.
Rebecca George, an anthropology instructor at Western Carolina University in North Carolina, said the body’s lack of decomposition might not be as rare as people are expecting.
George said the “mummification” of un-embalmed bodies is common at the university’s facility and the bodies could stay preserved for many years, if allowed to.
Coffins and clothing also help to preserve bodies, she said.
“Typically, when we bury people, we don’t exhume them. We don’t get to look at them a couple years out,” George said. “With 100 years, there might be nothing left. But when you’ve got just a few years out, this is not unexpected.”
Missouri
Cameron's grand slam highlights 7-run inning for SE Missouri State in 9-3 win over Louisiana Tech
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Josh Cameron belted a grand slam and Ian Riley also drove in four runs, leading Southeast Missouri State to a 9-3 victory over Louisiana Tech on Saturday in an elimination game at the Fayetteville Regional.
SE Missouri State (35-26) stays alive and on Sunday will play the loser of Saturday’s later regional game between Kansas State and Arkansas.
Cameron’s grand slam capped a seven-run fourth inning that gave the Redhawks a 9-1 lead. Earlier in the inning, Riley had a two-run single. Brooks Kettering brought Riley home with a triple. Six of the seven runs were unearned after an infield throwing error to open the inning.
A two-out, two-run double by the Bulldogs’ Adarius Myers in the fifth inning was the game’s final scoring play.
It was the second loss of the day for Louisiana Tech (45-19) after the Bulldogs also lost to Kansas State 19-4 in the completion of a game that was suspended late Friday night.
Pay attention to what Missouri Attorney General candidates are telling us
Three Missouri Attorney General candidates participated in a Springfield town hall on May 21.
Andrew Bailey began serving as Attorney General in January 2023 upon appointment by Governor Parson. He comes across as a pugnacious fellow whose approach to problem solving features a lot of fighting and winning.
As an attorney representing Donald Trump, Will Scharf seems to be auditioning for a role in the Trump administration.
Elad Gross is a civil rights attorney who believes in small government, stressing enforcement of existing laws over making government larger and more intrusive in people’s lives. Gross is the only candidate who has published comprehensive plans for the Attorney General’s office.
Focusing on some of the town hall questions, Missouri voters care about campaign financing, gun safety, and elections.
On campaign contributions, the phrasing of the question allowed Scharf to state he wouldn’t take money from lobbyists, but to avoid mentioning that his campaign accepts contributions from PACs. Bailey’s Liberty and Justice PAC has received large contributions from billionaire donors. Gross takes no money from corporate PACs or lobbyists.
Concerning responsible gun safety measures, Bailey and Scharf chose to answer the question by proclaiming their support for the Second Amendment. Gross stated the Attorney General’s office has a role in prosecuting those responsible for gun violence using existing laws and preventing violence before it happens.
Scharf and Bailey proclaimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Bailey opined that elections in Iraq during his service there were freer and fairer than those run by local election officials in this country. What an insult to local election officials! Gross answered the question with a monosyllabic “no.”
Do the people of Missouri want an elected spreader of disinformation as Attorney General?
Carol Elliott, Columbia
Empowering older adults in the fight against elder abuse
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed on June 15, signifies our collective struggle against the mistreatment of older adults. Elder abuse is not only an individual problem; it’s a community and societal issue that reminds us to promote respect and dignity for older adults.
Elder abuse refers to intentional or neglectful acts by a caregiver or a trusted individual that cause harm to an older adult. It can come in the form of physical, emotional, neglect, and financial mistreatment – the latter being the most prevalent and easily executed through scams or fraud targeted at older adults. It’s a critical public health issue that can cause significant physical and psychological harm to older adults. A significant step towards preventing this abuse is equipping older adults and their caregivers with knowledge and resources to help prevent abuse.
The National Council on Aging estimates that approximately 5 million older adults are abused every year in the United States. This figure is both alarming and disheartening, considering it is said that only one in 14 cases is reported. Research findings estimate that older victims of financial fraud lose roughly $30 billion a year.
For older adults, defending against such abuse begins with awareness. Identifying potential frauds and cons such as lottery scams, identity theft, or email phishing schemes is crucial. Older people should be wary of unsolicited calls and emails, particularly those requesting personal information, money transfers, or unusual payment methods such as gift cards and any of these requests that are communicated with extreme urgency. Awareness training programs about these fraud methods can significantly enhance older adults’ ability to discern genuine transactions from scams.
The use of technology can also help people safeguard their financial assets. Enabling bank alerts for large transactions, using apps with real-time tracking of account activity, and setting up direct deposits for checks can minimize potential abuse. Equally pivotal is safeguarding essential documents and updating estate planning documents regularly.
The role of strong social networks in helping to prevent elder abuse can’t be overstated. Staying connected with family, friends, and community can deter potential abusers. However, social isolation became a growing issue for many older adults, especially during the pandemic. It’s crucial for all people across our lifespan to leverage technology to maintain relationships and stay active within our communities, reducing the risk of exploitation significantly.
Further, older adults must also feel informed and supported to report any instance of potential abuse. Fear or embarrassment can often deter individuals from reporting abuse. Support from community, family, and authorities is key to reassuring older adults that they’re not alone and that reporting is indeed a step towards prevention.
To report elder abuse, older adults or individuals concerned about them can reach out to the following resources:
- Adult Protective Services (APS): APS agencies serve as the primary agency responsible for receiving and investigating reports of elder abuse. You can locate your local APS office through the National Adult Protective Services Association’s website.
- Local Law Enforcement: In situations where an older adult is in immediate danger, contacting local law enforcement such as police or sheriff’s department is vital.
- National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA): This is a resource for information on elder abuse prevention. They can provide contacts and resources, including state reporting numbers, to assist.
- ElderCare Locator: A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, the ElderCare Locator connects you to services for older adults and their families. They can be reached at 1-800-677-1116.
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: These are advocates for residents of nursing homes, board, and care homes, assisted living facilities, etc. They can provide information about how to find a facility and services and what to do to get quality care and support.
It is important to know that one can remain anonymous when reporting abuse, and most of the mentioned agencies are equipped to provide help even when the abuse has occurred in the past.
With a collaborative strategy in place, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield works in tandem with healthcare providers to detect early signs of elder abuse. We have taken great strides to implement caregiver education programs, because in many cases, the caregivers are the first line of defense in recognizing indicators of abuse. We are not just advocating prevention, but actively invested in providing solutions to help prevent elder abuse.
Our health plans are designed to support older adults by addressing the social drivers that can impact health, including social isolation – a significant risk factor for elder abuse. Our community members benefit from the resources and support services beyond traditional healthcare services that our plans can provide, including, for example, access to nutritious meals, safe and stable housing, and transportation. We continue to partner with organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies, aiming to create a safer, more supportive society where older adults are valued and included, and their rights are protected.
Older adults are valuable members of our society, and it is important we help ensure their safety, security, and wellness. As we observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, let us commit not only to raise awareness but also to actively work towards prevention strategies. Providing older adults with the essential knowledge and resources to help prevent abuse is a significant first step in this direction. Every step taken to protect citizens from abuse is a step towards a more caring and compassionate society.
Eugene Hsu, MD, MBA, is Senior Medicare Clinical Officer for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Millions flowing to Vermont’s outdoor recreation scene
Brodie Kresser's 3 RBIs help West Virginia beat Grand Canyon 5-2 at Tuscon Regional
Basic training in Ukraine is barely covering the basics, commanders say
The Wall That Heals: Hartland, Wisconsin, Vietnam Wall Replica Will Move You To Tears
WVSports – 2025 athlete Coffman catches attention at West Virginia camp
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Ron DeSantis touts Florida's education system, slams 'woke' academia in Sarasota address
Thousands march in Budapest streets in support of Orbán
This year will likely be the last major D-Day anniversary with living veterans, so organizers are all-out | CNN
Chinese, Jordanian, Turkish illegal immigrants caught in large numbers at southern border
Boeing delays Starliner space capsule launch for at least 24 hours
-
News1 week agoRead the I.C.J. Ruling on Israel’s Rafah Offensive
-
News1 week agoVideo: Protesters Take Over U.C.L.A. Building
-
World1 week agoHoping to pave pathway to peace, Norway to recognise Palestinian statehood
-
News1 week agoLegendary U.S. World War II submarine located 3,000 feet underwater off the Philippines
-
Politics1 week agoAOC demands Senate Democrats investigate reports of Jan. 6 flags flown at Supreme Court Justice Alito's home
-
World1 week agoFamilies of Uvalde school shooting victims sue Microsoft, Meta and gunmaker
-
Politics1 week agoDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin to undergo nonsurgical procedure, Deputy Kathleen Hicks will assume control
-
Politics1 week agoHunter Biden attends pre-trial hearing in Delaware court on federal gun charges