lifesitenews--2020-06-18--Excommunicated woman masquerading as priest officially represents liberal US priest group

NOTE : At the end of this article , the Lepanto Institute is asking our readers to contact their own bishop to ask them to publicly condemn the AUSCP , forbidding their priests from membership , support , or participation in its events .
June 18 , 2020 ( Lepanto Institute ) — Last month , a major story went largely unnoticed due to extreme media attention on the coronavirus and related matters .
On May 26 , Toledo Bishop Daniel Thomas issued an official notification re-affirming the excommunication of Beverly Bingle for her attempted ordination and simulation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notification , Bp .
Thomas noted that Bingle served as an official representative of the Association of US Catholic Priests ( AUSCP ) even after her attempted ordination in 2013 , warning that any association with the AUSCP “ may be a source of grave concern due to the confusion and scandal they have caused.
” Bp .
Thomas ’ letter reaffirming Bingle ’ s excommunication follows a 2013 letter from his predecessor , Bp .
Leonard Blair , who announced that “ Ms .
Bingle has already incurred excommunication from the Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the diaconate on Sept. 13 , 2012.
” The AUSCP has long been a champion of women ’ s ordination to the diaconate , and last year , formally endorsed women ’ s ordination to the priesthood .
Bp .
Blair ’ s announcement reiterated that excommunicants are to be excluded from the exercise of any “ ecclesiastical office , ministry or function ” : “ A person who is excommunicated is excluded from any share in the Eucharist or other acts of public worship , and from receiving any of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likewise excluded from the exercise of any ecclesiastical office , ministry or function .
The imposition of this severe penalty is deemed necessary in order to protect the nature and validity of the Sacrament of Holy Orders .
It is important to recognize , however , that excommunication is meant to be ‘ medicinal , ’ that is , it is meant to make an offender realize the gravity of his or her actions and seek to repent of his or her sin in order to be restored to full communion with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as early as September 2014 to as recently as August 2019 , Bingle has represented AUSCP , which claims that its members “ are priests in good standing in dioceses and religious communities.
” In 2014 Bingle assisted in setting up a “ Climate March ” in Toledo and was listed as an official “ AUSCP coordinator ” in emails obtained by the Lepanto institute .
Furthermore , Bingle ’ s contact email for this event was identified as [ email protected ] , further showing her official role in the organization .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pm , an email with the subject line “ Re : Toledo Events for the Climate March ” indicated that Bev Bingle was an “ AUSCP coordinator.
” At 1:17 pm , that same day , a subsequent email in the same chain identified Bev Bingle with the email address “ auscp.toledo.
” On September 17 , Bev Bingle is identified as having participated in an AUSCP subcommittee meeting for the Climate March in Toledo .
On September 19 , Tom McDonald , identified Bingle as his partner “ in AUSCP.
” And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using “ auscp.toledo ” in order to coordinate and make arrangements on behalf of the AUSCP , on September 21 , Bev .
Bingle was identified as the AUSCP rep who had previously sent out lodging details pertaining to the Friday and Saturday of this particular climate event .
The previous day , an email from “ auscp.toledo ” went to the event participants , stating , “ Here are the things that the Toledo Chapter of the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests ( AUSCP ) has planned , ” with all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bingle is also identified as a donor to the AUSCP in FY 2018–2019 .
Worth noting here is the fact that during her time as an AUSCP representative between the years 2014–2019 , Bingle gave a “ homily ” in 2015 in which she referred to the Church ’ s condemnation of contraception in the encyclical Humanae Vitae as “ the crazy birth control encyclical ” and as an example of “ bad shepherding.
” In the May 26 letter from Bp .
Thomas regarding Bingle ’ s excommunication , he noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official representative of AUSCP in Toledo as late as 2019 , saying that “ this action ” is “ a cause of great concern and a source of confusion and scandal to the faithful.
” He wrote : On the second page of the letter , Bp .
Thomas issued a stern warning against any association with the AUSCP as a “ source of grave concern due to the confusion and scandal they have caused.
” He wrote : The full letter by Bp .
Thomas is available at the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here that the AUSCP headquarters is in Tiffin , OH , which is within the Diocese of Toledo , giving Bp .
Thomas greater authority over the organization than other bishops .
His warning about the AUSCP also serves as a warning to bishops , priests , religious and the lay faithful in all other dioceses .
This stands in contrast to the episcopal participation in the AUSCP ’ s 2020 Annual Assembly of Abp .
John Wester , local ordinary of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe , NM .
On Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abp .
Wester will be delivering his keynote address titled , “ Priest , Pulpit and Politics : Proclaiming the Gospel in Today ’ s Society.
” In addition to Abp .
Wester , several US bishops have been supportive of the AUSCP .
Last year , Cardinal Blase Cupich gave the AUSCP ’ s keynote address and Abp .
Robert Carlson of St. Louis , MO celebrated the AUSCP ’ s Mass .
Currently , Abp .
John Wester serves as the AUSCP ’ s episcopal moderator to the USCCB , Bp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Abp .
Wilton Gregory , Bp .
Gregory Hartmeyer and Bp .
Robert McElroy have all participated in AUSCP events .
Given the AUSCP ’ s representation by a known and publicly-acknowledged excommunicant , and the Bishop of Toledo ’ s stern warning against association with the AUSCP due to the “ confusion and scandal ” it is known to cause , we are asking our readers to contact their own bishops to ask them to publicly condemn the AUSCP , forbidding their priests from membership , support , or participation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your local bishop is here .
Bp .
Thomas ’ letter regarding Beverly Bingle ’ s excommunication and warning about the AUSCP : Published with permission from the Lepanto Institute .

Bishop Daniel Thomas of Toledo reaffirmed the excommunication of Beverly Bingle for her 2013 bogus ordination and warned of grave concerns with the radical Association of US Catholic Priests, which employs her.
NOTE: At the end of this article, the Lepanto Institute is asking our readers to contact their own bishop to ask them to publicly condemn the AUSCP, forbidding their priests from membership, support, or participation in its events.
June 18, 2020 (Lepanto Institute) — Last month, a major story went largely unnoticed due to extreme media attention on the coronavirus and related matters. On May 26, Toledo Bishop Daniel Thomas issued an official notification re-affirming the excommunication of Beverly Bingle for her attempted ordination and simulation of the sacraments. As part of this official notification, Bp. Thomas noted that Bingle served as an official representative of the Association of US Catholic Priests (AUSCP) even after her attempted ordination in 2013, warning that any association with the AUSCP “may be a source of grave concern due to the confusion and scandal they have caused.”
Bp. Thomas’ letter reaffirming Bingle’s excommunication follows a 2013 letter from his predecessor, Bp. Leonard Blair, who announced that “Ms. Bingle has already incurred excommunication from the Catholic Church” for “having attempted ordination to the diaconate on Sept. 13, 2012.” The AUSCP has long been a champion of women’s ordination to the diaconate, and last year, formally endorsed women’s ordination to the priesthood. Bp. Blair’s announcement reiterated that excommunicants are to be excluded from the exercise of any “ecclesiastical office, ministry or function”:
“A person who is excommunicated is excluded from any share in the Eucharist or other acts of public worship, and from receiving any of the seven sacraments or sacramentals. They are likewise excluded from the exercise of any ecclesiastical office, ministry or function. The imposition of this severe penalty is deemed necessary in order to protect the nature and validity of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. It is important to recognize, however, that excommunication is meant to be ‘medicinal,’ that is, it is meant to make an offender realize the gravity of his or her actions and seek to repent of his or her sin in order to be restored to full communion with the church.”
Ignoring this notification, from as early as September 2014 to as recently as August 2019, Bingle has represented AUSCP, which claims that its members “are priests in good standing in dioceses and religious communities.” In 2014 Bingle assisted in setting up a “Climate March” in Toledo and was listed as an official “AUSCP coordinator” in emails obtained by the Lepanto institute. Furthermore, Bingle’s contact email for this event was identified as [email protected], further showing her official role in the organization.
On September 15, 2014 at 1:02 pm, an email with the subject line “Re: Toledo Events for the Climate March” indicated that Bev Bingle was an “AUSCP coordinator.”
At 1:17 pm, that same day, a subsequent email in the same chain identified Bev Bingle with the email address “auscp.toledo.”
On September 17, Bev Bingle is identified as having participated in an AUSCP subcommittee meeting for the Climate March in Toledo.
On September 19, Tom McDonald, identified Bingle as his partner “in AUSCP.”
And to prove that Bev Bingle was indeed using “auscp.toledo” in order to coordinate and make arrangements on behalf of the AUSCP, on September 21, Bev. Bingle was identified as the AUSCP rep who had previously sent out lodging details pertaining to the Friday and Saturday of this particular climate event.
The previous day, an email from “auscp.toledo” went to the event participants, stating, “Here are the things that the Toledo Chapter of the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests (AUSCP) has planned,” with all the additional details indicated in the subsequent email.
Bingle is also identified as a donor to the AUSCP in FY 2018–2019.
Worth noting here is the fact that during her time as an AUSCP representative between the years 2014–2019, Bingle gave a “homily” in 2015 in which she referred to the Church’s condemnation of contraception in the encyclical Humanae Vitae as “the crazy birth control encyclical” and as an example of “bad shepherding.”
In the May 26 letter from Bp. Thomas regarding Bingle’s excommunication, he noted that Bingle was still acting as an official representative of AUSCP in Toledo as late as 2019, saying that “this action” is “a cause of great concern and a source of confusion and scandal to the faithful.” He wrote:
More recently, on 20 August 2019, Ms. Bingle formally represented the Association of US Catholic Priests, Toledo Chapter, as the “authorized agent” on an “Application for Permit to Use Lucas County Government Buildings and Grounds” for an event on 20 September 2019 for which the Association of US Catholic Priests Social Justice Subcommittee was the principal organizer and sponsor . This action , along with her continual simulation of the Sacraments at the “Holy Spirit Catholic Community” in Toledo, Ohio, are a cause of great concern, and a source of confusion and scandal to the faithful in the Diocese of Toledo.
On the second page of the letter, Bp. Thomas issued a stern warning against any association with the AUSCP as a “source of grave concern due to the confusion and scandal they have caused.” He wrote:
In light of the above, it is also my responsibility as your Bishop to warn all of the clergy, consecrated religious and lay faithful in the Diocese of Toledo that, since Ms. Beverly Bingle has serves as a representative of the “Holy Spirit Catholic Community” and the Association of US Catholic Priests, any affiliation with those groups may be a source of grave concern due to the confusion and scandal they have caused.
The full letter by Bp. Thomas is available at the end of the article.
It is important to note here that the AUSCP headquarters is in Tiffin, OH, which is within the Diocese of Toledo, giving Bp. Thomas greater authority over the organization than other bishops. His warning about the AUSCP also serves as a warning to bishops, priests, religious and the lay faithful in all other dioceses.
This stands in contrast to the episcopal participation in the AUSCP’s 2020 Annual Assembly of Abp. John Wester, local ordinary of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, NM. On Wednesday, June 24, at 1:00 EDT, Abp. Wester will be delivering his keynote address titled, “Priest, Pulpit and Politics: Proclaiming the Gospel in Today’s Society.” In addition to Abp. Wester, several US bishops have been supportive of the AUSCP. Last year, Cardinal Blase Cupich gave the AUSCP’s keynote address and Abp. Robert Carlson of St. Louis, MO celebrated the AUSCP’s Mass. Currently, Abp. John Wester serves as the AUSCP’s episcopal moderator to the USCCB, Bp. John Stowe is an active member, and Abp. Wilton Gregory, Bp. Gregory Hartmeyer and Bp. Robert McElroy have all participated in AUSCP events.
Given the AUSCP’s representation by a known and publicly-acknowledged excommunicant, and the Bishop of Toledo’s stern warning against association with the AUSCP due to the “confusion and scandal” it is known to cause, we are asking our readers to contact their own bishops to ask them to publicly condemn the AUSCP, forbidding their priests from membership, support, or participation in its events.
Contact information for your local bishop is here.
Bp. Thomas’ letter regarding Beverly Bingle’s excommunication and warning about the AUSCP:
Published with permission from the Lepanto Institute.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-19--Huge majority in Romanian parliament moves to ban teaching ‘gender studies’

June 18 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The Senate of Romania voted on Tuesday to ban all studies and courses linked to gender ideology in schools and higher education .
The amendment obtained a large majority of 81 votes in favor , while 22 voted against and 27 abstained , offering the text a strong democratic basis .
Despite this , it has sparked local and international backlash .
Both the center-right parliamentary majority backing Romania ’ s president , Klaus Iohannis , and the social democrats supported the change to the general education law , which had already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chamber of representatives and was adopted as a whole on Wednesday .
The general prohibition of gender studies was introduced in the Senate as an amendment to a law on education by a member of a small center-right party , PMP .
It bans “ activities spreading the theory or opinions related to gender identity which hold that gender is a separate concept from biological sex and that the two are not always identical.
” For the text to become law , it will have to be signed by President Iohannis , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from promulgating the law by liberal pressure groups and two of the country ’ s largest universities .
According to television station Digi24 , Klaus Iohannis is personally opposed to the law ’ s anti-gender dispositions and does not intend to promulgate it in any case .
So much for democracy : The LGBT lobby are openly working for the executive to block a text approved by the Romanian legislators by a large majority .
In the hours following the text ’ s adoption , a petition by NGOs and two student associations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Romania and the National Council of Students , obtained 16,000 signatures asking Iohannis not to sign into law dispositions that would “ send education in Romania back to the Middle Ages.
” The petition also argues that the law would be in breach of Romania ’ s international commitments .
However , it is expected that even before Iohannis makes such a move , opposition parliamentarians will probably submit the text to Romanian Constitutional Court .
The Court , opponents say , would likely impede a law that “ obstructs universities ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targets universities but also schools , and it comes on the heels of a similar move by the Romanian parliament against a proposed authorization of sex education in schools .
According to the French liberal Catholic daily La Croix , the Orthodox Church of Romania was not active in the preparation of the anti–gender theory law .
Local political commentator Alexandru Gussi even considers the amendment to be a “ non-subject , ” a mere “ stunt ” on the part of parliamentarians who are already preparing this fall ’ s legislative elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'Out ' features openly homosexual main character !
Sign the petition here .
If this is true , it does indicate that Romania as a country is sensitive — and opposed — to gender propaganda and that positive political returns can be expected from a move against it .
Gender ideologues accuse Romania of having anti-LGBT feelings as a nation .
Academic Ana-Karina Schneider wrote a book in 2015 titled Anglicist Women ’ s and Gender Studies in Romania : Between Persistence and Resistance in which she slammed the “ deeply rooted patriarchal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unshakeable sentiment that feminism is an import from abroad.
” Once again , spreading gender ideology would then appear to be a minority campaign to impose thoughts and ideas on a majority who do not want them , with a clearly revolutionary intent .
The amendment ’ s opponents are also brandishing the specter of “ thought police.
” They say that a blanket ban on “ gender studies ” would amount to banning academic freedom in itself .
Vlad Alexandrescu , a center-right senator and university professor , accused Romania of aligning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Poland , transforming into a regime that is introducing thought police.
” “ We are astounded ... that an academic theory should be banned by law , ” echoed a statement from the Babes-Bolyai University of Cluy , Romania ’ s second largest university .
Whatever the speculative rights of faculty members , however — and many , the world over , would find it difficult to oppose climate change theory , evolutionary theories and even gender theory , as a number of lawsuits have shown — one of the aims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vision of human sexuality being taught to schoolchildren .
The University of Bucharest is also opposed to the amendment .
Its statement said that “ the text of the law has no scientific basis and is a blatant example of interference in education and free expression.
” It called on its “ scientific ” and “ noble ” duties to justify teaching that biological sex and gender are two different things .
Gelu Dominica , a professor of sociology at the same university , added in a Facebook post that he would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” from his courses — “ [ f ] or the simple reason that if I did , I wouldn ’ t be doing my duty anymore.
” He said : “ My role is to guide my students to understand man ’ s behavior in society .
And people are diverse.
” All opponents make clear that the teaching of “ gender studies ” is a way of fostering acceptance toward LGBT people .
Banning them could lead to “ ramp [ ing ] up bullying of queer children and adolescents ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers , said the National Alliance of Student Organizations in Romania .
This makes clear that “ gender studies , ” from their point of view , are in fact far from being mere theories to be confronted with reality ; they are an ideology that aims to change society and reality .

LGBT lobbies in the country are pressing the president hard to kill the legislation.
Analysis
June 18, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The Senate of Romania voted on Tuesday to ban all studies and courses linked to gender ideology in schools and higher education. The amendment obtained a large majority of 81 votes in favor, while 22 voted against and 27 abstained, offering the text a strong democratic basis. Despite this, it has sparked local and international backlash.
Both the center-right parliamentary majority backing Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, and the social democrats supported the change to the general education law, which had already been adopted six days earlier by the chamber of representatives and was adopted as a whole on Wednesday.
The general prohibition of gender studies was introduced in the Senate as an amendment to a law on education by a member of a small center-right party, PMP. It bans “activities spreading the theory or opinions related to gender identity which hold that gender is a separate concept from biological sex and that the two are not always identical.”
For the text to become law, it will have to be signed by President Iohannis, who is at present being lobbied to refrain from promulgating the law by liberal pressure groups and two of the country’s largest universities.
According to television station Digi24, Klaus Iohannis is personally opposed to the law’s anti-gender dispositions and does not intend to promulgate it in any case. So much for democracy: The LGBT lobby are openly working for the executive to block a text approved by the Romanian legislators by a large majority.
In the hours following the text’s adoption, a petition by NGOs and two student associations, the National Alliance of Student Organizations in Romania and the National Council of Students, obtained 16,000 signatures asking Iohannis not to sign into law dispositions that would “send education in Romania back to the Middle Ages.” The petition also argues that the law would be in breach of Romania’s international commitments.
However, it is expected that even before Iohannis makes such a move, opposition parliamentarians will probably submit the text to Romanian Constitutional Court. The Court, opponents say, would likely impede a law that “obstructs universities’ autonomy.”
The amendment prohibiting gender studies targets universities but also schools, and it comes on the heels of a similar move by the Romanian parliament against a proposed authorization of sex education in schools.
According to the French liberal Catholic daily La Croix, the Orthodox Church of Romania was not active in the preparation of the anti–gender theory law. Local political commentator Alexandru Gussi even considers the amendment to be a “non-subject,” a mere “stunt” on the part of parliamentarians who are already preparing this fall’s legislative elections.
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If this is true, it does indicate that Romania as a country is sensitive — and opposed — to gender propaganda and that positive political returns can be expected from a move against it.
Gender ideologues accuse Romania of having anti-LGBT feelings as a nation. Academic Ana-Karina Schneider wrote a book in 2015 titled Anglicist Women’s and Gender Studies in Romania: Between Persistence and Resistance in which she slammed the “deeply rooted patriarchal organization of society” and “the unshakeable sentiment that feminism is an import from abroad.”
Once again, spreading gender ideology would then appear to be a minority campaign to impose thoughts and ideas on a majority who do not want them, with a clearly revolutionary intent.
The amendment’s opponents are also brandishing the specter of “thought police.” They say that a blanket ban on “gender studies” would amount to banning academic freedom in itself.
Vlad Alexandrescu, a center-right senator and university professor, accused Romania of aligning itself “with positions held by Hungary and Poland, transforming into a regime that is introducing thought police.”
“We are astounded … that an academic theory should be banned by law,” echoed a statement from the Babes-Bolyai University of Cluy, Romania’s second largest university.
Whatever the speculative rights of faculty members, however — and many, the world over, would find it difficult to oppose climate change theory, evolutionary theories and even gender theory, as a number of lawsuits have shown — one of the aims of the law is to prevent a deconstructivist vision of human sexuality being taught to schoolchildren.
The University of Bucharest is also opposed to the amendment. Its statement said that “the text of the law has no scientific basis and is a blatant example of interference in education and free expression.” It called on its “scientific” and “noble” duties to justify teaching that biological sex and gender are two different things.
Gelu Dominica, a professor of sociology at the same university, added in a Facebook post that he would not respect the law banning “gender elements” from his courses — “[f]or the simple reason that if I did, I wouldn’t be doing my duty anymore.” He said: “My role is to guide my students to understand man’s behavior in society. And people are diverse.”
All opponents make clear that the teaching of “gender studies” is a way of fostering acceptance toward LGBT people. Banning them could lead to “ramp[ing] up bullying of queer children and adolescents” and to “punitive measures” against teachers, said the National Alliance of Student Organizations in Romania. This makes clear that “gender studies,” from their point of view, are in fact far from being mere theories to be confronted with reality; they are an ideology that aims to change society and reality.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-19--Senate Republicans block radical ‘Equality Act’ that ‘steamrolls’ religious liberty

WASHINGTON , D.C. , June 18 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A move by Senate Democrats to pass the so-called “ Equality Act ” was blocked by a trio of Republicans today .
Democrats had sought “ unanimous consent ” for the measure following the U.S. Supreme Court ’ s decision — popularly referred to as the “ Bostock case ” — earlier this week that discovered additional rights for LGBT individuals while threatening to further erode religious liberty protections across the land .
The 6-3 ruling concluded that “ sex discrimination ” in Title VII of the 1964 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean sexual orientation and gender identity in addition to its original biological meaning .
Senate Democrats hoped the Supreme Court ’ s ruling would provide enough momentum to force approval of the measure , which has been collecting dust in the upper chamber after passage in the Democrat-dominated House of Representatives over a year ago .
“ Neither the Bostock decision nor the Equality Act takes care to ensure that religious employers will be treated fairly , ” noted Sen. Mike Lee ( R-Utah ) .
“ We need to be mindful of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintain its doctrine and teachings , not only in the hiring of its ministers , ” said Lee , but also for the sake of “ others who look to that religious institution ’ s teachings , in the way they live their lives , in their beliefs , and in their willingness to teach those things to others.
” Lee also said the Equality Act does not take into account the impact it might have on girls ’ and women ’ s restrooms and locker rooms , athletics , and safe housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic or sexual abuse .
“ This law , like the Bostock decision , doesn ’ t operate with a lot of precision , ” said Lee .
Instead , “ it takes a meat cleaver to the issue , without taking into account exceptions for religious entities and distinctions between sexual orientation and gender identity.
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Missouri senator Josh Hawley reminded his colleagues that it wasn ’ t so long ago that both houses of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act ( RFRA ) , which was sponsored in the House of Representatives by then-rep. Chuck Schumer and in the Senate by Edward Kennedy .
It was signed into law by Democrat then-president Bill Clinton .
At the time , Clinton referred to religious liberty as “ our first freedom ” and later said RFRA was one of his proudest accomplishments as president .
Hawley said the Equality Act “ guts ” key provisions of RFRA .
It “ comes on the heels of a Supreme Court decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statutes in American law , and in its 33 pages has nearly nothing to say about religious liberty or religious believers in this country.
” “ I only ask that the rights of well-meaning , sincere religious believers not be steamrolled , overlooked , and be shifted to the side as a part of this process , ” said Hawley .
The bill would use coercion to force taxpayers to pay for abortions and force doctors , nurses , and faith-based hospitals to commit abortions , superseding protections formerly enacted by many states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adoption agencies out of business , noted Hawley .
“ This is not the way to find consensus in America , ” he added .
“ The Equality Act has a great title .
Who can oppose ‘ equality ’ ?
” asked Senator James Lankford ( R-Okla. ) .
“ No one.
” “ We don ’ t oppose equality .
What we do oppose is when through legislation you take the rights of one [ group ] and dismiss the rights of others , and say , ‘ Your rights don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lankford .
The Equality Act would change things dramatically , he asserted , allowing “ any biological male to step into female sports on the high school , college , and pro-athlete level , ” grossly disadvantaging female athletes , whose rights will be denied .
“ That ’ s not protecting the rights of all Americans , ” said Lankford .
“ The Equality Act says ‘ you no longer have the right to disagree , ’ ” he added .
Lankford concluded by quoting J.K. Rowling , famous author of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All I ’ m asking , all I want , is for similar empathy , similar understanding to be extended to the many millions of women whose sole crime is wanting their concerns to be heard without receiving threats or abuse.
” “ Come on .
Let ’ s work together , ” implored the Oklahoma senator .
“ We don ’ t want anyone to be discriminated against .
Anyone.
” “ We can do this in a way that accommodates everyone , ” he said .
“ We can work towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consent , ” so the “ Equality Act ” was set aside for now .

'Neither the [Supreme Court's] Bostock decision nor the Equality Act takes care to ensure that religious employers will be treated fairly,' noted Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 18, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A move by Senate Democrats to pass the so-called “Equality Act” was blocked by a trio of Republicans today.
Democrats had sought “unanimous consent” for the measure following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision — popularly referred to as the “Bostock case” — earlier this week that discovered additional rights for LGBT individuals while threatening to further erode religious liberty protections across the land.
The 6-3 ruling concluded that “sex discrimination” in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act should be interpreted to mean sexual orientation and gender identity in addition to its original biological meaning.
Senate Democrats hoped the Supreme Court’s ruling would provide enough momentum to force approval of the measure, which has been collecting dust in the upper chamber after passage in the Democrat-dominated House of Representatives over a year ago.
“Neither the Bostock decision nor the Equality Act takes care to ensure that religious employers will be treated fairly,” noted Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).
“We need to be mindful of the need of a religious employer to maintain its doctrine and teachings, not only in the hiring of its ministers,” said Lee, but also for the sake of “others who look to that religious institution’s teachings, in the way they live their lives, in their beliefs, and in their willingness to teach those things to others.”
“This legislation doesn’t do that,” Lee declared.
Lee also said the Equality Act does not take into account the impact it might have on girls’ and women’s restrooms and locker rooms, athletics, and safe housing for those who have been victims of domestic or sexual abuse.
“This law, like the Bostock decision, doesn’t operate with a lot of precision,” said Lee. Instead, “it takes a meat cleaver to the issue, without taking into account exceptions for religious entities and distinctions between sexual orientation and gender identity.”
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Missouri senator Josh Hawley reminded his colleagues that it wasn’t so long ago that both houses of Congress, in nearly unanimous votes, passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which was sponsored in the House of Representatives by then-rep. Chuck Schumer and in the Senate by Edward Kennedy. It was signed into law by Democrat then-president Bill Clinton.
At the time, Clinton referred to religious liberty as “our first freedom” and later said RFRA was one of his proudest accomplishments as president.
Hawley said the Equality Act “guts” key provisions of RFRA. It “comes on the heels of a Supreme Court decision just two days ago that rewrites entire statutes in American law, and in its 33 pages has nearly nothing to say about religious liberty or religious believers in this country.”
“I only ask that the rights of well-meaning, sincere religious believers not be steamrolled, overlooked, and be shifted to the side as a part of this process,” said Hawley.
The bill would use coercion to force taxpayers to pay for abortions and force doctors, nurses, and faith-based hospitals to commit abortions, superseding protections formerly enacted by many states. It would also force many religious adoption agencies out of business, noted Hawley.
“This is not the way to find consensus in America,” he added.
“The Equality Act has a great title. Who can oppose ‘equality’?” asked Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.). “No one.”
“We don’t oppose equality. What we do oppose is when through legislation you take the rights of one [group] and dismiss the rights of others, and say, ‘Your rights don’t count,’” said Lankford.
The Equality Act would change things dramatically, he asserted, allowing “any biological male to step into female sports on the high school, college, and pro-athlete level,” grossly disadvantaging female athletes, whose rights will be denied.
“That’s not protecting the rights of all Americans,” said Lankford.
“The Equality Act says ‘you no longer have the right to disagree,’” he added.
Lankford concluded by quoting J.K. Rowling, famous author of the Harry Potter series of books: “All I’m asking, all I want, is for similar empathy, similar understanding to be extended to the many millions of women whose sole crime is wanting their concerns to be heard without receiving threats or abuse.”
“Come on. Let’s work together,” implored the Oklahoma senator. “We don’t want anyone to be discriminated against. Anyone.”
“We can do this in a way that accommodates everyone,” he said. “We can work towards agreement.”
Lankford objected to “unanimous consent,” so the “Equality Act” was set aside for now.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-19--Conservative Party leadership candidate O’Toole defends abortion

TORONTO , Ontario , June 18 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Conservative Party of Canada ( CPC ) leadership contender and M.P .
Erin O ’ Toole said that should he become prime minister , he would defend women ’ s “ right ” to “ choose for themselves ” to have an abortion during the CPC French-language leadership debate last night .
“ As a prime minister , I will defend the rights of people including women to choose for themselves when it comes to abortion .
And if you hear anything to the contrary tonight , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Toole in the debate in French as translated to English on CPAC .
O ’ Toole ’ s pro-abortion comments were made in an answer to a question related to national defense .
They came about despite the fact that he has billed himself as a “ True Blue ” conservative in his campaign and recently said he should be a “ second choice ” for social conservatives in a leaked video emailed to the CBC .
O ’ Toole joined the three other CPC leadership hopefuls , M.P .
Derek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ M.P .
Peter MacKay .
Both Sloan and Lewis identify themselves as pro-family and pro-life , while MacKay is openly pro-abortion .
The French CPC leadership debate was held in Toronto yesterday to no audience .
Candidates responded in French to pre-written questions from a moderator .
The English debate began at 7 P.M. EDT on June 18 .
During the back-and-forth portion of the debate , MacKay took on O ’ Toole and directly accused him of “ saying one thing in French and something completely different in English ” in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-choice .
“ Your whole campaign is based on lies .
Are you pro-choice or what ?
Tell us , tell us , ” said MacKay to O ’ Toole in French as translated to English on CPAC .
In the debate , MacKay spelled out his pro-abortion position .
“ I ’ m pro-choice .
I agree with gay marriage .
I can win in Ontario and Atlantic Canada , and I can strengthen our base in the West .
That ’ s what we have to do .
We have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said MacKay in French as translated to English on CPAC .
PETITION : Demand Planned Parenthood return $ 80M improperly taken from coronavirus emergency fund !
Sign the petition here .
While O ’ Toole did not answer MacKay directly in the debate , in speaking to reporters afterward in English , he reaffirmed that he supports a woman ’ s “ right ” to have her baby killed while in the womb .
“ Je suis pro-choix , ” said O ’ Toole to reporters , which translates to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about his abortion position .
“ I ’ ve always said I will defend all rights , including rights for women , that ’ s a pro-choice position .
It ’ s their decision , not mine , and I will defend their right to make that decision [ . ]
... [ M ] y personal view is to let women choose for themselves , ” said O ’ Toole to reporters .
He also told reporters , “ A large reason I lost the last leadership [ is ] because I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues.
” Pro-life candidate and M.P .
Sloan reaffirms his respect for life in debate In his opening debate statement in French , Sloan wasted no time in again reaffirming his pro-life stance .
“ Pregnancy is not a disease ; abortion can not be health care .
As prime minister , I would prevent Canada from funding abortions internationally and encourage debate on this , ” said Sloan in the French-to-English translation on CPAC .
Last week , Sloan said boldly on social media that abortion is “ not health care ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government will use taxpayer money to fund abortions abroad .
During the debate , Sloan also touched on his plan to defend freedom of expression , as well as ensuring that the conservative voice in the party is heard .
Sloan also said he is the only candidate willing and ready to take Canada out of the Paris Climate Agreement in a response to a question about the environment .
“ Canadians have a choice : if they want to protect the environment , they can work for climate realism the way I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more alarmist climate vision , ” said Sloan in the French-to-English translation on CPAC .
“ I am the only candidate that is ready to take us out of the very unrealistic Paris agreement that has already been used as an excuse to force the carbon tax on the provinces.
” While Lewis did not mention her pro-life position directly at any other point in the debate , in her opening remarks , she did say there needs to be “ compassion for vulnerable people ” and that she wants to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cornerstone of society.
” When asked about her views on diverging social conservatives in the CPC party , in speaking with reporters after the debate , Lewis said she finds that the social conservative voice is muzzled .
“ I actually find it ’ s the opposite in the party .
What happens is , people , tell social conservatives you can ’ t have that view , that debate is closed , that issue is over , we ’ re not going to talk about that , ” said Lewis in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservatives in my perspective are welcoming of people with other views .
And that ’ s the whole thing : in a democracy , we want divergence of perspectives.
” During the back-and-forth portion of the debate between candidates , Lewis directly asked MacKay if he would allow Cabinet members to vote their conscience should he become the CPC leader .
MacKay responded that “ yes , ” he would allow for this .
Campaign Life Coalition ( CLC ) blasts O ’ Toole ’ s remarks to the media , praises Sloan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Campaign Life Coalition ( CLC ) blasted O ’ Toole ’ s pro-abortion remarks made to the media in his post-debate interview .
“ No self-respecting # prolife Conservative should rank O ’ Toole on the ballot .
...
This cheerleader for child murder doesn ’ t deserve your support , ” said CLC on their Facebook page with a link to O ’ Toole ’ s interview .
“ Pls rank only Sloan and Lewis in the # 1 and/or # 2 ballot positions , in whatever order you prefer , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its CPC voters guide .
CLC director of political operations Jack Fonseca told LifeSiteNews that the organization was pleased with Sloan ’ s performance in the debate .
“ We were very impressed with Derek Sloan ’ s performance .
His opening and closing remarks included powerful statements on pro-life , free speech , and family values , ” Fonseca told LifeSiteNews .
“ He repeatedly brought up key issues like defunding overseas abortions and opposing Bill C-8 , Trudeau ’ s criminalization of reparative therapy and spiritual counselling for unwanted gender confusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fantastic job , a la Brad Trost.
” When asked about Lewis ’ s performance , Fonseca said that while she was “ quiet ” on social issues , he was pleased she pressed MacKay in getting him to say he would allow a free conscience vote to Cabinet members should he win .
“ Leslyn Lewis was quiet on social issues , and we hope she ’ ll be more vocal on our issues during tonight ’ s English debate , ” Fonseca told LifeSiteNews .
“ But she did manage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to allow Cabinet Ministers to vote their conscience on social issues .
That represented a welcome about-face from his previous policy.
” In a further analysis of the debate , Fonseca noted to LifeSiteNews the value of having two candidates who affirm themselves as pro-life and pro-family .
“ This debate showed the value of having outspoken pro-life/pro-family candidates .
They are helping to move the debate forward and , I believe , creating more openness to social conservative values both in the CPC and across the nation , ” said Fonseca .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch tonight ’ s English debate .
It promises to feature life and family issues front and centre .
”

‘As a Prime Minister, I will defend the rights of people including women to choose for themselves when it comes to abortion.’
TORONTO, Ontario, June 18, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) leadership contender and M.P. Erin O’Toole said that should he become prime minister, he would defend women’s “right” to “choose for themselves” to have an abortion during the CPC French-language leadership debate last night.
“As a prime minister, I will defend the rights of people including women to choose for themselves when it comes to abortion. And if you hear anything to the contrary tonight, it will be a lie,” said O’Toole in the debate in French as translated to English on CPAC.
O’Toole’s pro-abortion comments were made in an answer to a question related to national defense. They came about despite the fact that he has billed himself as a “True Blue” conservative in his campaign and recently said he should be a “second choice” for social conservatives in a leaked video emailed to the CBC.
O’Toole joined the three other CPC leadership hopefuls, M.P. Derek Sloan, Leslyn Lewis, and former M.P. Peter MacKay. Both Sloan and Lewis identify themselves as pro-family and pro-life, while MacKay is openly pro-abortion.
The French CPC leadership debate was held in Toronto yesterday to no audience. Candidates responded in French to pre-written questions from a moderator. The English debate began at 7 P.M. EDT on June 18.
During the back-and-forth portion of the debate, MacKay took on O’Toole and directly accused him of “saying one thing in French and something completely different in English” in a reference to his opening notes about being pro-choice.
“Your whole campaign is based on lies. Are you pro-choice or what? Tell us, tell us,” said MacKay to O’Toole in French as translated to English on CPAC.
In the debate, MacKay spelled out his pro-abortion position.
“I’m pro-choice. I agree with gay marriage. I can win in Ontario and Atlantic Canada, and I can strengthen our base in the West. That’s what we have to do. We have to take a position where we welcome everybody,” said MacKay in French as translated to English on CPAC.
PETITION: Demand Planned Parenthood return $80M improperly taken from coronavirus emergency fund! Sign the petition here.
While O’Toole did not answer MacKay directly in the debate, in speaking to reporters afterward in English, he reaffirmed that he supports a woman’s “right” to have her baby killed while in the womb.
“Je suis pro-choix,” said O’Toole to reporters, which translates to “I am pro-choice,” when asked about his abortion position.
“I’ve always said I will defend all rights, including rights for women, that’s a pro-choice position. It’s their decision, not mine, and I will defend their right to make that decision[.] … [M]y personal view is to let women choose for themselves,” said O’Toole to reporters.
He also told reporters, “A large reason I lost the last leadership [is] because I was viewed as too moderate on those issues.”
Pro-life candidate and M.P. Sloan reaffirms his respect for life in debate
In his opening debate statement in French, Sloan wasted no time in again reaffirming his pro-life stance.
“Pregnancy is not a disease; abortion cannot be health care. As prime minister, I would prevent Canada from funding abortions internationally and encourage debate on this,” said Sloan in the French-to-English translation on CPAC.
Last week, Sloan said boldly on social media that abortion is “not health care” in response to news that the Canadian government will use taxpayer money to fund abortions abroad.
During the debate, Sloan also touched on his plan to defend freedom of expression, as well as ensuring that the conservative voice in the party is heard.
Sloan also said he is the only candidate willing and ready to take Canada out of the Paris Climate Agreement in a response to a question about the environment.
“Canadians have a choice: if they want to protect the environment, they can work for climate realism the way I suggest, or they can vote for a more alarmist climate vision,” said Sloan in the French-to-English translation on CPAC.
“I am the only candidate that is ready to take us out of the very unrealistic Paris agreement that has already been used as an excuse to force the carbon tax on the provinces.”
While Lewis did not mention her pro-life position directly at any other point in the debate, in her opening remarks, she did say there needs to be “compassion for vulnerable people” and that she wants to see the “family” as the “cornerstone of society.”
When asked about her views on diverging social conservatives in the CPC party, in speaking with reporters after the debate, Lewis said she finds that the social conservative voice is muzzled.
“I actually find it’s the opposite in the party. What happens is, people, tell social conservatives you can’t have that view, that debate is closed, that issue is over, we’re not going to talk about that,” said Lewis in the French-to-English translation on CPAC.
“Social conservatives in my perspective are welcoming of people with other views. And that’s the whole thing: in a democracy, we want divergence of perspectives.”
During the back-and-forth portion of the debate between candidates, Lewis directly asked MacKay if he would allow Cabinet members to vote their conscience should he become the CPC leader.
MacKay responded that “yes,” he would allow for this.
Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) blasts O’Toole’s remarks to the media, praises Sloan’s French debate performance
Today, Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) blasted O’Toole’s pro-abortion remarks made to the media in his post-debate interview.
“No self-respecting #prolife Conservative should rank O’Toole on the ballot. … This cheerleader for child murder doesn’t deserve your support,” said CLC on their Facebook page with a link to O’Toole’s interview.
“Pls rank only Sloan and Lewis in the #1 and/or #2 ballot positions, in whatever order you prefer,” added CLC, with a link to its CPC voters guide.
CLC director of political operations Jack Fonseca told LifeSiteNews that the organization was pleased with Sloan’s performance in the debate.
“We were very impressed with Derek Sloan’s performance. His opening and closing remarks included powerful statements on pro-life, free speech, and family values,” Fonseca told LifeSiteNews.
“He repeatedly brought up key issues like defunding overseas abortions and opposing Bill C-8, Trudeau’s criminalization of reparative therapy and spiritual counselling for unwanted gender confusion and same-sex attraction. He really did a fantastic job, a la Brad Trost.”
When asked about Lewis’s performance, Fonseca said that while she was “quiet” on social issues, he was pleased she pressed MacKay in getting him to say he would allow a free conscience vote to Cabinet members should he win.
“Leslyn Lewis was quiet on social issues, and we hope she’ll be more vocal on our issues during tonight’s English debate,” Fonseca told LifeSiteNews. “But she did manage to extract from Peter MacKay a commitment to allow Cabinet Ministers to vote their conscience on social issues. That represented a welcome about-face from his previous policy.”
In a further analysis of the debate, Fonseca noted to LifeSiteNews the value of having two candidates who affirm themselves as pro-life and pro-family.
“This debate showed the value of having outspoken pro-life/pro-family candidates. They are helping to move the debate forward and, I believe, creating more openness to social conservative values both in the CPC and across the nation,” said Fonseca.
“I can’t wait to watch tonight’s English debate. It promises to feature life and family issues front and centre.”
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lifesitenews--2020-06-19--Heartbeat bill banning abortion after six weeks passes in Tennessee

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NASHVILLE , Tennessee , June 19 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Tennessee legislators in the House and Senate approved in the early hours of the morning a so-called heartbeat bill essentially outlawing abortion after six weeks of pregnancy , when an unborn baby ’ s heart first starts to beat .
Abortions sought simply because of the sex or race of the unborn child are equally prohibited by the bill .
Additionally , any “ prenatal diagnosis , test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the potential for Down syndrome in the unborn child ” is no longer a sufficient reason for an abortion .
In an effort to help mothers realize that the unborn child is a human being , thus helping to lower the number of abortions , doctors are required by the bill to determine the gestational age of the unborn child and tell the mother about it .
Mothers have a right to both “ an obstetric ultrasound and display the images so that the pregnant woman may view them , ” and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unborn child , if any.
” Prior to any abortion procedure , the pregnant woman needs to confirm in writing that she was presented with that information , or declined to be presented with it .
The Tennessee affiliate of the pro-abortion American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) immediately vowed to challenge the heartbeat bill in court .
“ Lack of access to abortion care particularly harms those struggling financially and those who already face significant barriers to health care , including people of color , people with limited incomes , rural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Hedy Weinberg , executive director of the ACLU of Tennessee .
“ Politicians should not be deciding what is best for women and certainly not making reproductive health care decisions for them.
” Expecting a legal challenge , however , legislators had implemented a safety feature that would , according to The Tennessean , “ automatically enact abortion bans at eight , 10 , 12 , 15 , 18 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 and 24 weeks of gestation , ” should a court “ strike down the six-week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a fetal heartbeat.
” “ While there is an exception to the restrictions if a woman ’ s life is in danger , there will be no exceptions for rape or incest , ” explained The Tennessean .
Gov .
Bill Lee , a pro-life Republican , said on Twitter , “ One of the most important things we can do to be pro-family is to protect the rights of the most vulnerable in our state , and there is none more vulnerable than the unborn.
” “ We have passed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s history , ” Lee added , calling out several lawmakers who helped move the bill through the House and the Senate .
What to Expect , a website based on the popular books about pregnancy and child rearing , explained the growth of the heart very early during the unborn baby ’ s development .
Even though at 4 weeks pregnant that sweet , sweet heartbeat hasn ’ t yet arrived , a distinct blood vessel has formed inside your embryo , which will soon develop into your baby ’ s heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the early stages , the heart resembles a tube that twists and divides , eventually forming the heart and valves ( which open and close to release blood from the heart to the body ) .
In fact , by week 5 , the heart tube begins to beat spontaneously , though you can ’ t hear it .
During those first few weeks , precursor blood vessels also begin to form in the embryo .
By 6 weeks , your baby ’ s heart – now beating 110 times a minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an entrance and an exit to allow blood to flow in and out of each chamber .
In just two more weeks , that number will rise to 150-170 beats a minute .
That ’ s about twice as fast as yours !
With all this growth , you ’ ll probably be able to hear your baby ’ s heartbeat for the first time around week 9 or week 10 of pregnancy , though it can vary a bit .
It will be about 170 beats per minutes by this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here on out .
Your doctor or midwife will place a handheld ultrasound device called a Doppler on your belly to amplify the sound .
Heartbeat bills , while passed by several states , including Alabama , Georgia , Missouri , and Ohio , have repeatedly been blocked by federal courts .
In turn , pro-life leaders have already vowed to take the cases to the Supreme Court .
Given the hostility to conservative issues even among Republican-nominated Supreme Court Justices , the result of any legal challenge remains questionable .
Previously , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtually all abortions by defining “ viability ” to mean “ that a male human sperm has penetrated the zona pellucida of the female ovum , which includes , but is not limited to , serial human chorionic gonadotropin ( HCG ) determinations or the detection of a heartbeat in an unborn child.
” Unbelievably , National Right to Life Committee ( NRLC ) general counsel James Bopp stabbed pro-lifers in the back by testifying against the bill , arguing that judges “ have an obligation to follow precedent .
And there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are unconstitutional … We have precedent we can not avoid with a clever legal argument.
” He characterized the bill ’ s viability provision as “ irrational ” language that “ makes us look foolish .
And I do not want to look foolish.
” Without specifically naming Bopp , Family Action Council of Tennessee president David Fowler wrote it is “ foolish ” to make “ prideful assertions about what the rule-of-law-composition of the Court will be at the time any law enacted now finally reaches that Court.
” Fowler also noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the history of the abortion debate have often been wrong .

The strong pro-life legislation also bans abortions based on sex, race or Down syndrome and requires the mother to be told the baby's gestational age.
PETITION: Demand Planned Parenthood return $80M improperly taken from coronavirus emergency fund! Sign the petition here.
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, June 19, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Tennessee legislators in the House and Senate approved in the early hours of the morning a so-called heartbeat bill essentially outlawing abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, when an unborn baby’s heart first starts to beat.
Abortions sought simply because of the sex or race of the unborn child are equally prohibited by the bill. Additionally, any “prenatal diagnosis, test, or screening indicating Down syndrome or the potential for Down syndrome in the unborn child” is no longer a sufficient reason for an abortion.
In an effort to help mothers realize that the unborn child is a human being, thus helping to lower the number of abortions, doctors are required by the bill to determine the gestational age of the unborn child and tell the mother about it.
Mothers have a right to both “an obstetric ultrasound and display the images so that the pregnant woman may view them,” and to hear “the fetal heartbeat of the unborn child, if any.”
Prior to any abortion procedure, the pregnant woman needs to confirm in writing that she was presented with that information, or declined to be presented with it.
The Tennessee affiliate of the pro-abortion American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) immediately vowed to challenge the heartbeat bill in court.
“Lack of access to abortion care particularly harms those struggling financially and those who already face significant barriers to health care, including people of color, people with limited incomes, rural people, and young people,” said Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the ACLU of Tennessee. “Politicians should not be deciding what is best for women and certainly not making reproductive health care decisions for them.”
Expecting a legal challenge, however, legislators had implemented a safety feature that would, according to The Tennessean, “automatically enact abortion bans at eight, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 weeks of gestation,” should a court “strike down the six-week ban, in conjunction with the detection of a fetal heartbeat.”
“While there is an exception to the restrictions if a woman’s life is in danger, there will be no exceptions for rape or incest,” explained The Tennessean.
Gov. Bill Lee, a pro-life Republican, said on Twitter, “One of the most important things we can do to be pro-family is to protect the rights of the most vulnerable in our state, and there is none more vulnerable than the unborn.”
“We have passed the strongest pro-life law in our state’s history,” Lee added, calling out several lawmakers who helped move the bill through the House and the Senate.
We have passed the strongest pro-life law in our state’s history and I am grateful to @ltgovmcnally, @CSexton25, @SenJohnson, @WilliamLamberth and members of our General Assembly for making the heartbeat bill law. — Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) June 19, 2020
What to Expect, a website based on the popular books about pregnancy and child rearing, explained the growth of the heart very early during the unborn baby’s development.
Even though at 4 weeks pregnant that sweet, sweet heartbeat hasn’t yet arrived, a distinct blood vessel has formed inside your embryo, which will soon develop into your baby’s heart and circulatory (blood) system. In the early stages, the heart resembles a tube that twists and divides, eventually forming the heart and valves (which open and close to release blood from the heart to the body). In fact, by week 5, the heart tube begins to beat spontaneously, though you can’t hear it. During those first few weeks, precursor blood vessels also begin to form in the embryo. By 6 weeks, your baby’s heart – now beating 110 times a minute – has four hollow chambers, each with an entrance and an exit to allow blood to flow in and out of each chamber. In just two more weeks, that number will rise to 150-170 beats a minute. That’s about twice as fast as yours! With all this growth, you’ll probably be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time around week 9 or week 10 of pregnancy, though it can vary a bit. It will be about 170 beats per minutes by this time, a rate that will slow from here on out. Your doctor or midwife will place a handheld ultrasound device called a Doppler on your belly to amplify the sound.
Heartbeat bills, while passed by several states, including Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, and Ohio, have repeatedly been blocked by federal courts. In turn, pro-life leaders have already vowed to take the cases to the Supreme Court.
Given the hostility to conservative issues even among Republican-nominated Supreme Court Justices, the result of any legal challenge remains questionable.
Previously, the state of Tennessee had proposed banning virtually all abortions by defining “viability” to mean “that a male human sperm has penetrated the zona pellucida of the female ovum, which includes, but is not limited to, serial human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) determinations or the detection of a heartbeat in an unborn child.”
Unbelievably, National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) general counsel James Bopp stabbed pro-lifers in the back by testifying against the bill, arguing that judges “have an obligation to follow precedent. And there’s simply no question that pre-viability prohibitions are unconstitutional … We have precedent we cannot avoid with a clever legal argument.”
He characterized the bill’s viability provision as “irrational” language that “makes us look foolish. And I do not want to look foolish.”
Without specifically naming Bopp, Family Action Council of Tennessee president David Fowler wrote it is “foolish” to make “prideful assertions about what the rule-of-law-composition of the Court will be at the time any law enacted now finally reaches that Court.”
Fowler also noted that “judicial vote prognostications” throughout the history of the abortion debate have often been wrong.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-19--MIT Catholic chaplain booted after questioning popular narrative of George Floyd’s death

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CAMBRIDGE , Massachusetts , June 19 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A Catholic priest was forced to leave his position as chaplain at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) after sending an email to campus Catholics questioning whether the death of George Floyd was the result of racism .
Fr .
Daniel Patrick Moloney , a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston , had been the Catholic chaplain at MIT since 2015 .
“ In the wake of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country have framed this as an act of racism .
I don ’ t think we know that .
Many people have claimed that racism is a major problem in police forces .
I don ’ t think we know that , ” wrote Fr .
Maloney , according to a report by The Boston Globe .
In the same June 7 email , Fr .
Moloney also questioned Floyd ’ s character , saying that while Floyd shouldn ’ t have been killed by the police officer , “ he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of MIT ’ s Catholic community , troubled by Fr .
Moloney ’ s remarks , reached out to campus and Archdiocesan authorities , the Archdiocese of Boston moved swiftly , asking Fr .
Moloney to resign on June 9 .
“ The personal opinions echoed in his comments regarding the murder of George Floyd do not reflect the positions of the Archdiocese and are not consistent with the positions detailed in the recently issued statement of Cardinal Seán O ’ Malley , ” asserted a statement issued by the Archdiocese .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s intellectual curiosity and honesty , writing : “ While Fr .
Moloney ’ s comments should not reflect on the entirety of his priestly ministry , they nonetheless were wrong and by his resignation he accepts the hurt they have caused.
” “ The message from Father Moloney was deeply disturbing , ” wrote Suzy M. Nelson , a vice president and dean for student life in a statement .
“ Those who wrote me and other senior leaders were outraged , and many felt alienated and abandoned by their faith , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and disparaging George Floyd ’ s character , Father Moloney ’ s message failed to acknowledge the dignity of each human being and the devastating impact of systemic racism -- especially within the criminal justice system -- on African Americans , people of African descent , and communities of color.
” “ Moreover , his message dismissed the need for urgent action and change in America , ” added Nelson .
Nelson said that MIT would “ engage the Archdiocese in nominating a Catholic chaplain whose views and ministry are consistent with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect , and dignity for all community members as well as the values proclaimed by the Church ’ s leadership.
” Professor Anthony Esolen defended Fr .
Moloney , asking , “ Exactly WHAT did he say that was not TRUE ?
” “ We do not know that Floyd ’ s killer was motivated by racism .
How the hell can we know that ?
” wondered Esolen in an online comment .
“ And it does not appear that Floyd lived a virtuous life .
What exactly was not TRUE ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so controversial ?
” asked Phil Lawler , founder of Catholic World News and news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org .
“ Because Father Moloney questioned the popular narrative.
” “ The chaplain didn ’ t say that Floyd ’ s death was not prompted by racism .
He simply remarked that the evidence is not conclusive , ” wrote Lawler .
“ For that he was banished from the campus .
For that he was given a public reprimand by his own archdiocese , which announced to the world that his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now imagine that a Catholic chaplain on some other campus had issued a statement questioning the Real Presence or the Virgin Birth .
Or — this will be a good deal easier — imagine a chaplain who welcomed the legal recognition of same-sex marriage .
Would he be forced to resign ?
Would the archdiocese issue an immediate public correction ?
” wondered Lawler .
Others called the Archdiocese 's response an act of “ calumny and slander ” that requires a “ sincere public apology.
” Some followed the Archbishop ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logical conclusion : “ Just like good men will leave ( or never join ) the police force if they feel the higher-ups won ’ t back them , so too good men will flee from a priestly vocation when they see how priests are treated for simply expressing a legitimate opinion , ” tweeted Catholic author Eric Sammons , citing Fr .
Moloney ’ s dismissal as MIT ’ s chaplain .
“ Can you imagine recommending a young man become a priest and turn his life over to these wicked , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic writer and commentator John Zmirak in response .
“ I regret what happened , I regret it was misunderstood , I regret that became difficult for me to be a voice for Christ on campus , ” Moloney told The Boston Globe .
“ The whole thing went down in a way that I wish were otherwise .
...
I didn ’ t want to hurt anybody.
” In a lengthy blog entry , also posted on June 7 , Fr .
Moloney wrote that the descent of the Holy Spirit at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unity , in which everyone lived in harmony , ‘ with one heart and one mind ( lit .
‘ soul ’ ) .
’ This sort of unity is available to us , if through the Holy Spirit we set aside the sin that divides us.
” Fr .
Moloney continued , identifying the dangers entailed in what he calls “ justice-only politics ” and “ cancel ” culture : In my book Mercy , I talk about how a great part of the difference between Christian thinking and secular thinking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how we respond to injustices .
The mistake of what I call “ justice-only politics ” is to have well-developed ideas about how things ought to be ( aka justice ) , but no concept of mercy , no real thought about what to do when circumstances and/or people get in the way of their idea of justice .
I think the national reaction to the killing of George Floyd reveals something like this .
Some people think that the right thing to do is to enact reforms of the police ; others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to kill the police and bomb the precinct .
Some people think that nonviolent protests are an appropriate response ; others think that injustice justifies robbing the local Target .
Some people are satisfied when the bad cops are arrested , prosecuted , and convicted ; others want to overthrow the government .
Some are just so upset that they don ’ t know what to do .
All agree that something deeply wrong happened to George Floyd , but our consensus stops there , at the level of justice .
Mercy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when things go wrong .
Once we decide that something is unjust , we still have to decide what is the right thing to do .
Do we “ cancel ” the unjust persons , breaking solidarity with them and removing them from society ?
Do we send them to the guillotine ?
Or do we try to make things better ?
In an interesting Trinitarian statement , Jesus commands his disciples to “ be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful ” ( Luke 6:36 ) .
So justice-only politics , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the sinner , is not a Christian option .
According to his biography which is still available at the MIT website , Fr .
Moloney has a doctorate in Philosophy from Notre Dame , a bachelor 's degree in religious studies from Yale University , and a Bachelor ’ s of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome , graduating magna cum laude .
Fr .
Moloney has been a lecturer on religion , politics , and American constitutional law in the Department of Politics at Princeton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the university 's James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions , and was a Senior Policy Analyst at the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation , where he studied policy issues affecting family , religion , marriage and culture civil society in America .
He is the author of the book Mercy : What Every Catholic Should Know ( Ignatius Press , 2020 ) .

Fr. Daniel Patrick Moloney said that people have 'framed this as an act of racism,' adding that ‘we don’t know’ if the killing was actually motivated by racism.
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CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, June 19, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A Catholic priest was forced to leave his position as chaplain at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) after sending an email to campus Catholics questioning whether the death of George Floyd was the result of racism.
Fr. Daniel Patrick Moloney, a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston, had been the Catholic chaplain at MIT since 2015.
“In the wake of George Floyd’s death, most people in the country have framed this as an act of racism. I don’t think we know that. Many people have claimed that racism is a major problem in police forces. I don’t think we know that,” wrote Fr. Moloney, according to a report by The Boston Globe.
In the same June 7 email, Fr. Moloney also questioned Floyd’s character, saying that while Floyd shouldn’t have been killed by the police officer, “he had not lived a virtuous life.”
After members of MIT’s Catholic community, troubled by Fr. Moloney’s remarks, reached out to campus and Archdiocesan authorities, the Archdiocese of Boston moved swiftly, asking Fr. Moloney to resign on June 9.
“The personal opinions echoed in his comments regarding the murder of George Floyd do not reflect the positions of the Archdiocese and are not consistent with the positions detailed in the recently issued statement of Cardinal Seán O’Malley,” asserted a statement issued by the Archdiocese.
The Archdiocese condemned Fr. Moloney’s intellectual curiosity and honesty, writing: “While Fr. Moloney’s comments should not reflect on the entirety of his priestly ministry, they nonetheless were wrong and by his resignation he accepts the hurt they have caused.”
“The message from Father Moloney was deeply disturbing,” wrote Suzy M. Nelson, a vice president and dean for student life in a statement.
“Those who wrote me and other senior leaders were outraged, and many felt alienated and abandoned by their faith,” continued Nelson. “By devaluing and disparaging George Floyd’s character, Father Moloney’s message failed to acknowledge the dignity of each human being and the devastating impact of systemic racism — especially within the criminal justice system — on African Americans, people of African descent, and communities of color.”
“Moreover, his message dismissed the need for urgent action and change in America,” added Nelson.
Nelson said that MIT would “engage the Archdiocese in nominating a Catholic chaplain whose views and ministry are consistent with the Institute’s values of inclusion, respect, and dignity for all community members as well as the values proclaimed by the Church’s leadership.”
Professor Anthony Esolen defended Fr. Moloney, asking, “Exactly WHAT did he say that was not TRUE?”
“We do not know that Floyd’s killer was motivated by racism. How the hell can we know that?” wondered Esolen in an online comment. “And it does not appear that Floyd lived a virtuous life. What exactly was not TRUE?”
“Why was this email message so controversial?” asked Phil Lawler, founder of Catholic World News and news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. “Because Father Moloney questioned the popular narrative.”
“The chaplain didn’t say that Floyd’s death was not prompted by racism. He simply remarked that the evidence is not conclusive,” wrote Lawler. “For that he was banished from the campus. For that he was given a public reprimand by his own archdiocese, which announced to the world that his statements ‘were wrong.’”
“Now imagine that a Catholic chaplain on some other campus had issued a statement questioning the Real Presence or the Virgin Birth. Or — this will be a good deal easier — imagine a chaplain who welcomed the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. Would he be forced to resign? Would the archdiocese issue an immediate public correction?” wondered Lawler.
Others called the Archdiocese's response an act of “calumny and slander” that requires a “sincere public apology.”
Some followed the Archbishop’s dismissal of Fr. Moloney to its logical conclusion:
“Just like good men will leave (or never join) the police force if they feel the higher-ups won’t back them, so too good men will flee from a priestly vocation when they see how priests are treated for simply expressing a legitimate opinion,” tweeted Catholic author Eric Sammons, citing Fr. Moloney’s dismissal as MIT’s chaplain.
Just like good men will leave (or never join) the police force if they feel the higher-ups won’t back them, so too good men will flee from a priestly vocation when they see how priests are treated for simply expressing a legitimate opinion. Case in point: pic.twitter.com/CrzgCqPTuO — Eric Sammons (@EricRSammons) June 19, 2020
“Can you imagine recommending a young man become a priest and turn his life over to these wicked, cowardly, apostate bishops?” tweeted Catholic writer and commentator John Zmirak in response.
Can you imagine recommending a young man become a priest and turn his life over to these wicked, cowardly, apostate bishops? — John Zmirak (@JZmirak) June 19, 2020
‘Justice-only politics’ and ‘cancel culture’
“I regret what happened, I regret it was misunderstood, I regret that became difficult for me to be a voice for Christ on campus,” Moloney told The Boston Globe. “The whole thing went down in a way that I wish were otherwise. … I didn’t want to hurt anybody.”
In a lengthy blog entry, also posted on June 7, Fr. Moloney wrote that the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost produced “a miraculous level of unity, in which everyone lived in harmony, ‘with one heart and one mind (lit. ‘soul’).’ This sort of unity is available to us, if through the Holy Spirit we set aside the sin that divides us.”
Fr. Moloney continued, identifying the dangers entailed in what he calls “justice-only politics” and “cancel” culture:
In my book Mercy, I talk about how a great part of the difference between Christian thinking and secular thinking about politics comes down to mercy, to how we respond to injustices. The mistake of what I call “justice-only politics” is to have well-developed ideas about how things ought to be (aka justice), but no concept of mercy, no real thought about what to do when circumstances and/or people get in the way of their idea of justice. I think the national reaction to the killing of George Floyd reveals something like this. Some people think that the right thing to do is to enact reforms of the police; others think that the right thing to do is to kill the police and bomb the precinct. Some people think that nonviolent protests are an appropriate response; others think that injustice justifies robbing the local Target. Some people are satisfied when the bad cops are arrested, prosecuted, and convicted; others want to overthrow the government. Some are just so upset that they don’t know what to do. All agree that something deeply wrong happened to George Floyd, but our consensus stops there, at the level of justice. Mercy is the virtue that comes into play when things go wrong. Once we decide that something is unjust, we still have to decide what is the right thing to do. Do we “cancel” the unjust persons, breaking solidarity with them and removing them from society? Do we send them to the guillotine? Or do we try to make things better? In an interesting Trinitarian statement, Jesus commands his disciples to “be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). So justice-only politics, or any politics without solidarity for the offender and the sinner, is not a Christian option.
He concluded:
There are no spiritual shortcuts. To conquer racism requires a conversion to holiness, and a willingness to spread grace and charity to hardened hearts. Only through baptism into Christ’s Ascension can any fallen human being participate in the inner charity of the Trinity. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to transform our lives.
According to his biography which is still available at the MIT website, Fr. Moloney has a doctorate in Philosophy from Notre Dame, a bachelor's degree in religious studies from Yale University, and a Bachelor’s of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, graduating magna cum laude.
Fr. Moloney has been a lecturer on religion, politics, and American constitutional law in the Department of Politics at Princeton University, where he was affiliated with the university's James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, and was a Senior Policy Analyst at the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation, where he studied policy issues affecting family, religion, marriage and culture civil society in America.
He is the author of the book Mercy: What Every Catholic Should Know (Ignatius Press, 2020).
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lifesitenews--2020-06-19--Polish President: LGBT ideology is ‘more destructive’ than communism

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Sign the petition here .
WARSAW , Poland , June 19 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Polish President Andrzej Duda has called homosexuality and transgenderism an ideology that is “ is even more destructive to the human being ” than communism .
Poland had been a communist dictatorship after World War II until 1989 .
During a campaign speech , Duda compared the indoctrination that took place during communism with the indoctrination of homosexuality and gender ideology .
“ That was Bolshevism .
It was the ideologizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also attempts to push an ideology on us and our children , but different .
It ’ s totally new , but it is also neo-Bolshevism , ” he explained .
Following numerous negative articles by international media outlets , Duda sent out several tweets in English to Reuters , The New York Times , the Associated Press , The Guardian , and the Financial Times , clarifying his position .
“ Yet again , as part of dirty political fight , my words are put out of context .
I truly believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ At the same time , beliefs of any minority can not be imposed on a majority under the false pretense of tolerance .
In our times , truth has become a scared little creature that hides from much stronger correctness.
” “ I believe in the world where truths , such as MeToo , can have a safe platform .
Where we can speak our mind , where words are not twisted .
I believe in tolerance to any views , so please stop distributing fake news , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be elected president for a second term , Duda has pledged to protect children from the agenda of homosexuality and gender ideology .
His campaign platform includes a “ Family Card ” listing his many pro-family policies .
It includes a section titled “ Protection of children from LGBT ideology.
” That section promises “ an end to ideological LGBT propaganda in public institutions ” and “ the right of parents to decide in what spirit to shape their children.
” It includes a belief that “ parents above all are responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and expresses support for “ the parents ’ decisive influence on the form and substance of optional classes in schools.
” The “ Family Card ” also offers “ help for families who want to homeschool.
” In other sections , the “ Family Card ” pledges financial support for families , help for senior citizens , and help for single parents .
According to the president , the family is crucial to Poland , and the traditional definition of marriage will prevail .
“ The family deserves special support from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The family protects and builds society.
” “ Our identity has helped us to weather the toughest times in childhood , ” Duda added .
“ The Polish family has preserved our values .
The family is a special value , which demands special protection from the state … Marriage is a relationship between women and men , and so it will remain.
” Duda , a practicing Catholic , began his presidency in 2015 by making a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Częstochowa , who is venerated as Queen and Protectress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corpus Christi in 2015 , he was seen rescuing a consecrated host that had dropped to the ground during an outdoor Mass .
Catholics believe that after the words of consecration are prayed during Mass , the bread is changed substantially into the whole Christ – body , blood , soul , and divinity .
This conviction explains the utmost care given by the Church to the Eucharist .
Duda is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House next Wednesday , just a few days before the presidential @ @ @ @

Andrzej Duda compared the indoctrination that took place during communism with how children are now indoctrinated by homosexuality and gender ideology.
PETITION: Investigate George Soros' role in funding domestic terrorism! Sign the petition here.
WARSAW, Poland, June 19, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Polish President Andrzej Duda has called homosexuality and transgenderism an ideology that is “is even more destructive to the human being” than communism. Poland had been a communist dictatorship after World War II until 1989.
During a campaign speech, Duda compared the indoctrination that took place during communism with the indoctrination of homosexuality and gender ideology.
“That was Bolshevism. It was the ideologizing of children. Today, there are also attempts to push an ideology on us and our children, but different. It’s totally new, but it is also neo-Bolshevism,” he explained.
Following numerous negative articles by international media outlets, Duda sent out several tweets in English to Reuters, The New York Times, the Associated Press, The Guardian, and the Financial Times, clarifying his position.
“Yet again, as part of dirty political fight, my words are put out of context. I truly believe in diversity and equality,” Duda said. “At the same time, beliefs of any minority cannot be imposed on a majority under the false pretense of tolerance. In our times, truth has become a scared little creature that hides from much stronger correctness.”
“I believe in the world where truths, such as MeToo, can have a safe platform. Where we can speak our mind, where words are not twisted. I believe in tolerance to any views, so please stop distributing fake news,” he added.
As part of his campaign to be elected president for a second term, Duda has pledged to protect children from the agenda of homosexuality and gender ideology.
His campaign platform includes a “Family Card” listing his many pro-family policies. It includes a section titled “Protection of children from LGBT ideology.”
That section promises “an end to ideological LGBT propaganda in public institutions” and “the right of parents to decide in what spirit to shape their children.” It includes a belief that “parents above all are responsible for the sexual education of their children” and expresses support for “the parents’ decisive influence on the form and substance of optional classes in schools.”
The “Family Card” also offers “help for families who want to homeschool.”
In other sections, the “Family Card” pledges financial support for families, help for senior citizens, and help for single parents.
According to the president, the family is crucial to Poland, and the traditional definition of marriage will prevail.
“The family deserves special support from the state,” he pointed out. “The family protects and builds society.”
“Our identity has helped us to weather the toughest times in childhood,” Duda added. “The Polish family has preserved our values. The family is a special value, which demands special protection from the state … Marriage is a relationship between women and men, and so it will remain.”
Duda, a practicing Catholic, began his presidency in 2015 by making a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Częstochowa, who is venerated as Queen and Protectress of Poland.
For the feast of Corpus Christi in 2015, he was seen rescuing a consecrated host that had dropped to the ground during an outdoor Mass.
Catholics believe that after the words of consecration are prayed during Mass, the bread is changed substantially into the whole Christ – body, blood, soul, and divinity. This conviction explains the utmost care given by the Church to the Eucharist.
Duda is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House next Wednesday, just a few days before the presidential election in Poland.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-19--Gender clinic rushed UK kids onto ‘transition’ pathway after one or two visits, review finds

UNITED KINGDOM , June 19 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Staff at a UK state-funded “ gender transition clinic ” for children raised concerns during a review that children were quickly being set on a gender transitioning pathway only after one or two visits .
Staff also raised concerns about being discouraged from reporting about children they suspected of being sexually abused .
“ Let 's pray that I am wrong because if I am not wrong , very many vulnerable children have been very poorly treated and will be left with , potentially , a lifetime of damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in transcripts of staff interviews that were part of a review into the Gender Identity Development Service ( GIDS ) .
The transcripts were leaked to the BBC ’ s Newsnight team who reported on the matter June 19 .
The BBC reports that staff interviews from a 2019 review into GIDS , which operates from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust , revealed a “ damning ” assessment of the service by a number of staff working at the clinic .
“ [ T ] he review heard from several staff that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sarah Davidson , would sometimes refer children for treatment after only one or two appointments , ” the BBC report states .
`` Absolutely it should never happen because this is a pathway that will lead to huge , huge changes for this young person , potentially , infertility , '' one GIDS clinician is reported to have said .
The BBC article notes that “ [ s ] uch a quick referral , staff claim , could risk putting young people on potentially life-changing medicines who may have been struggling with issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Staff allege that they were discouraged from reporting concerns to safeguarding personnel , including in cases where they “ feared a child had suffered sexual abuse or trauma.
” '' There was a very clear message from senior management about being really cautious about how we talk to the safeguarding team at the Tavi [ stock ] , and specifically [ the Trust 's safeguarding lead ] , ” one staff member who left GIDS last year , told the BBC .
`` I would say that perhaps that 's why more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service within three years , '' they added .
According to the BBC report , transcripts from the review show staff saying “ some parents appeared to prefer their children to be transgender and straight , rather than gay.
” One clinic staff member reported a child as having said “ My mum wants the hormone more than I do.
” Staff are reported to have said that one child who initially claimed to be a lesbian , suddenly changed their mind and began identifying as “ trans ” after experiencing “ homophobic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Christian Concern , told LIfeSiteNews that these findings “ are just the latest in a long list of disturbing revelations about how the Tavistock clinic and GIDS have functioned.
” “ The unquestioning allegiance to the most extreme forms of transgender ideology , pushed by campaigners like Mermaids , silences all questioning voices and leads to irreparable harm to children , ” Williams said .
“ Academics like James Caspian have been unable to research the issue of gender de-transition , which will be increasingly common when children , rushed through transgender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatments ’ aren ’ t helping.
” But Williams said that she believes that we are “ beginning to see the tide turn as more prominent voices begin to publicly question radical trans-affirming ideas , particularly in the treatment of children.
” “ May we continue to advocate for these vulnerable children and stop this long-term harm , before it ’ s too late , ” she said .
Earlier this year Sue Evans , a former Tavistock psychiatric nurse began legal action against the Tavistock and Portman NHS [ National Health Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refer a child for hormone “ therapy ” after just 4 consultations .
Evans was joined in her suit by the mother of a 15-year-old gender-confused girl , and by Keira Bell , a young woman who has given up her attempts to “ become ” a man .
Bell said she became a claimant in the case because she didn ’ t believe “ that children and young people can consent to the use of powerful and experimental hormone drugs ” as she had done .
“ I believe that the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tavistock is inadequate as it does not allow for exploration of these gender dysphoric feelings , nor does it seek to find the underlying causes of this condition , ” Bell said .

'Very many vulnerable children have been very poorly treated and will be left with, potentially, a lifetime of damage here'
DROP Disney+: New teen film 'Out' features openly homosexual main character! Sign the petition here.
UNITED KINGDOM, June 19, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Staff at a UK state-funded “gender transition clinic” for children raised concerns during a review that children were quickly being set on a gender transitioning pathway only after one or two visits. Staff also raised concerns about being discouraged from reporting about children they suspected of being sexually abused.
“Let's pray that I am wrong because if I am not wrong, very many vulnerable children have been very poorly treated and will be left with, potentially, a lifetime of damage here,” said one staff member in transcripts of staff interviews that were part of a review into the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS). The transcripts were leaked to the BBC’s Newsnight team who reported on the matter June 19.
The BBC reports that staff interviews from a 2019 review into GIDS, which operates from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, revealed a “damning” assessment of the service by a number of staff working at the clinic.
“[T]he review heard from several staff that one member of the GIDS leadership, Sarah Davidson, would sometimes refer children for treatment after only one or two appointments,” the BBC report states.
“Absolutely it should never happen because this is a pathway that will lead to huge, huge changes for this young person, potentially, infertility,” one GIDS clinician is reported to have said.
The BBC article notes that “[s]uch a quick referral, staff claim, could risk putting young people on potentially life-changing medicines who may have been struggling with issues such as their mental health and sexuality.”
Staff allege that they were discouraged from reporting concerns to safeguarding personnel, including in cases where they “feared a child had suffered sexual abuse or trauma.”
“There was a very clear message from senior management about being really cautious about how we talk to the safeguarding team at the Tavi[stock], and specifically [the Trust's safeguarding lead],” one staff member who left GIDS last year, told the BBC.
“I would say that perhaps that's why more than 40 clinicians decided to leave the service within three years,” they added.
According to the BBC report, transcripts from the review show staff saying “some parents appeared to prefer their children to be transgender and straight, rather than gay.”
One clinic staff member reported a child as having said “My mum wants the hormone more than I do.” Staff are reported to have said that one child who initially claimed to be a lesbian, suddenly changed their mind and began identifying as “trans” after experiencing “homophobic bullying.”
Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, told LIfeSiteNews that these findings “are just the latest in a long list of disturbing revelations about how the Tavistock clinic and GIDS have functioned.”
“The unquestioning allegiance to the most extreme forms of transgender ideology, pushed by campaigners like Mermaids, silences all questioning voices and leads to irreparable harm to children,” Williams said.
“Academics like James Caspian have been unable to research the issue of gender de-transition, which will be increasingly common when children, rushed through transgender medical pathways, discover that the ‘treatments’ aren’t helping.”
But Williams said that she believes that we are “beginning to see the tide turn as more prominent voices begin to publicly question radical trans-affirming ideas, particularly in the treatment of children.”
“May we continue to advocate for these vulnerable children and stop this long-term harm, before it’s too late,” she said.
Earlier this year Sue Evans, a former Tavistock psychiatric nurse began legal action against the Tavistock and Portman NHS [National Health Service] Trust, after witnessing a colleague refer a child for hormone “therapy” after just 4 consultations.
Evans was joined in her suit by the mother of a 15-year-old gender-confused girl, and by Keira Bell, a young woman who has given up her attempts to “become” a man.
Bell said she became a claimant in the case because she didn’t believe “that children and young people can consent to the use of powerful and experimental hormone drugs” as she had done.
“I believe that the current affirmative system put in place by the Tavistock is inadequate as it does not allow for exploration of these gender dysphoric feelings, nor does it seek to find the underlying causes of this condition,” Bell said.
Share