lifesitenews--2020-01-10--Nebraska governor attacked for issuing day of prayer to end abortion

PETITION : Support Nebraska Governor attacked for declaring day of prayer to end abortion Sign the petition here .
LINCOLN , Nebraska , January 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Nebraska Republican Gov .
Pete Ricketts has received some pushback for his recent proclamation declaring January 22 a statewide day of prayer to end abortion , chiefly from a group notorious for opposing intersections of faith and government .
“ I do hereby urge all individuals to pray on their own or with others , according to their faith , for an end to abortion , ” reads the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the upcoming anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling .
It also encourages Nebraskans to “ take direct action to aid mothers , fathers and families in need , especially those expecting a child who can not provide for themselves.
” The proclamation is in keeping with Nebraska ’ s strong pro-life record , and comes as pro-lifers across the country hope the U.S. Supreme Court will take its upcoming review of Louisiana ’ s abortion regulations as an opportunity to reconsider the legitimacy of Roe .
On Thursday , the Freedom From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state “ has no business — and no power — to tell citizens when or whether to pray , much less what to pray about.
” “ Our Founders even rejected a proposal to pray during the constitutional convention , when they adopted our godless Constitution , ” FFRF co-presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor claim in a letter lecturing Ricketts .
“ In issuing this call to prayer , you have abridged the freedom of conscience of citizens in your state.
” Issuing a public statement asking for prayers obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and proclamations formally recognizing days of prayer and fasting , including with more overtly-Christian language than that used by Ricketts , date back to the earliest days of American history .
Presidents George Washington , John Adams , and James Madison all issued such proclamations .
Even Thomas Jefferson , though he expressed reservations about doing so as president , was willing to sign a proclamation for a “ day of public and solemn thanksgiving and prayer to Almighty God ” in his capacity as Governor of Virginia .
( FFRF ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s famous “ wall of separation between Church & State ” phrase , which he meant as an expression of protecting religion from government . )
The letter also falsely claims legal abortion is a “ constitutionally protected right , ” and asserts Nebraska isn ’ t a pro-life state on the basis of a 2014 Pew survey finding a narrow majority of the residents favor keeping abortion legal .
But a 2019 Public Religion Research Institute ( PRRI ) survey found that Nebraskans who would ban all or most abortions outnumber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortions , 48 % to 43 % .
Lastly , the letter lectures Christians that “ your bible says nothing about abortion , ” and that Jesus told His followers not to “ pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.
” The first claim is a popular pro-abortion straw man that ignores the Bible ’ s abundant statements about the sanctity of human life and the evil of shedding innocent blood .
The second references Jesus ’ warning against displaying piety for the purpose of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibit public prayer for selfless purposes ( such as calling for the protection of others ) .
Previous FFRF targets have included crosses and nativity scenes at local courthouses , a judge who gave a Bible to a repentant convict , prayer at school board meetings , senators tweeting Bible verses , and elementary school Bible clubs .
During a Democrat presidential primary debate in October , CNN aired a FFRF commercial featuring presidential son Ron Reagan Jr. soliciting donations and declaring himself an “ unabashed atheist ” who is “ not afraid @ @ @ @ @ @

Even though issuing a public statement asking for prayers obviously carries no legal force, the Freedom From Religion Foundation accused the governor of violating 'the freedom of conscience of citizens in your state.'
PETITION: Support Nebraska Governor attacked for declaring day of prayer to end abortion Sign the petition here.
LINCOLN, Nebraska, January 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Nebraska Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts has received some pushback for his recent proclamation declaring January 22 a statewide day of prayer to end abortion, chiefly from a group notorious for opposing intersections of faith and government.
“I do hereby urge all individuals to pray on their own or with others, according to their faith, for an end to abortion,” reads the proclamation. It calls for prayers on the upcoming anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling. It also encourages Nebraskans to “take direct action to aid mothers, fathers and families in need, especially those expecting a child who cannot provide for themselves.”
The proclamation is in keeping with Nebraska’s strong pro-life record, and comes as pro-lifers across the country hope the U.S. Supreme Court will take its upcoming review of Louisiana’s abortion regulations as an opportunity to reconsider the legitimacy of Roe.
On Thursday, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) declared that the state “has no business — and no power — to tell citizens when or whether to pray, much less what to pray about.”
“Our Founders even rejected a proposal to pray during the constitutional convention, when they adopted our godless Constitution,” FFRF co-presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor claim in a letter lecturing Ricketts. “In issuing this call to prayer, you have abridged the freedom of conscience of citizens in your state.”
Issuing a public statement asking for prayers obviously carries no legal force, however, and proclamations formally recognizing days of prayer and fasting, including with more overtly-Christian language than that used by Ricketts, date back to the earliest days of American history. Presidents George Washington, John Adams, and James Madison all issued such proclamations.
Even Thomas Jefferson, though he expressed reservations about doing so as president, was willing to sign a proclamation for a “day of public and solemn thanksgiving and prayer to Almighty God” in his capacity as Governor of Virginia. (FFRF’s letter includes an out-of-context invocation of Jefferson’s famous “wall of separation between Church & State” phrase, which he meant as an expression of protecting religion from government.)
The letter also falsely claims legal abortion is a “constitutionally protected right,” and asserts Nebraska isn’t a pro-life state on the basis of a 2014 Pew survey finding a narrow majority of the residents favor keeping abortion legal. But a 2019 Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) survey found that Nebraskans who would ban all or most abortions outnumber those who would allow all or most abortions, 48% to 43%.
Lastly, the letter lectures Christians that “your bible says nothing about abortion,” and that Jesus told His followers not to “pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.”
The first claim is a popular pro-abortion straw man that ignores the Bible’s abundant statements about the sanctity of human life and the evil of shedding innocent blood. The second references Jesus’ warning against displaying piety for the purpose of projecting a self-image, which does not prohibit public prayer for selfless purposes (such as calling for the protection of others).
Previous FFRF targets have included crosses and nativity scenes at local courthouses, a judge who gave a Bible to a repentant convict, prayer at school board meetings, senators tweeting Bible verses, and elementary school Bible clubs. During a Democrat presidential primary debate in October, CNN aired a FFRF commercial featuring presidential son Ron Reagan Jr. soliciting donations and declaring himself an “unabashed atheist” who is “not afraid of burning in hell.”
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lifesitenews--2020-01-10--Virginia Democrats seeking to add pro-abortion amendment to state constitution, void pro-life laws

RICHMOND , Virginia , January 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A Virginia Democrat has introduced a resolution to enshrine “ the individual right to personal reproductive autonomy ” in the commonwealth ’ s Constitution , as well as a bill to repeal several moderately pro-life laws .
The Democrat-controlled legislature is also pushing forward the so-called Equal Rights Amendment ( ERA ) , which would enshrine abortion and the elimination of sex distinctions into the U.S. Constitution .
Legal experts – and now the U.S. Department of Justice – say votes decades ago to ratify the failed 1972 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are attempting to revive it anyway .
Virginia Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw introduced both pro-abortion measures and resurrected the ERA .
Senate Bill 21 , meanwhile , would treat minors as adults for purposes of consenting to “ ( m ) edical or health services related to abortion , birth control , pregnancy or family planning except for the purposes of sexual sterilization.
” It would strike from the law a requirement that abortionists make a “ statement of the probable gestational age of the fetus at the time the abortion is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imaging ... be performed prior to the abortion to confirm the gestational age.
” Committing an abortion without doing an ultrasound to determine the age of the child being killed can put the mother ( in addition to the child being aborted ) at risk .
For example , chemical abortions – “ the abortion pill ” – are only used to kill preborn babies about 10 weeks and younger , so dispensing them to a woman much farther along in pregnancy might lead to serious complications and/or an incomplete abortion .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aborting a 15-week-old child and discovered mid-abortion the baby was actually 19 or 20 weeks , it ’ s possible he ’ d be unable to remove all of the pieces of the dismembered human .
Ultrasounds are standard practice to confirm gestational age anyway , regardless of whether a pregnant woman is undergoing an abortion .
They are also used to detect whether a pregnancy is ectopic .
Additionally , SB 21 would remove from state law language mandating that abortion facilities meet the same health and safety standards as hospitals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and proper government oversight are what have allowed countless abortionists , in Virginia and other states , to operate filthy facilities that harm women .
Another pro-abortion bill , SB 68 , would scrap a law requiring women be given the chance to see their baby ’ s ultrasound and hear his heartbeat before aborting .
LGBT bill would ‘ push radical sexual orientation and gender identity policies ’ in schools Democrats are also moving ahead with SB 868 , which would make homosexuality and transgenderism protected classes .
SB 161 would require @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies on transgenderism in public schools .
“ This bill would mandate local school divisions to develop policies on how schools must handle situations that involve students of one biological sex who identify as the opposite sex , including i ) the use of bathrooms and locker rooms , ii ) the use of pronouns when identifying students , and iii ) allowing biological males to participate in all-female sports teams , ” warned Victoria Cobb , president of the Family Foundation of Virginia , in an email to supporters .
“ SB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gender identity policies onto parents and their children that intrude on their personal convictions.
” “ These proposed policies are like all of the nondiscrimination policies that have been approved by numerous school boards in Virginia which allow boys to use female locker rooms or ... bathrooms , and possibly even share the same hotel room for school sponsored events.
” Cobb recalled the case of Peter Vlaming , a French teacher in West Point , Virginia who was fired for refusing to call a girl a boy .
“ Mr .
Vlaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the student by using the student ’ s newly chosen ( traditionally male ) name , and to refrain from using any pronouns altogether , ” noted Cobb .
“ All he did was follow his conscience , which would not let him speak objective falsehoods that did not align with biological realities.
” “ SB 161 would no doubt lead to more cases like Peter Vlaming 's , which will only deter highly qualified people from ( pursuing ) the teaching profession.
” For the first time in 26 years , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Virginia legislature and the governorship , despite the party ’ s top three state officials being implicated in infanticide , blackface , and sexual assault scandals .
Democrat Governor Ralph Northam , a pediatric neurologist , made his infamous pro-infanticide remarks in January 2019 ; both Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring then admitted to having worn blackface in college , with the former being pictured in his medical school yearbook either in blackface or a Ku Klux Klan robe ; and two women accused Lt .
Governor Justin Fairfax of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to make Virginia a ‘ safe haven ’ for abortion after election wins Virginia bill would allow birth control , vaccines for kids without parental consent Pro-life leaders warn : Equal Rights Amendment is actually ‘ Everything Related to Abortion Act ’

Virginia Democrats, who control the governorship and both chambers of the legislature, want to insert a 'right to personal reproductive autonomy' in the state constitution and also end the state's parental consent and ultrasound laws.
RICHMOND, Virginia, January 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A Virginia Democrat has introduced a resolution to enshrine “the individual right to personal reproductive autonomy” in the commonwealth’s Constitution, as well as a bill to repeal several moderately pro-life laws.
The Democrat-controlled legislature is also pushing forward the so-called Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which would enshrine abortion and the elimination of sex distinctions into the U.S. Constitution. Legal experts – and now the U.S. Department of Justice – say votes decades ago to ratify the failed 1972 constitutional amendment have expired, but leftists are attempting to revive it anyway.
Virginia Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw introduced both pro-abortion measures and resurrected the ERA.
Senate Joint Resolution 2 would add to Virginia’s Constitution:
That an individual's right to personal reproductive autonomy is central to the enjoyment of life and liberty and shall not be denied or infringed upon unless justified by a compelling interest of the Commonwealth and achieved by the least restrictive means.
Senate Bill 21, meanwhile, would treat minors as adults for purposes of consenting to “(m)edical or health services related to abortion, birth control, pregnancy or family planning except for the purposes of sexual sterilization.”
It would strike from the law a requirement that abortionists make a “statement of the probable gestational age of the fetus at the time the abortion is to be performed and that fetal ultrasound imaging … be performed prior to the abortion to confirm the gestational age.”
Committing an abortion without doing an ultrasound to determine the age of the child being killed can put the mother (in addition to the child being aborted) at risk. For example, chemical abortions – “the abortion pill” – are only used to kill preborn babies about 10 weeks and younger, so dispensing them to a woman much farther along in pregnancy might lead to serious complications and/or an incomplete abortion. And if an abortionist thought he was surgically aborting a 15-week-old child and discovered mid-abortion the baby was actually 19 or 20 weeks, it’s possible he’d be unable to remove all of the pieces of the dismembered human.
Ultrasounds are standard practice to confirm gestational age anyway, regardless of whether a pregnant woman is undergoing an abortion. They are also used to detect whether a pregnancy is ectopic.
Additionally, SB 21 would remove from state law language mandating that abortion facilities meet the same health and safety standards as hospitals. A lack of health and safety regulations and proper government oversight are what have allowed countless abortionists, in Virginia and other states, to operate filthy facilities that harm women.
Another pro-abortion bill, SB 68, would scrap a law requiring women be given the chance to see their baby’s ultrasound and hear his heartbeat before aborting.
LGBT bill would ‘push radical sexual orientation and gender identity policies’ in schools
Democrats are also moving ahead with SB 868, which would make homosexuality and transgenderism protected classes.
SB 161 would require the Department of Education to create model policies on transgenderism in public schools.
“This bill would mandate local school divisions to develop policies on how schools must handle situations that involve students of one biological sex who identify as the opposite sex, including i) the use of bathrooms and locker rooms, ii) the use of pronouns when identifying students, and iii) allowing biological males to participate in all-female sports teams,” warned Victoria Cobb, president of the Family Foundation of Virginia, in an email to supporters. “SB 161 would push radical sexual orientation and gender identity policies onto parents and their children that intrude on their personal convictions.”
“These proposed policies are like all of the nondiscrimination policies that have been approved by numerous school boards in Virginia which allow boys to use female locker rooms or … bathrooms, and possibly even share the same hotel room for school sponsored events.”
Cobb recalled the case of Peter Vlaming, a French teacher in West Point, Virginia who was fired for refusing to call a girl a boy.
“Mr. Vlaming made an effort to be respectful of the student by using the student’s newly chosen (traditionally male) name, and to refrain from using any pronouns altogether,” noted Cobb. “All he did was follow his conscience, which would not let him speak objective falsehoods that did not align with biological realities.”
“SB 161 would no doubt lead to more cases like Peter Vlaming's, which will only deter highly qualified people from (pursuing) the teaching profession.”
For the first time in 26 years, in November 2019, Democrats control both chambers of the Virginia legislature and the governorship, despite the party’s top three state officials being implicated in infanticide, blackface, and sexual assault scandals.
Democrat Governor Ralph Northam, a pediatric neurologist, made his infamous pro-infanticide remarks in January 2019; both Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring then admitted to having worn blackface in college, with the former being pictured in his medical school yearbook either in blackface or a Ku Klux Klan robe; and two women accused Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax of sexually assaulting them.
RELATED:
Abortion activists announce plans to make Virginia a ‘safe haven’ for abortion after election wins
Virginia bill would allow birth control, vaccines for kids without parental consent
Pro-life leaders warn: Equal Rights Amendment is actually ‘Everything Related to Abortion Act’
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lifesitenews--2020-01-10--Cdl Marx: Spreading ‘fear of hell’ undermines Gospel

January 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Cardinal Reinhard Marx – the archbishop of Munich-Freising and the head of the German Bishops ' Conference – just made a statement , in which he argued against spreading fear , saying : “ wherever someone spreads fear – of hell or whatever else – the Gospel can not have an effect.
” He added with regard to the topic of religion and its relation to peace that “ sometimes one has to say : stop the religion !
” Marx spoke these words during a discussion forum “ Augsburger Friedensgespräche ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the matter of peace .
His Protestant counterpart , the head of the Evangelical Church of Germany ( EKD ) , Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm , also spoke at the event that took place on January 8 .
The German cardinal explained that he believes that , in its essence , all religions are working for peace .
“ But sometimes , ” he added , “ that essence gets buried.
” According to him , religion may not be used against men or for the sake of preservation of power .
Bishop Bedford-Strohm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the church had blessed weapons , but she is now , instead , known for her work for the protection of the environment .
“ I prefer the latter , ” he added .
It belongs to the DNA of the church , the bishop explained , to promote reconciliation .
Cardinal Marx added in his own remarks that “ we do not wish to change the society of freedom.
” One should not exclude someone , only because he is not going to church every Sunday .
“ Wherever someone spreads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – the Gospel can not have an effect , ” he added .
On social media , these words have already caused a stir , with Catholics strongly reacting against them .
The Catholic architect and author Eric Bootsma commented on these words with the tweet : “ 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom : and the knowledge of the holy is prudence . '
Proverbs 9:10 ” One commentator on twitter said : “ You can always count on German prelates to churn heretical statements on a regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open his Bible lately : 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom ' Prov 1:7 He proves himself a fool.
” Yet another commentator quoted the words of Our Lord in the Gospel of Matthew ( 10:28 ) : “ ‘ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but can not kill the soul .
Rather , be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
’ ” Other comments on Twitter reminded us of the fact that Our Lady of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shepherd children a vision of hell and that one of the prayers given to the seer children is : “ O my Jesus , save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven , especially those in most need of Thy mercy.
” The event in Augsburg was titled “ Does Peace Need the Churches ?
” Cardinal Marx and Bishop Bedford-Strohm – who are close allies and friends – had caused a controversy when they removed their crosses while visiting the Jewish Wailing Wall as well as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Temple Mount in Jerusalem in October of 2016 .
Many critics at the time saw that these two major Christian leaders in Germany seemed to lay down the cross in the very city where Jesus Christ had picked up His Cross .
For one Jewish commentator , this action showed signs of “ submission or self-denial.
” Cardinal Rainer Woelki of Cologne , another German cardinal , had just warned the Catholic Church not to adapt herself to the demands of the world .
He said that the Church , adapting to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would make her lose her “ prophetic mandate and mission ” and would render her “ of no use anymore.
” The Catholic Church in Germany is just about to start a German “ Synodal Path ” questioning the Church 's teaching on female ordination , homosexuality , and celibacy .
There are essentially two bishops left in Germany – Cardinal Woelki and Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer ( Regensburg ) – who publicly and strongly oppose this controversial synodal path that has even already gained some criticism from Rome .
Voderholzer stated in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very well lead to a “ path of destruction.
” Cardinal Walter Brandmüller had stated already in July of 2019 that “ if one considers the statements of several bishops , then one can well say that this ‘ synodal path ’ leads to a catastrophe .
”

The German cardinal also said that 'sometimes one has to say: stop the religion!'
January 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Cardinal Reinhard Marx – the archbishop of Munich-Freising and the head of the German Bishops' Conference – just made a statement, in which he argued against spreading fear, saying: “wherever someone spreads fear – of hell or whatever else – the Gospel cannot have an effect.”
He added with regard to the topic of religion and its relation to peace that “sometimes one has to say: stop the religion!”
Marx spoke these words during a discussion forum “Augsburger Friedensgespräche” in Augsburg, which is dedicated to the matter of peace. His Protestant counterpart, the head of the Evangelical Church of Germany (EKD), Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, also spoke at the event that took place on January 8.
The German cardinal explained that he believes that, in its essence, all religions are working for peace.
“But sometimes,” he added, “that essence gets buried.” According to him, religion may not be used against men or for the sake of preservation of power.
Bishop Bedford-Strohm added that, while in former times, the church had blessed weapons, but she is now, instead, known for her work for the protection of the environment. “I prefer the latter,” he added. It belongs to the DNA of the church, the bishop explained, to promote reconciliation.
Cardinal Marx added in his own remarks that “we do not wish to change the society of freedom.” One should not exclude someone, only because he is not going to church every Sunday. “Wherever someone spreads fear – of hell or whatever else – the Gospel cannot have an effect,” he added.
On social media, these words have already caused a stir, with Catholics strongly reacting against them.
The Catholic architect and author Eric Bootsma commented on these words with the tweet: “'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence.' Proverbs 9:10”
One commentator on twitter said: “You can always count on German prelates to churn heretical statements on a regular basis. Cardinal Marx has probably forgotten to open his Bible lately: 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom' Prov 1:7 He proves himself a fool.”
Yet another commentator quoted the words of Our Lord in the Gospel of Matthew (10:28): “‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.’”
Other comments on Twitter reminded us of the fact that Our Lady of Fatima had shown, in 1917 the shepherd children a vision of hell and that one of the prayers given to the seer children is: “O my Jesus, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.”
The event in Augsburg was titled “Does Peace Need the Churches?” Cardinal Marx and Bishop Bedford-Strohm – who are close allies and friends – had caused a controversy when they removed their crosses while visiting the Jewish Wailing Wall as well as the Muslim Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem in October of 2016. Many critics at the time saw that these two major Christian leaders in Germany seemed to lay down the cross in the very city where Jesus Christ had picked up His Cross. For one Jewish commentator, this action showed signs of “submission or self-denial.”
Cardinal Rainer Woelki of Cologne, another German cardinal, had just warned the Catholic Church not to adapt herself to the demands of the world. He said that the Church, adapting to the spirit of the age (zeitgeist) would make her lose her “prophetic mandate and mission” and would render her “of no use anymore.”
The Catholic Church in Germany is just about to start a German “Synodal Path” questioning the Church's teaching on female ordination, homosexuality, and celibacy. There are essentially two bishops left in Germany – Cardinal Woelki and Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer (Regensburg) – who publicly and strongly oppose this controversial synodal path that has even already gained some criticism from Rome. Voderholzer stated in May of 2019 that this synodal path might very well lead to a “path of destruction.”
Cardinal Walter Brandmüller had stated already in July of 2019 that “if one considers the statements of several bishops, then one can well say that this ‘synodal path’ leads to a catastrophe.”
Follow Maike Dr. Maike Hickson was born and raised in Germany. She holds a PhD from the University of Hannover, Germany, after having written in Switzerland her doctoral dissertation on the history of Swiss intellectuals before and during World War II. She now lives in the U.S. and is married to Dr. Robert Hickson, and they have been blessed with two beautiful children. She is a happy housewife who likes to write articles when time permits. Dr. Hickson published in 2014 a Festschrift, a collection of some thirty essays written by thoughtful authors in honor of her husband upon his 70th birthday, which is entitled A Catholic Witness in Our Time. Hickson has closely followed the papacy of Pope Francis and the developments in the Catholic Church in Germany, and she has been writing articles on religion and politics for U.S. and European publications and websites such as LifeSiteNews, OnePeterFive, The Wanderer, Rorate Caeli, Catholicism.org, Catholic Family News, Christian Order, Notizie Pro-Vita, Corrispondenza Romana, Katholisches.info, Der Dreizehnte, Zeit-Fragen, and Westfalen-Blatt.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-10--Trans activist who demands women wax his genitals vows to stop Ricky Gervais show in Canada

January 9 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Jonathan “ Jessica ” Yaniv , Canada ’ s infamous and delusional transgender activist , is up to his old tricks—namely , suing women for refusing to wax his genitals .
Yaniv , who lost his previous case at the B.C .
Human Rights Tribunal , apparently figured that he ’ d give the court a second chance to decide that he ’ d been horribly wronged by the largely-immigrant women who did not want to handle male genitals .
Transphobia is transphobia , Yaniv has been telling anyone who will listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You ’ d think that Yaniv would have been duly chastised by the first ruling , which didn ’ t note his creepiness .
The ruling did , however , highlight his “ animus towards certain , non-white , immigrants to Canada and , in particular , members of South Asian and Asian communities.
” It also highlighted his strategy of targeting “ small businesses ” where he “ manufactured the conditions for a human rights complaint , and then leveraged that complaint to pursue a financial settlement from parties who were unsophisticated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Despite all of that , Yaniv has launched another complaint , this time , according to the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms , “ against a salon run by immigrant women who are of the Sikh faith.
” She Point Beauty Studio in Surrey , B.C.
, rejected Yaniv ’ s request both because they serve female customers as well as for “ religious , cultural , and safety reasons.
” Yaniv is up to his old tricks again , but the media is still obediently playing along , calling this creepy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their coverage of this fiasco .
But Yaniv seems determined to pick even more unwinnable fights .
During his last round of complaints against women who refused to handle his genitals , Yaniv ’ s story went viral , making a mockery of the transgender movement ’ s claims by handily exposing precisely where they lead us .
Ricky Gervais , the British comedian who frequently addresses the transgender issue in his stand-up ( he attracted much outrage from the LGBT community for his bits on Bruce “ Caitlyn ” Jenner ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trans activist who insisted that those who didn ’ t want to service all customers should simply stay out of the waxing business entirely .
“ Exactly , ” Gervais sniped back on Twitter , “ And if you don ’ t want to butter my b**** and put them between two slices of bread , don ’ t work in a sandwich shop.
” Gervais has infuriated the transgender community simply because they have failed to cancel him no matter how many accusations they level at him , and his wildly successful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have been unable to dent his popularity .
In fact , Gervais ’ s willingness to go after all sacred cows—including the thin-skinned transgender dogmatists with their new blasphemy laws—has probably helped his popularity rather than hurt it .
Trans activists , for their part , are enraged because Gervais is giving people permission to do the one thing they hate the most : Laugh at them .
Gervais has also trolled Yaniv personally , tweeting a close-up photo of Yaniv ’ s face with the caption : “ I was going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creepy for my Halloween party , but I ’ m bucking the trend this year and I ’ m going as brave female activist Jessica Yaniv .
This also means I don ’ t have to wax my big old hairy b****.
” Although even trans activists find Yaniv embarrassing , Gervais ’ s jokes implicate their entire worldview , and these tweets expose them to ridicule that is hugely damaging to their movement .
So now , in response to the news that Ricky Gervais will be coming to Vancouver , Yaniv @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show with the caption : “ No , @ rickygervais I ’ m not allowing this.
” Yaniv managing to start a fight with Gervais would possibly be a worse-case scenario for the trans movement , and his declaration may just have landed himself a place in Gervais ’ s show come summer .
Gervais has already proven that he doesn ’ t back down when people come after him , and attempting to cancel him will only invigorate him further and possibly trigger even further exposure of transgender insanity ( Dave Chappelle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their movement ’ s premises , and he too has ignored attempts to censure him for it . )
Jonathan “ Jessica ” Yaniv is a boon to those fighting transgender insanity because he so beautifully encapsulates what happens when you accept the claims of the trans movement .
Yes , he ’ s kooky , creepy , and crazy , but that doesn ’ t mean that his assertions ( of being a female , and thus in possession of a female penis ) aren ’ t fully supported by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the public eye , the more he reminds people where we ’ re headed—and the more he picks fights with people like Ricky Gervais , the more damage he does to the trans movement .

In response to the news that Ricky Gervais will be coming to Vancouver, Yaniv tweeted: 'No, @rickygervais I’m not allowing this'
January 9, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Jonathan “Jessica” Yaniv, Canada’s infamous and delusional transgender activist, is up to his old tricks—namely, suing women for refusing to wax his genitals. Yaniv, who lost his previous case at the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, apparently figured that he’d give the court a second chance to decide that he’d been horribly wronged by the largely-immigrant women who did not want to handle male genitals. Transphobia is transphobia, Yaniv has been telling anyone who will listen, and justice must be done.
You’d think that Yaniv would have been duly chastised by the first ruling, which didn’t note his creepiness. The ruling did, however, highlight his “animus towards certain, non-white, immigrants to Canada and, in particular, members of South Asian and Asian communities.” It also highlighted his strategy of targeting “small businesses” where he “manufactured the conditions for a human rights complaint, and then leveraged that complaint to pursue a financial settlement from parties who were unsophisticated and unlikely to mount a proper defence.”
Despite all of that, Yaniv has launched another complaint, this time, according to the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, “against a salon run by immigrant women who are of the Sikh faith.” She Point Beauty Studio in Surrey, B.C., rejected Yaniv’s request both because they serve female customers as well as for “religious, cultural, and safety reasons.” Yaniv is up to his old tricks again, but the media is still obediently playing along, calling this creepy man a “she” in all of their coverage of this fiasco.
But Yaniv seems determined to pick even more unwinnable fights.
During his last round of complaints against women who refused to handle his genitals, Yaniv’s story went viral, making a mockery of the transgender movement’s claims by handily exposing precisely where they lead us. Ricky Gervais, the British comedian who frequently addresses the transgender issue in his stand-up (he attracted much outrage from the LGBT community for his bits on Bruce “Caitlyn” Jenner), joined in, responding to one trans activist who insisted that those who didn’t want to service all customers should simply stay out of the waxing business entirely.
Follow Jonathon van Maren on Facebook
“Exactly,” Gervais sniped back on Twitter, “And if you don’t want to butter my b**** and put them between two slices of bread, don’t work in a sandwich shop.” Gervais has infuriated the transgender community simply because they have failed to cancel him no matter how many accusations they level at him, and his wildly successful Golden Globes gig highlighted the fact that they have been unable to dent his popularity. In fact, Gervais’s willingness to go after all sacred cows—including the thin-skinned transgender dogmatists with their new blasphemy laws—has probably helped his popularity rather than hurt it. Trans activists, for their part, are enraged because Gervais is giving people permission to do the one thing they hate the most: Laugh at them.
Gervais has also trolled Yaniv personally, tweeting a close-up photo of Yaniv’s face with the caption: “I was going to dress up as something weird and creepy for my Halloween party, but I’m bucking the trend this year and I’m going as brave female activist Jessica Yaniv. This also means I don’t have to wax my big old hairy b****.” Although even trans activists find Yaniv embarrassing, Gervais’s jokes implicate their entire worldview, and these tweets expose them to ridicule that is hugely damaging to their movement.
So now, in response to the news that Ricky Gervais will be coming to Vancouver, Yaniv tweeted out an article announcing the upcoming show with the caption: “No, @rickygervais I’m not allowing this.”
Yaniv managing to start a fight with Gervais would possibly be a worse-case scenario for the trans movement, and his declaration may just have landed himself a place in Gervais’s show come summer. Gervais has already proven that he doesn’t back down when people come after him, and attempting to cancel him will only invigorate him further and possibly trigger even further exposure of transgender insanity (Dave Chappelle has also taken time to mock many of their movement’s premises, and he too has ignored attempts to censure him for it.)
Jonathan “Jessica” Yaniv is a boon to those fighting transgender insanity because he so beautifully encapsulates what happens when you accept the claims of the trans movement. Yes, he’s kooky, creepy, and crazy, but that doesn’t mean that his assertions (of being a female, and thus in possession of a female penis) aren’t fully supported by the transgender movement. The more Yaniv stays in the public eye, the more he reminds people where we’re headed—and the more he picks fights with people like Ricky Gervais, the more damage he does to the trans movement.
Jonathon’s new podcast, The Van Maren Show, is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement. In his latest episode, he interviews literature professor and pro-life activist Karen Swallow Prior about how literature is going to help end abortion. You can subscribe here, and listen to the episode below:
Follow Jonathon Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer, and pro-life activist. His commentary has been translated into more than eight languages and published widely online as well as print newspapers such as the Jewish Independent, the National Post, the Hamilton Spectator and others. He has received an award for combating anti-Semitism in print from the Jewish organization B’nai Brith. His commentary has been featured on CTV Primetime, Global News, EWTN, and the CBC as well as dozens of radio stations and news outlets in Canada and the United States. He speaks on a wide variety of cultural topics across North America at universities, high schools, churches, and other functions. Some of these topics include abortion, pornography, the Sexual Revolution, and euthanasia. Jonathon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Simon Fraser University, and is the communications director for the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform. Jonathon’s first book, The Culture War, was released in 2016.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-10--Ricky Gervais’ Golden Globe speech should inspire Christians to speak more boldly

January 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Everyone ’ s talking about Ricky Gervais ’ performance at the Golden Globe Awards .
And for good reason .
It ’ s not every day the self-righteous leftists who run our soul-rotting “ entertainment ” industry get called out — to their faces — for their hypocrisy .
As satisfying as it was to watch , I ’ m somewhat surprised that Christians have focused their commentary on the political instead of the theological aspects of Gervais ’ remarks .
During his monologue , the 58-year-old British actor repeated how it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event and that he “ doesn ’ t care ” if he offends anyone .
`` Remember , they 're just jokes .
We 're all gon na die soon and there 's no sequel , so remember that , ” he said .
Gervais is an atheist .
A proud one .
He debated Stephen Colbert about the existence of God on The Late Show in 2017 .
He ’ s talked about his beliefs on numerous occasions throughout his career .
On Sunday , he made sure his audience was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you win , come up , accept your little award , thank your agent , and your god , and f*** off , okay ?
” In my many interactions with atheists , they all seem to share the same idea that life isn ’ t to be wasted and should be experienced to the fullest .
“ You ’ ve got to do something meaningful while you ’ re here because one day you won ’ t be around anymore , ” one recently told me .
Not all atheists live up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creed .
But the point , I suppose , is this : Gervais went into that room knowing he was going to get a lot of people angry .
Still , he did it anyway .
Why ?
He gave us one reason .
“ This is the last time I 'm hosting these awards , so I do n't care anymore.
” Another reason , and this is more of a hunch , is because of his atheism .
He knows that life is short and speaking the truth is important .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ forever .
Might as well push the envelope .
Who cares what people think ?
How many Christians , I have to wonder , have the same sort of zeal with their own faith and would preach the Gospel to persons known to be openly opposed to it ?
Probably not a lot .
No doubt Christians are already firm believers in the idea that we need to make the most of the time we ’ ve been given , but if Gervais ’ monologue teaches us anything , it ’ s that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , boldly and unashamedly , and not be afraid of offending others , come what may .
I mean , if Ricky Gervais is willing to so fearlessly spout his crude jokes and erroneous views on God , why aren ’ t Christians likewise enthusiastically defending what they know to be objectively true , no matter the cost ?
Christians need to remind not just non-believers and liberals about the truths of Jesus Christ but even family members and friends who have fallen away .
Moreover , they can ’ t put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones that are decades old , before their faith .
They need to call on others — including and especially Jews — to recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah .
For all the correct observations Gervais made about Hollywood Sunday night , he was wrong about one glaring thing .
We are going to die some day but there will be a sequel , one where we ’ ll either enjoy eternal bliss with God or burn in the fires of hell .
And it will last forever .
Remember that , Ricky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you and your fellow atheists come to realize that .

January 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Everyone’s talking about Ricky Gervais’ performance at the Golden Globe Awards. And for good reason. It’s not every day the self-righteous leftists who run our soul-rotting “entertainment” industry get called out — to their faces — for their hypocrisy.
As satisfying as it was to watch, I’m somewhat surprised that Christians have focused their commentary on the political instead of the theological aspects of Gervais’ remarks.
During his monologue, the 58-year-old British actor repeated how it was his “last time” hosting the event and that he “doesn’t care” if he offends anyone.
“Remember, they're just jokes. We're all gonna die soon and there's no sequel, so remember that,” he said.
Gervais is an atheist. A proud one. He debated Stephen Colbert about the existence of God on The Late Show in 2017. He’s talked about his beliefs on numerous occasions throughout his career.
On Sunday, he made sure his audience was aware of his views. “If you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent, and your god, and f*** off, okay?”
In my many interactions with atheists, they all seem to share the same idea that life isn’t to be wasted and should be experienced to the fullest. “You’ve got to do something meaningful while you’re here because one day you won’t be around anymore,” one recently told me.
Not all atheists live up to this, dare I say, creed. But the point, I suppose, is this: Gervais went into that room knowing he was going to get a lot of people angry. Still, he did it anyway. Why? He gave us one reason. “This is the last time I'm hosting these awards, so I don't care anymore.” Another reason, and this is more of a guess on my part, is because of his atheism. He knows that life is short and that speaking the truth is important. We’re not going to live forever. Might as well push the envelope. Who cares what people think?
How many Christians, I have to wonder, have the same sort of zeal with their own faith and would enter a room full of persons openly hostile to the Gospel but go ahead and preach it anyway, knowing that doing so may cost them their career or result in people ridiculing them? Probably not a lot.
No doubt Christians are already firm believers in the idea that we need to make the most of the time we’ve been given, but if Gervais’ monologue teaches us anything, it’s that followers of Christ desperately need to speak up, boldly and unashamedly, and not be afraid of offending others, come what may. I mean, if he's willing to so fearlessly spout his crude jokes and erroneous views on God, why aren’t Christians similiarly enthusiastic about defending what they know to be objectively true? Gervais' courage puts theirs to shame.
In the years ahead, Christians need to do a better job at reminding not just non-believers and liberals that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, but even family members and friends who have fallen away, even if it means losing those relationships. Moreover, they can’t put fleeting political and inter-religious alliances, even ones that are decades old, before the truth. Calling on others — including and especially Jews — to recognize Christ as the Messiah is essential in the years to come.
For all the correct observations Gervais made about Hollywood Sunday night, he was wrong about one glaring thing. We are going to die some day but there will be a sequel, one where we’ll either enjoy eternal bliss with God or burn in the fires of hell. And it will last forever. Remember that, Ricky. I’ll be praying that you and your fellow atheists come to realize that.
Follow Stephen Stephen Kokx is a journalist for LifeSiteNews. He previously worked for the Archdiocese of Chicago under the late Francis Cardinal George. A former community college instructor, Stephen has written and spoken extensively about Catholic social teaching and politics. His essays have appeared in a variety of outlets, including Catholic Family News, CatholicVote, and Alpha News.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-10--Brazil’s top court overturns ban on Netflix’s ‘gay Jesus’ film, calls it ‘free speech’

PETITION : Dump Netflix over video depicting Jesus as a homosexual Sign the petition here .
BRASILIA , Brazil , January 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― Brazil ’ s Supreme Court overturned a ban on Netflix ’ s streaming of a blasphemous film in the country that depicted Jesus as homosexual .
The ban was in effect for about one day .
The president of the Supreme Court , Dias Toffoli , said yesterday that Netflix should be permitted to continue offering comedy film The First Temptation of Christ because “ freedom of speech ” is fundamental in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Nazareth as a homosexual who brings his boyfriend home to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for his 30th birthday party .
The comedy also depicts God the Father as a cruel and spiteful deity and St. Joseph as cowardly .
According to Article 208 of the Brazilian Penal Code , to “ publicly denigrate an act or object of religious worship ’ is a crime punishable by up to one year in prison.
” But according to the BBC , Toffoli argued that `` One can not suppose that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the values of the Christian faith , whose existence is traced back more than two thousand years , and which is the belief of the majority of Brazilian citizens . ''
The original judicial decision to ban the film in Brazil followed a petition signed by over two million Brazilians stating that the comedic film broke the law and “ seriously offended Christians.
” This reversal was no surprise to Brazilian university student Ricardo German , who told LifeSiteNews yesterday that he expected Wednesday ’ s ban , handed down by Judge Benedicto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher court .
“ I hate to say it , but I called it : the breaking news [ has ] just announced that the Chief Justice of our Supreme Court ( a Lula da Silva nominee ) reversed yesterday ’ s order and allowed Netflix to keep streaming that special , ” he told LifeSiteNews late last night .
Yesterday morning German alleged that higher courts in Brazil , packed with appointees from previous left-wing governments , decide the outcome of cases through their ideological standpoints , rather than applying the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ marriage ” back in 2011 , they did it with abortion of fetuses with anencephaly , and they will probably do it again now , ” German told LifeSiteNews .
This morning German told LifeSiteNews that he thinks there will be no further judicial business in the matter .
“ After this monocratic decision from a Supreme Court Justice , the petitioners can only ask the full composition of the Court to hear their case , which they won ’ t do , ” he said .
“ If you add up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Office of Public Prosecution or registered political parties to declare the unconstitutionality of a law ) , petitions for Habeas Corpus , Extraordinary Appeals , etc.
, the Supreme Court receives tens of thousands of cases every year , and they have discretionary power in deciding what cases to hear , ” he continued .
“ Given that we are talking about a monocratic decision by a Supreme Court Justice that would hardly be reversed by the full court ( I would be very surprised if a single Justice voted against Netflix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t bother prioritizing this case . ''
LifeSiteNews has its own petition asking readers to stop subscribing to Netflix because of this and other deeply offensive material .

The court's president said: 'One cannot suppose that a humorous satire has the ability to weaken the values of the Christian faith'
PETITION: Dump Netflix over video depicting Jesus as a homosexual Sign the petition here.
BRASILIA, Brazil, January 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― Brazil’s Supreme Court overturned a ban on Netflix’s streaming of a blasphemous film in the country that depicted Jesus as homosexual. The ban was in effect for about one day.
The president of the Supreme Court, Dias Toffoli, said yesterday that Netflix should be permitted to continue offering comedy film The First Temptation of Christ because “freedom of speech” is fundamental in a democracy.
The comedy depicts Jesus of Nazareth as a homosexual who brings his boyfriend home to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for his 30th birthday party. The comedy also depicts God the Father as a cruel and spiteful deity and St. Joseph as cowardly.
According to Article 208 of the Brazilian Penal Code, to “publicly denigrate an act or object of religious worship’ is a crime punishable by up to one year in prison.” But according to the BBC, Toffoli argued that “One cannot suppose that a humorous satire has the ability to weaken the values of the Christian faith, whose existence is traced back more than two thousand years, and which is the belief of the majority of Brazilian citizens.”
The original judicial decision to ban the film in Brazil followed a petition signed by over two million Brazilians stating that the comedic film broke the law and “seriously offended Christians.”
This reversal was no surprise to Brazilian university student Ricardo German, who told LifeSiteNews yesterday that he expected Wednesday’s ban, handed down by Judge Benedicto Abecair, to be overturned by a higher court.
“I hate to say it, but I called it: the breaking news [has] just announced that the Chief Justice of our Supreme Court (a Lula da Silva nominee) reversed yesterday’s order and allowed Netflix to keep streaming that special,” he told LifeSiteNews late last night.
Yesterday morning German alleged that higher courts in Brazil, packed with appointees from previous left-wing governments, decide the outcome of cases through their ideological standpoints, rather than applying the law.
“They did it with gay ‘marriage” back in 2011, they did it with abortion of fetuses with anencephaly, and they will probably do it again now,” German told LifeSiteNews.
This morning German told LifeSiteNews that he thinks there will be no further judicial business in the matter.
“After this monocratic decision from a Supreme Court Justice, the petitioners can only ask the full composition of the Court to hear their case, which they won’t do,” he said.
“If you add up the ADIs (direct petitions made by the Office of Public Prosecution or registered political parties to declare the unconstitutionality of a law), petitions for Habeas Corpus, Extraordinary Appeals, etc., the Supreme Court receives tens of thousands of cases every year, and they have discretionary power in deciding what cases to hear,” he continued.
“Given that we are talking about a monocratic decision by a Supreme Court Justice that would hardly be reversed by the full court (I would be very surprised if a single Justice voted against Netflix in this case), they wouldn’t bother prioritizing this case.”
LifeSiteNews has its own petition asking readers to stop subscribing to Netflix because of this and other deeply offensive material.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-11--Bishop nixes Nicene Creed at Epiphany Mass to avoid offending unbelievers

ROME , January 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A northern Italian bishop refused to openly profess the Nicene Creed on the Solemnity of the Epiphany because he said he didn ’ t want to offend the Orthodox , Waldensians , and unbelievers who were present in the congregation .
Bishop Derio Olivero of the Piedmontese diocese of Pinerolo announced at the end of his homily on January 6 that the profession of the Creed would be replaced with a moment of silence so that everyone could quietly recite their own beliefs .
Addressing Catholic faithful , representatives of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at what was called the “ Mass of the Peoples , ” Bishop Olivero said , “ Since there are also non-believers , everyone will say it in silence .
Those who believe can say it and those who do not believe or are of other faiths will say in silence the reasons for their belief.
” The word “ Epiphany ” means “ manifestation.
” On the Solemnity of the Epiphany , the Church commemorates the manifestation of Christ to the Magi — that is , to the Gentiles .
Several faithful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including one who recorded the bishop ’ s words , told the Italian outlet La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana that his announcement was followed by an awkward silence before the Mass resumed .
Diocesan representatives sought to justify the bishop ’ s silencing of the Creed on grounds that it was “ for the sake of better internalizing ” it .
Bishop Olivero also denied any disparity between his decision and the liturgical norms of the Church , telling La Nuova Bussola through his spokesman : “ This , in my opinion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Bishop Olivero , who serves as a member of the Italian Episcopal Conference commission for ecumenism and dialogue , further justified his decision , saying : “ I respect the Missal 56 Sundays a year and I always respect the liturgy , but on the occasion of this Mass there were ( members of ) other confessions in the church and I thought that Catholics could say the Creed in silence and those instead , like the Waldensians and Orthodox , could proclaim something in which to believe .
All in silence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Missal.
” According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal , “ The Creed is to be sung or said by the priest together with the people on Sundays and solemnities .
It may be said also at particular celebrations of a more solemn character ” ( n. 68 ) .
The Instruction explains that the purpose of the Profession of Faith , or Creed , “ is that the whole gathered people may respond to the word of God proclaimed in the readings taken from Sacred Scripture and explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also call to mind and confess the great mysteries of the faith by reciting the rule of faith in a formula approved for liturgical use , before these mysteries are celebrated in the Eucharist.
” In response to the bishop ’ s comments , La Nuova Bussola observed : “ The point is not to respect the liturgy 56 Sundays a year except on Epiphany … but to always respect it , because the Catholic liturgy is not subject to the circumstances of the moment , to fashions , politics and sentiment.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olivero “ subjectivized ” the faith and effectively made Catholics “ renounce ” their faith in the name of “ ecumenism , ” at the very moment they are called publicly to profess it .
According to the ancient axiom , “ Lex orandi , lex credendi , lex vivendi , ” i.e .
the law of prayer is the law of belief is the law of life .
Conversely , it would appear , divergence of worship translates into divergence of belief and divergence of lifestyle .
Bishop Olivero has in fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diverse lifestyles .
In a February 2018 interview about Pope Francis ’ s summary document on the family , Amoris Laetitia , Bishop Olivero said that while “ marriage is indissoluble ” it is “ not unbreakable.
” He added that “ for those who have arrived at a new union there can be a path that also comes to be fully integrated ” into the sacraments .
Asked by the interviewer if he might envision these second unions being blessed , Bishop Olivero said : “ In the document ( guidelines ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not envisaged , but I believe it could be a good solution .
Having made a proper journey , one can foresee a blessing , which means recognizing the validity of the relationship.
” “ Amoris Laetitia goes beyond juridical logic , ” Bishop Olivero continued .
“ A couple who in conscience lives the new union in all its aspects can have access to the sacraments after a proper path .
This helps us to understand that the sacraments are not a reward for the good ... ” Olivero , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 2017 , said that one of the “ great novelties ” of Amoris Laetitia is that “ it is no longer possible to say that all those who find themselves in so-called irregular situations live in mortal sin because there are many questions to analyze.
” Such irregular situations have to be evaluated “ case by case , ” he said .

The faithful sat awkwardly when Bishop Derio Olivero of the Diocese of Pinerolo in northern Italy announced that the Creed would be said in silence.
ROME, January 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A northern Italian bishop refused to openly profess the Nicene Creed on the Solemnity of the Epiphany because he said he didn’t want to offend the Orthodox, Waldensians, and unbelievers who were present in the congregation.
Bishop Derio Olivero of the Piedmontese diocese of Pinerolo announced at the end of his homily on January 6 that the profession of the Creed would be replaced with a moment of silence so that everyone could quietly recite their own beliefs.
Addressing Catholic faithful, representatives of other religious traditions, and civic authorities at what was called the “Mass of the Peoples,” Bishop Olivero said, “Since there are also non-believers, everyone will say it in silence. Those who believe can say it and those who do not believe or are of other faiths will say in silence the reasons for their belief.”
The word “Epiphany” means “manifestation.” On the Solemnity of the Epiphany, the Church commemorates the manifestation of Christ to the Magi — that is, to the Gentiles.
Several faithful who were present at the Epiphany Mass, including one who recorded the bishop’s words, told the Italian outlet La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana that his announcement was followed by an awkward silence before the Mass resumed.
Diocesan representatives sought to justify the bishop’s silencing of the Creed on grounds that it was “for the sake of better internalizing” it.
Bishop Olivero also denied any disparity between his decision and the liturgical norms of the Church, telling La Nuova Bussola through his spokesman: “This, in my opinion, does not constitute any violation of anything.”
Bishop Olivero, who serves as a member of the Italian Episcopal Conference commission for ecumenism and dialogue, further justified his decision, saying: “I respect the Missal 56 Sundays a year and I always respect the liturgy, but on the occasion of this Mass there were (members of) other confessions in the church and I thought that Catholics could say the Creed in silence and those instead, like the Waldensians and Orthodox, could proclaim something in which to believe. All in silence, but I reaffirm my absolute fidelity to the Missal.”
According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, “The Creed is to be sung or said by the priest together with the people on Sundays and solemnities. It may be said also at particular celebrations of a more solemn character” (n. 68).
The Instruction explains that the purpose of the Profession of Faith, or Creed, “is that the whole gathered people may respond to the word of God proclaimed in the readings taken from Sacred Scripture and explained in the homily and that they may also call to mind and confess the great mysteries of the faith by reciting the rule of faith in a formula approved for liturgical use, before these mysteries are celebrated in the Eucharist.”
In response to the bishop’s comments, La Nuova Bussola observed: “The point is not to respect the liturgy 56 Sundays a year except on Epiphany … but to always respect it, because the Catholic liturgy is not subject to the circumstances of the moment, to fashions, politics and sentiment.”
The Italian outlet also argued that Bishop Olivero “subjectivized” the faith and effectively made Catholics “renounce” their faith in the name of “ecumenism,” at the very moment they are called publicly to profess it.
According to the ancient axiom, “Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi,” i.e. the law of prayer is the law of belief is the law of life. Conversely, it would appear, divergence of worship translates into divergence of belief and divergence of lifestyle.
Bishop Olivero has in fact shown himself to be quite supportive of diverse lifestyles.
In a February 2018 interview about Pope Francis’s summary document on the family, Amoris Laetitia, Bishop Olivero said that while “marriage is indissoluble” it is “not unbreakable.” He added that “for those who have arrived at a new union there can be a path that also comes to be fully integrated” into the sacraments.
Asked by the interviewer if he might envision these second unions being blessed, Bishop Olivero said: “In the document (guidelines) of the Piedmont Episcopal Conference this is not envisaged, but I believe it could be a good solution. Having made a proper journey, one can foresee a blessing, which means recognizing the validity of the relationship.”
“Amoris Laetitia goes beyond juridical logic,” Bishop Olivero continued. “A couple who in conscience lives the new union in all its aspects can have access to the sacraments after a proper path. This helps us to understand that the sacraments are not a reward for the good … ”
Olivero, who was appointed a bishop by Pope Francis in July 2017, said that one of the “great novelties” of Amoris Laetitia is that “it is no longer possible to say that all those who find themselves in so-called irregular situations live in mortal sin because there are many questions to analyze.”
Such irregular situations have to be evaluated “case by case,” he said.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-11--Appeal court rules father must refer to teen daughter as ‘him’

VANCOUVER , British Columbia , January 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The British Columbia court of appeal ruled Friday that a 13-year-old girl was old enough to consent to testosterone shots despite her father ’ s objections that his troubled daughter had been influenced by transgender advocates and did not understand the long-term consequences of her decision .
The appeal ruling released January 10 also placed the father under a “ conduct order ” effective until April that directs him to acknowledge his now 15-year-old daughter as a male , to use male pronouns when referring to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chosen male name .
Under a publication ban on any information that could identify the names of the parties , the father is referred to as “ CD ” and the daughter “ AB.
” “ While of course CD is fully entitled to his opinions and beliefs , he can not forget that AB , now a mature 15-year-old , with the support of his [ sic ] mother and his [ sic ] medical advisors , has chosen a course of action that includes not only hormone treatment , but a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name and gender identity , ” reads the ruling of B.C .Court of Appeal chief justice Robert Bauman , Justice Harvey Groberman and Justice Barbara Fisher .
The court issued a further conduct order directing CD not to “ directly , or indirectly through an agent or third party , publish or share information or documentation relating to AB ’ s sex , gender identity , sexual orientation , mental or physical health , medical status or therapies ” other than with lawyers and medical personnel involved in the case .
They allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ express his opinion in his private communications with family , close friends and close advisors , provided none of these individuals is part of or connected with the media or any public forum , and provided CD obtain assurances from those with whom he shares information or views that they will not share that information with others.
” The Association for Reformed Political Action ( ARPA ) Canada , one of six intervenors in the case , lauded the court for striking down portions of earlier rulings against CD but blasted the conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s freedom of expression and integrity .
The Court “ seems to overlook , or at least does not discuss , how significant an infringement of freedom of thought , belief , and expression it remains to order a father to refer to AB as male and to use male pronouns when speaking to AB and to all but a few close family members and friends , ” ARPA said in a Friday press release .
“ Surely , if CD disagrees with AB that AB is a boy , AB will know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing good to force CD to use words he believes to be false , ” it stated .
“ Rather , it is a profound violation of his freedom , damaging to his integrity , and arguably damaging to his relationship with AB as well , even if it is what AB wants to hear.
” That was echoed by the Justice Center for Constitutional Freedoms ( JCCF ) , which also intervened in the appeal .
“ The state can not lawfully compel parents to voice agreement and support for an elective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , harmful and against the interests of impressionable children [ . ]
… The state can not compel parents to forget their daughters and remember sons in their stead , ” JCCF said in its factum .
CD , who is separated from his wife and who went to court last year to stop his daughter ’ s transition , was appealing Superior Court justice Gregory Bowden ’ s February 2019 ruling that his opposition to his daughter ’ s transition constituted “ family violence.
” He was also appealing Superior Court justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that threatened him “ with immediate arrest if he tried to persuade AB to abandon testosterone treatment , if he addressed AB by her birth name , or if he referred to AB as a girl or with female pronouns to her or to anyone , publicly or privately , ” noted ARPA .
The upside of the appeals court ruling was that the judges struck down Marzari ’ s ruling and substituted it with conduct orders , which , unlike protection orders , “ are not criminally enforced , ” ARPA noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s finding that CD ’ s opposition to his daughter ’ s transition was “ family violence ” under the Family Law Act as without legal merit .
But the appeal court upheld Bowden ’ s ruling that AB could validly consent to medical treatment under Section 17 of B.C.
’ s Infants Act , which has the “ legislative intent ” to “ recognize the autonomy of mature minors and the expertise and good faith of the health care providers.
” The Infants Act “ has made it clear that health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed to conduct inquiries into the state of medical science and the capacity of their patients when it comes to questions of minors ’ medical decision-making.
” Moreover , in B.C .family law , “ parental responsibilities are expressly subject to s. 17 of the Infants Act , ” which in turn puts the child ’ s “ best interests ” in matters of health care “ within the purview , at least initially , of the child ’ s ‘ health care provider ’ .
” CD has argued that health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is notably represented in court by longtime “ queer ” activist Barbara Findlay .
CD described his daughter as “ very vulnerable ” in a February 2019 article in The Federalist and said he believed she lacks the “ mental capacity and emotional maturity ” to make the decision to have testosterone treatments , which have irreversible effects .
According to earlier case documents , AB has been troubled since her parents separated in 2013 , suffering depression and attempting suicide at least four times .
She also went through a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then developed an intense crush on her Grade 8 gym teacher to the point where the school remover her from his class , triggering “ a dramatic escalation in self-harm behaviour including suicide attempts.
” When AB claimed to be transgender at age 13 , school staff sent her and her mother , without CD ’ s knowledge , to transgender activist psychologist Dr. IJ , who recommended she begin hormone therapy .
CD has since filed a complaint to the College of Psychologists of British Columbia , alleging that Dr. IJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek a “ transition.
” AB then went to see paediatric endocrinologist Dr. GH at the Gender Clinic at B.C .
Children ’ s Hospital in August 2018 , who recommended hormone treatment .
CD objected but was told by Dr. GH in December 2018 his consent wasn ’ t required , that his daughter had consented to treatment , and that her mother supported the decision .
CD then went to court , and to the media , and the case received international attention .
Following Bowden ’ s February ruling , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , AB ’ s lawyers petitioned the court to compel CD to support his daughter ’ s transition , as well as to stop him talking publicly about the case , which led to Marzari ’ s protection order .
Underscoring the significance of the case , AB and her mother , EF , were joined as respondents by the attorney general of British Columbia , the British Columbia Ministry of Education , the Delta School District , the B.C .
Children ’ s Hospital , IJ , and GH .
The intervenors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Hospital , the Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health ( CPATH ) , West Coast Leaf Association , and Egale Canada Human Right Trust .

The British Columbia court of appeal also ruled Friday that the 13-year-old daughter was old enough to consent to testosterone 'treatment.'
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, January 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The British Columbia court of appeal ruled Friday that a 13-year-old girl was old enough to consent to testosterone shots despite her father’s objections that his troubled daughter had been influenced by transgender advocates and did not understand the long-term consequences of her decision.
The appeal ruling released January 10 also placed the father under a “conduct order” effective until April that directs him to acknowledge his now 15-year-old daughter as a male, to use male pronouns when referring to her, and to call her by her chosen male name.
Under a publication ban on any information that could identify the names of the parties, the father is referred to as “CD” and the daughter “AB.”
“While of course CD is fully entitled to his opinions and beliefs, he cannot forget that AB, now a mature 15-year-old, with the support of his [sic] mother and his [sic] medical advisors, has chosen a course of action that includes not only hormone treatment, but a legal change of his [sic] name and gender identity,” reads the ruling of B.C .Court of Appeal chief justice Robert Bauman, Justice Harvey Groberman and Justice Barbara Fisher.
The court issued a further conduct order directing CD not to “directly, or indirectly through an agent or third party, publish or share information or documentation relating to AB’s sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental or physical health, medical status or therapies” other than with lawyers and medical personnel involved in the case.
They allowed that CD has the right “to express his opinion in his private communications with family, close friends and close advisors, provided none of these individuals is part of or connected with the media or any public forum, and provided CD obtain assurances from those with whom he shares information or views that they will not share that information with others.”
The Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada, one of six intervenors in the case, lauded the court for striking down portions of earlier rulings against CD but blasted the conduct orders as infringing on the father’s freedom of expression and integrity.
The Court “seems to overlook, or at least does not discuss, how significant an infringement of freedom of thought, belief, and expression it remains to order a father to refer to AB as male and to use male pronouns when speaking to AB and to all but a few close family members and friends,” ARPA said in a Friday press release.
“Surely, if CD disagrees with AB that AB is a boy, AB will know this, and it achieves little or nothing good to force CD to use words he believes to be false,” it stated.
“Rather, it is a profound violation of his freedom, damaging to his integrity, and arguably damaging to his relationship with AB as well, even if it is what AB wants to hear.”
That was echoed by the Justice Center for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), which also intervened in the appeal.
“The state cannot lawfully compel parents to voice agreement and support for an elective treatment which the parent believes is dangerous, harmful and against the interests of impressionable children[.] … The state cannot compel parents to forget their daughters and remember sons in their stead,” JCCF said in its factum.
Father’s long legal battle to protect daughter
CD, who is separated from his wife and who went to court last year to stop his daughter’s transition, was appealing Superior Court justice Gregory Bowden’s February 2019 ruling that his opposition to his daughter’s transition constituted “family violence.”
He was also appealing Superior Court justice Francesca Marzari’s April protection order that threatened him “with immediate arrest if he tried to persuade AB to abandon testosterone treatment, if he addressed AB by her birth name, or if he referred to AB as a girl or with female pronouns to her or to anyone, publicly or privately,” noted ARPA.
The upside of the appeals court ruling was that the judges struck down Marzari’s ruling and substituted it with conduct orders, which, unlike protection orders, “are not criminally enforced,” ARPA noted.
They also threw out Bowden’s finding that CD’s opposition to his daughter’s transition was “family violence” under the Family Law Act as without legal merit.
But the appeal court upheld Bowden’s ruling that AB could validly consent to medical treatment under Section 17 of B.C.’s Infants Act, which has the “legislative intent” to “recognize the autonomy of mature minors and the expertise and good faith of the health care providers.”
The Infants Act “has made it clear that health care professionals, not judges, are best placed to conduct inquiries into the state of medical science and the capacity of their patients when it comes to questions of minors’ medical decision-making.”
Moreover, in B.C .family law, “parental responsibilities are expressly subject to s. 17 of the Infants Act,” which in turn puts the child’s “best interests” in matters of health care “within the purview, at least initially, of the child’s ‘health care provider’.”
CD has argued that health care providers are promoting transitioning to his daughter, who is notably represented in court by longtime “queer” activist Barbara Findlay.
Psychologist pushed transition on “vulnerable” daughter: father
CD described his daughter as “very vulnerable” in a February 2019 article in The Federalist and said he believed she lacks the “mental capacity and emotional maturity” to make the decision to have testosterone treatments, which have irreversible effects.
According to earlier case documents, AB has been troubled since her parents separated in 2013, suffering depression and attempting suicide at least four times. She also went through a “lesbian stage” in Grade 7, then developed an intense crush on her Grade 8 gym teacher to the point where the school remover her from his class, triggering “a dramatic escalation in self-harm behaviour including suicide attempts.”
When AB claimed to be transgender at age 13, school staff sent her and her mother, without CD’s knowledge, to transgender activist psychologist Dr. IJ, who recommended she begin hormone therapy.
CD has since filed a complaint to the College of Psychologists of British Columbia, alleging that Dr. IJ unethically and unprofessionally led his child to seek a “transition.”
AB then went to see paediatric endocrinologist Dr. GH at the Gender Clinic at B.C. Children’s Hospital in August 2018, who recommended hormone treatment. CD objected but was told by Dr. GH in December 2018 his consent wasn’t required, that his daughter had consented to treatment, and that her mother supported the decision.
CD then went to court, and to the media, and the case received international attention.
Following Bowden’s February ruling, AB began testosterone treatments. In April, AB’s lawyers petitioned the court to compel CD to support his daughter’s transition, as well as to stop him talking publicly about the case, which led to Marzari’s protection order.
Underscoring the significance of the case, AB and her mother, EF, were joined as respondents by the attorney general of British Columbia, the British Columbia Ministry of Education, the Delta School District, the B.C. Children’s Hospital, IJ, and GH.
The intervenors also included the B.C. Children’s Hospital, the Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health (CPATH), West Coast Leaf Association, and Egale Canada Human Right Trust.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-11--Cdl Burke encourages Catholic faithful to renew their devotion through pilgrimages

January 10 , 2020 ( La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana ) — Going on a pilgrimage deepens our faith , and the Holy Land is the mother of all pilgrimages : “ Humbly placing your step where the Son of God put his , not only heightens awareness of the events of His life but above all the Mystery of His abiding presence on earth.
” These are Cardinal Burke ’ s reflections at the end of a pilgrimage he led .
“ Pilgrimages bring us closer to our faith and thus bring us true peace .
Not going on pilgrimages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cardinal Raymond L. Burke shared his thoughts and some personal reflections on the importance of pilgrimages which became a significant part of the Catholic tradition in the 4th century , when Christians traveled to different places that were part of Jesus ’ life or the tombs of martyrs and saints .
Here are a few extracts from the conversation with him .
Why do many pilgrims define a pilgrimage to the Holy Land as a turning point ?
The Holy Land is the mother of all pilgrimages , and pilgrimages are the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pilgrimage is an experience of spiritual wonder .
In the Holy Land , we find the foundation of our faith by visiting the places where the miracles took place and the places where the Lord carried out His public ministry , lived , died , rose from the dead , where the institution of the Sacraments took place .
Humbly placing your step where the Son of God put his , not only heightens awareness of the events of His life but above all the Mystery of His abiding presence on earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and above all for the peace and certainty which comes from the fatigue of the search for God in the form of a pilgrimage .
What is the special role of a pilgrimage in this search for Christ ?
I recall fondly the yearly pilgrimage in which I took part as a boy with my family , every summer in Wisconsin .
A priest of my home diocese had created a shrine to Mary and the Passion of Our Lord .
Going to the shrine on pilgrimage deepened my faith and increased my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the sacraments .
The sacred places of pilgrimages give us peace and strengthen our trust in God .
We are following Jesus ’ example , He went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem every year .
We need to rediscover this ancient form of devotion that brings us closer to our faith and brings true peace .
Not going on pilgrimages means losing contact with our salvation .
Yet tour operators lament that the numbers of pilgrims visiting holy places has dropped .
The fact that fewer people go on pilgrimages is a visible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society and the Church .
Jesus presented men and women with the truth , their relationship with Him .
John the Baptist represents the resistance of truth to power .
We need to follow his example .
According to a worldly way of thinking , relationships are perceived exclusively in human terms for the purpose of building a just society .
If we stop living our faith , it becomes just an idea , it is no longer a relationship with the living Lord .
As a result , there is no attraction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and schism are signs of the need for the conversion inspired and fostered by pilgrimage .
Being a Christian means being a sign of contradiction as Christ was .
Yet , this contradiction is often perceived as contradicting the unity of the Church and causing division .
How do we preserve the unity of the Church while being a sign of contradiction ?
This perception is the product of secularisation in the Church which is then seen as a political body divided in to camps .
Saint Paul lamented the division in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves with different religious leaders at the time , the community did not see itself as one church .
You can only deal with division by giving testimony to the truth , by keeping yourself focused on living the truth of our faith and giving witness to it .
Doing so , we will be accused of causing division , but we need to accept this suffering for Christ .
Saint Paul , in the Letter to the Colossians , expressed his joy in suffering with and for Christ .
Defending the faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church or the Pope .
Our faith begins with our relationship with Christ and our obedience to Him .
Every member of the Mystical Body of Christ , beginning with the Pope , must be obedient to Christ , the Head of the Body .
We are all living members of the Body of Christ .
We know that Christ , not our opinion , is the truth .
We need to stop employing political ideas of the truth .
If the Church is dedicated to building a society of human justice alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the justice and forgiveness of God .
We could call this moment in the Church a new hour of agony in the garden .
How can we be more willing to carry the cross ?
There is no human way to accept the cross .
It is only through prayer , penance and fasting in the name of Christ .
Christ called his disciples to keep watch and pray so as not to fall into temptation .
Each person according to his or her vocation and particular gifts is called to walk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and His new reign begins .
We know from experience in our family and work that sometimes a worldly spirit , not Christ ’ s , prevails .
The church has always faced challenges , but we all have the responsibility to carry the cross to build the kingdom of God .
Still on the subject of Christ ’ s return , Don Bosco prophesied the future victory of Christ will be obtained by the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Holy Eucharist .
Mary and Christ together .
Could you comment on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Incarnation essentially involves the Divine Maternity of Mary .
St. Paul says she was predestined to participate in the salvation through her maternity .
Christ came as a man , but he remained divine , the Second Person of the Holy Trinity .
God had to prepare the right tabernacle for the conception and birth of His only-begotten Son .
Mary conceived without sin was chosen to be the tabernacle .
She continues to be the channel by which the grace of Christ reaches our souls .
Christ , dying on the Cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own Mother in the Church .

January 10, 2020 (La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana) — Going on a pilgrimage deepens our faith, and the Holy Land is the mother of all pilgrimages: “Humbly placing your step where the Son of God put his, not only heightens awareness of the events of His life but above all the Mystery of His abiding presence on earth.” These are Cardinal Burke’s reflections at the end of a pilgrimage he led.
“Pilgrimages bring us closer to our faith and thus bring us true peace. Not going on pilgrimages means losing contact with our salvation.” Cardinal Raymond L. Burke shared his thoughts and some personal reflections on the importance of pilgrimages which became a significant part of the Catholic tradition in the 4th century, when Christians traveled to different places that were part of Jesus’ life or the tombs of martyrs and saints. Here are a few extracts from the conversation with him.
Why do many pilgrims define a pilgrimage to the Holy Land as a turning point?
The Holy Land is the mother of all pilgrimages, and pilgrimages are the most ancient form of devotion. Going on a pilgrimage is an experience of spiritual wonder. In the Holy Land, we find the foundation of our faith by visiting the places where the miracles took place and the places where the Lord carried out His public ministry, lived, died, rose from the dead, where the institution of the Sacraments took place. Humbly placing your step where the Son of God put his, not only heightens awareness of the events of His life but above all the Mystery of His abiding presence on earth. Our hearts yearn for that mystery and above all for the peace and certainty which comes from the fatigue of the search for God in the form of a pilgrimage.
What is the special role of a pilgrimage in this search for Christ?
I recall fondly the yearly pilgrimage in which I took part as a boy with my family, every summer in Wisconsin. A priest of my home diocese had created a shrine to Mary and the Passion of Our Lord. Going to the shrine on pilgrimage deepened my faith and increased my wonder at the mysteries of our faith and the sacraments. The sacred places of pilgrimages give us peace and strengthen our trust in God. We are following Jesus’ example, He went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem every year. We need to rediscover this ancient form of devotion that brings us closer to our faith and brings true peace. Not going on pilgrimages means losing contact with our salvation.
Yet tour operators lament that the numbers of pilgrims visiting holy places has dropped.
The fact that fewer people go on pilgrimages is a visible sign of the secularism that has invaded society and the Church. Jesus presented men and women with the truth, their relationship with Him. John the Baptist represents the resistance of truth to power. We need to follow his example. According to a worldly way of thinking, relationships are perceived exclusively in human terms for the purpose of building a just society. If we stop living our faith, it becomes just an idea, it is no longer a relationship with the living Lord. As a result, there is no attraction to go to holy places. Division and schism are signs of the need for the conversion inspired and fostered by pilgrimage.
Being a Christian means being a sign of contradiction as Christ was. Yet, this contradiction is often perceived as contradicting the unity of the Church and causing division. How do we preserve the unity of the Church while being a sign of contradiction?
This perception is the product of secularisation in the Church which is then seen as a political body divided in to camps. Saint Paul lamented the division in the church in Corinth when groups were identifying themselves with different religious leaders at the time, the community did not see itself as one church. You can only deal with division by giving testimony to the truth, by keeping yourself focused on living the truth of our faith and giving witness to it. Doing so, we will be accused of causing division, but we need to accept this suffering for Christ. Saint Paul, in the Letter to the Colossians, expressed his joy in suffering with and for Christ. Defending the faith is not being an enemy of the Church or the Pope. Our faith begins with our relationship with Christ and our obedience to Him. Every member of the Mystical Body of Christ, beginning with the Pope, must be obedient to Christ, the Head of the Body. We are all living members of the Body of Christ. We know that Christ, not our opinion, is the truth. We need to stop employing political ideas of the truth. If the Church is dedicated to building a society of human justice alone, then it has closed its soul to the justice and forgiveness of God.
We could call this moment in the Church a new hour of agony in the garden. How can we be more willing to carry the cross?
There is no human way to accept the cross. It is only through prayer, penance and fasting in the name of Christ. Christ called his disciples to keep watch and pray so as not to fall into temptation. Each person according to his or her vocation and particular gifts is called to walk with and in Christ until His return and His new reign begins. We know from experience in our family and work that sometimes a worldly spirit, not Christ’s, prevails. The church has always faced challenges, but we all have the responsibility to carry the cross to build the kingdom of God.
Still on the subject of Christ’s return, Don Bosco prophesied the future victory of Christ will be obtained by the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Holy Eucharist. Mary and Christ together. Could you comment on this?
The great mystery of the Incarnation essentially involves the Divine Maternity of Mary. St. Paul says she was predestined to participate in the salvation through her maternity. Christ came as a man, but he remained divine, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. God had to prepare the right tabernacle for the conception and birth of His only-begotten Son. Mary conceived without sin was chosen to be the tabernacle. She continues to be the channel by which the grace of Christ reaches our souls. Christ, dying on the Cross, gave us His Mother as our own Mother in the Church.
Published with permission from La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana.
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