lifesitenews--2020-01-29--Brazilian gov’t promotes chastity to teens with ‘I choose to wait’ program

BRASILIA , Brazil , January 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) -- Damares Alves , Brazil ’ s Minister for Women , Family and Human Rights , recently asked parents to consider telling their teenage children to wait until adulthood to have sex , thus unleashing a rash of negative comments from leftists in the South American republic .
Minister Alves responded to the growing rate of sexually-transmitted disease and teenage pregnancies by promoting sexual abstinence among adolescents .
She is collaborating with a campaign sponsored by evangelical Christians , dubbed “ I Choose to Wait , ” that fosters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and marriage .
Alves is a leader in the evangelical Christian community in Brazil and one of the most visible cabinet members in the current government .
Pro-abortion and LGBTQ advocates denounced the campaign , citing fears that it is effectively a merger of Church and state .
According to The New York Times , Brazilian law professor and abortion activist Debora Diniz said that program will have “ terrible consequences ” and lead to further cases of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections ( STI ) .
Diniz claimed that abstinence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Planned Parenthood and advocates such as Guttmacher Institute also regularly discredit delaying sex as a method of avoiding pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases among adolescents .
The I Choose to Wait campaign states that it is “ centered on the importance of living a life in holiness and purity based on the Holy Scriptures.
” According to Daily Wire , Alves said of underage sex , “ Our young people , by and large , are having sex as a result of social pressure .
You can go to a party and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has accused his leftist rivals of encouraging teenage sex .
He stopped a campaign to address homophobia in schools that leftist predecessor Dilma Roussief had begun before her sudden departure from government .
He said it amounted to a “ homosexual kit ” that intended to “ pervert ” children .
Bolsonaro ’ s campaign and subsequent actions in government have won him friends among conservative Catholics and evangelical Christians , the latter of which is a growing sector in political importance .
In an essay published in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alves insisted that she was not diminishing the use of contraceptives and condoms to minimize teenage pregnancy and STI .
“ We are cooperating with all of the ministries to offer additional material at each step when people make decisions , ” she wrote , adding that this does not mean her government is imposing anything , but is “ informing , through which autonomy is reinforced.
” Alves said her critics use the term “ abstinence ” in order to discredit the program .
Recently , she said previous programs have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are having sex at an earlier age than in previous years .
She also pointed out that teens are further endangered by a bill now before Brazil ’ s congress that would lower the age of consent to 12 , which she said would thus legalize pedophilia .
After being named to Bolsonaro ’ s presidential cabinet , Alves said she wants to rescue women and children from abortion .
“ The greatest human right is the right to life … I am against abortion , ” she said .
“ We want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Brazil that prioritizes public policies of family planning , where abortion is never seen as a contraceptive method.
” She went on to say that women don ’ t want abortion , but they exercise this option when they believe there is no other alternative , adding that while “ pregnancy is a ‘ problem ’ that lasts only nine months , abortion is a burden you carry your whole life .
We will always fight to save two lives : the woman and the child.
” The abstinence program is slated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote that abstinence programs in the United States have been successful in limiting teenage pregnancy .
In an email response to LifeSiteNews , Dr. Michelle Cretella , president of the pro-life American College of Pediatricians , applauded the Brazilian government ’ s move .
According to Dr. Cretella , a board-certified pediatrician specializing in adolescent health , the “ so-called comprehensive sex education ( CSE ) programs ” in U.S. schools have not shown long-term effectiveness at increasing sexual abstinence among adolescents , nor have they been shown to increase long-term condom and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This should come as no surprise since CSE programs send a double message to teens , ” Dr. Cretella said in the email .
“ In contrast , school-based sexual risk avoidance ( SRA ) curricula , traditionally known as abstinence education , focus on the primary public health principle of risk avoidance ’ and thereby uphold the highest attainable standard of health for all students.
” She said SRA programs have significantly delayed sexual activity among teens .
“ The American College of Pediatricians , ” Dr. Cretella said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( SRA ) programs by all school districts in lieu of curricula described as comprehensive sex education ( CSE ) .
”

BRASILIA, Brazil, January 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Damares Alves, Brazil’s Minister for Women, Family and Human Rights, recently asked parents to consider telling their teenage children to wait until adulthood to have sex, thus unleashing a rash of negative comments from leftists in the South American republic.
Minister Alves responded to the growing rate of sexually-transmitted disease and teenage pregnancies by promoting sexual abstinence among adolescents. She is collaborating with a campaign sponsored by evangelical Christians, dubbed “I Choose to Wait,” that fosters traditional Christian teachings about sexuality, chastity, and marriage. Alves is a leader in the evangelical Christian community in Brazil and one of the most visible cabinet members in the current government.
Pro-abortion and LGBTQ advocates denounced the campaign, citing fears that it is effectively a merger of Church and state. According to The New York Times, Brazilian law professor and abortion activist Debora Diniz said that program will have “terrible consequences” and lead to further cases of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STI).
Diniz claimed that abstinence doesn’t work. Abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood and advocates such as Guttmacher Institute also regularly discredit delaying sex as a method of avoiding pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases among adolescents.
The I Choose to Wait campaign states that it is “centered on the importance of living a life in holiness and purity based on the Holy Scriptures.” According to Daily Wire, Alves said of underage sex, “Our young people, by and large, are having sex as a result of social pressure. You can go to a party and have lots of fun without having sex.”
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has accused his leftist rivals of encouraging teenage sex. He stopped a campaign to address homophobia in schools that leftist predecessor Dilma Roussief had begun before her sudden departure from government. He said it amounted to a “homosexual kit” that intended to “pervert” children.
Bolsonaro’s campaign and subsequent actions in government have won him friends among conservative Catholics and evangelical Christians, the latter of which is a growing sector in political importance.
In an essay published in the daily Folha de São Paulo, Alves insisted that she was not diminishing the use of contraceptives and condoms to minimize teenage pregnancy and STI.
“We are cooperating with all of the ministries to offer additional material at each step when people make decisions,” she wrote, adding that this does not mean her government is imposing anything, but is “informing, through which autonomy is reinforced.”
Alves said her critics use the term “abstinence” in order to discredit the program. Recently, she said previous programs have not worked, given the fact that teens are having sex at an earlier age than in previous years. She also pointed out that teens are further endangered by a bill now before Brazil’s congress that would lower the age of consent to 12, which she said would thus legalize pedophilia.
After being named to Bolsonaro’s presidential cabinet, Alves said she wants to rescue women and children from abortion. “The greatest human right is the right to life … I am against abortion,” she said. “We want a Brazil without abortion. How? A Brazil that prioritizes public policies of family planning, where abortion is never seen as a contraceptive method.”
She went on to say that women don’t want abortion, but they exercise this option when they believe there is no other alternative, adding that while “pregnancy is a ‘problem’ that lasts only nine months, abortion is a burden you carry your whole life. We will always fight to save two lives: the woman and the child.”
The abstinence program is slated to kick off next month. Alves wrote that abstinence programs in the United States have been successful in limiting teenage pregnancy.
In an email response to LifeSiteNews, Dr. Michelle Cretella, president of the pro-life American College of Pediatricians, applauded the Brazilian government’s move. According to Dr. Cretella, a board-certified pediatrician specializing in adolescent health, the “so-called comprehensive sex education (CSE) programs” in U.S. schools have not shown long-term effectiveness at increasing sexual abstinence among adolescents, nor have they been shown to increase long-term condom and contraceptive use among sexually active youth.
“This should come as no surprise since CSE programs send a double message to teens,” Dr. Cretella said in the email. “In contrast, school-based sexual risk avoidance (SRA) curricula, traditionally known as abstinence education, focus on the primary public health principle of risk avoidance’ and thereby uphold the highest attainable standard of health for all students.”
She said SRA programs have significantly delayed sexual activity among teens. “The American College of Pediatricians,” Dr. Cretella said, “recommends the adoption of sexual risk avoidance (SRA) programs by all school districts in lieu of curricula described as comprehensive sex education (CSE).”
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lifesitenews--2020-01-29--German bishops’ synod working doc calls for approval of contraception, homosexuality, women’s ordina

German bishops’ synod working doc calls for approval of contraception, homosexuality, women’s ordination

January 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The working documents in preparation for the assemblies of the German bishops ’ “ Synodal Path ” defend the use of contraception , the practice of masturbation , and an active homosexual lifestyle .
Additionally , neither the question of the ordination of women nor that of making celibacy optional for priests is taken off the table .
In 2019 , four panels of experts were preparing working documents to serve as the basis for discussion among the participants of the Synodal Path , a process that begins Jan. 30 .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Church in Germany would , in fact , be reinvented , in spite of claims to the contrary made by Cardinal Reinhard Marx .
The head of the German Bishops ’ Conference had stated in an interview that the Synodal Path does not want to “ reinvent the Church.
” With the first assembly being scheduled for the end of January and the beginning of February , the two-year long “ Synodal Path ” is focusing on sexual morality , the lifestyle of priests , women in the Church , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents essentially follow the agenda of Professor Eberhard Schockenhoff to loosen the Church 's moral teaching , which he outlined for the German bishops at their conference last March .
The working document ’ s chapter dealing with sexual morality is revealingly titled , “ On the further development of Catholic teaching on sexuality.
” The document demands sexual morality must develop “ on the basis of insights of the human sciences , including the life experience [ … ] of ( faithful ) loving people.
” The document describes that relying on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sociology , anthropology , ” would open up the many prohibitions of sexual morality as proposed by the teaching authority of the Church , “ which sees sexual activity only within marriage , and still directed strongly towards procreation.
” Consequently , the document justifies the use of contraception , the practice of masturbation , and an active homosexual lifestyle .
Regarding contraception , the document states , “ Not every sexual act must remain open to procreation : the principle of responsible parenthood is extended to include the element of family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means of contraception appropriate to the respective life situation .
Family planning , even by means of artificial contraception , is not a hostile act , but supports the right of a couple to make a responsible joint decision on the number of children , the intervals between births and the concrete means of family planning.
” The Catechism of the Catholic Church , on the other hand , refers to the encyclical Humanae Vitae by Pope Paul VI , teaching “ that ‘ each and every marriage act must remain open ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life.
’ ” The Catechism adds , “ This particular doctrine , expounded on numerous occasions by the Magisterium , is based on the inseparable connection , established by God , which man on his own initiative may not break , between the unitive significance and the procreative significance which are both inherent to the marriage act.
” Pope John Paul II wrote in Familiaris Consortio , “ When couples , by means of recourse to contraception , separate these two meanings that God the Creator has inscribed in the being of man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their sexual communion , they act as ‘ arbiters ’ of the divine plan and they ‘ manipulate ’ and degrade human sexuality – and with it themselves and their married partner – by altering its value of ‘ total ’ self-giving.
” Without using the term “ masturbation , ” the working document in preparation of the Synodal Path in Germany states , “ The joyful experience of one ’ s own body ( self sex ) can also mean a responsible approach to one ’ s own sexuality.
” Again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a document of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , “ ‘ Both the Magisterium of the Church , in the course of a constant tradition , and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action.
’ ‘ The deliberate use of the sexual faculty , for whatever reason , outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose.
’ For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of ‘ the sexual relationship which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved.
’ ” Finally , according to the working document , “ homosexual acts also realize positive meaningful values , insofar as they are an expression of friendship , reliability , loyalty and support in life.
” Homosexuality , it adds , should no longer be considered as intrinsically evil .
A blessing of homosexual unions is not excluded by the working document .
These statements also contradict the teaching of the Church as expressed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Basing itself on Sacred Scripture , which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity , tradition has always declared that ‘ homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.
’ They are contrary to the natural law .
They close the sexual act to the gift of life .
They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity .
Under no circumstances can they be approved.
” Signaling where the church in Germany is headed , Cardinal Marx , who is the head of the German Bishops ' Conference , stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homosexuals belong to the Church ’ s “ sacramental community ” and has defended “ blessing ” homosexual couples .
The working document on sexual morality includes a number of charts .
The left column of the charts always presents the majority opinion within the panel of experts .
Without fail , the majority opinion is liberal and progressive , which is then also reflected in the actual positions of the working document , as described .
While the other working documents are more careful in putting forward controversial positions , none of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken off the table .
The document on the role of women in the Church says that not only should women participate more in the life of the Church , but the “ question of the sacramental ordination of women needs to be asked.
” In this context , the documents poses the question , “ Is there even the possibility of achieving certainty about the will of God on this subject with human power of cognition ?
” Then , the document asks about the degree of authority of the magisterial documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent within the document on the question of female deacons , advocating for a “ revival of the tradition of the ordination of deaconesses.
” Regarding women priests , Pope John Paul II had declared already in 1994 , “ Although the teaching that priestly ordination is to be reserved to men alone has been preserved by the constant and universal Tradition of the Church and firmly taught by the Magisterium in its more recent documents , at the present time in some places it is nonetheless considered still open to debate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women are not to be admitted to ordination is considered to have a merely disciplinary force.
” He added , “ Wherefore , in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance , a matter which pertains to the Church ’ s divine constitution itself , in virtue of my ministry of confirming the brethren I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church ’ s faithful.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of priests mentioned the question of female priests , too , but referred it to the panel studying the role of women in the Church .
However , when it comes to priests being unmarried , the document asks , while not giving any answers , “ Is celibacy the only lifestyle suitable to the nature of the priesthood ?
” Only recently , Cardinal Gerhard Müller , former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , had admitted that celibacy is not absolutely required by the nature of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that “ it arises in the most intimate appropriateness from the nature of this sacrament as a representation of Christ as the bridegroom of his bride , the church and the head of his body , the Church , in the power of his mission and his form of life of the total gift of self to God.
” “ Fundamentally , the church has to work towards a celibate priesthood , ” he said .
Müller also emphasized that even in the early Church , celibacy was the norm , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departing from the tradition of the early Church , and by no means in its continuation – it was allowed to priests and deacons by the Quinisext Council ( 691/692 ) , which was characteristically held in the imperial palace and not in a church , to continue married life.
” The first assembly of the Synodal Path will take place in Frankfurt , in the heart of Germany , from January 30 to February 1 .
Roughly 230 people are members of the assembly , including all bishops in Germany , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholics and other organizations .
Earlier this month , an international coalition of lay Catholics called Acies ordinata mobilized in Munich to silently pray in “ firm protest against the German Episcopal Conference and its President ” Cardinal Marx on account of the prelates ’ plan to embark on the controversial “ synodal path .
”

January 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The working documents in preparation for the assemblies of the German bishops’ “Synodal Path” defend the use of contraception, the practice of masturbation, and an active homosexual lifestyle. Additionally, neither the question of the ordination of women nor that of making celibacy optional for priests is taken off the table.
In 2019, four panels of experts were preparing working documents to serve as the basis for discussion among the participants of the Synodal Path, a process that begins Jan. 30. A careful study of those four documents reveals that the Church in Germany would, in fact, be reinvented, in spite of claims to the contrary made by Cardinal Reinhard Marx.
The head of the German Bishops’ Conference had stated in an interview that the Synodal Path does not want to “reinvent the Church.” With the first assembly being scheduled for the end of January and the beginning of February, the two-year long “Synodal Path” is focusing on sexual morality, the lifestyle of priests, women in the Church, and the abuse of power. The working documents essentially follow the agenda of Professor Eberhard Schockenhoff to loosen the Church's moral teaching, which he outlined for the German bishops at their conference last March.
The working document’s chapter dealing with sexual morality is revealingly titled, “On the further development of Catholic teaching on sexuality.” The document demands sexual morality must develop “on the basis of insights of the human sciences, including the life experience […] of (faithful) loving people.”
The document describes that relying on the human sciences, namely “psychology, sociology, anthropology,” would open up the many prohibitions of sexual morality as proposed by the teaching authority of the Church, “which sees sexual activity only within marriage, and still directed strongly towards procreation.”
Consequently, the document justifies the use of contraception, the practice of masturbation, and an active homosexual lifestyle.
Regarding contraception, the document states, “Not every sexual act must remain open to procreation: the principle of responsible parenthood is extended to include the element of family planning through the free choice of a means of contraception appropriate to the respective life situation. Family planning, even by means of artificial contraception, is not a hostile act, but supports the right of a couple to make a responsible joint decision on the number of children, the intervals between births and the concrete means of family planning.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, on the other hand, refers to the encyclical Humanae Vitae by Pope Paul VI, teaching “that ‘each and every marriage act must remain open ‘per se’ to the transmission of life.’” The Catechism adds, “This particular doctrine, expounded on numerous occasions by the Magisterium, is based on the inseparable connection, established by God, which man on his own initiative may not break, between the unitive significance and the procreative significance which are both inherent to the marriage act.”
Pope John Paul II wrote in Familiaris Consortio, “When couples, by means of recourse to contraception, separate these two meanings that God the Creator has inscribed in the being of man and woman and in the dynamism of their sexual communion, they act as ‘arbiters’ of the divine plan and they ‘manipulate’ and degrade human sexuality – and with it themselves and their married partner – by altering its value of ‘total’ self-giving.”
Without using the term “masturbation,” the working document in preparation of the Synodal Path in Germany states, “The joyful experience of one’s own body (self sex) can also mean a responsible approach to one’s own sexuality.”
Again, the Catechism teaches on this, quoting from a document of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, “‘Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action.’ ‘The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose.’ For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of ‘the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved.’”
Finally, according to the working document, “homosexual acts also realize positive meaningful values, insofar as they are an expression of friendship, reliability, loyalty and support in life.” Homosexuality, it adds, should no longer be considered as intrinsically evil. A blessing of homosexual unions is not excluded by the working document.
These statements also contradict the teaching of the Church as expressed in the Catechism. There, it says, “Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.’ They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.”
Signaling where the church in Germany is headed,Cardinal Marx, who is the head of the German Bishops' Conference, stated in an interview earlier this month that homosexuals belong to the Church’s “sacramental community” and has defended “blessing” homosexual couples.
The working document on sexual morality includes a number of charts. The left column of the charts always presents the majority opinion within the panel of experts. Without fail, the majority opinion is liberal and progressive, which is then also reflected in the actual positions of the working document, as described.
While the other working documents are more careful in putting forward controversial positions, none of today’s hot button issues are taken off the table. The document on the role of women in the Church says that not only should women participate more in the life of the Church, but the “question of the sacramental ordination of women needs to be asked.”
In this context, the documents poses the question, “Is there even the possibility of achieving certainty about the will of God on this subject with human power of cognition?” Then, the document asks about the degree of authority of the magisterial documents on this question.
Considerable time is spent within the document on the question of female deacons, advocating for a “revival of the tradition of the ordination of deaconesses.”
Regarding women priests, Pope John Paul II had declared already in 1994, “Although the teaching that priestly ordination is to be reserved to men alone has been preserved by the constant and universal Tradition of the Church and firmly taught by the Magisterium in its more recent documents, at the present time in some places it is nonetheless considered still open to debate, or the Church’s judgment that women are not to be admitted to ordination is considered to have a merely disciplinary force.”
He added, “Wherefore, in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, a matter which pertains to the Church’s divine constitution itself, in virtue of my ministry of confirming the brethren I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful.”
The panel of experts focusing on the lifestyle of priests mentioned the question of female priests, too, but referred it to the panel studying the role of women in the Church. However, when it comes to priests being unmarried, the document asks, while not giving any answers, “Is celibacy the only lifestyle suitable to the nature of the priesthood?”
Only recently, Cardinal Gerhard Müller, former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, had admitted that celibacy is not absolutely required by the nature of the priesthood,” but went on to say that “it arises in the most intimate appropriateness from the nature of this sacrament as a representation of Christ as the bridegroom of his bride, the church and the head of his body, the Church, in the power of his mission and his form of life of the total gift of self to God.”
“Fundamentally, the church has to work towards a celibate priesthood,” he said.
Müller also emphasized that even in the early Church, celibacy was the norm, adding, “In the Eastern Church – departing from the tradition of the early Church, and by no means in its continuation – it was allowed to priests and deacons by the Quinisext Council (691/692), which was characteristically held in the imperial palace and not in a church, to continue married life.”
The first assembly of the Synodal Path will take place in Frankfurt, in the heart of Germany, from January 30 to February 1. Roughly 230 people are members of the assembly, including all bishops in Germany, but also representing the Central Committee of German Catholics and other organizations.
Earlier this month, an international coalition of lay Catholics called Acies ordinata mobilized in Munich to silently pray in “firm protest against the German Episcopal Conference and its President” Cardinal Marx on account of the prelates’ plan to embark on the controversial “synodal path.”
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lifesitenews--2020-01-30--Catholics organize public rosary in Frankfurt on first day of German bishops’ ‘synodal p

Catholics organize public rosary in Frankfurt on first day of German bishops’ ‘synodal path’

FRANKFURT , Germany , January 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A group of lay Catholics held a peaceful prayer assembly today in front of the Frankfurt Cathedral in opposition to the proposed reform agenda of the German “ synodal path.
” The “ synodal path ” is organized by the German Bishops ' Conference and the Central Committee of German Catholics ( ZdK ) .
Hedwig Beverfoerde , a German pro-family activist who recently participated in the January 18 Acies Ordinata prayer assembly against the synodal path in Munich , told LifeSiteNews : “ These young people – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picked up the spirit of the original Munich prayer assembly Acies Ordinata and they carried it to Frankfurt , right in front of the bishops.
” This spontaneous prayer assembly took place on the first day of the first synodal assembly that is happening in Frankfurt from January 30 to February 1 .
A group of about 25 young lay faithful stood outside the Frankfurt Cathedral and prayed the rosary and sang songs .
One of the faithful held up a picture of Blessed Catherine Emmerich ( d. 1824 ) , a German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visions , among them one about a deep Church crisis .
Another carried a statue of Our Lady of Fatima .
According to one source , this group of young Catholics prayed to Our Lady for the Catholic Church , for the conversion of her enemies , and for the “ preservation of the traditional faith.
” One of the organizers of this prayer vigil , Markus Roth , made the following statement which LifeSiteNews is permitted to publish herewith : “ We have organized a vigil in front of the cathedral with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give Our Lady the honour she deserves and to pray for the One , Holy , Catholic and Apostolic Church .
We think that it 's our duty to give a public sign to our bishops and to the Church that the actual synodal process is not representative of German Catholicism .
Many Catholics here suffer under the ambitions to liberalize the doctrine and discipline of our Church .
We know that many bishops are afraid to speak up in public for the defense of the truth .
To them we would like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your guidance !
We pray for you with all our heart that you 'll be true shepherds to your flock .
We received the Faith through the successors of the apostles , now help us to remain faithful !
With the prayer of the holy Rosary we also expressed our deep confidence in the power of Our Lady .
We 're not afraid of the future and the things to come .
We know that her Immaculate Heart will triumph .
We want to preserve the traditional Faith , we want to live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group Maria 2.0 also was present at the Frankfurt Cathedral , holding images of the face of the Blessed Mother with tape on her mouth , as if women are put aside in the Catholic Church .
This group , which is calling for the female “ priesthood ” and access to all Church offices , organized last year a women 's strike on a Sunday , thus calling upon Catholics to commit a mortal sin by not fulfilling their Sunday obligation to go to Mass that day .
At today 's event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which the bishops and other members of the synodal assembly had to walk in order to enter the Frankfurt Cathedral for Mass , holding up signs with slogans such as “ Women , what are you waiting for ?
” During the entire synodal meeting in Frankfurt , some Catholics have openly organized many hours of Eucharistic adoration in a side chapel of the Frankfurt Cathedral .
The hours for tomorrow and for Saturday are listed here .
230 members of that assembly aim at questioning various aspects of the Church 's perrenial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordination , ” priestly celibacy , homosexuality , cohabitation , contraception , and gender theory .
Every German diocese will participate in this process , but , surprisingly , there are more laymen among the members of the synodal assembly than clergymen , and the bishops are in a minority .
However , the decisions of the synodal path will have no binding character and will have to be implemented individually by the bishops in their own dioceses .
However , at a press conference today , Professor Thomas Sternberg , the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bishops who might not go along with the final decisions of the synodal path .
He stated that he would ask any such a bishop who does not implement the overall synodal decisions in his own diocese , “ How is your understanding of synodality , when decisions have been made ?
” Furthermore , Sternberg – who along with Cardinal Reinhard Marx was the main speaker at today 's press conference – explained that there are three kinds of decisions that might be made by the synodal assembly : those that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those that stand under Roman supervision and need to be sent to Rome as a “ vote ” ( “ Votum ” ) ; and finally those decisions that “ the Pope himself could not decide upon by himself , ” and that would need to be discussed and decided by a Council .
Sternberg also claimed that the Pope could “ introduce the female diaconate , ” but not the “ female priesthood.
” It is not clear here whether Sternberg was speaking of a sacramental female “ diaconate ” or some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marx stressed the aspect of synodality , suggesting that one can not organize the Catholic Church “ in a centralizing manner.
” This aspect needed to be “ thought through ” and “ further developed , ” the head of the German Bishops ' Conference explained .
He also sought to explain that the German synodal path aims at “ presenting their votes to the Universal Church ” and at “ talking with one another.
” When asked by a journalist about Pope Francis ' insistence upon evangelization , Cardinal Marx responded : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; we should not stand there and say : ‘ I know the truth.
’ ” “ Without conversion , ” he continued , “ there is no evangelization.
” He stated this in the context of the current clerical sex abuse crisis in Germany , which is , according to the organizers of the synodal path , the very reason for the synodal discussions .
When further questioned about the “ crisis of faith ” in Germany , Marx also rejected the idea of saying that “ the Church is right , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is not right , ” he commented .
“ What has happened in our midst ” is not only due to “ secularization.
” There is a dispute among Catholics in Germany as to whether it is more important to revive the full Catholic faith and to catechize the faithful again – as proposed by Cardinal Rainer Woelki and Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer – or whether the current crisis could be overcome by “ updating ” the Church 's teaching on matters like sexuality , priestly celibacy , and female “ ordination.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curial cardinal , states in an interview today with the Italian website La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana that “ with the ‘ synodal path , ’ the German Bishops ' Conference has started a very dangerous ecclesial process .
De facto , the possibility for a schism is now opened up .
”

'We think that it's our duty to give a public sign to our bishops and to the Church that the actual synodal process is not representative of German Catholicism,' said one of the organizers.
FRANKFURT, Germany, January 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A group of lay Catholics held a peaceful prayer assembly today in front of the Frankfurt Cathedral in opposition to the proposed reform agenda of the German “synodal path.” The “synodal path” is organized by the German Bishops' Conference and the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK).
Hedwig Beverfoerde, a German pro-family activist who recently participated in the January 18 Acies Ordinata prayer assembly against the synodal path in Munich, told LifeSiteNews: “These young people – the future of the Church – have picked up the spirit of the original Munich prayer assembly Acies Ordinata and they carried it to Frankfurt, right in front of the bishops.”
This spontaneous prayer assembly took place on the first day of the first synodal assembly that is happening in Frankfurt from January 30 to February 1. A group of about 25 young lay faithful stood outside the Frankfurt Cathedral and prayed the rosary and sang songs. One of the faithful held up a picture of Blessed Catherine Emmerich (d. 1824), a German mystic and stigmatist who had many mystical visions, among them one about a deep Church crisis. Another carried a statue of Our Lady of Fatima. According to one source, this group of young Catholics prayed to Our Lady for the Catholic Church, for the conversion of her enemies, and for the “preservation of the traditional faith.”
One of the organizers of this prayer vigil, Markus Roth, made the following statement which LifeSiteNews is permitted to publish herewith:
“We have organized a vigil in front of the cathedral with young Catholics from different local parishes to give Our Lady the honour she deserves and to pray for the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We think that it's our duty to give a public sign to our bishops and to the Church that the actual synodal process is not representative of German Catholicism. Many Catholics here suffer under the ambitions to liberalize the doctrine and discipline of our Church. We know that many bishops are afraid to speak up in public for the defense of the truth. To them we would like to say: The Catholic laity needs your guidance! We pray for you with all our heart that you'll be true shepherds to your flock. We received the Faith through the successors of the apostles, now help us to remain faithful! With the prayer of the holy Rosary we also expressed our deep confidence in the power of Our Lady. We're not afraid of the future and the things to come. We know that her Immaculate Heart will triumph. We want to preserve the traditional Faith, we want to live and die Catholic!”
The feminist group Maria 2.0 also was present at the Frankfurt Cathedral, holding images of the face of the Blessed Mother with tape on her mouth, as if women are put aside in the Catholic Church. This group, which is calling for the female “priesthood” and access to all Church offices, organized last year a women's strike on a Sunday, thus calling upon Catholics to commit a mortal sin by not fulfilling their Sunday obligation to go to Mass that day.
At today's event, the women stood along the path which the bishops and other members of the synodal assembly had to walk in order to enter the Frankfurt Cathedral for Mass, holding up signs with slogans such as “Women, what are you waiting for?”
During the entire synodal meeting in Frankfurt, some Catholics have openly organized many hours of Eucharistic adoration in a side chapel of the Frankfurt Cathedral. The hours for tomorrow and for Saturday are listed here.
230 members of that assembly aim at questioning various aspects of the Church's perrenial teaching on matters such as female “ordination,” priestly celibacy, homosexuality, cohabitation, contraception, and gender theory. Every German diocese will participate in this process, but, surprisingly, there are more laymen among the members of the synodal assembly than clergymen, and the bishops are in a minority. However, the decisions of the synodal path will have no binding character and will have to be implemented individually by the bishops in their own dioceses.
However, at a press conference today, Professor Thomas Sternberg, the president of the ZdK, put pressure on bishops who might not go along with the final decisions of the synodal path. He stated that he would ask any such a bishop who does not implement the overall synodal decisions in his own diocese, “How is your understanding of synodality, when decisions have been made?”
Furthermore, Sternberg – who along with Cardinal Reinhard Marx was the main speaker at today's press conference – explained that there are three kinds of decisions that might be made by the synodal assembly: those that can be implemented “in Germany”; those that stand under Roman supervision and need to be sent to Rome as a “vote” (“Votum”); and finally those decisions that “the Pope himself could not decide upon by himself,” and that would need to be discussed and decided by a Council.
Sternberg also claimed that the Pope could “introduce the female diaconate,” but not the “female priesthood.” It is not clear here whether Sternberg was speaking of a sacramental female “diaconate” or some other form of female “diaconate.”
Marx stressed the aspect of synodality, suggesting that one cannot organize the Catholic Church “in a centralizing manner.” This aspect needed to be “thought through” and “further developed,” the head of the German Bishops' Conference explained. He also sought to explain that the German synodal path aims at “presenting their votes to the Universal Church” and at “talking with one another.”
When asked by a journalist about Pope Francis' insistence upon evangelization, Cardinal Marx responded: “we need to be first evangelized; we should not stand there and say: ‘I know the truth.’”
“Without conversion,” he continued, “there is no evangelization.” He stated this in the context of the current clerical sex abuse crisis in Germany, which is, according to the organizers of the synodal path, the very reason for the synodal discussions.
When further questioned about the “crisis of faith” in Germany, Marx also rejected the idea of saying that “the Church is right, and the others are wrong.”
“That is not right,” he commented. “What has happened in our midst” is not only due to “secularization.”
There is a dispute among Catholics in Germany as to whether it is more important to revive the full Catholic faith and to catechize the faithful again – as proposed by Cardinal Rainer Woelki and Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer – or whether the current crisis could be overcome by “updating” the Church's teaching on matters like sexuality, priestly celibacy, and female “ordination.”
Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, a retired curial cardinal, states in an interview today with the Italian website La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana that “with the ‘synodal path,’ the German Bishops' Conference has started a very dangerous ecclesial process. De facto, the possibility for a schism is now opened up.”
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--2020-01-30--Third UK stadium bars Franklin Graham from preaching to appease LGBT activists

GLASGOW , Scotland , January 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― A third United Kingdom venue has cancelled an appearance by American missionary Franklin Graham .
Earlier this week , stadiums in the English cities of Sheffield and Liverpool bowed to pressure from LGBT activists and their “ allies ” to bar Graham , the son of the world-famous evangelist Billy Graham , from preaching .
Now Glasgow ’ s Scottish Event Campus ( SEC ) Hydro has done the same .
Pauline Gallagher of Catholic Family Voice told LifeSiteNews that she was “ saddened ” that the Protestant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I am saddened beyond words that Billy Graham 's son has been banned from speaking in Glasgow , ” Gallagher said .
“ The dividing line is not between religious and LGBT .
It is between reasonable and unreasonable people , ” she continued .
“ High profile commentators like Douglas Murray and Andrew Doyle in the U.K. and Dave Rubin in the U.S. , who are gay , are speaking out for the rights of religious people to express their beliefs.
” The British Broadcasting Corporation ( BBC ) quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the organization had been impartial : Nevertheless , the Glasgow stadium dropped Graham ’ s booking at the behest of its “ principal shareholder , ” i.e .
Glasgow City Council .
“ Following a request from our principal shareholder the matter has been considered and a decision made that we should not host this event , ” the spokesperson said .
Speaking to the Glasgow Times , the leader of Glasgow ’ s municipal government indicated that she thought Graham might break so-called hate speech laws .
“ The reporting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his views makes clear that this is not simply about offence or disagreement , ” said Scottish National Party councillor Susan Aiken , 48 .
“ Neither is it a debate about free speech .
How he expresses his views could , I believe , fundamentally breach the council ’ s statutory equalities duties.
” The Glasgow Times also reported that council bosses [ local government officials ] had also “ expressed fears over the damage done to the city 's reputation ” by Graham ’ s appearance .
However , Glasgow ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very least in faithful Christian circles , in the wake of the firing of a Catholic priest from his university chaplaincy position , merely for hosting a rosary to be prayed in reparation for sins committed during the city ’ s 2018 homosexual “ pride ” jamboree .
Graham has responded to objections to his plans to preach in eight British cities by saying that he is not coming to spread hate : It is said by some that I am coming to the UK to bring hateful speech to your community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am coming to share the Gospel , which is the Good News that God loves the people of the UK , and that Jesus Christ came to this earth to save us from our sins .
The rub , I think , comes in whether God defines homosexuality as sin .
The answer is yes .
But God goes even further than that , to say that we are all sinners — myself included .
The Bible says that every human being is guilty of sin and in need of forgiveness and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spiritual death — separation from God for eternity .
That ’ s why Jesus Christ came .
He became sin for us .
He didn ’ t come to condemn the world , He came to save the world by giving His life on the Cross as a sacrifice for our sins .
And if we ’ re willing to accept Him by faith and turn away from our sins , He will forgive us and give us new life — eternal life — in Him .
My message to all people is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can have a right relationship with God .
That ’ s Good News .
That is the hope people on every continent around the world are searching for .
In the UK as well as in the United States , we have religious freedom and freedom of speech .
I ’ m not coming to the UK to speak against anybody , I ’ m coming to speak for everybody .
The Gospel is inclusive .
I ’ m not coming out of hate , I ’ m coming out of love .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come and hear for yourselves the Gospel messages that I will be bringing from God ’ s Word , the Bible .
You are absolutely welcome .
The lack of welcome for Franklin Graham in Glasgow is in dramatic contrast to the one rolled out for his late father Billy Graham in 1955 .
Billy Graham spent six weeks in Scotland during his historic “ All-Scotland Crusade , ” reaching over 2.5 million people in stadiums , halls , and even on the streets throughout the country .
Approximately 50,000 Scots came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had newly accepted Christ .
Billy Graham , who remained opposed to same-sex “ marriage ” all his life , died in 2018 .
He was awarded an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001 .

One government official indicated that she thought the Christian preacher might break so-called hate speech laws.
GLASGOW, Scotland, January 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― A third United Kingdom venue has cancelled an appearance by American missionary Franklin Graham.
Earlier this week, stadiums in the English cities of Sheffield and Liverpool bowed to pressure from LGBT activists and their “allies” to bar Graham, the son of the world-famous evangelist Billy Graham, from preaching. Now Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus (SEC) Hydro has done the same.
Pauline Gallagher of Catholic Family Voice told LifeSiteNews that she was “saddened” that the Protestant evangelical had been barred from her city.
“I am saddened beyond words that Billy Graham's son has been banned from speaking in Glasgow,” Gallagher said.
“The dividing line is not between religious and LGBT. It is between reasonable and unreasonable people,” she continued.
“High profile commentators like Douglas Murray and Andrew Doyle in the U.K. and Dave Rubin in the U.S., who are gay, are speaking out for the rights of religious people to express their beliefs.”
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) quoted a spokesperson from SEC Hydro who claimed that the organization had been impartial:
“The booking for this event was processed in the same way we would for any religious concert of this nature and as a business we remain impartial to the individual beliefs of both our clients and visitors.”
Nevertheless, the Glasgow stadium dropped Graham’s booking at the behest of its “principal shareholder,” i.e. Glasgow City Council.
“Following a request from our principal shareholder the matter has been considered and a decision made that we should not host this event,” the spokesperson said.
Speaking to the Glasgow Times, the leader of Glasgow’s municipal government indicated that she thought Graham might break so-called hate speech laws.
“The reporting of the ways in which Mr Graham expresses his views makes clear that this is not simply about offence or disagreement,” said Scottish National Party councillor Susan Aiken, 48.
“Neither is it a debate about free speech. How he expresses his views could, I believe, fundamentally breach the council’s statutory equalities duties.”
The Glasgow Times also reported that council bosses [local government officials] had also “expressed fears over the damage done to the city's reputation” by Graham’s appearance.
However, Glasgow’s reputation has already suffered, at the very least in faithful Christian circles, in the wake of the firing of a Catholic priest from his university chaplaincy position, merely for hosting a rosary to be prayed in reparation for sins committed during the city’s 2018 homosexual “pride” jamboree.
Graham has responded to objections to his plans to preach in eight British cities by saying that he is not coming to spread hate:
It is said by some that I am coming to the UK to bring hateful speech to your community. This is just not true. I am coming to share the Gospel, which is the Good News that God loves the people of the UK, and that Jesus Christ came to this earth to save us from our sins. The rub, I think, comes in whether God defines homosexuality as sin. The answer is yes. But God goes even further than that, to say that we are all sinners — myself included. The Bible says that every human being is guilty of sin and in need of forgiveness and cleansing. The penalty of sin is spiritual death — separation from God for eternity. That’s why Jesus Christ came. He became sin for us. He didn’t come to condemn the world, He came to save the world by giving His life on the Cross as a sacrifice for our sins. And if we’re willing to accept Him by faith and turn away from our sins, He will forgive us and give us new life — eternal life — in Him. My message to all people is that they can be forgiven and they can have a right relationship with God. That’s Good News. That is the hope people on every continent around the world are searching for. In the UK as well as in the United States, we have religious freedom and freedom of speech. I’m not coming to the UK to speak against anybody, I’m coming to speak for everybody. The Gospel is inclusive. I’m not coming out of hate, I’m coming out of love. I invite everyone in the LGBTQ community to come and hear for yourselves the Gospel messages that I will be bringing from God’s Word, the Bible. You are absolutely welcome.
The lack of welcome for Franklin Graham in Glasgow is in dramatic contrast to the one rolled out for his late father Billy Graham in 1955. Billy Graham spent six weeks in Scotland during his historic “All-Scotland Crusade,” reaching over 2.5 million people in stadiums, halls, and even on the streets throughout the country. Approximately 50,000 Scots came forward at his meetings to show that they had newly accepted Christ.
Billy Graham, who remained opposed to same-sex “marriage” all his life, died in 2018. He was awarded an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-30--Kansas Senate passes constitutional amendment rebuking ‘right’ to abortion

January 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Kansas Senate voted 28-12 Wednesday to pass a state constitutional amendment declaring there is no state-level “ right ” to abortion and empowering the legislature to set abortion policy .
The amendment is meant to correct a Kansas Supreme Court ruling from April asserting such a “ right , ” which tied the legislature ’ s hands and established that even if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned , abortion would remain legal in Kansas .
“ If we don ’ t pass this constitutional amendment , we will lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that procedure , ” Republican state Senate President Susan Wagle argued , the Wichita Eagle reported .
Its prospects for success in the state House are uncertain , however .
There , Republicans have an 84-seat majority , which is the exact number necessary for the two-thirds vote necessary to pass an amendment , but it remains to be seen whether the more moderate Republicans will vote yes , or if any moderate Democrats will cross party lines .
House Speaker Ron Ryckman , an Olathe Republican , on Wednesday didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes to pass the proposal .
“ We ’ ll see what they send over to us , ” said Ryckman , who added that as many as 90 House members have indicated support for an amendment from time to time .
Assuming the amendment passes , it would next be put to a statewide vote , most likely on the August ballot .
“ I believe we have to act for the greater good , for the higher calling , and that we need to put this on the ballot quickly because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we don ’ t , ” said Wagle .

The legislation now goes to the House, where a two-thirds majority needed for passage is not a sure thing.
January 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Kansas Senate voted 28-12 Wednesday to pass a state constitutional amendment declaring there is no state-level “right” to abortion and empowering the legislature to set abortion policy.
The amendment is meant to correct a Kansas Supreme Court ruling from April asserting such a “right,” which tied the legislature’s hands and established that even if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned, abortion would remain legal in Kansas.
“If we don’t pass this constitutional amendment, we will lose the right to have any say over that procedure,” Republican state Senate President Susan Wagle argued, the Wichita Eagle reported.
Its prospects for success in the state House are uncertain, however. There, Republicans have an 84-seat majority, which is the exact number necessary for the two-thirds vote necessary to pass an amendment, but it remains to be seen whether the more moderate Republicans will vote yes, or if any moderate Democrats will cross party lines.
House Speaker Ron Ryckman, an Olathe Republican, on Wednesday didn’t directly say whether supporters have marshaled enough votes to pass the proposal.
“We’ll see what they send over to us,” said Ryckman, who added that as many as 90 House members have indicated support for an amendment from time to time.
Assuming the amendment passes, it would next be put to a statewide vote, most likely on the August ballot.
“I believe we have to act for the greater good, for the higher calling, and that we need to put this on the ballot quickly because of the risk we’re taking if we don’t,” said Wagle.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-30--Subscribe to the most hard-hitting Catholic podcast in the Church!

January 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — On March 25 , 2019 LifeSite launched The John-Henry Westen Show , a video series of weekly commentaries from our co-founder John-Henry Westen .
The show has been an enormous hit since its inception .
With hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube , The John-Henry Westen Show has become the go-to podcast for Catholics serious about their faith who want to stay up to date with everything going on in the Catholic Church .
Right now , more than 3,000 subscribers from across the world receive The John-Henry Westen Show in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released every Tuesday .
With hard-hitting analysis and truth-telling interviews , The John-Henry Westen Show has featured some of the most well-known Catholic laymen and clergy in the world .
Some of the guests with whom John-Henry has spoken include : • Cardinal Gerhard Müller , former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith • Taylor Marshall , author of Infiltration : The Plot to Destroy the Church from Within There is simply nowhere else in the world you are going to get these powerful , faithful voices to truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haven ’ t already , be sure to subscribe to The John-Henry Westen Show on YouTube .
Click here to see all past episodes .
Some of the most-watched shows include : • “ Award winning photographer gives up everything to become Catholic religious ” • “ Meet the Brazilian Catholic exposing the dark money behind the Amazon Synod ” • “ How we will win the final battle between our Lord and the Reign of Satan ” • “ Pope Francis and the attempt to destroy the crown jewel of John Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mass apostasy , doctrinal confusion are sure signs of anti-Christ ” The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show ’ s YouTube channel and right here on LifeSite .
It is also available in audio format on platforms such as Spotify , Soundcloud , and ACast .
To subscribe to the audio version on various channels , visit the ACast webpage here .
Sign up to receive weekly emails by clicking here .
If you subscribe to The John-Henry Westen Show YouTube channel , you ’ ll be notified when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send John-Henry feedback or ideas for show topics by emailing [ email protected ] .

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With hard-hitting analysis and truth-telling interviews, The John-Henry Westen Show has featured some of the most well-known Catholic laymen and clergy in the world. Some of the guests with whom John-Henry has spoken include:
There is simply nowhere else in the world you are going to get these powerful, faithful voices to truth all in one place.
If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to The John-Henry Westen Show on YouTube. Click here to see all past episodes. Some of the most-watched shows include:
The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show’s YouTube channel and right here on LifeSite.
It is also available in audio format on platforms such as Spotify, Soundcloud, and ACast. To subscribe to the audio version on various channels, visit the ACast webpage here.
Sign up to receive weekly emails by clicking here. If you subscribe to The John-Henry Westen Show YouTube channel, you’ll be notified when there is new content.
You can send John-Henry feedback or ideas for show topics by emailing [email protected].
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lifesitenews--2020-01-30--Convicted pedophile released, ‘no longer deemed threat’ because he says he’s a wom

Convicted pedophile released, ‘no longer deemed threat’ because he says he’s a woman

January 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – If you were one of those inquiring souls who was wondering just how crazy the transgender phenomenon could get , the answer to that question may have just surfaced in the Des Moines Register under the headline : “ Convicted of sex crimes as a man , felon no longer deemed threat because of gender change.
” Yeah , you read that right .
According to the Register : “ The Iowa Attorney General ’ s Office is no longer seeking the commitment of a former Midwest Christian services student convicted of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identifies as a woman .
Court records show the state dismissed the application on Jan. 9 .
Attorney general spokesman Lynn Hicks wouldn ’ t comment on the reason for the dismissal other than to say ‘ an offender ’ s hormone levels are an important part of substantiating an offender ’ s likelihood of recidivism.
’ ” To provide a bit of context here , Joseph Matthew Smith is a 23-year-old who was convicted of molesting a fellow student back in 2014 , but according to state ’ s expert Dr. Jeffrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 15 children—ranging from ages one to 13 .
In fact , Davis ’ s report indicated that “ the likelihood of re-offending within five years of release exceeded 20 % because victims were of both genders , and because Smith was under age 25 and never had a long-term relationship.
” But because this pedophile now identities as a woman named Josie—and the Des Moines Register refers to Smith as “ she ” throughout their reportage on this insanity—he will now be set free .
Smith had started the process of getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 and started using female pronouns ” at Newton Correctional Facility , and attorney general spokesman Lynn Hicks “ cautioned the public not to overreact to Smith ’ s upcoming release ” because he will still be “ subject to sex-offender registration requirements.
” To summarize : A convicted pedophile who molested children ranging from the ages of one to 13 is being set free despite a report indicating a high chance of re-offending because he now identifies as a woman .
He ’ s not the only one , either .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told a judge that his activities were licit because he identified as an eight-year-old girl , and that images of children being abused found in his possession were protected by the First Amendment .
Child abuser Duncan Brooks , who now refers to himself as “ Jacinta Brooks , ” has been in and out of jail for targeting kids .
And a dangerous male pedophile now identifying as “ Madilyn Harks , ” who claimed to have molested up to sixty girls , was set loose in Brampton last year .
Additionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ females in order to get locked up in women ’ s prisons , leaving vulnerable female prisoners behind bars with convicted sex offenders .
In some instances , this has already resulted in female prisoners getting sexually assaulted by male criminals pretending to be women .
Any sane society would see this for what it is , but that is unfortunately not the society that we live in .
Every time progressives demand some sweeping new change to our society , they always pose a simple , persuasive question : “ Who will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shout down or ignore the many answers to that question—and they will defend their “ progress ” no matter what the cost .
Thus , violent male pedophiles can be set loose after identifying as female because we are now required to believe that this man is a woman once he claims to be .
I doubt even those who arranged for his release really believe , deep down , that this man is a woman .
But that doesn ’ t matter anymore , because they must act as if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 Brian Fisher of Human Coalition about the innovative way Human Coalition has saved over 14,500 babies from abortion .
Fisher became involved with a pregnancy resource center as a donor and volunteer over 20 years ago .
Quickly , Fischer began using his business experience and way of looking at everything to evaluate the pro-life movement .
You can subscribe here and @ @ @ @ @ @

Joseph Matthew Smith is a 23-year-old who was convicted of molesting a fellow student back in 2014, but according to state’s expert Dr. Jeffrey Davis, Smith has molested as many as 15 children—ranging from ages one to 13. He now 'identifies' as a woman.
January 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – If you were one of those inquiring souls who was wondering just how crazy the transgender phenomenon could get, the answer to that question may have just surfaced in the Des Moines Register under the headline: “Convicted of sex crimes as a man, felon no longer deemed threat because of gender change.”
Yeah, you read that right. According to the Register: “The Iowa Attorney General’s Office is no longer seeking the commitment of a former Midwest Christian services student convicted of myriad sex crimes because the individual now identifies as a woman. Court records show the state dismissed the application on Jan. 9. Attorney general spokesman Lynn Hicks wouldn’t comment on the reason for the dismissal other than to say ‘an offender’s hormone levels are an important part of substantiating an offender’s likelihood of recidivism.’”
To provide a bit of context here, Joseph Matthew Smith is a 23-year-old who was convicted of molesting a fellow student back in 2014, but according to state’s expert Dr. Jeffrey Davis, Smith has molested as many as 15 children—ranging from ages one to 13. In fact, Davis’s report indicated that “the likelihood of re-offending within five years of release exceeded 20% because victims were of both genders, and because Smith was under age 25 and never had a long-term relationship.”
But because this pedophile now identities as a woman named Josie—and the Des Moines Register refers to Smith as “she” throughout their reportage on this insanity—he will now be set free. Smith had started the process of getting “started on transgender classification in October 2017 and started using female pronouns” at Newton Correctional Facility, and attorney general spokesman Lynn Hicks “cautioned the public not to overreact to Smith’s upcoming release” because he will still be “subject to sex-offender registration requirements.”
To summarize: A convicted pedophile who molested children ranging from the ages of one to 13 is being set free despite a report indicating a high chance of re-offending because he now identifies as a woman.
He’s not the only one, either. A 45-year-old sex offender named Joseph Gobrick recently told a judge that his activities were licit because he identified as an eight-year-old girl, and that images of children being abused found in his possession were protected by the First Amendment. Child abuser Duncan Brooks, who now refers to himself as “Jacinta Brooks,” has been in and out of jail for targeting kids. And a dangerous male pedophile now identifying as “Madilyn Harks,” who claimed to have molested up to sixty girls, was set loose in Brampton last year.
Additionally, male prisoners are increasingly identifying as females in order to get locked up in women’s prisons, leaving vulnerable female prisoners behind bars with convicted sex offenders. In some instances, this has already resulted in female prisoners getting sexually assaulted by male criminals pretending to be women. Any sane society would see this for what it is, but that is unfortunately not the society that we live in.
Every time progressives demand some sweeping new change to our society, they always pose a simple, persuasive question: “Who will this hurt?” They then proceed to shout down or ignore the many answers to that question—and they will defend their “progress” no matter what the cost. Thus, violent male pedophiles can be set loose after identifying as female because we are now required to believe that this man is a woman once he claims to be. I doubt even those who arranged for his release really believe, deep down, that this man is a woman. But that doesn’t matter anymore, because they must act as if they do—and we must pay the consequences.
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 Brian Fisher of Human Coalition about the innovative way Human Coalition has saved over 14,500 babies from abortion. Fisher became involved with a pregnancy resource center as a donor and volunteer over 20 years ago. Quickly, Fischer began using his business experience and way of looking at everything to evaluate the pro-life movement.
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--2020-01-30--Pro-abortion activist threatened to ‘slit throat’ of girl at March for Life, gets led away by police

January 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― A female pro-abortion activist told a college student at last week ’ s March for Life that if she didn ’ t back up , she would “ f **** slit [ her ] throat.
” The pro-abortion activist , who appeared to be an adult woman , made the threat to 20-year-old Selene Cerankosky , the president of the Robert Morris University branch of Students for Life of America ( SFLA ) .
The encounter happened outside the U.S. Supreme Court , where Cerankosky had gone to reserve space before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college junior was threatened by the woman around 11:00 a.m. “ At that point we [ students ] were trying to get to the front where the press was , ” Cerankosky told LifeSiteNews today .
“ We were all going to the front , and I got blocked .
Someone stood in front of me.
” That someone was a stone-faced young woman wearing a pair of pale pants stained with red paint , presumably to simulate blood .
“ She seemed very angry , ” said Cerankosky , and that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying , “ Back up , or I will f****** slit your throat.
” “ I was kind of shocked at first , ” the pro-life activist said , noting that the pro-abortion activist had broken the law .
“ I think she knew she had done something wrong because after that she just said , ‘ Back up , back up , for God ’ s sake.
’ ” Cerankosky held her ground .
The young pro-lifer told LifeSiteNews that she didn ’ t want abortion activists thinking that these kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eventually she turned her back on the furious woman , who stomped off in a huff .
Cerankosky then told her rally coordinator , Stephanie Stone , of the incident .
Stone ran to tell the nearest police officer .
“ The police believed her , ” Cerankosky said .
“ And I think they found some kind of weapon on [ my harasser ] , which is why they handcuffed her.
” A photograph Cerankosky shared with media shows the hancuffed pro-abortion activist being led away by police .
Cerankosky said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person at the rally wearing simulated blood-soaked trousers .
The young pro-lifer saw a pile of them and a “ lot of people ” wearing them .
“ It ’ s not the most pleasant sight , ” she remarked and surmised that they are meant to represent post-abortion bleeding .
According to one national health service , excessive bleeding “ occurs in about 1 in every 1,000 abortions ” and “ severe cases may require a blood transfusion.
” The young pro-life activist hopes her experience doesn ’ t dissuade other people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such gruesome threats aren ’ t very prominent .
At the same time , she admits that recent pro-life successes have infuriated abortion advocates .
“ I think they ’ re getting more aggressive and angry , ” Cerankosky said .
“ I think they ’ re going to resort to more barbaric methods [ of counter-demonstration ] , ” she continued .

'She seemed very angry,' said 20-year-old pro-lifer Selene Cerankosky, who explained that the woman was then led away by police.
January 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― A female pro-abortion activist told a college student at last week’s March for Life that if she didn’t back up, she would “f **** slit [her] throat.”
The pro-abortion activist, who appeared to be an adult woman, made the threat to 20-year-old Selene Cerankosky, the president of the Robert Morris University branch of Students for Life of America (SFLA).
The encounter happened outside the U.S. Supreme Court, where Cerankosky had gone to reserve space before the March for Life rally began. The college junior was threatened by the woman around 11:00 a.m.
“At that point we [students] were trying to get to the front where the press was,” Cerankosky told LifeSiteNews today. “We were all going to the front, and I got blocked. Someone stood in front of me.”
That someone was a stone-faced young woman wearing a pair of pale pants stained with red paint, presumably to simulate blood.
“She seemed very angry,” said Cerankosky, and that’s when the woman threatened her, saying, “Back up, or I will f****** slit your throat.”
“I was kind of shocked at first,” the pro-life activist said, noting that the pro-abortion activist had broken the law.
“I think she knew she had done something wrong because after that she just said, ‘Back up, back up, for God’s sake.’”
Cerankosky held her ground. The young pro-lifer told LifeSiteNews that she didn’t want abortion activists thinking that these kind of tactics are effective in intimidating pro-lifers. Eventually she turned her back on the furious woman, who stomped off in a huff.
Cerankosky then told her rally coordinator, Stephanie Stone, of the incident. Stone ran to tell the nearest police officer.
“The police believed her,” Cerankosky said. “And I think they found some kind of weapon on [my harasser], which is why they handcuffed her.”
A photograph Cerankosky shared with media shows the hancuffed pro-abortion activist being led away by police.
Cerankosky said that the unnamed activist was not the only person at the rally wearing simulated blood-soaked trousers. The young pro-lifer saw a pile of them and a “lot of people” wearing them.
“It’s not the most pleasant sight,” she remarked and surmised that they are meant to represent post-abortion bleeding. According to one national health service, excessive bleeding “occurs in about 1 in every 1,000 abortions” and “severe cases may require a blood transfusion.”
The young pro-life activist hopes her experience doesn’t dissuade other people from going to rallies and said that such gruesome threats aren’t very prominent. At the same time, she admits that recent pro-life successes have infuriated abortion advocates.
“I think they’re getting more aggressive and angry,” Cerankosky said.
“I think they’re going to resort to more barbaric methods [of counter-demonstration],” she continued.
“Just be cautious.”
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lifesitenews--2020-01-30--Virginia Democrats pass bill to let non-doctors commit abortions

VIRGINIA , January 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – On Tuesday and Wednesday , the Virginia House and Senate respectively both voted to allow non-doctors to commit abortions and to end the requirement women be given pre-abortion ultrasounds , counseling , and a 24-hour waiting period .
The Senate voted 20-20 on the bill , with Democrat Sen. Joe Morrissey bucking his party ’ s line and Lieutenant Gov .
Justin Fairfax breaking the tie .
The bills also loosen health and safety requirements for abortion facilities .
Any discrepancies between the House and Senate versions of the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is signed into law .
Planned Parenthood , the American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) of Virginia , NARAL , and pro-abortion legislators celebrated the advancement of the bills .
The House bill would expand who can commit abortions in the first trimester of pregnancy from just physicians to midwives , nurse practitioners , and physicians ’ assistants .
The Senate bill only allows nurse practitioners and midwives , not physicians ’ assistants , to commit abortions .
The bills also remove requirements for a 24-hour waiting period before an expectant mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an ultrasound .
Ultrasounds are routinely performed as part of abortions anyway , to determine the age of the baby being killed .
Showing women their babies on an ultrasound has been shown to help reduce abortion rates .
The bills do not take away the need for a pregnant mother ’ s written consent before an abortion .
Republican Del .
Margaret B. Ransone ( Westmoreland County ) gave an impassioned pro-life speech during the bill ’ s debate on Tuesday , saying , “ Whether you have a chemical abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the mother , the young [ woman ] , sometimes alone and desperate , deserves information .
She deserves to understand what is going to happen to her body.
” In November 2019 , for the first time in 26 years Democrats won control of both chambers of the Virginia legislature and governorship despite their top three officials being embroiled in blackface , pro-infanticide , and sexual assault scandals .
Virginia Democrats promised to make the commonwealth a “ safe haven ” for abortion .
Victoria Cobb , President of The Family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Family Radio that the Virginia Democrats ’ pro-abortion drive would “ wipe out every ounce of common sense ” in Virginia ’ s abortion laws .
Cobb added that abortion rates have fallen more than 40 percent in the past six years .
She also used her time on air to promote the Virginia March for Life , which will be taking place on February 13 in Richmond , in front of the state capitol .
Cobb said that Virginians who take part in the March for Life can make a definite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2nd Amendment did when thousands of them recently marched to protest anti-gun bills .
“ We are also about protecting that next generation that is being slaughtered at abortion facilities all across Virginia , ” she was quoted as saying to radio host Sandy Rios .
In his recent speech at the national March For Life on January 24 , President Donald Trump mentioned Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s push to liberalize abortion laws .
Trump said : “ Then , we had the case of the Democrat governor in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Virginia .
And we love the commonwealth of Virginia , but what is going on in Virginia ?
What is going on ?
The governor stated that he would execute a baby after birth .
You remember that.
” Trump was referring to a controversy surrounding Northam in January 2019 .
Northam made remarks on WTOP ’ s Ask The Governor about Virginia Del .
Kathy Tran ’ s controversial bill to allow abortion as late as when a mother “ has physical signs that she is about to give birth.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up until the moment of birth and also that it was fine for doctors to refuse to resuscitate a child born alive after a botched abortion , “ if that ’ s what the mother and the family desire .
”

The bill also axes the requirement women be given ultrasounds, counseling, and a 24-hour waiting period before abortion.
VIRGINIA, January 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Virginia House and Senate respectively both voted to allow non-doctors to commit abortions and to end the requirement women be given pre-abortion ultrasounds, counseling, and a 24-hour waiting period.
The Senate voted 20-20 on the bill, with Democrat Sen. Joe Morrissey bucking his party’s line and Lieutenant Gov. Justin Fairfax breaking the tie. The bills also loosen health and safety requirements for abortion facilities.
Any discrepancies between the House and Senate versions of the bill will have to be resolved before it is signed into law.
Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia, NARAL, and pro-abortion legislators celebrated the advancement of the bills.
And we are SO proud of your leadership!!!! THANK YOU! https://t.co/qJRU1hDBAQ — PPAVirginia (@PPAVirginia) January 30, 2020
The Reproductive Health Protection Act JUST passed the Virginia State Senate! This bill removes the medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion care in VA. Thank you @JennMcClellanVA @DickSaslaw @JenniferBoysko @SenatorLocke @SenatorJHowell for your leadership! #SB733 — PPAVirginia (@PPAVirginia) January 29, 2020
The House bill would expand who can commit abortions in the first trimester of pregnancy from just physicians to midwives, nurse practitioners, and physicians’ assistants. The Senate bill only allows nurse practitioners and midwives, not physicians’ assistants, to commit abortions. The bills also remove requirements for a 24-hour waiting period before an expectant mother has an abortion, pre-abortion counseling, and an ultrasound. Ultrasounds are routinely performed as part of abortions anyway, to determine the age of the baby being killed.
Showing women their babies on an ultrasound has been shown to help reduce abortion rates.
The bills do not take away the need for a pregnant mother’s written consent before an abortion.
Republican Del. Margaret B. Ransone (Westmoreland County) gave an impassioned pro-life speech during the bill’s debate on Tuesday, saying, “Whether you have a chemical abortion, or medical abortion, the patient, the mother, the young [woman], sometimes alone and desperate, deserves information. She deserves to understand what is going to happen to her body.”
In November 2019, for the first time in 26 years Democrats won control of both chambers of the Virginia legislature and governorship despite their top three officials being embroiled in blackface, pro-infanticide, and sexual assault scandals. Virginia Democrats promised to make the commonwealth a “safe haven” for abortion.
Victoria Cobb, President of The Family Foundation of Virginia, recently said on American Family Radio that the Virginia Democrats’ pro-abortion drive would “wipe out every ounce of common sense” in Virginia’s abortion laws.
Cobb added that abortion rates have fallen more than 40 percent in the past six years. She also used her time on air to promote the Virginia March for Life, which will be taking place on February 13 in Richmond, in front of the state capitol. Cobb said that Virginians who take part in the March for Life can make a definite statement, similar to what supporters of the 2nd Amendment did when thousands of them recently marched to protest anti-gun bills.
“We are also about protecting that next generation that is being slaughtered at abortion facilities all across Virginia,” she was quoted as saying to radio host Sandy Rios.
In his recent speech at the national March For Life on January 24, President Donald Trump mentioned Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s push to liberalize abortion laws. Trump said: “Then, we had the case of the Democrat governor in the state of Virginia, the commonwealth of Virginia. And we love the commonwealth of Virginia, but what is going on in Virginia? What is going on? The governor stated that he would execute a baby after birth. You remember that.”
Trump was referring to a controversy surrounding Northam in January 2019. Northam made remarks on WTOP’s Ask The Governor about Virginia Del. Kathy Tran’s controversial bill to allow abortion as late as when a mother “has physical signs that she is about to give birth.”
Northam suggested that abortion should be allowed up until the moment of birth and also that it was fine for doctors to refuse to resuscitate a child born alive after a botched abortion, “if that’s what the mother and the family desire.”
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