lifesitenews--2020-04-21--Cardinal Burke criticizes Vatican for thanking China but not Taiwan

VATICAN CITY , April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Cardinal Raymond Burke has criticized the Holy See for publicly thanking communist China for its generosity but remaining silent about Taiwan ’ s after both nations donated much-needed medical supplies to the Vatican .
“ Something is badly wrong ’ ’ with China seemingly enjoying “ a place of privilege with the Vatican , ’ ’ Burke told The Australian .
“ The Holy See made a point to praise the People ’ s Republic of China for sending masks and medical equipment to the Vatican , while it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the generous help received from Taiwan , ’ ’ observed the Vatican-based American cardinal , known around the world for his defense of Catholic orthodoxy .
“ The agreement which the Vatican made with the People ’ s Republic of China in 2018 – of which there is still no public record – has been , in practice , a repudiation of the tremendous suffering of countless Chinese confessors of the faith and martyrs for the faith at the hands of the atheistic communist government and has only resulted in a greater ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ he continued .
On Holy Thursday , Matteo Bruni , director of the Vatican press office , praised mainland communist China , saying that its gifts of medical supplies are “ an expression of the solidarity of the Chinese people … to all those who are committed in assisting people struck by the COVID-19 and in the prevention of the coronavirus epidemic that is underway.
” “ The Holy See appreciates this generous gesture and expresses its gratitude to the bishops , the Catholic faithful , the institutions and all other Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them of the esteem and prayers of the Holy Father , ” said Bruni .
But no such message of thanks or solidarity has been delivered to the people of Taiwan who have also contributed medical supplies to the Vatican .
The Taiwan Embassy to the Holy See released a statement on April 14 , as the island nation donated 280,000 medical masks to the Vatican , the Italian bishops , Italian hospitals , and various religious institutes in Italy , according to a report by Crux .
“ It is a sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Italian people , but also a help to the Italian church , which is very committed in accompanying the sick and the most needy who suffer from the coronavirus , ” Taiwan Ambassador Matthew Lee said .
“ This donation to the Vatican , ” the ambassador said , “ is a concrete sign of sharing the efficiency of the manufacture of Taiwanese masks and the experience gained in the field in recent years in the fight against viruses.
” The slight to Taiwan comes amid news that Pope Francis will soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the coronavirus most likely originated , according to the Italian newspaper La Verità .
China has been criticized around the world for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak .
In an article titled “ Vatican projects to rehabilitate Xi Jinping : the Pope 's trip to Wuhan , ” La Verità pointed out that Pope Francis is considering visiting several cities in China to send a message of hope to the global community .
It said the Pope plans to make his first stop in Wuhan and will visit other cities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The report stressed that Cardinal Pietro Parolin , the Vatican ’ s secretary of state , is currently in charge of planning the trip , which is more than likely driven by political motivations .
The author suspects that the Vatican has purposefully scheduled the visit at a time when countries worldwide are blaming China for the coronavirus pandemic , in order to win trust from the Chinese government .
Burke ’ s criticism of the Holy See ’ s snub to Taiwan is not the first time he has been critical of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that corner of the world .
After the Vatican signed its deal with China essentially allowing the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) to select Catholic bishops , Cardinal Burke said the move was “ absolutely unconscionable , ” and “ a betrayal of so many confessors and martyrs who suffered for years and years and were put to death ” by the CCP .
At the time , Burke also criticized the claim by Vatican Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo that the Communist Chinese state is exemplary in demonstrating Catholic social justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Sorondo , head of the Vatican ’ s Pontifical Academies for Sciences and Social Sciences , an Argentinian and close friend of Francis , had said earlier in 2018 that China ’ s current Communist regime is the “ best [ at ] implementing the social doctrine of the Church , ” and he praised China as “ extraordinary.
” At the time , Reggie Littlejohn , President of Women ’ s Rights Without Frontiers , told LifeSiteNews , “ I find the bishop ’ s remarks frankly incredible.
” “ How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the atrocities committed by the Chinese Communist Party , historically and at present , possibly say that ‘ those who are best implementing the social doctrine of the Church are the Chinese ’ ?
” asked Littlejohn .
“ One of primary social doctrines of the Church [ is ] respecting ‘ life and the dignity of the human person.
’ ” “ The Chinese government has boasted of ‘ preventing ’ 400 million lives through its One Child Policy .
In so doing , women have been forcibly aborted up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human rights activist explained .
“ Some of these forced abortions have been so violent that the woman died , along with her full term baby.
” Taiwan , officially known as the Republic of China , and communist mainland China , the People ’ s Republic of China , have been locked in political dispute for decades as a result of civil war .
The status of Taiwan as a self-governing entity separate from mainland China has been in question since losing its seat at the United Nations in 1971 .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost its recognition as “ China ” to the communist mainland nation .
Under CCP rule , the Catholic Church was forced to go “ underground ” in order to continue to function .
The Vatican forged its “ historic ” deal with the CCP in 2018 , but that deal has come at a high price to the clergy and laity of the faithful “ underground ” Catholic Church , which is being replaced with a “ sinicized ” version of the Church , professing allegiance not to the Roman Catholicism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese Communist Party .
The agreement has been criticized by many experts on China and other Catholics , especially retired Cardinal Joseph Zen of Hong Kong , long a fierce critic of the deal , who has similarly called it a betrayal and a surrender .
“ Even the liberal London-based religious magazine , The Tablet , normally a strong supporter of Pope Francis , noted : ‘ The Vatican failure to thank Taiwan publicly has certainly raised eyebrows , and prompted accusations that it is afraid to offend Beijing , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @

VATICAN CITY, April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Cardinal Raymond Burke has criticized the Holy See for publicly thanking communist China for its generosity but remaining silent about Taiwan’s after both nations donated much-needed medical supplies to the Vatican.
“Something is badly wrong’’ with China seemingly enjoying “a place of privilege with the Vatican,’’ Burke told The Australian.
“The Holy See made a point to praise the People’s Republic of China for sending masks and medical equipment to the Vatican, while it has not acknowledged in any public way the generous help received from Taiwan,’’ observed the Vatican-based American cardinal, known around the world for his defense of Catholic orthodoxy.
“The agreement which the Vatican made with the People’s Republic of China in 2018 – of which there is still no public record – has been, in practice, a repudiation of the tremendous suffering of countless Chinese confessors of the faith and martyrs for the faith at the hands of the atheistic communist government and has only resulted in a greater ongoing persecution of faithful Chinese Catholics,’’ he continued.
On Holy Thursday, Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, praised mainland communist China, saying that its gifts of medical supplies are “an expression of the solidarity of the Chinese people … to all those who are committed in assisting people struck by the COVID-19 and in the prevention of the coronavirus epidemic that is underway.”
“The Holy See appreciates this generous gesture and expresses its gratitude to the bishops, the Catholic faithful, the institutions and all other Chinese citizens for this humanitarian initiative, assuring them of the esteem and prayers of the Holy Father,” said Bruni.
But no such message of thanks or solidarity has been delivered to the people of Taiwan who have also contributed medical supplies to the Vatican.
The Taiwan Embassy to the Holy See released a statement on April 14, as the island nation donated 280,000 medical masks to the Vatican, the Italian bishops, Italian hospitals, and various religious institutes in Italy, according to a report by Crux.
“It is a sign of closeness to Pope Francis and to the Italian people, but also a help to the Italian church, which is very committed in accompanying the sick and the most needy who suffer from the coronavirus,” Taiwan Ambassador Matthew Lee said.
“This donation to the Vatican,” the ambassador said, “is a concrete sign of sharing the efficiency of the manufacture of Taiwanese masks and the experience gained in the field in recent years in the fight against viruses.”
Pope Francis to visit Wuhan, China
The slight to Taiwan comes amid news that Pope Francis will soon visit Wuhan, the city in China where the coronavirus most likely originated, according to the Italian newspaper La Verità.
China has been criticized around the world for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
Taiwan News reports:
In an article titled “Vatican projects to rehabilitate Xi Jinping: the Pope's trip to Wuhan,” La Verità pointed out that Pope Francis is considering visiting several cities in China to send a message of hope to the global community. It said the Pope plans to make his first stop in Wuhan and will visit other cities, such as Beijing, after that. The report stressed that Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, is currently in charge of planning the trip, which is more than likely driven by political motivations. The author suspects that the Vatican has purposefully scheduled the visit at a time when countries worldwide are blaming China for the coronavirus pandemic, in order to win trust from the Chinese government.
Cardinal Burke: Vatican’s deal with China is ‘unconscionable’
Burke’s criticism of the Holy See’s snub to Taiwan is not the first time he has been critical of the Vatican’s approach to diplomacy in that corner of the world.
After the Vatican signed its deal with China essentially allowing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to select Catholic bishops, Cardinal Burke said the move was “absolutely unconscionable,” and “a betrayal of so many confessors and martyrs who suffered for years and years and were put to death” by the CCP.
At the time, Burke also criticized the claim by Vatican Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo that the Communist Chinese state is exemplary in demonstrating Catholic social justice teaching – calling the notion “absurd.”
Sorondo, head of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academies for Sciences and Social Sciences, an Argentinian and close friend of Francis, had said earlier in 2018 that China’s current Communist regime is the “best [at] implementing the social doctrine of the Church,” and he praised China as “extraordinary.”
At the time, Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers, told LifeSiteNews, “I find the bishop’s remarks frankly incredible.”
“How could anyone with even passing knowledge of the atrocities committed by the Chinese Communist Party, historically and at present, possibly say that ‘those who are best implementing the social doctrine of the Church are the Chinese’?” asked Littlejohn. “One of primary social doctrines of the Church [is] respecting ‘life and the dignity of the human person.’”
“The Chinese government has boasted of ‘preventing’ 400 million lives through its One Child Policy. In so doing, women have been forcibly aborted up to the ninth month of pregnancy,” the human rights activist explained. “Some of these forced abortions have been so violent that the woman died, along with her full term baby.”
Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, and communist mainland China, the People’s Republic of China, have been locked in political dispute for decades as a result of civil war.
The status of Taiwan as a self-governing entity separate from mainland China has been in question since losing its seat at the United Nations in 1971. At that time, the Republic of China lost its recognition as “China” to the communist mainland nation.
Under CCP rule, the Catholic Church was forced to go “underground” in order to continue to function.
The Vatican forged its “historic” deal with the CCP in 2018, but that deal has come at a high price to the clergy and laity of the faithful “underground” Catholic Church, which is being replaced with a “sinicized” version of the Church, professing allegiance not to the Roman Catholicism and the Gospel of Jesus Christ but to the Chinese Communist Party.
The agreement has been criticized by many experts on China and other Catholics, especially retired Cardinal Joseph Zen of Hong Kong, long a fierce critic of the deal, who has similarly called it a betrayal and a surrender.
“Even the liberal London-based religious magazine, The Tablet, normally a strong supporter of Pope Francis, noted: ‘The Vatican failure to thank Taiwan publicly has certainly raised eyebrows, and prompted accusations that it is afraid to offend Beijing,’” The Australian report observed.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--With many having lost their jobs, remember St. Cajetan - patron of those seeking work

April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — “ Employment , stability , meaningful work – if you want to help people weather this crisis , the one that 's coming , save their jobs .
It 's that clear.
” – Tucker Carlson , March 16 , 2020 .
Those words reminded me of a novena I have prayed on several occasions over the years to Saint Cajetan , patron saint of those seeking work .
In addition to founding the Theatine order , St. Cajetan – who lived in the sixteenth century – founded a bank to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to money-lenders practicing usury .
His bank later became the Bank of Naples .
CatholicCulture.org notes that St. Cajetan ’ s “ concern for the unemployed , giving them the necessary financial help in their time of need , made him their patron.
” Here are some lines that have always struck me when praying the novena , and which are similar to the sentiment expressed by Tucker Carlson last month .
From day 1 of the novena : For fellow Catholics who have learned to trust in the intercession of the saints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have prayed this novena on a number of occasions and have each time been surprised by the generosity of God ’ s response .
I asked two friends of mine who have experienced similarly fruitful results from praying to St. Cajetan to contribute their reflections for me to include in this article .
Here are the thoughts of the person who first introduced me to St. Cajetan on his experience of praying to him in times of need .
It would have been around 2011 , working a sales role for a less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis , that I hit financial difficulties and decided I desperately needed a new job .
As a fairly recent revert to the Faith , and not having much luck previously in the realm of job hunting , I decided to implore God 's grace in finding a suitable alternative .
A bit of online research and I discovered St. Cajetan , the patron saint of those seeking employment .
Being a somewhat keen advocate for distributism , and accrediting the Church ’ s social doctrines for playing a large part in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'd found a Saint who 'd always be close to my heart !
Not only had this great saint and purifier of the Church established several hospitals to assist the needy and sick , he even established a usury free bank to combat the scourge of high interest loans and the profit of misery !
What greater saint could we ask for today ?
And so I embarked on my first ever novena .
Expecting the job search to take weeks or months , I was astounded to get an invite for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the novena !
Not only that , they invited me back for a second stage the very same day and I was in work the following week .
It really could n't have come at a better time and St. Cajetan has helped me several times since .
I 've spread devotion to this great saint and have seen his wonders worked multiple times .
I chose him as my confirmation saint and to top it off , I realised his feast-day was the same date as my Irish grandfather who I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One day St. Cajetan , I promise to visit the San Paolo Maggiore .
Another friend kindly sent me the following reflection : St. Cajetan was recommended to me some years ago by a friend .
Since that point I have made a novena to him on pretty much every occasion that I have needed a new job ; he has never disappointed .
Most recently , in early 2020 , when I was in a professional pickle working in an unhappy environment , I made back-to-back novenas to St. Cajetan as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the interview process with the best job I have ever had .
I am soon to join an exciting company in a role which promises real fulfilment .
‘ Ite ad Joseph ’ remains the battle cry of the working man , but I would urge every worker seeking new employment to cover all bases ; ‘ go to Cajetan ’ too .
None of us know how the current global crisis will ultimately develop and what impact it will make in any of our lives .
What is clear though is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their jobs and are urgently seeking new employment .
Many will be experiencing serious anxiety and economic pressure .
My sympathy and prayers go to all who find themselves in that situation .
What is certain is that God wants to help us in all our needs , and I can say that in my experience that when seeking employment it is certainly worth turning to God through the intercession of St. Cajetan .

April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — “Employment, stability, meaningful work – if you want to help people weather this crisis, the one that's coming, save their jobs. It's that clear.” – Tucker Carlson, March 16, 2020.
Those words reminded me of a novena I have prayed on several occasions over the years to Saint Cajetan, patron saint of those seeking work.
In addition to founding the Theatine order, St. Cajetan – who lived in the sixteenth century – founded a bank to help the poor and to offer an alternative to money-lenders practicing usury. His bank later became the Bank of Naples. CatholicCulture.org notes that St. Cajetan’s “concern for the unemployed, giving them the necessary financial help in their time of need, made him their patron.”
Here are some lines that have always struck me when praying the novena, and which are similar to the sentiment expressed by Tucker Carlson last month.
From day 1 of the novena:
You were truly a spiritual shepherd, and your concern was always focused on the salvation of souls. But despite this, you were also aware that with hungry stomachs the faithful would have difficulty in understanding God’s Word. You embarked to help them, not just by giving them bread but helping them gain their living by work.
And from day 3:
Since your death, dear St. Cajetan, the unemployed people of the world have sought your intercession. Work is the key to a happy life. Look with pity on the millions of people in our country who wake up each morning without certainty of finding food because they don’t have work.
For fellow Catholics who have learned to trust in the intercession of the saints, I can tell you that I have prayed this novena on a number of occasions and have each time been surprised by the generosity of God’s response.
I asked two friends of mine who have experienced similarly fruitful results from praying to St. Cajetan to contribute their reflections for me to include in this article.
Here are the thoughts of the person who first introduced me to St. Cajetan on his experience of praying to him in times of need.
It would have been around 2011, working a sales role for a less than scrupulous firm on a commission only basis, that I hit financial difficulties and decided I desperately needed a new job. As a fairly recent revert to the Faith, and not having much luck previously in the realm of job hunting, I decided to implore God's grace in finding a suitable alternative. A bit of online research and I discovered St. Cajetan, the patron saint of those seeking employment. Being a somewhat keen advocate for distributism, and accrediting the Church’s social doctrines for playing a large part in my coming to the Faith, I knew I'd found a Saint who'd always be close to my heart! Not only had this great saint and purifier of the Church established several hospitals to assist the needy and sick, he even established a usury free bank to combat the scourge of high interest loans and the profit of misery! What greater saint could we ask for today? And so I embarked on my first ever novena. Expecting the job search to take weeks or months, I was astounded to get an invite for a surprise interview on the second day of the novena! Not only that, they invited me back for a second stage the very same day and I was in work the following week. It really couldn't have come at a better time and St. Cajetan has helped me several times since. I've spread devotion to this great saint and have seen his wonders worked multiple times. I chose him as my confirmation saint and to top it off, I realised his feast-day was the same date as my Irish grandfather who I hope is in heaven praying for me. One day St. Cajetan, I promise to visit the San Paolo Maggiore.
Another friend kindly sent me the following reflection:
St. Cajetan was recommended to me some years ago by a friend. Since that point I have made a novena to him on pretty much every occasion that I have needed a new job; he has never disappointed. Most recently, in early 2020, when I was in a professional pickle working in an unhappy environment, I made back-to-back novenas to St. Cajetan as well as St. Joseph. I emerged from the interview process with the best job I have ever had. I am soon to join an exciting company in a role which promises real fulfilment. ‘Ite ad Joseph’ remains the battle cry of the working man, but I would urge every worker seeking new employment to cover all bases; ‘go to Cajetan’ too.
None of us know how the current global crisis will ultimately develop and what impact it will make in any of our lives. What is clear though is that many are struggling with having lost their jobs and are urgently seeking new employment. Many will be experiencing serious anxiety and economic pressure. My sympathy and prayers go to all who find themselves in that situation.
What is certain is that God wants to help us in all our needs, and I can say that in my experience that when seeking employment it is certainly worth turning to God through the intercession of St. Cajetan.
Follow Paul Paul Smeaton is Editorial Director for LifeSiteNews and is based near London, England. He has previously worked for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) in England. Paul has been active in pro-life and Catholic communities since his university days at Campion College Australia.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--Watch Trump’s coronavirus daily briefing for April 21 here

WASHINGTON , D.C. , April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – LifeSite has begun streaming President Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis .
Here we present his April 21 briefing .
Follow LifeSiteNews for future @ @ @ @ @ s live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers @ @ @ @

LifeSite has begun live-streaming President Trump's daily coronavirus briefings as leftists have suggested they should be censored.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – LifeSite has begun streaming President Donald Trump’s daily briefings about the coronavirus crisis. Here we present his April 21 briefing. Follow LifeSiteNews for future briefings.
Read LifeSite’s live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about here.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--Actress Jamie Lee Curtis shills for webcam abortions in new video

April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Actress Jamie Lee Curtis is the newest celebrity spokesperson for Planned Parenthood , having recently released a video touting the abortion giant ’ s so-called “ telehealth ” abortions as an alternative to in-person surgical procedures , which have been suspended in many parts of the country due to COVID-19 .
“ I am here today on behalf of Planned Parenthood to tell you about telehealth .
It ’ s their way of helping you through this crisis , ” says Curtis , who ’ s best known for her roles in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Freaky Friday .
Telehealth abortions are also known as “ webcam abortions ” because they consist of consulting a physician remotely via webcam before receiving abortion pills , which are then taken at home without any sort of medical oversight .
This occurs “ in complete privacy and safety , ” Curtis says , “ and it also reduces the load on clinics and hospitals who are dealing every day with COVID-19 patients.
” “ Stay safe , wash your hands , stay home and God bless you all , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video is only the latest instance of the abortion lobby ’ s push to promote chemical abortions during the coronavirus crisis .
Democrats and left-wing activists have called for relaxing federal regulations on abortion pills , but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ’ s ( FDA ’ s ) Office of Medical Affairs maintains that “ certain restrictions , known as a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy ( REMS ) , are necessary for mifepristone when used for medical termination of early pregnancy.
” Pro-life medical experts such as the American Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) note that , in addition to being non-essential , abortion “ generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms.
” “ Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion , ” AAPLOG noted .
“ Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room , most commonly for hemorrhage .
Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage .
Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further strained to provide care to these women.
” Pro-lifers further argue that abortion pills are n't truly safe for women even when “ properly taken , ” and administering them without full medical supervision only increases the danger .
Although they “ can not with certainty be causally attributed to mifepristone , ” the FDA warns that “ as of December 31 , 2018 , there were reports of 24 deaths of women associated with Mifeprex since the product was approved in September 2000 , including two cases of ectopic pregnancy resulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe systemic infection ( also called sepsis ) , including some that were fatal.
” NewsBusters notes that Curtis has promoted Planned Parenthood since at least 2017 , when she helped raise money for the abortion giant via a Facebook Live event .
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Actress Jamie Lee Curtis is the newest celebrity spokesperson for Planned Parenthood, having recently released a video touting the abortion giant’s so-called “telehealth” abortions as an alternative to in-person surgical procedures, which have been suspended in many parts of the country due to COVID-19.
“I am here today on behalf of Planned Parenthood to tell you about telehealth. It’s their way of helping you through this crisis,” says Curtis, who’s best known for her roles in such films as Halloween, True Lies, and Freaky Friday.
Proud to be the spokesperson of @PPFA and to introduce you to their new program of Telehealth. Important. Vital. Private. https://t.co/UjmxxssNRH — Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) April 17, 2020
Telehealth abortions are also known as “webcam abortions” because they consist of consulting a physician remotely via webcam before receiving abortion pills, which are then taken at home without any sort of medical oversight. This occurs “in complete privacy and safety,” Curtis says, “and it also reduces the load on clinics and hospitals who are dealing every day with COVID-19 patients.”
“Stay safe, wash your hands, stay home and God bless you all,” the actress concludes the video.
The video is only the latest instance of the abortion lobby’s push to promote chemical abortions during the coronavirus crisis. Democrats and left-wing activists have called for relaxing federal regulations on abortion pills, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Office of Medical Affairs maintains that “certain restrictions, known as a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS), are necessary for mifepristone when used for medical termination of early pregnancy.”
Pro-life medical experts such as the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) note that, in addition to being non-essential, abortion “generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms.”
“Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion,” AAPLOG noted. “Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room, most commonly for hemorrhage. Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage. Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.”
Pro-lifers further argue that abortion pills aren't truly safe for women even when “properly taken,” and administering them without full medical supervision only increases the danger.
Although they “cannot with certainty be causally attributed to mifepristone,” the FDA warns that “as of December 31, 2018, there were reports of 24 deaths of women associated with Mifeprex since the product was approved in September 2000, including two cases of ectopic pregnancy resulting in death; and several cases of severe systemic infection (also called sepsis), including some that were fatal.”
NewsBusters notes that Curtis has promoted Planned Parenthood since at least 2017, when she helped raise money for the abortion giant via a Facebook Live event.
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--‘I’d rather be locked in than locked out’: Priest celebrates public Triduum despite pandemic

ASIA , April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― As faithful Catholics long to return to public worship , a lucky few are permitted to be present at churches where Mass is celebrated .
Most , of course , are priests and deacons .
Others are altar servers , readers , and cameramen .
However , some ordinary Catholic congregations have been blessed with priests who are willing to risk their health or the ire of civil authority to say Mass for people whose consciences also permit them to run these risks .
LifeSiteNews has been in communication with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has written his testimony .
I am from a Muslim country , and therefore the ban should be seen in light of real concern for the health of its citizens : forced closures are placed even on mosques .
The narrative we often hear from conservative and traditional circles in the West about the farce of COVID-19 being an indirect affront to Christ and His Church does not apply in my context , at least as far as the secular authorities are concerned .
The background of my story is a little unique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us neither because diocesan priests were saying their private Masses , nor because they were secretly inviting faithful to their private Masses : it is because we have a pious priest from the [ Society of Saint Pius X ] , who has such great apostolic zeal that he decided to get into our country the day before the nationwide lockdown .
In his very own words , “ I 'd rather be locked in than locked out to be available to those who need the Sacraments.
” SSPX priests who minister to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] .
They fly in every weekend and then fly out to their next destination either on the Sunday itself or on Monday .
Father Dex ( not his real name ) left one Sunday , and when the government confirmed when the lockdown was to take effect , he came back immediately on Tuesday to be with us .
Since the government is placing heavy penalties on those who defy the ban , many are unable to make it to Mass for fear of exposing themselves , the priest , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faithfuls , only 13 of us come regularly for Mass .
Despite the fact that we are only 13 , we had Sung Masses every Sunday and the entire Easter Triduum ceremonies .
These were also fully sung .
Since Easter Vigil ends at about 2 a.m. there was no way we could leave the chapel without drawing attention to ourselves because restaurants , supermarkets and grocery shops are closed by 8 p.m .
Therefore , we all slept in the chapel and stayed on for Easter Day Mass .
It was truly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I now can say “ I slept with Jesus by my side.
” This was literally so , as I was sleeping on the pew facing the Blessed Sacrament .
Why did I decide to go ?
How can I not , when the most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is being offered ?
Could I , having the opportunity ( with proper safety measures ) to go to it , refuse ?
Going to Mass is by no means done out of disrespect to the authorities , nor is it to ignore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health and hygiene are always kept and adhered to .
Furthermore , apart from going to the chapel , we are always at home , hence the risk of inter-infection is very low , if not non-existent .
Fortunately for us , we have plenty of cover as several restaurants [ … ] are open for take-out .
If we were to be stopped by the authorities , we could always say that we were out to buy food , rations , and necessary household items .
I have been sure to buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my neighbourhood is through a police roadblock where they stop every vehicle to conduct a search and briefly question us on our whereabouts .
Even in a private capacity , diocesan priests here won ’ t say Requiem Masses Every day after Mass there is Benediction .
At every Benediction , the prayer for the Pope is prayed .
Nay , rather , sung !
I am not sure if the prayer for the Pope is said at Benediction in the diocesan Churches , but in the traditional Benediction , this prayer is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mass the name of the local ordinary is mentioned .
I understand that many Catholics can not agree with the SSPX position , but it is now 2020 and with all the developments ( good and bad ) happening in the Church , and in light of the momentum of the Traditional Catholic movement globally , I hope that regardless of the disagreements about the SSPX , Catholics can at least try to be thankful and appreciate that an additional Mass a day is offered for the benefit of the local ordinary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priest says his Mass .
[ Local diocesan priests ] are telling us that confessions can be done [ only ] after the ban is lifted , and no concessions have been given regarding emergency cases like extreme unction and viaticum .
Yet here we have a foreign priest who has heroically offered himself and cooperates in the work of Christ 's redemption for the salvation of souls .
A family friend of one of our faithful passed away during the lockdown .
The deceased was [ a Catholic but ] not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without the sacraments and the last rites .
The local diocesan priest was contacted to say a Requiem Mass for her , but he said he would do it only after the ban was lifted .
This goes to show that , even in their private capacity , diocesan priests do n't say their Masses .
At last resort , our community was contacted , and so in the end it was Fr .
Dex who said the Requiem Mass .
The woman died without any loved ones beside her as all her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held for her at one of the parishes with no one attending , and no one was present at her cremation .
In your charity , please pray for her soul .
Her name is Eugenie .
If supermarkets are still open for the natural needs and sustenance of mankind , certainly and all the more should Churches be opened for the supernatural needs and sustenance for our immortal souls .
Needless to say , we ought to take safety precautions , too .
Instead of being the first to close churches , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure that the Sacraments are available and spiritual health is provided for , just as the secular authorities came up with ways to keep the supermarkets open and certain sectors of the economy afloat .
At the very least , they should give it a thought and fight for it .
As the saying goes , justice must not only be done but be seen to be done .
This testimony has been edited for clarity and to preserve anonymity .

How can I not go, when the most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is being offered? The anonymous testimony of a Catholic blessed to have access to Mass.
April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― As faithful Catholics long to return to public worship, a lucky few are permitted to be present at churches where Mass is celebrated. Most, of course, are priests and deacons. Others are altar servers, readers, and cameramen.
However, some ordinary Catholic congregations have been blessed with priests who are willing to risk their health or the ire of civil authority to say Mass for people whose consciences also permit them to run these risks. LifeSiteNews has been in communication with two of these Catholics, and one has written his testimony.
I am from a country in the far East, and therefore the ban should be seen in light of real concern for the health of its citizens: forced closures are placed even on mosques. The narrative we often hear from conservative and traditional circles in the West about the farce of COVID-19 being an indirect affront to Christ and His Church does not apply in my context, at least as far as the secular authorities are concerned.
The background of my story is a little unique. We faithful had Masses available to us neither because diocesan priests were saying their private Masses, nor because they were secretly inviting faithful to their private Masses: it is because we have a pious priest from the [Society of Saint Pius X], who has such great apostolic zeal that he decided to get into our country the day before the nationwide lockdown.
In his very own words, “I'd rather be locked in than locked out to be available to those who need the Sacraments.”
SSPX priests who minister to us are based in [another country]. They fly in every weekend and then fly out to their next destination either on the Sunday itself or on Monday. Father Dex (not his real name) left one Sunday, and when the government confirmed when the lockdown was to take effect, he came back immediately on Tuesday to be with us.
Since the government is placing heavy penalties on those who defy the ban, many are unable to make it to Mass for fear of exposing themselves, the priest, and the chapel. Out of 100 + regular faithful, only 13 of us come regularly for Mass.
Despite the fact that we are only 13, we had Sung Masses every Sunday and the entire Easter Triduum ceremonies. These were also fully sung.
Since Easter Vigil ends at about 2 a.m. there was no way we could leave the chapel without drawing attention to ourselves because restaurants, supermarkets and grocery shops are closed by 8 p.m. Therefore, we all slept in the chapel and stayed on for Easter Day Mass. It was truly a memorable moment for me, as I now can say “I slept with Jesus by my side.” This was literally so, as I was sleeping on the pew facing the Blessed Sacrament.
Why did I decide to go? How can I not, when the most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is being offered? Could I, having the opportunity (with proper safety measures) to go to it, refuse? Going to Mass is by no means done out of disrespect to the authorities, nor is it to ignore the reality of the epidemic. Personal health and hygiene are always kept and adhered to. Furthermore, apart from going to the chapel, we are always at home, hence the risk of inter-infection is very low, if not non-existent.
Fortunately for us, we have plenty of cover as several restaurants […] are open for take-out. If we were to be stopped by the authorities, we could always say that we were out to buy food, rations, and necessary household items. I have been sure to buy something because the only way back into my neighbourhood is through a police roadblock where they stop every vehicle to conduct a search and briefly question us on our whereabouts.
Even in a private capacity, diocesan priests here won’t say Requiem Masses
Every day after Mass there is Benediction. At every Benediction, the prayer for the Pope is prayed. Nay, rather, sung! I am not sure if the prayer for the Pope is said at Benediction in the diocesan Churches, but in the traditional Benediction, this prayer is always prayed.
Also, at every Mass the name of the local ordinary is mentioned.
I understand that many Catholics cannot agree with the SSPX position, but it is now 2020 and with all the developments (good and bad) happening in the Church, and in light of the momentum of the Traditional Catholic movement globally, I hope that regardless of the disagreements about the SSPX, Catholics can at least try to be thankful and appreciate that an additional Mass a day is offered for the benefit of the local ordinary and the Pope wherever and whenever an SSPX priest says his Mass.
[Local diocesan priests] are telling us that confessions can be done [only] after the ban is lifted, and no concessions have been given regarding emergency cases like extreme unction and viaticum. Yet here we have a foreign priest who has heroically offered himself and cooperates in the work of Christ's redemption for the salvation of souls.
A family friend of one of our faithful passed away during the lockdown. The deceased was [a Catholic but] not a faithful of the SSPX. She died without the sacraments and the last rites. The local diocesan priest was contacted to say a Requiem Mass for her, but he said he would do it only after the ban was lifted. This goes to show that, even in their private capacity, diocesan priests don't say their Masses. At last resort, our community was contacted, and so in the end it was Fr. Dex who said the Requiem Mass.
The woman died without any loved ones beside her as all her children are overseas. A wake was held for her at one of the parishes with no one attending, and no one was present at her cremation. In your charity, please pray for her soul.
If supermarkets are still open for the natural needs and sustenance of mankind, certainly and all the more should Churches be opened for the supernatural needs and sustenance for our immortal souls. Needless to say, we ought to take safety precautions, too.
Instead of being the first to close churches, the Episcopate should come up with ways to ensure that the Sacraments are available and spiritual health is provided for, just as the secular authorities came up with ways to keep the supermarkets open and certain sectors of the economy afloat. At the very least, they should give it a thought and fight for it. As the saying goes, justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.
This testimony has been edited for clarity and to preserve anonymity.
Follow Dorothy Dorothy Cummings McLean is a Canadian journalist, essayist, and novelist. She earned an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Toronto and an M.Div./S.T.B. from Toronto’s Regis College. She was a columnist for the Toronto Catholic Register for nine years and has contributed to Catholic World Report. Her first book, Seraphic Singles, was published by Novalis (2010) in Canada, Liguori in the USA, and Homo Dei in Poland. Her second, Ceremony of Innocence, was published by Ignatius Press (2013). Dorothy lives near Edinburgh, Scotland with her husband.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--Minnesota community kicks out Planned Parenthood that tried to sneak into town

LUVERNE , Minnesota , April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Planned Parenthood ’ s attempt to quietly establish a new location in a Minnesota town was quickly stymied by community pressure recently , according to local pro-life leaders .
Planned Parenthood North Central States ( PPNCS ) had attempted to “ sneak ” a new Luverne location into a building shared by an American Family Insurance office and a nonprofit domestic violence group , Students for Life reported .
The Rock County Star Herald added that the location was intended to dispense chemical abortions via telemedicine ( or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that neither the AFI office nor the nonprofit , Southwest Crisis Center , knew of Planned Parenthood ’ s presence .
Pro-Life Action Ministries executive director Brian Gibson says he was notified by the Luverne mayor ’ s office that the lease holders , Karen and Cary Radisewitz , terminated Planned Parenthood ’ s lease on April 17 , before the abortion center even began operations .
`` Planned Parenthood has never operated in our building , isn ’ t now and won ’ t in the future , ” the building ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We are glad that it appears Planned Parenthood has been booted from Luverne , ” said Students for Life midwest regional coordinator Connor McCarty .
“ We will continue to keep an eye on what they are doing and will urge every city to keep fighting to abolish abortion.
” While the development is a pro-life victory , Gibson warns that PPNCS “ will now be scouring for another location to commit these abortions .
State law prohibits telemed abortions in South Dakota , a reason for PPNCS attempting to open up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imagine there is a desire to keep the location within a reasonable driving distance to their Sioux Falls location .
“ Please keep this all in prayer , ” he asked .
“ And if you know people in the area , encourage them to keep a diligent lookout for this possibility in their town .
It is far easier to stop Planned Parenthood from coming in than to get them out once established .
”

LUVERNE, Minnesota, April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Planned Parenthood’s attempt to quietly establish a new location in a Minnesota town was quickly stymied by community pressure recently, according to local pro-life leaders.
Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS) had attempted to “sneak” a new Luverne location into a building shared by an American Family Insurance office and a nonprofit domestic violence group, Students for Life reported. The Rock County Star Herald added that the location was intended to dispense chemical abortions via telemedicine (or “webcam”) appointments, and that neither the AFI office nor the nonprofit, Southwest Crisis Center, knew of Planned Parenthood’s presence.
Pro-Life Action Ministries executive director Brian Gibson says he was notified by the Luverne mayor’s office that the lease holders, Karen and Cary Radisewitz, terminated Planned Parenthood’s lease on April 17, before the abortion center even began operations.
“Planned Parenthood has never operated in our building, isn’t now and won’t in the future,” the building’s owners told the Star Herald.
“We are glad that it appears Planned Parenthood has been booted from Luverne,” said Students for Life midwest regional coordinator Connor McCarty. “We will continue to keep an eye on what they are doing and will urge every city to keep fighting to abolish abortion.”
While the development is a pro-life victory, Gibson warns that PPNCS “will now be scouring for another location to commit these abortions. State law prohibits telemed abortions in South Dakota, a reason for PPNCS attempting to open up shop in rural Minnesota. I would imagine there is a desire to keep the location within a reasonable driving distance to their Sioux Falls location.
“Please keep this all in prayer,” he asked. “And if you know people in the area, encourage them to keep a diligent lookout for this possibility in their town. It is far easier to stop Planned Parenthood from coming in than to get them out once established.”
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--Leftist billionaire Soros gives $1M to radical abortion group to beat Trump

April 21 , 2020 ( NewsBusters ) — Could liberal billionaire George Soros be more disgusting ?
He 's using his super PAC to exploit the coronavirus and attack President Donald Trump and using the issue of abortion to do it .
Federal Election Commission data revealed that Soros 's Democracy PAC gave $ 1 million to the radical pro-abortion group NARAL Freedom Fund .
`` A new ad from the abortion rights group NARAL Freedom Fund features young women accusing the President and his allies of putting 'ideology over science , ' '' National Public Radio ( NPR ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ad accused Trump and his allies of `` using the coronavirus pandemic as a pretext to 'roll back the clock ' on reproductive rights . ''
The Fund 's April Quarterly report to the FEC , filed April 14 , revealed that Democracy PAC 's $ 1 million was The Fund 's only reported source of income so far .
Open Secrets records confirm that The Fund has only received $ 1 million .
NARAL said it is using its political arm to spend nearly `` $ 35 million overall for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona , Colorado , Maine , Michigan , Minnesota , Georgia , Iowa , and North Carolina , '' according to NPR .
NARAL intends to focus its `` efforts this year on women and other persuadable voters who see reproductive rights as a motivating concern , '' NPR noted .
The Fund 's `` 24-hour Notice '' to the FEC , filed April 16 , noted that its only `` independent expenditure '' ( $ 27,965.49 ) so far was to the progressive media consulting and advertising agency , New Media Firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promoting the ad on its website April 17 , headlined `` Working with NARAL to Take on Trump '' : We work closely with NARAL Pro-Choice America and NARAL Freedom Fund on a number of projects and were excited to work with them to take on Donald Trump and anti-choice Republicans who have been exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic by trying to restrict access to abortion .

April 21, 2020 (NewsBusters) — Could liberal billionaire George Soros be more disgusting? He's using his super PAC to exploit the coronavirus and attack President Donald Trump and using the issue of abortion to do it.
Federal Election Commission data revealed that Soros's Democracy PAC gave $1 million to the radical pro-abortion group NARAL Freedom Fund. “A new ad from the abortion rights group NARAL Freedom Fund features young women accusing the President and his allies of putting 'ideology over science,'” National Public Radio (NPR) reported April 15. NPR also noted the ad accused Trump and his allies of “using the coronavirus pandemic as a pretext to 'roll back the clock' on reproductive rights.”
The Fund's April Quarterly report to the FEC, filed April 14, revealed that Democracy PAC's $1 million was The Fund's only reported source of income so far. Open Secrets records confirm that The Fund has only received $1 million.
NARAL said it is using its political arm to spend nearly “$35 million overall for the 2020 election cycle to target voters in Arizona, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Georgia, Iowa, and North Carolina,” according to NPR.
NARAL intends to focus its “efforts this year on women and other persuadable voters who see reproductive rights as a motivating concern,” NPR noted.
The Fund's “24-hour Notice” to the FEC, filed April 16, noted that its only “independent expenditure” ($27,965.49) so far was to the progressive media consulting and advertising agency, New Media Firm, Inc.
That firm released a statement promoting the ad on its website April 17, headlined “Working with NARAL to Take on Trump“:
We work closely with NARAL Pro-Choice America and NARAL Freedom Fund on a number of projects and were excited to work with them to take on Donald Trump and anti-choice Republicans who have been exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic by trying to restrict access to abortion.
The firm's disgusting rant continued:
The ad is part of NARAL's six-figure investment aimed at targeting swing voters in key battleground states. It features a group of women voters discussing over Zoom how Trump and Republicans are using the pandemic to push their personal ideology over science no matter the cost.
Published with permission from NewsBusters.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--German bishop criticizes Catholics asking for Sacraments as ‘whining, belligerent’

MAGDEBURG , Germany , April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – German Bishop Gerhard Feige has offered an almost purely secular response to the coronavirus pandemic and the desire of Catholic faithful to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist .
The bishop of Magdeburg asked , “ And in the face of the hardships and suffering of those who have to fear for their own lives or the lives of relatives , who hardly see an economic perspective for themselves or who are professionally on the front lines in the fight against the pandemic , aren ’ t our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Rather than demanding access to the sacraments , he continued , “ shouldn ’ t we as Christians rather take care responsibly and in solidarity to contain the life-threatening danger of infection with the coronavirus and to prevent a medical overtaxing of our society , than , comparable to various lobbyists , try to push through our particular interests ?
” Feige wrote an opinion piece for the official news website of the German Bishops ’ Conference .
In it , he said he was irritated by an alleged “ resentment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mass and receive the sacraments , which , according to the bishop , “ some believers and church leaders are now expressing in a whining or belligerent manner.
” The bishop of Magdeburg then proceeded to question the reality of what has been called a “ dictatorship of health , ” where everything else has to be subordinated to the goal of public health .
“ I know almost nobody who does not emphasize the importance of health when offering their congratulations , ” Feige said .
“ Certainly , from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the highest value , but it should not be lightly jeopardized either , ” he attempted to clarify .
He did not explain why he seemingly justified the subordination of the practice of the Catholic religion to public health .
According to Feige , there are “ considerable differences between an authoritarian dictatorship that suppresses freedom rights for ideological reasons and a democratic state that at times restricts some things for the sake of the common good.
” The bishop ’ s understanding of common good is not a Catholic understanding as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church .
There , the common good is defined as “ the sum total of social conditions which allow people , either as groups or as individuals , to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily.
” One of the three elements of the common good explicitly refers to religion .
“ In the name of the common good , public authorities are bound to respect the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person , ” the Catechism states .
“ Society should permit each of its members to fulfill his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good resides in the conditions for the exercise of the natural freedoms indispensable for the development of the human vocation , such as ‘ the right to act according to a sound norm of conscience and to safeguard … privacy , and rightful freedom also in matters of religion.
’ ” In its description of the common good , the Catechism repeatedly refers to the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes of the Second Vatican Council .
When saying that there are “ considerable differences between an authoritarian dictatorship … and a democratic state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that all kinds of stores were still allowed to open , while large parish churches or cathedrals were not even allowing small congregations for public Masses .
Helmut Hoping , professor of dogmatic theology at the University of Freiburg , told Die Tagespost that Feige ’ s remarks were as little “ suitable for freedom ” as Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s expression of “ opening discussion orgies.
” Both statements , Hoping said , came “ at a time when the Constitutional Court is asking questions about the proportionality of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban on public worship services.
” The bishop of Magdeburg claimed “ no one has the right to consciously or unconsciously put any fellow human being in danger through infection.
” It remains unclear why that is true only of COVID-19 , but not of the flu or any other disease dangerous to certain groups of people , especially the elderly or those with preexisting conditions .
Feige compared the desire of faithful Catholics to receive the Eucharist and other sacraments to “ fantasies of self-realization at any price.
” What was needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many a sacrifice and many a renunciation to make a successful coexistence possible.
” The bishop concluded his opinion piece by asking a number of questions about having public Masses again .
“ How and according to which criteria should it be decided who may participate and who may not ?
Who is to monitor that all rules are observed ?
And what about the congregations that only have small churches or chapels ?
” He added , “ Will this not create new problems and increase frustration ?
Shouldn ’ t we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrate services together again when it can happen more naturally and in a more humane way ?
” Meanwhile , in Austria , numerous young Catholics have pleaded with their bishops to “ please , give us back Holy Mass.
” In a video released in various languages , they offered to make Holy Mass possible by helping with fulfilling the requirements of public health .
“ We will be there during the Mass to make sure nobody is less than six feet apart , ” one man said .
The pews would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If there is a lack of resources , we will organize the masks , hand sanitizer , and gloves , ” a young woman offered .
Finally , the young people would provide lists on Doodle , making sure of the number of people signing up for each Mass .
Bishop Gerhard Feige lacks credibility among faithful Catholics in German-speaking countries .
In early 2019 , he expressed his openness to women “ priests.
” “ Rigorously rejecting this and merely arguing with tradition is no longer convincing , ” he claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change of the Church ’ s teaching on sexual morality , “ taking into account the findings of the human sciences , in order to do more justice to people in this sensitive area of their love relationships .
”

Bishop Feige of Magdeburg offered an almost purely secular response to COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences for Catholics.
MAGDEBURG, Germany, April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – German Bishop Gerhard Feige has offered an almost purely secular response to the coronavirus pandemic and the desire of Catholic faithful to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist.
The bishop of Magdeburg asked, “And in the face of the hardships and suffering of those who have to fear for their own lives or the lives of relatives, who hardly see an economic perspective for themselves or who are professionally on the front lines in the fight against the pandemic, aren’t our cancellations of worship services almost luxury problems?”
Rather than demanding access to the sacraments, he continued, “shouldn’t we as Christians rather take care responsibly and in solidarity to contain the life-threatening danger of infection with the coronavirus and to prevent a medical overtaxing of our society, than, comparable to various lobbyists, try to push through our particular interests?”
Feige wrote an opinion piece for the official news website of the German Bishops’ Conference. In it, he said he was irritated by an alleged “resentment” about not being able to go to Mass and receive the sacraments, which, according to the bishop, “some believers and church leaders are now expressing in a whining or belligerent manner.”
The bishop of Magdeburg then proceeded to question the reality of what has been called a “dictatorship of health,” where everything else has to be subordinated to the goal of public health.
“I know almost nobody who does not emphasize the importance of health when offering their congratulations,” Feige said.
“Certainly, from a Christian perspective, it is not regarded as the highest value, but it should not be lightly jeopardized either,” he attempted to clarify. He did not explain why he seemingly justified the subordination of the practice of the Catholic religion to public health.
According to Feige, there are “considerable differences between an authoritarian dictatorship that suppresses freedom rights for ideological reasons and a democratic state that at times restricts some things for the sake of the common good.”
The bishop’s understanding of common good is not a Catholic understanding as presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. There, the common good is defined as “the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily.”
One of the three elements of the common good explicitly refers to religion. “In the name of the common good, public authorities are bound to respect the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person,” the Catechism states.
“Society should permit each of its members to fulfill his vocation. In particular, the common good resides in the conditions for the exercise of the natural freedoms indispensable for the development of the human vocation, such as ‘the right to act according to a sound norm of conscience and to safeguard … privacy, and rightful freedom also in matters of religion.’”
In its description of the common good, the Catechism repeatedly refers to the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes of the Second Vatican Council.
When saying that there are “considerable differences between an authoritarian dictatorship … and a democratic state,” Feige did not comment on the fact that all kinds of stores were still allowed to open, while large parish churches or cathedrals were not even allowing small congregations for public Masses.
Helmut Hoping, professor of dogmatic theology at the University of Freiburg, told Die Tagespost that Feige’s remarks were as little “suitable for freedom” as Chancellor Angela Merkel’s expression of “opening discussion orgies.” Both statements, Hoping said, came “at a time when the Constitutional Court is asking questions about the proportionality of individual coronavirus emergency decrees, including the ban on public worship services.”
The bishop of Magdeburg claimed “no one has the right to consciously or unconsciously put any fellow human being in danger through infection.” It remains unclear why that is true only of COVID-19, but not of the flu or any other disease dangerous to certain groups of people, especially the elderly or those with preexisting conditions.
Feige compared the desire of faithful Catholics to receive the Eucharist and other sacraments to “fantasies of self-realization at any price.” What was needed instead, he argued, was “many a sacrifice and many a renunciation to make a successful coexistence possible.”
The bishop concluded his opinion piece by asking a number of questions about having public Masses again. “How and according to which criteria should it be decided who may participate and who may not? Who is to monitor that all rules are observed? And what about the congregations that only have small churches or chapels?”
He added, “Will this not create new problems and increase frustration? Shouldn’t we wait a little longer and only then celebrate services together again when it can happen more naturally and in a more humane way?”
Meanwhile, in Austria, numerous young Catholics have pleaded with their bishops to “please, give us back Holy Mass.”
In a video released in various languages, they offered to make Holy Mass possible by helping with fulfilling the requirements of public health.
“We will be there during the Mass to make sure nobody is less than six feet apart,” one man said.
The pews would be disinfected after each church service. “If there is a lack of resources, we will organize the masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves,” a young woman offered.
Finally, the young people would provide lists on Doodle, making sure of the number of people signing up for each Mass.
Bishop Gerhard Feige lacks credibility among faithful Catholics in German-speaking countries. In early 2019, he expressed his openness to women “priests.” “Rigorously rejecting this and merely arguing with tradition is no longer convincing,” he claimed.
He also demanded a development and change of the Church’s teaching on sexual morality, “taking into account the findings of the human sciences, in order to do more justice to people in this sensitive area of their love relationships.”
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--California backs down, allows drive-in church services following lawsuit

April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – California will no longer forbid worshippers from attending drive-in church services following a lawsuit against the crackdown .
COVID-19 lockdown orders have forced the suspension of many public gatherings and activities across the country , including religious services , for fear of spreading the virus .
In response , some churches have taken to congregating in church parking lots , where they listen to sermons from inside their cars .
Yet authorities in some jurisdictions have forbidden even that , prompting lawsuits and political pushback .
One suit , brought by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted Democrat Gov .
Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Xavier Becerra to back down , Fox 26 reported .
The state will now permit drive-in church services , provided worshippers observe “ social distancing ” while doing so – which would presumably be a moot point , as every attendee remains inside his or her own car .
Among those stepping in to defend religious exercise was the U.S. Department of Justice , which has issued a court filing siding with drive-in worshippers in Mississippi .
“ Even in times of emergency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on rights , the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers , ” U.S. Attorney General William Barr said in a statement .
“ Thus , government may not impose special restrictions on religious activity that do not also apply to similar nonreligious activity.
” “ Religion and religious worship continue to be central to the lives of millions of Americans .
This is true more so than ever during this difficult time , ” Barr continued .
“ The United States Department of Justice will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected if any state or local government , in their response to COVID-19 , singles out , targets , or discriminates against any house of worship for special restrictions . ''
Throughout California , local authorities have ticketed pro-lifers for standing outside abortion centers , encouraged residents to report their neighbors for violating stay-at-home orders , and even forbidden signing or wind instruments in livestreamed church services .
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

The U.S. Department of Justice is defending churches while confirming that the law prohibits religious discrimination.
April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – California will no longer forbid worshippers from attending drive-in church services following a lawsuit against the crackdown.
COVID-19 lockdown orders have forced the suspension of many public gatherings and activities across the country, including religious services, for fear of spreading the virus. In response, some churches have taken to congregating in church parking lots, where they listen to sermons from inside their cars.
Yet authorities in some jurisdictions have forbidden even that, prompting lawsuits and political pushback. One suit, brought by the Center for American Liberty in California, prompted Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Xavier Becerra to back down, Fox 26 reported.
The state will now permit drive-in church services, provided worshippers observe “social distancing” while doing so – which would presumably be a moot point, as every attendee remains inside his or her own car.
Among those stepping in to defend religious exercise was the U.S. Department of Justice, which has issued a court filing siding with drive-in worshippers in Mississippi.
“Even in times of emergency, when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights, the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers,” U.S. Attorney General William Barr said in a statement. “Thus, government may not impose special restrictions on religious activity that do not also apply to similar nonreligious activity.”
“Religion and religious worship continue to be central to the lives of millions of Americans. This is true more so than ever during this difficult time,” Barr continued. “The United States Department of Justice will continue to ensure that religious freedom remains protected if any state or local government, in their response to COVID-19, singles out, targets, or discriminates against any house of worship for special restrictions.”
Throughout California, local authorities have ticketed pro-lifers for standing outside abortion centers, encouraged residents to report their neighbors for violating stay-at-home orders, and even forbidden singing or wind instruments in livestreamed church services.
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--Join our daily live worldwide rosary HERE

April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the coronavirus crisis , LifeSite has begun livestreaming a daily rosary at 12:00 noon EST .
The rosary is led by Father Anthony Pillari , an American priest currently in Italy .
The whole world – including the Church – has been thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) .
Thousands of people have passed away as a result of the viral outbreak , while thousands more have been sickened .
And , across the world , business has come to a grinding halt , resulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recession .
If there ever was a time for prayer , this is it .
Catholics around the planet are aching for Mass and the Sacraments , but in many places are unable to access them because of bishops ’ orders or government restrictions .
We know that community with other believers is vital all the time , but especially during this time of global calls for “ sheltering-in-place ” and quarantine .
“ The rosary is the weapon for these times , ” St. Padre Pio said .
Through prayer , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and bring this painful crisis to an end .
Join us today !
Send photos or videos of you and your family praying the rosary with Father Pillari to [ email protected ]

(LifeSiteNews) — In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church, LifeSite is happy to promote Regina Angelorum Press’s Daily Rosary, which is offering Catholics throughout the world the chance to be united daily in prayer, in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade.
Catholics from all over the world — from Israel, Uganda, Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Pakistan, Singapore, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and other countries — are gathering daily to pray the Rosary, led by Father Pillari, JCL, MCL, STL, an American priest currently studying in Italy.
The Daily Rosary is being offered each day at 12noon EST through Regina Angelorum Press’ YouTube Channel to which you can subscribe HERE.
The goal is, by means of this Daily Rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima, the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.
To help obtain that goal, Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide Rosary crusade:
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother. Look upon the distress in which the Church and the whole of humanity are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church. In Fatima you warned against these errors, as you spoke about the errors of Russia. You are the Mediatrix of all graces. Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope: that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart, so that Russia will be converted, a period of peace will be granted to the world, and your Immaculate Heart will triumph, through an authentic renewal of the Church in the splendor of the purity of the Catholic Faith, of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life. O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother, turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer. Amen. + Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana
To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady’s message at Fatima, and about what you can do, please read Cardinal Burke’s 2017 address at the Rome Life Forum.
As St. Padre Pio once said, “The Rosary is the weapon for these times.” Through prayer, God can shape history, change the world, and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world, through the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart. Join us today!
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this Rosary, you can access them HERE. The document also includes a brief F.A.Q. pertaining to the daily Rosary.
You can send your prayer requests to https://reginangelorumpress.com/prayer-intentions/
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--Swiss churches put consecrated hosts in match boxes for faithful to take

STANS , Switzerland , April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Several Catholic churches in Switzerland are offering prepackaged consecrated hosts for the faithful to take and consume at home amid the prohibition of public Masses during the coronavirus pandemic .
The consecrated hosts , which , as Catholics believe , contain the body , blood , soul , and divinity of Jesus Christ , are put into small containers that look like a match box and are made out of paper .
The official news website of the Swiss Bishops ’ Conference reported about the practice in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about its appropriateness .
Every Sunday , the former Capuchin church in Stans , a village south of Zurich in Switzerland , puts a bowl with dozens of match box packages containing one consecrated host each on a table in front of the sanctuary .
“ Consecrated hosts to take for Communion at home , ” a handwritten sign states .
The parish church of Stans and a church in another place not far away provide a similar service .
According to the article on the news website of the Swiss Bishops , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Chur for approval .
However , they emphasized they are abiding by the rules issued by the local government , including social distancing requirements .
However , it appears they are not similarly following a number of Church rules .
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal , written under Pope John Paul II in 2002 , discusses the sacred vessels which are to contain the consecrated body and blood of Christ .
“ Sacred vessels should be made from precious metal .
If they are made from metal that rusts or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they should generally be gilded on the inside , ” the document points out .
Bishops ’ Conferences may issue their own exceptions to this rule , but never is paper mentioned .
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops , for instance , said “ sacred vessels may also be made from other solid materials which in the common estimation in each region are considered precious or noble , for example , ebony or other harder woods , provided that such materials are suitable for sacred use.
” “ In this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ preference is always to be given to materials that do not easily break or deteriorate .
This applies to all vessels that are intended to hold the hosts , such as the paten , the ciborium , the pyx , the monstrance , and others of this kind.
” A pyx is a small container used to take a consecrated host to a sick person .
In other words , the match box packages in Switzerland compare best to a pyx .
The Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum , approved by Pope John Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2004 , talks about the reception of Communion in the hand .
“ Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue , at his choice , if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand , in areas where the Bishops ’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See has given permission , the sacred host is to be administered to him or her , ” the Instruction states .
The point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ box packages .
“ However , special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister , so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand .
If there is a risk of profanation , then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to the faithful.
” Arguably , the risk of profanation is enormous , given that nobody knows what people who take a consecrated host from a church might do with it .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass – a blasphemous mockery of the Catholic Mass that usually includes the desecration of a consecrated host stolen from a Catholic church – can not be excluded .
Even if the Eucharist is received by faithful Catholics properly disposed , the question remains what to do with the packaging .
Small particles of the consecrated host , which , according to Catholic teaching , still contain the body , blood , soul , and divinity of Jesus Christi , might be left in the match box .
Therefore , it would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The sacred vessels are purified by the Priest , the Deacon , or an instituted acolyte after Communion or after Mass , in so far as possible at the credence table , ” the rubrics for Holy Mass point out , according to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal .
“ The purification of the chalice is done with water alone or with wine and water , which is then consumed by whoever does the purification .
The paten is wiped clean as usual with the purificator.
” This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of paper .
The only reason given by the Swiss churches for using paper packaging was that “ paper is more useful than metal in terms of spreading the virus.
” Also , there are not as many pyxes made out of metal as would be needed .
Marino Bosoppi-Langenauer , identified by the official news website of the Swiss Bishops ’ Conference only as a “ minister ” ( Seelsorger ) , but not as a priest , said that on Holy Saturday alone , 70 match box packages containing a consecrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also mentioned that other parishes in Switzerland are contemplating providing a similar service .
“ We had many requests by the faithful who wished to receive the Eucharist .
We have therefore decided to make Communion possible in this way , ” Bosoppi-Langenauer said of the reasoning in Stans .

'Consecrated hosts to take for Communion at home,' a handwritten sign states next to a bowl containing dozens of match boxes with the Eucharist.
STANS, Switzerland, April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Several Catholic churches in Switzerland are offering prepackaged consecrated hosts for the faithful to take and consume at home amid the prohibition of public Masses during the coronavirus pandemic. The consecrated hosts, which, as Catholics believe, are the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ, are put into small containers that look like a match box and are made out of paper.
The official news website of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference reported about the practice in a favorable light, not asking any questions about its appropriateness.
Every Sunday, the former Capuchin church in Stans, a village south of Zurich in Switzerland, puts a bowl with dozens of match box packages containing one consecrated host each on a table in front of the sanctuary.
“Consecrated hosts to take for Communion at home,” a handwritten sign states. The parish church of Stans and a church in another place not far away provide a similar service.
According to the article on the news website of the Swiss Bishops, the churches have not asked the Diocese of Chur for approval. However, they emphasized they are abiding by the rules issued by the local government, including social distancing requirements.
However, it appears they are not similarly following a number of Church rules.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, written under Pope John Paul II in 2002, discusses the sacred vessels which are to contain the consecrated body and blood of Christ.
“Sacred vessels should be made from precious metal. If they are made from metal that rusts or from a metal less precious than gold, they should generally be gilded on the inside,” the document points out.
Bishops’ Conferences may issue their own exceptions to this rule, but never is paper mentioned. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, for instance, said “sacred vessels may also be made from other solid materials which in the common estimation in each region are considered precious or noble, for example, ebony or other harder woods, provided that such materials are suitable for sacred use.”
“In this case,” the document continues, “preference is always to be given to materials that do not easily break or deteriorate. This applies to all vessels that are intended to hold the hosts, such as the paten, the ciborium, the pyx, the monstrance, and others of this kind.”
A pyx is a small container used to take a consecrated host to a sick person. In other words, the match box packages in Switzerland compare best to a pyx.
The Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum, approved by Pope John Paul II and published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2004, talks about the reception of Communion in the hand.
“Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice, if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand, in areas where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See has given permission, the sacred host is to be administered to him or her,” the Instruction states.
The point made next also applies to the match box packages. “However, special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand. If there is a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to the faithful.”
Arguably, the risk of profanation is enormous, given that nobody knows what people who take a consecrated host from a church might do with it. Even use of it during a satanic black mass – a blasphemous mockery of the Catholic Mass that usually includes the desecration of a consecrated host stolen from a Catholic church – cannot be excluded.
Even if the Eucharist is received by faithful Catholics properly disposed, the question remains what to do with the packaging. Small particles of the consecrated host, which, according to Catholic teaching, still contain the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christi, might be left in the match box. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to simply throw away the packaging.
“The sacred vessels are purified by the Priest, the Deacon, or an instituted acolyte after Communion or after Mass, in so far as possible at the credence table,” the rubrics for Holy Mass point out, according to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
“The purification of the chalice is done with water alone or with wine and water, which is then consumed by whoever does the purification. The paten is wiped clean as usual with the purificator.” This is impossible with a small container made out of paper.
The only reason given by the Swiss churches for using paper packaging was that “paper is more useful than metal in terms of spreading the virus.” Also, there are not as many pyxes made out of metal as would be needed.
Marino Bosoppi-Langenauer, identified by the official news website of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference only as a “minister” (Seelsorger), but not as a priest, said that on Holy Saturday alone, 70 match box packages containing a consecrated host were taken from the church.
He also mentioned that other parishes in Switzerland are contemplating providing a similar service. “We had many requests by the faithful who wished to receive the Eucharist. We have therefore decided to make Communion possible in this way,” Bosoppi-Langenauer said of the reasoning in Stans.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--Appeals Court reinstates Texas ban on abortion during pandemic

NEW ORLEANS , Louisiana , April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― A federal court has upheld Texas ’ ban on most abortions as “ non-essential ” medical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Yesterday the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reversed its previous decision that abortion was an essential service in the state of Texas .
Last Monday the Fifth Circuit ruled that abortion was permissible in both Texas and Oklahoma and that abortion pills could be given to pregnant women .
Texas Right to Life celebrated the new decision with a tweet reading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court just ruled again against the lower court .
Now 98.5 % of elective abortions are banned in Texas under the COVID response Executive Order.
” This is the latest outcome in a battle between Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the abortion lobby since Abbott published an executive order on March 22 suspending all surgeries and medical procedures that are not “ are not immediately medically necessary ” in order to preserve hospital services for the ill and protective personal equipment ( PPE ) for key medical staff .
“ Beginning now and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 , all licensed health care professionals and all licensed health care facilities shall postpone all surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary to correct a serious medical condition of , or to preserve the life of , a patient who without immediate performance of the surgery or procedure would be at risk for serious adverse medical consequences or death , as determined by the patient ’ s physician , ” Executive Order GA 09 stipulates .
Texas Right to Life reported that Attorney General Ken Paxton clarified that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Believing themselves exempt from all common sense safety standards , the abortion industry quickly filed suit against enforcement of the order in the Federal District Court of Judge Lee Yeakel , a loyal ally of the abortion industry , ” Texas Right to Life wrote .
“ He has now twice issued temporary restraining orders ( TROs ) on enforcement of Abbott ’ s executive order , both of which the Fifth Circuit has since overturned.
” Texas Right to Life also reported that the Fifth Circuit ’ s three-judge panel ruled that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usurped the state ’ s authority to craft emergency public health measures.
” Unborn babies in Texas do not have a complete respite , however .
Children who will be too old to be legally aborted when the order ends may still be aborted during the pandemic .
Women whose unborn children will be over 22 weeks old , the usual legal limit on abortion in Texas , by April 22 , when the order expires , are still permitted to have them aborted .
Nevertheless , Texas Right to Life declared victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejoice as preborn children are spared from 98.5 % of abortions in the state.
” Abortion businesses have been attempting to ensure PPEs for their employees by requestion donations .
In March , Planned Parenthood Los Angeles sent an email to supporters asking for medical supplies .
Planned Parenthood Keystone , which operates abortion mills in Eastern and Central Pennsylvania , asked collaborators for donations of “ hand sanitizers , home sewn masks , shoe covers , and surgical hats .
”

'Now 98.5% of elective abortions are banned in Texas under the COVID response Executive Order.'
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― A federal court has upheld Texas’ ban on most abortions as “non-essential” medical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yesterday the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reversed its previous decision that abortion was an essential service in the state of Texas. Last Monday the Fifth Circuit ruled that abortion was permissible in both Texas and Oklahoma and that abortion pills could be given to pregnant women.
Texas Right to Life celebrated the new decision with a tweet reading, “Fantastic News! Fifth Circuit Court just ruled again against the lower court. Now 98.5% of elective abortions are banned in Texas under the COVID response Executive Order.”
This is the latest outcome in a battle between Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the abortion lobby since Abbott published an executive order on March 22 suspending all surgeries and medical procedures that are not “are not immediately medically necessary” in order to preserve hospital services for the ill and protective personal equipment (PPE) for key medical staff.
“Beginning now and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on April 21, 2020, all licensed health care professionals and all licensed health care facilities shall postpone all surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary to correct a serious medical condition of, or to preserve the life of, a patient who without immediate performance of the surgery or procedure would be at risk for serious adverse medical consequences or death, as determined by the patient’s physician,” Executive Order GA 09 stipulates.
Texas Right to Life reported that Attorney General Ken Paxton clarified that the order applied to elective abortion.
“Believing themselves exempt from all common sense safety standards, the abortion industry quickly filed suit against enforcement of the order in the Federal District Court of Judge Lee Yeakel, a loyal ally of the abortion industry,” Texas Right to Life wrote.
“He has now twice issued temporary restraining orders (TROs) on enforcement of Abbott’s executive order, both of which the Fifth Circuit has since overturned.”
Texas Right to Life also reported that the Fifth Circuit’s three-judge panel ruled that Yeakel’s temporary restraining order “usurped the state’s authority to craft emergency public health measures.”
Unborn babies in Texas do not have a complete respite, however. Children who will be too old to be legally aborted when the order ends may still be aborted during the pandemic. Women whose unborn children will be over 22 weeks old, the usual legal limit on abortion in Texas, by April 22, when the order expires, are still permitted to have them aborted.
Nevertheless, Texas Right to Life declared victory, saying, “Pro-Life Texans can rejoice as preborn children are spared from 98.5% of abortions in the state.”
Abortion businesses have been attempting to ensure PPEs for their employees by requestion donations. In March, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles sent an email to supporters asking for medical supplies. Planned Parenthood Keystone, which operates abortion mills in Eastern and Central Pennsylvania, asked collaborators for donations of “hand sanitizers, home sewn masks, shoe covers, and surgical hats.”
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--5K Planned Parenthood abortion mills close worldwide amid COVID-19, abuse allegations

April 21 , 2020 ( Live Action News ) — The International Planned Parenthood Federation ( IPPF ) has announced the closing of 5,633 member clinics due to the COVID-19 pandemic , and 23 others have reported a reduced ability to commit abortions .
In 2018 , IPPF committed nearly 1.4 million abortions around the world with just over half being done by way of a chemical abortion ( the abortion pill ) .
The organization also lists 122,820 treatments for incomplete abortions , which could account for any chemical abortions that failed and had to be followed up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is struggling with accessing “ key commodities and supplies , ” which is quite possible given the fact that personal protective equipment ( PPE ) is supposed to be going to frontline health care workers battling COVID-19 .
Throughout the United States , elective surgeries — including abortions in some states — have been postponed in order to divert PPE to COVID-19 health care workers .
And yet , in states where a special exception has been carved out for abortion , Planned Parenthood abortion businesses have suspended actual health care services in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocol .
“ Without access to personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and a secure supply of vital commodities like contraceptives , members will not be able to reopen lost service points , and more will close , ” IPPF said in a news release .
It added that an emergency fund has been established to ensure its facilities that are still open receive PPE , because to IPPF , abortion services are vital to their bottom line .
PPE would primarily be needed to commit abortions .
The group has expressed concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will not be able to reopen all of its facilities — but that might not actually have all that much to do with COVID-19 .
IPPF has refused funding from the United States in favor of continuing its international abortion business .
Additionally , in 2019 , IPPF faced major controversy and restructuring after allegations of sexual misconduct , fraud , and bullying surfaced .
Those allegations included the hiring of prostitutes for official organization functions .
Trouble had been brewing for nearly a year and led to the resignations of IPPF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In October 2019 , a presentation by an IPPF task force said IPPF was “ not working effectively as a Federation ” and spoke of “ conflict and a lack of trust between global and regional levels.
” A source told Devex that these issues could make IPPF ineffective .
“ IPPF ’ s integrity was at stake and our ability to serve people was becoming compromised .
[ ... ] There ’ s lots of work to be done in the next six months , ” Mina Barling , IPPF ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 2019 , “ and keeping the same momentum and pace will be key.
” It seems the organization ’ s own failures may very well be to blame for their current situation , not the virus .
IPPF is attempting to expand its telemedicine capabilities , saying that “ [ women ’ s ] ability to take medicines in their own homes , such as medical abortion medication ” will help them .
However , do-it-yourself abortions will not help women .
Complications from the abortion pill could send women to already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk for COVID-19 .
And if the abortion pill fails , those women may be scheduled for surgical abortions afterward .
Abortion is as dangerous for women as it has always been , but when abortion businesses like IPPF take shortcuts to keep their own business afloat as they are now , they are doing it at the expense of the women they claim to care about .

April 21, 2020 (Live Action News) — The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has announced the closing of 5,633 member clinics due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 23 others have reported a reduced ability to commit abortions.
In 2018, IPPF committed nearly 1.4 million abortions around the world with just over half being done by way of a chemical abortion (the abortion pill). The organization also lists 122,820 treatments for incomplete abortions, which could account for any chemical abortions that failed and had to be followed up with surgical abortions.
IPPF also claims it is struggling with accessing “key commodities and supplies,” which is quite possible given the fact that personal protective equipment (PPE) is supposed to be going to frontline health care workers battling COVID-19. Throughout the United States, elective surgeries — including abortions in some states — have been postponed in order to divert PPE to COVID-19 health care workers. And yet, in states where a special exception has been carved out for abortion, Planned Parenthood abortion businesses have suspended actual health care services in favor of an ‘abortion only’ protocol.
“Without access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and a secure supply of vital commodities like contraceptives, members will not be able to reopen lost service points, and more will close,” IPPF said in a news release. It added that an emergency fund has been established to ensure its facilities that are still open receive PPE, because to IPPF, abortion services are vital to their bottom line. PPE would primarily be needed to commit abortions.
The group has expressed concern that when the pandemic is finally over it will not be able to reopen all of its facilities — but that might not actually have all that much to do with COVID-19. IPPF has refused funding from the United States in favor of continuing its international abortion business. Additionally, in 2019, IPPF faced major controversy and restructuring after allegations of sexual misconduct, fraud, and bullying surfaced. Those allegations included the hiring of prostitutes for official organization functions. Trouble had been brewing for nearly a year and led to the resignations of IPPF Director-General Alvaro Bermejo and another senior director. In October 2019, a presentation by an IPPF task force said IPPF was “not working effectively as a Federation” and spoke of “conflict and a lack of trust between global and regional levels.” A source told Devex that these issues could make IPPF ineffective.
“IPPF’s integrity was at stake and our ability to serve people was becoming compromised. […] There’s lots of work to be done in the next six months,” Mina Barling, IPPF’s director of external relations said in December 2019, “and keeping the same momentum and pace will be key.”
It seems the organization’s own failures may very well be to blame for their current situation, not the virus.
IPPF is attempting to expand its telemedicine capabilities, saying that “[women’s] ability to take medicines in their own homes, such as medical abortion medication” will help them. However, do-it-yourself abortions will not help women. Complications from the abortion pill could send women to already burdened emergency rooms and increase their exposure risk for COVID-19. And if the abortion pill fails, those women may be scheduled for surgical abortions afterward.
Abortion is as dangerous for women as it has always been, but when abortion businesses like IPPF take shortcuts to keep their own business afloat as they are now, they are doing it at the expense of the women they claim to care about.
Published with permission from Live Action News.
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