lifesitenews--2020-06-16--JK Rowling could teach US Supreme Court a thing or two about problem with transgenderism

PETITION : Tell Trump Christians can ’ t accept SCOTUS ruling imposing LGBT ideology Sign the petition here .
June 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – This has been quite a 10-day stretch for transgender activism .
It began with one of the world ’ s best-selling authors , J.K. Rowling , coming under attack for backing the fact that only women menstruate ( how dare she ! )
.
It ended with the Supreme Court including sexual orientation and gender identity under the category of “ sex.
” In the middle , several Harry Potter stars weighed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recap , things began June 6 on Twitter when Rowling responded to an op-ed that referenced “ people who menstruate.
” She tweeted , “ ‘ People who menstruate.
’ I ’ m sure there used to be a word for those people .
Someone help me out .
Wumben ?
Wimpund ?
Woomud ?
” In response to the swirl of condemnation she received , rather than backing down , on June 10 she published a 3,600-word essay explaining her thinking .
Of her five reasons for taking a public stand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ female is a woman ( what a concept ! )
.
Living in a misogynistic world , this was an important issue for her .
She wrote , “ I ’ ve read all the arguments about femaleness not residing in the sexed body , and the assertions that biological women don ’ t have common experiences , and I find them , too , deeply misogynistic and regressive.
” Indeed , she wrote , “ It isn ’ t enough for women to be trans allies .
Women must accept and admit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trans women and themselves.
” She continued , “ But , as many women have said before me , ‘ woman ’ is not a costume .
‘ Woman ’ is not an idea in a man ’ s head .
‘ Woman ’ is not a pink brain , a liking for Jimmy Choos or any of the other sexist ideas now somehow touted as progressive.
” In short , “ If sex is n't real , the lived reality of women globally is erased .
I know and love trans people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives .
It is n't hate to speak the truth.
” Not surprisingly , a number of the major Harry Potter movie stars were not happy with Rowling .
Daniel Radcliffe ( who played Harry Potter ) wrote ( in part ) , “ Transgender women are women .
Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional healthcare associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others joining in from the Potter cast was co-star Rupert Grint , who said , “ I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers .
Trans women are women .
Trans men are men .
We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.
” For Radcliffe , Grint and others , this was a matter of compassion .
Of understanding .
Of enlightenment .
It is high time , they would say , to move beyond the bigoted , hurtful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After all , we ’ re well into the 20th century now .
But all the compassion in the world doesn ’ t change reality , and it would be worth asking some of these trans-allied stars some simple questions , including : “ How exactly do you define the terms men and women ?
What , after all , is a man or a woman ?
What constitutes being male or female ?
If it is not biological , then is it a state of mind ?
What , then , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but still identifies as male ?
Is he a man ?
And if biology is not determinative , why does biology-altering surgery now change someone ’ s sex ?
” These are logical questions , but when it comes to trans-activism , logic is not necessarily the biggest factor .
That ’ s because many trans-activists and allies are thinking more with their hearts , which I don ’ t mean in an insulting way .
They have a friend or relative who identifies as trans .
This person speaks of the terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and now they are finally at peace .
Why shouldn ’ t we support them ?
That is an emotional line of reasoning , and for many it is compelling .
But it shouldn ’ t be compelling for the Supreme Court of the United States , which surprisingly voted 6-3 in favor of including “ sexual orientation ” and “ gender identity ” within the concept of “ sex ” in Title VII .
( Passed as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 , “ Title VII prohibits employment discrimination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sex and national origin.
” ) In one of the three cases including in the court ’ s current ruling , the justices ruled against a funeral parlor that dismissed a male funeral director who wished to transition to the opposite sex .
As explained by Americans Defending Freedom , “ Harris Funeral Homes ( the employer ) has professional conduct and dress codes to ensure that the grieving families it serves can focus on healing and not on the funeral home or its employees .
Such policies are not unusual .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry standard .
Not to mention that federal law allows such policies.
” So Harris Funeral Homes thought it would be a distraction for grieving families if they were served by a male funeral director who was now dressing as and identifying as a woman , and as a result , the employee and the funeral home parted ways .
Now , by transforming the meaning of Title VII , “ sex ” includes gender identity .
As Justice Samuel Alito responded in his blistering dissenting opinion , “ Neither ‘ sexual orientation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear on the list of five specified grounds for discrimination in Title VII , and the majority ’ s ‘ argument is not only arrogant , it is wrong , ’ ” he wrote .
“ The terms ‘ sex , ’ ‘ sexual orientation , ’ and ‘ gender identity ’ are ‘ different concepts , ’ and neither of the two latter terms are ‘ tied to either of the biological sexes.
’ ” ( See further the succinct analysis of H. Von Spokovski and Ryan T .
Anderson . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ every single American had been surveyed in 1964 , it would have been hard to find any who thought that discrimination because of sex meant discrimination because of sexual orientation — not to mention gender identity , a concept that was essentially unknown at the time.
” So what SCOTUS did on June 15 was not an interpretation of a written law .
It was the making of a new law .
As Spokovski and Anderson asked , “ Why bother trying to pass the proposed Equality Act when you can get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” And in terms of the Harris Funeral Homes , how were they guilty of an act of “ discrimination based on race , color , religion , sex and national origin ” ?
( The other two cases grouped together by SCOTUS involved gays who were fired because of the sexual orientation .
This , too , is now included under “ sex.
” ) It is little consolation that the ruling may not affect religious institutions .
( See here and here . )
That ’ s because : 1 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Homes in the future .
And 2 ) SCOTUS has just redefined reality , without a stitch of biological or genetic evidence to back their claim .
It ’ s one thing when Harry Potter stars make such determinations .
It ’ s another thing entirely when the Supreme Court does .

PETITION: Tell Trump Christians can’t accept SCOTUS ruling imposing LGBT ideology Sign the petition here.
June 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – This has been quite a 10-day stretch for transgender activism. It began with one of the world’s best-selling authors, J.K. Rowling, coming under attack for backing the fact that only women menstruate (how dare she!). It ended with the Supreme Court including sexual orientation and gender identity under the category of “sex.” In the middle, several Harry Potter stars weighed in on the side of trans-activism.
To recap, things began June 6 on Twitter when Rowling responded to an op-ed that referenced “people who menstruate.”
She tweeted, “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
In response to the swirl of condemnation she received, rather than backing down, on June 10 she published a 3,600-word essay explaining her thinking.
Of her five reasons for taking a public stand, one involved the idea that only a female is a woman (what a concept!). Living in a misogynistic world, this was an important issue for her.
She wrote, “I’ve read all the arguments about femaleness not residing in the sexed body, and the assertions that biological women don’t have common experiences, and I find them, too, deeply misogynistic and regressive.”
Indeed, she wrote, “It isn’t enough for women to be trans allies. Women must accept and admit that there is no material difference between trans women and themselves.”
She continued, “But, as many women have said before me, ‘woman’ is not a costume. ‘Woman’ is not an idea in a man’s head. ‘Woman’ is not a pink brain, a liking for Jimmy Choos or any of the other sexist ideas now somehow touted as progressive.”
In short, “If sex isn't real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn't hate to speak the truth.”
Well said, J.K.
Not surprisingly, a number of the major Harry Potter movie stars were not happy with Rowling.
Daniel Radcliffe (who played Harry Potter) wrote (in part), “Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional healthcare associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo (Rowling) or I.”
Among others joining in from the Potter cast was co-star Rupert Grint, who said, “I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.”
For Radcliffe, Grint and others, this was a matter of compassion. Of understanding. Of enlightenment. It is high time, they would say, to move beyond the bigoted, hurtful, small-minded views of the past. After all, we’re well into the 20th century now.
But all the compassion in the world doesn’t change reality, and it would be worth asking some of these trans-allied stars some simple questions, including: “How exactly do you define the terms men and women? What, after all, is a man or a woman? What constitutes being male or female? If it is not biological, then is it a state of mind? What, then, of a biological male who loves female things but still identifies as male? Is he a man? And if biology is not determinative, why does biology-altering surgery now change someone’s sex?”
These are logical questions, but when it comes to trans-activism, logic is not necessarily the biggest factor. That’s because many trans-activists and allies are thinking more with their hearts, which I don’t mean in an insulting way. They have a friend or relative who identifies as trans. This person speaks of the terrible struggles they had until they transitioned, and now they are finally at peace. Why shouldn’t we support them?
That is an emotional line of reasoning, and for many it is compelling.
But it shouldn’t be compelling for the Supreme Court of the United States, which surprisingly voted 6-3 in favor of including “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” within the concept of “sex” in Title VII. (Passed as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, “Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.”)
In one of the three cases including in the court’s current ruling, the justices ruled against a funeral parlor that dismissed a male funeral director who wished to transition to the opposite sex.
As explained by Americans Defending Freedom, “Harris Funeral Homes (the employer) has professional conduct and dress codes to ensure that the grieving families it serves can focus on healing and not on the funeral home or its employees. Such policies are not unusual. In fact, they are consistent with industry standard. Not to mention that federal law allows such policies.”
So Harris Funeral Homes thought it would be a distraction for grieving families if they were served by a male funeral director who was now dressing as and identifying as a woman, and as a result, the employee and the funeral home parted ways.
Now, by transforming the meaning of Title VII, “sex” includes gender identity.
As Justice Samuel Alito responded in his blistering dissenting opinion, “Neither ‘sexual orientation,’ nor ‘gender identity’ appear on the list of five specified grounds for discrimination in Title VII, and the majority’s ‘argument is not only arrogant, it is wrong,’” he wrote. “The terms ‘sex,’ ‘sexual orientation,’ and ‘gender identity’ are ‘different concepts,’ and neither of the two latter terms are ‘tied to either of the biological sexes.’” (See further the succinct analysis of H. Von Spokovski and Ryan T. Anderson.)
As Alito also noted, “If every single American had been surveyed in 1964, it would have been hard to find any who thought that discrimination because of sex meant discrimination because of sexual orientation — not to mention gender identity, a concept that was essentially unknown at the time.”
So what SCOTUS did on June 15 was not an interpretation of a written law. It was the making of a new law. As Spokovski and Anderson asked, “Why bother trying to pass the proposed Equality Act when you can get the justices to make law for you?”
And in terms of the Harris Funeral Homes, how were they guilty of an act of “discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin”? (The other two cases grouped together by SCOTUS involved gays who were fired because of the sexual orientation. This, too, is now included under “sex.”)
It is little consolation that the ruling may not affect religious institutions. (See here and here.) That’s because: 1) there could be plenty more Harris Funeral Homes in the future. And 2) SCOTUS has just redefined reality, without a stitch of biological or genetic evidence to back their claim.
It’s one thing when Harry Potter stars make such determinations. It’s another thing entirely when the Supreme Court does.
What’s next?
Follow Michael Dr. Brown is the author of more than 35 books, including Our Hands Are Stained with Blood: The Tragic Story of the “Church” and the Jewish People, which has been translated into more than twelve languages, the highly acclaimed five-volume series, Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus, a commentary on Jeremiah (part of the revised edition of the Expositor’s Bible Commentary), and several books on revival and the Jesus revolution. His most recent book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test?
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-16--Why US election boils down to a choice between Trump or social anarchy

PETITION : Tell Trump Christians can ’ t accept SCOTUS ruling imposing LGBT ideology Sign the petition here .
June 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Many of us who voted for Donald Trump in 2016 had serious misgivings about him as a person and a candidate .
Yet it was either Trump or Hillary Clinton , so our vote for Trump was effectively a vote against Hillary .
Now , in 2020 , the stakes are considerably higher .
As expressed by George P. Bush , “ Trump is the only thing standing between America and socialism.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support Trump again , even if they are put off by some of his tweets and public statements .
In their minds , it ’ s either Trump or Antifa , either Trump or chaos on our streets .
In that light , the choice becomes simple .
We ’ ve seen how bad things can get with Trump in office .
What would happen if he was not in office ?
What would happen if socialist-leaning Democrats ran the country ?
What then ?
In my new book , Evangelicals at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Test ?
, I lay out the evangelical case against Trump , explaining why many Christians could not vote for him in good conscience .
For these evangelicals , our association with Trump has hurt our witness and damaged the cause of the gospel .
As expressed to me with great passion by an evangelical colleague ( he voted Republican for years until Trump ) , “ He has set back , no he has utterly destroyed the credibility of the evangelical world .
Who respects evangelicals because of Donald Trump ?
NO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gospel because of evangelical fealty to Donald Trump .
NO ONE .
Is this undeniable and massive good ?
” This is all laid out in my book , detailing the case against Trump as clearly as I can .
It is a powerful case , indeed .
But then I lay out the pro-Trump evangelical position , one which basically says , “ We needed someone to stand up to a one-world government movement .
To face down Iran and China .
To fight against Islamic terrorism .
To push back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To stand for our religious liberties .
To fight for the lives of the unborn .
“ So what if he makes stupid statements and sends out nasty tweets .
We ’ re dealing with massive issues of national and global importance here , and Trump has been the man for the job.
” This is similar to the reasoning of Middle East expert Daniel Pipes , who penned a June 4 editorial titled “ A Reluctant but Unhesitating Vote for Donald Trump.
” He first listed his Never Trump bona fides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I watched in dismay as I helped the Ted Cruz presidential campaign , seeing Republican primary voters select Donald Trump out of a field of 16 viable candidates and make him president-elect .
I signed an open letter committing to ‘ working energetically to prevent the election of someone so utterly unfitted ’ to the presidency and wrote many articles lambasting Trump .
I left the Republican Party on his nomination and voted for Libertarian Gary Johnson in the general election .
After the election , I hoped for Trump 's impeachment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be voting for Trump , encouraging others to do the same .
As he explains , “ Nearly four years later , Trump 's character still troubles and repels me .
If anything , his egotism , disloyalty , and bombast exceed those vices when he was a mere candidate .
“ But , ” he continues , “ to my unending surprise , he has governed as a resolute conservative.
” And so , “ Slowly but inexorably over the past three years , my approval of the policies has outbalanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , knowing that Joe Biden will represent the radicalized Democrats in November , I conclude that I will do my small part to help Trump get re-elected by writing , giving , and voting.
” Today , as we see just how radicalized the Democrats have become , with “ defund the police ” becoming the latest mantra , we understand how high the stakes have become .
I personally know Christians who voted for Trump in 2016 but told me they were not going to vote for him again .
( They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either , so they would sit out the presidential elections or cast a third party protest vote . )
They were too repulsed by his character and felt that he often made a mess of things with his words .
And , as much as they appreciated the good that he did , they felt that the damage to the nation outweighed his positive contributions .
He was too divisive .
Too destructive .
He degraded us more than he helped us .
Because of that , they would not vote for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities are on fire and angry mobs stand ready to cancel our freedoms and demand conformity , these same voters are confronted with a stark reality .
In short , it could well be that Donald Trump is the last line of defense against a radical , leftist takeover of our government , the likes of which we have never seen .
This will push many a reluctant voter , like Daniel Pipes , firmly into the Trump column .
It could be as simple as that .

George P. Bush got it right when he said: ‘Trump is the only thing standing between America and socialism.’
PETITION: Tell Trump Christians can’t accept SCOTUS ruling imposing LGBT ideology Sign the petition here.
June 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Many of us who voted for Donald Trump in 2016 had serious misgivings about him as a person and a candidate. Yet it was either Trump or Hillary Clinton, so our vote for Trump was effectively a vote against Hillary.
Now, in 2020, the stakes are considerably higher. As expressed by George P. Bush, “Trump is the only thing standing between America and socialism.”
That’s why many voters will support Trump again, even if they are put off by some of his tweets and public statements. In their minds, it’s either Trump or Antifa, either Trump or chaos on our streets. In that light, the choice becomes simple.
We’ve seen how bad things can get with Trump in office. What would happen if he was not in office? What would happen if socialist-leaning Democrats ran the country? What then?
In my new book, Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test?, I lay out the evangelical case against Trump, explaining why many Christians could not vote for him in good conscience. For these evangelicals, our association with Trump has hurt our witness and damaged the cause of the gospel.
As expressed to me with great passion by an evangelical colleague (he voted Republican for years until Trump), “He has set back, no he has utterly destroyed the credibility of the evangelical world. Who respects evangelicals because of Donald Trump? NO ONE. Who feels more attracted to the gospel because of evangelical fealty to Donald Trump. NO ONE. Is this undeniable and massive good?”
This is all laid out in my book, detailing the case against Trump as clearly as I can. It is a powerful case, indeed.
But then I lay out the pro-Trump evangelical position, one which basically says, “We needed someone to stand up to a one-world government movement. To face down Iran and China. To fight against Islamic terrorism. To push back against extremist elements in our own country. To stand for our religious liberties. To fight for the lives of the unborn.
“So what if he makes stupid statements and sends out nasty tweets. We’re dealing with massive issues of national and global importance here, and Trump has been the man for the job.”
This is similar to the reasoning of Middle East expert Daniel Pipes, who penned a June 4 editorial titled “A Reluctant but Unhesitating Vote for Donald Trump.”
He first listed his Never Trump bona fides, which were impressive indeed: “I watched in dismay as I helped the Ted Cruz presidential campaign, seeing Republican primary voters select Donald Trump out of a field of 16 viable candidates and make him president-elect. I signed an open letter committing to ‘working energetically to prevent the election of someone so utterly unfitted’ to the presidency and wrote many articles lambasting Trump. I left the Republican Party on his nomination and voted for Libertarian Gary Johnson in the general election. After the election, I hoped for Trump's impeachment and President Mike Pence.”
Yet now he will be voting for Trump, encouraging others to do the same. As he explains, “Nearly four years later, Trump's character still troubles and repels me. If anything, his egotism, disloyalty, and bombast exceed those vices when he was a mere candidate.
“But,” he continues, “to my unending surprise, he has governed as a resolute conservative.”
And so, “Slowly but inexorably over the past three years, my approval of the policies has outbalanced my distaste for the person. Finally, knowing that Joe Biden will represent the radicalized Democrats in November, I conclude that I will do my small part to help Trump get re-elected by writing, giving, and voting.”
Today, as we see just how radicalized the Democrats have become, with “defund the police” becoming the latest mantra, we understand how high the stakes have become.
I personally know Christians who voted for Trump in 2016 but told me they were not going to vote for him again. (They did not plan to vote for Biden either, so they would sit out the presidential elections or cast a third party protest vote.)
They were too repulsed by his character and felt that he often made a mess of things with his words. And, as much as they appreciated the good that he did, they felt that the damage to the nation outweighed his positive contributions. He was too divisive. Too destructive. He degraded us more than he helped us. Because of that, they would not vote for him in 2020.
Now, as our cities are on fire and angry mobs stand ready to cancel our freedoms and demand conformity, these same voters are confronted with a stark reality. In short, it could well be that Donald Trump is the last line of defense against a radical, leftist takeover of our government, the likes of which we have never seen.
This will push many a reluctant voter, like Daniel Pipes, firmly into the Trump column.
It could be as simple as that.
(For the question of how evangelical Christians can vote for Trump without destroying their personal witness, see my 10-point strategy in Evangelicals at the Crossroads.)
Follow Michael Dr. Brown is the author of more than 35 books, including Our Hands Are Stained with Blood: The Tragic Story of the “Church” and the Jewish People, which has been translated into more than twelve languages, the highly acclaimed five-volume series, Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus, a commentary on Jeremiah (part of the revised edition of the Expositor’s Bible Commentary), and several books on revival and the Jesus revolution. His most recent book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test?
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-16--How to heal our nation during this trying time

Formerly Heart to Heart with Mother Miriam , Mother Miriam Live brings you inspiration and solutions for life ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Miriam is a Catholic nun on a mission to bring hope to a world that @ @ @ @ @ let her share that hope and joy with you !
To tune into Mother Miriam @ @ @ @ @ Facebook page here every Monday to Friday at 10am .

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
Watch Mother Miriam's Live show re-aired on 6.16.2020. In today’s episode, Mother reads from an article in Crisis magazine about how we can heal our nation during this divisive time.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-06-16--Italian bishops speak out against proposed anti-‘homophobia’ law

ROME , Italy , June 15 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Italian Bishops ’ Conference ( CEI ) has spoken out against a proposed anti- “ homophobia ” and anti- “ transphobia ” law that they say would threaten free expression .
According to a CEI statement released last Wednesday , “ adequate safeguards with which to prevent and repress any violent or persecutory behavior ” are already in place .
“ Not only are there no regulatory gaps in these areas , but there are also no gaps that justify the urgency of the new provisions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ On the contrary , a possible introduction of further incriminating regulations would risk opening up to liberticidal drifts , so that – rather than sanctioning discrimination – one would end up hitting the expression of a legitimate opinion , ” they wrote , adding that this has already been proven by “ the experience of the systems of other nations in which similar regulations have already been introduced.
” The bishops mentioned , as an example , that “ subjecting to criminal proceedings those who believe that the family , in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a mother – and not the duplication of the same figure – would mean introducing a crime of opinion.
” Such a crime of opinion would limit “ personal freedom , educational choices , the way of thinking and being , the exercise of criticism and dissent.
” Instead of pushing new laws on the people of Italy , the bishops argued for promoting “ educational commitment in the direction of serious prevention , which will help to avoid and counter any offense to the person .
There is no need for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but a willingness to engage in genuine and intellectually honest discussion.
” Although the Italian bishops came out against the new law , a change to the Church ’ s teaching on homosexuality is pushed by a new book published by Luciano Moia , a senior journalist for the Italian Bishops ’ Conference ’ s daily newspaper Avvenire .
In his book , Church and Homosexuality : An investigation in the light of Pope Francis ’ magisterium , Moia focuses on the question of chastity , arguing that the definition of the term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonders whether chastity in the context of homosexuality is to be understood like marital chastity , namely as “ [ r ] espect , fidelity and commitment to mutual help in the relationship , ” or as “ absolute abstinence.
” “ Basing itself on Sacred Scripture , which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity , tradition has always declared that ‘ homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered , ’ ” the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches ( CCC 2357 ) .
“ They are contrary to the natural law .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gift of life .
They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity .
Under no circumstances can they be approved.
” In May , a book commissioned by the Austrian Bishops ’ Conference also argued for the Church to accept homosexuality .
The book claimed that homosexual relationships come from God , revealing God ’ s “ goodness and humanity.
” It called upon the Church to change her teaching against homosexuality and to bless homosexual relationships .
In February , the people of Switzerland voted to make “ homophobia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Switzerland added the aggravating circumstance of a victim ’ s homosexuality to the original 1994 anti-discrimination and “ hate speech ” law in the country ’ s penal code that already criminalized discrimination on the basis of race or religion .
However , it is not yet clear how the new law will be applied in practice .
Sanctions for discrimination and “ hate speech ” under the original law have been usually limited to fines , only rarely moving up to a suspended prison sentence .
The bishops in Switzerland were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The doctrine of the Catholic Church expresses itself with out exception against all calls to hate and discrimination against persons or groups , ” was the comment placed on the Swiss Bishops ’ Conference website .
“ It will be up to citizens to judge whether this principle is already sufficiently enshrined in the existing legislation or whether it should be extended.
” Meanwhile , Polish President Andrzej Duda has pledged to stop the advance of the agenda of homosexuality and gender ideology .
His campaign platform includes a section promising “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public institutions ” and “ the right of parents to decide in what spirit to shape their children.
” Duda also mentioned the fact based in natural law that “ parents above all are responsible for the sexual education of their children.
” He expressed support for “ the parents ’ decisive influence on the form and substance of optional classes in schools , ” as well as homeschooling .
On June 10 , President Duda told supporters that the family is crucial to Poland and that the traditional definition of marriage will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support from the state , ” as it “ protects and builds society.
” “ Our identity has helped us to weather the toughest times in childhood .
The Polish family has preserved our values .
The family is a special value , which demands special protection from the state.
” “ Marriage is a relationship between women and men , and so it will remain , ” Duda said , echoing the definition of marriage as understood by society until very recently .

'Not only are there no regulatory gaps in these areas, but there are also no gaps that justify the urgency of the new provisions,' the Italian bishops stated.
ROME, Italy, June 15, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) has spoken out against a proposed anti-“homophobia” and anti-“transphobia” law that they say would threaten free expression. According to a CEI statement released last Wednesday, “adequate safeguards with which to prevent and repress any violent or persecutory behavior” are already in place.
“Not only are there no regulatory gaps in these areas, but there are also no gaps that justify the urgency of the new provisions,” the Italian bishops pointed out.
“On the contrary, a possible introduction of further incriminating regulations would risk opening up to liberticidal drifts, so that – rather than sanctioning discrimination – one would end up hitting the expression of a legitimate opinion,” they wrote, adding that this has already been proven by “the experience of the systems of other nations in which similar regulations have already been introduced.”
The bishops mentioned, as an example, that “subjecting to criminal proceedings those who believe that the family, in order to be one, requires a father and a mother – and not the duplication of the same figure – would mean introducing a crime of opinion.”
Such a crime of opinion would limit “personal freedom, educational choices, the way of thinking and being, the exercise of criticism and dissent.”
Instead of pushing new laws on the people of Italy, the bishops argued for promoting “educational commitment in the direction of serious prevention, which will help to avoid and counter any offense to the person. There is no need for polemics or reciprocal excommunications on this, but a willingness to engage in genuine and intellectually honest discussion.”
Although the Italian bishops came out against the new law, a change to the Church’s teaching on homosexuality is pushed by a new book published by Luciano Moia, a senior journalist for the Italian Bishops’ Conference’s daily newspaper Avvenire.
In his book, Church and Homosexuality: An investigation in the light of Pope Francis’ magisterium, Moia focuses on the question of chastity, arguing that the definition of the term chastity needs to be revised. He wonders whether chastity in the context of homosexuality is to be understood like marital chastity, namely as “[r]espect, fidelity and commitment to mutual help in the relationship,” or as “absolute abstinence.”
“Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered,’” the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches (CCC 2357). “They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.”
In May, a book commissioned by the Austrian Bishops’ Conference also argued for the Church to accept homosexuality.
The book claimed that homosexual relationships come from God, revealing God’s “goodness and humanity.” It called upon the Church to change her teaching against homosexuality and to bless homosexual relationships.
In February, the people of Switzerland voted to make “homophobia” a crime.
The new legislation in Switzerland added the aggravating circumstance of a victim’s homosexuality to the original 1994 anti-discrimination and “hate speech” law in the country’s penal code that already criminalized discrimination on the basis of race or religion.
However, it is not yet clear how the new law will be applied in practice. Sanctions for discrimination and “hate speech” under the original law have been usually limited to fines, only rarely moving up to a suspended prison sentence.
The bishops in Switzerland were largely silent on the new legislation.
“The doctrine of the Catholic Church expresses itself with out exception against all calls to hate and discrimination against persons or groups,” was the comment placed on the Swiss Bishops’ Conference website. “It will be up to citizens to judge whether this principle is already sufficiently enshrined in the existing legislation or whether it should be extended.”
Meanwhile, Polish President Andrzej Duda has pledged to stop the advance of the agenda of homosexuality and gender ideology. His campaign platform includes a section promising “an end to ideological LGBT propaganda in public institutions” and “the right of parents to decide in what spirit to shape their children.”
Duda also mentioned the fact based in natural law that “parents above all are responsible for the sexual education of their children.” He expressed support for “the parents’ decisive influence on the form and substance of optional classes in schools,” as well as homeschooling.
On June 10, President Duda told supporters that the family is crucial to Poland and that the traditional definition of marriage will prevail.
“The family deserves special support from the state,” as it “protects and builds society.”
“Our identity has helped us to weather the toughest times in childhood. The Polish family has preserved our values. The family is a special value, which demands special protection from the state.”
“Marriage is a relationship between women and men, and so it will remain,” Duda said, echoing the definition of marriage as understood by society until very recently.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-16--UK House of Lords votes to force nearly-unlimited abortion on Northern Ireland

PETITION : Tell Trump Christians can ’ t accept SCOTUS ruling imposing LGBT ideology Sign the petition here .
June 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The United Kingdom ’ s House of Lords voted overwhelmingly Monday to impose abortion-on-demand onto Northern Ireland , despite the will of her people and elected representatives .
Last year , the UK Parliament voted to repeal Sections 58 and 59 of Northern Ireland ’ s 1861 Offences Against the Person Act , which forbid both women and doctors from committing abortions .
Complicating the issue was the fact that Northern Ireland ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than two years .
But the assembly has since reconvened , and on June 2 voted to reject the proposed replacement regulations , which would allow abortion up to 24 weeks and abortions up to birth on the basis of “ disability.
” That didn ’ t matter to the House of Lords , however , which voted 355-77 approve the regulations , Catholic News Agency reported .
The issue must now be voted on by the House of Commons , which is slated for Wednesday .
“ We now have a functioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devolved matter .
The assembly voted to reject these regulations on June 2 , ” argued independent Lords member Nuala O ’ Loan .
“ I ask you to listen to the people of Northern Ireland .
Listen to our assembly .
Do not approve these regulations . ''
Monday ’ s vote “ made a mockery of democracy , ” added independent Lords member David Alton .
“ The political elites wonder why people have become so alienated and disillusioned with them -- this evening ’ s proceedings should give them the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that Northern Ireland saw just 13 abortions from 2016 to 2017 , whereas England and Wales saw an estimated 200,000 .
In just two months after repeal taking effect , March 31 to May 22 , Northern Ireland saw 129 abortions .
“ Seventy-nine percent of the people in Northern Ireland who responded to the public consultation rejected the government ’ s proposals regarding the abortion regime , ” says the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children .

PETITION: Tell Trump Christians can’t accept SCOTUS ruling imposing LGBT ideology Sign the petition here.
June 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The United Kingdom’s House of Lords voted overwhelmingly Monday to impose abortion-on-demand onto Northern Ireland, despite the will of her people and elected representatives.
Last year, the UK Parliament voted to repeal Sections 58 and 59 of Northern Ireland’s 1861 Offences Against the Person Act, which forbid both women and doctors from committing abortions. Complicating the issue was the fact that Northern Ireland’s assembly had been suspended for more than two years.
But the assembly has since reconvened, and on June 2 voted to reject the proposed replacement regulations, which would allow abortion up to 24 weeks and abortions up to birth on the basis of “disability.”
That didn’t matter to the House of Lords, however, which voted 355-77 approve the regulations, Catholic News Agency reported. The issue must now be voted on by the House of Commons, which is slated for Wednesday.
“We now have a functioning Northern Ireland Assembly. Abortion is a devolved matter. The assembly voted to reject these regulations on June 2,” argued independent Lords member Nuala O’Loan. “I ask you to listen to the people of Northern Ireland. Listen to our assembly. Do not approve these regulations.”
Monday’s vote “made a mockery of democracy,” added independent Lords member David Alton. “The political elites wonder why people have become so alienated and disillusioned with them — this evening’s proceedings should give them the answer.”
Faithwire’s Will Maule noted that Northern Ireland saw just 13 abortions from 2016 to 2017, whereas England and Wales saw an estimated 200,000. In just two months after repeal taking effect, March 31 to May 22, Northern Ireland saw 129 abortions.
“Seventy-nine percent of the people in Northern Ireland who responded to the public consultation rejected the government’s proposals regarding the abortion regime,” says the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-16--How Deep State works with Dems and media to purge real conservatives from Trump admin

June 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – There is a troubling pattern that is being repeated over the course of President Trump ’ s administration .
First , anonymous allegations of inappropriate behavior by some pro-life member of President Trump ’ s administration are leaked by a handful of leftist foreign policy publications .
The articles cite a generalized sense that career officials ’ safe space in the executive agencies has been violated .
The allegations are quickly followed by calls for investigations by a handful of the most corrupt leftist congressmen .
The congressmen call the inspector generals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further reports the allegations as fact , making the job of the pro-life Trump appointees impossible , essentially forcing their resignation .
It has happened with the Secretary of Health and Human Services , multiple highly competent officials in the Department of State , and now it is happening at The United States Agency for International Development ( USAID ) .
The formula is always the same .
The victims always fit the same profile , the informants are almost always anonymous and the inquisitors in congress and the press are the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is policy is true , then it is clear that the vicious attacks on President Trump ’ s political appointments are really an attack on the policy preferences of the president and on the democratic system of governance itself .
Last year , I reported on the forced resignation of Mari Stull , a no-nonsense conservative and senior advisor in the State Department .
Ms. Stull had been incredibly effective in promoting the president 's America First international foreign policy .
She had also insisted on stopping the blatant promotion of abortion as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama administration had encouraged throughout the agency .
Ms. Stull was eventually forced to resign through a coordinated campaign that started with unverifiable anonymous leaks carried in the leftist international affairs media .
Those accusations led to a weaponized inspector general report and partisan congressional threats of subpoenas .
All of this with unrelenting negative media coverage of Ms. Stull .
Escalation of the purges by the deep state Only half a year after Ms. Stull was unceremoniously purged , her immediate supervisor , a combat-decorated Vietnam war hero and experienced diplomat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to resign .
Ambassador Moley 's great crime was that he had continued Ms. Stull 's faithful implementation of the president 's agenda , curtailing communist China 's influence over international organizations , executing the withdrawal of the US from the corrupt and inept UN Human Rights Council , and defunding the abortion promoting UNESCO .
For more detailed information on the firing of Ambassador Moley , I highly recommend reading the excellent article written by Susan Yoshihara at C-Fam .
Suffice it to say that the victim of the purge , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of effecting the purge were all essentially the same .
The forced resignation of Mari Stull had provided an effective formula for the Deep State and after Ms. Stull , they went up the food chain to Ambassador Moley .
Emboldened by their success with Ms. Stull and Ambassador Moley , the Deep State decided to use the same formula to go after the biggest of Trump ’ s big dogs , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
With his direct but unassuming manner , Secretary Mike Pompeo has been carving out a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of State of the United States .
Where the previous Secretary of State , Rex Tillerson , had failed miserably to advance the America First policy of sovereignty and democratic accountability , Mr. Pompeo has succeeded .
He has also won the support of pro-lifers around the world for his unapologetic support of the president 's pro-life position , expanding the Mexico City Policy and implementing the Siljander Amendment .
For several months Steve Linick , the Obama-appointed inspector general at the State Department , had been rumored to have been investigating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Linick had been at the center of the purging of Ms. Stull and Ambassador Moley last year , issuing a report siding with the anonymous deep state career officials against both conservative Trump appointees .
According to different media reports , once Linick was finished with Ms. Stull and Ambassador Moley , he began investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for the absurd crime of having staffers walk his dog and pick-up his dry cleaning .
As Mr. Linick conducted his `` investigation '' , the same players in the media and congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But this time they probably aimed too high , and President Trump unilaterally fired Inspector General Linick .
But just like the Russian collusion scandal that was n't but never ends , the political persecution of conservatives by the deep state doesn ’ t stop , it just shifts targets and produces new accusations .
And while they may not be able to take down Secretary Pompeo or President Trump , whose bite sent them yelping back into the dark corridors of the Department of State , Congressman Elliot Engel , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media continue to plot their never-ending conservative purge from executive agencies .
Thus , having failed to use the inspector general to tar Pompeo 's reputation , Democrats are now pulling in Brian Bulatao to testify before Mr. Engel 's committee .
Mr. Bulatao is one of Secretary Pompeo 's closest aides , and a lifelong friend who has been with Pompeo through West Point , Harvard law school , and the CIA .
In my previous article , I bemoaned the fact that no one seemed to come to Ms. Stull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not only would it have been the honorable thing to do , but it also would have sent a strong message to the deep state .
Instead , the leftist cabal of career civil servants and their friends in congress and the media learned that they could coordinate their efforts to make life so miserable for conservatives in executive agencies , that eventually they would be forced to resign .
The deep state went to work purging conservatives at USAID , which of late has been showing signs of pulling back on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ items on the radical left 's agenda .
USAID is a very powerful executive agency , managing 27 billion of tax-payer funds every year .
And even though USAID 's motto is `` from the American people '' , it appears that the hard-earned money that is taken from the American tax-payer and doled out around the world can only be given to causes that submit to radical leftist orthodoxy and even then only by people who subscribe to radical leftist beliefs such as transgenderism and radical feminism .
Following the exact same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ambassador Moley 's anonymous leakers at the State Department , Nahal Toosi of Politico magazine , announced in an article published last week , that it is a `` very anxious time ’ : USAID staff fear motives of top aides . ''
The article cites anonymous leakers who say that `` staffers ’ concerns are driven in large part by the recent hiring and promotion at USAID of a handful of political appointees with deeply conservative views and a history of making anti-LGBTQ , anti-Muslim and even anti-democracy statements . ''
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a letter is circulating internally at USAID that `` asks Barsa , among other things , to issue a public statement “ affirming that Black Lives Matter ; ” devise a strategy for improving minority recruitment ; and meet with the secretaries of State and Defense to discuss ways to end structural racism within the U.S. national security apparatus . ''
The fact that almost all of the 27 billion dollars of taxpayer money goes to aid nations where people of color and many of them Muslim live , apparently , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But in particular , the deep state at USAID is unhappy with several Trump administration appointees who are conservative Christians and are trying to implement President Trump 's agenda within the agency .
President Trump 's political appointees singled out by Politico are Bethany Kozma , Merritt Corrigan , and Mark Lloyd .
Of course , these political appointees are a big part of the reason why USAID has begun to put the brakes on USAID 's blatant promotion of abortion and has begun to involve conservative NGOs in the work of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Obama era abortion promotion is exemplified by a recent letter from the agency to the United Nations warning it not to promote abortion as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic .
For this , the head of USAID received a hectoring letter from none other than Congressman Engel .
Unfortunately , the man who signed the bold letter to the UN that aroused the anger of Democrats on the Hill , the interim head of USAID , a man named John Barsa , has not learned the lesson from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moley , and Secretary Pompeo .
Instead of biting back like Pompeo , it appears that he is seeking to appease the radical leftists in his agency .
Responding to vague claims carried by left-wing media outlets that Ms. Kozma and Ms. Corrigan are anti-trans and homophobic , i.e .
guilty of the crime of being practicing Christians , Mr. Barsa struck a conciliatory tone , assuring Politico and the deep state bullies that `` leadership will take appropriate action to hold accountable any employee , regardless of hiring mechanism , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harassing behavior . ''
The formula to get rid of Trump ’ s conservative appointees Whether it is a lower profile political appointee such as Ms. Stull or the people at USAID , or a higher profile Trump administration official such as Ambassador Moley or Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , the formula is very simple .
A Pro-life , pro-family , loyal Trump political appointee is accused by anonymous career diplomats of vague charges of bullying ( often of homophobia ) and political partisanship within the bureaucracy ; this leads to perfectly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Policy , and the Washington Post ; the media coverage paves the way for simultaneous inquiries from two of the most corrupt congressmen in Washington DC , Democrat Senator Bob Menendez and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel ( D-NY ) .
Based on this manufactured `` public '' outcry , the Inspector General begins an investigation into the alleged crimes of the loyal Trump diplomats , eventually releasing reports that neutralize the power of the political appointees to actually accomplish their job and implement the President 's agenda .
Frustrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that does n't want to step into a landmine at the State Department , the good and faithful diplomats appointed by the President are forced to resign , and the deep state continues to push its own policy agenda , completely independent of the will of the people who elected a president with a completely different policy agenda from their own radical leftist policies .
It remains to be seen what the result of the latest deep state purge is both at USAID and with Secretary Pompeo 's close assistant .
What is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operandi of the deep state , Democrats , and the media to attempt to purge conservative members of President Trump 's administration .

PETITION: Investigate George Soros’ role in funding domestic terrorism! Sign the petition here.
June 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – There is a troubling pattern that is being repeated over the course of President Trump’s administration. First, anonymous allegations of inappropriate behavior by some pro-life member of President Trump’s administration are leaked by a handful of leftist foreign policy publications. The articles cite a generalized sense that career officials’ safe space in the executive agencies has been violated. The allegations are quickly followed by calls for investigations by a handful of the most corrupt leftist congressmen. The congressmen call the inspector generals to target the pro-lifers and the press further reports the allegations as fact, making the job of the pro-life Trump appointees impossible, essentially forcing their resignation.
It has happened with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, multiple highly competent officials in the Department of State, and now it is happening at The United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The formula is always the same. The victims always fit the same profile, the informants are almost always anonymous and the inquisitors in congress and the press are the same.
If the political adage that personnel is policy is true, then it is clear that the vicious attacks on President Trump’s political appointments are really an attack on the policy preferences of the president and on the democratic system of governance itself.
Last year, I reported on the forced resignation of Mari Stull, a no-nonsense conservative and senior advisor in the State Department. Ms. Stull had been incredibly effective in promoting the president's America First international foreign policy. She had also insisted on stopping the blatant promotion of abortion as a foreign policy objective; something the Obama administration had encouraged throughout the agency.
Ms. Stull was eventually forced to resign through a coordinated campaign that started with unverifiable anonymous leaks carried in the leftist international affairs media. Those accusations led to a weaponized inspector general report and partisan congressional threats of subpoenas. All of this with unrelenting negative media coverage of Ms. Stull.
Escalation of the purges by the deep state
Only half a year after Ms. Stull was unceremoniously purged, her immediate supervisor, a combat-decorated Vietnam war hero and experienced diplomat, Ambassador Kevin Moley, was also forced to resign. Ambassador Moley's great crime was that he had continued Ms. Stull's faithful implementation of the president's agenda, curtailing communist China's influence over international organizations, executing the withdrawal of the US from the corrupt and inept UN Human Rights Council, and defunding the abortion promoting UNESCO. For more detailed information on the firing of Ambassador Moley, I highly recommend reading the excellent article written by Susan Yoshihara at C-Fam. Suffice it to say that the victim of the purge, the reason for the purge and the way of effecting the purge were all essentially the same. The forced resignation of Mari Stull had provided an effective formula for the Deep State and after Ms. Stull, they went up the food chain to Ambassador Moley.
The big dogs bite back
Emboldened by their success with Ms. Stull and Ambassador Moley, the Deep State decided to use the same formula to go after the biggest of Trump’s big dogs, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. With his direct but unassuming manner, Secretary Mike Pompeo has been carving out a distinguished conservative record as the 70th Secretary of State of the United States. Where the previous Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, had failed miserably to advance the America First policy of sovereignty and democratic accountability, Mr. Pompeo has succeeded. He has also won the support of pro-lifers around the world for his unapologetic support of the president's pro-life position, expanding the Mexico City Policy and implementing the Siljander Amendment.
For several months Steve Linick, the Obama-appointed inspector general at the State Department, had been rumored to have been investigating the secretary of state himself. Inspector General Linick had been at the center of the purging of Ms. Stull and Ambassador Moley last year, issuing a report siding with the anonymous deep state career officials against both conservative Trump appointees. According to different media reports, once Linick was finished with Ms. Stull and Ambassador Moley, he began investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for the absurd crime of having staffers walk his dog and pick-up his dry cleaning. As Mr. Linick conducted his “investigation”, the same players in the media and congress lined up to accomplish the ultimate purge. But this time they probably aimed too high, and President Trump unilaterally fired Inspector General Linick.
But just like the Russian collusion scandal that wasn't but never ends, the political persecution of conservatives by the deep state doesn’t stop, it just shifts targets and produces new accusations. And while they may not be able to take down Secretary Pompeo or President Trump, whose bite sent them yelping back into the dark corridors of the Department of State, Congressman Elliot Engel, the deep state, and their allies in the media continue to plot their never-ending conservative purge from executive agencies. Thus, having failed to use the inspector general to tar Pompeo's reputation, Democrats are now pulling in Brian Bulatao to testify before Mr. Engel's committee. Mr. Bulatao is one of Secretary Pompeo's closest aides, and a lifelong friend who has been with Pompeo through West Point, Harvard law school, and the CIA.
The deep state starts a purge at USAID
In my previous article, I bemoaned the fact that no one seemed to come to Ms. Stull's aid, at least not publicly. Not only would it have been the honorable thing to do, but it also would have sent a strong message to the deep state. Instead, the leftist cabal of career civil servants and their friends in congress and the media learned that they could coordinate their efforts to make life so miserable for conservatives in executive agencies, that eventually they would be forced to resign. The deep state went to work purging conservatives at USAID, which of late has been showing signs of pulling back on the promotion of abortion and other sacrosanct items on the radical left's agenda.
USAID is a very powerful executive agency, managing 27 billion of tax-payer funds every year. And even though USAID's motto is “from the American people”, it appears that the hard-earned money that is taken from the American tax-payer and doled out around the world can only be given to causes that submit to radical leftist orthodoxy and even then only by people who subscribe to radical leftist beliefs such as transgenderism and radical feminism.
Following the exact same formula, the same journalist that covered Ambassador Moley's anonymous leakers at the State Department, Nahal Toosi of Politico magazine, announced in an article published last week, that it is a “very anxious time’: USAID staff fear motives of top aides.”
The article cites anonymous leakers who say that “staffers’ concerns are driven in large part by the recent hiring and promotion at USAID of a handful of political appointees with deeply conservative views and a history of making anti-LGBTQ, anti-Muslim and even anti-democracy statements.” In addition, Politico reports the astonishing fact that a letter is circulating internally at USAID that “asks Barsa, among other things, to issue a public statement “affirming that Black Lives Matter;” devise a strategy for improving minority recruitment; and meet with the secretaries of State and Defense to discuss ways to end structural racism within the U.S. national security apparatus.” The fact that almost all of the 27 billion dollars of taxpayer money goes to aid nations where people of color and many of them Muslim live, apparently, is not enough for the deep state globalists.
But in particular, the deep state at USAID is unhappy with several Trump administration appointees who are conservative Christians and are trying to implement President Trump's agenda within the agency. President Trump's political appointees singled out by Politico are Bethany Kozma, Merritt Corrigan, and Mark Lloyd. Of course, these political appointees are a big part of the reason why USAID has begun to put the brakes on USAID's blatant promotion of abortion and has begun to involve conservative NGOs in the work of USAID. One example of the reversal of the Obama era abortion promotion is exemplified by a recent letter from the agency to the United Nations warning it not to promote abortion as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic. For this, the head of USAID received a hectoring letter from none other than Congressman Engel.
Unfortunately, the man who signed the bold letter to the UN that aroused the anger of Democrats on the Hill, the interim head of USAID, a man named John Barsa, has not learned the lesson from the experience of Ms. Stull, Ambassador Moley, and Secretary Pompeo. Instead of biting back like Pompeo, it appears that he is seeking to appease the radical leftists in his agency. Responding to vague claims carried by left-wing media outlets that Ms. Kozma and Ms. Corrigan are anti-trans and homophobic, i.e. guilty of the crime of being practicing Christians, Mr. Barsa struck a conciliatory tone, assuring Politico and the deep state bullies that “leadership will take appropriate action to hold accountable any employee, regardless of hiring mechanism, who is found to have engaged in discriminatory or harassing behavior.”
The formula to get rid of Trump’s conservative appointees
Whether it is a lower profile political appointee such as Ms. Stull or the people at USAID, or a higher profile Trump administration official such as Ambassador Moley or Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the formula is very simple. A Pro-life, pro-family, loyal Trump political appointee is accused by anonymous career diplomats of vague charges of bullying (often of homophobia) and political partisanship within the bureaucracy; this leads to perfectly coordinated insider media reports in Politico, Foreign Policy, and the Washington Post; the media coverage paves the way for simultaneous inquiries from two of the most corrupt congressmen in Washington DC, Democrat Senator Bob Menendez and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY). Based on this manufactured “public” outcry, the Inspector General begins an investigation into the alleged crimes of the loyal Trump diplomats, eventually releasing reports that neutralize the power of the political appointees to actually accomplish their job and implement the President's agenda. Frustrated and feeling abandoned by a political class that doesn't want to step into a landmine at the State Department, the good and faithful diplomats appointed by the President are forced to resign, and the deep state continues to push its own policy agenda, completely independent of the will of the people who elected a president with a completely different policy agenda from their own radical leftist policies.
It remains to be seen what the result of the latest deep state purge is both at USAID and with Secretary Pompeo's close assistant. What is no longer in question is the modus operandi of the deep state, Democrats, and the media to attempt to purge conservative members of President Trump's administration.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-16--More Harry Potter stars contradict J.K. Rowling on transgenderism, womanhood

LONDON , England , June 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― Two more former Harry Potter stars whose careers were built on the works of J.K. Rowling have affirmed their support for transgenderism after the author defended the concept of womanhood .
Actor Rupert Grint , 31 , best known for his portrayal of Harry Potter ’ s friend Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter movies , made a statement to Britain ’ s establishment newspaper last week supporting the idea that men can be women , and vice versa .
“ I firmly stand with the trans community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my peers , ” Grint told The Times of London .
“ Trans women are women .
Trans men are men .
We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.
” Grint ’ s remarks have been described as another shot in a “ war ” between the young actors who starred in the film versions of J.K. Rowling ’ s unprecedentedly popular children ’ s novels and the bestselling author herself .
Earlier this month , Rowling , 54 , re-entered the struggle for the science-based definition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an article describing “ people who menstruate.
” In the ensuing controversy , Rowling ’ s assertions about the biological basis of sex were denounced on June 8 by former child star Daniel Radliffe , 30 , who played the lead role in the Harry Potter films .
Actress Emma Watson , 30 , who played Harry ’ s and Ron ’ s friend Hermione in the series , also signalled her support for the “ trans community ” with a series of tweets she posted on June 10 .
“ Trans people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren ’ t who they say they are , ” she wrote .
“ I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you , respect you and love you for who you are , ” she continued and signaled that she gives to transgender charities .
“ I donate to @ Mermaids_Gender and @ mamacash .
If you can , perhaps you ’ ll feel inclined to do the same , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 !
” Mama Cash is a Amsterdam-based feminist charity that funds projects in Eastern Europe and the developing world .
Its mission statement says the organization helps “ to build the partnerships and networks needed to successfully defend and advance women ’ s , girls ’ , trans and intersex people ’ s human rights globally.
” Mermaids is a British charity that fights to lower the age at which children can access so-called “ sex-change ” hormones and surgery .
Last year five former employees of London ’ s Tavistock Centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that charities like Mermaids do damage by “ allegedly promoting transition as a cure-all solution for confused adolescents.
” Also on June 10 , in response to the growing clamor over her support for the biological definition of womanhood , J.K. Rowling , who is pro-abortion and supportive of the homosexual cause , published a heartfelt essay about her study of the issues around sex and her experiences as a woman .
“ I ’ ve met trans people , and read sundry books , blogs and articles by trans people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , safeguarding experts , social workers and doctors , and followed the discourse online and in traditional media , ” she wrote .
“ On one level , my interest in this issue has been professional , because I ’ m writing a crime series , set in the present day , and my fictional female detective is of an age to be interested in , and affected by , these issues herself , but on another , it ’ s intensely personal , as I ’ m about to explain.
” Rowling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and threatened by trans activists for unwittingly signalling “ wrongthink ” in her social media research , and told that she was “ literally killing trans people with [ her ] hate.
” She noted the misogyny of their slurs , particularly “ TERF.
” “ If you didn ’ t already know – and why should you ?
– ‘ TERF ’ is an acronym coined by trans activists , which stands for Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist , ” Rowling explained .
She observed that “ a huge and diverse cross-section of women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mother frightened that her child wanted to “ transition ” to escape “ homophobic bullying ” to an elderly lady who stated she would never visit a particular department store again because its management is allowing any man who says he ’ s a woman into the ladies ’ changing rooms .
“ Ironically , radical feminists aren ’ t even trans-exclusionary – they include trans men in their feminism , because they were born women , ” Rowling said .
‘ We ’ re living through the most misogynistic period I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has written over 30 books , supports over a dozen charities , and has been inducted into the Queen ’ s Order of the Companions of Honour , offered five reasons why she is worried about “ the new trans activism.
” First , Rowling believes it will hurt the underprivileged women and children her charities support in Scotland , as well as muddy medical research .
Second , as a former teacher and the founder of a children ’ s charity , she believes trans activism could have a baneful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Third , “ as a much-banned author ” she is interested in freedom of speech .
( Her books have been removed from the libraries of some parochial schools and were strongly criticized by late Vatican exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth ; Catholic exorcists have expressed concerns about her books negatively predisposing children to the occult . )
Fourth , Rowling is deeply concerned about the “ explosion ” in young women seeking fertility-ending “ transitions.
” “ Most people probably aren ’ t aware – I certainly wasn ’ t , until I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ten years ago , the majority of people wanting to transition to the opposite sex were male , ” she wrote .
“ That ratio has now reversed .
The UK has experienced a 4400 % increase in girls being referred for transitioning treatment .
Autistic girls are hugely overrepresented in their numbers.
” The same goes for the U.S. , she noted , and revealed that she might have been tempted herself to “ transition ” had she been born 30 years later , thanks to the huge “ allure of escaping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he would have preferred for her to have been a son .
But as difficult as things were for her as a girl who didn ’ t identify with pink and frilly things , she says the climate is even worse for girls today .
“ We ’ re living through the most misogynistic period I ’ ve experienced , ” she wrote and said that arguments about “ femaleness not residing in the sexed body ” and “ assertions that biological women don ’ t have common experiences ” are “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s fifth reason for being worried about misogynist trans activism proved to be the stuff of tabloid headlines : her experience as a survivor of a violent and abusive marriage and of sexual assault .
The famous author was known to have struggled in relative poverty as a single mother before the success of her first Harry Potter book , but she had hitherto been reticent about her first marriage .
Her sufferings had made her aware of women ’ s vulnerability and need for safety .
“ When you throw open the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any man who believes or feels he ’ s a woman ... then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside , ” she said .
Subsequently Rowling ’ s ex-husband underscored her point about women ’ s vulnerability to male violence when he told the mainstream media that he had slapped the author and wasn ’ t sorry .
Since the grand finale of the Harry Potter film series in 2011 , the former child stars , now all multi-millionaires , have continued to find work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also been in demand as a model .
When criticized for posing for a photo that exposed most of her breasts to readers of Vanity Fair , Watson responded , “ Feminism is about giving women choice ; feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women with .
It 's about freedom , it 's about liberation , it 's about equality .
I really do n't know what my [ breasts ] have to do with it .
It 's very confusing .
”

The actors who played the three main characters in the Harry Potter series have all come out in support of transgenderism after J.K. Rowling defended biological reality.
LONDON, England, June 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― Two more former Harry Potter stars whose careers were built on the works of J.K. Rowling have affirmed their support for transgenderism after the author defended the concept of womanhood.
Actor Rupert Grint, 31, best known for his portrayal of Harry Potter’s friend Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter movies, made a statement to Britain’s establishment newspaper last week supporting the idea that men can be women, and vice versa.
“I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers,” Grint told The Times of London.
“Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.”
Grint’s remarks have been described as another shot in a “war” between the young actors who starred in the film versions of J.K. Rowling’s unprecedentedly popular children’s novels and the bestselling author herself.
Earlier this month, Rowling, 54, re-entered the struggle for the science-based definition of womanhood by criticizing the headline of an article describing “people who menstruate.” In the ensuing controversy, Rowling’s assertions about the biological basis of sex were denounced on June 8 by former child star Daniel Radliffe, 30, who played the lead role in the Harry Potter films.
Actress Emma Watson, 30, who played Harry’s and Ron’s friend Hermione in the series, also signalled her support for the “trans community” with a series of tweets she posted on June 10.
“Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are,” she wrote.
“I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are,” she continued and signaled that she gives to transgender charities.
“I donate to @Mermaids_Gender and @mamacash. If you can, perhaps you’ll feel inclined to do the same,” she wrote. “Happy Pride 2020!”
Mama Cash is a Amsterdam-based feminist charity that funds projects in Eastern Europe and the developing world. Its mission statement says the organization helps “to build the partnerships and networks needed to successfully defend and advance women’s, girls’, trans and intersex people’s human rights globally.”
Mermaids is a British charity that fights to lower the age at which children can access so-called “sex-change” hormones and surgery. Last year five former employees of London’s Tavistock Centre for children distressed by their biological sex warned that charities like Mermaids do damage by “allegedly promoting transition as a cure-all solution for confused adolescents.”
Also on June 10, in response to the growing clamor over her support for the biological definition of womanhood, J.K. Rowling, who is pro-abortion and supportive of the homosexual cause, published a heartfelt essay about her study of the issues around sex and her experiences as a woman.
“I’ve met trans people, and read sundry books, blogs and articles by trans people, gender specialists, intersex people, psychologists, safeguarding experts, social workers and doctors, and followed the discourse online and in traditional media,” she wrote.
“On one level, my interest in this issue has been professional, because I’m writing a crime series, set in the present day, and my fictional female detective is of an age to be interested in, and affected by, these issues herself, but on another, it’s intensely personal, as I’m about to explain.”
Rowling revealed that she has been regularly insulted and threatened by trans activists for unwittingly signalling “wrongthink” in her social media research, and told that she was “literally killing trans people with [her] hate.” She noted the misogyny of their slurs, particularly “TERF.”
“If you didn’t already know – and why should you? – ‘TERF’ is an acronym coined by trans activists, which stands for Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist,” Rowling explained.
She observed that “a huge and diverse cross-section of women” are called TERFS, ranging from a mother frightened that her child wanted to “transition” to escape “homophobic bullying” to an elderly lady who stated she would never visit a particular department store again because its management is allowing any man who says he’s a woman into the ladies’ changing rooms.
“Ironically, radical feminists aren’t even trans-exclusionary – they include trans men in their feminism, because they were born women,” Rowling said.
‘We’re living through the most misogynistic period I’ve experienced’
The liberal author, who has written over 30 books, supports over a dozen charities, and has been inducted into the Queen’s Order of the Companions of Honour, offered five reasons why she is worried about “the new trans activism.”
First, Rowling believes it will hurt the underprivileged women and children her charities support in Scotland, as well as muddy medical research. Second, as a former teacher and the founder of a children’s charity, she believes trans activism could have a baneful influence on both education and safeguarding. Third, “as a much-banned author” she is interested in freedom of speech. (Her books have been removed from the libraries of some parochial schools and were strongly criticized by late Vatican exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth; Catholic exorcists have expressed concerns about her books negatively predisposing children to the occult.)
Fourth, Rowling is deeply concerned about the “explosion” in young women seeking fertility-ending “transitions.”
“Most people probably aren’t aware – I certainly wasn’t, until I started researching this issue properly – that ten years ago, the majority of people wanting to transition to the opposite sex were male,” she wrote.
“That ratio has now reversed. The UK has experienced a 4400% increase in girls being referred for transitioning treatment. Autistic girls are hugely overrepresented in their numbers.”
The same goes for the U.S., she noted, and revealed that she might have been tempted herself to “transition” had she been born 30 years later, thanks to the huge “allure of escaping womanhood.” Her father had said openly that he would have preferred for her to have been a son. But as difficult as things were for her as a girl who didn’t identify with pink and frilly things, she says the climate is even worse for girls today.
“We’re living through the most misogynistic period I’ve experienced,” she wrote and said that arguments about “femaleness not residing in the sexed body” and “assertions that biological women don’t have common experiences” are “deeply misogynistic and regressive.”
Rowling’s fifth reason for being worried about misogynist trans activism proved to be the stuff of tabloid headlines: her experience as a survivor of a violent and abusive marriage and of sexual assault. The famous author was known to have struggled in relative poverty as a single mother before the success of her first Harry Potter book, but she had hitherto been reticent about her first marriage. Her sufferings had made her aware of women’s vulnerability and need for safety.
“When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he’s a woman … then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside,” she said.
“That is the simple truth.”
Subsequently Rowling’s ex-husband underscored her point about women’s vulnerability to male violence when he told the mainstream media that he had slapped the author and wasn’t sorry.
Since the grand finale of the Harry Potter film series in 2011, the former child stars, now all multi-millionaires, have continued to find work in cinema and television. Emma Watson has also been in demand as a model.
When criticized for posing for a photo that exposed most of her breasts to readers of Vanity Fair, Watson responded, “Feminism is about giving women choice; feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women with. It's about freedom, it's about liberation, it's about equality. I really don't know what my [breasts] have to do with it. It's very confusing.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-16--Argentine Bishop returns to Vatican job before end of sex misconduct probe

PETITION : Support Cardinal Zen 's plea to stop the `` murder of the Church in China '' !
Sign the petition here .
VATICAN CITY , June 19 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― An Argentine bishop under investigation for the alleged sexual abuse of seminarians has returned to his job at the Vatican .
Bishop Gustavo Oscar Zanchetta , 56 , has once again taken up his position with the Vatican ’ s ASPA , the Office of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See .
According to Matteo Bruno of the Vatican Press Office , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the ongoing probe into his allegedly criminal behavior .
Bruni told Catholic News Agency ( CNA ) that the bishop was working while “ remaining available to the Argentinian judicial authorities.
” Zachetta was suspended from his job as “ assessor , ” the third highest rank in Patrimony office , in January 2019 after the Vatican revealed that sexual abuse accusations had been laid against him .
The ASPA position had been created for Zanchetta personally by Pope Francis in 2017 after Zanchetta resigned from his ministry as Bishop of Oran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by rumours of his sexual misconduct , including sexual assaults upon two seminarians in Argentina .
In June 2019 , Zanchetta was charged by authorities in Oran with “ aggravated continued sexual abuse committed by a minister of a religious organization.
” He was forbidden to have contact with the two seminarians in the case or their family members .
The bishop has also been charged with fraud and mismanagement of funds .
According to the New York Times , the Vatican ’ s conclusions about the case have been hampered by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s lawyer , Belda , told the Associated Press ( AP ) that the investigation actually wound down in December and that he and his client are “ confident about the outcome of the procedures ” in both the civil and ecclesial courts .
“ We are fully convinced that this long judicial process will serve to rehabilitate the name of Monsignor Zanchetta and reinforce justice , because while it ’ s right to protect victims it ’ s also right to absolve those who have been falsely accused , ” Belda said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ first episcopal appointees , having been named to his See by his countryman on July 23 , 2013 .
He was consecrated a bishop that August .
In 2015 , Zanchetta was accused of engaging in “ strange behavior ” when a diocesan official discovered pornographic images on the archbishop ’ s cellphone .
Pornographic images of men , allegedly sent to unknown parties , were found there , as were nude selfies of Zanchetta .
Former vicar general Father Juan José Manzano told AP in January 2019 that he reported Zanchetta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
In 2016 a complaint was raised against Zanchetta , accusing the bishop of “ problematic behavior ” with seminarians .
He is alleged to have entered their bedrooms at night and requested massages .
He is also alleged to have offered alcohol to the seminarians .
In July 2016 Zanchetta temporarily fled his diocese , explaining in a letter that he left for health reasons .
In July 2017 the bishop tendered his resignation to Pope Francis in Rome , but instead of celebrating the customary farewell Mass in Oran , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town several hundred miles away .
There he remained the guest of its bishop until the pontiff accepted his resignation three days later .
Zanchetta then spent some time in Spain before taking up his new role with the ASPA .
Internal church documents suggest that Pope Francis knew of accusations against Zanchetta before transferring him to Rome .
However , the Vatican has denied this .
In January 2019 , when the Vatican first announced that Zanchetta was under investigation for sexual abuse , the interim director of the Vatican Press Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s reasons for resigning as Bishop of Oran were linked to his failures as an administrator .
“ The reason for his resignation is linked to his difficulty in managing relations with the diocesan clergy and very tense relations with the priests of the diocese , ” Gissoti said .
“ At the time of his resignation there had been accusations of authoritarianism against him , but there had been no accusation of sexual abuse .
The problem that emerged then was linked to his inability to govern the clergy.
” British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Pope ’ s patronage of Zanchetta was a “ timebomb ” that threatened his moral authority .
“ When he became Pope he lost no time in making his friend Gustavo Zanchetta a bishop in Argentina , ” Thompson wrote for the Spectator .
“ Bad move .
Within a short time Zanchetta was facing allegations of sexual and financial impropriety .
The Pope was informed of these allegations ( and if you Google them you ’ ll discover that they were pretty lurid ) , ” he continued .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his diocese and created a plum job for him in Rome … managing finances .
Another bad move , now that Zanchetta ... is facing charges of molesting seminarians and other allegations of misusing money .
”

Bishop Gustavo Oscar Zanchetta, 56, has once again taken up his position with the Vatican’s ASPA, the Office of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See.
PETITION: Support Cardinal Zen's plea to stop the “murder of the Church in China”! Sign the petition here.
VATICAN CITY, June 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― An Argentine bishop under investigation for the alleged sexual abuse of seminarians has returned to his job at the Vatican.
Bishop Gustavo Oscar Zanchetta, 56, has once again taken up his position with the Vatican’s ASPA, the Office of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See. According to Matteo Bruno of the Vatican Press Office, Zanchetta’s return will not interfere with the ongoing probe into his allegedly criminal behavior. Bruni told Catholic News Agency (CNA) that the bishop was working while “remaining available to the Argentinian judicial authorities.”
Zachetta was suspended from his job as “assessor,” the third highest rank in Patrimony office, in January 2019 after the Vatican revealed that sexual abuse accusations had been laid against him. The ASPA position had been created for Zanchetta personally by Pope Francis in 2017 after Zanchetta resigned from his ministry as Bishop of Oran in Northern Argentina.
Zanchetta was dogged by rumours of his sexual misconduct, including sexual assaults upon two seminarians in Argentina. In June 2019, Zanchetta was charged by authorities in Oran with “aggravated continued sexual abuse committed by a minister of a religious organization.” He was forbidden to have contact with the two seminarians in the case or their family members. The bishop has also been charged with fraud and mismanagement of funds.
Bishop Zanchetta has denied the allegations.
According to the New York Times, the Vatican’s conclusions about the case have been hampered by the coronavirus outbreak this year. Zanchetta’s lawyer, Belda, told the Associated Press (AP) that the investigation actually wound down in December and that he and his client are “confident about the outcome of the procedures” in both the civil and ecclesial courts.
“We are fully convinced that this long judicial process will serve to rehabilitate the name of Monsignor Zanchetta and reinforce justice, because while it’s right to protect victims it’s also right to absolve those who have been falsely accused,” Belda said.
Zanchetta was one of Pope Francis’ first episcopal appointees, having been named to his See by his countryman on July 23, 2013. He was consecrated a bishop that August.
In 2015, Zanchetta was accused of engaging in “strange behavior” when a diocesan official discovered pornographic images on the archbishop’s cellphone. Pornographic images of men, allegedly sent to unknown parties, were found there, as were nude selfies of Zanchetta. Former vicar general Father Juan José Manzano told AP in January 2019 that he reported Zanchetta to authorities in 2015 and again in 2017.
In 2016 a complaint was raised against Zanchetta, accusing the bishop of “problematic behavior” with seminarians. He is alleged to have entered their bedrooms at night and requested massages. He is also alleged to have offered alcohol to the seminarians. In July 2016 Zanchetta temporarily fled his diocese, explaining in a letter that he left for health reasons.
In July 2017 the bishop tendered his resignation to Pope Francis in Rome, but instead of celebrating the customary farewell Mass in Oran, he took refuge in Corrientes, a town several hundred miles away. There he remained the guest of its bishop until the pontiff accepted his resignation three days later. Zanchetta then spent some time in Spain before taking up his new role with the ASPA.
Internal church documents suggest that Pope Francis knew of accusations against Zanchetta before transferring him to Rome. However, the Vatican has denied this. In January 2019, when the Vatican first announced that Zanchetta was under investigation for sexual abuse, the interim director of the Vatican Press Office, Alessandro Gissoti, said that Zachetta’s reasons for resigning as Bishop of Oran were linked to his failures as an administrator.
“The reason for his resignation is linked to his difficulty in managing relations with the diocesan clergy and very tense relations with the priests of the diocese,” Gissoti said.
“At the time of his resignation there had been accusations of authoritarianism against him, but there had been no accusation of sexual abuse. The problem that emerged then was linked to his inability to govern the clergy.”
British Catholic journalist Damian Thompson wrote last August that the Pope’s patronage of Zanchetta was a “timebomb” that threatened his moral authority.
“When he became Pope he lost no time in making his friend Gustavo Zanchetta a bishop in Argentina,” Thompson wrote for the Spectator.
“Bad move. Within a short time Zanchetta was facing allegations of sexual and financial impropriety. The Pope was informed of these allegations (and if you Google them you’ll discover that they were pretty lurid),” he continued.
“His response? He plucked Zanchetta out of his diocese and created a plum job for him in Rome … managing finances. Another bad move, now that Zanchetta … is facing charges of molesting seminarians and other allegations of misusing money.”
Share