lifesitenews--2020-06-11--JK Rowling: I ‘refuse to bow down’ to ‘new trans activism’

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June 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – J.K. Rowling , author of the best selling “ Harry Potter ” book series , has published a lengthy essay on her website today why she opposes the transgender agenda and refuses to “ bow down ” to it despite massive public pressure to capitulate .
“ Well , I ’ ve got five reasons for being worried about the new trans activism , and deciding I need to speak up , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ concerned about the huge explosion in young women wishing to transition and also about the increasing numbers who seem to be de-transitioning ( returning to their original sex ) , because they regret taking steps that have , in some cases , altered their bodies irrevocably , and taken away their fertility .
Some say they decided to transition after realising they were same-sex attracted , and that transitioning was partly driven by homophobia , either in society or in their families.
” She also argued that allowing men who identify as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bathrooms , shower rooms , and changing rooms , makes all women less safe .
“ When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he ’ s a woman – and , as I ’ ve said , gender confirmation certificates may now be granted without any need for surgery or hormones – then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside .
That is the simple truth.
” “ So I want trans women to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do not want to make natal girls and women less safe , ” Rowling wrote in her essay .
Rowling also argued that trans activism has resulted in the “ erosion of women ’ s and girls ’ rights ” and the erosion of what it means to be female .
“ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the objectives of denying the importance of sex is to erode what some seem to see as the cruelly segregationist idea of women having their own biological realities or – just as threatening – unifying realities that make them a cohesive political class .
The hundreds of emails I ’ ve received in the last few days prove this erosion concerns many others just as much .
It isn ’ t enough for women to be trans allies .
Women must accept and admit that there is no material difference between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
“ 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 .
Moreover , the ‘ inclusive ’ language that calls female people ‘ menstruators ’ and ‘ people with vulvas ’ strikes many women as dehumanising and demeaning .
I understand why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate and kind , but for those of us who ’ ve had degrading slurs spat at us by violent men , it ’ s not neutral , it ’ s hostile and alienating , ” she added .
“ But endlessly unpleasant as its constant targeting of me has been , I refuse to bow down to a ( trans ) movement that I believe is doing demonstrable harm in seeking to erode ‘ woman ’ as a political and biological class and offering cover to predators like few before it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ men , gay , straight and trans , who ’ re standing up for freedom of speech and thought , and for the rights and safety of some of the most vulnerable in our society : young gay kids , fragile teenagers , and women who ’ re reliant on and wish to retain their single sex spaces .
Polls show those women are in the vast majority , and exclude only those privileged or lucky enough never to have come up against male violence or sexual assault , and who ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevalent it is.
” Rowling ’ s essay defended a series of June 6 social media messages she posted in which she spoke out on the issue of “ transgenderism , ” after receiving backlash for posting a Twitter message that said , “ if sex isn ’ t real , there ’ s no same-sex attraction.
” In a June 6 Twitter message , Rowling commented on a report from Devex with the title , “ Opinion : Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.
” Rowling responded on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ ‘ People who menstruate.
’ I ’ m sure there used to be a word for those people .
Someone help me out .
Wumben ?
Wimpund ?
Woomud ?
” Rowling then followed with another message saying that “ it isn ’ t hate to speak the truth.
” “ If sex isn ’ t real , there ’ s no same-sex attraction .
If sex isn ’ t real , the lived reality of women globally is erased .
I know and love trans people , but erasing the concept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meaningfully discuss their lives .
It isn ’ t hate to speak the truth , ” Rowling tweeted .
After her tweets , Rowling was met with a backlash from many , including from the LGBTQ rights organization GLAAD .
“ JK Rowling continues to align herself with an ideology which willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans .
In 2020 , there is no excuse for targeting trans people , ” GLAAD said in a June 6 tweet .
Rowling replied that her comments were not meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every trans person ’ s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them .
I ’ d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans .
At the same time , my life has been shaped by being female .
I do not believe it ’ s hateful to say so , ” Rowling tweeted .
Also criticizing Rowling was Daniel Radcliffe , who starred as the lead actor at a young age in movies based on Rowling ’ s Harry Potter series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an LGBTQ group on Monday that “ Transgender women are women.
” In her essay , Rowling wrote that the hatred toward her from some in the “ trans ” community began shortly after she voiced support for Maya Forstater in December .
Forstater is a tax specialist who lost her job over tweets where she said “ men can not change into women.
” A judge ruled that Forstater ’ s belief that sex is determined by biology was not protected by law .
In her essay , Rowling wrote that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are looking to “ transition ” as well as those who are wanting to “ de-transition ( returning to their original sex ) , because they regret taking steps that have , in some cases , altered their bodies irrevocably , and taken away their fertility.
” “ Some say they decided to transition after realising they were same-sex attracted , and that transitioning was partly driven by homophobia , either in society or in their families.
” “ Most people probably aren ’ t aware – I certainly wasn ’ t , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – that 10 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 4,400 percent increase in girls being referred for transitioning treatment .
Autistic girls are hugely overrepresented in their numbers.
” Rowling ’ s essay touched on her own experience of living through a “ violent ” first marriage as well as being a “ sexual assault survivor.
” “ I ’ m mentioning these things now not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but out of solidarity with the huge numbers of women who have histories like mine , who ’ ve been slurred as bigots for having concerns around single-sex spaces , ” Rowling wrote .
Rowling also wrote that if she were a young woman today she might have been tempted to change her gender .
“ The more of their accounts of gender dysphoria I ’ ve read , with their insightful descriptions of anxiety , dissociation , eating disorders , self-harm and self-hatred , the more I ’ ve wondered whether , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years later , I too might have tried to transition , ” Rowling wondered .
“ The allure of escaping womanhood would have been huge .
I struggled with severe OCD as a teenager .
If I ’ d found community and sympathy online that I couldn ’ t find in my immediate environment , I believe I could have been persuaded to turn myself into the son my father had openly said he ’ d have preferred.
” Rowling also wrote that she did receive plenty of support after speaking about “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t expect in the aftermath of my cancellation was the avalanche of emails and letters that came showering down upon me , the overwhelming majority of which were positive , grateful and supportive , ” Rowling wrote .
“ They came from a cross-section of kind , empathetic and intelligent people , some of them working in fields dealing with gender dysphoria and trans people , who ’ re all deeply concerned about the way a socio-political concept is influencing politics , medical practice and safeguarding .
They ’ re worried about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and about the erosion of women ’ s and girls ’ rights .
Above all , they ’ re worried about a climate of fear that serves nobody – least of all trans youth – well.
” Rowling concluded her essay by saying , “ All I ’ m asking – all I want – is for similar empathy , similar understanding , to be extended to the many millions of women whose sole crime is wanting their concerns to be heard without receiving threats and abuse .
”

The Harry Potter author believes the 'trans' movement is doing harm by seeking to erode 'woman' as a political and biological class and offering cover to predators like few before it.'
DROP Disney+: New teen film 'Out' features openly homosexual main character! Sign the petition here.
June 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – J.K. Rowling, author of the best selling “Harry Potter” book series, has published a lengthy essay on her website today why she opposes the transgender agenda and refuses to “bow down” to it despite massive public pressure to capitulate.
“Well, I’ve got five reasons for being worried about the new trans activism, and deciding I need to speak up,” she wrote.
Rowling said she was “concerned about the huge explosion in young women wishing to transition and also about the increasing numbers who seem to be de-transitioning (returning to their original sex), because they regret taking steps that have, in some cases, altered their bodies irrevocably, and taken away their fertility. Some say they decided to transition after realising they were same-sex attracted, and that transitioning was partly driven by homophobia, either in society or in their families.”
She also argued that allowing men who identify as women into female-only spaces, such as bathrooms, shower rooms, and changing rooms, makes all women less safe.
“When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he’s a woman – and, as I’ve said, gender confirmation certificates may now be granted without any need for surgery or hormones – then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside. That is the simple truth.”
“So I want trans women to be safe. At the same time, I do not want to make natal girls and women less safe,” Rowling wrote in her essay.
Rowling also argued that trans activism has resulted in the “erosion of women’s and girls’ rights” and the erosion of what it means to be female.
“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. It’s also clear that one of the objectives of denying the importance of sex is to erode what some seem to see as the cruelly segregationist idea of women having their own biological realities or – just as threatening – unifying realities that make them a cohesive political class. The hundreds of emails I’ve received in the last few days prove this erosion concerns many others just as much. 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 wrote.
“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. Moreover, the ‘inclusive’ language that calls female people ‘menstruators’ and ‘people with vulvas’ strikes many women as dehumanising and demeaning. I understand why trans activists consider this language to be appropriate and kind, but for those of us who’ve had degrading slurs spat at us by violent men, it’s not neutral, it’s hostile and alienating,” she added.
“But endlessly unpleasant as its constant targeting of me has been, I refuse to bow down to a (trans) movement that I believe is doing demonstrable harm in seeking to erode ‘woman’ as a political and biological class and offering cover to predators like few before it. I stand alongside the brave women and men, gay, straight and trans, who’re standing up for freedom of speech and thought, and for the rights and safety of some of the most vulnerable in our society: young gay kids, fragile teenagers, and women who’re reliant on and wish to retain their single sex spaces. Polls show those women are in the vast majority, and exclude only those privileged or lucky enough never to have come up against male violence or sexual assault, and who’ve never troubled to educate themselves on how prevalent it is.”
Rowling’s essay defended a series of June 6 social media messages she posted in which she spoke out on the issue of “transgenderism,” after receiving backlash for posting a Twitter message that said, “if sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction.”
In a June 6 Twitter message, Rowling commented on a report from Devex with the title, “Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.”
Rowling responded on Twitter to this report by saying, “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
Rowling then followed with another message saying that “it isn’t hate to speak the truth.”
“If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. 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,” Rowling tweeted.
After her tweets, Rowling was met with a backlash from many, including from the LGBTQ rights organization GLAAD.
“JK Rowling continues to align herself with an ideology which willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans. In 2020, there is no excuse for targeting trans people,” GLAAD said in a June 6 tweet.
Rowling replied that her comments were not meant to be hateful.
“I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so,” Rowling tweeted.
Also criticizing Rowling was Daniel Radcliffe, who starred as the lead actor at a young age in movies based on Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
Radcliffe said in a blog post for an LGBTQ group on Monday that “Transgender women are women.”
In her essay, Rowling wrote that the hatred toward her from some in the “trans” community began shortly after she voiced support for Maya Forstater in December.
Forstater is a tax specialist who lost her job over tweets where she said “men cannot change into women.” A judge ruled that Forstater’s belief that sex is determined by biology was not protected by law.
In her essay, Rowling wrote that she has concerns about young women who are looking to “transition” as well as those who are wanting to “de-transition (returning to their original sex), because they regret taking steps that have, in some cases, altered their bodies irrevocably, and taken away their fertility.”
“Some say they decided to transition after realising they were same-sex attracted, and that transitioning was partly driven by homophobia, either in society or in their families.”
Rowling found that “transgenderism” has undergone a recent shift.
“Most people probably aren’t aware – I certainly wasn’t, until I started researching this issue properly – that 10 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 4,400 percent increase in girls being referred for transitioning treatment. Autistic girls are hugely overrepresented in their numbers.”
Rowling’s essay touched on her own experience of living through a “violent” first marriage as well as being a “sexual assault survivor.”
“I’m mentioning these things now not in an attempt to garner sympathy, but out of solidarity with the huge numbers of women who have histories like mine, who’ve been slurred as bigots for having concerns around single-sex spaces,” Rowling wrote.
Rowling also wrote that if she were a young woman today she might have been tempted to change her gender.
“The more of their accounts of gender dysphoria I’ve read, with their insightful descriptions of anxiety, dissociation, eating disorders, self-harm and self-hatred, the more I’ve wondered whether, if I’d been born 30 years later, I too might have tried to transition,” Rowling wondered.
“The allure of escaping womanhood would have been huge. I struggled with severe OCD as a teenager. If I’d found community and sympathy online that I couldn’t find in my immediate environment, I believe I could have been persuaded to turn myself into the son my father had openly said he’d have preferred.”
Rowling also wrote that she did receive plenty of support after speaking about “transgenderism.”
“What I didn’t expect in the aftermath of my cancellation was the avalanche of emails and letters that came showering down upon me, the overwhelming majority of which were positive, grateful and supportive,” Rowling wrote.
“They came from a cross-section of kind, empathetic and intelligent people, some of them working in fields dealing with gender dysphoria and trans people, who’re all deeply concerned about the way a socio-political concept is influencing politics, medical practice and safeguarding. They’re worried about the dangers to young people, gay people and about the erosion of women’s and girls’ rights. Above all, they’re worried about a climate of fear that serves nobody – least of all trans youth – well.”
Rowling concluded her essay by saying, “All I’m asking – all I want – is for similar empathy, similar understanding, to be extended to the many millions of women whose sole crime is wanting their concerns to be heard without receiving threats and abuse.”
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lifesitenews--2020-06-12--Peter MacKay backs Trudeau govt: It’s ‘child abuse’ for parents seeking to help gender-confused chil

Peter MacKay backs Trudeau govt: It’s ‘child abuse’ for parents seeking to help gender-confused children

ONTARIO , June 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Conservative Party of Canada ( CPC ) leadership candidate Peter MacKay has called it “ child abuse ” for parents to seek help for their children who suffer from gender dysphoria .
MacKay , considered by many to be the frontrunner in the leadership race to replace party leader Andrew Scheer , made the comment in a June 3 tweet directed toward pro-life and pro-family leadership candidate Derek Sloan .
Last week , Sloan accused Trudeau of “ child abuse ” for pushing to ban help for gender-confused kids with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Liberals have said ‘ no , you can ’ t get counseling and if a parent ” but “ you 're allowed to put your kid on these you know , invasive medical regimes.
” “ That is child abuse .
And I accuse Justin Trudeau and his government right now , of child abuse , that 's what they 're putting into law and we need to wake up , ” said Sloan .
Tabled by Justice Minister David Lametti on March 9 , Bill C-8 will make it an offense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) cause a minor to undergo conversion therapy , 2 ) remove a minor from Canada to undergo conversion therapy , 3 ) cause a person to undergo conversion therapy against his/her will , 4 ) profit from conversion therapy , and 5 ) advertise conversion therapy .
Bill C-8 defines “ conversion therapy ” as : “ a practice , treatment or service designed to change a person ’ s sexual orientation to heterosexual or gender identity to cisgender , or to repress or reduce non-heterosexual attraction or sexual behaviour.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this definition does not include a practice , treatment or service that relates ( a ) to a person ’ s gender transition ; or ( b ) to a person ’ s exploration of their identity or to its development.
” Bill C8 could punish someone for up to five years for causing a minor to undergo “ conversion therapy , ” either in or outside Canada or forcing an adult to do so .
Benefiting financially on advertising from “ conversion therapy ” is punishable by up to two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pro-family movement are warning that the bill will prohibit Christians from counseling anyone who wants to overcome same-sex attraction or who struggles with their gender dysphoria .
They warn that the bill will prohibit parents from helping a gender-confused child conform to his/her biological gender .
“ Bill C-8 represents an unprecedented assault by the Trudeau Liberals on our civil rights , personal freedoms , and religious liberties in this country , ” stated David Cooke , Campaigns Manager for Campaign Life Coalition , in a blog .
Let me give you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen if Bill C-8 passes into law : If you ’ re a doctor or counsellor , you will no longer be permitted to publicly offer help and healing to struggling homosexuals and transgenders .
If you do , it will be considered “ advertising conversion therapy ” , and you will face up to two years in jail .
[ Section 320.104 ] .
If you privately offer help , but accept a fee for your help , you will face up to two years in jail for receiving a “ material @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Section 320.105 ] .
If you ’ re a parent with a gender-confused child , you will not be permitted to help that child conform to his/her biological gender .
If you seek outside help , or if you counsel that child yourself to find peace with his/her bodily reality , you will be guilty of “ causing [ a ] child to undergo conversion therapy ” , and you will go to jail for up to five years .
You can do nothing but offer affirmation , artificial hormones , and/or mutilating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Section 320.103 ( 1 ) ] .
If you ’ re a pastor or church leader who publicly proclaims the power of Christ to transform homosexuals and transgenders , you may be arrested for “ advertising conversion therapy ” .
[ Section 320.104 ] .
If an ex-gay or ex-trans is converted at your church and drops some money in the offering plate , you could be arrested for receiving an indirect “ material benefit for conversion therapy ” .
[ Section 320.105 ] .
Of course , it ’ s ridiculous .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it ’ s happening .
MacKay , a former MP and Cabinet Minister , slammed Sloan ’ s position in his June 3 tweet .
“ Forcing a child into ‘ conversion therapy ’ is child abuse and it absolutely must be banned .
Derek ’ s remarks are reprehensible , ” said MacKay in a June 3 Twitter message .
In an email message sent to his followers last Friday , Sloan fired back at MacKay , saying he was looking for another “ socially conservative ‘ albatross ’ to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the word that Peter MacKay used this week to describe my opposition to Bill C-8 , Trudeau ’ s attempt to criminalize so-called ‘ conversion therapy .
This is the very same word that Trudeau ’ s Communications Director used , ” said Sloan .
“ Once again , Peter MacKay is attacking the natural conservative position and is instead supporting the Liberal Party ’ s worldview.
” Sloan told LifeSiteNews last week that he feels sex-change operations on minors are “ abusive.
” '' I believe that sex-change operations on minors are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to drink , smoke , gamble , or vote , and they are not old enough to make life-altering decisions about surgeries that will permanently change their growth and development , ” Sloan told LifeSiteNews .
In his email last Friday , Sloan said that according to Bill C8 , “ if your 10-year-old girl tells you that she is really a boy , you , as a parent must accept this ; that this must be the ways things are ; the way things have always been ; and the way things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to this “ ideology ” it is “ wrong to make any effort to have your daughter ‘ change ’ back into being , um , a girl , ” saying that “ not only is it wrong , but , in Justin Trudeau ’ s Canada , such efforts will be illegal .
Now , it seems that Peter MacKay is backing Trudeau on this.
” Sloan then went after MacKay saying that what he finds “ reprehensible ” is that MacKay is “ letting his social liberal extremism drive him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catastrophic radical gender ideology.
” “ Trudeau is attacking children and parental rights , and he is doing so , it seems , with Peter MacKay ’ s full backing.
” In early May , Sloan announced in an email that if elected as Prime Minister , he will “ propose legislation that will outlaw transgender surgery for children across Canada.
” In his message last Friday , he reiterated this promise .
“ When I become Prime Minister , I will get rid of Bill C-8 .
Further , I will introduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 , as lawmakers in the U.K. have recently proposed , ” said Sloan .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently said that his government would ban sex-change operations for minors .
This is not the first time Sloan has come out against the proposed legislation in Bill C8 .
In March , he criticized it in an email saying , “ this is madness .
”

'Forcing a child into ‘conversion therapy’ is child abuse and it absolutely must be banned,' said the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) leadership candidate
DROP Disney+: New teen film 'Out' features openly homosexual main character! Sign the petition here.
ONTARIO, June 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) leadership candidate Peter MacKay has called it “child abuse” for parents to seek help for their children who suffer from gender dysphoria.
MacKay, considered by many to be the frontrunner in the leadership race to replace party leader Andrew Scheer, made the comment in a June 3 tweet directed toward pro-life and pro-family leadership candidate Derek Sloan.
Last week, Sloan accused Trudeau of “child abuse” for pushing to ban help for gender-confused kids with Bill C8.
Sloan said that the “Liberals have said ‘no, you can’t get counseling and if a parent” but “you're allowed to put your kid on these you know, invasive medical regimes.”
“That is child abuse. And I accuse Justin Trudeau and his government right now, of child abuse, that's what they're putting into law and we need to wake up,” said Sloan.
Tabled by Justice Minister David Lametti on March 9, Bill C-8 will make it an offense under the Criminal Code to: 1) cause a minor to undergo conversion therapy, 2) remove a minor from Canada to undergo conversion therapy, 3) cause a person to undergo conversion therapy against his/her will, 4) profit from conversion therapy, and 5) advertise conversion therapy.
Bill C-8 defines “conversion therapy” as: “a practice, treatment or service designed to change a person’s sexual orientation to heterosexual or gender identity to cisgender, or to repress or reduce non-heterosexual attraction or sexual behaviour.”
The bill adds, “For greater certainty, this definition does not include a practice, treatment or service that relates (a)to a person’s gender transition; or (b) to a person’s exploration of their identity or to its development.”
Bill C8 could punish someone for up to five years for causing a minor to undergo “conversion therapy,” either in or outside Canada or forcing an adult to do so. Benefiting financially on advertising from “conversion therapy” is punishable by up to two years in jail.
Leaders in the pro-life and pro-family movement are warning that the bill will prohibit Christians from counseling anyone who wants to overcome same-sex attraction or who struggles with their gender dysphoria. They warn that the bill will prohibit parents from helping a gender-confused child conform to his/her biological gender.
“Bill C-8 represents an unprecedented assault by the Trudeau Liberals on our civil rights, personal freedoms, and religious liberties in this country,” stated David Cooke, Campaigns Manager for Campaign Life Coalition, in a blog.
Let me give you some real-life examples of what will likely happen if Bill C-8 passes into law: If you’re a doctor or counsellor, you will no longer be permitted to publicly offer help and healing to struggling homosexuals and transgenders. If you do, it will be considered “advertising conversion therapy”, and you will face up to two years in jail. [Section 320.104]. If you privately offer help, but accept a fee for your help, you will face up to two years in jail for receiving a “material benefit from conversion therapy”. [Section 320.105]. If you’re a parent with a gender-confused child, you will not be permitted to help that child conform to his/her biological gender. If you seek outside help, or if you counsel that child yourself to find peace with his/her bodily reality, you will be guilty of “causing [a] child to undergo conversion therapy”, and you will go to jail for up to five years. You can do nothing but offer affirmation, artificial hormones, and/or mutilating sex-change surgeries to your child. [Section 320.103(1)]. If you’re a pastor or church leader who publicly proclaims the power of Christ to transform homosexuals and transgenders, you may be arrested for “advertising conversion therapy”. [Section 320.104]. If an ex-gay or ex-trans is converted at your church and drops some money in the offering plate, you could be arrested for receiving an indirect “material benefit for conversion therapy”. [Section 320.105]. Of course, it’s ridiculous. Of course, it’s totalitarian. But it’s happening.
MacKay, a former MP and Cabinet Minister, slammed Sloan’s position in his June 3 tweet.
“Forcing a child into ‘conversion therapy’ is child abuse and it absolutely must be banned. Derek’s remarks are reprehensible,” said MacKay in a June 3 Twitter message.
Forcing a child into ‘conversion therapy’ is child abuse and it absolutely must be banned. Derek’s remarks are reprehensible.https://t.co/8wxGaW7B4f — Peter MacKay (@PeterMacKay) June 4, 2020
In an email message sent to his followers last Friday, Sloan fired back at MacKay, saying he was looking for another “socially conservative ‘albatross’ to slay.”
“‘Reprehensible’ is the word that Peter MacKay used this week to describe my opposition to Bill C-8, Trudeau’s attempt to criminalize so-called ‘conversion therapy. This is the very same word that Trudeau’s Communications Director used,” said Sloan.
“Once again, Peter MacKay is attacking the natural conservative position and is instead supporting the Liberal Party’s worldview.”
Sloan told LifeSiteNews last week that he feels sex-change operations on minors are “abusive.”
“I believe that sex-change operations on minors are abusive. Minors are not old enough to drink, smoke, gamble, or vote, and they are not old enough to make life-altering decisions about surgeries that will permanently change their growth and development,” Sloan told LifeSiteNews.
In his email last Friday, Sloan said that according to Bill C8, “if your 10-year-old girl tells you that she is really a boy, you, as a parent must accept this; that this must be the ways things are; the way things have always been; and the way things must always be.”
He added that according to this “ideology” it is “wrong to make any effort to have your daughter ‘change’ back into being, um, a girl,” saying that “not only is it wrong, but, in Justin Trudeau’s Canada, such efforts will be illegal. Now, it seems that Peter MacKay is backing Trudeau on this.”
Sloan then went after MacKay saying that what he finds “reprehensible” is that MacKay is “letting his social liberal extremism drive him to support Trudeau’s invasive and catastrophic radical gender ideology.”
“Trudeau is attacking children and parental rights, and he is doing so, it seems, with Peter MacKay’s full backing.”
In early May, Sloan announced in an email that if elected as Prime Minister, he will “propose legislation that will outlaw transgender surgery for children across Canada.”
In his message last Friday, he reiterated this promise.
“When I become Prime Minister, I will get rid of Bill C-8. Further, I will introduce legislation banning sex-change operations for children under 18, as lawmakers in the U.K. have recently proposed,” said Sloan.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently said that his government would ban sex-change operations for minors.
This is not the first time Sloan has come out against the proposed legislation in Bill C8. In March, he criticized it in an email saying, “this is madness.”
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lifesitenews--2020-06-12--Govt-funded pro-abortion group calls on Trudeau Liberals to ban National March for Life

PETITION : Demand Planned Parenthood return $ 80M improperly taken from coronavirus emergency fund !
Sign the petition here .
OTTAWA , June 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A national pro-abortion group that is calling on the Trudeau government to end Canada ’ s annual March for Life receives millions in tax dollars from that same government , a pro-life blogger has discovered .
“ This year , COVID-19 has cancelled this in-person event , like many others .
But what will it take to cancel the ‘ March for Life ’ for good ?
” questioned Action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director Sandeep Prasad in an op-ed published in rabble.ca .
“ Should a charity that receives millions of dollars in taxpayer funded grants be in the business of advocating for the repeal of Charter rights of pro-life organizations ?
” countered Patricia Maloney on her Run With Life blog .
That was echoed by Matthew Wojciechowski , vice president of Campaign Life Coalition , Canada ’ s national pro-life political lobbying group and organizer of the March for Life , the country ’ s largest annual pro-life event and typically the biggest annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada used to be a collection of fringe groups whose bigoted ideologies were ignored by Canadians , ” Wojciechowski told LifeSiteNews .
“ Today , taxpayers should be absolutely outraged by the fact that Justin Trudeau is financially supporting this radical group with millions of dollars , giving them more influence in Canada and at the United Nations where they rub shoulders with other globalists and cultural Marxists on our expense.
” Prasad ’ s article was rife with warnings about the dangers of the March for Life , and of what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Life events in Canada and the United States “ share common goals , like ending access to abortion , that would result in taking away bodily autonomy and rolling back rights for many people in Canada , ” he wrote .
Moreover , those who support the March for Life also “ support conversion therapy and oppose same-sex marriage.
” They also “ oppose the right to die , and legislation that protects transgender people from discrimination ” and “ are some of the same groups that fought against Ontario 's sex-ed curriculum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Texas-based Soulforce , “ an LGBTQ+ non-profit organization that works to stop the ideological violence of Christian supremacy that is used to harm marginalized peoples , ” to back up his point .
As Soulforce sees it , “ Christian supremacy is tied into the idea that to be Christian means to be anti-choice , and that it is morally righteous to harass and discriminate against people for exercising their right to choose , ” he explained .
This attempt to shut down pro-lifers and the attack on Christianity is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s quite common for abortion ideologues to try suppressing the voice of the pro-life movement in Canada .
They see the March for Life as a threat and since they can ’ t deny what science says about the humanity of children in the womb , and the inalienable right to life that all human beings possess , they go after the religious beliefs of those who oppose abortion , ” he told LifeSiteNews .
“ Their attack on Christianity is laughable , as it is , in fact , Christian social teaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , build hospitals and facilities that provide genuine healthcare , and offer humanitarian aid to millions of marginalized people worldwide , ” Wojciechowski added .
“ While they spend their time strategizing with their Marxist Antifa friends on how to take down traditional values , Christians are on the ground serving people , meeting them where they are at , and offering them support with their hands and from their pockets.
” Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights was formed in 2014 with the merger of three groups , including Planned Parenthood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Canadians for Choice ( formerly the Canadian Abortion Rights Action League ) , and the Canadian Federation for Sexual Health ( formerly Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada ) .
A registered charity , Action Canada is earmarked to receive $ 14 million by 2024 from the Trudeau Liberals , Maloney found in a search of federal grants .
Action Canada has received or will receive : • $ 232,834 in April 2017 from the Public Health Agency of Canada to support community-based projects “ which address the root causes of health inequalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and surveillance ” under the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control program .
• $ 3,101,379 on March 19 , 2018 , to be dispersed over five years , from the Public Health Agency of Canada for a “ social marketing campaign to increase STTI testing among marginalized youth.
” • $ 22,000 on October 11 , 2018 , from Status of Women Canada to lobby “ to advance the rights of women and girls ” at the International Parliamentarians ’ Conference on the “ Implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • $ 10,887,328 on January 21 , 2020 , to be dispersed over five years , from Global Affairs Canada for an international project called “ Rights From the Start ” that pushes for legal abortion and “ the fulfillment of sexual and reproductive rights in targeted districts ” in Bolivia , Ecuador , Guyana and Peru .
The Trudeau government ’ s largesse to Action Canada underscores its commitment to a global “ right to safe and accessible abortions , ” which then-Global Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland described in June 2017 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s foreign policy .
Not only do the Liberals fund pro-abortion groups , but they infamously have denied Canada Summer Job ( CSJ ) grants to pro-life organizations since introducing their controversial pro-abortion attestation in 2017 .
Although the Trudeau government scrapped the attestation a year later after massive backlash , they still require employers to attest that CSJ grant money “ will not be used to undermine or restrict the exercise of rights legally protected in Canada.
” Based on these rules , the federal government disqualified 400 of 40,000 applicants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these denied because of “ their approach to abortion , family planning , sex education or related issues , ” Canadian Press reported last August .
Action Canada is also heavily involved in lobbying at the United Nations for global access to abortion .
In 2002 , the former Action Canada for Population and Development became “ the first SRHR ( sexual and reproductive health and rights ) organization with a regular presence at the UN Human Rights Commission ( now the UN Human Rights Council ) , ” according to Action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion advocacy “ is anchored by our role as the coordinating partner of the Sexual Rights Initiative ( SRI ) , ” an “ explicitly feminist Global South-Global North coalition of five national and regional organizations , ” and an office in Geneva .
Perhaps this is why Action Canada lists millions in “ non-tax receipted revenue from outside Canada ” in its reports to the Canada Revenue Agency : $ 2,080,172.00 in 2019 ; $ 1,183,118.00 in 2018 ; $ 1,018,998.00 in 2017 ; $ 1,088,907.00 in 2016 ; $ 554,196.00 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide information on funds from outside of Canada .
However , when Action Canada registered as a lobby group in January 2019 , it reported receiving $ 108,760 from Denmark and $ 292,850 from the Netherlands in 2018 .
Campaign Life ’ s Wojciechowski says the taxpayer bankrolling of Action Canada has to stop .
“ The Trudeau government is using millions of Canadian tax dollars to fund an organization that in turn uses those funds to lobby that same government .
Trudeau doesn ’ t need convincing on these issues .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Canadian history , ” he pointed out .
“ This group should be completely defunded .
Defund Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights – has a nice ring to it .
Perhaps we should start a hashtag and a campaign.
” Contact your MP to request defunding of Action Canada .
To find your MPs contact information , go to Campaign Life Coalition ’ s website , here .

PETITION: Demand Planned Parenthood return $80M improperly taken from coronavirus emergency fund! Sign the petition here.
OTTAWA, June 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A national pro-abortion group that is calling on the Trudeau government to end Canada’s annual March for Life receives millions in tax dollars from that same government, a pro-life blogger has discovered.
“This year, COVID-19 has cancelled this in-person event, like many others. But what will it take to cancel the ‘March for Life’ for good?” questioned Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights executive director Sandeep Prasad in an op-ed published in rabble.ca.
“Should a charity that receives millions of dollars in taxpayer funded grants be in the business of advocating for the repeal of Charter rights of pro-life organizations?” countered Patricia Maloney on her Run With Life blog.
That was echoed by Matthew Wojciechowski, vice president of Campaign Life Coalition, Canada’s national pro-life political lobbying group and organizer of the March for Life, the country’s largest annual pro-life event and typically the biggest annual rally on Parliament Hill.
“Action Canada used to be a collection of fringe groups whose bigoted ideologies were ignored by Canadians,” Wojciechowski told LifeSiteNews.
“Today, taxpayers should be absolutely outraged by the fact that Justin Trudeau is financially supporting this radical group with millions of dollars, giving them more influence in Canada and at the United Nations where they rub shoulders with other globalists and cultural Marxists on our expense.”
Pro-abort group warns of dangerous ‘Christian supremacy’
Prasad’s article was rife with warnings about the dangers of the March for Life, and of what he calls “Christian supremacy.”
March for Life events in Canada and the United States “share common goals, like ending access to abortion, that would result in taking away bodily autonomy and rolling back rights for many people in Canada,” he wrote.
Moreover, those who support the March for Life also “support conversion therapy and oppose same-sex marriage.” They also “oppose the right to die, and legislation that protects transgender people from discrimination” and “are some of the same groups that fought against Ontario's sex-ed curriculum,” he stated.
Prasad referred to the Texas-based Soulforce, “an LGBTQ+ non-profit organization that works to stop the ideological violence of Christian supremacy that is used to harm marginalized peoples,” to back up his point.
As Soulforce sees it, “Christian supremacy is tied into the idea that to be Christian means to be anti-choice, and that it is morally righteous to harass and discriminate against people for exercising their right to choose,” he explained.
This attempt to shut down pro-lifers and the attack on Christianity is not surprising to Wojciechowski.
“It’s quite common for abortion ideologues to try suppressing the voice of the pro-life movement in Canada. They see the March for Life as a threat and since they can’t deny what science says about the humanity of children in the womb, and the inalienable right to life that all human beings possess, they go after the religious beliefs of those who oppose abortion,” he told LifeSiteNews.
“Their attack on Christianity is laughable, as it is, in fact, Christian social teaching that inspires people to serve the poor, build hospitals and facilities that provide genuine healthcare, and offer humanitarian aid to millions of marginalized people worldwide,” Wojciechowski added.
“While they spend their time strategizing with their Marxist Antifa friends on how to take down traditional values, Christians are on the ground serving people, meeting them where they are at, and offering them support with their hands and from their pockets.”
Taxpayers bankroll Action Canada
Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights was formed in 2014 with the merger of three groups, including Planned Parenthood: Action Canada for Population and Development; Canadians for Choice (formerly the Canadian Abortion Rights Action League), and the Canadian Federation for Sexual Health (formerly Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada).
A registered charity, Action Canada is earmarked to receive $14 million by 2024 from the Trudeau Liberals, Maloney found in a search of federal grants.
Action Canada has received or will receive:
$232,834 in April 2017 from the Public Health Agency of Canada to support community-based projects “which address the root causes of health inequalities” and “conduct public health research and surveillance” under the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control program.
$3,101,379 on March 19, 2018, to be dispersed over five years, from the Public Health Agency of Canada for a “social marketing campaign to increase STTI testing among marginalized youth.”
$22,000 on October 11, 2018, from Status of Women Canada to lobby “to advance the rights of women and girls” at the International Parliamentarians’ Conference on the “Implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development” held that month in Ottawa.
$10,887,328 on January 21, 2020, to be dispersed over five years, from Global Affairs Canada for an international project called “Rights From the Start” that pushes for legal abortion and “the fulfillment of sexual and reproductive rights in targeted districts” in Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana and Peru.
The Trudeau government’s largesse to Action Canada underscores its commitment to a global “right to safe and accessible abortions,” which then-Global Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland described in June 2017 as “at the core” of Canada’s foreign policy.
Not only do the Liberals fund pro-abortion groups, but they infamously have denied Canada Summer Job (CSJ) grants to pro-life organizations since introducing their controversial pro-abortion attestation in 2017.
Although the Trudeau government scrapped the attestation a year later after massive backlash, they still require employers to attest that CSJ grant money “will not be used to undermine or restrict the exercise of rights legally protected in Canada.”
Based on these rules, the federal government disqualified 400 of 40,000 applicants for summer job grants, with 26 of these denied because of “their approach to abortion, family planning, sex education or related issues,” Canadian Press reported last August.
Action Canada receives millions in foreign funds
Action Canada is also heavily involved in lobbying at the United Nations for global access to abortion.
In 2002, the former Action Canada for Population and Development became “the first SRHR (sexual and reproductive health and rights) organization with a regular presence at the UN Human Rights Commission (now the UN Human Rights Council),” according to Action Canada’s website.
Its UN abortion advocacy “is anchored by our role as the coordinating partner of the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI),” an “explicitly feminist Global South-Global North coalition of five national and regional organizations,” and an office in Geneva.
Perhaps this is why Action Canada lists millions in “non-tax receipted revenue from outside Canada” in its reports to the Canada Revenue Agency: $2,080,172.00 in 2019; $1,183,118.00 in 2018; $1,018,998.00 in 2017; $1,088,907.00 in 2016; $554,196.00 in 2015.
CRA is not able to provide information on funds from outside of Canada. However, when Action Canada registered as a lobby group in January 2019, it reported receiving $108,760 from Denmark and $292,850 from the Netherlands in 2018.
Campaign Life’s Wojciechowski says the taxpayer bankrolling of Action Canada has to stop.
“The Trudeau government is using millions of Canadian tax dollars to fund an organization that in turn uses those funds to lobby that same government. Trudeau doesn’t need convincing on these issues. He’s the most pro-abortion prime minister in Canadian history,” he pointed out.
“This group should be completely defunded. Defund Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights – has a nice ring to it. Perhaps we should start a hashtag and a campaign.”
Contact your MP to request defunding of Action Canada. To find your MPs contact information, go to Campaign Life Coalition’s website, here.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-11--State Dept report calls out China for massively violating religious freedom

WASHINGTON , D.C. , June 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Both secretary of state Mike Pompeo and ambassador at large for international religious freedom Sam Brownback denounced China ’ s violations of religious freedom at yesterday ’ s presentation of the 2019 Report on International Religious Freedom .
Brownback also voiced his concern that some countries might use the coronavirus as a pretense to prohibit religious services in the long run .
Some countries might say , Brownback explained , “ We shut down all these religious institutions .
We ’ re gon na keep them shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we don ’ t like these religious institutions operating freely in the first place.
” According to Pompeo , “ [ i ] n China , state-sponsored repression against all religions continues to intensify .
The Chinese Communist Party is now ordering religious organizations to obey CCP leadership and infuse communist dogma into their teachings and practice of their faith.
” “ There is now equivalence between our two forms of government .
We have the rule of law .
China does not .
We have free speech and embrace peaceful protest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious freedom , as I just noted .
China continues its decades-long war on faith , ” he continued .
“ The contrast couldn ’ t be more clear .
During the best of times , China ruthlessly imposes communism .
And amidst the most difficult challenges the United States faces , we worked to secure freedom for all.
” Brownback , a former governor of Kansas , said , “ Maybe it sounds like a broken record , but China is just such a big player in this space in such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overlook.
” The International Religious Freedom Report is released annually to describe “ the status of religious freedom in every country .
The report covers government policies violating religious belief and practices of groups , religious denominations and individuals , and U.S. policies to promote religious freedom around the world.
” PETITION : No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus !
Sign the petition here .
China alone takes up 115 pages .
As the report points out , the Chinese constitution guarantees “ freedom of religious belief but limits protections for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ and does not define ‘ normal.
’ ” The report ’ s section on China lists countless examples of Catholics and other Christians being attacked for their faith by the government .
Father Paul Zhang , for example , was taken into custody after he “ had refused to join the government-run [ Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association ] .
According to AsiaNews , authorities stopped Zhang ’ s car , smashed the window , and beat him before taking him away .
Another man in the car was also beaten but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this event , police had raided a house in which Zhang was leading Mass .
His whereabouts were unknown at year ’ s end .
Pompeo ’ s remark that the Chinese Communist Party is ordering religious organizations to “ infuse communist dogma into their teachings and practice of their faith ” was explained in more detail by the report : UCA News reported that on December 30 , the government approved the Administrative Measures for Religious Groups , scheduled to take effect on February 1 , 2020 .
These measures comprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the organization , function , offices , supervision , projects , and economic administration of communities and groups at the national and local levels .
The measures emphasize that only registered groups could operate legally and stipulate that religious organizations must adhere to the leadership of the CCP and implement the values of socialism .
According to UCA News , if enforced , article 34 , which governs money and finances , “ will halt the activities of house churches , dissident Catholic communities , and other unregistered religious bodies.
” Additionally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Socialism in Fujian Province organized a course on the work of the Catholic Church in the province.
” Several dozen priests who are members of the state-run imitation of the Catholic Church participated .
“ The lessons and activities centered on the theme of ‘ guiding the Catholic Church to follow a path conforming to socialist society.
’ AsiaNews noted the course seemed to focus almost entirely on political doctrine with very little mention of Christian teachings.
” The report also mentioned Cardinal Joseph Zen , the former bishop of Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal between the Vatican and the communist Chinese government .
“ Similar to the previous year , neither side provided details of the provisional agreement , such as how the Holy See and the government would make decisions regarding appointment of bishops , ” the report pointed out .
Paradoxically , Chinese bishop Vincenzo Guo Xijin , “ an underground bishop recognized by the Holy See , remained in a subordinate position under Bishop Zhan Silu , who was originally ordained without Holy See approval .
The Holy See had previously excommunicated Zhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Political Consultative Conference , but in December 2018 allowed him to replace Guo as bishop of the Mindong Diocese in Fujian Province.
” “ Zhan was one of the seven individuals whom the Holy See recognized as bishops under the 2018 provisional agreement , ” the report added .
“ Police had detained Guo , who had been appointed by the Holy See , earlier in 2018 for his refusal to jointly lead Easter services with Zhan , who at the time was not recognized by the Holy See.
” Nigeria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the persecution of Christians .
“ According to a report released by the U.K.-based Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust ( HART ) , ‘ Fulani militia ’ killed over 1,000 Christians throughout the year.
” Even countries that by all accounts can be qualified as civilized democracies of the Western world are featured in the comprehensive 2019 Report on International Religious Freedom .
Germany , for instance , was called out for its absolute ban on homeschooling .
“ In January the European Court of Human Rights ( ECHR ) ruled German authorities at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian family ’ s human rights when they placed the family ’ s children in foster care for three weeks in 2013 , ” the report explained .
“ The family from Darmstadt had argued German authorities were in breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights when they refused to allow them to homeschool their four children through a Christian distance-learning program.
” However , according to the ECHR , “ authorities were justified in removing the children from their home , and it was reasonable to assume the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending them to school because the children were isolated and had no contact with anyone outside the family.
” Earlier this year , the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom also released its annual report on religious persecution around the world .

The report, covering religious freedom abuses around the world, devotes 115 pages to the communist nation of China.
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Both secretary of state Mike Pompeo and ambassador at large for international religious freedom Sam Brownback denounced China’s violations of religious freedom at yesterday’s presentation of the 2019 Report on International Religious Freedom.
Brownback also voiced his concern that some countries might use the coronavirus as a pretense to prohibit religious services in the long run. Some countries might say, Brownback explained, “We shut down all these religious institutions. We’re gonna keep them shut down after the COVID crisis passes, because we don’t like these religious institutions operating freely in the first place.”
According to Pompeo, “[i]n China, state-sponsored repression against all religions continues to intensify. The Chinese Communist Party is now ordering religious organizations to obey CCP leadership and infuse communist dogma into their teachings and practice of their faith.”
“There is now equivalence between our two forms of government. We have the rule of law. China does not. We have free speech and embrace peaceful protest. They don’t. We defend religious freedom, as I just noted. China continues its decades-long war on faith,” he continued.
“The contrast couldn’t be more clear. During the best of times, China ruthlessly imposes communism. And amidst the most difficult challenges the United States faces, we worked to secure freedom for all.”
Brownback, a former governor of Kansas, said, “Maybe it sounds like a broken record, but China is just such a big player in this space in such a negative way that it’s hard to overlook.”
The International Religious Freedom Report is released annually to describe “the status of religious freedom in every country. The report covers government policies violating religious belief and practices of groups, religious denominations and individuals, and U.S. policies to promote religious freedom around the world.”
PETITION: No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus! Sign the petition here.
China alone takes up 115 pages. As the report points out, the Chinese constitution guarantees “freedom of religious belief but limits protections for religious practice to ‘normal religious activities’ and does not define ‘normal.’”
The report’s section on China lists countless examples of Catholics and other Christians being attacked for their faith by the government.
Father Paul Zhang, for example, was taken into custody after he “had refused to join the government-run [Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association]. According to AsiaNews, authorities stopped Zhang’s car, smashed the window, and beat him before taking him away. Another man in the car was also beaten but not taken into custody. Fifteen days prior to this event, police had raided a house in which Zhang was leading Mass. His whereabouts were unknown at year’s end.
Pompeo’s remark that the Chinese Communist Party is ordering religious organizations to “infuse communist dogma into their teachings and practice of their faith” was explained in more detail by the report:
UCA News reported that on December 30, the government approved the Administrative Measures for Religious Groups, scheduled to take effect on February 1, 2020. These measures comprise six chapters and 41 articles dealing with the organization, function, offices, supervision, projects, and economic administration of communities and groups at the national and local levels. The measures emphasize that only registered groups could operate legally and stipulate that religious organizations must adhere to the leadership of the CCP and implement the values of socialism. According to UCA News, if enforced, article 34, which governs money and finances, “will halt the activities of house churches, dissident Catholic communities, and other unregistered religious bodies.”
Additionally, last July, “the Central Institute of Socialism in Fujian Province organized a course on the work of the Catholic Church in the province.”
Several dozen priests who are members of the state-run imitation of the Catholic Church participated. “The lessons and activities centered on the theme of ‘guiding the Catholic Church to follow a path conforming to socialist society.’ AsiaNews noted the course seemed to focus almost entirely on political doctrine with very little mention of Christian teachings.”
The report also mentioned Cardinal Joseph Zen, the former bishop of Hong Kong, and his criticism of the secret deal between the Vatican and the communist Chinese government.
“Similar to the previous year, neither side provided details of the provisional agreement, such as how the Holy See and the government would make decisions regarding appointment of bishops,” the report pointed out.
Paradoxically, Chinese bishop Vincenzo Guo Xijin, “an underground bishop recognized by the Holy See, remained in a subordinate position under Bishop Zhan Silu, who was originally ordained without Holy See approval. The Holy See had previously excommunicated Zhan, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, but in December 2018 allowed him to replace Guo as bishop of the Mindong Diocese in Fujian Province.”
“Zhan was one of the seven individuals whom the Holy See recognized as bishops under the 2018 provisional agreement,” the report added. “Police had detained Guo, who had been appointed by the Holy See, earlier in 2018 for his refusal to jointly lead Easter services with Zhan, who at the time was not recognized by the Holy See.”
Nigeria is another hotspot when it comes to the persecution of Christians. “According to a report released by the U.K.-based Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART), ‘Fulani militia’ killed over 1,000 Christians throughout the year.”
Even countries that by all accounts can be qualified as civilized democracies of the Western world are featured in the comprehensive 2019 Report on International Religious Freedom.
Germany, for instance, was called out for its absolute ban on homeschooling.
“In January the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled German authorities at the local level did not violate a Christian family’s human rights when they placed the family’s children in foster care for three weeks in 2013,” the report explained.
“The family from Darmstadt had argued German authorities were in breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights when they refused to allow them to homeschool their four children through a Christian distance-learning program.”
However, according to the ECHR, “authorities were justified in removing the children from their home, and it was reasonable to assume the parents were endangering their children by not sending them to school because the children were isolated and had no contact with anyone outside the family.”
Earlier this year, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom also released its annual report on religious persecution around the world.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-11--Rioters take over Seattle police precinct, occupy 6 square blocks of city

SEATTLE , Washington , June 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― A group of anarchists inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement currently controls six square blocks of Seattle .
The area , dubbed the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone or CHAZ by its occupiers , has been under their control since June 8 .
The neighborhood centers on the Seattle Police Department East Precinct .
Having driven out the police after nine days of sometimes violent protest , the occupiers have draped a banner reading , “ This space is now property of the Seattle People ” over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists is to live in peace without police , and they hope to make the station both a community center and a “ base to build a community movement , ” the Seattle Times reported today .
City Journal reported yesterday that Black Lives Matter and Antifa activists fought police and the National Guard soldiers for control of the area for days .
The “ heaviest part of the conflict ” happened at 11th Street and East Pike Street , where law enforcement built a barricade to defend the police station .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters attacked officers with bricks , bottles , rocks , and improvised explosive devices , sending some officers to the hospital , ” City Journal reported .
“ At the same time , activists circulated videos of the conflict and accused the police of brutality , demanding that the city cease using teargas and other anti-riot techniques.
” Finally , in what Seattle police chief Carmen Best called “ an exercise in trust and de-escalation , ” the local government decided to abandon the station to the protestors .
“ Immediately afterward , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shirts , and armed members of the hard-Left John Brown Gun Club seized control of the neighborhood , moved the barricades into a defensive position , and declared it the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone—even putting up a cardboard sign at the barricades declaring ‘ you are now leaving the USA , ’ ” City Journal wrote .
PETITION : Yes to reform .
No to riots & revolution !
Sign the petition here .
Although the CHAZ is technically leaderless , rap artist Raz Simone and former mayoral candidate Nikkita Oliver have both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged that the AK-47-toting Simone shouted , “ This is war ” when the police station was abandoned and assaulted protesters who didn ’ t follow his instructions , “ sparking fears that he was becoming the de facto warlord of the autonomous zone.
” When President Donald Trump tweeted yesterday that “ Domestic Terrorists have taken over Seattle , ” Simone took it personally and prematurely called for followers to avenge his death .
“ The President really put a hit on my head , ” he tweeted in response .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Quit spreading that false narrative .
The world has NEVER been ready for a strong black man .
We have been peaceful and nothing else .
If I die don ’ t let it be in vain.
” Nikkita Oliver was among the activists who gave speeches after the police left the Capitol Hill area on the evening of June 8 .
On June 9 , activists identifying themselves as “ the Collective Black Voices at Free Capitol Hill ” addressed a list of “ demands ” to the “ Government of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the demonstrations outside the East Precinct were “ peaceful ” and that their lengthy document represents “ the black voices who spoke in victory at the top of 12th and Pine [ streets ] after 9 days of peaceful protest while under constant nightly attack from the Seattle Police Department.
” The demands include the abolition of the police department and the court system , the abolition of juvenile detention homes , a federal investigation of all police brutality accusations in the state of Washington , a retrial of all “ People of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the release of anyone “ serving time for marijuana-related offenses , ” free college education for all , and the employment of black doctors and nurses “ specifically to help care for black patients.
” According to Seattle ’ s KOMO News , armed civilians are patrolling the streets of CHAZ .
Seattle ’ s assistant police chief , Deanna Nollette , stated in a briefing that “ there is no legal right for those arms to be used to intimidate community members .
”

Having driven out the police after nine days of sometimes violent protest, the occupiers have draped a banner reading, 'This space is now property of the Seattle People' over the abandoned building.
SEATTLE, Washington, June 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― A group of anarchists inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement currently controls six square blocks of Seattle.
The area, dubbed the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone or CHAZ by its occupiers, has been under their control since June 8.
The neighborhood centers on the Seattle Police Department East Precinct. Having driven out the police after nine days of sometimes violent protest, the occupiers have draped a banner reading, “This space is now property of the Seattle People” over the abandoned building. The goal of the activists is to live in peace without police, and they hope to make the station both a community center and a “base to build a community movement,” the Seattle Times reported today.
City Journal reported yesterday that Black Lives Matter and Antifa activists fought police and the National Guard soldiers for control of the area for days. The “heaviest part of the conflict” happened at 11th Street and East Pike Street, where law enforcement built a barricade to defend the police station.
“Hoping to break through the barricade, protesters attacked officers with bricks, bottles, rocks, and improvised explosive devices, sending some officers to the hospital,” City Journal reported.
“At the same time, activists circulated videos of the conflict and accused the police of brutality, demanding that the city cease using teargas and other anti-riot techniques.”
Finally, in what Seattle police chief Carmen Best called “an exercise in trust and de-escalation,” the local government decided to abandon the station to the protestors.
“Immediately afterward, Black Lives Matter protesters, Antifa black shirts, and armed members of the hard-Left John Brown Gun Club seized control of the neighborhood, moved the barricades into a defensive position, and declared it the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone—even putting up a cardboard sign at the barricades declaring ‘you are now leaving the USA,’” City Journal wrote.
PETITION: Yes to reform. No to riots & revolution! Sign the petition here.
Although the CHAZ is technically leaderless, rap artist Raz Simone and former mayoral candidate Nikkita Oliver have both been named as organizers. City Journal alleged that the AK-47-toting Simone shouted, “This is war” when the police station was abandoned and assaulted protesters who didn’t follow his instructions, “sparking fears that he was becoming the de facto warlord of the autonomous zone.” When President Donald Trump tweeted yesterday that “Domestic Terrorists have taken over Seattle,” Simone took it personally and prematurely called for followers to avenge his death.
“The President really put a hit on my head,” he tweeted in response.
“I’m not a Terrorist Warlord. Quit spreading that false narrative. The world has NEVER been ready for a strong black man. We have been peaceful and nothing else. If I die don’t let it be in vain.”
Nikkita Oliver was among the activists who gave speeches after the police left the Capitol Hill area on the evening of June 8.
On June 9, activists identifying themselves as “the Collective Black Voices at Free Capitol Hill” addressed a list of “demands” to the “Government of Seattle, Washington.” They claimed that the demonstrations outside the East Precinct were “peaceful” and that their lengthy document represents “the black voices who spoke in victory at the top of 12th and Pine [streets] after 9 days of peaceful protest while under constant nightly attack from the Seattle Police Department.”
The demands include the abolition of the police department and the court system, the abolition of juvenile detention homes, a federal investigation of all police brutality accusations in the state of Washington, a retrial of all “People of Color” imprisoned for violent crimes, the release of anyone “serving time for marijuana-related offenses,” free college education for all, and the employment of black doctors and nurses “specifically to help care for black patients.”
According to Seattle’s KOMO News, armed civilians are patrolling the streets of CHAZ.
Seattle’s assistant police chief, Deanna Nollette, stated in a briefing that “there is no legal right for those arms to be used to intimidate community members.”
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lifesitenews--2020-06-11--Canadian provinces move to reopen churches for public worship with crowd limits, health restrictions

PETITION : Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society !
Sign the petition here .
June 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Ontario is the latest Canadian province to allow church services to resume indoors after announcing Monday that places of worship will be able to operate at 30 percent total capacity beginning Friday , albeit with health restrictions in place .
Ontario ’ s places of worship reopening measures are the second least restrictive in Canada after Alberta in terms of allowed church attendance size .
The Alberta government announced Tuesday that there will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical distancing remains .
Today , the government of Saskatchewan announced it is moving to Phase 3 of its reopening plan .
It allows for an increase in the allowed size for places of worship from 30 people to 30 percent capacity of a church , up to a maximum of 150 people , or whichever is the lesser amount .
Churches and other places of worship in Canada were shut down in March after provincial governments imposed public health measures as a response to the coronavirus .
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a regional approach to Stage 2 of their reopening plan , which includes the reopening of places of worship .
At his press conference on Monday , Ford said places of worship are an “ important ” part of this regional approach .
“ During these uncertain times , our faith has never been more important , ” Ford said in his press conference .
“ These are important steps to getting life back to normal.
” Ontario weddings and funerals are limited to a maximum of 10 people , which is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings , while churches will be allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity .
Cardinal Thomas Collins , the Catholic Archbishop of Toronto , announced yesterday that the earliest public masses will resume in his archdiocese is June 17 .
In a statement on June 8 , Collins also said he welcomes the news from the Ontario government .
“ We thank Premier Ford and Minister Monte McNaughton ( who coordinated and liised with faith communities during this period of pandemic ) , for their efforts in recognizing the importance of places of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins said in his statement .
“ I am grateful to Catholics throughout the archdiocese for their patience and understanding as we worked collectively to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19 over the past several months .
I am also keenly aware that closing our more than 200 Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Toronto has been a painful and difficult period for all of us.
” Collins has asked that Catholic churches be opened for private prayer on the feast of Corpus Christi , which is this Sunday , June 14 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 20-21 .
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced Tuesday Phase 2 of the province ’ s post-coronavirus relaunch .
Kenney said that as part of Phase 2 , starting Friday , churches in Alberta along with all other places of worship will be allowed to fully reopen with no limits on congregation size .
Social distancing and health protocols measures still must be kept in place , however , and the government released an updated Guidance for Places of Worship that is to be followed .
Indoor weddings and funerals are limited to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday , Kenney said people should not be “ guilted ” into second-guessing as to whether they should go to church .
“ People shouldn ’ t feel guilty now about going out responsibly with their family to a restaurant .
They shouldn ’ t second-guess going to their local places of worship within the limitations that are in place , ” he said .
“ Enjoy life .
Do it safely .
No need to panic.
” Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton and Bishop William McGrattan of Calgary said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Alberta are welcoming today ’ s news that attendance limits on worship services will be expanded under Stage 2 of the Alberta government ’ s relaunch strategy.
” “ The return of these public celebrations has been a source of joy for our parishioners and priests alike … It is important to note , however , that the pandemic is still with us .
Therefore , the expansion of the attendance limit will not mean an immediate return to full churches.
” Despite Alberta allowing for churches to open with no restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Alberta Guidance for Places of Worship , which asks that attendees provide their contact information for contact tracing , remains .
The guidance does , however , have clear wording stating that it is optional for attendees to provide their information .
It also notes that “ faith-based organizations ” have full ownership of the list and would only be required to share the attendance lists with Alberta Health Services “ if a potential exposure occurs onsite.
” The Alberta Bishops ’ June 9 statement says that under the new guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact information of attendees for the purpose of contact tracing if necessary.
” LifeSiteNews reached out to the Archdiocese of Edmonton to inquire if any new guidelines from the bishops would include wording that notes that providing contact information is voluntary , as per government regulations .
Lorraine Turchansky , chief communications officer for the archdiocese , responded to LifeSiteNews saying , “ The bishops are reviewing their guidelines , but for now , current measures remain in place.
” .
The guidelines also ask that churchgoers wear a mask , use hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hand only with the mask on .
Singing is still not allowed as it is deemed a “ high risk ” activity .
LifeSiteNews reported that the original May guidelines suggested that Alberta churches were banned from distributing Communion .
Tuesday ’ s announcement from the Alberta bishops makes no mention of banning communion Churches in British Columbia are currently restricted to 50 individuals .
There is a 25-person limit in place in Manitoba .
Atlantic provinces have caps in place for attendance at 15 in Prince Edward Island and 50 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allows gatherings of up to 20 people for funerals , burials , and weddings .
In Nova Scotia , only drive-in style services are allowed , and small gatherings for funerals .
Churches in Quebec have not been allowed to reopen , despite their provincial government allowing for stores and restaurants to open with some restrictions .
The Assembly of Quebec Catholic Bishops recently sent out a health-protection protocol to each of its dioceses , which it says will change with the provincial health guidelines as they are updated .

Ontario will allow services starting Friday, and other areas are easing restrictions.
PETITION: Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society! Sign the petition here.
June 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Ontario is the latest Canadian province to allow church services to resume indoors after announcing Monday that places of worship will be able to operate at 30 percent total capacity beginning Friday, albeit with health restrictions in place.
Ontario’s places of worship reopening measures are the second least restrictive in Canada after Alberta in terms of allowed church attendance size. The Alberta government announced Tuesday that there will be no limits on church capacity, but physical distancing remains.
Today, the government of Saskatchewan announced it is moving to Phase 3 of its reopening plan. It allows for an increase in the allowed size for places of worship from 30 people to 30 percent capacity of a church, up to a maximum of 150 people, or whichever is the lesser amount.
Churches and other places of worship in Canada were shut down in March after provincial governments imposed public health measures as a response to the coronavirus.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Monday that they were moving ahead with a regional approach to Stage 2 of their reopening plan, which includes the reopening of places of worship.
At his press conference on Monday, Ford said places of worship are an “important” part of this regional approach.
“During these uncertain times, our faith has never been more important,” Ford said in his press conference.
“These are important steps to getting life back to normal.”
Ontario weddings and funerals are limited to a maximum of 10 people, which is in line with the increased allowance for social gatherings, while churches will be allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity.
Cardinal Thomas Collins, the Catholic Archbishop of Toronto, announced yesterday that the earliest public masses will resume in his archdiocese is June 17.
In a statement on June 8, Collins also said he welcomes the news from the Ontario government.
“We thank Premier Ford and Minister Monte McNaughton (who coordinated and liised with faith communities during this period of pandemic), for their efforts in recognizing the importance of places of worship for so many Ontarians,” Collins said in his statement.
“I am grateful to Catholics throughout the archdiocese for their patience and understanding as we worked collectively to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19 over the past several months. I am also keenly aware that closing our more than 200 Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Toronto has been a painful and difficult period for all of us.”
Collins has asked that Catholic churches be opened for private prayer on the feast of Corpus Christi, which is this Sunday, June 14. Full masses will resume the weekend of June 20-21.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced Tuesday Phase 2 of the province’s post-coronavirus relaunch. Kenney said that as part of Phase 2, starting Friday, churches in Alberta along with all other places of worship will be allowed to fully reopen with no limits on congregation size.
Social distancing and health protocols measures still must be kept in place, however, and the government released an updated Guidance for Places of Worship that is to be followed. Indoor weddings and funerals are limited to 100 people.
In his press conference on Tuesday, Kenney said people should not be “guilted” into second-guessing as to whether they should go to church.
“People shouldn’t feel guilty now about going out responsibly with their family to a restaurant. They shouldn’t second-guess going to their local places of worship within the limitations that are in place,” he said.
“Enjoy life. Do it safely. No need to panic.”
Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton and Bishop William McGrattan of Calgary said in a statement Tuesday, “The Catholic Bishops of Alberta are welcoming today’s news that attendance limits on worship services will be expanded under Stage 2 of the Alberta government’s relaunch strategy.”
“The return of these public celebrations has been a source of joy for our parishioners and priests alike … It is important to note, however, that the pandemic is still with us. Therefore, the expansion of the attendance limit will not mean an immediate return to full churches.”
Despite Alberta allowing for churches to open with no restrictions on attendance size, a controversial section in the Alberta Guidance for Places of Worship, which asks that attendees provide their contact information for contact tracing, remains. The guidance does, however, have clear wording stating that it is optional for attendees to provide their information.
It also notes that “faith-based organizations” have full ownership of the list and would only be required to share the attendance lists with Alberta Health Services “if a potential exposure occurs onsite.”
The Alberta Bishops’ June 9 statement says that under the new guidelines parishes are still expected to record “contact information of attendees for the purpose of contact tracing if necessary.”
LifeSiteNews reached out to the Archdiocese of Edmonton to inquire if any new guidelines from the bishops would include wording that notes that providing contact information is voluntary, as per government regulations.
Lorraine Turchansky, chief communications officer for the archdiocese, responded to LifeSiteNews saying, “The bishops are reviewing their guidelines, but for now, current measures remain in place.”.
The guidelines also ask that churchgoers wear a mask, use hand sanitizer, and receive Holy Communion on the hand only with the mask on. Singing is still not allowed as it is deemed a “high risk” activity.
LifeSiteNews reported that the original May guidelines suggested that Alberta churches were banned from distributing Communion. Tuesday’s announcement from the Alberta bishops makes no mention of banning communion
Churches in British Columbia are currently restricted to 50 individuals. There is a 25-person limit in place in Manitoba. Atlantic provinces have caps in place for attendance at 15 in Prince Edward Island and 50 in New Brunswick.
Newfoundland & Labrador only allows gatherings of up to 20 people for funerals, burials, and weddings. In Nova Scotia, only drive-in style services are allowed, and small gatherings for funerals.
Churches in Quebec have not been allowed to reopen, despite their provincial government allowing for stores and restaurants to open with some restrictions. The Assembly of Quebec Catholic Bishops recently sent out a health-protection protocol to each of its dioceses, which it says will change with the provincial health guidelines as they are updated.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-11--Left-leaning Catholics furious over Trump tweeting Archbishop Viganò’s letter

WASHINGTON , D.C. , June 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — After President Donald Trump posted a tweet yesterday thanking Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò for his open letter to him , media and opinionators were quick to react , sometimes ridiculing both the president and the former papal nuncio to the United States .
“ So honored by Archbishop Viganò ’ s incredible letter to me , ” wrote the president in a tweet last night , concerning the letter Viganò penned , published June 6 by LifeSiteNews .
At the time of this writing , the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 134,000 times .
The Washington Post and major Catholic news outlets such as Rome Reports , which covers the Vatican ; the National Catholic Register ; and the Catholic News Agency ( CNA ) produced mostly straight news stories about the tweet and recounting the events that led to it .
However , within minutes of the president ’ s social media posting , a writer for America Magazine — a Jesuit mouthpiece — felt duty-bound to offer “ context for journalists who don ’ t cover the church everyday.
” Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site that the president had linked to — LifeSiteNews — “ is a fringe Catholic outift [ sic ] that pushes conspiracy theories and dislikes ( to put it mildly ) Pope Francis.
” “ Vigano was the Vatican ’ s rep to the US and was instrumental setting up the Pope Francis/Kim Davis in 2015 , without the pope ’ s knowledge about the movement Davis represented .
In retirement , Vigano has committed himself to undermining Pope Francis , ” continued the Jesuit magazine writer .
Pope Francis is a Jesuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholics in recent months , a demographic key to the president ’ s 2016 win .
Trump launched a ‘ Catholics for Trump ’ group , counts on the support of ‘ Priests for Life , ’ and hosted a call with Cardinal Dolan and other church leaders about schools , ” lamented O ’ Loughlin .
“ Trump trying to grab Catholics by the Vig* , ” quipped Massimo Faggioli , Villanova University theologian and Commonweal contributor , in a tweet .
“ I foresee a paper at the AAR on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
“ President Donald Trump watches Fox News , so I hope he caught this story that calls disgraced Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò a ‘ Rome archbishop ’ as if he had some influence .
In the event , he is not even in Rome and his influence is zilch , ” wrote the National Catholic Reporter ’ s Michael Sean Winters .
“ But , as I mentioned the other day , if Viganò and Trump become pen pals , look for the president to start telling his next rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buckle up !
” warned Winters .
PETITION : Ask Archbishop Gregory to apologize to President Trump and the Knights of Columbus !
Sign the petition here .
“ President Trump has tweeted his support for Archbishop Viganò , former papal ambassador to the US ( Viganò has just released a letter backing Trump ) , ” began The Tablet ’ s Christopher Lamb in a series of tweets .
“ This risks damaging relations between the US and the Holy See given Viganò ’ s call for Francis to resign in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puts high profile Catholics in the US who claim loyalty to Pope Francis and support for President Trump in a difficult position .
How can you claim to do both ?
” he asked .
“ Any weaponising by Trump of Viganò and his theories during the 2020 election campaign is likely to trouble the consciences of Catholics who had previously supported the President , ” Lamb concluded .
Lamb later offered a fuller explanation of his view at the Tablet , in an article ominously headlined , “ Trump ’ s attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ With a single tweet , President Donald Trump has put the relationship between the United States and the Holy See under strain while potentially jeopardising his support among Catholics , ” declared Lamb .
“ I wonder for how long the institutional level of the Catholic Church - in Rome , at the USCCB , in DC - can pretend that this is not happening , ” wrote Massimo Faggioli , commenting on Lamb ’ s hypothesizing .
Last month , Faggioli penned an article for Commonweal Magazine suggesting that Archbishop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermine Pope Francis.
” Italy ’ s Huffington Post was alarmed that “ During the night , the U.S. President sided with the former nuncio.
” The headline for Maria Antonietta Calabrò ’ s story blared , “ Trump and Viganò : The strange couple against Francesco.
” “ The ‘ exchange ’ between Trump and Viganò has therefore to do with two successions : the next American presidential election and the future of the Catholic Church and the outcome of the future conclave , ” wrote Calabrò .
The Washington Post ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted , “ In normal times , this would be huge news : Trump tweets praise for letter saying there are two sides in America , who are enemies : ‘ just as God and Satan are eternal enemies.
’ ” “ Vigano ’ s recent comments make apocalyptic claims about a one-world government , denounce the Second Vatican Council , and claim the 3rd secret of Our Lady of Fatima was not fully revealed by Pope St. John Paul II , ” tweeted JD Flynn , editor-in-chief for Catholic News Agency ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNA account reached back to Viganò ’ s explosive August 2018 testimony , critical of the hierarchy ’ s handling of then-cardinal Theodore McCarrick ’ s sexual predation , and then spanned all of the former nuncio ’ s subsequent writings .

'The archbishop he mentions pushes 'deep state' and 'deep church' conspiracy theories,' tweeted one critic.
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — After President Donald Trump posted a tweet yesterday thanking Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò for his open letter to him, media and opinionators were quick to react, sometimes ridiculing both the president and the former papal nuncio to the United States.
“So honored by Archbishop Viganò’s incredible letter to me,” wrote the president in a tweet last night, concerning the letter Viganò penned, published June 6 by LifeSiteNews.
At the time of this writing, the president’s tweet has been “Liked” over 134,000 times.
The Washington Post and major Catholic news outlets such as Rome Reports, which covers the Vatican; the National Catholic Register; and the Catholic News Agency (CNA) produced mostly straight news stories about the tweet and recounting the events that led to it.
However, within minutes of the president’s social media posting, a writer for America Magazine — a Jesuit mouthpiece — felt duty-bound to offer “context for journalists who don’t cover the church everyday.”
Michael J. O’Loughlin warned that the site that the president had linked to — LifeSiteNews — “is a fringe Catholic outift [sic] that pushes conspiracy theories and dislikes (to put it mildly) Pope Francis.”
“The archbishop he mentions pushes ‘deep state’ and ‘deep church’ conspiracy theories,” tweeted O’Loughlin.
Context for journalists who don’t cover the church everyday: the site he links to is a fringe Catholic outift that pushes conspiracy theories and dislikes (to put it mildly) Pope Francis. The archbishop he mentions pushes “deep state” and “deep church” conspiracy theories. https://t.co/Z9jtRlzQVJ — Michael J. O'Loughlin (@MikeOLoughlin) June 10, 2020
“Vigano was the Vatican’s rep to the US and was instrumental setting up the Pope Francis/Kim Davis in 2015, without the pope’s knowledge about the movement Davis represented. In retirement, Vigano has committed himself to undermining Pope Francis,” continued the Jesuit magazine writer. Pope Francis is a Jesuit.
“Trump has been courting white Catholics in recent months, a demographic key to the president’s 2016 win. Trump launched a ‘Catholics for Trump’ group, counts on the support of ‘Priests for Life,’ and hosted a call with Cardinal Dolan and other church leaders about schools,” lamented O’Loughlin.
Vigano was the Vatican’s rep to the US and was instrumental setting up the Pope Francis/Kim Davis in 2015, without the pope’s knowledge about the movement Davis represented. In retirement, Vigano has committed himself to undermining Pope Francis. — Michael J. O'Loughlin (@MikeOLoughlin) June 10, 2020
Fr. James Martin, SJ, retweeted O’Loughlin’s postings.
“Trump trying to grab Catholics by the Vig*,” quipped Massimo Faggioli, Villanova University theologian and Commonweal contributor, in a tweet.
Trump trying to grab Catholics by the Vig* — Massimo Faggioli (@MassimoFaggioli) June 11, 2020
“I foresee a paper at the AAR on the ecclesiology of ‘deep church,” he added.
I foresee a paper at the AAR on the ecclesiology of “deep church” — Massimo Faggioli (@MassimoFaggioli) June 11, 2020
“President Donald Trump watches Fox News, so I hope he caught this story that calls disgraced Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò a ‘Rome archbishop’ as if he had some influence. In the event, he is not even in Rome and his influence is zilch,” wrote the National Catholic Reporter’s Michael Sean Winters.
“But, as I mentioned the other day, if Viganò and Trump become pen pals, look for the president to start telling his next rally about the third secret of Fatima. Buckle up!” warned Winters.
PETITION: Ask Archbishop Gregory to apologize to President Trump and the Knights of Columbus! Sign the petition here.
“President Trump has tweeted his support for Archbishop Viganò, former papal ambassador to the US (Viganò has just released a letter backing Trump),” began The Tablet’s Christopher Lamb in a series of tweets.
“This risks damaging relations between the US and the Holy See given Viganò’s call for Francis to resign in 2018,” continued Lamb.
“It puts high profile Catholics in the US who claim loyalty to Pope Francis and support for President Trump in a difficult position. How can you claim to do both?” he asked.
“Any weaponising by Trump of Viganò and his theories during the 2020 election campaign is likely to trouble the consciences of Catholics who had previously supported the President,” Lamb concluded.
President Trump has tweeted his support for Archbishop Viganò, former papal ambassador to the US (Viganò has just released a letter backing Trump). 1/ This risks damaging relations between the US and the Holy See given Viganò’s call for Francis to resign in 2018 — Christopher Lamb (@ctrlamb) June 10, 2020
Lamb later offered a fuller explanation of his view at the Tablet, in an article ominously headlined, “Trump’s attack on the papacy is likely to backfire.”
“With a single tweet, President Donald Trump has put the relationship between the United States and the Holy See under strain while potentially jeopardising his support among Catholics,” declared Lamb.
“I wonder for how long the institutional level of the Catholic Church – in Rome, at the USCCB, in DC – can pretend that this is not happening,” wrote Massimo Faggioli, commenting on Lamb’s hypothesizing.
I wonder for how long the institutional level of the Catholic Church – in Rome, at the USCCB, in DC – can pretend that this is not happening https://t.co/VBHa0se3rr — Massimo Faggioli (@MassimoFaggioli) June 11, 2020
Last month, Faggioli penned an article for Commonweal Magazine suggesting that Archbishop Viganò was “using the pandemic to undermine Pope Francis.”
Italy’s Huffington Post was alarmed that “During the night, the U.S. President sided with the former nuncio.”
The headline for Maria Antonietta Calabrò’s story blared, “Trump and Viganò: The strange couple against Francesco.”
“The ‘exchange’ between Trump and Viganò has therefore to do with two successions: the next American presidential election and the future of the Catholic Church and the outcome of the future conclave,” wrote Calabrò.
The Washington Post’s religion writer, Michelle Boorstein, tweeted, “In normal times, this would be huge news: Trump tweets praise for letter saying there are two sides in America, who are enemies: ‘just as God and Satan are eternal enemies.’”
In normal times, this would be huge news: Trump tweets praise for letter saying there are two sides in America, who are enemies: “just as God and Satan are eternal enemies” https://t.co/prt7Dkrmsu — Michelle Boorstein (@mboorstein) June 11, 2020
“Vigano’s recent comments make apocalyptic claims about a one-world government, denounce the Second Vatican Council, and claim the 3rd secret of Our Lady of Fatima was not fully revealed by Pope St. John Paul II,” tweeted JD Flynn, editor-in-chief for Catholic News Agency (CNA).
Vigano's recent comments make apocalyptic claims about a one-world government, denounce the Second Vatican Council, and claim the 3rd secret of Our Lady of Fatima was not fully revealed by Pope St. John Paul II.https://t.co/iUC1Rdr68n — JD Flynn (@jdflynn) June 11, 2020
The sprawling, 2,600-word CNA account reached back to Viganò’s explosive August 2018 testimony, critical of the hierarchy’s handling of then-cardinal Theodore McCarrick’s sexual predation, and then spanned all of the former nuncio’s subsequent writings.
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