lifesitenews--2020-07-01--Joe Biden: I support abortion ‘under any circumstance’

July 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has affirmed his support of abortion “ under any circumstance.
” In the aftermath of the Supreme Court ’ s decision to strike down a Louisiana law requiring basic medical precautions in the event of abortion complications , he said , “ Republicans in state legislatures will stop at nothing to get rid of Roe — and we have to be just as strong in our defense of it.
” According to the former vice president , Republicans “ are trying to get these laws appealed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s justices will vote to overturn Roe v. Wade .
It ’ s wrong .
It ’ s pernicious .
And , we have to stop it.
” Biden did not clarify why making laws that are then challenged at the Supreme Court would be “ pernicious.
” He promised to “ codify Roe v. Wade ” as president , adding , “ my Justice Department will do everything in its power to stop the rash of state laws that so blatantly violate a woman ’ s protected , constitutional right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , does not mention abortion at all .
Roe v. Wade effectively legalized abortion across the United States in 1973 , referring to an alleged right to privacy , which also is not explicitly mentioned in the constitution .
Speaking directly about Monday ’ s Supreme Court decision in the Louisiana case , Biden said , “ Women ’ s health care rights have been under attack as states across the country have passed extreme laws restricting women ’ s constitutional right to choice under any circumstance .
Today , the U.S. Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place laws that unduly burden a women ’ s right to make her own health care decisions with her doctor.
” While Biden seems to be afraid of Supreme Court Justices nominated by President Donald Trump , it is unclear whether they would actually overturn Roe v. Wade .
Conservative commentator and expert on the Supreme Court Daniel Horowitz argued , “ The Louisiana case before the Supreme Court , June Medical Services LLC v. Russo , actually demonstrates that Republican-appointed justices , aside from Clarence Thomas and maybe one other , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion ‘ rights , ’ much less the foundation of Roe and [ Planned Parenthood v. ] Casey.
” “ The problem is that we don ’ t have four votes to overturn Roe , ” he explained .
“ Only Thomas once again affirmed that Roe is a complete myth .
No other justice joined his dissent .
They all wrote dissents focusing on how there should be no standing in this case.
” Horowitz particularly questioned the reliability of Justice Brett Kavanaugh , who was confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kavanaugh “ focused on how it wasn ’ t even clear that the doctors in the case would have been denied admitting privileges if they applied for them .
Gorsuch and Kavanagh [ sic ] joined Alito ’ s dissent suggesting that this case should be remanded and judged by a different standard , rather than Thomas ’ dissent suggesting that this entire case should be thrown out – along with every case predicated on a right to murder.
” “ It ’ s not that these justices are wrong , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they refuse to show their cards .
It ’ s not even clear how many of them , aside from Alito and maybe Gorsuch , would overturn Hellerstadt on principle without these technicalities , much less Roe .
We don ’ t know how Kavanagh [ sic ] would vote in a similar case , especially given his obsession with precedent.
” Meanwhile , Joe Biden is fully on board with the abortion agenda .
During a virtual town hall event in April , featuring former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic on women .
“ Finally , we need to ensure that women have access to all health services during this crisis , ” he said , adding that “ abortion is an essential health care service.
” Biden claims to be a practicing Catholic , even though the Catholic Church teaches abortion is wrong under any circumstances .
After an American priest followed canon law by refusing to give him the Eucharist last year , Biden said the Pope “ gives me Communion , ” trying to frame his position on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pope has a problem .
Biden ’ s proposed health care plan would enshrine abortion on demand into law , funded by the taxpayer .
Biden has repeatedly indicated in the past that he would “ codify ” Roe v. Wade in federal law ; repeal the Hyde Amendment that bars direct public funding of most abortions ; force states to accept Medicare funding for Planned Parenthood ; reverse the Mexico City Policy , which bars federal funds from supporting abortion overseas ; and direct the Justice Department to “ do everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-life laws , including parental notification requirements , ultrasound laws , and waiting periods .

'Republicans in state legislatures will stop at nothing to get rid of Roe — and we have to be just as strong in our defense of it,' he said.
July 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has affirmed his support of abortion “under any circumstance.” In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a Louisiana law requiring basic medical precautions in the event of abortion complications, he said, “Republicans in state legislatures will stop at nothing to get rid of Roe — and we have to be just as strong in our defense of it.”
According to the former vice president, Republicans “are trying to get these laws appealed to the Supreme Court in the hope that Trump’s justices will vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. It’s wrong. It’s pernicious. And, we have to stop it.” Biden did not clarify why making laws that are then challenged at the Supreme Court would be “pernicious.”
He promised to “codify Roe v. Wade” as president, adding, “my Justice Department will do everything in its power to stop the rash of state laws that so blatantly violate a woman’s protected, constitutional right to choose.”
The Constitution, however, does not mention abortion at all. Roe v. Wade effectively legalized abortion across the United States in 1973, referring to an alleged right to privacy, which also is not explicitly mentioned in the constitution.
Speaking directly about Monday’s Supreme Court decision in the Louisiana case, Biden said, “Women’s health care rights have been under attack as states across the country have passed extreme laws restricting women’s constitutional right to choice under any circumstance. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed that states cannot put in place laws that unduly burden a women’s right to make her own health care decisions with her doctor.”
While Biden seems to be afraid of Supreme Court Justices nominated by President Donald Trump, it is unclear whether they would actually overturn Roe v. Wade.
Conservative commentator and expert on the Supreme Court Daniel Horowitz argued, “The Louisiana case before the Supreme Court, June Medical Services LLC v. Russo, actually demonstrates that Republican-appointed justices, aside from Clarence Thomas and maybe one other, will never overturn even recent expansions of abortion ‘rights,’ much less the foundation of Roe and [Planned Parenthood v.] Casey.”
“The problem is that we don’t have four votes to overturn Roe,” he explained. “Only Thomas once again affirmed that Roe is a complete myth. No other justice joined his dissent. They all wrote dissents focusing on how there should be no standing in this case.”
Horowitz particularly questioned the reliability of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate in 2018.
Regarding the Louisiana abortion case, Kavanaugh “focused on how it wasn’t even clear that the doctors in the case would have been denied admitting privileges if they applied for them. Gorsuch and Kavanagh [sic] joined Alito’s dissent suggesting that this case should be remanded and judged by a different standard, rather than Thomas’ dissent suggesting that this entire case should be thrown out – along with every case predicated on a right to murder.”
“It’s not that these justices are wrong,” Horowitz clarified, “but once again, they refuse to show their cards. It’s not even clear how many of them, aside from Alito and maybe Gorsuch, would overturn Hellerstadt on principle without these technicalities, much less Roe. We don’t know how Kavanagh [sic] would vote in a similar case, especially given his obsession with precedent.”
Meanwhile, Joe Biden is fully on board with the abortion agenda. During a virtual town hall event in April, featuring former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Biden focused on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on women.
“Finally, we need to ensure that women have access to all health services during this crisis,” he said, adding that “abortion is an essential health care service.”
Biden claims to be a practicing Catholic, even though the Catholic Church teaches abortion is wrong under any circumstances. After an American priest followed canon law by refusing to give him the Eucharist last year, Biden said the Pope “gives me Communion,” trying to frame his position on abortion as something with which not even the Pope has a problem.
Biden’s proposed health care plan would enshrine abortion on demand into law, funded by the taxpayer.
Biden has repeatedly indicated in the past that he would “codify” Roe v. Wade in federal law; repeal the Hyde Amendment that bars direct public funding of most abortions; force states to accept Medicare funding for Planned Parenthood; reverse the Mexico City Policy, which bars federal funds from supporting abortion overseas; and direct the Justice Department to “do everything in its power” to block state pro-life laws, including parental notification requirements, ultrasound laws, and waiting periods.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-01--Russians ‘vote’ overwhelmingly to keep Putin in power, ban gay ‘marriage’

July 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Wednesday was the final day of voting in Russia on the all but inevitable re-election of President Vladimir Putin to another 12-year term , and on whether or not to formally ban state recognition of same-sex “ marriage.
” Putin said in February that he would back a national referendum to “ clarify some things , ” including that “ marriage is a union of a man and woman ” and that “ as long as I am president , we will not have parents # 1 and # 2 , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mamma.
’ ” The comments were consistent with his past opposition to formal promotion of homosexuality .
This week ’ s amendment , for which polls opened last Thursday , “ clarifies ” that only monogamous heterosexual unions will be recognized as marriages in Russia .
Other amendments put up for referendum include one that adds the phrase “ faith in God ” to the Russian constitution , and another that would eliminate term limits for the Russian president , effectively allowing Putin to remain in power for life .
The marriage amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prompting supporters and Putin allies to accuse foreign countries of attempting to interfere with Russian elections , the CBC reported .
On June 27 , the ambassadors to Russia from the United States , United Kingdom , Canada , Australia , and New Zealand issued a joint statement to “ celebrate Pride Month by applauding LGBTI activists and their allies , ” and to “ call upon the government of the Russian Federation to adhere to its stated commitment to protecting the rights of all citizens , including the lesbian , gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBTI ) community.
” '' In Russia , this situation ( over gay rights ) is compounded by an increase in violence and intimidation of the community by local authorities and other actors , ” declared Canada 's ambassador to Russia , Alison LeClaire , “ and proposals for constitutional amendments that if adopted would lead to an increasingly less inclusive national legal framework.
” The New York Times reported in March that polls indicated the referendum would have low turnout and enthusiasm , and suggested that putting the marriage amendment on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , according to Moscow-based political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann , “ reinven ( t ) the vote as a referendum for traditional values.
” “ They gave it a label to attract both those in favor , and those opposed , ” Schulmann said .
“ If turnout is properly high , then this new amended constitution will be legitimized both in the eyes of the internal audience and international community.
” Elections are not truly free in Russia , but the state seeks high voter turnout in order to give them the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , according to Russia ’ s Central Election Commission , the state ’ s efforts seem to have yielded a turnout of more than 60 percent .
The CEC further reported 73 percent support for the package of Putin-backed amendments , including the marriage language .
Despite its hardline stance on LGBT issues , however , Russia is far from a model of pro-family governance .
On top of its authoritarian rule , the country is a world leader in abortions per capita and allows surrogacy for profit to run rampant .

The referendum clarifies that only marriages between a man and a woman will be officially recognized.
July 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Wednesday was the final day of voting in Russia on the all but inevitable re-election of President Vladimir Putin to another 12-year term, and on whether or not to formally ban state recognition of same-sex “marriage.”
Putin said in February that he would back a national referendum to “clarify some things,” including that “marriage is a union of a man and woman” and that “as long as I am president, we will not have parents #1 and #2, we will have ‘papa’ and ‘mamma.’” The comments were consistent with his past opposition to formal promotion of homosexuality.
This week’s amendment, for which polls opened last Thursday, “clarifies” that only monogamous heterosexual unions will be recognized as marriages in Russia. Other amendments put up for referendum include one that adds the phrase “faith in God” to the Russian constitution, and another that would eliminate term limits for the Russian president, effectively allowing Putin to remain in power for life.
The marriage amendment has come under fire from international observers, prompting supporters and Putin allies to accuse foreign countries of attempting to interfere with Russian elections, the CBC reported.
On June 27, the ambassadors to Russia from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand issued a joint statement to “celebrate Pride Month by applauding LGBTI activists and their allies,” and to “call upon the government of the Russian Federation to adhere to its stated commitment to protecting the rights of all citizens, including the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community.”
“In Russia, this situation (over gay rights) is compounded by an increase in violence and intimidation of the community by local authorities and other actors,” declared Canada's ambassador to Russia, Alison LeClaire, “and proposals for constitutional amendments that if adopted would lead to an increasingly less inclusive national legal framework.”
The New York Times reported in March that polls indicated the referendum would have low turnout and enthusiasm, and suggested that putting the marriage amendment on the referendum was intended to turn things around and, according to Moscow-based political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann, “reinven(t) the vote as a referendum for traditional values.”
“They gave it a label to attract both those in favor, and those opposed,” Schulmann said. “If turnout is properly high, then this new amended constitution will be legitimized both in the eyes of the internal audience and international community.”
Elections are not truly free in Russia, but the state seeks high voter turnout in order to give them the appearance of legitimacy. NBC News reported that, according to Russia’s Central Election Commission, the state’s efforts seem to have yielded a turnout of more than 60 percent.
The CEC further reported 73 percent support for the package of Putin-backed amendments, including the marriage language.
Despite its hardline stance on LGBT issues, however, Russia is far from a model of pro-family governance. On top of its authoritarian rule, the country is a world leader in abortions per capita and allows surrogacy for profit to run rampant.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-01--Mobs don’t have the right to decide which statues come down

PETITION : Urge U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference to defend Catholic heritage and statues !
Sign the petition here .
July 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – It ’ s difficult to evaluate the character and actions of individuals from the past .
Historical figures were people of their time , influenced by the ideas and moral premises taken for granted then .
Besides that , people we consider good simply can do bad things .
A perfect illustration for those of us in the Church is St. Peter .
He was Jesus ’ s “ right-hand man ” throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry .
Yet , he attempted to interfere with Jesus ’ s mission as Messiah , trying to keep him from going to Jerusalem .
Jesus rebuked Peter harshly for that , even calling him “ Satan.
” Additionally , while Jesus was being examined by the high priest over allegations of blasphemy , Peter denied even knowing him .
Peter also insisted on imposing the rigid structures of Jewish law on those seeking to become Christians .
He argued over this bitterly with the Apostle Paul , and that argument split the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that there ’ s more to Peter ’ s story .
He realized his errors , repented of his sins , and became the first Pope , giving his life as one of Christianity ’ s early martyrs .
But if all we knew about Peter was the first part of the story , would we ever wish to see a statue of him ?
Would we remove his name from the great basilica that sits at the center of the Vatican ?
After all , some things he did just weren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of St. Junípero Serra , the missionary priest of California , were taken down in San Francisco and Los Angeles .
Others have been vandalized or are soon to be removed .
A Spanish Franciscan , St. Junípero founded missions up and down California , brought native peoples to Christianity , and defended the rights of the indigenous population .
His actions were thoroughly documented as part of the vetting process for canonization .
But , he is often viewed as a key representative of the Spanish conquest .
Some allege that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was often heavy-handed in his dealings with the local folk , stripping them of their culture and even their freedom .
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone conducted a prayer service and exorcism at the San Francisco desecration site .
He decried what he called “ horrendous acts of blasphemy … and disparaging of the memory of Serra.
” The life of every individual includes both good and bad .
As good people can do bad things , bad people can do good things ( though not necessarily for the best of motives ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaluating our own behavior , we know that sometimes we act in ways inconsistent with who we think we are as Christians .
St. Paul ( Peter ’ s old adversary ) expressed this reality well in his Letter to the Romans ( 7:15 ) : “ I do not understand what I do .
For what I want to do I do not do , but what I hate I do.
” Things get even murkier when we try to evaluate people from the past .
Any view back in time is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which we make our assessments is usually that of today .
To properly judge the actions of the past we must use the standards of the past .
And that ’ s extremely difficult , since we live now .
Our assumptions are influenced by current ideas and moral premises .
Many people are raising questions about monuments to such luminaries of our history as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson .
Those two men played absolutely crucial roles in the founding of our nation and the enunciation of our national ideals .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both owned slaves .
They each knew that slavery was deeply evil .
They each knew it contradicted the principles they cherished .
But they also knew that if they took firm positions against slavery at that time , there would be no United States of America — the nation that two generations later would fight a civil war to end slavery .
They had to compromise .
Of course , nowhere is it carved in stone that everything we memorialized in the past should continue to be honored .
It may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , events , or principles that so contradict the ideals of today — and thus have become so offensive — that they should be removed .
The challenge is to make such evaluations wisely , with due regard not only for current feelings , but for the historical context in which those memorials were created .
I can say categorically , however , that these judgments can not be left to vigilantism .
We have a system of laws by which society expresses its moral convictions .
And laws must be obeyed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are offended by public monuments have recourse .
When procedures are ignored and protests turn violent , honest objection becomes criminality , aggrieved groups become mobs .
And mobs do not have the right to decide for society at large .
No fact is more obvious than that America isn ’ t perfect .
No society ever is ; none ever has been .
It ’ s up to us — we , the people — to work toward making things better for everybody to the extent we can .
As we approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4th , let ’ s pray that God might show us the right way that can be done .
A priest of the Diocese of Camden , New Jersey , Rev .
Michael P. Orsi currently serves as parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Naples , Florida .
He is host of Action for Life TV , a weekly cable television series devoted to pro-life issues , and his writings appear in numerous publications and online journals .

The life of every individual includes both good and bad. As good people can do bad things, bad people can do good things (though not necessarily for the best of motives). People are complex beings.
PETITION: Urge U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference to defend Catholic heritage and statues! Sign the petition here.
July 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – It’s difficult to evaluate the character and actions of individuals from the past. Historical figures were people of their time, influenced by the ideas and moral premises taken for granted then. Besides that, people we consider good simply can do bad things.
A perfect illustration for those of us in the Church is St. Peter. He was Jesus’s “right-hand man” throughout the years of Christ’s earthly ministry. Yet, he attempted to interfere with Jesus’s mission as Messiah, trying to keep him from going to Jerusalem. Jesus rebuked Peter harshly for that, even calling him “Satan.”
Additionally, while Jesus was being examined by the high priest over allegations of blasphemy, Peter denied even knowing him.
Peter also insisted on imposing the rigid structures of Jewish law on those seeking to become Christians. He argued over this bitterly with the Apostle Paul, and that argument split the Church deeply.
Of course, we know that there’s more to Peter’s story. He realized his errors, repented of his sins, and became the first Pope, giving his life as one of Christianity’s early martyrs.
But if all we knew about Peter was the first part of the story, would we ever wish to see a statue of him? Would we remove his name from the great basilica that sits at the center of the Vatican? After all, some things he did just weren’t right.
Recently, statues of St. Junípero Serra, the missionary priest of California, were taken down in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Others have been vandalized or are soon to be removed.
A Spanish Franciscan, St. Junípero founded missions up and down California, brought native peoples to Christianity, and defended the rights of the indigenous population. His actions were thoroughly documented as part of the vetting process for canonization.
But, he is often viewed as a key representative of the Spanish conquest. Some allege that he appropriated native land for his missions, and was often heavy-handed in his dealings with the local folk, stripping them of their culture and even their freedom.
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone conducted a prayer service and exorcism at the San Francisco desecration site. He decried what he called “horrendous acts of blasphemy … and disparaging of the memory of Serra.”
The life of every individual includes both good and bad. As good people can do bad things, bad people can do good things (though not necessarily for the best of motives). People are complex beings.
Even in evaluating our own behavior, we know that sometimes we act in ways inconsistent with who we think we are as Christians. St. Paul (Peter’s old adversary) expressed this reality well in his Letter to the Romans (7:15): “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”
Things get even murkier when we try to evaluate people from the past. Any view back in time is inherently distorted, because the viewpoint from which we make our assessments is usually that of today.
To properly judge the actions of the past we must use the standards of the past. And that’s extremely difficult, since we live now. Our assumptions are influenced by current ideas and moral premises.
Many people are raising questions about monuments to such luminaries of our history as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Those two men played absolutely crucial roles in the founding of our nation and the enunciation of our national ideals. Both were champions of human liberty. Yet both owned slaves.
They each knew that slavery was deeply evil. They each knew it contradicted the principles they cherished. But they also knew that if they took firm positions against slavery at that time, there would be no United States of America — the nation that two generations later would fight a civil war to end slavery.
They had to compromise.
Of course, nowhere is it carved in stone that everything we memorialized in the past should continue to be honored. It may be that some statues and monuments portray individuals, events, or principles that so contradict the ideals of today — and thus have become so offensive — that they should be removed.
The challenge is to make such evaluations wisely, with due regard not only for current feelings, but for the historical context in which those memorials were created. I can say categorically, however, that these judgments cannot be left to vigilantism.
We have a system of laws by which society expresses its moral convictions. And laws must be obeyed. There are procedures to which those who are offended by public monuments have recourse. When procedures are ignored and protests turn violent, honest objection becomes criminality, aggrieved groups become mobs.
And mobs do not have the right to decide for society at large.
No fact is more obvious than that America isn’t perfect. No society ever is; none ever has been. It’s up to us — we, the people — to work toward making things better for everybody to the extent we can.
As we approach this week’s celebration of July 4th, let’s pray that God might show us the right way that can be done.
A priest of the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, Rev. Michael P. Orsi currently serves as parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Naples, Florida. He is host of Action for Life TV, a weekly cable television series devoted to pro-life issues, and his writings appear in numerous publications and online journals.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-07-01--Jesuit ‘America’ mag awarded by LGBT journalist association for podcasts on the Church and AIDS

WASHINGTON , D.C. , July 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A journalist for Jesuit-run America magazine has snagged this year ’ s “ Excellence in Religion Coverage Award ” from the Association of LGBTQ Journalists ( NLGJA ) for a podcast series about the Catholic Church ’ s response during the early days of the AIDS crisis .
While writer Michael O ’ Loughlin has done a remarkable job collecting first-hand stories from those who survived the darkest days of the AIDS epidemic , the homosexuality-as-normal perspective which frames the nearly four-hour audio series will sound foreign if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachings of the Church .
That perspective is perhaps unsurprising , given that O ’ Loughlin identifies as a “ gay Catholic , ” and works for America Media which , under Jesuit guidance , has long pushed for acceptance of homosexuality within the Catholic Church .
“ I want to share the stories from the height of the AIDS crisis – both those that inspire and those that infuriate – so we can remember what happens when society turns its back on those in need , ” explains O ’ Loughlin at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly suggests that only Catholics who affirmed homosexuality as they cared for those with AIDS and the “ gay community ” at large as “ inspiring ” while regarding those who sought to uphold Church teaching as problematic if not “ infuriating.
” Early on in the series , O ’ Loughlin faults an October , 1986 Vatican letter banning gay groups from Church properties and which asserted Church teaching that homosexuality is “ ordered to an intrinsic moral evil ” and an “ objective disorder ” for alienating a generation of homosexuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this letter , at the height of the AIDS crisis felt especially cruel to many of the gay Catholics I interviewed , ” says O ’ Loughlin .
“ To some if felt like they were being kicked while they were already down , plus the letter seemed to blame gay men for the onslaught of AIDS.
” Yet the Church was presenting truth , offering teaching in the best interest of the same-sex attracted .
Like O ’ Loughlin , I am a same-sex attracted man , albeit a chaste one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteered one night per week at Mother Teresa ’ s home , Gift of Peace , in Washington , D.C. , caring for men with AIDS whose bodies were ravaged by disease , or more often than not , multiple diseases .
My experience there served to confirm the wisdom of the Church ’ s teaching while revealing the heartlessness of promoting the lie that homosexuality could ever be a good thing or be reconciled with natural law .
“ Congratulations to my friend Mike O'Loughlin on this award , richly deserved for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Catholic Church and the AIDS crisis , ” wrote America Editor-at-Large , Father James Martin , S.J .
“ We ’ re all proud of him at America Magazine .
Martin himself has a lengthy record of pro-gay activism ranging from his many speeches and media appearances promoting homosexuality to his retweeting of a complaint that priests can ’ t “ bless ” gay unions to suggesting that the Church is full of “ homophobia ” and “ marginalizes ” the same-sex attracted .
Earlier this year he addressed 150 Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to promote “ inclusion ” on their campuses by promoting “ LGBT-affirming liturgies , ” permitting students to choose their own pronouns , and holding “ Lavender Graduations.
” Interestingly , the announcement of O ’ Loughlin ’ s award coincided with the release of a video hosted by Martin , titled “ Outreach 2020 : Catholic Leaders Speak with the LGBTQ Community , ” produced after a conference by the same name slated to take place at Fordham University this month had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , D.C. LGBT lobbying giant The Human Rights Campaign , O ’ Loughlin said he was hopeful that the Church will progress in its acceptance of homosexuality and transgenderism , and “ adjust how it approaches these issues , ” although he admitted that , “ it ’ s just the truth , that where the Church is growing , attitudes are more traditional.
” In the collecting of this audio archive , O ’ Loughlin has done yeoman ’ s work .
Three years in the making , the podcast along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not part of the published series are an important historical archive capturing the experiences of an aging generation who might not be around to tell their tales in another decade or two .
Titled , “ Plague : Untold stories of AIDS & the Catholic Church , ” the podcast explores stories of those who lived through the crisis as gay men , many of whom sought to maintain their Catholic faith as AIDS took the lives of their friends and partners ; of priests and sisters who ran parishes and outreaches ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frontlines against AIDS .
Many of the testimonies emanate from the 1980s gay meccas of New York City and San Francisco , but O ’ Loughlin also found compelling stories in rural America .
“ Reporting on Catholicism and LGBT issues sometimes makes me feel we ’ re in unsettled and uncharted waters , ” said O ’ Loughlin .
“ Sometimes it ’ s not clear to me how to stay afloat.
” Yet the Church ’ s teaching on LGBT issues is settled , and clearly charted .
O ’ Loughlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he , along with many of his America magazine comrades , rejects the Church ’ s wise counsel in order to justify his peculiar views .
God might want to ask O ’ Loughlin the same question he put to Job : “ Will you even put me in the wrong ?
Will you condemn me that you may be justified ?
” ( Job : 40:8 ) .
“ One thing became clear early on in my reporting : There is so much fear around the issue of LGBT people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justified .
There ’ s a small but emboldened movement that uses the power of social media to harass and condemn LGBT Catholics and their supporters , ” he laments .
“ I ’ m grateful that this podcast has provided space for me to report on my community , to capture some of our history , ” said O ’ Loughlin , “ and to complicate the narrative a bit.
” He certainly has .

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A journalist for Jesuit-run America magazine has snagged this year’s “Excellence in Religion Coverage Award” from the Association of LGBTQ Journalists (NLGJA) for a podcast series about the Catholic Church’s response during the early days of the AIDS crisis.
While writer Michael O’Loughlin has done a remarkable job collecting first-hand stories from those who survived the darkest days of the AIDS epidemic, the homosexuality-as-normal perspective which frames the nearly four-hour audio series will sound foreign if not antithetical to Catholics steeped in the teachings of the Church.
That perspective is perhaps unsurprising, given that O’Loughlin identifies as a “gay Catholic,” and works for America Media which, under Jesuit guidance, has long pushed for acceptance of homosexuality within the Catholic Church.
“I want to share the stories from the height of the AIDS crisis – both those that inspire and those that infuriate – so we can remember what happens when society turns its back on those in need,” explains O’Loughlin at the outset of the series. He repeatedly suggests that only Catholics who affirmed homosexuality as they cared for those with AIDS and the “gay community” at large as “inspiring” while regarding those who sought to uphold Church teaching as problematic if not “infuriating.”
Early on in the series, O’Loughlin faults an October, 1986 Vatican letter banning gay groups from Church properties and which asserted Church teaching that homosexuality is “ordered to an intrinsic moral evil” and an “objective disorder” for alienating a generation of homosexuals from the Church.
“The timing of this letter, at the height of the AIDS crisis felt especially cruel to many of the gay Catholics I interviewed,” says O’Loughlin. “To some if felt like they were being kicked while they were already down, plus the letter seemed to blame gay men for the onslaught of AIDS.”
Yet the Church was presenting truth, offering teaching in the best interest of the same-sex attracted.
Like O’Loughlin, I am a same-sex attracted man, albeit a chaste one. During the late 1980s/early 1990s I volunteered one night per week at Mother Teresa’s home, Gift of Peace, in Washington, D.C., caring for men with AIDS whose bodies were ravaged by disease, or more often than not, multiple diseases.
My experience there served to confirm the wisdom of the Church’s teaching while revealing the heartlessness of promoting the lie that homosexuality could ever be a good thing or be reconciled with natural law.
Normalizing homosexuality, a relentless Jesuit theme
“Congratulations to my friend Mike O'Loughlin on this award, richly deserved for his superb podcast series ‘Plague’ on the Catholic Church and the AIDS crisis,” wrote America Editor-at-Large, Father James Martin, S.J. “We’re all proud of him at America Magazine.
Congratulations to my friend @MikeOLoughlin on this award, richly deserved for his superb podcast series “Plague” on the Catholic Church and the AIDS crisis. We're all proud of him at @americamag #PrideMonth https://t.co/zpy3ERY8Dj — James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) June 24, 2020
Martin himself has a lengthy record of pro-gay activism ranging from his many speeches and media appearances promoting homosexuality to his retweeting of a complaint that priests can’t “bless” gay unions to suggesting that the Church is full of “homophobia” and “marginalizes” the same-sex attracted. Earlier this year he addressed 150 Catholic college and university presidents, urging them to promote “inclusion” on their campuses by promoting “LGBT-affirming liturgies,” permitting students to choose their own pronouns, and holding “Lavender Graduations.”
Interestingly, the announcement of O’Loughlin’s award coincided with the release of a video hosted by Martin, titled “Outreach 2020: Catholic Leaders Speak with the LGBTQ Community,” produced after a conference by the same name slated to take place at Fordham University this month had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a half-hour interview this week with the Washington, D.C. LGBT lobbying giant The Human Rights Campaign, O’Loughlin said he was hopeful that the Church will progress in its acceptance of homosexuality and transgenderism, and “adjust how it approaches these issues,” although he admitted that, “it’s just the truth, that where the Church is growing, attitudes are more traditional.”
‘Unsettled, uncharted waters’
In the collecting of this audio archive, O’Loughlin has done yeoman’s work.
Three years in the making, the podcast along with the hours of interviews which are not part of the published series are an important historical archive capturing the experiences of an aging generation who might not be around to tell their tales in another decade or two.
Titled, “Plague: Untold stories of AIDS & the Catholic Church,” the podcast explores stories of those who lived through the crisis as gay men, many of whom sought to maintain their Catholic faith as AIDS took the lives of their friends and partners; of priests and sisters who ran parishes and outreaches; and medical professionals who served on the frontlines against AIDS.
Many of the testimonies emanate from the 1980s gay meccas of New York City and San Francisco, but O’Loughlin also found compelling stories in rural America.
“Reporting on Catholicism and LGBT issues sometimes makes me feel we’re in unsettled and uncharted waters,” said O’Loughlin. “Sometimes it’s not clear to me how to stay afloat.”
Yet the Church’s teaching on LGBT issues is settled, and clearly charted. O’Loughlin is unclear about how to stay afloat because he, along with many of his America magazine comrades, rejects the Church’s wise counsel in order to justify his peculiar views.
God might want to ask O’Loughlin the same question he put to Job: “Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be justified?” (Job: 40:8).
“One thing became clear early on in my reporting: There is so much fear around the issue of LGBT people in the Church. This fear sometimes feels justified. There’s a small but emboldened movement that uses the power of social media to harass and condemn LGBT Catholics and their supporters,” he laments.
“I’m grateful that this podcast has provided space for me to report on my community, to capture some of our history,” said O’Loughlin, “and to complicate the narrative a bit.”
He certainly has.
Follow Doug Doug Mainwaring is a journalist for LifeSiteNews, an author, and a marriage, family and children's rights activist. He has testified before the United States Congress and state legislative bodies, originated and co-authored amicus briefs for the United States Supreme Court, and has been a guest on numerous TV and radio programs. Doug and his family live in the Washington, DC suburbs.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-01--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

July 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united daily in prayer , in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade .
Catholics from all over the world—from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , Pakistan , Singapore , the Philippines , India , Indonesia , Australia , New Zealand , Thailand , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Brazil , and other countries—are gathering daily to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Pillari , J.C.L.
, an American priest currently studying in Italy .
Our goal is , by means of this daily rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima , the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
To help obtain that goal , Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide rosary crusade : O Immaculate Heart of Mary , you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother .
Look upon the distress in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church .
In Fatima you warned against these errors , as you spoke about the errors of Russia .
You are the Mediatrix of all graces .
Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope : that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart , so that Russia will be converted , a period of peace will be granted to the world , and your Immaculate Heart will triumph , through an authentic renewal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purity of the Catholic Faith , of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life .
O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother , turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer .
Amen .
+ Athanasius Schneider , Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady ’ s message at Fatima , and about what you can do , please read Cardinal Burke ’ s 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //voiceofthefamily.com/full-text-cardinal-burkes-historic-call-for-consecration-of-russia/ ) .
As St. Padre Pio once said , “ The rosary is the weapon for these times.
” Through prayer , God can shape history , change the world , and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world , through the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
Join us today !
Send photos or videos of you and your family praying the rosary with Father Pillari to [ email protected ]

(LifeSiteNews) — In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church, LifeSite is happy to promote Regina Angelorum Press’s Daily Rosary, which is offering Catholics throughout the world the chance to be united daily in prayer, in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade.
Catholics from all over the world — from Israel, Uganda, Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Pakistan, Singapore, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and other countries — are gathering daily to pray the Rosary, led by Father Pillari, JCL, MCL, STL, an American priest currently studying in Italy.
The Daily Rosary is being offered each day at 12noon EST through Regina Angelorum Press’ YouTube Channel to which you can subscribe HERE.
The goal is, by means of this Daily Rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima, the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.
To help obtain that goal, Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide Rosary crusade:
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother. Look upon the distress in which the Church and the whole of humanity are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church. In Fatima you warned against these errors, as you spoke about the errors of Russia. You are the Mediatrix of all graces. Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope: that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart, so that Russia will be converted, a period of peace will be granted to the world, and your Immaculate Heart will triumph, through an authentic renewal of the Church in the splendor of the purity of the Catholic Faith, of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life. O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother, turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer. Amen. + Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana
To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady’s message at Fatima, and about what you can do, please read Cardinal Burke’s 2017 address at the Rome Life Forum.
As St. Padre Pio once said, “The Rosary is the weapon for these times.” Through prayer, God can shape history, change the world, and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world, through the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart. Join us today!
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this Rosary, you can access them HERE. The document also includes a brief F.A.Q. pertaining to the daily Rosary.
You can send your prayer requests to https://reginangelorumpress.com/prayer-intentions/
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lifesitenews--2020-07-01--Porn changes your brain, but you can change it back

In today ’ s episode of The Van Maren Show , Gabe Deem joins Jonathon to discuss the negative health @ @ @ @ @ porn changes the brain .
Gabe Deem is committed to helping others break free from @ @ @ @ @ own struggles .
He empowers people with education about the harmful effects of pornography and @ @ @ @ @ to connect and build each other up in their journeys .

In today’s episode of The Van Maren Show, Gabe Deem joins Jonathon to discuss the negative health impacts of pornography and how porn changes the brain.
Gabe Deem is committed to helping others break free from their porn addiction after his own struggles. He empowers people with education about the harmful effects of pornography and provides safe forums for people to connect and build each other up in their journeys.


lifesitenews--2020-07-02--Dozens of legislators demand update on investigation into Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON , D.C. , July 2 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A group of over 60 members of Congress asked the U.S. Department of Justice ( DOJ ) to provide “ an update on the status of the Department ’ s investigation into Planned Parenthood and its affiliates , ” as well as “ an explanation of steps it is taking to prioritize the enforcement of fetal trafficking laws altogether.
” The legislators sent their letter to U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr on June 26 after the release of a video by the Center for Medical Progress showing Planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body parts of aborted babies .
“ In a shocking compilation of incriminating testimonies released in May , Planned Parenthood executives openly admit to trafficking human fetal tissue from aborted infants , ” the letter pointed out .
“ For instance , uncovered exchanges in the video footage between Dorothy Furgerson , MD , the Director of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte ( PPMM ) , and research company , StemExpress , outline a contract for PPMM to sell fetal body parts to StemExpress at a rate of $ 65 per usable specimen.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the video also showed how Planned Parenthood Federation of America ( PPFA ) , while under investigation in 2015 , told Congress that its Gulf Coast affiliate ( PPGC ) in Houston had “ rebuffed ” an undercover proposal to sell fetal livers for $ 750 per liver and $ 1,600 for liver/thymus pairs .
But Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast senior director of abortion access Tram Nguyen testified that she “ wanted to move forward with it , ” as documented in contemporaneous emails between her and PPGC regional director Dyann Santos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislators , these admissions are “ not only morally repugnant , to strip an unborn child for parts and sell them to the highest bidder , it is also a federal crime.
” In fact , federal law “ clearly states that it is illegal for any person to ‘ solicit or knowingly acquire , receive , or accept a donation of human fetal tissue for valuable consideration.
’ ” As emphasized by the letter , the DOJ had received several letters inquiring about the status of the investigation into Planned Parenthood and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DOJ never released any updates .
The members of Congress now requested “ a written update on the status of criminal referrals ” it has received in that context in the last few years .
A criminal referral is a notice recommending the criminal investigation or prosecution of entities for crimes .
In their letter , the legislators , led by South Carolina Republican Rep. Ralph Norman , also referred to Planned Parenthood obtaining $ 80 million in federal Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) loans meant to assist businesses impacted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ siphoning millions of dollars in PPP loans from small businesses in need , it is clear Planned Parenthood continues to engage in legally suspect actions that merit investigation , ” they wrote .
Twenty-seven Republican senators had already asked the DOJ in May to investigate the abuse of PPP loans by Planned Parenthood .
According to their letter , “ it seems clear that Planned Parenthood knew that it was ineligible for the small business loans under the CARES Act long before its affiliates fraudulently self-certified that they were eligible .
As you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both civil and criminal penalties.
” Meanwhile , the Center for Medical Progress released another video in late June containing footage from the sworn testimony of abortion industry officials admitting that they are aware of babies having been born alive , and suggesting that they are murdered soon after .
The Center for Medical Progress had originally exposed Planned Parenthood ’ s sale of aborted babies ’ body parts in 2015 , late into former President Barack Obama ’ s second term .
In late 2017 , the Trump administration requested documents from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review of the case , which led many pro-lifers to hope Planned Parenthood would finally face justice .
But no charges were ever brought .
Planned Parenthood killed 345,672 preborn children last year while receiving more than $ 616 million from the federal government , $ 430 million in private revenue , and $ 591 million in charitable contributions .
The abortion giant is currently rolling out a $ 5 million campaign to bombard election battleground states with advertising against state efforts to suspend elective abortions as part of COVID-19 emergency measures .

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 2, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A group of over 60 members of Congress asked the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide “an update on the status of the Department’s investigation into Planned Parenthood and its affiliates,” as well as “an explanation of steps it is taking to prioritize the enforcement of fetal trafficking laws altogether.”
The legislators sent their letter to U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr on June 26 after the release of a video by the Center for Medical Progress showing Planned Parenthood executives admitting under oath to selling body parts of aborted babies.
“In a shocking compilation of incriminating testimonies released in May, Planned Parenthood executives openly admit to trafficking human fetal tissue from aborted infants,” the letter pointed out. “For instance, uncovered exchanges in the video footage between Dorothy Furgerson, MD, the Director of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte (PPMM), and research company, StemExpress, outline a contract for PPMM to sell fetal body parts to StemExpress at a rate of $65 per usable specimen.”
Not mentioned by the members of Congress, the video also showed how Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), while under investigation in 2015, told Congress that its Gulf Coast affiliate (PPGC) in Houston had “rebuffed” an undercover proposal to sell fetal livers for $750 per liver and $1,600 for liver/thymus pairs. But Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast senior director of abortion access Tram Nguyen testified that she “wanted to move forward with it,” as documented in contemporaneous emails between her and PPGC regional director Dyann Santos.
According to the more than 60 legislators, these admissions are “not only morally repugnant, to strip an unborn child for parts and sell them to the highest bidder, it is also a federal crime.”
In fact, federal law “clearly states that it is illegal for any person to ‘solicit or knowingly acquire, receive, or accept a donation of human fetal tissue for valuable consideration.’”
As emphasized by the letter, the DOJ had received several letters inquiring about the status of the investigation into Planned Parenthood and its affiliates in the past, but the DOJ never released any updates. The members of Congress now requested “a written update on the status of criminal referrals” it has received in that context in the last few years. A criminal referral is a notice recommending the criminal investigation or prosecution of entities for crimes.
In their letter, the legislators, led by South Carolina Republican Rep. Ralph Norman, also referred to Planned Parenthood obtaining $80 million in federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans meant to assist businesses impacted by coronavirus response policies.
“After intentionally siphoning millions of dollars in PPP loans from small businesses in need, it is clear Planned Parenthood continues to engage in legally suspect actions that merit investigation,” they wrote.
Twenty-seven Republican senators had already asked the DOJ in May to investigate the abuse of PPP loans by Planned Parenthood. According to their letter, “it seems clear that Planned Parenthood knew that it was ineligible for the small business loans under the CARES Act long before its affiliates fraudulently self-certified that they were eligible. As you know, fraudulent loan applications can trigger both civil and criminal penalties.”
Meanwhile, the Center for Medical Progress released another video in late June containing footage from the sworn testimony of abortion industry officials admitting that they are aware of babies having been born alive, and suggesting that they are murdered soon after.
The Center for Medical Progress had originally exposed Planned Parenthood’s sale of aborted babies’ body parts in 2015, late into former President Barack Obama’s second term. In late 2017, the Trump administration requested documents from the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s review of the case, which led many pro-lifers to hope Planned Parenthood would finally face justice. But no charges were ever brought.
Planned Parenthood killed 345,672 preborn children last year while receiving more than $616 million from the federal government, $430 million in private revenue, and $591 million in charitable contributions. The abortion giant is currently rolling out a $5 million campaign to bombard election battleground states with advertising against state efforts to suspend elective abortions as part of COVID-19 emergency measures.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-02--Archdiocese hires outspoken pro-LGBT, pro–Black Lives Matter adviser on racism

BALTIMORE , Maryland , July 2 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — An archbishop has hired a “ diversity and inclusion ” consultant who is unabashedly pro-LGBT ; supports the Marxist , pro-abortion , anti-family Black Lives Matter movement ; and sees Republicans as evil to help him “ grapple with racial tension ” in a city that has long been plagued with racial unrest and violence .
Baltimore archbishop William E. Lori announced in a June 5 letter that he has hired Howard Ross , founder and president of the Udarta consulting firm in Washington , D.C. , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his second pastoral reflection on racism , ‘ The Journey to Racial Justice : Repentance , Healing and Action.
’ ” According to multiple online biographies , Ross has served on the Diversity Advisory Board of the LGBT Washington , D.C. lobbying powerhouse , the Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) , which frequently seeks to promote legislation and regulations diametrically opposed to Christian beliefs and defying natural law .
A review of Ross ’ s Facebook postings over the last month reveals support for political movements , organizations , and ideas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her teachings .
On the day before Archbishop Lori published his letter , Ross had posted a link to an article in the LGBT news outlet The Washington Blade headlined “ Trump admin to Supreme Court : Let adoption agencies reject LGBTQ families , ” which he captioned , “ Yet another example that the Trump administration ’ s guiding principles are bigotry , cruelty , hatred and exclusion.
” The Trump Department of Justice had filed a brief saying the City of Philadelphia had “ impermissibly discriminated against religious exercise ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the city ’ s demand requiring LGBT non-discrimination practices in child placement .
“ Governmental action tainted by hostility to religion fails strict scrutiny almost by definition , ” the brief asserts .
“ This court has never recognized even a legitimate governmental interest — much less a compelling one — that justifies hostility toward religion.
” And because the brief sought to protect religious liberty , and tangentially to look out for the best interests of children , Ross accused the Trump DOJ of “ bigotry , cruelty , hatred and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump Department of Health rolled back Obama-era protections for transgender individuals by “ returning to the government ’ s interpretation of sex discrimination according to the plain meaning of the word ‘ sex ’ as male or female and as determined by biology , ” Ross again took to Facebook to deem the move “ sick , demented , cruel and hateful.
” Ross inferred that those who accept the view that sex is determined solely by biology have abandoned their humanity .
A few days later , when the U.S. Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redefine “ sex ” in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights law , interpreting it to include sexual orientation and gender identity , ostensibly opening up churches to future litigation and posing a grave threat to religious liberty , Ross simply declared , “ Hallelujah !
” Ross then asserted in another Facebook posting that he considers voting for Donald Trump in the upcoming election an act of violence against LGBT persons .
Ross has also displayed his support for Black Lives Matter ( BLM ) , an organization that aggressively promotes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeks to disrupt the nuclear family .
In its online manifesto titled “ What We Believe , ” the Black Lives Matter organizers say they and their followers “ disrupt ” the “ Western-prescribed ” family .
They also say they have freed themselves from “ heteronormative thinking ” and demand “ reproductive justice.
” “ We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and ‘ villages ’ that collectively care for one another , especially our children , to the degree that mothers , parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they wrote .
“ We foster a queer‐affirming network .
When we gather , we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking , or rather , the belief that all in the world are heterosexual ( unless s/he or they disclose otherwise ) , ” they continued .
“ We deserve and thus we demand reproductive justice [ i.e.
, abortion ] that gives us autonomy over our bodies and our identities while ensuring that our children and families are supported , safe , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Archbishop Lori ’ s office to find out if the archdiocese was aware of Ross ’ s troubling support for the marxist BLM political movement and homosexuality and trangenderism , and his connection to HRC but received no reply by press time .
LifeSiteNews has likewise sought comment from Howard Ross .

A review of Howard Ross’s Facebook postings over the last month reveals support for political movements, organizations, and ideas that are antithetical to the Catholic Church and her teachings.
BALTIMORE, Maryland, July 2, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — An archbishop has hired a “diversity and inclusion” consultant who is unabashedly pro-LGBT; supports the Marxist, pro-abortion, anti-family Black Lives Matter movement; and sees Republicans as evil to help him “grapple with racial tension” in a city that has long been plagued with racial unrest and violence.
Baltimore archbishop William E. Lori announced in a June 5 letter that he has hired Howard Ross, founder and president of the Udarta consulting firm in Washington, D.C., to help him “implement the recommendations outlined in his second pastoral reflection on racism, ‘The Journey to Racial Justice: Repentance, Healing and Action.’”
According to multiple online biographies, Ross has served on the Diversity Advisory Board of the LGBT Washington, D.C. lobbying powerhouse, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which frequently seeks to promote legislation and regulations diametrically opposed to Christian beliefs and defying natural law.
A review of Ross’s Facebook postings over the last month reveals support for political movements, organizations, and ideas that are antithetical to the Catholic Church and her teachings.
On the day before Archbishop Lori published his letter, Ross had posted a link to an article in the LGBT news outlet The Washington Blade headlined “Trump admin to Supreme Court: Let adoption agencies reject LGBTQ families,” which he captioned, “Yet another example that the Trump administration’s guiding principles are bigotry, cruelty, hatred and exclusion.”
The Trump Department of Justice had filed a brief saying the City of Philadelphia had “impermissibly discriminated against religious exercise” by requiring Catholic Social Services to adhere to the city’s demand requiring LGBT non-discrimination practices in child placement.
“Governmental action tainted by hostility to religion fails strict scrutiny almost by definition,” the brief asserts. “This court has never recognized even a legitimate governmental interest — much less a compelling one — that justifies hostility toward religion.”
And because the brief sought to protect religious liberty, and tangentially to look out for the best interests of children, Ross accused the Trump DOJ of “bigotry, cruelty, hatred and exclusion.”
Eight days later, when the Trump Department of Health rolled back Obama-era protections for transgender individuals by “returning to the government’s interpretation of sex discrimination according to the plain meaning of the word ‘sex’ as male or female and as determined by biology,” Ross again took to Facebook to deem the move “sick, demented, cruel and hateful.”
Ross inferred that those who accept the view that sex is determined solely by biology have abandoned their humanity.
A few days later, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision to redefine “sex” in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights law, interpreting it to include sexual orientation and gender identity, ostensibly opening up churches to future litigation and posing a grave threat to religious liberty, Ross simply declared, “Hallelujah!”
Ross then asserted in another Facebook posting that he considers voting for Donald Trump in the upcoming election an act of violence against LGBT persons.
Ross has also displayed his support for Black Lives Matter (BLM), an organization that aggressively promotes abortion, homosexuality, and transgenderism and seeks to disrupt the nuclear family.
In its online manifesto titled “What We Believe,” the Black Lives Matter organizers say they and their followers “disrupt” the “Western-prescribed” family. They also say they have freed themselves from “heteronormative thinking” and demand “reproductive justice.”
“We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and ‘villages’ that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable,” they wrote.
“We foster a queer‐affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking, or rather, the belief that all in the world are heterosexual (unless s/he or they disclose otherwise),” they continued.
“We deserve and thus we demand reproductive justice [i.e., abortion] that gives us autonomy over our bodies and our identities while ensuring that our children and families are supported, safe, and able to thrive.”
LifeSiteNews reached out to Archbishop Lori’s office to find out if the archdiocese was aware of Ross’s troubling support for the marxist BLM political movement and homosexuality and trangenderism, and his connection to HRC but received no reply by press time. LifeSiteNews has likewise sought comment from Howard Ross.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-02--‘Privilege’ in America is reserved for wealthy, powerful Democrats

I know a lot about “ white privilege.
” Not that , as the son of a roofer , I ’ ve ever experienced any myself .
I ’ ve never had a single thing handed to me because I ’ m “ white , ” which is precisely why I do not suffer from “ white guilt.
” But I know lots of privileged whites , both teenagers and adults , who are wracked by “ white guilt.
” They mostly call themselves liberal Democrats , or democratic socialists , or even flat-out socialists .
And they are utterly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us should all pay for their “ original sin ” of being born wealthy .
My own ancestors were poor farmers , lumberjacks , and carpenters — not a wealthy slave-owner in the bunch .
In fact , I have a great , great grandfather who was wounded in the Civil War fighting to free black Americans .
He carried a rifle ball in his leg that left him lame for the rest of his life .
Was that his “ white privilege ” ?
My father was a roofer — the lowest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his entire working life putting asphalt shingle roofs on houses in the Central Valley of California , his skin burned black by endless hours in the blazing California sun in temperatures up to 115 degrees .
He spent his retirement years having skin cancer cut off of his face , neck , and back .
Was that his “ white privilege ” ?
He lived hand to mouth his entire life and died owning nothing — not a home , not a car , not a savings account .
His pension from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 300 a month .
Can democratic socialists who are so loudly demanding that we all suffer for our “ white privilege ” please tell me in what way my dad was “ privileged ” ?
Like other working-class Americans , white , brown , or black , he never received anything he hadn ’ t earned himself through hard physical labor .
If my dad were still with us , he would scoff at the idea that he was somehow the beneficiary of a phantom called “ white privilege.
” More likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I was talking about .
As for myself , I grew up in a ramshackle shantytown outside Fresno , California , inhabited by roughly equal numbers of Mexican farm workers and working-class whites like my dad .
I had to work in the fields in the summer if I wanted new school clothes to wear in the fall .
Like many of my high school graduating class , black , brown , and white — this was during the Vietnam War — I joined the armed forces and headed off to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ white privilege ” ?
Eventually — not because of the color of my skin , but because I tested well — the U.S. Navy decided to send me back to school .
I earned a bachelor ’ s and a master ’ s degree in oceanography at the University of Washington .
As active-duty military in the early seventies , I was encouraged to keep my hair long and my head down and avoid the almost daily antiwar demonstrations on campus .
One day , the Antifa of our time set off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on campus .
Had it gone off a couple of hours later than it did , it would have killed me and many of my shipmates , who , by the way , were of all colors .
Would you call that “ white privilege ” ?
In 1976 , I resigned my commission and was accepted into a Ph.D. program at Stanford University .
There I came face to face with “ white privilege ” for the first time .
In fact , almost every student I knew at Stanford University — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was privileged .
They were almost all winners in the dad lottery , the sons and daughters of hugely successful fathers who had spoiled them every step of the way with cars , clothes , and credit cards , not to mention tutors and special courses to boost their grades and SAT scores .
They hadn ’ t gotten to Stanford under their own power .
They had been helicoptered there by rich , powerful parents and dropped off on its doorstep .
No wonder they suffered from “ white guilt.
” These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-aware enough to understand this , however .
Encouraged by left-wing professors , they projected their “ white guilt ” onto America and Western civilization as a whole .
They eagerly marched with the Rev .
Jesse Jackson when he came to campus to demand that the Western civilization core requirement be canceled .
“ Hey , hey , ho , ho , Western civ has to go , ” they chanted until the cowardly administration capitulated .
Then they perversely celebrated the fact that they were dissing their own ancestors , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process .
Even so , these very real beneficiaries of “ white privilege ” did well in life .
Today , my Stanford classmates are mostly powerful politicians , lawyers , and media figures .
They are people like New Jersey senator Cory Booker , the very privileged son of two IBM executives .
And they are all , almost without exception , creatures of the left .
Wayne Allyn Root had an identical experience at Columbia University .
He writes , “ Every classmate I met who was born rich was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hated white people ( even though most of them were white ) , hated capitalism and hated America .
Today , they all hate Donald Trump.
” So “ privilege ” is real , but it ’ s not “ white privilege.
” It ’ s more like “ money and power privilege.
” This son of a roofer never enjoyed either , so don ’ t try to make me feel guilty for it .
It won ’ t work .
Unlike many American-hating graduates of elite universities , no one handed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve had to work hard every step of the way .
So the vast majority of the 63 million Americans who voted for Donald Trump .
And don ’ t try making it into a race question , either , because we ’ re not buying it .
The real racists in America — and there are some — are the ones who run abortion facilities in minority neighborhoods .
They are responsible for the deaths of millions of black and brown babies .
That ’ s racism , all right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kills .
As for the rest of us , no one has ever given us anything because of the color of our skin .
Truth be told , we wouldn ’ t even think of asking .
We still believe in the promise of America that “ all men are created equal.
” We also believe that in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave , people have an absolute right to assemble and peacefully protest .
So march for Black Lives Matter if you choose to .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hardworking Americans of all colors .
Don ’ t desecrate or demolish the monuments to American heroes of all colors .
And don ’ t attack the police who are there to protect Americans of all colors — and who , by the way , also come in all colors .
Above all , don ’ t project your “ white guilt ” on the rest of us .
We ’ ve never had an inkling of “ white privilege.
” We don ’ t even know what it is .
Look @ @ @ @

I know lots of privileged whites, both teenagers and adults, who are wracked by 'white guilt.' They mostly call themselves liberal Democrats.
I know a lot about “white privilege.” Not that, as the son of a roofer, I’ve ever experienced any myself. I’ve never had a single thing handed to me because I’m “white,” which is precisely why I do not suffer from “white guilt.”
But I know lots of privileged whites, both teenagers and adults, who are wracked by “white guilt.” They mostly call themselves liberal Democrats, or democratic socialists, or even flat-out socialists. And they are utterly determined that all of the rest of us should all pay for their “original sin” of being born wealthy.
My own ancestors were poor farmers, lumberjacks, and carpenters — not a wealthy slave-owner in the bunch. In fact, I have a great, great grandfather who was wounded in the Civil War fighting to free black Americans. He carried a rifle ball in his leg that left him lame for the rest of his life. Was that his “white privilege”?
My father was a roofer — the lowest of the building trades. He spent his entire working life putting asphalt shingle roofs on houses in the Central Valley of California, his skin burned black by endless hours in the blazing California sun in temperatures up to 115 degrees. He spent his retirement years having skin cancer cut off of his face, neck, and back. Was that his “white privilege”?
He lived hand to mouth his entire life and died owning nothing — not a home, not a car, not a savings account. His pension from the roofer’s union was less than $300 a month.
Can democratic socialists who are so loudly demanding that we all suffer for our “white privilege” please tell me in what way my dad was “privileged”? Like other working-class Americans, white, brown, or black, he never received anything he hadn’t earned himself through hard physical labor.
If my dad were still with us, he would scoff at the idea that he was somehow the beneficiary of a phantom called “white privilege.” More likely, he would have absolutely no idea what I was talking about.
As for myself, I grew up in a ramshackle shantytown outside Fresno, California, inhabited by roughly equal numbers of Mexican farm workers and working-class whites like my dad. I had to work in the fields in the summer if I wanted new school clothes to wear in the fall. Like many of my high school graduating class, black, brown, and white — this was during the Vietnam War — I joined the armed forces and headed off to the Far East. Would you call that “white privilege”?
Eventually — not because of the color of my skin, but because I tested well — the U.S. Navy decided to send me back to school. I earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in oceanography at the University of Washington.
As active-duty military in the early seventies, I was encouraged to keep my hair long and my head down and avoid the almost daily antiwar demonstrations on campus. One day, the Antifa of our time set off a bomb in our Naval ROTC building on campus. Had it gone off a couple of hours later than it did, it would have killed me and many of my shipmates, who, by the way, were of all colors. Would you call that “white privilege”?
In 1976, I resigned my commission and was accepted into a Ph.D. program at Stanford University. There I came face to face with “white privilege” for the first time.
In fact, almost every student I knew at Stanford University — white, black, or brown — was privileged. They were almost all winners in the dad lottery, the sons and daughters of hugely successful fathers who had spoiled them every step of the way with cars, clothes, and credit cards, not to mention tutors and special courses to boost their grades and SAT scores.
They hadn’t gotten to Stanford under their own power. They had been helicoptered there by rich, powerful parents and dropped off on its doorstep.
No wonder they suffered from “white guilt.”
These sons and daughters of privilege were not self-aware enough to understand this, however. Encouraged by left-wing professors, they projected their “white guilt” onto America and Western civilization as a whole.
They eagerly marched with the Rev. Jesse Jackson when he came to campus to demand that the Western civilization core requirement be canceled. “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Western civ has to go,” they chanted until the cowardly administration capitulated. Then they perversely celebrated the fact that they were dissing their own ancestors, not to mention making themselves dumber in the process.
Even so, these very real beneficiaries of “white privilege” did well in life. Today, my Stanford classmates are mostly powerful politicians, lawyers, and media figures. They are people like New Jersey senator Cory Booker, the very privileged son of two IBM executives. And they are all, almost without exception, creatures of the left.
Wayne Allyn Root had an identical experience at Columbia University. He writes, “Every classmate I met who was born rich was a liberal Democrat who hated Ronald Reagan, hated white people (even though most of them were white), hated capitalism and hated America. Today, they all hate Donald Trump.”
So “privilege” is real, but it’s not “white privilege.” It’s more like “money and power privilege.”
This son of a roofer never enjoyed either, so don’t try to make me feel guilty for it. It won’t work. Unlike many American-hating graduates of elite universities, no one handed me life on a silver platter. I’ve had to work hard every step of the way. So the vast majority of the 63 million Americans who voted for Donald Trump.
And don’t try making it into a race question, either, because we’re not buying it.
The real racists in America — and there are some — are the ones who run abortion facilities in minority neighborhoods. They are responsible for the deaths of millions of black and brown babies. That’s racism, all right, and it’s racism that kills.
As for the rest of us, no one has ever given us anything because of the color of our skin. Truth be told, we wouldn’t even think of asking. We still believe in the promise of America that “all men are created equal.”
We also believe that in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, people have an absolute right to assemble and peacefully protest. So march for Black Lives Matter if you choose to. But don’t burn down the businesses of hardworking Americans of all colors. Don’t desecrate or demolish the monuments to American heroes of all colors. And don’t attack the police who are there to protect Americans of all colors — and who, by the way, also come in all colors.
Above all, don’t project your “white guilt” on the rest of us. We’ve never had an inkling of “white privilege.” We don’t even know what it is.
Look in the mirror.
Follow Steven Steven Mosher is an internationally recognised authority on China and population issues as well as an acclaimed author and speaker and founder and head of the Population Research Institute. He was the first American social scientist to visit mainland China in 1979 where he witnessed women being forced to have abortion under the new “one-child-policy” which he then exposed to the world. Mr. Mosher was a pro-choice atheist at the time, but witnessing these traumatic abortions led him to reconsider his convictions and to eventually become a practicing, pro-life Roman Catholic. Mosher has appeared numerous times before the US Congress as an expert in world population, China and human Rights abuses. He has also made TV appearances on Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, The Today Show, 20/20, FOX and CNN news, as well as being a regular guest on talk radio shows across the nation. He is the author of the best-selling A Mother’s Ordeal: One woman’s Fight Against China’s One-Child-Policy. His latest book is Bully of Asia, exposing the threat of China to the entire world at this time. Articles by Steve have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest, The New Republic, The Washington Post, National Review, Reason, The Asian Wall Street Journal, Freedom Review, Linacre Quarterly, Catholic World Report, Human Life Review, First Things, and numerous other publications. Steven Mosher lives in Virginia with his wife, Vera, and their nine children.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-02--‘Gay Catholics’ are ‘cornerstone’ of Church, says video with NY Cdl Dolan’s support

July 2 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — In a video produced by Fordham University after the coronavirus pandemic forced it to postpone its planned “ Outreach 2020 ” conference for “ LGBTQ Catholics , ” perhaps the most alarming revelations come within the first 30 seconds .
“ We were all ready to go , ” exclaims Fr .
James Martin , S.J.
, “ with the support of Cardinal Timothy Dolan , the Archbishop of New York ; Fr .
John Cecero , the Jesuit Provincial of the USA , Northeast Province ; and Fr .
Joe McShane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 43-minute video features many of the speakers who would have participated at the Jesuit-run Fordham University event .
The speakers offer one lie and false hope after another , often employing misapplications of Scripture to do so .
In particular , Psalm 139 is cited repeatedly in the video to tell homosexual and transgender Catholics that they are “ fearfully , wonderfully made ” by God to be homosexual and transgender .
“ LGBT Catholics , the cornerstone to our Church ” “ LGBT Catholics in many ways are like Jesus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gift to our Church , ” began Ish Ruiz , a religious studies instructor at San Francisco ’ s Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep .
“ The stone that has been rejected has become the cornerstone , ” he declared .
“ I think of LGBT Catholics as that , as the cornerstone to our Church.
” Sister Luisa Derouen , O.P.
, a Dominican sister and “ minister to the transgender community , ” said transgender Catholics are on a “ sacred journey ” through whom God acts .
Bishop : Pro-LGBT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jesus Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe said it saddens him to think that “ so many of our fellow Catholics experience isolation , loneliness , and even depression on an almost daily basis because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
” In 2018 , Wester ’ s archdiocese hosted a conference in Albuquerque run by a dissident priest organization with the bishop ’ s full support .
The conference , which was put on by the Association of United States Catholic Priests ( AUSCP ) , featured Wester as its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homosexuals to be admitted to the priesthood contrary to Church teaching , championed the ordination of married men , and pressed for the “ ordination ” of women to the diaconate .
In the Outreach 2020 video , Wester said pro-LGBT Catholic ministers “ are truly following in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd.
” LGBT activists are transforming the Church from the bottom up “ I ’ m a gay Catholic , theologian , and a member of Out at St. Paul , the LGBTQ community of St. Paul the Apostle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lecturer , Religious Studies Department at St. Joseph ’ s College in Brooklyn , New York , who reports that “ [ w ] e ’ re transforming the Church from the bottom up.
” “ We ’ re sowing seeds for LGBTQ ministry that will yield a bountiful harvest for years to come , ” said Steidl before suggesting that Catholics should offer LGBTQ young people “ affirmation.
” Fr .
John Cecero , provincial superior for the Jesuits of the USA , Northeast Province , urged people to follow the advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has offered in his writings .
Martin authored Building a Bridge : How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect , Compassion and Sensitivity , which has been slammed by orthodox commentators and debunked by chaste same-sex attracted people .
“ I would encourage you to face the kind of hatred that exists in all forms of homophobia in our Church , ” said Cecero , suggesting that Catholics often don ’ t understand LGBT individuals .
LGBT Catholics “ are a beacon of hope for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creates some to be homosexual and transgendered Megan Fox-Kelly , associate chaplain and director of retreats at the College of the Holy Cross in Worceter , Massachusetts , hinted that some students at her school are created by God to be homosexual and transgender and need to be affirmed in those identities .
“ One of the most important parts of her work has been accompanying students in the LGBTQIA+ community ... as they give voice to understanding their identity and the person that God created them to be , ” said Fox-Kelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lexington , Kentucky spoke similarly to those who call themselves Catholic while embracing LGBT ideology .
“ June is ‘ Pride Month , ’ ” a “ specific time to celebrate who God made us to be , ” said Shelly Fitzgerald , former director of guidance at Indianapolis ’ s Roncalli High School , who was fired after the school learned she is in a lesbian “ marriage.
” Priest : The Church has persecuted LGBT individuals in recent years “ LGBT-identifying Catholics have had to “ somehow hold on to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Church authorities over the last years , ” said theologian and author Fr .
James Alison .
“ It ’ s going to be tremendously exciting as we work out what it is to be Catholic Chrisitians at a time when so many sureties of the preconceptions are beginning to crumble away , ” he continued , before blowing a kiss to viewers .
Archdiocesan DRE : Seek the wisdom of homosexual and transgender Catholics Catholic who call themselves LGBT “ are vital for all of us ” and “ their wisdom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sister Edith Prendergast , RSC , former director of religious education and the Religious Education Congress for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles .
L.A. ’ s controversial Religious Education Congress is billed as the biggest annual gathering of Catholics in the country and has gained a reputation for functioning as a platform for dissidents who seek to undermine Catholic doctrine on life and family issues .
“ I speak to you as a brother in Christ who is gay and openly serving in ministry in the Catholic Church , ” declared Fr .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis .
“ I do so as a fellow LGBTQ Catholic who knows the struggles firsthand of growing up gay in the Catholic Church.
” Another priest , Father Bryan Massingale of Fordham University , said in the video , “ I ’ m obviously a Catholic priest , I ’ m obviously a black man , and not so obvious is that I ’ m also openly gay.
” In the wake of the George Floyd protests , Fr .
Massingale asserted that gay men who “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by black gays aren ’ t expressing a preference ; they are revealing “ prejudice.
” “ This Pride [ month ] , let us say , ‘ Happy Pride ’ but I also implore and plead with you to also sometime during this month to also say ‘ Black Lives Matter , ’ ” said Massingale .
Among others featured on the video are dissident nun Sr. Jeannine Gramick , S.L .
of New Ways Ministry , a pro-LGBT group condemned by the Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another “ out ” gay priest who rejects the Church ’ s teaching on homosexuality .
Outreach 2020 has been postponed until next year and has been redubbed “ Outreach 2021.
” The entire video can viewed here or below .

'We were all ready to go,' Fr. James Martin explained regarding the canceled LGBT conference on which the video is based, 'with the support of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York' among others.
July 2, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — In a video produced by Fordham University after the coronavirus pandemic forced it to postpone its planned “Outreach 2020” conference for “LGBTQ Catholics,” perhaps the most alarming revelations come within the first 30 seconds.
“We were all ready to go,” exclaims Fr. James Martin, S.J., “with the support of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York; Fr. John Cecero, the Jesuit Provincial of the USA, Northeast Province; and Fr. Joe McShane, the president of Fordham University.”
The 43-minute video features many of the speakers who would have participated at the Jesuit-run Fordham University event.
The speakers offer one lie and false hope after another, often employing misapplications of Scripture to do so.
In particular, Psalm 139 is cited repeatedly in the video to tell homosexual and transgender Catholics that they are “fearfully, wonderfully made” by God to be homosexual and transgender.
“LGBT Catholics, the cornerstone to our Church”
“LGBT Catholics in many ways are like Jesus, and that’s why they are a gift to our Church,” began Ish Ruiz, a religious studies instructor at San Francisco’s Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep.
“The stone that has been rejected has become the cornerstone,” he declared. “I think of LGBT Catholics as that, as the cornerstone to our Church.”
Transgender Catholics are on a “sacred journey”
Sister Luisa Derouen, O.P., a Dominican sister and “minister to the transgender community,” said transgender Catholics are on a “sacred journey” through whom God acts.
Bishop: Pro-LGBT Catholic ministers follow in the footsteps of Jesus
Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe said it saddens him to think that “so many of our fellow Catholics experience isolation, loneliness, and even depression on an almost daily basis because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
In 2018, Wester’s archdiocese hosted a conference in Albuquerque run by a dissident priest organization with the bishop’s full support.
The conference, which was put on by the Association of United States Catholic Priests (AUSCP), featured Wester as its episcopal moderator.
AUSCP has advocated for homosexuals to be admitted to the priesthood contrary to Church teaching, championed the ordination of married men, and pressed for the “ordination” of women to the diaconate.
In the Outreach 2020 video, Wester said pro-LGBT Catholic ministers “are truly following in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd.”
LGBT activists are transforming the Church from the bottom up
“I’m a gay Catholic, theologian, and a member of Out at St. Paul, the LGBTQ community of St. Paul the Apostle of Manhattan,” said Jason Steidl, lecturer, Religious Studies Department at St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn, New York, who reports that “[w]e’re transforming the Church from the bottom up.”
“We’re sowing seeds for LGBTQ ministry that will yield a bountiful harvest for years to come,” said Steidl before suggesting that Catholics should offer LGBTQ young people “affirmation.”
LGBT Catholics “are a beacon of hope”
Fr. John Cecero, provincial superior for the Jesuits of the USA, Northeast Province, urged people to follow the advice that fellow Jesuit Fr. James Martin has offered in his writings. Martin authored Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion and Sensitivity, which has been slammed by orthodox commentators and debunked by chaste same-sex attracted people.
“I would encourage you to face the kind of hatred that exists in all forms of homophobia in our Church,” said Cecero, suggesting that Catholics often don’t understand LGBT individuals.
LGBT Catholics “are a beacon of hope for us,” he concluded.
God creates some to be homosexual and transgendered
Megan Fox-Kelly, associate chaplain and director of retreats at the College of the Holy Cross in Worceter, Massachusetts, hinted that some students at her school are created by God to be homosexual and transgender and need to be affirmed in those identities.
“One of the most important parts of her work has been accompanying students in the LGBTQIA+ community … as they give voice to understanding their identity and the person that God created them to be,” said Fox-Kelly.
Bishop John Stowe, OFM of Lexington, Kentucky spoke similarly to those who call themselves Catholic while embracing LGBT ideology.
“June is ‘Pride Month,’” a “specific time to celebrate who God made us to be,” said Shelly Fitzgerald, former director of guidance at Indianapolis’s Roncalli High School, who was fired after the school learned she is in a lesbian “marriage.”
Priest: The Church has persecuted LGBT individuals in recent years
“LGBT-identifying Catholics have had to “somehow hold on to our faith” amid a “great persecution from Church authorities over the last years,” said theologian and author Fr. James Alison.
“It’s going to be tremendously exciting as we work out what it is to be Catholic Chrisitians at a time when so many sureties of the preconceptions are beginning to crumble away,” he continued, before blowing a kiss to viewers.
Archdiocesan DRE: Seek the wisdom of homosexual and transgender Catholics
Catholic who call themselves LGBT “are vital for all of us” and “their wisdom ought to be sought,” declared Sister Edith Prendergast, RSC, former director of religious education and the Religious Education Congress for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
L.A.’s controversial Religious Education Congress is billed as the biggest annual gathering of Catholics in the country and has gained a reputation for functioning as a platform for dissidents who seek to undermine Catholic doctrine on life and family issues.
Openly gay priests
“I speak to you as a brother in Christ who is gay and openly serving in ministry in the Catholic Church,” declared Fr. Greg Greiten, a pastor in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. “I do so as a fellow LGBTQ Catholic who knows the struggles firsthand of growing up gay in the Catholic Church.”
Another priest, Father Bryan Massingale of Fordham University, said in the video, “I’m obviously a Catholic priest, I’m obviously a black man, and not so obvious is that I’m also openly gay.”
In the wake of the George Floyd protests, Fr. Massingale asserted that gay men who “just aren’t turned on” by black gays aren’t expressing a preference; they are revealing “prejudice.”
“This Pride [month], let us say, ‘Happy Pride’ but I also implore and plead with you to also sometime during this month to also say ‘Black Lives Matter,’” said Massingale.
Among others featured on the video are dissident nun Sr. Jeannine Gramick, S.L. of New Ways Ministry, a pro-LGBT group condemned by the Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Fr. James Allison, another “out”gay priest who rejects the Church’s teaching on homosexuality.
Outreach 2020 has been postponed until next year and has been redubbed “Outreach 2021.”
The entire video can viewed here or below.
Follow Doug Doug Mainwaring is a journalist for LifeSiteNews, an author, and a marriage, family and children's rights activist. He has testified before the United States Congress and state legislative bodies, originated and co-authored amicus briefs for the United States Supreme Court, and has been a guest on numerous TV and radio programs. Doug and his family live in the Washington, DC suburbs.
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