lifesitenews--2020-07-29--Dissident National Catholic Reporter calls pro-abortion AOC ‘future of the Catholic Church’

KANSAS CITY , Missouri , July 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The dissident National Catholic Reporter ( NCR ) on Monday ran an article in which it acclaimed pro-abortion and pro-homosexual Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as “ the future of the Catholic Church.
” Heidi Schlumpf , NCR ’ s executive editor , said she was struck by Ocasio-Cortez ’ s speech on the floor of the House of Representatives in response to a Republican congressman calling her derogatory names , emphasizing “ how often it referenced Catholic values.
” “ Ocasio-Cortez repeatedly railed against the ‘ dehumanizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treating people with dignity and respect , ” Schlumpf wrote .
“ These are themes often repeated by Pope Francis , who has specifically cautioned about gossip and urged the use of respectful language , saying “ it is possible to kill someone with the tongue.
’ ” Schlumpf did not explain how Ocasio-Cortez ’ s words had anything to do specifically with the Catholic faith .
Likewise , Schlumpf did not point out the irony of Ocasio-Cortez calling out others for dehumanizing fellow human beings , when she herself is a strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted in May 2019 , “ Abortion bans aren ’ t just about controlling women ’ s bodies .
They ’ re about controlling women ’ s sexuality .
Owning women .
From limiting birth control to banning comprehensive sex ed , US religious fundamentalists are working hard to outlaw sex that falls outside their theology.
” In a separate tweet , Ocasio-Cortez added , “ Ultimately , this is about women ’ s power .
When women are in control of their sexuality , it threatens a core element underpinning right-wing ideology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutal form of oppression to seize control of the 1 essential thing a person should command : their own body.
” The Catechism of the Catholic Church condemns abortion as a “ moral evil.
” “ This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable , ” the Church emphasizes .
“ Direct abortion , that is to say , abortion willed either as an end or a means , is gravely contrary to the moral law.
” The National Catholic Reporter has in the past argued against overturning the 1973 Supreme Court ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Court essentially imposed legal abortion across the country .
In her recent speech on the floor of the House of Representatives , Ocasio-Cortez called out Representative Ted Yoho for not offering a sincere apology to her after calling her derogatory names .
For the National Catholic Reporter , this was a reason to praise the congresswoman for giving “ what sounded like a pretty good description of what goes on in the Sacrament of Reconciliation : ‘ When a decent man messes up , as we all are bound to do , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not to save face , not to win a vote , he apologizes genuinely to repair and acknowledge the harm done so that we can all move on.
’ ” “ As a young Latina , ” Schlumpf concluded , “ Ocasio-Cortez represents the demographic future of the Catholic Church .
But — if there is to be a future for the Catholic Church in the United States — it must also resemble Ocasio-Cortez in her passion for justice and human dignity , and in her courage and integrity , even in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future of the Catholic Church is represented by Ocasio-Cortez , that future would also entail full acceptance of homosexuality and transgender ideology among Catholics .
While still running for office in 2018 , the congresswoman spoke at a “ Pride ” event celebrating homosexuality and sexual perversion .
“ Pride is about honoring the community workers , the people who work in the clinics , the community organizers , the people who work with LGBT youth , the people who are fighting to make sure it ’ s not just about marriage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all people in the community , everybody , ” she said .
PETITION : Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden !
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The Catholic Church teaches , however , that homosexual acts are contrary to God ’ s plan for human sexuality .
“ Basing itself on Sacred Scripture , which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity , tradition has always declared that ‘ homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered , ’ ” the Catechism of the Catholic Church points out .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They close the sexual act to the gift of life .
They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity .
Under no circumstances can they be approved.
” Earlier this year , NCR was awarded with the first prize in one of its “ best newspaper ” categories by the Catholic Press Association for the 18th time in 20 years .
Already in 2013 , Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph , where the newspaper ’ s offices are located , published a column reminding the paper and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using the name “ Catholic ” since 1968 .

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The dissident National Catholic Reporter (NCR) on Monday ran an article in which it acclaimed pro-abortion and pro-homosexual Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as “the future of the Catholic Church.”
Heidi Schlumpf, NCR’s executive editor, said she was struck by Ocasio-Cortez’s speech on the floor of the House of Representatives in response to a Republican congressman calling her derogatory names, emphasizing “how often it referenced Catholic values.”
“Ocasio-Cortez repeatedly railed against the ‘dehumanizing’ of others and instead called for treating people with dignity and respect,” Schlumpf wrote. “These are themes often repeated by Pope Francis, who has specifically cautioned about gossip and urged the use of respectful language, saying “it is possible to kill someone with the tongue.’”
Schlumpf did not explain how Ocasio-Cortez’s words had anything to do specifically with the Catholic faith. Likewise, Schlumpf did not point out the irony of Ocasio-Cortez calling out others for dehumanizing fellow human beings, when she herself is a strong supporter of abortion.
The young congresswoman tweeted in May 2019, “Abortion bans aren’t just about controlling women’s bodies. They’re about controlling women’s sexuality. Owning women. From limiting birth control to banning comprehensive sex ed, US religious fundamentalists are working hard to outlaw sex that falls outside their theology.”
In a separate tweet, Ocasio-Cortez added, “Ultimately, this is about women’s power. When women are in control of their sexuality, it threatens a core element underpinning right-wing ideology: patriarchy. It’s a brutal form of oppression to seize control of the 1 essential thing a person should command: their own body.”
Abortion bans aren’t just about controlling women’s bodies. They’re about controlling women’s sexuality. Owning women. From limiting birth control to banning comprehensive sex ed, US religious fundamentalists are working hard to outlaw sex that falls outside their theology. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 16, 2019
The Catechism of the Catholic Church condemns abortion as a “moral evil.”
“This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable,” the Church emphasizes. “Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.”
The National Catholic Reporter has in the past argued against overturning the 1973 Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade, in which the Court essentially imposed legal abortion across the country.
In her recent speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, Ocasio-Cortez called out Representative Ted Yoho for not offering a sincere apology to her after calling her derogatory names.
For the National Catholic Reporter, this was a reason to praise the congresswoman for giving “what sounded like a pretty good description of what goes on in the Sacrament of Reconciliation: ‘When a decent man messes up, as we all are bound to do, he tries his best and does apologize. Not to save face, not to win a vote, he apologizes genuinely to repair and acknowledge the harm done so that we can all move on.’”
“As a young Latina,” Schlumpf concluded, “Ocasio-Cortez represents the demographic future of the Catholic Church. But — if there is to be a future for the Catholic Church in the United States — it must also resemble Ocasio-Cortez in her passion for justice and human dignity, and in her courage and integrity, even in the face of vulgar attacks.”
If the future of the Catholic Church is represented by Ocasio-Cortez, that future would also entail full acceptance of homosexuality and transgender ideology among Catholics. While still running for office in 2018, the congresswoman spoke at a “Pride” event celebrating homosexuality and sexual perversion.
“Pride is about honoring the community workers, the people who work in the clinics, the community organizers, the people who work with LGBT youth, the people who are fighting to make sure it’s not just about marriage equality but about quality of life for all people in the community, everybody,” she said.
PETITION: Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden! Sign the petition here.
The Catholic Church teaches, however, that homosexual acts are contrary to God’s plan for human sexuality.
“Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered,’” the Catechism of the Catholic Church points out. “They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.”
Like Ocasio-Cortez, the National Catholic Reporter endorses active homosexual lifestyles.
Earlier this year, NCR was awarded with the first prize in one of its “best newspaper” categories by the Catholic Press Association for the 18th time in 20 years.
Already in 2013, Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph, where the newspaper’s offices are located, published a column reminding the paper and the faithful that it had been forbidden from using the name “Catholic” since 1968.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-29--WATCH: Conservative leadership candidate Sloan opens up about masks, vaccines, abortion

MONTREAL , Quebec , July 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — With the Conservative Party of Canada sending out ballots to members to vote for its new leader , Campagne Québec-Vie president Georges Buscemi sat down with candidate Derek Sloan to quiz the rookie member of Parliament on a wide range of topics .
These included Sloan ’ s opposition to mandatory masks and vaccines , Canada ’ s relationship with China , the Trudeau government ’ s over-the-top spending and flawed immigration policy , pulling Canada ’ s funding from the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” therapy , gender ideology , abortion , and euthanasia .
Campagne Québec-Vie is the Québec affiliate of Campaign Life Coalition , Canada ’ s national pro-life and pro-family political lobbying group .
A 35-year-old father of three , Sloan is running against Toronto lawyer Leslyn Lewis , Ontario M.P .
Erin O ’ Toole , and former Nova Scotia M.P .
Peter MacKay .
Members are to mail their ballots in by August 21 , when the party will tabulate the results and announce the new leader .
Campaign Life Coalition has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the leadership race .
Moreover , social conservative advocacy group REAL Women of Canada and parents ’ rights group Parents As First Educators ( PAFE ) recommend Sloan as the first choice on the ranked ballot .
Campaign Life is also urging pro-life Conservatives not to put either O ’ Toole or MacKay on the ranked ballot because of their pro-abortion , pro-LGBT policies .
Sloan was accused of racism early in the campaign when he demanded that Canada ’ s chief medical officer , Dr. Theresa Tam , resign over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated Beijing ’ s false claim that the coronavirus , which originated in Wuhan , China , was not transmitted human to human .
He told Buscemi he would cancel Canada ’ s $ 850-million annual funding to the WHO , which gave out “ political information ” on the coronavirus and kowtowed to China by refusing to recognize Taiwan , which successfully contained the spread of the disease .
Sloan blasted Trudeau for partnering with a Chinese company “ that ’ s connected with the Chinese army ” to develop a COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ smiles and hugs diplomacy ” with Beijing that “ has gotten us nowhere.
” PETITION : No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus !
Sign the petition here .
China is a “ global bully ” with “ long-term plans [ of ] basically global domination.
” Trading with President Xi Jinping ’ s communist regime is “ a deal with the devil , ” said Sloan .
“ The only thing that China responds to is a show of strength , ” he added .
“ We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China than we [ are ] now … and we ’ ve never been nicer to them.
” Sloan blamed the Liberals for Canada ’ s spiralling debt load , which he said is nearly one third of a trillion dollars , adding that the Trudeau government appears not to know where the money is going .
“ It ’ s funny because a couple weeks ago , we realized we ’ d spent 100 billion more than we anticipated , ” he told Buscemi .
Sloan stated his opposition to mandatory masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even as a number of Ontario counties , as well as the City of Toronto , are passing health orders mandating masks indoors as a measure to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
“ Life entails certain risks , and in a free country , we have to let people take those risks , ” he said .
He is likewise opposed to mandatory vaccines .
“ Medical treatment should always be informed and based on a person ’ s consent , ” said Sloan .
“ I think any forced vaccine is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Liberals ’ Bill C-8 , which makes it a crime punishable by up to five years in jail to offer help to minors to reduce their gender dysphoria or unwanted same-sex attraction .
In discussing Sloan ’ s 12-point pro-life platform , Buscemi asked how he would respond to the charge that by restricting someone ’ s “ right to choose abortion , you ’ re hindering their self-determination.
” “ How about giving the baby a choice ?
That choice ends the life of another human being .
The baby is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , ” replied Sloan .
“ Listen , we all know that there ’ s a lot of women out there in difficult situations , who maybe are being pressured , ” added the candidate .
“ This is not about judging someone , but this is saying , look , this is a real thing , where a real human life is being ended .
”

'Life entails certain risks, and in a free country, we have to let people take those risks,' Sloan said to explain his opposition to mandatory vaccines.
MONTREAL, Quebec, July 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — With the Conservative Party of Canada sending out ballots to members to vote for its new leader, Campagne Québec-Vie president Georges Buscemi sat down with candidate Derek Sloan to quiz the rookie member of Parliament on a wide range of topics.
These included Sloan’s opposition to mandatory masks and vaccines, Canada’s relationship with China, the Trudeau government’s over-the-top spending and flawed immigration policy, pulling Canada’s funding from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Liberal bill criminalizing so-called “conversion” therapy, gender ideology, abortion, and euthanasia.
Campagne Québec-Vie is the Québec affiliate of Campaign Life Coalition, Canada’s national pro-life and pro-family political lobbying group.
A 35-year-old father of three, Sloan is running against Toronto lawyer Leslyn Lewis, Ontario M.P. Erin O’Toole, and former Nova Scotia M.P. Peter MacKay. Members are to mail their ballots in by August 21, when the party will tabulate the results and announce the new leader.
Campaign Life Coalition has endorsed Sloan, as well as Lewis, in the leadership race. Moreover, social conservative advocacy group REAL Women of Canada and parents’ rights group Parents As First Educators (PAFE) recommend Sloan as the first choice on the ranked ballot. Campaign Life is also urging pro-life Conservatives not to put either O’Toole or MacKay on the ranked ballot because of their pro-abortion, pro-LGBT policies.
Sloan was accused of racism early in the campaign when he demanded that Canada’s chief medical officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, resign over her ties with the WHO, which repeated Beijing’s false claim that the coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, was not transmitted human to human.
He told Buscemi he would cancel Canada’s $850-million annual funding to the WHO, which gave out “political information” on the coronavirus and kowtowed to China by refusing to recognize Taiwan, which successfully contained the spread of the disease.
Sloan blasted Trudeau for partnering with a Chinese company “that’s connected with the Chinese army” to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, and for the prime minister’s “smiles and hugs diplomacy” with Beijing that “has gotten us nowhere.”
PETITION: No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus! Sign the petition here.
China is a “global bully” with “long-term plans [of] basically global domination.” Trading with President Xi Jinping’s communist regime is “a deal with the devil,” said Sloan.
“The only thing that China responds to is a show of strength,” he added. “We’ve never been more under the boot of China than we [are] now … and we’ve never been nicer to them.”
Sloan blamed the Liberals for Canada’s spiralling debt load, which he said is nearly one third of a trillion dollars, adding that the Trudeau government appears not to know where the money is going.
“It’s funny because a couple weeks ago, we realized we’d spent 100 billion more than we anticipated,” he told Buscemi.
Sloan stated his opposition to mandatory masks as an infringement on personal liberty, even as a number of Ontario counties, as well as the City of Toronto, are passing health orders mandating masks indoors as a measure to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“Life entails certain risks, and in a free country, we have to let people take those risks,” he said.
He is likewise opposed to mandatory vaccines.
“Medical treatment should always be informed and based on a person’s consent,” said Sloan. “I think any forced vaccine is troubling.”
Sloan stated his opposition to the Liberals’ Bill C-8, which makes it a crime punishable by up to five years in jail to offer help to minors to reduce their gender dysphoria or unwanted same-sex attraction.
In discussing Sloan’s 12-point pro-life platform, Buscemi asked how he would respond to the charge that by restricting someone’s “right to choose abortion, you’re hindering their self-determination.”
“How about giving the baby a choice? That choice ends the life of another human being. The baby is a human being. No one denies it,” replied Sloan.
“Listen, we all know that there’s a lot of women out there in difficult situations, who maybe are being pressured,” added the candidate. “This is not about judging someone, but this is saying, look, this is a real thing, where a real human life is being ended.”
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lifesitenews--2020-07-30--Cured? Doctor describes 3 COVID cases and how he treated them

July 29 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — I have been treating those infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic .
Our interventions have made it abundantly clear that early treatment is critical to preventing hospitalization and death , regardless of the underlying risk factors that may be involved .
The following stories deal with real patients , only their names have been changed for obvious reasons .
Jane is 77 years old and has significant ongoing health issues .
She called me shortly after testing positive for COVID-19 .
She had no symptoms .
Since she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inclined to wait and watch and simply isolate herself in her house .
I convinced her that because she was at a high risk for a troublesome outcome , waiting for symptoms was a bad idea .
Instead , we started her on a treatment involving hydroxychloroquine ( HCQ ) + zinc + Vitamin D3 + Vitamin C. It has now been more than two weeks , and she continues to be symptom-free .
We will retest her weekly until she is no longer positive .
Steve is 40 years old .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms of fever , severe dry cough , and fatigue .
I immediately started him on HCQ + Z-pack + zinc .
Because he had significant pulmonary symptoms , I added nebulized ( inhaled ) budesonide — an inexpensive older-generation asthma steroid .
Within 48 hours , his fever and cough had completely resolved , and a week later , he felt back to normal .
John is 57 years old .
I was called by his wife , who had found me through social media .
She sounded desperate for my help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department of a local hospital with fever , shortness of breath , and a severe cough .
She thought he had been exposed to COVID-19 over the 4th of July weekend and was now on day 11 of symptoms .
John was admitted to the hospital with bilateral pneumonia and required high-flow oxygen to keep his saturation levels above 90 % .
The local hospital does not allow HCQ treatment but did start him on Remdesivir and dexamethasone .
His condition worsened over the first couple of days of being in the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was very slowly improving although still requiring oxygen .
These three patients are typical of the many I have seen over the past few months suffering from COVID-19 .
I have not had a single patient I was able to treat early enough who required hospitalization .
Interestingly , we are now seeing more studies that show the benefits of HCQ .
In my opinion , HCQ should be made an over-the-counter drug just like the situation in many counties around the world .
Doing so would take the politics out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whenever the use of this drug is mentioned .
In my view , It is very safe and effective when combined with zinc and an inhaled steroid .
The fact that HCQ is approved to be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding is further testimony to its impact on humans .
Yet any doctor prescribing HCQ these days is demonized as a quack and bordering on unethical .
I have been challenged on numerous occasions by pharmacists when I have ordered HCQ for patients .
This has never happened to me before for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used medication .
We need to stop politicizing the treatment of COVID-19 and allow doctors and patients to make decisions in the best interest of the individuals involved .
Limiting the use of HCQ for certain COVID-19 patients is hurting them and may even be killing some .
We can end this madness as soon as the appropriate FDA panel can be convened to approve hydroxychloroquine for over-the-counter purchase .
Published with permission from the American Thinker .

I have been treating those infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The following stories deal with real patients.
July 29, 2020 (American Thinker) — I have been treating those infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Our interventions have made it abundantly clear that early treatment is critical to preventing hospitalization and death, regardless of the underlying risk factors that may be involved.
The following stories deal with real patients, only their names have been changed for obvious reasons.
Jane is 77 years old and has significant ongoing health issues. She called me shortly after testing positive for COVID-19. She had no symptoms. Since she said she felt well, she was inclined to wait and watch and simply isolate herself in her house. I convinced her that because she was at a high risk for a troublesome outcome, waiting for symptoms was a bad idea. Instead, we started her on a treatment involving hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) + zinc + Vitamin D3 + Vitamin C.
It has now been more than two weeks, and she continues to be symptom-free. We will retest her weekly until she is no longer positive.
Steve is 40 years old. He called me several days after developing COVID-19 symptoms of fever, severe dry cough, and fatigue. I immediately started him on HCQ + Z-pack + zinc. Because he had significant pulmonary symptoms, I added nebulized (inhaled) budesonide — an inexpensive older-generation asthma steroid. Within 48 hours, his fever and cough had completely resolved, and a week later, he felt back to normal.
John is 57 years old. I was called by his wife, who had found me through social media. She sounded desperate for my help. John was sitting in the emergency department of a local hospital with fever, shortness of breath, and a severe cough. She thought he had been exposed to COVID-19 over the 4th of July weekend and was now on day 11 of symptoms. John was admitted to the hospital with bilateral pneumonia and required high-flow oxygen to keep his saturation levels above 90%. The local hospital does not allow HCQ treatment but did start him on Remdesivir and dexamethasone. His condition worsened over the first couple of days of being in the hospital, but now after a week, he was very slowly improving although still requiring oxygen.
These three patients are typical of the many I have seen over the past few months suffering from COVID-19. I have not had a single patient I was able to treat early enough who required hospitalization. Interestingly, we are now seeing more studies that show the benefits of HCQ. In my opinion, HCQ should be made an over-the-counter drug just like the situation in many counties around the world. Doing so would take the politics out of the current situation in the United States whenever the use of this drug is mentioned.
In my view, It is very safe and effective when combined with zinc and an inhaled steroid. The fact that HCQ is approved to be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding is further testimony to its impact on humans. Yet any doctor prescribing HCQ these days is demonized as a quack and bordering on unethical. I have been challenged on numerous occasions by pharmacists when I have ordered HCQ for patients. This has never happened to me before for a non-controlled, historically safe, and broadly used medication.
We need to stop politicizing the treatment of COVID-19 and allow doctors and patients to make decisions in the best interest of the individuals involved. Limiting the use of HCQ for certain COVID-19 patients is hurting them and may even be killing some. We can end this madness as soon as the appropriate FDA panel can be convened to approve hydroxychloroquine for over-the-counter purchase.
Jeffrey I. Barke, M.D. is a primary care physician in Newport Beach, California.
Published with permission from the American Thinker.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-30--Blood ‘pouring’ out of vomiting woman after abortion at infamous Texas facility

AUSTIN , Texas , July 29 , 2020 ( Operation Rescue ) — A 22-year-old woman who was hemorrhaging and vomiting was transported to Del Seton Medical Center for emergency care after a botched abortion at Whole Women ’ s Health in Austin , Texas .
The episode , which took place on January 10 , 2020 , represented a life-threatening medical emergency , according to the 911 records recently obtained by Operation Rescue .
In response to the 911 dispatcher ’ s questioning , the Whole Women ’ s Health caller responded , “ Uh , yes .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ abortion ] .
We just need an ambulance to come to assess — bleeding.
” The Incident Report categorized the woman ’ s condition as “ possibly dangerous hemorrhage ” with lacerations .
The caller was asked by the dispatcher to describe whether the bleeding was “ spurting or pouring.
” The WWH caller responded , “ Pouring.
” A notation on the Incident Report indicated , “ Bleeding is traumatic.
” The caller also told the 911 dispatcher that vitals were taken 20 minutes earlier , which seemed like a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood while vomiting .
The Whole Women ’ s Health abortion facility in Austin had its last known inspection on April 23 , 2019 , when violations were cited that included the following : • Failure to secure a closet with hazardous cleaning chemicals to prevent patients from accessing .
• Failed to ensure that all employees involved in direct patient care were certified in Basic Life Support , as required for licensing .
• Failed to provide women with the phone number of the hospital closest to their homes in the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion facility .
Women were either not given numbers or were improperly given numbers to doctor ’ s offices ( which are not hospitals ) , or hospitals in different towns when closer hospitals existed .
The Texas-based abortion chain challenged a Texas law passed in 2013 known as HB2 , which provided numerous safety regulations aimed at protecting women from harmful or substandard practices .
Whole Women ’ s Health won a partial victory when certain provisions of that law were overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2016 Whole Women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ When we conducted an investigation into Whole Women ’ s Health several years ago , we found that they were tossing mangled aborted baby remains into overflowing dumpsters , among other violations .
The Austin clinic was heavily fined , ” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman .
Whole Women ’ s Health and Stericycle were slapped with fines in excess of $ 83,000 for illegal dumping of aborted baby remains in 2011 .
Also , two Whole Women ’ s Health abortionists , Alan H. Molson and Robert E. Hanson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violations discovered as a result of Operation Rescue complaints , including allowing unqualified workers to prescribe drugs and conduct follow-up exams .
“ The Whole Women ’ s Health abortion chain has been proven to pose hazards to pregnant women and their babies .
Not much seems to have changed , ” said Newman .
“ This clinic should have been shut down years ago .
”

A notation on the 911 Incident Report indicated, 'Bleeding is traumatic.'
AUSTIN, Texas, July 29, 2020 (Operation Rescue) — A 22-year-old woman who was hemorrhaging and vomiting was transported to Del Seton Medical Center for emergency care after a botched abortion at Whole Women’s Health in Austin, Texas.
The episode, which took place on January 10, 2020, represented a life-threatening medical emergency, according to the 911 records recently obtained by Operation Rescue.
In response to the 911 dispatcher’s questioning, the Whole Women’s Health caller responded, “Uh, yes. The patient came in for a termination procedure [abortion]. We just need an ambulance to come to assess — bleeding.”
The Incident Report categorized the woman’s condition as “possibly dangerous hemorrhage” with lacerations.
The caller was asked by the dispatcher to describe whether the bleeding was “spurting or pouring.” The WWH caller responded, “Pouring.” A notation on the Incident Report indicated, “Bleeding is traumatic.”
The caller also told the 911 dispatcher that vitals were taken 20 minutes earlier, which seemed like a long time considering the woman was pouring out blood while vomiting.
The Whole Women’s Health abortion facility in Austin had its last known inspection on April 23, 2019, when violations were cited that included the following:
Failure to secure a closet with hazardous cleaning chemicals to prevent patients from accessing.
Failed to ensure that all employees involved in direct patient care were certified in Basic Life Support, as required for licensing.
Failed to provide women with the phone number of the hospital closest to their homes in the event that complications arose after they left the abortion facility. Women were either not given numbers or were improperly given numbers to doctor’s offices (which are not hospitals), or hospitals in different towns when closer hospitals existed.
–
Whole Women’s Health has long opposed abortion safety regulations.
The Texas-based abortion chain challenged a Texas law passed in 2013 known as HB2, which provided numerous safety regulations aimed at protecting women from harmful or substandard practices. Whole Women’s Health won a partial victory when certain provisions of that law were overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2016 Whole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt decision.
“When we conducted an investigation into Whole Women’s Health several years ago, we found that they were tossing mangled aborted baby remains into overflowing dumpsters, among other violations. The Austin clinic was heavily fined,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.
Whole Women’s Health and Stericycle were slapped with fines in excess of $83,000 for illegal dumping of aborted baby remains in 2011.
Also, two Whole Women’s Health abortionists, Alan H. Molson and Robert E. Hanson, were fined thousands of dollars for serious violations discovered as a result of Operation Rescue complaints, including allowing unqualified workers to prescribe drugs and conduct follow-up exams.
“The Whole Women’s Health abortion chain has been proven to pose hazards to pregnant women and their babies. Not much seems to have changed,” said Newman. “This clinic should have been shut down years ago.”
Published with permission from Operation Rescue.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-30--NFL bans Christian players from going to churches filled to over 25% capacity

PETITION : Support pastors fighting against oppressive state mandates !
Sign the petition here .
NEW YORK , July 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The National Football League and the NFL Players Association ( NFLPA ) recently announced regulations forbidding players to attend church when a service is more than a quarter full of the faithful .
On July 25 , NBC Sports reported that the NFL and the NFLPA will restrict players this season from attending indoor church services when attendance is above 25 percent of capacity .
In addition , players can not go to nightclubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up food ) , indoor house parties ( with 15 or more people ) , indoor concerts , or professional sporting events .
If players test positive for COVID after engaging in prohibited activities , they will not be paid for the games they miss and future guarantees in their contracts will be voided .
Players who violate team rules also could be fined an unspecified amount that , according to the collective bargaining agreement ( CBA ) used to regulate conduct , ranges from $ 5,000 to more than $ 70,000 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams might use “ security officials to monitor local establishments or to track the behavior of players .
Others may rely on contacts within the community to contact the team if/when violations are witnessed .
Some may set up an NBA-style tip line.
” Although the regulation details have not yet been publicly released , NBC Sports did not mention any restrictions on attending protests .
The NFL recently tweeted pictures of players attending BLM protests around the country and on June 5 tweeted support for BLM protests : “ We , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and peacefully protest.
” Several athletes are resisting the agenda being pushed upon them .
On Monday , Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt tweeted that he does not plan to follow the lead of other professional athletes and take a knee this season during the national anthem .
Last week , a Christian Major League Baseball player refused to kneel to support the BLM movement before a game , saying he “ can ’ t kneel before anything but God , Jesus Christ .
”

Penalties could range from not being paid for games missed, future contract guarantees being voided, and/or fines.
PETITION: Support pastors fighting against oppressive state mandates! Sign the petition here.
NEW YORK, July 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The National Football League and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) recently announced regulations forbidding players to attend church when a service is more than a quarter full of the faithful.
On July 25, NBC Sports reported that the NFL and the NFLPA will restrict players this season from attending indoor church services when attendance is above 25 percent of capacity.
In addition, players cannot go to nightclubs, indoor bars (except to pick up food), indoor house parties (with 15 or more people), indoor concerts, or professional sporting events. If players test positive for COVID after engaging in prohibited activities, they will not be paid for the games they miss and future guarantees in their contracts will be voided.
Players who violate team rules also could be fined an unspecified amount that, according to the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) used to regulate conduct, ranges from $5,000 to more than $70,000 for each offense.
NBC Sports speculated that teams might use “security officials to monitor local establishments or to track the behavior of players. Others may rely on contacts within the community to contact the team if/when violations are witnessed. Some may set up an NBA-style tip line.”
Although the regulation details have not yet been publicly released, NBC Sports did not mention any restrictions on attending protests. The NFL recently tweeted pictures of players attending BLM protests around the country and on June 5 tweeted support for BLM protests: “We, the NFL … encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest.”
Several athletes are resisting the agenda being pushed upon them.
On Monday, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt tweeted that he does not plan to follow the lead of other professional athletes and take a knee this season during the national anthem.
Also I’m not kneeling for the flag and screw anybody who have a problem with that. My grandmother was a immigrant from the Carribean and age worked her ass off to bring 20 people over the right way. She had no money and educated herself to be a nurse. She living good now. — stephon tuitt (@DOCnation_7) July 27, 2020
Last week, a Christian Major League Baseball player refused to kneel to support the BLM movement before a game, saying he “can’t kneel before anything but God, Jesus Christ.”
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lifesitenews--2020-07-29--Pro-life, pro-Trump priest responds to critics: Democrat Party ‘allied with evil’

July 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Fr .
Frank Pavone is pushing back against those who think his outspoken support for President Trump is inappropriate for a Catholic priest .
In a recent interview with LifeSiteNews co-founder John-Henry Westen , Pavone said that if the Democratic Party weren ’ t so aggressively anti-Catholic , there ’ d be no need for him to speak up , but seeing how the party as a whole has “ allied itself with evil , ” he can ’ t remain quiet .
“ The Democrat Party has made a covenant with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the abortion industry .
They want absolutely no restrictions on abortion .
They consider it a basic right , and they want us to pay for it.
” “ This is a party now that does not respect the freedom of the Church , ” he added .
“ So if a party does n't respect the freedom of the Church , how can the Church be neutral ?
” Pavone is the national director of Priests for Life .
He has been in the news as of late due to his involvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Trump and Pro-Life Voices for Trump .
Pavone stepped down from the roles he had with those groups a month ago at the request of the Vatican ’ s Congregation for Clergy .
Some Catholics believe that the request was politically motivated and that it was an attempt by liberal bishops to diminish Catholic support for President Trump in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election .
Pavone continued his remarks by stating , “ Joe Biden says he wants to go back to ... forcing religious people to violate their faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Second Vatican Council teaches that the “ fundamental ” rights of the human person , especially the unborn , and the freedom of the Church must be respected by political authorities .
Westen asked Pavone , a native of New York City , to clarify what it is he believes his and the Church ’ s mission should be in the political arena .
“ Our platform as a Church ... is not the platform of any political party .
Our platform is the Gospel of Jesus Christ .
But when I preach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sound political or whether it ’ s going to help a candidate or a party or hurt a candidate or a party doesn ’ t depend on us .
It depends on them.
” “ The Church has a religious mission , not a political one , ” he continued , “ but … in carrying out that religious mission … we must be passing moral judgments even in matters relating to politics .
So it ’ s not like the Church is saying , ‘ Oh , we can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not the teaching !
And that was n't Jesus ’ s teaching , either.
” Pavone pointed to St. John the Baptist as a historical figure who reminded the political authorities of his own day about the moral law .
He also praised Cardinal Clemens August Graf von Galen of Germany ( 1878–1946 ) for refuting the Nazis during World War II .
When Westen asked him how he can support a man who has done morally questionable things in his own life , Pavone responded by saying we elect presidents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to choose an auto mechanic who ’ s actually going to make the car run.
” “ And when we ’ re making those kinds of choices , we ’ re not looking into the person ’ s personal history or virtues .
I don ’ t ask the auto mechanic how many times he ’ s been married .
I ask him if he knows what ’ s wrong with my car and if he can fix it at a reasonable price and in a reasonable time frame.
” President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side by side with the unborn and defended the Church ’ s freedom from those who want to shut it down .
He has “ fixed so many of the problems in our country unlike any other president has done.
” The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show ’ s YouTube channel and right here on my LifeSite blog .
It is also available in audio format on platforms such as Spotify , Soundcloud , and ACast .
We are awaiting approval for iTunes and Google Play as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on various channels , visit the ACast webpage here .
We ’ ve created a special email list for the show so that we can notify you every week when we post a new episode .
Please sign up now by clicking here .
You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel , and you ’ ll be notified by YouTube when there is new content .
You can send me feedback , or ideas for show topics by emailing [ email protected ] .

Fr. Frank Pavone asked: 'If a [political] party doesn't respect the freedom of the Church, how can the Church be neutral?'
July 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Fr. Frank Pavone is pushing back against those who think his outspoken support for President Trump is inappropriate for a Catholic priest.
In a recent interview with LifeSiteNews co-founder John-Henry Westen, Pavone said that if the Democratic Party weren’t so aggressively anti-Catholic, there’d be no need for him to speak up, but seeing how the party as a whole has “allied itself with evil,” he can’t remain quiet.
“The Democrat Party has made a covenant with evil. They are in bed with the abortion industry. They want absolutely no restrictions on abortion. They consider it a basic right, and they want us to pay for it.”
“This is a party now that does not respect the freedom of the Church,” he added. “So if a party doesn't respect the freedom of the Church, how can the Church be neutral?”
Pavone is the national director of Priests for Life. He has been in the news as of late due to his involvement in two pro-Trump political organizations: Catholics for Trump and Pro-Life Voices for Trump. Pavone stepped down from the roles he had with those groups a month ago at the request of the Vatican’s Congregation for Clergy. Some Catholics believe that the request was politically motivated and that it was an attempt by liberal bishops to diminish Catholic support for President Trump in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election.
Pavone continued his remarks by stating, “Joe Biden says he wants to go back to … forcing religious people to violate their faith through the HHS mandate.” But the Second Vatican Council teaches that the “fundamental” rights of the human person, especially the unborn, and the freedom of the Church must be respected by political authorities.
Westen asked Pavone, a native of New York, to clarify what it is he believes his and the Church’s mission should be in the political arena.
“Our platform as a Church … is not the platform of any political party. Our platform is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But when I preach the Gospel, whether that is going to sound political or whether it’s going to help a candidate or a party or hurt a candidate or a party doesn’t depend on us. It depends on them.”
“The Church has a religious mission, not a political one,” he continued, “but … in carrying out that religious mission … we must be passing moral judgments even in matters relating to politics. So it’s not like the Church is saying, ‘Oh, we can’t say anything about politics.’ That’s not the teaching! And that wasn't Jesus’s teaching, either.”
Pavone pointed to St. John the Baptist as a historical figure who reminded the political authorities of his own day about the moral law. He also praised Cardinal Clemens August Graf von Galen of Germany (1878–1946) for refuting the Nazis during World War II.
When Westen asked him how he can support a man who has done morally questionable things in his own life, Pavone responded by saying we elect presidents to do a job similiar to how “we want to choose an auto mechanic who’s actually going to make the car run.”
“And when we’re making those kinds of choices, we’re not looking into the person’s personal history or virtues. I don’t ask the auto mechanic how many times he’s been married. I ask him if he knows what’s wrong with my car and if he can fix it at a reasonable price and in a reasonable time frame.”
President Trump, Pavone said, has stood side by side with the unborn and defended the Church’s freedom from those who want to shut it down. He has “fixed so many of the problems in our country unlike any other president has done.”
The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show’s YouTube channel and right here on my LifeSite blog.
It is also available in audio format on platforms such as Spotify, Soundcloud, and ACast. We are awaiting approval for iTunes and Google Play as well. To subscribe to the audio version on various channels, visit the ACast webpage here.
We’ve created a special email list for the show so that we can notify you every week when we post a new episode. Please sign up now by clicking here. You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel, and you’ll be notified by YouTube when there is new content.
You can send me feedback, or ideas for show topics by emailing [email protected].
Email Address *
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Last Name *


lifesitenews--2020-07-29--Vatican life academy pens document on pandemic that paints earthly utopia without God

PETITION : Support pastors fighting against oppressive state mandates !
Sign the petition here .
July 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – As a Catholic faithful and a scientist holding much respect for the Pontifical Academy of Life ( PAL ) , I began reading its latest document , “ Humana Communitas in the Age of Pandemic ; Untimely Meditations on Life ’ s Rebirth , ” with the expectation of finding some words of wisdom – something substantial that , coming from a prestigious consultative body to the Holy See , should be above and beyond the usual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media – something capable of enlightening the mind and nourishing the soul .
Moreover , the title itself , “ meditations on life ’ s rebirth , ” implies a document that should contain deep reflections conveying a strong message of hope that would help believers traverse the existential “ desert ” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Little did I know , however , that the title of the document is misleading and that I was in for a shock , intellectually , morally , and spiritually !
The document is exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” is mentioned six times : ( i ) “ Why do we encourage each other to the hope of better days , when all that we are experiencing in this pandemic will be over ?
” ; ( ii ) the false hopes for an atomistic philosophy ” ( iii ) “ the seeds of hope have been sown in the obscurity of small gestures ” ( iv ) “ In the absence of a vaccine , we can not count on the ability to permanently defeat the virus , ... immunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a hope for the future , ” ( v ) “ the false distinction between insiders , … belonging to the community , and outsiders , i.e.
, those ( who ) can hope , at best , in a putative participation to it ” ( vi ) we are called to an attitude of hope beyond the paralyzing effects of two temptations.
” Unfortunately , it can not be said that any of these statements and the text surrounding them contain a message of hope .
If anything , four of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which only compound the already depressing tone of the overly lengthy “ litany ” of laments ( section 1 , pages 1-4 ) about the various effects of the COVID-19 pandemic , which , as indicated by the Academy , range from the plight of individual loneliness to the lack of interconnectedness between countries .
At best , the document speaks sheepishly about the “ seeds of hope ” ( section 1.3 ) and “ an attitude of hope ” ( last paragraph ) .
Unfortunately , the document seems incapable of making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theme of hope .
One can not help but ask : in what does this hope , which the Pontifical Academy alludes to , consist of ?
Likewise , the document mentions , right at the beginning , that “ we are summoned to the courage of resistance ” and , at the bottom of page 4 , that we are called to “ the courage of moral conversion.
” Yet , in neither instance , does the Academy develop the respective theme or offer any guidance on how we are to acquire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not take much reflection , however , to recognize that both forms are connected to hope – the kind of unshakable hope which , like an inextinguishable fire burning within believers , continuously sustains such forms of courage in us , and much more .
What then is the source or foundation that vivifies such an unshakable hope in us ?
Put plainly , what is the object of our hope upon which we should fix our gaze , if not Christ Himself ?
( cf .
Spe salvi ) By all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to fix our gaze on Amazonia instead : But is it possible to put our hope in something of the created order , however an idyllic earthly paradise it might be ?
Is such a utopia the true and highest good for mankind ?
Why is this PAL document incapable of producing a message of hope ?
Hope presupposes faith .
In seven pages , the word “ faith ” appears only once when the document alludes to those “ structural dimensions of our global community that are oppressive and unjust , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as ‘ structures of sin.
’ ” It seems rather clear that , if faith is lacking , then hope will be also lacking .
The document speaks of moral conversion to bring about the rebirth of the human community ( section 2 ) .
It advocates an ethics of risk that entails solidarity , cooperation , and making sacrifices , among others .
One can not help but ask : where do we find the moral strength to live out such a noble ethic of risk which demands perseverance , courage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
As the document points out , we humans are inherently frail .
How then are we going to achieve “ a real conversion of minds and hearts ” if not with the help of divine grace ?
Without a word about grace , the document de facto is suggesting that humans can pull themselves up by their own bootstraps to achieve conversion .
Conversion means to turn away from something and turn toward something else .
More important , moral conversion entails a continuous series of human acts ( for the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ converts ) , all of which are ordered to the same final end .
That final end and that “ something else ” which triggers and sustains our moral conversion are basically one and the same .
What is the object of our final end , if not the true and highest good that is God Himself ( cf .
Veritatis splendor , chapter 1 ) Who alone can completely fulfill all human desires ?
Nowhere in the document is it mentioned that God is our final end , that Christ is our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grace of the Holy Spirit for both our moral conversion and a good moral life .
Nowhere is the Church – the dispenser of the sacraments as a source of grace – mentioned either .
In passing over these in silence , in what way does the Academy ’ s call for solidarity , equality , and “ access ( to health care ) for all without exceptions ” differ from that of secular ideologies ?
This is a document issued from a prestigious body of the Catholic Church , yet there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let alone Catholics .
That a document is destined for all men and women is certainly not a reason for bracketing out its Catholic identity or omitting any reference to God , Christ , the Holy Spirit , and the Church .
Truly , instead of a reductionist visIon of a merely earthly utopia where all inhabitants can “ enjoy good living , ” the document should have invited men and women into the life of Christ ; it should have offered a strong message of hope with a rich eschatological vision “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us ” ( Romans 8:18 ) .
Doyen Nguyen , OP , M.D.
, S.T.D .
is a lay Dominican and professor at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas ( Angelicum ) in Rome .

‘Nowhere in the document is it mentioned that God is our final end, that Christ is our hope, and that we need the grace of the Holy Spirit for both our moral conversion and a good moral life.’
PETITION: Support pastors fighting against oppressive state mandates! Sign the petition here.
July 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – As a Catholic faithful and a scientist holding much respect for the Pontifical Academy of Life (PAL), I began reading its latest document, “Humana Communitas in the Age of Pandemic; Untimely Meditations on Life’s Rebirth,” with the expectation of finding some words of wisdom – something substantial that, coming from a prestigious consultative body to the Holy See, should be above and beyond the usual type of information available in the secular media – something capable of enlightening the mind and nourishing the soul. Moreover, the title itself, “meditations on life’s rebirth,” implies a document that should contain deep reflections conveying a strong message of hope that would help believers traverse the existential “desert” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Little did I know, however, that the title of the document is misleading and that I was in for a shock, intellectually, morally, and spiritually!
The document is exactly 4,192 words; the word “hope” is mentioned six times:
(i) “Why do we encourage each other to the hope of better days, when all that we are experiencing in this pandemic will be over?”; (ii) the false hopes for an atomistic philosophy” (iii) “the seeds of hope have been sown in the obscurity of small gestures” (iv) “In the absence of a vaccine, we cannot count on the ability to permanently defeat the virus, … immunity against COVID-19, therefore, remains something of a hope for the future,” (v) “the false distinction between insiders, … belonging to the community, and outsiders, i.e., those (who) can hope, at best, in a putative participation to it” (vi) we are called to an attitude of hope beyond the paralyzing effects of two temptations.”
Unfortunately, it cannot be said that any of these statements and the text surrounding them contain a message of hope. If anything, four of them carry negative and bleak connotations, which only compound the already depressing tone of the overly lengthy “litany” of laments (section 1, pages 1-4) about the various effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which, as indicated by the Academy, range from the plight of individual loneliness to the lack of interconnectedness between countries.
At best, the document speaks sheepishly about the “seeds of hope” (section 1.3) and “an attitude of hope” (last paragraph). Unfortunately, the document seems incapable of making any further development on this most important theme of hope. One cannot help but ask: in what does this hope, which the Pontifical Academy alludes to, consist of? Likewise, the document mentions, right at the beginning, that “we are summoned to the courage of resistance” and, at the bottom of page 4, that we are called to “the courage of moral conversion.” Yet, in neither instance, does the Academy develop the respective theme or offer any guidance on how we are to acquire these two forms of courage. It does not take much reflection, however, to recognize that both forms are connected to hope – the kind of unshakable hope which, like an inextinguishable fire burning within believers, continuously sustains such forms of courage in us, and much more. What then is the source or foundation that vivifies such an unshakable hope in us? Put plainly, what is the object of our hope upon which we should fix our gaze, if not Christ Himself? (cf. Spe salvi)
By all account, the document seems to tell us to fix our gaze on Amazonia instead:
We are called to an attitude of hope, beyond the paralyzing effect of two opposite temptations (…) Instead, it is time to imagine and implement a project of human coexistence that allows a better future for each and every one. The dream recently envisaged for the Amazon region might become a universal dream, a dream for the whole planet to “integrate and promote all its inhabitants, enabling them to enjoy ‘good living.’”
But is it possible to put our hope in something of the created order, however an idyllic earthly paradise it might be? Is such a utopia the true and highest good for mankind?
Why is this PAL document incapable of producing a message of hope? Hope presupposes faith. In seven pages, the word “faith” appears only once when the document alludes to those “structural dimensions of our global community that are oppressive and unjust, those that a faith understanding refers to as ‘structures of sin.’” It seems rather clear that, if faith is lacking, then hope will be also lacking.
The document speaks of moral conversion to bring about the rebirth of the human community (section 2). It advocates an ethics of risk that entails solidarity, cooperation, and making sacrifices, among others. One cannot help but ask: where do we find the moral strength to live out such a noble ethic of risk which demands perseverance, courage, and a whole host of other virtues? As the document points out, we humans are inherently frail. How then are we going to achieve “a real conversion of minds and hearts” if not with the help of divine grace? Without a word about grace, the document de facto is suggesting that humans can pull themselves up by their own bootstraps to achieve conversion.
Conversion means to turn away from something and turn toward something else. More important, moral conversion entails a continuous series of human acts (for the rest of the life of the one who converts), all of which are ordered to the same final end. That final end and that “something else” which triggers and sustains our moral conversion are basically one and the same. What is the object of our final end, if not the true and highest good that is God Himself (cf. Veritatis splendor, chapter 1) Who alone can completely fulfill all human desires?
Nowhere in the document is it mentioned that God is our final end, that Christ is our hope, and that we need the grace of the Holy Spirit for both our moral conversion and a good moral life. Nowhere is the Church – the dispenser of the sacraments as a source of grace – mentioned either. In passing over these in silence, in what way does the Academy’s call for solidarity, equality, and “access (to health care) for all without exceptions” differ from that of secular ideologies? This is a document issued from a prestigious body of the Catholic Church, yet there is no mention of Christianity or Christians, let alone Catholics. That a document is destined for all men and women is certainly not a reason for bracketing out its Catholic identity or omitting any reference to God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Church.
Truly, instead of a reductionist visIon of a merely earthly utopia where all inhabitants can “enjoy good living,” the document should have invited men and women into the life of Christ; it should have offered a strong message of hope with a rich eschatological vision “that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
August 7, 2020 correction: In a bio note at the end of this article it was noted by LifeSiteNews that Nguyen is a “professor at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome.” It’s been brought to our attention that Nguyen is no longer associated with this institution, which has been the case since Nov. 2019. LifeSiteNews regrets this error.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-29--Cardinal Zen sees Vatican II as a ‘light’ that still leads the Church today

PETITION : Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden !
Sign the petition here .
July 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Cardinal Joseph Zen has waded into the debate , given new impetus recently by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò , regarding Vatican II and its relation to current problems in the Catholic Church .
The 88-year-old retired Bishop of Hong Kong ultimately views the Second Vatican Council ( 1962-65 ) as a work of God within the Church that still acts as guiding light today .
“ Vatican II happened 50 years ago , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past , its light still leads the Church through the darkness of her journey today , ” he wrote July 19 on his blog .
Acknowledging the many criticisms of Vatican II – which he said come from both “ extreme conservatives ” and “ extreme progressives , ” – Zen urged against underestimating God ’ s work through the Council .
“ There is a saying , not far from the truth : an Ecumenical Council starts from human efforts , then comes the devil to make trouble , but at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a Happy Ending , ” Zen noted .
Zen does indeed clearly see the devil as having made plenty of “ trouble ” in the five decades since the close of Vatican II , and he is careful to stress that the work of the Holy Spirit begun at the historic conclave continues today .
Zen ’ s blog comes at a time when prominent voices in the Church , including Archbishop Viganò and Bishop Athanasius Schneider , have called for an open and honest debate about the truth of what happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its implementation contain errors that have harmed the faith .
Bishop Schneider recently gave an interview where he lists several problems in various Vatican II documents that he says lead to “ relativism.
” In Zen ’ s blog , he explained that when he was in Rome working on his doctoral thesis from 1961 to 1964 as Vatican II took place , he was aware of the “ fierce battles along the stereotype of divide between conservatives and progressives.
” “ In spare time , I enjoyed , like other young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily hot news and gossips about the Council , ” Zen recalled .
“ Council Fathers accusing each other with leaflets flying over Saint Peter ’ s square … The jokes !
” “ The polarization between the Conservatives and Progressives did not disappear after the Council , ” Zen observed .
“ Those who had difficulty to understand , or even refused to accept the ‘ novelties ’ in ( the ) Council ’ s decisions : they are the extreme conservatives ; but there are also extreme progressives who claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Church.
” Despite the conflicts and ongoing disputes among the Council Fathers , God ’ s work emerged .
“ The fruit of Vatican II are those 16 Documents , especially the 4 Constitutions , ” Zen said .
“ Through those documents you hear the real voice of the Holy Spirit , ” he declared .
Yet the conflict between conservatives and progressives at the Council continues , obscuring Christ ’ s intentions and the work of the Holy Spirit to enliven the Church .
“ The extreme conservatives say : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no more the Catholic Church I received baptism in , ” Zen said .
“ But you were baptized in a Church which believes in one apostolic Church , led by the Pope and the Bishops as authentic teachers of faith.
” “ The extreme progressives say : before the Council nothing was allowed to change , now with Vatican II many changes have been made , so , many things should be allowed to change also in the future , ” he said .
“ Yes , but only by a decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an arbitrary choice of anybody , and surely not by undoing the past .
“ The Holy Spirit of today doesn ’ t contradict the Holy Spirit of yesterday , ” he said .
The purpose of Vatican II was not to ‘ deny our past or to follow secular fashions ’ In a swipe against those who go too far in their desire to modernize the Church , who proclaim that “ Latin is invented by the devil !
” Cardinal Zen urged , “ Come on !
The Church saved the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , music ) and used it to educate the invading ‘ barbarians , ’ after the fall of Roman Empire , laying the foundation of the modern European civilization.
” “ The Tridentine theology mainly in Latin saved the faith of the Church of the lay , and the Tridentine liturgy in Latin with the Gregorian chant ( including the ‘ dies irae ’ ) nourished the piety of generations and sustained the courage of innumerable martyrs , ” he continued .
“ It sounds blasphemous to say that Vatican II had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dirt , ’ ” he added .
The purpose of Vatican II was not to “ deny our past or to follow all the secular fashions , ” Zen said , yet “ Vision is looking ahead , not backwards.
” He quoted Pope John XXIII ’ s speech opening the Second Vatican Council on October 11 , 1962 : Cardinal Zen sees Vatican II as an important milestone in the life of the Church .
“ Let us admire the divine plan , the one history of salvation .
Human freedoms may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ securely to the goal .
It ’ s a journey in continuity not through ruptures , ” he declared , offering a brief litany to underscore his point : • The history of Israel was a continuous alternation of fidelity and unfaithfulness .
But the true faith of Abraham , through Mary , Jesus and the Apostles , has been transmitted to us .
• The Old Testament belongs to us too , and the Church of the New Testament is open to everybody .
• The psalms are prayers which fit every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the prophets rings still relevant to the Church in modern society .
• We must be grateful to Greek culture just for the word “ Homoousios ” which helped the Church to express with exactitude the divine nature of Jesus , true God and true man .
• The Latin language was instrumental to keep the many European and missionary Churches united to Rome .
The rich heritage of centuries of liturgical music and ceremonials nurtured the piety of believers .
Why should we be surprised , if today ’ s young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s liturgical reform , still appreciate the Tridentine Mass ?
• The Church carries on her journey “ admist world ’ s tribulation and God ’ s consolation ” ( St. Augustine “ City of God ” ) “ to come to unity in our faith and in our knowledge of the son of God , until we become the perfect Man , fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself ” ( Eph .
4:13 ) “ Vatican II is very aware that errors persist in the world , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , it wants to help man to realize how those errors , especially a willful refusal of God , are not conducive to real human happiness , ” Zen said .
“ Guided by the Holy Spirit the Ecumenical Councils are the milestones on the journey of the Church through centuries , accumulating a rich heritage , showing ever brighter the true face of Christ , the Redeemer of mankind , ” he wrote .
“ The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the modern world , the most typical expression of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the threats to and anxieties of modern man , ” Zen noted , “ but is fully confident that the Church is able to come to man ’ s aid , if only she succeeds to reveal to him the true face of Jesus .
”

PETITION: Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden! Sign the petition here.
July 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Cardinal Joseph Zen has waded into the debate, given new impetus recently by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, regarding Vatican II and its relation to current problems in the Catholic Church.
The 88-year-old retired Bishop of Hong Kong ultimately views the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) as a work of God within the Church that still acts as guiding light today.
“Vatican II happened 50 years ago, but it surely doesn’t belong to the past, its light still leads the Church through the darkness of her journey today,” he wrote July 19 on his blog.
Acknowledging the many criticisms of Vatican II – which he said come from both “extreme conservatives” and “extreme progressives,” – Zen urged against underestimating God’s work through the Council.
“There is a saying, not far from the truth: an Ecumenical Council starts from human efforts, then comes the devil to make trouble, but at the end the Holy Spirit brings everything to a Happy Ending,” Zen noted.
Zen does indeed clearly see the devil as having made plenty of “trouble” in the five decades since the close of Vatican II, and he is careful to stress that the work of the Holy Spirit begun at the historic conclave continues today.
Zen’s blog comes at a time when prominent voices in the Church, including Archbishop Viganò and Bishop Athanasius Schneider, have called for an open and honest debate about the truth of what happened at Vatican II and whether the Council and its implementation contain errors that have harmed the faith. Bishop Schneider recently gave an interview where he lists several problems in various Vatican II documents that he says lead to “relativism.”
In Zen’s blog, he explained that when he was in Rome working on his doctoral thesis from 1961 to 1964 as Vatican II took place, he was aware of the “fierce battles along the stereotype of divide between conservatives and progressives.”
“In spare time, I enjoyed, like other young priests and seminarians in Rome, all the daily hot news and gossips about the Council,” Zen recalled. “Council Fathers accusing each other with leaflets flying over Saint Peter’s square … The jokes!”
“The polarization between the Conservatives and Progressives did not disappear after the Council,” Zen observed. “Those who had difficulty to understand, or even refused to accept the ‘novelties’ in (the) Council’s decisions: they are the extreme conservatives; but there are also extreme progressives who claim that now on everything can change in the Church.”
Despite the conflicts and ongoing disputes among the Council Fathers, God’s work emerged. “The fruit of Vatican II are those 16 Documents, especially the 4 Constitutions,” Zen said.
“Through those documents you hear the real voice of the Holy Spirit,” he declared.
Yet the conflict between conservatives and progressives at the Council continues, obscuring Christ’s intentions and the work of the Holy Spirit to enliven the Church.
“The extreme conservatives say: the Church after the Vatican II is no more the Catholic Church I received baptism in,” Zen said. “But you were baptized in a Church which believes in one apostolic Church, led by the Pope and the Bishops as authentic teachers of faith.”
“The extreme progressives say: before the Council nothing was allowed to change, now with Vatican II many changes have been made, so, many things should be allowed to change also in the future,” he said. “Yes, but only by a decision of the legitimate authority, not by an arbitrary choice of anybody, and surely not by undoing the past.
“The Holy Spirit of today doesn’t contradict the Holy Spirit of yesterday,” he said.
The purpose of Vatican II was not to ‘deny our past or to follow secular fashions’
In a swipe against those who go too far in their desire to modernize the Church, who proclaim that “Latin is invented by the devil!” Cardinal Zen urged, “Come on! The Church saved the Greek-Roman Culture (philosophy literature, art, music) and used it to educate the invading ‘barbarians,’ after the fall of Roman Empire, laying the foundation of the modern European civilization.”
“The Tridentine theology mainly in Latin saved the faith of the Church of the lay, and the Tridentine liturgy in Latin with the Gregorian chant (including the ‘dies irae’) nourished the piety of generations and sustained the courage of innumerable martyrs,” he continued.
“It sounds blasphemous to say that Vatican II had to clean the Church of the Tridentine ‘dirt,’” he added.
The purpose of Vatican II was not to “deny our past or to follow all the secular fashions,” Zen said, yet “Vision is looking ahead, not backwards.”
He quoted Pope John XXIII’s speech opening the Second Vatican Council on October 11, 1962:
From the renewed, serene and calm adherence to all the teachings of the Church, in its integrity and precision, as resplendent mainly in the conciliar acts of Trent and Vatican I, the Christian and Catholic spirit of the entire world awaits to go one step further towards a doctrinal penetration and a formation of consciences that is in a more perfect correspondence with fidelity to authentic doctrine, studying it and exposing it through the forms of research and the literary formulas of modern thought.
Cardinal Zen sees Vatican II as an important milestone in the life of the Church.
“Let us admire the divine plan, the one history of salvation. Human freedoms may fail, but God guides the Church securely to the goal. It’s a journey in continuity not through ruptures,” he declared, offering a brief litany to underscore his point:
The history of Israel was a continuous alternation of fidelity and unfaithfulness. But the true faith of Abraham, through Mary, Jesus and the Apostles, has been transmitted to us.
The Old Testament belongs to us too, and the Church of the New Testament is open to everybody.
The psalms are prayers which fit every situation of our life. The voice of the prophets rings still relevant to the Church in modern society.
We must be grateful to Greek culture just for the word “Homoousios” which helped the Church to express with exactitude the divine nature of Jesus, true God and true man.
The Latin language was instrumental to keep the many European and missionary Churches united to Rome. The rich heritage of centuries of liturgical music and ceremonials nurtured the piety of believers. Why should we be surprised, if today’s young people, while sincerely accepting the Church’s liturgical reform, still appreciate the Tridentine Mass?
The Church carries on her journey “admist world’s tribulation and God’s consolation” (St. Augustine “City of God”) “to come to unity in our faith and in our knowledge of the son of God, until we become the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself” (Eph. 4:13)
“Vatican II is very aware that errors persist in the world, but the Council doesn’t intend to condemn them, it wants to help man to realize how those errors, especially a willful refusal of God, are not conducive to real human happiness,” Zen said.
“Guided by the Holy Spirit the Ecumenical Councils are the milestones on the journey of the Church through centuries, accumulating a rich heritage, showing ever brighter the true face of Christ, the Redeemer of mankind,” he wrote.
“The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the modern world, the most typical expression of the Council’s Vision, lists all the threats to and anxieties of modern man,” Zen noted, “but is fully confident that the Church is able to come to man’s aid, if only she succeeds to reveal to him the true face of Jesus.”
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lifesitenews--2020-07-29--Why do leftists consider ex-gays such a threat?

TELL VIMEO : Stop silencing conservatives and Christians !
Sign the petition here .
July 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – What is it that makes the very existence of ex-gays so dangerous ?
And why is there a concerted , worldwide effort to block professional counseling for those with unwanted same-sex attractions ?
Before you think I ’ m exaggerating , consider these following examples .
In England , Barclays Bank announced it was closing the account of a Christian charity after protest from LGBTQ activists .
The charity , Core Issues Trust ( CIT ) , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CIT said that “ Barclays informed them that their bank account will be terminated by September .
CIT claimed that the move came after pressure from an LGBT social media campaign that targetted the group for allegedly practising ‘ conversion therapy ’ .
” On the social media front , it is now reported that , “ Facebook and its photo platform Instagram are banning any content advertising or promoting treatment to overcome unwanted same-sex attraction.
” According to Facebook spokeswoman Stephanie Otway , “ This is a global policy .
The policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now it will be applied to content that promotes conversion therapy when we become aware of it.
” Ex-gay colleagues have already informed me that their content is being removed from Facebook and their pages are being shut down , simply for stating that change is possible .
Last year , Amazon stopped selling books by respected therapists like Dr. Joseph Nicolosi as part of their ban on “ conversion therapy ” books .
This year , Amazon refused to allow Regnery Books , one of the largest conservative publishers , to buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abigail Shrier , Irreversible Damage : The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters .
As posted on the official website of the Office of the High Commissioner of the United Nations Human Rights organization , “ Practices known as ‘ conversion therapy ’ inflict severe pain and suffering on lesbian , gay , bisexual , trans and gender-diverse ( LGBT ) persons , often resulting in long-lasting psychological and physical damage , a UN expert told the Human Rights Council while calling for a global ban.
” Yes , you read that correctly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ global ban of so-called “ conversion therapy.
” And what , exactly , is this dangerous therapy ?
According to Victor Madrigal-Borloz , “ the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity .
.
.
conversion is attempted through beatings , rape , electrocution , forced medication , isolation and confinement , forced nudity , verbal offense and humiliation and other acts of physical , psychological , and sexual abuse.
” He said , “ These interventions exclusively target LGBT persons with the specific aim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autonomy because their sexual orientation or gender identity do not fall under what is perceived by certain persons as a desirable norm .
They are inherently degrading and discriminatory and rooted in the belief that LGBT persons are somehow inferior , and that they must at any cost modify their orientation or identity to remedy that supposed inferiority.
” This sounds pretty horrible , right ?
No wonder the Christian charity in England is having its bank account shut down .
No wonder Facebook and Instagram are blocking posts advocating these torturous practices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a ban .
This is a myth .
It is a creation of the left .
It is a boogey man , manufactured out of thin air , meant to discredit fine organizations and ministries which simply say , “ If you are unhappy with your same-sex attractions or gender-identity confusion , we ’ re here to talk with you and help.
” Nothing is forced or coerced .
No one is being beaten .
Or raped .
Or electrocuted .
Or isolated .
Or confined .
Or forced to take medication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ verbal offense and humiliation and other acts of physical , psychological , and sexual abuse.
” God forbid !
There is not a person I know on the planet who would affirm such abusive practices , and if they do exist , they have no connection at all to organizations like CIT and others .
Instead , professional counselors and ministry leaders , many of them ex-gay or ex-trans themselves , are offering prayer , support , and talk therapy to those that request it .
You say , “ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids taken against their own will and isolated and tortured in an attempt to drive the gay out of them .
It is child abuse of the worst kind.
” If such stories were true , I would agree with you wholeheartedly .
That would be downright wicked , and all people of conscience should denounce such horrific practices .
And to the extent such a thing has taken place or still takes place , I will work side by side with you to help eradicate it .
The reality , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not true at all .
And certainly , there is not a single , recognized ex-gay ministry or organization in the world that would sanction any of the horrific practices listed here .
Why , then , should they be banned by the U.N. , by social media , and by other countries when all they do is offer counseling and prayer to those who request ?
What is their crime ?
Why the extreme reaction , to the point of removing their content on social media and shutting down their bank accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversion therapy ” ( allegedly replete with horrible practices ) when that is not who they are or what they do ?
You say , “ I have gay and trans friends who told me how damaging it was to receive this kind of counseling and prayer when they were adults .
They were told this would help them change their sexual orientation or gender identity , but in the end , it did far more harm than good .
Worse still , it made them feel like there was something wrong with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , this is how God made them.
” Maybe they weren ’ t helped at all .
Maybe they were actually hurt .
The same can be said for countless people who tried everything from new diets to spiritual fads to life coaches to psychiatrists .
They report negative outcomes rather than positive outcomes .
But I can also point you to countless thousands who have been helped .
Who have improved the quality of their lives .
Who are happier and more content .
Who have resolved deep inner conflicts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ surgery or lifelong hormones ) .
Who have even seen changes in their sexual orientation .
Why don ’ t their stories count ?
And what about those people who believe that God did not make them gay or trans ?
Do not their beliefs or convictions count ?
Really now , in today ’ s world , if someone wants to go to a new age healer who allegedly makes contact with UFO ’ s , they can do so .
Or , if someone wants to go to a holistic cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s their choice .
Yet if someone says , “ I would rather not take hormones for life and remove perfectly healthy organs in order to feel at home in my body .
Instead , I would prefer finding wholeness from the inside out , and I ’ d like to meet with a professionally trained counselor , ” they will be told that such counseling is forbidden .
This is both criminal and cruel , and people of conscience around the world need to raise their voices in support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mention here the secular therapists who believe that sexual orientation is often quite fluid ? )
The Restored Hope Network has posted this Call to Action , offering many practical steps you can take .
And you can do what I ’ ve done on social media , specifically , challenging the ban and asking for people to post their testimonies of change .
( See here for a Facebook post that , thankfully , has not been taken down .
Some of the testimonies are very powerful . )
As for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this article , the answers are simple .
People who are ex-gay and ex-trans are a threat to the whole “ born that way ” argument , the argument that says that gay ( or trans ) is the new black .
By undermining that , we undermine the movement .
And that ’ s why it is such a threat .

TELL VIMEO: Stop silencing conservatives and Christians! Sign the petition here.
July 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – What is it that makes the very existence of ex-gays so dangerous? And why is there a concerted, worldwide effort to block professional counseling for those with unwanted same-sex attractions?
Before you think I’m exaggerating, consider these following examples.
In England, Barclays Bank announced it was closing the account of a Christian charity after protest from LGBTQ activists. The charity, Core Issues Trust (CIT), was accused of practicing “conversion therapy.” CIT said that “Barclays informed them that their bank account will be terminated by September. CIT claimed that the move came after pressure from an LGBT social media campaign that targetted the group for allegedly practising ‘conversion therapy’.”
On the social media front, it is now reported that, “Facebook and its photo platform Instagram are banning any content advertising or promoting treatment to overcome unwanted same-sex attraction.”
According to Facebook spokeswoman Stephanie Otway, “This is a global policy. The policy is still under development, but for now it will be applied to content that promotes conversion therapy when we become aware of it.”
Ex-gay colleagues have already informed me that their content is being removed from Facebook and their pages are being shut down, simply for stating that change is possible.
Last year, Amazon stopped selling books by respected therapists like Dr. Joseph Nicolosi as part of their ban on “conversion therapy” books. This year, Amazon refused to allow Regnery Books, one of the largest conservative publishers, to buy ads for their new book by journalist Abigail Shrier, Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters.
But there’s more.
As posted on the official website of the Office of the High Commissioner of the United Nations Human Rights organization, “Practices known as ‘conversion therapy’ inflict severe pain and suffering on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender-diverse (LGBT) persons, often resulting in long-lasting psychological and physical damage, a UN expert told the Human Rights Council while calling for a global ban.”
Yes, you read that correctly. This U.N. expert is calling for a global ban of so-called “conversion therapy.”
And what, exactly, is this dangerous therapy?
According to Victor Madrigal-Borloz, “the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity . . . conversion is attempted through beatings, rape, electrocution, forced medication, isolation and confinement, forced nudity, verbal offense and humiliation and other acts of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.”
He said, “These interventions exclusively target LGBT persons with the specific aim of interfering in their personal integrity and autonomy because their sexual orientation or gender identity do not fall under what is perceived by certain persons as a desirable norm. They are inherently degrading and discriminatory and rooted in the belief that LGBT persons are somehow inferior, and that they must at any cost modify their orientation or identity to remedy that supposed inferiority.”
This sounds pretty horrible, right? No wonder the Christian charity in England is having its bank account shut down. No wonder Facebook and Instagram are blocking posts advocating these torturous practices. No wonder the U.N. is calling for a ban.
There’s only one problem.
This is a myth. It is a creation of the left. It is a boogey man, manufactured out of thin air, meant to discredit fine organizations and ministries which simply say, “If you are unhappy with your same-sex attractions or gender-identity confusion, we’re here to talk with you and help.”
That’s it.
Nothing is forced or coerced. No one is being beaten. Or raped. Or electrocuted. Or isolated. Or confined. Or forced to take medication. Or stripped naked. Or subjected to “verbal offense and humiliation and other acts of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.” God forbid!
There is not a person I know on the planet who would affirm such abusive practices, and if they do exist, they have no connection at all to organizations like CIT and others.
Instead, professional counselors and ministry leaders, many of them ex-gay or ex-trans themselves, are offering prayer, support, and talk therapy to those that request it.
That’s it.
You say, “But I’ve heard horror stories of kids taken against their own will and isolated and tortured in an attempt to drive the gay out of them. It is child abuse of the worst kind.”
If such stories were true, I would agree with you wholeheartedly. That would be downright wicked, and all people of conscience should denounce such horrific practices. And to the extent such a thing has taken place or still takes place, I will work side by side with you to help eradicate it.
The reality, however, is that many of these stories are not true at all. And certainly, there is not a single, recognized ex-gay ministry or organization in the world that would sanction any of the horrific practices listed here.
Why, then, should they be banned by the U.N., by social media, and by other countries when all they do is offer counseling and prayer to those who request? What is their crime? Why the extreme reaction, to the point of removing their content on social media and shutting down their bank accounts? Why accuse them of practicing “conversion therapy” (allegedly replete with horrible practices) when that is not who they are or what they do?
You say, “I have gay and trans friends who told me how damaging it was to receive this kind of counseling and prayer when they were adults. They were told this would help them change their sexual orientation or gender identity, but in the end, it did far more harm than good. Worse still, it made them feel like there was something wrong with being gay or trans when, in fact, this is how God made them.”
Maybe they weren’t helped at all. Maybe they were actually hurt. The same can be said for countless people who tried everything from new diets to spiritual fads to life coaches to psychiatrists. They report negative outcomes rather than positive outcomes.
But I can also point you to countless thousands who have been helped. Who have improved the quality of their lives. Who are happier and more content. Who have resolved deep inner conflicts. Who have found gender wholeness (without surgery or lifelong hormones). Who have even seen changes in their sexual orientation.
Why don’t their stories count? And what about those people who believe that God did not make them gay or trans? Do not their beliefs or convictions count?
Really now, in today’s world, if someone wants to go to a new age healer who allegedly makes contact with UFO’s, they can do so. Or, if someone wants to go to a holistic cancer treatment center rather than get chemotherapy, that’s their choice.
Yet if someone says, “I would rather not take hormones for life and remove perfectly healthy organs in order to feel at home in my body. Instead, I would prefer finding wholeness from the inside out, and I’d like to meet with a professionally trained counselor,” they will be told that such counseling is forbidden.
This is both criminal and cruel, and people of conscience around the world need to raise their voices in support of freedom of choice. (Shall I mention here the secular therapists who believe that sexual orientation is often quite fluid?)
The Restored Hope Network has posted this Call to Action, offering many practical steps you can take. And you can do what I’ve done on social media, specifically, challenging the ban and asking for people to post their testimonies of change. (See here for a Facebook post that, thankfully, has not been taken down. Some of the testimonies are very powerful.)
As for the questions I asked at the outset of this article, the answers are simple. People who are ex-gay and ex-trans are a threat to the whole “born that way” argument, the argument that says that gay (or trans) is the new black. By undermining that, we undermine the movement.
And that’s why it is such a threat.
(To watch an important August 1 online event, offering a sneak preview of a powerful new documentary called In His Image, addressing these very issues with biblical clarity and life-changing stories, go here.)
Follow Michael Dr. Brown is the author of more than 35 books, including Our Hands Are Stained with Blood: The Tragic Story of the “Church” and the Jewish People, which has been translated into more than twelve languages, the highly acclaimed five-volume series, Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus, a commentary on Jeremiah (part of the revised edition of the Expositor’s Bible Commentary), and several books on revival and the Jesus revolution. His most recent book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test?
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lifesitenews--2020-07-29--Trump condemns ‘anarchist’ anti-police protesters: They’re ‘sick and deranged’

PETITION : Investigate George Soros ' role in funding domestic terrorism !
Sign the petition here .
July 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – President Donald Trump spoke out Monday against an emerging narrative to downplay the violence on the streets of Portland , Oregon and Seattle , Washington , arguing that many “ peaceful protesters ” among Black Lives Matter ( BLM ) are anything but .
“ The Fake News Media is trying to portray the Portland and Seattle ‘ protesters ’ as wonderful , sweet and innocent people just out for a little stroll , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are sick and deranged Anarchists & Agitators who our great men & women of Law Enforcement easily control , but who would destroy our American cities , and worse , if Sleepy Joe Biden , the puppet of the Left , ever won .
Markets would crash and cities would burn .
Our Country would suffer like never before .
We will beat the Virus , soon , and go on to the Golden Age - better than ever before !
” For several weeks , left-wing activists allied with BLM occupied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone ( later renamed CHOP , for Capitol Hill Organized Protest ) .
Violence in the zone included one death and one critical injury by shooting , attempted rape , arson , theft , assaults , and property destruction .
The chaos has sparked several lawsuits against the city for failing to protect residents and businesses .
In Portland , similar violence went on for six weeks , including more shootings , stabbings , and arson , as part of “ protests ” organized by groups such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration sent in federal law enforcement to protect federal buildings .
Even so , Democrat Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler claimed he “ saw nothing that provoked this response ” of feds using tear gas to quell the situation .
The current wave of BLM protests began at the end of May , following the death of Minnesota man George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer .
The demonstrations started by billing themselves as a call to end police brutality , but quickly morphed into a broader condemnation of America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” expanding into issues such as commemoration of “ problematic ” historical figures in art , sculpture , and location names .
The intensity of the protests has also been disproportionate to the facts of the cause that sparked them .
Floyd ’ s killing was instantly and unanimously condemned , and the police officers involved have been charged with murder .
As to BLM ’ s broader claim of “ systemic racism ” in law enforcement , research actually shows that police are not disproportionately likely to use excessive lethal force against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less likely due to fears of the racial component being spun to brand them as racist .

PETITION: Investigate George Soros' role in funding domestic terrorism! Sign the petition here.
July 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – President Donald Trump spoke out Monday against an emerging narrative to downplay the violence on the streets of Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington, arguing that many “peaceful protesters” among Black Lives Matter (BLM) are anything but.
“The Fake News Media is trying to portray the Portland and Seattle ‘protesters’ as wonderful, sweet and innocent people just out for a little stroll,” the president tweeted. “Actually, they are sick and deranged Anarchists & Agitators who our great men & women of Law Enforcement easily control, but who would destroy our American cities, and worse, if Sleepy Joe Biden, the puppet of the Left, ever won. Markets would crash and cities would burn. Our Country would suffer like never before. We will beat the Virus, soon, and go on to the Golden Age – better than ever before!”
….would destroy our American cities, and worse, if Sleepy Joe Biden, the puppet of the Left, ever won. Markets would crash and cities would burn. Our Country would suffer like never before. We will beat the Virus, soon, and go on to the Golden Age – better than ever before! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2020
For several weeks, left-wing activists allied with BLM occupied a six-block portion of Seattle dubbed CHAZ, or the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (later renamed CHOP, for Capitol Hill Organized Protest). Violence in the zone included one death and one critical injury by shooting, attempted rape, arson, theft, assaults, and property destruction. The chaos has sparked several lawsuits against the city for failing to protect residents and businesses.
In Portland, similar violence went on for six weeks, including more shootings, stabbings, and arson, as part of “protests” organized by groups such as the far-left Antifa, until the Trump administration sent in federal law enforcement to protect federal buildings. Even so, Democrat Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler claimed he “saw nothing that provoked this response” of feds using tear gas to quell the situation.
The current wave of BLM protests began at the end of May, following the death of Minnesota man George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer. The demonstrations started by billing themselves as a call to end police brutality, but quickly morphed into a broader condemnation of America’s alleged “systemic racism,” expanding into issues such as commemoration of “problematic” historical figures in art, sculpture, and location names.
The intensity of the protests has also been disproportionate to the facts of the cause that sparked them. Floyd’s killing was instantly and unanimously condemned, and the police officers involved have been charged with murder. As to BLM’s broader claim of “systemic racism” in law enforcement, research actually shows that police are not disproportionately likely to use excessive lethal force against black suspects, and may even be less likely due to fears of the racial component being spun to brand them as racist.
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