lifesitenews--2020-06-08--Transgender fury as JK Rowling mocks article for suggesting men can menstruate

EDINBURGH , Scotland , June 8 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― The pro-LGBT author of the Harry Potter series has again offended LGBT sensibilities by asserting that biological sex matters .
On Saturday , J.K. Rowling caused a firestorm when she mocked the headline of an article in online charity magazine Devex.com .
The headline reads “ Opinion : Creating a more equal post-Covid 19 world for people who menstruate.
” “ I 'm sure there used to be a word for those people , ” Rowling , 54 , wrote in what is now a viral tweet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Wimpund ?
Woomud ?
” Thousands of Twitter-users responded to the best-selling author ’ s message , many accusing her of harming transsexual people .
The American Gay & Lesian Alliance Against Defamation ( GLAAD ) signaled there that its members “ stand with trans youth , especially those Harry Potter fans hurt by [ Rowling ’ s ] inaccurate and cruel tweets.
” GLAAD added , “ JK Rowling continues to align herself with an ideology which willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans .
In 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trans people.
” In a subsequent Twitter stream , Rowling indicated that the ideology she aligns with is better known as reality .
“ If sex isn ’ t real , the lived reality of women globally is erased .
I know and love trans people , but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives .
It isn ’ t hate to speak the truth.
” The author asserted that she respects “ every trans person ’ s right to live any way that feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her own life had “ been shaped by being female.
” “ I do not believe it is hateful to say so , ” Rowling stated .
The Devex.com article did , in fact , mention “ women and girls ” as well as the growing number of women and girls who identify as “ gender non-binary persons.
” The development magazine reported that “ over 500 million women worldwide do not have what they need to manage their menstruation.
” The humiliation of these women and girls is clearly of less interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refusal to bow to transgender ideology .
Rowling first attracted LGBT ire when she published a tweet defending Maya Forstater , a British tax expert who lost her job after opposing the legal definition of women to include men .
Among Forstater ’ s tweets was her September 2 , 2018 post expressing that “ radically expanding the legal definition of ‘ women ’ so that it can include both males and females makes it a meaningless concept , and will undermine women ’ s rights & protections for vulnerable women & girls.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forstater tweeted : “ Yes I think that male people are not women .
I don ’ t think being a woman/female is a matter of identity or womanly feelings .
It is biology.
” PETITION : Yes to reform .
No to riots & revolution !
Sign the petition here .
She was fired by her then-employer , the Centre for Global Development , for her statements , and a court decided that this decision was lawful .
As a response to the judgment , J.K. Rowling tweeted , “ Dress however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like .
Sleep with any consenting adult who ’ ll have you .
Live your best life in peace and security .
But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real ?
# IStandWithMaya # ThisIsNotADrill.
” Forstater is now one of the people defending Rowling against accusations that she is hateful .
In response to a suggestion to the author that nobody is saying sex isn ’ t real , Forstater linked to a post by transgender ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio .
In it , Strangio informed media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a fixed scientific concept but an ideological one usually designed to exclude trans people from spaces.
” J.K. Rowling , who resides in Scotland , is Britain ’ s best-selling living author and an honored philanthropist .
Between 1997 and 2007 , she wrote the seven-volume Harry Potter series .
Since her support of Maya Forstater , a constant theme of Rowling ’ s online critics is how “ betrayed ” they feel by their onetime favorite author .
A woman calling herself Kate Beetle responded to Rowling ’ s first controversial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ books had kept her from committing suicide , but now she feels antipathy for Harry Potter ’ s creator .
“ I decided not to kill myself because I wanted to know how Harry 's story ended , ” she wrote .
“ For a long time , that was all that kept me alive .
Until I met my husband who helped me learn to love myself and to want to live .
You just insulted him to my face .
I hate you.
” A transgender activist has even gone so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not safe around the author .
Nicola Spurling , a Canadian former Green Party candidate , took down the libelous tweet after consulting lawyers .
Although many Christian parents forbid their children Rowling ’ s wizard-themed books , the author is herself a member of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland .
Her politics tend toward the left : she once gave a million British pounds sterling ( approx .
$ 1,266,025 U.S. ) to the U.K. ’ s Labor Party , and she also supported the “ Remain ” campaign against Brexit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaving the United Kingdom in the Independence Referendum of 2014 .
Carolyn Farrow of CitizenGO U.K. reminded LifeSiteNews that J.K. Rowling is not the only woman who has suffered for defending the definition of womanhood .
“ While I am glad that JK Rowling is standing up for biological reality in this way and drawing attention to the deranged insanity of the trans lobby , it ought to be remembered that there are many other women who have been banned from social media and faced real-life consequences and harassment as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have her resources or celebrity support , ” Farrow said .
“ It also demonstrates the division within the left when they are prepared to throw one of their own to the wolves .
”

'I'm sure there used to be a word for those people,' the Harry Potter author wrote on Twitter, sparking intense outrage from LGBT militants.
EDINBURGH, Scotland, June 8, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― The pro-LGBT author of the Harry Potter series has again offended LGBT sensibilities by asserting that biological sex matters.
On Saturday, J.K. Rowling caused a firestorm when she mocked the headline of an article in online charity magazine Devex.com. The headline reads “Opinion: Creating a more equal post-Covid 19 world for people who menstruate.”
“I'm sure there used to be a word for those people,” Rowling, 54, wrote in what is now a viral tweet. “Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
Thousands of Twitter-users responded to the best-selling author’s message, many accusing her of harming transsexual people. The American Gay & Lesian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) signaled there that its members “stand with trans youth, especially those Harry Potter fans hurt by [Rowling’s] inaccurate and cruel tweets.”
GLAAD added, “JK Rowling continues to align herself with an ideology which willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans. In 2020, there is no excuse for targeting trans people.”
In a subsequent Twitter stream, Rowling indicated that the ideology she aligns with is better known as reality.
“If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction,” she wrote.
“If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”
The author asserted that she respects “every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic to them” but also that her own life had “been shaped by being female.”
“I do not believe it is hateful to say so,” Rowling stated.
The Devex.com article did, in fact, mention “women and girls” as well as the growing number of women and girls who identify as “gender non-binary persons.” The development magazine reported that “over 500 million women worldwide do not have what they need to manage their menstruation.” The humiliation of these women and girls is clearly of less interest to Rowling’s critics than her refusal to bow to transgender ideology.
Rowling first attracted LGBT ire when she published a tweet defending Maya Forstater, a British tax expert who lost her job after opposing the legal definition of women to include men.
Among Forstater’s tweets was her September 2, 2018 post expressing that “radically expanding the legal definition of ‘women’ so that it can include both males and females makes it a meaningless concept, and will undermine women’s rights & protections for vulnerable women & girls.”
On September 25, 2018, Forstater tweeted: “Yes I think that male people are not women. I don’t think being a woman/female is a matter of identity or womanly feelings. It is biology.”
PETITION: Yes to reform. No to riots & revolution! Sign the petition here.
She was fired by her then-employer, the Centre for Global Development, for her statements, and a court decided that this decision was lawful. As a response to the judgment, J.K. Rowling tweeted, “Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill.”
Forstater is now one of the people defending Rowling against accusations that she is hateful. In response to a suggestion to the author that nobody is saying sex isn’t real, Forstater linked to a post by transgender ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio. In it, Strangio informed media, “‘Biological sex’ is not a fixed scientific concept but an ideological one usually designed to exclude trans people from spaces.”
J.K. Rowling, who resides in Scotland, is Britain’s best-selling living author and an honored philanthropist. Between 1997 and 2007, she wrote the seven-volume Harry Potter series. Since her support of Maya Forstater, a constant theme of Rowling’s online critics is how “betrayed” they feel by their onetime favorite author.
A woman calling herself Kate Beetle responded to Rowling’s first controversial June 6 tweet by saying Harry Potter books had kept her from committing suicide, but now she feels antipathy for Harry Potter’s creator.
“I decided not to kill myself because I wanted to know how Harry's story ended,” she wrote. “For a long time, that was all that kept me alive. Until I met my husband who helped me learn to love myself and to want to live. You just insulted him to my face. I hate you.”
A transgender activist has even gone so far as to suggest that children are not safe around the author. Nicola Spurling, a Canadian former Green Party candidate, took down the libelous tweet after consulting lawyers.
Although many Christian parents forbid their children Rowling’s wizard-themed books, the author is herself a member of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Her politics tend toward the left: she once gave a million British pounds sterling (approx. $1,266,025 U.S.) to the U.K.’s Labor Party, and she also supported the “Remain” campaign against Brexit. However, she also voted against Scotland leaving the United Kingdom in the Independence Referendum of 2014.
Caroline Farrow of CitizenGO U.K. reminded LifeSiteNews that J.K. Rowling is not the only woman who has suffered for defending the definition of womanhood.
“While I am glad that JK Rowling is standing up for biological reality in this way and drawing attention to the deranged insanity of the trans lobby, it ought to be remembered that there are many other women who have been banned from social media and faced real-life consequences and harassment as a result of stating identical views who don’t have her resources or celebrity support,” Farrow said.
“It also demonstrates the division within the left when they are prepared to throw one of their own to the wolves.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-08--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

June 8 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the coronavirus crisis , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united in praying the rosary together , at the same time , every day at 12:00 noon EST .
The rosary is led by Father Anthony Pillari , an American priest currently in Italy .
To date , Catholics from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Mexico , Chile , Brazil , Australia , New Zealand , the Philippines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as other countries , have been joining in .
The whole world – including the Church – has been thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) .
Thousands of people have passed away as a result of the viral outbreak , while thousands more have been sickened .
And , across the world , business has come to a grinding halt , resulting in sudden job loss and threatening economic recession .
If there ever was a time for prayer , this is it .
Catholics around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sacraments , but in many places are unable to access them because of bishops ’ orders or government restrictions .
We know that community with other believers is vital all the time , but especially during this time of global calls for “ sheltering-in-place ” and quarantine .
“ The rosary is the weapon for these times , ” St. Padre Pio said .
Through prayer , we can shape history , change the world , and bring this painful crisis to an end .
Join us today !
Send photos or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rosary with Father Pillari to [ email protected ]

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


lifesitenews--2020-06-09--Catholic school fires teacher for criticizing Black Lives Matter as ‘terrorist’ org

BAKERSFIELD , California , June 8 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― A Catholic teacher was dismissed from his position at a California Catholic school after criticizing the Black Lives Matter organization on Twitter .
Timothy Gordon , popular podcaster and author of Rules for Retrogrades , had taught at Bakersfield ’ s Garces Memorial High School for seven years .
On June 3 , Gordon tweeted , “ BLM is a terrorist organization.
” In a separate tweet , he expressed amusement at a tweet from NPR stating that public health authorities had signed a letter saying , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue that predates and contributes to COVID-19.
” Gordon also called for the government to quell the street violence raging across the United States in response to the death of a black man in Minneapolis .
In response to Gordon ’ s tweets , a petition circulated among a group of people , some associated with Garces Memorial High School .
The petition accuses Gordon of “ spreading unacceptable messages of ignorance and hate on social media and in his classroom.
” It alludes to Gordon ’ s tweets criticizing Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forms of worship , including Islam ” in his classroom .
The petition also accuses Gordon of “ abusing his position to spread his toxic political message.
” “ We do not believe that such a person should be granted a platform to teach Garces students , ” the petition continued .
“ We demand action from the school administration.
” Before the day was over , Gordon had received documents from Mona Faulkner , superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Fresno , pertaining to his “ non-renewal as a Garces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Gordon says he had already signed his contract for the upcoming year .
LifeSiteNews has seen an email from an administrator at Garces Memorial , dated May 1 , 2020 , reminding him to send in his contract page and signed “ annual responsibility form.
” Gordon was the chair of the school ’ s theology department at the time .
Gordon described Garces Memorial High , which charges parents over $ 11,000 a year in tuition , as having an “ interesting climate ” and being a “ Catholic education-mill type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they were teaching modernism , ” he told LifeSiteNews .
Gordon said there are many political conservatives at the school but that he had his “ enemies ” among liberal families and donors who resented his orthodox teaching .
However , Gordon believes he was well liked by a majority of his students and did not recognize all of the names on the petition .
“ I had taught less than half of them , ” he said .
“ A lot of them were not even students at the school.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had bullied students who wouldn ’ t sign and that one of the bullied students had her house egged .
PETITION : Yes to reform .
No to riots & revolution !
Sign the petition here .
Gordon recognized thirty or forty of the students he had taught who did sign the petition as “ liberal dissenters.
” Gordon also said he recognized one of the petition ’ s organizers as someone he had once caught cheating .
He believes that some of the others have an animus against him because he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m known at Garces as a non-grade inflator , ” Gordon remarked .
He said also that he has never discussed the Black Lives Matter organization with his students .
Gordon ’ s Rules for Retrogrades was released in March , and he says his book clearly states that there is no room for racism in the conservative movement , “ which makes it hilarious that they ’ re painting me as a racist.
” He also resents the label because his wife is Latina .
Gordon , a married father of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his family .
One of his daughters is recovering from a brain surgery she underwent on April 6 .
The former teacher said his firing was “ particularly despicable ” because the administration had known of the girl ’ s illness , and prayers for her had been said daily during the school ’ s lockdown Zoom classes .
The plight of the Gordon family has touched hearts , as is evidenced by a GoFundMe page that has now collected over $ 48,000 .
Other donors have been making use of the donation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ People have been tremendously supportive , ” he said On June 3 , 2020 , I was wrongfully terminated by the Diocese of Fresno from my teaching position with Garces Memorial High School .
The decision was made after I expressed disapproval on Twitter of the recent violent attacks on innocent people by radical groups , and the recent looting and destruction of businesses across the United States .
I called on our country to take action and to use necessary force to protect us from these violent rioters and looters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a Christian , I love all races equally : “ in Christ there is neither Greek or Jew.
” I am a devoted and dedicated husband and father of 6 kids , one of which is recovering from brain surgery .
I am a teacher , and I love and support all of my students .
The Diocese ’ s decision to terminate me was wrongful and a clear breach of my employment contract .
The Diocese is discriminating against me because of my conservative political and religious views .
What I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : the Left will stop at nothing to silence and destroy anyone with whom they disagree .
They are organized and committed to shutting down debate , silencing speech , and destroying their opponents ’ reputations and livelihoods .
I will seek justice in the courts .
Fresno diocese superintendent Mona Faulkner said on Friday that “ Mr .
Gordon is not authorized to speak on behalf of the Diocese of Fresno or Garces Memorial High School , and neither the Diocese nor Garces Memorial High School condones Mr. Gordon ’ s recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified Black Identity Extremism ( BIE ) as a new form of terrorism .
According to an August 2019 article in Salon , the FBI changed the expression to “ Racially Motivated Violent Extremism ” in 2020 .
“ RMVEs [ Racially Motivated Violent Extremists ] use force or violence in violation of criminal law in response to perceived racism and injustice in American society , or in an effort to establish a separate black homeland or autonomous black social institutions , communities , or governing organizations within the United States , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guide said .
“ According to previous guides , the FBI believes that the threat originated from the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson , Missouri , ” Salon reported .
In 2017 , a Louisiana policeman wounded in a Baton Rouge mass shooting that killed three other police officers sued Black Lives Matter , claiming the organization had incited the violence .
LifeSiteNews reached out to Garces Memorial High School and was referred to the Diocese of Fresno .
LifeSiteNews has still not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s superintendent of schools .

'We do not believe that such a person should be granted a platform to teach Garces students,' a petition signed by students insisted.
BAKERSFIELD, California, June 8, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― A Catholic teacher was dismissed from his position at a California Catholic school after criticizing the Black Lives Matter organization on Twitter.
Timothy Gordon, popular podcaster and author of Rules for Retrogrades, had taught at Bakersfield’s Garces Memorial High School for seven years.
On June 3, Gordon tweeted, “BLM is a terrorist organization.” In a separate tweet, he expressed amusement at a tweet from NPR stating that public health authorities had signed a letter saying, “White supremacy is a lethal public health issue that predates and contributes to COVID-19.” Gordon also called for the government to quell the street violence raging across the United States in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
In response to Gordon’s tweets, a petition circulated among a group of people, some associated with Garces Memorial High School. The petition accuses Gordon of “spreading unacceptable messages of ignorance and hate on social media and in his classroom.” It alludes to Gordon’s tweets criticizing Black Lives Matter and claims he has disparaged “other forms of worship, including Islam” in his classroom. The petition also accuses Gordon of “abusing his position to spread his toxic political message.”
“We do not believe that such a person should be granted a platform to teach Garces students,” the petition continued. “We demand action from the school administration.”
Before the day was over, Gordon had received documents from Mona Faulkner, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Fresno, pertaining to his “non-renewal as a Garces teacher for the 2020–2021 school year.”
But Gordon says he had already signed his contract for the upcoming year. LifeSiteNews has seen an email from an administrator at Garces Memorial, dated May 1, 2020, reminding him to send in his contract page and signed “annual responsibility form.” Gordon was the chair of the school’s theology department at the time.
Gordon described Garces Memorial High, which charges parents over $11,000 a year in tuition, as having an “interesting climate” and being a “Catholic education-mill type school.”
“Before I got there, they were teaching modernism,” he told LifeSiteNews.
Gordon said there are many political conservatives at the school but that he had his “enemies” among liberal families and donors who resented his orthodox teaching. However, Gordon believes he was well liked by a majority of his students and did not recognize all of the names on the petition.
“I had taught less than half of them,” he said. “A lot of them were not even students at the school.”
Gordon alleged that some of the signatories had bullied students who wouldn’t sign and that one of the bullied students had her house egged.
PETITION: Yes to reform. No to riots & revolution! Sign the petition here.
Gordon recognized thirty or forty of the students he had taught who did sign the petition as “liberal dissenters.” He believes that some of the others have an animus against him because he’s a hard marker.
“I’m known at Garces as a non-grade inflator,” Gordon remarked.
He said also that he has never discussed the Black Lives Matter organization with his students.
Gordon’s Rules for Retrogrades was released in March, and he says his book clearly states that there is no room for racism in the conservative movement, “which makes it hilarious that they’re painting me as a racist.” He also resents the label because his wife is Latina.
Gordon, a married father of six, is the sole breadwinner for his family. One of his daughters is recovering from a brain surgery she underwent on April 6. The former teacher said his firing was “particularly despicable” because the administration had known of the girl’s illness, and prayers for her had been said daily during the school’s lockdown Zoom classes.
The plight of the Gordon family has touched hearts, as is evidenced by a GoFundMe page that has now collected over $48,000. Other donors have been making use of the donation box on Gordon’s web page.
“People have been tremendously supportive,” he said
Gordon released the following statement:
On June 3, 2020, I was wrongfully terminated by the Diocese of Fresno from my teaching position with Garces Memorial High School. The decision was made after I expressed disapproval on Twitter of the recent violent attacks on innocent people by radical groups, and the recent looting and destruction of businesses across the United States. I called on our country to take action and to use necessary force to protect us from these violent rioters and looters. I am not a racist. As a Christian, I love all races equally: “in Christ there is neither Greek or Jew.” I am a devoted and dedicated husband and father of 6 kids, one of which is recovering from brain surgery. I am a teacher, and I love and support all of my students. The Diocese’s decision to terminate me was wrongful and a clear breach of my employment contract. The Diocese is discriminating against me because of my conservative political and religious views. What I have learned from this experience is simple: the Left will stop at nothing to silence and destroy anyone with whom they disagree. They are organized and committed to shutting down debate, silencing speech, and destroying their opponents’ reputations and livelihoods. I will seek justice in the courts.
Fresno diocese superintendent Mona Faulkner said on Friday that “Mr. Gordon is not authorized to speak on behalf of the Diocese of Fresno or Garces Memorial High School, and neither the Diocese nor Garces Memorial High School condones Mr. Gordon’s recent postings.”
In 2017, the FBI identified Black Identity Extremism (BIE) as a new form of terrorism. According to an August 2019 article in Salon, the FBI changed the expression to “Racially Motivated Violent Extremism” in 2020.
“RMVEs [Racially Motivated Violent Extremists] use force or violence in violation of criminal law in response to perceived racism and injustice in American society, or in an effort to establish a separate black homeland or autonomous black social institutions, communities, or governing organizations within the United States,” the FBI’s 2020 counter-terrorism strategy guide said.
“According to previous guides, the FBI believes that the threat originated from the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri,” Salon reported.
In 2017, a Louisiana policeman wounded in a Baton Rouge mass shooting that killed three other police officers sued Black Lives Matter, claiming the organization had incited the violence.
LifeSiteNews reached out to Garces Memorial High School and was referred to the Diocese of Fresno. LifeSiteNews has still not received a response from the diocese’s superintendent of schools.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-09--New sex ed teaches New Jersey minors about sodomy and how to consent to it

WARNING : The following article contains sexually explicit language and material .
TRENTON , New Jersey , June 8 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The new standards for sex education in public schools of New Jersey push homosexuality and gender ideology , as well as abortion and contraception .
Children are taught about giving “ consent ” and how to decide “ whether and when to engage in sexual behaviors ” such as “ oral ” and “ anal sex.
” Abortion giant Planned Parenthood was one of the organizations that had worked with the state ’ s Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Modeled on the National Sexuality Education Standards — the gold standard for sex education — the new guidelines and educational requirements feature an updated , more comprehensive curriculum that includes expanded content topics , including LGBTQ identities and consent , ” wrote Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey in a press release .
The standards want students by the end of high school to “ [ a ] dvocate for school and community policies and programs that promote dignity and respect for people of all genders [ sic ] , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual orientations.
” “ Analyze the influences of peers , family , media , social norms and culture on the expression of gender , sexual orientation , and identity , ” another standard reads .
Additionally , students need to “ [ c ] ompare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of contraceptive and disease prevention methods ( e.g.
, abstinence , condoms , emergency contraception , dental dams ) .
” They are also supposed to “ [ a ] nalyze personal and societal factors that can influence decisions about pregnancy options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haven , and adoption .
Per the new standards , sex education is not limited to high school .
By the end of middle school , students already need to “ [ d ] ifferentiate between gender identity , gender expression and sexual orientation ” and “ [ d ] evelop a plan for the school to promote dignity and respect for people of all genders [ sic ] , gender identities , gender expressions , and sexual orientations in the school community.
” Middle school is also the time for children in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to define “ vaginal , oral , and anal sex , ” as well as identify “ short and long-term contraception and safer sex methods that are effective and describe how to access and use them.
” By the end of grade 8 , students must learn to “ identify factors that are important in deciding whether and when to engage in sexual behaviors , ” the standards state .
They must be able to “ identify factors that can affect the ability to give or perceive consent to sexual activity.
” Students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well .
Elementary schools already have a section in the official standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education dedicated to “ sexual health.
” DROP Disney+ : New teen film 'Out ' features openly homosexual main character !
Sign the petition here .
New Jersey wants young children to study “ the range of ways pregnancy can occur ( e.g.
, IVF , surrogacy ) .
” The difference “ between sexual orientation and gender identity ” is also mentioned , as well as sexual orientation .
What sounds harmless in grade 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own choices about how to express themselves.
” — is explicit by grade 5 : “ Differentiate between sexual orientation and gender identity [ . ]
...
Demonstrate ways to promote dignity and respect for all people ( e.g .
sexual orientation , gender identity and expression , race , ethnicity , socio-economic status , differing ability , immigration status , family configuration ) .
While the standards mention consent , abstinence , and adoption , a new publication by the Family Research Council ( FRC ) has pointed out that these buzzwords @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ consent ” is no longer used exclusively “ to equip kids to resist committing , or being a victim of , sexual assault.
” Rather , “ [ t ] he ‘ consent ’ movement seems less about avoiding assault and more about promoting sex and sexual rights.
” The FRC publication quoted the Guttmacher Institute , the research arm of pro-abortion Planned Parenthood , which revealed , “ Teaching about consent is key to pushing back against abstinence-only messages.
” Abstinence , in turn , has nothing to do with waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your next steady boyfriend or girlfriend.
” New Jersey is only one of many jurisdictions imposing explicit sex education curricula on public school students .
Parents in Fairfax County , Virginia , for example , are told an abstinence lesson will talk about “ the benefits of abstaining from sexual activity until marriage.
” However , as the publication found out , “ the word ‘ marriage ’ never appears anywhere in the lesson !
” Regarding adoption , “ Virginia law requires that students be taught about both adoption and abortion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adoption plan , the lesson script in Fairfax County refers students to Planned Parenthood , ” according to the FRC booklet .
According to its 2018–2019 annual report , Planned Parenthood listed 4,279 adoption referrals across its U.S. affiliates in 2018 .
The organization claimed to have committed 345,672 abortions over the same period , meaning a ratio of about 80 children aborted for every adoption referral .

Abortion giant Planned Parenthood is one of the organizations that worked with the state’s Department of Education to prepare the new standards.
WARNING: The following article contains sexually explicit language and material.
TRENTON, New Jersey, June 8, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The new standards for sex education in public schools of New Jersey push homosexuality and gender ideology, as well as abortion and contraception. Children are taught about giving “consent” and how to decide “whether and when to engage in sexual behaviors” such as “oral” and “anal sex.”
Abortion giant Planned Parenthood was one of the organizations that had worked with the state’s Department of Education to prepare the new standards.
“Modeled on the National Sexuality Education Standards — the gold standard for sex education — the new guidelines and educational requirements feature an updated, more comprehensive curriculum that includes expanded content topics, including LGBTQ identities and consent,” wrote Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey in a press release.
The standards want students by the end of high school to “[a]dvocate for school and community policies and programs that promote dignity and respect for people of all genders [sic], gender expressions, gender identities, and sexual orientations.”
“Analyze the influences of peers, family, media, social norms and culture on the expression of gender, sexual orientation, and identity,” another standard reads.
Additionally, students need to “[c]ompare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of contraceptive and disease prevention methods (e.g., abstinence, condoms, emergency contraception, dental dams).”
They are also supposed to “[a]nalyze personal and societal factors that can influence decisions about pregnancy options, including parenting, abortion, safe haven, and adoption.
Per the new standards, sex education is not limited to high school. By the end of middle school, students already need to “[d]ifferentiate between gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation” and “[d]evelop a plan for the school to promote dignity and respect for people of all genders [sic], gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations in the school community.”
Middle school is also the time for children in the Garden State’s public schools to define “vaginal, oral, and anal sex,” as well as identify “short and long-term contraception and safer sex methods that are effective and describe how to access and use them.”
By the end of grade 8, students must learn to “identify factors that are important in deciding whether and when to engage in sexual behaviors,” the standards state. They must be able to “identify factors that can affect the ability to give or perceive consent to sexual activity.”
Students learn about abortion in middle school as well.
Elementary schools already have a section in the official standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education dedicated to “sexual health.”
DROP Disney+: New teen film 'Out' features openly homosexual main character! Sign the petition here.
New Jersey wants young children to study “the range of ways pregnancy can occur (e.g., IVF, surrogacy).” The difference “between sexual orientation and gender identity” is also mentioned, as well as sexual orientation.
What sounds harmless in grade 2 — “Discuss how individuals make their own choices about how to express themselves.” — is explicit by grade 5: “Differentiate between sexual orientation and gender identity[.] … Demonstrate ways to promote dignity and respect for all people (e.g. sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, differing ability, immigration status, family configuration).
While the standards mention consent, abstinence, and adoption, a new publication by the Family Research Council (FRC) has pointed out that these buzzwords are often without meaning.
The term “consent” is no longer used exclusively “to equip kids to resist committing, or being a victim of, sexual assault.” Rather, “[t]he ‘consent’ movement seems less about avoiding assault and more about promoting sex and sexual rights.”
The FRC publication quoted the Guttmacher Institute, the research arm of pro-abortion Planned Parenthood, which revealed, “Teaching about consent is key to pushing back against abstinence-only messages.”
Abstinence, in turn, has nothing to do with waiting for marriage but means “abstinence until your next steady boyfriend or girlfriend.”
New Jersey is only one of many jurisdictions imposing explicit sex education curricula on public school students. Parents in Fairfax County, Virginia, for example, are told an abstinence lesson will talk about “the benefits of abstaining from sexual activity until marriage.” However, as the publication found out, “the word ‘marriage’ never appears anywhere in the lesson!”
Regarding adoption, “Virginia law requires that students be taught about both adoption and abortion, but for more information on making an adoption plan, the lesson script in Fairfax County refers students to Planned Parenthood,” according to the FRC booklet. According to its 2018–2019 annual report, Planned Parenthood listed 4,279 adoption referrals across its U.S. affiliates in 2018. The organization claimed to have committed 345,672 abortions over the same period, meaning a ratio of about 80 children aborted for every adoption referral.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-09--Court approves death sentence of 34-year-old UK man in coma who didn’t want to live with colostomy b

Court approves death sentence of 34-year-old UK man in coma who didn’t want to live with colostomy bag

PETITION : Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society !
Sign the petition here .
LONDON , June 8 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A U.K. High Court judge has ruled that food and water may be removed from a 34-year-old man in an artificial coma so that it leads to his eventual death , which , the judge ruled , is in the patient ’ s “ best interest.
” The man , who needs a permanent stoma ( surgical hole in stomach to collect digestive waste by means of a colostomy bag ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not want to live with a condition that hindered his social or sex life .
A Christian group , however , is asking for an urgent review of the case , arguing that since the man accepted the life-saving operation , the doctors should not remove food and water so he dies .
The patient , who for now may only be referred to by the initials MSP , is currently being kept under sedation after urgently needing an operation to insert a stoma .
MSP had a history of chronic bowel issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form a temporary stoma , which was then reversed at his request on May 14 .
Within weeks , his condition worsened and on May 27 MSP agreed to surgery to form a stoma immediately after his surgeon informed him his life was at risk .
After his surgery , MSP has been kept sedated .
Barnsley Hospital has sought a legal judgment on its proposed plan to continue sedation while withdrawing food and fluids .
“ Dr W considers that if MSP ’ s wishes are to be given effect , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hydration with continued sedation which , ultimately , will compromise respiration and lead to MSP ’ s death , ” Mr Justice Hayden noted before ruling that such a course was in the MSP ’ s “ best interests.
” Hayden justified his decision by saying that an advance directive written by MSP in February 2020 , as well as evidence given by his mother , made clear that he “ would unhesitatingly reject the striking artificiality of parenteral feeding ” and that in such an “ exercise of his personal autonomy he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this court is required to and does respect.
” Hayden noted in his judgment that MSP “ utterly loathed life with a stoma ” and , according to evidence from his mother , the young man had asked her : “ How can I get a job ?
How can I get a woman ?
” MSP ’ s father told the court that he fears his son would commit suicide if allowed to regain consciousness .
But U.K. lobby group Chrisitan Concern is calling for a public inquiry into the case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions.
” “ We have a young man with a serious medical condition who appears to have changed his mind about not wanting to live with a stoma .
However , Mr Justice Hayden seems to have disregarded this and decided what MSP wrote in February represented his 'true ' wishes , ” Andrea Williams , chief executive of Christian Concern , told The Daily Mail .
“ This man 's life hangs in the balance because of a judgment that begs many questions , and we are calling on the Justice Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an urgent public inquiry into the operation of this legal system , ” Williams continued .
Dr. Anthony McCarthy of the U.K. pro-life group the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ( SPUC ) told LifeSiteNews that the case “ builds on , and goes beyond , all that is wrong with current law and medical guidance on the treatment of those currently unable to make decisions.
” “ This patient is only unconscious because he is being deliberately kept so .
The judgment lays huge stress on the patient 's advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ procedurally compliant ’ and noting that the patient consented subsequently to a stoma in apparent contradiction of that directive , though in the hope it would not be permanent , ” McCarthy said .
“ The judgment endorses a philosophical presumption that 'personal autonomy ' must be honoured even when particular decisions are radically contrary to the goals of good medicine and justice .
This feeds into the idea that self-assessments of life as 'not worth living ' should be endorsed by doctors and judges who can act so as to eliminate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it can take time to come to terms with a disability , but that research shows this happens frequently with appropriate support .
“ Law and medicine become enemies of justice and health when they separate 'best interests ' from the objective value of life , which is linked to the very human dignity which grounds respect for the patient him or herself , ” McCarthy said .
In an article published in the National Review , American bioethicist Wesley Smith said the judge ’ s decision gave MSP “ no chance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a “ half step toward allowing and normalizing lethal-injection euthanasia ” in the U.K. “ MSP is being given no chance of recovery .
No chance of adjusting to new circumstances .
No chance of receiving intensive mental-health interventions that might help him overcome his despair .
No chance of finding happiness .
No chance of finding a job .
No chance of finding a woman to love .
No chance at life , ” Smith said .
“ Moreover , dehydrating this patient to death is a half step toward allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s only logical .
If he is going to be made dead anyway , why not simply administer a lethal jab instead of putting MSP , his parents , and the medical team through the grueling one or two weeks that his terminal sedation will take ?
”

A judge determined that food and water should no longer be given to the patient in his 'best interest.'
PETITION: Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society! Sign the petition here.
LONDON, June 8, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A U.K. High Court judge has ruled that food and water may be removed from a 34-year-old man in an artificial coma so that it leads to his eventual death, which, the judge ruled, is in the patient’s “best interest.”
The man, who needs a permanent stoma (surgical hole in stomach to collect digestive waste by means of a colostomy bag), had indicated earlier this year that he would not want to live with a condition that hindered his social or sex life.
A Christian group, however, is asking for an urgent review of the case, arguing that since the man accepted the life-saving operation, the doctors should not remove food and water so he dies.
The patient, who for now may only be referred to by the initials MSP, is currently being kept under sedation after urgently needing an operation to insert a stoma.
MSP had a history of chronic bowel issues and had surgery in October 2019 to form a temporary stoma, which was then reversed at his request on May 14. Within weeks, his condition worsened and on May 27 MSP agreed to surgery to form a stoma immediately after his surgeon informed him his life was at risk.
After his surgery, MSP has been kept sedated. Barnsley Hospital has sought a legal judgment on its proposed plan to continue sedation while withdrawing food and fluids.
“Dr W considers that if MSP’s wishes are to be given effect, there should be withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration with continued sedation which, ultimately, will compromise respiration and lead to MSP’s death,” Mr Justice Hayden noted before ruling that such a course was in the MSP’s “best interests.”
Hayden justified his decision by saying that an advance directive written by MSP in February 2020, as well as evidence given by his mother, made clear that he “would unhesitatingly reject the striking artificiality of parenteral feeding” and that in such an “exercise of his personal autonomy he is entitled to take that decision which this court is required to and does respect.”
Hayden noted in his judgment that MSP “utterly loathed life with a stoma” and, according to evidence from his mother, the young man had asked her: “How can I get a job? How can I get a woman?” MSP’s father told the court that he fears his son would commit suicide if allowed to regain consciousness.
But U.K. lobby group Chrisitan Concern is calling for a public inquiry into the case, arguing that the judgment “begs many questions.”
“We have a young man with a serious medical condition who appears to have changed his mind about not wanting to live with a stoma. However, Mr Justice Hayden seems to have disregarded this and decided what MSP wrote in February represented his 'true' wishes,” Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, told The Daily Mail.
“This man's life hangs in the balance because of a judgment that begs many questions, and we are calling on the Justice Secretary (Robert Buckland) to set up an urgent public inquiry into the operation of this legal system,” Williams continued.
Dr. Anthony McCarthy of the U.K. pro-life group the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) told LifeSiteNews that the case “builds on, and goes beyond, all that is wrong with current law and medical guidance on the treatment of those currently unable to make decisions.”
“This patient is only unconscious because he is being deliberately kept so. The judgment lays huge stress on the patient's advance directive, while admitting it was not ‘procedurally compliant’ and noting that the patient consented subsequently to a stoma in apparent contradiction of that directive, though in the hope it would not be permanent,” McCarthy said.
“The judgment endorses a philosophical presumption that 'personal autonomy' must be honoured even when particular decisions are radically contrary to the goals of good medicine and justice. This feeds into the idea that self-assessments of life as 'not worth living' should be endorsed by doctors and judges who can act so as to eliminate such lives.”
McCarthy pointed out that it can take time to come to terms with a disability, but that research shows this happens frequently with appropriate support.
“Law and medicine become enemies of justice and health when they separate 'best interests' from the objective value of life, which is linked to the very human dignity which grounds respect for the patient him or herself,” McCarthy said.
In an article published in the National Review, American bioethicist Wesley Smith said the judge’s decision gave MSP “no chance of finding happiness” and that the case is a “half step toward allowing and normalizing lethal-injection euthanasia” in the U.K.
“MSP is being given no chance of recovery. No chance of adjusting to new circumstances. No chance of receiving intensive mental-health interventions that might help him overcome his despair. No chance of finding happiness. No chance of finding a job. No chance of finding a woman to love. No chance at life,” Smith said.
“Moreover, dehydrating this patient to death is a half step toward allowing and normalizing lethal-injection euthanasia. After all, it’s only logical. If he is going to be made dead anyway, why not simply administer a lethal jab instead of putting MSP, his parents, and the medical team through the grueling one or two weeks that his terminal sedation will take?”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-09--World Economic Forum: LGBT inclusion will determine cities’ ‘post-pandemic success’

DAVOS , Switzerland , June 8 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The coronavirus pandemic is now being used to push gender ideology and homosexuality .
An article published by the World Economic Forum , a non-governmental organization based in Davos , Switzerland , which comprises hundreds of large corporations , argued that better inclusion of transgender and homosexual people “ is the secret to cities ’ post-pandemic success.
” “ There is a growing body of evidence that LGBT+ inclusive cities have stronger ‘ innovation ecosystems ’ , higher levels of entrepreneurialism , and they are better able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of life — making them well placed for economic recovery , ” the article claimed .
“ A new analysis of economic resilience offers a potential clue to which economies may be able to recover faster : LGBT+ inclusion is correlated to the resilience of a country ’ s economy.
” “ The analysis by Open For Business , a coalition of companies advancing LGBT+ equality , shows a strong positive correlation ( 0.67 ) between how resilient an economy is and how accepting it is of LGBT+ people , ” wrote Jon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder of Open For Business .
A closer look at the analysis paints a different picture .
The cities listed as neither “ inclusive ” nor competitive are , among others , located in Iran , Morocco , Qatar , Indonesia , and Belarus .
None of these states is as developed economically , or as politically stable a democracy , as the United States and large parts of Europe , where cities received top ratings .
The analysis did not , in fact , establish a causal connection between “ LGBT+ inclusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries with the best “ economic resilience ” are those with a strong capitalist economic system and rule of law .
Those factors are more likely to promote “ economic resilience ” than “ LGBT+ inclusion , ” as there is a direct connection to the economy .
A fair analysis would have compared economies that are on a similar level , where the only difference is “ LGBT+ inclusion.
” As pointed out by the World Economic Forum article , globalists across the world accept the premise of a “ connection between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bank describes ‘ inclusive communities ’ as a key dimension of sustainable , resilient cities , ” Miller wrote .
“ The OECD [ Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ] identifies ‘ inclusive society ’ as a driver of resilience in a city .
The IMF [ International Monetary Fund ] contends that an economy is ‘ more fragile and less resilient when it is not inclusive ’ .
A report by UN [ United Nations ] Habitat finds that inclusion is required for a ‘ successful urban resilience agenda ’ .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'Out ' features openly homosexual main character !
Sign the petition here .
The World Economic Forum has a whole section of its website dedicated to “ Pride Month 2020 ” this June .
In January 2019 , several companies , including MasterCard and Microsoft , launched a “ Partnership for LGBTI Equality ” at the yearly meeting of the World Economic Forum , aiming to enlist at least 100 more companies by 2020 .
At the time of this writing , 17 companies were listed , among them The Coca-Cola Company , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The objective is to create a “ due-diligence framework ” to help corporations assess their own level of compliance with U.N. standards but also to have an impact on society at large , at a global level , in view of LGBTI “ inclusion.
” Members of the “ Partnership for LGBTI Equality ” aim to implement “ the five United Nations Standards of Conduct for Business Tackling Discrimination Against LGBTI People by providing tools and resources for companies to advance and implement LGBTI inclusion globally.
” They also want to support “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in accelerating LGBTI workplace inclusion and promoting human rights for all , ” as well as promote “ best practices and benchmarks to assist companies in meeting their commitments and responsibilities to global LGBTI equality.
” Prior to pushing gender ideology amid the coronavirus pandemic , abortion activists had tried to exploit the health crisis to demand easier access to chemical abortions , also known as the abortion pill .
Twenty state attorneys general had argued in late March that the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy ( REMS ) for the abortion pill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need access to time-sensitive health care , ” endangering women by “ forcing ” them to travel to a state where abortions have not been suspended .
“ These women are putting themselves and their families at risk when they seek out the health care that they need , and the federal government must act to ensure that no matter where they live , they can continue to receive necessary , safe , and legal abortion care.
” In response , 159 pro-life members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) , “ to continue to robustly enforce ” the REMS because of the risk to the mother during the abortion procedure .
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden had talked about the coronavirus pandemic in relation to political action on climate change , this time during a fundraising event on April 23 .
Edward-Isaac Dovere , who writes for The Atlantic , quoted Biden as saying , “ COVID is shining a bright light on the structural racism that plagues our laws , our institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a wake up call , a wake up call to action to climate change overall and to climate justice.
” Previously , Biden had identified the recovery needed following the COVID-19 pandemic as an “ opportunity ” to “ fundamentally change the science relating to global warming .
”

which comprises hundreds of large corporations, argued that better inclusion of transgender and homosexual people 'is the secret to cities’ post-pandemic success.'
DAVOS, Switzerland, June 8, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The coronavirus pandemic is now being used to push gender ideology and homosexuality.
An article published by the World Economic Forum, a non-governmental organization based in Davos, Switzerland, which comprises hundreds of large corporations, argued that better inclusion of transgender and homosexual people “is the secret to cities’ post-pandemic success.”
“There is a growing body of evidence that LGBT+ inclusive cities have stronger ‘innovation ecosystems’, higher levels of entrepreneurialism, and they are better able to attract talent and provide a high quality of life — making them well placed for economic recovery,” the article claimed. “A new analysis of economic resilience offers a potential clue to which economies may be able to recover faster: LGBT+ inclusion is correlated to the resilience of a country’s economy.”
“The analysis by Open For Business, a coalition of companies advancing LGBT+ equality, shows a strong positive correlation (0.67) between how resilient an economy is and how accepting it is of LGBT+ people,” wrote Jon Miller, who happens to be the founder of Open For Business.
A closer look at the analysis paints a different picture.
The cities listed as neither “inclusive” nor competitive are, among others, located in Iran, Morocco, Qatar, Indonesia, and Belarus. None of these states is as developed economically, or as politically stable a democracy, as the United States and large parts of Europe, where cities received top ratings.
The analysis did not, in fact, establish a causal connection between “LGBT+ inclusion” and “economic resilience.” The countries with the best “economic resilience” are those with a strong capitalist economic system and rule of law. Those factors are more likely to promote “economic resilience” than “LGBT+ inclusion,” as there is a direct connection to the economy.
A fair analysis would have compared economies that are on a similar level, where the only difference is “LGBT+ inclusion.”
As pointed out by the World Economic Forum article, globalists across the world accept the premise of a “connection between resilience and inclusion.”
“The World Bank describes ‘inclusive communities’ as a key dimension of sustainable, resilient cities,” Miller wrote. “The OECD [Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development] identifies ‘inclusive society’ as a driver of resilience in a city. The IMF [International Monetary Fund] contends that an economy is ‘more fragile and less resilient when it is not inclusive’. A report by UN [United Nations] Habitat finds that inclusion is required for a ‘successful urban resilience agenda’.”
DROP Disney+: New teen film 'Out' features openly homosexual main character! Sign the petition here.
The World Economic Forum has a whole section of its website dedicated to “Pride Month 2020” this June.
In January 2019, several companies, including MasterCard and Microsoft, launched a “Partnership for LGBTI Equality” at the yearly meeting of the World Economic Forum, aiming to enlist at least 100 more companies by 2020. At the time of this writing, 17 companies were listed, among them The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, and Procter & Gamble.
The objective is to create a “due-diligence framework” to help corporations assess their own level of compliance with U.N. standards but also to have an impact on society at large, at a global level, in view of LGBTI “inclusion.”
Members of the “Partnership for LGBTI Equality” aim to implement “the five United Nations Standards of Conduct for Business Tackling Discrimination Against LGBTI People by providing tools and resources for companies to advance and implement LGBTI inclusion globally.”
They also want to support “business leaders through the World Economic Forum in accelerating LGBTI workplace inclusion and promoting human rights for all,” as well as promote “best practices and benchmarks to assist companies in meeting their commitments and responsibilities to global LGBTI equality.”
Prior to pushing gender ideology amid the coronavirus pandemic, abortion activists had tried to exploit the health crisis to demand easier access to chemical abortions, also known as the abortion pill.
Twenty state attorneys general had argued in late March that the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for the abortion pill creates “unnecessary delays for women who need access to time-sensitive health care,” endangering women by “forcing” them to travel to a state where abortions have not been suspended.
“These women are putting themselves and their families at risk when they seek out the health care that they need, and the federal government must act to ensure that no matter where they live, they can continue to receive necessary, safe, and legal abortion care.”
In response, 159 pro-life members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate have called on Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “to continue to robustly enforce” the REMS because of the risk to the mother during the abortion procedure.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden had talked about the coronavirus pandemic in relation to political action on climate change, this time during a fundraising event on April 23.
Edward-Isaac Dovere, who writes for The Atlantic, quoted Biden as saying, “COVID is shining a bright light on the structural racism that plagues our laws, our institutions and our culture. And it’s a wake up call, a wake up call to action to climate change overall and to climate justice.”
Previously, Biden had identified the recovery needed following the COVID-19 pandemic as an “opportunity” to “fundamentally change the science relating to global warming.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-09--Deacon provides solution to America’s civil unrest: ‘Prayer, fasting, and a lot of work’

June 9 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Today on my podcast I wanted to talk about the spiritual response that is needed to the ongoing civil unrest in the United States following the tragic death of George Floyd .
My guest is Deacon Cody Miller , a deacon since 1988 .
Previously he was rock-n-roll musician and living as a self-described “ heathen.
” I wanted to know what he thinks Catholics should be do during these times and how they can respond to the mayhem raging around them .
He emphasized the need for regular confession and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again .
He also said prayer is essential .
“ You have to do the amount of prayer [ required ] for your state in life…if we can pray that one rosary with sincerity , with faith , hope and love , the rosary can be the hinge point for us to gradually come back and get to where we can have a vibrant , sacramental life again through the church.
” One trend that has emerged during the rioting in the US is that people are now getting guns and preparing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be attacked .
Deacon Cody told me , `` when you do get attacked and you do get attacked for your values and for your faith , know that .
That 's an instant ticket to heaven and that God will somehow use the evil to bring about a greater good.
” He also said , “ It 's hard to see the sunshine when you 're surrounded by clouds and doubt and fear .
But what we have to do in our role is…always instill hope in people .
We admit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But we also present an answer to what 's happening .
Prayer , sacrifice , love , kindness , generosity , care for your brother , care for your neighbor .
There really are no easy answers .
It 's just a lot of prayer and a lot of work [ and ] trust in God.
” I also asked Deacon Cody about sacrifice and how we are called to offer oursevles up to Christ .
“ Fasting , not necessarily from food , but reparation , prayers , the rosary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do with a smile , ” he said , is absolutely essential in these times .
“ What St. Louis de Monfort teaches you is how to benefit [ from suffering ] .
” Deacon Cody concluded our conversation by saying that his own generation “ screwed things up ” but that he sees great hope in young people and in those who follow the spiritual wisdom of St. Louis de Montfort .
I agree 100 % .
Deacon Cody is a passionate supporter and devotee of St. Louis de Montfort .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the influence St. Louis de Montfort ’ s True Devotion to Mary had on my own life .
You can watch it by clicking here .
“ I was introduced to St Louis de Montfort by quite an accident .
My life was changed forever , ” he said .
I asked Deacon Cody how St. Louis de Montfort ’ s spiritual wisdom might help the United States during this period of chaos .
“ When you live the total consecration and you live True Devotion to Mary , what happens is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our everyday actions…it 's like winning the spiritual lottery , ” he said .
“ When things are at its worst , that 's when Jesus and Mary do their best.
” 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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 ] .

'When things are at its worst, that's when Jesus and Mary do their best,' Deacon Cody said.
June 9, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Today on my podcast I wanted to talk about the spiritual response that is needed to the ongoing civil unrest in the United States following the tragic death of George Floyd.
My guest is Deacon Cody Miller, a deacon since 1988. Previously he was rock-n-roll musician and living as a self-described “heathen.”
I wanted to know what he thinks Catholics should be do during these times and how they can respond to the mayhem raging around them. He emphasized the need for regular confession and to start living “the sacramental life” again. He also said prayer is essential.
“You have to do the amount of prayer [required] for your state in life…if we can pray that one rosary with sincerity, with faith, hope and love, the rosary can be the hinge point for us to gradually come back and get to where we can have a vibrant, sacramental life again through the church.”
One trend that has emerged during the rioting in the US is that people are now getting guns and preparing for the worst as if they themselves may be attacked. Deacon Cody told me, “when you do get attacked and you do get attacked for your values and for your faith, know that. That's an instant ticket to heaven and that God will somehow use the evil to bring about a greater good.”
He also said, “It's hard to see the sunshine when you're surrounded by clouds and doubt and fear. But what we have to do in our role is…always instill hope in people. We admit the problems, we admit what's happening. But we also present an answer to what's happening. Prayer, sacrifice, love, kindness, generosity, care for your brother, care for your neighbor. There really are no easy answers. It's just a lot of prayer and a lot of work [and] trust in God.”
I also asked Deacon Cody about sacrifice and how we are called to offer oursevles up to Christ.
“Fasting, not necessarily from food, but reparation, prayers, the rosary, doing stuff you don't like to do with a smile,” he said, is absolutely essential in these times. “What St. Louis de Monfort teaches you is how to benefit [from suffering].”
Deacon Cody concluded our conversation by saying that his own generation “screwed things up” but that he sees great hope in young people and in those who follow the spiritual wisdom of St. Louis de Montfort. I agree 100%.
Deacon Cody is a passionate supporter and devotee of St. Louis de Montfort. Last week on my podcast I spoke about the influence St. Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary had on my own life. You can watch it by clicking here.
“I was introduced to St Louis de Montfort by quite an accident. My life was changed forever,” he said.
I asked Deacon Cody how St. Louis de Montfort’s spiritual wisdom might help the United States during this period of chaos.
“When you live the total consecration and you live True Devotion to Mary, what happens is the Holy Ghost and Jesus and Mary anoint our everyday actions…it's like winning the spiritual lottery,” he said.
“When things are at its worst, that's when Jesus and Mary do their best.”
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 *
First Name *
Last Name *


lifesitenews--2020-06-09--Harvard prof: Homeschoolers should be required to attend some public school classes

PETITION : Thank President Trump for declaring churches 'essential ! '
Sign the petition here .
CAMBRIDGE , Massachusetts , June 9 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Harvard law professor Elizabeth Bartholet , who was called out by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for wanting to impose “ a presumptive ban ” on homeschooling , has now argued for a “ regulatory regime ” forcing children who are educated at home to still attend some classes at a public school .
According to Bartholet , children educated by their parents at home “ should have some exposure to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should have to take a course or two every year at the public school and engage in some extracurricular activities.
” Her argument was that “ children have a right to be exposed to views and values other than those of their parents , and there ’ s no way to guarantee that if 24/7 those kids are at home.
” During an interview last weekend with Off-Trail Learning , a podcast by unschooling advocate Blake Boles , Bartholet said “ it ’ s unregulated homeschooling that I ’ m concerned with.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the professor also feared that some parents “ are going to be absolutely inadequate to provide the fundamentals of , you know , education that I think almost everybody in America would agree kids need to have , certain skills to give them various employment and other choices in the future.
” Bartholet blamed the Home School Legal Defense Association ( HSLDA ) for preventing politicians from enacting regulations on homeschooling .
“ It ’ s also the power of this narrow , conservative , religious , political group that ’ s personified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They ’ ve got the kind of power that the gun lobby has .
They don ’ t represent significant numbers , but they have … proved to have so far near overwhelming power in terms of preventing legislators from doing what I think legislators would do if they felt free to act rationally.
” Bartholet then proceeded to spell out what kinds of regulation she envisioned .
She proposed putting “ a burden of justification on parents to demonstrate that they actually have the capacity to provide an adequate education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not necessarily mean parents need to have a college degree , or even a high school diploma .
“ But if they don ’ t have a high school degree ( sic ! )
, then I think they need to demonstrate why … they ’ re going to be capable of providing their kids an adequate education , ” she added .
“ I think parents should have to justify withdrawing their kids and have a reason that they think they will do better by their kids ’ education.
” They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she pointed out , “ in terms of how and why they ’ re qualified to teach.
” Bartholet questioned whether parents are “ going to make a commitment to teaching the broad range of subjects that public school education and our , you know , state commissioners of education consider the minimum that children should learn.
” She then revealed that homeschooling , for her , would essentially amount to a public school education at home .
“ Roughly speaking , the public school curriculum ought to be something that homeschooling are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they ’ re able to teach , ” Bartholet said .
Children , in turn , would be required to take standardized tests prepared by the individual states .
During the course of the interview , Bartholet admitted having sent her kids to private school .
In April , Pompeo had spoken out in support of homeschooling , referring to a Harvard Magazine article based on remarks by Bartholet , which criticized families educating their children at home and called for “ a presumptive ban on the practice.
” “ The risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pompeo tweeted .
“ The risk is from radical leftist scholars seeking to impose THEIR values on OUR children.
” He summarized the Harvard Magazine article by stating Bartholet ’ s “ mission is simple : to further the destruction of the family unit .
Her plan : substitute state power for parental love .
For her , the corollary benefit is to drive Christian values out of public discourse under the guise of preventing ‘ child abuse.
’ ” “ This ivory-tower screed attacking parents who choose to dedicate their lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at significant financial sacrifice , is a reminder that we must all work together to protect civilization ’ s most successful institution : our families , ” Pompeo concluded .
HSLDA staff attorney Daniel Beasley wrote that “ Professor Bartholet ’ s proposed ban on homeschooling relies on inaccurate or erroneous stereotypes and offers a solution that would only exacerbate problems for children .
She paints a false portrait of homeschooling , casting it as predominantly a bunch of religious extremists who have no interest in educating their children.
” “ This indicates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is either unfamiliar with homeschooling families or dismissive of the research that paints a vibrant picture in stark contrast to the nightmarish strawman she has created .
“ Though imperfect , parents are objectively best positioned to and subjectively most interested in raising their children well .
Thus , they ought to be afforded a presumption that their decisions are best for their children even — no , especially — when those decisions are based on sincere religious beliefs , ” he concluded .
Beasley ’ s lengthy article was not based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bartholet ’ s 80-page article for Arizona Law Review published earlier this year .

The homeschooling critic contends that some parents 'are going to be absolutely inadequate to provide the fundamentals of, you know, education ... kids need to have.'
PETITION: Thank President Trump for declaring churches 'essential!' Sign the petition here.
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, June 9, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Harvard law professor Elizabeth Bartholet, who was called out by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for wanting to impose “a presumptive ban” on homeschooling, has now argued for a “regulatory regime” forcing children who are educated at home to still attend some classes at a public school.
According to Bartholet, children educated by their parents at home “should have some exposure to the public schools environment … I think they should have to take a course or two every year at the public school and engage in some extracurricular activities.”
Her argument was that “children have a right to be exposed to views and values other than those of their parents, and there’s no way to guarantee that if 24/7 those kids are at home.”
During an interview last weekend with Off-Trail Learning, a podcast by unschooling advocate Blake Boles, Bartholet said “it’s unregulated homeschooling that I’m concerned with.”
Apart from child abuse going undetected, the professor also feared that some parents “are going to be absolutely inadequate to provide the fundamentals of, you know, education that I think almost everybody in America would agree kids need to have, certain skills to give them various employment and other choices in the future.”
Bartholet blamed the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) for preventing politicians from enacting regulations on homeschooling.
“It’s also the power of this narrow, conservative, religious, political group that’s personified in the HSLDA,” she said. “They’ve got the kind of power that the gun lobby has. They don’t represent significant numbers, but they have … proved to have so far near overwhelming power in terms of preventing legislators from doing what I think legislators would do if they felt free to act rationally.”
Bartholet then proceeded to spell out what kinds of regulation she envisioned.
She proposed putting “a burden of justification on parents to demonstrate that they actually have the capacity to provide an adequate education at home.” She clarified that this would not necessarily mean parents need to have a college degree, or even a high school diploma.
“But if they don’t have a high school degree (sic!), then I think they need to demonstrate why … they’re going to be capable of providing their kids an adequate education,” she added.
“I think parents should have to justify withdrawing their kids and have a reason that they think they will do better by their kids’ education.” They also need some “justification,” she pointed out, “in terms of how and why they’re qualified to teach.”
Bartholet questioned whether parents are “going to make a commitment to teaching the broad range of subjects that public school education and our, you know, state commissioners of education consider the minimum that children should learn.”
She then revealed that homeschooling, for her, would essentially amount to a public school education at home.
“Roughly speaking, the public school curriculum ought to be something that homeschooling are willing to commit to, and demonstrate that they’re able to teach,” Bartholet said. Children, in turn, would be required to take standardized tests prepared by the individual states.
During the course of the interview, Bartholet admitted having sent her kids to private school.
In April, Pompeo had spoken out in support of homeschooling, referring to a Harvard Magazine article based on remarks by Bartholet, which criticized families educating their children at home and called for “a presumptive ban on the practice.”
“The risk to children is NOT from homeschooling,” Pompeo tweeted. “The risk is from radical leftist scholars seeking to impose THEIR values on OUR children.”
He summarized the Harvard Magazine article by stating Bartholet’s “mission is simple: to further the destruction of the family unit. Her plan: substitute state power for parental love. For her, the corollary benefit is to drive Christian values out of public discourse under the guise of preventing ‘child abuse.’”
“This ivory-tower screed attacking parents who choose to dedicate their lives to educating their own children, often at significant financial sacrifice, is a reminder that we must all work together to protect civilization’s most successful institution: our families,” Pompeo concluded.
HSLDA staff attorney Daniel Beasley wrote that “Professor Bartholet’s proposed ban on homeschooling relies on inaccurate or erroneous stereotypes and offers a solution that would only exacerbate problems for children. She paints a false portrait of homeschooling, casting it as predominantly a bunch of religious extremists who have no interest in educating their children.”
“This indicates,” he continued,” that she is either unfamiliar with homeschooling families or dismissive of the research that paints a vibrant picture in stark contrast to the nightmarish strawman she has created.
“Though imperfect, parents are objectively best positioned to and subjectively most interested in raising their children well. Thus, they ought to be afforded a presumption that their decisions are best for their children even — no, especially — when those decisions are based on sincere religious beliefs,” he concluded.
Beasley’s lengthy article was not based on the most recent interview but on Bartholet’s 80-page article for Arizona Law Review published earlier this year.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-09--WATCH: Priest at Fátima shrine denies Communion to woman kneeling to receive on tongue

FATIMA , Portugal , June 9 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― A priest at the Basilica in Fátima , Portugal , one of Christendom ’ s holiest shrines , was caught on camera denying Holy Communion to a woman who was kneeling to receive the sacrament on her tongue .
A video of a Mass at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity , celebrated on Sunday , June 2 , captured the sad sight of Fr .
Joaquim Ganhao , director of liturgy at the Fatima Shrine , refusing to give an elderly woman Holy Communion .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his surprise when the elderly woman knelt before the altar was clear .
He appeared to remonstrate with her , pulling the Host back toward the covered ciborium , before sweeping past .
According to Gonçalo Sena Esteves , who brought wider attention to the poignant moment , the entire Mass was broadcast live by a nationwide Portuguese Catholic television channel .
“ I made the video and published it on YouTube the next day , ” he told LifeSiteNews .
He added that it had been seen 10,000 times on YouTube @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
YouTube seems to have removed the video .
However , it can also be found on the “ Senza Pagare ” Facebook page and blog .
The video seems to be dividing Portuguese Catholics , some of whom support the priest ’ s decision not to give the woman Communion on the tongue and others who insist that the faithful Catholic ’ s right to receive thus has not been abrogated .
“ In the middle of a pandemic , and the lady wants to receive communion in her mouth ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the comment pointed out that in the Gospel , the Lord Jesus tells Satan that God should not be put to the test .
However , a commentator on the “ Senza Pagare ” blog observed that the Church has survived many diseases and pandemics without banning Communion on the tongue and recommended that doubters “ have a little faith.
” Sena also produced a video of a younger mask-wearing priest at the Fatima Basilica putting the Blessed Sacrament into the hands of a masked woman who looks at him keenly before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is unknown if she ever did .
“ The priest was very careless , ” Sena told LifeSiteNews .
“ Fátima should be an example to the world but [ instead ] is giving a very sad example of how to treat the Lord.
” The Catholic Church teaches that the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar contains the body , blood , soul , and divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ .
The Church also venerates saints who died protecting the Blessed Sacrament from profanation .
According to the Congregation for Divine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand is the exception , not the rule , and a communicant who receives in the hand must consume the Host in front of the minister .
The Congregation ’ s 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum , or “ On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist , ” stipulates that “ [ a ] lthough each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue , at his choice , if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See has given permission , the sacred host is to be administered to him or her.
” “ However , special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister , so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand , ” the instruction continues .
“ If there is a risk of profanation , then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to the faithful.
” João @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senza Pagare ” blog , suggested that the woman ’ s suspicious behavior is “ a practical example of the danger of communion in the hand , as it facilitates sacrilege and the theft of Hosts.
” Joseph Shaw , the chairman of England ’ s Latin Mass Society , told LifeSiteNews that receiving Communion in the hand is contrary to the universal custom of the Church , which Memoriale Domini affirms has the force of law .
“ That document in 1969 also recorded the views of bishops around the world who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
“ Nevertheless , it had become established in some parts of the world as an abuse , and Bishops ’ Conferences were allowed to request that their countries be given an indult to allow it where this is the case , ” he continued .
“ Over the years almost all have done so.
” Shaw dismisses claims that reception of Communion in the hand is the “ revival of an ancient practice.
” “ The form it takes today is not based on ancient example but on Protestant practise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tongue to reception in the hand very naturally reflects a theology of the Eucharist which denies the Real Presence.
” Sena told LifeSiteNews that public Masses in Portugal were permitted again at the beginning of June .
The Portuguese Bishops ’ Conference had recommended Communion in the hand , and the nation ’ s socialist government encouraged this , too .
“ Our socialist public health department even made a poster , at the request of the Conference of Bishops , telling the faithful how to receive communion and how to sit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poster , which bears the logos of the Portugese government , Portugal ’ s national directorate of health , and its national health service , clearly illustrates a communicant receiving the Blessed Sacrament in his outstretched left hand , while another consumes the Host while walking away from the priest .
Doctors consulted by the Archdiocese of Portland expressed their belief that receiving the Blessed Sacrament on the hand is no safer to physical health than receiving the Host on the tongue .
“ From a hygienic point of view , the hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” argued Bishop Athanasius Schneider .
“ Many pathogens are transmitted through the hands .
Whether by shaking other people ’ s hands or frequently touching objects , such as door handles or handrails and grab bars in public transport , germs can quickly pass from hand to hand ; and with these unhygienic hands and fingers people often touch their nose and mouth , ” he continued .
“ Also , germs can sometimes survive on the surface of the touched objects for days .
According to a 2006 study , published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ , influenza viruses and similar viruses can persist on inanimate surfaces , such as e.g .
door handles or handrails and handles in transport and public buildings for a few days.
” Schneider recommended that Catholics who are not permitted to receive the Blessed Sacrament on their tongues should make a Spiritual Communion instead .
Fátima is honored by Catholics around the world as the place where three local children , Lucia Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto , experienced three apparitions of an angel and several of the Blessed @ @ @

FATIMA, Portugal, June 9, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― A priest at the Basilica in Fátima, Portugal, one of Christendom’s holiest shrines, was caught on camera denying Holy Communion to a woman who was kneeling to receive the sacrament on her tongue.
A video of a Mass at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, celebrated on Sunday, June 2, captured the sad sight of Fr. Joaquim Ganhao, director of liturgy at the Fatima Shrine, refusing to give an elderly woman Holy Communion. Although Fr. Ganhao was wearing a mask, his surprise when the elderly woman knelt before the altar was clear. He appeared to remonstrate with her, pulling the Host back toward the covered ciborium, before sweeping past.
According to Gonçalo Sena Esteves, who brought wider attention to the poignant moment, the entire Mass was broadcast live by a nationwide Portuguese Catholic television channel.
“I made the video and published it on YouTube the next day,” he told LifeSiteNews. He added that it had been seen 10,000 times on YouTube and that many others had posted it.
YouTube seems to have removed the video. However, it can also be found on the “Senza Pagare” Facebook page and blog.
The video seems to be dividing Portuguese Catholics, some of whom support the priest’s decision not to give the woman Communion on the tongue and others who insist that the faithful Catholic’s right to receive thus has not been abrogated.
“In the middle of a pandemic, and the lady wants to receive communion in her mouth?” protested one Facebook commentator. The author of the comment pointed out that in the Gospel, the Lord Jesus tells Satan that God should not be put to the test.
However, a commentator on the “Senza Pagare” blog observed that the Church has survived many diseases and pandemics without banning Communion on the tongue and recommended that doubters “have a little faith.”
Sena also produced a video of a younger mask-wearing priest at the Fatima Basilica putting the Blessed Sacrament into the hands of a masked woman who looks at him keenly before walking away without consuming the Host. It is unknown if she ever did.
“The priest was very careless,” Sena told LifeSiteNews. “Fátima should be an example to the world but [instead] is giving a very sad example of how to treat the Lord.”
The Catholic Church teaches that the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar contains the body, blood, soul, and divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Church also venerates saints who died protecting the Blessed Sacrament from profanation.
According to the Congregation for Divine Worship, receiving Holy Communion in the hand is the exception, not the rule, and a communicant who receives in the hand must consume the Host in front of the minister.
The Congregation’s 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum, or “On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist,” stipulates that “[a]lthough each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice, if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand, in areas where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See has given permission, the sacred host is to be administered to him or her.”
“However, special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand,” the instruction continues.
“If there is a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to the faithful.”
João Silviera, the author of the “Senza Pagare” blog, suggested that the woman’s suspicious behavior is “a practical example of the danger of communion in the hand, as it facilitates sacrilege and the theft of Hosts.”
Joseph Shaw, the chairman of England’s Latin Mass Society, told LifeSiteNews that receiving Communion in the hand is contrary to the universal custom of the Church, which Memoriale Domini affirms has the force of law.
“That document in 1969 also recorded the views of bishops around the world who overwhelmingly rejected permitting it,” Shaw added.
“Nevertheless, it had become established in some parts of the world as an abuse, and Bishops’ Conferences were allowed to request that their countries be given an indult to allow it where this is the case,” he continued.
“Over the years almost all have done so.”
Shaw dismisses claims that reception of Communion in the hand is the “revival of an ancient practice.”
“The form it takes today is not based on ancient example but on Protestant practise, and the change from reception on the tongue to reception in the hand very naturally reflects a theology of the Eucharist which denies the Real Presence.”
Sena told LifeSiteNews that public Masses in Portugal were permitted again at the beginning of June. The Portuguese Bishops’ Conference had recommended Communion in the hand, and the nation’s socialist government encouraged this, too.
“Our socialist public health department even made a poster, at the request of the Conference of Bishops, telling the faithful how to receive communion and how to sit in churches,” he said.
The poster, which bears the logos of the Portugese government, Portugal’s national directorate of health, and its national health service, clearly illustrates a communicant receiving the Blessed Sacrament in his outstretched left hand, while another consumes the Host while walking away from the priest.
Doctors consulted by the Archdiocese of Portland expressed their belief that receiving the Blessed Sacrament on the hand is no safer to physical health than receiving the Host on the tongue.
“From a hygienic point of view, the hand carries a huge amount of bacteria,” argued Bishop Athanasius Schneider.
“Many pathogens are transmitted through the hands. Whether by shaking other people’s hands or frequently touching objects, such as door handles or handrails and grab bars in public transport, germs can quickly pass from hand to hand; and with these unhygienic hands and fingers people often touch their nose and mouth,” he continued.
“Also, germs can sometimes survive on the surface of the touched objects for days. According to a 2006 study, published in the journal ‘BMC Infectious Diseases’, influenza viruses and similar viruses can persist on inanimate surfaces, such as e.g. door handles or handrails and handles in transport and public buildings for a few days.”
Schneider recommended that Catholics who are not permitted to receive the Blessed Sacrament on their tongues should make a Spiritual Communion instead.
Fátima is honored by Catholics around the world as the place where three local children, Lucia Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, experienced three apparitions of an angel and several of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Share