lifesitenews--2020-05-20--Christian legal action successfully pressures Ontario govt to allow drive-in church services

PETITION : Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society !
Sign the petition here .
AYLMER , Ontario , May 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Ontario Christian churchgoers who were threatened with fines for attending drive-in services have emerged victorious after their provincial government bowed to pressure to officially allow for drive-in “ religious services.
” All faiths will be able to hold drive-in services as long as they follow “ social distancing ” guidelines .
Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed an Order in Council directive on Saturday , amending Ontario ’ s Emergency Management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to exempt religious services from strict coronavirus-enacted gathering restrictions .
The Aylmer Church of God has been the epicentre of the controversy over drive-in services .
At a drive-in service this past Sunday , Henry Hildebrandt , the church ’ s pastor , gave thanks for the turn of events .
“ Thank God we stood as one heart and as one soul , and this morning we won as one . ''
Lisa Bildy , a lawyer for the Alberta-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms ( JCCF ) , told LifeSiteNews , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government has finally clarified the order and is now permitting this congregation and others to worship in peace .
“ It appears starting legal action was necessary to make that happen.
” Bildy noted she does have concerns that the amendment still does not allow for communion services .
“ There are still inconsistencies in the treatment of faith groups as compared to businesses , ” said Bildy .
“ While someone can get a coffee passed to them through their car window , they ca n't get the sacraments handed to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Aylmer police said the Church of God congregants who took part in a Sunday drive-in service on April 26 would “ be held accountable ” for allegedly breaking coronavirus social distancing rules .
The church has now held six consecutive drive-in services .
Police said they would use video evidence they recorded of the event to back any fines issued as a result .
However , despite the earlier warning and saying they had reasonable grounds to lay charges , Aylmer police backed off on holding the non-compliant citizens “ accountable ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 .
Hildebrandt said the law was a direct violation of religious freedom as protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms .
In early May , with the help of the JCCF , Hildebrandt filed a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge against the Ontario provincial government after police showed up at a drive-in service and threatened to hold those present “ accountable.
” Bildy told LifeSiteNews that as far as the charter challenge is concerned , the JCCF is in the process of sorting out with the Ford government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ now that parts of the claim have been resolved.
” The order , according to paragraph 14 of subsection 7.0.2 ( 4 ) of the OEMCPA terms set out in Schedule 1 , states that it is against the law for more than five people to get together to conduct a religious service .
Schedule 1 now exempts religious services , reading , “ Clause ( 1 ) ( c ) does not apply to a person who attends a gathering for the purposes of a religious service , rite or ceremony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person follows all of the following precautions that apply to the person.
” The new precautions include a list of rules that must be adhered to , one of which bans the exchange of “ materials.
” 1 .
Each person attending the gathering must remain within their vehicle and it must be closed to the elements .
2 .
A person must not be in a motor vehicle that contains members of more than one household .
3 .
The driver of a motor vehicle must ensure that it is positioned at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles .
4 .
No more than five persons may conduct the service from outside a motor vehicle and must remain at least two metres apart from those attending the gathering .
5 .
The persons conducting the service must make sure the church or building is closed to all except to those conducting the service .
6 .
No materials must be exchanged .
7 .
A person who ordinarily uses a non-motorized vehicle because of their religious belief and who attends the gathering must remain within their non-motorized vehicle .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ churches and other places of worship in Ontario will be able to hold drive-in style services without fear of being fined .
Churches need to be opened : ‘ God matters ’ MP Derek Sloan , pro-life candidate in the running for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada , welcomed Ford ’ s allowance of drive-in services but said in an email to his followers on May 20 that this action is not good enough and churches need to be opened .
“ So now what ?
Premier Ford has amended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer harass the ‘ drive-in ’ service .
Is everything now ‘ okay ’ ?
No , not quite .
Not by a long shot , ” Sloan said in his email .
“ It ’ s time — well past time , actually — to start thinking about how churches and other places of worship are going to figure in the order of things as Canada gradually reopens , piece by piece .
Eight million Canadians attend worship services at least once a week , or at least they used to , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blasted the decision by Ontario ’ s government , which mirrors itself throughout Canada , that places of worship were deemed “ non-essential.
” “ It was a hurtful insult to these Canadians to have their places of worship classified as non-essential by so many provincial governments .
This is just the same as telling these people of faith , who put God at the centre of their lives , that religious worship is non-essential , that God doesn ’ t matter , ” Sloan said in his email .
Sloan then put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Canada to allow places of worship to open so long as they follow safety measures .
“ I call upon provincial authorities across Canada to allow churches , synagogues , mosques , temples , and all other places of worship to reopen and hold worship services while adhering to social distancing protocols .
This is not a request for special treatment , but a request for equal treatment , ” Sloan said .
“ In Canada , we can all stay safe without surrendering our constitutional freedoms , including the freedom to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s post-coronavirus relaunch plan announced at the end of April does not specify when religious services will be allowed to resume .
Some provinces such as Alberta have allowed for the resumption of indoor religious services with a maximum capacity of 50 people , and no communion is allowed for Christian churches .
As a result , the JCCF yesterday served a legal warning to Alberta Premier Jason Kenney over “ his government ’ s arbitrary and unscientific treatment of houses of worship compared to restaurants and bars .
”

PETITION: Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society! Sign the petition here.
AYLMER, Ontario, May 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Ontario Christian churchgoers who were threatened with fines for attending drive-in services have emerged victorious after their provincial government bowed to pressure to officially allow for drive-in “religious services.” All faiths will be able to hold drive-in services as long as they follow “social distancing” guidelines.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed an Order in Council directive on Saturday, amending Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (OEMCPA) to exempt religious services from strict coronavirus-enacted gathering restrictions.
The Aylmer Church of God has been the epicentre of the controversy over drive-in services. At a drive-in service this past Sunday, Henry Hildebrandt, the church’s pastor, gave thanks for the turn of events.
“Thank God we stood as one heart and as one soul, and this morning we won as one.”
Lisa Bildy, a lawyer for the Alberta-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), told LifeSiteNews, “We are pleased that the Ford government has finally clarified the order and is now permitting this congregation and others to worship in peace.
“It appears starting legal action was necessary to make that happen.”
Bildy noted she does have concerns that the amendment still does not allow for communion services.
“There are still inconsistencies in the treatment of faith groups as compared to businesses,” said Bildy. “While someone can get a coffee passed to them through their car window, they can't get the sacraments handed to them in the same way.”
Last month, Aylmer police said the Church of God congregants who took part in a Sunday drive-in service on April 26 would “be held accountable” for allegedly breaking coronavirus social distancing rules. The church has now held six consecutive drive-in services.
Police said they would use video evidence they recorded of the event to back any fines issued as a result. However, despite the earlier warning and saying they had reasonable grounds to lay charges, Aylmer police backed off on holding the non-compliant citizens “accountable” for attending the drive-in service on April 26.
Hildebrandt said the law was a direct violation of religious freedom as protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
In early May, with the help of the JCCF, Hildebrandt filed a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge against the Ontario provincial government after police showed up at a drive-in service and threatened to hold those present “accountable.”
Bildy told LifeSiteNews that as far as the charter challenge is concerned, the JCCF is in the process of sorting out with the Ford government's lawyers what will happen next, “now that parts of the claim have been resolved.”
The order, according to paragraph 14 of subsection 7.0.2 (4) of the OEMCPA terms set out in Schedule 1, states that it is against the law for more than five people to get together to conduct a religious service.
Schedule 1 now exempts religious services, reading, “Clause (1) (c) does not apply to a person who attends a gathering for the purposes of a religious service, rite or ceremony if, throughout the gathering, the person follows all of the following precautions that apply to the person.”
The new precautions include a list of rules that must be adhered to, one of which bans the exchange of “materials.”
1. Each person attending the gathering must remain within their vehicle and it must be closed to the elements.
2. A person must not be in a motor vehicle that contains members of more than one household.
3. The driver of a motor vehicle must ensure that it is positioned at least two metres away from other motor vehicles.
4. No more than five persons may conduct the service from outside a motor vehicle and must remain at least two metres apart from those attending the gathering.
5. The persons conducting the service must make sure the church or building is closed to all except to those conducting the service.
6. No materials must be exchanged.
7. A person who ordinarily uses a non-motorized vehicle because of their religious belief and who attends the gathering must remain within their non-motorized vehicle.
The changes to the OEMCPA means that all churches and other places of worship in Ontario will be able to hold drive-in style services without fear of being fined.
Churches need to be opened: ‘God matters’
MP Derek Sloan, pro-life candidate in the running for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada, welcomed Ford’s allowance of drive-in services but said in an email to his followers on May 20 that this action is not good enough and churches need to be opened.
“So now what? Premier Ford has amended the order and local police can no longer harass the ‘drive-in’ service. Is everything now ‘okay’? No, not quite. Not by a long shot,” Sloan said in his email.
“It’s time — well past time, actually — to start thinking about how churches and other places of worship are going to figure in the order of things as Canada gradually reopens, piece by piece. Eight million Canadians attend worship services at least once a week, or at least they used to, just two months ago.”
Sloan then blasted the decision by Ontario’s government, which mirrors itself throughout Canada, that places of worship were deemed “non-essential.”
“It was a hurtful insult to these Canadians to have their places of worship classified as non-essential by so many provincial governments. This is just the same as telling these people of faith, who put God at the centre of their lives, that religious worship is non-essential, that God doesn’t matter,” Sloan said in his email.
“Well, God matters to many people.”
Sloan then put out a call for all provincial governments in Canada to allow places of worship to open so long as they follow safety measures.
“I call upon provincial authorities across Canada to allow churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and all other places of worship to reopen and hold worship services while adhering to social distancing protocols. This is not a request for special treatment, but a request for equal treatment,” Sloan said.
“In Canada, we can all stay safe without surrendering our constitutional freedoms, including the freedom to worship in assembly.”
Premier Ford’s post-coronavirus relaunch plan announced at the end of April does not specify when religious services will be allowed to resume.
Some provinces such as Alberta have allowed for the resumption of indoor religious services with a maximum capacity of 50 people, and no communion is allowed for Christian churches.
As a result, the JCCF yesterday served a legal warning to Alberta Premier Jason Kenney over “his government’s arbitrary and unscientific treatment of houses of worship compared to restaurants and bars.”
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lifesitenews--2020-05-20--Uncovering the grotesque organ harvesting practices in China

May 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In today ’ s episode of The Van Maren Show , Ethan Gutmann , an investigative writer and defender of human rights , joins Jonathon to discuss the live organ harvesting that he discovered was happening in China .
Van Maren and Gutmann discuss the current situation in China , how Gutmann uncovered the live harvesting of organs 15 years ago , and why Gutmann thinks this is a good reason for us to be cautious in our dealings with China .
Gutmann lived in China from 1998 to 2002 and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese people firsthand .
He had a fairly optimistic view of China prior to moving there , thinking that the opening of the economy to Western business was a good sign .
After seeing the Falun Gong religious ceremony in Bejing and the persecution festival goers suffered , Gutmann realized the Chinese regime wasn ’ t as open as he thought .
Gutmann also saw the censorship of information on the internet and its use as a surveillance tool as further red flags for what was actually happening in China .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin investigating what was happening in China and lead to the book The Slaughter : Mass Killings , Organ Harvesting , and China 's Secret Solution to Its Dissident Problem .
Gutmann ’ s book was hailed as an “ atom bomb ” by Donald Morrison of Time magazine .
It took Gutmann seven years to interview and write The Slaughter , exposing the terrible organ harvesting occurring in China .
In China , doctors harvest organs from living individuals , mostly prisoners , for healthy people who can pay enough for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisoners who were being executed for committing a crime and spread to prisoners in labor camps , and other individuals .
Gutmann ’ s book focuses on actual experiences of people in prison camps , including doctors , who report people waking up on operating tables while their organs were being harvested .
Gutmann recounts an interview he had with a woman who had escaped from a labor camp .
She mentioned a medical examination the camp completed that didn ’ t make sense to her .
After hearing her explain the examination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see how healthy her organs were .
She hadn ’ t realized it and even got frustrated with Gutmann for asking about this seemingly insignificant exam when she wanted to share her sufferings and spiritual struggle from her time in the labor camp .
Gutmann also shares the story of a doctor who took out the kidney and liver of a man who had been shot , but not fatally .
His heart was still beating throughout the operation .
When a demonstration broke out in 1997 , the Chinese government shot many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organs .
It was clear this was “ state run.
” Around this same time , provinces across China began building transplant centers , training surgeons and surgical teams .
Who gets the organs ?
The Chinese middle class and very wealthy people .
This has become so much of a problem that organ tourism is now an industry of sorts in China .
According to Chinese medical journals , the average age individuals from which organs are harvested is 28 .
Gutmann highlights the fact that 28 years old is not an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are dying .
Gutmann tells listeners that the Chinese created and patented a device that “ knocks out your cerebral cortex , ” effectively leaving one in what some would call “ brain death ” – a perfect state to harvest healthy , functioning organs .
According to Gutmann , there are one to three million Chinese people of non-Han Chinese descent who are in concentration camps .
These people are disappearing at a rate of about 25,000 per year , almost certainly due to organ harvesting .
A healthy individual ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half a million to a million dollars to organ tourists .
Gutmann points to this grotesque abuse of human rights as a good reason for international powers to be wary of the Chinese government and their dealings with China .
If a country can do this to its people , what other things will it be willing to do for its own benefit ?

Ethan Gutmann wrote The Slaughter, a book that exposed China's harvesting of organs from living people to the world. Today he joins Jonathon to discuss this terrible practice to which the world turns a blind eye.
May 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In today’s episode of The Van Maren Show, Ethan Gutmann, an investigative writer and defender of human rights, joins Jonathon to discuss the live organ harvesting that he discovered was happening in China.
Van Maren and Gutmann discuss the current situation in China, how Gutmann uncovered the live harvesting of organs 15 years ago, and why Gutmann thinks this is a good reason for us to be cautious in our dealings with China.
Gutmann lived in China from 1998 to 2002 and was able to see the persecution of the Chinese people firsthand. He had a fairly optimistic view of China prior to moving there, thinking that the opening of the economy to Western business was a good sign. After seeing the Falun Gong religious ceremony in Bejing and the persecution festival goers suffered, Gutmann realized the Chinese regime wasn’t as open as he thought.
Watch the full interview:
Gutmann also saw the censorship of information on the internet and its use as a surveillance tool as further red flags for what was actually happening in China.
It was all of these experiences that inspired Gutmann to begin investigating what was happening in China and lead to the book The Slaughter: Mass Killings, Organ Harvesting, and China's Secret Solution to Its Dissident Problem.
Gutmann’s book was hailed as an “atom bomb” by Donald Morrison of Time magazine. It took Gutmann seven years to interview and write The Slaughter, exposing the terrible organ harvesting occurring in China.
In China, doctors harvest organs from living individuals, mostly prisoners, for healthy people who can pay enough for the new organs. This began with prisoners who were being executed for committing a crime and spread to prisoners in labor camps, and other individuals. Gutmann’s book focuses on actual experiences of people in prison camps, including doctors, who report people waking up on operating tables while their organs were being harvested.
Listen to the full interview:
Gutmann recounts an interview he had with a woman who had escaped from a labor camp. She mentioned a medical examination the camp completed that didn’t make sense to her. After hearing her explain the examination, Gutmann realized they were looking to see how healthy her organs were. She hadn’t realized it and even got frustrated with Gutmann for asking about this seemingly insignificant exam when she wanted to share her sufferings and spiritual struggle from her time in the labor camp.
Gutmann also shares the story of a doctor who took out the kidney and liver of a man who had been shot, but not fatally. His heart was still beating throughout the operation.
When a demonstration broke out in 1997, the Chinese government shot many of the protestors and began harvesting their organs. It was clear this was “state run.”
Around this same time, provinces across China began building transplant centers, training surgeons and surgical teams.
Who gets the organs? The Chinese middle class and very wealthy people. This has become so much of a problem that organ tourism is now an industry of sorts in China.
According to Chinese medical journals, the average age individuals from which organs are harvested is 28. Gutmann highlights the fact that 28 years old is not an age when significant amounts of the population are dying.
Gutmann tells listeners that the Chinese created and patented a device that “knocks out your cerebral cortex,” effectively leaving one in what some would call “brain death” – a perfect state to harvest healthy, functioning organs.
According to Gutmann, there are one to three million Chinese people of non-Han Chinese descent who are in concentration camps. These people are disappearing at a rate of about 25,000 per year, almost certainly due to organ harvesting.
A healthy individual’s organs can be harvested and sold for half a million to a million dollars to organ tourists.
Gutmann points to this grotesque abuse of human rights as a good reason for international powers to be wary of the Chinese government and their dealings with China. If a country can do this to its people, what other things will it be willing to do for its own benefit?
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lifesitenews--2020-05-20--Minnesota Catholic, Lutheran bishops to gov: We’re opening up regardless of your order – live update

Minnesota Catholic, Lutheran bishops to gov: We’re opening up regardless of your order – live updates

LifeSite ’ s previous ( and future ) live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about can be viewed HERE .
May 20 , 2020 , 7:21 p.m. EST : BREAKING : The Minnesota Catholic Conference and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod in Minnesota sent Governor Tim Walz separate letters today announcing that they will resume worship services on May 26 despite Governor Walz ’ s current COVID-19 executive order which allows retailers to operate at 50 percent capacity but caps church worship services at ten people .
Governor Walz ’ s latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open its doors to those seeking retail therapy but disallows churches from providing spiritual healing to their congregations .
At the same time , The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty sent Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison a legal letter explaining why continuing to keep churches closed violates the First Amendment .
Also representing the Catholic and Lutheran Churches is global law firm Sidley Austin LLP .
On May 13 , 2020 , Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order with guidelines for reopening commerce in the State of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops , and other retailers to open their doors at fifty percent capacity , allows businesses—from pet-grooming services to medical cannabis operations—to resume in-person operations , and even announces a phased plan for reopening bars and restaurants , but explicitly leaves in place bans on in-person worship services for more than ten people .
Even Minnesota casinos are reopening starting May 26 .
After weeks of dialogue with Governor Walz to try to achieve equal treatment for houses of worship , today the Catholic and Lutheran Churches announced that they would resume worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity on Tuesday , May 26 , with Pentecost Sunday , May 31 , as the first day of Sunday services .
The churches have committed to instituting rigorous social distancing and hygiene protocols to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
“ Darkness and despair have taken hold of so many of our fellow Americans in the face of the economic and social hardship of the COVID-19 pandemic , ” said Archbishop Hebda .
“ Faith has always been a source of comfort and strength and now more than ever it is of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet the spiritual needs of our community.
” Since the beginning of Minnesota ’ s stay-at-home order suicide hotlines have seen spikes in calls as high as 300 percent in parts of the State , as well as a 25 percent increase in calls about domestic violence .
Millions of Americans seek comfort and strength in their faith communities , which also serve as safe spaces for victims of domestic violence and those suffering with addictions .
“ Throughout this crisis , we have been committed to modeling Christ ’ s love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness .
That ’ s why it is so disheartening that the Governor has subordinated our spiritual well-being to the economic well-being of the State , ” said Rev .
Dr. Lucas Woodford , president of the Minnesota South District of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod .
“ Now that the State has deemed the risk of spreading coronavirus low enough to reopen non-essential business , we respectfully believe that it is our right and duty to safely resume public ministry to the faithful even without the support of the Governor.
” In March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into effect , both the Minnesota Catholic Conference and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod voluntarily suspended in-person worship services to preserve the health and safety of their communities .
On May 7 , and again on May 16 the churches presented Governor Walz with proposed protocols for resuming in-person worship services in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization and United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
“ If malls , casinos , liquor stores , bars , and restaurants are reopening , why can ’ t Minnesota churches ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and senior counsel at Becket .
“ Our Constitution stands for ‘ equal justice under law ’ and imposing a special disability on churches is anything but .
Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison should ensure equal treatment for churches and houses of worship—especially because they are crucial to helping our nation overcome this crisis .
May 19 , 2020 , 11:37 a.m. EST : Trump has given the World Health Organization ( WHO ) 30 days to reform or it will permanently lose U.S. funding .
“ The only way forward for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can actually demonstrate independence from China , ” he said in a letter to the pro-abortion United Nations entity .
“ I can not allow American taxpayer dollars to continue to finance an organization that , in its present state , is so clearly not serving America ’ s interests.
” May 19 , 2020 , 9:59 a.m. EST : Recent LifeSiteNews coverage of the coronavirus crisis includes : • We can ’ t let coronavirus fear paralyze our society .
Time to resume public Masses • Stanford medical prof says pandemic lockdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago Catholic group : Cupich ’ s plan to re-open churches is ‘ betrayal of Christ ’ May 19 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – President Donald Trump has revealed he has been taking hydroxychloroquine , the drug some doctors say has been highly effective at treating the coronavirus , for “ a few weeks.
” The drug is normally prescribed to treat malaria , arthritis , and lupus .
He has also been taking a zinc supplement .
The president has repeatedly tested negative for the coronavirus but is taking the drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany is providing patrons with pool noodles to wear on their heads to aid in “ social distancing.
” People who try to swim at public beaches over Memorial Day weekend will be “ taken right out of the water , ” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said .
He also said lifeguards are banned from being on duty .
It is unclear who will be tasked with extracting swimmers .
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) Alex Azar said on CNN that “ in places that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this spike in cases . ''
“ We still see spikes in some areas that are , in fact , closed , ” he added .
According to Axios , Trump “ declined an invitation to address a virtual gathering of the World Health Organization , which proceeded today with addresses from several world leaders but only a blistering rebuke from the U.S. ” China 's President Xi Jinping accepted an invitation to speak at the gathering .
The pro-abortion World Health Organization is a United Nations entity .
Its connections to communist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has frozen U.S. funding to it .
The Epoch Times has a list of where all 50 states and the District of Columbia are in their lockdowns or easing of them .
Idaho , Florida , Mississippi , Montana , and South Carolina are among the freer states .
California , Illinois , Washington , D.C. , New Mexico , New York , Hawaii , and Washington state are among the least free .
Massachusetts churches are allowed to open at 40 percent capacity now .
“ Places of worship are encouraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communion or passing of the peace , so as to limit contact with others , ” its government health guidelines urge .
“ Consider distributing , where applicable , prepackaged communion or sacraments .
”

Live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to pro-life issues, faith, and freedom.
LifeSite’s previous (and future) live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about can be viewed HERE.
May 20, 2020, 7:21 p.m. EST: BREAKING: The Minnesota Catholic Conference and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod in Minnesota sent Governor Tim Walz separate letters today announcing that they will resume worship services on May 26 despite Governor Walz’s current COVID-19 executive order which allows retailers to operate at 50 percent capacity but caps church worship services at ten people (more information on the letters is below).
May 22, 2020, 4:48 p.m. EST: This afternoon, President Trump demanded states allow churches to re-open. He said:
“Today I am identifying houses of worship – churches, synagogue, mosques – as essential places that provide essential services. Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential but have left out churches and other houses of worship. It’s not right. So I’m correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship essential. I call upon governors to allow our churches and places of worship to open right now. If there’s any question, they’re gonna have to call me, but they’re not gonna be successful in that call. These are places that hold our society together and keep our people united. The people are demanding to go to church and synagogue, go to their mosque – many millions of Americans embrace worship as an essential part of life. The ministers, pastors, rabbis, imams, and other faith leaders will make sure that their congregations are safe as they gather and pray. I know them well. They love their congregations. They love their people. They don’t want anything bad to happen to them or to anybody else. The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now, for this weekend. If they don’t do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less.”
May 22, 2020, 1:28 p.m. EST: LifeSite’s petition against a mandatory coronavirus vaccine has surged past half a million signatures.
Cardinal Raymond Burke spoke against a mandatory vaccine at the 2020 Rome Life Forum, which is being held online.
“There is a certain movement to insist that now everyone must be vaccinated against the coronavirus,” he said.
The cardinal also mentioned that some groups suggest “a kind of microchip needs to be placed under the skin of every person, so that at any moment he or she can be controlled by the State regarding health and about other matters which we can only imagine.”
A state mandating vaccinations or even microchips “violates the integrity of its citizens,” said Burke. “While the State can provide reasonable regulations for the safeguarding of health, it is not the ultimate provider of health. God is. Whatever the State proposes must respect God and His Law.”
President Trump says he wants churches to reopen.
500 doctors have warned the president that there will be “millions of casualties” if the shutdowns continue.
May 21, 2020, 2:24 p.m. EST: Recent LifeSiteNews coverage of the coronavirus crisis includes:
The 2020 Rome Life Forum, Coronavirus in the Light of Fatima: A Tragedy and a Source of Hope is happening online right now. It is free to participate. LifeSiteNews will have additional coverage of the event this week.
Reason reported yesterday, “Developments abroad put a damper on hopes that U.S. life will return to normal soon. Areas of Argentina, Germany, Iran, and elsewhere have seen COVID-19 cases surge again after starting to ease shutdown rules. Now, authorities in these places are once again tightening the screws on citizens' movement, fraternization, and economic activity.”
May 21, 2020, 12:48 p.m. EST: FOX News reported yesterday:
More than 600 doctors signed onto a letter sent to President Trump Tuesday pushing him to end the “national shutdown” aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus, calling the widespread state orders keeping businesses closed and kids home from school a “mass casualty incident” with “exponentially growing health consequences.” The letter outlines a variety of consequences that the doctors have observed resulting from the coronavirus shutdowns, including patients missing routine checkups that could detect things like heart problems or cancer, increases in substance and alcohol abuse, and increases in financial instability that could lead to “[p]overty and financial uncertainty,” which “is closely linked to poor health.”
A Mississippi church suing its city over the coronavirus lockdown has been destroyed by arson.
May 20, 2020, 7:21 p.m. EST: BREAKING: The Minnesota Catholic Conference and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod in Minnesota sent Governor Tim Walz separate letters today announcing that they will resume worship services on May 26 despite Governor Walz’s current COVID-19 executive order which allows retailers to operate at 50 percent capacity but caps church worship services at ten people.
Governor Walz’s latest re-opening order allows the Mall of America to open its doors to those seeking retail therapy but disallows churches from providing spiritual healing to their congregations. At the same time, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty sent Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison a legal letter explaining why continuing to keep churches closed violates the First Amendment. Also representing the Catholic and Lutheran Churches is global law firm Sidley Austin LLP.
Becket explained in a press release:
On May 13, 2020, Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order with guidelines for reopening commerce in the State of Minnesota. The order allows malls, shops, and other retailers to open their doors at fifty percent capacity, allows businesses—from pet-grooming services to medical cannabis operations—to resume in-person operations, and even announces a phased plan for reopening bars and restaurants, but explicitly leaves in place bans on in-person worship services for more than ten people. Even Minnesota casinos are reopening starting May 26. After weeks of dialogue with Governor Walz to try to achieve equal treatment for houses of worship, today the Catholic and Lutheran Churches announced that they would resume worship services for their congregations at thirty-three percent capacity on Tuesday, May 26, with Pentecost Sunday, May 31, as the first day of Sunday services. The churches have committed to instituting rigorous social distancing and hygiene protocols to prevent the spread of coronavirus. “Darkness and despair have taken hold of so many of our fellow Americans in the face of the economic and social hardship of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Archbishop Hebda. “Faith has always been a source of comfort and strength and now more than ever it is of the utmost importance that we are able to meet the spiritual needs of our community.” Since the beginning of Minnesota’s stay-at-home order suicide hotlines have seen spikes in calls as high as 300 percent in parts of the State, as well as a 25 percent increase in calls about domestic violence. Millions of Americans seek comfort and strength in their faith communities, which also serve as safe spaces for victims of domestic violence and those suffering with addictions. “Throughout this crisis, we have been committed to modeling Christ’s love by protecting people from the spread of illness. That’s why it is so disheartening that the Governor has subordinated our spiritual well-being to the economic well-being of the State,” said Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford, president of the Minnesota South District of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. “Now that the State has deemed the risk of spreading coronavirus low enough to reopen non-essential business, we respectfully believe that it is our right and duty to safely resume public ministry to the faithful even without the support of the Governor.” In March, well before statewide stay-at-home orders came into effect, both the Minnesota Catholic Conference and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod voluntarily suspended in-person worship services to preserve the health and safety of their communities. On May 7, and again on May 16 the churches presented Governor Walz with proposed protocols for resuming in-person worship services in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization and United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “If malls, casinos, liquor stores, bars, and restaurants are reopening, why can’t Minnesota churches?” said Eric Rassbach, vice president and senior counsel at Becket. “Our Constitution stands for ‘equal justice under law’ and imposing a special disability on churches is anything but. Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison should ensure equal treatment for churches and houses of worship—especially because they are crucial to helping our nation overcome this crisis.
BREAKING: The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will NOT comply with the new guidance from Governor Walz that only allows 10 people inside or outside churches. A letter to parishes across the state is signed by Archbishop Hebda and all six bishops in the state. https://t.co/PyzFIorMed — Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) May 20, 2020
May 19, 2020, 11:37 a.m. EST: Trump has given the World Health Organization (WHO) 30 days to reform or it will permanently lose U.S. funding.
“The only way forward for the World Health Organization is if it can actually demonstrate independence from China,” he said in a letter to the pro-abortion United Nations entity. “I cannot allow American taxpayer dollars to continue to finance an organization that, in its present state, is so clearly not serving America’s interests.”
May 19, 2020, 9:59 a.m. EST: Recent LifeSiteNews coverage of the coronavirus crisis includes:
May 19, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – President Donald Trump has revealed he has been taking hydroxychloroquine, the drug some doctors say has been highly effective at treating the coronavirus, for “a few weeks.” The drug is normally prescribed to treat malaria, arthritis, and lupus. He has also been taking a zinc supplement. The president has repeatedly tested negative for the coronavirus but is taking the drugs as a prophylactic.
A cafe in Germany is providing patrons with pool noodles to wear on their heads to aid in “social distancing.”
People who try to swim at public beaches over Memorial Day weekend will be “taken right out of the water,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said. He also said lifeguards are banned from being on duty. It is unclear who will be tasked with extracting swimmers.
The Associated Press reports:
A county judge has declared Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s coronavirus restrictions “null and void” because she didn’t have her emergency orders approved by the Legislature. Baker County Circuit Judge Matthew Shirtcliff made the ruling Monday in a lawsuit brought by churches that had sued saying the social-distancing directives were unconstitutional. … Brown said she would immediately appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court to try to keep the emergency orders in effect.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar said on CNN that “in places that are opening, we're not seeing this spike in cases.”
“We still see spikes in some areas that are, in fact, closed,” he added.
Breitbart reports:
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar during Monday’s “America’s Newsroom” on Fox News Channel revealed that at President Donald Trump’s request, he has delivered “an extremely stern warning” to the World Health Organization in regards to its handling of the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak in China. Azar said his message included a call for “significant structural reform” in the organization, adding the W.H.O. and China need “to be held accountable” for their actions that allowed the virus to spread around the world.
According to Axios, Trump “declined an invitation to address a virtual gathering of the World Health Organization, which proceeded today with addresses from several world leaders but only a blistering rebuke from the U.S.”
China's President Xi Jinping accepted an invitation to speak at the gathering.
The pro-abortion World Health Organization is a United Nations entity. Its connections to communist China are currently under scrutiny, and Trump has frozen U.S. funding to it.
The Epoch Times has a list of where all 50 states and the District of Columbia are in their lockdowns or easing of them.
Idaho, Florida, Mississippi, Montana, and South Carolina are among the freer states.
California, Illinois, Washington, D.C., New Mexico, New York, Hawaii, and Washington state are among the least free.
Massachusetts churches are allowed to open at 40 percent capacity now. “Places of worship are encouraged to modify communal rituals, like taking communion or passing of the peace, so as to limit contact with others,” its government health guidelines urge. “Consider distributing, where applicable, prepackaged communion or sacraments.”
Correction 05-20-2020 21:25 EDT: St. Paul’s Cathedral is in St. Paul, not Minneapolis. LifeSite regrets the error.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-20--Uncovering the grotesque live organ harvesting practices in China

To help keep this and other programs on the air , please donate here .
In today ’ s episode @ @ @ @ @ , Ethan Gutmann , an investigative writer and defender of human rights , joins Jonathon @ @ @ @ @ harvesting that he discovered was happening in China .
Van Maren and Gutmann discuss the @ @ @ @ @ how Gutmann uncovered the live harvesting of organs 20 years ago , and why Gutmann @ @ @ @ @ reason for us to be cautious in our dealings with China .

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
In today’s episode of The Van Maren Show, Ethan Gutmann, an investigative writer and defender of human rights, joins Jonathon to discuss the live organ harvesting that he discovered was happening in China.
Van Maren and Gutmann discuss the current situation in China, how Gutmann uncovered the live harvesting of organs 20 years ago, and why Gutmann thinks this is a good reason for us to be cautious in our dealings with China.


lifesitenews--2020-05-20--Cdl Sarah: Corona crisis has laid bare ‘insidious disease’ of Church thinking she’s a ‘worldly insti

Cdl Sarah: Corona crisis has laid bare ‘insidious disease’ of Church thinking she’s a ‘worldly institution’

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world : Feed your flock !
Sign the petition here .
May 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – “ The Church has messages for this world , but only because she has the keys to the other world.
” With these words , Cardinal Robert Sarah , prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship , underscored the Church ’ s mistaken bid to appear necessary to the world on the world ’ s terms .
According to Cardinal Sarah ( read his full remarks below ) , the COVID-19 crisis has revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to terms with the scandal of death and the Church ’ s failure to bring to it the only possible answer and consolation that it alone can provide : the promise of eternal life .
Cardinal Sarah , born in French Guinea in 1945 to Christian parents who had converted from animism , has repeatedly deplored the developed West ’ s rejection of traditional values such as respect for life , for the family , and for the elderly .
In several best-selling books , Cardinal Sarah has also pleaded over recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its spiritual fundamentals , to “ silence ” in order to be more open to God , and to a Christ-centered liturgy .
His take on the coronavirus epidemic is that the Church now has the chance and the opportunity to return to “ essentials ” and to bring a world that has counted too much on the “ security ” of technology to understand that only she can provide answers to its newfound doubts .
“ The Church has committed herself to the struggles for a better world .
She has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dialogue , solidarity , and the equitable distribution of wealth .
All these struggles are just .
But they could make us forget the words of Jesus : ‘ My kingdom is not of this world , ’ ” wrote Cardinal Sarah in his op-ed for Figaro Vox , the internet platform of French daily Le Figaro on Tuesday .
The COVID-19 epidemic , wrote Sarah , “ laid bare an insidious disease that was eating away at the Church : she thought that she was ‘ of this world.
’ ” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being responsible for choosing to confine the elderly and to isolate them , leaving them with the risk of dying of “ despair and loneliness.
” “ The answer could only be a response of faith : to accompany the elderly towards a probable death , in dignity and above all the hope of eternal life , ” he proclaimed .
Despite the so-called protection of the elderly in nursing homes in France , in many of them healthcare personnel were not provided with masks and other protective equipment and large numbers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More than a third of all deaths officially attributed to COVID-19 in France ( 10,308 of 28,022 to date ) were registered among residents of nursing homes for the elderly .
In comparison , a heat wave in August 2003 in France directly caused an excess mortality of 14,800 , mainly affecting individuals ages 75 and over .
To date , deaths attributed to the COVID-19 crisis have reached a world total of 323,286 individuals .
Every year , 6.15 million people die of lower respiratory tract infections .
But the focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 deaths ” as a particular tragedy .
Seventy-one percent of French victims were over 75 and 18 percent were ages 64 to 75 .
Here below is LifeSite ’ s working translation of Cardinal Sarah ’ s op-ed .
Does the Church still have a place in times of epidemic in the 21st century ?
In contrast with past centuries , the bulk of medical care is now provided by the state and healthcare personnel .
Modernity has its secularized heroes in white coats , and they are admirable .
It no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to care for the sick and bury the dead .
Has the Church become useless to society ?
Covid-19 is bringing Christians back to the essentials .
Indeed , the Church has since long entered into a distorted relationship with the world .
Confronted with a society that pretended not to need them , Christians , through pedagogy , did their best to demonstrate that they could be useful to it .
The Church has shown herself to be an educator , the mother of the poor , an “ expert in humanity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And rightly so .
But little by little , Christians have come to forget the reason for this expertise .
They ended up forgetting that if the Church can help man to be more human , it is ultimately because she has received from God the words of eternal life .
The Church has committed herself to the struggles for a better world .
She has been right to support ecology , peace , dialogue , solidarity , and the equitable distribution of wealth .
All these struggles are just .
But they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jesus : “ My kingdom is not of this world.
” The Church has messages for this world , but only because she has the keys to the other world .
Christians have sometimes thought of the Church as a help given by God to humanity to improve its life here on earth .
And they did not lack reasons , so true is it that faith in eternal life sheds light on the proper way to live in this century .
Covid-19 laid bare an insidious disease that was eating away at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ of this world.
” She wanted to feel legitimate in her own eyes and according to her own criteria .
But a radically new reality has appeared .
Triumphant modernity has collapsed in the face of death .
This virus revealed that , despite its assurances and security , this earthly world was still paralyzed by the fear of death .
The world can solve health crises .
It will certainly solve the economic crisis .
But it will never solve the enigma of death .
Faith alone has the answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In France , as in Italy , the issue of nursing homes for the elderly , the so-called “ EHPADs , ” has been a crucial point .
Why is that so ?
Because it directly raised the question of death .
Should elderly residents be confined to their rooms at the risk of dying of despair and loneliness ?
Should they stay in contact with their families , risking death from the virus ?
We did not know how to answer .
The State , trapped in a secularism that chooses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cults back to the private domain , was condemned to silence .
For the State , the only solution was to flee physical death at all costs , even if it meant condemning moral death .
The answer could only be a response of faith : to accompany the elderly towards a probable death , in dignity and above all the hope of eternal life .
The epidemic has hit Western societies at their most vulnerable point .
They had been organized to deny death , to hide it , to ignore it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door !
Who has not seen those giant mortuaries in Bergamo or Madrid ?
These are the images of a society that not long ago was promising an immortal , augmented man .
The promises of technology make it possible to forget fear for a moment , but in the end they prove to be illusory when death strikes .
Even philosophy merely restores some dignity to human reason when it is overwhelmed by the absurdity of death .
But it is powerless to console hearts and give meaning to what seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the face of death , there is no human response that can hold .
Only the hope of eternal life can surpass the scandal of death .
But who is the man who will dare to preach hope ?
It takes the revealed word of God to dare to believe in a life without end .
It takes a word of faith to dare to hope for oneself and one 's family .
The Catholic Church is therefore called back to its primary responsibility .
The world expects of her a word of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trauma of this face-to-face encounter with death that it has just experienced .
Without a clear word of faith and hope , the world can sink into morbid guilt or helpless rage at the absurdity of its condition .
Only the Church can enable it to give meaning to the deaths of loved ones , who died in solitude and were buried in haste .
But if that is so , the Church must change .
She must stop being afraid of causing shock and of going against the tide .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a worldly institution .
She must return to her only “ raison d'être ” : faith .
The Church is there to announce that Jesus conquered death through His resurrection .
This is at the heart of her message : “ And if Christ has not been raised , then empty too is our preaching ; empty , too , your faith … and we are the most wretched of all men ” ( 1 Corinthians 15:14-19 ) .
All the rest is only a consequence of this .
Our societies will come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will need psychologists to overcome the trauma of not being able to accompany the elderly and the dying to their tombs , but even more , they will need priests to teach them to pray and to hope .
The crisis reveals that our societies , without knowing it , are suffering deeply from a spiritual evil : they do not know how to give meaning to suffering , finitude and death .

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock! Sign the petition here.
May 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – “The Church has messages for this world, but only because she has the keys to the other world.” With these words, Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, underscored the Church’s mistaken bid to appear necessary to the world on the world’s terms.
According to Cardinal Sarah (read his full remarks below), the COVID-19 crisis has revealed both the world’s incapacity to come to terms with the scandal of death and the Church’s failure to bring to it the only possible answer and consolation that it alone can provide: the promise of eternal life.
Cardinal Sarah, born in French Guinea in 1945 to Christian parents who had converted from animism, has repeatedly deplored the developed West’s rejection of traditional values such as respect for life, for the family, and for the elderly.
In several best-selling books, Cardinal Sarah has also pleaded over recent years for the Church to return to its spiritual fundamentals, to “silence” in order to be more open to God, and to a Christ-centered liturgy.
His take on the coronavirus epidemic is that the Church now has the chance and the opportunity to return to “essentials” and to bring a world that has counted too much on the “security” of technology to understand that only she can provide answers to its newfound doubts.
“The Church has committed herself to the struggles for a better world. She has been right to support ecology, peace, dialogue, solidarity, and the equitable distribution of wealth. All these struggles are just. But they could make us forget the words of Jesus: ‘My kingdom is not of this world,’” wrote Cardinal Sarah in his op-ed for Figaro Vox, the internet platform of French daily Le Figaro on Tuesday.
The COVID-19 epidemic, wrote Sarah, “laid bare an insidious disease that was eating away at the Church: she thought that she was ‘of this world.’”
He accused the secularism of the state of being responsible for choosing to confine the elderly and to isolate them, leaving them with the risk of dying of “despair and loneliness.” “The answer could only be a response of faith: to accompany the elderly towards a probable death, in dignity and above all the hope of eternal life,” he proclaimed.
Despite the so-called protection of the elderly in nursing homes in France, in many of them healthcare personnel were not provided with masks and other protective equipment and large numbers of residents were infected in several regions. More than a third of all deaths officially attributed to COVID-19 in France (10,308 of 28,022 to date) were registered among residents of nursing homes for the elderly. In comparison, a heat wave in August 2003 in France directly caused an excess mortality of 14,800, mainly affecting individuals ages 75 and over.
To date, deaths attributed to the COVID-19 crisis have reached a world total of 323,286 individuals. Every year, 6.15 million people die of lower respiratory tract infections. But the focus on the coronavirus has led to seeing “COVID-19 deaths” as a particular tragedy. Seventy-one percent of French victims were over 75 and 18 percent were ages 64 to 75.
Here below is LifeSite’s working translation of Cardinal Sarah’s op-ed.
***
Does the Church still have a place in times of epidemic in the 21st century? In contrast with past centuries, the bulk of medical care is now provided by the state and healthcare personnel. Modernity has its secularized heroes in white coats, and they are admirable. It no longer needs the charitable battalions of Christians to care for the sick and bury the dead. Has the Church become useless to society? Covid-19 is bringing Christians back to the essentials. Indeed, the Church has since long entered into a distorted relationship with the world. Confronted with a society that pretended not to need them, Christians, through pedagogy, did their best to demonstrate that they could be useful to it. The Church has shown herself to be an educator, the mother of the poor, an “expert in humanity” as Paul VI put it. And rightly so. But little by little, Christians have come to forget the reason for this expertise. They ended up forgetting that if the Church can help man to be more human, it is ultimately because she has received from God the words of eternal life. The Church has committed herself to the struggles for a better world. She has been right to support ecology, peace, dialogue, solidarity, and the equitable distribution of wealth. All these struggles are just. But they could make us forget the words of Jesus: “My kingdom is not of this world.” The Church has messages for this world, but only because she has the keys to the other world. Christians have sometimes thought of the Church as a help given by God to humanity to improve its life here on earth. And they did not lack reasons, so true is it that faith in eternal life sheds light on the proper way to live in this century. Dying of despair and loneliness Covid-19 laid bare an insidious disease that was eating away at the Church: she thought that she was “of this world.” She wanted to feel legitimate in her own eyes and according to her own criteria. But a radically new reality has appeared. Triumphant modernity has collapsed in the face of death. This virus revealed that, despite its assurances and security, this earthly world was still paralyzed by the fear of death. The world can solve health crises. It will certainly solve the economic crisis. But it will never solve the enigma of death. Faith alone has the answer. Let us illustrate this very concretely. In France, as in Italy, the issue of nursing homes for the elderly, the so-called “EHPADs,” has been a crucial point. Why is that so? Because it directly raised the question of death. Should elderly residents be confined to their rooms at the risk of dying of despair and loneliness? Should they stay in contact with their families, risking death from the virus? We did not know how to answer. The State, trapped in a secularism that chooses on principle to ignore hope and send cults back to the private domain, was condemned to silence. For the State, the only solution was to flee physical death at all costs, even if it meant condemning moral death. The answer could only be a response of faith: to accompany the elderly towards a probable death, in dignity and above all the hope of eternal life. The epidemic has hit Western societies at their most vulnerable point. They had been organized to deny death, to hide it, to ignore it. It came in through the front door! Who has not seen those giant mortuaries in Bergamo or Madrid? These are the images of a society that not long ago was promising an immortal, augmented man. Forgetting fear The promises of technology make it possible to forget fear for a moment, but in the end they prove to be illusory when death strikes. Even philosophy merely restores some dignity to human reason when it is overwhelmed by the absurdity of death. But it is powerless to console hearts and give meaning to what seems to be definitively deprived of meaning. In the face of death, there is no human response that can hold. Only the hope of eternal life can surpass the scandal of death. But who is the man who will dare to preach hope? It takes the revealed word of God to dare to believe in a life without end. It takes a word of faith to dare to hope for oneself and one's family. The Catholic Church is therefore called back to its primary responsibility. The world expects of her a word of faith that will enable it to overcome the trauma of this face-to-face encounter with death that it has just experienced. Without a clear word of faith and hope, the world can sink into morbid guilt or helpless rage at the absurdity of its condition. Only the Church can enable it to give meaning to the deaths of loved ones, who died in solitude and were buried in haste. But if that is so, the Church must change. She must stop being afraid of causing shock and of going against the tide. She must give up thinking of herself as a worldly institution. She must return to her only “raison d'être”: faith. The Church is there to announce that Jesus conquered death through His resurrection. This is at the heart of her message: “And if Christ has not been raised, then empty too is our preaching; empty, too, your faith … and we are the most wretched of all men” (1 Corinthians 15:14-19). All the rest is only a consequence of this. Our societies will come out of this crisis weakened. They will need psychologists to overcome the trauma of not being able to accompany the elderly and the dying to their tombs, but even more, they will need priests to teach them to pray and to hope. The crisis reveals that our societies, without knowing it, are suffering deeply from a spiritual evil: they do not know how to give meaning to suffering, finitude and death.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-20--We need to use this coronavirus chastisement to grow in holiness

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

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 5.20.2020. In today's episode Mother speaks about the importance of growing in holiness, especially during this time of chastisement.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-05-20--Catholic GOP committeewoman fired from healthcare job after cheering cancellation of LGBT ‘pride’ pa

Catholic GOP committeewoman fired from healthcare job after cheering cancellation of LGBT ‘pride’ parade

TOLEDO , Ohio , May 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A home healthcare company in Toledo , Ohio has terminated one of its caregivers over a social media post celebrating the cancellation of a local LGBT “ pride ” event due to COVID-19 .
In a since-deleted Facebook post , Kristi Kille , who is also a committeewoman for the Lucas County Republican Party , wrote that she was pleased to see the 2020 Toledo Pride festival put on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions .
Another event has been scheduled for August 22 .
“ For once , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she wrote , NBC 24 reported .
“ The 2020 Toledo 'Gay Pride ' Parade has been CANCELED !
!
!
! ''
Local LGBT activists groups condemned the comment , as did Toledo City Councilmember Nick Komives .
Even the Lucas County GOP joined the denunciations , issuing a statement that Kille ’ s comment `` was neither issued by , nor supported by the Lucas County GOP , '' and that `` we 're very proud of the members of the LGBT community who participate in the party and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their involvement . ''
But Kille ’ s biggest blow came when Arista Home Care Solutions fired her from her job as a certified home health aide on May 15 , she told LifeSiteNews via email .
Kille says her job was going well and her patients and superiors were all very pleased with her work .
But despite her social media commentary never being an issue before , Arista punished her after pressure from LGBT activists .
“ The next morning , when I was at my clients ' house , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kille says .
“ That was the first time I knew something of what was going on because of that post .
Throughout the day , she and I talked via telephone about the situation and she said that her daughter is ‘ gay ’ and was wondering how I 'd treat ‘ gay ’ clients .
The company was harassed , nonstop , by phone calls , Facebook comments , and bad reviews , and these people were demanding that I get fired.
” The next day , the company called her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take over her shift at a patient ’ s home .
“ At that meeting , the owner and her husband did not say I was fired because of these people , ” she explained .
“ But it was all based on that .
They told me about the situation being on the news the night before .
They told me that they thought long and hard and consulted their attorney about this because they did not want to fire me .
They admitted that it was hard to fire a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights were violated by these people .
The owner gave me a termination letter stating different violations that I committed – which I did n't do .
But that 's all for legal purposes.
” On May 11 , five days before Kille ’ s firing , Arista owners Clayton and Paula Biriney released a statement that they were “ aware of hateful comments recently posted by an employee on their personal Facebook page , ” which “ do not reflect our views personally , nor do they represent the culture of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our other employees , ” and that they would be “ dealing with this situation in a forceful manner.
” Kille added that several LGBT activists have harassed her and members of her family over her comments – at least one instance of which being serious enough to file a police report .
She has also declared that she will not compromise her statements of faith for expediency : In addition to America ’ s ongoing debates over LGBT activists ’ positions on cultural issues such as marriage and gender fluidity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversial for the bizarre , sexually-explicit displays they often feature , and activists ’ comfort subjecting children to them .
Toledo Pride ’ s announcement that they ’ re “ working with local bands , drag performers , and other entertainers to host a virtual Pride event , featuring a simulcast event , a virtual parade and a family fun day ” ( emphasis added ) suggests the group is similarly unconcerned about age-appropriateness .

No only did the employer fire the home caregiver, but LGBT activists have harassed her and her family.
PETITION: Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society! Sign the petition here.
TOLEDO, Ohio, May 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A home healthcare company in Toledo, Ohio has terminated one of its caregivers over a social media post celebrating the cancellation of a local LGBT “pride” event due to COVID-19.
In a since-deleted Facebook post, Kristi Kille, who is also a committeewoman for the Lucas County Republican Party, wrote that she was pleased to see the 2020 Toledo Pride festival put on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. Another event has been scheduled for August 22.
“For once, COVID-19 has caused something GOOD to happen,” she wrote, NBC 24 reported. “The 2020 Toledo 'Gay Pride' Parade has been CANCELED!!!!”
Local LGBT activists groups condemned the comment, as did Toledo City Councilmember Nick Komives. Even the Lucas County GOP joined the denunciations, issuing a statement that Kille’s comment “was neither issued by, nor supported by the Lucas County GOP,” and that “we're very proud of the members of the LGBT community who participate in the party and we're a stronger party because of their involvement.”
But Kille’s biggest blow came when Arista Home Care Solutions fired her from her job as a certified home health aide on May 15, she told LifeSiteNews via email.
Kille says her job was going well and her patients and superiors were all very pleased with her work. But despite her social media commentary never being an issue before, Arista punished her after pressure from LGBT activists.
“The next morning, when I was at my clients' house, the owner called about that post,” Kille says. “That was the first time I knew something of what was going on because of that post. Throughout the day, she and I talked via telephone about the situation and she said that her daughter is ‘gay’ and was wondering how I'd treat ‘gay’ clients. The company was harassed, nonstop, by phone calls, Facebook comments, and bad reviews, and these people were demanding that I get fired.”
The next day, the company called her into the office and had another caregiver take over her shift at a patient’s home.
“At that meeting, the owner and her husband did not say I was fired because of these people,” she explained. “But it was all based on that. They told me about the situation being on the news the night before. They told me that they thought long and hard and consulted their attorney about this because they did not want to fire me. They admitted that it was hard to fire a good employee. I told them that their rights were violated by these people. The owner gave me a termination letter stating different violations that I committed – which I didn't do. But that's all for legal purposes.”
On May 11, five days before Kille’s firing, Arista owners Clayton and Paula Biriney released a statement that they were “aware of hateful comments recently posted by an employee on their personal Facebook page,” which “do not reflect our views personally, nor do they represent the culture of our company, or the dedication and compassion of our other employees,” and that they would be “dealing with this situation in a forceful manner.”
Kille added that several LGBT activists have harassed her and members of her family over her comments – at least one instance of which being serious enough to file a police report. She has also declared that she will not compromise her statements of faith for expediency:
#CatholicTwitter Please pray for me; please pray for my family; & please pray for these people!! They got me fired as a Home Health Aide!! I will not apologize; I will not compromise; and I will never stop speaking The Catholic truth!!!https://t.co/8Iusnalerh — Kristi_Kille (ASCAP) (@KristiLuvsJesus) May 17, 2020
In addition to America’s ongoing debates over LGBT activists’ positions on cultural issues such as marriage and gender fluidity, LGBT “pride” parades are particularly controversial for the bizarre, sexually-explicit displays they often feature, and activists’ comfort subjecting children to them.
Toledo Pride’s announcement that they’re “working with local bands, drag performers, and other entertainers to host a virtual Pride event, featuring a simulcast event, a virtual parade and a family fun day” (emphasis added) suggests the group is similarly unconcerned about age-appropriateness.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-20--President Eisenhower warned against rise of elites like Bill Gates who’d push public policy undercut

President Eisenhower warned against rise of elites like Bill Gates who’d push public policy undercutting freedom

May 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In an April 23 article for The Economist , Bill Gates has made predictions about the outcome and the changes of the current corona crisis .
He claimed that only a vaccine will help us overcome the coronavirus and added that there is now a need for more globalized institutions that will help in the response of future outbreaks of disease .
That is to say : for Bill Gates , this coronavirus is a reason for more globalization and centralized world government .
Professor Felix Dirsch , one of the signatories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the possible dangers to our civil freedoms in light of the corona crisis , quoted from this article by Gates in order to show that there is just concern about the dangers of a world government .
This German political scientist and Catholic theologian stated about this article by Gates : “ He sees three major medical breakthroughs as a result of the corona crisis .
It is obvious that the innovations will bring about fundamental global power shifts .
It is no coincidence that Gates associates such research advances with the UN.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying : “ Our progress won ’ t be in science alone .
It will also be in our ability to make sure everyone benefits from that science .
In the years after 2021 , I think we ’ ll learn from the years after 1945 .
With the end of the second world war , leaders built international institutions like the UN to prevent more conflicts .
After COVID-19 , leaders will prepare institutions to prevent the next pandemic.
” That is to say , just as after World War II , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the corona crisis , there will be new global institutions established in order to be able to organize a global response to the next health crisis .
In addition , Bill Gates also claims that “ over the next year , medical researchers will be among the most important people in the world.
” This is due to their work with regard to developing vaccines , some of them even new forms called mRNA vaccines which “ use genetic code to give your cells instructions for how to mount an immune response .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional vaccines , ” in Gates ' eyes .
Moreover , these scientists will also contribute in developing antiviral drugs – something that was so far not possible – and test kits that people could use from their homes in order to find out whether they have a certain disease .
But the claim that the medical scientists will be “ among the most important people in the world ” is a troubling statement , a statement which eclipses the importance of spiritual leaders altogether , and certainly that of the Catholic Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schneider had made some comments on the corona crisis that seem to relate to these words by Bill Gates .
He then spoke about a “ sanitary dictatorship : Schneider then saw that part of this “ sanitary dictatorship ” was the ” ban on all forms of public worship.
” Cardinal Gerhard Müller , in his comments on the May 7 Viganò Appeal and why he signed it , also pointed out the danger of “ forced vaccinations.
” Without mentioning Bill Gates ' name directly , Müller mentioned that the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion people will be forcibly vaccinated , even if the drugs have not yet been sufficiently tested , and that if people are not complying , fundamental rights will be withdrawn from them.
” “ No one can be forced to believe that a few 'philanthropic ' super billionaires have the best programs for world improvement just because they have succeeded in accumulating a huge private fortune , ” he commented .
Cardinal Müller further rejects the accusation of being a “ conspiracy theorist ” by referring to his own experience of having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without their consent : “ In Peru during the Fujimori era , I myself spoke to involuntarily sterilized men and women who had been cheated out of health and happiness with money and false promises , ” he stated and asked : “ What does this have to do with a 'conspiracy theory ' ?
” Already in 1961 , President Eisenhower had warned in his Farewell Address against a development in the United States , where certain elites would gain disproportionate influence in this country .
He first pointed out the then-impending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we have our own today .
Having Communism in mind , Eisenhower spoke of that “ hostile ideology – global in scope , atheistic in character , ruthless in purpose , and insidious in method , ” adding that , “ unhappily the danger it poses promises to be of indefinite duration.
” But in light of these impending dangers , what would be temptations for the American society ?
President Eisenhower explained that “ crises there will continue to be .
In meeting them , whether foreign or domestic , great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temptation to feel that some spectacular and costly action could become the miraculous solution to all current difficulties .
A huge increase in newer elements of our defense ; development of unrealistic programs to cure every ill in agriculture ; a dramatic expansion in basic and applied research-these and many other possibilities , each possibly promising in itself , may be suggested as the only way to the road we wish to travel.
” Yet , in light of these temptations , Eisenhower saw a danger .
As if talking to us in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ each proposal must be weighed in the light of a broader consideration : the need to maintain balance in and among national programs – balance between the private and the public economy , balance between cost and hoped for advantage – balance between the clearly necessary and the comfortably desirable ; balance between our essential requirements as a nation and the duties imposed by the nation upon the individual ; balance between action of the moment and the national welfare of the future.
” And he warns us : “ Good judgment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it eventually finds imbalance and frustration.
” Only during the past two world wars , Eisenhower explains , the United States developed an “ armaments industry.
” Since then , there developed a “ conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry.
” Speaking about this new military establishment – and here we could also think of the increasing dominance of health institutions – Eisenhower comments : “ The total influence – economic , political , even spiritual – is felt in every city , every state house , every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognize the imperative need for this development .
Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications .
Our toil , resources and livelihood are all involved ; so is the very structure of our society.
” The American President warns that “ we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence , whether sought or unsought , by the military-industrial complex .
The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
” Eisenhower went on to say that “ we must never let the weight of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We should take nothing for granted , only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals , so that security and liberty may prosper together.
” We could say today , with Eisenhower : “ We should take nothing for granted , only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of huge medical and health organizations with our peaceful methods and goals , so that health and liberty may prosper together.
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the dangers of the growing influence of scientific elites , as well .
Speaking about the “ technological revolution during recent decades , ” the President admitted that “ research has become central ; it also becomes more formalized , complex , and costly .
A steadily increasing share is conducted for , by , or at the direction of , the Federal government.
” But he saw here the danger “ of domination of the nation 's scholars by Federal employment , project allocations , and the power of money.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us that the opposite could also be true , namely “ that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite.
” Thus he concluded : “ It is the task of statesmanship to mold , to balance , and to integrate these and other forces , new and old , within the principles of our democratic system-ever aiming toward the supreme goals of our free society.
” Gates telling the world what to do To return to Bill Gates ' own article .
He now insists that the corona crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are vaccinated .
First , he states that many are now hoping that the corona crisis will soon be over .
“ In a few weeks ’ time , ” he says , “ many hope , things will return to the way they were in December .
Unfortunately , that won ’ t happen.
” “ I believe that humanity will beat this pandemic , but only when most of the population is vaccinated .
Until then , life will not return to normal , ” Gates adds .
This , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East Asia and North America the peak of the pandemic will probably have passed by the end of this month , ” in Gates ' own words .
Gates predicts that until the vaccine has come , people will naturally be more cautious and stay sheltered .
“ Sports will be played in basically empty stadiums .
And the world economy will be depressed because demand will stay low and people will spend more conservatively.
” Additionally , Gates predicts that poorer countries that do not have proper health care systems “ will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected.
” Finally , again , a vaccine alone can cure this problem .
He states that “ people in rich and poor places alike will be safe only once we have an effective medical solution for this virus , which means a vaccine.
” Such a vaccine , Gates states , might be available by “ second half of 2021.
” Promising that the new technologies – new vaccine , antiviral drugs , and new test kits – “ will prepare us for the next pandemic by allowing us to intervene early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still very low .
But the underlying research will also assist us in fighting existing infectious diseases—and even help advance cures for cancer .
( Scientists have long thought mRNA vaccines could lead to an eventual cancer vaccine .
Until COVID-19 , though , there wasn ’ t much research into how they could be produced en masse at even somewhat affordable prices . )
Gates predicts that there will be “ a mix of national , regional and global organizations ” who will “ participate in regular 'war games ' in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in war games .
These will keep us ready for the next time a novel virus jumps from bats or birds to humans.
” Such organizations should then also be helpful in the case of lab-made disease or even “ an act of bioterrorism.
” Such organizations , according to Gates , will be able to react even if a new virus appears in a poor country .
“ This [ corona ] pandemic , ” the co-founder of Microsoft writes , “ has shown us that viruses don ’ t obey border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biologically by a network of microscopic germs , whether we like it or not .
If a novel virus appears in a poor country , we want its doctors to have the ability to spot it and contain it as soon as possible.
” Thus we have arrived in a situation where globalized elites are telling the world what to do – and many world leaders appear to be listening .

PETITION: No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus! Sign the petition here.
May 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In an April 23 article for The Economist, Bill Gates has made predictions about the outcome and the changes of the current corona crisis. He claimed that only a vaccine will help us overcome the coronavirus and added that there is now a need for more globalized institutions that will help in the response of future outbreaks of disease. That is to say: for Bill Gates, this coronavirus is a reason for more globalization and centralized world government.
Professor Felix Dirsch, one of the signatories of the May 7 Viganò Appeal about the possible dangers to our civil freedoms in light of the corona crisis, quoted from this article by Gates in order to show that there is just concern about the dangers of a world government.
This German political scientist and Catholic theologian stated about this article by Gates: “He sees three major medical breakthroughs as a result of the corona crisis. It is obvious that the innovations will bring about fundamental global power shifts. It is no coincidence that Gates associates such research advances with the UN.” And then Dirsch quotes Gates as saying:
“Our progress won’t be in science alone. It will also be in our ability to make sure everyone benefits from that science. In the years after 2021, I think we’ll learn from the years after 1945. With the end of the second world war, leaders built international institutions like the UN to prevent more conflicts. After COVID-19, leaders will prepare institutions to prevent the next pandemic.”
That is to say, just as after World War II, the United Nations was formed, after the corona crisis, there will be new global institutions established in order to be able to organize a global response to the next health crisis.
In addition, Bill Gates also claims that “over the next year, medical researchers will be among the most important people in the world.”
This is due to their work with regard to developing vaccines, some of them even new forms called mRNA vaccines which “use genetic code to give your cells instructions for how to mount an immune response. They can probably be produced faster than traditional vaccines,” in Gates' eyes. Moreover, these scientists will also contribute in developing antiviral drugs – something that was so far not possible – and test kits that people could use from their homes in order to find out whether they have a certain disease.
But the claim that the medical scientists will be “among the most important people in the world” is a troubling statement, a statement which eclipses the importance of spiritual leaders altogether, and certainly that of the Catholic Church.
On March 20, Bishop Athanasius Schneider had made some comments on the corona crisis that seem to relate to these words by Bill Gates.
He then spoke about a “sanitary dictatorship:
The current atmosphere of an almost planetary panic is continuously fueled by the universally proclaimed 'dogma' of the new coronavirus pandemic. The drastic and disproportionate security measures with the denial of fundamental human rights of freedom of movement, freedom of assembly, and freedom of opinion appear almost globally orchestrated along a precise plan. Thus, the entire human race becomes a kind of prisoner of a world 'sanitary dictatorship,' which for its part also reveals itself as a political dictatorship.
Schneider then saw that part of this “sanitary dictatorship” was the ”ban on all forms of public worship.”
Cardinal Gerhard Müller, in his comments on the May 7 Viganò Appeal and why he signed it, also pointed out the danger of “forced vaccinations.” Without mentioning Bill Gates' name directly, Müller mentioned that the “threat has been made publicly that 7 billion people will be forcibly vaccinated, even if the drugs have not yet been sufficiently tested, and that if people are not complying, fundamental rights will be withdrawn from them.”
“No one can be forced to believe that a few 'philanthropic' super billionaires have the best programs for world improvement just because they have succeeded in accumulating a huge private fortune,” he commented.
Cardinal Müller further rejects the accusation of being a “conspiracy theorist” by referring to his own experience of having met people who themselves had been sterilized without their consent: “In Peru during the Fujimori era, I myself spoke to involuntarily sterilized men and women who had been cheated out of health and happiness with money and false promises,” he stated and asked: “What does this have to do with a 'conspiracy theory'?”
President Eisenhower warned about elite gaining power
Already in 1961, President Eisenhower had warned in his Farewell Address against a development in the United States, where certain elites would gain disproportionate influence in this country.
He first pointed out the then-impending dangers, foreign and domestic, just as we have our own today. Having Communism in mind, Eisenhower spoke of that “hostile ideology – global in scope, atheistic in character, ruthless in purpose, and insidious in method,” adding that, “unhappily the danger it poses promises to be of indefinite duration.”
But in light of these impending dangers, what would be temptations for the American society? President Eisenhower explained that “crises there will continue to be. In meeting them, whether foreign or domestic, great or small, there is a recurring temptation to feel that some spectacular and costly action could become the miraculous solution to all current difficulties. A huge increase in newer elements of our defense; development of unrealistic programs to cure every ill in agriculture; a dramatic expansion in basic and applied research-these and many other possibilities, each possibly promising in itself, may be suggested as the only way to the road we wish to travel.”
Yet, in light of these temptations, Eisenhower saw a danger. As if talking to us in this corona crisis, he said that “each proposal must be weighed in the light of a broader consideration: the need to maintain balance in and among national programs – balance between the private and the public economy, balance between cost and hoped for advantage – balance between the clearly necessary and the comfortably desirable; balance between our essential requirements as a nation and the duties imposed by the nation upon the individual; balance between action of the moment and the national welfare of the future.”
And he warns us: “Good judgment seeks balance and progress; lack of it eventually finds imbalance and frustration.”
Only during the past two world wars, Eisenhower explains, the United States developed an “armaments industry.” Since then, there developed a “conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry.”
Speaking about this new military establishment – and here we could also think of the increasing dominance of health institutions – Eisenhower comments: “The total influence – economic, political, even spiritual – is felt in every city, every state house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.”
The American President warns that “we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”
Eisenhower went on to say that “we must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted, only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.”
We could say today, with Eisenhower: “We should take nothing for granted, only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of huge medical and health organizations with our peaceful methods and goals, so that health and liberty may prosper together.”
But Eisenhower went even further and specifically spoke of the dangers of the growing influence of scientific elites, as well. Speaking about the “technological revolution during recent decades,” the President admitted that “research has become central; it also becomes more formalized, complex, and costly. A steadily increasing share is conducted for, by, or at the direction of, the Federal government.” But he saw here the danger “of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money.” At the same time, Eisenhower warned us that the opposite could also be true, namely “that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite.”
Thus he concluded: “It is the task of statesmanship to mold, to balance, and to integrate these and other forces, new and old, within the principles of our democratic system-ever aiming toward the supreme goals of our free society.”
Gates telling the world what to do
To return to Bill Gates' own article. He now insists that the corona crisis will not be over until most people are vaccinated. First, he states that many are now hoping that the corona crisis will soon be over. “In a few weeks’ time,” he says, “many hope, things will return to the way they were in December. Unfortunately, that won’t happen.”
“I believe that humanity will beat this pandemic, but only when most of the population is vaccinated. Until then, life will not return to normal,” Gates adds. This, even though “in most of Europe, East Asia and North America the peak of the pandemic will probably have passed by the end of this month,” in Gates' own words. Gates predicts that until the vaccine has come, people will naturally be more cautious and stay sheltered. “ Sports will be played in basically empty stadiums. And the world economy will be depressed because demand will stay low and people will spend more conservatively.”
Additionally, Gates predicts that poorer countries that do not have proper health care systems “will not be able to care for the infected.” Finally, again, a vaccine alone can cure this problem. He states that “ people in rich and poor places alike will be safe only once we have an effective medical solution for this virus, which means a vaccine.” Such a vaccine, Gates states, might be available by “second half of 2021.”
Promising that the new technologies – new vaccine, antiviral drugs, and new test kits – “will prepare us for the next pandemic by allowing us to intervene early, when the number of cases is still very low. But the underlying research will also assist us in fighting existing infectious diseases—and even help advance cures for cancer. (Scientists have long thought mRNA vaccines could lead to an eventual cancer vaccine. Until COVID-19, though, there wasn’t much research into how they could be produced en masse at even somewhat affordable prices.)
Gates predicts that there will be “a mix of national, regional and global organizations” who will “participate in regular 'war games' in the same way as armed forces take part in war games. These will keep us ready for the next time a novel virus jumps from bats or birds to humans.” Such organizations should then also be helpful in the case of lab-made disease or even “an act of bioterrorism.” Such organizations, according to Gates, will be able to react even if a new virus appears in a poor country.
“This [corona] pandemic,” the co-founder of Microsoft writes, “has shown us that viruses don’t obey border laws and that we are all connected biologically by a network of microscopic germs, whether we like it or not. If a novel virus appears in a poor country, we want its doctors to have the ability to spot it and contain it as soon as possible.”
Thus we have arrived in a situation where globalized elites are telling the world what to do – and many world leaders appear to be listening.
Follow Maike Dr. Maike Hickson was born and raised in Germany. She holds a PhD from the University of Hannover, Germany, after having written in Switzerland her doctoral dissertation on the history of Swiss intellectuals before and during World War II. She now lives in the U.S. and is married to Dr. Robert Hickson, and they have been blessed with two beautiful children. She is a happy housewife who likes to write articles when time permits. Dr. Hickson published in 2014 a Festschrift, a collection of some thirty essays written by thoughtful authors in honor of her husband upon his 70th birthday, which is entitled A Catholic Witness in Our Time. Hickson has closely followed the papacy of Pope Francis and the developments in the Catholic Church in Germany, and she has been writing articles on religion and politics for U.S. and European publications and websites such as LifeSiteNews, OnePeterFive, The Wanderer, Rorate Caeli, Catholicism.org, Catholic Family News, Christian Order, Notizie Pro-Vita, Corrispondenza Romana, Katholisches.info, Der Dreizehnte, Zeit-Fragen, and Westfalen-Blatt.
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