lifesitenews--2020-03-13--Abp. Gregory indefinitely suspends public Masses in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON , D.C. , March 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Starting this Saturday , all public Masses are canceled in the Archdiocese of Washington indefinitely .
Additionally , all of the archdiocese ’ s Catholic schools will be closed for two weeks , beginning next Monday .
“ The State of Maryland has ordered that no public gatherings in excess of 250 people may be held until further notice .
As a result of this order , Archbishop Gregory has indicated Masses open to the public , in ALL archdiocesan parishes , missions , and campus ministries will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 14 until further notice , ” the archdiocese announced .
The Archdiocese of Washington extends beyond the District of Columbia into Maryland , covering a total of five Maryland counties .
“ Weddings and funerals may proceed but attendance should be limited to immediate family , ” the archdiocese ordered .
Prior to the archbishop ’ s decision , Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland had announced that “ gatherings of more than 250 people , including social , community , spiritual , religious , recreational , leisure , and sporting gatherings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” An executive order was issued to that effect .
Like other bishops , including those in Austria , archbishop Gregory dispensed Catholics from fulfilling their Sunday obligation .
According to the Code of Canon Law , Catholics are obliged to participate in Holy Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation , such as Christmas .
“ Moreover , they are to abstain from those works and affairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God , the joy proper to the Lord ’ s day , or the suitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is not possible to attend Mass , “ it is strongly recommended that the faithful … devote themselves to prayer for a suitable time alone , as a family , or , as the occasion permits , in groups of families.
” Yesterday , Maryland ’ s Department of Education had announced a “ temporary closure ” of public schools .
“ This afternoon , during Governor Larry Hogan ’ s press conference , Dr. Karen Salmon , State Superintendent of Schools , directed that effective Monday , March 16th , through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools in Maryland will be closed .
All scheduled school-sanctioned travel for students and staff will also be cancelled effective immediately.
” Again , the Washington archbishop followed the government ’ s lead .
“ We are aware of the rapidly developing district and state guidelines regarding the coronavirus .
My number one priority as your Archbishop is to ensure the safety and health of all who attend our Masses , the children in our schools , and those we welcome through our outreach and services , ” he said .
“ Please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lightly to close our schools or cancel Masses .
We are profoundly saddened that we are not able to celebrate our sacraments as a community for the time being but we know Christ remains with us at all times – specifically in times of worry like this , ” said Gregory .
He recommended people watch Mass on television , on the diocesan website , or on social media .
“ May the peace of Christ settle any anxieties and fear we may have .
Let us continue to pray for the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus as well as those who continue to care for them , ” Gregory concluded .
Just yesterday , Archbishop Paul Etienne of Seattle suspended all public Masses indefinitely following an emergency declaration by Washington Governor Jay Inslee .
“ I want to acknowledge the best science that is out there , that basically says despite our best efforts , this epidemic is going to continue to spread , ” Etienne said in a short video .
“ That doesn ’ t mean that we shouldn ’ t be doing everything we possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , and of this epidemic.
” While public Masses are suspended , “ every priest has an obligation to celebrate the Eucharist every day and certainly I want our priests to continue to do that , ” Etienne said .
“ And I want all of us to continue to pray for our efforts and the efforts of so many others to care for the sick and to slow down the spread of this virus.
” Archbishop Gregory of Washington did not mention private Masses of priests in his statement .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and information , the Archdiocese of Washington recommended that parishes “ strongly urge the faithful to receive the Holy Eucharist only in their hands instead of on the tongue to mitigate any transmission of saliva.
” Meanwhile , the neighboring Diocese of Arlington released a Wednesday statement telling the faithful that public health officials said receiving Holy Communion by hand is not more sanitary than receiving it on the tongue .
As of this morning , that statement appears to have been deleted .
On the other side of the country , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ a parish can not ban the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue.
” The archdiocese , led by Archbishop Alexander Sample , had consulted two doctors on the question of the manner of receiving Holy Communion .
Ever since the outbreak of the coronavirus , countless bishops and bishops ’ conferences had recommended , if not mandated , the reception of the Eucharist in the hand .
The doctors “ agreed that done properly the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue or in the hand pose a more or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of touching the tongue and passing the saliva on to others is obviously a danger however the chance of touching someone ’ s hand is equally probable and one ’ s hands have a greater exposure to germs , ” the statement of the archdiocese pointed out .
Similarly , the Archdiocese of Edmonton in Canada had said that public health experts “ have advised that there is no greater risk of infection in receiving the host on the tongue than there is in receiving in the hand .
Communicants are free to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people ’ s greater peace of mind , priests should offer a dedicated line for communicants who prefer to receive on the tongue , ” the archdiocese recommended .
According to official numbers provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , there are 1,215 cases of coronavirus registered in the United States .
Less than 20 cases have been reported from Washington , D.C. and Maryland .
Nonetheless , the Archdiocese of Washington is imposing some of the most drastic measures in the United States .

The archbishop has gone beyond the requirements of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Starting this Saturday, all public Masses are canceled in the Archdiocese of Washington indefinitely. Additionally, all of the archdiocese’s Catholic schools will be closed for two weeks, beginning next Monday.
“The State of Maryland has ordered that no public gatherings in excess of 250 people may be held until further notice. As a result of this order, Archbishop Gregory has indicated Masses open to the public, in ALL archdiocesan parishes, missions, and campus ministries will not be celebrated starting this Saturday, March 14 until further notice,” the archdiocese announced. The Archdiocese of Washington extends beyond the District of Columbia into Maryland, covering a total of five Maryland counties.
“Weddings and funerals may proceed but attendance should be limited to immediate family,” the archdiocese ordered.
Prior to the archbishop’s decision, Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland had announced that “gatherings of more than 250 people, including social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings, are prohibited at all locations and venues.” An executive order was issued to that effect.
Like other bishops, including those in Austria, archbishop Gregory dispensed Catholics from fulfilling their Sunday obligation.
According to the Code of Canon Law, Catholics are obliged to participate in Holy Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation, such as Christmas. “Moreover, they are to abstain from those works and affairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body.”
If it is not possible to attend Mass, “it is strongly recommended that the faithful … devote themselves to prayer for a suitable time alone, as a family, or, as the occasion permits, in groups of families.”
Yesterday, Maryland’s Department of Education had announced a “temporary closure” of public schools.
“This afternoon, during Governor Larry Hogan’s press conference, Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools, directed that effective Monday, March 16th, through Friday, March 27th, all public schools in Maryland will be closed. All scheduled school-sanctioned travel for students and staff will also be cancelled effective immediately.”
Again, the Washington archbishop followed the government’s lead.
“We are aware of the rapidly developing district and state guidelines regarding the coronavirus. My number one priority as your Archbishop is to ensure the safety and health of all who attend our Masses, the children in our schools, and those we welcome through our outreach and services,” he said.
“Please know that this decision does not come lightly to close our schools or cancel Masses. We are profoundly saddened that we are not able to celebrate our sacraments as a community for the time being but we know Christ remains with us at all times – specifically in times of worry like this,” said Gregory.
He recommended people watch Mass on television, on the diocesan website, or on social media.
“May the peace of Christ settle any anxieties and fear we may have. Let us continue to pray for the people whose lives have been impacted by the coronavirus as well as those who continue to care for them,” Gregory concluded.
Just yesterday, Archbishop Paul Etienne of Seattle suspended all public Masses indefinitely following an emergency declaration by Washington Governor Jay Inslee.
“I want to acknowledge the best science that is out there, that basically says despite our best efforts, this epidemic is going to continue to spread,” Etienne said in a short video. “That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be doing everything we possibly can to restrict the spread of this virus, and of this epidemic.”
While public Masses are suspended, “every priest has an obligation to celebrate the Eucharist every day and certainly I want our priests to continue to do that,” Etienne said. “And I want all of us to continue to pray for our efforts and the efforts of so many others to care for the sick and to slow down the spread of this virus.”
Archbishop Gregory of Washington did not mention private Masses of priests in his statement.
On a special website dedicated to coronavirus resources and information, the Archdiocese of Washington recommended that parishes “strongly urge the faithful to receive the Holy Eucharist only in their hands instead of on the tongue to mitigate any transmission of saliva.”
Meanwhile, the neighboring Diocese of Arlington released a Wednesday statement telling the faithful that public health officials said receiving Holy Communion by hand is not more sanitary than receiving it on the tongue. As of this morning, that statement appears to have been deleted.
On the other side of the country, the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, declared that “a parish cannot ban the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue.”
The archdiocese, led by Archbishop Alexander Sample, had consulted two doctors on the question of the manner of receiving Holy Communion. Ever since the outbreak of the coronavirus, countless bishops and bishops’ conferences had recommended, if not mandated, the reception of the Eucharist in the hand.
The doctors “agreed that done properly the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue or in the hand pose a more or less equal risk.”
“The risk of touching the tongue and passing the saliva on to others is obviously a danger however the chance of touching someone’s hand is equally probable and one’s hands have a greater exposure to germs,” the statement of the archdiocese pointed out.
Similarly, the Archdiocese of Edmonton in Canada had said that public health experts “have advised that there is no greater risk of infection in receiving the host on the tongue than there is in receiving in the hand. Communicants are free to receive either way.”
“However, for people’s greater peace of mind, priests should offer a dedicated line for communicants who prefer to receive on the tongue,” the archdiocese recommended.
According to official numbers provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 1,215 cases of coronavirus registered in the United States. Less than 20 cases have been reported from Washington, D.C. and Maryland.
Nonetheless, the Archdiocese of Washington is imposing some of the most drastic measures in the United States.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-13--‘Apocalyptic’: American in Rome discusses empty streets, closed churches due to coronavi

‘Apocalyptic’: American in Rome discusses empty streets, closed churches due to coronavirus

March 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Italy is one of the world ’ s hardest hit countries by the coronavirus .
Hospitals are overrun and churches are being closed .
Yesterday , I spoke with Katarina Carranco , an American citizen living in Rome , about what life is like in the Eternal City .
It ’ s “ really strange ” and “ surreal , ” she told me , to see empty streets and empty churches .
“ It ’ s almost apocalyptic.
” A native of Texas , Katarina informed me that most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Coffee shops and restuarants are also closed .
If you ’ re walking outside without a good reason you can be fined by the police .
The level of intensity has ratcheted up in recent days , she said .
Despite the “ bizarre ” situation Rome finds itself in , Katarina says there are signs God is still in control .
She had a providential run in with a priest who gave her his blessing as he was going to minister to the homeless .
She also said this is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to stay in God ’ s good graces , as it seems He is wanting to chastise us right now .
“ Memento mori ... that ’ s what I thought of , ” she explained .
“ I need to go to communion , stay in a state of grace.
” It ’ s a chance to increase charity in one ’ s spiritual life , she added .
If I get the virus , I will “ offer it up for my sins , for others , ” she continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for death .
Katarina agreed with me that God often inflicts severe punishments on those who mislead the faithful but that this situation is actually an act of mercy , as it serves as an opporutnity for souls to turn back to Him .
It ’ s definitely “ a test for priests , ” she stated .
God is calling them to “ step up to the plate ” and be a “ witness ” for Him .
The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show ’ s YouTube @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blog .
It is also available in audio format on platforms such as Spotify , Soundcloud , and ACast .
We are awaiting approval for iTunes and Google Play as well .
To subscribe to the audio version on various channels , visit the ACast webpage here .
We ’ ve created a special email list for the show so that we can notify you every week when we post a new episode .
Please sign up now by clicking here .
You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel , and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is new content .
You can send me feedback , or ideas for show topics by emailing [ email protected ] .

Katarina Carranco says the streets of Rome are empty and that it's "surreal" to be there right now, but that it reminds her of the need to always be prepared for death.
March 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Italy is one of the world’s hardest hit countries by the coronavirus. Hospitals are overrun and churches are being closed. Yesterday, I spoke with Katarina Carranco, an American citizen living in Rome, about what life is like in the Eternal City.
It’s “really strange” and “surreal,” she told me, to see empty streets and empty churches. “It’s almost apocalyptic.”
A native of Texas, Katarina informed me that most of the tourists are gone and only locals remain. Coffee shops and restuarants are also closed. If you’re walking outside without a good reason you can be fined by the police. The level of intensity has ratcheted up in recent days, she said.
Despite the “bizarre” situation Rome finds itself in, Katarina says there are signs God is still in control. She had a providential run in with a priest who gave her his blessing as he was going to minister to the homeless. She also said this is a good time to offer up our sufferings and to stay in God’s good graces, as it seems He is wanting to chastise us right now.
“Memento mori…that’s what I thought of,” she explained. “I need to go to communion, stay in a state of grace.” It’s a chance to increase charity in one’s spiritual life, she added. If I get the virus, I will “offer it up for my sins, for others,” she continued. We need to always be prepared for death.
Katarina agreed with me that God often inflicts severe punishments on those who mislead the faithful but that this situation is actually an act of mercy, as it serves as an opporutnity for souls to turn back to Him.
It’s definitely “a test for priests,” she stated. God is calling them to “step up to the plate” and be a “witness” for Him.
The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show’s YouTube channel and right here on my LifeSite blog.
It is also available in audio format on platforms such as Spotify, Soundcloud, and ACast. We are awaiting approval for iTunes and Google Play as well. To subscribe to the audio version on various channels, visit the ACast webpage here.
We’ve created a special email list for the show so that we can notify you every week when we post a new episode. Please sign up now by clicking here. You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel, and you’ll be notified by YouTube when there is new content.
You can send me feedback, or ideas for show topics by emailing [email protected].
Follow John-Henry John-Henry is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of LifeSiteNews.com. He and his wife Dianne and their eight children live in the Ottawa Valley in Ontario, Canada. He has spoken at conferences and retreats, and appeared on radio and television throughout North America, Europe and Asia. John-Henry founded the Rome Life Forum an annual strategy meeting for pro-life leaders worldwide. He co-founded Voice of the Family and serves on the executive of the Canadian National March for Life Committee, and the annual National Pro-Life Youth Conference. He is a consultant to Canada’s largest pro-life organization Campaign Life Coalition, and serves on the executive of the Ontario branch of the organization. He has run three times for political office in the province of Ontario representing the Family Coalition Party. John-Henry earned an MA from the University of Toronto in School and Child Clinical Psychology and an Honours BA from York University in Psychology.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-13--Minnesota bill would cut state funding for libraries exposing kids to drag queens

ST. PAUL , Minnesota , March 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Republican members of the Minnesota House of Representatives have introduced a bill that would cut state funding for libraries hosting drag queen story hours .
The bill was first introduced on March 9 and has already been referred to the Education Finance Division .
According to the bill , officially known as HF 4323 , “ a public library that hosts a drag queen story hour event shall have regional library system support aid from the Department of Education reduced by 100 percent , ” starting next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosting a drag queen story hour , while being part of a regional public library system , “ is ineligible for regional library basic system support aid from the Department of Education.
” The money would have to be “ reapportioned equally among the other public libraries in the participating regional public library system.
” In other words , the Northwest Regional Library system , which is one of the 12 regional library systems in Minnesota , would still receive the same amount of money from the state government , even if one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ queen story hour .
However , only eight of the nine libraries in the system would then receive a ( bigger ) portion of that same amount of money .
The library hosting the drag queen story hour would not be allowed to receive funding from Minnesota ’ s Department of Education .
HF 4323 defines “ drag queen story hour ” or “ drag queen story time ” as an event for children “ in which a drag queen reads stories or books to children or engages in other learning or educational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” State representative Eric Lucero wrote on Facebook that he and his four colleagues who had introduced the bill “ immediately began receiving hate email which continued throughout the evening and all night long.
” “ I woke up this morning to an email Inbox full of hate email from those who insist taxpayer dollars from the state level be allowed to continue funding ‘ drag queen story hour events ’ hosted at the local level , ” Lucero continued .
In October 2019 , one Minnesota library made national headlines for hosting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a drag queen briefly exposed his crotch in front of young children .
“ Earlier this month , the group Child Protection League posted a photo from the event that shows drag queen ‘ Sasha Sota ’ at Ridgedale Library in Minnetonka , ” LifeSiteNews reported at the time .
“ Sota is sitting in a chair at the front of the room , spreading his legs as he reaches down to grab a book , revealing a view of his crotch in tight , flesh-colored leggings at the eye level of children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states have also started to push back against the promotion of gender ideology through drag queen story hours in public libraries .
In Missouri , House Bill 2044 would require any library that receives taxpayer dollars to create a review board composed of five parents elected from the community .
That board would have “ final authority over the permissibility of sexual material , ” LifeSiteNews reported .
The bill , also known as the “ Parental Oversight of Public Libraries Act , ” is currently not on the House calendar .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wanda Kay Brown , president of the American Library Association , to stop her organization ’ s efforts “ to pervert the children of small-town America.
” The petition can still be signed .
So far , almost 60,000 people have done so .

The state representative who introduced the bill was immediately flooded with hate mail.
ST. PAUL, Minnesota, March 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Republican members of the Minnesota House of Representatives have introduced a bill that would cut state funding for libraries hosting drag queen story hours.
The bill was first introduced on March 9 and has already been referred to the Education Finance Division.
According to the bill, officially known as HF 4323, “a public library that hosts a drag queen story hour event shall have regional library system support aid from the Department of Education reduced by 100 percent,” starting next year.
Consequently, a public library hosting a drag queen story hour, while being part of a regional public library system, “is ineligible for regional library basic system support aid from the Department of Education.” The money would have to be “reapportioned equally among the other public libraries in the participating regional public library system.”
In other words, the Northwest Regional Library system, which is one of the 12 regional library systems in Minnesota, would still receive the same amount of money from the state government, even if one of its nine locations hosted a drag queen story hour. However, only eight of the nine libraries in the system would then receive a (bigger) portion of that same amount of money. The library hosting the drag queen story hour would not be allowed to receive funding from Minnesota’s Department of Education.
HF 4323 defines “drag queen story hour” or “drag queen story time” as an event for children “in which a drag queen reads stories or books to children or engages in other learning or educational activities with children in a library setting.”
State representative Eric Lucero wrote on Facebook that he and his four colleagues who had introduced the bill “immediately began receiving hate email which continued throughout the evening and all night long.”
“I woke up this morning to an email Inbox full of hate email from those who insist taxpayer dollars from the state level be allowed to continue funding ‘drag queen story hour events’ hosted at the local level,” Lucero continued.
In October 2019, one Minnesota library made national headlines for hosting a drag queen story hour, as a drag queen briefly exposed his crotch in front of young children.
“Earlier this month, the group Child Protection League posted a photo from the event that shows drag queen ‘Sasha Sota’ at Ridgedale Library in Minnetonka,” LifeSiteNews reported at the time.
“Sota is sitting in a chair at the front of the room, spreading his legs as he reaches down to grab a book, revealing a view of his crotch in tight, flesh-colored leggings at the eye level of children in the audience.”
Lawmakers in other states have also started to push back against the promotion of gender ideology through drag queen story hours in public libraries.
In Missouri, House Bill 2044 would require any library that receives taxpayer dollars to create a review board composed of five parents elected from the community. That board would have “final authority over the permissibility of sexual material,” LifeSiteNews reported.
The bill, also known as the “Parental Oversight of Public Libraries Act,” is currently not on the House calendar.
Last October, LifeSiteNews launched a petition telling Wanda Kay Brown, president of the American Library Association, to stop her organization’s efforts “to pervert the children of small-town America.”
The petition can still be signed. So far, almost 60,000 people have done so.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-13--US bishop cancels public celebration of Easter over coronavirus

LITTLE ROCK , Arkansas , March 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The first bishop in the United States to cancel all public Masses up to and including Easter Sunday is Bishop Anthony B. Taylor of Little Rock , Arkansas .
He also suggested that it “ would be problematic ” to anoint the sick if they are infected by the coronavirus .
In a letter sent out to Catholics in his diocese ( page 1 , page 2 ) , Taylor states , “ Except for small parishes , only those entering the Church through RCIA may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other faithful “ may participate in Triduum services via TV or electronic media.
” The Triduum Sacrum comprises the three holy days of Good Friday , Holy Saturday , and Easter Sunday .
Liturgically , the Triduum starts with the Mass of the Lord ’ s Supper , an evening Mass on Maundy Thursday .
On Palm Sunday , which is the Sunday before Easter , “ priests will hold a short private service.
” Afterward , the faithful may come and pick up blessed palms , “ which will be made available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be canceled starting Saturday , March 21 .
Only “ small groups ” will be able to come together for Mass .
The bishop did not provide guidelines as to the size of those groups , saying it is “ at the discretion of the priest.
” “ Although these measures seem drastic , our faith also binds us together in ways that run deeper than our public gatherings , ” bishop Taylor said in conclusion .
He did not clarify what bond runs “ deeper ” than the “ public gathering ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to the priests of his diocese , Taylor said giving the sacrament of anointing of the sick to people suffering from coronavirus “ would be problematic.
” The very exposure to them “ would make you a danger to others.
” Instead , the bishop recommended leading “ such persons in prayer for healing , maintaining a distance of at least 3 feet.
” According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church , the Church “ believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments there is one especially intended to strengthen those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Anointing of the Sick.
” Nevertheless , Bishop Taylor encouraged priests to anoint only “ all those who request this sacrament who are vulnerable due to an impaired immune system or the infirmity of old age , ” instead of actually being sick .
He pointed out that this was a recommendation , not mandatory .
The bishop also dispensed all the faithful from fulfilling their Sunday obligation , starting this Sunday .
He recommended that the parishes offer Eucharistic adoration .
If the faithful can not participate in adoration , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via TV , ” the bishop wrote .
According to the Code of Canon Law , Catholics are obliged to participate in Holy Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation , such as Christmas .
“ Moreover , they are to abstain from those works and affairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God , the joy proper to the Lord ’ s day , or the suitable relaxation of mind and body.
” If it is not possible to attend Mass , “ it is strongly recommended that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a suitable time alone , as a family , or , as the occasion permits , in groups of families.
“ The Catechism of the Catholic Church further explains that Sunday Mass is “ at the heart of the Church ’ s life.
” It is “ the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice.
” “ For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation , unless excused for a serious reason ( for example , illness , the care of infants ) or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin , ” the catechism adds .
By attending Mass on Sundays , Catholics give “ a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church .
The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity .
Together they testify to God ’ s holiness and their hope of salvation .
They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
” Bishop Taylor also declared that “ non-essential gatherings ” throughout March and April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included the sacrament of confirmation among the “ non-essential gatherings , ” even though the catechism explains that “ the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.
” The Catechism continues , “ For ‘ by the sacrament of Confirmation , [ the baptized ] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit .
Hence they are , as true witnesses of Christ , more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended , priests are still allowed to hear confessions “ with a physical screen/barrier.
” Holy water fonts “ shall be drained and dried until further notice.
” According to official numbers provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , there are 1,215 cases of coronavirus registered in the United States .
In all of Arkansas , there have been fewer than five cases .
The Diocese of Little Rock is going beyond even the archdiocese of Seattle in its measures .
King County , of which Seattle is a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 deaths .
Bishop Charles Morerod of Lausanne , Geneva , and Fribourg in Switzerland had already canceled all public Masses until May 15 , 2020 , including Easter Sunday .
“ It ’ s impossible to guarantee the two meters social distance between people , ” he argued .
LifeSiteNews has published an article outlining various reactions to the coronavirus epidemic .

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor of Little Rock, Arkansas also canceled confirmations, classifying the sacrament as a 'non-essential gathering,' and is discouraging anointing of the sick for coronavirus sufferers.
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, March 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The first bishop in the United States to cancel all public Masses up to and including Easter Sunday is Bishop Anthony B. Taylor of Little Rock, Arkansas. He also suggested that it “would be problematic” to anoint the sick if they are infected by the coronavirus.
In a letter sent out to Catholics in his diocese (page 1, page 2), Taylor states, “Except for small parishes, only those entering the Church through RCIA may be present physically for the Triduum.” All other faithful “may participate in Triduum services via TV or electronic media.”
The Triduum Sacrum comprises the three holy days of Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. Liturgically, the Triduum starts with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, an evening Mass on Maundy Thursday.
On Palm Sunday, which is the Sunday before Easter, “priests will hold a short private service.” Afterward, the faithful may come and pick up blessed palms, “which will be made available outside of church.”
Public Masses will be canceled starting Saturday, March 21. Only “small groups” will be able to come together for Mass. The bishop did not provide guidelines as to the size of those groups, saying it is “at the discretion of the priest.”
“Although these measures seem drastic, our faith also binds us together in ways that run deeper than our public gatherings,” bishop Taylor said in conclusion. He did not clarify what bond runs “deeper” than the “public gathering” of celebrating Mass.
In a separate letter to the priests of his diocese, Taylor said giving the sacrament of anointing of the sick to people suffering from coronavirus “would be problematic.” The very exposure to them “would make you a danger to others.”
Instead, the bishop recommended leading “such persons in prayer for healing, maintaining a distance of at least 3 feet.”
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Church “believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments there is one especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness, the Anointing of the Sick.”
Nevertheless, Bishop Taylor encouraged priests to anoint only “all those who request this sacrament who are vulnerable due to an impaired immune system or the infirmity of old age,” instead of actually being sick.
He pointed out that this was a recommendation, not mandatory.
The bishop also dispensed all the faithful from fulfilling their Sunday obligation, starting this Sunday. He recommended that the parishes offer Eucharistic adoration. If the faithful cannot participate in adoration, they should take part in a Mass “via TV,” the bishop wrote.
According to the Code of Canon Law, Catholics are obliged to participate in Holy Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation, such as Christmas. “Moreover, they are to abstain from those works and affairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body.”
If it is not possible to attend Mass, “it is strongly recommended that the faithful … devote themselves to prayer for a suitable time alone, as a family, or, as the occasion permits, in groups of families.“
The Catechism of the Catholic Church further explains that Sunday Mass is “at the heart of the Church’s life.” It is “the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice.”
“For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin,” the catechism adds.
By attending Mass on Sundays, Catholics give “a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God’s holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
Bishop Taylor also declared that “non-essential gatherings” throughout March and April are canceled or postponed. He explicitly included the sacrament of confirmation among the “non-essential gatherings,” even though the catechism explains that “the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.”
The Catechism continues, “For ‘by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.’”
While face-to-face confessions are suspended, priests are still allowed to hear confessions “with a physical screen/barrier.”
Holy water fonts “shall be drained and dried until further notice.”
According to official numbers provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 1,215 cases of coronavirus registered in the United States. In all of Arkansas, there have been fewer than five cases.
The Diocese of Little Rock is going beyond even the archdiocese of Seattle in its measures. King County, of which Seattle is a part, reported 270 cases of coronavirus and 27 deaths.
Bishop Charles Morerod of Lausanne, Geneva, and Fribourg in Switzerland had already canceled all public Masses until May 15, 2020, including Easter Sunday. “It’s impossible to guarantee the two meters social distance between people,” he argued.
LifeSiteNews has published an article outlining various reactions to the coronavirus epidemic.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-13--BREAKING: Rome reopens parish churches, public Masses still suspended

ROME , Italy , March 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Parish churches in the Diocese of Rome will again be open to the public .
Cardinal Angelo de Donatis , vicar general for the Diocese of Rome , announced his about-face just hours after he issued a decree stating that all churches would be closed until April 3 due to the coronavirus epidemic .
According to the new decree , published just before noon local time on Friday , March 13 , “ parish churches remain open , ” while churches that are not parish churches stay closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and monastic communities are supposed to stay open .
Access , however , is limited to “ the same communities that habitually use them , ” since they are living there .
Others are not allowed to enter , according to the new decree .
The cardinal exhorted the faithful to follow the directives of the Italian government , “ with mature conscience and a sense of responsibility.
” “ The church of Rome , in full communion with its bishop , the Supreme Pastor of the universal Church , is aware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decree closing down all churches in the Eternal City , de Donatis admitted .
“ However , every precautionary measure of the Church must take into account not only the common good of civil society , but also that unique and precious good which is the faith , especially that of the little ones , ” the cardinal wrote .
During today ’ s morning Mass , Pope Francis said , “ I would also like to pray today for pastors who need to accompany the people of God during this crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the ability to choose the best ways to help .
Drastic measures are not always good.
” “ Therefore , we pray that the Holy Spirit might grant pastoral discernment to pastors so that they might perceive measures that might not leave the holy , faithful people of God alone , and so that people of God might feel accompanied by their pastors , ” the pope , who was elected seven years ago today , continued .
All public Masses in Italy are still suspended until April 3 .
The Italian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would accept a decree issued by the Italian government on March 8 , which called for the suspension of “ civil and religious ceremonies , including funeral ceremonies.
” The Italian bishops admitted that it is “ a highly restrictive step ” to cancel all public Masses , “ whose acceptance will be met with suffering and difficulties among pastors , priests , and the faithful.
” “ The acceptance of the decree comes solely from a desire to do one ’ s part , even at this juncture , to contribute to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bishops added .
Last Sunday , Pope Francis did not pray the traditional Angelus prayer at one of the windows of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter ’ s Square , his usual practice , but instead prayed it from inside the library .
The short ceremony was live-streamed and could be seen on screens in St. Peter ’ s Square .
The Vatican had announced on Saturday that these measures were “ necessary in order to avoid the risk of diffusion of COVID-19 due to the crowds during the security checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as was also requested by the Italian authorities.
” Similarly , the general audience last Wednesday was streamed live from the library .
Daily Mass celebrated by Pope Francis at Casa Santa Marta every morning did not have any faithful participating since the beginning of this week .
It had been the Holy Father ’ s custom since his pontificate began seven years ago to always have a number of faithful present .
According to Vatican News , Pope Francis never wanted his entire morning Mass to be available as a video .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ election , Father Federico Lombardi , in his role as Director of the Holy See Press Office , explained why .
‘ It is necessary to keep in mind the character the Holy Father himself attributed to the morning celebration of the Mass at Santa Marta , ’ he said.
” Lombardi continued , “ It is a Mass with a group of the faithful present in which the pope wants to preserve a familiar character .
Thus , notwithstanding the requests received , he has explicitly desired that they not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Due to the coronavirus epidemic in Italy , the Holy Father decided to go ahead and have his 7:00 A.M. Mass streamed live through the official Vatican media channels .
Italy has now reported to more than 15,000 cases of coronavirus , with more than 1,000 deaths .

According to the new decree, only 'parish churches remain open,' while non-parish churches stay closed.
ROME, Italy, March 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Parish churches in the Diocese of Rome will again be open to the public. Cardinal Angelo de Donatis, vicar general for the Diocese of Rome, announced his about-face just hours after he issued a decree stating that all churches would be closed until April 3 due to the coronavirus epidemic.
According to the new decree, published just before noon local time on Friday, March 13, “parish churches remain open,” while churches that are not parish churches stay closed.
Additionally, the churches of religious and monastic communities are supposed to stay open. Access, however, is limited to “the same communities that habitually use them,” since they are living there. Others are not allowed to enter, according to the new decree.
The cardinal exhorted the faithful to follow the directives of the Italian government, “with mature conscience and a sense of responsibility.”
“The church of Rome, in full communion with its bishop, the Supreme Pastor of the universal Church, is aware of the symbolic significance” of the first decree closing down all churches in the Eternal City, de Donatis admitted.
“However, every precautionary measure of the Church must take into account not only the common good of civil society, but also that unique and precious good which is the faith, especially that of the little ones,” the cardinal wrote.
During today’s morning Mass, Pope Francis said, “I would also like to pray today for pastors who need to accompany the people of God during this crisis. May the Lord grant them the strength and the ability to choose the best ways to help. Drastic measures are not always good.”
“Therefore, we pray that the Holy Spirit might grant pastoral discernment to pastors so that they might perceive measures that might not leave the holy, faithful people of God alone, and so that people of God might feel accompanied by their pastors,” the pope, who was elected seven years ago today, continued.
All public Masses in Italy are still suspended until April 3. The Italian bishops’ conference had announced that it would accept a decree issued by the Italian government on March 8, which called for the suspension of “civil and religious ceremonies, including funeral ceremonies.”
The Italian bishops admitted that it is “a highly restrictive step” to cancel all public Masses, “whose acceptance will be met with suffering and difficulties among pastors, priests, and the faithful.”
“The acceptance of the decree comes solely from a desire to do one’s part, even at this juncture, to contribute to the protection of public health,” the bishops added.
Last Sunday, Pope Francis did not pray the traditional Angelus prayer at one of the windows of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square, his usual practice, but instead prayed it from inside the library. The short ceremony was live-streamed and could be seen on screens in St. Peter’s Square.
The Vatican had announced on Saturday that these measures were “necessary in order to avoid the risk of diffusion of COVID-19 due to the crowds during the security checks in order to access the square, as was also requested by the Italian authorities.”
Similarly, the general audience last Wednesday was streamed live from the library.
Daily Mass celebrated by Pope Francis at Casa Santa Marta every morning did not have any faithful participating since the beginning of this week. It had been the Holy Father’s custom since his pontificate began seven years ago to always have a number of faithful present.
According to Vatican News, Pope Francis never wanted his entire morning Mass to be available as a video. “A few weeks after Pope Francis’ election, Father Federico Lombardi, in his role as Director of the Holy See Press Office, explained why. ‘It is necessary to keep in mind the character the Holy Father himself attributed to the morning celebration of the Mass at Santa Marta,’ he said.”
Lombardi continued, “It is a Mass with a group of the faithful present in which the pope wants to preserve a familiar character. Thus, notwithstanding the requests received, he has explicitly desired that they not be transmitted live in video or audio.”
Due to the coronavirus epidemic in Italy, the Holy Father decided to go ahead and have his 7:00 A.M. Mass streamed live through the official Vatican media channels.
Italy has now reported to more than 15,000 cases of coronavirus, with more than 1,000 deaths.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-14--Academics tout ‘benefits’ of euthanasia: Saves money, provides fresh organs

March 13 , 2020 ( Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ) — In a ‘ chilling ’ new report , academics have argued how killing patients through assisted suicide in the United Kingdom would save the NHS money and provide organs for transplantation .
Dr Gordon Macdonald , Chief Executive of Care not Killing said that this report “ exposes the real agenda ” of assisted suicide .
The report , Counting The Cost Of Assisted Dying , was produced by ethicist David Shaw , who is based in Glasgow and heath economist Alec Morton .
The report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ethics , described how the financial savings that assisted suicide would allow is “ the elephant in the room.
” The report states : “ The resources consumed by patients who are denied assisted dying could instead be used to provide additional ( positive ) quality-adjusted life years for patients elsewhere in the healthcare system who wish to continue living and to improve their quality of life .
The third argument is that organ donation may be an additional potential source of quality-adjusted life years in this context.
” Dr Macdonald of Care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a truly chilling report that demonstrates the dangers of legalising assisted suicide and euthanasia .
It exposes the real agenda that while the authors may not believe money is a motivation for assisted suicide there are some people who do .
“ “ Is This Really What We Want For The NHS ?
” Dr Macdonald continued : “ The treatment of patients should be determined by doctors and other clinical staff in order to promote healing or provide palliative care and not by the bean-counters and their spreadsheets , because if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people and those with chronic conditions will feel pressure to end their lives .
This is exactly what we see in the US states of Oregon and Washington , where a majority of those ending their lives cite fear of being a burden on their families and finances .
“ We have also seen cancer patients denied life-saving and life-extending treatments due to their cost but offered the drugs to end their lives .
“ Is this really what we want for our NHS ?
A system where some patients are discriminated against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or because they can not afford expensive treatments and private health care.
” Earlier this year , SPUC reported on how doctors in Canada were exposed to have been harvesting organs from the recently euthanised in order to satisfy the demand for donations .
During the first 11 months of 2019 , euthanised patients in Ontario accounted for 18 organ and 95 tissue donors .
This was a notable 14 percent increase over 2018 and a 109 percent increase over 2017 .
Dr Macdonald concluded : “ This report highlights the dangers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves from that of personal autonomy to doctors and nurses making value judgements about the quality of other people 's lives whilst coming under pressure to save money and tackle so called 'bed blocking ' in health services.
” Published with permission from Society for the Protection of Unborn Children .

The report, published in the journal of Clinical Ethics, described how the financial savings that assisted suicide would allow is 'the elephant in the room.'
March 13, 2020 (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children) — In a ‘chilling’ new report, academics have argued how killing patients through assisted suicide in the United Kingdom would save the NHS money and provide organs for transplantation. Dr Gordon Macdonald, Chief Executive of Care not Killing said that this report “exposes the real agenda” of assisted suicide.
The report, Counting The Cost Of Assisted Dying, was produced by ethicist David Shaw, who is based in Glasgow and heath economist Alec Morton.
The report, published in the journal of Clinical Ethics, described how the financial savings that assisted suicide would allow is “the elephant in the room.”
The report states: “The resources consumed by patients who are denied assisted dying could instead be used to provide additional (positive) quality-adjusted life years for patients elsewhere in the healthcare system who wish to continue living and to improve their quality of life. The third argument is that organ donation may be an additional potential source of quality-adjusted life years in this context.”
Dr Macdonald of Care Not Killing said: “This is a truly chilling report that demonstrates the dangers of legalising assisted suicide and euthanasia. It exposes the real agenda that while the authors may not believe money is a motivation for assisted suicide there are some people who do. “
“Is This Really What We Want For The NHS?”
Dr Macdonald continued: “The treatment of patients should be determined by doctors and other clinical staff in order to promote healing or provide palliative care and not by the bean-counters and their spreadsheets, because if we do, the terminally ill, disabled people and those with chronic conditions will feel pressure to end their lives. This is exactly what we see in the US states of Oregon and Washington, where a majority of those ending their lives cite fear of being a burden on their families and finances.
“We have also seen cancer patients denied life-saving and life-extending treatments due to their cost but offered the drugs to end their lives.
“Is this really what we want for our NHS? A system where some patients are discriminated against because of their age, disability, or because they cannot afford expensive treatments and private health care.”
Harvesting Organs From The Euthanised
Earlier this year, SPUC reported on how doctors in Canada were exposed to have been harvesting organs from the recently euthanised in order to satisfy the demand for donations.
During the first 11 months of 2019, euthanised patients in Ontario accounted for 18 organ and 95 tissue donors. This was a notable 14 percent increase over 2018 and a 109 percent increase over 2017.
Dr Macdonald concluded: “This report highlights the dangers of legalising euthanasia. Very quickly the argument moves from that of personal autonomy to doctors and nurses making value judgements about the quality of other people's lives whilst coming under pressure to save money and tackle so called 'bed blocking' in health services.”
Published with permission from Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-14--Feminists frustrated as UN women’s conference downplays abortion

NEW YORK , March 13 , 2020 ( C-Fam ) — There was hardly any applause as speakers delivered remarks at the scaled down Commission on the Status of Women on Monday .
The disappointment was palpable in the General Assembly Hall .
“ It is a stark contrast to the opening sessions of previous years .
We can all see that something is missing .
In this hall , and throughout the UN , ” said Norwegian UN Ambassador and President of the Economic and Social Council this year Mona Juul .
The novel coronavirus , COVID-19 , outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of the annual event .
UN member states decided to only hold the business portion of the two-week conference during a two-hour meeting on Monday in order to adopt a political declaration on the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women , held in Beijing in 1995 .
But no one seemed to be celebrating .
UN officials and governments lamented that most of the annual commission was postponed or cancelled , and , through euphemisms and veiled criticism , they complained about “ the pushback ” to an international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other governments around the world .
“ Women ’ s access to sexual and reproductive health services is far from universal , ” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres pointed out at the outset .
“ We must push back against the pushback , ” he emphasized , repeating what has now become a signature phrase of his and a veiled swipe at the Trump administration and U.S. pro-life foreign policy .
Pro-abortion governments and allied UN officials are increasingly frustrated with U.S. pro-life foreign policy .
The U.S. position has helped countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debates .
The CSW commission , a group of nations that includes the United States , adopted a political declaration that does not include abortion related terms .
Previous declarations , including the last time the commission agreed on a political declaration in 2015 , excluded the term “ sexual and reproductive health , ” which remains as controversial as ever .
This year , however , some governments were especially critical that these common code words for abortion were not included .
Among the disgruntled nations were the Nordic countries , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fifteen Latin American countries known as the Santiago Group , and South Africa .
An estimated 12,000 women had planned to attend the commission due to the planned anniversary commemoration of the Beijing conference .
The 1995 meeting was a milestone event in international politics for feminists , not least for cementing the inclusion of abortion in UN policy .
Each year , thousands of women from around the world converge at UN headquarters in New York for the Commission on the Status of Women for two weeks of non-stop conferences and networking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s women .
It is a lively affair with a festival-like atmosphere , the largest annual global feminist event , and second largest annual UN event .
Abortion groups , who are among the most well-funded and visible of the feminist groups , control much of the agenda of the conference .
This year there were none of the usual cheers and jeers to support abortion and intimidate the Holy See or others making pro-life statements .
Activists and diplomats appeared disoriented .
The event was unrecognizable from past sessions @

There was hardly any applause as speakers delivered remarks at the scaled down Commission on the Status of Women on Monday.
NEW YORK, March 13, 2020 (C-Fam) — There was hardly any applause as speakers delivered remarks at the scaled down Commission on the Status of Women on Monday. The disappointment was palpable in the General Assembly Hall.
“It is a stark contrast to the opening sessions of previous years. We can all see that something is missing. In this hall, and throughout the UN,” said Norwegian UN Ambassador and President of the Economic and Social Council this year Mona Juul.
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak forced the commission to cancel and postpone much of the annual event. UN member states decided to only hold the business portion of the two-week conference during a two-hour meeting on Monday in order to adopt a political declaration on the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995. But no one seemed to be celebrating.
UN officials and governments lamented that most of the annual commission was postponed or cancelled, and, through euphemisms and veiled criticism, they complained about “the pushback” to an international right to abortion from the Trump administration and other governments around the world.
“Women’s access to sexual and reproductive health services is far from universal,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres pointed out at the outset.
“We must push back against the pushback,” he emphasized, repeating what has now become a signature phrase of his and a veiled swipe at the Trump administration and U.S. pro-life foreign policy.
Pro-abortion governments and allied UN officials are increasingly frustrated with U.S. pro-life foreign policy. The U.S. position has helped countries express their opposition to abortion in UN debates.
The CSW commission, a group of nations that includes the United States, adopted a political declaration that does not include abortion related terms. Previous declarations, including the last time the commission agreed on a political declaration in 2015, excluded the term “sexual and reproductive health,” which remains as controversial as ever.
This year, however, some governments were especially critical that these common code words for abortion were not included. Among the disgruntled nations were the Nordic countries, all EU member and aspiring member states, fifteen Latin American countries known as the Santiago Group, and South Africa.
An estimated 12,000 women had planned to attend the commission due to the planned anniversary commemoration of the Beijing conference. The 1995 meeting was a milestone event in international politics for feminists, not least for cementing the inclusion of abortion in UN policy.
Each year, thousands of women from around the world converge at UN headquarters in New York for the Commission on the Status of Women for two weeks of non-stop conferences and networking, aimed at solving the problems of the world’s women. It is a lively affair with a festival-like atmosphere, the largest annual global feminist event, and second largest annual UN event.
Abortion groups, who are among the most well-funded and visible of the feminist groups, control much of the agenda of the conference. This year there were none of the usual cheers and jeers to support abortion and intimidate the Holy See or others making pro-life statements. Activists and diplomats appeared disoriented. The event was unrecognizable from past sessions.
Published with permission from C-Fam.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-14--UN member-states exhort pro-abortion nations not to derail meeting on nutrition

NEW YORK , March 13 , 2020 ( C-Fam ) — During what would have been the first week of the UN Commission on the Status of Women , cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic , negotiations are beginning on the outcome document of the upcoming Commission on Population and Development ( CPD ) .
The fifty-third session of the commission , scheduled for later this month , has been scaled back because of the pandemic , and countries are being told not to send delegations to New York .
While side events for civil society have been cancelled , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weeks leading up to the conference .
The theme for this year ’ s meeting is “ population , food security , nutrition , and sustainable development.
” Despite the theme , as in past years , the initial draft of the outcome document indicates the biggest disputes will likely be about abortion .
The draft contains several references to “ sexual and reproductive health ” and “ reproductive rights , ” which remain controversial due to their association with abortion .
In the recent political statement adopted by the Commission on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were absent , much to the dismay of the International Planned Parenthood Federation .
The “ zero draft ” from this year ’ s CPD refers to “ sexual and reproductive health ” and “ reproductive rights ” as “ central to the realization of social justice and to the achievement of global , regional and national commitments for sustainable development.
” During a planning meeting , this year ’ s commission chair , Luxembourg , proposed two days of meetings on March 30 and 31 , featuring delegates already in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made available by webcast .
Prior to the distribution of the initial draft of the agreement , member states urged the chair to stick to previously agreed language and keep controversial elements out , in the interest of saving time in the scaled-down conference .
The chair was also asked to qualify references to previous conference outcomes “ in accordance with national laws and internationally agreed human rights.
” One delegate professed hope that the theme of nutrition would be good for generating consensus , as it is not very controversial in itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to good nutrition is essential , and a high-priority global goal .
According to the latest newsletter from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs , current food production is sufficient to feed the world ’ s population , but because of inadequate distribution and unhealthy diets , many people suffer from malnutrition-related health problems .
The expansion of global food production disproved the doomsday “ population bomb ” scenarios of the 1960s and 1970s .
However , growing concerns about human impact on the environment , including from agricultural activities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns about overpopulation .
The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs suggests “ slowing down population growth ” alongside changes to consumption patterns as ways of addressing environmental concerns .
However , the office ’ s optimism regarding the former is limited : “ But for all the progress we have made in reducing the global pace of population growth , it is still projected to continue growing until the year 2100.
” Meanwhile , advocates looking for language acknowledging the role of the family in advancing global development and building food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ zero draft ” only refers to “ family ” in the context of “ family planning .
”

NEW YORK, March 13, 2020 (C-Fam) — During what would have been the first week of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic, negotiations are beginning on the outcome document of the upcoming Commission on Population and Development (CPD).
The fifty-third session of the commission, scheduled for later this month, has been scaled back because of the pandemic, and countries are being told not to send delegations to New York.
While side events for civil society have been cancelled, negotiations will continue behind the scenes during the weeks leading up to the conference. The theme for this year’s meeting is “population, food security, nutrition, and sustainable development.” Despite the theme, as in past years, the initial draft of the outcome document indicates the biggest disputes will likely be about abortion.
The draft contains several references to “sexual and reproductive health” and “reproductive rights,” which remain controversial due to their association with abortion. In the recent political statement adopted by the Commission on the Status of Women, such references were absent, much to the dismay of the International Planned Parenthood Federation.
The “zero draft” from this year’s CPD refers to “sexual and reproductive health” and “reproductive rights” as “central to the realization of social justice and to the achievement of global, regional and national commitments for sustainable development.”
During a planning meeting, this year’s commission chair, Luxembourg, proposed two days of meetings on March 30 and 31, featuring delegates already in New York, and some panel discussions to be made available by webcast.
Prior to the distribution of the initial draft of the agreement, member states urged the chair to stick to previously agreed language and keep controversial elements out, in the interest of saving time in the scaled-down conference. The chair was also asked to qualify references to previous conference outcomes “in accordance with national laws and internationally agreed human rights.”
One delegate professed hope that the theme of nutrition would be good for generating consensus, as it is not very controversial in itself.
There is broad consensus that access to good nutrition is essential, and a high-priority global goal. According to the latest newsletter from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, current food production is sufficient to feed the world’s population, but because of inadequate distribution and unhealthy diets, many people suffer from malnutrition-related health problems.
The expansion of global food production disproved the doomsday “population bomb” scenarios of the 1960s and 1970s. However, growing concerns about human impact on the environment, including from agricultural activities, have led to a resurgence of Malthusian concerns about overpopulation. The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs suggests “slowing down population growth” alongside changes to consumption patterns as ways of addressing environmental concerns.
However, the office’s optimism regarding the former is limited: “But for all the progress we have made in reducing the global pace of population growth, it is still projected to continue growing until the year 2100.”
Meanwhile, advocates looking for language acknowledging the role of the family in advancing global development and building food security will be disappointed thus far: the “zero draft” only refers to “family” in the context of “family planning.”
Published with permission from C-Fam.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-14--English Catholics implore Vatican: ‘Tear up’ deal with Communist China

March 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A group of English Catholics , including Deacon Nick Donnelly and regular LifeSite contributor Dr. Joseph Shaw , have signed an open letter calling for the Vatican ’ s deal with China to be “ torn up.
” “ We the undersigned are writing to express our burning anxiety at the Vatican ’ s treaty with the People ’ s Republic of China ( PRC ) in the light of the China Tribunal ’ s findings into forced organ harvesting , ” the letter published in the Catholic Herald begins .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told the U.N. Human Rights Council in September last year that China takes skin , kidneys , lungs , and hearts from members of the persecuted religious groups , especially members of the proscribed Falun Gong religious group and Uighur Muslims .
Deacon Donnelly has posted on Twitter saying the wording of the letter by English Catholics protesting Pope Francis ’ s deal with the People ’ s Republic of China is “ no coincidence.
” “ With burning anxiety was the title of Pope Pius XI ’ s encyclical Mit brennender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regime , ” he explained .
The letter highlights the “ [ w ] idespread accounts of rape and torture ” within the Beijing government ’ s state-run program of forced organ-harvesting from prisoners of conscience and points out that the government also “ harasses and detains leading Catholic clergy and destroys Catholic shrines and churches which refuse to join the official ‘ Patriotic Church.
’ ” “ Despite these recent and present human rights abuses , some Vatican representatives have shamed their office and their Christian profession in their responses to concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 2018 provisional agreement with the PRC , ” the letter states .
“ In 2018 , Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo , the head of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences , asserted that the Chinese government had ‘ accomplished the reform of the organ donation system ’ and even went on to claim that ‘ those who are best implementing the social doctrine of the Church are the Chinese.
’ ” The content of The Vatican-China agreement , signed in September 2018 , is yet to be made public but is thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities to handpick bishops who will then be approved by the pope , contrary to Catholic teaching .
In August 2019 , the Vatican confirmed the consecration of the first Chinese bishop following the controversial deal .
Last week , Pope Francis encouraged Chinese Catholics in the communist-run country to be “ good citizens ” and not to engage in “ proselytism.
” The signatories say it is a “ scandal ” that not even Cardinal Zen , retired bishop of Hong Kong , has seen a copy of the agreement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rescind its treaty with the PRC and by so doing stand in forthright solidarity with all victims of totalitarian oppression , ” the letter concludes .
The Vatican-China deal should be torn up SIR – We the undersigned are writing to express our burning anxiety at the Vatican ’ s treaty with the People ’ s Republic of China ( PRC ) in the light of the China Tribunal ’ s findings into forced organ harvesting .
The Tribunal was commissioned by the International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse – a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and human rights advocates – and chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice QC , a former prosecutor at the International Criminal Court .
It found that Beijing ’ s government is conducting a state-run programme of forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience and detailed acts of torture committed in the course of the programme including : • Killing prisoners by the removal of organs , lethal injection and “ organ harvesting under the pretext of brain death ” ; • Widespread accounts of rape and torture , including harrowingly graphic stories of sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with electric rods , with one woman “ shocked until [ she went ] blind ” ; • The use of the so-called “ tiger chair ” , a torture device , on Uighur prisoners .
In his submitted evidence , leading human rights lawyer Edward Fitzgerald CBE QC said the treatment of Falun Gong in China could meet the legal definition of genocide .
The Tribunal concluded that such acts constituted crimes against humanity and said it was certain beyond reasonable doubt that they had occurred .
This damning finding echoes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 that the mass arbitrary internment of as many as one million or more Uighurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities in ‘ ‘ political re-education ’ ’ camps in western China may be the largest incarceration of an ethnic minority population since World War II , and may constitute crimes against humanity .
Despite these recent and present human rights abuses , some Vatican representatives have shamed their office and their Christian profession in their responses to concerns about the Holy See ’ s 22nd September 2018 provisional agreement with the PRC .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the head of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences , asserted that the Chinese government had “ accomplished the reform of the organ donation system ” and even went on to claim that “ those who are best implementing the social doctrine of the Church are the Chinese ” .
We note that the text of the treaty has been kept so secret that not even Cardinal Zen has actually seen a copy of the agreement .
That in itself is a scandal .
The case for opposing the Vatican ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which also harasses and detains leading Catholic clergy and destroys Catholic shrines and churches which refuse to join the official “ Patriotic Church ” , was already formidably strong .
Now , it is unarguable .
The time has come for the Vatican to rescind its treaty with the PRC and by so doing stand in forthright solidarity with all victims of totalitarian oppression .

The letter, signed by prominent English Catholics, highlights myriad horrors overseen by the Chinese government and perpetrated against the Chinese faithful.
PETITION: Support Cardinal Zen's plea to stop the “murder of the Church in China” Sign the petition here.
March 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A group of English Catholics, including Deacon Nick Donnelly and regular LifeSite contributor Dr. Joseph Shaw, have signed an open letter calling for the Vatican’s deal with China to be “torn up.”
“We the undersigned are writing to express our burning anxiety at the Vatican’s treaty with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the light of the China Tribunal’s findings into forced organ harvesting,” the letter published in the Catholic Herald begins.
The London-based human rights group, China Tribunal, told the U.N. Human Rights Council in September last year that China takes skin, kidneys, lungs, and hearts from members of the persecuted religious groups, especially members of the proscribed Falun Gong religious group and Uighur Muslims.
Deacon Donnelly has posted on Twitter saying the wording of the letter by English Catholics protesting Pope Francis’s deal with the People’s Republic of China is “no coincidence.”
“With burning anxiety was the title of Pope Pius XI’s encyclical Mit brennender Sorge protesting the inhumanities of the Nazis regime,” he explained.
The letter highlights the “[w]idespread accounts of rape and torture” within the Beijing government’s state-run program of forced organ-harvesting from prisoners of conscience and points out that the government also “harasses and detains leading Catholic clergy and destroys Catholic shrines and churches which refuse to join the official ‘Patriotic Church.’”
“Despite these recent and present human rights abuses, some Vatican representatives have shamed their office and their Christian profession in their responses to concerns about the Holy See’s 22nd September 2018 provisional agreement with the PRC,” the letter states.
“In 2018, Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, the head of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, asserted that the Chinese government had ‘accomplished the reform of the organ donation system’ and even went on to claim that ‘those who are best implementing the social doctrine of the Church are the Chinese.’”
The content of The Vatican-China agreement, signed in September 2018, is yet to be made public but is thought by many Vatican-observers to allow Chinese communist authorities to handpick bishops who will then be approved by the pope, contrary to Catholic teaching.
In August 2019, the Vatican confirmed the consecration of the first Chinese bishop following the controversial deal. Last week, Pope Francis encouraged Chinese Catholics in the communist-run country to be “good citizens” and not to engage in “proselytism.”
The signatories say it is a “scandal” that not even Cardinal Zen, retired bishop of Hong Kong, has seen a copy of the agreement.
“The time has come for the Vatican to rescind its treaty with the PRC and by so doing stand in forthright solidarity with all victims of totalitarian oppression,” the letter concludes.
FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER
The Vatican-China deal should be torn up
SIR – We the undersigned are writing to express our burning anxiety at the Vatican’s treaty with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the light of the China Tribunal’s findings into forced organ harvesting.
The Tribunal was commissioned by the International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse – a group of lawyers, academics, medical professionals and human rights advocates – and chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, a former prosecutor at the International Criminal Court.
It found that Beijing’s government is conducting a state-run programme of forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience and detailed acts of torture committed in the course of the programme including:
Killing prisoners by the removal of organs, lethal injection and “organ harvesting under the pretext of brain death”;
Widespread accounts of rape and torture, including harrowingly graphic stories of sexual violence and prisoners being “shocked” with electric rods, with one woman “shocked until [she went] blind”;
The use of the so-called “tiger chair”, a torture device, on Uighur prisoners.
In his submitted evidence, leading human rights lawyer Edward Fitzgerald CBE QC said the treatment of Falun Gong in China could meet the legal definition of genocide.
The Tribunal concluded that such acts constituted crimes against humanity and said it was certain beyond reasonable doubt that they had occurred.
This damning finding echoes that of the US Congressional Executive Committee in 2018 that the mass arbitrary internment of as many as one million or more Uighurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities in ‘‘political re-education’’ camps in western China may be the largest incarceration of an ethnic minority population since World War II, and may constitute crimes against humanity.
Despite these recent and present human rights abuses, some Vatican representatives have shamed their office and their Christian profession in their responses to concerns about the Holy See’s 22nd September 2018 provisional agreement with the PRC. In 2018, Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, the head of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, asserted that the Chinese government had “accomplished the reform of the organ donation system” and even went on to claim that “those who are best implementing the social doctrine of the Church are the Chinese”.
We note that the text of the treaty has been kept so secret that not even Cardinal Zen has actually seen a copy of the agreement. That in itself is a scandal.
The case for opposing the Vatican’s deal with Xi Jinping’s government, which also harasses and detains leading Catholic clergy and destroys Catholic shrines and churches which refuse to join the official “Patriotic Church”, was already formidably strong. Now, it is unarguable. The time has come for the Vatican to rescind its treaty with the PRC and by so doing stand in forthright solidarity with all victims of totalitarian oppression.
Signatories
John M Barrie
Joanna Bogle DSG
James Bogle
Prof. Philip Booth
Thomas Bridge
James Bundy
Clara Campbell
Philip Campbell
Clare Carberry
James Cross
Patrick Cusworth
Deacon Nick Donnelly
Fr Timothy Finigan
Ian Jessiman
Dr Paul Keeley
Ellie King
Catherine Lafferty
Timothy Martin
Richard McCarthy
Sean McKenna
Anthony Murphy
Prof. David Paton
Fr David Palmer
James Preece
Jamie Rodney
Benedict Rogers
Dr Joseph Shaw
Kathy Sinnott
Gerald Soane
Mark Thorne
Peter D. Williams
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-14--Masses will continue in face of coronavirus, west-coast US bishop declares

PORTLAND , Oregon , March 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Amid news of one diocese after another around the world canceling all public Masses due to the coronavirus pandemic , one west-coast bishop has stood up to his state ’ s governor , who had issued a prohibition against large public gatherings .
“ The celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life , ” declared Alexander Sample , archbishop of Portland , Oregon , in a letter to the archdiocese .
“ It is in the Holy Sacrifice of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our redemption , are nourished by God ’ s Word , and receive the Body , Blood , Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.
” “ For these reasons , the Church places a grave obligation for the faithful to participate at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation , ” he continued .
“ This fulfills the Lord ’ s command to ‘ keep holy the Sabbath.
’ ” “ The governor of the state of Oregon , Kate Brown , has canceled all public gatherings of more than 250 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The fact is that most of the Masses celebrated on the weekends in the Archdiocese of Portland are far below that number.
” The archbishop directed pastors in Portland to “ be creative ” in keeping Masses below the 250-person limit demanded by Oregon ’ s governor .
Sample suggested encouraging parishioners to attend less popular Masses and increasing the number of Masses available .
Archbishop Sample was careful to issue a dispensation from attending Mass for those particularly at risk of contracting or spreading the virus , including “ [ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Persons who have underlying medical issues that put them at risk , or persons with compromised immune systems ; Person who are not feeling well even with mild symptoms ; And others of any age who sincerely and seriously think they might be at risk.
” The archbishop encouraged those who do not attend Mass , as well as those who do but who choose not to receive Communion due to fear of contamination , “ to make an act of Spiritual Communion.
” I believe that You are present in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above all things , and I desire to receive You into my soul .
Since I can not at this moment receive You sacramentally , come at least spiritually into my heart .
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You .
Never permit me to be separated from You .
The directives and dispensations will remain in effect until April 8 , which is a few days after Palm Sunday and just before Holy Thursday .
Easter is April 12 .

'The celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life,' wrote Alexander Sample, archbishop of Portland, Oregon.
PORTLAND, Oregon, March 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Amid news of one diocese after another around the world canceling all public Masses due to the coronavirus pandemic, one west-coast bishop has stood up to his state’s governor, who had issued a prohibition against large public gatherings.
“The celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life,” declared Alexander Sample, archbishop of Portland, Oregon, in a letter to the archdiocese. “It is in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that we encounter the mystery of our redemption, are nourished by God’s Word, and receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.”
“For these reasons, the Church places a grave obligation for the faithful to participate at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation,” he continued. “This fulfills the Lord’s command to ‘keep holy the Sabbath.’”
“The governor of the state of Oregon, Kate Brown, has canceled all public gatherings of more than 250 people,” said Sample, adding, “The fact is that most of the Masses celebrated on the weekends in the Archdiocese of Portland are far below that number.”
The archbishop directed pastors in Portland to “be creative” in keeping Masses below the 250-person limit demanded by Oregon’s governor. Sample suggested encouraging parishioners to attend less popular Masses and increasing the number of Masses available.
Archbishop Sample was careful to issue a dispensation from attending Mass for those particularly at risk of contracting or spreading the virus, including “[a]ll persons 60 years and older; Persons who have underlying medical issues that put them at risk, or persons with compromised immune systems; Person who are not feeling well even with mild symptoms; And others of any age who sincerely and seriously think they might be at risk.”
The archbishop encouraged those who do not attend Mass, as well as those who do but who choose not to receive Communion due to fear of contamination, “to make an act of Spiritual Communion.”
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
The directives and dispensations will remain in effect until April 8, which is a few days after Palm Sunday and just before Holy Thursday. Easter is April 12.
Share