lifesitenews--2020-09-10--Homosexual abuse scandal and cover-up during Benedict’s pontificate shakes Vatican

September 5 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In 2002 , the Catholic Church was rocked by the widespread public revelation of sexual abuse perpetrated by Catholic clergy .
While sexual abuse in all professions was nothing new , among clergy it brought a particular repugnance .
But more than that , the new revelations highlighted the role of the bishops themselves in the crisis , as it made clear that they had allowed known sexually abusive priests to go without punishment and be transferred to other parishes or dioceses where they would sometimes even abuse again .
Sixth months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boston Globe , the US Bishops issued their “ Dallas Charter.
” While stipulating a zero-tolerance policy for sexually abusive priests , it came under criticism for failing to address the bishops ’ own role in the scandal .
The charter , which excluded responsibilities of bishops , was led by the then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and Archbishop Wilton Gregory , then-President of the USCCB .
Pope John Paul II met with the U.S. Cardinals to address the issue in the wake of the scandal breaking in 2002 and then in 2004 with US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many meetings addressing the abuse scandal .
Nevertheless , the Vatican itself came under scrutiny for its handling of abuse early on as well .
The reputation of Pope St. John Paul II ’ s pontificate was marred significantly as the revelations of sexual abuse by Legion of Christ founder Fr .
Marcial Maciel came to light .
A source close to Pope John Paul II told LifeSite that John Paul II could not bring himself to believe the accusations since Maciel masqueraded as a conservative , and in John Paul ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priests of sexual abuse so as to damage their reputations .
A group of eight former Legionary seminarians first went to the Vatican to lodge abuse complaints in 1998 , but it took until 2006 for Maciel to be removed from all public ministry , and only after the election of Pope Benedict XVI .
Just prior to that , in late 2005 Benedict took decisive action to reaffirm a ban on homosexual men from seminary responding to the finding that the vast majority of abuse perpetrated by priests was homosexual in nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another homosexual abuse scandal playing out quietly inside the Vatican at the same time as Maciel .
While Pope Benedict himself along with the rest of the Church was expressing public grief , meeting with abuse victims and promising reforms , those in high Vatican positions were using the same old playbook in mishandling credible allegations of sexual abuse within the Vatican ’ s own walls .
There is a case now before the criminal courts of Germany in which two priests allege gruesome sexual abuse at the hands of a then-senior official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State , Monsignor Christoph Kühn .
Monsignor Florian Kolfhaus and a second man – a former priest - both allege that Kühn violently compelled them into sexual masochistic acts .
Kolfhaus first lodged a complaint against Kühn at the Vatican in 2006 .
He testifies that his abuse took place inside the offices of the Secretariat of State , as well as inside the Casa Santa Marta , a residence for Vatican prelates .
But it appears no formal investigation was launched until 2019 , in spite of the fact that the Report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Pontifical Representations , was presented to the Superiors of the Secretariat of State on July 3 , 2006 .
The other priest has since become laicized and is now a practicing homosexual and LGBT activist .
He has given his testimony for the Kolfhaus complaint that is currently underway in Germany .
In the court files is also to be found a WhatsApp message ( seen by LifeSite ) from Kühn to him ( from April 2017 ) , in which the Monsignor offers some future financial support should the laicized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with regard to the allegations against him .
On Monday , September 7 , Kolfhaus will have his first hearing at the Diocese of Eichstatt , Kühn ’ s home diocese .
Kühn was the head of the German Section of the Secretariat of State in the Vatican from 2001 till 2008 .
This position put him in charge of vetting priests and bishops from Germany for elevations , and as such he was privy to all the personnel records of these prelates .
Being in such a high position and involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in close contact with Pope Benedict XVI both after his 2005 election and prior to that in his role as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith .
As head of the German Section until 2008 , Kühn organized Benedict ’ s trips to Germany , traveled with him on the papal plane , and was often photographed side by side with him at official receptions such as that with German President Horst Kohler in 2005 during his visit to Cologne , Chancellor Gerhard Schröder , as well as the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reputation was conservative .
As Kolfhaus explains in a denunciation to the Vatican as well as to the Diocese of Eichstätt in which he outlines the abuse , “ Msgr .
Kühn took interest in me personally , given the difficult work that he was about to undertake , namely radically changing the ‘ political line ’ of the Bishops ’ Conference in Germany on the participation of the German bishops in the national system regarding abortion legislation .
( The German dioceses – contrary to various directives given by the Holy See @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving on request a certificate to women that was required in order to have a legal abortion .
This conflict greatly polarized the Catholic Church in Germany . )
” Kolfhaus says he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Kühn from the end of 2003 until 2004 and has been reporting the abuse to different superiors in the Vatican and elsewhere since 2006 .
Through his lawyer , Dr. Alexander Stevens , Kolfhaus told LifeSite that he did not begin the legal process or go to the press with the abuse he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse were reported by the German newspaper Die Bild in 2019 , and police questioned Kolfhaus , did he act .
“ When journalists or civil authorities come to me I have to answer truthfully , to lie here would be nothing other than covering up for the perpetrator , ” Kolfhaus told LifeSite .
On January 22 , 2020 , Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò provided testimony for the Church investigation into the case because from May 1998 till July 2009 he was the Delegate for the Pontifical Representations at the Secretariat of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the personnel of the Roman Curia subordinate to the Substitute of the Secretary of State .
In Viganò ’ s testimony — which LifeSite confirmed with the Archbishop that he did indeed issue it — he states that he is “ aware of precise information regarding the harassment and all kinds of abuses committed by Msgr .
Christoph Kühn against Msgr .
Florian Kolfhaus.
” Archbishop Viganò also notes that Kolfhaus informed various individuals of the abuse including a superior at the Secretariat of State and also a Bishop in charge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Vatican .
Archbishop Viganò also reports that now-Cardinal Pietro Parolin was informed as well .
Parolin at the time was Undersecretary of the Section for the Relations with States of the Secretariat of State .
LifeSite reached out to Cardinal Parolin for comment via the Secretariat of State and , on August 24 , received the following response from the Vatican Press Office : “ As you are aware , the accusations pertaining to Mons .
Kühn are being examined by canonical and civil authorities .
Under these circumstances we are confident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a comment is not appropriate.
” The reply issued by the Vatican press office added , “ In the meanwhile , we trust that you will make every effort to report the facts , and avoid speculation , on the case.
” According to Viganò ’ s knowledge , no official investigation was undertaken by July 2009 ( when he ceased his duty as Delegate for the Pontifical Representations ) to examine Kolfhaus ’ reports of the abuse he suffered .
Evidence which would have called for official investigation included : the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Archbishop Justo Mullor , President of the Pontifical Academy ; a report of the Psychologist who returned a negative judgment on Kühn , dated June 14 , 2006 ; and Viganò ’ s Note for the Substitute on July 3 , 2006 .
Archbishop Viganò relates : Viganò ’ s testimony also calls into question the 2001 decision to have Kühn at the Vatican in the first place .
He recounts that sexually scandalous behavior by Kühn was known to the Vatican as early as 1997 when Kühn was a priest in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Msgr .
Christoph Kühn began his service on July 1 , 1997 , in the Apostolic Nunciature in Zimbabwe .
During this , his first assignment , the Nuncio , His Excellency Msgr .
Peter Prabhu , had to report some of the behavior of his collaborator [ Kühn ] that could have indicated his possible homosexual tendency .
The Nuncio reported in February 1998 that on returning from a pastoral visit of several days , he was told that Fr .
Kühn was very sick and that he [ Kühn ] wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Nuncio went to his room and knocked on the door .
Kühn told him [ Prabhu ] to come in and revealed himself lying in his bed wearing only very skimpy panties .
The Nuncio told him to get dressed and went away .
Afterward , Kühn went from his bedroom to his office dressed in the same way , despite the admonition he had received , and then went down to the common area of the Nunciature in that same undressed state .
On another occasion during an encounter that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the lights out as slides were projected , Fr .
Kühn took a young blond boy about 9 or 10 years old and made him sit on top of him with his arms around the young boy .
In 2008 , Kühn was moved by the Substitute then-Archbishop Fernando Filoni to Vienna to work in the nunciature ( Vatican embassy ) .
Two sources close to Pope Benedict spoke anonymously to LifeSite about this matter , suggesting that Kühn was moved to Vienna because his scandalous sexual behavior ( some believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known .
One said that the Pope moved Kühn knowing of the problems and even asked Cardinal Joachim Meisner , Archbishop of Cologne , to take Kühn into his diocese but Meisner refused .
Another source stated : `` When it became known that he [ Kühn ] had harassed various young men ( among them also Kolfhaus ) , he was removed by Benedict XVI from the Vatican and sent to Vienna.
” This source insisted , defending the Pope , that Benedict did personally intervene and that he punished Kühn two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions , first to Vienna ( 2008 ) and then to Eichstätt ( 2012 ) , this time removing him from the diplomatic service .
Pope Benedict was the Roman Pontiff of the Catholic Church from 2005 until 2013 .
Another source from Benedict ’ s circle however suggests that Benedict did not know of the matter and it was handled either by the then Secretary of State himself ( now-Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone ) or the then-Substitute ( now-Cardinal Fernando Filoni ) .
LifeSite reached out to Pope emeritus Benedict XVI , via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking for comment , but did not receive a reply .
In the court files , currently with the State Attorney , a man who was employed in a high-ranking position by the diocese of Eichstätt sums up what he was told by higher-ups in the diocese concerning Kühn .
He was warned to be “ cautious ” around Kühn “ because of his somewhat difficult past.
” When he asked for further information , both the finance director of the diocese and the Vicar General informed him that Kühn was known to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during his station in Africa that were related to the “ homosexuality of the prelate Kühn.
” During his time in Vienna , they added , “ it went so wild he was forbidden entrance into a hotel.
” According to this source , the Vicar General told him that the official reason for Kühn ’ s dismissal from Vienna was the “ story with the hotel ” as well as “ additional non-consensual sexual contacts during his diplomatic stations.
” In the midst of this scandal in April 2011 , Pope Benedict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prelate of Honour of His Holiness , ” a papal designation that often comes after a number of years of service in the diplomatic corps of the Vatican .
At the end of August 2012 , Kühn was removed from the diplomatic service of the Vatican and was moved to his home diocese of Eichstätt in Germany where he was personally appointed Canon of the Cathedral by Bishop Gregor Hanke .
That position , however , gained Kühn a much larger salary and notable position .
In April of 2019 , accusations against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the German newspaper Die Bild .
Only after this did Bishop Hanke of the Diocese of Eichstätt , who according to the Viganò testimony , had been informed of Kühn ’ s assaults previously , suspend Kühn from his duties .
Kühn was also told only to celebrate private Masses ; however , LifeSite found that in June of 2020 , he celebrated a public Mass in the Diocese of Regensburg .
Responding to a media request by LifeSite about this , the Diocese of Eichstätt merely pointed out that Kühn celebrated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diocese of Regensburg declined to comment .
LifeSite reached out to Monsignor Kühn with questions .
In response , Kühn ’ s lawyer threatened a lawsuit should LifeSite report on the case .
The response denied all charges and not only forbade reporting on the case but also further research into it .
Kühn publicly addressed the accusations for the first time in July 2020 after Italian Vaticanist Marco Tosatti published a translation of portions of a July 16 , 2020 , Die Bild article on the case on his blog .
Kühn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kühn claims that Kolfhaus ’ lawyer Alexander Stevens is “ a well known LGBTQ activist and supporter of the relative lifestyle and debauchery.
” Stevens told LifeSite Kühn ’ s accusation against him is false .
“ The prelate obviously does n't hesitate to even discredit the victim 's lawyer , ” he wrote via email .
“ Here , in my opinion , Kuehn 's strategy is once again exposed : to neutralize the enemy by deliberate untruths.
” Canon law ( 1395 ) insists that “ a cleric who persists with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth commandment of the Decalogue is to be punished by a suspension .
If he persists in the delict after a warning , other penalties can gradually be added , including dismissal from the clerical state.
” Canon law experts have told LifeSite that much of the problem leading to the Church sex abuse scandals has been the ignorance of and refusal to apply canon law .

A case now before the criminal courts of Germany involving a former high-ranking Vatican Monsignor reveals the alleged mishandling of credible allegations of sexual abuse within the Vatican’s own walls.
September 5, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In 2002, the Catholic Church was rocked by the widespread public revelation of sexual abuse perpetrated by Catholic clergy. While sexual abuse in all professions was nothing new, among clergy it brought a particular repugnance. But more than that, the new revelations highlighted the role of the bishops themselves in the crisis, as it made clear that they had allowed known sexually abusive priests to go without punishment and be transferred to other parishes or dioceses where they would sometimes even abuse again.
Sixth months after the revelations first surfaced in the Boston Globe, the US Bishops issued their “Dallas Charter.” While stipulating a zero-tolerance policy for sexually abusive priests, it came under criticism for failing to address the bishops’ own role in the scandal. The charter, which excluded responsibilities of bishops, was led by the then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and Archbishop Wilton Gregory, then-President of the USCCB.
Pope John Paul II met with the U.S. Cardinals to address the issue in the wake of the scandal breaking in 2002 and then in 2004 with US Bishops. Pope Benedict XVI too had many meetings addressing the abuse scandal.
Nevertheless, the Vatican itself came under scrutiny for its handling of abuse early on as well. The reputation of Pope St. John Paul II’s pontificate was marred significantly as the revelations of sexual abuse by Legion of Christ founder Fr. Marcial Maciel came to light. A source close to Pope John Paul II told LifeSite that John Paul II could not bring himself to believe the accusations since Maciel masqueraded as a conservative, and in John Paul’s native Poland the Communists often accused faithful priests of sexual abuse so as to damage their reputations.
A group of eight former Legionary seminarians first went to the Vatican to lodge abuse complaints in 1998, but it took until 2006 for Maciel to be removed from all public ministry, and only after the election of Pope Benedict XVI.
Just prior to that, in late 2005 Benedict took decisive action to reaffirm a ban on homosexual men from seminary responding to the finding that the vast majority of abuse perpetrated by priests was homosexual in nature.
Nevertheless, it seems there was another homosexual abuse scandal playing out quietly inside the Vatican at the same time as Maciel. While Pope Benedict himself along with the rest of the Church was expressing public grief, meeting with abuse victims and promising reforms, those in high Vatican positions were using the same old playbook in mishandling credible allegations of sexual abuse within the Vatican’s own walls.
There is a case now before the criminal courts of Germany in which two priests allege gruesome sexual abuse at the hands of a then-senior official in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, Monsignor Christoph Kühn.
Monsignor Florian Kolfhaus and a second man – a former priest – both allege that Kühn violently compelled them into sexual masochistic acts.
Kolfhaus first lodged a complaint against Kühn at the Vatican in 2006. He testifies that his abuse took place inside the offices of the Secretariat of State, as well as inside the Casa Santa Marta, a residence for Vatican prelates.
But it appears no formal investigation was launched until 2019, in spite of the fact that the Report of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, Delegate for the Pontifical Representations, was presented to the Superiors of the Secretariat of State on July 3, 2006.
The other priest has since become laicized and is now a practicing homosexual and LGBT activist. He has given his testimony for the Kolfhaus complaint that is currently underway in Germany. In the court files is also to be found a WhatsApp message (seen by LifeSite) from Kühn to him (from April 2017), in which the Monsignor offers some future financial support should the laicized priest help him to clear his name with regard to the allegations against him.
On Monday, September 7, Kolfhaus will have his first hearing at the Diocese of Eichstatt, Kühn’s home diocese.
Kühn was the head of the German Section of the Secretariat of State in the Vatican from 2001 till 2008. This position put him in charge of vetting priests and bishops from Germany for elevations, and as such he was privy to all the personnel records of these prelates. Being in such a high position and involved in the German church, Kühn was often in close contact with Pope Benedict XVI both after his 2005 election and prior to that in his role as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.
As head of the German Section until 2008, Kühn organized Benedict’s trips to Germany, traveled with him on the papal plane, and was often photographed side by side with him at official receptions such as that with German President Horst Kohler in 2005 during his visit to Cologne, Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, as well as the future Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Kühn’s reputation was conservative. As Kolfhaus explains in a denunciation to the Vatican as well as to the Diocese of Eichstätt in which he outlines the abuse, “Msgr. Kühn took interest in me personally, given the difficult work that he was about to undertake, namely radically changing the ‘political line’ of the Bishops’ Conference in Germany on the participation of the German bishops in the national system regarding abortion legislation. (The German dioceses – contrary to various directives given by the Holy See – participated in the state-run system, giving on request a certificate to women that was required in order to have a legal abortion. This conflict greatly polarized the Catholic Church in Germany.)”
Kolfhaus says he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Kühn from the end of 2003 until 2004 and has been reporting the abuse to different superiors in the Vatican and elsewhere since 2006. Through his lawyer, Dr. Alexander Stevens, Kolfhaus told LifeSite that he did not begin the legal process or go to the press with the abuse he suffered. Only after details of the abuse were reported by the German newspaper Die Bild in 2019, and police questioned Kolfhaus, did he act.
“When journalists or civil authorities come to me I have to answer truthfully, to lie here would be nothing other than covering up for the perpetrator,” Kolfhaus told LifeSite.
Viganò intervention
On January 22, 2020, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò provided testimony for the Church investigation into the case because from May 1998 till July 2009 he was the Delegate for the Pontifical Representations at the Secretariat of State, a position which was responsible for the personnel of the Roman Curia subordinate to the Substitute of the Secretary of State.
In Viganò’s testimony — which LifeSite confirmed with the Archbishop that he did indeed issue it — he states that he is “aware of precise information regarding the harassment and all kinds of abuses committed by Msgr. Christoph Kühn against Msgr. Florian Kolfhaus.”
Archbishop Viganò also notes that Kolfhaus informed various individuals of the abuse including a superior at the Secretariat of State and also a Bishop in charge of preparation of candidates for diplomatic service for the Vatican.
Archbishop Viganò also reports that now-Cardinal Pietro Parolin was informed as well. Parolin at the time was Undersecretary of the Section for the Relations with States of the Secretariat of State.
LifeSite reached out to Cardinal Parolin for comment via the Secretariat of State and, on August 24, received the following response from the Vatican Press Office: “As you are aware, the accusations pertaining to Mons. Kühn are being examined by canonical and civil authorities. Under these circumstances we are confident that you understand that at this time a comment is not appropriate.” The reply issued by the Vatican press office added, “In the meanwhile, we trust that you will make every effort to report the facts, and avoid speculation, on the case.”
According to Viganò’s knowledge, no official investigation was undertaken by July 2009 (when he ceased his duty as Delegate for the Pontifical Representations) to examine Kolfhaus’ reports of the abuse he suffered. Evidence which would have called for official investigation included: the report sent to the Secretariat of State by Archbishop Justo Mullor, President of the Pontifical Academy; a report of the Psychologist who returned a negative judgment on Kühn, dated June 14, 2006; and Viganò’s Note for the Substitute on July 3, 2006. Archbishop Viganò relates:
His Excellency Msgr. Mullor considered it his duty to inform his superiors at the Secretariat of State in writing about the confidences he had been told by Fr. Kolfhaus. Given the seriousness of the case, the President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy considered it opportune to submit the documents containing the confidences of Fr. Kolfhaus to the judgment of Fr. Bartholomew Kiely, S.J., Professor of Psychology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, reticito nomine [removing names]. On the basis of this document, Fr. Kiely formulated a negative prognosis about the personality of Msgr. Kühn. (These documents too may be found in the Archives of the Secretariat of State).
Viganò’s testimony also calls into question the 2001 decision to have Kühn at the Vatican in the first place. He recounts that sexually scandalous behavior by Kühn was known to the Vatican as early as 1997 when Kühn was a priest in the Nunciature in Zimbabwe. Viganò relates:
Msgr. Christoph Kühn began his service on July 1, 1997, in the Apostolic Nunciature in Zimbabwe. During this, his first assignment, the Nuncio, His Excellency Msgr. Peter Prabhu, had to report some of the behavior of his collaborator [Kühn] that could have indicated his possible homosexual tendency. The Nuncio reported in February 1998 that on returning from a pastoral visit of several days, he was told that Fr. Kühn was very sick and that he [Kühn] wanted to see him [Prabhu] immediately. The Nuncio went to his room and knocked on the door. Kühn told him [Prabhu] to come in and revealed himself lying in his bed wearing only very skimpy panties. The Nuncio told him to get dressed and went away. Afterward, Kühn went from his bedroom to his office dressed in the same way, despite the admonition he had received, and then went down to the common area of the Nunciature in that same undressed state. On another occasion during an encounter that lasted two hours in an Italian club, with the lights out as slides were projected, Fr. Kühn took a young blond boy about 9 or 10 years old and made him sit on top of him with his arms around the young boy.
In 2008, Kühn was moved by the Substitute then-Archbishop Fernando Filoni to Vienna to work in the nunciature (Vatican embassy).
Two sources close to Pope Benedict spoke anonymously to LifeSite about this matter, suggesting that Kühn was moved to Vienna because his scandalous sexual behavior (some believed to be consensual) became too well known. One said that the Pope moved Kühn knowing of the problems and even asked Cardinal Joachim Meisner, Archbishop of Cologne, to take Kühn into his diocese but Meisner refused. Another source stated: “When it became known that he [Kühn] had harassed various young men (among them also Kolfhaus), he was removed by Benedict XVI from the Vatican and sent to Vienna.” This source insisted, defending the Pope, that Benedict did personally intervene and that he punished Kühn two times by sending him into less important positions, first to Vienna (2008) and then to Eichstätt (2012), this time removing him from the diplomatic service.
Pope Benedict was the Roman Pontiff of the Catholic Church from 2005 until 2013.
Another source from Benedict’s circle however suggests that Benedict did not know of the matter and it was handled either by the then Secretary of State himself (now-Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone) or the then-Substitute (now-Cardinal Fernando Filoni).
LifeSite reached out to Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, via his personal secretary Archbishop Georg Gänswein, asking for comment, but did not receive a reply.
In the court files, currently with the State Attorney, a man who was employed in a high-ranking position by the diocese of Eichstätt sums up what he was told by higher-ups in the diocese concerning Kühn. He was warned to be “cautious” around Kühn “because of his somewhat difficult past.” When he asked for further information, both the finance director of the diocese and the Vicar General informed him that Kühn was known to have had some “unresolved encounters” during his station in Africa that were related to the “homosexuality of the prelate Kühn.” During his time in Vienna, they added, “it went so wild he was forbidden entrance into a hotel.”
According to this source, the Vicar General told him that the official reason for Kühn’s dismissal from Vienna was the “story with the hotel” as well as “additional non-consensual sexual contacts during his diplomatic stations.”
In the midst of this scandal in April 2011, Pope Benedict awarded Kühn a special designation as “Prelate of Honour of His Holiness,” a papal designation that often comes after a number of years of service in the diplomatic corps of the Vatican.
At the end of August 2012, Kühn was removed from the diplomatic service of the Vatican and was moved to his home diocese of Eichstätt in Germany where he was personally appointed Canon of the Cathedral by Bishop Gregor Hanke. That position, however, gained Kühn a much larger salary and notable position.
In April of 2019, accusations against Kühn were brought to the public by the German newspaper Die Bild. Only after this did Bishop Hanke of the Diocese of Eichstätt, who according to the Viganò testimony, had been informed of Kühn’s assaults previously, suspend Kühn from his duties. Kühn was also told only to celebrate private Masses; however, LifeSite found that in June of 2020, he celebrated a public Mass in the Diocese of Regensburg. Responding to a media request by LifeSite about this, the Diocese of Eichstätt merely pointed out that Kühn celebrated the Mass in a different diocese. The Diocese of Regensburg declined to comment.
LifeSite reached out to Monsignor Kühn with questions. In response, Kühn’s lawyer threatened a lawsuit should LifeSite report on the case. The response denied all charges and not only forbade reporting on the case but also further research into it.
Kühn publicly addressed the accusations for the first time in July 2020 after Italian Vaticanist Marco Tosatti published a translation of portions of a July 16, 2020, Die Bild article on the case on his blog. Kühn vehemently denied all charges. Moreover, Kühn claims that Kolfhaus’ lawyer Alexander Stevens is “a well known LGBTQ activist and supporter of the relative lifestyle and debauchery.”
Stevens told LifeSite Kühn’s accusation against him is false. “The prelate obviously doesn't hesitate to even discredit the victim's lawyer,” he wrote via email. “Here, in my opinion, Kuehn's strategy is once again exposed: to neutralize the enemy by deliberate untruths.”
Canon law (1395) insists that “a cleric who persists with scandal in another external sin against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue is to be punished by a suspension. If he persists in the delict after a warning, other penalties can gradually be added, including dismissal from the clerical state.” Canon law experts have told LifeSite that much of the problem leading to the Church sex abuse scandals has been the ignorance of and refusal to apply canon law.
Dr. Maike Hickson contributed to this report
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lifesitenews--2020-09-09--Trump announces potential Supreme Court nominees, one of whom defended pro-life hero Daleiden

WASHINGTON , D.C. , September 9 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – President Donald Trump this afternoon released a list with 20 additional names of potential Supreme Court nominees , including three senators : Ted Cruz of Texas , Tom Cotton of Arkansas , and Josh Hawley of Missouri .
Another name on the new list was Sarah Pitlyk , who was part of the defense team for Center for Medical Progress head David Daleiden in Planned Parenthood ’ s case against him for exposing the abortion giant ’ s sale of organs from aborted babies .
Just in December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri , defying left-wing attacks on her pro-life public statements .
“ Ms .
Pitlyk is a towering intellect , a supremely capable lawyer , and a strong Constitutional conservative , ” Thomas More Society executive vice president Andrew Bath said at the time .
Pitlyk had worked as special counsel for the Thomas More Society .
“ She ’ s done terrific legal work over the years on some of the Thomas More Society ’ s biggest cases , and that , together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for now U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh has prepared her well for her time on the bench , ” Bath continued .
“ Sarah Pitlyk will be a fair and wise federal judge who will bring honor and distinction to the federal judiciary and make the president who nominated her and the Senate that confirmed her proud.
” Trump said during today ’ s brief speech announcing the new names , “ Every one of these individuals will ensure equal justice , equal treatment , and equal rights for citizens of every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creed.
” He emphasized that all potential Supreme Court nominees would be justices like the late Antonin Scalia , Clarence Thomas , and Samuel Alito .
He did not , in that context , refer to the two justices he nominated himself , namely Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh .
Both Gorsuch and Kavanaugh have written opinions disappointing conservatives .
Trump had already released two lists with 21 names overall during his 2016 campaign for president .

Sarah Pitlyk was part of the defense team for Center for Medical Progress head David Daleiden in Planned Parenthood’s case against him for exposing the abortion giant’s sale of organs from aborted babies.
URGENT PETITION: Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade! Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 9, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – President Donald Trump this afternoon released a list with 20 additional names of potential Supreme Court nominees, including three senators: Ted Cruz of Texas, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, and Josh Hawley of Missouri.
Another name on the new list was Sarah Pitlyk, who was part of the defense team for Center for Medical Progress head David Daleiden in Planned Parenthood’s case against him for exposing the abortion giant’s sale of organs from aborted babies.
Just in December, the Senate confirmed her nomination to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, defying left-wing attacks on her pro-life public statements.
“Ms. Pitlyk is a towering intellect, a supremely capable lawyer, and a strong Constitutional conservative,” Thomas More Society executive vice president Andrew Bath said at the time. Pitlyk had worked as special counsel for the Thomas More Society.
“She’s done terrific legal work over the years on some of the Thomas More Society’s biggest cases, and that, together with her service as a law clerk for now U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh has prepared her well for her time on the bench,” Bath continued.
“Sarah Pitlyk will be a fair and wise federal judge who will bring honor and distinction to the federal judiciary and make the president who nominated her and the Senate that confirmed her proud.”
Trump said during today’s brief speech announcing the new names, “Every one of these individuals will ensure equal justice, equal treatment, and equal rights for citizens of every race, color, religion, and creed.”
He emphasized that all potential Supreme Court nominees would be justices like the late Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito. He did not, in that context, refer to the two justices he nominated himself, namely Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.
Both Gorsuch and Kavanaugh have written opinions disappointing conservatives.
Trump had already released two lists with 21 names overall during his 2016 campaign for president.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-11--Facebook gives pass to violent leftist orgs while banning groups they victimized

September 11 , 2020 ( NewsBusters ) — Facebook vowed to crack down on political violence and election interference , but the result is far less than advertised .
The platform allows Antifa organizations to organize and share content in apparent conflict with Facebook 's official policies .
Facebook had removed two left-wing extremist news sources — It 's Going Down and CrimethInc .
That was part of the platform 's new `` Dangerous Individuals and Organizations '' policy to crack down on groups the platform said are `` tied to violence . ''
However , Facebook has refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pages — Rose City Antifa and Adbusters .
Rose City Antifa 's alleged reputation for political violence has been reported on by Politico , The Washington Times , and The Washington Post .
The Post featured a photo captioned : `` Unidentified Rose City Antifa members beat up Andy Ngo , an independent journalist . ''
Canadian leftist organization Adbusters , which helped start the Occupy protests , is attempting to meddle in the U.S. election by organizing a `` siege '' of the White House .
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an early September interview with Axios where he expressed : `` I think we need to be doing everything that we can to reduce the chances of violence or civil unrest in the wake of this election . ''
Despite being contacted and presented with an extensive report on alleged violence from Rose City Antifa , Facebook has thus far refused to take action .
Zuckerberg then went on to profess : `` We 're trying to make sure that we do our part to make sure that none of this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has made headlines for months because of ongoing political unrest and rioting in places like Portland and Seattle .
`` A statement from the [ U.S. ] Marshals Service confirmed that [ Michael ] Reinoehl was wanted as a prime suspect in the killing of 39-year-old Aaron 'Jay ' Danielson , who was shot in the chest Saturday night , '' CBS News reported .
Reinoehl had described himself in a social media post as `` 100 % ANTIFA , '' and then reportedly engaged in an altercation with police to the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations are known for violence .
News reports about Rose City Antifa help make it one of the most public examples because of its social media presence .
There is no indication Reinoehl had any connection to Rose City Antifa , however .
Federalist co-founder Sean Davis suggested that Facebook 's response to Antifa has been bewildering in that : `` A man wearing a Patriot Prayer hat was murdered in Portland by a criminal who said he was '100 % Antifa ' and instead of banning Antifa pages , Facebook banned Patriot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davey Alba quoted a Facebook spokesperson who reportedly explained , `` [ Patriot Prayer was ] removed as part of our ongoing efforts to remove Violent Social Militias from our platform . ''
MRC TechWatch sent an extensive report to Facebook about the activities of Rose City Antifa , whose alleged political violence has been discussed by Politico , The Washington Times , and The Post .
This record of alleged violence was then juxtaposed with Facebook 's own Community Standards .
Facebook did n't respond .
However , Patriot Prayer founder Joey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group `` is the result of a media company reaching out to Facebook and claiming that they are violating the platform 's 'dangerous groups ' policy , '' the Gateway Pundit summarized .
Rose City Antifa posted praise after journalist Andy Ngo claimed he was beaten on June 29 , 2019 , Ngo claiming to have suffered a brain injury from the event .
`` [ M ] ilkshakes '' were reportedly loaded with quick-drying cement and used at some of the Portland demonstrations .
Rose City Antifa posted a comment about milkshakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right hands us lemons , we make delicious milkshakes !
The J29 demo was an amazing success which is really very upsetting for the dwindling crew of fascists who come to our city in hopes of bullying vulnerable people . ''
The post went on in an attempt to gaslight that Ngo was somehow weaponizing `` victimhood '' and exaggerating the extent of violence .
Some news organizations have called out Rose City Antifa 's alleged violence .
The Post featured a Getty Images photo with a caption that stated , `` Unidentified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ngo , an independent journalist , on June 29 in Portland , Ore. '' Politico reported the following Rose City Antifa statement : `` 'We are unapologetic about the reality that fighting fascism at points requires physical militancy . '
'' Politico commented that `` The group does not specify what physical militancy means , but their page makes clear that the definition includes 'any means necessary . '
'' The Washington Times reported that `` Project Veritas , known for its hidden-camera investigations , released in June undercover footage of a Rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included tips on weapons and tactics , including eye-gouging . ''
Rose City Antifa 's pinned post on its Facebook page cautioned its followers not to plan to engage in specifically criminal behavior while on its page .
It did not discourage such actions , merely the appearance on its page : '' DO NOT discuss criminal activity or make any action plans on our Facebook wall .
You should never make plans with a stranger on Facebook to do this work .
Even trying to sort out ride shares , or similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enemies will fish around with posts of that nature so be wary . ''
Rose City Antifa has openly discussed the use of doxxing against political enemies on its Facebook page , i.e .
exposing their personal information so they can be targeted .
In one post the group declared in `` a note on doxxing '' that it has `` very rigorous standards about the information we publish , '' stating that : `` We encourage others to think carefully about the damage that could be caused by inaccurate doxxes and be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there . ''
Salon reported that `` Rose City Antifa has unveiled a series of articles doxing each local member of the Proud Boys and calling for supporters to put pressure on their employers to fire them . ''
While we do not defend the actions of the Proud Boys , this is clear proof that Rose City Antifa has weaponized the exposure of personal information of its apparent enemies .
Facebook 's Community Standards specifically state in its `` Violence and Incitement '' `` Do not post '' section that users should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of intent , calls for action , or advocating for high or mid-severity violence due to voting , voter registration , or the outcome of an election . ''
[ Emphasis added . ]
It should be noted that Antifa activists specifically ran rampant in response to the 2016 election on the day of President Donald Trump 's inauguration in 2017 .
Mr. Zuckerberg 's concern about the 2020 election 's aftermath indeed is relevant here .
Facebook also specifically promised that it would crack down on `` foreign interference . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blog that it has shut down entire networks that `` targeted the US , North Africa and Latin America . ''
Yet , even so , when Facebook has been directly reached for comment regarding attempts by Adbusters to meddle in the American presidential election by organizing a `` siege '' of the White House , the platform has refused to take action .
Adbusters has called for this `` siege '' to occur this September 17 .
It stated in a post : `` Is it a beautiful jam ?
A civic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dear Donald ?
All of the above , absolutely — but let us not ignore the dark forces also at work . ''
Adbusters has made a powerful political impact in far-left activism and American politics .
NPR summarized that in 2011 it had `` proposed a Sept. 17 'occupation ' of Wall Street , and the idea caught fire . ''
That evolved into Occupy Wall Street , a precursor to the current unrest .
Nine years of Big Tech and social media advancement later , it would have more power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook leadership appears to have no problem with that .

'A man wearing a Patriot Prayer hat was murdered in Portland by a criminal who said he was '100% Antifa' and instead of banning Antifa pages, Facebook banned Patriot Prayer.'
September 11, 2020 (NewsBusters) — Facebook vowed to crack down on political violence and election interference, but the result is far less than advertised. The platform allows Antifa organizations to organize and share content in apparent conflict with Facebook's official policies.
Facebook had removed two left-wing extremist news sources — It's Going Down and CrimethInc. That was part of the platform's new “Dangerous Individuals and Organizations” policy to crack down on groups the platform said are “tied to violence.” However, Facebook has refused to take action against two other controversial leftist pages — Rose City Antifa and Adbusters.
Rose City Antifa's alleged reputation for political violence has been reported on by Politico, The Washington Times, and The Washington Post. The Post featured a photo captioned: “Unidentified Rose City Antifa members beat up Andy Ngo, an independent journalist.”
Canadian leftist organization Adbusters, which helped start the Occupy protests, is attempting to meddle in the U.S. election by organizing a “siege” of the White House.
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg explained his concerns about upcoming civil unrest in an early September interview with Axios where he expressed: “I think we need to be doing everything that we can to reduce the chances of violence or civil unrest in the wake of this election.” Despite being contacted and presented with an extensive report on alleged violence from Rose City Antifa, Facebook has thus far refused to take action.
Zuckerberg then went on to profess: “We're trying to make sure that we do our part to make sure that none of this is organized on Facebook.”
Antifa violence has made headlines for months because of ongoing political unrest and rioting in places like Portland and Seattle. “A statement from the [U.S.] Marshals Service confirmed that [Michael] Reinoehl was wanted as a prime suspect in the killing of 39-year-old Aaron 'Jay' Danielson, who was shot in the chest Saturday night,” CBS News reported. Reinoehl had described himself in a social media post as “100% ANTIFA,” and then reportedly engaged in an altercation with police to the point where he himself was killed.
Antifa organizations are known for violence. News reports about Rose City Antifa help make it one of the most public examples because of its social media presence. There is no indication Reinoehl had any connection to Rose City Antifa, however.
Federalist co-founder Sean Davis suggested that Facebook's response to Antifa has been bewildering in that: “A man wearing a Patriot Prayer hat was murdered in Portland by a criminal who said he was '100% Antifa' and instead of banning Antifa pages, Facebook banned Patriot Prayer.” New York Times reporter Davey Alba quoted a Facebook spokesperson who reportedly explained, “[Patriot Prayer was] removed as part of our ongoing efforts to remove Violent Social Militias from our platform.”
MRC TechWatch sent an extensive report to Facebook about the activities of Rose City Antifa, whose alleged political violence has been discussed by Politico,The Washington Times, and The Post. This record of alleged violence was then juxtaposed with Facebook's own Community Standards.
Facebook didn't respond. However, Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson said that the ban of his group “is the result of a media company reaching out to Facebook and claiming that they are violating the platform's 'dangerous groups' policy,” the Gateway Pundit summarized.
Rose City Antifa posted praise after journalist Andy Ngo claimed he was beaten on June 29, 2019, Ngo claiming to have suffered a brain injury from the event. “[M]ilkshakes” were reportedly loaded with quick-drying cement and used at some of the Portland demonstrations. Rose City Antifa posted a comment about milkshakes as well: “When the Alt Right hands us lemons, we make delicious milkshakes! The J29 demo was an amazing success which is really very upsetting for the dwindling crew of fascists who come to our city in hopes of bullying vulnerable people.” The post went on in an attempt to gaslight that Ngo was somehow weaponizing “victimhood” and exaggerating the extent of violence.
Some news organizations have called out Rose City Antifa's alleged violence. The Post featured a Getty Images photo with a caption that stated, “Unidentified Rose City Antifa members beat up Andy Ngo, an independent journalist, on June 29 in Portland, Ore.” Politico reported the following Rose City Antifa statement: “'We are unapologetic about the reality that fighting fascism at points requires physical militancy.'” Politico commented that “The group does not specify what physical militancy means, but their page makes clear that the definition includes 'any means necessary.'”
The Washington Times reported that “Project Veritas, known for its hidden-camera investigations, released in June undercover footage of a Rose City Antifa training session in Portland that included tips on weapons and tactics, including eye-gouging.”
Rose City Antifa's pinned post on its Facebook page cautioned its followers not to plan to engage in specifically criminal behavior while on its page. It did not discourage such actions, merely the appearance on its page:
“DO NOT discuss criminal activity or make any action plans on our Facebook wall. You should never make plans with a stranger on Facebook to do this work. Even trying to sort out ride shares, or similar is very unsafe on here. Undoubtedly enemies will fish around with posts of that nature so be wary.”
Rose City Antifa has openly discussed the use of doxxing against political enemies on its Facebook page, i.e. exposing their personal information so they can be targeted. In one post the group declared in “a note on doxxing” that it has “very rigorous standards about the information we publish,” stating that: “We encourage others to think carefully about the damage that could be caused by inaccurate doxxes and be diligent about what they are putting out there.” Salon reported that “Rose City Antifa has unveiled a series of articles doxing each local member of the Proud Boys and calling for supporters to put pressure on their employers to fire them.” While we do not defend the actions of the Proud Boys, this is clear proof that Rose City Antifa has weaponized the exposure of personal information of its apparent enemies.
Facebook's Community Standards specifically state in its “Violence and Incitement” “Do not post” section that users should not post “Any content containing statements of intent, calls for action, or advocating for high or mid-severity violence due to voting, voter registration, or the outcome of an election.” [Emphasis added.] It should be noted that Antifa activists specifically ran rampant in response to the 2016 election on the day of President Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017. Mr. Zuckerberg's concern about the 2020 election's aftermath indeed is relevant here.
Facebook also specifically promised that it would crack down on “foreign interference.” The social media giant explained in a company blog that it has shut down entire networks that “targeted the US, North Africa and Latin America.” Yet, even so, when Facebook has been directly reached for comment regarding attempts by Adbusters to meddle in the American presidential election by organizing a “siege” of the White House, the platform has refused to take action. Adbusters has called for this “siege” to occur this September 17. It stated in a post: “Is it a beautiful jam? A civic exorcism? A spectacular sayonara party for Dear Donald? All of the above, absolutely — but let us not ignore the dark forces also at work.”
Adbusters has made a powerful political impact in far-left activism and American politics. NPR summarized that in 2011 it had “proposed a Sept. 17 'occupation' of Wall Street, and the idea caught fire.” That evolved into Occupy Wall Street, a precursor to the current unrest. Nine years of Big Tech and social media advancement later, it would have more power to organize civil unrest than before, and Facebook leadership appears to have no problem with that.
Published with permission from NewsBusters.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-11--Trump cracks down on federal govt training sessions that demonize white people

PETITION : Call for an additional Presidential Debate on Family Issues !
Sign the petition here .
September 11 , 2020 ( Family Research Council ) — President Trump took another step toward fulfilling his promise to `` Drain the Swamp '' on Friday when he authorized Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to ensure that federal agencies no longer hold `` woke '' re-education trainings .
The memo directs agency heads to `` cease and desist from using taxpayer dollars to fund these divisive , un-American propaganda training sessions . ''
The White House directive was drafted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told employees in executive agencies that `` virtually all white people contribute to racism , '' that racism is `` embedded in the belief that America is the land of opportunity or the belief that the most qualified person should receive a job , '' or forced them to admit they `` benefit from racism . ''
Christopher Rufo of the Discovery Institute has worked for the past six months uncovering how Marxist ideas have crept into our government on the taxpayers ' dime .
`` What I 've discovered , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theory has become , in essence , the default ideology of the federal bureaucracy . ''
Rufo 's research has uncovered `` wokeness '' training programs in the Treasury Department , the National Credit Union Administration , Sandia National Laboratories , Argonne National Laboratories , the Department of Homeland Security , and the FBI .
And of course , we 've all seen more public examples , like the graphic from the taxpayer-funded Smithsonian Museum in July , which claimed to identify the nuclear family , Judeo-Christian values , and objective , rational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The `` wokeness '' trainings are part and parcel of the civil unrest afflicting our cities .
Last year , the New York Times embarked on a massive propaganda campaign , known as the 1619 project , to redefine America 's founding as irredeemably racist .
The 1619 Project has ushered in a summer of rioting in America 's cities ( and now suburbs ) .
What began as peaceful protests over police brutality and concerns about lingering racism has given way to looting , burning , direct assaults on America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , violent assaults on government property and law enforcement officers .
As a chronicle of history , the 1619 project is a failure ; prominent historians quickly objected to its many errors , forcing a `` muted , microscopic correction '' from the Times .
But as a propaganda campaign , the 1619 Project has found far more success than it deserved , largely because the mainstream media is willing to promote any argument , however bankrupt , which might damage their number-one enemy , President Donald Trump .
The president has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the 1619 Project has infiltrated America 's public schools .
Now , President Trump has determined to root out the 1619 's Marxist propaganda from the federal bureaucracy .
The White House memo rightly condemned the `` wokeness '' trainings for opposing `` the fundamental beliefs for which our Nation has stood since its inception . ''
The White House memo also disparaged the `` division and resentment '' engendered by critical race theory .
Instead of celebrating the diversity of race , ethnicity , and religion in America , the doctrine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others as innocent oppressed .
More detailed guidance will follow , but the memo directed all agencies to identify and make plans to cancel any `` training or propaganda effort that teaches or suggests either ( 1 ) that the United States is an inherently racist or evil country or ( 2 ) that any race or ethnicity is inherently racist or evil . ''
Americans face a critical juncture in the 2020 election .
Openly Marxist forces in our schools , our media , our government , and our streets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While most career politicians apologize and flip-flop at the first sign of conflict , President Trump is one of only a few public leaders who has demonstrated the courage to stand up to them .
Published with permission from the Family Research Council .

Mandatory federal trainings have told employees in executive agencies that 'virtually all white people contribute to racism,' among other outrages.
PETITION: Call for an additional Presidential Debate on Family Issues! Sign the petition here.
September 11, 2020 (Family Research Council) — President Trump took another step toward fulfilling his promise to “Drain the Swamp” on Friday when he authorized Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to ensure that federal agencies no longer hold “woke” re-education trainings. The memo directs agency heads to “cease and desist from using taxpayer dollars to fund these divisive, un-American propaganda training sessions.”
The White House directive was drafted in response to reports that mandatory trainings told employees in executive agencies that “virtually all white people contribute to racism,” that racism is “embedded in the belief that America is the land of opportunity or the belief that the most qualified person should receive a job,” or forced them to admit they “benefit from racism.”
Christopher Rufo of the Discovery Institute has worked for the past six months uncovering how Marxist ideas have crept into our government on the taxpayers' dime. “What I've discovered,” he said, “is that critical race theory has become, in essence, the default ideology of the federal bureaucracy.”
Rufo's research has uncovered “wokeness” training programs in the Treasury Department, the National Credit Union Administration, Sandia National Laboratories, Argonne National Laboratories, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI. And of course, we've all seen more public examples, like the graphic from the taxpayer-funded Smithsonian Museum in July, which claimed to identify the nuclear family, Judeo-Christian values, and objective, rational, linear thinking aspects of “whiteness.”
The “wokeness” trainings are part and parcel of the civil unrest afflicting our cities. Last year, the New York Times embarked on a massive propaganda campaign, known as the 1619 project, to redefine America's founding as irredeemably racist. The 1619 Project has ushered in a summer of rioting in America's cities (and now suburbs). What began as peaceful protests over police brutality and concerns about lingering racism has given way to looting, burning, direct assaults on America's most prominent founders, and organized, violent assaults on government property and law enforcement officers.
As a chronicle of history, the 1619 project is a failure; prominent historians quickly objected to its many errors, forcing a “muted, microscopic correction” from the Times. But as a propaganda campaign, the 1619 Project has found far more success than it deserved, largely because the mainstream media is willing to promote any argument, however bankrupt, which might damage their number-one enemy, President Donald Trump. The president has already instructed the Department of Education to investigate how the 1619 Project has infiltrated America's public schools. Now, President Trump has determined to root out the 1619's Marxist propaganda from the federal bureaucracy. The White House memo rightly condemned the “wokeness” trainings for opposing “the fundamental beliefs for which our Nation has stood since its inception.”
The White House memo also disparaged the “division and resentment” engendered by critical race theory. Instead of celebrating the diversity of race, ethnicity, and religion in America, the doctrine seeks to paint some as evil oppressors and others as innocent oppressed.
More detailed guidance will follow, but the memo directed all agencies to identify and make plans to cancel any “training or propaganda effort that teaches or suggests either (1) that the United States is an inherently racist or evil country or (2) that any race or ethnicity is inherently racist or evil.”
Americans face a critical juncture in the 2020 election. Openly Marxist forces in our schools, our media, our government, and our streets, threaten to destroy the liberties we prize. While most career politicians apologize and flip-flop at the first sign of conflict, President Trump is one of only a few public leaders who has demonstrated the courage to stand up to them.
Published with permission from the Family Research Council.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-11--‘Shameful conduct’ prompts Alabama to revoke infamous Twitter-trolling abortionist’s medical license

PETITION : Demand Planned Parenthood return $ 80M improperly taken from coronavirus emergency fund !
Sign the petition here .
MONTGOMERY , Alabama , September 11 , 2020 ( Operation Rescue ) — The Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners has suspended the temporary medical license of abortionist Leah Nicole Torres and has ordered her to cease and desist the practice of medicine after it found she had lied repeatedly on her permanent medical license application and committed unprofessional conduct .
She was ordered to immediately surrender her license certificate .
Torres began working at the West Alabama Women ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early August 2020 , after the retirement of 82-year old abortionist Louis Payne , who left in the wake of an investigation into the death of a woman on May 7 , 2020 , who visited the abortion facility just before died at nearby Druid City Hospital .
According to the Board order and a letter to Torres dated August 20 , 2020 informing her of their findings , the Board found that she “ committed fraud ” her application for licensure by providing untrue or misleading statements to four application questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims , mental health conditions , and her work history .
“ It is a relief to know that Torres is currently not able to conduct abortions in Alabama , ” said Troy Newman , President of Operation Rescue , which has been working with a coalition of state and national pro-life groups , including CEC for Life and Life Legal Defense Foundation , to investigate the May 7 Tuscaloosa death .
“ She apparently thought she could get away with anything , as so many abortionists do , but this time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical license .
It makes me wonder what else has she lied about.
” Torres was found to have been untruthful about the following information on her 2020 Alabama medical license application : • Torres apparently denied disciplinary action while staffing a hospital , but the Board found that her “ staff privileges at a hospital or health care facility had been revoked , suspended , curtailed , limited , or placed under conditions restricting your practice.
” • Torres denied any medical malpractice claims on her application for licensing , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a medical malpractice action relating to your performance of professional service was settled on or about August 28 , 2018.
” • Torres denied any history of mental health conditions , yet the Board found that “ on or about March 13 , 2019 , you , through counsel , raised the issue of a mental , emotional , nervous , or behavioral disorder or condition as a defense , mitigation , or explanation for your actions in the course of a judicial proceeding in the United States District Court for the District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Torres also claimed to have worked as “ a locum tenens physician between June 2018 and February 2019 ” when the Board found that she had been “ unable to find unemployment ” during that time .
The Board also had strong words for Torres in an accusation that she committed unprofessional conduct , a charge that is grounds for license denial .
That you have committed unprofessional conduct as defined in the rules promulgated by the Medical Licensure Commission ; specifically , you have made public statements related to the practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of honesty , diligence , prudence , and ethical integrity demanded from physicians licensed to practice in Alabama and which evidence conduct which is immoral and which is willful , shameful , and which shows a moral indifference to the standards and opinions of the community , in violation of Rule 545-X-4-.06 of the Rules and Regulations of the Medical Licensure Commission , all in violation of Ala. Code ‘ 34-24-360 ( 2 ) .
Torres has stirred controversy in the past few years with her Twitter account on which she routinely posts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Today , her Twitter account has 26.9K followers .
In 2018 , a tweet she posted made national news when the abortionist seemed to imply that she cut babies ’ vocal cords during abortions , which would be both brutal and illegal .
She later deleted the tweet ( pictured below ) and tried to clarify her comments , claiming she was referring to the umbilical cord .
Torres later filed a civil suit against the Daily Caller — the same suit referenced by the Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners – claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose her job and suffer mental health issues .
At the time she was on staff with a Utah hospital and conducted abortions at Planned Parenthood of Utah .
Her license in that state is now listed as expired .
Since her firing , Torres struggled to find employment until she was hired on at the West Alabama Women ’ s Center in Tuscaloosa .
Torres has until September 21 , 2020 , to file an appeal with the Medical Licensure Commission .
A full hearing in the matter has been set for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Alabama .
Meanwhile , the WAWC has appeared to have replaced Torres and continues to remain open for now , pending a criminal investigation into the May 7 death .

The Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners has ordered abortionist Leah Nicole Torres to 'cease and desist the practice of medicine.'
PETITION: Demand Planned Parenthood return $80M improperly taken from coronavirus emergency fund! Sign the petition here.
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, September 11, 2020 (Operation Rescue) — The Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners has suspended the temporary medical license of abortionist Leah Nicole Torres and has ordered her to cease and desist the practice of medicine after it found she had lied repeatedly on her permanent medical license application and committed unprofessional conduct.
She was ordered to immediately surrender her license certificate.
Torres began working at the West Alabama Women’s Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in early August 2020, after the retirement of 82-year old abortionist Louis Payne, who left in the wake of an investigation into the death of a woman on May 7, 2020, who visited the abortion facility just before she died at nearby Druid City Hospital.
According to the Board order and a letter to Torres dated August 20, 2020 informing her of their findings, the Board found that she “committed fraud” her application for licensure by providing untrue or misleading statements to four application questions involving hospital privilege restrictions, medical malpractice claims, mental health conditions, and her work history.
“It is a relief to know that Torres is currently not able to conduct abortions in Alabama,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue, which has been working with a coalition of state and national pro-life groups, including CEC for Life and Life Legal Defense Foundation, to investigate the May 7 Tuscaloosa death. “She apparently thought she could get away with anything, as so many abortionists do, but this time, she got caught lying to get a medical license. It makes me wonder what else has she lied about.”
Torres was found to have been untruthful about the following information on her 2020 Alabama medical license application:
Torres apparently denied disciplinary action while staffing a hospital, but the Board found that her “staff privileges at a hospital or health care facility had been revoked, suspended, curtailed, limited, or placed under conditions restricting your practice.” Torres denied any medical malpractice claims on her application for licensing, but he Board found that “in fact, a medical malpractice action relating to your performance of professional service was settled on or about August 28, 2018.” Torres denied any history of mental health conditions, yet the Board found that “on or about March 13, 2019, you, through counsel, raised the issue of a mental, emotional, nervous, or behavioral disorder or condition as a defense, mitigation, or explanation for your actions in the course of a judicial proceeding in the United States District Court for the District of Utah, case number 2:19-cv-175-BSJ. Torres also claimed to have worked as “a locum tenens physician between June 2018 and February 2019” when the Board found that she had been “unable to find unemployment” during that time.
The Board also had strong words for Torres in an accusation that she committed unprofessional conduct, a charge that is grounds for license denial.
That you have committed unprofessional conduct as defined in the rules promulgated by the Medical Licensure Commission; specifically, you have made public statements related to the practice of medicine which violate the high standards of honesty, diligence, prudence, and ethical integrity demanded from physicians licensed to practice in Alabama and which evidence conduct which is immoral and which is willful, shameful, and which shows a moral indifference to the standards and opinions of the community, in violation of Rule 545-X-4-.06 of the Rules and Regulations of the Medical Licensure Commission, all in violation of Ala. Code ‘ 34-24-360(2). [Emphasis added.]
Torres has stirred controversy in the past few years with her Twitter account on which she routinely posts outrageous comments in support of abortion. Today, her Twitter account has 26.9K followers.
In 2018, a tweet she posted made national news when the abortionist seemed to imply that she cut babies’ vocal cords during abortions, which would be both brutal and illegal. She later deleted the tweet (pictured below) and tried to clarify her comments, claiming she was referring to the umbilical cord.
Torres later filed a civil suit against the Daily Caller — the same suit referenced by the Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners – claiming that the news story caused her to lose her job and suffer mental health issues.
At the time she was on staff with a Utah hospital and conducted abortions at Planned Parenthood of Utah. Her license in that state is now listed as expired. Since her firing, Torres struggled to find employment until she was hired on at the West Alabama Women’s Center in Tuscaloosa.
Torres has until September 21, 2020, to file an appeal with the Medical Licensure Commission. A full hearing in the matter has been set for December 21, 2020, in Montgomery, Alabama.
Meanwhile, the WAWC has appeared to have replaced Torres and continues to remain open for now, pending a criminal investigation into the May 7 death.
Read Torres’ Suspension Order and Letter
Published with permission from Operation Rescue.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-11--Cardinal says SSPX founder Abp Lefebvre will one day be named ‘doctor of the Church’

September 11 , 2020 ( Catholic Family News ) — Professor Armin Schwibach , a teacher of philosophy and Rome correspondent for the Austrian website Kath.net , has reported on Twitter that a cardinal has recently made to him some supportive comments about Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre , the deceased founder of the Society of St. Pius X .
On August 21 , Schwibach wrote : “ As a cardinal recently stated : Archbishop Lefebvre will one day recognized as a Doctor of the Church .
Therefore , ‘ others ’ have to measure up to him.
” Catholic Family News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he confirmed that indeed these words have only recently been spoken to him by a cardinal of the Catholic Church .
On another occasion , according to Schwibach , this same cardinal added that Lefebvre was “ prophetic.
” However , the cardinal spoke these words privately and does not wish to say so in public .
This reliable fact , as revealed by Schwibach , is of great importance for the Catholic Church since it shows that there are other high-ranking prelates besides Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò and Bishop Athanasius Schneider who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s own sustained criticism of the Second Vatican Council , of aspects of the post-conciliar Magisterium , and of the Novus Ordo Mass .
It is to be hoped that this cardinal , as well as other prelates who are thinking in similar terms , would come out candidly into the public .
It is time for this traditionalist position , which has been suppressed and ostracized for so many decades , to now be respectfully heard .
It is a fact that the Catholic mind shrinks when it is disallowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present objections .
One becomes accustomed to putting blinders on , yet Our Lord is the Light and the Truth , and we can always rest assured that He will bless us when we seek to please Him by searching for and speaking the Truth , without concern for human respect .
In addition to this , it is also my deep trust that we can only come to a fuller and more proportionate assessment of our current crisis and its roots when we commit ourselves to conducting an intellectual discourse in public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presented , thus widening the perspectives and approaches to truth .
It is in this light that I personally regret the course recently taken by Fr .
Thomas Weinandy , O.F.M .
In his first July 14 response to the recent statements by Archbishop Viganò ( specifically , His Excellency ’ s June 9 text ) , Fr .
Weinandy said he had some sympathies with some of the prelate ’ s criticisms ( “ I sympathize with many of the concerns expressed and acknowledge some of the stated problematic theological and doctrinal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , he proceeded to accuse Viganò in an August 13 essay of effectively serving Satan and of leading souls out of the Catholic Church .
As Weinandy stated : “ My concern is that , in his radical reading of the Council , the archbishop is spawning his own schism.
” He furthermore wrote that Archbishop Viganò , with his criticism of the Second Vatican Council , “ I fear , has played into the hand of the devil — the very devil he fears the most.
” This specious argument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for decades with regard to the SSPX , saying that they are “ schismatics ” in order to discourage faithful Catholics from even reading and considering the Society ’ s arguments .
In Christus Vincit ( Angelico Press , 2019 ) , a book-length interview , Bishop Athanasius Schneider candidly describes his own reaction to Lefebvre and his movement when he said that he felt drawn to his arguments , but then was confused because the local bishops warned the faithful against this “ disobedient ” archbishop .
Here is how I put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he [ Bishop Schneider ] was 15 years of age , he started to read some texts written by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre , the founder of the Society of St. Pius X , but he “ experienced a dilemma.
” His own veneration for the reigning pope was in conflict with the insights of Lefebvre that he found “ substantially right.
” Since he at the time did not read the texts of the 1962–1965 Council directly , but , rather , commentaries by conservative authors presenting them , he had at first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be problems with the texts of the Council.
” At the time , he practiced a “ total ‘ infallibilization ’ of the Council.
” Now Bishop Schneider sees that this conclusion was wrong .
He says : “ Nowadays , I realize that I ‘ turned off ’ my reason .
However , such an attitude is not healthy and contradicts the tradition of the Church , as we observe in the Fathers , the Doctors , and the great theologians of the Church over the course of two thousand years.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ off ” reason the bishop now calls “ extreme ultramontanism ” as well as a “ blind defense of everything that was said by the Council , which seemed sometimes to require mental acrobatics and a ‘ squaring of the circle.
’ ” This one example shows : instead of publicly discussing the objections of Archbishop Lefebvre — and several other traditional groups and individuals — many in the Church ’ s hierarchy ostracized him and thereby suppressed his sincere and well-reasoned arguments .
Such a method , however , will not last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set itself free .
I have heard in the recent past from several conservative Catholics that they kept away from the publications of the traditionalist movement because they had been told that they are “ schismatics ” .
However , now that they start reading some of their books and critiques , they say : I never knew that !
I wish I had known .
Others tell me : We have been deprived of so many beautiful elements of our Faith !
The new prayer books are often so drab , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uplifting and inspiring !
We feel our heritage has been stolen from us .
So it goes .
The truth always sets itself free .
And any prelate who would now honestly address these problems would do a great service to the laity and would thereby help us in the sense of a well-proportioned and well-reasoned debate , for the sake of the salvation of souls .

Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who founded the priestly Society of St. Pius X, has long found little favor with the modern Church's bishops. It seems things are slowly starting to change.
Disclaimer: The views represented in this article do not necessarily represent the views of LifeSiteNews. They are presented only for your information.
September 11, 2020 (Catholic Family News) — Professor Armin Schwibach, a teacher of philosophy and Rome correspondent for the Austrian website Kath.net, has reported on Twitter that a cardinal has recently made to him some supportive comments about Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the deceased founder of the Society of St. Pius X.
On August 21, Schwibach wrote: “As a cardinal recently stated: Archbishop Lefebvre will one day recognized as a Doctor of the Church. Therefore, ‘others’ have to measure up to him.” Catholic Family News reached out to Professor Schwibach, and he confirmed that indeed these words have only recently been spoken to him by a cardinal of the Catholic Church. On another occasion, according to Schwibach, this same cardinal added that Lefebvre was “prophetic.” However, the cardinal spoke these words privately and does not wish to say so in public.
This reliable fact, as revealed by Schwibach, is of great importance for the Catholic Church since it shows that there are other high-ranking prelates besides Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò and Bishop Athanasius Schneider who are seeing the validity of Archbishop Lefebvre’s own sustained criticism of the Second Vatican Council, of aspects of the post-conciliar Magisterium, and of the Novus Ordo Mass.
Time for a Respectful Hearing
It is to be hoped that this cardinal, as well as other prelates who are thinking in similar terms, would come out candidly into the public. It is time for this traditionalist position, which has been suppressed and ostracized for so many decades, to now be respectfully heard. It is a fact that the Catholic mind shrinks when it is disallowed to look at reality and ask questions or present objections. One becomes accustomed to putting blinders on, yet Our Lord is the Light and the Truth, and we can always rest assured that He will bless us when we seek to please Him by searching for and speaking the Truth, without concern for human respect.
In addition to this, it is also my deep trust that we can only come to a fuller and more proportionate assessment of our current crisis and its roots when we commit ourselves to conducting an intellectual discourse in public, where arguments and counter-arguments are clearly presented, thus widening the perspectives and approaches to truth.
It is in this light that I personally regret the course recently taken by Fr. Thomas Weinandy, O.F.M. In his first July 14 response to the recent statements by Archbishop Viganò (specifically, His Excellency’s June 9 text), Fr. Weinandy said he had some sympathies with some of the prelate’s criticisms (“I sympathize with many of the concerns expressed and acknowledge some of the stated problematic theological and doctrinal issues enumerated.”). More recently, however, he proceeded to accuse Viganò in an August 13 essay of effectively serving Satan and of leading souls out of the Catholic Church. As Weinandy stated: “My concern is that, in his radical reading of the Council, the archbishop is spawning his own schism.” He furthermore wrote that Archbishop Viganò, with his criticism of the Second Vatican Council, “I fear, has played into the hand of the devil — the very devil he fears the most.”
This specious argument is old. It has been used for decades with regard to the SSPX, saying that they are “schismatics” in order to discourage faithful Catholics from even reading and considering the Society’s arguments.
Bishop Schneider’s Refreshing Candor
In Christus Vincit (Angelico Press, 2019), a book-length interview, Bishop Athanasius Schneider candidly describes his own reaction to Lefebvre and his movement when he said that he felt drawn to his arguments, but then was confused because the local bishops warned the faithful against this “disobedient” archbishop.
Here is how I put it in my book review:
When he [Bishop Schneider] was 15 years of age, he started to read some texts written by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the founder of the Society of St. Pius X, but he “experienced a dilemma.” His own veneration for the reigning pope was in conflict with the insights of Lefebvre that he found “substantially right.” Since he at the time did not read the texts of the 1962–1965 Council directly, but, rather, commentaries by conservative authors presenting them, he had at first “no concern or suspicion that there might be problems with the texts of the Council.” At the time, he practiced a “total ‘infallibilization’ of the Council.” Now Bishop Schneider sees that this conclusion was wrong. He says: “Nowadays, I realize that I ‘turned off’ my reason. However, such an attitude is not healthy and contradicts the tradition of the Church, as we observe in the Fathers, the Doctors, and the great theologians of the Church over the course of two thousand years.” Such an attitude to “turn off” reason the bishop now calls “extreme ultramontanism” as well as a “blind defense of everything that was said by the Council, which seemed sometimes to require mental acrobatics and a ‘squaring of the circle.’”
This one example shows: instead of publicly discussing the objections of Archbishop Lefebvre — and several other traditional groups and individuals — many in the Church’s hierarchy ostracized him and thereby suppressed his sincere and well-reasoned arguments. Such a method, however, will not last forever, because the truth will always set itself free.
I have heard in the recent past from several conservative Catholics that they kept away from the publications of the traditionalist movement because they had been told that they are “schismatics”. However, now that they start reading some of their books and critiques, they say: I never knew that! I wish I had known. Others tell me: We have been deprived of so many beautiful elements of our Faith! The new prayer books are often so drab, while the old ones are so much more uplifting and inspiring! We feel our heritage has been stolen from us.
So it goes. The truth always sets itself free. And any prelate who would now honestly address these problems would do a great service to the laity and would thereby help us in the sense of a well-proportioned and well-reasoned debate, for the sake of the salvation of souls.
Published with permission from Catholic Family News.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-11--Pro-lifers to remember aborted children at gravesites across America this weekend

September 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Pro-lifers across the United States will gather Saturday , September 12 to pray around graves for aborted children , emphasizing that abortion is not an abstract issue , but a concrete human tragedy .
Cosponsored by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society , Priests for Life , and Pro-Life Action League , the eighth annual National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children will consist of 181 memorial services across the country , 54 of which will take place at gravesites specifically recognizing children who were killed in the womb .
“ When people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion , they can more easily cut through the lies by which some try to justify it , and the natural apathy to which human nature is inclined , ” the event page says .
“ Even pro-life people are thrust into a higher level of commitment and activism.
” While most of abortion ’ s victims are disposed of as medical waste , the page explains that “ tens of thousands ” of bodies of aborted babies have been retrieved and given proper burials , and the stories of their recoveries “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our fellow citizens.
” “ By participating in the National Day of Remembrance , visiting these solemn memorial places at other times of the year , and spreading the word about this prayer campaign , ” it adds , “ you are helping to humanize our aborted brothers and sisters and deepening your own commitment to ending the injustice of abortion.
” Full information about the event , including a complete list of locations as well as prayers for both aborted children and their mothers , can be found at AbortionMemorials.com .

The National Day of Remembrance helps to 'humanize our aborted brothers and sisters' and deepen commitment to 'ending the injustice of abortion'
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September 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Pro-lifers across the United States will gather Saturday, September 12 to pray around graves for aborted children, emphasizing that abortion is not an abstract issue, but a concrete human tragedy.
Cosponsored by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, Priests for Life, and Pro-Life Action League, the eighth annual National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children will consist of 181 memorial services across the country, 54 of which will take place at gravesites specifically recognizing children who were killed in the womb.
“When people become truly aware of the reality of abortion, they can more easily cut through the lies by which some try to justify it, and the natural apathy to which human nature is inclined,” the event page says. “Even pro-life people are thrust into a higher level of commitment and activism.”
While most of abortion’s victims are disposed of as medical waste, the page explains that “tens of thousands” of bodies of aborted babies have been retrieved and given proper burials, and the stories of their recoveries “are powerful tools to awaken the consciences of our fellow citizens.”
“By participating in the National Day of Remembrance, visiting these solemn memorial places at other times of the year, and spreading the word about this prayer campaign,” it adds, “you are helping to humanize our aborted brothers and sisters and deepening your own commitment to ending the injustice of abortion.”
Full information about the event, including a complete list of locations as well as prayers for both aborted children and their mothers, can be found at AbortionMemorials.com.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-11--Disney’s ‘Mulan’ remake thanks Chinese communist propaganda departments in credits

September 11 , 2020 ( Family Research Council ) — Coinciding with its long-anticipated release , Disney 's live-action remake of Mulan has become the source of mounting international controversy .
Fans of Disney 's 1998 animated tale of a young Chinese woman who disguised herself as a man to fight the Huns in her ailing father 's place may find themselves disappointed in the way Disney created the film .
Parts of the movie were filmed in Xinjiang , the northwest region of China where the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) has launched an unparalleled campaign of suppression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the credits , Disney thanks eight Chinese government entities from Xinjiang .
The region is now famous for its `` re-education '' camps where Uyghurs are detained without cause to be taught Party propaganda .
Witnesses from the camps detail instances of torture , forced sterilization , and unsanitary living conditions .
Among the entities Disney is thankful for is a local branch of the regional Xinjiang public security bureau , which is directly involved in operating the camps .
The entity is so clearly involved in human rights violations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions against it , the hardest hitting sanctions that target human rights abusers .
Disney also thanked local propaganda departments in Xinjiang .
The rise of China 's `` re-education '' camps from 2017–2018 occurred within the likely timeline Mulan would have been filmed .
The world was waking up to the stark reality that internment camps were operating in the 21st century .
Disney , as a company that often prides itself on being progressive , should have shown concern over filming in the vicinity of an international human rights crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an international corporation profiteering in the shadow of concentration camps . ''
But this is n't the film 's first controversy .
Hong Kong pro-democracy protestors first called for a boycott of the movie last year when lead actress Liu Yifei shared a social media post from a Chinese government-run newspaper that read : `` I also support Hong Kong police .
You can beat me up now . ''
At the time , hundreds of thousands of young pro-democracy protestors were taking to the streets and enduring brutal and violent crackdowns from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States as a naturalized citizen and benefits immensely from its freedoms .
Thus , protestors were justifiably angered when she showed no concern for the Hong Kongers desperate to maintain their freedoms in the face of the encroaching Chinese government , which fails to respect rule of law , freedom of speech , or religious freedom , among other basic rights .
But Hong Kong activists have their own recommendation for the `` real Mulan . ''
They look to the soft-spoken 23-year-old Agnes Chow , a student leader of the pro-democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activism earlier this summer under Hong Kong 's new national security law when she was accused of `` colluding with foreign forces . ''
A devoted Catholic , she points to her faith as a significant factor that motivates her advocacy , and that of other pro-democracy activists : `` I do think that the religious belief and what we learn from our religion and the Bible gives us our belief and courage to fight for freedom and rights for Hong Kong people . ''
Chow is the perfect example of standing firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation .
When looking for a real-life hero , Hong Kongers are right to celebrate Chow .
The very way Disney chose to go about making this movie is a betrayal of the story 's spirit .
Mulan was defending China 's people against invaders .
But through the creation of the movie , the creators of the film acquiesced to the Communist Party , which threatens the freedoms of others .
To many , the story of Mulan represents courage and sacrifice in defense of one 's family and country .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telling this story , Disney chose to collaborate with one of the world 's worst violators of human rights — the Chinese Communist Party and the entities it controls .
As long as Disney continues to choose profits over people , it will not bring honor to itself .
Published with permission from the Family Research Council .

September 11, 2020 (Family Research Council) — Coinciding with its long-anticipated release, Disney's live-action remake of Mulan has become the source of mounting international controversy. Fans of Disney's 1998 animated tale of a young Chinese woman who disguised herself as a man to fight the Huns in her ailing father's place may find themselves disappointed in the way Disney created the film.
Parts of the movie were filmed in Xinjiang, the northwest region of China where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has launched an unparalleled campaign of suppression against Uyghur Muslims. Tucked away toward the end of the credits, Disney thanks eight Chinese government entities from Xinjiang. The region is now famous for its “re-education” camps where Uyghurs are detained without cause to be taught Party propaganda. Witnesses from the camps detail instances of torture, forced sterilization, and unsanitary living conditions.
Among the entities Disney is thankful for is a local branch of the regional Xinjiang public security bureau, which is directly involved in operating the camps. The entity is so clearly involved in human rights violations that the U.S. government issued Global Magnitsky sanctions against it, the hardest hitting sanctions that target human rights abusers. Disney also thanked local propaganda departments in Xinjiang.
The rise of China's “re-education” camps from 2017–2018 occurred within the likely timeline Mulan would have been filmed. The world was waking up to the stark reality that internment camps were operating in the 21st century. Disney, as a company that often prides itself on being progressive, should have shown concern over filming in the vicinity of an international human rights crisis. China researcher Adrian Zenz called Disney “an international corporation profiteering in the shadow of concentration camps.”
But this isn't the film's first controversy. Hong Kong pro-democracy protestors first called for a boycott of the movie last year when lead actress Liu Yifei shared a social media post from a Chinese government-run newspaper that read: “I also support Hong Kong police. You can beat me up now.” At the time, hundreds of thousands of young pro-democracy protestors were taking to the streets and enduring brutal and violent crackdowns from the police.
Liu lives in the United States as a naturalized citizen and benefits immensely from its freedoms. Thus, protestors were justifiably angered when she showed no concern for the Hong Kongers desperate to maintain their freedoms in the face of the encroaching Chinese government, which fails to respect rule of law, freedom of speech, or religious freedom, among other basic rights.
But Hong Kong activists have their own recommendation for the “real Mulan.” They look to the soft-spoken 23-year-old Agnes Chow, a student leader of the pro-democracy movement. Chow was arrested for her activism earlier this summer under Hong Kong's new national security law when she was accused of “colluding with foreign forces.”
A devoted Catholic, she points to her faith as a significant factor that motivates her advocacy, and that of other pro-democracy activists: “I do think that the religious belief and what we learn from our religion and the Bible gives us our belief and courage to fight for freedom and rights for Hong Kong people.” Chow is the perfect example of standing firm with grace and courage in an impossible situation. When looking for a real-life hero, Hong Kongers are right to celebrate Chow.
The very way Disney chose to go about making this movie is a betrayal of the story's spirit. Mulan was defending China's people against invaders. But through the creation of the movie, the creators of the film acquiesced to the Communist Party, which threatens the freedoms of others.
To many, the story of Mulan represents courage and sacrifice in defense of one's family and country. It's disappointing that in the process of telling this story, Disney chose to collaborate with one of the world's worst violators of human rights — the Chinese Communist Party and the entities it controls. As long as Disney continues to choose profits over people, it will not bring honor to itself.
Published with permission from the Family Research Council.
Share