lifesitenews--2020-02-06--Cardinal Müller: This ‘synodal’ enterprise will not be the ‘Great Leap Forward’

February 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In a new interview with LifeSiteNews , Cardinal Gerhard Müller presents a more detailed critique of the first synodal assembly that took place in Frankfurt at the beginning of February .
The German bishops , together with the Central Committee of German Catholics , are organizing the so-called “ synodal path ” that aims at questioning the Church 's discipline and teachings on such important matters as female ordination , priestly celibacy , contraception , and homosexuality .
For Cardinal Müller , it is clear that this “ ‘ synodal ’ enterprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forward.
’ ” He even goes so far as to say that bishops who promote heresy lose “ the right to the ‘ religious obedience of the faithful.
’ ” Cardinal Müller also refers back to the time of the Donatists in North Africa when he says in light of the German synodal path : “ Already many bishops in the course of Church history have become heretical or led their parishes into schism , as for example the Donatists , who , with their majority , stood up to the Catholics in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with LifeSite , the German cardinal and former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith also touches upon his recent February 3 comments to LifeSite which provoked much indignation among German progressivists including bishops .
Müller had compared the process of the synodal path to the 1933 Enabling Act of Adolf Hitler , which rescinded the Weimar Constitution .
Müller said , after calling the synodal path “ suicidal ” : “ This is like the situation when the Weimar Constitution was repealed by the Enabling Act .
A self-appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God nor by the people it is supposed to represent , rescinds the Constitution of the Church of Divine Right , which is based on the Word of God ( in Scripture and Tradition ) .
” Basis for these comments were that the first synodal assembly ruled that even proposals directly opposing Church teaching may be sent to the general assembly of 230 synodal members .
The structure of the synodal assembly is also such that the laity hold a majority among the members , thus undercutting the episcopal structure of authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Responding to the question as to why he used this historical comparison to the National Socialist seize of power , Cardinal Müller responds : “ To put oneself in diametric opposition to the revealed doctrine of the Faith and then to quote the Holy Spirit is a crude block that has well earned its crude wedge .
We are to 'hear what the Spirit says to the churches ’ ( Rev 2:11 ) ; but this is the ‘ Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ ’ ( Rev 1:2 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church ’ conforming to society.
” Later on , the German prelate also indicates that he used a provocation in order to break through the wall of silence when it comes to substantial objections to the reform agenda of the synodal path .
He says : “ It is true that factual statements are skillfully sunk into the spiral of silence .
One only has to touch the feeling of indignation and then the ritual is already running.
” In his new response , Cardinal Müller also reminds us that it is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church , but , rather , about service and the salvation of souls .
“ People are not entitled to absolute power over people , ” he explains .
“ But here it is about the service of salvation to fellow believers in the name of God .
In the Church , not everything is about power , but about building up the Body of Christ .
Do we want to serve or to rule ?
That is the question here.
” The German prelate insists that the bishops are tasked to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether written or handed on ( Dei Verbum 10 ) in relation to the other members of the Church , but by no means in opposition to them , since all are jointly responsible for the unadulterated transmission of the Faith ( LG 12 ) .
” According to Müller , it is very important to learn from history , thus the historical comparison .
He hopes that the German bishops do exactly that , since part of the reason for the Western schism in the 16th century had been failures of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” at the time .
Finally , Cardinal Müller comes to the defense of his fellow German Cardinal , Rainer Woelki , who has been sharply criticized in Germany for distancing himself from the synodal path ’ s methods and substance .
Comments Müller : “ The verbalized violence against him [ Woelki ] and others is but an expression of intellectual helplessness and moral confusion 'of earthly-minded people who do not grasp what comes from the Spirit of God ' ( 1 Cor 2:13 ) .
” Further criticizing the German synodal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole approach of the ‘ Synodal Path ’ is ecclesiologically wrong .
A wrong diagnosis spoils the best therapy.
” Below is the full interview : LifeSite : Two days ago you made critical remarks about the first plenary assembly of the Synodal Path and called its process 'suicidal ' and then compared it with the repeal of the Weimar Constitution by the Enabling Act .
You referred here to the fact that the synodal assembly decided to accept decisions even if they went against Catholic doctrine .
Could you explain your thoughts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may one make such a comparison ?
Cardinal Müller : More political power is constantly demanded for the lay functionaries in contrast to the sacramental authority – given by Christ to the bishops – or for more power for the local bishops ' conferences ( i.e .
their apparatus ) against the central power “ Rome , ” as if the Church had lost herself in the arena of media and political battles .
Where earthly power is at stake , the separation of powers is absolutely necessary .
People are not entitled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here it is about the service of salvation to fellow believers in the name of God .
In the Church , not everything is about power , but about building up the Body of Christ .
Do we want to serve or to rule ?
That is the question here .
In the Church it is about “ the knowledge of the One and Only God and the salvation of all people through Christ Jesus as the only mediator between God and men ” ( cf .
1 Tim 2:5 ) .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world and of Christ himself “ here on earth as a visible structure and endowed with hierarchical organs ” ( Lumen Gentium 8 ) .
The common priesthood of all the faithful by virtue of Baptism and Confirmation and the hierarchical priesthood by virtue of ordination ( to bishop , priest and deacon ) can not be set against each other in an attitude of class struggle with the aim of a classless society which was in reality the rule of functionaries in the name of an anonymous “ people.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priests ) are organically ( not mechanically ) related to one another in the whole life of the Body of Christ , insofar as they participate in the priesthood of Christ in a specific way ( Lumen Gentium 10 ) .
The whole approach of the “ Synodal Path ” is ecclesiologically wrong .
A wrong diagnosis spoils the best therapy .
Instead of showing off emotional concern , the majority who are in the lead and in power should better acquaint themselves with Vatican II 's understanding of the Church rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” otherwise the whole thing becomes a meeting of spirits [ “ Geistersitzung ” ] .
To put oneself in diametric opposition to the revealed doctrine of the Faith and then to quote the Holy Spirit is a crude block that has well earned its crude wedge .
We are to “ hear what the Spirit says to the churches ” ( Rev 2:11 ) ; but this is the “ Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ ” ( Rev 1:2 ) and not the vision of a “ church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Church of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ” ( Lumen Gentium 4 ) one can not pitch the Christological and historical foundation of the Church against the action of Christ praesens [ present ] in the Holy Spirit .
LifeSite : You also noted that the Synodal Path is authorized “ neither by God nor by men.
” Could you explain this to us in more detail ?
Cardinal Müller : As I said before : the “ divine constitution ” of the Church comes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from His disciples .
In conscience , it is of higher binding force than the constitution of a state or association by human law .
Christ himself builds His Church upon Peter and it is not Peter and the other disciples who build their Church on a self-made image of Christ .
The Apostles and the bishops as their successors did not seize political power in her and thus transformed her into human work , then took power away from the laity and thus suppressed them .
Rather , they were once historically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now sacramentally through consecration , empowered as servants of Christ to teach the People of God with His Word , to sanctify them with His sacraments and to lead His flock as shepherds ( Lumen Gentium 18-29 ) .
As soon as they teach and decide something contrary to the Apostolic doctrine and the sacramental constitution of the Church , they have lost the right to the “ religious obedience of the faithful ” ( Lumen Gentium 25 ; Dei Verbum 10 ) .
Already many bishops in the course of Church history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into schism , as for example the Donatists , who , with their majority , stood up to the Catholics in North Africa .
LifeSite : One of your criticisms of the Synodal Assembly is that it gives much power to lay people and that this undermines episcopal authority .
What are you referring to here specifically in relation to the first assembly and what are the doctrinal foundations here ?
Cardinal Müller : The Pope and the bishops in communion were also entrusted with the Magisterium to “ authentically interpret the Word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on ( Dei Verbum 10 ) in relation to the other members of the Church , but by no means in opposition to them , since all are jointly responsible for the unadulterated transmission of the Faith [ ” ] ( LG 12 ) .
I do not criticize that the laity will claim too much power or that it is given to them , but , rather , that the nature and mission of the Church – the Body of Christ , and Temple of the Holy Spirit – is distorted with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way of a self-secularization .
“ The Church of Christ is not an NGO ” – Pope Francis keeps on repeating these words .
LifeSite : Do you think that Rome should stop this Synodal Path , and if so , why ?
Cardinal Müller : The Roman Church , headed by the Pope , has the authority and responsibility , communicated by Christ , for the unity of the Church in the truth of Apostolic doctrine .
At the beginning of the division of Christendom in the 16th century , which to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our Christian faith before the world , the German bishops and the Curia in Rome failed terribly , as Pope Hadrian VI himself confessed ( Nuremberg Reichstag 1522/23 ) .
I hope that one does not repeat this historical mistake .
Historical knowledge can help to avoid future dangers at an early stage in the light of historical experience , and not only to call for the lid after the child has already fallen into the well .
The powerful German Cardinal Albrecht von Brandenburg at the time financed his illegal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of indulgences granted by Rome .
Thus German money , the theological illiteracy of the German episcopate , the primacy of money and politics in Rome are partly to blame for the schism in the West and its tragic consequences to this day .
Money rules the world , but it is also the devil 's best means to confuse the Church .
In order to counter secularization as a total and totalitarian understanding of self and world without God , there is only one effective antidote , the credible proclamation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Son of God ” ( Mk 1:1 ) and a life in the imitation of Christ .
The first word of St. Paul after his conversion at the beginning of his “ proclamation of Jesus ” was – by the way , not historically the reference to interesting trivia about a woman as the first Christian woman in Europe and about baptized slaves in Rome – but the confession : “ This is the Son of God ” ( Acts 9:20 ) .
LifeSite : You have been sharply rebuked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hitler 's takeover of power .
The indignation seems to be greater about this comparison than about the fact that German bishops are in the process of upsetting the entire Church hierarchy , as well as the sacramental and moral teachings of the Church , with serious consequences for many souls .
How would you comment on this phenomenon ?
Cardinal Müller : It is typically German that one does not want to learn anything from history .
Our “ leftists ” in Church and society identify themselves through their double standards and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to objections .
The incessant personal denunciations of those who do not belong to their ideological camp as arch-conservative , fundamentalist , and right-wing , wants to intimidate , but is in reality only the playing off of their power against reason .
In any case , this “ synodal ” enterprise will not be the “ Great Leap Forward.
” Perhaps this comparative non-comparison in Chinese metaphors awakens her deep-seated sense of humor .
LifeSite : You have made a strong comparison .
Did this happen because you recognized the seriousness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many souls is at stake ?
Cardinal Müller : It is true that factual statements are skillfully sunk into the spiral of silence .
One only has to touch the feeling of indignation and the ritual is already running .
After all , I know most of the actors personally and know how the network works .
With all the madness of commissioned works , citation cartels , the satisfaction of sensationalism , the money of well-paid articles , the personal political intrigues and slander against outsiders of the cartel , one only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brotherhood and mercy , of synodality and dialogue , thus discouraging the sincerely believing Christians .
LifeSite : Cardinal Woelki was sharply attacked when he distanced himself from the first synodal assembly .
You are informed that you are no longer an acceptable discussion partner .
It seems that the preservers of the Faith are marginalized , just as they were in the minority at the synodal assembly .
Do you feel reminded here of other moments in Church history ?
Cardinal Müller : Cardinal Woelki is a bishop ordained by Christ in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cardinal of the Roman Church , is the closest collaborator of the Pope in the responsibility for the universal Church .
The verbalized violence against him and others is but an expression of intellectual helplessness and moral confusion “ of earthly-minded people who do not grasp what comes from the Spirit of God ” ( 1 Cor 2:13 ) .
In view of the excommunicating claims to power of such heroes , who could hardly pass a dogmatic test , I can only think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who , in 1943 , summed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will we try to convince the stupid with the help of reasons , it is useless and dangerous.
” ( DBW 8 , 26 ) .

The former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith responds to criticism he faced for comparing the synodal path to the 1933 Enabling Act of Adolf Hitler.
February 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In a new interview with LifeSiteNews, Cardinal Gerhard Müller presents a more detailed critique of the first synodal assembly that took place in Frankfurt at the beginning of February.
The German bishops, together with the Central Committee of German Catholics, are organizing the so-called “synodal path” that aims at questioning the Church's discipline and teachings on such important matters as female ordination, priestly celibacy, contraception, and homosexuality. For Cardinal Müller, it is clear that this “‘synodal’ enterprise will not be the ‘Great Leap Forward.’”
He even goes so far as to say that bishops who promote heresy lose “the right to the ‘religious obedience of the faithful.’”
Cardinal Müller also refers back to the time of the Donatists in North Africa when he says in light of the German synodal path: “Already many bishops in the course of Church history have become heretical or led their parishes into schism, as for example the Donatists, who, with their majority, stood up to the Catholics in North Africa.”
In the new interview with LifeSite, the German cardinal and former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith also touches upon his recent February 3 comments to LifeSite which provoked much indignation among German progressivists including bishops.
Müller had compared the process of the synodal path to the 1933 Enabling Act of Adolf Hitler, which rescinded the Weimar Constitution.
Müller said, after calling the synodal path “suicidal”: “This is like the situation when the Weimar Constitution was repealed by the Enabling Act. A self-appointed assembly, which is not authorized by God nor by the people it is supposed to represent, rescinds the Constitution of the Church of Divine Right, which is based on the Word of God (in Scripture and Tradition).”
Basis for these comments were that the first synodal assembly ruled that even proposals directly opposing Church teaching may be sent to the general assembly of 230 synodal members. The structure of the synodal assembly is also such that the laity hold a majority among the members, thus undercutting the episcopal structure of authority as established in the Catholic Church.
Responding to the question as to why he used this historical comparison to the National Socialist seize of power, Cardinal Müller responds: “To put oneself in diametric opposition to the revealed doctrine of the Faith and then to quote the Holy Spirit is a crude block that has well earned its crude wedge. We are to 'hear what the Spirit says to the churches’ (Rev 2:11); but this is the ‘Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ’ (Rev 1:2) and not the vision of a ‘church’ conforming to society.”
Later on, the German prelate also indicates that he used a provocation in order to break through the wall of silence when it comes to substantial objections to the reform agenda of the synodal path. He says: “It is true that factual statements are skillfully sunk into the spiral of silence. One only has to touch the feeling of indignation and then the ritual is already running.”
In his new response, Cardinal Müller also reminds us that it is not about “power” in the Catholic Church, but, rather, about service and the salvation of souls.
“People are not entitled to absolute power over people,” he explains. “But here it is about the service of salvation to fellow believers in the name of God. In the Church, not everything is about power, but about building up the Body of Christ. Do we want to serve or to rule? That is the question here.”
The German prelate insists that the bishops are tasked to “authentically interpret the Word of God, whether written or handed on (Dei Verbum 10) in relation to the other members of the Church, but by no means in opposition to them, since all are jointly responsible for the unadulterated transmission of the Faith (LG 12).”
According to Müller, it is very important to learn from history, thus the historical comparison. He hopes that the German bishops do exactly that, since part of the reason for the Western schism in the 16th century had been failures of the “Roman Curia and the German bishops” at the time.
Finally, Cardinal Müller comes to the defense of his fellow German Cardinal, Rainer Woelki, who has been sharply criticized in Germany for distancing himself from the synodal path’s methods and substance. Comments Müller: “The verbalized violence against him [Woelki] and others is but an expression of intellectual helplessness and moral confusion 'of earthly-minded people who do not grasp what comes from the Spirit of God' (1 Cor 2:13).”
Further criticizing the German synodal path, he continues: “The whole approach of the ‘Synodal Path’ is ecclesiologically wrong. A wrong diagnosis spoils the best therapy.”
Below is the full interview:
LifeSite: Two days ago you made critical remarks about the first plenary assembly of the Synodal Path and called its process 'suicidal' and then compared it with the repeal of the Weimar Constitution by the Enabling Act. You referred here to the fact that the synodal assembly decided to accept decisions even if they went against Catholic doctrine. Could you explain your thoughts in more detail here? And: may one make such a comparison?
Cardinal Müller: More political power is constantly demanded for the lay functionaries in contrast to the sacramental authority – given by Christ to the bishops – or for more power for the local bishops' conferences (i.e. their apparatus) against the central power “Rome,” as if the Church had lost herself in the arena of media and political battles. Where earthly power is at stake, the separation of powers is absolutely necessary. People are not entitled to absolute power over people. But here it is about the service of salvation to fellow believers in the name of God. In the Church, not everything is about power, but about building up the Body of Christ. Do we want to serve or to rule? That is the question here. In the Church it is about “the knowledge of the One and Only God and the salvation of all people through Christ Jesus as the only mediator between God and men” (cf. 1 Tim 2:5). The Church is a sacrament of the salvation of the world and of Christ himself “here on earth as a visible structure and endowed with hierarchical organs” (Lumen Gentium 8). The common priesthood of all the faithful by virtue of Baptism and Confirmation and the hierarchical priesthood by virtue of ordination (to bishop, priest and deacon) cannot be set against each other in an attitude of class struggle with the aim of a classless society which was in reality the rule of functionaries in the name of an anonymous “people.” Christians (as laity, religious and priests) are organically (not mechanically) related to one another in the whole life of the Body of Christ, insofar as they participate in the priesthood of Christ in a specific way (Lumen Gentium 10). The whole approach of the “Synodal Path” is ecclesiologically wrong. A wrong diagnosis spoils the best therapy. Instead of showing off emotional concern, the majority who are in the lead and in power should better acquaint themselves with Vatican II's understanding of the Church rather than simply referring to its “spirit,” otherwise the whole thing becomes a meeting of spirits [“Geistersitzung”]. To put oneself in diametric opposition to the revealed doctrine of the Faith and then to quote the Holy Spirit is a crude block that has well earned its crude wedge. We are to “hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev 2:11); but this is the “Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev 1:2) and not the vision of a “church” conforming to society. In the “Church of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Lumen Gentium 4) one cannot pitch the Christological and historical foundation of the Church against the action of Christ praesens [present] in the Holy Spirit.
LifeSite: You also noted that the Synodal Path is authorized “neither by God nor by men.” Could you explain this to us in more detail?
Cardinal Müller: As I said before: the “divine constitution” of the Church comes from Christ (LG 8) and not from His disciples. In conscience, it is of higher binding force than the constitution of a state or association by human law. Christ himself builds His Church upon Peter and it is not Peter and the other disciples who build their Church on a self-made image of Christ. The Apostles and the bishops as their successors did not seize political power in her and thus transformed her into human work, then took power away from the laity and thus suppressed them. Rather, they were once historically instituted by Christ through direct vocation and now sacramentally through consecration, empowered as servants of Christ to teach the People of God with His Word, to sanctify them with His sacraments and to lead His flock as shepherds (Lumen Gentium 18-29). As soon as they teach and decide something contrary to the Apostolic doctrine and the sacramental constitution of the Church, they have lost the right to the “religious obedience of the faithful” (Lumen Gentium 25; Dei Verbum 10). Already many bishops in the course of Church history have become heretical or led their parishes into schism, as for example the Donatists, who, with their majority, stood up to the Catholics in North Africa.
LifeSite: One of your criticisms of the Synodal Assembly is that it gives much power to lay people and that this undermines episcopal authority. What are you referring to here specifically in relation to the first assembly and what are the doctrinal foundations here?
Cardinal Müller: The Pope and the bishops in communion were also entrusted with the Magisterium to “authentically interpret the Word of God, whether written or handed on (Dei Verbum 10) in relation to the other members of the Church, but by no means in opposition to them, since all are jointly responsible for the unadulterated transmission of the Faith[”] (LG 12). I do not criticize that the laity will claim too much power or that it is given to them, but, rather, that the nature and mission of the Church – the Body of Christ, and Temple of the Holy Spirit – is distorted with the categories of power and prestige by way of a self-secularization. “The Church of Christ is not an NGO” – Pope Francis keeps on repeating these words.
LifeSite: Do you think that Rome should stop this Synodal Path, and if so, why?
Cardinal Müller: The Roman Church, headed by the Pope, has the authority and responsibility, communicated by Christ, for the unity of the Church in the truth of Apostolic doctrine. At the beginning of the division of Christendom in the 16th century, which to this day has profoundly shaken the credibility of our Christian faith before the world, the German bishops and the Curia in Rome failed terribly, as Pope Hadrian VI himself confessed (Nuremberg Reichstag 1522/23). I hope that one does not repeat this historical mistake. Historical knowledge can help to avoid future dangers at an early stage in the light of historical experience, and not only to call for the lid after the child has already fallen into the well. The powerful German Cardinal Albrecht von Brandenburg at the time financed his illegal and immoral accumulation of offices with the sale of indulgences granted by Rome. Thus German money, the theological illiteracy of the German episcopate, the primacy of money and politics in Rome are partly to blame for the schism in the West and its tragic consequences to this day. Money rules the world, but it is also the devil's best means to confuse the Church. In order to counter secularization as a total and totalitarian understanding of self and world without God, there is only one effective antidote, the credible proclamation of the “Gospel of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God” (Mk 1:1) and a life in the imitation of Christ. The first word of St. Paul after his conversion at the beginning of his “proclamation of Jesus” was – by the way, not historically the reference to interesting trivia about a woman as the first Christian woman in Europe and about baptized slaves in Rome – but the confession: “This is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20).
LifeSite: You have been sharply rebuked in Germany for comparing the Synodal Path to Hitler's takeover of power. The indignation seems to be greater about this comparison than about the fact that German bishops are in the process of upsetting the entire Church hierarchy, as well as the sacramental and moral teachings of the Church, with serious consequences for many souls. How would you comment on this phenomenon?
Cardinal Müller: It is typically German that one does not want to learn anything from history. Our “leftists” in Church and society identify themselves through their double standards and their brilliant inability to respond with arguments to objections. The incessant personal denunciations of those who do not belong to their ideological camp as arch-conservative, fundamentalist, and right-wing, wants to intimidate, but is in reality only the playing off of their power against reason. In any case, this “synodal” enterprise will not be the “Great Leap Forward.” Perhaps this comparative non-comparison in Chinese metaphors awakens her deep-seated sense of humor.
LifeSite: You have made a strong comparison. Did this happen because you recognized the seriousness of the situation and because the welfare of many souls is at stake?
Cardinal Müller: It is true that factual statements are skillfully sunk into the spiral of silence. One only has to touch the feeling of indignation and the ritual is already running. After all, I know most of the actors personally and know how the network works. With all the madness of commissioned works, citation cartels, the satisfaction of sensationalism, the money of well-paid articles, the personal political intrigues and slander against outsiders of the cartel, one only ridicules to outsiders the fine speeches of brotherhood and mercy, of synodality and dialogue, thus discouraging the sincerely believing Christians.
LifeSite: Cardinal Woelki was sharply attacked when he distanced himself from the first synodal assembly. You are informed that you are no longer an acceptable discussion partner. It seems that the preservers of the Faith are marginalized, just as they were in the minority at the synodal assembly. Do you feel reminded here of other moments in Church history?
Cardinal Müller: Cardinal Woelki is a bishop ordained by Christ in the Holy Spirit and, as a Cardinal of the Roman Church, is the closest collaborator of the Pope in the responsibility for the universal Church. The verbalized violence against him and others is but an expression of intellectual helplessness and moral confusion “of earthly-minded people who do not grasp what comes from the Spirit of God” (1 Cor 2:13).
In view of the excommunicating claims to power of such heroes, who could hardly pass a dogmatic test, I can only think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who, in 1943, summed up against stupidity: “Never again will we try to convince the stupid with the help of reasons, it is useless and dangerous.” (DBW 8, 26).
Follow Maike Dr. Maike Hickson was born and raised in Germany. She holds a PhD from the University of Hannover, Germany, after having written in Switzerland her doctoral dissertation on the history of Swiss intellectuals before and during World War II. She now lives in the U.S. and is married to Dr. Robert Hickson, and they have been blessed with two beautiful children. She is a happy housewife who likes to write articles when time permits. Dr. Hickson published in 2014 a Festschrift, a collection of some thirty essays written by thoughtful authors in honor of her husband upon his 70th birthday, which is entitled A Catholic Witness in Our Time. Hickson has closely followed the papacy of Pope Francis and the developments in the Catholic Church in Germany, and she has been writing articles on religion and politics for U.S. and European publications and websites such as LifeSiteNews, OnePeterFive, The Wanderer, Rorate Caeli, Catholicism.org, Catholic Family News, Christian Order, Notizie Pro-Vita, Corrispondenza Romana, Katholisches.info, Der Dreizehnte, Zeit-Fragen, and Westfalen-Blatt.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-06--Learning our faith from Sacred Scripture

Formerly Heart to Heart with Mother Miriam , Mother Miriam Live brings you inspiration and solutions for life ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Miriam is a Catholic nun on a mission to bring hope to a world that @ @ @ @ @ let her share that hope and joy with you !
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Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 2.6.2020. Mother continues her series Growing in our Faith by reading from The Catechism Explained. Today, she focuses on the need to have both scripture and Tradition. The true faith can be found through a deep study of the history of the Church.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-02-06--US parents want online porn banned. Here’s how to do it

February 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A pro-family activist has outlined a plan to help ban porn on the internet .
Terry Schilling , executive director of the American Principles Project in Washington D.C. , told The Jonathon Van Maren Show that not only do American parents want such a ban , but there ’ s an effective way to achieve it .
“ Banning pornography is actually very popular with the American people , ” Schilling told host Jonathon Van Maren , citing recent statistics from Gallup .
“ There 's a lot of people who feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of shame from looking at [ it ] .
There 's a natural sense that what they 're doing is unnatural and wrong.
” Schilling wrote an article for First Things magazine in November of 2019 arguing that pornography should be classified as obscene speech .
He also argued that the Republican Party has committed “ political malpractice ” by ignoring online pornography over the past couple of decades .
In his essay , Schilling laid out three politically feasible steps that could be enacted right now to help restrict porn consumption .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ filters that block out x-rated content .
Two , pornographic websites need to strengthen their age and verification requirements .
And three , tech companies that host pornographic sites should not be immune from legal action .
Schilling discussed each of these and other proposals with Van Maren , a Canadian pro-family , anti-porn activist .
Schilling said that he is shocked when he sees libertarians act like the internet should be completely unregulated .
“ They almost talk about it as if it 's this loophole beyond all laws and all common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's just another form of our culture .
It 's another form of our society .
And it 's online .
And the same laws and rules should apply to the online world that apply to the physical world.
” Schilling believes there is a broad political coalition that can be stitched together to ban online porn .
Of the many groups who would support such a measure , Schilling thinks old school feminists , left-wing Democrats , and socially conservative Republicans are natural allies .
“ A large portion of feminists view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them…you 're actually almost as likely to find a liberal woman who supports banning online pornography entirely as you are a conservative male.
” A paultry nine percent of Americans believe no restrictions should be put on online porn , Schilling added .
However , the number of Americans who think restricting porn online to 18 years of age or older is around 50-60 % .
“ That 's not counting the additional 30 percent of people who would support banning it entirely.
” Schilling told Van Maren that pro-family activists need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal lawmakers by attending town hall meetings and calling their offices so they will enact common-sense regulations for online porn .
“ We want to create a premier political organization for families , for parents who feel forgotten ... we want to take advantage of this vast majority of Americans who are married ” and are “ struggling from progressive influences , ” he said .
“ Like everything else and like every other major fight we 've had as a country , the success of our fight determines upon everyone else and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get engaged in this , ” he added .
The Van Maren Show is hosted on numerous platforms , including Spotify , SoundCloud , YouTube , iTunes , and Google Play .
For a full listing of episodes , and to subscribe to various channels , visit our Pippa webpage here .
To receive weekly emails when a new episode is uploaded , click here .

Terry Schilling believes there is a broad political coalition that could be mobilized to ban porn online.
PETITION: Call on U.S. Attorney General to declare war on porn! Sign the petition here.
February 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A pro-family activist has outlined a plan to help ban porn on the internet.
Terry Schilling, executive director of the American Principles Project in Washington D.C., told The Jonathon Van Maren Show that not only do American parents want such a ban, but there’s an effective way to achieve it.
“Banning pornography is actually very popular with the American people,” Schilling told host Jonathon Van Maren, citing recent statistics from Gallup. “There's a lot of people who feel addicted to pornography…but they feel a sense of shame from looking at [it]. There's a natural sense that what they're doing is unnatural and wrong.”
Schilling wrote an article for First Things magazine in November of 2019 arguing that pornography should be classified as obscene speech. He also argued that the Republican Party has committed “political malpractice” by ignoring online pornography over the past couple of decades. In his essay, Schilling laid out three politically feasible steps that could be enacted right now to help restrict porn consumption.
One, internet service providers should pre-install filters that block out x-rated content. Two, pornographic websites need to strengthen their age and verification requirements. And three, tech companies that host pornographic sites should not be immune from legal action.
Schilling discussed each of these and other proposals with Van Maren, a Canadian pro-family, anti-porn activist. Schilling said that he is shocked when he sees libertarians act like the internet should be completely unregulated.
“They almost talk about it as if it's this loophole beyond all laws and all common decency when it's not. It's just another form of our culture. It's another form of our society. And it's online. And the same laws and rules should apply to the online world that apply to the physical world.”
Schilling believes there is a broad political coalition that can be stitched together to ban online porn. Of the many groups who would support such a measure, Schilling thinks old school feminists, left-wing Democrats, and socially conservative Republicans are natural allies.
“A large portion of feminists view pornography as exploiting women and taking advantage of them…you're actually almost as likely to find a liberal woman who supports banning online pornography entirely as you are a conservative male.”
A paultry nine percent of Americans believe no restrictions should be put on online porn, Schilling added. However, the number of Americans who think restricting porn online to 18 years of age or older is around 50-60%. “That's not counting the additional 30 percent of people who would support banning it entirely.”
Schilling told Van Maren that pro-family activists need to stay involved and put pressure on federal lawmakers by attending town hall meetings and calling their offices so they will enact common-sense regulations for online porn.
“We want to create a premier political organization for families, for parents who feel forgotten…we want to take advantage of this vast majority of Americans who are married” and are “struggling from progressive influences,” he said.
“Like everything else and like every other major fight we've had as a country, the success of our fight determines upon everyone else and whether or not we take action and get engaged in this,” he added.
The Van Maren Show is hosted on numerous platforms, including Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, iTunes, and Google Play.
For a full listing of episodes, and to subscribe to various channels, visit our Pippa webpage here.
To receive weekly emails when a new episode is uploaded, click here.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-06--WATCH: Globalist attacks USA at Vatican conference, calls Trump ‘dangerous’ to one-world ‘big consen

WATCH: Globalist attacks USA at Vatican conference, calls Trump ‘dangerous’ to one-world ‘big consensus’

February 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Pro-abortion globalist and U.S. citizen Jeffrey Sachs attacked the United States at a Vatican-run conference in Rome , calling the land of the free and the home of the brave not only a “ problem ” but “ dangerous ” for its opposition to what he called the world ’ s “ big consensus ” on economic issues and the climate .
Sachs directly attacked President Donald Trump by name , saying that the U.S. problem “ became a far more significant problem with Donald Trump , ” adding that the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ big consensus ” if Trump “ wins re-election this year.
” Sachs was the keynote speaker at the Feb. 5 conference on `` New Forms of Solidarity : Towards fraternal inclusion , integration and innovation '' at the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences .
National Catholic Register ’ s Rome correspondent Edward Pentin first covered Sachs ’ remarks and published video of them .
Argentine Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo , the Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences , smiled and nodding approvingly during Sachs ’ ten-minute speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no more than one or two children and The Pontifical Academy of Sciences , which he heads , has come under fire in recent years for hosting pro-abortion , pro-population control speakers with ties to the United Nations .
The recurrent theme of Sachs ’ speech was that Trump and the U.S. are a threat to “ multilateralism ” , meaning the pursuit of common goals by various nations .
An example of the sort of “ multilateral ” effort supported by Sachs is the UN 's “ Sustainable Development Goals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those goals include the aim to “ ensure universal sexual and reproductive health and rights , ” a euphemism for the legalization of abortion on demand and giving children access to birth control drugs and devices as well as abortion without parental knowledge .
By contrast , Trump has taken measures to stop U.S. taxpayer dollars from funding abortion overseas ; and defunded the United Nations Population Fund , which cooperates with China ’ s forced abortion regime .
In 2018 Trump told the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Americans .
We reject the ideology of globalism , and we embrace the doctrine of patriotism.
” Sachs began his speech by saying that “ multilateralism is not under threat , per se , in most of the world .
It is under threat because of the United States , and I want to say this clearly because it 's not a game.
” “ The U.S. is a problem , ” he continued .
“ It became a far more significant problem with Donald Trump.
” Sachs focused the majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic policies , but also attacked him for his approach to international climate agreements and U.S. military engagements .
“ The US has blocked every multilateral initiative of recent years ” , Sachs said .
It is the only country pulling out of the Paris climate agreement.
” The Paris Agreement has been roundly criticized by pro-life and pro-family leaders , primarily because it calls for “ gender equality ” and “ empowerment of women , ” phrases that critics say are used to push the LGBT agenda , contraception , and abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tobin , called on Trump to rejoin the agreement .
Sachs also criticized Trump for pulling out of the JCPOA nuclear deal with Iran and for his economic actions with regards to China .
“ There is not a China , U.S. , trade war ” , Sachs continued .
“ There is a U.S. trade war on China - that is different .
This was an unpremeditated attack.
” Sachs accused the Trump administration of “ thuggery ” and “ a complete violation of every international rule ” with regards to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current U.S. administration as “ bullies ” who make “ vulgar threats ” and spoke of Trump ’ s “ overt hostility against everybody ” .
In a direct attack on Trump ’ s hopes of winning reelection this year , Sachs said : “ I 'm sorry to say , it — it 's my country — I 'm not very happy to say it , but this is an imperial power in decline and it is a dangerous country right now .
It will be absolutely dangerous if Trump wins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on globalists and other leaders gathered for the conference to move forward toward a “ decent world , ” even if without “ unanimity.
” “ So , we had a good discussion today .
There is really a big consensus on this world for a decent world .
It 's not unanimous , but let 's not depend on unanimity .
Let 's move forward when a large part of the world wants to do the right thing , ” he said .

'The U.S. is a problem. It became a far more significant problem with Donald Trump,' said Jeffrey Sachs at the conference.
February 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Pro-abortion globalist and U.S. citizen Jeffrey Sachs attacked the United States at a Vatican-run conference in Rome, calling the land of the free and the home of the brave not only a “problem” but “dangerous” for its opposition to what he called the world’s “big consensus” on economic issues and the climate.
Sachs directly attacked President Donald Trump by name, saying that the U.S. problem “became a far more significant problem with Donald Trump,” adding that the U.S. will be “absolutely dangerous” to the “big consensus” if Trump “wins re-election this year.”
Sachs was the keynote speaker at the Feb. 5 conference on “New Forms of Solidarity: Towards fraternal inclusion, integration and innovation” at the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
National Catholic Register’s Rome correspondent Edward Pentin first covered Sachs’ remarks and published video of them.
Argentine Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, the Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences, smiled and nodding approvingly during Sachs’ ten-minute speech. Sorondo has previously advocated that Catholics have no more than one or two children and The Pontifical Academy of Sciences, which he heads, has come under fire in recent years for hosting pro-abortion, pro-population control speakers with ties to the United Nations.
The recurrent theme of Sachs’ speech was that Trump and the U.S. are a threat to “multilateralism”, meaning the pursuit of common goals by various nations.
An example of the sort of “multilateral” effort supported by Sachs is the UN's “Sustainable Development Goals,” which he helped to draft. Those goals include the aim to “ensure universal sexual and reproductive health and rights,” a euphemism for the legalization of abortion on demand and giving children access to birth control drugs and devices as well as abortion without parental knowledge.
By contrast, Trump has taken measures to stop U.S. taxpayer dollars from funding abortion overseas; and defunded the United Nations Population Fund, which cooperates with China’s forced abortion regime.
In 2018 Trump told the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York: “America is governed by Americans. We reject the ideology of globalism, and we embrace the doctrine of patriotism.”
Sachs began his speech by saying that “multilateralism is not under threat, per se, in most of the world. It is under threat because of the United States, and I want to say this clearly because it's not a game.”
“The U.S. is a problem,” he continued. “It became a far more significant problem with Donald Trump.”
Sachs focused the majority of his attacks on Trump’s foreign economic policies, but also attacked him for his approach to international climate agreements and U.S. military engagements.
“The US has blocked every multilateral initiative of recent years”, Sachs said. It is the only country pulling out of the Paris climate agreement.”
The Paris Agreement has been roundly criticized by pro-life and pro-family leaders, primarily because it calls for “gender equality” and “empowerment of women,” phrases that critics say are used to push the LGBT agenda, contraception, and abortion. In 2018 U.S. cardinal, Joseph Tobin, called on Trump to rejoin the agreement.
Sachs also criticized Trump for pulling out of the JCPOA nuclear deal with Iran and for his economic actions with regards to China. “There is not a China, U.S., trade war”, Sachs continued. “There is a U.S. trade war on China – that is different. This was an unpremeditated attack.”
Sachs accused the Trump administration of “thuggery” and “a complete violation of every international rule” with regards to its military engagement in Iraq. He described the current U.S. administration as “bullies” who make “vulgar threats” and spoke of Trump’s “overt hostility against everybody”.
In a direct attack on Trump’s hopes of winning reelection this year, Sachs said: “I'm sorry to say, it — it's my country — I'm not very happy to say it, but this is an imperial power in decline and it is a dangerous country right now. It will be absolutely dangerous if Trump wins re-election.”
Sachs ended his speech calling on globalists and other leaders gathered for the conference to move forward toward a “decent world,” even if without “unanimity.”
“So, we had a good discussion today. There is really a big consensus on this world for a decent world. It's not unanimous, but let's not depend on unanimity. Let's move forward when a large part of the world wants to do the right thing,” he said.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-06--Bishop approves closed-door wedding for daughter of infamous Mexican drug lord El Chapo

MEXICO CITY , February 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The daughter of narco-terrorist Joaquín “ El Chapo ” Guzmán had a private wedding Mass behind closed doors at a Catholic cathedral in Mexico .
According to Mexican daily La Reforma , Alejandrina Gisselle Guzmán Salazar , El Chapo ’ s eldest daughter by his first wife , was married in a lavish ceremony to Édgar Cázares at the cathedral in Culiacán , Sinaloa , on January 25 as relatives and fellow narcotics cartel members looked on .
The historic cathedral church in Culiacán was cordoned off with yellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wedding guests .
Armed men bearing automatic weapons guarded the church during the wedding .
Among those reportedly in attendance was Ovidio Guzmán López , the bride ’ s half-brother , who was released from jail in October after his cartel ’ s gunmen engaged in firefights with Mexican security forces , forcing the government to let him go .
According to the report in La Reforma newspaper , Bishop Jonás Guerrero of Culiacán approved the lockdown for the nuptials , which were celebrated by a friendly priest .
Blanca Margarita Cázares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cázares and is suspected to be a leading member of the Sinaloa narcotics cartel under its chief , Ismael “ El Mayo ” Zambada .
Sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2007 , Cázares Salazar is known for her “ sophisticated money laundering apparatus.
” As for El Chapo himself , he is currently serving a life sentence in a federal prison in the U.S .
He escaped Mexican prisons twice but was ultimately extradited to serve time north of the border .
On social media , a video showed the bride @ @ @ @ @ @ @ music provided by a narco-corrido band , Calibre 50 , and the Grammy-nominated singer Julión Álvarez at the Alamo Grande venue in Culiacán .
The video recorded the bride dancing with her mother , Alejandrina Salazar Hernández , El Chapo ’ s first wife .
The 38-year-old bride is an entrepreneur who holds the rights to the brand name “ El Chapo , ” which adorns clothing and shoes .
Besides apparel , she plans to use the brand to market beer .
Husband Édgar Cázares is also part of the family narcotics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cartel chieftain “ El Mayo ” Zambada , who is joined by El Chapo ’ s sons in running the operation .
Politicians and ordinary Catholics were scandalized that the cathedral had been given over to known criminals.The leader of the leftist Democratic Revolution party in the lower chamber of Congress , Verónica Juárez , said the private wedding proves that powerful criminals enjoy impunity in much of Mexico .
Given that local authorities knew in advance of the January 25 ceremony , she said authorities should have acted , especially because armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who leads the ruling Morena party in the Chamber of Deputies , commented that the wedding is indicative of the power of narco-terrorists in Mexico .
Delgado called for an investigation , saying the wedding should have never happened .
Sociologist Rodolfo Soriano-Nuñez , who analyzes the Catholic Church in Mexico , told The Guardian newspaper that the Church has had ties to criminal organizations for three decades .
He said , “ Locking down the cathedral and pretty much giving it away ” is a bad look for the Church , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of questions regarding the decision-making process.
” The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration ( DEA ) says in its National Drug Threat Assessment 2019 that killings in the ongoing wars between the various narcotics cartels and Mexican security forces “ continue to reach epidemic proportions.
” The Sinaloa cartel , formerly headed by the now imprisoned El Chapo Guzmán , continues to have “ the most expansive footprint ” in the United States , said the report .
Among the six Mexican transnational criminal organizations identified by DEA are the Jalisco New Generation Cartel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization , the Juárez Cartel , the Gulf Cartel , and Los Zetas .
Catholic priests have been the frequent targets of cartel violence .
According to a 2019 Vatican report , the murders of at least 26 priests over the last 20 years have been blamed on narco-violence .
According to official statistics , Mexico had an average 100 murders per day in 2018 , many of which are blamed on the narcotics cartels .

MEXICO CITY, February 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The daughter of narco-terrorist Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán had a private wedding Mass behind closed doors at a Catholic cathedral in Mexico.
According to Mexican daily La Reforma, Alejandrina Gisselle Guzmán Salazar, El Chapo’s eldest daughter by his first wife, was married in a lavish ceremony to Édgar Cázares at the cathedral in Culiacán, Sinaloa, on January 25 as relatives and fellow narcotics cartel members looked on.
The historic cathedral church in Culiacán was cordoned off with yellow tape, while luxurious bulletproof vehicles brought the wedding guests. Armed men bearing automatic weapons guarded the church during the wedding. Among those reportedly in attendance was Ovidio Guzmán López, the bride’s half-brother, who was released from jail in October after his cartel’s gunmen engaged in firefights with Mexican security forces, forcing the government to let him go.
According to the report in La Reforma newspaper, Bishop Jonás Guerrero of Culiacán approved the lockdown for the nuptials, which were celebrated by a friendly priest.
Blanca Margarita Cázares Salazar is the aunt of the younger Cázares and is suspected to be a leading member of the Sinaloa narcotics cartel under its chief, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. Sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2007, Cázares Salazar is known for her “sophisticated money laundering apparatus.”
As for El Chapo himself, he is currently serving a life sentence in a federal prison in the U.S. He escaped Mexican prisons twice but was ultimately extradited to serve time north of the border.
On social media, a video showed the bride dancing with her new husband to live music provided by a narco-corrido band, Calibre 50, and the Grammy-nominated singer Julión Álvarez at the Alamo Grande venue in Culiacán. The video recorded the bride dancing with her mother, Alejandrina Salazar Hernández, El Chapo’s first wife.
The 38-year-old bride is an entrepreneur who holds the rights to the brand name “El Chapo,” which adorns clothing and shoes. Besides apparel, she plans to use the brand to market beer. Husband Édgar Cázares is also part of the family narcotics business in Sinaloa, having ties to cartel chieftain “El Mayo” Zambada, who is joined by El Chapo’s sons in running the operation.
Politicians and ordinary Catholics were scandalized that the cathedral had been given over to known criminals.The leader of the leftist Democratic Revolution party in the lower chamber of Congress, Verónica Juárez, said the private wedding proves that powerful criminals enjoy impunity in much of Mexico. Given that local authorities knew in advance of the January 25 ceremony, she said authorities should have acted, especially because armed men were present.
Mario Delgado, who leads the ruling Morena party in the Chamber of Deputies, commented that the wedding is indicative of the power of narco-terrorists in Mexico. Delgado called for an investigation, saying the wedding should have never happened.
Sociologist Rodolfo Soriano-Nuñez, who analyzes the Catholic Church in Mexico, told The Guardian newspaper that the Church has had ties to criminal organizations for three decades. He said, “Locking down the cathedral and pretty much giving it away” is a bad look for the Church, which “forces one to raise all sorts of questions regarding the decision-making process.”
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says in its National Drug Threat Assessment 2019 that killings in the ongoing wars between the various narcotics cartels and Mexican security forces “continue to reach epidemic proportions.” The Sinaloa cartel, formerly headed by the now imprisoned El Chapo Guzmán, continues to have “the most expansive footprint” in the United States, said the report. Among the six Mexican transnational criminal organizations identified by DEA are the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), the Beltrán Leyva organization, the Juárez Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, and Los Zetas.
Catholic priests have been the frequent targets of cartel violence. According to a 2019 Vatican report, the murders of at least 26 priests over the last 20 years have been blamed on narco-violence. According to official statistics, Mexico had an average 100 murders per day in 2018, many of which are blamed on the narcotics cartels.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-06--Dutch to offer ‘poison pill’ to healthy seniors who want to die

THE HAGUE , February 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The Dutch government has published a study that shows how many people want to end their own lives , prompting a political party to provide suicide pills for the elderly .
According to the study prepared by the Dutch Ministry of Health , the Wijngaarden Commission found there are a number of people aged 55 and over who , despite being in good health , “ have a consistent and active desire to die.
” The commission sought to find out how many residents want euthanasia simply because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The study showed that 0.18 % of the over-55 group want to die .
They amount to about 10,000 people .
Minister of health Hugo de Jonge , a Christian Democrat , believes that rather than prescribing death-dealing drugs , the government should “ try to restore the taste for life ” for his fellow citizens .
“ There is no doubt that the results show this is a major social issue both for this government and for society .
This group of people ’ s death wish is serious and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” de Jonge said .
The issue of euthanasia is dividing the ruling coalition government , which consists of the Christian Democrats and liberal political parties .
Some 49 years ago , law professor and Dutch Supreme Court justice Huib Drion argued in favor of giving citizens who had reached the age of 79 the means to end their own lives in the form of a poison pill .
Rather than taking a poison pill himself , Drion died peacefully in his sleep in 2004 at the age of 86 .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Het Zelfgewilde Einde Van Oudere Mensen ( “ The Self-Desired End for Older People ” ) , was influential in the public debate that eventually saw the legalization of assisted suicide .
Assisted suicide has been legal in the Netherlands since 2002 , under certain conditions .
Typically , physicians provide an intravenous sedative that is followed by a drug that suppresses breathing .
That year , there were 1,882 cases of assisted suicide .
Five years later , the conditions under which assisted suicide was allowed were expanded , leading to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submit to being killed by the country ’ s medical system .
This amounts to about 20 persons per day .
Currently , Dutch law allows euthanasia when the patient ’ s suffering is unbearable with no prospect of improvement , provided the decision to die is voluntary .
Technically , patients under the age of 12 are not eligible for voluntary euthanasia .
However , doctors can end the lives of children under 12 who are diagnosed with uncontrollable and unbearable suffering , and with parental consent .
In the political sphere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushing for a poison pill for the elderly .
D66 is a member of the coalition that currently makes up the majority in the Dutch parliament .
A party spokesman said the government has been too slow to provide improved means for ending human life .
Pia Dijkstra of D66 said on Thursday she will offer “ completed life ” legislation in February that would allow elders over 75 without unbearable medical conditions to request euthanasia .
On social media , Dijkstra claimed that there is “ broad support for people to manage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” According to DutchNews.nl , Carla Dik-Faber , a deputy of parliament for the Christian Union party , said her party is vehemently opposed to the proposed legislation .
“ Making a suicide pill available would be the most cynical response to people with a death wish.
” She added , “ We would be giving up on them instead of wanting to be there for them.
” In a report by ABC newspaper of Spain , Dik-Faber warned that once legal assisted suicide is made widely available , many elderly people will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end their own lives .
“ Older people may feel unneeded in a society that does not value aging .
It is true that there are people who feel lonely , and others may have a life of suffering , and these are not easily overcome , but the government and society should take up the responsibility .
We don ’ t want ‘ end-of-life consultants.
’ We want ‘ life guides.
’ For us , all lives are valued.
” Dik-Faber told ABC the proposed legislation would allow so-called “ end-of-life consultants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of physicians , as currently required by law .
She said this is “ not merely an individual ’ s problem , but it affects the entire society.
” She added that physicians and other experts and her party do not want to see current law modified .
Dik-Faber said the purpose of the government is to protect its citizens , especially the youngest , disabled , and oldest .
Even if parliamentarians of the Christian Union vote against the D66 euthanasia proposal , the bill could pass with votes from minority parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the current government following the break-up of the current coalition .

The Dutch government has published a study that shows how many people want to end their own lives, prompting a political party to provide suicide pills for the elderly.
THE HAGUE, February 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The Dutch government has published a study that shows how many people want to end their own lives, prompting a political party to provide suicide pills for the elderly.
According to the study prepared by the Dutch Ministry of Health, the Wijngaarden Commission found there are a number of people aged 55 and over who, despite being in good health, “have a consistent and active desire to die.” The commission sought to find out how many residents want euthanasia simply because they do not want to go on living.
The study showed that 0.18% of the over-55 group want to die. They amount to about 10,000 people.
Minister of health Hugo de Jonge, a Christian Democrat, believes that rather than prescribing death-dealing drugs, the government should “try to restore the taste for life” for his fellow citizens. “There is no doubt that the results show this is a major social issue both for this government and for society. This group of people’s death wish is serious and the report underlines the need for action,” de Jonge said.
The issue of euthanasia is dividing the ruling coalition government, which consists of the Christian Democrats and liberal political parties.
Some 49 years ago, law professor and Dutch Supreme Court justice Huib Drion argued in favor of giving citizens who had reached the age of 79 the means to end their own lives in the form of a poison pill. Rather than taking a poison pill himself, Drion died peacefully in his sleep in 2004 at the age of 86. However, his idea lives on. His book, Het Zelfgewilde Einde Van Oudere Mensen (“The Self-Desired End for Older People”), was influential in the public debate that eventually saw the legalization of assisted suicide.
Assisted suicide has been legal in the Netherlands since 2002, under certain conditions. Typically, physicians provide an intravenous sedative that is followed by a drug that suppresses breathing. That year, there were 1,882 cases of assisted suicide. Five years later, the conditions under which assisted suicide was allowed were expanded, leading to the more than 7,000 persons who annually submit to being killed by the country’s medical system. This amounts to about 20 persons per day.
Currently, Dutch law allows euthanasia when the patient’s suffering is unbearable with no prospect of improvement, provided the decision to die is voluntary. Technically, patients under the age of 12 are not eligible for voluntary euthanasia. However, doctors can end the lives of children under 12 who are diagnosed with uncontrollable and unbearable suffering, and with parental consent.
In the political sphere, the leftist D66 party is now pushing for a poison pill for the elderly. D66 is a member of the coalition that currently makes up the majority in the Dutch parliament. A party spokesman said the government has been too slow to provide improved means for ending human life. Pia Dijkstra of D66 said on Thursday she will offer “completed life” legislation in February that would allow elders over 75 without unbearable medical conditions to request euthanasia. On social media, Dijkstra claimed that there is “broad support for people to manage a dignified end to their own lives.”
According to DutchNews.nl, Carla Dik-Faber, a deputy of parliament for the Christian Union party, said her party is vehemently opposed to the proposed legislation. “Making a suicide pill available would be the most cynical response to people with a death wish.” She added, “We would be giving up on them instead of wanting to be there for them.”
In a report by ABC newspaper of Spain, Dik-Faber warned that once legal assisted suicide is made widely available, many elderly people will be encouraged by those around them to end their own lives. “Older people may feel unneeded in a society that does not value aging. It is true that there are people who feel lonely, and others may have a life of suffering, and these are not easily overcome, but the government and society should take up the responsibility. We don’t want ‘end-of-life consultants.’ We want ‘life guides.’ For us, all lives are valued.”
Dik-Faber told ABC the proposed legislation would allow so-called “end-of-life consultants” to administer death drugs, instead of physicians, as currently required by law. She said this is “not merely an individual’s problem, but it affects the entire society.” She added that physicians and other experts and her party do not want to see current law modified. Dik-Faber said the purpose of the government is to protect its citizens, especially the youngest, disabled, and oldest.
Even if parliamentarians of the Christian Union vote against the D66 euthanasia proposal, the bill could pass with votes from minority parties. The result could be the fall of the current government following the break-up of the current coalition.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-06--Trump celebrates acquittal, blasts ‘corrupt people’ who ‘hurt our nation’ at

Trump celebrates acquittal, blasts ‘corrupt people’ who ‘hurt our nation’ at prayer breakfast

WASHINGTON , D.C. , February 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – To the delight of the 3,500 people at the 68th National Prayer Breakfast in the nation ’ s capital , President Donald Trump strode into the cavernous Washington Hilton ballroom and flashed a newspaper with a giant headline blaring , “ ACQUITTED !
” It was less than 15 hours since the United States Senate had acquitted the president of impeachment charges , and just a day and a half since the President ’ s State of Union address where he again showed himself to be a pro-life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few seats away from the president at this morning ’ s breakfast was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who had led the impeachment effort .
Before Trump spoke , the addled-looking California Democrat took to the podium and read a prayer for religious liberty .
“ Let ’ s honor the spark of divinity in all , ” she said , and crossed herself “ in the name of the Father , and the Son , and the Holy Ghost , ” as she concluded .
Pelosi professes to be Catholic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ marriage.
” She neither addressed nor acknowledged President Trump , forgoing an opportunity to publicly apologize for her recent insulting gesture on national television , ripping the text of his State of the Union speech as she stood behind him .
“ Our great country , and your president , have been put through a terrible ordeal by some very dishonest and corrupt people , ” said Trump .
“ They have done everything possible to destroy us , and by [ doing so ] , have very badly hurt our nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is wrong , but they put themselves far ahead of our great country.
” “ I don ’ t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong , ” he said .
“ So many people have been hurt , and we can ’ t let that go on.
” Pelosi frequently brought up prayer as she led impeachment efforts , and Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) , the lone Republican to vote “ guilty ” on one of the impeachment charges , cited his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so .
Following the morning ’ s theme of religious liberty , the President recounted a portion of his State of the Union address .
“ To protect faith communities , I have taken historic action to defend religious liberty , including the constitutional right to pray in public schools , ” continued Trump , sparking an enthusiastic round of applause .
“ We ’ re upholding the sanctity of life , ” he said , “ and we ’ re pursuing medical breakthroughs to save premature babies because every child is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we revive our economy , we are also renewing our national spirit , ” he declared .
“ Today we proudly proclaim that faith is alive and well and thriving in America , and we ’ re going to keep it that way.
” “ We are standing up for persecuted Christians and religious minorities all around the world , ” he noted .
“ Faith keeps us free .
Prayer makes us strong , ” he said .
“ And God alone is the author of life and the giver of grace.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and spreading faith .
We ’ re helping citizens of every background take part in the great rebuilding of our nation , ” he said .
“ We ’ re declaring that America will always shine as a land of liberty and a light unto all nations of the world.
” “ What he 's doing and what makes the left so mad is that he 's dismantling the infrastructure that they 've used to advance an anti-faith , big-government agenda and they 're not going to be able to jump back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off again , ” Tony Perkins , president of the Family Research Council , explained on Fox & Friends in advance of the event .
“ It 's going to take them decades to rebuild.
” “ This president has not only ceased the war on people of faith , but he 's building a bulwark where people of faith can openly practice their faith , ” added Perkins .
Perkins said that as Trump is attacked , “ people lock arms around him because they know he 's fighting for the things @ @ @ @ @

President Trump also reaffirmed his commitment to religious liberty, the right to life, and the 'constitutional right' to pray in schools.
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – To the delight of the 3,500 people at the 68th National Prayer Breakfast in the nation’s capital, President Donald Trump strode into the cavernous Washington Hilton ballroom and flashed a newspaper with a giant headline blaring, “ACQUITTED!”
It was less than 15 hours since the United States Senate had acquitted the president of impeachment charges, and just a day and a half since the President’s State of Union address where he again showed himself to be a pro-life champion.
Sitting at the head table a few seats away from the president at this morning’s breakfast was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had led the impeachment effort.
Before Trump spoke, the addled-looking California Democrat took to the podium and read a prayer for religious liberty.
“Let’s honor the spark of divinity in all,” she said, and crossed herself “in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost,” as she concluded. Pelosi professes to be Catholic, but supports abortion on demand and same-sex “marriage.”
She neither addressed nor acknowledged President Trump, forgoing an opportunity to publicly apologize for her recent insulting gesture on national television, ripping the text of his State of the Union speech as she stood behind him.
Recent events have hurt our great nation
“Our great country, and your president, have been put through a terrible ordeal by some very dishonest and corrupt people,” said Trump. “They have done everything possible to destroy us, and by [doing so], have very badly hurt our nation. They know what they are doing is wrong, but they put themselves far ahead of our great country.”
“I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong,” he said. “So many people have been hurt, and we can’t let that go on.”
Pelosi frequently brought up prayer as she led impeachment efforts, and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), the lone Republican to vote “guilty” on one of the impeachment charges, cited his Mormon faith as a reason for doing so.
Renewing our national spirit, restoring hope, protecting faith
Following the morning’s theme of religious liberty, the President recounted a portion of his State of the Union address.
In everything we do we are creating a culture that protects freedom, and that includes religious freedom. In America, we don’t punish prayer. We don’t tear down crosses. We don’t ban symbols of faith. We don’t muzzle preachers. We don’t muzzle pastors. In America, we celebrate faith. We cherish religion. We lift our voices in prayer, and we raise our sights to the glory of God.
“To protect faith communities, I have taken historic action to defend religious liberty, including the constitutional right to pray in public schools,” continued Trump, sparking an enthusiastic round of applause.
“We’re upholding the sanctity of life,” he said, “and we’re pursuing medical breakthroughs to save premature babies because every child is a sacred gift from God.”
“As we revive our economy, we are also renewing our national spirit,” he declared. “Today we proudly proclaim that faith is alive and well and thriving in America, and we’re going to keep it that way.”
“We are standing up for persecuted Christians and religious minorities all around the world,” he noted.
“Faith keeps us free. Prayer makes us strong,” he said. “And God alone is the author of life and the giver of grace.”
“We’re restoring hope, and spreading faith. We’re helping citizens of every background take part in the great rebuilding of our nation,” he said. “We’re declaring that America will always shine as a land of liberty and a light unto all nations of the world.”
President Trump concluded with a prayer:
This morning let us ask Father in heaven to guide our steps, protect our children, and bless our families. And with all of our hearts, let us forever embrace the eternal truth that every child is made equal by the hand of Almighty God.
Building a bulwark of faith, dismantling the anti-faith agenda
“What he's doing and what makes the left so mad is that he's dismantling the infrastructure that they've used to advance an anti-faith, big-government agenda and they're not going to be able to jump back into the driver's seat and take off again,” Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, explained on Fox & Friends in advance of the event. “It's going to take them decades to rebuild.”
“This president has not only ceased the war on people of faith, but he's building a bulwark where people of faith can openly practice their faith,” added Perkins.
Perkins said that as Trump is attacked, “people lock arms around him because they know he's fighting for the things they care about.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-06--Porn isn’t free speech, we’ve ‘every duty to regulate it’: pro-family activist

February 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Over the last few months , there has been an increasing number of conservatives and Republicans calling for the ban of pornography .
Terry Schilling , executive director of the American Principles Project in Washington D.C. , is the latest to throw support behind that initiative .
During a recent interview with pro-life activist Jonathon van Maren , Schilling said that it ’ s “ really foolish ” and “ absurd ” to think that the First Amendment protects porn as an act of free expression .
“ It 's obscenity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only have every right to regulate it .
We have every duty to regulate it where we can.
” Much of the debate around banning pornography has centered on ideology , and whether or not it ’ s appropriate for the state to take a more active role in policing the industry .
Libertarians argue that porn is consensual , and that adults should be able to watch what they want .
If parents are concerned about their kids watching porn , they , and not the government , should be the ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Porn is a 97 billion dollar a year industry , he told van Maren .
It ’ s “ not possible ” for parents to fight that on their own .
“ All we 're asking here is just for a little help from the state to keep pornography and harmful materials from getting in the hands of our children .
And I do n't think it 's that much to ask.
” Schilling believes that the libertarian approach is not only misguided but naive .
“ Porn is harmful .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The “ rights ” of “ pornographers and porn users , people who are making money off of this…do not trump my rights as a parent or trump my children 's rights as children to be free and innocent and pure , and not have that stuff put up.
” “ If you have a factory that 's pouring sludge into a river , you have every right as a state or as a government agency to start regulating and putting sanctions on that business until they stop putting sludge into that river @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told van Maren that , philosophically speaking , there are many similarities between the porn industry and other ones that the government already regulates .
“ All we 're asking is for online pornography companies to live by the same rules and standards that we ask television companies and radio companies and movie production companies to live by.
” Schilling , who recently wrote an article for First Things on how best to regulate the porn industry , also compared it to smoking cigarettes .
“ One kills you after 50 years and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ruins your marriage .
It ruins how you view the other sex and objectifies women .
It ruins your mind , which is corruptible much quicker and has much broader effects on society at large.
” Listen to the entire interview below .
The Van Maren Show is hosted on numerous platforms , including Spotify , SoundCloud , YouTube , iTunes , and Google Play .
For a full listing of episodes , and to subscribe to various channels , visit our Pippa webpage here .
To receive weekly emails when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here .

'Porn is harmful. It's very obvious that it's harmful,' Terry Schilling said.
PETITION: Call on U.S. Attorney General to declare war on porn! Sign the petition here.
February 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Over the last few months, there has been an increasing number of conservatives and Republicans calling for the ban of pornography. Terry Schilling, executive director of the American Principles Project in Washington D.C., is the latest to throw support behind that initiative.
During a recent interview with pro-life activist Jonathon van Maren, Schilling said that it’s “really foolish” and “absurd” to think that the First Amendment protects porn as an act of free expression.
“It's obscenity,” he exclained. “We not only have every right to regulate it. We have every duty to regulate it where we can.”
Much of the debate around banning pornography has centered on ideology, and whether or not it’s appropriate for the state to take a more active role in policing the industry.
Libertarians argue that porn is consensual, and that adults should be able to watch what they want. If parents are concerned about their kids watching porn, they, and not the government, should be the ones ensuring that they don’t.
Schilling believes this is wrong.
Porn is a 97 billion dollar a year industry, he told van Maren. It’s “not possible” for parents to fight that on their own.
“All we're asking here is just for a little help from the state to keep pornography and harmful materials from getting in the hands of our children. And I don't think it's that much to ask.”
Schilling believes that the libertarian approach is not only misguided but naive.
“Porn is harmful. It's very obvious that it's harmful.” The “rights” of “pornographers and porn users, people who are making money off of this…do not trump my rights as a parent or trump my children's rights as children to be free and innocent and pure, and not have that stuff put up.”
“If you have a factory that's pouring sludge into a river, you have every right as a state or as a government agency to start regulating and putting sanctions on that business until they stop putting sludge into that river. This is no different.”
Schilling told van Maren that, philosophically speaking, there are many similarities between the porn industry and other ones that the government already regulates.
“All we're asking is for online pornography companies to live by the same rules and standards that we ask television companies and radio companies and movie production companies to live by.”
Schilling, who recently wrote an article for First Things on how best to regulate the porn industry, also compared it to smoking cigarettes.
“One kills you after 50 years and the other one ruins your entire life. It ruins your marriage. It ruins how you view the other sex and objectifies women. It ruins your mind, which is corruptible much quicker and has much broader effects on society at large.”
Listen to the entire interview below.
The Van Maren Show is hosted on numerous platforms, including Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, iTunes, and Google Play.
For a full listing of episodes, and to subscribe to various channels, visit our Pippa webpage here.
To receive weekly emails when a new episode is uploaded, click here.
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