lifesitenews--2020-01-04--To restore a healthy, Christ-centered culture, learn to cook

January 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — I ’ ve mentioned more than once the importance of culture .
Catholic culture , I wrote in one article , presupposes culture .
I would like to say more about this issue , not only because it is important in itself , but because people want to know what they can or should do about the current crisis in the Church .
Well , they — you , we — should learn how to cook .
Our Lady of Fatima ’ s message to the children in 1917 was , Sr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the First Saturdays or the rosary or the brown scapular , important as those devotions are .
It was “ the faithful accomplishment of our daily duties.
” The world would be converted if Catholics performed their daily duties more faithfully .
That is why the enemies of the Church have attacked precisely those daily duties .
For most Catholics , online zealotry is easy , or at least appears so ; it is being a good Catholic father , mother , husband , wife , son , or daughter that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being a good Catholic employer , or employee , a good Catholic citizen , or a good Catholic public servant .
One might say , perhaps , that being a good Catholic public servant — an elected representative or career civil servant — has become impossible in some places , and that this kind of public engagement is best avoided .
We wouldn ’ t dare say that it has become impossible to be a good Catholic spouse or parent , though , because that would imply that we could not have families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to face the difficulties and overcome them .
So we should learn to cook .
Because the only thing that is going to make possible the survival of our families is a Catholic culture , a culture that has been transformed by grace .
A culture can not be transformed by grace if it does not exist .
Fundamental to the culture of the family is the home , as a place where family members can be at their ease , surrounded by familiar things that remind them of the family ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find the wisdom of the older members and the energy of the younger , where they can find rest and nourishment — where they can expect and find good food , food that has been cooked there .
This is a cultural artifact that can be transformed by grace , grace that raises the natural to the supernatural level — and so we find the Catholic home , where not only natural , but spiritual rest , nourishment , and refreshment is to be found .
I ’ m writing this not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of home one is able to provide for one ’ s children .
The kind of home I am referring to has been attacked in a relentless and vicious way for two or three generations .
No one should feel ashamed of not being able to cook .
You can ’ t be expected to cook if no one has taught you : the young are not taught , and older people sucked into demanding jobs don ’ t have the time .
It is worth saying as well that it is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as recipes in glossy cookbooks frequently contain errors and omissions .
A good example of the cultural assault on the home is the 1999 film American Beauty .
The wife , who is not an attractive personality , makes a big thing of providing what she calls “ savory and nutritious food , ” and her efforts are rewarded , by her husband and daughter , with contempt .
This is also the message of the series Desperate Housewives ( 2004–2012 ) .
What the Hollywood elite wants us to think is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their lives to the home exhaust themselves for an empty illusion and are not appreciated .
In real life , on the contrary , there is nothing more important .
What is the point of having money if you have no comfortable home to return to at the end of the day ?
This has been made ridiculously difficult , but it is still worth making the effort to approximate it more closely than we have been able up to now .
So make this a New Year ’ s resolution .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hobby , with occasional super-elaborate meals .
I mean making it part of the daily routine .
One of the things that distinguished your grandmother ’ s food ( if you were fortunate enough to remember a grandmother like this ) from the strangely insipid stuff we usually get today is the making and storing of meat stock .
It gives flavor and nutritional value that can be attained in no other way , but it presupposes a whole set of attitudes about quantities , types of food , leftovers , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , perhaps , an impossible dream for many .
But it is , at least , a worthy dream .

January 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — I’ve mentioned more than once the importance of culture. Catholic culture, I wrote in one article, presupposes culture. I would like to say more about this issue, not only because it is important in itself, but because people want to know what they can or should do about the current crisis in the Church. Well, they — you, we — should learn how to cook.
Our Lady of Fatima’s message to the children in 1917 was, Sr. Lucia later explained, was not primarily about the First Saturdays or the rosary or the brown scapular, important as those devotions are. It was “the faithful accomplishment of our daily duties.” The world would be converted if Catholics performed their daily duties more faithfully. That is why the enemies of the Church have attacked precisely those daily duties. For most Catholics, online zealotry is easy, or at least appears so; it is being a good Catholic father, mother, husband, wife, son, or daughter that has become extraordinarily difficult, not to mention being a good Catholic employer, or employee, a good Catholic citizen, or a good Catholic public servant. One might say, perhaps, that being a good Catholic public servant — an elected representative or career civil servant — has become impossible in some places, and that this kind of public engagement is best avoided. We wouldn’t dare say that it has become impossible to be a good Catholic spouse or parent, though, because that would imply that we could not have families at all. Somehow, we have to face the difficulties and overcome them.
So we should learn to cook. Because the only thing that is going to make possible the survival of our families is a Catholic culture, a culture that has been transformed by grace. A culture cannot be transformed by grace if it does not exist. Fundamental to the culture of the family is the home, as a place where family members can be at their ease, surrounded by familiar things that remind them of the family’s history and values, where they can find the wisdom of the older members and the energy of the younger, where they can find rest and nourishment — where they can expect and find good food, food that has been cooked there.
This is a cultural artifact that can be transformed by grace, grace that raises the natural to the supernatural level — and so we find the Catholic home, where not only natural, but spiritual rest, nourishment, and refreshment is to be found.
I’m writing this not to make anyone feel bad about the kind of home one is able to provide for one’s children. The kind of home I am referring to has been attacked in a relentless and vicious way for two or three generations. No one should feel ashamed of not being able to cook. You can’t be expected to cook if no one has taught you: the young are not taught, and older people sucked into demanding jobs don’t have the time. It is worth saying as well that it is not easy to learn cooking out of books, as recipes in glossy cookbooks frequently contain errors and omissions.
(A little tip, if you are interested. Look for books by chefs who fancy themselves as celebrities, as opposed to celebrities who fancy themselves as chefs. The BBC Good Food website is useful partly because of the feedback left by people who have tried the recipes.)
A good example of the cultural assault on the home is the 1999 film American Beauty. The wife, who is not an attractive personality, makes a big thing of providing what she calls “savory and nutritious food,” and her efforts are rewarded, by her husband and daughter, with contempt. This is also the message of the series Desperate Housewives (2004–2012). What the Hollywood elite wants us to think is that those who devote even a part of their lives to the home exhaust themselves for an empty illusion and are not appreciated.
In real life, on the contrary, there is nothing more important. What is the point of having money if you have no comfortable home to return to at the end of the day? This has been made ridiculously difficult, but it is still worth making the effort to approximate it more closely than we have been able up to now.
So make this a New Year’s resolution. I don’t mean making cooking a hobby, with occasional super-elaborate meals. I mean making it part of the daily routine. One of the things that distinguished your grandmother’s food (if you were fortunate enough to remember a grandmother like this) from the strangely insipid stuff we usually get today is the making and storing of meat stock. It gives flavor and nutritional value that can be attained in no other way, but it presupposes a whole set of attitudes about quantities, types of food, leftovers, and meal-planning.
This kind of housekeeping is, perhaps, an impossible dream for many. But it is, at least, a worthy dream.
Follow Joseph Dr Joseph Shaw has a Doctorate in Philosophy from Oxford University, where he also gained a first degree in Politics and Philosophy and a graduate Diploma in Theology. He has published on Ethics and Philosophy of Religion and is the editor of The Case for Liturgical Restoration: Una Voce Position Papers on the Extraordinary Form (Angelico Press). He is the Chairman of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales and Secretary of Una Voce International. He teaches Philosophy in Oxford University and lives nearby with his wife and nine children.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-04--French bishop calls for baptism records to drop ‘mother-father,’ adapt to ‘complex’ families

January 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The bishops of France have been invited by a high-ranking brother bishop appointed by Pope Francis to adapt the baptismal registers of their diocese in order to take into account the “ increasingly complex situation of families ” in that country .
In practice , the “ recommended ” formula would scrap the implicit mention of the father and mother as parents of the child , instead using a “ catch-all ” phrase mentioning “ parents or other holders of parental authority.
” The suggested reform was likely conceived in view of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of same-sex “ marriage ” in 2013 so as to avoid all accusations of “ discrimination ” that might result from the traditional wording of baptism certificates .
While the reform is merely “ recommended , ” it comes with the authority of Bishop Joseph de Metz-Noblat .
His diocese , Langres in the east of France , is a relatively obscure one , but the bishop , appointed by Pope Francis in 2014 , is president of the Council for canonical questions of the French bishops ’ conference .
Besides , de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Permanent Council of the French bishops ’ conference .
In a letter sent in December 2018 to his brother bishops in France , he wrote that the Permanent Council had approved the new formula for baptismal registers .
This indicates that Bishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort , who presides over both the Permanent Council and the bishops ’ conference , has assented to the proposed formulation which does away with the traditional concept of the normal and legitimate family in favor of a more fluid notion where many different models exist .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” model , married or not , to recomposed families or homosexual couples where children can since 2013 be legally adopted by the member or members of the couple who are not the biological parent of the child .
With the current legislation being passed in the French Parliament allowing for medically assisted procreation for all women , civil birth registers are expected in the near future to include the mention of two “ mothers ” for children conceived within lesbian couples .
According to Fr .
Claude Barthe , who brought the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month in the religious newsletter Res Novae , deliberations on the issue have been ongoing since 2013 – clearly since the moment when same-sex “ marriage ” was made legal .
This is remarkable in itself : At the time , the promoter of the law , Christiane Taubira , was still ridiculing adversaries who said the concept of fatherhood and motherhood was doomed to disappear from official documents .
“ It is certain that we ( … ) will not use the terms parent 1 or parent 2 , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusations by the “ Manif pour tous ” that the words “ husband , ” “ wife , ” “ father , ” and “ mother ” would surely be replaced in civil registers if same-sex “ marriage ” was made legal .
To date , civil birth and marriage registers have not been modified quite so drastically .
Instead of filling in pre-printed forms , civil officers are required manually to fill in “ époux ” ( husband ) or “ épouse ” ( wife ) according to the sex of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ father ” and “ mother ” have been replaced by only one , designing the “ father-mother.
” Civil registers have not been further modified except in Paris , where the city council recently unanimously adopted an amendment presented by the left-wing populist “ France insoumise ” counselor Danielle Simonnet asking for “ father ” and “ mother ” to be replaced by “ parent 1 ” and “ parent 2.
” It is not clear whether the registers in the French capital have actually been changed .
In February 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reigning “ République en Marche ” party also suggested that official documents of the French public education system replace “ father ” and “ mother ” by “ parent 1 ” and “ parent 2.
” A heated controversy ensued and the idea was finally scrapped .
In a way , the Catholic Church in France is moving faster than civil authorities .
It has deliberately joined the debate and is anticipating judicial problems that it has not ( yet ) met in real life .
In his first letter to his “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , de Metz-Noblat quoted canon 843 , which poses : “ Sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who opportunely ask for them , ” adding that “ children should not be held responsible for the situation of their parents.
” He said chanceries in several dioceses had “ faced problems of vocabulary ” because of the increasing complexity of family situations .
The bishop wrote that his own commission for canonical questions had “ worked together with the commission for the reform of administrative acts of the Church ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacramental pastoral care , ” focusing on the “ baptized person ” and simply observing his or her family situation “ without passing moral judgment on the latter.
” He called the new model for baptismal registers , with its imprecise reference to “ parents or other holders of parental authority , ” “ more appropriate for our time.
” Informed sources told LifeSite that the bishop ’ s letter sparked hostility from several quarters , including the Roman Curia .
This appears to have been confirmed by the February 28 , 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ copy , by which Metz-Noblat attempted to soothe the opposition .
The bishop said a number of brother bishops had informed him of their “ concern ” that the “ new formulation would not respect Catholic thinking on family matters , ” allowing the “ delicate situations for which it was developed ” to take “ too large a place in the forefront.
” “ The expression used is the one that seems the least bad , and on top of that it is not open to attacks regarding discrimination by the interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing he tacitly admitted that the Church in France is prepared to change its language so as not to fall afoul of gender equality litigation and more specifically of anti-homophobia laws already in place .
Having noted that each bishop is free to promulgate the baptismal registry form of his choice for his own diocese , de Metz-Noblat added , “ Nothing in the proposed formula prevents the notary of adding the words ‘ father ’ and ‘ mother ’ in front of the persons ’ names , which seems to me more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He recalled that the national directives for baptismal registries , dating to 1994 , does not include the words “ father ” and “ mother ” but “ son – daughter of … and of … ” “ The formula ‘ Parents or other holders of parental authority ’ offers the advantage of not directly recognizing parenthood even when the official civil registry does !
” Metz-Noblat exclaimed at the end of his letter .
But even if one of the motives of the revised formula , as he thus suggested , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ homosexual parenthood , ” the upshot of the change is still that the normal family is being sidelined in favor of an approach that is gender-neutral and considers illegitimate situations as the new norm .
Several observers consider this to be a caving-in to the demands of homosexual activists .
It should be added that while present-day registry forms take it for granted that a person to be baptized was “ born of … and of … ” , implicitly designating the father and the mother , they do not prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as birth to a single mother .
When the father is unknown , there is simply no inscription .
“ And when the situation of the parents was irregular , that was not mentioned , ” recalled Fr .
Barthe in Res Novae .
In a telephone interview , Fr .
Barthe told LifeSite that the Church does not refuse to baptize a child , whatever his or her family is like , as long as the commitment is made to give it a religious education – a requirement that aims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instance , it is not because a child belongs to a homosexual couple that baptism would be refused , ” he recalled .
This would only be the case if the couple were known for example not to have fulfilled a commitment for the religious education of an earlier child , he explained .
He said the problem with the new formula is that it “ retrogrades legitimate children to the situation of illegitimate children.
” In his article for Res Novae , Fr .
Barthe wrote , “ In a word , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children will no longer be called ‘ son ( daughter ) of … and of … , ” accusing the reformers of “ panic fear of the secular State.
” According to various sources , a handful of French dioceses have already decided not to implement the reforms “ recommended ” by de Metz-Noblat .
Contacted by the local press , de Metz-Noblat told Le Journal de la Haute-Marne on Friday that attacks against him in the “ traditionalist ” media were “ erroneous.
” Recalling that the old formula did not mention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but “ son or daughter of … ” he said somewhat obscurely , “ We made recommendations here in order to redact baptismal registers taking the issue of filiation into account.
” It is precisely the question of filiation that is under brutal attack in France , because of artificial procreation techniques and the possibility for homosexual couples to adopt in the capacity of “ married couples , ” and it is that issue that has been underscored by critics of the move .
Contrary to what de Metz-Noblat suggested in his interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that children of homosexual couples should not be baptized .

January 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The bishops of France have been invited by a high-ranking brother bishop appointed by Pope Francis to adapt the baptismal registers of their diocese in order to take into account the “increasingly complex situation of families” in that country.
In practice, the “recommended” formula would scrap the implicit mention of the father and mother as parents of the child, instead using a “catch-all” phrase mentioning “parents or other holders of parental authority.”
The suggested reform was likely conceived in view of the new situations created by the legalization of same-sex “marriage” in 2013 so as to avoid all accusations of “discrimination” that might result from the traditional wording of baptism certificates.
While the reform is merely “recommended,” it comes with the authority of Bishop Joseph de Metz-Noblat. His diocese, Langres in the east of France, is a relatively obscure one, but the bishop, appointed by Pope Francis in 2014, is president of the Council for canonical questions of the French bishops’ conference.
Besides, de Metz-Noblat invoked the acceptance of his recommendations by the Permanent Council of the French bishops’ conference. In a letter sent in December 2018 to his brother bishops in France, he wrote that the Permanent Council had approved the new formula for baptismal registers.
This indicates that Bishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, who presides over both the Permanent Council and the bishops’ conference, has assented to the proposed formulation which does away with the traditional concept of the normal and legitimate family in favor of a more fluid notion where many different models exist.
These range from the traditional “father-mother” model, married or not, to recomposed families or homosexual couples where children can since 2013 be legally adopted by the member or members of the couple who are not the biological parent of the child. With the current legislation being passed in the French Parliament allowing for medically assisted procreation for all women, civil birth registers are expected in the near future to include the mention of two “mothers” for children conceived within lesbian couples.
According to Fr. Claude Barthe, who brought the affair to the attention of the public last month in the religious newsletter Res Novae, deliberations on the issue have been ongoing since 2013 – clearly since the moment when same-sex “marriage” was made legal. This is remarkable in itself: At the time, the promoter of the law, Christiane Taubira, was still ridiculing adversaries who said the concept of fatherhood and motherhood was doomed to disappear from official documents.
“It is certain that we (…) will not use the terms parent 1 or parent 2,” she said in January 2013, responding to accusations by the “Manif pour tous” that the words “husband,” “wife,” “father,” and “mother” would surely be replaced in civil registers if same-sex “marriage” was made legal.
To date, civil birth and marriage registers have not been modified quite so drastically. Instead of filling in pre-printed forms, civil officers are required manually to fill in “époux” (husband) or “épouse” (wife) according to the sex of the spouses, and the distinct mentions of “father” and “mother” have been replaced by only one, designing the “father-mother.”
Civil registers have not been further modified except in Paris, where the city council recently unanimously adopted an amendment presented by the left-wing populist “France insoumise” counselor Danielle Simonnet asking for “father” and “mother” to be replaced by “parent 1” and “parent 2.” It is not clear whether the registers in the French capital have actually been changed.
In February 2019, an amendment by a deputy of the reigning “République en Marche” party also suggested that official documents of the French public education system replace “father” and “mother” by “parent 1” and “parent 2.” A heated controversy ensued and the idea was finally scrapped.
In a way, the Catholic Church in France is moving faster than civil authorities. It has deliberately joined the debate and is anticipating judicial problems that it has not (yet) met in real life.
In his first letter to his “brother bishops” dated December 13, 2018, de Metz-Noblat quoted canon 843, which poses: “Sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who opportunely ask for them,” adding that “children should not be held responsible for the situation of their parents.” He said chanceries in several dioceses had “faced problems of vocabulary” because of the increasing complexity of family situations.
The bishop wrote that his own commission for canonical questions had “worked together with the commission for the reform of administrative acts of the Church” and the “commission for liturgical and sacramental pastoral care,” focusing on the “baptized person” and simply observing his or her family situation “without passing moral judgment on the latter.”
He called the new model for baptismal registers, with its imprecise reference to “parents or other holders of parental authority,” “more appropriate for our time.”
Informed sources told LifeSite that the bishop’s letter sparked hostility from several quarters, including the Roman Curia.
This appears to have been confirmed by the February 28, 2019 letter, of which LifeSite obtained a copy, by which Metz-Noblat attempted to soothe the opposition. The bishop said a number of brother bishops had informed him of their “concern” that the “new formulation would not respect Catholic thinking on family matters,” allowing the “delicate situations for which it was developed” to take “too large a place in the forefront.”
“The expression used is the one that seems the least bad, and on top of that it is not open to attacks regarding discrimination by the interested parties,” he wrote. So doing he tacitly admitted that the Church in France is prepared to change its language so as not to fall afoul of gender equality litigation and more specifically of anti-homophobia laws already in place.
Having noted that each bishop is free to promulgate the baptismal registry form of his choice for his own diocese, de Metz-Noblat added, “Nothing in the proposed formula prevents the notary of adding the words ‘father’ and ‘mother’ in front of the persons’ names, which seems to me more judicious than striking out these pre-printed words.”
He recalled that the national directives for baptismal registries, dating to 1994, does not include the words “father” and “mother” but “son – daughter of … and of …” “The formula ‘Parents or other holders of parental authority’ offers the advantage of not directly recognizing parenthood even when the official civil registry does!” Metz-Noblat exclaimed at the end of his letter.
But even if one of the motives of the revised formula, as he thus suggested, would be to circumnavigate the civil recognition of “homosexual parenthood,” the upshot of the change is still that the normal family is being sidelined in favor of an approach that is gender-neutral and considers illegitimate situations as the new norm. Several observers consider this to be a caving-in to the demands of homosexual activists.
It should be added that while present-day registry forms take it for granted that a person to be baptized was “born of … and of … ”, implicitly designating the father and the mother, they do not prevent the registration of baptisms for particular situations, such as birth to a single mother. When the father is unknown, there is simply no inscription. “And when the situation of the parents was irregular, that was not mentioned,” recalled Fr. Barthe in Res Novae.
In a telephone interview, Fr. Barthe told LifeSite that the Church does not refuse to baptize a child, whatever his or her family is like, as long as the commitment is made to give it a religious education – a requirement that aims to avoid fabricating apostates. “For instance, it is not because a child belongs to a homosexual couple that baptism would be refused,” he recalled. This would only be the case if the couple were known for example not to have fulfilled a commitment for the religious education of an earlier child, he explained.
He said the problem with the new formula is that it “retrogrades legitimate children to the situation of illegitimate children.”
In his article for Res Novae, Fr. Barthe wrote, “In a word, the exception becomes the norm: baptized children will no longer be called ‘son (daughter) of … and of … ,” accusing the reformers of “panic fear of the secular State.”
According to various sources, a handful of French dioceses have already decided not to implement the reforms “recommended” by de Metz-Noblat.
Contacted by the local press, de Metz-Noblat told Le Journal de la Haute-Marne on Friday that attacks against him in the “traditionalist” media were “erroneous.” Recalling that the old formula did not mention “father” and “mother” but “son or daughter of … ” he said somewhat obscurely, “We made recommendations here in order to redact baptismal registers taking the issue of filiation into account.”
It is precisely the question of filiation that is under brutal attack in France, because of artificial procreation techniques and the possibility for homosexual couples to adopt in the capacity of “married couples,” and it is that issue that has been underscored by critics of the move.
Contrary to what de Metz-Noblat suggested in his interview, they were not seeking to say that children of homosexual couples should not be baptized.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-04--South American archbishop tells Catholics to ‘accompany’ homosexual couples and their ‘families’

ASUNCION , Paraguay , January 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) -- Archbishop Edmundo Valenzuela of Paraguay told a congregation on the Feast of the Holy Family that Christians must accept and respect homosexual couples and the “ families ” they form .
Speaking on Sunday in the capital of the South American republic , Archbishop Valenzuela said at his cathedral , “ Today we find that there are homosexual couples who form families .
We can not ignore that reality .
They require a particular competence and preparation on the part of family movements to accompany these people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understanding.
” Referring to homosexuals , the archbishop said , “ We should not denigrate them .
We should not simply accuse them of a morally irregular situation , which is true , because we do not achieve anything with that ; but we must propose that they live properly , reintegrate , pray , and that they be in solidarity and sensitive to the poor and the most needy .
So this tells us about a variety of families in our globalized society in which we are all immersed.
” “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families conflicted by hatred and rejection , single mothers , widows , with great mercy , making it known that the human person can be reintegrated , to do good , love God , undertake good works for the benefit of others , and love once again , '' said Valenzuela .
“ God ’ s plan is realized in these families ( Christian families , balanced families , which are a treasure for society ) , but God ’ s plan is realized in diverse family structures so that a human being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valued , ” he said .
The archbishop added , “ Therefore , it is up to us to provide that openness and ability to understand these new and very difficult situations , to which we must , without a doubt , show solidarity with an attitude of mercy .
Brothers and sisters , let us give thanks that the Church is a family of families.
” Apparently reacting to consternation that was stirred by his comments , Valenzuela issued a subsequent statement on Monday saying he was “ concerned ” by media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media “ erroneously interpreted ” part of his sermon , the archbishop underlined that Christians should “ ‘ adequately ’ accompany homosexual couples.
” “ We specified in other points in the homily how that accompaniment should be carried out , ” he wrote , adding , “ We adhere to the Magisterium of the Church as expressed in the Catechism in this and all issues relating to family.
” He asked for professionalism on the part of members of the media .
However , an earlier communique from the archdiocese gave a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question .
Before the press release was scrubbed from the website , it thanked the media for broadcasting Valenzuela ’ s words to a wider audience .
The missing press release stated that the archdiocesan office of family ministry bases its attention and “ accompaniment ” of “ our brothers and their families in all stages and situations of life ” on Amoris laetitia , the controversial 2015 apostolic exhortation promulgated by Pope Francis .
Controversy arose over Amoris laetitia when critics asked whether it had changed Catholic teaching regarding access to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divorced couples who have civilly remarried .
Now gone from the archdiocesan website , the statement said Archbishop Valenzuela had been speaking “ colloquially ” and his reflection should be “ interpreted in the family and procedural context of personal development.
” Pointing toward a distinction between sin and those who commit sin , the statement went on to say , “ It is not easy to distinguish people from their decisions by which they are known.
” It noted that the Catechism of the Catholic Church calls on believers to treat homosexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catechism , `` Homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered '' and “ contrary to the natural law .
They close the sexual act to the gift of life .
They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity .
Under no circumstances can they be approved.
” While those persons with homosexual tendencies are called to self-mastery and prayer in order to “ approach Christian perfection , ” the Catechism says “ unjust discrimination ” against them should be avoided and that they should be shown “ respect , compassion , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October , Valenzuela said he was in favor of the ordination of married men to the priesthood , as well as consecrating women to the diaconate .
He was among the prelates chosen by Pope Francis to draft the synod ’ s controversial final document .
In November , the bishop announced that he had tendered his resignation to Pope Francis upon reaching the age of 75 , when canon law requires prelates to abandon diocesan governance .

ASUNCION, Paraguay, January 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Archbishop Edmundo Valenzuela of Paraguay told a congregation on the Feast of the Holy Family that Christians must accept and respect homosexual couples and the “families” they form.
Speaking on Sunday in the capital of the South American republic, Archbishop Valenzuela said at his cathedral, “Today we find that there are homosexual couples who form families. We cannot ignore that reality. They require a particular competence and preparation on the part of family movements to accompany these people, in order to show them mercy and understanding.”
Referring to homosexuals, the archbishop said, “We should not denigrate them. We should not simply accuse them of a morally irregular situation, which is true, because we do not achieve anything with that; but we must propose that they live properly, reintegrate, pray, and that they be in solidarity and sensitive to the poor and the most needy. So this tells us about a variety of families in our globalized society in which we are all immersed.”
“The Church accompanies divorced and remarried families, families conflicted by hatred and rejection, single mothers, widows, with great mercy, making it known that the human person can be reintegrated, to do good, love God, undertake good works for the benefit of others, and love once again,” said Valenzuela.
“God’s plan is realized in these families (Christian families, balanced families, which are a treasure for society), but God’s plan is realized in diverse family structures so that a human being may feel companionship and will also feel valued,” he said.
The archbishop added, “Therefore, it is up to us to provide that openness and ability to understand these new and very difficult situations, to which we must, without a doubt, show solidarity with an attitude of mercy. Brothers and sisters, let us give thanks that the Church is a family of families.”
Apparently reacting to consternation that was stirred by his comments, Valenzuela issued a subsequent statement on Monday saying he was “concerned” by media reports about his homily. Saying the media “erroneously interpreted” part of his sermon, the archbishop underlined that Christians should “‘adequately’ accompany homosexual couples.”
“We specified in other points in the homily how that accompaniment should be carried out,” he wrote, adding, “We adhere to the Magisterium of the Church as expressed in the Catechism in this and all issues relating to family.” He asked for professionalism on the part of members of the media.
However, an earlier communique from the archdiocese gave a more nuanced view of the homily in question. Before the press release was scrubbed from the website, it thanked the media for broadcasting Valenzuela’s words to a wider audience.
The missing press release stated that the archdiocesan office of family ministry bases its attention and “accompaniment” of “our brothers and their families in all stages and situations of life” on Amoris laetitia, the controversial 2015 apostolic exhortation promulgated by Pope Francis. Controversy arose over Amoris laetitia when critics asked whether it had changed Catholic teaching regarding access to the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist for divorced couples who have civilly remarried.
Now gone from the archdiocesan website, the statement said Archbishop Valenzuela had been speaking “colloquially” and his reflection should be “interpreted in the family and procedural context of personal development.” Pointing toward a distinction between sin and those who commit sin, the statement went on to say, “It is not easy to distinguish people from their decisions by which they are known.” It noted that the Catechism of the Catholic Church calls on believers to treat homosexual persons with respect.
According to the Catechism, “Homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered” and “contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.” While those persons with homosexual tendencies are called to self-mastery and prayer in order to “approach Christian perfection,” the Catechism says “unjust discrimination” against them should be avoided and that they should be shown “respect, compassion, and sensitivity.”
At the Amazonian Synod in October, Valenzuela said he was in favor of the ordination of married men to the priesthood, as well as consecrating women to the diaconate. He was among the prelates chosen by Pope Francis to draft the synod’s controversial final document. In November, the bishop announced that he had tendered his resignation to Pope Francis upon reaching the age of 75, when canon law requires prelates to abandon diocesan governance.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-04--Video of boy singing to baby brother with Down syndrome captures hearts, goes viral

CABOT , Arkansas , January 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A video of a young boy singing to his newborn brother with Down syndrome is capturing hearts across the nation as it goes viral on social media .
Nicole Powell posted a short video on Facebook of son Rayce cradling his baby brother Tripp in his arms , singing “ 10,000 Hours ” by Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber .
In the video , Rayce can be heard singing : I ’ d spend ten thousand hours and ten thousand more Oh , if that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart of yours And I might never get there , but I ’ m gon na try If it ’ s ten thousand hours or the rest of my life I ’ m gon na love you .
Posted on Facebook on Monday , the video has now been seen over a million times .
“ This is how Rayce bonds with Tripp , ” wrote mom Nicole .
“ He sings to him all the time .
He swears this song is about him and his brother.
” “ Love doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ or as Rayce says , ‘ Aren ’ t we all different ?
’ ” “ I didn ’ t want our boys to be ashamed of him , ” explained Nicole in a local TV interview .
“ He ’ s still their little brother regardless of what he has.
” Abortion was out of the question JJ Grieves , the boys ’ father , revealed that doctors had “ recommended that we terminate the pregnancy.
” “ It takes a little bit longer to learn and a little bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added , “ but isn ’ t that what the world needs ?
”

Posted on Facebook on Monday, the video has now been seen over a million times.
CABOT, Arkansas, January 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A video of a young boy singing to his newborn brother with Down syndrome is capturing hearts across the nation as it goes viral on social media.
Nicole Powell posted a short video on Facebook of son Rayce cradling his baby brother Tripp in his arms, singing “10,000 Hours” by Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber.
In the video, Rayce can be heard singing:
I’d spend ten thousand hours and ten thousand more
Oh, if that’s what it takes to learn that sweet heart of yours
And I might never get there, but I’m gonna try
If it’s ten thousand hours or the rest of my life
I’m gonna love you.
Posted on Facebook on Monday, the video has now been seen over a million times.
“This is how Rayce bonds with Tripp,” wrote mom Nicole. “He sings to him all the time. He swears this song is about him and his brother.”
“Love doesn’t count chromosomes,” continued Nicole, “or as Rayce says, ‘Aren’t we all different?’”
“I didn’t want our boys to be ashamed of him,” explained Nicole in a local TV interview. “He’s still their little brother regardless of what he has.”
Abortion was out of the question
JJ Grieves, the boys’ father, revealed that doctors had “recommended that we terminate the pregnancy.”
His response: “I said absolutely not.”
“It takes a little bit longer to learn and a little bit more care and more loving,” he added, “but isn’t that what the world needs?”
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lifesitenews--2020-01-04--US youth population in ‘absolute decline,’ dropped over 1 million since 2010

WASHINGTON , D.C. , January 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The United States has 1.14 million fewer young people going into 2020 than it did in 2010 , according to an analysis of new Census data by the Brookings Institution ’ s William Frey .
Frey noted that while the adult population grew by 8.8 percent between 2010 and 2019 , the youth population did not increase as it had in the three previous decades .
The “ under 18 ” population nosedived in a state of “ absolute decline ” in the past decade .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with unprecedented growth stagnation , an absolute decline in its under-18 youth population , ” the report states , adding a little later : “ The 2010s was a decade of fewer births , more deaths , and uneven immigration.
” “ One symptom of the aging population is the decade-wide loss in young people under age 18 , ” the report states .
“ Between 2010 and 2019 , the nation sustained an absolute decline of 1.14 million youth .
Some of this change can be attributed to lower fertility rates and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the millennial population , though census projections show older populations—especially those over age 65—will display far higher rates of growth than youth.
” Moreover , current Census data revealed that under-18s made up 22 percent of the country ’ s total population in 2019 , a drop from 28 percent in the 1980s , a figure reported by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics .
The trend of vanishing kids was most marked in Vermont , New Hampshire , and Connecticut , where the child and teen population dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2019 .
According to Axios ’ s Census data analysis , New Hampshire had the biggest decline , with the population of under-18s falling from 22 percent in 2010 to 18 percent in 2019 .
America ’ s most populated state , California , had the greatest numerical drop , with 400,000 fewer kids in the state in 2019 than in 2010 .
However , some states experienced an increase in the child and teen population .
Notably , North Dakota and the District of Columbia each saw an addition of 30,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two U.S. areas where child and teen population growth eclipsed the rest of the population , Axios reported .
But although D.C. ’ s under-18s population has consistently outstripped its adult population growth , children and teens still make up a smaller percentage of the district ’ s population than in any other state .
Axios also reported that after D.C. , states with the smallest percentage of child and teen population are Vermont , Maine , New Hampshire , and Rhode Island .
Those with the largest percentage of under-18s population are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Alaska .
Of these , Nebraska had the greatest shift , moving from tenth in 2010 to fourth in 2019 .
The statistics mark a “ pivotal moment ” in the States , noted Axios .
“ This isn ’ t the first decade of child population decline , ” demographer Frey told Axios .
“ But it ushers in a period when adult growth will continue to dwarf child growth as the population ages and proportionately fewer women are in their child bearing ages.
” The situation is dire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia-based Population Research Institute .
“ Children are the only future a family has .
Indeed , they are the only future a nation has .
And we are simply having too few children .
We need to turn this around , and quickly , ” he told LifeSiteNews .
“ We need to offer positive encouragement to young couples to get married and have children .
And we need to address the three things that stand in the way of this happening , ” Mosher said .
The most pressing need is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing that we as a people must address is abortion on demand , which has led to sex without responsibility , and the wanton destruction of the unborn , ” he said .
The Supreme Court “ must overturn Roe v. Wade , as over 200 members of Congress have recently called for.
” “ The second thing we must address is the porn epidemic , which is devastating young men .
It has undermined healthy relationships between the sexes , and led to virtual sex replacing procreative sex .
Pornography laws must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The third thing we must deal with are student loans .
These ‘ debt traps ’ have left millions of young people saddled with tens of thousands of dollars in debt that will take years , or even decades , to pay back , depressing marriage and birth rates , ” Mosher said .
One solution would be to forgive the student loans of those willing to marry and have children , he suggested .
“ The first child would result in one-third of your debt being forgiven , the second two-thirds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debt might be forgiven .
The slogan of the new policy might be ‘ With three you study free , ’ ” Mosher said .
“ One thing is certain , ” he added : “ unless we deal with the root causes of the current flight from marriage and children , America has no future .
”

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The United States has 1.14 million fewer young people going into 2020 than it did in 2010, according to an analysis of new Census data by the Brookings Institution’s William Frey.
Frey noted that while the adult population grew by 8.8 percent between 2010 and 2019, the youth population did not increase as it had in the three previous decades. The “under 18” population nosedived in a state of “absolute decline” in the past decade.
“The decade’s patterns reveal a nation with unprecedented growth stagnation, an absolute decline in its under-18 youth population,” the report states, adding a little later: “The 2010s was a decade of fewer births, more deaths, and uneven immigration.”
“One symptom of the aging population is the decade-wide loss in young people under age 18,” the report states. “Between 2010 and 2019, the nation sustained an absolute decline of 1.14 million youth. Some of this change can be attributed to lower fertility rates and the aging into adulthood of the last of the millennial population, though census projections show older populations—especially those over age 65—will display far higher rates of growth than youth.”
Moreover, current Census data revealed that under-18s made up 22 percent of the country’s total population in 2019, a drop from 28 percent in the 1980s, a figure reported by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics.
The trend of vanishing kids was most marked in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, where the child and teen population dropped some 11 to 12 percent between 2010 and 2019.
According to Axios’s Census data analysis, New Hampshire had the biggest decline, with the population of under-18s falling from 22 percent in 2010 to 18 percent in 2019.
America’s most populated state, California, had the greatest numerical drop, with 400,000 fewer kids in the state in 2019 than in 2010.
However, some states experienced an increase in the child and teen population.
Notably, North Dakota and the District of Columbia each saw an addition of 30,000 children since 2010 and were the only two U.S. areas where child and teen population growth eclipsed the rest of the population, Axios reported.
But although D.C.’s under-18s population has consistently outstripped its adult population growth, children and teens still make up a smaller percentage of the district’s population than in any other state.
Axios also reported that after D.C., states with the smallest percentage of child and teen population are Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
Those with the largest percentage of under-18s population are Utah, Texas, Idaho, Nebraska, and Alaska. Of these, Nebraska had the greatest shift, moving from tenth in 2010 to fourth in 2019.
The statistics mark a “pivotal moment” in the States, noted Axios.
“This isn’t the first decade of child population decline,” demographer Frey told Axios. “But it ushers in a period when adult growth will continue to dwarf child growth as the population ages and proportionately fewer women are in their child bearing ages.”
The situation is dire, warned Steve Mosher, president of the Virginia-based Population Research Institute.
“Children are the only future a family has. Indeed, they are the only future a nation has. And we are simply having too few children. We need to turn this around, and quickly,” he told LifeSiteNews.
“We need to offer positive encouragement to young couples to get married and have children. And we need to address the three things that stand in the way of this happening,” Mosher said.
The most pressing need is to end abortion.
“The first thing that we as a people must address is abortion on demand, which has led to sex without responsibility, and the wanton destruction of the unborn,” he said. The Supreme Court “must overturn Roe v. Wade, as over 200 members of Congress have recently called for.”
“The second thing we must address is the porn epidemic, which is devastating young men. It has undermined healthy relationships between the sexes, and led to virtual sex replacing procreative sex. Pornography laws must be enforced,” he added.
“The third thing we must deal with are student loans. These ‘debt traps’ have left millions of young people saddled with tens of thousands of dollars in debt that will take years, or even decades, to pay back, depressing marriage and birth rates,” Mosher said.
One solution would be to forgive the student loans of those willing to marry and have children, he suggested.
“The first child would result in one-third of your debt being forgiven, the second two-thirds, and with the third your entire debt might be forgiven. The slogan of the new policy might be ‘With three you study free,’” Mosher said.
“One thing is certain,” he added: “unless we deal with the root causes of the current flight from marriage and children, America has no future.”
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lifesitenews--2020-01-04--Openly gay priest claims Pope Francis affirmed his homosexuality in private phone call

January 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – An “ out ” gay priest who rejects the Church ’ s teaching on homosexuality shared his personal reaction to a phone call he claims he received from Pope Francis in which the Pontiff reportedly affirmed him as a homosexual priest .
In an article published by New Ways Ministry – a pro-LGBT Catholic organization that has been condemned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops – the openly homosexual priest also explained why he finally chose to make public the phone call .
Fr .
James Alison , a 60-year-old former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominent gay theologian/priest who received a call from Pope Francis in 2017 , as recounted in Frédéric Martel ’ s controversial book , In the Closet of the Vatican : Power , Homosexuality , Hypocrisy .
“ I ‘ sat ’ with the knowledge of the phone call for over two years , ” explained Alison .
“ I shared knowledge of it , of course , with a small group of friends , asking them to keep it to themselves .
I had promised the Holy Father extreme discretion , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any more hatred than he was already receiving.
” Alison said the call gave him determination to carry on as a priest despite the Congregation for the Clergy ’ s sentence ordering him not to teach , preach , or celebrate the sacraments .
So what changed to make me feel entitled to let the call be more widely known ?
The key factor was something my former novice-master , the bishop who had taken my letter to the Holy Father and pleaded with him to sort out my situation , told me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told him he had called me , describing the conversation to him in the same words as I had reported .
Francis had thus deliberately created a witness to what he had done .
It took me a little time for the significance of that to sink in , but it was this development that finally overcame any scruples I had about making the matter public .
By that time it was also clear from Francis ’ reported reaction to Frederic Martel ’ s book on gay priests in the Vatican and from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken a great deal of the wind out of the sails of the closeted homophobes who opposed him , that he needed no protection from worried little me !
That , and the freedom with which he was organising the Amazon Synod convinced me that I would do him no harm .
Alison first went public with his story when he penned an article for The Tablet in September 2019 .
“ I guess the story starts in 1994 , when , fully six years a priest , it became clear to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was anything wrong with same-sex love , ” wrote Alison .
“ The frightened boy who had accepted the official line that he was the bearer of something objectively disordered , and that therefore celibacy was an obligation , was finally growing up , ” he claimed .
Alison suggests repentance not for homosexual behavior , but for obedience to Church teaching on homosexuality The former Dominican believes that the Catholic Church has lied to those with same-sex attraction about the disordered nature of homosexual behavior .
“ Any vows or promises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the other are null , ” he averred .
“ And in this case , church authority had been lying to me , as it has to so many others , with relation to who we are.
” “ While individuals like me can repent of the ways we have allowed that lie to form our souls , the Roman congregations have no capacity to discuss or rectify their falsehood , ” he said .
Genesis of the phone call from Pope Francis The catalyst for the phone call from the Pope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former novice master – now a bishop – had with Pope Francis .
When Alison told his former Dominican novice master that the Vatican had removed him from ministry , his response was , “ Absurd .
It ’ s people like you they need outside at this time … I ’ ll request a private audience and ask him to sort it out.
” Eighteen months later , the Bishop presented to Pope Francis a letter written by Alison in which he asked to have his situation made regular , “ not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but as part of opening up wider ministerial possibilities in the Church for LGBT people to speak , preach , evangelize , in the first person.
” Alison said the unexpected call came on Sunday , July 2 , 2017 , at about 3 p.m. Pope Francis told him : Alison concluded from his conversation with Pope Francis that he had overturned the Congregation for Clergy ’ s judgment against him .
He then went on to extrapolate a broader meaning for all homosexual priests who live “ double lives : ” And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for seminaries , where he feels that same-sex attracted young men discerning their vocations are lied to about the sinful nature of active homosexuality .
He proposes : More specifically , he suggests that bishops be given five years “ to learn to overcome their inability to discern and negotiate ” with homosexual priests .
Alison believes that there is no real “ crisis of vocations ” in the church today , and that instead there is a “ crisis of discernment ” by bishops “ who have locked themselves into a self-reinforcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key ” regarding the pastoring and formation of priests who might live homosexual lives .
Thanks to what he clearly views as his homosexuality-affirming phone call from Pope Francis , Alison foresees massive change in the Catholic Church and wonders : Alison currently lives in Madrid , Spain , and continues to describe himself as a priest , theologian , lecturer and preacher .

The former Dominican says the pontiff told him in 2017: 'I give you the power of the keys.'
January 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – An “out” gay priest who rejects the Church’s teaching on homosexuality shared his personal reaction to a phone call he claims he received from Pope Francis in which the Pontiff reportedly affirmed him as a homosexual priest.
In an article published by New Ways Ministry – a pro-LGBT Catholic organization that has been condemned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops – the openly homosexual priest also explained why he finally chose to make public the phone call.
Fr. James Alison, a 60-year-old former Dominican, revealed that he is the prominent gay theologian/priest who received a call from Pope Francis in 2017, as recounted in Frédéric Martel’s controversial book, In the Closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy.
“I ‘sat’ with the knowledge of the phone call for over two years,” explained Alison. “I shared knowledge of it, of course, with a small group of friends, asking them to keep it to themselves. I had promised the Holy Father extreme discretion, and I did not want to expose him to any more hatred than he was already receiving.”
Alison said the call gave him determination to carry on as a priest despite the Congregation for the Clergy’s sentence ordering him not to teach, preach, or celebrate the sacraments.
So what changed to make me feel entitled to let the call be more widely known? The key factor was something my former novice-master, the bishop who had taken my letter to the Holy Father and pleaded with him to sort out my situation, told me in May 2019. The Holy Father told him he had called me, describing the conversation to him in the same words as I had reported. Francis had thus deliberately created a witness to what he had done. It took me a little time for the significance of that to sink in, but it was this development that finally overcame any scruples I had about making the matter public. By that time it was also clear from Francis’ reported reaction to Frederic Martel’s book on gay priests in the Vatican and from the fact that the same book had taken a great deal of the wind out of the sails of the closeted homophobes who opposed him, that he needed no protection from worried little me! That, and the freedom with which he was organising the Amazon Synod convinced me that I would do him no harm.
Alison first went public with his story when he penned an article for The Tablet in September 2019.
“I guess the story starts in 1994, when, fully six years a priest, it became clear to me that I could no longer pretend that there was anything wrong with same-sex love,” wrote Alison.
“The frightened boy who had accepted the official line that he was the bearer of something objectively disordered, and that therefore celibacy was an obligation, was finally growing up,” he claimed.
Alison suggests repentance not for homosexual behavior, but for obedience to Church teaching on homosexuality
The former Dominican believes that the Catholic Church has lied to those with same-sex attraction about the disordered nature of homosexual behavior.
“Any vows or promises undertaken when one party has been lying to the other are null,” he averred. “And in this case, church authority had been lying to me, as it has to so many others, with relation to who we are.”
“While individuals like me can repent of the ways we have allowed that lie to form our souls, the Roman congregations have no capacity to discuss or rectify their falsehood,” he said.
Genesis of the phone call from Pope Francis
The catalyst for the phone call from the Pope was a discussion that Alison’s former novice master – now a bishop – had with Pope Francis.
When Alison told his former Dominican novice master that the Vatican had removed him from ministry, his response was, “Absurd. It’s people like you they need outside at this time … I’ll request a private audience and ask him to sort it out.”
Eighteen months later, the Bishop presented to Pope Francis a letter written by Alison in which he asked to have his situation made regular, “not as a personal favor to me, but as part of opening up wider ministerial possibilities in the Church for LGBT people to speak, preach, evangelize, in the first person.”
Alison said the unexpected call came on Sunday, July 2, 2017, at about 3 p.m. Pope Francis told him:
I want you to walk with deep interior freedom, following the Spirit of Jesus. And I give you the power of the keys. Do you understand? I give you the power of the keys.
Alison concluded from his conversation with Pope Francis that he had overturned the Congregation for Clergy’s judgment against him.
What does this extraordinary mercy mean, for me, and might it mean for others? At the very least, that the source of canonical order did not regard as binding his own Congregation’s sentence, since he clearly treated me as a priest, giving me universal jurisdiction to hear Confessions.
He then went on to extrapolate a broader meaning for all homosexual priests who live “double lives:”
And indeed, what of so many others more deserving than I? What about a Jubilee of Honesty for priests, inaugurated with an amnesty for double lives that are neither abusive nor criminal?
And not only for current priests, but for seminaries, where he feels that same-sex attracted young men discerning their vocations are lied to about the sinful nature of active homosexuality. He proposes:
A public accountability to honesty, especially of formators, as the principal factor in formation? The closet no longer forming and enforcing the closet?
More specifically, he suggests that bishops be given five years “to learn to overcome their inability to discern and negotiate” with homosexual priests.
Alison believes that there is no real “crisis of vocations” in the church today, and that instead there is a “crisis of discernment” by bishops “who have locked themselves into a self-reinforcing system of mendacity and thrown away the key” regarding the pastoring and formation of priests who might live homosexual lives.
Thanks to what he clearly views as his homosexuality-affirming phone call from Pope Francis, Alison foresees massive change in the Catholic Church and wonders:
Pope Francis has talked about this being a change of epoch rather than an epoch of change. What is going to be the shape of ministry in the Church that is being birthed?
Alison currently lives in Madrid, Spain, and continues to describe himself as a priest, theologian, lecturer and preacher.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-03--Democrats, leftists melt down over congressmen asking SCOTUS to review Roe v Wade

WASHINGTON , D.C. , January 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A recent amicus brief in which more than 200 members of Congress ask the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider the legitimacy of Roe v. Wade isn ’ t sitting well with the Democrats hoping to defeat President Donald Trump this year , or with scores of pro-abortion activists and left-wing pundits .
In March , the nation ’ s highest court will hear arguments in June Medical Services LLC v. Gee , which concerns Louisiana ’ s requirement that abortion centers make arrangements for admitting women to nearby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The abortion industry ’ s attorneys argue that the law is not at all different from the Texas law the Supreme Court struck down in 2016 ’ s Whole Woman ’ s Health v. Hellerstedt ; pro-lifers argue that not only was Hellerstedt wrongly decided , but the Louisiana law is different from the Texas one .
The case is likely to at the very least impact the Hellerstedt precedent , which has been used to invalidate a broad range of modest abortion regulations as “ undue burdens ” on women .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will take the opportunity to make a broader determination on the underlying legitimacy of Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey , which force all 50 states to permit most abortions , which is what the amicus brief signed by 205 Republican congressmen and two Democrats calls on the justices to do so .
“ [ We ] respectfully suggest that the court ’ s struggle — similar to dozens of other courts ’ herculean struggles in this area — illustrates the unworkability of the ‘ right to abortion ’ found in Roe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the issue of whether Roe and [ Planned Parenthood v. ] Casey should be reconsidered and , if appropriate , overruled , ” it reads .
Several candidates for the Democrat presidential nomination , including former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren , condemned the brief , as did other prominent Democrats , the nation ’ s leading pro-abortion organizations , and pro-abortion celebrities : Opposing legal abortion has been a well known Republican position since the 1980s , yet former NARAL president Ilyse Hogue issued a statement trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of contrast to a goal Republicans had supposedly been trying to keep secret .
“ The anti-choice movement is no longer trying to hide their real agenda , ” she declared .
“ They are gunning to end Roe , criminalize abortion and punish women .
If it wasn ’ t clear why we fought like hell to stop Brett Kavanaugh ’ s confirmation before , it should be crystal clear now .
They gamed the system and stacked the Supreme Court just for this moment.
” Roe is largely defended not on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minds , including Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , have acknowledged the ruling ’ s flaws ) , but on its status as precedent , with the modern interpretation of the stare decisis doctrine holding that Roe ’ s lengthy history staying on the books grants it added weight .
Justice Clarence Thomas has forcefully rejected such arguments .
It remains to be seen how Chief Justice John Roberts and President Trump ’ s two SCOTUS appointees , Neil Gorscuh and Brett Kavanaugh , will weigh Roe ’ s precedent versus its substance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ case is likely to be handed down during this already contentious election year , in which abortion and judicial nominations will be major issues for both Trump and the Democrat nominee .

Even pro-abortion leftists tend to defend Roe v. Wade not on its merits, but on its long standing.
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A recent amicus brief in which more than 200 members of Congress ask the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider the legitimacy of Roe v. Wade isn’t sitting well with the Democrats hoping to defeat President Donald Trump this year, or with scores of pro-abortion activists and left-wing pundits.
In March, the nation’s highest court will hear arguments in June Medical Services LLC v. Gee, which concerns Louisiana’s requirement that abortion centers make arrangements for admitting women to nearby hospitals in cases of life-threatening complications. The abortion industry’s attorneys argue that the law is not at all different from the Texas law the Supreme Court struck down in 2016’s Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt; pro-lifers argue that not only was Hellerstedt wrongly decided, but the Louisiana law is different from the Texas one.
The case is likely to at the very least impact the Hellerstedt precedent, which has been used to invalidate a broad range of modest abortion regulations as “undue burdens” on women. It remains to be seen whether the Court will take the opportunity to make a broader determination on the underlying legitimacy of Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which force all 50 states to permit most abortions, which is what the amicus brief signed by 205 Republican congressmen and two Democrats calls on the justices to do so.
“[We] respectfully suggest that the court’s struggle — similar to dozens of other courts’ herculean struggles in this area — illustrates the unworkability of the ‘right to abortion’ found in Roe and the need for the Court to take up the issue of whether Roe and [Planned Parenthood v.] Casey should be reconsidered and, if appropriate, overruled,” it reads.
Several candidates for the Democrat presidential nomination, including former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, condemned the brief, as did other prominent Democrats, the nation’s leading pro-abortion organizations, and pro-abortion celebrities:
Donald Trump stacked the Supreme Court with justices to try to overturn Roe v. Wade—and now Republicans are seizing the opportunity to restrict a woman's constitutional right to choose. We have to fight these attacks and ensure this choice remains between a woman and her doctor. https://t.co/5goWP2Bkuv — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 3, 2020
Republicans want to turn back the clock, outlaw abortion, and deny people reproductive health care—and they're hoping the Supreme Court will back their radical play. We need to take back the Senate and pass federal laws protecting our reproductive rights. https://t.co/PVlS8imk7X — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 3, 2020
A woman's access to abortion isn't a privilege. It's a fundamental right—and the law of the land. That's why I've supported reproductive health as a mayor & as a philanthropist. As president, I will appoint judges who would preserve Roe, not take it away.https://t.co/3v3GLooY1I — Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) January 3, 2020
39 GOP Senators just said they want to overturn a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. That’s why I joined 196 Democrats to urge the Supreme Court to protect women and NOT legitimize efforts to pass laws creating significant burdens with no medical benefit. https://t.co/vgo5XYJlis — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 3, 2020
If we're going to protect Roe v. Wade and the rights it affirmed, we have to #FlipTheSenate. https://t.co/AxobtsBCJj — Senate Democrats (@dscc) January 3, 2020
Anti-abortion politicians are using every trick in the book to ban abortion. Asking the Supreme Court to reconsider overturning Roe is an assault on our basic rights, plain and simple. Abortion is safe and legal, and we're doing everything we can to keep it that way. https://t.co/7rATmkTbxd — Alexis McGill Johnson (@alexismcgill) January 2, 2020
Get ready to fight like hell, ladies and the men who love them. Are you ready?! Roll Call! I’ll go first. Alyssa, Los Angeles, and I’m ready to fight for a woman’s right to choose her destiny. #roevswade https://t.co/J27eWe7ezp — Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) January 3, 2020
Just when you think the Republican Party couldn’t be any more out of it – they pull this shit. We are coming for you ALL in November – take more seats in the House, control of the Senate and the White House. Thanks for the further motivation misogynistic pigs! — Amy Siskind ���� (@Amy_Siskind) January 2, 2020
Opposing legal abortion has been a well known Republican position since the 1980s, yet former NARAL president Ilyse Hogue issued a statement trying to suggest that the brief marked some sort of contrast to a goal Republicans had supposedly been trying to keep secret.
“The anti-choice movement is no longer trying to hide their real agenda,” she declared. “They are gunning to end Roe, criminalize abortion and punish women. If it wasn’t clear why we fought like hell to stop Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation before, it should be crystal clear now. They gamed the system and stacked the Supreme Court just for this moment.”
Roe is largely defended not on its legal merits (numerous pro-abortion legal minds, including Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, have acknowledged the ruling’s flaws), but on its status as precedent, with the modern interpretation of the stare decisis doctrine holding that Roe’s lengthy history staying on the books grants it added weight. Justice Clarence Thomas has forcefully rejected such arguments. It remains to be seen how Chief Justice John Roberts and President Trump’s two SCOTUS appointees, Neil Gorscuh and Brett Kavanaugh, will weigh Roe’s precedent versus its substance.
Either way, a ruling in the case is likely to be handed down during this already contentious election year, in which abortion and judicial nominations will be major issues for both Trump and the Democrat nominee.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-07--This inspiring 90-day men’s program aims to prep men as soldiers for the Church in crisis

Are you a Catholic man who wants to grow in humility and steel yourself to become a soldier in the @ @ @ @ @ the Church raging right now ?
If you are , Exodus 90 is a new @ @ @ @ @ look into .
James Baxter is a former seminarian who helped bring Exodus 90 to @ @ @ @ @ me about his inspiring work on this week ’ s John-Henry Westen Show .

Are you a Catholic man who wants to grow in humility and steel yourself to become a soldier in the war for the soul of the Church raging right now? If you are, Exodus 90 is a new spiritual program you should to look into. James Baxter is a former seminarian who helped bring Exodus 90 to reality. He spoke with me about his inspiring work on this week’s John-Henry Westen Show.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-07--BREAKING: Covington teen Nick Sandmann bags CNN settlement in $250 million lawsuit

January 7 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – At least one of the defamation suits brought against the media by pro-life teenager Nick Sandmann will not proceed to trial , as CNN agreed Tuesday to a settlement in the case .
Immediately after last year ’ s March for Life in Washington , D.C. , the press erupted with claims that a video showed boys from a Catholic school in Kentucky harassing Nathan Phillips , a Native American activist , outside the Lincoln Memorial .
But additional extended video and firsthand accounts soon revealed that Phillips was the one who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus and decided to beat a drum inches from Sandmann ’ s face , while the boys had merely performed school cheers in hopes of drowning out racist taunts from members of the Black Hebrew Israelites fringe group .
As additional video came to light , many journalists and other public figures quickly deleted their snap condemnations of the students , while some either tried to keep the original narrative alive or refused to unequivocally retract or apologize for their initial claims , leading to various lawsuits on behalf of the boys .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ million suit against CNN for broadcasting into “ millions of homes ” the “ idea that [ Sandmann ] was part of a mob ... yelling racist slurs , ” according to attorney L. Lin Wood .
But the suit was settled Tuesday for an as-yet-undisclosed sum , Fox 19 reports .
Further details were not immediately available , though social media quickly erupted with reactions : Sandmann ’ s lawsuits against other individuals and media giants remain pending , including a $ 275 million suit against NBCUniversal and a $ 250 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This case will be tried not one minute earlier or later than when it is ready , ” Wood has declared , while Sandmann ’ s legal team stresses that the dollar amounts are not sought for the teen ’ s sake but to deter the press from smearing others in the future .
Attorneys Robert Barnes and Kevin Murphy have also filed defamation suits on behalf of eight other Covington students , targeting Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Deb Haaland , CNN ’ s Ana Navarro , the New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Matthew Dowd , ex-CNN personalities Kathy Griffin and Reza Aslan , Kentucky entrepreneur Adam Edelen , Princeton University ’ s Kevin Kruse , left-wing activist Shaun King , Mother Jones editor-in-chief Clara Jeffery , and Rewire editor-in-chief Jodi Jacobson .

CNN falsely broadcast into 'millions of homes' the 'idea that [Sandmann] was part of a mob...yelling racist slurs.'
January 7, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – At least one of the defamation suits brought against the media by pro-life teenager Nick Sandmann will not proceed to trial, as CNN agreed Tuesday to a settlement in the case.
Immediately after last year’s March for Life in Washington, D.C., the press erupted with claims that a video showed boys from a Catholic school in Kentucky harassing Nathan Phillips, a Native American activist, outside the Lincoln Memorial.
But additional extended video and firsthand accounts soon revealed that Phillips was the one who waded into the group waiting for its bus and decided to beat a drum inches from Sandmann’s face, while the boys had merely performed school cheers in hopes of drowning out racist taunts from members of the Black Hebrew Israelites fringe group.
As additional video came to light, many journalists and other public figures quickly deleted their snap condemnations of the students, while some either tried to keep the original narrative alive or refused to unequivocally retract or apologize for their initial claims, leading to various lawsuits on behalf of the boys.
Among the challenges was a $250 million suit against CNN for broadcasting into “millions of homes” the “idea that [Sandmann] was part of a mob…yelling racist slurs,” according to attorney L. Lin Wood. But the suit was settled Tuesday for an as-yet-undisclosed sum, Fox 19 reports.
Further details were not immediately available, though social media quickly erupted with reactions:
They should have to make a public apology for what they did. WaPo too. The lot of them. Going after teenagers because of politics. https://t.co/WlYofyrTwR — Ashe Schow (@AsheSchow) January 7, 2020
Of course the amount is not disclosed, and I'm sure there's no admission of liability, but it seems CNN did not have the stomach to defend this case. https://t.co/wsbzoeUmFJ — Trust In God Products (@bsmithtampabay) January 7, 2020
“We just want this to go away so we can get back to mourning the death of Qassem Soleimani,” one senior CNN executive was heard to say. — Aldous Huxley's Ghost™ (@AF632) January 7, 2020
Sandmann’s lawsuits against other individuals and media giants remain pending, including a $275 million suit against NBCUniversal and a $250 million suit against the Washington Post. “This case will be tried not one minute earlier or later than when it is ready,” Wood has declared, while Sandmann’s legal team stresses that the dollar amounts are not sought for the teen’s sake but to deter the press from smearing others in the future.
Attorneys Robert Barnes and Kevin Murphy have also filed defamation suits on behalf of eight other Covington students, targeting Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Deb Haaland, CNN’s Ana Navarro, the New York Times’ Maggie Haberman, ABC News’s Matthew Dowd, ex-CNN personalities Kathy Griffin and Reza Aslan, Kentucky entrepreneur Adam Edelen, Princeton University’s Kevin Kruse, left-wing activist Shaun King, Mother Jones editor-in-chief Clara Jeffery, and Rewire editor-in-chief Jodi Jacobson.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-07--Ellen DeGeneres’ ‘coming out’ as a lesbian in 1997 celebrated at Golden Globe Awar

Ellen DeGeneres’ ‘coming out’ as a lesbian in 1997 celebrated at Golden Globe Awards

December 7 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Ellen DeGeneres ’ decision to “ come out ” as a lesbian in 1997 was celebrated at the Golden Globes Sunday evening , with Saturday Night Live star Kate McKinnon citing her as a major influence in her own decision to “ come out.
” McKinnon thanked Ellen for giving her a “ shot at a good life , ” after explaining that seeing Ellen on TV had been the only thing that made being “ gay ” herself “ less scary.
” As she prepared to present DeGeneres with the Carol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McKinnon told the audience : “ In 1997 , when Ellen ’ s sitcom was at the height of its popularity , I was in my mother ’ s basement lifting weights in front of the mirror thinking , ‘ Am I gay ?
’ And I was .
And I still am .
But that ’ s a very scary thing to suddenly know about yourself .
It ’ s sort of like doing 23andMe and discovering you have alien DNA .
And the only thing that made it less scary was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was born on January 6 , 1984 , was just 13 years old when Ellen came out in 1997 .
McKinnon added that it was “ only because of brave people like Ellen ” that attitudes towards homosexuality had changed and that without her she would have “ gone on thinking I was an alien.
” McKinnon said that “ if I hadn ’ t seen her [ Ellen ] on TV , I would ’ ve thought , ‘ I could never be on TV .
They don ’ t let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been “ married ” to fellow TV star Portia de Rossi since 2008 .
In 2016 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former U.S. President Barack Obama for her influence on “ gay ” rights .
He choked up as he presented her with the medal honoring her homosexual activism .
DeGeneres thanked McKinnon for her introduction while collecting her award .
“ Thank you so much , ” she said .
“ I love you , I love it.
” Also at the Golden Globes , actress Michelle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of best actress in a limited series or television movie to suggest that her success is because she had the right to kill her unborn child via abortion .
“ I would n't have been able to do this without employing a woman 's right to choose , ” Williams said .
She also urged women to vote pro-abortion : “ So women , 18 to 118 , when it is time to vote , please do so in your own self-interest ; it 's what men have been doing for years.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was vegan to “ raise environmental awareness about food consumption and waste .
”

Saturday Night Live star Kate McKinnon thanked DeGeneres' 1997 announcement that she is a homosexual for giving her a 'shot at a good life.'
December 7, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Ellen DeGeneres’ decision to “come out” as a lesbian in 1997 was celebrated at the Golden Globes Sunday evening, with Saturday Night Live star Kate McKinnon citing her as a major influence in her own decision to “come out.”
McKinnon thanked Ellen for giving her a “shot at a good life,” after explaining that seeing Ellen on TV had been the only thing that made being “gay” herself “less scary.”
As she prepared to present DeGeneres with the Carol Burnett Award for Achievement in Television, McKinnon told the audience: “In 1997, when Ellen’s sitcom was at the height of its popularity, I was in my mother’s basement lifting weights in front of the mirror thinking, ‘Am I gay?’ And I was. And I still am. But that’s a very scary thing to suddenly know about yourself. It’s sort of like doing 23andMe and discovering you have alien DNA. And the only thing that made it less scary was seeing Ellen on TV.”
McKinnon, who was born on January 6, 1984, was just 13 years old when Ellen came out in 1997.
McKinnon added that it was “only because of brave people like Ellen” that attitudes towards homosexuality had changed and that without her she would have “gone on thinking I was an alien.”
McKinnon said that “if I hadn’t seen her [Ellen] on TV, I would’ve thought, ‘I could never be on TV. They don’t let LGBTQ people on TV.’”
DeGeneres has been “married” to fellow TV star Portia de Rossi since 2008. In 2016 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former U.S. President Barack Obama for her influence on “gay” rights. He choked up as he presented her with the medal honoring her homosexual activism.
DeGeneres thanked McKinnon for her introduction while collecting her award. “Thank you so much,” she said. “I love you, I love it.”
Also at the Golden Globes, actress Michelle Williams used her speech accepting the award of best actress in a limited series or television movie to suggest that her success is because she had the right to kill her unborn child via abortion.
“I wouldn't have been able to do this without employing a woman's right to choose,” Williams said.
She also urged women to vote pro-abortion: “So women, 18 to 118, when it is time to vote, please do so in your own self-interest; it's what men have been doing for years.”
The dinner served at the Golden Globes was vegan to “raise environmental awareness about food consumption and waste.”
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January 7 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Are you a Catholic man who wants to grow in humility and steel yourself to become a soldier in the war for the soul of the Church raging right now ?
If you are , Exodus 90 is a new spiritual program you should to look into .
James Baxter is a former seminarian who helped bring Exodus 90 to reality .
He spoke with me about his inspiring work on this week ’ s John-Henry Westen Show .
Exodus 90 is a 90-day spiritual exercise that originated as a seminary program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maryland .
It ’ s goal is to strip away distractions so men can better fulfill their vocation in life .
Since it ’ s inception , more than 20,000 men have gone through its exercises .
“ It ’ s all about freedom for us , ” James told me .
“ Most men are enslaved to different things….Exodus humbles you [ and ] humility places us back in touch with reality.
” Some of the things men who sign up for Exodus 90 have to live by can be quite challenging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alcohol , fasting , limited technology use , exercising regularly , and committing to a daily holy hour are just a few of its requirements .
James said it ’ s not always easy to accomplish this .
However , local face-to-face meet ups ( where possible ) with other Exodus 90 participants hold everyone accountable .
“ Dependencies are halved in the 90 days , ” he informed me .
Moreover , many wives of the men who do Exodus 90 express gratitude about the changes they have seen in their husbands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for Exodus 90 typically approach other men in their diocese or parish to get them to participate .
“ Most men are very isolated , very alone , ” James said .
“ Fraternity doesn ’ t exist in the contemporary church.
” Whats unique about Exodus 90 is that it ’ s highly popular among ecclesial groups and younger Catholics .
Over 50 % of men who sign up for it are under the age of 34 .
At just 30 $ dollars for the full 90 days , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Exodus 90 is its mobile app , which sends you daily messages and Scripture passages .
This year , the Lenten Exodus 90 program begins on January 13 and ends on Easter .
So don ’ t miss out .
I 'll be giving it a shot myself with a group and I hope you will too .
Visit the Exodus 90 website by clicking here .
The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show ’ s YouTube channel and right here on my LifeSite blog .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Spotify , Soundcloud , and ACast .
We are awaiting approval for iTunes and Google Play as well .
To subscribe to the audio version on various channels , visit the ACast webpage here .
We ’ ve created a special email list for the show so that we can notify you every week when we post a new episode .
Please sign up now by clicking here .
You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel , and you ’ ll be notified by YouTube when there is new content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or ideas for show topics by emailing [ email protected ] .

Sign up for the January 13th Exodus 90 program that runs until Easter! Click here.
January 7, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Are you a Catholic man who wants to grow in humility and steel yourself to become a soldier in the war for the soul of the Church raging right now? If you are, Exodus 90 is a new spiritual program you should to look into.
James Baxter is a former seminarian who helped bring Exodus 90 to reality. He spoke with me about his inspiring work on this week’s John-Henry Westen Show.
Exodus 90 is a 90-day spiritual exercise that originated as a seminary program at Mount St. Mary’s in Maryland. It’s goal is to strip away distractions so men can better fulfill their vocation in life. Since it’s inception, more than 20,000 men have gone through its exercises.
“It’s all about freedom for us,” James told me. “Most men are enslaved to different things….Exodus humbles you [and] humility places us back in touch with reality.”
Some of the things men who sign up for Exodus 90 have to live by can be quite challenging. Taking cold showers, not drinking alcohol, fasting, limited technology use, exercising regularly, and committing to a daily holy hour are just a few of its requirements.
James said it’s not always easy to accomplish this. However, local face-to-face meet ups (where possible) with other Exodus 90 participants hold everyone accountable. “Dependencies are halved in the 90 days,” he informed me. Moreover, many wives of the men who do Exodus 90 express gratitude about the changes they have seen in their husbands, he said.
Men who sign up for Exodus 90 typically approach other men in their diocese or parish to get them to participate. “Most men are very isolated, very alone,” James said. “Fraternity doesn’t exist in the contemporary church.” Whats unique about Exodus 90 is that it’s highly popular among ecclesial groups and younger Catholics. Over 50% of men who sign up for it are under the age of 34.
Exodus membership is $10 each month, which includes unlimited access to Exodus 90 and over 3 years of “Day 91” spiritual exercises, which walk men through all 14 narrative books of the Bible to help them to preserve their freedom and build upon their formation.
This year, the Lenten Exodus 90 program begins on January 13 and ends on Easter. So don’t miss out.
I'll be giving it a shot myself with a group and I hope you will too.
Visit the Exodus 90 website by clicking here.
The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show’s YouTube channel and right here on my LifeSite blog.
It is also available in audio format on platforms such as Spotify, Soundcloud, and ACast. We are awaiting approval for iTunes and Google Play as well. To subscribe to the audio version on various channels, visit the ACast webpage here.
We’ve created a special email list for the show so that we can notify you every week when we post a new episode. Please sign up now by clicking here. You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel, and you’ll be notified by YouTube when there is new content.
You can send me feedback, or ideas for show topics by emailing [email protected].
Follow John-Henry John-Henry is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of LifeSiteNews.com. He and his wife Dianne and their eight children live in the Ottawa Valley in Ontario, Canada. He has spoken at conferences and retreats, and appeared on radio and television throughout North America, Europe and Asia. John-Henry founded the Rome Life Forum an annual strategy meeting for pro-life leaders worldwide. He co-founded Voice of the Family and serves on the executive of the Canadian National March for Life Committee, and the annual National Pro-Life Youth Conference. He is a consultant to Canada’s largest pro-life organization Campaign Life Coalition, and serves on the executive of the Ontario branch of the organization. He has run three times for political office in the province of Ontario representing the Family Coalition Party. John-Henry earned an MA from the University of Toronto in School and Child Clinical Psychology and an Honours BA from York University in Psychology.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-07--BREAKING: McCarrick moved from Kansas friary to ‘undisclosed’ location

VICTORIA , Kansas , January 7 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick , who has become the face of clerical sexual misconduct in America , has moved out of his Kansas refuge .
Catholic News Agency ( CNA ) reported today that former cardinal and defrocked priest McCarrick has left the Capuchin community in which he resided since the summer of 2018 .
CNA stated also that senior Church officials told them that McCarrick had recently moved to a “ residential community of priests who have been removed from ministry.
” CNA ’ s sources told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secluded and away from public attention.
” Its location has not been disclosed to the public .
McCarrick is said to be paying for his own rent and board and that he voluntarily took up residence in his new home .
The reason given for the disgraced ex-prelate ’ s move is the pressure his stay at the St. Fidelis Friary was putting on his Capuchin hosts .
This was expected to intensify when the report of the Vatican ’ s investigation into how McCarrick was able to become a senior churchman―despite allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young men , including seminarians and priests―is released .
The friary is next to an elementary school .
One of McCarrick ’ s alleged victims told LifeSiteNews that this was the first he had heard of the move .
“ This is news to me , ” said James Grein via social media .
“ It ’ s better for the friary going forward .
Kinda gives me chills but also [ hope ] that the report will be coming very soon , ” he continued .
Grein , who says that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age of 11 , came forward in July 2018 to tell his story to the New York Times , revealing only his first name .
That November , James , now in his 60s , spoke at a rally outside the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops ’ fall meeting in Baltimore , revealing his full name .
The Vatican sought Mr. Grein ’ s testimony , which was vital to the verdict as McCarrick sexually abused him during Confession — a particularly grave crime according to canon law .
Grein says he gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

A report on how McCarrick was able to become a senior churchman―despite allegations of sexual predation on boys and young men, including seminarians and priests―will likely be released soon.
VICTORIA, Kansas, January 7, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who has become the face of clerical sexual misconduct in America, has moved out of his Kansas refuge.
Catholic News Agency (CNA) reported today that former cardinal and defrocked priest McCarrick has left the Capuchin community in which he resided since the summer of 2018. CNA stated also that senior Church officials told them that McCarrick had recently moved to a “residential community of priests who have been removed from ministry.” CNA’s sources told the agency that the residence is “rather secluded and away from public attention.” Its location has not been disclosed to the public.
McCarrick is said to be paying for his own rent and board and that he voluntarily took up residence in his new home. The reason given for the disgraced ex-prelate’s move is the pressure his stay at the St. Fidelis Friary was putting on his Capuchin hosts. This was expected to intensify when the report of the Vatican’s investigation into how McCarrick was able to become a senior churchman―despite allegations concerning his sexual predation on boys and young men, including seminarians and priests―is released.
The friary is next to an elementary school.
One of McCarrick’s alleged victims told LifeSiteNews that this was the first he had heard of the move.
“This is news to me,” said James Grein via social media.
“It’s better for the friary going forward. Kinda gives me chills but also [hope] that the report will be coming very soon,” he continued.
Grein, who says that he was abused by then-Father McCarrick from the age of 11, came forward in July 2018 to tell his story to the New York Times, revealing only his first name. That November, James, now in his 60s, spoke at a rally outside the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ fall meeting in Baltimore, revealing his full name.
The Vatican sought Mr. Grein’s testimony, which was vital to the verdict as McCarrick sexually abused him during Confession — a particularly grave crime according to canon law. Grein says he gave his testimony on December 27, 2018.
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