lifesitenews--2020-09-22--Here’s how state governments can help women choose alternatives to abortion

September 21 , 2020 ( Pregnancy Help News ) — If you are providing life-saving services to families in need and are not getting taxpayer funding , why not ?
Real Alternatives recently celebrated 25 years of serving 322,813 clients through 1,888,825 client visits in Pennsylvania .
As the statewide administrator for Pennsylvania ’ s Pregnancy and Parenting Support Program , Real Alternatives assisted those 300-thousand-plus Pennsylvania residents via public funding .
Real Alternatives uses a network of 29 service providers with 86 pregnancy support centers , maternity homes and other pregnancy help sites in 33 counties , Heartbeat International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and compassionate trained counselors to provide free pregnancy support and parenting education services to women and families in Pennsylvania .
Kevin Bagatta is president and CEO of Real Alternatives , which has extended their operations into Indiana and Michigan .
Thirteen other states have started taxpayer-funded operations with Real Alternatives ’ assistance .
“ When explaining the program to government officials from other states , ” Bagatta said , “ I ’ ll often ask them , ‘ Do you know what they call a positive approach to the most controversial issue of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution !
’ ” Vice President Mike Pence has supported Real Alternatives starting in 2014 as governor of Indiana , directing the state ’ s Department of Health to contract with them to start and operate a $ 1-million program modeled after Pennsylvania ’ s .
“ For more than two decades , Real Alternatives has empowered women for life by providing positive , life-affirming pregnancy and parenting support services to women and families in need .
I am grateful to all the men and women who have dedicated their time and talent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence wrote in 2018 congratulating the organization .
In the Real Alternatives model ( which could be duplicated in all 50 states ) the state hires the organization to administer a statewide program that promotes childbirth rather than abortion .
The PA group was the first Alternatives to Abortion Program to receive state and then federal funding .
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ( TANF ) is the federally funded portion .
“ After the pregnancy , especially with young people , that unplanned pregnancy , or unexpected pregnancy can become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We ’ ll be there with them for that time to make sure they are ready and are providing good parenting and good nurturing and are being taken care of during that first year of life.
” Real Alternatives is the only statewide faith-based program funded in Pennsylvania .
At $ 7.263 million per year ( $ 6.263 million state and $ 1 million TANF ) taxpayers are empowering women to choose life and have the resources to thrive .
Real Alternatives ’ goal is to provide life-affirming alternatives to abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bagatta seeks to share the information with any pro-life organizations serving women and families in need .
Measurable outcomes of the program include the increase of women who choose life rather than abortion — among those served by Real Alternatives , 60 % of abortion-minded clients and 89 % abortion-pressured clients choose life .
As Real Alternatives ’ network of programs thrive , there are increases in measured outcomes of physical and emotional support , knowledge of adoption , parenting skills , reproductive health due to STD education , and the modification of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Pregnancy and Parenting Support Program gets results for taxpayers ’ investment , as health and Medicaid costs are lowered due to high rates of pre-natal and pediatric care , and immunization .
As Real Alternatives recently celebrated 25 years , national growth of their programs was highlighted at the organization ’ s banquet .
For six years Real Alternatives partnered with Texas Pregnancy Care Network ( TPCN ) .
In 2012 , TPCN assumed sole administration of their program .
Among the award winners at the 25th Anniversary celebration was Mike Turzai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House of Representatives .
He has been an avid supporter of Real Alternatives .
“ Every single human being is beautiful .
Everybody is capable and will contribute to this world , ” Turzai stated , addressing the Real Alternatives banquet .
“ And everybody wants to feel the love of their family , friends and another human being .
You are not only providing that love , protection and care during the pregnancy , but you are doing it after the pregnancy.
” Another award winner was former Governor of Pennsylvania , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Real Alternatives with $ 1 million of TANF funds .
These funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for alternative to abortion services programs were the result of U.S .
Senator Rick Santorum pushing for the approval of TANF for such services .
Schweiker stated , “ Real Alternatives steers women into the reassuring hand of service providers and away from fear and uncertainty.
” The Real Alternatives model demonstrates real potential for other states .
Bagatta is eager to talk with any organization interested in knowing more .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxpayers , ” stated Bagatta , “ the pregnancy support centers , Catholic Charities , maternity homes , and adoption agencies can hire more counselors and open more centers thereby compassionately serving more women in unexpected pregnancies and lower abortions !
” As studies have demonstrated , abortion-minded and abortion-vulnerable women need at least one person in their lives to empower them to choose life with confidence .
Bagatta points out this is the driving force of the Real Alternatives program .
“ The real alternative to abortion is another person , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with that one voice ( counselor , pregnancy help center or other resource ) is a dual empowering force for life .
First for her own and for her baby.
” Accountability in billing for actual , specific services performed for women in need and the extensive tracking of funds is part of Real Alternatives ’ history and is a vital aspect of working with government funded programing .
All billed services occur as a one-on-one service to women in need .
Any savings in administrative costs , which Bagatta ’ s team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redirected toward advertising .
This increases traffic to Real Alternatives ’ website where women utilize the zip code specific referral system to locate local services .
Bagatta eagerly looks forward to the overturn of Roe vs Wade decision , but noted , “ Even when that happens , we will still need to continue this work to support women who need help.
” For now he looks forward to hearing from more states eager to utilize this opportunity for taxpayer funded pro-life programs , stating , “ The vision is for the citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars to be used to help at risk women , empowering them so they do not need to choose abortion.
” Note from the editor of Pregnancy Help News : Heartbeat International manages Pregnancy Help News .
Published with permission from Pregnancy Help News .

September 21, 2020 (Pregnancy Help News) — If you are providing life-saving services to families in need and are not getting taxpayer funding, why not?
Real Alternatives recently celebrated 25 years of serving 322,813 clients through 1,888,825 client visits in Pennsylvania. As the statewide administrator for Pennsylvania’s Pregnancy and Parenting Support Program, Real Alternatives assisted those 300-thousand-plus Pennsylvania residents via public funding.
Real Alternatives uses a network of 29 service providers with 86 pregnancy support centers, maternity homes and other pregnancy help sites in 33 counties, Heartbeat International affiliates among them, with 234 caring and compassionate trained counselors to provide free pregnancy support and parenting education services to women and families in Pennsylvania.
Kevin Bagatta is president and CEO of Real Alternatives, which has extended their operations into Indiana and Michigan. Thirteen other states have started taxpayer-funded operations with Real Alternatives’ assistance.
“When explaining the program to government officials from other states,” Bagatta said, “I’ll often ask them, ‘Do you know what they call a positive approach to the most controversial issue of our time? They call it a solution!’”
Vice President Mike Pence has supported Real Alternatives starting in 2014 as governor of Indiana, directing the state’s Department of Health to contract with them to start and operate a $1-million program modeled after Pennsylvania’s.
“For more than two decades, Real Alternatives has empowered women for life by providing positive, life-affirming pregnancy and parenting support services to women and families in need. I am grateful to all the men and women who have dedicated their time and talent through the Real Alternatives network,” Pence wrote in 2018 congratulating the organization.
In the Real Alternatives model (which could be duplicated in all 50 states) the state hires the organization to administer a statewide program that promotes childbirth rather than abortion. The PA group was the first Alternatives to Abortion Program to receive state and then federal funding. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is the federally funded portion.
“After the pregnancy, especially with young people, that unplanned pregnancy, or unexpected pregnancy can become a crisis parenting situation,” Bagatta said. “We’ll be there with them for that time to make sure they are ready and are providing good parenting and good nurturing and are being taken care of during that first year of life.”
Real Alternatives is the only statewide faith-based program funded in Pennsylvania. At $7.263 million per year ($6.263 million state and $1 million TANF) taxpayers are empowering women to choose life and have the resources to thrive.
Real Alternatives’ goal is to provide life-affirming alternatives to abortion services throughout the nation. Therefore, Bagatta seeks to share the information with any pro-life organizations serving women and families in need.
Measurable outcomes of the program include the increase of women who choose life rather than abortion — among those served by Real Alternatives, 60% of abortion-minded clients and 89% abortion-pressured clients choose life.
As Real Alternatives’ network of programs thrive, there are increases in measured outcomes of physical and emotional support, knowledge of adoption, parenting skills, reproductive health due to STD education, and the modification of risky lifestyle behavior through abstinence education.
The Pregnancy and Parenting Support Program gets results for taxpayers’ investment, as health and Medicaid costs are lowered due to high rates of pre-natal and pediatric care, and immunization.
As Real Alternatives recently celebrated 25 years, national growth of their programs was highlighted at the organization’s banquet.
For six years Real Alternatives partnered with Texas Pregnancy Care Network (TPCN). In 2012, TPCN assumed sole administration of their program.
Among the award winners at the 25th Anniversary celebration was Mike Turzai, the former speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He has been an avid supporter of Real Alternatives.
“Every single human being is beautiful. Everybody is capable and will contribute to this world,” Turzai stated, addressing the Real Alternatives banquet. “And everybody wants to feel the love of their family, friends and another human being. You are not only providing that love, protection and care during the pregnancy, but you are doing it after the pregnancy.”
Another award winner was former Governor of Pennsylvania, Mark Schweiker, who had increased funding of Real Alternatives with $1 million of TANF funds. These funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for alternative to abortion services programs were the result of U.S. Senator Rick Santorum pushing for the approval of TANF for such services.
Schweiker stated, “Real Alternatives steers women into the reassuring hand of service providers and away from fear and uncertainty.”
The Real Alternatives model demonstrates real potential for other states. Bagatta is eager to talk with any organization interested in knowing more.
“With the financial resources provided by taxpayers,” stated Bagatta, “the pregnancy support centers, Catholic Charities, maternity homes, and adoption agencies can hire more counselors and open more centers thereby compassionately serving more women in unexpected pregnancies and lower abortions!”
As studies have demonstrated, abortion-minded and abortion-vulnerable women need at least one person in their lives to empower them to choose life with confidence.
Bagatta points out this is the driving force of the Real Alternatives program.
“The real alternative to abortion is another person,” said Bagatta. “Connecting a woman with that one voice (counselor, pregnancy help center or other resource) is a dual empowering force for life. First for her own and for her baby.”
Accountability in billing for actual, specific services performed for women in need and the extensive tracking of funds is part of Real Alternatives’ history and is a vital aspect of working with government funded programing.
All billed services occur as a one-on-one service to women in need.
Any savings in administrative costs, which Bagatta’s team keeps as low as possible, are redirected toward advertising. This increases traffic to Real Alternatives’ website where women utilize the zip code specific referral system to locate local services.
Bagatta eagerly looks forward to the overturn of Roe vs Wade decision, but noted, “Even when that happens, we will still need to continue this work to support women who need help.”
For now he looks forward to hearing from more states eager to utilize this opportunity for taxpayer funded pro-life programs, stating, “The vision is for the citizens of every state to see their taxpayer dollars to be used to help at risk women, empowering them so they do not need to choose abortion.”
Note from the editor of Pregnancy Help News: Heartbeat International manages Pregnancy Help News.
Published with permission from Pregnancy Help News.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-22--27 doctors to German bishops: ‘No medical reasons for a ban of Communion on the tongue’

PETITION : Urge U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference to defend Catholic heritage and statues !
Sign the petition here .
September 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A group of German medical doctors has written a statement to the German Bishops ' Conference in which they say that there are “ no medical reasons for a ban of Communion on the tongue , ” according to a press release obtained by LifeSiteNews .
The document is written by “ physicians from different regions and with different medical specialties , ” one of the organizers of the document told LifeSite .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the speaker who wishes to remain anonymous , “ because we in Germany thought that , after the lifting of the ban on Communion on the tongue in Austria , this would be allowed again after a short delay also in our country .
But since this was not even the case after weeks , we started this initiative.
” In June , 21 Austrian doctors quoted the professional opinion of Professor Filippo Maria Boscia , the president of the Association of Catholic Doctors of Italy who stated in May that “ Communion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Communion.
” In light of the coronavirus crisis , the German bishops banned Communion on the tongue .
That ban is still in effect .
Thus , faithful are forced to receive Holy Communion on the hand .
The German bishops will have their annual fall assembly September 22 to 24 , for which this new statement has been prepared .
The German Catholic newspaper Die Tagespost , which first reported on this new initiative on September 17 , explains more in detail what the arguments of this group of medical doctors are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical doctors rely , among others , on the work of the Munich virologist Michael Roggendorf who works in the field of coronavirus crisis intervention .
According to these physicians , the hands of communicants in the churches are also carriers of viruses and bacteria since they touch the pews when sitting and kneeling .
Therefore , the reception of Holy Communion in the hand “ can not be regarded as a safe [ hygienic ] alternative , ” states the Tagespost report .
If during the distribution of Holy Communion , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' tongues , he can disinfect his hands .
In addition , when opening one 's mouth , one tends to breathe in , rather than out , so that the dispersion of droplets is not so probable .
Thus , the report explains , Communion on the tongue is safer than Communion on the hand , also since the kneeling position for Communion on the tongue creates a safer distance between the priest and the communicants .
Further summing up the arguments of the 27 medical doctors in favor of Communion on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the traditional rite of Holy Mass includes a strict procedure of the cleansing of the hands which is part of the Mass .
That is to say , the cleanliness of the priest does not depend upon his own whims , but is , instead , part of the rite of the Mass .
Only the priest is allowed to touch the chalice and the paten and ciborium .
In addition , the priest celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass is not even touching anything anymore with his thumb and pointer – which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consecration , thus keeping these two fingers especially clean .
Furthermore , the medical doctors also point out that Switzerland never put a ban on Communion on the tongue and never experienced a spike in infections due to the practice of Communion on the tongue .
With regard to other illnesses , such as the flu and meningococcal infections , the doctors state that there is a low risk of infection .
As a September 19 press release of the group of medical doctors states , the German Bishops Conference will decide during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lift the ban on Communion on the tongue.
” With it , they follow their colleagues in Austria , who had had a similar initiative already on the Feast of Corpus Christi , in June of this year and in the wake of which the “ Austrian Bishops ' Conference has lifted the ban on Communion on the tongue.
” These German physicians hope that “ with their intervention , there will be an end to the conflict of conscience among many faithful and priests and the canoncially ordinary form of reception of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the press release , other doctors have already now joined the original group of signatories .
This group of doctors asks why the German bishops do not join the Austrian and the Swiss bishops who permit Communion on the tongue and conclude their press release with the words : “ Why should the German bishops exit this community [ of the German-speaking realm ] and take a Sonderweg [ an exceptional , independent path ] ?
” The pro-family organization Voice of the Family , together with LifeSiteNews , hosted an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of receiving Holy Communion worthily , that is : kneeling and on the tongue .
One of its speakers , LifeSite contributor Dr. Peter Kwasniewski , insisted that a bishop oversteps his authority in denying Catholics the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue .
“ Many bishops are abusing their authority right now because … they ’ re supposed to uphold Canon Law and Canon Law is really clear that the faithful have the right to receive communion on the tongue .
That 's it , ” he stated .

When opening one's mouth, one tends to breathe in, rather than out, so that the dispersion of droplets is unlikely.
PETITION: Urge U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference to defend Catholic heritage and statues! Sign the petition here.
September 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A group of German medical doctors has written a statement to the German Bishops' Conference in which they say that there are “no medical reasons for a ban of Communion on the tongue,” according to a press release obtained by LifeSiteNews.
The document is written by “physicians from different regions and with different medical specialties,” one of the organizers of the document told LifeSite. The initiative was taken, according to the speaker who wishes to remain anonymous, “because we in Germany thought that, after the lifting of the ban on Communion on the tongue in Austria, this would be allowed again after a short delay also in our country. But since this was not even the case after weeks, we started this initiative.”
In June, 21 Austrian doctors quoted the professional opinion of Professor Filippo Maria Boscia, the president of the Association of Catholic Doctors of Italy who stated in May that “Communion on the tongue is safer than hand Communion.”
In light of the coronavirus crisis, the German bishops banned Communion on the tongue. That ban is still in effect. Thus, faithful are forced to receive Holy Communion on the hand. The German bishops will have their annual fall assembly September 22 to 24, for which this new statement has been prepared.
The German Catholic newspaper Die Tagespost, which first reported on this new initiative on September 17, explains more in detail what the arguments of this group of medical doctors are.
According to this newspaper, the medical doctors rely, among others, on the work of the Munich virologist Michael Roggendorf who works in the field of coronavirus crisis intervention.
According to these physicians, the hands of communicants in the churches are also carriers of viruses and bacteria since they touch the pews when sitting and kneeling. Therefore, the reception of Holy Communion in the hand “cannot be regarded as a safe [hygienic] alternative,” states the Tagespost report.
If during the distribution of Holy Communion, the priest should touch one of the communicants' tongues, he can disinfect his hands. In addition, when opening one's mouth, one tends to breathe in, rather than out, so that the dispersion of droplets is not so probable. Thus, the report explains, Communion on the tongue is safer than Communion on the hand, also since the kneeling position for Communion on the tongue creates a safer distance between the priest and the communicants.
Further summing up the arguments of the 27 medical doctors in favor of Communion on the tongue, the Tagespost report says that the traditional rite of Holy Mass includes a strict procedure of the cleansing of the hands which is part of the Mass. That is to say, the cleanliness of the priest does not depend upon his own whims, but is, instead, part of the rite of the Mass. Only the priest is allowed to touch the chalice and the paten and ciborium. In addition, the priest celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass is not even touching anything anymore with his thumb and pointer – which remain pressed upon each other – after consecration, thus keeping these two fingers especially clean.
Furthermore, the medical doctors also point out that Switzerland never put a ban on Communion on the tongue and never experienced a spike in infections due to the practice of Communion on the tongue.
With regard to other illnesses, such as the flu and meningococcal infections, the doctors state that there is a low risk of infection.
As a September 19 press release of the group of medical doctors states, the German Bishops Conference will decide during their upcoming fall assembly whether to “lift the ban on Communion on the tongue.” With it, they follow their colleagues in Austria, who had had a similar initiative already on the Feast of Corpus Christi, in June of this year and in the wake of which the “Austrian Bishops' Conference has lifted the ban on Communion on the tongue.”
These German physicians hope that “with their intervention, there will be an end to the conflict of conscience among many faithful and priests and the canoncially ordinary form of reception of Communion will no longer be denied.”
According to the press release, other doctors have already now joined the original group of signatories.
This group of doctors asks why the German bishops do not join the Austrian and the Swiss bishops who permit Communion on the tongue and conclude their press release with the words: “Why should the German bishops exit this community [of the German-speaking realm] and take a Sonderweg [an exceptional, independent path]?”
The pro-family organization Voice of the Family, together with LifeSiteNews, hosted an online conference in July stressing the importance of receiving Holy Communion worthily, that is: kneeling and on the tongue. One of its speakers, LifeSite contributor Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, insisted that a bishop oversteps his authority in denying Catholics the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue. “Many bishops are abusing their authority right now because … they’re supposed to uphold Canon Law and Canon Law is really clear that the faithful have the right to receive communion on the tongue. That's it,” he stated.
Follow Maike Dr. Maike Hickson was born and raised in Germany. She holds a PhD from the University of Hannover, Germany, after having written in Switzerland her doctoral dissertation on the history of Swiss intellectuals before and during World War II. She now lives in the U.S. and is married to Dr. Robert Hickson, and they have been blessed with two beautiful children. She is a happy housewife who likes to write articles when time permits. Dr. Hickson published in 2014 a Festschrift, a collection of some thirty essays written by thoughtful authors in honor of her husband upon his 70th birthday, which is entitled A Catholic Witness in Our Time. Hickson has closely followed the papacy of Pope Francis and the developments in the Catholic Church in Germany, and she has been writing articles on religion and politics for U.S. and European publications and websites such as LifeSiteNews, OnePeterFive, The Wanderer, Rorate Caeli, Catholicism.org, Catholic Family News, Christian Order, Notizie Pro-Vita, Corrispondenza Romana, Katholisches.info, Der Dreizehnte, Zeit-Fragen, and Westfalen-Blatt.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-22--Catholics lamenting the declining Faith must work to bring it back

September 21 , 2020 ( The Catholic Thing ) — When Pope John Paul II announced a Great Jubilee to mark the dawn of the third Christian millennium , he spoke boldly of a “ new springtime of Christian life.
” The Jubilee promised to be a crowning moment in a pontificate filled with great achievements .
The pope had begun his pontificate by exhorting the Church to “ Be not afraid !
” He finished the Great Jubilee on a similar theme , echoing the Lord ’ s command to his disciples : Duc in altum !
Put out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to a close on the Feast of the Epiphany , 2001 .
On January 6 , 2002 — exactly one year after the Great Jubilee concluded — the Boston Globe ’ s Spotlight team ran a story about a serial child molester who also happened to be a Catholic priest : Fr .
John Geoghan .
The archdiocese , it turned out , knew of his crimes .
Nevertheless , Geoghan was shuffled from parish to parish , leaving a trail of broken lives in his wake .
The Long Lent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s phrase , had begun .
In a way , it is still going on .
Meanwhile , we don ’ t hear very much about a new springtime anymore .
I have been thinking about this juxtaposition lately — the hope of the Great Jubilee and the humiliation of the abuse crisis — in part because of the podcast I have been helping produce for The Catholic Project at Catholic University .
But also because a sense of decline has become the hallmark of so much of our common life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our careening politics and our vulgar culture .
What was supposed to be a new springtime has , two decades on , taken on a Narnian quality : always winter and never Christmas .
Narratives of decline are not hard to find these days .
Lots of people seem to think things are getting worse , and want to be reassured that they ’ re not the only ones who think so .
This sense of decline also explains , in part , the appeal of restorationist currents in our politics .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a restorationist slogan . )
The pandemic , in case you needed reminding , has exacerbated all these trends .
As a metaphor for the state of our world , this pandemic is almost too obvious .
The Church — the world — seems to be holding its breath , waiting for what comes next , not knowing quite what to say for fear of making things worse , yet also afraid of remaining silent .
Not knowing whether to struggle against a slow suffocation or to remain docile and calm , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jean-Claude Hollerich , the Archbishop of Luxembourg , recently mused that the coronavirus pandemic may accelerate the secularization of Europe by a decade .
He is worried that many Catholics , at least in his native Luxembourg , have remained in the Church for “ cultural ” reasons , and that the Church closures during the pandemic have weakened that already tenuous connection .
There are similar concerns here in the United States .
In Milwaukee , Archbishop Jerome Listecki recently announced that he was lifting the general dispensation from Sunday obligation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Catholics in his archdiocese are expected to fulfill their obligation to attend Mass .
It makes sense that , while a bishop might not know what the “ new normal ” will look like after the pandemic subsides , he will want to do everything he can to make sure Catholics go to Mass .
Of course , most Catholics in the United States couldn ’ t be bothered to go to Sunday Mass before the pandemic hit .
Mass attendance — like Catholic marriages , baptisms , belief in the Real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just one more metric that shows the Church declining , slowly but steadily over decades .
The political irrelevance of Catholicism is another sign of the Church ’ s waning impact on our common life .
I say “ political irrelevance , ” not because the Church doesn ’ t have something to say about politics or because votes from Catholics don ’ t matter to politicians — it does and they do — but because the truths of the Faith have so manifestly little to do with how so many millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lament that things are the way they are .
As it happens , many things today are lamentable .
But disappointment that things have not turned out the way one had hoped — the way they were “ supposed ” to turn out — can also breed resentment .
And our culture , our politics , and our Church are filled with just such resentment .
It may be easy to compare the gloomy world of today to a brighter world as we remember it , and think that we would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it is worth remembering that the height of prestige and influence for the Catholic Church in the United States — before the post-Conciliar silly season , when Catholics were unified socially and politically and Masses were as full as the Catholic schools and seminaries — coincided with the decades of greatest institutional rot and corruption .
St. Francis de Sales wrote that , in the spiritual life , we ought to be seeking the God of consolations , not the consolations of God .
I think we American Catholics have grown accustomed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church ( and lamenting their absence ) — plentiful vocations , widespread devotion among the faithful , solid marriages and families , flourishing ministries to the poor — while taking little care for the spiritual work that makes the Church blossom in the first place .
If we would see the blossoms of spring , that means working the soil and spreading manure in the autumn .
“ Be not afraid.
” “ Put out into the deep.
” These are not words for people who have made it safely home .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time of comfort and consolation .
But these are words for a people strengthened by faith and willing to count all else as loss .
They are , in short , words for our time .
And they are words that will lead us toward spring ... no matter how long the winter .
Published with permission from The Catholic Thing .

If we would see the blossoms of spring, that means working the soil and spreading manure in the autumn.
September 21, 2020 (The Catholic Thing) — When Pope John Paul II announced a Great Jubilee to mark the dawn of the third Christian millennium, he spoke boldly of a “new springtime of Christian life.” The Jubilee promised to be a crowning moment in a pontificate filled with great achievements. The pope had begun his pontificate by exhorting the Church to “Be not afraid!” He finished the Great Jubilee on a similar theme, echoing the Lord’s command to his disciples: Duc in altum! Put out into the deep! The Great Jubilee came to a close on the Feast of the Epiphany, 2001.
Those were heady days.
On January 6, 2002 — exactly one year after the Great Jubilee concluded — the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team ran a story about a serial child molester who also happened to be a Catholic priest: Fr. John Geoghan. The archdiocese, it turned out, knew of his crimes. Nevertheless, Geoghan was shuffled from parish to parish, leaving a trail of broken lives in his wake. The Long Lent, to use Fr. Richard John Neuhaus’s phrase, had begun. In a way, it is still going on.
Meanwhile, we don’t hear very much about a new springtime anymore.
I have been thinking about this juxtaposition lately — the hope of the Great Jubilee and the humiliation of the abuse crisis — in part because of the podcast I have been helping produce for The Catholic Project at Catholic University. But also because a sense of decline has become the hallmark of so much of our common life, not just in the Church but in our careening politics and our vulgar culture. What was supposed to be a new springtime has, two decades on, taken on a Narnian quality: always winter and never Christmas.
Narratives of decline are not hard to find these days. Lots of people seem to think things are getting worse, and want to be reassured that they’re not the only ones who think so. This sense of decline also explains, in part, the appeal of restorationist currents in our politics. (“MAGA” is nothing if not a restorationist slogan.) The pandemic, in case you needed reminding, has exacerbated all these trends.
As a metaphor for the state of our world, this pandemic is almost too obvious. The Church — the world — seems to be holding its breath, waiting for what comes next, not knowing quite what to say for fear of making things worse, yet also afraid of remaining silent. Not knowing whether to struggle against a slow suffocation or to remain docile and calm, and to endure whatever will come.
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the Archbishop of Luxembourg, recently mused that the coronavirus pandemic may accelerate the secularization of Europe by a decade. He is worried that many Catholics, at least in his native Luxembourg, have remained in the Church for “cultural” reasons, and that the Church closures during the pandemic have weakened that already tenuous connection.
There are similar concerns here in the United States. In Milwaukee, Archbishop Jerome Listecki recently announced that he was lifting the general dispensation from Sunday obligation for his local churches. Beginning last weekend, Catholics in his archdiocese are expected to fulfill their obligation to attend Mass. It makes sense that, while a bishop might not know what the “new normal” will look like after the pandemic subsides, he will want to do everything he can to make sure Catholics go to Mass.
Of course, most Catholics in the United States couldn’t be bothered to go to Sunday Mass before the pandemic hit. Mass attendance — like Catholic marriages, baptisms, belief in the Real Presence, and so on — is just one more metric that shows the Church declining, slowly but steadily over decades.
The political irrelevance of Catholicism is another sign of the Church’s waning impact on our common life. I say “political irrelevance,” not because the Church doesn’t have something to say about politics or because votes from Catholics don’t matter to politicians — it does and they do — but because the truths of the Faith have so manifestly little to do with how so many millions of Catholics vote.
It is one thing to lament that things are the way they are. As it happens, many things today are lamentable. But disappointment that things have not turned out the way one had hoped — the way they were “supposed” to turn out — can also breed resentment. And our culture, our politics, and our Church are filled with just such resentment.
It may be easy to compare the gloomy world of today to a brighter world as we remember it, and think that we would be better off the way we were. But it is worth remembering that the height of prestige and influence for the Catholic Church in the United States — before the post-Conciliar silly season, when Catholics were unified socially and politically and Masses were as full as the Catholic schools and seminaries — coincided with the decades of greatest institutional rot and corruption.
St. Francis de Sales wrote that, in the spiritual life, we ought to be seeking the God of consolations, not the consolations of God. I think we American Catholics have grown accustomed to seeking the fruits of a healthy Church (and lamenting their absence) — plentiful vocations, widespread devotion among the faithful, solid marriages and families, flourishing ministries to the poor — while taking little care for the spiritual work that makes the Church blossom in the first place.
If we would see the blossoms of spring, that means working the soil and spreading manure in the autumn.
“Be not afraid.” “Put out into the deep.” These are not words for people who have made it safely home. These are not words for a people entering a time of comfort and consolation. But these are words for a people strengthened by faith and willing to count all else as loss. They are, in short, words for our time.
And they are words that will lead us toward spring…no matter how long the winter.
Published with permission from The Catholic Thing.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-21--Head of German bishops: ‘I consider the female diaconate to be very legitimate’

PETITION : Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden !
Sign the petition here .
LIMBURG , Germany , September 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The president of the German Bishops Conference said he considers “ the female diaconate to be very legitimate.
” During an interview last week with Deutschlandfunk , a public radio station in Germany , Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg talked extensively about the role of women in the Church , not only signaling his openness to women “ deacons ” but presenting arguments that could also be used to introduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bishops.
” Bätzing said his position on female “ ordination ” “ is very clear.
” “ I became a priest , ” he said , `` and as a bishop I am bound in obedience to the teaching of the Church .
Pope John Paul II made it clear in ( Ordinatio Sacerdotalis ) : This is binding teaching of the Church .
He at least wanted to make that clear.
” “ There is also fundamental theological doubt as to whether this is already really binding .
But in this respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obedience .
In discussions – and you can imagine that I am actually always asked about this – try to meet this obedience by presenting the arguments as they are called.
” Then Bätzing proceeded to question his “ very clear ” position .
“ But I also say to this , and I say this also to Rome and in Rome , that I notice , that in many cases , these arguments are not taken up anymore .
And what is an argumentation , which can not be understood or not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say : for me the question is not closed , but it is there in the church as an open question and must be treated as such.
” The bishop said that traditionally , Catholics argued for an all-male priesthood by referring to the fact that the priest represents Christ ’ s relationship to the Church , thus reflecting “ the relationship of a love between bride and bridegroom.
” Bätzing continued , “ The question is crucial : How can this basic law , this watermark of the Church , be represented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , who then represents Christ the priest ?
Or can this also be done by a woman ?
This is certainly the case today in the completely different culture of discussion and social culture , where one can abstract from it , than it was in earlier times.
” He referred to Galatians 3:28 , “ There is neither Jew nor Greek , there is neither slave nor free , there is no male and female , for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
” “ This is related to baptism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can it end with this , with baptism ?
That is the question for me .
The ‘ Jews and Greeks ’ already the apostles , the very early church had to clarify , in the question of the mission to the Gentiles and what is imposed on those who are not already Jews before they become Christians .
In the Council of the Apostles , there were fierce arguments about this .
The question has been clarified.
” “ On the question of ‘ slaves and free , ’ it is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear equality of all people within the Church , ” he continued .
“ Then we had to laboriously accept again something that had emigrated from the Church and came to us through the Enlightenment and the demands of the revolution and the democracy movement.
” “ I sometimes wonder whether we are not at this point today in the question of ‘ male and female , ’ to say : Here , Christian values have driven the social discussion so far and brought it so far that we as a Church must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue and say : ‘ Yes , there is no separation between male and female , because you are all one in Christ.
’ ” According to Bätzing , the sensus fidelium or sense of faith “ plays a role in the development of teaching , alongside Scripture and Tradition and the Magisterium.
” This sense of faith , on the question of female “ ordination , ” “ is not only present in women , but also in many men , that this is felt to be something unjust , that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacramental for women .
In this respect , I would say : I am not only a moderator , but I also make this my own.
” The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the sensus fidelium not as a vehicle to change Church teaching but as “ this appreciation of the faith , aroused and sustained by the Spirit of truth , ” whereby “ the People of God , guided by the sacred teaching authority ( Magisterium ) … receives … the faith , once for all delivered to the saints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith , penetrates it more deeply with right judgment , and applies it more fully in daily life.
” Bätzing made clear that he did not see the demand for female “ ordination ” in and of itself as an extreme position .
“ I said : access to all offices NOW , that is an extreme position , it is not to be expected .
The question : ‘ Can women be incorporated into these sacramental offices ?
’ – only a council will be able to answer that .
Who else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emphasis in original )

Bishop Georg Bätzing presented arguments that could also be used to introduce female ‘priests’ or even ‘bishops.’
PETITION: Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden! Sign the petition here.
LIMBURG, Germany, September 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The president of the German Bishops Conference said he considers “the female diaconate to be very legitimate.”
During an interview last week with Deutschlandfunk, a public radio station in Germany, Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg talked extensively about the role of women in the Church, not only signaling his openness to women “deacons” but presenting arguments that could also be used to introduce female “priests” or even “bishops.”
Bätzing said his position on female “ordination” “is very clear.”
“I became a priest,” he said, “and as a bishop I am bound in obedience to the teaching of the Church. Pope John Paul II made it clear in (Ordinatio Sacerdotalis): This is binding teaching of the Church. He at least wanted to make that clear.”
“There is also fundamental theological doubt as to whether this is already really binding. But in this respect for me it is a question of obedience. In discussions – and you can imagine that I am actually always asked about this – try to meet this obedience by presenting the arguments as they are called.”
Then Bätzing proceeded to question his “very clear” position. “But I also say to this, and I say this also to Rome and in Rome, that I notice, that in many cases, these arguments are not taken up anymore. And what is an argumentation, which cannot be understood or not accepted? In this respect, I say: for me the question is not closed, but it is there in the church as an open question and must be treated as such.”
The bishop said that traditionally, Catholics argued for an all-male priesthood by referring to the fact that the priest represents Christ’s relationship to the Church, thus reflecting “the relationship of a love between bride and bridegroom.”
Bätzing continued, “The question is crucial: How can this basic law, this watermark of the Church, be represented? Does it need a man for this, who then represents Christ the priest? Or can this also be done by a woman? This is certainly the case today in the completely different culture of discussion and social culture, where one can abstract from it, than it was in earlier times.”
He referred to Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
“This is related to baptism,” Bätzing said. “But can it end with this, with baptism? That is the question for me. The ‘Jews and Greeks’ already the apostles, the very early church had to clarify, in the question of the mission to the Gentiles and what is imposed on those who are not already Jews before they become Christians. In the Council of the Apostles, there were fierce arguments about this. The question has been clarified.”
“On the question of ‘slaves and free,’ it is not so long ago that we recognized the clear equality of all people within the Church,” he continued. “Then we had to laboriously accept again something that had emigrated from the Church and came to us through the Enlightenment and the demands of the revolution and the democracy movement.”
“I sometimes wonder whether we are not at this point today in the question of ‘male and female,’ to say: Here, Christian values have driven the social discussion so far and brought it so far that we as a Church must at some point also take up the issue and say: ‘Yes, there is no separation between male and female, because you are all one in Christ.’”
According to Bätzing, the sensus fidelium or sense of faith “plays a role in the development of teaching, alongside Scripture and Tradition and the Magisterium.”
This sense of faith, on the question of female “ordination,” “is not only present in women, but also in many men, that this is felt to be something unjust, that there is exclusion at this level of the sacramental for women. In this respect, I would say: I am not only a moderator, but I also make this my own.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the sensus fidelium not as a vehicle to change Church teaching but as “this appreciation of the faith, aroused and sustained by the Spirit of truth,” whereby “the People of God, guided by the sacred teaching authority (Magisterium) … receives … the faith, once for all delivered to the saints … the People unfailingly adheres to this faith, penetrates it more deeply with right judgment, and applies it more fully in daily life.”
Bätzing made clear that he did not see the demand for female “ordination” in and of itself as an extreme position.
“I said: access to all offices NOW, that is an extreme position, it is not to be expected. The question: ‘Can women be incorporated into these sacramental offices?’ – only a council will be able to answer that. Who else should have such authority?” (emphasis in original)
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lifesitenews--2020-09-21--With Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, America’s soul will be defined over abortion

September 21 , 2020 ( The Bridgehead ) — Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , an icon of the American Left , died of complications from pancreatic cancer on September 18 , 2020 at the age of 87 .
Her passing was met with a wave of mourning from those who saw her as a titan of the Sexual Revolution .
Hundreds gathered for a vigil in front of the Supreme Court , a mob marched on Mitch McConnell ’ s house , and social media exploded with grief and rage .
Progressives who normally despise religion were suddenly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who are dedicated to legal abortion to “ fight like she ’ s watching ” and to “ honor her dying wish ” — which , apparently , was that her Supreme Court seat not be filled until the election is over .
I despise the tendency of some to greet the passing of prominent figures with cruelty and hatred .
I thought it was grotesque when it was done to John McCain , George H.W .
Bush , and Billy Graham , and grave-dancing in this case is just as repulsive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have not seen a single pro-life or pro-family leader doing so ) .
First and foremost , the death of any prestigious person at a high age should remind us that death is coming for all of us , no matter how old we get or how much power we wield .
Like the vast majority of those commenting on Ginsburg ’ s death , I did not know her as a person and thus can not pretend to grieve ( I only saw her once , at a distance ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is a solemn and awful thought .
I also do not think we need to engage in false pretences as we examine her legacy .
Some conservatives ( including several pro-life figures ) are taking cordiality too far by claiming that she was “ an American legend ” and that her alleged good intentions make her an admirable person .
This is nonsense .
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a seminal American figure , yes — but in the same way that Margaret Mead , Alfred Kinsey , Margaret Sanger , Gloria Steinem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revolution are .
Ginsburg was , first and foremost , the staunch defender of a bloody abortion regime that has thus far accumulated a kill count of over 60 million pre-born children .
She did so in an era in which we have the unprecedented power of observing the development of human beings in the womb .
She knew better .
She voted to strike down a law banning partial-birth abortions in Nebraska , claiming that a “ state regulation that ‘ has the purpose or effect of placing a substantial obstacle in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion of a nonviable fetus ’ violates the Constitution.
” ( Partial-birth abortions involve delivering the body of the baby , keeping the head in the birth canal , cutting the skull open , and sucking the brains out . )
She was a staunch defender of Roe v. Wade .
She was an advocate of redefining reality according to the recently-invented ideology of trans activists .
She began marrying same-sex couples prior to Obergefell v. Hodges , and made it clear that she was one of the LGBT movement ’ s staunchest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The weakest members of American society — the pre-born — were threatened by her presence on the Court .
The powerful elites had a reliable friend .
Now , of course , there are the politics .
The meltdown began the night she died , and many are openly threatening civil war if Donald Trump attempts to fill the vacant seat prior to the election .
Planned Parenthood called her a “ revolutionary , ” promised to “ continue the work , ” while NARAL stated that “ everything is at stake.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court vigil , promising to fight a confirmation with everything they ’ ve got .
Celebrity Beau Willimon declared that “ [ w ] e ’ re shutting this country down if Trump and McConnell try to ram through an appointment before the election.
” Reza Aslan tweeted out Mitch McConnell ’ s statement that a Trump nominee would get a Senate vote with the threat “ Over our dead bodies .
Literally.
” In case anyone missed the point : “ If they even TRY to replace RBG we burn the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Samantha Bee called it “ the fight of our f -- -- -- lives.
” After the vile smearing of Brett Kavanaugh , none of this surprising .
The sheer desperation on the Left is because abortion is their sacrament , and with Ginsburg ’ s passing , one of the abortion industry ’ s greatest defenders is gone .
To put it bluntly : These people do not want to live in a nation that does not allow them to kill their babies .
That may sound harsh , but it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is where the rage is coming from .
That is what is “ at stake.
” That “ thing ” that they are threatening to burn down ?
That ’ s the country .
Some abortion activists are calling this a battle “ for the soul of America , ” and they ’ re right .
But what they don ’ t seem to realize is that their threats are upping the ante .
Moderate commentators like Meghan McCain have already noted that if you ’ re willing to threaten civil war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve already signaled that conversation is impossible .
Do we actually think that if Trump gets re-elected that they ’ ll accept his nominee then ?
This isn ’ t about RBG .
This is about abortion .
Again .
The Left will ensure that this fight will make the Kavanaugh confirmation look like a campfire .
Several conservatives ( including some , like Charles Camosy , whom I very much respect ) are calling on the GOP to delay the nomination in order to bring the temperature in the country down .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonder if we ’ re beyond that .
This is no longer a battle between opposing sides that can agree to disagree .
When it comes to the destruction of human life in the womb , the subjectivizing of gender , the redefinition of our fundamental , millennia-old institutions : This is about the very nature of reality , and who has the power to determine what sort of country everyone lives in .
It is true that many GOP senators stated , while keeping Scalia ’ s seat open , that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during an election year .
It is also true that the Democrats ’ treatment of Kavanaugh changed everything ( as Lindsey Graham has already stated ) .
They accused a good family man of being a gang rapist and engaged in character assassination without conscience .
There is no doubt that the Democrats would absolutely attempt to fill the seat if they were in the same position .
As one pundit recently put it , the Right plays by rules invented by the Left , and the Left plays by no rules at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Kavanaugh hearings , that something in the country seemed to snap .
The Democrats played every hand they had , and now their demands that decorum be observed because they want to win mean absolutely nothing .
The Republicans are also trapped by events .
As Eric Erickson observed , the GOP is stuck with two options : “ If the GOP does not advance a nominee , the GOP burns .
If the GOP confirms a nominee , the nation burns.
” McConnell may not have the votes ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court ; we know that if they retake power , they will utilize every opportunity for brutal revenge .
But the die may be cast , anyway .
As Rod Dreher put it : We all know the answer to that : We do not .
There are two Americas , and one of them has just lost a warrior and an icon .
One America believes in the founding ideals of the nation , the other believes America ’ s Founding was rotten to the core .
One America believes in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other believes that everything must be dismantled and torn down to bring about an entirely new nation based on an entirely new ideology .
The Left warns that the credibility of the Supreme Court is at stake .
But they care about the Supreme Court only as a tool to accomplish their agenda .
It is ludicrous to believe that they would accept the validity of a pro-life Supreme Court — they do not accept the validity of the very concept of religious liberty now , despite the fact that the Court has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to exist as long as they are useful — and then , as many progressives are openly saying , they burn them down .
And why are we surprised that men and women who do not flinch at tearing apart babies would not flinch when it comes to butchering the Constitution ?
There is some poetic justice that it is abortion that threatens the very stability of the world ’ s greatest superpower .
If one believes in Divine justice , one must also tremble at the thought of God ’ s judgment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is coming apart at the seams , and the right to kill children is at the very root of it all .
The Huffington Post ran a headline announcing the threat to abortion rights reading , in all capitals , “ APOCALYPSE NOW.
” Both sides recognize that this is a battle for the soul of America .
But the two Americas have a very different idea of what constitutes Darkness and what constitutes Light .
I suspect we will soon see Ginsburg ’ s followers in the streets , their faces lit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight for their right to utilize violence against the youngest and weakest members of the American family .
Published with permission from The Bridgehead .

September 21, 2020 (The Bridgehead) — Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an icon of the American Left, died of complications from pancreatic cancer on September 18, 2020 at the age of 87. Her passing was met with a wave of mourning from those who saw her as a titan of the Sexual Revolution. Hundreds gathered for a vigil in front of the Supreme Court, a mob marched on Mitch McConnell’s house, and social media exploded with grief and rage. Progressives who normally despise religion were suddenly overwhelmed with mystical superstition and called on those who are dedicated to legal abortion to “fight like she’s watching” and to “honor her dying wish” — which, apparently, was that her Supreme Court seat not be filled until the election is over.
I despise the tendency of some to greet the passing of prominent figures with cruelty and hatred. I thought it was grotesque when it was done to John McCain, George H.W. Bush, and Billy Graham, and grave-dancing in this case is just as repulsive (although, for the record, I have not seen a single pro-life or pro-family leader doing so). First and foremost, the death of any prestigious person at a high age should remind us that death is coming for all of us, no matter how old we get or how much power we wield. Like the vast majority of those commenting on Ginsburg’s death, I did not know her as a person and thus cannot pretend to grieve (I only saw her once, at a distance). But she has entered eternity, and that is a solemn and awful thought.
I also do not think we need to engage in false pretences as we examine her legacy. Some conservatives (including several pro-life figures) are taking cordiality too far by claiming that she was “an American legend” and that her alleged good intentions make her an admirable person. This is nonsense. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a seminal American figure, yes — but in the same way that Margaret Mead, Alfred Kinsey, Margaret Sanger, Gloria Steinem, and other soldiers of the Sexual Revolution are. Ginsburg was, first and foremost, the staunch defender of a bloody abortion regime that has thus far accumulated a kill count of over 60 million pre-born children. She did so in an era in which we have the unprecedented power of observing the development of human beings in the womb. She knew better.
She voted to strike down a law banning partial-birth abortions in Nebraska, claiming that a “state regulation that ‘has the purpose or effect of placing a substantial obstacle in the path of a woman seeking an abortion of a nonviable fetus’ violates the Constitution.” (Partial-birth abortions involve delivering the body of the baby, keeping the head in the birth canal, cutting the skull open, and sucking the brains out.) She was a staunch defender of Roe v. Wade. She was an advocate of redefining reality according to the recently-invented ideology of trans activists. She began marrying same-sex couples prior to Obergefell v. Hodges, and made it clear that she was one of the LGBT movement’s staunchest allies in their quest to redefine America. The weakest members of American society — the pre-born — were threatened by her presence on the Court. The powerful elites had a reliable friend.
Now, of course, there are the politics. The meltdown began the night she died, and many are openly threatening civil war if Donald Trump attempts to fill the vacant seat prior to the election. Planned Parenthood called her a “revolutionary,” promised to “continue the work,” while NARAL stated that “everything is at stake.” Democratic senators spoke at the Supreme Court vigil, promising to fight a confirmation with everything they’ve got. Celebrity Beau Willimon declared that “[w]e’re shutting this country down if Trump and McConnell try to ram through an appointment before the election.” Reza Aslan tweeted out Mitch McConnell’s statement that a Trump nominee would get a Senate vote with the threat “Over our dead bodies. Literally.” In case anyone missed the point: “If they even TRY to replace RBG we burn the entire f—— thing down.” Samantha Bee called it “the fight of our f—— lives.”
After the vile smearing of Brett Kavanaugh, none of this surprising. The sheer desperation on the Left is because abortion is their sacrament, and with Ginsburg’s passing, one of the abortion industry’s greatest defenders is gone. To put it bluntly: These people do not want to live in a nation that does not allow them to kill their babies. That may sound harsh, but it is true. Those are the stakes. That is where the rage is coming from. That is what is “at stake.” That “thing” that they are threatening to burn down? That’s the country. Some abortion activists are calling this a battle “for the soul of America,” and they’re right. But what they don’t seem to realize is that their threats are upping the ante. Moderate commentators like Meghan McCain have already noted that if you’re willing to threaten civil war to get your way, you’ve already signaled that conversation is impossible. Do we actually think that if Trump gets re-elected that they’ll accept his nominee then? This isn’t about RBG. This is about abortion. Again. The Left will ensure that this fight will make the Kavanaugh confirmation look like a campfire.
Several conservatives (including some, like Charles Camosy, whom I very much respect) are calling on the GOP to delay the nomination in order to bring the temperature in the country down. I understand the argument, but I wonder if we’re beyond that. This is no longer a battle between opposing sides that can agree to disagree. When it comes to the destruction of human life in the womb, the subjectivizing of gender, the redefinition of our fundamental, millennia-old institutions: This is about the very nature of reality, and who has the power to determine what sort of country everyone lives in. It is true that many GOP senators stated, while keeping Scalia’s seat open, that they would not vote on a SCOTUS nominee during an election year. It is also true that the Democrats’ treatment of Kavanaugh changed everything (as Lindsey Graham has already stated). They accused a good family man of being a gang rapist and engaged in character assassination without conscience. There is no doubt that the Democrats would absolutely attempt to fill the seat if they were in the same position.
As one pundit recently put it, the Right plays by rules invented by the Left, and the Left plays by no rules at all. Many of us observed, during the Kavanaugh hearings, that something in the country seemed to snap. The Democrats played every hand they had, and now their demands that decorum be observed because they want to win mean absolutely nothing. The Republicans are also trapped by events. As Eric Erickson observed, the GOP is stuck with two options: “If the GOP does not advance a nominee, the GOP burns. If the GOP confirms a nominee, the nation burns.” McConnell may not have the votes; the Democrats are threatening to expand the Supreme Court; we know that if they retake power, they will utilize every opportunity for brutal revenge. But the die may be cast, anyway. As Rod Dreher put it:
As a conservative and a Christian, I am all in for what McConnell proposes. I have said in this space before that as the country moves left, I believe the federal courts are going to be the last line of defense for religious liberty and the things for which social conservatives care most. The radicalization of the Democratic Party has deepened my conviction on this point. Thinking about the country, though, I cannot see how doing this before the election serves the common good. But: do we really have a common good anymore?
We all know the answer to that: We do not. There are two Americas, and one of them has just lost a warrior and an icon. One America believes in the founding ideals of the nation, the other believes America’s Founding was rotten to the core. One America believes in the republic as she was envisioned, the other believes that everything must be dismantled and torn down to bring about an entirely new nation based on an entirely new ideology. The Left warns that the credibility of the Supreme Court is at stake. But they care about the Supreme Court only as a tool to accomplish their agenda. It is ludicrous to believe that they would accept the validity of a pro-life Supreme Court — they do not accept the validity of the very concept of religious liberty now, despite the fact that the Court has consistently upheld it. Revolutionaries allow institutions to exist as long as they are useful — and then, as many progressives are openly saying, they burn them down. And why are we surprised that men and women who do not flinch at tearing apart babies would not flinch when it comes to butchering the Constitution?
There is some poetic justice that it is abortion that threatens the very stability of the world’s greatest superpower. If one believes in Divine justice, one must also tremble at the thought of God’s judgment on 60 million dead babies. America is coming apart at the seams, and the right to kill children is at the very root of it all. The Huffington Post ran a headline announcing the threat to abortion rights reading, in all capitals, “APOCALYPSE NOW.” Both sides recognize that this is a battle for the soul of America. But the two Americas have a very different idea of what constitutes Darkness and what constitutes Light. I suspect we will soon see Ginsburg’s followers in the streets, their faces lit by the flames they will use to fight for their right to utilize violence against the youngest and weakest members of the American family.
Published with permission from The Bridgehead.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-21--Subpoena demands logs of passengers on every Epstein flight for 30 years

PETITION : Call for an additional Presidential Debate on Family Issues !
Sign the petition here .
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS , September 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The names of every passenger who traveled on aircraft belonging to deceased convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein could be revealed as the result of a subpoena by the Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands , with UK media reporting that the move is “ sparking panic ” among Epstein ’ s celebrity friends .
“ The Attorney General for the U.S. Virgin Islands , where Epstein had a home , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three planes , from 1998 to his suicide last year , ” the Mirror reported .
“ Denise George has filed a lawsuit against Epstein ’ s estate , alleging 22 counts , including aggravated rape , child abuse and neglect , human trafficking , forced labour and prostitution.
” Epstein allegedly killed himself in his cell at New York ’ s Metropolitan Correctional Center ( MCC ) in August 2019 .
The billionaire was being held on charges of trafficking underaged girls to be raped by himself and wealthy associates , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implicate many prominent figures around the world .
Earlier this year , Ghislaine Maxwell , the woman accused of grooming and recruiting young girls for Epstein to prey upon , was arrested as part of a federal investigation into Epstein ’ s crimes that continues beyond his death .
Maxwell continues to await trial after her arrest in July .
Last month , CNN reported that AG George “ has filed subpoenas to serve Leon Black and his private equity firm Apollo Global Management , demanding financial documents and communications for the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the civil case against Jeffrey Epstein 's estate.
” Black is an American billionaire who “ is currently listed as the chairman of The Museum of Modern Art and a trustee of Mt .
Sinai Hospital , neither of which are mentioned in the subpoenas , ” CNN reported at the time .

PETITION: Call for an additional Presidential Debate on Family Issues! Sign the petition here.
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, September 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The names of every passenger who traveled on aircraft belonging to deceased convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein could be revealed as the result of a subpoena by the Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands, with UK media reporting that the move is “sparking panic” among Epstein’s celebrity friends.
“The Attorney General for the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein had a home, has demanded logs for his four helicopters and three planes, from 1998 to his suicide last year,” the Mirror reported.
“Denise George has filed a lawsuit against Epstein’s estate, alleging 22 counts, including aggravated rape, child abuse and neglect, human trafficking, forced labour and prostitution.”
Epstein allegedly killed himself in his cell at New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in August 2019. The billionaire was being held on charges of trafficking underaged girls to be raped by himself and wealthy associates, in a high-profile case that was believed to implicate many prominent figures around the world.
Earlier this year, Ghislaine Maxwell, the woman accused of grooming and recruiting young girls for Epstein to prey upon, was arrested as part of a federal investigation into Epstein’s crimes that continues beyond his death. Maxwell continues to await trial after her arrest in July.
Last month, CNN reported that AG George “has filed subpoenas to serve Leon Black and his private equity firm Apollo Global Management, demanding financial documents and communications for the company and several other entities tied to Black in the civil case against Jeffrey Epstein's estate.”
Black is an American billionaire who “is currently listed as the chairman of The Museum of Modern Art and a trustee of Mt. Sinai Hospital, neither of which are mentioned in the subpoenas,” CNN reported at the time.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-21--To a Catholic who says, ‘I could never vote for Trump.’

September 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — I grew up a happy Democrat in a blue-collar union family .
I was told and believed that the Democrats tried to help the “ little guy.
” But it ’ s been a long time since I voted for a Democrat .
I did not leave the Democratic Party .
The party left me .
The clearest sign that there is no room for me in the Democratic Party is the Party ’ s radical enthusiasm for promoting the “ legal ” killing of children — roughly a million babies slaughtered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the actions of Democratic public officials .
If you are a believing , practicing Catholic who truly accepts the Church ’ s teaching that condemns abortion as an “ unspeakable crime ” ( per Vatican II ) , or if you are a Christian of another denomination or any person of goodwill who understands the moral depravity of abortion , please read the comments below .
Many Americans have a negative opinion of President Donald Trump .
They reject his person and at least some of his policies .
But most people do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration to protect the lives of the unborn and their mothers make Trump the most effective president in the battle against abortion — far more effective than any other U.S. president in history .
Whether one likes Trump or not , that is the truth .
It can ’ t be denied .
A look at the actual record of the Trump administration is enlightening .
These policies , which he has implemented for the protection of women and their unborn children , are enormously popular among Catholics and others whose well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ an unspeakable crime.
” As important , or more important , than his anti-abortion policies are his judicial appointments .
To date , over 200 federal judges nominated by Trump have already been confirmed by the Senate for lifetime appointments .
These judges are overwhelmingly likely to restore our constitutional order and reject abortion as a supposed “ constitutional right.
” The significance of this for the future of the country is enormous .
There is much hope that tens of millions of children ’ s lives can be saved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agony that abortion brings them .
If one day in the future the dictatorship of abortion in the U.S. comes to an end because of court action , it will be because of the appointments President Trump has made and has pledged to continue to make in the future .
Those who fully understand the destruction that abortion has inflicted on this nation thank God for these actions President Trump has taken .
And all knowledgeable people — whether “ pro-lifers ” or “ pro-abortionists ” — recognize Trump ’ s absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no debate on this point .
If it weren ’ t for Trump ’ s victory over Hillary Clinton — a committed radical pro-abortionist — she would have further propagated the culture of death through her anti-life policies and her lifetime federal judicial appointments .
Now radical abortion proponents Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are leading the Democrats in support of abortion up to birth for any “ reason ” or no reason .
This is a crime against humanity !
And the Democrats want us , as taxpayers , to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want to export abortion killings all over the world .
One need not be a fan of Trump ’ s sometimes crude manners and tweets , or of some of his policies , to understand that we are living in a time now of hope instead of suffering under the draconian baby-killing policies of Democrats .
Trump has surrounded himself with many excellent policy advisers and key appointees in the administration who are committed to implementing policies protective of the unborn and their mothers , both nationally and internationally .
It can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given an opportunity to stop the fanaticism of the Democrats , who want to take us deeper and deeper into the abyss .
Serious Catholics who recognize that abortion is an absolutely “ pre-eminent ” issue in politics will never vote for or support the candidates of the pro-abortion Democratic Party .
Until the Democrats return to their true humanitarian and commonsense roots , which they abandoned decades ago , they will continue to be the baby slaughter party .
If there is a dislike of Trump for X reason , okay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will happen to the precious unborn if the Democrats gain control of the country .
And heaven help the unborn babies around the world , because President Trump ’ s current U.S. international pro-life policies will be overturned by the Democrats to allow full promotion and funding for abortion , and further undermine pro-life legislation in other countries if Trump is not re-elected .
Trump may not be a saint , but his policies regarding abortion and his judicial appointments are key to stopping the radical abortionists in the U.S. and worldwide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Trump because he is not a saint , whom will that person vote for ?
For Biden and Harris , who are committed to facilitating the “ legal ” massacre of millions of babies and the destruction of motherhood and our society ?
And if Catholics and others who truly hate abortion vote for a third-party candidate or just do not vote at all in the presidential race because they can ’ t stomach Trump , the effect will be devastating , increasing the likelihood of a pro-abortion Democratic victory .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holocaust will greatly increase in the U.S. and worldwide .
That is too horrible to contemplate !

If Trump loses the election, the abortion holocaust will greatly increase in the U.S. and worldwide.
September 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — I grew up a happy Democrat in a blue-collar union family. I was told and believed that the Democrats tried to help the “little guy.” But it’s been a long time since I voted for a Democrat. I did not leave the Democratic Party. The party left me. The clearest sign that there is no room for me in the Democratic Party is the Party’s radical enthusiasm for promoting the “legal” killing of children — roughly a million babies slaughtered per year thanks to Democratic policies and the actions of Democratic public officials.
If you are a believing, practicing Catholic who truly accepts the Church’s teaching that condemns abortion as an “unspeakable crime” (per Vatican II), or if you are a Christian of another denomination or any person of goodwill who understands the moral depravity of abortion, please read the comments below.
* * *
Many Americans have a negative opinion of President Donald Trump. They reject his person and at least some of his policies.
But most people do not know that the policies of the Trump administration to protect the lives of the unborn and their mothers make Trump the most effective president in the battle against abortion — far more effective than any other U.S. president in history.
Whether one likes Trump or not, that is the truth.
It can’t be denied. A look at the actual record of the Trump administration is enlightening.
These policies, which he has implemented for the protection of women and their unborn children, are enormously popular among Catholics and others whose well formed consciences lead them to reject abortion as “an unspeakable crime.”
As important, or more important, than his anti-abortion policies are his judicial appointments. To date, over 200 federal judges nominated by Trump have already been confirmed by the Senate for lifetime appointments. These judges are overwhelmingly likely to restore our constitutional order and reject abortion as a supposed “constitutional right.”
The significance of this for the future of the country is enormous.
There is much hope that tens of millions of children’s lives can be saved in the future, and their mothers spared the agony that abortion brings them.
If one day in the future the dictatorship of abortion in the U.S. comes to an end because of court action, it will be because of the appointments President Trump has made and has pledged to continue to make in the future.
Those who fully understand the destruction that abortion has inflicted on this nation thank God for these actions President Trump has taken.
And all knowledgeable people — whether “pro-lifers” or “pro-abortionists” — recognize Trump’s absolutely key role in this regard.
There is no debate on this point.
If it weren’t for Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton — a committed radical pro-abortionist — she would have further propagated the culture of death through her anti-life policies and her lifetime federal judicial appointments.
Now radical abortion proponents Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are leading the Democrats in support of abortion up to birth for any “reason” or no reason. This is a crime against humanity!
And the Democrats want us, as taxpayers, to pay for these killings.
Even worse, they want to export abortion killings all over the world.
One need not be a fan of Trump’s sometimes crude manners and tweets, or of some of his policies, to understand that we are living in a time now of hope instead of suffering under the draconian baby-killing policies of Democrats.
Trump has surrounded himself with many excellent policy advisers and key appointees in the administration who are committed to implementing policies protective of the unborn and their mothers, both nationally and internationally.
It cannot be denied that we have been given an opportunity to stop the fanaticism of the Democrats, who want to take us deeper and deeper into the abyss.
Serious Catholics who recognize that abortion is an absolutely “pre-eminent” issue in politics will never vote for or support the candidates of the pro-abortion Democratic Party.
Until the Democrats return to their true humanitarian and commonsense roots, which they abandoned decades ago, they will continue to be the baby slaughter party.
If there is a dislike of Trump for X reason, okay, but let’s not forget what will happen to the precious unborn if the Democrats gain control of the country.
And heaven help the unborn babies around the world, because President Trump’s current U.S. international pro-life policies will be overturned by the Democrats to allow full promotion and funding for abortion, and further undermine pro-life legislation in other countries if Trump is not re-elected.
Trump may not be a saint, but his policies regarding abortion and his judicial appointments are key to stopping the radical abortionists in the U.S. and worldwide.
If someone is not going to vote for Trump because he is not a saint, whom will that person vote for? For Biden and Harris, who are committed to facilitating the “legal” massacre of millions of babies and the destruction of motherhood and our society?
And if Catholics and others who truly hate abortion vote for a third-party candidate or just do not vote at all in the presidential race because they can’t stomach Trump, the effect will be devastating, increasing the likelihood of a pro-abortion Democratic victory.
If Trump loses the election, the abortion holocaust will greatly increase in the U.S. and worldwide.
That is too horrible to contemplate!
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lifesitenews--2020-09-21--Will you help LifeSite fight and expose Big Tech censorship?

September 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Hopefully you saw my email last week announcing the launch of our fall fundraising campaign .
We have been experiencing a war-like ramp up of censorship by the Big Tech companies and their mainstream media allies in recent weeks , especially against Christian , conservative , patriotic voices .
That ’ s because we are exposing what they want to remain hidden from the public .
And , they are determined that Trump and the Republicans MUST LOSE this time – no matter what it takes .
This possible outcome will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmingly against life , family , and faith .
I appeal to you today and stress how important it is that we receive your support , especially in these dramatic , revolutionary times .
The stories and petitions that we publish clearly need to reach the public , without censorship , for many critical reasons .
Recently , several LifeSite petitions went viral on social media and the internet , including one against mandatory vaccinations , and the other against mask mandates .
Together , those petitions have received nearly 1,000,000 signatures !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ information , which counters their narrative , to be freely spread .
They actively censored the petition against mask-mandates , calling it “ abusive ” for some people , even though it was backed up with the best scientific and medical information .
Later , Facebook restored the share link , calling their own decision “ a mistake.
” This incident illustrates that if people and organizations do not cower to the censors in Big Tech , truth will always prevail .
This is exactly why we need your support to continue this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and distrust rampant everywhere right now , remember that LifeSite is committed to bringing you stories that protect life , family , faith , and freedom – 24 hours a day , 365 days a year .
Our free news service comes at a cost and many readers have stepped up to support our efforts in this battle for our culture , for freedom , and for future generations .
Today , we need our most committed supporters to give a gift of $ 50 to sustain our efforts to change the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give a gift today , please use this secure link : https : //give.lifesitenews.com Will you join them today and give a gift that will stop lies , defend truth in the face of censorship , and preserve the traditional principles of our culture , including the importance of freedom ?

We have been experiencing a war-like ramp up of censorship by the Big Tech companies and their mainstream media allies in recent weeks.
September 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Hopefully you saw my email last week announcing the launch of our fall fundraising campaign. We have been experiencing a war-like ramp up of censorship by the Big Tech companies and their mainstream media allies in recent weeks, especially against Christian, conservative, patriotic voices. That’s because we are exposing what they want to remain hidden from the public.
And, they are determined that Trump and the Republicans MUST LOSE this time – no matter what it takes. This possible outcome will be disastrous, as the Biden-Harris administration is overwhelmingly against life, family, and faith.
I appeal to you today and stress how important it is that we receive your support, especially in these dramatic, revolutionary times.
The stories and petitions that we publish clearly need to reach the public, without censorship, for many critical reasons.
Recently, several LifeSite petitions went viral on social media and the internet, including one against mandatory vaccinations, and the other against mask mandates. Together, those petitions have received nearly 1,000,000 signatures!
Yet, Facebook would not allow this information, which counters their narrative, to be freely spread. They actively censored the petition against mask-mandates, calling it “abusive” for some people, even though it was backed up with the best scientific and medical information.
Later, Facebook restored the share link, calling their own decision “a mistake.” This incident illustrates that if people and organizations do not cower to the censors in Big Tech, truth will always prevail.
This is exactly why we need your support to continue this important work.
With fear, censorship, and distrust rampant everywhere right now, remember that LifeSite is committed to bringing you stories that protect life, family, faith, and freedom – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Our free news service comes at a cost and many readers have stepped up to support our efforts in this battle for our culture, for freedom, and for future generations.
Today, we need our most committed supporters to give a gift of $50 to sustain our efforts to change the culture year-round. If you are able to give a gift today, please use this secure link: https://give.lifesitenews.com
Will you join them today and give a gift that will stop lies, defend truth in the face of censorship, and preserve the traditional principles of our culture, including the importance of freedom?
Share


lifesitenews--2020-09-21--Applause as San Francisco archbishop denounces Mass restrictions

September 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — During his Sunday homily , San Francisco archbishop Salvatore Cordileone delivered a powerful message to the city ’ s politicians who have kept Catholic churches in lockdown , saying , “ One person at a time inside of this great Cathedral to pray ?
What an insult .
This is a mockery.
” “ They are mocking you , ” Cordileone told Mass goers .
“ And even worse , they are mocking God , ” he declared .
Archbishop Cordileone slammed the city ’ s Mass restrictions at an outdoor Mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption , following Eucharistic Processions that had converged at the plaza before Mass .
“ The highest law is love of God , and love of neighbor , ” said Archbishop Cordileone .
“ And that law has to take precedence over human-made law of the state , when government would ask us to turn our backs on God , or on our neighbor in need.
” “ Months ago , we submitted a safety plan to the city including masks and social distancing , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city said yes to indoor retail , but we Catholics are still waiting to hear back .
The city continues to place unrealistic and suffocating restrictions on our natural and constitutional right to worship , ” said Cordileone , to the sustained applause of the faithful gathered .
“ This willful discrimination is affecting us all .
And yes , it ’ s discrimination .
There is simply no other word for it .
We ask : Why can people shop at Nordstrom ’ s at 25 % capacity but only one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pray inside of this great cathedral , which is your cathedral ?
Is this equality ?
No , there is no reason for this new rule except a desire to put Catholics — to put you — at the back of the line , ” he said .
“ For months I have pleaded with the city on your behalf , advocating for your need of the consolation of the Mass , and the consolation you derive from the practice of your faith and connection with your faith community .
City Hall ignored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They didn ’ t deny it , but they simply ignored you .
It has become clear to me that they just don ’ t care about you .
To them , you are nothing .
To them you don ’ t matter , ” he stressed .
“ Let me repeat that : to City Hall , you don ’ t matter.
” Archbishop Cordileone was only warming up .
“ We know that when God is rejected by society , it only brings misery and despair , ” continued the archbishop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What has happened to our beloved city ?
” he asked .
“ San Francisco was once known as a place of great beauty and hospitality.
” Cordileone said that now , when people think of San Francisco , they think of rampant homelessness and sprawling tent cities , drug-dealing and “ shooting up in broad daylight , ” and human feces on the streets .
“ Our city has abandoned God , ” he declared to the thunderous approval of the crowd .
Our Blessed Lord is openly mocked to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The sacred symbol of the religious habit is blasphemed with the glowing approval of those who profess mutual respect and tolerance for others who are different while they openly discriminate against us .
This , my dear brothers and sisters , is godlessness .
Sheer godlessness .
What do we people of faith do when faced with sheer godlessness ?
Cordileone , who had consecrated the archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary , stressed that all must “ live the consecration ” by “ praying the rosary daily , and as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and by “ spending at least one hour a week in Adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament ” and “ by fasting on Fridays and by frequently availing yourselves of the Sacrament of Penance.
” “ I never expected that the most basic religious freedom , the right to worship — protected so robustly in our Constitution ’ s First Amendment — would be unjustly repressed by an American government , ” Cordileone proclaimed in a Washington Post op-ed last week .
“ But that is exactly what is happening in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city has limited worship services to just 12 people outdoors , ” said Cordileone .
“ Worship inside our own churches is banned .
The city recently announced it will now allow 50 for outdoor worship , with a goal of permitting indoor services up to a maximum of 25 people by Oct. 1 — less than 1 percent of the capacity of San Francisco ’ s St. Mary ’ s Cathedral.
” “ And it is not just San Francisco .
According to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty , six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million Americans single out religious worship for unfavorable treatment compared to similar secular activities : California , New Jersey , Maine , Virginia , Connecticut and Nevada , ” he continued .
“ When government asserts authority over the Church ’ s very right to worship , it crosses a line .
Our fundamental rights do not come from the state .
As the authors of our Declaration of Independence put it , they are ‘ self-evident ’ — that is , they come from God.
” “ All we are seeking is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , following reasonable safety protocols — the same freedoms now extended to customers of nail salons , massage services and gyms , ” he concluded .
“ It ’ s only fair ; it ’ s only compassionate ; and , unlike with these other activities , it ’ s what the First Amendment demands.
” To support Archbishop Cordileone ’ s call for the reopening of Catholic Masses , xign the petition here .

'They are mocking you,' Abp. Cordileone told Mass goers. 'And even worse, they are mocking God.'
September 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — During his Sunday homily, San Francisco archbishop Salvatore Cordileone delivered a powerful message to the city’s politicians who have kept Catholic churches in lockdown, saying, “One person at a time inside of this great Cathedral to pray? What an insult. This is a mockery.”
“They are mocking you,” Cordileone told Mass goers. “And even worse, they are mocking God,” he declared.
Archbishop Cordileone slammed the city’s Mass restrictions at an outdoor Mass on the Plaza of San Francisco’s Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, following Eucharistic Processions that had converged at the plaza before Mass.
“The highest law is love of God, and love of neighbor,” said Archbishop Cordileone. “And that law has to take precedence over human-made law of the state, when government would ask us to turn our backs on God, or on our neighbor in need.”
“Months ago, we submitted a safety plan to the city including masks and social distancing, just like indoor retail stores did. The city said yes to indoor retail, but we Catholics are still waiting to hear back. The city continues to place unrealistic and suffocating restrictions on our natural and constitutional right to worship,” said Cordileone, to the sustained applause of the faithful gathered.
“This willful discrimination is affecting us all. And yes, it’s discrimination. There is simply no other word for it. We ask: Why can people shop at Nordstrom’s at 25% capacity but only one of you at a time is allowed to pray inside of this great cathedral, which is your cathedral? Is this equality? No, there is no reason for this new rule except a desire to put Catholics — to put you — at the back of the line,” he said.
“For months I have pleaded with the city on your behalf, advocating for your need of the consolation of the Mass, and the consolation you derive from the practice of your faith and connection with your faith community. City Hall ignored us. City Hall ignored you. They didn’t deny it, but they simply ignored you. It has become clear to me that they just don’t care about you. To them, you are nothing. To them you don’t matter,” he stressed. “Let me repeat that: to City Hall, you don’t matter.”
Archbishop Cordileone was only warming up.
“Our city has abandoned God.”
“We know that when God is rejected by society, it only brings misery and despair,” continued the archbishop.
“Just look around our city. What has happened to our beloved city?” he asked. “San Francisco was once known as a place of great beauty and hospitality.”
Cordileone said that now, when people think of San Francisco, they think of rampant homelessness and sprawling tent cities, drug-dealing and “shooting up in broad daylight,” and human feces on the streets.
“Our city has abandoned God,” he declared to the thunderous approval of the crowd.
Our Blessed Lord is openly mocked to the gleeful friends of the cultural elites. The sacred symbol of the religious habit is blasphemed with the glowing approval of those who profess mutual respect and tolerance for others who are different while they openly discriminate against us. This, my dear brothers and sisters, is godlessness. Sheer godlessness. What do we people of faith do when faced with sheer godlessness?
He continued:
We have patiently been putting up with unjust treatment long enough. And now it is time to come together to witness to our faith and to the primacy of God and to tell City Hall, “No more.”
Cordileone, who had consecrated the archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, stressed that all must “live the consecration” by “praying the rosary daily, and as a family at least once a week” and by “spending at least one hour a week in Adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament” and “by fasting on Fridays and by frequently availing yourselves of the Sacrament of Penance.”
“I never expected that the most basic religious freedom, the right to worship — protected so robustly in our Constitution’s First Amendment — would be unjustly repressed by an American government,” Cordileone proclaimed in a Washington Post op-ed last week.
“But that is exactly what is happening in San Francisco. For months now, the city has limited worship services to just 12 people outdoors,” said Cordileone. “Worship inside our own churches is banned. The city recently announced it will now allow 50 for outdoor worship, with a goal of permitting indoor services up to a maximum of 25 people by Oct. 1 — less than 1 percent of the capacity of San Francisco’s St. Mary’s Cathedral.”
“And it is not just San Francisco. According to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, six states with a combined population of 67 million Americans single out religious worship for unfavorable treatment compared to similar secular activities: California, New Jersey, Maine, Virginia, Connecticut and Nevada,” he continued. “When government asserts authority over the Church’s very right to worship, it crosses a line. Our fundamental rights do not come from the state. As the authors of our Declaration of Independence put it, they are ‘self-evident’ — that is, they come from God.”
“All we are seeking is access to worship in our own churches, following reasonable safety protocols — the same freedoms now extended to customers of nail salons, massage services and gyms,” he concluded. “It’s only fair; it’s only compassionate; and, unlike with these other activities, it’s what the First Amendment demands.”
To support Archbishop Cordileone’s call for the reopening of Catholic Masses, xign the petition here.
Respectfully contact:
Mayor London Breed
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl,
San Francisco CA 94102
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 415-554-5977
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