lifesitenews--2020-04-03--Exorcist: Priests have ‘obligation’ to give sacraments to dying, ‘regardless’ of what bishop says

DENVER , Colorado , April 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Exorcist and theologian Fr .
Chad Ripperger says priests are under an obligation to give the sacraments to Catholics in imminent danger of death “ regardless of what their bishop says.
” With Catholics in turmoil and anguish over unprecedented bans on confession , cancellation of public Masses , and the locking of churches as the coronavirus pandemic continues , LifeSiteNews asked Fr .
Ripperger about losing access to the sacraments , including confession and even last rites , and how to respond in these times ( read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ripperger said that when death is imminent , “ the priest would have an obligation , regardless of what his bishop said , to hear your confession and give you absolution.
” Similarly , when it comes to last rites , the priest would “ have the obligation to give the last rites , because his obligation is the person ’ s salvation over his own physical well-being , ” he told LifeSiteNews .
Formerly with the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter , Fr .
Ripperger is the founder of the Doloran Fathers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Denver archdiocese .
He is well-known for his many conferences and talks on the spiritual life , which are available online .
The priest ’ s comments come as all American and Canadian dioceses , as well as most in Europe , have cancelled public Masses , with some bishops going so far as to suspend reception of the sacraments .
Dozens of bishops in the United States , and at least one in Canada , have suspended confession except in danger of death .
The bishop of Springfield Massachusetts has gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a directive uniformly criticized as beyond his authority .
Some bishops have advised Catholics to rely on perfect contrition as restrictions increase to contain the spread of the coronavirus .
A March 20 note from the Vatican on confession during the pandemic states that the faithful can remember that perfect contrition , with certain conditions , “ obtains forgiveness of sins , even mortal ones.
” Fr .
Ripperger told LifeSiteNews that when death is not imminent , Catholics in a diocese where confession has been suspended should wait until they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counseled Catholics to pray more , make a spiritual communion daily , develop a spiritual life independent of the sacraments , and pray for their bishops at this time .
“ This is a good opportunity for the people to realize if they don ’ t pray for the bishops on a regular basis , they can ’ t expect them to behave well , ” the exorcist said .
LSN : What do you think of the bishops suspending confession ?
Fr .
R : I think that the fact that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confession altogether is unnecessary .
And I ’ m not an expert , obviously , on the coronavirus on a virus , but some dioceses , which I think are doing the right thing , the priest will sit in the confessional ; you don ’ t have face-to-face fashion , and you just simply make it available to people at certain times so that the people can actually get to confession .
So I think that ’ s the best way to do it , given the circumstances .
I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut it down completely .
LSN : Could you explain what is meant by “ perfect contrition ” ?
Fr .
R : Well , historically , the saints and authors and even the Church , they always say it ’ s an extraordinary grace , it ’ s not commonly given .
It ’ s also not something you can muster up on your own .
And the primary reason for that is because you have to be sorry purely because it offends God .
You can ’ t be sorry because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or for some other natural reason .
So that ’ s why they ’ ve always said it was very hard in order to get an act of perfect contrition .
And obviously , because it ’ s an extraordinary grace , it ’ s something that God gives to somebody and then from there , they ’ re able to make it .
LSN : Do you think we can assume God will be granting this extraordinary grace if you can ’ t get confession ?
And how are Catholics best to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling their priest and their bishops , or do they say , okay , God will send me the extraordinary grace of perfect contrition ?
Fr .
R : I think if a bishop is open to hearing from the lay people , they should say something .
But I think a lot of bishops that have pretty much cut it off are probably not very open to it .
Do I think that God is going to give more of that grace ?
I do think that He ’ s probably more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it ’ s still an extraordinary grace , so it ’ s not going to be as common as people would like to think .
I think the main thing is : don ’ t fall into mortal sin , that ’ s the primary thing .
Just make sure you always stay in a state of grace .
And in a case like that , even imperfect contrition can remit venial sin .
So that way , they can make acts of contrition .
Historically , they always recommended doing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bed each night , and then making an act of contrition at the end , and that would suffice for the remission of venial sin .
And that doesn ’ t mean that later , when the confessions are more available , you wouldn ’ t confess those .
It ’ s a pretty good indicator of the way the Church has always talked , they ’ re still remitted under those circumstances .
LSN : If you ’ re certain you ’ re in a state of mortal sin , could you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bishop on your behalf ?
Because there ’ s been the argument , you can disregard the directives of the bishop if you can find a priest to do that .
Fr .
R : I would probably — if you look at the way it ’ s discussed in the moral manuals in the past , they would normally say no , unless there is danger of death .
In a situation like that , then the priest would have an obligation , regardless of what his bishop said , to hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But if there ’ s not great cause on the side of possibility of death , then normally they say , you have to wait until such time as you can get to confession normally .
LSN : So even if you ’ re in the state of mortal sin , you ’ re not to go to your priest and say , can I go to confession because I ’ m in the state of mortal sin , even though I don ’ t think I ’ m in danger of physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if you look at the way the moralists have written in the past , that ’ s the way they tend to present it .
LSN : So this isn ’ t actually as dire as it seems ?
Fr .
R : I don ’ t think it is , actually .
I think that people are used to having regular access to the sacraments , and now that they do n't have it , I think that can lead them to think that , you know , the situation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they ’ re not in danger of death , they should try to make a perfect act of contrition but there ’ s no guarantee , unless they ’ re doing it purely for that intention of God .
But even then , the Church says you still have to confess mortal sins because of the fact that once confession becomes available — the phrase they used to use in the past [ was that ] mortal sins still have to be “ submitted to the power of the keys , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applied or given , so they would still have to confess it later .
But I don ’ t think it ’ s as dire as people like to think it is , at least on that level .
LSN : There ’ s also the case of one bishop suspending last rites .
Fr .
R : Yes , the same principles apply .
In the past , the way it was always said is that you didn ’ t give the sacrament of the sick , or last rites , unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least remotely .
But because of the circumstances , now , it has to be imminent .
So if there is somebody dying imminently , then the priest would still have the obligation to give the last rites , because his obligation is the person ’ s salvation over his own physical well-being .
I think the other side of it is , too , that there are things available even on the Internet , and if you go to the hospital they ’ ll tell the priest , this is how you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the least possibility of contamination .
So , for example , in the past , the priest would gown up , and have masks and everything on and then the Church , in cases of necessity , would dispense the priest from actually physically applying the oil of the sick to the person with his own thumb , he could use a Q-tip , and so then all that stuff would be burned afterwards .
So that was permitted in the past when there was great necessity .
So for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even give last rites is not within the context of the Church ’ s traditional teaching on matter .
LSN : So the main point is that when death is imminent , that ’ s when priests should go out of their way , their duty is to administer the sacraments , in the final hours , whereas as far as confession suspensions go , if you are in the state of mortal sin but physically healthy , you should just endure it ?
Fr .
R : Yes , exactly , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait .
But they can , they can petition God .
St. Thomas asked the question , does God hear the prayers of sinners , and by that he means people who are in a state of mortal sin .
And he says , no , He doesn ’ t , because there ’ s no basis of merit .
However , he said , if it ’ s necessary for the person ’ s salvation , God will hear the person ’ s prayers .
Now , how do we know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we know it is that God will give the person an actual grace to continue to ask Him for the actual grace to get back into the state of grace .
So they should continue praying and asking Him , and make sure they ’ re not continuing to commit any mortal sins , and then God will provide for them when the time comes .
LSN : Do you think it ’ s better for people who want devotional confession not to go [ because of undue burden on priests ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it depends .
If you ’ re in a diocese where the bishop hasn ’ t restricted it and people are able to go behind the screen , I would say they should continue going LSN : What do you make of all of this in general ?
Do you have any thoughts on this being punishment from God and how Catholics should be responding ?
Fr .
R : When you look at historically , when the saints of the church would say this is a punishment from God , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a disaster of some sort and there was some particular grave sin in the region as a result of it .
Taking that as a kind of a springboard , I would say that it ’ s hard to say that this is a punishment from God .
On the other hand , it ’ s not like we don ’ t deserve it .
So I would say probably it is , but , and God can use this to purify people to say , look , don ’ t take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability to go to Mass and go to confession with any regularity , don ’ t that for granted , because it can be taken from you .
So they should be more grateful and also be more solicitous to make use of those sacraments when the time comes .
LSN : So the proper disposition of a Catholic that you would advise is to pray and hope we get the sacraments back ?
Fr .
R : Yes , ask God , ask God , He hears our prayers , ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we can go back to them , and maybe even express thanksgiving for the sacrament , the forgiveness that they received in confession in the past , and the ability to attend Mass , thank Him for having been able to do , and ask Him , beg Him to restore the situation so that they can go back .
LSN : The other thing is , people are pretty angry , myself included , or very hurt .
You can ’ t go to Adoration either , which just seems really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that ?
and how would you advise Catholics — Fr .
R : I don ’ t think stuff like that is necessary either .
I think it could be allowed but that they just have to be somewhat strict on the social distancing that the government ’ s requiring , which is not unreasonable .
So when you come in to Adoration , you don ’ t have to sit [ beside ] the guy right next to you , you make sure that there ’ s ample room and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going based upon that .
I do n't think it has to be completely shut down .
It ’ s the same thing with the churches .
I don ’ t think they need to be shut down .
Part of it is just to tell people , look , if you ’ re sick , don ’ t come to church .
They can take precautions , things like sanitizing the church on a somewhat regular basis etc .
LSN : Yes , but I ’ ve talked to a priest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called up and said , why can ’ t you do this ?
Why can ’ t you do that ?
But they ’ ve shut the doors and they ’ re not giving people Holy Communion .
What would you advise Catholics ?
Because it ’ s hard not to be really angry with the bishops , and I ’ m sure that ’ s not a good response , but it looks like they aren ’ t trying .
Fr .
R : Putting aside any malice on the side of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the result of being in a compromised relationship with the state .
The state has for years , actually , centuries , been clamouring for separation of church and state , but they ’ ve stepped right in and told the churches what they can and can not do and the bishops , because of their compromised situation as a result of the whole pedophilia scandal and the civil authority stepping in , because of that they ’ re a bit too quick to be overly compliant , or to be overly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their judgment about can and can not be allowed .
LSN : So what should we do ?
I want to be properly disposed myself .
I guess I ’ m getting too personal here , but if I go down to the cathedral and I ’ m kneeling in front of the cathedral because I want to get close to the Blessed Sacrament , is that being too political ?
Or just offer it up ?
What would be the proper disposition ?
Fr .
R : I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unless you ’ re trying to make a statement , of course .
But I think that two things , one is , people should be — I was happy to see that on the Internet there was a lot of promotion of making spiritual communions — people should be making spiritual communions daily , anyway , if they can ’ t get to Mass , so there ’ s that .
As far as the bishops , this is a good opportunity for the people to realize if they don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular basis , they can ’ t expect them to behave well .
They need to be praying for their bishops , and don ’ t allow a particular bishop ’ s behaviour , or bad behaviour , to separate you from the devotion or filial piety that you should have for the office .
And part of that filial piety is praying for him regularly , that he receives the graces to make the right decisions .
It ’ s not unreasonable that people are becoming angry because they ’ re seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances , but what they need to do , they need to see , instead of being angry , that this is a sign that God ’ s calling us to pray for them , because being angry with them isn ’ t going to help them .
Praying will .
LSN : And it wouldn ’ t help us who are angry either , I suppose .
LSN : The other thing is spiritual communion , as you mentioned .
People say that a spiritual communion is just as efficacious as receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Fr .
R : It is , but only under the condition that the person ’ s devotion rises to a level that would make it that efficacious .
Generally speaking , though , most people don ’ t have that level of devotion and so it ’ s not going to .
But that doesn ’ t mean that they should n't do it .
LSN : So it ’ s like perfect contrition , where you may not actually achieve it but you certainly have to try , and God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
R : That ’ s right , ask and stay at it .
Ask Our Lord and Our Lady to give you the grace to be as devout as possible when making this act of spiritual communion .
LSN : So there ’ s actually a potential here for people to become very devout , those who are lackadaisical , and even those in a state of mortal sin , although obviously there ’ s a huge difference between those ?
Fr .
R : Yes , I think so .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to start developing their spiritual life , independently of only going to Mass or only going to Communion or only going to confession .
They can actually start praying more and start the process of working on their spiritual life , more independently of those things .
Not that you shouldn ’ t make use of those when you can , but this is a sign that God wants people to start working on that independently of that .
LSN : You mean that there actually may be over reliance on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that without access to the sacraments .
It ’ s just that here ’ s the perfect opportunity for people to turn back to God , but the ordinary means of salvation that He ’ s given us , the sacraments , are not there , so it just seems kind of ironic , is that the right way to look at it ?
Fr .
R : Yes , it is , in fact , it ’ s similar to what the Christians experienced in the early church , they didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sacraments .
That didn ’ t mean they weren ’ t developing their spiritual lives .
LSN : Do you have anything else that you would want to tell Catholics who are in anguish about this ?
Fr .
R : Well , what I ’ ve said , just start praying , pray more .

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DENVER, Colorado, April 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Exorcist and theologian Fr. Chad Ripperger says priests are under an obligation to give the sacraments to Catholics in imminent danger of death “regardless of what their bishop says.”
With Catholics in turmoil and anguish over unprecedented bans on confession, cancellation of public Masses, and the locking of churches as the coronavirus pandemic continues, LifeSiteNews asked Fr. Ripperger about losing access to the sacraments, including confession and even last rites, and how to respond in these times (read full interview below).
Fr. Ripperger said that when death is imminent, “the priest would have an obligation, regardless of what his bishop said, to hear your confession and give you absolution.”
Similarly, when it comes to last rites, the priest would “have the obligation to give the last rites, because his obligation is the person’s salvation over his own physical well-being,” he told LifeSiteNews.
Formerly with the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, Fr. Ripperger is the founder of the Doloran Fathers, an order of exorcists based in the Denver archdiocese. He is well-known for his many conferences and talks on the spiritual life, which are available online.
The priest’s comments come as all American and Canadian dioceses, as well as most in Europe, have cancelled public Masses, with some bishops going so far as to suspend reception of the sacraments. Dozens of bishops in the United States, and at least one in Canada, have suspended confession except in danger of death. The bishop of Springfield Massachusetts has gone so far as to suspend last rites, a directive uniformly criticized as beyond his authority.
Some bishops have advised Catholics to rely on perfect contrition as restrictions increase to contain the spread of the coronavirus. A March 20 note from the Vatican on confession during the pandemic states that the faithful can remember that perfect contrition, with certain conditions, “obtains forgiveness of sins, even mortal ones.”
Fr. Ripperger told LifeSiteNews that when death is not imminent, Catholics in a diocese where confession has been suspended should wait until they can “get to confession normally.”
He counseled Catholics to pray more, make a spiritual communion daily, develop a spiritual life independent of the sacraments, and pray for their bishops at this time.
“This is a good opportunity for the people to realize if they don’t pray for the bishops on a regular basis, they can’t expect them to behave well,” the exorcist said.
***
Fr. Ripperger’s full interview with LifeSiteNews (edited slightly for clarity)
LSN: What do you think of the bishops suspending confession?
Fr. R: I think that the fact that in some dioceses they’ve shut down confession altogether is unnecessary. And I’m not an expert, obviously, on the coronavirus on a virus, but some dioceses, which I think are doing the right thing, the priest will sit in the confessional; you don’t have face-to-face fashion, and you just simply make it available to people at certain times so that the people can actually get to confession. So I think that’s the best way to do it, given the circumstances. I don’t think it’s necessary to shut it down completely.
LSN: Could you explain what is meant by “perfect contrition”?
Fr. R: Well, historically, the saints and authors and even the Church, they always say it’s an extraordinary grace, it’s not commonly given. It’s also not something you can muster up on your own. And the primary reason for that is because you have to be sorry purely because it offends God. You can’t be sorry because you might end up in hell, or for some other natural reason. So that’s why they’ve always said it was very hard in order to get an act of perfect contrition. And obviously, because it’s an extraordinary grace, it’s something that God gives to somebody and then from there, they’re able to make it.
LSN: Do you think we can assume God will be granting this extraordinary grace if you can’t get confession? And how are Catholics best to respond to this? Should they be calling their priest and their bishops, or do they say, okay, God will send me the extraordinary grace of perfect contrition?
Fr. R: I think if a bishop is open to hearing from the lay people, they should say something. But I think a lot of bishops that have pretty much cut it off are probably not very open to it.
Do I think that God is going to give more of that grace? I do think that He’s probably more likely to give it more frequently. But it’s still an extraordinary grace, so it’s not going to be as common as people would like to think.
I think the main thing is: don’t fall into mortal sin, that’s the primary thing. Just make sure you always stay in a state of grace. And in a case like that, even imperfect contrition can remit venial sin. So that way, they can make acts of contrition. Historically, they always recommended doing an examination of conscience before you go to bed each night, and then making an act of contrition at the end, and that would suffice for the remission of venial sin. And that doesn’t mean that later, when the confessions are more available, you wouldn’t confess those. It’s a pretty good indicator of the way the Church has always talked, they’re still remitted under those circumstances.
LSN: If you’re certain you’re in a state of mortal sin, could you beg your priest to even disobey his bishop on your behalf? Because there’s been the argument, you can disregard the directives of the bishop if you can find a priest to do that.
Fr. R: I would probably — if you look at the way it’s discussed in the moral manuals in the past, they would normally say no, unless there is danger of death. In a situation like that, then the priest would have an obligation, regardless of what his bishop said, to hear your confession and give you absolution. But if there’s not great cause on the side of possibility of death, then normally they say, you have to wait until such time as you can get to confession normally.
LSN: So even if you’re in the state of mortal sin, you’re not to go to your priest and say, can I go to confession because I’m in the state of mortal sin, even though I don’t think I’m in danger of physical death?
Fr. R: Yes, if you look at the way the moralists have written in the past, that’s the way they tend to present it.
LSN: So this isn’t actually as dire as it seems?
Fr. R: I don’t think it is, actually. I think that people are used to having regular access to the sacraments, and now that they don't have it, I think that can lead them to think that, you know, the situation is worse than it actually is. So if they’re not in danger of death, they should try to make a perfect act of contrition but there’s no guarantee, unless they’re doing it purely for that intention of God. But even then, the Church says you still have to confess mortal sins because of the fact that once confession becomes available — the phrase they used to use in the past [was that] mortal sins still have to be “submitted to the power of the keys,” so that a suitable penance can be applied or given, so they would still have to confess it later. But I don’t think it’s as dire as people like to think it is, at least on that level.
LSN: There’s also the case of one bishop suspending last rites.
Fr. R: Yes, the same principles apply. In the past, the way it was always said is that you didn’t give the sacrament of the sick, or last rites, unless there was danger of death, at least remotely. But because of the circumstances, now, it has to be imminent. So if there is somebody dying imminently, then the priest would still have the obligation to give the last rites, because his obligation is the person’s salvation over his own physical well-being.
I think the other side of it is, too, that there are things available even on the Internet, and if you go to the hospital they’ll tell the priest, this is how you should do it, so that there’s the least possibility of contamination. So, for example, in the past, the priest would gown up, and have masks and everything on and then the Church, in cases of necessity, would dispense the priest from actually physically applying the oil of the sick to the person with his own thumb, he could use a Q-tip, and so then all that stuff would be burned afterwards. So that was permitted in the past when there was great necessity.
So for the bishops to say that they cannot even give last rites is not within the context of the Church’s traditional teaching on matter.
LSN: So the main point is that when death is imminent, that’s when priests should go out of their way, their duty is to administer the sacraments, in the final hours, whereas as far as confession suspensions go, if you are in the state of mortal sin but physically healthy, you should just endure it?
Fr. R: Yes, exactly, you’re just going to have to wait. But they can, they can petition God. St. Thomas asked the question, does God hear the prayers of sinners, and by that he means people who are in a state of mortal sin. And he says, no, He doesn’t, because there’s no basis of merit. However, he said, if it’s necessary for the person’s salvation, God will hear the person’s prayers. Now, how do we know that to be the case? The way that we know it is that God will give the person an actual grace to continue to ask Him for the actual grace to get back into the state of grace. So they should continue praying and asking Him, and make sure they’re not continuing to commit any mortal sins, and then God will provide for them when the time comes.
LSN: Do you think it’s better for people who want devotional confession not to go [because of undue burden on priests]?
Fr. R: I think it depends. If you’re in a diocese where the bishop hasn’t restricted it and people are able to go behind the screen, I would say they should continue going
LSN: What do you make of all of this in general? Do you have any thoughts on this being punishment from God and how Catholics should be responding?
Fr. R: When you look at historically, when the saints of the church would say this is a punishment from God, it was usually because there was a local kind of a disaster of some sort and there was some particular grave sin in the region as a result of it. Taking that as a kind of a springboard, I would say that it’s hard to say that this is a punishment from God. On the other hand, it’s not like we don’t deserve it. So I would say probably it is, but, and God can use this to purify people to say, look, don’t take the sacraments, don’t take the ability to go to Mass and go to confession with any regularity, don’t that for granted, because it can be taken from you. So they should be more grateful and also be more solicitous to make use of those sacraments when the time comes.
LSN: So the proper disposition of a Catholic that you would advise is to pray and hope we get the sacraments back?
Fr. R: Yes, ask God, ask God, He hears our prayers, ask Him to restore the sacraments, so that we can go back to them, and maybe even express thanksgiving for the sacrament, the forgiveness that they received in confession in the past, and the ability to attend Mass, thank Him for having been able to do, and ask Him, beg Him to restore the situation so that they can go back.
LSN: The other thing is, people are pretty angry, myself included, or very hurt. You can’t go to Adoration either, which just seems really, really painful, why would you do that? and how would you advise Catholics —
Fr. R: I don’t think stuff like that is necessary either. I think it could be allowed but that they just have to be somewhat strict on the social distancing that the government’s requiring, which is not unreasonable. So when you come in to Adoration, you don’t have to sit [beside] the guy right next to you, you make sure that there’s ample room and they have to restrict the number of people going based upon that. I don't think it has to be completely shut down. It’s the same thing with the churches. I don’t think they need to be shut down. Part of it is just to tell people, look, if you’re sick, don’t come to church. They can take precautions, things like sanitizing the church on a somewhat regular basis etc.
LSN: Yes, but I’ve talked to a priest in the cardinal’s office, I called up and said, why can’t you do this? Why can’t you do that? But they’ve shut the doors and they’re not giving people Holy Communion. What would you advise Catholics? Because it’s hard not to be really angry with the bishops, and I’m sure that’s not a good response, but it looks like they aren’t trying.
Fr. R: Putting aside any malice on the side of certain bishops, I think that this is the result of being in a compromised relationship with the state. The state has for years, actually, centuries, been clamouring for separation of church and state, but they’ve stepped right in and told the churches what they can and cannot do and the bishops, because of their compromised situation as a result of the whole pedophilia scandal and the civil authority stepping in, because of that they’re a bit too quick to be overly compliant, or to be overly cautious, rather than being more moderated in their judgment about can and cannot be allowed.
LSN: So what should we do? I want to be properly disposed myself. I guess I’m getting too personal here, but if I go down to the cathedral and I’m kneeling in front of the cathedral because I want to get close to the Blessed Sacrament, is that being too political? Or just offer it up? What would be the proper disposition?
Fr. R: I don’t think that’s necessarily too political, unless you’re trying to make a statement, of course. But I think that two things, one is, people should be — I was happy to see that on the Internet there was a lot of promotion of making spiritual communions — people should be making spiritual communions daily, anyway, if they can’t get to Mass, so there’s that.
As far as the bishops, this is a good opportunity for the people to realize if they don’t pray for the bishops on a regular basis, they can’t expect them to behave well. They need to be praying for their bishops, and don’t allow a particular bishop’s behaviour, or bad behaviour, to separate you from the devotion or filial piety that you should have for the office. And part of that filial piety is praying for him regularly, that he receives the graces to make the right decisions.
It’s not unreasonable that people are becoming angry because they’re seeing that the bishops are overreacting in certain circumstances, but what they need to do, they need to see, instead of being angry, that this is a sign that God’s calling us to pray for them, because being angry with them isn’t going to help them. Praying will.
LSN: And it wouldn’t help us who are angry either, I suppose.
Fr. R: Exactly.
LSN: The other thing is spiritual communion, as you mentioned. People say that a spiritual communion is just as efficacious as receiving Holy Communion. Is that actually true?
Fr. R: It is, but only under the condition that the person’s devotion rises to a level that would make it that efficacious. Generally speaking, though, most people don’t have that level of devotion and so it’s not going to. But that doesn’t mean that they shouldn't do it.
LSN: So it’s like perfect contrition, where you may not actually achieve it but you certainly have to try, and God will grant you the grace.
Fr. R: That’s right, ask and stay at it. Ask Our Lord and Our Lady to give you the grace to be as devout as possible when making this act of spiritual communion.
LSN: So there’s actually a potential here for people to become very devout, those who are lackadaisical, and even those in a state of mortal sin, although obviously there’s a huge difference between those?
Fr. R: Yes, I think so. I think that this is an opportunity for people to start developing their spiritual life, independently of only going to Mass or only going to Communion or only going to confession. They can actually start praying more and start the process of working on their spiritual life, more independently of those things. Not that you shouldn’t make use of those when you can, but this is a sign that God wants people to start working on that independently of that.
LSN: You mean that there actually may be over reliance on the sacraments?
Fr. R: Right. Exactly.
LSN: So you can do that without access to the sacraments. It’s just that here’s the perfect opportunity for people to turn back to God, but the ordinary means of salvation that He’s given us, the sacraments, are not there, so it just seems kind of ironic, is that the right way to look at it?
Fr. R: Yes, it is, in fact, it’s similar to what the Christians experienced in the early church, they didn’t always get regular access to the sacraments. That didn’t mean they weren’t developing their spiritual lives.
LSN: Do you have anything else that you would want to tell Catholics who are in anguish about this?
Fr. R: Well, what I’ve said, just start praying, pray more.
LSN: And I guess don’t despair.
Fr. R: Right. Exactly.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-03--Pro-lifers sue North Carolina city after arrests during lockdown

GREENSBORO , North Carolina , April 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Four pro-lifers involved with North Carolina-based Love Life are suing the local government of Greensboro for violating the group ’ s First Amendment rights to walk and pray on the sidewalk outside an abortion center .
On Saturday , March 28 , four of Love Life ’ s activists were arrested by police for allegedly violating a local “ stay at home ” order in place during the COVID-19 pandemic by praying at abortion center A Woman ’ s Choice .
On Monday , March 30 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were arrested in the same location .
“ Greensboro Police Officers made every attempt to gain voluntary compliance before charging seven individuals with violation of the Guilford County Stay at Home Order and Resist Delay and Obstruct a Public Officer , ” a police press release claimed .
Sign a petition in support of these pro-lifers here .
Guilford County , where Greensboro is located , had first issued a “ stay-at-home ” order on March 23 , which was amended on March 30 .
In it , outdoor activities were permitted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and without limitation , walking , hiking , golfing , running , cycling , or using the greenways.
” At the same time , residents had to comply with so-called social distancing requirements .
The four plaintiffs in the complaint filed on April 2 are not the same as the pro-life activists arrested earlier .
Nevertheless , Paul Nisley , Josiah Chavez , pastor David Troyer , and his daughter Jolene Troyer , are part of Love Life .
Filed by the Thomas More Society , the lawsuit describes the plaintiffs as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity , and otherwise exercise their First Amendment rights on the public sidewalks and rights of way outside the abortion clinic in Greensboro and elsewhere.
” Like other activists involved with Love Life , they “ walk and pray outside abortion clinics because doing so presents a visible demonstration of their deeply held religious conviction that innocent lives are being ended inside and that there exists an urgent need to intercede both for the unborn children and for the confused and hurting mothers who often feel they have no other choice but to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praying also serves as a silent witness against those going into the clinic as well as a message to passersby of their intercession for these babies and their mothers , ” the complaint added .
“ Due to the threats and the arrests made by the Greensboro Police Department ” to pro-lifers on Saturday and Monday , “ Plaintiffs are fearful of exercising their constitutionally protected rights and are therefore reluctant and disinclined to return to the area of the Greensboro abortion facility to walk and/or pray for fear of arrest and being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Life activists pointed out that the “ stay-at-home ” order , as enforced by police in Greensboro , “ inflicts irreparable injury on the First and Fourteenth Amendment rights , ” imposing “ an unconstitutional restriction on constitutionally protected speech in traditional public fora.
” They also called the enforcement of the order “ discriminatory as applied because they prohibit Plaintiffs from engaging in speech and other expressive activities in traditional public fora based solely upon the pro-life content and viewpoint of their speech.
” The complaint asked the court to take action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pro-lifers ’ “ constitutionally protected speech and expressive activities ” outside the abortion center .
Greensboro mayor Nancy Vaughan , who is named as one of the defendants in the complaint , told Triad City Beat that she has not yet studied the document .
“ We are living in difficult times with a worldwide health pandemic , ” she said .
“ We are trying to balance the health and well-being of our entire community , and observe constitutionally protected rights , ” Vaughan claimed .
“ It is a countywide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not speech.
” In Michigan , a pro-life activist who allegedly violated a lockdown order protesting at an abortion facility has filed a similar lawsuit .

Greensboro police arrested several pro-life activists for walking and praying outside an abortion center during the COVID-19 pandemic.
GREENSBORO, North Carolina, April 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Four pro-lifers involved with North Carolina-based Love Life are suing the local government of Greensboro for violating the group’s First Amendment rights to walk and pray on the sidewalk outside an abortion center.
On Saturday, March 28, four of Love Life’s activists were arrested by police for allegedly violating a local “stay at home” order in place during the COVID-19 pandemic by praying at abortion center A Woman’s Choice.
On Monday, March 30, another seven members of the pro-life group were arrested in the same location.
“Greensboro Police Officers made every attempt to gain voluntary compliance before charging seven individuals with violation of the Guilford County Stay at Home Order and Resist Delay and Obstruct a Public Officer,” a police press release claimed.
Sign a petition in support of these pro-lifers here.
Guilford County, where Greensboro is located, had first issued a “stay-at-home” order on March 23, which was amended on March 30. In it, outdoor activities were permitted, including, “by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, golfing, running, cycling, or using the greenways.”
At the same time, residents had to comply with so-called social distancing requirements.
The four plaintiffs in the complaint filed on April 2 are not the same as the pro-life activists arrested earlier. Nevertheless, Paul Nisley, Josiah Chavez, pastor David Troyer, and his daughter Jolene Troyer, are part of Love Life.
Filed by the Thomas More Society, the lawsuit describes the plaintiffs as “individuals who pray, engage in expressive activity, and otherwise exercise their First Amendment rights on the public sidewalks and rights of way outside the abortion clinic in Greensboro and elsewhere.”
Like other activists involved with Love Life, they “walk and pray outside abortion clinics because doing so presents a visible demonstration of their deeply held religious conviction that innocent lives are being ended inside and that there exists an urgent need to intercede both for the unborn children and for the confused and hurting mothers who often feel they have no other choice but to abort.”
“Plaintiffs’ walking and praying also serves as a silent witness against those going into the clinic as well as a message to passersby of their intercession for these babies and their mothers,” the complaint added.
“Due to the threats and the arrests made by the Greensboro Police Department” to pro-lifers on Saturday and Monday, “Plaintiffs are fearful of exercising their constitutionally protected rights and are therefore reluctant and disinclined to return to the area of the Greensboro abortion facility to walk and/or pray for fear of arrest and being charged with a crime.”
The Love Life activists pointed out that the “stay-at-home” order, as enforced by police in Greensboro, “inflicts irreparable injury on the First and Fourteenth Amendment rights,” imposing “an unconstitutional restriction on constitutionally protected speech in traditional public fora.”
They also called the enforcement of the order “discriminatory as applied because they prohibit Plaintiffs from engaging in speech and other expressive activities in traditional public fora based solely upon the pro-life content and viewpoint of their speech.”
The complaint asked the court to take action and restrain the local government from violating the pro-lifers’ “constitutionally protected speech and expressive activities” outside the abortion center.
Greensboro mayor Nancy Vaughan, who is named as one of the defendants in the complaint, told Triad City Beat that she has not yet studied the document.
“We are living in difficult times with a worldwide health pandemic,” she said.
“We are trying to balance the health and well-being of our entire community, and observe constitutionally protected rights,” Vaughan claimed. “It is a countywide stay-at-home order asking people to restrict travel, not speech.”
In Michigan, a pro-life activist who allegedly violated a lockdown order protesting at an abortion facility has filed a similar lawsuit.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-03--Lawmakers demand Wisconsin gov suspend abortions over coronavirus

MADISON , Wisconsin , April 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – More than 30 members of the Wisconsin Legislature signed a letter to Democrat Gov .
Tony Evers on Thursday , demanding that the far-reaching shutdown orders he has instituted so far to contain COVID-19 be extended to suspend operations at abortion facilities .
Evers ’ March 24 “ Safer at Home ” order mandates temporary closure of an array of “ non-essential ” businesses , although it does not suspend elective medical procedures as many states have done in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on patients afflicted by COVID-19 .
In fact , the order exempts “ Healthcare and Public Health Operations , ” which “ shall be broadly construed.
” Thursday ’ s letter , which is signed by 31 lawmakers including state Sens .
André Jacque and Scott Fitzgerald and state Reps. Barbra Dittrich and Jeremy Thiesfeldt , noted that the state ’ s abortion industry remains open , “ needlessly exposing people to the potential to contract COVID-19 and using precious medical resources that are needed elsewhere to save Wisconsinites.
” Sign petition asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities here .
“ It is deeply disturbing to find out that many lower risk businesses have been shuttered while you have given Wisconsin ’ s abortion clinics special dispensation to remain in operation , ” the lawmakers wrote .
“ We must not allow abortion clinics to put profit ahead of the public welfare and continue with these elective surgical procedures which now are done at a greater risk to the patient as well as our community. Too often , abortions result in complications that lead to the emergency room and further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called on Evers to take “ immediate action to ensure a halt to the operation of abortion facilities in Wisconsin for the duration of the declared public health emergency.
” Evers , a pro-abortion governor who has threatened to veto pro-life legislation up to and including legislation to protect newborns frorm infanticide , is not expected to take the letter ’ s demand to heart .
Pro-life medical professionals have arguied that allowing elective abortions to continue as normal puts business interests ahead of public health .
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while “ elective abortion is neither ‘ essential ’ nor ‘ urgent , ’ ” it “ does consume critical resources such as masks , gloves , and other personal protective equipment , and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.
” “ Elective abortion , both surgical and drug induced , also generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms , ” AAPLOG continued .
“ Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion .
Approximately five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will require evaluation in an emergency room , most commonly for hemorrhage .
Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage .
Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.
” Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

'It is deeply disturbing to find out ... Wisconsin’s abortion clinics (have a) special dispensation to remain in operation,' legislators wrote.
MADISON, Wisconsin, April 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – More than 30 members of the Wisconsin Legislature signed a letter to Democrat Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday, demanding that the far-reaching shutdown orders he has instituted so far to contain COVID-19 be extended to suspend operations at abortion facilities.
Evers’ March 24 “Safer at Home” order mandates temporary closure of an array of “non-essential” businesses, although it does not suspend elective medical procedures as many states have done in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus and free up time and resources to focus on patients afflicted by COVID-19. In fact, the order exempts “Healthcare and Public Health Operations,” which “shall be broadly construed.”
Thursday’s letter, which is signed by 31 lawmakers including state Sens. André Jacque and Scott Fitzgerald and state Reps. Barbra Dittrich and Jeremy Thiesfeldt, noted that the state’s abortion industry remains open, “needlessly exposing people to the potential to contract COVID-19 and using precious medical resources that are needed elsewhere to save Wisconsinites.”
Sign petition asking Gov. Evers to shut down abortion facilities here.
“It is deeply disturbing to find out that many lower risk businesses have been shuttered while you have given Wisconsin’s abortion clinics special dispensation to remain in operation,” the lawmakers wrote. “We must not allow abortion clinics to put profit ahead of the public welfare and continue with these elective surgical procedures which now are done at a greater risk to the patient as well as our community. Too often, abortions result in complications that lead to the emergency room and further drain our overstretched system.”
The letter called on Evers to take “immediate action to ensure a halt to the operation of abortion facilities in Wisconsin for the duration of the declared public health emergency.”
Evers, a pro-abortion governor who has threatened to veto pro-life legislation up to and including legislation to protect newborns frorm infanticide, is not expected to take the letter’s demand to heart.
Pro-life medical professionals have arguied that allowing elective abortions to continue as normal puts business interests ahead of public health.
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) says that while “elective abortion is neither ‘essential’ nor ‘urgent,’” it “does consume critical resources such as masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment, and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.”
“Elective abortion, both surgical and drug induced, also generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms,” AAPLOG continued. “Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion. Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room, most commonly for hemorrhage. Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage. Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.”
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-03--Watch Trump’s coronavirus daily briefing for April 3 here

WASHINGTON , D.C. , April 2 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – LifeSite has begun streaming President Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis .
Here we present his April 3 briefing .
Follow LifeSiteNews for future @ @ @ @ @ s live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers @ @ @ @

As CNN threatens to cut away from Trump during his daily coronavirus briefings, LifeSite has begun streaming them live.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 2, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – LifeSite has begun streaming President Donald Trump’s daily briefings about the coronavirus crisis. Here we present his April 3 briefing. Follow LifeSiteNews for future briefings.
Read LifeSite’s live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about here.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-03--Priests reveal how coronavirus crisis has unleashed ‘intense demonic activity’

April 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A malevolent force kept by my side when I was dying in a hospital room in 2009 .
Repeatedly , though , Fr .
William Spacek chose to walk into the lengthening shadows of my neuro-ICU room .
As many as three times a day , the hospital chaplain held the Eucharist above my head .
He told my wife demonic forces had come into my room .
I used to see my daughter Gabby caught up in the ceiling tiles , drowning in a shallow flowing stream of water .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I couldn ’ t move due to my restrained arms ( tied to my bedside by nurses ) , I was mocked by revolting forms that had taken up hallucinogenic real estate in the undulating tiles .
I vividly recall , in particular , one gyrating multi-headed demon sweeping his translucent hand toward my drowning daughter , taunting , “ What of it ?
Gon na save her or what ?
” My brain aneurysm caused intense headaches , which negated sound sleep .
When I did fall asleep , demons entered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember many ) that seemed as true-to-life as the blooming tree outside my window right now .
My son Sean and I were at a carnival when he began to choke on something lodged in his throat .
When I tried to dislodge it , a revolting creature swung a metal pipe into the back of my head .
Each time I rose from the pavement , he swung , full-force , and sent me to the ground .
I watched Sean choke to death on the ground in front of me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roar riotous Hallelujahs .
When six months later I returned to the hospital to thank Fr .
Spacek for his resolute care , I asked about the oppression in my room .
“ Demons were there .
I could sense it right when I walked into your room , ” he said .
“ I ’ ve looked into the face of Satan .
I know how he operates.
” Satan ’ s work does seem to have a primitive simplicity : he divides a soul from God and works to destroy it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soul is in its most vulnerable state , the scale and ferocity of his work seems to intensify .
So when a few weeks ago because of health concerns bishops began to shutter American churches like a piecemeal extinguishing of Tenebrae candles , I began considering the Evil One , whose cackle these days , one might imagine , barks as grotesquely as the chorus on that Good Friday morning : “ Crucify him !
.
” I started to consider the black talon of Satan ’ s pointer finger , and where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reception of the Eucharist has mostly vanished and absolution of sin seems harder to receive than riding a bicycle to the moon .
I recalled what one of the world ’ s leading exorcists told me a few years ago when he began to travel to American seminaries throughout the 1980s .
“ I began to see the seminary as the sick womb of Holy Mother Church , ” said 93-year-old Monsignor John Esseff , renowned for his ability to read souls .
“ Priests became deformed in the belly of the Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and good seminarian , you were going to be aborted .
The guys who were real , they would just be aborted.
” “ I saw it is demonic .
It was easy to piece together - when you ’ re anti-Eucharist , anti-Mary , and anti-prayer , you ’ re of the demonic.
” Two weeks ago , I began to offer fasts and rosaries for those holy priests who ’ d survived harrowing or dry seminary experiences - because I suspected that the talon was pointed directly at them today .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognized as they went about their Ripken-esque spiritual work of unburdening souls in the confessional , that undesired visits from demons were likely in their bedroom later that night .
For years they were brutalized - until the harassing chorus knew to depart ; they came to understand the war was unwinnable .
As mediators and spiritual fathers in the supernatural order of grace , Pio and Vianney relied on their demonic attacks to intensify their own fasting , prayer and attentiveness to souls .
So the demons , powerless , left and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are paragons .
I wondered about my priest friends .
I suspected they were under attack within these lonely days .
These are priests who commit to praying their Office , making a daily Holy hour and praying a daily rosary .
These priests , also I knew , embraced forms of mortification/s each day to help anchor themselves and their flock to God .
Though sixteen-hour spiritual workdays have become customary , they don ’ t resemble burnt-out Branch Davidian cult members or emaciated bands of wilderness hermits .
Not one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nose to the sky like a self-sanctified Marie Antoinette .
These priests seem to be the happiest men in the world because of their untiring pursuit of holiness within themselves and their flock .
I picked up the phone yesterday and called some of these priests .
I asked a single question : “ Yes .
Really , the oppression is everywhere now , ” said the first priest I spoke with .
He ’ d just driven 140 miles round-trip for the second time in a week to gather 300 cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the poor .
“ From my first Holy Hour to my videotaped Masses , to trying to reach my parishioners in on-line retreats and talks ; oppressions seem to always be there .
They ’ ve been very strong , ” he said .
“ It ’ s the voice of condescension .
It ’ s become extremely tiring .
It ’ s most tiring during [ virtual ] talks ; everything becomes slow and difficult .
It ’ s more exhausting than the Masses .
“ Here ’ s just one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - I celebrated three Masses on the Feast of the Annunciation because everything kept shutting off .
The video wasn ’ t working .
This has never happened .
“ The spiritual lifelines out there have been cut off , so the demons are going to attack the lifelines [ priests ] who still remain in the spiritual battle .
It ’ s physically and mentally exhausting because doubts creep in and you think - ‘ Is all this stuff I ’ m putting out there even landing , or is it just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ What ’ s the point ?
’ I ’ m not a priest to be in front of a camera .
What ’ s even landing to help the folks ?
’ “ But I know Our Lady is protecting me throughout all of this .
So the spiritual work is protected .
That ’ s really helped me.
” “ A great heaviness has entered into my priesthood .
This time has been the biggest test of my priesthood , and I guess of my life , ” said the priest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethic and devotion to Our Lady .
“ I do think the Evil One is hitting the priests hardest now .
His number one tool is his spirit of discouragement .
His M.O .
is to make it seem like we ’ re accomplishing nothing as a priest .
Why pray ?
Why sit by the window [ for outdoor confessions ] when no one comes .
Why make another [ senseless ] video on the need for prayer during COVID-19 when no one watches ?
It ’ s like his voice says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a priest - you ’ re detached from your people , and they aren ’ t praying or paying attention anyway ’ .
“ But I know it ’ s a big lie and it ’ s the voice of the devil .
And when the oppression really comes , I just keep going back to the tabernacle , where everything becomes clear .
I am a mediator between God and man , My prayers , Holy Hours and spiritual work must be exercised now .
The work of a mediator is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because not only does it give me something to offer my parishioners - the rosary , visits to Blessed Sacrament , the reading of scripture , fasting - but everything I do now becomes essential in this spiritually dry period .
“ During these dry times , in a sense , I need to become even more active , With my folks cut off , I need to be in the trenches for them now .
And the Christ that lives in me puts me in this battle .
This is a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shines because he fights the oppression against himself and against the parishioners that he ’ s become separated from.
” I phoned an exorcist in Washington D.C .
I asked if demonic activity had increased since the Eucharist had been held back and many church doors had been locked .
“ Exorcists and those gifted individuals with insights into the spiritual realm have seen more intense demonic activity now .
There has been a definite uptick , ” he said , “ Satan ’ s taken advantage of this crisis to meet his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been given a free hand now.
” I called a layperson active in the deliverance ministry , who wished to remain anonymous .
“ The intensity of the suffering has increased .
It ’ s the spirit and voice of condescension that speaks loudly now , ” the individual said .
“ At the same time , the call to prayer is like a tsunami now .
I feel like I don ’ t need to sleep .
I just want to pray throughout the night - this seems to be the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been working with .
“ There is a ferocity and intensity about what they are seeing now in the spiritual realm.
” When I was dying in my hospital room , at the most vulnerable point in my life , I felt the same way .
Kevin Wells is a Catholic speaker , writer , president of the Monsignor Thomas Wells Society for Vocations , and author of the bestselling book The Priests We Need to Save the Church ( Sophia Institute Press , 2019 ) .

PRAYER PLEDGE: Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus Sign the petition here.
April 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A malevolent force kept by my side when I was dying in a hospital room in 2009. Repeatedly, though, Fr. William Spacek chose to walk into the lengthening shadows of my neuro-ICU room. As many as three times a day, the hospital chaplain held the Eucharist above my head. He told my wife demonic forces had come into my room.
I used to see my daughter Gabby caught up in the ceiling tiles, drowning in a shallow flowing stream of water. When I attempted to save her and found that I couldn’t move due to my restrained arms (tied to my bedside by nurses), I was mocked by revolting forms that had taken up hallucinogenic real estate in the undulating tiles. I vividly recall, in particular, one gyrating multi-headed demon sweeping his translucent hand toward my drowning daughter, taunting,“What of it? Gonna save her or what?”
My brain aneurysm caused intense headaches, which negated sound sleep. When I did fall asleep, demons entered. I remember one dream (I remember many) that seemed as true-to-life as the blooming tree outside my window right now. My son Sean and I were at a carnival when he began to choke on something lodged in his throat. When I tried to dislodge it, a revolting creature swung a metal pipe into the back of my head. Each time I rose from the pavement, he swung, full-force, and sent me to the ground. I watched Sean choke to death on the ground in front of me, and a chorus of demons began to roar riotous Hallelujahs.
When six months later I returned to the hospital to thank Fr. Spacek for his resolute care, I asked about the oppression in my room. “Demons were there. I could sense it right when I walked into your room,” he said. “I’ve looked into the face of Satan. I know how he operates.”
Satan’s work
Satan’s work does seem to have a primitive simplicity: he divides a soul from God and works to destroy it through his duplicity. And when the soul is in its most vulnerable state, the scale and ferocity of his work seems to intensify.
So when a few weeks ago because of health concerns bishops began to shutter American churches like a piecemeal extinguishing of Tenebrae candles, I began considering the Evil One, whose cackle these days, one might imagine, barks as grotesquely as the chorus on that Good Friday morning: “Crucify him!.”
I started to consider the black talon of Satan’s pointer finger, and where it was directing his demons now that reception of the Eucharist has mostly vanished and absolution of sin seems harder to receive than riding a bicycle to the moon.
I recalled what one of the world’s leading exorcists told me a few years ago when he began to travel to American seminaries throughout the 1980s.
“I began to see the seminary as the sick womb of Holy Mother Church,” said 93-year-old Monsignor John Esseff, renowned for his ability to read souls. “Priests became deformed in the belly of the Church – or if you were a well-intentioned and good seminarian, you were going to be aborted. The guys who were real, they would just be aborted.”
“I saw it is demonic. It was easy to piece together – when you’re anti-Eucharist, anti-Mary, and anti-prayer, you’re of the demonic.”
‘Oppression is everywhere now’
Two weeks ago, I began to offer fasts and rosaries for those holy priests who’d survived harrowing or dry seminary experiences – because I suspected that the talon was pointed directly at them today.
St. Padre Pio and St. John Vianney recognized as they went about their Ripken-esque spiritual work of unburdening souls in the confessional, that undesired visits from demons were likely in their bedroom later that night. For years they were brutalized – until the harassing chorus knew to depart; they came to understand the war was unwinnable. As mediators and spiritual fathers in the supernatural order of grace, Pio and Vianney relied on their demonic attacks to intensify their own fasting, prayer and attentiveness to souls. So the demons, powerless, left and never returned.
But Pio and Vianney are paragons. I wondered about my priest friends. I suspected they were under attack within these lonely days.
These are priests who commit to praying their Office, making a daily Holy hour and praying a daily rosary. These priests, also I knew, embraced forms of mortification/s each day to help anchor themselves and their flock to God. Though sixteen-hour spiritual workdays have become customary, they don’t resemble burnt-out Branch Davidian cult members or emaciated bands of wilderness hermits. Not one of them smells of incense or points his nose to the sky like a self-sanctified Marie Antoinette. These priests seem to be the happiest men in the world because of their untiring pursuit of holiness within themselves and their flock.
I picked up the phone yesterday and called some of these priests. I asked a single question:
“Are you under attack?”
“Yes. Really, the oppression is everywhere now,” said the first priest I spoke with. He’d just driven 140 miles round-trip for the second time in a week to gather 300 cases of bread (1,200 loaves) to distribute to the poor.
“From my first Holy Hour to my videotaped Masses, to trying to reach my parishioners in on-line retreats and talks; oppressions seem to always be there. They’ve been very strong,” he said. “It’s the voice of condescension. It’s become extremely tiring. It’s most tiring during [virtual] talks; everything becomes slow and difficult. It’s more exhausting than the Masses.
“Here’s just one example of how the Evil One works – I celebrated three Masses on the Feast of the Annunciation because everything kept shutting off. The video wasn’t working. This has never happened.
“The spiritual lifelines out there have been cut off, so the demons are going to attack the lifelines [priests] who still remain in the spiritual battle. It’s physically and mentally exhausting because doubts creep in and you think – ‘Is all this stuff I’m putting out there even landing, or is it just a waste?’ You think, ‘What’s the point?’ I’m not a priest to be in front of a camera. What’s even landing to help the folks?’
“But I know Our Lady is protecting me throughout all of this. So the spiritual work is protected. That’s really helped me.”
I called another priest.
“A great heaviness has entered into my priesthood. This time has been the biggest test of my priesthood, and I guess of my life,” said the priest, known for his cheerfulness, work ethic and devotion to Our Lady. “I do think the Evil One is hitting the priests hardest now. His number one tool is his spirit of discouragement. His M.O. is to make it seem like we’re accomplishing nothing as a priest. Why pray? Why sit by the window [for outdoor confessions] when no one comes. Why make another [senseless] video on the need for prayer during COVID-19 when no one watches? It’s like his voice says, ‘You’re worthless now as a priest – you’re detached from your people, and they aren’t praying or paying attention anyway’.
“But I know it’s a big lie and it’s the voice of the devil. And when the oppression really comes, I just keep going back to the tabernacle, where everything becomes clear. I am a mediator between God and man, My prayers, Holy Hours and spiritual work must be exercised now. The work of a mediator is a beautiful offering in this dry period because not only does it give me something to offer my parishioners – the rosary, visits to Blessed Sacrament, the reading of scripture, fasting – but everything I do now becomes essential in this spiritually dry period.
“During these dry times, in a sense, I need to become even more active, With my folks cut off, I need to be in the trenches for them now. And the Christ that lives in me puts me in this battle. This is a time for a priest to shine. He shines because he fights the oppression against himself and against the parishioners that he’s become separated from.”
I phoned an exorcist in Washington D.C. I asked if demonic activity had increased since the Eucharist had been held back and many church doors had been locked.
“Exorcists and those gifted individuals with insights into the spiritual realm have seen more intense demonic activity now. There has been a definite uptick,” he said, “Satan’s taken advantage of this crisis to meet his own ends, It seems demons have been given a free hand now.”
I called a layperson active in the deliverance ministry, who wished to remain anonymous.
“The intensity of the suffering has increased. It’s the spirit and voice of condescension that speaks loudly now,” the individual said. “At the same time, the call to prayer is like a tsunami now. I feel like I don’t need to sleep. I just want to pray throughout the night – this seems to be the same experience of the priests I’ve been working with.
“There is a ferocity and intensity about what they are seeing now in the spiritual realm.”
When I was dying in my hospital room, at the most vulnerable point in my life, I felt the same way.
Kevin Wells is a Catholic speaker, writer, president of the Monsignor Thomas Wells Society for Vocations, and author of the bestselling book The Priests We Need to Save the Church (Sophia Institute Press, 2019).
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lifesitenews--2020-04-03--Pro-lifer who allegedly violated lockdown order protesting at abortion clinic files lawsuit

DETROIT , Michigan April 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The American Freedom Law Center ( AFLC ) has brought a lawsuit againt Michigan ’ s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer after a pro-life man in Detroit was arrested for peacefully protesting outside an abortion clinic earlier this week .
Police accused him of having violated Whitmer ’ s stay-at-home order .
Whitmer , a first-term governor who has ardently defended abortion in the past , is currently under consideration as a possible vice presidential running mate for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
In recent weeks , she has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump over her handling of the coronavirus outbreak .
In a press release issued yesterday , the AFLC announced that it is filing a lawsuit against Whitmer as well as the City of Detroit on behalf of Andrew Belanger , Justin Phillips , and Cal Zastrow , three pro-life Christians who , thanks to ambiguities in Whitmer ’ s executive order , have had their right to free speech unduly curtailed .
“ Defendants have deprived Plaintiffs of their right to freedom of speech in violation of the Free Speech Clause of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their political subdivisions under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution , ” the statement reads .
“ Defendants ’ actions , as set forth in this Complaint , injured Plaintiffs in a way likely to chill a person of ordinary firmness from further participation in expressive religious activity.
” The lawsuit is a result of an incident that took place outside Scotsdale Women ’ s Center on Tuesday , March 31 .
According to the AFLC — a self-described “ Judeo-Christian law firm that fights for faith and freedom through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiatives ” — Belanger was peacefully expressing his deeply-held religious opposition to abortion when an inordinate number of police officers showed up and issued him a criminal citation for supposedly violating the governor ’ s lockdown order .
“ He was preaching , holding a pro-life sign , and practicing social distancing , ” the AFLC ’ s statement reads .
“ In fact , he and his fellow pro-lifers are adhering to the social distancing measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , specifically including remaining at least six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when engaging in their expressive pro-life activities.
” “ While Belanger was exercising his First Amendment rights , eight City of Detroit police vehicles and fifteen City police officers arrived .
Belanger was the only pro-lifer engaging in expressive activity at the time of their arrival.
” “ During a conversation with the police officers , ” the press release continues , “ the officer speaking to the pro-lifers stated , ‘ We ’ re here for a violation of a stay at home order by the Governor.
’ The officers told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ under the Governor ’ s order and thus permitted , the pro-lifers ’ First Amendment activity was not ‘ essential ’ and thus unlawful.
” The AFLC contends that Belanger , who is now facing a criminal trial for the apparent violation , and his associates have the right to express their beliefs on public sidewalks .
“ The scope of our lawsuit and request for a restraining order are narrow .
We do not advance a general challenge to the constitutionality of the Governor ’ s Executive Order , nor do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the very limited and narrow scope of our challenge , ” the group has said .
“ We only seek to prohibit the use of the Executive Order to criminalize our clients ’ peaceful , free speech activity on the public sidewalks outside of abortion centers throughout Michigan.
” Since receiving his citation , Belanger and his fellow activists had contnued to appear outside the abortion clinic and will continue to do so .
Interestingly , pro-life activists who reside on the west side of Michigan have not had problems with law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-abortion activist who regularly stands on the sidewalk outside Heritage Clinic for Women in Grand Rapids , told LifeSiteNews that the police there have been “ very respectful.
” The few times police have shown up , she said , they ’ ve only requested that the sidewalk not be blocked .
After COVID-19 spread to the United States from China several weeks ago , liberal activists began obbying lawmakers and filing lawsuits to ensure that the killing of unborn babies continues without interruption .
Their efforts have been somewhat though not entirely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country , most recently in Michigan and Illinois , have been ratcheting up pressure on their state ’ s Democratic governors to consider making abortion a “ non-essential ” medical procedure during the coronavirus outbreak .
On Monday this week , seven pro-lifers in North Carolina were arrested for also having allegedly violated their state ’ s stay-at-home order as they stood outside A Woman ’ s Choice abortion mill in Greensboro .

'While [Andrew] Belanger was exercising his First Amendment rights, eight City of Detroit police vehicles and fifteen City police officers arrived. Belanger was the only pro-lifer engaging in expressive activity at the time of their arrival.'
DETROIT, Michigan April 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The American Freedom Law Center (AFLC) has brought a lawsuit againt Michigan’s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer after a pro-life man in Detroit was arrested for peacefully protesting outside an abortion clinic earlier this week. Police accused him of having violated Whitmer’s stay-at-home order.
Whitmer, a first-term governor who has ardently defended abortion in the past, is currently under consideration as a possible vice presidential running mate for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. In recent weeks, she has had several public spats with President Donald Trump over her handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
In a press release issued yesterday, the AFLC announced that it is filing a lawsuit against Whitmer as well as the City of Detroit on behalf of Andrew Belanger, Justin Phillips, and Cal Zastrow, three pro-life Christians who, thanks to ambiguities in Whitmer’s executive order, have had their right to free speech unduly curtailed.
“Defendants have deprived Plaintiffs of their right to freedom of speech in violation of the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment as applied to the states and their political subdivisions under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” the statement reads.
“Defendants’ actions, as set forth in this Complaint, injured Plaintiffs in a way likely to chill a person of ordinary firmness from further participation in expressive religious activity.”
The lawsuit is a result of an incident that took place outside Scotsdale Women’s Center on Tuesday, March 31.
According to the AFLC — a self-described “Judeo-Christian law firm that fights for faith and freedom through litigation, education, and public policy initiatives” — Belanger was peacefully expressing his deeply-held religious opposition to abortion when an inordinate number of police officers showed up and issued him a criminal citation for supposedly violating the governor’s lockdown order.
“He was preaching, holding a pro-life sign, and practicing social distancing,” the AFLC’s statement reads. “In fact, he and his fellow pro-lifers are adhering to the social distancing measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, specifically including remaining at least six feet from people on the public sidewalks when engaging in their expressive pro-life activities.”
“While Belanger was exercising his First Amendment rights, eight City of Detroit police vehicles and fifteen City police officers arrived. Belanger was the only pro-lifer engaging in expressive activity at the time of their arrival.”
“During a conversation with the police officers,” the press release continues, “the officer speaking to the pro-lifers stated, ‘We’re here for a violation of a stay at home order by the Governor.’ The officers told the pro-lifers that while abortion was ‘essential’ under the Governor’s order and thus permitted, the pro-lifers’ First Amendment activity was not ‘essential’ and thus unlawful.”
The AFLC contends that Belanger, who is now facing a criminal trial for the apparent violation, and his associates have the right to express their beliefs on public sidewalks.
“The scope of our lawsuit and request for a restraining order are narrow. We do not advance a general challenge to the constitutionality of the Governor’s Executive Order, nor do we seek to halt its enforcement outside of the very limited and narrow scope of our challenge,” the group has said.
“We only seek to prohibit the use of the Executive Order to criminalize our clients’ peaceful, free speech activity on the public sidewalks outside of abortion centers throughout Michigan.”
Since receiving his citation, Belanger and his fellow activists have continued to appear outside the abortion clinic and will continue to do so.
Interestingly, pro-life activists who reside on the west side of Michigan have not had problems with law enforcement.
Leisa Snow, a long-time anti-abortion activist who regularly stands on the sidewalk outside Heritage Clinic for Women in Grand Rapids, told LifeSiteNews that the police there have been “very respectful.” The few times police have shown up, she said, they’ve only requested that the sidewalk not be blocked.
After COVID-19 spread to the United States from China several weeks ago, liberal activists began lobbying lawmakers and filing lawsuits to ensure that the killing of unborn babies continues without interruption. Their efforts have been somewhat though not entirely successful.
In recent weeks, pro-lifers across the country, most recently in Michigan and Illinois, have been ratcheting up pressure on their state’s Democratic governors to consider making abortion a “non-essential” medical procedure during the coronavirus outbreak.
On Monday this week, seven pro-lifers in North Carolina were arrested for also having allegedly violated their state’s stay-at-home order as they stood outside A Woman’s Choice abortion mill in Greensboro.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-03--LGBT activist helped mastermind UK bishops’ order to shut down churches, going beyond govt order

UNITED KINGDOM , April 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The spokesperson for the Catholic Church in England who explained to the UK government why churches should be closed due to the coronavirus , despite the government originally saying churches should remain open , has a history of supporting and promoting the LGBT agenda , LifeSite has learned .
Professor Jim McManus , a member of the healthcare reference group for the Catholic bishops of England and Wales , helped prepare the bishops ’ coronavirus guidance and , according to a statement released by the Diocese of Westminster last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why churches must be shut in response to the crisis .
The bishops closed the churches despite a guidance published by the Ministry of Housing , Communities and Local Government that stated that “ places of worship should remain open for solitary prayer.
” The diocese explained the role played by McManus in the closing of churches in a message it published after the government announced that , as part of the ongoing nationwide lockdown all churches and places of worship must close altogether , having previously said that they could remain open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McManus has spoken with a senior civil servant and it was quite clear they just had not thought through the issues of infection and security of churches and when he made these points clear , they were appalled and agreed they had made a mistake , ” the diocese ’ s document said .
“ Keeping churches open sends an utterly inconsistent message and therefore they must be closed for the benefit of others and stopping infection , ” the document continued .
McManus was involved earlier this year in promoting a scheme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lanyards as part of a Hertfordshire County Council “ LGBT+ Allies Scheme.
” In a 2014 presentation produced by McManus titled “ Delivering anti homophobia in faith schools ” he asserts that “ [ s ] ome LGBT Catholics feel in conscience they can live full lives in relationships , others feel called to take Church ’ s teaching literally .
Catholic schools do not have to take sides or depart from official teaching to be able to commit to reducing bullying.
” In the same presentation , McManus also cites pro-homosexual guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBT activist group roughly equivalent to the Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) in the United States .
Stonewall encourages British primary schools to embed gay , lesbian , and transgender themes and examples into every subject area and every grade level .
In a 2017 Royal College of Physicians newsletter , McManus celebrated the then recently passed Children and Social Work Act ( 2017 ) which made the new subjects of Relationships Education compulsory in all primary schools in England , and Relationships and Sex Education ( RSE ) compulsory in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and independent schools .
From the outset , government spokespersons , including the Prime Minister , stated that Relationships Education would be “ LGBT ” inclusive .
McManus described the passing of the legislation as “ Great ” and said it was even better that the legislation was supported by “ the two biggest national faith education systems – The Catholics and the Church of England.
” McManus noted that all “ faith schools must teach all aspects ” of the new framework and described the Catholic school of which he was formerly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most LGBT friendly places I ’ ve ever seen.
” Other faith communities in the U.K. have resisted the new education laws with Jewish leaders saying earlier this year that they will oppose educational authorities and not allow their schools to teach about homosexual and other “ lifestyles ” that are “ prohibited by the Torah.
” Muslim parents have been making headlines for months for opposing LGBT education in British schools .

UNITED KINGDOM, April 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The spokesperson for the Catholic Church in England who explained to the UK government why churches should be closed due to the coronavirus, despite the government originally saying churches should remain open, has a history of supporting and promoting the LGBT agenda, LifeSite has learned.
Professor Jim McManus, a member of the healthcare reference group for the Catholic bishops of England and Wales, helped prepare the bishops’ coronavirus guidance and, according to a statement released by the Diocese of Westminster last month, explained to the UK government why churches must be shut in response to the crisis. The bishops closed the churches despite a guidance published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government that stated that “places of worship should remain open for solitary prayer.”
The diocese explained the role played by McManus in the closing of churches in a message it published after the government announced that, as part of the ongoing nationwide lockdown all churches and places of worship must close altogether, having previously said that they could remain open for private prayer.
“Professor Jim McManus has spoken with a senior civil servant and it was quite clear they just had not thought through the issues of infection and security of churches and when he made these points clear, they were appalled and agreed they had made a mistake,” the diocese’s document said.
“Keeping churches open sends an utterly inconsistent message and therefore they must be closed for the benefit of others and stopping infection,” the document continued.
McManus was involved earlier this year in promoting a scheme encouraging workers to wear rainbow-coloured staff ID lanyards as part of a Hertfordshire County Council “LGBT+ Allies Scheme.”
In a 2014 presentation produced by McManus titled “Delivering anti homophobia in faith schools” he asserts that “[s]ome LGBT Catholics feel in conscience they can live full lives in relationships, others feel called to take Church’s teaching literally. Catholic schools do not have to take sides or depart from official teaching to be able to commit to reducing bullying.”
In the same presentation, McManus also cites pro-homosexual guidance to schools from Stonewall, a U.K. LGBT activist group roughly equivalent to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) in the United States. Stonewall encourages British primary schools to embed gay, lesbian, and transgender themes and examples into every subject area and every grade level.
In a 2017 Royal College of Physicians newsletter, McManus celebrated the then recently passed Children and Social Work Act (2017) which made the new subjects of Relationships Education compulsory in all primary schools in England, and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) compulsory in all secondary schools in England, including faith and independent schools. From the outset, government spokespersons, including the Prime Minister, stated that Relationships Education would be “LGBT” inclusive.
McManus described the passing of the legislation as “Great” and said it was even better that the legislation was supported by “the two biggest national faith education systems – The Catholics and the Church of England.”
McManus noted that all “faith schools must teach all aspects” of the new framework and described the Catholic school of which he was formerly a governor as “one of the most LGBT friendly places I’ve ever seen.”
Other faith communities in the U.K. have resisted the new education laws with Jewish leaders saying earlier this year that they will oppose educational authorities and not allow their schools to teach about homosexual and other “lifestyles” that are “prohibited by the Torah.” Muslim parents have been making headlines for months for opposing LGBT education in British schools.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-03--Our Lady foretold a terrible punishment akin to the coronavirus pandemic

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Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 4.3.2020. Today, Mother focuses on the prophesies of Our Lady of Akita and how they related to the coronavirus. You can read more about Our Lady of Akita here. She reminds us that we are called to penance especially now.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-03--Gender-confused males banned from competing in Idaho women’s sports

BOISE , Idaho , April 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – This week , Idaho Republican Gov .
Brad Little signed into law two bills putting biological reality ahead of gender ideology by ensuring birth certificates accurately record a resident ’ s actual sex and keeping gender-confused males from competing in female student athletics .
House Bill 500 forbids “ transgender females ” – i.e.
, males who “ identify ” as female – from competing against actual females in school athletic events .
If a student ’ s “ gender identity ” is disputed , the school may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genetic examination .
House Bill 509 forbids altering the sex listed on state birth certificates in the name of “ gender identity.
” Changes would only be allowed in order to correct errors in “ material fact at the time of birth , ” or to correct a “ clerical or data entry error.
” Little signed both bills into law Monday evening , Forbes reported .
“ Thank you Idaho for having the wherewithal to stand up and not allow boys to compete against girls , ” Yakima city councilman Jason White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m all for identifying however you please .
Heck , my hybrid Honda identifies as a Pruis and I ’ m OK with that , but it ’ s still a Honda.
” Transgenderism in athletics is a contentious issue across the country , with female athletes arguing that biological males ’ innate physical advantages unjustly impair their ability to earn not only competitive recognition , but also scholarships for their hard work .
Last June , the Journal of Medical Ethics published a paper concluding that “ healthy young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ muscle mass ( or power ) when their circulating testosterone levels were reduced to ( below International Olympic Committee guidelines ) for 20 weeks , ” and “ indirect effects of testosterone ” on factors such as bone structure , lung volume , and heart size “ will not be altered by hormone therapy.
” Therefore , “ the advantage to transwomen ( men ) afforded by the ( International Olympic Committee ) guidelines is an intolerable unfairness.
” Meanwhile , critics claim the birth certificate bill defies a 2018 court order forcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on birth certificates .
Idaho Senate Democrat Minority Leader Michelle Stennett complained that it is “ unconstitutional and will cost the state a lot of money in court because it could go to the U.S. Supreme Court.
” In fact , the Constitution contains no language that could be construed as dictating the record-keeping policies of state governments .
But that won ’ t matter if the LGBT lobby convinces the Supreme Court to reinterpret the 1964 Civil Rights Act ’ s ban on sex discrimination ( which was meant strictly as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drafters ) as extending to subjective “ gender identity .
”

BOISE, Idaho, April 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – This week, Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little signed into law two bills putting biological reality ahead of gender ideology by ensuring birth certificates accurately record a resident’s actual sex and keeping gender-confused males from competing in female student athletics.
House Bill 500 forbids “transgender females” – i.e., males who “identify” as female – from competing against actual females in school athletic events. If a student’s “gender identity” is disputed, the school may settle the matter with a physical and genetic examination.
House Bill 509 forbids altering the sex listed on state birth certificates in the name of “gender identity.” Changes would only be allowed in order to correct errors in “material fact at the time of birth,” or to correct a “clerical or data entry error.”
Little signed both bills into law Monday evening, Forbes reported.
“Thank you Idaho for having the wherewithal to stand up and not allow boys to compete against girls,” Yakima city councilman Jason White wrote in response to the news. “I’m all for identifying however you please. Heck, my hybrid Honda identifies as a Pruis and I’m OK with that, but it’s still a Honda.”
Transgenderism in athletics is a contentious issue across the country, with female athletes arguing that biological males’ innate physical advantages unjustly impair their ability to earn not only competitive recognition, but also scholarships for their hard work.
Last June, the Journal of Medical Ethics published a paper concluding that “healthy young men (do) not lose significant muscle mass (or power) when their circulating testosterone levels were reduced to (below International Olympic Committee guidelines) for 20 weeks,” and “indirect effects of testosterone” on factors such as bone structure, lung volume, and heart size “will not be altered by hormone therapy.” Therefore, “the advantage to transwomen (men) afforded by the (International Olympic Committee) guidelines is an intolerable unfairness.”
Meanwhile, critics claim the birth certificate bill defies a 2018 court order forcing Idaho to grant requests for sex changes on birth certificates. Idaho Senate Democrat Minority Leader Michelle Stennett complained that it is “unconstitutional and will cost the state a lot of money in court because it could go to the U.S. Supreme Court.”
In fact, the Constitution contains no language that could be construed as dictating the record-keeping policies of state governments. But that won’t matter if the LGBT lobby convinces the Supreme Court to reinterpret the 1964 Civil Rights Act’s ban on sex discrimination (which was meant strictly as a biological concept by the law’s drafters) as extending to subjective “gender identity.”
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