lifesitenews--2020-07-31--In preface to new book, Pope Francis supports govt’s COVID church shutdowns

The book , published in Italy by Libreria Editrice Vaticana , is entitled Communion and Hope : Witnessing Faith in the Times of Coronavirus in Italy .
For the Spanish-speaking market , it is called “ God in the Pandemic.
” A collection of essays , the volume was edited by Cardinal Kasper , 87 , and the Indo-German founder of the Walter Kasper Institute , Fr .
George Augustin , 64 .
Contributors include Archbishop Bruno Forte , the pro-LGBT theologian who introduced the issue of homosexuality at the Synod for the Family .
According to the Holy See @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francis likened the coronavirus pandemic to a sudden “ storm.
” “ Like a sudden breaking storm , the coronavirus crisis has caught us all by surprise , abruptly changing on a global level our personal , public , family and working lives , ” the pontiff wrote .
Francis noted that people had lost loved ones , jobs and financial stability .
He reflected also that Christians were unable to celebrate Easter in church and that many had not had recourse to the sacraments .
“ This dramatic situation highlights the vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it is by time and contingency , ” he wrote .
The pontiff saw a bright side to the pandemic in that it has helped people to contemplate what is truly important in life .
“ It reminds us that we have forgotten or simply delayed attending to some of the key issues in life , ” he wrote .
“ It is making us evaluate what is really important and necessary , and what is of secondary or only superficial importance.
” This “ time of trial ” is reorienting us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also reflected that it has made us aware of our dependence on others and our call to serve others and our “ gravely diseased planet.
” Vatican News reported that this year ’ s Easter , which most Catholics and other Christians spent at home , locked out of churches , led Pope Francis to reflect that the “ Easter message of Christ ’ s victory over death ... showed Christians that we can not remain paralyzed in the face of the pandemic.
” “ Easter brings us hope , trust and encouragement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strengthens our sense of solidarity .
It speaks to us of overcoming past rivalries so that we may see each other , above and beyond any differences , as members of one large family , where we bear each others ’ burdens . ''
Francis then compared the contagion of the disease to the “ contagion of love ” and expressed gratitude for the good deeds of medical professionals and priests during the pandemic .
Controversially , he supported governments ’ decision to ban the public celebration of Masses during the first months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholics had suffered a “ painful Eucharistic fast.
” Pope Francis also acknowledged that livestreamed Masses were “ no substitute for the living presence of the Lord in the celebration of the Eucharist ” and expressed his satisfaction that in many places , Catholics have been allowed to return to Mass in person .
“ The presence of the Risen Lord in His Word and through the celebration of the Eucharist will give us the strength we need to resolve the difficulties and challenges that we will face after the coronavirus crisis , @ @ @ @

The pontiff supported governments’ decision to ban Masses during the first months of the crisis while acknowledging that many Catholics had suffered a 'painful Eucharistic fast.'
VATICAN CITY, July 31, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― Pope Francis has contributed a preface to a book of personal reflections by Cardinal Walter Kasper, among others, about the COVID-19 pandemic.
The book, published in Italy by Libreria Editrice Vaticana, is entitled Communion and Hope: Witnessing Faith in the Times of Coronavirus in Italy. For the Spanish-speaking market, it is called “God in the Pandemic.” A collection of essays, the volume was edited by Cardinal Kasper, 87, and the Indo-German founder of the Walter Kasper Institute, Fr. George Augustin, 64.
Cardinal Walter Kasper is one of the cardinals believed to have backed the election of Jorge Bergoglio as pope in 2005 and then, successfully, in 2013. The German theologian, a former bishop of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, is known for his early advocacy of the admission of divorced and “remarried” Catholics to Holy Communion. He has more recently suggested that homosexual relationships are “analogous” to marriage.
Kasper is believed to exert a strong theological influence on Pope Francis. However, his strong opinions have led him into occasional embarrassments, such as his dismissal of the traditional views of the African bishops in 2014, and his declaration in 2010 that someone landing at London’s Heathrow airport might think they were in a “Third World country.”
Contributors to the new book include Archbishop Bruno Forte, the pro-LGBT theologian who introduced the issue of homosexuality at the Synod for the Family.
According to the Holy See’s own Vatican News, Pope Francis likened the coronavirus pandemic to a sudden “storm.”
“Like a sudden breaking storm, the coronavirus crisis has caught us all by surprise, abruptly changing on a global level our personal, public, family and working lives,” the pontiff wrote.
Francis noted that people had lost loved ones, jobs and financial stability. He reflected also that Christians were unable to celebrate Easter in church and that many had not had recourse to the sacraments.
“This dramatic situation highlights the vulnerable nature of our human condition, limited as it is by time and contingency,” he wrote.
The pontiff saw a bright side to the pandemic in that it has helped people to contemplate what is truly important in life.
“It reminds us that we have forgotten or simply delayed attending to some of the key issues in life,” he wrote.
“It is making us evaluate what is really important and necessary, and what is of secondary or only superficial importance.”
This “time of trial” is reorienting us toward God, Francis said. He also reflected that it has made us aware of our dependence on others and our call to serve others and our “gravely diseased planet.”
Previously Pope Francis has astonished Catholics by blaming the Covid 19 novel coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, on human mistreatment of the environment. In March, the Argentinian pontiff told a Spanish journalist that he believes the pandemic is nature “having a fit” in response to pollution.
During his dramatic Ubi et Orbi service on April 1, Pope Francis again connected the virus to environmental decline. He prayed aloud to God, “We did not stop at your reproach to us, we were not shaken awake by wars or injustice across the world, nor did we listen to the cry of the poor or of our ailing planet. We carried on regardless, thinking we would stay healthy in a world that was sick.”
Vatican News reported that this year’s Easter, which most Catholics and other Christians spent at home, locked out of churches, led Pope Francis to reflect that the “Easter message of Christ’s victory over death … showed Christians that we cannot remain paralyzed in the face of the pandemic.”
“Easter brings us hope, trust and encouragement,” he wrote.
“It strengthens our sense of solidarity. It speaks to us of overcoming past rivalries so that we may see each other, above and beyond any differences, as members of one large family, where we bear each others’ burdens.”
Francis then compared the contagion of the disease to the “contagion of love” and expressed gratitude for the good deeds of medical professionals and priests during the pandemic.
Pope Francis asserted that public Masses were not “possible” during the beginning of the pandemic.”
“The first phase of the corona virus, in which public celebrations of the Eucharist were not possible, represented for many Christians a time of a sorrowful Eucharistic fast.” Pope Francis also acknowledged that livestreamed Masses were “no substitute for the living presence of the Lord in the celebration of the Eucharist” and expressed his satisfaction that in many places, Catholics have been allowed to return to Mass in person.
“The presence of the Risen Lord in His Word and through the celebration of the Eucharist will give us the strength we need to resolve the difficulties and challenges that we will face after the coronavirus crisis,” he wrote.
Aug. 5, 2020 update: This report now includes additional information about Cardinal Kasper and the Pope’s previous statements about the pandemic.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-01--Trump ambassador insists to Congress: ‘No internationally recognized right to abortion’

WASHINGTON , D.C. , July 31 , 2020 ( C-Fam ) — Trump administration officials appeared at a hearing before the Subcommittee on National Security last week to provide Congressional members an update on the implementation of the Women , Peace and Security Act , passed by Congress and signed by President Trump in October 2017 .
Democrats and abortion rights advocates have sought to tarnish the President ’ s record advancing global women ’ s rights due to his Administration ’ s efforts to keep abortion out of international policy and programs .
“ While the Women , Peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper , the Trump Administration has repeatedly failed to demonstrate its commitment to defending the rights of women and girls by attacking access to sexual and reproductive health and sidelining women during conflict resolution and peace negotiations , ” said Congressman Stephen Lynch ( D-MA ) in his opening statement .
In June , the Trump Administration released implementation plans for the four departments responsible for administering the U.S. Women , Peace , and Security Strategy — Department of State , Department of Defense , the U.S. Agency for International Development and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials appeared at a virtual civil society event to roll out the new plans they declined a Congressional invitation by House Democrats due to White House procedures that witnesses appear in person .
This refusal prompted a letter to Secretaries of all four Agencies accusing them of “ obstruction ” and the Trump Administration of “ aggressively ” pursuing policies that conflict with its WPS Strategy .
The letter authored by the chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform committee Carolyn Maloney ( D-NY ) criticized Trump Administration efforts to remove the phrase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations documents and in the Security Council .
It cited the suspension of funding to the UN Population Fund and the recent peace deal negotiated between the United States and the Taliban as substantiation that President Trump fails to protect the rights of women and girls .
The subcommittee offered to accommodate with an in-person hearing with limited Members present .
Though the four Agency representatives laid out in detail efforts to advance women ’ s rights and protection through participation in conflict prevention and resolution , questions posed by Members focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all I want to clarify that there is no internationally recognized human right to an abortion .
That is not a recognized right , ” said Ambassador-at-Large Kelley Currie .
Currie , now presiding over the Global Women ’ s Issues Office , responded to a question from Congressman Harley Rouda ( D-CA ) who took issue with the Administration ’ s efforts to stymie the promotion of abortion through the UN system .
Currie attempted to cite U.S. law that prohibits U.S. taxpayer funds for coercive family planning to justify the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Population Fund but was interrupted by the California Congressman .
Rouda redirected the questioning to the restriction of contraception — another false accusation being made by reproductive rights advocates .
Currie responded that the Administration does not restrict access to contraception .
The U.S. is the largest provider of family planning assistance , she said and continues to do so through massive expenditures of bilateral and multilateral assistance .
The Republican ranking member of the subcommittee Glenn Grothman ( R-WI ) vocalized the preoccupation with “ reproduction ” by his Democratic colleagues .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there are some things in the United States I don ’ t think we should be proud of and I don ’ t think we should be exporting around the world.
” Grothman cited the permissive nature of U.S. abortion laws saying the U.S. is one of seven countries that allows an unfettered right to abortion .
In addition to the Trump Administration ’ s extensive work on Women , Peace and Security , Trump signed legislation that mandates USAID programming to promote gender equality and women ’ s empowerment and took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help economically empower 50 million women by 2025 .

Democrat congressmen in a recent hearing took issue with the Trump administration’s efforts to stymie the promotion of abortion through the U.N. system.
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 31, 2020 (C-Fam) — Trump administration officials appeared at a hearing before the Subcommittee on National Security last week to provide Congressional members an update on the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Trump in October 2017. Democrats and abortion rights advocates have sought to tarnish the President’s record advancing global women’s rights due to his Administration’s efforts to keep abortion out of international policy and programs.
“While the Women, Peace, and Security Strategy looks good on paper, the Trump Administration has repeatedly failed to demonstrate its commitment to defending the rights of women and girls by attacking access to sexual and reproductive health and sidelining women during conflict resolution and peace negotiations,” said Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-MA) in his opening statement.
In June, the Trump Administration released implementation plans for the four departments responsible for administering the U.S. Women, Peace, and Security Strategy — Department of State, Department of Defense, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of Homeland Security. While Administration officials appeared at a virtual civil society event to roll out the new plans they declined a Congressional invitation by House Democrats due to White House procedures that witnesses appear in person.
This refusal prompted a letter to Secretaries of all four Agencies accusing them of “obstruction” and the Trump Administration of “aggressively” pursuing policies that conflict with its WPS Strategy.
The letter authored by the chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform committee Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) criticized Trump Administration efforts to remove the phrase sexual and reproductive health in negotiated United Nations documents and in the Security Council. It cited the suspension of funding to the UN Population Fund and the recent peace deal negotiated between the United States and the Taliban as substantiation that President Trump fails to protect the rights of women and girls. The subcommittee offered to accommodate with an in-person hearing with limited Members present.
Though the four Agency representatives laid out in detail efforts to advance women’s rights and protection through participation in conflict prevention and resolution, questions posed by Members focused on sexual and reproductive health.
“First of all I want to clarify that there is no internationally recognized human right to an abortion. That is not a recognized right,” said Ambassador-at-Large Kelley Currie. Currie, now presiding over the Global Women’s Issues Office, responded to a question from Congressman Harley Rouda (D-CA) who took issue with the Administration’s efforts to stymie the promotion of abortion through the UN system.
Currie attempted to cite U.S. law that prohibits U.S. taxpayer funds for coercive family planning to justify the decision to withhold funding to the UN Population Fund but was interrupted by the California Congressman. Rouda redirected the questioning to the restriction of contraception — another false accusation being made by reproductive rights advocates.
Currie responded that the Administration does not restrict access to contraception. The U.S. is the largest provider of family planning assistance, she said and continues to do so through massive expenditures of bilateral and multilateral assistance.
The Republican ranking member of the subcommittee Glenn Grothman (R-WI) vocalized the preoccupation with “reproduction” by his Democratic colleagues. “And I’ll caution you, there are some things in the United States I don’t think we should be proud of and I don’t think we should be exporting around the world.” Grothman cited the permissive nature of U.S. abortion laws saying the U.S. is one of seven countries that allows an unfettered right to abortion.
In addition to the Trump Administration’s extensive work on Women, Peace and Security, Trump signed legislation that mandates USAID programming to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment and took executive action on a global initiative to help economically empower 50 million women by 2025.
Published with permission from C-Fam.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-01--US senator vows to vote for only Supreme Court nominees who will overturn abortion ruling

WASHINGTON , D.C. , July 31 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Republican Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri has vowed to make a Supreme Court nominee ’ s position on Roe v. Wade the litmus test for confirming him to the nation ’ s highest court .
The 1973 landmark ruling essentially imposed legal abortion across the country .
“ I will vote only for those Supreme Court nominees who have explicitly acknowledged that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided , ” Hawley said , emphasizing that any Supreme Court nominee must be on the record already before the nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assurances , ” the senator clarified .
“ I do not seek them .
I do not want forecasts about future votes or future behavior , because frankly , I wouldn ’ t believe them .
I don ’ t want promises of any sort.
” Instead , Hawley continued , “ I want evidence that Supreme Court nominees will obey the Constitution and the law .
I want to see in the record clear acknowledgment that a nominee understands Roe to be the travesty that it is .
If that record is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the nomination .
I don ’ t care who does the nominating.
” Hawley explained that recent Supreme Court decisions “ are a clarion call to wake up and to acknowledge what is staring us in the face .
Judicial imperialism is alive and well .
It is marching on undaunted .
For religious conservatives , these decisions are a call to action.
” According to the senator , who served as attorney general of Missouri until 2019 , it was Roe v. Wade “ that for religious conservatives made the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” At the same time , the conservative and Republican establishment does not want to talk about that case , Hawley pointed out .
“ ‘ Don ’ t mess up the Supreme Court nomination process by raising Roe !
It ’ s imprudent .
It ’ s in poor taste .
It will divide our coalition.
’ We ’ re supposed to stick to talk about process , about methods , maybe throw in some talk about umpires , but do not talk about Roe.
” URGENT PETITION : Tell the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sign the petition here .
Meanwhile , “ Roe is the reason we have a legal conservative movement to begin with .
Roe is what propelled generations of religious conservatives to vote for Republican Presidents.
” Hawley called out his party for having persuaded people to vote Republican in order to fix the abortion issue .
“ And yet , all these years later , eleven Republican-appointed justices later , here we are , ” he said .
“ The nation is apparently no closer to the day when the Supreme Court will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretensions , and allow the good and decent people of this nation to debate and decide this matter for ourselves.
” “ How long must this go on ?
” he asked rhetorically .
“ How many more elections must there be ?
How many more promises must be made ?
How many more justices must be appointed before we will expect of our nominees what the voters already expect of us ?
How long before we ask our nominees to the Supreme Court of the United States to recognize Roe as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explicitly numbered Roe v. Wade with two other wrong and immoral decisions of the Supreme Court : Dred Scott v. Sandford on withholding citizenship from black people , and Plessy v. Ferguson on having racially segregated public facilities .
The senator made not only the legal argument for the unconstitutionality and illegitimacy of Roe v. Wade , but also the moral argument , talking about what actually takes place during an abortion .
“ Every single life is worth fighting for , and I will not accept failure .
I will not accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that since 1973 , “ this moral and social injustice has taken the lives of 61 million unborn children.
” In June , after the Supreme Court ’ s ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County , Hawley had already taken to the Senate floor to decry “ the end of the conservative legal movement ” in a fiery speech .
Bostock v. Clayton County concluded — with “ conservative ” Justice Neil Gorsuch , a Trump appointee , writing the majority opinion — that “ sex discrimination ” in Title VII of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interpreted to mean “ sexual orientation ” and “ gender identity , ” in addition to its original biological meaning .
Hawley referred to the legal philosophies of textualism and originalism , by which a jurist interprets legal texts based on their ordinary meaning , as understood by regular citizens at the time the law was made .
He said that “ if you can invoke textualism and originalism in order to reach such a decision — an outcome that fundamentally changes the scope and meaning and application of statutory law — then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phrases don ’ t mean much at all.
” “ Evangelicals , conservative Catholics , conservative Jews : let ’ s be honest , they ’ re the ones who have been the core of the legal conservative effort , ” he said .
Now , however , it has become evident that “ the bargain that has been offered to religious conservatives for years now is a bad one .
It ’ s time to reject it.
” “ The bargain has never been explicitly articulated , ” Hawley admitted , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The bargain is that you go along with the party establishment , you support their policies and priorities — or at least keep your mouth shut about it — and , in return , the establishment will put some judges on the bench who supposedly will protect your constitutional rights to freedom of worship , to freedom of exercise.
” It is likely for the next president — whether it be Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Joe Biden — to nominate the next justice to the Supreme Court , given that 87-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been hospitalized several times this year .
In a Senate with only a small Republican majority , Hawley ’ s insistence on any nominee being on the record as willing to overturn Roe v. Wade could derail even a nomination by President Trump .
Trump nominees Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch both evaded questions on Roe v. Wade during their confirmation hearings .
“ As a general proposition , I understand the importance of the precedent set forth in Roe v. Wade , ” Kavanaugh said in 2018 .
Asked about an unborn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Roe v. Wade claimed , Gorsuch said in 2017 , “ That ’ s the law of the land .
I accept the law of the land , senator , yes .
”

'I will vote only for those Supreme Court nominees who have explicitly acknowledged that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided,' Missouri's Sen. Josh Hawley said.
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 31, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Republican Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri has vowed to make a Supreme Court nominee’s position on Roe v. Wade the litmus test for confirming him to the nation’s highest court. The 1973 landmark ruling essentially imposed legal abortion across the country.
“I will vote only for those Supreme Court nominees who have explicitly acknowledged that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided,” Hawley said, emphasizing that any Supreme Court nominee must be on the record already before the nomination.
“I do not want private assurances,” the senator clarified. “I do not seek them. I do not want forecasts about future votes or future behavior, because frankly, I wouldn’t believe them. I don’t want promises of any sort.”
Instead, Hawley continued, “I want evidence that Supreme Court nominees will obey the Constitution and the law. I want to see in the record clear acknowledgment that a nominee understands Roe to be the travesty that it is. If that record is not there, then I will not support the nomination. I don’t care who does the nominating.”
Hawley explained that recent Supreme Court decisions “are a clarion call to wake up and to acknowledge what is staring us in the face. Judicial imperialism is alive and well. It is marching on undaunted. For religious conservatives, these decisions are a call to action.”
According to the senator, who served as attorney general of Missouri until 2019, it was Roe v. Wade “that for religious conservatives made the Supreme Court the great issue of the day.”
At the same time, the conservative and Republican establishment does not want to talk about that case, Hawley pointed out. “‘Don’t mess up the Supreme Court nomination process by raising Roe! It’s imprudent. It’s in poor taste. It will divide our coalition.’ We’re supposed to stick to talk about process, about methods, maybe throw in some talk about umpires, but do not talk about Roe.”
URGENT PETITION: Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade! Sign the petition here.
Meanwhile, “Roe is the reason we have a legal conservative movement to begin with. Roe is what propelled generations of religious conservatives to vote for Republican Presidents.”
Hawley called out his party for having persuaded people to vote Republican in order to fix the abortion issue. “And yet, all these years later, eleven Republican-appointed justices later, here we are,” he said. “The nation is apparently no closer to the day when the Supreme Court will renounce this outrage, renounce its imperial pretensions, and allow the good and decent people of this nation to debate and decide this matter for ourselves.”
“How long must this go on?” he asked rhetorically. “How many more elections must there be? How many more promises must be made? How many more justices must be appointed before we will expect of our nominees what the voters already expect of us? How long before we ask our nominees to the Supreme Court of the United States to recognize Roe as the outrage that it is?”
Hawley explicitly numbered Roe v. Wade with two other wrong and immoral decisions of the Supreme Court: Dred Scott v. Sandford on withholding citizenship from black people, and Plessy v. Ferguson on having racially segregated public facilities.
The senator made not only the legal argument for the unconstitutionality and illegitimacy of Roe v. Wade, but also the moral argument, talking about what actually takes place during an abortion.
“Every single life is worth fighting for, and I will not accept failure. I will not accept defeat,” Hawley said. He added that since 1973, “this moral and social injustice has taken the lives of 61 million unborn children.”
In June, after the Supreme Court’s ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, Hawley had already taken to the Senate floor to decry “the end of the conservative legal movement” in a fiery speech.
Bostock v. Clayton County concluded — with “conservative” Justice Neil Gorsuch, a Trump appointee, writing the majority opinion — that “sex discrimination” in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act should be interpreted to mean “sexual orientation” and “gender identity,” in addition to its original biological meaning.
Hawley referred to the legal philosophies of textualism and originalism, by which a jurist interprets legal texts based on their ordinary meaning, as understood by regular citizens at the time the law was made.
He said that “if you can invoke textualism and originalism in order to reach such a decision — an outcome that fundamentally changes the scope and meaning and application of statutory law — then textualism and originalism and all of those phrases don’t mean much at all.”
“Evangelicals, conservative Catholics, conservative Jews: let’s be honest, they’re the ones who have been the core of the legal conservative effort,” he said.
Now, however, it has become evident that “the bargain that has been offered to religious conservatives for years now is a bad one. It’s time to reject it.”
“The bargain has never been explicitly articulated,” Hawley admitted, “but religious conservatives know what it is. The bargain is that you go along with the party establishment, you support their policies and priorities — or at least keep your mouth shut about it — and, in return, the establishment will put some judges on the bench who supposedly will protect your constitutional rights to freedom of worship, to freedom of exercise.”
It is likely for the next president — whether it be Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Joe Biden — to nominate the next justice to the Supreme Court, given that 87-year-old pro-abortion justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has already been hospitalized several times this year.
In a Senate with only a small Republican majority, Hawley’s insistence on any nominee being on the record as willing to overturn Roe v. Wade could derail even a nomination by President Trump.
Trump nominees Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch both evaded questions on Roe v. Wade during their confirmation hearings.
“As a general proposition, I understand the importance of the precedent set forth in Roe v. Wade,” Kavanaugh said in 2018. Asked about an unborn baby not being considered a person, as Roe v. Wade claimed, Gorsuch said in 2017, “That’s the law of the land. I accept the law of the land, senator, yes.”
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lifesitenews--2020-08-01--US archdiocese asks parishes to stop singing songs by renowned hymnist accused of sex abuse

LOS ANGELES , California , July 31 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has asked its parishes , schools , and ministries to no longer use music composed by David Haas while the prolific Catholic songwriter is being investigated for sexual misconduct .
The 63-year-old musician , who has been a popular fixture at the massive annual Los Angeles Religious Education Conference , has also been forbidden to perform within the archdiocese .
The composer of scores of popular liturgical songs , including “ You Are Mine , ” “ We Are Called , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been accused by several women of using his high-profile position within the world of Catholic music to groom and sexually abuse them .
Parishes , schools , and ministries of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are asked to refrain from using music composed by musician David Haas out of respect for those who have reported sexual misconduct by Mr. Haas .
The Archdiocese is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct described in recent media reports involving Mr. Haas , who was a performer at the Religious Education Congress .
The Archdiocese Office of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of misconduct , had not received reports of sexual misconduct by Mr. Haas prior to the June 2020 allegations reported in the media .
As part of the current investigation , the Archdiocese is looking into a past complaint of inappropriate interaction and/or communication by Mr. Haas with adult women .
The Archdiocese is also reviewing GIA Publications ’ announcement that it is suspending its relationship with Mr. Haas as his sponsor and publisher .
Mr. Haas is not authorized to perform in the Archdiocese pending the outcome of the investigation .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provides support for survivors of sexual and spiritual abuse within Chrisitan settings , Haas “ targeted multiple women using techniques that abuse prevention experts identify as grooming , to create conditions in which women felt obligated to perform sexual favors in exchange for professional opportunities.
” PETITION : Break up Big Tech tyrants and defend free speech !
Sign the petition here .
Into Account sent a letter to organizations warning them that they might serve as “ forums in which [ Haas ] encounters potential victims.
” The letter noted , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve received on Haas ’ s behavior constitutes a repeated , unethical abuse of the professional and spiritual power he has had in church music circles.
” “ The allegations we ’ ve received also contain a disturbing component of spiritual manipulation , ” continues the survivors ’ group ’ s communication .
“ Haas reportedly focuses attention on women with past histories of abuse , then uses the vulnerabilities created by trauma to create intimacy .
Multiple women have reported to us that Haas is skilled at making his targets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved , with a keen understanding of how that spiritual intimacy can then be exploited sexually.
” The L.A. archdiocese ’ s action follows a similar move by the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis , where Haas resides , which announced in a statement issued on June 14 : In 2018 the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis received two reports from another diocese that David Haas acted inappropriately with two adult women at an event in another state .
Both women complained that Haas ’ conduct made them feel uncomfortable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in 1987 , that Haas had made unwanted sexual advances toward a young adult woman .
In each instance , Haas denied that he engaged in inappropriate conduct .
After receiving the 2018 complaint , the Archdiocese informed Haas that it would not provide a letter of recommendation that Haas had requested .
Furthermore , we informed Haas that he was not allowed to provide services at Catholic institutions in the Archdiocese without disclosure of these complaints .
Unless we receive other information , we will continue this course of action .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saint Paul & Minneapolis issued its statement , prominent Catholic music publisher GIA Publications announced on Facebook that it had ended its relationship with Haas , revealing that it had not sponsored his work since late January .
“ Early this year we became aware of allegations of sexual misconduct by David Haas , ” stated the publisher .
New allegations of sexually abusive conduct by Mr. Haas continue to be reported.
” Catholic hymnal publisher OCP has also cut ties with Haas , saying it is “ profoundly disturbed ” by news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 2021 missals have already gone to print , we will determine the content of future publications in light of this situation , ” the publisher ’ s Facebook statement continued .
The Diocese of Jefferson City , Mo .
has announced a moratorium on music by Haas .

Pro-LGBT David Haas, behind popular hymns such as ‘You Are Mine’ and ‘Blest Are They,’ has been accused of grooming individuals for sexual abuse.
LOS ANGELES, California, July 31, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has asked its parishes, schools, and ministries to no longer use music composed by David Haas while the prolific Catholic songwriter is being investigated for sexual misconduct.
The 63-year-old musician, who has been a popular fixture at the massive annual Los Angeles Religious Education Conference, has also been forbidden to perform within the archdiocese.
The composer of scores of popular liturgical songs, including “You Are Mine,” “We Are Called,” and “Blest Are They,” has been accused by several women of using his high-profile position within the world of Catholic music to groom and sexually abuse them.
The archdiocesan statement announced:
Parishes, schools, and ministries of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are asked to refrain from using music composed by musician David Haas out of respect for those who have reported sexual misconduct by Mr. Haas. The Archdiocese is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct described in recent media reports involving Mr. Haas, who was a performer at the Religious Education Congress. The Archdiocese Office of Victims Assistance Ministry, which receives reports of misconduct, had not received reports of sexual misconduct by Mr. Haas prior to the June 2020 allegations reported in the media. As part of the current investigation, the Archdiocese is looking into a past complaint of inappropriate interaction and/or communication by Mr. Haas with adult women. The Archdiocese is also reviewing GIA Publications’ announcement that it is suspending its relationship with Mr. Haas as his sponsor and publisher. Mr. Haas is not authorized to perform in the Archdiocese pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to Into Account, a group that provides support for survivors of sexual and spiritual abuse within Chrisitan settings, Haas “targeted multiple women using techniques that abuse prevention experts identify as grooming, to create conditions in which women felt obligated to perform sexual favors in exchange for professional opportunities.”
PETITION: Break up Big Tech tyrants and defend free speech! Sign the petition here.
Into Account sent a letter to organizations warning them that they might serve as “forums in which [Haas] encounters potential victims.”
The letter noted, “The pattern that emerges from the reports we’ve received on Haas’s behavior constitutes a repeated, unethical abuse of the professional and spiritual power he has had in church music circles.”
“The allegations we’ve received also contain a disturbing component of spiritual manipulation,” continues the survivors’ group’s communication. “Haas reportedly focuses attention on women with past histories of abuse, then uses the vulnerabilities created by trauma to create intimacy. Multiple women have reported to us that Haas is skilled at making his targets feel spiritually affirmed, seen, and loved, with a keen understanding of how that spiritual intimacy can then be exploited sexually.”
The L.A. archdiocese’s action follows a similar move by the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis, where Haas resides, which announced in a statement issued on June 14:
In 2018 the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis received two reports from another diocese that David Haas acted inappropriately with two adult women at an event in another state. Both women complained that Haas’ conduct made them feel uncomfortable. The Archdiocese had received an earlier complaint, in 1987, that Haas had made unwanted sexual advances toward a young adult woman. In each instance, Haas denied that he engaged in inappropriate conduct. After receiving the 2018 complaint, the Archdiocese informed Haas that it would not provide a letter of recommendation that Haas had requested. Furthermore, we informed Haas that he was not allowed to provide services at Catholic institutions in the Archdiocese without disclosure of these complaints. Unless we receive other information, we will continue this course of action.
On the day before the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis issued its statement, prominent Catholic music publisher GIA Publications announced on Facebook that it had ended its relationship with Haas, revealing that it had not sponsored his work since late January.
“Early this year we became aware of allegations of sexual misconduct by David Haas,” stated the publisher. New allegations of sexually abusive conduct by Mr. Haas continue to be reported.”
Catholic hymnal publisher OCP has also cut ties with Haas, saying it is “profoundly disturbed” by news of the allegations.
“While OCP’s 2021 missals have already gone to print, we will determine the content of future publications in light of this situation,” the publisher’s Facebook statement continued.
The Diocese of Jefferson City, Mo. has announced a moratorium on music by Haas.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-01--Veteran journalist fights back after union tries to ‘cancel’ him for exposing Soros

CHICAGO , July 31 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A veteran journalist has refused to back down after he was publicly accused of “ religious bigotry ” for reporting on the connections between increases in violence around the U.S. and the political donations of globalist billionaire George Soros .
John Kass , who has spent 35 years working as a columnist and political reporter for the Chicago Tribune , has penned a defense of his July 22 article “ Something Grows in the Big Cities Run by Democrats : An Overwhelming Sense of Lawlessness ” after the Chicago Tribune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending an open letter to all Tribune staff arguing that Kass “ does not deserve a mainstream voice , especially at a time when hate crimes are rising.
” Kass ’ s article highlighted that “ President Donald Trump is sending federal law enforcement into the big cities run by Democratic mayors , where murder and gang shootings are out of control ” and that “ these Democratic cities are also where left-wing billionaire George Soros has spent millions of dollars to help elect liberal social justice warriors as prosecutors.
” The Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an “ odious , anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that billionaire George Soros is a puppet master controlling America ’ s big cities.
” But Kass has pointed out that his article “ did not mention Soros ’ ethnicity or religion ” and that “ Soros ’ influence on these races is undeniable and has been widely reported.
” Kass makes the point that Soros ’ s political donations are not a secret , much less a “ conspiracy theory , ” before highlighting some of the recent coverage of Soros ’ s investments in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with those less able than he is to stand up to the ever-increasing censorship of proponents of “ cancel culture.
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“ Most people subjected to cancel culture don ’ t have a voice , ” he writes .
“ They ’ re afraid .
They have no platform .
When they ’ re shouted down , they ’ re expected to grovel .
After the groveling , comes social isolation .
Then they are swept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for writing about Soros .
I will not bow to those who ’ ve wrongly defamed me .
I will continue writing my column.
” Earlier this month , the George Soros–founded Open Society Foundations announced that it is investing $ 220 million in “ Black-led justice organizations ” that among themselves call for defunding the police and mass mail-in voting and express support for the riots that have swept across the country following the death of George Floyd .
His Open Society Foundations spend almost $ 1 billion annually in 100 different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year funding the left-wing American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) , the leading abortion company Planned Parenthood , and other liberal groups .
Last year , he invested $ 5.1 million in a super-PAC dedicated to funding groups working against Trump ’ s re-election .

CHICAGO, July 31, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A veteran journalist has refused to back down after he was publicly accused of “religious bigotry” for reporting on the connections between increases in violence around the U.S. and the political donations of globalist billionaire George Soros.
John Kass, who has spent 35 years working as a columnist and political reporter for the Chicago Tribune, has penned a defense of his July 22 article “Something Grows in the Big Cities Run by Democrats: An Overwhelming Sense of Lawlessness” after the Chicago Tribune Union Guild reacted to the article by sending an open letter to all Tribune staff arguing that Kass “does not deserve a mainstream voice, especially at a time when hate crimes are rising.”
Kass’s article highlighted that “President Donald Trump is sending federal law enforcement into the big cities run by Democratic mayors, where murder and gang shootings are out of control” and that “these Democratic cities are also where left-wing billionaire George Soros has spent millions of dollars to help elect liberal social justice warriors as prosecutors.”
The Chicago Tribune Union Guild accused him of writing an “odious, anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that billionaire George Soros is a puppet master controlling America’s big cities.”
But Kass has pointed out that his article “did not mention Soros’ ethnicity or religion” and that “Soros’ influence on these races is undeniable and has been widely reported.”
Kass makes the point that Soros’s political donations are not a secret, much less a “conspiracy theory,” before highlighting some of the recent coverage of Soros’s investments in mainstream media outlets.
Kass expressed sympathy with those less able than he is to stand up to the ever-increasing censorship of proponents of “cancel culture.”
PETITION: Break up Big Tech tyrants and defend free speech! Sign the petition here.
“Most people subjected to cancel culture don’t have a voice,” he writes. “They’re afraid. They have no platform. When they’re shouted down, they’re expected to grovel. After the groveling, comes social isolation. Then they are swept away.”
“But I have a newspaper column,” he continues.
“I will not apologize for writing about Soros. I will not bow to those who’ve wrongly defamed me. I will continue writing my column.”
Earlier this month, the George Soros–founded Open Society Foundations announced that it is investing $220 million in “Black-led justice organizations” that among themselves call for defunding the police and mass mail-in voting and express support for the riots that have swept across the country following the death of George Floyd.
His Open Society Foundations spend almost $1 billion annually in 100 different countries, including $150 million per year funding the left-wing American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the leading abortion company Planned Parenthood, and other liberal groups.
Last year, he invested $5.1 million in a super-PAC dedicated to funding groups working against Trump’s re-election.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-01--Respected Vaticanist: Pope Francis’ successor will most likely be ‘more conservative’

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ROME , Italy , July 31 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― A leading Vaticanist predicts that Pope Francis ’ successor will be a “ more conservative ” pope .
Edward Pentin , British journalist and author of the new book The Next Pope : The Leading Cardinal Candidates , told EWTN ’ s Raymond Arroyo last night that a College of Cardinals filled with Francis ’ own choices does not necessarily mean the continuation of his policies in the next papacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( the new Cardinals ) come from the peripheries adds an interesting element , a surprising element , perhaps , ” Pentin told the “ World Over ” host .
“ The Global South , where these new cardinals come from , tends to be more conservative.
” Pentin added that whether one of these cardinals , if elected pope , would have to follow Francis ’ “ more progressive line ” is “ unclear and perhaps not likely.
” “ I think , as the Roman saying goes , a fat pope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we may well get the pendulum swinging back towards a more conservative pope , as that ’ s what usually happens , ” he said .
“ That is likely to happen.
” Pentin ’ s 700-plus page book gives an in-depth look at the 19 men he believes are the current front-runners for the papacy among the 124 cardinals eligible to vote .
The author told Arroyo that the cardinals were chosen for their reputation for sanctity , teaching , fame , and having been mentioned by others as potential candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the 19 cardinals in relation to the three offices of every bishop : sanctifying , teaching , and governing .
“ We looked at those three areas to see if they were qualified in these areas , ” he said .
“ Each profile in the book we divided into those three offices , and I think you get an idea into how they fare … ” One of the frontrunners is Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea .
Arroyo noted that if Sarah is elected , he will be the first African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Pentin said Sarah is seen not so much as an opponent of Pope Francis but as a prophetic voice .
“ A lot of people here and elsewhere see him very much as a prophetic voice , ” he told Arroyo .
“ Someone who is speaking very much to the people at a time when the Church doesn ’ t have so much of a strong voice.
” Pentin indicated that Sarah ’ s willingness to speak “ against the spirit of the times ” has found favor with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lay faithful as well who feel that ’ s needed now.
” Cardinal Pietro Parolin , the Vatican Secretary of State , is also considered a frontrunner despite being connected with a Vatican financial scandal and the Holy See ’ s secret agreement with China .
Pentin explained that this is because , after the “ turbulence ” of the Francis years , cardinals may want to go back to a known quantity , an Italian senior cardinal .
“ Being Secretary of State does give him that sort of seniority and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been other previous Secretaries of State who have gone on to become pope , ” Pentin said .
“ We felt that he had a certain likelihood of being chosen because of that.
” Parolin is very respected for his diplomatic career , especially among diplomats in Vatican City , but Pentin acknowledged that there are “ big marks against ” the cardinal ’ s name because of the financial scandals and the China accord .
He believes , however , that it ’ s hard to say that Parolin is responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to execute the orders of Pope Francis .
Cardinal Luis Tagle , the former Archbishop of Manila , is also in the running , having appeared to be quite popular during the Youth Synod .
Moreover , he is a known favorite of Pope Francis .
“ He does have the quality of appealing to the youth , but there are obviously some concerns about him , too , which I have put in the book , ” Pentin said .
These include Tagle ’ s murkiness on some aspects of moral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Bologna School ” of thinkers who see Vatican II as a “ progressive ” council .
Pentin brushed off potential criticism that publishing a book now about the next conclave is disrespectful to the current , very much alive , pontiff by pointing out that cardinals need in-depth knowledge about each other in advance .
“ There ’ s been criticism in the past that the College of Cardinals don ’ t really know their brother cardinals very well , and they get placed in this conclave where they really don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the author explained .
“ They ’ re not equipped to know who to vote for , and we heard this at the last Conclave.
” The Cardinals ’ lack of familiarity with each other has been “ exacerbated , ” Pentin said , by Pope Francis ’ decision to do away with the usual pre-consistory meetings before new cardinals are made .
“ Usually cardinals got to know each other quite well ( at them ) , and those have now gone , so there ’ s no real mechanism for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
The author pointed out that conclaves happen very quickly after they are announced , and that does not give anyone enough time to research potential candidates .
“ That ’ s why we wanted to do it now , ” he concluded .

Edward Pentin said Francis’ choice of cardinals from the peripheries may swing the pendulum ‘back towards a more conservative pope.’
PETITION: Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden! Sign the petition here.
ROME, Italy, July 31, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― A leading Vaticanist predicts that Pope Francis’ successor will be a “more conservative” pope.
Edward Pentin, British journalist and author of the new book The Next Pope: The Leading Cardinal Candidates, told EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo last night that a College of Cardinals filled with Francis’ own choices does not necessarily mean the continuation of his policies in the next papacy.
“I think the fact that (the new Cardinals) come from the peripheries adds an interesting element, a surprising element, perhaps,” Pentin told the “World Over” host.
“The Global South, where these new cardinals come from, tends to be more conservative.”
Pentin added that whether one of these cardinals, if elected pope, would have to follow Francis’ “more progressive line” is “unclear and perhaps not likely.”
“I think, as the Roman saying goes, a fat pope follows a thin one, and I think we may well get the pendulum swinging back towards a more conservative pope, as that’s what usually happens,” he said.
“That is likely to happen.”
Pentin’s 700-plus page book gives an in-depth look at the 19 men he believes are the current front-runners for the papacy among the 124 cardinals eligible to vote. The author told Arroyo that the cardinals were chosen for their reputation for sanctity, teaching, fame, and having been mentioned by others as potential candidates. Pentin and his collaborators also looked at the 19 cardinals in relation to the three offices of every bishop: sanctifying, teaching, and governing.
“We looked at those three areas to see if they were qualified in these areas,” he said.
“Each profile in the book we divided into those three offices, and I think you get an idea into how they fare … ”
One of the frontrunners is Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea. Arroyo noted that if Sarah is elected, he will be the first African pope since Pope Gelasius I (492-496). Pentin said Sarah is seen not so much as an opponent of Pope Francis but as a prophetic voice.
“A lot of people here and elsewhere see him very much as a prophetic voice,” he told Arroyo.
“Someone who is speaking very much to the people at a time when the Church doesn’t have so much of a strong voice.”
Pentin indicated that Sarah’s willingness to speak “against the spirit of the times” has found favor with a “growing number of cardinals, bishops and lay faithful as well who feel that’s needed now.”
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, is also considered a frontrunner despite being connected with a Vatican financial scandal and the Holy See’s secret agreement with China. Pentin explained that this is because, after the “turbulence” of the Francis years, cardinals may want to go back to a known quantity, an Italian senior cardinal.
“Being Secretary of State does give him that sort of seniority and weight, of course, and there have been other previous Secretaries of State who have gone on to become pope,” Pentin said.
“We felt that he had a certain likelihood of being chosen because of that.”
Parolin is very respected for his diplomatic career, especially among diplomats in Vatican City, but Pentin acknowledged that there are “big marks against” the cardinal’s name because of the financial scandals and the China accord. He believes, however, that it’s hard to say that Parolin is responsible for these things, as his job is to execute the orders of Pope Francis.
Cardinal Luis Tagle, the former Archbishop of Manila, is also in the running, having appeared to be quite popular during the Youth Synod. Moreover, he is a known favorite of Pope Francis.
“He does have the quality of appealing to the youth, but there are obviously some concerns about him, too, which I have put in the book,” Pentin said.
These include Tagle’s murkiness on some aspects of moral teachings as well as belonging to the “Bologna School” of thinkers who see Vatican II as a “progressive” council.
Pentin brushed off potential criticism that publishing a book now about the next conclave is disrespectful to the current, very much alive, pontiff by pointing out that cardinals need in-depth knowledge about each other in advance.
“There’s been criticism in the past that the College of Cardinals don’t really know their brother cardinals very well, and they get placed in this conclave where they really don’t know who to vote for,” the author explained.
“They’re not equipped to know who to vote for, and we heard this at the last Conclave.”
The Cardinals’ lack of familiarity with each other has been “exacerbated,” Pentin said, by Pope Francis’ decision to do away with the usual pre-consistory meetings before new cardinals are made.
“Usually cardinals got to know each other quite well (at them), and those have now gone, so there’s no real mechanism for cardinals to get to know each other,” he added.
The author pointed out that conclaves happen very quickly after they are announced, and that does not give anyone enough time to research potential candidates.
“That’s why we wanted to do it now,” he concluded.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-01--San Francisco archbishop urges fasting, prayer to restore public worship in California

SAN FRANCISCO , California , July 31 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — With California ’ s governor continuing to ban indoor church services in many California counties with no end in sight , the archbishop of San Francisco has issued a call for prayer and fasting for the “ restoration of public worship unhindered.
” In his memo , he has asked the priests of his diocese to join him “ in being more personally spiritually engaged.
” “ It is my conviction that , with all that is going on in our society at this time , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spiritual level , ” said Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone , at the conclusion of a 1,300-word memo to priests of the archdiocese , published by Catholic San Francisco ( CSF ) .
“ In particular , in addition to adoration , we have to reclaim an authentic and serious spirit of fasting , ” continued the archbishop .
“ Fasting has traditionally been understood to mean no more than one meal in the course of a day .
I am asking you to join me in observing Friday as a day of fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow for it ) : please abstain from at least one meal on Fridays , and more than one if possible.
” “ Let us storm heaven with prayer and fasting for a restoration of public worship unhindered , for a swift end to this pandemic , for health care workers and researchers , and for government officials who must make very complicated decisions for the overall well-being of our communities , ” he urged .
The Catholic Church in San Francisco has been ostensibly under siege by state officials who have rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering public Masses , despite assurances of complying with the minutiae of safety protocols outlined by health officials .
As the spring pandemic lockdown turned into summer , and violent , destructive riots have seized American cities — including the City by the Bay — Archbishop Cordileone has in a public way shown that he views the Church as being under spiritual assault , requiring spiritual warfare in response .
Last month , after a monument to St. Junípero Serra in Golden Gate Park was toppled by a mob inspired by the Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small crowd to the site , where they prayed the rosary and he performed an exorcism ceremony .
Cordileone said the statue of St. Junípero Serra , which had stood there since 1907 , had been “ blasphemously torn down ” and that an “ act of sacrilege ” had occurred where they prayed .
He said the outrage was an “ act of the Evil One ” and that evil had “ made itself present ” at the site .
The reparation took the form of fasting and praying the rosary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael , as well as blessing the ravaged plinth and site with holy water .
“ We offer this prayer and bless the ground with holy water , so that God might purify it , sanctify it , so that we in return might be sanctified , ” Cordileone said .
“ This [ sacrilege ] is the activity of the Evil One , who wants to bring down the Church , who wants to bring down all Christian believers , ” the archbishop said .
“ So we have gathered together to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reparation , asking God ’ s mercy upon us , upon our whole city , that we might turn our hearts back to Him , ” he continued .
Cordileone asked that Catholics pray , fast , and learn about the history of St. Junípero Serra and the Catholic Church .
For over four months now we have been deprived of the usual way in which we Catholics keep holy the Sabbath .
As a sacramental Church , it is in our nature , indeed it is our very identity , to physically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Eucharist .
I ’ m sure that you , just as I , are very concerned about the long-term effects this will have on our people ’ s spiritual health .
As you might imagine , many people are giving me advice ( sometimes more like orders ! )
about what I should do , and it is often contradictory .
I detect no unified sense of how the Church should proceed in these unprecedented times .
Please know , though , that I have been working very hard over these past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local authorities in the City and County of San Francisco ( which still allows only outdoor gatherings with a limit of 12 ) that we can resume in-person worship services in a safe and responsible way .
I have spent countless hours in crafting communications and in telephone conversations and Zoom meetings with city officials , leading health specialists , legal experts , religious leaders and others , culminating in a Zoom meeting July 8thwith ( among others ) Mayor London Breed , San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón , and His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Metropolis of San Francisco ( as the various Eastern Orthodox congregations in San Francisco are also eager to resume their Divine Liturgy services ) .
By means of this memo , then , I would like to give you a brief overview my efforts in this regard , as well as some words of encouragement and guidance along with an invitation to join me in being more personally spiritually engaged .
All throughout these conversations , I have spoken of how we want to be partners with the City in caring for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and financial health , but mental and spiritual health as well – emphasizing , too , the many different ways in which we have been supporting our local government in the effort to stem the spread of the virus and come to the aid of those in need .
With regard to local health orders in San Francisco for reopening for public activities , I have pointed out the two separate considerations of indoor and outdoor services , comparing us to similar ( or even identical ) secular activities .
• The City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % capacity , but not allowed any indoor religious services at all .
The concern here from the perspective of health experts is that in a retail store , people enter to make a purchase and then leave , without spending much time indoors ; it is much riskier for a group of people to spend an extended period of time inside the same space .
However , at larger retail outlets it is quite possible for people to spend an hour or more in the store , while we can keep our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the employees in the store are indoors continuously for many hours at a time .
In addition , a church can be a much safer place than a retail store , because it is a more controlled environment : the people are stationary ; we can insure social distancing ; we can insure that people are wearing face coverings ; we can keep the doors open to allow air flow ; we can sanitize high touch areas between services .
• With regard to outdoor services , you are all well aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been allowed to continue unhindered , while the limit of no more than 12 people still applies to everyone else , including us .
Yet here again , an outdoor worship service is a much safer event than a protest , since the people are stationary , social distance is respected , and the participants are wearing masks .
Unfortunately , despite all of these efforts and explanations , and despite hearing words of approval for our Archdiocesan safety plan that was submitted to the City ’ s Recovery Task Force , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order in San Francisco .
Indeed , with counties now going on the state ’ s watch list and health orders changing rapidly , it is sometimes difficult to keep track of it all .
This is what resulted in the confusion that led to the City Attorney sending inspectors to conduct surveillance in our churches .
Thank you for the continued pastoral care you give to your people .
Please continue to do so , always in keeping with the local health orders of your county .
1 .
I would especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make Mass available to your people .
Given the limits on numbers that have been imposed on us , I am asking each priest ( except for the elderly and those with underlying health conditions ) to be willing to celebrate up to three Masses on a Sunday , as necessary to respond to the demand .
People who want to attend Mass will seek it out ; making more Masses available will minimize the risk that some Masses may become overcrowded with people having to be sent away .
Also , continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those parishes that have the capability , continue to livestream all Masses .
2 .
Please do your best to provide the other sacraments to your people as well , especially Reconciliation and Penance .
The safety protocols of the Archdiocese provide for a safe way that Confessions can be kept to a regular schedule .
3 .
Please bear in mind that , while we are preparing for a full return to public Masses in the safest way possible , some parishes , especially in the City of San Francisco , may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
4 .
Last but not least , please regularly remind people to follow the safety practices necessary to curb the spread of the virus .
This is real , it is dangerous , and it has to be taken seriously .
The resurgence is due in no small part to people becoming lax once the shelter-in-place rules began to be lifted .
Please urge these practices upon them ; absolutely do not give them the impression that the coronavirus is not a serious threat to the physical health of our community .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to observe the “ three W ’ s ” : • Wear a face covering ( it ’ s the simplest and most effective thing one can do ) ; • Watch your distance ( when in a group , keep six feet apart ) ; Allow me to end on a more positive note .
First of all , a truly happy one : as you know , this Saturday Deacons Ben Rosado and Ian El-Quito will be ordained priests , and so welcomed to the Presbyterate of our Archdiocese .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clergy can be present , it is a time of rejoicing for our Archdiocese , so I ask you to hold them in prayer on that day and to follow the Ordination Mass via livestream if you can .
Since we can not all be together on that day and welcome them in the usual way , please make an effort to reach out to them whenever that opportunity presents itself .
Please join in prayer as well for the deacons who will be ordained on the successive Saturdays ( transitional deacons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on August 15th ) .
Finally , it is my conviction that , with all that is going on in our society at this time , we need to redouble our efforts on the spiritual level .
In particular , in addition to adoration , we have to reclaim an authentic and serious spirit of fasting .
Fasting has traditionally been understood to mean no more than one meal in the course of a day .
I am asking you to join me in observing Friday as a day of fast ( unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ) : please abstain from at least one meal on Fridays , and more than one if possible .
Let us storm heaven with prayer and fasting for a restoration of public worship unhindered , for a swift end to this pandemic , for health care workers and researchers , and for government officials who must make very complicated decisions for the overall well-being of our communities .

SAN FRANCISCO, California, July 31, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — With California’s governor continuing to ban indoor church services in many California counties with no end in sight, the archbishop of San Francisco has issued a call for prayer and fasting for the “restoration of public worship unhindered.”
In his memo, he has asked the priests of his diocese to join him “in being more personally spiritually engaged.”
“It is my conviction that, with all that is going on in our society at this time, we need to redouble our efforts on the spiritual level,” said Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, at the conclusion of a 1,300-word memo to priests of the archdiocese, published by Catholic San Francisco (CSF).
“In particular, in addition to adoration, we have to reclaim an authentic and serious spirit of fasting,” continued the archbishop. “Fasting has traditionally been understood to mean no more than one meal in the course of a day. I am asking you to join me in observing Friday as a day of fast (unless your health condition cannot allow for it): please abstain from at least one meal on Fridays, and more than one if possible.”
“Let us storm heaven with prayer and fasting for a restoration of public worship unhindered, for a swift end to this pandemic, for health care workers and researchers, and for government officials who must make very complicated decisions for the overall well-being of our communities,” he urged.
The Catholic Church in San Francisco has been ostensibly under siege by state officials who have rejected the archdiocese’s plans to begin offering public Masses, despite assurances of complying with the minutiae of safety protocols outlined by health officials.
As the spring pandemic lockdown turned into summer, and violent, destructive riots have seized American cities — including the City by the Bay — Archbishop Cordileone has in a public way shown that he views the Church as being under spiritual assault, requiring spiritual warfare in response.
Last month, after a monument to St. Junípero Serra in Golden Gate Park was toppled by a mob inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, Cordileone led a small crowd to the site, where they prayed the rosary and he performed an exorcism ceremony.
Cordileone said the statue of St. Junípero Serra, which had stood there since 1907, had been “blasphemously torn down” and that an “act of sacrilege” had occurred where they prayed. He said the outrage was an “act of the Evil One” and that evil had “made itself present” at the site.
The reparation took the form of fasting and praying the rosary and the prayer for the intercession of Saint Michael, as well as blessing the ravaged plinth and site with holy water.
“We offer this prayer and bless the ground with holy water, so that God might purify it, sanctify it, so that we in return might be sanctified,” Cordileone said.
“This [sacrilege] is the activity of the Evil One, who wants to bring down the Church, who wants to bring down all Christian believers,” the archbishop said.
“So we have gathered together to pray to God in an act of reparation, asking God’s mercy upon us, upon our whole city, that we might turn our hearts back to Him,” he continued.
Cordileone asked that Catholics pray, fast, and learn about the history of St. Junípero Serra and the Catholic Church.
* * *
Complete text of Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone’s statement, published by Catholic San Francisco (CSF):
July 30, 2020
For over four months now we have been deprived of the usual way in which we Catholics keep holy the Sabbath. As a sacramental Church, it is in our nature, indeed it is our very identity, to physically gather together to worship and share in the Eucharist. I’m sure that you, just as I, are very concerned about the long-term effects this will have on our people’s spiritual health.
As you might imagine, many people are giving me advice (sometimes more like orders!) about what I should do, and it is often contradictory. I detect no unified sense of how the Church should proceed in these unprecedented times. Please know, though, that I have been working very hard over these past several months to try to convince our local authorities in the City and County of San Francisco (which still allows only outdoor gatherings with a limit of 12) that we can resume in-person worship services in a safe and responsible way. I have spent countless hours in crafting communications and in telephone conversations and Zoom meetings with city officials, leading health specialists, legal experts, religious leaders and others, culminating in a Zoom meeting July 8thwith (among others) Mayor London Breed, San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón, and His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco (as the various Eastern Orthodox congregations in San Francisco are also eager to resume their Divine Liturgy services).
By means of this memo, then, I would like to give you a brief overview my efforts in this regard, as well as some words of encouragement and guidance along with an invitation to join me in being more personally spiritually engaged.
Review of the Situation
All throughout these conversations, I have spoken of how we want to be partners with the City in caring for our people – not just for their physical and financial health, but mental and spiritual health as well – emphasizing, too, the many different ways in which we have been supporting our local government in the effort to stem the spread of the virus and come to the aid of those in need.
With regard to local health orders in San Francisco for reopening for public activities, I have pointed out the two separate considerations of indoor and outdoor services, comparing us to similar (or even identical) secular activities.
The City had been allowing indoor retail at 50% capacity, but not allowed any indoor religious services at all. The concern here from the perspective of health experts is that in a retail store, people enter to make a purchase and then leave, without spending much time indoors; it is much riskier for a group of people to spend an extended period of time inside the same space. However, at larger retail outlets it is quite possible for people to spend an hour or more in the store, while we can keep our services to under an hour; moreover, the employees in the store are indoors continuously for many hours at a time. In addition, a church can be a much safer place than a retail store, because it is a more controlled environment: the people are stationary; we can insure social distancing; we can insure that people are wearing face coverings; we can keep the doors open to allow air flow; we can sanitize high touch areas between services. With regard to outdoor services, you are all well aware that pre-planned and scheduled street protests have been allowed to continue unhindered, while the limit of no more than 12 people still applies to everyone else, including us. Yet here again, an outdoor worship service is a much safer event than a protest, since the people are stationary, social distance is respected, and the participants are wearing masks.
Unfortunately, despite all of these efforts and explanations, and despite hearing words of approval for our Archdiocesan safety plan that was submitted to the City’s Recovery Task Force, there has been no change in the health order in San Francisco. Indeed, with counties now going on the state’s watch list and health orders changing rapidly, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of it all. This is what resulted in the confusion that led to the City Attorney sending inspectors to conduct surveillance in our churches.
Pastoral Care for Our People
Thank you for the continued pastoral care you give to your people. Please continue to do so, always in keeping with the local health orders of your county.
1. I would especially ask you to do everything possible to make Mass available to your people. Given the limits on numbers that have been imposed on us, I am asking each priest (except for the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) to be willing to celebrate up to three Masses on a Sunday, as necessary to respond to the demand. People who want to attend Mass will seek it out; making more Masses available will minimize the risk that some Masses may become overcrowded with people having to be sent away. Also, continue to celebrate daily Mass, and for those parishes that have the capability, continue to livestream all Masses.
2. Please do your best to provide the other sacraments to your people as well, especially Reconciliation and Penance. The safety protocols of the Archdiocese provide for a safe way that Confessions can be kept to a regular schedule.
3. Please bear in mind that, while we are preparing for a full return to public Masses in the safest way possible, some parishes, especially in the City of San Francisco, may be under added scrutiny at this time.
4. Last but not least, please regularly remind people to follow the safety practices necessary to curb the spread of the virus. This is real, it is dangerous, and it has to be taken seriously. The resurgence is due in no small part to people becoming lax once the shelter-in-place rules began to be lifted. Please urge these practices upon them; absolutely do not give them the impression that the coronavirus is not a serious threat to the physical health of our community. In particular, please regularly remind your people to observe the “three W’s”:
Wear a face covering (it’s the simplest and most effective thing one can do);
Watch your distance (when in a group, keep six feet apart);
Wash your hands.
Prayer and Fasting
Allow me to end on a more positive note. First of all, a truly happy one: as you know, this Saturday Deacons Ben Rosado and Ian El-Quito will be ordained priests, and so welcomed to the Presbyterate of our Archdiocese. While only a small representative group of the clergy can be present, it is a time of rejoicing for our Archdiocese, so I ask you to hold them in prayer on that day and to follow the Ordination Mass via livestream if you can. Since we cannot all be together on that day and welcome them in the usual way, please make an effort to reach out to them whenever that opportunity presents itself. Please join in prayer as well for the deacons who will be ordained on the successive Saturdays (transitional deacons on August 8th, and permanent deacons on August 15th).
Finally, it is my conviction that, with all that is going on in our society at this time, we need to redouble our efforts on the spiritual level. In particular, in addition to adoration, we have to reclaim an authentic and serious spirit of fasting. Fasting has traditionally been understood to mean no more than one meal in the course of a day. I am asking you to join me in observing Friday as a day of fast (unless your health condition cannot allow for it): please abstain from at least one meal on Fridays, and more than one if possible. Let us storm heaven with prayer and fasting for a restoration of public worship unhindered, for a swift end to this pandemic, for health care workers and researchers, and for government officials who must make very complicated decisions for the overall well-being of our communities.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-01--China hacks Vatican ahead of negotiations to extend secret Vatican/China deal

PETITION : Break up Big Tech tyrants and defend free speech !
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ROME , Italy , July 31 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A group of cybersecurity experts discovered that Chinese hackers , likely operating on behalf of Communist authorities , infiltrated and spied on the Vatican for months .
The breach in security was discovered ahead of negotiations to extend the controversial secret deal between the Vatican and China .
“ From early May 2020 , ( t ) he Vatican and the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong were among several Catholic Church-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Chinese-state sponsored threat activity group , ” reported Recorded Future , a U.S.-based cybersecurity company .
Recorded Future was founded in 2009 , aiming to predict future events by looking at data found online .
The company “ monitors tens of thousands of websites , blogs and Twitter accounts in real time in order to find patterns , events and relationships that may predict the future , ” explained Juan Gonzalez for Democracy Now !
in 2010 .
According to the 21-page report on China and the Vatican released Tuesday , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted the Hong Kong Study Mission to China and the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions ( PIME ) , Italy .
These organizations have not been publicly reported as targets of Chinese threat activity groups prior to this campaign.
” “ These network intrusions occured ( sic ) ahead of the anticipated September 2020 renewal of the landmark 2018 China-Vatican provisional agreement , a deal which reportedly resulted in the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) gaining more control and oversight over the country ’ s historically persecuted ‘ underground ’ Catholic community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition to the Holy See itself , another likely target of the campaign includes the current head of the Hong Kong Study Mission to China ( Javier Herrera Corona ) , whose predecessor ( Ante Jozić ) was considered to have played a vital role in the 2018 agreement.
” The cybersecurity experts also speculated on what China could have gained by hacking the Vatican and various other Catholic institutions .
“ The suspected intrusion into the Vatican would offer RedDelta insight into the negotiating position of the Holy See ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” according to Recorded Future .
“ The targeting of the Hong Kong Study Mission and its Catholic Diocese could also provide a valuable intelligence source for both monitoring the diocese ’ s relations with the Vatican and its position on Hong Kong ’ s pro-democracy movement amidst widespread protests and the recent sweeping Hong Kong national security law.
” Recorded Future ’ s detailed and very technical report came away with the judgment that targeting Catholic institutions “ is likely indicative of CCP objectives in consolidating control over the ‘ underground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ in China , and diminishing the perceived influence of the Vatican within China ’ s Catholic community.
” Additionally , although not able to say this with absolute certainty , Recorded Future believes the group of hackers “ likely operates on behalf of the People ’ s Republic of China ( PRC ) government.
” The Chinese government is not using the internet just for hacking attacks on Catholic institutions .
It is also known to use digital technology – partly made by American companies – to target and repress religious groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by foreign policy expert Chris Meserole during a hearing of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom last Wednesday .
While religious persecution has always been a part of communist China , new technologies have made “ that repression far more effective , ” said Meserole , who works with the Brookings Institution and teaches at Georgetown University .
He explained that previously the government was generally only able to “ to repress public forms of religious organizations , practices , identities , and beliefs , particularly in urban areas.
” Religion practiced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand , was relatively safe .
“ Digital technologies have changed that , ” Meserole argued .
“ As processors , sensors , and cameras have proliferated , the extent of religious life that the CCP can surveil has expanded dramatically.
” “ Video and audio surveillance of public mosques , churches , and temples has exploded , ” he pointed out .
“ Rather than simply shut down a religious school or house of worship , authorities can monitor all activity and individuals within those facilities and sanction undesired behavior or individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meserole said , the government recently shut down a church in Beijing for refusing to install video surveillance equipment in the building .
Digital technologies also help the government to target underground religious organizations and networks , he continued .
“ From video feeds to GPS tracking , authorities have greater ability to detect religious groups that meet and operate covertly.
” “ In Xinjiang , for instance , smartphone location data , vehicle location data , checkpoint logs , facial recognition technology , and video feeds from buses , streets , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when individuals in the same religious network meet together covertly , potentially even in real time.
” A report by the U.S. government released in January 2020 found that the “ intensity ” of religious persecution , which has not been seen “ since the Cultural Revolution , ” was linked to the Vatican signing a secret deal with the Chinese communist government to give the government more power over the Church in the country .
Cardinal Joseph Zen , the former bishop of Hong Kong , is the most outspoken critic of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Already in early 2018 , he said , “ It ’ s obvious .
They are delivering the whole administration of the Church into the hands of the so-called ‘ Patriotic Association , ’ which is just a puppet in the hands of the government .
And so it ’ s a complete surrender .
It ’ s incredible .
”

Chinese hackers, likely on behalf of the communist Chinese government, have spied on the Vatican for months, says the report.
ROME, Italy, July 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A group of cybersecurity experts has found out that Chinese hackers, likely on behalf of the communist Chinese government, have spied on the Vatican for months. The breach in security was discovered ahead of negotiations to extend the controversial secret deal between the Vatican and China on the nomination of bishops.
“From early May 2020, [t]he Vatican and the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong were among several Catholic Church-related organizations that were targeted by RedDelta, a Chinese-state sponsored threat activity group,” reported Recorded Future, a U.S.-based cybersecurity company.
Recorded Future was founded in 2009, aiming to predict future events by looking at data found online. The company “monitors tens of thousands of websites, blogs and Twitter accounts in real time in order to find patterns, events and relationships that may predict the future,” explained Juan Gonzalez for Democracy Now! in 2010.
According to the 21-page report on China and the Vatican released on Tuesday, “This series of suspected network intrusions also targeted the Hong Kong Study Mission to China and the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), Italy. These organizations have not been publicly reported as targets of Chinese threat activity groups prior to this campaign.”
“These network intrusions occured [sic] ahead of the anticipated September 2020 renewal of the landmark 2018 China-Vatican provisional agreement, a deal which reportedly resulted in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) gaining more control and oversight over the country’s historically persecuted ‘underground’ Catholic community,” Recorded Future stated.
“In addition to the Holy See itself, another likely target of the campaign includes the current head of the Hong Kong Study Mission to China [Javier Herrera Corona], whose predecessor [Ante Jozić] was considered to have played a vital role in the 2018 agreement.”
The cybersecurity experts also speculated on what China could have gained by hacking the Vatican and various other Catholic institutions.
“The suspected intrusion into the Vatican would offer RedDelta insight into the negotiating position of the Holy See ahead of the deal’s September 2020 renewal,” according to Recorded Future. “The targeting of the Hong Kong Study Mission and its Catholic Diocese could also provide a valuable intelligence source for both monitoring the diocese’s relations with the Vatican and its position on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement amidst widespread protests and the recent sweeping Hong Kong national security law.”
Recorded Future’s detailed and very technical report came away with the judgment that targeting Catholic institutions “is likely indicative of CCP objectives in consolidating control over the ‘underground’ Catholic church, ‘sinicizing religions’ in China, and diminishing the perceived influence of the Vatican within China’s Catholic community.”
Additionally, although not able to say this with absolute certainty, Recorded Future believes that the group of hackers “likely operates on behalf of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) government.”
The Chinese government is using the internet not only for hacking attacks on Catholic institutions. It is also known to use digital technology – partly made by American companies – to target and repress religious groups more than ever before, as explained by foreign policy expert Chris Meserole during a hearing of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom last Wednesday.
While religious persecution has always been a part of communist China, new technologies have made “that repression far more effective,” said Meserole, who works with the Brookings Institution and teaches at Georgetown University.
He explained that formerly, the government was generally only able to “to repress public forms of religious organizations, practices, identities, and beliefs, particularly in urban areas.” Religion practiced privately at home, on the other hand, was relatively safe.
“Digital technologies have changed that,” argued Meserole. “As processors, sensors, and cameras have proliferated, the extent of religious life that the CCP can surveil has expanded dramatically.”
“Video and audio surveillance of public mosques, churches, and temples has exploded,” he pointed out. “Rather than simply shut down a religious school or house of worship, authorities can monitor all activity and individuals within those facilities and sanction undesired behavior or individuals with greater specificity.”
In fact, Meserole said, the government recently shut down a church in Beijing for refusing to install video surveillance equipment in the building.
Digital technologies also help the government to target underground religious organizations and networks, he continued. “From video feeds to GPS tracking, authorities have greater ability to detect religious groups that meet and operate covertly.”
“In Xinjiang, for instance, smartphone location data, vehicle location data, checkpoint logs, facial recognition technology, and video feeds from buses, streets, and drones, can be used to identify when individuals in the same religious network meet together covertly, potentially even in real-time.”
A report by the U.S. government released in January 2020 found that the “intensity” of religious persecution, which has not been seen “since the Cultural Revolution,” was linked to the Vatican signing a secret deal with the Chinese communist government to give the government more power over the Church in the country.
Cardinal Joseph Zen, the former bishop of Hong Kong, is the most outspoken critic of the Vatican’s China deal. Already in early 2018, he said, “It’s obvious. They are delivering the whole administration of the Church into the hands of the so-called ‘Patriotic Association,’ which is just a puppet in the hands of the government. And so it’s a complete surrender. It’s incredible.”
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