lifesitenews--2020-02-12--How this Russian political prisoner predicted the moral decline of the West

February 12 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn was a renowned Russian novelist , political prisoner , historian , and philosopher .
Jonathon Van Maren calls him one of the greatest authors of the 20th century .
Solzhenitsyn is well-known for his work detailing his time as a political prisoner and exposing the inner workings of the Russian political machine , the Secret Police , and much more .
Solzhenitsyn died in 2008 , but his wisdom and experience can provide guidance to all of us as we navigate the morphing of governments around the world into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today ’ s episode of The Van Maren Show , Jonathon Van Maren speaks with Joseph Pearce , a man who became quite close to Solzhenitsyn as he wrote his biography .
Pearce shares his stories of Solzhenitsyn and his wisdom that may help save society .
Pope St. John Paul II , Ronald Reagan , and Margaret Thatcher may have been the political giants who helped to take down communism , but Pearce argues that Solzhenitsyn was responsible for helping people all across the West and the Soviet Union understand the ethical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his youth , Solzhenitsyn was a faithful member of the Soviet Union .
That changed with his arrest for “ criticizing ” Stalin , quite mildly , in “ private ” correspondence to a friend .
His arrest and being sent to the Gulag Archipelago , a forced labor prison camp , gave him an inside look at the Soviet Union .
His experiences made him one of the strongest opponents of the Soviet Union .
Solzhenitsyn sees his arrest and a few other moments of suffering in his life as major points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened during his time in the gulag when he was diagnosed with what was believed to be terminal cancer .
This triggered his conversion to Russian Orthodoxy from atheism .
After being released from the gulag after seven years of hard labor , Solzhenitsyn wrote The Gulag Archipelago and won a Nobel Peace Prize .
His writings were so successful at exposing the evils of communism that they were banned in Russia and he became the target of a KGB assassination attempt .
He miraculously survived being poisoned by the same toxins that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dissenters and was exiled from Russia in 1974 .
Van Maren and Pearce explore how Solzhenitsyn ’ s work and philosophy can be applied today .
“ We are actually living in tyrannical times .
It is basically impossible now for someone who believes what humanity always believed about humanity to actually have a position in a secular university or college .
They will be fired , ” Pearce tells Van Maren .
The “ lip service ” that society now expects people to pay to the LGBT cause , pro-abortion activists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soviet communism .
And the similarities don ’ t end at universities and in relation to speech , but are permeating all areas of society as citizens are told we must affirm that men can “ get pregnant ” or a woman can “ have a penis.
” Pearce and Van Maren both point to Solzhenitsyn as a source of strength and inspiration for those who want to fight back against this insane tyranny .
Solzhenitsyn didn ’ t allow the forceful hand of Big Brother to crush and break him as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fought back and became stronger because of his time in prison .
Pearce calls on Westerners to wake up to the tyranny of the LGBT agenda , to start fighting it , and to regain the courage we have lost .
Pearce points to the loss of courage in the West in highlighting the disparate responses of the French and the Russians to desecration of a sacred space .
A group of activist women stripped down in both Notre Dame in Paris and in a Russian church .
In Paris , nothing was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to endure their display .
In Russia , this same group was jailed for their blasphemous actions .
Pearce does provide some hope , however , in highlighting that the even Solzhenitsyn recognized the Soviet Union had to fall .
So too , Pearce sees the LGBT movement as something that will self-destruct eventually .
It is just “ unsustainable.
” Pearce encourages Van Maren and listeners to be holy , to be witnesses to the truth of Christianity , and to be courageous .
Pearce also tells listeners to read One Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a novella of one day in a labor camp .
He sees this as an inspiring novella that can encourage people to recognize the great strength of the human spirit .
Finally , Pearce shares his experiences with Solzhenitsyn while he was writing the latter ’ s biography .
Pearce emphasizes his surprise in learning of Solzhenitsyn ’ s great humor and contagious chuckle .
“ He had very striking china-blue eyes .
And the thing about them was on the surface they seemed very youthful , almost mischievous , that chuckle seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But if you held the gaze you saw the depths and depths of suffering , and the knowledge and wisdom in there , ” Pearce tells Van Maren .
The Van Maren Show is hosted on numerous platforms , including Spotify , SoundCloud , YouTube , iTunes , and Google Play .
For a full listing of episodes , and to subscribe to various channels , visit our Pippa webpage here .
To receive weekly emails when a new episode is uploaded , sign-up here :

Renowned Russian novelist and political prisoner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn helped bring down the Soviet Union. He also predicted the moral decline of the West, but people didn't listen.
February 12, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn was a renowned Russian novelist, political prisoner, historian, and philosopher. Jonathon Van Maren calls him one of the greatest authors of the 20th century. Solzhenitsyn is well-known for his work detailing his time as a political prisoner and exposing the inner workings of the Russian political machine, the Secret Police, and much more.
Solzhenitsyn died in 2008, but his wisdom and experience can provide guidance to all of us as we navigate the morphing of governments around the world into bodies that increasingly resemble communism.
In today’s episode of The Van Maren Show, Jonathon Van Maren speaks with Joseph Pearce, a man who became quite close to Solzhenitsyn as he wrote his biography. Pearce shares his stories of Solzhenitsyn and his wisdom that may help save society.
Pope St. John Paul II, Ronald Reagan, and Margaret Thatcher may have been the political giants who helped to take down communism, but Pearce argues that Solzhenitsyn was responsible for helping people all across the West and the Soviet Union understand the ethical and moral issues with communism.
In his youth, Solzhenitsyn was a faithful member of the Soviet Union. That changed with his arrest for “criticizing” Stalin, quite mildly, in “private” correspondence to a friend. His arrest and being sent to the Gulag Archipelago, a forced labor prison camp, gave him an inside look at the Soviet Union. His experiences made him one of the strongest opponents of the Soviet Union.
Watch the entire interview here:
Solzhenitsyn sees his arrest and a few other moments of suffering in his life as major points of conversion. Another big conversion experience happened during his time in the gulag when he was diagnosed with what was believed to be terminal cancer. This triggered his conversion to Russian Orthodoxy from atheism.
After being released from the gulag after seven years of hard labor, Solzhenitsyn wrote The Gulag Archipelago and won a Nobel Peace Prize. His writings were so successful at exposing the evils of communism that they were banned in Russia and he became the target of a KGB assassination attempt. He miraculously survived being poisoned by the same toxins that the KGB used to successfully kill other dissenters and was exiled from Russia in 1974.
Van Maren and Pearce explore how Solzhenitsyn’s work and philosophy can be applied today.
“We are actually living in tyrannical times. It is basically impossible now for someone who believes what humanity always believed about humanity to actually have a position in a secular university or college. They will be fired,” Pearce tells Van Maren.
The “lip service” that society now expects people to pay to the LGBT cause, pro-abortion activists, and anti-religion advocates shares many similarities with Soviet communism. And the similarities don’t end at universities and in relation to speech, but are permeating all areas of society as citizens are told we must affirm that men can “get pregnant” or a woman can “have a penis.”
Pearce and Van Maren both point to Solzhenitsyn as a source of strength and inspiration for those who want to fight back against this insane tyranny. Solzhenitsyn didn’t allow the forceful hand of Big Brother to crush and break him as it had so many others, but instead fought back and became stronger because of his time in prison. Pearce calls on Westerners to wake up to the tyranny of the LGBT agenda, to start fighting it, and to regain the courage we have lost.
Listen to the entire interview:
Pearce points to the loss of courage in the West in highlighting the disparate responses of the French and the Russians to desecration of a sacred space. A group of activist women stripped down in both Notre Dame in Paris and in a Russian church. In Paris, nothing was done to these women; Mass-goers had to endure their display. In Russia, this same group was jailed for their blasphemous actions.
Pearce does provide some hope, however, in highlighting that the even Solzhenitsyn recognized the Soviet Union had to fall. So too, Pearce sees the LGBT movement as something that will self-destruct eventually. It is just “unsustainable.”
Pearce encourages Van Maren and listeners to be holy, to be witnesses to the truth of Christianity, and to be courageous. Pearce also tells listeners to read One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, a novella of one day in a labor camp. He sees this as an inspiring novella that can encourage people to recognize the great strength of the human spirit.
Finally, Pearce shares his experiences with Solzhenitsyn while he was writing the latter’s biography. Pearce emphasizes his surprise in learning of Solzhenitsyn’s great humor and contagious chuckle.
“He had very striking china-blue eyes. And the thing about them was on the surface they seemed very youthful, almost mischievous, that chuckle seemed to be there on the surface. But if you held the gaze you saw the depths and depths of suffering, and the knowledge and wisdom in there,” Pearce tells Van Maren.
The Van Maren Show is hosted on numerous platforms, including Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, iTunes, and Google Play.
For a full listing of episodes, and to subscribe to various channels, visit our Pippa webpage here.
To receive weekly emails when a new episode is uploaded, sign-up here:
Share


lifesitenews--2020-02-12--Celebrities destroying their ‘transgender’ kids is seeping into mainstream culture

February 12 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — If the transgender phenomenon is , as Dr. Lisa Littman concluded , a peer contagion , then it is difficult not to conclude that the steady trickle of celebrities coming out to normalize transgenderism is a dangerous trend , indeed .
As I noted earlier this year , Charlize Theron has made headlines for deciding to raise her son Jackson as a girl — and now another celebrity is coming out to announce that his son is now a girl .
This time , it is 13-time NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dwyane Wade told TV host ( and LGBT icon ) Ellen DeGeneres that his twelve-year-old son , who was originally named Zion , came home one day and informed his parents that he now believed himself to be a girl .
According to Wade , the boy dropped the news pretty bluntly : “ Hey , so I want to talk to you guys .
I think going forward , I ’ m ready to live my truth .
And I want to be referenced as she and her .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me Zaya.
” Wade and Union promptly agreed to the name change and set about trying to figure out what was going on .
To the fawning approval of major LGBT organizations , Union tweeted a “ Huge huge huge THANK YOU to everyone whose dms I slid into , friends & family who provided information , resources , love & encouragement .
We are humble LGBTQ+ allies with ALOT to learn & grateful for the support .
We encourage yall to check us as needed .
Again , thank you !
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That was our job , to go out and get information , to reach out to every relationship we have .
My wife reached out to everybody on the cast of ‘ Pose , ’ ” Wade said , “ We just tried to figure out as much information as we can to make sure we give our child the best opportunity to be her [ sic ] best self.
” Pose , in case you ’ re wondering , is a TV series described as “ an American drama television series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Latino LGBTQ and gender-nonconforming ballroom culture scene.
” It isn ’ t too hard to figure out what sort of parenting advice they might offer .
Having a trans child , Wade told DeGeneres , has given his family the opportunity to be social leaders .
“ Once Zion came home and said , ‘ Call me Zaya , ’ and ‘ I ’ m ready to take on this , ’ I looked at her and said , ‘ You are a leader , ’ ” Wade said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a voice .
Right now , it ’ s through us , because she ’ s [ sic ] 12 years old , but eventually , it will be through her [ sic ] .
... We are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community and we are proud allies as well.
” Ellen DeGeneres , unsurprisingly , found the parental decision to support a son ’ s desire to be raised as a girl nothing short of inspiring : “ What every parent should be doing is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unconditionally loving your child and supporting your child in whoever they are.
” Of course , “ whoever they are ” is now an extraordinarily fluid category with serious consequences if so-called “ sex change ” treatments are pursued , but that ’ s beside the point .
Parents no longer lead their children — they are led by them .
This , as Matt Walsh pointed out over at the Daily Wire , will have serious consequences for the children in the years ahead .
Celebrities , unfortunately , have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pushing fringe behaviors into the mainstream , especially considering the fact that they feature in much of modern storytelling .
To cite another example , Nikkie de Jager , the YouTube makeup artist superstar with thirteen million followers , also recently came out as transgender , revealing that he is a man — and his video revealing his “ transition ” racked up more than 32 million views .
De Jager has now been asked to star as the online presenter for the next Eurovision song contest .
The normalization of transgenderism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from the elites to the rest of us , and we do not yet know if the inevitable backlash that will accompany the brutal consequences of this social experiment will be sufficient to roll back the tide of gender insanity that is seeping rapidly through our institutions .
Time will tell .
In the meantime , adults affirming the confusion of children is applauded on daytime TV is our culture ’ s new normal .
Jonathon ’ s new podcast , The Van Maren Show , is dedicated to telling the stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In his latest episode , he interviews Joseph Pearce , biographer of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn , the renowned Russian novelist , political prisoner , historian , and philosopher .
Pearce shares his stories of Solzhenitsyn , with whom he became close , and his wisdom that may help save society .
You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below :

If the transgender phenomenon is a peer contagion, then it is difficult not to conclude that the steady trickle of celebrities coming out to normalize transgenderism is a dangerous trend.
February 12, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — If the transgender phenomenon is, as Dr. Lisa Littman concluded, a peer contagion, then it is difficult not to conclude that the steady trickle of celebrities coming out to normalize transgenderism is a dangerous trend, indeed.
As I noted earlier this year, Charlize Theron has made headlines for deciding to raise her son Jackson as a girl — and now another celebrity is coming out to announce that his son is now a girl. This time, it is 13-time NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade and his Hollywood actress wife, Gabrielle Union.
Dwyane Wade told TV host (and LGBT icon) Ellen DeGeneres that his twelve-year-old son, who was originally named Zion, came home one day and informed his parents that he now believed himself to be a girl. According to Wade, the boy dropped the news pretty bluntly: “Hey, so I want to talk to you guys. I think going forward, I’m ready to live my truth. And I want to be referenced as she and her. I’d love for you guys to call me Zaya.”
Follow Jonathon van Maren on Facebook
Wade and Union promptly agreed to the name change and set about trying to figure out what was going on. To the fawning approval of major LGBT organizations, Union tweeted a “Huge huge huge THANK YOU to everyone whose dms I slid into, friends & family who provided information, resources, love & encouragement. We are humble LGBTQ+ allies with ALOT to learn & grateful for the support. We encourage yall to check us as needed. Again, thank you!”
Wade echoed that sentiment to DeGeneres: “That was our job, to go out and get information, to reach out to every relationship we have. My wife reached out to everybody on the cast of ‘Pose,’” Wade said, “We just tried to figure out as much information as we can to make sure we give our child the best opportunity to be her [sic] best self.” Pose, in case you’re wondering, is a TV series described as “an American drama television series about New York City’s African-American and Latino LGBTQ and gender-nonconforming ballroom culture scene.” It isn’t too hard to figure out what sort of parenting advice they might offer.
Having a trans child, Wade told DeGeneres, has given his family the opportunity to be social leaders. “Once Zion came home and said, ‘Call me Zaya,’ and ‘I’m ready to take on this,’ I looked at her and said, ‘You are a leader,’” Wade said. “It’s our opportunity to allow you to be a voice. Right now, it’s through us, because she’s [sic] 12 years old, but eventually, it will be through her [sic]. … We are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community and we are proud allies as well.”
Ellen DeGeneres, unsurprisingly, found the parental decision to support a son’s desire to be raised as a girl nothing short of inspiring: “What every parent should be doing is what you’re being now — which is unconditionally loving your child and supporting your child in whoever they are.” Of course, “whoever they are” is now an extraordinarily fluid category with serious consequences if so-called “sex change” treatments are pursued, but that’s beside the point. Parents no longer lead their children — they are led by them. This, as Matt Walsh pointed out over at the Daily Wire, will have serious consequences for the children in the years ahead.
Celebrities, unfortunately, have a lot of cultural power when it comes to pushing fringe behaviors into the mainstream, especially considering the fact that they feature in much of modern storytelling. To cite another example, Nikkie de Jager, the YouTube makeup artist superstar with thirteen million followers, also recently came out as transgender, revealing that he is a man — and his video revealing his “transition” racked up more than 32 million views. De Jager has now been asked to star as the online presenter for the next Eurovision song contest.
The normalization of transgenderism is being pushed from the top down, from the elites to the rest of us, and we do not yet know if the inevitable backlash that will accompany the brutal consequences of this social experiment will be sufficient to roll back the tide of gender insanity that is seeping rapidly through our institutions. Time will tell. In the meantime, adults affirming the confusion of children is applauded on daytime TV is our culture’s new normal.
Jonathon’s new podcast, The Van Maren Show, is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement. In his latest episode, he interviews Joseph Pearce, biographer of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, the renowned Russian novelist, political prisoner, historian, and philosopher. Pearce shares his stories of Solzhenitsyn, with whom he became close, and his wisdom that may help save society. You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below:
Follow Jonathon Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer, and pro-life activist. His commentary has been translated into more than eight languages and published widely online as well as print newspapers such as the Jewish Independent, the National Post, the Hamilton Spectator and others. He has received an award for combating anti-Semitism in print from the Jewish organization B’nai Brith. His commentary has been featured on CTV Primetime, Global News, EWTN, and the CBC as well as dozens of radio stations and news outlets in Canada and the United States. He speaks on a wide variety of cultural topics across North America at universities, high schools, churches, and other functions. Some of these topics include abortion, pornography, the Sexual Revolution, and euthanasia. Jonathon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Simon Fraser University, and is the communications director for the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform. Jonathon’s first book, The Culture War, was released in 2016.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-12--Republicans kill bill to protect teenagers from ‘transgender’ surgical mutilation

PIERRE , South Dakota , February 12 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The Republican-controlled South Dakota Senate turned down a bill that would have banned genital reconstruction surgery and hormone suppression therapy to anyone under the age of 16 .
On Monday , the Health and Human Services Committee in the upper chamber voted 5-2 to kill House Bill 1057 , the Vulnerable Child Protection Act , which had been initially sponsored by Rep. Fred Deutsch ( R ) and passed in the state House .
In its original form , the bill would make gender-bending surgeries and therapies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providers , carrying a penalty of one year in jail and a maximum fine of $ 2,000 .
Despite a last-minute amendment , which removed criminal charges for doctors but added a provision to allow patients to sue after genital-mutilating surgery , the bill could still not win enough support to leave the committee and go to the full Senate .
On Monday , Rep. Deutsch told CNN he knew that the committee would turn down the bill and has concluded that it is dead for the duration of the year .
Deutsch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed the bill behind the scenes .
While she had earlier expressed some concerns , according to the Argus Leader , her spokesperson later claimed that the governor had never taken a formal position .
Some physicians were opposed , as were the American Civil Liberties Union and LGBT activists .
Deutsch expressed satisfaction that the bill , at least , heightened the sensitivity on the part of parents and the wider public about the issue .
As the child of a survivor of the Holocaust , Deutsch said he was inspired to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffering of children who had undergone surgery to obscure their sex .
These surgeries reminded him of the sadistic experiments Germany ’ s Nazi regime meted out to Jews and other captives in the concentration camps of the 1930s and ’ 40s .
In a release , Deutsch expressed the hope that the Vulnerable Child Protection Act would have prevented health care providers from “ pushing children and their parents to the point of no return.
” In an interview with Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council , Deutsch said that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t allow mutilation of our children .
I don ’ t care if it ’ s doctors .
I don ’ t care if it ’ s parents.
” He said he was shocked to see photos of children showing their surgical scars .
“ To me , that ’ s a crime against humanity when these procedures are done by these so-called doctors [ . ]
” Saying he had relatives murdered at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp , Deutsch added that he has seen photos of the “ bizarre medical experiments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want that to happen to our kids .
And that ’ s what 's going on right now , ” he said .
In 2016 , LGBT groups condemned him for offering a bill that would have required public school children to use only those restrooms and locker rooms that accord with their sex .
Deutsch , a chiropractor , said he has been astonished by the cases of children who have been prescribed puberty-blockers and cross-sex hormones , which have effects that are still not fully understood .
He noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to girls and estrogen to boys in “ ultra-high mega-doses , as well as [ encouraging ] mastectomies and what they call the bottom surgery.
” All of these surgeries , Deutsch warned , are “ irreversible.
” He said there is “ no contradiction ” between showing respect to transgender people and the belief that “ irreversible and experimental surgical and chemical interference with a child ’ s sexual development is morally indefensible.
” In his statement , Deutsch asserted that “ hasty intervention for children who are unsure of their identity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of young people.
” According to the release , Deutsch said , “ An ever-increasing number of people who had so called sex reassignment as minors now find themselves regretting the decision as they ’ ve matured .
Performing irreversible sex reassignment on a minor whose brain is still developing is wrong.
” Deutsch said , “ The solution for children ’ s identification with the opposite sex isn ’ t to poison their bodies with mega-doses of the wrong hormones , to chemically or surgically castrate and sterilize them , or to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The solution is compassionate care , and that doesn ’ t include catastrophically and irreversibly altering their bodies .
”

PIERRE, South Dakota, February 12, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The Republican-controlled South Dakota Senate turned down a bill that would have banned genital reconstruction surgery and hormone suppression therapy to anyone under the age of 16.
On Monday, the Health and Human Services Committee in the upper chamber voted 5-2 to kill House Bill 1057, the Vulnerable Child Protection Act, which had been initially sponsored by Rep. Fred Deutsch (R) and passed in the state House. In its original form, the bill would make gender-bending surgeries and therapies a Class 1 misdemeanor for health care providers, carrying a penalty of one year in jail and a maximum fine of $2,000.
Despite a last-minute amendment, which removed criminal charges for doctors but added a provision to allow patients to sue after genital-mutilating surgery, the bill could still not win enough support to leave the committee and go to the full Senate. On Monday, Rep. Deutsch told CNN he knew that the committee would turn down the bill and has concluded that it is dead for the duration of the year.
Deutsch claimed that Gov. Kristi Noem had opposed the bill behind the scenes. While she had earlier expressed some concerns, according to the Argus Leader, her spokesperson later claimed that the governor had never taken a formal position. Some physicians were opposed, as were the American Civil Liberties Union and LGBT activists.
Deutsch expressed satisfaction that the bill, at least, heightened the sensitivity on the part of parents and the wider public about the issue. As the child of a survivor of the Holocaust, Deutsch said he was inspired to propose the bill after learning about the suffering of children who had undergone surgery to obscure their sex. These surgeries reminded him of the sadistic experiments Germany’s Nazi regime meted out to Jews and other captives in the concentration camps of the 1930s and ’40s.
In a release, Deutsch expressed the hope that the Vulnerable Child Protection Act would have prevented health care providers from “pushing children and their parents to the point of no return.”
‘Crime against humanity’
In an interview with Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Deutsch said that in his state, “we don’t allow mutilation of our children. I don’t care if it’s doctors. I don’t care if it’s parents.” He said he was shocked to see photos of children showing their surgical scars. “To me, that’s a crime against humanity when these procedures are done by these so-called doctors[.]” Saying he had relatives murdered at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp, Deutsch added that he has seen photos of the “bizarre medical experiments” conducted there. “I don’t want that to happen to our kids. And that’s what's going on right now,” he said.
In 2016, LGBT groups condemned him for offering a bill that would have required public school children to use only those restrooms and locker rooms that accord with their sex.
Deutsch, a chiropractor, said he has been astonished by the cases of children who have been prescribed puberty-blockers and cross-sex hormones, which have effects that are still not fully understood. He noted that health care providers are prescribing testosterone to girls and estrogen to boys in “ultra-high mega-doses, as well as [encouraging] mastectomies and what they call the bottom surgery.” All of these surgeries, Deutsch warned, are “irreversible.” He said there is “no contradiction” between showing respect to transgender people and the belief that “irreversible and experimental surgical and chemical interference with a child’s sexual development is morally indefensible.”
In his statement, Deutsch asserted that “hasty intervention for children who are unsure of their identity ignores the experiences of the vast majority of young people.” According to the release, Deutsch said, “An ever-increasing number of people who had so called sex reassignment as minors now find themselves regretting the decision as they’ve matured. Performing irreversible sex reassignment on a minor whose brain is still developing is wrong.”
Deutsch said, “The solution for children’s identification with the opposite sex isn’t to poison their bodies with mega-doses of the wrong hormones, to chemically or surgically castrate and sterilize them, or to remove healthy breasts and reproductive organs. The solution is compassionate care, and that doesn’t include catastrophically and irreversibly altering their bodies.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-12--Supporting Bishop Paprocki as he defends the Church’s true teaching on homosexuality

Formerly Heart to Heart with Mother Miriam , Mother Miriam Live brings you inspiration and solutions for life ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Miriam is a Catholic nun on a mission to bring hope to a world that @ @ @ @ @ let her share that hope and joy with you !
To tune into Mother Miriam @ @ @ @ @ Facebook page here every Monday to Friday at 10am .

Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 2.12.2020. Mother reads Bishop Paprocki's recent statement standing up for the Church's true teaching on homosexuality. Mother encourages other bishops to stand up and lead their sheep clearly as Bishop Paprocki did.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-12--Democrat hearing pushes for bill to force unregulated abortion on the country

WASHINGTON , D.C. , February 12 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives renewed their push this week for a federal law broadly tying the hands of pro-life states , highlighting the stakes for abortion friends and foes going into this year ’ s elections .
H.R .
2975 , the so-called Women 's Health Protection Act ( WHPA ) of 2019 , establishes a federal statutory right to perform and obtain abortions , including after fetal viability ( under the broad cover of “ health ” ) , and specifically forbids states from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting periods , informed-consent requirements , and other health and safety regulations , such as admitting privileges .
It also protects so-called “ webcam ” abortions ( i.e.
, dispensing abortion pills without an in-person doctor ’ s visit ) , forbids banning abortions on the basis of a “ patient ’ s reasons ” such as the race , sex , or disability of the baby , and forbids banning particular techniques such as dilation and evacuation ( D & E ) or “ dismemberment ” abortions .
Democrats reintroduced the WHPA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-California , Lois Frankel , D-Florida , and Marcia Fudge , D-Ohio , taking the lead in the House of Representatives , and Sens .
Richard Blumenthal , D-Connecticut , and Tammy Baldwin , D-Wisconsin , in the Senate .
On Wednesday , the Democrat-controlled House Energy & Commerce committee held a hearing on the bill , featuring the pro-abortion testimony of Center for Reproductive Rights CEO Nancy Northup , Alabama Women 's Center for Reproductive Alternatives medical director Yashica Robinson , and Holly Alvarado , an Air Force veteran who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were University of St. Thomas law professor Teresa Stanton Collett and Silent No More co-founder Georgette Forney , who shared her experience with abortion regret .
The WHPA “ does more than simply ‘ codify Roe , ’ by responding in a very specific way to the state-level restrictions that are effectively eliminating access to care today , ” Northup testified , claiming it is a necessary to a wave of “ unnecessary ” laws and regulations that burden so-called women ’ s healthcare .
“ In that way , the Women ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the right to abortion first recognized in Roe is a reality .
“ It is my opinion that the deceptively named ‘ Women ’ s Health Protection Act of 2019 , ’ if enacted , would affirmatively harm women , children , and families throughout the country , ” Collett testified .
She argued that ( contrary to pro-abortion conventional wisdom ) “ there is no evidence ” women need abortion to thrive economically , and that the WHPA “ would eliminate hundreds of laws that protect women and girls from malpractice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Little new ground was broken during witness cross-examination , with both Republicans and Democrats largely running through standard arguments for and against abortion .
In response to a reference to Ellie Schneider – the little girl President Donald Trump invited to his latest State of the Union address , who had been born at just under 22 weeks – Robinson questioned the legitimacy of her story , saying she had never seen a child survive that young .
In fact , the Schneider family ’ s story was extensively covered in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Luke ’ s Hospital in Missouri confirming that Ellie was born that early and did indeed beat incredible odds .
Collett spent much of her time setting the record straight on numerous aspects of abortion policy , such as the fact that abortionists themselves commonly use ultrasounds ; they simply don ’ t offer patients the opportunity to view the resulting image .
Rep. Jan Schakowsky , D-California , took great umbrage at Collett dismissing the authority of medical groups aligned with the abortion industry ; Collett responded by simply noting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obstetricians & Gynecologists ( ACOG ) is well documented .
WHPA will not become law this year , as Trump and the Republican-controlled Senate would reject it .
It does , however , serve as a preview of what could pass if Democrats oust Trump and retake the Senate .
Most of the Democrats currently running for the party ’ s presidential run have endorsed codifying Roe in federal statutes .

The Women's Health Protection Act would protect all means of abortion, including after fetal viability, "webcam" and dismemberment, without restriction.
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 12, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives renewed their push this week for a federal law broadly tying the hands of pro-life states, highlighting the stakes for abortion friends and foes going into this year’s elections.
H.R. 2975, the so-called Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA) of 2019, establishes a federal statutory right to perform and obtain abortions, including after fetal viability (under the broad cover of “health”), and specifically forbids states from subjecting abortion to ultrasound requirements, mandatory waiting periods, informed-consent requirements, and other health and safety regulations, such as admitting privileges.
It also protects so-called “webcam” abortions (i.e., dispensing abortion pills without an in-person doctor’s visit), forbids banning abortions on the basis of a “patient’s reasons” such as the race, sex, or disability of the baby, and forbids banning particular techniques such as dilation and evacuation (D&E) or “dismemberment” abortions.
Democrats reintroduced the WHPA last year, with Reps. Judy Chu, D-California, Lois Frankel, D-Florida, and Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, taking the lead in the House of Representatives, and Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, in the Senate.
On Wednesday, the Democrat-controlled House Energy & Commerce committee held a hearing on the bill, featuring the pro-abortion testimony of Center for Reproductive Rights CEO Nancy Northup, Alabama Women's Center for Reproductive Alternatives medical director Yashica Robinson, and Holly Alvarado, an Air Force veteran who had an abortion.
Representing the pro-life side were University of St. Thomas law professor Teresa Stanton Collett and Silent No More co-founder Georgette Forney, who shared her experience with abortion regret.
The WHPA “does more than simply ‘codify Roe,’ by responding in a very specific way to the state-level restrictions that are effectively eliminating access to care today,” Northup testified, claiming it is a necessary to a wave of “unnecessary” laws and regulations that burden so-called women’s healthcare. “In that way, the Women’s Health Protection Act can help ensure that the right to abortion first recognized in Roe is a reality.
“It is my opinion that the deceptively named ‘Women’s Health Protection Act of 2019,’ if enacted, would affirmatively harm women, children, and families throughout the country,” Collett testified. She argued that (contrary to pro-abortion conventional wisdom) “there is no evidence” women need abortion to thrive economically, and that the WHPA “would eliminate hundreds of laws that protect women and girls from malpractice by abortion providers and misconduct by others.”
Little new ground was broken during witness cross-examination, with both Republicans and Democrats largely running through standard arguments for and against abortion.
In response to a reference to Ellie Schneider – the little girl President Donald Trump invited to his latest State of the Union address, who had been born at just under 22 weeks – Robinson questioned the legitimacy of her story, saying she had never seen a child survive that young. In fact, the Schneider family’s story was extensively covered in 2018, with neonatologist Dr. Barbara Carr of St. Luke’s Hospital in Missouri confirming that Ellie was born that early and did indeed beat incredible odds.
Collett spent much of her time setting the record straight on numerous aspects of abortion policy, such as the fact that abortionists themselves commonly use ultrasounds; they simply don’t offer patients the opportunity to view the resulting image. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-California, took great umbrage at Collett dismissing the authority of medical groups aligned with the abortion industry; Collett responded by simply noting that the biases of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) is well documented.
WHPA will not become law this year, as Trump and the Republican-controlled Senate would reject it. It does, however, serve as a preview of what could pass if Democrats oust Trump and retake the Senate. Most of the Democrats currently running for the party’s presidential run have endorsed codifying Roe in federal statutes.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-12--Did Pope Francis defend Pachamama idolatry at Vatican in new Amazon synod exhortation?

February 12 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In his new exhortation released today on the Amazon Synod , Pope Francis made statements about “ indigenous ” symbols and “ certain religious practices ” that could be interpreted as a defense of the use of the controversial “ Pachamama ” statues during the synod in Rome last year .
In section 78 of Querida Amazonia , Pope Francis states that people should “ not be quick to describe as superstition or paganism certain religious practices that arise spontaneously from the life of peoples.
” In section 79 , the Pope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take up an indigenous symbol in some way , without necessarily considering it as idolatry , ” adding that a “ myth charged with spiritual meaning can be used to advantage and not always considered a pagan error.
” On October 4 , 2019 , Pope Francis hosted a pagan ceremony with Pachamama statues in the Vatican Gardens and even blessed one of the statues .
At the ceremony , people were bowing down to the ground worshiping the statue .
Additionally , the Pope prayed in front of the Pachamama statue at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then accompanied it in procession into the synod hall .
The Pope confirmed that the statue was “ Pachamama ” and apologized for other Pachamama statues being thrown into the Tiber river .
In response to the ceremonies in the Vatican Gardens , Bishop Athanasius Schneider called on all Catholics — bishops , priests and laity — to offer acts of reparation , protest and correction for the use of the Pachamama statues , which he called a “ new golden calf.
” In an open letter forcefully condemning the use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Vatican , Bishop Schneider wrote : “ In front of the eyes of the entire world and in the presence of the Pope , there were conducted clear acts of religious adoration of symbols and statues of the pagan , indigenous , South-American religions , the so-called 'Pachamama . '
” “ Such conduct of the highest Church authority which does not only not forbid the symbols of pagan religions and their worship , but , rather , even justifies them , causes a great damage for the salvation of souls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being undermined and in practical terms is being rescinded , ” Schneider said .
Several other bishops and cardinals also condemned the use of the Pachamama statues during the synod .
An international group of 100 priests and lay scholars called on Pope Francis to repent for the ceremonies .
Also in the exhortation , the Pope compares the relationship Catholics have with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist with the “ cosmic worldview ” of indigenous peoples conscious of God ’ s presence in a “ glorious and mysterious way ” in nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ a relationship with Jesus Christ , true God and true man , liberator and redeemer , is not inimical to the markedly cosmic worldview that characterizes the indigenous peoples , since he is also the Risen Lord who permeates all things.
” He continues in that section to compare an appreciation of God ’ s “ glorious and mysterious ” presence in natural , created things with His Presence in the Holy Eucharist .
Pope Francis writes : “ He is present in a glorious and mysterious way in the river @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wind , as the Lord who reigns in creation without ever losing his transfigured wounds , while in the Eucharist he takes up the elements of this world and confers on all things the meaning of the paschal gift.
” The Catholic Church teaches that in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass , natural elements , bread and wine , are transformed into the Body , Blood , Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ .
Thus the Church teaches that a supernatural miracle occurs which transforms the substance of natural , created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God Himself .
The Council of Trent teaches that “ our Lord Jesus Christ , true God and true man , is truly , really and substantially contained in the august sacrament of the Holy Eucharist under the appearance of those sensible things.
” The Council of Trent declares that there is “ no room for doubt that all the faithful of Christ may , in accordance with a custom always received in the Catholic Church , give to this most holy sacrament in veneration the worship of , which is due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Querida Amazonia , Pope Francis states that the document is not just addressed to the nine countries that share the Amazon region but “ to the whole world . ''
Pope Francis continues in section 5 to invite the world to acknowledge the land of the Amazon as a “ sacred mystery.
” In section 7 , Pope Francis says that he dreams “ of Christian communities capable of generous commitment , incarnate in the Amazon region , and giving the Church new faces with Amazonian features . ''
This theme of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new faces ” is developed in section 68 , when Pope Francis writes : “ The Holy Spirit adorns the Church , showing her new aspects of revelation and giving her a new face .
In the end this means allowing and encouraging the inexhaustible riches of the Gospel to be preached ‘ in categories proper to each culture , creating a new synthesis with that particular culture ’ .
” In section 70 , Pope Francis states that the Church “ needs to listen ” to the “ ancestral wisdom ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Church needs to “ listen once more to the voice of its [ Amazon ] elders.
” In section 82 Pope Francis suggests that the Church ’ s liturgy can be developed through an appreciation of “ the experience of indigenous peoples in their contact with nature.
” He writes : “ we can take up into the liturgy many elements proper to the experience of indigenous peoples in their contact with nature , and respect native forms of expression in song , dance , rituals , gestures and symbols .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to inculturate the liturgy among indigenous peoples ; over fifty years have passed and we still have far to go along these lines.
” Bishop John Arnold , Catholic Bishop of the Salford diocese in the UK , gave a press conference in London today on Querida Amazonia .
Bishop Arnold praised the document , saying he “ loved the language ” and that “ it ’ s full , as everything Pope Francis writes , it ’ s full of the hope that he believes that as Christians we have fundamentally at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belief.
” He noted that the document was not just addressed to the Amazon , but to “ all of us ” and said that he thought it was , like Laudato si , “ able to achieve great things.
” When asked at the press conference what he thought of Bishop Schneider ’ s comment that the First Commandment had been undermined by the Pachamama ceremonies during the Amazon Synod , Bishop Arnold said : “ I don ’ t think that the Pope showed any disrespect to Christians by the presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people who were presenting themselves , their culture and their faith to him as we discussed their region.
” Asked whether we could expect to see Pacahamas in churches in western nations , or even in his own diocese , Bishop Arnold said that he didn ’ t think it would ever happen , but advocated the use of Buddhist spirituality in order to assist Christian prayer .
He said : “ I don ’ t think that is ever likely to happen at all .
As Christians we should respect people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we would never dismiss someone for the belief that they have .
And we may well draw from their traditions and their beliefs to assist us in our gospel belief and practice .
For example some people may see in Buddhist meditation a way of feeding their prayer life by their very use of a mantra.
” When asked whether , at the request of parishioners , he would consider establishing spaces for regular devotion to Pachamamas in churches in his diocese , Bishop Arnold responded : “ It wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Christian tradition .
We have a sacred space , which is dedicated to our sacred images.
” Asked if those images included Pachamamas , Bishop Arnold said “ no .
”

The pope wrote that it is 'possible to take up an indigenous symbol in some way, without necessarily considering it as idolatry'
PETITION: Catholics call on the Vatican to affirm all salvation comes through Jesus” Sign the petition here.
February 12, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In his new exhortation released today on the Amazon Synod, Pope Francis made statements about “indigenous” symbols and “certain religious practices” that could be interpreted as a defense of the use of the controversial “Pachamama” statues during the synod in Rome last year.
In section 78 of Querida Amazonia, Pope Francis states that people should “not be quick to describe as superstition or paganism certain religious practices that arise spontaneously from the life of peoples.” In section 79, the Pope continues that it is “possible to take up an indigenous symbol in some way, without necessarily considering it as idolatry,” adding that a “myth charged with spiritual meaning can be used to advantage and not always considered a pagan error.”
On October 4, 2019, Pope Francis hosted a pagan ceremony with Pachamama statues in the Vatican Gardens and even blessed one of the statues. At the ceremony, people were bowing down to the ground worshiping the statue. Additionally, the Pope prayed in front of the Pachamama statue at St. Peter's Cathedral on October 7 and then accompanied it in procession into the synod hall. The Pope confirmed that the statue was “Pachamama” and apologized for other Pachamama statues being thrown into the Tiber river.
In response to the ceremonies in the Vatican Gardens, Bishop Athanasius Schneider called on all Catholics — bishops, priests and laity — to offer acts of reparation, protest and correction for the use of the Pachamama statues, which he called a “new golden calf.”
In an open letter forcefully condemning the use of the Pachamama statue at the Amazon Synod in the Vatican, Bishop Schneider wrote: “In front of the eyes of the entire world and in the presence of the Pope, there were conducted clear acts of religious adoration of symbols and statues of the pagan, indigenous, South-American religions, the so-called 'Pachamama.'”
“Such conduct of the highest Church authority which does not only not forbid the symbols of pagan religions and their worship, but, rather, even justifies them, causes a great damage for the salvation of souls, because thereby the First Commandment is being undermined and in practical terms is being rescinded,” Schneider said.
Several other bishops and cardinals also condemned the use of the Pachamama statues during the synod. An international group of 100 priests and lay scholars called on Pope Francis to repent for the ceremonies.
God’s real presence…in nature?
Also in the exhortation, the Pope compares the relationship Catholics have with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist with the “cosmic worldview” of indigenous peoples conscious of God’s presence in a “glorious and mysterious way” in nature.
In section 74 Pope Francis insists that “a relationship with Jesus Christ, true God and true man, liberator and redeemer, is not inimical to the markedly cosmic worldview that characterizes the indigenous peoples, since he is also the Risen Lord who permeates all things.”
He continues in that section to compare an appreciation of God’s “glorious and mysterious” presence in natural, created things with His Presence in the Holy Eucharist. Pope Francis writes: “He is present in a glorious and mysterious way in the river, the trees, the fish and the wind, as the Lord who reigns in creation without ever losing his transfigured wounds, while in the Eucharist he takes up the elements of this world and confers on all things the meaning of the paschal gift.”
The Catholic Church teaches that in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, natural elements, bread and wine, are transformed into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Thus the Church teaches that a supernatural miracle occurs which transforms the substance of natural, created things, bread and wine, into God Himself. The Council of Trent teaches that “our Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man, is truly, really and substantially contained in the august sacrament of the Holy Eucharist under the appearance of those sensible things.”
The Council of Trent declares that there is “no room for doubt that all the faithful of Christ may, in accordance with a custom always received in the Catholic Church, give to this most holy sacrament in veneration the worship of, which is due to the true God.”
In section 5 of Querida Amazonia, Pope Francis states that the document is not just addressed to the nine countries that share the Amazon region but “to the whole world.” Pope Francis continues in section 5 to invite the world to acknowledge the land of the Amazon as a “sacred mystery.”
In section 7, Pope Francis says that he dreams “of Christian communities capable of generous commitment, incarnate in the Amazon region, and giving the Church new faces with Amazonian features.”
This theme of the Amazonian region giving the Church “new faces” is developed in section 68, when Pope Francis writes: “The Holy Spirit adorns the Church, showing her new aspects of revelation and giving her a new face. In the end this means allowing and encouraging the inexhaustible riches of the Gospel to be preached ‘in categories proper to each culture, creating a new synthesis with that particular culture’.”
In section 70, Pope Francis states that the Church “needs to listen” to the “ancestral wisdom” of the Amazon region. He states that the Church needs to “listen once more to the voice of its [Amazon] elders.”
In section 82 Pope Francis suggests that the Church’s liturgy can be developed through an appreciation of “the experience of indigenous peoples in their contact with nature.” He writes: “we can take up into the liturgy many elements proper to the experience of indigenous peoples in their contact with nature, and respect native forms of expression in song, dance, rituals, gestures and symbols. The Second Vatican Council called for this effort to inculturate the liturgy among indigenous peoples; over fifty years have passed and we still have far to go along these lines.”
Bishop John Arnold, Catholic Bishop of the Salford diocese in the UK, gave a press conference in London today on Querida Amazonia. Bishop Arnold praised the document, saying he “loved the language” and that “it’s full, as everything Pope Francis writes, it’s full of the hope that he believes that as Christians we have fundamentally at the heart of our vocation and our belief.” He noted that the document was not just addressed to the Amazon, but to “all of us” and said that he thought it was, like Laudato si, “able to achieve great things.”
When asked at the press conference what he thought of Bishop Schneider’s comment that the First Commandment had been undermined by the Pachamama ceremonies during the Amazon Synod, Bishop Arnold said: “I don’t think that the Pope showed any disrespect to Christians by the presence of those statues, but respect for the people who were presenting themselves, their culture and their faith to him as we discussed their region.”
Asked whether we could expect to see Pacahamas in churches in western nations, or even in his own diocese, Bishop Arnold said that he didn’t think it would ever happen, but advocated the use of Buddhist spirituality in order to assist Christian prayer. He said: “I don’t think that is ever likely to happen at all. As Christians we should respect people and their beliefs and I would hope that we would never dismiss someone for the belief that they have. And we may well draw from their traditions and their beliefs to assist us in our gospel belief and practice. For example some people may see in Buddhist meditation a way of feeding their prayer life by their very use of a mantra.”
When asked whether, at the request of parishioners, he would consider establishing spaces for regular devotion to Pachamamas in churches in his diocese, Bishop Arnold responded: “It wouldn’t happen because it’s not part of the Christian tradition. We have a sacred space, which is dedicated to our sacred images.” Asked if those images included Pachamamas, Bishop Arnold said “no.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-12--‘Major setback’ to female deacons, married priests or ‘back door’ to change? Amazon exhortation reac

‘Major setback’ to female deacons, married priests or ‘back door’ to change? Amazon exhortation reactions

VATICAN CITY , February 12 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The long-awaited post-synodal papal exhortation on the Amazon has been released .
Catholics around the world have reacted in different ways to the document which does not rule on married priests or on female deacons while at the same time not ruling anything out .
Italian journalist Roberto de Mattei described Querida Amazonia ( “ Beloved Amazon ” ) in Correspondenza Romana as a major disappointment to the change-hungry “ German-Amazonian ” wing of the Church .
“ A slamming on the breaks on ‘ viri probati ’ , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , open quarrel with the German-Amazonian bishops : these three points sum up the dynamic started by the post-synodal exhortation of Pope Francis , ” De Mattei wrote .
He recalled that the German-Brazilian Cardinal Hummes had sent all the bishops letters flagging text from the Synod ’ s final report , suggesting that Paragraph 111 , which recommended married men for the priesthood , would form part of the Pope ’ s document .
“ However in the post-synodal exhortation Querida Amazonia , not only is a reference to paragraph 111 absent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Final Document of the Synod , unlike what happened with Amoris Laetitia , which in its notes had cited about 80 times the final relatio of the 2015 Synod , ” Mattei wrote .
He concluded that the Synod on the Amazon was , therefore , a failure for the German-Amazonian progressives and that there will be an “ explosion ” among them .
Christopher Altieri of the UK ’ s Catholic Herald also mentioned the disappointment of progessive Catholics wanting radical changes to the priesthood .
“ People looking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s long-standing discipline regarding priestly celibacy — or even an opening to possible exceptions — are disappointed , as will be people who were looking for a disciplinary fix to thorny doctrinal questions , including the possibility of ordaining women to the Diaconate as it currently exists , ” Altieri wrote .
“ The document does not rule on either of those hot-button issues , which occupied a significant amount of discussion time , column space , and energy both before and after the synod assembly .
Querida rules nothing out .
Francis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women , however , will not be likely to encourage advocates of admitting women to the Diaconate or restoring the Order of Deaconesses .
His exhortation in any case offers no mechanism for further specific practical consideration of any question , ” he added .
“ In fact , Querida doesn ’ t do much of anything.
” Raymond Arroyo , host of EWTN ’ s The World Over talk show , tweeted that Pope Francis ’ s “ silence on priestly celibacy ” was “ a major setback ” for German Cardinal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ championed a regional exception [ for the Amazon ] that could be expanded later.
” Arroyo also tweeted that Querida Amazonia “ is a major blow to those who for decades have advocated the ordination of women.
” But Father Raymond De Souza , writing for the National Catholic Register , suggested that Pope Francis , whose Amoris Laetitia allowed Holy Communion for the divorced-and-remarried by way of a footnote , has endorsed married priests “ through a back door.
” De Souza recalled that in 2018 the pontiff promulgated a new apostolic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ if it is expressly approved by the Roman Pontiff , the final document [ of a synod ] participates in the ordinary magisterium of the Successor of Peter.
” “ A non-papal document could ex post be declared part of the papal magisterium , ” De Souza explained .
He then pointed out that in the opening paragraphs of Querida Amazonia , Pope Francis wrote that he “ would like to officially present the Final Document , which sets forth the conclusions of the Synod , which profited from the participation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the Roman Curia the problems and issues of the Amazon region , since they live there , they experience its suffering and they love it passionately .
I have preferred not to cite the Final Document in this Exhortation , because I would encourage everyone to read it in full.
” “ ...
The ambiguous phrasing ‘ officially present ’ must have been chosen in part for its ambiguity .
Time will tell if some bishops appeal to that ambiguity in order to advance the ordination of married priests.
” Steve Skojec @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no victory for faithful Catholics .
“ In fact , the document does not even mention the words ‘ viri probati ’ or ‘ ordination ’ or ‘ celibacy.
’ But that doesn ’ t mean the problem is gone , ” he wrote .
“ Most people prepared today to read the exhortation as a standalone document .
That would ordinarily be a sensible approach , but in this case , it ’ s not possible to do so , ” Skojec continued .
“ At the outset , Francis makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exhortation , but also the synod ’ s final document — with the language ” from the final document that proposes , in the words of the document , “ to ordain as priests suitable and respected men of the community with a legitimately constituted and stable family.
” According to Skojec , the “ bottom line , when one connects all the dots , is that there is nothing to celebrate here .
Those who were concerned with the final document have just been told that it is now a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ One of the prelates chosen to present it has answered plainly that its proposals are still in play .
Nothing has been taken off the table , ” he added .
Fr .
James Martin , SJ , the pro-LGBT editor-at-large of America magazine , issued a six-minute video statement , in which he too suggested that Pope Francis had left the door open to serious changes .
“ ... Pope Francis is officially presenting the Synod ’ s final document along with Querida Amazonia , so it accompanies the exhortation as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ That may mean that the Synod ’ s proposals are still up for discussion in the future .
In any case , the question of the official status of proposals included in the Synod document , but not explicitly endorsed in the exhortation , should probably be left to canon lawyers , ” he continued .
“ Querida Amazonia will delight some and disappoint others.
” In an essay highly flattering to the pontiff , Austen Ivereigh of the UK ’ s Tablet suggested that Pope Francis had not dismissed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue of married priests because of the deep divisions between bishops on either side of the debate .
“ Beloved Amazonia does not close off the possibility , but passes over the whole issue , putting the focus firmly on the bigger picture of how the Church and the world can see the region as God does , and act in response , ” Ivereigh wrote .
The pope ’ s English biographer also pointed to Francis ’ wish to give official leadership positions to women serving the Church in the Amazon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ears to hear , the Pope is not just following a path out of the debate over the viri probati , but looking to a whole new kind of female-specific leadership in the Church , ” Ivereigh stated .
Joshua J. McElwee of the dissident National Catholic Reporter honed in on the fact that Pope Francis had not , as expected , “ allowed for the priestly ordination of married men ” in the Amazonian region .
McElwee noted also that the pontiff hadn ’ t mentioned the Synod ’ s discussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , he too highlighted Pope Francis ’ spoken endorsement of the controversial Final Document of the Synod on the Amazon .
McElwee also pointed out that there were fourteen citations in Querida Amazonia to the Synod ’ s original working document .
Antonio Spadaro , SJ , the editor of Vatican newsmagazine La Civilità Cattolica and considered by some to be the pontiff ’ s mouthpiece , gave a very strong endorsement to the idea that Pope Francis ’ has not discouraged the more controversial ideas in the Amazon Synod ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time that a document of such magisterial importance explicitly presents itself as a text that “ accompanies ” another one , namely , the synod ’ s Final Document , The Amazon : New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology , ” Spadaro wrote .
“ The exhortation therefore does not go beyond the Final Document , nor does it simply intend to give it its seal .
Francis accepts it entirely and accompanies it , guiding its reception within the synodal journey , which is in progress and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluded .
The pope has written this because he wants to give an impetus to the synodal process .
Indeed , Francis decides this time not to quote the document at all because that would give the impression of a selection of contents .
Instead , his aim is to invite a complete reading so that it may enrich , challenge and inspire the Church : these are the very three verbs used by the pontiff.
” Spadaro seemed to say that Pope Francis is reducing the papacy so that synods can have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with this exhortation , is clearly expressed as a ministry of accompaniment and of discernment .
The synod affirms itself as a fundamental reality in the life of the Church .
It has a time of preparation , a central event and a post-synodal process of implementation , of which the exhortation is part .
Clearly , Francis wants to make a contribution to the reflection on the relationship between primacy and synodality , the need for which is increasingly felt.
” In conclusion , despite assurances from some conservative Catholics that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservatives have suspicions―and some progressives have strong hopes―that the novel proposals of the Final Document have not yet been dismissed .

The document does not rule on married priests or on female deacons while at the same time not ruling anything out.
PETITION: Support Cardinal Sarah's and Pope Emeritus Benedict's Defense of Priestly Celibacy” Sign the petition here.
VATICAN CITY, February 12, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The long-awaited post-synodal papal exhortation on the Amazon has been released. Catholics around the world have reacted in different ways to the document's refusal either to endorse or rule out married priests or female deacons.
Italian journalist Roberto de Mattei described Querida Amazonia (“Beloved Amazon”) in Correspondenza Romana as a major disappointment to the change-hungry “German-Amazonian” wing of the Church.
“A slamming on the breaks on ‘viri probati’, failure of the Synod on the Amazon, open quarrel with the German-Amazonian bishops: these three points sum up the dynamic started by the post-synodal exhortation of Pope Francis,” De Mattei wrote.
He recalled that the German-Brazilian Cardinal Hummes had sent all the bishops letters flagging text from the Synod’s final report, suggesting that Paragraph 111, which recommended married men for the priesthood, would form part of the Pope’s document.
“However in the post-synodal exhortation Querida Amazonia, not only is a reference to paragraph 111 absent, but so is every other paragraph of the Final Document of the Synod, unlike what happened with Amoris Laetitia, which in its notes had cited about 80 times the final relatio of the 2015 Synod,” Mattei wrote.
He concluded that the Synod on the Amazon was, therefore, a failure for the German-Amazonian progressives and that there will be an “explosion” among them.
Christopher Altieri of the UK’s Catholic Herald also mentioned the disappointment of progessive Catholics wanting radical changes to the priesthood.
“People looking for revolutionary change in the Latin Church’s long-standing discipline regarding priestly celibacy — or even an opening to possible exceptions — are disappointed, as will be people who were looking for a disciplinary fix to thorny doctrinal questions, including the possibility of ordaining women to the Diaconate as it currently exists,” Altieri wrote.
“The document does not rule on either of those hot-button issues, which occupied a significant amount of discussion time, column space, and energy both before and after the synod assembly. Querida rules nothing out. Francis’s words on the role of women, however, will not be likely to encourage advocates of admitting women to the Diaconate or restoring the Order of Deaconesses. His exhortation in any case offers no mechanism for further specific practical consideration of any question,” he added.
“In fact, Querida doesn’t do much of anything.”
Raymond Arroyo, host of EWTN’s The World Over talk show, tweeted that Pope Francis’s “silence on priestly celibacy” was “a major setback” for German Cardinal Marx “and the progressive forces who championed a regional exception [for the Amazon] that could be expanded later.”
Arroyo also tweeted that Querida Amazonia “is a major blow to those who for decades have advocated the ordination of women.”
But Father Raymond De Souza, writing for the National Catholic Register, suggested that Pope Francis, whose Amoris Laetitia allowed Holy Communion for the divorced-and-remarried by way of a footnote, has endorsed married priests “through a back door.”
De Souza recalled that in 2018 the pontiff promulgated a new apostolic constitution that contained the new provision that “if it is expressly approved by the Roman Pontiff, the final document [of a synod] participates in the ordinary magisterium of the Successor of Peter.”
“A non-papal document could ex post be declared part of the papal magisterium,” De Souza explained.
He then pointed out that in the opening paragraphs of Querida Amazonia, Pope Francis wrote that he “would like to officially present the Final Document, which sets forth the conclusions of the Synod, which profited from the participation of many people who know better than myself or the Roman Curia the problems and issues of the Amazon region, since they live there, they experience its suffering and they love it passionately. I have preferred not to cite the Final Document in this Exhortation, because I would encourage everyone to read it in full.”
“What does ‘officially present’ mean?” De Souza demanded.
“… The ambiguous phrasing ‘officially present’ must have been chosen in part for its ambiguity. Time will tell if some bishops appeal to that ambiguity in order to advance the ordination of married priests.”
Steve Skojec at OnePeterFive also warned that the exhortation is no victory for faithful Catholics.
“In fact, the document does not even mention the words ‘viri probati’ or ‘ordination’ or ‘celibacy.’ But that doesn’t mean the problem is gone,” he wrote.
“Most people prepared today to read the exhortation as a standalone document. That would ordinarily be a sensible approach, but in this case, it’s not possible to do so,” Skojec continued.
“At the outset, Francis makes clear that he is presenting not only the exhortation, but also the synod’s final document — with the language” from the final document that proposes, in the words of the document, “to ordain as priests suitable and respected men of the community with a legitimately constituted and stable family.”
According to Skojec, the “bottom line, when one connects all the dots, is that there is nothing to celebrate here. Those who were concerned with the final document have just been told that it is now a part of the pope’s magisterium.”
“One of the prelates chosen to present it has answered plainly that its proposals are still in play. Nothing has been taken off the table,” he added.
Fr. James Martin, SJ, the pro-LGBT editor-at-large of America magazine, issued a six-minute video statement, in which he too suggested that Pope Francis had left the door open to serious changes.
“… Pope Francis is officially presenting the Synod’s final document along with Querida Amazonia, so it accompanies the exhortation as part of his teaching,” Martin said.
“That may mean that the Synod’s proposals are still up for discussion in the future. In any case, the question of the official status of proposals included in the Synod document, but not explicitly endorsed in the exhortation, should probably be left to canon lawyers,” he continued.
“Querida Amazonia will delight some and disappoint others.”
In an essay highly flattering to the pontiff, Austen Ivereigh of the UK’s Tablet suggested that Pope Francis had not dismissed, but merely passed over, the issue of married priests because of the deep divisions between bishops on either side of the debate.
“Beloved Amazonia does not close off the possibility, but passes over the whole issue, putting the focus firmly on the bigger picture of how the Church and the world can see the region as God does, and act in response,” Ivereigh wrote.
The pope’s English biographer also pointed to Francis’ wish to give official leadership positions to women serving the Church in the Amazon.
“For those with eyes to see and ears to hear, the Pope is not just following a path out of the debate over the viri probati, but looking to a whole new kind of female-specific leadership in the Church,” Ivereigh stated.
Joshua J. McElwee of the dissident National Catholic Reporter honed in on the fact that Pope Francis had not, as expected, “allowed for the priestly ordination of married men” in the Amazonian region. McElwee noted also that the pontiff hadn’t mentioned the Synod’s discussion of women deacons in his document. However, he too highlighted Pope Francis’ spoken endorsement of the controversial Final Document of the Synod on the Amazon. McElwee also pointed out that there were fourteen citations in Querida Amazonia to the Synod’s original working document.
Antonio Spadaro, SJ, the editor of Vatican newsmagazine La Civiltà Cattolica and considered by some to be the pontiff’s mouthpiece, gave a very strong endorsement to the idea that Pope Francis’ has not discouraged the more controversial ideas in the Amazon Synod’s Final Document.
“This is the first time that a document of such magisterial importance explicitly presents itself as a text that “accompanies” another one, namely, the synod’s Final Document, The Amazon: New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology,” Spadaro wrote.
“The exhortation therefore does not go beyond the Final Document, nor does it simply intend to give it its seal. Francis accepts it entirely and accompanies it, guiding its reception within the synodal journey, which is in progress and certainly cannot be said to be concluded. The pope has written this because he wants to give an impetus to the synodal process. Indeed, Francis decides this time not to quote the document at all because that would give the impression of a selection of contents. Instead, his aim is to invite a complete reading so that it may enrich, challenge and inspire the Church: these are the very three verbs used by the pontiff.”
Spadaro seemed to say that Pope Francis is reducing the papacy so that synods can have more power.
“The Petrine ministry, with this exhortation, is clearly expressed as a ministry of accompaniment and of discernment. The synod affirms itself as a fundamental reality in the life of the Church. It has a time of preparation, a central event and a post-synodal process of implementation, of which the exhortation is part. Clearly, Francis wants to make a contribution to the reflection on the relationship between primacy and synodality, the need for which is increasingly felt.”
In conclusion, despite assurances from some conservative Catholics that progressive Catholics must be disappointed, other conservatives have suspicions―and some progressives have strong hopes―that the novel proposals of the Final Document have not yet been dismissed.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-12--Company offers free porn to passengers stuck on cruise ship due to coronavirus

February 12 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A porn producer has offered passengers quarantined on two cruise ships due to the coronavirus outbreak free access to pornography .
The company framed the move as an attempt to combat boredom among the 7,300 passengers stuck on the ships .
Fox Business reported on a press release put out by the Miami-based porn producer CamSoda , according to which passengers are supposedly “ not only dealing with the fear of infection , which is terrifying , but boredom.
” “ We like cruises just as much as the next guy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boredom must be crippling , ” the statement continued .
One of the two cruise ships affected by the coronavirus is called Diamond Princess .
“ The entire ship is now on lockdown until February 19 – seven more days of mandatory room service , ” wrote Business Insider .
Passengers are required to stay in their rooms while the ship is being quarantined .
The smallest rooms comprise only 160 square feet , with no windows .
The ship is currently docked in Yokohama , Japan .
Meanwhile , the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong , released its passengers earlier this week , shortly after the porn company had made its offer .
“ In an effort to keep their minds off of the coronavirus and to help with the boredom , we ’ re offering passengers and crews the ability to have fun in a safe and controlled environment with camming , ” the porn producer stated .
The company is requiring “ quarantined passengers and crew members to send a copy of their travel documents via email in exchange for 1,000 free tokens , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with porn stars , ” according to Fox Business .
Haley McNamara , Vice President of Advocacy and Outreach for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation , said in a statement that pornography “ has no place on any mode of public transportation – whether it is a cruise ship , airline , or bus.
” “ The research is clear that mainstream pornography , with common themes of incest , racism , and violence against women , is linked to offline sexual violence as well as other public health harms .
Particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers vulnerable to an enclosed and toxic environment amounting to sexual harassment , ” McNamara went on .
United Airlines recently began training its staff to respond to instances in-flight porn use , she explained .
Carnival Corporation , the owner of the two ships , “ rightly has some degree of filter for hardcore pornography.
” As Fox Business wrote , “ In its Carnival WiFi terms of service , the following is said about Carnival ’ s standing on adult sites : ‘ All internet usage subject to Carnival Corporation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ browsing of sites identified as containing mature or violent content.
’ ” The National Center on Sexual Exploitation urged Carnival Corporation to reject the offer made by the porn producer , for the sake of “ the overall health and well-being of its passengers.
” The latest update from Princess Cruises , a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation , was published late last night .
It included the confirmation of an announcement made by the Japanese Ministry of Health , according to which there were 39 new positive cases of coronavirus onboard Diamond Princess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Japan Ministry of Health on plans for disembarkation protocols to provide medical care for these new cases , ” Princess Cruises stated .

Porn producer framed the move as an 'effort to keep their minds off of the coronavirus and to help with the boredom'
PETITION: Call on U.S. Attorney General to declare war on porn” Sign the petition here.
February 12, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A porn producer has offered passengers quarantined on two cruise ships due to the coronavirus outbreak free access to pornography. The company framed the move as an attempt to combat boredom among the 7,300 passengers stuck on the ships.
Fox Business reported on a press release put out by the Miami-based porn producer CamSoda, according to which passengers are supposedly “not only dealing with the fear of infection, which is terrifying, but boredom.”
“We like cruises just as much as the next guy, but without activities or human interaction, the boredom must be crippling,” the statement continued.
One of the two cruise ships affected by the coronavirus is called Diamond Princess. “The entire ship is now on lockdown until February 19 – seven more days of mandatory room service,” wrote Business Insider.
Passengers are required to stay in their rooms while the ship is being quarantined. The smallest rooms comprise only 160 square feet, with no windows. The ship is currently docked in Yokohama, Japan.
Meanwhile, the second ship, World Dream docked in Hong Kong, released its passengers earlier this week, shortly after the porn company had made its offer.
“In an effort to keep their minds off of the coronavirus and to help with the boredom, we’re offering passengers and crews the ability to have fun in a safe and controlled environment with camming,” the porn producer stated.
The company is requiring “quarantined passengers and crew members to send a copy of their travel documents via email in exchange for 1,000 free tokens, which can be used to pay for livestreams with porn stars,” according to Fox Business.
Haley McNamara, Vice President of Advocacy and Outreach for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, said in a statement that pornography “has no place on any mode of public transportation – whether it is a cruise ship, airline, or bus.”
“The research is clear that mainstream pornography, with common themes of incest, racism, and violence against women, is linked to offline sexual violence as well as other public health harms. Particularly on public transportation, pornography-use leaves fellow passengers vulnerable to an enclosed and toxic environment amounting to sexual harassment,” McNamara went on.
United Airlines recently began training its staff to respond to instances in-flight porn use, she explained. Carnival Corporation, the owner of the two ships, “rightly has some degree of filter for hardcore pornography.”
As Fox Business wrote, “In its Carnival WiFi terms of service, the following is said about Carnival’s standing on adult sites: ‘All internet usage subject to Carnival Corporation’s standard policies, which may limit browsing of sites identified as containing mature or violent content.’”
The National Center on Sexual Exploitation urged Carnival Corporation to reject the offer made by the porn producer, for the sake of “the overall health and well-being of its passengers.”
The latest update from Princess Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, was published late last night. It included the confirmation of an announcement made by the Japanese Ministry of Health, according to which there were 39 new positive cases of coronavirus onboard Diamond Princess.
“We are following guidance from the Japan Ministry of Health on plans for disembarkation protocols to provide medical care for these new cases,” Princess Cruises stated.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-12--LGBT activist Catholic teacher brags about reading pro-gay, trans books to 5th, 6th graders

TORONTO , February 12 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A Catholic teacher who openly boasts about reading pro-homosexual and pro-transgender books to Grades 5 and 6 students cites the Toronto Catholic School Board adding “ marital and family status , gender expression and gender identity ” as prohibited grounds of discrimination to its code of conduct as his justification .
Paolo De Buono , an elementary teacher at Toronto ’ s St. James Catholic School , tweeted last week that the books he ’ s reading to 10- and 11-year-old students include Sparkle Boy , The Boy who Cried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and A Tale of Two Daddies .
De Buono was a leading advocate of the Toronto District Catholic School Board ( TCDSB ) adding the terms to its code of conduct , which governs students and staff , during the months ’ long and bitter battle over the issue .
Teresa Lubinski , whom he mentions in his tweet , is one of four trustees who voted in November against the change .
The TCDSB is one of the largest publicly funded school boards in the world , with more than 91,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buono earns about $ 102,500 a year .
In other posts in a Twitter feed replete with pro-LGBT messages , De Buono displays a photo of his tie emblazoned with the slogan “ It ’ s okay to be gay ” and freely “ outs ” LGBTQ Catholic teachers : Blais , who has marched with Ontario English Catholic Teachers ’ Association ( OECTA ) in Toronto ’ s Pride Parade , teaches at Toronto ’ s Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts .
He is a member of OECTA ’ s LGBTQ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Our Lord in Malton .
De Buono is also lobbying the board to allow “ Diversity Klubs ” for Grade 7 and 8 , which he alleges are essential to combat “ homophobia , ” as he tweeted last week : De Buono ’ s actions seem to vindicate warnings by pro-family groups that changing the code of conduct would give LGBTQ activists cover to actively promote views of human sexuality contrary to Catholic teaching in Catholic schools .
The long-running battle over the code ended November 7 when eight trustees voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Norman Di Pasquale , Markus De Dominico , Frank D ’ Amico , Angela Kennedy , Joe Martino , Ida Li Preti , and Daniel Di Giorgio .
Voting against were Lubinski , Michael Del Grande , Garry Tanuan , and Nancy Crawford .
Those for the change argued the TCDSB was obliged to obey ministry of education directive PPM 128 that ordered all boards to align their codes of conduct with the provincial and the Ontario Human Rights Code , both of which include the terms .
Opponents argued that gender ideology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , and that Catholics have a constitutional right to teach their faith in their schools .
However , a TCDSB report appended to the agenda the night of the vote said the Toronto archdiocese had advised the board to change the code .
On November 11 , the archdiocese released a statement conceding it recognized terms were added to the code as mandated by PPM 128 , but adding : “ While the archdiocese recognizes that terms such as gender identity are included in the Code , we do not accept the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this terminology , since that view is not compatible with our faith.
” LifeSiteNews contacted TCDSB director Rory McGuckin for response to De Buono ’ s statements , but was told the director would not comment .
Nor did the TCDSB communications department respond to multiple requests for comment .
LifeSiteNews contacted Neil McCarthy , spokesman for Toronto Cardinal Thomas Collins , asking for a statement .
McCarthy replied that “ there is no public comment at this time.
” De Buono should be fired : Campaign Life The archdiocese also stated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes additional provisions to ensure that it is interpreted according to Catholic faith.
” But that ’ s a “ nonsensical proviso , ” especially in light of such interpretations of the Catholic faith as De Buono ’ s , says Jeff Gunnarson , president of Campaign Life Coalition .
“ As if there exists such a thing as a ‘ Catholic lens ’ that one can strap onto sinful behaviour in order to make it acceptable for Catholics to engage in !
” he told LifeSiteNews .
Canada ’ s national pro-life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Life Coalition , spearheaded opposition , along with parental rights group Parents As First Educators ( PAFE ) , to adding the terms .
Campaign Life “ begged ” Cardinal Collins before the board voted “ to publicly come out against their additions to the code of conduct and to demand that all trustees vote against them , ” Gunnarson said .
Moreover , 1,915 people signed a Campaign Life petition “ pleading with the cardinal to use his moral authority to encourage the trustees to reject gender identity theory , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jack Fonseca , Campaign Life ’ s director of political operations , regards Collins ’ s failure to act at that time as paramount to a betrayal of parents , and contends that Catholics need their shepherd to take action now to repair the damage .
And as the cardinal is responsible under canon law to “ to keep our Catholic schools Catholic , ” says Fonseca , in this case that means Collins should see to it that the TCDSB fire De Buono .
“ This pro-gay activist teacher has crossed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His excuse that he ’ s merely teaching kids about ‘ respecting differences ’ is so super-thin as to be non-existent , ” Fonseca told LifeSiteNews .
De Buono is “ openly promoting the homosexual lifestyle and transsexualism to impressionable Catholic children , ” and “ destroying their supernatural faith and indoctrinating them to embrace and celebrate behaviours that are condemned by the Catholic Church as gravely sinful and intrinsically disordered , ” he added .
Moreover , De Buono is “ mocking our Catholic educational leaders – the trustees and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their faces on Twitter , and essentially daring them to try to stop him , ” said Fonseca .
“ Silence by His Eminence about De Buono will represent yet another betrayal on his part , on top of the last one .
It ’ s time to redeem himself with an act of courageous leadership , to stand up against the LGBT bullies who have taken over our Catholic schools , ” he added .
Gunnarson said Campaign Life “ asks all Catholic rate-paying parents to contact the Toronto Archdiocese urging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this dissent.
” To sign the petition to Cardinal Collins , go here .

TORONTO, February 12, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A Catholic teacher who openly boasts about reading pro-homosexual and pro-transgender books to Grades 5 and 6 students cites the Toronto Catholic School Board adding “marital and family status, gender expression and gender identity” as prohibited grounds of discrimination to its code of conduct as his justification.
Paolo De Buono, an elementary teacher at Toronto’s St. James Catholic School, tweeted last week that the books he’s reading to 10- and 11-year-old students include Sparkle Boy, The Boy who Cried Fabulous, A Tale of Two Mommies, and A Tale of Two Daddies.
This morning we read Fabulous, a fabulous story by @lesleanewman about accepting ourselves for who we are & accepting others for who they are.@LubinskiTeresa, you’re welcome to join us if you’d like to read any of the other books with my class. https://t.co/jCodLBFiWQ — Paolo De Buono, �� MSc, JD, OCT (@misterdebuono) February 5, 2020
De Buono was a leading advocate of the Toronto District Catholic School Board (TCDSB) adding the terms to its code of conduct, which governs students and staff, during the months’ long and bitter battle over the issue.
Teresa Lubinski, whom he mentions in his tweet, is one of four trustees who voted in November against the change.
The TCDSB is one of the largest publicly funded school boards in the world, with more than 91,000 students in 195 schools, and De Buono earns about $102,500 a year.
In other posts in a Twitter feed replete with pro-LGBT messages, De Buono displays a photo of his tie emblazoned with the slogan “It’s okay to be gay” and freely “outs” LGBTQ Catholic teachers:
Similarly, it is important for our Catholic LGBTQ+ students to see & identify with Catholic LGBTQ+ teachers. Beyond your #onted Catholic school, examples include @tcdsb teacher Michelle Blais & @DPCDSBSchools teacher Walt Chaisson.@CatholicEdu @CPCOofficial @OECTAProv https://t.co/XgvSAbBPug — Paolo De Buono, �� MSc, JD, OCT (@misterdebuono) February 11, 2020
Blais, who has marched with Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) in Toronto’s Pride Parade, teaches at Toronto’s Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts. She is a member of OECTA’s LGBTQ caucus, and Chaisson teaches at Ascension of Our Lord in Malton.
De Buono is also lobbying the board to allow “Diversity Klubs” for Grade 7 and 8, which he alleges are essential to combat “homophobia,” as he tweeted last week:
To support our Equity Action Plan at the school level, I proposed the Diversity Klub. I submitted a proposal in Sept., it wasn't set up by Jan., & so I submitted an updated proposal in Jan. A majority of Gr. 7-8 indicated an interest in participating.https://t.co/b8NVbqOxhJ pic.twitter.com/7eoU1jhDG9 — Paolo De Buono, �� MSc, JD, OCT (@misterdebuono) February 4, 2020
Code of conduct battle
De Buono’s actions seem to vindicate warnings by pro-family groups that changing the code of conduct would give LGBTQ activists cover to actively promote views of human sexuality contrary to Catholic teaching in Catholic schools.
The long-running battle over the code ended November 7 when eight trustees voted for the change: Maria Rizzo, Norman Di Pasquale, Markus De Dominico, Frank D’Amico, Angela Kennedy, Joe Martino, Ida Li Preti, and Daniel Di Giorgio.
Voting against were Lubinski, Michael Del Grande, Garry Tanuan, and Nancy Crawford.
Those for the change argued the TCDSB was obliged to obey ministry of education directive PPM 128 that ordered all boards to align their codes of conduct with the provincial and the Ontario Human Rights Code, both of which include the terms.
Opponents argued that gender ideology contradicts Catholic teaching and is harmful to children, and that Catholics have a constitutional right to teach their faith in their schools.
However, a TCDSB report appended to the agenda the night of the vote said the Toronto archdiocese had advised the board to change the code.
On November 11, the archdiocese released a statement conceding it recognized terms were added to the code as mandated by PPM 128, but adding: “While the archdiocese recognizes that terms such as gender identity are included in the Code, we do not accept the view of the human person which underlies this terminology, since that view is not compatible with our faith.”
LifeSiteNews contacted TCDSB director Rory McGuckin for response to De Buono’s statements, but was told the director would not comment. Nor did the TCDSB communications department respond to multiple requests for comment.
LifeSiteNews contacted Neil McCarthy, spokesman for Toronto Cardinal Thomas Collins, asking for a statement. McCarthy replied that “there is no public comment at this time.”
De Buono should be fired: Campaign Life
The archdiocese also stated that the TCDSB’s revised code “includes additional provisions to ensure that it is interpreted according to Catholic faith.”
But that’s a “nonsensical proviso,” especially in light of such interpretations of the Catholic faith as De Buono’s, says Jeff Gunnarson, president of Campaign Life Coalition.
“As if there exists such a thing as a ‘Catholic lens’ that one can strap onto sinful behaviour in order to make it acceptable for Catholics to engage in!” he told LifeSiteNews.
Campaign Life Coalition, Canada's national pro-life and pro-family political lobbying group, spearheaded opposition to the policy along with Parents as First Educators.
Campaign Life “begged” Cardinal Collins before the board voted “to publicly come out against their additions to the code of conduct and to demand that all trustees vote against them,” Gunnarson said.
Moreover, 1,915 people signed a Campaign Life petition “pleading with the cardinal to use his moral authority to encourage the trustees to reject gender identity theory,” he said, all to no avail.
Jack Fonseca, Campaign Life’s director of political operations, regards Collins’s failure to act at that time as paramount to a betrayal of parents, and contends that Catholics need their shepherd to take action now to repair the damage.
And as the cardinal is responsible under canon law to “to keep our Catholic schools Catholic,” says Fonseca, in this case that means Collins should see to it that the TCDSB fire De Buono.
“This pro-gay activist teacher has crossed a line and needs to be fired immediately. His excuse that he’s merely teaching kids about ‘respecting differences’ is so super-thin as to be non-existent,” Fonseca told LifeSiteNews.
De Buono is “openly promoting the homosexual lifestyle and transsexualism to impressionable Catholic children,” and “destroying their supernatural faith and indoctrinating them to embrace and celebrate behaviours that are condemned by the Catholic Church as gravely sinful and intrinsically disordered,” he added.
“This is diabolical.”
Moreover, De Buono is “mocking our Catholic educational leaders – the trustees and the diocesan archbishop — by rubbing his dissent in their faces on Twitter, and essentially daring them to try to stop him,” said Fonseca.
“Silence by His Eminence about De Buono will represent yet another betrayal on his part, on top of the last one. It’s time to redeem himself with an act of courageous leadership, to stand up against the LGBT bullies who have taken over our Catholic schools,” he added.
Gunnarson said Campaign Life “asks all Catholic rate-paying parents to contact the Toronto Archdiocese urging the Cardinal to put an end to this dissent.”
To sign the petition to Cardinal Collins, go here.
To respectfully express your views, contact:
Cardinal Thomas Collins, Office of the Cardinal
1155 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario M4T 1W2
Ph: 416-934-0606, ext. 609
email: [email protected]
Principal of St. James Catholic School:
Joanne Saragosa
416-393-5275
Email: [email protected]
TCDSB trustees:
Joseph Martino, Chair
Ward 1: Etobicoke
Phone: 416-512-3401
Fax: 416-512-3214
E-Mail: [email protected]
Markus de Domenico
Ward 2: Etobicoke
Phone: 416-512-3402
Fax: 416-512-3214
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ida Li Preti
Ward 3: North York
Phone: 416-512-3403
Phone: 416-222-8282 Ext.2660
Fax: 416-512-3214
E-Mail: [email protected]
Teresa Lubinski
Ward 4: Parkdale-High Park, Etobicoke-Lakeshore
Phone: 416-512-3404
Fax: 416-512-3214
E-Mail: [email protected]
Maria Rizzo
Ward 5: North York
Phone: 416-512-3405
Fax: 416-512-3214
E-Mail: [email protected]
Frank D'Amico, CD
Ward 6: York
Phone: 416-512-3406
Fax: 416-512-3214
E-Mail: [email protected]
Michael Del Grande
Ward 7: Scarborough/ North York
Phone: 416-512-3407
Fax: 416-512-3214
E-Mail: [email protected]
Garry Tanuan
Ward 8: Scarborough
Phone: 416-512-3408
Fax: 416-512-3214
E-Mail: [email protected]
Norm Di Pasquale
Ward 9: Toronto
Phone: 416-512-3409
Fax: 416-512-3214
E-Mail: [email protected]
Daniel Di Giorgio
Ward 10: Toronto
Phone: 416-512-3410
Fax: 416-512-3214
E-Mail: [email protected]
Angela Kennedy
Ward 11: East York/Toronto
Fax: 416-512-3214
E-Mail: [email protected]
Nancy Crawford
Ward 12: Scarborough
Phone: 416-512-3412
Fax: 416-512-3214
E-Mail: [email protected]
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