lifesitenews--2020-04-28--Biden announces he will reinstate transgender military policy Trump killed

April 27 , 2020 ( CNSNews.com ) — Former Vice President Joe Biden says that if he becomes president he will restore the policy followed during the Obama Administration that allowed transgender individuals to serve openly in the U.S. military .
“ In June 2016 , the Obama-Biden Administration overturned the ban on transgender individuals serving openly , without hiding their gender identity , ” says “ The Biden Plan to Advance LGBTQ+ Equality in America and Around the World , ” which is posted on Biden ’ s campaign website .
“ But Trump reversed this policy , barring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says the Biden plan .
“ This is discriminatory and detrimental to our national security , ” says Biden ’ s plan .
“ Every American who is qualified to serve in our military should be able to do so — regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and without having to hide who they are .
“ Biden , ” says the plan , “ will direct the U.S. Department of Defense to allow transgender service members to serve openly , receive needed medical treatment , and be free from discrimination.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to advance LGBTQ+ equality that talks about allowing transgender service members to serve openly : Reverse the transgender military ban .
In 2010 , Biden played a leading role in the Obama-Biden Administration ’ s repeal of “ Don ’ t Ask , Don ’ t Tell ” to allow gay , lesbian , and bisexual service members to serve the country they love without hiding their sexual orientation .
In June 2016 , the Obama-Biden Administration overturned the ban on transgender individuals serving openly , without hiding their gender identity .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patriots from serving openly .
This is discriminatory and detrimental to our national security .
Every American who is qualified to serve in our military should be able to do so — regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and without having to hide who they are .
Biden will direct the U.S. Department of Defense to allow transgender service members to serve openly , receive needed medical treatment , and be free from discrimination .

Trump's decision to bar gender-confused people from presenting themselves as members of the opposite sex in the military is 'discriminatory and detrimental to our national security,' Biden said.
April 27, 2020 (CNSNews.com) — Former Vice President Joe Biden says that if he becomes president he will restore the policy followed during the Obama Administration that allowed transgender individuals to serve openly in the U.S. military.
“In June 2016, the Obama-Biden Administration overturned the ban on transgender individuals serving openly, without hiding their gender identity,” says “The Biden Plan to Advance LGBTQ+ Equality in America and Around the World,” which is posted on Biden’s campaign website.
“But Trump reversed this policy, barring transgender patriots from serving openly,” says the Biden plan.
“This is discriminatory and detrimental to our national security,” says Biden’s plan. “Every American who is qualified to serve in our military should be able to do so — regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and without having to hide who they are.
“Biden,” says the plan, “will direct the U.S. Department of Defense to allow transgender service members to serve openly, receive needed medical treatment, and be free from discrimination.”
Here is the passage from the plan to advance LGBTQ+ equality that talks about allowing transgender service members to serve openly:
Reverse the transgender military ban. In 2010, Biden played a leading role in the Obama-Biden Administration’s repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to allow gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members to serve the country they love without hiding their sexual orientation. In June 2016, the Obama-Biden Administration overturned the ban on transgender individuals serving openly, without hiding their gender identity. But Trump reversed this policy, barring transgender patriots from serving openly. This is discriminatory and detrimental to our national security. Every American who is qualified to serve in our military should be able to do so — regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and without having to hide who they are. Biden will direct the U.S. Department of Defense to allow transgender service members to serve openly, receive needed medical treatment, and be free from discrimination.
Published with permission from CNSNews.com.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-28--Abortion pill reversal hotline gets record number of calls during COVID-19 panic

April 27 , 2020 ( Live Action News ) — During March , the Abortion Pill Rescue Network saw a record number of calls for abortion pill reversals .
Andrea Trudden , director of communications for Heartbeat International , which runs the Abortion Pill Rescue Network , told Live Action News that 105 mothers started the process of halting their chemical abortions after calling the hotline .
Trudden said , “ We are now seeing over 80 % of our callers start the reversal process.
” The abortion pill reversal method is available to mothers who begin the abortion pill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chemical abortion is a two-step procedure , it may be possible to stop the death of the preborn baby and continue the pregnancy if the mother receives appropriate medical intervention .
In a typical chemical abortion , a mother takes mifepristone ( RU-486 ) , which blocks the hormone progesterone .
This gradually causes the baby to die through lack of oxygen and nutrients as the withdrawal of progesterone causes the lining of the uterus to break down .
One to two days later , the mother then takes another pill , misoprostol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expel the baby ’ s body .
If a mother who changes her mind after beginning a chemical abortion receives supplemental progesterone before taking the second pill , there is a chance to save the baby ’ s life and continue with a normal pregnancy ( note : this chance is not a guarantee ) .
The abortion industry has attempted to discredit the abortion pill reversal process and is using the pandemic to push for expanding dangerous telemedicine abortions .
Trudden stressed that the nursing team answering the hotline and the provider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are available to care for women immediately .
She wrote , “ We understand this is a stressful time for many , and some women are starting chemical abortion because that is the only option they can see.
” Many of the calls the hotline receives are “ from the abortion facility parking lot or from the car on the drive home because the regret is immediate.
” Trudden added that in addition to women seeking abortion pill reversal , Heartbeat International ’ s Option Line has seen a 30–50 % increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While the abortion industry has capitalized on this time of uncertainty and fear to increase the number of abortions , despite the fact that abortion is never necessary , pro-life groups are still connecting women with immediate resources and assistance .
While the abortion industry continues to ignore abortion pill reversal and capitalize on fear , babies saved through abortion pill reversal are living proof that there is hope .

April 27, 2020 (Live Action News) — During March, the Abortion Pill Rescue Network saw a record number of calls for abortion pill reversals. Andrea Trudden, director of communications for Heartbeat International, which runs the Abortion Pill Rescue Network, told Live Action News that 105 mothers started the process of halting their chemical abortions after calling the hotline. Trudden said, “We are now seeing over 80% of our callers start the reversal process.”
The abortion pill reversal method is available to mothers who begin the abortion pill regimen and regret their decision. Because chemical abortion is a two-step procedure, it may be possible to stop the death of the preborn baby and continue the pregnancy if the mother receives appropriate medical intervention. In a typical chemical abortion, a mother takes mifepristone (RU-486), which blocks the hormone progesterone. This gradually causes the baby to die through lack of oxygen and nutrients as the withdrawal of progesterone causes the lining of the uterus to break down. One to two days later, the mother then takes another pill, misoprostol, to induce contractions and bleeding to expel the baby’s body.
If a mother who changes her mind after beginning a chemical abortion receives supplemental progesterone before taking the second pill, there is a chance to save the baby’s life and continue with a normal pregnancy (note: this chance is not a guarantee). The abortion industry has attempted to discredit the abortion pill reversal process and is using the pandemic to push for expanding dangerous telemedicine abortions.
Trudden stressed that the nursing team answering the hotline and the provider network that manages the abortion pill reversal are available to care for women immediately. She wrote, “We understand this is a stressful time for many, and some women are starting chemical abortion because that is the only option they can see.” Many of the calls the hotline receives are “from the abortion facility parking lot or from the car on the drive home because the regret is immediate.”
Trudden added that in addition to women seeking abortion pill reversal, Heartbeat International’s Option Line has seen a 30–50% increase in calls for assistance during the pandemic. While the abortion industry has capitalized on this time of uncertainty and fear to increase the number of abortions, despite the fact that abortion is never necessary, pro-life groups are still connecting women with immediate resources and assistance.
While the abortion industry continues to ignore abortion pill reversal and capitalize on fear, babies saved through abortion pill reversal are living proof that there is hope.
Published with permission from Live Action News.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-28--Virginia governor sued for targeting Christians during coronavirus panic

RICHMOND , Virginia , April 27 , 2020 ( Liberty Counsel ) — Pastor Kevin Wilson and Lighthouse Fellowship Church on Chincoteague Island filed a federal lawsuit against Governor Ralph Northam for violating their religious freedom by targeting churchgoers on Palm Sunday .
Liberty Counsel represents the pastor and church and filed the lawsuit Friday in federal court .
Police served a summons to Pastor Wilson for holding a church service for 16 people spaced far apart in a sanctuary that is rated for 293 people .
The charge is violating Virginia Governor Northam ’ s COVID Order 55 with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jail and/or a $ 2,500 fine .
On April 5 , before the service on Palm Sunday , a local police officer entered the church .
He gave no introduction and did not ask for the pastor .
He abruptly said they could not have more than 10 people spaced six feet apart .
Then , after the service , two police officers entered the church in full mask and gloves and asked to speak with the pastor .
They issued him a summons and informed him that if he had service on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same summons .
Lighthouse Fellowship Church helps keep people free of drug addiction , brokenness , mental illness , poverty , and prostitution .
The church , which does not have internet , provides physical , emotional and spiritual services to the community .
Many of the members do not have driver ’ s licenses and are dependent on the church family for rides to get food , supplies , and go to medical appointments and personal care services like haircuts .
Many attendees are on limited income obtained from government assistance — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Medicaid and the church has helped various members with electric or gas bills , rent , groceries , and physical labor .
The church also offers a blanket ministry , prayer ministry , discipleship programs , and counseling services .
Last Thursday , the parking lots of multiple commercial establishments were filled with hundreds of cars .
Yet , Gov .
Northam criminalizes religious worship that exceeds 10 people .
The Supreme Court has unequivocally stated , “ [ i ] f there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or petty , can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics , nationalism , religion , or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.
” W. Va. State Bd .
of Educ .
v. Barnette , 319 U.S. 624 , 642 ( 1943 ) ( emphasis added ) .
The Commonwealth of Virginia does not have the authority to dictate the manner or form of worship , whether that be online or a 10-person limit .
Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discriminated against Lighthouse Fellowship Church which provides essential physical , emotional and spiritual services to the community .
This church does not have internet and can not flip a switch to broadcast online .
Even if it could go online , many of the people the church serves do not have internet .
Pastor Wilson protected the health and safety of the 16 people that attended on Palm Sunday by requiring them to be spread far apart in the sanctuary .
But because the church had six more people than the 10 allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being criminally charged .
We must balance the First Amendment with protecting the health and welfare of people but picking an arbitrary number of 10 people for every church is not the answer , ” said Staver .
Liberty Counsel is a nonprofit , litigation , education , and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom , the sanctity of life , and the family since 1989 , by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics .
Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN @ @ @ @

RICHMOND, Virginia, April 27, 2020 (Liberty Counsel) — Pastor Kevin Wilson and Lighthouse Fellowship Church on Chincoteague Island filed a federal lawsuit against Governor Ralph Northam for violating their religious freedom by targeting churchgoers on Palm Sunday. Liberty Counsel represents the pastor and church and filed the lawsuit Friday in federal court.
Police served a summons to Pastor Wilson for holding a church service for 16 people spaced far apart in a sanctuary that is rated for 293 people. The charge is violating Virginia Governor Northam’s COVID Order 55 with a penalty up to a year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine.
On April 5, before the service on Palm Sunday, a local police officer entered the church. He gave no introduction and did not ask for the pastor. He abruptly said they could not have more than 10 people spaced six feet apart. Then, after the service, two police officers entered the church in full mask and gloves and asked to speak with the pastor. They issued him a summons and informed him that if he had service on Easter, all attending would get the same summons.
Lighthouse Fellowship Church helps keep people free of drug addiction, brokenness, mental illness, poverty, and prostitution. The church, which does not have internet, provides physical, emotional and spiritual services to the community. Many of the members do not have driver’s licenses and are dependent on the church family for rides to get food, supplies, and go to medical appointments and personal care services like haircuts. Many attendees are on limited income obtained from government assistance — whether disability or social security, Medicare or Medicaid and the church has helped various members with electric or gas bills, rent, groceries, and physical labor. The church also offers a blanket ministry, prayer ministry, discipleship programs, and counseling services.
Last Thursday, the parking lots of multiple commercial establishments were filled with hundreds of cars. Yet, Gov. Northam criminalizes religious worship that exceeds 10 people.
The Supreme Court has unequivocally stated, “[i]f there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.” W. Va. State Bd. of Educ. v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624, 642 (1943) (emphasis added). The Commonwealth of Virginia does not have the authority to dictate the manner or form of worship, whether that be online or a 10-person limit.
Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “Governor Ralph Northam has clearly discriminated against Lighthouse Fellowship Church which provides essential physical, emotional and spiritual services to the community. This church does not have internet and cannot flip a switch to broadcast online. Even if it could go online, many of the people the church serves do not have internet. Pastor Wilson protected the health and safety of the 16 people that attended on Palm Sunday by requiring them to be spread far apart in the sanctuary. But because the church had six more people than the 10 allowed by the governor, the pastor is being criminally charged. We must balance the First Amendment with protecting the health and welfare of people but picking an arbitrary number of 10 people for every church is not the answer,” said Staver.
Liberty Counsel is a nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.
Published with permission from Liberty Counsel.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-29--Judge on Trump SCOTUS list rebukes court for putting abortion above law and lives

PETITION : Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here .
April 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Judge Amul Thapar of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals forcefully rebuked his colleagues for ruling that Tennessee must exempt the abortion industry from orders to conserve medical supplies during the COVID-19 crisis , offering insight into how he might rule if President Donald Trump selects him to fill a future Supreme Court vacancy .
Earlier this month , U.S. district judge Bernard Friedman blocked Republican Gov .
Bill Lee ’ s executive order temporarily suspending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applied to elective abortions .
Such emergency orders are based on medical authorities ’ guidance to delay procedures both to limit the spread of the coronavirus and to free up time and resources to focus on infected patients .
The Sixth Circuit sided with Friedman , Fox News reports , but Thapar penned a stinging dissent , all but accusing his colleagues ’ “ deeply flawed ” decision of putting ideology ahead of the law .
He said the majority “ committed numerous legal errors , made hardly any factual findings , issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substituted its own policy views for those of the elected officials who are actually fighting the pandemic .
All because the district court thought that a three-week delay for certain abortions might prevent some unidentified person from having an abortion .
Most cases of judicial aggrandizement have costs .
But in few are the potential costs so great.
” “ Of course , a state always suffers irreparable injury when it ’ s wrongfully enjoined from enforcing one of its laws .
But that ’ s far from the only harm here , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued the executive order to preserve critical medical equipment .
Every piece of equipment used for something besides the pandemic response could cost a life — the life of someone who acts selflessly to help others in a time of crisis.
” “ To sum up : the district court granted an injunction without much effort to apply the relevant law , without specific factual findings , and without any attempt to tailor the remedy to the purported constitutional violation , ” the judge concluded .
“ If that doesn ’ t count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know what would.
” Thapar is on Trump ’ s short list to fill vacancies to the nation ’ s highest court .
While his words do not specify whether he thinks Roe v. Wade was rightly decided or shed light on his approach to judicial precedent , they do display a willingness to push back against pro-abortion judicial activism .
While similar challenges are ongoing in several states , it remains to be seen whether the current dispute will reach the Supreme Court following Texas officials ’ decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elective procedures , including abortions .
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ s live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

Judge Amul Thapar argued that his colleagues 'committed numerous legal errors, made hardly any factual findings,' and 'issued an overly broad injunction,' among other complaints.
PETITION: Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here.
April 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Judge Amul Thapar of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals forcefully rebuked his colleagues for ruling that Tennessee must exempt the abortion industry from orders to conserve medical supplies during the COVID-19 crisis, offering insight into how he might rule if President Donald Trump selects him to fill a future Supreme Court vacancy.
Earlier this month, U.S. district judge Bernard Friedman blocked Republican Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order temporarily suspending “non-urgent” medical procedures from being applied to elective abortions. Such emergency orders are based on medical authorities’ guidance to delay procedures both to limit the spread of the coronavirus and to free up time and resources to focus on infected patients.
The Sixth Circuit sided with Friedman, Fox News reports, but Thapar penned a stinging dissent, all but accusing his colleagues’ “deeply flawed” decision of putting ideology ahead of the law.
He said the majority “committed numerous legal errors, made hardly any factual findings, issued an overly broad injunction, and brazenly substituted its own policy views for those of the elected officials who are actually fighting the pandemic. All because the district court thought that a three-week delay for certain abortions might prevent some unidentified person from having an abortion. Most cases of judicial aggrandizement have costs. But in few are the potential costs so great.”
“Of course, a state always suffers irreparable injury when it’s wrongfully enjoined from enforcing one of its laws. But that’s far from the only harm here,” Thapar continued. “The Governor issued the executive order to preserve critical medical equipment. Every piece of equipment used for something besides the pandemic response could cost a life — the life of someone who acts selflessly to help others in a time of crisis.”
“To sum up: the district court granted an injunction without much effort to apply the relevant law, without specific factual findings, and without any attempt to tailor the remedy to the purported constitutional violation,” the judge concluded. “If that doesn’t count as an abuse of discretion, I don’t know what would.”
Thapar is on Trump’s short list to fill vacancies to the nation’s highest court. While his words do not specify whether he thinks Roe v. Wade was rightly decided or shed light on his approach to judicial precedent, they do display a willingness to push back against pro-abortion judicial activism.
While similar challenges are ongoing in several states, it remains to be seen whether the current dispute will reach the Supreme Court following Texas officials’ decision to relax their state’s suspension of elective procedures, including abortions.
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’s live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-28--Exorcist tells of when Satan rebuked him for saying Mass ‘too quickly’

April 28 , 2020 ( Daily Compass ) — “ Priests today say Mass too quickly ; ” “ They don ’ t understand that when they celebrate Mass , She ( Mary ) is present at the altar and the angels with her.
” Paradoxically , this is Satan speaking out about Holy Mass while being exorcised .
The compelling account of this exorcism is circulating on YouTube in a recording ( Italian ) by the exorcist Don Ambrogio Villa ; it ’ s the tale of a homily .
Although uploaded a few months ago , it already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has made ‘ Villa ’ a popular household name .
Don Ambrogio was the local parish priest of a small town in Lombardy , that is until he began to work full-time as an exorcist for the Milanese Diocese in Northern Italy a few years ago .
He is one of many priests across the globe , who have responded to the increasing need for exorcists .
According to a report from 2018 , in just the Vatican ’ s home Italy , exorcisms have tripled with approximately 500,000 performed every year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a role for the faint-heartened , explains Don Ambrogio .
Even if you are in persona Christi , the devil subjects you to “ vulgarity , threats and violence.
” Yet , he stresses in the recording , what demons are constrained to reveal in certain moments during an exorcism is an “ authentic Catechism ” which if heeded could make the difference to lives and souls .
In the end , there is nothing surprising about this ; it also happened with Jesus .
Christ was the first exorcist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public ministry .
Jesus ’ encounters with the demon-possessed , His power to cast out demons and their confessions in His presence , are described in several passages in the gospels .
In Mark , for example , they are the only witnesses who publicly recognise Jesus as the Messiah .
And in Mark , 1:24 , a demon addresses Jesus with these words , “ What do you want with us , Jesus of Nazareth ?
Have you come to destroy us ?
I know who you are — the Holy One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the presence of Jesus because they knew he had the power to change their lives by exorcism .
In fact , exorcisms usually change the life of the possessor and possessed but Don Ambrogio recounts that his life too has been radically reformed by the devil ’ s revelations .
What makes this encounter unique , is the devil ’ s answer when prompted to speak about priests ; he evidently has a score to settle : “ You ( priests ) say Mass too quickly , you raise that piece of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are in a hurry , because you have more important things to do.
” Shocking words that lead Don Ambrogio to admit , this is as much about him as anyone else .
His first consideration , confirming the devil has a point , is to “ no longer say mass as he has been ” .
Volumes have been written on the subject of the liturgy but evidently , a problem persists .
Even Benedict XVI addresses the subject in From the Depths of Our Hearts .
The Pope Emeritus writes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , implies a permanent state of service to God ’ which ‘ indicates the Eucharist as the centre of priestly life ’ .
But according to the devil , that privileged sacramental relationship between the priesthood and Holy Mass is constantly being devalued .
According to Don Ambrogio , it wouldn ’ t be an unfair exaggeration to say “ Mass is no longer valued ” .
He explains his point : “ We all think we are donating something to God by going to Mass , instead , it is Christ ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We forget that “ the first motive for going to mass is to be saved and forgiven.
” What ’ s more , he stresses , “ that little piece of unleavened bread goes in to our stomach and before our gastric juices disintegrate it , 8 to 10 minutes pass ... we are a tabernacle for Jesus ... Our Creator is in us and before us ... and we still forget to give thanks for this sacrifice ” before and after mass .
But there is more and the devil addresses priests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he discloses something extraordinary .
“ You do n't understand , that when you say Mass , Mary His mother and all the angels are there gathered around the altar.
” It ’ s true , we don ’ t even consider that “ all of heaven is gathered around Christ ’ s sacrifice ” at the altar , continues Don Ambrogio .
Yet this isn ’ t the first time divine presence at the altar during the consecration has been mentioned .
For example , the late Bishop Girolamo Grillo of Civitavecchia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Civitavecchia including Fabio Gregori ’ s description of the first time Mary appeared to him .
This is Fabio ’ s testimony : “ It was July 2 , 1995 .
I was at afternoon mass .
It was about 18:30 .
Our Lady appeared at the moment the parish priest was about to consecrate the sacred Host .
Her feet rested on a cloud , exactly above Father Paulo and her hands held open were pointing downwards .
She stayed there in silent adoration until communion .
From her behaviour , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Saviour , is truly present and alive in the Eucharist.
” Trying to make sense of shrinking congregations and youth who say “ Mass doesn ’ t do anything for me anymore ” , don Ambrogio has found his answer .
Listening to the devil he says , has “ changed my life forever ” .
If Mass is celebrated and participated with the reverence it ’ s properly due “ our thirst will be quenched ” .
When God is not served well and when the holy sacrifice of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God is lost and we are lost too .
Ironically , at a time when the Church seems lost in a perpetual state of confusion , the devil knows what we need : a Holy Mass .
Published with permission from the Daily Compass .

According to Don Ambrogio Villa, it wouldn’t be an unfair exaggeration to say the Mass is no longer valued — which, he affirms, the Devil did tell him during an exorcism.
April 28, 2020 (Daily Compass) — “Priests today say Mass too quickly;” “They don’t understand that when they celebrate Mass, She (Mary) is present at the altar and the angels with her.” Paradoxically, this is Satan speaking out about Holy Mass while being exorcised. The compelling account of this exorcism is circulating on YouTube in a recording (Italian) by the exorcist Don Ambrogio Villa; it’s the tale of a homily. Although uploaded a few months ago, it already counts hundreds of thousands of views and has made ‘Villa’ a popular household name.
Don Ambrogio was the local parish priest of a small town in Lombardy, that is until he began to work full-time as an exorcist for the Milanese Diocese in Northern Italy a few years ago. He is one of many priests across the globe, who have responded to the increasing need for exorcists. According to a report from 2018, in just the Vatican’s home Italy, exorcisms have tripled with approximately 500,000 performed every year. Waging a spiritual battle against the devil is not a role for the faint-heartened, explains Don Ambrogio. Even if you are in persona Christi, the devil subjects you to “vulgarity, threats and violence.” Yet, he stresses in the recording, what demons are constrained to reveal in certain moments during an exorcism is an “authentic Catechism” which if heeded could make the difference to lives and souls.
In the end, there is nothing surprising about this; it also happened with Jesus. Christ was the first exorcist and exorcism was an integral part of His public ministry. Jesus’ encounters with the demon-possessed, His power to cast out demons and their confessions in His presence, are described in several passages in the gospels. In Mark, for example, they are the only witnesses who publicly recognise Jesus as the Messiah. And in Mark, 1:24, a demon addresses Jesus with these words, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God”! Demons feared being in the presence of Jesus because they knew he had the power to change their lives by exorcism.
In fact, exorcisms usually change the life of the possessor and possessed but Don Ambrogio recounts that his life too has been radically reformed by the devil’s revelations. What makes this encounter unique, is the devil’s answer when prompted to speak about priests; he evidently has a score to settle: “You (priests) say Mass too quickly, you raise that piece of bread and immediately put it down, you are in a hurry, because you have more important things to do.” Shocking words that lead Don Ambrogio to admit, this is as much about him as anyone else. His first consideration, confirming the devil has a point, is to “no longer say mass as he has been”. Volumes have been written on the subject of the liturgy but evidently, a problem persists. Even Benedict XVI addresses the subject in From the Depths of Our Hearts. The Pope Emeritus writes ‘the daily celebration of the Eucharist, implies a permanent state of service to God’ which ‘indicates the Eucharist as the centre of priestly life’. But according to the devil, that privileged sacramental relationship between the priesthood and Holy Mass is constantly being devalued.
According to Don Ambrogio, it wouldn’t be an unfair exaggeration to say “Mass is no longer valued”. He explains his point: “We all think we are donating something to God by going to Mass, instead, it is Christ’s sacrifice who forgives our sins.” We forget that “the first motive for going to mass is to be saved and forgiven.” What’s more, he stresses, “that little piece of unleavened bread goes in to our stomach and before our gastric juices disintegrate it, 8 to 10 minutes pass…we are a tabernacle for Jesus … Our Creator is in us and before us … and we still forget to give thanks for this sacrifice” before and after mass.
But there is more and the devil addresses priests with a second grievance, this time he discloses something extraordinary. “You don't understand, that when you say Mass, Mary His mother and all the angels are there gathered around the altar.” It’s true, we don’t even consider that “all of heaven is gathered around Christ’s sacrifice” at the altar, continues Don Ambrogio. Yet this isn’t the first time divine presence at the altar during the consecration has been mentioned. For example, the late Bishop Girolamo Grillo of Civitavecchia officially recognised all the apparitions and messages of Civitavecchia including Fabio Gregori’s description of the first time Mary appeared to him. This is Fabio’s testimony: “It was July 2, 1995. I was at afternoon mass. It was about 18:30. Our Lady appeared at the moment the parish priest was about to consecrate the sacred Host. Her feet rested on a cloud, exactly above Father Paulo and her hands held open were pointing downwards. She stayed there in silent adoration until communion. From her behaviour, it was clear that her Son Jesus, the Saviour, is truly present and alive in the Eucharist.”
Trying to make sense of shrinking congregations and youth who say “Mass doesn’t do anything for me anymore”, don Ambrogio has found his answer. Listening to the devil he says, has “changed my life forever”. If Mass is celebrated and participated with the reverence it’s properly due “our thirst will be quenched”. When God is not served well and when the holy sacrifice of the mass is devalued, the majesty of God is lost and we are lost too.
Ironically, at a time when the Church seems lost in a perpetual state of confusion, the devil knows what we need: a Holy Mass.
Published with permission from the Daily Compass.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-28--Head of German bishops: Coronavirus not divine punishment since ‘God does not punish’

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world : Feed your flock Sign the petition here .
LIMBURG , Germany , April 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The president of the German Bishops ’ Conference , Bishop Georg Bätzing , has stated that the coronavirus pandemic is not God ’ s punishment , contradicting numerous Catholic leaders who have called COVID-19 a “ chastisement.
” According to the website of the Diocese of Limburg , Germany , Bätzing said on April 23 that he can not understand people who consider COVID-19 God ’ s punishment .
“ My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jesus died for us .
That is when God made his decision for life .
God does not punish , ” he said .
In his homily for the feast of St. George , Bätzing , who was elected last month to succeed Cardinal Reinhard Marx as head of the German bishops , warned against conspiracy theories as well as against overestimating or underestimating the virus .
“ We can have hope of defeating the virus , ” the bishop of Limburg said .
“ With the strength of science , with reasonable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me and you , and with the strength of our faith , which knows that the power of life is stronger than death and all threats .
That is our Paschal faith.
” The president of the German bishops ’ conference , during an Easter interview , called for changing the Church ’ s official teaching on “ practiced homosexuality ” by “ jumping over trenches.
” In addition , he voiced his support for married clergy as well as potentially ordaining women .
Bätzing ’ s assessment , according to which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ echoes remarks made by other Church leaders — for instance , Cardinal Christoph Schönborn , archbishop of Vienna , Austria .
At the same time , many Catholics said the pandemic is certainly a punishment .
Most recently , popular theologian Scott Hahn told LifeSiteNews ’ s John-Henry Westen that the question of punishment is “ complicated , ” nevertheless giving a straightforward answer .
“ You know , I would say , ‘ Is God getting even with us ?
Is God getting back at us ?
’ No .
God is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s the purpose of punishment .
So is this a punishment ?
Well , yeah .
And why ?
Because we have sinned.
” Bishop Athanasius Schneider was not afraid of explicitly calling the coronavirus pandemic “ a divine intervention to chastise and purify the sinful world and also the Church.
” The auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Astana , Kazakhstan quoted from the book of Revelation , the last book of the Bible .
“ I have a few things against you : you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality .
Therefore repent .
If not , I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
” “ I am convinced , ” Schneider commented , “ that Christ would repeat the same words to Pope Francis and to the other bishops who allowed the idolatrous veneration of the Pachamama and who implicitly approved sexual relationships outside a valid marriage , by allowing the so-called ‘ divorced and remarried ’ who are sexually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bishop , who grew up in the Soviet Union before coming to Germany in 1973 , said the current situation “ is so unique and serious that one can discover behind all of this a deeper meaning.
” Receiving Holy Communion in the hand , a practice disobediently adopted in some parts of the world and then officially permitted by Pope Paul VI roughly 50 years ago , “ has led to an unintentional and intentional desecration [ of ] the Eucharistic Body of Christ on an unprecedented scale .
For over fifty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been ( mostly unintentionally ) trampled by the feet of clergy and laity in Catholic churches around the world .
The stealing of sacred Hosts has also been increasing at an alarming rate.
” According to Schneider , taking the Eucharist “ directly with one ’ s own hands and fingers resembles ever more the gesture of taking common food.
” For many people , he said , this practice led to a weakened faith in the Real Presence .
“ The Eucharistic presence of Christ has , over time , unconsciously become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bread or symbol.
” The current situation , where in many parts of the world no public Masses are said , and Holy Communion can not be received by the faithful , “ could be understood by the pope and bishops as a divine rebuke for the past fifty years of Eucharistic desecrations and trivializations and , at the same time , as a merciful appeal for an authentic Eucharistic conversion of the entire Church.
” Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò , in a March 29 interview , linked the coronavirus to a chastisement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pope Francis to “ convert ” for having brought into the Church the “ terrible sacrilege ” of idolatry , using the Pachamama statues during the Amazon Synod .
“ The pope , the hierarchy , and all bishops , priests and religious must immediately and absolutely convert , ” he said .
“ [ These clerics ] have even committed acts of unprecedented gravity , such as we saw with the adoration of the Pachamama idol in the Vatican itself , ” Viganò pointed out .
“ Indeed , I think Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great multitude of scandals committed by those who ought to be setting a good example , because they are Shepherds , to the flocks to whom they have been entrusted.
” Other Catholic leaders — for instance , John Smeaton , chief executive of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children , the first and largest pro-life organization in the United Kingdom — have offered similar assessments .
Smeaton called the coronavirus pandemic a “ chastisement ” for abortion and other sins .

'My God has not known such thoughts since Jesus died for us,' Bishop Georg Bätzing declared.
Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock Sign the petition here.
LIMBURG, Germany, April 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The president of the German Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Georg Bätzing, has stated that the coronavirus pandemic is not God’s punishment, contradicting numerous Catholic leaders who have called COVID-19 a “chastisement.”
According to the website of the Diocese of Limburg, Germany, Bätzing said on April 23 that he cannot understand people who consider COVID-19 God’s punishment.
“My God has not known such thoughts since Jesus died for us. That is when God made his decision for life. God does not punish,” he said.
In his homily for the feast of St. George, Bätzing, who was elected last month to succeed Cardinal Reinhard Marx as head of the German bishops, warned against conspiracy theories as well as against overestimating or underestimating the virus.
“We can have hope of defeating the virus,” the bishop of Limburg said. “With the strength of science, with reasonable behavior that is in solidarity and protects me and you, and with the strength of our faith, which knows that the power of life is stronger than death and all threats. That is our Paschal faith.”
The president of the German bishops’ conference, during an Easter interview, called for changing the Church’s official teaching on “practiced homosexuality” by “jumping over trenches.” In addition, he voiced his support for married clergy as well as potentially ordaining women.
Bätzing’s assessment, according to which the coronavirus pandemic is not a chastisement, echoes remarks made by other Church leaders — for instance, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, archbishop of Vienna, Austria.
At the same time, many Catholics said the pandemic is certainly a punishment.
Most recently, popular theologian Scott Hahn told LifeSiteNews’s John-Henry Westen that the question of punishment is “complicated,” nevertheless giving a straightforward answer.
“You know, I would say, ‘Is God getting even with us? Is God getting back at us?’ No. God is trying to get us back to Himself. That’s the purpose of punishment. So is this a punishment? Well, yeah. And why? Because we have sinned.”
Bishop Athanasius Schneider was not afraid of explicitly calling the coronavirus pandemic “a divine intervention to chastise and purify the sinful world and also the Church.”
The auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Astana, Kazakhstan quoted from the book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. “I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching … that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.”
“I am convinced,” Schneider commented, “that Christ would repeat the same words to Pope Francis and to the other bishops who allowed the idolatrous veneration of the Pachamama and who implicitly approved sexual relationships outside a valid marriage, by allowing the so-called ‘divorced and remarried’ who are sexually active to receive Holy Communion.”
The bishop, who grew up in the Soviet Union before coming to Germany in 1973, said the current situation “is so unique and serious that one can discover behind all of this a deeper meaning.”
Receiving Holy Communion in the hand, a practice disobediently adopted in some parts of the world and then officially permitted by Pope Paul VI roughly 50 years ago, “has led to an unintentional and intentional desecration [of] the Eucharistic Body of Christ on an unprecedented scale. For over fifty years, the Body of Christ had been (mostly unintentionally) trampled by the feet of clergy and laity in Catholic churches around the world. The stealing of sacred Hosts has also been increasing at an alarming rate.”
According to Schneider, taking the Eucharist “directly with one’s own hands and fingers resembles ever more the gesture of taking common food.”
For many people, he said, this practice led to a weakened faith in the Real Presence. “The Eucharistic presence of Christ has, over time, unconsciously become for these faithful a kind of holy bread or symbol.”
The current situation, where in many parts of the world no public Masses are said, and Holy Communion cannot be received by the faithful, “could be understood by the pope and bishops as a divine rebuke for the past fifty years of Eucharistic desecrations and trivializations and, at the same time, as a merciful appeal for an authentic Eucharistic conversion of the entire Church.”
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, in a March 29 interview, linked the coronavirus to a chastisement from God for sin while calling on Pope Francis to “convert” for having brought into the Church the “terrible sacrilege” of idolatry, using the Pachamama statues during the Amazon Synod.
“The pope, the hierarchy, and all bishops, priests and religious must immediately and absolutely convert,” he said.
“[These clerics] have even committed acts of unprecedented gravity, such as we saw with the adoration of the Pachamama idol in the Vatican itself,” Viganò pointed out.
“Indeed, I think Our Lord has rightly become indignant at the great multitude of scandals committed by those who ought to be setting a good example, because they are Shepherds, to the flocks to whom they have been entrusted.”
Other Catholic leaders — for instance, John Smeaton, chief executive of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, the first and largest pro-life organization in the United Kingdom — have offered similar assessments. Smeaton called the coronavirus pandemic a “chastisement” for abortion and other sins.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-28--Trump’s top diplomat disgusted with Harvard ‘leftist scholars’ demanding homeschooling ban

PETITION : Thank President Trump for halting U.S. funding to pro-abortion World Health Organization Sign the petition here .
WASHINGTON , D.C. , April 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Secretary of state Mike Pompeo has spoken out in support of homeschooling , referring to a Harvard Magazine article slandering families educating their children at home and calling for “ a presumptive ban on the practice.
” “ The risk to children is NOT from homeschooling , ” Pompeo tweeted .
“ The risk is from radical leftist scholars seeking to impose THEIR values on OUR children.
” Harvard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor Elizabeth Bartholet , who argued that homeschooling “ not only violates children ’ s right to a ‘ meaningful education ’ and their right to be protected from potential child abuse , but may keep them from contributing positively to a democratic society.
” She also said “ one benefit of sending children to school at age four or five is that teachers are ‘ mandated reporters , ’ required to alert authorities to evidence of child abuse or neglect.
” Bartholet questioned the motives of homeschooling families , especially those having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted “ that some of these parents are ‘ extreme religious ideologues ’ who question science and promote female subservience and white supremacy.
” The Harvard professor effectively denied parents ’ rights as primary educators of their children , claiming that “ we have thought of the government as having some right to educate children so that they become active , productive participants in the larger society.
” “ But it ’ s also important that children grow up exposed to community values , social values , democratic values , ideas about nondiscrimination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewpoints , ” she said , thereby implying that homeschooling families are unable to provide those values .
Requiring children to attend schools outside the home for six or seven hours a day , Bartholet said , would not really limit parents ’ influence on a child ’ s views and ideas .
“ The issue is , do we think that parents should have 24/7 , essentially authoritarian control over their children from ages zero to 18 ?
I think that ’ s dangerous.
” Secretary Pompeo summarized the article by stating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : to further the destruction of the family unit .
Her plan : substitute state power for parental love .
For her , the corollary benefit is to drive Christian values out of public discourse under the guise of preventing ‘ child abuse.
’ ” “ This ivory-tower screed attacking parents who choose to dedicate their lives to educating their own children , often at significant financial sacrifice , is a reminder that we must all work together to protect civilization ’ s most successful institution : our families , ” Pompeo concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ This is barbaric .
Myopic .
And unconstitutional.
” Joseph Shaw , in his LifeSiteNews column , looked at a lengthy article , written by Elizabeth Bartholet and published by the Arizona Law Review .
“ Bartholet complains repeatedly about the lack of information , and then draws extravagant conclusions , and proposes draconian legal changes , on the basis of this inadequate information , ” Shaw noted .
“ It is meaningless to point out that some homeschooling parents only manage to bring their children up to meager standards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desperation from a school where outcomes are even worse , ” he continued .
Michael Farris , founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association ( HSLDA ) and now president of the Alliance Defending Freedom , pointed out that in public schools , “ family income is a strong predictor of a child ’ s academic success .
In homeschooling , children from lower-income levels not only outscore their public school socio-economic counterparts , but they also score comparably to homeschool students from higher income levels.
” “ Harvard should also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor ’ s absolutely unsupported assertion that homeschool students will not be able to contribute positively to our democratic processes , ” he added .
Finally , Farris emphasized that “ Bartholet conjures up an imaginary profile of conservative Christian homeschoolers.
” At the end of March , LifeSiteNews reported on a “ Homeschooling Summit ” scheduled to take place at Harvard in June .
The conference will bring together a number of speakers opposed to homeschooling , or at least arguing for certain limitations to the practice .
One of the conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @

'This ivory-tower screed attacking parents ... is a reminder,' Mike Pompeo wrote, 'that we must all work together to protect civilization's most successful institution: our families.'
PETITION: Thank President Trump for halting U.S. funding to pro-abortion World Health Organization Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Secretary of state Mike Pompeo has spoken out in support of homeschooling, referring to a Harvard Magazine article slandering families educating their children at home and calling for “a presumptive ban on the practice.”
“The risk to children is NOT from homeschooling,” Pompeo tweeted. “The risk is from radical leftist scholars seeking to impose THEIR values on OUR children.”
Harvard Magazine had written an article about Harvard professor Elizabeth Bartholet, who argued that homeschooling “not only violates children’s right to a ‘meaningful education’ and their right to be protected from potential child abuse, but may keep them from contributing positively to a democratic society.”
She also said “one benefit of sending children to school at age four or five is that teachers are ‘mandated reporters,’ required to alert authorities to evidence of child abuse or neglect.”
Bartholet questioned the motives of homeschooling families, especially those having a Christian education in mind. She noted “that some of these parents are ‘extreme religious ideologues’ who question science and promote female subservience and white supremacy.”
The Harvard professor effectively denied parents’ rights as primary educators of their children, claiming that “we have thought of the government as having some right to educate children so that they become active, productive participants in the larger society.”
“But it’s also important that children grow up exposed to community values, social values, democratic values, ideas about nondiscrimination and tolerance of other people’s viewpoints,” she said, thereby implying that homeschooling families are unable to provide those values.
Requiring children to attend schools outside the home for six or seven hours a day, Bartholet said, would not really limit parents’ influence on a child’s views and ideas. “The issue is, do we think that parents should have 24/7, essentially authoritarian control over their children from ages zero to 18? I think that’s dangerous.”
Secretary Pompeo summarized the article by stating Bartholet’s “mission is simple: to further the destruction of the family unit. Her plan: substitute state power for parental love. For her, the corollary benefit is to drive Christian values out of public discourse under the guise of preventing ‘child abuse.’”
“This ivory-tower screed attacking parents who choose to dedicate their lives to educating their own children, often at significant financial sacrifice, is a reminder that we must all work together to protect civilization’s most successful institution: our families,” Pompeo concluded.
This ivory-tower screed attacking parents who choose to dedicate their lives to educating their own children, often at significant financial sacrifice, is a reminder that we must all work together to protect civilization's most successful institution: our families. — Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) April 26, 2020
Texas Senator Ted Cruz simply said, “This is barbaric. Myopic. And unconstitutional.”
This is barbaric. Myopic. And unconstitutional. https://t.co/9rqmjM0k9a — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 19, 2020
Joseph Shaw, in his LifeSiteNews column, looked at a lengthy article, written by Elizabeth Bartholet and published by the Arizona Law Review.
“Bartholet complains repeatedly about the lack of information, and then draws extravagant conclusions, and proposes draconian legal changes, on the basis of this inadequate information,” Shaw noted.
“It is meaningless to point out that some homeschooling parents only manage to bring their children up to meager standards, if these parents withdrew their children in desperation from a school where outcomes are even worse,” he continued.
Michael Farris, founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and now president of the Alliance Defending Freedom, pointed out that in public schools, “family income is a strong predictor of a child’s academic success. In homeschooling, children from lower-income levels not only outscore their public school socio-economic counterparts, but they also score comparably to homeschool students from higher income levels.”
“Harvard should also be embarrassed — truly embarrassed — by its professor’s absolutely unsupported assertion that homeschool students will not be able to contribute positively to our democratic processes,” he added.
Finally, Farris emphasized that “Bartholet conjures up an imaginary profile of conservative Christian homeschoolers.”
At the end of March, LifeSiteNews reported on a “Homeschooling Summit” scheduled to take place at Harvard in June. The conference will bring together a number of speakers opposed to homeschooling, or at least arguing for certain limitations to the practice. One of the conference’s organizers is Elizabeth Bartholet.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-28--LGBT activists outraged as Hungary moves to define gender according to ‘biological sex’

PETITION : Stop 'sex change ' operations during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here .
BUDAPEST , Hungary , April 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The government of Hungary has put forward legislation that would define gender solely as “ biological sex based on primary sex characteristics and chromosomes.
” The measure proposed by the ruling Fidesz party would limit identifying persons in official documents to their sex recorded at birth — a classification that would then be legally impossible to change .
LGBT groups and others are outraged by the move , which they say is discriminatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ era in which the Hungarian government allowed citizens to choose their preferred gender identity .
The heart of the issue appears to be the proposed substitution of the Hungarian word nem , which can mean both “ sex ” and “ gender , ” to szuletesi nem , which means “ sex at birth.
” The issue is supercharged because people who identify as transgender reject their natural sex and commonly refer to their birth names as “ deadnames.
” A letter signed by over 60 European lawmakers , addressed to senior Hungarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new law would lead “ to increased discrimination , harassment and violence particularly because the production or presentation of public documents might oblige them to disclose their gender identity recurrently.
” “ Its adoption will further restrict fundamental rights and civil liberties of transgender and intersex persons in Hungary , ” the letter continued .
Human Rights Watch ( HRW ) said this is an “ attack on a vulnerable minority group ” and a “ show of contempt for the rights of the transgender community ” and encouraged European Union institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ When governments force trans people to carry documents that don ’ t match their identity and appearance , every situation when documents are requested or appearance is scrutinized becomes fraught with potential for violence and humiliation , ” continued the HRW statement .
Many of those critical of the proposed amendment to current law believe that Hungarian president Viktor Orbán is taking unfair advantage of additional powers handed to him by parliament amid the current coronavirus pandemic shutdown .
“ Viktor Orban is using the Covid-19 health crisis as cover to push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the lives of transgender people in Hungary , ” Graeme Reid , director of LGBT rights at HRW , told The Independent .
“ Viktor Orbán and the Fidesz party has been against transgender people for quite some time , ” said “ Amanda ” Málovics , a Hungarian man living as if he were a woman , now residing in the U.K. “ They believe being transgender is — along with the whole LGBT+ community — something that goes against the Hungarian Christian society and breaks fundamental values ( such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents ) , ” Málovics told Pink News .
Viktor Orbán , prime minister of Hungary since 2010 , has become a stumbling block to progressive forces both inside his nation and in the broader European Union who seek to detach Hungary from its Christian identity .
“ Christianity is Europe ’ s last hope , ” declared Orbán in his 2018 State of the Nation speech and warned that European countries that have encouraged migration “ opened the way to the decline of Christian culture and the advance of Islam.
” Orbán @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Department under President Obama as well as the European Parliament for purportedly discriminating against homosexuals because of Hungary ’ s insistence on defining marriage “ between a man and a woman ” and that pre-born babies have rights .
In 2019 , Orbán ’ s pro-family government began offering married couples a 10-million-forint ( about $ 33,000 USD ) loan that won ’ t have to be paid back if the couple has three children .
The program is part of Orbán ’ s plan to encourage population growth in the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the lowest birth rates in Europe .
Orbán has also stood up to Hungarian-born billionaire globalist George Soros ’ s interference in his nation ’ s politics .
After having been reviewed in committee , the bill is scheduled to be put before the Hungarian parliament on May 5 .
Commentators agree that it will likely pass .

The new legislation would define gender solely as 'biological sex based on primary sex characteristics and chromosomes.'
PETITION: Stop 'sex change' operations during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here.
BUDAPEST, Hungary, April 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The government of Hungary has put forward legislation that would define gender solely as “biological sex based on primary sex characteristics and chromosomes.”
The measure proposed by the ruling Fidesz party would limit identifying persons in official documents to their sex recorded at birth — a classification that would then be legally impossible to change.
LGBT groups and others are outraged by the move, which they say is discriminatory, effectively bringing to a close an era in which the Hungarian government allowed citizens to choose their preferred gender identity.
The heart of the issue appears to be the proposed substitution of the Hungarian word nem, which can mean both “sex” and “gender,” to szuletesi nem, which means “sex at birth.”
The issue is supercharged because people who identify as transgender reject their natural sex and commonly refer to their birth names as “deadnames.”
A letter signed by over 60 European lawmakers, addressed to senior Hungarian ministers, said that if enacted, the new law would lead “to increased discrimination, harassment and violence particularly because the production or presentation of public documents might oblige them to disclose their gender identity recurrently.”
“Its adoption will further restrict fundamental rights and civil liberties of transgender and intersex persons in Hungary,” the letter continued.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said this is an “attack on a vulnerable minority group” and a “show of contempt for the rights of the transgender community” and encouraged European Union institutions to act to block the legislation.
“When governments force trans people to carry documents that don’t match their identity and appearance, every situation when documents are requested or appearance is scrutinized becomes fraught with potential for violence and humiliation,” continued the HRW statement.
Many of those critical of the proposed amendment to current law believe that Hungarian president Viktor Orbán is taking unfair advantage of additional powers handed to him by parliament amid the current coronavirus pandemic shutdown.
“Viktor Orban is using the Covid-19 health crisis as cover to push through discriminatory legislation that will be devastating to the lives of transgender people in Hungary,” Graeme Reid, director of LGBT rights at HRW, told The Independent.
“Viktor Orbán and the Fidesz party has been against transgender people for quite some time,” said “Amanda” Málovics, a Hungarian man living as if he were a woman, now residing in the U.K.
“They believe being transgender is — along with the whole LGBT+ community — something that goes against the Hungarian Christian society and breaks fundamental values (such as children can have only heterosexual, cisgender parents),” Málovics told Pink News.
A pro-life, pro-family, anti-globalist Hungarian prime minister
Viktor Orbán, prime minister of Hungary since 2010, has become a stumbling block to progressive forces both inside his nation and in the broader European Union who seek to detach Hungary from its Christian identity.
“Christianity is Europe’s last hope,” declared Orbán in his 2018 State of the Nation speech and warned that European countries that have encouraged migration “opened the way to the decline of Christian culture and the advance of Islam.”
Orbán previously came under fire from the U.S. State Department under President Obama as well as the European Parliament for purportedly discriminating against homosexuals because of Hungary’s insistence on defining marriage “between a man and a woman” and that pre-born babies have rights.
In 2019, Orbán’s pro-family government began offering married couples a 10-million-forint (about $33,000 USD) loan that won’t have to be paid back if the couple has three children.
The program is part of Orbán’s plan to encourage population growth in the former communist nation which has for years posted one of the lowest birth rates in Europe.
Orbán has also stood up to Hungarian-born billionaire globalist George Soros’s interference in his nation’s politics.
After having been reviewed in committee, the bill is scheduled to be put before the Hungarian parliament on May 5. Commentators agree that it will likely pass.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-28--Canada’s conservative leader denounces rising star for questioning top pandemic doctor

OTTAWA , Ontario , April 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Conservative Party of Canada leader Andrew Scheer now says he does not agree with his fellow member of Parliament ( M.P . )
Derek Sloan , who last week blasted Canada ’ s top doctor and said she should be fired for her response to the coronavirus .
In a press conference Monday , Scheer said Sloan , who is a pro-life Conservative leadership candidate , was wrong to call for the firing of Canada ’ s chief public health officer , Dr. Theresa Tam , and question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I do not agree with his position , with what he said .
That is not the position of our caucus , ” said Scheer in a response to a question asking him if Sloan ’ s comments were racist .
“ I believe it is not appropriate to question someone ’ s loyalty to their country .
I believe that is a very serious accusation that you have to have some very substantial evidence to make.
” Last Tuesday , Sloan caused a flurry of controversy on social media after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should resign or be fired .
Sloan also emailed this same messaging to his followers the same day .
“ Does [ Tam ] work for Canada or for China ?
” said Sloan in his video , also saying , “ The World Health Organization [ WHO ] parroted Chinese misinformation coming out from the Communist Party of China.
” In his email , Sloan questioned Tam ’ s ties to the WHO .
“ Our Chief Public Health Officer , Dr. Theresa Tam , has continually cited the WHO as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email .
“ Dr .
Tam must now either resign or be fired .
Canada ’ s Chief Public Health Officer needs to work for Canada .
Not for the WHO or any other foreign entity.
” Tam , who has served as Canada ’ s top health official since 2017 , has direct ties to the WHO .
She is one of seven people who sit on the Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme ( IOAC ) .
In mid-April , Rebel News broke the story that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liberals under Justin Trudeau sent close to $ 1 million of taxpayer money to help fund “ research ” for new COVID-19 “ screening and diagnosis ” tools at the Chinese lab where the virus is suspected to have originated .
Scheer , who himself questioned Trudeau and the WHO in the past , initially deflected questions about Sloan .
Just this past Thursday , he said , “ I won ’ t be commenting on individual statements or positions that leadership candidates take.
” However , his tone changed Monday after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Michelle Rempel , and Trudeau said Sloan ’ s comments were racist .
“ Intolerance and racism have no place in our country .
Canada has succeeded because of our diversity , ” Trudeau said in response to a question about Sloan ’ s comments .
Sloan fought back against claims from many , including from Trudeau , that he is a racist in a statement he released late last week .
He said his messaging against Tam was not a result of her race or sex , but on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top doctor .
“ I heard the Prime Minister ’ s comments yesterday .
Trudeau seems to have taken note of my observation of Dr. Tam ’ s excessive deference to the increasingly discredited World Health Organization ( WHO ) , which is heavily influenced by the Chinese Communist Party , after which he leaped all the way to unfounded accusations of racism , ” Sloan said .
“ No one knows better than Justin Trudeau that anyone — of any race — can hold foolish international Communist sympathies .
He himself has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ‘ basic dictatorship , ’ ” adding , “ Would I be called a racist for using his own remarks to point out his bias in favour of the Chinese Communist Party ?
” On January 26 , in response to a question asking her about the potential spread of the virus on a plane , Tam said via Twitter : “ 3/3 There is no clear evidence that this virus is spread easily from person to person .
The risk to Canadians remains low .
Find more info on # 2019nCoV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In an interview with The Intelligencer last Friday , Sloan said he will not apologize for his remarks about Tam .
“ I won ’ t be issuing an apology .
We ’ re going to be issuing additional communications to party members and doing additional interviews so that may help to clarify .
I never mentioned her race and in no way was it part of my comments , ” said Sloan .
On Monday , Scheer did not say whether he would be expelling Sloan from the party but instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party members to decide Sloan ’ s fate .
“ In the context of a leadership race , our members will make decisions as to what they ultimately want to see in terms of the direction of the party , ” said Scheer .
Maxime Bernier , who served as a cabinet minister under Prime Minister Stephen Harper before splintering and founding the People 's Party of Canada , was candid about how he felt about the Sloan situation in a tweet .
“ Conservatives .
They s -- - in their pants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No one cares about Theresa Tam ’ s ethnic background .
We care that she is incompetent and ideologically in tune with the WHO and the Chinese communists , like Trudeau and Hajdu , ” said Bernier .
Rebel News founder Ezra Levant said on Twitter Monday that Dr. Tam can not be trusted .
“ Tam is not Canada 's top doctor .
She has n't seen a patient in years .
She 's a public health bureaucrat .
It 's different .
For example , a top doctor would n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks didn ’ t work and were dangerous , just to cover up her boss giving our masks to China .
”

Andrew Scheer broke his silence and threw Derek Sloan under the bus after mainstream media repeatedly questioned him about racism in the Conservative Party.
OTTAWA, Ontario, April 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Conservative Party of Canada leader Andrew Scheer now says he does not agree with his fellow member of Parliament (M.P.) Derek Sloan, who last week blasted Canada’s top doctor and said she should be fired for her response to the coronavirus.
In a press conference Monday, Scheer said Sloan, who is a pro-life Conservative leadership candidate, was wrong to call for the firing of Canada’s chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, and question her “loyalty” to Canada.
“I do not agree with his position, with what he said. That is not the position of our caucus,” said Scheer in a response to a question asking him if Sloan’s comments were racist.
“I believe it is not appropriate to question someone’s loyalty to their country. I believe that is a very serious accusation that you have to have some very substantial evidence to make.”
Last Tuesday, Sloan caused a flurry of controversy on social media after he posted a video where he said Tam should resign or be fired. Sloan also emailed this same messaging to his followers the same day.
“Does [Tam] work for Canada or for China?” said Sloan in his video, also saying, “The World Health Organization [WHO] parroted Chinese misinformation coming out from the Communist Party of China.”
In his email, Sloan questioned Tam’s ties to the WHO.
“Our Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, has continually cited the WHO as an authority,” said Sloan in the email.
“Dr. Tam must now either resign or be fired. Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer needs to work for Canada. Not for the WHO or any other foreign entity.”
Tam, who has served as Canada’s top health official since 2017, has direct ties to the WHO. She is one of seven people who sit on the Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (IOAC).
In mid-April, Rebel News broke the story that the prime minister of Canada’s Liberals under Justin Trudeau sent close to $1 million of taxpayer money to help fund “research” for new COVID-19 “screening and diagnosis” tools at the Chinese lab where the virus is suspected to have originated.
Scheer, who himself questioned Trudeau and the WHO in the past, initially deflected questions about Sloan. Just this past Thursday, he said, “I won’t be commenting on individual statements or positions that leadership candidates take.”
However, his tone changed Monday after the mainstream media, members of his party such as Michelle Rempel, and Trudeau said Sloan’s comments were racist.
“Intolerance and racism have no place in our country. Canada has succeeded because of our diversity,” Trudeau said in response to a question about Sloan’s comments.
Sloan fought back against claims from many, including from Trudeau, that he is a racist in a statement he released late last week. He said his messaging against Tam was not a result of her race or sex, but on how she has performed as Canada’s top doctor.
“I heard the Prime Minister’s comments yesterday. Trudeau seems to have taken note of my observation of Dr. Tam’s excessive deference to the increasingly discredited World Health Organization (WHO), which is heavily influenced by the Chinese Communist Party, after which he leaped all the way to unfounded accusations of racism,” Sloan said.
“No one knows better than Justin Trudeau that anyone — of any race — can hold foolish international Communist sympathies. He himself has spoken of his admiration for China’s ‘basic dictatorship,’” adding, “Would I be called a racist for using his own remarks to point out his bias in favour of the Chinese Communist Party?”
On January 26, in response to a question asking her about the potential spread of the virus on a plane, Tam said via Twitter:
“3/3 There is no clear evidence that this virus is spread easily from person to person. The risk to Canadians remains low. Find more info on #2019nCoV #coronavirus here: https://canada.ca/coronavirus.”
In an interview with The Intelligencer last Friday, Sloan said he will not apologize for his remarks about Tam.
“I won’t be issuing an apology. We’re going to be issuing additional communications to party members and doing additional interviews so that may help to clarify. I never mentioned her race and in no way was it part of my comments,” said Sloan.
On Monday, Scheer did not say whether he would be expelling Sloan from the party but instead stated he will leave it up to party members to decide Sloan’s fate.
“In the context of a leadership race, our members will make decisions as to what they ultimately want to see in terms of the direction of the party,” said Scheer.
Maxime Bernier, who served as a cabinet minister under Prime Minister Stephen Harper before splintering and founding the People's Party of Canada, was candid about how he felt about the Sloan situation in a tweet.
“Conservatives. They s— in their pants every time the Left attacks them. No one cares about Theresa Tam’s ethnic background. We care that she is incompetent and ideologically in tune with the WHO and the Chinese communists, like Trudeau and Hajdu,” said Bernier.
Rebel News founder Ezra Levant said on Twitter Monday that Dr. Tam cannot be trusted.
“Tam is not Canada's top doctor. She hasn't seen a patient in years. She's a public health bureaucrat. It's different. For example, a top doctor wouldn't have lied to us for months, saying masks didn’t work and were dangerous, just to cover up her boss giving our masks to China.”
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lifesitenews--2020-04-28--Public Mass remains banned as France moves to reopen schools, shops, transport

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world : Feed your flock Sign the petition here .
April 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — France ’ s National Assembly approved Prime Minister Edouard Philippe ’ s presentation of a staggered deconfinement plan as of May 11 on Tuesday afternoon , despite major uncertainties , including the possibility that the end of lockdown will not take place if daily tallies of new COVID-19 cases are not reduced significantly by then .
Recovery of civil liberties will probably move at a different pace according to the regions involved , Philippe warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , places of worship , including Catholic churches , will not be able to organize public Masses before June 2 at the earliest , the prime minister stated .
This is despite an increasing number of public petitions , open letters , and complaints on the part of a number of French bishops that are getting more pointed since several documents were leaked showing that French law enforcement officers are being asked to show a measure of leniency in migrant suburbs , where Islam is the dominant religion , toward inhabitants celebrating Ramadan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be allowed , as is already the case , with a maximum of 20 attendees .
Many Catholics in France were shocked to learn on Tuesday afternoon that only the largest shopping centers and main national museums will remain closed to the public as of May 11 , with the new assessment of the situation expected on June 1 .
All shops will be allowed to do business as usual from the beginning of deconfinement , and the smaller museums , cultural centers and public libraries will also open .
Restaurants and bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the earliest .
After having been deprived of Masses and the sacraments for almost the whole of Lent and Easter , Catholics will remain starved of public worship and Holy Mass for the major feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost .
Bishop Matthieu Rougé , a member of the Permanent Council of the French Bishops ’ Conference , immediately published a video reaction in which he slammed the “ dryness ” of Philippe ’ s three “ terse sentences ” about religious worship , calling them “ unacceptable.
” “ There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for religious liberty that is incomprehensible , ” he said .
Bishop Rougé said he understands the executive ’ s concern for the health situation .
But he added that he believes that there is a “ kind of anticlerical tropism , that is anti-Catholic in particular , that has taken the upper hand in the mind of the president of the Republic and perhaps in that of the prime minister , at least through obedience to the chief of the executive.
” “ I also believe that Catholics should understand that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have absolutely no spiritual life , no experience of faith ; the idea that our sacramental life is really important is totally beyond their realm of experience .
For them , spiritual interrogations are so negligible that in a context where ... political responsibility is so heavy that spiritual questions are simply discarded , ” said Bishop Rougé .
He added that Catholics in this context should be as always “ firm and peaceable.
” He asked them not to enter into a “ spirit of revolt.
” “ But at the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different ways how shocked we are by the way the question of religious faiths has been treated in this crisis , ” he concluded in his interview with French Catholic TV station KTO .
The Permanent Council of the French Catholic Bishops ’ Conference also published a formal statement “ regretting ” the executive ’ s decision to continue to disallow public Masses and celebrations in Catholic churches .
They called freedom of worship a “ constitutive element of democracy ” and asked for a meeting with the public authorities .
They also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the ordinary functioning of the Mass could help propagate the virus.
” In their statement , they invited Catholics to make visits to churches — which have been allowed to remain open throughout the lockdown — in order to pray individually and added that they are continuing their recommendation to dioceses and parishes to offer “ the means necessary ” to the faithful ’ s “ faith life.
” Bishop Bernard Ginoux of Montauban was more forthright .
On Tuesday evening , he tweeted : “ Public worship prohibited = case of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faithful of the essential nourishment that is sacramental grace .
Therefore we will nourish them.
” He suggested that priests could go to the faithful and dispense the sacraments “ outside , in the forecourt , as long as the faithful do not stand still but walk ( they can come and go as Jesus did in the Temple ’ s colonnade ) , ” he added .
Bishop Marc Aillet of Bayonne also complained on Twitter that the government had not even considered the bishops ’ detailed plan to put an end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanitary conditions .
Shortly after Edouard Philippe ’ s speech , Aillet tweeted : “ That religious celebrations should remain prohibited when schools , shops and public transport reopen plunges me into incomprehension .
Are there no possible arrangements ?
Are we supposed to be incapable of sanitary precautions ?
Freedom of worship is essential to social life.
” On Monday , a group of philosophers , university professors , and lawyers published an open letter in La Croix , the unofficial daily of the French episcopate , in which they recalled that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the right to join public worship since the French Revolution .
They also underscored that both the Constitutional Council — the highest judicial authority in France — and the Council of State protect freedom of worship as one of the “ foundations ” of democratic societies .
Limitation of this freedom , they said , can be maintained only “ on the condition that they are absolutely indispensable.
” With the present downturn in new infections and deaths , “ restrictions should be receding , ” they remarked .
The intellectuals also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all acceptable if other public venues and services are allowed to open again .
But such is finally the case , as Catholic worship will be obliged to wait three weeks longer than stores , businesses , and public transport in order to take place publicly .
“ When religious freedom is curbed , an essential part of man ’ s identity and dignity is undermined , ” they added .
They quoted Antoine de Saint-Exupéry ( author of The Little Prince ) , who wrote in a letter to a military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only one problem , only one in the world .
It is to restore to men spiritual meaning , spiritual disquiet , to rain down on them something resembling a Gregorian chant .
You can ’ t live on fridges , politics , balance sheets and crosswords , you see !
You can not live without poetry , color and love.
” One hundred thirty priests from parishes all over France published an op-ed on the digital platform of the Figaro last Friday demanding that the French head of state restore freedom to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 11 .
They recalled that the celebration of Holy Week and Easter without public worship had been a “ real hardship.
” “ We accepted it fully and offered it up for our country , ” the priests wrote .
They underscored that Catholics have played an important role in helping the needy and making masks and protective wear , which have been cruelly lacking since the beginning of the crisis ; they also played a role in volunteering to help in rest houses for the “ dependent elderly.
” As priests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dying .
“ The momentum for these acts of charity finds its source and nourishment ... in the celebration of the sacraments .
On May 11 , it will have been nine weeks since Catholics will not have been able to meet and celebrate together , to receive Communion and to confess .
Couples have been obliged to postpone the baptism of their child , others have postponed their marriage .
First Communions , professions of faith , confirmations have also been postponed .
This is something unheard of in history , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it must be said that many traditional young couples who had a baby during the lockdown actually took care to baptize their newborns themselves .
In the same way as the bishops and the intellectuals quoted earlier , these 130 parish priests made clear that if social and economic life were to restart on May 11 — as it clearly will — “ what would justify that our churches should remain empty and that public Masses should be prohibited ?
” They called public worship a “ vital need ” for Christians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their complete text is available here in French .
Their call was not heard .
Secularized France is showing more and more clearly its hostility toward France ’ s historical Catholic religion , and many French faithful do not understand that the Catholic hierarchy should have been so docile toward the public authorities , even if this appears to be slowly changing .
Public health arguments are hardly convincing .
The strong downward curve in new coronavirus infections led Pr .
Didier Raoult , one of the world ’ s most renowned infectiologists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Marseille , to declare that if COVID-19 acts as is expected , 93 percent of all infections in France will have taken place at the beginning of May , and 97 percent in mid-May , with some residual infections continuing to appear until the beginning of August , at which time the epidemic will be over and done with .

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock Sign the petition here.
Analysis
April 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — France’s National Assembly approved Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s presentation of a staggered deconfinement plan as of May 11 on Tuesday afternoon, despite major uncertainties, including the possibility that the end of lockdown will not take place if daily tallies of new COVID-19 cases are not reduced significantly by then.
Recovery of civil liberties will probably move at a different pace according to the regions involved, Philippe warned. More importantly for Catholics in France, places of worship, including Catholic churches, will not be able to organize public Masses before June 2 at the earliest, the prime minister stated.
This is despite an increasing number of public petitions, open letters, and complaints on the part of a number of French bishops that are getting more pointed since several documents were leaked showing that French law enforcement officers are being asked to show a measure of leniency in migrant suburbs, where Islam is the dominant religion, toward inhabitants celebrating Ramadan. In churches, only funerals will be allowed, as is already the case, with a maximum of 20 attendees.
Many Catholics in France were shocked to learn on Tuesday afternoon that only the largest shopping centers and main national museums will remain closed to the public as of May 11, with the new assessment of the situation expected on June 1. All shops will be allowed to do business as usual from the beginning of deconfinement, and the smaller museums, cultural centers and public libraries will also open. Restaurants and bars will have to wait until June 1 at the earliest.
After having been deprived of Masses and the sacraments for almost the whole of Lent and Easter, Catholics will remain starved of public worship and Holy Mass for the major feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost.
Bishop Matthieu Rougé, a member of the Permanent Council of the French Bishops’ Conference, immediately published a video reaction in which he slammed the “dryness” of Philippe’s three “terse sentences” about religious worship, calling them “unacceptable.”
“There is a lack of respect for the faithful and for religious liberty that is incomprehensible,” he said. Bishop Rougé said he understands the executive’s concern for the health situation. But he added that he believes that there is a “kind of anticlerical tropism, that is anti-Catholic in particular, that has taken the upper hand in the mind of the president of the Republic and perhaps in that of the prime minister, at least through obedience to the chief of the executive.”
“I also believe that Catholics should understand that some of our leaders are people who have absolutely no spiritual life, no experience of faith; the idea that our sacramental life is really important is totally beyond their realm of experience. For them, spiritual interrogations are so negligible that in a context where … political responsibility is so heavy that spiritual questions are simply discarded,” said Bishop Rougé.
He added that Catholics in this context should be as always “firm and peaceable.” He asked them not to enter into a “spirit of revolt.” “But at the same time it is necessary to say in different ways how shocked we are by the way the question of religious faiths has been treated in this crisis,” he concluded in his interview with French Catholic TV station KTO.
The Permanent Council of the French Catholic Bishops’ Conference also published a formal statement “regretting” the executive’s decision to continue to disallow public Masses and celebrations in Catholic churches. They called freedom of worship a “constitutive element of democracy” and asked for a meeting with the public authorities. They also underscored that they do not see “how the ordinary functioning of the Mass could help propagate the virus.” In their statement, they invited Catholics to make visits to churches — which have been allowed to remain open throughout the lockdown — in order to pray individually and added that they are continuing their recommendation to dioceses and parishes to offer “the means necessary” to the faithful’s “faith life.”
Bishop Bernard Ginoux of Montauban was more forthright. On Tuesday evening, he tweeted: “Public worship prohibited = case of conscience. We cannot deprive our faithful of the essential nourishment that is sacramental grace. Therefore we will nourish them.”
He suggested that priests could go to the faithful and dispense the sacraments “outside, in the forecourt, as long as the faithful do not stand still but walk (they can come and go as Jesus did in the Temple’s colonnade),” he added.
Bishop Marc Aillet of Bayonne also complained on Twitter that the government had not even considered the bishops’ detailed plan to put an end to church confinement in the best possible sanitary conditions.
Shortly after Edouard Philippe’s speech, Aillet tweeted: “That religious celebrations should remain prohibited when schools, shops and public transport reopen plunges me into incomprehension. Are there no possible arrangements? Are we supposed to be incapable of sanitary precautions? Freedom of worship is essential to social life.”
On Monday, a group of philosophers, university professors, and lawyers published an open letter in La Croix, the unofficial daily of the French episcopate, in which they recalled that believers in France have not been deprived of the right to join public worship since the French Revolution. They also underscored that both the Constitutional Council — the highest judicial authority in France — and the Council of State protect freedom of worship as one of the “foundations” of democratic societies. Limitation of this freedom, they said, can be maintained only “on the condition that they are absolutely indispensable.” With the present downturn in new infections and deaths, “restrictions should be receding,” they remarked.
The intellectuals also noted that such restrictions would not be at all acceptable if other public venues and services are allowed to open again.
But such is finally the case, as Catholic worship will be obliged to wait three weeks longer than stores, businesses, and public transport in order to take place publicly.
“When religious freedom is curbed, an essential part of man’s identity and dignity is undermined,” they added. They quoted Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (author of The Little Prince), who wrote in a letter to a military general in 1944: “There is only one problem, only one in the world. It is to restore to men spiritual meaning, spiritual disquiet, to rain down on them something resembling a Gregorian chant. You can’t live on fridges, politics, balance sheets and crosswords, you see! You cannot live without poetry, color and love.”
One hundred thirty priests from parishes all over France published an op-ed on the digital platform of the Figaro last Friday demanding that the French head of state restore freedom to celebrate public Masses in churches as of May 11. They recalled that the celebration of Holy Week and Easter without public worship had been a “real hardship.” “We accepted it fully and offered it up for our country,” the priests wrote.
They underscored that Catholics have played an important role in helping the needy and making masks and protective wear, which have been cruelly lacking since the beginning of the crisis; they also played a role in volunteering to help in rest houses for the “dependent elderly.” As priests, they were themselves active in accompanying the dying.
“The momentum for these acts of charity finds its source and nourishment … in the celebration of the sacraments. On May 11, it will have been nine weeks since Catholics will not have been able to meet and celebrate together, to receive Communion and to confess. Couples have been obliged to postpone the baptism of their child, others have postponed their marriage. First Communions, professions of faith, confirmations have also been postponed. This is something unheard of in history,” they wrote.
For the record, it must be said that many traditional young couples who had a baby during the lockdown actually took care to baptize their newborns themselves.
In the same way as the bishops and the intellectuals quoted earlier, these 130 parish priests made clear that if social and economic life were to restart on May 11 — as it clearly will — “what would justify that our churches should remain empty and that public Masses should be prohibited?” They called public worship a “vital need” for Christians.
The priests concluded:
Mr. President, in a crisis, everyone has to be in their place and do what they have to do. Caregivers care. Law enforcement controls and protects. Shopkeepers trade. Teachers teach. Students study. Farmers cultivate and feed[.] … Let believers celebrate, pray and gather. On Sundays, our place is in the church. We priests are not meant to stay behind screens, but to give all those who ask us to do so the sacraments that give life and hope. Mr. President, on May 11, let us resume celebrations with the faithful. Because that is also the best way for us to serve.
The full list of signatories and their complete text is available here in French.
Their call was not heard. Secularized France is showing more and more clearly its hostility toward France’s historical Catholic religion, and many French faithful do not understand that the Catholic hierarchy should have been so docile toward the public authorities, even if this appears to be slowly changing.
Public health arguments are hardly convincing. The strong downward curve in new coronavirus infections led Pr. Didier Raoult, one of the world’s most renowned infectiologists who heads a major academic hospital unit in Marseille, to declare that if COVID-19 acts as is expected, 93 percent of all infections in France will have taken place at the beginning of May, and 97 percent in mid-May, with some residual infections continuing to appear until the beginning of August, at which time the epidemic will be over and done with.
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