lifesitenews--2020-05-01--Free from gag order, dad tells how judges forced transgender insanity on daughter

April 30 , 2020 ( MassResistance ) — Anyone who doubts that the transgender agenda in the schools is headed into a nightmarish future should look across the border to Canada .
Rob Hoogland of Surrey , British Columbia , is living that nightmare .
For over two years , British Columbian school staffers , psychologists , and LGBT activists have been inducing Rob 's daughter to believe that the reason she was struggling with depression and other issues is that she is really a `` he . ''
They repeatedly encouraged and affirmed her new `` male '' identity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave her puberty blockers and male hormones to `` change '' her into a boy .
Rob did not find out about this until a year after it began .
He took the school district , staffers , doctors , and others to court .
Outrageously , the girl was assigned an LGBT activist lawyer to protect her delusion and oppose her own father .
The courts ruled against him and told him that he had to go along with this transgender insanity , even ordering him to refer to his daughter as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also placed a gag order on Rob .
He could not speak with the press or the public about what his daughter was going through , or even discuss the issue with his daughter .
A few months ago , the gag order was modified so he could talk about it with his daughter and even attempt to dissuade her , but he still could not speak to the press about it .
On April 15 , the gag order expired .
Since the courts are closed due to the COVID-19 virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Back in February , Rob had had enough and decided to ignore the gag order .
He spoke with MassResistance and some other conservative media briefly about his legal fight in the Canadian courts .
He was quickly brought back into court and reprimanded by a judge — and threatened with jail time if he broke the order again .
Since we are not based in Canada , we were able to publish the interview and not be threatened by a Canadian court .
Now that the order has expired , Rob decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time he talked more about the horrors of what 's been happening and what he 's doing about it .
MR : Is there anything new from the last two months that you wanted to share publicly , or that you did n't get a chance to share before ?
RH : Soon after the MassResistance interview came out , I was in court for four days under Justice Tammen .
At one point , I used a female pronoun referring to my daughter , and he reprimanded me , saying `` How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he stood up and screamed at me in the courtroom for doing that .
He said , `` Why did you do that ? ''
And I said , `` I did because I 'm the only one doing what is in the best interest of my daughter . ''
He really did n't like my saying that .
This is the terrible state of the judicial system in Canada .
Since then , I have a new attorney , Carol Crosson .
She 's a fantastic constitutional lawyer .
She specializes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm looking forward to working with her .
Essentially , Justice Tammen has handed me over to the Attorney General [ of British Columbia ] to be prosecuted for breaking the gag order .
I still have the potential to face up to 30 to 45 days in prison .
MR : Tell us more about what 's happened to your daughter over the last few years .
RH : My daughter is the subject of state-sponsored child abuse .
She 's being sterilized and her body is being mutilated — under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout all the schools .
The schools here are using a radical program called `` SOGI 1 2 3 . ''
Its lunatic message to children is `` Everyone has a sexual orientation and gender identity . ''
It 's become a program that a lot of other jurisdictions are looking at and using as a prototype , so it 's not just in British Columbia .
They are using it in other provinces .
And I think that some of the states like Washington State are taking a look at it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MR : So what it comes down to is you 're protecting your daughter .
That 's the crime that you are guilty of .
RH : Right .
There 's a bunch of lunatic perverts who want to experiment on my child .
They want to sterilize her .
It 's just absolute lunacy , what is going on .
And they want to cover it up so badly that they are willing to send people like me to prison to keep my mouth shut .
They do n't want the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They 've been able to sell the idea that they are helping these children .
They say , `` We 're doing great things for these kids .
They do n't understand their true gender .
They 're screaming in their own skin . ''
But of course , that 's not what 's happening .
They were just going through puberty , like every other teenager does .
And they all get through it !
I mean , it 's absolute craziness , and I 'm not allowed to talk about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MR : It 's stunning and welcome to see that you are taking this on and are not afraid .
This is the kind of courage that more people need to start demonstrating .
RH : Courage needs to be shown : I 'm often asked `` Why do I like MassResistance ? ''
I 've said this before : There 's courage there .
You 're still up and fighting .
So am I .
People need to understand that we can defend ourselves and we can stand up for morality and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these great things .
MR : Regarding your daughter , do you have full custody of her ?
Has she moved back in with you ?
Does she still live with her mother ?
What 's the status on her right now ?
MR : I understand that they brainwashed her against you .
They brought in all these attorneys to keep her away from you .
What 's happening now ?
I mean , how 's the relationship now ?
RH : You know , it 's pretty good .
A couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in here , back with me .
And then I got the excuse back from them : `` Well , we ca n't do that because of the Coronavirus . ''
They found another reason to keep her from me .
I asked , `` Has my daughter been out of the country ?
Has she traveled ? ''
And they were just mute on that point .
And now they 've convinced her that seeing me is somehow in violation of all these new rules that are set up by COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicate that she wants to go back , to be comfortable with being a girl ?
RH : I have not heard that yet .
She 's still in that happy state where she thinks that this is working .
It takes these kids a number of years before they realize that they made this big mistake .
They kind of go through this thing , where it 's like crack cocaine .
They 're taking these cross-sex hormones .
They feel different .
They feel better .
They think it 's working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it all comes crashing down .
It takes a bit of time , and she 's not there yet , no .
MR : Well , we hope she gets out of it before it 's too late .
Now , you indicated that there 's something about a class-action lawsuit coming up .
Can you tell me about that ?
RH : Yeah , what we 're doing , it stems from SOGI 1 2 3 .
With all these parents like myself , there 's lots of psychological trauma involved .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your kid go through this stuff , and you watch what 's going on at the school , and the confusion they are creating in these schools , the delusion that they 're presenting to these kids , and they come home and you ca n't do a thing about it .
Because the schools tell them you do n't know what you 're talking about .
I think that there are so many parents who are just ripping their hair out and just totally going berserk because they do n't know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing they can do .
It 's time that parents got together and said , `` This happened to my kid . ''
And we get enough of them together and we say , `` Hey , it 's time for parents to fight back .
Let 's unite and fight back against an agenda that is terrorizing our kids , destroying their lives , and is also psychologically damaging us as parents . ''
MR : Have you already set the groundwork for the lawsuit ?
Do you have lawyers who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that the courts are closed ) ?
Is there stuff already in place now ?
RH : There is to some degree .
We need to get enough people involved .
So , the game plan right now is to get as many parents on board as possible .
Carol Crosson is ready to run forward with it .
We 've got the legal groundwork laid out on this matter .
We 're just kind of waiting now for the numbers to grow .
We 're working with pro-family media to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents who feel brave enough to come forward .
They can remain anonymous .
They just need to sign on and reach out .
They can reach out to us through the Caenis Foundation , or they can reach out to MassResistance and say `` I 'm interested . ''
There 's lots of ways they can reach out .
MR : Tell us a little bit more about the Caenis Foundation , because I know that this is something that you are doing moving forward .
I want to help parents who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through — or who are going to go through what I am going through — to understand .
So I 'm working with some other pro-family activists to create the Caenis Foundation .
The purpose of this foundation is : • One , to educate parents about this agenda .
• Second , we want to help them in the class-action lawsuit .
We 've seen what 's happening in England .
Kids who have been victimized by the transgender agenda are coming out of the woodwork in the hundreds .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
So we 're preparing .
I even have a lawyer who is ready to talk to any of these parents for free right now .
We are very proactive in helping these parents out .
• Finally , we 're looking ahead for these children , like my daughter , and saying that when they detransition , we need to be able to support them .
This is where I take some comfort .
I may have lost my daughter right now in that she 's on the cross-sex hormones .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ she 's going to turn , and she 's going to come back , she 's going to detransition .
And in getting this foundation put together we will help them .
MR : Thank you very much , Rob .
You 're an inspiration to all of us .
All of us should pay attention to what is happening in Canada because that is exactly where the US and many other countries are headed .
The extreme radical direction of the schools and the judicial system 's aggressive support of the transgender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is clearly already happening .
What Rob Hoogland is now doing to confront it and help others are things that we all should consider doing .
MassResistance will continue to work with Rob and others — and together we will fight this insanity !

April 30, 2020 (MassResistance) — Anyone who doubts that the transgender agenda in the schools is headed into a nightmarish future should look across the border to Canada. Rob Hoogland of Surrey, British Columbia, is living that nightmare.
For over two years, British Columbian school staffers, psychologists, and LGBT activists have been inducing Rob's daughter to believe that the reason she was struggling with depression and other issues is that she is really a “he.” They repeatedly encouraged and affirmed her new “male” identity. They worked with pro-LGBT doctors who gave her puberty blockers and male hormones to “change” her into a boy.
Rob did not find out about this until a year after it began. He took the school district, staffers, doctors, and others to court. Outrageously, the girl was assigned an LGBT activist lawyer to protect her delusion and oppose her own father. The courts ruled against him and told him that he had to go along with this transgender insanity, even ordering him to refer to his daughter as a “he.”
The courts also placed a gag order on Rob. He could not speak with the press or the public about what his daughter was going through, or even discuss the issue with his daughter. A few months ago, the gag order was modified so he could talk about it with his daughter and even attempt to dissuade her, but he still could not speak to the press about it. On April 15, the gag order expired. Since the courts are closed due to the COVID-19 virus, the order could not be renewed.
Back in February, Rob had had enough and decided to ignore the gag order. He spoke with MassResistance and some other conservative media briefly about his legal fight in the Canadian courts. He was quickly brought back into court and reprimanded by a judge — and threatened with jail time if he broke the order again. Since we are not based in Canada, we were able to publish the interview and not be threatened by a Canadian court.
Now that the order has expired, Rob decided to talk with MassResistance again. This time he talked more about the horrors of what's been happening and what he's doing about it.
MR: Is there anything new from the last two months that you wanted to share publicly, or that you didn't get a chance to share before?
RH: Soon after the MassResistance interview came out, I was in court for four days under Justice Tammen. At one point, I used a female pronoun referring to my daughter, and he reprimanded me, saying “How dare you!” In fact, he stood up and screamed at me in the courtroom for doing that. He said, “Why did you do that?” And I said, “I did because I'm the only one doing what is in the best interest of my daughter.” He really didn't like my saying that. This is the terrible state of the judicial system in Canada.
Since then, I have a new attorney, Carol Crosson. She's a fantastic constitutional lawyer. She specializes in freedom of speech and similar issues. I'm looking forward to working with her.
Essentially, Justice Tammen has handed me over to the Attorney General [of British Columbia] to be prosecuted for breaking the gag order. I still have the potential to face up to 30 to 45 days in prison.
MR: Tell us more about what's happened to your daughter over the last few years.
RH: My daughter is the subject of state-sponsored child abuse. She's being sterilized and her body is being mutilated — under a transgender agenda that is being promoted throughout all the schools. The schools here are using a radical program called “SOGI 1 2 3.” Its lunatic message to children is “Everyone has a sexual orientation and gender identity.” It's become a program that a lot of other jurisdictions are looking at and using as a prototype, so it's not just in British Columbia. They are using it in other provinces. And I think that some of the states like Washington State are taking a look at it, and using it, as well.
MR: So what it comes down to is you're protecting your daughter. That's the crime that you are guilty of.
RH: Right. There's a bunch of lunatic perverts who want to experiment on my child. They want to sterilize her. It's just absolute lunacy, what is going on. And they want to cover it up so badly that they are willing to send people like me to prison to keep my mouth shut. They don't want the public to know what is really going on.
They've been able to sell the idea that they are helping these children. They say, “We're doing great things for these kids. They don't understand their true gender. They're screaming in their own skin.” But of course, that's not what's happening. They were just going through puberty, like every other teenager does. And they all get through it! I mean, it's absolute craziness, and I'm not allowed to talk about it without possibly going to jail.
MR: It's stunning and welcome to see that you are taking this on and are not afraid. This is the kind of courage that more people need to start demonstrating.
RH: Courage needs to be shown: I'm often asked “Why do I like MassResistance?” I've said this before: There's courage there. You're still up and fighting. So am I. People need to understand that we can defend ourselves and we can stand up for morality and virtues and truth and honor and all these great things.
MR: Regarding your daughter, do you have full custody of her? Has she moved back in with you? Does she still live with her mother? What's the status on her right now?
RH: We have shared custody.
MR: I understand that they brainwashed her against you. They brought in all these attorneys to keep her away from you. What's happening now? I mean, how's the relationship now?
RH: You know, it's pretty good. A couple weeks ago, she wanted to move in here, back with me. And then I got the excuse back from them: “Well, we can't do that because of the Coronavirus.” They found another reason to keep her from me. I asked, “Has my daughter been out of the country? Has she traveled?” And they were just mute on that point. And now they've convinced her that seeing me is somehow in violation of all these new rules that are set up by COVID-19.
MR: Has your daughter begun to indicate that she wants to go back, to be comfortable with being a girl?
RH: I have not heard that yet. She's still in that happy state where she thinks that this is working. It takes these kids a number of years before they realize that they made this big mistake. They kind of go through this thing, where it's like crack cocaine. They're taking these cross-sex hormones. They feel different. They feel better. They think it's working. And then all of a sudden it all comes crashing down. It takes a bit of time, and she's not there yet, no.
MR: Well, we hope she gets out of it before it's too late. Now, you indicated that there's something about a class-action lawsuit coming up. Can you tell me about that?
RH: Yeah, what we're doing, it stems from SOGI 1 2 3. With all these parents like myself, there's lots of psychological trauma involved. It's so wrenching when you watch your kid go through this stuff, and you watch what's going on at the school, and the confusion they are creating in these schools, the delusion that they're presenting to these kids, and they come home and you can't do a thing about it. Because the schools tell them you don't know what you're talking about. I think that there are so many parents who are just ripping their hair out and just totally going berserk because they don't know what to do, and think there's nothing they can do.
It's time that parents got together and said, “This happened to my kid.” And we get enough of them together and we say, “Hey, it's time for parents to fight back. Let's unite and fight back against an agenda that is terrorizing our kids, destroying their lives, and is also psychologically damaging us as parents.”
MR: Have you already set the groundwork for the lawsuit? Do you have lawyers who are prepared to file it (because I know that the courts are closed)? Is there stuff already in place now?
RH: There is to some degree. We need to get enough people involved. So, the game plan right now is to get as many parents on board as possible. Carol Crosson is ready to run forward with it. We've got the legal groundwork laid out on this matter. We're just kind of waiting now for the numbers to grow. We're working with pro-family media to help get the message out. We want parents who feel brave enough to come forward. They can remain anonymous. They just need to sign on and reach out. They can reach out to us through the Caenis Foundation, or they can reach out to MassResistance and say “I'm interested.” There's lots of ways they can reach out.
MR: Tell us a little bit more about the Caenis Foundation, because I know that this is something that you are doing moving forward.
I want to help parents who have gone through what I am going through — or who are going to go through what I am going through — to understand. So I'm working with some other pro-family activists to create the Caenis Foundation.
The purpose of this foundation is:
One, to educate parents about this agenda.
Second, we want to help them in the class-action lawsuit. We've seen what's happening in England. Kids who have been victimized by the transgender agenda are coming out of the woodwork in the hundreds. I think people are going to be emboldened by that. So we're preparing. I even have a lawyer who is ready to talk to any of these parents for free right now. We are very proactive in helping these parents out.
Finally, we're looking ahead for these children, like my daughter, and saying that when they detransition, we need to be able to support them. This is where I take some comfort. I may have lost my daughter right now in that she's on the cross-sex hormones. But I know in my heart that she's going to turn, and she's going to come back, she's going to detransition. And in getting this foundation put together we will help them.
MR: Thank you very much, Rob. You're an inspiration to all of us.
Final comments
All of us should pay attention to what is happening in Canada because that is exactly where the US and many other countries are headed. The extreme radical direction of the schools and the judicial system's aggressive support of the transgender agenda — ignoring normal constitutional liberties — is clearly already happening.
What Rob Hoogland is now doing to confront it and help others are things that we all should consider doing. MassResistance will continue to work with Rob and others — and together we will fight this insanity!
Published with permission from MassResistance.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-05-01--YouTube launches ‘fact-check information panels’ in US to combat ‘misinformation’

April 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – YouTube is now using fact-check information panels for viewers in the United States , flagging , among other things , what the company deems to be “ misinformation ” regarding the coronavirus pandemic .
The company claimed the fact-check information panels are necessary in order “ for viewers to get accurate information during fast-moving events.
” “ The fact-check feature expands upon the other ways we raise and connect people with authoritative sources , ” YouTube , which is part of the Google empire , explained .
In 2018 , the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that help surface a wide array of contextual information.
” YouTube is now “ using these panels to help address an additional challenge : Misinformation that comes up quickly as part of a fast-moving news cycle , where unfounded claims and uncertainty about facts are common.
” As an example , the company mentioned “ a false report that COVID-19 is a bio-weapon.
” “ Our fact-check information panels provide fresh context in these situations by highlighting relevant , third-party fact-checked articles above search results for relevant queries , so that our viewers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims made in the news , ” YouTube stated .
On April 19 , Susan Wojcicki , the CEO of YouTube , announced that all content contradicting the Word Health Organization ( WHO ) on the coronavirus pandemic would be removed from the video streaming platform .
“ We also talk about removing information that is problematic , ” she said .
“ Of course , anything that is medically unsubstantiated .
So people saying , like , take vitamin C , you know , take turmeric , like , those are – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examples of things that would be a violation of our policy.
” She then specified that any content going “ against World Health Organization recommendations would be a violation of our policy .
And so remove is another really important part of our policy.
” YouTube has been severely criticized for its policies of censorship .
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn , R-Tennessee , tweeted that “ ( i ) t is alarming that ( YouTube ) now relies on the ( WHO ) ’ s biased recommendations to decide what video content to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) gave inaccurate information about the spread of the virus , still parrots Chinese propaganda , and fought ( President Donald Trump ) ’ s China travel ban , ” the senator pointed out .
“ If Big Tech companies plan to police speech surrounding COVID-19 , they need to rely on honest and objective experts .
History repeats itself and ( WHO ) has proven to be untrustworthy promoters of Chinese propaganda.
” Fox News prime-time host Tucker Carlson referred to a deleted video that had gone viral , featuring two California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies implemented in the Golden State .
“ Unfortunately , informed debate is precisely what the authorities don ’ t want , ” Carlson pointed out .
“ They want unquestioned obedience .
So they ’ re cracking down on free expression .
Last night , the doctors ’ video was pulled off YouTube .
This wasn ’ t an accident .
YouTube admitted doing it .
The company cited a violation of ‘ community guidelines , ’ and did not apologize.
” According to 23ABC News based in Bakersfield , California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company “ quickly ” removes “ flagged content that violate our Community Guidelines , including content that explicitly disputes the efficacy of local healthy authority recommended guidance on social distancing that may lead others to act against that guidance.
” At the same time , “ content that provides sufficient educational , documentary , scientific or artistic ( EDSA ) context is allowed – for example , news coverage of this interview with additional context .
From the very beginning of the pandemic , we ’ ve had clear policies against COVID-19 misinformation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and helpful information at this critical time.
” Carlson said , “ Doctors who are actually treating patients with the virus have been banned .
So , no , this is not about science .
Censorship never is .
It ’ s about power .
Big technology companies are using this tragedy to increase their power over the American population.
” He likened the way America was going amid the coronavirus pandemic to China .
“ Big companies partnering with the government to spy on you without your knowledge .
Americans locked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church , placated with sedatives like beer and weed .
Anyone who speaks up is silenced .
Political demonstrations are illegal .
Organizers are arrested .
Only opinions approved by unelected leaders are allowed on information platforms .
Sound familiar ?
It sounds a lot like China.
” YouTube said their fact-check information panel would rely “ on an open network of third-party publishers.
” All publishers in the United States “ are welcome to participate as long as they follow the publicly-available ClaimReview standards and are either a verified signatory of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Code of Principles or are an authoritative publisher.
” Among the publishers currently participating in YouTube ’ s fact-check information panel are The Dispatch , FactCheck.org , PolitiFact and The Washington Post Fact Checker .

'The fact-check feature expands upon the other ways we raise and connect people with authoritative sources,' YouTube stated.
April 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – YouTube is now using fact-check information panels for viewers in the United States, flagging, among other things, what the company deems to be “misinformation” regarding the coronavirus pandemic. The company claimed the fact-check information panels are necessary in order “for viewers to get accurate information during fast-moving events.”
“The fact-check feature expands upon the other ways we raise and connect people with authoritative sources,” YouTube, which is part of the Google empire, explained.
In 2018, the video streaming platform had introduced information panels “that help surface a wide array of contextual information.” YouTube is now “using these panels to help address an additional challenge: Misinformation that comes up quickly as part of a fast-moving news cycle, where unfounded claims and uncertainty about facts are common.”
As an example, the company mentioned “a false report that COVID-19 is a bio-weapon.”
“Our fact-check information panels provide fresh context in these situations by highlighting relevant, third-party fact-checked articles above search results for relevant queries, so that our viewers can make their own informed decision about claims made in the news,” YouTube stated.
On April 19, Susan Wojcicki, the CEO of YouTube, announced that all content contradicting the Word Health Organization (WHO) on the coronavirus pandemic would be removed from the video streaming platform.
“We also talk about removing information that is problematic,” she said. “Of course, anything that is medically unsubstantiated. So people saying, like, take vitamin C, you know, take turmeric, like, those are – will cure you. Those are the examples of things that would be a violation of our policy.”
She then specified that any content going “against World Health Organization recommendations would be a violation of our policy. And so remove is another really important part of our policy.”
YouTube has been severely criticized for its policies of censorship.
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, tweeted that “(i)t is alarming that (YouTube) now relies on the (WHO)’s biased recommendations to decide what video content to take down.”
“The (WHO) gave inaccurate information about the spread of the virus, still parrots Chinese propaganda, and fought (President Donald Trump)’s China travel ban,” the senator pointed out.
“If Big Tech companies plan to police speech surrounding COVID-19, they need to rely on honest and objective experts. History repeats itself and (WHO) has proven to be untrustworthy promoters of Chinese propaganda.”
Fox News prime-time host Tucker Carlson referred to a deleted video that had gone viral, featuring two California doctors calling into question some of the policies implemented in the Golden State.
“Unfortunately, informed debate is precisely what the authorities don’t want,” Carlson pointed out. “They want unquestioned obedience. So they’re cracking down on free expression. Last night, the doctors’ video was pulled off YouTube. This wasn’t an accident. YouTube admitted doing it. The company cited a violation of ‘community guidelines,’ and did not apologize.”
According to 23ABC News based in Bakersfield, California, YouTube said in a statement that the company “quickly” removes “flagged content that violate our Community Guidelines, including content that explicitly disputes the efficacy of local healthy authority recommended guidance on social distancing that may lead others to act against that guidance.”
At the same time, “content that provides sufficient educational, documentary, scientific or artistic (EDSA) context is allowed – for example, news coverage of this interview with additional context. From the very beginning of the pandemic, we’ve had clear policies against COVID-19 misinformation and are committed to continue providing timely and helpful information at this critical time.”
Carlson said, “Doctors who are actually treating patients with the virus have been banned. So, no, this is not about science. Censorship never is. It’s about power. Big technology companies are using this tragedy to increase their power over the American population.”
He likened the way America was going amid the coronavirus pandemic to China.
“Big companies partnering with the government to spy on you without your knowledge. Americans locked in their homes, banned from going to church, placated with sedatives like beer and weed. Anyone who speaks up is silenced. Political demonstrations are illegal. Organizers are arrested. Only opinions approved by unelected leaders are allowed on information platforms. Sound familiar? It sounds a lot like China.”
YouTube said their fact-check information panel would rely “on an open network of third-party publishers.” All publishers in the United States “are welcome to participate as long as they follow the publicly-available ClaimReview standards and are either a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network’s (IFCN) Code of Principles or are an authoritative publisher.”
Among the publishers currently participating in YouTube’s fact-check information panel are The Dispatch, FactCheck.org, PolitiFact and The Washington Post Fact Checker.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-05-01--How now-Cardinal Nichols knowingly allowed a book approving contraception to circulate in his UK dio

How now-Cardinal Nichols knowingly allowed a book approving contraception to circulate in his UK diocese

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world : Feed your flock Sign the petition here .
May 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In my last blogpost , I said , “ The evidence clearly indicates that the policy of the CBCEW ( Catholic Bishops ’ Conference of England and Wales ) – as distinct from the doctrinal position of the Church – is , effectively , to lend support to access to abortion.
” The roots of this policy can be found in the England and Wales ecclesiastical authorities ’ position on contraception .
Phyllis Bowman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ( SPUC ) , wrote to Bishop Vincent Nichols ( now Cardinal Nichols and President of the CBCEW ) on 6th February 1996 , expressing concern about a book titled “ How to Survive Being Married to a Catholic , ” a Redemptorist publication sold widely through Catholic churches .
“ I enclose herewith , extracts from ‘ How to Survive Being Married to a Catholic , ’ a book published by the Redemptorists and which is sold widely through Catholic churches .
“ Some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is wildly misleading and I would draw attention to the enclosed section on “ Catholics and sex.
” It claims in effect that the Church allows good Catholics to use the pill and make ( s ) no reference whatsoever to the fact that present-day oral contraceptives may act as abortifacients which is why I am writing to you .
In any case the whole concept totally disregards both Humanae Vitae and Evangelium Vitae … We would be most grateful if you would take action to ensure that it is withdrawn from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it is amended .
“ The book was brought to my attention by one of our young members who is married to a non-Catholic for whom she bought it to help in their pre-marriage preparation .
Fortunately , the young man ( who is now her husband ) had thought through the Church ’ s teaching on marriage and sex and had come to the conclusion on his own that Humanae Vitae was an enlightened document and explains the basic ‘ eternal truths ’ regarding our sexual nature ( he still describes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , I am quite sure that the book could be disastrous in many cases giving a completely ‘ false witness.
’ “ I know a number of young Catholics ( male and female ) who are really seeking to live by the teaching of the Church and I know several who have had great difficulties in sorting out problems with future married partners or , indeed with husband/wives if they are already married .
A publication of this nature could place them in the position of having their partners regard them as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the body of the Church .
“ I realise that the book has been in print for about 10 years , but quite recently it seems to have become widely available , which is how I came to hear about it .
We would be most grateful if you would take action to ensure that it is withdrawn from the churches in your diocese or to ensure that it is amended .
“ I have the honor to be etc … ” In reply ( 12th February 1996 ) , Bishop Nichols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thank you for your letter of 6 February , which I assume you sent to a number of people .
In it you say that sections of the publication ‘ How to survive Being Married to a Catholic ’ are ‘ widely ( sic ) misleading ’ and ‘ totally disregards both Humanae Vitae and Evangelium Vitae ’ .
These are serious charges .
“ Perhaps you are not aware that there is a well established procedure by which materials concerning the faith are examined by the competent ecclesiastical authority prior to publication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Law .
The approval for publication is given by way of a ‘ nihil obstat ’ and an ‘ imprimatur , ’ which signifies that the text contains nothing that is harmful to faith or morals .
“ Perhaps you have not noticed that this publication carries such an ‘ imprimatur ’ .
This means that it has been declared , by the competent Church authority , to be free of harmful material .
“ In contrast you seem to have come to the private judgment that this is not the case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an alternative competent authority .
“ It is perfectly true that as a member of the Church you have the right to express personal views .
But if you are seriously going to question in this way the proper exercise of ecclesiastical authority , then your arguments must be put with far more precision and rigour so as to demonstrate that you do indeed have sufficient technical ability to make your judgment significant .
Vague accusations are not enough .
Nor is the absence in a text of a repetition of words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is the teaching of a text , given its purpose and context , which has to be judged .
And in this case such a formal judgment has been made already , and the text not found wanting .
“ Could I add that nothing of this letter in any way detracts from my admiration the ( sic ) work of SPUC and your own wonderful dedication to it.
” Bishop Nichols calls Bowman ’ s arguments “ vague accusations ” and lacking in precision .
But there is nothing vague or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO says , in particular where she writes : As a schoolboy in 1968 , at age 17 , my classmates and I fully understood , as did the rest of the world , that Humanae Vitae reiterated the church ’ s teaching entirely prohibiting any use of contraception in the marriage act .
Bowman might reasonably have wished not to appear condescending by quoting the text of a papal encyclical to Bishop Nichols and to appear , as it were , to be spelling out to a Catholic bishop what the teaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially on something which was so universally understood .
But , for the purpose of this blog , and in order to leave no room for doubt on the matter , here ’ s what Humanae Vitae says : “ 11 .
… The Church , nevertheless , in urging men to the observance of the precepts of the natural law , which it interprets by its constant doctrine , teaches that each and every marital act must of necessity retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctrine , often expounded by the magisterium of the Church , is based on the inseparable connection , established by God , which man on his own initiative may not break , between the unitive significance and the procreative significance which are both inherent to the marriage act .
“ 14 .
Therefore We base Our words on the first principles of a human and Christian doctrine of marriage when We are obliged once more to declare that the direct interruption of the generative process already begun and , above all , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are to be absolutely excluded as lawful means of regulating the number of children .
( 14 ) Equally to be condemned , as the magisterium of the Church has affirmed on many occasions , is direct sterilization , whether of the man or of the woman , whether permanent or temporary .
( 15 ) “ Similarly excluded is any action which either before , at the moment of , or after sexual intercourse , is specifically intended to prevent procreation — whether as an end or as a means .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ valid to argue , as a justification for sexual intercourse which is deliberately contraceptive , that a lesser evil is to be preferred to a greater one , or that such intercourse would merge with procreative acts of past and future to form a single entity , and so be qualified by exactly the same moral goodness as these .
Though it is true that sometimes it is lawful to tolerate a lesser moral evil in order to avoid a greater evil or in order to promote a greater good , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons , to do evil that good may come of it — in other words , to intend directly something which of its very nature contradicts the moral order , and which must therefore be judged unworthy of man , even though the intention is to protect or promote the welfare of an individual , of a family or of society in general .
Consequently , it is a serious error to think that a whole married life of otherwise normal relations can justify sexual intercourse which is deliberately contraceptive and so intrinsically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contraception and abortion , a point made perfectly clearly by Bowman , Evangelium Vitae states : In the paragraph immediately before the above extract from Evangelium Vitae , Saint Pope John Paul II wrote : In his reply to Bowman , my predecessor as SPUC ’ s chief executive , Bishop Nichols creates a straw man , accusing Phyllis of vagueness and imprecision , in order to avoid answering legitimate claims about a book , approved by the ecclesiastical authorities in England , which falsely presents the Church ’ s teaching on contraception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temptation of making use of abortifacient birth control .
As I will continue to show in my next post , the Catholic Bishops ’ Conference of England and Wales , and their policy of effectively lending support to access to abortion , is a fruit of the same tree which denies the Church ’ s teaching on contraception .

The then-bishop called the accusations 'vague' and argued that the church's stamp of approval on the text was good enough for him.
Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock Sign the petition here.
May 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In my last blogpost, I said, “The evidence clearly indicates that the policy of the CBCEW (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales) – as distinct from the doctrinal position of the Church – is, effectively, to lend support to access to abortion.” The roots of this policy can be found in the England and Wales ecclesiastical authorities’ position on contraception.
Phyllis Bowman, my predecessor as chief executive of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), wrote to Bishop Vincent Nichols (now Cardinal Nichols and President of the CBCEW) on 6th February 1996, expressing concern about a book titled “How to Survive Being Married to a Catholic,” a Redemptorist publication sold widely through Catholic churches.
Bowman said:
“I enclose herewith, extracts from ‘How to Survive Being Married to a Catholic,’ a book published by the Redemptorists and which is sold widely through Catholic churches. “Some of it is good but in sections it is wildly misleading and I would draw attention to the enclosed section on “Catholics and sex.” It claims in effect that the Church allows good Catholics to use the pill and make(s) no reference whatsoever to the fact that present-day oral contraceptives may act as abortifacients which is why I am writing to you. In any case the whole concept totally disregards both Humanae Vitae and Evangelium Vitae … We would be most grateful if you would take action to ensure that it is withdrawn from the churches in your diocese or to ensure that it is amended. “The book was brought to my attention by one of our young members who is married to a non-Catholic for whom she bought it to help in their pre-marriage preparation. Fortunately, the young man (who is now her husband) had thought through the Church’s teaching on marriage and sex and had come to the conclusion on his own that Humanae Vitae was an enlightened document and explains the basic ‘eternal truths’ regarding our sexual nature (he still describes himself as an agnostic!). However, I am quite sure that the book could be disastrous in many cases giving a completely ‘false witness.’ “I know a number of young Catholics (male and female) who are really seeking to live by the teaching of the Church and I know several who have had great difficulties in sorting out problems with future married partners or, indeed with husband/wives if they are already married. A publication of this nature could place them in the position of having their partners regard them as ‘cranks’ totally out of step with the body of the Church. “I realise that the book has been in print for about 10 years, but quite recently it seems to have become widely available, which is how I came to hear about it. We would be most grateful if you would take action to ensure that it is withdrawn from the churches in your diocese or to ensure that it is amended. “I have the honor to be etc …”
In reply (12th February 1996), Bishop Nichols said (in full):
“Thank you for your letter of 6 February, which I assume you sent to a number of people. In it you say that sections of the publication ‘How to survive Being Married to a Catholic’ are ‘widely (sic) misleading’ and ‘totally disregards both Humanae Vitae and Evangelium Vitae’. These are serious charges. “Perhaps you are not aware that there is a well established procedure by which materials concerning the faith are examined by the competent ecclesiastical authority prior to publication. This is a requirement of Canon Law. The approval for publication is given by way of a ‘nihil obstat’ and an ‘imprimatur,’ which signifies that the text contains nothing that is harmful to faith or morals. “Perhaps you have not noticed that this publication carries such an ‘imprimatur’. This means that it has been declared, by the competent Church authority, to be free of harmful material. “In contrast you seem to have come to the private judgment that this is not the case. In doing so you set yourself up as an alternative competent authority. “It is perfectly true that as a member of the Church you have the right to express personal views. But if you are seriously going to question in this way the proper exercise of ecclesiastical authority, then your arguments must be put with far more precision and rigour so as to demonstrate that you do indeed have sufficient technical ability to make your judgment significant. Vague accusations are not enough. Nor is the absence in a text of a repetition of words from a formal Church document. “It is the teaching of a text, given its purpose and context, which has to be judged. And in this case such a formal judgment has been made already, and the text not found wanting. “Could I add that nothing of this letter in any way detracts from my admiration the (sic) work of SPUC and your own wonderful dedication to it.”
Bishop Nichols calls Bowman’s arguments “vague accusations” and lacking in precision. But there is nothing vague or imprecise in what my predecessor as SPUC CEO says, in particular where she writes:
(How to survive being married to a Catholic) claims in effect that the Church allows good Catholics to use the pill and make(s) no reference whatsoever to the fact that present-day oral contraceptives may act as abortifacients which is why I am writing to you. In any case the whole concept totally disregards both Humanae Vitae and Evangelium Vitae …”
As a schoolboy in 1968, at age 17, my classmates and I fully understood, as did the rest of the world, that Humanae Vitae reiterated the church’s teaching entirely prohibiting any use of contraception in the marriage act. Bowman might reasonably have wished not to appear condescending by quoting the text of a papal encyclical to Bishop Nichols and to appear, as it were, to be spelling out to a Catholic bishop what the teaching of the church was on a matter, especially on something which was so universally understood.
But, for the purpose of this blog, and in order to leave no room for doubt on the matter, here’s what Humanae Vitae says:
“11. … The Church, nevertheless, in urging men to the observance of the precepts of the natural law, which it interprets by its constant doctrine, teaches that each and every marital act must of necessity retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life. (12) “12. This particular doctrine, often expounded by the magisterium of the Church, is based on the inseparable connection, established by God, which man on his own initiative may not break, between the unitive significance and the procreative significance which are both inherent to the marriage act. … “14. Therefore We base Our words on the first principles of a human and Christian doctrine of marriage when We are obliged once more to declare that the direct interruption of the generative process already begun and, above all, all direct abortion, even for therapeutic reasons, are to be absolutely excluded as lawful means of regulating the number of children. (14) Equally to be condemned, as the magisterium of the Church has affirmed on many occasions, is direct sterilization, whether of the man or of the woman, whether permanent or temporary. (15) “Similarly excluded is any action which either before, at the moment of, or after sexual intercourse, is specifically intended to prevent procreation — whether as an end or as a means. (16) “Neither is it valid to argue, as a justification for sexual intercourse which is deliberately contraceptive, that a lesser evil is to be preferred to a greater one, or that such intercourse would merge with procreative acts of past and future to form a single entity, and so be qualified by exactly the same moral goodness as these. Though it is true that sometimes it is lawful to tolerate a lesser moral evil in order to avoid a greater evil or in order to promote a greater good, it is never lawful, even for the gravest reasons, to do evil that good may come of it — in other words, to intend directly something which of its very nature contradicts the moral order, and which must therefore be judged unworthy of man, even though the intention is to protect or promote the welfare of an individual, of a family or of society in general. Consequently, it is a serious error to think that a whole married life of otherwise normal relations can justify sexual intercourse which is deliberately contraceptive and so intrinsically wrong.
And on the link between contraception and abortion, a point made perfectly clearly by Bowman, Evangelium Vitae states:
The close connection which exists, in mentality, between the practice of contraception and that of abortion is becoming increasingly obvious. It is being demonstrated in an alarming way by the development of chemical products, intrauterine devices and vaccines which, distributed with the same ease as contraceptives, really act as abortifacients in the very early stages of the development of the life of the new human being. (EV 13)
In the paragraph immediately before the above extract from Evangelium Vitae, Saint Pope John Paul II wrote:
But despite their differences of nature and moral gravity, contraception and abortion are often closely connected, as fruits of the same tree.
In his reply to Bowman, my predecessor as SPUC’s chief executive, Bishop Nichols creates a straw man, accusing Phyllis of vagueness and imprecision, in order to avoid answering legitimate claims about a book, approved by the ecclesiastical authorities in England, which falsely presents the Church’s teaching on contraception and leads the faithful into the further temptation of making use of abortifacient birth control.
As I will continue to show in my next post, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and their policy of effectively lending support to access to abortion, is a fruit of the same tree which denies the Church’s teaching on contraception.
John Smeaton is the Chief executive officer of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). He has worked fulltime in the pro-life movement for more than four decades. He was educated at Salesian College, London, before going to Oxford where he graduated in English Language and Literature. He qualified as a teacher, becoming head of English at a secondary school. He is married to Josephine. He has a grown-up family and lives in north London.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-05-01--Public Masses never stopped in Latvia – bishops convinced authorities ‘spiritual food’ is necessary

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world : Feed your flock Sign the petition here .
RIGA , Latvia , May 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A Latvian archbishop said the country ’ s faithful have been publicly receiving all sacraments throughout the coronavirus pandemic after spiritual leaders convinced authorities that “ spiritual food is no less important than physical food ” and that “ man does not live of bread alone.
” Latvia is a small state in Eastern Europe , slightly larger than West Virginia , bordering both the Baltic Sea and Russia .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people , and Lutheranism is the predominant religion .
About 20 percent of the population identifies as Catholic .
Archbishop Zbigņevs Stankevičs of Riga sent a statement to Zenit , a Catholic news agency , in which he explained the importance of continuous dialog with government authorities .
The archbishop , and other Catholics , made their case by pointing out how the public celebration of the sacraments , even amid a pandemic , would be beneficial to the state by reducing social tensions .
“ Lately , psychiatrists have pointed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the restrictions , Stankevičs said .
“ In this regard , the church helps the society to maintain its psychological and mental health in times of crisis.
” The archbishop credited the success of his efforts , as well as the efforts of other Christians , “ to the openness of the representatives of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior.
” He added that it was important to have all Christian churches and communities maintain a “ united position ” before the government .
While the government had the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-March , the “ intense dialogue ” between Jānis Bordāns , Latvia ’ s Minister of Justice , and representatives of various Christian denominations , including the Catholic Church , led to the agreement “ that the clergy should continue to celebrate Mass because it is their duty.
” “ Moreover , in Masses the participation was permitted of ministers , readers , and singers because the clergy can ’ t celebrate Mass on its own , ” Archbishop Stankevičs said .
“ It was also agreed that individual faithful could be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but their number couldn ’ t be more than 50 people.
” Stankevičs lamented that stores , bars , and entertainment venues were not limited as to the number of visitors they could host at a time .
At the end of March , Latvian Catholics accepted social distancing measures , as well as cutting the number of people allowed to be present during Mass to 25 .
During the holiest days of the Catholic year , around Easter , police were present to monitor if the parishes were complying with the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government also “ wanted to establish a rule that a person could stay in church for no more than 15 minutes , but we succeeded in annulling it.
” The blessing of food for Easter , which is a popular custom in many parts of Europe , “ was held in many places outside churches ” in order to accommodate more than 25 faithful .
As in other countries , funerals and marriages were limited to very few participants .
According to Worldometer , there are less than 1,000 cases of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 deaths have been recorded .
In the United States , based on the First Amendment , many states included exemptions for religious gatherings in their decrees issued during the COVID-19 pandemic .
As the Pew Research Center documented , only 10 states went ahead and outright banned worship services .
Those states include California , New York , and Illinois .
However , bishops across the country canceled all public Masses .
Recently , the bishops of Iowa said , “ In light of the expectation that positive cases of COVID-19 will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , we have decided it would be most prudent for now to continue to follow the liturgical restrictions we have in place , including the suspension of public Masses.
” In fact , a return of public Masses might be months away .
“ Without an effective vaccine or widespread testing and contact data that justifies a change in course , we simply are not at a place where we can resume our previous prayer practices , ” the bishops argued .
The bishops ’ statement came after Iowa Gov .
Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ gather for spiritual or religious purposes , so long as churches , synagogues , or other hosts of a spiritual or religious gathering take reasonable measures to ensure social distancing of employees , volunteers , and other participants , increased hygiene practices , and other public health measures to reduce the risk of further spread of COVID-19 , ” beginning May 1 .

'Intense dialogue' between government and Christian leaders led to an agreement that churches remain open during the pandemic.
Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock Sign the petition here.
RIGA, Latvia, May 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A Latvian archbishop said the country’s faithful have been publicly receiving all sacraments throughout the coronavirus pandemic after spiritual leaders convinced authorities that “spiritual food is no less important than physical food” and that “man does not live of bread alone.”
Latvia is a small state in Eastern Europe, slightly larger than West Virginia, bordering both the Baltic Sea and Russia. The country’s population is under two million people, and Lutheranism is the predominant religion. About 20 percent of the population identifies as Catholic.
Archbishop Zbigņevs Stankevičs of Riga sent a statement to Zenit, a Catholic news agency, in which he explained the importance of continuous dialog with government authorities.
The archbishop, and other Catholics, made their case by pointing out how the public celebration of the sacraments, even amid a pandemic, would be beneficial to the state by reducing social tensions.
“Lately, psychiatrists have pointed out the worsening of mental problems because of the restrictions, Stankevičs said. “In this regard, the church helps the society to maintain its psychological and mental health in times of crisis.”
The archbishop credited the success of his efforts, as well as the efforts of other Christians, “to the openness of the representatives of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior.” He added that it was important to have all Christian churches and communities maintain a “united position” before the government.
While the government had the intention of banning all public gatherings in mid-March, the “intense dialogue” between Jānis Bordāns, Latvia’s Minister of Justice, and representatives of various Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church, led to the agreement “that the clergy should continue to celebrate Mass because it is their duty.”
“Moreover, in Masses the participation was permitted of ministers, readers, and singers because the clergy can’t celebrate Mass on its own,” Archbishop Stankevičs said. “It was also agreed that individual faithful could be in the church during the Holy Mass, but their number couldn’t be more than 50 people.”
Stankevičs lamented that stores, bars, and entertainment venues were not limited as to the number of visitors they could host at a time.
At the end of March, Latvian Catholics accepted social distancing measures, as well as cutting the number of people allowed to be present during Mass to 25. During the holiest days of the Catholic year, around Easter, police were present to monitor if the parishes were complying with the government’s regulations.
Before Easter, the government also “wanted to establish a rule that a person could stay in church for no more than 15 minutes, but we succeeded in annulling it.”
The blessing of food for Easter, which is a popular custom in many parts of Europe, “was held in many places outside churches” in order to accommodate more than 25 faithful.
As in other countries, funerals and marriages were limited to very few participants.
According to Worldometer, there are less than 1,000 cases of coronavirus in Latvia. So far, only 16 deaths have been recorded.
In the United States, based on the First Amendment, many states included exemptions for religious gatherings in their decrees issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Pew Research Center documented, only 10 states went ahead and outright banned worship services. Those states include California, New York, and Illinois.
However, bishops across the country canceled all public Masses.
Recently, the bishops of Iowa said, “In light of the expectation that positive cases of COVID-19 will peak in Iowa in the next few weeks, we have decided it would be most prudent for now to continue to follow the liturgical restrictions we have in place, including the suspension of public Masses.”
In fact, a return of public Masses might be months away. “Without an effective vaccine or widespread testing and contact data that justifies a change in course, we simply are not at a place where we can resume our previous prayer practices,” the bishops argued.
The bishops’ statement came after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds allowed Iowans on April 27 to “gather for spiritual or religious purposes, so long as churches, synagogues, or other hosts of a spiritual or religious gathering take reasonable measures to ensure social distancing of employees, volunteers, and other participants, increased hygiene practices, and other public health measures to reduce the risk of further spread of COVID-19,” beginning May 1.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-05-01--Pope Benedict links dominance of ‘homosexual marriage…abortion’ to spiritual power of ‘Anti-Christ’

May 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI linked the dominance of “ homosexual marriage ” and “ abortion ” in the world — such that it brooks no dissent without fear of punishment — to the “ spiritual power of the Anti-Christ ” in a new biography .
“ One hundred years ago , ” Benedict stated in the biography by Peter Seewald , “ everybody would have considered it to be absurd to speak of a homosexual marriage .
Today , one is being excommunicated by society if one opposes it.
” The same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creation of human beings in the laboratory , ” Benedict added .
“ Modern society is in the middle of formulating an anti-Christian creed , and if one opposes it , one is being punished by society with excommunication , ” he went on to say .
“ The fear of this spiritual power of the Anti-Christ is then only more than natural , and it really needs the help of prayers on the part of an entire diocese and of the Universal Church in order to resist it.
” The over 1,000-page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ein Leben ( in German ) and Benedict XVI The Biography : Volume One ( in English ) is scheduled for release in German May 4 and in English Nov. 17 .
A pre-release copy of the book was obtained by LifeSiteNews .
Seewald has co-authored several books with Benedict and has also already published an autobiographical interview-book with the former Pope .
Following the death of John Paul II in 2005 , Benedict , formerly known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger , served as pope of the Catholic Church until his surprise resignation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected his successor in March 2013 .
For this book , Seewald was able to have many exchanges with Pope Benedict as well as with his personal secretary , Archbishop Georg Gänswein .
In an attachment to this new book , Seewald published answers by Pope Benedict under the title : “ Last Questions to Benedict XVI.
” These questions , the author explained , had been sent to Benedict after “ many interviews ” with him , in the autumn of 2018 .
Many of Seewald 's questions remained unanswered , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this attachment .
When asked about the often-repeated claim that he as Pope encountered “ many blockages ” during his papacy on the part of the Roman Curia , Pope Benedict answered : “ Blockages came more from the outside than from the Curia .
I did not want merely to promote first and foremost the purification in the small world of the Curia , but in the Church as a whole.
” Further explaining his thoughts , he added that “ in the meantime , events have shown that the crisis of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crisis of Christian existence.
” This , he continued , is what the “ Pope has to have in front of his eyes.
” When further asked by Seewald as to whether Benedict had foreseen all that would come down upon him — the Pope , at the beginning of his pontificate , had asked Catholics to pray for him that he may not “ flee from the wolves ” — Benedict stated that the generally perceived scale of problems that a pope can be “ afraid of ” is much too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he went on to say , “ events such as 'VatiLeaks ' are a nuisance and not understandable for the people in the world at large and deeply disturbing .
But the real threat to the Church and with it to the Petrine Office does not come from such things , but from the world-wide dictatorship of seemingly humanistic ideologies.
” To contradict this dictatorship , Benedict explained , “ means the exclusion from the basic consensus in society.
” It was within this context that Benedict mentioned “ Anti-Christ.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glorious second coming , the Church will pass through a “ final trial ” that will “ shake the faith of many believers.
” “ The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth will unveil the ‘ mystery of iniquity ’ in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth , ” states the Catechism of the Catholic Church .
“ The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist , a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come in the flesh , ” it added .
Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen in a 1947 radio sermon described the Anti-Christ as a “ Great Humanitarian ” who will “ talk peace , prosperity and plenty.
” “ The anti-Christ will not be so called , otherwise he would have no followers .
He will wear no red tights , nor vomit sulphur , nor carry a spear nor wave an arrowed tail as Mephistopheles in Faust , ” stated Sheen .
“ Our Lord tells us that He will be so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deceive even the elect – and certainly no devil we have ever seen in picture books could deceive even the elect .
How will he come in this new age to win followers to his religion ?
” He will come disguised as the Great Humanitarian ; he will talk peace , prosperity , and plenty , not as means to lead us to God , but as ends in themselves .
He will write books on the new idea of God to suit the way people live .
[ He will ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make not the will but the stars responsible for our sins .
He will explain guilt away psychologically as repressed sex , make men shrink in shame if their fellowmen say they are not broadminded and liberal .
He will identify tolerance with indifference to right and wrong .
He will foster more divorces under the disguise that another partner is “ vital.
” He will increase love for love and decrease love for persons .
He will invoke religion to destroy religion .
He will even speak of Christ and say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived .
His mission , he will say , will be to liberate men from the servitudes of superstition and Fascism , which he will never define .
In the midst of all his seeming love for humanity and his glib talk of freedom and equality , he will have one great secret which he will tell to no one ; he will not believe in God .
And because his religion will be brotherhood without the fatherhood of God , he will deceive even the elect .
He will set up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Church because , he the devil , is the ape of God .
It will be the mystical body of the anti-Christ that will in all externals resemble the Church as the mystical body of Christ .
In desperate need for God , he will induce modern man , in his loneliness and frustration , to hunger more and more for membership in his community that will give man enlargement of purpose , without any need of personal amendment and without the admission of personal guilt .
These are days in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly long rope .
Benedict ’ s comments may be his strongest condemnation of the dictatorship of moral relativism and of the LGBT agenda that has been repeatedly resisted by other high-ranking Catholic leaders , such as Cardinal Robert Sarah , Cardinal Gerhard Müller , Cardinal Raymond Burke , and Cardinal Walter Brandmüller , as well as Bishop Athanasius Schneider , among others .
It was in an April 2005 speech , just before his election to the papacy , that then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger had introduced the term “ dictatorship of relativism.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , having a clear faith based on the Creed of the Church is often labeled as fundamentalism .
Whereas relativism , that is , letting oneself be 'tossed here and there , carried about by every wind of doctrine ' , seems the only attitude that can cope with modern times .
We are building a dictatorship of relativism that does not recognize anything as definitive and whose ultimate goal consists solely of one 's own ego and desires.
” Against this relativism , he noted , stands Jesus Christ .
Stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a different goal : the Son of God , the true man .
He is the measure of true humanism.
” In 2017 , on the occasion of the funeral of Cardinal Joachim Meisner , Benedict praised the “ dubia ” cardinal for living out a “ deep conviction that the Lord does not abandon His Church , even when the boat has taken on so much water as to be on the verge of capsizing.
” The Church , Benedict stated at that time , “ stands in particularly pressing need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dictatorship of the spirit of the age and who live and think the faith with determination .
”

May 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI linked the dominance of “homosexual marriage” and “abortion” in the world — such that it brooks no dissent without fear of punishment — to the “spiritual power of the Anti-Christ” in a new biography.
“One hundred years ago,” Benedict stated in the biography by Peter Seewald, “everybody would have considered it to be absurd to speak of a homosexual marriage. Today, one is being excommunicated by society if one opposes it.” The same applies to “abortion and to the creation of human beings in the laboratory,” Benedict added.
“Modern society is in the middle of formulating an anti-Christian creed, and if one opposes it, one is being punished by society with excommunication,” he went on to say. “The fear of this spiritual power of the Anti-Christ is then only more than natural, and it really needs the help of prayers on the part of an entire diocese and of the Universal Church in order to resist it.”
The over 1,000-page authoritative biography, titled Benedikt XVI: Ein Leben (in German) and Benedict XVI The Biography: Volume One (in English) is scheduled for release in German May 4 and in English Nov. 17. A pre-release copy of the book was obtained by LifeSiteNews. Seewald has co-authored several books with Benedict and has also already published an autobiographical interview-book with the former Pope.
Following the death of John Paul II in 2005, Benedict, formerly known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, served as pope of the Catholic Church until his surprise resignation in February 2013. Pope Francis was elected his successor in March 2013.
For this book, Seewald was able to have many exchanges with Pope Benedict as well as with his personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein. In an attachment to this new book, Seewald published answers by Pope Benedict under the title: “Last Questions to Benedict XVI.” These questions, the author explained, had been sent to Benedict after “many interviews” with him, in the autumn of 2018. Many of Seewald's questions remained unanswered, but the ones Benedict answered are found in this attachment.
When asked about the often-repeated claim that he as Pope encountered “many blockages” during his papacy on the part of the Roman Curia, Pope Benedict answered: “Blockages came more from the outside than from the Curia. I did not want merely to promote first and foremost the purification in the small world of the Curia, but in the Church as a whole.” Further explaining his thoughts, he added that “in the meantime, events have shown that the crisis of the Faith has led also especially to a crisis of Christian existence.” This, he continued, is what the “Pope has to have in front of his eyes.”
When further asked by Seewald as to whether Benedict had foreseen all that would come down upon him — the Pope, at the beginning of his pontificate, had asked Catholics to pray for him that he may not “flee from the wolves” — Benedict stated that the generally perceived scale of problems that a pope can be “afraid of” is much too “small.”
“Of course,” he went on to say, “events such as 'VatiLeaks' are a nuisance and not understandable for the people in the world at large and deeply disturbing. But the real threat to the Church and with it to the Petrine Office does not come from such things, but from the world-wide dictatorship of seemingly humanistic ideologies.” To contradict this dictatorship, Benedict explained, “means the exclusion from the basic consensus in society.”
It was within this context that Benedict mentioned “Anti-Christ.”
The Catholic Church teaches that before Christ's glorious second coming, the Church will pass through a “final trial” that will “shake the faith of many believers.”
“The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth will unveil the ‘mystery of iniquity’ in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth,” states the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
“The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in place of God and of his Messiah come in the flesh,” it added.
Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen in a 1947 radio sermon described the Anti-Christ as a “Great Humanitarian” who will “talk peace, prosperity and plenty.”
“The anti-Christ will not be so called, otherwise he would have no followers. He will wear no red tights, nor vomit sulphur, nor carry a spear nor wave an arrowed tail as Mephistopheles in Faust,” stated Sheen.
“Our Lord tells us that He will be so much like Himself, that he would deceive even the elect – and certainly no devil we have ever seen in picture books could deceive even the elect. How will he come in this new age to win followers to his religion?”
Continued Sheen:
He will come disguised as the Great Humanitarian; he will talk peace, prosperity, and plenty, not as means to lead us to God, but as ends in themselves. He will write books on the new idea of God to suit the way people live. [He will] induce faith in astrology so as to make not the will but the stars responsible for our sins. He will explain guilt away psychologically as repressed sex, make men shrink in shame if their fellowmen say they are not broadminded and liberal. He will identify tolerance with indifference to right and wrong. He will foster more divorces under the disguise that another partner is “vital.” He will increase love for love and decrease love for persons. He will invoke religion to destroy religion. He will even speak of Christ and say that he was the greatest man who ever lived. His mission, he will say, will be to liberate men from the servitudes of superstition and Fascism, which he will never define. In the midst of all his seeming love for humanity and his glib talk of freedom and equality, he will have one great secret which he will tell to no one; he will not believe in God. And because his religion will be brotherhood without the fatherhood of God, he will deceive even the elect. He will set up a counter-Church, which will be the ape of the Church because, he the devil, is the ape of God. It will be the mystical body of the anti-Christ that will in all externals resemble the Church as the mystical body of Christ. In desperate need for God, he will induce modern man, in his loneliness and frustration, to hunger more and more for membership in his community that will give man enlargement of purpose, without any need of personal amendment and without the admission of personal guilt. These are days in which the devil has been given a particularly long rope.
Benedict’s comments may be his strongest condemnation of the dictatorship of moral relativism and of the LGBT agenda that has been repeatedly resisted by other high-ranking Catholic leaders, such as Cardinal Robert Sarah, Cardinal Gerhard Müller, Cardinal Raymond Burke, and Cardinal Walter Brandmüller, as well as Bishop Athanasius Schneider, among others.
It was in an April 2005 speech, just before his election to the papacy, that then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger had introduced the term “dictatorship of relativism.”
He told his fellow cardinals that “today, having a clear faith based on the Creed of the Church is often labeled as fundamentalism. Whereas relativism, that is, letting oneself be 'tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine', seems the only attitude that can cope with modern times. We are building a dictatorship of relativism that does not recognize anything as definitive and whose ultimate goal consists solely of one's own ego and desires.” Against this relativism, he noted, stands Jesus Christ.
Stated Ratzinger: “We, however, have a different goal: the Son of God, the true man. He is the measure of true humanism.”
In 2017, on the occasion of the funeral of Cardinal Joachim Meisner, Benedict praised the “dubia” cardinal for living out a “deep conviction that the Lord does not abandon His Church, even when the boat has taken on so much water as to be on the verge of capsizing.”
The Church, Benedict stated at that time, “stands in particularly pressing need of convincing shepherds who can resist the dictatorship of the spirit of the age and who live and think the faith with determination.”
LifeSiteNews’ Pete Baklinski contributed to this report
Share


lifesitenews--2020-05-01--Remembering an exemplary pro-life cardinal on the 20th anniversary of his death

May 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Not everyone gets a two-minute standing ovation at his own funeral , but Cardinal John J. O ’ Connor was not everyone .
Delivering a homily for his friend on May 8 , 2000 , Cardinal Bernard Law reminded thousands of mourners inside Manhattan ’ s St. Patrick ’ s Cathedral of the “ great legacy ” Cardinal O ’ Connor left “ in his constant reminder that the Church must always be unambiguously pro-life . ''
A thunderous applause broke out and then those in the back of the cathedral began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that swept to the front of the church and eventually prodded even pro-abortion President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton to stand ( though not applaud ) .
“ I see he hasn ’ t left the pulpit , ” Cardinal Law quipped .
May 3 will mark 20 years since Cardinal O ’ Connor ’ s death , and for me , he is still in his pulpit .
The cardinal was an exemplary priest and bishop , teacher and leader .
Catholics rightly take pride in how he gave witness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church is all about .
Priests and bishops drew strength for their ministry by following his example .
But his appeal , much like that of his friends-turned-saints Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II , extended far beyond the Catholic world .
He was a witness to humanity , to its meaning and its dignity .
His ecclesiastical motto was “ There can be no love without justice , ” and he was committed to promoting both .
Cardinal O ’ Connor eased racial tensions , helped resolve labor disputes , held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crises in Cuba and Central America , and much more .
Yet his motivations were not secular ; they were rooted in Christ .
That accounts for what the world sees as the paradox of a man whose compassion was as strong as his orthodoxy .
He taught unapologetically , for instance , that homosexual activity was contrary to the teaching of Scripture and the Church .
Yet he opened New York state ’ s first AIDS-only unit , at St. Clare ’ s Hospital , and gave thousands of hours of personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emptying their bedpans and tending to their other needs .
He was loud and clear about the immorality of abortion .
Yet from his first moment in New York , he issued an urgent invitation to any woman anywhere who felt tempted to abort her child .
“ Come to me , ” he said .
“ The resources of the Archdiocese of New York will be at your service to assist you and your child.
” It was a promise he repeated continually .
The cardinal came to New York the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joseph ’ s Seminary near Yonkers and he fanned the flames of my pro-life passion because he was on fire for the unborn .
He made it clear to the whole nation , time and time again , that protecting the unborn was issue number one .
Cardinal O ’ Connor ordained me in 1988 and he gave me permission five years later to work full-time in pro-life ministry .
Even before that , he was instrumental in the founding of Priests for Life after he established the Sisters of Life .
Priests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outreach to Catholic priests and its mission was to help empower these priests to become better advocates for life .
When the cardinal allowed me to take over the fledgling organization in 1993 , I promised him that working to save the unborn from abortion would permeate everything I do , and throughout my ministry , it has .
Cardinal O ’ Connor died on May 3 , 2000 , and as it happens , I was in Alabama , celebrating the daily televised Mass at the Eternal Word Television Network – better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at that timing as a gift from the cardinal , because I had the opportunity to share with the world about this great and humble man .
He was 80 years old when he died and he had spent 54 of those years as a priest , which he considered his primary privilege and greatest joy .
As a priest , he did so much to show us the way to live the gospel of life in love , compassion , and clarity .
We need that today ; the Church needs it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While there are many who exemplify inspiring virtues , no one has quite filled the vacuum he left .
Father Frank Pavone is the national director of Priests for Life .

Cardinal John J. O'Connor made it clear to the whole nation, time and time again, that protecting the unborn was issue number one.
PETITION: Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here.
May 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Not everyone gets a two-minute standing ovation at his own funeral, but Cardinal John J. O’Connor was not everyone.
Delivering a homily for his friend on May 8, 2000, Cardinal Bernard Law reminded thousands of mourners inside Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral of the “great legacy” Cardinal O’Connor left “in his constant reminder that the Church must always be unambiguously pro-life.”
A thunderous applause broke out and then those in the back of the cathedral began to stand up, initiating a wave that swept to the front of the church and eventually prodded even pro-abortion President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton to stand (though not applaud).
“I see he hasn’t left the pulpit,” Cardinal Law quipped.
May 3 will mark 20 years since Cardinal O’Connor’s death, and for me, he is still in his pulpit.
The cardinal was an exemplary priest and bishop, teacher and leader. Catholics rightly take pride in how he gave witness to the faith and to what the Church is all about. Priests and bishops drew strength for their ministry by following his example.
But his appeal, much like that of his friends-turned-saints Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II, extended far beyond the Catholic world. He was a witness to humanity, to its meaning and its dignity. His ecclesiastical motto was “There can be no love without justice,” and he was committed to promoting both.
Cardinal O’Connor eased racial tensions, helped resolve labor disputes, held starving children in Ethiopia, intervened in crises in Cuba and Central America, and much more. Yet his motivations were not secular; they were rooted in Christ. That accounts for what the world sees as the paradox of a man whose compassion was as strong as his orthodoxy.
He taught unapologetically, for instance, that homosexual activity was contrary to the teaching of Scripture and the Church. Yet he opened New York state’s first AIDS-only unit, at St. Clare’s Hospital, and gave thousands of hours of personal volunteer service to the AIDS patients, emptying their bedpans and tending to their other needs.
He was loud and clear about the immorality of abortion. Yet from his first moment in New York, he issued an urgent invitation to any woman anywhere who felt tempted to abort her child. “Come to me,” he said. “The resources of the Archdiocese of New York will be at your service to assist you and your child.” It was a promise he repeated continually.
The cardinal came to New York the same year I began theology training at St. Joseph’s Seminary near Yonkers and he fanned the flames of my pro-life passion because he was on fire for the unborn. He made it clear to the whole nation, time and time again, that protecting the unborn was issue number one.
Cardinal O’Connor ordained me in 1988 and he gave me permission five years later to work full-time in pro-life ministry. Even before that, he was instrumental in the founding of Priests for Life after he established the Sisters of Life.
Priests for Life began in 1991 as an outreach to Catholic priests and its mission was to help empower these priests to become better advocates for life. When the cardinal allowed me to take over the fledgling organization in 1993, I promised him that working to save the unborn from abortion would permeate everything I do, and throughout my ministry, it has.
Cardinal O’Connor died on May 3, 2000, and as it happens, I was in Alabama, celebrating the daily televised Mass at the Eternal Word Television Network – better known as EWTN. I always looked at that timing as a gift from the cardinal, because I had the opportunity to share with the world about this great and humble man.
He was 80 years old when he died and he had spent 54 of those years as a priest, which he considered his primary privilege and greatest joy. As a priest, he did so much to show us the way to live the gospel of life in love, compassion, and clarity.
We need that today; the Church needs it; the pro-life movement needs it. While there are many who exemplify inspiring virtues, no one has quite filled the vacuum he left.
Father Frank Pavone is the national director of Priests for Life.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-05-01--As governments eye reopening, churches banned from singing, Communion: Live COVID-19 updates

LifeSite ’ s previous ( and future ) live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about can be viewed HERE .
Knoxville , Tennessee is allowing people to go to church starting today , but its government guidelines specifically declare , “ [ t ] he physical taking of communion/sacrament should not be performed due to the serial breaking of physical distancing across a congregation.
” May 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Following up on violations of so-called social distancing “ rules ” is now for the New York Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone who is “ getting robbed at gunpoint , ” an insider told the New York Post .
The anonymous source says police are being told to prioritize social distancing infractions over 911 calls .
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has called government mandates confining people to their homes “ fascist.
” Ohio ’ s “ stay-at-home ” mandate has been extended to the end of May .
Media have been quick to hype people protesting draconian lockdowns as “ armed ” or “ gun-toting.
” Unrest is becoming particularly strong in Michigan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpopular executive order confining people to their homes .
“ As the legislature met on Thursday , hundreds of protesters gathered at the Capitol building in Lansing to voice frustrations about the stay home order , including some who were armed and entered the Capitol , ” CBS News reported .
As businesses are forced to shut down and more than a million Michiganders have filed for unemployment , the state is providing residents with free condoms during the pandemic .
The Guardian reports that in Germany , the government will soon “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the coronavirus pandemic with a list of strict restrictions expected to include a ban on singing ” ( emphasis added ) .
“ Religious leaders have agreed in advance meetings a set of general rules on strict physical distancing and the prohibition of anything involving bodily fluids , such as kissing religious objects , including the Jewish Torah , or administering communion from hand to mouth ... .Communal singing has reportedly proved to be a particular sticking point in the discussions , despite repeated warnings by leading epidemiologists that singing is as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In April , a California county banned any singing during live-streamed church services in empty church buildings .
“ Wind instruments ” and “ harmonicas ” were also deemed a threat .
An April 24 BBC article explains , “ Bulgaria is the latest country to test a wristband that can track people during the coronavirus pandemic ... Several nations are testing similar wristbands to make sure people are obeying orders to stay at home.
” “ South Korea and Hong Kong have also been using electronic trackers to help enforce quarantine….As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home , the device can monitor the wearer 's heart rate and be used to call the emergency services.
” As Kansas City , Missouri begins to open back up , most businesses will be required to “ track all customers who sit down inside for more than 10 minutes.
” “ That means whether you go to a restaurant , a movie theater , or church , the establishment will have to know who you are to allow you entry , ” a local news report explained .
Discussing the massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed , “ our goal isn ’ t to see what everyone is doing and be Big Brother.
” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo , meanwhile , has announced the government will be hiring an “ army ” of “ contact tracers.
” The Catholic Diocese of Lincoln , regarded as one of the most orthodox in the country , has announced plans for public Masses to resume on May 4 .
President Trump says he has seen evidence linking the pandemic to a lab in Wuhan , China .

Live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to pro-life issues, faith, and freedom.
LifeSite’s previous (and future) live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about can be viewed HERE.
Knoxville, Tennessee is allowing people to go to church starting today, but its government guidelines specifically declare, “[t]he physical taking of communion/sacrament should not be performed due to the serial breaking of physical distancing across a congregation.”
May 4, 2020, 5:34 p.m. EST: “A group of Republican state lawmakers, religious leaders, and business owners are suing Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan over the constitutionality of his stay-at-home order,” patch.com reports. “In the lawsuit filed on Saturday, the plaintiffs allege that their right to free speech and assembly have been violated — and that businesses have suffered economic injury because of Hogan's stay-at-home order.”
The report continues (emphasis added):
In the court filing, state Del. Cox (R-District 4) said he was scheduled to speak at Reopen Maryland's event on Saturday, but was “warned by a senior law enforcement official that the ‘Governor has his sights on you’ and that if I attend, ride along and speak at the Reopen Rally, I would potentially be arrested…”
A priest of the Society of St. Pius X is suing New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy over his similarly draconian “stay-at-home” order, which the governor defended in an interview with Tucker Carlson on April 15. The priest, Father Kevin Robinson, is arguing his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights have been violated.
Murphy said he “wasn’t thinking of the Bill of Rights” when he prohibited large gatherings of more than 50 people, including religious gatherings, in his state due to the coronavirus pandemic. “That’s above my paygrade,” he told Carlson. The governor also argued that shutting down liquor stores would have led to “unintended mental health and addiction prices to pay, unintended consequences.”
The Daily Caller reported yesterday, “President Donald Trump suggested during Sunday night’s Fox News town hall that his administration will soon release ‘conclusive’ evidence showing how the coronavirus originally leaked out of China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology.”
In Flint, Michigan, three people have been charged with murder “in the killing of a security guard at a Family Dollar store…during an argument over a state order for shoppers to wear face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to local media.
May 4, 2020, 3:47 p.m. EST: Also on Friday, pro-life activist and moviemaker Jason Jones, who created Bella, Crescendo, and Little Boy, to name a few, was arrested protesting Hawaii’s lockdown. A video of his arrest can be viewed HERE.
May 4, 2020, 2:26 p.m. EST: On May 1, CBS News reported:
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham invoked the state's Riot Control Act on Friday to essentially lock down the city of Gallup after its mayor requested that she do so on Thursday. Under the act, all roads leading into Gallup are now closed off “to mitigate the uninhibited spread of COVID-19 in that city.” “Effective at 12 p.m., May 1, all roads into Gallup are closed. Businesses in the city of Gallup will close from 5 p.m. through 8 a.m. Vehicles may only have a maximum of two individuals. Residents of the city should remain at home except for emergency outings and those essential for health, safety and welfare,” Grisham's office said in a press release.
Liberty Counsel has more details about the Kansas City government requiring churches to submit to them “a list of members and attendees along with their names, addresses and telephone numbers to city officials for tracking and surveillance purposes.”
May 4, 2020, 9:21 a.m. EST: Cardinal Robert Sarah, the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, denounced abuses of the Eucharist such as putting Holy Communion in a plastic bag and also reaffirmed that no one can take away from priests the right to give the faithful Holy Communion and hear their Confessions.
Nobody can prevent a priest from confessing and giving communion, nobody has the right to stop him. The sacrament must be respected. So even if it is not possible to attend Masses, the faithful can ask to be confessed and to receive Communion. +RS pic.twitter.com/ZvwjSoTpuo — Cardinal R. Sarah (@Card_R_Sarah) May 3, 2020
May 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Following up on violations of so-called social distancing “rules” is now for the New York Police Department more of a priority than helping someone who is “getting robbed at gunpoint,” an insider told the New York Post. The anonymous source says police are being told to prioritize social distancing infractions over 911 calls.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has called government mandates confining people to their homes “fascist.”
Ohio’s “stay-at-home” mandate has been extended to the end of May.
Media have been quick to hype people protesting draconian lockdowns as “armed” or “gun-toting.” Unrest is becoming particularly strong in Michigan, where Governor Gretchen Whitmer just extended her unpopular executive order confining people to their homes.
“As the legislature met on Thursday, hundreds of protesters gathered at the Capitol building in Lansing to voice frustrations about the stay home order, including some who were armed and entered the Capitol,” CBS News reported.
As businesses are forced to shut down and more than a million Michiganders have filed for unemployment, the state is providing residents with free condoms during the pandemic.
The Guardian reports that in Germany, the government will soon “set out guidelines for holding religious services during the coronavirus pandemic with a list of strict restrictions expected to include a ban on singing” (emphasis added).
“Religious leaders have agreed in advance meetings a set of general rules on strict physical distancing and the prohibition of anything involving bodily fluids, such as kissing religious objects, including the Jewish Torah, or administering communion from hand to mouth….Communal singing has reportedly proved to be a particular sticking point in the discussions, despite repeated warnings by leading epidemiologists that singing is as dangerous as coughing for spreading the virus.”
In April, a California county banned any singing during live-streamed church services in empty church buildings. “Wind instruments” and “harmonicas” were also deemed a threat.
An April 24 BBC article explains, “Bulgaria is the latest country to test a wristband that can track people during the coronavirus pandemic…Several nations are testing similar wristbands to make sure people are obeying orders to stay at home.”
“South Korea and Hong Kong have also been using electronic trackers to help enforce quarantine….As well as confirming a person is staying at home, the device can monitor the wearer's heart rate and be used to call the emergency services.”
As Kansas City, Missouri begins to open back up, most businesses will be required to “track all customers who sit down inside for more than 10 minutes.”
“That means whether you go to a restaurant, a movie theater, or church, the establishment will have to know who you are to allow you entry,” a local news report explained.
Discussing the massive citizen tracking effort, Mayor Quinton Lucas claimed, “our goal isn’t to see what everyone is doing and be Big Brother.”
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, meanwhile, has announced the government will be hiring an “army” of “contact tracers.”
The Catholic Diocese of Lincoln, regarded as one of the most orthodox in the country, has announced plans for public Masses to resume on May 4.
President Trump says he has seen evidence linking the pandemic to a lab in Wuhan, China.
Share