lifesitenews--2020-08-12--Biden releases second campaign ad touting Catholic faith, friendship with Pope Francis

PETITION : Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden !
Sign the petition here .
UNITED STATES , August 12 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Pro-abortion former Vice President and 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has released another campaign video touting his supposed Catholic faith and friendship with Pope Francis .
The short video released last week shows Biden and Pope Francis smiling and greeting each other , while a voiceover of Biden speaks about an occasion when the two men met at the Vatican .
Biden goes on to praise Pope Francis and identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Francis ’ pontificate .
Biden says that he met a group of nuns after leaving his meeting with Pope Francis .
To Biden , the nuns “ epitomize everything Pope Francis talked about in his homily and what he stands for.
” Biden identified what Pope Francis stands for as “ generosity to other people , ” “ reaching out , ” and “ making it a point to understand that we are our brother ’ s keeper.
” “ We are our brother ’ s keeper , ” Biden says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that ’ s the way , the only way , we ’ re going to make the world better and safer.
” Last month , Biden promised if elected president , he will reinstate the Obama administration ’ s birth control mandate forcing Catholic nuns to participate in the provision of contraception .
Earlier this year Biden released another campaign video featuring Pope Francis in which Biden says that he goes to Mass and says the rosary and that faith is what has helped him through the most difficult moments in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on demand and enshrining into law the many demands of the LGBT lobby a key part of his 2020 presidential platform .
He has said that if he wins the election , he will direct the Justice Department to “ do everything in its power ” to block state laws that place any restriction on abortion , including parental notification requirements , ultrasound laws , and waiting periods .
After the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis , when restrictions were placed on various medical services , Biden said abortion is an “ essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is necessary “ to ensure that women have access to all health services during this crisis.
” In June Planned Parenthood , the world ’ s largest abortion business , endorsed Biden for president and later that month Biden affirmed his support of abortion “ under any circumstance.
” Last month , Biden promised to restore domestic and overseas funding to the abortion industry , and undo the Trump administration ’ s efforts not to finance abortions with federal money .
Yesterday he announced vehemently pro-abortion Sen. Kamala Harris of California as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During her time as Attorney General of California , Harris played a key role in defending Planned Parenthood over its sale of aborted baby parts ( which violated multiple federal laws , according to undercover video of abortion industry personnel ) .
Most of the footage was taken in California , yet Harris announced she would investigate the Center for Medical Progress ( CMP ) journalists rather than Planned Parenthood , and went on to raid the home of CMP head David Daleiden while accepting the abortion giant ’ s donations for her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running mate who is staunchly pro-abortion and anti-religious liberty , Joe Biden has once again made it clear that his self-styled ‘ Catholic identity ’ is something which can be cast aside whenever it 's politically expedient , ” commented Brian Burch , president of CatholicVote .
“ Like Joe Biden himself , Kamala Harris favors radical abortion policies including late-term abortion paid for by taxpayers , as well as forcing Catholic religious orders like the Little Sisters of the Poor to provide abortion drugs in their healthcare plans.
” Burch added , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized Brian Buescher , a Catholic federal district court nominee from Nebraska , about his affiliation with the Knights of Columbus .
It is clear that a Biden-Harris ticket threatens the values Catholics in this country hold most dear.
” Earlier this year , Biden said on social media that “ transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time.
” As vice president , the first “ wedding ” Biden officiated was between two men .
Last month several well-known U.S. Catholics priests said that because of Biden ’ s pro-abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not support him .
But last year , Biden told a PBS interviewer that Pope Francis gives him Communion , after a Catholic priest followed Church law and denied him Communion because of his public support for abortion .
Pope Franics has never publicly criticized Biden , but last year compared Trump ’ s border security to the Berlin Wall that divided communist East Germany from freedom in the West .
In December , Pope Francis appeared to draw a comparison between Herod and Trump .
In February 2016 , during the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump while on the papal plane returning from Mexico .
“ A person who only thinks about building walls , wherever they may be , and not building bridges , is not Christian , ” he said , according to a transcript of his remarks .
In the same press scrum , Pope Francis said that he would not comment on Italy ’ s same-sex civil union legislation “ because the Pope is for everybody and he can ’ t insert himself in the specific internal politics of a country .
”

Biden identified what Pope Francis stands for as 'generosity to other people,' 'reaching out,' and 'making it a point to understand that we are our brother’s keeper.'
PETITION: Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden! Sign the petition here.
UNITED STATES, August 12, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Pro-abortion former Vice President and 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has released another campaign video touting his supposed Catholic faith and friendship with Pope Francis.
The short video released last week shows Biden and Pope Francis smiling and greeting each other, while a voiceover of Biden speaks about an occasion when the two men met at the Vatican.
This is the kind of moral conviction we need in the president of the United States. pic.twitter.com/iJKAOVoFns — 2020 #DemConvention ���� (@DemConvention) August 9, 2020
Biden goes on to praise Pope Francis and identify his presidential campaign with the values displayed in Francis’ pontificate.
Biden says that he met a group of nuns after leaving his meeting with Pope Francis. To Biden, the nuns “epitomize everything Pope Francis talked about in his homily and what he stands for.”
Biden identified what Pope Francis stands for as “generosity to other people,” “reaching out,” and “making it a point to understand that we are our brother’s keeper.”
“We are our brother’s keeper,” Biden says. “We have an obligation. I think that’s the way, the only way, we’re going to make the world better and safer.”
Last month, Biden promised if elected president, he will reinstate the Obama administration’s birth control mandate forcing Catholic nuns to participate in the provision of contraception.
Earlier this year Biden released another campaign video featuring Pope Francis in which Biden says that he goes to Mass and says the rosary and that faith is what has helped him through the most difficult moments in his life.
Biden has made taxpayer-funded abortion on demand and enshrining into law the many demands of the LGBT lobby a key part of his 2020 presidential platform.
He has said that if he wins the election, he will direct the Justice Department to “do everything in its power” to block state laws that place any restriction on abortion, including parental notification requirements, ultrasound laws, and waiting periods.
After the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis, when restrictions were placed on various medical services, Biden said abortion is an “essential health care service” and that it is necessary “to ensure that women have access to all health services during this crisis.”
In June Planned Parenthood, the world’s largest abortion business, endorsed Biden for president and later that month Biden affirmed his support of abortion “under any circumstance.” Last month, Biden promised to restore domestic and overseas funding to the abortion industry, and undo the Trump administration’s efforts not to finance abortions with federal money. Yesterday he announced vehemently pro-abortion Sen. Kamala Harris of California as his partner on the Democrat presidential ticket.
During her time as Attorney General of California, Harris played a key role in defending Planned Parenthood over its sale of aborted baby parts (which violated multiple federal laws, according to undercover video of abortion industry personnel). Most of the footage was taken in California, yet Harris announced she would investigate the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) journalists rather than Planned Parenthood, and went on to raid the home of CMP head David Daleiden while accepting the abortion giant’s donations for her Senate run.
“By selecting a running mate who is staunchly pro-abortion and anti-religious liberty, Joe Biden has once again made it clear that his self-styled ‘Catholic identity’ is something which can be cast aside whenever it's politically expedient,” commented Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote. “Like Joe Biden himself, Kamala Harris favors radical abortion policies including late-term abortion paid for by taxpayers, as well as forcing Catholic religious orders like the Little Sisters of the Poor to provide abortion drugs in their healthcare plans.”
Burch added, “In November 2018, Harris ruthlessly criticized Brian Buescher, a Catholic federal district court nominee from Nebraska, about his affiliation with the Knights of Columbus. It is clear that a Biden-Harris ticket threatens the values Catholics in this country hold most dear.”
Earlier this year, Biden said on social media that “transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time.”
As vice president, the first “wedding” Biden officiated was between two men.
Last month several well-known U.S. Catholics priests said that because of Biden’s pro-abortion stance and LGBT activism that Catholics cannot support him.
But last year, Biden told a PBS interviewer that Pope Francis gives him Communion, after a Catholic priest followed Church law and denied him Communion because of his public support for abortion.
Pope Franics has never publicly criticized Biden, but last year compared Trump’s border security to the Berlin Wall that divided communist East Germany from freedom in the West. In December, Pope Francis appeared to draw a comparison between Herod and Trump.
In February 2016, during the Republican presidential primaries, Pope Francis commented on Trump while on the papal plane returning from Mexico.
“A person who only thinks about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian,” he said, according to a transcript of his remarks. In the same press scrum, Pope Francis said that he would not comment on Italy’s same-sex civil union legislation “because the Pope is for everybody and he can’t insert himself in the specific internal politics of a country.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-08-12--Republican lawmakers demand answers on Planned Parenthood COVID loans, aborted baby parts probe

PETITION : Demand Planned Parenthood return $ 80M improperly taken from coronavirus emergency fund !
Sign the petition here .
WASHINGTON , D.C. , August 12 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler of Georgia is leading Republican lawmakers in seeking answers from the federal government on two high-profile scandals of the abortion industry : Planned Parenthood ’ s sale of organs from aborted babies , and its more recent collection of millions of dollars meant for emergency relief to small businesses .
Last month , the U.S. Treasury Department and Small Business Administration ( SBA ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ( PPP ) , created by the $ 2 trillion CARES Act legislation enacted this spring , had given six-figure or higher loans to no less than 43 Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country .
Taken together , Planned Parenthood affiliates received somewhere between $ 65.8 million and $ 135 million from PPP .
The PPP has already notified the improper recipients in the abortion industry and elsewhere that they need to return the money , and now a group of 29 Republican senators wants to know how the money went out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made by Planned Parenthood suggest that the submissions were done with prior knowledge that the organizations were not eligible for the PPP loans , ” reads the first letter , dated August 6 and addressed to Brian Miller , Treasury ’ s Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery .
“ We ask that you investigate how these affiliates were able to obtain PPP loans despite their ineligibility under the Small Business Administration ’ s ( SBA ) affiliation rules , whether any Planned Parenthood affiliates knowingly provided false information in their PPP loan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parent organization , Planned Parenthood for America ( PPFA ) , was involved in the application process for said loans.
” The second letter , signed by 28 Republicans and addressed to Attorney General William Barr and FBI Director Chris Wray , requests an update on any federal investigation of Planned Parenthood over the notorious baby-parts scandal first exposed in 2015 .
That year , undercover journalists with the Center for Medical Progress ( CMP ) caught numerous abortion industry figures on video discussing their fetal organ harvesting practices , in the process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to profiting off human tissue and altering abortion procedures for reasons other than the mother ’ s health .
“ We urge you to investigate not only the extent to which Planned Parenthood was involved in the sale of fetal tissue , but also the disturbing descriptions by Planned Parenthood workers of infants born alive who were left to die or killed through organ harvesting , ” the letter says .
Interest in the scandal reignited in June 2020 when CMP released footage from the sworn testimony of officials from the original investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they were aware of babies having been born alive , and suggested that they were murdered soon after .
CMP ’ s original bombshell exposé of Planned Parenthood occurred late into former President Barack Obama ’ s second term , so naturally the abortion giant didn ’ t have to worry about a federal investigation .
Pro-lifers were hopeful things would change when President Donald Trump took over , and late in 2017 the Trump administration requested documents from the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee ’ s review of the case .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor has the administration updated the public on any follow-up actions .
Loeffler ’ s letter follows a similar request made last year , when 67 members of Congress wrote a letter to Barr and Wray seeking an update on the investigation , including why no actions have been taken yet .
Neither the FBI nor the Justice Department has updated the public on the state of the investigation since .

Neither the FBI nor the Justice Department has updated the public on the state of the investigation into Planned Parenthood's baby parts sales.
PETITION: Demand Planned Parenthood return $80M improperly taken from coronavirus emergency fund! Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 12, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler of Georgia is leading Republican lawmakers in seeking answers from the federal government on two high-profile scandals of the abortion industry: Planned Parenthood’s sale of organs from aborted babies, and its more recent collection of millions of dollars meant for emergency relief to small businesses.
Last month, the U.S. Treasury Department and Small Business Administration (SBA) revealed that the federal Paycheck Protection Program, (PPP), created by the $2 trillion CARES Act legislation enacted this spring, had given six-figure or higher loans to no less than 43 Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country. Taken together, Planned Parenthood affiliates received somewhere between $65.8 million and $135 million from PPP.
The PPP has already notified the improper recipients in the abortion industry and elsewhere that they need to return the money, and now a group of 29 Republican senators wants to know how the money went out in the first place.
“Statements made by Planned Parenthood suggest that the submissions were done with prior knowledge that the organizations were not eligible for the PPP loans,” reads the first letter, dated August 6 and addressed to Brian Miller, Treasury’s Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery. “We ask that you investigate how these affiliates were able to obtain PPP loans despite their ineligibility under the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) affiliation rules, whether any Planned Parenthood affiliates knowingly provided false information in their PPP loan applications, and to what extent the parent organization, Planned Parenthood for America (PPFA), was involved in the application process for said loans.”
The second letter, signed by 28 Republicans and addressed to Attorney General William Barr and FBI Director Chris Wray, requests an update on any federal investigation of Planned Parenthood over the notorious baby-parts scandal first exposed in 2015.
That year, undercover journalists with the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) caught numerous abortion industry figures on video discussing their fetal organ harvesting practices, in the process seemingly admitting to several federal crimes related to profiting off human tissue and altering abortion procedures for reasons other than the mother’s health.
“We urge you to investigate not only the extent to which Planned Parenthood was involved in the sale of fetal tissue, but also the disturbing descriptions by Planned Parenthood workers of infants born alive who were left to die or killed through organ harvesting,” the letter says.
Interest in the scandal reignited in June 2020 when CMP released footage from the sworn testimony of officials from the original investigation. In that footage, they admit that they were aware of babies having been born alive, and suggested that they were murdered soon after.
CMP’s original bombshell exposé of Planned Parenthood occurred late into former President Barack Obama’s second term, so naturally the abortion giant didn’t have to worry about a federal investigation. Pro-lifers were hopeful things would change when President Donald Trump took over, and late in 2017 the Trump administration requested documents from the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s review of the case.
No charges were ever brought, however, nor has the administration updated the public on any follow-up actions.
Loeffler’s letter follows a similar request made last year, when 67 members of Congress wrote a letter to Barr and Wray seeking an update on the investigation, including why no actions have been taken yet. Neither the FBI nor the Justice Department has updated the public on the state of the investigation since.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-08-11--Joe Biden picks Planned Parenthood ally Kamala Harris as running mate

PETITION : Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden !
Sign the petition here .
August 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Former Vice President Joe Biden has named Sen. Kamala Harris of California as his partner on the Democrat presidential ticket , doubling down on his allegiance with his party ’ s most vehemently pro-abortion elements .
Biden made the announcement Tuesday afternoon , calling Harris a “ fearless fighter for the little guy , and one of the country ’ s finest public servants ” : “ By ‘ little guy ’ you obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” retorted Kristan Hawkins , president of Students for Life of America ( SFLA ) .
As a black woman , Harris satisfies left-wing activists ’ demands for female and minority representation , while the campaign may be counting on her background as a prosecutor to appeal to voters who lean left on policy but aren ’ t on board with the wave of anti-police sentiment promoted by Black Lives Matter .
But on abortion , LGBT issues , and religious freedom , Harris is fully in sync with the far left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of California , Harris played a key role in defending Planned Parenthood over its sale of aborted baby parts ( which violated multiple federal laws , according to undercover video of abortion industry personnel ) .
Most of the footage was taken in California , yet Harris announced she would investigate the Center for Medical Progress ( CMP ) journalists rather than Planned Parenthood , and went on to raid the home of CMP head David Daleiden while accepting the abortion giant ’ s donations for her Senate run .
Numerous pro-life organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparent conflict of interest , and Daleiden ’ s attorneys cited leaked emails that showed Harris ’ office coordinating with Planned Parenthood on drafts of legislation that would criminalize undercover investigations like CMP ’ s .
As a Senate candidate , she bragged about forcing religiously-owned companies and pro-life pregnancy centers to violate their consciences .
During Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh ’ s confirmation hearings , Harris tried to get him to call the Obergefell ruling that forced states to recognize same-sex “ marriage ” one of the “ great moments in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In December 2018 , she suggested Trump judicial nominee Brian Buescher ’ s membership in the Catholic fraternal organization Knights of Columbus was problematic because of its pro-life , pro-marriage stances .
During her own presidential run , Harris proposed a plan under which states with a “ pattern of violating Roe v. Wade ” would not be able to enforce any new duly enacted pro-life measure “ until [ the Justice Department ] determines it comports with the standards laid out by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade , as applied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hellerstedt , and the Women ’ s Health Protection Act.
” Those conditions would destroy states ’ ability to enact even the mildest of abortion restrictions .
Harris ’ s stance perfectly aligns with that of Biden , who supports “ codifying ” Roe in federal law ; repealing the Hyde Amendment ( which bars direct public funding of most abortions ) ; forcing states to accept Medicare funding for Planned Parenthood ; reversing the Mexico City Policy ( which bars federal funds from supporting abortion overseas ) ; and directing the Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power ” to block virtually all state pro-life laws , including parental notification requirements , ultrasound laws , and waiting periods .
Laurie Rubiner , a former vice president of public policy for Planned Parenthood , said of Harris ’ abortion plans in 2019 to Vox , “ What is different about this is that she ’ s really going on the offense.
” “ That ’ s what we ’ re afraid of and what every American should balk at , ” said Hawkins .
“ Sen .
Kamala Harris has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority available to her to target pro-life Americans , and , in plans announced during her presidential run , she was direct in saying she wanted more power .
Abortion was always going to be an issue in this election , but the stakes just got higher .
The choice for anyone who ... rejects abortion at any point in pregnancy and with taxpayer funds is crystal clear.
” “ Kamala Harris is an extremist who supports abortion on demand through birth , paid for by taxpayers , and even infanticide – an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans , including millions of Independents and rank-and-file Democrats , ” added Susan B. Anthony List president Marjorie Dannenfelser .
“ As attorney general of California , Harris conspired with the abortion industry to launch a politically-motivated shakedown of brave citizen journalists who exposed Planned Parenthood ’ s role in the harvest and sale of aborted baby parts for profit.
” “ The stakes are life and death and the choice is clear .
Pro-life Americans must unite to defeat Biden-Harris .
”

PETITION: Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden! Sign the petition here.
August 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Former Vice President Joe Biden has named Sen. Kamala Harris of California as his partner on the Democrat presidential ticket, doubling down on his allegiance with his party’s most vehemently pro-abortion elements.
Biden made the announcement Tuesday afternoon, calling Harris a “fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants”:
Back when Kamala was Attorney General, she worked closely with Beau. I watched as they took on the big banks, lifted up working people, and protected women and kids from abuse. I was proud then, and I'm proud now to have her as my partner in this campaign. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 11, 2020
“By ‘little guy’ you obviously don’t mean the preborn baby,” retorted Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America (SFLA).
As a black woman, Harris satisfies left-wing activists’ demands for female and minority representation, while the campaign may be counting on her background as a prosecutor to appeal to voters who lean left on policy but aren’t on board with the wave of anti-police sentiment promoted by Black Lives Matter. But on abortion, LGBT issues, and religious freedom, Harris is fully in sync with the far left.
During her time as Attorney General of California, Harris played a key role in defending Planned Parenthood over its sale of aborted baby parts (which violated multiple federal laws, according to undercover video of abortion industry personnel). Most of the footage was taken in California, yet Harris announced she would investigate the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) journalists rather than Planned Parenthood, and went on to raid the home of CMP head David Daleiden while accepting the abortion giant’s donations for her Senate run.
Numerous pro-life organizations called on Harris to resign over the apparent conflict of interest, and Daleiden’s attorneys cited leaked emails that showed Harris’ office coordinating with Planned Parenthood on drafts of legislation that would criminalize undercover investigations like CMP’s.
As a Senate candidate, she bragged about forcing religiously-owned companies and pro-life pregnancy centers to violate their consciences. During Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings, Harris tried to get him to call the Obergefell ruling that forced states to recognize same-sex “marriage” one of the “great moments in the history of the Supreme Court.” In December 2018, she suggested Trump judicial nominee Brian Buescher’s membership in the Catholic fraternal organization Knights of Columbus was problematic because of its pro-life, pro-marriage stances.
During her own presidential run, Harris proposed a plan under which states with a “pattern of violating Roe v. Wade” would not be able to enforce any new duly enacted pro-life measure “until [the Justice Department] determines it comports with the standards laid out by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade, as applied in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, and the Women’s Health Protection Act.” Those conditions would destroy states’ ability to enact even the mildest of abortion restrictions.
Harris’s stance perfectly aligns with that of Biden, who supports “codifying” Roe in federal law; repealing the Hyde Amendment (which bars direct public funding of most abortions); forcing states to accept Medicare funding for Planned Parenthood; reversing the Mexico City Policy (which bars federal funds from supporting abortion overseas); and directing the Justice Department to “do everything in its power” to block virtually all state pro-life laws, including parental notification requirements, ultrasound laws, and waiting periods.
Laurie Rubiner, a former vice president of public policy for Planned Parenthood, said of Harris’ abortion plans in 2019 to Vox, “What is different about this is that she’s really going on the offense.”
“That’s what we’re afraid of and what every American should balk at,” said Hawkins. “Sen. Kamala Harris has already proved that she will use any legal authority available to her to target pro-life Americans, and, in plans announced during her presidential run, she was direct in saying she wanted more power. Abortion was always going to be an issue in this election, but the stakes just got higher. The choice for anyone who…rejects abortion at any point in pregnancy and with taxpayer funds is crystal clear.”
“Kamala Harris is an extremist who supports abortion on demand through birth, paid for by taxpayers, and even infanticide – an agenda rejected by the overwhelming majority of Americans, including millions of Independents and rank-and-file Democrats,” added Susan B. Anthony List president Marjorie Dannenfelser. “As attorney general of California, Harris conspired with the abortion industry to launch a politically-motivated shakedown of brave citizen journalists who exposed Planned Parenthood’s role in the harvest and sale of aborted baby parts for profit.”
“The stakes are life and death and the choice is clear. Pro-life Americans must unite to defeat Biden-Harris.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-08-13--Peer-reviewed medical journal retracts study about hormones, surgery helping gender-confused patient

Peer-reviewed medical journal retracts study about hormones, surgery helping gender-confused patients

PETITION : Tell the FDA to reverse its opposition to Hydroxychloroquine and help save lives !
Sign the petition here .
UNITED STATES , August 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A prestigious U.S. medical journal retracted a study that claimed that “ gender reassignment ” procedures brought mental health benefits .
This happened after its authors admitted that the study found “ no advantage to surgery ” and that those who have had “ gender reassignment ” surgery “ were more likely to be treated for anxiety disorders.
” The study , published October 4 , 2019 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show that “ gender-affirmation ” treatment improves transgender mental health .
The study utilized data from the Swedish Total Population Register , with information from more than 9.7 million Swedes , or about 95 percent of the country .
The claimed findings from the study led to headlines in mainstream media outlets proclaiming things like “ Long-Term Mental Health Benefits of Gender-Affirming Surgery for Transgender Individuals ” ( American Psychiatric Association ) , “ Sex-reassignment surgery yields long-term mental health benefits ” ( NBC News ) , and “ Transgender surgery linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows ” ( ABC News ) .
Earlier this month , the authors of the study issued a correction to their work , conceding that “ the results demonstrated no advantage of surgery in relation to subsequent mood or anxiety disorder–related health care.
” Following the correction , the authors have now retracted the study altogether , saying their conclusion that “ gender reassignment ” procedures brought mental health benefits was “ too strong.
” University of Texas sociology professor Mark Regneus pointed out last year that the study “ found no mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population , ” and the claim that “ gender reassignment ” surgery helped mental health hinged on the outcomes of only three people — from a total dataset of 9.7 million .
In their correction issued earlier this month , the authors of the study noted that gender-confused people who undergo “ gender reassignment ” surgery are more likely to be treated for anxiety disorders than those who don ’ t have such surgery .
“ Individuals diagnosed with gender incongruence who had received gender-affirming surgery were more likely to be treated for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gender incongruence who had not received gender-affirming surgery , ” the correction read .
Writing at The Daily Signal , Dr. Ryan Anderson pointed out that such findings are consistent with previous studies in this area .
“ It shouldn ’ t surprise us that the results of this most recent study — and its correction — show that hormonal and surgical transition procedures don ’ t bring the promised benefits , ” Anderson wrote .
“ Even the Obama administration admitted that the best studies do not report improvement after reassignment surgery.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid that stated that “ the four best designed and conducted studies that assessed quality of life before and after surgery using validated ( albeit non-specific ) psychometric studies did not demonstrate clinically significant changes or differences in psychometric test results after GRS ( gender reassignment surgery ) .
” Anderson pointed out that the same Obama-era memo cited a 2011 Swedish study that identified significantly increased suicide rates among those who had “ gender reassignment ” surgery .
A range of scientific literature indicates that reinforcing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent significant emotional harm up to and including attempted suicide ( with or without surgery ) , because fixating on “ gender affirmation ” tends to distract from exploring other issues that may be the actual root of a patient ’ s mental or emotional unrest .
“ Given all of these concerns , why the media celebration of the study ?
Why the ‘ consensus ’ among the medical elite that transitioning benefits patients ?
Why the claim that it ’ s the only acceptable treatment ?
” Anderson asked .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ?
And why are parents being told puberty-blocking drugs , cross-sex hormones , and surgeries are the only way to treat their children ?
”

The U.S. American Journal of Psychiatry retracted the study due to a lack of scientific evidence.
PETITION: Tell the FDA to reverse its opposition to Hydroxychloroquine and help save lives! Sign the petition here.
UNITED STATES, August 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A prestigious U.S. medical journal retracted a study that claimed that “gender reassignment” procedures brought mental health benefits. This happened after its authors admitted that the study found “no advantage to surgery” and that those who have had “gender reassignment” surgery “were more likely to be treated for anxiety disorders.”
The study, published October 4, 2019 in the American Journal of Psychiatry, purported to show that “gender-affirmation” treatment improves transgender mental health. The study utilized data from the Swedish Total Population Register, with information from more than 9.7 million Swedes, or about 95 percent of the country.
The claimed findings from the study led to headlines in mainstream media outlets proclaiming things like “Long-Term Mental Health Benefits of Gender-Affirming Surgery for Transgender Individuals” (American Psychiatric Association), “Sex-reassignment surgery yields long-term mental health benefits” (NBC News), and “Transgender surgery linked with better long-term mental health, study shows” (ABC News).
Earlier this month, the authors of the study issued a correction to their work, conceding that “the results demonstrated no advantage of surgery in relation to subsequent mood or anxiety disorder–related health care.”
Following the correction, the authors have now retracted the study altogether, saying their conclusion that “gender reassignment” procedures brought mental health benefits was “too strong.”
University of Texas sociology professor Mark Regneus pointed out last year that the study “found no mental health benefits for hormonal interventions in this population,” and the claim that “gender reassignment” surgery helped mental health hinged on the outcomes of only three people — from a total dataset of 9.7 million.
In their correction issued earlier this month, the authors of the study noted that gender-confused people who undergo “gender reassignment” surgery are more likely to be treated for anxiety disorders than those who don’t have such surgery.
“Individuals diagnosed with gender incongruence who had received gender-affirming surgery were more likely to be treated for anxiety disorders compared with individuals diagnosed with gender incongruence who had not received gender-affirming surgery,” the correction read.
Writing at The Daily Signal, Dr. Ryan Anderson pointed out that such findings are consistent with previous studies in this area.
“It shouldn’t surprise us that the results of this most recent study — and its correction — show that hormonal and surgical transition procedures don’t bring the promised benefits,” Anderson wrote.
“Even the Obama administration admitted that the best studies do not report improvement after reassignment surgery.”
Anderson cited a 2016 memo from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid that stated that “the four best designed and conducted studies that assessed quality of life before and after surgery using validated (albeit non-specific) psychometric studies did not demonstrate clinically significant changes or differences in psychometric test results after GRS (gender reassignment surgery).”
Anderson pointed out that the same Obama-era memo cited a 2011 Swedish study that identified significantly increased suicide rates among those who had “gender reassignment” surgery.
A range of scientific literature indicates that reinforcing a patient’s gender confusion often fails to prevent significant emotional harm up to and including attempted suicide (with or without surgery), because fixating on “gender affirmation” tends to distract from exploring other issues that may be the actual root of a patient’s mental or emotional unrest.
“Given all of these concerns, why the media celebration of the study? Why the ‘consensus’ among the medical elite that transitioning benefits patients? Why the claim that it’s the only acceptable treatment?” Anderson asked.
“Why are children being ‘transitioned’? And why are parents being told puberty-blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries are the only way to treat their children?”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-08-14--OB/GYN stops praising birth control pill after patients’ side effects became unbearable

August 13 , 2020 ( Live Action News ) — Given the multiple side effects and risks of hormonal birth control , there has never been a better time for women to learn about evidence-based methods of fertility awareness .
A growing number of medical professionals are utilizing fertility awareness–based methods ( FABMs ) of natural family planning as they seek to address root causes of infertility , and others are seeking to offer their female patients additional treatment options beyond a prescription for hormonal birth control to manage painful periods , irregular cycles , and more .
Dr. Summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provider .
In a 2019 interview with Natural Womanhood , she said that initially in her practice she considered hormonal birth control “ bread and butter gynecology for me .
It was probably one of the largest tools I had in my arsenal as an OBGYN to treat medical issues.
” Yet , she found that birth control was not a good fit for some of her patients .
“ After a couple of years , I realized people were coming back to me with more side effects than I thought was acceptable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient who experienced a blood clot , a potentially life-threatening complication of hormonal birth control .
Additionally , Dr. Holmes Mason saw other patients “ cycle through birth control .
They ’ d be on , sometimes , five or six or seven different kinds of birth-control pills .
.
.
and they couldn ’ t find one that worked well for them.
” Just as troubling , she found that hormonal birth control was masking symptoms rather than resolving underlying problems .
“ Often times I see women in my office who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or 10 years , and they ’ ve had menstrual dysfunction since they were 12 or 13 years old .
.
.
.
I ’ m seeing them for the first time , and we don ’ t really know why their menses were dysfunctional , ” Dr. Holmes Mason said .
“ The Pill has been masking whatever pathology was going on .
Maybe they want to come off the Pill , for whatever reason — a medical issue , or they want to get pregnant .
But the original issue still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients more options , but her only exposure to FABMs during medical school and residency was learning about the rhythm method , a 1930s precursor to today ’ s evidence-based methods .
She was surprised to find a podcast that featured an interview with Dr. Marguerite Duane , co-founder of the Fertility Awareness Collaborative to Teach the Science ( FACTS ) , a group of medical professionals and others which works to “ provide information about natural or fertility awareness based methods of family planning with the medical community.
” When Dr. Duane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical management of common reproductive issues , Dr. Holmes Mason thought , “ Aha !
This does exist !
” Fast forward several years , and Dr. Holmes Mason is now certified in FEMM Medical Management , which along with Neo Fertility and NaProTechnology has treatment protocols for various reproductive problems that work to restore health by identifying and treating underlying root causes .
For her part , Dr. Holmes Mason now says she has “ so much more to offer ” patients besides hormonal birth control .
Public perception about FABMs is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users alike .
Growing numbers of providers have incorporated FABMs , leading to significant increases in patient load .
Georgetown University is now offering an elective on FABMs to med students .
In 2019 , the CDC finally updated its effectiveness statistics for FABMs .
What ’ s more , a 2018 survey found that more than 4 in 10 women were open to hearing about FABMs from their OB/GYN .
Evidence-based FABMs offer women holistic options to restore reproductive health without side effects , and can be used to either achieve or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth celebrating .

August 13, 2020 (Live Action News) — Given the multiple side effects and risks of hormonal birth control, there has never been a better time for women to learn about evidence-based methods of fertility awareness. A growing number of medical professionals are utilizing fertility awareness–based methods (FABMs) of natural family planning as they seek to address root causes of infertility, and others are seeking to offer their female patients additional treatment options beyond a prescription for hormonal birth control to manage painful periods, irregular cycles, and more.
Dr. Summer Holmes Mason of Ohio is one such provider. In a 2019 interview with Natural Womanhood, she said that initially in her practice she considered hormonal birth control “bread and butter gynecology for me. It was probably one of the largest tools I had in my arsenal as an OBGYN to treat medical issues.” Yet, she found that birth control was not a good fit for some of her patients.
“After a couple of years, I realized people were coming back to me with more side effects than I thought was acceptable,” she said, recalling one patient who experienced a blood clot, a potentially life-threatening complication of hormonal birth control. Additionally, Dr. Holmes Mason saw other patients “cycle through birth control. They’d be on, sometimes, five or six or seven different kinds of birth-control pills . . . and they couldn’t find one that worked well for them.” Just as troubling, she found that hormonal birth control was masking symptoms rather than resolving underlying problems.
“Often times I see women in my office who have been on the Pill for 5 or 10 years, and they’ve had menstrual dysfunction since they were 12 or 13 years old. . . . I’m seeing them for the first time, and we don’t really know why their menses were dysfunctional,” Dr. Holmes Mason said. “The Pill has been masking whatever pathology was going on. Maybe they want to come off the Pill, for whatever reason — a medical issue, or they want to get pregnant. But the original issue still remains.”
She wanted to offer her patients more options, but her only exposure to FABMs during medical school and residency was learning about the rhythm method, a 1930s precursor to today’s evidence-based methods. She was surprised to find a podcast that featured an interview with Dr. Marguerite Duane, co-founder of the Fertility Awareness Collaborative to Teach the Science (FACTS), a group of medical professionals and others which works to “provide information about natural or fertility awareness based methods of family planning with the medical community.” When Dr. Duane specifically addressed the use of FABMs for medical management of common reproductive issues, Dr. Holmes Mason thought, “Aha! This does exist!”
Fast forward several years, and Dr. Holmes Mason is now certified in FEMM Medical Management, which along with Neo Fertility and NaProTechnology has treatment protocols for various reproductive problems that work to restore health by identifying and treating underlying root causes. For her part, Dr. Holmes Mason now says she has “so much more to offer” patients besides hormonal birth control.
Public perception about FABMs is slowly shifting, amongst medical professionals and users alike. Growing numbers of providers have incorporated FABMs, leading to significant increases in patient load. Georgetown University is now offering an elective on FABMs to med students. In 2019, the CDC finally updated its effectiveness statistics for FABMs. What’s more, a 2018 survey found that more than 4 in 10 women were open to hearing about FABMs from their OB/GYN.
Evidence-based FABMs offer women holistic options to restore reproductive health without side effects, and can be used to either achieve or avoid pregnancy. Their growing popularity is worth celebrating.
Published with permission from Live Action News.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-08-14--Homosexuals, transgenders to be ‘part of the fabric’ of Dem convention nominating Biden

WASHINGTON , D.C. , August 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The Democratic National Convention next week will prominently feature some of its high-profile LGBT members , including homosexual former presidential contender Pete Buttigieg of Indiana , and Virginia ’ s Daniel Roem , now known as “ Danica , ” the first “ transgendered ” state representative in U.S. history .
Buttigieg has been handed a prime-time slot for his speech on Tuesday , while Roem ’ s role at the convention has not yet been announced .
Joe Biden will officially accept his nomination as the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be delivered on Thursday evening , the final night of the convention .
“ Vice President Biden very clearly sees that LGBT people are part of the fabric , and they will be part of the fabric of the convention , ” Joe Solmonese , CEO of the 2020 Democratic National Convention , told the Washington Blade .
“ We ’ re asking lots of people to participate in all sorts of different ways.
” Before taking the reins of the 2020 Democratic National Convention , Solmonese , who is himself gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D.C. LGBT lobbying organization the Human Rights Campaign .
At the Democrats ’ 2016 national convention held in Philadelphia , more than 11 percent of the delegates identified as lesbian , gay , bisexual , or transgender .
While there are no reports as to the number of LGBT delegates participating in this year ’ s convention , Pennsylvania ’ s delegation alone includes a reported 27 LGBT members .
Homosexuals and transgenders are a ‘ cornerstone of the Democratic Party ’ Brendan Welch , communications director for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBT community is a “ cornerstone of the Democratic Party.
” “ We must actively uplift LGBTQ+ voices if we are to achieve the America that Democrats stand for : justice , equity and opportunity for all people , regardless of race , gender identity , or who you love , ” Welch wrote in an email to PGN .
“ We welcome all of our LGBTQ+ delegates with open arms and look forward to electing Democrats who will fight for you — in both the nation ’ s capital and the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advance of the convention , delegates are now in the process of voting on the party ’ s revised platform which is expected to be ratified next week .
Troubling planks in the proposed platform include a call for Congress to push through the so-called “ Equality Act ” ; ensuring that gay , lesbian , and transgender individuals can adopt or foster children ; guaranteeing transgender students “ access to facilities based on their gender identity ” ; banning , under the misnomer “ conversion therapy , ” professional counseling for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and ensuring that transgender and non-binary people “ can procure official government identification documents that accurately reflect their gender identity.
” The proposed platform is the first to recognize a categories of people who claim to be gender non-conforming and non-binary .
Democrats applaud this year ’ s U.S. Supreme Court decision that made clear that employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity violates the law , but we know we still have work to do to ensure LGBTQ+ people are treated equally under the law and in our society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Equality Act and at last outlaw discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in housing , public accommodations , access to credit , education , jury service , and federal programs .
We will work to ensure LGBTQ+ people are not discriminated against when seeking to adopt or foster children , protect LGBTQ+ children from bullying and assault , and guarantee transgender students ’ access to facilities based on their gender identity .
Democrats will ensure federally funded programs for older adults are inclusive for LGBTQ+ seniors .
Recognizing that LGBTQ+ youth and adults suffer from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and substance use disorders , Democrats will expand mental health and suicide prevention services , and ban harmful “ conversion therapy ” practices .
We will ensure that all transgender and non-binary people can procure official government identification documents that accurately reflect their gender identity .
We will stop employment discrimination in the federal government , and will restore full implementation of President Obama ’ s executive order prohibiting discrimination by federal contractors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity .
Democrats are committed to ending the homelessness crisis , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to end violence against transgender Americans and particularly against Black transgender women , who are disproportionately victims of assault and homicide , and will prioritize the investigation of hate crimes against transgender and non-binary people .
The convention , which The New York Times has described as a “ star-studded Zoom call ” because the speakers will be offering their remarks from remote locations due to Wuhan virus restrictions , will run from Monday , August 17 through Thursday , August 20 .
Other primetime keynote speakers include Michelle Obama on Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama on Wednesday .

Homosexual activist Pete Buttigieg and Daniel 'Danica' Roem, a man who presents himself as a woman, are expected to be prominently featured.
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The Democratic National Convention next week will prominently feature some of its high-profile LGBT members, including homosexual former presidential contender Pete Buttigieg of Indiana, and Virginia’s Daniel Roem, now known as “Danica,” the first “transgendered” state representative in U.S. history.
Buttigieg has been handed a prime-time slot for his speech on Tuesday, while Roem’s role at the convention has not yet been announced.
Joe Biden will officially accept his nomination as the party’s presidential candidate in a speech to be delivered on Thursday evening, the final night of the convention.
“Vice President Biden very clearly sees that LGBT people are part of the fabric, and they will be part of the fabric of the convention,” Joe Solmonese, CEO of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, told the Washington Blade. “We’re asking lots of people to participate in all sorts of different ways.”
Before taking the reins of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Solmonese, who is himself gay, was president of the powerful Washington, D.C. LGBT lobbying organization the Human Rights Campaign.
At the Democrats’ 2016 national convention held in Philadelphia, more than 11 percent of the delegates identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
While there are no reports as to the number of LGBT delegates participating in this year’s convention, Pennsylvania’s delegation alone includes a reported 27 LGBT members.
Homosexuals and transgenders are a ‘cornerstone of the Democratic Party’
Brendan Welch, communications director for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, told Philadelphia Gay News that the LGBT community is a “cornerstone of the Democratic Party.”
“We must actively uplift LGBTQ+ voices if we are to achieve the America that Democrats stand for: justice, equity and opportunity for all people, regardless of race, gender identity, or who you love,” Welch wrote in an email to PGN.
“We welcome all of our LGBTQ+ delegates with open arms and look forward to electing Democrats who will fight for you — in both the nation’s capital and the state capital,” he added.
Pro-LGBT platform to be approved
In advance of the convention, delegates are now in the process of voting on the party’s revised platform which is expected to be ratified next week.
Troubling planks in the proposed platform include a call for Congress to push through the so-called “Equality Act”; ensuring that gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals can adopt or foster children; guaranteeing transgender students “access to facilities based on their gender identity”; banning, under the misnomer “conversion therapy,” professional counseling for those with unwanted same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria; and ensuring that transgender and non-binary people “can procure official government identification documents that accurately reflect their gender identity.”
The proposed platform is the first to recognize a categories of people who claim to be gender non-conforming and non-binary.
In a section titled “Protecting LGBTQ+ Rights,” the 2020 Democratic Party Platform states:
Democrats applaud this year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that made clear that employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity violates the law, but we know we still have work to do to ensure LGBTQ+ people are treated equally under the law and in our society. We will fight to enact the Equality Act and at last outlaw discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in housing, public accommodations, access to credit, education, jury service, and federal programs. We will work to ensure LGBTQ+ people are not discriminated against when seeking to adopt or foster children, protect LGBTQ+ children from bullying and assault, and guarantee transgender students’ access to facilities based on their gender identity. Democrats will ensure federally funded programs for older adults are inclusive for LGBTQ+ seniors. Recognizing that LGBTQ+ youth and adults suffer from significant health disparities, including mental health and substance use disorders, Democrats will expand mental health and suicide prevention services, and ban harmful “conversion therapy” practices. We will ensure that all transgender and non-binary people can procure official government identification documents that accurately reflect their gender identity. We will stop employment discrimination in the federal government, and will restore full implementation of President Obama’s executive order prohibiting discrimination by federal contractors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Democrats are committed to ending the homelessness crisis, including among LGBTQ+ youth. We will fight to end violence against transgender Americans and particularly against Black transgender women, who are disproportionately victims of assault and homicide, and will prioritize the investigation of hate crimes against transgender and non-binary people.
The convention, which The New York Times has described as a “star-studded Zoom call” because the speakers will be offering their remarks from remote locations due to Wuhan virus restrictions, will run from Monday, August 17 through Thursday, August 20.
Other primetime keynote speakers include Michelle Obama on Monday, Jill Biden on Tuesday, and Barack Obama on Wednesday.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-08-14--US bishops warns faithful to ‘be awake’ to ‘anti-Catholic’ Kamala Harris

WASHINGTON , D.C. , August 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Bishop Joseph Stirckland sent out a tweet suggesting that Joe Biden ’ s running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris , reminds him of former Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton , who famously called conservatives “ deplorables , ” at the height of her 2016 campaign .
“ Catholics take note ... .reminds me of another candidate calling us ‘ the deplorables ’ ... .we need to be awake to this ... ..Kamala ’ s Anti-Catholic Assault Previews Her Potential Administration , ” wrote Bishop Strickland .
The Tyler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of human life and protector of the Catholic faith , was calling attention to an article published in the The Federalist titled , “ Kamala Harris ’ s Anti-Catholic Assault Previews What Would Happen in Her Administration.
” “ Vice President Joe Biden has just picked as his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) , a woman who believes Catholicism is an extreme set of views that should disqualify someone from public office , ” wrote Paulina Enck , who went on to substantiate her well founded claim .
Harris “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearings of Judge Brian Buescher , ” recounted Enck .
Harris cited his membership in the “ all-male society ” the Knights of Columbus and its stances against abortion and same-sex “ marriage ” as grounds for rejecting Buescher for a federal district court in Nebraska .
“ Ms .
Harris ’ s embrace of religious intolerance is especially significant because in two years she could be the next U.S. President , ” wrote the Wall Street Journal ’ s Editorial Board at the time .
“ What does it say about today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party of Al Smith and JFK sees fit to rebuke her ?
” Since the announcement of Harris as Biden ’ s V.P .
pick earlier this week , pro-life leaders have sounded the alarm about her extreme position on abortion .
David Daleiden , head of the pro-life investigative group Center for Medical Progress , wrote that from his firsthand experience , he considers Harris the “ greatest threat to First Amendment civil rights our country has ever seen.
” During her time as attorney general of California , Harris played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over its sale of aborted baby parts ( which violated multiple federal laws , according to undercover video of abortion industry personnel ) .
Last year , Harris unveiled a plan to essentially force pro-life states to seek permission from the federal government before pro-life laws can take effect .
The announcement of her proposal , titled the “ Reproductive Rights Act , ” said “ Harris will require , for the first time , that states and localities with a history of violating Roe v. Wade obtain approval from her Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can take effect.
” The Susan B. Anthony List has noted Harris ’ s troubling Senate voting record , displaying her radical views on abortion and her determination to protect it , saying she twice “ blocked Senate vote to protect babies born alive during abortion ; Unveiled a plan to prevent pro-life states from passing pro-life laws ; and voted to force taxpayers to pay for abortions.
” “ A vote for Biden/Harris is a vote for child abuse ( cross-sex puberty blockers , mutilation surgery ) , mandatory Drag Queen Story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and abortion , ” wrote Houston Baptist University theology professor Robert A.J .
Gagnon in a Facebook post .
“ In short , an all-out assault on the youngest in our society and the marginalization and persecution of parents and other adults who come to their defense .
Don ’ t be foolish.
” “ It is not just anti-Catholic bigotry .
She believes that no one should be allowed to be appointed to the court or any administrative government post who ever belonged to a religious institution , organization , club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion , homosexual practice , or transgenderism as sin , ” said Gagnon in a separate Facebook post .
“ How can any Christian vote for such a person or even fail to cast an effective vote to stop her election ?
” On Monday , Bishop Strickland also commented on the high stakes of the upcoming election : “ 85 PRAYING DAYS ... until the election .
Please pray for hearts to turn to God & choose candidates who promote ... .the sanctity of life , the Christian moral code , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice for educating their children & uphold basic freedoms for every person .
”

Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas compared Harris to Hillary Clinton, who called conservatives 'deplorables' during her 2016 presidential run.
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Bishop Joseph Stirckland sent out a tweet suggesting that Joe Biden’s running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, reminds him of former Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who famously called conservatives “deplorables,” at the height of her 2016 campaign.
“Catholics take note….reminds me of another candidate calling us ‘the deplorables’….we need to be awake to this…..Kamala’s Anti-Catholic Assault Previews Her Potential Administration,” wrote Bishop Strickland.
Catholics take note….reminds me of another candidate calling us “the deplorables”….we need to be awake to this…..Kamala's Anti-Catholic Assault Previews Her Potential Administration https://t.co/tAYMGUaEuM — Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) August 12, 2020
The Tyler, Texas bishop, a stalwart defender of human life and protector of the Catholic faith, was calling attention to an article published in the The Federalist titled, “Kamala Harris’s Anti-Catholic Assault Previews What Would Happen in Her Administration.”
“Vice President Joe Biden has just picked as his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), a woman who believes Catholicism is an extreme set of views that should disqualify someone from public office,” wrote Paulina Enck, who went on to substantiate her well founded claim.
Harris “demonstrated shocking anti-Catholic bigotry in the confirmation hearings of Judge Brian Buescher,” recounted Enck. Harris cited his membership in the “all-male society” the Knights of Columbus and its stances against abortion and same-sex “marriage” as grounds for rejecting Buescher for a federal district court in Nebraska.
“Ms. Harris’s embrace of religious intolerance is especially significant because in two years she could be the next U.S. President,” wrote the Wall Street Journal’s Editorial Board at the time. “What does it say about today’s Democrats that no one in the party of Al Smith and JFK sees fit to rebuke her?”
Since the announcement of Harris as Biden’s V.P. pick earlier this week, pro-life leaders have sounded the alarm about her extreme position on abortion.
David Daleiden, head of the pro-life investigative group Center for Medical Progress, wrote that from his firsthand experience, he considers Harris the “greatest threat to First Amendment civil rights our country has ever seen.”
Lots of people are asking me what I think of the news tonight—@KamalaHarris is the greatest threat to First Amendment civil rights our country has ever seen. I know because she had my home raided for speaking the truth about her political patrons at Planned Parenthood. ���� — David Daleiden (@daviddaleiden) August 12, 2020
During her time as attorney general of California, Harris played a key role in defending Planned Parenthood over its sale of aborted baby parts (which violated multiple federal laws, according to undercover video of abortion industry personnel).
Last year, Harris unveiled a plan to essentially force pro-life states to seek permission from the federal government before pro-life laws can take effect.
The announcement of her proposal, titled the “Reproductive Rights Act,” said “Harris will require, for the first time, that states and localities with a history of violating Roe v. Wade obtain approval from her Department of Justice before any abortion law or practice can take effect.”
The Susan B. Anthony List has noted Harris’s troubling Senate voting record, displaying her radical views on abortion and her determination to protect it, saying she twice “blocked Senate vote to protect babies born alive during abortion; Unveiled a plan to prevent pro-life states from passing pro-life laws; and voted to force taxpayers to pay for abortions.”
BREAKING: Biden picks pro-abortion extremist @KamalaHarris for VP. Harris: ❌ Blocked Senate vote to protect babies born alive during abortion (TWICE)
❌ Unveiled a plan to prevent #ProLife states from passing pro-life laws
❌ Voted to force taxpayers to pay for abortions
1/6 pic.twitter.com/MHv7BLdzK1 — Susan B. Anthony List (@SBAList) August 11, 2020
“A vote for Biden/Harris is a vote for child abuse (cross-sex puberty blockers, mutilation surgery), mandatory Drag Queen Story Hour and ‘transgender’ speech rules, and abortion,” wrote Houston Baptist University theology professor Robert A.J. Gagnon in a Facebook post. “In short, an all-out assault on the youngest in our society and the marginalization and persecution of parents and other adults who come to their defense. Don’t be foolish.”
“It is not just anti-Catholic bigotry. She believes that no one should be allowed to be appointed to the court or any administrative government post who ever belonged to a religious institution, organization, club, school, or denomination that views abortion, homosexual practice, or transgenderism as sin,” said Gagnon in a separate Facebook post. “How can any Christian vote for such a person or even fail to cast an effective vote to stop her election?”
On Monday, Bishop Strickland also commented on the high stakes of the upcoming election:
“85 PRAYING DAYS…until the election. Please pray for hearts to turn to God & choose candidates who promote….the sanctity of life, the Christian moral code, the sanctity of marriage & family, parental choice for educating their children & uphold basic freedoms for every person.”
85 PRAYING DAYS…until the election. Please pray for hearts to turn to God & chose candidates who promote….the sanctity of life, the Christian moral code, the sanctity of marriage & family, parental choice for educating their children & uphold basic freedoms for every person — Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) August 10, 2020
Share


lifesitenews--2020-08-14--German govt authorities supported pedophile network for decades, study reveals

BERLIN , August 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — For decades , government agencies tolerated and supported the systematic sexual abuse of foster children across Germany by pedophiles , a recently published study found .
Positions on “ sex education ” advocated by one the key enablers of these cases of pedophilia , professor of social education Helmut Kentler , are still part of today ’ s “ sexual pedagogy of diversity , ” which is used by an increasing number of day care centers and schools .
Among other things , Kentler had said , “ Sexually satisfied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seduction and sexual assault.
” Regarding sexual relationships between children and adults , he said , “ If such relationships are not discriminated against by the surroundings , the more the older one feels responsible for the younger one , the more positive consequences for personality development can be expected.
” In one case in Berlin , foster parent Fritz H. was able to sexually abuse and rape at least nine children in the span of more than three decades .
“ The boys , often only six or seven years old , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welfare offices , and H. was protected by the pedagogy professor Helmut Kentler , who was highly regarded by the [ local ] Senate administration , ” reported German newspaper Berliner Zeitung .
“ Despite a previous conviction for child abuse , the youth welfare offices repeatedly chose Fritz H. as foster parent , ” the newspaper continued .
“ And despite sometimes extreme warning signs , they left the children with him for years .
The first foster children arrived at the beginning of the 1970s , the last ones did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young adults.
” The recent study prepared by the university of Hildesheim explained that in the files on the youth welfare offices in question , there were “ many weak and strong signals ” that should have led to removing Fritz H. from the foster care system .
“ More than 50 specialists from various disciplines and training were involved in the case management .
The young people who lived in the foster home are hardly heard in the file .
Likewise , serious circumstances — such as the death of a young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , etc.
” How does Kentler come into play ?
“ Helmut Kentler massively defended the Fritz H. foster home and used and employed his power as an expert and professor of social pedagogy to shield this foster home from possible interventions or controls.
” PETITION : Hold UN accountable for babies killed by sex-selection abortion !
Sign the petition here .
The employees of the youth welfare office simply followed Kentler ’ s interpretation of what happened at the foster home .
Not only that , but the study also emphasized that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened often followed the terminology and framing of Kentler himself .
“ When these days , people often talk about the ‘ experiment ’ or the ‘ janitors ’ and look for the ‘ senate official , ’ they often follow Helmuts Kentler ’ s interpretation and leave the way of speaking and the interpretation of how the connections are discussed up to him , ” the authors wrote .
“ This review owes to the persons affected the advice to break up this way of speaking , ” they added .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be deprived of the power to determine the language of coming to terms with the situation and the design of the connections as well as the scope of his power in these.
” While the scope of the study was limited to Berlin , the authors pointed out that “ child endangerment ” is likely to have taken place across the country .
The state of Berlin , as well as its district youth welfare offices , were responsible for numerous foster homes “ not only in ... Berlin , but in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were then taken over by local youth welfare offices .
These are foster homes led by single men or community homes for youth , led by single men.
” Hedwig von Beverfoerde , founder of pro-family organization “ Demo für Alle , ” acknowledged the evil of Kentler ’ s network across Germany .
At the same time , she told LifeSiteNews that “ the criminal ‘ Kentler experiment ’ can not be separated from Kentler ’ s sex education research .
Helmut Kentler ’ s ‘ emancipatory sex education ’ is historically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pedophile.
” She then explained how what is called the “ sexual education of diversity , ” which is taught in countless daycare centers and schools , is “ based on this approach — to the psychological detriment of our children .
A comprehensive awareness campaign about Kentler , his large network in politics and research , and his influence on pedagogy is therefore absolutely necessary.
” “ Demo für Alle ” already exposed Uwe Sielert , one of Kentler ’ s students .
Sielert adopted Kentler ’ s understanding of “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as his idea of the liberation of sexual energies , and added gender ideology .
Sielert ’ s ideas are influencing the German Federal Center for Health Education , a government agency .
“ A major offensive is underway with the aim of providing our children with the poisonous brew of ‘ sex education of diversity , ’ Beverfoerde said .
“ To this end , the curricula and guidelines for sex education are gradually being ‘ updated ’ in all federal states and opportunities are being created to have external @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in daycare centers.
” “ We must finally stop the dangerous sex-ideological virus of Helmut Kentler , which has infected our children for decades !
” she added .
“ The most important thing is to create publicity .
The public debate about their goals and their machinations is something the actors of sexual diversity fear like the devil fears holy water.
” Even though Helmut Kentler ’ s ideas extend to daycare centers and schools today , a lot of research remains to be done on what happened in those three decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2000s in Berlin .
More than 1,000 files in Berlin have not yet been studied , reported Berliner Zeitung .
The Berlin senator responsible for education , Social Democrat Sandra Scheeres , talked about financial reparations , as well as cooperating with other government agencies across the country .
“ But open a thousand files ?
Focus on the role of the administration itself and perhaps also of the Berlin parties in this network ?
Scheeres said nothing about that , ” the newspaper commented .

The pedophile ringleader has had a huge influence on the 'sex education' curricula now increasingly used throughout day care centers and schools in Germany.
BERLIN, August 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — For decades, government agencies tolerated and supported the systematic sexual abuse of foster children across Germany by pedophiles, a recently published study found.
Positions on “sex education” advocated by one the key enablers of these cases of pedophilia, professor of social education Helmut Kentler, are still part of today’s “sexual pedagogy of diversity,” which is used by an increasing number of day care centers and schools.
Among other things, Kentler had said, “Sexually satisfied children … are best protected against sexual seduction and sexual assault.” Regarding sexual relationships between children and adults, he said, “If such relationships are not discriminated against by the surroundings, the more the older one feels responsible for the younger one, the more positive consequences for personality development can be expected.”
In one case in Berlin, foster parent Fritz H. was able to sexually abuse and rape at least nine children in the span of more than three decades. “The boys, often only six or seven years old, were placed with him by Berlin youth welfare offices, and H. was protected by the pedagogy professor Helmut Kentler, who was highly regarded by the [local] Senate administration,” reported German newspaper Berliner Zeitung.
“Despite a previous conviction for child abuse, the youth welfare offices repeatedly chose Fritz H. as foster parent,” the newspaper continued. “And despite sometimes extreme warning signs, they left the children with him for years. The first foster children arrived at the beginning of the 1970s, the last ones did not leave the foster home until 2003 as young adults.”
The recent study prepared by the university of Hildesheim explained that in the files on the youth welfare offices in question, there were “many weak and strong signals” that should have led to removing Fritz H. from the foster care system.
“More than 50 specialists from various disciplines and training were involved in the case management. The young people who lived in the foster home are hardly heard in the file. Likewise, serious circumstances — such as the death of a young man — remain unexplained in the file, etc.”
How does Kentler come into play?
“Helmut Kentler massively defended the Fritz H. foster home and used and employed his power as an expert and professor of social pedagogy to shield this foster home from possible interventions or controls.”
PETITION: Hold UN accountable for babies killed by sex-selection abortion! Sign the petition here.
The employees of the youth welfare office simply followed Kentler’s interpretation of what happened at the foster home. Not only that, but the study also emphasized that even today, the description of what happened often followed the terminology and framing of Kentler himself.
“When these days, people often talk about the ‘experiment’ or the ‘janitors’ and look for the ‘senate official,’ they often follow Helmuts Kentler’s interpretation and leave the way of speaking and the interpretation of how the connections are discussed up to him,” the authors wrote.
“This review owes to the persons affected the advice to break up this way of speaking,” they added. “Now, at last, Helmut Kentler should be deprived of the power to determine the language of coming to terms with the situation and the design of the connections as well as the scope of his power in these.”
While the scope of the study was limited to Berlin, the authors pointed out that “child endangerment” is likely to have taken place across the country. The state of Berlin, as well as its district youth welfare offices, were responsible for numerous foster homes “not only in … Berlin, but in the whole of Germany, where they were then taken over by local youth welfare offices. These are foster homes led by single men or community homes for youth, led by single men.”
Hedwig von Beverfoerde, founder of pro-family organization “Demo für Alle,” acknowledged the evil of Kentler’s network across Germany. At the same time, she told LifeSiteNews that “the criminal ‘Kentler experiment’ cannot be separated from Kentler’s sex education research. Helmut Kentler’s ‘emancipatory sex education’ is historically and in its pedagogical approach compromised as pedophile.”
She then explained how what is called the “sexual education of diversity,” which is taught in countless daycare centers and schools, is “based on this approach — to the psychological detriment of our children. A comprehensive awareness campaign about Kentler, his large network in politics and research, and his influence on pedagogy is therefore absolutely necessary.”
“Demo für Alle” already exposed Uwe Sielert, one of Kentler’s students. Sielert adopted Kentler’s understanding of “the child as a sexual being,” as well as his idea of the liberation of sexual energies, and added gender ideology. Sielert’s ideas are influencing the German Federal Center for Health Education, a government agency.
“A major offensive is underway with the aim of providing our children with the poisonous brew of ‘sex education of diversity,’ Beverfoerde said. “To this end, the curricula and guidelines for sex education are gradually being ‘updated’ in all federal states and opportunities are being created to have external sex educators appear in schools and even in daycare centers.”
“We must finally stop the dangerous sex-ideological virus of Helmut Kentler, which has infected our children for decades!” she added. “The most important thing is to create publicity. The public debate about their goals and their machinations is something the actors of sexual diversity fear like the devil fears holy water.”
Even though Helmut Kentler’s ideas extend to daycare centers and schools today, a lot of research remains to be done on what happened in those three decades for the early 1970s until the early 2000s in Berlin.
More than 1,000 files in Berlin have not yet been studied, reported Berliner Zeitung.
The Berlin senator responsible for education, Social Democrat Sandra Scheeres, talked about financial reparations, as well as cooperating with other government agencies across the country.
“But open a thousand files? Focus on the role of the administration itself and perhaps also of the Berlin parties in this network? Scheeres said nothing about that,” the newspaper commented.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-08-14--Pilgrimage through France in the shape of M for Mary stops in Paris for national feast day

PRAYER PLEDGE : Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus !
Sign the petition here .
August 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – On France ’ s traditional national feast day – not the revolutionary July 14 Bastille Day but the Catholic feast of the Assumption of Our Lady on August 15 – a remarkable 2,000-kilometer ( 1,243-mile ) Marian pilgrimage will make a stop at the Basilica of Montmartre in Paris , where Archbishop Michel Aupetit will celebrate Mass and consecrate France to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary while a special “ grand prayer ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and prayers for the homeland are nothing new in France on August 15 since Louis the XIII announced in December 1637 that he would consecrate his land to the Virgin Mary if an heir was born to his wife , Queen Anne of Austria , who had remained without child during 23 years of their marriage .
The Queen realized she was pregnant in February 1638 ; on the 10th of that month , Louis the XIIIth made his vow of consecration with the approval of the Parliament of Paris , presenting his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” his “ country , ” and all his subjects to Our Lady of the Assumption .
He also promised to elevate a new main altar in the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Paris , but he died prematurely five years later .
This promise was kept more than 60 years later by his son , Louis the XIV .
The text of his vow is still read during public processions on August 15 – a national holiday – in more traditional circles , even though its official character was abolished by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1831 after a short revival during the restoration of the monarchy .
The dramatic fire of Notre Dame de Paris last year led to the impossibility of holding the national procession in Paris in 2019 .
With the cathedral still closed to the public , a group of Catholics decided that something was needed to replace the beloved tradition of publicly honoring the Mother of God on the day of her feast as Patroness of France .
They decided to organize an unprecedented series of events that would draw an “ M @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statues of Our Lady of France ( “ Notre Dame de France ” ) would be pulled through country roads by a horse and carriage in two symmetrical routes : a western route leading from Lourdes at the foot of the Pyrénées to Pontmain in Normandy , and then south-eastward to Pellevoisin , and an eastern route from La Salette in the Alps to the Rue du Bac in Paris and then to the southwest , also to reach Pellevoisin .
Lourdes , Pontmain , La Salette , the Rue du Bac ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are all shrines marking apparitions of Our Lady in France in the 19th century that were approved by the Church .
In Pellevoisin , in 1876 the Virgin Mary appeared 12 times to a 32-year-old woman , Estelle Faguet , who had been gravely ill for 12 years and was contagious with tuberculosis , bringing her healing through her intercession with her Divine Son .
Seven times , she asked the seer : “ Publish my glory.
” The “ M de Marie ” pilgrimage was to have started at the beginning of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because COVID-19 restrictions to public worship were only lifted on May 25 , the launching of the long road trips was postponed until June 1 – which happened to be the 40th anniversary of St. John Paul II ’ s famous challenge from the forecourt of Reims cathedral : “ France , eldest daughter of the Church , are you faithful to the promises of your baptism ?
Are you faithful to the Alliance with eternal Wisdom ?
” It was also the first day the sanctuary of Lourdes was reopened to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two horse-drawn carriages have slowly followed the “ M ” -shaped itinerary planned by the organizers , covering 10 to 15 km stages , followed by many pilgrims on foot for one or several days and stopping in local parishes and shrines where festivities welcoming the statue of Our Lady , processions , vespers , Masses , and night-long Eucharistic adorations take place .
Supported by some 30 bishops and with the help of hundreds of volunteers and members of Marian associations that have been active for many years in France , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground , and many others have joined virtually via internet or Radio Maria .
While the “ eastern ” statue of Notre Dame de France reached the Paris region on August 11 , the western part of the pilgrimage stopped in Pontmain on August 10 and 11 with special prayers for the “ conversion of France.
” The voyage will continue , lasting 104 days before reaching Pellevoisin on September 12 , on the feast of the Holy Name of Mary .
That feast was extended to the whole Church by Pope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victory of John Sobiewski over the Turks in Vienna when the Ottoman Empire was trying to capture Europe by land .
The pilgrimage officially ends after a day of prayer and celebration at Pellevoisin on Sunday , September 13 .
In a short video presentation about the event , its organizers underscore that in the context of the COVID-19 crisis , the pilgrims of Our Lady are especially asking her to liberate France from the pandemic “ as she has done so often before during our past.
” But they also want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christ , ” and to rediscover “ the beautiful spiritual history of France ” by rediscovering the messages of Our Lady and the beautiful chapels and churches everywhere in the country .
The video concluded : “ On the evening of August 15th , she will go up to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus , and so we will go to Jesus through Mary , following the spirituality of Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort that is guiding us throughout this pilgrimage .
”

In the middle of a 2,000-kilometer (1,243-mile) trek through the country, the Assumption will be celebrated with Mass, prayers and a consecration on August 15 in Paris.
PRAYER PLEDGE: Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus! Sign the petition here.
August 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – On France’s traditional national feast day – not the revolutionary July 14 Bastille Day but the Catholic feast of the Assumption of Our Lady on August 15 – a remarkable 2,000-kilometer (1,243-mile) Marian pilgrimage will make a stop at the Basilica of Montmartre in Paris, where Archbishop Michel Aupetit will celebrate Mass and consecrate France to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary while a special “grand prayer” is said for France.
Public processions and prayers for the homeland are nothing new in France on August 15 since Louis the XIII announced in December 1637 that he would consecrate his land to the Virgin Mary if an heir was born to his wife, Queen Anne of Austria, who had remained without child during 23 years of their marriage. The Queen realized she was pregnant in February 1638; on the 10th of that month, Louis the XIIIth made his vow of consecration with the approval of the Parliament of Paris, presenting his “person,” his “State,” his “country,” and all his subjects to Our Lady of the Assumption.
He also promised to elevate a new main altar in the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Paris, but he died prematurely five years later. This promise was kept more than 60 years later by his son, Louis the XIV.
The text of his vow is still read during public processions on August 15 – a national holiday – in more traditional circles, even though its official character was abolished by the French Revolution and again by Louis-Philippe in 1831 after a short revival during the restoration of the monarchy.
The dramatic fire of Notre Dame de Paris last year led to the impossibility of holding the national procession in Paris in 2019. With the cathedral still closed to the public, a group of Catholics decided that something was needed to replace the beloved tradition of publicly honoring the Mother of God on the day of her feast as Patroness of France.
They decided to organize an unprecedented series of events that would draw an “M for Mary” over France. Two statues of Our Lady of France (“Notre Dame de France”) would be pulled through country roads by a horse and carriage in two symmetrical routes: a western route leading from Lourdes at the foot of the Pyrénées to Pontmain in Normandy, and then south-eastward to Pellevoisin, and an eastern route from La Salette in the Alps to the Rue du Bac in Paris and then to the southwest, also to reach Pellevoisin.
Lourdes, Pontmain, La Salette, the Rue du Bac (the Miraculous Medal), and Pellevoisin are all shrines marking apparitions of Our Lady in France in the 19th century that were approved by the Church. In Pellevoisin, in 1876 the Virgin Mary appeared 12 times to a 32-year-old woman, Estelle Faguet, who had been gravely ill for 12 years and was contagious with tuberculosis, bringing her healing through her intercession with her Divine Son. Seven times, she asked the seer: “Publish my glory.”
The “M de Marie” pilgrimage was to have started at the beginning of May, the month of Mary. Because COVID-19 restrictions to public worship were only lifted on May 25, the launching of the long road trips was postponed until June 1 – which happened to be the 40th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s famous challenge from the forecourt of Reims cathedral: “France, eldest daughter of the Church, are you faithful to the promises of your baptism? Are you faithful to the Alliance with eternal Wisdom?” It was also the first day the sanctuary of Lourdes was reopened to the public.
Since June 1, the two horse-drawn carriages have slowly followed the “M”-shaped itinerary planned by the organizers, covering 10 to 15 km stages, followed by many pilgrims on foot for one or several days and stopping in local parishes and shrines where festivities welcoming the statue of Our Lady, processions, vespers, Masses, and night-long Eucharistic adorations take place.
Supported by some 30 bishops and with the help of hundreds of volunteers and members of Marian associations that have been active for many years in France, the pilgrimage is attracting thousands of followers on the ground, and many others have joined virtually via internet or Radio Maria.
While the “eastern” statue of Notre Dame de France reached the Paris region on August 11, the western part of the pilgrimage stopped in Pontmain on August 10 and 11 with special prayers for the “conversion of France.”
The voyage will continue, lasting 104 days before reaching Pellevoisin on September 12, on the feast of the Holy Name of Mary. That feast was extended to the whole Church by Pope Innocent XI in 1683 in gratitude for the victory of John Sobiewski over the Turks in Vienna when the Ottoman Empire was trying to capture Europe by land.
The pilgrimage officially ends after a day of prayer and celebration at Pellevoisin on Sunday, September 13.
In a short video presentation about the event, its organizers underscore that in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, the pilgrims of Our Lady are especially asking her to liberate France from the pandemic “as she has done so often before during our past.” But they also want to be “missionaries, ambassadors of Christ,” and to rediscover “the beautiful spiritual history of France” by rediscovering the messages of Our Lady and the beautiful chapels and churches everywhere in the country.
The video concluded: “On the evening of August 15th, she will go up to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and so we will go to Jesus through Mary, following the spirituality of Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort that is guiding us throughout this pilgrimage.”
Share