lifesitenews--2020-09-05--UN secretary general tells feminists he won’t let Trump undermine abortion ‘rights’

NEW YORK , September 4 , 2020 ( C-Fam ) — UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says he wants to “ make sure that governments do not take advantage of COVID-19 to undermine sexual and reproductive rights and to put into question the services that are provided.
” Guterres said this during a virtual townhall meeting with feminists on Monday .
He was responding to a question on abortion and the Trump administration ’ s pro-life diplomacy .
Guterres assured feminists he will “ fight ” governments who “ put into question services that are provided ” during the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are witnessing a very strong attack on all the progresses made after Beijing and in relation to sexual and reproductive health , ” he said , referring to a 1995 UN conference that cemented abortion in UN policy .
“ I ’ ve been putting this in all my interventions , and I ’ ve been putting this in all my policy briefs and in the country teams ’ works , ” he emphasized .
The feminist woman who asked the question asked specifically about abortion and the efforts of the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN COVID-19 response .
“ As you know many of the attacks that women and girls , and gender non-conforming people , are facing are being amplified by this pandemic .
And some governments , as you just heard , Poland and the U.S. , are using this as an opportunity to further restrict access to abortion , to comprehensive sexuality education , and gender affirming treatment , ” the woman , identified as Sharron , said in the wind-up to her question .
“ And we all know that the impact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LBTI women , on black afro-descendant indigenous women , and other racial minorities , women with disabilities and others who face social marginalization , ” she emphasized .
“ What are you doing to coordinate systemic responses to some of these issues .
And how can the UN and your office in particular protect access not just to services , but protection of these critical rights ?
” she asked .
Guterres emphasized his reports and actions to promote sexual and reproductive health , and abortion specifically , as essential during the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no UN document gives the Secretary General or any other UN body the right to promote abortion for any reason .
Reports of UN efforts to use the COVID-19 pandemic to promote abortion both in general and by putting pressure of specific countries prompted Acting Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development John Barsa to write a letter to the UN Secretary General urging him to stop promoting abortion .
Guterres reportedly responded saying that the UN system does not interfere in abortion politics .
In August , U.S .
Ambassador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Bremberg , wrote to a group of UN human rights experts to complain that they tried to interfere in U.S. abortion politics during the COVID-19 pandemic .
In his responses , Guterres underlined how the COVID-19 pandemic should be used as an opportunity to promote LGBTI rights and abortion .
“ We need to do all the measures to respond to COVID and to respond to the economic and social impacts of COVID as an opportunity to fight discrimination and to pushback against this terrible pushback that we are witnessing in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basic rights , namely sexual and reproductive rights , are being put into question , ” he said .
Echoing feminist talking points the he has used before , he explained , “ the central question is a redistribution of power .
”

'It is clear that we are witnessing a very strong attack on all the progresses made ... in relation to sexual and reproductive health,' Guterres said with the U.S. president in mind.
NEW YORK, September 4, 2020 (C-Fam) — UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says he wants to “make sure that governments do not take advantage of COVID-19 to undermine sexual and reproductive rights and to put into question the services that are provided.”
Guterres said this during a virtual townhall meeting with feminists on Monday. He was responding to a question on abortion and the Trump administration’s pro-life diplomacy.
Guterres assured feminists he will “fight” governments who “put into question services that are provided” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is clear that we are witnessing a very strong attack on all the progresses made after Beijing and in relation to sexual and reproductive health,” he said, referring to a 1995 UN conference that cemented abortion in UN policy.
“I’ve been putting this in all my interventions, and I’ve been putting this in all my policy briefs and in the country teams’ works,” he emphasized.
The feminist woman who asked the question asked specifically about abortion and the efforts of the Trump administration to keep abortion out of the UN COVID-19 response.
“As you know many of the attacks that women and girls, and gender non-conforming people, are facing are being amplified by this pandemic. And some governments, as you just heard, Poland and the U.S., are using this as an opportunity to further restrict access to abortion, to comprehensive sexuality education, and gender affirming treatment,” the woman, identified as
Sharron, said in the wind-up to her question.
“And we all know that the impact of these kinds of actions falls hardest on LBTI women, on black afro-descendant indigenous women, and other racial minorities, women with disabilities and others who face social marginalization,” she emphasized.
“What are you doing to coordinate systemic responses to some of these issues. And how can the UN and your office in particular protect access not just to services, but protection of these critical rights?” she asked.
Guterres emphasized his reports and actions to promote sexual and reproductive health, and abortion specifically, as essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. It should be pointed out that no UN document gives the Secretary General or any other UN body the right to promote abortion for any reason.
Reports of UN efforts to use the COVID-19 pandemic to promote abortion both in general and by putting pressure of specific countries prompted Acting Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development John Barsa to write a letter to the UN Secretary General urging him to stop promoting abortion. Guterres reportedly responded saying that the UN system does not interfere in abortion politics.
In August, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Andrew Bremberg, wrote to a group of UN human rights experts to complain that they tried to interfere in U.S. abortion politics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his responses, Guterres underlined how the COVID-19 pandemic should be used as an opportunity to promote LGBTI rights and abortion.
“We need to do all the measures to respond to COVID and to respond to the economic and social impacts of COVID as an opportunity to fight discrimination and to pushback against this terrible pushback that we are witnessing in which discrimination is indeed increasing and in which basic rights, namely sexual and reproductive rights, are being put into question,” he said.
Echoing feminist talking points the he has used before, he explained, “the central question is a redistribution of power.”
Published with permission from C-Fam.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-05--Homosexual abuse scandal and cover-up during Benedict’s pontificate shakes Vatican

September 5 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In 2002 , the Catholic Church was rocked by the widespread public revelation of sexual abuse perpetrated by Catholic clergy .
While sexual abuse in all professions was nothing new , among clergy it brought a particular repugnance .
But more than that , the new revelations highlighted the role of the bishops themselves in the crisis , as it made clear that they had allowed known sexually abusive priests to go without punishment and be transferred to other parishes or dioceses where they would sometimes even abuse again .
Sixth months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boston Globe , the US Bishops issued their “ Dallas Charter.
” While stipulating a zero-tolerance policy for sexually abusive priests , it came under criticism for failing to address the bishops ’ own role in the scandal .
The charter , which excluded responsibilities of bishops , was led by the then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and Archbishop Wilton Gregory , then-President of the USCCB .
Pope John Paul II met with the U.S. Cardinals to address the issue in the wake of the scandal breaking in 2002 and then in 2004 with US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many meetings addressing the abuse scandal .
Nevertheless , the Vatican itself came under scrutiny for its handling of abuse early on as well .
The reputation of Pope St. John Paul II ’ s pontificate was marred significantly as the revelations of sexual abuse by Legion of Christ founder Fr .
Marcial Maciel came to light .
A source close to Pope John Paul II told LifeSite that John Paul II could not bring himself to believe the accusations since Maciel masqueraded as a conservative , and in John Paul ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priests of sexual abuse so as to damage their reputations .
A group of eight former Legionary seminarians first went to the Vatican to lodge abuse complaints in 1998 , but it took until 2006 for Maciel to be removed from all public ministry , and only after the election of Pope Benedict XVI .
Just prior to that , in late 2005 Benedict took decisive action to reaffirm a ban on homosexual men from seminary responding to the finding that the vast majority of abuse perpetrated by priests was homosexual in nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another homosexual abuse scandal playing out quietly inside the Vatican at the same time as Maciel .
While Pope Benedict himself along with the rest of the Church was expressing public grief , meeting with abuse victims and promising reforms , those in high Vatican positions were using the same old playbook in mishandling credible allegations of sexual abuse within the Vatican ’ s own walls .
There is a case now before the criminal courts of Germany in which two priests allege gruesome sexual abuse at the hands of a then-senior official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State , Monsignor Christoph Kühn .
Monsignor Florian Kolfhaus and a second man – a former priest - both allege that Kühn violently compelled them into sexual masochistic acts .
Kolfhaus first lodged a complaint against Kühn at the Vatican in 2006 .
He testifies that his abuse took place inside the offices of the Secretariat of State , as well as inside the Casa Santa Marta , a residence for Vatican prelates .
But it appears no formal investigation was launched until 2019 , in spite of the fact that the Report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Pontifical Representations , was presented to the Superiors of the Secretariat of State on July 3 , 2006 .
The other priest has since become laicized and is now a practicing homosexual and LGBT activist .
He has given his testimony for the Kolfhaus complaint that is currently underway in Germany .
In the court files is also to be found a WhatsApp message ( seen by LifeSite ) from Kühn to him ( from April 2017 ) , in which the Monsignor offers some future financial support should the laicized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with regard to the allegations against him .
On Monday , September 7 , Kolfhaus will have his first hearing at the Diocese of Eichstatt , Kühn ’ s home diocese .
Kühn was the head of the German Section of the Secretariat of State in the Vatican from 2001 till 2008 .
This position put him in charge of vetting priests and bishops from Germany for elevations , and as such he was privy to all the personnel records of these prelates .
Being in such a high position and involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in close contact with Pope Benedict XVI both after his 2005 election and prior to that in his role as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith .
As head of the German Section until 2008 , Kühn organized Benedict ’ s trips to Germany , traveled with him on the papal plane , and was often photographed side by side with him at official receptions such as that with German President Horst Kohler in 2005 during his visit to Cologne , Chancellor Gerhard Schröder , as well as the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reputation was conservative .
As Kolfhaus explains in a denunciation to the Vatican as well as to the Diocese of Eichstätt in which he outlines the abuse , “ Msgr .
Kühn took interest in me personally , given the difficult work that he was about to undertake , namely radically changing the ‘ political line ’ of the Bishops ’ Conference in Germany on the participation of the German bishops in the national system regarding abortion legislation .
( The German dioceses – contrary to various directives given by the Holy See @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving on request a certificate to women that was required in order to have a legal abortion .
This conflict greatly polarized the Catholic Church in Germany . )
” Kolfhaus says he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Kühn from the end of 2003 until 2004 and has been reporting the abuse to different superiors in the Vatican and elsewhere since 2006 .
Through his lawyer , Dr. Alexander Stevens , Kolfhaus told LifeSite that he did not begin the legal process or go to the press with the abuse he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse were reported by the German newspaper Die Bild in 2019 , and police questioned Kolfhaus , did he act .
“ When journalists or civil authorities come to me I have to answer truthfully , to lie here would be nothing other than covering up for the perpetrator , ” Kolfhaus told LifeSite .
On January 22 , 2020 , Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò provided testimony for the Church investigation into the case because from May 1998 till July 2009 he was the Delegate for the Pontifical Representations at the Secretariat of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the personnel of the Roman Curia subordinate to the Substitute of the Secretary of State .
In Viganò ’ s testimony — which LifeSite confirmed with the Archbishop that he did indeed issue it — he states that he is “ aware of precise information regarding the harassment and all kinds of abuses committed by Msgr .
Christoph Kühn against Msgr .
Florian Kolfhaus.
” Archbishop Viganò also notes that Kolfhaus informed various individuals of the abuse including a superior at the Secretariat of State and also a Bishop in charge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Vatican .
Archbishop Viganò also reports that now-Cardinal Pietro Parolin was informed as well .
Parolin at the time was Undersecretary of the Section for the Relations with States of the Secretariat of State .
LifeSite reached out to Cardinal Parolin for comment via the Secretariat of State and , on August 24 , received the following response from the Vatican Press Office : “ As you are aware , the accusations pertaining to Mons .
Kühn are being examined by canonical and civil authorities .
Under these circumstances we are confident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a comment is not appropriate.
” The reply issued by the Vatican press office added , “ In the meanwhile , we trust that you will make every effort to report the facts , and avoid speculation , on the case.
” According to Viganò ’ s knowledge , no official investigation was undertaken by July 2009 ( when he ceased his duty as Delegate for the Pontifical Representations ) to examine Kolfhaus ’ reports of the abuse he suffered .
Evidence which would have called for official investigation included : the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Archbishop Justo Mullor , President of the Pontifical Academy ; a report of the Psychologist who returned a negative judgment on Kühn , dated June 14 , 2006 ; and Viganò ’ s Note for the Substitute on July 3 , 2006 .
Archbishop Viganò relates : Viganò ’ s testimony also calls into question the 2001 decision to have Kühn at the Vatican in the first place .
He recounts that sexually scandalous behavior by Kühn was known to the Vatican as early as 1997 when Kühn was a priest in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Msgr .
Christoph Kühn began his service on July 1 , 1997 , in the Apostolic Nunciature in Zimbabwe .
During this , his first assignment , the Nuncio , His Excellency Msgr .
Peter Prabhu , had to report some of the behavior of his collaborator [ Kühn ] that could have indicated his possible homosexual tendency .
The Nuncio reported in February 1998 that on returning from a pastoral visit of several days , he was told that Fr .
Kühn was very sick and that he [ Kühn ] wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Nuncio went to his room and knocked on the door .
Kühn told him [ Prabhu ] to come in and revealed himself lying in his bed wearing only very skimpy panties .
The Nuncio told him to get dressed and went away .
Afterward , Kühn went from his bedroom to his office dressed in the same way , despite the admonition he had received , and then went down to the common area of the Nunciature in that same undressed state .
On another occasion during an encounter that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the lights out as slides were projected , Fr .
Kühn took a young blond boy about 9 or 10 years old and made him sit on top of him with his arms around the young boy .
In 2008 , Kühn was moved by the Substitute then-Archbishop Fernando Filoni to Vienna to work in the nunciature ( Vatican embassy ) .
Two sources close to Pope Benedict spoke anonymously to LifeSite about this matter , suggesting that Kühn was moved to Vienna because his scandalous sexual behavior ( some believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known .
One said that the Pope moved Kühn knowing of the problems and even asked Cardinal Joachim Meisner , Archbishop of Cologne , to take Kühn into his diocese but Meisner refused .
Another source stated : `` When it became known that he [ Kühn ] had harassed various young men ( among them also Kolfhaus ) , he was removed by Benedict XVI from the Vatican and sent to Vienna.
” This source insisted , defending the Pope , that Benedict did personally intervene and that he punished Kühn two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions , first to Vienna ( 2008 ) and then to Eichstätt ( 2012 ) , this time removing him from the diplomatic service .
Pope Benedict was the Roman Pontiff of the Catholic Church from 2005 until 2013 .
Another source from Benedict ’ s circle however suggests that Benedict did not know of the matter and it was handled either by the then Secretary of State himself ( now-Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone ) or the then-Substitute ( now-Cardinal Fernando Filoni ) .
LifeSite reached out to Pope emeritus Benedict XVI , via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking for comment , but did not receive a reply .
In the court files , currently with the State Attorney , a man who was employed in a high-ranking position by the diocese of Eichstätt sums up what he was told by higher-ups in the diocese concerning Kühn .
He was warned to be “ cautious ” around Kühn “ because of his somewhat difficult past.
” When he asked for further information , both the finance director of the diocese and the Vicar General informed him that Kühn was known to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during his station in Africa that were related to the “ homosexuality of the prelate Kühn.
” During his time in Vienna , they added , “ it went so wild he was forbidden entrance into a hotel.
” According to this source , the Vicar General told him that the official reason for Kühn ’ s dismissal from Vienna was the “ story with the hotel ” as well as “ additional non-consensual sexual contacts during his diplomatic stations.
” In the midst of this scandal in April 2011 , Pope Benedict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prelate of Honour of His Holiness , ” a papal designation that often comes after a number of years of service in the diplomatic corps of the Vatican .
At the end of August 2012 , Kühn was removed from the diplomatic service of the Vatican and was moved to his home diocese of Eichstätt in Germany where he was personally appointed Canon of the Cathedral by Bishop Gregor Hanke .
That position , however , gained Kühn a much larger salary and notable position .
In April of 2019 , accusations against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the German newspaper Die Bild .
Only after this did Bishop Hanke of the Diocese of Eichstätt , who according to the Viganò testimony , had been informed of Kühn ’ s assaults previously , suspend Kühn from his duties .
Kühn was also told only to celebrate private Masses ; however , LifeSite found that in June of 2020 , he celebrated a public Mass in the Diocese of Regensburg .
Responding to a media request by LifeSite about this , the Diocese of Eichstätt merely pointed out that Kühn celebrated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diocese of Regensburg declined to comment .
LifeSite reached out to Monsignor Kühn with questions .
In response , Kühn ’ s lawyer threatened a lawsuit should LifeSite report on the case .
The response denied all charges and not only forbade reporting on the case but also further research into it .
Kühn publicly addressed the accusations for the first time in July 2020 after Italian Vaticanist Marco Tosatti published a translation of portions of a July 16 , 2020 , Die Bild article on the case on his blog .
Kühn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kühn claims that Kolfhaus ’ lawyer Alexander Stevens is “ a well known LGBTQ activist and supporter of the relative lifestyle and debauchery.
” Stevens told LifeSite Kühn ’ s accusation against him is false .
“ The prelate obviously does n't hesitate to even discredit the victim 's lawyer , ” he wrote via email .
“ Here , in my opinion , Kuehn 's strategy is once again exposed : to neutralize the enemy by deliberate untruths.
” Canon law ( 1395 ) insists that “ a cleric who persists with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth commandment of the Decalogue is to be punished by a suspension .
If he persists in the delict after a warning , other penalties can gradually be added , including dismissal from the clerical state.
” Canon law experts have told LifeSite that much of the problem leading to the Church sex abuse scandals has been the ignorance of and refusal to apply canon law .

A case now before the criminal courts of Germany involving a former high-ranking Vatican Monsignor reveals the alleged mishandling of credible allegations of sexual abuse within the Vatican’s own walls.
September 5, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In 2002, the Catholic Church was rocked by the widespread public revelation of sexual abuse perpetrated by Catholic clergy. While sexual abuse in all professions was nothing new, among clergy it brought a particular repugnance. But more than that, the new revelations highlighted the role of the bishops themselves in the crisis, as it made clear that they had allowed known sexually abusive priests to go without punishment and be transferred to other parishes or dioceses where they would sometimes even abuse again.
Sixth months after the revelations first surfaced in the Boston Globe, the US Bishops issued their “Dallas Charter.” While stipulating a zero-tolerance policy for sexually abusive priests, it came under criticism for failing to address the bishops’ own role in the scandal. The charter, which excluded responsibilities of bishops, was led by the then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and Archbishop Wilton Gregory, then-President of the USCCB.
Pope John Paul II met with the U.S. Cardinals to address the issue in the wake of the scandal breaking in 2002 and then in 2004 with US Bishops. Pope Benedict XVI too had many meetings addressing the abuse scandal.
Nevertheless, the Vatican itself came under scrutiny for its handling of abuse early on as well. The reputation of Pope St. John Paul II’s pontificate was marred significantly as the revelations of sexual abuse by Legion of Christ founder Fr. Marcial Maciel came to light. A source close to Pope John Paul II told LifeSite that John Paul II could not bring himself to believe the accusations since Maciel masqueraded as a conservative, and in John Paul’s native Poland the Communists often accused faithful priests of sexual abuse so as to damage their reputations.
A group of eight former Legionary seminarians first went to the Vatican to lodge abuse complaints in 1998, but it took until 2006 for Maciel to be removed from all public ministry, and only after the election of Pope Benedict XVI.
Just prior to that, in late 2005 Benedict took decisive action to reaffirm a ban on homosexual men from seminary responding to the finding that the vast majority of abuse perpetrated by priests was homosexual in nature.
Nevertheless, it seems there was another homosexual abuse scandal playing out quietly inside the Vatican at the same time as Maciel. While Pope Benedict himself along with the rest of the Church was expressing public grief, meeting with abuse victims and promising reforms, those in high Vatican positions were using the same old playbook in mishandling credible allegations of sexual abuse within the Vatican’s own walls.
There is a case now before the criminal courts of Germany in which two priests allege gruesome sexual abuse at the hands of a then-senior official in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, Monsignor Christoph Kühn.
Monsignor Florian Kolfhaus and a second man – a former priest – both allege that Kühn violently compelled them into sexual masochistic acts.
Kolfhaus first lodged a complaint against Kühn at the Vatican in 2006. He testifies that his abuse took place inside the offices of the Secretariat of State, as well as inside the Casa Santa Marta, a residence for Vatican prelates.
But it appears no formal investigation was launched until 2019, in spite of the fact that the Report of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, Delegate for the Pontifical Representations, was presented to the Superiors of the Secretariat of State on July 3, 2006.
The other priest has since become laicized and is now a practicing homosexual and LGBT activist. He has given his testimony for the Kolfhaus complaint that is currently underway in Germany. In the court files is also to be found a WhatsApp message (seen by LifeSite) from Kühn to him (from April 2017), in which the Monsignor offers some future financial support should the laicized priest help him to clear his name with regard to the allegations against him.
On Monday, September 7, Kolfhaus will have his first hearing at the Diocese of Eichstatt, Kühn’s home diocese.
Kühn was the head of the German Section of the Secretariat of State in the Vatican from 2001 till 2008. This position put him in charge of vetting priests and bishops from Germany for elevations, and as such he was privy to all the personnel records of these prelates. Being in such a high position and involved in the German church, Kühn was often in close contact with Pope Benedict XVI both after his 2005 election and prior to that in his role as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.
As head of the German Section until 2008, Kühn organized Benedict’s trips to Germany, traveled with him on the papal plane, and was often photographed side by side with him at official receptions such as that with German President Horst Kohler in 2005 during his visit to Cologne, Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, as well as the future Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Kühn’s reputation was conservative. As Kolfhaus explains in a denunciation to the Vatican as well as to the Diocese of Eichstätt in which he outlines the abuse, “Msgr. Kühn took interest in me personally, given the difficult work that he was about to undertake, namely radically changing the ‘political line’ of the Bishops’ Conference in Germany on the participation of the German bishops in the national system regarding abortion legislation. (The German dioceses – contrary to various directives given by the Holy See – participated in the state-run system, giving on request a certificate to women that was required in order to have a legal abortion. This conflict greatly polarized the Catholic Church in Germany.)”
Kolfhaus says he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Kühn from the end of 2003 until 2004 and has been reporting the abuse to different superiors in the Vatican and elsewhere since 2006. Through his lawyer, Dr. Alexander Stevens, Kolfhaus told LifeSite that he did not begin the legal process or go to the press with the abuse he suffered. Only after details of the abuse were reported by the German newspaper Die Bild in 2019, and police questioned Kolfhaus, did he act.
“When journalists or civil authorities come to me I have to answer truthfully, to lie here would be nothing other than covering up for the perpetrator,” Kolfhaus told LifeSite.
Viganò intervention
On January 22, 2020, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò provided testimony for the Church investigation into the case because from May 1998 till July 2009 he was the Delegate for the Pontifical Representations at the Secretariat of State, a position which was responsible for the personnel of the Roman Curia subordinate to the Substitute of the Secretary of State.
In Viganò’s testimony — which LifeSite confirmed with the Archbishop that he did indeed issue it — he states that he is “aware of precise information regarding the harassment and all kinds of abuses committed by Msgr. Christoph Kühn against Msgr. Florian Kolfhaus.”
Archbishop Viganò also notes that Kolfhaus informed various individuals of the abuse including a superior at the Secretariat of State and also a Bishop in charge of preparation of candidates for diplomatic service for the Vatican.
Archbishop Viganò also reports that now-Cardinal Pietro Parolin was informed as well. Parolin at the time was Undersecretary of the Section for the Relations with States of the Secretariat of State.
LifeSite reached out to Cardinal Parolin for comment via the Secretariat of State and, on August 24, received the following response from the Vatican Press Office: “As you are aware, the accusations pertaining to Mons. Kühn are being examined by canonical and civil authorities. Under these circumstances we are confident that you understand that at this time a comment is not appropriate.” The reply issued by the Vatican press office added, “In the meanwhile, we trust that you will make every effort to report the facts, and avoid speculation, on the case.”
According to Viganò’s knowledge, no official investigation was undertaken by July 2009 (when he ceased his duty as Delegate for the Pontifical Representations) to examine Kolfhaus’ reports of the abuse he suffered. Evidence which would have called for official investigation included: the report sent to the Secretariat of State by Archbishop Justo Mullor, President of the Pontifical Academy; a report of the Psychologist who returned a negative judgment on Kühn, dated June 14, 2006; and Viganò’s Note for the Substitute on July 3, 2006. Archbishop Viganò relates:
His Excellency Msgr. Mullor considered it his duty to inform his superiors at the Secretariat of State in writing about the confidences he had been told by Fr. Kolfhaus. Given the seriousness of the case, the President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy considered it opportune to submit the documents containing the confidences of Fr. Kolfhaus to the judgment of Fr. Bartholomew Kiely, S.J., Professor of Psychology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, reticito nomine [removing names]. On the basis of this document, Fr. Kiely formulated a negative prognosis about the personality of Msgr. Kühn. (These documents too may be found in the Archives of the Secretariat of State).
Viganò’s testimony also calls into question the 2001 decision to have Kühn at the Vatican in the first place. He recounts that sexually scandalous behavior by Kühn was known to the Vatican as early as 1997 when Kühn was a priest in the Nunciature in Zimbabwe. Viganò relates:
Msgr. Christoph Kühn began his service on July 1, 1997, in the Apostolic Nunciature in Zimbabwe. During this, his first assignment, the Nuncio, His Excellency Msgr. Peter Prabhu, had to report some of the behavior of his collaborator [Kühn] that could have indicated his possible homosexual tendency. The Nuncio reported in February 1998 that on returning from a pastoral visit of several days, he was told that Fr. Kühn was very sick and that he [Kühn] wanted to see him [Prabhu] immediately. The Nuncio went to his room and knocked on the door. Kühn told him [Prabhu] to come in and revealed himself lying in his bed wearing only very skimpy panties. The Nuncio told him to get dressed and went away. Afterward, Kühn went from his bedroom to his office dressed in the same way, despite the admonition he had received, and then went down to the common area of the Nunciature in that same undressed state. On another occasion during an encounter that lasted two hours in an Italian club, with the lights out as slides were projected, Fr. Kühn took a young blond boy about 9 or 10 years old and made him sit on top of him with his arms around the young boy.
In 2008, Kühn was moved by the Substitute then-Archbishop Fernando Filoni to Vienna to work in the nunciature (Vatican embassy).
Two sources close to Pope Benedict spoke anonymously to LifeSite about this matter, suggesting that Kühn was moved to Vienna because his scandalous sexual behavior (some believed to be consensual) became too well known. One said that the Pope moved Kühn knowing of the problems and even asked Cardinal Joachim Meisner, Archbishop of Cologne, to take Kühn into his diocese but Meisner refused. Another source stated: “When it became known that he [Kühn] had harassed various young men (among them also Kolfhaus), he was removed by Benedict XVI from the Vatican and sent to Vienna.” This source insisted, defending the Pope, that Benedict did personally intervene and that he punished Kühn two times by sending him into less important positions, first to Vienna (2008) and then to Eichstätt (2012), this time removing him from the diplomatic service.
Pope Benedict was the Roman Pontiff of the Catholic Church from 2005 until 2013.
Another source from Benedict’s circle however suggests that Benedict did not know of the matter and it was handled either by the then Secretary of State himself (now-Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone) or the then-Substitute (now-Cardinal Fernando Filoni).
LifeSite reached out to Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, via his personal secretary Archbishop Georg Gänswein, asking for comment, but did not receive a reply.
In the court files, currently with the State Attorney, a man who was employed in a high-ranking position by the diocese of Eichstätt sums up what he was told by higher-ups in the diocese concerning Kühn. He was warned to be “cautious” around Kühn “because of his somewhat difficult past.” When he asked for further information, both the finance director of the diocese and the Vicar General informed him that Kühn was known to have had some “unresolved encounters” during his station in Africa that were related to the “homosexuality of the prelate Kühn.” During his time in Vienna, they added, “it went so wild he was forbidden entrance into a hotel.”
According to this source, the Vicar General told him that the official reason for Kühn’s dismissal from Vienna was the “story with the hotel” as well as “additional non-consensual sexual contacts during his diplomatic stations.”
In the midst of this scandal in April 2011, Pope Benedict awarded Kühn a special designation as “Prelate of Honour of His Holiness,” a papal designation that often comes after a number of years of service in the diplomatic corps of the Vatican.
At the end of August 2012, Kühn was removed from the diplomatic service of the Vatican and was moved to his home diocese of Eichstätt in Germany where he was personally appointed Canon of the Cathedral by Bishop Gregor Hanke. That position, however, gained Kühn a much larger salary and notable position.
In April of 2019, accusations against Kühn were brought to the public by the German newspaper Die Bild. Only after this did Bishop Hanke of the Diocese of Eichstätt, who according to the Viganò testimony, had been informed of Kühn’s assaults previously, suspend Kühn from his duties. Kühn was also told only to celebrate private Masses; however, LifeSite found that in June of 2020, he celebrated a public Mass in the Diocese of Regensburg. Responding to a media request by LifeSite about this, the Diocese of Eichstätt merely pointed out that Kühn celebrated the Mass in a different diocese. The Diocese of Regensburg declined to comment.
LifeSite reached out to Monsignor Kühn with questions. In response, Kühn’s lawyer threatened a lawsuit should LifeSite report on the case. The response denied all charges and not only forbade reporting on the case but also further research into it.
Kühn publicly addressed the accusations for the first time in July 2020 after Italian Vaticanist Marco Tosatti published a translation of portions of a July 16, 2020, Die Bild article on the case on his blog. Kühn vehemently denied all charges. Moreover, Kühn claims that Kolfhaus’ lawyer Alexander Stevens is “a well known LGBTQ activist and supporter of the relative lifestyle and debauchery.”
Stevens told LifeSite Kühn’s accusation against him is false. “The prelate obviously doesn't hesitate to even discredit the victim's lawyer,” he wrote via email. “Here, in my opinion, Kuehn's strategy is once again exposed: to neutralize the enemy by deliberate untruths.”
Canon law (1395) insists that “a cleric who persists with scandal in another external sin against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue is to be punished by a suspension. If he persists in the delict after a warning, other penalties can gradually be added, including dismissal from the clerical state.” Canon law experts have told LifeSite that much of the problem leading to the Church sex abuse scandals has been the ignorance of and refusal to apply canon law.
Dr. Maike Hickson contributed to this report
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lifesitenews--2020-09-09--Pro-LGBT priest tells clergy to stop saying ‘voting for Joe Biden is a mortal sin’

PETITION : Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden !
Sign the petition here .
September 8 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A Jesuit priest , well known for his pro-LGBT activism and for his recent seamless garment litany benediction at last month ’ s Democratic National Convention , has told priests to stop claiming that a vote for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is a “ mortal sin.
” Fr .
James Martin , S.J .
told Newsweek Magazine that Catholics should care as much about the LGBT community , the poor , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m seeing more priests saying that voting for Joe Biden is a mortal sin .
It is not , ” insisted Martin in a series of tweets .
“ It is not a sin to vote for either Mr. Biden or Mr. Trump .
Nor is it a sin to be Democrat or Republican .
Listen instead to what the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops says in their helpful document Faithful Citizenship about the role of conscience.
” “ [ We ] bishops do not intend to tell Catholics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Our purpose is to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with God ’ s truth , ” said Martin , quoting the USCCB ’ s document , “ Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.
” “ We recognize that the responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience , and that participation goes well beyond casting a vote in a particular election.
” Perhaps more important than the USCCB ’ s official document is the series of videos the U.S. bishops produced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos being far more accessible and digestible to Catholics than the USCCB ’ s 60,000-word print output , the videos have barely been seen by American Catholics : seven months after their publication on YouTube , the videos have had on average about 7,400 views each , a drop in the bucket among America ’ s 70 million Catholics .
While the “ pre-eminence ” of abortion is maintained in the document , it is nowhere to be found in the videos .
Some might dismiss this as having been an oversight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the USCCB has chosen to let abortion fade as a top life issue while quietly embracing the view of a minority — but powerful — cadre of liberal prelates aligned with Pope Francis and papal nuncio Christophe Pierre .
While he doesn ’ t mention any names , Fr .
Martin ’ s warning seems to take dead aim at Fr .
James Altman ’ s video , “ You can not be Catholic and be a Democrat , ” which went viral , accumulating more than 360,000 views and still climbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Democratic Party , highlighting the hypocrisy of the Catholic hierarchy , clergy , and laity who support its “ platform.
” “ When politics and politicians act in an immoral way , we most certainly do have the duty and obligation to speak up about it , ” explained Altman , a priest of the Diocese of La Crosse , Wisconsin .
Fr .
Altman criticized Fr .
James Martin during his video , calling the Jesuit a “ hyper-confusion-spreading heretic .
” “ I guess it ’ s OK for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats on their national stage , but God forbid if a priest speaks out against their godless platform , ” declared Altman .
“ Fr .
Martin , do you accept the Church ’ s teaching on marriage and the whole concept of sexual sin ?
” asked Bishop Rick Stika of the Jesuit in a now-deleted tweet .
“ How about sex same marriages ?
Do you think they are sacramental ?
” continued Bishop Stika .
“ How about supporting Catholic families who believe in parental choice ?
Do you support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler , Texas has taken heat from liberal Catholic media after publicly supporting Fr .
Altman ’ s video .
“ As the Bishop of Tyler I endorse Fr Altman ’ s statement in this video , ” said Strickland .
“ My shame is that it has taken me so long , ” he continued .
“ Thank you Fr Altman for your COURAGE .
“ If you love Jesus & His Church & this nation ... please HEED THIS MESSAGE , ” Strickland urged his followers @

Fr. James Martin stated that Catholics should care as much about the LGBT community as they do about abortion.
PETITION: Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden! Sign the petition here.
September 8, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A Jesuit priest, well known for his pro-LGBT activism and for his recent seamless garment litany benediction at last month’s Democratic National Convention, has told priests to stop claiming that a vote for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is a “mortal sin.”
Fr. James Martin, S.J. told Newsweek Magazine that Catholics should care as much about the LGBT community, the poor, and the homeless as they do about abortion.
“I’m seeing more priests saying that voting for Joe Biden is a mortal sin. It is not,” insisted Martin in a series of tweets. “It is not a sin to vote for either Mr. Biden or Mr. Trump. Nor is it a sin to be Democrat or Republican. Listen instead to what the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops says in their helpful document Faithful Citizenship about the role of conscience.”
I'm seeing more priests saying that voting for @JoeBiden is a mortal sin. It is not. It is not a sin to vote for either Mr. Biden or Mr. Trump. Nor is it a sin to be Democrat or Republican. Listen to what the @USCCB says in “Faithful Citizenship” about the role of conscience… — James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) September 3, 2020
“[We] bishops do not intend to tell Catholics for whom or against whom to vote. Our purpose is to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with God’s truth,” said Martin, quoting the USCCB’s document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.” “We recognize that the responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience, and that participation goes well beyond casting a vote in a particular election.”
“We recognize that the responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience, and that participation goes well beyond casting a vote in a particular election.” — James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) September 3, 2020
Perhaps more important than the USCCB’s official document is the series of videos the U.S. bishops produced to complement their document. Despite the videos being far more accessible and digestible to Catholics than the USCCB’s 60,000-word print output, the videos have barely been seen by American Catholics: seven months after their publication on YouTube, the videos have had on average about 7,400 views each, a drop in the bucket among America’s 70 million Catholics.
While the “pre-eminence” of abortion is maintained in the document, it is nowhere to be found in the videos.
Some might dismiss this as having been an oversight, but the omission was a loud declaration that the USCCB has chosen to let abortion fade as a top life issue while quietly embracing the view of a minority — but powerful — cadre of liberal prelates aligned with Pope Francis and papal nuncio Christophe Pierre.
While he doesn’t mention any names, Fr. Martin’s warning seems to take dead aim at Fr. James Altman’s video, “You cannot be Catholic and be a Democrat,” which went viral, accumulating more than 360,000 views and still climbing.
The video is a powerful rebuke to the Democratic Party, highlighting the hypocrisy of the Catholic hierarchy, clergy, and laity who support its “platform.”
“When politics and politicians act in an immoral way, we most certainly do have the duty and obligation to speak up about it,” explained Altman, a priest of the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Fr. Altman criticized Fr. James Martin during his video, calling the Jesuit a “hyper-confusion-spreading heretic. ”
“I guess it’s OK for James Martin to spout off for the Democrats on their national stage, but God forbid if a priest speaks out against their godless platform,” declared Altman.
“Fr. Martin, do you accept the Church’s teaching on marriage and the whole concept of sexual sin?” asked Bishop Rick Stika of the Jesuit in a now-deleted tweet.
“How about sex same marriages? Do you think they are sacramental?” continued Bishop Stika. “How about supporting Catholic families who believe in parental choice? Do you support the Little Sisters of the Poor?”
Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas has taken heat from liberal Catholic media after publicly supporting Fr. Altman’s video.
“As the Bishop of Tyler I endorse Fr Altman’s statement in this video,” said Strickland.
“My shame is that it has taken me so long,” he continued. “Thank you Fr Altman for your COURAGE.
“If you love Jesus & His Church & this nation…please HEED THIS MESSAGE,” Strickland urged his followers.
As the Bishop of Tyler I endorse Fr Altman’s statement in this video. My shame is that it has taken me so long. Thank you Fr Altman for your COURAGE. If you love Jesus & His Church & this nation…pleases HEED THIS MESSAGE https://t.co/D413G0lfQV — Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) September 5, 2020
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lifesitenews--2020-09-09--Pope Francis’s new encyclical, due out October, to cover ‘human fraternity’

PETITION : Restore Catholic Mass for our Sailors !
Sign the petition here .
VATICAN CITY , September 8 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Pope Francis will promulgate a new encyclical on fraternity on October 3 .
The pontiff will sign the encyclical , entitled Fratelli tutti ( “ Brothers all ” ) , in the city of Assisi , the birthplace of Saint Francis , after celebrating a private Mass at the saint ’ s tomb .
According to the press office of the Holy See , the document will address “ fraternity and social friendship.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reference to a passage of a document St. Francis wrote for the brothers of his order .
In Admonition 6 , “ Of the Imitation of the Lord , ” the great saint asked his companions to “ consider the Good Shepherd ” : Let us all , brothers , consider the Good Shepherd who to save His sheep bore the suffering of the Cross .
The sheep of the Lord followed Him in tribulation and persecution and shame , in hunger and thirst , in infirmity and temptations and in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have received everlasting life from the Lord .
Wherefore it is a great shame for us , the servants of God , that , whereas the Saints have practised works , we should expect to receive honor and glory for reading and preaching the same .
This will be the third encyclical of Pope Francis ’ s pontificate .
Vatican News , an official news website of the Holy See , stated that “ fraternity ” is a “ central theme ” of the current pontificate .
“ On the evening of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 2013 , Pope Francis first greeted the world with the word ‘ brothers , ’ ” Vatican News accurately recalled .
“ The theme of fraternity is also present in his constant embrace of migrants , epitomized in his pastoral visit to Lampedusa [ in Sicily ] , ” it continued .
“ His signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019 marks one more example of Pope Francis ' dedication to promoting brotherly love.
” Pope Francis ’ s support for the illegal migration of Asians and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with many Italians , leading to a significant drop in his popularity in Italy : from an 88 % approval rating shortly after his election to 71 % in 2018 .
The pontiff ’ s signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi set orthodox theologians ’ teeth on edge , as the document claims that a “ pluralism and diversity ” of religions is “ willed by God.
” After a backlash from bishops and theologians who argued that this statement contradicts Church teaching , including the First Commandment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ permissive will ” had allowed other religions to proliferate .
More than one of Pope Francis ’ s critics have warned that the “ fraternity ” enshrined in the Abu Dhabi document more closely aligns with Freemasonry than with the Gospel .
Shortly after Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayeb signed the document , Professor Roberto de Mattei , the president of the Rome-based Lepanto Foundation , told LifeSiteNews that “ fraternity ” is a core value of the semi-secret society .
“ Fraternity is also a dogma of Freemasonry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offers a parody of Christian doctrine and liturgy , ” De Mattei wrote .
“ It is no coincidence that the Grand Lodge of Spain , with this tweet , thanked Pope Francis for his Message of December 25 , 2018 , ‘ Todos los masones del mundo se unen a la petición del Papa por ‘ la fraternidad entre personas de diversas religiones ’ ” [ “ All the Freemasons of the world join the Pope ’ s request for ‘ fraternity between people of different religions ’ ” ] .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s call for the “ triumph of universal fraternity among all human beings ” demonstrated a “ departure from the content of Humanum genus ( 1884 ) , the last great Catholic condemnation of Freemasonry.
” “ In reality Freemasonry continues to be condemned by the Church , even if the men of the Church , at the highest levels , seem to embrace its ideas , ” de Mattei wrote .
“ But the teaching of the divine Master continues to resound in faithful hearts : there love for one ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for God .
And without reference to the true God , who can only be loved within the Church ’ s Ark of Salvation , fraternity is only an empty word that conceals hatred of God and neighbor.
” Subsequent to the signing of the Abu Dhabi document , plans for the construction of a monument to “ human fraternity ” were announced .
The “ House of the Abrahamic Family ” will unite a Christian church , a Jewish synagogue , and an Islamic mosque in one architectural project .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismay .
“ In the garden of Abu-Dhabi the Temple of the World Syncretic Neo-Religion is about to arise with its anti-Christic dogmas .
Not even the most hopeful of the Freemasons would have imagined so much ! ''
the former papal nuncio wrote .
St. Francis of Assisi famously attempted to embrace martyrdom in the 13th century by preaching the Gospel to Muslims .
According to St. Bonaventure , the caliph of Egypt was so impressed by St. Francis ’ s bold attempt to convert him that he offered him “ many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused .
The encounter ended in a draw : St. Francis could not convert the caliph , and the caliph would not execute St. Francis — and so the poverello went back “ unto the regions of the faithful .
”

Entitled 'Fratelli tutti' (Brothers All), the subject matter has stoked alarm about Freemasonry among some Catholic commentators.
PETITION: Restore Catholic Mass for our Sailors! Sign the petition here.
VATICAN CITY, September 8, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Pope Francis will promulgate a new encyclical on fraternity on October 3.
The pontiff will sign the encyclical, entitled Fratelli tutti (“Brothers all”), in the city of Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis, after celebrating a private Mass at the saint’s tomb. According to the press office of the Holy See, the document will address “fraternity and social friendship.”
The official title of the document is apparently a reference to a passage of a document St. Francis wrote for the brothers of his order. In Admonition 6, “Of the Imitation of the Lord,” the great saint asked his companions to “consider the Good Shepherd”:
Let us all, brothers, consider the Good Shepherd who to save His sheep bore the suffering of the Cross. The sheep of the Lord followed Him in tribulation and persecution and shame, in hunger and thirst, in infirmity and temptations and in all other ways; and for these things they have received everlasting life from the Lord. Wherefore it is a great shame for us, the servants of God, that, whereas the Saints have practised works, we should expect to receive honor and glory for reading and preaching the same.
This will be the third encyclical of Pope Francis’s pontificate.
Vatican News, an official news website of the Holy See, stated that “fraternity” is a“central theme” of the current pontificate.
“On the evening of his election to the papacy on 13 March 2013, Pope Francis first greeted the world with the word ‘brothers,’” Vatican News accurately recalled.
“The theme of fraternity is also present in his constant embrace of migrants, epitomized in his pastoral visit to Lampedusa [in Sicily],” it continued.
“His signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019 marks one more example of Pope Francis’ dedication to promoting brotherly love.”
Pope Francis’s support for the illegal migration of Asians and Africans to Italy has not found favor with many Italians, leading to a significant drop in his popularity in Italy: from an 88% approval rating shortly after his election to 71% in 2018. The pontiff’s signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi set orthodox theologians’ teeth on edge, as the document claims that a “pluralism and diversity” of religions is “willed by God.” After a backlash from bishops and theologians who argued that this statement contradicts Church teaching, including the First Commandment, Pope Francis informally clarified that God’s “permissive will” had allowed other religions to proliferate.
More than one of Pope Francis’s critics have warned that the “fraternity” enshrined in the Abu Dhabi document more closely aligns with Freemasonry than with the Gospel. Shortly after Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayeb signed the document, Professor Roberto de Mattei, the president of the Rome-based Lepanto Foundation, told LifeSiteNews that “fraternity” is a core value of the semi-secret society.
“Fraternity is also a dogma of Freemasonry, which in its ideology and rituals offers a parody of Christian doctrine and liturgy,” De Mattei wrote.
“It is no coincidence that the Grand Lodge of Spain, with this tweet, thanked Pope Francis for his Message of December 25, 2018, ‘Todos los masones del mundo se unen a la petición del Papa por ‘la fraternidad entre personas de diversas religiones’” [“All the Freemasons of the world join the Pope’s request for ‘fraternity between people of different religions’”].
The Spanish Freemasons stated that Pope Francis’s call for the “triumph of universal fraternity among all human beings” demonstrated a “departure from the content of Humanum genus (1884), the last great Catholic condemnation of Freemasonry.”
“In reality Freemasonry continues to be condemned by the Church, even if the men of the Church, at the highest levels, seem to embrace its ideas,” de Mattei wrote.
“But the teaching of the divine Master continues to resound in faithful hearts: there love for one’s neighbor can only be based on love for God. And without reference to the true God, who can only be loved within the Church’s Ark of Salvation, fraternity is only an empty word that conceals hatred of God and neighbor.”
Subsequent to the signing of the Abu Dhabi document, plans for the construction of a monument to “human fraternity” were announced. The “House of the Abrahamic Family” will unite a Christian church, a Jewish synagogue, and an Islamic mosque in one architectural project. At the news, Archbishop Carlo Viganò expressed his dismay.
“In the garden of Abu-Dhabi the Temple of the World Syncretic Neo-Religion is about to arise with its anti-Christic dogmas. Not even the most hopeful of the Freemasons would have imagined so much!” the former papal nuncio wrote.
St. Francis of Assisi famously attempted to embrace martyrdom in the 13th century by preaching the Gospel to Muslims. According to St. Bonaventure, the caliph of Egypt was so impressed by St. Francis’s bold attempt to convert him that he offered him “many costly gifts,” which the saint refused. The encounter ended in a draw: St. Francis could not convert the caliph, and the caliph would not execute St. Francis — and so the poverello went back “unto the regions of the faithful.”
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lifesitenews--2020-09-08--Did California legislators just vote to protect (gay) adults who have sex with minors?

September 8 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) -- If there was one thing we could all agree on , you would think it would be this : Minors should be protected from sexually aggressive adults .
Yet , with a nod to “ equality ” under the law for the gay community , the California Assembly voted to lessen the potential penalty for 24-year-olds who have sex with children as young as 14 .
Shockingly – or should I say , revoltingly – this is one of two similar bills that have just been passed by these legislators .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Family Council , “ The California legislature finished its 2020 session on Monday by passing a controversial bill that reduces the penalties on some adults who have consensual sex with minors as young as 14 years of age.
” Why on earth would they pass something like this ?
Why would they want to potentially reduce these penalties ?
I understand that the sexual acts are allegedly “ consensual ” and that the difference in age can be no more than 10 years .
And I understand that some people end up having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not fit the bill .
But that ’ s the whole issue when it comes to children .
Can a child that young make a truly informed , consensual decision ?
And is not the adult required to take responsibility and not engage in sexual acts with a child , no matter how willing that child may be ?
Isn ’ t this the difference between adults and children under the law ?
Burt explains that “ Senate Bill 145 ’ s author , LGBT Caucus Leader Senator Scott Wiener ( D-San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary because current law is harsher if the crime involved homosexual sex between an adult and a minor as opposed to heterosexual sex .
All the Republicans and even some prominent and powerful Democrats did not buy that argument.
” As detailed by Equality California ( which celebrated the bill ) , “ Currently , for consensual yet illegal sexual relations between a teenager age 14 to 17 and a partner within 10 years of age , ‘ sexual intercourse ’ ( i.e.
, vaginal intercourse ) does not mandate that the offender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather , the judge has discretion to decide , based on the facts of the case , whether sex offender registration is warranted or unwarranted .
By contrast , for all other forms of intercourse — specifically , oral and anal intercourse — sex offender registration is mandated under all situations , with no judicial discretion.
” Gay activists thought this was unfair , sponsoring SB 145 , which allows the judge to have the same discretion with “ all other forms of intercourse.
” In other words , men who have gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punished any more strictly than men who have heterosexual sex with girls .
And this leads to two very serious ( and revealing ) questions .
First , why would we want to protect an adult who commits a sexual act with a minor as young as 14 ?
Second , how prevalent is adult-minor sex in the gay community ?
( For the answer to that question , see here .
Or just read more about the life of gay icon Harvey Milk .
Note also that I ’ m not talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” acts between adults and teens as young as 14 . )
The real focus should have been on the protection of the children rather than on lessening the penalty for certain sexual acts .
With that in mind , a bill could have been passed calling for equal penalties for any of these sex acts , be they “ heterosexual ” or “ homosexual ” acts .
Instead , gay activists pushed to lessen penalties for sexual acts even more common in the homosexual community .
How telling .
Among those opposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Any sex is sex , ” she said .
“ I do n't care who it is between or what sex act it is .
That being said , I can not in my mind as a mother understand how sex between a 24-year-old and a 14-year-old could ever be consensual , how it could ever NOT be a registerable offense.
” She continued , “ We should never give up on this idea that children are not , should be in any way subject to a predator .
And that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s more .
Burt reported that the Senate also passed “ AB 1145 , a bill to lower the mandated reporting requirements for some statutory rape cases .
The bill was sponsored by Equality California .
The bill was approved 25-10 , with the Republicans voting no.
” Is it any surprise that Equality California was elated about this bill as well ?
And does this not confirm what conservative activists have argued for years , namely , that many in the gay community want to lower the age of consent ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1972 Gay Rights Platform called for “ Repeal of all state laws governing the age of sexual consent.
” ) As Burt noted , “ This means high school teachers or counselors who know or suspect one of their 16-year-old students or counselees is having sex with a 20-year-old , they are no longer required to report it to authorities .
This bill is especially concerning in light of how many LGBT organizations are sponsoring social events between young teenagers and young adults .
See the following fliers for LGBT social events.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for years that many a young person got initiated into homosexual acts through their teachers and “ mentors.
” Now , California legislators have voted to protect the abusers .

Senate Bill 145 reduces the penalty for a 24-year-old having had sex with someone as young as age 14.
September 8, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — If there was one thing we could all agree on, you would think it would be this: Minors should be protected from sexually aggressive adults. Yet, with a nod to “equality” under the law for the gay community, the California Assembly voted to lessen the potential penalty for 24-year-olds who have sex with children as young as 14. Shockingly – or should I say, revoltingly – this is one of two similar bills that have just been passed by these legislators.
As explained by Greg Burt of the California Family Council, “The California legislature finished its 2020 session on Monday by passing a controversial bill that reduces the penalties on some adults who have consensual sex with minors as young as 14 years of age.”
Why on earth would they pass something like this? Why would they want to potentially reduce these penalties?
I understand that the sexual acts are allegedly “consensual” and that the difference in age can be no more than 10 years. And I understand that some people end up having to register as sex offenders who really do not fit the bill.
But that’s the whole issue when it comes to children. Can a child that young make a truly informed, consensual decision? And is not the adult required to take responsibility and not engage in sexual acts with a child, no matter how willing that child may be? Isn’t this the difference between adults and children under the law?
Burt explains that “Senate Bill 145’s author, LGBT Caucus Leader Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), said the bill was necessary because current law is harsher if the crime involved homosexual sex between an adult and a minor as opposed to heterosexual sex. All the Republicans and even some prominent and powerful Democrats did not buy that argument.”
As detailed by Equality California (which celebrated the bill), “Currently, for consensual yet illegal sexual relations between a teenager age 14 to 17 and a partner within 10 years of age, ‘sexual intercourse’ (i.e., vaginal intercourse) does not mandate that the offender go onto the sex offender registry; rather, the judge has discretion to decide, based on the facts of the case, whether sex offender registration is warranted or unwarranted. By contrast, for all other forms of intercourse — specifically, oral and anal intercourse — sex offender registration is mandated under all situations, with no judicial discretion.”
Gay activists thought this was unfair, sponsoring SB 145, which allows the judge to have the same discretion with “all other forms of intercourse.” In other words, men who have gay sex with boys shouldn’t be punished any more strictly than men who have heterosexual sex with girls.
And this leads to two very serious (and revealing) questions. First, why would we want to protect an adult who commits a sexual act with a minor as young as 14? Second, how prevalent is adult-minor sex in the gay community? (For the answer to that question, see here. Or just read more about the life of gay icon Harvey Milk. Note also that I’m not talking about pedophilia but rather so-called “consensual” acts between adults and teens as young as 14.)
The real focus should have been on the protection of the children rather than on lessening the penalty for certain sexual acts. With that in mind, a bill could have been passed calling for equal penalties for any of these sex acts, be they “heterosexual” or “homosexual” acts. Instead, gay activists pushed to lessen penalties for sexual acts even more common in the homosexual community. How telling.
Among those opposing the bill was Democrat Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez. “Any sex is sex,” she said. “I don't care who it is between or what sex act it is. That being said, I cannot in my mind as a mother understand how sex between a 24-year-old and a 14-year-old could ever be consensual, how it could ever NOT be a registerable offense.”
She continued, “We should never give up on this idea that children are not, should be in any way subject to a predator. And that is what it is.”
But there’s more. Burt reported that the Senate also passed “AB 1145, a bill to lower the mandated reporting requirements for some statutory rape cases. The bill was sponsored by Equality California. The bill was approved 25-10, with the Republicans voting no.”
Is it any surprise that Equality California was elated about this bill as well? And does this not confirm what conservative activists have argued for years, namely, that many in the gay community want to lower the age of consent? (Almost 50 years ago, the 1972 Gay Rights Platform called for “Repeal of all state laws governing the age of sexual consent.”)
As Burt noted, “This means high school teachers or counselors who know or suspect one of their 16-year-old students or counselees is having sex with a 20-year-old, they are no longer required to report it to authorities. This bill is especially concerning in light of how many LGBT organizations are sponsoring social events between young teenagers and young adults. See the following fliers for LGBT social events.”
Groups like Mass Resistance have pointed out for years that many a young person got initiated into homosexual acts through their teachers and “mentors.”
Now, California legislators have voted to protect the abusers.
Let the outcry begin.
Follow Michael Dr. Brown is the author of more than 35 books, including Our Hands Are Stained with Blood: The Tragic Story of the “Church” and the Jewish People, which has been translated into more than twelve languages, the highly acclaimed five-volume series, Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus, a commentary on Jeremiah (part of the revised edition of the Expositor’s Bible Commentary), and several books on revival and the Jesus revolution. His most recent book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test?
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lifesitenews--2020-09-08--Happy birthday Mary! ‘All generations shall call me blessed’

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

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here. In this episode, Mother Miriam talks about the Blessed Virgin Mary. You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page. Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live email updates here
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lifesitenews--2020-09-08--WATCH: Half-naked indigenous man invokes pagan spirits during dance at Australian deacon’s ordinatio

WATCH: Half-naked indigenous man invokes pagan spirits during dance at Australian deacon’s ordination

MILTON , New South Wales , Australia , September 8 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Pagan spirits were invoked via drumming , chanting , and a ritual dance by a man dressed savage-like prior to the ordination Mass of a married deacon in Australia .
Philip and Bee Butler sang , and Philip danced , a ritual they called a “ Welcome to Country ” before the August 28 evening Mass in St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Parish in Milton , NSW , Australia .
Beforehand Philip Butler stated that he and his wife are members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In an introduction to the aborigional ritual , Philip Butler said that he and his family were proud to welcome Justin Stanwix , the ordinand , into their community .
He said that their songs and his dance would ask a number of spirit birds and animals to “ look after us all and keep us safe while we ’ re in country.
” After the first song , Butler danced before the altar , singing and banging sticks or rattles together .
“ I asked for protection from the air , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he explained when he returned to the ambo .
“ And then that dance to call the spirits of all those animals to look after us all and keep up safe.
” Butler ’ s short speech was greeted with applause and followed by the entrance hymn , Australian Paul Mason ’ s “ The Power of the Spirit.
” During the Mass , Bishop Brian G. Mascord of the Diocese of Wollongong invited Butler to join him in purifying the congregation .
As the bishop sprinkled the faithful with holy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smoking basket of vegetation .
According to traditional Australian aboriginal beliefs , smoke from certain plants can drive away evil spirits .
The Mass was posted to Youtube , where a number of viewers expressed outrage .
“ Why oh why are the paganistic smoking/cleansing involved in a so-called Holy and Sanctified Church ; does not this Bishop believe in God nor His Holy Church ?
” asked a Fr .
Neivandt .
Bishop Mascord told LifeSiteNews via email that the “ Welcome to Country ” was not a religious ritual , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcoming visitors to the land of the Traditional Owners.
” “ It has been a part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures for tens of thousands of years .
The essential elements of welcoming visitors and offering safe passage remain in place to this day , ” Mascord wrote .
A ‘ Welcome to Country ’ occurs at the beginning of a formal event and can take many forms including singing , dancing , smoking ceremonies or a speech in traditional language and/or English , ” he continued .
The bishop added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI when they visited Australia .
“ The understanding of this ancient cultural ritual of hospitality is in keeping with the special care of hospitality enjoined on Christians ( cf .
Romans 12:13 ) , ” Mascord wrote .
“ This leads to and encourages the virtues of charity , fraternity and social friendship in people of every race and tongue , whose faith God alone knows.
” During St. John Paul II ’ s 1986 visit to Australia , he honored aboriginal culture and told Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is best ” of their traditional ways .
At the same time , he told them that Jesus Christ was calling them .
“ Jesus calls you to accept his words and his values into your own culture , ” he said in a speech well-known to Australian Catholics .
“ To develop in this way will make you more than ever truly Aboriginal.
” According to Australian Geographic , the “ Welcome to Country ” , which was indeed celebrated in the past when one aboriginal group wished to travel through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mainstream in Australia only since 1976 .
Performed at a Perth Arts festival at the request of a visiting Maori troupe , the concept was eagerly promoted by Australian tourism boards .
The “ Welcome to Country ” does not have to follow a prescribed set of words and changes from people to people and event to event .
Australian performer Dr. Richard Walley , describing what he did to placate the Maori visitors , stated that he invoked the “ good spirits ” of his and the visitors ancestors and the land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my ancestors and the good spirits of the ancestors of the land to watch over us and keep our guests safe while they ’ re in our Country .
And then I talked to the spirits of their ancestors , saying that we ’ re looking after them here and we will send them back to their Country , ” he explained .
In December 2019 , a Catholic youth festival organized by the Australian Catholic Bishops ’ Conference ( ACBC ) also began with a “ Welcome to Country ” ceremony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : “ May all the gods bless you and may all our spirits give you goosebumps , not just today but for the rest of your lives , and we know then we ’ re on the right path.
” Afterwards a Catholic commentator told LifeSiteNews that beginning a Catholic youth festival with a blessing from ‘ the gods ’ should be shocking but isn ’ t thanks to the appearance of the Andean “ Pachamama ” at the Vatican .
“ And it can hardly be a surprise when this festival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ which is really the most central and modern public ritual of the pagan , animist , and pantheistic religion practised before Christianity arrived in Australia , ” said Bernard Gaynor , a Catholic layman and prominent commentator .
“ We live in a time of crisis for the Church .
The youth need clear teaching and leadership .
Instead they are being encouraged to abandon the central tenets of the faith , ” he continued .
“ It really is a terrible scandal that this Catholic festival opened in the most anti-Catholic @ @ @ @

'I asked for protection from the air, the earth, and then the ocean,' the man said from the ambo after the dance. 'And then that dance to call the spirits of all those animals to look after us all and keep us safe.'
MILTON, New South Wales, Australia, September 8, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Pagan spirits were invoked via drumming, chanting, and a ritual dance prior to the ordination Mass of a married deacon in Australia.
Philip and Bee Butler sang, and Philip danced, a ritual they called a “Welcome to Country” before the August 28 evening Mass in St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Parish in Milton, NSW, Australia.
Beforehand Philip Butler stated that he and his wife are members of the Budawang people of the Yuin nation.
In an introduction to the aborigional ritual, Philip Butler said that he and his family were proud to welcome Justin Stanwix, the ordinand, into their community. He said that their songs and his dance would ask a number of spirit birds and animals to “look after us all and keep us safe while we’re in country.”
After the first song, Butler danced before the altar, singing and banging sticks or rattles together.
“I asked for protection from the air, the earth, and then the ocean,” he explained when he returned to the ambo.
“And then that dance to call the spirits of all those animals to look after us all and keep us safe.”
Butler’s short speech was greeted with applause and followed by the entrance hymn, Australian Paul Mason’s “The Power of the Spirit.”
During the Mass, Bishop Brian G. Mascord of the Diocese of Wollongong invited Butler to join him in purifying the congregation. As the bishop sprinkled the faithful with holy water, Butler followed him with a smoking basket of vegetation. According to traditional Australian aboriginal beliefs, smoke from certain plants can drive away evil spirits.
The Mass was posted to Youtube, where a number of viewers expressed outrage.
“Why oh why are the paganistic smoking/cleansing involved in a so-called Holy and Sanctified Church; does not this Bishop believe in God nor His Holy Church?” asked a Fr. Neivandt.
Bishop Mascord told LifeSiteNews via email that the “Welcome to Country” was not a religious ritual, but a cultural ritual of “respect and welcoming visitors to the land of the Traditional Owners.”
“It has been a part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures for tens of thousands of years. The essential elements of welcoming visitors and offering safe passage remain in place to this day,” Mascord wrote.
A ‘Welcome to Country’ occurs at the beginning of a formal event and can take many forms including singing, dancing, smoking ceremonies or a speech in traditional language and/or English,” he continued.
The bishop added that the ritual had greeted both Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI when they visited Australia.
“The understanding of this ancient cultural ritual of hospitality is in keeping with the special care of hospitality enjoined on Christians (cf. Romans 12:13),” Mascord wrote.
“This leads to and encourages the virtues of charity, fraternity and social friendship in people of every race and tongue, whose faith God alone knows.”
During St. John Paul II’s 1986 visit to Australia, he honored aboriginal culture and told Australia’s first peoples to keep “what is best” of their traditional ways. At the same time, he told them that Jesus Christ was calling them.
“Jesus calls you to accept his words and his values into your own culture,” he said in a speech well-known to Australian Catholics.
“To develop in this way will make you more than ever truly Aboriginal.”
According to Australian Geographic, the “Welcome to Country”, which was indeed celebrated in the past when one aboriginal group wished to travel through the lands of another, has been mainstream in Australia only since 1976. Performed at a Perth Arts festival at the request of a visiting Maori troupe, the concept was eagerly promoted by Australian tourism boards.
The “Welcome to Country” does not have to follow a prescribed set of words and changes from people to people and event to event. Australian performer Dr. Richard Walley, describing what he did to placate the Maori visitors, stated that he invoked the “good spirits” of his and the visitors ancestors and the land.
“I asked the good spirits of my ancestors and the good spirits of the ancestors of the land to watch over us and keep our guests safe while they’re in our Country. And then I talked to the spirits of their ancestors, saying that we’re looking after them here and we will send them back to their Country,” he explained.
In December 2019, a Catholic youth festival organized by the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ACBC) also began with a “Welcome to Country” ceremony. At its conclusion, the speaker said: “May all the gods bless you and may all our spirits give you goosebumps, not just today but for the rest of your lives, and we know then we’re on the right path.”
Afterwards a Catholic commentator told LifeSiteNews that beginning a Catholic youth festival with a blessing from ‘the gods’ should be shocking but isn’t thanks to the appearance of the Andean “Pachamama” at the Vatican.
“And it can hardly be a surprise when this festival started with a ‘Welcome to Country’ which is really the most central and modern public ritual of the pagan, animist, and pantheistic religion practised before Christianity arrived in Australia,” said Bernard Gaynor, a Catholic layman and prominent commentator.
“We live in a time of crisis for the Church. The youth need clear teaching and leadership. Instead they are being encouraged to abandon the central tenets of the faith,” he continued.
“It really is a terrible scandal that this Catholic festival opened in the most anti-Catholic way possible.”
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lifesitenews--2020-09-08--Bishop Strickland echoes priest: ‘You cannot be Catholic and be a Democrat’

TYLER , Texas , September 8 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Bishop Joseph Strickland on Saturday endorsed a video by Fr .
James Altman in which he argued no Catholic could vote for the Democrat Party in the upcoming election .
“ As the Bishop of Tyler I endorse Fr .
Altman ’ s statement in this video , ” the bishop wrote on Twitter .
“ My shame is that it has taken me so long .
Thank you Fr Altman for your COURAGE .
If you love Jesus & His Church & this nation ... pleases ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Altman , pastor of St. James the Less Catholic Church in La Crosse , Wisconsin , had exclaimed in the video , first released at the end of July , “ Here is a memo to clueless baptized Catholics : You can not be Catholic and be a Democrat .
Period !
” “ Their party platform absolutely is against everything the Catholic Church teaches , ” he said .
“ So just quit pretending that you ’ re Catholic and vote Democrat.
” He warned , “ Repent of your support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face the fires of hell.
” Regarding baptized Catholics who voted for Democrat candidates in the past , specifically President Barack Obama , Altman said , “ There were a lot of pretenders , a lot of impostors , a lot of people masquerading as Catholics , laity and clergy alike , ( but ) there were zero faithful Catholics who voted for that godless politician who had the audacity to blaspheme and say , ‘ God bless Planned Parenthood , ’ the most racist organization on the face of this planet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apart from Strickland , several other bishops have spoken out against the Democrat Party , especially its candidate for President , former senator and vice president Joe Biden , and running mate Sen. Kamala Harris .
Bishop Rick Stika of Knoxville , Tennessee , tweeted on September 1 , “ It really confuses me that both Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi time and time again state that they are faithful Catholics and yet promote unlimited abortion as well as deny so many of the teachings of our faith .
Nancy stated that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I guess they think it is OK to say they are faithful but yet support the ultimate child abuse and human rights violation of the death of the unborn , ” he added .
“ I hope someday her portrait will be removed from the Capital as she did of those who supported slavery .
No difference.
” Stika also asked , “ How can a person say they are a faithful Catholic and yet support those who support the ultimate child abuse and human rights violation of those yet born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and yet now we look at it with horror .
A child yet born is not the property of another.
” “ A child not yet born is a total human person that must be protected , ” he affirmed .
“ This nation will continue to decline if abortion continues .
Those who love life will never go away and will continue to fight .
The cause is just as it is the promotion of the dignity of the human person.
” Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence , Rhode Island , simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First time in awhile that the Democratic ticket hasn ’ t had a Catholic on it .
Sad.
” In May , and in view of the upcoming election in November , Bishop Strickland himself had issued a series of articles discussing what he called “ Morally Coherent Catholic Citizenship.
” “ In short , faith and life must come together for Catholics .
The full Deposit of Faith must be guarded -- and it must inform every area of our life , including our social and civic participation .
That includes our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quoted from a 2002 doctrinal note on “ The Participation of Catholics in Political Life , ” published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , which at the time was led by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger , who was to become Pope Benedict XVI .
“ The social doctrine of the Church is not an intrusion into the government of individual countries .
It is a question of the lay Catholic ’ s duty to be morally coherent , found within one ’ s conscience , which is one and indivisible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives in their existence : on the one hand , the so-called ‘ spiritual life , ’ with its values and demands ; and on the other , the so-called ‘ secular ’ life , that is , life in a family , at work , in social responsibilities , in the responsibilities of public life and in culture .
The branch , engrafted to the vine , which is Christ , bears its fruit in every sphere of existence and activity.
” Most fundamentally , Strickland emphasized that the right to life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the faithful in this diocese to realize that anyone who directly promotes abortion is not acceptable for leadership in our society , ” he wrote .
“ I realize that eliminates a vast number of potential leaders from our consideration as faithful Catholics , but we must hold firm and do all we can to only support political leaders who respect and protect the fundamental Right to life of the unborn .
And , they must listen to our voice.
” The bishop of Tyler , Texas , also talked about religious liberty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the family , as well as parental choice in education .
A five-part video series , covering the same issues , was subsequently released on YouTube .

‘My shame is that it has taken me so long,’ the Bishop of Tyler said.
TYLER, Texas, September 8, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Bishop Joseph Strickland on Saturday endorsed a video by Fr. James Altman in which he argued no Catholic could vote for the Democrat Party in the upcoming election.
“As the Bishop of Tyler I endorse Fr. Altman’s statement in this video,” the bishop wrote on Twitter. “My shame is that it has taken me so long. Thank you Fr Altman for your COURAGE. If you love Jesus & His Church & this nation…pleases (sic) HEED THIS MESSAGE.”
As the Bishop of Tyler I endorse Fr Altman’s statement in this video. My shame is that it has taken me so long. Thank you Fr Altman for your COURAGE. If you love Jesus & His Church & this nation…pleases HEED THIS MESSAGE https://t.co/D413G0lfQV — Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) September 5, 2020
Fr. Altman, pastor of St. James the Less Catholic Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin, had exclaimed in the video, first released at the end of July, “Here is a memo to clueless baptized Catholics: You can not be Catholic and be a Democrat. Period!”
“Their party platform absolutely is against everything the Catholic Church teaches,” he said. “So just quit pretending that you’re Catholic and vote Democrat.” He warned, “Repent of your support of that party and its platform or face the fires of hell.”
Regarding baptized Catholics who voted for Democrat candidates in the past, specifically President Barack Obama, Altman said, “There were a lot of pretenders, a lot of impostors, a lot of people masquerading as Catholics, laity and clergy alike, (but) there were zero faithful Catholics who voted for that godless politician who had the audacity to blaspheme and say, ‘God bless Planned Parenthood,’ the most racist organization on the face of this planet, founded to wipe out black babies.”
Apart from Strickland, several other bishops have spoken out against the Democrat Party, especially its candidate for President, former senator and vice president Joe Biden, and running mate Sen. Kamala Harris.
Bishop Rick Stika of Knoxville, Tennessee, tweeted on September 1, “It really confuses me that both Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi time and time again state that they are faithful Catholics and yet promote unlimited abortion as well as deny so many of the teachings of our faith. Nancy stated that she will no longer support the Hyde Amendment.”
“I guess they think it is OK to say they are faithful but yet support the ultimate child abuse and human rights violation of the death of the unborn,” he added. “I hope someday her portrait will be removed from the Capital as she did of those who supported slavery. No difference.”
Stika also asked, “How can a person say they are a faithful Catholic and yet support those who support the ultimate child abuse and human rights violation of those yet born? Slavery was legal at one time and yet now we look at it with horror. A child yet born is not the property of another.”
“A child not yet born is a total human person that must be protected,” he affirmed. “This nation will continue to decline if abortion continues. Those who love life will never go away and will continue to fight. The cause is just as it is the promotion of the dignity of the human person.”
Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island, simply commented in mid-August, “Biden-Harris. First time in awhile that the Democratic ticket hasn’t had a Catholic on it. Sad.”
In May, and in view of the upcoming election in November, Bishop Strickland himself had issued a series of articles discussing what he called “Morally Coherent Catholic Citizenship.”
“In short, faith and life must come together for Catholics. The full Deposit of Faith must be guarded — and it must inform every area of our life, including our social and civic participation. That includes our voting,” Strickland wrote.
He quoted from a 2002 doctrinal note on “The Participation of Catholics in Political Life,” published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which at the time was led by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was to become Pope Benedict XVI.
“The social doctrine of the Church is not an intrusion into the government of individual countries. It is a question of the lay Catholic’s duty to be morally coherent, found within one’s conscience, which is one and indivisible. There cannot be two parallel lives in their existence: on the one hand, the so-called ‘spiritual life,’ with its values and demands; and on the other, the so-called ‘secular’ life, that is, life in a family, at work, in social responsibilities, in the responsibilities of public life and in culture. The branch, engrafted to the vine, which is Christ, bears its fruit in every sphere of existence and activity.”
Most fundamentally, Strickland emphasized that the right to life is not negotiable.
“I urge the faithful in this diocese to realize that anyone who directly promotes abortion is not acceptable for leadership in our society,” he wrote. “I realize that eliminates a vast number of potential leaders from our consideration as faithful Catholics, but we must hold firm and do all we can to only support political leaders who respect and protect the fundamental Right to life of the unborn. And, they must listen to our voice.”
The bishop of Tyler, Texas, also talked about religious liberty, respect and protection for marriage and the family, as well as parental choice in education.
A five-part video series, covering the same issues, was subsequently released on YouTube.
Share