lifesitenews--2020-04-20--Harvard mag attacks homeschooling: Parents who choose it are ‘extreme religious ideologues’

CAMBRIDGE , Massachusetts , April 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― Parents are up in arms over an attack on homeschooling published in a Harvard magazine .
A conference at Harvard University ’ s Law School for people opposed to home education will take place in June .
“ The risks of homeschooling , ” written by Erin O ’ Donnell , is an interview with Elizabeth Bartholet , described as the “ Wasserstein public interest professor of law and faculty director of the [ Harvard ] Law School ’ s Child Advocacy Program.
” Bartholet is concerned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is practiced primarily by conservative Christians who wish to shield their children from “ mainstream culture.
” “ ...
Surveys of homeschoolers show that a majority of such [ homeschooling ] families ( by some estimates , up to 90 percent ) are driven by conservative Christian beliefs , and seek to remove their children from mainstream culture , ” O ’ Donnell wrote .
“ Bartholet notes that some of these parents are ‘ extreme religious ideologues ’ who question science and promote female subservience and white supremacy.
” Bartholet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman brought up in isolation by survivalists as evidence of the evils of homeschooling , believes that home education threatens American democracy .
“ From the beginning of compulsory education in this country , we have thought of the government as having some right to educate children so that they become active , productive participants in the larger society , ” Bartholet told O ’ Donnell .
“ But it ’ s also important that children grow up exposed to community values , social values , democratic values , ideas about nondiscrimination and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Bartholet believes that parents should not have an automatic right to homeschool their children but should have to prove their case to get “ permission to opt out of schools.
” Her views on homeschooling provoked ire in readers , some of whom observed that the pandemic means that more parents than ever are homeschooling .
Senator Ted Cruz , highlighting the article ’ s advocacy for a “ presumptive ban ” on homeschooling , said it was “ barbaric , myopic , and unconstitutional.
” Dr. Joseph Shaw of Oxford University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are fascist .
“ The assumption seems to be that the State owns children , and then lends them to parents to wash and feed , ” he said .
“ It is ironic that people with this view claim to be concerned about parents inculcating their children with right-wing ideology , since their own view comes straight out of Fascism.
” “ The elites are terrified that families are figuring out they can educate their own children at home , ” tweeted Corey A. Deangelis , director of school choice at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] says the burden of proof should be on parents to get permission to homeschool from the government , ” he continued .
“ She has it backwards .
Our children do n't belong to the government.
” Deangelis also brought attention to an “ invite-only anti-homeschooling conference ” to be held at Harvard Law School in June .
The “ Homeschooling Summit : Problems , Politics , and Prospects for Reform ” conference is sponsored by the Harvard Law School Child Advocacy Program , in cooperation with the Academy on Violence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abuse of Children , the Institute for Human Services , the New York Foundling , the William & Mary Bill of Rights Institute , and the Zero Abuse Project .
According to Harvard , it is scheduled to take place on June 18 and 19 , 2020 .
A blurb for the conference stated that it would “ convene leaders in education and child welfare policy , legislators and legislative staff , academics and policy advocates , to discuss child rights in connection with homeschooling in the United States.
” “ The focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and child maltreatment that too often occur under the guise of homeschooling , in a legal environment of minimal or no oversight .
Experts will lead conversations about the available empirical evidence , the current regulatory environment , proposals for legal reform , and strategies for effecting such reform.
” Speakers include Bartholet and Dr. James Dwyer of the William and Mary School of Law .
Dwyer is also opposed to Catholic and other Christian education .
In his 2001 book Religious Schools v. Children 's Rights , Dwyer argued that “ common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools may be damaging to children.
” Darren Johnes of the Home School Legal Defense Association , which is mentioned in the Harvard Magazine article , has suggested that the line-up of speakers looks “ fascinating.
” “ The summit looks like a fascinating line-up of speakers , and HSLDA would love to attend .
Alas , it ’ s invitation only , and the exact location is undisclosed , ” he wrote .
“ However , we know that many parents homeschool to protect their children from abuse , so if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website states you can contact Crisanne Hazen ( [ email protected ] ) or call 617-496-1684.
” Twitter-user Mark Bailey wrote that people like Bartholet inspired him to homeschool .
“ People like her [ are ] exactly one reason we homeschooled , ” he tweeted .
“ We didn ’ t want our kids to be raised by other kids or nut jobs with an agenda ... the result ?
Our kids act like adults , more so than most adults.
” Richard Bailey tweeted that the article had inspired him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ‘ evil ’ Home School Legal Defense Association after reading this , ” he wrote .
“ What she is politi-babbling about is the right of parents to raise their children away from her viewpoints.
” Melba Pearson , a homeschooler who graduated from Harvard with honors , wrote about her disappointment with the article on Medium .
“ This article is an attack on the fundamental rights and freedoms that make our country ( and until recently , institutions such as Harvard ) what they are , ” she stated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ already so inefficient and inadequate in so many areas , can care for and educate every child better than its parent is wrong.
” Another reader , writing in the Harvard magazine ’ s comments box , said that Bartholet ’ s take on homeschooling was “ fascinatingly out of date.
” “ I would urge the author and professors to do some research and homework and check their internal inconsistencies , ” said “ bdbaugus.
” He wrote that homeschool students “ do better academically , ” are more “ politically aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in the arts and politics , and are more likely to become entrepreneurs .
“ This is nothing more than a desire for government to extend its reach into the family and home , an area it has proved incompetent to manage as various public relief programs have destroyed families over the last 50 years , ” he declared .
Cait Blakely , aslo responding directly to the article , said , “ This article and others like it stun me and show a true lack of understanding of what homeschooling is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a one-sided , uninformed article on Havard 's website .
”

'The assumption seems to be that the State owns children, and then lends them to parents to wash and feed.'
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, April 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― Parents are up in arms over an attack on homeschooling published in a Harvard magazine.
A conference at Harvard University’s Law School for people opposed to home education will take place in June.
“The risks of homeschooling,” written by Erin O’Donnell, is an interview with Elizabeth Bartholet, described as the “Wasserstein public interest professor of law and faculty director of the [Harvard] Law School’s Child Advocacy Program.” Bartholet is concerned that home education is not regulated and that it is practiced primarily by conservative Christians who wish to shield their children from “mainstream culture.”
“…Surveys of homeschoolers show that a majority of such [homeschooling] families (by some estimates, up to 90 percent) are driven by conservative Christian beliefs, and seek to remove their children from mainstream culture,” O’Donnell wrote.
“Bartholet notes that some of these parents are ‘extreme religious ideologues’ who question science and promote female subservience and white supremacy.”
Bartholet, who pointed to a memoir of a woman brought up in isolation by survivalists as evidence of the evils of homeschooling, believes that home education threatens American democracy.
“From the beginning of compulsory education in this country, we have thought of the government as having some right to educate children so that they become active, productive participants in the larger society,” Bartholet told O’Donnell.
“But it’s also important that children grow up exposed to community values, social values, democratic values, ideas about nondiscrimination and tolerance of other people’s viewpoints.”
Bartholet believes that parents should not have an automatic right to homeschool their children but should have to prove their case to get “permission to opt out of schools.”
Her views on homeschooling provoked ire in readers, some of whom observed that the pandemic means that more parents than ever are homeschooling.
Senator Ted Cruz, highlighting the article’s advocacy for a “presumptive ban” on homeschooling, said it was “barbaric, myopic, and unconstitutional.”
Dr. Joseph Shaw of Oxford University told LifeSiteNews that the anti-homeschoolers’ assumptions are fascist.
“The assumption seems to be that the State owns children, and then lends them to parents to wash and feed,” he said.
“It is ironic that people with this view claim to be concerned about parents inculcating their children with right-wing ideology, since their own view comes straight out of Fascism.”
“The elites are terrified that families are figuring out they can educate their own children at home,” tweeted Corey A. Deangelis, director of school choice at the Reason Foundation.
“Elizabeth [Bartholet] says the burden of proof should be on parents to get permission to homeschool from the government,” he continued. “She has it backwards. Our children don't belong to the government.”
Deangelis also brought attention to an “invite-only anti-homeschooling conference” to be held at Harvard Law School in June.
The “Homeschooling Summit: Problems, Politics, and Prospects for Reform” conference is sponsored by the Harvard Law School Child Advocacy Program, in cooperation with the Academy on Violence and Abuse, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, the Institute for Human Services, the New York Foundling, the William & Mary Bill of Rights Institute, and the Zero Abuse Project.
According to Harvard, it is scheduled to take place on June 18 and 19, 2020.
A blurb for the conference stated that it would “convene leaders in education and child welfare policy, legislators and legislative staff, academics and policy advocates, to discuss child rights in connection with homeschooling in the United States.”
“The focus will be on problems of educational deprivation and child maltreatment that too often occur under the guise of homeschooling, in a legal environment of minimal or no oversight. Experts will lead conversations about the available empirical evidence, the current regulatory environment, proposals for legal reform, and strategies for effecting such reform.”
Speakers include Bartholet and Dr. James Dwyer of the William and Mary School of Law. Dwyer is also opposed to Catholic and other Christian education. In his 2001 book Religious Schools v. Children's Rights, Dwyer argued that “common pedagogical practices in fundamentalist Christian and Catholic schools may be damaging to children.”
Darren Johnes of the Home School Legal Defense Association, which is mentioned in the Harvard Magazine article, has suggested that the line-up of speakers looks “fascinating.”
“The summit looks like a fascinating line-up of speakers, and HSLDA would love to attend. Alas, it’s invitation only, and the exact location is undisclosed,” he wrote. “However, we know that many parents homeschool to protect their children from abuse, so if you have questions about the summit, the website states you can contact Crisanne Hazen ([email protected]) or call 617-496-1684.”
Twitter-user Mark Bailey wrote that people like Bartholet inspired him to homeschool.
“People like her [are] exactly one reason we homeschooled,” he tweeted.
“We didn’t want our kids to be raised by other kids or nut jobs with an agenda…the result? Our kids act like adults, more so than most adults.”
Richard Bailey tweeted that the article had inspired him to donate money.
“Just donated to the ‘evil’ Home School Legal Defense Association after reading this,” he wrote.
“What she is politi-babbling about is the right of parents to raise their children away from her viewpoints.”
Melba Pearson, a homeschooler who graduated from Harvard with honors, wrote about her disappointment with the article on Medium.
“This article is an attack on the fundamental rights and freedoms that make our country (and until recently, institutions such as Harvard) what they are,” she stated.
“The idea that a government, already so inefficient and inadequate in so many areas, can care for and educate every child better than its parent is wrong.”
Another reader, writing in the Harvard magazine’s comments box, said that Bartholet’s take on homeschooling was “fascinatingly out of date.”
“I would urge the author and professors to do some research and homework and check their internal inconsistencies,” said “bdbaugus.”
He wrote that homeschool students “do better academically,” are more “politically aware,” are more likely to be involved in the arts and politics, and are more likely to become entrepreneurs.
“This is nothing more than a desire for government to extend its reach into the family and home, an area it has proved incompetent to manage as various public relief programs have destroyed families over the last 50 years,” he declared.
Cait Blakely, aslo responding directly to the article, said, “This article and others like it stun me and show a true lack of understanding of what homeschooling is. It's sad to see such a one-sided, uninformed article on Havard's website.”
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lifesitenews--2020-04-20--Bishop questions closure of UK churches…meanwhile his churches remain locked

UNITED KINGDOM , April 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A Catholic bishop in England has questioned the wisdom of churches being closed during the ongoing nationwide lockdown throughout the United Kingdom .
Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth tweeted yesterday : “ On this Divine Mercy Sunday I wonder again about the closure of our churches for private prayer .
I know it ’ s an emergency and so temporary measures are needed .
But are we reversing the hierarchy of values , putting physical health above spiritual ?
Let ’ s pray we can reopen soon.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Masses before the lockdown came into force and according to their own statement played a crucial role themselves in convincing the government to require that churches be closed altogether .
The tweet received a mixed response from users of the social media platform .
One Twitter user endorsed the church closures , saying that the Church “ must lead the way in protecting life and saving lives ” and ” must also lead the way in lessening the burden on healthcare workers.
” Another user called on Egan to take action himself , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is your duty .
For God 's sake and ours do your duty !
!
!
!
” That tweet was followed up by the Twitter account of Rorate Caeli , the popular Catholic blog , which posted : “ This is quite obvious .
Send a note to the government announcing you will reopen the churches under your jurisdiction on Day ‘ D ’ and do it… ’ We ought to obey God rather than men.
’ ” Earlier this month the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales issued guidance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available by telephone , rather than attend to dying patients in person due to the “ escalation of the Coronavirus.
” LifeSite has written to Bishop Egan to ask if in light of his tweet he is planning to reopen his churches for private prayer .
No response was given by time of publication .

Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth wondered if bishops are 'reversing the hierarchy of values, putting physical health above spiritual?'
Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock Sign the petition here.
UNITED KINGDOM, April 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A Catholic bishop in England has questioned the wisdom of churches being closed during the ongoing nationwide lockdown throughout the United Kingdom.
Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth tweeted yesterday: “On this Divine Mercy Sunday I wonder again about the closure of our churches for private prayer. I know it’s an emergency and so temporary measures are needed. But are we reversing the hierarchy of values, putting physical health above spiritual? Let’s pray we can reopen soon.”
On this Divine Mercy Sunday I wonder again about the closure of our churches for private prayer. I know it’s an emergency and so temporary measures are needed. But are we reversing the hierarchy of values, putting physical health above spiritual? Let’s pray we can reopen soon. pic.twitter.com/ijmLBZNYRK — Bishop Philip Egan (@BishopEgan) April 19, 2020
The Catholic bishops prohibited the celebration of public Masses before the lockdown came into force and according to their own statement played a crucial role themselves in convincing the government to require that churches be closed altogether.
The tweet received a mixed response from users of the social media platform. One Twitter user endorsed the church closures, saying that the Church “must lead the way in protecting life and saving lives” and ”must also lead the way in lessening the burden on healthcare workers.”
Another user called on Egan to take action himself, saying: “Open our churches! It is your duty. For God's sake and ours do your duty!!!!”
That tweet was followed up by the Twitter account of Rorate Caeli, the popular Catholic blog, which posted: “This is quite obvious. Send a note to the government announcing you will reopen the churches under your jurisdiction on Day ‘D’ and do it…’We ought to obey God rather than men.’”
This is quite obvious. Send a note to the government announcing you will reopen the churches under your jurisdiction on Day “D” and do it. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” — Rorate Caeli (@RorateCaeli) April 19, 2020
Earlier this month the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales issued guidance to hospital chaplains suggesting that priests make themselves available by telephone, rather than attend to dying patients in person due to the “escalation of the Coronavirus.”
LifeSite has written to Bishop Egan to ask if in light of his tweet he is planning to reopen his churches for private prayer. No response was given by time of publication.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-20--WATCH: Young Austrian Catholics plead with bishops: ‘Please, give us back Holy Mass’

April 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A number of young Catholics in Austria have pleaded with their bishops to “ please , give us back Holy Mass.
” In a short video released Sunday , the young people are directly addressing the bishops , humbly asking to be able to go to Holy Mass again , which had been banned because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The young Catholics even suggested how they would help with practical issues of reopening churches while keeping people safe .
“ We want to support our shepherds and offer our help , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be there during the Mass to make sure nobody is less than six feet apart , ” another man added in the video , which has been released not only in the original German , but with English , Spanish , and French subtitles , as well .
The pews would be disinfected after each church service .
“ If there is a lack of resources , we will organize the masks , hand sanitizer , and gloves , ” a young woman offered .
Finally , the young people would provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of people signing up for each Mass .
“ Dear Austrian Bishops , ” the video started out , “ we know that this is a very difficult time , but we ask one thing .
Give us back Holy Mass !
” As in many other countries , only businesses deemed essential were allowed to stay open during the coronavirus pandemic .
At this point , other small businesses may again be open to the public , too .
The video asked , “ What could be more essential for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young woman reminded viewers of a story recently related by Pope Francis during one of his Masses that are streamed live every morning from his residence in the Vatican .
A bishop had told the Holy Father to be “ careful not to ‘ virtualize ’ the Church , not to ‘ virtualize ’ the Sacraments , not to ‘ virtualize ’ the People of God.
” “ The Church , the Sacraments , the People of God are concrete , ” the Pope said .
The video made by Austrian Catholics concludes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Please give us back Holy Mass !
” On March 11 , dioceses across Austria first dispensed Catholics from fulfilling their Sunday Mass obligation , “ should participation in Sunday services not be possible or advisable.
” Mass attendance , especially on Sundays , was made almost impossible by a government decree , which prohibited events indoors , if more than 100 people are present .
Similarly , only 500 people were allowed to congregate for events outdoors .
Many parishes in Austria have congregations that are a lot larger .
Cardinal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , announced , “ Within the Archdiocese of Vienna we accept the guidelines of the federal government regarding the coronavirus preventative measures .
They therefore apply to all forms of worship and church events.
” Parish priests , he added at the time , have to ensure that the measures are implemented locally .
The Archdiocese of Vienna said Holy Communion should not be received on the tongue , but in the hand .
Catholics in Austria were also told not to drink the consecrated wine from the chalice .
The use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign of peace should also be avoided .
A few days later , beginning March 16 , the Austrian bishops banned all Masses and other church services .
Funerals were ordered to take place with only very few people .
Requiem Masses had to be pushed back to a later date .
“ I am aware that these are serious measures that we do not take lightly , ” the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Vienna said .
“ All this is about protecting , above all , the group of old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk .
The measures are an expression of a properly understood Christian love of self and of neighbor.
” “ We as a Church do not stop being there for the worries and needs of people in a responsible way , praying for them and celebrating the Eucharist , especially in this difficult situation , ” he explained .
Even though small businesses are allowed to open again , the stay-at-home order is still in place .
“ Apart from emergencies , shopping , and the way to work , you may therefore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone or together with your housemates and keep at least one meter distance from other people , ” Austrian public television station ORF summarized .
There will be no events until the end of June , and school will resume only in mid-May , at the earliest .
Austrians are required to wear masks in stores and while using public transportation .
Austria has a population of just under nine million people .
470 of those have died from coronavirus .
Less than 15,000 had tested positive for it .
Like the young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the hierarchy had pointed out that Masses are as important as stores , and requirements of public health could be observed within church buildings .
“ Just as we are able to purchase food and medicine , while taking care not to spread the coronavirus in the process , so also we must be able to pray in our churches and chapels , receive the Sacraments , and engage in acts of public prayer and devotion , so that we know God ’ s closeness to us and remain close to Him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Cardinal Raymond Burke emphasized .
“ Without the help of God , we are indeed lost.
” Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò said , “ I understand and share the basic worries about safety and protection which the authorities require for public health .
However , just as they have the right to pass measures for things affecting our bodies , so the Church authorities have the right and the duty to worry about the health of our souls.
” “ They can not deny the faithful the spiritual sustenance they receive from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sacrament of Confession , Mass , and Viaticum , ” the former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States explained .
Bishop Athanasius Schneider stressed that as long as supermarkets are not closed , “ and as long as people have access to public transportation , one can not see a plausible reason for banning people from assisting at Holy Mass in a church .
One could guarantee in churches the same and even better hygienic protective measures .
For example , before each Mass one could disinfect the pews and doors , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their hands.
” “ Other similar measures could also be taken , ” the Bishop continued .
“ One could limit the number of participants and increase the frequency of Mass celebration .
”

The young Catholics suggested how they would help with practical issues of reopening churches while keeping people safe.
Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock Sign the petition here.
April 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A number of young Catholics in Austria have pleaded with their bishops to “please, give us back Holy Mass.”
In a short video released Sunday, the young people are directly addressing the bishops, humbly asking to be able to go to Holy Mass again, which had been banned because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The young Catholics even suggested how they would help with practical issues of reopening churches while keeping people safe. “We want to support our shepherds and offer our help,” one man said.
“We will be there during the Mass to make sure nobody is less than six feet apart,” another man added in the video, which has been released not only in the original German, but with English, Spanish, and French subtitles, as well.
The pews would be disinfected after each church service. “If there is a lack of resources, we will organize the masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves,” a young woman offered.
Finally, the young people would provide lists on Doodle, making sure of the number of people signing up for each Mass.
“Dear Austrian Bishops,” the video started out, “we know that this is a very difficult time, but we ask one thing. Give us back Holy Mass!”
As in many other countries, only businesses deemed essential were allowed to stay open during the coronavirus pandemic. At this point, other small businesses may again be open to the public, too. The video asked, “What could be more essential for us than Holy Mass?”
A young woman reminded viewers of a story recently related by Pope Francis during one of his Masses that are streamed live every morning from his residence in the Vatican. A bishop had told the Holy Father to be “careful not to ‘virtualize’ the Church, not to ‘virtualize’ the Sacraments, not to ‘virtualize’ the People of God.”
“The Church, the Sacraments, the People of God are concrete,” the Pope said.
The video made by Austrian Catholics concludes with everybody asking of the bishops, “Please give us back Holy Mass!”
On March 11, dioceses across Austria first dispensed Catholics from fulfilling their Sunday Mass obligation, “should participation in Sunday services not be possible or advisable.”
Mass attendance, especially on Sundays, was made almost impossible by a government decree, which prohibited events indoors, if more than 100 people are present. Similarly, only 500 people were allowed to congregate for events outdoors.
Many parishes in Austria have congregations that are a lot larger.
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, the Archbishop of Vienna, announced, “Within the Archdiocese of Vienna we accept the guidelines of the federal government regarding the coronavirus preventative measures. They therefore apply to all forms of worship and church events.”
Parish priests, he added at the time, have to ensure that the measures are implemented locally.
The Archdiocese of Vienna said Holy Communion should not be received on the tongue, but in the hand. Catholics in Austria were also told not to drink the consecrated wine from the chalice. The use of Holy Water and the practice of the sign of peace should also be avoided.
A few days later, beginning March 16, the Austrian bishops banned all Masses and other church services. Funerals were ordered to take place with only very few people. Requiem Masses had to be pushed back to a later date.
“I am aware that these are serious measures that we do not take lightly,” the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Vienna said. “All this is about protecting, above all, the group of old and sick people who are most at risk. The measures are an expression of a properly understood Christian love of self and of neighbor.”
“We as a Church do not stop being there for the worries and needs of people in a responsible way, praying for them and celebrating the Eucharist, especially in this difficult situation,” he explained.
Even though small businesses are allowed to open again, the stay-at-home order is still in place. “Apart from emergencies, shopping, and the way to work, you may therefore only move outside if you are traveling alone or together with your housemates and keep at least one meter distance from other people,” Austrian public television station ORF summarized.
There will be no events until the end of June, and school will resume only in mid-May, at the earliest. Austrians are required to wear masks in stores and while using public transportation.
Austria has a population of just under nine million people. 470 of those have died from coronavirus. Less than 15,000 had tested positive for it.
Like the young Catholics in the video, several members of the hierarchy had pointed out that Masses are as important as stores, and requirements of public health could be observed within church buildings.
“Just as we are able to purchase food and medicine, while taking care not to spread the coronavirus in the process, so also we must be able to pray in our churches and chapels, receive the Sacraments, and engage in acts of public prayer and devotion, so that we know God’s closeness to us and remain close to Him, fittingly calling upon His help,” Cardinal Raymond Burke emphasized. “Without the help of God, we are indeed lost.”
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò said, “I understand and share the basic worries about safety and protection which the authorities require for public health. However, just as they have the right to pass measures for things affecting our bodies, so the Church authorities have the right and the duty to worry about the health of our souls.”
“They cannot deny the faithful the spiritual sustenance they receive from the Eucharist, not to mention the Sacrament of Confession, Mass, and Viaticum,” the former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States explained.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider stressed that as long as supermarkets are not closed, “and as long as people have access to public transportation, one cannot see a plausible reason for banning people from assisting at Holy Mass in a church. One could guarantee in churches the same and even better hygienic protective measures. For example, before each Mass one could disinfect the pews and doors, and everyone who enters the church could disinfect their hands.”
“Other similar measures could also be taken,” the Bishop continued. “One could limit the number of participants and increase the frequency of Mass celebration.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-20--Catholic bishops, pro-life leaders: COVID-19 vaccines should be ‘free from any connection to abortio

Catholic bishops, pro-life leaders: COVID-19 vaccines should be ‘free from any connection to abortion’

PETITION : Pres .
Trump do n't give federal funds to COVID-19 vaccines made from aborted baby cells Sign the petition here .
UNITED STATES , April 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – U.S. Catholic bishops and pro-life leaders have sent an open letter to federal health authorities and the Trump administration calling for them to ensure that Americans will have access to coronavirus vaccines which are “ free from any connection to abortion.
” Sent on Friday , April 17 , the open letter was addressed to Stephen Hahn , the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump , Vice President Mike Pence , and Secretary of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) Alex Azar .
It was signed by Archbishop of Kansas City and U.S. bishops ’ head of pro-life activities Joseph Naumann , Bishop John Doerfler of Marquette , and Archbishop of Oklahoma City Paul Coakley , as well as pro-life leaders from around the United States .
The signatories thanked the FDA for its efforts to combat the coronavirus and expressed their support for “ efforts to develop an effective , safe , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” but insisted that “ fundamental moral principles ” be followed in the development of vaccines without exploiting human life .
The letter reads : The letter also draws attention to recent federal funding granted to a vaccine development project which is making use of cell lines from an aborted baby .
Last month Janssen Pharmaceuticals , Inc. ( Johnson & Johnson ) was granted more than $ 456 million in federal funding for their vaccine project using the PER C6 cell line , which comes from retinal tissue from an aborted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year the Trump administration removed funding from some projects using fetal tissue from recently aborted babies .
The administration also instituted a policy which had the effect of making it more difficult for projects which use human fetal tissue ( HFT ) from aborted babies to receive federal funding .
However , federal funding applications for projects using pre-existing cell lines which come from aborted babies were not impacted by the policy because the policy specifically excluded such cell lines from its definition of research involving HFT .
The letter also stresses that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have access to a vaccine that is produced ethically and that “ no American should be forced to choose between being vaccinated against this potentially deadly virus and violating his or her conscience.
” The authors of the letter point out that “ other vaccines such as those being developed by Sanofi Pasteur , Inovio , and the John Paul II Medical Research Institute utilize cell lines not connected to unethical procedures and methods.
” The vaccine referred to by the signatories as being developed by Sanofi Pasteur is now receiving federal funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Inovio says its project has been made possible thanks to “ generous funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations ( CEPI ) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
” Sanofi , which has received funding from the Gates Foundation for other projects , says of its work on the coronavirus vaccine that they are “ a part of a consortium of 15 healthcare companies alongside the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation working to identify concrete actions that will accelerate treatments , vaccines , and diagnostics.
” The signatories say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethically problematic cell lines to produce a COVID vaccine , or any vaccine , as other cell lines or processes that do not involve cells from abortions are available and are regularly being used to produce other vaccines.
” “ Commissioner Hahn , we urgently and respectfully implore you to not only ensure that Americans will have access to a COVID vaccine that is free of ethical concerns , but to encourage and incentivize pharmaceutical companies to use only ethical cell lines or processes for producing vaccines , ” the letter concludes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Commissioner U.S. Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Silver Spring , MD 20993-0002 As our nation works to defend itself from the deadly Coronavirus Disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ) , we write to express our gratitude to you and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for all of its efforts to combat the virus and to ask for your help to ensure that Americans will have access to vaccines that are free from any connection to abortion .
To be clear , we strongly support efforts to develop an effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as quickly as possible .
However , we also strongly urge our federal government to ensure that fundamental moral principles are followed in the development of such vaccines , most importantly , the principle that human life is sacred and should never be exploited .
We are aware that , among the dozens of vaccines currently in development , some are being produced using old cell lines that were created from the cells of aborted babies .
For example , Janssen Pharmaceuticals , Inc. has a substantial contract from the U.S. Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is working on a vaccine that is being produced using one of these ethically problematic cell lines .
Thankfully , other vaccines such as those being developed by Sanofi Pasteur , Inovio , and the John Paul II Medical Research Institute utilize cell lines not connected to unethical procedures and methods .
It is critically important that Americans have access to a vaccine that is produced ethically : no American should be forced to choose between being vaccinated against this potentially deadly virus and violating his or her conscience .
Fortunately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problematic cell lines to produce a COVID vaccine , or any vaccine , as other cell lines or processes that do not involve cells from abortions are available and are regularly being used to produce other vaccines .
Commissioner Hahn , we urgently and respectfully implore you to not only ensure that Americans will have access to a COVID vaccine that is free of ethical concerns , but to encourage and incentivize pharmaceutical companies to use only ethical cell lines or processes for producing vaccines .
Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann Archbishop of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee on Pro-Life Activities Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend Chairman , USCCB Committee on Doctrine Most Reverend John F. Doerfler Bishop of Marquette Chairman , USCCB Subcommittee on Healthcare Issues Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley Archbishop of Oklahoma City Chairman , USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development Debi Vinnedge President and Executive Director Children of God for Life

We 'strongly urge our federal government to ensure that fundamental moral principles are followed in the development of such vaccines,' they wrote.
PETITION: Pres. Trump don't give federal funds to COVID-19 vaccines made from aborted baby cells Sign the petition here.
UNITED STATES, April 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – U.S. Catholic bishops and pro-life leaders have sent an open letter to federal health authorities and the Trump administration calling for them to ensure that Americans will have access to coronavirus vaccines which are “free from any connection to abortion.”
The letter begins:
As our nation works to defend itself from the deadly Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), we write to express our gratitude to you and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for all of its efforts to combat the virus and to ask for your help to ensure that Americans will have access to vaccines that are free from any connection to abortion.
Sent on Friday, April 17, the open letter was addressed to Stephen Hahn, the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and copied to President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar. It was signed by Archbishop of Kansas City and U.S. bishops’ head of pro-life activities Joseph Naumann, Bishop John Doerfler of Marquette, and Archbishop of Oklahoma City Paul Coakley, as well as pro-life leaders from around the United States.
The signatories thanked the FDA for its efforts to combat the coronavirus and expressed their support for “efforts to develop an effective, safe, and widely available vaccine as quickly as possible,” but insisted that “fundamental moral principles” be followed in the development of vaccines without exploiting human life. The letter reads:
To be clear, we strongly support efforts to develop an effective, safe, and widely available vaccine as quickly as possible. However, we also strongly urge our federal government to ensure that fundamental moral principles are followed in the development of such vaccines, most importantly, the principle that human life is sacred and should never be exploited.
The letter also draws attention to recent federal funding granted to a vaccine development project which is making use of cell lines from an aborted baby. Last month Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson) was granted more than $456 million in federal funding for their vaccine project using the PER C6 cell line, which comes from retinal tissue from an aborted baby. The letter notes:
We are aware that, among the dozens of vaccines currently in development, some are being produced using old cell lines that were created from the cells of aborted babies. For example, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has a substantial contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is working on a vaccine that is being produced using one of these ethically problematic cell lines.
Last year the Trump administration removed funding from some projects using fetal tissue from recently aborted babies. The administration also instituted a policy which had the effect of making it more difficult for projects which use human fetal tissue (HFT) from aborted babies to receive federal funding. However, federal funding applications for projects using pre-existing cell lines which come from aborted babies were not impacted by the policy because the policy specifically excluded such cell lines from its definition of research involving HFT.
The letter also stresses that it is “critically important that Americans have access to a vaccine that is produced ethically and that “no American should be forced to choose between being vaccinated against this potentially deadly virus and violating his or her conscience.”
The authors of the letter say that “other vaccines such as those being developed by Sanofi Pasteur, Inovio, and the John Paul II Medical Research Institute utilize cell lines not connected to unethical procedures and methods.”
The vaccine referred to by the signatories as being developed by Sanofi Pasteur is now receiving federal funding of more than $30 million, while Inovio says its project has been made possible thanks to “generous funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.” Sanofi, which has received funding from the Gates Foundation for other projects, says of its work on the coronavirus vaccine that they are “a part of a consortium of 15 healthcare companies alongside the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation working to identify concrete actions that will accelerate treatments, vaccines, and diagnostics.”
The signatories say that “there is no need to use ethically problematic cell lines to produce a COVID vaccine, or any vaccine, as other cell lines or processes that do not involve cells from abortions are available and are regularly being used to produce other vaccines.”
“Commissioner Hahn, we urgently and respectfully implore you to not only ensure that Americans will have access to a COVID vaccine that is free of ethical concerns, but to encourage and incentivize pharmaceutical companies to use only ethical cell lines or processes for producing vaccines,” the letter concludes.
FULL TEXT OF LETTER AND SIGNATORIES
Friday, April 17, 2020
The Honorable Stephen M. Hahn, M.D. Commissioner
U.S. Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
Dear Commissioner Hahn,
As our nation works to defend itself from the deadly Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), we write to express our gratitude to you and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for all of its efforts to combat the virus and to ask for your help to ensure that Americans will have access to vaccines that are free from any connection to abortion.
To be clear, we strongly support efforts to develop an effective, safe, and widely available vaccine as quickly as possible. However, we also strongly urge our federal government to ensure that fundamental moral principles are followed in the development of such vaccines, most importantly, the principle that human life is sacred and should never be exploited.
We are aware that, among the dozens of vaccines currently in development, some are being produced using old cell lines that were created from the cells of aborted babies. For example, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has a substantial contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is working on a vaccine that is being produced using one of these ethically problematic cell lines. Thankfully, other vaccines such as those being developed by Sanofi Pasteur, Inovio, and the John Paul II Medical Research Institute utilize cell lines not connected to unethical procedures and methods.
It is critically important that Americans have access to a vaccine that is produced ethically: no American should be forced to choose between being vaccinated against this potentially deadly virus and violating his or her conscience. Fortunately, there is no need to use ethically problematic cell lines to produce a COVID vaccine, or any vaccine, as other cell lines or processes that do not involve cells from abortions are available and are regularly being used to produce other vaccines.
Commissioner Hahn, we urgently and respectfully implore you to not only ensure that Americans will have access to a COVID vaccine that is free of ethical concerns, but to encourage and incentivize pharmaceutical companies to use only ethical cell lines or processes for producing vaccines.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann
Archbishop of Kansas City, KS
Chairman, USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities
Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades
Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Chairman, USCCB Committee on Doctrine
Most Reverend John F. Doerfler
Bishop of Marquette
Chairman, USCCB Subcommittee on Healthcare Issues
Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley
Archbishop of Oklahoma City
Chairman, USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development
Joseph Meaney, Ph.D.
President
National Catholic Bioethics Center
Michael Parker, MD
President
Catholic Medical Association
Jeffrey Barrows, DO, MA,
Senior VP Bioethics and Public Policy
Christian Medical & Dental Associations
Donna J. Harrison MD
Executive Director
American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Michelle Cretella, MD
Executive Director
American College of Pediatricians
Marianne Linane, RN, MA
Director
National Association of Pro-Life Nurses
Ellen Gianoli, BSN, PHN, MA, RN
President
National Association of Catholic Nurses, U.S.A.
Alan Moy MD
Founder and Scientific Director
John Paul II Medical Research Institute
CEO of Cellular Engineering Technologies
Russell Moore
President
Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Debi Vinnedge
President and Executive Director
Children of God for Life
Jeanne Mancini
President
March for Life Education & Defense Fund
Tom Brejcha
President and Chief Counsel
Thomas More Society
Travis S. Weber, J.D., LL.M.
Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs
Family Research Council
Penny Young Nance
CEO and President
Concerned Women for America LAC
Michael P. Farris
President, CEO and General Counsel
Alliance Defending Freedom
Michael Vacca, J.D.
Christ Medicus Foundation
Bradley L. Hahn, J.D.
CEO
Solidarity HealthShare
Jonathan Imbody
Director
Freedom2Care
Kristan Hawkins
President
Students for Life of America
Lila Rose
President & Founder
Live Action
CC: President Donald J. Trump
Vice President Mike Pence
Alex M. Azar II, Secretary of Health and Human Services
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--If it’s OK to go out and buy beer or fast food, there’s no reason to keep churches closed

April 20 , 2020 ( Everyday for Life Canada ) – Canadian bishops should now be working to open churches again in Canada .
People must just take the necessary precautions about physical distancing .
But it 's time to return to celebrating the Mass and providing spiritual services to parishioners .
Look , we can go to buy groceries , pick up a bottle of wine or a case of beer and use the drive-through at McDonald 's , but we ca n't go to church .
Something does n't add up here .
We supported the original decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the parishes .
However , a month later we have much more information about the coronavirus as well what must be done to take the necessary safeguards .
This includes keeping our distance , avoid handshaking and even wearing a mask to stop the spread of the infection .
The Archdiocese has manged to get the word out on their website as to how the faithful can financially support the parish : `` At a time like this it can be uncomfortable to talk about giving .
Our primary concern is the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , these difficult circumstances show just how important the offertory is to the life of our parishes .
The reality is that our parishes rely on the support of their parishioners to operate – parish salaries , programs and ongoing operating costs ( heating , water , electricity , etc . )
are funded through the generosity of its parishioners .
It will be a challenge for a parish to maintain operations without the weekly offertory collection . ''
We realize the necessity of paying the bills .
But we also know the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-open .
After all , the government death services of abortion and euthanasia are available during the pandemic .
The message to parishioners goes on to say that `` they can continue to support their parish at this time : Drop off or mail your regular weekly offertory contribution to the parish office . ''
Electronic and credit card giving are also suggested .
Yes , we should support our parishes , but the bishops should be working to have the churches reopened , as well instructing parishes to have a some , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Let 's get some context .
As of April 14 , Canada had a total of 27,593 coronavirus cases , with 954 deaths and 8,592 people who got the virus and are now healthy again .
To put that number in perspective , Canada has nearly 2,000 abortions in just a week .
That 's almost 2,000 unborn babies killed .
And you do n't hear any politician , let alone PM Justin Trudeau , telling Canadians that we need to shut down the entire country .
In 2018 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was no lockdown .
In fact , those deaths are seldom reported .
Moreover , in 2018 , nearly 80,000 people died from cancer and life went on in a normal manner .
In 2018 , there 13,300 car accidents in Canada and some 1,800 died , but transport Canada did n't call for all roads to be closed or the entire nation .
One last statistic to put the coronavirus in a balanced context .
In 2018 , about 3,811 ( the number is probably higher ) died by suicide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring the whole economy to a halt to address the crisis or the PM Trudeau doing daily briefings about the deaths .
Please do not misunderstand .
We know very well that we need to be cautious and one death from the virus is one death too many .
However , we also know that death is part of daily life .
We should always protect life and do all that we can to defend and keep people safe and healthy .
Nevertheless , the time has come to look at reopening churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Otherwise , the damage done by this shut down will do much harm and destroy many more lives than the coronavirus has taken .
Canadian bishops should now see how they can reopen churches across Canada .

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock Sign the petition here.
April 20, 2020 (Everyday for Life Canada) – Canadian bishops should now be working to open churches again in Canada. People must just take the necessary precautions about physical distancing. But it's time to return to celebrating the Mass and providing spiritual services to parishioners.
Look, we can go to buy groceries, pick up a bottle of wine or a case of beer and use the drive-through at McDonald's, but we can't go to church. Something doesn't add up here. We supported the original decision by the Archdiocese of Toronto to close the parishes. However, a month later we have much more information about the coronavirus as well what must be done to take the necessary safeguards. This includes keeping our distance, avoid handshaking and even wearing a mask to stop the spread of the infection.
The Archdiocese has manged to get the word out on their website as to how the faithful can financially support the parish: “At a time like this it can be uncomfortable to talk about giving. Our primary concern is the health and well-being of our parishioners. However, these difficult circumstances show just how important the offertory is to the life of our parishes. The reality is that our parishes rely on the support of their parishioners to operate – parish salaries, programs and ongoing operating costs (heating, water, electricity, etc.) are funded through the generosity of its parishioners. It will be a challenge for a parish to maintain operations without the weekly offertory collection.” We realize the necessity of paying the bills. But we also know the importance of the house of God to re-open. After all, the government death services of abortion and euthanasia are available during the pandemic.
The message to parishioners goes on to say that “they can continue to support their parish at this time: Drop off or mail your regular weekly offertory contribution to the parish office.” Electronic and credit card giving are also suggested. Yes, we should support our parishes, but the bishops should be working to have the churches reopened, as well instructing parishes to have a some, even minimal, presence online during the pandemic.
Let's get some context. As of April 14, Canada had a total of 27,593 coronavirus cases, with 954 deaths and 8,592 people who got the virus and are now healthy again. To put that number in perspective, Canada has nearly 2,000 abortions in just a week. That's almost 2,000 unborn babies killed. And you don't hear any politician, let alone PM Justin Trudeau, telling Canadians that we need to shut down the entire country. In 2018, the influenza and pneumonia killed 8,511 Canadians. There was no lockdown. In fact, those deaths are seldom reported. Moreover, in 2018, nearly 80,000 people died from cancer and life went on in a normal manner.
In 2018, there 13,300 car accidents in Canada and some 1,800 died, but transport Canada didn't call for all roads to be closed or the entire nation. One last statistic to put the coronavirus in a balanced context. In 2018, about 3,811 (the number is probably higher) died by suicide. There was no national emergency call to bring the whole economy to a halt to address the crisis or the PM Trudeau doing daily briefings about the deaths. Please do not misunderstand. We know very well that we need to be cautious and one death from the virus is one death too many. However, we also know that death is part of daily life. We should always protect life and do all that we can to defend and keep people safe and healthy. Nevertheless, the time has come to look at reopening churches and other segments of our economy. Otherwise, the damage done by this shut down will do much harm and destroy many more lives than the coronavirus has taken. Canadian bishops should now see how they can reopen churches across Canada.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--CNN’s Lemon slams pastor killed by coronavirus: ‘Let that be a lesson’ to faithful

April 20 , 2020 ( NewsBusters ) – CNN Tonight host Don Lemon showed off how bitter and heartless he could be during last Wednesday ’ s handoff from PrimeTime host Chris Cuomo .
The same day The Washington Post disgustingly mocked the death of a Virginia pastor due to the coronavirus , Lemon decided he needed to get his kicks in as well .
According to Lemon , his death should be a “ lesson ” for those who believed “ God is larger than this dreaded virus , ” as the pastor said .
Shortly before to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glenn ’ s daughter , Mar-Gerie Crawley , to see what kind of man he was and to set the record straight on what he thought of the virus .
Crawley explained that her father did take the virus seriously , enforced social distancing , and provided hand sanitizer to his parishioners .
She also explained that because the information was changing so rapidly in the early days of the outbreak , things got confusing .
Those facts were thrown out since Lemon had his sights set on scolding the faithful .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bishop ’ s family , Lemon needed to make sure his viewers knew he was dunking on a dead man and people of faith : But let that be a lesson that you can have faith , but you also have to heed the warnings of the authorities and the people who -- and the experts .
And so , I think that should be a lesson to people who are trying to gather , whether it 's 10 or more people in places that you should n't do it .
And God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praise him and glorify him and raise his name , but at this moment in our history , at this time , it 's better if you do that at a distance , socially distant .
And that means at home or whether it 's streaming or whatever , that you should n't be doing it .
He reiterated that his “ heart goes out to that family … but that should be a lesson to everybody out there who is trying to defy the authorities who are saying do n't do it.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the man whose daughter he just spoke to .
He said he didn ’ t think the Bishop was a “ floater ” of warnings but suggested , “ there are too many who have had doubt with not good enough a reason all over this country , and it continues.
” He used that as a springboard to launch into a discussion about how he was “ scared to death ” by the idea Trump would direct portions of the country to reopen .
“ And you should be , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not have the testing capabilities down .
We will not be safe in any of these places if we ca n't trace and treat and test .
But when they say to wear a mask , people are going to get frustrated , ” Cuomo added .
“ When they say wait in these lines , people are going to get frustrated and we 're going to have problems until we learn to adjust to the new normal.
” It ’ s worth noting that CNN ( Cuomo included ) spent much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the country would be in some form of lockdown until 2022 .
So , would Lemon demand no church services for two years ?
The transcript is below : DON LEMON : Can I just talk about your last guest , just for a moment ?
My heart goes out to their entire family .
Because it has hit their family .
And you know how it is when it hits a family .
Luckily , your family at this moment better off , and it 's going to stay that way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let that be a lesson that you can have faith , but you also have to heed the warnings of the authorities and the people who -- and the experts .
And so , I think that should be a lesson to people who are trying to gather , whether it 's ten or more people in places that you should n't do it .
And God loves you .
God wants you to praise him and glorify him and raise his name , but at this moment in our history , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you do that at a distance , socially distant .
And that means at home or whether it 's streaming or whatever , that you should n't be doing it .
So , I just say my heart goes out to that family .
Bless them , but they should be a lesson to everybody out there who is trying to defy the authorities who are saying do n't do it .
CHRIS CUOMO : It 's a big loss to the community .
Mar-Gerie and the family are telling people listen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CUOMO : I do n't think the guy was a floater .
I think that there was doubt and there are too many who have had doubt with not good enough a reason all over this country , and it continues .
And now we 'll see it , Don , when we go to the next step of what it 's like to re-open , which I 'm scared to death about .
LEMON : And you should be .
CUOMO : Because we do not have the testing capabilities down .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these places if we ca n't trace and treat and test .
But when they say to wear a mask , people are going to get frustrated .
CUOMO : When they say wait in these lines , people are going to get frustrated and we 're going to have problems until we learn to adjust to the new normal .
LEMON : Yeah .
And we do n't know what that new normal is going to be .
Chris , take care of yourself .
Take care of your family .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ LEMON : Love you as well .

The bishop's death, the host said, is a lesson for those who believe 'God is larger than this dreaded virus.'
Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock Sign the petition here.
April 20, 2020 (NewsBusters) – CNN Tonight host Don Lemon showed off how bitter and heartless he could be during last Wednesday’s handoff from PrimeTime host Chris Cuomo. The same day The Washington Post disgustingly mocked the death of a Virginia pastor due to the coronavirus, Lemon decided he needed to get his kicks in as well. According to Lemon, his death should be a “lesson” for those who believed “God is larger than this dreaded virus,” as the pastor said.
Shortly before to the handoff, Cuomo had interviewed Bishop Gerald Glenn’s daughter, Mar-Gerie Crawley, to see what kind of man he was and to set the record straight on what he thought of the virus. Crawley explained that her father did take the virus seriously, enforced social distancing, and provided hand sanitizer to his parishioners. She also explained that because the information was changing so rapidly in the early days of the outbreak, things got confusing.
Those facts were thrown out since Lemon had his sights set on scolding the faithful.
Despite saying his heart went out to the Bishop’s family, Lemon needed to make sure his viewers knew he was dunking on a dead man and people of faith:
But let that be a lesson that you can have faith, but you also have to heed the warnings of the authorities and the people who — and the experts. And so, I think that should be a lesson to people who are trying to gather, whether it's 10 or more people in places that you shouldn't do it. And God loves you. God wants you to praise him and glorify him and raise his name, but at this moment in our history, at this time, it's better if you do that at a distance, socially distant. And that means at home or whether it's streaming or whatever, that you shouldn't be doing it.
He reiterated that his “heart goes out to that family … but that should be a lesson to everybody out there who is trying to defy the authorities who are saying don't do it.”
Cuomo responded with a weak defense of the man whose daughter he just spoke to. He said he didn’t think the Bishop was a “floater” of warnings but suggested, “there are too many who have had doubt with not good enough a reason all over this country, and it continues.”
He used that as a springboard to launch into a discussion about how he was “scared to death” by the idea Trump would direct portions of the country to reopen. “And you should be,” Lemon piled on.
“Because we do not have the testing capabilities down. We will not be safe in any of these places if we can't trace and treat and test. But when they say to wear a mask, people are going to get frustrated,” Cuomo added. “When they say wait in these lines, people are going to get frustrated and we're going to have problems until we learn to adjust to the new normal.”
It’s worth noting that CNN (Cuomo included) spent much of Tuesday pushing a doomsday scenario that said the country would be in some form of lockdown until 2022. So, would Lemon demand no church services for two years?
The transcript is below:
CNN Tonight
April 15, 2020
10:01:58 p.m. Eastern
DON LEMON: Can I just talk about your last guest, just for a moment? My heart goes out to their entire family. Because it has hit their family. And you know how it is when it hits a family. Luckily, your family at this moment better off, and it's going to stay that way, we know it will.
But let that be a lesson that you can have faith, but you also have to heed the warnings of the authorities and the people who — and the experts. And so, I think that should be a lesson to people who are trying to gather, whether it's ten or more people in places that you shouldn't do it.
And God loves you. God wants you to praise him and glorify him and raise his name, but at this moment in our history, at this time, it's better if you do that at a distance, socially distant. And that means at home or whether it's streaming or whatever, that you shouldn't be doing it.
So, I just say my heart goes out to that family. Bless them, but they should be a lesson to everybody out there who is trying to defy the authorities who are saying don't do it.
CHRIS CUOMO: It's a big loss to the community. Mar-Gerie and the family are telling people listen to the warnings, heed the warnings.
LEMON: Yep.
CUOMO: I don't think the guy was a floater. I think that there was doubt and there are too many who have had doubt with not good enough a reason all over this country, and it continues. And now we'll see it, Don, when we go to the next step of what it's like to re-open, which I'm scared to death about.
LEMON: And you should be.
CUOMO: Because we do not have the testing capabilities down. We will not be safe in any of these places if we can't trace and treat and test. But when they say to wear a mask, people are going to get frustrated.
LEMON: Yeah.
CUOMO: When they say wait in these lines, people are going to get frustrated and we're going to have problems until we learn to adjust to the new normal.
LEMON: Yeah. And we don't know what that new normal is going to be. Chris, take care of yourself. Take care of your family. We’ll see you tomorrow.
CUOMO: Love you.
LEMON: Love you as well.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-22--Scott Hahn on whether COVID-19 is punishment from God

April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Today on my podcast I had the great pleasure of speaking with Dr. Scott Hahn about his newest book , “ Hope to Die : The Christian Meaning of Death and the Resurrection of the Body.
” It ’ s an amazing exploration of what the Catholic faith teaches on the meaning of death and on our eventual resurrection .
Dr. Hahn is known all over the world for his penetrating lectures , 40+ books , and his influential evangelizing efforts .
He told me today that the release of “ Hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began thinking about way back in 2013 — was “ divine timing ” given the COVID-19 outbreak .
“ I called the printer and said , ‘ stop the presses !
I need to rewrite that last chapter !
’ So…I basically rewrote the last chapter in light of this crisis that we 're all kind of living through.
” “ You know , it ’ s strangely blessed and eerie for us , ” he remarked .
“ For me and for my family , it was the lengthiest Lent I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eerie time.
” “ But now that we 're on the other side of Easter , I am really chomping at the bit to see the Mystical Body of Christ come out of this tomb , come out of this crisis , and to rediscover the glory of the Gospel.
” I asked Dr. Hahn what his thoughts were on the coronavirus ’ impact on our churches closing and on laity not being able to access the sacraments .
“ We were all caught off guard [ by this virus ] and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our priests or our bishops , ” he explained .
“ And so we ought to avoid any kind of congregating that would put people at risk.
” “ At the same time , ” he added , “ I ’ m a father and I long to not only provide for my kids , but to feed them , to protect them , but to make sure that they 're fed .
And so for me to not have the Holy Eucharist through most of Lent and now through the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I do wish that our spiritual fathers are priests could be more creative in imagining ways to dispense the sacraments instead of simply shutting the doors .
I 'm not in a position to judge them , you know .
That is not my role .
That 's way beyond my pay grade .
But at the same time , as a son of God and as a brother in God 's family , I can ask our Father in heaven to give to our shepherds a greater energy to creatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spite of everything.
” Dr. Hahn has two sons in the seminary studying to be priests for the Diocese of Steubenville .
He said that he hopes this crisis is not only a “ wakeup call to see what all of us have at times taken for granted ” but that Catholics will “ seize the opportunity and re-appropriate the sacred mysteries.
” “ It 's forcing us to recognize not only the inevitability of our suffering and death , but there is also a sense in which we can recognize what God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ We have such an inordinate fear of suffering and dying .
And that 's understandable .
But at the same time…there 's another life that is not merely human and natural , but divine and supernatural .
And that is n't less valuable , but infinitely more valuable.
” Dr. Hahn and I also discussed whether or not COVID-19 is a sort of punishment from God .
“ Well , you know , when people ask , ‘ Is this a divine punishment ?
’ …that ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicated question .
You know , I would say , ‘ Is God getting even with us ?
Is God getting back at us ?
’ No .
God is trying to get us back to Himself .
That 's the purpose of punishment .
So is this a punishment ?
Well , yeah .
And why ?
Because we have sinned.
” “ We 've got to see that God is a loving father .
But , I tried to be that , too , with my six kids .
And so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't punish the neighbor 's kids — even when it was more their fault .
I punished my kids , but I did n't punish them because I stopped loving them or I started loving them less and less .
No , I punished my kids because they 're my kids and because I love them.
” “ So does God punish us ?
Yes , but it 's restorative .
It 's redemptive .
It purifies us…God ’ s mercy is when God gives us what we need .
Whether it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earthquake or a volcano , or a cop pulling us over and giving us a DUI when we are finally forced to accept responsibility for all of our misused freedom .
That is not wrath .
That is mercy .
That is love .
And it usually comes wrapped in what feels like a punishment.
” The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show ’ s YouTube channel and right here on my LifeSite blog .
It is also available in audio format on platforms such as Spotify , Soundcloud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval for iTunes and Google Play as well .
To subscribe to the audio version on various channels , visit the ACast webpage here .
We ’ ve created a special email list for the show so that we can notify you every week when we post a new episode .
Please sign up now by clicking here .
You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel , and you ’ ll be notified by YouTube when there is new content .
You can send me feedback , or ideas for show topics @ @ @ @ @ @ @

April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Today on my podcast I had the great pleasure of speaking with Dr. Scott Hahn about his newest book, “Hope to Die: The Christian Meaning of Death and the Resurrection of the Body.” It’s an amazing exploration of what the Catholic faith teaches on the meaning of death and on our eventual resurrection.
Dr. Hahn is known all over the world for his penetrating lectures, 40+ books, and his influential evangelizing efforts. He told me today that the release of “Hope to Die” was “divine timing” given the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I called the printer and said, ‘stop the presses! I need to rewrite that last chapter!’ So…I basically rewrote the last chapter in light of this crisis that we're all kind of living through.”
“You know, it’s strangely blessed and eerie for us,” he remarked. “For me and for my family, it was the lengthiest Lent I have ever known — a strangely blessed and eerie time.”
“But now that we're on the other side of Easter, I am really chomping at the bit to see the Mystical Body of Christ come out of this tomb, come out of this crisis, and to rediscover the glory of the Gospel.”
I asked Dr. Hahn what his thoughts were on the coronavirus’ impact on our churches closing and on laity not being able to access the sacraments.
“We were all caught off guard [by this virus] and we don't want to jeopardize the lives of our priests or our bishops,” he explained. “And so we ought to avoid any kind of congregating that would put people at risk.”
“At the same time,” he added, “I’m a father and I long to not only provide for my kids, but to feed them, to protect them, but to make sure that they're fed. And so for me to not have the Holy Eucharist through most of Lent and now through the beginning of Easter is not an easy thing.”
“I do wish that our spiritual fathers, our priests, could be more creative in imagining ways to dispense the sacraments instead of simply shutting the doors. I'm not in a position to judge them, you know. That is not my role. That's way beyond my pay grade. But, at the same time, as a son of God and as a brother in God's family, I can ask our Father in heaven to give to our shepherds a greater energy to creatively imagine ways to feed the sheep in spite of everything.”
Dr. Hahn has two sons in the seminary studying to be priests for the Diocese of Steubenville. He said that he hopes this crisis is not only a “wakeup call to see what all of us have at times taken for granted” but that Catholics will “seize the opportunity and re-appropriate the sacred mysteries.”
“It's forcing us to recognize not only the inevitability of our suffering and death, but there is also a sense in which we can recognize what God wants to do with it,” he said.
“We have such an inordinate fear of suffering and dying. And that's understandable. But at the same time…there's another life that is not merely human and natural, but divine and supernatural. And that isn't less valuable, but infinitely more valuable.”
Dr. Hahn and I also discussed whether or not COVID-19 is a sort of punishment from God.
“Well, you know, when people ask, ‘Is this a divine punishment?’…that’s a loaded question. It's also a complicated question. You know, I would say, ‘Is God getting even with us? Is God getting back at us?’ No. God is trying to get us back to Himself. That's the purpose of punishment. So is this a punishment? Well, yeah. And why? Because we have sinned.”
“We've got to see that God is a loving father. But, I tried to be that, too, with my six kids. And so when I punished my six kids…I didn't punish the neighbor's kids — even when it was more their fault. I punished my kids, but I didn't punish them because I stopped loving them or I started loving them less and less. No, I punished my kids because they're my kids and because I love them.”
“So does God punish us? Yes, but it's restorative. It's redemptive. It purifies us…God’s mercy is when God gives us what we need. Whether it's a virus, an epidemic, an earthquake or a volcano, or a cop pulling us over and giving us a DUI when we are finally forced to accept responsibility for all of our misused freedom. That is not wrath. That is mercy. That is love. And it usually comes wrapped in what feels like a punishment.”
The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show’s YouTube channel and right here on my LifeSite blog.
It is also available in audio format on platforms such as Spotify, Soundcloud, and ACast. We are awaiting approval for iTunes and Google Play as well. To subscribe to the audio version on various channels, visit the ACast webpage here.
We’ve created a special email list for the show so that we can notify you every week when we post a new episode. Please sign up now by clicking here. You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel, and you’ll be notified by YouTube when there is new content.
You can send me feedback, or ideas for show topics by emailing [email protected].
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lifesitenews--2020-04-22--Yes, coronavirus is a punishment from God. Just ask a repentant sinner

April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Seeing the corona crisis as a chastisement for sin is a non-starter with many who prefer not to think of God in those terms .
However , any pondering about the coronavirus and God will eventually lead us to question His motives .
The answers vary depending on whom you ask .
Whom Not to Ask Never ask progressive theologians if the coronavirus is a chastisement .
They will always find some kind of class struggle cause for catastrophes .
Greedy people oppressing poor people cause disasters .
Systemic social structures create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” leads to eco-catastrophes .
Besides , the notions of sin and hell are fuzzy to these modern theologians .
One can not be chastised for something one is not sure exists .
Don ’ t ask a class of sentimental Catholics who will always avoid unpleasant talk about chastisement .
The prospect of God ’ s infinite mercy attracts them much more than His equally infinite justice .
They believe that fire-and-brimstone sermons are a thing of the past .
Now is the era of peace and love .
They will tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a merciful God does not chastise .
Don ’ t ask hardened sinners for their take on the issue .
They have the most to lose by belief in a chastisement .
They are busy enjoying life ’ s pleasures , committing sins and embracing the world ’ s false promises .
And although the wages of sin weigh down their consciences , they live in denial , thinking themselves happy .
There is no time to think about chastisement as long as the party keeps going .
The self-righteous are a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admit the possibility of chastisement — but only for the sins of others .
They rightly concede that sins like procured abortion , sodomy , pornography , and adultery could bring down God ’ s judgment upon us .
But since they do not commit these sins , they see the full weight of any chastisement falling on the sinners , not themselves .
Getting the Right Answer However , if you want an honest answer to the question , ask a repentant sinner .
Such sinners will always have the courage to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus is a punishment for our sins .
God is chastising us for abandoning Him .
God is chastising me .
I deserve to be punished , for I have grievously sinned against my God .
The reason why repentant sinners answer correctly is that they have a true notion of what sin is .
Alas , society has lost the idea of the gravity of sin , therefore we can not conceive it being the cause of chastisement .
If we but knew the seriousness of sin and how it offends God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our own guilt , with different eyes .
Saint Augustine ( Contra Faustum , XXII , xxvii ) defines sin , especially mortal sin , as “ something said , done or desired contrary to the eternal law.
” When we sin , we voluntarily turn away from God , our true last end .
We disobey God by breaking His law , which is suited to our nature and happiness .
Sin offends God because we prefer a passion or mutable good to our Creator .
Sin does not hurt or change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it does offend God by depriving Him of the honor and reverence due to Him .
Saint Alphonsus de Liguori says the sinner insults , dishonors , and afflicts God .
As sinners , we insult God by declaring ourselves His enemies and fighting Him who created us .
We dishonor God by offending Him for the sake of pleasures or passions , which we turn into false gods .
When we sin , we afflict God because we treat with ingratitude Him who tenderly loved us to the point of giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and death on the Cross .
Thus , sin is serious since it destroys our relationship with God .
It frustrates God ’ s infinite goodness , whereby He desires our greatest good and happiness .
We live in iniquitous times , in which the occasions of sin are everywhere .
Everything in our culture conspires against us so that we may sin .
Most choose not to recognize their iniquity .
However , we are all sinners .
We are sinners by our acts against God , especially those of impurity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We can sin by failing to honor God , defend His law , or oppose the reign of sin .
For those of us who try to do good , we can sin by failing to be good enough .
The more we love God , the more we see our sins before us .
Thus , the psalmist says : “ For I know my iniquity , and my sin is always before me ” ( Ps .
50:5 ) .
That is why the saints are particularly sensitive to their sins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
When misfortune visits them , they see it as a just chastisement for their offenses against an infinite God .
Most people have the wrong idea of God ’ s chastisements .
They see them almost as arbitrary acts .
They do not see them as a means to put things back in order .
Our Lady at Fatima spoke of chastisements in this manner .
When society as a whole becomes iniquitous and unrepentant , the only way to return to order is through great tribulation for all .
Saint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ God being infinite goodness , desires only our good and to communicate to us his own happiness .
When he chastises us , it is because we have obliged him to do so by our sins.
” Indeed , God desires our amendment more than we do .
He chastises “ not because he desires to punish us , but because he wishes to deliver us from punishment.
” He has compassion on us by showing Himself “ angry towards us , in order that we may amend our lives , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pardon and save us.
” Repentant sinners perceive all this .
They have experienced God ’ s merciful love and chastisements in their own lives .
They know the good that can come from this action for themselves .
They desire that others might also share in God ’ s merciful yet just action .
The repentant sinner sees not only individual sins , but also a sinful society .
The sinner realizes that the only way society as a whole will return to order is through an analogous process through which sinners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a calamity , but liberation from evil ’ s dominion .
Indeed , the sinner welcomes the chastisement , recognizing the suffering that is involved .
Saint Alphonsus says the sinner cries out with great love : “ O God I have so much offended Thee , chastise me in this life , that thou mayst spare me in the next.
” Many are opining about the present crisis , trying to come up with convoluted explanations for the great sufferings that are coming .
They should ask a repentant sinner .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ message at Fatima .
John Horvat II is a scholar , researcher , educator , international speaker , and author of the book Return to Order , as well as the author of hundreds of published articles .
He lives in Spring Grove , Pennsylvania , where he is the vice president of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition , Family and Property .

April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Seeing the corona crisis as a chastisement for sin is a non-starter with many who prefer not to think of God in those terms. However, any pondering about the coronavirus and God will eventually lead us to question His motives. The answers vary depending on whom you ask.
Whom Not to Ask
Never ask progressive theologians if the coronavirus is a chastisement. They will always find some kind of class struggle cause for catastrophes. Greedy people oppressing poor people cause disasters. Systemic social structures create misfortunes. Abuse of “Mother Earth” leads to eco-catastrophes. Besides, the notions of sin and hell are fuzzy to these modern theologians. One cannot be chastised for something one is not sure exists.
Don’t ask a class of sentimental Catholics who will always avoid unpleasant talk about chastisement. The prospect of God’s infinite mercy attracts them much more than His equally infinite justice. They believe that fire-and-brimstone sermons are a thing of the past. Now is the era of peace and love. They will tell you the virus is no punishment because a merciful God does not chastise.
Don’t ask hardened sinners for their take on the issue. They have the most to lose by belief in a chastisement. They are busy enjoying life’s pleasures, committing sins and embracing the world’s false promises. And although the wages of sin weigh down their consciences, they live in denial, thinking themselves happy. There is no time to think about chastisement as long as the party keeps going.
The self-righteous are a bit more honest. They are willing to admit the possibility of chastisement — but only for the sins of others. They rightly concede that sins like procured abortion, sodomy, pornography, and adultery could bring down God’s judgment upon us. But since they do not commit these sins, they see the full weight of any chastisement falling on the sinners, not themselves.
Getting the Right Answer
However, if you want an honest answer to the question, ask a repentant sinner. Such sinners will always have the courage to say it outright. Yes, the coronavirus is a punishment for our sins. God is chastising us for abandoning Him. God is chastising me. I deserve to be punished, for I have grievously sinned against my God.
The reason why repentant sinners answer correctly is that they have a true notion of what sin is. Alas, society has lost the idea of the gravity of sin, therefore we cannot conceive it being the cause of chastisement. If we but knew the seriousness of sin and how it offends God, we would see everything, including our own guilt, with different eyes.
The Gravity of Sin
Saint Augustine (Contra Faustum, XXII, xxvii) defines sin, especially mortal sin, as “something said, done or desired contrary to the eternal law.” When we sin, we voluntarily turn away from God, our true last end. We disobey God by breaking His law, which is suited to our nature and happiness. Sin offends God because we prefer a passion or mutable good to our Creator. Sin does not hurt or change God, who is immutable. However, it does offend God by depriving Him of the honor and reverence due to Him.
Saint Alphonsus de Liguori says the sinner insults, dishonors, and afflicts God. As sinners, we insult God by declaring ourselves His enemies and fighting Him who created us. We dishonor God by offending Him for the sake of pleasures or passions, which we turn into false gods. When we sin, we afflict God because we treat with ingratitude Him who tenderly loved us to the point of giving up His Only Begotten Son to death, and death on the Cross.
Thus, sin is serious since it destroys our relationship with God. It frustrates God’s infinite goodness, whereby He desires our greatest good and happiness.
A Sinful Society
We live in iniquitous times, in which the occasions of sin are everywhere. Everything in our culture conspires against us so that we may sin. Most choose not to recognize their iniquity. However, we are all sinners.
We are sinners by our acts against God, especially those of impurity that so dominate our hypersexualized world. We can sin by failing to honor God, defend His law, or oppose the reign of sin. For those of us who try to do good, we can sin by failing to be good enough.
The more we love God, the more we see our sins before us. Thus, the psalmist says: “For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me” (Ps. 50:5). That is why the saints are particularly sensitive to their sins and constantly seek to do reparation for them. When misfortune visits them, they see it as a just chastisement for their offenses against an infinite God.
A Wrong Idea of Chastisement
Most people have the wrong idea of God’s chastisements. They see them almost as arbitrary acts. They do not see them as a means to put things back in order.
Our Lady at Fatima spoke of chastisements in this manner. When society as a whole becomes iniquitous and unrepentant, the only way to return to order is through great tribulation for all. Saint Alphonsus clarifies the matter by saying, “God being infinite goodness, desires only our good and to communicate to us his own happiness. When he chastises us, it is because we have obliged him to do so by our sins.”
Indeed, God desires our amendment more than we do. He chastises “not because he desires to punish us, but because he wishes to deliver us from punishment.” He has compassion on us by showing Himself “angry towards us, in order that we may amend our lives, and that thus He may be able to pardon and save us.”
The Desire for Chastisement
Repentant sinners perceive all this. They have experienced God’s merciful love and chastisements in their own lives. They know the good that can come from this action for themselves. They desire that others might also share in God’s merciful yet just action.
The repentant sinner sees not only individual sins, but also a sinful society. The sinner realizes that the only way society as a whole will return to order is through an analogous process through which sinners pass. Thus, the chastisement is not a calamity, but liberation from evil’s dominion.
Indeed, the sinner welcomes the chastisement, recognizing the suffering that is involved. Saint Alphonsus says the sinner cries out with great love: “O God I have so much offended Thee, chastise me in this life, that thou mayst spare me in the next.”
Many are opining about the present crisis, trying to come up with convoluted explanations for the great sufferings that are coming. They should ask a repentant sinner. They should heed Our Lady’s message at Fatima.
John Horvat II is a scholar, researcher, educator, international speaker, and author of the book Return to Order, as well as the author of hundreds of published articles. He lives in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, where he is the vice president of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property.
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