lifesitenews--2020-03-27--Cardinal, bishops ban confession in response to coronavirus pandemic

March 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Catholic shepherds , among them a cardinal and a growing number of bishops , are banning the sacrament of confession as a response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Cardinal Joseph Tobin of the diocese of Newark stated in a March 25 directive that “ the Sacrament of Reconciliation is suspended until further notice with the exception of an extreme emergency.
” Bishop Ronald Fabbro of London , Ontario , Canada , stated in a March 17 directive that “ all Confessions are cancelled , except in the case of danger of death.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement that “ ‘ Drive-thru ’ confessionals are simply not acceptable.
” Archbishop Charles Thompson of Indianapolis also stated in a March 24 directive that “ individual confession should be postponed unless it is requested by one who is in imminent danger of death , ” adding that “ for all others , they are to be asked to rely on perfect contrition.
” Catholics hold that the priest has the power to forgive all sins , acting as God ’ s instrument of mercy .
Confession is integral to Christian life since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would otherwise cut one off from God and the Kingdom of heaven .
For bishops to suspend confession on the presumption that Catholics in grave sin can achieve perfect contrition is to jeopardize the salvation of the souls under their care , says Dr. Peter Kwasniewski , a Catholic philosopher and author .
“ It is obvious that the archbishop , however well-intentioned he may be , does not understand the Catholic theology of the sacrament of penance , or the solemn obligation of the priest to hear confessions of the faithful who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ danger of damnation , ” he told LifeSiteNews , in reference to Thompson ’ s statement .
“ Although we know that an act of perfect contrition is possible and we should strive to have such contrition , the Church also clearly teaches that the individual can not know ( and can not presume to think ) that he has made an act of perfect contrition sufficient for the forgiveness of his sins , ” added Kwasniewski .
“ In fact , this is the very reason the sacrament of penance was instituted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forgiveness -- a ‘ second plank after shipwreck ’ -- and the knowledge of that forgiveness , with certainty .
Therefore any faithful who has the burden of grave sin on his conscience must confess his sins in kind and number , and every priest who has faculties for confession must hear such a confession.
” That was echoed by Dr. Joseph Shaw , chair of the U.K. Latin Mass Society , and Oxford professor of philosophy .
“ The needs of the seriously ill clearly need to be prioritised , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected as much as possible , otherwise they will not be able to continue to administer the sacraments to anyone , ” Shaw told LifeSiteNews in an email .
“ Nevertheless it must be kept in mind that acts of perfect contrition can only be a partial substitute for individual confession of sins .
Most importantly sacramental confession and absolution will take away your sins even if your contrition is ‘ imperfect ’ .
This gives the penitent a much more complete confidence that his sins have been remitted , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of perfect contrition we retain an obligation to take mortal sins to Confession , so acts of perfect contrition are only a temporary solution , ” added Shaw .
It is “ of great importance that habits of making individual confession not be undermined , ” he noted .
“ It would be good to see dioceses such as this one develop and encourage creative ways of making the Sacrament of Penance available while observing all due precautions .
The 'drive-thru ' method which has been reported seems promising for example , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the forefront of thinking about such approaches , and not limit themselves to ordering greater and greater restrictions , even if these are necessary.
” Shaw observed that there is a “ distinction between ‘ danger of death ’ ( periculum mortis ) and ‘ articulum mortis ’ , which is ‘ at the point of death ’ ” and that the latter is “ intended to be a much wider category.
” Therefore , such directives are “ not necessarily limiting the hearing of confessions to people in their last hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler , Texas begged priests around the world to do what they can to administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation to repentant sinners .
“ Catholic priests of the world ... make yourselves available for Confession observing social distancing & all precautions , ” the bishop wrote on Twitter .
“ This MUST be done .
It is tragic that many can not receive Communion but hear their Confessions SOMEHOW & their souls will be ready to receive Him when possible.
” Meanwhile , the Vatican issued a document @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which a bishop could grant general absolution as a response to the coronavirus pandemic .
The document also noted that bishops are responsible for ensuring both priests and penitents observe prudent safeguards , such as holding the confessions in a ventilated place outside the confessional , “ the adoption of fitting distance , the recourse to protective masks ... while safeguarding the sacramental seal [ of Confession ] and the necessary discretion.
” Pope grants special indulgences to Catholics affected by coronavirus , allows general absolution

Catholics believe that confession cleanses one from deadly sins that would otherwise cut one off from God and the Kingdom of heaven.
March 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Catholic shepherds, among them a cardinal and a growing number of bishops, are banning the sacrament of confession as a response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Cardinal Joseph Tobin of the diocese of Newark stated in a March 25 directive that “the Sacrament of Reconciliation is suspended until further notice with the exception of an extreme emergency.”
Bishop Ronald Fabbro of London, Ontario, Canada, stated in a March 17 directive that “all Confessions are cancelled, except in the case of danger of death.” He elaborated in a March 20 statement that “‘Drive-thru’ confessionals are simply not acceptable.”
Archbishop Charles Thompson of Indianapolis also stated in a March 24 directive that “individual confession should be postponed unless it is requested by one who is in imminent danger of death,” adding that “for all others, they are to be asked to rely on perfect contrition.”
Catholics hold that the priest has the power to forgive all sins, acting as God’s instrument of mercy. Confession is integral to Christian life since it cleanses one from deadly sins that would otherwise cut one off from God and the Kingdom of heaven.
For bishops to suspend confession on the presumption that Catholics in grave sin can achieve perfect contrition is to jeopardize the salvation of the souls under their care, says Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, a Catholic philosopher and author.
“It is obvious that the archbishop, however well-intentioned he may be, does not understand the Catholic theology of the sacrament of penance, or the solemn obligation of the priest to hear confessions of the faithful who are in mortal sin and therefore in danger of damnation,” he told LifeSiteNews, in reference to Thompson’s statement.
“Although we know that an act of perfect contrition is possible and we should strive to have such contrition, the Church also clearly teaches that the individual cannot know (and cannot presume to think) that he has made an act of perfect contrition sufficient for the forgiveness of his sins,” added Kwasniewski.
“In fact, this is the very reason the sacrament of penance was instituted: to give us the Lord's forgiveness — a ‘second plank after shipwreck’ — and the knowledge of that forgiveness, with certainty. Therefore any faithful who has the burden of grave sin on his conscience must confess his sins in kind and number, and every priest who has faculties for confession must hear such a confession.”
That was echoed by Dr. Joseph Shaw, chair of the U.K. Latin Mass Society, and Oxford professor of philosophy.
“The needs of the seriously ill clearly need to be prioritised, and the health of priests also needs to be protected as much as possible, otherwise they will not be able to continue to administer the sacraments to anyone,” Shaw told LifeSiteNews in an email.
“Nevertheless it must be kept in mind that acts of perfect contrition can only be a partial substitute for individual confession of sins. Most importantly sacramental confession and absolution will take away your sins even if your contrition is ‘imperfect’. This gives the penitent a much more complete confidence that his sins have been remitted,” he said.
“Furthermore, after an act of perfect contrition we retain an obligation to take mortal sins to Confession, so acts of perfect contrition are only a temporary solution,” added Shaw.
It is “of great importance that habits of making individual confession not be undermined,” he noted.
“It would be good to see dioceses such as this one develop and encourage creative ways of making the Sacrament of Penance available while observing all due precautions. The 'drive-thru' method which has been reported seems promising for example,” he said.
Bishops “should be at the forefront of thinking about such approaches, and not limit themselves to ordering greater and greater restrictions, even if these are necessary.”
Shaw observed that there is a “distinction between ‘danger of death’ (periculum mortis) and ‘articulum mortis’, which is ‘at the point of death’” and that the latter is “intended to be a much wider category.”
Therefore, such directives are “not necessarily limiting the hearing of confessions to people in their last hours,” he noted.
Last week, Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas begged priests around the world to do what they can to administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation to repentant sinners.
“Catholic priests of the world…make yourselves available for Confession observing social distancing & all precautions,” the bishop wrote on Twitter.
“This MUST be done. It is tragic that many cannot receive Communion but hear their Confessions SOMEHOW & their souls will be ready to receive Him when possible.”
Meanwhile, the Vatican issued a document March 20 that discusses the circumstances under which a bishop could grant general absolution as a response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The document also noted that bishops are responsible for ensuring both priests and penitents observe prudent safeguards, such as holding the confessions in a ventilated place outside the confessional, “the adoption of fitting distance, the recourse to protective masks … while safeguarding the sacramental seal [of Confession] and the necessary discretion.”
Related:
Pope grants special indulgences to Catholics affected by coronavirus, allows general absolution
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lifesitenews--2020-03-27--Pope says pandemic is ‘not the time of’ God’s judgement: Coronavirus live updates

LifeSite ’ s previous ( and future ) live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about can be viewed HERE .
March 27 , 2020 , 2:26 p.m. EST : During his Urbi et Orbi blessing and speech about the coronavirus , the Vatican reports that Pope Francis said : “ Why are you afraid ?
Have you no faith ?
” Lord , you are calling to us , calling us to faith .
Which is not so much believing that you exist , but coming to you and trusting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgently : “ Be converted !
” , “ Return to me with all your heart ” ( Joel 2:12 ) .
You are calling on us to seize this time of trial as a time of choosing .
It is not the time of your judgement , but of our judgement : a time to choose what matters and what passes away , a time to separate what is necessary from what is not .
It is a time to get our lives back on track with regard to you , Lord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look to so many exemplary companions for the journey , who , even though fearful , have reacted by giving their lives .
This is the force of the Spirit poured out and fashioned in courageous and generous self-denial .
And the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a massive $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief bill that , among many other things , provides small businesses and certain non-profits money to fund their payroll during the period of the crisis .
It is worded in such a way that Planned Parenthood , America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be able to access such funds .
A petition asking World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to resign over his suspicious ties to Communist China has reached 50,000 signatures .
Reports are surfacing that coronavirus test kits China gave or sold to other countries , such as Spain , are “ substandard ” and inaccurate .
March 27 , 2020 , 8:46 a.m. EST : British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus .
March 26 , 2020 , 5:03 p.m. EST : Catholic dioceses in Quebec are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The Diocese of Saint-Hyacinthe laid off all of its chancery staff on March 23 and recommended parishes do the same – including to their priests .
“ Unless there is a real need , I recommend to the parishes of the diocese to temporarily lay off , as of Friday , March 27 , all personnel , including priests , so that they can benefit from employment insurance , ” advised Bishop Christian Rodembourg .
“ The dioceses of Rimouski , Gaspe and Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatiere have made similar moves , ” reported the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dioceses are opting for partial layoffs .
For instance , the Archdiocese of Sherbrooke is keeping its communications director.
” March 26 , 2020 , 4:53 p.m. EST : The Archdiocese of Newark , led by liberal Cardinal Joseph Tobin , has banned all funerals , wakes , Confessions , and baptisms .
Confessions and baptisms may take only place in cases of “ extreme emergency.
” All churches and Adoration chapels are to be locked .
Matthew Schmitz of First Things noted that Americans are still able to go to Walmart , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t bury their dead , baptize their children , or pray in their churches .
March 26 , 2020 , 3:43 p.m. EST : A priest who lives in the Santa Marta residence with Pope Francis has tested positive for the coronavirus and is a hospital ’ s intensive care unit .
“ Dozens of priests ” who also live there are now being tested , Reuters reported .
Several other Vatican employees have already tested positive for COVID-19 .
Vatican offices remain open but with a reduction in staff .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 , 2:25 p.m. EST : The police of Derbyshire , England have released drone footage showing people walking their dogs , “ going for a walk miles from home , ” and driving their cars to park at a scenic spot for a stroll .
“ The Government advice is clear , ” text on the video scolds .
“ You should only travel if it is essential.
” The Derbyshire Police Department then posted a lengthy Twitter thread about how it had recorded some license plates of those driving and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their homes .
Its officers also had had to “ break up a group having a picnic.
” “ We understand that people will have differing views about this post , however , we will not be apologetic for using any legal and appropriate methods to keep people safe , ” the police wrote .
March 26 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – President Donald Trump said at a press briefing he hopes the U.S. will have begun to re-open by Easter , April 12 .
“ It would be a beautiful time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ It ’ s a great day.
” Then , in an interview with FOX , the president asked , “ Wouldn ’ t it be great to have all the churches full [ on Easter ] ?
You ’ ll have packed churches all over our country … I think it ’ ll be a beautiful time.
” “ I ’ m not sure that ’ s going to be the day , ” he noted , but “ that would be a beautiful thing.
” Speaking to the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want to thank the American people for the incredible sacrifices that they ’ re making on behalf of our nation .
And I want to encourage everyone to keep following our guidelines on social distancing : avoiding large gatherings and hand washing , and all of the other things that everybody knows they ’ re supposed to be doing .
Ultimately , the goal is to ease the guidelines and open things up to very large sections of our country as we near the end of our historic battle with the invisible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we ’ ll win .
We ’ ll win .
I said earlier today that I hope we can do this by Easter .
I think that would be a great thing for our country , and we ’ re all working very hard to make that a reality .
We ’ ll be meeting with a lot of people to see if it can be done .
Easter is a very special day for many reasons .
For me , for a lot of — a lot of our friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
And what a great timeline this would be .
Easter , as our timeline — what a great timeline that would be .
My first priority is always the health and safety of the American people , and we want everyone to understand that we are continuing to evaluate the data .
We ’ re working with the task force and making decisions based on what is best for the interests of our fantastic country .
In order to defeat the virus , we must continue to be very strong .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to everyone .
Right now , this virus is attacking 149 countries , but everybody looks to us and they ’ re watching us .
And I ’ m very proud to be your President — I can tell you that .
There ’ s tremendous hope as we look forward and we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel .
Stay focused and stay strong .
And my administration and myself will deliver for you as we have in the past .
The Washington Post reports that hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue “ do not resuscitate ” orders for all coronavirus patients , regardless of their wishes or their families ’ wishes : “ Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago has been discussing a do-not-resuscitate policy for infected patients , regardless of the wishes of the patient or their family members — a wrenching decision to prioritize the lives of the many over the one .
Richard Wunderink , one of Northwestern ’ s intensive-care medical directors , said hospital administrators would have to ask Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker for help in clarifying state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift .
Officials at George Washington University Hospital in the District [ of Columbia ] say they have had similar conversations , but for now will continue to resuscitate covid-19 patients using modified procedures , such as putting plastic sheeting over the patient to create a barrier .
The University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle , one of the country ’ s major hot spots for infections , is dealing with the problem by severely limiting the number of responders to a contagious patient in cardiac or respiratory arrest .
Several large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolinas , Geisinger in Pennsylvania and regional Kaiser Permanente networks — are looking at guidelines that would allow doctors to override the wishes of the coronavirus patient or family members on a case-by-case basis due to the risk to doctors and nurses , or a shortage of protective equipment , say ethicists and doctors involved in those conversations .
But they would stop short of imposing a do-not-resuscitate order on every coronavirus patient .
The companies declined to comment .
And , “ as the outbreak has worsened , hospitals with COVID-19 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on chaplains , ” Christianity Today reports .
“ In England , [ the ] National Health Service went as far as saying patients dying from the virus should be encouraged to offer their farewells via video calls like Skype.
” Two hospitals in Michigan are refusing to let Catholic priests inside to administer Last Rites .
A longer LifeSiteNews story on this is forthcoming .
Former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown “ urged world leaders to create a temporary form of global government to tackle the twin medical and economic crises , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added ) .
As state governments order “ non-essential ” and “ elective ” medical procedures halted to brace for coronavirus-infected patients , abortionists are insisting what they do is essential and demanding their facilities be allowed to remain open .
Louisiana , Maryland , Mississippi , Ohio , and Texas have all declared abortion to be non-essential .
The extent to which the orders will be enforced is unclear .
Operation Rescue reports cases of abortion facilities remaining open in Michigan , Florida , and Ohio .
The pro-life group Created Equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion facility conducting business as usual , and pro-lifers in Mississippi filed a complaint with the health department over the state ’ s abortion facility remaining open on Tuesday .
Abortion activists are suing Texas over its order they stop operating .
Transgender surgeries are also being postponed .

Live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to pro-life issues, faith, and freedom.
LifeSite’s previous (and future) live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about can be viewed HERE.
March 27, 2020, 2:26 p.m. EST: During his Urbi et Orbi blessing and speech about the coronavirus, the Vatican reports that Pope Francis said:
“Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” Lord, you are calling to us, calling us to faith. Which is not so much believing that you exist, but coming to you and trusting in you. This Lent your call reverberates urgently: “Be converted!”, “Return to me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12). You are calling on us to seize this time of trial as a time of choosing. It is not the time of your judgement, but of our judgement: a time to choose what matters and what passes away, a time to separate what is necessary from what is not. It is a time to get our lives back on track with regard to you, Lord, and to others. We can look to so many exemplary companions for the journey, who, even though fearful, have reacted by giving their lives. This is the force of the Spirit poured out and fashioned in courageous and generous self-denial.
And the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a massive $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill that, among many other things, provides small businesses and certain non-profits money to fund their payroll during the period of the crisis. It is worded in such a way that Planned Parenthood, America’s largest abortion chain, will not be able to access such funds.
A petition asking World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to resign over his suspicious ties to Communist China has reached 50,000 signatures.
Reports are surfacing that coronavirus test kits China gave or sold to other countries, such as Spain, are “substandard” and inaccurate.
March 27, 2020, 8:46 a.m. EST: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus.
March 26, 2020, 5:03 p.m. EST: Catholic dioceses in Quebec are now subjecting priests to “temporary layoffs.”
The Diocese of Saint-Hyacinthe laid off all of its chancery staff on March 23 and recommended parishes do the same – including to their priests.
“Unless there is a real need, I recommend to the parishes of the diocese to temporarily lay off, as of Friday, March 27, all personnel, including priests, so that they can benefit from employment insurance,” advised Bishop Christian Rodembourg.
“The dioceses of Rimouski, Gaspe and Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatiere have made similar moves,” reported the Boston Pilot. “However, some dioceses are opting for partial layoffs. For instance, the Archdiocese of Sherbrooke is keeping its communications director.”
March 26, 2020, 4:53 p.m. EST: The Archdiocese of Newark, led by liberal Cardinal Joseph Tobin, has banned all funerals, wakes, Confessions, and baptisms. Confessions and baptisms may take only place in cases of “extreme emergency.” All churches and Adoration chapels are to be locked. Matthew Schmitz of First Things noted that Americans are still able to go to Walmart, but in Tobin’s archdiocese can’t bury their dead, baptize their children, or pray in their churches.
You can go to Walmart or the grocery store, but you can’t confess your sins, baptize your children, pray in a church, or bury your dead.https://t.co/tBlNScUZNT — Matthew Schmitz (@matthewschmitz) March 26, 2020
March 26, 2020, 3:43 p.m. EST: A priest who lives in the Santa Marta residence with Pope Francis has tested positive for the coronavirus and is a hospital’s intensive care unit. “Dozens of priests” who also live there are now being tested, Reuters reported. Several other Vatican employees have already tested positive for COVID-19. Vatican offices remain open but with a reduction in staff. The infected employees are quarantined.
March 26, 2020, 2:25 p.m. EST: The police of Derbyshire, England have released drone footage showing people walking their dogs, “going for a walk miles from home,” and driving their cars to park at a scenic spot for a stroll.
“The Government advice is clear,” text on the video scolds. “You should only travel if it is essential.”
The Derbyshire Police Department then posted a lengthy Twitter thread about how it had recorded some license plates of those driving and therefore knew people had been far from their homes. Its officers also had had to “break up a group having a picnic.”
“We understand that people will have differing views about this post, however, we will not be apologetic for using any legal and appropriate methods to keep people safe,” the police wrote.
Despite posts yesterday highlighting issues of people still visiting the #PeakDistrict despite government guidance, the message is still not getting through. @DerPolDroneUnit have been out at beauty spots across the county, and this footage was captured at #CurbarEdge last night. pic.twitter.com/soxWvMl0ls — Derbyshire Police (@DerbysPolice) March 26, 2020
We saw last week where such places in Derbyshire and other parts of the country became dangerously overcrowded, making social distancing extremely hard, and in fact today our officers have had to break up a group having a picnic. — Derbyshire Police (@DerbysPolice) March 26, 2020
March 26, 2020, 12:01 p.m. EST:
Today Mons. Mario Delpini, Archbishop of Milan, took to the streets with the Blessed Sacrament, visiting the sick and the doctors at the city's largest hospital, Policlinico. pic.twitter.com/kpvFrBS5d7 — Jamie McGowan (@SpesScotorum) March 25, 2020
March 26, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – President Donald Trump said at a press briefing he hopes the U.S. will have begun to re-open by Easter, April 12.
“It would be a beautiful time, a beautiful timeline,” he said. “It’s a great day.”
Then, in an interview with FOX, the president asked, “Wouldn’t it be great to have all the churches full [on Easter]? You’ll have packed churches all over our country … I think it’ll be a beautiful time.”
“I’m not sure that’s going to be the day,” he noted, but “that would be a beautiful thing.”
Speaking to the press on March 24, Trump said:
I want to thank the American people for the incredible sacrifices that they’re making on behalf of our nation. And I want to encourage everyone to keep following our guidelines on social distancing: avoiding large gatherings and hand washing, and all of the other things that everybody knows they’re supposed to be doing. Ultimately, the goal is to ease the guidelines and open things up to very large sections of our country as we near the end of our historic battle with the invisible enemy. Been going for a while, but we’ll win. We’ll win. I said earlier today that I hope we can do this by Easter. I think that would be a great thing for our country, and we’re all working very hard to make that a reality. We’ll be meeting with a lot of people to see if it can be done. Easter is a very special day for many reasons. For me, for a lot of — a lot of our friends, that’s a very special day. And what a great timeline this would be. Easter, as our timeline — what a great timeline that would be. My first priority is always the health and safety of the American people, and we want everyone to understand that we are continuing to evaluate the data. We’re working with the task force and making decisions based on what is best for the interests of our fantastic country. In order to defeat the virus, we must continue to be very strong. Your resilience and spirit has been inspiring to everyone. Right now, this virus is attacking 149 countries, but everybody looks to us and they’re watching us. And I’m very proud to be your President — I can tell you that. There’s tremendous hope as we look forward and we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Stay focused and stay strong. And my administration and myself will deliver for you as we have in the past.
The Washington Post reports that hospitals are having internal debates about whether to issue “do not resuscitate” orders for all coronavirus patients, regardless of their wishes or their families’ wishes:
“Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago has been discussing a do-not-resuscitate policy for infected patients, regardless of the wishes of the patient or their family members — a wrenching decision to prioritize the lives of the many over the one. Richard Wunderink, one of Northwestern’s intensive-care medical directors, said hospital administrators would have to ask Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker for help in clarifying state law and whether it permits the policy shift. … Officials at George Washington University Hospital in the District [of Columbia] say they have had similar conversations, but for now will continue to resuscitate covid-19 patients using modified procedures, such as putting plastic sheeting over the patient to create a barrier. The University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, one of the country’s major hot spots for infections, is dealing with the problem by severely limiting the number of responders to a contagious patient in cardiac or respiratory arrest. Several large hospital systems — Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Geisinger in Pennsylvania and regional Kaiser Permanente networks — are looking at guidelines that would allow doctors to override the wishes of the coronavirus patient or family members on a case-by-case basis due to the risk to doctors and nurses, or a shortage of protective equipment, say ethicists and doctors involved in those conversations. But they would stop short of imposing a do-not-resuscitate order on every coronavirus patient. The companies declined to comment.
And, “as the outbreak has worsened, hospitals with COVID-19 patients have continued to tighten restrictions, including on chaplains,” Christianity Today reports. “In England, [the] National Health Service went as far as saying patients dying from the virus should be encouraged to offer their farewells via video calls like Skype.”
Two hospitals in Michigan are refusing to let Catholic priests inside to administer Last Rites. A longer LifeSiteNews story on this is forthcoming.
Former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown “urged world leaders to create a temporary form of global government to tackle the twin medical and economic crises,” caused by the coronavirus (emphasis added).
As state governments order “non-essential” and “elective” medical procedures halted to brace for coronavirus-infected patients, abortionists are insisting what they do is essential and demanding their facilities be allowed to remain open.
Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, and Texas have all declared abortion to be non-essential. The extent to which the orders will be enforced is unclear. Operation Rescue reports cases of abortion facilities remaining open in Michigan, Florida, and Ohio. The pro-life group Created Equal captured footage of a Columbus, Ohio abortion facility conducting business as usual, and pro-lifers in Mississippi filed a complaint with the health department over the state’s abortion facility remaining open on Tuesday.
Abortion activists are suing Texas over its order they stop operating.
Transgender surgeries are also being postponed.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-27--Congress passes $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill, blocks funding for Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON , D.C. , March 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The U.S. House of Representatives voted Friday to pass a $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief spending bill .
The bill , which is meant meant to give temporary relief to Americans who have lost their jobs or business due to mandatory shutdowns , provides small businesses and certain non-profits money to fund their payroll during the period of the crisis .
It is apparently worded in such a way that Planned Parenthood , America ’ s largest abortion chain , will not be able to access such funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most Americans making less than $ 75,000 per year ( and smaller payments to Americans who make more ) , as well as expanded unemployment benefits , temporary waivers on student loan payments , suspension of certain rules on retirement accounts , and relief for businesses such as suspended payroll tax payments .
It has been controversial due to the sheer size of its spending , as well as it containing hundreds of millions in unrelated expenditures for various public entities , including PBS , NPR , the Kennedy Center , and salaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House leaders initially hoped to pass the bill via unanimous consent , but the opposition of libertarian Rep. Thomas Massie ( R-KY ) required House members to return to Capitol Hill for a full recorded vote .
President Donald Trump excoriated Massie , stating that while he too doesn ’ t like everything in the bill , compromises were necessary to “ save our workers ” : Ultimately , the bill passed by voice vote , Politico reports .
It now awaits the president ’ s signature .
In one victory for conservatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the bill is worded in a way that makes Planned Parenthood , America ’ s largest abortion chain , ineligible for the bill ’ s bailout money .
It empowers Trump administration to deny Planned Parenthood access to relief loans via the Small Business Administration .
These provisions remain despite the loss of language that would have made the ineligibility of Planned Parenthood – an organization that took in $ 616 million from taxpayers , almost $ 370 million in private revenue , and over $ 590 million in private donations last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month , it came out that Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried and failed to use coronavirus relief to create what White House officials called an abortion “ slush fund , ” via a mandate to reimburse laboratory claims outside the scope of the federal Hyde Amendment .
It remains to be seen how long the economic strain this bill addresses will last .
President Trump has expressed a hope to see the country largely reopened by Easter , and his administration is currently drafting new guidelines to help states better assess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to relaxing or maintaining lockdowns on a case-by-case basis .
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

The final version of the bill is reported to contain language that prevents Planned Parenthood from accessing the bill's bailout money.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The U.S. House of Representatives voted Friday to pass a $2 trillion coronavirus relief spending bill. The bill, which is meant meant to give temporary relief to Americans who have lost their jobs or business due to mandatory shutdowns, provides small businesses and certain non-profits money to fund their payroll during the period of the crisis. It is apparently worded in such a way that Planned Parenthood, America’s largest abortion chain, will not be able to access such funds.
The bill gives $1,200 to most Americans making less than $75,000 per year (and smaller payments to Americans who make more), as well as expanded unemployment benefits, temporary waivers on student loan payments, suspension of certain rules on retirement accounts, and relief for businesses such as suspended payroll tax payments.
It has been controversial due to the sheer size of its spending, as well as it containing hundreds of millions in unrelated expenditures for various public entities, including PBS, NPR, the Kennedy Center, and salaries and expenses for members of Congress.
House leaders initially hoped to pass the bill via unanimous consent, but the opposition of libertarian Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) required House members to return to Capitol Hill for a full recorded vote. President Donald Trump excoriated Massie, stating that while he too doesn’t like everything in the bill, compromises were necessary to “save our workers”:
$2 trillion (Congress)
+$4 trillion (Fed & Treasury)
———————————
$6 trillion stimulus $6 trillion divided by 350 million citizens = $17,000 per citizen times a family of 4 =$68,000 per family of new national debt and dollar devaluation in this stimulus. not a good deal — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 26, 2020
…& costly. Workers & small businesses need money now in order to survive. Virus wasn’t their fault. It is “HELL” dealing with the Dems, had to give up some stupid things in order to get the “big picture” done. 90% GREAT! WIN BACK HOUSE, but throw Massie out of Republican Party! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2020
Ultimately, the bill passed by voice vote, Politico reports. It now awaits the president’s signature.
In one victory for conservatives, Vice reports that the final version of the bill is worded in a way that makes Planned Parenthood, America’s largest abortion chain, ineligible for the bill’s bailout money. It empowers Trump administration to deny Planned Parenthood access to relief loans via the Small Business Administration. These provisions remain despite the loss of language that would have made the ineligibility of Planned Parenthood – an organization that took in $616 million from taxpayers, almost $370 million in private revenue, and over $590 million in private donations last year – even more explicit.
Have been pouring over the text of the relief bill. I’m not happy negotiators took out language that excluded Planned Parenthood from receiving government subsidies. But I have been assured Planned Parenthood will still NOT be eligible. — Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) March 25, 2020
Earlier this month, it came out that Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried and failed to use coronavirus relief to create what White House officials called an abortion “slush fund,” via a mandate to reimburse laboratory claims outside the scope of the federal Hyde Amendment.
It remains to be seen how long the economic strain this bill addresses will last. President Trump has expressed a hope to see the country largely reopened by Easter, and his administration is currently drafting new guidelines to help states better assess their risk, which would presumably lead to relaxing or maintaining lockdowns on a case-by-case basis.
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-27--LAST CALL: LifeSite needs you to keep us reporting truth amid coronavirus

March 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Imagine the world without daily news reports from LifeSite , without the knowledge of the darkness that plagues our society , or about the many heroes that are fighting to promote and save what is good .
Yesterday , on the last day of our campaign and typically the biggest day for giving , we experienced some issues which delayed our vital email to you and other LifeSite readers .
And now we have had to extend our campaign because we are $ 50,000 behind the necessary amount to fund our news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are 100 % reader-funded .
That means without your generosity , and readers like you , this alternate , Christian news source that upholds your values—that protects life , family , faith and culture .
If you can give a gift of any amount today , please use this secure link : https : //give.lifesitenews.com/sustainlife Because of a generous family who wants to protect those values you hold dear , your monthly gift will be matched every month this year , DOUBLING your impact .
So , I am asking you today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a gift of financial support .
Your situation may require your gift to be smaller .
I understand that .
That ’ s why I always say there is no gift too small .
No matter the amount , if you stand with us now , you are helping to guarantee our continued coverage of the most important issues of life , family , and faith tomorrow – and into the future !
The truth is , you and millions of others will be without the Truth if you don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gifts of support .
Monthly donors are vital to our work because they enable us to bring you news , no matter what comes up , like world-wide pandemics .
This year alone , monthly donors have made it possible to expand our video and podcast efforts .
They have helped us branch out to different media platforms in order to combat censorship from Facebook and other social media sites .
So please , consider giving a monthly gift today .
Our journalists hear from countless readers , leaders , and activists each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know what they would do without the honest , hard-hitting , original reporting your support provides .
After today , appeals related to the campaign will cease .
We leave the final results to Divine Providence .
As usual , we will leave the campaign thermometer up through the weekend so you can follow the progress of last-minute mailed-in and other donations .

March 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Imagine the world without daily news reports from LifeSite, without the knowledge of the darkness that plagues our society, or about the many heroes that are fighting to promote and save what is good.
Yesterday, on the last day of our campaign and typically the biggest day for giving, we experienced some issues which delayed our vital email to you and other LifeSite readers. And now we have had to extend our campaign because we are $50,000 behind the necessary amount to fund our news reports for the next three months.
We are 100% reader-funded. That means without your generosity, and readers like you, this alternate, Christian news source that upholds your values—that protects life, family, faith and culture.
If you can give a gift of any amount today, please use this secure link: https://give.lifesitenews.com/sustainlife
Because of a generous family who wants to protect those values you hold dear, your monthly gift will be matched every month this year, DOUBLING your impact.
So, I am asking you today to stand with us on the Frontlines with a gift of financial support. Your situation may require your gift to be smaller. I understand that. That’s why I always say there is no gift too small. No matter the amount, if you stand with us now, you are helping to guarantee our continued coverage of the most important issues of life, family, and faith tomorrow – and into the future!
The truth is, you and millions of others will be without the Truth if you don’t keep this news service going with generous gifts of support.
Monthly donors are vital to our work because they enable us to bring you news, no matter what comes up, like world-wide pandemics. This year alone, monthly donors have made it possible to expand our video and podcast efforts. They have helped us branch out to different media platforms in order to combat censorship from Facebook and other social media sites.
So please, consider giving a monthly gift today.
Our journalists hear from countless readers, leaders, and activists each year who tell us they don’t know what they would do without the honest, hard-hitting, original reporting your support provides.
After today, appeals related to the campaign will cease. We leave the final results to Divine Providence.
As usual, we will leave the campaign thermometer up through the weekend so you can follow the progress of last-minute mailed-in and other donations.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-27--On the ground update from coronavirus lockdown in London

John-Henry interviews some of the most well-known clergy and laity in the Church while offering commentary on the most important @ @ @ @ @ around the world .

London correspondent Paul Smeaton explains to John-Henry that London is basically a prison system right now and that you can only leave your house under very limited circumstances.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-27--Abortion mill in landmark Supreme Court case caught defying coronavirus abortion ban

WASHINGTON , D.C. , March 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Today , Live Action , a national leading pro-life non-profit organization , released footage and transcripts exposing that Hope Medical Group , an abortion facility in Shreveport , Louisiana and the plaintiff in the current Supreme Court case June Medical Services v. Russo , is committing abortions in defiance of a statewide ban .
Hope Medical Group ’ s ongoing operations are in violation of a Louisiana Department of Health order that non-essential and elective surgical procedures must cease during the COVID-19 crisis .
The order was made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) that is desperately needed by healthcare workers on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19 .
Additional goals of the order are to better utilize hospital staff , equipment , and bed capacity to save lives as the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to rise .
In two recorded phone calls on March 26 , 2020 , Hope Medical Group employees told Live Action investigators that they are open and operating saying : “ Currently we are the only facility that I know anywhere nearby that ’ s open and operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and operating as long as possible.
” Hope Medical Group made it clear over the phone that they are scheduling abortions : 0:20 CALLER : Hi , um , are you guys still scheduling abortions ?
0:25 HOPE MEDICAL : We are !
Unfortunately , our first session we don ’ t have an available appointment just because we are so busy until April 6th .
Hope Medical Group also confirmed that , in addition to seeing women from Louisiana , they are seeing women from Texas , which has issued a statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : That ’ s correct ’ cause um ... we are booked solid because we are serving all of Louisiana as well as Texas at this , at this point due to shut downs from government offices .
And Hope Medical Group has no plans to stop carrying out abortions at this time : 4:08 HOPE MEDICAL : Yes .
Currently , um , we are the only facility that I know anywhere nearby is open and operating .
[ 4:15 CALLER : Oh , okay . ]
And we will stay open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ]
as long as possible .
In Louisiana , the abortion industry proves once again that it will seek profit no matter what .
While the rest of the world is focused on rescuing the vulnerable from COVID-19 , Hope Medical Group is scheduling abortions that will kill children , harm women , and use up precious medical resources like masks , gloves , and gowns .
As Louisiana Senator Katrina Jackson noted on Thursday , Louisiana ’ s legitimate medical providers , like dentists , are donating these valuable resources to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Hope Medical Group is focused on nothing but profiting from abortion .
We call on Governor John Bel Edwards and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry to immediately shut down Hope Medical Group and penalize it for defying the state and endangering the community .
Listen to Live Action ’ s investigative calls here and follow Live Action on Twitter for updates .

Recordings show the plaintiff in the current Supreme Court case June Medical Services v. Russo actively defying state orders to shut down operations during the coronavirus crisis.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Today, Live Action, a national leading pro-life non-profit organization, released footage and transcripts exposing that Hope Medical Group, an abortion facility in Shreveport, Louisiana and the plaintiff in the current Supreme Court case June Medical Services v. Russo, is committing abortions in defiance of a statewide ban.
Hope Medical Group’s ongoing operations are in violation of a Louisiana Department of Health order that non-essential and elective surgical procedures must cease during the COVID-19 crisis. The order was made to preserve Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is desperately needed by healthcare workers on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19. Additional goals of the order are to better utilize hospital staff, equipment, and bed capacity to save lives as the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to rise.
In two recorded phone calls on March 26, 2020, Hope Medical Group employees told Live Action investigators that they are open and operating saying: “Currently we are the only facility that I know anywhere nearby that’s open and operating, and we’ll stay open and operating as long as possible.”
Hope Medical Group made it clear over the phone that they are scheduling abortions:
0:20 CALLER: Hi, um, are you guys still scheduling abortions?
0:25 HOPE MEDICAL: We are! Unfortunately, our first session we don’t have an available appointment just because we are so busy until April 6th.
Hope Medical Group also confirmed that, in addition to seeing women from Louisiana, they are seeing women from Texas, which has issued a statewide halt to abortion:
1:04 HOPE MEDICAL: That’s correct ’cause um…we are booked solid because we are serving all of Louisiana as well as Texas at this, at this point due to shut downs from government offices.
And Hope Medical Group has no plans to stop carrying out abortions at this time:
4:08 HOPE MEDICAL: Yes. Currently, um, we are the only facility that I know anywhere nearby is open and operating. [4:15 CALLER: Oh, okay.] And we will stay open and operating [4:19 CALLER: Okay.] as long as possible.
Lila Rose, founder and president of Live Action, stated:
In Louisiana, the abortion industry proves once again that it will seek profit no matter what. While the rest of the world is focused on rescuing the vulnerable from COVID-19, Hope Medical Group is scheduling abortions that will kill children, harm women, and use up precious medical resources like masks, gloves, and gowns. As Louisiana Senator Katrina Jackson noted on Thursday, Louisiana’s legitimate medical providers, like dentists, are donating these valuable resources to the hospitals fighting COVID-19 in Louisiana. But Hope Medical Group is focused on nothing but profiting from abortion. We call on Governor John Bel Edwards and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry to immediately shut down Hope Medical Group and penalize it for defying the state and endangering the community.
Listen to Live Action’s investigative calls here and follow Live Action on Twitter for updates.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-27--Ohio says religious gatherings are ‘essential business,’ bishops cancel Mass anyway

COLUMBUS , Ohio , March 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – During the COVID-19 pandemic , churches in the state of Ohio are considered an essential business and allowed to stay open .
“ Religious facilities , entities and groups and religious gatherings , including weddings and funerals , ” are listed by the state as “ essential businesses and operations ” which may stay open .
The order of the Ohio Department of Health was issued on March 22 , taking effect on March 24 , and scheduled to last until April 6 .
The bishops within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic Conference of Ohio , had already decided on March 16 to cancel all public Masses and liturgies , “ at least through the celebrations of Holy Week and Easter.
” While all businesses and operations deemed by the state of Ohio to be “ non-essential ” were ordered to stop , a fairly lengthy list of exceptions included religious entities .
Another exception were organizations providing charitable and social services .
Even though “ religious gatherings ” are explicitly permitted by the order of the Ohio Department of Health , the requirements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be practiced .
This includes “ maintaining at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals , washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer , covering coughs or sneezes ( into the sleeve or elbow , not hands ) , regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces , and not shaking hands.
” All of these measures could be observed in a Catholic environment , but the public may only leave the house for essential activities .
The list of essential activities includes only “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary supplies and services , ” “ outdoor activity , ” “ certain types of work , ” related to the list of essential businesses and operations , and “ to take care of others.
” The order later clarifies that “ essential travel ” is defined as any travel “ related to the provision of or access to Essential Activities , Essential Governmental Functions , Essential Businesses and Operations , or Minimum Basic Operations.
” Legally , public Masses would not be a problem .
Nevertheless , the bishops of Ohio never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Masses .
“ The bishops of Ohio dispense the Catholic faithful who reside in their respective dioceses and all other Catholics currently in Ohio from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass through Easter Sunday , ” they wrote instead on March 16 .
In their statement , the bishops claim that the decision was made “ after consultation with the governor and health officials , ” convincing the bishops “ that this is the most prudent and necessary action.
” Given the more recent order of the Ohio government , this might no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a step that I wish we did not feel compelled to take , ” said Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr of Cincinnati , Ohio , on March 17 .
“ I realize it is yet another source of suffering in an already trying time .
However , given the grave health risks we are currently facing , especially with regard to public gatherings , I believe it is a necessary step in the interest of the common good that will help to curb the spread of this virus.
” Cardinal Raymond Burke had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on March 21 .
“ We can provide more opportunities for the Holy Mass and devotions at which a number of faithful can participate without violating necessary precautions against the spread of contagion , ” he wrote .
“ Many of our churches and chapels are very large .
They permit a group of the faithful to gather for prayer and worship without violating the requirements of ‘ social distance.
’ ” The former Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura , the highest court within the Catholic Church , offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stressing the role of the laity .
“ If a church or chapel does not have a sufficiently large staff to be able to disinfect regularly the pews and other surfaces , I have no doubt that the faithful , in gratitude for the gifts of the Holy Eucharist , Confession , and of public devotion , will gladly assist , ” he said .

The bishops claim that the decision was made 'after consultation with the governor and health officials.'
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – During the COVID-19 pandemic, churches in the state of Ohio are considered an essential business and allowed to stay open. “Religious facilities, entities and groups and religious gatherings, including weddings and funerals,” are listed by the state as “essential businesses and operations” which may stay open.
The order of the Ohio Department of Health was issued on March 22, taking effect on March 24, and scheduled to last until April 6.
The bishops within the state of Ohio, organized as the Catholic Conference of Ohio, had already decided on March 16 to cancel all public Masses and liturgies, “at least through the celebrations of Holy Week and Easter.”
While all businesses and operations deemed by the state of Ohio to be “non-essential” were ordered to stop, a fairly lengthy list of exceptions included religious entities. Another exception were organizations providing charitable and social services.
Even though “religious gatherings” are explicitly permitted by the order of the Ohio Department of Health, the requirements of social distancing would still have to be practiced.
This includes “maintaining at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals, washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer, covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and not shaking hands.”
All of these measures could be observed in a Catholic environment, but the public may only leave the house for essential activities. The list of essential activities includes only “health and safety,” obtaining “necessary supplies and services,” “outdoor activity,” “certain types of work,” related to the list of essential businesses and operations, and “to take care of others.”
The order later clarifies that “essential travel” is defined as any travel “related to the provision of or access to Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, Essential Businesses and Operations, or Minimum Basic Operations.”
Legally, public Masses would not be a problem. Nevertheless, the bishops of Ohio never revoked their decision to cancel all public Masses.
“The bishops of Ohio dispense the Catholic faithful who reside in their respective dioceses and all other Catholics currently in Ohio from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass through Easter Sunday,” they wrote instead on March 16.
In their statement, the bishops claim that the decision was made “after consultation with the governor and health officials,” convincing the bishops “that this is the most prudent and necessary action.” Given the more recent order of the Ohio government, this might no longer be the case.
“This is a step that I wish we did not feel compelled to take,” said Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr of Cincinnati, Ohio, on March 17. “I realize it is yet another source of suffering in an already trying time. However, given the grave health risks we are currently facing, especially with regard to public gatherings, I believe it is a necessary step in the interest of the common good that will help to curb the spread of this virus.”
Cardinal Raymond Burke had a different emphasis in a statement released on March 21.
“We can provide more opportunities for the Holy Mass and devotions at which a number of faithful can participate without violating necessary precautions against the spread of contagion,” he wrote. “Many of our churches and chapels are very large. They permit a group of the faithful to gather for prayer and worship without violating the requirements of ‘social distance.’”
The former Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the highest court within the Catholic Church, offered some practical advice, as well, stressing the role of the laity.
“If a church or chapel does not have a sufficiently large staff to be able to disinfect regularly the pews and other surfaces, I have no doubt that the faithful, in gratitude for the gifts of the Holy Eucharist, Confession, and of public devotion, will gladly assist,” he said.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-27--Police officer tells pro-lifers they can’t pray outside Planned Parenthood because of COVID-19

COLUMBUS , Ohio , March 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Yesterday , a police officer told pro-life activists that if they displayed signs and spoke to people going inside a Planned Parenthood surgical abortion center , they would be in violation of an order issued by Gov .
Mike DeWine earlier this week .
The pro-life activists were with Created Equal and caught the exchange with the officer on film .
As the video demonstrates , the officer had been given orders by the Columbus Police Department Legal Counsel to cite anyone for being on the sidewalk .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-lifers this , he returned , admitted that he was wrong , and said they could stay to counsel the women seeking abortions .
However , the pro-lifers were told they still could not have more than 10 people on the sidewalk and had to maintain proper “ social distancing.
” “ Despite orders to cease performing surgical abortions , in most states Planned Parenthood is defying these orders , maintaining abortions are essential service , ” Created Equal ’ s Mark Harrington said .
“ At the same time when pro-life speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parenthood is violating the orders of several governors to cease non-essential service ( i.e .
– surgical abortions ) .
Unfortunately , what happened to us in Columbus is happening across America .
As long as Planned Parenthood is killing babies , we will work [ to ] save them .
”

He then reversed course but told the activists there couldn't be more than 10 people on the sidewalk.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Yesterday, a police officer told pro-life activists that if they displayed signs and spoke to people going inside a Planned Parenthood surgical abortion center, they would be in violation of an order issued by Gov. Mike DeWine earlier this week.
The pro-life activists were with Created Equal and caught the exchange with the officer on film.
As the video demonstrates, the officer had been given orders by the Columbus Police Department Legal Counsel to cite anyone for being on the sidewalk. Within a few minutes of telling the pro-lifers this, he returned, admitted that he was wrong, and said they could stay to counsel the women seeking abortions. However, the pro-lifers were told they still could not have more than 10 people on the sidewalk and had to maintain proper “social distancing.”
“Despite orders to cease performing surgical abortions, in most states Planned Parenthood is defying these orders, maintaining abortions are essential service,” Created Equal’s Mark Harrington said. “At the same time when pro-life speech is not being considered essential, Planned Parenthood is violating the orders of several governors to cease non-essential service (i.e. – surgical abortions). Unfortunately, what happened to us in Columbus is happening across America. As long as Planned Parenthood is killing babies, we will work [to] save them.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-27--Theologians defend Cdl Burke for linking COVID-19 to society’s rebellion against God

PRAYER PLEDGE : Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus Sign the petition here .
March 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Several widely regarded Catholics have come out in defense of Cardinal Raymond Burke after a pro-homosexual group that claims to be “ Catholic ” demanded that Pope Francis remove the Cardinal from public ministry for linking the coronavirus calamity to man ’ s distance from God , especially with regard to sexuality .
Cardinal Burke , in a statement on the COVID-19 pandemic released March 21 , pointed out that “ a person of faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which we find ourselves without considering also how distant our popular culture is from God.
” The former prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura , the highest court within the Catholic Church , proceeded to list a number of ways in which society has turned away from the creator .
“ It is not only indifferent to His presence in our midst but openly rebellious toward Him and the good order with which He has created us and sustains us in being , ” Cardinal Burke said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks on human life , male and female , which God has made in His own image and likeness , attacks on the innocent and defenseless unborn , and on those who have the first title to our care , those who are heavily burdened with serious illness , advanced years , or special needs.
” The Cardinal criticized today ’ s “ pervasive attack upon the integrity of human sexuality , of our identity as man or woman , with the pretense of defining for ourselves , often employing violent means , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to us by God .
With ever greater concern , we witness the devastating effect on individuals and families of the so-called ‘ gender theory.
’ ” Finally , Cardinal Burke mentioned “ a paganism which worships nature and the earth.
” “ There are those within the Church who refer to the earth as our mother , as if we came from the earth , and the earth is our salvation .
But we come from the hand of God , Creator of Heaven and Earth .
In God alone we find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Francis DeBernardo , executive director of the pro-LGBT New Ways Ministry , claimed in a March 25 statement , that the Cardinal had “ blamed the coronavirus pandemic on LGBTQ people.
” He also accused Burke along with Bishop Ramón Castro of Cuernavaca , Mexico of having promoted “ ignorant disinformation in the midst of a global health crisis.
” DeBernardo called on Pope Francis to “ remove both men from public ministry for dangerous and irresponsible language about LGBTQ people.
” Several widely regarded Catholics , however , have come out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith , a former professor of moral theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit , Michigan , denounced New Ways Ministry ’ s attack on the Cardinal as “ full of disinformation , that is , falsehoods.
” “ They claim that Burke has blamed the coronavirus pandemic on LGBTQ people .
He said nothing remotely like that and in fact does not even mention LGBTQ people , ” she remarked to LifeSiteNews .
“ There is a mention of ‘ gender theory ’ as one of the confusions that has resulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is not identified as responsible for the coronavirus , ” Smith explained .
She clarified that the cardinal wanted to address “ the fact that because of the virus no public Catholic Masses are permitted , ” not blame certain groups of people for the pandemic .
Burke maintained , said Smith , “ that the evils we endure are the result of being rebellious towards God ; therefore to combat these evils we must turn again to God.
” “ New Ways Ministry fears his letter will ignite violence against LGBTQ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding , “ It most certainly won ’ t , if people read what it says and recognize what it says.
” Fr .
Serafino Lanzetta , a member of the John Paul II Academy for Human Life and Family , stressed that Burke ’ s statement on “ the pervasive attack upon the integrity of human sexuality , of our identity as man or woman ” has to be seen “ in the light of many other sins denounced by His Eminence as the cause of a just punishment permitted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the present one , Fr .
Serafino told LifeSiteNews , “ is an effect of original sin and of our actual sins .
Any sin needs to be repaired , but the one against God ’ s creation of man adds a specific immoral gravity — that of a tremendous rebellion towards God trying to replace Him with something made by us.
” “ This indeed needs urgent reparation .
God can never be replaced by man , ” he said .
According to the priest , Catholics have a duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have always the right to remind people of God ’ s creation , of what He did when He created man male and female .
This is objective and the very foundation of a moral judgment.
” LifeSiteNews also talked to Maria Madise , international director at the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ( SPUC ) .
She called it “ hardly surprising that the dissident pseudo-Catholic group New Ways Ministry is taking issue with orthodox prelates who imply that the behavior being promoted by the LGBTQ agenda and gender ideology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burke ’ s comments about the COVID-19 crisis “ caring and pastoral , inspired by authentic love of truth.
” New Ways Ministry has been condemned by a number of bishops in the past .
LifeSiteNews reported in 2010 on Cardinal Francis George of Chicago , Illinois , stating that the group promotes teachings that are not Catholic .
“ I wish to make it clear that , like other groups that claim to be Catholic but deny central aspects of Church teaching , New Ways Ministry has no approval or recognition from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not speak on behalf of the Catholic faithful in the United States , ” George had said at the time .
In 2011 , Cardinal Donald Wuerl , considered a liberal by many Catholics , wrote , “ In no manner is the position proposed by New Ways Ministry in conformity with Catholic teaching , and in no manner is this organization authorized to speak on behalf of the Catholic Church or to identify itself as a Catholic organization .
”

New Ways Ministry accused Cdl. Raymond Burke of demonizing LGBT people by mentioning gender theory in his remarks on the Catholic faith and the coronavirus.
PRAYER PLEDGE: Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus Sign the petition here.
March 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Several widely regarded Catholics have come out in defense of Cardinal Raymond Burke after a pro-homosexual group that claims to be “Catholic” demanded that Pope Francis remove the Cardinal from public ministry for linking the coronavirus calamity to man’s distance from God, especially with regard to sexuality.
Cardinal Burke, in a statement on the COVID-19 pandemic released March 21, pointed out that “a person of faith cannot consider the present calamity in which we find ourselves without considering also how distant our popular culture is from God.”
The former prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the highest court within the Catholic Church, proceeded to list a number of ways in which society has turned away from the creator.
“It is not only indifferent to His presence in our midst but openly rebellious toward Him and the good order with which He has created us and sustains us in being,” Cardinal Burke said.
“We need only think of the commonplace violent attacks on human life, male and female, which God has made in His own image and likeness, attacks on the innocent and defenseless unborn, and on those who have the first title to our care, those who are heavily burdened with serious illness, advanced years, or special needs.”
The Cardinal criticized today’s “pervasive attack upon the integrity of human sexuality, of our identity as man or woman, with the pretense of defining for ourselves, often employing violent means, a sexual identity other than that given to us by God. With ever greater concern, we witness the devastating effect on individuals and families of the so-called ‘gender theory.’”
Finally, Cardinal Burke mentioned “a paganism which worships nature and the earth.”
“There are those within the Church who refer to the earth as our mother, as if we came from the earth, and the earth is our salvation. But we come from the hand of God, Creator of Heaven and Earth. In God alone we find salvation,” the American Cardinal emphasized.
Francis DeBernardo, executive director of the pro-LGBT New Ways Ministry, claimed in a March 25 statement, that the Cardinal had “blamed the coronavirus pandemic on LGBTQ people.” He also accused Burke along with Bishop Ramón Castro of Cuernavaca, Mexico of having promoted “ignorant disinformation in the midst of a global health crisis.”
DeBernardo called on Pope Francis to “remove both men from public ministry for dangerous and irresponsible language about LGBTQ people.”
Several widely regarded Catholics, however, have come out in defense of the Cardinal.
Janet Smith, a former professor of moral theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, denounced New Ways Ministry’s attack on the Cardinal as “full of disinformation, that is, falsehoods.”
“They claim that Burke has blamed the coronavirus pandemic on LGBTQ people. He said nothing remotely like that and in fact does not even mention LGBTQ people,” she remarked to LifeSiteNews.
“There is a mention of ‘gender theory’ as one of the confusions that has resulted from turning away from God, but it is not identified as responsible for the coronavirus,” Smith explained.
She clarified that the cardinal wanted to address “the fact that because of the virus no public Catholic Masses are permitted,” not blame certain groups of people for the pandemic.
Burke maintained, said Smith, “that the evils we endure are the result of being rebellious towards God; therefore to combat these evils we must turn again to God.”
“New Ways Ministry fears his letter will ignite violence against LGBTQ people,” Smith said in conclusion, adding, “It most certainly won’t, if people read what it says and recognize what it says.”
Fr. Serafino Lanzetta, a member of the John Paul II Academy for Human Life and Family, stressed that Burke’s statement on “the pervasive attack upon the integrity of human sexuality, of our identity as man or woman” has to be seen “in the light of many other sins denounced by His Eminence as the cause of a just punishment permitted by God with a pestilence.”
Any pestilence, including the present one, Fr. Serafino told LifeSiteNews, “is an effect of original sin and of our actual sins. Any sin needs to be repaired, but the one against God’s creation of man adds a specific immoral gravity — that of a tremendous rebellion towards God trying to replace Him with something made by us.”
“This indeed needs urgent reparation. God can never be replaced by man,” he said.
According to the priest, Catholics have a duty to proclaim the truth. “We have always the right to remind people of God’s creation, of what He did when He created man male and female. This is objective and the very foundation of a moral judgment.”
LifeSiteNews also talked to Maria Madise, international director at the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). She called it “hardly surprising that the dissident pseudo-Catholic group New Ways Ministry is taking issue with orthodox prelates who imply that the behavior being promoted by the LGBTQ agenda and gender ideology is offensive to God.”
Madise called Burke’s comments about the COVID-19 crisis “caring and pastoral, inspired by authentic love of truth.”
New Ways Ministry has been condemned by a number of bishops in the past. LifeSiteNews reported in 2010 on Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, Illinois, stating that the group promotes teachings that are not Catholic.
“I wish to make it clear that, like other groups that claim to be Catholic but deny central aspects of Church teaching, New Ways Ministry has no approval or recognition from the Catholic Church and that they cannot speak on behalf of the Catholic faithful in the United States,” George had said at the time.
In 2011, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, considered a liberal by many Catholics, wrote, “In no manner is the position proposed by New Ways Ministry in conformity with Catholic teaching, and in no manner is this organization authorized to speak on behalf of the Catholic Church or to identify itself as a Catholic organization.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-27--US Senator: We must end China’s drug control, bring production back home

WASHINGTON , D.C. , March 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A United States senator pleaded with her colleagues to end the country ’ s dangerous reliance on Chinese drug production by bringing pharmaceutical manufacturing back into the United States of America .
Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R-Tenn. ) delivered a sobering presentation , urging her colleagues to join in supporting a measure — aptly named the “ Securing America ’ s Medicine Cabinet Act ” — which aims to free the U.S. from China ’ s stranglehold on the supply chain for many important drugs .
Not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s current “ gross malfeasance ” in its handling of its coronavirus outbreak , downplaying the severity of COVID-19 and denying the risk of person-to-person transmission ; she also called attention to a long history of the Chinese pharmaceutical industry supplying the U.S. with substandard — sometimes deadly — medicines .
Speaking from the floor of the Senate chamber on Wednesday , Blackburn declared in no uncertain terms that our country ’ s relationship with China needs to change .
“ Americans deserve better than this from their pharmaceutical supply chain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are going to do so at our own peril , ” said Blackburn .
“ I encourage my colleagues to support the bipartisan Securing America ’ s Medicine Cabinet Act , ” urged the Tennessee senator .
“ Bring this pharmaceutical manufacturing back into the United States of America , ” she continued .
“ We need to end Chinese control over our health and wellness in this pharmaceutical supply chain.
” “ This may seem like something that is too large or too risky an undertaking , but we have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug manufacturers , ” noted Blackburn .
“ And it ’ s not going to stop because that vulnerability is leverage in the hands of madmen in Beijing who seek nothing but power and will go to any lengths to acquire that power.
” “ They don ’ t care who they hurt ; It ’ s clear with this global pandemic .
They don ’ t care if it is innocent people that are sick or maybe even that lose their life , ” she said , noting that “ They defy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we try to stop them.
” “ It ’ s time that we rise to the challenge and that we return this supply chain , ” she concluded .
Click here to watch the video of Sen. Blackburn ’ s remarks .
Below is the text : [ A ] fter we acknowledge Beijing ’ s gross malfeasance , we ’ re going to adjust the way we think about China in the context of the economy , of our national defense , technology , human rights , and pharmaceutical manufacturing .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Beijing intentionally downplayed the deadly nature of COVID-19 should come as no surprise .
For decades —Decades !
— China has made [ it ] their business to search out our vulnerabilities , exploit those vulnerabilities , and then what do they try to do ?
They try to use that as leverage against us .
So it is time for us to say , ‘ No more.
’ Now here is another component , and I ’ ve talked about this this week on the floor : Our pharmaceutical supply chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year — the F.D.A .
announced the shortage of a drug used to treat victims of COVID-19 .
Imagine that , there was a drug shortage .
They attributed the shortage to difficulties obtaining the active ingredient in this pharmaceutical .
The Active ingredient , they are called APIs .
Now , they couldn ’ t get it from this site in China which was the site that manufactured it because that site had been affected by COVID-19 .
So here we are .
We need this component to go into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the factory that produces this has been affected by COVID-19 .
And it ’ s not the first time that this has happened .
In 2016 , we saw a shortage of an important antibiotic when the sole source of its production — the only place on the globe that produced this antibiotic — was in China , and that factory was shut down .
Couldn ’ t get it .
Our vulnerability is not limited to one drug or even just a handful of drugs .
In 2007 and 2008 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood thinner that came directly from a factory in China .
They died .
246 people , just like that .
Routine inspections didn ’ t catch the contaminant , and the drugs flowed right into our medicine cabinets .
[ In ] 2010 , regulators had also found serious problems with batches of thyroid medication , muscle relaxers , antibiotics .
And this week I got an email from a Tennessean .
He said , “ I saw what you said on the floor , and I want to let you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was just recalled because it contained a carcinogen and it was made in China.
” Think about this : These are the pharmaceuticals we take to return ourselves to health and wellness , to manage chronic conditions .
And here we have example after example : [ T ] hings that are contaminated are not what they are intended to be .
These are basic , common medications .
In 2018 , the F.D.A .
recalled several blood pressure medications made in China that were contaminated with cancer-causing toxins .
Now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people that come to work every day in this building that take a blood pressure medication .
What if you had been taking one for a period of time , and it contained the cancer-causing toxins ?
Americans deserve better than this from their pharmaceutical supply chain .
If we allow this to continue , we are going to do so at our own peril .
I encourage my colleagues to support the bipartisan Securing America ’ s Medicine Cabinet Act .
Sen. Menendez has worked on this legislation with me , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his support .
Mr. President , you are working on legislation that would address some of these issues .
Bring this pharmaceutical manufacturing back into the United States of America .
We need to end Chinese control over our health and wellness in this pharmaceutical supply chain .
This may seem like something that is too large or too risky an undertaking , but we have already paid dearly for our reliance on Chinese drug manufacturers , and it ’ s not going to stop because that vulnerability is leverage in the hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but power and will go to any lengths to acquire that power .
They don ’ t care who they hurt .
It ’ s clear with this global pandemic .
They don ’ t care if it is innocent people that are sick or maybe even that lose their life .
And they defy us — they defy us — when we try to stop them .
It ’ s time that we rise to the challenge and that we return this supply chain .
Senator Marsha Blackburn is renowned as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

'Americans deserve better than this from their pharmaceutical supply chain,' said Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A United States senator pleaded with her colleagues to end the country’s dangerous reliance on Chinese drug production by bringing pharmaceutical manufacturing back into the United States of America.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered a sobering presentation, urging her colleagues to join in supporting a measure — aptly named the “Securing America’s Medicine Cabinet Act” — which aims to free the U.S. from China’s stranglehold on the supply chain for many important drugs.
Not only did Blackburn note the Chinese communist government’s current “gross malfeasance” in its handling of its coronavirus outbreak, downplaying the severity of COVID-19 and denying the risk of person-to-person transmission; she also called attention to a long history of the Chinese pharmaceutical industry supplying the U.S. with substandard — sometimes deadly — medicines.
Speaking from the floor of the Senate chamber on Wednesday, Blackburn declared in no uncertain terms that our country’s relationship with China needs to change.
“Americans deserve better than this from their pharmaceutical supply chain. If we allow this to continue, we are going to do so at our own peril,” said Blackburn.
“I encourage my colleagues to support the bipartisan Securing America’s Medicine Cabinet Act,” urged the Tennessee senator.
“Bring this pharmaceutical manufacturing back into the United States of America,” she continued. “We need to end Chinese control over our health and wellness in this pharmaceutical supply chain.”
“This may seem like something that is too large or too risky an undertaking, but we have already paid dearly for our reliance on Chinese drug manufacturers,” noted Blackburn. “And it’s not going to stop because that vulnerability is leverage in the hands of madmen in Beijing who seek nothing but power and will go to any lengths to acquire that power.”
“They don’t care who they hurt; It’s clear with this global pandemic. They don’t care if it is innocent people that are sick or maybe even that lose their life,” she said, noting that “They defy us — they defy us — when we try to stop them.”
“It’s time that we rise to the challenge and that we return this supply chain,” she concluded.
Click here to watch the video of Sen. Blackburn’s remarks. Below is the text:
[A]fter we acknowledge Beijing’s gross malfeasance, we’re going to adjust the way we think about China in the context of the economy, of our national defense, technology, human rights, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. When you think about it, the fact that Beijing intentionally downplayed the deadly nature of COVID-19 should come as no surprise. For decades —Decades!— China has made [it] their business to search out our vulnerabilities, exploit those vulnerabilities, and then what do they try to do? They try to use that as leverage against us. So it is time for us to say, ‘No more.’ Now here is another component, and I’ve talked about this this week on the floor: Our pharmaceutical supply chain. On February 27, 2020 — this year — the F.D.A. announced the shortage of a drug used to treat victims of COVID-19. Imagine that, there was a drug shortage. They attributed the shortage to difficulties obtaining the active ingredient in this pharmaceutical. The Active ingredient, they are called APIs. Now, they couldn’t get it from this site in China which was the site that manufactured it because that site had been affected by COVID-19. So here we are. We need this component to go into a pharmaceutical. We cannot get it because the factory that produces this has been affected by COVID-19. And it’s not the first time that this has happened. In 2016, we saw a shortage of an important antibiotic when the sole source of its production — the only place on the globe that produced this antibiotic — was in China, and that factory was shut down. Couldn’t get it. Our vulnerability is not limited to one drug or even just a handful of drugs. In 2007 and 2008, 246 people died after taking a contaminated blood thinner that came directly from a factory in China. They died. 246 people, just like that. Routine inspections didn’t catch the contaminant, and the drugs flowed right into our medicine cabinets. [In] 2010, regulators had also found serious problems with batches of thyroid medication, muscle relaxers, antibiotics. And this week I got an email from a Tennessean. He said, “I saw what you said on the floor, and I want to let you know I take a heart medication, and it was just recalled because it contained a carcinogen and it was made in China.” Think about this: These are the pharmaceuticals we take to return ourselves to health and wellness, to manage chronic conditions. And here we have example after example: [T]hings that are contaminated are not what they are intended to be. These are basic, common medications. In 2018, the F.D.A. recalled several blood pressure medications made in China that were contaminated with cancer-causing toxins. Now, I would imagine there are a few people that come to work every day in this building that take a blood pressure medication. What if you had been taking one for a period of time, and it contained the cancer-causing toxins? Americans deserve better than this from their pharmaceutical supply chain. If we allow this to continue, we are going to do so at our own peril. I encourage my colleagues to support the bipartisan Securing America’s Medicine Cabinet Act. Sen. Menendez has worked on this legislation with me, and I’m grateful to him for his support. Mr. President, you are working on legislation that would address some of these issues. Bring this pharmaceutical manufacturing back into the United States of America. We need to end Chinese control over our health and wellness in this pharmaceutical supply chain. This may seem like something that is too large or too risky an undertaking, but we have already paid dearly for our reliance on Chinese drug manufacturers, and it’s not going to stop because that vulnerability is leverage in the hands of madmen in Beijing who seek nothing but power and will go to any lengths to acquire that power. They don’t care who they hurt. It’s clear with this global pandemic. They don’t care if it is innocent people that are sick or maybe even that lose their life. And they defy us — they defy us — when we try to stop them. It’s time that we rise to the challenge and that we return this supply chain.
Senator Marsha Blackburn is renowned as a pro-life champion and protector of free speech.
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