lifesitenews--2020-01-13--States prepare for battles overs pro-life bills as 2020 election looms

January 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – With the dawn of a new year as well as impending elections , state legislatures across America are gearing up for another year of abortion battles , with supporters and opponents alike preparing legislation of various kinds .
Two measures are pending before the Florida Legislature : SB 404 , which requires written parental consent before a minor ’ s abortion , and SB 734 , which bans abortions sought specifically on the basis of a diagnosis or suspicion that a child has Down syndrome .
“ This is not a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican state Sen. Kelli Stargel of the parental consent measure .
`` Current law has notice — there are already processes in place that handle this , we ’ re just making the conversation a little bit stronger.
” Both bills still have to make their way through the legislature , but if they pass they are likely to be signed into law by pro-life Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis .
In Iowa , pro-lifers seek to amend the Iowa Constitution with language specifying that the document “ does not secure or protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding of abortion.
” The amendment comes in response to judicial rulings that have interfered with recent atttempts to enact pro-life legislation .
“ We want to make sure that whatever we ’ re doing on life now is actually going to move us forward and not move us backward , ” said Republican state Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver .
“ We have passed several pro-life bills the last couple years and what has happened is the court has come in and struck all of those down and then not only struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a right to an abortion into our state constitution.
” Amending the state Constitution would be a multi-year process involving passage in Iowa ’ s general assembly twice , then ratification by the voters .
Kansas pro-lifers are making the case for a similar amendment to their own state Constitution , meant to correct a Kansas Supreme Court ruling from last April asserting a state-level “ right ” to abortion .
Kansas constitutional amendments require a two-thirds vote in the legislature , but could then be put on the ballot as early as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re really stuck here , ” Kansans for Life director Mary Kay Culp told lawmakers at a recent hearing .
“ They always talk about U.S. constitutional crises – we ’ ve really got one here in the state of Kansas , because there is no other way to do it from our understanding.
” Culp argued that the decision endangers all of the state ’ s current pro-life laws , which have been credited with cutting Kansas abortions in half .
In Massachusetts , Democrats are pushing the so-called ROE Act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortions ( justified on vague “ mental health ” grounds ) , eliminate the state ’ s current parental-consent requirement , and repeal language language requiring that abortionists “ take all reasonable steps ( … ) to preserve the life and health of the aborted child.
” The bill ’ s supporters frame it as a necessary precaution for the possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court might repeal Roe v. Wade in the near future .
It ’ s expected to clear the legislature , but despite supporting legal abortion , liberal Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about doing away with parental consent .
Meanwhile , pro-lifers in Michigan and Nebraska are both pushing bans on the dilation and evacuation ( D & E ) abortion procedure , more commonly known as dismemberment abortions because they function by tearing a preborn baby apart limb by limb .
Abortion activists have long complained about the “ dismemberment ” label despite it accurately reflecting the description in the National Abortion Federation ’ s own instructional materials , and claim dismemberment abortions are the safest second-trimester procedure available ( for the mother ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D & Es because they can fit more into their schedule , and therefore make more money .
In Ohio , Republicans support legislation that would fully recognize preborn humans as people in the state and ban all abortions by adding prenatal killing to the state ’ s existing murder statutes .
“ The time for regulating evil and compromise is over , ” Republican state Rep. Candice Keller has said .
“ The time has come to abolish abortion in its entirety and recognize that each individual has the inviolable and inalienable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life can be the foundation of a free society that supports peace , justice and integrity.
” Many of the above bills and similar measures are sure to face legal challenges if they become law , but some are also meant to provoke those very lawsuits , thereby creating test cases for the Supreme Court to reconsider Roe .
The survival of these laws will also depend on November ’ s state and federal elections , which will not only decide the majorities of state legislatures but decide whether President Donald Trump or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filling new judicial vacancies over the next four years .

January 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – With the dawn of a new year as well as impending elections, state legislatures across America are gearing up for another year of abortion battles, with supporters and opponents alike preparing legislation of various kinds. Two measures are pending before the Florida Legislature: SB 404, which requires written parental consent before a minor’s abortion, and SB 734, which bans abortions sought specifically on the basis of a diagnosis or suspicion that a child has Down syndrome. “This is not a huge departure from current law,” said Republican state Sen. Kelli Stargel of the parental consent […]
January 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – With the dawn of a new year as well as impending elections, state legislatures across America are gearing up for another year of abortion battles, with supporters and opponents alike preparing legislation of various kinds.
Two measures are pending before the Florida Legislature: SB 404, which requires written parental consent before a minor’s abortion, and SB 734, which bans abortions sought specifically on the basis of a diagnosis or suspicion that a child has Down syndrome.
“This is not a huge departure from current law,” said Republican state Sen. Kelli Stargel of the parental consent measure. “Current law has notice — there are already processes in place that handle this, we’re just making the conversation a little bit stronger.” Both bills still have to make their way through the legislature, but if they pass they are likely to be signed into law by pro-life Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
In Iowa, pro-lifers seek to amend the Iowa Constitution with language specifying that the document “does not secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.” The amendment comes in response to judicial rulings that have interfered with recent atttempts to enact pro-life legislation.
“We want to make sure that whatever we’re doing on life now is actually going to move us forward and not move us backward,” said Republican state Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver. “We have passed several pro-life bills the last couple years and what has happened is the court has come in and struck all of those down and then not only struck them down, the court has written a right to an abortion into our state constitution.”
Amending the state Constitution would be a multi-year process involving passage in Iowa’s general assembly twice, then ratification by the voters.
Kansas pro-lifers are making the case for a similar amendment to their own state Constitution, meant to correct a Kansas Supreme Court ruling from last April asserting a state-level “right” to abortion. Kansas constitutional amendments require a two-thirds vote in the legislature, but could then be put on the ballot as early as August or November.
“We’re really stuck here,” Kansans for Life director Mary Kay Culp told lawmakers at a recent hearing. “They always talk about U.S. constitutional crises – we’ve really got one here in the state of Kansas, because there is no other way to do it from our understanding.” Culp argued that the decision endangers all of the state’s current pro-life laws, which have been credited with cutting Kansas abortions in half.
In Massachusetts, Democrats are pushing the so-called ROE Act, which would allow for virtually unlimited late-term abortions (justified on vague “mental health” grounds), eliminate the state’s current parental-consent requirement, and repeal language language requiring that abortionists “take all reasonable steps (…) to preserve the life and health of the aborted child.”
The bill’s supporters frame it as a necessary precaution for the possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court might repeal Roe v. Wade in the near future. It’s expected to clear the legislature, but despite supporting legal abortion, liberal Republican Gov. Charlie Baker has expressed reservations about doing away with parental consent.
Meanwhile, pro-lifers in Michigan and Nebraska are both pushing bans on the dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortion procedure, more commonly known as dismemberment abortions because they function by tearing a preborn baby apart limb by limb.
Abortion activists have long complained about the “dismemberment” label despite it accurately reflecting the description in the National Abortion Federation’s own instructional materials, and claim dismemberment abortions are the safest second-trimester procedure available (for the mother). Pro-lifers contend that abortionists actually prefer D&Es because they can fit more into their schedule, and therefore make more money.
In Ohio, Republicans support legislation that would fully recognize preborn humans as people in the state and ban all abortions by adding prenatal killing to the state’s existing murder statutes.
“The time for regulating evil and compromise is over,” Republican state Rep. Candice Keller has said. “The time has come to abolish abortion in its entirety and recognize that each individual has the inviolable and inalienable Right to Life. Only respect for life can be the foundation of a free society that supports peace, justice and integrity.”
Many of the above bills and similar measures are sure to face legal challenges if they become law, but some are also meant to provoke those very lawsuits, thereby creating test cases for the Supreme Court to reconsider Roe.
The survival of these laws will also depend on November’s state and federal elections, which will not only decide the majorities of state legislatures but decide whether President Donald Trump or one of his Democrat challengers will be filling new judicial vacancies over the next four years.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-13--We must truly know our faith in order to live it

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

Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 1.13.2020. Today, Mother continues to read and discuss the book The Catechism Explained. If you want a deeper understanding of your Catholic faith, you don't want to miss this show!
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Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-01-13--Arizona lawmaker pushes for only two gender options on government docs

ARIZONA , January 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A Republican state lawmaker in Arizona has proposed three new bills that would make the recognition of the reality that there are only two genders compulsory in state schools , on all state documents , and on birth certificates .
Rep. John Fillmore ’ s first proposed bill , HB 2080 , would prevent any state agency , board , commission , or department from listing anything other than “ male ” or “ female ” as an individual ’ s sex on any document .
His second proposed bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birth certificates only list “ male ” and “ female ” as options for a newborn ’ s sex .
And his third proposed bill , HB 2082 , would bar schools from forcing teachers or others to use a biologically incorrect pronoun when referring to a student .
They would not be forced to use anything “ other than the sex or gender pronoun that corresponds to the sex listed on that student ’ s birth certificate.
” His proposals were made just days after Democrat state representative Rosanna Gabaldon proposed bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ nonbinary ” choice for sex on driver ’ s licenses .
According the Arizona Capital Times “ [ a ] t least 15 states have ‘ nonbinary ’ as an option on driver ’ s licenses and ID cards , most recently Massachusetts which added the option in November.
” “ For thousands of years we ’ ve had two biological sexes and we haven ’ t had any problems , ” Fillmore told Capitol Media Services .
“ So now if you start introducing all of this other stuff you really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued .
“ And I don ’ t think it behooves society , the state of Arizona , and especially the school districts , to be dealing with this.
” “ We ’ ve got to get back to 2 plus 2 is 4 and keep basic educational items to allow our kids to grow up and to function in society , ” he said .
“ And all of this sexual stuff , I don ’ t think should be out there at all.
” Gabaldon said that she wants to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognizing diversity.
” Gabaldon is also sponsoring HB 2074 , which would require that death certificates note the deceased person 's “ gender identity .
”

John Fillmore's bills were introduced just days after Democrat state representative Rosanna Gabaldon proposed bill HB 2075, which would create a 'nonbinary' choice for sex on driver’s licenses.
ARIZONA, January 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A Republican state lawmaker in Arizona has proposed three new bills that would make the recognition of the reality that there are only two genders compulsory in state schools, on all state documents, and on birth certificates.
Rep. John Fillmore’s first proposed bill, HB 2080, would prevent any state agency, board, commission, or department from listing anything other than “male” or “female” as an individual’s sex on any document.
His second proposed bill, HB 2081, would require that birth certificates only list “male” and “female” as options for a newborn’s sex.
And his third proposed bill, HB 2082, would bar schools from forcing teachers or others to use a biologically incorrect pronoun when referring to a student. They would not be forced to use anything “other than the sex or gender pronoun that corresponds to the sex listed on that student’s birth certificate.”
His proposals were made just days after Democrat state representative Rosanna Gabaldon proposed bill HB 2075, which would create a “nonbinary” choice for sex on driver’s licenses.
According the Arizona Capital Times “[a]t least 15 states have ‘nonbinary’ as an option on driver’s licenses and ID cards, most recently Massachusetts which added the option in November.”
“For thousands of years we’ve had two biological sexes and we haven’t had any problems,” Fillmore told Capitol Media Services.
“So now if you start introducing all of this other stuff you really muddy the waters up,” he continued. “And I don’t think it behooves society, the state of Arizona, and especially the school districts, to be dealing with this.”
“We’ve got to get back to 2 plus 2 is 4 and keep basic educational items to allow our kids to grow up and to function in society,” he said. “And all of this sexual stuff, I don’t think should be out there at all.”
Gabaldon said that she wants to see “Arizona on the front lines of recognizing diversity.”
Gabaldon is also sponsoring HB 2074, which would require that death certificates note the deceased person's “gender identity.”
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lifesitenews--2020-01-13--Critics of Pope Benedict furious over news of new book

VATICAN CITY , January 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― Some of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI ’ s most vociferous critics are reacting passionately on social media to the news that he and a leading cardinal have written a book together defending priestly celibacy .
Yesterday a French newspaper , Le Figaro , broke the news that Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah had collaborated on the soon-to-be released From the Depths of Our Hearts .
The French volume will be available on January 15 .
The English translation of the book will be published by Ignatius Press in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pope Emeritus and Cardinal Sarah defended priestly celibacy in the book drove both their critics and their fans to their keyboards .
Joshua McElwee of the National Catholic Reporter suggested that by writing about the celibate priesthood the Pope Emeritus was opposing the plans of Pope Francis .
“ News : Retired Pope Benedict XVI has coauthored a book w/ Cardinal Sarah to defend practice of celibate priesthood in the Catholic Church , ” McElwee wrote on Twitter .
“ It comes as Pope Francis is considering allowing married priests in the Amazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ incredible.
” “ As I digest this , I 'm realizing how incredible it is [ : ] A former pope speaking in public about something his successor is currently in the process of considering , ” he wrote .
However , there has not been another former living pope since 1415 .
Father James Martin , SJ , of America magazine said that he found the news “ hard to fathom ” and criticized Benedict for speaking out .
“ I have the greatest respect for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he resigned the papacy , he said he would remain ‘ hidden from the world , ’ ” he continued .
“ [ ... ] But here , he is speaking out on an issue that was one of the main topics for the recent Synod on the Amazon and is now under consideration by the Pope.
” Martin , known for his LGBT advocacy , added that people might interpret this action as a “ great theologian contributing to the conversation ” but that others might see it as “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to disunity.
” As one of his Twitter readers noted , Fr .
Martin wrote in 2008 that when the newly-elected Benedict stepped out onto the balcony in 2005 , Fr .
Martin had felt like throwing himself from one .
Pope Francis ’ English biographer Austen Ivereigh accused Cardinal Sarah of having “ contempt ” for the married men already permitted to become priests .
“ After reading Card Sarah ’ s words and declarations in Le Figaro , what ’ s clear is his contempt for Eastern-rite , Ordinariate & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures that ‘ wound ’ the priesthood — ie a strong rejection of postconciliar popes ’ ecumenical approaches , ” Ivereigh tweeted .
In another tweet , Ivereigh made a reference to an “ emeritus papacy , ” calling it “ a mess.
” Earlier , he suggested that Benedict had been abused and manipulated into writing his defense of priestly celibacy .
“ Reports on emeritus pope ’ s condition these past months concur : he is conscious for barely half an hour at a time , ” Ivereigh alleged .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Francis ] , ” he continued .
“ If he is giving views that undermine Francis it means he is being manipulated by the usual unscrupulous courtiers .
# elderabuse.
” Historian Massimo Faggioli also believes that Pope Benedict is “ incapacitated ” and suggested that there ought to be a law restraining him .
“ Not only is there no canon law concerning the situation created by an incapacitated pope , ” the Villanova University professor tweeted , “ the Catholic Church evidently also needs a law concerning the situation created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his entourage.
” Vatican-based journalist Marco Tosatti took issue with the idea that the Pope Emeritus is incapacitated .
“ I have spoken to people who met BXVI in the past weeks , ” Tosatti continued .
“ Fragile body .
Lucid mind , very clear vision of what is happening in the world and in the Church .
The idea of ‘ manipulation ’ is ridiculous.
” Ignatius Press ’ s founder and editor-in-chief revealed , via the publisher ’ s online Catholic World Report , that the book is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book is not just about priestly celibacy , important as that is in itself , ” said Father Joseph Fessio , SJ .
“ It is about , as Pope Benedict describes it in his first paragraph : ‘ the lasting crisis that the priesthood has been going through for many years , ’ ” Fessio continued .
“ But it is about more than that ; it is about the nature of the Church and of Christian discipleship.
” Charles Collins of Crux suggested that the Pope Emeritus was not contradicting his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself has defended priestly celibacy as the norm .
He quoted the current pontiff as saying , “ Personally , I think that celibacy is a gift to the Church , Secondly I would say that I do not agree with permitting optional celibacy , no.
” Collins believes that Benedict XVI and Sarah are taking aim at the mainstream media instead .
“ According to excerpts in America magazine , the authors expressed concern that ‘ the strange mediatic synod had prevailed over the real synod , ’ and called on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by ‘ the bad advocacies , the diabolical lies , the erroneous ways by which they wished to devalue priestly celibacy ’ in the media reporting of the Amazon synod , ” he wrote .
EWTN ’ s Raymond Arroyo took issue with the London Times and Austen Ivereigh ’ s depiction of Benedict ’ s book as a “ stage-managed ” rebellion against Francis .
“ Why not consider what he has written ?
Instead , some attempt to shut down dialogue when it disturbs them -- resorting to personal attacks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fray by saying that LaCroix columnist Christope Henning ’ s opinion that his and Benedict ’ s book is against Pope Francis is “ wrong.
” “ This analysis is wrong , ” he tweeted in French .
“ The book Des profondeurs de nos cœurs is not strictly opposed to the Pope .
… In reality we worked in a filial spirit .
It is unhealthy to endlessly wish for men of the Church to be opposed to each other .
”

One professor suggested there ought to be a law restraining Pope Benedict.
PETITION: Support Cardinal Sarah's Defense of Priestly Celibacy! Sign the petition here
VATICAN CITY, January 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― Some of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s most vociferous critics are reacting passionately on social media to the news that he and a leading cardinal have written a book together defending priestly celibacy.
Yesterday a French newspaper, Le Figaro, broke the news that Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah had collaborated on the soon-to-be released From the Depths of Our Hearts. The French volume will be available on January 15. The English translation of the book will be published by Ignatius Press in February.
Early reports that both the Pope Emeritus and Cardinal Sarah defended priestly celibacy in the book drove both their critics and their fans to their keyboards.
Joshua McElwee of the National Catholic Reporter suggested that by writing about the celibate priesthood the Pope Emeritus was opposing the plans of Pope Francis.
“News: Retired Pope Benedict XVI has coauthored a book w/ Cardinal Sarah to defend practice of celibate priesthood in the Catholic Church,” McElwee wrote on Twitter.
“It comes as Pope Francis is considering allowing married priests in the Amazon region.”
McElwee said he found this “incredible.”
“As I digest this, I'm realizing how incredible it is [:]A former pope speaking in public about something his successor is currently in the process of considering,” he wrote.
However, there has not been another former living pope since 1415.
Father James Martin, SJ, of America magazine said that he found the news “hard to fathom” and criticized Benedict for speaking out.
“I have the greatest respect for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” Martin tweeted.
“Nonetheless, when he resigned the papacy, he said he would remain ‘hidden from the world,’” he continued.
“[…] But here, he is speaking out on an issue that was one of the main topics for the recent Synod on the Amazon and is now under consideration by the Pope.”
Martin, known for his LGBT advocacy, added that people might interpret this action as a “great theologian contributing to the conversation” but that others might see it as “a ‘parallel magisterium,’ which can lead to disunity.”
As one of his Twitter readers noted, Fr. Martin wrote in 2008 that when the newly-elected Benedict stepped out onto the balcony in 2005, Fr. Martin had felt like throwing himself from one.
Pope Francis’ English biographer Austen Ivereigh accused Cardinal Sarah of having “contempt” for the married men already permitted to become priests.
“After reading Card Sarah’s words and declarations in Le Figaro, what’s clear is his contempt for Eastern-rite, Ordinariate & other married RC clergy as second-class half measures that ‘wound’ the priesthood — ie a strong rejection of postconciliar popes’ ecumenical approaches,” Ivereigh tweeted.
In another tweet, Ivereigh made a reference to an “emeritus papacy,” calling it “a mess.” Earlier, he suggested that Benedict had been abused and manipulated into writing his defense of priestly celibacy.
“Reports on emeritus pope’s condition these past months concur: he is conscious for barely half an hour at a time,” Ivereigh alleged.
“Yet he has insisted on loyalty [to Francis],” he continued.
“If he is giving views that undermine Francis it means he is being manipulated by the usual unscrupulous courtiers. #elderabuse.”
Historian Massimo Faggioli also believes that Pope Benedict is “incapacitated” and suggested that there ought to be a law restraining him.
“Not only is there no canon law concerning the situation created by an incapacitated pope,” the Villanova University professor tweeted, “the Catholic Church evidently also needs a law concerning the situation created by an incapacitated ‘pope emeritus’and his entourage.”
Vatican-based journalist Marco Tosatti took issue with the idea that the Pope Emeritus is incapacitated.
“It's simply false,” he replied to Ivereigh.
“I have spoken to people who met BXVI in the past weeks,” Tosatti continued.
“Fragile body. Lucid mind, very clear vision of what is happening in the world and in the Church. The idea of ‘manipulation’ is ridiculous.”
Ignatius Press’s founder and editor-in-chief revealed, via the publisher’s online Catholic World Report, that the book is not only about priestly celibacy.
“Their book is not just about priestly celibacy, important as that is in itself,” said Father Joseph Fessio, SJ.
“It is about, as Pope Benedict describes it in his first paragraph: ‘the lasting crisis that the priesthood has been going through for many years,’” Fessio continued.
“But it is about more than that; it is about the nature of the Church and of Christian discipleship.”
Charles Collins of Crux suggested that the Pope Emeritus was not contradicting his successor, pointing out that Pope Francis himself has defended priestly celibacy as the norm.
He quoted the current pontiff as saying, “Personally, I think that celibacy is a gift to the Church, Secondly I would say that I do not agree with permitting optional celibacy, no.”
Collins believes that Benedict XVI and Sarah are taking aim at the mainstream media instead.
“According to excerpts in America magazine, the authors expressed concern that ‘the strange mediatic synod had prevailed over the real synod,’ and called on the Church ‘not to be impressed’ by ‘the bad advocacies, the diabolical lies, the erroneous ways by which they wished to devalue priestly celibacy’ in the media reporting of the Amazon synod,” he wrote.
EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo took issue with the London Times and Austen Ivereigh’s depiction of Benedict’s book as a “stage-managed” rebellion against Francis.
“This is a shameless attack on Benedict XVI,” Arroyo tweeted.
“Why not consider what he has written? Instead, some attempt to shut down dialogue when it disturbs them–resorting to personal attacks and slander.”
Cardinal Sarah has entered the fray by saying that LaCroix columnist Christope Henning’s opinion that his and Benedict’s book is against Pope Francis is “wrong.”
“This analysis is wrong,” he tweeted in French. “The book Des profondeurs de nos cœurs is not strictly opposed to the Pope. … In reality we worked in a filial spirit. It is unhealthy to endlessly wish for men of the Church to be opposed to each other.”
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lifesitenews--2020-01-13--New book by Pope Benedict, Cdl Sarah rules out female deacons

January 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A new book co-authored by Pope emeritus Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah – the Prefect for the Congregation of Divine Worship – has ruled out the possibility of the Church creating female deacons , a matter that came up at the Amazon Synod that concluded in October .
On January 12 , the story broke that Pope emeritus Benedict and Cardinal Sarah were publishing a book , in different languages , in defense of priestly celibacy .
The English edition , titled From the Depths of Our Hearts , will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a galley proof .
In this book , Cardinal Sarah makes it clear that the female diaconate has been ruled out by the Catholic Church .
The “ possibility of women being ordained as priests or deacons , ” Sarah states , “ was settled definitively by Saint John Paul II in the Apostolic Letter Ordinatio sacerdotalis dated May 22 , 1994.
” Pope Benedict and Cardinal Sarah explicitly state that this book – which contains each an individual essay by Pope Benedict and Cardinal Sarah – was written after many personal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they stress the “ similarity of our concerns and the convergence of our conclusions.
” Therefore , Cardinal Sarah 's conclusion on the female diaconate likely reflects Pope Benedict 's own position on the matter .
In a chapter titled “ The Sacrament of Holy Orders and the place of the women , ” Cardinal Sarah states that “ the weakening of celibacy shakes the ecclesial edifice as a whole .
In fact , debates about celibacy naturally give rise to questions about the possibility of women being ordained as priests or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been ruled out by Pope John Paul II in 1994 , he goes on to quote John Paul II on this matter : “ the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women , and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church ’ s faithful.
” Comments Cardinal Sarah : “ To dispute this reveals an ignorance of the true nature of the Church.
” He goes on to explain God 's plan of “ complementarity between man and woman ” and to compare it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his Bride the Church.
” “ Promoting the ordination of women , ” the African cardinal continues , “ amounts to denying their identity and the place of each sex.
” Cardinal Sarah writes that a woman has the disposition “ to receive love , ” and the Church , just the same , is receiving “ Jesus ' virginal love.
” “ I dare say , ” Sarah continues , “ that the Church is fundamentally feminine ; she can not do without women.
” He also establishes a direct link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her “ dispositions of listening , welcoming , humility , faithfulness , praise and waiting.
” Women , by imitating these characteristics , can recall “ these dispositions to all the baptized , ” the prelate says .
The role of government of the Church , however , is entrusted to men .
Cardinal Sarah calls it “ a loving service of the bridegroom for the bride.
” “ Therefore , ” he explains , “ it can be carried out only by men who are identified with Christ , the Bridegroom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of priesthood .
If we make it the object of rivalry between men and women , we reduce it to a form of political , worldly power.
” Cardinal Sarah then explicitly mentions the discussion on the female diaconate : “ Nowadays cleverly orchestrated media campaigns are calling for the female diaconate .
What are they looking for ?
What is hidden behind these strange political demands ?
The worldly mindset of 'equality ' is at work .
They are stirring up a sort of mutual jealousy between men and women which can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the female diaconate in a political context , Cardinal Sarah makes it clear that these demands are not coming out of the Tradition of the Church and from the context of the Gospel , but , rather , are stirred up by feminist ideas .
Such ideas in the Church , however , can for him “ only be sterile.
” Showing the important role of women in the Church 's history , the African prelate quotes Saint Catherine of Siena 's strong admonishment of Pope Gregory XI , whom she reminded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church and to have “ a heart which is that much bolder and manlier and does not fear what may come.
” “ What bishop , what Pope would let himself be challenged today so vehemently ?
” Cardinal Sarah then asks and continues : “ Today , voices eager for polemics would immediately describe Catherine of Siena as an enemy of the Pope or as a leader of his opponents .
Former centuries had much greater liberty than ours : they witnessed women holding a charismatic place .
Their role was firmly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessity of sanctity.
” By quoting Saint Catherine of Siena , Cardinal Sarah reminds us how women have influenced and should influence the Catholic Church for the sake of holiness , even reminding men at times of their own duties .
He also quotes Saint Hildegard who “ criticized the bishops ” and Saint Bridget who “ offered recommendations.
” Returning to the question of female ordination , the curial cardinal insists that , also historically , women were always excluded from service on the altar : “ Appreciation for the specific qualities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of female 'ministries ' that would only be arbitrary , artificial creations with no future .
We know , for example , that the women who were called 'deaconesses ' were not recipients of the Sacrament of Holy Orders .
Ancient sources are unanimous in forbidding deaconesses to have any ministry at the altar during the liturgy.
” Rather , he goes on to explain , deaconesses at the time would help , in certain regions , with the “ pre-baptismal anointing of the entire body of women , ” for the sake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this discussion of female ordination in the context of the questioning of priestly celibacy when he concludes that “ questioning priestly celibacy is decidedly a source of confusion about the role of everyone in the Church : men , women , spouses , the priest.
” Pope Benedict and Cardinal Sarah , in their concluding comments at the end of the book remind us “ Woe to the one who remains silent.
” And they call us to resistance against false intimidations when they state : “ It is urgent and necessary for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letting themselves be intimidated by the wrong-headed pleas , the theatrical productions , the diabolical lies and the fashionable errors that try to put down priestly celibacy .
”

January 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A new book co-authored by Pope emeritus Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah – the Prefect for the Congregation of Divine Worship – has ruled out the possibility of the Church creating female deacons, a matter that came up at the Amazon Synod that concluded in October.
On January 12, the story broke that Pope emeritus Benedict and Cardinal Sarah were publishing a book, in different languages, in defense of priestly celibacy. The English edition, titled From the Depths of Our Hearts, will be published by Ignatius Press. LifeSiteNews received a galley proof.
In this book, Cardinal Sarah makes it clear that the female diaconate has been ruled out by the Catholic Church. The “possibility of women being ordained as priests or deacons,” Sarah states, “was settled definitively by Saint John Paul II in the Apostolic Letter Ordinatio sacerdotalis dated May 22, 1994.”
Pope Benedict and Cardinal Sarah explicitly state that this book – which contains each an individual essay by Pope Benedict and Cardinal Sarah – was written after many personal and written exchanges between the two of them and they stress the “similarity of our concerns and the convergence of our conclusions.” Therefore, Cardinal Sarah's conclusion on the female diaconate likely reflects Pope Benedict's own position on the matter.
In a chapter titled “The Sacrament of Holy Orders and the place of the women,” Cardinal Sarah states that “the weakening of celibacy shakes the ecclesial edifice as a whole. In fact, debates about celibacy naturally give rise to questions about the possibility of women being ordained as priests or deacons.” After saying that this has been ruled out by Pope John Paul II in 1994, he goes on to quote John Paul II on this matter: “the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women, and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful.”
Comments Cardinal Sarah: “To dispute this reveals an ignorance of the true nature of the Church.” He goes on to explain God's plan of “complementarity between man and woman” and to compare it with the “spousal relation between Jesus and his Bride the Church.”
“Promoting the ordination of women,” the African cardinal continues, “amounts to denying their identity and the place of each sex.”
Cardinal Sarah writes that a woman has the disposition “to receive love,” and the Church, just the same, is receiving “Jesus' virginal love.” “I dare say,” Sarah continues, “that the Church is fundamentally feminine; she cannot do without women.” He also establishes a direct link to Mary, the Blessed Mother, with her “dispositions of listening, welcoming, humility, faithfulness, praise and waiting.” Women, by imitating these characteristics, can recall “these dispositions to all the baptized,” the prelate says.
The role of government of the Church, however, is entrusted to men. Cardinal Sarah calls it “a loving service of the bridegroom for the bride.” “Therefore,” he explains, “it can be carried out only by men who are identified with Christ, the Bridegroom and Servant, through the sacramental character of priesthood. If we make it the object of rivalry between men and women, we reduce it to a form of political, worldly power.”
Cardinal Sarah then explicitly mentions the discussion on the female diaconate: “Nowadays cleverly orchestrated media campaigns are calling for the female diaconate. What are they looking for? What is hidden behind these strange political demands? The worldly mindset of 'equality' is at work. They are stirring up a sort of mutual jealousy between men and women which can only be sterile.”
Placing the discussion on the female diaconate in a political context, Cardinal Sarah makes it clear that these demands are not coming out of the Tradition of the Church and from the context of the Gospel, but, rather, are stirred up by feminist ideas. Such ideas in the Church, however, can for him “only be sterile.”
Showing the important role of women in the Church's history, the African prelate quotes Saint Catherine of Siena's strong admonishment of Pope Gregory XI, whom she reminded of the need to suffer for the Church and to have “a heart which is that much bolder and manlier and does not fear what may come.”
“What bishop, what Pope would let himself be challenged today so vehemently?” Cardinal Sarah then asks and continues: “Today, voices eager for polemics would immediately describe Catherine of Siena as an enemy of the Pope or as a leader of his opponents. Former centuries had much greater liberty than ours: they witnessed women holding a charismatic place. Their role was firmly to remind the whole institution about the necessity of sanctity.”
By quoting Saint Catherine of Siena, Cardinal Sarah reminds us how women have influenced and should influence the Catholic Church for the sake of holiness, even reminding men at times of their own duties. He also quotes Saint Hildegard who “criticized the bishops” and Saint Bridget who “offered recommendations.”
Returning to the question of female ordination, the curial cardinal insists that, also historically, women were always excluded from service on the altar:
“Appreciation for the specific qualities of women is not achieved by way of female 'ministries' that would only be arbitrary, artificial creations with no future. We know, for example, that the women who were called 'deaconesses' were not recipients of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Ancient sources are unanimous in forbidding deaconesses to have any ministry at the altar during the liturgy.”
Rather, he goes on to explain, deaconesses at the time would help, in certain regions, with the “pre-baptismal anointing of the entire body of women,” for the sake of “modesty.”
Cardinal Sarah puts this discussion of female ordination in the context of the questioning of priestly celibacy when he concludes that “questioning priestly celibacy is decidedly a source of confusion about the role of everyone in the Church: men, women, spouses, the priest.”
Pope Benedict and Cardinal Sarah, in their concluding comments at the end of the book remind us “Woe to the one who remains silent.” And they call us to resistance against false intimidations when they state: “It is urgent and necessary for everyone—bishops, priests and lay people—to stop letting themselves be intimidated by the wrong-headed pleas, the theatrical productions, the diabolical lies and the fashionable errors that try to put down priestly celibacy.”
Follow Maike Dr. Maike Hickson was born and raised in Germany. She holds a PhD from the University of Hannover, Germany, after having written in Switzerland her doctoral dissertation on the history of Swiss intellectuals before and during World War II. She now lives in the U.S. and is married to Dr. Robert Hickson, and they have been blessed with two beautiful children. She is a happy housewife who likes to write articles when time permits. Dr. Hickson published in 2014 a Festschrift, a collection of some thirty essays written by thoughtful authors in honor of her husband upon his 70th birthday, which is entitled A Catholic Witness in Our Time. Hickson has closely followed the papacy of Pope Francis and the developments in the Catholic Church in Germany, and she has been writing articles on religion and politics for U.S. and European publications and websites such as LifeSiteNews, OnePeterFive, The Wanderer, Rorate Caeli, Catholicism.org, Catholic Family News, Christian Order, Notizie Pro-Vita, Corrispondenza Romana, Katholisches.info, Der Dreizehnte, Zeit-Fragen, and Westfalen-Blatt.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-13--Student found dead after viral video of him leading protest against ‘drag queen’ event f

Student found dead after viral video of him leading protest against ‘drag queen’ event for kids

BRISBANE , Australia , January 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Not long after a video of university students chanting “ Drag queens are not for kids ” to a drag queen at a public library went viral , the protest ’ s 21-year-old Catholic organizer was found dead .
While most of the immediate reporting out of Australia suggests that Wilson Gavin ’ s untimely death is the result of suicide , some friends of the devout traditional Catholic continue to speculate that this may have been murder in retaliation for his involvement in the library protest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a dozen others calmly standing in front of drag queen “ Diamond Good-Rim ” chanting , “ Drag queens are not for kids.
” This was during a drag queen story time event at the Brisbane Square Library on Sunday afternoon .
Gavin was president of the University of Queensland ’ s conservative Liberal National Club .
Gavin previously made headlines in Australia when at age 19 , he spoke at a “ You Can Say No ” rally protesting against same-sex “ marriage , ” saying , “ I support what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gay.
” At that time Gavin said in an interview , “ They hate me because I 'm a conservative and they hate me more because I 'm a gay conservative.
” Gavin himself is reported to have been same-sex attracted and chaste , making his unpopular stand against same-sex “ marriage ” and transgenderism all the more admirable because of the backlash he endured .
“ Drag queen protester Wilson Gavin ’ s suicide exposes horrors of online abuse , ” blared a headline at The Australian , noting that he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse ” after the library drag queen story time video went viral .
At least one Australian politician referred to the pro-family protestors as “ ratbags.
” “ The alt left harassed and bullied [ by ] Wilson Gavin , a gay man , for opposing “ drag queen story time ” until he took his own life , ” claimed another Twitter user .
“ They are directly responsible for his death .
If this isn ’ t a wake up call I don ’ t know what is.
” “ Head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken his life after being the target of mass threats & harassment by left-wing activists , ” wrote famed journalist Andy Ngo , himself the frequent target of leftist attacks .
“ As current State patron of the UQ LN Club , I ’ m deeply saddened to hear of the death of Wilson Gavin , ” wrote Mark Robinson , member of Australia ’ s Parliament .
“ Wilson & his friends took a principled stand to protect children from inappropriate sexualisation & gender fluid ideology , ” said Robinson .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilson , RIP !
” This story will be updated as more details become available .

BRISBANE, Australia, January 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Not long after a video of university students chanting “Drag queens are not for kids” to a drag queen at a public library went viral, the protest’s 21-year-old Catholic organizer was found dead.
While most of the immediate reporting out of Australia suggests that Wilson Gavin’s untimely death is the result of suicide, some friends of the devout traditional Catholic continue to speculate that this may have been murder in retaliation for his involvement in the library protest.
The viral video shows Gavin and more than a dozen others calmly standing in front of drag queen “Diamond Good-Rim” chanting, “Drag queens are not for kids.” This was during a drag queen story time event at the Brisbane Square Library on Sunday afternoon.
Gavin was president of the University of Queensland’s conservative Liberal National Club.
Gavin previously made headlines in Australia when at age 19, he spoke at a “You Can Say No” rally protesting against same-sex “marriage,” saying, “I support what marriage really is and I’m gay.”
At that time Gavin said in an interview, “They hate me because I'm a conservative and they hate me more because I'm a gay conservative.”
Gavin himself is reported to have been same-sex attracted and chaste, making his unpopular stand against same-sex “marriage” and transgenderism all the more admirable because of the backlash he endured.
“Drag queen protester Wilson Gavin’s suicide exposes horrors of online abuse,” blared a headline at The Australian, noting that he had received “a barrage of social media abuse” after the library drag queen story time video went viral.
The suicide of drag queen protester Wilson Gavin just hours after he attracted a storm of online abuse has supercharged debate over the use of social media as a weapon to attack political opponents https://t.co/gmNKwvqP7S — The Australian (@australian) January 13, 2020
At least one Australian politician referred to the pro-family protestors as “ratbags.”
“The alt left harassed and bullied Wilson Gavin, a gay man, for opposing “drag queen story time” until he took his own life,” claimed another Twitter user. “They are directly responsible for his death. If this isn’t a wake up call I don’t know what is.”
The alt left harassed and bullied Wilson Gavin, a gay man, for opposing “drag queen story time” until he took his own life. They are directly responsible for his death. If this isn’t a wake up call idk what is — female hysteria self DX (@female1st) January 13, 2020
Twitter allows the manhunt of LGBT story hour protesters. Wilson Gavin already took his own life. Will there be more? https://t.co/eS9MbZaE9k — Matthew (@ZoomerMatthew) January 13, 2020
“Head of an Australian conservative student group has taken his life after being the target of mass threats & harassment by left-wing activists,” wrote famed journalist Andy Ngo, himself the frequent target of leftist attacks.
Head of an Australian conservative student group has taken his life after being the target of mass threats & harassment by left-wing activists. Wilson Gavin was filmed storming into a drag queen story time event & shouting, “Drag queens are not for kids.” https://t.co/JjbYdIzUyv pic.twitter.com/BMkhUFsxSk — Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) January 13, 2020
“As current State patron of the UQ LN Club, I’m deeply saddened to hear of the death of Wilson Gavin,” wrote Mark Robinson, member of Australia’s Parliament.
“Wilson & his friends took a principled stand to protect children from inappropriate sexualisation & gender fluid ideology,” said Robinson. “For that he was treated terribly. Wilson, RIP!”
As current State patron of the UQ LN Club, I’m deeply saddened to hear of the death of Wilson Gavin. Wilson & his friends took a principled stand to protect children from inappropriate sexualisation & gender fluid ideology. For that he was treated terribly. Wilson, RIP! — Mark Robinson MP (@MarkRobinsonMP) January 13, 2020
This story will be updated as more details become available.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-13--‘I cannot keep silent’: Benedict XVI and Cdl Sarah defend priestly celibacy in new book

ROME , January 12 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah have co-authored a new book on priestly celibacy , taking a firm stand against the priestly ordination of married men in the Latin Church .
The timing of the new volume is significant .
It comes ahead of Pope Francis ’ s highly anticipated post-apostolic exhortation on the recent Synod of Bishops on the Amazon .
The meeting , which took place in October at the Vatican , proposed creating an exception to celibacy in the Latin priesthood .
Titled , “ From the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ De profoundeur de nos cœurs ] the new book by the pope emeritus and the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments will first be released in French on January 15 .
“ The ability to renounce marriage in order to place oneself totally at the Lord ’ s disposal is a criterion for the priestly ministry , ” Benedict XVI writes in the new book .
“ As for the concrete form of celibacy in the ancient Church , it should also be pointed out that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Holy Orders if they had committed themselves to sexual abstinence , that is to say , to a Josephite marriage .
Such a situation seems to have been quite normal during the first centuries.
” During the Amazon Synod last October , the synod fathers discussed the possibility of ordaining married men ( viri probati ) in the region as an exception .
In the wake of the synod , key members of the German hierarchy openly said that if such an exception is created , they too will make a push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unknown where exactly Pope Francis stands on the issue of opening an exception for married clergy in the Latin Church .
On January 27 , 2019 , during an inflight press conference on his return from Panama , Francis said he “ personally ” believes “ celibacy is a gift to the Church ” and does “ not agree with allowing celibacy as an option.
” But he added that he might envisage “ some possibilities for very remote places , ” like the Pacific Islands , where there is a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the final document of the Amazon Synod .
In section 111 of the document , which passed by a two thirds majority , the authors state : “ We appreciate celibacy as a gift of God ( SC1967 1 ) to the extent that this gift enables the missionary disciple , ordained to the priesthood , to dedicate himself fully to the service of the Holy People of God.
” However , the document went on to note that “ some [ of the synod fathers ] were in favor of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and therefore proposed that “ suitable and respected men of the community with a legitimately constituted and stable family , who have had a fruitful permanent diaconate and receive an adequate formation for the priesthood ” be ordained “ in order to sustain the life of the Christian community … in the most remote areas of the Amazon region.
” The new book by Pope emeritus Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah therefore comes amid a discussion on married priests opened by Francis and allows their voices to be heard .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son of Africa , support the idea that the peoples on the road to evangelization should be deprived of this encounter with a priesthood lived to the full , ” Cardinal Sarah writes in the new book .
“ The peoples of Amazonia have the right to a full experience of Christ the Bridegroom .
They can not be offered ‘ second class ’ priests .
On the contrary , the younger a Church is , the more it needs to meet the radical nature of the Gospel.
” The book also comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priestly formation and homosexual corruption that enabled prelates such as former cardinal and convicted sex abuser Theodore McCarrick to ascend the ranks of the hierarchy unchecked .
In the introduction , the pope emeritus and the Guinean cardinal explain that the volume was born out of silence , prayer , and a series of conversations and letters they exchanged in recent months .
With the fourth century doctor of the Church , St. Augustine , they affirm : “ I can not keep silent !
I know how pernicious silence would be for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wallow in ecclesiastical honors , but I think that it is to Christ , the first of the Pastors , that I will have to give an account of the sheep entrusted to my care .
I can not keep silent or claim ignorance.
” Once news of the book broke in French , Mark Brumley took to Twitter announcing that Ignatius Press will be publishing the volume under the title : “ From the Depths of Our Hearts : Priesthood , Celibacy , and the Crisis of the Catholic Church.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , January 13 and will ship on February 20 .
“ Their book is not just about priestly celibacy , important as that is in itself , ” said Ignatius Press founder and editor Father Joseph Fessio in a press release on Sunday .
“ It is about , as Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI describes it in his first paragraph : ‘ the lasting crisis that the priesthood has been going through for many years.
’ But it is about more than that ; it is about the nature of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a book that all should read .
It is powerful and personal — from the depths of their hearts.
” Key passages from the new volume were published as an exclusive by the French daily Le Figaro on Sunday .
Here below we publish an unofficial English translation of several excerpts .
Passages taken from the introduction and conclusion of the book were written jointly by Benedict XVI and Cardinal Sarah .
In recent months , as the world resounded with the din created by a strange media synod that was taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met .
We exchanged ideas and concerns .
We prayed and meditated in silence .
Each one of our meetings gave us a sense of comfort and calm .
Our reflections in different ways led us to exchange letters .
The similarity of our concerns and the convergence of our conclusions led us to put the fruit of our work and our spiritual friendship at the disposal of all the faithful , following the example of St. Augustine .
Indeed , like him we can affirm : “ Silere non possum !
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how pernicious silence would be for me .
For I do not wish to wallow in ecclesiastical honors , but I think that it is to Christ , the first of the Pastors , that I will have to give an account of the sheep entrusted to my care .
I can not keep silent or claim ignorance.
” ( ... ) We do so in a spirit of love for the unity of the Church .
If ideology divides , truth unites hearts .
Studying the doctrine of salvation can only unite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We do so in a spirit of charity .
The daily celebration of the Eucharist , which implies a permanent state of service to God , does not spontaneously leave the impossibility of a matrimonial bond .
It can be said that sexual abstinence which was functional has transformed itself into ontological abstinence .
( ... ) Nowadays , it is too easily claimed that all this is simply the consequence of a disregard for corporeality and sexuality .
( ... ) Such a judgment is erroneous .
To prove this , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always considered marriage as a gift granted by God from heaven on earth .
However , the conjugal state concerns man in his totality , and since the service of the Lord also requires the total gift of man , it does not seem possible to realize the two vocations simultaneously .
Thus , the ability to renounce marriage in order to place oneself totally at the Lord ’ s disposal is a criterion for the priestly ministry .
As for the concrete form of celibacy in the ancient Church , it should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could only receive the sacrament of Holy Orders if they had committed themselves to sexual abstinence , that is to say , to a Josephite marriage .
Such a situation seems to have been quite normal during the first centuries .
Without the renunciation of material goods , there can be no priesthood .
The call to follow Jesus is not possible without this sign of freedom and renunciation of all compromise .
I believe that celibacy has great significance as the abandonment of a possible earthly domain and circle of family life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that our journey towards God can remain the foundation of our life and express itself concretely .
This means , of course , that celibacy must permeate all the attitudes of life with its demands .
It can not attain its full meaning if we conform to the rules of property and the attitudes of life commonly practiced today .
There can be no stability if we do not put our union with God at the center of our lives .
THE MISSION OF THE PRIEST What does it mean to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) The essence of the priestly ministry is defined in the first place by the fact of standing before the Lord , to keep watch for Him , being there for Him .
( ... ) This means for us to stand before the Lord who is present ; that is , it points to the Eucharist as the center of priestly life .
( ... ) The priest must be someone who watches .
He must be vigilant in the face of the threatening powers of evil .
He must keep the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be someone who stands on the edge : straight in the face of the current of time .
Straight in the truth .
Straight in commitment to the service of good .
Standing before the Lord must always also mean taking care of men before the Lord who , in turn , takes care of all of us before the Father .
And this must mean supporting Christ , his Word , his truth , his love .
The priest must be upright , courageous and even willing to suffer insults for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be a person full of rectitude , vigilant , who stands upright .
To all this is added the need to serve .
( ... ) If the liturgy is a central duty of the priest , it also means that prayer must be a priority reality which must be learned ever anew and ever more deeply at the school of Christ and of the saints of all times .
WHAT DOES THE WORD “ HOLY ” MEAN ?
The word “ holy ” expresses the special nature of God .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becomes holy in the measure that he begins to be with God .
To be with God is to set aside that which is only the `` I '' and become one with the whole of God 's life .
However , this liberation of the self can be very painful , and is never accomplished once and for all .
However , the term “ sanctify ” can also be understood in a very concrete way to mean priestly ordination , in the sense that it implies that the living God radically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him serve Him .
Priestly celibacy well understood , if it is sometimes a trial , is a liberation .
It allows the priest to establish himself coherently in his identity as spouse of the Church .
The project of depriving communities and priests of this joy is not a work of mercy .
I can not in conscience , as a son of Africa , support the idea that the peoples on the road to evangelization should be deprived of this encounter with a priesthood lived to the full .
The peoples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full experience of Christ the Bridegroom .
They can not be offered “ second class ” priests .
On the contrary , the younger a Church is , the more it needs to meet the radicality of the Gospel .
IT IS A LIE TO TALK ABOUT EXCEPTIONS The ordination of married men , even if they were previously permanent deacons , is not an exception , but a breach , a wound in the coherence of the priesthood .
To speak of exceptions is an abuse of language or a lie ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of married men in young Christian communities would forbid the fostering of priestly vocations of unmarried priests .
The exception would become a permanent state prejudicial to the proper understanding of the priesthood .
THE CHURCH IS NOT A HUMAN ORGANIZATION ... We live in sadness and suffering in these difficult and troubled times .
It was our sacred duty to recall the truth of the Catholic priesthood .
For through him the whole beauty of the Church is called into question .
The Church is not just a human organization .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mystical Bride of Christ .
This is what our priestly celibacy constantly reminds the world of .
It is urgent , necessary , that everyone , bishops , priests and lay people , no longer allow themselves to be impressed by bad pleas , theatrical productions , diabolical lies , and fashionable errors that seek to devalue priestly celibacy .
It is urgent , necessary , that all , bishops , priests and laity , rediscover a gaze of faith on the Church and on priestly celibacy which protects its mystery .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spirit of division , against the political spirit but also against the spirit of indifference and relativism .

PETITION: Support Cardinal Sarah's Defense of Priestly Celibacy! Sign the petition here
ROME, January 12, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah have co-authored a new book on priestly celibacy, taking a firm stand against the priestly ordination of married men in the Latin Church.
The timing of the new volume is significant. It comes ahead of Pope Francis’s highly anticipated post-apostolic exhortation on the recent Synod of Bishops on the Amazon. The meeting, which took place in October at the Vatican, proposed creating an exception to celibacy in the Latin priesthood.
Titled, “From the Depths of Our Hearts,” [De profoundeur de nos cœurs] the new book by the pope emeritus and the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments will first be released in French on January 15.
“The ability to renounce marriage in order to place oneself totally at the Lord’s disposal is a criterion for the priestly ministry,” Benedict XVI writes in the new book. “As for the concrete form of celibacy in the ancient Church, it should also be pointed out that married men could only receive the sacrament of Holy Orders if they had committed themselves to sexual abstinence, that is to say, to a Josephite marriage. Such a situation seems to have been quite normal during the first centuries.”
During the Amazon Synod last October, the synod fathers discussed the possibility of ordaining married men (viri probati) in the region as an exception.
In the wake of the synod, key members of the German hierarchy openly said that if such an exception is created, they too will make a push for married priests in Germany.
It is unknown where exactly Pope Francis stands on the issue of opening an exception for married clergy in the Latin Church. On January 27, 2019, during an inflight press conference on his return from Panama, Francis said he “personally” believes “celibacy is a gift to the Church” and does “not agree with allowing celibacy as an option.” But he added that he might envisage “some possibilities for very remote places,” like the Pacific Islands, where there is a “pastoral necessity.”
This stance was reflected in the final document of the Amazon Synod. In section 111 of the document, which passed by a two thirds majority, the authors state: “We appreciate celibacy as a gift of God (SC1967 1) to the extent that this gift enables the missionary disciple, ordained to the priesthood, to dedicate himself fully to the service of the Holy People of God.”
However, the document went on to note that “some [of the synod fathers] were in favor of a more universal approach to the subject” and therefore proposed that “suitable and respected men of the community with a legitimately constituted and stable family, who have had a fruitful permanent diaconate and receive an adequate formation for the priesthood” be ordained “in order to sustain the life of the Christian community … in the most remote areas of the Amazon region.”
The new book by Pope emeritus Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah therefore comes amid a discussion on married priests opened by Francis and allows their voices to be heard.
“I cannot in conscience, as a son of Africa, support the idea that the peoples on the road to evangelization should be deprived of this encounter with a priesthood lived to the full,” Cardinal Sarah writes in the new book. “The peoples of Amazonia have the right to a full experience of Christ the Bridegroom. They cannot be offered ‘second class’ priests. On the contrary, the younger a Church is, the more it needs to meet the radical nature of the Gospel.”
The book also comes in the wake of a crisis in priestly formation and homosexual corruption that enabled prelates such as former cardinal and convicted sex abuser Theodore McCarrick to ascend the ranks of the hierarchy unchecked.
In the introduction, the pope emeritus and the Guinean cardinal explain that the volume was born out of silence, prayer, and a series of conversations and letters they exchanged in recent months.
With the fourth century doctor of the Church, St. Augustine, they affirm: “I cannot keep silent! I know how pernicious silence would be for me. For I do not wish to wallow in ecclesiastical honors, but I think that it is to Christ, the first of the Pastors, that I will have to give an account of the sheep entrusted to my care. I cannot keep silent or claim ignorance.”
Once news of the book broke in French, Mark Brumley took to Twitter announcing that Ignatius Press will be publishing the volume under the title: “From the Depths of Our Hearts: Priesthood, Celibacy, and the Crisis of the Catholic Church.” The book will be available for pre-order on Monday, January 13 and will ship on February 20.
“Their book is not just about priestly celibacy, important as that is in itself,” said Ignatius Press founder and editor Father Joseph Fessio in a press release on Sunday. “It is about, as Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI describes it in his first paragraph: ‘the lasting crisis that the priesthood has been going through for many years.’ But it is about more than that; it is about the nature of the Church and of Christian discipleship. This is a book that all should read. It is powerful and personal — from the depths of their hearts.”
Key passages from the new volume were published as an exclusive by the French daily Le Figaro on Sunday. Here below we publish an unofficial English translation of several excerpts. Passages taken from the introduction and conclusion of the book were written jointly by Benedict XVI and Cardinal Sarah.
* * *
I CANNOT KEEP SILENT
In recent months, as the world resounded with the din created by a strange media synod that was taking precedence over the real synod, we met. We exchanged ideas and concerns. We prayed and meditated in silence. Each one of our meetings gave us a sense of comfort and calm. Our reflections in different ways led us to exchange letters. The similarity of our concerns and the convergence of our conclusions led us to put the fruit of our work and our spiritual friendship at the disposal of all the faithful, following the example of St. Augustine. Indeed, like him we can affirm: “Silere non possum! I cannot keep silent! I know how pernicious silence would be for me. For I do not wish to wallow in ecclesiastical honors, but I think that it is to Christ, the first of the Pastors, that I will have to give an account of the sheep entrusted to my care. I cannot keep silent or claim ignorance.” (…) We do so in a spirit of love for the unity of the Church. If ideology divides, truth unites hearts. Studying the doctrine of salvation can only unite the Church around its divine Master. We do so in a spirit of charity.
—Introduction
ONTOLOGICAL ABSTINENCE
The daily celebration of the Eucharist, which implies a permanent state of service to God, does not spontaneously leave the impossibility of a matrimonial bond. It can be said that sexual abstinence which was functional has transformed itself into ontological abstinence. (…) Nowadays, it is too easily claimed that all this is simply the consequence of a disregard for corporeality and sexuality. (…) Such a judgment is erroneous. To prove this, we need only recall that the Church has always considered marriage as a gift granted by God from heaven on earth. However, the conjugal state concerns man in his totality, and since the service of the Lord also requires the total gift of man, it does not seem possible to realize the two vocations simultaneously. Thus, the ability to renounce marriage in order to place oneself totally at the Lord’s disposal is a criterion for the priestly ministry. As for the concrete form of celibacy in the ancient Church, it should also be pointed out that married men could only receive the sacrament of Holy Orders if they had committed themselves to sexual abstinence, that is to say, to a Josephite marriage. Such a situation seems to have been quite normal during the first centuries.
—Benedict XVI
RENUNCIATION OF ALL COMPROMISE
Without the renunciation of material goods, there can be no priesthood. The call to follow Jesus is not possible without this sign of freedom and renunciation of all compromise. I believe that celibacy has great significance as the abandonment of a possible earthly domain and circle of family life; celibacy even becomes truly indispensable so that our journey towards God can remain the foundation of our life and express itself concretely. This means, of course, that celibacy must permeate all the attitudes of life with its demands. It cannot attain its full meaning if we conform to the rules of property and the attitudes of life commonly practiced today. There can be no stability if we do not put our union with God at the center of our lives.
—Benedict XVI
THE MISSION OF THE PRIEST
What does it mean to be a priest of Jesus Christ? (…) The essence of the priestly ministry is defined in the first place by the fact of standing before the Lord, to keep watch for Him, being there for Him. (…) This means for us to stand before the Lord who is present; that is, it points to the Eucharist as the center of priestly life. (…) The priest must be someone who watches. He must be vigilant in the face of the threatening powers of evil. He must keep the world alert for God. He must be someone who stands on the edge: straight in the face of the current of time. Straight in the truth. Straight in commitment to the service of good. Standing before the Lord must always also mean taking care of men before the Lord who, in turn, takes care of all of us before the Father. And this must mean supporting Christ, his Word, his truth, his love. The priest must be upright, courageous and even willing to suffer insults for the Lord. (…) The priest must be a person full of rectitude, vigilant, who stands upright. To all this is added the need to serve. (…) If the liturgy is a central duty of the priest, it also means that prayer must be a priority reality which must be learned ever anew and ever more deeply at the school of Christ and of the saints of all times.
—Benedict XVI
WHAT DOES THE WORD “HOLY” MEAN?
The word “holy” expresses the special nature of God. He alone is the Holy One. Man becomes holy in the measure that he begins to be with God. To be with God is to set aside that which is only the “I” and become one with the whole of God's life. However, this liberation of the self can be very painful, and is never accomplished once and for all. However, the term “sanctify” can also be understood in a very concrete way to mean priestly ordination, in the sense that it implies that the living God radically claims a man in order to make him serve Him.
—Benedict XVI
NO SECOND-CLASS PRIESTS
Priestly celibacy well understood, if it is sometimes a trial, is a liberation. It allows the priest to establish himself coherently in his identity as spouse of the Church. The project of depriving communities and priests of this joy is not a work of mercy. I cannot in conscience, as a son of Africa, support the idea that the peoples on the road to evangelization should be deprived of this encounter with a priesthood lived to the full. The peoples of Amazonia have the right to a full experience of Christ the Bridegroom. They cannot be offered “second class” priests. On the contrary, the younger a Church is, the more it needs to meet the radicality of the Gospel.
—Cardinal Robert Sarah
IT IS A LIE TO TALK ABOUT EXCEPTIONS
The ordination of married men, even if they were previously permanent deacons, is not an exception, but a breach, a wound in the coherence of the priesthood. To speak of exceptions is an abuse of language or a lie (…). Moreover, the ordination of married men in young Christian communities would forbid the fostering of priestly vocations of unmarried priests. The exception would become a permanent state prejudicial to the proper understanding of the priesthood.
—Cardinal Robert Sarah
THE CHURCH IS NOT A HUMAN ORGANIZATION…
We live in sadness and suffering in these difficult and troubled times. It was our sacred duty to recall the truth of the Catholic priesthood. For through him the whole beauty of the Church is called into question. The Church is not just a human organization. She is a mystery. She is the mystical Bride of Christ. This is what our priestly celibacy constantly reminds the world of. It is urgent, necessary, that everyone, bishops, priests and lay people, no longer allow themselves to be impressed by bad pleas, theatrical productions, diabolical lies, and fashionable errors that seek to devalue priestly celibacy. It is urgent, necessary, that all, bishops, priests and laity, rediscover a gaze of faith on the Church and on priestly celibacy which protects its mystery. This will be the best defense against the spirit of division, against the political spirit but also against the spirit of indifference and relativism.
—Conclusion
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lifesitenews--2020-01-14--Tennessee senate passes bill so adoption agencies won’t be forced to place kids with gay couples

NASHVILLE , Tennssee , January 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Legislation to ensure that Tennessee adoption agencies are not forced to place children in same-sex homes took one step closer to becoming law this week , thanks to a 20-6 vote by the state Senate .
The bill would ensure that licensed adoption agencies can not be forced to make child placement decisions that “ violate the agency 's written religious or moral convictions or policies , ” the Nashville Tennessean reports , and can not be sued , denied public funds , or be rejected for license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision .
Several Republicans voted “ present ” rather than for or against the bill , however .
GOP Lt. Gov .
Randy McNally claimed the bill would be redundant due to religious freedom protections Tennessee already has on the books , and that this new measure could potentially undermine them .
GOP state Sen. Steve Dickerson posited a less-altruistic concern : that if the bill succeeds “ we can probably kiss [ hosting various national sporting events ] goodbye.
” Tennessee “ needs all hands-on deck when it comes to providing loving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Republican bill sponsor Sen. Paul Rose in defense of the measure .
“ SB 1304 simply makes sure that these agencies can continue to do this vital work just as they do today , consistent with their religious convictions .
Tennessee should welcome everyone who is dedicated to helping vulnerable children , including the many faith-based agencies that play such a crucial role in serving our most vulnerable children.
” A variety of social science literature supports the conviction that children are best served by homes with both a mother and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would by definition lack a mother , and a lesbian couple would be unable to provide a father .
The bill previously passed the state House last year , and now requires only a signature from Republican Gov .
Bill Lee .
However , Lee said Tuesday morning he would not yet comment on whether he plans to sign it into law .

'Tennessee should welcome everyone who is dedicated to helping vulnerable children, including the many faith-based agencies that play such a crucial role in serving our most vulnerable children,' said the bill's sponsor.
NASHVILLE, Tennssee, January 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Legislation to ensure that Tennessee adoption agencies are not forced to place children in same-sex homes took one step closer to becoming law this week, thanks to a 20-6 vote by the state Senate.
The bill would ensure that licensed adoption agencies cannot be forced to make child placement decisions that “violate the agency's written religious or moral convictions or policies,” the Nashville Tennessean reports, and cannot be sued, denied public funds, or be rejected for license applications on the basis of such a decision.
Several Republicans voted “present” rather than for or against the bill, however. GOP Lt. Gov. Randy McNally claimed the bill would be redundant due to religious freedom protections Tennessee already has on the books, and that this new measure could potentially undermine them.
GOP state Sen. Steve Dickerson posited a less-altruistic concern: that if the bill succeeds “we can probably kiss [hosting various national sporting events] goodbye.”
Tennessee “needs all hands-on deck when it comes to providing loving homes for children in need,” said Republican bill sponsor Sen. Paul Rose in defense of the measure. “SB 1304 simply makes sure that these agencies can continue to do this vital work just as they do today, consistent with their religious convictions. Tennessee should welcome everyone who is dedicated to helping vulnerable children, including the many faith-based agencies that play such a crucial role in serving our most vulnerable children.”
A variety of social science literature supports the conviction that children are best served by homes with both a mother and a father, whereas a homosexual male couple would by definition lack a mother, and a lesbian couple would be unable to provide a father.
The bill previously passed the state House last year, and now requires only a signature from Republican Gov. Bill Lee. However, Lee said Tuesday morning he would not yet comment on whether he plans to sign it into law.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-14--John-Henry Westen: The state of the Church Today

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 .

It's easy to lose hope in these times but, as we already know, in the end the Immaculate Heart of Mary will triumph.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-14--Secret Vatican letter to bishops: Pope’s final doc on Amazon Synod coming within a month

VATICAN , January 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Pope wants to publish a final document on the Amazon Synod by early February , if not the end of January , according to a confidential Vatican letter sent to bishops of the world dated January 13 , 2020 .
The letter , which was leaked to LifeSiteNews and confirmed as authentic , was signed by Cardinal Claudio Hummes , the General Rapporteur of the Synod on the Amazon .
It informs the prelates that another letter will come to them in about 10 days with more instructions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ copy of the exhortation prior to its public release .
The Apostolic Exhortation is to have the same name as the preparatory document for the Synod : New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology .
The letter hints at the contents of the final document by providing reading to prepare for the document ’ s presentation .
It suggests that a press conference with the bishop about the new exhortation should include “ an indigenous spokesperson if relevant in your area , an experienced pastoral leader ( ordained or religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expert on climate or ecology , and a youth involved in peer ministry.
” Moreover , the letter also suggests preparation by way of reading documents including : • Pope Francis , OPENING OF THE WORKS OF THE SPECIAL ASSEMBLY , 7.10.2019 • Cardinal Cláudio Hummes , INTRODUCTORY REPORT of the General Relator at the Synod , 7.10.2019 • Pope Francis , LAUDATO SI ’ , 2015 , especially chapter 5 , “ Lines of Approach and Action ” and chapter 6 , “ Ecological Education and Spirituality ”

The Apostolic Exhortation is to have the same name as the preparatory document for the Synod: 'New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology.'
VATICAN, January 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Pope wants to publish a final document on the Amazon Synod by early February, if not the end of January, according to a confidential Vatican letter sent to bishops of the world dated January 13, 2020.
The letter, which was leaked to LifeSiteNews and confirmed as authentic, was signed by Cardinal Claudio Hummes, the General Rapporteur of the Synod on the Amazon. It informs the prelates that another letter will come to them in about 10 days with more instructions and that they will be sent an embargoed copy of the exhortation prior to its public release.
The Apostolic Exhortation is to have the same name as the preparatory document for the Synod: New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology.
The letter hints at the contents of the final document by providing reading to prepare for the document’s presentation. It suggests that a press conference with the bishop about the new exhortation should include “an indigenous spokesperson if relevant in your area, an experienced pastoral leader (ordained or religious, layman or laywoman), an expert on climate or ecology, and a youth involved in peer ministry.”
Moreover, the letter also suggests preparation by way of reading documents including:
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lifesitenews--2020-01-14--Warren demands gender-confused male inmates be placed with women in prisons

January 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Massachusetts senator and Democrat presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren declared this week that biological males who identify as “ transgender women ” be incarcerated with actual women instead of their fellow men , ostensibly in the name of safety .
`` We have to stop putting trans women who are incarcerated into prisons with men where they are at risk .
It is our responsibility , ” Warren told supporters at an Iowa campaign stop , The Hill reported .
If Warren were to become president and pursue the policy change , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relaxing the Trump administration ’ s standards for placing gender-confused individuals in opposite-sex prisons , which consider a variety of factors but start by recognizing biological sex for the initial determination .
Several conservative figures criticized Warren for the proposal and its likely consequences for actual female inmates : There has been growing concern in both the United States and the United Kingdom over placing men who claim to be women in female prison populations .
A record number of male inmates in England and Wales claim to be female , a subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases like that of Stephen Wood , who assaulted four female inmates after being housed in a women ’ s facility as “ Karen White.
” Canada and Scotland have also seen cases of male prisoners claiming “ transgender ” status in order to secure lighter treatment during their incarceration .
Warren , who currently places third in the field according to RealClearPolitics ’ national average , has garnered a reputation during the campaign for a pattern of what her critics characterize as “ woke ” virtue signaling .
She displays her “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a show of solidarity with transgender activists , declared that “ trans , ” “ nonconforming , ” and “ non-binary ” women of color to be the “ backbone ” of American democracy , and has vowed to wear a pink Planned Parenthood scarf to her inauguration if elected .

The Democrat presidential hopeful claims 'trans' men 'are at risk' when imprisoned with individuals of the same biological sex.
January 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Massachusetts senator and Democrat presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren declared this week that biological males who identify as “transgender women” be incarcerated with actual women instead of their fellow men, ostensibly in the name of safety.
“We have to stop putting trans women who are incarcerated into prisons with men where they are at risk. It is our responsibility,” Warren told supporters at an Iowa campaign stop, The Hill reported.
If Warren were to become president and pursue the policy change, it would be likely take the form of relaxing the Trump administration’s standards for placing gender-confused individuals in opposite-sex prisons, which consider a variety of factors but start by recognizing biological sex for the initial determination.
Several conservative figures criticized Warren for the proposal and its likely consequences for actual female inmates:
I’m guessing the trans women population in prison would skyrocket under a Warren Presidency. https://t.co/IkOKrv9g3T — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) January 13, 2020
Warren: “We have to stop putting trans women who are incarcerated into prisons with men where they are at risk.” What about the risk to biological women when biological MEN (trans women) are put into women's prisons?! Warren's stance is crazy.pic.twitter.com/fLuFB3ilOf — Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) January 13, 2020
There has been growing concern in both the United States and the United Kingdom over placing men who claim to be women in female prison populations. A record number of male inmates in England and Wales claim to be female, a subject that has garnered controversy partly due to cases like that of Stephen Wood, who assaulted four female inmates after being housed in a women’s facility as “Karen White.” Canada and Scotland have also seen cases of male prisoners claiming “transgender” status in order to secure lighter treatment during their incarceration.
Warren, who currently places third in the field according to RealClearPolitics’ national average, has garnered a reputation during the campaign for a pattern of what her critics characterize as “woke” virtue signaling. She displays her “preferred pronouns” on social media as a show of solidarity with transgender activists, declared that “trans,” “nonconforming,” and “non-binary” women of color to be the “backbone” of American democracy, and has vowed to wear a pink Planned Parenthood scarf to her inauguration if elected.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-14--Bishop Schneider defends Cdl Sarah for his ‘heroic’ book on priestly celibacy

PETITION : Support Cardinal Sarah 's Defense of Priestly Celibacy !
Sign the petition here ROME , January 14 , 2019 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Bishop Athanasius Schneider is speaking out in strong support of Cardinal Robert Sarah for his new book with Benedict XVI defending priestly celibacy , calling his actions “ heroic.
” News of the forthcoming volume , titled “ From the Depths of Our Hearts : Priesthood , Celibacy , and the Crisis of the Catholic Church , ” was announced on Sunday , receiving a wave of praise but also considerable backlash .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( see full text below ) , the auxiliary bishop of Astana , Kazakhstan argues that the “ slander and lies ” directed against the Guinean cardinal only prove that the new volume on priestly celibacy is both “ timely ” and “ necessary.
” Bishop Schneider writes : “ One might say that the intervention of Cardinal Sarah has provoked , so to speak , the anger of hell.
” Cardinal Sarah , he says , has “ given voice ” to numerous bishops , priests and laity , who have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” that are lauded by the world but may rightly be numbered among the “ enemies of the Catholic Faith.
” In his statement , Bishop Schneider also notes , with regret , the “ abandonment ” Cardinal Sarah has suffered in recent days , “ even by those persons who unambiguously and without human respect should have supported him and his intervention.
” The bishop also maintains that Cardinal Sarah has “ proven ” by the new book that he is a “ true help ” to Pope Francis and the Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pope may “ effectively and fruitfully ” consider the cardinal ’ s contribution .
He concludes his statement of support , assuring Cardinal Sarah that the “ little ones ” are grateful to him and close to him in prayer .
In recent months , Bishop Schneider has offered his own forceful defense of priestly celibacy in the Latin Church .
In his own new book , “ Christus Vincit : Christ ’ s Triumph Over the Darkness of the Age , ” His Excellency addresses those who advocate ordaining viri probati @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , saying : “ If you knew what the Catholic priesthood really is , you would never for any reason whatsoever advocate weakening or abolishing the apostolic tradition of priestly celibacy.
” Here below is the full statement of Bishop Athanasius Schneider , in support of Cardinal Sarah and his new book “ From the Depths of Our Hearts.
” The book is now available for pre-order from Ignatius Press .
In Support of Cardinal Sarah and his new book “ From the Depths of Our Hearts ” From the depths of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eminence Cardinal Robert Sarah for his heroic gesture in having written the book “ From the Depths of Our Hearts ” ( original in French : “ Des profondeurs de nos coeurs ” ) , and above all for its theologically and pastorally extremely clear and apt content .
With his intervention , Cardinal Robert Sarah has given voice to many bishops , priests and simple faithful throughout the world , whose voice had been stifled by those administrative structures and influential groups within the life of the Church , which are applauded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enemies of the Catholic Faith — the Faith of all times .
Some of the enemies of the true , Catholic and Apostolic Faith launched a lightning-fast attack against Cardinal Sarah by means of slanders and lies .
This proves that Cardinal Sarah ’ s intervention was both highly necessary and very timely .
One might say that the intervention of Cardinal Sarah has provoked , so to speak , the anger of hell .
One might also compare the announcement of Cardinal Sarah ’ s new volume ( and its specific content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the High priests , the Scribes and the whole of Jerusalem exhibited at the announcement by the Magi of the birth of the New King of Israel .
The Lord also asks from His Eminence Cardinal Robert Sarah the sacrifice of having unfortunately and enigmatically been abandoned even by those persons who unambiguously and without human respect should have supported him and his intervention .
One can say with deep conviction that Our Lord , the Church of all times , the Popes of all times , and all the true Catholics of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones ” in the Church , are grateful to His Eminence and are close to him !
One can wish that Our Holy Father Pope Francis will be grateful for the intervention of Cardinal Robert Sarah , which he made out of authentic love for the Church .
One may also wish that Pope Francis will effectively and fruitfully consider the contribution of Cardinal Sarah , since he has so often encouraged free speech and the practice of an Apostolic parresia .
By his intervention , Cardinal Robert Sarah has only fulfilled his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a true help to the Pope and , in this manner , to the entire Church .
One can believe that in doing so , he was moved neither by praise nor by threats ( nec laudibus , nec timore ) , thus bearing witness to the symbolism of the red color of the cardinals ’ vestments and of their title “ Eminence.
” The “ little ones ” in the Church are surely grateful and pray for His Eminence Cardinal Robert Sarah .

‘One might say that the intervention of Cardinal Sarah has provoked, so to speak, the anger of hell.’
PETITION: Support Cardinal Sarah's Defense of Priestly Celibacy! Sign the petition here
ROME, January 14, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) – Bishop Athanasius Schneider is speaking out in strong support of Cardinal Robert Sarah for his new book with Benedict XVI defending priestly celibacy, calling his actions “heroic.”
News of the forthcoming volume, titled “From the Depths of Our Hearts: Priesthood, Celibacy, and the Crisis of the Catholic Church,” was announced on Sunday, receiving a wave of praise but also considerable backlash.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 14 (see full text below), the auxiliary bishop of Astana, Kazakhstan argues that the “slander and lies” directed against the Guinean cardinal only prove that the new volume on priestly celibacy is both “timely” and “necessary.”
Bishop Schneider writes: “One might say that the intervention of Cardinal Sarah has provoked, so to speak, the anger of hell.”
Cardinal Sarah, he says, has “given voice” to numerous bishops, priests and laity, who have been “stifled” by “influential groups” that are lauded by the world but may rightly be numbered among the “enemies of the Catholic Faith.”
In his statement, Bishop Schneider also notes, with regret, the “abandonment” Cardinal Sarah has suffered in recent days, “even by those persons who unambiguously and without human respect should have supported him and his intervention.”
The bishop also maintains that Cardinal Sarah has “proven” by the new book that he is a “true help” to Pope Francis and the Church, and he expresses his hope that the Pope may “effectively and fruitfully” consider the cardinal’s contribution.
He concludes his statement of support, assuring Cardinal Sarah that the “little ones” are grateful to him and close to him in prayer.
In recent months, Bishop Schneider has offered his own forceful defense of priestly celibacy in the Latin Church. In his own new book, “Christus Vincit: Christ’s Triumph Over the Darkness of the Age,” His Excellency addresses those who advocate ordaining viri probati (i.e. sexually active married men), saying: “If you knew what the Catholic priesthood really is, you would never for any reason whatsoever advocate weakening or abolishing the apostolic tradition of priestly celibacy.”
Here below is the full statement of Bishop Athanasius Schneider, in support of Cardinal Sarah and his new book “From the Depths of Our Hearts.”
The book is now available for pre-order from Ignatius Press.
* * *
In Support of Cardinal Sarah and his new book “From the Depths of Our Hearts”
From the depths of the heart, one must thank His Eminence Cardinal Robert Sarah for his heroic gesture in having written the book “From the Depths of Our Hearts” (original in French: “Des profondeurs de nos coeurs”), and above all for its theologically and pastorally extremely clear and apt content.
With his intervention, Cardinal Robert Sarah has given voice to many bishops, priests and simple faithful throughout the world, whose voice had been stifled by those administrative structures and influential groups within the life of the Church, which are applauded by the powerful worldwide network of the enemies of the Catholic Faith — the Faith of all times.
Some of the enemies of the true, Catholic and Apostolic Faith launched a lightning-fast attack against Cardinal Sarah by means of slanders and lies. This proves that Cardinal Sarah’s intervention was both highly necessary and very timely. One might say that the intervention of Cardinal Sarah has provoked, so to speak, the anger of hell. One might also compare the announcement of Cardinal Sarah’s new volume (and its specific content) with the shock-reaction that Herodes, the High priests, the Scribes and the whole of Jerusalem exhibited at the announcement by the Magi of the birth of the New King of Israel.
The Lord also asks from His Eminence Cardinal Robert Sarah the sacrifice of having unfortunately and enigmatically been abandoned even by those persons who unambiguously and without human respect should have supported him and his intervention.
One can say with deep conviction that Our Lord, the Church of all times, the Popes of all times, and all the true Catholics of our time, especially the “little ones” in the Church, are grateful to His Eminence and are close to him!
One can wish that Our Holy Father Pope Francis will be grateful for the intervention of Cardinal Robert Sarah, which he made out of authentic love for the Church. One may also wish that Pope Francis will effectively and fruitfully consider the contribution of Cardinal Sarah, since he has so often encouraged free speech and the practice of an Apostolic parresia.
By his intervention, Cardinal Robert Sarah has only fulfilled his grave duty and proven to have been a true help to the Pope and, in this manner, to the entire Church. One can believe that in doing so, he was moved neither by praise nor by threats (nec laudibus, nec timore), thus bearing witness to the symbolism of the red color of the cardinals’ vestments and of their title “Eminence.”
The “little ones” in the Church are surely grateful and pray for His Eminence Cardinal Robert Sarah.
January 14, 2020
+ Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of Saint Mary in Astana
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