lifesitenews--2020-04-30--Global women’s coalition petitions Olympics to keep men out of women’s events

April 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – An international array of women ’ s organizations has banded together to circulate a petition in hopes of persuading the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) to prevent biological men from competing in women ’ s athletic categories .
Save Women ’ s Sports ( SWS ) represents dozens of organizations spanning both the globe and the political spectrum , from Concerned Women for America and Edmonton Women & Allies Against the Sex Industry to Fem Revolt of Croatia and Fearsome Fems of Russia .
“ The transgender eligibility guidelines created by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allows males who identify as females to enter women 's categories , is unacceptable , ” their petition reads .
“ Simply reducing testosterone levels for one year does not negate the male advantage over female athletes .
“ Allowing male athletes to self-identify as female competitors is irresponsible , negligent , and dangerous , ” the petition continues .
“ In adopting the 2015 transgender guidelines you have abandoned your duty to protect the safety and integrity of females and female sports .
This amounts to blatant discrimination against women on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IOC to use the delay of the Tokyo Olympic Games from 2020 to 2021 , necessitated by the outbreak of COVID-19 , as an opportunity to re-evaluate its 2015 decision .
Implementation of those guidelines had already been stalled for multiple reasons , including research concluding they would pose an “ intolerable unfairness ” to actual women competing against gender-confused men , and internal disagreement over how to handle the emotional issue .
“ If we continue to allow males to compete as females in the Olympics , there will be men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-ed Olympics , but there will no longer be women ’ s Olympics , ” SWS founder and amateur powerlifter Beth Stelzer told the Daily Caller .
“ Fairness for women in the Olympics relies upon separation on the basis of the two sexes .
Transgender women are male and it is not fair , by any means , for them to compete against women.
” As to the reception SWS has gotten so far , Stelzer said it has been “ an incredible experience seeing these people from all backgrounds and beliefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman.
” Transgenderism in athletics is a contentious issue across the world , with female athletes arguing that biological males ’ innate physical advantages unjustly impair their ability to earn not only competitive recognition , but also scholarship opportunities for their hard work .
Last June , the Journal of Medical Ethics published a paper concluding that “ healthy young men ( do ) not lose significant muscle mass ( or power ) when their circulating testosterone levels were reduced to ( below IOC guidelines ) for 20 weeks , ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as bone structure , lung volume , and heart size “ will not be altered by hormone therapy.
” Therefore , “ the advantage to transwomen ( men ) afforded by the IOC guidelines is an intolerable unfairness .
”

If males compete as females, 'there will be men’s Olympics, there will be co-ed Olympics, but there will no longer be women’s Olympics,' powerlifter Beth Stelzer warns.
April 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – An international array of women’s organizations has banded together to circulate a petition in hopes of persuading the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to prevent biological men from competing in women’s athletic categories.
Save Women’s Sports (SWS) represents dozens of organizations spanning both the globe and the political spectrum, from Concerned Women for America and Edmonton Women & Allies Against the Sex Industry to Fem Revolt of Croatia and Fearsome Fems of Russia.
“The transgender eligibility guidelines created by the consensus meeting in 2015, which allows males who identify as females to enter women's categories, is unacceptable,” their petition reads. “Simply reducing testosterone levels for one year does not negate the male advantage over female athletes.
“Allowing male athletes to self-identify as female competitors is irresponsible, negligent, and dangerous,” the petition continues. “In adopting the 2015 transgender guidelines you have abandoned your duty to protect the safety and integrity of females and female sports. This amounts to blatant discrimination against women on the basis of sex.”
SWS calls on the IOC to use the delay of the Tokyo Olympic Games from 2020 to 2021, necessitated by the outbreak of COVID-19, as an opportunity to re-evaluate its 2015 decision.
Implementation of those guidelines had already been stalled for multiple reasons, including research concluding they would pose an “intolerable unfairness” to actual women competing against gender-confused men, and internal disagreement over how to handle the emotional issue.
“If we continue to allow males to compete as females in the Olympics, there will be men’s Olympics, there will be co-ed Olympics, but there will no longer be women’s Olympics,” SWS founder and amateur powerlifter Beth Stelzer told the Daily Caller. “Fairness for women in the Olympics relies upon separation on the basis of the two sexes. Transgender women are male and it is not fair, by any means, for them to compete against women.”
As to the reception SWS has gotten so far, Stelzer said it has been “an incredible experience seeing these people from all backgrounds and beliefs come together to protect the definition of woman.”
Transgenderism in athletics is a contentious issue across the world, with female athletes arguing that biological males’ innate physical advantages unjustly impair their ability to earn not only competitive recognition, but also scholarship opportunities for their hard work.
Last June, the Journal of Medical Ethics published a paper concluding that “healthy young men (do) not lose significant muscle mass (or power) when their circulating testosterone levels were reduced to (below IOC guidelines) for 20 weeks,” and “indirect effects of testosterone” on factors such as bone structure, lung volume, and heart size “will not be altered by hormone therapy.” Therefore, “the advantage to transwomen (men) afforded by the IOC guidelines is an intolerable unfairness.”
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lifesitenews--2020-04-30--Pope Francis financially bails out transsexual prostitutes struggling with no street ‘customers’

SIGN open letter to Pope Francis : Honor Mother Mary , not Mother Earth Sign the petition here .
TORVAIANICA , Italy , April 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Pope Francis has allegedly provided “ immediate ” financial help to a group of transsexuals who were no longer able to support themselves from “ customers on the street ” amid the coronavirus lockdown in Italy .
“ At the height of the coronavirus emergency , a group of transsexuals , almost all Latin Americans , arrived in the church with amazement and wonder , ” Don Andrea Conocchia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not far from Rome , told Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano .
“ They asked for help because with the virus they no longer had customers on the street , ” Don Andrea continued .
According to Il Fatto Quotidiano , the priest “ was not overcome by prejudices , but was immediately won over by the solidarity of this transsexual community that shared the rent and helped as much as it could.
” The group of transsexual prostitutes reached out to Pope Francis , through the Papal Almoner , Cardinal Konrad Krajewski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charitable works done in the name of the Holy Father .
Krajewski “ immediately brought personally all the necessary help ” to Torvaianica .
Krajewski told Corriere della Sera that the transsexuals “ earned money off the books , obviously , perhaps they have problems with documents and can not apply for subsidies.
” He said that other parishes have also reported similar problems of trying to look after the needs of “ prostitutes ” who no longer have anything to eat .
Cardinal Krajewski caused some controversy in 2019 after breaking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupied by squatters , where the electricity had been cut off due to outstanding electric bills of roughly 300,000 euros .
On the one hand , the building was known to house numerous families with young children .
On the other , it was also known to host rave parties .
One of the groups which hosted the raves , LaRoboterie , described itself as , “ techno , queer , gay , lesbian and transsexual.
” Krajewski climbed down a manhole and broke a seal to reconnect electrical circuit breakers for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ humanitarian gesture ” aimed at protecting the families living there .
The transsexuals expressed their gratitude to Pope Francis by recording an audio message : “ Many thanks to Pope Francis !
May God bless you , thank you for everything !
A thousand blessings !
May the Virgin protect you !
” LifeSiteNews reached out to Don Andrea and to the Vatican Press Office for comment .
No response was provided by press time .
Pope Francis has previously affirmed people claiming to be a member of the opposite sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2016 , during an in-flight press conference on his way back to Rome from a trip to Georgia and Azerbaijan , the Holy Father recounted how he had once received a letter “ from a Spanish man who told me his story from the time when he was a child .
He was born a female , a girl , and he suffered greatly because he felt that he was a boy but physically was a girl.
” Throughout the interview , Francis referred to the person as a “ man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a biological woman .
“ He , who had been she , but is he , ” the Pope emphasized .
“ He told his mother , when he was in his twenties , at 22 , that he wanted to have an operation and so forth .
His mother asked him not to do so as long as she was alive .
She was elderly , and died soon after .
He had the operation , ” the Pope said .
The woman was helped by the local bishop , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good bishop ” who “ ‘ wasted ’ time to accompany this man.
” The person “ changed his civil identity , he got married and he wrote me a letter saying that it would bring comfort to him to come see and me with his bride … I received them .
They were pleased.
” It was in January of 2015 that the Pope granted an audience to the two women whom the world ’ s press dubbing a “ transsexual man and his fiancée.
” Francis welcomed the two into his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ strictly private meeting , ” reported Spanish language paper Hoy .
The paper speculated that the meeting was a signal that “ Pope Francis may also change the reality of [ Catholic ] people who have decided or decide , as did Diego [ one of the women ] , to reassign their gender.
” Catholic teaching considers gender “ reassignment ” an impossibility and a violation of the Creator ’ s intention .
Cardinal Raymond Burke and Bishop Athanasius Schneider , together with several other bishops , wrote in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surgery is a “ grave sin ” and a “ rebellion ” against divine and natural law .
“ The male and female sexes , man and woman , are biological realities created by the wise will of God ( see Gen. 1 : 27 ; Catechism of the Catholic Church , 369 ) .
It is , therefore , a rebellion against natural and Divine law and a grave sin that a man may attempt to become a woman by mutilating himself , or even by simply declaring himself to be such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like manner attempt to become a man , or to hold that the civil authority has the duty or the right to act as if such things were or may be possible and legitimate ( see Catechism of the Catholic Church , 2297 ) , ” they wrote .

The Pope's response was 'immediate' when the group of transsexuals reached out to him through the Papal Almoner
SIGN open letter to Pope Francis: Honor Mother Mary, not Mother Earth Sign the petition here.
TORVAIANICA, Italy, April 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Pope Francis has allegedly provided “immediate” financial help to a group of transsexuals who were no longer able to support themselves from “customers on the street” amid the coronavirus lockdown in Italy.
“At the height of the coronavirus emergency, a group of transsexuals, almost all Latin Americans, arrived in the church with amazement and wonder,” Don Andrea Conocchia, the parish priest of Torvaianica, not far from Rome, told Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano.
“They asked for help because with the virus they no longer had customers on the street,” Don Andrea continued.
According to Il Fatto Quotidiano, the priest “was not overcome by prejudices, but was immediately won over by the solidarity of this transsexual community that shared the rent and helped as much as it could.”
The group of transsexual prostitutes reached out to Pope Francis, through the Papal Almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski.
“Francis’ response was immediate,” the paper reported.
The Papal Almoner is responsible for charitable works done in the name of the Holy Father.
Krajewski “immediately brought personally all the necessary help” to Torvaianica.
Krajewski told Corriere della Sera that the transsexuals “earned money off the books, obviously, perhaps they have problems with documents and cannot apply for subsidies.” He said that other parishes have also reported similar problems of trying to look after the needs of “prostitutes” who no longer have anything to eat.
Cardinal Krajewski caused some controversy in 2019 after breaking the law to reconnect electricity to a building occupied by squatters, where the electricity had been cut off due to outstanding electric bills of roughly 300,000 euros. On the one hand, the building was known to house numerous families with young children. On the other, it was also known to host rave parties. One of the groups which hosted the raves, LaRoboterie, described itself as, “techno, queer, gay, lesbian and transsexual.” Krajewski climbed down a manhole and broke a seal to reconnect electrical circuit breakers for the building. He defended the act as a “humanitarian gesture” aimed at protecting the families living there.
The transsexuals expressed their gratitude to Pope Francis by recording an audio message: “Many thanks to Pope Francis! May God bless you, thank you for everything! A thousand blessings! May the Virgin protect you!”
LifeSiteNews reached out to Don Andrea and to the Vatican Press Office for comment. No response was provided by press time.
Pope Francis has previously affirmed people claiming to be a member of the opposite sex, commonly known as transgender or transsexual.
In 2016, during an in-flight press conference on his way back to Rome from a trip to Georgia and Azerbaijan, the Holy Father recounted how he had once received a letter “from a Spanish man who told me his story from the time when he was a child. He was born a female, a girl, and he suffered greatly because he felt that he was a boy but physically was a girl.”
Throughout the interview, Francis referred to the person as a “man,” even though she necessarily continued to be a biological woman. “He, who had been she, but is he,” the Pope emphasized.
“He told his mother, when he was in his twenties, at 22, that he wanted to have an operation and so forth. His mother asked him not to do so as long as she was alive. She was elderly, and died soon after. He had the operation,” the Pope said.
The woman was helped by the local bishop, characterized by the Pope as “a good bishop” who “‘wasted’ time to accompany this man.”
The person “changed his civil identity, he got married and he wrote me a letter saying that it would bring comfort to him to come see and me with his bride … I received them. They were pleased.”
It was in January of 2015 that the Pope granted an audience to the two women whom the world’s press dubbing a “transsexual man and his fiancée.”
Francis welcomed the two into his private suite at Domus Santa Marta to a “strictly private meeting,” reported Spanish language paper Hoy. The paper speculated that the meeting was a signal that “Pope Francis may also change the reality of [Catholic] people who have decided or decide, as did Diego [one of the women], to reassign their gender.”
Catholic teaching considers gender “reassignment” an impossibility and a violation of the Creator’s intention.
Cardinal Raymond Burke and Bishop Athanasius Schneider, together with several other bishops, wrote in their 2019 Declaration of Truths that gender reassignment surgery is a “grave sin” and a “rebellion” against divine and natural law.
“The male and female sexes, man and woman, are biological realities created by the wise will of God (see Gen. 1: 27; Catechism of the Catholic Church, 369). It is, therefore, a rebellion against natural and Divine law and a grave sin that a man may attempt to become a woman by mutilating himself, or even by simply declaring himself to be such, or that a woman may in like manner attempt to become a man, or to hold that the civil authority has the duty or the right to act as if such things were or may be possible and legitimate (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2297),” they wrote.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-30--Catholic priest: It’s time to put abusive government power into lockdown

April 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The fight against Coronavirus has highlighted an issue that ’ s been at the heart of our democratic republic since the nation ’ s founding .
It ’ s the question of how to balance personal freedom against the authority we give our elected officials to regulate the workings of society .
This conflict has come into sharp focus during the pandemic lockdown .
The consensus of most governments — at local , state and federal levels — has been to curtail the mobility of individuals in order to reduce infection .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations ; schools have closed ; public performances , sporting events , religious services , and other gatherings have been prohibited ; and everybody has been instructed to stay in their homes .
Over these past weeks , resistance to these containment measures has grown , and for reasons that are perfectly understandable .
Idled workers and business owners are pinched financially ; movement restrictions have kept people separated from their friends and relatives ; families are increasingly housebound ; and perhaps most disturbingly , religious believers have been deprived of the spiritual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of communal worship .
Whether the restrictions are working or not , it is clear that officials have aggregated to themselves more and more power .
In some places , regulations are so arbitrary and extreme that people are forbidden to purchase certain items even in stores where they ’ re permitted to shop .
It demonstrates the truth in that famous saying of British historian and writer Lord Acton , who observed , “ Power tends to corrupt , and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
” The federal government has taken steps to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown .
But the relief program is adding to an already gigantic national debt , currently approaching $ 25 trillion .
This will likely bring inflation , burden future generations with high taxes , and expose the nation to outside ( possibly hostile ) influences as foreign investors acquire our bonds and credit obligations .
There are historical parallels to the situation in which we find ourselves at this moment .
One is the collapse of the Roman Republic , when people chose to trade freedom for safety .
The product of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despotic Caesars , and as the Romans found , being reduced to a less than human state .
Today ’ s danger is especially great for people of faith .
The condition of religious institutions is , in many ways , already perilous .
Since well before the pandemic we ’ ve been witnessing a steady erosion of First Amendment religious protections — everything from trying to make orders of nuns pay for birth control , to forcing Christian social service agencies to approve adoptions by same-sex couples , and a whole lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the compulsory suspension of worship services and other group church activities .
Done in the name of public health , and perhaps justified by the threat of contagion , this has nonetheless demonstrated how government power can be set in opposition to faith .
One can only fear that this experience may have whetted the appetite of certain political figures for even more assertive anti-church efforts .
If so , those officials will soon discover that there are costs to society .
Religious groups and Church-affiliated organizations meet more than spiritual needs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tangible ways .
Religious charities serve individuals , families , whole communities , relieving government of many costs that would otherwise fall on an already stressed tax base .
Our Constitution specifically limits the government ’ s ability to infringe on our most basic freedoms — rights which the Declaration of Independence says we ’ re entitled to by “ the Laws of Nature and of Nature ’ s God.
” As the country reopens for business — taking prudent steps to ensure public health and safety — we must stand up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks government has kept society pretty thoroughly locked down .
Now we have to think about locking down government power .
A priest of the Diocese of Camden , New Jersey , Rev .
Michael P. Orsi currently serves as parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Naples , Florida .
He is host of “ Action for Life TV , ” a weekly cable television series devoted to pro-life issues , and his writings appear in numerous publications and online journals .
His TV show episodes can be viewed online here .

'For the past few weeks government has kept society pretty thoroughly locked down. Now we have to think about locking down government power.'
April 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The fight against Coronavirus has highlighted an issue that’s been at the heart of our democratic republic since the nation’s founding. It’s the question of how to balance personal freedom against the authority we give our elected officials to regulate the workings of society.
This conflict has come into sharp focus during the pandemic lockdown.
The consensus of most governments — at local, state and federal levels — has been to curtail the mobility of individuals in order to reduce infection. Consequently, companies have had to suspend operations; schools have closed; public performances, sporting events, religious services, and other gatherings have been prohibited; and everybody has been instructed to stay in their homes.
Over these past weeks, resistance to these containment measures has grown, and for reasons that are perfectly understandable. Idled workers and business owners are pinched financially; movement restrictions have kept people separated from their friends and relatives; families are increasingly housebound; and perhaps most disturbingly, religious believers have been deprived of the spiritual nourishment they would normally obtain from acts of communal worship.
Whether the restrictions are working or not, it is clear that officials have aggregated to themselves more and more power. In some places, regulations are so arbitrary and extreme that people are forbidden to purchase certain items even in stores where they’re permitted to shop.
It demonstrates the truth in that famous saying of British historian and writer Lord Acton, who observed, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
The federal government has taken steps to cushion the economic blow inflicted by the lockdown. But the relief program is adding to an already gigantic national debt, currently approaching $25 trillion. This will likely bring inflation, burden future generations with high taxes, and expose the nation to outside (possibly hostile) influences as foreign investors acquire our bonds and credit obligations.
There are historical parallels to the situation in which we find ourselves at this moment. One is the collapse of the Roman Republic, when people chose to trade freedom for safety. The product of that choice was a succession of corrupt and despotic Caesars, and as the Romans found, being reduced to a less than human state.
Today’s danger is especially great for people of faith. The condition of religious institutions is, in many ways, already perilous. Since well before the pandemic we’ve been witnessing a steady erosion of First Amendment religious protections — everything from trying to make orders of nuns pay for birth control, to forcing Christian social service agencies to approve adoptions by same-sex couples, and a whole lot more. Now we’ve seen the compulsory suspension of worship services and other group church activities.
Done in the name of public health, and perhaps justified by the threat of contagion, this has nonetheless demonstrated how government power can be set in opposition to faith. One can only fear that this experience may have whetted the appetite of certain political figures for even more assertive anti-church efforts.
If so, those officials will soon discover that there are costs to society. Religious groups and Church-affiliated organizations meet more than spiritual needs. They benefit the entire nation in many tangible ways. Religious charities serve individuals, families, whole communities, relieving government of many costs that would otherwise fall on an already stressed tax base.
Our Constitution specifically limits the government’s ability to infringe on our most basic freedoms — rights which the Declaration of Independence says we’re entitled to by “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” As the country reopens for business — taking prudent steps to ensure public health and safety — we must stand up for those rights.
For the past few weeks government has kept society pretty thoroughly locked down. Now we have to think about locking down government power.
A priest of the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, Rev. Michael P. Orsi currently serves as parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Naples, Florida. He is host of “Action for Life TV,” a weekly cable television series devoted to pro-life issues, and his writings appear in numerous publications and online journals. His TV show episodes can be viewed online here.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-30--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

April 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the coronavirus crisis , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united in praying the rosary together , at the same time , every day at 12:00 noon EST .
The rosary is led by Father Anthony Pillari , an American priest currently in Italy .
To date , Catholics from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Mexico , Chile , Brazil , Australia , New Zealand , the Philippines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as other countries , have been joining in .
The whole world – including the Church – has been thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) .
Thousands of people have passed away as a result of the viral outbreak , while thousands more have been sickened .
And , across the world , business has come to a grinding halt , resulting in sudden job loss and threatening economic recession .
If there ever was a time for prayer , this is it .
Catholics around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sacraments , but in many places are unable to access them because of bishops ’ orders or government restrictions .
We know that community with other believers is vital all the time , but especially during this time of global calls for “ sheltering-in-place ” and quarantine .
“ The rosary is the weapon for these times , ” St. Padre Pio said .
Through prayer , we can shape history , change the world , and bring this painful crisis to an end .
Join us today !
Send photos or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rosary with Father Pillari to [ email protected ]

(LifeSiteNews) — In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church, LifeSite is happy to promote Regina Angelorum Press’s Daily Rosary, which is offering Catholics throughout the world the chance to be united daily in prayer, in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade.
Catholics from all over the world — from Israel, Uganda, Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Pakistan, Singapore, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and other countries — are gathering daily to pray the Rosary, led by Father Pillari, JCL, MCL, STL, an American priest currently studying in Italy.
The Daily Rosary is being offered each day at 12noon EST through Regina Angelorum Press’ YouTube Channel to which you can subscribe HERE.
The goal is, by means of this Daily Rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima, the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.
To help obtain that goal, Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide Rosary crusade:
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother. Look upon the distress in which the Church and the whole of humanity are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church. In Fatima you warned against these errors, as you spoke about the errors of Russia. You are the Mediatrix of all graces. Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope: that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart, so that Russia will be converted, a period of peace will be granted to the world, and your Immaculate Heart will triumph, through an authentic renewal of the Church in the splendor of the purity of the Catholic Faith, of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life. O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother, turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer. Amen. + Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana
To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady’s message at Fatima, and about what you can do, please read Cardinal Burke’s 2017 address at the Rome Life Forum.
As St. Padre Pio once said, “The Rosary is the weapon for these times.” Through prayer, God can shape history, change the world, and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world, through the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart. Join us today!
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this Rosary, you can access them HERE. The document also includes a brief F.A.Q. pertaining to the daily Rosary.
You can send your prayer requests to https://reginangelorumpress.com/prayer-intentions/
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lifesitenews--2020-04-30--The true spirit of fasting

The true spirit of fasting

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

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
Watch Mother Miriam's Live show originally aired on 3.3.2020 and re-aired on 4.30.2020. Mother reads lectures from St. Francis de Sales about fasting, lent, and penance. It may not be lent, but these are great tips to for doing penance any time of the year.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-04-30--‘Let’s reclaim Canada for Mary’: Catholics urged to join Canada54 Rosary Novena

PRAYER PLEDGE : Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus Sign the petition here .
OTTAWA , April 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — It ’ s not too late for Catholics to join a historic 54-day Rosary novena for Canada ’ s intentions that began Tuesday , April 28 , the feast of St. Louis de Montfort , and ends June 20 , the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary .
And Canada desperately needs Our Lady ’ s intercession at this time , says Father Tim Devine , a Companion of the Cross priest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people promoting the novena .
“ I was so happy to learn about how Canada was consecrated to Mary in Ottawa in 1947 and how it was under the mantle and patronage of Our Lady of the Cape , ” he says in a video .
But now , as well as struggling with the consequences of legal abortion , euthanasia , confusion about “ sexual morality , and gender confusion , and broken families , and decrease in the practice of the faith , ” Canada is facing the global coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we really need to claim those graces of the consecration to Our Lady in 1947 , ” said Devine , adding he hoped many would join the novena .
“ What a simple thing for us to do , to pick up a rosary and to pray , ” he pointed out .
“ I ’ ve got my rosary here , ready for action .
If we could just get this out every day and together as Canadians pray for these 54 days !
Let ’ s really call out to Mary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mary.
” Fr .
Devine was prompted to initiate the Canada54 novena by Catholic singer-songwriter Kay Clarity , who divides her time between Saskatoon , Saskatchewan , and Los Angeles , California .
“ It was something I had felt we should do for a long time after hearing about many miraculous stories of the Rosary while living in Austria , but wasn ’ t sure how to make it happen , ” she told LifeSiteNews in an email .
“ I was praying the Rosary one day and the idea came , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursue it as I had some possible pathways to do so.
” Clarity then approached Devine , who had hosted a concert of hers in 2016 .
“ I thought he would be a good starting point because he is a Companion of the Cross priest , and the order as a whole , being Marian and ordered to evangelism , might be willing to spread the word .
He was the one I knew personally , and I believed he would have a heart to understand this specific desire , ” Clarity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Father Richard Heilman , the founder of USA GraceForce ( USAGF ) , who has organized a number of 54-day Rosary novenas , notably one ending October 7 , 2019 , the first day of the Amazon Synod , which was intended to pray for the Universal Church in the lead-up to the synod and the restoration of the Catholic faith in the United States .
Devine then brought Clarity ’ s suggestion to his order ’ s general superior , Father Roger Vandenakker , and to Dennis and Angelina Girard , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apostolate that promotes the Confraternity of the Rosary and devotion to Our Lady of the Cape , Canada ’ s preeminent Marian shrine at Cap-de-la-Madeleine in Quebec .
The Girards also organized Canada ’ s first Rosary Bowl , held August 22 , 2019 at TD Stadium in Ottawa ’ s Lansdowne Park , where Canada was consecrated to Our Lady of the Cape , who also bears the title of Our Lady of the Rosary , during the massive Marian Congress of 1947 .
The Girards immediately began organizing Canada54 , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with at least 4,000 people visiting the Canada54.com website the first day of the novena , Dennis Girard told LifeSiteNews .
Catholics who want to join can sign up and find all the information they need on Canada54.com , which also has messages from Bishop Pierre Olivier Tremblay of Trois-Rivières , Quebec , and rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Cape , Fr .
Vandenakker and Fr .
Devine , and a video of the Canada54 theme song , written by Fr .
Devine and his brother Matt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1884 , when Our Lady appeared to Fortuna Agrelli , a young girl suffering from three incurable illnesses , and told her : “ Whoever desires to obtain favors from me should make three novenas of the prayers of the Rosary , and three novenas in thanksgiving , ” Fr .
Heilman explained on his Roman Catholic Man website .
Agrelli was miraculously healed of all her afflictions after praying the novena , which “ consists of five decades of the Rosary ( one set of mysteries ) each day for twenty-seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades each day for an additional twenty-seven days in thanksgiving , regardless of whether or not the request has been granted yet.
” Meanwhile , on Friday , May 1 , 2020 , the bishops in Canada and the United States will be re-consecrating their countries to the Blessed Virgin under the title Mary , Mother of the Church , and asking her to intercede in the battle being waged against the coronavirus global pandemic .
For more information on Canada54 or to sign up for the novena , go to canada54.com .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mary , seek her intercession against COVID-19

As well as struggling with the consequences of legal abortion, euthanasia, confusion about 'sexual morality, and gender confusion, and broken families, and decrease in the practice of the faith,' Canada is facing the global coronavirus pandemic.
PRAYER PLEDGE: Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus Sign the petition here.
OTTAWA, April 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — It’s not too late for Catholics to join a historic 54-day Rosary novena for Canada’s intentions that began Tuesday, April 28, the feast of St. Louis de Montfort, and ends June 20, the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
And Canada desperately needs Our Lady’s intercession at this time, says Father Tim Devine, a Companion of the Cross priest in Ottawa, one of the many people promoting the novena.
“I was so happy to learn about how Canada was consecrated to Mary in Ottawa in 1947 and how it was under the mantle and patronage of Our Lady of the Cape,” he says in a video.
But now, as well as struggling with the consequences of legal abortion, euthanasia, confusion about “sexual morality, and gender confusion, and broken families, and decrease in the practice of the faith,” Canada is facing the global coronavirus pandemic.
“Seems like, boy, we really need to claim those graces of the consecration to Our Lady in 1947,” said Devine, adding he hoped many would join the novena.
“What a simple thing for us to do, to pick up a rosary and to pray,” he pointed out.
“I’ve got my rosary here, ready for action. If we could just get this out every day and together as Canadians pray for these 54 days! Let’s really call out to Mary. Let’s reclaim Canada for Mary.”
Fr. Devine was prompted to initiate the Canada54 novena by Catholic singer-songwriter Kay Clarity, who divides her time between Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Los Angeles, California.
“It was something I had felt we should do for a long time after hearing about many miraculous stories of the Rosary while living in Austria, but wasn’t sure how to make it happen,” she told LifeSiteNews in an email.
“I was praying the Rosary one day and the idea came, and I thought it was time to pursue it as I had some possible pathways to do so.”
Clarity then approached Devine, who had hosted a concert of hers in 2016.
“I thought he would be a good starting point because he is a Companion of the Cross priest, and the order as a whole, being Marian and ordered to evangelism, might be willing to spread the word. He was the one I knew personally, and I believed he would have a heart to understand this specific desire,” Clarity said.
Another inspiration for Canada54 was Father Richard Heilman, the founder of USA GraceForce (USAGF), who has organized a number of 54-day Rosary novenas, notably one ending October 7, 2019, the first day of the Amazon Synod, which was intended to pray for the Universal Church in the lead-up to the synod and the restoration of the Catholic faith in the United States.
Devine then brought Clarity’s suggestion to his order’s general superior, Father Roger Vandenakker, and to Dennis and Angelina Girard, who run the Marian Devotional Movement, an apostolate that promotes the Confraternity of the Rosary and devotion to Our Lady of the Cape, Canada’s preeminent Marian shrine at Cap-de-la-Madeleine in Quebec.
The Girards also organized Canada’s first Rosary Bowl, held August 22, 2019 at TD Stadium in Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park, where Canada was consecrated to Our Lady of the Cape, who also bears the title of Our Lady of the Rosary, during the massive Marian Congress of 1947.
The Girards immediately began organizing Canada54, and the rest is history in the making, with at least 4,000 people visiting the Canada54.com website the first day of the novena, Dennis Girard told LifeSiteNews.
Catholics who want to join can sign up and find all the information they need on Canada54.com, which also has messages from Bishop Pierre Olivier Tremblay of Trois-Rivières, Quebec, and rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Cape, Fr. Vandenakker and Fr. Devine, and a video of the Canada54 theme song, written by Fr. Devine and his brother Matt.
The 54-day Rosary novena originated in Italy in 1884, when Our Lady appeared to Fortuna Agrelli, a young girl suffering from three incurable illnesses, and told her: “Whoever desires to obtain favors from me should make three novenas of the prayers of the Rosary, and three novenas in thanksgiving,” Fr. Heilman explained on his Roman Catholic Man website.
Agrelli was miraculously healed of all her afflictions after praying the novena, which “consists of five decades of the Rosary (one set of mysteries) each day for twenty-seven days in petition; then immediately five decades each day for an additional twenty-seven days in thanksgiving, regardless of whether or not the request has been granted yet.”
Meanwhile, on Friday, May 1, 2020, the bishops in Canada and the United States will be re-consecrating their countries to the Blessed Virgin under the title Mary, Mother of the Church, and asking her to intercede in the battle being waged against the coronavirus global pandemic.
For more information on Canada54 or to sign up for the novena, go to canada54.com.
RELATED:
US, Canadian bishops to consecrate nations to Mary, seek her intercession against COVID-19
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lifesitenews--2020-04-30--California unveils long-term reopening plan, delays churches as ‘higher risk’

SACRAMENTO , April 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — California ’ s Democrat governor , Gavin Newsom , on Tuesday released his proposal for resuming normal life following the COVID-19 outbreak , a four-stage plan that would leave churches closed for “ months.
” California is currently in Stage 1 , ABC 7 reports , with the general public staying at home and all “ nonessential ” businesses shut down .
In a few weeks , Department of Public Health director Dr. Sonia Angell says , the state can move on to Stage 2 , which would reopen “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , schools , child care facilities , and offices .
Additional retailers would be allowed to offer curbside pickup services as well .
The second half of the plan is “ months , not weeks ” away , according to Angell .
Stage 3 would see the reopening of places defined as “ higher risk ” due to the close proximity of people inside to one another , including religious services , beauty salons , gyms , and movie theaters .
Later , Stage 4 would represent a complete end to the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from stage to stage , California officials will monitor several factors , including expanded testing , protections for those most susceptible to COVID-19 ( the elderly and the immuno-compromised ) , hospital capacity , development of treatment options , and continued observance of “ social distancing.
” “ This is going to be a while , but there are ways we can modify the way we move around in our environment that will make it more possible ( to reopen ) , '' Angell said .
So far , California ’ s 40-million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( out of 603,139 tests ) and 1,887 deaths .
As part of state and local officials ’ response , Californians have been ticketed for standing outside abortion centers , forbidden from singing even in online church services , and encouraged by leaders to report their neighbors for alleged violations of the stay-at-home order .
Last week , Cross Culture Christian Center in Lodi filed a lawsuit against Newsom ’ s prohibition of religious gatherings .
The state did back down on its prohibition against gathering in church parking lots and listening to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s car .
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

SACRAMENTO, April 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — California’s Democrat governor, Gavin Newsom, on Tuesday released his proposal for resuming normal life following the COVID-19 outbreak, a four-stage plan that would leave churches closed for “months.”
California is currently in Stage 1, ABC 7 reports, with the general public staying at home and all “nonessential” businesses shut down. In a few weeks, Department of Public Health director Dr. Sonia Angell says, the state can move on to Stage 2, which would reopen “lower risk workplaces” such as manufacturing, schools, child care facilities, and offices. Additional retailers would be allowed to offer curbside pickup services as well.
The second half of the plan is “months, not weeks” away, according to Angell.
Stage 3 would see the reopening of places defined as “higher risk” due to the close proximity of people inside to one another, including religious services, beauty salons, gyms, and movie theaters. Later, Stage 4 would represent a complete end to the lockdown.
To evaluate when to move on from stage to stage, California officials will monitor several factors, including expanded testing, protections for those most susceptible to COVID-19 (the elderly and the immuno-compromised), hospital capacity, development of treatment options, and continued observance of “social distancing.”
“This is going to be a while, but there are ways we can modify the way we move around in our environment that will make it more possible (to reopen),” Angell said.
So far, California’s 40-million population has seen 46,500 known COVID-19 cases (out of 603,139 tests) and 1,887 deaths. As part of state and local officials’ response, Californians have been ticketed for standing outside abortion centers, forbidden from singing even in online church services, and encouraged by leaders to report their neighbors for alleged violations of the stay-at-home order.
Last week, Cross Culture Christian Center in Lodi filed a lawsuit against Newsom’s prohibition of religious gatherings. The state did back down on its prohibition against gathering in church parking lots and listening to services from within the safety of one’s car.
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-30--Hillary Clinton says COVID-19 ‘would be a terrible crisis to waste’

April 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — In the context of talking about Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden ’ s health care policy proposals , Hillary Clinton said the coronavirus pandemic “ would be a terrible crisis to waste.
” “ This is a high-stakes time , because of the pandemic , ” said Clinton , who ran for president in 2008 and again in 2016 , when she lost against President Donald Trump .
“ But this is also a really high-stakes election .
And every form of health care should continue to be available , including reproductive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country.
” The term “ reproductive health ” includes access to abortion and contraception .
Clinton , the former secretary of state under President Barack Obama , expressed her hope that the developments in health care policy in the United States “ eventually , and quickly ” lead to “ universal health care.
” “ So I can only say , ‘ Amen , ’ to everything you ’ re saying , ” Clinton told Joe Biden during a virtual town hall event on Tuesday , during which she endorsed him for president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis to waste , as the old saying goes , ” she continued .
“ We ’ ve learned a lot about what our absolute frailties are in our country when it comes to health justice and economic justice , so , you know , let ’ s be resolved that we ’ re going to solve those once you ’ re elected president.
” The former vice president responded , “ I promise you that ’ s going to be my objective.
” Abortion-supporters have already seized on the coronavirus pandemic as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As 159 pro-life members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate pointed out in a letter dated April 14 , “ there are some who seek to exploit this time of crisis to push for the weakening or overturning of critical Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy ( REMS ) association with medication abortion drugs , which would put women at significant risk.
” The signers of the letter were referring to a letter by 21 state attorneys general who had asked Commissioner Stephen Hahn of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ increase access to reproductive healthcare , including safe and legal abortion , during this pandemic.
” “ [ W ] e urge you to waive [ the FDA ’ s ] Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy ( REMS ) , or use FDA enforcement discretion , to allow certified prescribers to use telehealth for Mifepristone , the medication abortion prescription drug , ” the attorneys general continued .
The pro-life legislators said , “ Self-managed abortions from home are especially dangerous ; in fact , half of abortion providers do not consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a different group of pro-life members of Congress urged President Trump “ to maintain your current fetal tissue research policy and to redirect funds toward ethical , successful alternatives to combat COVID-19.
” In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States , some have argued that Trump ’ s ban on aborted fetal tissue research by government scientists is slowing down efforts to find a remedy for the disease .
“ A senior scientist at a government biomedical research laboratory has been thwarted in his efforts to conduct experiments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the Trump administration ’ s restrictions on research with human fetal tissue , ” the Washington Post claimed in March .
Several of the leading COVID-19 vaccine developments are using aborted fetal cells .
Fifteen state attorneys general had written to President Trump on March 26 , stating that the use of aborted fetal tissue could help “ accelerate vaccine development to combat COVID-19 , ” as well as “ study the impact to pregnant women and children.
” “ We ask you to end your Fetal Tissue Ban to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this global health crisis , ” the attorneys general concluded .
The group of members of Congress in support of life emphasized that the March 26 letter repeated “ false claims and narratives which for many years have touted the utility of aborted fetal tissue in research , including the claim that aborted fetal tissue has been used to create many vaccines.
” During the virtual town hall event on Tuesday , Clinton and Biden both declared once again their strong support for abortion .
“ Finally , we need to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during this crisis , ” Biden said , adding that “ abortion is an essential health care service.
” In recent months , Biden showed he would not let the coronavirus pandemic go “ to waste ” regarding climate change , either .
“ COVID is shining a bright light on the structural racism that plagues our laws , our institutions and our culture .
And it ’ s a wake up call , a wake up call to action to climate change overall and to climate justice , ” the presidential candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden had identified the recovery needed following the COVID-19 pandemic as an “ opportunity ” to “ fundamentally change the science relating to global warming .
”

The failed 2016 presidential candidate made the remark as she was endorsing Joe Biden for the White House in the 2020 race.
April 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — In the context of talking about Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s health care policy proposals, Hillary Clinton said the coronavirus pandemic “would be a terrible crisis to waste.”
“This is a high-stakes time, because of the pandemic,” said Clinton, who ran for president in 2008 and again in 2016, when she lost against President Donald Trump. “But this is also a really high-stakes election. And every form of health care should continue to be available, including reproductive health care for every woman in this country.”
The term “reproductive health” includes access to abortion and contraception.
Clinton, the former secretary of state under President Barack Obama, expressed her hope that the developments in health care policy in the United States “eventually, and quickly” lead to “universal health care.”
“So I can only say, ‘Amen,’ to everything you’re saying,” Clinton told Joe Biden during a virtual town hall event on Tuesday, during which she endorsed him for president.
“This would be a terrible crisis to waste, as the old saying goes,” she continued. “We’ve learned a lot about what our absolute frailties are in our country when it comes to health justice and economic justice, so, you know, let’s be resolved that we’re going to solve those once you’re elected president.”
The former vice president responded, “I promise you that’s going to be my objective.”
Abortion-supporters have already seized on the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to push their agenda.
As 159 pro-life members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate pointed out in a letter dated April 14, “there are some who seek to exploit this time of crisis to push for the weakening or overturning of critical Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) association with medication abortion drugs, which would put women at significant risk.”
The signers of the letter were referring to a letter by 21 state attorneys general who had asked Commissioner Stephen Hahn of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 30 to “increase access to reproductive healthcare, including safe and legal abortion, during this pandemic.”
“[W]e urge you to waive [the FDA’s] Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), or use FDA enforcement discretion, to allow certified prescribers to use telehealth for Mifepristone, the medication abortion prescription drug,” the attorneys general continued.
The pro-life legislators said, “Self-managed abortions from home are especially dangerous; in fact, half of abortion providers do not consider them safe.”
Also on April 14, a different group of pro-life members of Congress urged President Trump “to maintain your current fetal tissue research policy and to redirect funds toward ethical, successful alternatives to combat COVID-19.”
In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, some have argued that Trump’s ban on aborted fetal tissue research by government scientists is slowing down efforts to find a remedy for the disease.
“A senior scientist at a government biomedical research laboratory has been thwarted in his efforts to conduct experiments on possible treatments for the new coronavirus because of the Trump administration’s restrictions on research with human fetal tissue,” the Washington Post claimed in March.
Several of the leading COVID-19 vaccine developments are using aborted fetal cells.
Fifteen state attorneys general had written to President Trump on March 26, stating that the use of aborted fetal tissue could help “accelerate vaccine development to combat COVID-19,” as well as “study the impact to pregnant women and children.”
“We ask you to end your Fetal Tissue Ban to allow our top scientists the ability to solve this global health crisis,” the attorneys general concluded.
The group of members of Congress in support of life emphasized that the March 26 letter repeated “false claims and narratives which for many years have touted the utility of aborted fetal tissue in research, including the claim that aborted fetal tissue has been used to create many vaccines.”
During the virtual town hall event on Tuesday, Clinton and Biden both declared once again their strong support for abortion. “Finally, we need to ensure that women have access to all health services during this crisis,” Biden said, adding that “abortion is an essential health care service.”
In recent months, Biden showed he would not let the coronavirus pandemic go “to waste” regarding climate change, either. “COVID is shining a bright light on the structural racism that plagues our laws, our institutions and our culture. And it’s a wake up call, a wake up call to action to climate change overall and to climate justice,” the presidential candidate said during a fundraiser.
Previously, Biden had identified the recovery needed following the COVID-19 pandemic as an “opportunity” to “fundamentally change the science relating to global warming.”
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lifesitenews--2020-04-30--German diocese forbids Masses even after govt relaxes religious services ban

WÜRZBURG , Germany , April 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The German diocese of Würzburg is allowing only non-Eucharistic worship services , even after an easing of government restrictions on religious gatherings beginning May 4 .
“ The most important thing in the situation of the coronavirus crisis is to protect the health of the faithful , ” the diocese , headed by Bishop Franz Jung , announced .
Neither the official press release nor the decree and its corresponding guidelines referred to spiritual health being more important than physical health .
The state government of Bavaria had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to only one hour , requiring participants to wear masks and practice “ social distancing.
” Religious gatherings had been prohibited since March 21 .
While the government did not ask the Catholic Church to offer only non-Eucharistic worship services , commonly called “ liturgy of the word , ” Bishop Jung decided , without convincing explanations , to introduce worship services in his diocese in phases , culminating in the eventual celebration of the Eucharist .
“ After a certain amount of time , as well as the gathering of experience and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be held on the admission of the public celebration of the Eucharist , ” according to the diocese .
Meanwhile , “ Holy Mass can continue to be celebrated via streaming services.
” Bishop Jung even refused to allow celebrations of Holy Mass with the faithful abstaining from receiving Holy Communion for the sake of hygiene .
Such Masses “ contradict the meaning of the liturgical celebration , ” he claimed .
Jung did not take into account that for centuries , Catholics received Holy Communion very rarely , sometimes only for Easter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every Sunday .
“ All in all , ” the guidelines stated , “ the question arises whether the form of celebration of worship services can be maintained in its meaning or is almost thwarted by the guidelines and restrictions that have to be made .
This concerns above all the celebration of the Eucharist .
The resumption of public worship services locally must therefore be well considered.
” None of the German bishops has protested or even substantially questioned the measures imposed by the federal and state governments .
To the contrary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Easter that a ban on public Masses was fine , as the Church ( in this case the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising ) had already canceled all public Masses anyway .
Catholics in Germany are beginning to blame the bishops at least partly for the current difficulties in going to Mass and receiving the Eucharist .
Benjamin Leven asked in the May edition of Herder Magazin , “ Couldn ’ t the haste and silence with which the Catholic dioceses , even before the state , banned their public services and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in creating the impression that everything was fine with ‘ private devotions ’ and televised worship services ?
” “ Perhaps church authorities — of course without denying any factual necessities — should have expressed a little more dismay at the measures they saw themselves forced to take .
Or they could have simply submitted the verdict to the state authorities which , a little later , issued the relevant regulations , anyway , ” Leven added .
During all “ liturgies of the word ” amid the coronavirus pandemic in the diocese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the higher risk of small drops of saliva potentially carrying the virus being emitted .
The guidelines failed to explain the purpose of the masks in this context .
In addition to guidelines for the current situation allowing only non-Eucharistic worship services , the diocese also referred to future celebrations of Holy Mass .
At that point , the faithful would still be prohibited from receiving the Eucharist on the tongue .
As LifeSiteNews reported , several dioceses have pointed out that the reception of Communion on the tongue is no riskier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of touching the tongue and passing the saliva on to others is obviously a danger however , the chance of touching someone ’ s hand is equally probable and one ’ s hands have a greater exposure to germs , ” the Archdiocese of Portland , Oregon emphasized .
Bishop Jung of Würzburg is not the only bishop in Germany who attempted to delay the celebration of public Masses .
Rather than demanding access to the sacraments , Bishop Gerhard Feige of Magdeburg argued , “ shouldn ’ t we as Christians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contain the life-threatening danger of infection with the coronavirus and to prevent a medical overtaxing of our society , than , comparable to various lobbyists , try to push through our particular interests ?
” Feige also expressed his irritation at an alleged “ resentment ” about not being able to go to Mass and receive the sacraments , which , according to the bishop , “ some believers and church leaders are now expressing in a whining or belligerent manner.
” The only German state not to eventually ban public Masses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for instance , by the Archdiocese of Cologne , the state government “ considered it sufficient to accept the voluntary commitments ” of the bishops not to have religious gatherings .
In other words , it was their own bishops , not the government , who banned the faithful of North Rhine–Westphalia from attending Holy Mass on the holiest day of year , Easter Sunday .

Only 'liturgy of the word' will be allowed. Parishioners cannot even attend Masses without receiving Communion, because that would 'contradict the meaning of the liturgical celebration.'
Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock Sign the petition here.
WÜRZBURG, Germany, April 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The German diocese of Würzburg is allowing only non-Eucharistic worship services, even after an easing of government restrictions on religious gatherings beginning May 4. “The most important thing in the situation of the coronavirus crisis is to protect the health of the faithful,” the diocese, headed by Bishop Franz Jung, announced.
Neither the official press release nor the decree and its corresponding guidelines referred to spiritual health being more important than physical health.
The state government of Bavaria had declared that worship services may take up to only one hour, requiring participants to wear masks and practice “social distancing.” Religious gatherings had been prohibited since March 21.
While the government did not ask the Catholic Church to offer only non-Eucharistic worship services, commonly called “liturgy of the word,” Bishop Jung decided, without convincing explanations, to introduce worship services in his diocese in phases, culminating in the eventual celebration of the Eucharist.
“After a certain amount of time, as well as the gathering of experience and its evaluation, a new consultation will be held on the admission of the public celebration of the Eucharist,” according to the diocese. Meanwhile, “Holy Mass can continue to be celebrated via streaming services.”
Bishop Jung even refused to allow celebrations of Holy Mass with the faithful abstaining from receiving Holy Communion for the sake of hygiene. Such Masses “contradict the meaning of the liturgical celebration,” he claimed.
Jung did not take into account that for centuries, Catholics received Holy Communion very rarely, sometimes only for Easter, while still attending Mass at least every Sunday.
“All in all,” the guidelines stated, “the question arises whether the form of celebration of worship services can be maintained in its meaning or is almost thwarted by the guidelines and restrictions that have to be made. This concerns above all the celebration of the Eucharist. The resumption of public worship services locally must therefore be well considered.”
None of the German bishops has protested or even substantially questioned the measures imposed by the federal and state governments. To the contrary, the Bavarian Administrative Court argued just before Easter that a ban on public Masses was fine, as the Church (in this case the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising) had already canceled all public Masses anyway.
Catholics in Germany are beginning to blame the bishops at least partly for the current difficulties in going to Mass and receiving the Eucharist.
Benjamin Leven asked in the May edition of Herder Magazin, “Couldn’t the haste and silence with which the Catholic dioceses, even before the state, banned their public services and organized alternative solutions, have their share in creating the impression that everything was fine with ‘private devotions’ and televised worship services?”
“Perhaps church authorities — of course without denying any factual necessities — should have expressed a little more dismay at the measures they saw themselves forced to take. Or they could have simply submitted the verdict to the state authorities which, a little later, issued the relevant regulations, anyway,” Leven added.
During all “liturgies of the word” amid the coronavirus pandemic in the diocese of Würzburg, singing is discouraged because of the higher risk of small drops of saliva potentially carrying the virus being emitted. The guidelines failed to explain the purpose of the masks in this context.
In addition to guidelines for the current situation allowing only non-Eucharistic worship services, the diocese also referred to future celebrations of Holy Mass. At that point, the faithful would still be prohibited from receiving the Eucharist on the tongue.
As LifeSiteNews reported, several dioceses have pointed out that the reception of Communion on the tongue is no riskier than in the hand. “The risk of touching the tongue and passing the saliva on to others is obviously a danger however, the chance of touching someone’s hand is equally probable and one’s hands have a greater exposure to germs,” the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon emphasized.
Bishop Jung of Würzburg is not the only bishop in Germany who attempted to delay the celebration of public Masses.
Rather than demanding access to the sacraments, Bishop Gerhard Feige of Magdeburg argued, “shouldn’t we as Christians rather take care responsibly and in solidarity to contain the life-threatening danger of infection with the coronavirus and to prevent a medical overtaxing of our society, than, comparable to various lobbyists, try to push through our particular interests?”
Feige also expressed his irritation at an alleged “resentment” about not being able to go to Mass and receive the sacraments, which, according to the bishop, “some believers and church leaders are now expressing in a whining or belligerent manner.”
The only German state not to eventually ban public Masses was North Rhine–Westphalia. As acknowledged, for instance, by the Archdiocese of Cologne, the state government “considered it sufficient to accept the voluntary commitments” of the bishops not to have religious gatherings.
In other words, it was their own bishops, not the government, who banned the faithful of North Rhine–Westphalia from attending Holy Mass on the holiest day of year, Easter Sunday.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-30--How Natural Family Planning can be selfishly used to a couple’s detriment

April 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Discussions of Natural Family Planning ( NFP ) often rapidly turn into a tug-of-war between strong proponents and strong opponents .
On the one side , there are those who defend NFP as morally upright , a healthy practice from which couples positively benefit .
On the other side , there are those who think NFP is a subtle form of contraception from which couples suffer loss , since they would always do better to “ trust in God ’ s Providence alone.
” As I said in an article on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” so here , I find myself in sympathy with both sides — not because I agree simply with either , but because each is raising a relevant point while arguably failing to integrate the truth they see into a larger picture .
Without beating around the bush , let us admit , first of all , that selfishness or false priorities can lead to an abusive reliance on NFP , when it is chosen as a more natural way to avoid children .
Godless hippies could do this because it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nevertheless , NFP , even when chosen for selfish reasons , can not be ( or be called ) “ contraceptive ” in an unqualified sense .
In its moral species , contraception is intrinsically or per se immoral because it directly and categorically opposes one of the defining goods of marriage .
NFP is more ambivalent and ambiguous : by consulting natural rhythms , the couple is not doing anything to the natural act to thwart its procreative end .
To have intercourse during infertile periods is in no way an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generative powers of the human person , since these powers themselves , by divine design , are sometimes capable of leading to conception and sometimes not .
Neither the act ( or rather , non-act ) of abstaining during fertile times nor the act of coming together during infertile times violates the procreative nature of the sexual act as intended by the Creator , whereas the use of contraception obviously does , as its very name indicates : contra- [ con ] ception .
For that reason , contraception , by interfering with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature , whereas NFP is in accord with the order of creation , since periods of fertility and infertility are natural rhythms of the woman ’ s body .
That being said , “ naturalness ” is not the only relevant aspect to consider ; it establishes the context but does not complete the analysis of the free human act .
One must ask the properly moral question : is this ( admittedly natural ) approach to regulating procreation being used for a good reason or for a bad reason ?
When used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparison to the primary end of the great vocation of marriage in the Church , NFP is being abused .
Let me offer some concrete examples .
Sometimes a newly married Catholic couple will say they want to “ enjoy each other ’ s company ” or “ get used to being married ” for some time before they shoulder the burden of children .
Sometimes spouses want to postpone children so both can pursue graduate degrees simultaneously .
Sometimes the virtue of “ prudence ” is tied to assumptions of an upper-middle-class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expensive vacation , the ability to pay in full for college tuition , or maintaining the mother ’ s career outside the home .
Such intentions do not seem honorable when weighed against the serious obligations of the state of life into which the spouses have solemnly entered .
The doctorate-seeking couple , for instance , might be better off postponing or forgoing marriage if their scholarly work is believed to be of such importance that they feel it could not be interrupted , or , in some cases , canceled out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the fruitful love of Christ and the Church would become the primary form of their sanctification , their primary calling in life .
It could almost be called a sacrilege to set the chief good of marriage at a level below that of personal ambitions and private goods , however legitimate these may be at the right time and place .
As Donald Asci explains in his unsurpassed treatment , NFP involves a moral imperfection , that is , a sin , when there is an anti-life will — in other words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is actually nilled , or willed against .
A rough and ready way to see if an anti-life will is present is to formulate the question : were a couple to conceive a child “ by accident ” or “ unexpectedly ” ( from their vantage ) , would they welcome their child with joy as a gift from God ?
If they can honestly answer yes , then even the avoidance of conception via NFP is not the expression of an anti-life will .
If they would answer no , or feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most likely dealing with a contraceptive intention .
( See this article for further thoughts along these lines . )
Yes , these questions have a subjective dimension , and , given the nature of things , they have to have a subjective dimension to them .
God deals with human beings as individuals , as personal subjects .
God does not care too much when Rover dies , as long as dogs remain ( cf .
1 Cor .
9:9 ) .
But God cares very much when Peter , James , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lydia dies .
The only ever-valid , universally binding law — the one altogether objective law — is the law of charity , which confronts the subjectivity of each person with a question that only that person can answer .
Unlike modern governments , the Lord does not view people as numbered taxpayers or draftable soldiers .
He views each one with a father ’ s love , and He asks of each what each is ready and able to give for the common good of the Church and the world .
Assuming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Humanae Vitae , there is one and only one law by which we are judged , and that is the law of charity , which is addressed to the heart of each person .
There can be no compromise or evasion when it comes to the demands of this law , which includes the unreserved gift of self in marriage .
Should a couple have as many children as the Lord sends them , without a thought for when they come ?
Would they be prudent to postpone the next child because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is physically weak or psychologically overwhelmed at a given juncture in life ?
Or might they delay the next child by remaining continent instead of using NFP ; or take up a longer period of continence in order to devote more time to prayer , study , teaching , hospitality , or some other ministry for which a desire has been planted within them by the Lord [ 1 ] ?
In regard to any particular choice to make or path to follow , there is and can be only one criterion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or this path — thinking about it , choosing it , living it—have the effect of increasing my charity for God and for my spouse and family , bringing me closer to them and making me more responsive to their needs and rights ?
Does it make of me a more prayerful and a more loving person ?
This is a question that has to be asked constantly by all Christians ; it is the ultimate examination of conscience .
[ 1 ] Regarding this point , the history of the Church has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lived their married life in continency .
I know couples for whom such a life has proved immensely fruitful in spiritual goods .
Most modern Catholic writers on marriage dismiss this kind of married life as a regrettable holdover from Manichaeism , when , in fact , it is a legitimate way of life if the Lord is calling the spouses to it .
To assert that married couples must continue their procreative uniting is an arbitrary assertion that fails to take into account the mysterious working of the Holy Spirit in @ @ @ @ @ @

April 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Discussions of Natural Family Planning (NFP) often rapidly turn into a tug-of-war between strong proponents and strong opponents. On the one side, there are those who defend NFP as morally upright, a healthy practice from which couples positively benefit. On the other side, there are those who think NFP is a subtle form of contraception from which couples suffer loss, since they would always do better to “trust in God’s Providence alone.”
As I said in an article on the so-called “theology of the body,” so here, I find myself in sympathy with both sides — not because I agree simply with either, but because each is raising a relevant point while arguably failing to integrate the truth they see into a larger picture.
Without beating around the bush, let us admit, first of all, that selfishness or false priorities can lead to an abusive reliance on NFP, when it is chosen as a more natural way to avoid children. Godless hippies could do this because it’s environmentally sound and healthier for human bodies.
Nevertheless, NFP, even when chosen for selfish reasons, cannot be (or be called) “contraceptive” in an unqualified sense. In its moral species, contraception is intrinsically or per se immoral because it directly and categorically opposes one of the defining goods of marriage. NFP is more ambivalent and ambiguous: by consulting natural rhythms, the couple is not doing anything to the natural act to thwart its procreative end. To have intercourse during infertile periods is in no way an act of violence or obstruction against the generative powers of the human person, since these powers themselves, by divine design, are sometimes capable of leading to conception and sometimes not. Neither the act (or rather, non-act) of abstaining during fertile times nor the act of coming together during infertile times violates the procreative nature of the sexual act as intended by the Creator, whereas the use of contraception obviously does, as its very name indicates: contra-[con]ception. For that reason, contraception, by interfering with a natural process, is inherently against nature, whereas NFP is in accord with the order of creation, since periods of fertility and infertility are natural rhythms of the woman’s body.
That being said, “naturalness” is not the only relevant aspect to consider; it establishes the context but does not complete the analysis of the free human act. One must ask the properly moral question: is this (admittedly natural) approach to regulating procreation being used for a good reason or for a bad reason? When used in circumstances that are not serious in comparison to the primary end of the great vocation of marriage in the Church, NFP is being abused.
Let me offer some concrete examples. Sometimes a newly married Catholic couple will say they want to “enjoy each other’s company” or “get used to being married” for some time before they shoulder the burden of children. Sometimes spouses want to postpone children so both can pursue graduate degrees simultaneously. Sometimes the virtue of “prudence” is tied to assumptions of an upper-middle-class American lifestyle — e.g., an annual expensive vacation, the ability to pay in full for college tuition, or maintaining the mother’s career outside the home.
Such intentions do not seem honorable when weighed against the serious obligations of the state of life into which the spouses have solemnly entered. The doctorate-seeking couple, for instance, might be better off postponing or forgoing marriage if their scholarly work is believed to be of such importance that they feel it could not be interrupted, or, in some cases, canceled out, by a sacrament whose fruitfulness in imitation of the fruitful love of Christ and the Church would become the primary form of their sanctification, their primary calling in life. It could almost be called a sacrilege to set the chief good of marriage at a level below that of personal ambitions and private goods, however legitimate these may be at the right time and place.
As Donald Asci explains in his unsurpassed treatment, NFP involves a moral imperfection, that is, a sin, when there is an anti-life will — in other words, if the conception of a child is actually nilled, or willed against. A rough and ready way to see if an anti-life will is present is to formulate the question: were a couple to conceive a child “by accident” or “unexpectedly” (from their vantage), would they welcome their child with joy as a gift from God? If they can honestly answer yes, then even the avoidance of conception via NFP is not the expression of an anti-life will. If they would answer no, or feel uncertain of the answer, we are most likely dealing with a contraceptive intention. (See this article for further thoughts along these lines.)
Yes, these questions have a subjective dimension, and, given the nature of things, they have to have a subjective dimension to them. God deals with human beings as individuals, as personal subjects. God does not care too much when Rover dies, as long as dogs remain (cf. 1 Cor. 9:9). But God cares very much when Peter, James, John, Salome, Magdalene, or Lydia dies. The only ever-valid, universally binding law — the one altogether objective law — is the law of charity, which confronts the subjectivity of each person with a question that only that person can answer. Unlike modern governments, the Lord does not view people as numbered taxpayers or draftable soldiers. He views each one with a father’s love, and He asks of each what each is ready and able to give for the common good of the Church and the world. Assuming that spouses are abiding by the teaching of Humanae Vitae, there is one and only one law by which we are judged, and that is the law of charity, which is addressed to the heart of each person. There can be no compromise or evasion when it comes to the demands of this law, which includes the unreserved gift of self in marriage.
Should a couple have as many children as the Lord sends them, without a thought for when they come? Would they be prudent to postpone the next child because the father is unemployed or the mother is physically weak or psychologically overwhelmed at a given juncture in life? Or might they delay the next child by remaining continent instead of using NFP; or take up a longer period of continence in order to devote more time to prayer, study, teaching, hospitality, or some other ministry for which a desire has been planted within them by the Lord [1]?
In regard to any particular choice to make or path to follow, there is and can be only one criterion of discernment and judgment: Does this choice or this path — thinking about it, choosing it, living it—have the effect of increasing my charity for God and for my spouse and family, bringing me closer to them and making me more responsive to their needs and rights? Does it make of me a more prayerful and a more loving person?
This is a question that has to be asked constantly by all Christians; it is the ultimate examination of conscience.
[1] Regarding this point, the history of the Church has offered numerous examples of saintly couples who have lived their married life in continency. I know couples for whom such a life has proved immensely fruitful in spiritual goods. Most modern Catholic writers on marriage dismiss this kind of married life as a regrettable holdover from Manichaeism, when, in fact, it is a legitimate way of life if the Lord is calling the spouses to it. To assert that married couples must continue their procreative uniting is an arbitrary assertion that fails to take into account the mysterious working of the Holy Spirit in the sanctuaries of His temples.
Peter Kwasniewski, Thomistic theologian, liturgical scholar, and choral composer, is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College in California (B.A. Liberal Arts) and The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC (M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy). He taught at the International Theological Institute in Austria and the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Austria Program, then helped establish Wyoming Catholic College in 2006. There he taught theology, philosophy, music, and art history and directed the choirs until leaving in 2018 to devote himself full-time to writing and lecturing. Today he contributes regularly to many websites and publications, including New Liturgical Movement, OnePeterFive, LifeSiteNews, Rorate Caeli, The Remnant, and Catholic Family News, and has published thirteen books, including four on traditional Catholicism: Resurgent in the Midst of Crisis (Angelico, 2014, also available in Czech, Polish, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Belarusian), Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness (Angelico, 2017), Tradition and Sanity (Angelico, 2018), and Reclaiming Our Roman Catholic Birthright: The Genius and Timeliness of the Traditional Latin Mass (Angelico, 2020). His work has been translated into at least eighteen languages. Kwasniewski is a scholar of The Aquinas Institute in Green Bay, which is publishing the Opera Omnia of the Angelic Doctor, a Fellow of the Albertus Magnus Center for Scholastic Studies, and a Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center. He has published over a thousand articles on Thomistic thought, sacramental and liturgical theology, the history and aesthetics of music, and the social doctrine of the Church. For news, information, article links, sacred music, and the home of Os Justi Press, visit his personal website, www.peterkwasniewski.com.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-30--Canadian legal org demands medical officers explain fallout from COVID-19 obsession

CALGARY , Alberta , April 29 , 2020 ( Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms ) — The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms ( jccf.ca ) has written letters to each of the 14 Chief Medical Officers of Health , in every province , territory and federally .
“ The lockdowns and social isolation measures imposed by governments on citizens risk throwing millions of Canadians into unemployment , bankruptcy or poverty , and in many cases all three .
Social isolation , combined with unemployment and poverty , predictably lead to numerous adverse health outcomes : depression , anxiety , alcoholism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental illness , obesity and suicides , ” stated lawyer John Carpay , president of the Justice Centre .
“ I trust that Canada ’ s Chief Medical Officers have a broad-based and comprehensive concern about the health and lives of Canadians , one that extends to preventing deaths and adverse health outcomes , regardless of their source or cause , ” continued Carpay .
“ Doctors are concerned that the cancellation of non-emergency surgeries , as well as the fear that patients now have of going to the hospital to obtain help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in some cases death.
” The Justice Centre ’ s letters ask the Chief Medical Officers to give serious consideration to the number of lives that will be lost , as well as adverse health outcomes , as a result of the social isolation and economic devastation that government measures against COVID-19 are inflicting on citizens .
The Justice Centre ’ s letters request candid and detailed responses to the following questions : 1 .
How many suicides are projected to take place as a result of the government having shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into unemployment , bankruptcy , or poverty ?
2 .
How many do you project will die because of the rise in depression , anxiety , alcoholism , other addictions and drug overdoses that the lockdown and associated unemployment and social isolation will cause , as the lockdown drags on for weeks or even months ?
3 .
How many children and spouses do you project will be abused while couples and parents remain confined to their homes , in many cases unemployed , without their usual income and social connections ?
4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in foster care because of domestic abuse , or loss of their parents ’ ability to provide for them , or both ?
5 .
How many isolated seniors are projected to become sick or die because they no longer receive regular visitors , such that nobody is able to take them to their own family doctor , or take them to an emergency unit at the hospital ?
How many will die at home , alone ?
6 .
How many people are projected to die or to suffer permanent damage because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their testing and their various treatments have been cancelled due to your singular focus on fighting COVID-19 ?
7 .
How many people are projected to suffer serious harm caused by lack of access to secondary health providers they regularly rely on , such as physiotherapists , massage therapists , optometrists , chiropractors , osteopaths , podiatrists and dentists ?
8 .
How many people are projected to die or suffer serious harm because they believe ( correctly or incorrectly ) that they can not go see their doctor , or that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital ?
9 .
How many children , confined to their homes while schools and playgrounds are closed and athletic and recreational activities are shut down , are projected to develop diabetes or other chronic health conditions ?
10 .
How many people will develop psychiatric disorders caused by governments having eliminated social interaction at restaurants , pubs , churches , recreational facilities and community centres ?
11 .
Have you or your staff researched any of these questions here above ?
12 .
If yes to the foregoing question , have you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in regard to any or all of these causes of illness , harm and death , in the same way that you have relied on models , estimates and projections in regard to COVID-19 ?
13 .
If yes to the foregoing question , I request copies of those models , estimates and projections .
Published with permission from the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms .

'How many suicides are projected to take place as a result of the government having shut down much of our economy?'
CALGARY, Alberta, April 29, 2020 (Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms) — The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (jccf.ca) has written letters to each of the 14 Chief Medical Officers of Health, in every province, territory and federally.
“The lockdowns and social isolation measures imposed by governments on citizens risk throwing millions of Canadians into unemployment, bankruptcy or poverty, and in many cases all three. Social isolation, combined with unemployment and poverty, predictably lead to numerous adverse health outcomes: depression, anxiety, alcoholism, other addictions, drug overdoses, mental illness, obesity and suicides,” stated lawyer John Carpay, president of the Justice Centre.
“I trust that Canada’s Chief Medical Officers have a broad-based and comprehensive concern about the health and lives of Canadians, one that extends to preventing deaths and adverse health outcomes, regardless of their source or cause,” continued Carpay. “Doctors are concerned that the cancellation of non-emergency surgeries, as well as the fear that patients now have of going to the hospital to obtain help, are causing adverse health outcomes, and in some cases death.”
The Justice Centre’s letters ask the Chief Medical Officers to give serious consideration to the number of lives that will be lost, as well as adverse health outcomes, as a result of the social isolation and economic devastation that government measures against COVID-19 are inflicting on citizens.
The Justice Centre’s letters request candid and detailed responses to the following questions:
1. How many suicides are projected to take place as a result of the government having shut down much of our economy, forcing people into unemployment, bankruptcy, or poverty?
2. How many do you project will die because of the rise in depression, anxiety, alcoholism, other addictions and drug overdoses that the lockdown and associated unemployment and social isolation will cause, as the lockdown drags on for weeks or even months?
3. How many children and spouses do you project will be abused while couples and parents remain confined to their homes, in many cases unemployed, without their usual income and social connections?
4. How many children will be put in foster care because of domestic abuse, or loss of their parents’ ability to provide for them, or both?
5. How many isolated seniors are projected to become sick or die because they no longer receive regular visitors, such that nobody is able to take them to their own family doctor, or take them to an emergency unit at the hospital? How many will die at home, alone?
6. How many people are projected to die or to suffer permanent damage because their non-emergency (elective) surgery, their testing and their various treatments have been cancelled due to your singular focus on fighting COVID-19?
7. How many people are projected to suffer serious harm caused by lack of access to secondary health providers they regularly rely on, such as physiotherapists, massage therapists, optometrists, chiropractors, osteopaths, podiatrists and dentists?
8. How many people are projected to die or suffer serious harm because they believe (correctly or incorrectly) that they cannot go see their doctor, or that they cannot check into emergency at the hospital?
9. How many children, confined to their homes while schools and playgrounds are closed and athletic and recreational activities are shut down, are projected to develop diabetes or other chronic health conditions?
10. How many people will develop psychiatric disorders caused by governments having eliminated social interaction at restaurants, pubs, churches, recreational facilities and community centres?
11. Have you or your staff researched any of these questions here above?
12. If yes to the foregoing question, have you created any models, estimates or projections in regard to any or all of these causes of illness, harm and death, in the same way that you have relied on models, estimates and projections in regard to COVID-19?
13. If yes to the foregoing question, I request copies of those models, estimates and projections.
Published with permission from the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms.
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