lifesitenews--2020-02-12--Woman gives Communion to bishops, priests at opening Mass of German ‘synodal path’

FRANKFURT , Germany , February 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The opening Mass prior to the first assembly of the synodal path in Germany last January emphasized an alleged equality of bishops , priests , and deacons on the one hand and laypeople on the other .
With the exceptions of three bishops concelebrating the Mass , all clergy were sitting in the pews , indistinguishable from any laypeople .
At one point , lay extraordinary ministers were photographed giving Holy Communion to bishops and priests who were not wearing liturgical garments .
Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mass in an interview .
Pointing to the fact that bishops and laypeople had walked in together in procession , he said this indicates “ that everybody here is equal.
” This has “ actually nothing to do with what the Catholic Church is and holds , ” the archbishop of Cologne said .
The opening Mass for the meeting of the members of the synodal path in Frankfurt last month was celebrated by Cardinal Reinhard Marx , head of the German bishops ’ conference .
With the exception of a deacon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the clergy were sitting in the pews , wearing their coats instead of liturgical garments .
The Second Vatican Council went to great lengths to emphasize the dignity of the laity .
“ The chosen People of God is one : ‘ one Lord , one faith , one baptism ; ’ sharing a common dignity as members from their regeneration in Christ , having the same filial grace and the same vocation to perfection ; possessing in common one salvation , one hope and one undivided charity , ” stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lumen Gentium .
The document continued , “ There is , therefore , in Christ and in the Church no inequality on the basis of race or nationality , social condition or sex , because ‘ there is neither Jew nor Greek : there is neither bond nor free : there is neither male nor female .
For you are all ‘ one ’ in Christ Jesus.
’ ” Still , the Second Vatican Council “ teaches that bishops by divine institution have succeeded to the place of the apostles , as shepherds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hears them , hears Christ , and he who rejects them , rejects Christ and Him who sent Christ.
” At the same opening Mass , norms of canon law may have been violated .
Even though more than 100 bishops , priests , and deacons were present , a number of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion were used in the liturgy .
According to the Code of Canon Law ( CIC ) published in 1983 , the ordinary ministers of Holy communion in the Novus Ordo Mass are bishops , priests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , extraordinary ministers are those officially instituted as acolytes “ or another member of the Christian faithful.
” However , as the CIC points out , laypeople may not simply distribute Holy Communion under any and all circumstances .
Instead , canon 230 clarifies , “ When the need of the Church warrants it and ministers are lacking , lay persons , even if they are not lectors or acolytes , can also supply certain of their duties , namely , to exercise the ministry of the word , to preside over liturgical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to distribute Holy Communion , according to the prescripts of the law.
” The German bishops ’ conference first allowed laypeople to distribute Holy Communion during Mass in 1968 .
At that point , it was limited to men and considered an “ experiment ” for three years .
Laypeople giving Holy Communion to the faithful soon became the norm .
In 2004 , then-prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments Cardinal Francis Arinze from Nigeria published a lengthy instruction on “ certain matters to be observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holy Eucharist.
” Approved by Pope John Paul II , the document explains , “ Only when there is a necessity may extraordinary ministers assist the Priest celebrant in accordance with the norm of law.
” In another section of the instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum , Arinze reiterates how extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may only be used in case of necessity .
The instruction continues , “ If there is usually present a sufficient number of sacred ministers for the distribution of Holy Communion , extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , those who may have already been appointed to this ministry should not exercise it .
The practice of those Priests is reprobated who , even though present at the celebration , abstain from distributing Communion and hand this function over to laypersons.
” Arinze affirms , “ Indeed , the extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may administer Communion only when the Priest and Deacon are lacking , when the Priest is prevented by weakness or advanced age or some other genuine reason , or when the number of faithful coming to Communion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Mass would be unduly prolonged.
” LifeSiteNews asked Father Gero P. Weishaupt , professor for canon law in Austria and the Netherlands , how to understand terms like “ need ” and “ necessity ” when talking about extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion .
Weishaupt , who also serves as a judge on ecclesiastical tribunals in Germany and the Netherlands , pointed out that those are relative terms , depending on the individual case and the discernment of the celebrant .
“ For a young and healthy priest , 100 communicants is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and possibly sick priest , it is , ” he explained .
The canon lawyer also drew attention to the fact that canon law seems to be applied selectively in Germany .
When it comes to somebody leaving the Church as an organization according to German law in order to avoid paying the Church tax , the German bishops “ immediately insist on excommunication.
” At the same time , “ [ h ] eresies and the denial of truths of faith that are closely related to revelation , such as the non-admission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without punitive consequences.
” The use of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion might be a rampant problem in Germany because of deliberate misinformation on the part of the dioceses .
In a brochure on the service of those extraordinary ministers published in 2015 , the Archdiocese of Vienna never mentions the limitations put on them by the Code of Canon Law and the instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum .

Norms of canon law may have been violated, but one expert admitted that the German Church seems not to sweat such things.
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FRANKFURT, Germany, February 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The opening Mass prior to the first assembly of the synodal path in Germany last January emphasized an alleged equality of bishops, priests, and deacons on the one hand and laypeople on the other. With the exceptions of three bishops concelebrating the Mass, all clergy were sitting in the pews, indistinguishable from any laypeople.
At one point, lay extraordinary ministers were photographed giving Holy Communion to bishops and priests who were not wearing liturgical garments.
Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki had already voiced his criticism of the opening Mass in an interview. Pointing to the fact that bishops and laypeople had walked in together in procession, he said this indicates “that everybody here is equal.” This has “actually nothing to do with what the Catholic Church is and holds,” the archbishop of Cologne said.
The opening Mass for the meeting of the members of the synodal path in Frankfurt last month was celebrated by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, head of the German bishops’ conference. With the exception of a deacon as well as two concelebrating bishops, all members of the clergy were sitting in the pews, wearing their coats instead of liturgical garments.
The Second Vatican Council went to great lengths to emphasize the dignity of the laity. “The chosen People of God is one: ‘one Lord, one faith, one baptism;’ sharing a common dignity as members from their regeneration in Christ, having the same filial grace and the same vocation to perfection; possessing in common one salvation, one hope and one undivided charity,” stated the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium.
The document continued, “There is, therefore, in Christ and in the Church no inequality on the basis of race or nationality, social condition or sex, because ‘there is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all ‘one’ in Christ Jesus.’”
Still, the Second Vatican Council “teaches that bishops by divine institution have succeeded to the place of the apostles, as shepherds of the Church, and he who hears them, hears Christ, and he who rejects them, rejects Christ and Him who sent Christ.”
At the same opening Mass, norms of canon law may have been violated. Even though more than 100 bishops, priests, and deacons were present, a number of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion were used in the liturgy.
According to the Code of Canon Law (CIC) published in 1983, the ordinary ministers of Holy communion in the Novus Ordo Mass are bishops, priests, and deacons. As canon 910 explains, extraordinary ministers are those officially instituted as acolytes “or another member of the Christian faithful.”
However, as the CIC points out, laypeople may not simply distribute Holy Communion under any and all circumstances. Instead, canon 230 clarifies, “When the need of the Church warrants it and ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply certain of their duties, namely, to exercise the ministry of the word, to preside over liturgical prayers, to confer baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion, according to the prescripts of the law.”
The German bishops’ conference first allowed laypeople to distribute Holy Communion during Mass in 1968. At that point, it was limited to men and considered an “experiment” for three years. Laypeople giving Holy Communion to the faithful soon became the norm.
In 2004, then-prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments Cardinal Francis Arinze from Nigeria published a lengthy instruction on “certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist.”
Approved by Pope John Paul II, the document explains, “Only when there is a necessity may extraordinary ministers assist the Priest celebrant in accordance with the norm of law.”
In another section of the instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum, Arinze reiterates how extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may only be used in case of necessity.
In addition to the ordinary ministers there is the formally instituted acolyte, who by virtue of his institution is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion even outside the celebration of Mass. If, moreover, reasons of real necessity prompt it, another lay member of Christ’s faithful may also be delegated by the diocesan Bishop, in accordance with the norm of law, for one occasion or for a specified time, and an appropriate formula of blessing may be used for the occasion.
The instruction continues, “If there is usually present a sufficient number of sacred ministers for the distribution of Holy Communion, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may not be appointed. Indeed, in such circumstances, those who may have already been appointed to this ministry should not exercise it. The practice of those Priests is reprobated who, even though present at the celebration, abstain from distributing Communion and hand this function over to laypersons.”
Arinze affirms, “Indeed, the extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may administer Communion only when the Priest and Deacon are lacking, when the Priest is prevented by weakness or advanced age or some other genuine reason, or when the number of faithful coming to Communion is so great that the very celebration of Mass would be unduly prolonged.”
LifeSiteNews asked Father Gero P. Weishaupt, professor for canon law in Austria and the Netherlands, how to understand terms like “need” and “necessity” when talking about extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.
Weishaupt, who also serves as a judge on ecclesiastical tribunals in Germany and the Netherlands, pointed out that those are relative terms, depending on the individual case and the discernment of the celebrant. “For a young and healthy priest, 100 communicants is not much, but for a frail and possibly sick priest, it is,” he explained.
The canon lawyer also drew attention to the fact that canon law seems to be applied selectively in Germany. When it comes to somebody leaving the Church as an organization according to German law in order to avoid paying the Church tax, the German bishops “immediately insist on excommunication.”
At the same time, “[h]eresies and the denial of truths of faith that are closely related to revelation, such as the non-admission of women to the priesthood, remain without punitive consequences.”
The use of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion might be a rampant problem in Germany because of deliberate misinformation on the part of the dioceses. In a brochure on the service of those extraordinary ministers published in 2015, the Archdiocese of Vienna never mentions the limitations put on them by the Code of Canon Law and the instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-12--US bishops’ 2020 voting guide videos omit ‘pre-eminence’ of abortion

WASHINGTON , D.C. , February 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ( USCCB ) has released a series of five short videos aimed to “ inspire prayer and action in political life and to help Catholics apply the Church ’ s teaching as handed down by Pope Francis , ” as the U.S. moves deeper into the 2020 election year .
However , the videos fail to acknowledge the pre-eminence of abortion as the most significant life issue continuing to face the Catholic Church in the United States as they redirect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — such as immigration and “ climate change ” — which are more dear to liberal prelates and the pontiff .
The failure to highlight abortion as pr-eeminent is particularly glaring in the video that zeroes in on protecting human life and dignity .
The videos are said to complement the USCCB ’ s document , “ Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship , ” approved at last fall ’ s general assembly , but only after a contentious discussion among the bishops over whether or not abortion should continue to be recognized as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Church and the world today .
In the end , bishops who fought to maintain abortion as a top social justice priority won 143-69 , voting against including a full quote by Pope Francis in the document that downplayed abortion and which one bishop argued was necessary to keep the bishops ’ priorities in line with the pope ’ s .
While the “ pre-eminence ” of abortion was kept in the document , it is nowhere to be found in the videos .
Some might dismiss this as an oversight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the USCCB chose to let abortion fade as a top life issue while quietly embracing the view of a minority — but powerful — cadre of liberal prelates aligned with Pope Francis and papal nuncio Christophe Pierre .
The one third of bishops who along with Pope Francis have chosen to embrace the spirit of Cardinal Bernardin ’ s “ seamless garment ” — an approach which assigns equal weight to all important social justice issues — have apparently won where it counts .
While almost no laypersons have read the bishops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos are intended to be widely viewed , broadcasting the bishops ’ message to laity and the world at large .
The implied message is that abortion is just one of many important issues .
USCCB throws door wide open for Catholics to vote for Democrats in 2020 “ The bishops of the U.S. invite all Catholics to bring their faith into the public square , ” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles , president of the USCCB , in a statement introducing the videos .
Gomez also served as chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Faithful Citizenship , which was responsible for the videos .
Yet Catholics are being sent into the public square during this election year charged with a radically different set of faith priorities .
With abortion removed as a top focus , reduced to the moral equivalent of immigration as a life issue , the Catholic bishops of the United States have thrown the door wide open for Catholics to vote for Democrat candidates .
This is unsurprising , considering the pope ’ s antipathy for President Trump and his pontificate ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Political engagement and participation are important ways that together we can work to protect the unborn , welcome immigrants , bring justice to victims of racism and religious intolerance , support families , accompany those experiencing poverty , and advocate on behalf of all who are vulnerable , ” said Gomez .
Perhaps the most surprising element of the video series is that Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann , chairman of the USCCB ’ s Pro-Life Committee and a stalwart protector of the unborn , appears in the videos but does not declare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Naumann has been unwavering in his defense of the unborn .
In his powerful homily at the National Prayer Vigil for Life Mass in Washington , D.C. last year , Archbishop Naumann declared unequivocally , “ Protecting the life of unborn children is the pre-eminent human rights issue of our time.
” But there is barely an echo of that statement in his video appearance .
Perhaps Archbishop Naumann is the victim of an editor ’ s cut and splice , but it seems likely he would have had the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Videos make no attempt to appeal to Catholic men Not only is the content of the videos jarring for pro-life America , but the effeminate tone that saturates the entire series will leave many Catholic men cold .
This is not a call to action to soldiers and warriors for Christ ; it is an appeal for do-gooders and helpers in a Church where women and soft men possess the dominant voice .
The videos call not for the Church Militant , girded with the full armor of God ( Eph .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reactionary , armed with placards , aprons , and a smiling face .
The infomercial-style videos feature various bishops , including Archbishop Gomez , Archbishop Naumann , Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux , and auxiliary bishop Robert Barron of Los Angeles .
They are available in four languages ( English , Spanish , Tagalog , and Vietnamese ) : • Faithful Citizens Work with Christ as He Builds His Kingdom ( a compilation of the four videos ) And while the five videos have been available to the public via YouTube for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been viewed , on average , less than a thousand times each .

The videos redirect the attention of U.S. Catholics to other issues, like immigration and 'climate change.'
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has released a series of five short videos aimed to “inspire prayer and action in political life and to help Catholics apply the Church’s teaching as handed down by Pope Francis,” as the U.S. moves deeper into the 2020 election year.
However, the videos fail to acknowledge the pre-eminence of abortion as the most significant life issue continuing to face the Catholic Church in the United States as they redirect the attention of U.S. Catholics to other issues — such as immigration and “climate change” — which are more dear to liberal prelates and the pontiff.
The failure to highlight abortion as pre-eminent is particularly glaring in the video that zeroes in on protecting human life and dignity.
The seamless garment has prevailed
The videos are said to complement the USCCB’s document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” approved at last fall’s general assembly, but only after a contentious discussion among the bishops over whether or not abortion should continue to be recognized as the “pre-eminent” life issue facing the Church and the world today.
In the end, bishops who fought to maintain abortion as a top social justice priority won 143-69, voting against including a full quote by Pope Francis in the document that downplayed abortion and which one bishop argued was necessary to keep the bishops’ priorities in line with the pope’s.
While the “pre-eminence” of abortion was kept in the document, it is nowhere to be found in the videos.
Some might dismiss this as an oversight, but the omission is a loud declaration that the USCCB chose to let abortion fade as a top life issue while quietly embracing the view of a minority — but powerful — cadre of liberal prelates aligned with Pope Francis and papal nuncio Christophe Pierre.
The one third of bishops who along with Pope Francis have chosen to embrace the spirit of Cardinal Bernardin’s “seamless garment” — an approach which assigns equal weight to all important social justice issues — have apparently won where it counts.
While almost no laypersons have read the bishops’ document on faithful citizenship, the videos are intended to be widely viewed, broadcasting the bishops’ message to laity and the world at large. The implied message is that abortion is just one of many important issues.
USCCB throws door wide open for Catholics to vote for Democrats in 2020
“The bishops of the U.S. invite all Catholics to bring their faith into the public square,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the USCCB, in a statement introducing the videos. Gomez also served as chairman of the working group on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, which was responsible for the videos.
Yet Catholics are being sent into the public square during this election year charged with a radically different set of faith priorities.
With abortion removed as a top focus, reduced to the moral equivalent of immigration as a life issue, the Catholic bishops of the United States have thrown the door wide open for Catholics to vote for Democrat candidates.
This is unsurprising, considering the pope’s antipathy for President Trump and his pontificate’s embrace of highly politicized liberal causes.
“Political engagement and participation are important ways that together we can work to protect the unborn, welcome immigrants, bring justice to victims of racism and religious intolerance, support families, accompany those experiencing poverty, and advocate on behalf of all who are vulnerable,” said Gomez.
Chairman of the USCCB’s Pro-Life Committee Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s missed opportunity
Perhaps the most surprising element of the video series is that Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, chairman of the USCCB’s Pro-Life Committee and a stalwart protector of the unborn, appears in the videos but does not declare the primacy of abortion.
Until now, Naumann has been unwavering in his defense of the unborn.
In his powerful homily at the National Prayer Vigil for Life Mass in Washington, D.C. last year, Archbishop Naumann declared unequivocally, “Protecting the life of unborn children is the pre-eminent human rights issue of our time.” But there is barely an echo of that statement in his video appearance.
Perhaps Archbishop Naumann is the victim of an editor’s cut and splice, but it seems likely he would have had the opportunity to critique the videos before they were released.
Videos make no attempt to appeal to Catholic men
Not only is the content of the videos jarring for pro-life America, but the effeminate tone that saturates the entire series will leave many Catholic men cold.
This is not a call to action to soldiers and warriors for Christ; it is an appeal for do-gooders and helpers in a Church where women and soft men possess the dominant voice.
The videos call not for the Church Militant, girded with the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10–17), but for the Church Reactionary, armed with placards, aprons, and a smiling face.
The infomercial-style videos feature various bishops, including Archbishop Gomez, Archbishop Naumann, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, and auxiliary bishop Robert Barron of Los Angeles. They are available in four languages (English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese):
And while the five videos have been available to the public via YouTube for more than a week, they have been viewed, on average, less than a thousand times each.
Follow Doug Doug Mainwaring is a journalist for LifeSiteNews, an author, and a marriage, family and children's rights activist. He has testified before the United States Congress and state legislative bodies, originated and co-authored amicus briefs for the United States Supreme Court, and has been a guest on numerous TV and radio programs. Doug and his family live in the Washington, DC suburbs.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-12--Upcoming vote may open up ‘abortion on demand’ in British territory of Gibraltar

February 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Pro-lifers in Gibraltar , a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula , held a rally with a host of international speakers last week in preparation for a referendum next month on whether or not the territory will accept new abortion legislation .
Abortion remains a crime in Gibraltar under Section 162 of the 2011 Crimes Act of Gibraltar and carries with it the sentence of life imprisonment .
That being said , no woman has been sentenced under this provision .
In July 2019 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 12th week of pregnancy where the mother ’ s mental or physical health is deemed to be at risk , and later in pregnancies when the unborn child suffers from an undefined “ abnormality.
” Crux reports that a pro-life petition signed by over 6,000 people convinced the parliament to hold a referendum on the new law .
That referendum will be held next month on March 19 .
Gibraltar Pro-Life Movement ( GPLM ) organized a rally last week with speakers including abortion survivor , Claire Culwell , who spoke at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington , D.C. , and British politician and member of the House of Lords David Alton .
Rally-organizer Stephanie Yeo told Gibraltar News that she believes “ that the truth is n't being represented properly in the law.
” “ The bill is quite difficult to read and obviously for people who are n't legally minded , ” she said .
“ And so what we want to bring is just that information , so people when they go in to vote , they go in to vote with facts and with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the bill stands for and what this means for Gibraltar.
” Culwell , who survived an abortion that killed her twin sibling , told the rally : “ I am a twinless twin in the name of choice.
” “ I am one of many survivors of abortion , ” she continued .
“ There is a domino effect to abortion .
Not just the woman and the child , but it is generation after generation that we see missing in the name of choice .
You can do something about it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NO on 19th March .
Please keep up your work and thank you for your commitment .
You are fighting for the lives of people like me.
” Lord Alton told the rally that “ science teaches us that life begins at fertilization .
And science has moved on dramatically since abortion was legalized.
” “ When the U.K. ’ s obsolete limits were being set , we didn ’ t know what was happening in the womb , ” he said .
“ We do now .
This is a law which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humanity .
Today we know so much more about the undeniable humanity of the child in the womb.
” Patricia Parody , chairperson of GPLM , said the rally showed the “ energy and momentum within the pro-life side.
” She said she was confident that when the people of Gibraltar are fully informed of what the proposed law means , they “ will opt to save babies and support mothers on the 19th of March by voting No.
” Dr. Anthony McCarthy of the U.K. pro-life group the Society for the Protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LifeSite that “ the proposed changes to the law make it clear that abortion on demand is the real goal.
” The people of Gibraltar are faced with a momentous decision to protect or withdraw protection from young human lives .
The proposed changes to the law make it clear that abortion on demand is the real goal : an aim that has nothing to do with medicine or the welfare of mothers and their unborn children .
We know from bitter experience what happens when “ grounds ” for abortion are used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how social abortion becomes the norm , together with explicit lethal discrimination against any unborn child with disabilities .

Abortion remains a crime in Gibraltar, punishable by life imprisonment, although no woman has ever been sentenced for it.
February 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Pro-lifers in Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, held a rally with a host of international speakers last week in preparation for a referendum next month on whether or not the territory will accept new abortion legislation.
Abortion remains a crime in Gibraltar under Section 162 of the 2011 Crimes Act of Gibraltar and carries with it the sentence of life imprisonment. That being said, no woman has been sentenced under this provision.
In July 2019, the Gibraltar Parliament voted to allow abortion before the 12th week of pregnancy where the mother’s mental or physical health is deemed to be at risk, and later in pregnancies when the unborn child suffers from an undefined “abnormality.”
Crux reports that a pro-life petition signed by over 6,000 people convinced the parliament to hold a referendum on the new law. That referendum will be held next month on March 19.
Gibraltar Pro-Life Movement (GPLM) organized a rally last week with speakers including abortion survivor, Claire Culwell, who spoke at last month’s March for Life in Washington, D.C., and British politician and member of the House of Lords David Alton.
Rally-organizer Stephanie Yeo told Gibraltar News that she believes “that the truth isn't being represented properly in the law.”
“The bill is quite difficult to read and obviously for people who aren't legally minded,” she said. “And so what we want to bring is just that information, so people when they go in to vote, they go in to vote with facts and with truth of what it stands for, what the bill stands for and what this means for Gibraltar.”
Culwell, who survived an abortion that killed her twin sibling, told the rally: “I am a twinless twin in the name of choice.”
“I am one of many survivors of abortion,” she continued. “There is a domino effect to abortion. Not just the woman and the child, but it is generation after generation that we see missing in the name of choice. You can do something about it here in Gibraltar. You can vote NO on 19th March. Please keep up your work and thank you for your commitment. You are fighting for the lives of people like me.”
Lord Alton told the rally that “science teaches us that life begins at fertilization. And science has moved on dramatically since abortion was legalized.”
“When the U.K.’s obsolete limits were being set, we didn’t know what was happening in the womb,” he said. “We do now. This is a law which flies in the face of science and humanity. Today we know so much more about the undeniable humanity of the child in the womb.”
Patricia Parody, chairperson of GPLM, said the rally showed the “energy and momentum within the pro-life side.” She said she was confident that when the people of Gibraltar are fully informed of what the proposed law means, they “will opt to save babies and support mothers on the 19th of March by voting No.”
Dr. Anthony McCarthy of the U.K. pro-life group the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) told LifeSite that “the proposed changes to the law make it clear that abortion on demand is the real goal.”
The people of Gibraltar are faced with a momentous decision to protect or withdraw protection from young human lives. The proposed changes to the law make it clear that abortion on demand is the real goal: an aim that has nothing to do with medicine or the welfare of mothers and their unborn children. We know from bitter experience what happens when “grounds” for abortion are used to make the practice more palatable and how social abortion becomes the norm, together with explicit lethal discrimination against any unborn child with disabilities.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-12--Think LGBT cultural changes ‘won’t affect you’? Here’s the ugly way they do

February 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — LGBT activism generally has two steps .
Step one has the activists angrily asking those who oppose their agenda how the proposed policy will impact their lives , with the emphatic assertion that it will not .
The second step has these same activists , once they have successfully achieved their goal and demonized their opponents , informing us all precisely how their agenda will impact our lives .
They assured us that redefining marriage , for example , would have no impact on religious liberty .
A few minutes later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about removing charitable status from churches .
Even scarier is the transgender agenda .
Trans activists and their allies are claiming that any girl or boy who believes herself or himself to be born in the wrong body should immediately receive “ affirmative ” treatment , which generally includes puberty-blockers , hormone treatments , and eventually the requisite mastectomies and castrations to complete what they are now insidiously referring to as “ gender affirmation surgery.
” Parents are often caught off guard by their children coming out as transgender and are so viciously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should wait before engaging in any regimens or surgeries with permanent results ( mutilation and infertility being only two ) that concerned parents frequently have to meet in secret .
In fact , some trans activists are openly claiming that any parent showing insufficient enthusiasm for “ gender affirmation treatments ” is guilty of negligence or even abuse , despite rising numbers of teenagers who are realizing , too late , that surgery was not the right answer for them .
( One girl who went through the surgery and now regrets it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in prison.
” ) In fact , the Journal of Medical Ethics recently suggested that children might be taken away from their parents if the parents disallow their underage children to purse transgender surgeries .
These ideas are beginning to creep into the political sphere as well .
A recent example cropped up during this month ’ s election in Ireland , where an “ LGBTI spokesman ” for the notoriously progressive Sinn Féin party stated that if his party secured enough seats to form government , children under the age of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own parents to court if their parents were opposed to the children changing their legal sex .
John McGuirk of Gript reported that Senator Fintan Warfield , answering a question from the Trans Equality Network Ireland ( a group funded by the taxpayers ) , noted that : In short , a major political party was suggesting that the courts could be used to usurp parental authority and permit underage children to legally change their sex on their birth certificates and other official documents .
If the parents do not accept that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter has become their son , Sinn Féin is happy to ensure that the government will .
At the moment , parental consent is needed for a child to change how legal documents record his sex .
Just a few years ago , the LGBT lobby was condemning those who resisted the transgender agenda , angrily demanding to know why anyone would oppose something that would allegedly have no impact on their lives .
This was a lie .
I ’ ve spoken with and received emails from heartbroken parents ( one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , and in some cases , their lives and their families have been destroyed by the transgender phenomenon .
One mother mourned that her “ once-beautiful daughter is now bearded , homeless , and sterilized.
” Nobody told her , and thousands of others , that their children would be swept up in this phenomenon — and that many of their sons and daughters would make irrevocable choices as a result .
Jonathon ’ s new podcast , The Van Maren Show , is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episode , he interviews Dr. Christopher Yuan , a former drug addict who lived a promiscuous gay lifestyle .
Dr. Yuan is now a professor at Moody Bible Institute and today , he discusses his powerful journey and conversion and what the LGBT agenda is to the U.S. You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below :

February 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — LGBT activism generally has two steps. Step one has the activists angrily asking those who oppose their agenda how the proposed policy will impact their lives, with the emphatic assertion that it will not. The second step has these same activists, once they have successfully achieved their goal and demonized their opponents, informing us all precisely how their agenda will impact our lives. They assured us that redefining marriage, for example, would have no impact on religious liberty. A few minutes later, Democratic presidential candidates on CNN were musing about removing charitable status from churches.
Even scarier is the transgender agenda. Trans activists and their allies are claiming that any girl or boy who believes herself or himself to be born in the wrong body should immediately receive “affirmative” treatment, which generally includes puberty-blockers, hormone treatments, and eventually the requisite mastectomies and castrations to complete what they are now insidiously referring to as “gender affirmation surgery.” Parents are often caught off guard by their children coming out as transgender and are so viciously attacked when they suggest that their children should wait before engaging in any regimens or surgeries with permanent results (mutilation and infertility being only two) that concerned parents frequently have to meet in secret.
In fact, some trans activists are openly claiming that any parent showing insufficient enthusiasm for “gender affirmation treatments” is guilty of negligence or even abuse, despite rising numbers of teenagers who are realizing, too late, that surgery was not the right answer for them. (One girl who went through the surgery and now regrets it stated bluntly that “those surgeons should be in prison.”) In fact, the Journal of Medical Ethics recently suggested that children might be taken away from their parents if the parents disallow their underage children to purse transgender surgeries.
Follow Jonathon van Maren on Facebook
These ideas are beginning to creep into the political sphere as well. A recent example cropped up during this month’s election in Ireland, where an “LGBTI spokesman” for the notoriously progressive Sinn Féin party stated that if his party secured enough seats to form government, children under the age of sixteen would be permitted to take their own parents to court if their parents were opposed to the children changing their legal sex. John McGuirk of Gript reported that Senator Fintan Warfield, answering a question from the Trans Equality Network Ireland (a group funded by the taxpayers), noted that:
In relation to gender recognition, we want to extend gender recognition to 16 and 17-year-olds, that would be what the Sinn Fein supports, and then, allowing gender recognition for under 16-year-olds with parental consent, and then where parental consent isn’t available, that the family court would rule in the best interest of the child, would be the Sinn Fein’s position.
In short, a major political party was suggesting that the courts could be used to usurp parental authority and permit underage children to legally change their sex on their birth certificates and other official documents. If the parents do not accept that their son has become their daughter or their daughter has become their son, Sinn Féin is happy to ensure that the government will. At the moment, parental consent is needed for a child to change how legal documents record his sex.
Just a few years ago, the LGBT lobby was condemning those who resisted the transgender agenda, angrily demanding to know why anyone would oppose something that would allegedly have no impact on their lives. This was a lie. I’ve spoken with and received emails from heartbroken parents (one of whom had two children identifying as transgender), and in some cases, their lives and their families have been destroyed by the transgender phenomenon. One mother mourned that her “once-beautiful daughter is now bearded, homeless, and sterilized.” Nobody told her, and thousands of others, that their children would be swept up in this phenomenon — and that many of their sons and daughters would make irrevocable choices as a result.
Jonathon’s new podcast, The Van Maren Show, is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement. In his latest episode, he interviews Dr. Christopher Yuan, a former drug addict who lived a promiscuous gay lifestyle. Dr. Yuan is now a professor at Moody Bible Institute and today, he discusses his powerful journey and conversion and what the LGBT agenda is to the U.S. You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below:
Follow Jonathon Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer, and pro-life activist. His commentary has been translated into more than eight languages and published widely online as well as print newspapers such as the Jewish Independent, the National Post, the Hamilton Spectator and others. He has received an award for combating anti-Semitism in print from the Jewish organization B’nai Brith. His commentary has been featured on CTV Primetime, Global News, EWTN, and the CBC as well as dozens of radio stations and news outlets in Canada and the United States. He speaks on a wide variety of cultural topics across North America at universities, high schools, churches, and other functions. Some of these topics include abortion, pornography, the Sexual Revolution, and euthanasia. Jonathon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Simon Fraser University, and is the communications director for the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform. Jonathon’s first book, The Culture War, was released in 2016.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-12--Prominent Catholics to champion ‘authentic purity’ as answer to culture of death at Rome Life Forum

ROME , February 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― The seventh annual Rome Life Forum will bring together pro-life , pro-family Catholics from all over the world to discuss “ authentic purity ” as the way to counter “ attacks on human life , the family , and our faith.
” Rome Life Forum 2020 will take place on May 20-21 , introducing two more days of pro-life activities leading up to the 10th annual Rome March for Life on May 23 .
The Forum will be held in the world-famous Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year is “ Opening the door to purity and closing the door to vice.
” Cardinal Raymond Burke , Cardinal Willem Eijk , and prior emeritus of the Monks of Norcia , Fr .
Cassian Folsom , OSB , will be among the speakers .
Another of this year ’ s speakers , John Smeaton of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ( SPUC ) , told LifeSiteNews that this international gathering is a “ unique opportunity ” for Catholic pro-life leaders to gain strength from one another .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pro-life and pro-family movement , united in their love for the Church , with a unique opportunity to strengthen one another in fidelity to the truth , and in working to restore a truly Christian civilization worldwide , ” Smeaton told LifeSiteNews .
SPUC ’ s chief executive noted that Forum participants have come from the United States , United Kingdom , Ireland , Canada , New Zealand , Australia , Italy , Austria , Belgium , the Netherlands , Germany , France , Spain , Poland , the Philippines , Romania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Albania , Malta , Chile , Argentina , South Africa , India , Portugal , Switzerland , Czech Republic , Sweden , and Hungary as well as other countries .
“ One thing which unites us all is a clear understanding that the pro-life movement can not win the pro-life and pro-family battle on their own , ” Smeaton said .
“ The Church must recover her teaching authority to save her children .
And at this time of trial , the faithful at all levels of the Church Militant must mobilise to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hichborn , president of the Lepanto Institute , told LifeSiteNews that going to the Rome Life Forum is like a “ foretaste ” of heaven .
“ I 've been to the Rome Life Forum every year since 2014 , and each one is better than the last , ” he said enthusiastically .
“ It 's like a mini-retreat for me , and the reunion of so many good friends is like a foretaste of the reunion we 'll enjoy for eternity in heaven.
” Hichborn said “ the wonderful thing ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can attend ― and all faithful Catholic should .
“ Those Catholics who wish to have a solid understanding of the current rebellion in the Church should attend , ” he said .
“ Over the course of three days , faithful Catholics will not only be able to hear brilliant presentations , but have one-on-one access to various Catholic leaders from around the world.
” Canadian Catholic journalist Deborah Gyapong told LifeSiteNews that the Forum is an excellent networking opportunity .
“ Nowhere else have I experienced such an international gathering of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as far away as New Zealand , from all over Europe and the UK , and from North and South America , ” Gyapong said .
“ There is a wonderful sense of fellowship and joy at the Forum , a gathering of happy warriors .
For me as a journalist , it was a forge for ideas and source of contacts.
” Gyapong told LifeSiteNews that she believes the Rome Life Forum is a “ huge encouragement and chance to share victories and strategies ” for pro-life leaders and activists .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a great chance to find mentors.
” Margaret Akers of SPUC Scotland is one of the younger pro-life leaders participating in the Rome Life Forum 2020 .
She told LifeSiteNews that she very much enjoyed talks given last year by Fr .
Linus Clovus and Cardinal Raymond Burke , both of whom will be speaking again at the Forum this May .
“ I was particularly struck by the talk given by Fr .
Linus Clovis , who spoke beautifully about the role of Our Lady in the Church and our lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Akers said .
“ I am always pleased to hear Cardinal Burke and last year ’ s conference was no exception , ” she added .
“ He framed patriotism and commitment to one ’ s ‘ fatherland ’ in a way one doesn ’ t often hear in an age of globalism , and it was inspiring.
” Akers said she believes this year ’ s theme , “ Opening the door to the virtue of purity , ” is particularly necessary today .
“ I look forward to hearing how each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this topic , ” she said .
Dr. Joseph Shaw , chairman of the UK ’ s Latin Mass Society , will be speaking at the Roman Life Forum for the first time this year .
While pondering the theme of purity , Shaw told LifeSiteNews that intellectual honesty is key .
“ It is very evident today that much thinking about theology and morality is conditioned by the need to justify certain conclusions -- conclusions justifying or permitting lifestyle choices which one does not wish to confront or reconsider honestly , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arises from one ’ s own past decisions , or those of people one loves , or those accorded value by one ’ s circle , true intellectual honesty is a real risk , an adventure in which one faces the possibility of losing friends , status , and career.
” Shaw said intellectual work that is constrained by these worldly considerations is “ worthless.
” “ We must rediscover our love of the truth , and a true commitment to it , because it is in the truth that we find God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some sordid intellectual compromise , ” he concluded .
‘ The food is always great at the Forum ’ A five-day trip to Rome uses up one ’ s vacation time , but Gyapong argued that the location and the price of the Rome Life Forum have been right .
“ The food is always great at the Forum , ” the journalist said .
“ The price is really modest , and you ca n't beat the location ― Rome , ” she added .
“ Participants find opportunities to worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is wonderful , and the weather is just right in May .
Participants in the Forum also join the Italian March for Life , another joyous occasion that has grown substantially over recent years.
” The Rome Life Forum is also a chance to make a spiritual pilgrimage .
Hichborn told LifeSiteNews that his fondest memory of the Rome Life Forum is from his first trip there .
“ My wife and I attended with our ( then ) four-month-old daughter , Maria Faustina , ” he recalled .
“ We landed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was being canonized , and we happened to walk into the church where St. Catherine of Siena is buried .
We were able to actually touch her tomb and pray there .
While we were at the Forum , Cardinal Raymond Burke gave a blessing to all three of us .
For me , this memory will always signify what the Rome Life Forum is.
” The full price of the Roman Life Forum registration is £110/€130 ( approx .
$ 143 US ) .
A one-day ticket is £65/€75 ( approx .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and see the complete schedule , please visit voiceofthefamily.com .

The theme for 2020 is: ‘Opening the door to purity and closing the door to vice’
ROME, February 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― The seventh annual Rome Life Forum will bring together pro-life, pro-family Catholics from all over the world to discuss “authentic purity” as the way to counter “attacks on human life, the family, and our faith.”
Rome Life Forum 2020 will take place on May 20-21, introducing two more days of pro-life activities leading up to the 10th annual Rome March for Life on May 23. The Forum will be held in the world-famous Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, also known as the Angelicum.
The theme this year is “Opening the door to purity and closing the door to vice.”
Cardinal Raymond Burke, Cardinal Willem Eijk, and prior emeritus of the Monks of Norcia, Fr. Cassian Folsom, OSB, will be among the speakers.
Another of this year’s speakers, John Smeaton of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), told LifeSiteNews that this international gathering is a “unique opportunity” for Catholic pro-life leaders to gain strength from one another.
“The Rome Life Forum provides leaders within the pro-life and pro-family movement, united in their love for the Church, with a unique opportunity to strengthen one another in fidelity to the truth, and in working to restore a truly Christian civilization worldwide,” Smeaton told LifeSiteNews.
SPUC’s chief executive noted that Forum participants have come from the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Poland, the Philippines, Romania, Brazil, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Albania, Malta, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, India, Portugal, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Hungary as well as other countries.
“One thing which unites us all is a clear understanding that the pro-life movement cannot win the pro-life and pro-family battle on their own,” Smeaton said.
“The Church must recover her teaching authority to save her children. And at this time of trial, the faithful at all levels of the Church Militant must mobilise to fight for her.”
Rome Life Forum a ‘foretaste’ of heaven
Past speaker Michael Hichborn, president of the Lepanto Institute, told LifeSiteNews that going to the Rome Life Forum is like a “foretaste” of heaven.
“I've been to the Rome Life Forum every year since 2014, and each one is better than the last,” he said enthusiastically.
“It's like a mini-retreat for me, and the reunion of so many good friends is like a foretaste of the reunion we'll enjoy for eternity in heaven.”
Hichborn said “the wonderful thing” about the Roman Forum is that anyone can attend ― and all faithful Catholic should.
“Those Catholics who wish to have a solid understanding of the current rebellion in the Church should attend,” he said.
“Over the course of three days, faithful Catholics will not only be able to hear brilliant presentations, but have one-on-one access to various Catholic leaders from around the world.”
‘A wonderful sense of fellowship’
Canadian Catholic journalist Deborah Gyapong told LifeSiteNews that the Forum is an excellent networking opportunity.
“Nowhere else have I experienced such an international gathering of pro-life and pro-family leaders and experts from as far away as New Zealand, from all over Europe and the UK, and from North and South America,” Gyapong said.
“There is a wonderful sense of fellowship and joy at the Forum, a gathering of happy warriors. For me as a journalist, it was a forge for ideas and source of contacts.”
Gyapong told LifeSiteNews that she believes the Rome Life Forum is a “huge encouragement and chance to share victories and strategies” for pro-life leaders and activists.
“For young people who attend, it's a great chance to find mentors.”
Margaret Akers of SPUC Scotland is one of the younger pro-life leaders participating in the Rome Life Forum 2020. She told LifeSiteNews that she very much enjoyed talks given last year by Fr. Linus Clovis and Cardinal Raymond Burke, both of whom will be speaking again at the Forum this May.
“I was particularly struck by the talk given by Fr. Linus Clovis, who spoke beautifully about the role of Our Lady in the Church and our lives; it was incredibly moving,” Akers said.
“I am always pleased to hear Cardinal Burke and last year’s conference was no exception,” she added.
“He framed patriotism and commitment to one’s ‘fatherland’ in a way one doesn’t often hear in an age of globalism, and it was inspiring.”
Akers said she believes this year’s theme, “Opening the door to the virtue of purity,” is particularly necessary today.
“I look forward to hearing how each of the speakers chooses to expand on this topic,” she said.
Dr. Joseph Shaw, chairman of the UK’s Latin Mass Society, will be speaking at the Roman Life Forum for the first time this year. While pondering the theme of purity, Shaw told LifeSiteNews that intellectual honesty is key.
“It is very evident today that much thinking about theology and morality is conditioned by the need to justify certain conclusions — conclusions justifying or permitting lifestyle choices which one does not wish to confront or reconsider honestly,” Shaw said.
“Whether the problem arises from one’s own past decisions, or those of people one loves, or those accorded value by one’s circle, true intellectual honesty is a real risk, an adventure in which one faces the possibility of losing friends, status, and career.”
Shaw said intellectual work that is constrained by these worldly considerations is “worthless.”
“We must rediscover our love of the truth, and a true commitment to it, because it is in the truth that we find God, who is Truth, and not in some sordid intellectual compromise,” he concluded.
‘The food is always great at the Forum’
A five-day trip to Rome uses up one’s vacation time, but Gyapong argued that the location and the price of the Rome Life Forum have been right.
“The food is always great at the Forum,” the journalist said.
“The price is really modest, and you can't beat the location ― Rome,” she added.
“Participants find opportunities to worship together at daily Mass, the city is wonderful, and the weather is just right in May. Participants in the Forum also join the Italian March for Life, another joyous occasion that has grown substantially over recent years.”
The Rome Life Forum is also a chance to make a spiritual pilgrimage. Hichborn told LifeSiteNews that his fondest memory of the Rome Life Forum is from his first trip there.
“My wife and I attended with our (then) four-month-old daughter, Maria Faustina,” he recalled.
“We landed in Rome on the very day St. Faustina was being canonized, and we happened to walk into the church where St. Catherine of Siena is buried. We were able to actually touch her tomb and pray there. While we were at the Forum, Cardinal Raymond Burke gave a blessing to all three of us. For me, this memory will always signify what the Rome Life Forum is.”
The full price of the Roman Life Forum registration is £110/€130 (approx. $143 US). A one-day ticket is £65/€75 (approx. $84 US). To register and see the complete schedule, please visit voiceofthefamily.com.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-12--Catholic theologian quits Dems over candidate’s abortion extremism

NEW YORK , February 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― A pro-life Democrat has quit the party over its pro-abortion extremism .
Charles Camosy , an associate professor of Theology at Fordham University , has also resigned from the board of Democrats for Life .
Camosy , who specializes in biomedical ethics , explained his reasons for his decision in an op ed he wrote for Thursday ’ s New York Post : the Democrats ’ complete disregard for the unborn child .
“ ...
When it comes to abortion , elite Democrats turn into hard-core libertarians , believing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the private choices of individuals , ” the professor wrote .
“ Abortion is merely ‘ health care , ’ and the unborn child , unimaginably vulnerable even when wanted , is made invisible and violently discarded , ” he continued .
“ On this topic , at least , the party has dug in on the side of what Pope Francis calls the ‘ throwaway culture ’ — the troubling modern tendency to discard people seen as inconvenient .
The Democratic elite even rejects conscience protections for medical practitioners who object @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , once acceptable , has become taboo.
” But it was same-sex married Pete Buttigieg ’ s attitude to late-term abortion , aired last week on The View , that convinced Camosy that pro-life Democrats are “ fighting a losing battle ” in convincing their party to respect their position .
Buttigieg had indicated that he didn ’ t think the government should have any say regarding late-term abortion or post-birth infanticide .
“ The straw that broke this camel ’ s back was Pete Buttigieg ’ s extremism , ” Camosy wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate suggesting , at one point , that abortion is OK up to the point the baby draws her first breath.
” He concluded that if the party was “ willing to go all-in on the most volatile issue of our time with a position held by only 13 percent of the population , it was time to take no for an answer.
” Camosy also predicted that , thanks to its pro-abortion “ extremism , ” the Democratic Party will lose the next election .
“ My broader values mean I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and this makes me one of many millions of Americans for whom our political duopoly doesn ’ t work , ” he wrote .
“ ( ... ) But millions of others who don ’ t share my broader values will reluctantly feel forced to check the box for a Republican in November .
And Democrats will have no one to blame but their own extremism.
” To get his Democrat readers to understand why he feels so strongly about the issue , and why pro-abortion extremism will lose the party elections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought experiment in which they suppose that “ hundreds of thousands of children are being killed each year in horrific ways , ” either because they have Down syndrome , or because their grandparents think their parents are too young , or because an abusive partner demands it .
“ And then suppose a political party claimed this killing was a social good .
Just another kind of health care .
Something to shout about with pride , ” the ethicist asked .
“ This party , it should go without saying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Then keep in mind pro-lifers rightly see no moral distinction between a living human child at seven weeks ’ gestation with a four-chambered heart pumping blood , a prenatal child at 20 weeks ’ gestation who , we now know , can almost certainly feel pain , and older children who have already been born .
Then do the math .
The reasoning should be clear.
” Last Thursday , Pete Buttigieg appeared on the talk show The View , where the one Republican host , Meghan McCain , asked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing of viable children while they are being born .
“ ... People , even Democrats – and there are a lot of pro-life Democrats in the country – want to know exactly where your line is , because you ’ ll be the president if you win , ” McCain said .
“ Right , but my point is that it shouldn ’ t be up to a government official to draw the line , ” Buttigieg replied .
“ It should be up to the woman who is confronted with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bend then waffled on the question of killing babies after they are born .
“ So if a woman wanted to — I don ’ t know — invoke infanticide after a baby was born , you ’ d be comfortable with that ?
” McCain asked him .
“ Does anybody seriously think that ’ s what these cases are about ?
” the Democrat replied .
He then claimed any “ late-term situation ” is “ by definition ” one in which “ the woman was expecting to carry the pregnancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most , perhaps , devastating news of her life.
” “ I don ’ t know what to tell them , morally , about what they should do , ” he said .
“ I just know that I trust her and her decision , medically or morally , isn ’ t going to be any better because the government is commanding her to do it in a certain way .
”

A Fordham University professor says Pete Buttigieg's attitude toward late-term abortion is 'the straw that broke this camel's back.'
NEW YORK, February 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― A pro-life Democrat has quit the party over its pro-abortion extremism.
Charles Camosy, an associate professor of Theology at Fordham University, has also resigned from the board of Democrats for Life.
Camosy, who specializes in biomedical ethics, explained his reasons for his decision in an op ed he wrote for Thursday’s New York Post: the Democrats’ complete disregard for the unborn child.
“… When it comes to abortion, elite Democrats turn into hard-core libertarians, believing the state has no business getting involved in the private choices of individuals,” the professor wrote.
“Abortion is merely ‘health care,’ and the unborn child, unimaginably vulnerable even when wanted, is made invisible and violently discarded,” he continued.
“On this topic, at least, the party has dug in on the side of what Pope Francis calls the ‘throwaway culture’ — the troubling modern tendency to discard people seen as inconvenient. The Democratic elite even rejects conscience protections for medical practitioners who object to abortion. Opposition to taxpayer-funded abortions, once acceptable, has become taboo.”
But it was same-sex married Pete Buttigieg’s attitude to late-term abortion, aired last week on The View, that convinced Camosy that pro-life Democrats are “fighting a losing battle” in convincing their party to respect their position. Buttigieg had indicated that he didn’t think the government should have any say regarding late-term abortion or post-birth infanticide.
“The straw that broke this camel’s back was Pete Buttigieg’s extremism,” Camosy wrote.
“Here was a mainstream Democratic candidate suggesting, at one point, that abortion is OK up to the point the baby draws her first breath.”
He concluded that if the party was “willing to go all-in on the most volatile issue of our time with a position held by only 13 percent of the population, it was time to take no for an answer.”
Camosy also predicted that, thanks to its pro-abortion “extremism,” the Democratic Party will lose the next election.
“My broader values mean I can’t vote Republican, however, and this makes me one of many millions of Americans for whom our political duopoly doesn’t work,” he wrote.
“ (…) But millions of others who don’t share my broader values will reluctantly feel forced to check the box for a Republican in November. And Democrats will have no one to blame but their own extremism.”
To get his Democrat readers to understand why he feels so strongly about the issue, and why pro-abortion extremism will lose the party elections, Camosy asked them to participate in a thought experiment in which they suppose that “hundreds of thousands of children are being killed each year in horrific ways,” either because they have Down syndrome, or because their grandparents think their parents are too young, or because an abusive partner demands it.
“And then suppose a political party claimed this killing was a social good. Just another kind of health care. Something to shout about with pride,” the ethicist asked.
“This party, it should go without saying, would be unsupportable,” he concluded.
“Then keep in mind pro-lifers rightly see no moral distinction between a living human child at seven weeks’ gestation with a four-chambered heart pumping blood, a prenatal child at 20 weeks’ gestation who, we now know, can almost certainly feel pain, and older children who have already been born. Then do the math. The reasoning should be clear.”
Last Thursday, Pete Buttigieg appeared on the talk show The View, where the one Republican host, Meghan McCain, asked the pro-abortion politician if he would support the killing of viable children while they are being born.
“ … People, even Democrats – and there are a lot of pro-life Democrats in the country – want to know exactly where your line is, because you’ll be the president if you win,” McCain said.
“Right, but my point is that it shouldn’t be up to a government official to draw the line,” Buttigieg replied.
“It should be up to the woman who is confronted with the choice.”
The former Mayor of South Bend then waffled on the question of killing babies after they are born.
“So if a woman wanted to — I don’t know — invoke infanticide after a baby was born, you’d be comfortable with that?” McCain asked him.
“Does anybody seriously think that’s what these cases are about?” the Democrat replied.
He then claimed any “late-term situation” is “by definition” one in which “the woman was expecting to carry the pregnancy to term. Then she gets the most, perhaps, devastating news of her life.”
“I don’t know what to tell them, morally, about what they should do,” he said.
“I just know that I trust her and her decision, medically or morally, isn’t going to be any better because the government is commanding her to do it in a certain way.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-11--US bishop declares ‘person cannot change his or her gender’ in new pastoral guidelines

SPRINGFIELD , Illinois , February 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In a sensitively worded but thoroughly-grounded-in-truth pastoral guide regarding the handling of gender identity issues in his diocese , Bishop Thomas Paprocki declared unequivocally , “ A person can not change his or her gender , ” and “ should accept and seek to live in conformity with his or her sexual identity as determined at birth.
” While the diocese encourages professional counseling for those who suffer from gender dysphoria , Bishop Paprocki has made clear that certain policies regarding the Diocese of Springfield are non-negotiable : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referred to with pronouns in accord with their biological sex ; • All correspondence , documents , and records will reflect the subject person ’ s biological sex ; • All persons will use bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their biological sex while on diocesan or parish property .
These directives apply not only to diocesan schools , but to all Church employees and volunteers .
The clear statement of policy is timely as Catholic schools and other diocesan entities increasingly face situations that challenge previously unquestioned , widely-accepted norms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ — often fueled by social media — our pastors , principals , and administrators of parishes , schools , and affiliated groups and institutions deserve the clarity and protection of consistent diocesan policy on the matter of gender identity , ” said Bishop Paprocki .
“ Such policy protects our leaders from being forced to sort through these complex and sensitive matters reactively , under the pressure of inevitably sensitive situations , ” he continued .
“ Such policy also protects our leaders at the local level from being pressured and intimidated on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be their own personal interpretation and opinion.
” Bishop Paprocki is taking a preemptive stance to ensure that Catholic schools do not follow the path of celebrating and accepting transgenderism that public schools in his state have chosen .
Paprocki explained that the document was developed “ due to the increased pressure on Catholic schools and other institutions through the courts and legislatures , requiring schools to allow boys who believe they are girls to use girls ’ restroom and locker room facilities and play on girls ’ sports teams , and vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to implement such policies.
” While acknowledging that gender dysphoria is a real psychological condition , in which a biological male or female believes he or she is the opposite gender , Paprocki said , “ It is of paramount importance to handle such situations with gentle and compassionate pastoral skill and concern.
” Gender dysphoria is a condition that affects the entire family , noted Paprocki .
He continued : In a culture that promotes a false and overly sentimentalized conception of love , many families of an adult or child with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obligation to support their loved one in “ whatever is going to make them happy.
” Family members likely wrestle with a sense of confusion , guilt , and uncertainty over how best to support their loved one ; and they face pressure , either directly or indirectly , from the prevailing culture to celebrate and reinforce their loved one ’ s gender dysphoria and feel compelled to “ solve ” the problem by surgically and hormonally changing the biological sex of the affected person .
Such treatments , especially for children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , psychologically , emotionally , and spiritually .
“ Fueling the confusion that families face in these circumstances is not merciful , ” declared Springfield ’ s bishop .
“ It is imperative to be clear on the reality of human biology as a gift from God that we can not change.
” “ The Catholic Church teaches that the removal or destruction of healthy sexual and reproductive organs is a type of mutilation and intrinsically evil , ” he said .
“ Procedures , surgeries , and therapies designed to assist a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her gender are morally prohibited .
‘ Everyone , man and woman , should acknowledge and accept his sexual identity.
’ ” “ It must be clear that our schools and Church institutions ( including sacramental records and school records ) will refer to such persons with the gender pronouns , along with bathroom and locker room use and sports activities that acknowledge their God-given biology , ” said Paprocki .
“ Some families may not be willing to agree with this approach , and we need to respect their freedom , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likewise respect the Church ’ s duty to adhere to revealed truth if they are to participate actively and fully in our faith community , especially our Catholic schools.
” “ A student of any Catholic school who insists , or whose parents insist , on open hostility toward , or defiance of , Church teaching , or who otherwise intentionally violate this policy , may be expelled , ” he concluded .
Liberal Catholic media and pro-LGBT groups within the Church are furious with Bishop Paprocki ’ s guidance .
New Ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement is “ shameful , ” calling it a “ nearly unparalleled crusade against LGBTQ people ” that is “ in no way consistent with church teaching.
” “ His dangerous wielding of authority harms many people not only in his diocese , but in the wider church , ” continued the New Ways Ministry commentary .
“ While bishops are loathe to criticize one another publicly , for the good of the People of God , his episcopal peers must condemn Paprocki ’ s approach to LGBTQ people.
” DignityUSA launched a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance , averring that the “ onerous new policy seeks to condemn and isolate transgender and nonbinary people and their families.
” Jamie L. Manson , a columinist for the liberal National Catholic Reporter who identifies herself as the “ Only out queer woman in the worldwide Catholic media , ” tweeted , “ Few Catholic bishops are as radically homophobic as Paprocki ( remember his exorcism of same-sex marriage ? )
.
Now he has trans kids in his crosshairs .
”

Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki clarified policy on gender dysphoria to protect church and school leaders 'from being pressured and intimidated.'
PETITION: Support Bishop who declared: 'You cannot change your gender'” Sign the petition here.
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, February 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In a sensitively worded but thoroughly-grounded-in-truth pastoral guide regarding the handling of gender identity issues in his diocese, Bishop Thomas Paprocki declared unequivocally, “A person cannot change his or her gender,” and “should accept and seek to live in conformity with his or her sexual identity as determined at birth.”
While the diocese encourages professional counseling for those who suffer from gender dysphoria, Bishop Paprocki has made clear that certain policies regarding the Diocese of Springfield are non-negotiable:
All persons will be addressed and referred to with pronouns in accord with their biological sex; All correspondence, documents, and records will reflect the subject person’s biological sex; All persons will use bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their biological sex while on diocesan or parish property.
These directives apply not only to diocesan schools, but to all Church employees and volunteers.
The clear statement of policy is timely as Catholic schools and other diocesan entities increasingly face situations that challenge previously unquestioned, widely-accepted norms.
“In an aggressively activist political climate — often fueled by social media — our pastors, principals, and administrators of parishes, schools, and affiliated groups and institutions deserve the clarity and protection of consistent diocesan policy on the matter of gender identity,” said Bishop Paprocki.
“Such policy protects our leaders from being forced to sort through these complex and sensitive matters reactively, under the pressure of inevitably sensitive situations,” he continued. “Such policy also protects our leaders at the local level from being pressured and intimidated on the basis of what is believed to be their own personal interpretation and opinion.”
Bishop Paprocki is taking a preemptive stance to ensure that Catholic schools do not follow the path of celebrating and accepting transgenderism that public schools in his state have chosen.
Paprocki explained that the document was developed “due to the increased pressure on Catholic schools and other institutions through the courts and legislatures, requiring schools to allow boys who believe they are girls to use girls’ restroom and locker room facilities and play on girls’ sports teams, and vice versa. Many public schools have begun to implement such policies.”
While acknowledging that gender dysphoria is a real psychological condition, in which a biological male or female believes he or she is the opposite gender, Paprocki said, “It is of paramount importance to handle such situations with gentle and compassionate pastoral skill and concern.”
Gender dysphoria is a condition that affects the entire family, noted Paprocki. He continued:
In a culture that promotes a false and overly sentimentalized conception of love, many families of an adult or child with gender dysphoria will feel a sense of obligation to support their loved one in “whatever is going to make them happy.”
Family members likely wrestle with a sense of confusion, guilt, and uncertainty over how best to support their loved one; and they face pressure, either directly or indirectly, from the prevailing culture to celebrate and reinforce their loved one’s gender dysphoria and feel compelled to “solve” the problem by surgically and hormonally changing the biological sex of the affected person.
Such treatments, especially for children, are invasive and disruptive physically, chemically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually.
“Fueling the confusion that families face in these circumstances is not merciful,” declared Springfield’s bishop. “It is imperative to be clear on the reality of human biology as a gift from God that we cannot change.”
“The Catholic Church teaches that the removal or destruction of healthy sexual and reproductive organs is a type of mutilation and intrinsically evil,” he said. “Procedures, surgeries, and therapies designed to assist a person in ‘transitioning’ his or her gender are morally prohibited. ‘Everyone, man and woman, should acknowledge and accept his sexual identity.’”
“It must be clear that our schools and Church institutions (including sacramental records and school records) will refer to such persons with the gender pronouns, along with bathroom and locker room use and sports activities that acknowledge their God-given biology,” said Paprocki.
“Some families may not be willing to agree with this approach, and we need to respect their freedom,” he continued, “but they must likewise respect the Church’s duty to adhere to revealed truth if they are to participate actively and fully in our faith community, especially our Catholic schools.”
“A student of any Catholic school who insists, or whose parents insist, on open hostility toward, or defiance of, Church teaching, or who otherwise intentionally violate this policy, may be expelled,” he concluded.
Enraged Pro-LGBT Catholic groups launch petition, want bishops to chastise Bishop Paprocki
Liberal Catholic media and pro-LGBT groups within the Church are furious with Bishop Paprocki’s guidance.
New Ways Ministry asserted that Paprocki’s policy statement is “shameful,” calling it a “nearly unparalleled crusade against LGBTQ people” that is “in no way consistent with church teaching.”
“His dangerous wielding of authority harms many people not only in his diocese, but in the wider church,” continued the New Ways Ministry commentary. “While bishops are loathe to criticize one another publicly, for the good of the People of God, his episcopal peers must condemn Paprocki’s approach to LGBTQ people.”
DignityUSA launched a petition against Bishop Paprocki’s pastoral guidance, averring that the “onerous new policy seeks to condemn and isolate transgender and nonbinary people and their families.”
Jamie L. Manson, a columinist for the liberal National Catholic Reporter who identifies herself as the “Only out queer woman in the worldwide Catholic media,” tweeted, “Few Catholic bishops are as radically homophobic as Paprocki (remember his exorcism of same-sex marriage?). Now he has trans kids in his crosshairs.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-11--Pro-abortion Andrew Yang under fire for not wanting to ‘celebrate’ abortion

February 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Democrat presidential candidate Andrew Yang is just as far left on abortion as the rest of the 2020 primary field , but he finds himself at odds with pro-abortion activists this week for a recent rhetorical overture he made to voters who are more moderate on the issue .
During a candidate ’ s forum on the issue this weekend , the entrepreneur said Democrats “ have to get back to the point where no one is suggesting that we be celebrating an abortion at any point in the pregnancy , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time in Democratic circles where we used to talk about it being something , like , that you do n't like to see , but should be within the freedoms of the woman and the mother to decide . ''
“ There is a really important tone to set on this , where you do n't just say , like , we 're absolutist about it , though I have to say I am relatively absolutist about it on this , ” Yang continued .
“ Like I think that it should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her doctor and the state should not be intervening all the way through pregnancy .
But it 's a tragedy to me if someone decides they do n't want to have a child and they 're on the fence and then maybe at some point later ; it 's a very difficult personal decision and it 's something that we should be very , very sensitive to .
I think that celebrating children , family , like these are universal human values and if we manage to lead on that and say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights , I believe we can bring Americans closer together on a really , really important personal issue.
” Various pro-abortion activists , commentators , and other figures responded with outrage , denying that anyone celebrates abortion and calling on Yang to drop out of the race for the offense of echoing “ forced birth ” rhetoric : In fact , there are many documented examples of politicians and activists celebrating abortion , such as New York officials lighting the One World Trade Center spire pink to commemorate the enactment of the so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was met with thunderous applause in the state capitol ) , the Shout Your Abortion movement , various stunts from pop stars such as Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez , and various events such as art galleries , bowling fundraisers , and parties to promote and normalize abortion .
Last fall , the group Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity ( URGE ) erected “ Abortion : You Do You ” billboards meant to , in executive director Kimberly Inez McGuire ’ s own words , “ celebrate that individual autonomy and abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wolf performed a “ Salute to Abortions ” skit on her since-canceled Netflix show , complete with music , confetti , and the declaration “ God bless abortions !
” In 2011 , a disturbing incident was filmed in Rockford , Illinois , where activists outside of an abortion facility cheered a pregnant mother entering the building to have her baby killed .
There is no sizable , organized pushback against such incidents among supporters of legal abortion , who generally allow them to go entirely unmentioned .
While Yang ’ s moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small handful of conservative and pro-life fans , a review of his public statements confirms he is just as extreme as his fellow Democrats .
Yang ’ s campaign website declares that “ access to birth control ” as well as to “ safe and affordable abortion services ” should “ be provided to all Americans , ” with state abortion laws “ subject to oversight by a board of doctors.
” His campaign told The New York Times in November that he favors codifying Roe v. Wade in federal law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominees , would not regulate post-viability abortions , would federally fund abortions and Planned Parenthood at home and abroad , would force private insurers to fund abortion and contraception , would make contraceptives and abortifacients available over-the-counter , and would ban abstinence-only sex education .
During the same event where he dissented from “ celebrating ” abortion , Yang also declared that “ abortion rights are economic rights .
”

February 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Democrat presidential candidate Andrew Yang is just as far left on abortion as the rest of the 2020 primary field, but he finds himself at odds with pro-abortion activists this week for a recent rhetorical overture he made to voters who are more moderate on the issue.
During a candidate’s forum on the issue this weekend, the entrepreneur said Democrats “have to get back to the point where no one is suggesting that we be celebrating an abortion at any point in the pregnancy,” The Blaze reported. “There was a time in Democratic circles where we used to talk about it being something, like, that you don't like to see, but should be within the freedoms of the woman and the mother to decide.”
“There is a really important tone to set on this, where you don't just say, like, we're absolutist about it, though I have to say I am relatively absolutist about it on this,” Yang continued. “Like I think that it should be completely up to the woman and her doctor and the state should not be intervening all the way through pregnancy. But it's a tragedy to me if someone decides they don't want to have a child and they're on the fence and then maybe at some point later; it's a very difficult personal decision and it's something that we should be very, very sensitive to. I think that celebrating children, family, like these are universal human values and if we manage to lead on that and say that we also stand for women's reproductive rights, I believe we can bring Americans closer together on a really, really important personal issue.”
Various pro-abortion activists, commentators, and other figures responded with outrage, denying that anyone celebrates abortion and calling on Yang to drop out of the race for the offense of echoing “forced birth” rhetoric:
It is time for Yang to drop out. This take on abortion is completely disqualifying. Using this type of language is part of the forced birth movement. #notademocrat #AbortionIsARight #abortionishealthcare https://t.co/HSqJ0qpNow — Logan Levkoff, Ph.D. (@LoganLevkoff) February 8, 2020
Andrew Yang would be a bad president, and he might be a bad person, too. https://t.co/fVaSiXCM77 — Geraldine (@everywhereist) February 9, 2020
It's none of my business whether you celebrate your abortion, and wagging my finger if you do is obscene. A tragedy? Some abortions are the only way through a tragedy, or the only way to avert a tragedy. — Angus Johnston (@studentactivism) February 8, 2020
Cool. So in summary, Yang is fine with safe and legal abortions, as long as women feel judged and ashamed while getting them. Glad we've cleared that up. https://t.co/2zqJ7hKRcC — Matthew Chapman (@fawfulfan) February 8, 2020
Every time a male candidate opens his mouth on abortion, childcare or “family values,” it underscores more deeply how much, after well over two centuries of America’s existence, we need a woman as president https://t.co/wdCv8IlcQy https://t.co/QrpAndvvQb — Jeff Yang (@originalspin) February 8, 2020
Counterpoint: no person should feel ashamed for getting an abortion, and part of eliminating that shame is removing the stigma. And part of removing the stigma is celebrating choice. Andrew Yang needs to talk to the repro community more about this. He's not listening fully. https://t.co/WsNo3FVRhJ — Charlotte Clymer ���� (@cmclymer) February 8, 2020
Abortion is an incredibly common human experience, one that deserves dignity and respect. You don’t get to lead the Democratic Party in 2020 if you belittle and demonize those who’ve had abortions and those who’ve defended and supported them. — Lauren Rankin (@laurenarankin) February 8, 2020
In fact, there are many documented examples of politicians and activists celebrating abortion, such as New York officials lighting the One World Trade Center spire pink to commemorate the enactment of the so-called Reproductive Health Act (passage of which was met with thunderous applause in the state capitol), the Shout Your Abortion movement, various stunts from pop stars such as Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, and various events such as art galleries, bowling fundraisers, and parties to promote and normalize abortion.
Last fall, the group Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity (URGE) erected “Abortion: You Do You” billboards meant to, in executive director Kimberly Inez McGuire’s own words, “celebrate that individual autonomy and abortion access.” In 2018, comedian Michelle Wolf performed a “Salute to Abortions” skit on her since-canceled Netflix show, complete with music, confetti, and the declaration “God bless abortions!” In 2011, a disturbing incident was filmed in Rockford, Illinois, where activists outside of an abortion facility cheered a pregnant mother entering the building to have her baby killed.
There is no sizable, organized pushback against such incidents among supporters of legal abortion, who generally allow them to go entirely unmentioned.
While Yang’s moderate messaging and friendly demeanor have won him a small handful of conservative and pro-life fans, a review of his public statements confirms he is just as extreme as his fellow Democrats.
Yang’s campaign website declares that “access to birth control” as well as to “safe and affordable abortion services” should “be provided to all Americans,” with state abortion laws “subject to oversight by a board of doctors.” His campaign told The New York Times in November that he favors codifying Roe v. Wade in federal law, has a pro-Roe litmus test for judicial nominees, would not regulate post-viability abortions, would federally fund abortions and Planned Parenthood at home and abroad, would force private insurers to fund abortion and contraception, would make contraceptives and abortifacients available over-the-counter, and would ban abstinence-only sex education.
During the same event where he dissented from “celebrating” abortion, Yang also declared that “abortion rights are economic rights.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-11--Dead babies hoarded by late abortionist to be given proper burial

SOUTH BEND , February 11 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The remains of 2,411 aborted babies discovered in the possession of the deceased abortionist Ulrich Klopfer will be buried at an Indiana cemetery Wednesday afternoon .
Klopfer , who operated at the Women ’ s Pavilion in South Bend , Indiana until his medical license was suspended in 2016 , died last September at age 75 .
The Sheriff ’ s Office of Will County , Illinois ( where Klopfer had a home ) announced in September that a Klopfer family attorney had notified the county coroner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ medically preserved fetal remains ” among his property .
The next month , even more were found in the trunk of a car owned by Klopfer .
The Indiana Attorney General ’ s Office announced Monday that the remains will receive a memorial service on February 12 at Southlawn Cemetery and Palmer Funeral Home in South Bend .
“ Attorney General Curtis T. Hill Jr. will offer remarks on behalf of the State of Indiana and will be available following the service to discuss the status of the investigation , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a Pro-Life Society and Priests for Life have collected and published names for all 2,411 babies , submitted by thousands of pro-lifers , which can be read here .
“ Every aborted unborn child deserves to be named and recognized as members of the human family , ” Citizens for a Pro-Life Society says .
“ Let us honor the victims of abortion .
Let us pray for their mothers , their fathers , and pray for the conversion of all those who facilitated the killing of the innocent unborn and commit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ever since the first discovery , pro-lifers have noted that the story underscores the violence of abortion and the relative lack of scrutiny the abortion industry enjoys in many states .
In particular , it has potential ramifications for pro-abortion Democrat presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg , who as mayor of South Bend defended other scandal-plagued abortion centers in the area .
After several days of silence , Buttigieg said last September that the discovery of the first group of bodies was “ disturbing ” but should not “ get caught up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to health care.
” Those wishing to attend the Wednesday service can RSVP and find full details by clicking here .

The attorney general of Indiana will offer remarks on behalf of the state at the memorial service.
SOUTH BEND, February 11, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The remains of 2,411 aborted babies discovered in the possession of the deceased abortionist Ulrich Klopfer will be buried at an Indiana cemetery Wednesday afternoon.
Klopfer, who operated at the Women’s Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana until his medical license was suspended in 2016, died last September at age 75.
The Sheriff’s Office of Will County, Illinois (where Klopfer had a home) announced in September that a Klopfer family attorney had notified the county coroner’s office of the discovery of thousands of “medically preserved fetal remains” among his property. The next month, even more were found in the trunk of a car owned by Klopfer.
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office announced Monday that the remains will receive a memorial service on February 12 at Southlawn Cemetery and Palmer Funeral Home in South Bend. “Attorney General Curtis T. Hill Jr. will offer remarks on behalf of the State of Indiana and will be available following the service to discuss the status of the investigation,” the announcement says.
In addition, Citizens for a Pro-Life Society and Priests for Life have collected and published names for all 2,411 babies, submitted by thousands of pro-lifers, which can be read here.
“Every aborted unborn child deserves to be named and recognized as members of the human family,” Citizens for a Pro-Life Society says. “Let us honor the victims of abortion. Let us pray for their mothers, their fathers, and pray for the conversion of all those who facilitated the killing of the innocent unborn and commit ourselves to end the injustice of abortion.”
Ever since the first discovery, pro-lifers have noted that the story underscores the violence of abortion and the relative lack of scrutiny the abortion industry enjoys in many states. In particular, it has potential ramifications for pro-abortion Democrat presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, who as mayor of South Bend defended other scandal-plagued abortion centers in the area.
After several days of silence, Buttigieg said last September that the discovery of the first group of bodies was “disturbing” but should not “get caught up in politics at a time when women need access to health care.”
Those wishing to attend the Wednesday service can RSVP and find full details by clicking here.
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