lifesitenews--2020-03-30--Bishop Schneider: Priests don’t have to obey bishops, govt who suspend Mass over COVID-19

March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Bishop Athanasius Schneider has stated that a priest , using discretion and following the necessary health precautions “ has not to obey the directives of his bishop or the government to suspend Mass for the faithful.
” He also described the COVID-19 pandemic as a chastisement and a purification .
Directives canceling all public Masses “ are a pure human law ; however , the supreme law in the Church is the salvation of souls , ” said the auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Astana , Kazakhstan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspaper The Remnant .
“ Priests in such a situation have to be extremely creative in order to provide for the faithful , even for a small group , the celebration of Holy Mass and the reception of the sacraments .
Such was the pastoral behavior of all confessor and martyr priests in the time of persecution , ” he added .
Being prohibited by ecclesial authority from visiting the sick and the dying would also be a reason for a priest to disobey , Schneider explained .
“ Such a prohibition is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not give a bishop the power to forbid visiting the sick and dying .
A true priest will do everything he can to visit a dying person.
” Schneider also called out “ the prevailing majority of bishops ” for having reacted “ precipitously and out of panic in prohibiting all public Masses and – what is even more incomprehensible – in closing churches.
” “ Such bishops , ” he said , “ reacted more like civil bureaucrats than shepherds .
In focusing too exclusively on all the hygienic protective measures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have abandoned the primacy of the eternal good of souls.
” Attending Mass is as essential as shopping at grocery stores or using public transportation , both of which have not been shut down , the bishop pointed out .
“ One could guarantee in churches the same and even better hygienic protective measures.
” He also gave some practical advice .
“ For example , before each Mass one could disinfect the pews and doors , and everyone who enters the church could disinfect their hands .
Other similar measures could also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of participants and increase the frequency of Mass celebration.
” On March 21 , Cardinal Raymond Burke had equally criticized the suspension of public Masses .
“ Even as we have found a way to provide for food and medicine and other necessities of life during a time of contagion , without irresponsibly risking the spread of the contagion , so , in a similar way , we can find a way to provide for the necessities of our spiritual life , ” the American cardinal said in a statement .
Bishop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic as “ revealing the loss of supernatural vision.
” For decades , “ many members of the Church ’ s hierarchy have been immersed predominantly in secular , inner-worldly and temporal affairs and have thus become blind to supernatural and eternal realities.
” Accordingly , their reaction “ has revealed that they give more importance to the mortal body than to the immortal soul of men.
” Many of the bishops who “ tranquilly allowed the poison virus of heretical teachings and practices to spread among their flock , ” are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from contamination with a material virus.
” Schneider called the coronavirus pandemic “ a divine intervention to chastise and purify the sinful world and also the Church.
” Other Catholic leaders have offered similar assessments .
The bishop quoted from the book of Revelation , the last book of the Bible .
“ I have a few things against you : you have some there who hold the teaching … that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality .
Therefore repent .
If not , I will come to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sword of my mouth.
” “ I am convinced , ” Schneider added , “ that Christ would repeat the same words to Pope Francis and to the other bishops who allowed the idolatrous veneration of the Pachamama and who implicitly approved sexual relationships outside a valid marriage , by allowing the so-called ‘ divorced and remarried ’ who are sexually active to receive Holy Communion.
” The bishop , who first grew up in the Soviet Union before coming to Germany in 1973 , said the current situation “ is so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind all of this a deeper meaning.
” Receiving Holy Communion in the hand , a practice first introduced roughly 50 years ago , “ has led to an unintentional and intentional desecration [ of ] the Eucharistic Body of Christ on an unprecedented scale .
For over fifty years , the Body of Christ had been ( mostly unintentionally ) trampled by the feet of clergy and laity in Catholic churches around the world .
The stealing of sacred Hosts has also been increasing at an alarming rate.
” According to Schneider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one ’ s own hands and fingers resembles ever more the gesture of taking common food.
” For many people , he said , this practice led to a weakened faith in the real presence .
“ The Eucharistic presence of Christ has , over time , unconsciously become for these faithful a kind of holy bread or symbol.
” The current situation , wherein many parts of the world no public Masses are said , and Holy Communion can not be received by the faithful , “ could be understood by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the past fifty years of Eucharistic desecrations and trivializations and , at the same time , as a merciful appeal for an authentic Eucharistic conversion of the entire Church.
” Schneider expressed his wish that the Holy Spirit may “ touch the heart of the Pope and bishops and move them to issue concrete liturgical norms in order that the Eucharistic worship of the entire Church might be purified and oriented again towards the Lord.
” The bishop called on Pope Francis to prohibit the reception of Holy Communion in the hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as cardinals and bishops , “ carry out a public act of reparation in Rome for the sins against the Holy Eucharist , and for the sin of the acts of religious veneration to the Pachamama statues.
” Schneider encouraged the Pope to issue “ concrete liturgical norms , in which he invites the entire Church to turn again towards the Lord in the manner of celebration.
” The bishop called for more Eucharistic processions , even if the priest can not be accompanied by any faithful .
“ A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lord through the streets of this world could be launched , ” Schneider said .
“ Such mini-Eucharistic processions , even if carried out only by a bishop or a priest alone , will implore graces of physical and spiritual healing and conversion .
”

March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Bishop Athanasius Schneider has stated that a priest, using discretion and following the necessary health precautions “has not to obey the directives of his bishop or the government to suspend Mass for the faithful.” He also described the COVID-19 pandemic as a chastisement and a purification.
Directives canceling all public Masses “are a pure human law; however, the supreme law in the Church is the salvation of souls,” said the auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Astana, Kazakhstan, in an interview with traditional Catholic newspaper The Remnant.
“Priests in such a situation have to be extremely creative in order to provide for the faithful, even for a small group, the celebration of Holy Mass and the reception of the sacraments. Such was the pastoral behavior of all confessor and martyr priests in the time of persecution,” he added.
Being prohibited by ecclesial authority from visiting the sick and the dying would also be a reason for a priest to disobey, Schneider explained. “Such a prohibition is an abuse of power. Christ did not give a bishop the power to forbid visiting the sick and dying. A true priest will do everything he can to visit a dying person.”
Schneider also called out “the prevailing majority of bishops” for having reacted “precipitously and out of panic in prohibiting all public Masses and – what is even more incomprehensible – in closing churches.”
“Such bishops,” he said, “reacted more like civil bureaucrats than shepherds. In focusing too exclusively on all the hygienic protective measures, they have lost a supernatural vision and have abandoned the primacy of the eternal good of souls.”
“A quasi-pathological fear has overcome common reason and a supernatural vision,” Schneider exclaimed.
Attending Mass is as essential as shopping at grocery stores or using public transportation, both of which have not been shut down, the bishop pointed out. “One could guarantee in churches the same and even better hygienic protective measures.”
He also gave some practical advice. “For example, before each Mass one could disinfect the pews and doors, and everyone who enters the church could disinfect their hands. Other similar measures could also be taken. One could limit the number of participants and increase the frequency of Mass celebration.”
On March 21, Cardinal Raymond Burke had equally criticized the suspension of public Masses.
“Even as we have found a way to provide for food and medicine and other necessities of life during a time of contagion, without irresponsibly risking the spread of the contagion, so, in a similar way, we can find a way to provide for the necessities of our spiritual life,” the American cardinal said in a statement.
Bishop Schneider characterized the Catholic response to the COVID-19 pandemic as “revealing the loss of supernatural vision.”
For decades, “many members of the Church’s hierarchy have been immersed predominantly in secular, inner-worldly and temporal affairs and have thus become blind to supernatural and eternal realities.” Accordingly, their reaction “has revealed that they give more importance to the mortal body than to the immortal soul of men.”
Many of the bishops who “tranquilly allowed the poison virus of heretical teachings and practices to spread among their flock,” are now attempting to protect the faithful “from contamination with a material virus.”
Schneider called the coronavirus pandemic “a divine intervention to chastise and purify the sinful world and also the Church.” Other Catholic leaders have offered similar assessments.
The bishop quoted from the book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. “I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching … that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.”
“I am convinced,” Schneider added, “that Christ would repeat the same words to Pope Francis and to the other bishops who allowed the idolatrous veneration of the Pachamama and who implicitly approved sexual relationships outside a valid marriage, by allowing the so-called ‘divorced and remarried’ who are sexually active to receive Holy Communion.”
The bishop, who first grew up in the Soviet Union before coming to Germany in 1973, said the current situation “is so unique and serious that one can discover behind all of this a deeper meaning.”
Receiving Holy Communion in the hand, a practice first introduced roughly 50 years ago, “has led to an unintentional and intentional desecration [of] the Eucharistic Body of Christ on an unprecedented scale. For over fifty years, the Body of Christ had been (mostly unintentionally) trampled by the feet of clergy and laity in Catholic churches around the world. The stealing of sacred Hosts has also been increasing at an alarming rate.”
According to Schneider, taking the Eucharist “directly with one’s own hands and fingers resembles ever more the gesture of taking common food.”
For many people, he said, this practice led to a weakened faith in the real presence. “The Eucharistic presence of Christ has, over time, unconsciously become for these faithful a kind of holy bread or symbol.”
The current situation, wherein many parts of the world no public Masses are said, and Holy Communion cannot be received by the faithful, “could be understood by the Pope and bishops as a divine rebuke for the past fifty years of Eucharistic desecrations and trivializations and, at the same time, as a merciful appeal for an authentic Eucharistic conversion of the entire Church.”
Schneider expressed his wish that the Holy Spirit may “touch the heart of the Pope and bishops and move them to issue concrete liturgical norms in order that the Eucharistic worship of the entire Church might be purified and oriented again towards the Lord.”
The bishop called on Pope Francis to prohibit the reception of Holy Communion in the hand. He also suggested the Holy Father, as well as cardinals and bishops, “carry out a public act of reparation in Rome for the sins against the Holy Eucharist, and for the sin of the acts of religious veneration to the Pachamama statues.”
Schneider encouraged the Pope to issue “concrete liturgical norms, in which he invites the entire Church to turn again towards the Lord in the manner of celebration.”
The bishop called for more Eucharistic processions, even if the priest cannot be accompanied by any faithful. “A worldwide chain of monstrances carrying the Eucharistic Lord through the streets of this world could be launched,” Schneider said. “Such mini-Eucharistic processions, even if carried out only by a bishop or a priest alone, will implore graces of physical and spiritual healing and conversion.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-28--Two bishops’ advice to Catholics in Lenten crisis: Eat meat on Fridays

March 27 , 2020 ( CatholicCulture.org ) — Another week dominated by news about the CO19 epidemic ; another week without access to the sacraments .
These are distressful times , and we are facing troubles that we could not have imagined , even a few weeks ago .
As this troubled week moved toward a close , a couple of headlines truly looked surreal : Bishops advising Catholics to ease up on their Lenten sacrifices .
As I remarked to the Daily Caller , “ In time of trouble , the time-honored Catholic response is to call for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But in Metuchen , New Jersey , Bishop James Checchio said that the rule for meatless Fridays during Lent would be lifted , in light of the “ many other sacrifices that we are suddenly experiencing.
” Boston ’ s Cardinal Sean O ’ Malley took the same astonishing step .
It ’ s inconceivable ( well , at least until this week I would have thought it was inconceivable ) that a Catholic bishop would advise his people to pray a bit less .
Yet in traditional Catholic practice , prayer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lent .
( Actually there are three elements to the traditional Lenten routine : prayer , fasting , and almsgiving .
Would any bishop suggest that Catholics should be less generous during the epidemic ? )
I ’ m searching for the place in the Gospel where our Lord says that “ this kind is cast out only by cheeseburgers.
” The other surreal headline was actually on an editorial in the New York Times — not just a routine unsigned editorial , but one endorsed , with an unusual invocation of authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times .
The headline conveys the idea : Make Abortion More Available During the Pandemic — Not Less .
The secular liberal establishment never lets a crisis go to waste , never misses an opportunity to seize the offensive .
But the crass insensitivity of this argument is astonishing .
At a time when the specter of death hovers over New York , the city ’ s most influential newspaper calls for : more death .
In a climate of hysteria , a fresh and balanced perspective — in particular , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valuable .
So I ’ m pleased to pass along something from Thomas More College , where I ’ m now teaching part-time .
It ’ s a very small school , very strongly imbued with the spirit of a Catholic community of learning , and it was painful for everyone — students , faculty , and staff — when state regulations forced the college to close .
But in this message to the college community , President William Fahey provided some reasons for hope , along with some useful reminders of how @ @ @ @ @

The bishop of Boston and the bishop of Metuchen, N.J. declared to their flocks that Lenten abstinence from meat on Fridays is no longer binding.
March 27, 2020 (CatholicCulture.org) — Another week dominated by news about the CO19 epidemic; another week without access to the sacraments. These are distressful times, and we are facing troubles that we could not have imagined, even a few weeks ago. As this troubled week moved toward a close, a couple of headlines truly looked surreal:
Bishops advising Catholics to ease up on their Lenten sacrifices. As I remarked to the Daily Caller, “In time of trouble, the time-honored Catholic response is to call for more prayer and fasting, not less.” But in Metuchen, New Jersey, Bishop James Checchio said that the rule for meatless Fridays during Lent would be lifted, in light of the “many other sacrifices that we are suddenly experiencing.” Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley took the same astonishing step. It’s inconceivable (well, at least until this week I would have thought it was inconceivable) that a Catholic bishop would advise his people to pray a bit less. Yet in traditional Catholic practice, prayer and fasting are inextricably linked, particularly during Lent. (Actually there are three elements to the traditional Lenten routine: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Would any bishop suggest that Catholics should be less generous during the epidemic?) I’m searching for the place in the Gospel where our Lord says that “this kind is cast out only by cheeseburgers.”
The other surreal headline was actually on an editorial in the New York Times — not just a routine unsigned editorial, but one endorsed, with an unusual invocation of authority, by the editorial board of the New York Times. The headline conveys the idea: Make Abortion More Available During the Pandemic — Not Less. The secular liberal establishment never lets a crisis go to waste, never misses an opportunity to seize the offensive. But the crass insensitivity of this argument is astonishing. At a time when the specter of death hovers over New York, the city’s most influential newspaper calls for: more death.
In a climate of hysteria, a fresh and balanced perspective — in particular, a distinctly Catholic perspective — is especially valuable. So I’m pleased to pass along something from Thomas More College, where I’m now teaching part-time. It’s a very small school, very strongly imbued with the spirit of a Catholic community of learning, and it was painful for everyone — students, faculty, and staff — when state regulations forced the college to close. But in this message to the college community, President William Fahey provided some reasons for hope, along with some useful reminders of how Catholics respond to crisis.
Published with permission from CatholicCulture.org.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-28--US bishops must address charges of Catholic Relief Services collaborating with evil

March 27 , 2020 ( CatholicCulture.org ) — Since the beginning of this month , the Lepanto Institute has been releasing a series of damaging reports about Catholic Relief Services ( CRS ) , the official overseas charity of the US bishops ’ conference .
The reports show fairly conclusively that CRS supports a web site that promotes contraception , and partners with organizations that provide abortion referrals in Africa .
In fact it seems clear that CRS has actively recruited the participation of such organizations into a network designed to aid needy women in Nigeria .
Maybe there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If so , CRS — and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops ( USCCB ) — should provide it .
Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler , Texas , made the point simply and clearly : That ’ s reasonable , isn ’ t it ?
If the Lepanto reports are wrong , prove them wrong .
If they are right — in fact even if they are only partially right — then a full investigation of CRS is warranted , to ensure the faithful that the agency is not using the funds donated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So what was the response ?
Last week the executive committee of the USCCB issued a statement containing the bland reassurance that the work of CRS is “ grounded in the loving teachings of the Catholic Church.
” That ’ s a good start , I suppose .
But what about the charges in the Lepanto reports ?
The USCCB statement continues : “ CRS stands in firm defense of life .
Criticisms to the contrary should not detract from the powerful impact your donations have on the lives of otherwise forgotten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if those criticisms are accurate ?
Shouldn ’ t CRS provide us with evidence to counter the charges ?
As Bishop Strickland said , the USCCB needs to “ prove them wrong , ” not merely to assert that they ’ re wrong .
In fact , if you look carefully at the short statement from the USCCB , you don ’ t find even an assertion that the charges made by the Lepanto Institute are inaccurate .
The USCCB statement concludes this way : There ’ s nothing — not a word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made in the investigative reports .
The closest the USCCB comes to a rebuttal is the statement that CRS “ works alongside ” organizations that “ may not share our teaching.
” The Lepanto charges are much more serious .
The reports suggest that CRS supports , recruits , and helps to promote the work of organizations that are thoroughly hostile to Catholic moral teaching .
The USCCB proclaims its confidence in the CRS , but gives the faithful absolutely no reason to share that confidence .

The USCCB proclaims its confidence in the CRS but gives the faithful absolutely no reason to share that confidence.
March 27, 2020 (CatholicCulture.org) — Since the beginning of this month, the Lepanto Institute has been releasing a series of damaging reports about Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official overseas charity of the US bishops’ conference. The reports show fairly conclusively that CRS supports a web site that promotes contraception, and partners with organizations that provide abortion referrals in Africa. In fact it seems clear that CRS has actively recruited the participation of such organizations into a network designed to aid needy women in Nigeria.
Maybe there is some justification for these unsavory partnerships. If so, CRS — and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) — should provide it. Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, made the point simply and clearly:
This report by the Lepanto Institute must be proven to be false. If what Lepanto says is accurate then we should call for a thorough investigation of CRS.
That’s reasonable, isn’t it? If the Lepanto reports are wrong, prove them wrong. If they are right — in fact even if they are only partially right — then a full investigation of CRS is warranted, to ensure the faithful that the agency is not using the funds donated by pious Catholics to promote immoral causes.
(Just by the way, Bishop Strickland issued that challenge after the first bombshell report from the Lepanto Institute; there have been two subsequent salvos.)
So what was the response? Last week the executive committee of the USCCB issued a statement containing the bland reassurance that the work of CRS is “grounded in the loving teachings of the Catholic Church.” That’s a good start, I suppose. But what about the charges in the Lepanto reports?
The USCCB statement continues: “CRS stands in firm defense of life. Criticisms to the contrary should not detract from the powerful impact your donations have on the lives of otherwise forgotten suffering populations.” Yes, but what if those criticisms are accurate? Shouldn’t CRS provide us with evidence to counter the charges? As Bishop Strickland said, the USCCB needs to “prove them wrong,” not merely to assert that they’re wrong.
In fact, if you look carefully at the short statement from the USCCB, you don’t find even an assertion that the charges made by the Lepanto Institute are inaccurate. The USCCB statement concludes this way:
We have confidence in the thorough vetting system utilized by CRS by which complaints are investigated and corrective action taken, if necessary. CRS works alongside other relief agencies that may not share our teaching. In these instances, CRS keeps its work distinct.
There’s nothing — not a word — in response to the specific claims made in the investigative reports. The closest the USCCB comes to a rebuttal is the statement that CRS “works alongside” organizations that “may not share our teaching.” The Lepanto charges are much more serious. The reports suggest that CRS supports, recruits, and helps to promote the work of organizations that are thoroughly hostile to Catholic moral teaching.
The USCCB proclaims its confidence in the CRS, but gives the faithful absolutely no reason to share that confidence.
Published with permission from CatholicCulture.org.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-28--‘Rusty, cracked and unsterile’ tools: Louisiana Supreme Court case shows abortion centers as houses

‘Rusty, cracked and unsterile’ tools: Louisiana Supreme Court case shows abortion centers as houses of horror

March 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Louisiana abortion business at the center of a U.S. Supreme Court case has been caught violating an order to cease performing elective surgical procedures that would include abortion during the coronavirus pandemic .
It ’ s certainly not the first time this Shreveport mill and others in the state have put women ’ s safety way down the list of priorities .
The Supreme Court is currently contemplating important questions surrounding a Louisiana state law requiring hospital admitting privileges for abortionists .
Among the amicus briefs submitted to the Court in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outline in compelling detail the health and safety deficiencies of Louisiana abortionists and their abortion businesses , including June Medical Services , which does business under the name Hope Medical Group for Women in Shreveport .
Deficient doesn ’ t even begin to describe the conditions in these houses of horror .
“ Louisiana abortion clinics … have a long history of health and safety violations , and Louisiana abortion doctors have a long history of professional disciplinary actions and substandard medical care , ” according to a brief submitted by 207 members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2010 , health investigators found an “ immediate jeopardy ” condition at Hope Medical Services , where staffers failed to monitor the level of consciousness of patients who were under sedation .
The abortionist also was cited for failing to ask patients if they had prior complications with anesthesia .
This is the kind of thing that kills people .
Laura Hope Smith died of an anesthesia overdose in 2007 in Massachusetts .
Kermit Gosnell killed Karnamaya Mongar with an overdose in 2009 in west Philadelphia .
But at Hope Medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in the 10 years since they were first reported , right ?
In 2011 , the business was cited for failing to document the name and strength of stored medications , and for storing them improperly .
In 2012 , Hope was failing to clean and sterilize instruments after they were used on patients .
The very minimum they could do to ensure their patients ’ safety was too much for the abortion workers to take on .
Hope Medical isn ’ t the only substandard abortion business in Louisiana .
Delta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate jeopardy finding in 2009 for “ failing to follow standards of practice for administering conscious sedation by placing syringes in a non-sterile bag ; failing to document medication , time , and dose ; failing to monitor cardiac status ; and failing to document start and end times of abortion procedures , ” according to the brief .
Just last year , Delta had another immediate jeopardy situation when it did not have IV fluids on hand for a patient experiencing heavy bleeding after an abortion .
She had to be transferred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hysterectomy and had both her fallopian tubes removed .
Two years prior , the business was cited for failure to properly sterilize medical equipment .
The Women ’ s Health Care Center in New Orleans was written up in 2015 when it failed to keep a written record for a woman who continued to have heavy bleeding eight days after a chemical abortion .
She ultimately was picked up by a clinic staffer and taken to the hospital .
That same year , inspectors faulted the business for failure to disinfect its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are as bad as the businesses where they work .
Dr. A. James Whitmore III was aborting children at Delta Clinic when he was found to be using surgical instruments that were “ rusty , cracked and unsterile.
” For one second-trimester patient , he failed to call an ambulance for three hours .
When the patient eventually got to a hospital , she needed a total hysterectomy .
Whitmore is far from the only rogue in the gallery , leading the brief ’ s authors to conclude : “ Louisiana abortion doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical care and blatant disregard for their patients ’ health and safety — in addition to the numerous health and safety violations of Louisiana abortion clinics — demonstrate that abortion providers ’ interests are at odds with their patients ’ interests.
” A separate brief , filed by Louisiana state legislators , bolsters the arguments made by the members of Congress in their filing .
According to that brief , abortion businesses and the ways they failed women in the state included two that stand out .
• Causeway Medical Clinic in Metairie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2007 and when it closed in 2016 .
Shortcomings included failure to determine viability of a child , not monitoring patients ’ vital signs during the abortion procedure , unsanitary conditions , expired medications , and failing to ensure parental consent for minor abortions .
• Bossier City Medical had “ been cited for violations eight times since 2004 , including for failing to obtain a controlled dangerous substances license ... for not monitoring patients ’ vital signs after being given narcotics , and for unsanitary conditions.
” This business is also closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well , along with Dr. David Lee Golden , who told a woman in excruciating pain to go home and rest .
She went instead to a hospital , where doctors found the head of her child still in her womb .
She underwent a total hysterectomy .
Dr. Golden appears again in the legislators ’ brief .
After performing what he suspected was an incomplete abortion on a woman , he kept her , bleeding , on the table for seven hours and then had an employee drive her to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had had an abortion , waited three days before performing surgery .
The woman ’ s uterus was torn and her baby ’ s skull was still inside her .
She , too , left the hospital unable to ever again bear children .
“ These examples illustrate the high cost of Louisiana abortion facilities ’ medical incompetence and failure to screen doctors , ” the brief states .
“ Women ’ s lives are endangered , and their ability to have children is ripped away .
The costs are so great and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt compelled to act.
” The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the Louisiana case in June .
But even if the justices allow the law to stand and abortionists are required to at least be competent enough to qualify for hospital admitting privileges , our movement will work and pray that women in the state choose other options when facing an unexpected pregnancy .
By choosing life for their babies , the life they save may also be their own .
Father Frank Pavone is the national director of Priests for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Trump .
More information on June Medical Services can be found at SupremeCourtVictory.com .

Violating an order to stop elective surgical procedures during the coronavirus outbreak is just the tip of the iceberg for Bayou State abortion mills.
March 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Louisiana abortion business at the center of a U.S. Supreme Court case has been caught violating an order to cease performing elective surgical procedures that would include abortion during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s certainly not the first time this Shreveport mill and others in the state have put women’s safety way down the list of priorities.
The Supreme Court is currently contemplating important questions surrounding a Louisiana state law requiring hospital admitting privileges for abortionists. Among the amicus briefs submitted to the Court in support of the law are several that outline in compelling detail the health and safety deficiencies of Louisiana abortionists and their abortion businesses, including June Medical Services, which does business under the name Hope Medical Group for Women in Shreveport.
Deficient doesn’t even begin to describe the conditions in these houses of horror.
“Louisiana abortion clinics … have a long history of health and safety violations, and Louisiana abortion doctors have a long history of professional disciplinary actions and substandard medical care,” according to a brief submitted by 207 members of Congress in support of the law.
In 2010, health investigators found an “immediate jeopardy” condition at Hope Medical Services, where staffers failed to monitor the level of consciousness of patients who were under sedation. The abortionist also was cited for failing to ask patients if they had prior complications with anesthesia.
This is the kind of thing that kills people. Laura Hope Smith died of an anesthesia overdose in 2007 in Massachusetts. Kermit Gosnell killed Karnamaya Mongar with an overdose in 2009 in west Philadelphia.
But at Hope Medical, those serious deficiencies were probably cleared up in the 10 years since they were first reported, right?
Wrong.
In 2011, the business was cited for failing to document the name and strength of stored medications, and for storing them improperly.
In 2012, Hope was failing to clean and sterilize instruments after they were used on patients. The very minimum they could do to ensure their patients’ safety was too much for the abortion workers to take on.
Hope Medical isn’t the only substandard abortion business in Louisiana.
Delta Clinic in Baton Rouge also had an immediate jeopardy finding in 2009 for “failing to follow standards of practice for administering conscious sedation by placing syringes in a non-sterile bag; failing to document medication, time, and dose; failing to monitor cardiac status; and failing to document start and end times of abortion procedures,” according to the brief.
Just last year, Delta had another immediate jeopardy situation when it did not have IV fluids on hand for a patient experiencing heavy bleeding after an abortion. She had to be transferred to a hospital, where she underwent a hysterectomy and had both her fallopian tubes removed.
Two years prior, the business was cited for failure to properly sterilize medical equipment.
The Women’s Health Care Center in New Orleans was written up in 2015 when it failed to keep a written record for a woman who continued to have heavy bleeding eight days after a chemical abortion. She ultimately was picked up by a clinic staffer and taken to the hospital.
That same year, inspectors faulted the business for failure to disinfect its ultrasound probe.
Louisiana’s abortionists are as bad as the businesses where they work.
Dr. A. James Whitmore III was aborting children at Delta Clinic when he was found to be using surgical instruments that were “rusty, cracked and unsterile.” For one second-trimester patient, he failed to call an ambulance for three hours. When the patient eventually got to a hospital, she needed a total hysterectomy.
Whitmore is far from the only rogue in the gallery, leading the brief’s authors to conclude: “Louisiana abortion doctors’ multiple professional disciplinary actions for substandard medical care and blatant disregard for their patients’ health and safety — in addition to the numerous health and safety violations of Louisiana abortion clinics — demonstrate that abortion providers’ interests are at odds with their patients’ interests.”
A separate brief, filed by Louisiana state legislators, bolsters the arguments made by the members of Congress in their filing.
According to that brief, abortion businesses and the ways they failed women in the state included two that stand out.
Causeway Medical Clinic in Metairie was cited for violation 14 times between 2007 and when it closed in 2016. Shortcomings included failure to determine viability of a child, not monitoring patients’ vital signs during the abortion procedure, unsanitary conditions, expired medications, and failing to ensure parental consent for minor abortions.
Bossier City Medical had “been cited for violations eight times since 2004, including for failing to obtain a controlled dangerous substances license … for not monitoring patients’ vital signs after being given narcotics, and for unsanitary conditions.” This business is also closed.
Whitmore is mentioned in this brief as well, along with Dr. David Lee Golden, who told a woman in excruciating pain to go home and rest. She went instead to a hospital, where doctors found the head of her child still in her womb. She underwent a total hysterectomy.
Dr. Golden appears again in the legislators’ brief. After performing what he suspected was an incomplete abortion on a woman, he kept her, bleeding, on the table for seven hours and then had an employee drive her to the hospital. Physicians, unaware that she had had an abortion, waited three days before performing surgery. The woman’s uterus was torn and her baby’s skull was still inside her. She, too, left the hospital unable to ever again bear children.
“These examples illustrate the high cost of Louisiana abortion facilities’ medical incompetence and failure to screen doctors,” the brief states. “Women’s lives are endangered, and their ability to have children is ripped away. The costs are so great and the situation so dire that the legislature felt compelled to act.”
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the Louisiana case in June. But even if the justices allow the law to stand and abortionists are required to at least be competent enough to qualify for hospital admitting privileges, our movement will work and pray that women in the state choose other options when facing an unexpected pregnancy.
By choosing life for their babies, the life they save may also be their own.
Father Frank Pavone is the national director of Priests for Life and the co-chair of Pro-Life Voices for Trump. More information on June Medical Services can be found at SupremeCourtVictory.com.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-28--Canada Conservative leadership race ‘temporarily suspended’ due to coronavirus

TORONTO , March 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Conservative Party of Canada ’ s ( CPC ) leadership race was “ temporarily suspended ” Thursday in response to calls for a delay because of the coronavirus epidemic .
One candidate in the running , pro-life and pro-family leadership candidate Derek Sloan , says it remains unclear whether or not the party will commit to delaying the vote for a new leader .
Sloan , who was particularly forceful in calls to suspend the leadership race earlier in the week , said the CPC ’ s Leadership Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not delay the vote if one reads “ the fine print.
” “ LEOC now admits that , from today ’ s vantage point , there can be no June 27 ‘ announcement ’ of results .
However , they have not committed to any delay of the voting !
” Sloan said in a March 27 email to members .
“ According to last night ’ s LEOC statement , people can still join the party up until May 15 , but this still gives LEOC time to mail out ballots in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be returned by late June.
” The CPC ’ s Leadership Election Organizing Committee ( LEOC ) announcement states that the party ’ s constitution specifically says “ a mail ballot must be offered to hold this election.
” But the party says that due to concerns about the health and safety of its volunteers and staff , “ it is no longer possible to meet the deadlines necessary to process memberships and donations , or print , process and count ballots in time for a June 27 announcement.
” Therefore , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ suspended ” until “ there ’ s greater clarity on the outlook of returning to an operational standard that allows for a proper administration of the Leadership Election.
” In addition to suspending the leadership race , the CPC also announced that all candidate fundraising will be suspended until May 1 and that the membership deadline will be moved to May 15 , 2020 .
The convention to be held at the end of June has also been canceled .
The CPC will not be processing any new donations , and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to refrain from contacting party members until after a decision is taken on May 1 , 2020.
” In addition to Sloan , who has the backing of Campaign Life Coalition ( CLC ) , the three other verified candidates in the running are pro-abortion Peter MacKay , Erin O ’ Toole , and CLC-backed Leslyn Lewis .
In his March 27 email , Sloan said that by restricting candidate activity , it gives McKay the upper hand .
“ Here is the really scary news : LEOC has decided to severely restrict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the next five weeks , thus handing a huge advantage to the most well-known candidate and presumed front-runner , Peter MacKay , ” Sloan said .
Sloan ’ s March 27 email said he supports the idea to temporarily suspend campaign fundraising , but that by asking this , LEOC should commit to confirming that the vote will be delayed .
“ LEOC ’ s new scheme seems to be to silence discussion and then proceed with a June vote ( if possible ) .
This is unacceptable .
The party needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sloan said .
He also noted that the LEOC has its priorities “ backwards.
” “ Eliminating the ‘ campaigning ’ part of the leadership contest but going forward with a vote is not the solution .
Silencing the candidates is not the solution .
LEOC has gotten this EXACTLY BACKWARDS.
” In an earlier email sent to his followers before yesterday ’ s CPC announcement , Sloan blasted the party for not acting in stopping the leadership race .
“ Is it any wonder that people are so cynical about politics when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Conservative Party — are as completely tone-deaf as the CPC has been thus far ?
” Before yesterday ’ s announcement , four of the six applicants for leadership demanded that the CPC postpone the vote .
Of the four official candidates on the ballot , only two , Sloan and O ’ Toole , loudly called the party to delay the vote .
Lewis , the only other pro-life candidate officially on the ballot , explained in a March 22 statement the reasoning why she did not call for the leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you lead and manage a campaign in a time of crisis is very indicative of how you can lead the party , and more importantly , our country in a time of crisis , ” Lewis said .
Sloan also called out McKay directly after he said the leadership vote should have been moved up instead of delayed , saying in a message that “ Freedom and Democracy can ’ t wait !
” In speaking with LifeSiteNews about the “ temporary suspension ” of the leadership race , CLC political operations director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ CLC believes that it was a wise and prudent decision for the CPC to extend the leadership race , ” he said .
“ As some candidates have been arguing , the minds of the Canadian public – including Conservative voters – have been preoccupied with the Wuhan virus and the disruption that it ’ s causing to their lives and the economy.
” “ With an extension , hopefully it will allow CPC members more time to focus properly on the policy offerings , values and skills of the candidates.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be on the ballot .
He was recently banned from running for the leadership of the party and is now suing the Conservative Party of Canada so that he can be allowed to re-enter the race .
Karahalios filed an urgent request before the Ontario Superior Court to consider his application , and they approved it on Tuesday .
Fonseca noted that CLC , who has an active petition with 1,800 signatures demanding that the CPC reinstate Karahalios , is pleased he is going to court “ in order to have his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the hands of red Tory progressives was an affront to democracy , and we can not allow it to stand , ” Fonseca said .
“ He broke no party rule .
The establishment swamp simply didn ’ t want to take a chance that a true blue , social conservative might win , so they just removed him from the ballot , Jimmy Hoffa style.
” Fonseca added that CLC is also pleased that Lewis came to the defense of Karahalios and called on the party to reinstate his candidacy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ definitely want in an Opposition Leader and Prime Minister .
”

It remains unclear, however, whether or not the party will commit to delaying the vote for a new leader.
TORONTO, March 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Conservative Party of Canada’s (CPC) leadership race was “temporarily suspended” Thursday in response to calls for a delay because of the coronavirus epidemic.
One candidate in the running, pro-life and pro-family leadership candidate Derek Sloan, says it remains unclear whether or not the party will commit to delaying the vote for a new leader.
Sloan, who was particularly forceful in calls to suspend the leadership race earlier in the week, said the CPC’s Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) announcement does not delay the vote if one reads “the fine print.”
“LEOC now admits that, from today’s vantage point, there can be no June 27 ‘announcement’ of results. However, they have not committed to any delay of the voting!” Sloan said in a March 27 email to members.
“According to last night’s LEOC statement, people can still join the party up until May 15, but this still gives LEOC time to mail out ballots in late May and demand that the ballots be returned by late June.”
The CPC’s Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) announcement states that the party’s constitution specifically says “a mail ballot must be offered to hold this election.”
But the party says that due to concerns about the health and safety of its volunteers and staff, “it is no longer possible to meet the deadlines necessary to process memberships and donations, or print, process and count ballots in time for a June 27 announcement.”
Therefore, the CPC says the leadership election will be “suspended” until “there’s greater clarity on the outlook of returning to an operational standard that allows for a proper administration of the Leadership Election.”
In addition to suspending the leadership race, the CPC also announced that all candidate fundraising will be suspended until May 1 and that the membership deadline will be moved to May 15, 2020. The convention to be held at the end of June has also been canceled.
The CPC will not be processing any new donations, and “Verified Candidates will be asked and encouraged to refrain from contacting party members until after a decision is taken on May 1, 2020.”
In addition to Sloan, who has the backing of Campaign Life Coalition (CLC), the three other verified candidates in the running are pro-abortion Peter MacKay, Erin O’Toole, and CLC-backed Leslyn Lewis.
In his March 27 email, Sloan said that by restricting candidate activity, it gives McKay the upper hand.
“Here is the really scary news: LEOC has decided to severely restrict the activities of the various leadership candidates for the next five weeks, thus handing a huge advantage to the most well-known candidate and presumed front-runner, Peter MacKay,” Sloan said.
Sloan’s March 27 email said he supports the idea to temporarily suspend campaign fundraising, but that by asking this, LEOC should commit to confirming that the vote will be delayed.
“LEOC’s new scheme seems to be to silence discussion and then proceed with a June vote (if possible). This is unacceptable. The party needs to explicitly DELAY THE VOTE,” Sloan said.
He also noted that the LEOC has its priorities “backwards.”
“Eliminating the ‘campaigning’ part of the leadership contest but going forward with a vote is not the solution. Silencing the candidates is not the solution. LEOC has gotten this EXACTLY BACKWARDS.”
In an earlier email sent to his followers before yesterday’s CPC announcement, Sloan blasted the party for not acting in stopping the leadership race.
“Is it any wonder that people are so cynical about politics when politicians — like the politicians who control the Conservative Party — are as completely tone-deaf as the CPC has been thus far?”
Before yesterday’s announcement, four of the six applicants for leadership demanded that the CPC postpone the vote. Of the four official candidates on the ballot, only two, Sloan and O’Toole, loudly called the party to delay the vote.
Lewis, the only other pro-life candidate officially on the ballot, explained in a March 22 statement the reasoning why she did not call for the leadership race to be postponed.
“How you lead and manage a campaign in a time of crisis is very indicative of how you can lead the party, and more importantly, our country in a time of crisis,” Lewis said.
Sloan also called out McKay directly after he said the leadership vote should have been moved up instead of delayed, saying in a message that “Freedom and Democracy can’t wait!”
In speaking with LifeSiteNews about the “temporary suspension” of the leadership race, CLC political operations director Jack Fonseca said the delay is welcome.”
“CLC believes that it was a wise and prudent decision for the CPC to extend the leadership race,” he said. “As some candidates have been arguing, the minds of the Canadian public – including Conservative voters – have been preoccupied with the Wuhan virus and the disruption that it’s causing to their lives and the economy.”
“With an extension, hopefully it will allow CPC members more time to focus properly on the policy offerings, values and skills of the candidates.”
CLC has also backed Jim Karahalios to be on the ballot. He was recently banned from running for the leadership of the party and is now suing the Conservative Party of Canada so that he can be allowed to re-enter the race.
Karahalios filed an urgent request before the Ontario Superior Court to consider his application, and they approved it on Tuesday.
Fonseca noted that CLC, who has an active petition with 1,800 signatures demanding that the CPC reinstate Karahalios, is pleased he is going to court “in order to have his candidacy reinstated.”
“His unethical disqualification at the hands of red Tory progressives was an affront to democracy, and we cannot allow it to stand,” Fonseca said. “He broke no party rule. The establishment swamp simply didn’t want to take a chance that a true blue, social conservative might win, so they just removed him from the ballot, Jimmy Hoffa style.”
Fonseca added that CLC is also pleased that Lewis came to the defense of Karahalios and called on the party to reinstate his candidacy. “That shows integrity, which we definitely want in an Opposition Leader and Prime Minister.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-27--Coronavirus strikes close to Pope Francis, but pontiff again tests negative

March 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A Vatican official close to Pope Francis has tested positive for coronavirus , adding a fifth case of the disease within Vatican City .
Pope Francis has also been tested in the wake of the discovery , confirming that he remains virus-free .
According to reports in the Italian media , the Vatican official who tested positive lives in Casa Santa Marta , where Pope Francis has also lived since the beginning of his pontificate , and is a “ close collaborator of the Pontiff.
” He works in the Italian section @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official , whose name has not been released to the public , was reportedly transported to a hospital in Rome , the Policlinico Gemelli , where he has been put under “ precautionary ” observation .
It therefore appears that he does not yet have grave symptoms .
The case marks the second time that Pope Francis has been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19 .
The first occurred on March 9 , during an ad limina meeting of the pope with 29 French bishops that included Bishop Emmanuel Delma , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms at the time .
This most recent test of Pope Francis for COVID-19 marks the second time that the pontiff has been checked for the virus .
In both cases , the test result has been negative .
According to recent statements made by Francis and the Italian media , Francis continues to work and even to hold private audiences in the Vatican while limiting contact with others .
According to a recent announcement by Vatican News , the offices of the Vatican curia continue to operate , although precautionary measures are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Osservatore Romano has been shut down completely .
Recent reports in the Italian media indicate that Francis has confined himself to a few locations and is eating alone , rather than in the refectory with other guests at Casa Santa Marta , whose number has been reduced .
He is saying daily Mass virtually alone , assisted by only thee other clerics .
“ Pope Francis lives practically as a recluse in a few places , ” states the newspaper Il Messaggero .
“ In the morning he celebrates alone in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone in his room even if he receives the heads of dicasteries in the morning , often in the apostolic palace where there is a lot of space .
The meetings take place at a proper distance but they always end with good handshake , although beforehand their hands are sterilized with antiseptic gel.
” However , the well known Vaticanist reporter Antonio Socci yesterday claimed in a tweet that he has been told that Francis is now “ terrified by the fear of COVID ” and is remaining in his room most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Holy See is to maintain operations while minimizing risk to personnel .
Offices are being sterilized , and people are maintaining a distance of one meter from one another and applying sanitizer to their hands .
People are being encouraged to work from home , and only a reduced staff is present in the offices .
Those who test positive for the virus are immediately sent to a hospital .

This is the fifth case of the disease within Vatican City and the second time the pope has been tested.
March 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A Vatican official close to Pope Francis has tested positive for coronavirus, adding a fifth case of the disease within Vatican City. Pope Francis has also been tested in the wake of the discovery, confirming that he remains virus-free.
According to reports in the Italian media, the Vatican official who tested positive lives in Casa Santa Marta, where Pope Francis has also lived since the beginning of his pontificate, and is a “close collaborator of the Pontiff.” He works in the Italian section of the Secretariat of State.
The official, whose name has not been released to the public, was reportedly transported to a hospital in Rome, the Policlinico Gemelli, where he has been put under “precautionary” observation. It therefore appears that he does not yet have grave symptoms.
The case marks the second time that Pope Francis has been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19. The first occurred on March 9, during an ad limina meeting of the pope with 29 French bishops that included Bishop Emmanuel Delma, who was infected with the virus and already experiencing symptoms at the time.
This most recent test of Pope Francis for COVID-19 marks the second time that the pontiff has been checked for the virus. In both cases, the test result has been negative.
According to recent statements made by Francis and the Italian media, Francis continues to work and even to hold private audiences in the Vatican while limiting contact with others.
According to a recent announcement by Vatican News, the offices of the Vatican curia continue to operate, although precautionary measures are being taken. The Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano has been shut down completely. Recent reports in the Italian media indicate that Francis has confined himself to a few locations and is eating alone, rather than in the refectory with other guests at Casa Santa Marta, whose number has been reduced. He is saying daily Mass virtually alone, assisted by only thee other clerics.
“Pope Francis lives practically as a recluse in a few places,” states the newspaper Il Messaggero. “In the morning he celebrates alone in the chapel with his three secretaries, eats alone in his room even if he receives the heads of dicasteries in the morning, often in the apostolic palace where there is a lot of space. The meetings take place at a proper distance but they always end with good handshake, although beforehand their hands are sterilized with antiseptic gel.”
However, the well known Vaticanist reporter Antonio Socci yesterday claimed in a tweet that he has been told that Francis is now “terrified by the fear of COVID” and is remaining in his room most of the day.
The current policy of the Holy See is to maintain operations while minimizing risk to personnel. Offices are being sterilized, and people are maintaining a distance of one meter from one another and applying sanitizer to their hands. People are being encouraged to work from home, and only a reduced staff is present in the offices. Those who test positive for the virus are immediately sent to a hospital.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-27--‘Libertarian socialism’ has eroded Canada’s culture: conservative author

March 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — After World War II , nearly 70 % of Canadians attended some kind of religious service on a weekly basis .
Today , less than 12 % of Canadians attend religious services every week .
How did that happen ?
Former Olympian William Gairdner has a theory .
An author whose 2001 book The Trouble with Canada sold nearly 60,000 copies , Gairdner believes that the “ four stages of liberalism ” are to blame for the slow and steady decay of Canadian culture over the last several decades .
But just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
And why does Gairdner believe that what he calls “ libertarian socialism ” is what most Canadians have come to embrace ?
He explained his reasoning on this week ’ s episode of The Jonathon Van Maren Show .
The first stage of liberalism , according to Gairdner , is virtue liberalism , or the principles of those first settlers who came to North America who used their freedom to be holy and to set up a New Jerusalem .
The second stage of liberalism was rooted in John Locke .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 17th and 18th centuries .
Economic and personal liberty , private property , and constitutional government were a few of its hallmarks .
The second phase of liberalism “ served well for 150 years , ” Gairdner said , but freedom was not enough .
Soon , more and more people grew concerned with the differences that were rising in a free society .
“ The foundation of Western liberalism began to shift from a foundation of liberty to a foundation in inequality , ” he said .
The state then began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that forced equality , Gairdner argues , is what most Canadians subscribe to today : libertarian socialism .
“ We ’ ve decided to divide the body politic into two bodies , a personal physical body and a political body .
What we ’ re saying to people personally is you can have all the freedom you want , all the drug use you want , all the sex that you want ... however , when it comes to whatever we think the state can provide to everyone equally , we are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people “ have never felt so free in these personal and physical ways , yet they ’ ve never been so surrounded by regulation as we are today.
” He concluded that this doesn ’ t necessarily mean that Canadians are less religious than they were before .
It ’ s just that people said to themselves , “ We ’ re gon na have to create a kingdom of heaven on earth.
” And so politics has essentially become their religion .
“ They just kind of installed their religious instinct in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the church.
” The Van Maren Show is hosted on numerous platforms , including Spotify , SoundCloud , YouTube , iTunes , and Google Play .
For a full listing of episodes , and to subscribe to various channels , visit our Acast webpage here .
To receive weekly emails when a new episode is uploaded , subscribe below :

William Gairdner believes the 'four stage of liberalism' are to blame for the slow and steady decay of Canadian culture over the last several decades.
March 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — After World War II, nearly 70% of Canadians attended some kind of religious service on a weekly basis. Today, less than 12% of Canadians attend religious services every week. How did that happen? Former Olympian William Gairdner has a theory.
An author whose 2001 book The Trouble with Canada sold nearly 60,000 copies, Gairdner believes that the “four stages of liberalism” are to blame for the slow and steady decay of Canadian culture over the last several decades.
But just what are the four stages of liberalism? And why does Gairdner believe that what he calls “libertarian socialism” is what most Canadians have come to embrace? He explained his reasoning on this week’s episode of The Jonathon Van Maren Show.
The first stage of liberalism, according to Gairdner, is virtue liberalism, or the principles of those first settlers who came to North America who used their freedom to be holy and to set up a New Jerusalem.
The second stage of liberalism was rooted in John Locke. This liberalism was what drove political thinking during the 17th and 18th centuries. Economic and personal liberty, private property, and constitutional government were a few of its hallmarks.
The second phase of liberalism “served well for 150 years,” Gairdner said, but freedom was not enough. Soon, more and more people grew concerned with the differences that were rising in a free society. “The foundation of Western liberalism began to shift from a foundation of liberty to a foundation in inequality,” he said. The state then began to enforce equality.
The result of that forced equality, Gairdner argues, is what most Canadians subscribe to today: libertarian socialism.
“We’ve decided to divide the body politic into two bodies, a personal physical body and a political body. What we’re saying to people personally is you can have all the freedom you want, all the drug use you want, all the sex that you want…however, when it comes to whatever we think the state can provide to everyone equally, we are going to be socialistic.”
Gairdner believes that people “have never felt so free in these personal and physical ways, yet they’ve never been so surrounded by regulation as we are today.”
He concluded that this doesn’t necessarily mean that Canadians are less religious than they were before. It’s just that people said to themselves, “We’re gonna have to create a kingdom of heaven on earth.” And so politics has essentially become their religion. “They just kind of installed their religious instinct in their own social programs instead of in the church.”
The Van Maren Show is hosted on numerous platforms, including Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, iTunes, and Google Play.
For a full listing of episodes, and to subscribe to various channels, visit our Acast webpage here.
To receive weekly emails when a new episode is uploaded, subscribe below:
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lifesitenews--2020-03-27--Plant a ‘victory garden’ with your kids, and other family projects, during ‘war’ against COVID-19

March 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – How our priorities and wish lists have changed in just a few weeks !
Moms and dads who were worn out from packed schedules and stressful jobs , who longed for more time with their children , are now … worn out from a houseful of antsy kids and the stress of trying to stay calm , stay positive , keep peace and create constructive activities .
So , are you looking for ideas ?
What home-based projects that don ’ t cost a fortune can we launch with kids in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideas , liberally borrowed from friends and online sources .
1 .
Victory Garden .
I am blessed to have a very creative friend from Omaha , Judy , who shared with me her inspired idea .
The president called the fight against the virus a “ war ” we can win , and that phrase reminded Judy about the victory gardens popular during World War II .
She believes victory gardens would provide a teachable moment for children during the current national emergency .
If you recall , victory gardens were planted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food for households but also as a powerful symbol of hope for a nation dwelling in uncertainty and fighting fear .
The idea was , “ We will survive , there is a bright future and we are diligently and patiently planning – and planting -- for it.
” Judy believes a victory garden transmits an inspiring message to children , plus serves as a way to keep them busy outside , away from the tempting TV babysitter and other questionable screens .
Tomatoes , peppers , peas , melons as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In some southern and western zones of the United States , seeds can be planted right now .
For middle and northern America , seedlings can be started indoors and moved outdoors in May .
And along with a garden can be incorporated several lessons for kids about the background of the victory garden and World War II itself , a pivotal episode in American history often neglected in today ’ s social-justice-saturated school curricula .
Judy was not alone in remembering victory gardens , although her idea is the first I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for children .
The San Jose Mercury News recently featured a detailed article about victory gardens here .
2 .
Fruits of the Spirit .
Piggybacking on the victory garden or independent of it could be lessons about the “ fruits of the Spirit ” ( Galatians 5:22-23 ) .
And vegetable/fruit sections of your garden could be assigned to each quality — love , joy , peace , patience , kindness , goodness , gentleness , faithfulness and self-control ( although maybe squash and tomatoes don ’ t belong in the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year overwhelmed our vegetable bed ! )
.
To cap it off , the center of each garden could feature one spectacular section of geraniums or marigolds to symbolize our Lord Jesus Christ and His bright and marvelous oversight of all creation .
Parents could develop Bible studies on the Galatians 5:22-23 qualities , familiarizing older children with the use of a concordance as they prepare family reports for dinnertime .
3 .
Memorization Games .
One teaching method that has diminished in popularity today is memorization .
It ’ s time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The advantages to children of memorizing tables , dates , lists , etc .
is far-reaching , including academic discipline and quick mental access to data .
Make it a game , with appropriate rewards , for memorizing all the state capitals , the elements of the periodic table , and addition/ multiplication tables .
Then for faith lessons , children can memorize the books of the Old Testament , then the New , as well as the tribes of Israel and the names of the apostles .
And , of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical tool of vibrant faith for all of us , since we are told this about the Word of God : “ So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth ; it shall not return to Me void , but it shall accomplish what I please , and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it ” ( Isaiah 55:11 ) .
I can share a personal testimony from my childhood in this regard .
Despite the sporadic church attendance of my immediate family , when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along to church and Sunday school every week .
My Sunday school teacher challenged us to memorize Psalms 23 and 100 .
During my teen and early adult years , these verses would revisit my fallen-away conscience and their foundational truths spoke into my spirit about the essential character , protection and love of God .
How precious this memory is for me , and it can be for your children later when we are past all this , or if they face some future crisis .
4 .
Life Skills .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , it ’ s a good time to create lists of duties , a daily schedule , and stick to it .
These valuable life-management lessons can include teaching them how to do laundry , how to cook , picking up yard trash , making their beds , and feeding pets .
You can even make a game out by inventing a “ pretend family ” with a fixed budget and teach them how to manage family finances .
5 .
Music Time .
OK , this is going to sound corny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all musical , why not have family sing-alongs ?
Even if no one plays an instrument , you can sing along with the artist as you call up on YouTube timeless hymns or contemporary Christian songs , or even the anthems of historic Americana — “ I ’ ve Been Workin ’ on the Railroad ” and such .
It ’ s good to schedule this and certainly include the faith-based tunes in your Sunday at-home worship .
Let ’ s still remember to limit the use of online resources , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of most days outside in the lovely spring weather , they should be allowed minimal online game or TV time , and of course , no web surfing unless carefully monitored with heavy filters in place .
6 .
Consider Permanent Homeschooling .
Most projections show children remaining home for the remainder of this school year .
If you have not considered it before , now is a good time to think about permanent homeschooling .
There are many advantages , one being an all-around higher quality education .
But another is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often accompanies public school attendance these days , and it ’ s getting exponentially worse all the time .
One of the great things about missing public school this spring is that your middle and high schoolers escape the long list of planned “ LGBTQ ” propaganda events , like the “ Day of Silence ” in April and May/June “ pride ” posters , assemblies and promotions .
And many parents will be relieved they don ’ t have to opt kids out of porn-laden “ comprehensive sex education ” recently forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeschooling ?
Many are already projecting that more and more jobs are going to be done from home once employers realize the economic advantages , so the homeschool option may not mean a missing paycheck in many households .
Here are some great homeschool websites and it ’ s just the tip of the iceberg .
Eagle Forum has compiled an extensive resource list here .
Home School Legal Defense has a how-to guide here .
A friend of mine recommends Abeka .
And there ’ s another great guide at Christian Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this precious time with our kids and grandkids , and see it not as a huge burden but as the making of a lovely memory and a character-building opportunity .

You might even be inspired to homeschool your children once the world moves past this emergency.
March 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – How our priorities and wish lists have changed in just a few weeks!
Moms and dads who were worn out from packed schedules and stressful jobs, who longed for more time with their children, are now … worn out from a houseful of antsy kids and the stress of trying to stay calm, stay positive, keep peace and create constructive activities.
So, are you looking for ideas? What home-based projects that don’t cost a fortune can we launch with kids in the next few weeks?
Here are my ideas, liberally borrowed from friends and online sources.
1. Victory Garden. I am blessed to have a very creative friend from Omaha, Judy, who shared with me her inspired idea. The president called the fight against the virus a “war” we can win, and that phrase reminded Judy about the victory gardens popular during World War II. She believes victory gardens would provide a teachable moment for children during the current national emergency.
If you recall, victory gardens were planted during World War II to provide extra food for households but also as a powerful symbol of hope for a nation dwelling in uncertainty and fighting fear. The idea was, “We will survive, there is a bright future and we are diligently and patiently planning – and planting — for it.”
Judy believes a victory garden transmits an inspiring message to children, plus serves as a way to keep them busy outside, away from the tempting TV babysitter and other questionable screens. Tomatoes, peppers, peas, melons as well as herbs can be included in your garden. In some southern and western zones of the United States, seeds can be planted right now. For middle and northern America, seedlings can be started indoors and moved outdoors in May.
And along with a garden can be incorporated several lessons for kids about the background of the victory garden and World War II itself, a pivotal episode in American history often neglected in today’s social-justice-saturated school curricula.
Judy was not alone in remembering victory gardens, although her idea is the first I’ve heard including an educational angle for children. The San Jose Mercury News recently featured a detailed article about victory gardens here.
2. Fruits of the Spirit. Piggybacking on the victory garden or independent of it could be lessons about the “fruits of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). And vegetable/fruit sections of your garden could be assigned to each quality — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control (although maybe squash and tomatoes don’t belong in the “self-control” section. My tomatoes last year overwhelmed our vegetable bed!).
To cap it off, the center of each garden could feature one spectacular section of geraniums or marigolds to symbolize our Lord Jesus Christ and His bright and marvelous oversight of all creation.
Parents could develop Bible studies on the Galatians 5:22-23 qualities, familiarizing older children with the use of a concordance as they prepare family reports for dinnertime.
3. Memorization Games. One teaching method that has diminished in popularity today is memorization. It’s time to bring it back during the corona confinement.
The advantages to children of memorizing tables, dates, lists, etc. is far-reaching, including academic discipline and quick mental access to data. Make it a game, with appropriate rewards, for memorizing all the state capitals, the elements of the periodic table, and addition/ multiplication tables.
Then for faith lessons, children can memorize the books of the Old Testament, then the New, as well as the tribes of Israel and the names of the apostles. And, of course, memorizing key Bible passages is a critical tool of vibrant faith for all of us, since we are told this about the Word of God: “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
I can share a personal testimony from my childhood in this regard. Despite the sporadic church attendance of my immediate family, when we visited my grandmother, she took me along to church and Sunday school every week. My Sunday school teacher challenged us to memorize Psalms 23 and 100. During my teen and early adult years, these verses would revisit my fallen-away conscience and their foundational truths spoke into my spirit about the essential character, protection and love of God.
How precious this memory is for me, and it can be for your children later when we are past all this, or if they face some future crisis.
4. Life Skills. When kids are at home and chores pile up, it’s a good time to create lists of duties, a daily schedule, and stick to it. These valuable life-management lessons can include teaching them how to do laundry, how to cook, picking up yard trash, making their beds, and feeding pets. You can even make a game out by inventing a “pretend family” with a fixed budget and teach them how to manage family finances.
5. Music Time. OK, this is going to sound corny to some, but if you are at all musical, why not have family sing-alongs? Even if no one plays an instrument, you can sing along with the artist as you call up on YouTube timeless hymns or contemporary Christian songs, or even the anthems of historic Americana — “I’ve Been Workin’ on the Railroad” and such. It’s good to schedule this and certainly include the faith-based tunes in your Sunday at-home worship.
Let’s still remember to limit the use of online resources, though. Not only should children spend large parts of most days outside in the lovely spring weather, they should be allowed minimal online game or TV time, and of course, no web surfing unless carefully monitored with heavy filters in place.
6. Consider Permanent Homeschooling. Most projections show children remaining home for the remainder of this school year. If you have not considered it before, now is a good time to think about permanent homeschooling. There are many advantages, one being an all-around higher quality education.
But another is to avoid the insidious harm that too often accompanies public school attendance these days, and it’s getting exponentially worse all the time. One of the great things about missing public school this spring is that your middle and high schoolers escape the long list of planned “LGBTQ” propaganda events, like the “Day of Silence” in April and May/June “pride” posters, assemblies and promotions. And many parents will be relieved they don’t have to opt kids out of porn-laden “comprehensive sex education” recently forced into many schools.
So what about homeschooling? Many are already projecting that more and more jobs are going to be done from home once employers realize the economic advantages, so the homeschool option may not mean a missing paycheck in many households.
Here are some great homeschool websites and it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Eagle Forum has compiled an extensive resource list here. Home School Legal Defense has a how-to guide here. A friend of mine recommends Abeka. And there’s another great guide at Christian Education Initiative.
Let’s take advantage of this precious time with our kids and grandkids, and see it not as a huge burden but as the making of a lovely memory and a character-building opportunity.
Linda Harvey is president of Mission America.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-27--Chicago archdiocese demands bishop’s approval for ‘emergency’ baptisms

CHICAGO , March 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― The Archdiocese of Chicago , under the leadership of Cardinal Blase Cupich , has reportedly told its priests that all baptisms “ must be postponed ” in response to the coronavirus pandemic and that even an “ emergency ” baptism requires the “ permission ” of the bishop .
In an analysis published yesterday , Ed Condon and J.D .
Flynn of Catholic News Agency ( CNA ) reported that Archbishop Cupich ’ s priests “ have been told that during the ( coronavirus ) pandemic , the emergency celebration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ― despite canonical norms permitting anyone , even a layperson , to celebrate baptism in a true emergency.
” LifeSiteNews has been informed that this policy has not been publicly posted .
However , when challenged by Twitter users , Condon posted parts of a document , including a paragraph stating , “ All weddings and baptisms must be postponed and can be rescheduled only when the order is lifted .
There is no exception to this , regardless of the size of the group .
However , in case of an extreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permission of your bishop.
” LifeSiteNews reached out to the Archdiocese of Chicago for comment but had not received a response .
In fact , not only a layperson but a non-Christian may baptize another in an emergency .
Anyone at all who says the proper formula ― “ I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ” ― while pouring water over the recipient ’ s head and intending to do what the Catholic Church means by baptism can baptize , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe its theology .
Episcopal permission does not have to be obtained in what Canon Law calls “ an urgent necessity , ” most usually the danger of death .
This is the instruction that Father Darrin Smith called for on Twitter .
“ If you 're going to restrict or have pastors bypass some of the ceremonials/sacramentals in the baptismal rite to abbreviate it , fine , ” he tweeted .
“ Give an instruction on how anyone can baptize in an emergency .
Do n't just say , ‘ Watch your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the bishop.
’ ” In general , baptisms happen only with permission , usually because the priest or deacon who performs them has received the appropriate canonical permission , either by virtue of being assigned to a parish or by having received explicit permission from the relevant authority .
Catholic philosopher Dr. Joseph Shaw of Oxford University told LifeSiteNews via social media that there seems to be no justification for the claim that private baptisms require episcopal permission .
“ Canon law tells parents that they have an obligation to ensure their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ' ( Canon 867.1 ) ; as a matter of logic , if priests are unable to do it , then parents must arrange a 'private ' baptism to fulfil this duty , ” he said .
“ Naturally , this should not be done lightly , and ideally parents should discuss it with their pastor , but clearly if priests are going to be unavailable indefinitely , then at some point this would be both licit and obligatory.
” Shaw suggested that Cardinal Cupich might be worried that parents will fail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correctly or to report it afterward .
“ It may be that the Archbishop ( of Chicago ) is concerned that parents arranging private baptisms will not know the proper form , matter , and intention , or may fail to have the baptism recorded in their local parish , ” he told LifeSiteNews .
“ It would be better , surely , to inform the people about these things than to attempt to forbid private baptisms.
” Theologian Dr. Peter Kwasniewski told LifeSiteNews that the directive to seek episcopal permission before an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Church teaches , as have all theologians until recent decades of confusion , that baptism is above all 'the sacrament of necessity , ' that is , one that can not be omitted , ” he said via email .
“ It is not just the gateway to the Christian sacramental life ; it is the moment when God makes a beloved son in the Son out of a fallen child of Adam , ” he continued .
“ As Our Lord teaches so clearly , 'unless a man be born again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not enter into the kingdom of God ' ( Jn 3:5 ) .
In other words , we have no certainty of the salvation of anyone who has not been baptized either with the baptism of water , the baptism of desire ( such as a catechumen ) , or the baptism of blood ( one who gives his life for Christ ) , and the likelihood is that those who remain unbaptized will not be saved.
” “ It is therefore an appalling dereliction of pastoral duty for clergy not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any due conditions are met ) , even during a time of pandemic.
” Kwasniewski concurred that anyone at all is allowed to baptize a child in a case of emergency .
“ In the old days , nurses or relatives would baptize a newborn infant if there were any danger of death and a priest could not come , ” he added .
“ In a situation of pastoral dereliction like ours , there is no reason for the parents not to baptize their newborn infants . ''
The CNA reporters observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions that go beyond Vatican advice and “ have left canonical experts , and some clerics , wondering about their legality.
” Marriages and baptisms have been suspended in many places , and the Archdiocese of Newark , which is under the stewardship of Archbishop Joseph Tobin , has suspended the Sacrament of Reconciliation “ until further notice with the exception of an extreme emergency .
”

Directions issued under Cardinal Blase Cupich not only ban all baptisms but require ‘permission’ for emergency baptisms.
CHICAGO, March 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― The Archdiocese of Chicago, under the leadership of Cardinal Blase Cupich, has reportedly told its priests that all baptisms “must be postponed” in response to the coronavirus pandemic and that even an “emergency” baptism requires the “permission” of the bishop.
In an analysis published yesterday, Ed Condon and J.D. Flynn of Catholic News Agency (CNA) reported that Archbishop Cupich’s priests “have been told that during the (coronavirus) pandemic, the emergency celebration of baptism requires permission of the bishop ― despite canonical norms permitting anyone, even a layperson, to celebrate baptism in a true emergency.”
LifeSiteNews has been informed that this policy has not been publicly posted. However, when challenged by Twitter users, Condon posted parts of a document, including a paragraph stating, “All weddings and baptisms must be postponed and can be rescheduled only when the order is lifted. There is no exception to this, regardless of the size of the group. However, in case of an extreme emergency for baptism, please seek the permission of your bishop.”
LifeSiteNews reached out to the Archdiocese of Chicago for comment but had not received a response.
In fact, not only a layperson but a non-Christian may baptize another in an emergency. Anyone at all who says the proper formula ― “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” ― while pouring water over the recipient’s head and intending to do what the Catholic Church means by baptism can baptize, even if they don’t understand or believe its theology. Episcopal permission does not have to be obtained in what Canon Law calls “an urgent necessity,” most usually the danger of death.
This is the instruction that Father Darrin Smith called for on Twitter.
“If you're going to restrict or have pastors bypass some of the ceremonials/sacramentals in the baptismal rite to abbreviate it, fine,” he tweeted.
“Give an instruction on how anyone can baptize in an emergency. Don't just say, ‘Watch your child die without baptism as you wait for the bishop.’”
In general, baptisms happen only with permission, usually because the priest or deacon who performs them has received the appropriate canonical permission, either by virtue of being assigned to a parish or by having received explicit permission from the relevant authority.
Catholic philosopher Dr. Joseph Shaw of Oxford University told LifeSiteNews via social media that there seems to be no justification for the claim that private baptisms require episcopal permission.
“Canon law tells parents that they have an obligation to ensure their children are baptized in the 'first few weeks' (Canon 867.1); as a matter of logic, if priests are unable to do it, then parents must arrange a 'private' baptism to fulfil this duty,” he said.
“Naturally, this should not be done lightly, and ideally parents should discuss it with their pastor, but clearly if priests are going to be unavailable indefinitely, then at some point this would be both licit and obligatory.”
Shaw suggested that Cardinal Cupich might be worried that parents will fail to ensure that the baptism is done correctly or to report it afterward.
“It may be that the Archbishop (of Chicago) is concerned that parents arranging private baptisms will not know the proper form, matter, and intention, or may fail to have the baptism recorded in their local parish,” he told LifeSiteNews.
“It would be better, surely, to inform the people about these things than to attempt to forbid private baptisms.”
Theologian Dr. Peter Kwasniewski told LifeSiteNews that the directive to seek episcopal permission before an emergency baptism was “horrible.”
“The Church teaches, as have all theologians until recent decades of confusion, that baptism is above all 'the sacrament of necessity,' that is, one that cannot be omitted,” he said via email.
“It is not just the gateway to the Christian sacramental life; it is the moment when God makes a beloved son in the Son out of a fallen child of Adam,” he continued.
“As Our Lord teaches so clearly, 'unless a man be born again of water and the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God' (Jn 3:5). In other words, we have no certainty of the salvation of anyone who has not been baptized either with the baptism of water, the baptism of desire (such as a catechumen), or the baptism of blood (one who gives his life for Christ), and the likelihood is that those who remain unbaptized will not be saved.”
“It is therefore an appalling dereliction of pastoral duty for clergy not to baptize any child or adult (provided any due conditions are met), even during a time of pandemic.”
Kwasniewski concurred that anyone at all is allowed to baptize a child in a case of emergency.
“In the old days, nurses or relatives would baptize a newborn infant if there were any danger of death and a priest could not come,” he added.
“In a situation of pastoral dereliction like ours, there is no reason for the parents not to baptize their newborn infants.”
The CNA reporters observed that some American bishops have imposed sacramental restrictions that go beyond Vatican advice and “have left canonical experts, and some clerics, wondering about their legality.”
Marriages and baptisms have been suspended in many places, and the Archdiocese of Newark, which is under the stewardship of Archbishop Joseph Tobin, has suspended the Sacrament of Reconciliation “until further notice with the exception of an extreme emergency.”
Share