lifesitenews--2020-02-13--Benedict’s statement on priestly celibacy book ‘has never seen light of day’: Vatican journalist

ROME , Italy , February 13 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Vatican journalist Sandro Magister has said a statement written by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI indicating “ the full consonance ” between him and Cardinal Robert Sarah as the authors of a book defending priestly celibacy “ has never seen the light of day.
” Additionally , the statement called for “ the cessation of all controversy.
” The Rome-based journalist speculated that it was this statement , which was never published , that caused Pope Francis to put Archbishop Georg Gänswein on leave .
Originally , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which also published excerpts , that the book From the Depths of Our Hearts on clerical celibacy was written by Cardinal Sarah as well as the former Pope .
Right away , “ a storm of criticism ensued against the cardinal and the Pope emeritus , portraying both of them as at odds with Pope Francis , ” Edward Pentin wrote in summarizing the developments for the National Catholic Register .
Magister pointed out that the Prefect of the Papal Household , Archbishop Gänswein , repeatedly denied “ a co-responsibility of the Pope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the book , to the point of requesting the withdrawal of his signature , and contrasted to no avail by the precise and documented reconstruction , made public by Sarah , of the genesis of the book itself by the united efforts of its two co-authors.
” Gänswein usually spends part of his day with the former Pope , for whom he has served as private secretary for many years .
Meanwhile , Ganswein also serves as the Prefect of the Papal Household , which puts him in close contact with Pope Francis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rollout of From the Depths of Our Hearts , Gänswein was reportedly put on leave by Pope Francis .
While the press office of the Holy See claimed his absence at public events was “ due to ordinary redistribution of the various commitments and duties , ” many experts on the Vatican see a direct connection between the book on celibacy and his being put on leave .
The first edition of From the Depths of Our Hearts still listed both Benedict and Sarah as co-authors , but subsequent editions pointed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same is true for many of the translations published in various countries .
Magister , who writes for Italian weekly L ’ Espresso , used the notable absence of any mention of married priests in Pope Francis ’ post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation “ Querida Amazonia ” to investigate how much influence the publication of the book on celibacy in January might have had on the papal document .
Magister recounted that on January 15 , while Archbishop Gänswein was with Pope Francis at the Wednesday audience , “ Benedict XVI picked up the phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where he did not find him , and then at the office , where the cardinal answered.
” During the phone call , Benedict XVI expressed his “ heartfelt solidarity ” with Sarah , who is the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments .
“ He confided that he could not understand the reasons for such violent and unjust aggression .
And he wept .
Sarah wept too .
The call ended with both of them in tears , ” Magister wrote .
Even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” it is not entirely clear how the contents of a phone call between two high-ranking members of the Church reached the Vatican journalist .
The Pope emeritus from Germany and the cardinal from French Guinea in Africa met in person on Friday , January 17 , first at 5 p.m. and then again at 7 p.m. After those meetings , the cardinal reported on it “ in three tweets , in which he confirmed the perfect harmony between himself and the Pope emeritus in the publication of the book.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lying polemics that have never stopped since the beginning of the week , concerning the book From the Depths of Our Hearts , I met this evening with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI , ” Sarah tweeted in French .
He continued , “ With Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI , we were able to see how there is no misunderstanding between us .
I came out of this beautiful conversation very happy , full of peace and courage .
I call you to read and meditate From the Depths of Our Hearts .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Fayard , for the rigor , probity , seriousness , and professionalism they have shown .
Excellent reading to all !
” In his article , Magister revealed that during those same meetings , Benedict XVI and Cardinal Sarah had written “ a concise statement that was intended to be made public with the sole signature of the Pope emeritus , to certify the full consonance between the two co-authors of the book and call for the cessation of all controversy.
” According to Magister , who has looked at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s personal , even autobiographical , trait is evident.
” The former Pope ’ s private secretary then delivered the statement to Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra , who is the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State .
“ And it is reasonable to hypothesize that he informed both his direct superior , Cardinal Pietro Parolin , and Pope Francis himself about it , ” Magister wrote .
The Vatican journalist went on to speculate that it was this statement , which was never published , that caused Pope Francis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In the eyes of Pope Francis , Benedict XVI ’ s statement had in fact proven the unreliability of the repeated denials made by Gänswein of the Pope emeritus ’ co-responsibility in the composition of the book , ” said Magister .
“ In other words , the opposition of the Pope emeritus against his successor giving in to the radical currents on the front of clerical celibacy stood out at this point front and center , without any attenuation anymore .
And all this a few days before the publication of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all over the world , were expecting to read an opening by Francis to the ordination of married men , ” he continued .
Magister also explained that Cardinal Pietro Parolin , the Secretary of State , had strongly encouraged the publication of the book .
As a matter of fact , Magister wrote , Parolin had looked at the press release put out by the Italian publisher and “ burnished ( it ) line by line.
” The press release praised the book by Cardinal Sarah and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biblical , spiritual and human value , guaranteed by the depth of the authors and their willingness to make the fruit of their respective reflections available to all , manifesting their love for the Church , for His Holiness Pope Francis and for all humanity .
”

PETITION: Support Cardinal Sarah's and Pope Emeritus Benedict's Defense of Priestly Celibacy” Sign the petition here.
ROME, Italy, February 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Vatican journalist Sandro Magister has said a statement written by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI indicating “the full consonance” between him and Cardinal Robert Sarah as the authors of a book defending priestly celibacy “has never seen the light of day.” Additionally, the statement called for “the cessation of all controversy.”
The Rome-based journalist speculated that it was this statement, which was never published, that caused Pope Francis to put Archbishop Georg Gänswein on leave.
Originally, it was reported by French newspaper Le Figaro, which also published excerpts, that the book From the Depths of Our Hearts on clerical celibacy was written by Cardinal Sarah as well as the former Pope.
Right away, “a storm of criticism ensued against the cardinal and the Pope emeritus, portraying both of them as at odds with Pope Francis,” Edward Pentin wrote in summarizing the developments for the National Catholic Register.
Magister pointed out that the Prefect of the Papal Household, Archbishop Gänswein, repeatedly denied “a co-responsibility of the Pope emeritus in the composition and publication of the book, to the point of requesting the withdrawal of his signature, and contrasted to no avail by the precise and documented reconstruction, made public by Sarah, of the genesis of the book itself by the united efforts of its two co-authors.”
Gänswein usually spends part of his day with the former Pope, for whom he has served as private secretary for many years. Meanwhile, Ganswein also serves as the Prefect of the Papal Household, which puts him in close contact with Pope Francis during official events.
After the disastrous rollout of From the Depths of Our Hearts, Gänswein was reportedly put on leave by Pope Francis. While the press office of the Holy See claimed his absence at public events was “due to ordinary redistribution of the various commitments and duties,” many experts on the Vatican see a direct connection between the book on celibacy and his being put on leave.
The first edition of From the Depths of Our Hearts still listed both Benedict and Sarah as co-authors, but subsequent editions pointed to the former Pope as a contributor. The same is true for many of the translations published in various countries.
Magister, who writes for Italian weekly L’Espresso, used the notable absence of any mention of married priests in Pope Francis’ post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Querida Amazonia” to investigate how much influence the publication of the book on celibacy in January might have had on the papal document.
Magister recounted that on January 15, while Archbishop Gänswein was with Pope Francis at the Wednesday audience, “Benedict XVI picked up the phone himself and called Sarah first at home, where he did not find him, and then at the office, where the cardinal answered.”
During the phone call, Benedict XVI expressed his “heartfelt solidarity” with Sarah, who is the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
“He confided that he could not understand the reasons for such violent and unjust aggression. And he wept. Sarah wept too. The call ended with both of them in tears,” Magister wrote.
Even though he spoke of “multiple independent sources,” it is not entirely clear how the contents of a phone call between two high-ranking members of the Church reached the Vatican journalist.
The Pope emeritus from Germany and the cardinal from French Guinea in Africa met in person on Friday, January 17, first at 5 p.m. and then again at 7 p.m. After those meetings, the cardinal reported on it “in three tweets, in which he confirmed the perfect harmony between himself and the Pope emeritus in the publication of the book.”
“Because of the incessant, nauseating and lying polemics that have never stopped since the beginning of the week, concerning the book From the Depths of Our Hearts, I met this evening with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” Sarah tweeted in French.
He continued, “With Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, we were able to see how there is no misunderstanding between us. I came out of this beautiful conversation very happy, full of peace and courage. I call you to read and meditate From the Depths of Our Hearts. I warmly thank my publisher, Nicolas Diat, and Fayard, for the rigor, probity, seriousness, and professionalism they have shown. Excellent reading to all!”
In his article, Magister revealed that during those same meetings, Benedict XVI and Cardinal Sarah had written “a concise statement that was intended to be made public with the sole signature of the Pope emeritus, to certify the full consonance between the two co-authors of the book and call for the cessation of all controversy.”
According to Magister, who has looked at a copy of the statement, “Ratzinger’s personal, even autobiographical, trait is evident.”
The former Pope’s private secretary then delivered the statement to Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, who is the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State. “And it is reasonable to hypothesize that he informed both his direct superior, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Pope Francis himself about it,” Magister wrote.
The Vatican journalist went on to speculate that it was this statement, which was never published, that caused Pope Francis to put Archbishop Gänswein on leave.
“In the eyes of Pope Francis, Benedict XVI’s statement had in fact proven the unreliability of the repeated denials made by Gänswein of the Pope emeritus’ co-responsibility in the composition of the book,” said Magister.
“In other words, the opposition of the Pope emeritus against his successor giving in to the radical currents on the front of clerical celibacy stood out at this point front and center, without any attenuation anymore. And all this a few days before the publication of the post-synodal exhortation in which many, all over the world, were expecting to read an opening by Francis to the ordination of married men,” he continued.
Magister also explained that Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, had strongly encouraged the publication of the book. As a matter of fact, Magister wrote, Parolin had looked at the press release put out by the Italian publisher and “burnished (it) line by line.”
The press release praised the book by Cardinal Sarah and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as “a volume of high theological, biblical, spiritual and human value, guaranteed by the depth of the authors and their willingness to make the fruit of their respective reflections available to all, manifesting their love for the Church, for His Holiness Pope Francis and for all humanity.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-13--Virginia Democrats walk out on, gavel down pastor who stood for life and marriage

RICHMOND , Virginia , February 12 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A pastor ’ s forceful remarks about the sanctity of life and the traditional family became a focal point for controversy in Virginia on Tuesday , with Democrat lawmakers walking out on the invocation and the House speaker forcing him to end early with the bang of her gavel .
Invited by Republican state Del .
Michael Webert , Rev .
Dr. Robert M. Grant Jr. of The Father ’ s Way Church delivered the opening prayer for the Virginia House of Delegates ’ Tuesday session and took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God ’ s values and judgment .
“ I pray that we do not provoke God ’ s anger by making laws that can destroy the fabric of this great state and our wonderful country , ” Grant said .
“ God is love , God is merciful , God is holy , and God is also judgment .
Please do not provoke his anger and bring wrath upon this state by what you create as law .
Biblical history is very clear .
His wrath upon the earth is documented .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exempt .
If he does not grant us mercy for the atrocities that are being done , we will eventually encounter the judgment of the Almighty God , and may the Lord have mercy upon us all .
“ I pray that you may understand that all life is precious , and worthy of a chance to be born .
God is a giver of life , and people have no right or authority to take life , ” he continued .
“ The unborn has rights , and those rights need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied the right to exist , the right to develop , or the right to have a family .
The Word of God has given us a warning : ‘ woe to anyone who harms an innocent child.
’ Every one of you sitting here today can guarantee these rights to these little , innocent children of Virginia … please do not ignore their little voices .
I pray for a heart changed today , and may the Lord God have mercy upon this leadership.
” Grant also prayed “ that the bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Biblical traditional marriage , as God instructed the first man and the first woman in the Bible , that the two shall be one flesh .
That a man and a woman shall be fruitful and multiply .
We should never rewrite what God has declared .
If a state wants to use God ’ s law , then it needs to be respected .
It ’ s not yours to change or alter the wording .
The Bible is the copyright of God ’ s word .
Marriage is to join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in holy matrimony , not to provoke the Almighty God .
“ Without laws to protect traditional marriage , Virginia will be reduced to increase fatherless children and welfare victims and homelessness , and tax burden to us all , ” he warned , at which point Democrat House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn cut in by banging her gavel and beginning to lead the chamber in the daily Pledge of Allegiance without waiting for Grant to stop talking .
“ Is this a prayer or a sermon ?
” an unidentified Democrat was heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Virginia Mercury reported .
Democrat state Del .
Luke Torian , who is also a pastor at First Mount Zion Baptist Church , complained that the strong pro-life , pro-family remarks were “ totally disrespectful to all of us , all of us in this House.
” At least one Republican also complained , with state Del .
Matt Fariss claiming “ this wasn ’ t the place or time to do all of that ” but rather a “ time we need to be working together and not being divisive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was ill-instructed or didn ’ t realize what he was here to do.
” Grant himself is standing firm , however .
“ I think that the statehouse belongs to all the citizens .
And all the citizens have a voice , ” he told reporters .
“ If it ’ s my turn to have a voice , and I am a pastor , what do you expect from me ?
If you don ’ t want to hear what a pastor has to say , then don ’ t invite one.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ unprofessional.
” Virginia has gained national notoriety for its far-left turn after Democrats ’ November 2019 takeover of both chambers of the legislature .
For almost a full year beforehand , Gov .
Northam had been a lightning rod for criticism for defending the prospect of letting a doctor and family decide to let die a fully-delivered newborn that was deemed to be “ nonviable ” or have “ severe deformities.
” The state legislature recently passed the so-called Reproductive Health Protection Act , which would empower various non-physician health workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24-hour waiting period for abortion , and eliminate the requirements that a woman seeking an abortion undergo counseling and be offered the chance to see an ultrasound of her baby .
Virginia Democrats are also advancing a litany of pro-LGBT measures , include a repeal of the state ’ s unenforced , pre-Obergefell statute prohibiting same-sex “ marriage , ” a ban on counseling minors to help them overcome unwanted same-sex attraction , adding “ sexual orientation ” and “ gender identity ” to state nondiscrimination rules , the ability to easily change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certificate , a mandate that health insurance cover sex-reassignment surgery , the creation of a new model curriculum on “ social justice , ” legislation mandating transgender access to opposite-sex facilities , recognition of “ preferred ” pronouns , gender-confused boys ’ participation in girls ’ sports , and more .

House members took umbrage with the pro-life, pro-marriage minister's message and the House Speaker cut him off while he was still praying.
RICHMOND, Virginia, February 12, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A pastor’s forceful remarks about the sanctity of life and the traditional family became a focal point for controversy in Virginia on Tuesday, with Democrat lawmakers walking out on the invocation and the House speaker forcing him to end early with the bang of her gavel.
Invited by Republican state Del. Michael Webert, Rev. Dr. Robert M. Grant Jr. of The Father’s Way Church delivered the opening prayer for the Virginia House of Delegates’ Tuesday session and took the opportunity to remind the legislators of God’s values and judgment.
“I pray that we do not provoke God’s anger by making laws that can destroy the fabric of this great state and our wonderful country,” Grant said. “God is love, God is merciful, God is holy, and God is also judgment. Please do not provoke his anger and bring wrath upon this state by what you create as law. Biblical history is very clear. His wrath upon the earth is documented. We are not exempt. We are not exempt. If he does not grant us mercy for the atrocities that are being done, we will eventually encounter the judgment of the Almighty God, and may the Lord have mercy upon us all.
“I pray that you may understand that all life is precious, and worthy of a chance to be born. God is a giver of life, and people have no right or authority to take life,” he continued. “The unborn has rights, and those rights need to be protected. They should never be denied the right to exist, the right to develop, or the right to have a family. The Word of God has given us a warning: ‘woe to anyone who harms an innocent child.’ Every one of you sitting here today can guarantee these rights to these little, innocent children of Virginia … please do not ignore their little voices. I pray for a heart changed today, and may the Lord God have mercy upon this leadership.”
Grant also prayed “that the bills and laws being passed will always protect the Biblical traditional marriage, as God instructed the first man and the first woman in the Bible, that the two shall be one flesh. That a man and a woman shall be fruitful and multiply. We should never rewrite what God has declared. If a state wants to use God’s law, then it needs to be respected. It’s not yours to change or alter the wording. The Bible is the copyright of God’s word. Marriage is to join a biological male and a biological female in holy matrimony, not to provoke the Almighty God.
“Without laws to protect traditional marriage, Virginia will be reduced to increase fatherless children and welfare victims and homelessness, and tax burden to us all,” he warned, at which point Democrat House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn cut in by banging her gavel and beginning to lead the chamber in the daily Pledge of Allegiance without waiting for Grant to stop talking.
“Is this a prayer or a sermon?” an unidentified Democrat was heard yelling during Grant’s remarks, the Virginia Mercury reported. Democrat state Del. Luke Torian, who is also a pastor at First Mount Zion Baptist Church, complained that the strong pro-life, pro-family remarks were “totally disrespectful to all of us, all of us in this House.”
At least one Republican also complained, with state Del. Matt Fariss claiming “this wasn’t the place or time to do all of that” but rather a “time we need to be working together and not being divisive,” and speculating that perhaps Grant “was ill-instructed or didn’t realize what he was here to do.”
Grant himself is standing firm, however.
“I think that the statehouse belongs to all the citizens. And all the citizens have a voice,” he told reporters. “If it’s my turn to have a voice, and I am a pastor, what do you expect from me? If you don’t want to hear what a pastor has to say, then don’t invite one.” Grant added that Democrats’ response was “unprofessional.”
Virginia has gained national notoriety for its far-left turn after Democrats’ November 2019 takeover of both chambers of the legislature. For almost a full year beforehand, Gov. Northam had been a lightning rod for criticism for defending the prospect of letting a doctor and family decide to let die a fully-delivered newborn that was deemed to be “nonviable” or have “severe deformities.”
The state legislature recently passed the so-called Reproductive Health Protection Act, which would empower various non-physician health workers to commit first-trimester abortions, repeal the 24-hour waiting period for abortion, and eliminate the requirements that a woman seeking an abortion undergo counseling and be offered the chance to see an ultrasound of her baby.
Virginia Democrats are also advancing a litany of pro-LGBT measures, include a repeal of the state’s unenforced, pre-Obergefell statute prohibiting same-sex “marriage,” a ban on counseling minors to help them overcome unwanted same-sex attraction, adding “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to state nondiscrimination rules, the ability to easily change the sex listed on their official birth certificate, a mandate that health insurance cover sex-reassignment surgery, the creation of a new model curriculum on “social justice,” legislation mandating transgender access to opposite-sex facilities, recognition of “preferred” pronouns, gender-confused boys’ participation in girls’ sports, and more.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-14--Hundreds of Slovaks urge gov’t at prayer rally to not ratify pro-gay ‘marriage’ European agreement

BRATISLAVA , Slovakia , February 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― Hundreds of Slovaks gathered outside the presidential palace on Tuesday to oppose LBGT ideology through public prayer .
The Slovenský dohovor za rodinu ( SDZR , or “ Slovakian Convention for the Family ” ) organized a public recitation of the Holy Rosary in Bratislava ’ s Freedom Square on February 11 .
Afterward , the crowd marched to Hodžovo Square , where the presidential palace is located .
According to participant Matúš Belák , the three-hour event was attended by between 500 and 700 people from all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were students , and others were older people , ” he told LifeSiteNews .
“ People came from throughout Slovakia , but because ( the rally ) was on a workday during work hours , not as many people came as might have.
” The principal reason for the demonstrations was to ask the Slovak government to state that it will never ratify the Istanbul Convention ( on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence ) , which many Slovaks believe weakens the definition of marriage between one man and one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agreement in March 2019 .
Robert Fico , the nation ’ s former prime minister and leader of the ruling party , said then the government could not agree to a law that does not respect the beliefs of most Slovaks .
“ Some parts of the ( Istanbul ) convention could be incompatible with the Slovak constitution , as it allows for the introduction of same-sex ‘ marriages , ’ ” he stated .
Belák said the organizer , SDZR ’ s leader Father Marián Kuffa , was asked by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , apparently because his presence might have inflamed people of both the far-left and the far-right .
The student suggested that the heavy police presence at the rally was due to tension around the question of LGBT ideology .
The rallies were peaceful , and during the demonstration outside the presidential palace , the pro-family crowd began to sing .
“ When we all gathered , we sang some traditional Catholic hymns , like “ ó Mária , bolestivá , ” Slávna si Kráľovná nebies Pani , ” and other Marian hymns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photographers were running around and taking pictures of us and the demonstration , ” he added .
“ Luckily , even then no conflict happened , which was quite a blessing.
” SDZR regularly holds pro-family rallies to protest LGBT Pride parades and organizes smaller prayer demonstrations throughout Slovakia year-round .
The group has also helped circulate a petition against the Istanbul Convention , believing that the binding European agreement weakens the definition of traditional marriage .
Slovakia has so far refused to ratify the document .
According to SDZR ’ s website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a unique bond between a man and a woman ” and that the principal purpose of marriage is to have children and raise them properly .
It believes that the family is the basic unit of society and parents have the right to raise and educate their children in accordance with their own religious and philosophical beliefs .
Belák said Slovakia ’ s resistance to LGBT ideology resembles that of Hungary and Poland but is not as strong .
“ Although 70 percent Slovakians are Catholics , only around 15 percent are practicing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes to the polls on February 29 , and Belák fears that a left-wing electoral victory will mean radical change to Slovakia and its laws .
However , he believes that even the current government is a “ servant to Brussels , ” i.e .
the European Union , despite being somewhat conservative and populist .
“ They have promised the United Nations that LGBT rights will be implemented in our laws soon , ” he said .
“ … People used to speak of ‘ Christian Slovakia ’ , but now we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either this will remain or we will become like other liberal countries , ” he continued .
“ If Slovakia falls , the ( whole ) Visegrad Group , the central European resistance , will fall.
” However , Belák is hopeful because of Fr .
Kuffa and the SDZR .
“ Luckily , Fr .
Marián Kuffa and other great Catholic priests and even Bishops ( like Ján Orosch ) are ( talking ) about these issues , and so we Christians here in Slovakia are slowly waking up from a deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The pro-family group is organizing another large event for February 23 : “ The Rosary for Slovakia.
” A few thousand people are expected to participate , inspired by previous public prayers .
“ The February 11 event had a few hundred participants , but its online video had 91,500 viewers in only 24 hours , ” Belák said .
He believes the fight for the family is predominantly spiritual .
“ There is a large spiritual warfare going on , the battle that Our Lady of Fatima told us about through Sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the final battle for the family.
” But Belák has confidence in the strength of the patroness of Slovakia , Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows .
“ We are going through these sorrows now , ” he said .
“ But in the end , her immaculate heart will triumph .

The government so far has resisted attempts to weaken the constitution on traditional family values.
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, February 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― Hundreds of Slovaks gathered outside the presidential palace on Tuesday to oppose LBGT ideology through public prayer.
The Slovenský dohovor za rodinu (SDZR, or “Slovakian Convention for the Family”) organized a public recitation of the Holy Rosary in Bratislava’s Freedom Square on February 11. Afterward, the crowd marched to Hodžovo Square, where the presidential palace is located.
According to participant Matúš Belák, the three-hour event was attended by between 500 and 700 people from all over Slovakia.
“Some of us were students, and others were older people,” he told LifeSiteNews.
“People came from throughout Slovakia, but because (the rally) was on a workday during work hours, not as many people came as might have.”
The principal reason for the demonstrations was to ask the Slovak government to state that it will never ratify the Istanbul Convention (on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence), which many Slovaks believe weakens the definition of marriage between one man and one woman.
Slovakia first refused to ratify the agreement in March 2019. Robert Fico, the nation’s former prime minister and leader of the ruling party, said then the government could not agree to a law that does not respect the beliefs of most Slovaks.
“Some parts of the (Istanbul) convention could be incompatible with the Slovak constitution, as it allows for the introduction of same-sex ‘marriages,’” he stated.
Slovakia reiterated its refusal in November.
Belák said the organizer, SDZR’s leader Father Marián Kuffa, was asked by his ecclesiastical superiors not to attend the rally, apparently because his presence might have inflamed people of both the far-left and the far-right. The student suggested that the heavy police presence at the rally was due to tension around the question of LGBT ideology.
The rallies were peaceful, and during the demonstration outside the presidential palace, the pro-family crowd began to sing.
“When we all gathered, we sang some traditional Catholic hymns, like “ó Mária, bolestivá,” Slávna si Kráľovná nebies Pani,” and other Marian hymns,” Belák told LifeSiteNews.
“Liberal photographers were running around and taking pictures of us and the demonstration,” he added.
“Luckily, even then no conflict happened, which was quite a blessing.”
SDZR regularly holds pro-family rallies to protest LGBT Pride parades and organizes smaller prayer demonstrations throughout Slovakia year-round. The group has also helped circulate a petition against the Istanbul Convention, believing that the binding European agreement weakens the definition of traditional marriage. Slovakia has so far refused to ratify the document.
According to SDZR’s website, it affirms that marriage is “a unique bond between a man and a woman” and that the principal purpose of marriage is to have children and raise them properly. It believes that the family is the basic unit of society and parents have the right to raise and educate their children in accordance with their own religious and philosophical beliefs.
Belák said Slovakia’s resistance to LGBT ideology resembles that of Hungary and Poland but is not as strong.
“Although 70 percent Slovakians are Catholics, only around 15 percent are practicing,” he told LifeSiteNews.
“That is around 700,000 (people).”
Slovakia goes to the polls on February 29, and Belák fears that a left-wing electoral victory will mean radical change to Slovakia and its laws. However, he believes that even the current government is a “servant to Brussels,” i.e. the European Union, despite being somewhat conservative and populist.
“They have promised the United Nations that LGBT rights will be implemented in our laws soon,” he said.
“ … People used to speak of ‘Christian Slovakia’, but now we’re reaching the point at which either this will remain or we will become like other liberal countries,” he continued.
“If Slovakia falls, the (whole) Visegrad Group, the central European resistance, will fall.”
However, Belák is hopeful because of Fr. Kuffa and the SDZR.
“Luckily, Fr. Marián Kuffa and other great Catholic priests and even Bishops (like Ján Orosch) are (talking) about these issues, and so we Christians here in Slovakia are slowly waking up from a deep sleep,” the student said.
The pro-family group is organizing another large event for February 23: “The Rosary for Slovakia.” A few thousand people are expected to participate, inspired by previous public prayers.
“The February 11 event had a few hundred participants, but its online video had 91,500 viewers in only 24 hours,” Belák said.
He believes the fight for the family is predominantly spiritual.
“There is a large spiritual warfare going on, the battle that Our Lady of Fatima told us about through Sister Lucia,” the student said, “the final battle for the family.”
But Belák has confidence in the strength of the patroness of Slovakia, Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows.
“We are going through these sorrows now,” he said. “But in the end, her immaculate heart will triumph.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-14--EXCLUSIVE: Cardinal Zen criticizes Vatican for ‘despis[ing] the heroes of faith’ in Chin

EXCLUSIVE: Cardinal Zen criticizes Vatican for ‘despis[ing] the heroes of faith’ in China

NEW YORK , February 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The communist-run Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association “ has always been objectively schismatic ” and remains that way “ but with the blessing from the Holy See , ” Cardinal Joseph Zen said today .
Cardinal Zen sat down with LifeSite for a one-on-one interview in New York today .
In the 20-minute discussion , the cardinal lamented the Pope ’ s silence on China ’ s abuses of power in Hong Kong and described a dire situation for faithful Chinese Catholics .
One of the architects of the Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese government , Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin , “ is not acting for the faith , ” said Zen .
“ I ’ m sorry to say , he is not a man of faith because he despises the heroes of faith.
” Commenting on the secretive Vatican-China deal , the cardinal warned that communists “ never accept compromise .
They want full surrender .
And so now we are at the bottom .
They finished the operation selling the Church.
” Cardinal Zen also spoke about the Chinese government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what that response shows about communism .
He urged people to be well-informed and look to history .
“ With a totalitarian regime , there ’ s no possibility of any talk or bargaining .
No , no , ” warned Zen .
“ They just want you on your knees.
” Read more coverage of Cardinal Zen on LifeSite here .

In a 20-minute discussion, the cardinal lamented the Pope’s silence on China’s abuses of power in Hong Kong and described a dire situation for faithful Chinese Catholics.
PETITION: Support Cardinal Zen's plea to stop the “murder of the Church in China”” Sign the petition here.
NEW YORK, February 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The communist-run Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association “has always been objectively schismatic” and remains that way “but with the blessing from the Holy See,” Cardinal Joseph Zen said today.
Cardinal Zen sat down with LifeSite for a one-on-one interview in New York today.
In the 20-minute discussion, the cardinal lamented the Pope’s silence on China’s abuses of power in Hong Kong and described a dire situation for faithful Chinese Catholics.
One of the architects of the Catholic Church’s secret deal with the Chinese government, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, “is not acting for the faith,” said Zen. “I’m sorry to say, he is not a man of faith because he despises the heroes of faith.”
Commenting on the secretive Vatican-China deal, the cardinal warned that communists “never accept compromise. They want full surrender. And so now we are at the bottom. They finished the operation selling the Church.”
Cardinal Zen also spoke about the Chinese government’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak and what that response shows about communism. He urged people to be well-informed and look to history.
“With a totalitarian regime, there’s no possibility of any talk or bargaining. No, no,” warned Zen. “They just want you on your knees.”
Watch LifeSite’s full interview with Cardinal Zen:
Read more coverage of Cardinal Zen on LifeSite here.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-14--Top cardinal behind Amazon synod: Plan for married priests to be ‘developed and completed’

BRASILIA , February 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Brazilian Cardinal Cláudio Hummes stated that ordaining married men to the priesthood “ must be developed and completed ” following the release this week of Pope Francis ’ apostolic exhortation Querida Amazonia [ Beloved Amazon ] , which stalled the liberal push for married priests in the Catholic Church .
Known as an ally of Pope Francis , Cardinal Hummes ( 85 ) was prominent as the rapporteur at the Amazonia Synod in October , where evangelization , “ ecological sin , ” the struggles of isolated communities in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women , and the possibility of ordaining mature men “ viri probati ” to the priesthood were discussed amidst much controversy .
Hummes also presides over the Panamazonia Church Network ( REPAM ) , a grouping of bishops and clergy influential in steering the Amazon Synod that has also advocated for married men .
REPAM helped organize the Amazonia Synod , bringing clergy and laity from the countries of the Amazon Basin to the Vatican .
The synod featured the worship of the Pachamama earth goddess by clergy in the presence of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusations of idolatry .
The Instrumentum Laboris or working document that guided the Synod led to controversy even before the meeting , having been condemned by Cardinals Gerhard Muller and Walter Brandmuller .
For his part , fellow German Bishop Erwin Krautler and Synod organizer said he hoped that at least female deaconesses would result from the Synod .
He said that those who oppose the Synod , “ which has been called by the Pope , are against Francis.
” Hummes has advocated for married priests for more than a decade .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Clergy in 2006 , for instance , he told an interviewer that priestly celibacy is not a dogma of the church and that it should be reviewed .
His remarks earned him a rebuke from then-Pope Benedict XVI , who had him state that celibacy for the clergy is not debatable .
Section 111 of the final document of the Amazonia Synod suggested that some Church ministries be conferred to women , and that married men should be considered for the priesthood .
That final document , Hummes said , should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hummes said that “ the Synod is not the end of the process.
” While Hummes and others had hoped that the Amazon Synod might have kicked off a change in Church discipline regarding celibacy for priests , the Pope did not mention it in Querida Amazonia .
While speaking at the headquarters of the Brazilian Conference of Catholic Bishops about Querida Amazonia on Wednesday , Hummes said that he believes the Pope did not intend to “ replace ” the conclusions of the final document about priestly ordination .
“ This issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be worked on with the Pope by the agencies of the Holy See .
It will be taken up again , ” he said in a press conference in Brazil 's capital .
“ This matter will have to be developed and completed , ” he added .
In Querida Amazonia , Pope Francis says that he intends to “ officially present the [ synod ’ s ] final document , ” while encouraging “ everyone to read it , ” and “ strive to apply it ” according to their vocation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the exhortation shut one door on married priests , others contend that its ambiguous wording may have opened a back door .
In his preamble to Querida Amazonia , the Pope wrote : “ I will not go into all of the issues treated at length in the final document .
Nor do I claim to replace that text or to duplicate it .
I wish merely to propose a brief framework for reflection that can apply concretely to the life of the Amazon region a synthesis of some of the larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents , and that can help guide us to a harmonious , creative and fruitful reception of the entire synodal process.
” At the end of the preamble , the Pope writes : “ I have preferred not to cite the Final Document in this Exhortation , because I encourage everyone to read it in full.
” Speaking in Brasilia , Cardinal Hummes reflected on the Pope ’ s words , saying that he “ didn ’ t cite anything ” so that no one point would be emphasized over others .
Hummes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak about any point , and this shows that he appreciates all of them because they are the products of the Synod , they are not the product of a small group of theologians but of a synod of the Church .
Everything that the Synod decided and approved is important.
” In an interview with Vatican News , Hummes affirmed that the Pope said that the Church will accept the Amazonia Synod ’ s final document and put it into practice .
“ It is a continuation of the process , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole Church will strive to put this final document into practice , ” Hummes said , and added : “ It is the whole text that the Church must seek to put into practice .
This is very clear , but this is part of a process , which the Pope has also made very clear , which is a process.
” Hummes said that the Synod was the high point in a “ process ” that did not end there .
“ It is a path that we still have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Church must always do in history , ” he concluded .
Another one of the Pope ’ s allies , fellow Argentine Archbishop Fernández of La Plata , wrote in Argentina ’ s La Nacion newspaper that anyone disappointed that the Pope did not specifically mention a married clergy should take heart from what the Pope didn ’ t say .
“ It is clear that if the Pope did not mention some point , that is not because it is discarded , but because he did not wish to repeat what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time ever , an apostolic exhortation is not constituted as an interpretation of a synod ’ s final document nor in a restriction of its contents .
It is merely a complementary framework of that document , ” Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández wrote , adding , “ That is a great novelty of the synod that has been unfortunately unnoticed.
” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told reporters at a press conference earlier this week that the exhortation [ Querida Amazonia ] is “ magisterium , ” adding that the “ final document @ @ @ @ @

Cardinal Hummes said that the Pope 'clearly says that the whole Church will strive to put this final document into practice' which calls for married priests.
BRASILIA, February 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Brazilian Cardinal Cláudio Hummes stated that ordaining married men to the priesthood “must be developed and completed” following the release this week of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Querida Amazonia [Beloved Amazon], which stalled the liberal push for married priests in the Catholic Church.
Known as an ally of Pope Francis, Cardinal Hummes (85) was prominent as the rapporteur at the Amazonia Synod in October, where evangelization, “ecological sin,” the struggles of isolated communities in the region, “new” ministries for women, and the possibility of ordaining mature men “viri probati” to the priesthood were discussed amidst much controversy. Hummes also presides over the Panamazonia Church Network (REPAM), a grouping of bishops and clergy influential in steering the Amazon Synod that has also advocated for married men.
REPAM helped organize the Amazonia Synod, bringing clergy and laity from the countries of the Amazon Basin to the Vatican. The synod featured the worship of the Pachamama earth goddess by clergy in the presence of the Pope in the Vatican Gardens, sparking accusations of idolatry.
The Instrumentum Laboris or working document that guided the Synod led to controversy even before the meeting, having been condemned by Cardinals Gerhard Muller and Walter Brandmuller. For his part, fellow German Bishop Erwin Krautler and Synod organizer said he hoped that at least female deaconesses would result from the Synod. He said that those who oppose the Synod, “which has been called by the Pope, are against Francis.”
Hummes has advocated for married priests for more than a decade. Just before becoming prefect of the Congregation for Clergy in 2006, for instance, he told an interviewer that priestly celibacy is not a dogma of the church and that it should be reviewed. His remarks earned him a rebuke from then-Pope Benedict XVI, who had him state that celibacy for the clergy is not debatable.
Section 111 of the final document of the Amazonia Synod suggested that some Church ministries be conferred to women, and that married men should be considered for the priesthood. That final document, Hummes said, should not be rejected or shelved. Moreover, Hummes said that “the Synod is not the end of the process.” While Hummes and others had hoped that the Amazon Synod might have kicked off a change in Church discipline regarding celibacy for priests, the Pope did not mention it in Querida Amazonia.
While speaking at the headquarters of the Brazilian Conference of Catholic Bishops about Querida Amazonia on Wednesday, Hummes said that he believes the Pope did not intend to “replace” the conclusions of the final document about priestly ordination. “This issue, like all the rest, should be worked on with the Pope by the agencies of the Holy See. It will be taken up again,” he said in a press conference in Brazil's capital. “This matter will have to be developed and completed,” he added.
In Querida Amazonia, Pope Francis says that he intends to “officially present the [synod’s] final document,” while encouraging “everyone to read it,” and “strive to apply it” according to their vocation in the Church. While some observers contend that the exhortation shut one door on married priests, others contend that its ambiguous wording may have opened a back door.
In his preamble to Querida Amazonia, the Pope wrote: “I will not go into all of the issues treated at length in the final document. Nor do I claim to replace that text or to duplicate it. I wish merely to propose a brief framework for reflection that can apply concretely to the life of the Amazon region a synthesis of some of the larger concerns that I have expressed in earlier documents, and that can help guide us to a harmonious, creative and fruitful reception of the entire synodal process.”
At the end of the preamble, the Pope writes: “I have preferred not to cite the Final Document in this Exhortation, because I encourage everyone to read it in full.”
Speaking in Brasilia, Cardinal Hummes reflected on the Pope’s words, saying that he “didn’t cite anything” so that no one point would be emphasized over others. Hummes added, “He doesn’t speak about any point, and this shows that he appreciates all of them because they are the products of the Synod, they are not the product of a small group of theologians but of a synod of the Church. Everything that the Synod decided and approved is important.”
In an interview with Vatican News, Hummes affirmed that the Pope said that the Church will accept the Amazonia Synod’s final document and put it into practice. “It is a continuation of the process, he said. “He clearly says that the whole Church will strive to put this final document into practice,” Hummes said, and added: “It is the whole text that the Church must seek to put into practice. This is very clear, but this is part of a process, which the Pope has also made very clear, which is a process.”
Hummes said that the Synod was the high point in a “process” that did not end there. “It is a path that we still have to travel, continue to travel, as the Church must always do in history,” he concluded.
Another one of the Pope’s allies, fellow Argentine Archbishop Fernández of La Plata, wrote in Argentina’s La Nacion newspaper that anyone disappointed that the Pope did not specifically mention a married clergy should take heart from what the Pope didn’t say. “It is clear that if the Pope did not mention some point, that is not because it is discarded, but because he did not wish to repeat what the Synod declared.”
“For the first time ever, an apostolic exhortation is not constituted as an interpretation of a synod’s final document nor in a restriction of its contents. It is merely a complementary framework of that document,” Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández wrote, adding, “That is a great novelty of the synod that has been unfortunately unnoticed.”
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told reporters at a press conference earlier this week that the exhortation [Querida Amazonia] is “magisterium,” adding that the “final document is not magisterium.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-14--Judge slams police for ‘Gestapo’ investigation of UK man’s tweets critical of transgenderism

LONDON , England , February 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A UK High Court judge ruled today that it was “ unlawful ” for police to investigate a man for writing tweets critical of men who say they ’ re ‘ women ’ and to record it as a “ hate incident.
” Mr. Justice Julian Knowles stated that for a member of Humberside Police to go to the workplace of Harry Miller and upbraid him for his political opinions was a “ disproportionate interference '' with Miller ’ s freedom of expression .
Last January , Humberside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business to investigate a third-party complaint that Miller had posted “ transphobic ” tweets .
Miller had retweeted a poem that poked at transgenderism which allegedly included the lines , “ Your breasts are made of silicone , your vagina goes nowhere.
” Miller had also written in a tweet : “ I was assigned mammal at birth , but my orientation is fish .
Do n't mis-species me . ''
When Miller spoke with Police Constable ( PC ) Mansoor Gul , he was given a mini-seminar in trans ideology .
Gul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not committed a crime , his tweets would be recorded as a “ hate incident.
” According to the BBC , Knowles said that the impact of the police turning up at Miller ’ s work `` because of his political opinions must not be underestimated '' .
`` To do so would be to undervalue a cardinal democratic freedom , ” he continued .
`` In this country , we have never had a Cheka , a Gestapo or a Stasi .
We have never lived in an Orwellian society . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Miller denied being prejudiced against “ transgender people ” and considered himself as taking part in a public debate .
He noted also that only one person had complained about Miller ’ s tweets and that her complaint had been recorded as a hate incident “ without any critical scrutiny … or any assessment of whether what she was saying was accurate.
” '' The claimants ' tweets were lawful and there was not the slightest risk that he would commit a criminal offence by continuing to tweet , ” Knowles said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police visiting the claimant 's place of work , and their subsequent statements in relation to the possibility of prosecution , were a disproportionate interference with the claimant 's right to freedom of expression because of their potential chilling effect . ''
Miller told LifeSiteNews that he was “ absolutely delighted ” by the decision .
“ It ’ s a personal vindication after a year-long fight , ” he said .
The former police officer said that the case had exposed that Britain has an ideological police force .
Miller was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Soviet , Nazi , and East German secret police to describe what the Humberside constable had done .
“ He couldn ’ t have used a harsher comparison , ” Miller said and added that police forces can no longer hide behind College of Police guidelines to behave unlawfully .
“ This is a terrible day for the [ College of ] Police , and a fantastic day for liberty and freedom of speech , ” he declared .
Miller said he believes ordinary police officers “ hate ” having to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told LifeSiteNews that he has had many emails from police officers saying so and also that they hoped he would win his challenge to the College of Policing and Humberside Police .
“ They ’ re sick of being used as ideological pawns , ” he explained .
It was not a total victory for Miller and his citizens ’ rights organization Fair Cop : Knowles rejected Miller ’ s argument that the College of Policing guidelines on hate crimes are unlawful .
The judge decided that they “ serve legitimate purposes ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disagrees and told LifeSiteNews that he and Fair Cop are going to take the matter further .
“ We ’ re seeking the right to go to the Supreme Court to get the guidance struck down , ” he said .
He finds the provisions in the guidance for accepting third-party perceptions of “ hatred ” with no evidence being necessary “ irrational.
” Miller added that there have been 87,000 so-called “ non-crime crime incidents ” recorded .
CitizenGO UK chief Caroline Farrow told LifeSiteNews that she found the ruling “ refreshing.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a High Court judge reiterate the principles of free speech which ought to underpin any free and democratic society , ” she said .
“ Nobody should expect a knock on their door from the police as a result of telling the truth about male and female .
While today ’ s judgment is very welcome , [ Miller ] should never have been put in the position of having to fight the police in the High Court.
” Farrow said that Fair Cop should be “ applauded for its decision to appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ The concept of what constitutes a hate incident needs urgent revision , ” she added .
“ This is no longer about Harry Miller , ” he said .
“ This is about the [ British ] people .
”

'In this country, we have never had a Cheka, a Gestapo or a Stasi. We have never lived in an Orwellian society,' the judge said.
LONDON, England, February 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A UK High Court judge ruled today that it was “unlawful” for police to investigate a man for writing tweets critical of men who say they’re ‘women’ and to record it as a “hate incident.”
Mr. Justice Julian Knowles stated that for a member of Humberside Police to go to the workplace of Harry Miller and upbraid him for his political opinions was a “disproportionate interference” with Miller’s freedom of expression.
Last January, Humberside police officers went to Miller’s business to investigate a third-party complaint that Miller had posted “transphobic” tweets. Miller had retweeted a poem that poked at transgenderism which allegedly included the lines, “Your breasts are made of silicone, your vagina goes nowhere.” Miller had also written in a tweet: “I was assigned mammal at birth, but my orientation is fish. Don't mis-species me.”
When Miller spoke with Police Constable (PC) Mansoor Gul, he was given a mini-seminar in trans ideology. Gul also informed Miller that although Miller had not committed a crime, his tweets would be recorded as a “hate incident.”
According to the BBC, Knowles said that the impact of the police turning up at Miller’s work “because of his political opinions must not be underestimated”.
“To do so would be to undervalue a cardinal democratic freedom,” he continued.
“In this country, we have never had a Cheka, a Gestapo or a Stasi. We have never lived in an Orwellian society.”
The BBC reported that the judge acknowledged that Miller denied being prejudiced against “transgender people” and considered himself as taking part in a public debate. He noted also that only one person had complained about Miller’s tweets and that her complaint had been recorded as a hate incident “without any critical scrutiny … or any assessment of whether what she was saying was accurate.”
“The claimants' tweets were lawful and there was not the slightest risk that he would commit a criminal offence by continuing to tweet,” Knowles said.
“I find the combination of the police visiting the claimant's place of work, and their subsequent statements in relation to the possibility of prosecution, were a disproportionate interference with the claimant's right to freedom of expression because of their potential chilling effect.”
Miller told LifeSiteNews that he was “absolutely delighted” by the decision.
“It’s a personal vindication after a year-long fight,” he said.
The former police officer said that the case had exposed that Britain has an ideological police force. Miller was particularly pleased that Knowles had made reference to the Soviet, Nazi, and East German secret police to describe what the Humberside constable had done.
“He couldn’t have used a harsher comparison,” Miller said and added that police forces can no longer hide behind College of Police guidelines to behave unlawfully.
“This is a terrible day for the [College of] Police, and a fantastic day for liberty and freedom of speech,” he declared.
Miller said he believes ordinary police officers “hate” having to follow up complaints about tweets. He told LifeSiteNews that he has had many emails from police officers saying so and also that they hoped he would win his challenge to the College of Policing and Humberside Police.
“They’re sick of being used as ideological pawns,” he explained.
It was not a total victory for Miller and his citizens’ rights organization Fair Cop: Knowles rejected Miller’s argument that the College of Policing guidelines on hate crimes are unlawful. The judge decided that they “serve legitimate purposes” and are “not disproportionate.”
Miller disagrees and told LifeSiteNews that he and Fair Cop are going to take the matter further.
“We’re seeking the right to go to the Supreme Court to get the guidance struck down,” he said.
He finds the provisions in the guidance for accepting third-party perceptions of “hatred” with no evidence being necessary “irrational.” Miller added that there have been 87,000 so-called “non-crime crime incidents” recorded.
“It’s Big Brother double speech,” he stated.
CitizenGO UK chief Caroline Farrow told LifeSiteNews that she found the ruling “refreshing.”
“It was refreshing to hear a High Court judge reiterate the principles of free speech which ought to underpin any free and democratic society,” she said.
“Nobody should expect a knock on their door from the police as a result of telling the truth about male and female. While today’s judgment is very welcome, [Miller] should never have been put in the position of having to fight the police in the High Court.”
Farrow said that Fair Cop should be “applauded for its decision to appeal the guidance that led to this situation.”
“The concept of what constitutes a hate incident needs urgent revision,” she added.
Miller told LifeSiteNews that Fair Cop will “fight on.”
“This is no longer about Harry Miller,” he said.
“This is about the [British] people.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-14--Trump says he’d vote vote for a gay president, predicts most of America would too

February 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – President Donald Trump told Fox News personality Geraldo Rivera that he would be willing to vote for a homosexual man for President of the United States , and predicted that most if not all the country would be open to the same .
Rivera interviewed the president Thursday in a wide-ranging conversation on a host of issues , during which Rivera asked , “ Would Americans vote for a gay man to be president ?
” “ I think so , ” Trump answered .
“ I think there would be some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , I wouldn ’ t be among that group , to be honest with you.
” “ It doesn ’ t seem to be hurting Pete Buttigieg , ” he added , referring to the former South Bend , Indiana mayor and Democrat presidential candidate who currently holds a narrow lead in delegates for his party ’ s nomination .
Buttigieg is “ married ” to another man yet regularly invokes Christianity in contrasting himself with Trump .
“ There would be a group that probably wouldn ’ t .
But , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be in that group , ” Trump continued .
Last year , Gallup found that a record 76 percent of Americans would be willing to vote for a homosexual for president .
Whether Buttigieg would defeat Trump , however , is another matter – a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll found Trump leading Buttigieg 48 percent to 45 percent , a gap that could widen once greater national attention fell on Buttigieg ’ s hard-left stances on issues such as abortion .
Additionally , polling on LGBT political candidates is likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Bradley effect , a phenomenon in which respondents tell pollsters they support a minority candidate in order to avoid being seen as intolerant , but go on to vote against that candidate in the privacy of a voting booth .
A supporter of same-sex “ marriage ” who previously said it was “ absolutely fine ” to see Buttigieg on the campaign trail with his “ husband , ” Trump has a mixed record on LGBT issues .
He has nominated a variety of pro-LGBT officials to various government posts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama-era LGBT policies such as an executive order on “ gender identity nondiscrimination ” and U.S. support for international recognition of homosexual relations at the United Nations Human Rights Council .
His campaign is also actively courting LGBT voters with rainbow merchandise .
At the same time , Trump has prioritized religious liberty and generally been aligned with social conservatives against the gender-fluidity movement , from banning gender-confused soldiers from the military to protecting women from having to share close quarters such as homeless shelters with men claiming to be transgendered .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Equality Act ” and maintains a biological definition of sex in its implementation of federal laws and regulations .
While lamenting the president ’ s moderate-to-liberal stances on some LGBT issues , social conservatives generally find their disagreements more than outweighed by Trump ’ s strong pro-life record and the majority of his judicial nominees , such as the recently-confirmed Sarah Elizabeth Pitlyk .

In an interview with Fox's Geraldo Rivera, the president said of those who couldn't support a homosexual candidate, I 'wouldn't be in that group.'
February 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – President Donald Trump told Fox News personality Geraldo Rivera that he would be willing to vote for a homosexual man for President of the United States, and predicted that most if not all the country would be open to the same.
Rivera interviewed the president Thursday in a wide-ranging conversation on a host of issues, during which Rivera asked, “Would Americans vote for a gay man to be president?”
“I think so,” Trump answered. “I think there would be some that wouldn’t, and you know, I wouldn’t be among that group, to be honest with you.”
“It doesn’t seem to be hurting Pete Buttigieg,” he added, referring to the former South Bend, Indiana mayor and Democrat presidential candidate who currently holds a narrow lead in delegates for his party’s nomination. Buttigieg is “married” to another man yet regularly invokes Christianity in contrasting himself with Trump.
“There would be a group that probably wouldn’t. But, you know, you or I wouldn’t be in that group,” Trump continued.
“We would not,” Rivera agreed.
Last year, Gallup found that a record 76 percent of Americans would be willing to vote for a homosexual for president. Whether Buttigieg would defeat Trump, however, is another matter – a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll found Trump leading Buttigieg 48 percent to 45 percent, a gap that could widen once greater national attention fell on Buttigieg’s hard-left stances on issues such as abortion.
Additionally, polling on LGBT political candidates is likely to be exaggerated to some degree due to the Bradley effect, a phenomenon in which respondents tell pollsters they support a minority candidate in order to avoid being seen as intolerant, but go on to vote against that candidate in the privacy of a voting booth.
A supporter of same-sex “marriage” who previously said it was “absolutely fine” to see Buttigieg on the campaign trail with his “husband,” Trump has a mixed record on LGBT issues. He has nominated a variety of pro-LGBT officials to various government posts and judicial vacancies. He has continued some Obama-era LGBT policies such as an executive order on “gender identity nondiscrimination” and U.S. support for international recognition of homosexual relations at the United Nations Human Rights Council. His campaign is also actively courting LGBT voters with rainbow merchandise.
At the same time, Trump has prioritized religious liberty and generally been aligned with social conservatives against the gender-fluidity movement, from banning gender-confused soldiers from the military to protecting women from having to share close quarters such as homeless shelters with men claiming to be transgendered. The White House also opposes the so-called “Equality Act” and maintains a biological definition of sex in its implementation of federal laws and regulations.
While lamenting the president’s moderate-to-liberal stances on some LGBT issues, social conservatives generally find their disagreements more than outweighed by Trump’s strong pro-life record and the majority of his judicial nominees, such as the recently-confirmed Sarah Elizabeth Pitlyk.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-14--Mississippi Democrat introduces bill to force homeschoolers to use govt-approved courses

JACKSON , Mississippi , February 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A Mississippi Democrat introduced a bill in the state House that would force parents who homeschool their children to “ provide the same curriculum ” as government schools in Grades 9 through 12 .
While homeschool parents and non-public schools currently have considerable freedom to teach children under their care according to their values , Mississippi House Bill 188 would mandate that the same courses on Mississippi History and American Government currently taught in public schools would also be required of homeschool families , as well as private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course must provide students with an examination of the history of the State of Mississippi from the age of discovery and colonization to the present with particular emphasis on the significant political , social , economic and cultural issues of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries which have impacted the diverse ethnic and racial populations of the state .
All private , parochial and home-based school programs shall provide the same curriculum requirements to students enrolled in Grades 9 through 12 .
According to the Mississippi Center for Public Policy ( MCPP ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give the state authority to dictate what parents teach their children and how they teach it.
” The pro-family , pro-life organization argued that homeschool parents have the right to educate their children .
It said that homeschoolers “ generally make that choice because they want to set the curriculum that ’ s appropriate for their children free of state mandates.
” “ Whether or not homeschool families in Mississippi teach Mississippi history or government – and we know most do – that is the choice of the parents , not the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has numerous private and parochial schools , many of which are sponsored by various churches and Christian communities .
In a conversation with LifeSiteNews , MCCP communications director Brett Kittredge said that the “ freedom to teach children belongs to private schools that parents opted into and are paying to send their children there , and it belongs to the parents who have chosen to make the sacrifice to homeschool .
They are the ones ultimately responsible for the education of their children.
” Even though the bill is ostensibly limited to mandating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kittredge argued that , nevertheless , it would involve the state “ where it has no business being in homeschool and private school curriculums.
” He said that the bill could start a trend.
” Kittredge added that Mississippi has very good laws regarding educational freedom for private schools and homeschools .
“ This just pushes the state into private lives and private schools .
We don ’ t like that and we think that it sends a bad message.
” The Home School Legal Defense Association ( HSLDA ) has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ petition for parents to send to Mississippi legislators .
HSLDA stated that while “ homeschooling parents embrace teaching History and Government , this bill gives the state the authority to dictate curricular content , which undermines parents ’ freedom to tailor their child ’ s educational program.
” It is parents who have the “ right and responsibility ” to oversee the education of their children , and it is a right that is prior to a “ governmental interest in promoting and requiring education.
” Declaring that compelling homeschoolers to educate their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary or appropriate , HSLDA said : “ The state ought not to compel homeschooling parents to teach specific course content developed by the state or teach subjects a certain way.
” Currently , the Mississippi House has a Republican majority .
Past attempts in the legislature to mandate homeschool and private education have failed .

JACKSON, Mississippi, February 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A Mississippi Democrat introduced a bill in the state House that would force parents who homeschool their children to “provide the same curriculum” as government schools in Grades 9 through 12.
While homeschool parents and non-public schools currently have considerable freedom to teach children under their care according to their values, Mississippi House Bill 188 would mandate that the same courses on Mississippi History and American Government currently taught in public schools would also be required of homeschool families, as well as private and parochial schools.
Introduced by state Rep. John Hines Sr. (D), the bill proposes:
The Mississippi History course must provide students with an examination of the history of the State of Mississippi from the age of discovery and colonization to the present with particular emphasis on the significant political, social, economic and cultural issues of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries which have impacted the diverse ethnic and racial populations of the state. All private, parochial and home-based school programs shall provide the same curriculum requirements to students enrolled in Grades 9 through 12.
According to the Mississippi Center for Public Policy (MCPP), if passed, the bill “would give the state authority to dictate what parents teach their children and how they teach it.” The pro-family, pro-life organization argued that homeschool parents have the right to educate their children. It said that homeschoolers “generally make that choice because they want to set the curriculum that’s appropriate for their children free of state mandates.”
“Whether or not homeschool families in Mississippi teach Mississippi history or government – and we know most do – that is the choice of the parents, not the state,” the group stated.
Mississippi has numerous private and parochial schools, many of which are sponsored by various churches and Christian communities.
In a conversation with LifeSiteNews, MCCP communications director Brett Kittredge said that the “freedom to teach children belongs to private schools that parents opted into and are paying to send their children there, and it belongs to the parents who have chosen to make the sacrifice to homeschool. They are the ones ultimately responsible for the education of their children.”
Even though the bill is ostensibly limited to mandating courses in Mississippi History and American Government, Kittredge argued that, nevertheless, it would involve the state “where it has no business being in homeschool and private school curriculums.” He said that the bill could start a trend.” Kittredge added that Mississippi has very good laws regarding educational freedom for private schools and homeschools. “This just pushes the state into private lives and private schools. We don’t like that and we think that it sends a bad message.”
The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) has also condemned the legislation and has formulated a petition for parents to send to Mississippi legislators.
HSLDA stated that while “homeschooling parents embrace teaching History and Government, this bill gives the state the authority to dictate curricular content, which undermines parents’ freedom to tailor their child’s educational program.” It is parents who have the “right and responsibility” to oversee the education of their children, and it is a right that is prior to a “governmental interest in promoting and requiring education.”
Declaring that compelling homeschoolers to educate their children according to government dictates is neither necessary or appropriate, HSLDA said: “The state ought not to compel homeschooling parents to teach specific course content developed by the state or teach subjects a certain way.”
Currently, the Mississippi House has a Republican majority. Past attempts in the legislature to mandate homeschool and private education have failed.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-14--Pro-life Hollywood actress slams Dems for ‘barbaric platform that champions abortion’

February 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — American actress Patricia Heaton , star of the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond , has called out the Democratic Party for its pro-abortion stance and questioned why any pro-lifer would be interested in knowing whether he ’ s welcome to join the party .
Heaton wrote on Twitter yesterday : “ I don ’ t understand why pro-life people want to know if they are “ welcome ” to join the democrat party .
Why would any civilized person want to support a barbaric platform that champions abortion for any reason through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Her comments come after South Bend , Indiana mayor and Democrat presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg last month rejected an appeal from the leader of Democrats for Life for token language in the party platform in order to represent pro-life Democrats .
Kristen Day asked Buttigieg during a candidate town hall whether he wants the support of pro-life Democrats and would “ support more moderate platform language in the Democratic Party to ensure the party of diversity and inclusion really does include everybody.
” “ I ’ m not going to try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am pro-choice , and I believe that a woman ought to be able to make that decision , ” Buttigieg answered .
“ The Democratic platform contains language that basically says that we don ’ t belong , we have no part in the party because it says abortion should be legal up to nine months ; the government should pay for it , ” she said after the event .
“ And there ’ s nothing that says that people that have a diversity of views on this issue should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats are all virtually in lockstep on social issues : they support taxpayer-funded abortion on demand and the homosexual/LGBT cause .
At least two candidates — Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg — list their “ gender pronouns ” in their Twitter bios .
The latter is in a same-sex “ marriage.
” Warren says she will let a gender-confused child vet her nominee for secretary of education if she wins the presidency .
Former vice president Joe Biden has said he would direct the Justice Department to “ do everything in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place any restriction on abortion , including parental notification requirements , ultrasound laws , and waiting periods .
Meanwhile , Sen. Bernie Sanders has threatened that he would “ use the Department of Justice to go after those states ” that restrict abortion “ in every way that I legally can.
” Every Democrat candidate has also pledged to nominate pro-abortion judges to the Supreme Court and federal bench .

February 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — American actress Patricia Heaton, star of the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, has called out the Democratic Party for its pro-abortion stance and questioned why any pro-lifer would be interested in knowing whether he’s welcome to join the party.
Heaton wrote on Twitter yesterday: “I don’t understand why pro-life people want to know if they are “welcome” to join the democrat party. Why would any civilized person want to support a barbaric platform that champions abortion for any reason through all nine months funded by taxpayers?”
I don’t understand why pro-life people want to know if they are “welcome” to join the democrat party. Why would any civilized person want to support a barbaric platform that champions abortion for any reason through all nine months funded by taxpayers? — Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) February 12, 2020
Her comments come after South Bend, Indiana mayor and Democrat presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg last month rejected an appeal from the leader of Democrats for Life for token language in the party platform in order to represent pro-life Democrats.
Kristen Day asked Buttigieg during a candidate town hall whether he wants the support of pro-life Democrats and would “support more moderate platform language in the Democratic Party to ensure the party of diversity and inclusion really does include everybody.”
“I’m not going to try to earn your vote by tricking you. I am pro-choice, and I believe that a woman ought to be able to make that decision,” Buttigieg answered.
Buttigieg’s answer did not leave Day satisfied.
“The Democratic platform contains language that basically says that we don’t belong, we have no part in the party because it says abortion should be legal up to nine months; the government should pay for it,” she said after the event. “And there’s nothing that says that people that have a diversity of views on this issue should be included in the party.”
The 2020 Democrats are all virtually in lockstep on social issues: they support taxpayer-funded abortion on demand and the homosexual/LGBT cause. At least two candidates — Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg — list their “gender pronouns” in their Twitter bios. The latter is in a same-sex “marriage.” Warren says she will let a gender-confused child vet her nominee for secretary of education if she wins the presidency. Former vice president Joe Biden has said he would direct the Justice Department to “do everything in its power” to block state laws that place any restriction on abortion, including parental notification requirements, ultrasound laws, and waiting periods. Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders has threatened that he would “use the Department of Justice to go after those states” that restrict abortion “in every way that I legally can.” Every Democrat candidate has also pledged to nominate pro-abortion judges to the Supreme Court and federal bench.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-14--This dad begged for the life of his 7-month-old unborn son. His ex aborted anyway

February 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A particularly tragic abortion case made headlines in Colombia when a young woman obtained the abortion of her seven-month-old unborn child despite her ex-boyfriend ’ s desperate fight for the life of his baby .
Juan Pablo Medina , 25 , had been pleading online and in the media to be allowed to save his son , whom the couple had already decided to have baptized under the name of Juan Sebastián , offering to take care of him alone .
Now he is asking for all that is left to him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a Christian burial .
The Colombian bishops ’ conference reacted strongly , calling abortion a “ death penalty inflicted on the smallest and the defenseless.
” The abortion took place on February 11 , under the authority of the local family planning association ironically named “ Profamilia , ” which is an affiliate of the International Federation of Planned Parenthood .
Profamilia committed the abortion even though it was not covered by legal exceptions as defined by Colombia ’ s constitutional court in 2006 .
At seven months , a fetus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedure is gruesome .
The little boy had no disease or malformation , and the pregnancy was progressing without any health problems either for the child or for his mother , according to the father .
Juan Pablo Medina ’ s heartbreaking loss followed what looked like an ordinary story of an ordinary couple from the suburbs of Bogotá .
The senior law student from Popayán in the southeast of the Colombian capital told the media that when Juanse was conceived , it was the result of a joint decision on the part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 22-year-old student , and himself .
They had been together for 14 months , and they both wanted a baby .
It was in September of last year that they discovered that she was three months along .
“ It made us very happy , ” says Medina .
They actively prepared to welcome the child .
His joy came to a sudden halt on December 27 , when his girlfriend 's mother learned about the pregnancy .
According to Medina , he was at that point separated from his girlfriend by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was jeopardizing her studies and her career .
He lost all contact with her .
On January 7 , he learned that she had been voluntarily hospitalized and was asking for a voluntary abortion .
Mutual friends conveyed the message to Medina that the baby had a malformation ; it was also said to him that she was in a critical condition .
Medina never believed that , because a December 6 sonogram had shown the baby in perfect condition .
Besides , the mother did not obtain the abortion she was asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by law had been verified : illness or malformation of the fetus , rape , or a serious threat to the physical or mental health of the woman .
In particular , her health care providers were not prepared to certify that her mental health was in danger .
The girl ’ s parents later told Medina that she thought she was not ready to have a child and that she wanted to get along with her career .
According to them , she also thought she didn ’ t have enough money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She was discharged from hospital on January 21 , at which point the pro-abortion NGO Profamilia took over .
Founded in 1965 , when it campaigned for legal contraception , it stepped over to lobbying for legal abortion after the 2006 decision of the Constitutional Court .
Profamilia is presently working to make abortion legal unconditionally during the first three months of pregnancy through a bid to change Colombia ’ s jurisprudence .
A presentation by a pro-abortion magistrate , Judge Linares , is expected to be heard by the Constitutional Court two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expert ” for Profamilia , Juan Carlos Vargas , told El Expectador that if the pro-abortion association has its way , with a “ right ” to abortion during the first 15 weeks of pregnancy , legal exceptions would still apply for abortions beyond three months of gestation .
Profamilia refused to take Medina ’ s pleas into account .
For nearly two months , the young man attempted to block the abortion , organizing protests at the foot of the clinic of Popayán where the abortion would take place .
Medina even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , through which he also hoped to obtain legal guardianship of his son .
During this procedure , Profamila said that on January 22 , a “ psychological assessment ” of the mother had been made .
It said that the grounds of threat to her “ mental health ” were verified and that this factor had justified that it should prepare to go on with the procedure , as was its “ obligation.
” According to RCNRadio , the young woman , named Angie Tatiana Palta , gave the station an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused both Medina and her family of pressuring her into keeping her child and saying she was in a “ nightmare.
” According to Infobae.com from Argentina , the judge decided that Profamilia ’ s opinion was not sufficient and that another assessment should be made .
The pro-abortion NGO replied that this would be a hindrance to a “ fundamental right ” and that , being duty-bound to guarantee that abortion services be obtained according to guidelines from National Health Services , it should normally do so within five workdays after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra medical certificates would constitute “ a hindrance and an administrative barrier ” to abortion “ rights.
” During this hearing , the local public prosecutor of Popayán told the court that there were no legal grounds for the abortion and that such a procedure would be illegal in this case .
On January 30 , the judge did not openly reject the mother 's bid to abort but , noting that Profamilia ’ s gynecologist had authored her psychological assessment , made clear that this doctor was not the right person to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mental health .
The judge decided that the mother would have to undergo further psychological testing before she could go ahead with the abortion .
But Profamilia did not wait for that to happen .
It proceeded with the abortion on February 11 .
It justified the act on the grounds that “ the young woman had undergone emotional changes when she learned that she was pregnant.
” It quoted depression , crying fits , suicidal ideation , and loss of sleep and appetite .
“ She wanted once more to become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , dancing , and making jokes.
” It is not known whether the woman was told of her ex-boyfriend ’ s wish to look after their baby alone if she did not want the child .
The judiciary authorities were the ones who told Medina that the abortion had taken place .
“ They ’ ve killed him , ” he answered .
He is now filing criminal complaints against his girlfriend and her mother , accusing the latter of having instigated the abortion .
He published a statement thanking the many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few months and speaking of his grief at having lost his son , whom he had hoped to see being born and growing up .
“ I would have given him all my love , ” he said .
Profamilia told the media that in this sort of case , it is simply a question of pitching one right against another right .
“ A woman is a being who exists , ” Juan Carlos Vargas told El Expreso .
“ A pregnancy is a project , ” he added .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the person already existing , he claimed , glossing over the fact that if Juanse had been born prematurely at seven months , he would have been taken care of as a human being — the human being he already was in his mother 's womb .
On Wednesday , a demonstration was held in front of the headquarters of Profamilia in Bogotá , accusing the NGO of not defending the family in Colombia and shouting : “ No to the torturers , yes to life !
” Men and women of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians and even candle and flower vendors , according to lafm.com .
Services of the Bogotá municipality responded , asking for the complete decriminalization of abortion Colombia .
Claudia López , the capital ’ s mayor , stands behind this demand .
In a statement , the archbishop of Popayán , Luis José Rueda Aparicio , quoted St. John Paul II ’ s Evangelium Vitae to recall that “ every life is a gift from God and good news.
” On February 13 , reacting to news of the death of Juanse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Colombia leads us to be as a voice in the desert fighting for the fragile lives of unborn children.
” Bishop Rueda added that human beings should be respected as persons from the moment of conception and that the “ inviolable right of every innocent human being to life ” should be recognized .
He added that even when laws exist against nascent human life , “ we must recall that the mission to defend life in homes , in hospitals , in universities , in the country and in the cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , women and men , with scientific , legal , ethical , and spiritual arguments.
” The Colombian bishops ’ conference also published a communiqué shortly before the abortion took place , calling for prayer for the little boy ’ s life .
Its signatories said they were “ perplexed ” by the fact that the institutions of Colombia “ should not guarantee the rights of a father who , with insistence and determination , is fighting for the life of his son.
” “ We reaffirm that life is sacred , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to Heaven and deeply wounds society .
It is impossible to build peace while implementing this death penalty against the smallest and the defenseless , ” they proclaimed .
“ All the limits of logic have been crossed , ” they added , calling on all Catholics to join in “ prayer days for the victims of abortion .
”

Juan Pablo Medina, 25, had offered to take care of his baby alone. The child's mother, and his grandmother, would not be moved, and now baby Juanse is dead.
Analysis
February 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A particularly tragic abortion case made headlines in Colombia when a young woman obtained the abortion of her seven-month-old unborn child despite her ex-boyfriend’s desperate fight for the life of his baby. Juan Pablo Medina, 25, had been pleading online and in the media to be allowed to save his son, whom the couple had already decided to have baptized under the name of Juan Sebastián, offering to take care of him alone. Now he is asking for all that is left to him: the possibility to give “Juanse” a Christian burial.
The Colombian bishops’ conference reacted strongly, calling abortion a “death penalty inflicted on the smallest and the defenseless.”
The abortion took place on February 11, under the authority of the local family planning association ironically named “Profamilia,” which is an affiliate of the International Federation of Planned Parenthood. Profamilia committed the abortion even though it was not covered by legal exceptions as defined by Colombia’s constitutional court in 2006.
At seven months, a fetus is generally deemed viable, and the abortion procedure is gruesome. The little boy had no disease or malformation, and the pregnancy was progressing without any health problems either for the child or for his mother, according to the father.
Juan Pablo Medina’s heartbreaking loss followed what looked like an ordinary story of an ordinary couple from the suburbs of Bogotá. The senior law student from Popayán in the southeast of the Colombian capital told the media that when Juanse was conceived, it was the result of a joint decision on the part of his girlfriend, who was then a 22-year-old student, and himself. They had been together for 14 months, and they both wanted a baby.
It was in September of last year that they discovered that she was three months along. “It made us very happy,” says Medina. They actively prepared to welcome the child.
His joy came to a sudden halt on December 27, when his girlfriend's mother learned about the pregnancy. According to Medina, he was at that point separated from his girlfriend by her family, who told her she was jeopardizing her studies and her career. He lost all contact with her. On January 7, he learned that she had been voluntarily hospitalized and was asking for a voluntary abortion.
Mutual friends conveyed the message to Medina that the baby had a malformation; it was also said to him that she was in a critical condition.
Medina never believed that, because a December 6 sonogram had shown the baby in perfect condition. Besides, the mother did not obtain the abortion she was asking for because none of the circumstances defined by law had been verified: illness or malformation of the fetus, rape, or a serious threat to the physical or mental health of the woman. In particular, her health care providers were not prepared to certify that her mental health was in danger.
The girl’s parents later told Medina that she thought she was not ready to have a child and that she wanted to get along with her career. According to them, she also thought she didn’t have enough money to take care of the baby.
She was discharged from hospital on January 21, at which point the pro-abortion NGO Profamilia took over. Founded in 1965, when it campaigned for legal contraception, it stepped over to lobbying for legal abortion after the 2006 decision of the Constitutional Court.
Profamilia is presently working to make abortion legal unconditionally during the first three months of pregnancy through a bid to change Colombia’s jurisprudence. A presentation by a pro-abortion magistrate, Judge Linares, is expected to be heard by the Constitutional Court two weeks from now. A “scientific expert” for Profamilia, Juan Carlos Vargas, told El Expectador that if the pro-abortion association has its way, with a “right” to abortion during the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, legal exceptions would still apply for abortions beyond three months of gestation.
Profamilia refused to take Medina’s pleas into account. For nearly two months, the young man attempted to block the abortion, organizing protests at the foot of the clinic of Popayán where the abortion would take place.
Medina even filed a criminal complaint for attempted murder, through which he also hoped to obtain legal guardianship of his son. During this procedure, Profamila said that on January 22, a “psychological assessment” of the mother had been made. It said that the grounds of threat to her “mental health” were verified and that this factor had justified that it should prepare to go on with the procedure, as was its “obligation.”
According to RCNRadio, the young woman, named Angie Tatiana Palta, gave the station an interview on January 17, in which she accused both Medina and her family of pressuring her into keeping her child and saying she was in a “nightmare.”
According to Infobae.com from Argentina, the judge decided that Profamilia’s opinion was not sufficient and that another assessment should be made. The pro-abortion NGO replied that this would be a hindrance to a “fundamental right” and that, being duty-bound to guarantee that abortion services be obtained according to guidelines from National Health Services, it should normally do so within five workdays after the consultation. It added that asking for extra medical certificates would constitute “a hindrance and an administrative barrier” to abortion “rights.”
During this hearing, the local public prosecutor of Popayán told the court that there were no legal grounds for the abortion and that such a procedure would be illegal in this case. On January 30, the judge did not openly reject the mother's bid to abort but, noting that Profamilia’s gynecologist had authored her psychological assessment, made clear that this doctor was not the right person to have done so, not being specialized in mental health. The judge decided that the mother would have to undergo further psychological testing before she could go ahead with the abortion.
But Profamilia did not wait for that to happen. It proceeded with the abortion on February 11. It justified the act on the grounds that “the young woman had undergone emotional changes when she learned that she was pregnant.” It quoted depression, crying fits, suicidal ideation, and loss of sleep and appetite. “She wanted once more to become a joyful young woman who enjoyed going out, dancing, and making jokes.”
It is not known whether the woman was told of her ex-boyfriend’s wish to look after their baby alone if she did not want the child.
The judiciary authorities were the ones who told Medina that the abortion had taken place.
“They’ve killed him,” he answered. He is now filing criminal complaints against his girlfriend and her mother, accusing the latter of having instigated the abortion. He published a statement thanking the many Colombians who helped him over the last few months and speaking of his grief at having lost his son, whom he had hoped to see being born and growing up. “I would have given him all my love,” he said.
Profamilia told the media that in this sort of case, it is simply a question of pitching one right against another right. “A woman is a being who exists,” Juan Carlos Vargas told El Expreso. “A pregnancy is a project,” he added. It was therefore normal to privilege the right of the person already existing, he claimed, glossing over the fact that if Juanse had been born prematurely at seven months, he would have been taken care of as a human being — the human being he already was in his mother's womb.
On Wednesday, a demonstration was held in front of the headquarters of Profamilia in Bogotá, accusing the NGO of not defending the family in Colombia and shouting: “No to the torturers, yes to life!” Men and women of all ages were present, as well as politicians and even candle and flower vendors, according to lafm.com.
Services of the Bogotá municipality responded, asking for the complete decriminalization of abortion Colombia. Claudia López, the capital’s mayor, stands behind this demand.
In a statement, the archbishop of Popayán, Luis José Rueda Aparicio, quoted St. John Paul II’s Evangelium Vitae to recall that “every life is a gift from God and good news.” On February 13, reacting to news of the death of Juanse, he stated: “The social environment in Colombia leads us to be as a voice in the desert fighting for the fragile lives of unborn children.”
Bishop Rueda added that human beings should be respected as persons from the moment of conception and that the “inviolable right of every innocent human being to life” should be recognized.
He added that even when laws exist against nascent human life, “we must recall that the mission to defend life in homes, in hospitals, in universities, in the country and in the cities, is incumbent upon all of us, women and men, with scientific, legal, ethical, and spiritual arguments.”
The Colombian bishops’ conference also published a communiqué shortly before the abortion took place, calling for prayer for the little boy’s life. Its signatories said they were “perplexed” by the fact that the institutions of Colombia “should not guarantee the rights of a father who, with insistence and determination, is fighting for the life of his son.”
“We reaffirm that life is sacred, and that abortion is an injustice that cries out to Heaven and deeply wounds society. It is impossible to build peace while implementing this death penalty against the smallest and the defenseless,” they proclaimed. “All the limits of logic have been crossed,” they added, calling on all Catholics to join in “prayer days for the victims of abortion.”
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