lifesitenews--2020-09-04--Archbishop Viganò: We will remain in the Church, fight the modernists who undermine the faith

September 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò , responding to a set of questions published by LifeSite ’ s journalist Stephen Kokx , sets the record straight with regard to the ongoing battle for the faith in the Church .
That is to say : he makes it clear that one has to remain in the Catholic Church and that , instead , those who undermine the faith as it has been handed down to us from the apostles have to leave .
He calls upon faithful Catholics to fight and to live a life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is important , inasmuch as in recent days , both Father Thomas Weinandy , as well as Father Raymond de Souza , spread the suspicion that the Italian prelate might be “ schismatic , ” thus intending to leave the Catholic Church .
This suspicion had arisen because of Viganò 's critique of the Second Vatican Council and its detrimental effects on the life of the faith in the Church .
For example , de Souza 's article is entitled : “ Is Archbishop Viganò ’ s Rejection of the Second Vatican Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ My concern is that , in his radical reading of the Council , the archbishop is spawning his own schism.
” In an August 22 article published by the traditional Catholic newspaper Catholic Family News , Kokx had asked Viganò a set of questions with regard to what faithful laity can do in the midst of this Church crisis that is going back to the Council .
Kokx suggested Viganò needs to give more advice to laity and priests on what to do next : “ He ’ s certainly diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions , if any ?
What , in other words , is it that he believes Catholics in the 21st century should do in response to the crisis ?
” Archbishop Viganò 's response as published on September 1 by Catholic Family News ( see full text below ) is clear : it is not the faithful Catholics who oppose the changing of the faith , but those who perpetrate these changes that ought to be questioned .
He writes that we need to discuss “ the position of those who , declaring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have spread over these decades , with the awareness that these represent a rupture with the preceding Magisterium .
In this case it is licit to doubt their real adherence to the Catholic Church , in which however they hold official roles that confer authority on them.
” If people who hold heterodox views are in positions of authority in the Church , he continues , “ It is an illicitly exercised authority , if its purpose is to force the faithful to accept the revolution imposed since the Council.
” Thus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the traditional faithful – that is , true Catholics , in the words of Saint Pius X – that must abandon the Church in which they have the full right to remain and from which it would be unfortunate to separate ; but rather the Modernists who usurp the Catholic name , precisely because it is only the bureaucratic element that permits them not to be considered on a par with any heretical sect.
” In addition and on a practical level , the Italian prelate gives us advice on how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working on our sanctification and remaining in the state of “ sanctifying grace.
” But at the same time , we are to assist and “ comfort ” good priests and bishops , seeking out reverent Masses .
“ Faithful laity have the right and the duty to find priests , communities , and institutes that are faithful to the perennial Magisterium , ” Viganò explains .
“ And may they know how to accompany the laudable celebration of the liturgy in the Ancient Rite with adherence to sound doctrine and morals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Council.
” Finally , Archbishop Viganò also praises the Society of Saint Pius X ( SSPX ) , which has defended the traditional faith for decades now .
They “ deserve recognition ” for their work of preserving the Catholic faith , he says , and adds that he considers Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre , the founder of this Society , to be a “ confessor of the Faith.
” Here we might remember that just recently , a cardinal stated that Lefebvre will one day be declared a “ Doctor of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prophetic.
” Let us close with Viganò 's last words of his response to Kokx ’ s questions : “ The cure for rebellion is obedience .
The cure for heresy is faithfulness to the teaching of Tradition .
The cure for schism is filial devotion for the Sacred Pastors .
The cure for apostasy is love for God and His Most Holy Mother .
The cure for vice is the humble practice of virtue .
The cure for the corruption of morals is to live constantly in the presence of God .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stolid servility ; respect for authority can not be perverted into the obeisance of the court .
And let ’ s not forget that if it is the duty of the laity to obey their Pastors , it is even a more grave duty of the Pastors to obey God , usque ad effusionem sanguinis.
” Below is the full statement by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò , reprinted with permission : Disclaimer : The following positions adopted and advice offered by Archbishop Viganò do not necessarily represent the views of LifeSiteNews and are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read with lively interest your article “ Questions for Viganò : His Excellency is Right about Vatican II , But What Does He Think Catholic Should Do Now ?
” which was published by Catholic Family News on August 22 ( here ) .
I am happy to respond to your questions , which address matters that are very important for the faithful .
You ask : “ What would ‘ separating ’ from the Conciliar Church look like in Archbishop Viganò ’ s opinion ?
” I respond to you with another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to separate from the Catholic Church according to the supporters of the Council ?
” While it is clear that no admixture is possible with those who propose adulterated doctrines of the conciliar ideological manifesto , it should be noted that the simple fact of being baptized and of being living members of the Church of Christ does not imply adherence to the conciliar team ; this is true above all for the simple faithful and also for secular and regular clerics who , for various reasons , sincerely consider themselves Catholics and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be clarified is the position of those who , declaring themselves Catholic , embrace the heterodox doctrines that have spread over these decades , with the awareness that these represent a rupture with the preceding Magisterium .
In this case it is licit to doubt their real adherence to the Catholic Church , in which however they hold official roles that confer authority on them .
It is an illicitly exercised authority , if its purpose is to force the faithful to accept the revolution imposed since the Council .
Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is evident that it is not the traditional faithful – that is , true Catholics , in the words of Saint Pius X – that must abandon the Church in which they have the full right to remain and from which it would be unfortunate to separate ; but rather the Modernists who usurp the Catholic name , precisely because it is only the bureaucratic element that permits them not to be considered on a par with any heretical sect .
This claim of theirs serves in fact to prevent them from ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that over the course of the centuries have believed to be able to reform the Church at their own pleasure , placing their pride ahead of humbly guarding the teaching of Our Lord .
But just as it is not possible to claim citizenship in a homeland in which one does not know its language , law , faith and tradition ; so it is impossible that those who do not share the faith , morals , liturgy , and discipline of the Catholic Church can arrogate to themselves the right to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels of the hierarchy .
Therefore let us not give in to the temptation to abandon – albeit with justified indignation – the Catholic Church , on the pretext that it has been invaded by heretics and fornicators : it is they who must be expelled from the sacred enclosure , in a work of purification and penance that must begin with each one of us .
It is also evident that there are widespread cases in which the faithful encounter serious problems in frequenting their parish church , just as there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is celebrated in the Catholic Rite .
The horrors that have been rampant for decades in many our parishes and shrines make it impossible even to assist at a “ Eucharist ” without being disturbed and putting one ’ s faith at risk , just as it is very difficult to ensure a Catholic education , Sacraments being worthily celebrated , and solid spiritual guidance for oneself and one ’ s children .
In these cases faithful laity have the right and the duty to find priests , communities , and institutes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And may they know how to accompany the laudable celebration of the liturgy in the Ancient Rite with adherence to sound doctrine and morals , without any subsidence on the front of the Council .
The situation is certainly more complex for clerics , who depend hierarchically on their bishop or religious superior , but who at the same time have the right to remain Catholic and be able to celebrate according to the Catholic Rite .
On the one hand laity have more freedom of movement in choosing the community to which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and religious instruction , but less autonomy because of the fact that they still have to depend on a priest ; on the other hand , clerics have less freedom of movement , since they are incardinated in a diocese or order and are subject to ecclesiastical authority , but they have more autonomy because of the fact that they can legitimately decide to celebrate the Mass and administer the Sacraments in the Tridentine Rite and to preach in conformity with sound doctrine .
The Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum reaffirmed that faithful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which can not be denied – to avail themselves of the liturgy that more perfectly expresses their Catholic Faith .
But this right must be used today not only and not so much to preserve the extraordinary form of the rite , but to testify to adherence to the depositum fidei that finds perfect correspondence only in the Ancient Rite .
I daily receive heartfelt letters from priests and religious who are marginalized or transferred or ostracized because of their fidelity to the Church : the temptation to find an ubi consistam [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clamor of the Innovators is strong , but we ought to take an example from the persecutions that many saints have undergone , including Saint Athanasius , who offers us a model of how to behave in the face of widespread heresy and persecuting fury .
As my venerable brother Bishop Athanasius Schneider has many times recalled , the Arianism that afflicted the Church at the time of the Holy Doctor of Alexandria in Egypt was so widespread among the bishops that it leaves one almost to believe that Catholic orthodoxy had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the fidelity and heroic testimony of the few bishops who remained faithful that the Church knew how to get back up again .
Without this testimony , Arianism would not have been defeated ; without our testimony today , Modernism and the globalist apostasy of this pontificate will not be defeated .
It is therefore not a question of working from within the Church or outside it : the winemakers are called to work in the Lord ’ s Vineyard , and it is there that they must remain even at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are called to pastor the Lord ’ s Flock , to keep the ravenous wolves at bay and to drive away the mercenaries who are not concerned with the salvation of the sheep and lambs .
This hidden and often silent work has been carried out by the Society of Saint Pius X , which deserves recognition for not having allowed the flame of Tradition to be extinguished at a moment in which celebrating the ancient Mass was considered subversive and a reason for excommunication .
Its priests have been a healthy thorn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has seen in them an unacceptable point of comparison for the faithful , a constant reproach for the betrayal committed against the people of God , an inadmissible alternative to the new conciliar path .
And if their fidelity made disobedience to the pope inevitable with the episcopal consecrations , thanks to them the Society was able to protect herself from the furious attack of the Innovators and by its very existence it allowed the possibility of the liberalization of the Ancient Rite , which until then was prohibited .
Its presence also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conciliar sect to emerge , always winking at heretics and idolaters but implacably rigid and intolerant towards Catholic Truth .
I consider Archbishop Lefebvre an exemplary confessor of the Faith , and I think that by now it is obvious that his denunciation of the Council and the modernist apostasy is more relevant than ever .
It should not be forgotten that the persecution to which Archbishop Lefebvre was subjected by the Holy See and the world episcopate served above all as a deterrent for Catholics who were refractory toward the conciliar revolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of His Excellency Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais about the co-presence of two entities in Rome : the Church of Christ has been occupied and eclipsed by the modernist conciliar structure , which has established itself in the same hierarchy and uses the authority of its ministers to prevail over the Spouse of Christ and our Mother .
The Church of Christ – which not only subsists in the Catholic Church , but is exclusively the Catholic Church – is only obscured and eclipsed by a strange extravagant Church established in Rome , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catherine Emmerich .
It coexists , like wheat with the tare , in the Roman Curia , in dioceses , in parishes .
We can not judge our pastors for their intentions , nor suppose that all of them are corrupt in faith and morals ; on the contrary , we can hope that many of them , hitherto intimidated and silent , will understand , as confusion and apostasy continue to spread , the deception to which they have been subjected and will finally shake off their slumber .
There are many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others will necessarily follow , together with good priests , certainly present in every diocese .
This awakening of the Church militant – I would dare to call it almost a resurrection – is necessary , urgent and inevitable : no son tolerates his mother being outraged by the servants , or his father being tyrannized by the administrators of his goods .
The Lord offers us , in these painful situations , the possibility of being His allies in fighting this holy battle under His banner : the King Who is victorious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share the honor of triumphal victory and the eternal reward that derives from it , after having endured and suffered with Him .
But in order to deserve the immortal glory of Heaven we are called to rediscover – in an emasculated age devoid of values such as honor , faithfulness to one ’ s word , and heroism – a fundamental aspect of the faith of every baptized person : the Christian life is a militia , and with the Sacrament of Confirmation we are called to be soldiers of Christ , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course , in most cases it is essentially a spiritual battle , but over the course of history we have seen how often , faced with the violation of the sovereign rights of God and the liberty of the Church , it was also necessary to take up arms : we are taught this by the strenuous resistance to repel the Islamic invasions in Lepanto and on the outskirts of Vienna , the persecution of the Cristeros in Mexico , of the Catholics in Spain , and even today by the cruel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Never as today can we understand the theological hatred coming from the enemies of God , inspired by Satan .
The attack on everything that recalls the Cross of Christ – on Virtue , on the Good and the Beautiful , on purity – must spur us to get up , in a leap of pride , in order to claim our right not only not to be persecuted by our external enemies but also and above all to have strong and courageous pastors , holy and God-fearing , who will do exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : preach the Gospel of Christ , convert individuals and nations , and expand the Kingdom of the living and true God throughout the world .
We are all called to make an act of Fortitude – a forgotten cardinal virtue , which not by chance in Greek recalls virile strength , ἀνδρεία – in knowing how to resist the Modernists : a resistance that is rooted in Charity and Truth , which are attributes of God .
If you only celebrate the Tridentine Mass and preach sound doctrine without ever mentioning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to you ?
Throw you out of your churches , perhaps , and then what ?
No one can ever prevent you from renewing the Holy Sacrifice , even if it is on a makeshift altar in a cellar or an attic , as the refractory priests did during the French Revolution , or as happens still today in China .
And if they try to distance you , resist : canon law serves to guarantee the government of the Church in the pursuit of its primary purposes , not to demolish it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fault of the schism lies with those who denounce it , and not , instead , with those who carry it out : the ones who are schismatics and heretics are those who wound and crucify the Mystical Body of Christ , not those who defend it by denouncing the executioners !
The laity can expect their ministers to behave as such , preferring those who prove that they are not contaminated by present errors .
If a Mass becomes an occasion of torture for the faithful , if they are forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heresies and ramblings unworthy of the House of the Lord , it is a thousand times preferable to go to a church where the priest celebrates the Holy Sacrifice worthily , in the rite given to us by Tradition , with preaching in conformity with sound doctrine .
When parish priests and bishops realize that the Christian people demand the Bread of Faith , and not the stones and scorpions of the neo-church , they will lay aside their fears and comply with the legitimate requests of the faithful .
The others , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they are and will be able to gather around them only those who share their errors and perversions .
They will be extinguished by themselves : the Lord dries up the swamp and makes the land on which brambles grow arid ; he extinguishes vocations in corrupt seminaries and in convents rebellious to the Rule .
The lay faithful today have a sacred task : to comfort good priests and good bishops , gathering like sheep around their shepherds .
Give them hospitality , help them , console them in their trials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ division do not predominate , but rather fraternal charity in the bond of Faith .
And since in the order established by God – κόσμος – subjects owe obedience to authority and can not do otherwise than resist it when it abuses its power , no fault will be attributed to them for the infidelity of their leaders , on whom rests the very serious responsibility for the way in which they exercise the vicarious power which has been given to them .
We must not rebel , but oppose ; we must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our pastors , but pray for them and admonish them respectfully ; we must not question their authority but the way in which they use it .
I am certain , with a certainty that comes to me from Faith , that the Lord will not fail to reward our fidelity , after having punished us for the faults of the men of the Church , granting us holy priests , holy bishops , holy cardinals , and above all a holy Pope .
But these saints will arise from our families , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : families , communities , and churches in which the grace of God must be cultivated with constant prayer , with the frequenting of Holy Mass and the Sacraments , with the offering of sacrifices and penances that the Communion of Saints permits us to offer to the Divine Majesty in order to expiate our sins and those of our brethren , including those who exercise authority .
The laity have a fundamental role in this , guarding the Faith within their families , in such a way that our young people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear of God may one day be responsible fathers and mothers , but also worthy ministers of the Lord , His heralds in the male and female religious orders , and His apostles in civil society .
The cure for rebellion is obedience .
The cure for heresy is faithfulness to the teaching of Tradition .
The cure for schism is filial devotion for the Sacred Pastors .
The cure for apostasy is love for God and His Most Holy Mother .
The cure for vice is the humble practice of virtue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to live constantly in the presence of God .
But obedience can not be perverted into stolid servility ; respect for authority can not be perverted into the obeisance of the court .
And let ’ s not forget that if it is the duty of the laity to obey their Pastors , it is even a more grave duty of the Pastors to obey God , usque ad effusionem sanguinis .

'It is not the traditional faithful – that is, true Catholics, in the words of Saint Pius X – that must abandon the Church in which they have the full right to remain and from which it would be unfortunate to separate; but rather the Modernists who usurp the Catholic name, precisely because it is only the bureaucratic element that permits them not to be considered on a par with any heretical sect.'
September 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, responding to a set of questions published by LifeSite’s journalist Stephen Kokx, sets the record straight with regard to the ongoing battle for the faith in the Church. That is to say: he makes it clear that one has to remain in the Catholic Church and that, instead, those who undermine the faith as it has been handed down to us from the apostles have to leave. He calls upon faithful Catholics to fight and to live a life of sanctifying grace.
This new statement is important, inasmuch as in recent days, both Father Thomas Weinandy, as well as Father Raymond de Souza, spread the suspicion that the Italian prelate might be “schismatic,” thus intending to leave the Catholic Church. This suspicion had arisen because of Viganò's critique of the Second Vatican Council and its detrimental effects on the life of the faith in the Church. For example, de Souza's article is entitled: “Is Archbishop Viganò’s Rejection of the Second Vatican Council Promoting Schism?” And Weinandy stated: “My concern is that, in his radical reading of the Council, the archbishop is spawning his own schism.”
In an August 22 article published by the traditional Catholic newspaper Catholic Family News, Kokx had asked Viganò a set of questions with regard to what faithful laity can do in the midst of this Church crisis that is going back to the Council.
Kokx suggested Viganò needs to give more advice to laity and priests on what to do next: “He’s certainly diagnosed the problem, but what are his solutions, if any? What, in other words, is it that he believes Catholics in the 21st century should do in response to the crisis?”
Archbishop Viganò's response as published on September 1 by Catholic Family News (see full text below) is clear: it is not the faithful Catholics who oppose the changing of the faith, but those who perpetrate these changes that ought to be questioned. He writes that we need to discuss “the position of those who, declaring themselves Catholic, embrace the heterodox doctrines that have spread over these decades, with the awareness that these represent a rupture with the preceding Magisterium. In this case it is licit to doubt their real adherence to the Catholic Church, in which however they hold official roles that confer authority on them.”
If people who hold heterodox views are in positions of authority in the Church, he continues, “It is an illicitly exercised authority, if its purpose is to force the faithful to accept the revolution imposed since the Council.”
Thus, Viganò continues, “it is not the traditional faithful – that is, true Catholics, in the words of Saint Pius X – that must abandon the Church in which they have the full right to remain and from which it would be unfortunate to separate; but rather the Modernists who usurp the Catholic name, precisely because it is only the bureaucratic element that permits them not to be considered on a par with any heretical sect.”
In addition and on a practical level, the Italian prelate gives us advice on how to live and grow in the faith, working on our sanctification and remaining in the state of “sanctifying grace.” But at the same time, we are to assist and “comfort” good priests and bishops, seeking out reverent Masses.
“Faithful laity have the right and the duty to find priests, communities, and institutes that are faithful to the perennial Magisterium,” Viganò explains. “And may they know how to accompany the laudable celebration of the liturgy in the Ancient Rite with adherence to sound doctrine and morals, without any subsidence on the front of the Council.”
Finally, Archbishop Viganò also praises the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), which has defended the traditional faith for decades now. They “deserve recognition” for their work of preserving the Catholic faith, he says, and adds that he considers Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the founder of this Society, to be a “confessor of the Faith.”
Here we might remember that just recently, a cardinal stated that Lefebvre will one day be declared a “Doctor of the Church” and that he was “prophetic.”
Let us close with Viganò's last words of his response to Kokx’s questions:
“The cure for rebellion is obedience. The cure for heresy is faithfulness to the teaching of Tradition. The cure for schism is filial devotion for the Sacred Pastors. The cure for apostasy is love for God and His Most Holy Mother. The cure for vice is the humble practice of virtue. The cure for the corruption of morals is to live constantly in the presence of God. But obedience cannot be perverted into stolid servility; respect for authority cannot be perverted into the obeisance of the court. And let’s not forget that if it is the duty of the laity to obey their Pastors, it is even a more grave duty of the Pastors to obey God, usque ad effusionem sanguinis.”
Below is the full statement by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, reprinted with permission:
Disclaimer: The following positions adopted and advice offered by Archbishop Viganò do not necessarily represent the views of LifeSiteNews and are presented only for your information.
Dear Mr. Kokx,
I read with lively interest your article “Questions for Viganò: His Excellency is Right about Vatican II, But What Does He Think Catholic Should Do Now?” which was published by Catholic Family News on August 22 (here). I am happy to respond to your questions, which address matters that are very important for the faithful.
You ask: “What would ‘separating’ from the Conciliar Church look like in Archbishop Viganò’s opinion?” I respond to you with another question: “What does it mean to separate from the Catholic Church according to the supporters of the Council?” While it is clear that no admixture is possible with those who propose adulterated doctrines of the conciliar ideological manifesto, it should be noted that the simple fact of being baptized and of being living members of the Church of Christ does not imply adherence to the conciliar team; this is true above all for the simple faithful and also for secular and regular clerics who, for various reasons, sincerely consider themselves Catholics and recognize the Hierarchy.
Instead, what needs to be clarified is the position of those who, declaring themselves Catholic, embrace the heterodox doctrines that have spread over these decades, with the awareness that these represent a rupture with the preceding Magisterium. In this case it is licit to doubt their real adherence to the Catholic Church, in which however they hold official roles that confer authority on them. It is an illicitly exercised authority, if its purpose is to force the faithful to accept the revolution imposed since the Council.
Once this point has been clarified, it is evident that it is not the traditional faithful – that is, true Catholics, in the words of Saint Pius X – that must abandon the Church in which they have the full right to remain and from which it would be unfortunate to separate; but rather the Modernists who usurp the Catholic name, precisely because it is only the bureaucratic element that permits them not to be considered on a par with any heretical sect. This claim of theirs serves in fact to prevent them from ending up among the hundreds of heretical movements that over the course of the centuries have believed to be able to reform the Church at their own pleasure, placing their pride ahead of humbly guarding the teaching of Our Lord. But just as it is not possible to claim citizenship in a homeland in which one does not know its language, law, faith and tradition; so it is impossible that those who do not share the faith, morals, liturgy, and discipline of the Catholic Church can arrogate to themselves the right to remain within her and even to ascend the levels of the hierarchy.
Therefore let us not give in to the temptation to abandon – albeit with justified indignation – the Catholic Church, on the pretext that it has been invaded by heretics and fornicators: it is they who must be expelled from the sacred enclosure, in a work of purification and penance that must begin with each one of us.
It is also evident that there are widespread cases in which the faithful encounter serious problems in frequenting their parish church, just as there are ever fewer churches where the Holy Mass is celebrated in the Catholic Rite. The horrors that have been rampant for decades in many our parishes and shrines make it impossible even to assist at a “Eucharist” without being disturbed and putting one’s faith at risk, just as it is very difficult to ensure a Catholic education, Sacraments being worthily celebrated, and solid spiritual guidance for oneself and one’s children. In these cases faithful laity have the right and the duty to find priests, communities, and institutes that are faithful to the perennial Magisterium. And may they know how to accompany the laudable celebration of the liturgy in the Ancient Rite with adherence to sound doctrine and morals, without any subsidence on the front of the Council.
The situation is certainly more complex for clerics, who depend hierarchically on their bishop or religious superior, but who at the same time have the right to remain Catholic and be able to celebrate according to the Catholic Rite. On the one hand laity have more freedom of movement in choosing the community to which they turn for Mass, the Sacraments, and religious instruction, but less autonomy because of the fact that they still have to depend on a priest; on the other hand, clerics have less freedom of movement, since they are incardinated in a diocese or order and are subject to ecclesiastical authority, but they have more autonomy because of the fact that they can legitimately decide to celebrate the Mass and administer the Sacraments in the Tridentine Rite and to preach in conformity with sound doctrine. The Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum reaffirmed that faithful and priests have the inalienable right – which cannot be denied – to avail themselves of the liturgy that more perfectly expresses their Catholic Faith. But this right must be used today not only and not so much to preserve the extraordinary form of the rite, but to testify to adherence to the depositum fidei that finds perfect correspondence only in the Ancient Rite.
I daily receive heartfelt letters from priests and religious who are marginalized or transferred or ostracized because of their fidelity to the Church: the temptation to find an ubi consistam [a place to stand] far from the clamor of the Innovators is strong, but we ought to take an example from the persecutions that many saints have undergone, including Saint Athanasius, who offers us a model of how to behave in the face of widespread heresy and persecuting fury. As my venerable brother Bishop Athanasius Schneider has many times recalled, the Arianism that afflicted the Church at the time of the Holy Doctor of Alexandria in Egypt was so widespread among the bishops that it leaves one almost to believe that Catholic orthodoxy had completely disappeared. But it was thanks to the fidelity and heroic testimony of the few bishops who remained faithful that the Church knew how to get back up again. Without this testimony, Arianism would not have been defeated; without our testimony today, Modernism and the globalist apostasy of this pontificate will not be defeated.
It is therefore not a question of working from within the Church or outside it: the winemakers are called to work in the Lord’s Vineyard, and it is there that they must remain even at the cost of their lives; the pastors are called to pastor the Lord’s Flock, to keep the ravenous wolves at bay and to drive away the mercenaries who are not concerned with the salvation of the sheep and lambs.
This hidden and often silent work has been carried out by the Society of Saint Pius X, which deserves recognition for not having allowed the flame of Tradition to be extinguished at a moment in which celebrating the ancient Mass was considered subversive and a reason for excommunication. Its priests have been a healthy thorn in the side for a hierarchy that has seen in them an unacceptable point of comparison for the faithful, a constant reproach for the betrayal committed against the people of God, an inadmissible alternative to the new conciliar path. And if their fidelity made disobedience to the pope inevitable with the episcopal consecrations, thanks to them the Society was able to protect herself from the furious attack of the Innovators and by its very existence it allowed the possibility of the liberalization of the Ancient Rite, which until then was prohibited. Its presence also allowed the contradictions and errors of the conciliar sect to emerge, always winking at heretics and idolaters but implacably rigid and intolerant towards Catholic Truth.
I consider Archbishop Lefebvre an exemplary confessor of the Faith, and I think that by now it is obvious that his denunciation of the Council and the modernist apostasy is more relevant than ever. It should not be forgotten that the persecution to which Archbishop Lefebvre was subjected by the Holy See and the world episcopate served above all as a deterrent for Catholics who were refractory toward the conciliar revolution.
I also agree with the observation of His Excellency Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais about the co-presence of two entities in Rome: the Church of Christ has been occupied and eclipsed by the modernist conciliar structure, which has established itself in the same hierarchy and uses the authority of its ministers to prevail over the Spouse of Christ and our Mother.
The Church of Christ – which not only subsists in the Catholic Church, but is exclusively the Catholic Church – is only obscured and eclipsed by a strange extravagant Church established in Rome, according to the vision of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich. It coexists, like wheat with the tare, in the Roman Curia, in dioceses, in parishes. We cannot judge our pastors for their intentions, nor suppose that all of them are corrupt in faith and morals; on the contrary, we can hope that many of them, hitherto intimidated and silent, will understand, as confusion and apostasy continue to spread, the deception to which they have been subjected and will finally shake off their slumber. There are many laity who are raising their voice; others will necessarily follow, together with good priests, certainly present in every diocese. This awakening of the Church militant – I would dare to call it almost a resurrection – is necessary, urgent and inevitable: no son tolerates his mother being outraged by the servants, or his father being tyrannized by the administrators of his goods. The Lord offers us, in these painful situations, the possibility of being His allies in fighting this holy battle under His banner: the King Who is victorious over error and death permits us to share the honor of triumphal victory and the eternal reward that derives from it, after having endured and suffered with Him.
But in order to deserve the immortal glory of Heaven we are called to rediscover – in an emasculated age devoid of values such as honor, faithfulness to one’s word, and heroism – a fundamental aspect of the faith of every baptized person: the Christian life is a militia, and with the Sacrament of Confirmation we are called to be soldiers of Christ, under whose insignia we must fight. Of course, in most cases it is essentially a spiritual battle, but over the course of history we have seen how often, faced with the violation of the sovereign rights of God and the liberty of the Church, it was also necessary to take up arms: we are taught this by the strenuous resistance to repel the Islamic invasions in Lepanto and on the outskirts of Vienna, the persecution of the Cristeros in Mexico, of the Catholics in Spain, and even today by the cruel war against Christians throughout the world. Never as today can we understand the theological hatred coming from the enemies of God, inspired by Satan. The attack on everything that recalls the Cross of Christ – on Virtue, on the Good and the Beautiful, on purity – must spur us to get up, in a leap of pride, in order to claim our right not only not to be persecuted by our external enemies but also and above all to have strong and courageous pastors, holy and God-fearing, who will do exactly what their predecessors have done for centuries: preach the Gospel of Christ, convert individuals and nations, and expand the Kingdom of the living and true God throughout the world.
We are all called to make an act of Fortitude – a forgotten cardinal virtue, which not by chance in Greek recalls virile strength, ἀνδρεία – in knowing how to resist the Modernists: a resistance that is rooted in Charity and Truth, which are attributes of God.
If you only celebrate the Tridentine Mass and preach sound doctrine without ever mentioning the Council, what can they ever do to you? Throw you out of your churches, perhaps, and then what? No one can ever prevent you from renewing the Holy Sacrifice, even if it is on a makeshift altar in a cellar or an attic, as the refractory priests did during the French Revolution, or as happens still today in China. And if they try to distance you, resist: canon law serves to guarantee the government of the Church in the pursuit of its primary purposes, not to demolish it. Let’s stop fearing that the fault of the schism lies with those who denounce it, and not, instead, with those who carry it out: the ones who are schismatics and heretics are those who wound and crucify the Mystical Body of Christ, not those who defend it by denouncing the executioners!
The laity can expect their ministers to behave as such, preferring those who prove that they are not contaminated by present errors. If a Mass becomes an occasion of torture for the faithful, if they are forced to assist at sacrileges or to support heresies and ramblings unworthy of the House of the Lord, it is a thousand times preferable to go to a church where the priest celebrates the Holy Sacrifice worthily, in the rite given to us by Tradition, with preaching in conformity with sound doctrine. When parish priests and bishops realize that the Christian people demand the Bread of Faith, and not the stones and scorpions of the neo-church, they will lay aside their fears and comply with the legitimate requests of the faithful. The others, true mercenaries, will show themselves for what they are and will be able to gather around them only those who share their errors and perversions. They will be extinguished by themselves: the Lord dries up the swamp and makes the land on which brambles grow arid; he extinguishes vocations in corrupt seminaries and in convents rebellious to the Rule.
The lay faithful today have a sacred task: to comfort good priests and good bishops, gathering like sheep around their shepherds. Give them hospitality, help them, console them in their trials. Create community in which murmuring and division do not predominate, but rather fraternal charity in the bond of Faith. And since in the order established by God – κόσμος – subjects owe obedience to authority and cannot do otherwise than resist it when it abuses its power, no fault will be attributed to them for the infidelity of their leaders, on whom rests the very serious responsibility for the way in which they exercise the vicarious power which has been given to them. We must not rebel, but oppose; we must not be pleased with the errors of our pastors, but pray for them and admonish them respectfully; we must not question their authority but the way in which they use it.
I am certain, with a certainty that comes to me from Faith, that the Lord will not fail to reward our fidelity, after having punished us for the faults of the men of the Church, granting us holy priests, holy bishops, holy cardinals, and above all a holy Pope. But these saints will arise from our families, from our communities, from our churches: families, communities, and churches in which the grace of God must be cultivated with constant prayer, with the frequenting of Holy Mass and the Sacraments, with the offering of sacrifices and penances that the Communion of Saints permits us to offer to the Divine Majesty in order to expiate our sins and those of our brethren, including those who exercise authority. The laity have a fundamental role in this, guarding the Faith within their families, in such a way that our young people who are educated in love and in the fear of God may one day be responsible fathers and mothers, but also worthy ministers of the Lord, His heralds in the male and female religious orders, and His apostles in civil society.
The cure for rebellion is obedience. The cure for heresy is faithfulness to the teaching of Tradition. The cure for schism is filial devotion for the Sacred Pastors. The cure for apostasy is love for God and His Most Holy Mother. The cure for vice is the humble practice of virtue. The cure for the corruption of morals is to live constantly in the presence of God. But obedience cannot be perverted into stolid servility; respect for authority cannot be perverted into the obeisance of the court. And let’s not forget that if it is the duty of the laity to obey their Pastors, it is even a more grave duty of the Pastors to obey God, usque ad effusionem sanguinis.
+ Carlo Maria Viganò, Archbishop
September 1, 2020
Translated by Giuseppe Pellegrino
Follow Maike Dr. Maike Hickson was born and raised in Germany. She holds a PhD from the University of Hannover, Germany, after having written in Switzerland her doctoral dissertation on the history of Swiss intellectuals before and during World War II. She now lives in the U.S. and is married to Dr. Robert Hickson, and they have been blessed with two beautiful children. She is a happy housewife who likes to write articles when time permits. Dr. Hickson published in 2014 a Festschrift, a collection of some thirty essays written by thoughtful authors in honor of her husband upon his 70th birthday, which is entitled A Catholic Witness in Our Time. Hickson has closely followed the papacy of Pope Francis and the developments in the Catholic Church in Germany, and she has been writing articles on religion and politics for U.S. and European publications and websites such as LifeSiteNews, OnePeterFive, The Wanderer, Rorate Caeli, Catholicism.org, Catholic Family News, Christian Order, Notizie Pro-Vita, Corrispondenza Romana, Katholisches.info, Der Dreizehnte, Zeit-Fragen, and Westfalen-Blatt.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-04--Report shows Trump’s Justice Department will launch antitrust case against Google

WASHINGTON , D.C. , September 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The New York Times has claimed that U.S. attorney general William Barr and the Department of Justice plan to bring antitrust charges against Google in the coming weeks .
According to the new report , Justice Department officials have told lawyers working on the antitrust inquiry into Google “ to wrap up their work by the end of September.
” The Times claims that “ [ m ] ost of the 40-odd lawyers who had been working on the investigation opposed the deadline ” and that a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The report also claims that Barr has shown a “ deep interest ” in the Google case and that he has been working on plans related to it during trips and vacations .
Google ’ s censorship of conservatives has come under increasing scrutiny in recent months , with evidence suggesting that numerous conservative news outlets have been particularly targeted by the internet giant since their core search in May .
During the recent big-tech antitrust hearing at the U.S. House of Representatives in July , Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-Fla. ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blacklisting of conservative news websites from its online search results after Google CEO Sundar Pichai admitted that the creation of lists of blocked sites “ can involve a manual portion.
” Immediately prior to the hearing , independent journalist Mike Cernvoich released what is apparently a leaked internal Republican memo penned by Jordan , which Cernovich says “ sells out Conservatives to Big Tech.
” The 39-page memo indicated that Republicans in Congress will not take any significant action against the internet giants .
PETITION : Break up Big Tech tyrants and defend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Even if this hearing suggests that Google , Amazon , Apple , or Facebook have acted unlawfully , that would not necessarily mean underlying antitrust law needs an overhaul , ” the memo reads .
A Republican spokesperson responded to the memo , which was also covered in Politico , saying that it was simply a “ guidance memo ” intended as an “ information and learning tool ” and that it doesn ’ t represent the official GOP position .
President Donald Trump has said he will issue executive orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” if Congress fails to act .
“ If Congress doesn ’ t bring fairness to Big Tech , which they should have done years ago , I will do it myself with Executive Orders .
In Washington , it has been ALL TALK and NO ACTION for years , and the people of our Country are sick and tired of it !
” Trump tweeted as July ’ s antitrust hearing at the U.S. House of Representatives began .

According to the new report, Justice Department officials have told lawyers working on the antitrust inquiry into Google 'to wrap up their work by the end of September.'
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The New York Times has claimed that U.S. attorney general William Barr and the Department of Justice plan to bring antitrust charges against Google in the coming weeks.
According to the new report, Justice Department officials have told lawyers working on the antitrust inquiry into Google “to wrap up their work by the end of September.”
The Times claims that “[m]ost of the 40-odd lawyers who had been working on the investigation opposed the deadline” and that a number of them have recently left the case.
The report also claims that Barr has shown a “deep interest” in the Google case and that he has been working on plans related to it during trips and vacations.
Google’s censorship of conservatives has come under increasing scrutiny in recent months, with evidence suggesting that numerous conservative news outlets have been particularly targeted by the internet giant since their core search in May.
During the recent big-tech antitrust hearing at the U.S. House of Representatives in July, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) accused Google of election interference through the blacklisting of conservative news websites from its online search results after Google CEO Sundar Pichai admitted that the creation of lists of blocked sites “can involve a manual portion.”
Immediately prior to the hearing, independent journalist Mike Cernvoich released what is apparently a leaked internal Republican memo penned by Jordan, which Cernovich says “sells out Conservatives to Big Tech.”
The 39-page memo indicated that Republicans in Congress will not take any significant action against the internet giants.
PETITION: Break up Big Tech tyrants and defend free speech! Sign the petition here.
“Even if this hearing suggests that Google, Amazon, Apple, or Facebook have acted unlawfully, that would not necessarily mean underlying antitrust law needs an overhaul,” the memo reads.
A Republican spokesperson responded to the memo, which was also covered in Politico, saying that it was simply a “guidance memo” intended as an “information and learning tool” and that it doesn’t represent the official GOP position.
President Donald Trump has said he will issue executive orders to “bring fairness to Big Tech” if Congress fails to act.
“If Congress doesn’t bring fairness to Big Tech, which they should have done years ago, I will do it myself with Executive Orders. In Washington, it has been ALL TALK and NO ACTION for years, and the people of our Country are sick and tired of it!” Trump tweeted as July’s antitrust hearing at the U.S. House of Representatives began.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-04--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

September 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united daily in prayer , in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade .
Catholics from all over the world—from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , Pakistan , Singapore , the Philippines , India , Indonesia , Australia , New Zealand , Thailand , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Brazil , and other countries—are gathering daily to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Pillari , J.C.L.
, an American priest currently studying in Italy .
Our goal is , by means of this daily rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima , the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
To help obtain that goal , Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide rosary crusade : O Immaculate Heart of Mary , you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother .
Look upon the distress in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church .
In Fatima you warned against these errors , as you spoke about the errors of Russia .
You are the Mediatrix of all graces .
Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope : that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart , so that Russia will be converted , a period of peace will be granted to the world , and your Immaculate Heart will triumph , through an authentic renewal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purity of the Catholic Faith , of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life .
O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother , turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer .
Amen .
+ Athanasius Schneider , Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady ’ s message at Fatima , and about what you can do , please read Cardinal Burke ’ s 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //voiceofthefamily.com/full-text-cardinal-burkes-historic-call-for-consecration-of-russia/ ) .
As St. Padre Pio once said , “ The rosary is the weapon for these times.
” Through prayer , God can shape history , change the world , and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world , through the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
Join us today !
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this rosary , you can access them via this PDF .
This document also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily rosary on LifeSite led by Fr .
Pillari .
Send photos or videos of you and your family praying the rosary with Father Pillari to [ email protected ]

(LifeSiteNews) — In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church, LifeSite is happy to promote Regina Angelorum Press’s Daily Rosary, which is offering Catholics throughout the world the chance to be united daily in prayer, in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade.
Catholics from all over the world — from Israel, Uganda, Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Pakistan, Singapore, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and other countries — are gathering daily to pray the Rosary, led by Father Pillari, JCL, MCL, STL, an American priest currently studying in Italy.
The Daily Rosary is being offered each day at 12noon EST through Regina Angelorum Press’ YouTube Channel to which you can subscribe HERE.
The goal is, by means of this Daily Rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima, the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.
To help obtain that goal, Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide Rosary crusade:
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother. Look upon the distress in which the Church and the whole of humanity are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church. In Fatima you warned against these errors, as you spoke about the errors of Russia. You are the Mediatrix of all graces. Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope: that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart, so that Russia will be converted, a period of peace will be granted to the world, and your Immaculate Heart will triumph, through an authentic renewal of the Church in the splendor of the purity of the Catholic Faith, of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life. O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother, turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer. Amen. + Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana
To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady’s message at Fatima, and about what you can do, please read Cardinal Burke’s 2017 address at the Rome Life Forum.
As St. Padre Pio once said, “The Rosary is the weapon for these times.” Through prayer, God can shape history, change the world, and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world, through the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart. Join us today!
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this Rosary, you can access them HERE. The document also includes a brief F.A.Q. pertaining to the daily Rosary.
You can send your prayer requests to https://reginangelorumpress.com/prayer-intentions/
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lifesitenews--2020-09-04--Facebook to block ‘political ads’ one week before election day

PETITION : Break up Big Tech tyrants and defend free speech !
Sign the petition here .
September 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Exactly two months before election day , Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced yesterday he was going to block “ new political and issue ads in the last week of the campaign.
” The presidential campaign of President Donald Trump immediately criticized Facebook ’ s new policy .
“ In the last seven days of the most important election in our history , President Trump will be banned from defending himself on the largest platform in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the campaign ’ s press secretaries , stated .
“ When millions of voters will be making their decisions , the President will be silenced by the Silicon Valley Mafia , who will at the same time allow corporate media to run their biased ads to swing voters in key states , ” she added .
In a press release , Facebook also said it would “ remove posts that claim that people will get COVID-19 if they take part in voting , and we ’ ll attach a link to authoritative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might use COVID-19 to discourage voting.
” The social media giant added it would “ attach an informational label to content that seeks to delegitimize the outcome of the election or discuss the legitimacy of voting methods , for example , by claiming that lawful methods of voting will lead to fraud.
” This measure could be directed at President Trump , who has warned via Twitter that because of mail-in ballots , “ 2020 will be the most RIGGED Election in our nations [ sic ] history — unless this stupidity is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s opponent , Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , had accused the president of “ going to try to steal this election , ” without providing evidence to substantiate his claim .
“ It ’ s my greatest concern , my single greatest concern , ” Biden said .
During an interview with CBS This Morning , Zuckerberg explained that “ if people post content that broadly is trying to delegitimize the outcome of the election , either by saying things like , ‘ Voting by mail will definitely lead to fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that basically undermine these democratic principles of methods of voting that we know are safe , then we 're just gon na add some context to those posts.
” “ Oh , this will definitely apply to the president — once this policy goes into place… and it will apply to everyone equally , ” the 36-year-old Facebook founder emphasized .
“ I have had certain discussions with him in the past , ” Zuckerberg revealed , “ where I ’ ve told him that I thought some of the rhetoric was problematic… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know , be clear about how — just the importance of making sure that people have confidence in the election.
” Facebook is also going to add a label to posts by a candidate or campaign should he or it try “ to declare victory before the final results are in.
” Facebook users , in this case , would be directed “ to the official results from Reuters and the National Election Pool.
” Zuckerberg , in a separate clip of the interview , expressed his uneasiness with “ being the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong , and true and false , in the world , ” but he is willing to “ rely on other authorities , ” for instance “ local elections officials.
” He also said he was worried about there being “ a greater chance of civil unrest and violence after the election , ” given that “ it may take additional time for the votes to get counted this year , especially with mail-in voting.
” Zuckerberg pointed out that “ there ’ s nothing illegitimate about taking a few extra days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure that all the votes get counted .
In fact , it would be illegitimate if we did n't make sure that all of the valid votes were counted.
” Facebook , in another press release , announced that its Messenger would be furnished with a “ forwarding limit … so messages can only be forwarded to five people or groups at a time.
” “ Limiting forwarding is an effective way to slow the spread of viral misinformation and harmful content that has the potential to cause real world harm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s director of product management , Messenger privacy and safety .
Both Facebook and other tech giants like Twitter have been accused of censorship in the past , due to their attempts at labeling posts deemed “ misinformation , ” or even banning users .
Already in January 2019 , long before numerous new measures had been applied to social media platforms in the context of the coronavirus crisis , L. Brent Bozell III commented , “ Facebook is now openly antagonistic toward the right.
” “ Posts aren ’ t just blocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or don ’ t like ; they are blocked by computer programs designed by humans to ensure liberal sensibilities are not offended , ” the founder and president of the Media Research Center ( MRC ) wrote .
“ The New York Times says the company is monitoring ‘ billions of posts per day in over 100 languages.
’ That makes what Facebook is doing almost impossible to track , until it ’ s too late.
” Last month , Bozell and other members of the MRC-led Free Speech Alliance stated , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s complaints and in response has invited us to pound sand .
It ’ s insulting but unsurprising .
Unfortunately , this is how Facebook routinely responds to criticism.
” “ No conservative leader or organization should accept this as a legitimate response to the undeniable issues we have raised , ” the statement continued .
“ This is purely another superficial attempt by Facebook to placate conservatives with empty promises.
” Among dozens of pro-life and conservative organizations , LifeSiteNews is a member of the Free Speech Alliance as well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternative to mainstream media platforms , is gaining steam with its stated devotion to true freedom of speech .
Readers can find LifeSite on Parler .

PETITION: Break up Big Tech tyrants and defend free speech! Sign the petition here.
September 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Exactly two months before election day, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced yesterday he was going to block “new political and issue ads in the last week of the campaign.”
The presidential campaign of President Donald Trump immediately criticized Facebook’s new policy. “In the last seven days of the most important election in our history, President Trump will be banned from defending himself on the largest platform in America,” Samantha Zager, one of the campaign’s press secretaries, stated.
“When millions of voters will be making their decisions, the President will be silenced by the Silicon Valley Mafia, who will at the same time allow corporate media to run their biased ads to swing voters in key states,” she added.
In a press release, Facebook also said it would “remove posts that claim that people will get COVID-19 if they take part in voting, and we’ll attach a link to authoritative information about the coronavirus to posts that might use COVID-19 to discourage voting.”
The social media giant added it would “attach an informational label to content that seeks to delegitimize the outcome of the election or discuss the legitimacy of voting methods, for example, by claiming that lawful methods of voting will lead to fraud.”
This measure could be directed at President Trump, who has warned via Twitter that because of mail-in ballots, “2020 will be the most RIGGED Election in our nations [sic] history — unless this stupidity is ended.”
Prior to that, Trump’s opponent, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, had accused the president of “going to try to steal this election,” without providing evidence to substantiate his claim. “It’s my greatest concern, my single greatest concern,” Biden said.
During an interview with CBS This Morning, Zuckerberg explained that “if people post content that broadly is trying to delegitimize the outcome of the election, either by saying things like, ‘Voting by mail will definitely lead to fraud’ or you know, other things that basically undermine these democratic principles of methods of voting that we know are safe, then we're just gonna add some context to those posts.”
“Oh, this will definitely apply to the president — once this policy goes into place… and it will apply to everyone equally,” the 36-year-old Facebook founder emphasized.
“I have had certain discussions with him in the past,” Zuckerberg revealed, “where I’ve told him that I thought some of the rhetoric was problematic… if I did talk to him, you know, be clear about how — just the importance of making sure that people have confidence in the election.”
Facebook is also going to add a label to posts by a candidate or campaign should he or it try “to declare victory before the final results are in.” Facebook users, in this case, would be directed “to the official results from Reuters and the National Election Pool.”
Zuckerberg, in a separate clip of the interview, expressed his uneasiness with “being the ultimate deciders of what is right and wrong, and true and false, in the world,” but he is willing to “rely on other authorities,” for instance “local elections officials.”
He also said he was worried about there being “a greater chance of civil unrest and violence after the election,” given that “it may take additional time for the votes to get counted this year, especially with mail-in voting.”
Zuckerberg pointed out that “there’s nothing illegitimate about taking a few extra days, or even weeks, in order to make sure that all the votes get counted. In fact, it would be illegitimate if we didn't make sure that all of the valid votes were counted.”
Facebook, in another press release, announced that its Messenger would be furnished with a “forwarding limit … so messages can only be forwarded to five people or groups at a time.”
“Limiting forwarding is an effective way to slow the spread of viral misinformation and harmful content that has the potential to cause real world harm,” argued Jay Sullivan, Facebook’s director of product management, Messenger privacy and safety.
Both Facebook and other tech giants like Twitter have been accused of censorship in the past, due to their attempts at labeling posts deemed “misinformation,” or even banning users.
Already in January 2019, long before numerous new measures had been applied to social media platforms in the context of the coronavirus crisis, L. Brent Bozell III commented, “Facebook is now openly antagonistic toward the right.”
“Posts aren’t just blocked by humans who decide what they do or don’t like; they are blocked by computer programs designed by humans to ensure liberal sensibilities are not offended,” the founder and president of the Media Research Center (MRC) wrote. “The New York Times says the company is monitoring ‘billions of posts per day in over 100 languages.’ That makes what Facebook is doing almost impossible to track, until it’s too late.”
Last month, Bozell and other members of the MRC-led Free Speech Alliance stated, “Facebook has listened to the conservative movement’s complaints and in response has invited us to pound sand. It’s insulting but unsurprising. Unfortunately, this is how Facebook routinely responds to criticism.”
“No conservative leader or organization should accept this as a legitimate response to the undeniable issues we have raised,” the statement continued. “This is purely another superficial attempt by Facebook to placate conservatives with empty promises.”
Among dozens of pro-life and conservative organizations, LifeSiteNews is a member of the Free Speech Alliance as well.
Meanwhile, Parler, the new conservative-friendly alternative to mainstream media platforms, is gaining steam with its stated devotion to true freedom of speech. Readers can find LifeSite on Parler.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-09-04--‘Unplanned’ producers to release documentary on pro-life women of Trump admin

PETITION : Thank President Trump for halting U.S. funding to pro-abortion World Health Organization !
Sign the petition here .
September 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Two producers of Unplanned , the 2019 hit movie about Abby Johnson ’ s conversion from Planned Parenthood director to pro-life activist , released today a trailer for a new documentary about high-ranking women in the Trump administration .
The documentary , which will be released on digital platforms on October 1 , is called The Trump I Know and features exclusive interviews inside the White House and the private homes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration , including Lara Trump , Mercedes Schlapp , Katrina Pierson , Kayleigh McEneny , and Kellyanne Conway .
In an exclusive clip from the documentary obtained by LifeSiteNews , Trump re-election senior advisor Katrina Pierson shares why she ’ s pro-life .
“ My mother was 15 years old , and my mother was pregnant by a slightly older black man .
It was my white grandfather who told his only daughter that abortion wasn ’ t an option .
So , he did what they did back then : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughters away.
” “ So my mother was sent to live with my maternal grandmother in Kansas , where I was born , ” Pierson explained .
“ You know , when I hear the argument today about , well , it ’ s gon na be so hard on the child , you ’ re too young to have a kid ... we ’ re all here on our own journey .
People assume that I ’ m pro-life because of some spiritual conviction .
And that ’ s just not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have one.
” The trailer comes on the heels of the RNC , which featured female pro-life luminaries such as Johnson , McEneny , and Conway .
McEneny , who has an infant daughter , spoke of the president supporting her and her family and said he called her after her breast cancer prevention surgery .
“ As I came out of anesthesia , one of the first calls I received was from Ivanka Trump , ” McEneny shared at the RNC .
“ Days later , as I recovered , my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calling to check on me .
I was blown away .
Here was the leader of the free world caring about me.
” “ Though I didn ’ t personally know the president at the time , I know him well now and I can tell you that this president loves the American people , stands by Americans with preexisting conditions , and supports working moms.
” The Trump I Know also introduces viewers to the First Family , particularly women in the First Family .
The documentary came about thanks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House last year to meet Vice President Pence as part of the promotion for Unplanned .
It was then that he struck up an unexpected friendship with Lara Trump , who is married to the president ’ s son , Eric .
This year Knopp approached Lara about his idea for a documentary that explored the women in the Trump family , administration , business , and campaign .
According to the documentary ’ s creators , “ Some are the children of immigrants , some from very humble beginnings , but all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They were chosen by the President because he saw something in them that many didn ’ t even see in themselves .
Through their stories and through their eyes , get a glimpse of the Trump they know.
” “ When I realized I knew more about the Royal family than the First Family , I had this idea to explore a documentary from the women of the White House , ” said Knopp .
“ No matter what side of the political fence you are on , Americans will want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligent women who make up 60 percent of the White House .
So much information flies around , but how do you really know a person ?
These women have a point of view of President Donald Trump and share very candidly in a way that is authentic and vulnerable .
”

In the documentary, Trump senior advisor Katrina Pierson shares that her mother became pregnant with her at 15: 'I'm pro-life because I have one.'
PETITION: Thank President Trump for halting U.S. funding to pro-abortion World Health Organization! Sign the petition here.
September 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Two producers of Unplanned, the 2019 hit movie about Abby Johnson’s conversion from Planned Parenthood director to pro-life activist, released today a trailer for a new documentary about high-ranking women in the Trump administration.
The documentary, which will be released on digital platforms on October 1, is called The Trump I Know and features exclusive interviews inside the White House and the private homes of some of the most powerful women in the Trump administration, including Lara Trump, Mercedes Schlapp, Katrina Pierson, Kayleigh McEneny, and Kellyanne Conway.
In an exclusive clip from the documentary obtained by LifeSiteNews, Trump re-election senior advisor Katrina Pierson shares why she’s pro-life.
“My mother was 15 years old, and my mother was pregnant by a slightly older black man. It was my white grandfather who told his only daughter that abortion wasn’t an option. So, he did what they did back then: they [sent] their unwed pregnant daughters away.”
“So my mother was sent to live with my maternal grandmother in Kansas, where I was born,” Pierson explained. “You know, when I hear the argument today about, well, it’s gonna be so hard on the child, you’re too young to have a kid…we’re all here on our own journey. People assume that I’m pro-life because of some spiritual conviction. And that’s just not the case. I’m pro-life because I have one.”
The trailer comes on the heels of the RNC, which featured female pro-life luminaries such as Johnson, McEneny, and Conway. McEneny, who has an infant daughter, spoke of the president supporting her and her family and said he called her after her breast cancer prevention surgery.
“As I came out of anesthesia, one of the first calls I received was from Ivanka Trump,” McEneny shared at the RNC. “Days later, as I recovered, my phone rang. It was President Trump, calling to check on me. I was blown away. Here was the leader of the free world caring about me.”
“Though I didn’t personally know the president at the time, I know him well now and I can tell you that this president loves the American people, stands by Americans with preexisting conditions, and supports working moms.”
The Trump I Know also introduces viewers to the First Family, particularly women in the First Family.
The documentary came about thanks to producer Joe Knopp traveling to the White House last year to meet Vice President Pence as part of the promotion for Unplanned. It was then that he struck up an unexpected friendship with Lara Trump, who is married to the president’s son, Eric. This year Knopp approached Lara about his idea for a documentary that explored the women in the Trump family, administration, business, and campaign.
According to the documentary’s creators, “Some are the children of immigrants, some from very humble beginnings, but all are strong, intelligent and talented patriots. They were chosen by the President because he saw something in them that many didn’t even see in themselves. Through their stories and through their eyes, get a glimpse of the Trump they know.”
“When I realized I knew more about the Royal family than the First Family, I had this idea to explore a documentary from the women of the White House,” said Knopp. “No matter what side of the political fence you are on, Americans will want to see and hear from the strong, intelligent women who make up 60 percent of the White House. So much information flies around, but how do you really know a person? These women have a point of view of President Donald Trump and share very candidly in a way that is authentic and vulnerable.”
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lifesitenews--2020-09-04--Criminal investigation opened into woman’s death after abortion at Alabama facility

TUSCALOOSA , Alabama , September 4 , 2020 ( Operation Rescue ) — It has been confirmed that the death of a woman who visited the West Alabama Women ’ s Center abortion facility in Tuscaloosa , Alabama , on May 7 , 2020 , is under criminal investigation .
A coalition of pro-life groups , including CEC for Life , Life Legal Defense , Operation Rescue , and other Alabama organizations sought the autopsy report for a woman who reportedly died at Druid City Hospital , soon after leaving the Tuscaloosa abortion facility .
The request was submitted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patricia Gensemer for “ autopsy reports for any females over 14 years of age and under 40 years of age with a date of death for May 7 , 2020 in Tuscaloosa County .
Your office confirmed on August 5 that files matching this request are finally available.
” Public Records Request for Autopsy – 8-5-2020 by Cheryl Sullenger on Scribd Dr. Gensemer received a written response dated August 27 , 2020 , from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences , which stated in part , “ District Attorney Hays Webb has notified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this case remains under criminal investigation .
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Consequently , the final reports in this case are not currently public record.
” ADFS Response to Autopsy Report Request 8-27-2020 by Cheryl Sullenger on Scribd On the day of the woman ’ s death , pro-life activists outside the West Alabama Women ’ s Center observed her leaving the abortion facility .
She appeared sick and pale , and had to be physically supported as she struggled to walk from the clinic to an awaiting private vehicle , which then reportedly transported her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pronounced dead .
Word of the ongoing criminal investigation surprised the pro-life groups watching this case because AL.com reported on August 13 , 2020 , that an investigation had already been conducted and that the Tuscaloosa Sheriff ’ s Department “ found no basis for criminal charges.
” “ While we are anxious to see the autopsy report , the fact that the case is still under criminal investigation is welcome news , ” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman .
“ Someone died , and it is important that her death be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Director of CEC For Life , responded , “ We are glad to discover that at least one state agency seems to be looking into this woman ’ s death .
Perhaps the Department of Public Health can take a cue from the District Attorney and finally look into whether or not this abortion clinic followed proper protocol in the incident , as well as explain to citizens why a new owner is being allowed a pass on applying for a new license , which their own regulations clearly require.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement and regulatory agencies failing to inform the public about Jane Doe ’ s death ?
Surely , they are not covering up the truth , are they ?
” asked Ellen Hermann , RN , Director of Pro-Life Tuscaloosa .
The West Alabama Women ’ s Center made headlines in May 2020 , when the Yellowhammer Fund purchased it from long-time owner Gloria Gray .
The abortion business continued operating on the facility license issued to Gray and has not been inspected since the Yellowhammer Fund took over operations , reportedly on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman who had visited the clinic died .
The pro-life coalition has additional questions about whether Alabama law was followed in allowing the West Alabama Women ’ s Center to continue operating under the old facility license , or if a new license application should have been submitted .

A coalition of pro-life groups is pushing authorities to uncover the truth of what happened to Jane Doe, who died in the hospital after visiting the West Alabama Women's Center in Tuscaloosa.
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama, September 4, 2020 (Operation Rescue) — It has been confirmed that the death of a woman who visited the West Alabama Women’s Center abortion facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on May 7, 2020, is under criminal investigation.
A coalition of pro-life groups, including CEC for Life, Life Legal Defense, Operation Rescue, and other Alabama organizations sought the autopsy report for a woman who reportedly died at Druid City Hospital, soon after leaving the Tuscaloosa abortion facility.
The request was submitted on August 5, 2020, by Dr. Patricia Gensemer for “autopsy reports for any females over 14 years of age and under 40 years of age with a date of death for May 7, 2020 in Tuscaloosa County. Your office confirmed on August 5 that files matching this request are finally available.”
Public Records Request for Autopsy – 8-5-2020 by Cheryl Sullenger on Scribd
Dr. Gensemer received a written response dated August 27, 2020, from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, which stated in part, “District Attorney Hays Webb has notified the Alabama Department of Forensic Science that this case remains under criminal investigation. . . Consequently, the final reports in this case are not currently public record.”
ADFS Response to Autopsy Report Request 8-27-2020 by Cheryl Sullenger on Scribd
On the day of the woman’s death, pro-life activists outside the West Alabama Women’s Center observed her leaving the abortion facility. She appeared sick and pale, and had to be physically supported as she struggled to walk from the clinic to an awaiting private vehicle, which then reportedly transported her to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
Word of the ongoing criminal investigation surprised the pro-life groups watching this case because AL.com reported on August 13, 2020, that an investigation had already been conducted and that the Tuscaloosa Sheriff’s Department “found no basis for criminal charges.”
“While we are anxious to see the autopsy report, the fact that the case is still under criminal investigation is welcome news,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “Someone died, and it is important that her death be fully investigated.”
Fr. Terry Gensemer, Director of CEC For Life, responded, “We are glad to discover that at least one state agency seems to be looking into this woman’s death. Perhaps the Department of Public Health can take a cue from the District Attorney and finally look into whether or not this abortion clinic followed proper protocol in the incident, as well as explain to citizens why a new owner is being allowed a pass on applying for a new license, which their own regulations clearly require.”
“Why are multiple local and State law enforcement and regulatory agencies failing to inform the public about Jane Doe’s death? Surely, they are not covering up the truth, are they?” asked Ellen Hermann, RN, Director of Pro-Life Tuscaloosa.
The West Alabama Women’s Center made headlines in May 2020, when the Yellowhammer Fund purchased it from long-time owner Gloria Gray. The abortion business continued operating on the facility license issued to Gray and has not been inspected since the Yellowhammer Fund took over operations, reportedly on May 7 — the same day the woman who had visited the clinic died.
The pro-life coalition has additional questions about whether Alabama law was followed in allowing the West Alabama Women’s Center to continue operating under the old facility license, or if a new license application should have been submitted.
Background
Published with permission from Operation Rescue.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-03--Trump promises to ‘fully defund’ Planned Parenthood if he wins election

September 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – President Donald Trump has formally identified what he intends to do for the preborn should he win a second term in office , following controversy over his campaign releasing a second-term agenda document that failed to mention abortion .
“ As I seek re-election this November , I need your help in contrasting my bold pro-life leadership with Joe Biden ’ s abortion extremism , ” Trump says in a letter to pro-life supporters .
“ The Democratic Party unequivocally supports abortion-on-demand , up until the moment of birth , and even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed abortions .
Joe Biden ’ s embrace of this extreme position is most evidenced by his support for taxpayer funding of abortion on-demand .
Forcing taxpayers to pay for abortions is an abhorrent position that must be defeated at the ballot box .
Joe Biden has doubled down on these positions with his selection of abortion extremist Kamala Harris as his running mate.
” Specifically , Trump pledges to “ continue our transformation of the federal judiciary ” via conservative Supreme Court appointees , to “ overcome Democratic filibusters in Congress to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation banning late-term abortion and taxpayer funding of abortion , and strengthening protections for infants born alive after failed abortions ; and to “ fully defund the big abortion industry such as Planned Parenthood of our tax dollars.
” Trump consistently governed as a pro-lifer in his first term , and there was little doubt that a potential second term would bring more of the same .
However , the Trump campaign came under fire last month for releasing a second-term agenda that failed to reference the preborn at all among his list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign quietly added a “ Defending American Values ” section to the agenda document , which pledges to “ continue nominating constitutionalist Supreme Court and lower court judges ” ; “ protect unborn life through every means available ” ; and “ defend the freedoms of religious believers and organizations.
” The unforced error notwithstanding , the November election presents a stark choice for pro-life Americans .
Trump ’ s Democrat opponent , former Vice President Joe Biden , is campaigning on a plan to enshrine effectively unlimited abortion on demand into federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even to use the federal Justice Department to tie the hands of states that try to enact any pro-life restrictions .
House Democrats are also reportedly planning to demand that spending bills no longer include the pro-life Hyde Amendment beginning next year , which would allow direct federal funding of elective abortions .
Whether they ultimately succeed will depend on who controls Congress and the White House next year .

'As I seek re-election this November, I need your help in contrasting my bold pro-life leadership with Joe Biden’s abortion extremism,' Trump says in a letter to pro-life supporters.
URGENT PETITION: Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade! Sign the petition here.
September 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – President Donald Trump has formally identified what he intends to do for the preborn should he win a second term in office, following controversy over his campaign releasing a second-term agenda document that failed to mention abortion.
“As I seek re-election this November, I need your help in contrasting my bold pro-life leadership with Joe Biden’s abortion extremism,” Trump says in a letter to pro-life supporters.
“The Democratic Party unequivocally supports abortion-on-demand, up until the moment of birth, and even infanticide — leaving babies to die after failed abortions. Joe Biden’s embrace of this extreme position is most evidenced by his support for taxpayer funding of abortion on-demand. Forcing taxpayers to pay for abortions is an abhorrent position that must be defeated at the ballot box. Joe Biden has doubled down on these positions with his selection of abortion extremist Kamala Harris as his running mate.”
Specifically, Trump pledges to “continue our transformation of the federal judiciary” via conservative Supreme Court appointees, to “overcome Democratic filibusters in Congress to finally pass and sign into law” legislation banning late-term abortion and taxpayer funding of abortion, and strengthening protections for infants born alive after failed abortions; and to “fully defund the big abortion industry such as Planned Parenthood of our tax dollars.”
Trump consistently governed as a pro-lifer in his first term, and there was little doubt that a potential second term would bring more of the same. However, the Trump campaign came under fire last month for releasing a second-term agenda that failed to reference the preborn at all among his list of priorities.
Out of @TeamTrump’s 50 “core priorities and goals” why isn’t a single one the protection of preborn children or stopping the abortion industry from killing 2300 innocent children every day? https://t.co/QHxSMjfaec — Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) August 24, 2020
Days later, the campaign quietly added a “Defending American Values” section to the agenda document, which pledges to “continue nominating constitutionalist Supreme Court and lower court judges”; “protect unborn life through every means available”; and “defend the freedoms of religious believers and organizations.”
The unforced error notwithstanding, the November election presents a stark choice for pro-life Americans. Trump’s Democrat opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden, is campaigning on a plan to enshrine effectively unlimited abortion on demand into federal law, at taxpayer expense, and even to use the federal Justice Department to tie the hands of states that try to enact any pro-life restrictions.
House Democrats are also reportedly planning to demand that spending bills no longer include the pro-life Hyde Amendment beginning next year, which would allow direct federal funding of elective abortions. Whether they ultimately succeed will depend on who controls Congress and the White House next year.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-05--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

September 5 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united daily in prayer , in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade .
Catholics from all over the world—from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , Pakistan , Singapore , the Philippines , India , Indonesia , Australia , New Zealand , Thailand , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Brazil , and other countries—are gathering daily to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Pillari , J.C.L.
, an American priest currently studying in Italy .
Our goal is , by means of this daily rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima , the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
To help obtain that goal , Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide rosary crusade : O Immaculate Heart of Mary , you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother .
Look upon the distress in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church .
In Fatima you warned against these errors , as you spoke about the errors of Russia .
You are the Mediatrix of all graces .
Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope : that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart , so that Russia will be converted , a period of peace will be granted to the world , and your Immaculate Heart will triumph , through an authentic renewal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purity of the Catholic Faith , of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life .
O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother , turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer .
Amen .
+ Athanasius Schneider , Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady ’ s message at Fatima , and about what you can do , please read Cardinal Burke ’ s 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //voiceofthefamily.com/full-text-cardinal-burkes-historic-call-for-consecration-of-russia/ ) .
As St. Padre Pio once said , “ The rosary is the weapon for these times.
” Through prayer , God can shape history , change the world , and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world , through the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
Join us today !
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this rosary , you can access them via this PDF .
This document also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily rosary on LifeSite led by Fr .
Pillari .
Send photos or videos of you and your family praying the rosary with Father Pillari to [ email protected ]


lifesitenews--2020-09-05--Advocate for legalized teen prostitution takes influential UN post

NEW YORK , September 4 , 2020 ( C-Fam ) — The United Nations has appointed as its top expert on health and human rights a former abortionist who advocates for teen prostitution .
Last April , the author of “ Dr .
T : A Guide to Sexual Health and Pleasure ” and host of a South African television show “ Sex Talk with Dr. T , ” drew a strong rebuke from human trafficking survivors and groups that advocate for them when she penned an article in Teen Vogue encouraging young girls to consider “ sex work.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker rights are women ’ s rights , health rights , labor rights , and the litmus test for intersectional feminism ” wrote Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng in her 2019 article Why Sex Work is Real Work .
“ The idea of purchasing intimacy and paying for the services can be affirming for many people who need human connection , friendship , and emotional support .
Some people may have fantasies and kink preferences that they are able to fulfill with the services of a sex worker.
” Dr. Mofokeng ’ s op-ed outraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against vulnerable women and girls .
At the time , Mofokeng was only a sexual health and rights advocate .
One year later , the South African physician has been elevated to the top position of UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health , where she will take her prostitution decriminalization campaign global .
“ The idea that legalizing or decriminalizing commercial sex would reduce its harms is a persistent myth , ” said Deidre Pujols , Founder of Open Gate International and Co-founder of Strike Out Slavery .
“ Many claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulated , and treated like any other profession , it would be safer .
But research suggests otherwise .
Countries that have legalized or decriminalized commercial sex often experience a surge in human trafficking , pimping , and other related crimes.
” “ Sex buyers do not view the women they purchase as individuals worthy of respect , but instead as subhuman objects to use , ” Haley McNamara told the Friday Fax .
McNamara , Vice President for the UK-based International Centre on Sexual Exploitation ( ICOSE ) cited a U.S.-focused study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prostitution reported they were raped by sex buyers .
The UN has drawn opposition from the anti-trafficking community before .
In the past decade , UN agencies like UN Women , UNAIDs and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have all taken neutral positions on the decriminalization of prostitution .
“ The law that Dr. Mofokeng advocates for fully decriminalizes all aspects of the sex-trade , including brothel-keepers and pimps ( aka traffickers ) , said Helen Taylor , Director of Intervention for Exodus Cry .
“ The United Nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocate for human-traffickers and the buyers who fuel demand to be legalized.
” Taylor urged the UN and Dr. Mofokeng to take a “ survivor-centered approach and align with the Equality model of partial decriminalization only ” which aids exploited women and girls and criminalizes the buyer .
“ The brutality of prostitution is inherent and systemic , wrote Jewell Baraka in response to Mofokeng ’ s appointment .
Baraka , a survivor of sexual exploitation with Exodus Cry implored Dr. Mofokeng to reconsider her views on prostitution .
“ Violence of sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and those that do choose it completely of their own volition are rare .
Most survivors do not tell a story of choice , but of force , fraud , and coercion that landed them in prostitution and kept them from leaving.
” Appointed by the Human Rights Council in Geneva , special rapporteurs are independent from UN Member States and yield considerable influence on how human rights obligations are interpreted within the UN bureaucracy .
Mofokeng ’ s reports advancing sexual rights , including the legalizing of prostitution , will likely be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law by UN agencies and like-minded Member States .

'The idea of purchasing intimacy and paying for the services can be affirming for many people,' insisted Tlaleng Mofokeng, formerly an abortionist and now a U.N. special rapporteur.
NEW YORK, September 4, 2020 (C-Fam) — The United Nations has appointed as its top expert on health and human rights a former abortionist who advocates for teen prostitution.
Last April, the author of “Dr. T: A Guide to Sexual Health and Pleasure” and host of a South African television show “Sex Talk with Dr. T,” drew a strong rebuke from human trafficking survivors and groups that advocate for them when she penned an article in Teen Vogue encouraging young girls to consider “sex work.”
“I believe sex work and sex worker rights are women’s rights, health rights, labor rights, and the litmus test for intersectional feminism” wrote Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng in her 2019 article Why Sex Work is Real Work. “The idea of purchasing intimacy and paying for the services can be affirming for many people who need human connection, friendship, and emotional support. Some people may have fantasies and kink preferences that they are able to fulfill with the services of a sex worker.”
Dr. Mofokeng’s op-ed outraged abolitionists working to end sexual violence perpetrated against vulnerable women and girls. At the time, Mofokeng was only a sexual health and rights advocate. One year later, the South African physician has been elevated to the top position of UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, where she will take her prostitution decriminalization campaign global.
Anti-trafficking groups have reacted strongly.
“The idea that legalizing or decriminalizing commercial sex would reduce its harms is a persistent myth,” said Deidre Pujols, Founder of Open Gate International and Co-founder of Strike Out Slavery. “Many claim if the sex trade were legal, regulated, and treated like any other profession, it would be safer. But research suggests otherwise. Countries that have legalized or decriminalized commercial sex often experience a surge in human trafficking, pimping, and other related crimes.”
“Sex buyers do not view the women they purchase as individuals worthy of respect, but instead as subhuman objects to use,” Haley McNamara told the Friday Fax. McNamara, Vice President for the UK-based International Centre on Sexual Exploitation (ICOSE) cited a U.S.-focused study that found 75% of women in prostitution reported they were raped by sex buyers.
The UN has drawn opposition from the anti-trafficking community before. In the past decade, UN agencies like UN Women, UNAIDs and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have all taken neutral positions on the decriminalization of prostitution.
“The law that Dr. Mofokeng advocates for fully decriminalizes all aspects of the sex-trade, including brothel-keepers and pimps (aka traffickers), said Helen Taylor, Director of Intervention for Exodus Cry. “The United Nations ought to be the last place to advocate for human-traffickers and the buyers who fuel demand to be legalized.”
Taylor urged the UN and Dr. Mofokeng to take a “survivor-centered approach and align with the Equality model of partial decriminalization only” which aids exploited women and girls and criminalizes the buyer.
“The brutality of prostitution is inherent and systemic, wrote Jewell Baraka in response to Mofokeng’s appointment. Baraka, a survivor of sexual exploitation with Exodus Cry implored Dr. Mofokeng to reconsider her views on prostitution. “Violence of sex buyers is not eradicated by a choice and those that do choose it completely of their own volition are rare. Most survivors do not tell a story of choice, but of force, fraud, and coercion that landed them in prostitution and kept them from leaving.”
Appointed by the Human Rights Council in Geneva, special rapporteurs are independent from UN Member States and yield considerable influence on how human rights obligations are interpreted within the UN bureaucracy. Mofokeng’s reports advancing sexual rights, including the legalizing of prostitution, will likely be cited as authoritative interpretations of human rights law by UN agencies and like-minded Member States.
Published with permission from C-Fam.
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