lifesitenews--2020-04-10--A crying cardinal at St. Peter’s becomes a symbol for the Church suffering

PRAYER PLEDGE : Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus Sign the petition here .
April 9 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – At the height of Italy ’ s coronavirus crisis , on April 3 , during the daily rosary at St. Peter 's Basilica in Rome , Cardinal Angelo Comastri repeatedly displayed deep emotion , with a breaking voice calling upon the Blessed Mother to help the world in times of distress .
He will be remembered as an icon of the suffering of the Catholic Church in Italy , but also in the entire world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imitate him and to call upon the Blessed Mother in the rosary to help us .
Cardinal Comastri is the archpriest of St. Peter ’ s Basilica .
As such he presided over the daily rosary at noon at St. Peter ’ s from the start of Italy ’ s shutdown up to Holy Week , which has been live streamed by Vatican News .
Thus , he has been providing a continuous presence of a cardinal of the Catholic Church calling upon Heaven 's help , but also reminding us of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of distress .
As of April 6 , the daily rosary is now being presided over by Archbishop Fabio Dal Cin in Loreto .
On April 3 , Comastri ’ s voice repeatedly broke when praying the rosary and asking the Blessed Mother for help ( below is the full video , especially minutes 27 and 37 ) .
The sorrow of this prelate at the height of Italy 's corona crisis ( which seems now to be slowing down ) is palpable .
The German Rome Correspondent and professor of philosophy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cry from the heart as displayed by Cardinal Comastri : “ At this moment , Cardinal Comastri is our great rampart.
” He calls to the Blessed Mother , with a crying voice , to come to our assistance , just as Our Lady of Fatima asked us to do .
As it turns out , only a few bishops worldwide seem to make it an important aspect of their response to the coronavirus crisis to encourage Catholics in their families to pray the daily rosary , as it has been done throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via Twitter has brought forth a few , but encouraging examples of bishops who expressly call upon the faithful to pray the rosary daily .
Most prominently , Cardinal Raymond Burke is recommending in his spiritual guide the praying of the daily rosary .
In his own guide as to how to respond to the corona-crisis , Bishop Athanasius Schneider , too , recommends the daily rosary .
Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh , when consecrating Ireland to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25 , prayed one decade of the rosary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida is recommending on his diocesan website to pray the rosary ; Bishop Joseph Strickland does the same .
English Bishop Mark Davies live-streamed his praying of the rosary in his cathedral at Shrewsbury , as did English Bishop Patrick McKinney in Nottingham .
This is not an exhaustive list , but it shows that there are many bishops who have not taken this step .
Yet , it is the Blessed Mother to whom we have to turn now , asking her to bring us close to her Son .
The Italian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , explains in a new article the important role of Our Lady in this time of trial .
We shall end this short reflection with his words .
First , de Mattei points to Mary : And then , he further reflects on the important role of St. John the Evangelist who stood side by side with Mary at the Cross : Those devoted to Mary are a spiritual family which has its prototype and patron in St. John , the Evangelist , the beloved apostle , who , on Calvary , received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is summed up in the words of Jesus , when , from the Cross , “ [ He saw ] his mother and the disciple standing whom He loved , He saith to His mother : Woman , behold thy son .
After that , He saith to the disciple : Behold thy mother ” ( John , 19 , 26-27 ) .
With these words Jesus established a divine and indissoluble bond , not only between Our Blessed Mother and St. John – the representative of mankind – but between Her and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. John ’ s faith and fidelity .
St. John is the model of those , who , in the hour of betrayal and renunciation , remain faithful to Jesus , through Mary .

On April 3, Cardinal Comastri’s voice repeatedly broke when praying the rosary and asking the Blessed Mother for help.
PRAYER PLEDGE: Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus Sign the petition here.
April 9, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – At the height of Italy’s coronavirus crisis, on April 3, during the daily rosary at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Cardinal Angelo Comastri repeatedly displayed deep emotion, with a breaking voice calling upon the Blessed Mother to help the world in times of distress. He will be remembered as an icon of the suffering of the Catholic Church in Italy, but also in the entire world. And he should inspire us to imitate him and to call upon the Blessed Mother in the rosary to help us.
Cardinal Comastri is the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica. As such he presided over the daily rosary at noon at St. Peter’s from the start of Italy’s shutdown up to Holy Week, which has been live streamed by Vatican News. Thus, he has been providing a continuous presence of a cardinal of the Catholic Church calling upon Heaven's help, but also reminding us of the importance of praying the rosary in times of distress.
As of April 6, the daily rosary is now being presided over by Archbishop Fabio Dal Cin in Loreto.
On April 3, Comastri’s voice repeatedly broke when praying the rosary and asking the Blessed Mother for help (below is the full video, especially minutes 27 and 37). The sorrow of this prelate at the height of Italy's corona crisis (which seems now to be slowing down) is palpable.
The German Rome Correspondent and professor of philosophy, Armin Schwibach, commented on the symbolic cry from the heart as displayed by Cardinal Comastri: “At this moment, Cardinal Comastri is our great rampart.”
He calls to the Blessed Mother, with a crying voice, to come to our assistance, just as Our Lady of Fatima asked us to do.
As it turns out, only a few bishops worldwide seem to make it an important aspect of their response to the coronavirus crisis to encourage Catholics in their families to pray the daily rosary, as it has been done throughout centuries.
An inquiry among the faithful via Twitter has brought forth a few, but encouraging examples of bishops who expressly call upon the faithful to pray the rosary daily.
Most prominently, Cardinal Raymond Burke is recommending in his spiritual guide the praying of the daily rosary. In his own guide as to how to respond to the corona-crisis, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, too, recommends the daily rosary.
Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, when consecrating Ireland to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25, prayed one decade of the rosary in public; Bishop Wiliam Wack of Florida is recommending on his diocesan website to pray the rosary; Bishop Joseph Strickland does the same. English Bishop Mark Davies live-streamed his praying of the rosary in his cathedral at Shrewsbury, as did English Bishop Patrick McKinney in Nottingham. This is not an exhaustive list, but it shows that there are many bishops who have not taken this step.
Yet, it is the Blessed Mother to whom we have to turn now, asking her to bring us close to her Son.
The Italian Church historian, Professor Roberto de Mattei, explains in a new article the important role of Our Lady in this time of trial. We shall end this short reflection with his words. First, de Mattei points to Mary:
In the hour of spiritual emptiness, the souls of those who have faith, turn instinctively to the One, Who is never empty, since She is filled with all the graces: the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. Only in Her, can the soul find the spiritual and moral fullness, that St. Peter’s Square and the countless closed churches now no longer offer.
And then, he further reflects on the important role of St. John the Evangelist who stood side by side with Mary at the Cross:
Those devoted to Mary are a spiritual family which has its prototype and patron in St. John, the Evangelist, the beloved apostle, who, on Calvary, received an immense legacy from Jesus. Everything is summed up in the words of Jesus, when, from the Cross, “[He saw] his mother and the disciple standing whom He loved, He saith to His mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, He saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother” (John, 19, 26-27). With these words Jesus established a divine and indissoluble bond, not only between Our Blessed Mother and St. John – the representative of mankind – but between Her and all the souls following the example of St. John’s faith and fidelity. St. John is the model of those, who, in the hour of betrayal and renunciation, remain faithful to Jesus, through Mary.
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--2020-04-16--‘Protesting is a non-essential activity’: COVID-19 crackdowns continue (live updates)

LifeSite ’ s previous ( and future ) live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about can be viewed HERE .
Police in Raleigh , North Carolina turned up at a protest to re-open the state and arrested one person .
The city ’ s police department has come under fire for tweeting , “ Protesting is a non-essential activity ” ( screenshot here ) , a statement many say flies in the face of the First Amendment .
The department has since defended its tweet , saying it ’ s simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 9:29 p.m. EST : An NPR article on the protest in Michigan says the event “ drew out militias , conservatives , small business owners , and ardent supporters of President Donald Trump , who characterize the Governor 's stay-at-home order as an unjust power-grab.
” “ At least 200 people broke the instructions of organizers , getting out of their cars to congregate around the steps of the capitol building , flouting social-distancing guidelines to remain 6-feet apart , and not wearing masks , ” the liberal , taxpayer-funded outlet reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter of Michigan ’ s workforce has now filed for unemployment .
One of the Michigan protest organizers told FOX , “ Quarantine is when you restrict movement of sick people .
Tyranny is when you restrict the movement of healthy people.
” The Sydney Morning Herald reports that in New South Wales , “ Anyone ... who leaves their house without a ‘ reasonable excuse ’ could spend up to six months in prison and face an $ 11,000 fine under an emergency ministerial directive ” enacted at the end of March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of small businesses say they will have to permanently close within six months unless economic conditions improve .
In Ontario , a family was fined $ 880 for rollerblading in an empty parking lot .
And NBC reported April 8 that healthcare workers in Massachusetts , Alabama , Florida , and North Carolina are providing police with the addresses of people who have tested positive for the coronavirus .
A LifeSiteNews article about this is forthcoming .
April 15 , 2020 , 8:45 p.m. EST : Below are some more of today ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Trudeau Liberals plan laws to punish citizens who ‘ spread misinformation ’ about COVID-19 • Canada ’ s National March for Life to go virtual during coronavirus lockdown • Top medical journal : Abortion must be ‘ at the heart ’ of COVID-19 response • 130+ congressmen urge Trump to keep ban on aborted fetal tissue research in race for COVID-19 cure April 15 , 2020 , 8:42 P.M. EST : The first Catholic bishop in the U.S. , Bishop Peter Baldacchino of Las Cruces , New Mexico , has reinstated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health directives that allow only a total of five people in a church during Mass .
Outdoor Masses can have more people than that , provided people stand six feet apart .
There is increasing confidence that COVID-19 likely originated in a Wuhan laboratory not as a bioweapon , but as part of China 's effort to demonstrate that its efforts to identify and combat viruses are equal to or greater than the capabilities of the United States , multiple sources who have been briefed on the details of early actions by China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News .
This may be the “ costliest government coverup of all time , ” one of the sources said .
The sources believe the initial transmission of the virus was bat-to-human , and that “ patient zero ” worked at the laboratory , then went into the population in Wuhan .
Asked by Fox News ' John Roberts about the reporting , President Trump remarked at Wednesday 's coronavirus press briefing , “ More and more we 're hearing the story ... we are doing a very thorough examination of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by doctors at the lab and early efforts at containment .
The Wuhan wet market initially identified as a possible point of origin never sold bats , and the sources tell Fox News that blaming the wet market was an effort by China to deflect blame from the laboratory , along with the country 's propaganda efforts targeting the U.S. and Italy .
U.S. Embassy officials warned in January 2018 about inadequate safety at the Wuhan Institute of Virology lab and passed on information about scientists conducting risky research on coronavirus from bats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 15 , 2020 , 4:25 p.m. EST : Breitbart has released videos showing a “ vehicle protest ” in Michigan demanding the state be reopened .
Its Democrat governor has imposed some of the most draconian measures in the country .
April 15 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Over Easter weekend , there was no shortage of coronavirus news and no shortage of clashes between the state and Americans trying to exercise their constitutionally-protected rights .
In a scathing opinion on Saturday , Judge Justin Walker of the United States District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granted a temporary restraining order allowing On Fire Christian Church to hold a “ drive-in ” Easter worship service in a parking lot .
“ On Holy Thursday , an American mayor criminalized the communal celebration of Easter , ” Walker wrote .
“ That sentence is one that this Court never expected to see outside the pages of a dystopian novel , or perhaps the pages of The Onion.
” By prohibiting drive-in worship services , Walker stressed , “ Louisville has targeted religious worship … while not prohibiting a multitude of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for example , drive-through liquor stores .
Moreover , Louisville has not prohibited parking in parking lots more broadly – including , again , the parking lots of liquor stores.
” On Holy Saturday , the Kansas Supreme Court met by video and sided with the state ’ s Governor Laura Kelly , a Democrat , who had banned church services of more than 10 people .
Last night , President Trump announced he is freezing funding to the World Health Organization while the U.N. entity ’ s “ role in severely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus ” is studied .
On Monday , during his daily coronavirus briefing , Trump blasted the media for being “ so fake ” and showed a video highlighting the media ’ s early downplaying of the threat of the virus .
After initially mocking Trump for touting hydroxychloroquine as an effective coronavirus treatment , the media and Democrat governors seem to have begun acknowledging its value .
They seem to be doing their best not to give any credit to Trump .
The U.K. ’ s National Health Service ( NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus scoring system ” that discriminates against disabled patients .
A story many Catholics have found touching is one of a prison chaplain in Canada who , rather than abandon his flock , volunteered to be incarcerated along with them .
An army field hospital that was set up in Seattle to help coronavirus patients left after nine days and not seeing a single patient .
The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation has produced an analysis and timeline of the Chinese Communist Party ’ s lies to the world about the coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organization “ as an instrument of propaganda.
” Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – who has forbidden stores in her state from selling vegetable seeds during the pandemic – has revised her “ stay-at-home ” order to clarify that pro-lifers are still allowed to engage in First Amendment activity protesting abortion .
Other recent LifeSiteNews coverage of the coronavirus crisis includes : • New York Gov Cuomo : We flattened coronavirus curve – ‘ God did not do that ’ • Over 70 healthcare professionals urge Indiana Gov to halt abortion during pandemic And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Catholic Church include : • Pope in Easter message : Pandemic should spur ‘ humanist and ecological conversion ’ • The coronavirus outbreak shows just how liberal Pope Francis really is • The good surprises of God and the coronavirus crisis • German bishop criticizes Catholics for being ‘ fixated only on the Eucharist ’

Live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to pro-life issues, faith, and freedom.
LifeSite’s previous (and future) live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about can be viewed HERE.
Police in Raleigh, North Carolina turned up at a protest to re-open the state and arrested one person. The city’s police department has come under fire for tweeting, “Protesting is a non-essential activity” (screenshot here), a statement many say flies in the face of the First Amendment. The department has since defended its tweet, saying it’s simply following orders.
April 17, 2020, 9:09 a.m. EST: Below are some of LifeSite’s coronavirus-related stories from yesterday:
April 16, 2020, 2:39 p.m. EST: Yesterday, in a stunning interview on Tucker Carlson Tonight, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy admitted he “wasn’t thinking of the Bill of Rights” when he prohibited large gatherings of more than 50 people, including religious gatherings, in his state. He also claimed liquor stores are remaining open for “mental health” reasons.
April 16, 2020, 12:16 p.m. EST: A judge has ordered the McHenry County, Illinois, Health Department to provide police with the names of people who have tested positive for the coronavirus.
April 15, 2020, 9:29 p.m. EST: An NPR article on the protest in Michigan says the event “drew out militias, conservatives, small business owners, and ardent supporters of President Donald Trump, who characterize the Governor's stay-at-home order as an unjust power-grab.”
“At least 200 people broke the instructions of organizers, getting out of their cars to congregate around the steps of the capitol building, flouting social-distancing guidelines to remain 6-feet apart, and not wearing masks,” the liberal, taxpayer-funded outlet reported with a hint of contempt.
A quarter of Michigan’s workforce has now filed for unemployment.
One of the Michigan protest organizers told FOX, “Quarantine is when you restrict movement of sick people. Tyranny is when you restrict the movement of healthy people.”
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that in New South Wales, “Anyone…who leaves their house without a ‘reasonable excuse’ could spend up to six months in prison and face an $11,000 fine under an emergency ministerial directive” enacted at the end of March.
In the U.S., 43 percent of small businesses say they will have to permanently close within six months unless economic conditions improve.
In Ontario, a family was fined $880 for rollerblading in an empty parking lot.
And NBC reported April 8 that healthcare workers in Massachusetts, Alabama, Florida, and North Carolina are providing police with the addresses of people who have tested positive for the coronavirus . A LifeSiteNews article about this is forthcoming.
April 15, 2020, 8:45 p.m. EST: Below are some more of today’s LifeSiteNews articles on the coronavirus crisis.
April 15, 2020, 8:42 P.M. EST: The first Catholic bishop in the U.S., Bishop Peter Baldacchino of Las Cruces, New Mexico, has reinstated public Masses, provided they follow government health directives that allow only a total of five people in a church during Mass. Outdoor Masses can have more people than that, provided people stand six feet apart.
April 15, 2020, 8:38 p.m. EST: FOX News reports:
There is increasing confidence that COVID-19 likely originated in a Wuhan laboratory not as a bioweapon, but as part of China's effort to demonstrate that its efforts to identify and combat viruses are equal to or greater than the capabilities of the United States, multiple sources who have been briefed on the details of early actions by China's government and seen relevant materials tell Fox News. This may be the “costliest government coverup of all time,” one of the sources said. The sources believe the initial transmission of the virus was bat-to-human, and that “patient zero” worked at the laboratory, then went into the population in Wuhan.
It continues:
Asked by Fox News' John Roberts about the reporting, President Trump remarked at Wednesday's coronavirus press briefing, “More and more we're hearing the story…we are doing a very thorough examination of this horrible situation.” Documents detail early efforts by doctors at the lab and early efforts at containment. The Wuhan wet market initially identified as a possible point of origin never sold bats, and the sources tell Fox News that blaming the wet market was an effort by China to deflect blame from the laboratory, along with the country's propaganda efforts targeting the U.S. and Italy. U.S. Embassy officials warned in January 2018 about inadequate safety at the Wuhan Institute of Virology lab and passed on information about scientists conducting risky research on coronavirus from bats, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
April 15, 2020, 4:25 p.m. EST: Breitbart has released videos showing a “vehicle protest” in Michigan demanding the state be reopened. Its Democrat governor has imposed some of the most draconian measures in the country.
April 15, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Over Easter weekend, there was no shortage of coronavirus news and no shortage of clashes between the state and Americans trying to exercise their constitutionally protected rights.
In a scathing opinion on Saturday, Judge Justin Walker of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky granted a temporary restraining order allowing On Fire Christian Church to hold a “drive-in” Easter worship service in a parking lot.
“On Holy Thursday, an American mayor criminalized the communal celebration of Easter,” Walker wrote. “That sentence is one that this Court never expected to see outside the pages of a dystopian novel, or perhaps the pages of The Onion.”
By prohibiting drive-in worship services, Walker stressed, “Louisville has targeted religious worship … while not prohibiting a multitude of other non-religious drive-ins and drive-throughs – including, for example, drive-through liquor stores. Moreover, Louisville has not prohibited parking in parking lots more broadly – including, again, the parking lots of liquor stores.”
On Holy Saturday, the Kansas Supreme Court met by video and sided with the state’s Governor Laura Kelly, a Democrat, who had banned church services of more than 10 people.
Last night, President Trump announced he is freezing funding to the World Health Organization while the U.N. entity’s “role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus” is studied.
On Monday, during his daily coronavirus briefing, Trump blasted the media for being “so fake” and showed a video highlighting the media’s early downplaying of the threat of the virus. After initially mocking Trump for touting hydroxychloroquine as an effective coronavirus treatment, the media and Democrat governors seem to have begun acknowledging its value. They seem to be doing their best not to give any credit to Trump.
The U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) has been criticized for a “coronavirus scoring system” that discriminates against disabled patients.
A story many Catholics have found touching is one of a prison chaplain in Canada who, rather than abandon his flock, volunteered to be incarcerated along with them.
An army field hospital that was set up in Seattle to help coronavirus patients left after nine days and not seeing a single patient.
The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation has produced an analysis and timeline of the Chinese Communist Party’s lies to the world about the coronavirus and how it has used the World Health Organization “as an instrument of propaganda.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – who has forbidden stores in her state from selling vegetable seeds during the pandemic – has revised her “stay-at-home” order to clarify that pro-lifers are still allowed to engage in First Amendment activity protesting abortion.
Other recent LifeSiteNews coverage of the coronavirus crisis includes:
And stories relating to the coronavirus crisis and the Catholic Church include:
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lifesitenews--2020-04-16--Elizabeth Warren pushes for easier access to abortion drugs in US during pandemic

April 15 , 2020 ( MRC ) – The coronavirus pandemic has prompted the British and Irish governments to loosen regulations around the use of chemical abortion drugs , and now U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Massachusetts , and two Democratic colleagues want the Food and Drug Administration to do the same in the United States .
In Britain and Ireland , women wanting to end their pregnancies can now forgo visits to a doctor or abortion clinic but have a consultation over the phone before the mifepristone and misoprostol pills are mailed to them .
The British Pregnancy Advisory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading provider of abortion services in the UK ” – and Marie Stopes UK are among those offering the “ telemedicine ” service .
“ We ’ re really proud to be able to offer this to our clients to help them access abortion care at a time of great uncertainty , ” tweeted BPAS .
Mifepristone , a synthetic steroid also known as RU-486 , is taken orally , followed 24-48 hours later by misoprostol , taken orally or vaginally .
Together , the drugs are reported to be more than 98 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to two months after conception .
British authorities have given the go-ahead for home use up until 10 weeks ’ gestation .
“ Abortion care is an essential part of health care for women : services must be maintained even where non-urgent or elective services are suspended , ” the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said in recent guidance on “ abortion care ” during the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ Abortion is time-sensitive , and attention should be paid to providing care as early as possible given gestational limits , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sens .
Patty Murray , D-Washington , and Tammy Baldwin , D-Wisconsin , made a similar point in a letter Tuesday to FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn .
“ People who need an abortion can not delay care and should not needlessly risk coronavirus exposure , ” they wrote .
“ `` Given the years of scientific evidence indicating that medication abortion is a safe and effective treatment , we ask that FDA take immediate steps to temporarily exercise enforcement discretion on in-person dispensing requirements , so that people can more easily access abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providers at risk of infection from COVID-19.
” The trio , all members of the Senate Health , Education , Labor , and Pensions Committee , called on the FDA to exercise “ flexibility ” under the circumstances , “ rather than letting any ideological objection to abortion care prevent health care providers from offering the safest care options to their patients.
” Their letter comes after 21 attorneys general , all Democrats , wrote to Hahn and HHS Secretary Alex Azar , asking them “ to allow certified prescribers to use telehealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing must get in the way of women accessing abortion ’ In Britain and Ireland , pro-lifers are dismayed by the development .
“ It seems that nothing must get in the way of women accessing abortion , ” said Antonia Tully , campaign director for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ( SPUC ) .
“ Apart from the dangers involved , putting abortion drugs in the post , in the same way that so many other household items are delivered to people , sends a message to women that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voiced concern about phone consultations missing signs of medical complications , or of coercive situations in the home .
“ We are seeing an increase in domestic abuse under the coronavirus lockdown , ” she said .
“ My fear is that many women will be pressured into phoning for an abortion by abusive partners .
We know that domestic violence is a huge indicator for abortion.
” In Ireland , Pro Life Campaign spokesperson Eilís Mulroy called the government ’ s new guidelines “ reckless.
” “ Abortion is never safe for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or her life , but now we have a situation where women ’ s lives are also being put at risk , ” she said .
“ How can the doctor assess the gestational stage of the pregnancy over a video call or identify an ectopic pregnancy or some other underlying medical condition the woman may have ?
” Mulroy also questioned the government ’ s priorities during the pandemic .
“ At a time when our country should be working as one to protect and defend every human life at every stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasting precious time in order to facilitate the ending of human life through abortion , ” she said .
In 2005 , the World Health Organization added mifepristone and misoprostol to its list of “ essential medicines ” after lobbying by the International Planned Parenthood Federation ( IPPF ) and others .
A recent WHO document on health care during the coronavirus pandemic states , “ Women ’ s choices and rights to sexual and reproductive health care should be respected irrespective of COVID-19 status , including access to contraception and safe abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In the United States , the FDA says mifepristone ( Mifeprex ) “ may only be dispensed in clinics , medical offices , and hospitals by or under the supervision of a certified healthcare provider.
” It also cautions Americans not to buy the drug online .
“ You should not buy Mifeprex over the Internet because you will bypass important safeguards designed to protect your health .
Mifeprex has special safety restrictions on how it is distributed to the public.
” Last week , the IPPF , Human Rights Watch , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments in Europe to “ urgently guarantee safe and timely access to abortion care for women and girls in the region during the COVID-19 pandemic.
” “ Most governments in the region have not implemented measures to ensure safe and timely access to essential sexual and reproductive health services , supplies or information during the pandemic , including for at-home management of medical abortion , ” they said .

The U.S. senator and two Democrat colleagues have asked the FDA to permit 'telemed' consultations without a doctor or clinic visit.
PETITION: Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here.
April 15, 2020 (MRC) – The coronavirus pandemic has prompted the British and Irish governments to loosen regulations around the use of chemical abortion drugs, and now U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, and two Democratic colleagues want the Food and Drug Administration to do the same in the United States.
In Britain and Ireland, women wanting to end their pregnancies can now forgo visits to a doctor or abortion clinic but have a consultation over the phone before the mifepristone and misoprostol pills are mailed to them.
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) – the “leading provider of abortion services in the UK” – and Marie Stopes UK are among those offering the “telemedicine” service.
“We’re really proud to be able to offer this to our clients to help them access abortion care at a time of great uncertainty,” tweeted BPAS.
Mifepristone, a synthetic steroid also known as RU-486, is taken orally, followed 24-48 hours later by misoprostol, taken orally or vaginally. Together, the drugs are reported to be more than 98 percent effective in destroying an unborn child up to two months after conception.
British authorities have given the go-ahead for home use up until 10 weeks’ gestation.
“Abortion care is an essential part of health care for women: services must be maintained even where non-urgent or elective services are suspended,” the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said in recent guidance on “abortion care” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Abortion is time-sensitive, and attention should be paid to providing care as early as possible given gestational limits,” it said.
Warren, joined by Sens. Patty Murray, D-Washington, and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, made a similar point in a letter Tuesday to FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn.
“People who need an abortion cannot delay care and should not needlessly risk coronavirus exposure,” they wrote. “”Given the years of scientific evidence indicating that medication abortion is a safe and effective treatment, we ask that FDA take immediate steps to temporarily exercise enforcement discretion on in-person dispensing requirements, so that people can more easily access abortion care without putting themselves or their healthcare providers at risk of infection from COVID-19.”
The trio, all members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, called on the FDA to exercise “flexibility” under the circumstances, “rather than letting any ideological objection to abortion care prevent health care providers from offering the safest care options to their patients.”
Their letter comes after 21 attorneys general, all Democrats, wrote to Hahn and HHS Secretary Alex Azar, asking them “to allow certified prescribers to use telehealth for Mifepristone.”
‘It seems that nothing must get in the way of women accessing abortion’
In Britain and Ireland, pro-lifers are dismayed by the development.
“It seems that nothing must get in the way of women accessing abortion,” said Antonia Tully, campaign director for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). “Apart from the dangers involved, putting abortion drugs in the post, in the same way that so many other household items are delivered to people, sends a message to women that abortion is a trivial matter.”
Tully voiced concern about phone consultations missing signs of medical complications, or of coercive situations in the home.
“We are seeing an increase in domestic abuse under the coronavirus lockdown,” she said. “My fear is that many women will be pressured into phoning for an abortion by abusive partners. We know that domestic violence is a huge indicator for abortion.”
In Ireland, Pro Life Campaign spokesperson Eilís Mulroy called the government’s new guidelines “reckless.”
“Abortion is never safe for the baby as it directly ends his or her life, but now we have a situation where women’s lives are also being put at risk,” she said. “How can the doctor assess the gestational stage of the pregnancy over a video call or identify an ectopic pregnancy or some other underlying medical condition the woman may have?”
Mulroy also questioned the government’s priorities during the pandemic.
“At a time when our country should be working as one to protect and defend every human life at every stage of development, we have government ministers wasting precious time in order to facilitate the ending of human life through abortion,” she said.
In 2005, the World Health Organization added mifepristone and misoprostol to its list of “essential medicines” after lobbying by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and others.
A recent WHO document on health care during the coronavirus pandemic states, “Women’s choices and rights to sexual and reproductive health care should be respected irrespective of COVID-19 status, including access to contraception and safe abortion to the full extent of the law.”
In the United States, the FDA says mifepristone (Mifeprex) “may only be dispensed in clinics, medical offices, and hospitals by or under the supervision of a certified healthcare provider.”
It also cautions Americans not to buy the drug online.
“You should not buy Mifeprex over the Internet because you will bypass important safeguards designed to protect your health. Mifeprex has special safety restrictions on how it is distributed to the public.”
Last week, the IPPF, Human Rights Watch, and dozens of other NGOs called on governments in Europe to “urgently guarantee safe and timely access to abortion care for women and girls in the region during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Most governments in the region have not implemented measures to ensure safe and timely access to essential sexual and reproductive health services, supplies or information during the pandemic, including for at-home management of medical abortion,” they said.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-16--Poland seeks abortion ban on babies with Down syndrome

April 15 , 2020 ( Right to Life ) – Poland ’ s parliament will consider pro-life legislation this week seeking to protect unborn babies from disability-selective abortion .
Unlike most of Europe , Poland protects unborn babies from abortion in most circumstances .
Terminations are only permissible after rape or incest , if the mother ’ s life is at risk , or in cases of foetal abnormality – including Down syndrome .
The proposed legislation would remove the last provision and protect unborn babies from discriminatory disability-selective abortions .
Polling within the country has revealed there is strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A CBOS poll found that 75 percent of Polish people think abortion is “ always wrong and can never be justified.
” Meanwhile , only 7 percent thought there was “ nothing wrong with it and could always be justified.
” Additionally , the proposed legislation comes from a Citizens ’ Initiative that received support from over 830,000 Polish residents , indicating further strong support for a change in law .
Under Polish law , parliament has a legal duty to consider any Citizens ’ Initiative bills that receive over 100,000 signatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this case by May 2020 .
However , it is unclear how much support the ruling Law and Justice party will give the bill despite it being submitted by one of their own MPs , Elzbieta Witek .
In 2016 , the Law and Justice party initially supported a similar Citizens ’ Initiative but then withdrew its support after protests from abortion activists .
Though the bill has strong support from the public , pro-life campaigners are wary that pressure from abortion activist groups pushing back aggressively to keep eugenic disability-selective abortions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party withdraw their support yet again .
A pro-abortion petition against the bill has signatures from 170 MPs , MEPs and senators from 24 European countries .
However , only nine of the signatories are lawmakers from Poland .
President Andrzej Duda has indicated he will sign the bill into law , telling Polish publication Niedziela in a recent interview : “ I believe that killing children with disabilities is simply murder .
If a project opposing this issue will find itself on my desk , I will certainly sign it .
”

April 15, 2020 (Right to Life) – Poland’s parliament will consider pro-life legislation this week seeking to protect unborn babies from disability-selective abortion.
Unlike most of Europe, Poland protects unborn babies from abortion in most circumstances. Terminations are only permissible after rape or incest, if the mother’s life is at risk, or in cases of foetal abnormality – including Down syndrome.
The proposed legislation would remove the last provision and protect unborn babies from discriminatory disability-selective abortions.
Polling within the country has revealed there is strong support for pro-life measures in the country. A CBOS poll found that 75 percent of Polish people think abortion is “always wrong and can never be justified.” Meanwhile, only 7 percent thought there was “nothing wrong with it and could always be justified.”
Additionally, the proposed legislation comes from a Citizens’ Initiative that received support from over 830,000 Polish residents, indicating further strong support for a change in law.
Under Polish law, parliament has a legal duty to consider any Citizens’ Initiative bills that receive over 100,000 signatures within six months of its formation – in this case by May 2020.
However, it is unclear how much support the ruling Law and Justice party will give the bill despite it being submitted by one of their own MPs, Elzbieta Witek.
In 2016, the Law and Justice party initially supported a similar Citizens’ Initiative but then withdrew its support after protests from abortion activists.
Though the bill has strong support from the public, pro-life campaigners are wary that pressure from abortion activist groups pushing back aggressively to keep eugenic disability-selective abortions legal could see the Law and Justice party withdraw their support yet again.
A pro-abortion petition against the bill has signatures from 170 MPs, MEPs and senators from 24 European countries. However, only nine of the signatories are lawmakers from Poland.
President Andrzej Duda has indicated he will sign the bill into law, telling Polish publication Niedziela in a recent interview: “I believe that killing children with disabilities is simply murder. If a project opposing this issue will find itself on my desk, I will certainly sign it.”
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lifesitenews--2020-04-16--First US bishop reinstates public Masses: ‘The greatest essential service’

LAS CRUCES , New Mexico , April 15 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The bishop of Las Cruces , New Mexico has lifted a diocesan ban on public Masses , stating in a letter to his priests that “ depriving the faithful of the nourishment offered through the Eucharist ” can not “ become the ‘ status quo ’ for the foreseeable future.
” Bishop Peter Baldacchino advised his priests in the April 15 letter obtained by the Catholic News Agency that they can resume offering the sacraments as long as they abide by state-order health directives , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than five attendees including the priest .
Baldacchino is the first American bishop known to lift a diocesan ban on public celebration of the Mass since coronavirus pandemic emergency shutdowns began in mid-March , according to CNA .
All American dioceses have cancelled public Masses , and a number of bishops have suspended Confession and restricted anointing of the sick – and even the Last Rites – as well as locking churches and chapels .
Some bishops have also banned drive-in Masses and Eucharistic adoration .
But Baldacchino stated in his letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been called by Christ and ordained to serve the people of the Diocese of Las Cruces , to bring them hope and consolation during this difficult time.
” The bishop ordered the suspension of public Masses March 16 , “ at the outset ” of the pandemic , “ as we assessed the situation and established a safe way to continue to bring Christ to the people , both through the Word of God and the Sacraments , ” his letter stated .
“ These past few weeks have allowed me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe way to proceed , ” Baldacchino wrote .
“ It has become increasingly clear that the state shutdown will last for some time .
Depriving the faithful of the nourishment offered through the Eucharist was indeed a difficult decision , one that I deemed necessary until I had further clarity regarding our current state of affairs , but it can not become the ‘ status quo ’ for the foreseeable future.
” CNA reported that diocesan communications director Christopher Velasquez confirmed the letter , and said the diocese is urging Catholics in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mass on live-stream when possible .
Baldacchino said in the letter that his action was in part a response to two priests he knew dying from the virus .
“ We are all aware of the tragedy caused by the Coronavirus , I myself have lost two close friends of mine , priests I studied and served with .
I am fully conscious of the death and sadness these days seem to bring .
And yet there is more , ” he wrote .
“ The Coronavirus can also be a help to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down in our ‘ usual way ’ of doing things ?
For how long have we grown comfortable with our routines ?
For how long have we taken the grace of the sacraments for granted ?
Or the beauty of the assembly at Mass ?
” Baldacchino noted that the state of New Mexico had recently updated its Public Health Order , to no longer include churches as “ essential services , ” CNA reported .
“ I strongly disagree , ” he said .
“ Sadly , the Governor is no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on ‘ mass gatherings.
’ It seems to me that while we run a daily count of the physical deaths we are overlooking those who are dead interiorly.
” The bishop issued guidelines to his priests to ensure compliance with the governor ’ s health directives .
These limit attendance at Mass in church buildings to five people , including the priest , that people stay a minimum of six feet apart , and that all seating be sanitized after Mass ends .
Baldacchino also authorized priests to say Mass outdoors , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he “ specifically recommended setting up an altar in the parish parking lot with parishioners remaining in their cars with an empty space between each vehicle , ” CNA reported .
“ Parishes that lack sufficient parking spaces may celebrate the liturgies in open cemeteries or other available open spaces .
Parishioners should maintain at least a six feet separation at all times , ” the guidance states .
The crisis created by the pandemic had brought about “ a time for renewal , ” Baldacchino said in his letter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and weeks the Lord is calling us out of our comfort zone , he is calling us to seek new ways to reach the people .
In addition to this mission with which we are entrusted , we also have the mission to keep people safe .
The two must be equally pursued , ” he said .
Moreover , the “ past few weeks have brought to light many unintended consequences of the ‘ stay-at-home ’ order ” the bishop wrote , pointing out that the federal Disaster Distress Helpline has reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Suicide prevention hotlines also seeing a spike in calls , and incidents of domestic violence have increased during the lockdowns .
“ While it is true that we need to take every reasonable precaution to reduce the spread of Coronavirus , it is equally true that we offer the greatest ‘ essential service ’ to our people.
” “ Simply put , in the midst of financial uncertainty , fear for one ’ s health , pandemic induced anxiety and confinement to their homes , people definitely need a word of hope , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as priests , are called to bring the Word of Life to people , we are called to minister the life-giving sacraments .
Televised Masses have been an attempt to bridge the gap during this time , but I am increasingly convinced that this is not enough , ” he added .
“ The eternal life offered in Christ Jesus needs to be announced .
It was precisely the urgency of this announcement that drove the first apostles and the need is no less today .
Christ is alive and we are his @ @ @

Bishop Peter Baldacchino is the first American bishop known to lift a diocesan ban on public celebration of the Mass since coronavirus pandemic emergency shutdowns began
Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock Sign the petition here.
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico, April 15, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The bishop of Las Cruces, New Mexico has lifted a diocesan ban on public Masses, stating in a letter to his priests that “depriving the faithful of the nourishment offered through the Eucharist” cannot “become the ‘status quo’ for the foreseeable future.”
Bishop Peter Baldacchino advised his priests in the April 15 letter obtained by the Catholic News Agency that they can resume offering the sacraments as long as they abide by state-order health directives, which mandate that Masses in churches have no more than five attendees including the priest.
Baldacchino is the first American bishop known to lift a diocesan ban on public celebration of the Mass since coronavirus pandemic emergency shutdowns began in mid-March, according to CNA.
All American dioceses have cancelled public Masses, and a number of bishops have suspended Confession and restricted anointing of the sick – and even the Last Rites – as well as locking churches and chapels. Some bishops have also banned drive-in Masses and Eucharistic adoration.
But Baldacchino stated in his letter that “We [as priests] have been called by Christ and ordained to serve the people of the Diocese of Las Cruces, to bring them hope and consolation during this difficult time.”
The bishop ordered the suspension of public Masses March 16, “at the outset” of the pandemic, “as we assessed the situation and established a safe way to continue to bring Christ to the people, both through the Word of God and the Sacraments,” his letter stated.
“These past few weeks have allowed me to further analyze the situation and discern a safe way to proceed,” Baldacchino wrote.
“It has become increasingly clear that the state shutdown will last for some time. Depriving the faithful of the nourishment offered through the Eucharist was indeed a difficult decision, one that I deemed necessary until I had further clarity regarding our current state of affairs, but it cannot become the ‘status quo’ for the foreseeable future.”
CNA reported that diocesan communications director Christopher Velasquez confirmed the letter, and said the diocese is urging Catholics in at-risk categories to stay home and watch Mass on live-stream when possible.
Baldacchino said in the letter that his action was in part a response to two priests he knew dying from the virus.
“We are all aware of the tragedy caused by the Coronavirus, I myself have lost two close friends of mine, priests I studied and served with. I am fully conscious of the death and sadness these days seem to bring. And yet there is more,” he wrote.
“The Coronavirus can also be a help to us. How long have we settled down in our ‘usual way’ of doing things? For how long have we grown comfortable with our routines? For how long have we taken the grace of the sacraments for granted? Or the beauty of the assembly at Mass?”
Baldacchino noted that the state of New Mexico had recently updated its Public Health Order, to no longer include churches as “essential services,” CNA reported.
“I strongly disagree,” he said. “Sadly, the Governor is no longer exempting places of worship from the restrictions on ‘mass gatherings.’ It seems to me that while we run a daily count of the physical deaths we are overlooking those who are dead interiorly.”
The bishop issued guidelines to his priests to ensure compliance with the governor’s health directives. These limit attendance at Mass in church buildings to five people, including the priest, that people stay a minimum of six feet apart, and that all seating be sanitized after Mass ends.
Baldacchino also authorized priests to say Mass outdoors, in keeping with state orders on social distancing, and he “specifically recommended setting up an altar in the parish parking lot with parishioners remaining in their cars with an empty space between each vehicle,” CNA reported.
“Parishes that lack sufficient parking spaces may celebrate the liturgies in open cemeteries or other available open spaces. Parishioners should maintain at least a six feet separation at all times,” the guidance states.
The crisis created by the pandemic had brought about “a time for renewal,” Baldacchino said in his letter.
“In the events of these days and weeks the Lord is calling us out of our comfort zone, he is calling us to seek new ways to reach the people. In addition to this mission with which we are entrusted, we also have the mission to keep people safe. The two must be equally pursued,” he said.
Moreover, the “past few weeks have brought to light many unintended consequences of the ‘stay-at-home’ order” the bishop wrote, pointing out that the federal Disaster Distress Helpline has reported a 891% increase in calls. Suicide prevention hotlines also seeing a spike in calls, and incidents of domestic violence have increased during the lockdowns.
“While it is true that we need to take every reasonable precaution to reduce the spread of Coronavirus, it is equally true that we offer the greatest ‘essential service’ to our people.”
“Simply put, in the midst of financial uncertainty, fear for one’s health, pandemic induced anxiety and confinement to their homes, people definitely need a word of hope,” Baldacchino wrote.
“We, as priests, are called to bring the Word of Life to people, we are called to minister the life-giving sacraments. Televised Masses have been an attempt to bridge the gap during this time, but I am increasingly convinced that this is not enough,” he added.
“The eternal life offered in Christ Jesus needs to be announced. It was precisely the urgency of this announcement that drove the first apostles and the need is no less today. Christ is alive and we are his ambassadors.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-16--UN Population Fund adds abortion to fine print of ‘sexual rights’ goals

WASHINGTON , D.C. , April 10 ( C-Fam ) – The United Nations Population Fund ( UNFPA ) recently inserted abortion into its analysis of the UN Sustainable Development Goals , despite the objections of many UN member countries .
The UN agency launched a report charting progress toward achieving one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) .
The target , which comes under the fifth goal focused on gender equality , was among the most controversial during the SDG negotiations .
It involves “ sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.
” During negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously-agreed wording and avoid the term preferred by abortion activists , “ sexual and reproductive health and rights ” ( SRHR ) , as this implies the existence of “ sexual rights , ” which have never been agreed to by global consensus .
They also insisted on the inclusion of a caveat linking the target back to prior agreements in which an international human right to abortion was rejected , leaving its legal status a matter for individual countries to determine .
After the lengthy SDG negotiations were concluded , nations handed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points of measurement of this target to UNFPA .
One of its indicators is the “ number of countries with laws and regulations that guarantee full and equal access to women and men age 15 years and older to sexual and reproductive health care , information and education.
” UNFPA chose to consider 13 topics in their analysis , including “ abortion ” as a subset of “ maternity care services , ” and “ comprehensive sexuality education , ” which likewise remains highly contested in UN negotiations .
In UNFPA ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its view that abortion is a component of “ sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights ” ( SRHRR ) : “ The data also tells us that legal barriers to full and equal SRHRR access exist in a number of areas .
Such barriers are most prevalent in the case of legal access to abortion , with an average of just 31 percent achievement in this component.
” Later in the report , in listing “ enablers ” of achieving full access to SRHRR , UNFPA includes the fact that “ abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 93 percent of reporting countries.
” UNFPA has a long history of straddling the line between upholding its mandate , which does not include promoting the legalization of abortion , and continuously doing so by subtle means .
Despite the lack of agreement on SRHR terminology , and its inclusion of “ sexual rights , ” UNFPA frequently includes such language in its reports and promotes its inclusion in negotiated resolutions in UN meetings .
UNFPA has also supported the promotion of “ safe abortion , ” to the fullest extent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent “ unsafe abortion.
” Nevertheless , in light of UNFPA ’ s history of advancing the pro-abortion movement ’ s talking points while taking care not to do so explicitly , this new report is noteworthy for its boldness .
By clearly characterizing the liberalization of abortion laws as an “ achievement ” and an “ enabler ” of access to health and rights , UNFPA is staking out a position outside the consensus of UN member states , and outside its own mandate .
Just last year , UNFPA issued a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ decision not to fund them , in part because of their pro-abortion activities .
In it , they insisted that “ UNFPA does not promote changes to the legal status of abortion.
” The language of this latest report from UNFPA suggests this is no longer the case , if indeed it ever was .

The agency is careful about using the word because many of its members object to abortion, but the intent is clear.
PETITION: Thank President Trump for halting U.S. funding to pro-abortion World Health Organization Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 10 (C-Fam) – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recently inserted abortion into its analysis of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, despite the objections of many UN member countries.
The UN agency launched a report charting progress toward achieving one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The target, which comes under the fifth goal focused on gender equality, was among the most controversial during the SDG negotiations. It involves “sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.”
During negotiations, delegates were careful to use the previously-agreed wording and avoid the term preferred by abortion activists, “sexual and reproductive health and rights” (SRHR), as this implies the existence of “sexual rights,” which have never been agreed to by global consensus. They also insisted on the inclusion of a caveat linking the target back to prior agreements in which an international human right to abortion was rejected, leaving its legal status a matter for individual countries to determine.
After the lengthy SDG negotiations were concluded, nations handed over the task of determining the fine points of measurement of this target to UNFPA. One of its indicators is the “number of countries with laws and regulations that guarantee full and equal access to women and men age 15 years and older to sexual and reproductive health care, information and education.” UNFPA chose to consider 13 topics in their analysis, including “abortion” as a subset of “maternity care services,” and “comprehensive sexuality education,” which likewise remains highly contested in UN negotiations.
In UNFPA’s recently-released analysis, the agency makes clear its view that abortion is a component of “sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights” (SRHRR): “The data also tells us that legal barriers to full and equal SRHRR access exist in a number of areas. Such barriers are most prevalent in the case of legal access to abortion, with an average of just 31 percent achievement in this component.”
Later in the report, in listing “enablers” of achieving full access to SRHRR, UNFPA includes the fact that “abortion is legal on some or all grounds in 93 percent of reporting countries.”
UNFPA has a long history of straddling the line between upholding its mandate, which does not include promoting the legalization of abortion, and continuously doing so by subtle means. Despite the lack of agreement on SRHR terminology, and its inclusion of “sexual rights,” UNFPA frequently includes such language in its reports and promotes its inclusion in negotiated resolutions in UN meetings. UNFPA has also supported the promotion of “safe abortion,” to the fullest extent of the law, as a way to prevent “unsafe abortion.”
Nevertheless, in light of UNFPA’s history of advancing the pro-abortion movement’s talking points while taking care not to do so explicitly, this new report is noteworthy for its boldness. By clearly characterizing the liberalization of abortion laws as an “achievement” and an “enabler” of access to health and rights, UNFPA is staking out a position outside the consensus of UN member states, and outside its own mandate.
Just last year, UNFPA issued a statement in response to the United States’ decision not to fund them, in part because of their pro-abortion activities. In it, they insisted that “UNFPA does not promote changes to the legal status of abortion.” The language of this latest report from UNFPA suggests this is no longer the case, if indeed it ever was.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-07--Now more than ever, the Church needs strong bishops unafraid of suffering

January 6 , 2019 ( Community in Mission ) — On January 2nd , we celebrated the feast of St .
Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen .
They were bishops in Cappadocia ( modern-day Turkey ) during the stormy period of the Arian heresy , which denied the divinity of Christ .
Despite the strong affirmation by the Council of Nicaea , the Arian heretics did not desist .
Saints Basil and Gregory were strong forces for truth in the long battle to stamp out the heresy .
When the emperor , Julian the Apostate , sought to compel bishops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both these bishops refused to comply .
An interaction between St .
Basil and the local prefect of the emperor shows forth an image of a strong bishop that is rare today .
Encountering St.
Basil ’ s resistance , the prefect said , “ Are you mad , that you resist the will [ of the emperor ] before which the whole world bows ?
Do you not dread the wrath of the emperor , nor exile , nor death ?
” “ No , ” said Basil calmly , “ he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dread loss of goods ; you can not exile me , for the whole earth is my home ; as for death , it would be the greatest kindness you could bestow upon me ; torments can not harm me : one blow would end my frail life and my sufferings together.
” “ Never , ” said the prefect , “ has anyone dared to address me thus.
” “ Perhaps , ” suggested Basil , “ you never before measured your strength with a Christian bishop ” ( from Butler ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The lives of early bishops were filled with suffering , exile , and martyrdom .
Thirty of the first thirty-three popes were martyred , two died in exile , and only one died in his own bed .
It was a similar story with many ancient bishops , for example Athanasius , Chrysostom , Basil , and Gregory .
It ’ s hard to imagine many among the current leaders of the Church enduring such suffering .
Many bishops and higher clergy today live comfortable , protected lives .
Even less elevated clergymen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ordinary struggles of the laity .
Many of us have healthcare , housing , laundry services , prepared meals , and staff to handle many day-to-day matters .
God bless all of our staff and God ’ s good people , who care for us so well .
There comes a point , though , when we clergy become soft , no longer able to relate to even small sufferings , let alone larger ones that might come from preaching the Gospel in an uncompromising and clear way .
Failing to accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we fear to preach it to others .
Unlike St .
Basil , who had felt he had nothing to lose , we modern clergy often think we have too much to lose .
Indeed , the whole Church ( at least in the prosperous West ) fears we have too much to lose .
We fear the loss of popularity , political power , and access ; we fear the impact on our careers ; we fear the loss of buildings , institutions , and programs as well as the money and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem to fear just about everything except the loss of our faith , which we are too willing to compromise , ignore , or water down in order to keep the lesser things .
Ultimately , however , this world and the devil will never be satisfied with compromises we make until every last bit of our integrity is gone .
Whatever time we buy through compromise is temporary ; it is a pyrrhic “ victory.
” Despite all our attempts to fit in with the modern world , we are still closing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing contracts ; our members are continuing to drift away .
The world can not save us ; being popular or up to date does not inspire faith or attract converts .
Owning nice buildings is worthless if they are empty .
We end with a paradox .
Acting out of fear that we have too much to lose will mean that we lose everything .
Freely accepting that we have nothing to lose will mean that we gain everything , for we gain Christ Jesus and all that He promises us here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you ( Matt 6:33 ) .
And anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me .
Whoever finds his life will lose it , and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it ( Matt 10:38–39 ) .
May St .
Basil , St. Gregory , and all the heroes and martyrs pray for us , clergy and laity alike !
Published with permission @ @ @ @ @ @

An interaction between St. Basil and the local prefect of the emperor shows forth an image of a strong bishop. How do our modern bishops measure up?
January 6, 2019 (Community in Mission) — On January 2nd, we celebrated the feast of St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen. They were bishops in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey) during the stormy period of the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. Despite the strong affirmation by the Council of Nicaea, the Arian heretics did not desist. Saints Basil and Gregory were strong forces for truth in the long battle to stamp out the heresy. When the emperor, Julian the Apostate, sought to compel bishops to admit Arian heretics to Holy Communion both these bishops refused to comply.
An interaction between St. Basil and the local prefect of the emperor shows forth an image of a strong bishop that is rare today. Encountering St. Basil’s resistance, the prefect said,
“Are you mad, that you resist the will [of the emperor] before which the whole world bows? Do you not dread the wrath of the emperor, nor exile, nor death?”
“No,” said Basil calmly, “he who has nothing to lose need not dread loss of goods; you cannot exile me, for the whole earth is my home; as for death, it would be the greatest kindness you could bestow upon me; torments cannot harm me: one blow would end my frail life and my sufferings together.”
“Never,” said the prefect, “has anyone dared to address me thus.” “Perhaps,” suggested Basil, “you never before measured your strength with a Christian bishop” (from Butler’s Lives of the Saints).
The emperor backed down.
The lives of early bishops were filled with suffering, exile, and martyrdom. Thirty of the first thirty-three popes were martyred, two died in exile, and only one died in his own bed. It was a similar story with many ancient bishops, for example Athanasius, Chrysostom, Basil, and Gregory. It’s hard to imagine many among the current leaders of the Church enduring such suffering. Many bishops and higher clergy today live comfortable, protected lives. Even less elevated clergymen live fairly insular lives, shielded from the ordinary struggles of the laity. Many of us have healthcare, housing, laundry services, prepared meals, and staff to handle many day-to-day matters. God bless all of our staff and God’s good people, who care for us so well.
There comes a point, though, when we clergy become soft, no longer able to relate to even small sufferings, let alone larger ones that might come from preaching the Gospel in an uncompromising and clear way. Failing to accept this suffering in our own lives, we fear to preach it to others.
Unlike St. Basil, who had felt he had nothing to lose, we modern clergy often think we have too much to lose. Indeed, the whole Church (at least in the prosperous West) fears we have too much to lose. We fear the loss of popularity, political power, and access; we fear the impact on our careers; we fear the loss of buildings, institutions, and programs as well as the money and power needed to sustain them. We seem to fear just about everything except the loss of our faith, which we are too willing to compromise, ignore, or water down in order to keep the lesser things.
Ultimately, however, this world and the devil will never be satisfied with compromises we make until every last bit of our integrity is gone. Whatever time we buy through compromise is temporary; it is a pyrrhic “victory.” Despite all our attempts to fit in with the modern world, we are still closing churches and schools; Catholic charities are losing contracts; our members are continuing to drift away. The world cannot save us; being popular or up to date does not inspire faith or attract converts. Owning nice buildings is worthless if they are empty.
We end with a paradox. Acting out of fear that we have too much to lose will mean that we lose everything. Freely accepting that we have nothing to lose will mean that we gain everything, for we gain Christ Jesus and all that He promises us here and in the life to come.
But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you (Matt 6:33).
And anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it (Matt 10:38–39).
May St. Basil, St. Gregory, and all the heroes and martyrs pray for us, clergy and laity alike!
Published with permission from the Archdiocese of Washington.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-07--A prediction about the coming split in the Methodist Church

January 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – If the reports are true , then “ a tentative plan ” has been put in place “ to split the ( Methodist ) church over differences on same-sex marriage and the inclusion of gay clergy.
” It was reported that “ the division , which has been brewing for years , came to an impasse last May when delegates in St. Louis voted 438-384 to ban gay marriage and the inclusion of gay clergy .
“ A majority of U.S.-based churches opposed the ‘ Traditional Plan ’ but were outvoted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Philippines.
” Assuming that this split actually takes place , what will happen to these two branches , one conservative and the other liberal ?
The answer is easy , based on history and common spiritual sense .
History says that the conservative branch will grow and the liberal branch will diminish .
This has been the pattern for decades , as I documented in 2015 , citing a major study dating to 1972 written by Dean M. Kelley : Why Conservative Churches are Growing : A Study in Sociology of Religion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , “ Amid the current neglect and hostility toward organized religion in general , the conservative churches , holding to seemingly outmoded theology and making strict demands on their members , have equaled or surpassed in growth the early percentage increases of the nation ’ s population.
” As for the liberal churches , he noted , “ The mainline denominations ( which were becoming increasingly liberal ) will continue to exist on a diminishing scale for decades , perhaps for centuries , and will continue to supply some people with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which may be all they want.
” For a host of reasons , this pattern will continue with the two Methodist branches .
The conservative branch , preaching the Scriptures without apology , adhering to timeless moral values , and offering adherents a true encounter with the risen Lord , will gain members .
The liberal branch , reinterpreting the Scriptures and apologizing for the Bible and redefining morality , will lose members .
As I pointed out in my 2015 article , “ Writing in the Federalist in August 2014 , Alexander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American church that has taken steps towards liberalization on sexual issues has seen a steep decline in membership.
” ( His article was titled “ How to Shrink Your Church in One Easy Step.
” ) More broadly , this is confirmed by data just released by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity .
Roughly 120 years ago , the Center claims that there were about 80 million Evangelicals and less than 1 million Pentecostals/Charismatics worldwide .
( These terms might be anachronistic for the year 1900 , but they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last 120 years .
And , of course , there is overlap between the two groups , which are both very conservative theologically . )
Today , those numbers , globally , are put at 354 million Evangelicals and 694 million Pentecostals/Charismatics .
Projections for 2050 put these groups at 581 million and 1 billion , 89 million , respectively .
This is the growth-curve of Bible-based Christianity , especially denominations that emphasizes the ongoing ministry of the Spirit .
The Center ’ s data does not isolate liberal denominations , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the chart linked here .
But further confirmation comes from a January 4 , 2017 article in The Washington Post , which noted that , “ Liberal churches are dying .
But conservative churches are thriving .
A Canadian study found that conservative churches are still growing , while less orthodox congregations dwindle away.
” No surprise in the least .
To be sure , if the conservative congregations are hypocritical , dead , and legalistic , they too will dwindle away .
But if they preach Jesus , welcome the Spirit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to their community , they will thrive .
And this leads us to the subject of spiritual common sense .
The liberal branch will become more liberal .
Specifically , they will question some of the fundamental tenets of the faith ( including the inspiration of the Scriptures , the virgin birth and the resurrection , the second coming , and more ; much of this is happening already ) .
They will become more universalistic ( meaning , salvation is not exclusively through Jesus ) .
And they will move further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In short , fidelity to LGBT activism will trump fidelity to God ’ s Word .
Watch and see .
( For a recent , shocking example from Sweden , see here . )
In contrast , the conservative churches will remain steady , since they are not reacting .
They are simply maintaining their historic stance , believing what John Wesley , the founder of the Methodists believed , and affirming what Jesus and Paul taught .
As one African Methodist leader stated in early 2019 , “ I ’ m happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old men in villages who received the Bible from missionaries and let them know that the Bible hasn ’ t changed.
” In the end , while it is sad to see division and separation , some of it is necessary and even for the best .
When it comes to the Methodist Church , as the years unfold , it will not be seen so much as a separation between fellow Christians .
Instead , it will be seen as a separation between the wheat and the weeds or the sheep and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Jesus .

January 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – If the reports are true, then “a tentative plan” has been put in place “to split the (Methodist) church over differences on same-sex marriage and the inclusion of gay clergy.”
It was reported that “the division, which has been brewing for years, came to an impasse last May when delegates in St. Louis voted 438-384 to ban gay marriage and the inclusion of gay clergy.
“A majority of U.S.-based churches opposed the ‘Traditional Plan’ but were outvoted by conservatives in the U.S., Africa and the Philippines.”
Assuming that this split actually takes place, what will happen to these two branches, one conservative and the other liberal?
The answer is easy, based on history and common spiritual sense.
History says that the conservative branch will grow and the liberal branch will diminish.
This has been the pattern for decades, as I documented in 2015, citing a major study dating to 1972 written by Dean M. Kelley: Why Conservative Churches are Growing: A Study in Sociology of Religion.
As Kelly wrote almost 50 years ago, “Amid the current neglect and hostility toward organized religion in general, the conservative churches, holding to seemingly outmoded theology and making strict demands on their members, have equaled or surpassed in growth the early percentage increases of the nation’s population.”
As for the liberal churches, he noted, “The mainline denominations (which were becoming increasingly liberal) will continue to exist on a diminishing scale for decades, perhaps for centuries, and will continue to supply some people with a dilute and undemanding form of meaning, which may be all they want.”
For a host of reasons, this pattern will continue with the two Methodist branches.
The conservative branch, preaching the Scriptures without apology, adhering to timeless moral values, and offering adherents a true encounter with the risen Lord, will gain members.
The liberal branch, reinterpreting the Scriptures and apologizing for the Bible and redefining morality, will lose members.
As I pointed out in my 2015 article, “Writing in the Federalist in August 2014, Alexander Griswold noted that, “Every major American church that has taken steps towards liberalization on sexual issues has seen a steep decline in membership.” (His article was titled “How to Shrink Your Church in One Easy Step.”)
More broadly, this is confirmed by data just released by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity.
Roughly 120 years ago, the Center claims that there were about 80 million Evangelicals and less than 1 million Pentecostals/Charismatics worldwide. (These terms might be anachronistic for the year 1900, but they are being used to trace particular groups over the last 120 years. And, of course, there is overlap between the two groups, which are both very conservative theologically.)
Today, those numbers, globally, are put at 354 million Evangelicals and 694 million Pentecostals/Charismatics. Projections for 2050 put these groups at 581 million and 1 billion, 89 million, respectively.
This is the growth-curve of Bible-based Christianity, especially denominations that emphasizes the ongoing ministry of the Spirit.
The Center’s data does not isolate liberal denominations, so their decline cannot be pointed to in the chart linked here. But further confirmation comes from a January 4, 2017 article in The Washington Post, which noted that, “Liberal churches are dying. But conservative churches are thriving. A Canadian study found that conservative churches are still growing, while less orthodox congregations dwindle away.”
No surprise in the least.
To be sure, if the conservative congregations are hypocritical, dead, and legalistic, they too will dwindle away. But if they preach Jesus, welcome the Spirit, exalt the Word, and reach out to their community, they will thrive.
And this leads us to the subject of spiritual common sense.
The liberal branch will become more liberal.
Specifically, they will question some of the fundamental tenets of the faith (including the inspiration of the Scriptures, the virgin birth and the resurrection, the second coming, and more; much of this is happening already). They will become more universalistic (meaning, salvation is not exclusively through Jesus). And they will move further and further away from biblical morality.
In short, fidelity to LGBT activism will trump fidelity to God’s Word.
Watch and see. (For a recent, shocking example from Sweden, see here.)
In contrast, the conservative churches will remain steady, since they are not reacting. They are simply maintaining their historic stance, believing what John Wesley, the founder of the Methodists believed, and affirming what Jesus and Paul taught.
As one African Methodist leader stated in early 2019, “I’m happy to go back to old ladies and old men in villages who received the Bible from missionaries and let them know that the Bible hasn’t changed.”
In the end, while it is sad to see division and separation, some of it is necessary and even for the best.
When it comes to the Methodist Church, as the years unfold, it will not be seen so much as a separation between fellow Christians.
Instead, it will be seen as a separation between the wheat and the weeds or the sheep and the goats, to use the imagery of Jesus.
Watch and see.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-07--Rural public library will again host lesbian pole-dancer’s ‘teens only’ sex ed class

WARNING : This article contains graphic and disturbing sexual content .
LEXINGTON PARK , Maryland , January 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Despite creating an outcry among concerned parents in 2017 , a public library once again plans to host a lesbian pole dancer ’ s “ Teens-only ” sex ed class for 12- to 17-year-olds .
“ Teens have questions about sexual health , whether its [ sic ] birth control , lubricants , STI testing , LGBTQ relationships , or something else completely , ” reads an event description posted by the Lexington Park Public Library @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be an informal workshop where your teen can ask ANY sexual health question you want and get an honest answer.
” Parents will again be prohibited from attending and are expected to “ wait in the general Library areas , or in the other room were [ sic ] we will be putting on a program about the importance of science-based , LGBTQIA+ inclusive sex-ed.
” The event is sponsored by two regional atheist organizations , Southern Maryland Area Secular Humanists and Washington Area Secular Humanists , as well as the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first and largest organization for lesbian , gay , bisexual , transgender , and queer ( LGBTQ+ ) people , their parents , and their families .
Lexington Park , Maryland is a mostly rural exurb of Washington , D.C. that has emerged as a surprising battleground over “ teen-only sex ed ” and “ Drag Queen Story Hour ” events at its public library .
According to blogger Shannon Tracy , who works with MassResistanceTexas , parents have plenty of reason for grave concern about topics that might be addressed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by controversial speaker Bianca Palmisano .
Noting that Palmisano holds “ some extremely out of the mainstream views of sex and sexuality , ” Tracy posted screenshots from Palmisano ’ s Instagram account that show her advocating everything from transgenderism to BDSM ( Bondage , Discipline , Sadism , and Masochism ) and sexualized spanking to the legalization of prostitution .
Elsewhere , Palmisano acknowledges that she approves of “ polyamourous relationships , homsexuality , prostitution , drug use , swingers , anal sex , etcetera ” and that she openly seeks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
“ I want to be that adult in their life who can say , ‘ Yes !
Of course being part of the LGBT community is OK , ” said Palmisano in an online video in which she attempted to dispel the concerns of parents who were troubled about her 2017 workshop at the Lexington Park Library .
“ Unfortunately , leadership in this community fails to rise to the occasion and protect the young and impressionable youth among them , ” said Tracy .
“ The library has turned into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in St. Mary ’ s County should be appalled this is going on in the libraries , ” continued Tracy .
“ The library seems to have strayed far from its mission of literacy by allowing the use of the community rooms for the ideological and perverse crusades of the secular humanists that are bringing the perverse programming to Lexington Park Library.
” “ Since 2017 , my Commissioners have been saying there ’ s nothing we can do about what happens at the library .
‘ Our hands are tied .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activist Georgia Kijesky told LifeSiteNews , noting that the commissioners have just enacted a new regulation banning tobacco on library property , proving that they are able to exert authority .
“ As of January 1 , 2020 : No tobacco !
But dildos and for children ?
” she continued .
The commissioners “ will even pay police with taxpayer money to make sure the kiddies get their fair share of lube without parent interference.
” “ I ’ d like a straight answer from someone in a position of power in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s legal for parents to hand their kids over to a self-identified ‘ slut ’ and allow them to be alone with her for 2 hours , ” added Kijesky .
In a series of postings on Twitter , MassResistanceTexas blogger Tracy posted shocking screen shots from Palmisano ’ s business — Intimate Health Consulting — Instagram account , publicizing other events the “ teens only ” sex ed presenter has hosted .
Warning : Readers may find the following graphic screen shots disturbing : Bianca Palmisano is described on the Lexington Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sex educator , medical consultant , and the owner of Intimate Health Consulting .
She has been working to advance the sexual health field for almost a decade , specializing in training healthcare providers around issues of sexual health , as well as LGBT , sex worker , and sexual assault survivor competency.
” “ Palmisano is a Planned Parenthood certified sex educator , two-time presenter for the Philadelphia Transgender Health Conference and the Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit , and a planning committee member for DC ’ s Transgender Day of Remembrance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are [ sic ] also the primary author of ‘ Safer Sex for Trans Bodies , ’ an outreach and education guide for the trans community sponsored by Whitman Walker Health and the Human Rights Campaign .
”

WARNING: This article contains graphic and disturbing sexual content.
LEXINGTON PARK, Maryland, January 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Despite creating an outcry among concerned parents in 2017, a public library once again plans to host a lesbian pole dancer’s “Teens-only” sex ed class for 12- to 17-year-olds.
“Teens have questions about sexual health, whether its [sic] birth control, lubricants, STI testing, LGBTQ relationships, or something else completely,” reads an event description posted by the Lexington Park Public Library on its Facebook page. “This will be an informal workshop where your teen can ask ANY sexual health question you want and get an honest answer.”
Parents will again be prohibited from attending and are expected to “wait in the general Library areas, or in the other room were [sic] we will be putting on a program about the importance of science-based, LGBTQIA+ inclusive sex-ed.”
The event is sponsored by two regional atheist organizations, Southern Maryland Area Secular Humanists and Washington Area Secular Humanists, as well as the local chapter of PFLAG, which identifies as the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents, and their families.
Lexington Park, Maryland is a mostly rural exurb of Washington, D.C. that has emerged as a surprising battleground over “teen-only sex ed” and “Drag Queen Story Hour” events at its public library.
According to blogger Shannon Tracy, who works with MassResistanceTexas, parents have plenty of reason for grave concern about topics that might be addressed in the Sunday, January 19 session conducted by controversial speaker Bianca Palmisano.
Noting that Palmisano holds “some extremely out of the mainstream views of sex and sexuality,” Tracy posted screenshots from Palmisano’s Instagram account that show her advocating everything from transgenderism to BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, and Masochism) and sexualized spanking to the legalization of prostitution.
Elsewhere, Palmisano acknowledges that she approves of “polyamourous relationships, homsexuality, prostitution, drug use, swingers, anal sex, etcetera” and that she openly seeks to normalize these sorts of practices among young people.
“I want to be that adult in their life who can say, ‘Yes! Of course being part of the LGBT community is OK,” said Palmisano in an online video in which she attempted to dispel the concerns of parents who were troubled about her 2017 workshop at the Lexington Park Library.
County commissioners refuse to intervene
“Unfortunately, leadership in this community fails to rise to the occasion and protect the young and impressionable youth among them,” said Tracy. “The library has turned into a sexual indoctrination center.”
“Taxpayers in St. Mary’s County should be appalled this is going on in the libraries,” continued Tracy. “The library seems to have strayed far from its mission of literacy by allowing the use of the community rooms for the ideological and perverse crusades of the secular humanists that are bringing the perverse programming to Lexington Park Library.”
“Since 2017, my Commissioners have been saying there’s nothing we can do about what happens at the library. ‘Our hands are tied. We have no say,’” local activist Georgia Kijesky told LifeSiteNews, noting that the commissioners have just enacted a new regulation banning tobacco on library property, proving that they are able to exert authority.
“As of January 1, 2020: No tobacco! But dildos and lube for children?” she continued.
The commissioners “will even pay police with taxpayer money to make sure the kiddies get their fair share of lube without parent interference.”
“I’d like a straight answer from someone in a position of power in my county to explain how it’s legal for parents to hand their kids over to a self-identified ‘slut’ and allow them to be alone with her for 2 hours,” added Kijesky.
Disturbing social media postings
In a series of postings on Twitter, MassResistanceTexas blogger Tracy posted shocking screen shots from Palmisano’s business — Intimate Health Consulting — Instagram account, publicizing other events the “teens only” sex ed presenter has hosted.
Warning: Readers may find the following graphic screen shots disturbing:
Bianca Palmisano is described on the Lexington Park Library’s Facebook page as “a sex educator, medical consultant, and the owner of Intimate Health Consulting. She has been working to advance the sexual health field for almost a decade, specializing in training healthcare providers around issues of sexual health, as well as LGBT, sex worker, and sexual assault survivor competency.”
“Palmisano is a Planned Parenthood certified sex educator, two-time presenter for the Philadelphia Transgender Health Conference and the Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit, and a planning committee member for DC’s Transgender Day of Remembrance,” continues the description. “They are [sic] also the primary author of ‘Safer Sex for Trans Bodies,’ an outreach and education guide for the trans community sponsored by Whitman Walker Health and the Human Rights Campaign.”
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