lifesitenews--2020-04-27--Govt officials reverse course, allow drive-in church services after lawsuit threat

GREENVILLE , Mississippi , April 27 , 2020 ( Alliance Defending Freedom ) — The Greenville City Council has issued a new order that lifts the city ’ s unconstitutional ban on drive-in church services during the coronavirus crisis in the wake of a lawsuit that Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed on behalf of a local church .
The church voluntarily withdrew its request for a temporary restraining order against the city Wednesday in light of the city ’ s changed position .
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a statement of interest in the case , Temple Baptist Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the church that the ban can not single out churches while allowing similar types of activities elsewhere , such as drive-in restaurants .
“ Public officials are right to care about public health and safety during the coronavirus crisis , but they are wrong when they treat churches more harshly than others in government orders related to it , ” said ADF Senior Counsel Ryan Tucker , director of the ADF Center for Christian Ministries .
“ We commend Greenville for dropping its unconstitutional ban , which prohibited drive-in church services but allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eating at drive-in restaurants .
That overreaching ban wasn ’ t necessary to protect health and safety .
It only served to unnecessarily violate Americans ’ freedoms protected by the First Amendment.
” ADF attorneys representing Greenville ’ s Temple Baptist Church filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi to challenge the city ’ s ban , which Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons originally claimed was consistent with a statewide shelter-in-place order issued by Mississippi Gov .
Tate Reeves .
The governor ’ s order , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an “ essential business or operation.
” Reeves also made public statements saying that drive-in church services were acceptable under his order .
The lawsuit came about after members of Temple Baptist Church drove to the church ’ s parking lot on a Wednesday night and stayed in their cars , as the church instructed , with their windows rolled up while listening to Pastor Arthur Scott preach a sermon over a low-power FM radio frequency from a microphone inside the empty church building .
Despite the fact that no one left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 , eight uniformed police officers arrived at the service and issued tickets of $ 500 per person for violating the mayor ’ s ban .
The church has been conducting drive-in church services in an effort to respect social-distancing recommendations from federal , state , and local authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Nathan Kellum , one of more than 3,100 attorneys allied with ADF , is serving as local counsel in the case on behalf of the church .
Published with permission from the Alliance Defending Freedom .

Eight uniformed police officers had issued $500 tickets to each car parked, with windows down, in a parking lot while drivers listened over the phone to a sermon.
Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock Sign the petition here.
GREENVILLE, Mississippi, April 27, 2020 (Alliance Defending Freedom) — The Greenville City Council has issued a new order that lifts the city’s unconstitutional ban on drive-in church services during the coronavirus crisis in the wake of a lawsuit that Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed on behalf of a local church. The church voluntarily withdrew its request for a temporary restraining order against the city Wednesday in light of the city’s changed position.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a statement of interest in the case, Temple Baptist Church v. City of Greenville, agreeing with the church that the ban cannot single out churches while allowing similar types of activities elsewhere, such as drive-in restaurants.
“Public officials are right to care about public health and safety during the coronavirus crisis, but they are wrong when they treat churches more harshly than others in government orders related to it,” said ADF Senior Counsel Ryan Tucker, director of the ADF Center for Christian Ministries. “We commend Greenville for dropping its unconstitutional ban, which prohibited drive-in church services but allowed similar types of activities, such as eating at drive-in restaurants. That overreaching ban wasn’t necessary to protect health and safety. It only served to unnecessarily violate Americans’ freedoms protected by the First Amendment.”
ADF attorneys representing Greenville’s Temple Baptist Church filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi to challenge the city’s ban, which Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons originally claimed was consistent with a statewide shelter-in-place order issued by Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves. The governor’s order, however, includes no such ban and identifies churches as an “essential business or operation.” Reeves also made public statements saying that drive-in church services were acceptable under his order.
The lawsuit came about after members of Temple Baptist Church drove to the church’s parking lot on a Wednesday night and stayed in their cars, as the church instructed, with their windows rolled up while listening to Pastor Arthur Scott preach a sermon over a low-power FM radio frequency from a microphone inside the empty church building. Despite the fact that no one left their cars, which numbered fewer than 20, eight uniformed police officers arrived at the service and issued tickets of $500 per person for violating the mayor’s ban.
The church has been conducting drive-in church services in an effort to respect social-distancing recommendations from federal, state, and local authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nathan Kellum, one of more than 3,100 attorneys allied with ADF, is serving as local counsel in the case on behalf of the church.
Published with permission from the Alliance Defending Freedom.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-27--UK could shock the world if it bans sex-change surgery for children

April 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) -- According to The Telegraph , UK Minister for Women and Equalities Liz Truss has announced that the British government will be taking steps to ban children from undergoing sex-change surgeries before age 18 .
This is a genuinely stunning move : While regular readers will know that I preferred Prime Minister Boris Johnson to the anti-Semitic socialist Jeremy Corbyn , I was not optimistic that Johnson ’ s government would actually enact any socially conservative policies .
It is a sign of the times , of course , that a law banning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dysphoria is even necessary .
The United Kingdom has seen a breathtaking spike of children identifying as transgender over the past several years — the British government vowed to investigate why there was a 4,000 percent increase in children seeking to “ transition ” in less than a decade back in 2018 , and the British press has drawn attention to the fact that many who have chosen to transition have gone on to regret their decision .
At the moment , children under age 18 are permitted to begin “ transitioning ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Truss has now stated that the Tory government plans to ban “ genital reconstructive surgery ” in order to “ protect them from making those irreversible decisions ” — at least until they are older .
Trans groups , unsurprisingly , have pushed back , claiming that preventing children from making a decision that will dictate the course of the rest of their lives before they are legally allowed to drink , smoke , or vote is introducing “ a new form of inequality into British medical practice.
” A representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization that claims to support transgender children , stated that this inequality was transparent due to the fact that such a ban would be “ effectively treating transgender teenagers as less capable than their cisgender peers.
” This criticism rather misses the point , as presumably this ban would prevent anyone under 18 , regardless of how they choose to identify , from undergoing a sex-change surgery .
Fortunately , the government appears to reject that view , with Truss stating that the move was aimed at “ making sure that the under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make , that are irreversible in the future … I believe strongly that adults should have the freedom to lead their lives as they see fit , but I think it ’ s very important that while people are still developing their decision-making capabilities that we protect them from making irreversible decisions.
” The details of the government ’ s plans have not yet been revealed ( and won ’ t be until summer ) , and Truss only indicated that this is the path currently being planned while giving evidence to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month regarding reforms to the Gender Recognition Act .
In addition to the proposed ban , Truss also stated that the government will be moving to protect “ single-sex spaces , ” which seems to indicate willingness to ensure that simply identifying as female will not be enough to access female-only facilities .
According to The Telegraph , Truss stated that the government would be working to protect transgender rights “ whilst maintaining the proper checks and balances in the system.
” This , of course , will not be good enough for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denying biological males identifying as female access to female-only spaces , expressing concern that the transgender phenomenon among children is unprecedented and dangerous , and that saying “ transition ” — especially when pursued at a young age — can destroy lives renders you an ugly transphobe .
The government will be facing a firestorm from the LGBT movement in the months ahead , as this proposal marks one of the first significant government pushbacks to their agenda in years .
I ’ m very encouraged that Johnson ’ s Conservative government appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common-sense agenda on this issue , but the trans movement is sure to utilize every weapon in their arsenal — and there are many — to stop this from actually becoming a reality .
The good news is that the majority of people feel that the trans movement has gone too far on many fronts , and if the government presents its case as calmly and as reasonably as Truss has thus far , this is a fight they can win .
And if it can be done in the United Kingdom , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should all be watching these developments very closely .
Jonathon ’ s new podcast , The Van Maren Show , is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement .
In his latest episode , Marvin Olasky , editor-in-chief of WORLD magazine and author of pro-life books , discusses the true history of the pro-life movement and what it can teach us about winning the culture war .
Olasky points to the long history of abortion before Roe v. Wade to highlight the fact that fighting abortion on a strictly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far since it is truly a cultural issue .
You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below :

Boris Johnson's govt has rightfully expressed concern that youth under age 18 are too young to make a 'transition' decision that they might later regret.
April 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — According to The Telegraph, UK Minister for Women and Equalities Liz Truss has announced that the British government will be taking steps to ban children from undergoing sex-change surgeries before age 18. This is a genuinely stunning move: While regular readers will know that I preferred Prime Minister Boris Johnson to the anti-Semitic socialist Jeremy Corbyn, I was not optimistic that Johnson’s government would actually enact any socially conservative policies.
It is a sign of the times, of course, that a law banning the genital mutilation of children with gender dysphoria is even necessary. The United Kingdom has seen a breathtaking spike of children identifying as transgender over the past several years — the British government vowed to investigate why there was a 4,000 percent increase in children seeking to “transition” in less than a decade back in 2018, and the British press has drawn attention to the fact that many who have chosen to transition have gone on to regret their decision.
PETITION: Stop 'sex change' operations during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here.
At the moment, children under age 18 are permitted to begin “transitioning” as long as they have parental permission, but Truss has now stated that the Tory government plans to ban “genital reconstructive surgery” in order to “protect them from making those irreversible decisions” — at least until they are older. Trans groups, unsurprisingly, have pushed back, claiming that preventing children from making a decision that will dictate the course of the rest of their lives before they are legally allowed to drink, smoke, or vote is introducing “a new form of inequality into British medical practice.”
A representative of the trans group Mermaids, an organization that claims to support transgender children, stated that this inequality was transparent due to the fact that such a ban would be “effectively treating transgender teenagers as less capable than their cisgender peers.” This criticism rather misses the point, as presumably this ban would prevent anyone under 18, regardless of how they choose to identify, from undergoing a sex-change surgery.
Fortunately, the government appears to reject that view, with Truss stating that the move was aimed at “making sure that the under 18s are protected from decisions they could make, that are irreversible in the future … I believe strongly that adults should have the freedom to lead their lives as they see fit, but I think it’s very important that while people are still developing their decision-making capabilities that we protect them from making irreversible decisions.”
The details of the government’s plans have not yet been revealed (and won’t be until summer), and Truss only indicated that this is the path currently being planned while giving evidence to the Women and Equalities Select Committee earlier this month regarding reforms to the Gender Recognition Act. In addition to the proposed ban, Truss also stated that the government will be moving to protect “single-sex spaces,” which seems to indicate willingness to ensure that simply identifying as female will not be enough to access female-only facilities.
According to The Telegraph, Truss stated that the government would be working to protect transgender rights “whilst maintaining the proper checks and balances in the system.” This, of course, will not be good enough for trans activists, who state vehemently that denying biological males identifying as female access to female-only spaces, expressing concern that the transgender phenomenon among children is unprecedented and dangerous, and that saying “transition” — especially when pursued at a young age — can destroy lives renders you an ugly transphobe.
The government will be facing a firestorm from the LGBT movement in the months ahead, as this proposal marks one of the first significant government pushbacks to their agenda in years. I’m very encouraged that Johnson’s Conservative government appears to be willing to actually implement a common-sense agenda on this issue, but the trans movement is sure to utilize every weapon in their arsenal — and there are many — to stop this from actually becoming a reality. The good news is that the majority of people feel that the trans movement has gone too far on many fronts, and if the government presents its case as calmly and as reasonably as Truss has thus far, this is a fight they can win.
And if it can be done in the United Kingdom, it can be done elsewhere. We should all be watching these developments very closely.
Jonathon’s new podcast, The Van Maren Show, is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement. In his latest episode, Marvin Olasky, editor-in-chief of WORLD magazine and author of pro-life books, discusses the true history of the pro-life movement and what it can teach us about winning the culture war. Olasky points to the long history of abortion before Roe v. Wade to highlight the fact that fighting abortion on a strictly legal front will only get us so far since it is truly a cultural issue.
You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below:
Follow Jonathon Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer, and pro-life activist. His commentary has been translated into more than eight languages and published widely online as well as print newspapers such as the Jewish Independent, the National Post, the Hamilton Spectator and others. He has received an award for combating anti-Semitism in print from the Jewish organization B’nai Brith. His commentary has been featured on CTV Primetime, Global News, EWTN, and the CBC as well as dozens of radio stations and news outlets in Canada and the United States. He speaks on a wide variety of cultural topics across North America at universities, high schools, churches, and other functions. Some of these topics include abortion, pornography, the Sexual Revolution, and euthanasia. Jonathon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Simon Fraser University, and is the communications director for the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform. Jonathon’s first book, The Culture War, was released in 2016.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-27--Kentucky gov vetoes bill that would ban infanticide, let AG suspend abortions

PETITION : Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here .
FRANKFORT , Kentucky , April 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Kentucky Gov .
Andrew Beshear vetoed a proposal Friday that would have both protected infants who survive attempted abortions but also authorized Republican state Attorney General Daniel Cameron to suspend elective abortions during the coronavirus crisis .
Late last month , Cameron requested that state Cabinet for Health and Family Services Acting Secretary Eric Friedlander “ certify , pursuant to KRS 15.241 , that Kentucky ’ s abortion providers are violating his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic by continuing to perform abortions , ” which would “ immediately trigger action by our office to stop elective procedures during the pandemic.
” His power to handle the matter is limited , however , by the fact that Beshear is not pro-life .
So the legislature passed legislation authorizing the attorney general to pursue legal action against abortion facilities to “ prevent , penalize , and remedy violations ” of state regulations , as well as subject any abortonist who neglects a fully-delivered baby after a botched abortion to civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical license .
Beshear , who previously said he would defer to health officials as to whether abortions qualify as “ elective or essential ” under the state ’ s COVID-19 order , vetoed the bill , CNN reported .
Beshear justified his stance on the grounds that “ I 'm just not doing divisive issues right now ” because “ we 've got to defeat this coronavirus , ” and claimed that “ existing Kentucky law already fully protects children from being denied life-saving medical care and treatment when they are born.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibit the direct killing of children , they fail to adequately address the prospect of physicians letting an “ unwanted ” newborn die via neglect , especially in light of Beshear ’ s pro-abortion history .
“ This governor once again demonstrated his hostility to unborn life , ” lamented Republican state Sen. Whitney Westerfield .
“ If the Lord is willing , I will file this bill on the first day of the 2021 session.
” Pro-life medical professionals have assailed the abortion industry ’ s demands to be exempt from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical fields , arguing that exempting elective abortion puts business interests ahead of public health .
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists ( AAPLOG ) says that while “ elective abortion is neither ‘ essential ’ nor ‘ urgent , ’ ” it “ does consume critical resources such as masks , gloves , and other personal protective equipment , and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.
” “ Elective abortion , both surgical and drug induced , also generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion .
Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room , most commonly for hemorrhage .
Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage .
Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.
” Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact @ @ @ @ @

Gov. Andrew Beshear defended himself by saying 'I'm just not doing divisive issues right now.'
PETITION: Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here.
FRANKFORT, Kentucky, April 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Kentucky Gov. Andrew Beshear vetoed a proposal Friday that would have both protected infants who survive attempted abortions but also authorized Republican state Attorney General Daniel Cameron to suspend elective abortions during the coronavirus crisis.
Late last month, Cameron requested that state Cabinet for Health and Family Services Acting Secretary Eric Friedlander “certify, pursuant to KRS 15.241, that Kentucky’s abortion providers are violating his ban on elective medical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic by continuing to perform abortions,” which would “immediately trigger action by our office to stop elective procedures during the pandemic.”
His power to handle the matter is limited, however, by the fact that Beshear is not pro-life. So the legislature passed legislation authorizing the attorney general to pursue legal action against abortion facilities to “prevent, penalize, and remedy violations” of state regulations, as well as subject any abortonist who neglects a fully-delivered baby after a botched abortion to civil damages and suspension of his or her medical license.
Beshear, who previously said he would defer to health officials as to whether abortions qualify as “elective or essential” under the state’s COVID-19 order, vetoed the bill, CNN reported.
Beshear justified his stance on the grounds that “I'm just not doing divisive issues right now” because “we've got to defeat this coronavirus,” and claimed that “existing Kentucky law already fully protects children from being denied life-saving medical care and treatment when they are born.”
Pro-lifers argue that while existing laws prohibit the direct killing of children, they fail to adequately address the prospect of physicians letting an “unwanted” newborn die via neglect, especially in light of Beshear’s pro-abortion history.
“This governor once again demonstrated his hostility to unborn life,” lamented Republican state Sen. Whitney Westerfield. “If the Lord is willing, I will file this bill on the first day of the 2021 session.”
Pro-life medical professionals have assailed the abortion industry’s demands to be exempt from the same sacrifices currently being made in legitimate medical fields, arguing that exempting elective abortion puts business interests ahead of public health.
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) says that while “elective abortion is neither ‘essential’ nor ‘urgent,’” it “does consume critical resources such as masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment, and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.”
“Elective abortion, both surgical and drug induced, also generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms,” AAPLOG continued. “Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion. Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room, most commonly for hemorrhage. Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage. Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.”
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-27--Watch: President Trump’s news conference at 5PM EST

WASHINGTON , D.C. , April 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – LifeSite has begun streaming President Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis .
Here we present his April 27 briefing , which the White House @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus briefing but a “ news conference.
” Follow LifeSiteNews for future briefings .
Read @ @ @ @ @ on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about here @

LifeSite has begun live-streaming President Trump's coronavirus briefings as leftists have suggested they should be censored.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – LifeSite has begun streaming President Donald Trump’s daily briefings about the coronavirus crisis. Here we present his April 27 briefing, which the White House is no longer calling a coronavirus briefing but a “news conference.” Follow LifeSiteNews for future briefings.
Read LifeSite’s live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about here.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-27--President Trump questions whether the daily coronavirus briefings should continue

April 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Over the weekend President Donald Trump cancelled his daily coronavirus briefing and instead took to Twitter to air his frustration at a media establishment in the full throes of Trump Derangement Syndrome .
During Thursday 's coronavirus briefing , the president asked Bill Bryan , the acting undersecretary for science and technology at the Department of Homeland Security , if there might not be ways to create treatments inside the human body that attack the coronavirus ’ susceptibility to UV light and common disinfectants .
It is the type of question that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an informal setting .
But at no point did the president suggest that he was giving expert opinion .
In fact , he was overtly speaking from the position of a lay person asking the expert next to him .
Yet the political commentariat ruthlessly proceeded to take the president ’ s comments out of context .
Internet memes then took the cue and the result was an entire weekend of public shaming of the president .
On Friday , after the firestorm had begun , Trump ended the briefing after his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clearly frustrated , he announced on Saturday through his Twitter account that there was no point in holding the coronavirus briefings and proceeded to cancel the Sunday briefing as well : This morning , the White House announced that the daily coronavirus briefing would resume , listing the event on its official agenda .
However , a few hours later the schedule was changed with no coronavirus briefing being listed .
Finally , the schedule was changed one last time , this time listing the time as 5:00 p.m. EST and the subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing but simply “ President Trump Holds a News Conference.
” This morning , White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced that the briefings “ might have a new look to them , a new focus to them , ” and later confirmed on Twitter that “ the White House has additional testing guidance and other announcements about safely opening up America again .
President @ realDonaldTrump will brief the nation during a press conference this evening.
” LifeSiteNews has live-streamed the president 's coronavirus briefings uncensored every weekday just as a growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to limit their coverage of the president 's very popular daily briefings .
The ratings for the president 's daily briefings have rivaled the most-watched television events such as prime-time NFL games and have given the president an opportunity to address the American people directly during this pandemic .
However , after this weekend 's media frenzy , a general sense that the worst of the pandemic is behind us , and briefing fatigue , it seems inevitable that the president 's daily briefings will be phased out in favor of more targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LifeSiteNews remains committed to professional , unbiased coverage of the pandemic from a pro-life perspective , cutting through mainstream media and social network censorship to deliver the most up to date and relevant information to our readers .
Please continue to follow LifeSiteNews.com to stay up to the minute on this and many other stories that are important to you .

April 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Over the weekend President Donald Trump cancelled his daily coronavirus briefing and instead took to Twitter to air his frustration at a media establishment in the full throes of Trump Derangement Syndrome.
There has never been, in the history of our Country, a more vicious or hostile Lamestream Media than there is right now, even in the midst of a National Emergency, the Invisible Enemy! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 27, 2020
During Thursday's coronavirus briefing, the president asked Bill Bryan, the acting undersecretary for science and technology at the Department of Homeland Security, if there might not be ways to create treatments inside the human body that attack the coronavirus’ susceptibility to UV light and common disinfectants.
It is the type of question that one would expect a non-expert to ask in an informal setting. But at no point did the president suggest that he was giving expert opinion. In fact, he was overtly speaking from the position of a lay person asking the expert next to him. Yet the political commentariat ruthlessly proceeded to take the president’s comments out of context. Internet memes then took the cue and the result was an entire weekend of public shaming of the president.
On Friday, after the firestorm had begun, Trump ended the briefing after his introductory comments and took no questions. Clearly frustrated, he announced on Saturday through his Twitter account that there was no point in holding the coronavirus briefings and proceeded to cancel the Sunday briefing as well:
What is the purpose of having White House News Conferences when the Lamestream Media asks nothing but hostile questions, & then refuses to report the truth or facts accurately. They get record ratings, & the American people get nothing but Fake News. Not worth the time & effort! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 25, 2020
This morning, the White House announced that the daily coronavirus briefing would resume, listing the event on its official agenda. However, a few hours later the schedule was changed with no coronavirus briefing being listed. Finally, the schedule was changed one last time, this time listing the time as 5:00 p.m. EST and the subject no longer specifying the coronavirus task force briefing but simply “President Trump Holds a News Conference.”
This morning, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced that the briefings “might have a new look to them, a new focus to them,” and later confirmed on Twitter that “the White House has additional testing guidance and other announcements about safely opening up America again. President @realDonaldTrump will brief the nation during a press conference this evening.”
LifeSiteNews has live-streamed the president's coronavirus briefings uncensored every weekday just as a growing number of mainstream media outlets have begun to limit their coverage of the president's very popular daily briefings. The ratings for the president's daily briefings have rivaled the most-watched television events such as prime-time NFL games and have given the president an opportunity to address the American people directly during this pandemic. However, after this weekend's media frenzy, a general sense that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, and briefing fatigue, it seems inevitable that the president's daily briefings will be phased out in favor of more targeted appearances and a return to normalcy.
LifeSiteNews remains committed to professional, unbiased coverage of the pandemic from a pro-life perspective, cutting through mainstream media and social network censorship to deliver the most up to date and relevant information to our readers.
Please continue to follow LifeSiteNews.com to stay up to the minute on this and many other stories that are important to you.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-27--US, Canadian bishops to consecrate nations to Mary, seek her intercession against COVID-19

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world : Feed your flock Sign the petition here .
WASHINGTON , D.C. , April 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Catholic bishops of the United States and Canada are joining forces in reconsecrating their nations to the Blessed Virgin Mary , asking her to intercede in the battle being waged against the coronavirus global pandemic .
“ Every year , the Church seeks the special intercession of the Mother of God during the month of May .
This year , we seek the assistance of Our Lady all the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the global pandemic , ” said Archbishop Jose Gomez , president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ( USCCB ) in a letter sent to all U.S. bishops .
“ Based on discussion with the leadership of the Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishops , the Executive Committee of the USCCB met and affirmed the fitness of May 1 , 2020 , as an opportunity for the bishops of the United States to reconsecrate our nation to Our Lady and to do so under the title , Mary , Mother of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ on the same day that our brother bishops to the north consecrate Canada under the same title.
” “ This will give the Church the occasion to pray for Our Lady ’ s continued protection of the vulnerable , healing of the unwell , and wisdom for those who work to cure this terrible virus , ” said Gomez .
He invited all U.S. bishops to join him in prayer on Friday , May 1 at 12:00 p.m. PDT , or 3:00 p.m. EDT .
Lay persons who wish to participate may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s social media platforms : Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
The bishops of Italy had previously announced that they would consecrate their country to Mary on May 1 at 9:00 p.m. , which will coincide with the U.S. consecration .
A statement from the USCCB recounted a brief history of the United States being placed under the care of Mary : • Bishop John Carroll of Baltimore , the first bishop of the United States , promoted devotion to Mary , the Mother of God , and placed the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter of 1792 .
• The twenty-one bishops attending the Sixth Provincial Council of Baltimore in 1846 determined to name the Blessed Virgin Mary , under the title of the Immaculate Conception , as the Patroness of the United States , and Pope Pius IX approved this decision the following year .
• More recently , the dedication of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington , D.C. in 1959 was the opportunity for the bishops to once again consecrate the nation to the Blessed Mother .
“ The renewal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 does not change the designation of Mary as the Patroness of the United States under the title of the Immaculate Conception , ” continues the USCCB statement .
“ Rather , this prayer reaffirms and renews previous Marian entrustments , and unites us in solidarity with our Holy Father , who recently established the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary , Mother of the Church , as a source of protection and strength.
” Canada was last consecrated to Mary on July 2 , 2017 , the 150th anniversary of Confederation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country joined in consecrating Canada to the Immaculate Heart of Mary .
The planned consecration also follows a similar action of the bishops ’ conference of Latin America and the Caribbean ( CELAM ) , who consecrated their nations to Our Lady of Guadalupe on Easter Sunday .

The month of May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
THANK U.S. and Canadian Bishops for reconsecrating our countries to the Blessed Virgin Mary during COVID-19! Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Catholic bishops of the United States and Canada are joining forces in reconsecrating their nations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking her to intercede in the battle being waged against the coronavirus global pandemic.
“Every year, the Church seeks the special intercession of the Mother of God during the month of May. This year, we seek the assistance of Our Lady all the more earnestly as we face together the effects of the global pandemic,” said Archbishop Jose Gomez, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in a letter sent to all U.S. bishops.
“Based on discussion with the leadership of the Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishops, the Executive Committee of the USCCB met and affirmed the fitness of May 1, 2020, as an opportunity for the bishops of the United States to reconsecrate our nation to Our Lady and to do so under the title, Mary, Mother of the Church,” wrote Gomez, “on the same day that our brother bishops to the north consecrate Canada under the same title.”
“This will give the Church the occasion to pray for Our Lady’s continued protection of the vulnerable, healing of the unwell, and wisdom for those who work to cure this terrible virus,” said Gomez.
He invited all U.S. bishops to join him in prayer on Friday, May 1 at 12:00 p.m. PDT, or 3:00 p.m. EDT. Lay persons who wish to participate may join in by tuning into the USCCB’s social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The bishops of Italy had previously announced that they would consecrate their country to Mary on May 1 at 9:00 p.m., which will coincide with the U.S. consecration.
A statement from the USCCB recounted a brief history of the United States being placed under the care of Mary:
Bishop John Carroll of Baltimore, the first bishop of the United States, promoted devotion to Mary, the Mother of God, and placed the United States under her protection in a pastoral letter of 1792.
The twenty-one bishops attending the Sixth Provincial Council of Baltimore in 1846 determined to name the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception, as the Patroness of the United States, and Pope Pius IX approved this decision the following year.
More recently, the dedication of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. in 1959 was the opportunity for the bishops to once again consecrate the nation to the Blessed Mother.
“The renewal of consecration planned in this country for May 1 does not change the designation of Mary as the Patroness of the United States under the title of the Immaculate Conception,” continues the USCCB statement. “Rather, this prayer reaffirms and renews previous Marian entrustments, and unites us in solidarity with our Holy Father, who recently established the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, as a source of protection and strength.”
Canada was last consecrated to Mary on July 2, 2017, the 150th anniversary of Confederation of that nation, when bishops across the country joined in consecrating Canada to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The planned consecration also follows a similar action of the bishops’ conference of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAM), who consecrated their nations to Our Lady of Guadalupe on Easter Sunday.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-27--Bishop rebukes Michigan gov’s declaration that abortions are ‘life-sustaining’

April 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Catholic leaders in Michigan are speaking out forcefully against Democrat Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s declaration that the abortion industry should be exempt from the sacrifices made by legitimate medical fields because it is “ life-sustaining.
” “ A woman ’ s health care , her whole future , her ability to decide if and when she starts a family is not an election , it is fundamental to her life , ” Whitmer claimed during an interview earlier this month .
“ It is life sustaining and it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the middle of .
” The exception , reflective of debates going across multiple states during the COVID-19 crisis , flies in the face of medical guidance that says healthcare facilities should reschedule non-urgent appointments and elective procedures , both to limit the spread of the virus and to free up time and resources to focus on infected patients .
In response , the Michigan Catholic Conference and Bishop David Walkowiak of the Grand Rapids Diocese have issued statements stressing that abortion is anything but life-sustaining .
“ Two persons enter an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Walkowiak said .
“ For those of us in Michigan who value life , the way forward remains the same .
We must let our elected representatives know our opinions on this matter and do all that we can to explain to them why the Church teaches about the sanctity of life as she does.
” The bishop added that the church ’ s “ efforts and resources remain available to all families , ” including low-income mothers struggling with pregnancy .
The Conference ’ s statement , meanwhile , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how easily candidates for higher office are pushed into a dark corner by the abortion industry , ” and that her logic “ is removed from reality : night is not day ; war is not peace.
” “ We call on Governor Whitmer to pause and reflect on the wounds her comments have created for countless people in this state and elsewhere , ” the Conference declared .
“ We all need the governor ’ s sole focus right now to be on the needs of the people of Michigan , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PETITION : Support pro-lifers threatened and arrested for praying outside of abortion facilities Sign the petition here .
By the time of her abortion comments , Whitmer had already become one of the most infamous governors in the nation for the scope of the restrictions she has imposed , from ordering grocery stores to stop selling plants and seeds ( even as lottery tickets remain available ) to prohibiting travel between two private residences owned by the same individual .
Her lockdown provoked a protest at the state capitol drawing thousands of angry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violations of Americans ’ constitutional rights .
Most recently , Whitmer extended her stay-at-home order until ( at least ) May 15 while lifting some restrictions on businesses and outdoor activities .
She also tried unsuccessfully to get the legislature to extend her emergency powers by 70 days .
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

The Diocese of Grand Rapids' David Walkowiak to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: 'Two persons enter an abortion clinic. Only one comes out.' All life has value.
April 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Catholic leaders in Michigan are speaking out forcefully against Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s declaration that the abortion industry should be exempt from the sacrifices made by legitimate medical fields because it is “life-sustaining.”
“A woman’s health care, her whole future, her ability to decide if and when she starts a family is not an election, it is fundamental to her life,” Whitmer claimed during an interview earlier this month. “It is life sustaining and it’s something that government should not be getting in the middle of. ”
The exception, reflective of debates going across multiple states during the COVID-19 crisis, flies in the face of medical guidance that says healthcare facilities should reschedule non-urgent appointments and elective procedures, both to limit the spread of the virus and to free up time and resources to focus on infected patients.
In response, the Michigan Catholic Conference and Bishop David Walkowiak of the Grand Rapids Diocese have issued statements stressing that abortion is anything but life-sustaining.
“Two persons enter an abortion clinic. Only one comes out,” Walkowiak said. “For those of us in Michigan who value life, the way forward remains the same. We must let our elected representatives know our opinions on this matter and do all that we can to explain to them why the Church teaches about the sanctity of life as she does.”
The bishop added that the church’s “efforts and resources remain available to all families,” including low-income mothers struggling with pregnancy.
The Conference’s statement, meanwhile, says that Whitmer’s remarks “indicate how easily candidates for higher office are pushed into a dark corner by the abortion industry,” and that her logic “is removed from reality: night is not day; war is not peace.”
“We call on Governor Whitmer to pause and reflect on the wounds her comments have created for countless people in this state and elsewhere,” the Conference declared. “We all need the governor’s sole focus right now to be on the needs of the people of Michigan, not the demands of the abortion industry.”
PETITION: Support pro-lifers threatened and arrested for praying outside of abortion facilities Sign the petition here.
By the time of her abortion comments, Whitmer had already become one of the most infamous governors in the nation for the scope of the restrictions she has imposed, from ordering grocery stores to stop selling plants and seeds (even as lottery tickets remain available) to prohibiting travel between two private residences owned by the same individual. Her lockdown provoked a protest at the state capitol drawing thousands of angry Michiganders, and two federal lawsuits asserting violations of Americans’ constitutional rights.
Most recently, Whitmer extended her stay-at-home order until (at least) May 15 while lifting some restrictions on businesses and outdoor activities. She also tried unsuccessfully to get the legislature to extend her emergency powers by 70 days.
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-27--Secular org gets military chaplains’ COVID-19 prayer videos removed from Facebook page

FORT DRUM , New York , April 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The U.S. Army ’ s 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade has acquiesced to demands from a secular-advocacy group to remove prayer videos by its chaplains from the brigade 's main Facebook page .
The four videos show chaplains Scott Ingram and Amy Smith offering comfort and perspective to those struggling with the threat and response to COVID-19 .
In one , Ingram notes that “ God encourages us not to be dismayed by what we see around us , things we can not control .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intel in this moment , place our trust in him , walk forward in his strength , and treat others with kindness.
” In another , Smith shows off the Fort Drum Spiritual Fitness Trail as an exercise in connecting with God via nature , through which “ you are invited to pray , to pray for the family , to pray for the sick , and to pray for our leaders.
” Claiming to have received complaints about the videos from eight active-duty soldiers in the Division , the so-called Military Religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint demanding that the “ illicit proselytizing videos ” be removed from the main page ( which has more than 7,800 followers ) and relegated to the Fort Hill Chapel Facebook page ( which has fewer than 400 ) .
The videos were taken down within hours , the Christian Post reports .
“ I personally spoke on the phone this morning to the senior leadership staff of [ Maj. Gen. ] Brian Mennes , the 10th ’ s Commanding General , as well as subordinate senior staff of [ Col. ] Matt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade , ” declared MRFF president Mikey Weinstein .
“ These senior Fort Drum staffers were professional and courteous and seemed to understand well the position of MRFF in advocating for our active duty Army clients under their command.
” “ MRFF and its military clients would greatly prefer that the Army would have taken this action sua sponte ( ‘ ON ITS OWN ’ ) , ” Weinstein continued , “ without having to cause MRFF to make these obviously valid demands to ensure church-state separation in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who justly fear reprisal , retribution , revenge and retaliation for taking their grievances up the chain of command.
” “ At a time when our nation is hurting and many feel hopeless , why on earth would Mikey Weinstein attack prayer ?
” First Liberty Institute attorney Mike Berry responded in a statement to Fox News .
“ America has the strongest military in history , but our brave service members are not immune to the havoc COVID-19 has wreaked.
” “ I can not believe the legendary U.S. Army ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of surrender to an anti-religious freedom zealot , ” Berry continued .
“ Every president , from Washington to Trump , has publicly prayed for our military .
If the commander in chief can pray , then our soldiers can , too.
” The MRFF is most well known for pressuring the U.S. military to quash benign , non-coercive expressions of faith .
It has taken credit for getting Bibles removed from Missing Man Tables across the country , demanded punishment for chaplains who wore their uniforms to an event hosted by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy restrictions on proselytizing by military chaplains .
“ In 2015 , ( Weinstein ) wrote a blog post calling for the ousting of Christian chaplains who disagree with same-sex ‘ marriage , ’ and also demanded that Satan , Allah [ , ] Odin and others be added to a ‘ God bless the military ’ display in Hawaii , ” Christian News adds .

'Every president, from Washington to Trump, has publicly prayed for our military. If the commander in chief can pray, then our soldiers can, too,' countered an attorney from First Liberty Institute.
FORT DRUM, New York, April 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade has acquiesced to demands from a secular-advocacy group to remove prayer videos by its chaplains from the brigade's main Facebook page.
The four videos show chaplains Scott Ingram and Amy Smith offering comfort and perspective to those struggling with the threat and response to COVID-19. In one, Ingram notes that “God encourages us not to be dismayed by what we see around us, things we cannot control. We can, however, with the best intel in this moment, place our trust in him, walk forward in his strength, and treat others with kindness.”
In another, Smith shows off the Fort Drum Spiritual Fitness Trail as an exercise in connecting with God via nature, through which “you are invited to pray, to pray for the family, to pray for the sick, and to pray for our leaders.”
Claiming to have received complaints about the videos from eight active-duty soldiers in the Division, the so-called Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) sent a complaint demanding that the “illicit proselytizing videos” be removed from the main page (which has more than 7,800 followers) and relegated to the Fort Hill Chapel Facebook page (which has fewer than 400).
The videos were taken down within hours, the Christian Post reports.
“I personally spoke on the phone this morning to the senior leadership staff of [Maj. Gen.] Brian Mennes, the 10th’s Commanding General, as well as subordinate senior staff of [Col.] Matt Bresko, the Commander of the 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade,” declared MRFF president Mikey Weinstein. “These senior Fort Drum staffers were professional and courteous and seemed to understand well the position of MRFF in advocating for our active duty Army clients under their command.”
“MRFF and its military clients would greatly prefer that the Army would have taken this action sua sponte (‘ON ITS OWN’),” Weinstein continued, “without having to cause MRFF to make these obviously valid demands to ensure church-state separation in the first place on behalf of aggrieved Army personnel who justly fear reprisal, retribution, revenge and retaliation for taking their grievances up the chain of command.”
“At a time when our nation is hurting and many feel hopeless, why on earth would Mikey Weinstein attack prayer?” First Liberty Institute attorney Mike Berry responded in a statement to Fox News. “America has the strongest military in history, but our brave service members are not immune to the havoc COVID-19 has wreaked.”
“I cannot believe the legendary U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division raised the white flag of surrender to an anti-religious freedom zealot,” Berry continued. “Every president, from Washington to Trump, has publicly prayed for our military. If the commander in chief can pray, then our soldiers can, too.”
The MRFF is most well known for pressuring the U.S. military to quash benign, non-coercive expressions of faith. It has taken credit for getting Bibles removed from Missing Man Tables across the country, demanded punishment for chaplains who wore their uniforms to an event hosted by a religious liberty group, and agitated for heavy restrictions on proselytizing by military chaplains.
“In 2015, (Weinstein) wrote a blog post calling for the ousting of Christian chaplains who disagree with same-sex ‘marriage,’ and also demanded that Satan, Allah[,] Odin and others be added to a ‘God bless the military’ display in Hawaii,” Christian News adds.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-27--Chinese Communist Party ‘the biggest and most serious virus of all’: Exiled human rights activist

WASHINGTON , D.C. , April 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — World leaders should not follow the example of the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) in their attempts to respond to the coronavirus , according to the blind human rights activist Chen Guangcheng , but should instead “ come together to confront the CCP ” which Chen says “ is the biggest and most serious virus of all.
” In an interview with William Saunders on Faith and Law ’ s Friday Forum , Chen said that “ it is time to recognize the threat the Chinese Communist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a young age , Chen gained international prominence more than a decade ago for suing the Chinese government over its brutal “ one-child policy , ” which has resulted in forced abortions , estimated to be in the hundreds of millions .
Forced abortion continues in China under its “ two-child policy ” now .
He was imprisoned by China ’ s communist government for his activism , but in 2012 he escaped house arrest and fled to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing .
He and his family were later allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now a distinguished visiting fellow at the Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies at the Catholic University of America and a senior fellow at the Witherspoon Institute .
During last week ’ s interview Chen issued a stark warning to leaders throughout the world , saying : “ If free nations do not face the difficult task of deciding how to eradicate communist authoritarianism – a cancer on humanity – they will become its victims.
” “ Like fire and water , authoritarian dictatorships do not mix with democracies , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nice the free world tries to be , dictators will not change .
The reality you have to face is that dictators see you as the enemy .
And it ’ s not only the people directly ruled by dictators who face harm , as you now see from the coronavirus.
” Chen was dismissive of any idea that the outbreak has been brought under effective control in China .
“ Over the past weeks , the CCP has told the world that it has controlled the virus , that it has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world seem to believe this .
And many people are saying we should do what the authoritarian regime has done in China , ” he explained .
“ This is dangerous , ” he continued .
“ There is nothing to believe in what the CCP reports.
” “ They are barricading people in their own homes , ” he said .
“ In Wuhan whole families have been found dead in their apartments because they could not get out.
” Official figures say that the total death toll from the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from just over 80,000 cases .
By comparison , the U.S. is now reporting more than 55,000 deaths from almost a million total cases .
Italy is reporting more than 26,000 deaths from almost 200,000 cases .
But Chen believes the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in China is vastly more than is claimed by the official reports .
“ As for the data , there is nothing about the CCP ’ s numbers that are believable , ” he said .
“ Recently the CCP has raised the official number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little more than 3,200 in the entire country .
Then they said they had missed 1,290 people , so they have adjusted the amount to over 4,600 people .
But no one believes this – not the Chinese people and no one outside China either .
“ ‘ When the epidemic is finally under control , the rest of the world must come together to confront the CCP ’ Earlier this month , President Donald Trump halted federal funding to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , citing as one reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the CCP about the coronavirus in China were accurate .
China expert and president of the Population Research Institute , Steven Mosher , has argued repeatedly that the total number of coronavirus deaths in China is likely to be 20 times more than the official figures .
Chen also claimed that “ the CCP is taking advantage of the pandemic to carry out its suppression campaign.
” “ So-called quarantine sites are in fact secret detention sites where they can hold human rights activists , ” he explained .
Chen said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities and sent to such “ detention sites ” because they contradicted CCP propaganda by publishing online videos of things such “ people collapsing in the streets , body bags piling up in vans ” and “ hearses and vans carrying bodies working 24 hours a day.
” Others , he said , have received death threats because of their work explaining the reality of the situation in China .
“ Even the smallest speaking of the truth can result in these terrifying reactions and threats to personal safety , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once the coronavirus is under control that the rest of the world must hold the CCP to account .
“ The CCP has suppressed the truth about this virus and has allowed it to spread around the world , creating a catastrophe .
When the epidemic is finally under control , the rest of the world must come together to confront the CCP , ” he said .
“ A top priority should be to consider how to directly and effectively assist the Chinese people in understanding , resisting , and overthrowing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The West needs to take specific measures to weaken the CCP ’ s capability to oppress , including technological , economic or other forms of assistance .
If the CCP persecutes human rights activists , religious believers , and democracy activists , it should pay the highest price for its actions.
” “ If the CCP does something that causes hundreds of thousands of deaths world-wide , it also needs to be held responsible .
”

'It is time to recognize the threat the Chinese Communist Party poses to all humanity,' said Chen Guangcheng.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — World leaders should not follow the example of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in their attempts to respond to the coronavirus, according to the blind human rights activist Chen Guangcheng, but should instead “come together to confront the CCP” which Chen says “is the biggest and most serious virus of all.”
In an interview with William Saunders on Faith and Law’s Friday Forum, Chen said that “it is time to recognize the threat the Chinese Communist Party poses to all humanity.”
Blind from a young age, Chen gained international prominence more than a decade ago for suing the Chinese government over its brutal “one-child policy,” which has resulted in forced abortions, estimated to be in the hundreds of millions. Forced abortion continues in China under its “two-child policy” now.
He was imprisoned by China’s communist government for his activism, but in 2012 he escaped house arrest and fled to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. He and his family were later allowed to leave for the U.S., where he is now a distinguished visiting fellow at the Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies at the Catholic University of America and a senior fellow at the Witherspoon Institute.
During last week’s interview Chen issued a stark warning to leaders throughout the world, saying: “If free nations do not face the difficult task of deciding how to eradicate communist authoritarianism – a cancer on humanity – they will become its victims.”
“Like fire and water, authoritarian dictatorships do not mix with democracies,” he said.
“No matter how nice the free world tries to be, dictators will not change. The reality you have to face is that dictators see you as the enemy. And it’s not only the people directly ruled by dictators who face harm, as you now see from the coronavirus.”
Chen was dismissive of any idea that the outbreak has been brought under effective control in China.
“Over the past weeks, the CCP has told the world that it has controlled the virus, that it has been victorious. Many people and leaders around the world seem to believe this. And many people are saying we should do what the authoritarian regime has done in China,” he explained.
“This is dangerous,” he continued. “There is nothing to believe in what the CCP reports.”
“They are barricading people in their own homes,” he said. “In Wuhan whole families have been found dead in their apartments because they could not get out.”
Official figures say that the total death toll from the virus in China is now just over 4,600, from just over 80,000 cases. By comparison, the U.S. is now reporting more than 55,000 deaths from almost a million total cases. Italy is reporting more than 26,000 deaths from almost 200,000 cases.
But Chen believes the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in China is vastly more than is claimed by the official reports.
“As for the data, there is nothing about the CCP’s numbers that are believable,” he said.
“Recently the CCP has raised the official number of deaths. Previously the number was a little more than 3,200 in the entire country. Then they said they had missed 1,290 people, so they have adjusted the amount to over 4,600 people. But no one believes this – not the Chinese people and no one outside China either. “
‘When the epidemic is finally under control, the rest of the world must come together to confront the CCP’
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump halted federal funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), citing as one reason their failure to investigate whether reports coming from the CCP about the coronavirus in China were accurate.
China expert and president of the Population Research Institute, Steven Mosher, has argued repeatedly that the total number of coronavirus deaths in China is likely to be 20 times more than the official figures.
Chen also claimed that “the CCP is taking advantage of the pandemic to carry out its suppression campaign.”
“So-called quarantine sites are in fact secret detention sites where they can hold human rights activists,” he explained.
Chen said that some Chinese journalists have been captured by authorities and sent to such “detention sites” because they contradicted CCP propaganda by publishing online videos of things such “people collapsing in the streets, body bags piling up in vans” and “hearses and vans carrying bodies working 24 hours a day.” Others, he said, have received death threats because of their work explaining the reality of the situation in China.
“Even the smallest speaking of the truth can result in these terrifying reactions and threats to personal safety,” he said.
The human rights lawyer insisted that once the coronavirus is under control that the rest of the world must hold the CCP to account.
“The CCP has suppressed the truth about this virus and has allowed it to spread around the world, creating a catastrophe. When the epidemic is finally under control, the rest of the world must come together to confront the CCP,” he said.
“A top priority should be to consider how to directly and effectively assist the Chinese people in understanding, resisting, and overthrowing the CCP dictatorial regime,” he continued.
“The West needs to take specific measures to weaken the CCP’s capability to oppress, including technological, economic or other forms of assistance. If the CCP persecutes human rights activists, religious believers, and democracy activists, it should pay the highest price for its actions.”
“If the CCP does something that causes hundreds of thousands of deaths world-wide, it also needs to be held responsible.”
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lifesitenews--2020-04-27--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

April 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the coronavirus crisis , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united in praying the rosary together , at the same time , every day at 12:00 noon EST .
The rosary is led by Father Anthony Pillari , an American priest currently in Italy .
To date , Catholics from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Mexico , Chile , Brazil , Australia , New Zealand , the Philippines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as other countries , have been joining in .
The whole world – including the Church – has been thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) .
Thousands of people have passed away as a result of the viral outbreak , while thousands more have been sickened .
And , across the world , business has come to a grinding halt , resulting in sudden job loss and threatening economic recession .
If there ever was a time for prayer , this is it .
Catholics around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sacraments , but in many places are unable to access them because of bishops ’ orders or government restrictions .
We know that community with other believers is vital all the time , but especially during this time of global calls for “ sheltering-in-place ” and quarantine .
“ The rosary is the weapon for these times , ” St. Padre Pio said .
Through prayer , we can shape history , change the world , and bring this painful crisis to an end .
Join us today !
Send photos or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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--2020-04-27--Cdl. Burke: Church must ‘do better’ and bring sacraments to the faithful during COVID-19 crisis

April 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Cardinal Raymond Burke has said that Catholics being unable to attend Mass , receive Holy Communion , or go to Confession “ is not an acceptable situation ” and has called on the Church throughout the world to “ do better ” in response to the coronavirus crisis .
In an interview with the U.S.-based Catholic Action group , Burke stressed that the Church must continue the “ most fundamental aspects ” of its spiritual mission , namely bringing the sacraments to the faithful , most especially to the sick and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Apostolic Signatura , the Vatican ’ s highest court , and is known around the world for his defense of Catholic orthodoxy .
“ We have to realize that the Church ’ s spiritual mission , in its most fundamental aspects , for instance in the hearing of Confessions , in the bringing of Holy Communion to the faithful , and above all to the sick and the dying and to bring the sacraments to those who are seriously ill. We need to know that we have to find a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ It 's interesting that the secular world finds ways , for instance that people can continue to provide food for their homes and other necessities , which of course they should be able to .
Well , we need too to find the ways in which we can provide the spiritual care of the faithful , ” he continued .
Burke explained that in Italy , where he currently lives , Catholics have been dying on their own and are subsequently being buried with no family members or even a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on such a situation , he said : “ we have to be able to do better than that.
” The cardinal also said that the Church ’ s response to the crisis has been “ quite different from the response that She has made in other times through such situations.
” “ There are people who have n't been able to assist at Holy Mass for weeks and who have n't received Holy Communion or who have n't been able to go to Confession and this is not an acceptable situation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the past the Church would have , even in an heroic way – especially priests who by their very celibate way of life are prepared for these kind of sacrificial acts – [ gone ] out to minister to to the faithful , ” he continued .
Burke highlighted the example of priests , who despite the current difficulties in visiting sick and dying patients , have found ways to minister to those most in need .
“ I ’ ve read some stories about priests who were so committed to helping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hospital , and of course the hospitals in the beginning are going to discourage anything because they have a lot on their plate .
But he worked in a very kind and positive way with the hospital staff and so he was able to put on whatever protective dress he needed and so forth and go in and assist the poor dying person , ” the cardinal explained .
Burke said that it was our duty to insist to secular officials on the importance of priests and ministers to assist sick and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought that many officials would understand if this was explained to them .
“ The frame of mind we ought to have is that , ‘ yes , our Lord is depending on us to do all that we can to fight a very great evil , ’ ” he said .
“ We are co-workers with the Lord , we ’ re co-operators with His grace and therefore we need to seek the most creative solutions in order that what people most need at a time like this , namely the sacraments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The cardinal said that he found the idea that being without the sacraments had helped some to develop their prayer lives “ a bit disturbing.
” He insisted rather this was a time to develop a greater respect and understanding of Our Lord ’ s presence in the sacraments of the Church .
“ We do all of these devotions , we say these prayers with the profound longing to meet our Lord in the sacraments , ” he explained .
“ Something we 've discovered in all of this is that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our Lord 's presence , His action with us in a very particular and extraordinary way through the sacraments .
”

'We have to realize that the Church’s spiritual mission, in its most fundamental aspects, for instance in the hearing of Confessions, in the bringing of Holy Communion to the faithful, and above all to the sick and the dying and to bring the sacraments to those who are seriously ill,' said the American cardinal.
April 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Cardinal Raymond Burke has said that Catholics being unable to attend Mass, receive Holy Communion, or go to Confession “is not an acceptable situation” and has called on the Church throughout the world to “do better” in response to the coronavirus crisis.
In an interview with the U.S.-based Catholic Action group, Burke stressed that the Church must continue the “most fundamental aspects” of its spiritual mission, namely bringing the sacraments to the faithful, most especially to the sick and the dying. Burke is the former Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, the Vatican’s highest court, and is known around the world for his defense of Catholic orthodoxy.
“We have to realize that the Church’s spiritual mission, in its most fundamental aspects, for instance in the hearing of Confessions, in the bringing of Holy Communion to the faithful, and above all to the sick and the dying and to bring the sacraments to those who are seriously ill. We need to know that we have to find a way to continue these services,” he said.
“It's interesting that the secular world finds ways, for instance that people can continue to provide food for their homes and other necessities, which of course they should be able to. Well, we need too to find the ways in which we can provide the spiritual care of the faithful,” he continued.
Burke explained that in Italy, where he currently lives, Catholics have been dying on their own and are subsequently being buried with no family members or even a priest present at the graveside. Reflecting on such a situation, he said: “we have to be able to do better than that.”
The cardinal also said that the Church’s response to the crisis has been “quite different from the response that She has made in other times through such situations.”
“There are people who haven't been able to assist at Holy Mass for weeks and who haven't received Holy Communion or who haven't been able to go to Confession and this is not an acceptable situation for us,” he said.
“In the past the Church would have, even in an heroic way – especially priests who by their very celibate way of life are prepared for these kind of sacrificial acts – [gone] out to minister to to the faithful,” he continued.
Burke highlighted the example of priests, who despite the current difficulties in visiting sick and dying patients, have found ways to minister to those most in need.
“I’ve read some stories about priests who were so committed to helping a poor dying person they went to the hospital, and of course the hospitals in the beginning are going to discourage anything because they have a lot on their plate. But he worked in a very kind and positive way with the hospital staff and so he was able to put on whatever protective dress he needed and so forth and go in and assist the poor dying person,” the cardinal explained.
Burke said that it was our duty to insist to secular officials on the importance of priests and ministers to assist sick and dying Christians, and said that he thought that many officials would understand if this was explained to them.
“The frame of mind we ought to have is that, ‘yes, our Lord is depending on us to do all that we can to fight a very great evil,’” he said.
“We are co-workers with the Lord, we’re co-operators with His grace and therefore we need to seek the most creative solutions in order that what people most need at a time like this, namely the sacraments…that they would have that.”
The cardinal said that he found the idea that being without the sacraments had helped some to develop their prayer lives “a bit disturbing.” He insisted rather this was a time to develop a greater respect and understanding of Our Lord’s presence in the sacraments of the Church.
“We do all of these devotions, we say these prayers with the profound longing to meet our Lord in the sacraments,” he explained.
“Something we've discovered in all of this is that we need to deepen very much our appreciation of our Lord's presence, His action with us in a very particular and extraordinary way through the sacraments.”
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lifesitenews--2020-04-27--Italy’s bishops rebuke government for extending Mass ban as other restrictions loosen

ROME , Italy , April 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― Italy ’ s Catholic bishops have rebuked the Italian government after it announced new lockdown guidelines that permit various social and commercial activities but not public worship .
The Italian bishops tabled their protest shortly after Italy ’ s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte broadcast the “ Phase 2 ” announcement yesterday evening .
Their statement , published on the website of the Episcopal Conference of Italy ( CEI ) , said that despite their own weeks of conversation with the government , including the presentation of their plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new guidelines “ arbitrarily exclude the possibility of celebrating Mass with the people.
” “ We call upon the President of the Council of Ministers and the Technical and Scientific Committee to distinguish between their responsibility―to give exact instructions regarding health―and that of the Church , called to organize the life of the Christian community , respecting the arranged measures , but in the fullness of her own authority , ” the bishops wrote .
“ The Italian Bishops can not accept seeing the exercise of the freedom of religion compromised , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear to all that the duty of service towards the poor , so significant in this emergency , is born from a faith that must be allowed to nourish itself by its sources , in particular the sacramental life.
” The bishops noted that the Italian Minister of the Interior , Luciana Lamorgese , had told Catholic newspaper L ’ Avvenire last week that the government was studying new measures to allow greater exercise of freedom of religion in Italy .
This had followed a “ continuous ” conversation and arrangements between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president of Italy ’ s governing council .
“ [ This was ] a conversation in which the Church accepted the civil limitations , with suffering and a sense of responsibility , to confront the health emergency , ” they continued .
“ A conversation during which it has many times been explicitly underlined that―when there is a reduction in the limitations set to confront the pandemic , the Church will― demand to be able to resume her pastoral activity.
” “ Phase 2 ” of the Italian government ’ s response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world ’ s strictest lockdowns , one that saw Italians not deemed essential workers confined to their own properties except to buy essential food items or medicine .
The new guidelines will allow some mixing between households .
Beginning May 4 , Italians will be allowed to visit nearby family members but not travel outside their own regions .
They will be permitted to exercise outdoors as long as they maintain a one meter ( 3 feet ) distance from each other .
They will be permitted to buy takeout from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close relations will be allowed , as long as everyone present wears masks and maintains so-called social distancing .
Any other kind of religious gathering or ceremony is still banned .
Face masks , whose price has been capped at 50 Euro cents , or makeshift masks , like scarves , will have to be worn on public transit and , now by law , anyone with a fever will have to stay at home .
Factories , construction companies , and wholesalers have been invited to start planning now for an early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions is successful , shops , museums , and cultural sites will be opened from May 18 .
Restaurants and beauty parlors will not reopen until June 1 , however .
Schools will remain shut until September .
Churches in Rome have remained open for private prayer , thanks to an early rebellion by Papal Almoner Archbishop Cardinal Konrad Krajewski .
However , some Italian civil authorities have fined Catholic priests for processing through the streets to bless their parishioners .
( In other areas , priests have been left unhindered and unpunished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor Gabriele Gallina of Soncino , have sent police to interrupt Mass celebrations , tipped off by informers that members of the public were present .

'The Italian Bishops cannot accept seeing the exercise of the freedom of religion compromised,' they wrote.
ROME, Italy, April 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― Italy’s Catholic bishops have rebuked the Italian government after it announced new lockdown guidelines that permit various social and commercial activities but not public worship.
The Italian bishops tabled their protest shortly after Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte broadcast the “Phase 2” announcement yesterday evening.
Their statement, published on the website of the Episcopal Conference of Italy (CEI), said that despite their own weeks of conversation with the government, including the presentation of their plan for safely resuming Catholic worship, the new guidelines “arbitrarily exclude the possibility of celebrating Mass with the people.”
“We call upon the President of the Council of Ministers and the Technical and Scientific Committee to distinguish between their responsibility―to give exact instructions regarding health―and that of the Church, called to organize the life of the Christian community, respecting the arranged measures, but in the fullness of her own authority,” the bishops wrote.
“The Italian Bishops cannot accept seeing the exercise of the freedom of religion compromised,” they continued.
“It should be clear to all that the duty of service towards the poor, so significant in this emergency, is born from a faith that must be allowed to nourish itself by its sources, in particular the sacramental life.”
The bishops noted that the Italian Minister of the Interior, Luciana Lamorgese, had told Catholic newspaper L’Avvenire last week that the government was studying new measures to allow greater exercise of freedom of religion in Italy. This had followed a “continuous” conversation and arrangements between the Italian Bishops, the Ministry, and the president of Italy’s governing council.
“[This was] a conversation in which the Church accepted the civil limitations, with suffering and a sense of responsibility, to confront the health emergency,” they continued.
“A conversation during which it has many times been explicitly underlined that―when there is a reduction in the limitations set to confront the pandemic, the Church will― demand to be able to resume her pastoral activity.”
“Phase 2” of the Italian government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic will loosen one of the world’s strictest lockdowns, one that saw Italians not deemed essential workers confined to their own properties except to buy essential food items or medicine.
The new guidelines will allow some mixing between households. Beginning May 4, Italians will be allowed to visit nearby family members but not travel outside their own regions. They will be permitted to exercise outdoors as long as they maintain a one meter (3 feet) distance from each other. They will be permitted to buy takeout from restaurants. Funerals including up to 15 close relations will be allowed, as long as everyone present wears masks and maintains so-called social distancing. Any other kind of religious gathering or ceremony is still banned.
Face masks, whose price has been capped at 50 Euro cents, or makeshift masks, like scarves, will have to be worn on public transit and, now by law, anyone with a fever will have to stay at home.
Factories, construction companies, and wholesalers have been invited to start planning now for an early May restart. If this loosening of restrictions is successful, shops, museums, and cultural sites will be opened from May 18. Restaurants and beauty parlors will not reopen until June 1, however. Schools will remain shut until September.
Churches in Rome have remained open for private prayer, thanks to an early rebellion by Papal Almoner Archbishop Cardinal Konrad Krajewski. However, some Italian civil authorities have fined Catholic priests for processing through the streets to bless their parishioners. (In other areas, priests have been left unhindered and unpunished.) Some civil authorities, notably mayor Gabriele Gallina of Soncino, have sent police to interrupt Mass celebrations, tipped off by informers that members of the public were present.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-24--Christ conquered death - Trust Him

Christ conquered death - Trust Him

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Become a monthly sustainer and join the frontlines of the culture @ @ @ @ @ Miriam 's Live show from 4.24.2020 .
Today Mother talks about the importance of trusting @ @ @ @ @ suffering .
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Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 4.24.2020. Today Mother talks about the importance of trusting God during this time of suffering. She reminds listeners nothing happens to us that God does not allow. We must use this time to repent and re-align our lives toward God.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-28--Trump warns bishops: 2020 Democrat win means ‘very different Catholic Church’

WASHINGTON , D.C. , April 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – After holding a conference call with Catholic leaders on Saturday , President Donald J. Trump watched Sunday morning Mass at New York City ’ s St. Patrick ’ s Cathedral via live-stream .
“ Had a great call with Catholic Leaders and Educators earlier today , ” tweeted the president on Saturday .
“ I will be online tomorrow at 10:15 A.M. ( Eastern ) for Sunday Mass celebrated by Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick ’ s Cathedral in New York City , ” he added , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me : https : //saintpatrickscathedral.org/live.
” On Sunday afternoon , the president again took to Twitter : “ Cardinal Dolan , Thank you for a great call yesterday with Catholic Leaders , and a great Service today from St. Pats NYC !
” During Saturday ’ s conference call with over 600 Catholic leaders and educators , President Trump addressed their concerns about the future of Catholic schools affected by coronavirus pandemic lockdowns across the country .
“ This is ‘ tough times ’ for all churches , ” declared Dolan , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dioceses live from paycheck to paycheck .
“ Our ordinary sources of income aren ’ t coming in.
” “ Who do people go to in times of trial ?
” asked Dolan .
“ Most often they ’ re knocking on the rectory door or calling their pastors and saying , ‘ We ’ re having trouble making rent , ’ or ‘ We need some help with groceries.
’ ” “ While the income is less , the demands are even greater , ” said Dolan , who explained that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I always hesitate to bring it up because we ’ re concerned about a lot more than money.
” “ This is a tough financial time for the churches , ” he reiterated .
Cardinal Dolan said that while his archdiocesan schools can cover their fiscal obligations for the remainder of this academic year , he ’ s concerned about next year .
Because of the impact the coronavirus lockdowns have had on the jobs and incomes of Catholic families , they won ’ t be able to include Catholic school tuitions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition to the many other things I ’ m praying for — the sick , those heroic people tending to them , ” said Dolan , “ I ’ m also beseeching the Lord for a return to financial stability for His Church.
” During the call , the president also took the opportunity to repeatedly emphasize his support for the pro-life movement and school choice , according to Crux , which had obtained a recording of the call .
Trump : If a Democrat wins the White House in November , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very different Catholic Church ’ Crux characterized President Trump ’ s comments as “ attempting to paint a stark contrast between his administration and what a Democratic presidency could mean for Catholics.
” [ T ] he president ’ s most frequented theme in his opening remarks was that of his commitment to pro-life cause , saying that it has “ been at a level that no other president has seen before , according to everybody.
” “ I ’ m just saying what everybody is saying , ” he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sitting president to address the March for Life in person in January , the annual event in protest of the legalization of abortion by the Supreme Court in 1973 .
... [ The president said ] Democrats “ want abortion and they want it now and they want it to go up to the end of the ninth month and beyond , ” and referenced the comments of Virginia Democratic Governor Ralph Northam who faced backlash last year for his support of third trimester abortion .
... “ I hope that everyone gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to do , ” he then said of the November election .
“ You ’ re going to have a very different Catholic Church , ” he warned if he is defeated .
In addition to Cardinal Dolan , also on the call were Boston ’ s Cardinal Séan O ’ Malley ; Los Angeles archbishop José Gomez .
who serves as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ( USCCB ) ; and Bishop Michael C. Barber of Oakland , chair of the USCCB committee of Catholic Education , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the White House ’ s end of the phone line were secretary of education Betsy DeVos and secretary of housing and urban development Ben Carson .

'I hope that everyone gets out and votes and does what they have to do,' the president told prominent Catholic bishops regarding the November election.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – After holding a conference call with Catholic leaders on Saturday, President Donald J. Trump watched Sunday morning Mass at New York City’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral via live-stream.
“Had a great call with Catholic Leaders and Educators earlier today,” tweeted the president on Saturday.
“I will be online tomorrow at 10:15 A.M. (Eastern) for Sunday Mass celebrated by Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City,” he added, and then encouraged his followers, “Join me: https://saintpatrickscathedral.org/live.”
Had a great call with Catholic Leaders and Educators earlier today. I will be online tomorrow at 10:15 A.M. (Eastern) for Sunday Mass celebrated by @CardinalDolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (@StPatsNYC) in New York City. Join me: https://t.co/pTZMmBF9hb pic.twitter.com/iQy5iH5Lk6 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 26, 2020
On Sunday afternoon, the president again took to Twitter: “Cardinal Dolan, Thank you for a great call yesterday with Catholic Leaders, and a great Service today from St. Pats NYC!”
.@CardinalDolan Thank you for a great call yesterday with Catholic Leaders, and a great Service today from @StPatsNYC! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 26, 2020
Cardinal Dolan: ‘I really salute the President’s leadership’
During Saturday’s conference call with over 600 Catholic leaders and educators, President Trump addressed their concerns about the future of Catholic schools affected by coronavirus pandemic lockdowns across the country.
President Trump “really showed solicitude for Catholic schools, Catholic charities, Catholic health care,” recounted Dolan in a Fox & Friends interview.
“Bravo!” he added.
“This is ‘tough times’ for all churches,” declared Dolan, who said that like most families, parishes and dioceses live from paycheck to paycheck. “Our ordinary sources of income aren’t coming in.”
“Who do people go to in times of trial?” asked Dolan. “Most often they’re knocking on the rectory door or calling their pastors and saying, ‘We’re having trouble making rent,’ or ‘We need some help with groceries.’”
“While the income is less, the demands are even greater,” said Dolan, who explained that this is a “delicate topic. I always hesitate to bring it up because we’re concerned about a lot more than money.”
“This is a tough financial time for the churches,” he reiterated.
Cardinal Dolan said that while his archdiocesan schools can cover their fiscal obligations for the remainder of this academic year, he’s concerned about next year. Because of the impact the coronavirus lockdowns have had on the jobs and incomes of Catholic families, they won’t be able to include Catholic school tuitions in their budgets for next year.
“In addition to the many other things I’m praying for — the sick, those heroic people tending to them,” said Dolan, “I’m also beseeching the Lord for a return to financial stability for His Church.”
During the call, the president also took the opportunity to repeatedly emphasize his support for the pro-life movement and school choice, according to Crux, which had obtained a recording of the call.
Trump: If a Democrat wins the White House in November, ‘you’re going to have a very different Catholic Church’
Crux characterized President Trump’s comments as “attempting to paint a stark contrast between his administration and what a Democratic presidency could mean for Catholics.”
The report continues:
[T]he president’s most frequented theme in his opening remarks was that of his commitment to pro-life cause, saying that it has “been at a level that no other president has seen before, according to everybody.” “I’m just saying what everybody is saying,” he said, citing the fact that he was first sitting president to address the March for Life in person in January, the annual event in protest of the legalization of abortion by the Supreme Court in 1973. … [The president said] Democrats “want abortion and they want it now and they want it to go up to the end of the ninth month and beyond,” and referenced the comments of Virginia Democratic Governor Ralph Northam who faced backlash last year for his support of third trimester abortion. … “I hope that everyone gets out and votes and does what they have to do,” he then said of the November election. “You’re going to have a very different Catholic Church,” he warned if he is defeated.
In addition to Cardinal Dolan, also on the call were Boston’s Cardinal Séan O’Malley; Los Angeles archbishop José Gomez. who serves as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB); and Bishop Michael C. Barber of Oakland, chair of the USCCB committee of Catholic Education, according to Crux.
Joining the president on the White House’s end of the phone line were secretary of education Betsy DeVos and secretary of housing and urban development Ben Carson.
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