lifesitenews--2020-10-03--Senators test positive for COVID-19, potentially delaying Supreme Court nominee’s hearings

WASHINGTON , D.C. , October 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – After two Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee tested positive for COVID-19 , the plan to start confirmation hearings on October 12 for Judge Amy Coney Barrett to become the next Supreme Court justice might be derailed .
Before the tests , “ Democrats were openly discussing a boycott of a committee vote on Barrett in order to deny a quorum , so Republicans were already thinking through their options to overcome such unprecedented obstruction , ” National Review pointed out .
Republican Senator Mike Lee of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms consisted with longtime allergies ” on Thursday morning .
“ Out of an abundance of caution , I sought medical advice and was tested for COVID-19 .
Unlike the test I took just a few days ago while visiting the White House , yesterday ’ s test came back positive.
” Lee said he was quarantining “ for the next 10 days ” until October 12 .
In his brief statement , he made sure to emphasize that he had spoken with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will be back to work in time to join my Judiciary Committee colleagues in advancing the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett in the Committee and then to the full Senate.
” Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina said just a few hours after Lee that he tested positive for COVID-19 , as well .
Like Lee , Tillis is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee .
He also will be “ self-isolating at home for 10 days , ” but he didn ’ t comment on any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett as a Supreme Court justice .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein released a statement on Friday urging Graham not to commit to a hearing schedule in the face of two members of the committee diagnosed with COVID-19 .
“ It is premature for Chairman Graham to commit to a hearing schedule when we do not know the full extent of potential exposure stemming from the president ’ s infection and before the White House puts in place a contact tracing plan to prevent further spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The unfortunate news about the infection of our colleague Senator Mike Lee makes even more clear that health and safety must guide the schedule for all Senate activities , including hearings.
” The statement was released after both President Donald Trump and Lee tested positive , but before Tillis had his test results .
“ In addition , ” the Democrats ’ statement continuned , “ there is bipartisan agreement that a virtual confirmation hearing for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench is not an acceptable substitute .
All circuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , and there is far more at stake for the American people with this Supreme Court nomination , including the Affordable Care Act being struck down and more than 7 million COVID survivors being denied health coverage.
” As pointed out by National Review ’ s John McCormack , Schumer and Feinstein “ didn ’ t actually cite any Republican objections to allowing senators to question Barrett via video , ” raising questions if there in fact is “ bipartisan agreement ” on not having virtual hearings .
“ Despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats , many Senate committees have been holding remote or hybrid hearings since the coronavirus hit the United States this spring , ” McCormack stated .
“ That includes Judiciary Committee hearings for lifetime appointment ( s ) to the federal bench.
” One Twitter user demonstrated in a lengthy thread that a significant number of senators have attended hearings remotely during the coronavirus crisis .
Some of the nominees for various courts also attended remotely .
“ Of the 22 senators on the Judiciary Committee , 4 Democrats and 2 Republicans have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past 5 months remotely , ” the user summarized .
“ A good number of the other 16 … didn ’ t show up remotely or in person.
” Nevertheless , Schumer and Feinstein emphasized in their statement that it ’ s “ critical that Chairman Graham put the health of senators , the nominee , and staff first — and ensure a full and fair hearing that is not rushed , not truncated , and not virtual .
Otherwise this already illegitimate process will become a dangerous one.
” Democrats have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his nominee for the Supreme Court mere weeks before the election , arguing he should let the people decide who gets to nominate the replacement for the late pro-abortion Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Trump said during the first presidential debate last Tuesday , “ We won the election .
Elections have consequences .
We have the Senate , we have the White House , and we have a phenomenal nominee.
” “ And we just , we won the election , and therefore we have the right to choose her and very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and by the way the Democrats , they wouldn ’ t even think about that , doing it , ” he added .
“ If they had — the only difference is they ’ d try and do it faster .
There ’ s no way they would give it up .
They had Merrick Garland , but the problem is they didn ’ t have the elections so they were stopped , and probably that would happen in reversal.
” President Barack Obama had nominated Judge Merrick Garland to replace Justice Antonin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , almost 10 months before the election .
At the time , the Republican majority in the Senate blocked his confirmation .
After Trump was elected , the Senate confirmed his nominee , now-Justice Neil Gorsuch .
Graham announced a tentative schedule for confirming Barrett shortly after Trump nominated her .
October 12 would be a day of introductions , followed by two days of questioning by members of the committee .
The review of the committee ’ s recommendation would start October 15 and conclude possibly October 22 .
Then the full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s confirmation .
Republicans currently have 53 seats in the Senate .
They can accommodate for three defections , given that at 50 votes in favor of Barrett , Vice President Mike Pence would cast the tiebreaking vote .
Pence is expected to fully support the nominee .

Confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett are scheduled to start October 12, but Judiciary Committee members Mike Lee and Thom Tillis will be in quarantine until then.
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – After two Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee tested positive for COVID-19, the plan to start confirmation hearings on October 12 for Judge Amy Coney Barrett to become the next Supreme Court justice might be derailed.
Before the tests, “Democrats were openly discussing a boycott of a committee vote on Barrett in order to deny a quorum, so Republicans were already thinking through their options to overcome such unprecedented obstruction,” National Review pointed out.
Republican Senator Mike Lee of announced Friday that he started experiencing “symptoms consisted with longtime allergies” on Thursday morning. “Out of an abundance of caution, I sought medical advice and was tested for COVID-19. Unlike the test I took just a few days ago while visiting the White House, yesterday’s test came back positive.”
Lee said he was quarantining “for the next 10 days” until October 12.
In his brief statement, he made sure to emphasize that he had spoken with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, “and assured them I will be back to work in time to join my Judiciary Committee colleagues in advancing the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett in the Committee and then to the full Senate.”
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina said just a few hours after Lee that he tested positive for COVID-19, as well. Like Lee, Tillis is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He also will be “self-isolating at home for 10 days,” but he didn’t comment on any implications his diagnosis might have on confirming Barrett as a Supreme Court justice.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein released a statement on Friday urging Graham not to commit to a hearing schedule in the face of two members of the committee diagnosed with COVID-19.
“It is premature for Chairman Graham to commit to a hearing schedule when we do not know the full extent of potential exposure stemming from the president’s infection and before the White House puts in place a contact tracing plan to prevent further spread of the disease,” they wrote. “The unfortunate news about the infection of our colleague Senator Mike Lee makes even more clear that health and safety must guide the schedule for all Senate activities, including hearings.”
The statement was released after both President Donald Trump and Lee tested positive, but before Tillis had his test results.
“In addition,” the Democrats’ statement continuned, “there is bipartisan agreement that a virtual confirmation hearing for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench is not an acceptable substitute. All circuit court nominees have appeared in person during the pandemic, and there is far more at stake for the American people with this Supreme Court nomination, including the Affordable Care Act being struck down and more than 7 million COVID survivors being denied health coverage.”
As pointed out by National Review’s John McCormack, Schumer and Feinstein “didn’t actually cite any Republican objections to allowing senators to question Barrett via video,” raising questions if there in fact is “bipartisan agreement” on not having virtual hearings.
“Despite the newfound objections to remote hearings from Senate Democrats, many Senate committees have been holding remote or hybrid hearings since the coronavirus hit the United States this spring,” McCormack stated. “That includes Judiciary Committee hearings for lifetime appointment(s) to the federal bench.”
One Twitter user demonstrated in a lengthy thread that a significant number of senators have attended hearings remotely during the coronavirus crisis. Some of the nominees for various courts also attended remotely. “Of the 22 senators on the Judiciary Committee, 4 Democrats and 2 Republicans have attended at least one nominations hearing over the past 5 months remotely,” the user summarized. “A good number of the other 16 … didn’t show up remotely or in person.”
Nevertheless, Schumer and Feinstein emphasized in their statement that it’s “critical that Chairman Graham put the health of senators, the nominee, and staff first — and ensure a full and fair hearing that is not rushed, not truncated, and not virtual. Otherwise this already illegitimate process will become a dangerous one.”
Democrats have criticized the president for wanting to confirm his nominee for the Supreme Court mere weeks before the election, arguing he should let the people decide who gets to nominate the replacement for the late pro-abortion Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Trump said during the first presidential debate last Tuesday, “We won the election. Elections have consequences. We have the Senate, we have the White House, and we have a phenomenal nominee.”
“And we just, we won the election, and therefore we have the right to choose her and very few people knowingly would say otherwise — and by the way the Democrats, they wouldn’t even think about that, doing it,” he added. “If they had — the only difference is they’d try and do it faster. There’s no way they would give it up. They had Merrick Garland, but the problem is they didn’t have the elections so they were stopped, and probably that would happen in reversal.”
President Barack Obama had nominated Judge Merrick Garland to replace Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February 2016, almost 10 months before the election. At the time, the Republican majority in the Senate blocked his confirmation. After Trump was elected, the Senate confirmed his nominee, now-Justice Neil Gorsuch.
Graham announced a tentative schedule for confirming Barrett shortly after Trump nominated her. October 12 would be a day of introductions, followed by two days of questioning by members of the committee.
The review of the committee’s recommendation would start October 15 and conclude possibly October 22. Then the full Senate is expected to vote on Barrett’s confirmation.
Republicans currently have 53 seats in the Senate. They can accommodate for three defections, given that at 50 votes in favor of Barrett, Vice President Mike Pence would cast the tiebreaking vote. Pence is expected to fully support the nominee.
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lifesitenews--2020-10-03--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

October 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united daily in prayer , in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade .
Catholics from all over the world—from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , Pakistan , Singapore , the Philippines , India , Indonesia , Australia , New Zealand , Thailand , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Brazil , and other countries—are gathering daily to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Pillari , J.C.L.
, an American priest currently studying in Italy .
Our goal is , by means of this daily rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima , the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
To help obtain that goal , Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide rosary crusade : O Immaculate Heart of Mary , you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother .
Look upon the distress in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church .
In Fatima you warned against these errors , as you spoke about the errors of Russia .
You are the Mediatrix of all graces .
Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope : that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart , so that Russia will be converted , a period of peace will be granted to the world , and your Immaculate Heart will triumph , through an authentic renewal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purity of the Catholic Faith , of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life .
O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother , turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer .
Amen .
+ Athanasius Schneider , Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady ’ s message at Fatima , and about what you can do , please read Cardinal Burke ’ s 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //voiceofthefamily.com/full-text-cardinal-burkes-historic-call-for-consecration-of-russia/ ) .
As St. Padre Pio once said , “ The rosary is the weapon for these times.
” Through prayer , God can shape history , change the world , and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world , through the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
Join us today !
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this rosary , you can access them via this PDF .
This document also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily rosary on LifeSite led by Fr .
Pillari .

(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--2020-10-03--Vatican cardinal spent $800,000 to discredit Cardinal Pell during sex abuse trial: report

ROME , October 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A report published by an Italian newspaper alleged that Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu , the former Substitute for General Affairs in the Vatican ’ s Secretariat of State , spent more than $ 800,000 to discredit Cardinal George Pell during a sexual abuse trial .
Pell was later unanimously cleared of the charges by the seven justices of the High Court of Australia .
On September 24 , the Vatican announced Pope Francis had accepted “ the resignation of Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu from his position as the Prefect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and from the rights connected with the Cardinalate.
” Before heading the Congregation for the Causes of Saints , Becciu was part of the Vatican ’ s diplomatic service .
From 2001 until 2009 , he served as the apostolic nuncio to African nations Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe .
He subsequently held one of the most powerful positions in the Vatican ’ s Secretariat of State as Substitute for General Affairs until 2018 .
During his tenure at the Secretariat of State , yesterday ’ s article in Corriere della @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than $ 800,000 ) “ to an Australian account.
” At roughly the same time , Cardinal Pell , the former Archbishop of Sydney who was appointed by Pope Francis to clean up the Vatican ’ s finances as Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy , faced charges of sexually abusing boys .
The Vatican didn ’ t intervene on behalf of the cardinal regarding what many observers quickly identified as false charges .
Pell spent several months in prison before the High Court of Australia overturned the conviction in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ acting rationally on the whole of the evidence , ought to have entertained a doubt as to the applicant ’ s guilt with respect to each of the offences for which he was convicted.
” According to Corriere della Sera , Monsignor Alberto Perlasca , who worked with Becciu in the Secretariat of State , started cooperating with Vatican investigators looking into financial misconduct within the Holy See ’ s institutions .
Perlasca argued , the newspaper wrote , that “ Becciu has used some journalists and other sources to discredit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it is precisely in this vein that the payment in Australia would have been made , possibly in connection with Pell ’ s trial , ” Corriere della Sera commented .
The precise nature of the payment — Who sent it , who received it , and what was it used for ?
— is still unclear and needs to be verified , the newspaper acknowledged .
Edward Pentin , the National Catholic Register ’ s Rome correspondent , wrote , “ A Vatican source with detailed knowledge of the matter confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report to the Register on Oct. 2 , and the existence of the bank transfer to Australia .
‘ The year and date of the transfer are recorded in the archives of the Secretariat of State , ’ the source said.
” “ The funds were ‘ extra-budgetary , ’ meaning they did not come from ordinary accounts , and were ostensibly transferred for ‘ works to be done ’ on the Australian nunciature , the source said , ” according to Pentin .
Cardinal Becciu , meanwhile , denied Perlasca ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his enemies .
“ I decisively reject any kind of allusion about imaginary privileged relations with the press , ” Becciu said .
After news broke of Cardinal Becciu stepping down as Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints , Cardinal Pell thanked Pope Francis for accepting the resignation of a powerful Vatican official who in 2016 single-handedly canceled a planned external audit of Vatican finances .
“ The Holy Father has elected to clean up Vatican finances , ” Pell wrote in an official statement .
“ He plays a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and congratulated on recent developments .
I hope the cleaning of the stables continues in both the Vatican and Victoria.
” “ In 2016 , Becciu was instrumental in bringing to a halt reforms initiated by Pell , ” Catholic News Agency ( CNA ) reported .
“ Although Pope Francis had given the newly created Prefecture for the Economy autonomous oversight authority over Vatican finances , Becciu interfered when the prefecture planned an external audit of all Vatican departments , to be conducted by the firm PriceWaterhouseCooper.
” Becciu canceled the audit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not take place .
Pope Francis hadn ’ t been asked for approval at the time .
However , after “ Pell challenged internally the audit ’ s cancellation , Becciu persuaded Pope Francis to give his decision ex post facto approval , sources inside the prefecture told CNA .
The audit never took place.
” Becciu was also implicated in the cover-up of the sexual abuse and misconduct of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò .
After Becciu ’ s resignation , Viganò commented , “ People of mirrored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former head of the Vatican bank ) Ettore Gotti Tedeschi or Cardinal Pell , without forgetting ( former head of the General Secretariat of the Governorate ) Eugenio Hasler and the mere executors of Becciu in the Secretariat of State , were treated worse than a serial abuser like Theodore McCarrick or a ( presumed ) manipulator like Becciu.
” “ It is to be believed that the annoyance of having honest and incorruptible collaborators led to their expulsion , just as the blackmail of immoral and dishonest collaborators was considered a sort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silence , ” he added .
“ Time has shown that honest men have suffered injustice with dignity without discrediting the Vatican or the person of the Pope ; it is to be believed that on the other side the corrupt and the vicious will , in turn , resort to blackmail against their accusers , as courtiers without honor have always done .
”

ROME, October 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A report published by an Italian newspaper alleged that Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, the former Substitute for General Affairs in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, spent more than $800,000 to discredit Cardinal George Pell during a sexual abuse trial. Pell was later unanimously cleared of the charges by the seven justices of the High Court of Australia.
On September 24, the Vatican announced Pope Francis had accepted “the resignation of Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu from his position as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and from the rights connected with the Cardinalate.”
Before heading the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Becciu was part of the Vatican’s diplomatic service. From 2001 until 2009, he served as the apostolic nuncio to African nations Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe. He subsequently held one of the most powerful positions in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State as Substitute for General Affairs until 2018.
During his tenure at the Secretariat of State, yesterday’s article in Corriere della Sera alleged, Becciu transferred €700,000 (more than $800,000) “to an Australian account.”
At roughly the same time, Cardinal Pell, the former Archbishop of Sydney who was appointed by Pope Francis to clean up the Vatican’s finances as Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, faced charges of sexually abusing boys. The Vatican didn’t intervene on behalf of the cardinal regarding what many observers quickly identified as false charges.
Pell spent several months in prison before the High Court of Australia overturned the conviction in April. The court explained that the jury, “acting rationally on the whole of the evidence, ought to have entertained a doubt as to the applicant’s guilt with respect to each of the offences for which he was convicted.”
According to Corriere della Sera, Monsignor Alberto Perlasca, who worked with Becciu in the Secretariat of State, started cooperating with Vatican investigators looking into financial misconduct within the Holy See’s institutions.
Perlasca argued, the newspaper wrote, that “Becciu has used some journalists and other sources to discredit his enemies in recent years.”
“And it is precisely in this vein that the payment in Australia would have been made, possibly in connection with Pell’s trial,” Corriere della Sera commented.
The precise nature of the payment — Who sent it, who received it, and what was it used for? — is still unclear and needs to be verified, the newspaper acknowledged.
Edward Pentin, the National Catholic Register’s Rome correspondent, wrote, “A Vatican source with detailed knowledge of the matter confirmed the contents of the Corriere della Sera report to the Register on Oct. 2, and the existence of the bank transfer to Australia. ‘The year and date of the transfer are recorded in the archives of the Secretariat of State,’ the source said.”
“The funds were ‘extra-budgetary,’ meaning they did not come from ordinary accounts, and were ostensibly transferred for ‘works to be done’ on the Australian nunciature, the source said,” according to Pentin.
Cardinal Becciu, meanwhile, denied Perlasca’s accusations of having used journalists to discredit his enemies. “I decisively reject any kind of allusion about imaginary privileged relations with the press,” Becciu said.
After news broke of Cardinal Becciu stepping down as Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Cardinal Pell thanked Pope Francis for accepting the resignation of a powerful Vatican official who in 2016 single-handedly canceled a planned external audit of Vatican finances.
“The Holy Father has elected to clean up Vatican finances,” Pell wrote in an official statement. “He plays a long game and is to be thanked and congratulated on recent developments. I hope the cleaning of the stables continues in both the Vatican and Victoria.”
“In 2016, Becciu was instrumental in bringing to a halt reforms initiated by Pell,” Catholic News Agency (CNA) reported. “Although Pope Francis had given the newly created Prefecture for the Economy autonomous oversight authority over Vatican finances, Becciu interfered when the prefecture planned an external audit of all Vatican departments, to be conducted by the firm PriceWaterhouseCooper.”
Becciu canceled the audit, telling all departments that it would not take place. Pope Francis hadn’t been asked for approval at the time. However, after “Pell challenged internally the audit’s cancellation, Becciu persuaded Pope Francis to give his decision ex post facto approval, sources inside the prefecture told CNA. The audit never took place.”
Becciu was also implicated in the cover-up of the sexual abuse and misconduct of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò.
After Becciu’s resignation, Viganò commented, “People of mirrored honesty and great faith such as (former head of the Vatican bank) Ettore Gotti Tedeschi or Cardinal Pell, without forgetting (former head of the General Secretariat of the Governorate) Eugenio Hasler and the mere executors of Becciu in the Secretariat of State, were treated worse than a serial abuser like Theodore McCarrick or a (presumed) manipulator like Becciu.”
“It is to be believed that the annoyance of having honest and incorruptible collaborators led to their expulsion, just as the blackmail of immoral and dishonest collaborators was considered a sort of guarantee of their loyalty and their silence,” he added. “Time has shown that honest men have suffered injustice with dignity without discrediting the Vatican or the person of the Pope; it is to be believed that on the other side the corrupt and the vicious will, in turn, resort to blackmail against their accusers, as courtiers without honor have always done.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-10-04--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

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


lifesitenews--2020-10-06--Americans must decide whether to love or hate Christopher Columbus

PETITION : Support priest who was suspended for calling out the Black Lives Matter organization !
Sign the petition here .
October 5 , 2020 ( Catholic Culture ) — Imagine a man so profoundly disappointed with his own life that he doesn ’ t know whether he should celebrate his own birthday .
American society may be that man .
Seven days from now Americans will observe Columbus Day .
I say we ’ ll “ observe ” the day , because while for some Americans the discovery of the New World by an European explorer is a cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a cause for mourning — or more likely for protests .
When Christopher Columbus landed , 528 years ago , he introduced Christendom to America , thus allowing for the creation of the society in which we now live .
Traditionalists see that as one of history ’ s great triumphs .
But leftists insist it was a great tragedy , and fashionable public opinion is unsure .
The public celebrations — if there are any — will be quiet ; to celebrate Christopher Columbus today is to court the wrath of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assertive , and enjoy more sympathy from the mainstream media .
“ If the arrival of our civilization and religion on these shores — whatever later evils ensued — can not be calmly discussed , let alone defended , what are we now as a people ?
” That question — posed by my friend Robert Royal , the author of Columbus and the Crisis of the West — requires an answer .
Granted , there are ugly chapters in the history of European conquest , just as there are ugly chapters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own American history is marred by the acceptance of slavery , for example .
But it is gross injustice to claim , as the fraudulent 1619 Project claims , that slavery was the essence of the American founding .
Similarly it is unjust and unreasonable to say that the sins of some Christian colonizers reflect the essence of Christianity .
Yes , we could wish that European discoverers had not brutally subjugated native Americans .
But it was not their Christian faith that motivated them to do so .
Indeed the best of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , strongly protested the mistreatment of native tribes , showing how clearly it violated the principles of Christian morality .
True , Christian conquerors showed little respect for the cultures they encountered in the New World .
But in some cases , at least , their contempt for native traditions was amply warranted .
Should Cortes have been more respectful of a pagan faith based on the bloody sacrifice of children ?
Come to think of it , is it mere coincidence that today , the harshest critics of Cortes are found among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unborn children in our own time ?
Columbus Day did not become a federal holiday until 1937 , but local celebrations began many decades earlier .
In the late 19th century , those celebrations provoked a backlash from the Know Nothing movement , which opposed the massive immigration of Catholics — including the Italians who held Columbus in particular reverence .
And again it is no coincidence that today , that same ideological anger that prompts rioters to pull down statues of Christopher Columbus is also motivating the desecration of Catholic churches .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people ?
” In a time of societal crisis — a time of deep divisions , a time when episodes of violence threaten to erupt into a larger conflict — we need to address Robert Royal ’ s question calmly and directly .
So I am happy to announce that Royal , along with two other distinguished speakers — Christopher Check , the president of Catholic Answers , and Wilfred McClay , who heads the Center for the History of Liberty and the University of Oklahoma — will be speaking on that question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for this Columbus Day , October 12 .
The forum is provocatively entitled : “ Rediscovering Columbus : A New Adventure in the Age of Cultural Obliteration.
” Sponsored by my colleagues at Thomas More College , it will take place from 1 to 2:30 pm , Eastern time .
Participation is free and open to all , but registration is required for the video link .

While for some Americans the discovery of the New World by an European explorer is a cause for celebration, for others, it is a cause for mourning.
PETITION: Support priest who was suspended for calling out the Black Lives Matter organization! Sign the petition here.
October 5, 2020 (Catholic Culture) — Imagine a man so profoundly disappointed with his own life that he doesn’t know whether he should celebrate his own birthday.
American society may be that man.
Seven days from now Americans will observe Columbus Day. I say we’ll “observe” the day, because while for some Americans the discovery of the New World by an European explorer is a cause for celebration; for others, it is a cause for mourning — or more likely for protests.
When Christopher Columbus landed, 528 years ago, he introduced Christendom to America, thus allowing for the creation of the society in which we now live. Traditionalists see that as one of history’s great triumphs. But leftists insist it was a great tragedy, and fashionable public opinion is unsure. The public celebrations — if there are any — will be quiet; to celebrate Christopher Columbus today is to court the wrath of politically-correct censors. Protests will be more assertive, and enjoy more sympathy from the mainstream media.
“If the arrival of our civilization and religion on these shores — whatever later evils ensued — cannot be calmly discussed, let alone defended, what are we now as a people?” That question — posed by my friend Robert Royal, the author of Columbus and the Crisis of the West — requires an answer.
Granted, there are ugly chapters in the history of European conquest, just as there are ugly chapters in the history of any nation. Our own American history is marred by the acceptance of slavery, for example. But it is gross injustice to claim, as the fraudulent 1619 Project claims, that slavery was the essence of the American founding. Similarly it is unjust and unreasonable to say that the sins of some Christian colonizers reflect the essence of Christianity.
Yes, we could wish that European discoverers had not brutally subjugated native Americans. But it was not their Christian faith that motivated them to do so. Indeed the best of Christians, like Bartolome de las Casas, strongly protested the mistreatment of native tribes, showing how clearly it violated the principles of Christian morality.
True, Christian conquerors showed little respect for the cultures they encountered in the New World. But in some cases, at least, their contempt for native traditions was amply warranted. Should Cortes have been more respectful of a pagan faith based on the bloody sacrifice of children? Come to think of it, is it mere coincidence that today, the harshest critics of Cortes are found among those who support the legalized slaughter of unborn children in our own time?
Columbus Day did not become a federal holiday until 1937, but local celebrations began many decades earlier. In the late 19th century, those celebrations provoked a backlash from the Know Nothing movement, which opposed the massive immigration of Catholics — including the Italians who held Columbus in particular reverence. And again it is no coincidence that today, that same ideological anger that prompts rioters to pull down statues of Christopher Columbus is also motivating the desecration of Catholic churches.
“What are we now as a people?” In a time of societal crisis — a time of deep divisions, a time when episodes of violence threaten to erupt into a larger conflict — we need to address Robert Royal’s question calmly and directly. So I am happy to announce that Royal, along with two other distinguished speakers — Christopher Check, the president of Catholic Answers, and Wilfred McClay, who heads the Center for the History of Liberty and the University of Oklahoma — will be speaking on that question in a webinar scheduled, appropriately enough, for this Columbus Day, October 12.
The forum is provocatively entitled: “Rediscovering Columbus: A New Adventure in the Age of Cultural Obliteration.” Sponsored by my colleagues at Thomas More College, it will take place from 1 to 2:30 pm, Eastern time. Participation is free and open to all, but registration is required for the video link.
Published with permission from Catholic Culture.
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lifesitenews--2020-10-06--How Joe Biden’s professed Catholicism helps those who hate Christianity

PETITION : Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden !
Sign the petition here .
October 5 , 2020 ( The Bridgehead ) — These days , you can self-identify as anything .
For example , Joe Biden identifies as a Roman Catholic , despite the fact that he holds many views — on abortion and LGBT issues , for starters — that are incompatible with his alleged faith .
Which is to say , he isn ’ t Catholic by any objective definition , and by Catholic standards has rendered himself inadmissible for Communion .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other Democrat politicians — still claim to be Catholic is because it is still an important cultural identifier and is helpful politically .
Barack Obama wrote in his memoirs that when he realized he wouldn ’ t get far in Chicago if he didn ’ t go to church , he headed off in search of a church .
An inspiring faith journey , I ’ m sure you ’ ll agree .
But that ’ s why the same Democrats who claim anyone holding to Christian orthodoxy is a hateful bigot still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It allows them to play their favorite game : “ Of course Christians can be pro-abortion — look , we have a pro-abortion Christian right over here !
Are you saying he isn ’ t Christian ?
How dare you !
” It is well-known that the progressive Democrats despise orthodox Christianity , and most of them make little attempt to hide it .
Consider this response to The Atlantic ’ s Shadi Hamid on Twitter , who rightfully pointed out that a Christian holding to a Christian position is , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responding to him ( who has since protected her tweets ) is a graduate of Mount Holyoke ( 2017 ) and is Joe Biden ’ s deputy data director for Pennsylvania : I ’ d bet a lot of money that this point of view is mainstream amongst Biden staffers .
They believe that the fundamental beliefs of orthodox Christianity , Islam , and Judaism on sexuality should be considered “ disqualifiers ” for the Supreme Court and , presumably , from public office altogether .
And why not ?
They openly state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the LGBT agenda are bigots and haters , despite the fact that no nation on earth permitted same-sex marriage prior to 2000 .
These people want to run America , and they have a very different idea of what America is like than the Founders did .
Now , why would people like that be working to elect Joe Biden if Joe Biden is a Catholic ?
I think we all know the answer to that .
Published with permission from The Bridgehead .

PETITION: Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden! Sign the petition here.
October 5, 2020 (The Bridgehead) — These days, you can self-identify as anything. For example, Joe Biden identifies as a Roman Catholic, despite the fact that he holds many views — on abortion and LGBT issues, for starters — that are incompatible with his alleged faith. Which is to say, he isn’t Catholic by any objective definition, and by Catholic standards has rendered himself inadmissible for Communion. The only reason he — and plenty of other Democrat politicians — still claim to be Catholic is because it is still an important cultural identifier and is helpful politically. Barack Obama wrote in his memoirs that when he realized he wouldn’t get far in Chicago if he didn’t go to church, he headed off in search of a church. An inspiring faith journey, I’m sure you’ll agree. But that’s why the same Democrats who claim anyone holding to Christian orthodoxy is a hateful bigot still demand that we accept their religious self-identification. It allows them to play their favorite game: “Of course Christians can be pro-abortion — look, we have a pro-abortion Christian right over here! Are you saying he isn’t Christian? How dare you!”
It is well-known that the progressive Democrats despise orthodox Christianity, and most of them make little attempt to hide it. Consider this response to The Atlantic’s Shadi Hamid on Twitter, who rightfully pointed out that a Christian holding to a Christian position is, by definition not news. The young woman responding to him (who has since protected her tweets) is a graduate of Mount Holyoke (2017) and is Joe Biden’s deputy data director for Pennsylvania:
I’d bet a lot of money that this point of view is mainstream amongst Biden staffers. They believe that the fundamental beliefs of orthodox Christianity, Islam, and Judaism on sexuality should be considered “disqualifiers” for the Supreme Court and, presumably, from public office altogether. And why not? They openly state that those who disagree with them on the LGBT agenda are bigots and haters, despite the fact that no nation on earth permitted same-sex marriage prior to 2000. These people want to run America, and they have a very different idea of what America is like than the Founders did.
Now, why would people like that be working to elect Joe Biden if Joe Biden is a Catholic? I think we all know the answer to that.
Published with permission from The Bridgehead.
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lifesitenews--2020-10-05--‘Lockdowns destroying families’: Trump’s new COVID adviser irks Fauci, CDC

PETITION : No to radical mandatory mask mandates !
Sign the petition here .
NEW YORK , October 5 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — In an interview with Laura Ingraham this past Tuesday , White House Coronavirus Task Force adviser Dr. Scott Atlas explained why he is shaking up — in this case , loosening up — public COVID-19 policy .
NBC recently reported remarks made by CDC director Robert Redfield regarding Dr. Atlas , claiming that “ everything he says is false.
” Dr. Anthony Fauci has similarly accused him of making statements that are “ taken either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The CDC has been widely criticized under Redfield ’ s direction for repeated COVID-19 flip-flops , while Dr. Fauci has been called out for numerous COVID-19 errors and contradictions .
Dr. Atlas himself is openly critical of what until now has been pushed as the official COVID-19 narrative .
He has claimed that “ partial truths ” are being disseminated .
“ I think it ’ s very damaging , ” Dr. Atlas said .
Since his appointment as a coronavirus adviser to the Trump administration in August of this year , Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top health policy–makers by accounting for risk distinctions between the elderly and the physically resilient majority of the population .
Dr. Atlas advocates opening schools and society while protecting the vulnerable and avoiding hospital overcrowding .
Recent CDC stats show that for those up to age 19 , the COVID-19 survival rate is 99.997 % .
The rate drops slightly to 99.98 % for ages 20–49 and 99.5 % for ages 50–69 .
Those 70 and older have a stated 94.6 % survival rate .
However , this number likely overestimates COVID-19 fatality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comorbidity and other unaccounted-for factors .
Dr. Atlas has said , “ The American people are very afraid .
The way to calm fear is to actually know the data and explain it very clearly and logically.
” “ It may not be the policy that everyone agrees with , but it happens to be exactly the policy in concert with many of the world ’ s leading epidemiologists and infectious disease people like Doctors Kulldorff and Yee at Harvard , Doctors Bhattacharya and Ioannidis at Stanford , Doctors Gupta and Heneghan at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s pretty good company for the president , ” said Dr. Atlas .
“ I ’ m not here to make friends .
I ean there are certain experts that say what I just said .
Or some other expert might say , No you shouldn ’ t wear a mask , and then change to yes , we should wear masks , and then , ‘ Oh , everyone should wear goggles.
’ You ’ re not gon na hear me say that , ” Dr. Atlas continued .
In her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new CDC data showing that “ ER visits for Covid and Covid-like illnesses are nearly back to baseline from a year ago.
” Dr. Atlas confirmed this , saying , “ Hospitalizations are down to basically nearly the lowest level since March for Covid.
” Dr. Atlas does not base his policy on isolated statistics , but looks at the bigger picture of the well-being of Americans .
He explained his approach : “ The key here is that cases are not the most important metric .
Now we know that most people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here .
They key is protect the high risk people , so that people don ’ t die.
” “ Prolonged lockdowns are destroying families , actually killing people from skipped medical care , all kinds of things happening , and this is why I ’ m here , because public policy counts for the virus , ” said Dr. Atlas .

PETITION: No to radical mandatory mask mandates! Sign the petition here.
NEW YORK, October 5, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — In an interview with Laura Ingraham this past Tuesday, White House Coronavirus Task Force adviser Dr. Scott Atlas explained why he is shaking up — in this case, loosening up — public COVID-19 policy.
NBC recently reported remarks made by CDC director Robert Redfield regarding Dr. Atlas, claiming that “everything he says is false.” Dr. Anthony Fauci has similarly accused him of making statements that are “taken either out of context or actually incorrect.”
The CDC has been widely criticized under Redfield’s direction for repeated COVID-19 flip-flops, while Dr. Fauci has been called out for numerous COVID-19 errors and contradictions.
Dr. Atlas himself is openly critical of what until now has been pushed as the official COVID-19 narrative. He has claimed that “partial truths” are being disseminated. “I think it’s very damaging,” Dr. Atlas said.
Since his appointment as a coronavirus adviser to the Trump administration in August of this year, Dr. Atlas has set himself apart from other top health policy–makers by accounting for risk distinctions between the elderly and the physically resilient majority of the population. Dr. Atlas advocates opening schools and society while protecting the vulnerable and avoiding hospital overcrowding.
Recent CDC stats show that for those up to age 19, the COVID-19 survival rate is 99.997%. The rate drops slightly to 99.98% for ages 20–49 and 99.5% for ages 50–69. Those 70 and older have a stated 94.6% survival rate. However, this number likely overestimates COVID-19 fatality because of the extremely high rate of comorbidity and other unaccounted-for factors.
Dr. Atlas has said, “The American people are very afraid. The way to calm fear is to actually know the data and explain it very clearly and logically.”
“It may not be the policy that everyone agrees with, but it happens to be exactly the policy in concert with many of the world’s leading epidemiologists and infectious disease people like Doctors Kulldorff and Yee at Harvard, Doctors Bhattacharya and Ioannidis at Stanford, Doctors Gupta and Heneghan at Oxford University. Personally I think that’s pretty good company for the president,” said Dr. Atlas.
“I’m not here to make friends. I ean there are certain experts that say what I just said. Or some other expert might say, No you shouldn’t wear a mask, and then change to yes, we should wear masks, and then, ‘Oh, everyone should wear goggles.’ You’re not gonna hear me say that,” Dr. Atlas continued.
In her discussion with Dr. Atlas, Ingraham presented new CDC data showing that “ER visits for Covid and Covid-like illnesses are nearly back to baseline from a year ago.” Dr. Atlas confirmed this, saying, “Hospitalizations are down to basically nearly the lowest level since March for Covid.”
Dr. Atlas does not base his policy on isolated statistics, but looks at the bigger picture of the well-being of Americans. He explained his approach: “The key here is that cases are not the most important metric. Now we know that most people don’t have a significant problem here. They key is protect the high risk people, so that people don’t die.”
“Prolonged lockdowns are destroying families, actually killing people from skipped medical care, all kinds of things happening, and this is why I’m here, because public policy counts for the virus,” said Dr. Atlas.
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lifesitenews--2020-10-05--WATCH: Leftist protesters bark like dogs against pro-marriage demonstration

PETITION : Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden !
Sign the petition here .
October 5 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Videos have emerged showing that homosexual activists and anti-Trump protesters have taken to literally barking in the faces of their opposition .
Members of the lay Catholic group TFP Student Action held a public witness for marriage in Warsaw , Poland .
Over the four-day campaign , they engaged in street discussions , handed out fliers , and prayed the rosary in the public square .
However , the LGBT activists swiftly rejected rational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a post on Facebook , TFP Student Action reports that the protesters resorted to “ barking , yelling and spitting.
” The response to these public witnesses of traditional values is often heated , but never have the TFP volunteers encountered such a disturbing form of protest .
The bizarre phenomenon is by no means isolated , with similar behavior directed against supporters of President Donald Trump .
A video captured in Clermont , California shows protesters harassing Trump supporters on the sidewalk .
The recording contains footage of a group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces in front of the Trump-supporters .
One woman attempts to reason with one of the barking protesters but is unable to make herself heard .
Instead of engaging in a political debate , the feminist group simply attempts to drown out any possible conversation .
A third instance of such behavior was posted on TikTok .
The clip shows a man trying to preach in the middle of the street while a group of women attempt to drown him out with barking .
The women follow the preacher as he walks around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cyclist stopping to reason with the canine imitators as they continued to cause a scene of chaos .
The trend seems to be more sinister than merely laughable .
TFP Student Action mentions that such an action demonstrates the effect sinful behavior has upon a person .
The pro-homosexual protesters provide an example of how “ the sexual revolution debases the individual who gives in to his base animal passions.
” The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “ homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered .
They are contrary to the natural law.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one rejects the natural law to such an extent , one also rejects the principles of reason and common sense .
The TFP volunteers stated that “ sinful [ behavior ] has an impact on human conduct , ” which is attested to by the actions of the barking feminists .
The recurring instances of left-wing protesters resorting to irrational noises instead of intelligible words attest to the truth of these words of the Catechism .
Barking in imitation of irrational animals , instead of using the powers of reason , presents an @ @ @ @ @ @

Homosexual activists and anti-Trump protesters have taken to literally barking in the faces of their opposition.
PETITION: Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden! Sign the petition here.
October 5, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Videos have emerged showing that homosexual activists and anti-Trump protesters have taken to literally barking in the faces of their opposition.
Members of the lay Catholic group TFP Student Action held a public witness for marriage in Warsaw, Poland. Over the four-day campaign, they engaged in street discussions, handed out fliers, and prayed the rosary in the public square. However, the LGBT activists swiftly rejected rational debate in favor of dog-like barking.
In a post on Facebook, TFP Student Action reports that the protesters resorted to “barking, yelling and spitting.” The response to these public witnesses of traditional values is often heated, but never have the TFP volunteers encountered such a disturbing form of protest.
The bizarre phenomenon is by no means isolated, with similar behavior directed against supporters of President Donald Trump. A video captured in Clermont, California shows protesters harassing Trump supporters on the sidewalk. The recording contains footage of a group of women barking manically and aggressively pushing their faces in front of the Trump-supporters. One woman attempts to reason with one of the barking protesters but is unable to make herself heard. Instead of engaging in a political debate, the feminist group simply attempts to drown out any possible conversation.
A third instance of such behavior was posted on TikTok. The clip shows a man trying to preach in the middle of the street while a group of women attempt to drown him out with barking. The women follow the preacher as he walks around. The footage continues to show a cyclist stopping to reason with the canine imitators as they continued to cause a scene of chaos.
The trend seems to be more sinister than merely laughable. TFP Student Action mentions that such an action demonstrates the effect sinful behavior has upon a person. The pro-homosexual protesters provide an example of how “the sexual revolution debases the individual who gives in to his base animal passions.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered. They are contrary to the natural law.” (CCC 2357). When one rejects the natural law to such an extent, one also rejects the principles of reason and common sense. The TFP volunteers stated that “sinful [behavior] has an impact on human conduct,” which is attested to by the actions of the barking feminists.
The recurring instances of left-wing protesters resorting to irrational noises instead of intelligible words attest to the truth of these words of the Catechism. Barking in imitation of irrational animals, instead of using the powers of reason, presents an image akin to demonic possession.
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lifesitenews--2020-10-05--A summary of the Pope’s new encyclical on ‘human fraternity’

VATICAN CITY , October 5 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― In his new encyclical , Pope Francis calls for a “ new world ” in which all men and women are brothers and sisters .
The long document—287 articles laid out in 8 chapters—transmits the Argentinian pontiff ’ s philosophy of “ fraternity ” and his dream for a world in which everyone treats everyone else as if they were members of a “ single family.
” Its subject matter ranging from consumerism to capital punishment , Tutti Fratelli ’ s principal sources are Pope Francis ’ own speeches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his recent collaboration with Grand Iman Ahmed Al-Tayyeb , the work is addressed not specifically to Christians but to “ all people of good will.
” The scope of Tutti Fratelli is almost entirely worldly , which is to say , it concentrates on this earthly life , directing its readers ’ gaze towards eternity only in the final chapter .
There , although also affirming the Christian faith in the Gospel , the pontiff speaks in solidarity with people of other religions about “ the Father of all ” as the basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are convinced that , without an openness to the Father of all , there will be no solid and stable reasons for an appeal to fraternity , ” Francis writes and then cites Benedict XI .
“ We are certain that ‘ only with this awareness that we are not orphans , but children , can we live in peace with one another.
’ ” Chapter 1 , entitled “ Dark Clouds Over a Closed World , ” reveals that Pope Francis believes that the world is “ regressing ” : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which “ impose a single cultural model , ” the loss of a sense of history , new forms of cultural colonization , political polarization , COVID-19 , and indifference to both outsiders and environmental disaster .
“ In today ’ s world , the sense of belonging to a single human family is fading , and the dream of working together for justice and peace seems an outdated utopia , ” Francis writes .
The Pope warns of “ instances of a myopic , extremist , resentful and aggressive nationalism are on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a concept of popular and national unity influenced by various ideologies is creating new forms of selfishness and a loss of the social sense under the guise of defending national interests.
” “ Certain populist political regimes , as well as certain liberal economic approaches , maintain that an influx of migrants is to be prevented at all costs , ” he says .
The pontiff condemns economic disparities , women ’ s struggle for equal rights , slavery , sex-trafficking , and organ harvesting , and the “ throwaway world ” which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , among other evils .
He also discusses the fear of , and sufferings of , migrants and the results of cutting foreign aid .
He devotes a passage to digital communication , which he believes violates privacy , spreads hatred , and facilitates a form of social aggression .
He criticizes some social media platforms as “ closed circuits [ that ] facilitate the spread of fake news and false information , fomenting prejudice and hate.
” “ We should also recognize that destructive forms of fanaticism are at times found among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too ‘ can be caught up in networks of verbal violence through the internet and the various forums of digital communication .
‘ Even in Catholic media , limits can be overstepped , defamation and slander can become commonplace , and all ethical standards and respect for the good name of others can be abandoned , ’ ” Francis wrote .
Chapter 2 , entitled “ A Stranger on the Road , ” presents Jesus ’ parable of the Good Samaritan and traces the development , in Judaism , of the growing recognition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pope Francis also directs attention to Jesus ’ statement that whoever welcomes a stranger welcomes Him and wonders how Christians can ignore this .
“ ... [ T ] here are those who appear to feel encouraged or at least permitted by their faith to support varieties of narrow and violent nationalism , xenophobia and contempt , and even the mistreatment of those who are different , ” he writes .
“ Faith , and the humanism it inspires , must maintain a critical sense in the face of these tendencies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rear their head.
” “ Paradoxically , those who claim to be unbelievers can sometimes put God ’ s will into practice better than believers , ” he writes .
Chapter 3 , entitled “ Envisioning and Engendering an Open World , ” begins with a contemplation of charity , which departs from a traditional Catholic understanding of charity which is first and foremost about love of God .
Rather , for Pope Francis , It asserts that human fulfillment lies in being a “ sincere gift to others.
” Pope Francis writes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves towards others .
Love ultimately “ impels us towards universal communion ” and crosses regions and borders .
He criticizes “ some believers ” who “ think that [ love ] consists in the imposition of their own ideologies upon everyone else , or in a violent defence of the truth , or in impressive demonstrations of strength.
” Some readers may be startled by the subtitle “ Liberty , equality , and fraternity , ” which the pontiff employs apparently without irony and certainly without an explicit reference to the anti-Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ merely warns that liberty without fraternity is an impoverished libertinism and that equality can only result from fraternity .
Francis advocates for “ a universal love that promotes persons ” and recognizes the worth of every person , his or her right to live with dignity and to develop integrally , no matter where or how they are born .
“ Every human being has the right to live with dignity and to develop integrally ; this fundamental right can not be denied by any country , ” he writes .
“ People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unproductive , or were born with or developed limitations .
This does not detract from their great dignity as human persons , a dignity based not on circumstances but on the intrinsic worth of their being .
Unless this basic principle is upheld , there will be no future either for fraternity or for the survival of humanity.
” The pontiff calls not only for the material well-being of every person , but also a promotion of their moral good .
He encourages the fostering of “ solidarity , ” which “ finds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he returns in the chapter to the subject of material poverty , citing St. John Chysostom ’ s dictum that not to share with the poor is to rob them .
Meanwhile , Francis holds that basic human rights should not be impeded by borders .
The pontiff suggests that nations ’ right to their own wealth is not absolute .
“ The right to private property is always accompanied by the primary and prior principle of the subordination of all private property to the universal destination of the earth ’ s goods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their use , ” he writes .
“ The right of some to free enterprise or market freedom can not supersede the rights of peoples and the dignity of the poor , or , for that matter , respect for the natural environment , ” he adds .
“ Seen from the standpoint not only of the legitimacy of private property and the rights of its citizens , but also of the first principle of the common destination of goods , we can then say that each country also belongs to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s goods must not be denied to a needy person coming from elsewhere.
” Pope Francis calls for a “ new network of international relations , since there is no way to resolve the serious problems of our world if we continue to think only in terms of mutual assistance between individuals or small groups.
” Inequity , he says , affects not only individuals but entire countries and thus “ it compels us to consider an ethics of international relations.
” ‘ A form of global governance ’ when it comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heart Open to the Whole World , ” returns to the subject of migration .
Whereas Pope Francis believes “ unnecessary migration ” ought to be avoided , in general he says migrants are to be welcomed , protected , promoted , and integrated by host countries .
He envisions the development of “ a form of global governance ” when it comes to migration .
This section argues for the preservation of unique cultures but also for their enrichment and renewal through openness to foreigners .
Pope Francis argues that we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooted in our own countries and don ’ t despise who we are .
At the same time , he believes that we should not accept immigrants based on what benefits they bring to our countries but because it ’ s a good thing to do .
Although most his reflections on migration are from the migrant ’ s point of view , Pope Francis suggests that host countries have nuances that migrants don ’ t immediately appreciate : “ The experience of being raised in a particular place and sharing in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reality that others can not so easily perceive , '' he notes .
The Pope criticizes “ the spirit of individualism ” which he describes as the “ danger of thinking that we have to protect ourselves from one another , of viewing others as competitors or dangerous enemies.
” In a pointed political reference , the Pope says , “ There are powerful countries and large businesses that profit from this isolation and prefer to negotiate with each country separately.
” A ‘ need ’ to prevent the United Nations ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A Better Kind of Politics , ” calls for a new kind of politics , “ one truly at the service of the common good.
” Here Pope Francis looks at populism and liberalism and finds both wanting because neither makes room for everyone or respects different cultures .
For Francis , the principal concern for politicians should be employment .
“ Since production systems may change , political systems must keep working to structure society in such a way that everyone has a chance to contribute his or her own talents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no poverty worse than that which takes away work and the dignity of work ’ .
” The pontiff also states that “ the marketplace , by itself , can not resolve every problem ” and voices disappointment that the 2007-2008 financial crash did not inspire the creation of a new economy .
Regarding international politics , the pontiff believes that the nation-states are weakening before big business , and therefore still hopes for ( as he stated in Laudato Si ’ ) “ stronger and more efficiently organized international institutions , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among national governments , and empowered to impose sanctions.
” To do this , the pontiff believes that the United Nations and international finance should be strengthened “ so that the concept of the family of nations can acquire real teeth.
” Part of that reform would include not allowing a few powerful countries to impose their cultural demands on weaker countries .
Speaking of the United Nations , he said , “ There is need to prevent this Organization from being delegitimized.
” In Chapter 6 , “ Dialogue and Friendship in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new culture capable of transcending all differences and divisions between people .
He believes that through dialogue , people will be able to arrive “ at certain fundamental truths always to be upheld .
The pontiff believes that everyone should be acknowledged in the “ culture of encounter , ” warning that the “ violence ” of despising some people leads to other forms of violence .
The Pope suggests that the world can come to universal ethical values without “ ethical rigidity ” or “ the imposition of any one moral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moral principles can be embodied in different practical rules.
” He adds , however , that “ Such a covenant also demands the realization that some things may have to be renounced for the common good .
No one can possess the whole truth or satisfy his or her every desire , since that pretension would lead to nullifying others by denying their rights.
” Francis doubles down against death penalty and life in prison sentences In Chapter 7 , “ Paths of Renewed Encounter , ” Pope Francis calls for an end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalty .
He acknowledges that some Christians are “ hesitant ” on this second point .
He fails to provide Church teaching which has constantly supported the death penalty , but does give examples from the Fathers of the Early Church to show some early resistance to the practice .
On his new condemnation of the death penalty he says , “ There can be no stepping back from this position .
Today we state clearly that ‘ the death penalty is inadmissible ’ ” and the Church is firmly committed to calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did in his earlier remarks concerning the death penalty , Francis also condemned life sentences , saying “ A life sentence is a secret death penalty.
” In Chapter 8 , called “ Religions at the Service of Fraternity , ” Pope Francis suggests adherents to all different religions are beneficial to society .
“ We , the believers of the different religions , know that our witness to God benefits our societies , ” he writes .
He asks his reader to acknowledge that different religions “ contribute significantly to building fraternity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pontiff , saying he is speaking with people of other faiths , states that there is no real basis for human fraternity without a belief in God .
Quoting himself , Francis writes : “ As believers , we are convinced that , without an openness to the Father of all , there will be no solid and stable reasons for an appeal to fraternity .
We are certain that ‘ only with this awareness that we are not orphans , but children , can we live in peace with one another ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promotes friendships between religions , saying that “ the Church esteems the way God works in other religions.
” In a short section touching on Catholicism , the pontiff states that Mary , the Mother of God , “ wants to give birth to a new world , where all of us are brothers and sisters , where there is room for all those whom our societies discard , where justice and peace are resplendent.
” Francis asks for religious freedom for all .
“ One fundamental human right must not be forgotten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he writes .
“ It is religious freedom for believers of all religions.
” The pontiff also condemns religious hatred , terrorism and other faith-based violence , saying that “ sincere and humble worship of God bears fruit ” in “ respect for the sacredness of life , respect for the dignity and freedom of others , and loving commitment to the welfare of all.
” Francis ends the document with long passages from the Abu Dhabi document on Human Fraternity , a “ Prayer to the Creator ” clearly meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ecumenical Christian Prayer.
” On Saturday , October 3 , the pontiff signed the encyclical in Assisi .

Fratelli Tutti promotes ‘global governance’ when it comes to migration, says there’s a need to prevent the United Nations 'from being delegitimized,' and doubles down on the Pope's opposition to the death penalty. It also suggests adherents to all different religions are beneficial to society.
VATICAN CITY, October 5, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― In his new encyclical, Pope Francis calls for a “new world” in which all men and women are brothers and sisters.
The long document—287 articles laid out in 8 chapters—transmits the Argentinian pontiff’s philosophy of “fraternity” and his dream for a world in which everyone treats everyone else as if they were members of a “single family.”
Its subject matter ranging from consumerism to capital punishment, Fratelli Tutti’s principal sources are Pope Francis’ own speeches and interviews. Bracketed by references to his recent collaboration with Grand Iman Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, the work is addressed not specifically to Christians but to “all people of good will.”
The scope of Fratelli Tutti is almost entirely worldly, which is to say, it concentrates on this earthly life, directing its readers’ gaze towards eternity only in the final chapter. There, although also affirming the Christian faith in the Gospel, the pontiff speaks in solidarity with people of other religions about “the Father of all” as the basis for human dignity.
“As believers, we are convinced that, without an openness to the Father of all, there will be no solid and stable reasons for an appeal to fraternity,” Francis writes and then cites Benedict XI.
“We are certain that ‘only with this awareness that we are not orphans, but children, can we live in peace with one another.’”
A sober beginning
Chapter 1, entitled “Dark Clouds Over a Closed World,” reveals that Pope Francis believes that the world is “regressing”: renewed conflicts, nationalism, global economies which “impose a single cultural model,” the loss of a sense of history, new forms of cultural colonization, political polarization, COVID-19, and indifference to both outsiders and environmental disaster.
“In today’s world, the sense of belonging to a single human family is fading, and the dream of working together for justice and peace seems an outdated utopia,” Francis writes.
The Pope warns of “instances of a myopic, extremist, resentful and aggressive nationalism are on the rise. In some countries, a concept of popular and national unity influenced by various ideologies is creating new forms of selfishness and a loss of the social sense under the guise of defending national interests.”
“Certain populist political regimes, as well as certain liberal economic approaches, maintain that an influx of migrants is to be prevented at all costs,” he says.
The pontiff condemns economic disparities, women’s struggle for equal rights, slavery, sex-trafficking, and organ harvesting, and the “throwaway world” which considers the unborn and the elderly expendable, among other evils. He also discusses the fear of, and sufferings of, migrants and the results of cutting foreign aid. He devotes a passage to digital communication, which he believes violates privacy, spreads hatred, and facilitates a form of social aggression.
He criticizes some social media platforms as “closed circuits [that] facilitate the spread of fake news and false information, fomenting prejudice and hate.”
“We should also recognize that destructive forms of fanaticism are at times found among religious believers, including Christians; they too ‘can be caught up in networks of verbal violence through the internet and the various forums of digital communication. ‘Even in Catholic media, limits can be overstepped, defamation and slander can become commonplace, and all ethical standards and respect for the good name of others can be abandoned,’” Francis wrote.
Chapter 2, entitled “A Stranger on the Road,” presents Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan and traces the development, in Judaism, of the growing recognition that strangers and foreigners are “neighbors.” Pope Francis also directs attention to Jesus’ statement that whoever welcomes a stranger welcomes Him and wonders how Christians can ignore this.
“… [T]here are those who appear to feel encouraged or at least permitted by their faith to support varieties of narrow and violent nationalism, xenophobia and contempt, and even the mistreatment of those who are different,” he writes.
“Faith, and the humanism it inspires, must maintain a critical sense in the face of these tendencies, and prompt an immediate response whenever they rear their head.”
“Paradoxically, those who claim to be unbelievers can sometimes put God’s will into practice better than believers,” he writes.
‘Liberty, equality, and fraternity’
Chapter 3, entitled “Envisioning and Engendering an Open World,” begins with a contemplation of charity, which departs from a traditional Catholic understanding of charity which is first and foremost about love of God. Rather, for Pope Francis, It asserts that human fulfillment lies in being a “sincere gift to others.”
Pope Francis writes about how love draws people out of themselves towards others. Love ultimately “impels us towards universal communion” and crosses regions and borders.
He criticizes “some believers” who “think that [love] consists in the imposition of their own ideologies upon everyone else, or in a violent defence of the truth, or in impressive demonstrations of strength.”
Some readers may be startled by the subtitle “Liberty, equality, and fraternity,” which the pontiff employs apparently without irony and certainly without an explicit reference to the anti-Catholic and ultra-violent French Revolution. Instead Francis merely warns that liberty without fraternity is an impoverished libertinism and that equality can only result from fraternity.
Francis advocates for “a universal love that promotes persons” and recognizes the worth of every person, his or her right to live with dignity and to develop integrally, no matter where or how they are born.
“Every human being has the right to live with dignity and to develop integrally; this fundamental right cannot be denied by any country,” he writes.
“People have this right even if they are unproductive, or were born with or developed limitations. This does not detract from their great dignity as human persons, a dignity based not on circumstances but on the intrinsic worth of their being. Unless this basic principle is upheld, there will be no future either for fraternity or for the survival of humanity.”
The pontiff calls not only for the material well-being of every person, but also a promotion of their moral good. He encourages the fostering of “solidarity,” which “finds concrete expression of service.” However, he returns in the chapter to the subject of material poverty, citing St. John Chysostom’s dictum that not to share with the poor is to rob them. Meanwhile, Francis holds that basic human rights should not be impeded by borders.
The pontiff suggests that nations’ right to their own wealth is not absolute. “The right to private property is always accompanied by the primary and prior principle of the subordination of all private property to the universal destination of the earth’s goods, and thus the right of all to their use,” he writes. “The right of some to free enterprise or market freedom cannot supersede the rights of peoples and the dignity of the poor, or, for that matter, respect for the natural environment,” he adds.
“Seen from the standpoint not only of the legitimacy of private property and the rights of its citizens, but also of the first principle of the common destination of goods, we can then say that each country also belongs to the foreigner, inasmuch as a territory’s goods must not be denied to a needy person coming from elsewhere.”
Pope Francis calls for a “new network of international relations, since there is no way to resolve the serious problems of our world if we continue to think only in terms of mutual assistance between individuals or small groups.” Inequity, he says, affects not only individuals but entire countries and thus “it compels us to consider an ethics of international relations.”
‘A form of global governance’ when it comes to migration
Chapter 4, entitled “A Heart Open to the Whole World,” returns to the subject of migration. Whereas Pope Francis believes “unnecessary migration” ought to be avoided, in general he says migrants are to be welcomed, protected, promoted, and integrated by host countries. He envisions the development of “a form of global governance” when it comes to migration.
This section argues for the preservation of unique cultures but also for their enrichment and renewal through openness to foreigners. Pope Francis argues that we can only accept others if we are firmly rooted in our own countries and don’t despise who we are. At the same time, he believes that we should not accept immigrants based on what benefits they bring to our countries but because it’s a good thing to do.
Although most his reflections on migration are from the migrant’s point of view, Pope Francis suggests that host countries have nuances that migrants don’t immediately appreciate: “The experience of being raised in a particular place and sharing in a particular culture gives us insight into aspects of reality that others cannot so easily perceive,” he notes.
The Pope criticizes “the spirit of individualism” which he describes as the “danger of thinking that we have to protect ourselves from one another, of viewing others as competitors or dangerous enemies.” In a pointed political reference, the Pope says, “There are powerful countries and large businesses that profit from this isolation and prefer to negotiate with each country separately.”
A ‘need’ to prevent the United Nations ‘from being delegitimized’
Chapter 5, “A Better Kind of Politics,” calls for a new kind of politics, “one truly at the service of the common good.” Here Pope Francis looks at populism and liberalism and finds both wanting because neither makes room for everyone or respects different cultures.
For Francis, the principal concern for politicians should be employment.
“Since production systems may change, political systems must keep working to structure society in such a way that everyone has a chance to contribute his or her own talents and efforts. For ‘there is no poverty worse than that which takes away work and the dignity of work’.”
The pontiff also states that “the marketplace, by itself, cannot resolve every problem” and voices disappointment that the 2007-2008 financial crash did not inspire the creation of a new economy.
Regarding international politics, the pontiff believes that the nation-states are weakening before big business, and therefore still hopes for (as he stated in Laudato Si’) “stronger and more efficiently organized international institutions, with functionaries who are appointed fairly by agreement among national governments, and empowered to impose sanctions.”
To do this, the pontiff believes that the United Nations and international finance should be strengthened “so that the concept of the family of nations can acquire real teeth.” Part of that reform would include not allowing a few powerful countries to impose their cultural demands on weaker countries. Speaking of the United Nations, he said, “There is need to prevent this Organization from being delegitimized.”
In Chapter 6, “Dialogue and Friendship in Society,” Pope Francis calls for a new culture capable of transcending all differences and divisions between people. He believes that through dialogue, people will be able to arrive “at certain fundamental truths always to be upheld. The pontiff believes that everyone should be acknowledged in the “culture of encounter,” warning that the “violence” of despising some people leads to other forms of violence.
The Pope suggests that the world can come to universal ethical values without “ethical rigidity” or “the imposition of any one moral system, since fundamental and universally valid moral principles can be embodied in different practical rules.” He adds, however, that “Such a covenant also demands the realization that some things may have to be renounced for the common good. No one can possess the whole truth or satisfy his or her every desire, since that pretension would lead to nullifying others by denying their rights.”
Francis doubles down against death penalty and life in prison sentences
In Chapter 7, “Paths of Renewed Encounter,” Pope Francis calls for an end to all war and to the death penalty. He acknowledges that some Christians are “hesitant” on this second point. He fails to provide Church teaching which has constantly supported the death penalty, but does give examples from the Fathers of the Early Church to show some early resistance to the practice.
On his new condemnation of the death penalty he says, “There can be no stepping back from this position. Today we state clearly that ‘the death penalty is inadmissible’” and the Church is firmly committed to calling for its abolition worldwide.”
As he did in his earlier remarks concerning the death penalty, Francis also condemned life sentences, saying “A life sentence is a secret death penalty.”
In Chapter 8, called “Religions at the Service of Fraternity,” Pope Francis suggests adherents to all different religions are beneficial to society. “We, the believers of the different religions, know that our witness to God benefits our societies,” he writes.
He asks his reader to acknowledge that different religions “contribute significantly to building fraternity and defending justice in society.” The pontiff, saying he is speaking with people of other faiths, states that there is no real basis for human fraternity without a belief in God.
Quoting himself, Francis writes: “As believers, we are convinced that, without an openness to the Father of all, there will be no solid and stable reasons for an appeal to fraternity. We are certain that ‘only with this awareness that we are not orphans, but children, can we live in peace with one another’.”
In this section, Francis promotes friendships between religions, saying that “the Church esteems the way God works in other religions.”
In a short section touching on Catholicism, the pontiff states that Mary, the Mother of God, “wants to give birth to a new world, where all of us are brothers and sisters, where there is room for all those whom our societies discard, where justice and peace are resplendent.”
Francis asks for religious freedom for all. “One fundamental human right must not be forgotten in the journey towards fraternity and peace,” he writes. “It is religious freedom for believers of all religions.”
The pontiff also condemns religious hatred, terrorism and other faith-based violence, saying that “sincere and humble worship of God bears fruit” in “respect for the sacredness of life, respect for the dignity and freedom of others, and loving commitment to the welfare of all.”
Francis ends the document with long passages from the Abu Dhabi document on Human Fraternity, a “Prayer to the Creator” clearly meant for interreligious worship, and “An Ecumenical Christian Prayer.”
On Saturday, October 3, the pontiff signed the encyclical in Assisi.
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lifesitenews--2020-10-05--Bishop who knelt for BLM says Catholics can’t be single issue pro-life voters

October 5 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A Texas bishop has joined with dissident Catholic apologists for the Democrat Party , declaring , “ Single-issue voting has corrupted Christian political witness.
” In a rambling 2,500-word commentary published in Jesuit-run America Magazine , El Paso Bishop Mark J. Seitz ping-ponged between denunciations of both major U.S. political parties , but clearly came out in favor of the virulently pro-abortion Democrats because he sees abortion as just one of many “ challenging ” moral issues facing the nation in the upcoming election .
Seitz , who was famously photographed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Lives Matter ” ( BLM ) sign , wrote , “ We have also seen how the promise of equality contained in our founding documents has been deferred again and again because we can not confess with one voice — as church or country — what should be self-evident , that Black lives matter , ” ignoring that organization ’ s manifesto calling for the dissolution of the nuclear family while promoting abortion , homosexuality , and transgenderism .
“ In an aggressively secular and hyper-competitive world , we should be grateful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown by the Democratic nominee , former vice president Joseph R. Biden Jr. , and the values of the working-class ethos that Mr. Biden aims to project , ” wrote Seitz , overlooking the fact that President Donald Trump has become the champion of the forgotten working man after the Democratic Party ’ s long ago decision to ignore the white middle class .
“ We should recognize , too , the step forward represented by the selection of Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate .
Our daughters and sons need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s highest leadership , ” continued Seitz , failing to mention that Harris is a key cheerleader for Planned Parenthood , having played a key role in defending Planned Parenthood over its sale of aborted baby parts while she served as California ’ s attorney general .
During an interview with Breitbart News in August , pro-life activist David Daleiden said , “ Kamala Harris is the biggest threat to First Amendment civil liberties and First Amendment civil rights that our country has ever seen , in my opinion.
” “ As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also encouraged by the Biden campaign ’ s promises to address climate change , create a path to citizenship for the undocumented , restore protections for asylum seekers and never repeat the criminal practice of separating families at the border , ” added Seitz .
Without offering substantiation , the El Paso bishop went on to accuse Christians who are single-issue voters of “ scandalously ” turning a blind eye to “ real breakdowns in solidarity and dehumanizing policies , including crackdowns on worker rights and voting rights , the slashing of social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism and the exploitation of immigrants and the environment.
” Turning his attention to the incumbent candidate , Seitz continued his litany of accusations saying that “ Supported by a pagan aesthetic of self-assertion and buoyed by a destructive politics of fear and xenophobia , his administration has encouraged the worst expressions of nativism.
” Ironically , Seitz makes no mention of Pope Francis ’ very real promotion of actual paganism at the Vatican last year .
A united plea from clergy and lay scholars to the Pope to repent for sacrilegious “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Synod went unheeded .
“ I share the pain , frustration and confusion facing Catholic voters this year at what feels like an impossible binary choice , ” Seitz stated toward the end of his missive , but those who join with the USCCB in reognizing abortion as the preeminent life issue facing the nation experience no such “ pain , frustration and confusion.
” Pro-life priests have repeatedly rejected the notion that Catholics can in good conscience support the Biden-Harris ticket .

El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz wrote, ‘We should recognize, too, the step forward represented by the selection of Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate. Our daughters and sons need to see women reflected in our nation’s highest leadership.’
October 5, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A Texas bishop has joined with dissident Catholic apologists for the Democrat Party, declaring, “Single-issue voting has corrupted Christian political witness.”
In a rambling 2,500-word commentary published in Jesuit-run America Magazine, El Paso Bishop Mark J. Seitz ping-ponged between denunciations of both major U.S. political parties, but clearly came out in favor of the virulently pro-abortion Democrats because he sees abortion as just one of many “challenging” moral issues facing the nation in the upcoming election.
Seitz, who was famously photographed in early June kneeling while holding a “Black Lives Matter” (BLM) sign, wrote, “We have also seen how the promise of equality contained in our founding documents has been deferred again and again because we cannot confess with one voice — as church or country — what should be self-evident, that Black lives matter,” ignoring that organization’s manifesto calling for the dissolution of the nuclear family while promoting abortion, homosexuality, and transgenderism.
“In an aggressively secular and hyper-competitive world, we should be grateful for the public respect for Pope Francis shown by the Democratic nominee, former vice president Joseph R. Biden Jr., and the values of the working-class ethos that Mr. Biden aims to project,” wrote Seitz, overlooking the fact that President Donald Trump has become the champion of the forgotten working man after the Democratic Party’s long ago decision to ignore the white middle class.
“We should recognize, too, the step forward represented by the selection of Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate. Our daughters and sons need to see women reflected in our nation’s highest leadership,” continued Seitz, failing to mention that Harris is a key cheerleader for Planned Parenthood, having played a key role in defending Planned Parenthood over its sale of aborted baby parts while she served as California’s attorney general.
During an interview with Breitbart News in August, pro-life activist David Daleiden said, “Kamala Harris is the biggest threat to First Amendment civil liberties and First Amendment civil rights that our country has ever seen, in my opinion.”
“As a bishop on the border, I am also encouraged by the Biden campaign’s promises to address climate change, create a path to citizenship for the undocumented, restore protections for asylum seekers and never repeat the criminal practice of separating families at the border,” added Seitz.
Without offering substantiation, the El Paso bishop went on to accuse Christians who are single-issue voters of “scandalously” turning a blind eye to “real breakdowns in solidarity and dehumanizing policies, including crackdowns on worker rights and voting rights, the slashing of social support for the poor and sick, racism and the exploitation of immigrants and the environment.”
Turning his attention to the incumbent candidate, Seitz continued his litany of accusations saying that “Supported by a pagan aesthetic of self-assertion and buoyed by a destructive politics of fear and xenophobia, his administration has encouraged the worst expressions of nativism.”
Ironically, Seitz makes no mention of Pope Francis’ very real promotion of actual paganism at the Vatican last year.
A united plea from clergy and lay scholars to the Pope to repent for sacrilegious “Pachamama” idolatry at the 2019 Amazon Synod went unheeded.
“I share the pain, frustration and confusion facing Catholic voters this year at what feels like an impossible binary choice,” Seitz stated toward the end of his missive, but those who join with the USCCB in reognizing abortion as the preeminent life issue facing the nation experience no such “pain, frustration and confusion.”
Pro-life priests have repeatedly rejected the notion that Catholics can in good conscience support the Biden-Harris ticket.
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