lifesitenews--2020-07-24--Abby Johnson: Communion in hand has led to lack of belief in Real Presence

July 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Well-known pro-life activist Abby Johnson told LifeSite ’ s John-Henry Westen on his weekly podcast this past Tuesday that she believes there is a “ lack of reverence toward the Eucharist ” happening in the Catholic Church .
That irreverence is causing people to not believe in the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist , she argued .
Johnson , who converted to Catholicism in 2013 , made the comments just days after appearing in a video with other pro-life leaders from around the world declaring that out of reverence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive Holy Communion kneeling and on the tongue .
The Planned Parenthood director-turned-pro-life advocate informed Westen that even prior to her and her husband ’ s conversion to Catholicism seven years ago , she was taught about the Real Presence and decided that she would never receive Communion in the hand .
“ I remember thinking to myself , ‘ why would anybody receive the Lord on their hand ?
…If you truly believe that is the real presence of Lord , why would you ever have that in your hand ?
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that part of the Eucharist could be left behind on your hand to be discarded or , you know , thrown away or wiped away ?
’ And so I remember in that moment saying I will never receive on the hand .
I mean , no , absolutely not , ” she said .
A 2019 Pew Research study found that less than one-third of U.S. Catholics believe the Church teaching that during Mass the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus Christ .
Nearly 70 percent say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symbols.
” Many conservative Catholic commentators attribute this loss of belief to extraordinary lay Eucharistic “ ministers ” and liturgical abuses .
Dr. Peter Kwasniewski , renowned scholar and author , made that point in an appearance on Westen ’ s podcast yesterday .
Johnson said that she believes a casual , sort of indifferent attitude towards the Blessed Sacrament has crept into Catholic liturgy .
“ It ’ s really a sort of a Protestant way of thinking that has seeped into the Mass , ” she said .
“ I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their hand and that reverence has been taken away .
It 's because we have…lost that we 're kneeling when we 're receiving the Eucharist.
” Johnson also told Westen that since her conversion to the Catholic faith in 2013 she has experienced many “ frustrations ” in the Church ranging from remarks by Pope Francis to what she sees as a general church-wide embrace of liberalism .
“ As of the past couple years , it 's been tough ... there have been times that I ’ ve been troubled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago on Twitter , Johnson revealed to her followers that she attended the Traditional Latin Mass for the first time .
She discussed , in length , her reasons for doing so and what she thought about it on Westen ’ s podcast .
Listen to their full conversation by clicking below .
The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show ’ s YouTube channel and right here on my LifeSite blog .
It is also available in audio format on platforms such as Spotify , Soundcloud , and ACast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Google Play as well .
To subscribe to the audio version on various channels , visit the ACast webpage here .
We ’ ve created a special email list for the show so that we can notify you every week when we post a new episode .
Please sign up now by clicking here .
You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel , and you ’ ll be notified by YouTube when there is new content .
You can send me feedback , or ideas for show topics by emailing [ @ @ @ @

'I think it's because so many have received on their hand and that reverence has been taken away. It's because we have…lost that we're kneeling when we're receiving the Eucharist,' Johnson said.
July 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Well-known pro-life activist Abby Johnson told LifeSite’s John-Henry Westen on his weekly podcast this past Tuesday that she believes there is a “lack of reverence toward the Eucharist” happening in the Catholic Church. That irreverence is causing people to not believe in the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist, she argued.
Johnson, who converted to Catholicism in 2013, made the comments just days after appearing in a video with other pro-life leaders from around the world declaring that out of reverence and love for Our Lord they would only receive Holy Communion kneeling and on the tongue.
The Planned Parenthood director-turned-pro-life advocate informed Westen that even prior to her and her husband’s conversion to Catholicism seven years ago, she was taught about the Real Presence and decided that she would never receive Communion in the hand.
“I remember thinking to myself, ‘why would anybody receive the Lord on their hand?…If you truly believe that is the real presence of Lord, why would you ever have that in your hand? Why would you ever take the chance that that part of the Eucharist could be left behind on your hand to be discarded or, you know, thrown away or wiped away?’ And so I remember in that moment saying I will never receive on the hand. I mean, no, absolutely not,” she said.
A 2019 Pew Research study found that less than one-third of U.S. Catholics believe the Church teaching that during Mass the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Nearly 70 percent say the bread and wine are mere “symbols.”
Many conservative Catholic commentators attribute this loss of belief to extraordinary lay Eucharistic “ministers” and liturgical abuses. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, renowned scholar and author, made that point in an appearance on Westen’s podcast yesterday.
Johnson said that she believes a casual, sort of indifferent attitude towards the Blessed Sacrament has crept into Catholic liturgy.
“It’s really a sort of a Protestant way of thinking that has seeped into the Mass,” she said.
“I think it's because so many have received on their hand and that reverence has been taken away. It's because we have…lost that we're kneeling when we're receiving the Eucharist.”
Johnson also told Westen that since her conversion to the Catholic faith in 2013 she has experienced many “frustrations” in the Church ranging from remarks by Pope Francis to what she sees as a general church-wide embrace of liberalism.
“As of the past couple years, it's been tough…there have been times that I’ve been troubled by things I'm seeing.”
Three weeks ago on Twitter, Johnson revealed to her followers that she attended the Traditional Latin Mass for the first time. She discussed, in length, her reasons for doing so and what she thought about it on Westen’s podcast. Listen to their full conversation by clicking below.
The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show’s YouTube channel and right here on my LifeSite blog.
It is also available in audio format on platforms such as Spotify, Soundcloud, and ACast. We are awaiting approval for iTunes and Google Play as well. To subscribe to the audio version on various channels, visit the ACast webpage here.
We’ve created a special email list for the show so that we can notify you every week when we post a new episode. Please sign up now by clicking here. You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel, and you’ll be notified by YouTube when there is new content.
You can send me feedback, or ideas for show topics by emailing [email protected].
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lifesitenews--2020-07-24--California city removes statue of saint under cover of darkness

VENTURA , California , July 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Under the cover of darkness , the city of Ventura , California removed the statue of St. Junipero Serra from in front of city hall and deposited it in a storage facility .
This took place on July 23 before dawn .
The city first erected the monument to Father Serra , Ventura ’ s founder , in 1936 .
Last week , the city council voted unanimously to remove both the bronze statue from in front of city hall and the identical wooden statue from inside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Serra was “ Father genocide ” who was a racist , and hence has no place in today ’ s Ventura .
This week , citizens filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of the city council ’ s vote .
They also asked for a restraining order to prevent the city from removing the bronze statue , arguing that the city ran roughshod over the rules regulating the disposal of historic resources .
The court denied the request for a restraining order , accepting the city ’ s argument that the statue had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The city made no mention of the fact that it was also rushing to remove the wooden statue from its place indoors , where it was in no danger .
The city ’ s public works director , Phil Nelson , signed a declaration under penalty of perjury that the city believed the statue was in imminent danger of vandalism , which was why it had to be removed immediately .
He said he personally was in charge of the statue ’ s removal .
Phil Nelson is a Catholic deacon who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ojai , California .
Due to the times posted on temporary “ no parking ” signs , supporters of the statue suspected the city would remove it in the dead of night .
When the first supporters arrived at 3 AM on Thursday , the city workers had just begun erecting barricades and closing the street in front of City Hall .
A half dozen supporters gathered next to the statue until police officers asked them to move outside the barricade while the city removed the protective fencing from around the statue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Serra supporters returned to the statue to ask the crane operators to have nothing to do with the dismantling .
One Serra supporter told Skyline ’ s CEO , Bob Cullen , that his company ’ s participation in taking down statues would be bad for business .
Cullen said that he was glad to be a part of it and that those who oppose the statue removals are in the minority and are not in charge anymore .
He dismantled the statue himself .
Deacon Phil Nelson was on site , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took to tear off the marble sides of the pedestal , unbolt the statue , lift it , wrap it in blankets , and belt it onto a flatbed truck , the pro-Serra group grew to about a dozen .
A handful of anti-Serra activists also gathered , video-taping and burning incense .
The attacks on St. Junipero Serra began in early June , when agitators began asking the city for the statue ’ s removal and scheduled a “ Tear Down Junipero Serra ” event .
In an apparent effort to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matt LaVere , San Buenaventura Mission pastor Fr .
Tom Elewaut , and a Chumash representative published a letter saying they all agreed that “ the time has come ” to remove the statue from its prominent location .
Speakers at the “ Tear Down Junipero Serra ” event on June 20th tried to incite the crowd to physically attack the statue , but a small group of Catholics surrounding the statue thwarted the attempt .
The city then scheduled multiple “ community discussions ” to decide the future of the statue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussions were virtual .
At each meeting , despite the evidence documenting the historic status of the bronze statue , the committees voted that the statue was not historic .
They based their decision on the fact that the original cement statue was recast in bronze in 1989 , although at that time the city council called the new statue a “ landmark renewed.
” The city first formally recognized the statue as a historic landmark in 1974 and had repeatedly reaffirmed that designation up until the meetings to discuss its removal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fr .
Elewaut , and the Chumash representative refers to the statue as a “ designated landmark.
” The city council used funds donated for the erection and preservation of the monument to pay for its removal .
Although the restraining order was denied , the lawsuit is ongoing and could result in a finding that the city council ’ s vote to remove the statue was illegal .
Separately , Ventura County is considering removing the image of Junipero Serra from its seal , but is awaiting a recommendation from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters are organizing a rally to defend Serra and his part in California 's history on August 15 at 2 PM in front of Ventura ’ s City Hall .
They are also encouraging emails to the county board of supervisors in defense of Serra .
You may contact Supervisor Steve Bennett at [ email protected ] .
Those who wish to register their disappointment with Skyline Crane Rental for accepting the contract to remove the statue may reach Bob Cullen , CEO , at ( 818 ) 400-2783 and David Thiel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

VENTURA, California, July 24, 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Under the cover of darkness, the city of Ventura, California removed the statue of St. Junipero Serra from in front of city hall and deposited it in a storage facility. This took place on July 23 before dawn. The city first erected the monument to Father Serra, Ventura’s founder, in 1936.
Last week, the city council voted unanimously to remove both the bronze statue from in front of city hall and the identical wooden statue from inside the building, ceding to clamor that Father Serra was “Father genocide” who was a racist, and hence has no place in today’s Ventura.
This week, citizens filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of the city council’s vote. They also asked for a restraining order to prevent the city from removing the bronze statue, arguing that the city ran roughshod over the rules regulating the disposal of historic resources. The court denied the request for a restraining order, accepting the city’s argument that the statue had to be removed for its own safety. The city made no mention of the fact that it was also rushing to remove the wooden statue from its place indoors, where it was in no danger.
The city’s public works director, Phil Nelson, signed a declaration under penalty of perjury that the city believed the statue was in imminent danger of vandalism, which was why it had to be removed immediately. He said he personally was in charge of the statue’s removal. Phil Nelson is a Catholic deacon who serves at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ojai, California.
Due to the times posted on temporary “no parking” signs, supporters of the statue suspected the city would remove it in the dead of night. When the first supporters arrived at 3 AM on Thursday, the city workers had just begun erecting barricades and closing the street in front of City Hall. A half dozen supporters gathered next to the statue until police officers asked them to move outside the barricade while the city removed the protective fencing from around the statue.
When Skyline Crane Rentals arrived, the Serra supporters returned to the statue to ask the crane operators to have nothing to do with the dismantling. One Serra supporter told Skyline’s CEO, Bob Cullen, that his company’s participation in taking down statues would be bad for business. Cullen said that he was glad to be a part of it and that those who oppose the statue removals are in the minority and are not in charge anymore. He dismantled the statue himself. Deacon Phil Nelson was on site, supervising.
In the two hours it took to tear off the marble sides of the pedestal, unbolt the statue, lift it, wrap it in blankets, and belt it onto a flatbed truck, the pro-Serra group grew to about a dozen. A handful of anti-Serra activists also gathered, video-taping and burning incense.
The attacks on St. Junipero Serra began in early June, when agitators began asking the city for the statue’s removal and scheduled a “Tear Down Junipero Serra” event. In an apparent effort to protect the statue from destruction, Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere, San Buenaventura Mission pastor Fr. Tom Elewaut, and a Chumash representative published a letter saying they all agreed that “the time has come” to remove the statue from its prominent location.
Speakers at the “Tear Down Junipero Serra” event on June 20th tried to incite the crowd to physically attack the statue, but a small group of Catholics surrounding the statue thwarted the attempt.
The city then scheduled multiple “community discussions” to decide the future of the statue. Due to the pandemic lockdown, the discussions were virtual. At each meeting, despite the evidence documenting the historic status of the bronze statue, the committees voted that the statue was not historic. They based their decision on the fact that the original cement statue was recast in bronze in 1989, although at that time the city council called the new statue a “landmark renewed.” The city first formally recognized the statue as a historic landmark in 1974 and had repeatedly reaffirmed that designation up until the meetings to discuss its removal. Even the original letter from Mayor LaVere, Fr. Elewaut, and the Chumash representative refers to the statue as a “designated landmark.”
The city council used funds donated for the erection and preservation of the monument to pay for its removal.
Although the restraining order was denied, the lawsuit is ongoing and could result in a finding that the city council’s vote to remove the statue was illegal.
Separately, Ventura County is considering removing the image of Junipero Serra from its seal, but is awaiting a recommendation from the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force.
Serra supporters are organizing a rally to defend Serra and his part in California's history on August 15 at 2 PM in front of Ventura’s City Hall.
They are also encouraging emails to the county board of supervisors in defense of Serra. You may contact Supervisor Steve Bennett at [email protected].
Those who wish to register their disappointment with Skyline Crane Rental for accepting the contract to remove the statue may reach Bob Cullen, CEO, at (818) 400-2783 and David Thiel, COO, at (818) 922-5813.


lifesitenews--2020-07-24--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

July 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united daily in prayer , in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade .
Catholics from all over the world—from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , Pakistan , Singapore , the Philippines , India , Indonesia , Australia , New Zealand , Thailand , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Brazil , and other countries—are gathering daily to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Pillari , J.C.L.
, an American priest currently studying in Italy .
Our goal is , by means of this daily rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima , the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
To help obtain that goal , Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide rosary crusade : O Immaculate Heart of Mary , you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother .
Look upon the distress in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church .
In Fatima you warned against these errors , as you spoke about the errors of Russia .
You are the Mediatrix of all graces .
Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope : that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart , so that Russia will be converted , a period of peace will be granted to the world , and your Immaculate Heart will triumph , through an authentic renewal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purity of the Catholic Faith , of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life .
O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother , turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer .
Amen .
+ Athanasius Schneider , Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady ’ s message at Fatima , and about what you can do , please read Cardinal Burke ’ s 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //voiceofthefamily.com/full-text-cardinal-burkes-historic-call-for-consecration-of-russia/ ) .
As St. Padre Pio once said , “ The rosary is the weapon for these times.
” Through prayer , God can shape history , change the world , and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world , through the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
Join us today !
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this rosary , you can access them via this PDF .
This document also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily rosary on LifeSite led by Fr .
Pillari .
Send photos or videos of you and your family praying the rosary with Father Pillari to [ email protected ]

(LifeSiteNews) — In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church, LifeSite is happy to promote Regina Angelorum Press’s Daily Rosary, which is offering Catholics throughout the world the chance to be united daily in prayer, in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade.
Catholics from all over the world — from Israel, Uganda, Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Pakistan, Singapore, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and other countries — are gathering daily to pray the Rosary, led by Father Pillari, JCL, MCL, STL, an American priest currently studying in Italy.
The Daily Rosary is being offered each day at 12noon EST through Regina Angelorum Press’ YouTube Channel to which you can subscribe HERE.
The goal is, by means of this Daily Rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima, the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.
To help obtain that goal, Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide Rosary crusade:
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother. Look upon the distress in which the Church and the whole of humanity are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church. In Fatima you warned against these errors, as you spoke about the errors of Russia. You are the Mediatrix of all graces. Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope: that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart, so that Russia will be converted, a period of peace will be granted to the world, and your Immaculate Heart will triumph, through an authentic renewal of the Church in the splendor of the purity of the Catholic Faith, of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life. O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother, turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer. Amen. + Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana
To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady’s message at Fatima, and about what you can do, please read Cardinal Burke’s 2017 address at the Rome Life Forum.
As St. Padre Pio once said, “The Rosary is the weapon for these times.” Through prayer, God can shape history, change the world, and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world, through the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart. Join us today!
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this Rosary, you can access them HERE. The document also includes a brief F.A.Q. pertaining to the daily Rosary.
You can send your prayer requests to https://reginangelorumpress.com/prayer-intentions/
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lifesitenews--2020-07-24--BREAKING: Washington Post settles lawsuit from pro-life teen Nick Sandmann

July 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The left-wing Washington Post has settled a defamation suit against the paper over its misleading and inflammatory coverage of a group of pro-life Catholic teenagers who attended the 2019 March for Life in Washington , D.C .
Immediately after last year ’ s March , the press erupted with claims that a video showed boys from Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky harassing Native American activist Nathan Phillips outside the Lincoln Memorial .
But additional extended video and firsthand accounts soon revealed that Phillips was the one who waded into the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beat a drum inches from Sandmann ’ s face , while the boys had merely performed school cheers in hopes of drowning out racist taunts from members of the Black Hebrew Israelites fringe group .
As additional video came to light , many journalists and public figures quickly deleted their snap condemnations of the students .
Some , however , either tried to keep the original narrative alive or refused to unequivocally retract or apologize for their initial claims , leading to various lawsuits on behalf of the boys , including a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behalf of Sandmann , who turned 18 today .
Sandmann and his attorney Lin Wood announced Friday morning that the Post has settled for an as-yet-undisclosed sum : In January , Sandmann ’ s attorneys settled a similar lawsuit against CNN .
Litigation remains pending against Gannett , ABC , CBS , The New York Times , Rolling Stone , and NBCUniversal .
An unrelated series of suits by a different legal team , on behalf of eight other , unnamed Covington students , targets Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Deb Haaland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York Times ’ Maggie Haberman , ABC News ’ s Matthew Dowd , ex-CNN personalities Kathy Griffin and Reza Aslan , Kentucky entrepreneur Adam Edelen , Princeton University ’ s Kevin Kruse , left-wing activist Shaun King , Mother Jones editor-in-chief Clara Jeffery , and former Rewire editor-in-chief Jodi Jacobson .
Sandmann ’ s victory over the Washington Post follows a successful appeal last year of U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman ’ s decision to toss the suit on the grounds that the paper corrected its initial reporting with an editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorneys responded that the note was little more than damage control , and ultimately insufficient .
“ If [ the press ] can get away with this against a 16-year-old boy , then we ’ re all at risk .
There has to be change , ” Wood argued .

July 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The left-wing Washington Post has settled a defamation suit against the paper over its misleading and inflammatory coverage of a group of pro-life Catholic teenagers who attended the 2019 March for Life in Washington, D.C.
Immediately after last year’s March, the press erupted with claims that a video showed boys from Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky harassing Native American activist Nathan Phillips outside the Lincoln Memorial. But additional extended video and firsthand accounts soon revealed that Phillips was the one who waded into the group waiting for its bus and decided to beat a drum inches from Sandmann’s face, while the boys had merely performed school cheers in hopes of drowning out racist taunts from members of the Black Hebrew Israelites fringe group.
As additional video came to light, many journalists and public figures quickly deleted their snap condemnations of the students. Some, however, either tried to keep the original narrative alive or refused to unequivocally retract or apologize for their initial claims, leading to various lawsuits on behalf of the boys, including a $250 million suit against the Post on behalf of Sandmann, who turned 18 today.
Sandmann and his attorney Lin Wood announced Friday morning that the Post has settled for an as-yet-undisclosed sum:
Happy Birthday, @N1ckSandmann. More presents to be delivered to you this next year. You deserve justice. We ALL deserve justice. By this time next year, justice will be ours.#FightBack https://t.co/flBMhCC1cX — Lin Wood (@LLinWood) July 24, 2020
We have settled with WAPO and CNN. The fight isn’t over. 2 down. 6 to go. Don’t hold your breath @jack. — Nicholas Sandmann (@N1ckSandmann) July 24, 2020
In January, Sandmann’s attorneys settled a similar lawsuit against CNN. Litigation remains pending against Gannett, ABC, CBS, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and NBCUniversal.
An unrelated series of suits by a different legal team, on behalf of eight other, unnamed Covington students, targets Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Deb Haaland, CNN’s Ana Navarro, the New York Times’ Maggie Haberman, ABC News’s Matthew Dowd, ex-CNN personalities Kathy Griffin and Reza Aslan, Kentucky entrepreneur Adam Edelen, Princeton University’s Kevin Kruse, left-wing activist Shaun King, Mother Jones editor-in-chief Clara Jeffery, and former Rewire editor-in-chief Jodi Jacobson.
Sandmann’s victory over the Washington Post follows a successful appeal last year of U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman’s decision to toss the suit on the grounds that the paper corrected its initial reporting with an editor’s note. Sandmann’s attorneys responded that the note was little more than damage control, and ultimately insufficient.
“If [the press] can get away with this against a 16-year-old boy, then we’re all at risk. There has to be change,” Wood argued.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-24--Leading pro-life professor, critic of North Carolina gov. found dead at home

WILMINGTON , North Carolina , July 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― A well-known pro-life professor , columnist , and critic of the governor of North Carolina was found dead at home yesterday .
Police are investigating the death of Mike S. Adams , the tenured University of North Carolina-Wilmington professor who became a lightning rod for left-wing hate after posting a series of tweets his critics claimed were sexist and racist .
Described by pro-life author Dave Sterrett as “ a bold voice for the unborn , ” Adams ’ most recent tweets included “ Abortion intentionally kills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is wrong to intentionally kill an innocent human being.
” Adams publicly debated abortionist Willie Parker in 2019 .
According to CBS , deputies from the New Hanover County Sheriff ’ s Office found Adams ’ body after coming to his Wilmington home to do a “ wellness check.
” Adams , 55 , was to take early retirement from UNCW on August 1 , having been forced out by an administration under siege by left-wing protests demanding his firing .
The professor of sociology and criminology had reached a settlement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wages and benefits .
Critical of Governor Roy Cooper ’ s lockdown orders , one of Adams ’ most controversial tweets stated that the universities should stay open but that non-essential majors , like Women ’ s Studies , should go .
A May 30 tweet addressed the governor as “ Massa Cooper , ” a reference to the slave- “ owner ” relationship in the antebellum South , and described North Carolina under lockdown as a “ slave state.
” “ This evening I ate pizza and drank beer with six guys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I almost felt like a free man who was not living in the slave state of North Carolina , ” he wrote .
“ Massa Cooper , let my people go !
” The remarks supporting or condemning the tweet have now been joined by tweets celebrating Adams ’ death .
Conservative activists with Young America ’ s Foundation ( YAF ) , as well as commentator and author Michelle Malkin , mourned his death .
“ Mike wasn ’ t just a free speech warrior ; he was a free speech general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s YAF chapter .
“ Every conservative student at UNCW owes Mike Adams a debt which we can only hope one day to repay.
” Prof. Adams was fierce critic of police brutality , ‘ evil and despicable ’ North Carolina governor One of Adams ’ last essays for Town Hall revealed that he had a long history of criticizing Governor Cooper .
In his May 4 , 2020 essay , entitled “ Why I Can ’ t Get Arrested in Raleigh , ” Adams referred to a personal legal battle with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t arrest him after he shouted at them about the wrongful arrest of an anti-lockdown protester , he wrote : Adams also described the PRD as “ corrupt ” and alleged that the Capitol police who charged protester Lisa Todd had lied about her arrest and were “ Roy Cooper ’ s Gestapo.
” In his April 22 , 2020 essay for Town Hall , entitled “ North Carolina Patriots Must Stand Up to Hypocritical Governor , ” Adams revealed that he would challenge Cooper ’ s Executive Order 121 by holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Governor Cooper had described churches as non-essential businesses and banned religious meetings in private homes if they included more than ten people , Adams explained .
Prayer groups composed of fewer than ten people were to sit six feet apart .
“ These requirements are unlawful – as is the entire executive order – and thus needed to be challenged , ” Adams wrote .
When Adams was not , despite his best efforts , arrested for violating the lockdown orders , he noted that the governor had “ been violating his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fundraise for his reelection campaign.
” He encouraged business owners to open their businesses and affix signs to them telling Cooper to go to hell .
Adams also found authorities ’ unwillingness to enforce “ social distancing ” rules against Black Lives Matters and Antifa activists hypocritical .
On June 2 , he tweeted : “ Just when you started to recover from the Governor shutting your business down it gets shut down by the looting rioters the Governor fully supports .
Have you not figured out that the Governor is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few days earlier , Adams tweeted a rumor that Antifa was going to “ hit Wilmington ” and that he was “ ready.
” He was denounced by one Twitter user as a “ nutcase.
” Nevertheless , the criminologist was a fierce critic of police brutality .
His final essay for Town Hall , entitled “ White Man Can ’ t Breathe , ” sought to bring attention to the 2016 death of Tony Timpa in police custody in Dallas .
Like George Floyd , Timpa died after police pinned his neck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chilling disregard for Timpa ’ s well-being , joking about his unconscious state .
“ [ It ] is time to re-open this case in the court of public opinion , if not a court of law , ” Adams wrote .
“ Only then will we learn whether current outrage over the death of George Floyd is based upon righteous indignation or political opportunism.
” According to his Town Hall biography , Adams was hired by UNCW in 1993 when he was “ an atheist and a democrat ” to teach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later converted to Christianity and joined the Republican party .
He won UNCW ’ s the Faculty Member of the Year award twice but had to take the university to court to protect his First Amendment rights .
A court ruled in his favor in 2011 .
In 2014 , another court sided with Adams against UNCW , deeming that it had wrongfully blocked his promotion because of his conservative views .
LifeSiteNews has reached out to Governor Cooper ’ s press office for comment and is awaiting a response .

Conservative Professor Mike Adams took the University of North Carolina at Wilmington to court multiple times for discriminating against him.
WILMINGTON, North Carolina, July 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― A well-known pro-life professor, columnist, and critic of the governor of North Carolina was found dead at home yesterday.
Police are investigating the death of Mike S. Adams, the tenured University of North Carolina-Wilmington professor who became a lightning rod for left-wing hate after posting a series of tweets his critics claimed were sexist and racist.
Described by pro-life author Dave Sterrett as “a bold voice for the unborn,” Adams’ most recent tweets included “Abortion intentionally kills an innocent human being” and “It is wrong to intentionally kill an innocent human being.” Adams publicly debated abortionist Willie Parker in 2019.
According to CBS, deputies from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office found Adams’ body after coming to his Wilmington home to do a “wellness check.” Adams, 55, was to take early retirement from UNCW on August 1, having been forced out by an administration under siege by left-wing protests demanding his firing. The professor of sociology and criminology had reached a settlement of $504,702 from the university for lost wages and benefits.
Critical of Governor Roy Cooper’s lockdown orders, one of Adams’ most controversial tweets stated that the universities should stay open but that non-essential majors, like Women’s Studies, should go. A May 30 tweet addressed the governor as “Massa Cooper,” a reference to the slave-“owner” relationship in the antebellum South, and described North Carolina under lockdown as a “slave state.”
“This evening I ate pizza and drank beer with six guys at a six seat table top. I almost felt like a free man who was not living in the slave state of North Carolina,” he wrote. “Massa Cooper, let my people go!”
The remarks supporting or condemning the tweet have now been joined by tweets celebrating Adams’ death.
Conservative activists with Young America’s Foundation (YAF), as well as commentator and author Michelle Malkin, mourned his death.
Longtime Townhall Columnist Mike Adams Has Died https://t.co/xyhlBP42A7 — Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) July 24, 2020
We are devastated to hear of the passing of @MikeSAdams. Professor Adams was a beloved freedom fighter and YAF speaker. Our prayers go out to his family. pic.twitter.com/1gx4PnszyM — YAF (@yaf) July 23, 2020
We are devastated to hear of the passing of @MikeSAdams. Professor Adams was a beloved freedom fighter and YAF speaker. Our prayers go out to his family. pic.twitter.com/1gx4PnszyM — YAF (@yaf) July 23, 2020
Oh this is terrible news. @MikeSAdams was smart, brave, always cheerful & a gentleman of great faith. In shock. We always vowed to do the #manitouincline together and never did. I’m heartsick. https://t.co/2XTAQIr5tc — Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) July 24, 2020
Unlike so many phony champions of free speech, @mikesadams was the real deal. He faced enormous campus pressure to conform. Defied #CancelCulture —and pushed back not only against the Left, but also gatekeepers of the Right. He was a strong & gracious Christian. Gone too soon. — Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) July 24, 2020
“Mike wasn’t just a free speech warrior; he was a free speech general,” wrote the students of UNCW’s YAF chapter. “Every conservative student at UNCW owes Mike Adams a debt which we can only hope one day to repay.”
Today is a sad day at our little chapter. Our dear and beloved advisor and mentor, Mike Adams, has passed away. Below is our statement, YAF at UNCW will never be the same. pic.twitter.com/el7xCjiud8 — UNCW YAF (@YAFUNCW) July 24, 2020
Prof. Adams was fierce critic of police brutality, ‘evil and despicable’ North Carolina governor
One of Adams’ last essays for Town Hall revealed that he had a long history of criticizing Governor Cooper. In his May 4, 2020 essay, entitled “Why I Can’t Get Arrested in Raleigh,” Adams referred to a personal legal battle with Cooper. Explaining why Raleigh police wouldn’t arrest him after he shouted at them about the wrongful arrest of an anti-lockdown protester, he wrote:
RPD [Raleigh PD] officers know who I am (as many of my former criminology students are on their police force). They know I teach a course on the First Amendment. They know I have tangled with Roy Cooper before and that I beat him in a seven-year lawsuit. And they know I would beat him again.
Adams also described the PRD as “corrupt” and alleged that the Capitol police who charged protester Lisa Todd had lied about her arrest and were “Roy Cooper’s Gestapo.”
In his April 22, 2020 essay for Town Hall, entitled “North Carolina Patriots Must Stand Up to Hypocritical Governor,” Adams revealed that he would challenge Cooper’s Executive Order 121 by holding a large religious service in his home.
Governor Cooper had described churches as non-essential businesses and banned religious meetings in private homes if they included more than ten people, Adams explained. Prayer groups composed of fewer than ten people were to sit six feet apart.
“These requirements are unlawful – as is the entire executive order – and thus needed to be challenged,” Adams wrote.
When Adams was not, despite his best efforts, arrested for violating the lockdown orders, he noted that the governor had “been violating his own executive order by leaving the state to fundraise for his reelection campaign.” He encouraged business owners to open their businesses and affix signs to them telling Cooper to go to hell.
Adams also found authorities’ unwillingness to enforce “social distancing” rules against Black Lives Matters and Antifa activists hypocritical. On June 2, he tweeted: “Just when you started to recover from the Governor shutting your business down it gets shut down by the looting rioters the Governor fully supports. Have you not figured out that the Governor is an evil and despicable man?”
A few days earlier, Adams tweeted a rumor that Antifa was going to “hit Wilmington” and that he was “ready.” He was denounced by one Twitter user as a “nutcase.”
Nevertheless, the criminologist was a fierce critic of police brutality. His final essay for Town Hall, entitled “White Man Can’t Breathe,” sought to bring attention to the 2016 death of Tony Timpa in police custody in Dallas. Like George Floyd, Timpa died after police pinned his neck to the ground. The police showed a chilling disregard for Timpa’s well-being, joking about his unconscious state.
“[It] is time to re-open this case in the court of public opinion, if not a court of law,” Adams wrote.
“Only then will we learn whether current outrage over the death of George Floyd is based upon righteous indignation or political opportunism.”
According to his Town Hall biography, Adams was hired by UNCW in 1993 when he was “an atheist and a democrat” to teach in its criminal justice department. He later converted to Christianity and joined the Republican party. He won UNCW’s the Faculty Member of the Year award twice but had to take the university to court to protect his First Amendment rights. A court ruled in his favor in 2011. In 2014, another court sided with Adams against UNCW, deeming that it had wrongfully blocked his promotion because of his conservative views.
LifeSiteNews has reached out to Governor Cooper’s press office for comment and is awaiting a response.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-28--Muslims’ first prayer service in former Catholic basilica explicitly rejects Christianity

July 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Headed by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan , Muslims entered the Basilica of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul on July 24 for the first Islamic Friday prayers since the Byzantine basilica was turned into a museum 86 years ago .
“ Ayasofya , ” as it is known in Turkish , was formerly a Christian basilica , with important parts of the building dating back to the 6th century .
They entered as conquerors : the “ sword of conquest ” played an important and visible role in a ceremony , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event were clearly anti-Christian .
The lengthy Islamic occupation of Hagia Sophia began violently on the day of the capture of Constantinople in 1453 by Islamic invaders , who immediately turned it into a mosque .
Holy Wisdom has now “ regained ” that status , the mainstream press reports , despite its true status as a church , one of the most venerable in Christendom , where the Triune God was adored and the Divine Liturgy offered for many centuries .
Hagia Sophia was “ recaptured ” last Friday by a crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is himself capable of reciting the Quran in Arabic psalmody , and who did so last Friday , chanting the first surah .
Thousands of faithful followed and joined the prayers from around the building , in five separate zones , three for men , two for women .
The event took place only two weeks after the Turkish Council of State ruled that the 1934 decree that turned Hagia Sophia into a mosque ( under the secularist and masonic rule of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk ) was illegal because the building was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation .
President Erdoğan , of the ruling Islamist party , immediately decided to go ahead and organize prayers as soon as possible .
The event was marked by a strong anti-Christian sentiment .
Imam Ali Erbaş , head of Turkey ’ s Religious Affairs Directorate ( Diyanet ) , went up to the midram to give his sermon with the “ sword of conquest ” in his hand : a Turkish scimitar whose blade was inscribed with the “ conquest surah.
” According to the Turkish English-language news site dailysabah.com , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that swords were traditionally held during religious sermons delivered at weekly Muslim prayers as a symbol of conquest.
” Ali Erbaş said during a press conference : “ Khutbahs ( Friday sermons ) have been delivered with a sword , without interruption , for 481 years .
If Allah permits , we will resume this tradition from now on.
” “ This is a tradition in mosques that are the symbol of conquests , ” he explained , adding that Hagia Sophia is such a symbol .
Erbaş said he hoped “ many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mosque ” and “ learn their religion ” there .
“ We ’ ll try to restore the Hagia Sophia Madrassa to function as it did during its magnificent years with Quran lessons in every single corner of the mosque .
... Mosques also function as schools .
Just as our prophet was able to raise his companions in mosques , we are trying to raise our youth and children in mosques.
” A number of further surahs were chanted by “ Hafizs ” ( those who know the Quran by heart ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the official government site of the Diyanet .
They recited Surah al-Kahf , Surah Maryam , Surah Ya-sin , and Surah al-Fatiha , as well as three of the shortest surahs , al-Ikhlas , al-Falaq , and an-Nas .
This is worth analyzing .
All the English translations of these surahs can easily be found on the internet .
The surah al-Kahf ( “ The Cave ” ) ends with the words of Mohammed : “ Say , ‘ I am only a human being like you , being inspired that your god @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet his Lord , let him work righteousness , and never associate anyone with the service of his Lord.
’ ” The condemnation of the “ associators ” is a direct charge against Christians who believe in one God in three Persons .
Surah Maryam tells of the birth of John the Baptist , vaguely following the biblical account , and the “ annunciation ” by the angel Gibril to “ Maryam ” of the ( more or less ) virginal birth of her son .
A convert from Islam , Moh-Christophe Bilek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Kabylia ” association in France , has given many talks showing that the “ Maryam and Issa ” of Islam do not in fact correspond with the Mary and Jesus of the Gospel but appear at a different time in the corresponding Bible timeline .
In the surah , the assent of the woman , Maryam , is not required .
Mary ’ s “ fiat ” does not exist in the Quran : Further on in the surah , Maryam says : And above all : 85 .
On the Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Most Merciful , as guests .
86 .
And herd the sinners into hell , like animals to water .
87 .
They will have no power of intercession , except for someone who has an agreement with the Most Merciful .
88 .
And they say , “ The Most Merciful has begotten a son.
” 89 .
You have come up with something monstrous .
90 .
At which the heavens almost rupture , and the earth splits , and the mountains fall and crumble .
91 .
Because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
92 .
It is not fitting for the Most Merciful to have a son .
This is a clear charge against the Christian faith that professes the Most Holy Trinity , God the Father , God the Son , and God the Holy Spirit , three equal Persons in one God .
Surah Ya-Seen followed .
It promises hellfire to those who do not follow Allah ’ s messengers .
Surah Ikhlas followed .
It is short : This is once again an attack against the Son of God and the Holy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obviously quite contrary to interreligious dialogue .
Above all , it is a loud , explicit rejection of Christian faith and worship .
It is not so much a prayer as a precise message addressed to the Christian believers who used to worship the Triune God in Hagia Sophia and venerate His Most Blessed Mother .
As will be the case during all prayers recited at the “ Holy Wisdom Mosque , ” the mosaics depicting Our Lord and His Most Holy Mother have been veiled .
Two green flags adorn the midram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have remained in Hagia Sophia even since 1934 .

'It is not fitting for the Most Merciful to have a son.'
July 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Headed by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Muslims entered the Basilica of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul on July 24 for the first Islamic Friday prayers since the Byzantine basilica was turned into a museum 86 years ago. “Ayasofya,” as it is known in Turkish, was formerly a Christian basilica, with important parts of the building dating back to the 6th century. They entered as conquerors: the “sword of conquest” played an important and visible role in a ceremony, and the verses of the Quran chosen for the event were clearly anti-Christian.
The lengthy Islamic occupation of Hagia Sophia began violently on the day of the capture of Constantinople in 1453 by Islamic invaders, who immediately turned it into a mosque. Holy Wisdom has now “regained” that status, the mainstream press reports, despite its true status as a church, one of the most venerable in Christendom, where the Triune God was adored and the Divine Liturgy offered for many centuries.
Hagia Sophia was “recaptured” last Friday by a crowd of dignitaries, led by Erdoğan, who is himself capable of reciting the Quran in Arabic psalmody, and who did so last Friday, chanting the first surah. Thousands of faithful followed and joined the prayers from around the building, in five separate zones, three for men, two for women.
The event took place only two weeks after the Turkish Council of State ruled that the 1934 decree that turned Hagia Sophia into a museum (under the secularist and masonic rule of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk) was illegal because the building was the property of the Sultan Mehmet Han Foundation.
President Erdoğan, of the ruling Islamist party, immediately decided to go ahead and organize prayers as soon as possible.
The event was marked by a strong anti-Christian sentiment. Imam Ali Erbaş, head of Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet), went up to the midram to give his sermon with the “sword of conquest” in his hand: a Turkish scimitar whose blade was inscribed with the “conquest surah.”
According to the Turkish English-language news site dailysabah.com, “Turkey's religious chief on Friday explained that swords were traditionally held during religious sermons delivered at weekly Muslim prayers as a symbol of conquest.”
Ali Erbaş said during a press conference: “Khutbahs (Friday sermons) have been delivered with a sword, without interruption, for 481 years. If Allah permits, we will resume this tradition from now on.” “This is a tradition in mosques that are the symbol of conquests,” he explained, adding that Hagia Sophia is such a symbol. Erbaş said he hoped “many people” would pray in “this mosque” and “learn their religion” there.
“We’ll try to restore the Hagia Sophia Madrassa to function as it did during its magnificent years with Quran lessons in every single corner of the mosque. … Mosques also function as schools. Just as our prophet was able to raise his companions in mosques, we are trying to raise our youth and children in mosques.”
A number of further surahs were chanted by “Hafizs” (those who know the Quran by heart), including Erbaş, as announced by the official government site of the Diyanet. They recited Surah al-Kahf, Surah Maryam, Surah Ya-sin, and Surah al-Fatiha, as well as three of the shortest surahs, al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, and an-Nas.
This is worth analyzing. All the English translations of these surahs can easily be found on the internet.
The surah al-Kahf (“The Cave”) ends with the words of Mohammed: “Say, ‘I am only a human being like you, being inspired that your god is One God. Whoever hopes to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and never associate anyone with the service of his Lord.’”
The condemnation of the “associators” is a direct charge against Christians who believe in one God in three Persons.
Surah Maryam tells of the birth of John the Baptist, vaguely following the biblical account, and the “annunciation” by the angel Gibril to “Maryam” of the (more or less) virginal birth of her son. A convert from Islam, Moh-Christophe Bilek, who founded the “Our Lady of Kabylia” association in France, has given many talks showing that the “Maryam and Issa” of Islam do not in fact correspond with the Mary and Jesus of the Gospel but appear at a different time in the corresponding Bible timeline.
In the surah, the assent of the woman, Maryam, is not required. Mary’s “fiat” does not exist in the Quran:
20. She said, “How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, and I was never unchaste?” 21. He said, “Thus said your Lord, ‘It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign for humanity, and a mercy from Us. It is a matter already decided.’” 22. So she became with child, and went away with him to a far place.
Further on in the surah, Maryam says:
35. It is not for Allah to have a child — glory be to Him. To have anything done, He says to it, “Be,” and it becomes. … 37. But the various factions differed among themselves. So woe to those who disbelieve from the scene of a tremendous Day.
And above all:
85. On the Day when We will gather the righteous to the Most Merciful, as guests. 86. And herd the sinners into hell, like animals to water. 87. They will have no power of intercession, except for someone who has an agreement with the Most Merciful. 88. And they say, “The Most Merciful has begotten a son.” 89. You have come up with something monstrous. 90. At which the heavens almost rupture, and the earth splits, and the mountains fall and crumble. 91. Because they attribute a son to the Most Merciful. 92. It is not fitting for the Most Merciful to have a son.
This is a clear charge against the Christian faith that professes the Most Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three equal Persons in one God.
Surah Ya-Seen followed. It promises hellfire to those who do not follow Allah’s messengers.
Surah Ikhlas followed. It is short:
1. Say, “He is Allah, the One 2. Allah, the Absolute. 3. He begets not, nor was He begotten. 4. And there is none comparable to Him.”
This is once again an attack against the Son of God and the Holy Spirit.
Then Sura Al-Falaq, also short:
1. Say, “I take refuge with the Lord of Daybreak. 2. From the evil of what He created. 3. And from the evil of the darkness as it gathers. 4. And from the evil of those who practice sorcery. 5. And from the evil of an envious when he envies.”
Finally, Sura Nas:
1. Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind. 2. The King of mankind. 3. The God of mankind. 4. From the evil of the sneaky whisperer. 5. Who whispers into the hearts of people. 6. From among jinn and among people.”
The choice of surah is obviously quite contrary to interreligious dialogue. Above all, it is a loud, explicit rejection of Christian faith and worship. It is not so much a prayer as a precise message addressed to the Christian believers who used to worship the Triune God in Hagia Sophia and venerate His Most Blessed Mother.
As will be the case during all prayers recited at the “Holy Wisdom Mosque,” the mosaics depicting Our Lord and His Most Holy Mother have been veiled. Two green flags adorn the midram, under the Arabic islamic inscriptions that have remained in Hagia Sophia even since 1934.
Follow Jeanne Jeanne Smits has worked as a journalist in France since 1987 after obtaining a Master of Arts in Law. She formerly directed the French daily Présent and was editor-in-chief of an all-internet French-speaking news site called reinformation.tv. She writes regularly for a number of Catholic journals (Monde & vie, L’Homme nouveau, Reconquête…) and runs a personal pro-life blog. In addition, she is often invited to radio and TV shows on alternative media. She is vice-president of the Christian and French defense association “AGRIF.” She is the French translator of The Dictator Pope by Henry Sire and Christus Vincit by Bishop Schneider, and recently contributed to the Bref examen critique de la communion dans la main about Communion in the hand. She is married and has three children, and lives near Paris.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-27--Spanish cardinal defies govt COVID restrictions, holds public Mass with more than 10 people

BARCELONA , Spain , July 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A spanish cardinal defied a government order limiting congregations at religious services to 10 people and announced plans to take legal action against what he describes as the “ arbitrariness ” of coronavirus restrictions on the “ right to religious freedom and freedom of worship.
” This weekend , Cardinal Juan José Omella of Barcelona , Spain , celebrated a memorial Mass for those who have died during the lockdown , with images from the service published on the diocese ’ s website showing more than a hundred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inconsistency of government directives that encouraged tourists to visit the famous Basilica of the Holy Family , designed in the late 19th century by Antoni Gaudi , but which continued to limit attendance at religious events to 10 people .
The cardinal said in a statement issued yesterday that the situation “ seems unfair and discriminatory considering that we have been very careful and respectful to maintain the health standards required for enclosed spaces , presented at all times to the administration , with the approval of doctors and , above all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premises a capacity of 50 percent is allowed.
” Made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2017 , Omella has previously criticized bishops and cardinals who have publicly asked Pope Francis to clarify whether his Exhortation Amoris Laetitia conforms to perennial Catholic teaching on marriage , the Eucharist , and conscience .
In light of the government ’ s refusal to adjust the restrictions on religious services , prior to the service Omella encouraged people to view the service via livestream , while pointing out that even if all those who had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would still only have been at 23 percent capacity .
Historically , the Cataluña region is notoriously anti-clerical , with persecution of the Church and religious communities by Communists particularly fierce in the first half of 20th century .
Omella concluded his statement by announcing the diocese would be launching legal action against the restrictions .
“ In the face of the unpredictable change of attitude of the Ministry of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya , in the coming days we will initiate appropriate legal actions against arbitrariness and helplessness that suffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of worship , constitutionally protected , ” he wrote .
In May , Cardinal Antonio Cañizares of Valencia came under police scrutiny for breaking Spain ’ s strict lockdown restrictions by giving a blessing and briefly exposing an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the front entrance of a basilica on the occasion of the city ’ s annual feast day .
In April , Spanish police shut down a Palm Sunday Mass on a church rooftop in Seville after receiving reports from locals that the regional coronavirus confinement laws were being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May , Catholic clergy led by former papal nuncio Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò and Cardinals Gerhard Ludwig Mueller , Joseph Zen , and Janis Pujats reminded politicians around the world that “ the state has no right to interfere , for any reason whatsoever , in the sovereignty of the church.
” “ This autonomy and freedom are an innate right that Our Lord Jesus Christ has given her for the pursuit of her proper ends .
For this reason , as pastors we firmly assert the right to decide autonomously on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just as we claim absolute autonomy in matters falling within our immediate jurisdiction , such as liturgical norms and ways of administering Communion and the Sacraments , ” the signatories stated .

Cardinal Juan José Omella celebrated a memorial Mass for those who have died during the lockdown with more than 100 people in attendance.
BARCELONA, Spain, July 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A spanish cardinal defied a government order limiting congregations at religious services to 10 people and announced plans to take legal action against what he describes as the “arbitrariness” of coronavirus restrictions on the “right to religious freedom and freedom of worship.”
This weekend, Cardinal Juan José Omella of Barcelona, Spain, celebrated a memorial Mass for those who have died during the lockdown, with images from the service published on the diocese’s website showing more than a hundred people in attendance.
Omella highlighted the inconsistency of government directives that encouraged tourists to visit the famous Basilica of the Holy Family, designed in the late 19th century by Antoni Gaudi, but which continued to limit attendance at religious events to 10 people.
The cardinal said in a statement issued yesterday that the situation “seems unfair and discriminatory considering that we have been very careful and respectful to maintain the health standards required for enclosed spaces, presented at all times to the administration, with the approval of doctors and, above all, taking note that for other smaller indoor premises a capacity of 50 percent is allowed.”
Made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2017, Omella has previously criticized bishops and cardinals who have publicly asked Pope Francis to clarify whether his Exhortation Amoris Laetitia conforms to perennial Catholic teaching on marriage, the Eucharist, and conscience.
In light of the government’s refusal to adjust the restrictions on religious services, prior to the service Omella encouraged people to view the service via livestream, while pointing out that even if all those who had been invited were to attend then the basilica would still only have been at 23 percent capacity.
Historically, the Cataluña region is notoriously anti-clerical, with persecution of the Church and religious communities by Communists particularly fierce in the first half of 20th century.
Omella concluded his statement by announcing the diocese would be launching legal action against the restrictions.
“In the face of the unpredictable change of attitude of the Ministry of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya, in the coming days we will initiate appropriate legal actions against arbitrariness and helplessness that suffer the right to religious freedom and freedom of worship, constitutionally protected,” he wrote.
In May, Cardinal Antonio Cañizares of Valencia came under police scrutiny for breaking Spain’s strict lockdown restrictions by giving a blessing and briefly exposing an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the front entrance of a basilica on the occasion of the city’s annual feast day.
In April, Spanish police shut down a Palm Sunday Mass on a church rooftop in Seville after receiving reports from locals that the regional coronavirus confinement laws were being broken.
In an open letter published in May, Catholic clergy led by former papal nuncio Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò and Cardinals Gerhard Ludwig Mueller, Joseph Zen, and Janis Pujats reminded politicians around the world that “the state has no right to interfere, for any reason whatsoever, in the sovereignty of the church.”
“This autonomy and freedom are an innate right that Our Lord Jesus Christ has given her for the pursuit of her proper ends. For this reason, as pastors we firmly assert the right to decide autonomously on the celebration of Mass and the Sacraments, just as we claim absolute autonomy in matters falling within our immediate jurisdiction, such as liturgical norms and ways of administering Communion and the Sacraments,” the signatories stated.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-27--100 faith leaders urge Biden, Democrats to end ‘explicit support ... for abortion extremism’

July 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Democratic Party is facing calls to abandon its abortion extremism in a letter sent last Friday to the Democratic National Committee , spearheaded by Democrats for Life and signed by over 100 professors of religion , Christian pastors , and others .
Specifically , the letter asks the Democrats to amend the party platform and rescind support for federal funding for abortion and the repeal of the Hyde Amendment .
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden supported the Hyde Amendment as recently as last year , but a little light pressure from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to drop the position he had held for nearly half a century overnight .
Biden , who was once considered an “ unreliable ” legislator by abortion rights groups , is now fronting the most radical pro-abortion agenda of any Democratic nominee ever .
Sleepy Joe may seem harmless , but on abortion , he ’ s playing for keeps .
The letter calls on the Democratic platform committee to “ recognize the inviolable human dignity of the child , before and after birth ” and urges them to “ reject a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking office in the Democratic Party.
” Signatories included Rev .
Gabriel Salguero of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition , who served on Obama ’ s faith advisory council , and John DeBerry , a longtime Democrat and Tennessee state rep removed from a party partially due to his pro-life voting record .
Earlier this year , longtime Democrat Dr. Charles Camosy of the University of Notre Dame ( the author of several fascinating books on the abortion wars ) resigned from Democrats for Life and penned a scathing editorial in the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once hoped that Democrats could be persuaded that pro-lifers had a place in the party , he wrote , he now recognized that it was “ a losing battle.
” In short , he stated , “ Anything even hinting that abortion is less than good now violates party orthodoxy.
” Kristen Day , the current executive director of Democrats for Life , appears close to reaching the same conclusion .
The letter , she told the press , should serve as a warning to Democrats .
Abortion extremism has the potential to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Camosy ’ s estimate may make up a third of the Democratic base .
The risk the Democrats run in pushing those voters off the platform and out of the party is that they may decide to go elsewhere .
“ It ’ s hugely important for the campaign and Vice President Biden to understand the importance of this vote , ” Day noted .
“ It shouldn ’ t be taken for granted.
” This is not the first time pro-life progressives have attempted to gain acceptance in the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then-chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee , Rep. Ben Ray Luján , announced that the Democrats would not longer apply a “ litmus test ” on abortion — specifically , that financial backing would not be withheld from anti-abortion candidates in the 2018 midterms .
This ineffectual announcement was widely seen as a move to court pro-life voters turned off by President Donald Trump .
In the interim , Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry have tightened , not loosened , their grip on the Democratic Party .
In fact , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to abandon support for abortion with a real chance of success took place back in 1992 and was spearheaded by the Kennedy clan ’ s sole defender of pre-born children , Eunice Shriver .
As Ross Douthat noted in her obituary , Shriver “ participated in the last significant effort to push the Democratic Party away from abortion on demand , petitioning her party ’ s convention to consider ‘ a new understanding ’ of the issue , ‘ one that does not pit mother against child , ’ but instead seeks ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest of mothers and their children , both before and after birth.
’ ” On July 24 , 1992 , Eunice and Sargent Shriver , along with Pennsylvania Governor Bob Casey and other pro-life leaders , signed their names to a full-page ad in The New York Times titled “ The New American Compact ” : We can choose to reaffirm our respect for human life .
We can choose to extend once again the mantle of protection to all members of the human family , including the unborn .
We can choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children .
And if we make those choices , America will experience a new birth of freedom , bringing with it a renewed spirit of community , compassion , and caring .
If the Democrats had chosen to follow the path of Eunice Shriver rather than that of her brother Teddy Kennedy , the Clintons , and the abortion extremists that followed , the American political landscape would look much different .
If abortion had not unfortunately become such a partisan issue , it is safe to say that America would be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — if the Democrats had not chosen to become the party of taxpayer-funded abortion until birth , maybe Joseph R. Biden wouldn ’ t have sold his soul to Planned Parenthood in a bid to trade blood for power .

July 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Democratic Party is facing calls to abandon its abortion extremism in a letter sent last Friday to the Democratic National Committee, spearheaded by Democrats for Life and signed by over 100 professors of religion, Christian pastors, and others. Specifically, the letter asks the Democrats to amend the party platform and rescind support for federal funding for abortion and the repeal of the Hyde Amendment.
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden supported the Hyde Amendment as recently as last year, but a little light pressure from the party’s progressive wing prompted him to drop the position he had held for nearly half a century overnight. Biden, who was once considered an “unreliable” legislator by abortion rights groups, is now fronting the most radical pro-abortion agenda of any Democratic nominee ever. Sleepy Joe may seem harmless, but on abortion, he’s playing for keeps.
The letter calls on the Democratic platform committee to “recognize the inviolable human dignity of the child, before and after birth” and urges them to “reject a litmus test on pro-life people of faith seeking office in the Democratic Party.” Signatories included Rev. Gabriel Salguero of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, who served on Obama’s faith advisory council, and John DeBerry, a longtime Democrat and Tennessee state rep removed from a party partially due to his pro-life voting record.
Earlier this year, longtime Democrat Dr. Charles Camosy of the University of Notre Dame (the author of several fascinating books on the abortion wars) resigned from Democrats for Life and penned a scathing editorial in the New York Post explaining why. While he once hoped that Democrats could be persuaded that pro-lifers had a place in the party, he wrote, he now recognized that it was “a losing battle.” In short, he stated, “Anything even hinting that abortion is less than good now violates party orthodoxy.”
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Kristen Day, the current executive director of Democrats for Life, appears close to reaching the same conclusion. The letter, she told the press, should serve as a warning to Democrats. Abortion extremism has the potential to turn off many pro-life voters, which according to Camosy’s estimate may make up a third of the Democratic base. The risk the Democrats run in pushing those voters off the platform and out of the party is that they may decide to go elsewhere. “It’s hugely important for the campaign and Vice President Biden to understand the importance of this vote,” Day noted. “It shouldn’t be taken for granted.”
This is not the first time pro-life progressives have attempted to gain acceptance in the Democratic Party. Back in 2017, the then-chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Rep. Ben Ray Luján, announced that the Democrats would not longer apply a “litmus test” on abortion — specifically, that financial backing would not be withheld from anti-abortion candidates in the 2018 midterms. This ineffectual announcement was widely seen as a move to court pro-life voters turned off by President Donald Trump. In the interim, Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry have tightened, not loosened, their grip on the Democratic Party.
In fact, the last attempt to persuade the Democratic Party to abandon support for abortion with a real chance of success took place back in 1992 and was spearheaded by the Kennedy clan’s sole defender of pre-born children, Eunice Shriver. As Ross Douthat noted in her obituary, Shriver “participated in the last significant effort to push the Democratic Party away from abortion on demand, petitioning her party’s convention to consider ‘a new understanding’ of the issue, ‘one that does not pit mother against child,’ but instead seeks ‘policies that responsibly protect and advance the interest of mothers and their children, both before and after birth.’” On July 24, 1992, Eunice and Sargent Shriver, along with Pennsylvania Governor Bob Casey and other pro-life leaders, signed their names to a full-page ad in The New York Times titled “The New American Compact”:
We can choose to reaffirm our respect for human life. We can choose to extend once again the mantle of protection to all members of the human family, including the unborn. We can choose to provide effective care of mothers and children. And if we make those choices, America will experience a new birth of freedom, bringing with it a renewed spirit of community, compassion, and caring.
If the Democrats had chosen to follow the path of Eunice Shriver rather than that of her brother Teddy Kennedy, the Clintons, and the abortion extremists that followed, the American political landscape would look much different. If abortion had not unfortunately become such a partisan issue, it is safe to say that America would be a radically different country. And who knows — if the Democrats had not chosen to become the party of taxpayer-funded abortion until birth, maybe Joseph R. Biden wouldn’t have sold his soul to Planned Parenthood in a bid to trade blood for power.
Jonathon’s new podcast, The Van Maren Show, is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement. In his latest episode, he interviews Darlene Pawlik, victim of sex-trafficking from a young age. Darlene shares her story, including how she had to fake an abortion and ultimately run away in order to escape. You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below:
Follow Jonathon Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer, and pro-life activist. His commentary has been translated into more than eight languages and published widely online as well as print newspapers such as the Jewish Independent, the National Post, the Hamilton Spectator and others. He has received an award for combating anti-Semitism in print from the Jewish organization B’nai Brith. His commentary has been featured on CTV Primetime, Global News, EWTN, and the CBC as well as dozens of radio stations and news outlets in Canada and the United States. He speaks on a wide variety of cultural topics across North America at universities, high schools, churches, and other functions. Some of these topics include abortion, pornography, the Sexual Revolution, and euthanasia. Jonathon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Simon Fraser University, and is the communications director for the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform. Jonathon’s first book, The Culture War, was released in 2016.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-27--Christian churches in Northern Ireland forced to declare if they’ll ‘marry’ gays or not

PETITION : Ask bishop to remove 'Catholic ' from the University of Notre Dame if they refuse to rescind Pete Buttigieg 's fellowship !
Sign the petition here .
BELFAST , Northern Ireland , July 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A Northern Ireland government body has backtracked and apologized after writing to churches and asking them to state whether or not they will celebrate same-sex “ weddings ” while threatening that they would lose their status as marriage officiants for all weddings if they did not reply in less within a month .
The Northern Ireland ( Executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piece of legislation that introduced new abortion laws into the region , has also legalized same-sex “ marriage , ” effective from January 13 of this year .
Same-sex “ marriage ” has been legal in the rest of the UK since 2013 , but until this year had not been imposed on Northern Ireland .
And a number of Nothern Ireland churches recently received a letter from General Register Office for Northern Ireland ( GRO ) asking them to complete a form detailing whether would officiate only weddings between people of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officiate at so-called same-sex “ weddings.
” “ Although your church has officiants currently registered with the General Register Office to carry out opposite-sex marriages , I am writing to you so that we may update the officiant database with your church ’ s preferences for performing all types of marriages , ” the July 17 letter stated .
The form also asked churches who agree to offer same-sex “ weddings ” to list the names and details of any of their officiants who would not carry out same-sex “ marriage ” ceremonies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposite-sex marriage ceremonies .
“ If we do not receive any response by this date , it will be assumed that you and other members of the church no longer wish to be registered as officiants for any type of marriage , ” the letter continued .
“ We will cancel the registrations on the officiant database accordingly , and you will not be able to carry out any marriage ceremonies in Northern Ireland.
” A number of churches , reportedly concerned by the intimidating tone and contents of the letter , contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responding to the letter .
Christian Institute ’ s in-house solicitor , Sam Webster , responded with a letter to the GRO offices in Belfast , demanding an explanation .
“ I would be grateful if you would kindly explain by return why you are writing to religious bodies threatening to cancel their existing registrations if they do not complete and return the form by August , ” Webster wrote .
“ Apart from the apparent lack of any legal basis for your letter , you must be aware that in this holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your letter will go unnoticed by many recipients.
” The GRO has now issued a public statement saying that “ ( n ) o officiants will be removed from the register and any religious bodies wishing to perform same-sex marriages must opt in by completing the form issued with the letter.
” And The Christian Institute reports that they have received an apology from the GRO , which said “ it was not and is not the intention to cancel registration of officiants ” and that the GRO is in the process of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mistake .
“ We are currently writing to all churches to highlight the mistake and apologise unreservedly for this error , ” the new letter states .
“ This is important as the GRO sets about reassuring places of worship that they can continue to carry out weddings – the union of one man and one woman – and do not need to re-register in order to ‘ opt out ’ of conducting same-sex weddings , ” Simon Calvert , deputy director for public affairs at The Christian Institute , said of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a crass way to handle an issue that is highly controversial amongst the churches , the vast majority of which believe as a matter of deep doctrinal conviction that marriage is the union of one man and one woman , ” Calvert continued .
“ The number likely to opt in is very small .
In England , for example , 22,500 non-Anglican places of worship are registered for weddings and only 250 of those are registered for same-sex weddings.
” Earlier this year , Northern Ireland politician and Trade Union Voice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new law legalizing same-sex “ marriage ” in the region will not allow civil registrars , hoteliers , florists , and wedding photographers to refuse their services for homosexual “ weddings.
” Allister noted that paragraph 25 of the public consultation then in process regarding the new law “ explicitly states that the protections afforded to churches and ministers of religion will not apply to registrars.
” “ There is no space for anyone to express an opinion on this in the response form , ” Allister said .
“ Why does the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which impacts on the civil , religious , human and employment rights of registrars ?
” “ Here we have a situation where people have taken up the position of registrars under one set of conditions and now those conditions have been radically changed , ” Allister continued .
“ If , as is often claimed , same-sex marriage was really about rights , then this issue would have been addressed.
” Allister has also pointed out that paragraph 50 of the consultation states that the legal right to refuse to be involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to service providers that are not religious bodies , such as hoteliers , wedding photographers ( , ) and florists.
” Allister said that people who refused to provide services for same-sex “ marriages ” would be stripped of legal protection .
“ This is intolerable and wrong , but the NIO doesn ’ t want to know , ” he concluded .
The Northern Ireland Office ( NIO ) , the UK government department responsible for Northern Ireland affairs , responded to Allister ’ s comments , stating , “ Civil marriages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Registrars can not discriminate against couples on the basis of sexual orientation.
” “ Service providers are also required to comply with the relevant equality laws in Northern Ireland , ” the statement continued .
“ Registrars and service providers are treated in the same way in Northern Ireland as in the rest of the UK .
We will make further regulations once we have considered all of the responses to the consultations.
” In 2018 , a Christian family-owned bakery in Northern Ireland was found by the UK Supreme Court to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBT activist declining to bake a cake supporting same-sex “ marriage.
” The judges ruled in that case that “ the rights to freedom of thought , conscience and religion , and to freedom of expression were clearly engaged by this case ” and that “ they include the right not to be obliged to manifest beliefs one does not hold.
” Wedding vendors will be forced to participate in gay ‘ marriages ’ under new N. Ireland law

The government said that if the churches did not respond to the questionnaire, they’d lose the ability to marry anyone. The government later apologized, saying that the move was a ‘mistake.’
PETITION: Ask bishop to remove 'Catholic' from the University of Notre Dame if they refuse to rescind Pete Buttigieg's fellowship! Sign the petition here.
BELFAST, Northern Ireland, July 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A Northern Ireland government body has backtracked and apologized after writing to churches and asking them to state whether or not they will celebrate same-sex “weddings” while threatening that they would lose their status as marriage officiants for all weddings if they did not reply in less within a month.
The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act 2019, the same piece of legislation that introduced new abortion laws into the region, has also legalized same-sex “marriage,” effective from January 13 of this year.
Same-sex “marriage” has been legal in the rest of the UK since 2013, but until this year had not been imposed on Northern Ireland.
And a number of Nothern Ireland churches recently received a letter from General Register Office for Northern Ireland (GRO) asking them to complete a form detailing whether would officiate only weddings between people of the opposite sex or whether they would also officiate at so-called same-sex “weddings.”
“Although your church has officiants currently registered with the General Register Office to carry out opposite-sex marriages, I am writing to you so that we may update the officiant database with your church’s preferences for performing all types of marriages,” the July 17 letter stated.
The form also asked churches who agree to offer same-sex “weddings” to list the names and details of any of their officiants who would not carry out same-sex “marriage” ceremonies, but would continue to carry out opposite-sex marriage ceremonies.
“If we do not receive any response by this date, it will be assumed that you and other members of the church no longer wish to be registered as officiants for any type of marriage,” the letter continued.
“We will cancel the registrations on the officiant database accordingly, and you will not be able to carry out any marriage ceremonies in Northern Ireland.”
A number of churches, reportedly concerned by the intimidating tone and contents of the letter, contacted The Christian Institute for their help in responding to the letter.
Christian Institute’s in-house solicitor, Sam Webster, responded with a letter to the GRO offices in Belfast, demanding an explanation.
“I would be grateful if you would kindly explain by return why you are writing to religious bodies threatening to cancel their existing registrations if they do not complete and return the form by August,” Webster wrote.
“Apart from the apparent lack of any legal basis for your letter, you must be aware that in this holiday season there is a real risk that your letter will go unnoticed by many recipients.”
The GRO has now issued a public statement saying that “(n)o officiants will be removed from the register and any religious bodies wishing to perform same-sex marriages must opt in by completing the form issued with the letter.”
And The Christian Institute reports that they have received an apology from the GRO, which said “it was not and is not the intention to cancel registration of officiants” and that the GRO is in the process of writing to all churches to highlight the mistake.
“We are currently writing to all churches to highlight the mistake and apologise unreservedly for this error,” the new letter states.
“This is important as the GRO sets about reassuring places of worship that they can continue to carry out weddings – the union of one man and one woman – and do not need to re-register in order to ‘opt out’ of conducting same-sex weddings,” Simon Calvert, deputy director for public affairs at The Christian Institute, said of the GRO’s U-turn.
“It was a crass way to handle an issue that is highly controversial amongst the churches, the vast majority of which believe as a matter of deep doctrinal conviction that marriage is the union of one man and one woman,” Calvert continued.
“The number likely to opt in is very small. In England, for example, 22,500 non-Anglican places of worship are registered for weddings and only 250 of those are registered for same-sex weddings.”
Earlier this year, Northern Ireland politician and Trade Union Voice leader Jim Allister pointed out that the new law legalizing same-sex “marriage” in the region will not allow civil registrars, hoteliers, florists, and wedding photographers to refuse their services for homosexual “weddings.”
Allister noted that paragraph 25 of the public consultation then in process regarding the new law “explicitly states that the protections afforded to churches and ministers of religion will not apply to registrars.”
“There is no space for anyone to express an opinion on this in the response form,” Allister said. “Why does the NIO choose to ignore this serious issue which impacts on the civil, religious, human and employment rights of registrars?”
“Here we have a situation where people have taken up the position of registrars under one set of conditions and now those conditions have been radically changed,” Allister continued. “If, as is often claimed, same-sex marriage was really about rights, then this issue would have been addressed.”
Allister has also pointed out that paragraph 50 of the consultation states that the legal right to refuse to be involved with such ceremonies “will not apply to service providers that are not religious bodies, such as hoteliers, wedding photographers(,) and florists.”
Allister said that people who refused to provide services for same-sex “marriages” would be stripped of legal protection.
“This is intolerable and wrong, but the NIO doesn’t want to know,” he concluded.
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO), the UK government department responsible for Northern Ireland affairs, responded to Allister’s comments, stating, “Civil marriages and partnerships are secular in Northern Ireland and Registrars cannot discriminate against couples on the basis of sexual orientation.”
“Service providers are also required to comply with the relevant equality laws in Northern Ireland,” the statement continued.
“Registrars and service providers are treated in the same way in Northern Ireland as in the rest of the UK. We will make further regulations once we have considered all of the responses to the consultations.”
In 2018, a Christian family-owned bakery in Northern Ireland was found by the UK Supreme Court to be not guilty of discriminating against an LGBT activist declining to bake a cake supporting same-sex “marriage.”
The judges ruled in that case that “the rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and to freedom of expression were clearly engaged by this case” and that “they include the right not to be obliged to manifest beliefs one does not hold.”
RELATED
Wedding vendors will be forced to participate in gay ‘marriages’ under new N. Ireland law
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