lifesitenews--2020-01-22--Another Canadian city moves to ban help to those seeking to overcome unwanted same-sex attraction

CALGARY , Alberta , January 22 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Following the lead of other Canadian municipalities , one of Western Canada ’ s largest cities is pursuing the recent movement to ban the practice of “ conversion therapy , ” thus making it impossible for those with unwanted same-sex attraction to receive legitimate help .
Critics say the move comes with potential consequences to the religious freedom of various groups whose faith teaches them that homosexuality is a disorder .
The City of Calgary notice of motion titled , “ Banning Conversion Therapy , PFC2020-0116 ” ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by city council on Tuesday .
The motion was brought forward by Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi , along with Councillors Evan Woolley , Druh Farrell , Gian-Carlo Carra , and Jyoti Gondek .
Woolley has called the practice “ a form of psychological abuse.
” Calgary ’ s mayor was quoted saying , “ I would have been very happy to put forward a motion a long time ago just saying that we condemn the practice , but we wanted to do more than that , ” adding , “ We believe that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from getting the licences they need to operate in the city.
” Canada ’ s pro-life , pro-family organization Campaign Life Coalition holds that “ conversion therapy ” bans are a disservice to those with unwanted same-sex attraction who want legitimate help and that they also constitute a direct attack on religious freedom .
Calgary ’ s ban mimics what Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau is hoping to achieve Canada wide .
He fully supports Independent Senator Serge Joyal ’ s Bill S-202 .
This bill would make it an indictable offense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jail , should anyone benefit both materially or financially , in a direct or indirect way , from the provision of “ conversion therapy ” to anyone under 18 years of age .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ’ s Liberal government also has told Canada ’ s Justice Minister , David Lametti to look for ways for a ban on “ conversion therapy ” at the federal level .
Senator Joyal ’ s Bill S-202 defines “ conversion therapy ” as “ any practice , treatment or service designed to change an individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or to eliminate or reduce sexual attraction or sexual behaviour between persons of the same sex .
For greater certainty , this definition does not include a surgical sex change or any related service.
” Campaign Life Coalition campaigns manager David Cooke noted this broad definition would include “ Christian counselling , prayer , and evangelism directed at the LGBT community ” as well as “ medical or psychological practices.
” “ In other words , if you publicly proclaim ( ‘ advertise ’ ) the message that homosexuals can be saved and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Cooke said .
In the past , “ conversion therapy ” included some truly questionable techniques , Cooke noted , which has cast a shadow over anyone legitimately trying to help people dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction .
Cooke added that around 50 years ago , a “ small number of doctors ” used “ very questionable psychological techniques ” such as “ electroshock therapy or vomit-inducing chemicals to create a mental aversion to homosexual impulses , ” adding , “ These were heinous , non-Christian practices that have been rightfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He pointed out that the “ LGBT lobby and its political allies ” are using the public ’ s confusion of “ conversion therapy ” as a means to get legislation passed .
Andre Schutten , of the Association for Reformed Political Action ( ARPA ) , told pro-life activist Jonathon Van Maren in December that such bans are an “ incredible encroachment on religious freedom ” and could lead to Christian groups being labeled as “ hate groups.
” “ With the bylaws being passed , coupled with a proposed Criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faithful churches will be fighting for their charitable status very soon .
Think about it : if a charity is doing criminal acts or routinely violating municipal bylaws , would anyone argue they should continue to have charitable status ?
Faithful churches will want to counsel children and adults to live their life as God would have them live it , in conformity to His Word .
This has implications for lifestyle , for identity .
This is not forced , it does not involve bizarre rituals or the infliction of pain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That 's all .
Apparently , that is too heinous to tolerate in Canada , ” he said .
“ More than that , it will have a chilling effect on all social workers , counsellors , pastors , doctors , and teachers who might want to explore the question “ why ” when a child presents with gender dysphoria.
” Calgary ’ s bylaw , once written , will likely follow the lead of a similar bylaw banning “ conversion therapy ” by The City of Edmonton back in December of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s bylaw threatened a “ minimum ” fine of $ 10,000 a day for any business which practices conversion therapy .
It is expected that Calgary city council will pass the bylaw down the road when it comes before council .
The “ conversion therapy ” ban bylaw is largely symbolic in nature , as the bylaw can only work within the legal framework in terms of the city ’ s jurisdiction , basically meaning that the city can only refuse to grant a license to a business offering the service and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Until the Canadian Federal government , as well as the Alberta provincial government officially pass such laws as a Criminal Code offence , which looks likely , there is not much leverage a City government can do in terms of full enforcement , as even some from the local Calgary media acknowledge .

Critics say such bans are a disservice to those with unwanted same-sex attraction who want legitimate help and that they also constitute a direct attack on religious freedom.
CALGARY, Alberta, January 22, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Following the lead of other Canadian municipalities, one of Western Canada’s largest cities is pursuing the recent movement to ban the practice of “conversion therapy,” thus making it impossible for those with unwanted same-sex attraction to receive legitimate help. Critics say the move comes with potential consequences to the religious freedom of various groups whose faith teaches them that homosexuality is a disorder.
The City of Calgary notice of motion, titled “Banning Conversion Therapy, PFC2020-0116” (see page 229), was officially allowed to proceed after the council’s Priorities and Finance Committee unanimously voted in favor of proceeding. The motion was brought forward by Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi, along with Councillors Evan Woolley, Druh Farrell, Gian-Carlo Carra, and Jyoti Gondek. Woolley has called the practice “a form of psychological abuse.”
Calgary’s mayor was quoted saying, “I would have been very happy to put forward a motion a long time ago just saying that we condemn the practice, but we wanted to do more than that,” adding, “We believe that we can prevent these kinds of businesses from getting the licences they need to operate in the city.”
Canada’s pro-life, pro-family organization Campaign Life Coalition holds that “conversion therapy” bans are a disservice to those with unwanted same-sex attraction who want legitimate help and that they also constitute a direct attack on religious freedom.
Calgary’s ban mimics what Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau is hoping to achieve Canada wide. He fully supports Independent Senator Serge Joyal’s Bill S-202. This bill would make it an indictable offense punishable by up to five years in jail, should anyone benefit both materially or financially, in a direct or indirect way, from the provision of “conversion therapy” to anyone under 18 years of age.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government also has told Canada’s Justice Minister, David Lametti to look for ways for a ban on “conversion therapy” at the federal level.
Senator Joyal’s Bill S-202 defines “conversion therapy” as “any practice, treatment or service designed to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity or to eliminate or reduce sexual attraction or sexual behaviour between persons of the same sex. For greater certainty, this definition does not include a surgical sex change or any related service.”
Campaign Life Coalition campaigns manager David Cooke noted this broad definition would include “Christian counselling, prayer, and evangelism directed at the LGBT community” as well as “medical or psychological practices.”
“In other words, if you publicly proclaim (‘advertise’) the message that homosexuals can be saved and changed, you will go to prison,” Cooke said.
In the past, “conversion therapy” included some truly questionable techniques, Cooke noted, which has cast a shadow over anyone legitimately trying to help people dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction. Cooke added that around 50 years ago, a “small number of doctors” used “very questionable psychological techniques” such as “electroshock therapy or vomit-inducing chemicals to create a mental aversion to homosexual impulses,” adding, “These were heinous, non-Christian practices that have been rightfully discontinued — and we heartily denounce them.” He pointed out that the “LGBT lobby and its political allies” are using the public’s confusion of “conversion therapy” as a means to get legislation passed.
Andre Schutten, of the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA), told pro-life activist Jonathon Van Maren in December that such bans are an “incredible encroachment on religious freedom” and could lead to Christian groups being labeled as “hate groups.”
“With the bylaws being passed, coupled with a proposed Criminal Code change, we should expect that faithful churches will be fighting for their charitable status very soon. Think about it: if a charity is doing criminal acts or routinely violating municipal bylaws, would anyone argue they should continue to have charitable status? Faithful churches will want to counsel children and adults to live their life as God would have them live it, in conformity to His Word. This has implications for lifestyle, for identity. This is not forced, it does not involve bizarre rituals or the infliction of pain, it merely involves prayer and spiritual encouragement. That's all. Apparently, that is too heinous to tolerate in Canada,” he said.
“More than that, it will have a chilling effect on all social workers, counsellors, pastors, doctors, and teachers who might want to explore the question “why” when a child presents with gender dysphoria.”
Calgary’s bylaw, once written, will likely follow the lead of a similar bylaw banning “conversion therapy” by The City of Edmonton back in December of 2019. As LifeSiteNews reported, Edmonton’s bylaw threatened a “minimum” fine of $10,000 a day for any business which practices conversion therapy.
It is expected that Calgary city council will pass the bylaw down the road when it comes before council. The “conversion therapy” ban bylaw is largely symbolic in nature, as the bylaw can only work within the legal framework in terms of the city’s jurisdiction, basically meaning that the city can only refuse to grant a license to a business offering the service and curb any advertising in the city.
Until the Canadian Federal government, as well as the Alberta provincial government officially pass such laws as a Criminal Code offence, which looks likely, there is not much leverage a City government can do in terms of full enforcement, as even some from the local Calgary media acknowledge.
Correction 02-06-2020, 18:52 EST: A previous edition of this article mischaracterized the behavior of the Priorities and Finance Committee in allowing the “Banning Conversion Therapy” motion to proceed. LifeSite regrets the error.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-22--Trump makes Roe anniversary ‘Sanctity of Life Day’: ‘We will never tire of defending innocent life’

Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade .
Sign the petition here .
WASHINGTON , D.C. , January 22 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump has declared January 22 , the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision imposing abortion on demand across the country , to be “ National Sanctity of Human Life Day.
” In a proclamation issued yesterday , Trump declared that “ every person — the born and unborn , the poor , the downcast , the disabled , the infirm , and the elderly — has inherent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to protect the precious gift of life at every stage , from conception to natural death.
” He touted his administration ’ s pro-life achievements at home and abroad .
The proclamation referenced his administration ’ s efforts to build “ an international coalition to dispel the concept of abortion as a fundamental human right ” and said that his administration would “ oppose any projects that attempt to assert a global right to taxpayer‑funded abortion on demand , up to the moment of delivery.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innocent life — at home or abroad , ” he promised .
The proclamation referenced the recent decline in the number and rate of abortions in America .
“ Americans should celebrate this decline in the number and rate of abortions , which represents lives saved , ” said Trump .
Trump urged Congress to “ prohibit abortions of later-term babies.
” On the campaign trail , he has repeatedly mentioned Democrats ’ defense of abortion through all nine months of pregnancy and even their opposition to banning infanticide .
Trump also issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who support women in “ unexpected pregnancies ” and who help to “ provide healing to women who have had abortions.
” As a Nation , we must remain steadfastly dedicated to the profound truth that all life is a gift from God , who endows every person with immeasurable worth and potential .
Countless Americans are tireless defenders of life and champions for the vulnerable among us .
We are grateful for those who support women experiencing unexpected pregnancies , those who provide healing to women who have had abortions , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through foster care and adoption .
On National Sanctity of Human Life Day , we celebrate the wonderful gift of life and renew our resolve to build a culture where life is always revered .
Pro-life activists have previously praised Trump for being the “ most pro-life president in history.
” He has appointed conservative , pro-life judges to various courts ; stopped taxpayer dollars from funding abortion abroad ; defunded the United Nations Population Fund , which cooperates with China ’ s forced abortion regime ; signed a law allowing states to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Planned Parenthood ; and cut around $ 60 million from Planned Parenthood .
Every person — the born and unborn , the poor , the downcast , the disabled , the infirm , and the elderly — has inherent value .
Although each journey is different , no life is without worth or is inconsequential ; the rights of all people must be defended .
On National Sanctity of Human Life Day , our Nation proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to protect the precious gift of life at every stage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we have seen decreases in the total number and rate of abortions in our country .
From 2007-2016 , the most recent period of analysis , the number and rate of abortions decreased by 24 percent and 26 percent , respectively .
The rate of teen pregnancies — the vast majority of which are unplanned — has almost continuously decreased over the last quarter century , contributing to the lowest rate of abortions among adolescents since the legalization of abortion in 1973 .
All Americans should celebrate this decline in the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives saved .
Still , there is more to be done , and , as President , I will continue to fight to protect the lives of the unborn .
I signed into law legislation under the Congressional Review Act that allows States and other grantees to exclude organizations that perform abortions from their Title X projects .
My Administration has also issued regulations to ensure Title X family planning projects are clearly separated from those that perform , promote , or refer for abortion as a method of family planning ; to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and organizations , including with respect to abortion ; and to ensure the Federal Government does not force employers that object , based on religious belief or moral conviction , to provide insurance for contraceptives , including those they believe cause early abortions .
Additionally , I have called on the Congress to act to prohibit abortions of later-term babies who can feel pain .
My Administration is also building an international coalition to dispel the concept of abortion as a fundamental human right .
So far , 24 nations representing more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause .
We oppose any projects that attempt to assert a global right to taxpayer‑funded abortion on demand , up to the moment of delivery .
And we will never tire of defending innocent life — at home or abroad .
As a Nation , we must remain steadfastly dedicated to the profound truth that all life is a gift from God , who endows every person with immeasurable worth and potential .
Countless Americans are tireless defenders of life and champions for the vulnerable among us .
We are grateful for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who provide healing to women who have had abortions , and those who welcome children into their homes through foster care and adoption .
On National Sanctity of Human Life Day , we celebrate the wonderful gift of life and renew our resolve to build a culture where life is always revered .
NOW , THEREFORE , I , DONALD J. TRUMP , President of the United States of America , by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States , do hereby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Sanctity of Human Life Day .
Today , I call on the Congress to join me in protecting and defending the dignity of every human life , including those not yet born .
I call on the American people to continue to care for women in unexpected pregnancies and to support adoption and foster care in a more meaningful way , so every child can have a loving home .
And finally , I ask every citizen of this great Nation to listen to the sound of silence caused by a generation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise their voices for all affected by abortion , both seen and unseen .
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of January , in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty , and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth .

'I ask every citizen of this great Nation to listen to the sound of silence caused by a generation lost to us, and then to raise their voices for all affected by abortion, both seen and unseen.'
Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 22, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump has declared January 22, the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision imposing abortion on demand across the country, to be “National Sanctity of Human Life Day.”
In a proclamation issued yesterday, Trump declared that “every person — the born and unborn, the poor, the downcast, the disabled, the infirm, and the elderly — has inherent value” and said that the U.S. “proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to protect the precious gift of life at every stage, from conception to natural death.”
He touted his administration’s pro-life achievements at home and abroad.
The proclamation referenced his administration’s efforts to build “an international coalition to dispel the concept of abortion as a fundamental human right” and said that his administration would “oppose any projects that attempt to assert a global right to taxpayer‑funded abortion on demand, up to the moment of delivery.”
“We will never tire of defending innocent life — at home or abroad,” he promised.
The proclamation referenced the recent decline in the number and rate of abortions in America.
“Americans should celebrate this decline in the number and rate of abortions, which represents lives saved,” said Trump.
Trump urged Congress to “prohibit abortions of later-term babies.” On the campaign trail, he has repeatedly mentioned Democrats’ defense of abortion through all nine months of pregnancy and even their opposition to banning infanticide.
Trump also issued a particular thanks to pro-lifers and those who support women in “unexpected pregnancies” and who help to “provide healing to women who have had abortions.”
He wrote:
As a Nation, we must remain steadfastly dedicated to the profound truth that all life is a gift from God, who endows every person with immeasurable worth and potential. Countless Americans are tireless defenders of life and champions for the vulnerable among us. We are grateful for those who support women experiencing unexpected pregnancies, those who provide healing to women who have had abortions, and those who welcome children into their homes through foster care and adoption. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we celebrate the wonderful gift of life and renew our resolve to build a culture where life is always revered.
Pro-life activists have previously praised Trump for being the “most pro-life president in history.” He has appointed conservative, pro-life judges to various courts; stopped taxpayer dollars from funding abortion abroad; defunded the United Nations Population Fund, which cooperates with China’s forced abortion regime; signed a law allowing states to defund America’s largest abortion corportation, Planned Parenthood; and cut around $60 million from Planned Parenthood.
FULL TEXT OF PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION
Every person — the born and unborn, the poor, the downcast, the disabled, the infirm, and the elderly — has inherent value. Although each journey is different, no life is without worth or is inconsequential; the rights of all people must be defended. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our Nation proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to protect the precious gift of life at every stage, from conception to natural death. Recently, we have seen decreases in the total number and rate of abortions in our country. From 2007-2016, the most recent period of analysis, the number and rate of abortions decreased by 24 percent and 26 percent, respectively. The rate of teen pregnancies — the vast majority of which are unplanned — has almost continuously decreased over the last quarter century, contributing to the lowest rate of abortions among adolescents since the legalization of abortion in 1973. All Americans should celebrate this decline in the number and rate of abortions, which represents lives saved. Still, there is more to be done, and, as President, I will continue to fight to protect the lives of the unborn. I signed into law legislation under the Congressional Review Act that allows States and other grantees to exclude organizations that perform abortions from their Title X projects. My Administration has also issued regulations to ensure Title X family planning projects are clearly separated from those that perform, promote, or refer for abortion as a method of family planning; to protect the conscience rights of healthcare workers and organizations, including with respect to abortion; and to ensure the Federal Government does not force employers that object, based on religious belief or moral conviction, to provide insurance for contraceptives, including those they believe cause early abortions. Additionally, I have called on the Congress to act to prohibit abortions of later-term babies who can feel pain. My Administration is also building an international coalition to dispel the concept of abortion as a fundamental human right. So far, 24 nations representing more than a billion people have joined this important cause. We oppose any projects that attempt to assert a global right to taxpayer‑funded abortion on demand, up to the moment of delivery. And we will never tire of defending innocent life — at home or abroad. As a Nation, we must remain steadfastly dedicated to the profound truth that all life is a gift from God, who endows every person with immeasurable worth and potential. Countless Americans are tireless defenders of life and champions for the vulnerable among us. We are grateful for those who support women experiencing unexpected pregnancies, those who provide healing to women who have had abortions, and those who welcome children into their homes through foster care and adoption. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we celebrate the wonderful gift of life and renew our resolve to build a culture where life is always revered. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 22, 2020, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. Today, I call on the Congress to join me in protecting and defending the dignity of every human life, including those not yet born. I call on the American people to continue to care for women in unexpected pregnancies and to support adoption and foster care in a more meaningful way, so every child can have a loving home. And finally, I ask every citizen of this great Nation to listen to the sound of silence caused by a generation lost to us, and then to raise their voices for all affected by abortion, both seen and unseen. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth. DONALD J. TRUMP
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lifesitenews--2020-01-22--Michael Matt blows lid off German church, calls on Catholics to be ‘militant’

John-Henry interviews some of the most well-known clergy and laity in the Church while offering commentary on the most important @ @ @ @ @ around the world .

Remnant newspaper editor Michael Matt joins John-Henry in Munich to discuss the Catholic Church in Germany. He issues a clarion call for Catholics to fulfill their obligation to be militant soldiers for Christ.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-23--NFL star Ben Watson producing pro-life documentary on abortion debate

January 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Another film is in the works to present a more balanced view of abortion than Hollywood ’ s usual fare , this time thanks to New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson .
Watson is executive producer of Divided Hearts of America , a documentary interviewing 30 Americans representing both sides of the debate , according to The Hollywood Reporter .
Among the subjects are U.S. Housing & Urban Development ( HUD ) Secretary Dr. Ben Carson and pro-life activist Alveda King , the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Watson said .
“ My goal is to unveil the truth about abortion , the laws , the history and where our country is headed .
I believe in the sanctity of life , be it in the womb or on your deathbed .
That ’ s my conviction .
But with the film , I ’ ll engage those who disagree and hear their reasoning .
The No .
1 thing I ’ m looking for is empathy on both sides.
” “ Dissenting views should be respected and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There are many people in Hollywood who would consider themselves pro-life but they feel as though their viewpoint is unacceptable in the industry .
No one should feel like their job is in danger because of their convictions on this issue.
” The film is currently in post-production , and negotiations are underway with distributors .
The project ’ s below– $ 1 million budget was financed with the help of donors and Christian charity One More Foundation , operated by Watson and his wife Kirsten .
Watson is an outspoken pro-life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of using his celebrity to aid the pro-life cause , from donating a state-of-the-art 3D/4D ultrasound machine to Severna Park Pregnancy Clinic in Maryland to speaking out against Virginia and New York lawmakers ’ support of virtually unlimited abortion .
He also spoke at the 2017 March for Life .

January 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Another film is in the works to present a more balanced view of abortion than Hollywood’s usual fare, this time thanks to New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson.
Watson is executive producer of Divided Hearts of America, a documentary interviewing 30 Americans representing both sides of the debate, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Among the subjects are U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Dr. Ben Carson and pro-life activist Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Things are at a fever pitch,” Watson said. “My goal is to unveil the truth about abortion, the laws, the history and where our country is headed. I believe in the sanctity of life, be it in the womb or on your deathbed. That’s my conviction. But with the film, I’ll engage those who disagree and hear their reasoning. The No. 1 thing I’m looking for is empathy on both sides.”
“Dissenting views should be respected and in fact encouraged,” he continued. “There are many people in Hollywood who would consider themselves pro-life but they feel as though their viewpoint is unacceptable in the industry. No one should feel like their job is in danger because of their convictions on this issue.”
The film is currently in post-production, and negotiations are underway with distributors. The project’s below–$1 million budget was financed with the help of donors and Christian charity One More Foundation, operated by Watson and his wife Kirsten.
Watson is an outspoken pro-life Christian and father of seven with a history of using his celebrity to aid the pro-life cause, from donating a state-of-the-art 3D/4D ultrasound machine to Severna Park Pregnancy Clinic in Maryland to speaking out against Virginia and New York lawmakers’ support of virtually unlimited abortion. He also spoke at the 2017 March for Life.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-23--Ex-abortionist details severe safety violations in abortion industry

January 23 , 2020 ( Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ) — A former abortionist has come forward stating that the abortion industry is not willing to prioritise patient safety .
Michael Robinson , SPUC Director of Communications said : “ A catalogue of abuse and safety violations occurring in abortion clinics is being continuously exposed .
It ’ s time to stop gambling with women ’ s health.
” In an article featured in USA Today , former abortionist , Dr Kathi Aultman , described the catalogue of safety violations that occurred during her time working in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ A former manager of an abortion clinic told me that she was instructed to use dishwashing liquid to clean their instruments when their sanitizer broke down so they wouldn ’ t have to close while it was repaired .
Inspection reports in multiple states have found clinics not properly sanitizing their instruments .
“ As a gynaecologist on call in the emergency room , I personally treated women experiencing severe complications , including life-threatening haemorrhage and infection from abortions , because no one at the abortion clinic had admitting privileges .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ give me information on a patient they were sending to the ER .
This is not a safe way to practice medicine.
” Dr Aultman continued : “ A patient who came to me for complications from a late-term abortion said she was kept in a cold room overnight without a blanket during an induction abortion .
She was forced to give birth in a toilet the next morning , only to watch her still living baby drown.
” SPUC has reported on a catalogue of abuse and safety scandals occurring in abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
In 2012 , Aisha Chithira died following an abortion at the Marie Stopes Ealing clinic .
In 2017 , SPUC reported on how 11 women required hospitalisation after presenting for abortion at clinics of the abortion giant , Marie Stopes over a short three-month period .
Care Quality Commission reports also exposed how dead unborn children were left lying in open waste bins .
The severe complications induced by abortion drugs were revealed in a 2019 report .
The report , What Physicians Need To Know , found that over 3000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that to date , 24 women have died following the consumption of abortion drugs .
Mr Robinson said : “ Pro-abortion advocates falsely claim that abortion is a ‘ safe and simple ’ procedure .
We know that this is not true .
Abortion is a deadly procedure that is designed to kill an unborn child and can seriously harm women .
A catalogue of abuse and safety violations occurring in abortion clinics is being continuously exposed .
It ’ s time to stop gambling with women ’ s health.
” Published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protection of Unborn Children .

In a recent mainstream media article, Dr. Kathi Aultman described the catalogue of safety violations that occurred during her time working in the abortion industry.
January 23, 2020 (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children) — A former abortionist has come forward stating that the abortion industry is not willing to prioritise patient safety. Michael Robinson, SPUC Director of Communications said: “A catalogue of abuse and safety violations occurring in abortion clinics is being continuously exposed. It’s time to stop gambling with women’s health.”
In an article featured in USA Today, former abortionist, Dr Kathi Aultman, described the catalogue of safety violations that occurred during her time working in the abortion industry.
Dr Aultman said: “A former manager of an abortion clinic told me that she was instructed to use dishwashing liquid to clean their instruments when their sanitizer broke down so they wouldn’t have to close while it was repaired. Inspection reports in multiple states have found clinics not properly sanitizing their instruments.
“As a gynaecologist on call in the emergency room, I personally treated women experiencing severe complications, including life-threatening haemorrhage and infection from abortions, because no one at the abortion clinic had admitting privileges. No abortion clinic personnel ever called to give me information on a patient they were sending to the ER. This is not a safe way to practice medicine.”
Dr Aultman continued: “A patient who came to me for complications from a late-term abortion said she was kept in a cold room overnight without a blanket during an induction abortion. She was forced to give birth in a toilet the next morning, only to watch her still living baby drown.”
“It’s Time To Stop Gambling With Women’s Health”
SPUC has reported on a catalogue of abuse and safety scandals occurring in abortion clinics in the United Kingdom over recent years.
In 2012, Aisha Chithira died following an abortion at the Marie Stopes Ealing clinic. In 2017, SPUC reported on how 11 women required hospitalisation after presenting for abortion at clinics of the abortion giant, Marie Stopes over a short three-month period. Care Quality Commission reports also exposed how dead unborn children were left lying in open waste bins.
The severe complications induced by abortion drugs were revealed in a 2019 report. The report, What Physicians Need To Know, found that over 3000 women have required hospitalisation after chemical abortions and that to date, 24 women have died following the consumption of abortion drugs.
Mr Robinson said: “Pro-abortion advocates falsely claim that abortion is a ‘safe and simple’ procedure. We know that this is not true. Abortion is a deadly procedure that is designed to kill an unborn child and can seriously harm women. A catalogue of abuse and safety violations occurring in abortion clinics is being continuously exposed. It’s time to stop gambling with women’s health.”
Published with permission from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-23--This Orthodox priest torched an ‘icon’ of Lenin — and Catholics bow before Pachamama?

January 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — For many years I have had a great interest in learning about and studying the writings of Eastern Orthodox monks , along with the men and women the Orthodox revere as saints .
Although one has to be prepared to encounter occasional anti-Western prejudices or polemics , I find that these men ( and women ! )
often gave expression to certain fundamental truths of the Gospel with uncommon clarity and power .
They have spiritual nourishment to offer Catholics and , indeed , any Christians .
Most recently , I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an issue of The Orthodox World ( n. 308 of the year 2016 ) , published by St. Herman of Alaska Press in Platina , California .
Gabriel Urgebadze of the former Soviet state of Georgia lived from 1929 to 1995 .
The basic facts of his life may be read here .
He was particularly famous for an incident that displayed his zeal for God ’ s honor , his courage in the face of evil , and his folly for Christ .
As narrated in the aforesaid magazine : It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day that everywhere in the Soviet Union people celebrated International Workers ’ Day — a quintessentially Communist holiday .
Although the party officials on the tribunal and the people celebrating it in the square paid scant heed , it was also Great and Holy Saturday .
Fr .
Gabriel had just served the Liturgy and was walking to another church when he saw , as part of the celebration , a twenty-six by sixteen-and-a-half foot portrait of Lenin on the façade of the Union of Ministers building , illuminated all around with electric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banner , “ Glory to Great Lenin !
” The Party members were standing on the tribunal , and everywhere there was music and shouting — a scene reminiscent of Nebuchadnezzar ’ s “ every kind of music ” that would play before all were to bow down before the idol in Babylon ( cf .
Daniel 3 ) .
Fr .
Gabriel ’ s love of God could not countenance the godlessness of this spectacle .
He went to the church and brought back a flask of kerosene and some matches to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unnoticed by the guards , he walked right over to the portrait behind the tribunal , poured kerosene over it , and set it alight .
The kerosene , combined with the oil paint , ensured an instant conflagration , which caused the lamps to burst , making people think it was an act of sabotage and throwing them into a panic .
But when they saw by the tribunal only a priest in a black cassock they quieted down .
Then Fr .
Gabriel stretched out his arms and shouted , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graven image , or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth .
( Ex 20:4 ) .
” The crowd became enraged and threw themselves at Fr .
Gabriel , beating him almost to death , as he continued , “ Glory is due not to this corpse , but to Jesus Christ , who trampled down death and gave us eternal life !
” Then he fell silent .
Had it not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have been the end of the saint ’ s earthly life .
Before setting fire to the Soviet idol , Fr .
Gabriel was fully conscious of the ramification of this act .
He knew that this could mean his death , but he was prepared to die .
He would have suffered much less had he died then , because a terrible ordeal now began for him that would mark a new phase of his life .
( Other accounts of the same incident may be found here and here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a period of incarceration , interrogation , and torture by communist officials .
Gabriel suffered these with such heroic patience , fortitude , and even joy that he converted several of his persecutors and won the affection of all the prisoners — some of whom apparently were sad to be released from prison because they would have to leave Gabriel ’ s company !
And what do we see today ?
We see leaders of the Catholic Church condoning group prostrations before pagan divinities ; we see them turning a blind eye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Theology ’ s poisonous mixture of Christianity and Marxism ; we see favoritism to liberal , progressive , and communist individuals and movements ; we see the rejection of traditional doctrine , morals , and worship ; we see a neglect of persecuted Christians in the Middle East , a neglect of the unborn sentenced to death .
In every way , the modern Catholic Church presents us with an appalling negation of the virtues of the first fool for Christ , the apostle St. Paul .
In his heroic act against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Samtavro reflected these same virtues .
Here is the ecumenism of real holiness .
May St. Paul , the Holy Theotokos , and all the saints pray for us and obtain for us deliverance from the anti-witnesses of today who are provoking a virtual schism from the truth .

January 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — For many years I have had a great interest in learning about and studying the writings of Eastern Orthodox monks, along with the men and women the Orthodox revere as saints. Although one has to be prepared to encounter occasional anti-Western prejudices or polemics, I find that these men (and women!) often gave expression to certain fundamental truths of the Gospel with uncommon clarity and power. They have spiritual nourishment to offer Catholics and, indeed, any Christians.
Most recently, I was reading about Gabriel the Fool-for-Christ of Samtavro in an issue of The Orthodox Word (n. 308 of the year 2016), published by St. Herman of Alaska Press in Platina, California. Gabriel Urgebadze of the former Soviet state of Georgia lived from 1929 to 1995. The basic facts of his life may be read here.
He was particularly famous for an incident that displayed his zeal for God’s honor, his courage in the face of evil, and his folly for Christ. As narrated in the aforesaid magazine:
It was May 1, 1965, the day that everywhere in the Soviet Union people celebrated International Workers’ Day — a quintessentially Communist holiday. Although the party officials on the tribunal and the people celebrating it in the square paid scant heed, it was also Great and Holy Saturday. Fr. Gabriel had just served the Liturgy and was walking to another church when he saw, as part of the celebration, a twenty-six by sixteen-and-a-half foot portrait of Lenin on the façade of the Union of Ministers building, illuminated all around with electric lamps. Above the portrait was the banner, “Glory to Great Lenin!” The Party members were standing on the tribunal, and everywhere there was music and shouting — a scene reminiscent of Nebuchadnezzar’s “every kind of music” that would play before all were to bow down before the idol in Babylon (cf. Daniel 3). Fr. Gabriel’s love of God could not countenance the godlessness of this spectacle. He went to the church and brought back a flask of kerosene and some matches to the Union of Ministers building. Strangely unnoticed by the guards, he walked right over to the portrait behind the tribunal, poured kerosene over it, and set it alight. The kerosene, combined with the oil paint, ensured an instant conflagration, which caused the lamps to burst, making people think it was an act of sabotage and throwing them into a panic. But when they saw by the tribunal only a priest in a black cassock they quieted down. Then Fr. Gabriel stretched out his arms and shouted, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth. (Ex 20:4).” The crowd became enraged and threw themselves at Fr. Gabriel, beating him almost to death, as he continued, “Glory is due not to this corpse, but to Jesus Christ, who trampled down death and gave us eternal life!” Then he fell silent. Had it not been for the police who intervened, this would have been the end of the saint’s earthly life. Before setting fire to the Soviet idol, Fr. Gabriel was fully conscious of the ramification of this act. He knew that this could mean his death, but he was prepared to die. He would have suffered much less had he died then, because a terrible ordeal now began for him that would mark a new phase of his life.
(Other accounts of the same incident may be found here and here.) The “new phase” mentioned was a period of incarceration, interrogation, and torture by communist officials. Gabriel suffered these with such heroic patience, fortitude, and even joy that he converted several of his persecutors and won the affection of all the prisoners — some of whom apparently were sad to be released from prison because they would have to leave Gabriel’s company!
And what do we see today? We see leaders of the Catholic Church condoning group prostrations before pagan divinities; we see them turning a blind eye to, or even promoting, Liberation Theology’s poisonous mixture of Christianity and Marxism; we see favoritism to liberal, progressive, and communist individuals and movements; we see the rejection of traditional doctrine, morals, and worship; we see a neglect of persecuted Christians in the Middle East, a neglect of the unborn sentenced to death. In every way, the modern Catholic Church presents us with an appalling negation of the virtues of the first fool for Christ, the apostle St. Paul. In his heroic act against the godless rulers of his day, Gabriel of Samtavro reflected these same virtues.
Here is the ecumenism of real holiness. May St. Paul, the Holy Theotokos, and all the saints pray for us and obtain for us deliverance from the anti-witnesses of today who are provoking a virtual schism from the truth.
Peter Kwasniewski, Thomistic theologian, liturgical scholar, and choral composer, is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College in California (B.A. Liberal Arts) and The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC (M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy). He taught at the International Theological Institute in Austria and the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Austria Program, then helped establish Wyoming Catholic College in 2006. There he taught theology, philosophy, music, and art history and directed the choirs until leaving in 2018 to devote himself full-time to writing and lecturing. Today he contributes regularly to many websites and publications, including New Liturgical Movement, OnePeterFive, LifeSiteNews, Rorate Caeli, The Remnant, and Catholic Family News, and has published thirteen books, including four on traditional Catholicism: Resurgent in the Midst of Crisis (Angelico, 2014, also available in Czech, Polish, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Belarusian), Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness (Angelico, 2017), Tradition and Sanity (Angelico, 2018), and Reclaiming Our Roman Catholic Birthright: The Genius and Timeliness of the Traditional Latin Mass (Angelico, 2020). His work has been translated into at least eighteen languages. Kwasniewski is a scholar of The Aquinas Institute in Green Bay, which is publishing the Opera Omnia of the Angelic Doctor, a Fellow of the Albertus Magnus Center for Scholastic Studies, and a Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center. He has published over a thousand articles on Thomistic thought, sacramental and liturgical theology, the history and aesthetics of music, and the social doctrine of the Church. For news, information, article links, sacred music, and the home of Os Justi Press, visit his personal website, www.peterkwasniewski.com.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-23--On Roe anniversary, 2020 Dems promise: We’ll appoint pro-abort judges, make you pay for aborti

On Roe anniversary, 2020 Dems promise: We’ll appoint pro-abort judges, make you pay for abortions

January 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The contenders for the Democrat presidential nomination commemorated the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade this week with an array of statements declaring their support for the “ right ” to abortion and promising a variety of policies to insulate it further in federal law .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , and former South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg all declared their intentions to enshrine Roe in federal statutes , which would significantly restrict individual states ’ ability to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The exact form such legislation would take remains to be seen , but pro-abortion activists have long advocated that Congress pass the Freedom of Choice Act ( FOCA ) and Women ’ s Health Protection Act ( WHPA ) , which would federally nullify a broad range of pro-life measures and forbid states from enacting even modest abortion restrictions .
Biden has also said he would direct the Justice Department to “ do everything in its power ” to block state pro-life laws , including parental notification requirements , ultrasound laws , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has threatened that he would “ use the Department of Justice to go after those states ” that restrict abortion “ in every way that I legally can.
” Every Democrat candidate has also pledged to nominate pro-abortion judges to the Supreme Court and federal bench .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren declared that the country would never “ go back to a world of back-alley abortions , ” complete with a video of her claiming that America suffered an epidemic of women ’ s deaths before Roe : In fact , ex-Planned Parenthood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 90 percent of illegal abortions were committed by licensed physicians .
Former Planned Parenthood and Centers for Disease Control statistician Dr. Christopher Tietze and NARAL co-founder turned pro-life activist Dr. Bernard Nathanson admitted that the abortion lobby dramatically exaggerated the number of pre-Roe maternal deaths for political gain .
And to the extent that there was any decline in abortion-related maternal deaths , FactCheck.org found the “ best available evidence ” shows it began before states started legalizing abortion , and was largely due to the invention of new drugs .
Biden remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field , followed by Sanders and Warren .

The candidates promised to further enshrine abortion into U.S. law and protect the 'fundamental right' to abortion.
January 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The contenders for the Democrat presidential nomination commemorated the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade this week with an array of statements declaring their support for the “right” to abortion and promising a variety of policies to insulate it further in federal law.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg all declared their intentions to enshrine Roe in federal statutes, which would significantly restrict individual states’ ability to protect life and regulate abortion within their borders:
47 years ago today, #RoevWade recognized a woman's constitutional right to choose — but that right is under attack across the country. We must codify Roe into law and fight back against any state laws that violate it. — Joe Biden (Text Join to 30330) (@JoeBiden) January 22, 2020
The right to an abortion is a fundamental right. Our administration will codify abortion rights into federal law, pass Medicare for All which repeals the Hyde Amendment, and only appoint judges who will defend #RoevWade. — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 22, 2020
On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court decided Roe v Wade. 47 years later, there are still coordinated attacks, particularly in state legislatures, on women's health. We will fight attempts to turn back the clock, and we will codify Roe into law. — Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 22, 2020
47 years after Roe v. Wade, the constitutional right to reproductive freedom—the access to a safe and legal abortion—is still under systemic attack. As president, I will never let a state or a jury or any politician in Washington take that right away. — Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) January 22, 2020
The exact form such legislation would take remains to be seen, but pro-abortion activists have long advocated that Congress pass the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) and Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), which would federally nullify a broad range of pro-life measures and forbid states from enacting even modest abortion restrictions.
Biden has also said he would direct the Justice Department to “do everything in its power” to block state pro-life laws, including parental notification requirements, ultrasound laws, and waiting periods. Meanwhile, Sanders has threatened that he would “use the Department of Justice to go after those states” that restrict abortion “in every way that I legally can.” Every Democrat candidate has also pledged to nominate pro-abortion judges to the Supreme Court and federal bench.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren declared that the country would never “go back to a world of back-alley abortions,” complete with a video of her claiming that America suffered an epidemic of women’s deaths before Roe:
On the 47th anniversary of #RoevWade, let me be clear: we will not go back to a world of back-alley abortions. Not now, not ever. #RoeIRL pic.twitter.com/LwNP2fm7oA — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 22, 2020
In fact, ex-Planned Parenthood director Mary Calderon estimated in 1960 that 90 percent of illegal abortions were committed by licensed physicians. Former Planned Parenthood and Centers for Disease Control statistician Dr. Christopher Tietze and NARAL co-founder turned pro-life activist Dr. Bernard Nathanson admitted that the abortion lobby dramatically exaggerated the number of pre-Roe maternal deaths for political gain. And to the extent that there was any decline in abortion-related maternal deaths, FactCheck.org found the “best available evidence” shows it began before states started legalizing abortion, and was largely due to the invention of new drugs.
Biden remains the frontrunner in the 2020 Democrat primary field, followed by Sanders and Warren.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-23--Taiwanese president writes Pope Francis: ‘Dialogue’ with China ‘impossible’

TAIPEI , Taiwan , January 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― The president of a vulnerable nation has reminded Pope Francis that it is difficult to “ dialogue ” with a tyrant .
Tsai Ing-wen , the recently re-elected president of the island nation of Taiwan , wrote an open letter to the pontiff on Tuesday in response to his 2020 World Day of Peace message .
In his letter , Pope Francis declared , “ We need to pursue a genuine fraternity based on our common origin from God and exercised in dialogue and mutual trust.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that sometimes dialogue is “ impossible.
” “ Many of the international conflicts today can be attributed to the desire to dominate others , ” Tsai wrote to the Argentinian pontiff .
“ When one party tries to impose its will on another , genuine dialogue becomes impossible.
” Referring to the frosty relationship between Taiwan and the People ’ s Republic of China , which claims Taiwan as a rebellious province , President Tsai explained why dialogue with the communist dictatorship is difficult .
“ We have always concurred with Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to peacefully resolve the differences across the Taiwan Strait , ” she wrote .
“ However , formidable challenges stand in the way of cross-strait dialogue.
” “ The crux of the issue is that China refuses to relinquish its desire to dominate Taiwan .
It continues to undermine Taiwan 's democracy , freedom , and human rights with threats of military force and the implementation of disinformation campaigns , cyberattacks , and diplomatic maneuvers.
” The president suggested , however , that Taiwan has managed to alert other democracies to its potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
” The Vatican is one of the few states that recognizes Taiwan as a nation separate from China .
Tsai assured its head that she would “ spare no effort in safeguarding democracy , freedom , stability , justice , and peace in the Republic of China.
” Referring to key passages in Pope Francis ’ s letter , Taiwan ’ s president pointed out how China is violating its spirit .
“ I agree with your statement in the World Day of Peace message that mistrust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
“ In recent months , China has repeatedly conducted military actions and drills in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas , causing anxiety in the region and further eroding international trust in China , ” she observed .
Nevertheless , Taiwan will not be baited .
“ As a key stakeholder in the region , Taiwan will fulfill its international obligations and refrain from provocations and rash behavior , in order to maintain the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait , ” Tsai promised .
The Taiwanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stated that “ walking the path of peace requires us to set aside every act of violence in thought , word and deed [ . ]
” She contrasted this with China ’ s recent violent actions .
“ Authorities dispatching armed police to fire tear gas and suppress and arrest people expressing the wish to pursue democracy and human rights ; internet celebrities or athletes being threatened with termination of contracts or bans from competitions when they speak up in defense of freedom of speech ; religious practitioners facing detention and persecution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following their conscience , refuse to be coerced into signing documents to join an organization that violates their religious doctrines — all these constitute what you refer to in your message as abuses of power and reflect the notion of diversity as an obstacle .
Indeed , they only serve to fuel conflict , ” she wrote .
“ Indeed , they only serve to fuel conflict.
” Possibly referring to China ’ s crackdown on Catholics , other Christians , and other religious believers on the mainland , Tsai expressed her hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Referring to Pope Francis ’ s remarks about hope , the president said : “ I firmly believe that as long as people in Taiwan and around the world embrace hope and remain open to a dialogue that rejects exclusion and manipulation , true peace can be achieved.
” She concluded : “ Please accept , Your Holiness , the assurances of my highest consideration , as well as my best wishes for your personal wellbeing and the continued growth of the Catholic Church.
” A former Canadian ambassador to China told LifeSiteNews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very timely ” letter to Pope Francis .
“ My sense is that President Tsai has written a respectful , heartfelt and very timely letter to the Holy Father , ” said David Mulroney by email .
‘ If there is a suggestion embedded in the text , it is a gentle but important one , ” he continued .
“ Translated into Christian terminology , President Tsai is asking the Holy Father , very politely , to read the signs of the times , to see China as it is , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mulroney believes that China continues to present an existential threat to Taiwan and is using its military might to intimidate its people .
“ There is legitimate fear in Taiwan that closer relations between the Vatican and Beijing could further isolate the island diplomatically , something that would threaten both its autonomy and its democracy , ” he stated , adding that this is not an unrealistic concern .
“ The President ’ s message is a reminder that the Vatican-China dialogue resonates across a region that China aspires to dominate , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act courageously , using its voice to promote peace and true human freedom , ” Mulroney said .

The president of a vulnerable nation has reminded Pope Francis that it is difficult to 'dialogue' with a tyrant.
TAIPEI, Taiwan, January 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― The president of a vulnerable nation has reminded Pope Francis that it is difficult to “dialogue” with a tyrant.
Tsai Ing-wen, the recently re-elected president of the island nation of Taiwan, wrote an open letter to the pontiff on Tuesday in response to his 2020 World Day of Peace message. In his letter, Pope Francis declared, “We need to pursue a genuine fraternity based on our common origin from God and exercised in dialogue and mutual trust.” The president of Taiwan pointed out, however, that sometimes dialogue is “impossible.”
“Many of the international conflicts today can be attributed to the desire to dominate others,” Tsai wrote to the Argentinian pontiff.
“When one party tries to impose its will on another, genuine dialogue becomes impossible.”
Referring to the frosty relationship between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China, which claims Taiwan as a rebellious province, President Tsai explained why dialogue with the communist dictatorship is difficult.
“We have always concurred with Your Holiness’s peace ideals and hope to peacefully resolve the differences across the Taiwan Strait,” she wrote. “However, formidable challenges stand in the way of cross-strait dialogue.”
“The crux of the issue is that China refuses to relinquish its desire to dominate Taiwan. It continues to undermine Taiwan's democracy, freedom, and human rights with threats of military force and the implementation of disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, and diplomatic maneuvers.”
The president suggested, however, that Taiwan has managed to alert other democracies to its potential as “an optimal partner for maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”
The Vatican is one of the few states that recognizes Taiwan as a nation separate from China. Tsai assured its head that she would “spare no effort in safeguarding democracy, freedom, stability, justice, and peace in the Republic of China.”
Referring to key passages in Pope Francis’s letter, Taiwan’s president pointed out how China is violating its spirit.
“I agree with your statement in the World Day of Peace message that mistrust and fear weaken relationships,” Tsai wrote.
“In recent months, China has repeatedly conducted military actions and drills in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas, causing anxiety in the region and further eroding international trust in China,” she observed.
Nevertheless, Taiwan will not be baited.
“As a key stakeholder in the region, Taiwan will fulfill its international obligations and refrain from provocations and rash behavior, in order to maintain the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” Tsai promised.
The Taiwanese president also noted that Pope Francis had stated that “walking the path of peace requires us to set aside every act of violence in thought, word and deed[.]” She contrasted this with China’s recent violent actions.
“Authorities dispatching armed police to fire tear gas and suppress and arrest people expressing the wish to pursue democracy and human rights; internet celebrities or athletes being threatened with termination of contracts or bans from competitions when they speak up in defense of freedom of speech; religious practitioners facing detention and persecution by public security officers when they, following their conscience, refuse to be coerced into signing documents to join an organization that violates their religious doctrines — all these constitute what you refer to in your message as abuses of power and reflect the notion of diversity as an obstacle. Indeed, they only serve to fuel conflict,” she wrote.
“Indeed, they only serve to fuel conflict.”
Possibly referring to China’s crackdown on Catholics, other Christians, and other religious believers on the mainland, Tsai expressed her hope that the Catholic Church would increase. Referring to Pope Francis’s remarks about hope, the president said: “I firmly believe that as long as people in Taiwan and around the world embrace hope and remain open to a dialogue that rejects exclusion and manipulation, true peace can be achieved.”
She concluded: “Please accept, Your Holiness, the assurances of my highest consideration, as well as my best wishes for your personal wellbeing and the continued growth of the Catholic Church.”
A former Canadian ambassador to China told LifeSiteNews he thought Tsai had written a “very timely” letter to Pope Francis.
“My sense is that President Tsai has written a respectful, heartfelt and very timely letter to the Holy Father,” said David Mulroney by email.
‘If there is a suggestion embedded in the text, it is a gentle but important one,” he continued. “Translated into Christian terminology, President Tsai is asking the Holy Father, very politely, to read the signs of the times, to see China as it is, not as we wish it to be.”
Mulroney believes that China continues to present an existential threat to Taiwan and is using its military might to intimidate its people.
“There is legitimate fear in Taiwan that closer relations between the Vatican and Beijing could further isolate the island diplomatically, something that would threaten both its autonomy and its democracy,” he stated, adding that this is not an unrealistic concern.
“The President’s message is a reminder that the Vatican-China dialogue resonates across a region that China aspires to dominate, and a plea that the Church speak and act courageously, using its voice to promote peace and true human freedom,” Mulroney said.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-23--Twitter suspends Spanish party for accusing socialist rivals of promoting pedophilia

MADRID , January 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Twitter suspended the social media account of Vox , the only pro-life , pro-family party currently represented in Spain ’ s parliament .
In a move that has incited concerns in Spain that media companies are in league with the increasingly totalitarian posture of the reigning Socialist Party , Twitter silenced the official Vox account , alleging that the party had incited hatred on the platform .
This came after Vox party leader Santiago Abascal tweeted on Saturday that the socialist government is “ promoting pedophilia with public funds.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suspension is for “ none other than censorship.
” On Saturday , Vox tweeted a post directed at Adriana Lastra , Socialist Party undersecretary general , telling her : “ What we can ’ t stand is for you to come into our house and tell us how we should live and how we should educate our children .
And even less if you promote pedophilia with public money.
” The Vox tweet was a response to an earlier tweet by Lastra , who wrote : On Tuesday , Twitter informed Vox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party ’ s social media account , thereby suspending some functions , including the posting of new messages .
The social media giant alleged that the reason for the suspension was because the party had not complied with its prohibition on “ conduct inciting hatred.
” Twitter also prohibits threats , assaults , and the incitement of violence against people .
Twitter demanded that Vox erase the tweet accusing the Socialist Party of promoting pedopholia in order to recover its account .
Vox is at odds with the Socialist Party and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and public education .
Regarding parental rights , Vox is demanding that parents have the right to prevent their children from attending classes that promote the government ’ s agenda on sex education and LGBT .
According to Vox , parents should have the right to have advance notice and decide whether their children should attend “ talks , workshops or activities with an ideological or moral leaning against their convictions.
” In the province of Murcia , schools can establish what sort of parental authority is required in order to inculcate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s regional governmental is controlled by a coalition of the centrist Popular Party and the right-of-center Ciudadanos party , even while it depends on four Vox votes in the provincial legislature .
The provincial budget hinges on the vote of one of the Vox legislators .
Vox demanded a parental veto for sex education , forcing the other provincial parties to concede .
The debate has also rankled the regional government of Navarra , a province that borders France .
In Navarra , no child is allowed to opt out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Navarra government website , its Skolae educational program for “ equality ” asks for reflection on the “ multi-causal nature of social phenomena and , as is evident , also of gender inequality.
” Citing American communist and academic Angela Davis , the government website declares that Skolae : ... elaborates the concept of intersectionality in order to ‘ understand the categories of race , gender and class as connected , intertwined and intertwined elements.
’ It is necessary to make visible the diverse categories that generate and reproduce inequality : race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture .
The environment of the educational action is characterized by a progressive multiculturalism .
The coeducative action must be a space to be aware of the different cultural variants of the sex-gender system .
It is necessary to jointly know and analyze its implications in the society in which we live .
The website also sets out the curriculum ’ s goals for children under the age of six : Vox says on its website that Twitter has undermined the basic freedoms guaranteed in the Spanish constitution .
Mariscal declared that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came because thee party believes that the government sex education program means that “ minors may have access , without parental consent or acknowledgement , to practices and information with sexual content.
” He suggested that the socialist government directly pressured Twitter to suspend the party ’ s account .
He noted that Vox is Spain ’ s third largest political party and has 3.6 million members .
While the party is frequently dubbed right-wing or far-right , its platform includes a call for a single-payer national health system .
Vox also favors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is vocal in opposing what it calls Islamization , as well as wasteful spending .
Spain ’ s socialist minister of education , Isabel Celaá , told the newspaper El Correo on Monday that a “ homophobic family ... does not have the right to make their children homophobic as well.
” “ Parental authority can not be confused with property , ” she said .
Celaá alleged that Murcia “ seeks to undermine the right to education and censor the actions of educational centers and their teachers.
” She claims that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of students ” as noted in Spain ’ s Education Law .
On Monday , Celaá called on Murcia to exercise “ moderation and common sense ” by annulling parental consent for the sex classes , claiming that she would rather not go to court .
Pablo Casado , who leads Spain ’ s center-right Popular Party , said in a speech to party members in Murcia : “ Are they telling me that we have families like in Cuba , that children belong to the revolution ?
” On Sunday , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , “ Are we going to arrive at the point where children inform on their parents if they are not good revolutionaries ?
”

MADRID, January 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Twitter suspended the social media account of Vox, the only pro-life, pro-family party currently represented in Spain’s parliament.
In a move that has incited concerns in Spain that media companies are in league with the increasingly totalitarian posture of the reigning Socialist Party, Twitter silenced the official Vox account, alleging that the party had incited hatred on the platform. This came after Vox party leader Santiago Abascal tweeted on Saturday that the socialist government is “promoting pedophilia with public funds.” Vox spokesman Manuel Mariscal tweeted later that the suspension is for “none other than censorship.”
On Saturday, Vox tweeted a post directed at Adriana Lastra, Socialist Party undersecretary general, telling her: “What we can’t stand is for you to come into our house and tell us how we should live and how we should educate our children. And even less if you promote pedophilia with public money.”
The Vox tweet was a response to an earlier tweet by Lastra, who wrote:
They don’t support the LGTBI collective, they do not support same-sex marriage, they do not support equality between men and women, they do not support that their retrograde ideas are not those of the whole society. They shouldn't call it freedom; it’s hate.
On Tuesday, Twitter informed Vox that it was “temporarily limiting” the party’s social media account, thereby suspending some functions, including the posting of new messages. The social media giant alleged that the reason for the suspension was because the party had not complied with its prohibition on “conduct inciting hatred.” Twitter also prohibits threats, assaults, and the incitement of violence against people.
Twitter demanded that Vox erase the tweet accusing the Socialist Party of promoting pedopholia in order to recover its account.
Vox is at odds with the Socialist Party and other leftist parties regarding abortion, parental rights, and public education. Regarding parental rights, Vox is demanding that parents have the right to prevent their children from attending classes that promote the government’s agenda on sex education and LGBT. According to Vox, parents should have the right to have advance notice and decide whether their children should attend “talks, workshops or activities with an ideological or moral leaning against their convictions.”
In the province of Murcia, schools can establish what sort of parental authority is required in order to inculcate children with the LGBT agenda. Murcia’s regional governmental is controlled by a coalition of the centrist Popular Party and the right-of-center Ciudadanos party, even while it depends on four Vox votes in the provincial legislature. The provincial budget hinges on the vote of one of the Vox legislators. Vox demanded a parental veto for sex education, forcing the other provincial parties to concede.
The debate has also rankled the regional government of Navarra, a province that borders France. In Navarra, no child is allowed to opt out of the program of sex classes. According to the Navarra government website, its Skolae educational program for “equality” asks for reflection on the “multi-causal nature of social phenomena and, as is evident, also of gender inequality.”
Citing American communist and academic Angela Davis, the government website declares that Skolae:
… elaborates the concept of intersectionality in order to ‘understand the categories of race, gender and class as connected, intertwined and intertwined elements.’ It is necessary to make visible the diverse categories that generate and reproduce inequality: race, gender, class, ethnicity or culture. The environment of the educational action is characterized by a progressive multiculturalism. The coeducative action must be a space to be aware of the different cultural variants of the sex-gender system. It is necessary to jointly know and analyze its implications in the society in which we live.
The website also sets out the curriculum’s goals for children under the age of six:
To make visible the diversity of bodies, all of them sexed and valued. Reflection on images of different sexual persons in masculine and/or feminine, different ages, cultures, functional diversity[.] … Recognition of child sexuality from birth by decriminalizing the recognition and experience of this sexuality at school and in the family (sexual vigilance, erotic games, etc.). Encourage dialogue and trust in communication about sexual issues both at school and in the family as a factor in the prevention of child abuse.
Vox says on its website that Twitter has undermined the basic freedoms guaranteed in the Spanish constitution. Mariscal declared that the party’s tweet directed at Lastra came because thee party believes that the government sex education program means that “minors may have access, without parental consent or acknowledgement, to practices and information with sexual content.” He suggested that the socialist government directly pressured Twitter to suspend the party’s account. He noted that Vox is Spain’s third largest political party and has 3.6 million members.
While the party is frequently dubbed right-wing or far-right, its platform includes a call for a single-payer national health system. Vox also favors a reduction in immigration. The party is vocal in opposing what it calls Islamization, as well as wasteful spending.
Spain’s socialist minister of education, Isabel Celaá, told the newspaper El Correo on Monday that a “homophobic family … does not have the right to make their children homophobic as well.” “Parental authority cannot be confused with property,” she said. Celaá alleged that Murcia “seeks to undermine the right to education and censor the actions of educational centers and their teachers.” She claims that the parental veto denies the “integral training of students” as noted in Spain’s Education Law. On Monday, Celaá called on Murcia to exercise “moderation and common sense” by annulling parental consent for the sex classes, claiming that she would rather not go to court.
Pablo Casado, who leads Spain’s center-right Popular Party, said in a speech to party members in Murcia: “Are they telling me that we have families like in Cuba, that children belong to the revolution?”
On Sunday, in an apparent riposte to the Socialists, he said, “Are we going to arrive at the point where children inform on their parents if they are not good revolutionaries?”
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lifesitenews--2020-01-23--Supreme Court tussles over discrimination against religion in school choice programs

WASHINGTON , D.C. , January 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Supreme Court held oral arguments Wednesday in the case Montana Department of Revenue v. Espinoza , during which the justices quarreled with each other and the attorneys on the issue of religious discrimination in school-choice scholarships .
The case concerns a Montana program under which residents could receive tax credits for donating to private scholarship organizations that help students attend the private school of their choice , and the Montana Department of Revenue ruling that such scholarships could not go to religious schools .
At issue is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the program solely on the basis of their religious nature .
As Fox News and Education Next reported , Justice Brett Kavanaugh pressed the state ’ s attorney , Adam Unikowsky , on the difference between including Protestant schools but excluding Jewish ones , and including secular schools but excluding all religious schools .
Unikowsky agreed the former would be unconstitutional but claimed the First Amendment allows excluding all religions so long as the government doesn ’ t choose specific faiths over others .
Justice Elena Kagan suggested the issue was moot and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the Montana Supreme Court had struck down the entire program , and therefore “ neither the parents who want to send their children to religious schools nor the parents who want to send their children to secular schools get what they would like to get .
So they 're both being treated the same way . ''
`` No , is n't the crucial question why the state court did what it did ?
” Justice Samuel Alito asked in response .
“ If it did what it did for an unconstitutionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem . ''
Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor suggested to Richard Kormer , the attorney of the parents bringing the suit , that they lacked standing because they weren ’ t the direct recipients of the money ; the schools were .
Kormer responded by explaining that the program obviously aided the parents by helping to send their children to their desired schools .
The University of Colorado ’ s Joshua Dunn remarked at Education Next that the argument “ looked like an act of desperation ” on Ginsburg and Sotomayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so strained one can not help but think that it came from a position of weakness.
” The case could have national implications for the so-called Blaine Amendments to 37 state constitutions , named after Sen. James Blaine of Maine , who had tried in vain to amend the U.S. Constitution to block tax dollars to religious institutions more than a century ago .
The amendments are widely seen as having been pretexts specifically to defund Catholic schools , and Espinoza could end with a verdict on their compatibility with the First Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of non-establishment of religion does not mean that governments can deny otherwise available benefits on the basis of religious status , ” said Bishop George Murry , chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops ’ ( USCCB ) Committee for Religious Liberty ; and Bishop Michael C. Barber , chair of the USCCB ’ s Committee on Catholic Education .
“ Indeed , religious persons and organizations should , like everyone else , be allowed to participate in government programs that are open to all .
This is an issue of justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Judges Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor offered arguments so weak that one analyst said it 'looked like an act of desperation.'
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Supreme Court held oral arguments Wednesday in the case Montana Department of Revenue v. Espinoza, during which the justices quarreled with each other and the attorneys on the issue of religious discrimination in school-choice scholarships.
The case concerns a Montana program under which residents could receive tax credits for donating to private scholarship organizations that help students attend the private school of their choice, and the Montana Department of Revenue ruling that such scholarships could not go to religious schools. At issue is the constitutionality of excluding religious schools from the program solely on the basis of their religious nature.
As Fox News and Education Next reported, Justice Brett Kavanaugh pressed the state’s attorney, Adam Unikowsky, on the difference between including Protestant schools but excluding Jewish ones, and including secular schools but excluding all religious schools. Unikowsky agreed the former would be unconstitutional but claimed the First Amendment allows excluding all religions so long as the government doesn’t choose specific faiths over others.
Justice Elena Kagan suggested the issue was moot and the Supreme Court needn’t interfere because the Montana Supreme Court had struck down the entire program, and therefore “neither the parents who want to send their children to religious schools nor the parents who want to send their children to secular schools get what they would like to get. So they're both being treated the same way.”
“No, isn't the crucial question why the state court did what it did?” Justice Samuel Alito asked in response. “If it did what it did for an unconstitutionally discriminatory reason, then there's a problem.”
Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor suggested to Richard Kormer, the attorney of the parents bringing the suit, that they lacked standing because they weren’t the direct recipients of the money; the schools were. Kormer responded by explaining that the program obviously aided the parents by helping to send their children to their desired schools.
The University of Colorado’s Joshua Dunn remarked at Education Next that the argument “looked like an act of desperation” on Ginsburg and Sotomayor’s part, and “was so strained one cannot help but think that it came from a position of weakness.”
The case could have national implications for the so-called Blaine Amendments to 37 state constitutions, named after Sen. James Blaine of Maine, who had tried in vain to amend the U.S. Constitution to block tax dollars to religious institutions more than a century ago. The amendments are widely seen as having been pretexts specifically to defund Catholic schools, and Espinoza could end with a verdict on their compatibility with the First Amendment.
“Our country’s tradition of non-establishment of religion does not mean that governments can deny otherwise available benefits on the basis of religious status,” said Bishop George Murry, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee for Religious Liberty; and Bishop Michael C. Barber, chair of the USCCB’s Committee on Catholic Education. “Indeed, religious persons and organizations should, like everyone else, be allowed to participate in government programs that are open to all. This is an issue of justice for people of all faith communities.”
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lifesitenews--2020-01-23--Hallmark exec who pulled, then re-authorized gay ‘wedding’ ad resigns

January 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The chief executive of the TV network overseeing the Hallmark Channel has stepped down a month after the channel first banned and then reversed its decision and allowed four commercials featuring same-sex “ weddings.
” In their coverage of the resignation , an NBC News report highlighted LifeSite ’ s petitions urging Hallmark to reject the LGBT agenda , as well as a petition run by pro-family group One Million Moms .
Bill Abbott , chief executive of Crown Media Family Networks , is stepping down from his position and no replacement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hallmark yesterday .
The statement noted that Abbott has been with the company for 11 years .
Mike Perry , president and chief executive of Hallmark Cards , did not give a reason for Abbott ’ s exit but said that it was “ more important than ever that we find relevant new ways to grow our business.
” In early December , Abbot seemed to signal his openness to Hallmark featuring same-sex relationships and themes .
“ I ’ m gay , where are the same-sex movies ?
” Abbott was asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Have you talked about incorporating stories about same-sex couples at Christmas ?
” “ We ’ re open to really any type of movie of any type of relationship , ” Abbott responded .
Then later that month , Hallmark initially decided to stop airing four commercials for the wedding planning website Zola.com after a backlash from conservative viewers .
The ad that sparked the backlash ended with two women , one in a white suit and the other in a white dress , kissing .
The other ads that were pulled also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced that pulling the ads was the “ wrong decision ” after the channel came in for criticism from several celebrities and the homosexual lobby .
Celebrities William Shatner and Ellen DeGeneres both took to Twitter in order to criticize the “ family friendly ” channel .
One Million Moms confirmed that it had spoken to Abbott when it first became aware of the ads and called for them to be stopped from airing .
The pro-family group said that Abbott had said that “ the advertisement aired in error , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned 1MM supporters.
” Shortly afterwards Hallmark Cards president and CEO Mike Perry announced that the commercials would be allowed to air once more .
“ The Crown Media team has been agonizing over this decision as we ’ ve seen the hurt it has unintentionally caused , ” he said .
“ Said simply , they believe this was the wrong decision [ . ]
... We are truly sorry for the hurt and disappointment this has caused.
” One Million Moms told LifeSiteNews at the time that it was “ extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure .
”

A reason was not given reason for Bill Abbott’s exit and no replacement was announced. Hallmark said that it was 'more important than ever that we find relevant new ways to grow our business.'
January 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The chief executive of the TV network overseeing the Hallmark Channel has stepped down a month after the channel first banned and then reversed its decision and allowed four commercials featuring same-sex “weddings.”
In their coverage of the resignation, an NBC News report highlighted LifeSite’s petitions urging Hallmark to reject the LGBT agenda, as well as a petition run by pro-family group One Million Moms.
Bill Abbott, chief executive of Crown Media Family Networks, is stepping down from his position and no replacement was announced in a statement released by Hallmark yesterday. The statement noted that Abbott has been with the company for 11 years.
Mike Perry, president and chief executive of Hallmark Cards, did not give a reason for Abbott’s exit but said that it was “more important than ever that we find relevant new ways to grow our business.”
In early December, Abbot seemed to signal his openness to Hallmark featuring same-sex relationships and themes.
“I’m gay, where are the same-sex movies?” Abbott was asked during a Hollywood Reporter podcast. “Have you talked about incorporating stories about same-sex couples at Christmas?”
“We’re open to really any type of movie of any type of relationship,” Abbott responded.
Then later that month, Hallmark initially decided to stop airing four commercials for the wedding planning website Zola.com after a backlash from conservative viewers. The ad that sparked the backlash ended with two women, one in a white suit and the other in a white dress, kissing. The other ads that were pulled also featured same-sex kisses.
But Hallmark quickly announced that pulling the ads was the “wrong decision” after the channel came in for criticism from several celebrities and the homosexual lobby.
Celebrities William Shatner and Ellen DeGeneres both took to Twitter in order to criticize the “family friendly” channel.
One Million Moms confirmed that it had spoken to Abbott when it first became aware of the ads and called for them to be stopped from airing. The pro-family group said that Abbott had said that “the advertisement aired in error, but he was informed about it after hearing from concerned 1MM supporters.”
Shortly afterwards Hallmark Cards president and CEO Mike Perry announced that the commercials would be allowed to air once more.
“The Crown Media team has been agonizing over this decision as we’ve seen the hurt it has unintentionally caused,” he said. “Said simply, they believe this was the wrong decision[.] … We are truly sorry for the hurt and disappointment this has caused.”
One Million Moms told LifeSiteNews at the time that it was “extremely disappointed that the Hallmark Channel caved under pressure.”
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