lifesitenews--2020-03-06--How to respond when a pro-abortion politician threatens to leave the Church

March 6 , 2020 ( CatholicCulture.org ) — Ireland ’ s former president , Mary McAleese , has written to Pope Francis , warning that she will leave the Catholic Church if she finds that the Vatican failed to warn the world about abuses at the L ’ Arche community .
Her threat prompts several thoughts : • Since McAleese has spent the past several years challenging the teachings of the Church — not only on the usual topics of complaint , such as contraception and the male priesthood , but even on the baptism of children ...
Since her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marked that she was barred from speaking at a Vatican-sponsored conference in 2018 ... How would we know that she had finally left the fold ?
What would be different ?
• In explaining her stand , McAleese told the Roman Pontiff that her concern about L ’ Arche “ will be my final line of least resistance.
” A curious phrase , that ; is it a Freudian slip ?
Her final line of least resistance ?
How many previous lines has she crossed , and how stiff was the resistance at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , McAleese tells the Pope , “ I could not in conscience continue to support an institution capable of such gross negligence.
” It would be uncharitable , I suppose , to question how much “ support ” she has given the universal Church through her constant criticism .
So leaving that question aside , let ’ s focus on the reason why one should support the Catholic Church .
There is only one good reason : because the Church is founded by Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic profess it to be true — then the failings of some Church leaders , however miserable , are not reason enough to leave the Church .
Many of us have , at times during the past 20 years or so , felt the same disgust with Church leadership that McAleese is now feeling .
But if we ever thought about leaving the Church , we recalled the words of St. Peter : “ Lord , to whom shall we go ?
You have the words of eternal life.
” Or maybe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ established by God could suffer such corrupt leadership , we reflected on the more combative approach to the same question , taken by Hilaire Belloc : The Catholic Church is an institution I am bound to hold divine — but for unbelievers a proof of its divinity might be found in the fact that no merely human institution conducted with such knavish imbecility would have lasted a fortnight .

March 6, 2020 (CatholicCulture.org) — Ireland’s former president, Mary McAleese, has written to Pope Francis, warning that she will leave the Catholic Church if she finds that the Vatican failed to warn the world about abuses at the L’Arche community. Her threat prompts several thoughts:
Since McAleese has spent the past several years challenging the teachings of the Church — not only on the usual topics of complaint, such as contraception and the male priesthood, but even on the baptism of children… Since her departure from Catholic orthodoxy has been so marked that she was barred from speaking at a Vatican-sponsored conference in 2018… How would we know that she had finally left the fold? What would be different?
In explaining her stand, McAleese told the Roman Pontiff that her concern about L’Arche “will be my final line of least resistance.” A curious phrase, that; is it a Freudian slip? Her final line of least resistance? How many previous lines has she crossed, and how stiff was the resistance at any one of them?
Today, McAleese tells the Pope, “I could not in conscience continue to support an institution capable of such gross negligence.” It would be uncharitable, I suppose, to question how much “support” she has given the universal Church through her constant criticism. So leaving that question aside, let’s focus on the reason why one should support the Catholic Church. There is only one good reason: because the Church is founded by Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit. If that is true — and all believing Catholic profess it to be true — then the failings of some Church leaders, however miserable, are not reason enough to leave the Church.
Many of us have, at times during the past 20 years or so, felt the same disgust with Church leadership that McAleese is now feeling. But if we ever thought about leaving the Church, we recalled the words of St. Peter: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Or maybe, when we asked ourselves how an institution established by God could suffer such corrupt leadership, we reflected on the more combative approach to the same question, taken by Hilaire Belloc:
The Catholic Church is an institution I am bound to hold divine — but for unbelievers a proof of its divinity might be found in the fact that no merely human institution conducted with such knavish imbecility would have lasted a fortnight.
Published with permission from CatholicCulture.org.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--I’d ‘go to the wall’ for free speech, freedom of conscience: pro-life conservative leadership candid

I’d ‘go to the wall’ for free speech, freedom of conscience: pro-life conservative leadership candidate

ONTARIO , March 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Derek Sloan , a pro-life and pro-family Conservative Member of Parliament and a nominee in the running for party leadership , said in a recent interview that he ’ d “ literally go to the wall ” to defend freedom of speech and freedom of conscience .
“ Freedom of speech and freedom of conscience are some of the most important liberties our country is based on , and I will literally go to the wall for those freedoms , and if it came down to it , I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those , ” said Sloan in an in a wide-ranging interview with Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson published March 3 .
“ And who knows , maybe what I ’ m doing now is putting myself , is putting my career in harm 's way , ” he added .
Thompson asked Sloan about his views on a variety of issues , such as abortion , pride parades , “ conversion therapy ” bans , “ climate change , ” and the national debt .
Thompson serves as co-host for the national daily show , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently muzzled by a British Columbia court for an interview she did with a father in Canada who is trying to stop his daughter ’ s ‘ transition ’ to male .
Sloan is known for his pro-life stance , but the devout Seventh Day Adventist nevertheless reasserted his pro-life position , adding that as party leader he would not hold back from discussing the abortion debate .
“ So I ’ m pro-life and I ’ ve made no secret of that fact .
I ’ ve also said that it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion and the laws surrounding it or the lack thereof , ” said Sloan .
“ As leader , I would encourage individual MPs to bring forward bills addressing this issue and we can let parliamentary democracy do its work and have a discussion , that other countries have had , but Canada has not.
” Thompson asked Sloan about his take on attending pride parades , answering that he will not be partaking in any such events , and touched on the fact that the whole issue has been politicized .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a pride parade and I ’ ve said that .
It ’ s funny that that has become the political litmus test of the year , and I won ’ t be jumping through any hoops that the media is imposing on the conservative party.
” Sloan then affirmed that his position , “ won ’ t change ” on the issue of marching in pride parades .
In his interview with Thompson , Sloan said that it was after “ careful thinking and prayer ” that he decided to run in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thompson that he got into politics due to his concern of the state of religious liberties and freedom of speech and conscience in Canada , mentioning the fact that he worked on the Trinity Western University case , and it was this file that sparked him to enter politics .
Sloan said he is concerned about Bill S-202 now before the Canadian Senate which would criminalize help for people with unwanted same-sex attraction .
In speaking about “ conversion therapy ” bans , which are increasing in frequency at the municipal level in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ overboard ” and are an “ overreach into personal liberties and freedom of religion.
” He also linked the whole concept of banning help as something that amounts to a type of “ medical experiment ” that in the future , might involve lawsuits against the government and organizations that “ push ” this agenda .
“ Many kids who identify as trans , end up by the time they reach adulthood identifying as something else .
The bulk of them end up being happy with the body that they were born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
He then added that many kids grow out of their trans phase , saying , “ this is not something that is controversial .
All of the medical associations and psychological associations admit that a bulk of kids , end up being happy with the body they are born in.
” Sloan then said that after his interview with CTV ’ s Evan Solomon , where he spoke about the “ conversion therapy ” issue , he received many messages of support from those in the LGBT community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person who wrote him saying that , while she is not sure what is going on currently in her life or where she is at , as a child she was given puberty blockers and she felt that was a mistake .
When it came time to talk about non-social issues , such as the economy , Sloan noted that Canadian government debt is a problem , and it ’ s not helped by the fact that the Liberal government sends taxpayer dollars overseas to support abortions , which is something he opposes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ climate change , ” he is of the opinion that focus should not be on the alarmist type of thinking , but rather on focussing on taking care of the land , air , and water in a localized way that does not involve a carbon tax .
Pro-life and pro-family advocate Richard Décarie recently publicly voiced his support for Sloan for party leader .
Décarie was recently barred from running as a candidate by the Conservative Party of Canada ’ s Leadership Election Organizing Committee ( LEOC ) .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media favorites , such as pro-abortion Peter MacKay and Erin O ’ Toole , Sloan noted that it really does not matter much , as it ’ s up to the party base to make the final decision .
There are eight candidates who met the first deadline and were approved to run by the LEOC .
Marilyn Gladu , Rudy Husny , Jim Karahalios , Leslyn Lewis , Peter MacKay , Erin O ’ Toole , Rick Peterson , and Derek Sloan .
Of these candidates , only Lewis , Karahalios , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Life Coalition for their pro-life views .
The next deadline for the conservative candidates is March 25 .
They must submit an additional 2000 signatures along with $ 300,000 to stay in the race .
The leader will be announced at the June 27 party convention in Toronto .
To be eligible to vote in the Conservative Party leadership election , the deadline to sign up for a membership to vote is April 17th .
Campaign Life Coalition is urging pro-life advocates to purchase a Conservative Party membership so that they can vote @

MP Derek Sloan said that if it came down to it, he would ‘sacrifice’ his ‘career to stand up for those’
ONTARIO, March 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Derek Sloan, a pro-life and pro-family Conservative Member of Parliament and a nominee in the running for party leadership, said in a recent interview that he’d “literally go to the wall” to defend freedom of speech and freedom of conscience.
“Freedom of speech and freedom of conscience are some of the most important liberties our country is based on, and I will literally go to the wall for those freedoms, and if it came down to it, I would sacrifice my career to stand up for those,” said Sloan in an in a wide-ranging interview with Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson published March 3.
“And who knows, maybe what I’m doing now is putting myself, is putting my career in harm's way,” he added.
Thompson asked Sloan about his views on a variety of issues, such as abortion, pride parades, “conversion therapy” bans, “climate change,” and the national debt. Thompson serves as co-host for the national daily show, The 700 Club Canada, and was recently muzzled by a British Columbia court for an interview she did with a father in Canada who is trying to stop his daughter’s ‘transition’ to male.
Sloan is known for his pro-life stance, but the devout Seventh Day Adventist nevertheless reasserted his pro-life position, adding that as party leader he would not hold back from discussing the abortion debate.
“So I’m pro-life and I’ve made no secret of that fact. I’ve also said that it’s time to have a discussion about abortion and the laws surrounding it or the lack thereof,” said Sloan.
“As leader, I would encourage individual MPs to bring forward bills addressing this issue and we can let parliamentary democracy do its work and have a discussion, that other countries have had, but Canada has not.”
Thompson asked Sloan about his take on attending pride parades, answering that he will not be partaking in any such events, and touched on the fact that the whole issue has been politicized.
“So I won’t be marching in a pride parade and I’ve said that. It’s funny that that has become the political litmus test of the year, and I won’t be jumping through any hoops that the media is imposing on the conservative party.”
Sloan then affirmed that his position, “won’t change” on the issue of marching in pride parades.
In his interview with Thompson, Sloan said that it was after “careful thinking and prayer” that he decided to run in the conservative leadership race.
He told Thompson that he got into politics due to his concern of the state of religious liberties and freedom of speech and conscience in Canada, mentioning the fact that he worked on the Trinity Western University case, and it was this file that sparked him to enter politics.
Sloan said he is concerned about Bill S-202 now before the Canadian Senate which would criminalize help for people with unwanted same-sex attraction.
In speaking about “conversion therapy” bans, which are increasing in frequency at the municipal level in Canada, Sloan said that they go “overboard” and are an “overreach into personal liberties and freedom of religion.”
He also linked the whole concept of banning help as something that amounts to a type of “medical experiment” that in the future, might involve lawsuits against the government and organizations that “push” this agenda.
“Many kids who identify as trans, end up by the time they reach adulthood identifying as something else. The bulk of them end up being happy with the body that they were born with or identifying with their birth sex,” he said.
He then added that many kids grow out of their trans phase, saying, “this is not something that is controversial. All of the medical associations and psychological associations admit that a bulk of kids, end up being happy with the body they are born in.”
Sloan then said that after his interview with CTV’s Evan Solomon, where he spoke about the “conversion therapy” issue, he received many messages of support from those in the LGBT community.
He gave the example of one person who wrote him saying that, while she is not sure what is going on currently in her life or where she is at, as a child she was given puberty blockers and she felt that was a mistake.
When it came time to talk about non-social issues, such as the economy, Sloan noted that Canadian government debt is a problem, and it’s not helped by the fact that the Liberal government sends taxpayer dollars overseas to support abortions, which is something he opposes.
Sloan said that when it comes to “climate change,” he is of the opinion that focus should not be on the alarmist type of thinking, but rather on focussing on taking care of the land, air, and water in a localized way that does not involve a carbon tax.
Pro-life and pro-family advocate Richard Décarie recently publicly voiced his support for Sloan for party leader. Décarie was recently barred from running as a candidate by the Conservative Party of Canada’s Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC).
When asked about the conservative party candidate mainstream media favorites, such as pro-abortion Peter MacKay and Erin O’Toole, Sloan noted that it really does not matter much, as it’s up to the party base to make the final decision.
There are eight candidates who met the first deadline and were approved to run by the LEOC. Marilyn Gladu, Rudy Husny, Jim Karahalios, Leslyn Lewis, Peter MacKay, Erin O’Toole, Rick Peterson, and Derek Sloan.
Of these candidates, only Lewis, Karahalios, and Sloan have the backing of Campaign Life Coalition for their pro-life views.
The next deadline for the conservative candidates is March 25. They must submit an additional 2000 signatures along with $300,000 to stay in the race. The leader will be announced at the June 27 party convention in Toronto.
To be eligible to vote in the Conservative Party leadership election, the deadline to sign up for a membership to vote is April 17th.
Campaign Life Coalition is urging pro-life advocates to purchase a Conservative Party membership so that they can vote.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--‘Sick to my stomach’: Pro-life women blast actress’s claim abortion enabled her career

March 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Successful pro-life women are speaking out after actress Busy Phillips cited her professional success as an illustration of why pregnant teenagers should be able to abort their preborn babies .
Phillips was among the left-wing figures speaking at Wednesday ’ s pro-abortion rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court , which is currently reviewing an Louisiana law requiring that abortion centers make arrangements for admitting women to nearby hospitals in cases of life-threatening complications .
Both sides are watching the case intently for its potential ramifications for states ’ ability to regulate abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girl recently denied an abortion in Ohio , Phillips complained that “ strangers and their own personal beliefs were going to keep this little girl from living the life she was dreaming of .
Smug politicians were controlling a 14-year-old girl ’ s body and future.
” “ Here I was , sitting in Los Angeles in my beautiful office of my own late-night talk show , ” she continued .
“ Soon , I would be driving my hybrid car to my beautiful f -- -- -- home , to kiss my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband who had taken the year off to parent so I could focus on my career.
” “ And I have all of this , all of it , because I was allowed bodily autonomy at 15 , ” she declared .
Numerous prominent pro-life women responded to Phillips ’ s “ heartbreaking ” claims , including many who have confirmed from firsthand experience that motherhood is perfectly consistent with professional success : Last June , Phillips testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee to rail against modest abortion regulations including parental consent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consent .
During that hearing , she repeatedly refused to answer whether or not a so-called “ autonomy ” right to abortion extends to letting a fully delivered newborn die if an abortion fails .

March 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Successful pro-life women are speaking out after actress Busy Phillips cited her professional success as an illustration of why pregnant teenagers should be able to abort their preborn babies. Phillips was among the left-wing figures speaking at Wednesday’s pro-abortion rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court, which is currently reviewing an Louisiana law requiring that abortion centers make arrangements for admitting women to nearby hospitals in cases of life-threatening complications. Both sides are watching the case intently for its potential ramifications for states’ ability to regulate abortion. Discussing a story of a 14-year-old girl recently denied […]
March 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Successful pro-life women are speaking out after actress Busy Phillips cited her professional success as an illustration of why pregnant teenagers should be able to abort their preborn babies.
Phillips was among the left-wing figures speaking at Wednesday’s pro-abortion rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court, which is currently reviewing an Louisiana law requiring that abortion centers make arrangements for admitting women to nearby hospitals in cases of life-threatening complications. Both sides are watching the case intently for its potential ramifications for states’ ability to regulate abortion.
Discussing a story of a 14-year-old girl recently denied an abortion in Ohio, Phillips complained that “strangers and their own personal beliefs were going to keep this little girl from living the life she was dreaming of. Smug politicians were controlling a 14-year-old girl’s body and future.”
“Here I was, sitting in Los Angeles in my beautiful office of my own late-night talk show,” she continued. “Soon, I would be driving my hybrid car to my beautiful f—— home, to kiss my two beautiful and healthy children and my husband who had taken the year off to parent so I could focus on my career.”
“And I have all of this, all of it, because I was allowed bodily autonomy at 15,” she declared.
Actress @BusyPhilipps said she owes all of her success to having an abortion at 15, continues: “I will never stop talking about my abortion or my periods or my experiences in childbirth, my episiotomies, my yeast infections, or my ovulation that lines up w/ the moon!” pic.twitter.com/ZoW6CM1HfD — Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) March 5, 2020
Numerous prominent pro-life women responded to Phillips’s “heartbreaking” claims, including many who have confirmed from firsthand experience that motherhood is perfectly consistent with professional success:
The only thing more morally and spiritually broken than a mother cheering over the death of her baby so she could have fame and wealth is the complicit men who goad her on. This is heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/4GuYGhPUgS — Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) March 6, 2020
Ask yourself: Does Busy Phillips seem like a well-adjusted, happy person? Does it honestly look like having an abortion led to peace & fulfillment for her?
Or does she seem miserable, still desperate decades later to justify her poor choices? https://t.co/cq37CnzDmQ — Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) March 6, 2020
Actress Busy Phillips brags about her abortion at 15 years old. Now, she says, she drives an electric car because of that abortion. She traded a HUMAN BABY for an electric car. I feel sick to my stomach. NEVER let Hollywood tell you it’s worth it. pic.twitter.com/gsYFYkIb0H — Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) March 6, 2020
Last June, Phillips testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee to rail against modest abortion regulations including parental consent, 24-hour waiting periods, and informed consent. During that hearing, she repeatedly refused to answer whether or not a so-called “autonomy” right to abortion extends to letting a fully delivered newborn die if an abortion fails.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--Dem bill to ban boys’ and girls’ toy, clothing aisles introduced in California

SACRAMENTO , March 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In what may be an unprecedented next step in the drive to erase distinctions between the sexes , legislation is currently pending in California that would forbid retailers from placing children ’ s merchandise in separate aisles for boys and girls .
Introduced by Democrat Assemblyman Evan Low , Assembly Bill 2826 would force stores to stock children ’ s toys , clothes , and childcare items in “ gender-neutral ” aisles , under the theory that “ keeping similar items that are traditionally marketed either for girls or for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the consumer to compare the products and incorrectly implies that their use by one gender is inappropriate.
” It ’ s unclear whether such difficulties have ever actually occurred to parent shoppers in the Golden State .
Nevertheless , retailers who fail to make the change within 30 days of being told could be fined $ 1,000 under the bill .
“ I was inspired to introduce this bill after 8-year-old Britten asked , ‘ Why should a store tell me what a girl ’ s shirt or toy is ?
’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Her bill will help children express themselves freely and without bias .
We need to let kids be kids.
” The proposal is not going over well with consumer groups , the California Globe reports .
“ Toy aisles are fine since most stores already do that and most are for anyone anyway , ” said consumer advocate Grace Wayne .
“ But many people are upset about clothing aisles .
“ Children ’ s underwear is different for a certain reason , like adult underwear , and there are significant differences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” consumer advocate Grace Wayne explained .
“ It has nothing to do with clothes color or designs but more about shape and structure of it [ ... ] children that young may not be prepared to learn about certain parts of gender differences and other similar problems.
” “ We wan na raise our daughter to know she ’ s a girl , that ’ s how she was born , that ’ s how she will live and our sons that they were born boys .
I want my daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want my boys to dress like boys and I want those sections to be separated , '' parent Candice Miller told NBC affiliate KSBY .
“ California is killing freedom , innovation , and common sense with its endless bans , fines , and mandates , ” declared Pacific Justice Institute-Center for Public Policy president Brad Dacus .
“ Compassion for our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors does not require us to embrace absurdities on gender .
No child should be bullied or stigmatized , and neither should the State bully retailers into making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find boys ’ and girls ’ clothing and toys .
It ’ s time for voters to demand more accountability of their elected officials , ” he said .
Assemblyman Low was also the subject of national attention in 2018 when he spearheaded an unsuccessful attempt to pass a ban on minors and adults alike obtaining “ sexual orientation change efforts , ” regardless of their wishes , which critics argued was so broadly written that it could have banned the sale of books endorsing the practice , as well as other forms @ @ @ @

SACRAMENTO, March 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In what may be an unprecedented next step in the drive to erase distinctions between the sexes, legislation is currently pending in California that would forbid retailers from placing children’s merchandise in separate aisles for boys and girls.
Introduced by Democrat Assemblyman Evan Low, Assembly Bill 2826 would force stores to stock children’s toys, clothes, and childcare items in “gender-neutral” aisles, under the theory that “keeping similar items that are traditionally marketed either for girls or for boys separated makes it more difficult for the consumer to compare the products and incorrectly implies that their use by one gender is inappropriate.”
It’s unclear whether such difficulties have ever actually occurred to parent shoppers in the Golden State. Nevertheless, retailers who fail to make the change within 30 days of being told could be fined $1,000 under the bill.
“I was inspired to introduce this bill after 8-year-old Britten asked, ‘Why should a store tell me what a girl’s shirt or toy is?’” Low declared in a press release. “Her bill will help children express themselves freely and without bias. We need to let kids be kids.”
The proposal is not going over well with consumer groups, the California Globe reports.
“Toy aisles are fine since most stores already do that and most are for anyone anyway,” said consumer advocate Grace Wayne. “But many people are upset about clothing aisles.
“Children’s underwear is different for a certain reason, like adult underwear, and there are significant differences in clothing even at a younger age,” consumer advocate Grace Wayne explained. “It has nothing to do with clothes color or designs but more about shape and structure of it […] children that young may not be prepared to learn about certain parts of gender differences and other similar problems.”
“We wanna raise our daughter to know she’s a girl, that’s how she was born, that’s how she will live and our sons that they were born boys. I want my daughter to dress like a girl and I want my boys to dress like boys and I want those sections to be separated,” parent Candice Miller told NBC affiliate KSBY.
“California is killing freedom, innovation, and common sense with its endless bans, fines, and mandates,” declared Pacific Justice Institute-Center for Public Policy president Brad Dacus.
“Compassion for our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors does not require us to embrace absurdities on gender. No child should be bullied or stigmatized, and neither should the State bully retailers into making it harder for moms and dads to find boys’ and girls’ clothing and toys. It’s time for voters to demand more accountability of their elected officials,” he said.
Assemblyman Low was also the subject of national attention in 2018 when he spearheaded an unsuccessful attempt to pass a ban on minors and adults alike obtaining “sexual orientation change efforts,” regardless of their wishes, which critics argued was so broadly written that it could have banned the sale of books endorsing the practice, as well as other forms of constitutionally-protected speech.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--Biden unveils ominous ‘LGTBQ+ equality’ plan to compel institutions to ‘enforce…advance’ gay ‘rights

Biden unveils ominous ‘LGTBQ+ equality’ plan to compel institutions to ‘enforce…advance’ gay ‘rights’

March 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Former Vice President and current Democrat presidential frontrunner Joe Biden released his official “ LGBTQ+ equality ” plan this week , a comprehensive document laying out how he would elevate homosexual and transgender “ acceptance ” above religious liberty and conscience rights if elected to the White House .
“ As President , Biden will stand with the LGBTQ+ community to ensure America finally lives up to the promise on which it was founded : equality for all , ” the plan declares .
“ He will provide the moral leadership to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fight to ensure our laws and institutions protect and enforce their rights , and advance LGBTQ+ equality globally.
” First , the plan lists as a “ top priority ” enacting the so-called Equality Act , which would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to include “ sex , ” “ sexual orientation , ” and “ gender identity ” among expressly recognized “ non-discrimination ” categories in “ public accommodations ” ( the definition of which would be dramatically expanded ) ; and force employers of 15 or more people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” forbid them from “ discriminating ” based on “ sexual orientation ” or “ gender identity , ” and mandate transgender “ access ” to sex-specific facilities .
It next pledges that Biden will fill judicial vacancies and top administrative positions with nominees who are both LGBT and favor LGBT policies , from interpreting federal discrimination policies as indulging gender confusion , to making federal job-training programs “ focus on and benefit this community , ” to implementing “ implicit bias training ” for federal employees and contractors .
Biden also wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban on gender dysphoria in the armed forces , force federally-funded adoption and foster agencies to place children in same-sex homes , reverse various Trump religious-liberty protections on LGBT matters as well as its guidance on biological males ’ “ access ” to women ’ s facilities in educational institutions , and support the option to mark one ’ s gender as “ X ” on “ government identifications , passports , and other documentation.
” The plan further calls for various new “ hate crimes ” measures , would direct the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood-donation criteria with less “ stigma ” for homosexual donors , federally mandating insurance coverage for HIV treatment and “ gender confirmation surgery.
” Long assumed to be the frontrunner for the 2020 Democrat nomination , the pro-abortion Biden quickly fell behind socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders once actual voting began , but enjoyed a comeback this weekend with his commanding victory in the South Carolina primary .
He received another boost soon after in the form of endorsements from former South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential bids .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren dropped out this week as well , but has yet to make an endorsement .
Biden ’ s resurgence has pleased many in the “ Never Trump ” faction of establishment-leaning “ conservative ” pundits , who have expressed distaste at the prospect of accepting the far-left Sanders as the sole alternative to the Republican incumbent .
But like many of his positions , from healthcare and energy production to gun control and taxes , Biden ’ s LGBT plan undermines the theory that he would @ @ @ @ @ @

The plan declares that Biden as president will 'champion equal rights for all LGBTQ+ people, fight to ensure our laws and institutions protect and enforce their rights, and advance LGBTQ+ equality globally'
March 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Former Vice President and current Democrat presidential frontrunner Joe Biden released his official “LGBTQ+ equality” plan this week, a comprehensive document laying out how he would elevate homosexual and transgender “acceptance” above religious liberty and conscience rights if elected to the White House.
“As President, Biden will stand with the LGBTQ+ community to ensure America finally lives up to the promise on which it was founded: equality for all,” the plan declares. “He will provide the moral leadership to champion equal rights for all LGBTQ+ people, fight to ensure our laws and institutions protect and enforce their rights, and advance LGBTQ+ equality globally.”
First, the plan lists as a “top priority” enacting the so-called Equality Act, which would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to include “sex,” “sexual orientation,” and “gender identity” among expressly recognized “non-discrimination” categories in “public accommodations” (the definition of which would be dramatically expanded); and force employers of 15 or more people to recognize their claimed “gender identity,” forbid them from “discriminating” based on “sexual orientation” or “gender identity,” and mandate transgender “access” to sex-specific facilities.
It next pledges that Biden will fill judicial vacancies and top administrative positions with nominees who are both LGBT and favor LGBT policies, from interpreting federal discrimination policies as indulging gender confusion, to making federal job-training programs “focus on and benefit this community,” to implementing “implicit bias training” for federal employees and contractors.
Biden also wants to reverse the Trump administration’s ban on gender dysphoria in the armed forces, force federally-funded adoption and foster agencies to place children in same-sex homes, reverse various Trump religious-liberty protections on LGBT matters as well as its guidance on biological males’ “access” to women’s facilities in educational institutions, and support the option to mark one’s gender as “X” on “government identifications, passports, and other documentation.”
The plan further calls for various new “hate crimes” measures, would direct the US Food & Drug Administration to explore new blood-donation criteria with less “stigma” for homosexual donors, federally mandating insurance coverage for HIV treatment and “gender confirmation surgery.”
Long assumed to be the frontrunner for the 2020 Democrat nomination, the pro-abortion Biden quickly fell behind socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders once actual voting began, but enjoyed a comeback this weekend with his commanding victory in the South Carolina primary.
He received another boost soon after in the form of endorsements from former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, soon after they suspended their own presidential bids. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren dropped out this week as well, but has yet to make an endorsement.
Biden’s resurgence has pleased many in the “Never Trump” faction of establishment-leaning “conservative” pundits, who have expressed distaste at the prospect of accepting the far-left Sanders as the sole alternative to the Republican incumbent. But like many of his positions, from healthcare and energy production to gun control and taxes, Biden’s LGBT plan undermines the theory that he would govern as a political moderate.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--Bp. Athanasius Schneider endorses project to restore ancient, forgotten catechisms

March 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Bishop Athanasius Schneider has blessed a new project called Tradivox , which aims to republish the official catechetical works of Catholic bishops from past centuries that are treasure troves of faithfulness but have largely been forgotten .
For the first time in history , dozens of long forgotten official Catholic catechisms are coming back into print , freshly reformatted as multi-volume series .
The texts span from the 1200s to the mid-1900s and were originally issued and endorsed by bishops throughout the world .
Begun as an archival research endeavor , Tradivox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roots , “ tradere ” and “ vox , ” which , when put together , succinctly give the mission of the organization : “ Giving voice to tradition ” — has rapidly grown into a kind of international movement to restore the catechism of the Church .
Catechisms have long served as an exercise of the Church ’ s teaching office and a helpful means for articulating sound doctrine in a concise and systematic manner , especially for the laity .
When cataloged and analyzed , as Tradivox has done , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infallible nature of Catholic Tradition .
It is this witness to the timeless nature of Catholic Tradition and , ultimately , its cataloguing and preservation , that drew Bishop Schneider to endorse the Tradivox project .
Emphasizing the clarity of thought and doctrinal purity found in traditional catechisms , Bishop Schneider said : “ [ T ] he traditional catechisms have enduring value in our own day and age , which is marked by an enormous doctrinal confusion , which reigns in the life of the Church in the past six decades , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days.
” “ [ T ] herefore , I welcome and bless the great project of ‘ Tradivox ’ in cataloging and preserving the hundreds of long-lost Catholic catechisms issued with episcopal approval over the last millennium .
This project will convincingly show the essentially unchanging nature of the apostolic doctrine across time and space [ . ]
” Tradivox ’ s founder and president , Aaron Seng , got the early inspiration for compiling and preserving catechetical manuscripts during discernment of religious life , as a Benedictine , in 2005 .
Seng @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had preserved Catholic doctrine and culture in their monasteries during times of tremendous upheaval .
“ I began personally compiling catechetical manuscripts early on in the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI , as he continually echoed an urgent need for authentically Catholic catechesis in the Church , ” Seng told LifeSite .
“ I recall Pope Benedict even went so far as to state that in the period following the Second Vatican Council , ‘ the concrete transmission of the contents of the Christian faith was not achieved.
’ At that point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act quickly to preserve our catechetical heritage .
In the years since , Tradivox has grown to an international project with the same vision.
” For many faithful who have been angered , bewildered , or scandalized by so much falsity and doctrinal confusion abroad in the Church today , Seng says , “ Look , you can do something concrete about this .
You can help us preserve and hand on the unchanging and infallible Catholic Tradition to the next generation.
” By offering an accessible , indexed collection of traditional catechisms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in such works can stand as a remedy for the confusion and error of our time .
“ Giving voice to tradition ” with Tradivox is one way you can help .
Please contact Tradivox for more information by clicking on this link .

Tradivox is doing a much needed service to restore sanity in a time of great confusion, the bishop said.
March 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Bishop Athanasius Schneider has blessed a new project called Tradivox, which aims to republish the official catechetical works of Catholic bishops from past centuries that are treasure troves of faithfulness but have largely been forgotten.
For the first time in history, dozens of long forgotten official Catholic catechisms are coming back into print, freshly reformatted as multi-volume series. The texts span from the 1200s to the mid-1900s and were originally issued and endorsed by bishops throughout the world.
Begun as an archival research endeavor, Tradivox — a clever combination of two Latin roots, “tradere” and “vox,” which, when put together, succinctly give the mission of the organization: “Giving voice to tradition” — has rapidly grown into a kind of international movement to restore the catechism of the Church.
Catechisms have long served as an exercise of the Church’s teaching office and a helpful means for articulating sound doctrine in a concise and systematic manner, especially for the laity.
When cataloged and analyzed, as Tradivox has done, they bear striking witness to the unchanging and infallible nature of Catholic Tradition.
It is this witness to the timeless nature of Catholic Tradition and, ultimately, its cataloguing and preservation, that drew Bishop Schneider to endorse the Tradivox project.
Emphasizing the clarity of thought and doctrinal purity found in traditional catechisms, Bishop Schneider said: “[T]he traditional catechisms have enduring value in our own day and age, which is marked by an enormous doctrinal confusion, which reigns in the life of the Church in the past six decades, and which reaches its peak in our days.”
“[T]herefore, I welcome and bless the great project of ‘Tradivox’ in cataloging and preserving the hundreds of long-lost Catholic catechisms issued with episcopal approval over the last millennium. This project will convincingly show the essentially unchanging nature of the apostolic doctrine across time and space[.]”
Tradivox’s founder and president, Aaron Seng, got the early inspiration for compiling and preserving catechetical manuscripts during discernment of religious life, as a Benedictine, in 2005. Seng took his cue from centuries of monks who had preserved Catholic doctrine and culture in their monasteries during times of tremendous upheaval.
“I began personally compiling catechetical manuscripts early on in the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI, as he continually echoed an urgent need for authentically Catholic catechesis in the Church,” Seng told LifeSite. “I recall Pope Benedict even went so far as to state that in the period following the Second Vatican Council, ‘the concrete transmission of the contents of the Christian faith was not achieved.’ At that point, I knew that we needed to act quickly to preserve our catechetical heritage. In the years since, Tradivox has grown to an international project with the same vision.”
For many faithful who have been angered, bewildered, or scandalized by so much falsity and doctrinal confusion abroad in the Church today, Seng says, “Look, you can do something concrete about this. You can help us preserve and hand on the unchanging and infallible Catholic Tradition to the next generation.”
By offering an accessible, indexed collection of traditional catechisms, the beautiful continuity of doctrine found in such works can stand as a remedy for the confusion and error of our time.
“Giving voice to tradition” with Tradivox is one way you can help.
Please contact Tradivox for more information by clicking on this link.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-06--US archbishop bans Communion on tongue, claims it’s ‘not crucial’ how Catholics receive

March 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Sante Fe ’ s Archbishop John Charles Wester has asserted that Communion in the hand is “ every bit as respectful ” as receiving on the tongue in a statement regarding his response to the coronavirus .
“ There is nothing ontologically preferable to receiving on the tongue , ” he said as he announced that all communicants in the archdiocese must receive in the hand due to the coronavirus .
The archbishop said in a statement earlier this week that “ [ g ] iven the highly contagious nature of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ capitalization in the original ] receive Holy Communion in the hand and not on the tongue.
” “ I realize that there are some who prefer to receive Holy Communion on the tongue , ” the statement continued .
“ However , during the flu season and given the possibility of being exposed to the coronavirus , ALL [ capitalization in the original ] communicants are to receive Communion in the hand .
What is important is that we receive our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion .
“ How we receive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is not crucial .
What is important is that we receive our Lord in Holy Communion .
Receiving Communion in the hand is every bit as respectful as receiving on the tongue .
There is nothing ontologically preferable to receiving on the tongue.
” Conversely , the Catholic Archdiocese of Portland , Oregon , headed by Archbishop Alexander Sample , has issued guidelines saying a parish can not ban the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue .
“ After consulting with the Archbishop this office would like to clearly communicate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Holy Communion on the tongue , nor may an Ordinary or Extraordinary minister refuse a person requesting Holy Communion on the tongue .
[ Cf : Redemptionis Sacramentum 92 .
‘ Each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue at his choice.
’ ] , ” the guidelines stated .
The archdiocese said it had consulted two physicians regarding the matter , one of whom was a specialist in immunology for the State of Oregon , and that they agreed that , done properly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tongue and in the hand pose a more or less equal risk .
“ The risk of touching the tongue and passing the saliva on to others is obviously a danger however the chance of touching someone ’ s hand is equally probable and one ’ s hands have a greater exposure to germs , ” the Portland archdiocese statement read .
A number of dioceses in France have already taken the step of banning Communion on the tongue while still allowing Communion in the hand .
Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi , auxiliary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ churches in the country banning Communing on the tongue “ pending further directives.
” In response to the coronavirus , Catholic authorities in Jerusalem , Singapore , the Philippines , England and Wales , and a number of dioceses in the U.S and other parts of the world have also issued either directives or guidelines in favor of giving Communion in the hand but not on the tongue .
Bishop Athanasius Schneider , while arguing that Communion on the hand actually carries a greater risk of passing on viruses than Communion on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities are using the coronavirus as a “ pretext ” to trivialize reception of Communion .
“ It seems also that some of them have a kind of cynical joy to spread more and more the process of trivialization and de-sacralization of the Most Holy and Divine Body of Christ in the Eucharistic sacrament , exposing the Body of the Lord himself to the real dangers of irreverence ( loss of fragments ) and sacrileges ( theft of consecrated hosts ) , ” he said .
Last month , an African archbishop decreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holy Communion only on the tongue in order to promote reverence for the Eucharist and to stop “ abuses.
” Moreover , Schneider , along with a number of Catholic priests and members of the Catholic laity , has argued that Communion on the hand , in fact , carries a greater risk of passing on viruses than Communion on the tongue .
“ From a hygienic point of view , ” the bishop stated , “ the hand carries a huge amount of bacteria .
Many pathogens are transmitted through the hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s hands or frequently touching objects , such as door handles or handrails and grab bars in public transport , germs can quickly pass from hand to hand ; and with these unhygienic hands and fingers people then touch often their nose and mouth .
Also , germs can sometimes survive on the surface of the touched objects for days .
“ According to a 2006 study , published in the journal ‘ BMC Infectious Diseases ’ , influenza viruses and similar viruses can persist on inanimate surfaces , such as e.g .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport and public buildings for a few days , ” he said .
He described any ban on Communion in the mouth as “ unfounded compared to the great health risks of Communion in the hand in the time of a pandemic.
” Schneider said nobody can “ force ” a Catholic to receive the Body of Christ in a way that “ constitutes a risk of the loss of the fragments , and a decrease in reverence , as is the way of receiving Communion in the hand.
” He recommended making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a trivial manner .
In an article on this issue on the New Liturgical Movement website , Dr. Peter Kwasniewski highlighted a letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments , dated July 24 , 2009 , the year of the “ Swine Flu ” pandemic .
The letter states that the faithful “ always ” have the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue .
Dr. Kwasnieski additionally cites four pertinent texts , all explaining that Catholic faithful should not be obliged to receive Communion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Letter of April 3 , 1985 , from the Congregation for Divine Worship to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops ( Prot .
720/85 ) : Response by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments , Notitiae ( April 1999 ) : Query : Whether in dioceses where it is allowed to distribute Communion in the hands of the faithful , a priest or extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may restrict communicants to receive Communion only in their hands , not on the tongue .
Response : Certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Holy See that in dioceses where the Eucharistic bread is put in the hands of the faithful , the right to receive the Eucharistic bread on the tongue still remains intact to the faithful .
Therefore , those who restrict communicants to receive Holy Communion only on in the hands are acting against the norms , as are those who refuse to Christ ’ s faithful [ the right ] to receive Communion in the hand in dioceses that enjoy this indult .
General Instruction of the Roman Missal .
Issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Discipline of the Sacraments , November 12 , 2002 ; U.S. edition 2011 , n. 161 : Redemptionis Sacramentum — Instruction on Certain Matters to Be Observed or to Be Avoided Regarding the Most Holy Eucharist , the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments , March 25 , 2004 , art .
92 : U.S.-based priest Fr .
John Zuhlsdorf explained on his popular blog that based on his experience of “ nearly three decades of distributing Communion in both ways , ” he doesn ’ t believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than Communion on the tongue .
Fr .
Zuhlsdorf states : “ When distributing Communion directly on the tongue , I rarely , rarely , have any contact with the tongue .
When distributing on the hand , there is often , quite often , contact with the communicant ’ s fingers or palms.
” “ I don ’ t buy for a moment that pushing for Communion on the hand reduces the risk of spread of disease .
I think that proper Communion on the tongue is safer , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ can not require Communion in the hand at the Traditional Latin Mass.
” “ The legislation of Summorum Pontificum is for the universal Latin Church and bishops can not override it .
The Instruction Universae Ecclesiae 28 says that Summorum Pontificum derogates from all liturgical law after 1962 that doesn ’ t agree with the laws of 1962.
” He said that if the coronavirus situation gets worse , so that there is “ truly a great risk of contagion when out and around , A ) you don ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you don ’ t have to go to Communion to fulfill your obligation .
You can make a spiritual Communion , since you are in the state of grace .
Father could , in fact , opt not to distribute Communion .
”

March 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Sante Fe’s Archbishop John Charles Wester has asserted that Communion in the hand is “every bit as respectful” as receiving on the tongue in a statement regarding his response to the coronavirus.
“There is nothing ontologically preferable to receiving on the tongue,” he said as he announced that all communicants in the archdiocese must receive in the hand due to the coronavirus.
The archbishop said in a statement earlier this week that “[g]iven the highly contagious nature of the flu and the coronavirus, communicants MUST [capitalization in the original] receive Holy Communion in the hand and not on the tongue.”
“I realize that there are some who prefer to receive Holy Communion on the tongue,” the statement continued. “However, during the flu season and given the possibility of being exposed to the coronavirus, ALL [capitalization in the original] communicants are to receive Communion in the hand. What is important is that we receive our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion.
“How we receive, while very personal to the individual communicant, is not crucial. What is important is that we receive our Lord in Holy Communion. Receiving Communion in the hand is every bit as respectful as receiving on the tongue. There is nothing ontologically preferable to receiving on the tongue.”
Conversely, the Catholic Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, headed by Archbishop Alexander Sample, has issued guidelines saying a parish cannot ban the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue.
“After consulting with the Archbishop this office would like to clearly communicate that a parish cannot ban the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue, nor may an Ordinary or Extraordinary minister refuse a person requesting Holy Communion on the tongue. [Cf: Redemptionis Sacramentum 92. ‘Each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue at his choice.’],” the guidelines stated.
The archdiocese said it had consulted two physicians regarding the matter, one of whom was a specialist in immunology for the State of Oregon, and that they agreed that, done properly, the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue and in the hand pose a more or less equal risk.
“The risk of touching the tongue and passing the saliva on to others is obviously a danger however the chance of touching someone’s hand is equally probable and one’s hands have a greater exposure to germs,” the Portland archdiocese statement read.
A number of dioceses in France have already taken the step of banning Communion on the tongue while still allowing Communion in the hand. Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi, auxiliary of Malta, also issued a directive to churches in the country banning Communing on the tongue “pending further directives.” In response to the coronavirus, Catholic authorities in Jerusalem, Singapore, the Philippines, England and Wales, and a number of dioceses in the U.S and other parts of the world have also issued either directives or guidelines in favor of giving Communion in the hand but not on the tongue.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider, while arguing that Communion on the hand actually carries a greater risk of passing on viruses than Communion on the tongue, has suggested that some Church authorities are using the coronavirus as a “pretext” to trivialize reception of Communion.
“It seems also that some of them have a kind of cynical joy to spread more and more the process of trivialization and de-sacralization of the Most Holy and Divine Body of Christ in the Eucharistic sacrament, exposing the Body of the Lord himself to the real dangers of irreverence (loss of fragments) and sacrileges (theft of consecrated hosts),” he said.
Last month, an African archbishop decreed that Catholics in his diocese must receive Holy Communion only on the tongue in order to promote reverence for the Eucharist and to stop “abuses.”
Moreover, Schneider, along with a number of Catholic priests and members of the Catholic laity, has argued that Communion on the hand, in fact, carries a greater risk of passing on viruses than Communion on the tongue.
“From a hygienic point of view,” the bishop stated, “the hand carries a huge amount of bacteria. Many pathogens are transmitted through the hands. Whether by shaking other people’s hands or frequently touching objects, such as door handles or handrails and grab bars in public transport, germs can quickly pass from hand to hand; and with these unhygienic hands and fingers people then touch often their nose and mouth. Also, germs can sometimes survive on the surface of the touched objects for days.
“According to a 2006 study, published in the journal ‘BMC Infectious Diseases’, influenza viruses and similar viruses can persist on inanimate surfaces, such as e.g. door handles or handrails and handles in transport and public buildings for a few days,” he said.
He described any ban on Communion in the mouth as “unfounded compared to the great health risks of Communion in the hand in the time of a pandemic.”
Schneider said nobody can “force” a Catholic to receive the Body of Christ in a way that “constitutes a risk of the loss of the fragments, and a decrease in reverence, as is the way of receiving Communion in the hand.”
He recommended making a Spiritual Communion rather than receiving Communion in a trivial manner.
In an article on this issue on the New Liturgical Movement website, Dr. Peter Kwasniewski highlighted a letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, dated July 24, 2009, the year of the “Swine Flu” pandemic.
The letter states that the faithful “always” have the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue.
This Dicastery observes that its instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum (25 March 2004) clearly stipulates that “each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue” (n.92), nor is it licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ’s faithful who are not impeded by law from receiving the Holy Eucharist (cf. n. 91).
Dr. Kwasnieski additionally cites four pertinent texts, all explaining that Catholic faithful should not be obliged to receive Communion on the hand rather than the tongue.
Letter of April 3, 1985, from the Congregation for Divine Worship to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (Prot. 720/85):
The Holy See, since 1969, while maintaining the traditional manner of distributing communion, has granted to those Episcopal Conferences that have requested it, the faculty of distributing communion by placing the host in the hands of the faithful[.] … The faithful are not to be obliged to adopt the practice of communion in the hand. Each one is free to communicate in one way or the other.
Response by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Notitiae (April 1999):
Query: Whether in dioceses where it is allowed to distribute Communion in the hands of the faithful, a priest or extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may restrict communicants to receive Communion only in their hands, not on the tongue. Response: Certainly it is clear from the very documents of the Holy See that in dioceses where the Eucharistic bread is put in the hands of the faithful, the right to receive the Eucharistic bread on the tongue still remains intact to the faithful. Therefore, those who restrict communicants to receive Holy Communion only on in the hands are acting against the norms, as are those who refuse to Christ’s faithful [the right] to receive Communion in the hand in dioceses that enjoy this indult.
General Instruction of the Roman Missal. Issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, November 12, 2002; U.S. edition 2011, n. 161:
If Communion is given only under the species of bread, the Priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen, and receives the Sacrament either on the tongue or, where this is allowed, in the hand, the choice lying with the communicant.
Redemptionis Sacramentum — Instruction on Certain Matters to Be Observed or to Be Avoided Regarding the Most Holy Eucharist, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, March 25, 2004, art. 92:
Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice, if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand, in areas where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognition of the Apostolic See has given permission, the sacred host is to be administered to him or her.
U.S.-based priest Fr. John Zuhlsdorf explained on his popular blog that based on his experience of “nearly three decades of distributing Communion in both ways,” he doesn’t believe that Communion in the hand is safer than Communion on the tongue.
Fr. Zuhlsdorf states: “When distributing Communion directly on the tongue, I rarely, rarely, have any contact with the tongue. When distributing on the hand, there is often, quite often, contact with the communicant’s fingers or palms.”
“I don’t buy for a moment that pushing for Communion on the hand reduces the risk of spread of disease. I think that proper Communion on the tongue is safer,” he said.
The priest stated that a bishop “cannot require Communion in the hand at the Traditional Latin Mass.”
“The legislation of Summorum Pontificum is for the universal Latin Church and bishops cannot override it. The Instruction Universae Ecclesiae 28 says that Summorum Pontificum derogates from all liturgical law after 1962 that doesn’t agree with the laws of 1962.”
He said that if the coronavirus situation gets worse, so that there is “truly a great risk of contagion when out and around, A) you don’t have an obligation to fulfill and B) you don’t have to go to Communion to fulfill your obligation. You can make a spiritual Communion, since you are in the state of grace. Father could, in fact, opt not to distribute Communion.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--Bill banning boys who say they’re girls from women’s sports passes Arizona House

PHOENIX , March 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Arizona House voted 31-29 Tuesday to pass legislation ensuring that female school athletes will only compete against other females rather than gender-confused boys who claim to be girls .
House Bill 2706 , the “ Save Women 's Sports Act , ” would allow participants in high-school girls and college women ’ s athletics to dispute the biological sex of an athlete they suspect of actually being male , who would then have to produce a signed doctor ’ s statement confirming that genetic testing has identified them as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would also be shielded from retaliation .
`` Women are being displaced in their own sport .
The playing field is no longer level , '' said Republican state Rep. Nancy Barto , the bill ’ s author .
Calling the proposed requirement “ cruel , ” opponents of the bill claim it could open up transgender students to bullying – a charge Barto rejects .
`` I would say they 're really not looking at the true motive of the bill .
It 's not singling out anybody and it frankly does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports , ” she said , noting that biologically-male athletes could still play on either boys ’ teams or participate in coed sports .
Last June , the Journal of Medical Ethics published a paper concluding that “ healthy young men ( do ) not lose significant muscle mass ( or power ) when their circulating testosterone levels were reduced to ( below International Olympic Committee guidelines ) for 20 weeks , ” and “ indirect effects of testosterone ” on factors such as bone structure , lung volume , and heart size @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therapy ; ” therefore , “ the advantage to transwomen ( men ) afforded by the ( International Olympic Committee ) guidelines is an intolerable unfairness.
” Such findings are consistent with those of organizations like USA Powerlifting , which contends that “ men naturally have a larger bone structure , higher bone density , stronger connective tissue and higher muscle density than women .
These traits , even with reduced levels of testosterone , do not go away .
While MTF ( male-to-female ) may be weaker and less muscle than they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them at birth still remain over than ( sic ) of a female.
” Nevertheless , grouping athletes based on their claimed “ gender identity ” is increasingly common – and contentious – in the United States and around the world , with many female athletes objecting that they are being denied records and victories meant to denote excellence among actual females .
HB 2706 now advances to the majority-GOP Arizona Senate for consideration .
Republican Gov .
Doug Ducey has not yet said whether he would sign it into law .

Suspected male competitors would have to provide a doctor's statement that proves they're female under the 'Save Women's Sports Act.'
PHOENIX, March 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Arizona House voted 31-29 Tuesday to pass legislation ensuring that female school athletes will only compete against other females rather than gender-confused boys who claim to be girls.
House Bill 2706, the “Save Women's Sports Act,” would allow participants in high-school girls and college women’s athletics to dispute the biological sex of an athlete they suspect of actually being male, who would then have to produce a signed doctor’s statement confirming that genetic testing has identified them as female, CBS 5 reported. Accusers would also be shielded from retaliation.
“Women are being displaced in their own sport. The playing field is no longer level,” said Republican state Rep. Nancy Barto, the bill’s author.
Calling the proposed requirement “cruel,” opponents of the bill claim it could open up transgender students to bullying – a charge Barto rejects.
“I would say they're really not looking at the true motive of the bill. It's not singling out anybody and it frankly doesn't discriminate or ban anybody from playing sports,” she said, noting that biologically-male athletes could still play on either boys’ teams or participate in coed sports.
Last June, the Journal of Medical Ethics published a paper concluding that “healthy young men (do) not lose significant muscle mass (or power) when their circulating testosterone levels were reduced to (below International Olympic Committee guidelines) for 20 weeks,” and “indirect effects of testosterone” on factors such as bone structure, lung volume, and heart size “will not be altered by hormone therapy;” therefore, “the advantage to transwomen (men) afforded by the (International Olympic Committee) guidelines is an intolerable unfairness.”
Such findings are consistent with those of organizations like USA Powerlifting, which contends that “men naturally have a larger bone structure, higher bone density, stronger connective tissue and higher muscle density than women. These traits, even with reduced levels of testosterone, do not go away. While MTF (male-to-female) may be weaker and less muscle than they once were, the biological benefits given them at birth still remain over than (sic) of a female.”
Nevertheless, grouping athletes based on their claimed “gender identity” is increasingly common – and contentious – in the United States and around the world, with many female athletes objecting that they are being denied records and victories meant to denote excellence among actual females.
HB 2706 now advances to the majority-GOP Arizona Senate for consideration. Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has not yet said whether he would sign it into law.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--Protesters to descend on Pornhub’s world HQ in wake of illegal child rape vids

PETITION : Authorities must shut down Pornhub after showing videos of 15-year-old trafficking victim !
Sign the petition here .
MONTREAL , Quebec , March 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A protest will be held on International Women ’ s Day outside the Montreal office of MindGeek , the parent company of Pornhub , the world ’ s largest pornography website .
The demonstrators are calling for Pornhub to be closed down based on “ corroborated evidence that the company is aiding and profiting off of the sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is sponsoring the event .
Traffickinghub is the campaign to close PornHub that is being spearheaded by Laila Mickelwait , of the California-based pornography abolition organization Exodus Cry .
Mickelwait broke the story in February that Pornhub had uploaded dozens of videos to its site of a 15-year-old victim of human-trafficking being raped .
Pornhub subsequently admitted it had “ verified ” the girl , who had been missing for more than a year , as a “ model with valid 18+ ID.
” The “ shocking evidence that Pornhub does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of millions of people featured in hardcore sex acts on its site ” created worldwide outrage , which is what organizers of the March 8 rally in Montreal “ want to publicize , ” the Traffickinghub press release stated .
“ Pornhub is described as a ‘ super predator ’ with 42 billion visits per year that generate enormous profits for MindGeek and its executives , ” it said .
“ PayPal recently pulled its services from the site amid evidence surfacing that over 118 instances of child sexual abuse were found on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These instances are seen as just the tip of the iceberg.
” The rally is the latest initiative in a number of efforts to shut down Pornhub , with the Traffickinghub campaign “ supported by a broad spectrum of over 75 organizations as well as experts and survivors of all backgrounds.
” Mickelwait ’ s petition has reached nearly 368,000 signatures thus far .
LifeSite also launched a petition asking U.S. and Canadian authorities to investigate and shut down Pornhub .
It has gone viral , with 21,000 people signing in under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LifeSite ’ s campaign coordinator .
“ People want to know if there are more victims of human-trafficking , rape , and child pornography still hosted on Pornhub , and they want to know if Pornhub has profited from these vile activities , ” he said .
“ People , on the right and the left , want justice after this case…they want Pornhub investigated and shut down.
” Meanwhile , Georges Buscemi of the Montreal-based Campagne-Quebec Vie has been publicizing the little-known fact that Pornhub ’ s parent company is MindGeek .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he received a tip that Pornhub was located in his city when gathering information on the sex-ed lobby .
He investigated and discovered that three Concordia University students started the business back in 2003 .
They had the high-level coding skills to build the complicated algorithms needed set up and monetize affiliate networks — those legions of free porn sites used to funnel porn users to sites they will pay for .
Pornhub is based in Montreal because “ Montreal is a programmer and geek hub ” and home to a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualified programmers , ” he explained .
When YouTube became mainstream in 2005 , the students created Pornhub , which Buscemi described as “ the YouTube of porn , ” and the company ’ s growth exploded .
MindGeek keeps a low profile and operates out of a nondescript building where it makes enormous amounts of money — generating over $ 800 million ( CDN ) a year and millions of views every day — as evidence mounts that it is complicit in and abets sex-trafficking , rape , and the exploitation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other way .
“ They want to portray themselves as a run-of-the-mill bland startup tech company and that they ’ re just a bunch of geeks and that they like programming ... they want to keep it that way because they do n't want anyone to be embarrassed or uncomfortable with the situation.
” Buscemi is determined to do what he can to expose MindGeek .
To this end , he contacted Mickelwait .
The result is Sunday ’ s demonstration at MindGeek , which Mickelwait is publicizing to the thousands who signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press release , Megan Walker , executive director of the London Abused Women ’ s Centre in Ontario , will lead the rally , which will be attended by independent senator Julie Miville-Dechêne , as well as “ women and children ’ s advocacy NGOs , activists , and concerned citizens.
” It will be held at 7777 Decarie Blvd.
, Montreal , Quebec , Canada , from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. Sign the petition here asking authorities to shut down Pornhub .

The demonstrators are calling for Pornhub to be closed down based on 'corroborated evidence that the company is aiding and profiting off of the sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children.'
PETITION: Authorities must shut down Pornhub after showing videos of 15-year-old trafficking victim! Sign the petition here.
WARNING: This report contains disturbing content.
MONTREAL, Quebec, March 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A protest will be held on International Women’s Day outside the Montreal office of MindGeek, the parent company of Pornhub, the world’s largest pornography website.
The demonstrators are calling for Pornhub to be closed down based on “corroborated evidence that the company is aiding and profiting off of the sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children,” says a press release from Traffickinghub, which is sponsoring the event.
Traffickinghub is the campaign to close PornHub that is being spearheaded by Laila Mickelwait, of the California-based pornography abolition organization Exodus Cry.
Mickelwait broke the story in February that Pornhub had uploaded dozens of videos to its site of a 15-year-old victim of human-trafficking being raped.
Pornhub subsequently admitted it had “verified” the girl, who had been missing for more than a year, as a “model with valid 18+ ID.”
The “shocking evidence that Pornhub does not require verification of the age or consent of millions of people featured in hardcore sex acts on its site” created worldwide outrage, which is what organizers of the March 8 rally in Montreal “want to publicize,” the Traffickinghub press release stated.
“Pornhub is described as a ‘super predator’ with 42 billion visits per year that generate enormous profits for MindGeek and its executives,” it said.
“PayPal recently pulled its services from the site amid evidence surfacing that over 118 instances of child sexual abuse were found on the site by the Internet Watch Foundation. These instances are seen as just the tip of the iceberg.”
The rally is the latest initiative in a number of efforts to shut down Pornhub, with the Traffickinghub campaign “supported by a broad spectrum of over 75 organizations as well as experts and survivors of all backgrounds.” Mickelwait’s petition has reached nearly 368,000 signatures thus far.
LifeSite also launched a petition asking U.S. and Canadian authorities to investigate and shut down Pornhub.
It has gone viral, with 21,000 people signing in under 24 hours, said Scott Schittl, LifeSite’s campaign coordinator.
“People want to know if there are more victims of human-trafficking, rape, and child pornography still hosted on Pornhub, and they want to know if Pornhub has profited from these vile activities,” he said.
“People, on the right and the left, want justice after this case…they want Pornhub investigated and shut down.”
Meanwhile, Georges Buscemi of the Montreal-based Campagne-Quebec Vie has been publicizing the little-known fact that Pornhub’s parent company is MindGeek.
Buscemi told LifeSite’s John-Henry Westen that he received a tip that Pornhub was located in his city when gathering information on the sex-ed lobby.
He investigated and discovered that three Concordia University students started the business back in 2003. They had the high-level coding skills to build the complicated algorithms needed set up and monetize affiliate networks — those legions of free porn sites used to funnel porn users to sites they will pay for.
Pornhub is based in Montreal because “Montreal is a programmer and geek hub” and home to a number of universities that churn out “highly qualified programmers,” he explained.
When YouTube became mainstream in 2005, the students created Pornhub, which Buscemi described as “the YouTube of porn,” and the company’s growth exploded.
MindGeek keeps a low profile and operates out of a nondescript building where it makes enormous amounts of money — generating over $800 million (CDN) a year and millions of views every day — as evidence mounts that it is complicit in and abets sex-trafficking, rape, and the exploitation of women and children while politicians look the other way.
“They want to portray themselves as a run-of-the-mill bland startup tech company and that they’re just a bunch of geeks and that they like programming…they want to keep it that way because they don't want anyone to be embarrassed or uncomfortable with the situation.”
Buscemi is determined to do what he can to expose MindGeek. To this end, he contacted Mickelwait.
The result is Sunday’s demonstration at MindGeek, which Mickelwait is publicizing to the thousands who signed her petition.
According to the Traffickinghub press release, Megan Walker, executive director of the London Abused Women’s Centre in Ontario, will lead the rally, which will be attended by independent senator Julie Miville-Dechêne, as well as “women and children’s advocacy NGOs, activists, and concerned citizens.”
It will be held at 7777 Decarie Blvd., Montreal, Quebec, Canada, from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M.
Sign the petition here asking authorities to shut down Pornhub.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--Pope Francis tells Chinese Catholics to be ‘good citizens,’ not engage in ‘proselytism’

ROME , Italy , March 6 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Pope Francis encouraged Chinese Catholics in the communist-run country to be “ good citizens ” and not to engage in “ proselytism.
” “ The Church wants Chinese Christians to be truly Christians , and to be good citizens , ” Pope Francis said .
“ They should promote the Gospel , but without engaging in proselytism , and they need to achieve the unity of the divided Catholic community , ” he said , likely referring to the distinction between an official state-sanctioned church and the underground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church in China “ looks to the future with hope.
” The remarks of the Holy Father come as part of a video presenting his prayer intentions for the month of March .
He concluded the brief video by asking for prayer “ that the Church in China may persevere in its faithfulness to the Gospel and grow in unity.
” In 2018 , the Vatican and the Chinese government made a deal on the latter ’ s role in Church affairs .
The details of that deal are not public .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the underground church , which is still being persecuted by the Chinese government today .
The Vatican-China deal seemingly legitimized the Communist-organized Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association ( CPCA ) , despite its allegiance to the pro-abortion , pro-contraception Chinese government over the Church .
Accordingly , while Pope Francis thinks “ the Church in China looks to the future with hope , ” the situation on the ground looks rather grim .
Only recently , the human rights magazine Bitter Winter reported “ believers were offered monetary rewards if they agreed to ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put pressure on them to join the CPCA.
” This took place in the Diocese of Mindong in the southeastern province of Fujian .
Refusing to join the CPCA , those priests are exposed to “ threats , coercion , and suppression.
” READ : ‘ Intense ’ spike in Christian persecution after China ’ s secret deal with Vatican : US gov ’ t report The local government in a part of the diocese had invited Catholics to a meeting , telling them that priests who refuse to join the state-sanctioned “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guo Xijin , an auxiliary bishop in the diocese – need to be “ transformed.
” “ They promised that churches would function normally as long as the priests joined ” the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association .
Then , Catholics were offered bribes to help with integrating priests of the underground church into the state-sanctioned “ church.
” “ Moreover , the participants were asked to create compromising situations , for example , pretend to be giving money to priests or have women pose as if they are involved with them , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to intimidate them , ” Bitter Winter continued .
As a last step , priests who continue to resist “ will be put under house arrest , and their power and water supply would be cut off .
They will be pressured ‘ until they break down , go insane , or even commit suicide.
’ ” Hong Kong ’ s Cardinal Joseph Zen has been the most prominent and outspoken critic of the secret deal between the Vatican and China .
In February , Zen told LifeSiteNews in an exclusive video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been objectively schismatic ” and remains that way , “ but with the blessing from the Holy See.
” As he had done before , Zen attacked Vatican Secretary of State , Cardinal Pietro Parolin , as “ not acting for the faith.
” “ I ’ m sorry to say , he is not a man of faith because he despises the heroes of faith , ” Zen said about the cardinal who is , to a large extent , responsible for the deal between the Vatican and China .
Commenting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ never accept compromise .
They want full surrender .
And so now we are at the bottom .
They finished the operation selling the Church.
” Vatican letter criticizes Cardinal Zen , says Chinese ‘ patriotic ’ church is no longer ‘ independent ’

Meanwhile, Catholics are bribed to pressure priests to join the state-sanctioned church.
PETITION: Support Cardinal Zen's plea to stop the “murder of the Church in China” Sign the petition here.
ROME, Italy, March 6, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Pope Francis encouraged Chinese Catholics in the communist-run country to be “good citizens” and not to engage in “proselytism.”
“The Church wants Chinese Christians to be truly Christians, and to be good citizens,” Pope Francis said. “They should promote the Gospel, but without engaging in proselytism, and they need to achieve the unity of the divided Catholic community,” he said, likely referring to the distinction between an official state-sanctioned church and the underground church.
The Pope claimed that the Church in China “looks to the future with hope.” The remarks of the Holy Father come as part of a video presenting his prayer intentions for the month of March.
He concluded the brief video by asking for prayer “that the Church in China may persevere in its faithfulness to the Gospel and grow in unity.”
In 2018, the Vatican and the Chinese government made a deal on the latter’s role in Church affairs. The details of that deal are not public. Since the 1950s, the Vatican had supported the underground church, which is still being persecuted by the Chinese government today. The Vatican-China deal seemingly legitimized the Communist-organized Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA), despite its allegiance to the pro-abortion, pro-contraception Chinese government over the Church.
Accordingly, while Pope Francis thinks “the Church in China looks to the future with hope,” the situation on the ground looks rather grim.
Only recently, the human rights magazine Bitter Winter reported “believers were offered monetary rewards if they agreed to ask the priests’ relatives and friends to put pressure on them to join the CPCA.”
This took place in the Diocese of Mindong in the southeastern province of Fujian. Refusing to join the CPCA, those priests are exposed to “threats, coercion, and suppression.”
READ: ‘Intense’ spike in Christian persecution after China’s secret deal with Vatican: US gov’t report
The local government in a part of the diocese had invited Catholics to a meeting, telling them that priests who refuse to join the state-sanctioned “church” – for instance, Bishop Guo Xijin, an auxiliary bishop in the diocese – need to be “transformed.”
“They promised that churches would function normally as long as the priests joined” the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. Then, Catholics were offered bribes to help with integrating priests of the underground church into the state-sanctioned “church.”
“Moreover, the participants were asked to create compromising situations, for example, pretend to be giving money to priests or have women pose as if they are involved with them, and take photos, which would later be used to intimidate them,” Bitter Winter continued.
As a last step, priests who continue to resist “will be put under house arrest, and their power and water supply would be cut off. They will be pressured ‘until they break down, go insane, or even commit suicide.’”
Hong Kong’s Cardinal Joseph Zen has been the most prominent and outspoken critic of the secret deal between the Vatican and China.
In February, Zen told LifeSiteNews in an exclusive video interview that the CPCA “has always been objectively schismatic” and remains that way, “but with the blessing from the Holy See.”
As he had done before, Zen attacked Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, as “not acting for the faith.”
“I’m sorry to say, he is not a man of faith because he despises the heroes of faith,” Zen said about the cardinal who is, to a large extent, responsible for the deal between the Vatican and China.
Commenting on the deal, Zen warned that communists “never accept compromise. They want full surrender. And so now we are at the bottom. They finished the operation selling the Church.”
RELATED:
Vatican letter criticizes Cardinal Zen, says Chinese ‘patriotic’ church is no longer ‘independent’
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