lifesitenews--2020-04-14--Liberal politician backs single-sex spaces after learning transgenders in female jails raped staff

April 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Two contrasting pieces of news crossed my path today .
In the UK , the most liberal of the candidates for last year ’ s contest for the leadership of the Conservative Party , and now a non-party affiliated candidate for election and Mayor of London , Rory Stewart , recounted that when he had been a government minister with responsibility for prisons , there had been cases of ( as he put it ) “ male prisoners self-identifying as females ” raping members of staff .
For this reason , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ female spaces , ” such a public lavatory , to all comers .
The other news item was that a women ’ s shelter in Canada , Vancouver Rape Relief , has been deprived of public funding for not letting in , well , all comers .
Furthermore , it has been described in an article on Medium as a “ neo-nazi style ” , “ cryptofacist ” “ hate group ” for this stance .
Even more intriguingly , when I clicked on the link to read the article making these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an error message : “ This post is under investigation or was found in violation of the Medium Rules.
” So here ’ s a screenshot from Twitter .
Yes , readers , this will run and run .
Some have suggested that the experience of politicians who found themselves on the losing side of the conflict—let ’ s not call it an “ argument ” —about same-sex “ marriage ” convinced many in the political class that the only thing to do when a “ woke ” bandwagon is rolling is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” more loudly than anyone else , no matter how much popular opposition there might be to it .
My personal favourite example of this process was the referendum in Taiwan which rejected changing marriage , which was simply ignored .
Letting prisoners , including those convicted of sexual crimes , choose whether to serve their prison sentences in prisons full or men or prisons full of women was , obviously , insane .
Certainly , ministers had been assured by advocates for “ trans rights ” that the only people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were either women in the normal sense or people with “ female brains ” and personality , who wouldn ’ t hurt a fly .
But since it was part of the program that no assessment be made of the individuals concerned to determine whether this generalisation held true for each one , this claim seems a pretty feeble basis on which to build policy .
Didn ’ t ministers worry that they would be responsible for making possible horrible crimes ?
As Rory Stewart reminds us , these crimes have now been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against female staff .
Female prison officers are trained in self-defence , but criminals can be pretty handy in that department too , and those whose physical development has taken place in the context of male puberty will almost certainly be bigger-boned and stronger than even well-developed “ cis ” women .
If anyone had been in any doubt on that point , the capture of female sports by “ trans women ” should have settled the matter .
A purer example of the triumph of ideology over common sense would be difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ astonished at was has been going on .
The witch-panics , by comparison , were localised and episodic , but this is persistent and global .
There are , however , signs that the “ trans rights ” movement may have overreached : resistance is becoming less unsayable , at least on my side of the Atlantic .
But the extraordinary willingness of policy-makers and legislators to dismiss the interests of vulnerable people such as rape victims in order to burnish their woke credentials should not be forgotten .
They should be held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have in at least some cases be held to account for their tolerance of paedophilia in the 1970s .
From an abstract point of view , it is a fascinating phenomenon .
In some ways , it continues longer-term trends , such as against sex-specific jobs .
So , men and women are basically interchangeable , right ?
But actually the trans movement is saying the opposite of this .
The categories of male and female are of supreme importance for them , while they simultaneously empty them of objective content .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to hold these two ideas together at the same time : the distinction between male and female is of fundamental importance and yet lacking in meaning .
A nice example was given by the female candidates for the recent leadership election for the British Labour Party , who were unable to answer an apparently simple question : “ what is a woman ?
” .
What , after all , is the officially approved , ideologically correct answer to that question ?
I particularly liked this approach : “ What is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” It may be another straw in the wind that the Labour Party contest was won by Keir Starmer , the candidate apparently least enthusiastic about the trans agenda , and also the only man .

Rory Stewart recounted that when he had been a government minister with responsibility for prisons, there had been cases of 'male prisoners self-identifying as females' raping members of staff
April 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Two contrasting pieces of news crossed my path today. In the UK, the most liberal of the candidates for last year’s contest for the leadership of the Conservative Party, and now a non-party affiliated candidate for election and Mayor of London, Rory Stewart, recounted that when he had been a government minister with responsibility for prisons, there had been cases of (as he put it) “male prisoners self-identifying as females” raping members of staff. For this reason, he is not in favor of opening up “female spaces,” such a public lavatory, to all comers.
The other news item was that a women’s shelter in Canada, Vancouver Rape Relief, has been deprived of public funding for not letting in, well, all comers. Furthermore, it has been described in an article on Medium as a “neo-nazi style”, “cryptofacist” “hate group” for this stance. Even more intriguingly, when I clicked on the link to read the article making these claims, I was instead presented with an error message: “This post is under investigation or was found in violation of the Medium Rules.” So here’s a screenshot from Twitter.
Yes, readers, this will run and run. Some have suggested that the experience of politicians who found themselves on the losing side of the conflict—let’s not call it an “argument”—about same-sex “marriage” convinced many in the political class that the only thing to do when a “woke” bandwagon is rolling is to jump on board and shout “hurrah!” more loudly than anyone else, no matter how much popular opposition there might be to it. My personal favourite example of this process was the referendum in Taiwan which rejected changing marriage, which was simply ignored.
Letting prisoners, including those convicted of sexual crimes, choose whether to serve their prison sentences in prisons full or men or prisons full of women was, obviously, insane. Certainly, ministers had been assured by advocates for “trans rights” that the only people who would want to be incarcerated with women were either women in the normal sense or people with “female brains” and personality, who wouldn’t hurt a fly. But since it was part of the program that no assessment be made of the individuals concerned to determine whether this generalisation held true for each one, this claim seems a pretty feeble basis on which to build policy.
Didn’t ministers worry that they would be responsible for making possible horrible crimes? As Rory Stewart reminds us, these crimes have now been committed not only against prisoners, but against female staff. Female prison officers are trained in self-defence, but criminals can be pretty handy in that department too, and those whose physical development has taken place in the context of male puberty will almost certainly be bigger-boned and stronger than even well-developed “cis” women.
If anyone had been in any doubt on that point, the capture of female sports by “trans women” should have settled the matter.
A purer example of the triumph of ideology over common sense would be difficult to imagine. Future generations will be astonished at was has been going on. The witch-panics, by comparison, were localised and episodic, but this is persistent and global. There are, however, signs that the “trans rights” movement may have overreached: resistance is becoming less unsayable, at least on my side of the Atlantic. But the extraordinary willingness of policy-makers and legislators to dismiss the interests of vulnerable people such as rape victims in order to burnish their woke credentials should not be forgotten. They should be held to account for this, just as they have in at least some cases be held to account for their tolerance of paedophilia in the 1970s.
From an abstract point of view, it is a fascinating phenomenon. In some ways, it continues longer-term trends, such as against sex-specific jobs. So, men and women are basically interchangeable, right? But actually the trans movement is saying the opposite of this. The categories of male and female are of supreme importance for them, while they simultaneously empty them of objective content. It is interesting to watch a politician trying to hold these two ideas together at the same time: the distinction between male and female is of fundamental importance and yet lacking in meaning. A nice example was given by the female candidates for the recent leadership election for the British Labour Party, who were unable to answer an apparently simple question: “what is a woman?”.
What, after all, is the officially approved, ideologically correct answer to that question? I particularly liked this approach: “What is a woman? It depends why you ask.”
It may be another straw in the wind that the Labour Party contest was won by Keir Starmer, the candidate apparently least enthusiastic about the trans agenda, and also the only man.
Follow Joseph Dr Joseph Shaw has a Doctorate in Philosophy from Oxford University, where he also gained a first degree in Politics and Philosophy and a graduate Diploma in Theology. He has published on Ethics and Philosophy of Religion and is the editor of The Case for Liturgical Restoration: Una Voce Position Papers on the Extraordinary Form (Angelico Press). He is the Chairman of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales and Secretary of Una Voce International. He teaches Philosophy in Oxford University and lives nearby with his wife and nine children.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-14--New York Times cuts Biden’s roaming hands history from report on sexual-assault claims

April 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The ex-Senate staffer accusing former Vice President Joe Biden of sexual assault has filed a police report against the presumptive Democrat presidential nominee , leading to a stark contrast between the mainstream media ’ s coverage of the story and its past handling of similar accusations against Republicans .
Tara Reade alleges that in 1993 then-U.S .
Senator Biden assaulted her in a “ semi-private ” stairwell on Capitol Hill .
“ He had me against the wall , ” she says .
“ And then his hands were down my skirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was wearing – I wasn ’ t wearing anything underneath .
And then , with his hand , he went from there and entered me – with his hand – and as he was trying to kiss me , and saying things to me.
” Reade , who has a history of criticizing Biden and championing socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders on social media , added that she “ was in a very difficult position because he was my boss and he was like my dad ’ s age at the time , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ this champion of women ’ s rights in my eyes and I couldn ’ t believe it was happening .
It didn ’ t seem – it seemed surreal .
I just – I knew – I just felt sick.
” The Biden campaign has responded by declaring the claim is “ untrue ” and “ absolutely did not happen.
” Undeterred , Reade filed a police report on the matter Thursday , the Associated Press reported .
In response , The New York Times published a report on the case stating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault surfaced in the course of reporting , nor did any former Biden staff members corroborate any details of Ms. Reade ’ s allegation .
The Times found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden , beyond the hugs , kisses and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable . ''
The passage was subsequently edited to remove the reference to Biden ’ s well-documented habit of inappropriate , unwanted touching .
It now reads , No other allegation about sexual assault surfaced in the course of reporting , nor did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details of Ms. Reade ’ s allegation .
The Times found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr .
Biden . ''
On Monday , the Times published an interview between its executive editor , Dean Baquet , and media reporter Ben Smith , in which Baquet seemingly admits the change was made at the behest of the Biden campaign .
`` Even though a lot of us , including me , had looked at it before the story went into the paper , I think that the campaign thought that the phrasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were other instances in which he had been accused of sexual misconduct , and that 's not what the sentence was intended to say , ” he said .
Baquet also defended the Times for not reporting on the story until almost three weeks after Reade went public , on the grounds that the paper simply took the time to collect “ all the information ” a reader “ needs to think about what to make of this thing ” rather than immediately publishing a “ short , straightforward news story.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very different approach to the allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on the grounds that “ it was a live , ongoing story that had become the biggest political story in the country .
It was just a different news judgment moment.
” Whatever the truth of Reade ’ s claims , they pose a challenge to Biden ’ s own past statements on sexual assault .
In 2018 , Biden said of the Kavanaugh controversy , “ for a woman to come forward in the glaring lights of focus , nationally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off with the presumption that at least the essence of what she ’ s talking about is real , whether or not she forgets facts , whether or not it ’ s been made worse or better over time .
But nobody fails to understand that this is like jumping into a cauldron.
” The ardently pro-abortion Biden is the presumptive nominee for the Democrat presidential nomination to face President Donald Trump in November .

The newspaper's executive editor acknowledged that the story was altered after a request from the Democrat's campaign.
April 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The ex-Senate staffer accusing former Vice President Joe Biden of sexual assault has filed a police report against the presumptive Democrat presidential nominee, leading to a stark contrast between the mainstream media’s coverage of the story and its past handling of similar accusations against Republicans.
Tara Reade alleges that in 1993 then-U.S. Senator Biden assaulted her in a “semi-private” stairwell on Capitol Hill. “He had me against the wall,” she says. “And then his hands were down my skirt and up my skirt. And I was wearing – I wasn’t wearing anything underneath. And then, with his hand, he went from there and entered me – with his hand – and as he was trying to kiss me, and saying things to me.”
Reade, who has a history of criticizing Biden and championing socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders on social media, added that she “was in a very difficult position because he was my boss and he was like my dad’s age at the time,” and that beforehand she admired Biden as “this champion of women’s rights in my eyes and I couldn’t believe it was happening. It didn’t seem – it seemed surreal. I just – I knew – I just felt sick.”
The Biden campaign has responded by declaring the claim is “untrue” and “absolutely did not happen.” Undeterred, Reade filed a police report on the matter Thursday, the Associated Press reported.
In response, The New York Times published a report on the case stating, “No other allegation about sexual assault surfaced in the course of reporting, nor did any former Biden staff members corroborate any details of Ms. Reade’s allegation. The Times found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden, beyond the hugs, kisses and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable.”
The passage was subsequently edited to remove the reference to Biden’s well-documented habit of inappropriate, unwanted touching. It now reads, No other allegation about sexual assault surfaced in the course of reporting, nor did any former Biden staff members corroborate any details of Ms. Reade’s allegation. The Times found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden.”
On Monday, the Times published an interview between its executive editor, Dean Baquet, and media reporter Ben Smith, in which Baquet seemingly admits the change was made at the behest of the Biden campaign.
“Even though a lot of us, including me, had looked at it before the story went into the paper, I think that the campaign thought that the phrasing was awkward and made it look like there were other instances in which he had been accused of sexual misconduct, and that's not what the sentence was intended to say,” he said.
Baquet also defended the Times for not reporting on the story until almost three weeks after Reade went public, on the grounds that the paper simply took the time to collect “all the information” a reader “needs to think about what to make of this thing” rather than immediately publishing a “short, straightforward news story.”
By contrast, he justified taking a very different approach to the allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on the grounds that “it was a live, ongoing story that had become the biggest political story in the country. It was just a different news judgment moment.”
Whatever the truth of Reade’s claims, they pose a challenge to Biden’s own past statements on sexual assault. In 2018, Biden said of the Kavanaugh controversy, “for a woman to come forward in the glaring lights of focus, nationally, you’ve got to start off with the presumption that at least the essence of what she’s talking about is real, whether or not she forgets facts, whether or not it’s been made worse or better over time. But nobody fails to understand that this is like jumping into a cauldron.”
The ardently pro-abortion Biden is the presumptive nominee for the Democrat presidential nomination to face President Donald Trump in November.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-14--Live-streaming Mass during pandemic highlights weakness of Vatican II liturgy

April 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Many liturgists today , laments Walter Hoeres , “ understand the Mass not so much as cult , as sacrifice , but much more as God ’ s deed for man ; just as if , contrary to all great theologians and all councils , we were concerned not so much with worshipping and glorifying the Almighty and accordingly with an atoning sacrifice , but above all with human well-being.
” How often have we encountered this mentality : the liturgy as affirmation workshop , as communal talent-show , as a stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ hearts , as a running commentary on current events ( especially through Thunberg-style intercessions ) , and everything else—except the awesome mystery of the sacrifice of the Cross through which we adore the Father in spirit and in truth ?
In an article posted on April 13 at New Liturgical Movement , “ Live-Streaming the Absurdity of Versus Populum and the Prayerfulness of Ad Orientem , ” I describe how this very odd moment in our history—when the vast majority of Catholics are limited to praying under their own roofs , either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video screen—has brought home in a vivid way precisely the contrast that Hoeres describes .
The Reverend Mr. Rogers with the broad smile caresses the cold camera as he leads the flock to pastures of pastel sentimentality : this episode is about human well-being ( albeit understood in a narrow sense ) .
On the other hand , a few clicks of the mouse bring one to an Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest solemn Good Friday Mass of the Presanctified .
The Reverend Father , assisted by a deacon with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he faces forward to the altar , which is his focus and ours .
We barely catch a glimpse of his face , we do not make eye contact , we feel—blessedly !
—excluded from his recorded attention .
It consoles us and inspires us to know that he does have us , at least generally , in mind , because he is praying earnestly to God to grant us His mercy and grace , which is just what we need for our real human well-being .
A liturgy like this leads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prayer .
“ Lord , it is good for us to be here ” ( Mt 17:4 ) .
This remark of St. Peter on Mount Tabor has a melancholy taste if we savor it at this moment .
The one who watches a live-streamed Mass is actually here , in his more or less messy living room or office space , and not there , where Mass ( or any other church service ) is taking place in the Real Presence of God .
It gives us a taste of what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside looking in : a convert who awaits baptism , longing to feel the cool water trickle down his head or feel the oil smeared on his brow ; a famished man who has had enough of imaginary meals and wants to dig into a piece of meat and a pint of stout .
“ Lord , it is good for us to be… sort of… here , I mean , there… ” All that the Lord in His Providence wills or permits is for the good of those who love Him ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are some of the precious and valuable lessons we can draw from this moment ?
First , it does make all the difference in the world to be really present to the Mass , as Our Lord makes Himself really present to us .
The Church repudiated the early heresy of Docetism , which held that the humanity of Jesus was merely apparent , a sort of holographic illusion produced by divine power .
Given a radical choice between the one and the other , we would chuck our screen into the dustbin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person , and bring our bodies into contact with the glorified Body of Christ .
For “ the flesh of Christ is the hinge of salvation , ” as Tertullian says .
If He has not risen in the flesh , our faith is in vain ( cf .
1 Cor 15:14 ) .
Second , this time of separation reminds us that we , the faithful , are also part of the Eucharistic sign .
What I mean is this .
Christ instituted the Eucharist not just as an object of adoration—which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a means of uniting us with Himself in one Mystical Body , the Church .
Hence St. Thomas Aquinas says that the res tantum or reality signified by the Eucharist is the unity of this Mystical Body : we are being led through the sacrament to our ultimate communion with Christ and the saints in heaven .
So , that is why it is symbolically important for us to be at Mass : when we are physically in one place worshiping under the headship of the priest who symbolizes and acts on behalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are forming a visible image of the Mystical Body we are called to be , Head and members .
When people are scattered to the four winds , they are not , at that moment , showing forth in their persons the ultimate unity Christ came to bring to us and to bring us to .
The Mass is truly a social or communal act , even if it is never to be reduced to a horizontal function in its manner of celebration .
Third , our tradition informs the way we offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the mystery of faith “ in play ” and properly related to one another .
Thus , a celebration of Mass in which the faithful appeared to be ordered towards the individual man He has deigned to use as His servant rather than toward Christ the High Priest would be erroneous and could be considered sacrilegious inasmuch as it detracts from the sovereignty and centrality of Christ .
This is why the versus populum liturgy is such a huge problem , magnified a thousandfold on the screen : it makes the minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is where our belonging to another and not to ourselves is ritually acted out and really enacted in this land of exile .
“ You are not your own ; you were bought with a price ” ( 1 Cor 6:19 ) .
The only way for man to be healed , elevated , saved , is through the selfless worship and glorification of God ; the only path to wholeness , to the acquisition of a self worthy of the name , is the atoning sacrifice of Christ , which makes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to God in friendship .
We are called to become like him in all those ways , to be re-created in him , “ to the praise of his glorious grace , which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved ” ( Eph .
1:6 ) .
The Mass belongs to the Beloved , the Bridegroom , not to the friend of the bridegroom ( cf .
Jn 3:29 ) .
For those who enter into the mystery of unity both symbolized by and really contained in the Eucharist , the liturgy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ image of Christ , perfect Image of the Father .
With traditional liturgical practices , we are broken by ascetical and ritual demands that stretch us beyond our comfort zone , so that we might be reshaped , re-created—not according to our own conceptions of appropriate form and suitable matter for “ Modern Man , ” but according to the Lord ’ s , in relation to which we are as clay to the potter .
Over the course of Church history , the Lord has led us , by His Holy Spirit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to carry out right worship .
Without a theocentric focus , liturgy will do little more than validate a community ’ s collective conceit , replacing the burning bush with warm fuzzies .
As long as circumstances force us to follow liturgy “ from a distance , ” we should take up traditional missals or prayerbooks , and , if we find it profitable to meditate and pray with live-streamed services , should make a point of watching liturgies that are fully traditional in their texts , in their spirit , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orientation in the literal sense : facing oriens , eastwards .
As the Benedictus antiphon of the Easter Vigil proclaims : “ And very early in the morning , the first day of the week , they came to the sepulcher , the sun being now risen [ orto jam sole ] , Alleluia.
” May the Sun of Justice , whose coming will be “ from the east ” at the end of time ( Mt 24:27 ) , have mercy on us and lead His people back to the harbor of @ @

April 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Many liturgists today, laments Walter Hoeres, “understand the Mass not so much as cult, as sacrifice, but much more as God’s deed for man; just as if, contrary to all great theologians and all councils, we were concerned not so much with worshipping and glorifying the Almighty and accordingly with an atoning sacrifice, but above all with human well-being.”
How often have we encountered this mentality: the liturgy as affirmation workshop, as communal talent-show, as a stage for the chickabiddies to warm their grandmothers’ hearts, as a running commentary on current events (especially through Thunberg-style intercessions), and everything else—except the awesome mystery of the sacrifice of the Cross through which we adore the Father in spirit and in truth?
In an article posted on April 13 at New Liturgical Movement, “Live-Streaming the Absurdity of Versus Populum and the Prayerfulness of Ad Orientem,” I describe how this very odd moment in our history—when the vast majority of Catholics are limited to praying under their own roofs, either reading from their missals or gathered round a video screen—has brought home in a vivid way precisely the contrast that Hoeres describes.
The Reverend Mr. Rogers with the broad smile caresses the cold camera as he leads the flock to pastures of pastel sentimentality: this episode is about human well-being (albeit understood in a narrow sense).
On the other hand, a few clicks of the mouse bring one to an Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest solemn Good Friday Mass of the Presanctified. The Reverend Father, assisted by a deacon with a broad stole, ignores the camera as he faces forward to the altar, which is his focus and ours. We barely catch a glimpse of his face, we do not make eye contact, we feel—blessedly!—excluded from his recorded attention. It consoles us and inspires us to know that he does have us, at least generally, in mind, because he is praying earnestly to God to grant us His mercy and grace, which is just what we need for our real human well-being. A liturgy like this leads the flock in the direction of contemplative prayer.
“Lord, it is good for us to be here” (Mt 17:4). This remark of St. Peter on Mount Tabor has a melancholy taste if we savor it at this moment. The one who watches a live-streamed Mass is actually here, in his more or less messy living room or office space, and not there, where Mass (or any other church service) is taking place in the Real Presence of God. It gives us a taste of what it’s like to be on the outside looking in: a convert who awaits baptism, longing to feel the cool water trickle down his head or feel the oil smeared on his brow; a famished man who has had enough of imaginary meals and wants to dig into a piece of meat and a pint of stout. “Lord, it is good for us to be… sort of… here, I mean, there…”
All that the Lord in His Providence wills or permits is for the good of those who love Him (cf. Rom 8:28). What are some of the precious and valuable lessons we can draw from this moment?
First, it does make all the difference in the world to be really present to the Mass, as Our Lord makes Himself really present to us. The Church repudiated the early heresy of Docetism, which held that the humanity of Jesus was merely apparent, a sort of holographic illusion produced by divine power. Given a radical choice between the one and the other, we would chuck our screen into the dustbin in order to go to Mass in person, and bring our bodies into contact with the glorified Body of Christ. For “the flesh of Christ is the hinge of salvation,” as Tertullian says. If He has not risen in the flesh, our faith is in vain (cf. 1 Cor 15:14).
Second, this time of separation reminds us that we, the faithful, are also part of the Eucharistic sign. What I mean is this. Christ instituted the Eucharist not just as an object of adoration—which it most certainly is!—but as a means of uniting us with Himself in one Mystical Body, the Church. Hence St. Thomas Aquinas says that the res tantum or reality signified by the Eucharist is the unity of this Mystical Body: we are being led through the sacrament to our ultimate communion with Christ and the saints in heaven. So, that is why it is symbolically important for us to be at Mass: when we are physically in one place worshiping under the headship of the priest who symbolizes and acts on behalf of Christ the High Priest, we are forming a visible image of the Mystical Body we are called to be, Head and members. When people are scattered to the four winds, they are not, at that moment, showing forth in their persons the ultimate unity Christ came to bring to us and to bring us to. The Mass is truly a social or communal act, even if it is never to be reduced to a horizontal function in its manner of celebration.
Third, our tradition informs the way we offer Mass precisely to keep the many aspects of the mystery of faith “in play” and properly related to one another. Thus, a celebration of Mass in which the faithful appeared to be ordered towards the individual man He has deigned to use as His servant rather than toward Christ the High Priest would be erroneous and could be considered sacrilegious inasmuch as it detracts from the sovereignty and centrality of Christ. This is why the versus populum liturgy is such a huge problem, magnified a thousandfold on the screen: it makes the minister the center of attention.
The Mass is where our belonging to another and not to ourselves is ritually acted out and really enacted in this land of exile. “You are not your own; you were bought with a price” (1 Cor 6:19). The only way for man to be healed, elevated, saved, is through the selfless worship and glorification of God; the only path to wholeness, to the acquisition of a self worthy of the name, is the atoning sacrifice of Christ, which makes of a sinner someone capable of being united to God in friendship. We are called to become like him in all those ways, to be re-created in him, “to the praise of his glorious grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved” (Eph. 1:6). The Mass belongs to the Beloved, the Bridegroom, not to the friend of the bridegroom (cf. Jn 3:29).
For those who enter into the mystery of unity both symbolized by and really contained in the Eucharist, the liturgy promises a remaking of ourselves in the image of Christ, perfect Image of the Father. With traditional liturgical practices, we are broken by ascetical and ritual demands that stretch us beyond our comfort zone, so that we might be reshaped, re-created—not according to our own conceptions of appropriate form and suitable matter for “Modern Man,” but according to the Lord’s, in relation to which we are as clay to the potter. Over the course of Church history, the Lord has led us, by His Holy Spirit, to see, to desire, and to carry out right worship.
Without a theocentric focus, liturgy will do little more than validate a community’s collective conceit, replacing the burning bush with warm fuzzies. As long as circumstances force us to follow liturgy “from a distance,” we should take up traditional missals or prayerbooks, and, if we find it profitable to meditate and pray with live-streamed services, should make a point of watching liturgies that are fully traditional in their texts, in their spirit, in their beauty—and above all, in their orientation in the literal sense: facing oriens, eastwards. As the Benedictus antiphon of the Easter Vigil proclaims: “And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they came to the sepulcher, the sun being now risen [orto jam sole], Alleluia.”
May the Sun of Justice, whose coming will be “from the east” at the end of time (Mt 24:27), have mercy on us and lead His people back to the harbor of tradition.
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.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-14--Dem Virginia Gov uses Good Friday to sign abortion bills

RICHMOND , Virginia , April 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In back-to-back actions on two of the holiest days in Christendom , the governor of Virginia signed into law two bills that will likely increase abortions and jeopardize religious liberty via new LGBT protections in the state .
In what has been described as a “ signing spree , ” Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam raced to sign into law measures passed by the state legislature before the April 11 deadline .
On Good Friday , Northam signed the so-called “ Reproductive Health Protection Act , ” loosening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had previously been enacted .
“ We are deeply saddened and disappointed by his signature of this legislation , ” wrote Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington and Bishop Barry C. Knestout of the Diocese of Richmond in a joint statement .
“ That he would take this action on Good Friday , one of the most solemn days for Christians , is a particular affront to all who profess the Gospel of life , ” they continued .
“ The legislation signed by the Governor repeals health and safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to perform first-trimester abortions , and removes essential informed consent requirements , including the opportunity to view an ultrasound , ” noted the bishops .
“ Over the past eight years , abortions have decreased by 42 percent in Virginia , ” they continued .
“ Tragically but undoubtedly , these changes to our state law will reverse that life-saving progress and increase the number of abortions.
” “ Governor Northam ’ s so-called Reproductive Health Protection Act has nothing to do with health or keeping women safe , ” declared March for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s simply another step from a pro-abortion governor seeking to make abortion as widespread as possible in Virginia.
” “ Virginia ’ s abortion businesses had been kept in dangerous condition for years .
Stricter regulations had been put in place nearly a decade ago after every abortion business inspection in the state uncovered major health and safety violations , even though staffers knew in advance that the inspections were going to take place , ” explained a report by LiveAction detailing why the restrictions had been put in place .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been used and which were clean , and storing expired drugs .
One facility also had a freezer filled with blood and the frozen remains of aborted babies.
” On Holy Saturday , Gov .
Northam signed the “ Virginia Values Act , ” which added sexual orientation and gender identity to the state ’ s nondiscrimination law .
Progressive advocacy groups and some political observers applauded the move , claiming it will simply protect against dicrimination in public employment , housing and credit on the basis of sexual orientation and gender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discriminated against simply because of who they are or whom they love , ” said Human Rights Campaign president Alphonso David .
“ Equality Virginia has been working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for years to create a safer and more welcoming commonwealth for LGBTQ people , ” added Vee Lamneck , executive director of Equality Virginia .
“ This law will have a transformative and positive impact on the lives of LGBTQ Virginians.
” But there is also an onerous side of the law that threatens religious liberty in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserves to be treated with dignity and respect .
Unfortunately , laws that elevate sexual orientation and gender identity to protected classes have a proven record of undermining both fairness and freedom for all citizens , ” warned Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel Gregory S. Baylor in January .
“ While Virginia ’ s delegates claim that their new legislation would stamp out such discrimination in public accommodations , housing , and employment , these bills actually promise to harm women and girls , undercut the First Amendment , and place a special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued Baylor .
“ Whether they intend to or not , Virginia lawmakers who support sexual orientation and gender identity bills are choosing to coerce uniformity of thought and speech on beliefs about marriage , sex , and gender , ” added Baylor .
“ The Virginia Values Act just passed , ” tweeted David Horowitz , founder and president of the David Horowitz Freedom Center , “ makes criminal discrimination on the basis of ‘ gender identity.
’ ” “ In other words , if you do n't think people with male @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or competing in women 's sports , you 're a criminal , ” he explained .
“ The law stipulates that small businesses with fewer than 15 employees would have to abide by strict anti-discrimination laws that require the business to pay for the legal fees of a worker who wins a case , but the workers wouldn ’ t have to pay the employer ’ s legal fees if the employer wins the case , ” warned Daily Signal contributer Jarrett Stepman in January .
“ As lawyer Hans Bader wrote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a small business and could encourage frivolous lawsuits .
It could do significant damage to Virginia ’ s economy , ” said Stepman .
Gov .
Northam ’ s signing of the Virginia Values Act came a month after he signed a bill outlawing “ conversion therapy ” for anyone under age 18 .
While a counselor could encourage a young boy to try to “ become ” a girl , the counselor would not be allowed to affirm the boy ’ s male identity .
Last year , Northam defended comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only would have allowed abortion up until the moment of birth , but doctors would have been able to refuse to resuscitate an infant born alive after a failed abortion “ if that ’ s what the mother and the family desire.
” Ben Shapiro and others called it “ Infanticide ” and “ pure evil.
” After attracting national attention , the bill was tabled by its Democrat supporters in the Virginia House .
Both laws signed by Gov .
Northam over Easter Weekend go into effect on July 1 .

RICHMOND, Virginia, April 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In back-to-back actions on two of the holiest days in Christendom, the governor of Virginia signed into law two bills that will likely increase abortions and jeopardize religious liberty via new LGBT protections in the state.
In what has been described as a “signing spree,” Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam raced to sign into law measures passed by the state legislature before the April 11 deadline.
On Good Friday, Northam signed the so-called “Reproductive Health Protection Act,” loosening several protective restrictions for the preborn that had previously been enacted.
“We are deeply saddened and disappointed by his signature of this legislation,” wrote Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington and Bishop Barry C. Knestout of the Diocese of Richmond in a joint statement.
“That he would take this action on Good Friday, one of the most solemn days for Christians, is a particular affront to all who profess the Gospel of life,” they continued.
“The legislation signed by the Governor repeals health and safety protections at abortion facilities, allows non-physicians to perform first-trimester abortions, and removes essential informed consent requirements, including the opportunity to view an ultrasound,” noted the bishops.
“Over the past eight years, abortions have decreased by 42 percent in Virginia,” they continued. “Tragically but undoubtedly, these changes to our state law will reverse that life-saving progress and increase the number of abortions.”
“Governor Northam’s so-called Reproductive Health Protection Act has nothing to do with health or keeping women safe,” declared March for Life in a tweet. “It’s simply another step from a pro-abortion governor seeking to make abortion as widespread as possible in Virginia.”
Governor Northam’s so-called Reproductive Health Protection Act has nothing to do with health or keeping women safe. It’s simply another step from a pro-abortion governor seeking to make abortion as widespread as possible in Virginia. https://t.co/QLM6TE0baB — March for Life (@March_for_Life) April 11, 2020
“Virginia’s abortion businesses had been kept in dangerous condition for years. Stricter regulations had been put in place nearly a decade ago after every abortion business inspection in the state uncovered major health and safety violations, even though staffers knew in advance that the inspections were going to take place,” explained a report by LiveAction detailing why the restrictions had been put in place. “Violations included staffers not knowing which instruments had been used and which were clean, and storing expired drugs. One facility also had a freezer filled with blood and the frozen remains of aborted babies.”
On Holy Saturday, Gov. Northam signed the “Virginia Values Act,” which added sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s nondiscrimination law.
Progressive advocacy groups and some political observers applauded the move, claiming it will simply protect against dicrimination in public employment, housing and credit on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
“No one should be discriminated against simply because of who they are or whom they love,” said Human Rights Campaign president Alphonso David.
“Equality Virginia has been working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for years to create a safer and more welcoming commonwealth for LGBTQ people,” added Vee Lamneck, executive director of Equality Virginia. “This law will have a transformative and positive impact on the lives of LGBTQ Virginians.”
But there is also an onerous side of the law that threatens religious liberty in the Old Dominion.
“Every Virginian deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, laws that elevate sexual orientation and gender identity to protected classes have a proven record of undermining both fairness and freedom for all citizens,” warned Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel Gregory S. Baylor in January.
“While Virginia’s delegates claim that their new legislation would stamp out such discrimination in public accommodations, housing, and employment, these bills actually promise to harm women and girls, undercut the First Amendment, and place a special burden on people of faith,” continued Baylor.
“Whether they intend to or not, Virginia lawmakers who support sexual orientation and gender identity bills are choosing to coerce uniformity of thought and speech on beliefs about marriage, sex, and gender,” added Baylor.
“The Virginia Values Act just passed,” tweeted David Horowitz, founder and president of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, “makes criminal discrimination on the basis of ‘gender identity.’”
“In other words, if you don't think people with male genitalia should be using girls' bathrooms or competing in women's sports, you're a criminal,” he explained.
The Virginia Values Act just passed makes criminal discrimination on the basis of “gender identity”. In other words if you don't think people with male genitalia should be using girls' bathrooms or competing in women's sports, you're a criminal. — David Horowitz (@horowitz39) April 10, 2020
“The law stipulates that small businesses with fewer than 15 employees would have to abide by strict anti-discrimination laws that require the business to pay for the legal fees of a worker who wins a case, but the workers wouldn’t have to pay the employer’s legal fees if the employer wins the case,” warned Daily Signal contributer Jarrett Stepman in January.
“As lawyer Hans Bader wrote, this is a potentially enormous financial burden for a small business and could encourage frivolous lawsuits. It could do significant damage to Virginia’s economy,” said Stepman.
Gov. Northam’s signing of the Virginia Values Act came a month after he signed a bill outlawing “conversion therapy” for anyone under age 18. While a counselor could encourage a young boy to try to “become” a girl, the counselor would not be allowed to affirm the boy’s male identity.
Last year, Northam defended comments he made concerning a bill that not only would have allowed abortion up until the moment of birth, but doctors would have been able to refuse to resuscitate an infant born alive after a failed abortion “if that’s what the mother and the family desire.”
Ben Shapiro and others called it “Infanticide” and “pure evil.”
After attracting national attention, the bill was tabled by its Democrat supporters in the Virginia House.
Both laws signed by Gov. Northam over Easter Weekend go into effect on July 1.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-14--Appeals court affirms Oklahoma abortions must continue during COVID-19 panic

April 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Oklahoma officials may not apply the state ’ s emergency suspension of non-essential medical services to elective abortions during the coronavirus crisis , the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals effectively ruled Monday .
U.S .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams and the federal Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) have advised healthcare facilities to reschedule non-urgent appointments and elective procedures , both to limit the spread of the coronavirus and to free up time and resources to focus on infected patients .
In response , many states have temporarily ordered health providers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortions will be held to the same standard .
Last week , Judge Charles B. Goodwin , an appointee of President Donald Trump , blocked Oklahoma from applying its emergency suspension to elective abortions , whether chemical or surgical .
He ruled that the state had “ imposed an ‘ undue burden ’ on abortion access – in imposing requirements that effectively deny a right of access to abortion.
” A three-judge panel of the Tenth Circuit refused to hear an appeal of Goodwin ’ s ruling , The Oklahoman reported .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the case , but on the conclusion that the state can not appeal a restraining order that is only temporary .
Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter is expected to appeal the decision .
Even so , the abortion lobby is taking the development as a victory .
“ It ’ s important that the appellate court rejected Oklahoma ’ s attempt to ban abortions in the state , ” Center for Reproductive Rights CEO Nancy Northup responded in a statement .
“ It ’ s time for Oklahoma and other states to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Oklahoma ’ s true motive has never been more apparent .
This has nothing to do with the current pandemic – it ’ s purely politics.
” Pro-life medical professionals argue that allowing elective abortions to continue as normal puts business interests ahead of public health .
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists ( AAPLOG ) says that while “ elective abortion is neither ‘ essential ’ nor ‘ urgent , ’ ” it “ does consume critical resources such as masks , gloves , and other personal protective equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pathogens.
” “ Elective abortion , both surgical and drug induced , also generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms , ” AAPLOG continued .
“ Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion .
Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room , most commonly for hemorrhage .
Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage .
Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be further strained to provide care to these women.
” The matter is likely to ultimately be settled by the U.S. Supreme Court , which is expected to soon take up the case of a similar abortion suspension in Texas .
In the meantime , the fact that Goodwin was a Trump appointee highlights lingering questions about the Republican-controlled Senate ’ s vetting of judicial nominees , which has tended to prioritize speed and volume of confirmations over carefully evaluating jurists ’ histories and philosophies .
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact all over the world .

April 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Oklahoma officials may not apply the state’s emergency suspension of non-essential medical services to elective abortions during the coronavirus crisis, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals effectively ruled Monday.
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have advised healthcare facilities to reschedule non-urgent appointments and elective procedures, both to limit the spread of the coronavirus and to free up time and resources to focus on infected patients. In response, many states have temporarily ordered health providers to comply, some explicitly clarifying that abortions will be held to the same standard.
Last week, Judge Charles B. Goodwin, an appointee of President Donald Trump, blocked Oklahoma from applying its emergency suspension to elective abortions, whether chemical or surgical. He ruled that the state had “imposed an ‘undue burden’ on abortion access – in imposing requirements that effectively deny a right of access to abortion.”
A three-judge panel of the Tenth Circuit refused to hear an appeal of Goodwin’s ruling, The Oklahoman reported. They made their decision not on the merits of the case, but on the conclusion that the state cannot appeal a restraining order that is only temporary. Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter is expected to appeal the decision.
Even so, the abortion lobby is taking the development as a victory.
“It’s important that the appellate court rejected Oklahoma’s attempt to ban abortions in the state,” Center for Reproductive Rights CEO Nancy Northup responded in a statement. “It’s time for Oklahoma and other states to stop exploiting the pandemic to shutdown clinics. Oklahoma’s true motive has never been more apparent. This has nothing to do with the current pandemic – it’s purely politics.”
Pro-life medical professionals argue that allowing elective abortions to continue as normal puts business interests ahead of public health.
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) says that while “elective abortion is neither ‘essential’ nor ‘urgent,’” it “does consume critical resources such as masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment, and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.”
“Elective abortion, both surgical and drug induced, also generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms,” AAPLOG continued. “Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion. Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room, most commonly for hemorrhage. Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage. Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.”
The matter is likely to ultimately be settled by the U.S. Supreme Court, which is expected to soon take up the case of a similar abortion suspension in Texas. In the meantime, the fact that Goodwin was a Trump appointee highlights lingering questions about the Republican-controlled Senate’s vetting of judicial nominees, which has tended to prioritize speed and volume of confirmations over carefully evaluating jurists’ histories and philosophies.
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-14--Watch Trump’s coronavirus daily briefing for April 14 here

WASHINGTON , D.C. , April 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – LifeSite has begun streaming President Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis .
Here we present his April 14 briefing .
Follow LifeSiteNews for future @ @ @ @ @ s live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers @ @ @ @

LifeSite has begun live-streaming President Trump's daily coronavirus briefings as leftists have suggested they should be censored.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – LifeSite has begun streaming President Donald Trump’s daily briefings about the coronavirus crisis. Here we present his April 14 briefing. Follow LifeSiteNews for future briefings.
Read LifeSite’s live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about here.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-14--New York Gov Cuomo: We flattened coronavirus curve – ‘God did not do that’

April 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The scenes coming out of New York City over the past two weeks have been surreal : A field hospital in Central Park ; one of the world ’ s largest financial centers on lockdown ; Men and women wearing masks outdoors , in many cases for the first time since 9/11 ; yesterday , the death toll for the state surpassed 10,000 , and aerial photographs of a deep trench with Bobcats stacking plain wooden coffins in rows blew up social media .
In fact , New York City has contracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic on Hart Island , which has functioned as the city ’ s potter ’ s field since the 1800s for unidentified bodies or those too poor to arrange a formal funeral .
According to Jason Kersten of the Department of Correction , which typically oversees inmates burying the coffins , about two dozen corpses per day are being buried on the island , five days a week .
Previously , the number had been around 25 per week .
The fact that all of this is happening in New York City—not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States of America—is somewhat hard to fully grasp .
These tent hospitals , medical volunteers , mass house arrests , masked inhabitants ?
The city with so many dead that a deep trench was needed to serve as a mass grave and extra laborers had to be employed to bury the discount coffins ?
New York City , not Mogadishu .
You would think , considering all of that , that the COVID-19 pandemic would be a tremendously humbling thing .
Many New Yorkers , it goes without saying , do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a city with one of the highest abortion rates in the world . )
But Governor Andrew Cuomo , who self-identifies as Roman Catholic , certainly claims to .
In this time of turmoil , tumult , and terror , many world leaders—from President Donald Trump to the president of Ghana—have called formal days of prayer and fasting to ask God for relief from the pandemic .
States have followed suit .
Iowa declared a day of prayer .
So did South Dakota .
Governor Andrew Cuomo , on the other hand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , during a press conference , Cuomo signaled cautious optimism about the ongoing situation in New York .
With the numbers beginning to level off— “ 18,000 , 18,000 , 18,000…the numbers suggest a plateauing , slight increase , but a plateauing , which is what the experts have talked about .
That ’ s what the numbers say .
I also say whatever those numbers say is a direct result of what we do .
I ’ ve said if we do something stupid , you will see those numbers go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The worst can be over , and it is over unless we do something reckless.
” That is easy to agree with .
What Governor Cuomo said next , however , is not .
“ The number is down because we brought the number down , ” he told the press .
“ God did not do that .
Faith did not do that .
Destiny did not do that .
A lot of pain and suffering did that…That ’ s how it works .
It ’ s math .
And if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you ’ re going to see that number go back up .
And that will be a tragedy if that number goes back up.
” That ’ s a pretty bold statement coming from a governor presiding over a pandemic that is currently leveling thousands and filling a mass grave as things begin to slightly improve : “ God did not do that.
” Perhaps Cuomo is simply warning people not to abandon the measures that have assisted in “ flattening the curve , ” or emphasizing the responsibility citizens have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no matter how loudly God speaks , some of our leaders are refusing to acknowledge the total lack of control they have and the puniness of their power .

April 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The scenes coming out of New York City over the past two weeks have been surreal: A field hospital in Central Park; one of the world’s largest financial centers on lockdown; Men and women wearing masks outdoors, in many cases for the first time since 9/11; yesterday, the death toll for the state surpassed 10,000, and aerial photographs of a deep trench with Bobcats stacking plain wooden coffins in rows blew up social media.
In fact, New York City has contracted laborers to bury unclaimed victims of the coronavirus pandemic on Hart Island, which has functioned as the city’s potter’s field since the 1800s for unidentified bodies or those too poor to arrange a formal funeral. According to Jason Kersten of the Department of Correction, which typically oversees inmates burying the coffins, about two dozen corpses per day are being buried on the island, five days a week. Previously, the number had been around 25 per week.
The fact that all of this is happening in New York City—not in some developing country, but in the United States of America—is somewhat hard to fully grasp. These tent hospitals, medical volunteers, mass house arrests, masked inhabitants? The city with so many dead that a deep trench was needed to serve as a mass grave and extra laborers had to be employed to bury the discount coffins? New York City, not Mogadishu.
You would think, considering all of that, that the COVID-19 pandemic would be a tremendously humbling thing. Many New Yorkers, it goes without saying, do not believe in God (this is a city with one of the highest abortion rates in the world.) But Governor Andrew Cuomo, who self-identifies as Roman Catholic, certainly claims to. In this time of turmoil, tumult, and terror, many world leaders—from President Donald Trump to the president of Ghana—have called formal days of prayer and fasting to ask God for relief from the pandemic.
States have followed suit. Iowa declared a day of prayer. So did South Dakota. Governor Andrew Cuomo, on the other hand, has responded quite differently.
On Easter Monday, during a press conference, Cuomo signaled cautious optimism about the ongoing situation in New York. With the numbers beginning to level off—“18,000, 18,000, 18,000…the numbers suggest a plateauing, slight increase, but a plateauing, which is what the experts have talked about. That’s what the numbers say. I also say whatever those numbers say is a direct result of what we do. I’ve said if we do something stupid, you will see those numbers go right back up tomorrow, period. The worst can be over, and it is over unless we do something reckless.”
That is easy to agree with. What Governor Cuomo said next, however, is not.
“The number is down because we brought the number down,” he told the press. “God did not do that. Faith did not do that. Destiny did not do that. A lot of pain and suffering did that…That’s how it works. It’s math. And if you don’t continue to do that, you’re going to see that number go back up. And that will be a tragedy if that number goes back up.”
That’s a pretty bold statement coming from a governor presiding over a pandemic that is currently leveling thousands and filling a mass grave as things begin to slightly improve: “God did not do that.”
Perhaps Cuomo is simply warning people not to abandon the measures that have assisted in “flattening the curve,” or emphasizing the responsibility citizens have to public health. But it also means that no matter how loudly God speaks, some of our leaders are refusing to acknowledge the total lack of control they have and the puniness of their power.


lifesitenews--2020-04-14--Over 70 healthcare professionals urge Indiana Gov to halt abortion during pandemic

FORT WAYNE , Indiana , April 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Over seventy Indiana health professionals , doctors , and nurses sent a letter to Gov .
Eric Holcomb earlier this month asking him to halt surgical and chemical abortions during the COVID-19 crisis .
On March 30th , Holcomb issued an executive order for the State of Indiana calling on health providers , including abortion clinics , to “ cancel or postpone elective and non-urgent surgical and invasive procedures ” in order to conserve personal protective equipment for those fighting COVID -19 .
Holcomb ’ s order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is treating the patient to make the determination on the urgency of the procedure .
In the case of abortion , however , the abortion doctor is the person determining whether or not the procedure is essential .
“ It is our medical opinion that there is no such thing as an ‘ urgent abortion , ’ ” the healthcare professionals state in the letter .
The letter from 76 health professionals to Holcomb ( full text below ) comes after abortion facilities in Indiana quickly made it known that they would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to perform abortions , putting patients at risk for contracting this virus while hoarding much needed medical resources .
Planned Parenthood has even used social media to ask people to donate items like protective masks to their clinics .
Planned Parenthood said in a plea on social media , “ please consider donating hand sanitizer , home sewn masks , shoe covers , and surgical hats to protect our medical staff as they continue to provide care in our communities.
” The health care professionals who penned the letter maintain that the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an abortion doctor who stands to gain financially from the procedure .
Further , abortionists have an extremely limited relationship with the patient seeking an abortion , often leaving other health care professionals to stand in the gap during follow-up and care needed due to complications .
Abortion is creating more work for the already stretched thin medical community all focused on fighting to save lives from COVID-19 .
The letter and list of signatories : Thank you for your leadership as the severity of our state ’ s health emergency due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are hopeful the emergency orders you have enacted will help Indiana ’ s healthcare systems to rise to the challenges presented by medical supply shortages , expanding needs for COVID-19 testing and efforts to prevent further spreading of the virus across our state .
The success of these directives depends largely on the cooperation of Hoosiers to adhere to them and we are committed to use our influence to encourage compliance .
We are grateful you included abortion businesses in your list of the health care providers you directed to cancel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invasive procedures .
Unfortunately , the determination of an elective and non- urgent procedure is made by the patient ’ s treating physician or health care provider .
In the case of abortions , the treating physician or health care provider is the abortionist , who not only stands to profit financially from continuing these non- essential procedures , but also , in nearly every case , does not have a prior relationship with that patient and will not have an ongoing relationship with her .
Predictably , after the Executive Order you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the abortion industry came out in force letting everyone know that every abortion in Indiana is urgent and non-elective .
Chris Charbonneau , the CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky said , “ Medical experts recognize that abortion is an essential , time-sensitive medical procedure.
” Attached to this letter are several examples of their communications .
We are certain your intent was not to open the doors of abortion businesses across Indiana to continue business as usual .
As health care professionals licensed to practice in Indiana , we join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice according to the Hippocratic Oath - the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists ( APPLOG ) , the Christian Medical & Dental Associations , the Catholic Medical Association , the Association of American Physicians & Surgeons and the American College of Pediatricians - in asking you to require the abortion industry in Indiana to comply with your very wise directive to suspend abortions .
It is our medical opinion that there is no such thing as an `` urgent abortion ” because any treatment for a pregnancy complication would include best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detailed in IC 16-34-2-0.5 ( attached ) .
Nonetheless , the definition of emergency abortions is already in Indiana Code and should be used as the standard during this time of overwhelming uncertainty .
The code cites are IC 16-34-2-1.2 , IC16-34-2-1 and IC 16-34-2-0.5 and the text is attached .
As with any other elective procedure that can become an emergency , procedures that are truly urgent should be done in a hospital equipped to deal with all aspects of a complication and support best efforts to save the unborn child .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicaid Services released “ Adult Elective Surgery and Procedures Recommendations ” to “ limit non-essential adult elective surgery and medical and surgical procedures ... [ to ] assist in the management of vital healthcare resources during this public health emergency.
” The recommendations include a tiered framework to “ inform health systems as they consider resources and how to best provide surgical services and procedures to those whose condition requires emergent or urgent attention to save a life , preserve organ function , and avoid further harms from underlying condition or disease ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new national guidelines for surgical care from the American College of Surgeons state that , in the current coronavirus pandemic setting , surgery should be “ restricted to those patients likely to have survivorship compromised if surgery is not performed.
” Using this as guidance , since the vast majority of surgical abortions are outpatient surgical procedures , they would be considered elective procedures that are certainly not necessary to “ save a life , preserve organ function , and avoid further harm.
” Medication abortions should also be halted during this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have available on medication vs. surgical abortions shows that medication abortions have a four-fold increased complication rate .
Twenty percent of women will experience adverse events , including a 15 % hemorrhage rate , which is significant considering the blood shortage this country is currently facing .
In addition , approximately 6 % of women will require surgical completions of their abortions , which will further use up precious PPE .
Because abortion providers do not manage their own complications , women that are experiencing these will be instructed to present to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only placing further stress on the healthcare system , but also unnecessarily increasing their risk for exposure to COVID-19 .
In addition to the points addressed above , we ask you to note the appeal from Planned Parenthood for donations of PPE ( attached ) .
This is beyond outrageous when front line medical providers are having to reuse equipment and make do with what they have .
Regardless of the position of Hoosiers on the abortion issue , people across the state are outraged at this blatant grab for supplies as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own benefit .
Thank you for considering our concerns .
We continue to pray for wisdom , health and courage as you lead Hoosiers through the troubled days ahead .
Christina Francis , MD OB-GYN Fort Wayne Chairman of the Board American Association of Pro-Life OB-GYNs

"It is our medical opinion that there is no such thing as an ‘urgent abortion,’” the healthcare professionals state in the letter.
FORT WAYNE, Indiana, April 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Over seventy Indiana health professionals, doctors, and nurses sent a letter to Gov. Eric Holcomb earlier this month asking him to halt surgical and chemical abortions during the COVID-19 crisis.
On March 30th, Holcomb issued an executive order for the State of Indiana calling on health providers, including abortion clinics, to “cancel or postpone elective and non-urgent surgical and invasive procedures” in order to conserve personal protective equipment for those fighting COVID -19.
Holcomb’s order, however, directed the physician who is treating the patient to make the determination on the urgency of the procedure.
In the case of abortion, however, the abortion doctor is the person determining whether or not the procedure is essential.
“It is our medical opinion that there is no such thing as an ‘urgent abortion,’” the healthcare professionals state in the letter.
The letter from 76 health professionals to Holcomb (full text below) comes after abortion facilities in Indiana quickly made it known that they would not be closing their doors and would continue to perform abortions, putting patients at risk for contracting this virus while hoarding much needed medical resources. Planned Parenthood has even used social media to ask people to donate items like protective masks to their clinics.
Planned Parenthood said in a plea on social media, “please consider donating hand sanitizer, home sewn masks, shoe covers, and surgical hats to protect our medical staff as they continue to provide care in our communities.”
The health care professionals who penned the letter maintain that the decision could not be left responsibly up to an abortion doctor who stands to gain financially from the procedure. Further, abortionists have an extremely limited relationship with the patient seeking an abortion, often leaving other health care professionals to stand in the gap during follow-up and care needed due to complications.
Abortion is creating more work for the already stretched thin medical community all focused on fighting to save lives from COVID-19.
***
The letter and list of signatories:
Dear Governor Holcomb:
Thank you for your leadership as the severity of our state’s health emergency due to the Coronavirus grows larger by the hour. We are hopeful the emergency orders you have enacted will help Indiana’s healthcare systems to rise to the challenges presented by medical supply shortages, expanding needs for COVID-19 testing and efforts to prevent further spreading of the virus across our state. The success of these directives depends largely on the cooperation of Hoosiers to adhere to them and we are committed to use our influence to encourage compliance.
We are grateful you included abortion businesses in your list of the health care providers you directed to cancel or postpone elective and non-urgent surgical or invasive procedures. Unfortunately, the determination of an elective and non- urgent procedure is made by the patient’s treating physician or health care provider. In the case of abortions, the treating physician or health care provider is the abortionist, who not only stands to profit financially from continuing these non- essential procedures, but also, in nearly every case, does not have a prior relationship with that patient and will not have an ongoing relationship with her.
Predictably, after the Executive Order you signed on Monday, March 30, the abortion industry came out in force letting everyone know that every abortion in Indiana is urgent and non-elective. Chris Charbonneau, the CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky said, “Medical experts recognize that abortion is an essential, time-sensitive medical procedure.” Attached to this letter are several examples of their communications. We are certain your intent was not to open the doors of abortion businesses across Indiana to continue business as usual. As health care professionals licensed to practice in Indiana, we join over 30,000 physicians across the country who practice according to the Hippocratic Oath – the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (APPLOG), the Christian Medical & Dental Associations, the Catholic Medical Association, the Association of American Physicians & Surgeons and the American College of Pediatricians – in asking you to require the abortion industry in Indiana to comply with your very wise directive to suspend abortions.
It is our medical opinion that there is no such thing as an “urgent abortion” because any treatment for a pregnancy complication would include best efforts to save the unborn child as detailed in IC 16-34-2-0.5(attached). Nonetheless, the definition of emergency abortions is already in Indiana Code and should be used as the standard during this time of overwhelming uncertainty. The code cites are IC 16-34-2-1.2, IC16-34-2-1 and IC 16-34-2-0.5 and the text is attached. As with any other elective procedure that can become an emergency, procedures that are truly urgent should be done in a hospital equipped to deal with all aspects of a complication and support best efforts to save the unborn child. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released “Adult Elective Surgery and Procedures Recommendations” to “limit non-essential adult elective surgery and medical and surgical procedures…[to] assist in the management of vital healthcare resources during this public health emergency.” The recommendations include a tiered framework to “inform health systems as they consider resources and how to best provide surgical services and procedures to those whose condition requires emergent or urgent attention to save a life, preserve organ function, and avoid further harms from underlying condition or disease” (emphasis added). Also, the new national guidelines for surgical care from the American College of Surgeons state that, in the current coronavirus pandemic setting, surgery should be “restricted to those patients likely to have survivorship compromised if surgery is not performed.” Using this as guidance, since the vast majority of surgical abortions are outpatient surgical procedures, they would be considered elective procedures that are certainly not necessary to “save a life, preserve organ function, and avoid further harm.”
Medication abortions should also be halted during this time. One of the largest studies we have available on medication vs. surgical abortions shows that medication abortions have a four-fold increased complication rate. Twenty percent of women will experience adverse events, including a 15% hemorrhage rate, which is significant considering the blood shortage this country is currently facing. In addition, approximately 6% of women will require surgical completions of their abortions, which will further use up precious PPE. Because abortion providers do not manage their own complications, women that are experiencing these will be instructed to present to our already overburdened ER’s, not only placing further stress on the healthcare system, but also unnecessarily increasing their risk for exposure to COVID-19.
In addition to the points addressed above, we ask you to note the appeal from Planned Parenthood for donations of PPE (attached). This is beyond outrageous when front line medical providers are having to reuse equipment and make do with what they have. Regardless of the position of Hoosiers on the abortion issue, people across the state are outraged at this blatant grab for supplies as abortion providers exploit this crisis for their own benefit.
Thank you for considering our concerns. We continue to pray for wisdom, health and courage as you lead Hoosiers through the troubled days ahead.
Sincerely,
Christina Francis, MD OB-GYN Fort Wayne Chairman of the Board American Association of Pro-Life OB-GYNs
Robin Atkins, LMHC Fort Wayne
Rep. Brad Barrett, MD General Surgeon Richmond
Shea Borton, BSN, RN FNP-S Indianapolis
Andrew Mullally, MD NFPMC Fort Wayne Catholic Medical Guild State Director and National Board Member
Rep. Ron Bacon Respiratory Therapist Chandler
Rick Becker, MA, MS, RN Mishawaka
James Berndt, MD Breman
Jonathan Alley, DO Family Medicine Angola
Dr. Brian Barber Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine ABFM, Family Medicine Indianapolis
William J. Blanke, MD Family Practice Evansville
Lorri Bowser, RN Fort Wayne, IN
Teresa Bower, RN Fort Wayne
Don Cherry RN Indianapolis
Jean Crane, LMHC Avon
Amy Collins, MD Emergency Medicine Carmel
Lourdes Eco, MD Internal Medicine Indianapolis
Eustace Fernandes, MD Pulmonology Fort Wayne
Jody Freyre, MD OB-GYN Fort Wayne
David Hart, MD Thoracic and Cardiothoracic surgeon Columbus
Cassandralee Herber,RN, FNP-C Fort Wayne
Brent Jacobus, DO Family Medicine Crownpoint
Daniel Kratch, MD Ophthalmology Fort Wayne
James Lindemulder, DO OB/GYN Goshen
Julie Bryan, MD Internal Medicine Fort Wayne
Brenda Cantwell, RN Indianapolis
Donna Cherry RN Indianapolis
Michelle Davenport, RN Auburn
Lisa Davis, RN Angola
David Donaldson, MD Anesthesia Fort Wayne
Francis Esguerra, MD OB-GYN Fort Wayne
Rita Fiorentino, RN Plainfield
Deb Goeglein, RN Fort Wayne
Andrea Hoover, MD OB-GYN Kokomo
George Kane, MD Family Medicine Resident Indianapolis
Emily Krach, MD Family Medicine Fort Wayne
Stephen Lugo, MD OB-GYN Fort Wayne
Kevin Cantwell, MD Anesthesiologist Indianapolis
Geoff Cly, MD OB-GYN Rochester
Aaron Dewees, MD Neonatology Evansville
Tonya M Duguid, DO Family Medicine Warsaw
Kerry Ettensohn, MD Anesthesia Indianapolis
Edward Fitzgerald, MD Thoracic Surgeon Carmel
Diane Griffin, RN South Bend
Jeff Henney, MD Family Medicine Indianapolis (currently serving in SE Asia)
Joseph Kosnik, MD Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine Fort Wayne
Sandra Krizmanich, MD OB-GYN Fort Wayne
Angela Martin, MD OB-GYN Fort Wayne
Mary McCarran, RDMS Fort Wayne
Anna Miller, RN Fort Wayne
Natasha Morris, MD Hospital Medicine Carmel
Bryan Perkins, MD OB-GYN Indianapolis
Michelle Schoenfeld LPN Fort Wayne
Christopher Stroud, MD OB-GYN Fort Wayne
Kathryn Sutton, LCSW Evansville
Sylvia Swain Nurse Practitioner Goshen
John Wagner, MD OB-GYN Indianapolis
Kevin Kaufhold, MD Family Medicine Granger Tammi McCoy, PA Fort Wayne
Leslie Moore, MD Anesthesia Indianapolis
Brittney Owen Nurse Practitioner Crownpoint
Linda Ray, RN Danville
Kim Shaffer, RN Elkhart
Christy Campbell-Smalley DO OB-GYN Indianapolis
Dawn Sturdivant, RN Home Health Hospice Wolcottville
Steven Tanner, MD OB-GYN Fort Wayne
Elizabeth Wehlage, MD OB-GYN Indianapolis
Thomas McGovern, MD Dermatologist Fort Wayne
David Moran, MD Family Physician Fort Wane
Megan Parrish, MD Family Medicine Granger
Lynne Scherschel, LMFT Marriage and Family Therapist Crown Point/Schererville
Adam Spaetti, MD Internal Medicine Bloomington
Marianne Stroud Certified Nurse Midwife Fort Wayne
Cathy Wagner, MD Pediatrics Indianapolis
Rep. Dennis Zent DDS MsD Endodontist Angola
Holly Smith MD Family Medicine Zionsville President – St. Raphael Catholic Medical Guild of Indianapolis
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-14--Learning to trust in what we cannot see: a happy story to brighten your day

To help keep this and other programs on the air , please donate here .
Watch Mother Miriam 's Live @ @ @ @ @ Mother reads the story of the donkey that taught his master how to trust .
@ @ @ @ @ story of Jesus through the eyes of an 'intelligent donkey ' and his owner .
@ @ @ @ @ of trusting in more than just what we can see .
You can tune in @ @ @ @ @ am PST on our Facebook Page .

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 4.14.2020. Today Mother reads the story of the donkey that taught his master how to trust. This historical fiction tells the story of Jesus through the eyes of an 'intelligent donkey' and his owner. The story highlights the importance of trusting in more than just what we can see.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-04-14--German bishop criticizes Catholics for being ‘fixated only on the Eucharist’

HILDESHEIM , Germany , April 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Bishop Heiner Wilmer SCJ of Hildesheim , Germany , has come out condemning Catholics who are “ fixated only on the Eucharist.
” In an interview with Deutschlandfunk , a national radio station funded by the public , Wilmer claimed that among “ some believers the Eucharist is certainly exaggerated.
” “ Of course , ” the bishop admitted , the Eucharist “ is important.
” However , he then argued that “ the Second Vatican Council says that the Lord is not only present in the Eucharist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in reading the Bible , and we should take seriously the word of Jesus , where two or three are gathered in my name , there I am in the midst of them.
” According to Sacrosanctum Concilium , the Second Vatican Council ’ s constitution on the Sacred Liturgy promulgated in 1963 by Pope Paul VI , Christ is indeed “ always present in His Church.
” “ He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass , not only in the person of His minister , ‘ the same now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who formerly offered himself on the cross , ’ but especially under the Eucharistic species , ” the constitution states .
“ By His power He is present in the sacraments , so that when a man baptizes it is really Christ Himself who baptizes .
He is present in His word , since it is He Himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church .
He is present , lastly , when the Church prays and sings , for He promised : ‘ Where two or three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there am I in the midst of them ’ ( Matt .
18:20 ) .
” Where Sacrosanctum Concilium spoke only of Christ being present “ especially ” in the Eucharist , the Catechism of the Catholic Church is more explicit .
“ The mode of Christ ’ s presence under the Eucharistic species is unique .
It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as ‘ the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend.
’ In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist ‘ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soul and divinity , of our Lord Jesus Christ and , therefore , the whole Christ is truly , really , and substantially contained.
’ ” The correct and precise technical term for Christ ’ s special presence in the Eucharist is “ real presence.
” By this term , the Catechism continues , it “ is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be ‘ real ’ too , but because it is presence in the fullest sense : that is to say , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , God and man , makes himself wholly and entirely present.
’ ” Concluding its section on the Eucharist , the Catechism emphasizes that there is “ no surer pledge or dearer sign of this great hope in the new heavens and new earth ‘ in which righteousness dwells , ’ than the Eucharist .
Every time this mystery is celebrated , ‘ the work of our redemption is carried on ’ and we ‘ break the one bread that provides the medicine of immortality , the antidote for death , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Jesus Christ.
’ ” For Bishop Wilmer , some Catholics reacted to the ban on public Masses in Germany “ [ a ] s if there were nothing else.
” He then claimed that “ in the history of Christianity we have had times when people have not had the opportunity to attend Holy Mass or receive Communion .
That has always existed .
But the faith has not collapsed because of that .
Wilmer did not explain that bishops in many parts of the world had already banned public Masses before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making the current situation unique in Church history .
In fact , in countries like the United States , church services are considered “ essential.
” Masses could still be said in public while complying with social distancing requirements , had not bishops already prohibited them .
In other countries , governments did ban public Masses , but bishops did not even carefully question the wisdom of such decisions .
It was up to lay faithful to go to court .
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò , the former Apostolic Nuncio to the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a recent interview .
“ When so many shops and restaurants were still open , the various Bishops ’ Conferences had already suspended all sacred functions , even when the civil authorities had not asked them to do so , ” Viganò said .
“ This is further proof that the Hierarchy is in a dreadful state and shows that Bishops are all too willing to sacrifice the well-being of souls to pacify the power of the state or the dictatorship of ideas.
” Fittingly , when asked about the prohibition on religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bishop Wilmer said he does not “ feel restricted in my religious freedom.
” In 2018 , when Wilmer was first made bishop , he claimed that the abuse of power is part “ of the Church ’ s DNA.
” Talking to Deutschlandfunk , he now clarified that statement .
“ I wanted to say that the Church is holy because of God , but the Church is also sinful because of the people .
”

HILDESHEIM, Germany, April 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Bishop Heiner Wilmer SCJ of Hildesheim, Germany, has come out condemning Catholics who are “fixated only on the Eucharist.” In an interview with Deutschlandfunk, a national radio station funded by the public, Wilmer claimed that among “some believers the Eucharist is certainly exaggerated.”
“Of course,” the bishop admitted, the Eucharist “is important.” However, he then argued that “the Second Vatican Council says that the Lord is not only present in the Eucharist, but also in the Holy Scriptures, in reading the Bible, and we should take seriously the word of Jesus, where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”
According to Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Second Vatican Council’s constitution on the Sacred Liturgy promulgated in 1963 by Pope Paul VI, Christ is indeed “always present in His Church.”
“He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass, not only in the person of His minister, ‘the same now offering, through the ministry of priests, who formerly offered himself on the cross,’ but especially under the Eucharistic species,” the constitution states.
“By His power He is present in the sacraments, so that when a man baptizes it is really Christ Himself who baptizes. He is present in His word, since it is He Himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church. He is present, lastly, when the Church prays and sings, for He promised: ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’ (Matt. 18:20).”
Where Sacrosanctum Concilium spoke only of Christ being present “especially” in the Eucharist, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is more explicit.
“The mode of Christ’s presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as ‘the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend.’ In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.’”
The correct and precise technical term for Christ’s special presence in the Eucharist is “real presence.” By this term, the Catechism continues, it “is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be ‘real’ too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present.’”
Concluding its section on the Eucharist, the Catechism emphasizes that there is “no surer pledge or dearer sign of this great hope in the new heavens and new earth ‘in which righteousness dwells,’ than the Eucharist. Every time this mystery is celebrated, ‘the work of our redemption is carried on’ and we ‘break the one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live for ever in Jesus Christ.’”
For Bishop Wilmer, some Catholics reacted to the ban on public Masses in Germany “[a]s if there were nothing else.” He then claimed that “in the history of Christianity we have had times when people have not had the opportunity to attend Holy Mass or receive Communion. That has always existed. But the faith has not collapsed because of that.
Wilmer did not explain that bishops in many parts of the world had already banned public Masses before governments forced them to do so, making the current situation unique in Church history.
In fact, in countries like the United States, church services are considered “essential.” Masses could still be said in public while complying with social distancing requirements, had not bishops already prohibited them.
In other countries, governments did ban public Masses, but bishops did not even carefully question the wisdom of such decisions. It was up to lay faithful to go to court.
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, reflected on this phenomenon during a recent interview.
“When so many shops and restaurants were still open, the various Bishops’ Conferences had already suspended all sacred functions, even when the civil authorities had not asked them to do so,” Viganò said.
“This is further proof that the Hierarchy is in a dreadful state and shows that Bishops are all too willing to sacrifice the well-being of souls to pacify the power of the state or the dictatorship of ideas.”
Fittingly, when asked about the prohibition on religious gatherings imposed by the German government, Bishop Wilmer said he does not “feel restricted in my religious freedom.”
In 2018, when Wilmer was first made bishop, he claimed that the abuse of power is part “of the Church’s DNA.” Talking to Deutschlandfunk, he now clarified that statement. “I wanted to say that the Church is holy because of God, but the Church is also sinful because of the people.”
Share