lifesitenews--2020-02-04--Dissident pro-gay ministry will offer LGBT retreat in San Diego diocese

February 3 , 2020 ( Joseph Sciambra ) — On April 25–26 , 2020 , the Catholic parishes of St. Thomas More and St. Francis of Assisi , both in the Diocese of San Diego , will host an LGBT retreat : “ NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD .
A Catholic LGBTQ+ RETREAT and A Day of Ministry Discernment & Visioning.
” The leader of the retreat is JR Zerkowski .
He is currently the “ executive director ” of Fortunate Families , a dissident pro–gay marriage ministry based in the Diocese of Lexington , Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California , is home to three LGBT ministries : Regarding the apparent confirmation of a gay man ( in his homosexuality ) by Pope Francis , Zerkowski stated : “ I believe what we are seeing is an evolution of doctrine ... ” In 2019 , Zerkowski joined Greg Bourke and Michael DeLeon , a same-sex couple who were among the plaintiffs in the 2015 Supreme Court case which legalized gay marriage , in a discussion about the Catholic Church and gay marriage .
Also , in 2019 , a chapter of Fortunate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parish ( Our Lady of Lourdes ) of Bourke and DeLeon — who are active in the group .
In an interview , when questioned about why they stay in the Catholic Church , DeLeon said : “ We ’ ve been encouraged by peers to leave…a lot of people wonder why we stay , but you don ’ t change anything by leaving something .
There ’ s no good reason to leave.
” In 2019 , Zerkowski spoke at Jesuit James Martin ’ s home parish of St. Ignatius in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Martin is an “ Honorary Member ” of their Board of Directors .
According to Zerkowski , he has agreed to be a panelist at the “ Outreach 2020 : Catholic LGBT Ministry Gathering ” at Fordham University that will feature dissident speakers such as Jeannine Gramick ( whom James Martin would like to canonize ) , Bryan Massingale , and Lisa Fullam .
Fortunate Families is a gay-affirmative pro–same-sex marriage advocacy group founded in 2004 by the Catholic parents of a “ gay ” son — Mary Ellen and Casey Lopata @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nugent and Jeannine Gramick ( both were silenced by the Vatican in 1999 ) and their New Ways Ministry , the Lopatas decided to form an outreach specifically targeted to the Catholic parents of LGBT children .
The USCCB has officially warned the faithful : “ No one should be misled by the claim that New Ways Ministry provides an authentic interpretation of Catholic teaching and an authentic Catholic pastoral practice.
” In 2003 , the Lopatas published their book Fortunate Families : Catholic Families with Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scripture as it relates to homosexuality : 1 .
There are only six passages generally used to condemn homosexuality .
2 .
The primary concern of these passages is something other than homogenital activity .
3 .
There are translation issues suggested by the fact that 1946 was the first time the word “ homosexual ” appeared in an English translation .
4 .
The biblical writers had no concept of our modern psychological understanding of homosexual orientation .
5 .
The prophets , the gospels and Jesus say nothing about homosexuality in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their “ Foundational Statement ” includes : We recognize that sometimes the conscience of the individual places him/her in conflict with articulated Catholic teaching .
The resolution of this conflict often includes the proper use of conscience as articulated by the Magisterium .
Many of us have sought the counsel of Catholic priests who have supported us in loving LGBTQ+ sisters and brothers…We realize that church teaching and the articulation of doctrine has developed through the years .
We earnestly pray for a development of Church teaching on the topic of homosexuality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Church officials listen to our experiences and the experiences of our LGBTQ+ sisters and brothers .
We need to acknowledge that many of our LGBTQ+ sisters and brothers are in committed loving same gendered relationships .
While same gendered relationships might not be procreative in the strict sense , they often are very generative , contribute to the common good , and can be examples of a loving , committed relationships .
We ask the Church to acknowledge the truth of this .
In 2017 , James Martin recommended Fortunate Families .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ before his address at the 2018 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress .
Also , in 2017 , Bishop John Stowe of Lexington , who serves as an “ Ecclesial Advisor ” to Fortunate Families , made the controversial decision to speak at New Ways Ministry ’ s Eighth National Symposium held in Chicago , Illinois .
A “ Theological Advisor ” to Fortunate Families is gay theologian Andy Buechel .
Concerning the Apostle Thomas and the Resurrected Christ , Buechel ( in his 2015 book , That We Might Become God : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the erotic and sexual charge of Jesus ’ encounter with Thomas ... ” According to Buechel : Strictly , and anachronistically , speaking , this encounter is homosexual : it involves deep erotic intimacy between two people of the same sex .
Archbishop Wilton Gregory has also shown support for an Atlanta-based offshoot of Fortunate Families , and a Catholic deacon who spoke at a 2018 event sponsored by Fortunate Families assisted Cardinal Kevin Farrell at the closing Mass of the Pastoral Congress portion of the 2018 World Meeting of Families in Dublin @

Two Catholic parishes will host the retreat, called 'Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of God.'
February 3, 2020 (Joseph Sciambra) — On April 25–26, 2020, the Catholic parishes of St. Thomas More and St. Francis of Assisi, both in the Diocese of San Diego, will host an LGBT retreat: “NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD. A Catholic LGBTQ+ RETREAT and A Day of Ministry Discernment & Visioning.” The leader of the retreat is JR Zerkowski. He is currently the “executive director” of Fortunate Families, a dissident pro–gay marriage ministry based in the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky.
St. Thomas More in Oceanside, California, is home to three LGBT ministries:
LGBTQ Persons Support Group
LGBTQ Support Group for Parents & Families
LGBTQ Transgender/Transition Issues Support Group
Regarding the apparent confirmation of a gay man (in his homosexuality) by Pope Francis, Zerkowski stated: “I believe what we are seeing is an evolution of doctrine…” In 2019, Zerkowski joined Greg Bourke and Michael DeLeon, a same-sex couple who were among the plaintiffs in the 2015 Supreme Court case which legalized gay marriage, in a discussion about the Catholic Church and gay marriage. Also, in 2019, a chapter of Fortunate Families was established at the home Catholic parish (Our Lady of Lourdes) of Bourke and DeLeon — who are active in the group. In an interview, when questioned about why they stay in the Catholic Church, DeLeon said: “We’ve been encouraged by peers to leave…a lot of people wonder why we stay, but you don’t change anything by leaving something. There’s no good reason to leave.”
In 2019, Zerkowski spoke at Jesuit James Martin’s home parish of St. Ignatius in New York City. According to Fortunate Families, Martin is an “Honorary Member” of their Board of Directors.
According to Zerkowski, he has agreed to be a panelist at the “Outreach 2020: Catholic LGBT Ministry Gathering” at Fordham University that will feature dissident speakers such as Jeannine Gramick (whom James Martin would like to canonize), Bryan Massingale, and Lisa Fullam.
Fortunate Families is a gay-affirmative pro–same-sex marriage advocacy group founded in 2004 by the Catholic parents of a “gay” son — Mary Ellen and Casey Lopata. Inspired by the work of Robert Nugent and Jeannine Gramick (both were silenced by the Vatican in 1999) and their New Ways Ministry, the Lopatas decided to form an outreach specifically targeted to the Catholic parents of LGBT children.
The USCCB has officially warned the faithful: “No one should be misled by the claim that New Ways Ministry provides an authentic interpretation of Catholic teaching and an authentic Catholic pastoral practice.”
In 2003, the Lopatas published their book Fortunate Families: Catholic Families with Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons. Here is an excerpt detailing their view of Scripture as it relates to homosexuality:
1. There are only six passages generally used to condemn homosexuality.
2. The primary concern of these passages is something other than homogenital activity.
3. There are translation issues suggested by the fact that 1946 was the first time the word “homosexual” appeared in an English translation.
4. The biblical writers had no concept of our modern psychological understanding of homosexual orientation.
5. The prophets, the gospels and Jesus say nothing about homosexuality in the bible.
According to Fortunate Families, their “Foundational Statement” includes:
We recognize that sometimes the conscience of the individual places him/her in conflict with articulated Catholic teaching. The resolution of this conflict often includes the proper use of conscience as articulated by the Magisterium. Many of us have sought the counsel of Catholic priests who have supported us in loving LGBTQ+ sisters and brothers…We realize that church teaching and the articulation of doctrine has developed through the years. We earnestly pray for a development of Church teaching on the topic of homosexuality and gender. We also earnestly pray that Church officials listen to our experiences and the experiences of our LGBTQ+ sisters and brothers.
According to Fortunate Families:
We need to acknowledge that many of our LGBTQ+ sisters and brothers are in committed loving same gendered relationships. While same gendered relationships might not be procreative in the strict sense, they often are very generative, contribute to the common good, and can be examples of a loving, committed relationships. We ask the Church to acknowledge the truth of this.
In 2017, James Martin recommended Fortunate Families. A member of Fortunate Families introduced Martin before his address at the 2018 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress.
Also, in 2017, Bishop John Stowe of Lexington, who serves as an “Ecclesial Advisor” to Fortunate Families, made the controversial decision to speak at New Ways Ministry’s Eighth National Symposium held in Chicago, Illinois.
A “Theological Advisor” to Fortunate Families is gay theologian Andy Buechel. Concerning the Apostle Thomas and the Resurrected Christ, Buechel (in his 2015 book, That We Might Become God: The Queerness of Creedal Christianity) described “the erotic and sexual charge of Jesus’ encounter with Thomas…” According to Buechel:
Strictly, and anachronistically, speaking, this encounter is homosexual: it involves deep erotic intimacy between two people of the same sex.
Archbishop Wilton Gregory has also shown support for an Atlanta-based offshoot of Fortunate Families, and a Catholic deacon who spoke at a 2018 event sponsored by Fortunate Families assisted Cardinal Kevin Farrell at the closing Mass of the Pastoral Congress portion of the 2018 World Meeting of Families in Dublin.
Published with permission from Joseph Sciambra.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-04--VIDEO: College students in US capital call for unlimited tax-funded abortion

WASHINGTON , D.C. , February 3 , 2020 ( Live Action News ) — A new Campus Reform video is raising eyebrows after students at George Washington University admitted they support abortion up until birth .
In the video , Eduardo Neret went to the campus before the March for Life and interviewed people on the street about their views regarding abortion .
The students not only said they agreed with taxpayer funding for abortion , but that they supported abortion through all nine months of pregnancy .
“ I feel like , at the end of the day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body to decide what she wants , ” one student said .
“ That ’ s not my — I don ’ t have much to say about it .
If she wants to do it , then that ’ s up to her.
” When Neret followed up with a question of abortion in the ninth month , the student replied , “ It should be left to her choice.
” Another student likewise said it should be up to the woman , so long as she had “ all the information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was “ her body , ” and therefore , she should be able to make that decision for herself .
Essentially , it came down to saying there should be no restrictions whatsoever on abortion .
Others said they felt that abortion should receive taxpayer funding .
“ Well , I am pro–universal health care , ” one student said .
“ I feel like people should have access to health care plans that do subsidize abortion at the very least.
” Another student declared , “ I think it should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should have the right to.
” Late abortion procedures are long , dangerous , and violent .
The procedures take several days to commit , and in the third trimester , they begin with an injection of digoxin or potassium chloride into the heart of the preborn child to cause cardiac arrest .
The abortionist then begins cervical dilation using laminaria , and after several days , the mother delivers the body of her dead baby .
If she does not go into labor , then the abortionist will commit a D & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which the child ’ s body is ripped apart limb by limb .
There are also numerous risks to late-term abortion , including hemorrhaging , lacerations , uterine perforation , and even death .
And despite what these GWU students are arguing , they ’ re out of touch with the majority of Americans .
Most people do not support taxpayer funded abortion , or abortion without restrictions .
A sizable majority don ’ t think abortion should be legal after the first trimester , let alone legal through all nine months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re in the right — but the reality is , they ’ re out of touch with the majority .
And what they ’ re advocating for is gruesome , brutal , and wrong .
It takes the life of a vulnerable , innocent human being , frequently able to survive on his own outside of the womb , and potentially harms the mother as well .

The students say not only that they agree with taxpayer funding for abortion, but that they support abortion through all nine months of pregnancy.
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 3, 2020 (Live Action News) — A new Campus Reform video is raising eyebrows after students at George Washington University admitted they support abortion up until birth.
In the video, Eduardo Neret went to the campus before the March for Life and interviewed people on the street about their views regarding abortion. The students not only said they agreed with taxpayer funding for abortion, but that they supported abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. “I feel like, at the end of the day, it’s a woman’s body to decide what she wants,” one student said. “That’s not my — I don’t have much to say about it. If she wants to do it, then that’s up to her.” When Neret followed up with a question of abortion in the ninth month, the student replied, “It should be left to her choice.”
Another student likewise said it should be up to the woman, so long as she had “all the information” from her doctors. Still another said it was “her body,” and therefore, she should be able to make that decision for herself. Essentially, it came down to saying there should be no restrictions whatsoever on abortion.
Others said they felt that abortion should receive taxpayer funding. “Well, I am pro–universal health care,” one student said. “I feel like people should have access to health care plans that do subsidize abortion at the very least.” Another student declared, “I think it should be considered a health service that everyone should have the right to.”
Late abortion procedures are long, dangerous, and violent. The procedures take several days to commit, and in the third trimester, they begin with an injection of digoxin or potassium chloride into the heart of the preborn child to cause cardiac arrest. The abortionist then begins cervical dilation using laminaria, and after several days, the mother delivers the body of her dead baby. If she does not go into labor, then the abortionist will commit a D&E, or dilation and evacuation, in which the child’s body is ripped apart limb by limb.
There are also numerous risks to late-term abortion, including hemorrhaging, lacerations, uterine perforation, and even death.
And despite what these GWU students are arguing, they’re out of touch with the majority of Americans. Most people do not support taxpayer funded abortion, or abortion without restrictions. A sizable majority don’t think abortion should be legal after the first trimester, let alone legal through all nine months of pregnancy.
Pro-abortion extremists may believe they’re in the right — but the reality is, they’re out of touch with the majority. And what they’re advocating for is gruesome, brutal, and wrong. It takes the life of a vulnerable, innocent human being, frequently able to survive on his own outside of the womb, and potentially harms the mother as well.
Published with permission from Live Action News.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-04--Argentine bishop condemns politicians suggesting Pope Francis favors abortion legalization

BUENOS AIRES , February 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A bishop wrote that politicians favor legalized abortion because they believe that Pope Francis is as morally relativistic as they are .
Retired bishop Héctor Aguer , who has long defended the right to life , denounced the current Peronist government of Argentina because of its initiative to decriminalize the practice of abortion .
In a column , Bishop Aguer said liberalizing abortion law and regulations “ will lead to greater misfortunes than those already suffered by Argentine society.
” He warned : “ It would be another step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national community , the triumph of materialism and selfish individualism that would deprive our people of the future they deserve.
” Noting that Argentine president Alberto Fernández is a well known supporter of legalized abortion , Bishop Aguer wrote : “ Our politicians are morally relativistic , and they must think the pope is , too.
” Referring to Eduardo Valdes — a personal acquaintance of Pope Francis who served as Argentine ambassador to the Holy See during the previous Peronist government — Bishop Aguer wrote that Valdes has claimed that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s liberalization of abortion because “ that is the way the world is going.
” Indeed , the bishop pointed out that Fernández announced on the eve of his meeting on Friday with the pontiff that abortion would not be discussed .
Aguer expressed astonishment that abortion was not an item of discussion by the two leaders .
He wrote : “ The abominable crime — that is what the Second Vatican Council called abortion — is not an important issue compared to those of poverty , hunger , and national debt ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no chance of knowing , but can we not think the pope would be very sorry that his country of origin joins those who have already included in their legislation the permission to kill unpunished children with impunity ?
” When a Vatican statement claimed that Pope Francis and the president had discussed abortion , according to La Nación , Fernández emailed the pontiff and demanded an explanation .
Francis replied , “ I will have it corrected , ” in reference to the official Vatican version of their meeting .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had discussed issues relating to poverty and corruption , as well as “ protecting life from the moment of conception.
” Following the email exchange between the two leaders , an unusual admission came from the Vatican , which claimed that it was Cardinal Pietro Parolin — the pope ’ s top diplomat — who had reminded Fernández of the Church ’ s teaching about life issues .
Also , Bishop Aguer did not fail to note in his reflection that President Fernández attended a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catacombs beneath the basilica dedicated to the first pope .
The twice-divorced Fernández received the Eucharist there , as did Fabiola Sánchez , the woman he lives with at the official presidential residence .
Bishop Aguer wrote that Argentina ’ s minister of health , Dr. Ginés González García , promotes “ abortion as a solution to a public health problem , as if pregnancy were a disease.
” The bishop wrote that if González were to focus on reforming Argentina ’ s “ ill favored health system , ” he “ would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and immoral liquidation of unborn children.
” The bishop noted that President Fernández , while serving as chief of President Cristina Kirchner ’ s Cabinet in 2018 , had erroneously cited St. Thomas Aquinas to argue in favor of abortion .
Aguer wrote that Aquinas affirmed that it is immoral to kill an unborn baby at any stage of development , and embryology has since reaffirmed the humanity of unborn humans from the moment of conception .
Aguer wrote : “ I insist : the main anti-abortion argument is strictly scientific .
Genetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially those of Jérôme Lejeune , show that the microscopic embryo has different DNA from that of his parents.
” Therefore , the bishop wrote , an unborn person “ must be recognized as what he is , and his right to life protected — to grow , to be born , and to see the sunlight.
” Pointing out that abortion has been a hallmark of “ totalitarian and imperialist regimes ” to stem population growth in poor countries , the bishop said that leftists can not understand that poor women “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child , even when it has been conceived against their will.
” These women , he wrote , “ possess the meaning of life , of the natural order , which is despised by the comfortable societies of a dehumanized West.
” Argentine politicians , he wrote , “ ignore or repudiate the metaphysical concept of nature ” and thus “ can not comprehend the reality that it designates , and the natural order that follows from it.
” Aguer became a bishop in 1992 .
He was one of the most outspoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards recognizing same-sex unions as “ marriage , ” while he consistently upheld Catholic teachings about contraception .
In Argentine media , he was largely characterized as the conservative counterpart of Pope Francis , who accepted his offer of resignation in 2018 at the age of 75 .

'Our politicians are morally relativistic,' wrote the retired bishop, 'and they must think the pope is, too.'
BUENOS AIRES, February 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A bishop wrote that politicians favor legalized abortion because they believe that Pope Francis is as morally relativistic as they are.
Retired bishop Héctor Aguer, who has long defended the right to life, denounced the current Peronist government of Argentina because of its initiative to decriminalize the practice of abortion. In a column, Bishop Aguer said liberalizing abortion law and regulations “will lead to greater misfortunes than those already suffered by Argentine society.” He warned: “It would be another step toward the abyss of the degradation of the national community, the triumph of materialism and selfish individualism that would deprive our people of the future they deserve.”
Noting that Argentine president Alberto Fernández is a well known supporter of legalized abortion, Bishop Aguer wrote: “Our politicians are morally relativistic, and they must think the pope is, too.”
Referring to Eduardo Valdes — a personal acquaintance of Pope Francis who served as Argentine ambassador to the Holy See during the previous Peronist government — Bishop Aguer wrote that Valdes has claimed that the pontiff would “understand” Argentina’s liberalization of abortion because “that is the way the world is going.” Indeed, the bishop pointed out that Fernández announced on the eve of his meeting on Friday with the pontiff that abortion would not be discussed.
Aguer expressed astonishment that abortion was not an item of discussion by the two leaders. He wrote: “The abominable crime — that is what the Second Vatican Council called abortion — is not an important issue compared to those of poverty, hunger, and national debt? Has it been like this? We have no chance of knowing, but can we not think the pope would be very sorry that his country of origin joins those who have already included in their legislation the permission to kill unpunished children with impunity?”
When a Vatican statement claimed that Pope Francis and the president had discussed abortion, according to La Nación, Fernández emailed the pontiff and demanded an explanation. Francis replied, “I will have it corrected,” in reference to the official Vatican version of their meeting. The Vatican communiqué had declared that the two had discussed issues relating to poverty and corruption, as well as “protecting life from the moment of conception.” Following the email exchange between the two leaders, an unusual admission came from the Vatican, which claimed that it was Cardinal Pietro Parolin — the pope’s top diplomat — who had reminded Fernández of the Church’s teaching about life issues.
Also, Bishop Aguer did not fail to note in his reflection that President Fernández attended a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo at the tomb of St. Peter in the catacombs beneath the basilica dedicated to the first pope. The twice-divorced Fernández received the Eucharist there, as did Fabiola Sánchez, the woman he lives with at the official presidential residence.
Bishop Aguer wrote that Argentina’s minister of health, Dr. Ginés González García, promotes “abortion as a solution to a public health problem, as if pregnancy were a disease.” The bishop wrote that if González were to focus on reforming Argentina’s “ill favored health system,” he “would not have time to schedule the illegitimate and immoral liquidation of unborn children.”
The bishop noted that President Fernández, while serving as chief of President Cristina Kirchner’s Cabinet in 2018, had erroneously cited St. Thomas Aquinas to argue in favor of abortion. Aguer wrote that Aquinas affirmed that it is immoral to kill an unborn baby at any stage of development, and embryology has since reaffirmed the humanity of unborn humans from the moment of conception.
Aguer wrote: “I insist: the main anti-abortion argument is strictly scientific. Genetic studies developed during the twentieth century, especially those of Jérôme Lejeune, show that the microscopic embryo has different DNA from that of his parents.” Therefore, the bishop wrote, an unborn person “must be recognized as what he is, and his right to life protected — to grow, to be born, and to see the sunlight.”
Pointing out that abortion has been a hallmark of “totalitarian and imperialist regimes” to stem population growth in poor countries, the bishop said that leftists cannot understand that poor women “do not want to part with their child, even when it has been conceived against their will.” These women, he wrote, “possess the meaning of life, of the natural order, which is despised by the comfortable societies of a dehumanized West.” Argentine politicians, he wrote, “ignore or repudiate the metaphysical concept of nature” and thus “cannot comprehend the reality that it designates, and the natural order that follows from it.”
Aguer became a bishop in 1992. He was one of the most outspoken bishops opposed to Argentina’s move towards recognizing same-sex unions as “marriage,” while he consistently upheld Catholic teachings about contraception. In Argentine media, he was largely characterized as the conservative counterpart of Pope Francis, who accepted his offer of resignation in 2018 at the age of 75.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-04--Cdl. Müller: German synodal assembly ‘rescinds the Constitution of the Church of Divine Right’

February 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In comments to LifeSiteNews , Cardinal Gerhard Müller strongly criticizes the first official assembly of the German bishops ’ “ synodal path , ” comparing it with the Enabling Act of the German National Socialists in 1933 and saying that it “ rescinds the Constitution of the Church of Divine Right , ” thereby turning away from the Church 's “ religious mission.
” The German synodal path has established four discussion forums which aim at questioning the Church 's teaching and discipline regarding important matters such as female “ ordination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The first assembly gathered in Frankfurt from January 30 to February 1 , with 230 synodal members present .
On the second day of their meeting , the synodal assembly approved of its standing order which gives much weight to lay people and women ( every vote has to be approved by a majority of the female members ) .
These standing orders have now been approved by more than 90 % of the synodal members .
They now request that a proposal can pass when two-thirds of the bishops and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the approval of the majority of female members .
One of the key decisions of that meeting was that the members rejected a proposal of some five conservative bishops – among them Cardinal Rainer Woelki and Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer – who asked on Friday that decisions which are contrary to the Church ’ s teaching not be passed on to the synodal assembly for a final vote .
According to the German Catholic newspaper Die Tagespost , the five bishops had requested that the discussion forums ought to have a unanimous consent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple majority ( 51 % ) as first foreseen by the synodal rules .
The bishops wrote as such about the proposed unanimous consent : It is obvious that these German bishops had tried to assure that the synodal path only vote on matters that are in line with the Church 's permanent and definitive teachings .
In the subsequent debate on the five bishops ’ proposal , other members insisted that all the proposals should be presented to the synodal assembly for a definitive and final vote and “ should not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this proposal thus was rejected by 87 % ( 181 members ) of the synodal assembly .
Only 12 % voted in favor of this minority proposal .
As different sources close to the situation have told LifeSiteNews , it seems that about 10 to 15 % of the members of the synodal assembly – only about 30 out of 230 – are faithful to the Church 's Magisterium and try to defend it at the meetings .
Cardinal Gerhard Müller , the former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundamental decisions made during the first synodal meeting when he comments to LifeSiteNews : “ In a suicidal process , the majority decided that their decisions are valid even if they contradict Catholic doctrine.
” He goes on to compare this decisions of the synodal assembly with the time of German history when Adolf Hitler , with the Enabling Act of 1933 , overrode the Weimar Constitution and gave himself plenary powers , thus legally establishing his dictatorship .
Comments Cardinal Müller : “ This is like the situation when the Weimar Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A self-appointed assembly , which is not authorized by God nor by the people it is supposed to represent , rescinds the Constitution of the Church of Divine Right , which is based on the Word of God ( in Scripture and Tradition ) .
” Cardinal Müller also comments on the fact that this German synodal assembly now actually allows lay people to have more voting members ( 52 % ) than bishops ( who only represent 30 % of the synodal members ) and other clergymen together , thus overriding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mission to teach , sanctify , and govern .
He states : “ The basis of episcopal authority is no longer the ‘ Apostles ’ teaching ' ( Acts 2:42 ) and the ‘ Apostolic authority to govern , teach , and sanctify the Church of God in the name of Christ ’ ( Lumen gentium 18- 27 ) , but its administrative and disciplinary power over money and personnel , which they generously wish to share with lay functionaries.
” With piercing tones , the German cardinal describes this development as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he concludes : “ This political conversion of the Church is the turning away from her religious mission .
So : Forwards back to the past !
The reactionary principle is : cuius pecunia eius ecclesia [ ‘ he who has the money runs the Church ’ ] .
” As it turns out , there was much criticism during the first synodal assembly that the small leadership of this synod – Cardinal Reinhard Marx for the German bishops and lay Professor Thomas Sternberg for the Central Committee of German Catholics ( ZdK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – actually had chosen most of the members of the discussion forums which are to come up with themes and proposals to be voted on by the general assembly .
Cardinal Marx heads the German Bishops ' Conference , and Sternberg represents an organization that is mainly composed of professed Catholics stemming from Catholic institutions such as diocesan councils , thus not specifically representing the Catholic people , but , rather , a corporate Catholicism .
Rudolf Gehrig , a journalist working for CNA Deutsch who was present at the first synodal meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the German synodal path .
He comments on the “ autocratic style of discussion ” when he says : “ From the initiators from the spectrum of committee Catholicism a ‘ democratization ’ of the Church is demanded .
Thomas Sternberg 's ‘ basta !
’ policy and the partly autocratic discussion style is surprising and contradicts the self-conception of the 'Zentralkomitee der deutschen Katholiken ' ( ZdK ) .
” Gehrig also observes a certain “ emotionality ” in response to those who criticize and question the 2018 sex abuse study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the reason for the synodal path .
“ The desire for a scientific second opinion [ on the sex abuse crisis of the Church ] has been rejected with emotional outrage and without factual arguments , ” he writes .
For Gehrig , “ the suspicion that the abuse scandal is instrumentalized in order to push through the ‘ reform plans ’ that have long been cherished under the alleged motive of ‘ prevention ’ could not yet be refuted.
” He also points out that an Internet survey among Catholics showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Comments the journalist : “ The impression that the ordination of women [ sic ] is not dealt with theologically but is reduced to a purely power-political question remains an annoyance.
” He also notices a “ more or less open polemics against ‘ conservative ’ positions .
Platitudes and insinuations against ‘ the official church ’ are repeated.
” “ A crisis of faith , ” he continues , “ is not or hardly ever being considered as a possible cause for the whole mess .
However , obvious catechetical deficits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the discussion , substantiate this suspicion.
” He concludes by saying that there is “ mainly ” talk about “ the Church , ” “ but hardly about Jesus Christ.
” One German source who is close to the situation comments to LifeSite in an ironic tone : “ For many , VV1 [ the first general assembly ] was a celebration .
Greatest and brightest hopes are connected with it .
Finally we can build a human church .
Finally we are being praised in the Süddeutsche and the ZDF [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chairman of the Merkel Union [ party of Chancellor Angela Merkel ] joined the chorus of approval.
” But he then adds some piercing remarks , comparing this synodal event in Germany with the building of the Tower of Babel : “ When the Tower of Babel was built , during the building of the first 40 floors , there was also such determined enthusiasm when they pressed the bricks , they mixed the mortar and they hammered together the framework.
” “ One must understand that , ” concluded the German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waited for decades to finally trim the Church to the standards of our time.
” For Professor Ulrich Lehner , a German theologian and professor at Notre Dame University , it is obvious that the results of this synodal path which will take place for the next two years are already prepared .
He commented on Twitter on this first synodal assembly in Frankfurt , saying : “ One could save a lot of time and energy and money if Cardinal Marx would just publish the 'outcome ' of the # SynodalWay - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in his drawer .
China could not have organized a synod better .
”

February 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In comments to LifeSiteNews, Cardinal Gerhard Müller strongly criticizes the first official assembly of the German bishops’ “synodal path,” comparing it with the Enabling Act of the German National Socialists in 1933 and saying that it “rescinds the Constitution of the Church of Divine Right,” thereby turning away from the Church's “religious mission.”
The German synodal path has established four discussion forums which aim at questioning the Church's teaching and discipline regarding important matters such as female “ordination,” celibacy, homosexuality, and contraception. The first assembly gathered in Frankfurt from January 30 to February 1, with 230 synodal members present. On the second day of their meeting, the synodal assembly approved of its standing order which gives much weight to lay people and women (every vote has to be approved by a majority of the female members).
These standing orders have now been approved by more than 90% of the synodal members. They now request that a proposal can pass when two-thirds of the bishops and the synodal assembly approve of it, next to the approval of the majority of female members.
One of the key decisions of that meeting was that the members rejected a proposal of some five conservative bishops – among them Cardinal Rainer Woelki and Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer – who asked on Friday that decisions which are contrary to the Church’s teaching not be passed on to the synodal assembly for a final vote.
According to the German Catholic newspaper Die Tagespost, the five bishops had requested that the discussion forums ought to have a unanimous consent on a vote, instead of a simple majority (51%) as first foreseen by the synodal rules. The bishops wrote as such about the proposed unanimous consent:
“This is given when all agree to the text or at most three persons of the members present vote against it. It is not given if at least four persons are against it or if there is a contradiction between the text and the teaching of the Church. If the vote is negative three times, the original text cannot be used further in the Synodal Path.”
It is obvious that these German bishops had tried to assure that the synodal path only vote on matters that are in line with the Church's permanent and definitive teachings.
In the subsequent debate on the five bishops’ proposal, other members insisted that all the proposals should be presented to the synodal assembly for a definitive and final vote and “should not be eliminated ahead of time.” But, this proposal thus was rejected by 87% (181 members) of the synodal assembly. Only 12% voted in favor of this minority proposal.
As different sources close to the situation have told LifeSiteNews, it seems that about 10 to 15% of the members of the synodal assembly – only about 30 out of 230 – are faithful to the Church's Magisterium and try to defend it at the meetings.
Cardinal Gerhard Müller, the former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, sees the gravity of the fundamental decisions made during the first synodal meeting when he comments to LifeSiteNews: “In a suicidal process, the majority decided that their decisions are valid even if they contradict Catholic doctrine.”
He goes on to compare this decisions of the synodal assembly with the time of German history when Adolf Hitler, with the Enabling Act of 1933, overrode the Weimar Constitution and gave himself plenary powers, thus legally establishing his dictatorship.
Comments Cardinal Müller: “This is like the situation when the Weimar Constitution was repealed by the Enabling Act. A self-appointed assembly, which is not authorized by God nor by the people it is supposed to represent, rescinds the Constitution of the Church of Divine Right, which is based on the Word of God (in Scripture and Tradition).”
Cardinal Müller also comments on the fact that this German synodal assembly now actually allows lay people to have more voting members (52%) than bishops (who only represent 30% of the synodal members) and other clergymen together, thus overriding the bishops' own sacramentally given authority and mission to teach, sanctify, and govern.
He states: “The basis of episcopal authority is no longer the ‘Apostles’ teaching' (Acts 2:42) and the ‘Apostolic authority to govern, teach, and sanctify the Church of God in the name of Christ’ (Lumen gentium 18- 27), but its administrative and disciplinary power over money and personnel, which they generously wish to share with lay functionaries.”
With piercing tones, the German cardinal describes this development as an abandonment of the Church's mission when he concludes: “This political conversion of the Church is the turning away from her religious mission. So: Forwards back to the past! The reactionary principle is: cuius pecunia eius ecclesia [‘he who has the money runs the Church’].”
As it turns out, there was much criticism during the first synodal assembly that the small leadership of this synod – Cardinal Reinhard Marx for the German bishops and lay Professor Thomas Sternberg for the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), together with their vice presidents – actually had chosen most of the members of the discussion forums which are to come up with themes and proposals to be voted on by the general assembly. Cardinal Marx heads the German Bishops' Conference, and Sternberg represents an organization that is mainly composed of professed Catholics stemming from Catholic institutions such as diocesan councils, thus not specifically representing the Catholic people, but, rather, a corporate Catholicism.
Rudolf Gehrig, a journalist working for CNA Deutsch who was present at the first synodal meeting in Frankfurt, published some strong criticisms of the German synodal path. He comments on the “autocratic style of discussion” when he says: “From the initiators from the spectrum of committee Catholicism a ‘democratization’ of the Church is demanded. Thomas Sternberg's ‘basta!’ policy and the partly autocratic discussion style is surprising and contradicts the self-conception of the 'Zentralkomitee der deutschen Katholiken' (ZdK).”
Gehrig also observes a certain “emotionality” in response to those who criticize and question the 2018 sex abuse study that is used by the German bishops as the reason for the synodal path. “The desire for a scientific second opinion [on the sex abuse crisis of the Church] has been rejected with emotional outrage and without factual arguments,” he writes.
For Gehrig, “the suspicion that the abuse scandal is instrumentalized in order to push through the ‘reform plans’ that have long been cherished under the alleged motive of ‘prevention’ could not yet be refuted.” He also points out that an Internet survey among Catholics showed very little interest in female “ordination.”
Comments the journalist: “The impression that the ordination of women [sic] is not dealt with theologically but is reduced to a purely power-political question remains an annoyance.” He also notices a “more or less open polemics against ‘conservative’ positions. Platitudes and insinuations against ‘the official church’ are repeated.”
“A crisis of faith,” he continues, “is not or hardly ever being considered as a possible cause for the whole mess. However, obvious catechetical deficits, even among many of the participants in the discussion, substantiate this suspicion.” He concludes by saying that there is “mainly” talk about “the Church,” “but hardly about Jesus Christ.”
One German source who is close to the situation comments to LifeSite in an ironic tone: “For many, VV1 [the first general assembly] was a celebration. Greatest and brightest hopes are connected with it. Finally we can build a human church. Finally we are being praised in the Süddeutsche and the ZDF [German public-service television broadcaster]. Even the chairman of the Merkel Union [party of Chancellor Angela Merkel] joined the chorus of approval.”
But he then adds some piercing remarks, comparing this synodal event in Germany with the building of the Tower of Babel: “When the Tower of Babel was built, during the building of the first 40 floors, there was also such determined enthusiasm when they pressed the bricks, they mixed the mortar and they hammered together the framework.”
“One must understand that,” concluded the German source. “So many people have waited for decades to finally trim the Church to the standards of our time.”
For Professor Ulrich Lehner, a German theologian and professor at Notre Dame University, it is obvious that the results of this synodal path which will take place for the next two years are already prepared. He commented on Twitter on this first synodal assembly in Frankfurt, saying: “One could save a lot of time and energy and money if Cardinal Marx would just publish the 'outcome' of the #SynodalWay – after all, it's already written and in his drawer. China could not have organized a synod better.”
Follow Maike Dr. Maike Hickson was born and raised in Germany. She holds a PhD from the University of Hannover, Germany, after having written in Switzerland her doctoral dissertation on the history of Swiss intellectuals before and during World War II. She now lives in the U.S. and is married to Dr. Robert Hickson, and they have been blessed with two beautiful children. She is a happy housewife who likes to write articles when time permits. Dr. Hickson published in 2014 a Festschrift, a collection of some thirty essays written by thoughtful authors in honor of her husband upon his 70th birthday, which is entitled A Catholic Witness in Our Time. Hickson has closely followed the papacy of Pope Francis and the developments in the Catholic Church in Germany, and she has been writing articles on religion and politics for U.S. and European publications and websites such as LifeSiteNews, OnePeterFive, The Wanderer, Rorate Caeli, Catholicism.org, Catholic Family News, Christian Order, Notizie Pro-Vita, Corrispondenza Romana, Katholisches.info, Der Dreizehnte, Zeit-Fragen, and Westfalen-Blatt.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-03--Reform of Roman Curia could lead to validation of German ‘synodal path’

February 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The upcoming reform of the Roman Curia could have far-reaching consequences for the Catholic Church in Germany , potentially leading to a validation of the synodal path currently underway .
In an analysis piece at Catholic News Agency ( CNA ) , canon lawyer Ed Condon pointed to a draft of the document on the reform of the administrative institutions of the Vatican and the Catholic Church currently being prepared by Pope Francis .
“ In what would be a significant innovation , the draft constitution specifically refers to the ‘ genuine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conferences , ” explained Condon .
Further , according to the draft , the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith “ ‘ will apply the principle of subsidiarity ’ on any measures related to ‘ protecting the faith.
’ ” Pope Francis indicated in his 2013 apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium his openness to granting “ genuine doctrinal authority ” to bishops ’ conferences .
In the same section of the exhortation , he also cautioned against “ excessive centralization.
” The draft of the document on the reform of the Curia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among departments in the Vatican , bishops ’ conferences , apostolic nuncios , and others , since mid-2019 .
In Condon ’ s article , “ multiple sources familiar with the drafting process ” are cited as saying the document “ was heavily informed by the wishes of Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich , head of the German bishops ’ conference , and a key member of the Pope ’ s council of cardinal advisors.
” This , added Condon , “ was the focus of sustained criticism in feedback offered by bishops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Congregation for Bishops told CNA “ that , if the provision remains in the final text of the constitution , it would essentially validate the German synodal process , whatever the curia ’ s stated objections to it.
” In the fall of 2019 , Cardinal Marc Ouellet , head of the Congregation for Bishops , passed along to Cardinal Marx a legal assessment of the German bishops ’ draft statutes by the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts .
Among other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How can an assembly of a particular Church decide on issues of the universal Church , and how can an episcopal conference be dominated by an assembly of which most members are not bishops ?
” The German bishops ’ conference responded by pointing to the fact that the Vatican only analyzed a draft of the statutes .
The assessment did not take into account “ the version updated in July and after the meeting of the Permanent Council in August , which no longer contains some passages to which the assessment refers.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ouellet , Cardinal Marx had pointed out that the Church in Germany had intentionally chosen a form of proceedings not covered by canon law .
Thus , claimed the archbishop of Munich , the statutes should not have been looked at through the eyes of canon law .
Pope Francis himself had sent a letter to all Catholics in Germany at the end of June .
However , as LifeSiteNews reported at the time , “ since Pope Francis wrote in a more general manner and chose not to mention any specific topics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the questioning of priestly celibacy and of the Church ’ s teaching on sexuality – the different camps in Germany all interpret his letter in a way pleasing to them.
” In spite of that correspondence with the Vatican , the synodal path in Germany continued to move forward .
In early February 2020 , the first assembly of the synodal path concluded in Frankfurt .
The second assembly is scheduled for early September .
Ed Condon , in his article on the reform of the Curia , quotes a senior Vatican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reason for their confidence , and for the boldness .
It is a waiting game – they say to us ‘ wait and see [ our ] results before you judge the process , ’ but by then they can say they have this authority and demand subsidiarity.
” The source added , “ Never mind which dicastery comes first in the line [ in Roman precedence ] , these two sentences can remake the whole Church.
” Episcopal conferences , commonly referred to as bishops ’ conferences , have existed since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations of the bishops of a given territory .
The decree Christus Dominus of the Second Vatican Council first formalized bishops ’ conferences as part of the constitution of the Church .
In it , the council fathers stated , “ This sacred synod considers it to be supremely fitting that everywhere bishops belonging to the same nation or region form an association which would meet at fixed times.
” The document defined , “ An episcopal conference is , as it were , a council in which the bishops of a given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office to promote the greater good which the Church offers mankind , especially through the forms and methods of the apostolate fittingly adapted to the circumstances of the age.
” In 1983 , the new Code of Canon Law explained , following the directives of the Second Vatican Council , “ The Episcopal Conference can make general decrees only in cases where the universal law has so prescribed , or by special mandate of the Apostolic See , either on its own initiative or at the request of the Conference itself.
” Otherwise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains intact , meaning the bishop makes the decisions within his diocese .
In his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium , Pope Francis referenced the Second Vatican Council , saying that “ like the ancient patriarchal Churches , episcopal conferences are in a position ‘ to contribute in many and fruitful ways to the concrete realization of the collegial spirit.
’ Yet this desire has not been fully realized , since a juridical status of episcopal conferences which would see them as subjects of specific attributions , including genuine doctrinal authority , has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rather than proving helpful , complicates the Church ’ s life and her missionary outreach.
” Pope Francis ’ document on the reform of the Roman Curia is still being evaluated by his council of cardinal advisors .
Apart from Cardinal Marx , the members are Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin , Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga from Honduras , Cardinal Seán Patrick O ’ Malley , the archbishop of Boston , as well as Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello , the President of the Governorate of Vatican City State , and Cardinal Oswald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when the advisors met last time , the Holy See Press Office released a statement indicating that one of the aspects that still needed further study was the question of “ the relationship between the Curia and the episcopal conferences.
” The council of cardinal advisors will come together again in Rome this month .

February 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The upcoming reform of the Roman Curia could have far-reaching consequences for the Catholic Church in Germany, potentially leading to a validation of the synodal path currently underway.
In an analysis piece at Catholic News Agency (CNA), canon lawyer Ed Condon pointed to a draft of the document on the reform of the administrative institutions of the Vatican and the Catholic Church currently being prepared by Pope Francis.
“In what would be a significant innovation, the draft constitution specifically refers to the ‘genuine doctrinal authority’ of national bishops’ conferences,” explained Condon. Further, according to the draft, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith “‘will apply the principle of subsidiarity’ on any measures related to ‘protecting the faith.’”
Pope Francis indicated in his 2013 apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium his openness to granting “genuine doctrinal authority” to bishops’ conferences. In the same section of the exhortation, he also cautioned against “excessive centralization.”
The draft of the document on the reform of the Curia, titled Praedicate Evangelium, has been circulating among departments in the Vatican, bishops’ conferences, apostolic nuncios, and others, since mid-2019.
In Condon’s article, “multiple sources familiar with the drafting process” are cited as saying the document “was heavily informed by the wishes of Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich, head of the German bishops’ conference, and a key member of the Pope’s council of cardinal advisors.” This, added Condon, “was the focus of sustained criticism in feedback offered by bishops around the world last summer.”
Officials working for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Congregation for Bishops told CNA “that, if the provision remains in the final text of the constitution, it would essentially validate the German synodal process, whatever the curia’s stated objections to it.”
In the fall of 2019, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, head of the Congregation for Bishops, passed along to Cardinal Marx a legal assessment of the German bishops’ draft statutes by the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.
Among other things, the assessment asked, “How can an assembly of a particular Church decide on issues of the universal Church, and how can an episcopal conference be dominated by an assembly of which most members are not bishops?”
The German bishops’ conference responded by pointing to the fact that the Vatican only analyzed a draft of the statutes. The assessment did not take into account “the version updated in July and after the meeting of the Permanent Council in August, which no longer contains some passages to which the assessment refers.”
Additionally, in a letter to Ouellet, Cardinal Marx had pointed out that the Church in Germany had intentionally chosen a form of proceedings not covered by canon law. Thus, claimed the archbishop of Munich, the statutes should not have been looked at through the eyes of canon law.
Pope Francis himself had sent a letter to all Catholics in Germany at the end of June. However, as LifeSiteNews reported at the time, “since Pope Francis wrote in a more general manner and chose not to mention any specific topics of the new synodal path – such as the questioning of priestly celibacy and of the Church’s teaching on sexuality – the different camps in Germany all interpret his letter in a way pleasing to them.”
In spite of that correspondence with the Vatican, the synodal path in Germany continued to move forward. In early February 2020, the first assembly of the synodal path concluded in Frankfurt. The second assembly is scheduled for early September.
Ed Condon, in his article on the reform of the Curia, quotes a senior Vatican official as saying, “This is the reason for their confidence, and for the boldness. It is a waiting game – they say to us ‘wait and see [our] results before you judge the process,’ but by then they can say they have this authority and demand subsidiarity.”
The source added, “Never mind which dicastery comes first in the line [in Roman precedence], these two sentences can remake the whole Church.”
Episcopal conferences, commonly referred to as bishops’ conferences, have existed since the 19th century. They are informal organizations of the bishops of a given territory.
The decree Christus Dominus of the Second Vatican Council first formalized bishops’ conferences as part of the constitution of the Church. In it, the council fathers stated, “This sacred synod considers it to be supremely fitting that everywhere bishops belonging to the same nation or region form an association which would meet at fixed times.”
The document defined, “An episcopal conference is, as it were, a council in which the bishops of a given nation or territory jointly exercise their pastoral office to promote the greater good which the Church offers mankind, especially through the forms and methods of the apostolate fittingly adapted to the circumstances of the age.”
In 1983, the new Code of Canon Law explained, following the directives of the Second Vatican Council, “The Episcopal Conference can make general decrees only in cases where the universal law has so prescribed, or by special mandate of the Apostolic See, either on its own initiative or at the request of the Conference itself.” Otherwise, the competence of each diocesan bishop remains intact, meaning the bishop makes the decisions within his diocese.
In his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis referenced the Second Vatican Council, saying that “like the ancient patriarchal Churches, episcopal conferences are in a position ‘to contribute in many and fruitful ways to the concrete realization of the collegial spirit.’ Yet this desire has not been fully realized, since a juridical status of episcopal conferences which would see them as subjects of specific attributions, including genuine doctrinal authority, has not yet been sufficiently elaborated. Excessive centralization, rather than proving helpful, complicates the Church’s life and her missionary outreach.”
Pope Francis’ document on the reform of the Roman Curia is still being evaluated by his council of cardinal advisors. Apart from Cardinal Marx, the members are Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga from Honduras, Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, the archbishop of Boston, as well as Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, the President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, and Cardinal Oswald Gracias from India.
In December 2019, when the advisors met last time, the Holy See Press Office released a statement indicating that one of the aspects that still needed further study was the question of “the relationship between the Curia and the episcopal conferences.”
The council of cardinal advisors will come together again in Rome this month.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-03--Kansas introduces bill allowing public buildings to display ‘In God We Trust’

WICHITA , Kansas , February 3 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) -- A Kansas state legislator is backing a bill to require public buildings to display the national motto “ In God We Trust.
” State Rep. Michael Capps , a Republican , sponsored legislation that mandates every state and municipal building in Kansas , including libraries and classrooms in public schools , colleges and universities , display the official motto adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1956 .
The motto first appeared on a two-cent coin in 1864 during the American Civil War and has appeared on paper currency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ E Pluribus Unum.
” According to the Wichita Eagle newspaper , Capps said of House Bill 2476 , “ It should be displayed as an acknowledgment of our country ’ s history and founding principles.
” Co-sponsor Rep. Brandon Reed said the motto is the right remedy for troubled times .
“ If one kid walks into school and they see over the auditorium or in the office window , or something like that , and they ’ ve been having a bad day , if they just see that message , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they can change their outlook for the day , I think it ’ s worth it , ” Reed said .
The lower house of the Kansas legislature had an open hearing on the bill Thursday .
Democrat Rep. Stephanie Clayton was not one of the supporters , saying , “ I already have some heartburn here , because not everyone in this country or state does believe in God.
” Republican Rep. Blake Carpenter offered a lukewarm response .
“ I love our national motto , I do support it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m curious , do you think when you say ‘ every classroom or library ’ might be slight overkill instead of just putting it at the main entrance or the main lobby … would be just as good ?
” The bill does not require public expenditures .
Instead , donors would provide funds to schools and governments to purchase displays or donate materials .
The bill requires that each display must be at least 11 inches wide by 14 inches high , offer the motto in large letters , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kansas .
During the hearing in the state senate on Thursday , Reed recalled for his colleagues the example set by 15-year-old Preston Cope , a victim of the deadly 2018 shooting at a high school in Kansas .
Reed showed what he identified as the last photograph Cope took , which was a display of “ In God We Trust.
” Josh Buckman of American Atheists , a group dedicated to the “ absolute separation of religion from government , ” told WLKY news that “ I believe that ‘ In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure on people in order to conform to a certain belief system.
” On the group ’ s website , Buckman is identified as a “ recovering Catholic ” who advocates for Planned Parenthood .
`` This bill has nothing to do with educating Kansas students , ” American Atheists leader Nick Fish said in a statement .
“ It 's clear some lawmakers care more about forcing a religious message into school classrooms than teaching the facts . ''
During the hearing , Pastor Jason Crosby of First Baptist Church in Louisville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are called to love one another , and you are not loving someone else if you demand that they conform to your way and perspective .
That ’ s not love .
That ’ s not placing your trust in God .
That ’ s imposing your power on others .
That would be state-sanctioned school bullying.
” In response to critics , Rep. Capps emailed a statement to the Wichita Eagle , recalling that President Dwight Eisenhower signed the bill that established the national motto .
“ Misguided people have attempted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Capps said .
“ If fringe groups are offended , they are welcome to move elsewhere.
” Capps added that he will continue to pray that atheists “ come to find the love our country our founders showed.
” Legislation has been introduced in other states , including Florida and Oklahoma , to require the display of the motto in schools and public buildings .

Public schools also would be required to post a sign with the national motto.
WICHITA, Kansas, February 3, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A Kansas state legislator is backing a bill to require public buildings to display the national motto “In God We Trust.”
State Rep. Michael Capps, a Republican, sponsored legislation that mandates every state and municipal building in Kansas, including libraries and classrooms in public schools, colleges and universities, display the official motto adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1956. The motto first appeared on a two-cent coin in 1864 during the American Civil War and has appeared on paper currency since 1957, replacing the phrase “E Pluribus Unum.”
According to the Wichita Eagle newspaper, Capps said of House Bill 2476, “It should be displayed as an acknowledgment of our country’s history and founding principles.”
Co-sponsor Rep. Brandon Reed said the motto is the right remedy for troubled times.
“If one kid walks into school and they see over the auditorium or in the office window, or something like that, and they’ve been having a bad day, if they just see that message, if it speaks internally to them some way, and they can change their outlook for the day, I think it’s worth it,” Reed said.
The lower house of the Kansas legislature had an open hearing on the bill Thursday.
Democrat Rep. Stephanie Clayton was not one of the supporters, saying, “I already have some heartburn here, because not everyone in this country or state does believe in God.”
Republican Rep. Blake Carpenter offered a lukewarm response. “I love our national motto, I do support it,” then added, “but I’m curious, do you think when you say ‘every classroom or library’ might be slight overkill instead of just putting it at the main entrance or the main lobby … would be just as good?”
The bill does not require public expenditures. Instead, donors would provide funds to schools and governments to purchase displays or donate materials. The bill requires that each display must be at least 11 inches wide by 14 inches high, offer the motto in large letters, and incorporate the flags of the United States and Kansas.
During the hearing in the state senate on Thursday, Reed recalled for his colleagues the example set by 15-year-old Preston Cope, a victim of the deadly 2018 shooting at a high school in Kansas.
Reed showed what he identified as the last photograph Cope took, which was a display of “In God We Trust.”
Josh Buckman of American Atheists, a group dedicated to the “absolute separation of religion from government,” told WLKY news that “I believe that ‘In God We Trust’ just puts certain pressure on people in order to conform to a certain belief system.”
On the group’s website, Buckman is identified as a “recovering Catholic” who advocates for Planned Parenthood.
“This bill has nothing to do with educating Kansas students,” American Atheists leader Nick Fish said in a statement. “It's clear some lawmakers care more about forcing a religious message into school classrooms than teaching the facts.”
During the hearing, Pastor Jason Crosby of First Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, declared, “Christians are called to love one another, and you are not loving someone else if you demand that they conform to your way and perspective. That’s not love. That’s not placing your trust in God. That’s imposing your power on others. That would be state-sanctioned school bullying.”
In response to critics, Rep. Capps emailed a statement to the Wichita Eagle, recalling that President Dwight Eisenhower signed the bill that established the national motto.
“Misguided people have attempted to sunder the country ever since then,” Capps said. “If fringe groups are offended, they are welcome to move elsewhere.”
Capps added that he will continue to pray that atheists “come to find the love our country our founders showed.”
Legislation has been introduced in other states, including Florida and Oklahoma, to require the display of the motto in schools and public buildings.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-04--LGBT activists force France venue to cancel public debate on artificial procreation for lesbians

VERSAILLES , France , February 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A public debate featuring opponents to the legalization of access to artificial procreation for single women and lesbian couples was canceled in Versailles , France , this Tuesday because of threats of disruption by “ LGBT groups.
” The incident is one of a rapidly growing list of censured meetings in an atmosphere of increasing hostility towards those who resist “ single thought ” , which accuses dissident voices of “ hate speech ” of various kinds .
The planned round table was to take place in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 20 km from Paris .
The “ Cyrano ” opened in 1928 and over the years welcomed many live performances ranging from French singers Charles Aznavour and Georges Brassens to the Beatles and Trini Lopez in the 1960s .
It was restructured into smaller movie halls but still welcomes live debates and conferences .
The family-owned venue was bought in 2017 by UGC ( Union générale cinématographique , one of the main cinema chains in France ) .
It was successfully pressured to cancel the round table against planned changes to France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been organized by a cultural association created in Versailles by young professionals in the wake of the “ Manif pour tous ” against same-sex “ marriage ” in 2013 , under the name “ Les Eveilleurs d ’ Espérance : ” “ The Awakeners of Hope.
” Over the years the “ Eveilleurs ” have invited political , media and academic personalities in an aim to champion personal commitment , respect for life , the defense of traditional marriage and family , as well as filial attachment to the fatherland and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spiritual roots of France ’ s history .
Four speakers were to take part in Tuesday ’ s event .
Ludovine de La Rochère , president of the “ Manif pour tous , ” is active in the opposition movement to the liberalization of medically assisted procreation , “ Marchons enfants.
” Agnès Thill , a former member of Emmanuel Macron ’ s presidential party , was excluded from “ LREM ” ( La République en Marche ) last July for having voiced her opposition to “ medically assisted procreation ” , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in France , “ without a father.
” The third speaker , Thérèse Hargot , is a sexologist and a more controversial figure .
While opposed to artificial contraception and procreation , she recently co-authored a book with Bishop Emmanuel Gobilliard , auxiliary bishop of Lyon in which she speaks sympathetically of masturbation – including for women religious .
Lastly , Jean-Marie Le Méné , president of the pro-life Fondation Jérôme-Lejeune which funds research on Downs syndrome and assists families confronted with this genetic disorder , was to speak about the eugenic aspects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law which aims to make the possibility of embryo research the norm , and not the exception .
None of these speakers has the reputation of being “ extremist ” or radical , and the issues that were to be raised are precisely those under discussion in the French Parliament .
But the title of the round table was enough to anger “ LGBT groups : ” “ PMA , GPA ( artificial procreation , surrogacy ) , hunted down embryos : the victims of the bioethics law.
” The Eveilleurs called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and were disappointed that the managing team of the Cyrano cinema was not prepared to take into account the “ reliability ” of their “ security team.
” Instead , the Cyrano told the organizers it feared “ public disturbances because of planned action in the part of LGBT groups.
” In other words , the cinema ’ s management caved to threats from those who intended to disturb the public order rather than take steps to guarantee the peaceful functioning of a legitimate public contribution to a national debate .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a choice , we do not exclude the existence of an ideological desire to silence those who want to enlighten consciences about the very serious abuses contained in the draft bioethics law , ” wrote the Eveilleurs in a public statement .
It is the second time in less than eight days that the Cyrano cinema has canceled a conference within its walls : last week a round table on the realities and dangers of Islam organized by “ Liberté politique ” was annulled under pressure of the UGC group .
Three weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the West of France , a conference on the “ Meaning of life ” by Alliance Vita , which is also active in the fight against the new bioethics law , was disrupted by LGBT and feminist movements that later claimed responsibility for the attack .
On January 13 , the conference was being prepared by eight members of Alliance Vita in the auditorium of the “ Maison des Associations ” ( the House of Associations ) in Rennes when a hundred or so activists , some of them hooded , invaded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference room .
“ There wasn ’ t much we could do .
People were hit and two of us also got tear-gassed .
All the documents we had prepared for the training session were thrown away or destroyed .
In the end , we were forced to cancel the evening , ” said one of the members of Alliance Vita .
He told French center-right weekly Valeurs actuelles that a police patrol was summoned .
It stayed until the violent LGBT demonstrators had left but there were no arrests , despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed personal complaints , one of whom was given three days of “ temporary incapacity for work.
” The LGBT and feminist groups have since pressured the socialist municipality of Rennes not to allow Alliance Vita to organize other conferences in the town , accusing the group of “ right-wing extremism ” and “ homophobic , sexist and transphobic speech , ” as well as being responsible because of its “ ideas ” for the “ humiliations , denial of rights , discriminations and physical and verbal aggressions ” they say happen “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been no police action regarding these violent activists , in contrast with what happened in La Roche-sur-Yon , Vendée , last June , when Catholic students toppled over public signs and took and later burnt an LGBT flag on display in the middle of the town ’ s main square .
Those young people were sanctioned by the Catholic university ICES , where most of them were studying – including the dismissal of one student – , and were later declared guilty of several offenses by a local tribunal .
Their appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wife of former socialist Prime minister Lionel Jospin , philosopher Sylviane Agacinski , was prevented from giving a conference at the University of Bordeaux Montaigne last October about “ the human being in an age where it can be technically reproduced.
” Surprisingly , this progressive and feminist thinker is opposed to the liberalization of assisted procreation and frontally condemns surrogate motherhood .
Three weeks before the planned date , on October 24 , a number of local feminist and LGBT groups complained to the University staff in violent terms and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear of not being able to “ ensure the security of persons and goods .
”

The incident is one of a rapidly growing list of censured meetings in an atmosphere of increasing hostility towards those who resist 'single thought'
VERSAILLES, France, February 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A public debate featuring opponents to the legalization of access to artificial procreation for single women and lesbian couples was canceled in Versailles, France, this Tuesday because of threats of disruption by “LGBT groups.”
The incident is one of a rapidly growing list of censured meetings in an atmosphere of increasing hostility towards those who resist “single thought”, which accuses dissident voices of “hate speech” of various kinds.
The planned round table was to take place in the historic cinema of the center of Versailles, 20 km from Paris. The “Cyrano” opened in 1928 and over the years welcomed many live performances ranging from French singers Charles Aznavour and Georges Brassens to the Beatles and Trini Lopez in the 1960s. It was restructured into smaller movie halls but still welcomes live debates and conferences.
The family-owned venue was bought in 2017 by UGC (Union générale cinématographique, one of the main cinema chains in France). It was successfully pressured to cancel the round table against planned changes to France’s bioethics law.
The debate had been organized by a cultural association created in Versailles by young professionals in the wake of the “Manif pour tous” against same-sex “marriage” in 2013, under the name “Les Eveilleurs d’Espérance:” “The Awakeners of Hope.” Over the years the “Eveilleurs” have invited political, media and academic personalities in an aim to champion personal commitment, respect for life, the defense of traditional marriage and family, as well as filial attachment to the fatherland and the rebuilding of culture through the moral and spiritual roots of France’s history.
Four speakers were to take part in Tuesday’s event. Ludovine de La Rochère, president of the “Manif pour tous,” is active in the opposition movement to the liberalization of medically assisted procreation, “Marchons enfants.”
Agnès Thill, a former member of Emmanuel Macron’s presidential party, was excluded from “LREM” (La République en Marche) last July for having voiced her opposition to “medically assisted procreation”, or “PMA” as it is called in France, “without a father.”
The third speaker, Thérèse Hargot, is a sexologist and a more controversial figure. While opposed to artificial contraception and procreation, she recently co-authored a book with Bishop Emmanuel Gobilliard, auxiliary bishop of Lyon in which she speaks sympathetically of masturbation – including for women religious.
Lastly, Jean-Marie Le Méné, president of the pro-life Fondation Jérôme-Lejeune which funds research on Downs syndrome and assists families confronted with this genetic disorder, was to speak about the eugenic aspects of France’s future revised bioethics law which aims to make the possibility of embryo research the norm, and not the exception.
None of these speakers has the reputation of being “extremist” or radical, and the issues that were to be raised are precisely those under discussion in the French Parliament.
But the title of the round table was enough to anger “LGBT groups:” “PMA, GPA (artificial procreation, surrogacy), hunted down embryos: the victims of the bioethics law.”
The Eveilleurs called the decision to evince their meeting “brutal” and were disappointed that the managing team of the Cyrano cinema was not prepared to take into account the “reliability” of their “security team.” Instead, the Cyrano told the organizers it feared “public disturbances because of planned action in the part of LGBT groups.”
In other words, the cinema’s management caved to threats from those who intended to disturb the public order rather than take steps to guarantee the peaceful functioning of a legitimate public contribution to a national debate.
“Behind the particularly surprising motivation for such a choice, we do not exclude the existence of an ideological desire to silence those who want to enlighten consciences about the very serious abuses contained in the draft bioethics law,” wrote the Eveilleurs in a public statement.
It is the second time in less than eight days that the Cyrano cinema has canceled a conference within its walls: last week a round table on the realities and dangers of Islam organized by “Liberté politique” was annulled under pressure of the UGC group.
Three weeks earlier, in Rennes, Brittany in the West of France, a conference on the “Meaning of life” by Alliance Vita, which is also active in the fight against the new bioethics law, was disrupted by LGBT and feminist movements that later claimed responsibility for the attack.
On January 13, the conference was being prepared by eight members of Alliance Vita in the auditorium of the “Maison des Associations” (the House of Associations) in Rennes when a hundred or so activists, some of them hooded, invaded the area, preventing guests from entering the conference room.
“There wasn’t much we could do. People were hit and two of us also got tear-gassed. All the documents we had prepared for the training session were thrown away or destroyed. In the end, we were forced to cancel the evening,” said one of the members of Alliance Vita.
He told French center-right weekly Valeurs actuelles that a police patrol was summoned. It stayed until the violent LGBT demonstrators had left but there were no arrests, despite the fact that three members of Alliance Vita filed personal complaints, one of whom was given three days of “temporary incapacity for work.”
The LGBT and feminist groups have since pressured the socialist municipality of Rennes not to allow Alliance Vita to organize other conferences in the town, accusing the group of “right-wing extremism” and “homophobic, sexist and transphobic speech,” as well as being responsible because of its “ideas” for the “humiliations, denial of rights, discriminations and physical and verbal aggressions” they say happen “every day.”
To date, there has been no police action regarding these violent activists, in contrast with what happened in La Roche-sur-Yon, Vendée, last June, when Catholic students toppled over public signs and took and later burnt an LGBT flag on display in the middle of the town’s main square. Those young people were sanctioned by the Catholic university ICES, where most of them were studying – including the dismissal of one student –, and were later declared guilty of several offenses by a local tribunal. Their appeal is pending.
In another incident, the wife of former socialist Prime minister Lionel Jospin, philosopher Sylviane Agacinski, was prevented from giving a conference at the University of Bordeaux Montaigne last October about “the human being in an age where it can be technically reproduced.” Surprisingly, this progressive and feminist thinker is opposed to the liberalization of assisted procreation and frontally condemns surrogate motherhood.
Three weeks before the planned date, on October 24, a number of local feminist and LGBT groups complained to the University staff in violent terms and it was decided to scrap the conference for fear of not being able to “ensure the security of persons and goods.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-04--Abortion pill reversal bill introduced in Michigan

LANSING , Michigan , February 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – New legislation has been introduced in Michigan to require that women seeking chemical abortions be informed of their options for reversing the decision should they have second thoughts .
House Bill 5374 requires women seeking a chemical to be given information on the Abortion Pill Reversal ( APR ) technique .
The abortion pill mifepristone ( better known as RU-486 ) works by blocking the natural hormone progesterone that developing babies require to survive .
APR consists of administering extra progesterone to counteract mifepristone ’ s effects , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion pill .
“ It ’ s called the Abortion Pill Reversal bill , and it basically allows a woman to be informed that if she should change her mind during a chemical abortion , that she be provided information that a treatment is available , ” Republican state Rep. Beth Griffin , who introduced the bill , told WSJM .
“ It doesn ’ t interfere with a woman ’ s right to choose an abortion .
It does respect a woman ’ s right to change her mind and save her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about their options should be something abortion businesses have no issue with , as they claim to support all women ’ s choices , ” Right to Life of Michigan president Barbara Listing said in support of the measure .
“ The abortion pill reversal protocol is another choice for women who experience regret after taking the first abortion pill.
” Detractors argue that APR is harmful and unproven , but as pro-life OB/GYN Dr. William Lile has explained , the technique is based on principles that are well understood from progesterone ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variety of other pregnancy-related situations .
APR ’ s pioneers credit it with helping more than 400 women save their babies since 2007 .
HB 5374 is currently pending before the Committee on Families , Children , and Seniors .
A hearing has not yet been scheduled .

LANSING, Michigan, February 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – New legislation has been introduced in Michigan to require that women seeking chemical abortions be informed of their options for reversing the decision should they have second thoughts.
House Bill 5374 requires women seeking a chemical to be given information on the Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) technique. The abortion pill mifepristone (better known as RU-486) works by blocking the natural hormone progesterone that developing babies require to survive. APR consists of administering extra progesterone to counteract mifepristone’s effects, ideally within 24 hours of taking the abortion pill.
“It’s called the Abortion Pill Reversal bill, and it basically allows a woman to be informed that if she should change her mind during a chemical abortion, that she be provided information that a treatment is available,” Republican state Rep. Beth Griffin, who introduced the bill, told WSJM. “It doesn’t interfere with a woman’s right to choose an abortion. It does respect a woman’s right to change her mind and save her baby.”
“Offering information to women about their options should be something abortion businesses have no issue with, as they claim to support all women’s choices,” Right to Life of Michigan president Barbara Listing said in support of the measure. “The abortion pill reversal protocol is another choice for women who experience regret after taking the first abortion pill.”
Detractors argue that APR is harmful and unproven, but as pro-life OB/GYN Dr. William Lile has explained, the technique is based on principles that are well understood from progesterone’s common, FDA-approved use in a variety of other pregnancy-related situations. APR’s pioneers credit it with helping more than 400 women save their babies since 2007.
HB 5374 is currently pending before the Committee on Families, Children, and Seniors. A hearing has not yet been scheduled.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-04--Left rejoices over Rush Limbaugh’s lung cancer announcement

February 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The American conservative landscape was rocked Monday by talk radio giant Rush Limbaugh ’ s announcement that he has advanced lung cancer , provoking an outpouring of support from friends and supporters , glee from left-wing detractors , and well-wishes from many in between .
“ I have to tell you something today that I wish I didn ’ t have to tell you , ” Limbaugh said on his February 3 broadcast .
“ I have been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer , diagnosis confirmed by two medical institutions back on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was wrong on my birthday weekend , January 12th.
” He said he considered keeping the struggle private out of a desire to not “ burden anybody with it , ” but ultimately concluded that sharing the news would be better than it leaking out .
“ My intention is to come here every day I can and to do this program as normally and as competently and as expertly as I do each and every day , because that is the source of my greatest satisfaction professionally , personally , ” Limbaugh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much support from family and friends during this that it ’ s just been tremendous .
I told the staff today that I have a deeply personal relationship with God that I do not proselytize about .
But I do , and I have been working that relationship ( chuckles ) tremendously , which I do regularly anyway , but I ’ ve been focused on it intensely for the past couple of weeks.
” He noted that he had been experiencing shortness of breath but was suffering almost no symptoms at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and would be taking the next few days off to “ figure out the treatment course of action and have further testing done.
” “ You ’ ve been one of the greatest sources of confidence that I ’ ve had in my life , ” Limbaugh told his audience .
“ So , I hope I will be talking about this as little as necessary in the coming days .
But we ’ ve got a great bunch of doctors , a great team assembled .
We ’ re at full-speed ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just now a matter of implementing what we are gon na be told later this week.
” Limbaugh , who has been on the air since 1984 , has been credited with ushering in the rise of conservative talk radio and alternative media more broadly .
The shocking news inspired an outpouring of support from friends and fans in politics and media , including the President of the United States : “ Social conservatives should pray for Rush at this time , ” LifeSiteNews co-founder and managing director Steve Jalsevac said Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ past life , such as his multiple marriages , that we could never condone , he has tended to be publicly supportive of the pro-life movement on his highly influential daily talk show.
” “ He defended the Covington students from the false media charges about their behavior at last year 's March for Life , has condemned America ' abortion culture for causing insensitivity to killing , criticized the mainstream media for not covering the Gosnell trial and even criticized Pope Francis for seeming to put his climate change concerns ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Jalsevac explained .
“ His record on the homosexual/transgender issues is unfortunately , like that of President Trump , a mixed and likely poorly informed one .
All in all , should he not survive his current cancer battle , his death would be a significant loss for all American conservatives.
” Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii , one of the Democrats vying for the party ’ s presidential nomination , extended her sympathies to Limbaugh and his family from the other side of the political aisle : Gabbard ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exception among the political Left , however , with various figures ( including controversial ex-CNN personality Reza Aslan ) taking the opportunity to either celebrate Limbaugh ’ s diagnosis , express general contempt for him , or suggesting that there ’ s some sort of poetic irony to his misfortune : Rush ’ s brother David Limbaugh , who is an attorney and prolific Christian author in addition to a political pundit in his own right , expressed gratitude to the “ millions of prayer warriors ” who have expressed their thoughts and @ @ @ @ @

February 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The American conservative landscape was rocked Monday by talk radio giant Rush Limbaugh’s announcement that he has advanced lung cancer, provoking an outpouring of support from friends and supporters, glee from left-wing detractors, and well-wishes from many in between.
“I have to tell you something today that I wish I didn’t have to tell you,” Limbaugh said on his February 3 broadcast. “I have been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, diagnosis confirmed by two medical institutions back on January 20th. I first realized something was wrong on my birthday weekend, January 12th.”
He said he considered keeping the struggle private out of a desire to not “burden anybody with it,” but ultimately concluded that sharing the news would be better than it leaking out.
“My intention is to come here every day I can and to do this program as normally and as competently and as expertly as I do each and every day, because that is the source of my greatest satisfaction professionally, personally,” Limbaugh continued. “I’ve had so much support from family and friends during this that it’s just been tremendous. I told the staff today that I have a deeply personal relationship with God that I do not proselytize about. But I do, and I have been working that relationship (chuckles) tremendously, which I do regularly anyway, but I’ve been focused on it intensely for the past couple of weeks.”
He noted that he had been experiencing shortness of breath but was suffering almost no symptoms at the time of his Monday comments, and would be taking the next few days off to “figure out the treatment course of action and have further testing done.”
“You’ve been one of the greatest sources of confidence that I’ve had in my life,” Limbaugh told his audience. “So, I hope I will be talking about this as little as necessary in the coming days. But we’ve got a great bunch of doctors, a great team assembled. We’re at full-speed ahead on this, and it’s just now a matter of implementing what we are gonna be told later this week.”
Here's the audio of Rush Limbaugh announcing on his show that he has lung cancer. pic.twitter.com/V60pAOpf68 — Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) February 3, 2020
Limbaugh, who has been on the air since 1984, has been credited with ushering in the rise of conservative talk radio and alternative media more broadly. The shocking news inspired an outpouring of support from friends and fans in politics and media, including the President of the United States:
Many people do not know what a great guy & fantastic political talent the great Rush Limbaugh is. There is nobody like him. Looking for a speedy recovery for our friend! https://t.co/GRTt56BjEu — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2020
Rush Limbaugh is a National Treasure who has made a difference on the airwaves of America for 30 years. Rush, Karen and I will be joining millions across this Country in praying for your swift recovery. God Bless You! — Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) February 3, 2020
Sean and I …https://t.co/6asWsQcYsL — Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) February 4, 2020
If you currently or have ever worked in conservative media, you owe Rush a debt of gratitude. He's the founding father of this entire industry, and blazed the trail for the rest of us. #RushLimbaugh https://t.co/VszAWExlIB — Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) February 3, 2020
YAF is devastated to learn of Rush Limbaugh's diagnosis. For decades, Limbaugh has been a titan in the Conservative Movement, showing generations of patriots how to fight for America's founding principles. We join many others in sending Rush our best wishes and prayers. pic.twitter.com/qoYN0Xhn8T — YAF (@yaf) February 3, 2020
“Social conservatives should pray for Rush at this time,” LifeSiteNews co-founder and managing director Steve Jalsevac said Tuesday. “Although there are things in his past life, such as his multiple marriages, that we could never condone, he has tended to be publicly supportive of the pro-life movement on his highly influential daily talk show.”
“He defended the Covington students from the false media charges about their behavior at last year's March for Life, has condemned America' abortion culture for causing insensitivity to killing, criticized the mainstream media for not covering the Gosnell trial and even criticized Pope Francis for seeming to put his climate change concerns ahead of dealing with the Church sex abuse scandals,” Jalsevac explained. “His record on the homosexual/transgender issues is unfortunately, like that of President Trump, a mixed and likely poorly informed one. All in all, should he not survive his current cancer battle, his death would be a significant loss for all American conservatives.”
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, one of the Democrats vying for the party’s presidential nomination, extended her sympathies to Limbaugh and his family from the other side of the political aisle:
To Rush Limbaugh: I and my family send our love and best wishes to you and your loved ones at this difficult moment in your life. May your hearts and minds be filled with and strengthened by God's love. — Tulsi Gabbard �� (@TulsiGabbard) February 4, 2020
Gabbard’s unconditional tweet seems to have been an exception among the political Left, however, with various figures (including controversial ex-CNN personality Reza Aslan) taking the opportunity to either celebrate Limbaugh’s diagnosis, express general contempt for him, or suggesting that there’s some sort of poetic irony to his misfortune:
Ask yourself this simple question: is the world a better place or a worse place with Rush Limbaugh in it? — Reza Aslan (@rezaaslan) February 3, 2020
Almost every minute of Rush’s adult life has been spent purposely making the world worse. He’s a racist, sexist, greedy, hateful man who has sown fear and violence with every dollar he’s made. There is absolutely no question whatsoever that the world is better without him in it. — Reza Aslan (@rezaaslan) February 4, 2020
Rush Limbaugh has spend decades spewing dangerous anti-Black racism. Now he has cancer… I know we shouldn't celebrate one's misfortunes…. but #PartyOverHere pic.twitter.com/NVI1mVg2hW — Tariq Nasheed ���� (@tariqnasheed) February 3, 2020
I'm so sorry for lung cancer, no one deserves Rush Limbaugh. I wish him the best medical care he’s worked on denying to others. — Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) February 3, 2020
Rush’s brother David Limbaugh, who is an attorney and prolific Christian author in addition to a political pundit in his own right, expressed gratitude to the “millions of prayer warriors” who have expressed their thoughts and prayers for his family.
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