lifesitenews--2020-10-20--First blind SCOTUS clerk: Barrett’s ‘brilliance is matched only by her compassion’

WASHINGTON , D.C. , October 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Laura Wolk , the nation ’ s first blind law clerk at the Supreme Court , praised SCOTUS nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett for her personal investment as a professor at the University of Notre Dame , making sure Wolk was able to succeed .
Barrett ’ s “ brilliance is matched only by her compassion , and her integrity is unassailable , ” Wolk said during the confirmation hearings .
Before becoming a law clerk , Wolk studied law at Notre Dame , where she had requested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with sighted students and to help her navigate law school .
Because of “ bureaucratic glitches ” preventing her from getting the requested technology , Wolk quickly started falling behind .
A few weeks into law school , Wolk decided to approach her professor , Amy Coney Barrett .
She exuded warmth , so Wolk felt hopeful about coming to her with her concerns .
In an essay titled What I Learned from Amy Coney Barett , Wolk recalled , “ Although I had known her for only two weeks , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman would not dismiss my concerns and would counsel me on how to get the university to procure the needed assistive technology as quickly as possible.
” According to Wolk ’ s testimony last Thursday , Barrett listened to her intently and then made it her personal responsibility to get to the bottom of the problem .
Wolk had kept low expectations and was only anticipating getting directed to further channels or resources that would delay her with more bureaucracy .
But Barrett surprised her .
“ Judge Barrett did something altogether different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silently listened with deep attention as I explained my situation , giving me the freedom to let my guard down and come apart.
” “ I poured out all my concerns , not just about technology and my worries about failing classes , but all the burdens I currently carried as a disabled woman navigating a brand-new environment , ” she continued .
“ When I finished , Judge Barrett leaned forward and looked at my intently .
‘ Laura , ’ she said with the same measured conviction that we have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ this is no longer your problem .
It ’ s my problem.
” “ I can ’ t capture adequately the relief that washed over me at her words , ” Wolk said .
“ Anyone who has interacted with her knows that she is a woman of her word .
She means what she says and she says what she means .
When she promised to advocate for me , she commanded my trust.
” To this day , Wolk does not know exactly what Barrett did to solve her problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s humility , Wolk believes .
The technology was made available to her shortly afterwards .
As a result , Wolk credits Barrett for being partly responsible for her success and for being the first blind law clerk at the Supreme Court , working for Justice Clarence Thomas .
“ It is now my immense privilege to appear before you in support of Judge Barrett 's nomination to that same great institution , ” Wolk explained .
“ Should you confirm Amy Barret , the country will receive something far greater than simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gain the service of one of the kindest individuals I have ever known .
Her brilliance is matched only by her compassion , and her integrity is unassailable.
” According to Wolk , her story is “ hardly unique .
Those who have had the benefit of knowing Amy Coney Barrett understand that she possesses a boundless font of energy and a radical sense of love that she is ever ready to pour out upon those lucky enough to call her teacher , boss , family , and friend.
” “ Judge Barrett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Wolk is convinced , “ not only because of her intellectual prowess , but also because of her ability to treat everyone as an equal deserving of complete respect.
” “ As a beneficiary of both of these qualities I urge you to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States , ” she concluded .
The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Barrett ’ s Supreme Court nomination on Thursday at 1 pm ET .
The full Senate will then debate the nomination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Laura Wolk, the nation’s first blind law clerk at the Supreme Court, praised SCOTUS nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett for her personal investment as a professor at the University of Notre Dame, making sure Wolk was able to succeed. Barrett’s “brilliance is matched only by her compassion, and her integrity is unassailable,” Wolk said during the confirmation hearings.
Before becoming a law clerk, Wolk studied law at Notre Dame, where she had requested from the university assistance technology to keep up with sighted students and to help her navigate law school.
Because of “bureaucratic glitches” preventing her from getting the requested technology, Wolk quickly started falling behind. A few weeks into law school, Wolk decided to approach her professor, Amy Coney Barrett. She exuded warmth, so Wolk felt hopeful about coming to her with her concerns.
In an essay titled What I Learned from Amy Coney Barett, Wolk recalled, “Although I had known her for only two weeks, I felt confident that this poised, articulate woman would not dismiss my concerns and would counsel me on how to get the university to procure the needed assistive technology as quickly as possible.”
According to Wolk’s testimony last Thursday, Barrett listened to her intently and then made it her personal responsibility to get to the bottom of the problem. Wolk had kept low expectations and was only anticipating getting directed to further channels or resources that would delay her with more bureaucracy. But Barrett surprised her.
“Judge Barrett did something altogether different,” Wolk explained. “She silently listened with deep attention as I explained my situation, giving me the freedom to let my guard down and come apart.”
“I poured out all my concerns, not just about technology and my worries about failing classes, but all the burdens I currently carried as a disabled woman navigating a brand-new environment,” she continued.
— Article continues below Petition — PETITION: Urge the U.S. Senate to Confirm Amy Coney Barrett Show Petition Text 24868 have signed the petition. Let's get to 25000 ! Thank you for signing this petition! Add your signature: Show Petition Text Country... State... Sign this Petition Judge Amy Coney Barrett Graeme Jennings-Pool/Getty Images PETITION UPDATE (10/26//2020) In a resounding victory for supporters of life, family and freedom, the U.S. Senate has just confirmed Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States! Justice Barrett was sworn-in by Justice Clarence Thomas and will swiftly fill the vacant seat and immediately begin participating in Supreme Court hearings. The petitions signed by many of you - there are now over 40,000 signatures - supporting Judge Amy Coney Barrett were sent to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, as well as to the Officers of the USCCB. Thank you for signing these petitions. As you can see, your signature really does make a difference! We also know that many of you also made calls to your U.S. senators to encourage them to vote for Judge Barrett. Thank you! __________________________________________________________________ PETITION UPDATE (10/22/2020) The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee just voted to advance Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination to the full Senate, leaving only one hurdle to go next week. Every Republican on the committee voted for Barrett, President Donald Trump’s selection to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, while every committee Democrat boycotted the vote, CNBC reports. Please READ the latest LifeSite article about the Senate Committee's vote here. As you read above, Judge Barrett has one more hurdle next Monday. Of course, it's the BIGGEST hurdle. So, if you haven't already, could we ask you to please call your U.S. senators to politely voice your support for Judge Barrett? After SIGNING this petition, please scroll down the page, where you will find the list of all U.S. senators' contact details. Let's keep working and praying so that we can see a pro-life judge sit on the Supreme Court. ____________________________________________________ PETITION UPDATE (10/15/20) The fourth day of Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Senate confirmation hearing for the open seat on the U.S. Supreme Court is going on now. Please CLICK HERE to go to the livestream of the hearings. Please watch and read EXCLUSIVE LifeSite videos and articles about Judge Amy Coney Barrett's hearings: YouTube Videos: 'We are people of faith, the true body of Christ': Christians pray for SCOTUS confirmation hearings' '"That's your job": Judge Barrett responds to relevance of Obamacare to SCOTUS confirmation' Articles: 'Senator who badgered Barrett about Catholicism in 2017 presses her on abortion at confirmation hearing' 'Hawley, Barrett dismantle religious tests for office at Supreme Court hearing' 'Ted Cruz at Barrett hearing warns Democrats want to ‘erase’ religious liberty' ______________________________________________________________ Conservatives and Christians asked President Trump to deliver a proven constitutional originalist with a solid pro-life background, and he did. Now, let's not be outdone by Leftist organizations which will be mobilizing their forces to write, call and visit their senators' constituency offices. Please SIGN this urgent petition - to Senate Leadership - asking them to quickly confirm Barrett as the next Supreme Court justice. Then, please take a couple of minutes to CALL YOUR U.S. SENATORS using their numbers below, and politely urge them to confirm Barrett. When Amy Coney Barrett's senate confirmation hearing begins on Monday, October 12th, the mother of seven and devout Catholic is expected to face fierce opposition. Of course, the anticipated attacks have nothing to do with Barrett's legal credentials, which are uniformly top-notch. Instead, they have to do with her faith in Jesus and with her belief that life begins at conception. This is nothing short of anti-Christian bigotry which cannot be tolerated. The fact is, Amy Coney Barrett is the best candidate for the job, and she urgently needs our support. By signing the petition, we can unite to powerfully speak with one voice. But, by calling your senators, you can ensure that they know their local constituents are concerned and interested enough to telephone their offices. This is our time to get active! We must voice our support for Amy Coney Barrett at this crucial moment in our nation's history. Please SIGN this petition, and then please use the contact details below to CALL YOUR U.S. SENATORS right-away! Thank you! U.S. SENATORS' CONTACT DETAILS: SENATORS AND PHONE NUMBERS - https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact ALABAMA SENATORS Doug Jones – (202) 224-4124 Richard C. Shelby – (202) 224-5744 ALASKA SENATORS Lisa Murkowski – (202) 224-6665 Dan Sullivan – (202) 224-3004 ARIZONA SENATORS Martha McSally – (202) 224-2235 Kyrsten Sinema – (202) 224-4521 ARKANSAS SENATORS John Boozman – (202) 224-4843 Tom Cotton – (202) 224-2353 CALIFORNIA SENATORS Dianne Feinstein – (202) 224-3841 Kamala D. Harris – (202) 224-3553 COLORADO SENATORS Michael F. Bennett – (202) 224-5852 Cory Gardner – (202) 224-5941 CONNECTICUT SENATORS Richard Blumenthal – (202) 224-2823 Christopher Murphy – (202) 224-4041 DELAWARE SENATORS Thomas R. Carper – (202) 224-2441 Christopher A. Coons – (202) 224-5042 FLORIDA SENATORS Marco Rubio – (202) 224-3041 Rick Scott – (202) 224-5274 GEORGIA SENATORS Kelly Loeffler – (202) 224-3643 David Perdue – (202) 224-3521 HAWAII SENATORS Mazie K. Hirono – (202) 224-6361 Brian Schatz – (202) 224-3934 IDAHO SENATORS Mike Crapo – (202) 224-6142 James E. Risch – (202) 224-2752 ILLINOIS SENATORS Dick Durbin – (202) 224-2152 Tammy Duckworth – (202) 224-2854 INDIANA SENATORS Mike Braun – (202) 224-4814 Todd Young – (202) 224-5623 IOWA SENATORS Joni Ernst – (202) 224-3254 Chuck Grassley – (202) 224-3774 KANSAS SENATORS Jerry Moran – (202) 224-6521 Pat Roberts – (202) 224-4744 KENTUCKY SENATORS Mitch McConnell – (202) 224-2541 Rand Paul – (202) 224-4343 LOUISIANA SENATORS Bill Cassidy – (202) 224-5824 John Kennedy – (202) 224-4623 MAINE SENATORS Susan M. Collins – (202) 224-2523 Angus S. King – (202) 224-5344 MARYLAND SENATORS Benjamin L. Cardin – (202) 224-4524 Chris Van Hollen – (202) 224-4654 MASSACHUSETS SENATORS Edward J. Markey – (202) 224-2742 Elizabeth Warren – (202) 224-4543 MICHIGAN Gary C. Peters – (202) 224-6221 Debbie Stabenow – (202) 224-4822 MINNESOTA Amy Klobuchar – (202) 224-3244 Tina Smith – (202) 224-5641 MISSISSIPPI Cindy Hyde-Smith – (202) 224-5054 Roger F. Wicker – (202) 224-6253 MISSOURI Roy Blunt – (202) 224-5721 Josh Hawley – (202) 224-6154 MONTANA Steve Daines – (202) 224-2651 Jon Tester – (202) 224-2644 NEBRASKA Deb Fischer – (202) 224-6551 Ben Sasse – (202) 224-4224 NEVADA Catherine Cortez Masto – (202) 224-3542 Jacky Rosen – (202) 224-6244 NEW HAMPSHIRE Margaret Wood Hassan – (202) 224-3324 Jeanne Shaheen – (202) 224-2841 NEW JERSEY Cory A. Booker – (202) 224-3224 Robert Menendez – (202) 224-4744 NEW MEXICO Martin Heinrich – (202) 224-5521 Tom Udall – (202) 224-6621 NEW YORK Kirsten E. Gillibrand – (202) 224-4451 Charles E. Schumer – (202) 224-6542 NORTH CAROLINA Richard Burr – (202) 224-3154 Thom Tillis – (202) 224-6342 NORTH DAKOTA Kevin Cramer – (202) 224-2043 John Hoeven – (202) 224-2551 OHIO Sherrod Brown – (202) 224-2315 Rob Portman – (202) 224-3353 OKLAHOMA James M. Inhofe – (202) 224-4721 James Lankford – (202) 224-5754 OREGON Jeff Merkley – (202) 224-3753 Ron Wyden – (202) 224-5244 PENNSYLVANIA Robert P. Casey, Jr. – (202) 224-6324 Patrick J. Toomey, Jr. – (202) 224-4254 RHODE ISLAND Jack Reed – (202) 224-4642 Sheldon Whitehouse – (202) 224-2921 SOUTH CAROLINA Lindsey Graham – (202) 224-5972 Tim Scott – (202) 224-6121 SOUTH DAKOTA Mike Rounds – (202) 224-5842 John Thune – (202) 224-2321 TENNESSEE Lamar Alexander – (202) 224-4944 Marsha Blackburn – (202) 224-3344 TEXAS John Cornyn – (202) 224-2934 Ted Cruz – (202) 224-5922 UTAH Mike Lee – (202) 224-5444 Mitt Romney – (202) 224-5251 VERMONT Patrick J. Leahy – (202) 224-4242 Bernard Sanders – (202) 224-5141 VIRGINIA Tim Kaine – (202) 224-4024 Mark R. Warner – (202) 224-2023 WASHINGTON Maria Cantwell – (202) 224-3441 Patty Murray – (202) 224-2621 WEST VIRGINIA Shelley Moore Capito – (202) 224-6472 Joe Manchin III – (202) 224-3954 WISCONSIN Tammy Baldwin – (202) 224-5653 Ron Johnson – (202) 224-5323 WYOMING John Barrasso – (202) 224-6441 Michael B. Enzi – (202) 224-3424 Hide Petition Text Sign this Petition
“When I finished, Judge Barrett leaned forward and looked at my intently. ‘Laura,’ she said with the same measured conviction that we have seen displayed throughout her entire nomination process, ‘this is no longer your problem. It’s my problem.”
“I can’t capture adequately the relief that washed over me at her words,” Wolk said. “Anyone who has interacted with her knows that she is a woman of her word. She means what she says and she says what she means. When she promised to advocate for me, she commanded my trust.”
To this day, Wolk does not know exactly what Barrett did to solve her problem — which further attests to Barrett’s humility, Wolk believes. The technology was made available to her shortly afterwards. As a result, Wolk credits Barrett for being partly responsible for her success and for being the first blind law clerk at the Supreme Court, working for Justice Clarence Thomas.
“It is now my immense privilege to appear before you in support of Judge Barrett's nomination to that same great institution,” Wolk explained.
“Should you confirm Amy Barret, the country will receive something far greater than simply an unparalleled legal mind. It will gain the service of one of the kindest individuals I have ever known. Her brilliance is matched only by her compassion, and her integrity is unassailable.”
According to Wolk, her story is “hardly unique. Those who have had the benefit of knowing Amy Coney Barrett understand that she possesses a boundless font of energy and a radical sense of love that she is ever ready to pour out upon those lucky enough to call her teacher, boss, family, and friend.”
“Judge Barrett will serve this country with distinction,” Wolk is convinced, “not only because of her intellectual prowess, but also because of her ability to treat everyone as an equal deserving of complete respect.”
“As a beneficiary of both of these qualities I urge you to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States,” she concluded.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination on Thursday at 1 pm ET. The full Senate will then debate the nomination, expecting to hold a final vote next Monday.
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lifesitenews--2020-10-20--Bishop Schneider praises Voice of the Family’s new, free, online Catholic catechism course

October 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Bishop Athanasius Schneider , the auxiliary bishop of Astana , Kazakhstan , has praised the new Our Lady of the Rosary catechism course and encouraged families on the path to holiness .
In a video with Father Anthony Pillari , who leads Voice of the Family ’ s new catechism course , Bishop Schneider greeted young families , whom he called the “ true hope for the Church.
” Bishop Schneider urged families to develop a love for learning the catechism together , as “ this is the most appropriate place which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … is a small church , a domestic church.
” He recalled that it was a great grace for himself that he was born into a deeply Catholic family , since it is within the family that the Faith is best able to be taught and handed on .
The bishop praised the traditional method of learning by memorization , a technique employed in the online course , and he urged families to revive this method of learning , which is so beneficial for committing the Faith to heart .
“ God gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to memorize quicker and easier , and so this remains in the memory ; what you have learnt in your childhood remains very deep , ” he said .
Bishop Schneider mentioned that it was the fundamental truths which he had learned in childhood catechism lessons , such as the Ten Commandments , which guided him through seminary studies and even through the current crisis of the Church .
The bishop continued by highlighting the value of traditional catechisms as a means of preserving the fullness of the Faith : “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old ; they are really reflecting , even breathing , the Spirit , the Catholic faith of all ages , of all times.
” Bishop Schneider also urged the importance of child-like faith , which is fostered in the catechism : “ Our Lord Jesus Christ , said in the Gospel ‘ if you will not become a child and if you will not receive the kingdom of God as a child , you will not enter in the kingdom of heaven ’ .
Evermore I consider these words of Our Lord , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bishop had advice for parents who are worried about their inadequacies in teaching their children the Faith .
He counselled that “ It is never too late to learn…please , even if you did not receive yourself an adequate Catholic catechism instruction , please read yourself before you teach your children , take time and read these passages , meditate and then transmit these to your children.
” Bishop Schneider drew the link between the message of Our Lady of Fatima and the current times : “ The message of Fatima stresses the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first beginning with the apparition of the angel…starting with the Eucharist and then the angel taught the children this prayer of the Holy Trinity…Then Our Lady gave us the synthesis of all the Gospel with the rosary.
” He also recommended consecrating one ’ s family to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and being faithful to the daily rosary , for “ Our Lady will reward this fidelity of course with many graces.
” When asked to give advice for families attempting to live a holy life , Bishop Schneider replied : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fulfilling them faithfully , trying to do these ever more with love , for God and for your children… this is holiness.
” He further taught that families must “ put Christ really in the centre of your family life ” and to accept crosses as gifts from God .
The bishop prompted parents to teach their children to “ embrace sacrifice ” out of “ love of Jesus ” and to have “ fidelity to prayer.
” He also emphasised the importance of keeping Sunday as the Lord ’ s day and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture of the time is so destroying the Sunday.
” He concluded : “ Believe deeply in the power of prayer and trust , and when you have built up your family on the Lord , when you have put Him in the centre of your life and of your family and of your house , He will never abandon you .
You will always have His assistance .
And…consecrate your family to the Immaculate Heart of Mary .
”

PETITION UPDATE (3/15/21) -
Reports suggest that the U.S. Catholic Bishops' Conference (USCCB) is preparing a vote on what to do about pro-abortion Joe Biden (and, presumably, other abortion-promoting politicians) who continues to present himself (themselves) for Holy Communion.
Public excommunication would be a suitable response for Biden's obstinate, public and grave sin of scandalously promoting abortion.
Please continue to SIGN and SHARE this important petition.
__________________________________________________________________
PETITION UPDATE (2/4/20)
Since Joe Biden was sworn-in on the 20th of January, he has wasted no time in signing Executive Orders to destroy the protections which former President Trump offered to the unborn and to the innocence and modesty of children of the United States.
In one executive order, Biden rescinded the Mexico City Policy prohibiting the federal government from spending taxpayer monies on abortion and the promotion of abortion.
And, in another executive order, Biden seeks to force girls' athletic programs, restrooms, and locker rooms to accept gender-confused males.
Since the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was shamefully silent throughout the presidential campaign on the pre-eminent issues of abortion and gender ideology, and what Biden vowed he would do as president, it is cold comfort that their pro-life office is now speaking up about this Administration's wilful disregard for human life and for God's design of human nature (i.e., two biological sexes).
Stated plainly, Joe Biden is as bad as he said he would be, and the bishop, acting in unison (as the USCCB) have an obligation to the Lord (first) and to the faithful (second) to refuse Holy Communion to this grave public sinner.
With all due respect to these bishops, they diminish the Holy Eucharist and their high office, as well as cause grave scandal to the faithful, by dialoguing with a man who is promoting mass murder of the unborn against the constant teaching of the Church.
A man who continues to use the church as a backdrop for statements about how "Catholic/religious" he is, but, at the same time, is now doing everything in his power to protect the murder of the innocent, needs to publicly repent before dialogue can begin.
The bishops should not dialogue with or congratulate someone who has publicly betrayed the Church's teaching and who is leading others astray.
It's an embarrassment and a scandal for the bishops to continue to allow him to receive Holy Communion.
Please SIGN and SHARE this petition today!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
PETITION UPDATE (12/10/20)
Prior to the election on November 3, the U.S. bishops did not address Joe Biden’s anti-Catholic position regarding faith and morals as a unified body.
The USCCB, the organization to which every U.S. bishop belongs and which is staffed and led by bishops, remained disgracefully silent in the run-up to the election.
What were the bishops afraid of, losing their charitable tax status with the IRS, or being deprived of fat checks from the HHS (immigration programs) and USAID (foreign aid programs)?
Or, were they just too cowardly to clearly declare Christ's law to be above man's law and risk the ire of a Joe Biden as president?
Either way, the bishops’ lack of clarity in this regard is a terrible scandal in itself and probably greatly contributed to the possible election of a pro-abortion, anti-Catholic Catholic to the presidency.
Given the fact that exit polling shows Catholics split their vote 50-50 for Trump and Biden, even a slight deviation in the heavily-Catholic swing-states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania could have produced different results.
The bishops could have spoken out against Biden’s pro-abortion stance collectively, but, again, they were overwhelmingly and shamefully silent.
Because of this, they will be at least partly responsible for the policies advanced by a Biden administration, in the event that Biden is sworn into office.
However, the bishops can, even now, mitigate the damage done by their inaction by taking the following steps: 1) Speak with one voice, as the USCCB, and plainly condemn Biden's pro-abortion stance; 2) Publicly advise Biden not to present himself for Holy Communion because of his scandalous position on abortion and homosexual "marriage;" and, 3) Tell Biden to publicly repent of publicly promoting the wilfull murder of the preborn, sins against nature, and diminishing the natural family.
Thankfully, some individual bishops have spoken out forcefully on Biden's scandalous behavior, and his standing in the Church.
On November 9, Archbishop Strickland of Tyler, Texas tweeted: “A dark cloud has descended on this nation when the USCCB and Planned Parenthood speak in unison in support of a Biden-Harris administration that supports the slaughter of innocents by abortion for all 9 months of pregnancy.”
Additionally, Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver, Colorado and Archbishop Charles Chaput have both declared publicly that Joe Biden “should not receive Holy Communion."
But, to add insult to injury, Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, D.C. has said that he will give Holy Communion to Biden because “it’s a matter of the responsibility that I have as the archbishop to be engaged and to be in dialogue with him, even in those areas where we obviously have some differences.”
And, Bishop W. Francis Malooly of Wilmington, Delaware and Bishop McElroy of San Diego also congratulated Biden in statements, but they have not indicated whether or not they would administer Holy Communion to him.
With all due respect to these bishops, they diminish the Holy Eucharist and their high office, as well as cause grave scandal to the faithful, by dialoguing with a man who is promoting mass murder of the unborn against the constant teaching of the Church.
A man who uses the church as a backdrop to make sickening political advertisements about how "Catholic/religious" he is, but, at the same time, says that he will do everything in his power to protect the murder of the innocent, needs to publicly repent before dialogue can begin.
The bishops should not dialogue with or congratulate someone who has publicly betrayed the Church's teaching and who is leading others astray.
It's an embarrassment and a scandal for the bishops to continue to allow him to receive Holy Communion.
Please SIGN and SHARE this petition today!
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/us-bishops-concerned-about-pro-abortion-biden-previously-hailed-him-as-second-catholic-president
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/abp-aquila-backs-call-for-pro-abortion-catholic-joe-biden-to-be-denied-holy-communion?utm_source=top_news&utm_campaign=standard
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/former-philly-archbishop-biden-not-in-full-communion-with-the-catholic-church
https://www.thesoutherncross.org/news/bishop-mcelroy-offers-prayers-and-congratulations-to-president-elect-biden/
https://www.ncronline.org/news/politics/us-catholics-weigh-mixed-reaction-biden-win
____________________________________________________________________________
PETITION UPDATE (9/29/20)
Cardinal Raymond Burke has stated that Democratic candidate Joe Biden should not receive Holy Communion because of his support for abortion.
In an interview for Thomas McKenna's Catholic Action for Faith and Family podcast, Cardinal Burke states the following (starting around 5:00):
First of all, I would tell him [Biden] not to approach to receive Holy Communion, out of charity toward him, because that would be a sacrilege and endanger the salvation of his own soul.
But, also, he should not approach to receive Holy Communion because he gives scandal to everyone, because if someone says, 'I'm a devout Catholic," and, at the same time is promoting abortion, it gives the impression to others that it's acceptable for a Catholic to be in favor of abortion.
Of course, it's absolutely not acceptable, and never has been, and never will be.
We give thanks for Cardinal Burke's frankness and clarity. And, we call on every U.S. Catholic bishop to follow Cardinal Burke's lead and call out Joe Biden for his bloody-minded hypocrisy on the issue of abortion.
To reiterate: You cannot be a Catholic and support abortion.
Thank you for continuing to sign this urgent petition.
___________________________________________________________________________
PETITION UPDATE (8/17/20)
The Democratic presidential candidate, Joe Biden, keeps claiming to be Catholic but has said he will do everything in his power to support abortion.
And, with his pick of California Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, Biden has just cemented abortion into the Democrats' 2020 presidential ticket.
Indeed, Harris is vehemently pro-abortion.
During her time as attorney general of California, Harris played a key role in defending Planned Parenthood over its sale of aborted baby parts (which violated multiple federal laws, according to undercover video of abortion industry personnel).
And, last year, Harris unveiled a plan to essentially force pro-life states to seek permission from the federal government before pro-life laws can take effect.
Additionally, Harris has dangerous views on religious liberty and freedom of speech.
Harris displayed anti-Catholic bigotry in the confirmation hearings of Judge Brian Buescher. Harris cited his membership in the “all-male society” the Knights of Columbus and its stances against abortion and same-sex “marriage” as grounds for rejecting Buescher for a federal district court in Nebraska.
And, David Daleiden, head of the pro-life investigative group Center for Medical Progress, wrote that from his firsthand experience, he considers Harris the “greatest threat to First Amendment civil rights our country has ever seen.”
Joe Biden has seriously erred by taking on Kamala Harris as his running mate, further distancing himself from the truths of the Catholic Faith, especially that every life is sacred from conception till natural death.
Please CLICK HERE to read an article which details one U.S. bishop's warning about the Biden-Harris ticket.
And, please continue to SIGN and SHARE this petition.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Of course, these two things are incompatible: you cannot be Catholic and pro-abortion.
And, a "Catholic" politician's responsibility in this regard is absolute: On pain of serious sin, he or she can never promote abortion because abortion is the wilful murder of innocent preborn human beings, and also because doing so causes grave scandal to the Church and the faithful.
Please SIGN this urgent petition asking the bishops of the United States to refuse to give Holy Communion to Joe Biden until he publicly repents from his scandalous promotion of abortion.
Biden recently promised to “codify Roe v. Wade” as president, adding, "my Justice Department will do everything in its power to stop the rash of state laws that so blatantly violate a woman’s protected, constitutional right to choose."
And, since starting his latest run for the presidency, Biden also flip-flopped against the Hyde Amendment, saying that he would allow federal funds to be spent on abortion - a position he claimed to be against for more than 40 years.
In short, Joe Biden will do everything in his power to enable and defend the wilful murder of innocent preborn human beings.
So, this should not be a hard decision for our U.S. bishops. In fact, in another circumstance, it was already done by an Illinois bishop.
Indeed, Bishop Paprocki, of Springfield, Illinois, invoked Canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law to withdraw Holy Communion from two Illinois state politicians who had worked to enact radical new abortion legislation in 2019.
Canon 915 states: "Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion."
Of course, no-one, least of all the bishops, wants anyone to be deprived of Holy Communion.
A politician who publicly and obstinately advocates for the murder of innocent preborn babies puts himself out-of-communion with the Church and her teaching.
Pro-abortion politicians should not think that they can advocate for the murder of the unborn and receive the Body of Christ at the same time. This would be to defile the Eucharist while giving scandal to the faithful.
Depriving politicians of Holy Communion is not just meant to prevent scandal; it is also designed to bring a grave public sinner to repentance. In this way, such an action is meant to be for the good of their souls, too.
Thank you for SIGNING this urgent petition which calls on the U.S. Catholic bishops to refuse to admit Joe Biden to Holy Communion until he publicly repents from his scandalous promotion of abortion.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Joe Biden: I support abortion ‘under any circumstance’ - https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/joe-biden-i-support-abortion-under-any-circumstance
Catholic priest denies Joe Biden Holy Communion for pro-abortion stance - https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/catholic-priest-denies-joe-biden-holy-communion-for-pro-abortion-stance
Cardinal McCarrick and the Concealing of Rome’s Position on Denying Communion - https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/cardinal-mccarrick-and-the-concealing-of-romes-position-on-denying-communio
**Photo Credit: Joshua Roberts / Getty Images


lifesitenews--2020-10-22--Mother Miriam reminds Christians of our call to witness to others.

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Watch this episode of Mother @ @ @ @ @ on 10.21.2020 .
Mother Miriam reminds us that we are called to be witnesses to @ @ @ @ @ We are selfish if we know the truth and don ’ t share that truth @ @ @ @ @ reminds us that martyrdom means to witness .
You can tune in daily at 10 @ @ @ @ @ our Facebook Page .
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Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live email @ @ @

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
Watch this episode of Mother Miriam's Live originally aired on 10.21.2020. Mother Miriam reminds us that we are called to be witnesses to Christ’s love. We are selfish if we know the truth and don’t share that truth with others. She also reminds us that martyrdom means to witness.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
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lifesitenews--2020-10-22--Bp. Strickland: Attacks on Amy Coney Barrett ‘absolutely’ rooted in anti-Catholicism

October 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — On The Bishop Strickland Show last night , Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler , Texas praised Judge Amy Coney Barrett for her devout Catholic faith while pointing out that attacks on her from the left are rooted in anti-Catholic sentiments .
“ Amy Coney Barrett is a devout , practicing Catholic .
There are many other Catholics at the top of our political system , and they don ’ t complain about them , because they are not practicing Catholics [ . ]
… [ A ] Catholic who is supporting abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic Church teaches.
” “ I think it ’ s very interesting , ” His Excellency continued , “ and very duplicitous , of people that are attacking Amy Coney Barrett because she ’ s a practicing Catholic … they ’ re going after Amy Coney Barrett because they ’ re afraid of the abortion issue and afraid of people waking up to the evil that it is.
” You can watch the entire episode of last night ’ s Bishop Strickland Show below .
His Excellency ’ s comments on Judge Barrett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to all previous shows , click here .
Last night was not the first time Bishop Strickland expressed solidarity with Judge Barrett .
He also tweeted his support for her when it was first rumored that she was going to be nominated by President Trump to serve on the US Supreme Court .
Bishop Strickland and host Terry Barber of Virgin Most Powerful Radio also discussed abortion and other topics related to the coronavirus .
His Excellency said senior citizens have been “ really mistreated ” by governors and that they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situations during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Bishop Strickland Show airs LIVE every Tuesday at 9:00pm EST on LifeSite ’ s YouTube channel .
Click here to subscribe so you can be reminded when new episodes are released every week .

Last night was not the first time Bishop Strickland expressed solidarity with Judge Barrett.
October 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — On The Bishop Strickland Show last night, Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas praised Judge Amy Coney Barrett for her devout Catholic faith while pointing out that attacks on her from the left are rooted in anti-Catholic sentiments.
“Amy Coney Barrett is a devout, practicing Catholic. There are many other Catholics at the top of our political system, and they don’t complain about them, because they are not practicing Catholics[.] … [A] Catholic who is supporting abortion is not living according to how the Catholic Church teaches.”
“I think it’s very interesting,” His Excellency continued, “and very duplicitous, of people that are attacking Amy Coney Barrett because she’s a practicing Catholic … they’re going after Amy Coney Barrett because they’re afraid of the abortion issue and afraid of people waking up to the evil that it is.”
You can watch the entire episode of last night’s Bishop Strickland Show below. His Excellency’s comments on Judge Barrett begin at the 10-minute mark. For access to all previous shows, click here.
Last night was not the first time Bishop Strickland expressed solidarity with Judge Barrett. He also tweeted his support for her when it was first rumored that she was going to be nominated by President Trump to serve on the US Supreme Court.
September 25, It is a travesty that Amy Coney Barrett is vilified for one simple phrase in her bio “she is a practicing Catholic” if she is nominated for the Supreme Court by President Trump she should be judged on her legal qualifications. — Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) September 25, 2020
Please begin praying now for Amy Coney Barrett. She needs the shield of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, St Michael & all the saints as she faces the evil attacks that will be hurled at her at the Senate hearings. She lives with Jesus Christ as her CORNERSTONE & evil hates that. — Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) September 27, 2020
Bishop Strickland and host Terry Barber of Virgin Most Powerful Radio also discussed abortion and other topics related to the coronavirus. His Excellency said senior citizens have been “really mistreated” by governors and that they’ve been put into “deadly” situations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bishop Strickland Show airs LIVE every Tuesday at 9:00pm EST on LifeSite’s YouTube channel. Click here to subscribe so you can be reminded when new episodes are released every week.
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lifesitenews--2020-10-21--17 reasons why the Left hates the Catholic faith

October 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – As leftist activism and violence increase , Americans must understand that the leftist agenda represents not just a political movement but a worldview contrary to that of the Catholic faith .
Wherever the left has dominated , a radical hatred toward the faith and those who belong to it is displayed .
However , until the left is in control , this anti-Catholic hatred is kept in check and hidden .
Leftist propaganda couches itself in terms that seek sympathy and not raise alarm .
This deception makes it even more dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religion manifests itself in many ways , whether it be the Antifa militants burning Bibles or the religious left that dresses up its Marxist ideas in religious terms .
In an attempt to legitimize their call for violent revolution , for example , so-called liberation theologians propose a Christian version of class struggle .
Today , the leftist movement is radicalizing by proposing an agenda with new communist ideals and goals opposed to traditional Church teaching about God , society , and human nature .
The left now incorporates postmodern thought into its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes beyond the Soviet state capitalism of old and embraces gender theory and identity politics , so contrary to the Church ’ s teaching on creation .
This leftist vision threatens American and its love for freedom .
The faithful need to be fully aware of the extent of this hatred , to fight effectively against the left ’ s nefarious agenda .
There are many reasons why the left hates the Catholic faith .
The following list of 17 reasons serves as an introduction to understanding the scope of the fight between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list is not complete .
Given that the leftist worldview encompasses every field of human action where the Church has influence , many more hatreds could be identified .
Likewise , not all leftists embrace equally the hatreds listed above .
The drift leftward is a process that adapts to individual characteristics .
However , all leftists tend in the direction of these hatreds of the Catholic faith .
The radical left now so active in America will take these hatreds to an extreme .
They seek to make these hatreds the norms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” will operate .
Their use of violence , riots and vandalism give a glimpse into this world .
The symbolic display of guillotines at protests and during residential area terror marches points to anti-Christian , anti-Western hatreds never seen before in America .
The left is not a political movement or a political party .
It is a philosophical-religious worldview that expresses itself socially , economically , politically , scientifically , artistically , educationally and culturally .
Thus , to be fully efficacious , opposition to the left and its programs must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its worldview is diametrically opposed to that of the Catholic faith .


lifesitenews--2020-10-21--Social conservatives can’t let GOP become the party of ‘gay family values’

October 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — In case you missed it , Ric Grenell , the former acting director of National Intelligence , gave an outstanding speech at the Republican National Convention last month .
It was a historic broadside against the Deep State and internationalists who ’ ve been in power for pretty much the last 40 years .
I ’ m sure their blood was boiling as they watched it .
Just days before Grenell , a homosexual , delivered his remarks , he made a video declaring Donald Trump the “ most pro-gay president in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video , stating that it was his “ great honor ” to receive the title .
The Trump administration has walked a fine line the past several years with its social conservative base and the LGBT community .
No one can deny that President Trump is quite possibly the most pro-life president we ’ ve ever had .
He ’ s also admirably defended the religious liberty of the Little Sisters of the Poor and others .
He ’ s to be praised for those efforts .
But , and this is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the abomination that is same-sex “ marriage.
” In fact , he ’ s for it .
In 2016 , before assuming office , Trump told 60 Minutes he ’ s “ fine ” with gay unions .
“ It ’ s irrelevant because it was already settled .
It ’ s law .
It was settled in the Supreme Court .
I mean , it ’ s done , ” he said .
It ’ s hard to say that if any other Republican had been elected in 2016 , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ marriage.
” The party has simply given up on it after Obergefell v. Hodges was handed down by the Supreme Court in 2015 .
I can see a President Ben Carson calling out homosexual unions , but a President Jeb Bush ?
Or even a President Cruz ?
I doubt it .
Sadly , it seems that the country , and even religious conservatives , have moved on from same-sex “ marriage , ” even though we all know that God surely hasn ’ t and will no doubt exert His vengeance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scourge of sodomy to continue .
Politically speaking , President Trump and his advisers have made the calculation that courting moderate , pro-LGBT voters won ’ t hurt them in the slightest with his Evangelical and pro-life base .
They ’ re right .
Trump has delivered all and then some to those two voting blocs .
There ’ s no way they wouldn ’ t turn out for him because of Grenell ’ s short little video .
In my own district here in Michigan , moderate Republican Peter Meijer was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He even sent out a tweet claiming that the GOP “ has become a party that celebrates diversity and inclusion.
” Really ?
The coalition of voters a Trump-led GOP seems to want going forward includes social conservatives getting rewarded with laws that restrict abortion and uphold religious liberty .
LGBT folks will no longer endure anyone ’ s acknowledgment of the illegitimacy of their same-sex “ marriages.
” Nor will homosexuality be viewed or treated as an abnormality .
Whether this arranged marriage can be sustained over the long run remains to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Turning Point USA , has taken a leading role in encouraging young people to take a more laissez-faire view toward homosexuality .
He has frequently tweeted and often “ liked ” other tweets that normalize the gay agenda .
Others , like pro-abortion Fox News feminist Tomi Lahren , have also expressed support for LGBT “ rights ” on libertarian grounds .
Donald Trump Jr. — the president ’ s heir apparent — has previously said he ’ s “ totally for ” gay “ marriage.
” But some Christians aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting back .
Dave Reilly , a devout traditional Catholic who lives and works in Indiana , confronted Kirk at one of his rallies in 2019 .
“ How does anal sex help us win the culture war ?
… Why are you promoting it ?
” he bravely asked in front of hundreds of other attendees .
Kirk was caught flat-footed but eventually said , “ Like , I don ’ t care what two consenting adults do ... and your hyper-focus on it is kinda ... weird.
” Apparently , Kirk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bible that says men lying with other men is an abomination and that sin makes a nation miserable .
Rob Smith , the gay black man who was co-hosting the event with Kirk , was also on stage .
He didn ’ t have a good answer to Riley ’ s question , either , opting to throw a temper tantrum and hurl empty LGBT talking points back in his face .
The altercation didn ’ t end there .
Popular Twitter personality Benny Johnson , who works for Kirk , slammed Reilly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his question was “ homophobic.
” Social conservatives are going to see more of these sorts of baseless attacks for defending marriage and properly ordered sexuality in the future if they let moderates like Meijer and Kirk and gay men like Grenell run the show .
It ’ s up to grassroots Christians to ensure that Republican politicians in the future will reverse homosexual “ marriage ” the same way they ’ ve successfully forced them to take up the cause of overturning legal abortion .
If religious Americans are simply content with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In truth , they need to strive for much more .
If they don ’ t , the realignment currency underway on the political right will continue to push for the acceptance and normalization of homosexual behavior in the United States and across the world .

President Trump and his advisers have made the calculation that courting moderate, pro-LGBT voters won’t hurt them in the slightest with his Evangelical and pro-life base. They’re right.
October 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — In case you missed it, Ric Grenell, the former acting director of National Intelligence, gave an outstanding speech at the Republican National Convention last month.
It was a historic broadside against the Deep State and internationalists who’ve been in power for pretty much the last 40 years. I’m sure their blood was boiling as they watched it.
Just days before Grenell, a homosexual, delivered his remarks, he made a video declaring Donald Trump the “most pro-gay president in American history.”
President Trump retweeted the video, stating that it was his “great honor” to receive the title.
The Trump administration has walked a fine line the past several years with its social conservative base and the LGBT community. No one can deny that President Trump is quite possibly the most pro-life president we’ve ever had. He’s also admirably defended the religious liberty of the Little Sisters of the Poor and others. He’s to be praised for those efforts. But, and this is a big but, he has said nothing against the abomination that is same-sex “marriage.” In fact, he’s okay with it.
In 2016, before assuming office, Trump told 60 Minutes he’s “fine” with gay unions. “It’s irrelevant because it was already settled. It’s law. It was settled in the Supreme Court. I mean, it’s done,” he said.
It’s hard to say that if any other Republican had been elected in 2016, they’d be expressing opposition to gay “marriage.” The party has simply given up on it after Obergefell v. Hodges was handed down by the Supreme Court in 2015. I can see a President Ben Carson calling out homosexual unions, but a President Jeb Bush? Or even a President Cruz? I doubt it.
Sadly, it seems that the country, and even religious conservatives, have moved on from same-sex “marriage,” even though we all know that God surely hasn’t and will no doubt exert His vengeance on us at some point for allowing the scourge of sodomy to continue.
Politically speaking, President Trump and his advisers have made the calculation that courting moderate, pro-LGBT voters won’t hurt them in the slightest with his Evangelical and pro-life base. They’re right. Trump has delivered all and then some to those two voting blocs. There’s no way they wouldn’t turn out for him because of Grenell’s short little video.
In my own district here in Michigan, moderate Republican Peter Meijer was endorsed by Grenell just this week. He even sent out a tweet claiming that the GOP “has become a party that celebrates diversity and inclusion.”
So proud to announce our endorsement by @LogCabinGOP with West Mich native @RichardGrenell at our #MI03 Quonset Hut in downtown GR! While Dems embrace #CancelCulture, the @GOP has become a party that celebrates diversity and inclusion. pic.twitter.com/DfAEzNKkr5 — Peter Meijer (@VoteMeijer) October 19, 2020
The Trump-led GOP seems to want to give social conservatives laws that restrict abortion and to uphold their religious liberty. Meanwhile, for the LGBT crowd, a Trump GOP will work to see that homosexuality will no longer be viewed or treated as an abnormality. Whether this arrangement can be sustained over the long run remains to be seen.
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, has taken a leading role in encouraging young people to take a more laissez-faire view toward homosexuality. He’s frequently tweeted and often “liked” other tweets that normalize the gay agenda.
Others, like pro-abortion Fox News feminist Tomi Lahren, have also expressed support for LGBT “rights” on libertarian grounds. Donald Trump Jr. — the president’s heir apparent — has previously said he’s “totally for” gay “marriage.”
But some Christians aren’t having it.
Dave Reilly, a devout traditional Catholic who lives and works in Indiana, confronted Kirk at one of his rallies in 2019.“How does anal sex help us win the culture war? … Why are you promoting it?” he bravely asked in front of hundreds of other attendees.
Kirk was caught flat-footed. “Like, I don’t care what two consenting adults do … and your hyper-focus on it is kinda … weird.”
Apparently, Kirk has never read the part of the Bible that says men lying with other men is an abomination and that sin makes nations miserable.
Rob Smith, the gay black man who was co-hosting the event with Kirk, was also on stage. He didn’t have a good answer to Riley’s question either, opting to throw a temper tantrum and hurl empty LGBT talking points back in his face.
The altercation didn’t end there. Popular Twitter personality Benny Johnson, who works for Kirk, slammed Reilly for his remarks, scurrilously claiming that his question was “homophobic.”
Social conservatives are going to see more of these sorts of baseless attacks on Biblical marriage if they let moderates like Meijer and Kirk and gay men like Grenell run the show.
It’s up to grassroots Christians to ensure that Republican politicians will reverse homosexual “marriage” the same way they’ve successfully forced them to take up the cause of overturning abortion.
If religious Americans are simply content with getting pro-life laws, so be it. In truth, they need to strive for much more. If they don’t, the realignment currency underway on the political right will continue to push for the acceptance and normalization of homosexual behavior in the United States and across the world.
Follow Stephen Stephen Kokx is a journalist for LifeSiteNews. He previously worked for the Archdiocese of Chicago under the late Francis Cardinal George. A former community college instructor, Stephen has written and spoken extensively about Catholic social teaching and politics. His essays have appeared in a variety of outlets, including Catholic Family News, CatholicVote, and Alpha News.
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lifesitenews--2020-10-21--COVID vaccine trial volunteer dies in Brazil

The Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency ( Anvisa ) is currently investigating “ data received ” on the vaccine trial volunteer ’ s death .
While Anvisa declared that “ data on clinical research volunteers must be kept confidential , ” the Brazilian newspaper O Globo that the volunteer is a recently graduated doctor who “ worked on the front line of combating COVID-19 in three hospitals in Rio de Janeiro.
” Reuters said that according to “ a source familiar with the matter , ” “ the trial would have been suspended if the volunteer who died had received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was part of the control group that was given a meningitis vaccine.
” However , there are conflicting reports .
According to Leoleli Schwartz , writing for MedScape Medical News , a report in O Globo said the volunteer received a dose of the AZDI222 vaccine — the vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 — in late July .
It is unclear whether the volunteer received the COVID-19 vaccine or the placebo .
Reuters reported that according to CNN Brasil , the volunteer died from COVID-19 complications .
A spokesperson for the Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping coordinate Phase 3 clinical trials in Brazil , said , “ It is up to an independent review board to decide whether trials will continue .
”

PETITION UPDATE (8/27/2020)
Thank you for continuing to SIGN and SHARE this petition, which asks policymakers at all levels of government to reverse mandatory mask orders within their borders.
Facebook has restored the share link for this petition, saying that the decision to block it was a 'mistake...'
Please share with your Facebook friends, but we should all take heed of this warning: when an organization or individuals have to beg, plead and cajole just to express objective truths, it may be time to start looking for other social networking platforms.
Facebook needs to treat its users with respect, no matter their political persuasion. Moreover, Facebook needs to treat objective reality and facts with more respect.
One-size-fits-all oppressive government mask mandates must stop!
Healthy adults and children should not be forced - by the state - to wear masks when the risk of infection is low and the benefit of wearing a mask is highly questionable.
________________________________________________________________________________________
PETITION UPDATE (8/25/2020)
Facebook is actively censoring this petition, saying that some people find it 'abusive.'
How anyone could find alternate facts about oppressive mask mandates 'abusive' is incredible...that is, impossible to believe.
This is exactly the kind of censorship which Big Tech is getting a bad reputation for.
The fact that Facebook calls differing opinion and objective reality "abusive" says a lot about Facebook and their agenda to silence reason and logic, not just conservatives and Christians.
But, people are more intelligent than Facebook give them credit for.
And, the more this continues, the more reasonable people will look alternate platforms to share their thoughts and connect with their friends and family. The more that happens, the less revenue Facebook will generate.
All of us have a decision to make, and the time is coming where we might have to tell our Facebook friends that we are moving to another platform.
We are encouraging people to continue SIGNING this petition and SHARING it via other platforms such as Parler and Gab, and to share the link below with your family and friends on Whatsapp, Telegram, Threema and Signal.
Thank you!
________________________________________________________________________________________
One-size-fits-all oppressive government mask mandates must stop!
Healthy adults and children should not be forced - by the state - to wear masks when the risk of infection is low and the benefit of wearing a mask is highly questionable.
Please SIGN this petition which asks policymakers at all levels of government to reverse mandatory mask mandates within their borders.
Public health policies should be based on science and logic, not on the type of political posturing and virtue-signaling which led Joe Biden to recently call for a national mask mandate.
And, public health policies certainly shouldn't lead to a situation where more people could become sick.
But, that is exactly what these mandatory mask mandates are doing.
Here are four inconvenient facts about masks:
1) Masks** are largely ineffective at stopping the transmission of viruses.
The vast majority of masks worn by the public are made from material which cannot filter-out viruses because virus particles are too small to catch or obstruct. Wearing cloth masks to stop a virus is like putting a bee in a bird cage to keep it from flying away.
Wearing a mask for long periods of time ensures that the wearer has a warm and moist receptacle around his or her mouth, on which viruses and bacteria can land and accumulate.
Thus, masks are actually likely to have little effect in stopping the spread of COVID-19 acting as a barrier, but could actually make things worse acting as a receptacle.
2) Mandates which call for masks to be worn outdoors are both absurd and oppressive.
3) There are clearly documented hazards of wearing masks for long periods of time.
4) And, since school is on everyone's mind...
Notwithstanding the above information on the ineffectiveness of most masks against viruses, we don't know if asymptomatic children can even transmit the virus.
But, it was a reported in an article in the July 21, 2020 Uk Times that: "There has been no recorded case of a teacher catching the coronavirus from a pupil anywhere in the world, according to one of the UK government's leading scientific advisers."
And, we also know that children are extremely unlikely to get seriously ill or die from COVID infections. In any case, children cannot possibly be expected to wear a mask properly in a way that would cut transmission.
There are still a lot of unknowns about COVID-19, but we have grown in our understanding of this disease since the beginning of the crisis.
The knowledge we have gained should allow government and health authorities to make more nuanced policies than the current one-size-fits-all mask mandates.
Where are the legislative hearings in county commissions, and state, provincial or federal legislatures before these drastic actions are mandated? Where are the open and transparent debates among experts that provide our representatives with the necessary information to make good policy decisions?
The real pandemic is the panic and the resulting tyranny that is being caused by dictatorial governors, corporate media and the monopolistic Big Tech.
The truth is that COVID-19 is like a bad cold for most people; this is not ebola or the plague.
Of course, the very elderly and those with serious health conditions should take precautions or be quarantined, but the rest of society should begin the long process of returning to normality.
The frenzy to force everyone to wear a mask, at all times, has gone beyond all comprehension, and goes against science and logic.
Please SIGN this petition which asks policymakers at all levels of government to reverse any mandatory mask order within the borders of their county, state, province, or country.
Thank you!
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
'Explosion in mandatory masking isn’t driven by science, but fear', PART I - https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/explosion-in-mandatory-masking-isnt-driven-by-science-but-fear
'Explosion in mandatory masking isn’t driven by science, but fear', PART II - https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/explosion-in-mandatory-masking-isnt-driven-by-science-but-fear-part-ii
OSHA Document on Surgical Masks and Respirators stating that surgical masks do NOT prevent airborne particles (e.g. viruses) from being inhaled - https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3219.pdf
'PETER HITCHENS: Face masks turn us into voiceless submissives - and it’s not science forcing us to wear them, it’s politics' - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-8537489/PETER-HITCHENS-Face-masks-turn-voiceless-submissives.html
**Here, we are referring to the masks worn by the vast majority of the public, not to specialist masks or respirator-type masks.
***Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com


lifesitenews--2020-10-21--Young female pro-life singer assaulted after Vienna March for Life

VIENNA , October 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — After the March for Life on Saturday in Vienna , the musician who performed at the march was attacked by two girls , and her bike was stolen , prompting police intervention .
Closing the March for Life , Vero , a young singer with blond dreadlocks and a guitar , led the 2,000-person crowd in a song : “ We ’ re the Pro-Life Generation.
” The message was clear : we will stand for justice .
We will stand for the smallest .
We will stand for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no other way out .
We will stay by you and fight for you .
During the March , counter-demonstrators from multiple groups including Antifa attempted to stop the march by sitting in the street .
However , the police adjusted the march route slightly and moved those blocking the march .
Overall , the march took place peacefully because of heavy police presence .
After the March , Vero made her way to her bike .
It was locked near where members of Antifa and the other counter demonstration groups were gathered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bike before a girl dressed in black who was clearly a part of the counter-demonstrators ran over and grabbed hold of the bike .
Surprised , Vero held on .
A second girl wearing sunglasses ran over , grabbing the bike with the other girl .
“ They pulled so hard , ” Vero said .
As the pulled , somebody kicked Vero in the shin .
“ I realized that couldn ’ t hold the bike anymore and exclaimed , ‘ Jesus , help !
’ ” said Vero .
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the two assailants laughed .
Then one of the girls got on Vero ’ s bike and rode off , the other one running beside her .
They headed right into a police car , where the police were standing .
At first , the police didn ’ t know what had happened , thinking Vero belonged to Antifa and the left-wing counter-protesters .
But as soon as the police realized what had happened , they quickly apprehended the girls .
The attackers are currently in jail .
At the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picture on a blog ( linked to the event website counter-march ) .
The police were surprised , but then they saw the connection between Vero ’ s attack and her pro-life beliefs .
“ Sometimes people would come up to me and talk and then occasionally react aggressively , but I was never targeted directly with violence like this before , ” Vero stated .
Vero believes that it is important to share what happened to her , not to incite fear , but to inspire others to have courage and spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate .
“ I want to tell the girls who attacked me , I love you .
I forgive you .
I don ’ t hate you .
I don ’ t want anything bad to happen to you .
To all the counter-protesters , I want to say that we are here for you and love you .
If you are ever in a crisis pregnancy , we ’ re here for you.
” Although surprised by the attack , Vero realizes that what happened to her — violent discrimination because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone .
Yet she remains undaunted and plans to continue to share the pro-life message : “ I am not afraid .
I know that Jesus is with me .
Love always wins over fear.
” Vero draws courage from the thought of the babies whose lives are taken from them and the women who are pressured to abort by their partners or situations .
“ They ’ re the real ones who are being hurt .
It ’ s up to us to stand up for them .
”

PETITION UPDATE (10/22/2020)
Today, the Polish Constitutional Tribunal issued a ruling that the provision in the act allowing "abortion in the case of a high probability of severe and irreversible impairment of the fetus or an incurable disease that threatens the fetus" is inconsistent with the Polish Constitution, which was permitted since 1993 until the time when the conceived child reaches the age when it is able to survive outside the mother's body, in practice up to the 24th week of pregnancy.
This ruling makes abortion for eugenic reasons illegal in Poland!
Thank God and sincere gratitude to the Polish Constitutional Court for doing the right and reasonable thing.
And, thank you for continuing to sign this petition. We will send all signatures to the Polish Constitutional Court as way to show our thanks!
_____________________________________________________________________
On October 22nd, the Polish Constitutional Tribunal will decide whether eugenic abortion - on the grounds of a positive Down Syndrome test, for example - currently allowed by the Abortion Act of 1993 is in keeping with the country's constitution.
Eugenic abortion is not the mark of an advanced society. It is, rather, the mark of a savage society which deems some human lives as disposable.
And, the reason the court will issue a ruling is because Members of the Sejm (the Lower House of the Polish Parliament) have requested clarification of the law.
We, therefore, ask you to join us in urging the Polish Constitutional Tribunal to reject eugenic abortion and affirm the dignity and life of every preborn baby.
Let's encourage the Polish Court to a give good example to the rest of the world, and affirm life!
By SIGNING this petition, we demonstrate our agreement with the amicus brief brought to the Polish court by Ordo Iuris International Law Center, which you can READ by clicking here.
The problem mainly lies in two Articles of the Abortion Act (1993), which legalizes eugenic abortion, and which are, therefore, non-compliant with Article 30 of the Polish Constitution. That is because of the key fact, that they legalize eugenic practices towards an unborn child, denying him the respect and protection of his dignity.
Indeed, according to the Polish Constitution, the source of all freedoms and rights is dignity and it not only belongs to each human, but it cannot be relinquished.
Fortunately, there is a close connection between the protection of human dignity and legal guarantees of the protection of human life in Polish law, and that is why in its judgment of January 2004, the Constitutional Tribunal stated: "There can be no protection of human dignity if there are no sufficient grounds to protect life."
Please SIGN this petition which urges the Polish Constitutional Tribunal to vindicate and protect the lives of the sick preborn babies.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Ordo Iuris amicus brief urging the Polish Constitutional Court to declare two articles of the Abortion Act to be in non-conformity with the Polish Constitution: https://ordoiuris.pl/pliki/dokumenty/Miedzynarodowy_Amicus_Curiae_ws_obrony_zycia.pdf
*Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com
**LifeSiteNews and LifePetitions are against abortion under every circumstance. By supporting this petition, we are not somehow suggesting that we are only against eugenic abortion.


lifesitenews--2020-10-21--How my dad, Joe Scheidler, inspired me to be a pro-life activist

Every week , The Van Maren Show will try to get a handle on what is really going on in @ @ @ @ @ can be difficult to find news sources and storytellers that accurately reflect a Christian , @ @ @ @ @ pro-family worldview .
Join me on Wednesdays as we head to the front lines of @ @ @ @

In today’s episode of The Van Maren Show, pro-life activist Eric Scheidler joins Jonathon to discuss the impact of the pro-life grassroots movements and how his father’s pro-life activism helped shaped his own passion for life.
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lifesitenews--2020-10-21--Pro-life students abused at 2020 ‘Women’s March,’ pregnant mom told to abort her daughter

Activists with Students for Life of America ( SFLA ) gathered in Washington on October 17 to give a voice to the unborn in front of the Women ’ s March .
The students carried banners saying “ Equal rights for all women , ” wore t-shirts with their signature inscription “ I am the pro-life generation , ” and held signs with pictures of babies in utero with the words “ She could be … ” as part of their “ She Could Be ” campaign .
In response to the peaceful demonstration , the Women ’ s March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurled verbal abuse , and physically attacked the Students for Life .
One abortion activist dropped to the ground and “ twerked ” at the pro-lifers .
The Women ’ s March participants directed much of their abuse at SFLA ’ s Lori Cascio , who is 38 1/2 weeks ’ pregnant .
Cascio was amplifying the heartbeat of her unborn child to the crowd , yet one protester scoffed , “ Imagine using your child for political shit .
If I was that child , I ’ d probably want to kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving witness to the fact that “ my daughter is a real human … but her life matters too and this march , they ’ re not marching for preborn women , that ’ s why I ’ m here , and my daughter ’ s here , so that they have a voice as well.
” In an email to SFLA supporters , Cascio wrote , “ My preborn daughter and I were repeatedly verbally attacked , especially when projecting her little quick heartbeat over a megaphone , a sweet innocent sound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their denial of the preborn ’ s humanity.
” She wrote that she thought “ it ’ s possible that we would ’ ve been physically attacked ” had they not had bodyguards with them .
The Women ’ s March website gave this description of the protest : “ We ’ re holding socially distant actions across the country to send an unmistakable message about the fierce opposition to Trump and his agenda , including his attempt to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s seat.
” The protestors were also demanding “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affordable abortion and birth control for all people , regardless of income , location or education.
” One of the pro-life students said , “ This is not a women ’ s march .
This is an anti-Trump march ; this is a pro-abortion march ; this is an anti-Amy Coney Barrett march .
In no way shape or form is this a women ’ s march .
… They are here to promote abortion.
” Another pro-life volunteer mentioned that “ today at the women ’ s march I learned that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s about women that they agree with .
They don ’ t agree … with the pro-life generation … and they just want to silence us.
” “ We have seen vandalism , abuse : I was pushed , I was hit , I had my phone ripped out of my hand , I got spray painted , ” declared one of the students .
“ But you know what , it proves that the pro-abortion side is not scared of violence and they love abortion.
” Thank you for signing this petition @

Judge Amy Coney Barrett Graeme Jennings-Pool/Getty Images
PETITION UPDATE (10/26//2020)
In a resounding victory for supporters of life, family and freedom, the U.S. Senate has just confirmed Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States!
Justice Barrett was sworn-in by Justice Clarence Thomas and will swiftly fill the vacant seat and immediately begin participating in Supreme Court hearings.
The petitions signed by many of you - there are now over 40,000 signatures - supporting Judge Amy Coney Barrett were sent to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, as well as to the Officers of the USCCB.
Thank you for signing these petitions. As you can see, your signature really does make a difference!
We also know that many of you also made calls to your U.S. senators to encourage them to vote for Judge Barrett. Thank you!
__________________________________________________________________
PETITION UPDATE (10/22/2020)
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee just voted to advance Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination to the full Senate, leaving only one hurdle to go next week.
Every Republican on the committee voted for Barrett, President Donald Trump’s selection to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, while every committee Democrat boycotted the vote, CNBC reports.
Please READ the latest LifeSite article about the Senate Committee's vote here.
As you read above, Judge Barrett has one more hurdle next Monday. Of course, it's the BIGGEST hurdle.
So, if you haven't already, could we ask you to please call your U.S. senators to politely voice your support for Judge Barrett?
After SIGNING this petition, please scroll down the page, where you will find the list of all U.S. senators' contact details.
Let's keep working and praying so that we can see a pro-life judge sit on the Supreme Court.
____________________________________________________
PETITION UPDATE (10/15/20)
The fourth day of Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Senate confirmation hearing for the open seat on the U.S. Supreme Court is going on now.
Please CLICK HERE to go to the livestream of the hearings.
Please watch and read EXCLUSIVE LifeSite videos and articles about Judge Amy Coney Barrett's hearings:
YouTube Videos:
'We are people of faith, the true body of Christ': Christians pray for SCOTUS confirmation hearings'
'"That's your job": Judge Barrett responds to relevance of Obamacare to SCOTUS confirmation'
Articles:
'Senator who badgered Barrett about Catholicism in 2017 presses her on abortion at confirmation hearing'
'Hawley, Barrett dismantle religious tests for office at Supreme Court hearing'
'Ted Cruz at Barrett hearing warns Democrats want to ‘erase’ religious liberty'
______________________________________________________________
Conservatives and Christians asked President Trump to deliver a proven constitutional originalist with a solid pro-life background, and he did.
Now, let's not be outdone by Leftist organizations which will be mobilizing their forces to write, call and visit their senators' constituency offices.
Please SIGN this urgent petition - to Senate Leadership - asking them to quickly confirm Barrett as the next Supreme Court justice.
Then, please take a couple of minutes to CALL YOUR U.S. SENATORS using their numbers below, and politely urge them to confirm Barrett.
When Amy Coney Barrett's senate confirmation hearing begins on Monday, October 12th, the mother of seven and devout Catholic is expected to face fierce opposition.
Of course, the anticipated attacks have nothing to do with Barrett's legal credentials, which are uniformly top-notch.
Instead, they have to do with her faith in Jesus and with her belief that life begins at conception.
This is nothing short of anti-Christian bigotry which cannot be tolerated.
The fact is, Amy Coney Barrett is the best candidate for the job, and she urgently needs our support.
By signing the petition, we can unite to powerfully speak with one voice. But, by calling your senators, you can ensure that they know their local constituents are concerned and interested enough to telephone their offices.
This is our time to get active! We must voice our support for Amy Coney Barrett at this crucial moment in our nation's history.
Please SIGN this petition, and then please use the contact details below to CALL YOUR U.S. SENATORS right-away! Thank you!
U.S. SENATORS' CONTACT DETAILS:
SENATORS AND PHONE NUMBERS - https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact
ALABAMA SENATORS
Doug Jones – (202) 224-4124
Richard C. Shelby – (202) 224-5744
ALASKA SENATORS
Lisa Murkowski – (202) 224-6665
Dan Sullivan – (202) 224-3004
ARIZONA SENATORS
Martha McSally – (202) 224-2235
Kyrsten Sinema – (202) 224-4521
ARKANSAS SENATORS
John Boozman – (202) 224-4843
Tom Cotton – (202) 224-2353
CALIFORNIA SENATORS
Dianne Feinstein – (202) 224-3841
Kamala D. Harris – (202) 224-3553
COLORADO SENATORS
Michael F. Bennett – (202) 224-5852
Cory Gardner – (202) 224-5941
CONNECTICUT SENATORS
Richard Blumenthal – (202) 224-2823
Christopher Murphy – (202) 224-4041
DELAWARE SENATORS
Thomas R. Carper – (202) 224-2441
Christopher A. Coons – (202) 224-5042
FLORIDA SENATORS
Marco Rubio – (202) 224-3041
Rick Scott – (202) 224-5274
GEORGIA SENATORS
Kelly Loeffler – (202) 224-3643
David Perdue – (202) 224-3521
HAWAII SENATORS
Mazie K. Hirono – (202) 224-6361
Brian Schatz – (202) 224-3934
IDAHO SENATORS
Mike Crapo – (202) 224-6142
James E. Risch – (202) 224-2752
ILLINOIS SENATORS
Dick Durbin – (202) 224-2152
Tammy Duckworth – (202) 224-2854
INDIANA SENATORS
Mike Braun – (202) 224-4814
Todd Young – (202) 224-5623
IOWA SENATORS
Joni Ernst – (202) 224-3254
Chuck Grassley – (202) 224-3774
KANSAS SENATORS
Jerry Moran – (202) 224-6521
Pat Roberts – (202) 224-4744
KENTUCKY SENATORS
Mitch McConnell – (202) 224-2541
Rand Paul – (202) 224-4343
LOUISIANA SENATORS
Bill Cassidy – (202) 224-5824
John Kennedy – (202) 224-4623
MAINE SENATORS
Susan M. Collins – (202) 224-2523
Angus S. King – (202) 224-5344
MARYLAND SENATORS
Benjamin L. Cardin – (202) 224-4524
Chris Van Hollen – (202) 224-4654
MASSACHUSETS SENATORS
Edward J. Markey – (202) 224-2742
Elizabeth Warren – (202) 224-4543
MICHIGAN
Gary C. Peters – (202) 224-6221
Debbie Stabenow – (202) 224-4822
MINNESOTA
Amy Klobuchar – (202) 224-3244
Tina Smith – (202) 224-5641
MISSISSIPPI
Cindy Hyde-Smith – (202) 224-5054
Roger F. Wicker – (202) 224-6253
MISSOURI
Roy Blunt – (202) 224-5721
Josh Hawley – (202) 224-6154
MONTANA
Steve Daines – (202) 224-2651
Jon Tester – (202) 224-2644
NEBRASKA
Deb Fischer – (202) 224-6551
Ben Sasse – (202) 224-4224
NEVADA
Catherine Cortez Masto – (202) 224-3542
Jacky Rosen – (202) 224-6244
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Margaret Wood Hassan – (202) 224-3324
Jeanne Shaheen – (202) 224-2841
NEW JERSEY
Cory A. Booker – (202) 224-3224
Robert Menendez – (202) 224-4744
NEW MEXICO
Martin Heinrich – (202) 224-5521
Tom Udall – (202) 224-6621
NEW YORK
Kirsten E. Gillibrand – (202) 224-4451
Charles E. Schumer – (202) 224-6542
NORTH CAROLINA
Richard Burr – (202) 224-3154
Thom Tillis – (202) 224-6342
NORTH DAKOTA
Kevin Cramer – (202) 224-2043
John Hoeven – (202) 224-2551
OHIO
Sherrod Brown – (202) 224-2315
Rob Portman – (202) 224-3353
OKLAHOMA
James M. Inhofe – (202) 224-4721
James Lankford – (202) 224-5754
OREGON
Jeff Merkley – (202) 224-3753
Ron Wyden – (202) 224-5244
PENNSYLVANIA
Robert P. Casey, Jr. – (202) 224-6324
Patrick J. Toomey, Jr. – (202) 224-4254
RHODE ISLAND
Jack Reed – (202) 224-4642
Sheldon Whitehouse – (202) 224-2921
SOUTH CAROLINA
Lindsey Graham – (202) 224-5972
Tim Scott – (202) 224-6121
SOUTH DAKOTA
Mike Rounds – (202) 224-5842
John Thune – (202) 224-2321
TENNESSEE
Lamar Alexander – (202) 224-4944
Marsha Blackburn – (202) 224-3344
TEXAS
John Cornyn – (202) 224-2934
Ted Cruz – (202) 224-5922
UTAH
Mike Lee – (202) 224-5444
Mitt Romney – (202) 224-5251
VERMONT
Patrick J. Leahy – (202) 224-4242
Bernard Sanders – (202) 224-5141
VIRGINIA
Tim Kaine – (202) 224-4024
Mark R. Warner – (202) 224-2023
WASHINGTON
Maria Cantwell – (202) 224-3441
Patty Murray – (202) 224-2621
WEST VIRGINIA
Shelley Moore Capito – (202) 224-6472
Joe Manchin III – (202) 224-3954
WISCONSIN
Tammy Baldwin – (202) 224-5653
Ron Johnson – (202) 224-5323
WYOMING
John Barrasso – (202) 224-6441
Michael B. Enzi – (202) 224-3424


lifesitenews--2020-10-21--Archbishop Vigano, Bishops Tobin and Strickland respond to Pope’s approval of homosexual civil union

Archbishop Vigano, Bishops Tobin and Strickland respond to Pope’s approval of homosexual civil unions

October 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In a new film that will premier in North America Sunday but premiered in Rome today , Pope Francis has made his most clear statements contradicting Catholic Church teaching by calling for homosexual civil unions to be legalized .
Speaking of homosexual civil unions , he said , “ What we have to create is a civil union law .
That way they are legally covered .
I stood up for that.
” LifeSite immediately reached out to several bishops and cardinals for comment and thus far Archbishop Vigano has replied with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition , U.S. bishops Joseph Strickland and Thomas Tobin have commented .
It is not the first time Pope Francis has contravened Church teaching in the matter of homosexuality , but it is one of his clearest statements contravening established Church teaching .
In 2003 , in a document by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger ( Pope Benedict XVI ) and approved and ordered published by Pope St. John Paul II , the Church issued specific guidance on the need to reject homosexual civil union proposals .
The document , called “ Considerations regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between homosexual persons , ” states that “ all Catholics are obliged to oppose the legal recognition of homosexual unions.
” Catholic News Agency reported that the film includes the “ story of the pontiff encouraging two Italian men in a same-sex relationship to raise their children in their parish church.
” Speaking of his pastoral approach in an interview with filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky , the Pope said , “ Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family .
They ’ re children of God and have a right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , or be made miserable because of it.
” The Holy Father ’ s apparent support for the recognition of civil unions for same-sex couples needs to be clarified .
The Pope ’ s statement clearly contradicts what has been the long-standing teaching of the Church about same-sex unions .
The Church can not support the acceptance of objectively immoral relationships .
Individuals with same-sex attraction are beloved children of God and must have their personal human rights and civil rights recognized and protected by law .
However , the legalization of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simulate holy matrimony , is not admissible .
Bishop Strickland of Tyler , Texas tweeted , “ From the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith June 3 , 2003 ...
..Considerations Regarding Proposals To Give Legal Recognition To Unions Between Homosexual Persons ” But Archbishop Vigano provided a full analysis available on LifeSiteNews that he released after I spoke with him earlier today by phone .
“ One does not have to be a theologian or a moral expert to know that such statements are totally heterodox and constitute a very serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ But pay careful attention : these words simply constitute the umpteenth provocation by which the ‘ ultra-progressive ’ part of the hierarchy wants to artfully provoke a schism , as it has already tried to do.
” He says the Pope is trying to “ raise the stakes ” in a crescendo of heretical affirmations , in such a way that it will force the healthy part of the Church – which includes bishops , clergy , and faithful – to accuse him of heresy , in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church schismatic and “ the enemy of the Pope.
” He warned that fighting the Pope on this matter could land some Church leaders in trouble with the law , since he says , “ in many nations there are laws in force which criminally punish anyone who considers sodomy reprehensible and sinful or who does not approve of the legitimization of homosexual ‘ matrimony ’ – even if they do so on the basis of their Creed.
” Pope Francis would thus have on his side not only the “ deep church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state.
” As Catholics , he says , “ we are called to side with those who defend life , the natural family , and national sovereignty .
We thought that we had the Vicar of Christ at our side .
We painfully acknowledge that , in this epochal clash , he who ought to be guiding the Barque of Peter has chosen to side with the Enemy , in order to sink it .
”

Speaking of homosexual civil unions, the Pope said, “What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered. I stood up for that.”
October 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In a new film that will premier in North America Sunday but premiered in Rome today, Pope Francis has made his most clear statements contradicting Catholic Church teaching by calling for homosexual civil unions to be legalized. Speaking of homosexual civil unions, he said, “What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered. I stood up for that.” LifeSite immediately reached out to several bishops and cardinals for comment and thus far Archbishop Vigano has replied with an extensive analysis of the situation. In addition, U.S. bishops Joseph Strickland and Thomas Tobin have commented.
It is not the first time Pope Francis has contravened Church teaching in the matter of homosexuality, but it is one of his clearest statements contravening established Church teaching. In 2003, in a document by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) and approved and ordered published by Pope St. John Paul II, the Church issued specific guidance on the need to reject homosexual civil union proposals. The document, called “Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual persons,” states that “all Catholics are obliged to oppose the legal recognition of homosexual unions.”
WATCH:
Catholic News Agency reported that the film includes the “story of the pontiff encouraging two Italian men in a same-sex relationship to raise their children in their parish church.” Speaking of his pastoral approach in an interview with filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky, the Pope said, “Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it.”
Bishop Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island released a statement saying:
The Holy Father’s apparent support for the recognition of civil unions for same-sex couples needs to be clarified. The Pope’s statement clearly contradicts what has been the long-standing teaching of the Church about same-sex unions. The Church cannot support the acceptance of objectively immoral relationships. Individuals with same-sex attraction are beloved children of God and must have their personal human rights and civil rights recognized and protected by law. However, the legalization of their civil unions, which seek to simulate holy matrimony, is not admissible.
Bishop Strickland of Tyler, Texas tweeted, “From the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith June 3, 2003…..Considerations Regarding Proposals To Give Legal Recognition To Unions Between Homosexual Persons”
But Archbishop Vigano provided a full analysis available on LifeSiteNews that he released after I spoke with him earlier today by phone.
“One does not have to be a theologian or a moral expert to know that such statements are totally heterodox and constitute a very serious cause of scandal for the faithful,” he said. “But pay careful attention: these words simply constitute the umpteenth provocation by which the ‘ultra-progressive’ part of the hierarchy wants to artfully provoke a schism, as it has already tried to do.”
He says the Pope is trying to “raise the stakes” in a crescendo of heretical affirmations, in such a way that it will force the healthy part of the Church – which includes bishops, clergy, and faithful – to accuse him of heresy, in order to declare that healthy part of the Church schismatic and “the enemy of the Pope.”
He warned that fighting the Pope on this matter could land some Church leaders in trouble with the law, since he says, “in many nations there are laws in force which criminally punish anyone who considers sodomy reprehensible and sinful or who does not approve of the legitimization of homosexual ‘matrimony’ – even if they do so on the basis of their Creed.”
Pope Francis would thus have on his side not only the “deep church” … but also the “deep state.”
As Catholics, he says, “we are called to side with those who defend life, the natural family, and national sovereignty. We thought that we had the Vicar of Christ at our side. We painfully acknowledge that, in this epochal clash, he who ought to be guiding the Barque of Peter has chosen to side with the Enemy, in order to sink it.”
Follow John-Henry John-Henry is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of LifeSiteNews.com. He and his wife Dianne and their eight children live in the Ottawa Valley in Ontario, Canada. He has spoken at conferences and retreats, and appeared on radio and television throughout North America, Europe and Asia. John-Henry founded the Rome Life Forum an annual strategy meeting for pro-life leaders worldwide. He co-founded Voice of the Family and serves on the executive of the Canadian National March for Life Committee, and the annual National Pro-Life Youth Conference. He is a consultant to Canada’s largest pro-life organization Campaign Life Coalition, and serves on the executive of the Ontario branch of the organization. He has run three times for political office in the province of Ontario representing the Family Coalition Party. John-Henry earned an MA from the University of Toronto in School and Child Clinical Psychology and an Honours BA from York University in Psychology.
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