lifesitenews--2020-03-26--Planned Parenthood insists abortion continue because women fear for their finances

PETITION : Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here .
March 26 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — In response to the coronavirus pandemic , abortion vendor Planned Parenthood ’ s talking points seem to focus not on the danger of COVID-19 itself , but on its possible economic consequences .
Meera Shah , who is a physician and works in a leadership role for Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic in the state of New York , said , “ Pregnancy-related care , especially abortion care [ sic ] , is essential and life-affirming , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insecurity around jobs and food and paychecks and childcare.
” “ Our doors will stay open because sexual and reproductive health care is extremely important , and we have to ensure access to it , ” Shah told BuzzFeed News last week .
“ It seems like patients are doing everything they can to get to their appointments at this time , ” she continued .
“ Some patients have expressed to me ... that they were scared that they may not have health insurance in the future , that they may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that childcare is becoming more of an issue now with all of the schools closed.
” Mark Harrington , founder and president of pro-life organization Created Equal , pointed out , “ If Planned Parenthood cares about low income women losing their health insurance during these uncertain times , then it should be providing financial support , or childcare to these mothers.
” “ Planned Parenthood doesn ’ t care about women .
Planned cares about one thing — abortion , ” he told LifeSiteNews .
“ Pregnancy is not a disease .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fought .
Children are a blessing.
” Meanwhile , according to currently available data , including a small study done in China and published this February , COVID-19 in pregnant women can not be tied to adverse pregnancy outcomes .
The Harvard Health Blog , which is associated with Harvard Medical School , pointed to the study of nine pregnant women who came down with COVID-19 and had symptoms .
The study showed “ that none of their babies were affected by the virus .
The virus was not present in amniotic fluid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in breast milk.
” Thus , Harvard Health Blog concluded , the risk of passing the disease to the unborn child “ appears to be very low , and there is no evidence of any fetal malformations or effects due to maternal infection with COVID-19.
” The small study notwithstanding , the World Health Organization stated on its website dedicated to questions about the coronavirus and pregnancy that things are not entirely clear .
“ We still do not know if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus to her foetus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” wrote the WHO , which also heavily promotes abortion .
A baby in London reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month , just minutes after being born , according to Live Science .
It is unknown when exactly the baby contracted the disease .
“ We can ’ t say it happened while the baby was still in the womb , ” said William Schaffner , a professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine .
The baby might have contracted the virus during birth or immediately after , he told Live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Gynecologists ( ACOG ) pointed out that currently , there are “ no recommendations specific to pregnant women regarding the evaluation or management of COVID-19.
” However , ACOG cautioned , “ pregnant women are known to be at greater risk of severe morbidity and mortality from other respiratory infections such as influenza and SARS-CoV .
As such , pregnant women should be considered an at-risk population for COVID-19.
” ACOG , like WHO , supports abortion .
As LifeSiteNews reported , the group claimed on March 18 that abortions are “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of several weeks , or in some cases days , may increase the risks or potentially make it completely inaccessible.
” “ The consequences of being unable to obtain an abortion profoundly impact a person ’ s life , health , and well-being , ” ACOG and several other pro-abortion organizations said .
Five different organizations representing more than 30,000 pro-life doctors responded by explaining how “ across the United States , services that do constitute essential health care for women , including routine Pap smears , mammograms , and pelvic exams , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone ’ s risk of exposure to COVID-19 , and to conserve scarce medical resources.
” Elective abortions are neither “ essential ” nor “ urgent , ” the doctors emphasized .
To continue with such procedures would “ consume critical resources such as masks , gloves , and other personal protective equipment , and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.
” During the Zika epidemic in 2016 , supporters of abortion had used the virus as a direct excuse to promote killing the child of an infected pregnant woman in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion industry were quick to jump on the abortion bandwagon for pregnant women with confirmed or suspected cases of the Zika virus , ” LifeSiteNews wrote in 2016 .
Zika had been linked to microcephaly , a medical condition “ of abnormal smallness of the circumference of the head that is present at birth or develops within the first few years of life and is often associated with developmental delays , impaired cognitive development , poor coordination and balance , deficits in hearing and vision , and seizures .
”

'Pregnancy-related care, especially abortion care [sic], is essential and life-affirming,' one abortionist said, 'especially now when there is so much insecurity around jobs and food and paychecks and childcare.'
PETITION: Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here.
March 26, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — In response to the coronavirus pandemic, abortion vendor Planned Parenthood’s talking points seem to focus not on the danger of COVID-19 itself, but on its possible economic consequences.
Meera Shah, who is a physician and works in a leadership role for Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic in the state of New York, said, “Pregnancy-related care, especially abortion care [sic], is essential and life-affirming, especially now when there is so much insecurity around jobs and food and paychecks and childcare.”
“Our doors will stay open because sexual and reproductive health care is extremely important, and we have to ensure access to it,” Shah told BuzzFeed News last week.
“It seems like patients are doing everything they can to get to their appointments at this time,” she continued. “Some patients have expressed to me … that they were scared that they may not have health insurance in the future, that they may not be able to get their appointments, that childcare is becoming more of an issue now with all of the schools closed.”
Mark Harrington, founder and president of pro-life organization Created Equal, pointed out, “If Planned Parenthood cares about low income women losing their health insurance during these uncertain times, then it should be providing financial support, or childcare to these mothers.”
“Planned Parenthood doesn’t care about women. Planned cares about one thing — abortion,” he told LifeSiteNews.
“Pregnancy is not a disease. Babies are not a virus to be fought. Children are a blessing.”
Meanwhile, according to currently available data, including a small study done in China and published this February, COVID-19 in pregnant women cannot be tied to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The Harvard Health Blog, which is associated with Harvard Medical School, pointed to the study of nine pregnant women who came down with COVID-19 and had symptoms. The study showed “that none of their babies were affected by the virus. The virus was not present in amniotic fluid, the babies’ throats, or in breast milk.”
Thus, Harvard Health Blog concluded, the risk of passing the disease to the unborn child “appears to be very low, and there is no evidence of any fetal malformations or effects due to maternal infection with COVID-19.”
The small study notwithstanding, the World Health Organization stated on its website dedicated to questions about the coronavirus and pregnancy that things are not entirely clear. “We still do not know if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus to her foetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery,” wrote the WHO, which also heavily promotes abortion.
A baby in London reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, just minutes after being born, according to Live Science.
It is unknown when exactly the baby contracted the disease. “We can’t say it happened while the baby was still in the womb,” said William Schaffner, a professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. The baby might have contracted the virus during birth or immediately after, he told Live Science.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) pointed out that currently, there are “no recommendations specific to pregnant women regarding the evaluation or management of COVID-19.”
However, ACOG cautioned, “pregnant women are known to be at greater risk of severe morbidity and mortality from other respiratory infections such as influenza and SARS-CoV. As such, pregnant women should be considered an at-risk population for COVID-19.”
ACOG, like WHO, supports abortion. As LifeSiteNews reported, the group claimed on March 18 that abortions are “a time-sensitive service for which a delay of several weeks, or in some cases days, may increase the risks or potentially make it completely inaccessible.”
“The consequences of being unable to obtain an abortion profoundly impact a person’s life, health, and well-being,” ACOG and several other pro-abortion organizations said.
Five different organizations representing more than 30,000 pro-life doctors responded by explaining how “across the United States, services that do constitute essential health care for women, including routine Pap smears, mammograms, and pelvic exams, are being postponed in order to reduce everyone’s risk of exposure to COVID-19, and to conserve scarce medical resources.”
Elective abortions are neither “essential” nor “urgent,” the doctors emphasized. To continue with such procedures would “consume critical resources such as masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment, and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.”
During the Zika epidemic in 2016, supporters of abortion had used the virus as a direct excuse to promote killing the child of an infected pregnant woman in the womb. “Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry were quick to jump on the abortion bandwagon for pregnant women with confirmed or suspected cases of the Zika virus,” LifeSiteNews wrote in 2016.
Zika had been linked to microcephaly, a medical condition “of abnormal smallness of the circumference of the head that is present at birth or develops within the first few years of life and is often associated with developmental delays, impaired cognitive development, poor coordination and balance, deficits in hearing and vision, and seizures.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-26--A reminder to fast with our whole heart during lent

Formerly Heart to Heart with Mother Miriam , Mother Miriam Live brings you inspiration and solutions for life ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Miriam is a Catholic nun on a mission to bring hope to a world that @ @ @ @ @ let her share that hope and joy with you !
To tune into Mother Miriam @ @ @ @ @ Facebook page here every Monday to Friday at 10am .

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
Watch Mother Miriam's Live show replayed on 3.26.2020. Today, Mother focuses on the importance of fasting in a committed way during lent. She reminds us that our hearts must be behind our fast, we must not fast begrudgingly or with pride.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-03-30--Temptation: If you fail 20 times keep trying, the only real failure is to stop trying

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 3.30.2020. Mother encourages people to continue trying and fighting temptation. She focuses on inevitability of facing temptation, but we need to stay strong and resist those temptations.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-03-30--French Catholic brotherhood continues to bury coronavirus victims with dignity during lockdown

March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In the northern French town of Béthune , not far from Calais , funerals in these times of COVID-19 are still worthy occasions .
While victims of respiratory complications from the Chinese coronavirus are being hastily buried or , more often , cremated without family members getting a proper chance to see the face of their loved ones one more time and pay their last respects , the brotherhood of the “ Charitables ” of Béthune is continuing to do what it has done for more than 800 years : voluntarily carrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an act of piety and charity .
To date , France ’ s death toll officially attributed to the Chinese coronavirus is 3,042 .
Under strict confinement rules that were tightened on March 28 , no more than 20 persons are allowed to join funeral Masses and to accompany their loved one to the cemetery , putting heavy stress on those who are obliged to pick and choose between family members and friends who usually come from far and near on such occasions in France .
Traveling across the country has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a suspicion or certainty that the deceased was infected with the coronavirus , the coffin is immediately closed because of the “ sanitary risk.
” There is no religious ceremony at the graveyard .
Social media in France hosts many sad messages from sons , daughters , grandchildren , and friends who are deeply frustrated at not having been able to assist at the funeral of a loved one and who know that the event was bleak and soulless because of the circumstances .
The “ Charitables ” of Béthune , on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep up their tradition of burying the dead with honor and respect whatever their social condition and the reason of death .
Wearing their characteristic black cloaks , white gloves and black cocked hats , they solemnly process through the streets of the town – no more than five at a time because of present restrictions , so as not to prevent families to attend in as large numbers as they can – between the place where the funeral ceremony took place and one of the cemeteries of the town .
Once there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have made for centuries , lowering coffins into the graves with great solemnity .
They then observe a minute of silence before proclaiming : “ Requiescat in pace ” – “ May he rest in peace.
” Before leaving the cemetery , they join in a circle in front of its gates and , as tradition will have it , assess whether everything went according to the rules .
The “ Charitable ” who made a mistake during the ceremony , such as taking off his cocked hat at the wrong moment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French media published several admiring reports on the consoling presence of the “ Charitables ” of Béthune at a time when funerals have become even sadder occasions than usual , stressing that their commitment is bringing dignity and humanity to interment ceremonies .
One of the latest burials led by the “ Charitables ” was that of a poor , homeless man of 34 who had neither family nor friends to accompany him to his grave .
Whether the deceased is rich or poor , old or young , religious or not , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … the service is completely free .
In Béthune , undertakers only provide the coffin and prepare the grave .
The “ Charitables ” offer the full accompaniment of the deceased at no cost , and are in particular expected to assist at the funeral Mass if there is one .
The “ Charitables ” of Béthune , or Brotherhood of St. Eloi , were founded in 1188 at a time when Béthune , having gone through various earthquakes , famines , fires and other disasters during the 11the and 12th centuries was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nearby marshes and the proliferation of mosquitoes , rats and other unsavory animals .
The pestilence was such that bodies of men and animals strewed the narrow streets , and few were prepared to give their fellow men a decent funeral .
Amid the pestilence and the stench of death , the people of Béthune invaded the churches and sanctuaries of their town , beseeching God , through the intercession of St. Eloi ( the holy bishop St. Elegius , a remarkably honest goldsmith become cleric in seventh century France is much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect them .
On the feast of St. Matthew on September 21 , 1188 , two local smiths , Germon from nearby Beuvry and Gautier from Béthune , met at a spring marking the frontier between the two towns and , speaking of the dire straits their people were in , realized that both had separately had a dream in which St. Eloi had appeared to them , asking them to found a “ Charity ” or brotherhood .
A monk from a local Abbey having advised them , the two men honored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brotherhood would give bread to the poor , care to the sick , consolation to the dying and a worthy burial to the dead : something they have now been doing for 832 years without interruption .
Many townsmen of Beuvry and Béthune joined the founders , and thanks to their actions , the pestilence receded and finally disappeared .
The “ Charitables ” continued to exist , however , receiving land to build a chapel dedicated to St. Eloi .
They have since then remained faithful to the rules of their founders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form in their foundation charter dated October 26 , 1317 .
The Brotherhood of the “ Charitables ” was dissolved in 1797 under the French Revolution , but its members continued discreetly to minister to the needs of the deceased until 1802 , at which time they were officially allowed once again to act according to their traditions and bury the dead of Béthune .
Since the middle of the 19th century , they have become a lay organization because of differences with the local bishop of Arras , who wanted them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Their relations with the Catholic authorities have , however , been excellent since then .
They continue to come to the aid of the needy , thanks to public donations , but their main activity remains the free service of burials .
Comprising only men , the “ Charitables ” come from all walks of life and are expected to be of good moral character .
Their numbers decreased dramatically during the 20th century : in 1973 , there were only 10 left .
Nowadays , there are more than 50 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Brotherhood of St. Eloi believes it has the special protection of its patron saint .
Since 1188 , no active member of the confraternity has ever been touched by any contagious or epidemic illness .

March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In the northern French town of Béthune, not far from Calais, funerals in these times of COVID-19 are still worthy occasions. While victims of respiratory complications from the Chinese coronavirus are being hastily buried or, more often, cremated without family members getting a proper chance to see the face of their loved ones one more time and pay their last respects, the brotherhood of the “Charitables” of Béthune is continuing to do what it has done for more than 800 years: voluntarily carrying the deceased to their last resting place as an act of piety and charity.
Embed from Getty Images
To date, France’s death toll officially attributed to the Chinese coronavirus is 3,042.
Under strict confinement rules that were tightened on March 28, no more than 20 persons are allowed to join funeral Masses and to accompany their loved one to the cemetery, putting heavy stress on those who are obliged to pick and choose between family members and friends who usually come from far and near on such occasions in France. Traveling across the country has also become very difficult.
When there is a suspicion or certainty that the deceased was infected with the coronavirus, the coffin is immediately closed because of the “sanitary risk.” There is no religious ceremony at the graveyard. Social media in France hosts many sad messages from sons, daughters, grandchildren, and friends who are deeply frustrated at not having been able to assist at the funeral of a loved one and who know that the event was bleak and soulless because of the circumstances.
The “Charitables” of Béthune, on the other hand, have been able to keep up their tradition of burying the dead with honor and respect whatever their social condition and the reason of death. Wearing their characteristic black cloaks, white gloves and black cocked hats, they solemnly process through the streets of the town – no more than five at a time because of present restrictions, so as not to prevent families to attend in as large numbers as they can – between the place where the funeral ceremony took place and one of the cemeteries of the town.
Once there, they repeat the same gestures they have made for centuries, lowering coffins into the graves with great solemnity. They then observe a minute of silence before proclaiming: “Requiescat in pace” – “May he rest in peace.” Before leaving the cemetery, they join in a circle in front of its gates and, as tradition will have it, assess whether everything went according to the rules. The “Charitable” who made a mistake during the ceremony, such as taking off his cocked hat at the wrong moment, will pay a symbolic fine.
The French media published several admiring reports on the consoling presence of the “Charitables” of Béthune at a time when funerals have become even sadder occasions than usual, stressing that their commitment is bringing dignity and humanity to interment ceremonies.
One of the latest burials led by the “Charitables” was that of a poor, homeless man of 34 who had neither family nor friends to accompany him to his grave.
Whether the deceased is rich or poor, old or young, religious or not, Catholic, Jewish, Protestant or Muslim … the service is completely free. In Béthune, undertakers only provide the coffin and prepare the grave. The “Charitables” offer the full accompaniment of the deceased at no cost, and are in particular expected to assist at the funeral Mass if there is one.
The “Charitables” of Béthune, or Brotherhood of St. Eloi, were founded in 1188 at a time when Béthune, having gone through various earthquakes, famines, fires and other disasters during the 11the and 12th centuries was hit by a deadly plague favored by the nearby marshes and the proliferation of mosquitoes, rats and other unsavory animals. The pestilence was such that bodies of men and animals strewed the narrow streets, and few were prepared to give their fellow men a decent funeral.
Amid the pestilence and the stench of death, the people of Béthune invaded the churches and sanctuaries of their town, beseeching God, through the intercession of St. Eloi (the holy bishop St. Elegius, a remarkably honest goldsmith become cleric in seventh century France is much revered in this country), to protect them.
On the feast of St. Matthew on September 21, 1188, two local smiths, Germon from nearby Beuvry and Gautier from Béthune, met at a spring marking the frontier between the two towns and, speaking of the dire straits their people were in, realized that both had separately had a dream in which St. Eloi had appeared to them, asking them to found a “Charity” or brotherhood.
A monk from a local Abbey having advised them, the two men honored St. Eloi’s request. Their brotherhood would give bread to the poor, care to the sick, consolation to the dying and a worthy burial to the dead: something they have now been doing for 832 years without interruption.
Many townsmen of Beuvry and Béthune joined the founders, and thanks to their actions, the pestilence receded and finally disappeared. The “Charitables” continued to exist, however, receiving land to build a chapel dedicated to St. Eloi. They have since then remained faithful to the rules of their founders, which were first given a written form in their foundation charter dated October 26, 1317.
The Brotherhood of the “Charitables” was dissolved in 1797 under the French Revolution, but its members continued discreetly to minister to the needs of the deceased until 1802, at which time they were officially allowed once again to act according to their traditions and bury the dead of Béthune.
Since the middle of the 19th century, they have become a lay organization because of differences with the local bishop of Arras, who wanted them to submit to the tutelage of the Church. Their relations with the Catholic authorities have, however, been excellent since then.
They continue to come to the aid of the needy, thanks to public donations, but their main activity remains the free service of burials. Comprising only men, the “Charitables” come from all walks of life and are expected to be of good moral character.
Their numbers decreased dramatically during the 20th century: in 1973, there were only 10 left. Nowadays, there are more than 50, often descendants of former “Charitables.”
The Brotherhood of St. Eloi believes it has the special protection of its patron saint. Since 1188, no active member of the confraternity has ever been touched by any contagious or epidemic illness.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-30--Police show up after Mass, warn Canadian priest of fines for breaking COVID-19 orders

TORONTO , March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Toronto police showed up directly after Mass last week to warn a priest that he could be fined for violating a provincial order restricting public gatherings because of the coronavirus .
But Fr .
Dominique Boulet of the Society of St. Pius X says his parish complied with Premier Doug Ford ’ s March 17 directive — which allowed gatherings of up to 50 people — when they held a public Mass on March 25 , the Feast of the Annunciation .
When Ford declared a state of emergency on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ontario Catholic bishops , including Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto , cancelled all public Masses .
However , the SSPX , a union of more than 600 traditional Catholic priests who believe the Second Vatican Council is the cause of the crisis in the Church , claims that “ supplied jurisdiction ” allows its priests to operate outside the authority of diocesan bishops .
While theologians still consider SSPX to have an “ irregular ” canonical status , Catholics can fulfill their Sunday obligation at a Society chapel , and validly and licitly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an SSPX priest .
“ Things have been very intense over the past days , ” Boulet told LifeSiteNews in an email statement .
“ Word of mouth spread quickly within the Catholic community in Toronto that we were still having Mass in our church , and we received hundreds of calls from faithful that we didn ’ t know , but who were eager to come to the Traditional Latin Mass and to receive the sacraments , ” he said .
“ We organized ourselves to comply with the rule of 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Faithful had to register for Mass and we set up clear marking on the pews to keep social distancing while attending Mass , ” Boulet explained .
Moreover , “ a number of souls approached our priests to get reconciled with God by making a good confession , and this was a real blessing in the midst of the present-day calamity , ” he added .
However , on March 24 , Ford ordered the mandatory shut-down of all non-essential businesses .
While houses of worship were not included on the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neither did the province explicitly order them shut down -- although a local health authority in Ottawa closed the churches , mosques and synagogues in his jurisdiction .
Nevertheless , on March 24 , a number of Ontario dioceses ordered a blanket lockdown of all churches and chapels .
And when parishioners congregated at Transfiguration Parish on March 25 , a neighbour called the Toronto Police Service .
An officer appeared after Mass with a City of Toronto-issued warning that the province had banned gatherings of over 50 people .
Boulet said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said he was “ just doing his job ” but that he did not take any steps to verify the parish was in compliance .
A City of Toronto spokesperson told LifeSiteNews the warning was served “ with the intent to educate the parish.
” But the question remained whether or not Ford ’ s March 24 mandatory shutdown meant churches must close their doors .
Boulet ’ s parish contacted the province to ask if churches were essential services , but the man who answered the toll-free number had to refer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told LifeSiteNews .
Two days later , a representative from the health ministry called to say “ they are in the dark as much as we are , ” and that the legislature would have to resolve the matter , he said .
The Ford government is allowing businesses to apply for the “ essential service ” designation so they can remain open during the pandemic , he added .
Indeed , Ford stated at a March 24 press conference that the list of 74 essential services “ can be adjusted either way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Boulet ’ s parish has applied for such a designation , but in the meantime , his superior decided to cancel public Masses because the risk is too great , he said .
And on March 29 , Ontario restricted public gatherings to no more than five people .
“ Now , it looks like the celebration of the mysteries of the Passion may have to be celebrated without the assistance of the faithful , ” Boulet told LifeSiteNews .
“ The purple cover on the statues and crucifix will have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also veil the ceremonies that Catholics from all over the world may not be able to attend .
But let us not forget that the Resurrection always follows the Passion.
” Contact your MPP to request that churches be designated an essential service .
To find the name and address of your MPP , go to the Campaign Life website here , or the Legislative Assembly of Ontario website here .
Contact your bishop and parish priest to request that they apply to be designated as an essential service .
For the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The Toronto church followed the government's directives, but cops arrived 'to educate the parish.'
Urgent appeal to bishops: Fight to make sacraments more available to your faithful Sign the petition here.
TORONTO, March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Toronto police showed up directly after Mass last week to warn a priest that he could be fined for violating a provincial order restricting public gatherings because of the coronavirus.
But Fr. Dominique Boulet of the Society of St. Pius X says his parish complied with Premier Doug Ford’s March 17 directive — which allowed gatherings of up to 50 people — when they held a public Mass on March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation.
When Ford declared a state of emergency on St. Patrick’s Day, the Ontario Catholic bishops, including Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto, cancelled all public Masses.
However, the SSPX, a union of more than 600 traditional Catholic priests who believe the Second Vatican Council is the cause of the crisis in the Church, claims that “supplied jurisdiction” allows its priests to operate outside the authority of diocesan bishops.
While theologians still consider SSPX to have an “irregular” canonical status, Catholics can fulfill their Sunday obligation at a Society chapel, and validly and licitly get married and confess their sins to an SSPX priest.
“Things have been very intense over the past days,” Boulet told LifeSiteNews in an email statement.
“Word of mouth spread quickly within the Catholic community in Toronto that we were still having Mass in our church, and we received hundreds of calls from faithful that we didn’t know, but who were eager to come to the Traditional Latin Mass and to receive the sacraments,” he said.
“We organized ourselves to comply with the rule of 50 persons max and the social distancing requirement. Faithful had to register for Mass and we set up clear marking on the pews to keep social distancing while attending Mass,” Boulet explained.
Moreover, “a number of souls approached our priests to get reconciled with God by making a good confession, and this was a real blessing in the midst of the present-day calamity,” he added.
However, on March 24, Ford ordered the mandatory shut-down of all non-essential businesses.
While houses of worship were not included on the government’s list of essential services, neither did the province explicitly order them shut down — although a local health authority in Ottawa closed the churches, mosques and synagogues in his jurisdiction.
Nevertheless, on March 24, a number of Ontario dioceses ordered a blanket lockdown of all churches and chapels.
And when parishioners congregated at Transfiguration Parish on March 25, a neighbour called the Toronto Police Service.
An officer appeared after Mass with a City of Toronto-issued warning that the province had banned gatherings of over 50 people.
Boulet said the officer was “nice and polite” and said he was “just doing his job” but that he did not take any steps to verify the parish was in compliance.
A City of Toronto spokesperson told LifeSiteNews the warning was served “with the intent to educate the parish.”
But the question remained whether or not Ford’s March 24 mandatory shutdown meant churches must close their doors.
Boulet’s parish contacted the province to ask if churches were essential services, but the man who answered the toll-free number had to refer the question to his supervisor, he told LifeSiteNews.
Two days later, a representative from the health ministry called to say “they are in the dark as much as we are,” and that the legislature would have to resolve the matter, he said.
The Ford government is allowing businesses to apply for the “essential service” designation so they can remain open during the pandemic, he added.
Indeed, Ford stated at a March 24 press conference that the list of 74 essential services “can be adjusted either way … it’s an open list.”
Boulet’s parish has applied for such a designation, but in the meantime, his superior decided to cancel public Masses because the risk is too great, he said.
And on March 29, Ontario restricted public gatherings to no more than five people.
“Now, it looks like the celebration of the mysteries of the Passion may have to be celebrated without the assistance of the faithful,” Boulet told LifeSiteNews.
“The purple cover on the statues and crucifix will have a special meaning this year, because it will also veil the ceremonies that Catholics from all over the world may not be able to attend. But let us not forget that the Resurrection always follows the Passion.”
Contact information:
Contact your MPP to request that churches be designated an essential service. To find the name and address of your MPP, go to the Campaign Life website here, or the Legislative Assembly of Ontario website here.
Contact your bishop and parish priest to request that they apply to be designated as an essential service. For the address of Ontario bishops, go here.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-30--Experts: Universal do-not-resuscitate orders are unethical, un-American, unnecessary

WASHINGTON , D.C. , March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Amid the many narratives and news reports competing for attention during our Coronavirus Pandemic Spring , one of the most alarming for pro-lifers was a recent Washington Post headline that screamed , “ Hospitals consider universal do-not-resuscitate orders for coronavirus patients.
” To Catholics and many others , the notion that hospitals might mandate that their doctors and nurses ignore coronavirus victims as they face a medical emergency and allow them to die alone in their hospital rooms is anathema .
The article suggests a high probability that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment , equipment , and supplies , while painting a gruesome dystopian picture of medical professionals ’ well-being pitted against that of their patients .
It ’ s a portrait of a world where hospitals and healthcare systems are guided by Darwinian logic , where only the young and fittest are chosen to survive while those over 60 or who have pre-existing medical conditions are left to die , perhaps provided only with end-of-life “ comfort care.
” It suggests that the icy cold inhumanity of the culture of death – aka , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human life deemed “ inconvenient ” or a burden is discarded – which began with Roe v. Wade is about to reach its logical conclusion .
Stories out of Italy about its valiant struggle to cope with what became a deadly , out-of-control virus that quickly overwhelmed that country ’ s healthcare system have served to fan the flames of fear in the U.S .
But the United States is not Italy .
Following publication of the Post article , Dr. Deborah Birx , White House response coordinator for the coronavirus task force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s dire tone and claims .
“ There is no situation in the United States right now that warrants that kind of discussion , ” said Birx .
“ It 's our job collectively to assure the American people , ” added Birx .
“ It 's our job to make sure that does n't happen.
” “ I want to emphasize caution about extreme predictions , ” John A .
Di Camillo , PhD , BeL , Staff Ethicist at The National Catholic Bioethics Center ( NCBC ) , told LifeSiteNews .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and medical professionals to the NCBC have been on the rise in recent weeks .
Hospitals can not establish a rule that sentences people to death “ We ’ re reading the unthinkable—the Seattle Times reported that Washington State and hospital officials have been meeting to consider how to decide who lives and dies , ” noted Peter Breen , Thomas More Society Vice President and Senior Counsel in a statement for the Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund .
“ In our nation ’ s capital , the Washington Post is running editorials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care , as is the National Review in the hard-hit state of New York , ” continued Breen .
“ The horrific idea of withholding care from someone because they are elderly or disabled , is untenable and represents a giant step in the devaluation of each and every human life in America.
” “ I am uncomfortable with a standing do-not-resuscitate order , ” legal expert Charles LiMandri told LifeSiteNews .
“ It seems to me [ hospitals ] are going to have to do it on an ad hoc basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whatever equipment and personnel are available in each situation.
” “ It just doesn ’ t seem to me you can have a rule that sentences people to death , ” added LiMandri , partner at LiMandri & Jonna LLP , who serves as Special Counsel for the Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund and the Thomas More Society .
“ A pandemic or existential threat does not negate our moral obligations , ” wrote R.J. Snell in a statement for the Charlotte Lozier Institute , addressing the principles that have long guided healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and intentionally do wrong , even for good results , even in a crisis situation .
In addition to general moral norms , professional codes of ethics continue to apply.
” “ The duty to care persists , ” said Snell , Director of Academic Programs at the Witherspoon Institute in Princeton , NJ , and Academic Director of the Aquinas Institute for Catholic Life at Princeton University .
“ Members of the health care profession assume an obligation to provide care and to be available during an emergency , even at some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Physicians take an oath to always act in the best interest of [ their ] patients .
It ’ s an oath that has guided physicians for over 2,400 years , ” said Dr. Dennis Sullivan , the Christian Medical and Dental Association ’ s Ohio Representative , and American Academy of Medical Ethics Professor Emeritus of Pharmacy Practice , Cedarville University in an interview with LifeSiteNews .
“ We need to trust the medical profession right now , not live in fear of it , ” he declared .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the easy way out of dilemmas , and too comfortable with making excuses for killing when the only offense of those we kill is the possibility of inconvenience , ” wrote Allen C. Guelzo , senior research scholar in Princeton University ’ s Council of the Humanities and visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation in a Wall Street Journal op-ed titled “ Rationing care is a surrender to death.
” “ Americans are better than that , ” continued Guelzo .
“ Ventilators are not simple to manufacture , but neither were Spitfire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Battle of Britain .
Improvise , innovate , imagine.
” When it comes to the practice of medicine , America is resource-rich “ These are gut wrenching questions , ” said Di Camillo , “ but we should all be thinking – patients and providers – about the kinds of sacrifices that we may need to be willing to make to help each other.
” “ There are wonderful solutions that can help us when we come together as a community , ” he noted .
In Italy , where the healthcare system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories of creative solutions emerging .
“ People are converting scuba diving gear into personal protective equipment for doctors and nurses.
” Di Camillo also noted how Italian clothing design and manufacturing titan Giorgio Armani has also agreed to produce personal protective equipment .
“ Private initiatives paired with community level and government initiatives to creatively respond ” open up previously unavailable possibilities .
“ We are a resource-rich country here in the United States .
We ’ ve never been faced with a lack of resources , ” said Dr. Sullivan regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( DNR ) orders .
“ After the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic , there was a big push by a number of institutions to have allocation protocols that would triage patients , ” Sullivan told LifeSiteNews , “ especially with regard to ventilators.
” “ Here ’ s the key thing that needs to be pointed out : Many hospitals and healthcare systems have had these protocols in place for years , but they have never , ever , ever been used , ” emphasized Sullivan .
“ There are some very creative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid the need , noted Sullivan .
“ For example , they ’ re talking about the possibility of putting a ‘ Y ’ connector or a ‘ T ’ connector on ventilator hoses so that two patients can be ventilated at the same time ” using a single machine .
Such a move would quickly and inexpensively double the county ’ s ventilator capacity .
Perhaps in a way not witnessed since World War II , American businesses , small and large , are mobilizing to supply the needs of medical professionals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Local distilleries which normally produce whiskey have quickly converted to hand sanitizer production .
“ My Pillow ” founder and CEO Mike Lindell announced that his company has shifted 75 percent of its manufacturing capacity to produce face masks for hospitals across the country .
And General Motors has already teamed up with Ventec Life Systems and is gearing up to manufacture up to 10,000 ventilators per month at its factory in Kokomo , Indiana .
“ There is a real danger here that I ’ m seeing of spiritual and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side , ” observed Di Camillo , due to the risk of contagion .
“ We have to find ways to get priests to minister to patients who are suffering , ” said Di Camillo , who noted that it ’ s not just patients , but hospital staff also are in need of spiritual support .
“ We need an intensification of spiritual support , pastoral support , sacramental support , ” he stressed .

You can't 'have a rule that sentences people to death,' said one lawyer.
ANALYSIS
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Amid the many narratives and news reports competing for attention during our Coronavirus Pandemic Spring, one of the most alarming for pro-lifers was a recent Washington Post headline that screamed, “Hospitals consider universal do-not-resuscitate orders for coronavirus patients.”
To Catholics and many others, the notion that hospitals might mandate that their doctors and nurses ignore coronavirus victims as they face a medical emergency and allow them to die alone in their hospital rooms is anathema.
The article suggests a high probability that hospitals will be forced to ration medical treatment, equipment, and supplies, while painting a gruesome dystopian picture of medical professionals’ well-being pitted against that of their patients.
It’s a portrait of a world where hospitals and healthcare systems are guided by Darwinian logic, where only the young and fittest are chosen to survive while those over 60 or who have pre-existing medical conditions are left to die, perhaps provided only with end-of-life “comfort care.”
It suggests that the icy cold inhumanity of the culture of death – aka, the “throw away society” where human life deemed “inconvenient” or a burden is discarded – which began with Roe v. Wade is about to reach its logical conclusion.
Stories out of Italy about its valiant struggle to cope with what became a deadly, out-of-control virus that quickly overwhelmed that country’s healthcare system have served to fan the flames of fear in the U.S.
But the United States is not Italy.
Caution against extreme predictions
Following publication of the Post article, Dr. Deborah Birx, White House response coordinator for the coronavirus task force, pushed back against the article’s dire tone and claims.
“There is no situation in the United States right now that warrants that kind of discussion,” said Birx.
“It's our job collectively to assure the American people,” added Birx. “It's our job to make sure that doesn't happen.”
“I want to emphasize caution about extreme predictions,” John A. Di Camillo, PhD, BeL, Staff Ethicist at The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), told LifeSiteNews. Di Camillo noted that queries from hospitals and medical professionals to the NCBC have been on the rise in recent weeks.
Hospitals cannot establish a rule that sentences people to death
“We’re reading the unthinkable—the Seattle Times reported that Washington State and hospital officials have been meeting to consider how to decide who lives and dies,” noted Peter Breen, Thomas More Society Vice President and Senior Counsel in a statement for the Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund.
“In our nation’s capital, the Washington Post is running editorials about the ‘nightmare’ of rationing health care, as is the National Review in the hard-hit state of New York,” continued Breen. “The horrific idea of withholding care from someone because they are elderly or disabled, is untenable and represents a giant step in the devaluation of each and every human life in America.”
“I am uncomfortable with a standing do-not-resuscitate order,” legal expert Charles LiMandri told LifeSiteNews. “It seems to me [hospitals] are going to have to do it on an ad hoc basis and do the best they can with whatever equipment and personnel are available in each situation.”
“It just doesn’t seem to me you can have a rule that sentences people to death,” added LiMandri, partner at LiMandri & Jonna LLP, who serves as Special Counsel for the Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund and the Thomas More Society.
“A pandemic or existential threat does not negate our moral obligations,” wrote R.J. Snell in a statement for the Charlotte Lozier Institute, addressing the principles that have long guided healthcare professionals. “We may never knowingly and intentionally do wrong, even for good results, even in a crisis situation. In addition to general moral norms, professional codes of ethics continue to apply.”
“The duty to care persists,” said Snell, Director of Academic Programs at the Witherspoon Institute in Princeton, NJ, and Academic Director of the Aquinas Institute for Catholic Life at Princeton University. “Members of the health care profession assume an obligation to provide care and to be available during an emergency, even at some risk to their own health and life.”
“Physicians take an oath to always act in the best interest of [their] patients. It’s an oath that has guided physicians for over 2,400 years,” said Dr. Dennis Sullivan, the Christian Medical and Dental Association’s Ohio Representative, and American Academy of Medical Ethics Professor Emeritus of Pharmacy Practice, Cedarville University in an interview with LifeSiteNews.
“We need to trust the medical profession right now, not live in fear of it,” he declared.
‘Rationing care is a surrender to death’
“People have become too accustomed to taking the easy way out of dilemmas, and too comfortable with making excuses for killing when the only offense of those we kill is the possibility of inconvenience,” wrote Allen C. Guelzo, senior research scholar in Princeton University’s Council of the Humanities and visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation in a Wall Street Journal op-ed titled “Rationing care is a surrender to death.”
“Americans are better than that,” continued Guelzo. “Ventilators are not simple to manufacture, but neither were Spitfire fighter planes at the beginning of the Battle of Britain. Improvise, innovate, imagine.”
When it comes to the practice of medicine, America is resource-rich
“These are gut wrenching questions,” said Di Camillo, “but we should all be thinking – patients and providers – about the kinds of sacrifices that we may need to be willing to make to help each other.”
“There are wonderful solutions that can help us when we come together as a community,” he noted.
In Italy, where the healthcare system has been overwhelmed, there have been stories of creative solutions emerging. “People are converting scuba diving gear into personal protective equipment for doctors and nurses.”
Di Camillo also noted how Italian clothing design and manufacturing titan Giorgio Armani has also agreed to produce personal protective equipment. “Private initiatives paired with community level and government initiatives to creatively respond” open up previously unavailable possibilities.
“We are a resource-rich country here in the United States. We’ve never been faced with a lack of resources,” said Dr. Sullivan regarding the possibility of unilateral or mandatory do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders.
“After the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, there was a big push by a number of institutions to have allocation protocols that would triage patients,” Sullivan told LifeSiteNews, “especially with regard to ventilators.”
“Here’s the key thing that needs to be pointed out: Many hospitals and healthcare systems have had these protocols in place for years, but they have never, ever, ever been used,” emphasized Sullivan.
Will hospitals start limiting access to ventilators?
“There are some very creative ideas out there,” that would avoid the need, noted Sullivan. “For example, they’re talking about the possibility of putting a ‘Y’ connector or a ‘T’ connector on ventilator hoses so that two patients can be ventilated at the same time” using a single machine. Such a move would quickly and inexpensively double the county’s ventilator capacity.
Perhaps in a way not witnessed since World War II, American businesses, small and large, are mobilizing to supply the needs of medical professionals fighting on the front lines against the coronavirus.
Local distilleries which normally produce whiskey have quickly converted to hand sanitizer production.
“My Pillow” founder and CEO Mike Lindell announced that his company has shifted 75 percent of its manufacturing capacity to produce face masks for hospitals across the country. And General Motors has already teamed up with Ventec Life Systems and is gearing up to manufacture up to 10,000 ventilators per month at its factory in Kokomo, Indiana.
A crucial abundant resource cut off: Pastoral, sacramental care
“There is a real danger here that I’m seeing of spiritual and pastoral care being pushed out to the side,” observed Di Camillo, due to the risk of contagion.
“We have to find ways to get priests to minister to patients who are suffering,” said Di Camillo, who noted that it’s not just patients, but hospital staff also are in need of spiritual support.
“We need an intensification of spiritual support, pastoral support, sacramental support,” he stressed.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-30--Priest: post ‘Divine Mercy’ image on front door for protection during coronavirus outbreak

STOCKBRIDGE , MA , March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― A priest is urging Christians to post an image of the Divine Mercy on the front doors of their homes to protect them and their families during the coronavirus pandemic .
In his March 26 “ Seal the Doors ” video , Fr .
Chris Alar of the Marian Priests of the Immaculate Conception asks listeners to place a copy of the Divine Mercy image of Jesus on their front doors , facing outwards .
He calls this response to the coronavirus “ a simple but an incredibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the initiative “ Seal the Doors ” comes from an invitation in the Magnificat missal : “ Let us seal the doorposts of our inner thoughts with the protective Word of God.
” This is a reference to Exodus 12:7 , in which the Israelites are instructed to put blood from the lamb or goat of their Passover meal on their doorposts so that the Angel of Death will pass them by .
Speaking from the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy , Alar , 50 , explains why the Divine Mercy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ image represents the Lord , the Lamb of God sacrificed for us , from whose heart streams blood and water , the sign of God ’ s mercy upon the whole world , ” he says .
“ The Lord promises us through St. Faustina , that the soul that will venerate and honor this image will never perish .
He also promises victory over our enemies already here on earth , especially at the hour of death , and to defend us as His own glory , ” he continues .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this image , I shall be granting many graces to souls , so let every soul have access to it ’ .
” Sister Faustina Kowalska , who was born in Głogowiec , Poland , lived from 1905 to 1938 .
In 1931 , she experienced her first vision of the Divine Mercy : Our Lord Jesus with white and red rays shooting from his heart .
She wrote in her diary that he instructed her to record him like this , saying “ Paint an image according to the pattern you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I trust in You '' .
I desire that this image be venerated , first in your chapel , and then throughout the world .
I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish.
” Her visions persisted , and she spent the rest of her life promoting devotion to the Divine Mercy .
Her confessor , Blessed Fr .
Michael Sopocko , wrote that the Lord later told the mystic that “ when chastisements for sins come upon the whole world , and your own country will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be trust in My Mercy.
” The Polish mystic reported that the Lord had said that He will protect the cities and homes in which the Divine Mercy image is found , and that He will protect the people who give it honor .
“ Let everyone procure for their homes this image because there will yet come trials , and those homes and entire families and everyone individually who will hold this image of Mercy in deep reverence , I will preserve from every sort of misfortune , ” St. Faustina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tells laity in his video how they may licitly bless the image themselves , if they are unable to get a priest to do so .
He notes , however , that honoring the Divine Mercy in this way may not be sufficient protection against the Covid-19 coronavirus .
“ While this act of faith may not guarantee your family won ’ t be physically affected by the virus , it will guarantee that , by your trust in Jesus , you will obtain His promises of love and mercy , which will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he says .
Alar was ordained a priest in May 2014 .
Before he answered his call ( “ I ’ m a late vocation ” ) , he had a house , a business and a fiancée .
Today Alar rejects any suggestion that venerating the Divine Mercy image is a particularly Polish devotion with less relevance to Americans and others in the world .
“ Jesus , through the words he gave to Sister Faustina , emphasized that His Mercy is for the whole world , ” he told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told St. Faustina that “ a spark will come from Poland to prepare the world for My final coming.
” “ Sister Faustina , Saint John Paul II , and the whole message of the Divine Mercy are the spark .
”

Jesus told St. Faustina that He will protect the cities and homes in which the Divine Mercy image is found.
Urgent appeal to bishops: Fight to make sacraments more available to your faithful Sign the petition here.
STOCKBRIDGE, MA, March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― A priest is urging Christians to post an image of the Divine Mercy on the front doors of their homes to protect them and their families during the coronavirus pandemic.
In his March 26 “Seal the Doors” video, Fr. Chris Alar of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception asks listeners to place a copy of the Divine Mercy Image of Jesus on their front doors, facing outwards. He calls this response to the coronavirus “a simple but an incredibly powerful act of faith.”
The name of the initiative “Seal the Doors” comes from an invitation in the Magnificat missal: “Let us seal the doorposts of our inner thoughts with the protective Word of God.” This is a reference to Exodus 12:7, in which the Israelites are instructed to put blood from the lamb or goat of their Passover meal on their doorposts so that the Angel of Death will pass them by.
Speaking from the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, Alar, 50, explains why the Divine Mercy Image is so important.
“The image represents the Lord, the Lamb of God sacrificed for us, from whose heart streams blood and water, the sign of God’s mercy upon the whole world,” he says.
“The Lord promises us through St. Faustina, that the soul that will venerate and honor this image will never perish. He also promises victory over our enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death, and to defend us as His own glory,” he continues.
“The Lord said, ‘By means of this image, I shall be granting many graces to souls, so let every soul have access to it’.”
Saint Faustina Kowalska, who was born in Głogowiec, Poland, lived from 1905 to 1938. In 1931, she experienced her first vision of the Divine Mercy: Our Lord Jesus with white and red rays emanating from his heart. She wrote in her diary that he instructed her to record him like this, saying “Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the words “Jesus, I trust in You”. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and then throughout the world. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish.” Her visions persisted, and she spent the rest of her life promoting devotion to the Divine Mercy.
Her confessor, Blessed Fr. Michael Sopocko, wrote that the Lord later told the mystic that “when chastisements for sins come upon the whole world, and your own country will experience utter degradation, the only refuge will be trust in My Mercy.”
The Polish mystic reported that the Lord had said that He will protect the cities and homes in which the Divine Mercy image is found, and that He will protect the people who give it honor.
“Let everyone procure for their homes this image because there will yet come trials, and those homes and entire families and everyone individually who will hold this image of Mercy in deep reverence, I will preserve from every sort of misfortune,” St. Faustina recalled Him saying.
Fr. Alar tells laity in his video how they may licitly bless the image themselves, if they are unable to get a priest to do so. He notes, however, that honoring the Divine Mercy in this way may not be sufficient protection against the Covid-19 coronavirus.
“While this act of faith may not guarantee your family won’t be physically affected by the virus, it will guarantee that, by your trust in Jesus, you will obtain His promises of love and mercy, which will surround you and remain in you forever,” he says.
Alar was ordained a priest in May 2014. Before he answered his call (“I’m a late vocation”), he had a house, a business and a fiancée.
Today Alar rejects any suggestion that venerating the Divine Mercy Image is a particularly Polish devotion with less relevance to Americans and others in the world.
“Jesus, through the words he gave to Saint Faustina, emphasized that His Mercy is for the whole world,” he told LifeSiteNews.
Alar explained that Our Lord told St. Faustina that “a spark will come from Poland to prepare the world for My final coming.”
“Saint Faustina, Saint John Paul II, and the whole message of the Divine Mercy are the spark.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-30--Iowa, Kentucky demand abortions stop during coronavirus outbreak

March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – As states order suspensions of non-essential medical procedures in order to conserve resources and contain the spread of the coronavirus , leaders in Iowa and Kentucky are making it clear that they expect elective abortions held to the same standards as any other field .
U.S .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams and the federal Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) have advised healthcare facilities to reschedule non-urgent appointments and elective procedures , both to limit the spread of the coronavirus and to free up time and resources to focus on patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the coronavirus ) .
Compliance with this guidance has been mixed , leading numerous states to mandate that facilities temporarily halt “ non-essential ” medical procedures .
As debate rages across several states over whether the abortion industry should enjoy an exception to these measures , Iowa Republican Gov .
Kim Reynolds and Kentucky Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron have recently declared that abortion won ’ t get a pass on their watch .
The suspension is about “ making sure that we have the personal protective equipment to care of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving Iowans and those in need , ” Reynolds said .
This is to “ make sure that we have our health care providers and our first responders healthy so they can take care of Iowans.
” She added that , far from singling out the abortion industry , “ everyone is making sacrifices.
” Cameron , meanwhile , requested that state Cabinet for Health and Family Services Acting Secretary Eric Friedlander “ certify , pursuant to KRS 15.241 , that Kentucky ’ s abortion providers are violating his ban on elective medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to perform abortions , ” which would “ immediately trigger action by our office to stop elective procedures during the pandemic.
” “ Abortion providers should join the thousands of other medical professionals across the state in ceasing elective procedures , unless the life of the mother is at risk , to protect the health of their patients and slow the spread of the coronavirus , ” he declared .
So far , pro-abortion groups in Texas and Ohio have gone to the courts seeking injunctions against their states ’ respective abortion suspensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as putting their businesses ahead of public health .
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists ( AAPLOG ) says that while “ elective abortion is neither ‘ essential ’ nor ‘ urgent , ’ ” it “ does consume critical resources such as masks , gloves , and other personal protective equipment , and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.
” “ Elective abortion , both surgical and drug induced , also generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms , ” AAPLOG continued .
“ Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion .
Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room , most commonly for hemorrhage .
Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage .
Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.
” Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – As states order suspensions of non-essential medical procedures in order to conserve resources and contain the spread of the coronavirus, leaders in Iowa and Kentucky are making it clear that they expect elective abortions held to the same standards as any other field.
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have advised healthcare facilities to reschedule non-urgent appointments and elective procedures, both to limit the spread of the coronavirus and to free up time and resources to focus on patients afflicted by COVID-19 (the illness caused by the coronavirus).
Compliance with this guidance has been mixed, leading numerous states to mandate that facilities temporarily halt “non-essential” medical procedures. As debate rages across several states over whether the abortion industry should enjoy an exception to these measures, Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and Kentucky Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron have recently declared that abortion won’t get a pass on their watch.
The suspension is about “making sure that we have the personal protective equipment to care of those Iowans who are on the front lines serving Iowans and those in need,” Reynolds said. This is to “make sure that we have our health care providers and our first responders healthy so they can take care of Iowans.” She added that, far from singling out the abortion industry, “everyone is making sacrifices.”
Cameron, meanwhile, requested that state Cabinet for Health and Family Services Acting Secretary Eric Friedlander “certify, pursuant to KRS 15.241, that Kentucky’s abortion providers are violating his ban on elective medical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic by continuing to perform abortions,” which would “immediately trigger action by our office to stop elective procedures during the pandemic.”
“Abortion providers should join the thousands of other medical professionals across the state in ceasing elective procedures, unless the life of the mother is at risk, to protect the health of their patients and slow the spread of the coronavirus,” he declared.
So far, pro-abortion groups in Texas and Ohio have gone to the courts seeking injunctions against their states’ respective abortion suspensions, which pro-life medical professionals have criticized as putting their businesses ahead of public health.
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) says that while “elective abortion is neither ‘essential’ nor ‘urgent,’” it “does consume critical resources such as masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment, and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.”
“Elective abortion, both surgical and drug induced, also generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms,” AAPLOG continued. “Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion. Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room, most commonly for hemorrhage. Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage. Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.”
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-30--Ohio abortionists ask courts for exemption from coronavirus hold on elective ‘health care’

COLUMBUS , Ohio , March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – As states order suspensions of non-essential medical procedures in order to conserve resources and contain the spread of the coronavirus , abortion facilities in Ohio are calling on the courts to step in and allow abortions to proceed as usual .
U.S .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams and the federal Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) have advised healthcare facilities to reschedule non-urgent appointments and elective procedures , both to limit the spread of the coronavirus and to free up time and resources to focus on patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the coronavirus ) .
Compliance with this guidance has been mixed , leading numerous states to mandate that facilities temporarily halt “ non-essential ” procedures , with Ohio among them .
On Monday , state abortion centers , including Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio , filed a motion demanding that the Ohio Department of Health be blocked from applying the order to them , The Cincinnati Enquirer reported .
The abortion centers argue that abortion should be deemed “ essential ” because it ’ s time-sensitive in nature , even when sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical ones .
`` As leading medical groups have recognized , abortion is essential and time-sensitive health care , '' said attorney Elizabeth Watson of the left-wing American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) .
`` We hope the court will recognize the urgency of this matter and grant relief for our clients so that they can continue the vital work of providing care to their communities.
” '' The idea that all abortion care is essential is overblown , '' responded Ohio Right to Life executive director Stephanie Krider .
`` If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of life-saving situation , she ’ s not going to Planned Parenthood for that abortion .
She is going to a hospital . ''
Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups are also suing Texas over a similar suspension in that state .
Pro-life medical professionals have assailed the notion that the abortion industry should get a pass from the same standards currently being applied to every legitimate field of medicine .
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists ( AAPLOG ) says that while “ elective abortion is neither ‘ essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it “ does consume critical resources such as masks , gloves , and other personal protective equipment , and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.
” “ Elective abortion , both surgical and drug induced , also generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms , ” AAPLOG continued .
“ Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion .
Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can also result in hemorrhage .
Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.
” Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

Providers have filed a motion over being included in the suspension of elective surgical procedures, arguing that their work is 'essential' and 'vital.'
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – As states order suspensions of non-essential medical procedures in order to conserve resources and contain the spread of the coronavirus, abortion facilities in Ohio are calling on the courts to step in and allow abortions to proceed as usual.
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have advised healthcare facilities to reschedule non-urgent appointments and elective procedures, both to limit the spread of the coronavirus and to free up time and resources to focus on patients afflicted by COVID-19 (the illness caused by the coronavirus).
Compliance with this guidance has been mixed, leading numerous states to mandate that facilities temporarily halt “non-essential” procedures, with Ohio among them. On Monday, state abortion centers, including Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio, filed a motion demanding that the Ohio Department of Health be blocked from applying the order to them, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
The abortion centers argue that abortion should be deemed “essential” because it’s time-sensitive in nature, even when sought for economic or lifestyle reasons rather than medical ones.
“As leading medical groups have recognized, abortion is essential and time-sensitive health care,” said attorney Elizabeth Watson of the left-wing American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). “We hope the court will recognize the urgency of this matter and grant relief for our clients so that they can continue the vital work of providing care to their communities.”
“The idea that all abortion care is essential is overblown,” responded Ohio Right to Life executive director Stephanie Krider. “If a woman needs an abortion for some sort of life-saving situation, she’s not going to Planned Parenthood for that abortion. She is going to a hospital.”
Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups are also suing Texas over a similar suspension in that state.
Pro-life medical professionals have assailed the notion that the abortion industry should get a pass from the same standards currently being applied to every legitimate field of medicine.
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) says that while “elective abortion is neither ‘essential’ nor ‘urgent,’” it “does consume critical resources such as masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment, and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.”
“Elective abortion, both surgical and drug induced, also generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms,” AAPLOG continued. “Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion. Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room, most commonly for hemorrhage. Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage. Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.”
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-31--The plague of social justice indoctrination has infected academia

March 30 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — The National Association of Scholars ( NAS ) has produced a report titled `` Social Justice Education in America . ''
Written by David Randall , it defines , describes , and delineates many of the destructive and deceptive ideas behind the innocent-sounding social justice programs that have mushroomed in American institutions of higher learning .
According to this December 2019 report , `` in the last twenty years , a generation of academics and administrators has transformed higher education into an engine of progressive political advocacy . ''
Identity politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice will be administered .
Social justice activists work to increase the `` state 's coercive power '' to decide who will get his fair share concerning employment , housing , income , health care , leisure , political power , property , social recognition , and wealth .
Consequently , social justice buzzwords such as food justice , educational poverty , and health equity aim to increase state power `` to tax the citizenry to fund progressive spending priorities . ''
If social justice warriors deem it , then any alleged privilege @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups defined by categories such as class , race , and gender '' will not be oppressed .
To achieve their aims , universities are watering down requirements in order to attract more women and minorities .
This portends `` disastrous [ repercussions ] for scientific innovation and American competitiveness , '' not to mention the care of sick people .
Consequently , the NAS report asserts that the `` social justice movement 's political goals include increased federal and state taxation ; increased minimum wage ; increased environmental regulation ; increased government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on free speech ; restrictions on due process protections ; maximizing the number of legislative districts that will elect racial minorities ; support for the Black Lives Matter movement ; mass release of criminals from prison ; decriminalizing drugs ; ending enforcement of our immigration laws ; amnesty for illegal aliens ; open borders ; [ and ] race and sex preferences in education and employment , '' to name only a few .
Support for the anti-Israeli Boycott , Divest , and Sanction movement is also part of their movement , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all of these objectives .
The traditional mode of teaching students how to think has been replaced with teaching them what to think .
Thus , `` social justice education rejects the idea that classes should aim at teaching a subject matter for its own sake , or seek to foster students ' ability to think , judge , and write as independent goods . ''
Social justice education aims at creating activists because ultimately , `` [ t ] he ideal of social justice does not complement the ideal of education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ideal of education . ''
Sustainability and diversity are lynchpins of social justice activism .
Social justice theories `` encourage teachers and students to be actively involved in ... ameliorating discriminatory policies and practices . ''
On the surface , this does not appear misguided , but beware the euphemistic overlay .
Why should n't an academic aspire to correcting perceived social ills ?
The nineteenth-century American land-grant universities and the European research universities were founded , after all , on the premise that knowledge helps society progress .
But social justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ definition of social justice ... is deeply political , entailing a large number of contestable claims about the causes of socioeconomic inequality .
Social-justice proponents believe that those claims are settled , and woe to anyone who challenges them on a college campus .
There are , however , alternative explanations — besides oppression and illegitimate power — for ongoing inequalities , taboo though they may be in academia .
Mac Donald asserts that `` social-justice education is merely a symptom of an even deeper perversion of academic values : the cult of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 'diversity . '
'' How do social justice warriors operate ?
They maintain that `` [ a ] ny act of self-discipline or deferred gratification that contributes to individual and generational success is now simply a manifestation of white supremacy . ''
In fact , Mac Donald explains that `` [ d ] ue to the diversity imperative , medical schools admit black students with MCAT scores that would be automatically disqualifying if presented by a white or Asian student .
Their academic performance is just what one would expect .
Time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor at an Ivy League medical school was berated by a supervisor for giving an exam in pharmacology that was too 'fact-based . '
'' Racial preferences were de rigueur under the Obama administration .
Trump has revoked many of Obama 's admissions guidance to colleges , much to the fury of activists .
Mac Donald goes on to explain : History continually shows that `` [ t ] he distortion of language by any means is to obfuscate , deny , and sometimes to create blind worship of fallen idols . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire jargon that includes experiential learning , civic engagement , and community engagement .
As David Randall explains , `` [ e ] xperiential learning is both a camouflaging euphemism and a marker of social justice education . ''
In fact , `` [ e ] xperiential learning , as service-learning , was founded in the 1960s by radical activists who wanted to commit participants to progressive activism by 'consciousness raising ' propaganda , and to divert university resources to support progressive nonprofit organizations .
Experiential learning 's models include agricultural extension schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's emphasis on learning by doing ; 'civil rights schools ' formed in the Civil Rights struggle of the 1950s and 1960s ; the revolutionary pedagogy of Paolo Freire ; and Maoist China 's Open Door Schooling . ''
But , as Randall asserts , `` experiential learning courses , dedicated outright to progressive activism , drop all pretenses that teachers and students are engaged in the search for knowledge . ''
At Arizona State University , for example , `` students can meet their 'diversity ' requirement by taking the course 'Transborder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` social justice mathematics '' is part of the expansion of the social justice curriculum .
In addition , Michael Walsh highlights how social justice warriors demand reparations and climate justice .
It is now commonplace that academic job advertisements stipulate a commitment to social justice .
Thus , diversity statements that ask `` job applicants [ to ] address how they can contribute to a culture of inclusion and equity within the campus community have become so common that colleges now provide standardized advice on how to compose them . ''
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dean of Harvard Medical School , politely notes , terms such as diversity and equity are 'ambiguous , ' and ... these statements could be interpreted as requiring affirmation of critical race theory , along with corollaries such as 'structural racism ' , white privilege and supremacy , microaggressions , economically driven power relationships , and intersectionality . ''
As the National Association of Scholars ' report asserts , `` [ t ] he more alarming truth is that these statements will be interpreted as requiring an affirmation of all these aspects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` [ c ] ommitments to social justice , diversity , and equity are rapidly becoming an explicit prerequisite for all university employment . ''
The report concludes that `` American colleges and universities should dedicate themselves to a complex of linked goals : vocational training , the transmission of Western Civilization , character training , fostering virtuous citizenship , and the untrammeled search for truth .
Universities devoted to social justice ( a ) hobble vocational training ; ( b ) cripple the transmission of Western Civilization ; ( c ) redefine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( d ) redefine fostering virtuous citizenship as social justice activism ; and ( e ) replace the academic 's search for truth with the activist 's search for power . ''
Eileen can be reached at [ email protected ] .
This article first appeared at the American Thinker .
It is published here with the author 's permission .

March 30, 2020 (American Thinker) — The National Association of Scholars (NAS) has produced a report titled “Social Justice Education in America.” Written by David Randall, it defines, describes, and delineates many of the destructive and deceptive ideas behind the innocent-sounding social justice programs that have mushroomed in American institutions of higher learning.
According to this December 2019 report, “in the last twenty years, a generation of academics and administrators has transformed higher education into an engine of progressive political advocacy.” Identity politics plays a major role in how social justice will be administered. Social justice activists work to increase the “state's coercive power” to decide who will get his fair share concerning employment, housing, income, health care, leisure, political power, property, social recognition, and wealth.
Consequently, social justice buzzwords such as food justice, educational poverty, and health equity aim to increase state power “to tax the citizenry to fund progressive spending priorities.” If social justice warriors deem it, then any alleged privilege must be eliminated so that “identity groups defined by categories such as class, race, and gender” will not be oppressed.
To achieve their aims, universities are watering down requirements in order to attract more women and minorities. This portends “disastrous [repercussions] for scientific innovation and American competitiveness,” not to mention the care of sick people.
Consequently, the NAS report asserts that the “social justice movement's political goals include increased federal and state taxation; increased minimum wage; increased environmental regulation; increased government health care spending and regulation; restrictions on free speech; restrictions on due process protections; maximizing the number of legislative districts that will elect racial minorities; support for the Black Lives Matter movement; mass release of criminals from prison; decriminalizing drugs; ending enforcement of our immigration laws; amnesty for illegal aliens; open borders; [and] race and sex preferences in education and employment,” to name only a few. Support for the anti-Israeli Boycott, Divest, and Sanction movement is also part of their movement, and mob violence is advocated to enforce any and all of these objectives.
The traditional mode of teaching students how to think has been replaced with teaching them what to think. Thus, “social justice education rejects the idea that classes should aim at teaching a subject matter for its own sake, or seek to foster students' ability to think, judge, and write as independent goods.” Social justice education aims at creating activists because ultimately, “[t]he ideal of social justice does not complement the ideal of education. The ideal of social justice replaces the ideal of education.”
Sustainability and diversity are lynchpins of social justice activism. Social justice theories “encourage teachers and students to be actively involved in … ameliorating discriminatory policies and practices.”
On the surface, this does not appear misguided, but beware the euphemistic overlay.
In fact, Heather Mac Donald asks:
Why shouldn't an academic aspire to correcting perceived social ills? The nineteenth-century American land-grant universities and the European research universities were founded, after all, on the premise that knowledge helps society progress. But social justice is a different beast entirely. The definition of social justice … is deeply political, entailing a large number of contestable claims about the causes of socioeconomic inequality. Social-justice proponents believe that those claims are settled, and woe to anyone who challenges them on a college campus. There are, however, alternative explanations — besides oppression and illegitimate power — for ongoing inequalities, taboo though they may be in academia.
Mac Donald asserts that “social-justice education is merely a symptom of an even deeper perversion of academic values: the cult of race and gender victimology, otherwise known as 'diversity.'”
How do social justice warriors operate? They maintain that “[a]ny act of self-discipline or deferred gratification that contributes to individual and generational success is now simply a manifestation of white supremacy.”
In fact, Mac Donald explains that “[d]ue to the diversity imperative, medical schools admit black students with MCAT scores that would be automatically disqualifying if presented by a white or Asian student. Their academic performance is just what one would expect. Time to lower standards further. An oncology professor at an Ivy League medical school was berated by a supervisor for giving an exam in pharmacology that was too 'fact-based.'”
Racial preferences were de rigueur under the Obama administration. Trump has revoked many of Obama's admissions guidance to colleges, much to the fury of activists.
Mac Donald goes on to explain:
The ultimate social-justice solution to the skills and behavior gap is to remove the competition entirely. From the moment children enter school, they are berated for their white heteronormative patriarchal privilege if they fall outside a favored victim group. Any success that they enjoy is not due to their own efforts, they are told; it is due, rather, to the unfair advantages of a system deliberately designed to handicap minorities. Teachers are now advised to ignore white male students[.]
History continually shows that “[t]he distortion of language by any means is to obfuscate, deny, and sometimes to create blind worship of fallen idols.” Yet social justice warriors have created an entire jargon that includes experiential learning, civic engagement, and community engagement. As David Randall explains, “[e]xperiential learning is both a camouflaging euphemism and a marker of social justice education.” In fact, “[e]xperiential learning, as service-learning, was founded in the 1960s by radical activists who wanted to commit participants to progressive activism by 'consciousness raising' propaganda, and to divert university resources to support progressive nonprofit organizations. Experiential learning's models include agricultural extension schools; internships; education theorist John Dewey's emphasis on learning by doing; 'civil rights schools' formed in the Civil Rights struggle of the 1950s and 1960s; the revolutionary pedagogy of Paolo Freire; and Maoist China's Open Door Schooling.” But, as Randall asserts, “experiential learning courses, dedicated outright to progressive activism, drop all pretenses that teachers and students are engaged in the search for knowledge.”
At Arizona State University, for example, “students can meet their 'diversity' requirement by taking the course 'Transborder Queer Performativity.'” Moreover, “social justice mathematics” is part of the expansion of the social justice curriculum. In addition, Michael Walsh highlights how social justice warriors demand reparations and climate justice.
It is now commonplace that academic job advertisements stipulate a commitment to social justice. Thus, diversity statements that ask “job applicants [to] address how they can contribute to a culture of inclusion and equity within the campus community have become so common that colleges now provide standardized advice on how to compose them.” But as “Jeffrey Flier, the former dean of Harvard Medical School, politely notes, terms such as diversity and equity are 'ambiguous,' and … these statements could be interpreted as requiring affirmation of critical race theory, along with corollaries such as 'structural racism', white privilege and supremacy, microaggressions, economically driven power relationships, and intersectionality.”
As the National Association of Scholars' report asserts, “[t]he more alarming truth is that these statements will be interpreted as requiring an affirmation of all these aspects of social justice theory.”
Hence, “[c]ommitments to social justice, diversity, and equity are rapidly becoming an explicit prerequisite for all university employment.”
The report concludes that “American colleges and universities should dedicate themselves to a complex of linked goals: vocational training, the transmission of Western Civilization, character training, fostering virtuous citizenship, and the untrammeled search for truth. Universities devoted to social justice (a) hobble vocational training; (b) cripple the transmission of Western Civilization; (c) redefine character training as social justice propaganda; (d) redefine fostering virtuous citizenship as social justice activism; and (e) replace the academic's search for truth with the activist's search for power.”
Eileen can be reached at [email protected].
This article first appeared at the American Thinker. It is published here with the author's permission.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-31--Utah gov signs ‘trigger’ abortion ban, mandates humane treatment of aborted babies

SALT LAKE CITY , March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Utah ’ s Republican governor , Gary Herbert , has signed a ban on most abortions , which will be automatically “ triggered ” once Roe v. Wade is overturned or otherwise negated , as well as a law to ensure that the remains of babies killed in abortions be treated humanely .
Senate Bill 174 would ban abortion except in cases of rape , incest , severe birth defects , and threat of “ substantial impairment ” to the mother ’ s health .
It will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s certified that its provisions have been legally cleared to take effect , meaning not until the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe or the 1973 ruling is superseded by a constitutional amendment .
Senate Bill 67 requires that aborted babies be either buried or cremated by the facilities that aborted them .
It is meant to prevent the bodies of aborted children from being treated like medical waste , both out of respect for their dignity and to underscore their humanity .
Because they don ’ t take effect until after Roe falls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
174 are not subject to the usual lawsuits facing pro-life legislation and are unlikely to impact future abortion deliberations at the Supreme Court .
Supporters say they are important because they prepare state law to ban abortion as soon as a favorable nationwide ruling occurs , which they hope President Donald Trump ’ s judicial nominees will deliver in the near future .
Fetal remains treatment laws , meanwhile , have been motivated across the country by horror stories about abortion facilities destroying the babies they kill with methods such as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their own property .
A third pro-life bill , which would have required abortionists to offer women the opportunity to see ultrasound images of their babies , passed the state Senate but died in the House .
In the Senate , six female lawmakers ( two of whom were Republicans ) walked out in protest of the ultrasound bill .

The abortion ban will not go into effect unless Roe v. Wade is overruled, but the humane treatment of babies killed in abortion will now be mandatory.
SALT LAKE CITY, March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Utah’s Republican governor, Gary Herbert, has signed a ban on most abortions, which will be automatically “triggered” once Roe v. Wade is overturned or otherwise negated, as well as a law to ensure that the remains of babies killed in abortions be treated humanely.
Senate Bill 174 would ban abortion except in cases of rape, incest, severe birth defects, and threat of “substantial impairment” to the mother’s health. It will not take effect unless and until it’s certified that its provisions have been legally cleared to take effect, meaning not until the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe or the 1973 ruling is superseded by a constitutional amendment.
Senate Bill 67 requires that aborted babies be either buried or cremated by the facilities that aborted them. It is meant to prevent the bodies of aborted children from being treated like medical waste, both out of respect for their dignity and to underscore their humanity.
Herbert signed both bills into law Saturday, KUER reports.
Because they don’t take effect until after Roe falls, “trigger laws” like S.B. 174 are not subject to the usual lawsuits facing pro-life legislation and are unlikely to impact future abortion deliberations at the Supreme Court. Supporters say they are important because they prepare state law to ban abortion as soon as a favorable nationwide ruling occurs, which they hope President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees will deliver in the near future.
Fetal remains treatment laws, meanwhile, have been motivated across the country by horror stories about abortion facilities destroying the babies they kill with methods such as “big ovens” and abortionists stockpiling corpses on their own property.
A third pro-life bill, which would have required abortionists to offer women the opportunity to see ultrasound images of their babies, passed the state Senate but died in the House. In the Senate, six female lawmakers (two of whom were Republicans) walked out in protest of the ultrasound bill.
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