lifesitenews--2020-05-20--Cardinal Burke: ‘Consecration of Russia’ to Our Lady ‘more needed now than ever’

ROME , May 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Cardinal Raymond Burke renewed his call today for the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary , as requested by Our Lady of Fatima , saying that the current worldwide coronavirus crisis shows that it is “ more needed now than ever.
” In a powerful address during the virtual Rome Life Forum hosted by Voice of the Family ( read full talk below ) , the Cardinal connected the errors of communist Russia with the current crisis , highlighting the prominent role that the atheist communist regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is more needed today than ever , ” he said .
“ When we witness how the evil of atheistic materialism , which has its roots in Russia , directs in a radical way the government of the People ’ s Republic of China , we recognize that the great evil of communism must be healed at its roots through the consecration of Russia , as Our Lady has directed.
” “ Recognizing the necessity of a total conversion from atheistic materialism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Our Lady of Fatima to consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart , in accord with her explicit instruction , remains urgent.
” The Rome Life Forum , which runs from May 20-22 , is on the topic “ Coronavirus in the light of Fatima : a tragedy and a source of hope.
” The Cardinal ’ s lecture , “ Fatima : Heaven ’ s answer to a world in crisis , ” dealt first of all with the coronavirus pandemic , the current suspension of liberties , and threats of worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared that it is “ never morally justified to develop a vaccine through the use of cell lines of aborted fetuses ” and that the thought of it being injected into one ’ s body is “ rightly abhorrent.
” He noted also that vaccination may not be imposed “ in a totalitarian manner ” on citizens.
” He also decried proposals for placing microchips under people ’ s skin that would allow them to be “ controlled by the State regarding health and about other matters.
” Burke said that the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called us to live ” and observed that there are people using the pandemic to promote a “ single world government , ” environmental causes , and even radical changes in the practise of the Catholic faith .
The Cardinal was critical of the way some Church leaders have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic , saying that there has been a “ failure ” to announce the Gospel and to insist that the Church be permitted to carry on her mission .
“ Individual priests and Bishops have been wise and courageous in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God ’ s flock in their care , especially by bringing the Sacraments to those who are ill and dying , but sadly the general impression among the faithful is that their priests have been taken away from them or have abandoned them , ” the Cardinal said .
“ The greater part of the faithful have been denied the Sacraments now for weeks.
” Burke deplored the interference of the state in the Church ’ s worship during the pandemic and decried proposals for arrangements when it ends , including making attendance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Cardinal contradicted pastors who have called faithful Catholic selfish for wanting the sacraments during the emergency , saying that the laypeople ’ s desire is “ at the heart of our faith.
” Burke also decried irreverent methods proposed for the Communion of the Faithful .
Burke raised the subject of the People ’ s Republic of China , noting that it believes the only acceptable religion in China is China itself .
The Cardinal said its role in the genesis of the pandemic , its influence over health authorities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions .
He also called for a return of the study of civics to American schools , so that students are equipped “ to exercise the fundamental virtue of patriotism.
” The Cardinal stressed that the atheist materialism and communism that threatened the Catholic faith in 1917 continues to threaten the world through the People ’ s Republic of China and drew his audience ’ s attention to the messages of Fatima .
Burke enjoined it to pray daily for the conversion of Russia , do penance , and make reparation for sins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and troubling times .
A virus has been , in some way , unleashed , traveling to all parts of the world .
It has caused and is causing many to suffer from the associated illness , COVID-19 , to a greater or lesser degree .
Many have died and are dying , either directly from the illness or from complications of which the illness is a part .
In response to the spread of the contagion , many governments have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of their citizens , confining citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation of all but essential services .
The effect on the economy of families , local communities and nations has been devastating .
The origin of the virus remains yet unclear .
Reports about its nature and course are conflicting .
At present , there is a forceful debate about whether its course will now permit us to resume our daily activities or whether , because of a threat of the resurgence of the contagion , we must continue to live confined to our homes .
We receive reports from those who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contradictory .
There is also a legitimate fear of unscrupulous persons using the health crisis for political and economic ends .
A peculiar aspect of the resulting international health crisis , what is called a pandemic , is that the greater body of the healthy are placed under severe restrictions , even regarding their practice of the faith , on the assumption that infection with the virus often remains hidden until it suddenly manifests itself .
In a certain way , each of us becomes a possible danger to others .
In such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rendered severely limited .
Among some , the situation has led to constant worry about possible infection and the nurture of an illusion that somehow we can create a perfectly sanitary environment in which we will not be threatened by any bacteria or virus or in which by prophylactic measures , including universally imposed vaccination , we will be protected , with certainty , against the coronavirus .
With regard to vaccination , it must be clear that it is never morally justified to develop a vaccine through the use of the cell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the introduction of such a vaccine into one ’ s body is rightly abhorrent .
At the same time , it must be clear that vaccination itself can not be imposed , in a totalitarian manner , on citizens .
When the State takes on such a practice , it violates the integrity of its citizens .
While the State can provide reasonable regulations for the safeguarding of health , it is not the ultimate provider of health .
God is .
Whatever the State proposes must respect God and His Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life has become , in many respects , strange .
There are those who have wanted to characterize the confinement to home as almost providential , that is , the occasion to make an extended spiritual retreat or to enhance family life .
Certainly , we are called to accept whatever suffering comes into our lives , making it , with the help of God ’ s grace , a source of blessing for ourselves and others .
The fact , however , remains that the situation does not correspond to the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live and that , therefore , it constitutes a suffering .
We can not ignore the widespread negative effect of the situation in depression and other mental illnesses , in the abuse of alcohol and drugs , and so forth .
While we are called to offer our suffering to God in love of Him and of our neighbor , we certainly do not want to foster it , as if it were a good in itself .
It is also clear that individuals and groups with a particular agenda are using the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health and the economy of families , local communities and nations , to promote their agenda , whether it be the advance of a single world government , the promotion of environmental causes , and even radical changes in the practice of the Catholic faith .
In the midst of the disorientation and confusion generated by the international health crisis , we must , above all , turn to right reason and to our faith in addressing the crisis for the good of all .
From the beginning of the crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the Church as one body to announce clearly the Gospel and to insist on the exercise of her mission , in accord with the Gospel , also in times of international crisis .
Individual priests and Bishops have been wise and courageous in finding the means to remain close to God ’ s flock in their care , especially by bringing the Sacraments to those who are ill and dying , but sadly the general impression among the faithful is that their priests have been taken away from them or have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the faithful have been denied the Sacraments now for weeks .
It is tragic to hear reports of faithful who ask a priest to hear their confession and receive the response that the priests are forbidden to hear confessions , or who ask for Holy Communion and are told that the priests are forbidden to distribute Holy Communion outside of the Holy Mass .
It is particularly tragic to hear the accounts of the faithful dying without the help of their priest or without any member of their family or friends present to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifelong faithful Catholics being buried without any Funeral Rites whatsoever .
In some cases , these tragic circumstances have been dictated by the State and in some cases they have been dictated by the Church , beyond the demands of the regulations of the State or in conformity with regulations of the State , which are in violation of religious freedom .
The situation has rightly sustained an intense discussion on the relationship of the Church and the State .
In the absence of due respect for the Church and for the religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assumes the authority of God Himself , dictating to the Church regarding the most sacred realities like the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Sacrament of Penance .
If we had any doubt regarding the loss of such respect , it was dispelled by incidents in which civil authorities attempted to prevent a priest offering the Holy Mass from completing the sacred action .
From the beginning , there has been a failure to make clear that among all of the necessities of life the principal necessity is communion with God .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our nourishment , health and hygiene , but none of these essential needs can substitute for our most fundamental need : to know , love and serve God .
As I was taught long ago , among the first lessons in the Catechism , God made man to know , love and serve Him in this life and thereby to obtain life everlasting with Him in Heaven .
( 1 ) In the face of an international health crisis , we must turn first to God , asking Him to keep us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other evil .
Turning to God , we find the direction and strength to take whatever human measures are required to protect ourselves , according to the demands of right reason and of the moral law .
Otherwise , if we falsely think that the combat against the evil depends totally upon us , we take measures which offend our human dignity and , above all , our right relationship with God .
In that regard , the State should be attentive to the religious freedom of the citizens , in order that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all times and in all things .
To think otherwise is to make the State our god and to think that mere humans , without the help of God , can save us .
If there was a lack of respect for our fundamental relationship with God at the beginning of the present international health crisis , there is a similar lack of respect in what is proposed , once the crisis has passed .
One hears repeatedly the mantra that our life will never again be the same and that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived it before .
It has been suggested , for instance , that the ancient gesture of giving one ’ s hand to another in friendship and trust must now be forever abandoned .
Also , there is a certain movement to insist that now everyone must be vaccinated against the coronavirus COVID-19 and even that a kind of microchip needs to be placed under the skin of every person , so that at any moment he or she can be controlled by the State regarding health and about other matters which we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been suggested , even by pastors of the Church , that the present crisis should lead us to consider again whether Sunday Mass is essential to the Christian life or whether Funeral Rites are essential to the practice of our faith .
Yes , it is true that the experience of the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis has marked significantly our lives , but it must not assume the direction of our lives .
Our Lord Jesus Christ remains the King of Heaven and of Earth .
We remain created in God ’ s image @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith and reason .
We remain sons and daughters of God , adopted in God the Son which we can onlyby the all-wondrous work of His Redemptive Incarnation .
We live in God , we receive God ’ s life into our hearts and souls from the glorious pierced Heart of Jesus , in order to do what is right and just and good for ourselves and for our world .
We must return to a life lived in communion with God , using right reason and putting into practice the truths of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obligation , for instance , participates in natural and divine law , the Third Commandment of the Decalogue , which we are obliged to observe , unless , for reasons beyond our control , we are not able to do so .
( 2 ) During the present crisis , it has been said that Bishops dispense the faithful from the Sunday Mass obligation , but no human has the power to dispense from divine law .
If it has been impossible , during the crisis , for the faithful to assist at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not bind them , but the obligation remained .
In this regard , I have been concerned about the response of some to the long-term impossibility of access to the Sacraments , who have said that it was actually good to be without the Sacraments , in order to concentrate on the more fundamental relationship with God .
Some have expressed a preference for watching the televised Holy Mass in the comfort of their homes .
But the Holy Mass is not some human representation .
It is Christ Himself Who descends to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sacramentally present the saving fruit of His Passion , Death , Resurrection and Ascension .
What on earth could be preferable to the presence of Christ in our midst in the sacramental action !
Some pastors have even rebuked the faithful who pleaded for the Sacraments , accusing them of wanting , in selfishness , to risk serious harm to the health of others .
No one denies the need to take necessary sanitary precautions , but the desire of the Sacraments , especially of Penance and the Holy Eucharist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Our relationship with God requires that we leave the confinement of our homes and what we may imagine to be a perfectly protected environment , in order that He , through His only-begotten Son , can speak to our hearts and nourish them with divine grace .
In this regard , even as it is perfectly normal that individuals leave the confinement of their homes to purchase , for instance , food and medicine , it is even more perfectly normal that persons of faith leave the confinement of their homes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here , it must be noted that Our Lord has entrusted the sacred realities of His presence with us to the care of our pastors .
It is they who have received the grace to safeguard those realities and to provide access to them for the faithful .
Their knowledge and experience must always be conformed to the truths of the faith , handed down to us through the unbroken line of Apostolic Tradition .
In a time of health crisis , public health experts may make recommendations about how best to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to churches and chapels , but it is the Bishops and priests who must implement such recommendations in a manner that respects the divine reality of the faith itself and of the Sacraments .
For instance , to suggest that a priest distribute Holy Communion while wearing a mask and plastic gloves , and sanitize his hands at various times after he has consecrated the Sacred Host may , from a medical perspective be the most sanitary practice , but it does not respect the truth that it is Christ Who is giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the same time , the prohibition of receiving the Sacred Host on the tongue and the mandate to receive Holy Communion in the hand , while it may be more sanitary , although that is debated , could only be justified by a grave reason .
It is true that historically the Church has used different sacred instruments to give Holy Communion to someone who was highly contagious , but these methods of reception of Holy Communion were not used for the Holy Communion of the faithful , in general .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the faithful , in general , were all infected , as seems to be the assumption today , and , therefore , could not receive Holy Communion in the most devout manner possible .
Medical experts and public health officials can make recommendations to the Church , but it is the Church herself who must decide regarding practices touching upon the most sacred realities of our faith .
The coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic has also raised a most serious question for us as citizens of a nation .
The role of the People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole international health crisis raises many serious questions .
While we as Christians love the Chinese people and want for them what is for their good , we can not fail to recognize that their government is the embodiment of atheistic materialism or communism .
In other words , it is a government which has no respect for God and for His Law .
The President of China , Xi Jinping , has made it abundantly clear that the only acceptable religion in China is China .
His government is based on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of its laws and practices are in open violation of the most fundamental precepts of the divine law written upon the heart of every man and woman , and articulated in the Decalogue .
It is an evil form of government which , for instance , practices forced abortions and openly violates the religious freedom of the people .
It is only right to ask what ethical principles have governed the involvement of the Chinese government in the coronavirus COVID-19 international health crisis .
At the same time , it is only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is the involvement of national and international public health organizations with the Chinese government in the matter of the virus which has threatened many lives and the very stability of sovereign nations .
There is also the serious question of individuals with many billions of dollars at their disposal , who regularly and powerfully sustain an anti-life and anti-family agenda and who are publicly involved in the crisis and exercise a heavy influence on public opinion regarding it .
As citizens of a nation , it is our duty to ask these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them .
When I was in elementary and secondary school , the study of what was called civics was taken with great seriousness .
It was the study of how the government of one ’ s nation works to protect the common good , including just relationships with other nations .
The goal of the study was to make students , the future of the nation , responsible for the government of their nation .
I am told that , for a long time already , civics has not been taught in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , how will the students be equipped to be responsible citizens ?
The exercise of such responsibility is irreplaceable to a stable democratic government .
It is also a part of the natural law , in specific , the Fourth Commandment of the Decalogue , which teaches us respect for our parents and for those institutions which safeguard and promote family life , ultimately for the nation .
The present crisis should lead us to look again at education , a fundamental expression of our culture , and to provide what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise the fundamental virtue of patriotism .
The present crisis has also made clear how dependent many nations are on the People ’ s Republic of China .
Companies which for decades produced the necessary goods of a nation within the nation now produce those goods in China in the interest of economic gain .
How many of the goods we use daily bear the label : “ Made in China ” ?
The present crisis must lead us to ask why , in our nations , we ourselves are not producing what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life of the people of the nation .
These are complex questions which are made all the more urgent by the fact that many nations are , in fact , dependent upon the People ’ s Republic of China , a government which fully and radically espouses atheistic materialism .
My somewhat long reflection should not lead to discouragement but rather to the courageous pursuit of our Catholic identity in Christ alive for us in His holy Church , an identity which by its very definition is for the common good , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to save the world , and He calls us to life in the Holy Spirit , in order that we may be His co-workers in His Redemptive mission which continues until He returns at the end of time to establish “ new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells , ” ( 3 ) to inaugurate the Wedding Feast of the Lamb , ( 4 ) His Wedding Feast , at which we are called to be participants through the grace of Baptism and Confirmation .
Our Lord sent His Virgin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Portugal in 1917 , for the precise mission of calling us back to life in Him , to a strong Catholic identity , in the face of the rise and spread of atheistic materialism or communism .
In speaking with you today about the critical situation in which we find ourselves , I could not give you better counsel than the Virgin Mother of God gave to us , through the three shepherd children at Cova da Iria : Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto , and the Servant of God Sister Maria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heart .
The appearances of Our Lady of Fatima came at a time when the world was in a terrifying crisis , a crisis which threatened its very future , a crisis which , in many and frightening ways , continues , in our day , to threaten the future of man and of the world .
It is a crisis which has also infected the life of the Church , not , of course , touching the objective reality of Christ ’ s life in the Church for our salvation but , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from within for purposes alien to her nature and thus poisonous for souls .
The immediate manifestation of the crisis was the rise of atheistic materialism or communism in Russia and its spread throughout the world .
Atheistic materialism or communism is evil at its root , for it is the abandonment of faith in God and in His plan for our eternal salvation , as He , from the Creation , has written it into nature , and , above all , has inscribed it upon the human heart .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an indifference , disregard or even hostility to the supreme reality of the Redemptive Incarnation of God the Son by which He has won for man eternal salvation , the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit , of divine grace , so that man can live in communion with God , in accord with His plan for His creation .
Christ has won for man the gift of His own life , so that man may attain eternal life , while preparing the world for its transformation , in accord with God ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
” ( 5 ) Christ is the Eternal Lamb of God , at whose Wedding Feast we are all called to have a place .
( 6 ) God prepared the messengers of the Virgin of Fatima by three visions of the Angel of Portugal which took place during the Spring , Summer and Autumn of 1916 .
During the first vision , while telling the shepherd children not to be afraid and assuring them that he was “ the Angel of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pray three times with these words : God ’ s messenger to the shepherd children was already indicating the way in which the Mother of God would lead the world to deal with the grave crisis of atheistic materialism or communism and its inherent apostasy : the way of faith and prayer , and of penance and reparation .
Apostasy is not limited simply to the denial of the faith , but it involves every aspect of the faith .
In the words of the Dictionnaire de Théologie Catholique , “ [ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith , since it rejects revealed doctrine ; against religion , because it denies to God true worship ; against justice , since it tramples underfoot the promises of the Christian.
” ( 8 ) Referring to a modern author who calls apostasy “ spiritual suicide , ” the Dictionnaire de Théologie Catholique declares : It is clear that apostasy , either explicit or implicit , leads hearts away from the Immaculate Heart of Mary and , thus , from the Sacred Heart of Jesus , the only font of our salvation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Fatima makes clear , the pastors of the Church , who in some way cooperate with apostasy , also by their silence , bear a very heavy burden of responsibility .
The most respected studies of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima hold that the third part of the Message or Secret of Fatima has to do with the diabolical forces unleashed upon the world in our time and entering into the very life of the Church , which lead souls away from the truth of the faith and , therefore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the glorious pierced Heart of Jesus .
( 10 ) Our Lady of Fatima makes it clear that only the Faith , which places man in the relationship of unity of heart with the Sacred Heart of Jesus , through the mediation of her Immaculate Heart , can save man from the material and spiritual chastisements which rebellion against God necessarily brings upon its perpetrators and upon the whole of both society and the Church .
She , therefore , urges daily conversion of life for the salvation of souls and the salvation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punishments necessarily connected with the grave sins of the time , Our Lady , during her apparition on July 13 , 1917 , announced the peace which God wants to give to souls and to the world .
She teaches us that the peace of God will come to the world through two means : the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary , and the practice of the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturday of the month .
Our Lady spoke these words to the shepherd children : Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deplorable situation in which the world and the Church find themselves .
She also foretold the terrible physical chastisements which would result from the failure to consecrate the agent of the spread of atheistic communism to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through her Immaculate Heart and to undertake the regular practice of reparation for so many offenses committed against the immeasurable and unceasing love of God manifested so perfectly in the glorious pierced Heart of Jesus .
The consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is more needed today than ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of atheistic materialism , which has its roots in Russia , directs in a radical way the government of the People ’ s Republic of China , we recognize that the great evil of communism must be healed at its roots through the consecration of Russia , as Our Lady has directed .
Recognizing the necessity of a total conversion from atheistic materialism and communism to Christ , the call of Our Lady of Fatima to consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart , in accord with her explicit instruction , remains urgent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturdays represents the heart of a coherent life lived in Christ , a union of hearts , one with the Immaculate Heart of Mary , with the Sacred Heart of Jesus .
We have the assurance of Our Lady that her Immaculate Heart will triumph , that the truth and love of her Divine Son will triumph .
We are called to be agents of her triumph by our obedience to her maternal counsel .
Let us not forget Sister Lucia ’ s description of the third part of the Secret , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a flaming sword ” whom she saw at Our Lady ’ s left side : Sister Lucia then describes the martyrdom of those remaining true to Our Lord , of those who are of one heart , in the Immaculate Heart of Mary , with His Most Sacred Heart .
( 13 ) Let us not fail to embrace whatever suffering comes from our faithful witness to Him Who is the true treasure of our hearts , to Him Who is the King of Heaven and of Earth .
The reality of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of atheistic materialism in our time , rightly and profoundly frightens us .
Our love of Christ and of His Mystical Body , the Church , makes clear to us the gravity of the evil which seeks to rob us of our eternal salvation in Christ .
Let us not give way to discouragement but rather remember that the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary , assumed into glory , never ceases to beat with love for us , the children whom her Divine Son gave to her , as He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 ) With maternal care , she draws our hearts to her glorious Immaculate Heart , in order to take our hearts to the Divine Heart , the Sacred Heart of God the Son Who is the Son of Mary , which has never ceased to beat with love for us and for our world .
She instructs us , as she instructed the wine stewards at the Wedding Feast of Cana in their distress : “ Do whatever he tells you.
” ( 15 ) Let us , with the help of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared to accept whatever sacrifice is asked of us , in order to be faithful brothers and sisters of Christ , faithful soldiers of Christ , the only-begotten Son of God , steadfast cooperators with His grace .
Let us pray daily for the conversion of Russia , and let us take up the way of prayer , penance and reparation , which Our Lady of Fatima teaches us .
Let us make our own the prayer taught to the saintly shepherd children by the Angel of Portugal during his first vision : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the words of the same Angel , God ’ s messenger to the shepherd children to prepare them for the apparitions of the Mother of God : Let us never doubt that the Hearts of Jesus and Mary are ever open to receive our prayers and to help us in all of our needs .
For our part , let us follow the counsel of the same Angel , given to the shepherd children , during his second apparition : “ Offer prayers and sacrifices to the Most High.
” ( 18 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on to instruct the children : Let us , in imitation of the saintly shepherd children , happily accept suffering for the sake of the forgiveness of sins and the repair of the disorder which sin always introduces into our personal lives and into the world .
Let us be realistic about the great evils which beset the world and the Church , and , at the same time , let us be full of hope in the victory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incomparable spiritual armaments of prayer and penance , and of reparation for sins committed .
I assure you of my daily prayers , asking Our Lord , through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima , the Fourteen Holy Helpers and Saint Roch , to keep you safe from the evil of the coronavirus COVID-19 and from every other evil .
May God bless you and your homes .
1 Cf .
Father Connell ’ s Confraternity Edition New Baltimore Catechism , No .
3 ( New York : Benziger Brothers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5-7 , nos .
3-4 .
2 Cf .
Catechism of the Catholic Church , no .
2180 .
3 2 Pet 3 , 13 .
4 Cf .
Rev 19 , 7-9 .
5 2 Pet 3 , 13 .
6 Rev 19 , 7-9 .
7 “ Meu Deus !
Eu creio , adoro , espero e amo-Vos .
Peço-Vos perdão para os que não crêem , não adoram , não esperam e Vos não amam.
” Carmelo de Coimbra , Um caminho sob o olhar de Maria .
Biografia da @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coração Imaculado O.C.D .
( Marco de Canaveses : Edições Carmelo , 2013 ) , p. 37 .
[ Hereafter , Carmelo de Coimbra ] .
English translation : Carmel of Coimbra , A Pathway under the Gaze of Mary : Biography of Sister Maria Lucia of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart O.C.D.
, tr .
James A. Colson ( Washington , NJ : World Apostolate of Fatima , USA , 2015 ) , p. 46 .
[ Hereafter , Carmelo de Coimbra Eng ] .
8 “ L ’ apostasie est un @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elle rejette la doctrine révélée ; contre la religion , puisqu ’ elle refuse à Dieu le culte vrai ; contre la justice , puisqu ’ elle foule aux pieds les promesses du chrétien.
” Dictionnaire de Théologie Catholique , Tome premier ( Paris : Letouzey et Ané , 1903 ) , col. 1604 .
[ Hereafter , DTC ] .
9 “ Ce « suicide religieux » est , après la haine de Dieu , le plus grave des péchés , parce que plus complètement et plus définitivement que les fautes simplement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de Dieu les puissances de l ’ âme humaine , intelligence et volonté.
” DTC , col. 1604 .
10 Cf .
Frère Michel de la Sainte Trinité , Toute la vérité sur Fatima .
Tome 3 : Le troisième secret ( 1942-1960 ) ( Saint-Parres-lès-Vaides [ France ] : Renaissance Catholique Contre-Réforme Catholique , 1985 ) , p. 552 .
English translation : Frère Michel de la Sainte Trinité , The Whole Truth about Fatima , Volume Three : The Third Secret ( 1942-1960 ) , tr .
John Collorafi ( Buffalo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1990 ) , pp .
816-817 .
11 “ Para a impedir , virei pedir a consagração da Rússia a Meu Imaculado Coração e a Comunhão reparadora nos primeiros sábados .
Se atenderem a Meus pedidos , a Rússia se converterá e terão paz ; se não , espalhará seus erros pelo mundo , promovendo guerras e perseguições à Igreja .
Os bons serão martirizados , o Santo Padre terá muito que sofrer , várias nações serão aniquiladas .
Por fim , o Meu Imaculado Coração triunfará .
O Santo Padre consagrar-Me-á a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ao mundo algum tempo de paz .
Em Portugal se conservará sempre o dogma da Fé , etc.
” Carmelo de Coimbra , p. 63 .
English translation : Carmelo de Coimbra Eng , pp .
68-69 .
12 “ O Anjo apontando com a mão direita para a terra , come voz forte disse : Penitência , Penitência , Penitência !
” Carmelo de Coimbra , p. 64 .
English translation : Carmelo de Coimbra Eng , p. 69 .
13 Cf .
Carmelo de Coimbra , pp .
64-65 .
English @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p. 69 .
14 Cf .
Jn 19 , 26-27 .
15 Jn 2 , 5 .
16 “ Meu Deus !
Eu creio , adoro , espero e amo-Vos .
Peço-Vos perdão para os que não crêem , não adoram , não esperam e Vos não amam.
” Carmelo de Coimbra , p. 37 .
English translation : Carmelo de Coimbra Eng , p. 46 .
17 “ Orai assim .
Os Corações de Jesus e Maria estão atentos à vos das vossas súplicas.
” Carmelo de Coimbra , p. 37 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , p. 46 .
18 “ Oferecei constantemente , ao Altíssimo , orações e sacrifícios.
” Carmelo de Coimbra , p. 37 .
English translation : Carmelo de Coimbra Eng , p. 46 .
19 “ De tudo que puderdes , oferecei a Deus sacrifício em acto de reparação pelos pecados com que Ele é ofendido e súplica pela conversão dos pecadores .
Atraí assim , sobre a vossa Pátria , a paz.
” Carmelo de Coimbra , p. 37 .
English translation : Carmelo de Coimbra Eng , p. 47 .

ROME, May 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Cardinal Raymond Burke renewed his call today for the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as requested by Our Lady of Fatima, saying that the current worldwide coronavirus crisis shows that it is “more needed now than ever.”
In a powerful address during the virtual Rome Life Forum hosted by Voice of the Family (read full talk below), the Cardinal connected the errors of communist Russia with the current crisis, highlighting the prominent role that the atheist communist regime of China has played in it.
“The consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is more needed today than ever,” he said.
“When we witness how the evil of atheistic materialism, which has its roots in Russia, directs in a radical way the government of the People’s Republic of China, we recognize that the great evil of communism must be healed at its roots through the consecration of Russia, as Our Lady has directed.”
“Recognizing the necessity of a total conversion from atheistic materialism and communism to Christ, the call of Our Lady of Fatima to consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart, in accord with her explicit instruction, remains urgent.”
(Read more about Cardinal Burke’s call for the consecration of Russia, and why it is still so necessary, here.)
The Rome Life Forum, which runs from May 20-22, is on the topic “Coronavirus in the light of Fatima: a tragedy and a source of hope.”
The Cardinal’s lecture, “Fatima: Heaven’s answer to a world in crisis,” dealt first of all with the coronavirus pandemic, the current suspension of liberties, and threats of worse indignities to the human person.
Burke declared that it is “never morally justified to develop a vaccine through the use of cell lines of aborted fetuses” and that the thought of it being injected into one’s body is “rightly abhorrent.” He noted also that vaccination may not be imposed “in a totalitarian manner” on citizens.” He also decried proposals for placing microchips under people’s skin that would allow them to be “controlled by the State regarding health and about other matters.”
Burke said that the current lockdown is not how God has “called us to live” and observed that there are people using the pandemic to promote a “single world government,” environmental causes, and even radical changes in the practise of the Catholic faith.
The Cardinal was critical of the way some Church leaders have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that there has been a “failure” to announce the Gospel and to insist that the Church be permitted to carry on her mission.
“Individual priests and Bishops have been wise and courageous in finding the means to remain close to God’s flock in their care, especially by bringing the Sacraments to those who are ill and dying, but sadly the general impression among the faithful is that their priests have been taken away from them or have abandoned them,” the Cardinal said.
“The greater part of the faithful have been denied the Sacraments now for weeks.”
Burke deplored the interference of the state in the Church’s worship during the pandemic and decried proposals for arrangements when it ends, including making attendance at Sunday Mass optional for the faithful.
The Cardinal contradicted pastors who have called faithful Catholic selfish for wanting the sacraments during the emergency, saying that the laypeople’s desire is “at the heart of our faith.” Burke also decried irreverent methods proposed for the Communion of the Faithful.
Burke raised the subject of the People’s Republic of China, noting that it believes the only acceptable religion in China is China itself. The Cardinal said its role in the genesis of the pandemic, its influence over health authorities, and its power over other nations raised questions. He also called for a return of the study of civics to American schools, so that students are equipped “to exercise the fundamental virtue of patriotism.”
The Cardinal stressed that the atheist materialism and communism that threatened the Catholic faith in 1917 continues to threaten the world through the People’s Republic of China and drew his audience’s attention to the messages of Fatima. Burke enjoined it to pray daily for the conversion of Russia, do penance, and make reparation for sins.
Register for Rome Life Forum here.
***
Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke
Rome Life Forum 2020
15 May 2020
Fatima: Heaven’s Answer to a World in Crisis
We are living through most troubled and troubling times. A virus has been, in some way, unleashed, traveling to all parts of the world. It has caused and is causing many to suffer from the associated illness, COVID-19, to a greater or lesser degree. Many have died and are dying, either directly from the illness or from complications of which the illness is a part. In response to the spread of the contagion, many governments have imposed severe restrictions on the movement of their citizens, confining citizens to their homes and closing down the operation of all but essential services. The effect on the economy of families, local communities and nations has been devastating.
The origin of the virus remains yet unclear. Reports about its nature and course are conflicting. At present, there is a forceful debate about whether its course will now permit us to resume our daily activities or whether, because of a threat of the resurgence of the contagion, we must continue to live confined to our homes. We receive reports from those who are retained to be experts that are clearly contradictory. There is also a legitimate fear of unscrupulous persons using the health crisis for political and economic ends.
A peculiar aspect of the resulting international health crisis, what is called a pandemic, is that the greater body of the healthy are placed under severe restrictions, even regarding their practice of the faith, on the assumption that infection with the virus often remains hidden until it suddenly manifests itself. In a certain way, each of us becomes a possible danger to others. In such a situation, natural human interaction is rendered severely limited. Among some, the situation has led to constant worry about possible infection and the nurture of an illusion that somehow we can create a perfectly sanitary environment in which we will not be threatened by any bacteria or virus or in which by prophylactic measures, including universally imposed vaccination, we will be protected, with certainty, against the coronavirus.
With regard to vaccination, it must be clear that it is never morally justified to develop a vaccine through the use of the cell lines of aborted fetuses. The thought of the introduction of such a vaccine into one’s body is rightly abhorrent. At the same time, it must be clear that vaccination itself cannot be imposed, in a totalitarian manner, on citizens. When the State takes on such a practice, it violates the integrity of its citizens. While the State can provide reasonable regulations for the safeguarding of health, it is not the ultimate provider of health. God is. Whatever the State proposes must respect God and His Law.
There can be no question that life has become, in many respects, strange. There are those who have wanted to characterize the confinement to home as almost providential, that is, the occasion to make an extended spiritual retreat or to enhance family life. Certainly, we are called to accept whatever suffering comes into our lives, making it, with the help of God’s grace, a source of blessing for ourselves and others. The fact, however, remains that the situation does not correspond to the way in which God has called us to live and that, therefore, it constitutes a suffering. We cannot ignore the widespread negative effect of the situation in depression and other mental illnesses, in the abuse of alcohol and drugs, and so forth. While we are called to offer our suffering to God in love of Him and of our neighbor, we certainly do not want to foster it, as if it were a good in itself.
It is also clear that individuals and groups with a particular agenda are using the profound suffering, in what regards both the health and the economy of families, local communities and nations, to promote their agenda, whether it be the advance of a single world government, the promotion of environmental causes, and even radical changes in the practice of the Catholic faith. In the midst of the disorientation and confusion generated by the international health crisis, we must, above all, turn to right reason and to our faith in addressing the crisis for the good of all.
From the beginning of the crisis, there has been a failure on the part of the Church as one body to announce clearly the Gospel and to insist on the exercise of her mission, in accord with the Gospel, also in times of international crisis. Individual priests and Bishops have been wise and courageous in finding the means to remain close to God’s flock in their care, especially by bringing the Sacraments to those who are ill and dying, but sadly the general impression among the faithful is that their priests have been taken away from them or have abandoned them. The greater part of the faithful have been denied the Sacraments now for weeks.
It is tragic to hear reports of faithful who ask a priest to hear their confession and receive the response that the priests are forbidden to hear confessions, or who ask for Holy Communion and are told that the priests are forbidden to distribute Holy Communion outside of the Holy Mass. It is particularly tragic to hear the accounts of the faithful dying without the help of their priest or without any member of their family or friends present to assist them, and the accounts of lifelong faithful Catholics being buried without any Funeral Rites whatsoever. In some cases, these tragic circumstances have been dictated by the State and in some cases they have been dictated by the Church, beyond the demands of the regulations of the State or in conformity with regulations of the State, which are in violation of religious freedom.
The situation has rightly sustained an intense discussion on the relationship of the Church and the State. In the absence of due respect for the Church and for the religious freedom of her members, the State assumes the authority of God Himself, dictating to the Church regarding the most sacred realities like the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Sacrament of Penance. If we had any doubt regarding the loss of such respect, it was dispelled by incidents in which civil authorities attempted to prevent a priest offering the Holy Mass from completing the sacred action.
From the beginning, there has been a failure to make clear that among all of the necessities of life the principal necessity is communion with God. Yes, we need what is required for our nourishment, health and hygiene, but none of these essential needs can substitute for our most fundamental need: to know, love and serve God. As I was taught long ago, among the first lessons in the Catechism, God made man to know, love and serve Him in this life and thereby to obtain life everlasting with Him in Heaven. (1)
In the face of an international health crisis, we must turn first to God, asking Him to keep us safe from the contagion and from every other evil. Turning to God, we find the direction and strength to take whatever human measures are required to protect ourselves, according to the demands of right reason and of the moral law. Otherwise, if we falsely think that the combat against the evil depends totally upon us, we take measures which offend our human dignity and, above all, our right relationship with God. In that regard, the State should be attentive to the religious freedom of the citizens, in order that the help of God may be sought at all times and in all things. To think otherwise is to make the State our god and to think that mere humans, without the help of God, can save us.
If there was a lack of respect for our fundamental relationship with God at the beginning of the present international health crisis, there is a similar lack of respect in what is proposed, once the crisis has passed. One hears repeatedly the mantra that our life will never again be the same and that we can never return to life as we lived it before. It has been suggested, for instance, that the ancient gesture of giving one’s hand to another in friendship and trust must now be forever abandoned. Also, there is a certain movement to insist that now everyone must be vaccinated against the coronavirus COVID-19 and even that a kind of microchip needs to be placed under the skin of every person, so that at any moment he or she can be controlled by the State regarding health and about other matters which we can only imagine. It has also been suggested, even by pastors of the Church, that the present crisis should lead us to consider again whether Sunday Mass is essential to the Christian life or whether Funeral Rites are essential to the practice of our faith.
Yes, it is true that the experience of the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis has marked significantly our lives, but it must not assume the direction of our lives. Our Lord Jesus Christ remains the King of Heaven and of Earth. We remain created in God’s image and likeness, with the gifts of faith and reason. We remain sons and daughters of God, adopted in God the Son which we can onlyby the all-wondrous work of His Redemptive Incarnation. We live in God, we receive God’s life into our hearts and souls from the glorious pierced Heart of Jesus, in order to do what is right and just and good for ourselves and for our world. We must return to a life lived in communion with God, using right reason and putting into practice the truths of our Catholic faith.
The Sunday Mass obligation, for instance, participates in natural and divine law, the Third Commandment of the Decalogue, which we are obliged to observe, unless, for reasons beyond our control, we are not able to do so. (2) During the present crisis, it has been said that Bishops dispense the faithful from the Sunday Mass obligation, but no human has the power to dispense from divine law. If it has been impossible, during the crisis, for the faithful to assist at Holy Mass, then the obligation did not bind them, but the obligation remained.
In this regard, I have been concerned about the response of some to the long-term impossibility of access to the Sacraments, who have said that it was actually good to be without the Sacraments, in order to concentrate on the more fundamental relationship with God. Some have expressed a preference for watching the televised Holy Mass in the comfort of their homes. But the Holy Mass is not some human representation. It is Christ Himself Who descends to the altars of our churches and chapels to make sacramentally present the saving fruit of His Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension. What on earth could be preferable to the presence of Christ in our midst in the sacramental action!
Some pastors have even rebuked the faithful who pleaded for the Sacraments, accusing them of wanting, in selfishness, to risk serious harm to the health of others. No one denies the need to take necessary sanitary precautions, but the desire of the Sacraments, especially of Penance and the Holy Eucharist, is at the heart of our faith. Our relationship with God requires that we leave the confinement of our homes and what we may imagine to be a perfectly protected environment, in order that He, through His only-begotten Son, can speak to our hearts and nourish them with divine grace. In this regard, even as it is perfectly normal that individuals leave the confinement of their homes to purchase, for instance, food and medicine, it is even more perfectly normal that persons of faith leave the confinement of their homes to pray and to receive the Sacraments.
Here, it must be noted that Our Lord has entrusted the sacred realities of His presence with us to the care of our pastors. It is they who have received the grace to safeguard those realities and to provide access to them for the faithful. Their knowledge and experience must always be conformed to the truths of the faith, handed down to us through the unbroken line of Apostolic Tradition. In a time of health crisis, public health experts may make recommendations about how best to protect the health of those who have access to churches and chapels, but it is the Bishops and priests who must implement such recommendations in a manner that respects the divine reality of the faith itself and of the Sacraments. For instance, to suggest that a priest distribute Holy Communion while wearing a mask and plastic gloves, and sanitize his hands at various times after he has consecrated the Sacred Host may, from a medical perspective be the most sanitary practice, but it does not respect the truth that it is Christ Who is giving Himself to us in the Sacred Host. At the same time, the prohibition of receiving the Sacred Host on the tongue and the mandate to receive Holy Communion in the hand, while it may be more sanitary, although that is debated, could only be justified by a grave reason.
It is true that historically the Church has used different sacred instruments to give Holy Communion to someone who was highly contagious, but these methods of reception of Holy Communion were not used for the Holy Communion of the faithful, in general. It was not assumed that the priest and the faithful, in general, were all infected, as seems to be the assumption today, and, therefore, could not receive Holy Communion in the most devout manner possible. Medical experts and public health officials can make recommendations to the Church, but it is the Church herself who must decide regarding practices touching upon the most sacred realities of our faith.
The coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic has also raised a most serious question for us as citizens of a nation. The role of the People’s Republic of China in the whole international health crisis raises many serious questions. While we as Christians love the Chinese people and want for them what is for their good, we cannot fail to recognize that their government is the embodiment of atheistic materialism or communism. In other words, it is a government which has no respect for God and for His Law. The President of China, Xi Jinping, has made it abundantly clear that the only acceptable religion in China is China. His government is based on the idolatry of the nation, and a number of its laws and practices are in open violation of the most fundamental precepts of the divine law written upon the heart of every man and woman, and articulated in the Decalogue. It is an evil form of government which, for instance, practices forced abortions and openly violates the religious freedom of the people. It is only right to ask what ethical principles have governed the involvement of the Chinese government in the coronavirus COVID-19 international health crisis.
At the same time, it is only right to ask what has been and what is the involvement of national and international public health organizations with the Chinese government in the matter of the virus which has threatened many lives and the very stability of sovereign nations. There is also the serious question of individuals with many billions of dollars at their disposal, who regularly and powerfully sustain an anti-life and anti-family agenda and who are publicly involved in the crisis and exercise a heavy influence on public opinion regarding it. As citizens of a nation, it is our duty to ask these questions and to pursue steadfastly honest answers to them.
When I was in elementary and secondary school, the study of what was called civics was taken with great seriousness. It was the study of how the government of one’s nation works to protect the common good, including just relationships with other nations. The goal of the study was to make students, the future of the nation, responsible for the government of their nation. I am told that, for a long time already, civics has not been taught in many schools. If such be the case, how will the students be equipped to be responsible citizens? The exercise of such responsibility is irreplaceable to a stable democratic government. It is also a part of the natural law, in specific, the Fourth Commandment of the Decalogue, which teaches us respect for our parents and for those institutions which safeguard and promote family life, ultimately for the nation. The present crisis should lead us to look again at education, a fundamental expression of our culture, and to provide what is lacking in the preparation of students to exercise the fundamental virtue of patriotism.
The present crisis has also made clear how dependent many nations are on the People’s Republic of China. Companies which for decades produced the necessary goods of a nation within the nation now produce those goods in China in the interest of economic gain. How many of the goods we use daily bear the label: “Made in China”? The present crisis must lead us to ask why, in our nations, we ourselves are not producing what is necessary for the healthy and strong life of the people of the nation. These are complex questions which are made all the more urgent by the fact that many nations are, in fact, dependent upon the People’s Republic of China, a government which fully and radically espouses atheistic materialism.
My somewhat long reflection should not lead to discouragement but rather to the courageous pursuit of our Catholic identity in Christ alive for us in His holy Church, an identity which by its very definition is for the common good, the good of all peoples. Christ came to save the world, and He calls us to life in the Holy Spirit, in order that we may be His co-workers in His Redemptive mission which continues until He returns at the end of time to establish “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells,” (3) to inaugurate the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, (4) His Wedding Feast, at which we are called to be participants through the grace of Baptism and Confirmation.
Our Lord sent His Virgin Mother to Cova da Iria near Fatima in Portugal in 1917, for the precise mission of calling us back to life in Him, to a strong Catholic identity, in the face of the rise and spread of atheistic materialism or communism. In speaking with you today about the critical situation in which we find ourselves, I could not give you better counsel than the Virgin Mother of God gave to us, through the three shepherd children at Cova da Iria: Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto, and the Servant of God Sister Maria Lucia of Jesus and of the Immaculate Heart.
The appearances of Our Lady of Fatima came at a time when the world was in a terrifying crisis, a crisis which threatened its very future, a crisis which, in many and frightening ways, continues, in our day, to threaten the future of man and of the world. It is a crisis which has also infected the life of the Church, not, of course, touching the objective reality of Christ’s life in the Church for our salvation but, rather, obscuring and manipulating the Church from within for purposes alien to her nature and thus poisonous for souls.
The immediate manifestation of the crisis was the rise of atheistic materialism or communism in Russia and its spread throughout the world. Atheistic materialism or communism is evil at its root, for it is the abandonment of faith in God and in His plan for our eternal salvation, as He, from the Creation, has written it into nature, and, above all, has inscribed it upon the human heart. It is the abandonment of the Mystery of Faith, an indifference, disregard or even hostility to the supreme reality of the Redemptive Incarnation of God the Son by which He has won for man eternal salvation, the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, of divine grace, so that man can live in communion with God, in accord with His plan for His creation. Christ has won for man the gift of His own life, so that man may attain eternal life, while preparing the world for its transformation, in accord with God’s plan, for the inauguration of “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (5) Christ is the Eternal Lamb of God, at whose Wedding Feast we are all called to have a place. (6)
God prepared the messengers of the Virgin of Fatima by three visions of the Angel of Portugal which took place during the Spring, Summer and Autumn of 1916. During the first vision, while telling the shepherd children not to be afraid and assuring them that he was “the Angel of Peace,” he taught them to pray three times with these words:
My God, I believe, I adore, I hope [in] and I love You. I ask pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope [in] and do not love You. (7)
God’s messenger to the shepherd children was already indicating the way in which the Mother of God would lead the world to deal with the grave crisis of atheistic materialism or communism and its inherent apostasy: the way of faith and prayer, and of penance and reparation.
Apostasy is not limited simply to the denial of the faith, but it involves every aspect of the faith. In the words of the Dictionnaire de Théologie Catholique, “[a]postasy is a sin against the faith, since it rejects revealed doctrine; against religion, because it denies to God true worship; against justice, since it tramples underfoot the promises of the Christian.” (8) Referring to a modern author who calls apostasy “spiritual suicide,” the Dictionnaire de Théologie Catholique declares:
This “spiritual suicide” is, after the hatred of God, the most grave of sins, for it, more completely and definitively than the faults simply opposed to the moral virtues, separates from God the powers of the human soul, intelligence and will. (9)
It is clear that apostasy, either explicit or implicit, leads hearts away from the Immaculate Heart of Mary and, thus, from the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the only font of our salvation. In that regard, as the Message of Fatima makes clear, the pastors of the Church, who in some way cooperate with apostasy, also by their silence, bear a very heavy burden of responsibility.
The most respected studies of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima hold that the third part of the Message or Secret of Fatima has to do with the diabolical forces unleashed upon the world in our time and entering into the very life of the Church, which lead souls away from the truth of the faith and, therefore, from the Divine Love flowing from the glorious pierced Heart of Jesus. (10) Our Lady of Fatima makes it clear that only the Faith, which places man in the relationship of unity of heart with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the mediation of her Immaculate Heart, can save man from the material and spiritual chastisements which rebellion against God necessarily brings upon its perpetrators and upon the whole of both society and the Church. She, therefore, urges daily conversion of life for the salvation of souls and the salvation of the world.
Referring to the punishments necessarily connected with the grave sins of the time, Our Lady, during her apparition on July 13, 1917, announced the peace which God wants to give to souls and to the world. She teaches us that the peace of God will come to the world through two means: the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the practice of the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturday of the month. Our Lady spoke these words to the shepherd children:
To prevent this [the punishment of the world “for its crimes by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father”], I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart and the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, various nations will be annihilated. In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world. In Portugal, the dogma of the Faith will always be preserved, etc. (11)
Our Lady indicates the spiritual remedy of the deplorable situation in which the world and the Church find themselves. She also foretold the terrible physical chastisements which would result from the failure to consecrate the agent of the spread of atheistic communism to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through her Immaculate Heart and to undertake the regular practice of reparation for so many offenses committed against the immeasurable and unceasing love of God manifested so perfectly in the glorious pierced Heart of Jesus.
The consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is more needed today than ever. When we witness how the evil of atheistic materialism, which has its roots in Russia, directs in a radical way the government of the People’s Republic of China, we recognize that the great evil of communism must be healed at its roots through the consecration of Russia, as Our Lady has directed. Recognizing the necessity of a total conversion from atheistic materialism and communism to Christ, the call of Our Lady of Fatima to consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart, in accord with her explicit instruction, remains urgent.
The Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays represents the heart of a coherent life lived in Christ, a union of hearts, one with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We have the assurance of Our Lady that her Immaculate Heart will triumph, that the truth and love of her Divine Son will triumph. We are called to be agents of her triumph by our obedience to her maternal counsel. Let us not forget Sister Lucia’s description of the third part of the Secret, in which she quotes “the Angel with a flaming sword” whom she saw at Our Lady’s left side:
Pointing to the earth with his right hand, the Angel cried out in a loud voice: “Penance, Penance, Penance!” (12)
Sister Lucia then describes the martyrdom of those remaining true to Our Lord, of those who are of one heart, in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, with His Most Sacred Heart. (13) Let us not fail to embrace whatever suffering comes from our faithful witness to Him Who is the true treasure of our hearts, to Him Who is the King of Heaven and of Earth.
The reality of the apostasy of faith, manifested in the spread of atheistic materialism in our time, rightly and profoundly frightens us. Our love of Christ and of His Mystical Body, the Church, makes clear to us the gravity of the evil which seeks to rob us of our eternal salvation in Christ. Let us not give way to discouragement but rather remember that the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, assumed into glory, never ceases to beat with love for us, the children whom her Divine Son gave to her, as He was dying upon the Cross. (14) With maternal care, she draws our hearts to her glorious Immaculate Heart, in order to take our hearts to the Divine Heart, the Sacred Heart of God the Son Who is the Son of Mary, which has never ceased to beat with love for us and for our world. She instructs us, as she instructed the wine stewards at the Wedding Feast of Cana in their distress: “Do whatever he tells you.” (15) Let us, with the help of the Virgin Mother of God, be prepared to accept whatever sacrifice is asked of us, in order to be faithful brothers and sisters of Christ, faithful soldiers of Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, steadfast cooperators with His grace.
Let us pray daily for the conversion of Russia, and let us take up the way of prayer, penance and reparation, which Our Lady of Fatima teaches us. Let us make our own the prayer taught to the saintly shepherd children by the Angel of Portugal during his first vision:
My God, I believe, I adore, I hope [in] and I love You. I ask pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope [in] and do not love You. (16)
Praying thus, let us not forget the words of the same Angel, God’s messenger to the shepherd children to prepare them for the apparitions of the Mother of God:
Pray thus. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive to the voice of your supplications. (17)
Let us never doubt that the Hearts of Jesus and Mary are ever open to receive our prayers and to help us in all of our needs.
For our part, let us follow the counsel of the same Angel, given to the shepherd children, during his second apparition: “Offer prayers and sacrifices to the Most High.” (18) Let us do, as the Angel went on to instruct the children:
Make of everything you can a sacrifice, and offer it to God as an action of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and in supplication for the conversion of sinners. You will thus draw down peace upon your country. I am its Guardian Angel, the Angel of Portugal. Above all, accept and bear with submission the suffering which the Lord will send you. (19)
Let us, in imitation of the saintly shepherd children, happily accept suffering for the sake of the forgiveness of sins and the repair of the disorder which sin always introduces into our personal lives and into the world. Let us be realistic about the great evils which beset the world and the Church, and, at the same time, let us be full of hope in the victory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, for which we battle each day with the incomparable spiritual armaments of prayer and penance, and of reparation for sins committed.
I assure you of my daily prayers, asking Our Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima, the Fourteen Holy Helpers and Saint Roch, to keep you safe from the evil of the coronavirus COVID-19 and from every other evil. May God bless you and your homes.
________
1 Cf. Father Connell’s Confraternity Edition New Baltimore Catechism, No. 3 (New York: Benziger Brothers, Inc., 1949), pp. 5-7, nos. 3-4.
2 Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2180.
3 2 Pet 3, 13.
4 Cf. Rev 19, 7-9.
5 2 Pet 3, 13.
6 Rev 19, 7-9.
7 “Meu Deus! Eu creio, adoro, espero e amo-Vos. Peço-Vos perdão para os que não crêem, não adoram, não esperam e Vos não amam.” Carmelo de Coimbra, Um caminho sob o olhar de Maria. Biografia da Irmã Maria Lúcia de Jesus e do Coração Imaculado O.C.D. (Marco de Canaveses: Edições Carmelo, 2013), p. 37. [Hereafter, Carmelo de Coimbra]. English translation: Carmel of Coimbra, A Pathway under the Gaze of Mary: Biography of Sister Maria Lucia of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart O.C.D., tr. James A. Colson (Washington, NJ: World Apostolate of Fatima, USA, 2015), p. 46. [Hereafter, Carmelo de Coimbra Eng].
8 “L’apostasie est un péché contre la foi, puisqu’elle rejette la doctrine révélée ; contre la religion, puisqu’elle refuse à Dieu le culte vrai ; contre la justice, puisqu’elle foule aux pieds les promesses du chrétien.” Dictionnaire de Théologie Catholique, Tome premier (Paris: Letouzey et Ané, 1903), col. 1604. [Hereafter, DTC].
9 “Ce « suicide religieux » est, après la haine de Dieu, le plus grave des péchés, parce que plus complètement et plus définitivement que les fautes simplement opposées aux vertus morales, il sépare de Dieu les puissances de l’âme humaine, intelligence et volonté.” DTC, col. 1604.
10 Cf. Frère Michel de la Sainte Trinité, Toute la vérité sur Fatima. Tome 3: Le troisième secret (1942-1960) (Saint-Parres-lès-Vaides [France]: Renaissance Catholique Contre-Réforme Catholique, 1985), p. 552. English translation: Frère Michel de la Sainte Trinité, The Whole Truth about Fatima, Volume Three: The Third Secret (1942-1960), tr. John Collorafi (Buffalo, NY: Immaculate Heart Publications, 1990), pp. 816-817.
11 “Para a impedir, virei pedir a consagração da Rússia a Meu Imaculado Coração e a Comunhão reparadora nos primeiros sábados. Se atenderem a Meus pedidos, a Rússia se converterá e terão paz; se não, espalhará seus erros pelo mundo, promovendo guerras e perseguições à Igreja. Os bons serão martirizados, o Santo Padre terá muito que sofrer, várias nações serão aniquiladas.
Por fim, o Meu Imaculado Coração triunfará. O Santo Padre consagrar-Me-á a Russia que se converterá e será concedido ao mundo algum tempo de paz. Em Portugal se conservará sempre o dogma da Fé, etc.” Carmelo de Coimbra, p. 63. English translation: Carmelo de Coimbra Eng, pp. 68-69.
12 “O Anjo apontando com a mão direita para a terra, come voz forte disse: Penitência, Penitência, Penitência!” Carmelo de Coimbra, p. 64. English translation: Carmelo de Coimbra Eng, p. 69.
13 Cf. Carmelo de Coimbra, pp. 64-65. English translation: Carmelo de Coimbra Eng, p. 69.
14 Cf. Jn 19, 26-27.
15 Jn 2, 5.
16 “Meu Deus! Eu creio, adoro, espero e amo-Vos. Peço-Vos perdão para os que não crêem, não adoram, não esperam e Vos não amam.” Carmelo de Coimbra, p. 37. English translation: Carmelo de Coimbra Eng, p. 46.
17 “Orai assim. Os Corações de Jesus e Maria estão atentos à vos das vossas súplicas.” Carmelo de Coimbra, p. 37. English translation: Carmelo de Coimbra Eng, p. 46.
18 “Oferecei constantemente, ao Altíssimo, orações e sacrifícios.” Carmelo de Coimbra, p. 37. English translation: Carmelo de Coimbra Eng, p. 46.
19 “De tudo que puderdes, oferecei a Deus sacrifício em acto de reparação pelos pecados com que Ele é ofendido e súplica pela conversão dos pecadores. Atraí assim, sobre a vossa Pátria, a paz.” Carmelo de Coimbra, p. 37. English translation: Carmelo de Coimbra Eng, p. 47.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-20--California reopening plan discriminates against churches, Justice Dept declares

PETITION : Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society !
Sign the petition here .
May 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – California ’ s official roadmap for lifting its various COVID-19 lockdown orders violates the Constitution by holding organized religion to a different standard than various secular activities , according to a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice to California Democrat Gov .
Gavin Newsom .
The California Department of Public Health ’ s long-term reopening plan calls for a modest lifting of certain restrictions over the course of weeks while stressing that more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ months ” away .
Under the plan , “ lower risk workplaces ” such as manufacturing , schools , child care facilities , and offices could be reopened in weeks , while “ higher risk ” establishments such as religious services , beauty salons , gyms , and movie theaters will remain closed for months .
“ We believe that the Constitution calls for California to do more to accommodate religious worship , including in Stage 2 of the Reopening Plan , ” DOJ Civil Rights Division chief Eric Dreiband informed Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Simply put , there is no pandemic exception to the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights.
” The letter determines that `` California has not shown why interactions in offices and studios of the entertainment industry , and in-person operations to facilitate nonessential ecommerce , are included on the list as being allowed with social distancing where telework is not practical , while gatherings with social distancing for purposes of religious worship are forbidden.
” Newsom ’ s office confirmed it has received the letter , but has yet to reply .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ great hero to people of faith , ” commented First Liberty Institute president and chief counsel Kelly Shackelford .
“ The same people who shop at malls , work in factories , and eat in restaurants go to churches , synagogues , and mosques .
Suggesting shoppers can be trusted to safely social distance , but churchgoers can not is discrimination . ''
As of May 20 , California ’ s 40-million population has seen 81,795 known COVID-19 cases ( out of more than 1.3 million tests ) and 3,334 deaths .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response , Californians have been ticketed for standing outside abortion centers , forbidden from singing even in online church services , and encouraged by leaders to report their neighbors for alleged violations of the stay-at-home order .
Last month , Cross Culture Christian Center in Lodi filed a lawsuit against Newsom ’ s prohibition of religious gatherings .
The state backed down on its prohibition against gathering in church parking lots and listening to services from within the safety of one ’ s car .
Hundreds of the state ’ s pastors have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ declared their intent to begin holding in-person church services beginning on Sunday , May 31 , 2020 , ” with or without permission .
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

Gov. Gavin Newsom was informed that failure to accommodate religious worship could be a violation of the Constitution.
PETITION: Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society! Sign the petition here.
May 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – California’s official roadmap for lifting its various COVID-19 lockdown orders violates the Constitution by holding organized religion to a different standard than various secular activities, according to a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice to California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The California Department of Public Health’s long-term reopening plan calls for a modest lifting of certain restrictions over the course of weeks while stressing that more significant returns to normal life are still “months” away. Under the plan, “lower risk workplaces” such as manufacturing, schools, child care facilities, and offices could be reopened in weeks, while “higher risk” establishments such as religious services, beauty salons, gyms, and movie theaters will remain closed for months.
“We believe that the Constitution calls for California to do more to accommodate religious worship, including in Stage 2 of the Reopening Plan,” DOJ Civil Rights Division chief Eric Dreiband informed Newsom in a May 19 letter. “Simply put, there is no pandemic exception to the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights.”
DOJ’s letter to CA Gov. Newsom on civil rights and the covid-19 pandemic. “We believe that the Constitution calls for California to do more to accommodate religious worship, including in Stage 2 of the Reopening Plan.” pic.twitter.com/8A4D95QKxs — KerriKupecDOJ (@KerriKupecDOJ) May 19, 2020
The letter determines that “California has not shown why interactions in offices and studios of the entertainment industry, and in-person operations to facilitate nonessential ecommerce, are included on the list as being allowed with social distancing where telework is not practical, while gatherings with social distancing for purposes of religious worship are forbidden.”
Newsom’s office confirmed it has received the letter, but has yet to reply.
“Attorney General Bill Barr is a great hero to people of faith,” commented First Liberty Institute president and chief counsel Kelly Shackelford. “The same people who shop at malls, work in factories, and eat in restaurants go to churches, synagogues, and mosques. Suggesting shoppers can be trusted to safely social distance, but churchgoers cannot is discrimination.”
As of May 20, California’s 40-million population has seen 81,795 known COVID-19 cases (out of more than 1.3 million tests) and 3,334 deaths. As part of state and local officials’ response, Californians have been ticketed for standing outside abortion centers, forbidden from singing even in online church services, and encouraged by leaders to report their neighbors for alleged violations of the stay-at-home order.
Last month, Cross Culture Christian Center in Lodi filed a lawsuit against Newsom’s prohibition of religious gatherings. The state backed down on its prohibition against gathering in church parking lots and listening to services from within the safety of one’s car. Hundreds of the state’s pastors have signed an open letter to Newsom that “declared their intent to begin holding in-person church services beginning on Sunday, May 31, 2020,” with or without permission.
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-20--Alberta bylaw practically banning traditional beliefs about sexuality would apply to Christian churc

Alberta bylaw practically banning traditional beliefs about sexuality would apply to Christian churches

May 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Very few Christians have noticed , but one of the most dangerous developments for religious freedom in decades has been unfolding in Calgary , Alberta .
A city council committee has already unanimously approved a so-called “ conversion therapy ” ban bylaw after a two-day public hearing featuring 121 speakers and 1,800 submissions on the subject .
The bylaw is a sweeping assault on parental rights , religious freedom , and the rights of those with unwanted same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria .
LGBT groups are already speculating on Twitter that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Council on May 25 , it could pave the way for similar nation-wide legislation .
Graeme Lauber is the executive director of Free to Care , an organization that seeks to build bridges between Christians and other groups in Canadian society as well as working to protect the rights of individuals to determine their own understanding of their sexuality and gender identity .
For Lauber , it is personal—he realized he was attracted to other men when he was in middle school , but also understood that a relationship with a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
As an adult , he committed to a marriage with a woman , a relationship he describes as “ the most important and life-giving relationship ” in his life .
A key component to the success of his marriage , he says , “ has been the ability to access the love and support of other Christians for his choice to follow Jesus in his relationships and sexuality ” —support which he now sees as under threat from current “ conversion therapy ” bylaws .
Lauber has become an outspoken activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christians to stand up and push back .
He was kind enough to agree to an interview with me earlier this week .
LifeSiteNews : What is the background of this bylaw ?
Graeme Lauber : The bylaw is part of a larger trend we are seeing in Canada .
Some municipalities passed anti conversion therapy bylaws a couple of years ago , but these were very focused on the municipality ’ s jurisdiction ( business licenses ) and made provisions for people to consent to the help they wanted and for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also more focused on therapeutic practices that would change sexual orientation .
Over the past couple of years , we have seen that the wording of the bylaws have become “ tighter ” in the sense that provisions allowing adults to consent to the counseling or support of their choosing have been eliminated , and allowance for religious practice have disappeared .
Also , rather than banning efforts to change sexual orientation , the bylaws seek to ban traditional beliefs about sexuality , so that counseling people or holding speaking events where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a woman would effectively be banned .
Who is pushing for it ?
There is an academic at MacEwan University in Edmonton by the name of Kristopher Wells who has pushed the most recent bans through .
He has created literature and consulted with municipalities to get the harsher municipal bans passed in places like Edmonton and Fort McMurray .
He was present throughout the proceedings at Calgary City Council .
Obviously there are other LGBTQ activists who are playing a role in pushing these bans forward , and they are able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Finally , there are politicians who are looking for a defining issue , and they are keen to move the bans forward .
What does it include ?
One of the most worrying aspects of the bylaw is that it includes using any “ practice , treatment or service ” that is meant to “ reduce non-heterosexual behaviour ” – so this means that anything that is done , and this includes prayer and pastoral counseling , in an effort to reduce certain types of sexual behaviour in an individual .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mean that even trying to help people get over a sexual addiction could be in view , if it is non-heterosexual .
During an open committee meeting , Calgary City Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra said that the bylaw “ absolutely applies to churches ” and a range of activities that could be punished with a $ 10,000 fine were made clear : • pastoral counseling , especially anything on an ongoing basis • speaking events where same-sex behaviour is called into question ( the status of preaching was unclear ) • the ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to word-of-mouth , though they admitted that would be hard to prove .
This effectively means that if I , as a same-sex attracted person , found pastoral support helpful for staying in my heterosexual marriage and told a friend about it , I could be subject to the fine • donations to churches and institutions that support traditional understandings of sexuality will be deemed “ proof of transaction ” which allows the city to regulate this outside their normal jurisdiction of regulating businesses Why is it so dangerous ?
The biggest concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bait and switch .
In people ’ s minds “ conversion therapy ” is a practice of shaming and abusing people due to their sexual orientation .
However this bylaw bans much more than simply coercion – it seeks to ban sharing an opinion or belief around the definition of marriage and it shuts off support for anyone who has same-sex feelings but does not want to act on those feelings .
In the end , this bylaw is rooted in the belief that our sexual feelings are “ who we are ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for us .
The reality is that not everyone sees themselves as defined by their sexuality , but those people can not get help and support – that will be unavailable to them under the bylaw .
What should worry everyone most , however , is that this bylaw interferes in the most intimate parts of people ’ s lives – their spirituality and their sexuality .
It tries to dictate how people should set priorities when it comes to sex , relationships and gender , and that is simply not the role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Justice Minister Pierre Trudeau said , the state has no business in the bedrooms of the nation .
Is this a test-run for a similar law on the federal level ?
We believe so .
Bill C-8 is the conversion therapy bill that is currently at the federal level , and we believe the federal government is watching closely to see how things go in Calgary .
What can Christians do to respond ?
The most important thing is to make our voices heard .
Our website , freetocare.ca , has help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on , and links to important resources .
Calgarians can write to their city councillor and make their concerns known , and they can find guidance for that on our website .
All Canadians can weigh in through our petition which is on the website to let the city council know of our concerns .
Christians concerned about the federal bill can go to fixthedefinition.ca and sign the petition about bill C-8 .

The bylaw is a sweeping assault on parental rights, religious freedom, and the rights of those with unwanted same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria.
May 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Very few Christians have noticed, but one of the most dangerous developments for religious freedom in decades has been unfolding in Calgary, Alberta.
A city council committee has already unanimously approved a so-called “conversion therapy” ban bylaw after a two-day public hearing featuring 121 speakers and 1,800 submissions on the subject. The bylaw is a sweeping assault on parental rights, religious freedom, and the rights of those with unwanted same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria.
LGBT groups are already speculating on Twitter that if the ban passes the final vote at City Council on May 25, it could pave the way for similar nation-wide legislation.
Graeme Lauber is the executive director of Free to Care, an organization that seeks to build bridges between Christians and other groups in Canadian society as well as working to protect the rights of individuals to determine their own understanding of their sexuality and gender identity. For Lauber, it is personal—he realized he was attracted to other men when he was in middle school, but also understood that a relationship with a man was not something that God wanted for him. As an adult, he committed to a marriage with a woman, a relationship he describes as “the most important and life-giving relationship” in his life.
Follow Jonathon van Maren on Facebook
A key component to the success of his marriage, he says, “has been the ability to access the love and support of other Christians for his choice to follow Jesus in his relationships and sexuality”—support which he now sees as under threat from current “conversion therapy” bylaws. Lauber has become an outspoken activist opposing this bylaw, and is urging Christians to stand up and push back. He was kind enough to agree to an interview with me earlier this week.
LifeSiteNews: What is the background of this bylaw?
Graeme Lauber: The bylaw is part of a larger trend we are seeing in Canada. Some municipalities passed anti conversion therapy bylaws a couple of years ago, but these were very focused on the municipality’s jurisdiction (business licenses) and made provisions for people to consent to the help they wanted and for people to practice their faith. They were also more focused on therapeutic practices that would change sexual orientation.
Over the past couple of years, we have seen that the wording of the bylaws have become “tighter” in the sense that provisions allowing adults to consent to the counseling or support of their choosing have been eliminated, and allowance for religious practice have disappeared. Also, rather than banning efforts to change sexual orientation, the bylaws seek to ban traditional beliefs about sexuality, so that counseling people or holding speaking events where the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman would effectively be banned.
Who is pushing for it?
There is an academic at MacEwan University in Edmonton by the name of Kristopher Wells who has pushed the most recent bans through. He has created literature and consulted with municipalities to get the harsher municipal bans passed in places like Edmonton and Fort McMurray. He was present throughout the proceedings at Calgary City Council.
Obviously there are other LGBTQ activists who are playing a role in pushing these bans forward, and they are able to get some of their people involved. Finally, there are politicians who are looking for a defining issue, and they are keen to move the bans forward.
What does it include?
One of the most worrying aspects of the bylaw is that it includes using any “practice, treatment or service” that is meant to “reduce non-heterosexual behaviour” – so this means that anything that is done, and this includes prayer and pastoral counseling, in an effort to reduce certain types of sexual behaviour in an individual. This means that the bylaw could be interpreted to mean that even trying to help people get over a sexual addiction could be in view, if it is non-heterosexual.
During an open committee meeting, Calgary City Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra said that the bylaw “absolutely applies to churches” and a range of activities that could be punished with a $10,000 fine were made clear:
pastoral counseling, especially anything on an ongoing basis
speaking events where same-sex behaviour is called into question (the status of preaching was unclear)
the ban on advertising in the bylaw would apply to word-of-mouth, though they admitted that would be hard to prove. This effectively means that if I, as a same-sex attracted person, found pastoral support helpful for staying in my heterosexual marriage and told a friend about it, I could be subject to the fine
donations to churches and institutions that support traditional understandings of sexuality will be deemed “proof of transaction” which allows the city to regulate this outside their normal jurisdiction of regulating businesses
Why is it so dangerous?
The biggest concern is that this has been a significant bait and switch. In people’s minds “conversion therapy” is a practice of shaming and abusing people due to their sexual orientation. However this bylaw bans much more than simply coercion – it seeks to ban sharing an opinion or belief around the definition of marriage and it shuts off support for anyone who has same-sex feelings but does not want to act on those feelings.
In the end, this bylaw is rooted in the belief that our sexual feelings are “who we are” – that our attractions are somehow defining for us. The reality is that not everyone sees themselves as defined by their sexuality, but those people cannot get help and support – that will be unavailable to them under the bylaw.
What should worry everyone most, however, is that this bylaw interferes in the most intimate parts of people’s lives – their spirituality and their sexuality. It tries to dictate how people should set priorities when it comes to sex, relationships and gender, and that is simply not the role the state should be playing. As former Justice Minister Pierre Trudeau said, the state has no business in the bedrooms of the nation.
Is this a test-run for a similar law on the federal level?
We believe so. Bill C-8 is the conversion therapy bill that is currently at the federal level, and we believe the federal government is watching closely to see how things go in Calgary.
What can Christians do to respond?
The most important thing is to make our voices heard. Our website, freetocare.ca, has help so that people can understand what is going on, and links to important resources. Calgarians can write to their city councillor and make their concerns known, and they can find guidance for that on our website.
All Canadians can weigh in through our petition which is on the website to let the city council know of our concerns.
Christians concerned about the federal bill can go to fixthedefinition.ca and sign the petition about bill C-8.
Editor’s note: Sign Campaign Life Coalition’s petition titled “Helping LGBT individuals change is not a crime!” here.
***
Jonathon’s new podcast, The Van Maren Show, is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement. In his latest episode, he interviews Scott Klusendorf about the fundamental flaw Klusendorf sees in the idea of locking down the country under the guise of preventing people from getting coronavirus. You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below:
Follow Jonathon Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer, and pro-life activist. His commentary has been translated into more than eight languages and published widely online as well as print newspapers such as the Jewish Independent, the National Post, the Hamilton Spectator and others. He has received an award for combating anti-Semitism in print from the Jewish organization B’nai Brith. His commentary has been featured on CTV Primetime, Global News, EWTN, and the CBC as well as dozens of radio stations and news outlets in Canada and the United States. He speaks on a wide variety of cultural topics across North America at universities, high schools, churches, and other functions. Some of these topics include abortion, pornography, the Sexual Revolution, and euthanasia. Jonathon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Simon Fraser University, and is the communications director for the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform. Jonathon’s first book, The Culture War, was released in 2016.
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