lifesitenews--2020-03-30--Maryland and Virginia ordered into lockdown: Live coronavirus updates

LifeSite ’ s previous ( and future ) live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about can be viewed HERE .
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said on Friday that churches and synagogues could be closed down permanently if people are gathering for services during the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ I want to say to all those who are preparing the potential of religious services this weekend — if you go to your synagogue , if you go to your church and attempt to hold services after having been told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents will have no choice but to shut down those services , ” he said .
“ You ’ ve been warned.
” The New York Post reports that an 86-year-old woman “ awaiting treatment for bowel blockage at a Brooklyn hospital yesterday died ” after another patient punched her “ for not engaging in ‘ social distancing ’ amid the coronavirus.
” The Food and Drug Administration yesterday granted emergency authorization for the distribution of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine , anti-malaria drugs that have been effective at treating the coronavirus , to hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. EST : The Virginia governor ’ s office has released Executive Order Fifty-Five , which outlines more details of Northam ’ s “ stay at home ” order .
Reasons people may leave for their residences include “ taking care of other individuals , animals , or visiting the home of a family member , ” “ engaging in outdoor activity , including exercise , provided individuals comply with social distancing requirements , ” and “ traveling to and from one ’ s residence , place of worship , or work.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EST : Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has announced Virginians will be confined to their homes until June 10 , 2020 except for limited reasons .
“ Individuals may leave their residence for allowable travel , including to seek medical attention , work , care for family or household members , obtain goods and services like groceries [ or ] prescriptions , ” the order mandates .
Outdoor activity is allowed “ with strict social distancing requirements ” and Northam ’ s announcement notes there are a few other exceptions to the mandated home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some of those exceptions include the provision of health care or medical services , “ access to essential services for low-income residents , such as food banks , ” “ the operations of the media , ” and law enforcement agencies and government operations .
During his press conference , Northam chided Virginians for having gone to the beach over the weekend .
March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Maryland has issued a “ shelter in place ” order only allowing residents to leave their houses to go to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governor Ralph Northam says he is making a “ major announcement ” at 2:00 p.m. today .
The National Guard is being deployed to Virginia to “ help save lives and protect public health.
” More people in Knox County , Tennessee died by suicide than from the coronavirus last week , The Federalist reports , and other states are reporting a similar uptick in suicides as the coronavirus crisis wrecks the economy .
A March 27 article on Bloomberg titled “ Rhode Island Police to Hunt Down New Yorkers Seeking Refuge ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars with New York plates Friday .
On Saturday , the National Guard will help them conduct house-to-house searches to find people who traveled from New York and demand 14 days of self-quarantine .
Rhode Island has just over 200 [ coronavirus cases ] , and it has begun an aggressive campaign to keep the virus out and New Yorkers contained , over objections from civil liberties advocates .
[ Governor ] Raimondo , a Democrat , said she had consulted lawyers and said while she couldn ’ t close the border , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine .
National Guard members will be stationed at the T.F .
Green airport , Amtrak train stations and at bus stops .
The citizen-soldiers will be following up with people at local residences .
The maximum penalty for not complying : a fine of $ 500 and 90 days in prison .
Ontario has now banned gatherings of more than five people .
“ This order would not apply to private households with five people or more .
It would also not apply to operating child care centres supporting frontline health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of persons at each centre does not exceed 50 people , ” the government announced in a press release .
It added funerals are allowed “ with up to 10 people at one time.
” At least four Catholic dioceses have , apparently by their own initiative , locked their church doors indefinitely ; the province did not classify houses of worship as `` essential . ''
In the Ottawa diocese , a local health authority ordered all houses of worship closed on pain of a $ 250,000 fine daily .
The province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” They are allowed to remain open .
The national pro-life group the Susan B. Anthony List has blasted Pennsylvania ’ s Democratic Governor Tom Wolf for requiring his constituents to postpone important medical procedures including cancer , pediatric , cardiac , and spinal surgeries , while elective abortions continue during the crisis .
“ It is unconscionable that Governor Wolf has allowed elective abortions to proceed during this crisis when all resources are needed for essential medical procedures , ” said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser .
“ At a time when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that the most vulnerable can survive this national emergency , abortion business Planned Parenthood Keystone insists on carrying out elective abortions and has even asked that precious personal protective equipment be diverted from dealing with the Coronavirus crisis in order to end the lives of innocent unborn children.
” “ Governor Wolf should put an end to these risky and unnecessary procedures that further strain our already overtaxed health care system , and Planned Parenthood Keystone should put people above profits , ” added Dannenfelser .
Bishop Athanasius Schneider , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic doctrine and orthodoxy , said in a new interview that a priest , using discretion and following the necessary health precautions , does not have to “ obey the directives of his bishop or the government to suspend Mass for the faithful.
” He also described the COVID-19 pandemic as a chastisement and a purification .
Italian officials say that a 101-year-old man – who was born during the Spanish flu epidemic that killed 50 million people – tested positive for the coronavirus and survived .
On Sunday , Chicago police broke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people had gathered at a church , but none were arrested or given citations .
Father Jorge Ortiz Garay of Brooklyn , New York , is apparently the first Catholic priest in the U.S. to have died of the coronavirus .
And , there is talk of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo replacing former Vice President Joe Biden as the 2020 Democrat nominee .
“ While Americans are stuck at home , the Democrat dominating the airwaves to counter President Donald Trump ’ s messaging about the coronavirus is not the one seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – it ’ s New York Governor Andrew Cuomo , ” Bloomberg reported yesterday .
“ And that ’ s causing some daydreaming for political junkies with time on their hands .
”

Live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to pro-life issues, faith, and freedom.
LifeSite’s previous (and future) live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about can be viewed HERE.
March 31, 2020, 7:22 p.m. EST: The Washington Examiner reports, “Nearly half of the country believes that the sweeping and deadly coronavirus is a ‘wake-up call’ from God, and one-third see it as the ‘last days’ predicted in the Bible, according to a new national survey.”
“Some 44% said the virus crisis is a ‘wake-up call for us to turn back to faith in God’ and ‘signs of coming judgment,’ said the Joshua Fund,” the article explains.
Baltimore’s Archbishop William Lori, famous for leading the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ response to the Obama adminstration’s attempts to squash religious freedom, has closed all churches in his archdiocese and banned priests from administering the sacraments unless “the individual is in danger of dying.”
Bishop Mitchell Rozanski of the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts has gone even farther and banned his priests from giving the Last Rites.
In some good news, the German seminary of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) reports that the coronavirus outbreak within its seminary “seems to have been overcome.”
March 31, 2020, 4:33 p.m. EST: Click HERE to watch Trump’s coronavirus briefing live, which begins at 5:00 p.m. EST.
March 31, 2020, 1:52 p.m. EST: To view President Trump’s coronavirus briefing from yesterday, click HERE. LifeSite will be streaming today’s briefing, too; the link will be posted on this article around 5:00 p.m. EST today.
March 31, 2020, 1:37 p.m. EST: CNN’s Chris Cuomo announced he has the coronavirus.
A second Catholic cardinal, Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo of Burkina Faso, has tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Telegraph reports, “German researchers plan to introduce coronavirus ‘immunity certificates’ to facilitate a proper transition into post-lockdown life, as Chancellor Angela Merkel’s handling of the crisis has led to a boost in the polls.”
LifeSite has published an article about how to obtain the Last Rites for a hospitalized COVID-19 patient.
Vatican News, the Holy See’s official news service, published and then deleted an article calling the coronavirus an “ally” of planet Earth.
Maria Madise has written a sobering article on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s calls for repentance and how they relate to the current situation.
“Could it really be the case that the need for penance is less acute and the reality of hell, a consequence of unrepentant sin, less threatening today than a hundred years ago, when the Mother of God descended from Heaven to inform her children [at Fatima] of the urgency to repent?” she asks.
Madise continues:
Our Lady told little Jacinta that more sinners go to hell because of sins of impurity than for any other reason. Today many of these sins are state policy of the most powerful nations and smaller nations, too, have followed suit. In once Catholic Ireland abortion and same-sex ‘marriage’ – two of the four sins that cry out to heaven for vengeance – are enshrined in the constitution. This is the same constitution that in its preamble still invokes the protection of the Most Holy Trinity. More children have died worldwide through legal abortion than people killed in all the wars of recorded human history. In my home country, Estonia, more people have been killed by abortion since 1955 than our living population today. And throughout the world, countless children are being corrupted by school sex education, often with the placet of Catholic bishops. These programmes destroy the innocence of children, groom them for the porn, contraception or abortion industry and teach them to question whether God has created them a boy or a girl.
Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes of Germany is the latest prelate to say the coronavirus is a chastisement for the Church.
March 30, 2020, 8:54 p.m. EST: The Associated Press released an article two hours ago about how countries around the world are “crack[ing] down on basic rights” amid the pandemic. It details various measures taken by governments around the world to punish the spread of “false information” about the virus and “interfering with efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus, like a curfew or mandatory quarantine” (Hungary, punishable by five years and eight years in prison respectively); engage in “unprecedented electronic surveillance” to track people’s movements (Israel); and social media censorship (Russia).
“A new government smart phone application” has been “introduced for people in home quarantine” in Poland; Serbia has “sidelined” its parliament, enacted “a 12-hour police-enforced curfew,” and banned people over 65 from leaving their homes.
China, where the virus originated, is known for its rampant human rights abuses. At least one police department in England has been using drones to monitor whether its citizens have been complying with government orders to stay at home. A police department in California says it will do the same.
March 30, 2020, 8:40 p.m. EST: The District of Columbia has also ordered its residents be confined to their homes beginning April 1 unless they are working at “essential businesses”; engaging in “essential travel” or “essential activities,” such as buying food or obtaining certain kinds of medical care; “perform[ing] or access[ing] essential governmental functions”; and engaging in “allowable recreational activities.”
“Any individual who willfully violates the stay-at-home order may be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both,” Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office warned in a statement.
March 30, 2020, 8:32 p.m. EST: On Saturday, four pro-lifers in North Carolina were arrested for allegedly violating their jurisdiction’s coronavirus stay-at-home order. They were arrested moments after arriving outside of an abortion center to defend preborn children. Watch the video HERE.
And in Toronto, police showed up directly after Mass last week to warn a Catholic priest of the Society of St. Pius X that he could be fined for violating a provincial order restricting public gatherings because of the coronavirus. The priest, Fr. Dominique Boulet, says he was complying with a March 17 directive from Premier Doug Ford – which allowed gatherings of up to 50 people — when his parish held a public Mass on March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation.
A pastor in Tampa, Florida has been arrested today for holding a church service yesterday. His county is subject to a “safer-at-home” executive order with 42 paragraphs of exceptions. The pastor, Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne, is being represented by Liberty Counsel.
A ProPublica investigation reveals how China built a “Twitter propaganda machine” and used it to spread covert propaganda around the world.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama has filed an emergency request in federal court on behalf of abortionist Dr. Yashica Robinson and three abortion facilities, asking that they be allowed to continue abortions despite a state order halting unnecessary medical procedures.
Other LifeSiteNews articles about the coronavirus crisis today include:
March 30, 2020, 3:19 p.m. EST:
Angelo Cardinal De Donatis,
Vicar General of Rome, and Archpriest of St. John Lateran, has tested positive for coronavirus covid-19, and has been hospitalized in the Gemelli in Rome. He is in a good condition. He is the first Cardinal to have been diagnosed with the virus. pic.twitter.com/rrt7sLzr2M — Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) March 30, 2020
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said on Friday that churches and synagogues could be closed down permanently if people are gathering for services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I want to say to all those who are preparing the potential of religious services this weekend — if you go to your synagogue, if you go to your church and attempt to hold services after having been told so often not to, our enforcement agents will have no choice but to shut down those services,” he said. “You’ve been warned.”
The New York Post reports that an 86-year-old woman “awaiting treatment for bowel blockage at a Brooklyn hospital yesterday died” after another patient punched her “for not engaging in ‘social distancing’ amid the coronavirus.”
The Food and Drug Administration yesterday granted emergency authorization for the distribution of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, anti-malaria drugs that have been effective at treating the coronavirus, to hospitals.
March 30, 2020, 3:01 p.m. EST: The Virginia governor’s office has released Executive Order Fifty-Five, which outlines more details of Northam’s “stay at home” order.
Reasons people may leave for their residences include “taking care of other individuals, animals, or visiting the home of a family member,” “engaging in outdoor activity, including exercise, provided individuals comply with social distancing requirements,” and “traveling to and from one’s residence, place of worship, or work.”
March 30, 2020, 2:44 p.m. EST: Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has announced Virginians will be confined to their homes until June 10, 2020 except for limited reasons.
“Individuals may leave their residence for allowable travel, including to seek medical attention, work, care for family or household members, obtain goods and services like groceries [or] prescriptions,” the order mandates. Outdoor activity is allowed “with strict social distancing requirements” and Northam’s announcement notes there are a few other exceptions to the mandated home confinement as outlined in Executive Order Fifty-Three. Some of those exceptions include the provision of health care or medical services, “access to essential services for low-income residents, such as food banks,” “the operations of the media,” and law enforcement agencies and government operations.
During his press conference, Northam chided Virginians for having gone to the beach over the weekend.
March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Maryland has issued a “shelter in place” order only allowing residents to leave their houses to go to the store for food or prescriptions.
WMAR Baltimore reports:
The order also allows for outdoor exercise such as walking, hiking, running, and biking, as long as [it] with complies with the CDC's social distancing guidelines. Violators could face up to a year in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. The order is effective 8 p.m. Monday. [Governor] Hogan also said Marylanders should not leave the state and those who do, must quarantine for 14-days.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam says he is making a “major announcement” at 2:00 p.m. today. The National Guard is being deployed to Virginia to “help save lives and protect public health.”
More people in Knox County, Tennessee died by suicide than from the coronavirus last week, The Federalist reports, and other states are reporting a similar uptick in suicides as the coronavirus crisis wrecks the economy.
A March 27 article on Bloomberg titled “Rhode Island Police to Hunt Down New Yorkers Seeking Refuge” reported:
Rhode Island police began stopping cars with New York plates Friday. On Saturday, the National Guard will help them conduct house-to-house searches to find people who traveled from New York and demand 14 days of self-quarantine. … Rhode Island has just over 200 [coronavirus cases], and it has begun an aggressive campaign to keep the virus out and New Yorkers contained, over objections from civil liberties advocates. [Governor] Raimondo, a Democrat, said she had consulted lawyers and said while she couldn’t close the border, she felt confident she could enforce a quarantine. … National Guard members will be stationed at the T.F. Green airport, Amtrak train stations and at bus stops. The citizen-soldiers will be following up with people at local residences. The maximum penalty for not complying: a fine of $500 and 90 days in prison.
Ontario has now banned gatherings of more than five people.
“This order would not apply to private households with five people or more. It would also not apply to operating child care centres supporting frontline health care workers and first responders provided the number of persons at each centre does not exceed 50 people,” the government announced in a press release. It added funerals are allowed “with up to 10 people at one time.”
At least four Catholic dioceses have, apparently by their own initiative, locked their church doors indefinitely; the province did not classify houses of worship as “essential.” In the Ottawa diocese, a local health authority ordered all houses of worship closed on pain of a $250,000 fine daily.
The province considers beer and cannabis stores “essential.” They are allowed to remain open.
The national pro-life group the Susan B. Anthony List has blasted Pennsylvania’s Democratic Governor Tom Wolf for requiring his constituents to postpone important medical procedures including cancer, pediatric, cardiac, and spinal surgeries, while elective abortions continue during the crisis.
“It is unconscionable that Governor Wolf has allowed elective abortions to proceed during this crisis when all resources are needed for essential medical procedures,” said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “At a time when so many Pennsylvanians are making major sacrifices so that the most vulnerable can survive this national emergency, abortion business Planned Parenthood Keystone insists on carrying out elective abortions and has even asked that precious personal protective equipment be diverted from dealing with the Coronavirus crisis in order to end the lives of innocent unborn children.”
“Governor Wolf should put an end to these risky and unnecessary procedures that further strain our already overtaxed health care system, and Planned Parenthood Keystone should put people above profits,” added Dannenfelser.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider, one of the world’s leading defenders of Catholic doctrine and orthodoxy, said in a new interview that a priest, using discretion and following the necessary health precautions, does not have to “obey the directives of his bishop or the government to suspend Mass for the faithful.” He also described the COVID-19 pandemic as a chastisement and a purification.
Italian officials say that a 101-year-old man – who was born during the Spanish flu epidemic that killed 50 million people – tested positive for the coronavirus and survived.
On Sunday, Chicago police broke up a funeral. Forty to 60 people had gathered at a church, but none were arrested or given citations.
Father Jorge Ortiz Garay of Brooklyn, New York, is apparently the first Catholic priest in the U.S. to have died of the coronavirus.
And, there is talk of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo replacing former Vice President Joe Biden as the 2020 Democrat nominee.
“While Americans are stuck at home, the Democrat dominating the airwaves to counter President Donald Trump’s messaging about the coronavirus is not the one seeking to replace him in the Oval Office – it’s New York Governor Andrew Cuomo,” Bloomberg reported yesterday.
“And that’s causing some daydreaming for political junkies with time on their hands.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-30--Pope Benedict remains well, prays for world suffering from coronavirus

March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Amidst reports that the Vatican is seeing more coronavirus infections among its members , a well-informed source in Rome told LifeSiteNews that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is healthy and well-protected .
He lives secluded in his residence Mater Ecclesiae and offers prayers for the afflicted and those who take care of the sick .
Since the news broke that there a new coronavirus cases in the Vatican , Catholics around the world wondered about the status of Pope Benedict .
LifeSite reached out to a well-informed source who responded under condition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benedict is doing well and in good spirits .
Pope Benedict is living at the monastery Mater Ecclesiae in the Vatican and follows the strict rules of the Italian government , the source told LifeSiteNews .
Pope Benedict lives a cloistered life .
He prays daily for the victims of the pandemic and their loved ones .
Additionally , Pope Benedict offers special prayers for medical doctors and the health care personnel , as well as for those who carry political responsibility and make important decisions regarding the health and safety of citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 , a member of the Vatican ’ s Secretariat of State had been tested positive for the coronavirus , at the time becoming the fifth infected member of the Vatican .
Subsequently , another employee of the Secretariat of State has been tested positive .
On Saturday , March 29 , it was reported by Reuters that neither Pope Francis nor his close collaborators have the virus infection and that 170 people at the Vatican were tested .
Italy itself so far has 101,739 infected persons , with 11,591 patients who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ XVI has resided in Mater Ecclesiae monastery since May of 2013 , the year he resigned .
He has only recently raised his voice in defense of priestly celibacy when publishing an essay , in a collaborative book by Cardinal Robert Sarah .
This publishing project had caused a controversy , at the end of which Pope Francis decided that he did not want to have Archbishop Georg Gänswein – the Prefect of the Papal Household – at his side during public appearances .
Thus , Gänswein – who is also the personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains at the retired Pope ’ s side during this time of trial .
Additionally , Pope Benedict is being taken care of by some religious sisters .

Pope Benedict prays daily for the victims of the coronavirus pandemic and their loved ones.
March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Amidst reports that the Vatican is seeing more coronavirus infections among its members, a well-informed source in Rome told LifeSiteNews that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is healthy and well-protected. He lives secluded in his residence Mater Ecclesiae and offers prayers for the afflicted and those who take care of the sick.
Since the news broke that there a new coronavirus cases in the Vatican, Catholics around the world wondered about the status of Pope Benedict. LifeSite reached out to a well-informed source who responded under condition of anonymity. The source related that Pope Benedict is doing well and in good spirits.
Pope Benedict is living at the monastery Mater Ecclesiae in the Vatican and follows the strict rules of the Italian government, the source told LifeSiteNews. Pope Benedict lives a cloistered life. He prays daily for the victims of the pandemic and their loved ones. Additionally, Pope Benedict offers special prayers for medical doctors and the health care personnel, as well as for those who carry political responsibility and make important decisions regarding the health and safety of citizens.
As LifeSite had reported on March 27, a member of the Vatican’s Secretariat of State had been tested positive for the coronavirus, at the time becoming the fifth infected member of the Vatican. Subsequently, another employee of the Secretariat of State has been tested positive.
On Saturday, March 29, it was reported by Reuters that neither Pope Francis nor his close collaborators have the virus infection and that 170 people at the Vatican were tested.
Italy itself so far has 101,739 infected persons, with 11,591 patients who have died of the coronavirus.
Pope Benedict XVI has resided in Mater Ecclesiae monastery since May of 2013, the year he resigned.
He has only recently raised his voice in defense of priestly celibacy when publishing an essay, in a collaborative book by Cardinal Robert Sarah. This publishing project had caused a controversy, at the end of which Pope Francis decided that he did not want to have Archbishop Georg Gänswein – the Prefect of the Papal Household – at his side during public appearances. Thus, Gänswein – who is also the personal secretary of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI – remains at the retired Pope’s side during this time of trial. Additionally, Pope Benedict is being taken care of by some religious sisters.
Follow Maike Dr. Maike Hickson was born and raised in Germany. She holds a PhD from the University of Hannover, Germany, after having written in Switzerland her doctoral dissertation on the history of Swiss intellectuals before and during World War II. She now lives in the U.S. and is married to Dr. Robert Hickson, and they have been blessed with two beautiful children. She is a happy housewife who likes to write articles when time permits. Dr. Hickson published in 2014 a Festschrift, a collection of some thirty essays written by thoughtful authors in honor of her husband upon his 70th birthday, which is entitled A Catholic Witness in Our Time. Hickson has closely followed the papacy of Pope Francis and the developments in the Catholic Church in Germany, and she has been writing articles on religion and politics for U.S. and European publications and websites such as LifeSiteNews, OnePeterFive, The Wanderer, Rorate Caeli, Catholicism.org, Catholic Family News, Christian Order, Notizie Pro-Vita, Corrispondenza Romana, Katholisches.info, Der Dreizehnte, Zeit-Fragen, and Westfalen-Blatt.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-30--WATCH: Police arrest pro-lifers outside abortion center for allegedly breaking stay-at-home order

GREENSBORO , North Carolina , March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Four pro-life men in North Carolina were arrested Saturday for allegedly violating their jurisdiction ’ s coronavirus stay-at-home order mere moments after arriving outside of an abortion center for the purpose of defending the preborn while respectfully asserting their rights to do so under the law .
Jason Oesterreich , 42 , Justin Reeder , 34 , Carl Ubinas , 53 , and Isaiah Burner , 23 , who are with the Charlotte-based pro-life group Love Life , filmed themselves heading to the parking lot of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they were going there in response to reports that prayer walkers and sidewalk counselors had been forced to disperse by police .
The men can be seen standing several feet apart , per “ social distancing ” guidelines , except when approaching the camera to speak .
Within minutes of arriving outside the building , a police lieutenant approaches and tells them to return to their vehicles .
“ You ’ ve got a choice right now to make , alright ?
” he says .
“ You can choose to comply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or you ’ re going to be charged… we are not debating right now , that debate can be had with our legal staff , who we ’ ve conferred with.
” One of the pro-lifers begins reading from the Guilford County COVID-19 Stay At Home order , which allows for “ outdoor activity , provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements ” ( standing at least six feet apart ) .
“ Outdoor activity ” is listed under exceptions for “ essential activities , ” with outdoor examples including but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , golfing , running , cycling , or using the greenways.
” The order does not address outdoor activism or protest one way or another , but given that the order expressly permits recreational activity such as golf it ’ s unclear why being outdoors for civic purposes would be less permissible , provided social distancing is practiced .
The police do not address the statement ; instead , the lieutenant simply reiterates that “ I am giving you a command to leave this location.
” The pro-lifers respectfully reiterated that they intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the county order , and were arrested .
Among the ensuing crosstalk , one of the officers can be heard complaining that “ you ’ re making us do this , ” with another accusing the pro-lifers of intentionally “ disrespecting us by doing what you ’ re doing.
” One of the pro-lifers reiterated that they were in compliance with the law that he attempted to read to them , which fell on deaf ears .
The four pro-lifers were all charged with violating the stay-at-home order , the Greensboro News & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also being charged with resist , delay , and obstruction of a public officer .
They have since been released from custody .
Meanwhile , elective abortions are allowed to continue in North Carolina .
While many states have ordered the suspension of non-urgent medical procedures to conserve supplies and contain the virus , and some of those states have expressly halted abortions for the same reason , North Carolina has so far yet to do either .
“ Abortion centers remain open for business as usual , ” Love Live noted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 women and children packed into that very small building in Greensboro which has to have a very small waiting room .
It seems apparent that these women and children were permitted to be in close proximity with one another , against CDC guidelines , and puts them at risk for infection .
If they are truly concerned about these women not getting COVID-19 , why have they not shut down the abortion centers ?
Instead , people who are peacefully praying and practicing social distancing are getting arrested .
”

The pro-lifers respectfully reiterated to the police that they intended to remain, per their understanding of the county order, and were arrested.
WATCH: Police arrest pro-lifers outside abortion center for allegedly breaking stay-at-home order Sign the petition here.
GREENSBORO, North Carolina, March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Four pro-life men in North Carolina were arrested Saturday for allegedly violating their jurisdiction’s coronavirus stay-at-home order mere moments after arriving outside of an abortion center for the purpose of defending the preborn while respectfully asserting their rights to do so under the law.
Jason Oesterreich, 42, Justin Reeder, 34, Carl Ubinas, 53, and Isaiah Burner, 23, who are with the Charlotte-based pro-life group Love Life, filmed themselves heading to the parking lot of a Greensboro abortion clinic. The group explained that they were going there in response to reports that prayer walkers and sidewalk counselors had been forced to disperse by police. The men can be seen standing several feet apart, per “social distancing” guidelines, except when approaching the camera to speak.
Within minutes of arriving outside the building, a police lieutenant approaches and tells them to return to their vehicles. “You’ve got a choice right now to make, alright?” he says. “You can choose to comply with what I’m telling you, or you’re going to be charged… we are not debating right now, that debate can be had with our legal staff, who we’ve conferred with.”
One of the pro-lifers begins reading from the Guilford County COVID-19 Stay At Home order, which allows for “outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements” (standing at least six feet apart). “Outdoor activity” is listed under exceptions for “essential activities,” with outdoor examples including but not limited to “walking, hiking, golfing, running, cycling, or using the greenways.”
The order does not address outdoor activism or protest one way or another, but given that the order expressly permits recreational activity such as golf it’s unclear why being outdoors for civic purposes would be less permissible, provided social distancing is practiced.
The police do not address the statement; instead, the lieutenant simply reiterates that “I am giving you a command to leave this location.”
The pro-lifers respectfully reiterated that they intended to remain, per their understanding of the county order, and were arrested.
Among the ensuing crosstalk, one of the officers can be heard complaining that “you’re making us do this,” with another accusing the pro-lifers of intentionally “disrespecting us by doing what you’re doing.” One of the pro-lifers reiterated that they were in compliance with the law that he attempted to read to them, which fell on deaf ears.
The four pro-lifers were all charged with violating the stay-at-home order, the Greensboro News & Record reports, with all but Burner also being charged with resist, delay, and obstruction of a public officer. They have since been released from custody.
Meanwhile, elective abortions are allowed to continue in North Carolina. While many states have ordered the suspension of non-urgent medical procedures to conserve supplies and contain the virus, and some of those states have expressly halted abortions for the same reason, North Carolina has so far yet to do either.
“Abortion centers remain open for business as usual,” Love Live noted in a statement.
“There were over 20 women and children packed into that very small building in Greensboro which has to have a very small waiting room. It seems apparent that these women and children were permitted to be in close proximity with one another, against CDC guidelines, and puts them at risk for infection. If they are truly concerned about these women not getting COVID-19, why have they not shut down the abortion centers? Instead, people who are peacefully praying and practicing social distancing are getting arrested.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-30--UK changes law for third time in a week, again allows home abortions amid coronavirus

LONDON , United Kingdom , March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The U.K. government has again authorized women to kill their preborn children at home by using both stages of a chemical abortion process during the coronavirus pandemic , after announcing the change last week and then reversing the decision within 24 hours .
A government spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care said yesterday that the change is being made on a temporary basis only and is time-limited for two years , or until the coronavirus crisis is over .
“ Public safety and continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during this difficult period , ” the spokesperson said .
“ We are updating our guidance so women who need an abortion up to ten weeks and can ’ t access a clinic can use abortion pills at home .
This measure will be on a temporary basis and must follow a telephone or e-consultation with a doctor .
We will set out the next steps , including updated guidance , shortly.
” The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ( SPUC ) says the move breaches existing abortion legislation .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view to mounting a judicial review opposing the new policy .
“ In light of the confirmation that the Government has changed the policy on abortion to allow both abortion pills to be used at home , SPUC has instructed its legal team to examine the new proposals with a view to instigating judicial review proceedings against the policy , ” SPUC ’ s deputy CEO John Deighan said after the announcement .
“ It is our understanding that such a policy is beyond the scope of the Abortion Act .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take appropriate action based on the best legal advice.
” Deighan criticized the government ’ s handling of the issue in the last week as an “ utter fiasco.
” He said : “ What we are witnessing is a shambolic and rudderless government which has made no less than three contradictory statements in a matter of days.
” For several hours last week there existed a formal policy on the U.K. government website that legalized “ DIY ” abortions .
An official letter , published on the Department of Health website , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Population Health , classed the home of a doctor as a place where abortion could be prescribed and the home of the woman as the place where the abortion could take place .
But later the same evening the document on the Department of Health website was removed .
And last Tuesday morning , the government website stated : “ The information on this page has been removed because it was published in error .
This was published in error .
There will be no changes to abortion regulations.
” Condemning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They are paying lip service to those who back the right to life while pandering to the deadly demands of the pro-abortionists who want to use this time of the coronavirus crisis to make it even easier to kill unborn babies.
” Deighan pointed out that last week the Health Secretary was very clear when telling Parliament that there would be no change in the law in this area and the dangers to women were strongly expressed in the House of Lords .
Deighan also highlighted that less than a week ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State for Health and Social Care , said : “ ... we do not agree that women should be able to take both treatments for medical abortion at home .
We believe that it is an essential safeguard that a woman attends a clinic , to ensure that she has an opportunity to be seen alone and to ensure that there are no issues.
” Echoing concerns raised by SPUC , Lord Bethell also asked at the time : “ Do we really want to support an amendment that could remove the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a most vulnerable stage , to speak confidentially and one-to-one with a doctor about their concerns on abortion and about what the alternatives might be ?
The bottom line is that , if there is an abusive relationship and no legal requirement for a doctor ’ s involvement , it is far more likely that a vulnerable woman could be pressured into have an abortion by an abusive partner.
” Deighan said that SPUC is seeking top-level legal advice as a matter of urgency and that the organization “ will not think twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid to save the lives of unborn babies and protect the health of their mothers who may well be put at risk by this policy .
”

LONDON, United Kingdom, March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The U.K. government has again authorized women to kill their preborn children at home by using both stages of a chemical abortion process during the coronavirus pandemic, after announcing the change last week and then reversing the decision within 24 hours.
A government spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care said yesterday that the change is being made on a temporary basis only and is time-limited for two years, or until the coronavirus crisis is over.
“Public safety and continued access to key services is our priority during this difficult period,” the spokesperson said.
“We are updating our guidance so women who need an abortion up to ten weeks and can’t access a clinic can use abortion pills at home. This measure will be on a temporary basis and must follow a telephone or e-consultation with a doctor. We will set out the next steps, including updated guidance, shortly.”
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) says the move breaches existing abortion legislation. The group has sought legal advice with a view to mounting a judicial review opposing the new policy.
“In light of the confirmation that the Government has changed the policy on abortion to allow both abortion pills to be used at home, SPUC has instructed its legal team to examine the new proposals with a view to instigating judicial review proceedings against the policy,” SPUC’s deputy CEO John Deighan said after the announcement.
“It is our understanding that such a policy is beyond the scope of the Abortion Act. However, we will closely examine the policy and take appropriate action based on the best legal advice.”
Deighan criticized the government’s handling of the issue in the last week as an “utter fiasco.”
He said: “What we are witnessing is a shambolic and rudderless government which has made no less than three contradictory statements in a matter of days.”
For several hours last week there existed a formal policy on the U.K. government website that legalized “DIY” abortions. An official letter, published on the Department of Health website, and signed by Mark Davies, Director of Population Health, classed the home of a doctor as a place where abortion could be prescribed and the home of the woman as the place where the abortion could take place.
But later the same evening the document on the Department of Health website was removed. And last Tuesday morning, the government website stated: “The information on this page has been removed because it was published in error. This was published in error. There will be no changes to abortion regulations.”
Condemning the new government decision, Deighan said: “They are paying lip service to those who back the right to life while pandering to the deadly demands of the pro-abortionists who want to use this time of the coronavirus crisis to make it even easier to kill unborn babies.”
Deighan pointed out that last week the Health Secretary was very clear when telling Parliament that there would be no change in the law in this area and the dangers to women were strongly expressed in the House of Lords.
Deighan also highlighted that less than a week ago, Lord Bethell, the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: “…we do not agree that women should be able to take both treatments for medical abortion at home. We believe that it is an essential safeguard that a woman attends a clinic, to ensure that she has an opportunity to be seen alone and to ensure that there are no issues.”
Echoing concerns raised by SPUC, Lord Bethell also asked at the time:
“Do we really want to support an amendment that could remove the only opportunity many women have, often at a most vulnerable stage, to speak confidentially and one-to-one with a doctor about their concerns on abortion and about what the alternatives might be? The bottom line is that, if there is an abusive relationship and no legal requirement for a doctor’s involvement, it is far more likely that a vulnerable woman could be pressured into have an abortion by an abusive partner.”
Deighan said that SPUC is seeking top-level legal advice as a matter of urgency and that the organization “will not think twice about resorting to court action in a bid to save the lives of unborn babies and protect the health of their mothers who may well be put at risk by this policy.”
Deighan added:
Let it be crystal clear: any medical professional must act in compliance of the law. SPUC is therefore contesting home abortion pill use which heightens physical and psychological dangers for women, and as trivialising the taking of human life by abortion. It is unbecoming of the pro-abortion groups to take advantage of our current crisis to pressure the government and threaten further strain on our NHS resources. The evidence that abortion pills raise the level of complications for women is clear. Our health service does not need the pressure of dealing with emergencies arising from women self-aborting at home.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-30--Bishops’ ban on sacraments during pandemic violates Church law, priests can disobey: canonist

March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Catholic bishops issuing blanket bans on the faithful receiving the sacraments as a response to the coronavirus pandemic is a violation of canon law , and a priest can in good conscience disregard such directives , according to an American canonist .
In fact , a priest is obliged to do so , says Philip Gray , the president of St. Joseph ’ s Foundation , which advises on canon law , and director of Catholics United for the Faith ( CUF ) .
“ If the priest believes in his conscience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter — if the priest believes there is a violation of divine law by the bishop ’ s directive , he has an obligation to the divine law , ” Gray told LifeSiteNews .
“ We ’ re talking about the life and death of the soul.
” Gray ’ s response was echoed by Bishop Athanasius Schneider , auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Astana , Kazakhstan , who told the traditional Catholic newspaper The Remnant that a priest , using discretion and following the necessary health precautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his bishop or the government to suspend Mass for the faithful.
” “ If a priest observes in a reasonable manner all the necessary health precautions and uses discretion , he has not to obey the directives of his bishop or the government to suspend Mass for the faithful .
Such directives are a pure human law ; however , the supreme law in the Church is the salvation of souls .
Priests in such a situation have to be extremely creative in order to provide for the faithful , even for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holy Mass and the reception of the sacraments .
Such was the pastoral behavior of all confessor and martyr priests in the time of persecution , ” he said .
And Cardinal Raymond Burke equally criticized the suspension of public Masses .
“ Even as we have found a way to provide for food and medicine and other necessities of life during a time of contagion , without irresponsibly risking the spread of the contagion , so , in a similar way , we can find a way to provide for the necessities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American cardinal said in a March 21 statement .
Gray told LifeSiteNews that Catholic bishops are wrong to cancel public Masses and scheduled confessions in response to the coronavirus pandemic , an argument he expands on in the current issue Christifidelis , the newsletter of the St. Joseph Foundation .
Under canon law , baptized Catholics “ have a right to receive the sacraments if they ask for it at an appropriate time , and are properly disposed , and it ’ s the minister of the sacrament who makes that determination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not appropriate for a bishop to put blanket prohibitions on the use of the sacraments.
” Rather , bishops “ should be collaborating with their priests instead of issuing prohibitions against the sacraments ; they should be setting guidelines for the priests to work with , ” he said .
“ I ’ m not saying that people should gather 500 at a time and be crushed in like sardines in a church , ” Gray noted .
“ What I ’ m saying is that there are reasonable measures that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow all the sacraments to continue .
That is what Christ would expect of us .
These are the ordinary means of salvation.
” However , as the pandemic continues , the vast majority of American dioceses have canceled all public Masses , and some bishops have gone so far as to ban confession , baptism , and even last rites .
Notably , Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark suspended confession except in “ extreme emergency ” — as well as locking all chapels and churches — and Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic blogger Fr .
Zuhlsdorf reported Friday that another bishop ordered confession “ be suspended except for those in danger of death , ” and that “ all other means of providing the Sacrament ” should “ cease ” -- particularly drive-through confessions .
More recently , Bishop Mitchell Rozanski of Springfield , Massachusetts , told his priests in a March 27 message that the sacrament of last rites is “ suspended ” in the diocese , according to Catholic News Service .
When it comes to confession , prelates will “ want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time ” to ask for confession , “ but there ’ s absolutely no health guidelines in the United States that would prohibit the exercise of regular confessions , ” Gray told LifeSiteNews .
Catholics hold that the priest has the power to forgive all sins , acting as God ’ s instrument of mercy .
Confession is integral to Catholic life since it cleanses one from deadly sins that would otherwise cut one off from God and the Kingdom of heaven .
For bishops to suspend this sacrament except in danger of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because “ that ’ s placing the soul under the body , and that is a danger of death , ” Gray said .
“ And if they ’ re going to say we ’ re concerned that we ’ re going to spread death , they are spreading death.
” The Church also teaches that mortal sin can be forgiven by an act of perfect contrition , which is inspired by love of God and sorrow at offending Him , not fear of hell -- and that the person must go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But most Catholics in mortal sin don ’ t understand what perfect contrition means , and “ what goes through their mind is to go to confession , so they ’ re going to go knock on a priest ’ s door or show up for confession , ” Gray said .
He pointed to the Vatican ’ s March 20 note on providing this sacrament during the pandemic , which said bishops must provide guidelines for priests on implementing appropriate safeguards for hearing confessions .
Bishop Jeffrey Monforton of Steubenville , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this regard , said Gray .
Monforton “ put out clear guidelines to make confessions safe and reasonable and fall within the bounds of what the health officials are telling us to do .
And people still show up , and line up to go to confession every time.
” Another case in point is Ave Maria Parish in Florida , where the priest , with the blessing of his bishop , devised a way to distribute Holy Communion after Mass to all parishioners .
“ It is unprecedented that in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are choosing to close churches when they do not have to ; or prohibit the exercise of sacraments without coercion from secular laws , ” Gray noted in his article .
“ My biggest concern is that the church authorities in North America are putting greater restrictions on the distribution of the sacraments than the civil authorities are , ” Gray told LifeSiteNews .
Moreover , under the First Amendment “ many of the mass gathering laws or regulations that are being put out by health officials do not apply in churches in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It is unprecedented that in a time of crisis , so many bishops are choosing to close churches when they do not have to ; or prohibit the exercise of sacraments without coercion from secular laws , ” Gray wrote in Christifidelis.
“ It doesn ’ t have to be this way.
” He urged Catholics to look to the example of Japanese Catholics , who kept the faith without the sacraments for 250 years , principally through praying the Rosary , and to “ not let this crisis distort your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but to respond in love .
“ Let us join this suffering to the Cross of Jesus Christ and make it redemptive , ” he wrote .

'If the priest believes there is a violation of divine law by the bishop’s directive, he has an obligation to the divine law'
March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Catholic bishops issuing blanket bans on the faithful receiving the sacraments as a response to the coronavirus pandemic is a violation of canon law, and a priest can in good conscience disregard such directives, according to an American canonist.
In fact, a priest is obliged to do so, says Philip Gray, the president of St. Joseph’s Foundation, which advises on canon law, and director of Catholics United for the Faith (CUF).
“If the priest believes in his conscience — because primacy of conscience is a matter — if the priest believes there is a violation of divine law by the bishop’s directive, he has an obligation to the divine law,” Gray told LifeSiteNews.
“We’re talking about the life and death of the soul.”
Gray’s response was echoed by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Astana, Kazakhstan, who told the traditional Catholic newspaper The Remnant that a priest, using discretion and following the necessary health precautions “has not to obey the directives of his bishop or the government to suspend Mass for the faithful.”
“If a priest observes in a reasonable manner all the necessary health precautions and uses discretion, he has not to obey the directives of his bishop or the government to suspend Mass for the faithful. Such directives are a pure human law; however, the supreme law in the Church is the salvation of souls. Priests in such a situation have to be extremely creative in order to provide for the faithful, even for a small group, the celebration of Holy Mass and the reception of the sacraments. Such was the pastoral behavior of all confessor and martyr priests in the time of persecution,” he said.
And Cardinal Raymond Burke equally criticized the suspension of public Masses.
“Even as we have found a way to provide for food and medicine and other necessities of life during a time of contagion, without irresponsibly risking the spread of the contagion, so, in a similar way, we can find a way to provide for the necessities of our spiritual life,” the American cardinal said in a March 21 statement.
Gray told LifeSiteNews that Catholic bishops are wrong to cancel public Masses and scheduled confessions in response to the coronavirus pandemic, an argument he expands on in the current issue Christifidelis, the newsletter of the St. Joseph Foundation.
Under canon law, baptized Catholics “have a right to receive the sacraments if they ask for it at an appropriate time, and are properly disposed, and it’s the minister of the sacrament who makes that determination,” Gray told LifeSiteNews.
“It’s not appropriate for a bishop to put blanket prohibitions on the use of the sacraments.”
Rather, bishops “should be collaborating with their priests instead of issuing prohibitions against the sacraments; they should be setting guidelines for the priests to work with,” he said.
“I’m not saying that people should gather 500 at a time and be crushed in like sardines in a church,” Gray noted.
“What I’m saying is that there are reasonable measures that a bishop can put in place to allow all the sacraments to continue. That is what Christ would expect of us. These are the ordinary means of salvation.”
However, as the pandemic continues, the vast majority of American dioceses have canceled all public Masses, and some bishops have gone so far as to ban confession, baptism, and even last rites.
Notably, Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark suspended confession except in “extreme emergency” — as well as locking all chapels and churches — and Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago has ordered a moratorium on baptisms.
Catholic blogger Fr. Zuhlsdorf reported Friday that another bishop ordered confession “be suspended except for those in danger of death,” and that “all other means of providing the Sacrament” should “cease” — particularly drive-through confessions.
More recently, Bishop Mitchell Rozanski of Springfield, Massachusetts, told his priests in a March 27 message that the sacrament of last rites is “suspended” in the diocese, according to Catholic News Agency.
When it comes to confession, prelates will “want to argue this is not a reasonable time” to ask for confession, “but there’s absolutely no health guidelines in the United States that would prohibit the exercise of regular confessions,” Gray told LifeSiteNews.
Catholics hold that the priest has the power to forgive all sins, acting as God’s instrument of mercy. Confession is integral to Catholic life since it cleanses one from deadly sins that would otherwise cut one off from God and the Kingdom of heaven.
For bishops to suspend this sacrament except in danger of physical death is “insane,” because “that’s placing the soul under the body, and that is a danger of death,” Gray said.
“And if they’re going to say we’re concerned that we’re going to spread death, they are spreading death.”
The Church also teaches that mortal sin can be forgiven by an act of perfect contrition, which is inspired by love of God and sorrow at offending Him, not fear of hell — and that the person must go to sacramental confession at the first opportunity.
But most Catholics in mortal sin don’t understand what perfect contrition means, and “what goes through their mind is to go to confession, so they’re going to go knock on a priest’s door or show up for confession,” Gray said.
He pointed to the Vatican’s March 20 note on providing this sacrament during the pandemic, which said bishops must provide guidelines for priests on implementing appropriate safeguards for hearing confessions.
Bishop Jeffrey Monforton of Steubenville, where regularly scheduled confessions continue, is exemplary in this regard, said Gray.
Monforton “put out clear guidelines to make confessions safe and reasonable and fall within the bounds of what the health officials are telling us to do. And people still show up, and line up to go to confession every time.”
Another case in point is Ave Maria Parish in Florida, where the priest, with the blessing of his bishop, devised a way to distribute Holy Communion after Mass to all parishioners.
“My biggest concern is that the church authorities in North America are putting greater restrictions on the distribution of the sacraments than the civil authorities are,” Gray told LifeSiteNews.
Moreover, under the First Amendment “many of the mass gathering laws or regulations that are being put out by health officials do not apply in churches in the United States,” he observed.
“It is unprecedented that in a time of crisis, so many bishops are choosing to close churches when they do not have to; or prohibit the exercise of sacraments without coercion from secular laws,” Gray wrote in Christifidelis.“It doesn’t have to be this way.”
He urged Catholics to look to the example of Japanese Catholics, who kept the faith without the sacraments for 250 years, principally through praying the Rosary, and to “not let this crisis distort your participation in God’s plan” but to respond in love.
“Let us join this suffering to the Cross of Jesus Christ and make it redemptive,” he wrote.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-30--Texas bishops demand removal of laws protecting patients’ rights, Strickland dissents

AUSTIN , Texas , March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler is the only bishop in Texas to refuse to sign a “ Statement on Scarce Healthcare Resources ” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The document by the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops ( TCCB ) was published last Friday .
It encourages Greg Abbott , the governor of the Lone Star State , to waive “ regulations and statutes which could result in fines , civil liability , and even criminal charges f6for decisions related to the allocation of resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers who sacrificially risk their own safety to save their patients ’ lives should not have to fear punitive action for making the best possible decisions in extremely difficult situations , ” the bishops wrote .
In his refusal to sign , bishop Strickland “ has expressed the opinion the development of Mass Critical Care Guidelines is not appropriate for the residents of the Diocese of Tyler , ” the statement noted in conclusion .
On Sunday , Strickland explained his decision , saying the TCCB statement , “ while flowing from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by health care professionals in respect to limited resources , fails to show a due regard for the importance of law and amounts to asking Governor Abbot to abandon the excellent laws he has helped put in place to protect the vulnerable.
” The bishop admitted the difficulty of making the correct decision in life-and-death situations when resources are limited .
“ Fortunately , and rightly , the law itself has a degree of flexibility in it that enables judges to be prudent and take into account factors that may lead to questionable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind but rather by misguided compassion.
” In this regard , Strickland called on judges , juries , and the public to be understanding , giving the benefit of the doubt to the people working in health care .
“ But to suspend the law altogether is to remove a major incentive for ensuring that due diligence is exercised in difficult times and puts the ill , vulnerable , poor , and marginalized at risk.
” The bishop of Tyler recalled that there are certain principles of moral theology that always have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the family should always be consulted and considered in making vital moral decisions such as these.
” Similarly , the elderly , the disabled , and the most vulnerable “ should always be protected and shown a love of preference , ” as they are “ the poor in our midst , during this pandemic.
” Texas Right to Life praised Strickland ’ s decision as “ what appears to be a courageous stand for Life.
” According to the pro-life organization , the bishop ’ s stance regarding “ this overreach by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officials and the White House.
” Texas Right to Life also pointed out the irony of Catholic bishops asking “ Governor Abbott , a Pro-Life Catholic , to release a new executive order that contradicts not only the very legislation that Governor Abbott worked to enact on behalf of vulnerable patients , but also to ignore White House recommendations.
” On Thursday , March 26 , Deborah Birx , who coordinates the White House coronavirus response , emphasized that “ there is no situation in the United States right now that warrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We are reassured , ” she said , “ in meeting with our colleagues in New York that there are still ICU beds remaining and ... over 1,000 or 2,000 ventilators that have not been utilized.
” Texas Right to Life continued in its statement that bishop Strickland “ likely recognized that during a global pandemic , when pro-death forces are advocating for anti-Life solutions , the leadership of our state , our medical field , and our churches must remain resolute to protect all vulnerable patients.
” If the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TCCB recommended , it would “ effectively suspend all patient protections currently in law , violating the constitutional rights of vulnerable patients.
” “ Regrettably , ” Texas Right to Life added , “ this action is consistent for the TCCB , which holds interests in hospitals and has opposed patient protections and needed reforms to medical ethics laws for each of the last 12 sessions of the Texas Legislature.
” Bishop Strickland had taken to Twitter one day before the “ Statement on Scarce Healthcare Resources ” was published .
He stressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Now is the time for all of us to embrace the Sanctity of Life .
Life is God ’ s gift , from conception to natural death , ” he wrote .
“ If we willfully take a life anywhere along this spectrum it is simply MURDER .
The elderly , impaired & infirm are now threatened as the unborn have been since 1973 !
” He also recommended studying the encyclical Evangelium Vitae , which “ we should all read again or read for the first time.
” The document @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1995 to stress the value and dignity of human life .
“ May this crisis call all humanity back to the Sanctity of Life .
If human life is treated as a commodity to be manipulated as we choose then NOTHING is sacred , ” Strickland tweeted .
As LifeSiteNews reported , due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the state of Texas had mandated that elective abortions be canceled .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic has increased demands for hospital beds and has created a shortage of personal protective equipment needed to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , ” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton explained .
“ Postponing surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary will ensure that hospital beds are available for those suffering from COVID-19 and that PPEs are available for healthcare professionals , ” he added .

Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler is the only bishop in Texas to refuse to sign the 'Statement on Scarce Healthcare Resources.'
AUSTIN, Texas, March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler is the only bishop in Texas to refuse to sign a “Statement on Scarce Healthcare Resources” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The document by the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB) was published last Friday. It encourages Greg Abbott, the governor of the Lone Star State, to waive “regulations and statutes which could result in fines, civil liability, and even criminal charges for decisions related to the allocation of resources during this declared disaster.”
“Healthcare workers who sacrificially risk their own safety to save their patients’ lives should not have to fear punitive action for making the best possible decisions in extremely difficult situations,” the bishops wrote.
In his refusal to sign, bishop Strickland “has expressed the opinion the development of Mass Critical Care Guidelines is not appropriate for the residents of the Diocese of Tyler,” the statement noted in conclusion.
On Sunday, Strickland explained his decision, saying the TCCB statement, “while flowing from a laudable concern for the difficult challenges faced by health care professionals in respect to limited resources, fails to show a due regard for the importance of law and amounts to asking Governor Abbot to abandon the excellent laws he has helped put in place to protect the vulnerable.”
The bishop admitted the difficulty of making the correct decision in life-and-death situations when resources are limited. “Fortunately, and rightly, the law itself has a degree of flexibility in it that enables judges to be prudent and take into account factors that may lead to questionable decisions not motivated by malice of any kind but rather by misguided compassion.”
In this regard, Strickland called on judges, juries, and the public to be understanding, giving the benefit of the doubt to the people working in health care. “But to suspend the law altogether is to remove a major incentive for ensuring that due diligence is exercised in difficult times and puts the ill, vulnerable, poor, and marginalized at risk.”
The bishop of Tyler recalled that there are certain principles of moral theology that always have to be applied. “For example, the family should always be consulted and considered in making vital moral decisions such as these.” Similarly, the elderly, the disabled, and the most vulnerable “should always be protected and shown a love of preference,” as they are “the poor in our midst, during this pandemic.”
Texas Right to Life praised Strickland’s decision as “what appears to be a courageous stand for Life.” According to the pro-life organization, the bishop’s stance regarding “this overreach by the TCCB is in line with national health officials and the White House.”
Texas Right to Life also pointed out the irony of Catholic bishops asking “Governor Abbott, a Pro-Life Catholic, to release a new executive order that contradicts not only the very legislation that Governor Abbott worked to enact on behalf of vulnerable patients, but also to ignore White House recommendations.”
On Thursday, March 26, Deborah Birx, who coordinates the White House coronavirus response, emphasized that “there is no situation in the United States right now that warrants” a discussion about allocating scarce resources.
“We are reassured,” she said, “in meeting with our colleagues in New York that there are still ICU beds remaining and … over 1,000 or 2,000 ventilators that have not been utilized.”
Texas Right to Life continued in its statement that bishop Strickland “likely recognized that during a global pandemic, when pro-death forces are advocating for anti-Life solutions, the leadership of our state, our medical field, and our churches must remain resolute to protect all vulnerable patients.”
If the state of Texas were to implement what the TCCB recommended, it would “effectively suspend all patient protections currently in law, violating the constitutional rights of vulnerable patients.”
“Regrettably,” Texas Right to Life added, “this action is consistent for the TCCB, which holds interests in hospitals and has opposed patient protections and needed reforms to medical ethics laws for each of the last 12 sessions of the Texas Legislature.”
Bishop Strickland had taken to Twitter one day before the “Statement on Scarce Healthcare Resources” was published. He stressed the importance of a consistent pro-life position. “Now is the time for all of us to embrace the Sanctity of Life. Life is God’s gift, from conception to natural death,” he wrote.
“If we willfully take a life anywhere along this spectrum it is simply MURDER. The elderly, impaired & infirm are now threatened as the unborn have been since 1973!”
Now is the time for all of us to embrace the Sanctity of Life. Life is God’s gift, from conception to natural death. If we willfully take a life anywhere along this spectrum it is simply MURDER. The elderly, impaired & infirm are now threatened as the unborn have been since 1973! — Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) March 26, 2020
He also recommended studying the encyclical Evangelium Vitae, which “we should all read again or read for the first time.” The document was written by Pope John Paul II in 1995 to stress the value and dignity of human life.
“May this crisis call all humanity back to the Sanctity of Life. If human life is treated as a commodity to be manipulated as we choose then NOTHING is sacred,” Strickland tweeted.
A document we should all read again or read for the first time. May this crisis call all humanity back to the Sanctity of Life. If human life is treated as a commodity to be manipulated as we choose then NOTHING is sacred. https://t.co/tVEsE3YGtq — Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) March 26, 2020
As LifeSiteNews reported, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Texas had mandated that elective abortions be canceled.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has increased demands for hospital beds and has created a shortage of personal protective equipment needed to protect healthcare professionals and stop transmission of the virus,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton explained.
“Postponing surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary will ensure that hospital beds are available for those suffering from COVID-19 and that PPEs are available for healthcare professionals,” he added.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-30--NYC mayor threatens permanent shutdown of any group doing public religious services

NEW YORK , March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said on Friday that churches could be closed down permanently if people are gathering for services during the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ I want to say to all those who are preparing the potential of religious services this weekend — if you go to your synagogue , if you go to your church and attempt to hold services after having been told so often not to , our enforcement agents will have no choice but to shut down those services , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streamed online .
In case of disobedience , law enforcement “ will take additional action up to the point of fines and potentially closing the building permanently , ” de Blasio added .
“ Again , I ’ m sorry I have to tell you this , but anyone who ’ s hearing this , take it seriously .
You ’ ve been warned , you need to stop services .
Help people practice their faiths in different ways , but not in groups , not in gatherings that could endanger people.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important people ’ s faiths are to them , and we need our faiths in this time of crisis.
” At the same time , he said , “ we do not need gatherings that will endanger people.
” “ No faith tradition endorses anything that endangers the members of that faith , ” de Blasio said .
“ So , the NYPD , fire department , buildings department , and everyone has been instructed that if they see worship services going on , they will go to the officials of that congregation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to stop the services and disperse.
” On March 29 , the city of New York had reported more than 33,000 cases of COVID-19 and 776 deaths .
Of those deaths , 624 had underlying conditions like diabetes , cancer , heart disease , hypertension , and asthma .
Almost 8.4 million people live in the city .
Strong Catholic leaders have pointed out that Mass is as essential as food and drink .
Bishop Athanasius Schneider said a priest , using discretion and following the necessary health precautions , is free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bishop or the government to suspend Mass for the faithful.
” “ Such directives are a pure human law ; however , the supreme law in the Church is the salvation of souls , ” said the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Astana , Kazakhstan , in an interview with traditional Catholic newspaper The Remnant .
He also gave some practical advice , explaining how to observe safety measures while still having Masses said in public .
“ For example , before each Mass one could disinfect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enters the church could disinfect their hands .
Other similar measures could also be taken .
One could limit the number of participants and increase the frequency of Mass celebration.
” On March 21 , Cardinal Raymond Burke equally criticized the suspension of public Masses .
“ Even as we have found a way to provide for food and medicine and other necessities of life during a time of contagion , without irresponsibly risking the spread of the contagion , so , in a similar way , we can find a way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , ” the American cardinal said in a statement .
“ We can provide more opportunities for the Holy Mass and devotions at which a number of faithful can participate without violating necessary precautions against the spread of contagion .
Many of our churches and chapels are very large .
They permit a group of the faithful to gather for prayer and worship without violating the requirements of ‘ social distance , ’ ” Burke continued .
“ If a church or chapel does not have a sufficiently large staff to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other surfaces , I have no doubt that the faithful , in gratitude for the gifts of the Holy Eucharist , Confession , and of public devotion , will gladly assist , ” he said .
Mayor de Blasio , while claiming to understand “ how important people ’ s faiths are to them , ” had already promised to partner with Planned Parenthood and other abortionists to help them expand their business in the city before being elected in 2013 .
He said he planned on helping abortionists find neighborhoods that lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ city sponsored ” space to set up shop .
Additionally , he pledged to help abortionists get rid of pro-life crisis pregnancy centers In 2016 , de Blasio issued an executive order allowing men to use women ’ s bathrooms and locker rooms , and vice versa .
He called this privilege “ a fundamental human right that should not be restricted or denied to any individual .
”

NEW YORK, March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said on Friday that churches could be closed down permanently if people are gathering for services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I want to say to all those who are preparing the potential of religious services this weekend — if you go to your synagogue, if you go to your church and attempt to hold services after having been told so often not to, our enforcement agents will have no choice but to shut down those services,” de Blasio announced during a press conference streamed online.
In case of disobedience, law enforcement “will take additional action up to the point of fines and potentially closing the building permanently,” de Blasio added.
“Again, I’m sorry I have to tell you this, but anyone who’s hearing this, take it seriously. You’ve been warned, you need to stop services. Help people practice their faiths in different ways, but not in groups, not in gatherings that could endanger people.”
The mayor said he understands “how important people’s faiths are to them, and we need our faiths in this time of crisis.” At the same time, he said, “we do not need gatherings that will endanger people.”
“No faith tradition endorses anything that endangers the members of that faith,” de Blasio said. “So, the NYPD, fire department, buildings department, and everyone has been instructed that if they see worship services going on, they will go to the officials of that congregation, they’ll inform them they need to stop the services and disperse.”
On March 29, the city of New York had reported more than 33,000 cases of COVID-19 and 776 deaths. Of those deaths, 624 had underlying conditions like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, hypertension, and asthma. Almost 8.4 million people live in the city.
Strong Catholic leaders have pointed out that Mass is as essential as food and drink.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider said a priest, using discretion and following the necessary health precautions, is free to disobey “the directives of his bishop or the government to suspend Mass for the faithful.”
“Such directives are a pure human law; however, the supreme law in the Church is the salvation of souls,” said the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Astana, Kazakhstan, in an interview with traditional Catholic newspaper The Remnant.
He also gave some practical advice, explaining how to observe safety measures while still having Masses said in public. “For example, before each Mass one could disinfect the pews and doors, and everyone who enters the church could disinfect their hands. Other similar measures could also be taken. One could limit the number of participants and increase the frequency of Mass celebration.”
On March 21, Cardinal Raymond Burke equally criticized the suspension of public Masses.
“Even as we have found a way to provide for food and medicine and other necessities of life during a time of contagion, without irresponsibly risking the spread of the contagion, so, in a similar way, we can find a way to provide for the necessities of our spiritual life,” the American cardinal said in a statement.
“We can provide more opportunities for the Holy Mass and devotions at which a number of faithful can participate without violating necessary precautions against the spread of contagion. Many of our churches and chapels are very large. They permit a group of the faithful to gather for prayer and worship without violating the requirements of ‘social distance,’” Burke continued.
“If a church or chapel does not have a sufficiently large staff to be able to disinfect regularly the pews and other surfaces, I have no doubt that the faithful, in gratitude for the gifts of the Holy Eucharist, Confession, and of public devotion, will gladly assist,” he said.
Mayor de Blasio, while claiming to understand “how important people’s faiths are to them,” had already promised to partner with Planned Parenthood and other abortionists to help them expand their business in the city before being elected in 2013. He said he planned on helping abortionists find neighborhoods that lack convenient facility access and provide them with “city sponsored” space to set up shop.
Additionally, he pledged to help abortionists get rid of pro-life crisis pregnancy centers
In 2016, de Blasio issued an executive order allowing men to use women’s bathrooms and locker rooms, and vice versa. He called this privilege “a fundamental human right that should not be restricted or denied to any individual.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-30--Pro-life org persuading governors to shut down abortions during coronavirus panic

March 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — With experts warning that the coronavirus pandemic is going to place enormous strain on the health care system and speculating about potential shortages of PPE ( personal protective equipment ) and even of medical professionals themselves , the abortion industry is fighting tooth and nail to keep its doors open — even if essential medical supplies need to get diverted to those ending lives rather than those saving them .
Some abortion facilities in Texas and Ohio are still protesting state orders to close their doors in preparation for the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state over an executive order to halt abortions .
Abortion activists are claiming that their services , which physically destroy pre-born children in the womb , are “ essential ” and “ time-sensitive.
” According to Created Equal , an Ohio-based pro-life organization leading the charge to lobby states to shut the abortion industry down , “ 8 states have ordered abortions to stop.
” According to Mark Harrington of Created Equal , “ [ s ] urgical abortions have been specifically ordered to stop in OH , TX , LA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , IA .
Non-essential surgeries have been banned , yet abortions continue in MD , FL , CO , MI , RI , AZ , NY , AK , IN , WV , GA , VT. ” In other states , Harrington stated , non-essential surgeries have been banned , but governors have carved out specific exceptions for abortion , including MN , MA , WA , IL , NJ , CA , PA , AL , NC , VA , and NM .
Thirty-one states have thus far issued directives specifically calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop to all non-essential medical procedures .
According to Harrington , pro-lifers can confirm that in Texas and Oklahoma , surgical abortions have stopped .
“ It ’ s working , ” Mark Harrington said .
“ Our phone calls to Governors are having an effect .
Babies are alive today because of the efforts of hundreds of pro-life Americans .
Almost daily new states are issuing orders to stop the spread of COVID 19 by demanding that abortions stop .
We need to keep the pressure on.
” Created Equal is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually stopped offering services after the state directives have been issued by calling clinics and facilitating visual confirmation of closure .
Governor Kevin Stitt stated that abortions would be prohibited in Oklahoma under the state ’ s ban on elective surgery during the pandemic on Friday , amending his executive order to single out abortion specifically , with an exception “ to prevent health risks to the mother.
” The abortion ban will be in effect until April 7 , and the governor could extend it at that time if he deems it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemned Stitt ’ s executive order and are considering legal action .
“ Oklahoma is the latest in a dangerous and alarming trend of state ’ s governments ’ abusing emergency powers to attempt to ban abortion care , ” stated Nancy Northup , president and CEO of the Center of for Reproductive Rights , a pro-abortion group based in New York .
“ The Center for Reproductive Rights is working with clinics in Oklahoma to assess the State ’ s orders and will pursue every legal avenue to keep abortion available in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a website with several pro-life partners to spearhead the lobbying effort to persuade more governors to shut down the abortion industry during the coronavirus pandemic , especially as medical supply shortages are expected .
For many states , the pandemic is becoming a moment of truth : how far will they go to ensure that the killing of pre-born children continues ?
Will they allow PPE and other supplies to be used by abortion workers rather than frontline health care workers ?
Will they state that the work of those who end human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are working desperately to save human life ?
What price is our society willing to pay to keep the facilities where babies are killed open when everything else is closing down ?
The answers to those questions will reveal much about what America has become .
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 speaks with William Gairdner , author of The Trouble with Canada and a Canadian political philosopher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The discussion centers on how socialism has taken such a strong hold in Canada and the impacts it has had on the country , plus what Canadians can do in the here and now to restore their country and the warnings Canada offers other nations , like the United States , considering going down the same path .
You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below :

'Our phone calls to governors are having an effect. Babies are alive today because of the efforts of hundreds of pro-life Americans.'
PETITION: Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here.
March 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — With experts warning that the coronavirus pandemic is going to place enormous strain on the health care system and speculating about potential shortages of PPE (personal protective equipment) and even of medical professionals themselves, the abortion industry is fighting tooth and nail to keep its doors open — even if essential medical supplies need to get diverted to those ending lives rather than those saving them.
Some abortion facilities in Texas and Ohio are still protesting state orders to close their doors in preparation for the pandemic, and abortion activists in Texas are suing the state over an executive order to halt abortions. Abortion activists are claiming that their services, which physically destroy pre-born children in the womb, are “essential” and “time-sensitive.”
According to Created Equal, an Ohio-based pro-life organization leading the charge to lobby states to shut the abortion industry down, “8 states have ordered abortions to stop.” According to Mark Harrington of Created Equal, “[s]urgical abortions have been specifically ordered to stop in OH, TX, LA, MS, TN, KY, OK, IA. Non-essential surgeries have been banned, yet abortions continue in MD, FL, CO, MI, RI, AZ, NY, AK, IN, WV, GA, VT.”
In other states, Harrington stated, non-essential surgeries have been banned, but governors have carved out specific exceptions for abortion, including MN, MA, WA, IL, NJ, CA, PA, AL, NC, VA, and NM. Thirty-one states have thus far issued directives specifically calling on health care facilities to put a stop to all non-essential medical procedures. According to Harrington, pro-lifers can confirm that in Texas and Oklahoma, surgical abortions have stopped.
Follow Jonathon van Maren on Facebook
“It’s working,” Mark Harrington said. “Our phone calls to Governors are having an effect. Babies are alive today because of the efforts of hundreds of pro-life Americans. Almost daily new states are issuing orders to stop the spread of COVID 19 by demanding that abortions stop. We need to keep the pressure on.” Created Equal is also working to ensure that abortion facilities have actually stopped offering services after the state directives have been issued by calling clinics and facilitating visual confirmation of closure.
Governor Kevin Stitt stated that abortions would be prohibited in Oklahoma under the state’s ban on elective surgery during the pandemic on Friday, amending his executive order to single out abortion specifically, with an exception “to prevent health risks to the mother.” The abortion ban will be in effect until April 7, and the governor could extend it at that time if he deems it necessary.
Predictably, abortion activists have condemned Stitt’s executive order and are considering legal action. “Oklahoma is the latest in a dangerous and alarming trend of state’s governments’ abusing emergency powers to attempt to ban abortion care,” stated Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center of for Reproductive Rights, a pro-abortion group based in New York. “The Center for Reproductive Rights is working with clinics in Oklahoma to assess the State’s orders and will pursue every legal avenue to keep abortion available in the state.”
Created Equal has launched a website with several pro-life partners to spearhead the lobbying effort to persuade more governors to shut down the abortion industry during the coronavirus pandemic, especially as medical supply shortages are expected. For many states, the pandemic is becoming a moment of truth: how far will they go to ensure that the killing of pre-born children continues? Will they allow PPE and other supplies to be used by abortion workers rather than frontline health care workers? Will they state that the work of those who end human life has the same importance as those who are working desperately to save human life? What price is our society willing to pay to keep the facilities where babies are killed open when everything else is closing down?
The answers to those questions will reveal much about what America has become.
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 speaks with William Gairdner, author of The Trouble with Canada and a Canadian political philosopher, businessman, and former Olympian. The discussion centers on how socialism has taken such a strong hold in Canada and the impacts it has had on the country, plus what Canadians can do in the here and now to restore their country and the warnings Canada offers other nations, like the United States, considering going down the same path.
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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