lifesitenews--2020-12-25--Merry Christmas, from our family to yours

December 25 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – From our family to yours , we ’ d like to wish you the most Blessed and peaceful Christmas .
May the remembrance and celebration of His birth fill you with great hope and peace .
It is important to keep in mind during this time of great turmoil and fear the following words of scripture : An angel of the Lord appeared to them , and the glory of the Lord shone around them , and they were terrified .
But the angel said to them , 'Do not be afraid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will cause great joy for all the people .
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you ; he is the Messiah , the Lord .
The power of God and His angels is always with us .
We only need to constantly turn to Him , praise Him , express our gratitude and believe that He listens to us .
May the Holy Family remind us of what is most dear in this world and what it is that we fight for day in and day out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the most unique and professional journalism and video news reporting in 2021 .
With your help and God ’ s amazing blessings to this mission , we will continue to stand for life , family , faith , and freedom !
God bless you .
And we wish you a Merry Christmas !

December 25, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – From our family to yours, we’d like to wish you the most Blessed and peaceful Christmas. May the remembrance and celebration of His birth fill you with great hope and peace.
It is important to keep in mind during this time of great turmoil and fear the following words of scripture:
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
And further,
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests'.”
The power of God and His angels is always with us. We only need to constantly turn to Him, praise Him, express our gratitude and believe that He listens to us.
May the Holy Family remind us of what is most dear in this world and what it is that we fight for day in and day out.
We look forward to serving you with the most unique and professional journalism and video news reporting in 2021.
With your help and God’s amazing blessings to this mission, we will continue to stand for life, family, faith, and freedom!
God bless you. And we wish you a Merry Christmas!
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lifesitenews--2020-12-26--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

December 26 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united daily in prayer , in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade .
Catholics from all over the world—from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , Pakistan , Singapore , the Philippines , India , Indonesia , Australia , New Zealand , Thailand , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Brazil , and other countries—are gathering daily to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Pillari , J.C.L.
, an American priest currently studying in Italy .
Our goal is , by means of this daily rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima , the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
To help obtain that goal , Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide rosary crusade : O Immaculate Heart of Mary , you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother .
Look upon the distress in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church .
In Fatima you warned against these errors , as you spoke about the errors of Russia .
You are the Mediatrix of all graces .
Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope : that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart , so that Russia will be converted , a period of peace will be granted to the world , and your Immaculate Heart will triumph , through an authentic renewal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purity of the Catholic Faith , of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life .
O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother , turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer .
Amen .
+ Athanasius Schneider , Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady ’ s message at Fatima , and about what you can do , please read Cardinal Burke ’ s 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //voiceofthefamily.com/full-text-cardinal-burkes-historic-call-for-consecration-of-russia/ ) .
As St. Padre Pio once said , “ The rosary is the weapon for these times.
” Through prayer , God can shape history , change the world , and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world , through the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
Join us today !
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this rosary , you can access them via this PDF .
This document also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily rosary on LifeSite led by Fr .
Pillari .

(LifeSiteNews) — In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church, LifeSite is happy to promote Regina Angelorum Press’s Daily Rosary, which is offering Catholics throughout the world the chance to be united daily in prayer, in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade.
Catholics from all over the world — from Israel, Uganda, Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Pakistan, Singapore, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and other countries — are gathering daily to pray the Rosary, led by Father Pillari, JCL, MCL, STL, an American priest currently studying in Italy.
The Daily Rosary is being offered each day at 12noon EST through Regina Angelorum Press’ YouTube Channel to which you can subscribe HERE.
The goal is, by means of this Daily Rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima, the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.
To help obtain that goal, Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide Rosary crusade:
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother. Look upon the distress in which the Church and the whole of humanity are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church. In Fatima you warned against these errors, as you spoke about the errors of Russia. You are the Mediatrix of all graces. Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope: that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart, so that Russia will be converted, a period of peace will be granted to the world, and your Immaculate Heart will triumph, through an authentic renewal of the Church in the splendor of the purity of the Catholic Faith, of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life. O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother, turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer. Amen. + Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana
To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady’s message at Fatima, and about what you can do, please read Cardinal Burke’s 2017 address at the Rome Life Forum.
As St. Padre Pio once said, “The Rosary is the weapon for these times.” Through prayer, God can shape history, change the world, and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world, through the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart. Join us today!
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this Rosary, you can access them HERE. The document also includes a brief F.A.Q. pertaining to the daily Rosary.
You can send your prayer requests to https://reginangelorumpress.com/prayer-intentions/
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lifesitenews--2020-12-28--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

December 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united daily in prayer , in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade .
Catholics from all over the world—from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , Pakistan , Singapore , the Philippines , India , Indonesia , Australia , New Zealand , Thailand , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Brazil , and other countries—are gathering daily to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Pillari , J.C.L.
, an American priest currently studying in Italy .
Our goal is , by means of this daily rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima , the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
To help obtain that goal , Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide rosary crusade : O Immaculate Heart of Mary , you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother .
Look upon the distress in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church .
In Fatima you warned against these errors , as you spoke about the errors of Russia .
You are the Mediatrix of all graces .
Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope : that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart , so that Russia will be converted , a period of peace will be granted to the world , and your Immaculate Heart will triumph , through an authentic renewal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purity of the Catholic Faith , of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life .
O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother , turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer .
Amen .
+ Athanasius Schneider , Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady ’ s message at Fatima , and about what you can do , please read Cardinal Burke ’ s 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //voiceofthefamily.com/full-text-cardinal-burkes-historic-call-for-consecration-of-russia/ ) .
As St. Padre Pio once said , “ The rosary is the weapon for these times.
” Through prayer , God can shape history , change the world , and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world , through the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
Join us today !
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this rosary , you can access them via this PDF .
This document also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily rosary on LifeSite led by Fr .
Pillari .


lifesitenews--2020-12-30--Bishop Strickland triples down on opposition to abortion-tainted vaccines

December 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Bishop Joseph Strickland has once again spoken out against abortion-tainted vaccines in this week ’ s episode of The Bishop Strickland Show .
Besides highlighting the immorality and anti-Catholicism of vaccines linked to aborted baby cells , Bishop Strickland also addressed other concerns regarding the coronavirus , including mandatory vaccine laws .
“ I would encourage people to resist any forcing of receiving these vaccines , ” Bishop Strickland said .
“ We need to look at all the sides of the issue and make a well-informed conscience decision ” according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-host Terry Barber also spoke about the possibility that vaccine mandates will be specifically targeted from the government towards the Catholic Church , and that they will lead to persecution .
He noted that “ probably most of the time through history , some [ where ] in the world , the Church has been persecuted.
” “ We have to be willing to do what we have to , ” he continued .
Strickland courageously states that even if speaking the truth may lead to persecution , “ in justice we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any diminishing of the freedom of religion and the freedom of living our faith in every aspect of society.
” Watch The Bishop Strickland Show , co-hosted by Terry Barber of Virgin Most Powerful Radio , which airs every Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. EST on LifeSite ’ s YouTube channel .
Click here to watch all past episodes .

We have 'to live the truth that Jesus Christ has revealed to us.'
December 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Bishop Joseph Strickland has once again spoken out against abortion-tainted vaccines in this week’s episode of The Bishop Strickland Show.
Besides highlighting the immorality and anti-Catholicism of vaccines linked to aborted baby cells, Bishop Strickland also addressed other concerns regarding the coronavirus, including mandatory vaccine laws.
“I would encourage people to resist any forcing of receiving these vaccines,” Bishop Strickland said. “We need to look at all the sides of the issue and make a well-informed conscience decision” according to what Church doctrine teaches.
Strickland and co-host Terry Barber also spoke about the possibility that vaccine mandates will be specifically targeted from the government towards the Catholic Church, and that they will lead to persecution. He noted that “probably most of the time through history, some[where] in the world, the Church has been persecuted.”
“We have to be willing to do what we have to,” he continued.
Strickland courageously states that even if speaking the truth may lead to persecution, “in justice we need to speak against that and…resist any diminishing of the freedom of religion and the freedom of living our faith in every aspect of society.”
Watch The Bishop Strickland Show, co-hosted by Terry Barber of Virgin Most Powerful Radio, which airs every Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. EST on LifeSite’s YouTube channel. Click here to watch all past episodes.
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lifesitenews--2020-12-29--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

December 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united daily in prayer , in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade .
Catholics from all over the world—from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , Pakistan , Singapore , the Philippines , India , Indonesia , Australia , New Zealand , Thailand , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Brazil , and other countries—are gathering daily to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Pillari , J.C.L.
, an American priest currently studying in Italy .
Our goal is , by means of this daily rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima , the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
To help obtain that goal , Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide rosary crusade : O Immaculate Heart of Mary , you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother .
Look upon the distress in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church .
In Fatima you warned against these errors , as you spoke about the errors of Russia .
You are the Mediatrix of all graces .
Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope : that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart , so that Russia will be converted , a period of peace will be granted to the world , and your Immaculate Heart will triumph , through an authentic renewal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purity of the Catholic Faith , of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life .
O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother , turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer .
Amen .
+ Athanasius Schneider , Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady ’ s message at Fatima , and about what you can do , please read Cardinal Burke ’ s 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //voiceofthefamily.com/full-text-cardinal-burkes-historic-call-for-consecration-of-russia/ ) .
As St. Padre Pio once said , “ The rosary is the weapon for these times.
” Through prayer , God can shape history , change the world , and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world , through the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
Join us today !
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this rosary , you can access them via this PDF .
This document also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily rosary on LifeSite led by Fr .
Pillari .


lifesitenews--2020-12-30--BREAKING: Argentina legalizes abortion

BREAKING: Argentina legalizes abortion

ARGENTINA , December 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – After a fierce debate that lasted through Wednesday night , the Argentine Senate voted at 4:00 a.m. to approve the government ’ s legislation legalizing abortion through the first 14 weeks of pregnancy .
Thousands of pro-life activists , represented by the “ Blue Wave ” bandanas that mark their movement , waited outside for the result .
The announcement , when it came , was crushing .
Many sobbed with grief .
Crowds of gathered abortion supporters also waited , clad in green .
When the vote was announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion supporters went wild with joy .
Children could finally be aborted legally in Argentina .
The crowd of green was a writhing mass of celebration , coiling and uncoiling .
It was , as C.S .
Lewis described the Lady of the Green Kirtle , “ as green as poison.
” Ember smoke rose above the crowd as the result was announced .
The Congress approved the legislation earlier this month , the ninth time abortion activists have attempted to legalize abortion in Argentina .
In 2018 , a proposed abortion law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continent .
Millions joined the Blue Wave movement , with more than four million marching in Argentina to protest legalization and massive rallies pushing back against abortion activists in Guatemala , Chile , the Dominican Republic , Mexico , and elsewhere .
Scenes of celebration awash with green last night are the inverse of that joyful night two years ago , when it was pro-lifers cheering in the streets .
Many pro-lifers expected a narrow victory last night , with the Catholic clergy calling on politicians to reject the bill – although there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ muted response of native son Pope Francis , especially considering the wide range of issues on which he frequently comments .
A strong majority – nearly 70 percent – of Argentines do not support abortion , and Evangelicals marched rank and file with Catholics to stop the proposal .
President Alberto Fernandez , who heads Argentina ’ s left-wing coalition government , has long promised to ramrod legalization through anyhow .
Argentina ’ s Blue Wave movement is now regrouping to strategize a response .
One speaker , addressing the mourners from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ We are witnessing a defeat of life .
But our convictions do not change .
We are going to make ourselves heard.
” Pro-life activist Sara de Avellaneda told the Clarin newspaper that the fight against abortion will continue : “ I came because I had to be here .
We are not invisible .
Not everything is a green tide .
This law is unconstitutional and its implementation is not going to be easy.
” It is a dark day for Argentina ’ s most vulnerable children , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ betrayal were an awful glimpse into the ongoing collapse of precious cultural values .
The Reuters headline announced : “ Sisters , We Did It.
” But as Charles Camosy noted : “ The bill was pushed by a male health minister and a male president who strongly campaigned against prenatal justice .
Argentine women overwhelmingly rejected this bill.
” Their dedication to the protection of human life will be all the more essential in the days ahead .

It is a dark day for Argentina’s most vulnerable children, and the carnivorous shrieks of joy that met their betrayal were an awful glimpse into the ongoing collapse of precious cultural values.
ARGENTINA, December 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – After a fierce debate that lasted through Wednesday night, the Argentine Senate voted at 4:00 a.m. to approve the government’s legislation legalizing abortion through the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. Thousands of pro-life activists, represented by the “Blue Wave” bandanas that mark their movement, waited outside for the result. The announcement, when it came, was crushing. Many sobbed with grief.
Crowds of gathered abortion supporters also waited, clad in green. When the vote was announced – 38-29 with one abstention – the abortion supporters went wild with joy. Children could finally be aborted legally in Argentina. The crowd of green was a writhing mass of celebration, coiling and uncoiling. It was, as C.S. Lewis described the Lady of the Green Kirtle, “as green as poison.” Ember smoke rose above the crowd as the result was announced.
The Congress approved the legislation earlier this month, the ninth time abortion activists have attempted to legalize abortion in Argentina. In 2018, a proposed abortion law galvanized pro-lifers across the country and the continent. Millions joined the Blue Wave movement, with more than four million marching in Argentina to protest legalization and massive rallies pushing back against abortion activists in Guatemala, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and elsewhere. Scenes of celebration awash with green last night are the inverse of that joyful night two years ago, when it was pro-lifers cheering in the streets.
Many pro-lifers expected a narrow victory last night, with the Catholic clergy calling on politicians to reject the bill – although there has been widespread disappointment with the extraordinarily muted response of native son Pope Francis, especially considering the wide range of issues on which he frequently comments. A strong majority – nearly 70 percent – of Argentines do not support abortion, and Evangelicals marched rank and file with Catholics to stop the proposal. President Alberto Fernandez, who heads Argentina’s left-wing coalition government, has long promised to ramrod legalization through anyhow.
Argentina’s Blue Wave movement is now regrouping to strategize a response. One speaker, addressing the mourners from a makeshift stage, promised to fight on: “We are witnessing a defeat of life. But our convictions do not change. We are going to make ourselves heard.” Pro-life activist Sara de Avellaneda told the Clarin newspaper that the fight against abortion will continue: “I came because I had to be here. We are not invisible. Not everything is a green tide. This law is unconstitutional and its implementation is not going to be easy.”
It is a dark day for Argentina’s most vulnerable children, and the carnivorous shrieks of joy that met their betrayal were an awful glimpse into the ongoing collapse of precious cultural values. The Reuters headline announced: “Sisters, We Did It.” But as Charles Camosy noted: “The bill was pushed by a male health minister and a male president who strongly campaigned against prenatal justice. Argentine women overwhelmingly rejected this bill.”
Their dedication to the protection of human life will be all the more essential in the days ahead.
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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lifesitenews--2020-12-30--Congress meets on January 6 to decide the election

Challenge to the Electoral College vote needs YOUR help !
Contact your U.S. Rep and Senator today !
December 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The outcome of the presidential election of 2020 will be finally decided , it appears now , on January 6 .
That ’ s the day when the House and the Senate meet in joint session , with Vice President Mike Pence presiding , to vote on whether to accept the electoral college votes from each of the fifty states .
As the 12th Amendment specifies , this will be done state by state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s and Alaska ’ s electoral college votes for President Trump will read to the assembled body , which will vote to accept them without controversy .
But then we will come to Arizona ’ s 11 electoral college votes .
The Vice President will have two slates of votes in his hands : the official slate , certified by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey for Joe Biden , and a second slate , sent by the state ’ s Republican electors , for Donald Trump .
He will read out the official slate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican congressmen and senators will stand up to object .
They will argue that the real winner of the Arizona election was Donald Trump , that Biden ’ s slate of votes should be thrown out , and that the Republican slate of votes for Trump should be accepted in its place .
At this point , as called for by a 1948 law , the House and the Senate will withdraw to their separate chambers to vote on whether to accept the Biden electoral college votes .
On a straight party-line vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accept the Biden slate , while the Republican-dominated Senate would narrowly vote to reject it .
Here ’ s where matters get complicated .
The 1948 law says both houses must “ concurrently ” reject such a “ certified ” slate .
On the other hand , such a law can not trump the Constitution , which clearly identifies the Vice President as the presiding officer .
As such , Vice President Pence could rule that , since the House and Senate are divided , the Biden slate of electoral college votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be argued the 1948 law itself violates the Constitution , opening up an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court .
This same process will play out with all 50 states .
In all , seven states have sent Trump electors to Washington : Arizona , Georgia , Michigan , Nevada , New Mexico , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin .
If all the contested states which have sent dueling slates of electoral college votes to D.C. have their votes rejected in this way , neither Trump nor Biden wins a majority of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes to the House , where each state delegation gets one vote .
Trump wins , 27 to 21 .
The problem with this scenario is that several Republican senators have made it clear that they would rather not have to vote at all .
If several of these RINOs – such as notable Trump bashers Mitt Romney and Ben Sasse – cast a vote in favor of the Biden slate of electors , or even just fail to show up for the proceedings , Biden will succeed in the most audacious election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understands the need to strengthen the spines of such self-interested sell-outs .
That ’ s why he ’ s encouraging his supporters show up on the Washington Mall for next Tuesday ’ s vote .
( I would also note that January 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany .
I never count Our Lady out . )
Two weeks ago Trump tweeted out : “ Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 Election .
Big protest in D.C. on January 6th .
Be there , will be wild !
” He followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ See you in Washington , DC , on January 6th .
Don ’ t miss it.
” Trump has called , and America will answer .
Estimates are that over a million Trump supporters will converge on D.C. next Tuesday to support the president ’ s re-election .
The crowd will be a cross section of America .
Businessmen will rub shoulders with carpenters .
Truck drivers and small business owners will make common cause .
Whites , Blacks , Hispanics , Asians will all stand together .
The make-up of the crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Republican establishment , especially those serving in the Senate , that this is Trump ’ s party now .
And that it is the party of the heartland , of the middle and working classes , and of patriots everywhere .
Imagine this : The Senate has retreated to its chambers to consider the “ official ” slate of electors from , say , Pennsylvania .
As they are about to vote , a chant erupts from the crowd outside : “ We love Trump !
We love Trump !
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years !
Four more years !
” It is said that death concentrates the mind .
The chants from the massive crowd will surely concentrate the minds of Republican senators as they realize the people are watching .
If they hold the line , they will win plaudits from the crowd .
But should they vote against the most popular president in recent American history , they will be committing political suicide .
I would encourage all those who normally attend the March for Life to attend the January 6 rally , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no better way to stand up for life than to support a second term for the most pro-life president in American history .
If Biden weasels his way into the White House , it will be open season on the unborn .
If you are able to join the rally , bring plenty of food and water , since the Left-wing mayor of Washington , D.C. , may try to shut down all restaurants and snack stands for the day .
Aside from that inconvenience , however , all should be well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can be in present-day America , since you will be surrounded by a million God-fearing , America-loving patriots the whole day through .
Whatever happens on that historic day , it will be an event to remember .
You can tell your grandchildren that you were on the front lines in the Second American Revolution , where you fought to save the Republic .
Steven W. Mosher is the President of the Population Research Institute and the author of Bully of Asia : Why China ’ s Dream is the New Threat @ @ @ @

Challenge to the Electoral College vote needs YOUR help! Contact your U.S. Rep and Senator today!
December 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The outcome of the presidential election of 2020 will be finally decided, it appears now, on January 6. That’s the day when the House and the Senate meet in joint session, with Vice President Mike Pence presiding, to vote on whether to accept the electoral college votes from each of the fifty states. As the 12th Amendment specifies, this will be done state by state, in alphabetical order.
Alabama’s and Alaska’s electoral college votes for President Trump will read to the assembled body, which will vote to accept them without controversy.
But then we will come to Arizona’s 11 electoral college votes. The Vice President will have two slates of votes in his hands: the official slate, certified by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey for Joe Biden, and a second slate, sent by the state’s Republican electors, for Donald Trump. He will read out the official slate. . . . and several dozen Republican congressmen and senators will stand up to object.
They will argue that the real winner of the Arizona election was Donald Trump, that Biden’s slate of votes should be thrown out, and that the Republican slate of votes for Trump should be accepted in its place. At this point, as called for by a 1948 law, the House and the Senate will withdraw to their separate chambers to vote on whether to accept the Biden electoral college votes.
On a straight party-line vote, the Pelosi-led House would narrowly vote to accept the Biden slate, while the Republican-dominated Senate would narrowly vote to reject it. Here’s where matters get complicated. The 1948 law says both houses must “concurrently” reject such a “certified” slate. On the other hand, such a law cannot trump the Constitution, which clearly identifies the Vice President as the presiding officer. As such, Vice President Pence could rule that, since the House and Senate are divided, the Biden slate of electoral college votes will not be counted. It can also be argued the 1948 law itself violates the Constitution, opening up an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court.
This same process will play out with all 50 states. In all, seven states have sent Trump electors to Washington: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. If all the contested states which have sent dueling slates of electoral college votes to D.C. have their votes rejected in this way, neither Trump nor Biden wins a majority of the electoral college votes, and the matter goes to the House, where each state delegation gets one vote. Trump wins, 27 to 21.
The problem with this scenario is that several Republican senators have made it clear that they would rather not have to vote at all. If several of these RINOs – such as notable Trump bashers Mitt Romney and Ben Sasse – cast a vote in favor of the Biden slate of electors, or even just fail to show up for the proceedings, Biden will succeed in the most audacious election heist in American history.
President Trump understands the need to strengthen the spines of such self-interested sell-outs. That’s why he’s encouraging his supporters show up on the Washington Mall for next Wednesday’s vote. (I would also note that January 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany. I never count Our Lady out.)
Two weeks ago Trump tweeted out: “Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 Election. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!” He followed up on December 27 with: “See you in Washington, DC, on January 6th. Don’t miss it.”
Trump has called, and America will answer. Estimates are that over a million Trump supporters will converge on D.C. next Wednesday to support the president’s re-election. The crowd will be a cross section of America. Businessmen will rub shoulders with carpenters. Truck drivers and small business owners will make common cause. Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians will all stand together.
The make-up of the crowd will be a reminder to the members of the Republican establishment, especially those serving in the Senate, that this is Trump’s party now. And that it is the party of the heartland, of the middle and working classes, and of patriots everywhere.
Imagine this: The Senate has retreated to its chambers to consider the “official” slate of electors from, say, Pennsylvania. As they are about to vote, a chant erupts from the crowd outside: “We love Trump! We love Trump!” It is followed by “Four more years! Four more years!”
It is said that death concentrates the mind. The chants from the massive crowd will surely concentrate the minds of Republican senators as they realize the people are watching. If they hold the line, they will win plaudits from the crowd. But should they vote against the most popular president in recent American history, they will be committing political suicide.
I would encourage all those who normally attend the March for Life to attend the January 6 rally, and for the same reason. There is no better way to stand up for life than to support a second term for the most pro-life president in American history. If Biden weasels his way into the White House, it will be open season on the unborn.
If you are able to join the rally, bring plenty of food and water, since the Left-wing mayor of Washington, D.C., may try to shut down all restaurants and snack stands for the day. Aside from that inconvenience, however, all should be well. You will be about as safe as you can be in present-day America, since you will be surrounded by a million God-fearing, America-loving patriots the whole day through.
Whatever happens on that historic day, it will be an event to remember. You can tell your grandchildren that you were on the front lines in the Second American Revolution, where you fought to save the Republic.
Steven W. Mosher is the President of the Population Research Institute and the author of Bully of Asia: Why China’s Dream is the New Threat to World Order.
Follow Steven Steven Mosher is an internationally recognised authority on China and population issues as well as an acclaimed author and speaker and founder and head of the Population Research Institute. He was the first American social scientist to visit mainland China in 1979 where he witnessed women being forced to have abortion under the new “one-child-policy” which he then exposed to the world. Mr. Mosher was a pro-choice atheist at the time, but witnessing these traumatic abortions led him to reconsider his convictions and to eventually become a practicing, pro-life Roman Catholic. Mosher has appeared numerous times before the US Congress as an expert in world population, China and human Rights abuses. He has also made TV appearances on Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, The Today Show, 20/20, FOX and CNN news, as well as being a regular guest on talk radio shows across the nation. He is the author of the best-selling A Mother’s Ordeal: One woman’s Fight Against China’s One-Child-Policy. His latest book is Bully of Asia, exposing the threat of China to the entire world at this time. Articles by Steve have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest, The New Republic, The Washington Post, National Review, Reason, The Asian Wall Street Journal, Freedom Review, Linacre Quarterly, Catholic World Report, Human Life Review, First Things, and numerous other publications. Steven Mosher lives in Virginia with his wife, Vera, and their nine children.
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lifesitenews--2020-12-30--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

December 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united daily in prayer , in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade .
Catholics from all over the world—from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , Pakistan , Singapore , the Philippines , India , Indonesia , Australia , New Zealand , Thailand , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Brazil , and other countries—are gathering daily to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Pillari , J.C.L.
, an American priest currently studying in Italy .
Our goal is , by means of this daily rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima , the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
To help obtain that goal , Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide rosary crusade : O Immaculate Heart of Mary , you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother .
Look upon the distress in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church .
In Fatima you warned against these errors , as you spoke about the errors of Russia .
You are the Mediatrix of all graces .
Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope : that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart , so that Russia will be converted , a period of peace will be granted to the world , and your Immaculate Heart will triumph , through an authentic renewal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purity of the Catholic Faith , of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life .
O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother , turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer .
Amen .
+ Athanasius Schneider , Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady ’ s message at Fatima , and about what you can do , please read Cardinal Burke ’ s 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //voiceofthefamily.com/full-text-cardinal-burkes-historic-call-for-consecration-of-russia/ ) .
As St. Padre Pio once said , “ The rosary is the weapon for these times.
” Through prayer , God can shape history , change the world , and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world , through the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
Join us today !
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this rosary , you can access them via this PDF .
This document also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily rosary on LifeSite led by Fr .
Pillari .


lifesitenews--2020-12-31--FULL TEXT: President Trump’s new religious freedom and pro-life proclamation honours St. Thomas Beck

FULL TEXT: President Trump’s new religious freedom and pro-life proclamation honours St. Thomas Becket

Today is the 850th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket on December 29 , 1170 .
Thomas Becket was a statesman , a scholar , a chancellor , a priest , an archbishop , and a lion of religious liberty .
Before the Magna Carta was drafted , before the right to free exercise of religion was enshrined as America ’ s first freedom in our glorious Constitution , Thomas gave his life so that , as he said , “ the Church will attain liberty and peace.
” The son of a London sheriff and once described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the King who had him killed , Thomas Becket rose to become the leader of the church in England .
When the crown attempted to encroach upon the affairs of the house of God through the Constitutions of Clarendon , Thomas refused to sign the offending document .
When the furious King Henry II threatened to hold him in contempt of royal authority and questioned why this “ poor and humble ” priest would dare defy him , Archbishop Becket responded “ God is the supreme ruler , above Kings ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men.
” Because Thomas would not assent to rendering the church subservient to the state , he was forced to forfeit all his property and flee his own country .
Years later , after the intervention of the Pope , Becket was allowed to return — and continued to resist the King ’ s oppressive interferences into the life of the church .
Finally , the King had enough of Thomas Becket ’ s stalwart defense of religious faith and reportedly exclaimed in consternation : “ Will no one rid me of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s knights responded and rode to Canterbury Cathedral to deliver Thomas Becket an ultimatum : give in to the King ’ s demands or die .
Thomas ’ s reply echoes around the world and across the ages .
His last words on this earth were these : “ For the name of Jesus and the protection of the Church , I am ready to embrace death.
” Dressed in holy robes , Thomas was cut down where he stood inside the walls of his own church .
Thomas Becket ’ s martyrdom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually brought about numerous constitutional limitations on the power of the state over the Church across the West .
In England , Becket ’ s murder led to the Magna Carta ’ s declaration 45 years later that : “ [ T ] he English church shall be free , and shall have its rights undiminished and its liberties unimpaired.
” When the Archbishop refused to allow the King to interfere in the affairs of the Church , Thomas Becket stood at the intersection of church and state .
That stand , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wars throughout Europe , eventually led to the establishment of religious liberty in the New World .
It is because of great men like Thomas Becket that the first American President George Washington could proclaim more than 600 years later that , in the United States , “ All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship ” and that “ it is now no more that toleration is spoken of , as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people , that another enjoyed the exercise of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s death serves as a powerful and timeless reminder to every American that our freedom from religious persecution is not a mere luxury or accident of history , but rather an essential element of our liberty .
It is our priceless treasure and inheritance .
And it was bought with the blood of martyrs .
As Americans , we were first united by our belief that “ rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God ” and that defending liberty is more important than life itself .
If we are to continue to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government official , no governor , no bureaucrat , no judge , and no legislator must be allowed to decree what is orthodox in matters of religion or to require religious believers to violate their consciences .
No right is more fundamental to a peaceful , prosperous , and virtuous society than the right to follow one ’ s religious convictions .
As I declared in Krasiński Square in Warsaw , Poland on July 6 , 2017 , the people of America and the people of the world still cry out : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we celebrate and revere Thomas Becket ’ s courageous stand for religious liberty and we reaffirm our call to end religious persecution worldwide .
In my historic address to the United Nations last year , I made clear that America stands with believers in every country who ask only for the freedom to live according to the faith that is within their own hearts .
I also stated that global bureaucrats have absolutely no business attacking the sovereignty of nations that wish to protect innocent life , reflecting the belief held by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that every child — born and unborn — is a sacred gift from God .
Earlier this year , I signed an Executive Order to prioritize religious freedom as a core dimension of United States foreign policy .
We have directed every Ambassador — and the over 13,000 United States Foreign Service officers and specialists — in more than 195 countries to promote , defend , and support religious freedom as a central pillar of American diplomacy .
We pray for religious believers everywhere who suffer persecution for their faith .
We especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — like Cardinal Joseph Zen of Hong Kong and Pastor Wang Yi of Chengdu — who are tireless witnesses to hope .
To honor Thomas Becket ’ s memory , the crimes against people of faith must stop , prisoners of conscience must be released , laws restricting freedom of religion and belief must be repealed , and the vulnerable , the defenseless , and the oppressed must be protected .
The tyranny and murder that shocked the conscience of the Middle Ages must never be allowed to happen again .
As long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend religious liberty .
A society without religion can not prosper .
A nation without faith can not endure — because justice , goodness , and peace can not prevail without the grace of God .
NOW , THEREFORE , I , DONALD J. TRUMP , President of the United States of America , by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States , do hereby proclaim December 29 , 2020 , as the 850th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ States to observe the day in schools and churches and customary places of meeting with appropriate ceremonies in commemoration of the life and legacy of Thomas Becket .
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of December , in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty , and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth .

(Editor’s note: The following is the full text of the Proclamation on 850th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket, issued on December 28, 2020 by President Donald Trump)
Today is the 850th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket on December 29, 1170. Thomas Becket was a statesman, a scholar, a chancellor, a priest, an archbishop, and a lion of religious liberty.
Before the Magna Carta was drafted, before the right to free exercise of religion was enshrined as America’s first freedom in our glorious Constitution, Thomas gave his life so that, as he said, “the Church will attain liberty and peace.”
The son of a London sheriff and once described as “a low‑born clerk” by the King who had him killed, Thomas Becket rose to become the leader of the church in England. When the crown attempted to encroach upon the affairs of the house of God through the Constitutions of Clarendon, Thomas refused to sign the offending document. When the furious King Henry II threatened to hold him in contempt of royal authority and questioned why this “poor and humble” priest would dare defy him, Archbishop Becket responded “God is the supreme ruler, above Kings” and “we ought to obey God rather than men.”
Because Thomas would not assent to rendering the church subservient to the state, he was forced to forfeit all his property and flee his own country. Years later, after the intervention of the Pope, Becket was allowed to return — and continued to resist the King’s oppressive interferences into the life of the church. Finally, the King had enough of Thomas Becket’s stalwart defense of religious faith and reportedly exclaimed in consternation: “Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?”
The King’s knights responded and rode to Canterbury Cathedral to deliver Thomas Becket an ultimatum: give in to the King’s demands or die. Thomas’s reply echoes around the world and across the ages. His last words on this earth were these: “For the name of Jesus and the protection of the Church, I am ready to embrace death.” Dressed in holy robes, Thomas was cut down where he stood inside the walls of his own church.
Thomas Becket’s martyrdom changed the course of history. It eventually brought about numerous constitutional limitations on the power of the state over the Church across the West. In England, Becket’s murder led to the Magna Carta’s declaration 45 years later that: “[T]he English church shall be free, and shall have its rights undiminished and its liberties unimpaired.”
When the Archbishop refused to allow the King to interfere in the affairs of the Church, Thomas Becket stood at the intersection of church and state. That stand, after centuries of state-sponsored religious oppression and religious wars throughout Europe, eventually led to the establishment of religious liberty in the New World. It is because of great men like Thomas Becket that the first American President George Washington could proclaim more than 600 years later that, in the United States, “All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship” and that “it is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights.”
Thomas Becket’s death serves as a powerful and timeless reminder to every American that our freedom from religious persecution is not a mere luxury or accident of history, but rather an essential element of our liberty. It is our priceless treasure and inheritance. And it was bought with the blood of martyrs.
As Americans, we were first united by our belief that “rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God” and that defending liberty is more important than life itself. If we are to continue to be the land of the free, no government official, no governor, no bureaucrat, no judge, and no legislator must be allowed to decree what is orthodox in matters of religion or to require religious believers to violate their consciences. No right is more fundamental to a peaceful, prosperous, and virtuous society than the right to follow one’s religious convictions. As I declared in Krasiński Square in Warsaw, Poland on July 6, 2017, the people of America and the people of the world still cry out: “We want God.”
On this day, we celebrate and revere Thomas Becket’s courageous stand for religious liberty and we reaffirm our call to end religious persecution worldwide. In my historic address to the United Nations last year, I made clear that America stands with believers in every country who ask only for the freedom to live according to the faith that is within their own hearts. I also stated that global bureaucrats have absolutely no business attacking the sovereignty of nations that wish to protect innocent life, reflecting the belief held by the United States and many other countries that every child — born and unborn — is a sacred gift from God. Earlier this year, I signed an Executive Order to prioritize religious freedom as a core dimension of United States foreign policy. We have directed every Ambassador — and the over 13,000 United States Foreign Service officers and specialists — in more than 195 countries to promote, defend, and support religious freedom as a central pillar of American diplomacy.
We pray for religious believers everywhere who suffer persecution for their faith. We especially pray for their brave and inspiring shepherds — like Cardinal Joseph Zen of Hong Kong and Pastor Wang Yi of Chengdu — who are tireless witnesses to hope.
To honor Thomas Becket’s memory, the crimes against people of faith must stop, prisoners of conscience must be released, laws restricting freedom of religion and belief must be repealed, and the vulnerable, the defenseless, and the oppressed must be protected. The tyranny and murder that shocked the conscience of the Middle Ages must never be allowed to happen again. As long as America stands, we will always defend religious liberty.
A society without religion cannot prosper. A nation without faith cannot endure — because justice, goodness, and peace cannot prevail without the grace of God.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 29, 2020, as the 850th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket. I invite the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches and customary places of meeting with appropriate ceremonies in commemoration of the life and legacy of Thomas Becket.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
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lifesitenews--2020-12-31--BREAKING: Polish gov’t intervenes on behalf of its citizen in ‘vegetative state’ in UK, he’ll receiv

BREAKING: Polish gov’t intervenes on behalf of its citizen in ‘vegetative state’ in UK, he’ll receive water and nutrition until Jan. 7

LONDON , England , December 31 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A Polish patient in England resumed receiving life-sustaining treatment after his birth family and the Polish government made applications to the British court and to the European Court of Human Rights .
The patient , known only as “ RS ” or “ P , ” resumed nutrition and hydration on December 28 .
He is able to breathe on his own .
Today Mr Justice Cohen allowed a continued stay of his order to discontinue treatment to the patient , originally made on December 15 , until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expectation that the European Court of Human Rights ( ECHR ) will have by then addressed the current application regarding the patient ’ s case .
This means that RS will continue receiving hydration and nutrition through tubes until that hour .
However , the judge rejected an application by the family and the Republic of Poland that RS be airlifted to Poland and be treated there .
He accepts the opinion of RS ’ s doctors that he is moving from a coma to a so-called vegetative state , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be kept alive through medical intervention .
The decision followed a flurry of activity on the disabled patient ’ s behalf by the Polish government .
According to Britain ’ s Christian Concern , after water and nutrition were withheld from “ RS ” on Christmas Eve , Poland ’ s Minister of Foreign Affairs , Zbigniew Rau , wrote an official letter to the U.K. ’ s Foreign Secretary , Dominic Raab .
Rau asked his British counterpart for an urgent “ help and intervention ” in order to get food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The letter requests Britain ’ s cooperation in repatriating RS to Poland by Polish Medical Air Rescue , where he is to be treated at Central Clinical Hospital of the Interior Ministry , ” Christian Concern stated in a press release yesterday .
The Polish government then made an urgent appeal to the European Court of Human Rights , echoing RS ’ s birth family ’ s argument that RS ’ s “ right to life ” is being violated by the U.K. , and asking that the ECHR order his repatriation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a second application .
The current application is still to be considered .
At an out-of-hours court hearing on the evening of December 28 , Mr Justice Holman suspended the decision to withdraw nutrition and water from RS until the case was reconsidered by Mr Justice Cohen .
On December 29 , one of RS ’ s doctors did a videotaped assessment of his condition and concluded that his lack of responsiveness suggested that he was in a vegetative state .
On December 30 , Mr Justice Cohen heard evidence from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RS taken by his niece and her family and , based on the clips and the niece ’ s testimony , believed RS ’ s state might improve .
On December 31 , the judge noted that these clips , which comprised three minutes of video in total , had been taken without permission from RS ’ s doctors , the hospital , or RS ’ s wife .
He stated that he did not find this neurologist a “ satisfactory witness ” and that he placed no weight on his evidence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ RS ’ s condition since his December 15 order , Cohen said there is no reason it would be in RS ’ s best interests to continue life-sustaining treatment .
RS suffered severe brain damage after a heart attack at his home in England ’ s West Midlands on November 6 .
Doctors treating RS believe that he will never recover beyond “ minimal consciousness ” and could live for another five years .
They believe also that his continued life would not be “ meaningful.
” A legal team for the NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked a Court of Protection to rule that it would be lawful to discontinue life-sustaining treatment for RS , which meant the removal of his feeding and hydration tubes .
RS 's wife , who testified that RS said that he never wanted to be a “ burden on his family , ” supported the NHS ’ s application that all medical intervention sustaining his life should end .
However , RS ’ s extended family , including his mother and sister in Poland , and a sister and niece in England , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that as a church-attending Roman Catholic who was opposed to both abortion and euthanasia , RS would not wish his life to end in this manner .
RS ’ s sister in Poland told LifeSiteNews that RS had been “ furious ” with a U.K. judicial decision to remove all life-sustaining medical support for infant Alfie Evans .
In a hearing held on December 15 , Mr Justice Cohen sided with the NHS and RS ’ s wife , saying that removal of life support would be in RS “ best interests.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Lord Justice Peter Jackson turned down an application for an appeal by a legal team representing RS ’ s birth family .
A transparency order prevents the publication of the names of the patient , his family , and his doctors .

After water and nutrition were withheld from 'RS' on Christmas Eve, Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zbigniew Rau, wrote an official letter to the U.K.’s Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab. Rau asked his British counterpart for an urgent 'help and intervention' in order to get food and water back to RS so he is not starved and dehydrated to death.
LONDON, England, December 31, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A Polish patient in England resumed receiving life-sustaining treatment after his birth family and the Polish government made applications to the British court and to the European Court of Human Rights.
The patient, known only as “RS” or “P,” resumed nutrition and hydration on December 28. He is able to breathe on his own.
Today Mr Justice Cohen allowed a continued stay of his order to discontinue treatment to the patient, originally made on December 15, until January 7 at 4:00 p.m., in the expectation that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will have by then addressed the current application regarding the patient’s case. This means that RS will continue receiving hydration and nutrition through tubes until that hour.
However, the judge rejected an application by the family and the Republic of Poland that RS be airlifted to Poland and be treated there. He accepts the opinion of RS’s doctors that he is moving from a coma to a so-called vegetative state, and that it is not in his best interests to be kept alive through medical intervention.
The decision followed a flurry of activity on the disabled patient’s behalf by the Polish government. According to Britain’s Christian Concern, after water and nutrition were withheld from “RS” on Christmas Eve, Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zbigniew Rau, wrote an official letter to the U.K.’s Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab. Rau asked his British counterpart for an urgent “help and intervention” in order to get food and water back to RS.
“The letter requests Britain’s cooperation in repatriating RS to Poland by Polish Medical Air Rescue, where he is to be treated at Central Clinical Hospital of the Interior Ministry,” Christian Concern stated in a press release yesterday.
The Polish government then made an urgent appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, echoing RS’s birth family’s argument that RS’s “right to life” is being violated by the U.K., and asking that the ECHR order his repatriation to Poland.
The ECHR has rejected this and a second application. The current application is still to be considered.
At an out-of-hours court hearing on the evening of December 28, Mr Justice Holman suspended the decision to withdraw nutrition and water from RS until the case was reconsidered by Mr Justice Cohen. On December 29, one of RS’s doctors did a videotaped assessment of his condition and concluded that his lack of responsiveness suggested that he was in a vegetative state.
On December 30, Mr Justice Cohen heard evidence from a neurologist who had seen videotaped clips of RS taken by his niece and her family and, based on the clips and the niece’s testimony, believed RS’s state might improve. On December 31, the judge noted that these clips, which comprised three minutes of video in total, had been taken without permission from RS’s doctors, the hospital, or RS’s wife. He stated that he did not find this neurologist a “satisfactory witness” and that he placed no weight on his evidence. Because there has been no improvement in RS’s condition since his December 15 order, Cohen said there is no reason it would be in RS’s best interests to continue life-sustaining treatment.
RS suffered severe brain damage after a heart attack at his home in England’s West Midlands on November 6. Doctors treating RS believe that he will never recover beyond “minimal consciousness” and could live for another five years. They believe also that his continued life would not be “meaningful.” A legal team for the NHS Trust responsible for RS’s care asked a Court of Protection to rule that it would be lawful to discontinue life-sustaining treatment for RS, which meant the removal of his feeding and hydration tubes.
RS's wife, who testified that RS said that he never wanted to be a “burden on his family,” supported the NHS’s application that all medical intervention sustaining his life should end. However, RS’s extended family, including his mother and sister in Poland, and a sister and niece in England, object to his state-sanctioned killing, arguing that as a church-attending Roman Catholic who was opposed to both abortion and euthanasia, RS would not wish his life to end in this manner. RS’s sister in Poland told LifeSiteNews that RS had been “furious” with a U.K. judicial decision to remove all life-sustaining medical support for infant Alfie Evans.
In a hearing held on December 15, Mr Justice Cohen sided with the NHS and RS’s wife, saying that removal of life support would be in RS “best interests.” On December 23, Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Peter Jackson turned down an application for an appeal by a legal team representing RS’s birth family.
A transparency order prevents the publication of the names of the patient, his family, and his doctors.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-31--Texas bishop to Fr. Martin: ‘Share full message of Catholic teaching’ at LGBT retreat

TYLER , Texas , January 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― A Texas bishop has expressed his hope that participants in an LGBT Catholic ministry conference will share Catholic teaching .
Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler was responding to a Twitter advertisement for the June conference posted by LGBT activist priest Fr .
James Martin , S.J .
“ May those who join in this Conference share the full message of Catholic teaching , ” Strickland tweeted in reply .
“ If Catholics minister without calling sinful behavior sinful then their work is neither truly Catholic nor true ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sin to virtue.
” Fr .
Martin ’ s advertisement reassured his fans that the event is still taking place .
“ Since many people have been asking , yes , Outreach 2020 , the # LGBTQ Catholic Ministry Conference , is still on track , ” he tweeted .
“ It will be held at Fordham University 's Rose Hill Campus from June 18–20 .
We should have registration information up within a few days .
Stay tuned !
” Martin originally announced the event in November of last year .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who often uses social media to defend Catholic teaching .
Strickland is also known to have challenged his fellow bishops about permitting priests to offer views that contract Catholicism .
In a meeting of the USCCB in 2018 , he reminded them that “ homosexual activity is immoral ” and that “ real care comes from acknowledging the sin.
” “ Do we believe the doctrine of the Church or not ?
” Strickland asked .
“ There ’ s a priest that travels around now basically saying that he doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well promoted in various places , ” he continued .
“ Brothers , I think part of the fraternal correction , or the fraternal support , we offer each other is to say : Can that be presented in our dioceses ?
That same-sex marriage is just fine and the Church will one day grow to understand that ?
That ’ s not what we teach.
” In a thread attached to his most recent tweet , Fr .
Martin , the author of Building a Bridge , explained that “ the conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBT Catholics.
” “ We will build community , share best practices and worship together , ” the author of the pro-LGBT Building a Bridge added .
He listed as the keynote speakers Bishop John Stowe , OFM , the ordinary of the Diocese of Lexington in Kentucky ; former master of the Dominican Order Fr .
Timothy Radcliffe , O.P .
; Sister Jeannine Gramick , SSND , who co-authored the original Building Bridges : Gay and Lesbian Reality and the Catholic Church with Fr .
Robert Nugent in 1991 ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who teaches at Fordham ; and Sivagami ( Shiva ) Subbaraman , the first director for the LGBTQ Resource Center at Georgetown University and a Hindu .
At least one of the speakers is actually not supposed to minister to people with same-sex attractions at all .
The published writings of Sister Jeannine Gramick , 77 , and the late Fr .
Robert Nugent were denounced by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith ( CDF ) under its then-prefect , Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger , in 1999 .
“ Given the failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s legitimate authorities to resolve the problems presented by the writings and pastoral activities of the two authors , the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is obliged to declare for the good of the Catholic faithful that the positions advanced by Sister Jeannine Gramick and Father Robert Nugent regarding the intrinsic evil of homosexual acts and the objective disorder of the homosexual inclination are doctrinally unacceptable because they do not faithfully convey the clear and constant teaching of the Catholic Church in this area , ” the CDF wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ often stated that they seek , in keeping with the Church ’ s teaching , to treat homosexual persons ‘ with respect , compassion and sensitivity , ’ ” the document continued .
“ However , the promotion of errors and ambiguities is not consistent with a Christian attitude of true respect and compassion : persons who are struggling with homosexuality no less than any others have the right to receive the authentic teaching of the Church from those who minister to them.
” The CDF stated that Gramick and Nugent were “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homoesexual persons ” and were ineligible for “ any office in their respective institutes .
Gramick was also a signatory , in 2014 , of an open letter to then-president Barack Obama asking him to expand American funding of abortion services abroad .

'If Catholics minister without calling sinful behavior sinful,' wrote Bishop Joseph Strickland, 'then their work is neither truly Catholic nor true ministry.'
TYLER, Texas, January 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― A Texas bishop has expressed his hope that participants in an LGBT Catholic ministry conference will share Catholic teaching.
Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler was responding to a Twitter advertisement for the June conference posted by LGBT activist priest Fr. James Martin, S.J.
“May those who join in this Conference share the full message of Catholic teaching,” Strickland tweeted in reply.
“If Catholics minister without calling sinful behavior sinful then their work is neither truly Catholic nor true ministry. True compassion calls the person from sin to virtue.”
Fr. Martin’s advertisement reassured his fans that the event is still taking place.
“Since many people have been asking, yes, Outreach 2020, the #LGBTQ Catholic Ministry Conference, is still on track,” he tweeted.
“It will be held at Fordham University's Rose Hill Campus from June 18–20. We should have registration information up within a few days. Stay tuned!”
Martin originally announced the event in November of last year.
The intervention was typical of Bishop Strickland, who often uses social media to defend Catholic teaching. Strickland is also known to have challenged his fellow bishops about permitting priests to offer views that contract Catholicism. In a meeting of the USCCB in 2018, he reminded them that “homosexual activity is immoral” and that “real care comes from acknowledging the sin.”
“Do we believe the doctrine of the Church or not?” Strickland asked.
“There’s a priest that travels around now basically saying that he doesn’t, and he seems to be very well promoted in various places,” he continued.
“Brothers, I think part of the fraternal correction, or the fraternal support, we offer each other is to say: Can that be presented in our dioceses? That same-sex marriage is just fine and the Church will one day grow to understand that? That’s not what we teach.”
In a thread attached to his most recent tweet, Fr. Martin, the author of Building a Bridge, explained that “the conference is designed for those who minister to LGBT Catholics.”
“We will build community, share best practices and worship together,” the author of the pro-LGBT Building a Bridge added.
He listed as the keynote speakers Bishop John Stowe, OFM, the ordinary of the Diocese of Lexington in Kentucky; former master of the Dominican Order Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, O.P.; Sister Jeannine Gramick, SSND, who co-authored the original Building Bridges: Gay and Lesbian Reality and the Catholic Church with Fr. Robert Nugent in 1991; the openly homosexual Fr. Bryan Massingdale, who teaches at Fordham; and Sivagami (Shiva) Subbaraman, the first director for the LGBTQ Resource Center at Georgetown University and a Hindu.
At least one of the speakers is actually not supposed to minister to people with same-sex attractions at all.
The published writings of Sister Jeannine Gramick, 77, and the late Fr. Robert Nugent were denounced by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) under its then-prefect, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, in 1999.
“Given the failure of the repeated attempts of the Church’s legitimate authorities to resolve the problems presented by the writings and pastoral activities of the two authors, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is obliged to declare for the good of the Catholic faithful that the positions advanced by Sister Jeannine Gramick and Father Robert Nugent regarding the intrinsic evil of homosexual acts and the objective disorder of the homosexual inclination are doctrinally unacceptable because they do not faithfully convey the clear and constant teaching of the Catholic Church in this area,” the CDF wrote.
“Father Nugent and Sister Gramick have often stated that they seek, in keeping with the Church’s teaching, to treat homosexual persons ‘with respect, compassion and sensitivity,’” the document continued.
“However, the promotion of errors and ambiguities is not consistent with a Christian attitude of true respect and compassion: persons who are struggling with homosexuality no less than any others have the right to receive the authentic teaching of the Church from those who minister to them.”
The CDF stated that Gramick and Nugent were “permanently prohibited from any pastoral work involving homoesexual persons” and were ineligible for “any office in their respective institutes.
Gramick was also a signatory, in 2014, of an open letter to then-president Barack Obama asking him to expand American funding of abortion services abroad.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-31--Pope Francis needs to understand ‘inequality’ before he tries to cure it

January 30 , 2020 ( The Catholic Thing ) — Pope Francis ’ s headline-grabbing words last year — “ inequality is disastrous for the future of humanity ” — reflected the long doctrinal dialectic following Vatican Council II .
At the Council , the focus of social justice increasingly shifted from the tenets of Rerum Novarum — which recognized “ the enormous fortunes of some few individuals , and the utter poverty of the masses , ” but opposed State control of wealth .
Pope Leo ’ s earlier encyclical specified that to give to the indigent “ is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in extreme cases ) but of Christian charity.
” The Council , by contrast , focused on guaranteeing equality and , therefore , emphasizing wealth distribution over wealth creation .
Yet there is little correlation between poverty rates and inequality .
Experience has shown that reducing economic inequality does not of itself lead to reducing poverty .
On the contrary , since 2008 the worldwide recession has reduced inequality by reducing the wealth in the hands of the rich , without benefiting the poor .
This was confirmed in 2018 by a study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards , poverty , and inequality ” ) , which showed that inequalities were few in the poorer areas of Britain , while in places where the poor are better off there are also greater inequalities .
In the past fifty years , with the conviction that some sort of panacea lies in a sagacious redistribution of “ resources , ” about $ 1.1 trillion in development aid has been transferred from wealthy countries to Africa .
Has this bettered the life of Africans ?
No , say many , among whom author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dead Aid : Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa , points to the well-being achieved by African countries which have refused the aid .
Meanwhile , the ones that have become addicted to aid have remained trapped in the vicious circle of debt , corruption , market manipulation , continued poverty , and the need for more aid .
That poverty is not an incurable malady is demonstrated by a counterexample : the development of formerly poor countries such as South Korea , Taiwan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of India — to say nothing of the transformation of Ireland and of Poland .
The success of Nobel Prize recipient Mohammed Yunus ’ s microcredit programs was born of his refusal to take the easy way out by distributing the tiny sums of money required to help the poorest of the poor in Bangladesh .
His method of not giving , but lending out the needed pennies and requiring prompt repayment of micro-interest , is geared to training the bank ’ s clients — mostly women — to run small businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Parable of the Talents ( Mt .
25:14–30 ) : not coercion but self-reliance , thrift , honesty , cooperation , working to meet the needs of others .
As to the capitalist society par excellence , in 2018 the United States stood accused before the U.N. Human Rights Commission of doing “ very little about the fact that 40 million of its citizens live in poverty , 18.5 million in extreme poverty and 5.3 million in third-world conditions of absolute poverty ” despite being “ the world ’ s wealthiest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much higher than in most of the rest of the world : in 2019 , a family of four was considered poor with an income of $ 25,750 ( the individual threshold is $ 12,140 ) .
And this does not take into account non-monetary income , such as public housing , Medicaid or food stamps ; nor does it consider people ’ s savings or property .
Research shows that 42 percent of “ the poor ” own the house they live in , with an average of three bedrooms , one-and-a-half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent have air conditioning and cable or satellite television ; three-fourths own at least one car or pick-up .
Even families ranked “ extremely poor ” typically own a computer , a DVD , and a mobile phone .
Over half of poor families with children have videogame consoles such as Xbox or PlayStation .
Moreover , the consumption of protein , vitamins , and minerals is practically the same for the children of poor families as for those belonging to middle-class families .
On average , even children of “ poor ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sturdier than the GIs who landed in Normandy .
Despite whatever social , educational , and spiritual problems that may exist in a developed nation like the United States , inequality is hardly the outrage bodies like the U.N. Human Rights Commission apparently would like it to be .
And by comparison , China today , while having converted to capitalism ( despite everything under the strict control of the Communist Party ) , is celebrated for its enormous macroeconomic growth .
There are , however , no consistent estimates of the extent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( I quote the celebrated and far from conservative French economist Thomas Piketty ) .
Hence , attempts at tracing inequalities in China are highly unreliable .
What we know is that there exists a level of non-income in China relating to the reportedly millions of slave laborers in the Laogai ( i.e.
, work camps ) and Uighur labor camps scattered across the country .
Since its admission to the WTO in 2000 , little has been done to force China to close down these camps .
On the contrary , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-education ” programs at the U.N .
In a globalized world , the existence of slave labor anywhere is not only a moral disgrace for the global bodies that do nothing to stop it , it is also a major factor depressing working-class salaries across the rest of the world .
And this is to say nothing of recent revelations about the brainwashing , “ re-education , ” and outright repression of religious groups — Muslim , Christians , and even traditional Chinese Buddhists and Hindus .
Pope Francis , like the international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is right to want to remedy poverty , inequality , and even outright exploitation wherever they may exist .
But to solve a problem means , first of all , to understand it properly — and to look to the real-world examples of what has worked and what , quite clearly , does not .
Published with permission from The Catholic Thing .

January 30, 2020 (The Catholic Thing) — Pope Francis’s headline-grabbing words last year — “inequality is disastrous for the future of humanity” — reflected the long doctrinal dialectic following Vatican Council II. At the Council, the focus of social justice increasingly shifted from the tenets of Rerum Novarum — which recognized “the enormous fortunes of some few individuals, and the utter poverty of the masses,” but opposed State control of wealth. Pope Leo’s earlier encyclical specified that to give to the indigent “is a duty not of justice (except in extreme cases) but of Christian charity.” The Council, by contrast, focused on guaranteeing equality and, therefore, emphasizing wealth distribution over wealth creation.
Yet there is little correlation between poverty rates and inequality. Experience has shown that reducing economic inequality does not of itself lead to reducing poverty. On the contrary, since 2008 the worldwide recession has reduced inequality by reducing the wealth in the hands of the rich, without benefiting the poor.
This was confirmed in 2018 by a study conducted in the UK (“Living standards, poverty, and inequality”), which showed that inequalities were few in the poorer areas of Britain, while in places where the poor are better off there are also greater inequalities.
In the past fifty years, with the conviction that some sort of panacea lies in a sagacious redistribution of “resources,” about $1.1 trillion in development aid has been transferred from wealthy countries to Africa. Has this bettered the life of Africans? No, say many, among whom author Dambisa Moyo, who in her book, Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa, points to the well-being achieved by African countries which have refused the aid. Meanwhile, the ones that have become addicted to aid have remained trapped in the vicious circle of debt, corruption, market manipulation, continued poverty, and the need for more aid.
That poverty is not an incurable malady is demonstrated by a counterexample: the development of formerly poor countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and parts of India — to say nothing of the transformation of Ireland and of Poland.
The success of Nobel Prize recipient Mohammed Yunus’s microcredit programs was born of his refusal to take the easy way out by distributing the tiny sums of money required to help the poorest of the poor in Bangladesh. His method of not giving, but lending out the needed pennies and requiring prompt repayment of micro-interest, is geared to training the bank’s clients — mostly women — to run small businesses. The virtues involved are straight out of the Parable of the Talents (Mt. 25:14–30): not coercion but self-reliance, thrift, honesty, cooperation, working to meet the needs of others.
As to the capitalist society par excellence, in 2018 the United States stood accused before the U.N. Human Rights Commission of doing “very little about the fact that 40 million of its citizens live in poverty, 18.5 million in extreme poverty and 5.3 million in third-world conditions of absolute poverty” despite being “the world’s wealthiest nation.”
Yet U.S. poverty thresholds are much higher than in most of the rest of the world: in 2019, a family of four was considered poor with an income of $25,750 (the individual threshold is $12,140). And this does not take into account non-monetary income, such as public housing, Medicaid or food stamps; nor does it consider people’s savings or property.
Research shows that 42 percent of “the poor” own the house they live in, with an average of three bedrooms, one-and-a-half bathrooms, and a garage. Eighty percent have air conditioning and cable or satellite television; three-fourths own at least one car or pick-up. Even families ranked “extremely poor” typically own a computer, a DVD, and a mobile phone. Over half of poor families with children have videogame consoles such as Xbox or PlayStation.
Moreover, the consumption of protein, vitamins, and minerals is practically the same for the children of poor families as for those belonging to middle-class families. On average, even children of “poor” U.S. families grow to be taller and sturdier than the GIs who landed in Normandy. Despite whatever social, educational, and spiritual problems that may exist in a developed nation like the United States, inequality is hardly the outrage bodies like the U.N. Human Rights Commission apparently would like it to be.
And by comparison, China today, while having converted to capitalism (despite everything under the strict control of the Communist Party), is celebrated for its enormous macroeconomic growth. There are, however, no consistent estimates of the extent to which people have benefited from this (I quote the celebrated and far from conservative French economist Thomas Piketty). Hence, attempts at tracing inequalities in China are highly unreliable.
What we know is that there exists a level of non-income in China relating to the reportedly millions of slave laborers in the Laogai (i.e., work camps) and Uighur labor camps scattered across the country. Since its admission to the WTO in 2000, little has been done to force China to close down these camps. On the contrary, it has actually begun to propagandize its “re-education” programs at the U.N.
In a globalized world, the existence of slave labor anywhere is not only a moral disgrace for the global bodies that do nothing to stop it, it is also a major factor depressing working-class salaries across the rest of the world.
And this is to say nothing of recent revelations about the brainwashing, “re-education,” and outright repression of religious groups — Muslim, Christians, and even traditional Chinese Buddhists and Hindus.
Pope Francis, like the international organizations dedicated to responding to such things, is right to want to remedy poverty, inequality, and even outright exploitation wherever they may exist. But to solve a problem means, first of all, to understand it properly — and to look to the real-world examples of what has worked and what, quite clearly, does not.
Published with permission from The Catholic Thing.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-31--Trump’s fight against evil is similar to this Old Testament king

January 30 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — Much has been spoken and written lately regarding the evangelical community 's feelings toward President Trump , especially since the Christianity Today editorial calling for his removal from office was published last month .
Many evangelicals continue to support him wholeheartedly because he has proven repeatedly that he can be trusted to keep his campaign promises and to govern faithfully and conservatively .
Others vow never to support him because they feel that he `` embodies the anti-Christian ethic . ''
President Trump certainly has a `` colorful '' past , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did not support him in the Republican presidential primary of 2016 .
I just could n't imagine a man of his moral failings representing this nation and becoming the leader of the free world .
However , when it ultimately came down to a choice between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton on November 8 , it was a no-brainer .
I would have crawled on my hands and knees to the polls , if necessary , to vote against her .
That 's exactly what my vote was at that time — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turns out , however , that millions of us who held our noses and voted for Trump have been quite pleasantly surprised by his ardent support of the values and policies that we hold dear .
He has been the most pro-life president in the history of our nation , and he was the first president ever to attend the annual March for Life on Capitol Hill .
He has been a true friend to small business–owners ; he has appointed hundreds of wonderful federal judges ; he is defending religious liberty ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and among many other accomplishments , he is making our military stronger and our nation safer .
Despite all of these successes , many persist in demanding the removal of President Trump because they dislike how he conducts himself .
For many evangelicals , the decision to vote for and to continue to support Donald Trump essentially boils down to this : he operates from the Republican Party platform , which represents life ; liberty ; and conservative , Judeo-Christian values .
Whoever his Democrat opponent turns out to be in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat Party platform , which is immoral , anti-Christian , anti-God , anti-life , and anti-freedom .
Seems pretty clear and simple .
My church went through a study in 2019 called OT19 , in which we read much of the Old Testament together .
The very same week that the Christianity Today editorial calling for Trump 's removal was published , our assigned reading included Isaiah , chapters 44 and 45 .
In these chapters , the Israelites were captives in Babylon , and God used a non-Israelite , a Persian king @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from captivity and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem .
For the sake of Jacob my servant , of Israel my chosen , I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor , though you do not acknowledge me .
I am the Lord , and there is no other ; apart from me there is no God .
I will strengthen you , though you have not acknowledged me , so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45:4–5 ) I see some parallels between God 's anointing of the Persian King Cyrus and the election of President Donald Trump .
Cyrus clearly was not a follower of God , but God anointed him and gave him a `` title of honor . ''
Donald Trump has not historically been a follower of God , either , yet God has also bestowed on him a title of honor and given him the role of shepherding the most influential and powerful nation in the history of the world .
There has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truly a Christian and whether he is `` morally fit '' to lead our nation .
He certainly has moral shortcomings , as we all have .
It is true that only God can judge the hearts of men , but hundreds of trusted evangelical leaders all over the nation , who have spent time with President Trump and advised him and prayed over him , continue to defend and support him .
Regardless of Trump 's true spiritual condition , which none of us can know with certainty , God has shown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will use both people who honor and serve Him and people who do not in order to accomplish His purposes on this Earth .
When God anointed the foreign , heathen Persian King Cyrus , He said about him , `` He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please '' ( Isaiah 44:28 ) .
Cyrus was the tool that God used to bring deliverance and restoration to the Jews thousands of years ago .
God has continued to use all sorts of flawed and morally deficient people — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul are just a few examples — down through the centuries , because He is God and He knows best .
God does n't need our permission or approval to put His choice of shepherd over us to accomplish His purposes .
His ways are higher than our ways , and we ca n't always understand with our finite minds what He is doing in this world .
However , we can see when good and moral fruit is coming from the White House , as it certainly seems to be now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ thankful for the shepherd who has been anointed to watch over our nation .
Our responsibility is to continue to pray for our president to make wise decisions .
He has the weight of the world on his shoulders , and we , like Aaron and Hur , should help to hold up his hands when he grows weary ( Exodus 17:10–13 ) .
Michelle Thomas is a Christ follower , wife to Trevor Thomas , and homeschooling mom of four .
Her books include Lord , I Need You , Through Deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Debt-Filled World .
Her website is KingdomCrossing.com , and her email is [ email protected ] .
Published with permission from the American Thinker .

January 30, 2020 (American Thinker) — Much has been spoken and written lately regarding the evangelical community's feelings toward President Trump, especially since the Christianity Today editorial calling for his removal from office was published last month. Many evangelicals continue to support him wholeheartedly because he has proven repeatedly that he can be trusted to keep his campaign promises and to govern faithfully and conservatively. Others vow never to support him because they feel that he “embodies the anti-Christian ethic.”
President Trump certainly has a “colorful” past, and that is the key reason why I did not support him in the Republican presidential primary of 2016. I just couldn't imagine a man of his moral failings representing this nation and becoming the leader of the free world. However, when it ultimately came down to a choice between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton on November 8, it was a no-brainer. I would have crawled on my hands and knees to the polls, if necessary, to vote against her. That's exactly what my vote was at that time — a vote against Hillary Clinton.
It turns out, however, that millions of us who held our noses and voted for Trump have been quite pleasantly surprised by his ardent support of the values and policies that we hold dear. He has been the most pro-life president in the history of our nation, and he was the first president ever to attend the annual March for Life on Capitol Hill. He has been a true friend to small business–owners; he has appointed hundreds of wonderful federal judges; he is defending religious liberty; he is improving our international trade relationships; and among many other accomplishments, he is making our military stronger and our nation safer. Despite all of these successes, many persist in demanding the removal of President Trump because they dislike how he conducts himself.
For many evangelicals, the decision to vote for and to continue to support Donald Trump essentially boils down to this: he operates from the Republican Party platform, which represents life; liberty; and conservative, Judeo-Christian values. Whoever his Democrat opponent turns out to be in November, that person will stand on the Democrat Party platform, which is immoral, anti-Christian, anti-God, anti-life, and anti-freedom. Seems pretty clear and simple.
My church went through a study in 2019 called OT19, in which we read much of the Old Testament together. The very same week that the Christianity Today editorial calling for Trump's removal was published, our assigned reading included Isaiah, chapters 44 and 45. In these chapters, the Israelites were captives in Babylon, and God used a non-Israelite, a Persian king named Cyrus, to free His people from captivity and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
Speaking to Cyrus, God said (emphasis mine):
For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know that there is none besides me. (Isaiah 45:4–5)
I see some parallels between God's anointing of the Persian King Cyrus and the election of President Donald Trump. Cyrus clearly was not a follower of God, but God anointed him and gave him a “title of honor.” Donald Trump has not historically been a follower of God, either, yet God has also bestowed on him a title of honor and given him the role of shepherding the most influential and powerful nation in the history of the world.
There has been much debate about whether President Trump is truly a Christian and whether he is “morally fit” to lead our nation. He certainly has moral shortcomings, as we all have. It is true that only God can judge the hearts of men, but hundreds of trusted evangelical leaders all over the nation, who have spent time with President Trump and advised him and prayed over him, continue to defend and support him. Regardless of Trump's true spiritual condition, which none of us can know with certainty, God has shown clearly in His Word that He can and will use both people who honor and serve Him and people who do not in order to accomplish His purposes on this Earth. When God anointed the foreign, heathen Persian King Cyrus, He said about him, “He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please” (Isaiah 44:28).
Cyrus was the tool that God used to bring deliverance and restoration to the Jews thousands of years ago. God has continued to use all sorts of flawed and morally deficient people — Moses, Samson, Rahab, and Paul are just a few examples — down through the centuries, because He is God and He knows best.
God doesn't need our permission or approval to put His choice of shepherd over us to accomplish His purposes. His ways are higher than our ways, and we can't always understand with our finite minds what He is doing in this world. However, we can see when good and moral fruit is coming from the White House, as it certainly seems to be now. I, for one, am abundantly thankful for the shepherd who has been anointed to watch over our nation. Our responsibility is to continue to pray for our president to make wise decisions. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and we, like Aaron and Hur, should help to hold up his hands when he grows weary (Exodus 17:10–13).
Michelle Thomas is a Christ follower, wife to Trevor Thomas, and homeschooling mom of four. Her books include Lord, I Need You, Through Deep Waters, and Debt-Free Living in a Debt-Filled World. Her website is KingdomCrossing.com, and her email is [email protected].
Published with permission from the American Thinker.
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