lifesitenews--2020-09-14--‘Pro-life’ Republican Kasich endorses Biden, says abortion issue ‘dwarfed’ by other issues

WESTERVILLE , Ohio , September 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Former Governor John Kasich of Ohio , a self-proclaimed “ pro-life ” Republican who recently endorsed pro-abortion Joe Biden for President , said that issues like Biden ’ s rigorous support for abortion are “ dwarfed ” by Biden ’ s alleged ability to “ pull us together.
” During an interview with The View last Friday , co-host Meghan McCain , daughter of the late Senator John McCain , asked about Biden ’ s position on abortion , which arguably has been radicalized even further by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running mate .
“ You ’ re pro-life , I know that , and you were pro-life when you were in politics , as am I , ” began McCain , who is about to give birth after experiencing a miscarriage last year .
“ It ’ s a big , big part of who I am and my platform .
And I don ’ t think taxpayers should be funding abortions for women who are as pregnant as I am right now .
So how would you push back against a voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things like this in a possible Biden-Kamala administration ?
” Kasich did not directly answer the question , simply commenting , “ I agree with your position on the life issue , Meghan , but look … First of all I disagree with Joe Biden in a number of areas.
” Instead of mentioning the killing of an unborn child inside the mother ’ s womb , Kasich gave “ capital gains taxes ” as an example of disagreements between him and Biden .
“ But the issues here are dwarfed , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s a person that can pull us together , ” he explained .
“ Do I think that if he wins , that all of a sudden all these things are going to happen that are negative ?
” “ No , I don ’ t believe that at all , ” he said , “ because that ’ s not his character , that ’ s not who he is .
And as you know , … .
your father and Joe were great friends .
Why ?
Not because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could find common ground.
” “ So , do I think we ’ re going to end up in some cataclysmic place if he wins ?
I don ’ t .
But I do believe four more years of this division is wrecking the very soul of our country .
And we continue down this path – I don ’ t know how we come back.
” Kasich then went on to talk about the importance of prayer .
“ Look at what I wrote on USA Today about the power of faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roosevelt , Lincoln himself , called on the power of God to help the American people to overcome crises .
That is part of how we ’ re going to overcome this division , with the inspiration from our creator animating individuals to wake up to what ’ s happening in this country.
” The most recent statistics on abortion provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) indicate that over 623,000 children were killed in 2016 alone .
For Kasich , however , the nebulous term “ division @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is of greater importance than the hundreds of thousands of lives ended every year through abortion .
Social conservatives and pro-lifers have been critical of Kasich ’ s “ pro-life ” stance for years .
When running for president in 2015 and 2016 , he criticized pro-life politicians who prioritize the right-to-life issue , saying Republicans should not be “ put in a box ” on abortion .
“ I think [ abortion ] is an important issue , but I think there are many other issues that are really critical , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus too much on just one issue.
” As governor of Ohio , Kasich had twice vetoed a so-called heartbeat bill that would have prevented babies from being killed by abortion as soon as a beating heart can be detected .
“ As governor , I have worked hard to strengthen Ohio ’ s protections for the sanctity of human life , and I have a deep respect for my fellow members of the pro-life community and their ongoing efforts in defense of unborn life , ” Kasich claimed in 2018 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
H.B .
258 , that an abortion can not be performed if a heartbeat has been detected in the unborn child , is contrary to the Supreme Court of the United States ’ current rulings on abortion .
”

URGENT PETITION: Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade! Sign the petition here.
WESTERVILLE, Ohio, September 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Former Governor John Kasich of Ohio, a self-proclaimed “pro-life” Republican who recently endorsed pro-abortion Joe Biden for President, said that issues like Biden’s rigorous support for abortion are “dwarfed” by Biden’s alleged ability to “pull us together.”
During an interview with The View last Friday, co-host Meghan McCain, daughter of the late Senator John McCain, asked about Biden’s position on abortion, which arguably has been radicalized even further by his choice of Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate.
“You’re pro-life, I know that, and you were pro-life when you were in politics, as am I,” began McCain, who is about to give birth after experiencing a miscarriage last year. “It’s a big, big part of who I am and my platform. And I don’t think taxpayers should be funding abortions for women who are as pregnant as I am right now. So how would you push back against a voter like me who’s concerned about things like this in a possible Biden-Kamala administration?”
Kasich did not directly answer the question, simply commenting, “I agree with your position on the life issue, Meghan, but look … First of all I disagree with Joe Biden in a number of areas.”
Instead of mentioning the killing of an unborn child inside the mother’s womb, Kasich gave “capital gains taxes” as an example of disagreements between him and Biden.
“But the issues here are dwarfed, in my opinion, by the fact that he’s a person that can pull us together,” he explained. “Do I think that if he wins, that all of a sudden all these things are going to happen that are negative?”
“No, I don’t believe that at all,” he said, “because that’s not his character, that’s not who he is. And as you know, …. your father and Joe were great friends. Why? Not because they agreed on everything, but they could find common ground.”
“So, do I think we’re going to end up in some cataclysmic place if he wins? I don’t. But I do believe four more years of this division is wrecking the very soul of our country. And we continue down this path – I don’t know how we come back.”
Kasich then went on to talk about the importance of prayer.
“Look at what I wrote on USA Today about the power of faith,” he said. “Franklin Roosevelt, Lincoln himself, called on the power of God to help the American people to overcome crises. That is part of how we’re going to overcome this division, with the inspiration from our creator animating individuals to wake up to what’s happening in this country.”
The most recent statistics on abortion provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that over 623,000 children were killed in 2016 alone. For Kasich, however, the nebulous term “division” among people in the United States is of greater importance than the hundreds of thousands of lives ended every year through abortion.
Social conservatives and pro-lifers have been critical of Kasich’s “pro-life” stance for years.
When running for president in 2015 and 2016, he criticized pro-life politicians who prioritize the right-to-life issue, saying Republicans should not be “put in a box” on abortion. “I think [abortion] is an important issue, but I think there are many other issues that are really critical,” Kasich said. “I think we focus too much on just one issue.”
As governor of Ohio, Kasich had twice vetoed a so-called heartbeat bill that would have prevented babies from being killed by abortion as soon as a beating heart can be detected.
“As governor, I have worked hard to strengthen Ohio’s protections for the sanctity of human life, and I have a deep respect for my fellow members of the pro-life community and their ongoing efforts in defense of unborn life,” Kasich claimed in 2018. “However, the central provision of Sub. H.B. 258, that an abortion cannot be performed if a heartbeat has been detected in the unborn child, is contrary to the Supreme Court of the United States’ current rulings on abortion.”
Contact information for respectful communication:
Twitter: @JohnKasich
[email protected]
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lifesitenews--2020-09-14--Trump hits Biden for supporting ‘after-term abortion, which is basically baby execution’

URGENT PETITION : Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade !
Sign the petition here .
LAS VEGAS , September 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – President Donald Trump took forceful aim at Democrat opponent Joe Biden ’ s position on abortion over the weekend , accusing the former vice president of supporting “ baby execution.
” The president was speaking at a Latinos for Trump roundtable in Nevada , The Independent reported , during which he declared that Biden supports “ after-term abortion , which is basically baby execution . ''
The Independent claims Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s “ voting record has been historically conservative with regard to abortion.
” In fact , while Biden was more moderate years ago , he is currently running as an abortion absolutist with a plan to enshrine virtually-unlimited abortion into federal law at taxpayer expense .
Last year , he abandoned the last vestiges of his former moderation by disavowing the Hyde Amendment , which bars direct federal funding for most abortions .
Further , Biden has not dissented from his party ’ s opposition to the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care for infants delivered alive after failed abortions , and even selected Sen. Kamala Harris of California , who voted against the bill , as his running mate .
By contrast , Trump has worked to oppose federal funding of abortion and the abortion industry , including restoring and expanding the Mexico City Policy ( which bars foreign aid to abortion groups ) , disqualifying organizations involved in abortion from family planning funds , and endorsing legislation to fully defund Planned Parenthood .
“ While Joe Biden failed Hispanic-Americans , I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , ” Trump declared at the roundtable , the New York Post added .
“ I ’ m fighting for you every single day , and you understand that better than anybody .
”

The President called attention at a Latinos for Trump roundtable to his challenger's extreme position on abortion.
URGENT PETITION: Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade! Sign the petition here.
LAS VEGAS, September 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – President Donald Trump took forceful aim at Democrat opponent Joe Biden’s position on abortion over the weekend, accusing the former vice president of supporting “baby execution.”
The president was speaking at a Latinos for Trump roundtable in Nevada, The Independent reported, during which he declared that Biden supports “after-term abortion, which is basically baby execution.”
The Independent claims Trump’s characterization was “incorrect” because Biden’s “voting record has been historically conservative with regard to abortion.” In fact, while Biden was more moderate years ago, he is currently running as an abortion absolutist with a plan to enshrine virtually-unlimited abortion into federal law at taxpayer expense. Last year, he abandoned the last vestiges of his former moderation by disavowing the Hyde Amendment, which bars direct federal funding for most abortions.
Further, Biden has not dissented from his party’s opposition to the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would guarantee basic medical care for infants delivered alive after failed abortions, and even selected Sen. Kamala Harris of California, who voted against the bill, as his running mate.
By contrast, Trump has worked to oppose federal funding of abortion and the abortion industry, including restoring and expanding the Mexico City Policy (which bars foreign aid to abortion groups), disqualifying organizations involved in abortion from family planning funds, and endorsing legislation to fully defund Planned Parenthood.
“While Joe Biden failed Hispanic-Americans, I’ve delivered for Hispanic-Americans more than any other president,” Trump declared at the roundtable, the New York Post added. “I’m fighting for you every single day, and you understand that better than anybody.”
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lifesitenews--2020-09-14--US priest: Why it’s time for Catholics to talk religion and politics

September 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – One of the most frequently heard clichés is : Don ’ t talk religion and politics .
And with nerves so raw over pandemic restrictions , increasing civil unrest , and an upcoming election , that old saying would seem to embody a certain wisdom .
Everybody ’ s walking on eggs these days .
You can say something which you think is perfectly innocent but that touches on a point you didn ’ t know was hyper-sensitive .
Suddenly someone ’ s feeling affronted .
Who wants to risk making people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an option right now ?
The fate of our nation — of our entire way of life — will turn on developments of the next few weeks .
It all has to do with politics , that is to say with government and our relationship to it .
We need a resolution of the coronavirus lockdowns that crippled what had been the most robust economy in our history .
We need peace and order restored in the streets of our cities .
And we need to know who will serve the next presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the focus of government action during that administration .
These concerns have special added significance for people of faith .
Our ability to worship has been severely curtailed .
Churches , church-affiliated organizations , and individual believers have come under attack .
And we have reason to fear imposition of significant limits to religious freedom .
The central issue of this moment is Socialism , which at various times in our history has emerged as a potent movement , and at present is being aggressively promoted .
The lockdown orders by which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ churches are expressions of centralized power , which is the key feature of the Socialist vision .
Antifa , Black Lives Matter , and other radical groups proudly trumpet both their Socialist credentials and their hostility to Christianity .
The Democratic Party has veered farthest to the left of any time in its existence , desperately trying to ignore the radical violence , and expunging any support for traditional religious and moral values from their platform .
Politics and religion are inseparable .
Any statement made about the Church — from one viewpoint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the First-Amendment .
To express a preference for either candidate automatically raises assumptions about the role of faith in one ’ s life .
Certainly , all of this complicates our efforts at evangelization .
It ’ s hard enough for Catholics to reach out to brothers and sisters in spiritual need .
That ’ s a job we ’ ve traditionally left to priests and nuns .
But more than ever , we ’ re called upon to speak the truth , not only about the Kingdom of God , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faithful people and the nonreligious alike .
That truth is this : Wherever Socialism has been tried , invariably it has turned into Communism .
And because Communism is atheistic , the end result has always been tyranny , suffering , and death .
Some 100 million people have been killed in the course of Communism ’ s march through Russia , Eastern Europe , China , Venezuela , Nicaragua , and other parts of the world .
Why such a toll in blood ?
Because Communism recognizes no higher moral principle than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human action , any action considered necessary to achieving ideological goals is acceptable .
Human beings become nothing more than expendable pieces to be used in pursuing the utopian society which Communism promises to create .
There have always been efforts to reconcile Communism and Christianity .
Last year , the Jesuit magazine , America , published an essay , The Catholic Case for Communism , by Dean Dettloff of the Institute for Christian Studies , which tried to show parallels between Communism and Catholic social teaching .
“ For communists , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the abuse of workers at highly profitable corporations are not the result only of unkind employers or unfair labor regulations .
They are symptoms of a specific way of organizing wealth , one that did not exist at the creation of the world and one that represents part of a ‘ culture of death , ’ to borrow a familiar phrase … .
“ …although the Catholic Church officially teaches that private property is a natural right , this teaching also comes with the proviso that private property is always subordinate to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Catholic Church has condemned Communism .
As author-historian Paul Kengor has noted : “ In 1846 , Pope Pius IX released Qui pluribus , affirming that communism is ‘ absolutely contrary to the natural law itself ’ and if adopted would ‘ utterly destroy the rights , property , and possessions of all men , and even society itself.
’ In 1849 , one year after the [ Communist ] Manifesto was published , Pius IX issued the encyclical , Nostis Et Nobiscum , which referred to both socialism and communism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perverted theories , ’ and ‘ pernicious fictions.
’ The Church has maintained its resistance to Communism consistently through a long series of pronouncements .
An unpublished document of the Second Vatican Council , On the Care of Souls With Regard to Christians Infected With Communism , observed that some people educated in Catholic doctrine support the Communist cause not necessarily out of ideological commitment , but for pragmatic reasons : “ …they regard it as an effective way to bring about the perfect establishment of social justice , and , in fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage for less work , for receiving an equal part of the division and distribution of wealth and material goods , and for living a more comfortable and easier life.
” The document warned , however , that even “ those who favor communism only for economic convenience are mistaken.
” Kengor points out that the authors of this document foresaw a need for special action to counter the influence of Communist thought “ in universities and in other institutions of higher education of the sciences and arts ….
” They recommended that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for professors or students to ensure that they may not only give a public and clear testimony regarding the Christian faith by their truly Christian beliefs and manner of life , but also so they might expressly and efficaciously act to frustrate , or at least restrain , the nefarious work that is carried out hotly and bitterly in the aforementioned schools by so-called communist cells.
” The hoards of young people creating havoc in our streets just now show how we ’ ve failed in that area .
Communism can not live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not abide any rules and principles other than those set by Communist leaders .
It must dominate all of society and all of society ’ s institutions .
And so , difficult as it may be , committed Christians must take a stand against this mounting threat to our Faith and our freedom .
How to proceed ?
1 .
Know the facts .
Know what the Bible says .
Know what the Catechism says .
Know what the candidates stand for .
2 .
Speak with other people .
Despite the limitations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other coronavirus restrictions , we need to share our knowledge with people who are less informed .
Use the phone .
Use Skype , Zoom , Facebook , all the means which technology has placed at our disposal .
3 .
In humble and considerate ways , invite people into conversation .
Engage respectfully in healthy debate with friends and relatives who hold other points of view .
Introducing new ideas , opening people ’ s minds to different perspectives , educating them — these are good things .
These are things on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s time to talk politics and religion .
Let ’ s get to it .
A priest of the Diocese of Camden , New Jersey , Rev .
Michael P. Orsi currently serves as parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Naples , Florida .
He is host of “ Action for Life TV , ” a weekly cable television series devoted to pro-life issues , and his writings appear in numerous publications and online journals .
His TV show episodes can be viewed online here .

'The fate of our nation — of our entire way of life — will turn on developments of the next few weeks. It all has to do with politics, that is to say with government and our relationship to it'
PETITION: Stand with priest who faces Church penalties for saying “You can't be a Catholic and a Democrat.”! Sign the petition here.
September 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – One of the most frequently heard clichés is: Don’t talk religion and politics. And with nerves so raw over pandemic restrictions, increasing civil unrest, and an upcoming election, that old saying would seem to embody a certain wisdom.
Everybody’s walking on eggs these days. You can say something which you think is perfectly innocent but that touches on a point you didn’t know was hyper-sensitive. Suddenly someone’s feeling affronted. Who wants to risk making people mad?
But is avoiding discussion really an option right now?
The fate of our nation — of our entire way of life — will turn on developments of the next few weeks. It all has to do with politics, that is to say with government and our relationship to it.
We need a resolution of the coronavirus lockdowns that crippled what had been the most robust economy in our history. We need peace and order restored in the streets of our cities. And we need to know who will serve the next presidential term and, accordingly, what will be the focus of government action during that administration.
These concerns have special added significance for people of faith. Our ability to worship has been severely curtailed. Churches, church-affiliated organizations, and individual believers have come under attack. And we have reason to fear imposition of significant limits to religious freedom.
The central issue of this moment is Socialism, which at various times in our history has emerged as a potent movement, and at present is being aggressively promoted.
The lockdown orders by which state and local officials have closed our churches are expressions of centralized power, which is the key feature of the Socialist vision.
Antifa, Black Lives Matter, and other radical groups proudly trumpet both their Socialist credentials and their hostility to Christianity.
The Democratic Party has veered farthest to the left of any time in its existence, desperately trying to ignore the radical violence, and expunging any support for traditional religious and moral values from their platform.
Politics and religion are inseparable. Any statement made about the Church — from one viewpoint or another — suggests some particular understanding of the First-Amendment. To express a preference for either candidate automatically raises assumptions about the role of faith in one’s life.
Certainly, all of this complicates our efforts at evangelization. It’s hard enough for Catholics to reach out to brothers and sisters in spiritual need. That’s a job we’ve traditionally left to priests and nuns.
But more than ever, we’re called upon to speak the truth, not only about the Kingdom of God, but about the threat which Socialism poses to faithful people and the nonreligious alike.
That truth is this: Wherever Socialism has been tried, invariably it has turned into Communism. And because Communism is atheistic, the end result has always been tyranny, suffering, and death.
Some 100 million people have been killed in the course of Communism’s march through Russia, Eastern Europe, China, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and other parts of the world. Why such a toll in blood? Because Communism recognizes no higher moral principle than raw power.
Without God to limit human action, any action considered necessary to achieving ideological goals is acceptable. Human beings become nothing more than expendable pieces to be used in pursuing the utopian society which Communism promises to create.
There have always been efforts to reconcile Communism and Christianity. Last year, the Jesuit magazine, America, published an essay, The Catholic Case for Communism, by Dean Dettloff of the Institute for Christian Studies, which tried to show parallels between Communism and Catholic social teaching.
“For communists,” Dettloff wrote, “global inequality and the abuse of workers at highly profitable corporations are not the result only of unkind employers or unfair labor regulations. They are symptoms of a specific way of organizing wealth, one that did not exist at the creation of the world and one that represents part of a ‘culture of death,’ to borrow a familiar phrase ….
“…although the Catholic Church officially teaches that private property is a natural right, this teaching also comes with the proviso that private property is always subordinate to the common good.”
But from the beginning, the Catholic Church has condemned Communism. As author-historian Paul Kengor has noted:
“In 1846, Pope Pius IX released Qui pluribus, affirming that communism is ‘absolutely contrary to the natural law itself’ and if adopted would ‘utterly destroy the rights, property, and possessions of all men, and even society itself.’ In 1849, one year after the [Communist] Manifesto was published, Pius IX issued the encyclical, Nostis Et Nobiscum, which referred to both socialism and communism as ‘wicked theories,’ ‘perverted theories,’ and ‘pernicious fictions.’
The Church has maintained its resistance to Communism consistently through a long series of pronouncements. An unpublished document of the Second Vatican Council, On the Care of Souls With Regard to Christians Infected With Communism, observed that some people educated in Catholic doctrine support the Communist cause not necessarily out of ideological commitment, but for pragmatic reasons:
“…they regard it as an effective way to bring about the perfect establishment of social justice, and, in fact, for obtaining a better salary or wage for less work, for receiving an equal part of the division and distribution of wealth and material goods, and for living a more comfortable and easier life.”
The document warned, however, that even “those who favor communism only for economic convenience are mistaken.”
Kengor points out that the authors of this document foresaw a need for special action to counter the influence of Communist thought “in universities and in other institutions of higher education of the sciences and arts ….”
They recommended that “particular groups or associations be instituted for professors or students to ensure that they may not only give a public and clear testimony regarding the Christian faith by their truly Christian beliefs and manner of life, but also so they might expressly and efficaciously act to frustrate, or at least restrain, the nefarious work that is carried out hotly and bitterly in the aforementioned schools by so-called communist cells.”
The hoards of young people creating havoc in our streets just now show how we’ve failed in that area.
Communism cannot live side-by-side with religion, because it cannot abide any rules and principles other than those set by Communist leaders. It must dominate all of society and all of society’s institutions.
And so, difficult as it may be, committed Christians must take a stand against this mounting threat to our Faith and our freedom. How to proceed?
1. Know the facts. Know what the Bible says. Know what the Catechism says. Know what the candidates stand for.
2. Speak with other people. Despite the limitations imposed on us by social distancing and other coronavirus restrictions, we need to share our knowledge with people who are less informed. Use the phone. Use Skype, Zoom, Facebook, all the means which technology has placed at our disposal.
3. In humble and considerate ways, invite people into conversation. Engage respectfully in healthy debate with friends and relatives who hold other points of view. Introducing new ideas, opening people’s minds to different perspectives, educating them — these are good things. These are things on which the future of our nation depends.
It’s time to talk politics and religion. Let’s get to it.
A priest of the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, Rev. Michael P. Orsi currently serves as parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Naples, Florida. He is host of “Action for Life TV,” a weekly cable television series devoted to pro-life issues, and his writings appear in numerous publications and online journals. His TV show episodes can be viewed online here.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-14--‘I Love JK Rowling’ billboard covered-up after Trans activists express outrage

September 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – If you want to know just how far the tentacles of the totalitarian trans movement can reach , consider what happened in Vancouver , Canada over the weekend .
Chris Elston , a fan of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling , commissioned a billboard from Pattison Outdoor along with Amy Hamm with the simple slogan “ I *heart* J.K. Rowling ” in response to a poster with the same words being removed by Network Rail in Scotland .
Elston and Hamm had a three-month contract for the billboard .
Elston told Global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her views on transgenderism recently ( something I and others have covered extensively for LifeSiteNews.com ) .
“ A woman that has done nothing but express concern for an erosion of women ’ s rights and medicalization of children who are being taught gender ideology [ is being targeted ] , ” he told Global .
“ She has gone into great detail about all the safeguarding issues that are being taken away from women and children.
” Within less than two days of the billboard going up at the intersection of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was promptly vandalized with paint—and then taken down entirely in the face of instant backlash from the LGBT community .
Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung of the Vancouver Non-Partisan Association claimed that the slogan was actually hate speech .
“ By saying , ‘ I love J.K. Rowling , ’ who has clearly been associated with denouncing the trans community , the intent was really clear here to be an anti-message against inclusivity and against the trans community , ” Kirby-Yung noted somewhat incoherently .
“ As a city councillor , when I see that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility to call that out and stand up against that kind of divisive behavior .
It ’ s very difficult to take that back once those wounds have been inflicted.
” In her statement to CTV News , Kirby-Yung was blunter : “ I think it 's intentionally intended to incite hate without officially contravening .
.
.
guidelines of hate speech .
But the clear intent is to stoke division and be exclusive of people in our city.
” To be clear : This city councillor is , in fact , claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ J.K. Rowling ” is capable of “ inflicting wounds.
” So much for the resilience of the trans community .
Global News even tracked down another Vancouver resident to concur with Kirby-Yung .
“ Having a bold sign like that in a busy street…it really sends a message , where as a queer individual it is a bit hurtful to see something that could be unwelcoming.
” Trans activist Sophia Banks went even further .
“ Let me explain something as a trans woman about this billboard in Vancouver , ” he stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling me ( a trans woman ) a dangerous predator who should be denied access to women ’ s spaces .
It encourages male violence against us .
It encourages child abuse.
” You may need a reminder at this point that the billboard in question says “ I love J.K. Rowling.
” Inside that statement , apparently , is a call for violence , child abuse , and reference to trans people as violent predators .
Incidentally , Rowling has said none of that and is actually a long-time supporter of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created a petition to have the billboard removed , and told the CBC that she was “ horrified ” by the billboard , which “ has the insidiousness of looking truly innocent but when it comes down to it , the support for J.K. Rowling is support for anti-trans feminism.
” Trans activist Morgane Oger , a former candidate for the B.C .
New Democratic Party , concurred : “ People have been using innocuous-looking signs of messaging in order to intimidate or in order to provoke people into reacting for too long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs .
The purpose of this sign was to harass the community , targeting them because of who they are and trying to get them to react through a message only they recognize.
” So there you have it .
J.K. Rowling , a pro-abortion , pro-LGBT rights progressive whose works can be found in nearly every Vancouver bookstore is now such a leprous pariah that a billboard simply declaring affection for her is now quite literally a declaration of war on transgender people and can be labeled hate speech and an incitement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billboard down without explanation .
What does all of this mean for freedom of speech ?
I think we know .
If supporting an author who has as much contempt for the views of traditional Christians as any LGBT activist is now beyond the pale , we can be assured that these same activists would be more than happy to shut down churches , burn books , and restrict any and all dissenting opinions in the name of protecting people from violence at the very earliest opportunity .
And considering how fast this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come earlier than we think .
As Chris Elston said about his short-lived billboard : “ We live in a society today where you can not even ask the question .
”

'Inside that statement, apparently, is a call for violence, child abuse, and reference to trans people as violent predators. Incidentally, Rowling has said none of that and is actually a long-time supporter of the LGBT agenda.'
PETITION: Boycott Disney's new kids' film 'Onward' for pushing LGBT agenda! Sign the petition here.
September 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – If you want to know just how far the tentacles of the totalitarian trans movement can reach, consider what happened in Vancouver, Canada over the weekend.
Chris Elston, a fan of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, commissioned a billboard from Pattison Outdoor along with Amy Hamm with the simple slogan “I *heart* J.K. Rowling” in response to a poster with the same words being removed by Network Rail in Scotland. Elston and Hamm had a three-month contract for the billboard.
Elston told Global News that Rowling has been targeted unfairly for her views on transgenderism recently (something I and others have covered extensively for LifeSiteNews.com). “A woman that has done nothing but express concern for an erosion of women’s rights and medicalization of children who are being taught gender ideology [is being targeted],” he told Global. “She has gone into great detail about all the safeguarding issues that are being taken away from women and children.”
Within less than two days of the billboard going up at the intersection of East Hastings and Glen Drive, it was promptly vandalized with paint—and then taken down entirely in the face of instant backlash from the LGBT community. Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung of the Vancouver Non-Partisan Association claimed that the slogan was actually hate speech.
They're taking our sign down pic.twitter.com/obqqaDbkyh — Amy Eileen Hamm (@preta_6) September 12, 2020
“By saying, ‘I love J.K. Rowling,’ who has clearly been associated with denouncing the trans community, the intent was really clear here to be an anti-message against inclusivity and against the trans community,” Kirby-Yung noted somewhat incoherently. “As a city councillor, when I see that I just feel we have such a responsibility to call that out and stand up against that kind of divisive behavior. It’s very difficult to take that back once those wounds have been inflicted.”
Follow Jonathon van Maren on Facebook
In her statement to CTV News, Kirby-Yung was blunter: “I think it's intentionally intended to incite hate without officially contravening . . . guidelines of hate speech. But the clear intent is to stoke division and be exclusive of people in our city.”
To be clear: This city councillor is, in fact, claiming that a billboard reading “I love J.K. Rowling” is capable of “inflicting wounds.” So much for the resilience of the trans community.
Global News even tracked down another Vancouver resident to concur with Kirby-Yung. “Having a bold sign like that in a busy street…it really sends a message, where as a queer individual it is a bit hurtful to see something that could be unwelcoming.”
Trans activist Sophia Banks went even further. “Let me explain something as a trans woman about this billboard in Vancouver,” he stated on Twitter. “This message is calling me (a trans woman) a dangerous predator who should be denied access to women’s spaces. It encourages male violence against us. It encourages child abuse.”
You may need a reminder at this point that the billboard in question says “I love J.K. Rowling.” Inside that statement, apparently, is a call for violence, child abuse, and reference to trans people as violent predators. Incidentally, Rowling has said none of that and is actually a long-time supporter of the LGBT agenda.
Vancouver photographer Antonia Allan created a petition to have the billboard removed, and told the CBC that she was “horrified” by the billboard, which “has the insidiousness of looking truly innocent but when it comes down to it, the support for J.K. Rowling is support for anti-trans feminism.”
Trans activist Morgane Oger, a former candidate for the B.C. New Democratic Party, concurred: “People have been using innocuous-looking signs of messaging in order to intimidate or in order to provoke people into reacting for too long and this is another one of these signs. The purpose of this sign was to harass the community, targeting them because of who they are and trying to get them to react through a message only they recognize.”
So there you have it. J.K. Rowling, a pro-abortion, pro-LGBT rights progressive whose works can be found in nearly every Vancouver bookstore is now such a leprous pariah that a billboard simply declaring affection for her is now quite literally a declaration of war on transgender people and can be labeled hate speech and an incitement to violence. Pattison Outdoor took the billboard down without explanation.
What does all of this mean for freedom of speech? I think we know. If supporting an author who has as much contempt for the views of traditional Christians as any LGBT activist is now beyond the pale, we can be assured that these same activists would be more than happy to shut down churches, burn books, and restrict any and all dissenting opinions in the name of protecting people from violence at the very earliest opportunity. And considering how fast this billboard came down, those opportunities may come earlier than we think.
As Chris Elston said about his short-lived billboard: “We live in a society today where you cannot even ask the question.”
Jonathon’s new podcast, The Van Maren Show, is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement. In his latest episode, he interviews Alessandra Bocchi, an Italian journalist well-known for her freelance reporting all over the world. She believes the mainstream media is driven by ideology rather than a desire for truth. It’s “hard to find a nuanced and informed view” on current events, she says. Journalism today is “all about personalities and memes rather than substance.” It’s more concerned with “catering to [the progressive elite] as opposed to reporting the truth…they’ve lost their integrity and credibility in many respects.” You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below:
Follow Jonathon Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer, and pro-life activist. His commentary has been translated into more than eight languages and published widely online as well as print newspapers such as the Jewish Independent, the National Post, the Hamilton Spectator and others. He has received an award for combating anti-Semitism in print from the Jewish organization B’nai Brith. His commentary has been featured on CTV Primetime, Global News, EWTN, and the CBC as well as dozens of radio stations and news outlets in Canada and the United States. He speaks on a wide variety of cultural topics across North America at universities, high schools, churches, and other functions. Some of these topics include abortion, pornography, the Sexual Revolution, and euthanasia. Jonathon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Simon Fraser University, and is the communications director for the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform. Jonathon’s first book, The Culture War, was released in 2016.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-14--Tax-funded NPR reports on California church closures, omits governor’s double standard

September 14 , 2020 ( ) — On Saturday morning NPR ’ s Weekend Edition aired a somber story about how the Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento is celebrating Mass in a concrete alley , with the priest celebrating from a fire escape .
But there was something missing — anyone who objected to these restrictions .
Instead , reporter Pauline Bartolone made an argument for extending the new outdoor-worship regime : PAULINE BARTOLONE : Susan Abraham is dean of the Pacific School of Religion in the Bay Area .
She 's Catholic herself and says the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all sorts of spiritual practices .
SUSAN ABRAHAM : I 'm not a fan of fetishizing any particular holy shrine or space as the only kind of - or the purest kind of holiness .
I 'm willing to say , as a Catholic with an expansive and capacious imagination , that there is more to holiness than what human beings may want to grasp at .
BARTOLONE : During the Mass behind Sacramento 's cathedral , some parishioners kneeled on the cement as they worshipped .
Maria Balakshin said , in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attend Mass outdoors .
MARIA BALAKSHIN : To me personally , it is more intimate .
I feel like the people who are here are really true Christians that want to practice their faith .
There was something else missing from the NPR story .
On August 31 , Gov .
Gavin Newsom allowed indoor operations for Sacramento County businesses ( but not churches ) : Why are churches less important than businesses ?
It ’ s not like you ’ re more likely to be infected inside during a religious service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at NPR was asking .
NPR also ignored a large evangelical Christian protest of the religion restrictions last Sunday at the state capital building in Sacramento .
Christian activist Sean Feucht keeps demonstrating how the media has a double standard favoring the left on the coronavirus .

Hair salons, barbershops, and retail establishments have more freedom in California than churches — a fact National Public Radio declined to cover.
September 14, 2020 ( NewsBusters ) — On Saturday morning NPR’s Weekend Edition aired a somber story about how the Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento is celebrating Mass in a concrete alley, with the priest celebrating from a fire escape.
But there was something missing — anyone who objected to these restrictions. Instead, reporter Pauline Bartolone made an argument for extending the new outdoor-worship regime:
_
PAULINE BARTOLONE: Susan Abraham is dean of the Pacific School of Religion in the Bay Area. She's Catholic herself and says the pandemic is a good time to rethink all sorts of spiritual practices. SUSAN ABRAHAM: I'm not a fan of fetishizing any particular holy shrine or space as the only kind of – or the purest kind of holiness. I'm willing to say, as a Catholic with an expansive and capacious imagination, that there is more to holiness than what human beings may want to grasp at. BARTOLONE: During the Mass behind Sacramento's cathedral, some parishioners kneeled on the cement as they worshipped. Maria Balakshin said, in some ways, it's even more spiritual to attend Mass outdoors. MARIA BALAKSHIN: To me personally, it is more intimate. I feel like the people who are here are really true Christians that want to practice their faith.
There was something else missing from the NPR story.
On August 31, Gov. Gavin Newsom allowed indoor operations for Sacramento County businesses (but not churches):
Hair salons and barbershops
All retail (25% maximum capacity)
Shopping centers (Malls, destination centers, swap meets, excluding food courts and common areas) maximum 25% capacity
Why are churches less important than businesses? It’s not like you’re more likely to be infected inside during a religious service than shopping for shoes. No one at NPR was asking.
NPR also ignored a large evangelical Christian protest of the religion restrictions last Sunday at the state capital building in Sacramento. Christian activist Sean Feucht keeps demonstrating how the media has a double standard favoring the left on the coronavirus.
Published with permission from NewsBusters.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-14--Lawsuit spurs university to pay $50K for forbidding ‘inherently religious’ Alveda King to speak

ATLANTA , Georgia , September 14 , 2020 ( Alliance Defending Freedom ) — Georgia Tech has agreed to change the unconstitutional policies that allowed its student government to deny funding for a speaking event featuring Alveda King , the niece of civil rights activist Martin Luther King , Jr. , because she is “ inherently religious.
” As part of a settlement ending a federal lawsuit Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed on behalf of the campus chapter of Students for Life , the university agreed to revise its policies to treat all student organizations fairly , regardless of viewpoint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damages and attorneys ’ fees .
“ Public universities are supposed to welcome diverse viewpoints and can ’ t treat some student groups worse than others simply because they disagree with what the students have to say , ” said ADF Legal Counsel Caleb Dalton .
“ Georgia Tech ’ s previous policy allowed discrimination against Ms. King because she was accused of leading an ‘ inherently religious ’ life .
Under such a standard , MLK himself would not be welcome on campus .
Thankfully , by changing these policies , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment freedoms and better living up to its duty to offer a marketplace of ideas , where diverse viewpoints should be encouraged , not shut down.
” Students at Georgia Tech , including members of Students for Life , pay mandatory student activity fees which the Student Government Association uses to fund all other organizations ’ events on campus .
However , when the pro-life club sought funding for their speaking event featuring King , SGA members interrogated the club on the content and viewpoints that King would present at the event .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stating that , because King has been involved in religious ministries , her life was “ inherently religious , ” and they could not separate that from the event about civil rights and abortion .
“ Today ’ s university students will be tomorrow ’ s voters and civic leaders , ” said ADF Senior Counsel Tyson Langhofer , director of the ADF Center for Academic Freedom .
“ That ’ s why it ’ s so important that public colleges and universities exemplify the First Amendment values they are supposed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tech has shown its renewed commitment to these principles by taking quick corrective action to revise their policies so that all student organizations are treated fairly , regardless of political or religious views .
We hope that other universities around the country will ensure their policies meet constitutional muster without the need for a lawsuit.
” “ Courageous student leaders across the nation face real opposition from their schools because they choose to stand up for the defenseless and peacefully educate their fellow students about protecting the preborn , ” said Students for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Constitution is clear that public universities can ’ t discriminate against students for their political or religious beliefs , and we are hopeful that Georgia Tech ’ s decisive policy changes will set an example for universities around the country to uphold all students ’ constitutional rights.
” In light of the settlement agreement reached in Students for Life at Georgia Tech v. Regents of the University System of Georgia , ADF attorneys voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit Thursday .
Students for Life of America is a national pro-life organization dedicated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-life student groups at high schools and universities .
It has more than 1,250 groups in all 50 states .
Published with permission from the Alliance Defending Freedom .

ATLANTA, Georgia, September 14, 2020 (Alliance Defending Freedom) — Georgia Tech has agreed to change the unconstitutional policies that allowed its student government to deny funding for a speaking event featuring Alveda King, the niece of civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr., because she is “inherently religious.” As part of a settlement ending a federal lawsuit Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed on behalf of the campus chapter of Students for Life, the university agreed to revise its policies to treat all student organizations fairly, regardless of viewpoint, and to pay $50,000 in damages and attorneys’ fees.
“Public universities are supposed to welcome diverse viewpoints and can’t treat some student groups worse than others simply because they disagree with what the students have to say,” said ADF Legal Counsel Caleb Dalton. “Georgia Tech’s previous policy allowed discrimination against Ms. King because she was accused of leading an ‘inherently religious’ life. Under such a standard, MLK himself would not be welcome on campus. Thankfully, by changing these policies, the university is respecting our clients’ First Amendment freedoms and better living up to its duty to offer a marketplace of ideas, where diverse viewpoints should be encouraged, not shut down.”
Students at Georgia Tech, including members of Students for Life, pay mandatory student activity fees which the Student Government Association uses to fund all other organizations’ events on campus. However, when the pro-life club sought funding for their speaking event featuring King, SGA members interrogated the club on the content and viewpoints that King would present at the event. The student government denied the funding request stating that, because King has been involved in religious ministries, her life was “inherently religious,” and they could not separate that from the event about civil rights and abortion.
“Today’s university students will be tomorrow’s voters and civic leaders,” said ADF Senior Counsel Tyson Langhofer, director of the ADF Center for Academic Freedom. “That’s why it’s so important that public colleges and universities exemplify the First Amendment values they are supposed to be teaching to students. Thankfully, Georgia Tech has shown its renewed commitment to these principles by taking quick corrective action to revise their policies so that all student organizations are treated fairly, regardless of political or religious views. We hope that other universities around the country will ensure their policies meet constitutional muster without the need for a lawsuit.”
“Courageous student leaders across the nation face real opposition from their schools because they choose to stand up for the defenseless and peacefully educate their fellow students about protecting the preborn,” said Students for Life of America President Kristan Hawkins. “The Constitution is clear that public universities can’t discriminate against students for their political or religious beliefs, and we are hopeful that Georgia Tech’s decisive policy changes will set an example for universities around the country to uphold all students’ constitutional rights.”
In light of the settlement agreement reached in Students for Life at Georgia Tech v. Regents of the University System of Georgia, ADF attorneys voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit Thursday.
Students for Life of America is a national pro-life organization dedicated to training and equipping students to lead local pro-life student groups at high schools and universities. It has more than 1,250 groups in all 50 states.
Pronunciation guide: Langhofer (LANG’-hoff-ur)
Published with permission from the Alliance Defending Freedom.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-14--Are bishops who punish priests for speaking against Democratic party betraying the faith?

September 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The City of God has a problem , a big problem .
Many of those charged with protecting and defending her have gone over to the enemy .
Some are active members of the treasonous conspiracy ; others commit treason by their silence .
They are the “ nice guys ” who want to be liked and admired .
They don ’ t want anyone rocking the boat by insisting on unpleasant truths .
So they say and do nothing while the active conspirators within and the enemies without take jackhammers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holy city .
Several years ago , Deacon James Toner discussed The Nice Guy Syndrome in an article in The Wanderer linking it to Hannah Arendt 's description of the `` banality of evil : ” This brings us to the current situation of Fr .
James Altman of La Crosse , WI and his bishop , William Patrick Callahan .
In a recent homily , Fr .
Altman pointed out that Catholics can not be Democrats because of party positions advancing intrinsic evils .
Support for abortion and homosexuality are litmus tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Catholics ca n't support that !
But Bishop Callahan publicly called out Fr .
Altman for his divisive `` tone , '' saying he inflicted a `` wound '' on the Church .
He no doubt could have described his spiritual son as “ disagreeable and dyspeptic.
” The bishop threatens canonical penalties if Fr .
Altman fails to `` hear and respond to my fraternal correction . ''
Correction for what , exactly ?
Not the message , apparently , but a `` tone '' he doesn ’ t like .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinion , but that 's all it is , an opinion , but one accompanied by threats of aggressive action .
As he considers his next move , the bishop already forbade Fr .
Altman from live streaming Masses .
The bishop called Fr .
Altman ’ s homily `` a scandal . ''
Was it ?
A bishop 's primary duties are to `` teach , govern , and sanctify . ''
Priests share in that duty as the bishop 's representatives .
Fr .
Altman teaches the truth with clarity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholics starved by the gruel served up daily by Catholic `` nice guys '' preaching pabulum from the pulpit .
Fr .
Altman upholds the Church 's doctrinal teaching .
He speaks with boldness walking in the footsteps of saints and prophets who defended the faith throughout history .
Contrast his voice with that of Fr .
James Martin , S.J .
who embraces and promotes homosexual depravity .
Instead of being silenced and reprimanded , however , as a scandal wounding the Church , Martin is the darling of liberal bishops and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the office of communications .
That is , indeed , a treasonous scandal !
The word treason derives from the Latin “ traditionem ” meaning to hand over , deliver , or surrender and from the Old French verb “ trair ” meaning to betray .
Under old English law , high treason occurred when a subject betrayed his sovereign ( in our case Christ Himself ) or the state ( the City of God ) .
Petit treason involved a subject ’ s offense against a fellow subject .
Today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these treasons .
They violate the two great commandments to love God and neighbor .
They undermine the faith and weaken the City of God making it more difficult to bring the entire world to the service of Christ the King .
And they fail to warn those in danger of hell to mend their ways .
Consider the silence of so many bishops to teach the faith clearly and boldly .
This problem plagued the Church from its very beginning and often arose from human respect .
Peter himself fell victim when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to placate the Jewish converts .
St. Paul called him out and , when the first council met in Jerusalem , the Church limited the obligation of Gentiles to follow Mosaic Law .
But it took a very un-silent St. Paul to chastise the pope .
How many clergy fall into the same trap as the English bishops who chose silence to please a king and avoid martyrdom ?
Clergy today choose silence with much less cause , since they will hardly be executed for making Catholic liberals angry .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course , which often seems to be the major consideration .
Is that the case with Bishop Callahan ?
One blogger thinks so .
Dad29.blogspot.com posted this on September 11th : One does not have to be Einstein to figure out why a Catholic Bishop is publicly flogging a Catholic priest for saying exactly what the Church clearly teaches , but riddle me this , Batman : to what political party does the La Crosse Congressional rep belong ?
Right-o .
Ron Kind is a Democrat , and a Party-Line Democrat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly the way Nancy tells him to .
Pro-abortion every [ ... ] time .
And the La Crosse Diocese 's borders are similar to the borders of Democrat Kind 's district .
+Callahan has a problem , you see .
More than half of the voters in the Bishop 's Diocese vote Democrat -- meaning more than half of the dues-paying parish members out there are voting Democrat .
Hint : `` Dues-paying '' means something here .
Yup .
Follow the money .
It 's really very easy .
Congressman Ron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Planned Parenthood and NARAL .
He supports embryonic stem cell research and same-sex “ marriage ” among other intrinsic evils .
In 2018 he won with about 60 % of the vote in an area that is approximately 25 % Catholic .
How many La Crosse Catholics cast their vote for this death-dealing liberal with nary a whimper of warning from their shepherds ?
It 's always risky to assume motives , but the fact is that the Diocese of La Crosse , like most dioceses in the country , is in trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
Suspended Masses haven ’ t helped contributions which are way down .
Retaining `` dues-paying '' Catholics in the pews is likely a major priority .
Keep pew-sitters pacified and paying by avoiding the hard truth , the divisive `` sword of the spirit '' that separates truth from error and , in the process , enrages people .
Fr .
Altman definitely enrages the liberal left .
Once his sermons went viral , the backlash was inevitable .
It put Fr .
Altman in the crosshairs of Fr .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ followers to contact the bishop .
Bishops do n't like controversy and they do n't like to be embarrassed .
Some often imitate the unfaithful popes who exiled St. Athanasius and St. John Chrysostom for defending the faith .
Choosing to be charming and silent “ nice guys ” may be the most insidious temptation of our day for the shepherds .
Human respect can lead to a treasonous betrayal of Christ .
Jesus told Pilate He came into the world to “ testify to the truth.
” That testimony got him crucified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walk in the footsteps of St. John Fisher , the only English bishop who refused to be a “ nice guy ” and bend the knee to King Henry VIII .
He was beheaded on Tower Hill two days before the feast of St. John the Baptist who also lost his head for speaking out against an evil king .
Cardinal Carlo Caffarra , addressing the fourth annual Rome Life Forum in 2017 , stressed that Catholics , are obliged to testify to the truth : Exactly !
And that ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and faithfully .
Deacon Toner hit the target when he said if being “ nice guys ” means being wishy-washy about the truth we must be as disagreeable and dyspeptic as possible.
” Was he advising unkindness ?
Of course not !
He was using hyperbole to condemn the temptation to value human opinions above the will of God .
Fr .
James Altman is willing to risk the hatred of the world and censure from his bishop in order to save souls .
He would rather trip up Catholics on the primrose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them continue unwarned only to fall into the abyss !
God bless him !
Deacon Toner ended his article on the Catholic “ nice guys ” by referring to a man often called the apostle of common sense , G. K. Chesterton : [ Chesterton ] had it exactly right in his observation that Christians are not hated enough by the world .
Too often , we are ‘ nice guys.
’ “ Nice guy ” is a title , none of us should seek , especially if it means advancing the culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of truth and life .
We are called to be soldiers in the Church Militant and should ponder carefully the words of Cardinal Robert Sarah at the 12 Annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in 2016 .
“ Discern carefully – in your lives , your homes , your workplaces – how , in your nation , God is being eroded , eclipsed , liquidated….You have a mission of bringing Divine Revelation to bear in the lives of your fellow citizens… .
Do not be afraid to proclaim the truth with love… .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : ‘ Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear.
’ …and above all pray.
” The silence of the “ nice guys ” contributes to “ eroding , eclipsing , and liquidating ” the faith .
It is the lukewarmness Revelation 3:16 warns against : “ Because thou art lukewarm , and neither cold , not hot , I will vomit thee out of my mouth.
” Fr .
James Altman is a man of prayer , a zealous teacher , who refuses to run from the field of battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be eroded , eclipsed , or liquidated unlike many of our cowardly bishops .
Prudent Catholics who love Jesus Christ , Truth Himself , would do well to imitate him .
Please sign the LifeSiteNews petition in support of Fr .
Altman .
Mary Ann Kreitzer writes from the Shenandoah Valley and blogs at Les Femmes – The Truth

September 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The City of God has a problem, a big problem. Many of those charged with protecting and defending her have gone over to the enemy. Some are active members of the treasonous conspiracy; others commit treason by their silence. They are the “nice guys” who want to be liked and admired. They don’t want anyone rocking the boat by insisting on unpleasant truths. So they say and do nothing while the active conspirators within and the enemies without take jackhammers and wrecking balls to the foundations of the holy city.
Several years ago, Deacon James Toner discussed The Nice Guy Syndrome in an article in The Wanderer linking it to Hannah Arendt's description of the “banality of evil:”
Nice guys…can do, great evil because of apathy, because of unwillingness to seek the truth and then to do it. Truth obliges. Knowing the truth requires us to act in that truth – to “do” the truth. (James 1:22, CCC 898) If being a “nice guy” means that we must be wishy-washy or apathetic about knowing and serving truth, then we must be as disagreeable, as dyspeptic, as possible….
This brings us to the current situation of Fr. James Altman of La Crosse, WI and his bishop, William Patrick Callahan. In a recent homily, Fr. Altman pointed out that Catholics cannot be Democrats because of party positions advancing intrinsic evils. Support for abortion and homosexuality are litmus tests for Democrats written specifically into their platform. Catholics can't support that! But Bishop Callahan publicly called out Fr. Altman for his divisive “tone,” saying he inflicted a “wound” on the Church. He no doubt could have described his spiritual son as “disagreeable and dyspeptic.” The bishop threatens canonical penalties if Fr. Altman fails to “hear and respond to my fraternal correction.” Correction for what, exactly? Not the message, apparently, but a “tone” he doesn’t like. Bishop Callahan is certainly entitled to his opinion, but that's all it is, an opinion, but one accompanied by threats of aggressive action. As he considers his next move, the bishop already forbade Fr. Altman from live streaming Masses.
The bishop called Fr. Altman’s homily “a scandal.” Was it? A bishop's primary duties are to “teach, govern, and sanctify.” Priests share in that duty as the bishop's representatives. Fr. Altman teaches the truth with clarity. His words stir the hearts of orthodox Catholics starved by the gruel served up daily by Catholic “nice guys” preaching pabulum from the pulpit. Fr. Altman upholds the Church's doctrinal teaching. He speaks with boldness walking in the footsteps of saints and prophets who defended the faith throughout history. Contrast his voice with that of Fr. James Martin, S.J. who embraces and promotes homosexual depravity. Instead of being silenced and reprimanded, however, as a scandal wounding the Church, Martin is the darling of liberal bishops and even the Vatican apparatchik where he serves in the office of communications. That is, indeed, a treasonous scandal!
The word treason derives from the Latin “traditionem” meaning to hand over, deliver, or surrender and from the Old French verb “trair” meaning to betray. Under old English law, high treason occurred when a subject betrayed his sovereign (in our case Christ Himself) or the state (the City of God). Petit treason involved a subject’s offense against a fellow subject. Today, “nice guys” commit both of these treasons. They violate the two great commandments to love God and neighbor. They undermine the faith and weaken the City of God making it more difficult to bring the entire world to the service of Christ the King. And they fail to warn those in danger of hell to mend their ways.
Consider the silence of so many bishops to teach the faith clearly and boldly. This problem plagued the Church from its very beginning and often arose from human respect. Peter himself fell victim when he stopped eating with the Gentile converts in order to placate the Jewish converts. St. Paul called him out and, when the first council met in Jerusalem, the Church limited the obligation of Gentiles to follow Mosaic Law. But it took a very un-silent St. Paul to chastise the pope. How many clergy fall into the same trap as the English bishops who chose silence to please a king and avoid martyrdom? Clergy today choose silence with much less cause, since they will hardly be executed for making Catholic liberals angry. The bishop may lose some big contributors, of course, which often seems to be the major consideration. Is that the case with Bishop Callahan? One blogger thinks so. Dad29.blogspot.com posted this on September 11th:
One does not have to be Einstein to figure out why a Catholic Bishop is publicly flogging a Catholic priest for saying exactly what the Church clearly teaches, but riddle me this, Batman: to what political party does the La Crosse Congressional rep belong? Right-o. Ron Kind is a Democrat, and a Party-Line Democrat. He speechifies “moderate” and votes exactly the way Nancy tells him to. Pro-abortion every […] time. And the La Crosse Diocese's borders are similar to the borders of Democrat Kind's district. +Callahan has a problem, you see. More than half of the voters in the Bishop's Diocese vote Democrat–meaning more than half of the dues-paying parish members out there are voting Democrat. Hint: “Dues-paying” means something here.
Yup. Follow the money. It's really very easy.
Congressman Ron Kind has a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood and NARAL. He supports embryonic stem cell research and same-sex “marriage” among other intrinsic evils. In 2018 he won with about 60% of the vote in an area that is approximately 25% Catholic. How many La Crosse Catholics cast their vote for this death-dealing liberal with nary a whimper of warning from their shepherds?
It's always risky to assume motives, but the fact is that the Diocese of La Crosse, like most dioceses in the country, is in trouble financially, which has been exacerbated by the coronavirus. Suspended Masses haven’t helped contributions which are way down. Retaining “dues-paying” Catholics in the pews is likely a major priority. Keep pew-sitters pacified and paying by avoiding the hard truth, the divisive “sword of the spirit” that separates truth from error and, in the process, enrages people.
Fr. Altman definitely enrages the liberal left. Once his sermons went viral, the backlash was inevitable. It put Fr. Altman in the crosshairs of Fr. James Martin who encouraged his thousands of followers to contact the bishop. Bishops don't like controversy and they don't like to be embarrassed. Some often imitate the unfaithful popes who exiled St. Athanasius and St. John Chrysostom for defending the faith.
Choosing to be charming and silent “nice guys” may be the most insidious temptation of our day for the shepherds. Human respect can lead to a treasonous betrayal of Christ. Jesus told Pilate He came into the world to “testify to the truth.” That testimony got him crucified. How many bishops are willing to walk in the footsteps of St. John Fisher, the only English bishop who refused to be a “nice guy” and bend the knee to King Henry VIII. He was beheaded on Tower Hill two days before the feast of St. John the Baptist who also lost his head for speaking out against an evil king.
Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, addressing the fourth annual Rome Life Forum in 2017, stressed that Catholics, are obliged to testify to the truth:
Testimony means to say, to speak, to announce openly and publicly. Someone who does not testify in this way is like a soldier who flees at the decisive moment in a battle. We are no longer witnesses, but deserters, if we do not speak openly and publicly.
Exactly! And that’s what Fr. James Altman does – courageously and faithfully. Deacon Toner hit the target when he said if being “nice guys” means being wishy-washy about the truth we must be as disagreeable and dyspeptic as possible.” Was he advising unkindness? Of course not! He was using hyperbole to condemn the temptation to value human opinions above the will of God. Fr. James Altman is willing to risk the hatred of the world and censure from his bishop in order to save souls. He would rather trip up Catholics on the primrose path that leads to hell than let them continue unwarned only to fall into the abyss! God bless him!
Deacon Toner ended his article on the Catholic “nice guys” by referring to a man often called the apostle of common sense, G. K. Chesterton:
[Chesterton] had it exactly right in his observation that Christians are not hated enough by the world. Too often, we are ‘nice guys.’ “Nice guy” is a title, none of us should seek, especially if it means advancing the culture of the lie instead of the culture of truth and life. We are called to be soldiers in the Church Militant and should ponder carefully the words of Cardinal Robert Sarah at the 12 Annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in 2016. “Discern carefully – in your lives, your homes, your workplaces – how, in your nation, God is being eroded, eclipsed, liquidated….You have a mission of bringing Divine Revelation to bear in the lives of your fellow citizens…. Do not be afraid to proclaim the truth with love…. In the words of Saint Catherine of Siena: ‘Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear.’…and above all pray.”
The silence of the “nice guys” contributes to “eroding, eclipsing, and liquidating” the faith. It is the lukewarmness Revelation 3:16 warns against: “Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, not hot, I will vomit thee out of my mouth.” Fr. James Altman is a man of prayer, a zealous teacher, who refuses to run from the field of battle and allow the truths of God to be eroded, eclipsed, or liquidated unlike many of our cowardly bishops. Prudent Catholics who love Jesus Christ, Truth Himself, would do well to imitate him.
Please sign the LifeSiteNews petition in support of Fr. Altman.
Mary Ann Kreitzer writes from the Shenandoah Valley and blogs at Les Femmes – The Truth
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lifesitenews--2020-09-14--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

September 14 , 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--2020-09-14--Newsom signs California bill to soften penalties for sex offenders against minors

SACRAMENTO , California , September 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – California Democrat Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed into law controversial legislation that would empower judges to forgo adding those who engage in homosexual sex with certain minors to the state sex offender registry , demanding that lawmakers strengthen existing laws instead of weakening them .
State law forbids performing sex acts with a minor , but oral and anal intercourse requires that the older partner register as a sex offender , wheras in the case of vaginal intercourse judges have the discretion to choose whether to require registration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat state Sen. Scott Wiener , extends that judicial discretion to all three acts , so long as the victim is at least 14 and the offender “ is not more than 10 years older than the minor.
” Lawmakers gave their final approval to the legislation last week .
Newsom signed it into law late Friday without comment , the Associated Press reported .
Celebrating the move , Wiener claimed that the state has taken “ yet another step toward an equitable society ” by “ treating LGBTQ young people the exact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been treated since 1944.
” But opponents such as the American College of Pediatricians argue that the bill will empower pedophiles should it become law .
“ The existing laws in question were placed into the California Statutes to prevent the abuse of minors , whose intellectual immaturity makes them vulnerable , ” the group said .
“ These proposed modifications put more children at increased risk of abuse .
It strains the bounds of common sense that any legislator ( some of whom must be parents ) would allow such proposals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass them into law.
” Republican San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer was among those who condemned Newsom for signing the measure : Newsom ’ s decision to soften penalties against sex offenders came as the governor continues to penalize religious assembly in the name of containing COVID-19 .

SACRAMENTO, California, September 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law controversial legislation that would empower judges to forgo adding those who engage in homosexual sex with certain minors to the state sex offender registry, demanding that lawmakers strengthen existing laws instead of weakening them.
State law forbids performing sex acts with a minor, but oral and anal intercourse requires that the older partner register as a sex offender, wheras in the case of vaginal intercourse judges have the discretion to choose whether to require registration. Senate Bill 145, introduced by Democrat state Sen. Scott Wiener, extends that judicial discretion to all three acts, so long as the victim is at least 14 and the offender “is not more than 10 years older than the minor.”
Lawmakers gave their final approval to the legislation last week. Newsom signed it into law late Friday without comment, the Associated Press reported.
Celebrating the move, Wiener claimed that the state has taken “yet another step toward an equitable society” by “treating LGBTQ young people the exact same way that straight young people have been treated since 1944.”
But opponents such as the American College of Pediatricians argue that the bill will empower pedophiles should it become law.
“The existing laws in question were placed into the California Statutes to prevent the abuse of minors, whose intellectual immaturity makes them vulnerable,” the group said. “These proposed modifications put more children at increased risk of abuse. It strains the bounds of common sense that any legislator (some of whom must be parents) would allow such proposals to pass out of Committee much less to pass them into law.”
Republican San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer was among those who condemned Newsom for signing the measure:
As a parent I’m appalled that last night our governor signed a law maintaining a 24-year-old can have sex with a 14-year-old and it not be considered predatory. An adult who commits ANY sex act on a minor 10 years younger must be registered a sex offender. Law must be changed. — Kevin Faulconer (@Kevin_Faulconer) September 12, 2020
Newsom’s decision to soften penalties against sex offenders came as the governor continues to penalize religious assembly in the name of containing COVID-19.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-14--Trump admin supports Catholic archdiocese’s right to fire homosexual teacher

PETITION : Tell Trump Christians can ’ t accept SCOTUS ruling imposing LGBT ideology !
Sign the petition here .
WASHINGTON , D.C , September 14 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The Trump administration has once again demonstrated its support for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis ’ s right to fire a teacher living in a homosexual relationship and thus contradicting Catholic teaching .
The teacher , Joshua Payne-Elliott , had worked for 13 years at Cathedral High School .
The school ’ s president informed him in mid-2019 that the archdiocese was ordering that he be fired because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ male teacher at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School .
Payne-Elliott subsequently sued the archdiocese , led by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson .
The Department of Justice ( DOJ ) , in the amicus brief filed Tuesday , argued that it had a “ substantial interest ” in defending the right to religious liberty of the archdiocese .
“ Religious liberty is a foundational principle of enduring importance in America , enshrined in the United States Constitution and in other sources of federal law , ” the 44-page document emphasized .
“ The United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens ’ religious freedoms are not impinged and , to that end , regularly files statements of interest and amicus briefs addressing this issue in courts at every level , from trial courts to the Supreme Court of the United States.
” The DOJ , headed by Attorney General Bill Barr , explained in a press release “ that three separate aspects of the First Amendment prevent a former Catholic high school teacher from suing the Archdiocese over his termination : the church-autonomy doctrine , the Archdiocese ’ s right to expressive association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney general for the Civil Rights Division Eric Dreiband said , “ Our ancestors arrived on our shores to establish a country where the people would be secure to practice their faiths and to gather freely with their religious communities .
To that end , the First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right of religious institutions and people to decide what their beliefs are , to associate with others who share their beliefs , and to determine who will teach the faithful in their religious schools.
” “ Let there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ the Department of Justice will continue to defend the First Amendment rights to believe , worship and associate in a manner that respects the dignity and choice of all individuals.
” Joshua Minkler , the United States attorney for the Southern District of Indiana , commented , “ There is no more fundamental constitutional principle on the proper relationship between church and state than that the government must leave religious decisions to religious organizations.
” According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church , homosexual relations are “ intrinsically disordered ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and can not be approved under any circumstances .
Individuals afflicted with same-sex attraction must be “ accepted with respect , compassion , and sensitivity.
” Like everyone else , they are “ called to chastity.
” The DOJ emphasized that the courts “ can not second-guess how religious institutions interpret and apply their own religious laws .
U.S. Supreme Court precedent has long held that the ‘ First Amendment requires civil courts to refrain from interfering in matters of church discipline , faith , practice and religious law.
’ ” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court had upheld religious schools ’ right to hire and fire teachers based on teachers ’ adherence to the school ’ s religious doctrine .
“ The religious education and formation of students is the very reason for the existence of most private religious schools , and therefore the selection and supervision of the teachers upon whom the schools rely to do this work lie at the core of their mission , ” the Supreme Court argued .
“ Judicial review of the way in which religious schools discharge those responsibilities would undermine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way that the First Amendment does not tolerate.
” On the other hand , the Supreme Court also ruled this summer that longstanding anti-discrimination law should be reinterpreted to cover homosexuality and gender confusion .
The majority opinion was written by Trump appointee Justice Neil Gorsuch .
About a year ago , the Trump administration had already come out in support of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis .
The DOJ had filed a Statement of Interest explaining that the Supreme Court recognizes religious organizations ’ “ independence from secular control or manipulation , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , free from state interference , matters of church government as well as those of faith and doctrine , ” which in this case bars government from “ second-guessing the Archdiocese ’ s interpretation and application of Catholic law.
” While Cathedral High School had complied with the archdiocese ’ s demand to fire the homosexual teacher , Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School , where his male partner was teaching , refused .
The Vatican ’ s Congregation for Catholic Education temporarily suspended the archdiocese ’ s revocation of Brebeuf ’ s Catholic identity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which , according to the archdiocese , is standard practice .
Currently , the school describes itself as a “ Catholic Jesuit school with daily Mass .
”

The Department of Justice has once again demonstrated its support for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’s right to fire a teacher living in a homosexual relationship and thus contradicting Catholic teaching.
PETITION: Tell Trump Christians can’t accept SCOTUS ruling imposing LGBT ideology! Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C, September 14, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The Trump administration has once again demonstrated its support for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’s right to fire a teacher living in a homosexual relationship and thus contradicting Catholic teaching.
The teacher, Joshua Payne-Elliott, had worked for 13 years at Cathedral High School. The school’s president informed him in mid-2019 that the archdiocese was ordering that he be fired because of his 2017 “marriage” to a male teacher at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School. Payne-Elliott subsequently sued the archdiocese, led by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson.
The Department of Justice (DOJ), in the amicus brief filed Tuesday, argued that it had a “substantial interest” in defending the right to religious liberty of the archdiocese.
“Religious liberty is a foundational principle of enduring importance in America, enshrined in the United States Constitution and in other sources of federal law,” the 44-page document emphasized. “The United States is strongly invested in ensuring that its citizens’ religious freedoms are not impinged and, to that end, regularly files statements of interest and amicus briefs addressing this issue in courts at every level, from trial courts to the Supreme Court of the United States.”
The DOJ, headed by Attorney General Bill Barr, explained in a press release “that three separate aspects of the First Amendment prevent a former Catholic high school teacher from suing the Archdiocese over his termination: the church-autonomy doctrine, the Archdiocese’s right to expressive association, and the ministerial exception.”
Assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division Eric Dreiband said, “Our ancestors arrived on our shores to establish a country where the people would be secure to practice their faiths and to gather freely with their religious communities. To that end, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right of religious institutions and people to decide what their beliefs are, to associate with others who share their beliefs, and to determine who will teach the faithful in their religious schools.”
“Let there be no doubt,” he added, “the Department of Justice will continue to defend the First Amendment rights to believe, worship and associate in a manner that respects the dignity and choice of all individuals.”
Joshua Minkler, the United States attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, commented, “There is no more fundamental constitutional principle on the proper relationship between church and state than that the government must leave religious decisions to religious organizations.”
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, homosexual relations are “intrinsically disordered” and “contrary to the natural law” and cannot be approved under any circumstances. Individuals afflicted with same-sex attraction must be “accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.” Like everyone else, they are “called to chastity.”
The DOJ emphasized that the courts “cannot second-guess how religious institutions interpret and apply their own religious laws. U.S. Supreme Court precedent has long held that the ‘First Amendment requires civil courts to refrain from interfering in matters of church discipline, faith, practice and religious law.’”
In July of this year, the Supreme Court had upheld religious schools’ right to hire and fire teachers based on teachers’ adherence to the school’s religious doctrine.
“The religious education and formation of students is the very reason for the existence of most private religious schools, and therefore the selection and supervision of the teachers upon whom the schools rely to do this work lie at the core of their mission,” the Supreme Court argued.
“Judicial review of the way in which religious schools discharge those responsibilities would undermine the independence of religious institutions in a way that the First Amendment does not tolerate.”
On the other hand, the Supreme Court also ruled this summer that longstanding anti-discrimination law should be reinterpreted to cover homosexuality and gender confusion. The majority opinion was written by Trump appointee Justice Neil Gorsuch.
About a year ago, the Trump administration had already come out in support of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The DOJ had filed a Statement of Interest explaining that the Supreme Court recognizes religious organizations’ “independence from secular control or manipulation, in short, power to decide for themselves, free from state interference, matters of church government as well as those of faith and doctrine,” which in this case bars government from “second-guessing the Archdiocese’s interpretation and application of Catholic law.”
While Cathedral High School had complied with the archdiocese’s demand to fire the homosexual teacher, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, where his male partner was teaching, refused.
The Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic Education temporarily suspended the archdiocese’s revocation of Brebeuf’s Catholic identity pending a review of the case, which, according to the archdiocese, is standard practice. Currently, the school describes itself as a “Catholic Jesuit school with daily Mass.”
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