lifesitenews--2020-06-02--St. Louis De Montfort’s little known method of reception of Holy Communion changed my life

St. Louis de Montfort ’ s True Devotion to Mary has a secret portion that most Catholics aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ described in the pages of his masterpiece a method for the reception of Holy Communion @ @ @ @ @ the sinner , an immense grace .

St. Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary has a secret portion that most Catholics aren’t familiar with. De Montfort described in the pages of his masterpiece a method for the reception of Holy Communion which is, especially for the sinner, an immense grace.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-02--Catholic mom pleads with bishops to act: Your children are spiritually starving, please feed us

June 2 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Dear bishops and priests : I think it is time for you to know how we are really feeling .
It is time to hear the bleating of your flock .
It is time to stop preaching at us about the merits of a “ Eucharistic fast ” and listen to your children , who are languishing from lack of leadership and from a deprivation of sacramental grace .
We have read your letters , emails , and updates .
We have spoken to you in person .
We have begged you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sacraments in a manner that conforms to the current medical dictatorship .
In reply , we have generally received either silence or defensive arguments .
The excuses we have heard from you include but are not limited to : • People used to receive the Eucharist only once a year .
Frequent reception is a new phenomenon .
• Many in the world do not even have access to a weekly Mass .
• During times of persecution and war , Catholics could not attend Mass .
• A Eucharistic fast is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t need to receive Jesus in order to fully participate in the Mass .
• God ’ s grace is bigger than the sacraments .
• I have to be obedient to the bishop and/or “ health authorities.
” We must ask , how are any of these statements supposed to bring comfort ?
Instead of defending your actions by reverting to the past or referring to the situations in other countries , we need to hear you say , “ My heart is breaking for you .
I can not imagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the churches you love .
I can not imagine what it is like to be subjected to a TV Mass and told that the graces are ‘ the same ’ as if you actually went to Mass .
I can not imagine what it must be like to go for months without confession and the Eucharist.
” The truth is , most of you have not said this because most of you can not imagine what it is like on this side of a locked church door .
You , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the sacramental graces offered by the Church .
Meanwhile , your children starve and are being told that it is good for them .
Let me be clear : this is not a fast .
Fasts are voluntary .
This is the spiritual starvation of your children .
If you would walk with us as shepherds should , perhaps you might consider doing a voluntary “ sacramental fast ” for ten weeks .
Then you would understand how the soul languishes without the lifeblood of Jesus in the Eucharist .
Of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the sacraments , but that does not negate the ontological truth that Catholics are being deprived of the sacramental graces available through reception of Jesus and through confession .
We keep hearing that the churches will open soon .
We are told that the bishops despise this as much as everyone else does .
We are told the bishops are desperate to move forward .
But , are they ?
In some places , parking lot religious services have been permitted by the government , and it would appear the Protestants and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not the Catholics .
Stores are allowed to open with limited customers .
Are churches ?
Not where I live , though the bishop of my diocese is supposedly eager to get sacramental life back to normal .
We are not even allowed to enter a church to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament .
In some places , priests have been innovative and offered Eucharistic Adoration in the church parking lot .
Yet , in at least one diocese , this practice was not endorsed and was deemed not “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good liturgical practice.
” Dear bishops , how can it be unnecessary to bring Jesus to the people ?
And when we consider the stories from Nazi concentration camps where imprisoned priests would pretend to be weeding but had placed a portable altar on the ground to offer Mass secretly , we must concede that sometimes it may be necessary to relax some liturgical norms to accommodate the needs of the times .
Some of us are willing to risk being fined for attending a Mass or entering a church that has more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you will not stand beside us and also take that risk .
Should Catholicism be outlawed and priests declared illegal , many of us would willingly hide you in our homes to keep you safe .
We would risk the fines and the imprisonment .
But you will not even let us into our own spiritual homes – the churches to which we belong – for fear of being fined by authorities .
We cry out , “ Where is your courage ?
Where are the saints ?
Why is Jesus deemed ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Church ?
” Dear priests , we know you could be punished by authorities and by your bishops for feeding your flock and thereby doing what can only be right in the eyes of God .
It is terrible that we have come to a point in the history of the Church , likely not for the first time , that some in the hierarchy are not true shepherds .
They seem more concerned about losing charitable tax status than they are about losing souls .
They seem more concerned about media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gospel to the world .
Let us remember , though , that every profession has its punishing overlord , whether it be a power-hungry employer , a society that demeans women who wish to be homemakers , or a screaming infant in the middle of the night .
Suffering is part of life .
I know you will be punished and I am deeply sorry for it .
But real fathers go out and slay dragons to protect their families .
They do everything in their power to ensure their families are loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starving , my husband would risk his life to bring food to them .
Can the same be said of you ?
Do you see that your children are suffering a worse fate than physical starvation ?
Our souls are wilting .
Will you not feed us ?
Jesus admonished Peter to “ Feed my sheep !
” If enough of you decided together that it was time to open the churches , could the bishop punish all of you ?
No bishop can risk losing 15 priests from his diocese .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to which he could send you as punishment .
Yes , you pledged your obedience to him on the day of ordination , but are you not also to be obedient to a higher power , namely Christ , who made you a priest to feed His flock ?
When you receive orders , either from health authorities or a bishop , that deprive your children of sacramental grace , would God hold you accountable if you refuse to obey such directives that are based on pure human law , not on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the salvation of souls ?
Priests ran out onto the battlefields to administer the Last Rites to dying soldiers during the great wars .
St. Thomas More lost his head because he would not approve the king ’ s marriage .
St. Tarcisius died protecting the Blessed Sacrament from sacrilege .
St. Maximillian Kolbe offered his life in place of another in a concentration camp .
We cry out again , “ Where is your courage ?
” We are not exactly asking you to dodge bullets or risk imprisonment .
Even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glory is reserved for those who have fought the good fight and finished the race .
People around us are saying they do not know whether they will be able to look you in the eye and call you “ Father ” after this is over .
The sheep have been abandoned .
The shepherds are cowering behind locked doors .
Some are saying they can never give a dime to a church that has left them out in the cold .
These statements are not coming from nominal Catholics or those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These are the words of those who deeply love the Church and who have been wounded to the heart by the Church ’ s ministers .
A growing number of us no longer buy the ivory-tower arguments we are hearing from the dioceses .
When it is permissible to walk through a Costco with two hundred other customers , but we can not gather in groups of five to pray in our Catholic churches , we sense that you are not truly concerned about our immortal souls .
I urge you to listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Church .
When this is all over , they are likely the only ones who will be left in the pews .
Many elderly will be too scared to attend Mass .
The nominal Catholics are accustomed to a televised Mass .
And all the rest will no longer care , for they have received the message loud and clear : “ Christ is not essential.
” Dear bishops and priests : Will you be remembered as shepherds of your flocks , or as servants of the government ?
Andrea Black is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She is the author of In Case I Don ’ t Make It from Justin Press and has an upcoming book this fall , Light in the Darkness : A 21st Century Guide for Catholic Families .

We cry out, 'Where is your courage? Where are the saints? Why is Jesus deemed ‘non-essential’ by both the state and the Church?'
June 2, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Dear bishops and priests: I think it is time for you to know how we are really feeling. It is time to hear the bleating of your flock. It is time to stop preaching at us about the merits of a “Eucharistic fast” and listen to your children, who are languishing from lack of leadership and from a deprivation of sacramental grace.
We have read your letters, emails, and updates. We have spoken to you in person. We have begged you to find some way to bring us the sacraments in a manner that conforms to the current medical dictatorship. In reply, we have generally received either silence or defensive arguments.
The excuses we have heard from you include but are not limited to:
People used to receive the Eucharist only once a year. Frequent reception is a new phenomenon. Many in the world do not even have access to a weekly Mass. During times of persecution and war, Catholics could not attend Mass. A Eucharistic fast is good for you. You don’t need to receive Jesus in order to fully participate in the Mass. God’s grace is bigger than the sacraments. I have to be obedient to the bishop and/or “health authorities.”
We must ask, how are any of these statements supposed to bring comfort? Instead of defending your actions by reverting to the past or referring to the situations in other countries, we need to hear you say, “My heart is breaking for you. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to be locked out of the churches you love. I cannot imagine what it is like to be subjected to a TV Mass and told that the graces are ‘the same’ as if you actually went to Mass. I cannot imagine what it must be like to go for months without confession and the Eucharist.”
The truth is, most of you have not said this because most of you cannot imagine what it is like on this side of a locked church door. You, our spiritual fathers, are still being nourished by the sacramental graces offered by the Church. Meanwhile, your children starve and are being told that it is good for them.
Let me be clear: this is not a fast. Fasts are voluntary. This is the spiritual starvation of your children. If you would walk with us as shepherds should, perhaps you might consider doing a voluntary “sacramental fast” for ten weeks. Then you would understand how the soul languishes without the lifeblood of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Of course, God’s grace is bigger than the sacraments, but that does not negate the ontological truth that Catholics are being deprived of the sacramental graces available through reception of Jesus and through confession.
We keep hearing that the churches will open soon. We are told that the bishops despise this as much as everyone else does. We are told the bishops are desperate to move forward. But, are they? In some places, parking lot religious services have been permitted by the government, and it would appear the Protestants and Evangelicals are taking advantage of the freedom. Not the Catholics. Stores are allowed to open with limited customers. Are churches? Not where I live, though the bishop of my diocese is supposedly eager to get sacramental life back to normal. We are not even allowed to enter a church to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
In some places, priests have been innovative and offered Eucharistic Adoration in the church parking lot. Yet, in at least one diocese, this practice was not endorsed and was deemed not “necessary at this time (nor) good liturgical practice.”
Dear bishops, how can it be unnecessary to bring Jesus to the people? And when we consider the stories from Nazi concentration camps where imprisoned priests would pretend to be weeding but had placed a portable altar on the ground to offer Mass secretly, we must concede that sometimes it may be necessary to relax some liturgical norms to accommodate the needs of the times.
Some of us are willing to risk being fined for attending a Mass or entering a church that has more than five people in it, but you will not stand beside us and also take that risk. Should Catholicism be outlawed and priests declared illegal, many of us would willingly hide you in our homes to keep you safe. We would risk the fines and the imprisonment. But you will not even let us into our own spiritual homes – the churches to which we belong – for fear of being fined by authorities.
We cry out, “Where is your courage? Where are the saints? Why is Jesus deemed ‘non-essential’ by both the state and the Church?”
Dear priests, we know you could be punished by authorities and by your bishops for feeding your flock and thereby doing what can only be right in the eyes of God. It is terrible that we have come to a point in the history of the Church, likely not for the first time, that some in the hierarchy are not true shepherds. They seem more concerned about losing charitable tax status than they are about losing souls. They seem more concerned about media reports and lawsuits than about preaching the Gospel to the world.
Let us remember, though, that every profession has its punishing overlord, whether it be a power-hungry employer, a society that demeans women who wish to be homemakers, or a screaming infant in the middle of the night. Suffering is part of life. I know you will be punished and I am deeply sorry for it. But real fathers go out and slay dragons to protect their families. They do everything in their power to ensure their families are loved and fed. If my children were starving, my husband would risk his life to bring food to them. Can the same be said of you? Do you see that your children are suffering a worse fate than physical starvation? Our souls are wilting. Will you not feed us? Jesus admonished Peter to “Feed my sheep!”
If enough of you decided together that it was time to open the churches, could the bishop punish all of you? No bishop can risk losing 15 priests from his diocese. There are not 15 “outpost” parishes to which he could send you as punishment. Yes, you pledged your obedience to him on the day of ordination, but are you not also to be obedient to a higher power, namely Christ, who made you a priest to feed His flock? When you receive orders, either from health authorities or a bishop, that deprive your children of sacramental grace, would God hold you accountable if you refuse to obey such directives that are based on pure human law, not on the supreme law of the Church which is the salvation of souls?
Priests ran out onto the battlefields to administer the Last Rites to dying soldiers during the great wars. St. Thomas More lost his head because he would not approve the king’s marriage. St. Tarcisius died protecting the Blessed Sacrament from sacrilege. St. Maximillian Kolbe offered his life in place of another in a concentration camp.
We cry out again, “Where is your courage?” We are not exactly asking you to dodge bullets or risk imprisonment. Even if we were, Catholics believe that eternal glory is reserved for those who have fought the good fight and finished the race.
People around us are saying they do not know whether they will be able to look you in the eye and call you “Father” after this is over. The sheep have been abandoned. The shepherds are cowering behind locked doors. Some are saying they can never give a dime to a church that has left them out in the cold. These statements are not coming from nominal Catholics or those who only attend on high holy days. These are the words of those who deeply love the Church and who have been wounded to the heart by the Church’s ministers.
A growing number of us no longer buy the ivory-tower arguments we are hearing from the dioceses. When it is permissible to walk through a Costco with two hundred other customers, but we cannot gather in groups of five to pray in our Catholic churches, we sense that you are not truly concerned about our immortal souls.
I urge you to listen to the pleas of those who love the Church. When this is all over, they are likely the only ones who will be left in the pews. Many elderly will be too scared to attend Mass. The nominal Catholics are accustomed to a televised Mass. And all the rest will no longer care, for they have received the message loud and clear: “Christ is not essential.”
Dear bishops and priests: Will you be remembered as shepherds of your flocks, or as servants of the government?
Andrea Black is a Catholic wife, and homeschooling mother. She has a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree from St. Augustine's Seminary. She is the author of In Case I Don’t Make It from Justin Press and has an upcoming book this fall, Light in the Darkness: A 21st Century Guide for Catholic Families.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-02--Facebook employees break from Zuckerberg, demand platform censor Trump

PETITION : No to mandatory contact tracing and government surveillance for the coronavirus !
Sign the petition here .
June 2 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – With tensions rising over social media platforms ’ unequal treatment of liberal and conservative content , some Facebook employees are speaking out against their boss Mark Zuckerberg ’ s declaration that President Donald Trump should not be censored .
Twitter set off a firestorm last week when it placed a “ fact-check ” on a Trump tweet pertaining to the fraud potential of mail-in voting , then censoring another tweet stating that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starts , ” pertaining to the Minneapolis riots .
The company claimed that tweet was “ glorifying violence.
” “ Personally , I have a visceral negative reaction to this kind of divisive and inflammatory rhetoric , ” Zuckerberg said Friday .
“ But our position is that we should enable as much expression as possible unless it will cause imminent risk of specific harms or dangers spelled out in clear policies .
We looked very closely at the post that discussed the protests in Minnesota to evaluate whether it violated our policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historical reference , we decided to leave it up because the National Guard references meant we read it as a warning about state action , and we think people need to know if the government is planning to deploy force.
” Several left-wingers within the company did not take kindly to their boss ’ stance , Breitibart reported .
Among them were director of product management Jason Toff , product R & D worker Jason Stirman , product designer Nate Butler , and director of product design on news feed Ryan Freitas : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that on Monday several hundred Facebook employees staged a “ virtual walkout , ” refusing to work in protest of Zuckerberg ’ s stance .
“ The hateful rhetoric advocating violence against black demonstrators by the US President does not warrant defense under the guise of freedom of expression , ” an unnamed Facebook employee wrote in an internal message that went on to falsely accuse Trump of “ advocating violence , murder and imminent threat against Black people.
” Facebook insiders ’ visceral reaction to Zuckerberg only reinforces conservatives ’ certainty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Multiple analyses have found that algorithm changes instituted at the beginning of 2018 disproportionately impacted conservative politicians and websites .
Last year , an insider revealed that Facebook “ deboosts ” traffic to several mainstream conservative sites .
Most recently , Facebook has made itself an arbiter of “ misinformation ” and “ harmful ” speech related to the COVID-19 outbreak , with critics objecting that Facebook has crossed the line from merely quashing objectively false claims to censoring legitimate protest organizing and factual information that conflicts with the interests of the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of covering for the Chinese government ’ s complicity in letting COVID-19 spread across the world .
Last Thursday , the Trump signed an executive order aimed at tweaking how federal agencies interpret and enforce Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act , which immunizes websites from potentially being held liable for the third-party content they host .
The move follows Twitter placing a “ fact-check ” on a tweet by President Trump pertaining to the fraud potential of mail-in voting .
On Thursday , Trump signed an executive order aimed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Section 230 .
The order essentially directs the Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) to propose an administrative rule that would “ spell out what it means for the tech giants to carry out their takedown policies ‘ in good faith , ’ ” national security attorney Stewart Baker explained .

PETITION: No to mandatory contact tracing and government surveillance for the coronavirus! Sign the petition here.
June 2, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – With tensions rising over social media platforms’ unequal treatment of liberal and conservative content, some Facebook employees are speaking out against their boss Mark Zuckerberg’s declaration that President Donald Trump should not be censored.
Twitter set off a firestorm last week when it placed a “fact-check” on a Trump tweet pertaining to the fraud potential of mail-in voting, then censoring another tweet stating that “when the looting starts, the shooting starts,” pertaining to the Minneapolis riots. The company claimed that tweet was “glorifying violence.”
“Personally, I have a visceral negative reaction to this kind of divisive and inflammatory rhetoric,” Zuckerberg said Friday. “But our position is that we should enable as much expression as possible unless it will cause imminent risk of specific harms or dangers spelled out in clear policies. We looked very closely at the post that discussed the protests in Minnesota to evaluate whether it violated our policies. Although the post had a troubling historical reference, we decided to leave it up because the National Guard references meant we read it as a warning about state action, and we think people need to know if the government is planning to deploy force.”
Several left-wingers within the company did not take kindly to their boss’ stance, Breitibart reported. Among them were director of product management Jason Toff, product R&D worker Jason Stirman, product designer Nate Butler, and director of product design on news feed Ryan Freitas:
I work at Facebook and I am not proud of how we’re showing up. The majority of coworkers I’ve spoken to feel the same way. We are making our voice heard. — Jason Toff (@jasontoff) June 1, 2020
I don’t know what to do, but I know doing nothing is not acceptable. I’m a FB employee that completely disagrees with Mark’s decision to do nothing about Trump’s recent posts, which clearly incite violence. I’m not alone inside of FB. There isn’t a neutral position on racism. — Stirman (@stirman) May 30, 2020
I’ve shared others posts, but I need to be clear–FB is on the wrong side of this and I can’t support their stance. Doing nothing isn’t Being Bold. Many of us feel this way. — Nate Butler �� (@iamnbutler) June 1, 2020
Mark is wrong, and I will endeavor in the loudest possible way to change his mind. — Ryan Freitas (@ryanchris) June 1, 2020
Additionally, The New York Times reported that on Monday several hundred Facebook employees staged a “virtual walkout,” refusing to work in protest of Zuckerberg’s stance. “The hateful rhetoric advocating violence against black demonstrators by the US President does not warrant defense under the guise of freedom of expression,” an unnamed Facebook employee wrote in an internal message that went on to falsely accuse Trump of “advocating violence, murder and imminent threat against Black people.”
Facebook insiders’ visceral reaction to Zuckerberg only reinforces conservatives’ certainty of the company’s left-wing bias. Multiple analyses have found that algorithm changes instituted at the beginning of 2018 disproportionately impacted conservative politicians and websites. Last year, an insider revealed that Facebook “deboosts” traffic to several mainstream conservative sites.
Most recently, Facebook has made itself an arbiter of “misinformation” and “harmful” speech related to the COVID-19 outbreak, with critics objecting that Facebook has crossed the line from merely quashing objectively false claims to censoring legitimate protest organizing and factual information that conflicts with the interests of the World Health Organization, which has been accused of covering for the Chinese government’s complicity in letting COVID-19 spread across the world.
Last Thursday, the Trump signed an executive order aimed at tweaking how federal agencies interpret and enforce Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act, which immunizes websites from potentially being held liable for the third-party content they host.
The move follows Twitter placing a “fact-check” on a tweet by President Trump pertaining to the fraud potential of mail-in voting. On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order aimed at tweaking how federal agencies interpret and enforce Section 230. The order essentially directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to propose an administrative rule that would “spell out what it means for the tech giants to carry out their takedown policies ‘in good faith,’” national security attorney Stewart Baker explained.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-02--Why did the Pope suggest coronavirus is due to the Earth’s anger?

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

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 6.2.2020. Today, Mother continues to speak about the talks from the Rome Life Forum. Today, she focuses on Pope Francis’ suggestion that the coronavirus was caused by the Earth’s anger.
View the Rome Life Forum talks here.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-06-02--DC archbishop criticizes long-planned Trump visit to Catholic shrine as ‘reprehensible’

WASHINGTON , D.C. , JUNE 2 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Washington , D.C. ’ s Archbishop Wilton Gregory issued a stinging rebuke to the John Paul II National Shrine for “ allowing ” President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to visit today .
The president and Mrs. Trump visited the shrine to both commemorate Pope Saint John Paul II ’ s 100th birthday two weeks ago and the 41st anniversary of the modern day saint ’ s historic Mass at Victory Square in Warsaw .
Melania Trump is the first Catholic First Lady since Jacqueline Kennedy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ established and operated by the Knights of Columbus , President Trump planned to return to the White House to sign an executive order on religious freedom .
“ I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles , which call us to defend the rights of all people even those with whom we might disagree , ” said Gregory in a statement released the very hour of Trump ’ s visit .
“ Saint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defender of the rights and dignity of human beings , ” continued Gregory .
“ His legacy bears vivid witness to that truth .
He certainly would not condone the use of tear gas and other deterrents to silence , scatter or intimidate them for a photo opportunity in front of a place of worship and peace.
” A spokesperson for the shrine indicated on Tuesday that the White House had scheduled the president ’ s visit long before the recent violent uprisings in cities across the nation , countering Gregory ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political photo op .
“ This was fitting given St. John Paul II was a tireless advocate of religious liberty throughout his pontificate , ” the Shrine said in a statement .
“ International religious freedom receives widespread bipartisan support , including unanimous passage of legislation in defense of persecuted Christians and religious minorities around the world.
” He added that “ the shrine welcomes all people to come and pray and learn about the legacy of St. John Paul II.
” In declaring that the shrine and the president are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Archbishop Gregory chose to overlook Donald Trump ’ s record as the most pro-life president in the history of the nation , and his strong efforts to protect religious liberty .
Trump ’ s pro-life gains include allowing states to defund Planned Parenthood of Title X and Medicaid funds ; defunding the United Nations Population Fund and very recently the pro-abortion World Health Organization ; reinstating and expanding the Mexico City Policy preventing taxpayer money from funding abortions overseas ; creating a new office for conscience protection at the U.S. Department of Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of federal laws protecting the conscience rights of health care workers who do not want to participate in abortion .
Trump also declared churches “ essential ” on May 22 , telling state governors to allow them to reopen as coronavirus lockdowns begin to loosen .
All public Masses in Washington , D.C. remain cancelled .
The president has long been the object of criticism by many Catholic prelates because of his strong stance on immigration and secure borders .
Last summer , in his first public statement following his installation as Archbishop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ diminishing our national life.
” Gregory ’ s criticism follows similarly harsh words from the Episcopal Bishop of Washington , who said she is “ outraged ” by Trump ’ s visit to historic St. John ’ s Church yesterday after the venerable church complex across Lafayette Square from the White House was torched by violent protesters the previous night .
“ I am the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and was not given even a courtesy call , that they would be clearing [ the area ] with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our churches as a prop , ” the Right Rev .
Mariann Budde , Episcopal bishop of Washington , told The Washington Post .
“ Everything he has said and done is to inflame violence , ” asserted Budde .
“ We need moral leadership , and he ’ s done everything to divide us.
” The president ’ s visits to two important sites of Chrisitianity ’ s presence in the nation ’ s capital have left Catholics divided .
“ Let ’ s remember what this area looked like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ host Martha MacCallum .
“ You see the President standing in front of those boarded up windows at St. John ’ s when smoke was pouring out of there ” not long before .
“ I thought that maybe they were going to go into the church and maybe say a prayer , ” continued MacCallum , who said she was surprised that the President and his entourage quickly turned and walked back to the White House .
“ It is what it is , ” she said .
“ It was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear that the nation needed to retake that area from the violence that it saw the night before.
” One Catholic woman from Charlotte , North Carolina who asked to remain anonymous because of employment concerns told LifeSiteNews that it would have been better if the President had prayed in front of St. John ’ s Church , “ in the tradition of the presidents before him.
” “ I wish he had not held the Bible up .
It was poorly orchestrated from a PR perspective , ” she said , reflecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WAS effective was his calm and defiant manner of reclaiming what the looters tried to destroy , ” she continued .
“ The female bishop who spoke out showed no appreciation for his desire to defend and protect her and her Church .
Personally I liked the determined and defiant , frankly courageous walk there .
Just fell short by not saying anything or reading a relevant verse or praying.
” Gregory has a long record of supporting liberal causes .
During his tenure as Archbishop of Atlanta , Gregory did nothing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participating in , and hosting a booth at , the Atlanta “ Pride Parade.
” Gregory also personally invited pro-gay priest Father James Martin to give a speech at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception , titled “ Showing Welcome and Respect to LGBT Catholics , ” in 2018 .
He has made statements suggesting support for allowing Catholics living in a state of adultery to receive Holy Communion .
He said Mass and gave a homily at 2014 and 2015 annual retreats for Fortunate Families , a pro-homosexual dissident group .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Atlanta archdiocese .
While president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops , Gregory appointed a pro-abortion attorney to the USCCB ’ s National Review Board .
The attorney , Pamela Hayes , has made donations to the pro-abortion lobby EMILY ’ s List , as well as to pro-abortion politicians John Kerry and Hillary Clinton .
In 2019 , Gregory offered a funeral Mass for pro-abortion journalist Cokie Roberts during which pro-abortion Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi delivered a eulogy from the lectern in the sanctuary of the Cathedral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his homily , Gregory praised Roberts as an “ extraordinary , professional servant of the truth.
” The left-wing commentator “ believed in God 's word ... accepted it and fashioned her life around that word , ” said Gregory .

'I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles,' said Archbishop Wilton Gregory.
PETITION: Ask Archbishop Gregory to apologize to President Trump and the Knights of Columbus! Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., JUNE 2, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Washington, D.C.’s Archbishop Wilton Gregory issued a stinging rebuke to the John Paul II National Shrine for “allowing” President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to visit today.
The president and Mrs. Trump visited the shrine to both commemorate Pope Saint John Paul II’s 100th birthday two weeks ago and the 41st anniversary of the modern-day saint’s historic Mass at Victory Square in Warsaw. Melania Trump is the first Catholic First Lady since Jacqueline Kennedy.
After his visit to the shrine, established and operated by the Knights of Columbus, President Trump planned to return to the White House to sign an executive order on religious freedom.
“I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles, which call us to defend the rights of all people even those with whom we might disagree,” said Gregory in a statement released the very hour of Trump’s visit.
“Saint Pope John Paul II was an ardent defender of the rights and dignity of human beings,” continued Gregory. “His legacy bears vivid witness to that truth. He certainly would not condone the use of tear gas and other deterrents to silence, scatter or intimidate them for a photo opportunity in front of a place of worship and peace.”
It turns out that Archbishop Gregory was wrong about the deployment of tear gas against Monday night's protesters. It simply didn't happen, despite major media's initial claims to the contrary . It remains unclear if Archbishop Gregory plans to issue a correction to his statement.
A spokesperson for the shrine indicated on Tuesday that the White House had scheduled the president’s visit long before the recent violent uprisings in cities across the nation, countering Gregory’s implication that this was nothing more than a political photo op.
“This was fitting given St. John Paul II was a tireless advocate of religious liberty throughout his pontificate,” the Shrine said in a statement. “International religious freedom receives widespread bipartisan support, including unanimous passage of legislation in defense of persecuted Christians and religious minorities around the world.”
He added that “the shrine welcomes all people to come and pray and learn about the legacy of St. John Paul II.”
pic.twitter.com/gs0WfOugk7 — Saint John Paul II Shrine (@JP2Shrine) June 2, 2020
In declaring that the shrine and the president are in “violation of Catholic principles,” Archbishop Gregory chose to overlook Donald Trump’s record as the most pro-life president in the history of the nation, and his strong efforts to protect religious liberty.
Trump’s pro-life gains include allowing states to defund Planned Parenthood of Title X and Medicaid funds; defunding the United Nations Population Fund and very recently the pro-abortion World Health Organization; reinstating and expanding the Mexico City Policy preventing taxpayer money from funding abortions overseas; creating a new office for conscience protection at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and strengthening enforcement of federal laws protecting the conscience rights of health care workers who do not want to participate in abortion.
Trump also declared churches “essential” on May 22, telling state governors to allow them to reopen as coronavirus lockdowns begin to loosen. All public Masses in Washington, D.C. remain cancelled.
The president has long been the object of criticism by many Catholic prelates because of his strong stance on immigration and secure borders.
Last summer, in his first public statement following his installation as Archbishop of Washington, Gregory accused the president of “diminishing our national life.”
Gregory’s criticism follows similarly harsh words from the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, who said she is “outraged” by Trump’s visit to historic St. John’s Church yesterday after the venerable church complex across Lafayette Square from the White House was torched by violent protesters the previous night.
“I am the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and was not given even a courtesy call, that they would be clearing [the area] with tear gas so they could use one of our churches as a prop,” the Right Rev. Mariann Budde, Episcopal bishop of Washington, told The Washington Post.
“Everything he has said and done is to inflame violence,” asserted Budde. “We need moral leadership, and he’s done everything to divide us.”
Speaking of plans where's your plan to a) reopen the Arch of DC so DC Catholics can again receive the sacraments b) and what happened to investigating your successors McCarrick and Wuerl? What have you been doing during two+ months of lockdown? https://t.co/l4H3bAF8Hr — Thomas Peters @ �� (@AmericanPapist) June 2, 2020
The president’s visits to two important sites of Christianity's presence in the nation’s capital have left Catholics divided.
“Let’s remember what this area looked like the night before,” said Fox News host Martha MacCallum. “You see the President standing in front of those boarded up windows at St. John’s when smoke was pouring out of there” not long before.
“I thought that maybe they were going to go into the church and maybe say a prayer,” continued MacCallum, who said she was surprised that the President and his entourage quickly turned and walked back to the White House.
“It is what it is,” she said. “It was a moment where he wanted to make it clear that the nation needed to retake that area from the violence that it saw the night before.”
One Catholic woman from Charlotte, North Carolina who asked to remain anonymous because of employment concerns told LifeSiteNews that it would have been better if the President had prayed in front of St. John’s Church, “in the tradition of the presidents before him.”
“I wish he had not held the Bible up. It was poorly orchestrated from a PR perspective,” she said, reflecting the thoughts of many.
“What WAS effective was his calm and defiant manner of reclaiming what the looters tried to destroy,” she continued. “The female bishop who spoke out showed no appreciation for his desire to defend and protect her and her Church. Personally I liked the determined and defiant, frankly courageous walk there. Just fell short by not saying anything or reading a relevant verse or praying.”
Gregory has a long record of supporting liberal causes. During his tenure as Archbishop of Atlanta, Gregory did nothing to stop a pro-LGBT parish from promoting, participating in, and hosting a booth at, the Atlanta “Pride Parade.” Gregory also personally invited pro-gay priest Father James Martin to give a speech at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, titled “Showing Welcome and Respect to LGBT Catholics,” in 2018.
He has made statements suggesting support for allowing Catholics living in a state of adultery to receive Holy Communion. He said Mass and gave a homily at 2014 and 2015 annual retreats for Fortunate Families, a pro-homosexual dissident group. The retreats were held at the chancery of the Atlanta archdiocese.
While president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Gregory appointed a pro-abortion attorney to the USCCB’s National Review Board. The attorney, Pamela Hayes, has made donations to the pro-abortion lobby EMILY’s List, as well as to pro-abortion politicians John Kerry and Hillary Clinton.
In 2019, Gregory offered a funeral Mass for pro-abortion journalist Cokie Roberts during which pro-abortion Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi delivered a eulogy from the lectern in the sanctuary of the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.
In his homily, Gregory praised Roberts as an “extraordinary, professional servant of the truth.”
The left-wing commentator “believed in God's word…accepted it and fashioned her life around that word,” said Gregory.
June 3, 2020, 1:25 PM EST update: This report now includes information that Gregory was wrong about deployment of tear gas.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-02--Last abortion center in Missouri can stay open, commission rules

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ST. LOUIS , June 2 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Missouri administrators ruled Friday that a scandal-plagued Planned Parenthood facility in St. Louis may keep its doors open , ensuring the continued operation of the last abortion center in the state .
Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region has been fighting the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services over its annual license renewal , arguing that the state is trying to “ intimidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviewing them about patient complaints .
On Friday , a state administrative commission ruled that the state health department should have renewed the facility ’ s license , NPR reported .
`` Planned Parenthood has demonstrated that it provides safe and legal abortion care , '' administrative hearing commissioner Sreenivasa Rao Dandamudi wrote .
`` In over 4,000 abortions provided since 2018 , the Department has only identified two causes to deny its license.
” Dandamudi added that the center has `` substantially complied with pertinent statutes and regulations , ” and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Services “ has failed to raise an affirmative defense sufficient to justify this denial . ''
Missouri Right to Life has denounced the decision .
`` In a challenging time when we are all concerned about protecting the health and safety of our families , friends , co-workers and communities , a single commissioner makes a ruling to allow the killing of innocent little lives by an uncaring abortion industry business , '' said Susan Klein , the group ’ s executive director .
`` Apparently protecting the health and safety of women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him or them . ''
The health officials who denied the renewal had wanted to interview five contract physicians regarding seven incidents flagged by inspectors , which Planned Parenthood opposed on the grounds that their answers could lead to criminal charges .
Last fall , Assistant Attorney General John Sauer described to Dandamudi several instances of failed abortions at the facility , NBC News reported .
One of the cases entailed subjecting one woman to five separate procedures to complete an abortion , and another involved the abortionists failing to realize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Planned Parenthood claimed to have already addressed those issues , but pro-lifers still had doubts .
“ An ambulance has been called to this particular facility in St. Louis more than 70 times since 2009 , ” Susan B. Anthony List ’ s Mallory Quigley previously noted .
All told , state health officials have given the Missouri Planned Parenthood facility 30 citations of medical malpractice , including complications in four surgical abortions .
An estimated 4,710 babies were aborted in Missouri in 2017 , according to the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , meaning that the continued operation of this St. Louis facility also has ramifications for the fates of preborn babies in the surrounding states .

Despite 70 ambulance calls to the facility since 2009, an administrator said, 'Planned Parenthood has demonstrated that it provides safe and legal abortion care.'
PETITION: Demand Planned Parenthood return $80M improperly taken from coronavirus emergency fund! Sign the petition here.
ST. LOUIS, June 2, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Missouri administrators ruled Friday that a scandal-plagued Planned Parenthood facility in St. Louis may keep its doors open, ensuring the continued operation of the last abortion center in the state.
Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region has been fighting the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services over its annual license renewal, arguing that the state is trying to “intimidate” abortionists by making renewal contingent on interviewing them about patient complaints. On Friday, a state administrative commission ruled that the state health department should have renewed the facility’s license, NPR reported.
“Planned Parenthood has demonstrated that it provides safe and legal abortion care,” administrative hearing commissioner Sreenivasa Rao Dandamudi wrote. “In over 4,000 abortions provided since 2018, the Department has only identified two causes to deny its license.” Dandamudi added that the center has “substantially complied with pertinent statutes and regulations,” and that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services “has failed to raise an affirmative defense sufficient to justify this denial.”
Missouri Right to Life has denounced the decision.
“In a challenging time when we are all concerned about protecting the health and safety of our families, friends, co-workers and communities, a single commissioner makes a ruling to allow the killing of innocent little lives by an uncaring abortion industry business,” said Susan Klein, the group’s executive director. “Apparently protecting the health and safety of women and unborn children is not a priority for him or them.”
The health officials who denied the renewal had wanted to interview five contract physicians regarding seven incidents flagged by inspectors, which Planned Parenthood opposed on the grounds that their answers could lead to criminal charges.
Last fall, Assistant Attorney General John Sauer described to Dandamudi several instances of failed abortions at the facility, NBC News reported. One of the cases entailed subjecting one woman to five separate procedures to complete an abortion, and another involved the abortionists failing to realize the woman seeking the abortion had twins. Planned Parenthood claimed to have already addressed those issues, but pro-lifers still had doubts.
“An ambulance has been called to this particular facility in St. Louis more than 70 times since 2009,” Susan B. Anthony List’s Mallory Quigley previously noted. All told, state health officials have given the Missouri Planned Parenthood facility 30 citations of medical malpractice, including complications in four surgical abortions.
An estimated 4,710 babies were aborted in Missouri in 2017, according to the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute. Some of those abortions were from out of state, meaning that the continued operation of this St. Louis facility also has ramifications for the fates of preborn babies in the surrounding states.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-02--78 members of Congress to appeals court: Don’t force doctors to do abortions

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WASHINGTON , D.C. , June 2 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – An amicus brief filed last month by 78 current members of both chambers of U.S. Congress supports conscience protections for health care workers to be put in place by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) .
16 state attorneys general also filed a separate amicus brief in support of the HHS rule , which would exempt health care workers from being forced to take part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Congress has a longstanding bipartisan tradition of enacting legislation that promotes the rights of those whose conscience precludes participation in certain controversial actions , ” the legislators began their argument to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals .
“ Consistent with that tradition , Congress has repeatedly passed legislation shielding individuals and organizations from being forced to violate their consciences by performing , participating in , or referring patients for certain procedures , including abortion , sterilization , and physician-assisted suicide.
” Specifically , the Church Amendment , Coats-Snowe Amendment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care workers should not be pressured by institutions receiving federal dollars to participate in or refer for abortions and other immoral procedures .
“ To ensure compliance with these federal conscience protections , ” explained the 78 legislators in their amicus brief , “ the Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) promulgated the Conscience Rule on May 21 , 2019 to interpret and implement existing federal statutes.
” “ For the last fifty years , Congress has been very clear : governmental and private entities can not receive federal funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refuse to perform or assist in the performance of particular procedures , ” they concluded .
“ HHS should be allowed to enforce this statutory prerogative.
” Of the 78 members of Congress to sign the amicus brief , 13 are senators , including both senators from Oklahoma and both senators from Nebraska .
The 16 state attorneys general , led by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost , pointed out that “ respect for liberty of conscience has ‘ deep roots in the practices of the American states both before and after independence.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ where protecting conscience is particularly vital , ” they added .
“ Many doctors , nurses , and other healthcare professionals have religious or moral objections to certain procedures , like abortion or assisted suicide.
” The new HHS rule , the attorneys general explained , has as its aim “ to promote awareness of federal conscience protections and ensure their enforcement.
” They added , “ for conscience protections to work well , they must be common knowledge to those in the medical field and there must be some mechanism for punishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights had first introduced its new rule on May 2 , 2019 , stating it was fulfilling “ President Trump ’ s promise to promote and protect the fundamental and unalienable rights of conscience and religious liberty , a promise he made when he signed an executive order in May 2017 protecting religious liberty.
” “ Finally , laws prohibiting government funded discrimination against conscience and religious freedom will be enforced like every other civil rights law , ” said Roger Severino , Director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that healthcare entities and professionals won ’ t be bullied out of the health care field because they decline to participate in actions that violate their conscience , including the taking of human life , ” he continued .
“ Protecting conscience and religious freedom not only fosters greater diversity in healthcare , it ’ s the law.
” Right away , the rule was challenged in court by pro-abortion attorneys general in New York and other states , as well as in California .
“ Once again , the Trump Administration is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Americans , ” claimed New York Attorney General Letitia James .
“ The federal government is giving health care providers free license to openly discriminate and refuse care to patients – a gross misinterpretation of religious freedom that will have devastating consequences on communities throughout the country , ” she continued .
“ When the health of our residents is at stake , and the safety of vulnerable populations hang in the balance , we can not rest until this ‘ health care refusal ’ rule is stopped.
” James did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assisted suicide are procedures conducive to “ the health and safety of Americans , ” nor did she realize that unborn babies are part of the “ vulnerable populations ” whose safety she demanded .
On November 6 , 2019 , Judge Paul A. Engelmayer , nominated by President Barack Obama to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York , vacated the HHS rule protecting the consciences of health care workers before it became effective .
“ Engelmayer found the Department of Health and Human Services lacked authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that it unlawfully conflicted with civil rights laws banning workplace discrimination and the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act , ” Bloomberg Law summarized .
Following Engelmayer ’ s decision , Regina Frost , M.D.
, a Michigan-based OB/GYN , the Christian Medical & Dental Associations , and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services appealed to the Second Circuit , and filed their opening briefs on April 27 , 2020 .

16 state attorneys general also filed a separate amicus brief in support of a new rule exempting health care workers from being forced to participate in abortions.
PETITION: Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society! Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 2, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – An amicus brief filed last month by 78 current members of both chambers of U.S. Congress supports conscience protections for health care workers to be put in place by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
16 state attorneys general also filed a separate amicus brief in support of the HHS rule, which would exempt health care workers from being forced to take part in abortions and other morally objectionable procedures.
“Congress has a longstanding bipartisan tradition of enacting legislation that promotes the rights of those whose conscience precludes participation in certain controversial actions,” the legislators began their argument to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
“Consistent with that tradition, Congress has repeatedly passed legislation shielding individuals and organizations from being forced to violate their consciences by performing, participating in, or referring patients for certain procedures, including abortion, sterilization, and physician-assisted suicide.”
Specifically, the Church Amendment, Coats-Snowe Amendment, and Weldon Amendment lay out that health care workers should not be pressured by institutions receiving federal dollars to participate in or refer for abortions and other immoral procedures.
“To ensure compliance with these federal conscience protections,” explained the 78 legislators in their amicus brief, “the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) promulgated the Conscience Rule on May 21, 2019 to interpret and implement existing federal statutes.”
“For the last fifty years, Congress has been very clear: governmental and private entities cannot receive federal funds and discriminate against health care entities that refuse to perform or assist in the performance of particular procedures,” they concluded. “HHS should be allowed to enforce this statutory prerogative.”
Of the 78 members of Congress to sign the amicus brief, 13 are senators, including both senators from Oklahoma and both senators from Nebraska.
The 16 state attorneys general, led by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, pointed out that “respect for liberty of conscience has ‘deep roots in the practices of the American states both before and after independence.’”
“Healthcare is one area where protecting conscience is particularly vital,” they added. “Many doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have religious or moral objections to certain procedures, like abortion or assisted suicide.”
The new HHS rule, the attorneys general explained, has as its aim “to promote awareness of federal conscience protections and ensure their enforcement.” They added, “for conscience protections to work well, they must be common knowledge to those in the medical field and there must be some mechanism for punishing violations.”
The HHS Office for Civil Rights had first introduced its new rule on May 2, 2019, stating it was fulfilling “President Trump’s promise to promote and protect the fundamental and unalienable rights of conscience and religious liberty, a promise he made when he signed an executive order in May 2017 protecting religious liberty.”
“Finally, laws prohibiting government funded discrimination against conscience and religious freedom will be enforced like every other civil rights law,” said Roger Severino, Director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights, at the time.
“This rule ensures that healthcare entities and professionals won’t be bullied out of the health care field because they decline to participate in actions that violate their conscience, including the taking of human life,” he continued. “Protecting conscience and religious freedom not only fosters greater diversity in healthcare, it’s the law.”
Right away, the rule was challenged in court by pro-abortion attorneys general in New York and other states, as well as in California.
“Once again, the Trump Administration is putting politics over the health and safety of Americans,” claimed New York Attorney General Letitia James.
“The federal government is giving health care providers free license to openly discriminate and refuse care to patients – a gross misinterpretation of religious freedom that will have devastating consequences on communities throughout the country,” she continued.
“When the health of our residents is at stake, and the safety of vulnerable populations hang in the balance, we cannot rest until this ‘health care refusal’ rule is stopped.”
James did not explain how abortion, sterilization, and assisted suicide are procedures conducive to “the health and safety of Americans,” nor did she realize that unborn babies are part of the “vulnerable populations” whose safety she demanded.
On November 6, 2019, Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, nominated by President Barack Obama to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, vacated the HHS rule protecting the consciences of health care workers before it became effective.
“Engelmayer found the Department of Health and Human Services lacked authority to issue significant portions of the rule and that it unlawfully conflicted with civil rights laws banning workplace discrimination and the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act,” Bloomberg Law summarized.
Following Engelmayer’s decision, Regina Frost, M.D., a Michigan-based OB/GYN, the Christian Medical & Dental Associations, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services appealed to the Second Circuit, and filed their opening briefs on April 27, 2020.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-02--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

June 2 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the coronavirus crisis , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united in praying the rosary together , at the same time , every day at 12:00 noon EST .
The rosary is led by Father Anthony Pillari , an American priest currently in Italy .
To date , Catholics from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Mexico , Chile , Brazil , Australia , New Zealand , the Philippines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as other countries , have been joining in .
The whole world – including the Church – has been thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) .
Thousands of people have passed away as a result of the viral outbreak , while thousands more have been sickened .
And , across the world , business has come to a grinding halt , resulting in sudden job loss and threatening economic recession .
If there ever was a time for prayer , this is it .
Catholics around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sacraments , but in many places are unable to access them because of bishops ’ orders or government restrictions .
We know that community with other believers is vital all the time , but especially during this time of global calls for “ sheltering-in-place ” and quarantine .
“ The rosary is the weapon for these times , ” St. Padre Pio said .
Through prayer , we can shape history , change the world , and bring this painful crisis to an end .
Join us today !
Send photos or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rosary with Father Pillari to [ email protected ]

(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--2020-06-02--Catholic parish faces human rights tribunal for refusing to allow LGBT event at parish hall

WHITE ROCK , British Columbia , June 2 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — An adjudicator has ruled that a Canadian Catholic church must now face a human rights hearing for refusing to allow an LGBT “ Pride ” group to hold a fundraising event at its parish hall last year , according to a May 28 Blacklock ’ s Reporter report .
In March of 2019 , the Star of the Sea Catholic Church in White Rock British Columbia refused an application from the White Rock Pride Society to host a “ Love Is Love ” ” Pride Week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parish hall , which is located next to the church .
As a result , the White Rock Pride Society filed a complaint to the B.C .
Human Rights Tribunal in June 2019 , saying the church “ singled out ” the group as not welcome to use the church space , despite other groups being allowed to use it .
`` In doing so ... the parish damaged the inherent dignity , feelings and self-respect of the pride society 's members , who identify as part of and support the LGBTQ+ community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ernie Klassen , in a June 2019 CBC report .
Kathleen Smith , an adjudicator for the B.C .
Human Rights Tribunal , said she decided that a full hearing is needed to resolve the dispute in her May 26 ruling .
“ There are significant facts and issues in dispute .
The case is complicated however by the fact the parish makes a part of its space available to those outside of its Catholic community , ” said Smith according to the Blacklock ’ s report .
“ I agree with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short of undue hardship requires the careful examination [ of ] complex and nuanced issues , including the meaning of Pride , as well as the competing rights of the parties in this case .
In my view , these issues can not be determined on this application and require a full hearing , ” said Smith in her ruling , as reported in a local news report .
DROP Disney+ : New teen film 'Out ' features openly homosexual main character !
Sign the petition here .
Star of the Sea Parish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the complaint to be dismissed , but this request was rejected , according to the local news report .
According to Blacklock ’ s Reporter , lawyers for the Archdiocese of Vancouver said to the tribunal , “ Religious centres must be allowed to exist as protected spaces both for the faithful and the religious institutions that serve them who can rest assured their space is not being used for purposes which are contrary to the moral teachings of their faith.
” The Blacklock ’ s report says Star of the Sea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have featured “ drag queens ” and “ same-sex dancing.
” The same report noted that lawyers for the Archdiocese of Vancouver in a June 2019 email to the White Rock Pride Society said the group 's use of the hall would “ encourage and support a homosexual lifestyle , ” which is against the Catholic faith .
“ The proposed use is contrary to the practices , teachings and morals of the Catholic faith as the purpose of Pride and the dinner and dance fundraising event is to encourage and support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyers to the pride group .
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that homosexual acts are “ acts of grave depravity ” that are “ intrinsically disordered ” and “ contrary to the natural law.
” The Catechism calls for “ respect , compassion , and sensitivity ” for those struggling with same-sex attraction but notes that “ respect for homosexual persons can not lead in any way to approval of homosexual behavior or to legal recognition of homosexual unions.
” No date has been set for the hearing .
LifeSiteNews contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic Church but as of press time has not heard back .
The B.C .
Human Rights Tribunal has a history of rulings that go contrary to religious liberties .
LifeSiteNews reported in 2005 that two lesbians were awarded damages from the B.C .
Human Rights Tribunal for being denied a Knights of Columbus hall rental for their same-sex “ lesbian wedding reception .
”

The pro-gay group insists that the church 'singled out' the group as not welcome to use the church space to promote homosexuality.
WHITE ROCK, British Columbia, June 2, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — An adjudicator has ruled that a Canadian Catholic church must now face a human rights hearing for refusing to allow an LGBT “Pride” group to hold a fundraising event at its parish hall last year, according to a May 28 Blacklock’s Reporter report.
In March of 2019, the Star of the Sea Catholic Church in White Rock British Columbia refused an application from the White Rock Pride Society to host a “Love Is Love” ”Pride Week” fundraiser at the church’s parish hall, which is located next to the church.
As a result, the White Rock Pride Society filed a complaint to the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal in June 2019, saying the church “singled out” the group as not welcome to use the church space, despite other groups being allowed to use it.
“In doing so … the parish damaged the inherent dignity, feelings and self-respect of the pride society's members, who identify as part of and support the LGBTQ+ community,” said the society president, Ernie Klassen, in a June 2019 CBC report.
Kathleen Smith, an adjudicator for the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, said she decided that a full hearing is needed to resolve the dispute in her May 26 ruling.
“There are significant facts and issues in dispute. The case is complicated however by the fact the parish makes a part of its space available to those outside of its Catholic community,” said Smith according to the Blacklock’s report.
“I agree with the Society that a determination about reasonable accommodation short of undue hardship requires the careful examination [of] complex and nuanced issues, including the meaning of Pride, as well as the competing rights of the parties in this case. In my view, these issues cannot be determined on this application and require a full hearing,” said Smith in her ruling, as reported in a local news report.
DROP Disney+: New teen film 'Out' features openly homosexual main character! Sign the petition here.
Star of the Sea Parish and the Archdiocese of Vancouver had asked for the complaint to be dismissed, but this request was rejected, according to the local news report.
According to Blacklock’s Reporter, lawyers for the Archdiocese of Vancouver said to the tribunal, “Religious centres must be allowed to exist as protected spaces both for the faithful and the religious institutions that serve them who can rest assured their space is not being used for purposes which are contrary to the moral teachings of their faith.”
The Blacklock’s report says Star of the Sea Catholic Church raised concerns that the banquet would have featured “drag queens” and “same-sex dancing.”
The same report noted that lawyers for the Archdiocese of Vancouver in a June 2019 email to the White Rock Pride Society said the group's use of the hall would “encourage and support a homosexual lifestyle,” which is against the Catholic faith.
“The proposed use is contrary to the practices, teachings and morals of the Catholic faith as the purpose of Pride and the dinner and dance fundraising event is to encourage and support a homosexual lifestyle,” said Church lawyers to the pride group.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that homosexual acts are “acts of grave depravity” that are “intrinsically disordered” and “contrary to the natural law.”
The Catechism calls for “respect, compassion, and sensitivity” for those struggling with same-sex attraction but notes that “respect for homosexual persons cannot lead in any way to approval of homosexual behavior or to legal recognition of homosexual unions.”
No date has been set for the hearing. LifeSiteNews contacted the pastor of Star of the Sea Catholic Church but as of press time has not heard back.
The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal has a history of rulings that go contrary to religious liberties.
LifeSiteNews reported in 2005 that two lesbians were awarded damages from the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal for being denied a Knights of Columbus hall rental for their same-sex “lesbian wedding reception.”
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lifesitenews--2020-06-02--Why bishops are wrong to allow govt to dictate opening churches, how to receive Communion

June 2 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — In voting with the “ liberals ” who , in line with the philosophy of liberalism , want the State to have control over the Church , Chief Justice Roberts in the recent 5-4 Supreme Court decision wrote : “ Although California ’ s guidelines place restrictions on places of worship , those restrictions appear consistent with the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment .
Similar or more severe restrictions apply to comparable secular gatherings , including lectures , concerts , movie showings , spectator sports , and theatrical performances , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close proximity for extended periods of time.
” Here , religious practice , which concerns the first and fundamental duty of man to give worship to God , has been indiscriminately conflated with optional secular concerns — lectures , sports , movies , and theaters .
As some have pointed out , the U.S. bishops , with a few notable exceptions , have been silent and supine in the face of State encroachments on religious practice in the period of the coronavirus , when they have not been positively enthusiastic about shutting down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will know of my surpassing admiration for St. Pius X , even if one can legitimately regret the extent of his breviary revisions .
This much we can say : he was not a man to mince words when it came to the rights of Christ the King and of His Church vis-à-vis the civil government .
In 1905 , France ’ s Chamber of Deputies passed the infamous Law of Separation , which sought to abolish , dissolve , and altogether negate the diplomatically hard won mutual jurisdiction of Church and State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1906 , the Sovereign Pontiff had this to say , in his encyclical Vehementer Nos , addressed to all the people of France : That the State must be separated from the Church is a thesis absolutely false , a most pernicious error .
Based , as it is , on the principle that the State must not recognize any religious cultus , it is in the first place guilty of a great injustice to God ; for the Creator of man is also the Founder of human societies , and preserves their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We owe Him , therefore , not only a private cultus , but a public and social worship to honor Him .
Besides , this thesis is an obvious negation of the supernatural order .
It limits the action of the State to the pursuit of public prosperity during this life only , which is but the proximate object of political societies ; and it occupies itself in no fashion ( on the plea that this is foreign to it ) with their ultimate object , which is man ’ s eternal happiness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its course .
But as the present order of things is temporary and subordinated to the conquest of man ’ s supreme and absolute welfare , it follows that the civil power must not only place no obstacle in the way of this conquest , but must aid us in effecting it .
PETITION : Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society !
Sign the petition here .
Such words could hardly be mistaken for a timid capitulation to the dominant trend of liberalism .
The oft-hailed “ principle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken for granted that civil states should be “ religiously neutral , ” was scoffed at by Pius X , who understood that it is impossible , after the Incarnation , for peoples that have been touched by the Gospel to adopt neutrality toward the Gospel .
Either their rulers will hate it , and their supposed neutrality will become a subtly effective instrument for marginalizing and privatizing religion , leading to its irrelevance and eventual extinction , or they will support it by legislation that consistently favors the interests of family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can exist or endure .
According to John Locke ’ s influential Letter Concerning Toleration , the State alone has true public jurisdiction and power , while religious bodies within the State exist and function at its sufferance and according to its regulations .
The coronavirus pandemic has certainly exposed the secretly totalistic or quasi-ecclesial usurpations of our Lockean civil authorities : we see governments dictating when or how or even whether Communion can be distributed , when and under what conditions and for how many people church buildings can be opened , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Church , in perfect conformity to the doctrine of Locke , submitting almost without a whimper to the total domination of the State .
“ He who is not with me is against me , ” says our Lord ( Mt .
12:30 ) .
For Pius X , this has as one of its many meanings , at least in the Western world already visited by the Gospel : “ A nation that is not with Christ and the Church is against them.
” Obviously , Pius X in Vehementer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , a confusion or conflation of civil and ecclesiastical offices and responsibilities .
He teaches rather the inherent supremacy of religious concerns over temporal ones and the necessary subordination of secular rulership to ecclesiastical , with the corollary that the civil order not only must refrain from interfering or minimizing the Church ’ s ministry in society , but should actively support the Church ’ s work .
As Leo XIII explains in Immortale Dei , secular rulers are relatively autonomous in their own sphere — that is , in strictly political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means absolutely autonomous , even as neither is obedience to God ’ s law and revelation optional for human freedom .
In a different encyclical , Au Milieu des Sollicitudes , Leo XIII wrote these stirring words , with which his successor Pius X surely agreed : We have expressly recalled some features of the past that Catholics might not be dismayed by the present .
Substantially the struggle is ever the same : Jesus Christ is always exposed to the contradictions of the world , and the same means are always used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old in principle and scarcely modified in form ; but the same means of defence are also clearly indicated to Christians of the present day by our apologists , our doctors and our martyrs .
What they have done it is incumbent upon us to do in our turn .
Let us therefore place above all else the glory of God and of His Church ; let us work for her with an assiduity at once constant and effective , and leave all care of success to Jesus Christ , who tells us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have distress : but have confidence , I have overcome the world .
”

The U.S. bishops, with a few notable exceptions, have been silent and supine in the face of State encroachments on religious practice in the period of the coronavirus.
June 2, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — In voting with the “liberals” who, in line with the philosophy of liberalism, want the State to have control over the Church, Chief Justice Roberts in the recent 5-4 Supreme Court decision wrote: “Although California’s guidelines place restrictions on places of worship, those restrictions appear consistent with the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. Similar or more severe restrictions apply to comparable secular gatherings, including lectures, concerts, movie showings, spectator sports, and theatrical performances, where large groups of people gather in close proximity for extended periods of time.”
Here, religious practice, which concerns the first and fundamental duty of man to give worship to God, has been indiscriminately conflated with optional secular concerns — lectures, sports, movies, and theaters.
As some have pointed out, the U.S. bishops, with a few notable exceptions, have been silent and supine in the face of State encroachments on religious practice in the period of the coronavirus, when they have not been positively enthusiastic about shutting down church services and sacramental access.
Readers will know of my surpassing admiration for St. Pius X, even if one can legitimately regret the extent of his breviary revisions. This much we can say: he was not a man to mince words when it came to the rights of Christ the King and of His Church vis-à-vis the civil government.
In 1905, France’s Chamber of Deputies passed the infamous Law of Separation, which sought to abolish, dissolve, and altogether negate the diplomatically hard won mutual jurisdiction of Church and State in that country. In February of 1906, the Sovereign Pontiff had this to say, in his encyclical Vehementer Nos, addressed to all the people of France:
That the State must be separated from the Church is a thesis absolutely false, a most pernicious error. Based, as it is, on the principle that the State must not recognize any religious cultus, it is in the first place guilty of a great injustice to God; for the Creator of man is also the Founder of human societies, and preserves their existence as He preserves our own. We owe Him, therefore, not only a private cultus, but a public and social worship to honor Him. Besides, this thesis is an obvious negation of the supernatural order. It limits the action of the State to the pursuit of public prosperity during this life only, which is but the proximate object of political societies; and it occupies itself in no fashion (on the plea that this is foreign to it) with their ultimate object, which is man’s eternal happiness after this short life shall have run its course. But as the present order of things is temporary and subordinated to the conquest of man’s supreme and absolute welfare, it follows that the civil power must not only place no obstacle in the way of this conquest, but must aid us in effecting it.
PETITION: Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society! Sign the petition here.
Such words could hardly be mistaken for a timid capitulation to the dominant trend of liberalism. The oft-hailed “principle of secularity,” whereby it is now taken for granted that civil states should be “religiously neutral,” was scoffed at by Pius X, who understood that it is impossible, after the Incarnation, for peoples that have been touched by the Gospel to adopt neutrality toward the Gospel. Either their rulers will hate it, and their supposed neutrality will become a subtly effective instrument for marginalizing and privatizing religion, leading to its irrelevance and eventual extinction, or they will support it by legislation that consistently favors the interests of family and church, without which no just society can exist or endure.
According to John Locke’s influential Letter Concerning Toleration, the State alone has true public jurisdiction and power, while religious bodies within the State exist and function at its sufferance and according to its regulations. The coronavirus pandemic has certainly exposed the secretly totalistic or quasi-ecclesial usurpations of our Lockean civil authorities: we see governments dictating when or how or even whether Communion can be distributed, when and under what conditions and for how many people church buildings can be opened, etc. We also see the bishops of the Church, in perfect conformity to the doctrine of Locke, submitting almost without a whimper to the total domination of the State.
“He who is not with me is against me,” says our Lord (Mt. 12:30). For Pius X, this has as one of its many meanings, at least in the Western world already visited by the Gospel: “A nation that is not with Christ and the Church is against them.”
Obviously, Pius X in Vehementer Nos does not advocate theocracy — that is, a confusion or conflation of civil and ecclesiastical offices and responsibilities. He teaches rather the inherent supremacy of religious concerns over temporal ones and the necessary subordination of secular rulership to ecclesiastical, with the corollary that the civil order not only must refrain from interfering or minimizing the Church’s ministry in society, but should actively support the Church’s work. As Leo XIII explains in Immortale Dei, secular rulers are relatively autonomous in their own sphere — that is, in strictly political governance; yet they are by no means absolutely autonomous, even as neither is obedience to God’s law and revelation optional for human freedom.
In a different encyclical, Au Milieu des Sollicitudes, Leo XIII wrote these stirring words, with which his successor Pius X surely agreed:
We have expressly recalled some features of the past that Catholics might not be dismayed by the present. Substantially the struggle is ever the same: Jesus Christ is always exposed to the contradictions of the world, and the same means are always used by modern enemies of Christianity, means old in principle and scarcely modified in form; but the same means of defence are also clearly indicated to Christians of the present day by our apologists, our doctors and our martyrs. What they have done it is incumbent upon us to do in our turn. Let us therefore place above all else the glory of God and of His Church; let us work for her with an assiduity at once constant and effective, and leave all care of success to Jesus Christ, who tells us: “In the world you shall have distress: but have confidence, I have overcome the world.”
Peter Kwasniewski, Thomistic theologian, liturgical scholar, and choral composer, is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College in California (B.A. Liberal Arts) and The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC (M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy). He taught at the International Theological Institute in Austria and the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Austria Program, then helped establish Wyoming Catholic College in 2006. There he taught theology, philosophy, music, and art history and directed the choirs until leaving in 2018 to devote himself full-time to writing and lecturing. Today he contributes regularly to many websites and publications, including New Liturgical Movement, OnePeterFive, LifeSiteNews, Rorate Caeli, The Remnant, and Catholic Family News, and has published thirteen books, including four on traditional Catholicism: Resurgent in the Midst of Crisis (Angelico, 2014, also available in Czech, Polish, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Belarusian), Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness (Angelico, 2017), Tradition and Sanity (Angelico, 2018), and Reclaiming Our Roman Catholic Birthright: The Genius and Timeliness of the Traditional Latin Mass (Angelico, 2020). His work has been translated into at least eighteen languages. Kwasniewski is a scholar of The Aquinas Institute in Green Bay, which is publishing the Opera Omnia of the Angelic Doctor, a Fellow of the Albertus Magnus Center for Scholastic Studies, and a Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center. He has published over a thousand articles on Thomistic thought, sacramental and liturgical theology, the history and aesthetics of music, and the social doctrine of the Church. For news, information, article links, sacred music, and the home of Os Justi Press, visit his personal website, www.peterkwasniewski.com.
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