lifesitenews--2020-03-23--Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter spark fear over free speech with joint coronavirus statement

March 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The world ’ s top technology and internet companies , including Facebook , Google , Microsoft , and Twitter , responded to the global coronavirus pandemic by banding together to pledge their cooperation in disseminating accurate information about the health threat and preventing the spread of misinformation .
But critics fear excessive dependence on social media carries risks of its own .
“ We are working closely together on COVID-19 response efforts , ” reads a joint statement released last week by Facebook , Google , YouTube , LinkedIn , Microsoft , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re helping millions of people stay connected while also jointly combating fraud and misinformation about the virus , elevating authoritative content on our platforms , and sharing critical updates in coordination with government healthcare agencies around the world .
We invite other companies to join us as we work to keep our communities healthy and safe.
” Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube have all launched tools to promote information vetted and endorsed by medical authorities , as well as outlined the steps they ’ re taking to scan for and remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice – even obvious satire , in Twitter ’ s case .
While some of these rules are fairly straightforward , critics fear some of them could potentially cross the line from halting the spread of misinformation into stifling legitimate debate about the wisdom of government ’ s response as well as the true threat of the virus , a relatively new and evolving situation on which the experts themselves are not of one mind .
Google ’ s efforts , meanwhile , have already produced some hiccups , such as inadvertently blocking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control from appearing in certain searches on the Google Play store .
“ Social media is an important tool for connecting , particularly in times when we are forced to be apart .
But using it as our primary or only source of accurate news information – particularly in a public health crisis that is evolving at warp speed – may be risky , ” warned Cara Zwibel , director of the Fundamental Freedoms Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association .
Zwibel noted that the erroneous removal of legitimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given their reliance on automated programs over human reviewers .
“ What the current environment serves to highlight is the increasingly significant role that these private companies play in how we access and consume information , ” she said .
“ It also makes plain some of the challenges and costs associated with using algorithms to moderate and , in some cases , censor , expressive content.
” While concern lingers over tech giants wrongly removing too much content , at the same time critics are accusing these same companies of leaving up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misinformation from influential figures .
Last week , Breitbart faulted Twitter for deciding to let stand a tweet in which Tesla CEO Elon Musk claims “ kids are essentially immune ” from the coronavirus , which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says is untrue .
More seriously , Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin have written to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey demanding that the platform take down tweets from Chinese government officials and state-owned media outlets lying about the regime ’ s initial handling of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus actually originating in the United States .
“ By banning Twitter in China , the Chinese Communist Party is keeping its citizens in the dark , ” the lawmakers declared .
“ By putting propaganda on Twitter , the Chinese Communist Party is lying to the rest of the world.
” “ It is clear that Chinese Communist Party officials are using Twitter to disseminate propaganda in the midst of a dangerous global crisis , ” the letter continued .
“ Even worse , this propaganda obscures and confuses users over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermines efforts to contain and control the outbreak .
We believe this behavior more than warrants their removal from the platform.
” As of Monday afternoon , the Chinese tweets in question remained live .
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

The social media and tech companies are vetting information about the health crisis and allowing what they consider to be legitimate.
March 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The world’s top technology and internet companies, including Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Twitter, responded to the global coronavirus pandemic by banding together to pledge their cooperation in disseminating accurate information about the health threat and preventing the spread of misinformation. But critics fear excessive dependence on social media carries risks of its own.
“We are working closely together on COVID-19 response efforts,” reads a joint statement released last week by Facebook, Google, YouTube, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Reddit, and Twitter. “We’re helping millions of people stay connected while also jointly combating fraud and misinformation about the virus, elevating authoritative content on our platforms, and sharing critical updates in coordination with government healthcare agencies around the world. We invite other companies to join us as we work to keep our communities healthy and safe.”
Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have all launched tools to promote information vetted and endorsed by medical authorities, as well as outlined the steps they’re taking to scan for and remove postings ranging from popular misconceptions to fraudulent advice – even obvious satire, in Twitter’s case.
While some of these rules are fairly straightforward, critics fear some of them could potentially cross the line from halting the spread of misinformation into stifling legitimate debate about the wisdom of government’s response as well as the true threat of the virus, a relatively new and evolving situation on which the experts themselves are not of one mind.
Google’s efforts, meanwhile, have already produced some hiccups, such as inadvertently blocking legitimate news apps and even the U.S. Centers for Disease Control from appearing in certain searches on the Google Play store.
“Social media is an important tool for connecting, particularly in times when we are forced to be apart. But using it as our primary or only source of accurate news information – particularly in a public health crisis that is evolving at warp speed – may be risky,” warned Cara Zwibel, director of the Fundamental Freedoms Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.
Zwibel noted that the erroneous removal of legitimate information from these platforms was unsurprising, given their reliance on automated programs over human reviewers. “What the current environment serves to highlight is the increasingly significant role that these private companies play in how we access and consume information,” she said. “It also makes plain some of the challenges and costs associated with using algorithms to moderate and, in some cases, censor, expressive content.”
While concern lingers over tech giants wrongly removing too much content, at the same time critics are accusing these same companies of leaving up some of the most egregious instances of misinformation from influential figures. Last week, Breitbart faulted Twitter for deciding to let stand a tweet in which Tesla CEO Elon Musk claims “kids are essentially immune” from the coronavirus, which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says is untrue.
More seriously, Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin have written to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey demanding that the platform take down tweets from Chinese government officials and state-owned media outlets lying about the regime’s initial handling of the outbreak and spreading conspiracy theories about the virus actually originating in the United States.
“By banning Twitter in China, the Chinese Communist Party is keeping its citizens in the dark,” the lawmakers declared. “By putting propaganda on Twitter, the Chinese Communist Party is lying to the rest of the world.”
“It is clear that Chinese Communist Party officials are using Twitter to disseminate propaganda in the midst of a dangerous global crisis,” the letter continued. “Even worse, this propaganda obscures and confuses users over the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and potentially undermines efforts to contain and control the outbreak. We believe this behavior more than warrants their removal from the platform.”
As of Monday afternoon, the Chinese tweets in question remained live.
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-23--COVID-19 closes churches, schools, businesses. Why is abortion industry open for business?

March 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – More than 100 pro-life leaders are demanding that abortion clinics be shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
They are calling on governors to shut down abortion centers still operating in defiance of public health warnings as well as state and national health directives .
While authorities have moved to shut down schools , businesses , and even churches , most abortion clinics remain open for business .
According to Mark Harrington of the Ohio-based pro-life group Created Equal , who helped spearhead the effort : “ Every day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of human beings .
And now , by refusing to close their doors as COVID-19 wreaks havoc across the nation , they are endangering the general public , too .
Not only are these facilities consuming scarce personal protective equipment , they risk spreading COVID-19 throughout their state .
Furthermore , abortionists themselves are not immune to COVID-19 and some , including one in Michigan , may have already contracted the disease .
These facilities also put a burden on community EMTs and hospital ERs , should they have a medical emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio , the attorney general ordered health care providers to cease all “ nonessential and elective surgical abortions ” this weekend , highlighting federal guidelines released to address concerns that the ongoing pandemic will soon result in a shortage of hospital beds as well as personal protective equipment .
Abortion activists , predictably , have argued that abortion is an essential service because abortions are “ time-sensitive.
” This , presumably , is due to the fact that if an abortion is delayed long enough , the pregnancy is likely to result in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio and Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region responded by saying that they would continue offering abortions will working to “ reduce the use of equipment in short supply.
” One abortion activist even took the opportunity to call for the complete elimination of all abortion restrictions , tweeting last week that : “ The absolute , most 100 % PROLIFE thing we can do now is strip away all barriers to abortion immediately .
It will save the lives of people who will try to self manage without safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of virus by cutting unnecessary travel .
IT .
IS .
SAFE .
MAKE .
IT .
LEGAL.
” Created Equal released a video today proving that abortion clinics are open across the country , and the website Stop the Spread Right Now highlights the fact that abortion clinics in Ohio are operating despite a cease-and-desist order that has been issued to all abortion clinics by the state ’ s attorney general .
Created Equal , Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio , and other pro-life and pro-family groups have been working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Attorney General and the Ohio Department of Health to respond to the fact that abortion clinics were ignoring the directive sent out mandating that all elective surgeries must be stopped , and pro-life leaders from across the country are now joining the campaign to call on their leaders to shut abortion clinics down .
In fact , there is already one instance of an abortion clinic potentially contributing to the spread of COVID-19 .
According to John Barros , who has stood outside the Women ’ s Health Center in Orlando , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the women arriving there to procure abortions : “ This morning a worker here verified that they had done an abortion on a lady from a cruise ship that has the Corona virus yesterday [ March 16 ] .
She is so worried and shocked that they would do it for an extra $ 900 .
I couldn ’ t believe it really… ” Barros , who has a friendly relationship with some of the clinic staffers , confirmed that he had been told twice that this had taken place , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the patient might have had the potentially deadly virus .
As this anecdote highlights , abortion clinics may become deadly places in more ways than one as they continue to defy government directives to close their doors .
Their commitment to the destruction of pre-born human beings can not be shaken—even by a pandemic .

March 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – More than 100 pro-life leaders are demanding that abortion clinics be shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are calling on governors to shut down abortion centers still operating in defiance of public health warnings as well as state and national health directives. While authorities have moved to shut down schools, businesses, and even churches, most abortion clinics remain open for business.
According to Mark Harrington of the Ohio-based pro-life group Created Equal, who helped spearhead the effort: “Every day, abortion facilities violently end the lives of thousands of human beings. And now, by refusing to close their doors as COVID-19 wreaks havoc across the nation, they are endangering the general public, too. Not only are these facilities consuming scarce personal protective equipment, they risk spreading COVID-19 throughout their state. Furthermore, abortionists themselves are not immune to COVID-19 and some, including one in Michigan, may have already contracted the disease. These facilities also put a burden on community EMTs and hospital ERs, should they have a medical emergency at one of their locations.”
In Ohio, the attorney general ordered health care providers to cease all “nonessential and elective surgical abortions” this weekend, highlighting federal guidelines released to address concerns that the ongoing pandemic will soon result in a shortage of hospital beds as well as personal protective equipment.
Abortion activists, predictably, have argued that abortion is an essential service because abortions are “time-sensitive.” This, presumably, is due to the fact that if an abortion is delayed long enough, the pregnancy is likely to result in the birth of a living baby. Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio and Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region responded by saying that they would continue offering abortions will working to “reduce the use of equipment in short supply.”
Follow Jonathon van Maren on Facebook
One abortion activist even took the opportunity to call for the complete elimination of all abortion restrictions, tweeting last week that: “The absolute, most 100% PROLIFE thing we can do now is strip away all barriers to abortion immediately. It will save the lives of people who will try to self manage without safe meds. It will stop the spread of virus by cutting unnecessary travel. IT. IS. SAFE. MAKE. IT. LEGAL.”
Created Equal released a video today proving that abortion clinics are open across the country, and the website Stop the Spread Right Now highlights the fact that abortion clinics in Ohio are operating despite a cease-and-desist order that has been issued to all abortion clinics by the state’s attorney general.
Created Equal, Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio, and other pro-life and pro-family groups have been working with Governor Mike DeWine as well as the Attorney General and the Ohio Department of Health to respond to the fact that abortion clinics were ignoring the directive sent out mandating that all elective surgeries must be stopped, and pro-life leaders from across the country are now joining the campaign to call on their leaders to shut abortion clinics down.
In fact, there is already one instance of an abortion clinic potentially contributing to the spread of COVID-19. According to John Barros, who has stood outside the Women’s Health Center in Orlando, Florida, for sixteen years offering help to the women arriving there to procure abortions: “This morning a worker here verified that they had done an abortion on a lady from a cruise ship that has the Corona virus yesterday [March 16]. She is so worried and shocked that they would do it for an extra $900. I couldn’t believe it really…” Barros, who has a friendly relationship with some of the clinic staffers, confirmed that he had been told twice that this had taken place, and that the staff was extremely concerned that the patient might have had the potentially deadly virus.
As this anecdote highlights, abortion clinics may become deadly places in more ways than one as they continue to defy government directives to close their doors. Their commitment to the destruction of pre-born human beings cannot be shaken—even by a pandemic.
This story is developing…
Jonathon’s new podcast, The Van Maren Show, is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement. In his latest episode, he speaks with Alessandra Bocchi, who is currently in Rome, about what is actually happening on the ground in Rome and across Italy. Bocchi is from Lombardy, the hardest hit region of Italy, but is “stuck” in Rome due to the government’s requests that people not leave their current locations in order to stop the spread of the virus. The scene she shares is quite surreal. 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--2020-03-23--Democrats derail coronavirus relief bill, see chance to ‘restructure’ USA to ‘fit our vision’

WASHINGTON , D.C. , March 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Bipartisan legislation to provide temporary relief to Americans put out of work by coronavirus lockdowns across the country came crashing down Sunday after Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signaled to Senate Democrats that she wanted to write her own version .
Among the provisions of the $ 1.6 trillion Senate bill were $ 75 billion for hospitals across the country and $ 1,200 checks to every American making below $ 75,000 a year , as well as financial aid to businesses that have been forced to indefinitely shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus ’ spread .
Ahead of a Senate vote on the package , Pelosi announced Sunday that she wants to draft her own plan instead of presiding over House feedback to the Senate version .
“ From my standpoint , we ’ re apart , ” Pelosi said of her outlook for an agreement between the two parties .
“ We 'll be introducing our own bill and hopefully it will be compatible.
” Following Pelosi ’ s announcement , the vote on the Senate bill failed at 47-47 , the Daily Caller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate bill needs added provisions for food stamps , expanded emergency leave , and unemployment insurance .
But reports emerged Monday that Democrats are also pushing for the inclusion of measures entirely unrelated to the coronavirus response , including “ unprecedented collective bargaining powers for unions , ” “ increased fuel emissions standards for airlines , ” and “ expansion of wind and solar tax credits.
” A review of Pelosi ’ s draft released Monday reveals that her proposal also calls for same-day voter registration , early voting , a bailout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more : The demands echo Democrat House Majority Whip James Clyburn ’ s comments earlier this week that the crisis presents a “ tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision.
” Democrats previously tried and failed to use the relief package to establish what White House officials called a “ slush fund ” for abortion reimbursements , an idea that could be revived in Pelosi ’ s new bill .
Senate Republicans responded by excoriating Democrats for risking “ your life , your job , your retirement savings ” with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily Caller notes that the New York Times initially reported the story under the headline , “ Democrats Block Action on $ 1.8 Trillion Stimulus , ” but twice revised it in ways less negative toward the Democrat Party – first by presenting a sympathetic justification in “ Democrats Block Action on Stimulus Plan , Seeking Worker Protections ” ; then by cutting reference to the Democrats entirely with “ Partisan Divide Threatens Deal on Rescue Bill.
” Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact @ @ @ @ @

'We'll be introducing our own bill and hopefully it will be compatible,' said Pelosi.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Bipartisan legislation to provide temporary relief to Americans put out of work by coronavirus lockdowns across the country came crashing down Sunday after Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signaled to Senate Democrats that she wanted to write her own version.
Among the provisions of the $1.6 trillion Senate bill were $75 billion for hospitals across the country and $1,200 checks to every American making below $75,000 a year, as well as financial aid to businesses that have been forced to indefinitely shut down in the interest of containing the virus’ spread.
Ahead of a Senate vote on the package, Pelosi announced Sunday that she wants to draft her own plan instead of presiding over House feedback to the Senate version. “From my standpoint, we’re apart,” Pelosi said of her outlook for an agreement between the two parties. “We'll be introducing our own bill and hopefully it will be compatible.”
Following Pelosi’s announcement, the vote on the Senate bill failed at 47-47, the Daily Caller reports.
Democrats have publicly complained that the Senate bill needs additional provisions for food stamps, expanded emergency leave, and unemployment insurance. But reports emerged Monday that Democrats are also pushing for the inclusion of measures entirely unrelated to the coronavirus response, including “unprecedented collective bargaining powers for unions,” “increased fuel emissions standards for airlines,” and “expansion of wind and solar tax credits.”
A review of Pelosi’s draft released Monday reveals that her proposal also calls for same-day voter registration, early voting, a bailout for the US Postal Service, and more:
Pelosi's #COVID19 bill is 1,119 pages and contains provisions for “conducting risk-limiting audits of results of elections” so yeah it's really very focused on the crisis at hand.����♀ pic.twitter.com/Q6axBi14lZ — Rachel Bovard (@rachelbovard) March 23, 2020
I, too, care for community journalism. But right now none of them have jobs because of #COVID19 so maybe this isn't the time to modify their retirement plans. pic.twitter.com/fK0OO9VqVQ — Rachel Bovard (@rachelbovard) March 23, 2020
The demands echo Democrat House Majority Whip James Clyburn’s comments earlier this week that the crisis presents a “tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision.” Democrats previously tried and failed to use the relief package to establish what White House officials called a “slush fund” for abortion reimbursements, an idea that could be revived in Pelosi’s new bill.
Senate Republicans responded by excoriating Democrats for risking “your life, your job, your retirement savings” with their “game of chicken”:
Our nation cannot afford this game of chicken. We cannot afford the cynical partisanship. This is a national emergency. Not a partisan opportunity. Doctors, nurses, small business employees, laid-off Americans, and vulnerable seniors need help right now. pic.twitter.com/zXPqodt8ZI — Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) March 23, 2020
This report is correct. Pelosi & Schumer are willing to risk your life, your job, your retirement savings for a radical, left-wing wish list that has nothing to do with this virus. Disgraceful. https://t.co/le9jlTB4KH — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) March 23, 2020
The Daily Caller notes that the New York Times initially reported the story under the headline, “Democrats Block Action on $1.8 Trillion Stimulus,” but twice revised it in ways less negative toward the Democrat Party – first by presenting a sympathetic justification in “Democrats Block Action on Stimulus Plan, Seeking Worker Protections”; then by cutting reference to the Democrats entirely with “Partisan Divide Threatens Deal on Rescue Bill.”
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-23--Virtues to keep your eyes on Christ during these trying times

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Watch Mother Miriam 's Live @ @ @ @ @ , Mother discusses the strength of St. Charles Borromeo who ministered to the sick and @ @ @ @ @ Milan .
She also focuses on the virtues we can work on during this unprecedented @ @ @ @ @ to Christ .
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on @ @ @ @

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 3.23.2020. Today, Mother discusses the strength of St. Charles Borromeo who ministered to the sick and dying during a plague in Milan. She also focuses on the virtues we can work on during this unprecedented time to keep us close to Christ.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-03-23--BREAKING: UK govt allows women to abort children at home in response to coronavirus

LONDON , United Kingdom , March 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The U.K. government has authorized women to kill their preborn children at home by using both stages of a chemical abortion process during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ( SPUC ) has condemned the move , saying it poses dangers for women and is “ exploiting a time of national crisis to rush through an ideology-driven change ” .
“ This is a dangerous and ill-thought-through move , ” said Antonia Tully , SPUC Director of Campaigns .
“ Mifepristone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kill an unborn baby – the rules regulating them shouldn ’ t be changed in this way.
” “ The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ( RCOG ) has been campaigning for these DIY abortions for months , as part of a propaganda campaign to assure women that abortion pills are safe and simple , when they are anything but .
Now they are exploiting a time of national crisis to make this ideological change.
” “ This hurried ‘ temporary ’ measure , has been pushed through at a time when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid 19 .
Under this new approval , medical practitioners can prescribe the pills from their home which now counts as ‘ a class of place for treatment ’ .
And the practitioner can prescribe these deadly drugs ‘ via video link , telephone conference or other electronic means ’ .
” Mrs Tully continued : “ The evidence is that home abortions increase the risks to women .
One study , tracking women living in a rural environment , found an increase in complications from 4.2 % in 2008 to 8.2 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than 12 weeks .
The authors said that a “ potential reason is that the proportion of induced abortions performed at home has risen.
” Mrs Tully went on : “ The RCOG recently released guidance which calls abortion ‘ essential ’ .
Ending the life of a child is never essential , and to try and claim this when the NHS is trying desperately to save life is even more disgusting .
It is vital to conserve our core services for genuine health emergencies rather than see them lost on unnecessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , SPUC ’ s chief executive officer , has taken to Facebook to slam the move , describing the coronavirus as “ a chastisement for , amongst other things , the killing of innocent children in the womb.
” “ Boris Johnson 's government does not realize that the coronavirus is a chastisement for , amongst other things , the killing of innocent children in the womb .
I fear he soon will .
We need to pray for repentance and conversion on the part of all of us.
” Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LifeSite that continuing abortions during a pandemic is “ medically irresponsible.
” In a statement sent to LifeSite , the American Association of Prolife OB/GYNs ( AAPLOG ) stated that “ abortions offer zero health benefits to women and do not treat a disease process ” and issued a call for “ abortions to be suspended according to the current recommendations pertaining to elective procedures and office visits .
”

UPDATE March 24, 2020, 10:39 a.m. EST: The U.K. government has reversed course and said the statement was published “in error.”
LONDON, United Kingdom, March 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The U.K. government has authorized women to kill their preborn children at home by using both stages of a chemical abortion process during the coronavirus pandemic.
A statement on the U.K. government website reads:
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has approved 2 temporary measures in England to limit the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) and ensure continued access to early medical abortion services: women and girls will be able to take both pills for early medical abortion in their own homes, without the need to first attend a hospital or clinic
medical practitioners (doctors) will be able to prescribe both pills for the treatment of early medical abortion from their own homes
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has condemned the move, saying it poses dangers for women and is “exploiting a time of national crisis to rush through an ideology-driven change”.
“This is a dangerous and ill-thought-through move,” said Antonia Tully, SPUC Director of Campaigns. “Mifepristone and misoprostol are powerful drugs designed to kill an unborn baby – the rules regulating them shouldn’t be changed in this way.”
“The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has been campaigning for these DIY abortions for months, as part of a propaganda campaign to assure women that abortion pills are safe and simple, when they are anything but. Now they are exploiting a time of national crisis to make this ideological change.”
“This hurried ‘temporary’ measure, has been pushed through at a time when the nation is grappling to cope with Covid 19. Under this new approval, medical practitioners can prescribe the pills from their home which now counts as ‘a class of place for treatment’. And the practitioner can prescribe these deadly drugs ‘via video link, telephone conference or other electronic means’.”
Mrs Tully continued: “The evidence is that home abortions increase the risks to women. One study, tracking women living in a rural environment, found an increase in complications from 4.2% in 2008 to 8.2% in 2015, for medical abortions at less than 12 weeks. The authors said that a “potential reason is that the proportion of induced abortions performed at home has risen.”
Mrs Tully went on: “The RCOG recently released guidance which calls abortion ‘essential’. Ending the life of a child is never essential, and to try and claim this when the NHS is trying desperately to save life is even more disgusting. It is vital to conserve our core services for genuine health emergencies rather than see them lost on unnecessary elective procedures like abortion.”
John Smeaton, SPUC’s chief executive officer, has taken to Facebook to slam the move, describing the coronavirus as “a chastisement for, amongst other things, the killing of innocent children in the womb.”
“Boris Johnson's government does not realize that the coronavirus is a chastisement for, amongst other things, the killing of innocent children in the womb. I fear he soon will. We need to pray for repentance and conversion on the part of all of us.”
Last week, pro-life doctors in the United States told LifeSite that continuing abortions during a pandemic is “medically irresponsible.”
In a statement sent to LifeSite, the American Association of Prolife OB/GYNs (AAPLOG) stated that “abortions offer zero health benefits to women and do not treat a disease process” and issued a call for “abortions to be suspended according to the current recommendations pertaining to elective procedures and office visits.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-23--If there’s no Hell, Christ’s Second Coming is pointless

March 23 , 2020 ( The Catholic Thing ) — Sin , by its very nature , is a direct attack upon or a violation of some good .
For example , lying offends the good of truth ; gluttony transgresses the good of proper eating .
Now , do some evil acts contravene a good to such a degree that they merit everlasting damnation ?
According to the Catholic tradition , these acts are termed mortal sins .
Let us look at some examples .
Fornication and adultery grievously violate the good of marriage and sexuality .
While couples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desire to express their love for one another , what they are actually doing is attacking the good of marriage and the sexual acts that pertain exclusively to marriage .
By holding that fornication and adultery are mortal sins , Christian morality perceives that marriage , and the sexual acts performed within marriage , possess so great a dignity and goodness , that to violate the inherent beauty of marriage by engaging in fornication and adultery is to merit damnation .
The damnation related to fornication and adultery , thus , is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inviolable goodness , and the indissoluble bond between a man and a woman in marriage .
To diminish the judgment against fornication and adultery , to suppose that they are “ no big deal , ” is to demean the absolute God-given goodness of marriage itself .
Again , grievous violations against the inherent dignity and value of the human person are also mortal sins that merit everlasting damnation — e.g.
, murder , slavery , human trafficking , and extreme hatred and prejudice .
To kill the innocent , to perform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others for sexual exploitation , to attack and assail others because of their race or religion , to euthanize the elderly , or the physically or mentally handicapped , all of these acts , as do similar acts , seriously abuse the sacrosanct goodness and dignity that resides within each human being .
Once more , to hold that such evil acts are not deserving of Hell is to say that the dignity and worth of each person is not of supreme value .
The nature of the punishment must always be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good violated .
In the above examples , the good of the person is so desecrated that , without repentance , Hell is the only appropriate punishment .
Although mortal sins are deserving of Hell , what can not be forgotten is the Father ’ s mercy made manifest in Jesus Christ .
To repent of such deadly sins and to ask for forgiveness , along with the doing of penance for the offense , brings the sinner back to life through the Holy Spirit .
This is the good news of salvation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up until the moment of death , everyone can avoid Hell and come to enjoy eternal life with God .
Here , some may , nonetheless , propose that repentance after death may be possible .
Those who die in grievous sin may be punished for a time , maybe for a very long time , but , eventually , they will be purified and forgiven , and so enter into heavenly bliss .
To advocate such a position , however , makes life here on this earth a farce .
If all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this life would have any eternal significance — either for good or for evil .
The good that one enacts does not merit , in Jesus Christ , eternal life , and the evil that one enacts has no lasting condemnatory consequences .
The urgency of this life is lost .
Striving to live a virtuous life becomes meaningless .
Valor , courage , gallantry , and nobility lose their inherent integrity .
There are no situations wherein one can manifest one ’ s mettle and steadfastness — caring for a sick friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing up for what is true and good against the forces of evil .
There would be no resolve to preach the Gospel , or even to practice one ’ s own faith .
There would be no “ High Noon ” moments where one must choose to be courageous or shrink away in cowardice — in the end neither would really matter .
Martyrs are not made in a world where Hell is not a live option , for one would never feel challenged to love God and neighbor to the fullest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one ’ s life .
Without the possibility of Hell , life loses its zest , its vibrancy , its earnestness , for nothing one does here would have any everlasting worth .
Life merely becomes a charade — a pretending of making important choices , of executing significant decisions , of actually accomplishing something important .
A good and loving God , however , would never have created such a futile world nor would he have approved of such a wasted life .
God created us to expand his goodness and imitate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to his and our eternal glory .
Not to do so is to our everlasting condemnation .
Ultimately , if there ’ s no Hell , Jesus ’ glorious coming at the end of time would be a ho-hum event .
We would already know the outcome .
Truth , goodness , and justice would not , finally , win the day over lies , wickedness , and corruption , for , in the end , neither uprightness nor evil would be of any everlasting importance .
Goats would not be separated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels ” ( Matt .
25:41 ) , for even the earthly unrepentant goats would now graze in the sheep ’ s heavenly pasture .
Such a scenario would not be in keeping with the goodness of the Father , nor with the truth of his Son , Jesus , nor with the love of the Holy Spirit .
What will actually transpire when Jesus comes again in glory is that the Saints will shine like the stars .
They will rejoice in each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and together they will give praise and glory to God , he who is truly a God of love and goodness , a God who has rescued them from sin and sin ’ s condemnation — Hell .
Moses tells the Israelites , just prior to their entering the Promised Land , “ Today I have set before you life and prosperity , death and doom.
” If the people keep God ’ s commandments , they will live ; if they do not , they will perish .
Moses exhorts them : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30:15–20 ) .
Lent is a time for choosing life — a time of further cultivating virtue and growing in holiness .
Choosing life here on earth has eternal consequences — the gaining of eternal life in Heaven .
Not to choose life here on earth also has everlasting consequences — that of perishing forever in Hell .
As Christians , we know that it is only by abiding in Christ , he who is the light of life , that we can truly choose life — the life of the Holy Spirit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavenly Father .
Published with permission from The Catholic Thing .

If all go to Heaven, nothing done in this life would have any eternal significance — either for good or for evil.
March 23, 2020 (The Catholic Thing) — Sin, by its very nature, is a direct attack upon or a violation of some good. For example, lying offends the good of truth; gluttony transgresses the good of proper eating. Now, do some evil acts contravene a good to such a degree that they merit everlasting damnation? According to the Catholic tradition, these acts are termed mortal sins. Let us look at some examples.
Fornication and adultery grievously violate the good of marriage and sexuality. While couples, in these sexual acts, may desire to express their love for one another, what they are actually doing is attacking the good of marriage and the sexual acts that pertain exclusively to marriage.
By holding that fornication and adultery are mortal sins, Christian morality perceives that marriage, and the sexual acts performed within marriage, possess so great a dignity and goodness, that to violate the inherent beauty of marriage by engaging in fornication and adultery is to merit damnation. The damnation related to fornication and adultery, thus, is a recognition that accentuates the unassailable sacredness, the inviolable goodness, and the indissoluble bond between a man and a woman in marriage. To diminish the judgment against fornication and adultery, to suppose that they are “no big deal,” is to demean the absolute God-given goodness of marriage itself.
Again, grievous violations against the inherent dignity and value of the human person are also mortal sins that merit everlasting damnation — e.g., murder, slavery, human trafficking, and extreme hatred and prejudice. To kill the innocent, to perform or have an abortion, to sell others for sexual exploitation, to attack and assail others because of their race or religion, to euthanize the elderly, or the physically or mentally handicapped, all of these acts, as do similar acts, seriously abuse the sacrosanct goodness and dignity that resides within each human being.
Once more, to hold that such evil acts are not deserving of Hell is to say that the dignity and worth of each person is not of supreme value. The nature of the punishment must always be in proportion to the offense committed and the good violated. In the above examples, the good of the person is so desecrated that, without repentance, Hell is the only appropriate punishment.
Although mortal sins are deserving of Hell, what cannot be forgotten is the Father’s mercy made manifest in Jesus Christ. To repent of such deadly sins and to ask for forgiveness, along with the doing of penance for the offense, brings the sinner back to life through the Holy Spirit. This is the good news of salvation — no sin is unforgivable. Right up until the moment of death, everyone can avoid Hell and come to enjoy eternal life with God.
Here, some may, nonetheless, propose that repentance after death may be possible. Those who die in grievous sin may be punished for a time, maybe for a very long time, but, eventually, they will be purified and forgiven, and so enter into heavenly bliss. To advocate such a position, however, makes life here on this earth a farce.
If all go to Heaven, nothing done in this life would have any eternal significance — either for good or for evil. The good that one enacts does not merit, in Jesus Christ, eternal life, and the evil that one enacts has no lasting condemnatory consequences. The urgency of this life is lost. Striving to live a virtuous life becomes meaningless. Valor, courage, gallantry, and nobility lose their inherent integrity.
There are no situations wherein one can manifest one’s mettle and steadfastness — caring for a sick friend or an elderly spouse, or forthrightly standing up for what is true and good against the forces of evil. There would be no resolve to preach the Gospel, or even to practice one’s own faith. There would be no “High Noon” moments where one must choose to be courageous or shrink away in cowardice — in the end neither would really matter.
Martyrs are not made in a world where Hell is not a live option, for one would never feel challenged to love God and neighbor to the fullest degree, the freely giving up of one’s life. Without the possibility of Hell, life loses its zest, its vibrancy, its earnestness, for nothing one does here would have any everlasting worth. Life merely becomes a charade — a pretending of making important choices, of executing significant decisions, of actually accomplishing something important.
A good and loving God, however, would never have created such a futile world nor would he have approved of such a wasted life. God created us to expand his goodness and imitate his love, and to do so is to his and our eternal glory. Not to do so is to our everlasting condemnation.
Ultimately, if there’s no Hell, Jesus’ glorious coming at the end of time would be a ho-hum event. We would already know the outcome. Truth, goodness, and justice would not, finally, win the day over lies, wickedness, and corruption, for, in the end, neither uprightness nor evil would be of any everlasting importance. Goats would not be separated from the sheep and thrown “into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41), for even the earthly unrepentant goats would now graze in the sheep’s heavenly pasture.
Such a scenario would not be in keeping with the goodness of the Father, nor with the truth of his Son, Jesus, nor with the love of the Holy Spirit. What will actually transpire when Jesus comes again in glory is that the Saints will shine like the stars. They will rejoice in each other’s steadfast goodness and virtue, and together they will give praise and glory to God, he who is truly a God of love and goodness, a God who has rescued them from sin and sin’s condemnation — Hell.
Moses tells the Israelites, just prior to their entering the Promised Land, “Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom.” If the people keep God’s commandments, they will live; if they do not, they will perish. Moses exhorts them: “Choose life” (Deut. 30:15–20).
Lent is a time for choosing life — a time of further cultivating virtue and growing in holiness. Choosing life here on earth has eternal consequences — the gaining of eternal life in Heaven. Not to choose life here on earth also has everlasting consequences — that of perishing forever in Hell.
As Christians, we know that it is only by abiding in Christ, he who is the light of life, that we can truly choose life — the life of the Holy Spirit through whom we become children of our heavenly Father.
Published with permission from The Catholic Thing.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-23--Bishops’ coronavirus crisis response is revealing the faithful’s true priorities

March 23 , 2020 ( CatholicCulture.org ) — When a crisis strikes , we reveal what is important to us — as individuals and as a society .
Awash in the flood of information and misinformation about the current epidemic , we are all developing opinions , which may or may not prove to be accurate .
What we actually do — the actions we take , far more than the statements we make — shows where our hearts lie .
With that in mind , let me offer a few reflections on the crisis .
We like to talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the causes of the epidemic and the best ways to respond — and a willingness to debate these issues online .
Very few people have any expertise in epidemiology , but we can still pick our own favorite “ experts ” and promote their analyses .
And the legitimate experts do differ in their opinions .
We are dealing not only with hard statistics ( the number of infections , deaths , and recoveries ) but also — in fact primarily — with projections of how trends will develop .
Any projection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assumptions can be questioned .
So the debate continues .
The near-obsessive discussion is also a coping mechanism , no doubt .
We talk because we ’ re worried ; we search for new information because we ’ re unsettled by the information that we have .
At the same time we talk because that ’ s what humans do : we communicate .
Isn ’ t it a relief when the conversation shifts to some other topic — the weather , perhaps , or last night ’ s ballgame ?
Oh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballgame last night ; and that ’ s part of our problem .
What else can we talk about ?
[ A confession : I didn ’ t want to write about the epidemic today .
But unless I ’ m much mistaken , readers aren ’ t in the mood for an essay on just-war theory or the filioque clause . ]
Oh , and one more thing about our priorities : We , as a society , place a high value on toilet paper .
About that observation , I trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We , as a society , don ’ t consider religion essential .
The churches were closed before the bars and restaurants were shut down .
Surely the virus is more likely to spread when people are sitting elbow-to-elbow , eating and drinking , than when they are seated quietly in the pews .
But public officials were reluctant to impose what seemed like draconian orders ; religious services were seen as less essential .
( “ People have to eat !
” ) To this day , gyms remain open even in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young people — who might not be particularly vulnerable to the virus , but can certainly pass it along — gather to sweat and pant together , to share showers and locker facilities .
( “ Well , we need our exercise !
” ) Still more remarkably , day-care centers are not only open ; they are expanding their services , now that schools ( which often serve the same function ) are closed .
There is probably no more efficient means of spreading germs than by bringing toddlers to a central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But Mom has to get to work !
” ) Yes , people need to eat ; but with rare exceptions they could prepare and eat their food at home .
Yes , people should exercise ; and the great outdoors beckons , with parks and hiking trails that preserve “ social distance.
” And yes , many mothers find it necessary to work , but at what cost do we preserve their employment options , after having closed down so many other workplaces ?
Thus we reveal our priorities .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself betrays its priorities .
At first it seems only logical that non-essential surgeries will be postponed .
But look more carefully .
If you ’ re in agony because of kidney stones or an infected tooth , tough luck .
But elective abortions will continue on schedule .
For me personally , the most shocking revelation of the past two weeks has been the cavalier attitude displayed by Church leaders about the shutdown of sacramental ministry .
The very first pastoral priority of a Catholic bishop is — or should be — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the sacraments .
Today , in most US dioceses , the public celebration of Mass has stopped ; baptisms and confessions and weddings and funerals have been curtailed if not cancelled .
This is an unprecedented pastoral disaster : a suffering that American Catholics have never experienced or even contemplated .
Last week I argued that the Church should offer more spiritual support , not less in this time of crisis .
I was overjoyed to read a statement that was originally attributed to Pope Francis ( it turned out to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that priests should be “ on the front lines ” and warning : “ I think of the people who will certainly abandon the Church , when this nightmare is over , because the Church abandoned them when they were in need.
” I know that the Church has not abandoned me .
I know that good priests are still celebrating Mass privately .
( I also know , to my profound regret , that some priests mistakenly think that they can not celebrate Mass privately .
And I know that many bishops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrations , did not give the faithful the very necessary reassurance that the Eucharistic sacrifice would continue . )
I realize that many pastors decided , in good faith , that they had no choice but to curb public celebrations of the Eucharist .
Still I wish that , at a minimum , our bishops had shown more reluctance to take this drastic step .
I wish that they had conveyed , in their public announcements , an understanding of how the faithful would suffer , and shown that they regretted that suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sounded more like sorrowful messages from a grieving father , and less like bureaucratic memos from civil servants .
It can not possibly be right that when a pastor is instructed to stop celebrating Mass in public , the fateful directive comes not from his archbishop , but from a public-relations consultant .
It can not possibly be right that at a time when public officials are saying that services will be shut down for at least two weeks , the bishops in Ohio have already announced that there will be no public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see how the next few weeks might change our situation .
During the years when the Soviet empire persecuted the Church , I heard a story about Christians in a gulag , who petitioned for permission to celebrate Easter .
The pitiless superintendent replied that they could hold their service — in the pond on the grounds of the prison camp , which had not yet fully thawed .
He thought surely that would be enough to crush this unwelcome manifestation of religious faith .
He was wrong .
On Easter Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the icy waters to pray together .
Because worship was their top priority .

March 23, 2020 (CatholicCulture.org) — When a crisis strikes, we reveal what is important to us — as individuals and as a society. Awash in the flood of information and misinformation about the current epidemic, we are all developing opinions, which may or may not prove to be accurate. What we actually do — the actions we take, far more than the statements we make — shows where our hearts lie.
With that in mind, let me offer a few reflections on the crisis.
We like to talk. Everyone seems to have an opinion on the causes of the epidemic and the best ways to respond — and a willingness to debate these issues online. Very few people have any expertise in epidemiology, but we can still pick our own favorite “experts” and promote their analyses. And the legitimate experts do differ in their opinions. We are dealing not only with hard statistics (the number of infections, deaths, and recoveries) but also — in fact primarily — with projections of how trends will develop. Any projection is built on assumptions, and those assumptions can be questioned. So the debate continues.
The near-obsessive discussion is also a coping mechanism, no doubt. We talk because we’re worried; we search for new information because we’re unsettled by the information that we have. At the same time we talk because that’s what humans do: we communicate. Isn’t it a relief when the conversation shifts to some other topic — the weather, perhaps, or last night’s ballgame? Oh, wait; there wasn’t a ballgame last night; and that’s part of our problem. What else can we talk about?
[A confession: I didn’t want to write about the epidemic today. But unless I’m much mistaken, readers aren’t in the mood for an essay on just-war theory or the filioque clause.]
Oh, and one more thing about our priorities: We, as a society, place a high value on toilet paper. About that observation, I trust, there will be no arguments.
We, as a society, don’t consider religion essential. The churches were closed before the bars and restaurants were shut down. Surely the virus is more likely to spread when people are sitting elbow-to-elbow, eating and drinking, than when they are seated quietly in the pews. But public officials were reluctant to impose what seemed like draconian orders; religious services were seen as less essential. (“People have to eat!”)
To this day, gyms remain open even in cities under strict quarantine. So healthy young people — who might not be particularly vulnerable to the virus, but can certainly pass it along — gather to sweat and pant together, to share showers and locker facilities. (“Well, we need our exercise!”)
Still more remarkably, day-care centers are not only open; they are expanding their services, now that schools (which often serve the same function) are closed. There is probably no more efficient means of spreading germs than by bringing toddlers to a central location to roll around together. (“But Mom has to get to work!”)
Yes, people need to eat; but with rare exceptions they could prepare and eat their food at home. Yes, people should exercise; and the great outdoors beckons, with parks and hiking trails that preserve “social distance.” And yes, many mothers find it necessary to work, but at what cost do we preserve their employment options, after having closed down so many other workplaces? Thus we reveal our priorities.
In a more sinister way our health-care system itself betrays its priorities. At first it seems only logical that non-essential surgeries will be postponed. But look more carefully. If you’re in agony because of kidney stones or an infected tooth, tough luck. But elective abortions will continue on schedule.
For me personally, the most shocking revelation of the past two weeks has been the cavalier attitude displayed by Church leaders about the shutdown of sacramental ministry. The very first pastoral priority of a Catholic bishop is — or should be — to ensure that the faithful have access to the sacraments. Today, in most US dioceses, the public celebration of Mass has stopped; baptisms and confessions and weddings and funerals have been curtailed if not cancelled. This is an unprecedented pastoral disaster: a suffering that American Catholics have never experienced or even contemplated.
Last week I argued that the Church should offer more spiritual support, not less in this time of crisis. I was overjoyed to read a statement that was originally attributed to Pope Francis (it turned out to be from his private secretary), insisting that priests should be “on the front lines” and warning: “I think of the people who will certainly abandon the Church, when this nightmare is over, because the Church abandoned them when they were in need.”
I know that the Church has not abandoned me. I know that good priests are still celebrating Mass privately. (I also know, to my profound regret, that some priests mistakenly think that they cannot celebrate Mass privately. And I know that many bishops, in announcing the suspension of public celebrations, did not give the faithful the very necessary reassurance that the Eucharistic sacrifice would continue.) I realize that many pastors decided, in good faith, that they had no choice but to curb public celebrations of the Eucharist. Still I wish that, at a minimum, our bishops had shown more reluctance to take this drastic step. I wish that they had conveyed, in their public announcements, an understanding of how the faithful would suffer, and shown that they regretted that suffering. I wish that their statements had sounded more like sorrowful messages from a grieving father, and less like bureaucratic memos from civil servants.
It cannot possibly be right that when a pastor is instructed to stop celebrating Mass in public, the fateful directive comes not from his archbishop, but from a public-relations consultant. It cannot possibly be right that at a time when public officials are saying that services will be shut down for at least two weeks, the bishops in Ohio have already announced that there will be no public celebrations for Easter — without even waiting to see how the next few weeks might change our situation.
During the years when the Soviet empire persecuted the Church, I heard a story about Christians in a gulag, who petitioned for permission to celebrate Easter. The pitiless superintendent replied that they could hold their service — in the pond on the grounds of the prison camp, which had not yet fully thawed. He thought surely that would be enough to crush this unwelcome manifestation of religious faith. He was wrong. On Easter Sunday morning, the stalwart Christian inmates waded into the icy waters to pray together. Because worship was their top priority.
Published with permission from CatholicCulture.org.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-23--Students demand university president rescind ban on pro-life club

OTTAWA , Ontario , March 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The University of Ottawa Students for Life ( UOSFL ) will write directly to their university president demanding he reinstate them as a club , after a vote by the university student union failed to overturn a December prohibition of them .
Garifalia Milousis , co-president of UOSFL , told LifeSiteNews that an appeal to get the club ’ s status restored at the February 23 board meeting of the University of Ottawa Student Union ( UOSU ) , was not successful .
Milousis said their next step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ottawa President and Vice-Chancellor Jacques Frémont , to put pressure on him to respect free speech on campus .
“ At this point , the only step that we are taking right now is to write an open letter to the president of the university decrying what ’ s happened and calling for his action , ” Milousis told LifeSiteNews .
The Student Life Committee , which serves as a sub-committee within the UOSU , voted to ban the club in December 2019 .
The UOFSL was not able to get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overturn the Student Life Committee ’ s December ban , meaning they will not be able to regain official status .
Of the UOSU board members who were at the meeting , five abstained from voting , four voted in favor of overturning the previous club ’ s revocation , and three voted against overturning the previous revocation of the club 's status .
According to Milousis , the UOSFL does have legal counsel helping them with their case , but as it stands now , the only action being taken is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says that they are taking this approach with the hopes that recently introduced legislation in Ontario from the Doug Ford government , which mandated that all publicly assisted colleges and universities have a free speech policy , might help .
“ We are trying to really impress upon the President the importance of him getting involved because of the potential legal ramifications of the UOSU making these determinations.
” Milousis noted that although historic case law in Ontario has ruled that universities and student unions are separate entities , meaning that student unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recent “ Doug Ford Policy ” changes the landscape .
She also mentioned the Alberta Court of Appeal recently rejecting the University of Alberta ’ s imposition of a $ 17,500 security fee on the University Alberta Pro-Life club .
This pro-life victory was hailed a win by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms , a group which has helped many individuals and organizations fight laws targeting free speech in Canada .
UOFSL was originally going to present its appeal of the UOSU board meeting on February 16 .
However , Milousis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the meeting , the doors were locked with no sign of a meeting .
Milousis said that her group later found out that the UOSU had notified students via their Facebook page in a February 6 post , that the UOSU ’ s February 16 Board Meeting was rescheduled to February 23 .
“ The UOSU and the Student Life Committee both failed to notify our club about this important development , wasting my time and the time of my colleague , as well as causing us emotional stress and anxiety , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also further delayed our opportunity to gain justice , causing additional frustration to our club members and sending a message to our club members that the UOSU considers us unimportant and negligible.
” The ban on the UOSFL was driven in part by a 500-signature petition against them , which was started by fifth-year University of Ottawa biology student Bridget Dueck .
Office of the President – University of Ottawa Tabaret Hall 550 Cumberland , Room 212 Ottawa ON K1N 6N5 Canada +1-613-562-5809 [ email protected ]

The students hope that recently introduced legislation in Ontario from the Doug Ford government, which mandated that all publicly assisted colleges and universities have a free speech policy, might help.
OTTAWA, Ontario, March 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The University of Ottawa Students for Life (UOSFL) will write directly to their university president demanding he reinstate them as a club, after a vote by the university student union failed to overturn a December prohibition of them.
Garifalia Milousis, co-president of UOSFL, told LifeSiteNews that an appeal to get the club’s status restored at the February 23 board meeting of the University of Ottawa Student Union (UOSU), was not successful.
Milousis said their next step is to send a letter to University of Ottawa President and Vice-Chancellor Jacques Frémont, to put pressure on him to respect free speech on campus.
“At this point, the only step that we are taking right now is to write an open letter to the president of the university decrying what’s happened and calling for his action,” Milousis told LifeSiteNews.
The Student Life Committee, which serves as a sub-committee within the UOSU, voted to ban the club in December 2019.
The UOFSL was not able to get the four-fifths majority needed from the UOSU board to overturn the Student Life Committee’s December ban, meaning they will not be able to regain official status.
Of the UOSU board members who were at the meeting, five abstained from voting, four voted in favor of overturning the previous club’s revocation, and three voted against overturning the previous revocation of the club's status.
According to Milousis, the UOSFL does have legal counsel helping them with their case, but as it stands now, the only action being taken is to put pressure on Frémont.
Milousis says that they are taking this approach with the hopes that recently introduced legislation in Ontario from the Doug Ford government, which mandated that all publicly assisted colleges and universities have a free speech policy, might help.
“We are trying to really impress upon the President the importance of him getting involved because of the potential legal ramifications of the UOSU making these determinations.”
Milousis noted that although historic case law in Ontario has ruled that universities and student unions are separate entities, meaning that student unions are not subject to the charter, the recent “Doug Ford Policy” changes the landscape.
She also mentioned the Alberta Court of Appeal recently rejecting the University of Alberta’s imposition of a $17,500 security fee on the University Alberta Pro-Life club.
This pro-life victory was hailed a win by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, a group which has helped many individuals and organizations fight laws targeting free speech in Canada.
The doors were locked
UOFSL was originally going to present its appeal of the UOSU board meeting on February 16. However, Milousis told LifeSiteNews that when they showed up for the meeting, the doors were locked with no sign of a meeting.
Milousis said that her group later found out that the UOSU had notified students via their Facebook page in a February 6 post, that the UOSU’s February 16 Board Meeting was rescheduled to February 23.
“The UOSU and the Student Life Committee both failed to notify our club about this important development, wasting my time and the time of my colleague, as well as causing us emotional stress and anxiety,” Milousis told LifeSiteNews.
“This also further delayed our opportunity to gain justice, causing additional frustration to our club members and sending a message to our club members that the UOSU considers us unimportant and negligible.”
The ban on the UOSFL was driven in part by a 500-signature petition against them, which was started by fifth-year University of Ottawa biology student Bridget Dueck.
Contact information for respectful communications
Office of the President – University of Ottawa
Tabaret Hall
550 Cumberland, Room 212
Ottawa ON K1N 6N5
Canada
+1-613-562-5809
[email protected]
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lifesitenews--2020-03-23--BREAKING: Pachamama destroyer stricken by COVID-19 released from hospital

PRAYER PLEDGE : Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus Sign the petition here .
AUSTRIA , March 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― Alexander Tschugguel , the young man who removed pachamama idols from a Catholic church and threw them in the river during the Amazon Synod , is on the mend and returning home from the hospital , where he was being treated for the coronavirus .
“ On my way home from # hospital .
Will need a few days still but happy about being out of [ the ] hospital !
Deo Gratias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this morning underneath a photograph of himself , masked but clearly happy , in the back of a medical van .
Tschugguel , 26 , who became internationally known for removing and disposing of wooden pachamama figurines from a Roman church during the Amazon Synod last October , had been hospitalized with the COVID-19 coronavirus since March 17 .
Tschugguel , the founder of the St. Boniface Institute , is the highest-profile lay Catholic leader with the virus , with thousands of supporters praying for his complete recovery .
Tschugguel has used his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that God “ demands sacrifices from us ” and that we have to “ repent for all the bad things in the world and especially for all the bad things that have happened in the Church.
” Referring to the civil and ecclesiastical restrictions on the public during the pandemic , Tshugguel has counselled meekness to God ’ s will .
“ God in His abundant providence has imposed these restrictions upon us and we must see them as a cross to bear , especially for all those who are fatally ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families that are torn apart , for all aborted children , for the destruction of our homelands , ” he wrote to LifeSiteNews .
“ For all this suffering we must now sacrifice our freedom , our prosperity and the lives we ’ re accustomed to living , ” he continued .
“ Let us do this together as believers .
We can rest assured that God will never abandon us.
” Tschugguel promised to make a video about his ordeal once he is well enough to do so .
He has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than expected and hits all age groups .
”

Alexander Tschugguel, the founder of the St. Boniface Institute, is the highest-profile lay Catholic leader with the virus, with thousands of supporters praying for his complete recovery.
PRAYER PLEDGE: Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus Sign the petition here.
AUSTRIA, March 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― Alexander Tschugguel, the young man who removed pachamama idols from a Catholic church and threw them in the river during the Amazon Synod, is on the mend and returning home from the hospital, where he was being treated for the coronavirus.
“On my way home from #hospital. Will need a few days still but happy about being out of [the] hospital! Deo Gratias! #catholic,” he tweeted this morning underneath a photograph of himself, masked but clearly happy, in the back of a medical van.
On my way home from #hospital. Will need a few days still but happy about being out of hospital! Deo Gratias! #catholic pic.twitter.com/aVFFZnJARh — Alexander Tschugguel (@ATschugguel) March 23, 2020
Tschugguel, 26, who became internationally known for removing and disposing of wooden pachamama figurines from a Roman church during the Amazon Synod last October, had been hospitalized with the COVID-19 coronavirus since March 17.
Tschugguel, the founder of the St. Boniface Institute, is the highest-profile lay Catholic leader with the virus, with thousands of supporters praying for his complete recovery. Tschugguel has used his ordeal to send a Christian message, saying that God “demands sacrifices from us” and that we have to “repent for all the bad things in the world and especially for all the bad things that have happened in the Church.”
Referring to the civil and ecclesiastical restrictions on the public during the pandemic, Tshugguel has counselled meekness to God’s will.
“God in His abundant providence has imposed these restrictions upon us and we must see them as a cross to bear, especially for all those who are fatally ill with the virus, for all those families that are torn apart, for all aborted children, for the destruction of our homelands,” he wrote to LifeSiteNews.
“For all this suffering we must now sacrifice our freedom, our prosperity and the lives we’re accustomed to living,” he continued.
“Let us do this together as believers. We can rest assured that God will never abandon us.”
Tschugguel promised to make a video about his ordeal once he is well enough to do so. He has also stressed that COVID-19 “strikes much harder than expected and hits all age groups.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-23--Pro-life campaign: Halt abortions to free up resources for coronavirus fight

March 23 , 2020 ( Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ) — The world ’ s oldest pro-life group is poised to launch a national campaign followed by a global campaign urging governments and lawmakers to ensure essential medical resources are not diverted from patients in genuine need at this time of pandemic .
They argue that it is necessary to halt abortions during the coronavirus crisis .
SPUC is pointing to directions already endorsed in the USA by the US Surgeon General to ban all elective surgeries during the Coronavirus emergency .
John Smeaton , chief executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unborn Children said : It is vital to conserve our core services for genuine health emergencies rather than see them lost on unnecessary elective procedures like abortion .
People in this country can not get a GP appointment at this time of unprecedented crisis and yet the self-serving abortion lobby demands special treatment so they can continue with their inhuman agenda regardless of the misery and mayhem which surrounds them .
It is shameful .
It is an outrage that while our frontline health care professionals put their lives at risk on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the abortion lobby demands much-needed health resources to continue to kill unborn babies and risk the lives of their mothers in the presence of catastrophic virus outbreak .
NHS hospitals have been told to cancel operations in an effort to free up 30,000 beds to create space for an expected surge in coronavirus patients .
In a letter to NHS chiefs this week , NHS England said hospitals should look to cancel all non-urgent surgeries for at least three months starting from 15 April .
The letter from NHS England chief executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aim is to expand critical care capacity to the maximum ; free up 30,000 ( or more ) of the English NHS ’ s 100,000 general and acute beds.
” In the meantime , in the USA the pro-abortion lobby is causing confusion .
As the US Surgeon General calls for all elective surgeries to be suspended , some abortion advocacy groups are demanding that abortions continue despite the desperate need for resources to be focused on tackling the Coronavirus emergency .
Mr Smeaton said : “ We can not have confusion that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care at risk .
Almost everyone who attends hospital or doctors ’ surgeries has some medical condition , illness or injury for which treatment is requested .
This is not the case with women visiting abortion clinics — they arrive physically fit and healthy and the procedures that they undergo does not make them any fitter or healthier , even if successful .
Abortion is an elective procedure carried out on healthy women which is an unnecessary drain on health resources at a time when those resources are desperately needed elsewhere.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is intended to encourage pro-life legislators to challenge the Westminster and devolved Scottish , Welsh and Northern Ireland legislatures , as well as Departments of Health .
Mr Smeaton said : “ Those in power must be held to account and urged to reconsider abortion plans which so clearly threaten the health of mothers and represent an irresponsible misuse of vital resources .
We shall also be urging similar action throughout the world.
” Mr Smeaton said that the coronavirus outbreak presents a host of unanswered questions which should result in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
Who has the skill and the knowledge at abortion clinics to carry out the necessary diagnostic tests to identify coronavirus ?
Who , at every abortion clinic in the country has the responsibility to ensure that there is no risk of cross infection of this highly infectious disease and how is that risk eliminated ?
On what medical or scientific basis do abortion clinics claim to be able to identify that a client has or has not contracted Coronavirus - which medical and/or scientific person or body have they consulted and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How is such identification carried out in fact at every clinic ?
Mr Smeaton said the pandemic raises huge questions concerning potentially serious risks to women ’ s health with a mounting number of concerns over abortion services and especially the capacity of private abortion clinics to deal with the threats to health .
He asked : • On what medical or scientific basis is an abortionist satisfied that surgical abortion procedures do not expose women to the coronavirus ?
• One of the comments which appears in reports from Care Quality Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social care services in England , is the risk of cross infection at several private abortion clinics .
In the case of coronavirus , this risk must be greatly increased .
How are clients protected from contracting coronavirus when visiting an abortion clinic ?
• Who has the skill and the knowledge at every one of those abortion clinics to carry out the necessary diagnostic tests to identify coronavirus ?
• Who , at every abortion clinic in the country has the responsibility to ensure that there is no risk of cross infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that risk eliminated ?
Mr Smeaton said : “ There is a clear case for SPUC to launch a national and international campaign at this dreadful time .
The ramifications extend throughout the UK and across the planet .
As the world ’ s oldest pro-life group , we have a responsibility to take the lead and we shall do so as we engage with our international contacts to promote our campaign .
In the meantime , we invite women across the world faced with unexpected pregnancies to seek positive help from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives of their babies and their own health can be protected amid the current loss of life.
” Published with permission from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children .

'We cannot have confusion that puts patients in genuine need of emergency care at risk,' said John Smeaton of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.
PETITION: Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here.
March 23, 2020 (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children) — The world’s oldest pro-life group is poised to launch a national campaign followed by a global campaign urging governments and lawmakers to ensure essential medical resources are not diverted from patients in genuine need at this time of pandemic.
They argue that it is necessary to halt abortions during the coronavirus crisis. SPUC is pointing to directions already endorsed in the USA by the US Surgeon General to ban all elective surgeries during the Coronavirus emergency.
John Smeaton, chief executive of The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children said:
It is vital to conserve our core services for genuine health emergencies rather than see them lost on unnecessary elective procedures like abortion. People in this country cannot get a GP appointment at this time of unprecedented crisis and yet the self-serving abortion lobby demands special treatment so they can continue with their inhuman agenda regardless of the misery and mayhem which surrounds them. It is shameful. It is an outrage that while our frontline health care professionals put their lives at risk on a daily basis to save patients’ lives, the abortion lobby demands much-needed health resources to continue to kill unborn babies and risk the lives of their mothers in the presence of catastrophic virus outbreak.
NHS hospitals have been told to cancel operations in an effort to free up 30,000 beds to create space for an expected surge in coronavirus patients. In a letter to NHS chiefs this week, NHS England said hospitals should look to cancel all non-urgent surgeries for at least three months starting from 15 April.
The letter from NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said: “The operational aim is to expand critical care capacity to the maximum; free up 30,000 (or more) of the English NHS’s 100,000 general and acute beds.”
In the meantime, in the USA the pro-abortion lobby is causing confusion. As the US Surgeon General calls for all elective surgeries to be suspended, some abortion advocacy groups are demanding that abortions continue despite the desperate need for resources to be focused on tackling the Coronavirus emergency.
Mr Smeaton said: “We cannot have confusion that puts patients in genuine need of emergency care at risk. Almost everyone who attends hospital or doctors’ surgeries has some medical condition, illness or injury for which treatment is requested. This is not the case with women visiting abortion clinics — they arrive physically fit and healthy and the procedures that they undergo does not make them any fitter or healthier, even if successful. Abortion is an elective procedure carried out on healthy women which is an unnecessary drain on health resources at a time when those resources are desperately needed elsewhere.”
In the initial stages of the SPUC campaign it is intended to encourage pro-life legislators to challenge the Westminster and devolved Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland legislatures, as well as Departments of Health.
Mr Smeaton said: “Those in power must be held to account and urged to reconsider abortion plans which so clearly threaten the health of mothers and represent an irresponsible misuse of vital resources. We shall also be urging similar action throughout the world.”
Mr Smeaton said that the coronavirus outbreak presents a host of unanswered questions which should result in the abortion industry being closed down around the world.
Mr Smeaton said:
Who has the skill and the knowledge at abortion clinics to carry out the necessary diagnostic tests to identify coronavirus? Who, at every abortion clinic in the country has the responsibility to ensure that there is no risk of cross infection of this highly infectious disease and how is that risk eliminated? On what medical or scientific basis do abortion clinics claim to be able to identify that a client has or has not contracted Coronavirus – which medical and/or scientific person or body have they consulted and what written evidence can they produce? How is such identification carried out in fact at every clinic?
Mr Smeaton said the pandemic raises huge questions concerning potentially serious risks to women’s health with a mounting number of concerns over abortion services and especially the capacity of private abortion clinics to deal with the threats to health. He asked:
On what medical or scientific basis is an abortionist satisfied that surgical abortion procedures do not expose women to the coronavirus?
One of the comments which appears in reports from Care Quality Commission, the independent regulator of health and social care services in England, is the risk of cross infection at several private abortion clinics. In the case of coronavirus, this risk must be greatly increased. How are clients protected from contracting coronavirus when visiting an abortion clinic?
Who has the skill and the knowledge at every one of those abortion clinics to carry out the necessary diagnostic tests to identify coronavirus?
Who, at every abortion clinic in the country has the responsibility to ensure that there is no risk of cross infection of this highly infectious disease and how is that risk eliminated?
Mr Smeaton said: “There is a clear case for SPUC to launch a national and international campaign at this dreadful time. The ramifications extend throughout the UK and across the planet. As the world’s oldest pro-life group, we have a responsibility to take the lead and we shall do so as we engage with our international contacts to promote our campaign. In the meantime, we invite women across the world faced with unexpected pregnancies to seek positive help from crisis pregnancy organisations, so that the lives of their babies and their own health can be protected amid the current loss of life.”
Published with permission from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.
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