lifesitenews--2020-05-27--Prominent Catholics call on Congress to investigate Catholic Relief Services

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( LifeSiteNews ) – Well known Catholic politicians , academicians , media personalities , and activists are asking Congress to investigate Catholic Relief Services ( CRS ) for violation of U.S. federal policy forbidding aid money from going to organizations which advocate for abortion .
Campaign organizers and endorsers are calling upon Catholics and pro-lifers throughout the United States to go to www.InvestigateCRS.com and sign the petition .
Following recent revelations that Catholic Relief Services partnered with organizations advocating for abortion in Cameroon and Nigeria , the Lepanto Institute has launched a White House petition requesting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mexico City Policy and the Siljander Amendment .
The Mexico City Policy requires those receiving federal grant money for overseas development not to “ furnish health assistance under this award to any foreign non-governmental organization that performs or actively promotes abortion , ” and the Siljander Amendment states that “ none of the funds made available under [ the appropriations act ] may be used to lobby for or against abortion.
” The petition explains : “ A recent investigation by the Lepanto Institute has uncovered strong evidence that Catholic Relief Services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy in Cameroon ( KIDSS Project ) and in Nigeria ( SMILE Project ) by providing federal aid money to organizations that actively promote abortion .
A Federal investigation is necessary for determining if CRS is in violation of these policies.
” • Alan L. Keyes , Former U.S. Asst .
Sec .
of State for International Organization Affairs • Bob Marshall , Former member of the Virginia State House of Delegates • Chris Mangiaracina , Former FBI Money Laundering Investigator and current Principle of CMMC & Associates , LLC .
• Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Lepanto Institute has launched a White House petition requesting a congressional investigation of CRS for violation of the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits foreign aid from funding organizations which advocate for abortion.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (LifeSiteNews) – Well known Catholic politicians, academicians, media personalities, and activists are asking Congress to investigate Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for violation of U.S. federal policy forbidding aid money from going to organizations which advocate for abortion. Campaign organizers and endorsers are calling upon Catholics and pro-lifers throughout the United States to go to www.InvestigateCRS.com and sign the petition.
Following recent revelations that Catholic Relief Services partnered with organizations advocating for abortion in Cameroon and Nigeria, the Lepanto Institute has launched a White House petition requesting a congressional investigation of CRS for violation of the Mexico City Policy and the Siljander Amendment.
The Mexico City Policy requires those receiving federal grant money for overseas development not to “furnish health assistance under this award to any foreign non-governmental organization that performs or actively promotes abortion,” and the Siljander Amendment states that “none of the funds made available under [the appropriations act] may be used to lobby for or against abortion.”
The petition explains: “A recent investigation by the Lepanto Institute has uncovered strong evidence that Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has directly violated this policy in Cameroon (KIDSS Project) and in Nigeria (SMILE Project) by providing federal aid money to organizations that actively promote abortion. A Federal investigation is necessary for determining if CRS is in violation of these policies.”
Endorsing the petition are:
Alan L. Keyes, Former U.S. Asst. Sec. of State for International Organization Affairs
Bob Marshall, Former member of the Virginia State House of Delegates
Deal Hudson, President, Morley Institure of Church and Culture
Michael Voris, Founder and President of St. Michael’s Media/Church Militant
Chris Mangiaracina, Former FBI Money Laundering Investigator and current Principle of CMMC & Associates, LLC.
Janet Smith, Ph.d. Moral Theologian
John-Henry Westen, Co-Founder of LifeSiteNews
Stephen Brady, President, Roman Catholic Faithful
Liz Yore, Attorney and International Child Rights Advocate
Beverly Stephens, Editor Regina Magazine
Steve Skojec, Founder of One Peter Five
George Neumayr, Author of The Political Pope
K. Lambert, BA Div (Hons)
Peter A. Kwasniewski, Ph.D.
Daniel Rabourdin, Film Director and Producer
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lifesitenews--2020-05-27--Embracing our call to build the domestic Church now more than ever

To help keep this and other programs on the air , please donate here .
Watch Mother Miriam 's Live @ @ @ @ @ , Mother encourages listeners to use this time when we can not access the sacraments @ @ @ @ @ domestic Church , ie .
the Church in our homes .
It is never to @ @ @ @ @ no matter how old your kids are or how much or little you may already @ @ @ @ @ tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page .

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 5.27.2020. Today, Mother encourages listeners to use this time when we cannot access the sacraments to build and strengthen the domestic Church, ie. the Church in our homes. It is never to late to get started, no matter how old your kids are or how much or little you may already be doing.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-05-27--New stats show record numbers leaving the Catholic Church in German archdiocese

MUNICH , Germany , May 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – More than 10,000 people from the German Archdiocese of Munich and Freising officially left the Catholic Church in 2019 , with the compulsory church tax in Germany thought to be a key reason for the record number .
Catholic News Agency ( CNA ) reports that the Munich statistical office has informed them that 10,744 Catholics formally withdrew from the Church in 2019 .
The previous record number of departures for the diocese came in 1992 with 9,010 people officially leaving the Church .
Research by a Bavarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that among the most common reasons for Catholics in Germany officially leaving the Catholic Church was to avoid paying the church tax , with many also citing clerical abuse scandals or that they no longer regularly attended church .
The church tax , or Kirchensteuer , is levied upon Roman Catholics , “ Old Catholics , ” Lutherans , two other Protestant communions , and Jews .
The revenue was once kept by the German government for the upkeep of religious buildings and payment of ministers ’ salaries , but it is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these religious communities .
The Kirchensteuer represents eight to nine percent of an individual ’ s annual income tax , depending on where in Germany he lives .
Germans and foreign residents can opt out of the church tax by going to a government office or courthouse , signing documents stating that they are no longer members of their religion , and paying a fee .
Catholics who opt out of the church tax are denied the sacraments and a Catholic funeral .
They are barred from being employed by the German Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hospitals .
They are not allowed to join Catholic groups such as church choirs or to be godparents .
However , many faithful Catholics in Germany are reluctant to pay the church tax because in addition to the upkeep of churches , the monies are used in part to fund the heterodox activities of German Catholic bishops .
Just last month Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg , the head of the German bishops conference , called for a change in the Church ’ s teaching on homosexuality in an interview with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ synodal path , ” which held its first meeting earlier this year , has in its preparatory documents indicated clearly the aim of dissenting from the Church ’ s sexual teaching , her ban on female “ ordination , ” and her apostolic discipline of priestly celibacy .
At the first “ synodal path ” meeting at the end of January , a majority of the 230 synodal members voted against a proposal that only those votes that are in accordance with the Church ’ s teaching be passed on to @ @ @ @

MUNICH, Germany, May 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – More than 10,000 people from the German Archdiocese of Munich and Freising officially left the Catholic Church in 2019, with the compulsory church tax in Germany thought to be a key reason for the record number.
Catholic News Agency (CNA) reports that the Munich statistical office has informed them that 10,744 Catholics formally withdrew from the Church in 2019. The previous record number of departures for the diocese came in 1992 with 9,010 people officially leaving the Church.
Research by a Bavarian public broadcaster published earlier this year indicated that among the most common reasons for Catholics in Germany officially leaving the Catholic Church was to avoid paying the church tax, with many also citing clerical abuse scandals or that they no longer regularly attended church.
The church tax, or Kirchensteuer, is levied upon Roman Catholics, “Old Catholics,” Lutherans, two other Protestant communions, and Jews. The revenue was once kept by the German government for the upkeep of religious buildings and payment of ministers’ salaries, but it is now given directly to the governing bodies of these religious communities.
The Kirchensteuer represents eight to nine percent of an individual’s annual income tax, depending on where in Germany he lives.
Germans and foreign residents can opt out of the church tax by going to a government office or courthouse, signing documents stating that they are no longer members of their religion, and paying a fee.
Catholics who opt out of the church tax are denied the sacraments and a Catholic funeral. They are barred from being employed by the German Catholic Church or its establishments, including schools and hospitals. They are not allowed to join Catholic groups such as church choirs or to be godparents.
However, many faithful Catholics in Germany are reluctant to pay the church tax because in addition to the upkeep of churches, the monies are used in part to fund the heterodox activities of German Catholic bishops.
Just last month Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg, the head of the German bishops conference, called for a change in the Church’s teaching on homosexuality in an interview with a German newspaper.
The German Church’s “synodal path,” which held its first meeting earlier this year, has in its preparatory documents indicated clearly the aim of dissenting from the Church’s sexual teaching, her ban on female “ordination,” and her apostolic discipline of priestly celibacy. At the first “synodal path” meeting at the end of January, a majority of the 230 synodal members voted against a proposal that only those votes that are in accordance with the Church’s teaching be passed on to the general assembly.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-27--Here’s who the Roe of Roe v. Wade really was, according to her closest friends

May 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A documentary released last week claims Norma McCorvey , the Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade , was paid to join the pro-life movement .
The documentary , AKA Jane Roe , cites 990 forms showing donations from pro-life ministries to Roe No More ministries , which the documentarians call a bribe .
McCorvey ’ s friends have spoken out defending McCorvey since she can not refute these claims from her grave .
In today ’ s episode of The Van Maren Show , four of McCorvey ’ s close friends and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dedication to the pro-life movement and remembering her as a person .
Lynn Mills , McCorvey ’ s godmother and close confidant ; Karen Garnett , a pro-life activist and close friend ; Troy Newman , President of Operation Rescue and close friend ; and Rev .
Patrick Mahoney , a pro-life activist and friend , join Jonathon on today ’ s show .
Listen to all the interviews : Lynn Mills met Norma when they were both testifying in National Organization for Women v. Scheidler .
Both Mills and Norma knew of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They spent hours in the hotel bar trading stories and getting to know each other .
Mills and Norma corresponded frequently via email and Mills notes the importance Norma placed on her faith .
She recalls how fondly Norma spoke of Father Robinson , the priest she met with to learn more about the Catholic faith .
“ But her relationship with Christ was genuine .
You ca n't fake Jesus , Jonathan .
You just ca n't fake that , ” Mills says .
Mills tells Jonathon that one day she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for entering the Catholic Church .
Norma responded , “ No , will you be my sponsor ?
” Mills tells listeners that Norma was “ rough and tumble , genuine but rough around the edges.
” “ Norma desperately wanted to be loved .
She wanted to be accepted .
And after watching the documentary , you can really see how that goes back to her being a very little girl and her relationship with her mother and everything.
” Karen Garnett met and knew Norma thanks to their paths crossing at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deepened as Norma began her journey to Catholicism and the two shared about their Catholic faith .
Garnett recalls one special memory with Norma : Garnett ’ s first March for Life .
The two women traveled together while Garnett was pregnant with her fifth child .
Norma took Garnett under her wing and became her protector for the trip .
A month later , when her son was born , Norma was there in the hospital praying for Garnett while she labored .
Garnett described Norma as “ complicated and fragile.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , really rough life and you can not undo the wounds and the things that , you know , that had formed you , the way that you had lived , sort of overnight just because you have a conversion.
” Some of the donations to Roe No More ministries came from the Catholic Pro-Life Committee , an organization Garnett was the Executive Director of at the time .
Garnett tells Jonathon that the board voted to donate to Roe No More , as they donated to other local pregnancy centers and pro-life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommendation .
He shared that Norma ’ s health was declining due to her traveling to speak across the nation .
The committee knew Norma and wanted to help .
The donations helped Norma continue her ministry without needing to travel as frequently as she had been , something that was really detrimental for her health .
Garnett tells listeners that she first heard about Norma ’ s interviews with Nick Sweeney from Norma ’ s daughter , with whom Norma was living .
Her daughter told Garnett that , “ He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he 's filming a documentary and he takes her out of the care facility and gives her cigarettes.
” This was concerning to Garnett as Norma had serious lung issues and her previous doctor told her that if she started smoking again it would kill her .
Garnett recounts fondly her last phone call with Norma when she told her she loved her one last time before she died .
Norma replied , “ Love you too , honey.
” Troy Newman is the President of Operation Rescue and was a close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually lived with Newman and his family for a few months when she was evicted from her home for not being able to pay rent .
Newman described Norma as down to earth with a great sense of humor .
She enjoyed smoking cigarettes , drinking O'Doul 's , and playing pool in pool halls .
“ The idea that Norma could be told to say something is absolutely ridiculous for any of us that knew her .
If you told her go left , she 'd literally go right just to spite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and laugh at you.
” Newman tells Jonathon that Norma was broken up about the killing of the unborn and grew to dislike her speaking engagements because she was still so hurt .
Newman speaks fondly of Norma as a good friend .
Having watched the documentary , he doesn ’ t see the basis for the claims that Norma was “ bribed , ” but he did enjoy getting to see and hear his dear friend .
Newman shares with listeners that his favorite part about Norma was her humor .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of humor , her ability to quip little jokes out at people that would literally make you fall on the ground laughing .
She just was a true friend .
She loved children .
She loved all my kids.
” The care and love Newman has for Norma is truly evident in the way he speaks of her in this interview !
Rev .
Patrick Mahoney is a pro-life activist and pastor who met Norma at her first big pro-life event after she was baptized into the Christian faith .
Mahoney shares with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Norma she seemed emotionally overwhelmed by the love she was receiving from pro-lifers , knowing that she was the Roe from Roe v. Wade .
When asked about the genuine nature of her conversion , Mahoney points to the huge smile that can be seen on Norma ’ s face after she was baptized – a completely unscripted moment .
As Norma was pulled out of the pool in which she was baptized , on her face is a joy-filled grin .
This , Mahoney says , is a great way to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unscripted , candid , unprompted interactions .
“ The thing that I loved about Norma is she was so real , ” Mahoney tells listeners .
“ You could n't coach Norma .
I mean , Norma said what Norma said .
In fact , if she probably felt coached , she would go the other way.
” Mahoney tells listeners that Norma loved “ listening to music in a pool hall ” and “ being with children.
” After having watched the documentary , Mahoney tells Jonathon he is saddened that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Norma has been an abused enough [ in ] her life .
For these documentarians on her deathbed to abuse her and take advantage of her one more time was truly repugnant and really disheartening .
And I couldn ’ t be more upset with them.
” The Van Maren Show is hosted on numerous platforms , including Spotify , SoundCloud , YouTube , iTunes , and Google Play .
For a full listing of episodes , and to subscribe to various channels , visit our Acast webpage here .
To receive weekly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , subscribe below :

A new documentary, AKA Jane Roe, claims that Roe from Roe v. Wade was paid off to be pro-life. Four of her closest friends come on The Van Maren Show to set the record straight.
May 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A documentary released last week claims Norma McCorvey, the Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade, was paid to join the pro-life movement. The documentary, AKA Jane Roe, cites 990 forms showing donations from pro-life ministries to Roe No More ministries, which the documentarians call a bribe.
Watch all the interviews:
McCorvey’s friends have spoken out defending McCorvey since she cannot refute these claims from her grave.
In today’s episode of The Van Maren Show, four of McCorvey’s close friends and confidants join Jonathon in speaking about her dedication to the pro-life movement and remembering her as a person.
Lynn Mills, McCorvey’s godmother and close confidant; Karen Garnett, a pro-life activist and close friend; Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue and close friend; and Rev. Patrick Mahoney, a pro-life activist and friend, join Jonathon on today’s show.
Listen to all the interviews:
Lynn Mills
Lynn Mills met Norma when they were both testifying in National Organization for Women v. Scheidler. Both Mills and Norma knew of each other and were excited to meet. They spent hours in the hotel bar trading stories and getting to know each other.
Mills and Norma corresponded frequently via email and Mills notes the importance Norma placed on her faith. She recalls how fondly Norma spoke of Father Robinson, the priest she met with to learn more about the Catholic faith.
“But her relationship with Christ was genuine. You can't fake Jesus, Jonathan. You just can't fake that,” Mills says.
Mills tells Jonathon that one day she asked Norma if she had a sponsor for entering the Catholic Church. Norma responded, “No, will you be my sponsor?”
Mills tells listeners that Norma was “rough and tumble, genuine but rough around the edges.”
“Norma desperately wanted to be loved. She wanted to be accepted. And after watching the documentary, you can really see how that goes back to her being a very little girl and her relationship with her mother and everything.”
Karen Garnett
Karen Garnett met and knew Norma thanks to their paths crossing at pro-life events in Dallas. Their friendship deepened as Norma began her journey to Catholicism and the two shared about their Catholic faith.
Garnett recalls one special memory with Norma: Garnett’s first March for Life. The two women traveled together while Garnett was pregnant with her fifth child. Norma took Garnett under her wing and became her protector for the trip. A month later, when her son was born, Norma was there in the hospital praying for Garnett while she labored.
Garnett described Norma as “complicated and fragile.”
“She had a really, really, really rough life and you cannot undo the wounds and the things that, you know, that had formed you, the way that you had lived, sort of overnight just because you have a conversion.”
Some of the donations to Roe No More ministries came from the Catholic Pro-Life Committee, an organization Garnett was the Executive Director of at the time. Garnett tells Jonathon that the board voted to donate to Roe No More, as they donated to other local pregnancy centers and pro-life causes, at Fr. Robinsons’ recommendation. He shared that Norma’s health was declining due to her traveling to speak across the nation.
The committee knew Norma and wanted to help. The donations helped Norma continue her ministry without needing to travel as frequently as she had been, something that was really detrimental for her health.
Garnett tells listeners that she first heard about Norma’s interviews with Nick Sweeney from Norma’s daughter, with whom Norma was living. Her daughter told Garnett that, “He’s this guy she's meeting with and he's filming a documentary and he takes her out of the care facility and gives her cigarettes.”
This was concerning to Garnett as Norma had serious lung issues and her previous doctor told her that if she started smoking again it would kill her.
Garnett recounts fondly her last phone call with Norma when she told her she loved her one last time before she died. Norma replied, “Love you too, honey.”
Troy Newman
Troy Newman is the President of Operation Rescue and was a close friend of Norma’s. Norma actually lived with Newman and his family for a few months when she was evicted from her home for not being able to pay rent.
Newman described Norma as down to earth with a great sense of humor. She enjoyed smoking cigarettes, drinking O'Doul's, and playing pool in pool halls.
“The idea that Norma could be told to say something is absolutely ridiculous for any of us that knew her. If you told her go left, she'd literally go right just to spite you and then laugh and look back and laugh at you.”
Newman tells Jonathon that Norma was broken up about the killing of the unborn and grew to dislike her speaking engagements because she was still so hurt.
In fact, there are multiple times where she would be literally crying and weeping and depressed for days on end over abortion and her name being on it. I spent countless hours with her. There's no doubt she was a broken woman. Anyway, she had a lot of issues early on her life of substance abuse. None of that was a secret. But her conversion to both Christianity and to the pro-life position is, in my mind, 100 percent absolute.
Newman speaks fondly of Norma as a good friend. Having watched the documentary, he doesn’t see the basis for the claims that Norma was “bribed,” but he did enjoy getting to see and hear his dear friend.
Newman shares with listeners that his favorite part about Norma was her humor.
“I just really enjoyed her irreverent sense of humor, her ability to quip little jokes out at people that would literally make you fall on the ground laughing. She just was a true friend. She loved children. She loved all my kids.”
The care and love Newman has for Norma is truly evident in the way he speaks of her in this interview!
Patrick Mahoney
Rev. Patrick Mahoney is a pro-life activist and pastor who met Norma at her first big pro-life event after she was baptized into the Christian faith.
Mahoney shares with listeners that the first time he met Norma she seemed emotionally overwhelmed by the love she was receiving from pro-lifers, knowing that she was the Roe from Roe v. Wade.
When asked about the genuine nature of her conversion, Mahoney points to the huge smile that can be seen on Norma’s face after she was baptized – a completely unscripted moment. As Norma was pulled out of the pool in which she was baptized, on her face is a joy-filled grin.
This, Mahoney says, is a great way to see the true Norma – look at her unscripted, candid, unprompted interactions.
“The thing that I loved about Norma is she was so real,” Mahoney tells listeners. “You couldn't coach Norma. I mean, Norma said what Norma said. In fact, if she probably felt coached, she would go the other way.”
Mahoney tells listeners that Norma loved “listening to music in a pool hall” and “being with children.”
After having watched the documentary, Mahoney tells Jonathon he is saddened that the documentarians took advantage of Norma.
“Norma has been an abused enough [in] her life. For these documentarians on her deathbed to abuse her and take advantage of her one more time was truly repugnant and really disheartening. And I couldn’t be more upset with them.”
The Van Maren Show is hosted on numerous platforms, including Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, iTunes, and Google Play.
For a full listing of episodes, and to subscribe to various channels, visit our Acast webpage here.
To receive weekly emails when a new episode is uploaded, subscribe below:
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lifesitenews--2020-05-27--Abortion activists hurl eggs at pro-life students protesting new Planned Parenthood

WAUKEGAN , Illinois , May 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Two groups of pro-abortion attackers egged pro-life students who were peacefully protesting outside an Illinois Planned Parenthood on Friday .
The new Planned Parenthood facility was secretly built and recently opened .
“ The violence and vandalism against pro-lifers must stop , ” said Kristan Hawkins , President of Students for Life of America ( SFLA ) .
“ In the past several weeks , we have been targeted by violent pro-choice individuals who hate the idea that pro-life people even exist.
” She said SFLA is asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the pro-abortion attackers “ accountable for their actions.
” “ We won ’ t give up our free speech rights , ” she added .
While peacefully protesting , two groups of abortion supporters egged pro-lifers , including members of Crusaders for Life , a pro-life youth ministry group that is part of St. John Cantius in Chicago and St. Peter Church in Volo , Illinois .
The students , many of whom are young , were hit while kneeling in peaceful prayer .
Members of College of Lake County Students for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ egged twice by different groups .
One of the Students for Life and YAF leaders , Shawna Weber , was hit twice with eggs by pro-abortion attackers screaming “ Pro-choice !
” She fell during the second attack .
The group gathered photo evidence and filed a police report .
“ The actions of these counter-protesters were unacceptable .
It isn ’ t popular to be pro-life , and I speak my views on the subject of abortion knowing that there is a good chance I will be verbally and possibly physically attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This just further encourages myself and others to see that there is work to do in promoting respectful and productive public discourse on important topics such as abortion .
I will not slow down my activism and support for the rights of unborn humans.
” Sarah Minnich , the Illinois/Iowa Regional Coordinator for Students for Life , who was on site during the protest , stated : “ This violence against pro-life activists who take a stand for innocent human life is unfortunately not uncommon .
Most striking , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students involved .
Pro-life students are told not to return the anger and violence of pro-abortion activists [ who ] react to the pro-life message .
These student leaders embody the beauty of life by praying for the perpetrators and continuing to stand up for life.
” An investigation is ongoing , but a trend of violent and ugly attacks against peaceful pro-life speech is escalating .
Recently , Chicago Pro-Life Future , the young adult groups of Students for Life , faced vandalism while peacefully protesting abortion .
A pro-abortion activist also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual graduation with pornography and Nazi imagery .
SFLA keeps a map of vandalisms against pro-life groups here .

WAUKEGAN, Illinois, May 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Two groups of pro-abortion attackers egged pro-life students who were peacefully protesting outside an Illinois Planned Parenthood on Friday. The new Planned Parenthood facility was secretly built and recently opened.
“The violence and vandalism against pro-lifers must stop,” said Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life of America (SFLA). “In the past several weeks, we have been targeted by violent pro-choice individuals who hate the idea that pro-life people even exist.”
She said SFLA is asking the Waukegan, Illinois police department to hold the pro-abortion attackers “accountable for their actions.”
“We won’t give up our free speech rights,” she added.
While peacefully protesting, two groups of abortion supporters egged pro-lifers, including members of Crusaders for Life, a pro-life youth ministry group that is part of St. John Cantius in Chicago and St. Peter Church in Volo, Illinois. The students, many of whom are young, were hit while kneeling in peaceful prayer.
Members of College of Lake County Students for Life and Young Americans for Freedom were egged twice by different groups. One of the Students for Life and YAF leaders, Shawna Weber, was hit twice with eggs by pro-abortion attackers screaming “Pro-choice!” She fell during the second attack. The group gathered photo evidence and filed a police report.
“The actions of these counter-protesters were unacceptable. It isn’t popular to be pro-life, and I speak my views on the subject of abortion knowing that there is a good chance I will be verbally and possibly physically attacked for doing so,” said Weber. “This just further encourages myself and others to see that there is work to do in promoting respectful and productive public discourse on important topics such as abortion. I will not slow down my activism and support for the rights of unborn humans.”
Sarah Minnich, the Illinois/Iowa Regional Coordinator for Students for Life, who was on site during the protest, stated: “This violence against pro-life activists who take a stand for innocent human life is unfortunately not uncommon. Most striking, however, is the perseverance and joy of the students involved. Pro-life students are told not to return the anger and violence of pro-abortion activists [who] react to the pro-life message. These student leaders embody the beauty of life by praying for the perpetrators and continuing to stand up for life.”
An investigation is ongoing, but a trend of violent and ugly attacks against peaceful pro-life speech is escalating. Recently, Chicago Pro-Life Future, the young adult groups of Students for Life, faced vandalism while peacefully protesting abortion.
A pro-abortion activist also “Zoom bombed” a recent SFLA virtual graduation with pornography and Nazi imagery.
SFLA keeps a map of vandalisms against pro-life groups here.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-27--EXCLUSIVE: Did abortion facility director file false police report to get pro-lifers arrested?

GRAND RAPIDS , Michigan , May 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — According to a police report obtained by LifeSiteNews , an abortion clinic director in Grand Rapids , Michigan told law enforcement that pro-life activists during a May 13 Red Rose Rescue “ entered ” the clinic .
Two women were subsequently arrested for trespassing .
The pro-life rescuers claim , however , that they did not enter the clinic .
This LifeSiteNews reporter was also on site , videotaping and photographing the rescue from 8:15am until 12:00pm and can confirm that neither of the two women who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police report says that the clinic ’ s “ office manager ” informed law enforcement that several of the rescuers “ entered the building '' and “ needed to be told to leave.
” That claim , police later told Grand Rapids ’ NBC affiliate WOOD-TV 8 , is what led them to arrest the protestors for “ trespassing.
” More than a dozen pro-life activists standing on the sidewalk outside the clinic can also confirm that the two women who were arrested never entered the facility .
At no point does extensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested women entering the abortion clinic .
The rescue was the fourth to be held in Michigan since September 2017 .
It was organized by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society , a Michigan-based pro-life group led by veteran activist Dr. Monica Miller .
Miller was joined in the rescue effort by Matthew Connolly , Ann Norton , Robert “ Doc ” Kolavy , Caroline Davis , and Heather Idoni , ranging in ages 21 to 70 .
Five trespassing violations were issued but only Davis and Idoni were handcuffed and brought to jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , for having entered the clinic .
Miller told LifeSiteNews she entered the facility ’ s stairwell earlier in the morning .
She left on her own accord , however , and was not arrested .
Although the clinic director ’ s name was redacted in the police report , LifeSite discovered her identity after a simple internet search .
Kelly Benzin-Brinks is listed on LinkedIn as being the Counseling Supervisor at Heritage Clinic for Women since October 2019 .
She previously served as the reproductive counselor at the clinic .
Benzin-Brinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the center ’ s parking lot during the rescue operation on May 13 .
She was later interviewed by Melissa Jeltsen , a senior reporter for the left-wing Huffington Post , about the rescue .
Jeltsen published her article about the incident on May 21 , 2020 .
Benzin-Brinks ’ account she gave to the Huffington Post differs significantly with what she allegedly told the police as written in the police report obtained by LifeSiteNews .
According to the Huffington Post : Kelly , the clinic administrator who asked to be identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police .
She immediately recognized the protest as a “ red rose rescue , ” an aggressive tactic where anti-abortion activists physically enter clinic waiting rooms and refuse to leave .
“ Our patients were shaken up , scared , ” Kelly said .
“ We haven ’ t had anything that invasive since the 1980s.
” The protesters did not make it inside the facility , she said , but at least one person attempted to enter through the locked security door at the top of a stairwell .
Benzin-Brinks ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protestors did not enter the facility stands in contradiction to what the Grand Rapids Police Department ’ s report says she told them on May 13 .
The most significant part of the police report , which is replete with spelling and grammatical errors , reads as follows : Officers were called back a fourth time , as two people had trespassed into the lot again .
This time a staff member , Office Manager __ , stated a different female get into the building and had to be told to leave .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building they attempt to get into a secured door by saying they are with the patients , or that they need to use the restroom .
They are not granted access , and told to leave .
The women become aggressive , yelling that they are murderers , and intimidate the patients .
They make it as far as the stairwell inside the building , but not into the main portion of the building .
__ advised on this retun trip that the female who had entered the building was now gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinic , a female , identified as Heather Idoni , was standing outside the clinics west side entrance , harassing __ advised that Heather had entered the building .
Ofc Fischer placed Heather into handcuffs and advised her that she was under arrest for trespassing .
Miller confirmed with LifeSiteNews that her pro-life partners Idoni and Davis “ never entered the clinic , never tried to enter.
” Idoni also confirmed with LifeSiteNews that she did not enter the building .
“ I never yelled and never entered at all , ” Idoni @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entered the outermost door.
” “ When the manager was standing on the other side of the glass ( outside door ) I did ask about a bathroom .
Politely !
She told me to go away and I did , saying nothing else to her , ” she added .
Miller told LifeSiteNews that the facility should release any security tapes showing the protestors entering the building and causing a disruption .
She issued the following statement to LifeSite : LifeSiteNews reached out to WOOD-TV 8 on multiple occasions last week to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rescue was inaccurate and needed updating .
Their original report said that the Grand Rapids police told them that two people “ went into the building and yelled at employees and others inside.
” LifeSite ’ s request was not heeded .
Miller and Idoni also reached out to WOOD ’ s newsroom .
Only after multiple phone calls did they update their report to include a sentence on how Idoni claimed she did not enter the building .
Miller and her fellow rescuers are scheduled to appear at the 61st District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 8:30 am .
LifeSite will continue to follow this story and provide any relevant updates .

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GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, May 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — According to a police report obtained by LifeSiteNews, an abortion clinic director in Grand Rapids, Michigan told law enforcement that pro-life activists during a May 13 Red Rose Rescue “entered” the clinic. Two women were subsequently arrested for trespassing. The pro-life rescuers claim, however, that they did not enter the clinic. This LifeSiteNews reporter was also on site, videotaping and photographing the rescue from 8:15am until 12:00pm and can confirm that neither of the two women who were arrested entered the facility.
The police report says that the clinic’s “office manager” informed law enforcement that several of the rescuers “entered the building” and “needed to be told to leave.” That claim, police later told Grand Rapids’ NBC affiliate WOOD-TV 8, is what led them to arrest the protestors for “trespassing.”
More than a dozen pro-life activists standing on the sidewalk outside the clinic can also confirm that the two women who were arrested never entered the facility. At no point does extensive video evidence of the rescue show the arrested women entering the abortion clinic.
The rescue was the fourth to be held in Michigan since September 2017. It was organized by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, a Michigan-based pro-life group led by veteran activist Dr. Monica Miller. Miller was joined in the rescue effort by Matthew Connolly, Ann Norton, Robert “Doc” Kolavy, Caroline Davis, and Heather Idoni, ranging in ages 21 to 70.
Five trespassing violations were issued but only Davis and Idoni were handcuffed and brought to jail, allegedly, according to the police report, for having entered the clinic.
Miller told LifeSiteNews she entered the facility’s stairwell earlier in the morning. She left on her own accord, however, and was not arrested.
Although the clinic director’s name was redacted in the police report, LifeSite discovered her identity after a simple internet search. Kelly Benzin-Brinks is listed on LinkedIn as being the Counseling Supervisor at Heritage Clinic for Women since October 2019. She previously served as the reproductive counselor at the clinic.
Benzin-Brinks was seen by LifeSite standing and walking in the center’s parking lot during the rescue operation on May 13. She was later interviewed by Melissa Jeltsen, a senior reporter for the left-wing Huffington Post, about the rescue. Jeltsen published her article about the incident on May 21, 2020.
Benzin-Brinks’ account she gave to the Huffington Post differs significantly with what she allegedly told the police as written in the police report obtained by LifeSiteNews.
According to the Huffington Post:
Kelly, the clinic administrator who asked to be identified only by her first name, called the police. She immediately recognized the protest as a “red rose rescue,” an aggressive tactic where anti-abortion activists physically enter clinic waiting rooms and refuse to leave. “Our patients were shaken up, scared,” Kelly said. “We haven’t had anything that invasive since the 1980s.” The protesters did not make it inside the facility, she said, but at least one person attempted to enter through the locked security door at the top of a stairwell.
Benzin-Brinks’ admission to the Huffington Post that the protestors did not enter the facility stands in contradiction to what the Grand Rapids Police Department’s report says she told them on May 13. The most significant part of the police report, which is replete with spelling and grammatical errors, reads as follows:
Officers were called back a fourth time, as two people had trespassed into the lot again. This time a staff member, Office Manager __, stated a different female get into the building and had to be told to leave. __ explained that when the women enter the building they attempt to get into a secured door by saying they are with the patients, or that they need to use the restroom. They are not granted access, and told to leave. The women become aggressive, yelling that they are murderers, and intimidate the patients. They make it as far as the stairwell inside the building, but not into the main portion of the building. […] __ advised on this retun trip that the female who had entered the building was now gone. […] After officers arrived back to the clinic, a female, identified as Heather Idoni, was standing outside the clinics west side entrance, harassing __ advised that Heather had entered the building. Ofc Fischer placed Heather into handcuffs and advised her that she was under arrest for trespassing.
Miller confirmed with LifeSiteNews that her pro-life partners Idoni and Davis “never entered the clinic, never tried to enter.”
Idoni also confirmed with LifeSiteNews that she did not enter the building.
“I never yelled and never entered at all,” Idoni said, adding that she “never entered the outermost door.”
“When the manager was standing on the other side of the glass (outside door) I did ask about a bathroom. Politely! She told me to go away and I did, saying nothing else to her,” she added.
Miller told LifeSiteNews that the facility should release any security tapes showing the protestors entering the building and causing a disruption. She issued the following statement to LifeSite:
“The errors and falsehoods in this police report stagger the mind. This Red Rose Rescue took place on the parking lot of the abortion facility– not that there would have been anything wrong at all if we did enter the abortion center to help the mothers and defend the unborn. But we made a decision, due to the Coronavirus situation, to stay outdoors and talk to the mothers in the parking lot. The report says that Heather Idoni, Caroline Davis and Robert Kolavy entered the abortion facility — when they never did! The report also states that we shouted — and indeed no shouting at anyone ever occurred! Indeed, such a thing is contrary to the principles of the Red Rose Rescue. The report also says that I was escorted out of the building and — again that never happened! One wonders if this was the same rescue in which we participated. The clinic director has allegedly spoken falsehoods. One can only venture a guess as to why.
LifeSiteNews reached out to WOOD-TV 8 on multiple occasions last week to inform them that their initial report about the rescue was inaccurate and needed updating. Their original report said that the Grand Rapids police told them that two people “went into the building and yelled at employees and others inside.” LifeSite’s request was not heeded. Miller and Idoni also reached out to WOOD’s newsroom. Only after multiple phone calls did they update their report to include a sentence on how Idoni claimed she did not enter the building.
Miller and her fellow rescuers are scheduled to appear at the 61st District Court in Grand Rapids on July 14th at 8:30 am. LifeSite will continue to follow this story and provide any relevant updates.


lifesitenews--2020-05-27--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

May 27 , 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--2020-05-27--‘Sacrilegious’ to distribute Eucharist with gloves: Vatican theologian

May 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Distributing Holy Communion with gloves amid the coronavirus pandemic is “ sacrilegious , ” according to Msgr .
Nicola Bux , a theologian who worked as a consultor to the Vatican for many years .
While many dioceses across the world are slowly beginning to have some faithful present for public Masses again , the question of the sanitary distribution and reception of the Eucharist has been raised .
In his short statement published by Marco Tosatti , the theologian said that “ the sacred ministers , especially priests , perhaps have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they do not know what it means to treat it worthily , that is in relation to the intrinsic value of the reality in question.
” Bux asked , “ Who would bring a plate of soup to the table with latex gloves ?
It would create suspicion in the eaters .
So why be surprised by the faithful who are outraged by such treatment of the Eucharist ?
” Ideas such as wearing gloves to distribute Holy Communion indicate “ a lack of human and Christian formation in this regard.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the guidelines already in place in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal .
That text , as well as the rites of the traditional Latin Mass and the liturgies of the Eastern churches , aims to treat “ with devout dignity the sacred vessels containing the Eucharist , which also implies the hygienic purity of the hands ; and this since ancient times.
” PETITION : Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society !
Sign the petition here .
Bux , who was a consultor to the Congregation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments , and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints , pointed to the fact that in the traditional liturgy , “ after having consecrated the species , the priest keeps his thumbs and index fingers together , so as not to touch anything else until the Communion of the faithful is concluded.
” He also mentioned that “ incense , which has sanitizing power , ” is generously used by the Eastern churches .
“ This is also foreseen in the Roman and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is considered a sign of triumphalism , ” he added .
In the Novus Ordo , putting the norms of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal into practice would mean that “ the Blessed Sacrament would be treated as it should be and the faithful would be reassured in spirit and body , ” Bux claimed .
Fr .
Thomas Petri , O.P.
, who is vice president and academic dean at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington , D.C. , stressed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle it with gloves and we certainly don ’ t put the Blessed Sacrament in a plastic baggie.
” Petri ’ s Pontifical Faculty , through its Thomistic Institute , was also responsible for writing the guidelines on the phased restoration of public Masses , which were subsequently recommended by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops .
According to the Thomistic Institute , even receiving Holy Communion directly on the tongue , which some consider to be the most dangerous thing to do amid the COVID-19 pandemic , is possible “ without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point are varied within the medical and scientific community : some believe Communion on the tongue involves an elevated and , in the light of all the circumstances , an unreasonable risk ; others disagree , ” the document pointed out .
“ If Communion on the tongue is provided , one could consider using hand sanitizer after each communicant who receives on the tongue.
” The guidelines specifically referred to Redemptionis Sacramentum , an instruction published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2004 .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue.
” Three options for distributing Holy Communion were discussed in detail by the Thomistic Institute .
“ Option 1 provides for Mass without any distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful .
Option 2 provides for Holy Communion immediately at the end of Mass , with additional precautions ( our recommended option ) .
Option 3 provides for Holy Communion during Mass , with more modest precautions.
” The Thomistic Institute went on to explain the benefits of the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option , because it respects the symbolic and liturgical integrity of the Mass ( which should be celebrated without mask or gloves ) , avoids any practices in the Mass that could become sources of future liturgical abuse , gives a greater freedom to the faithful to determine whether or not they will come forward for Holy Communion ( some may be nervous about doing so ) , and also provides for additional precautions to reduce risk , ” the guidelines stated .
They added , “ It also will permit the priest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Holy Communion , given that it is difficult to launder if anyone should sneeze or cough on him .
”

'Who would bring a plate of soup to the table with latex gloves? It would create suspicion in the eaters.'
May 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Distributing Holy Communion with gloves amid the coronavirus pandemic is “sacrilegious,” according to Msgr. Nicola Bux, a theologian who worked as a consultor to the Vatican for many years.
While many dioceses across the world are slowly beginning to have some faithful present for public Masses again, the question of the sanitary distribution and reception of the Eucharist has been raised.
In his short statement published by Marco Tosatti, the theologian said that “the sacred ministers, especially priests, perhaps have no intention of profaning the Sacrament, but they do not know what it means to treat it worthily, that is in relation to the intrinsic value of the reality in question.”
Bux asked, “Who would bring a plate of soup to the table with latex gloves? It would create suspicion in the eaters. So why be surprised by the faithful who are outraged by such treatment of the Eucharist?”
Ideas such as wearing gloves to distribute Holy Communion indicate “a lack of human and Christian formation in this regard.” Bux argued that priests should simply follow the guidelines already in place in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
That text, as well as the rites of the traditional Latin Mass and the liturgies of the Eastern churches, aims to treat “with devout dignity the sacred vessels containing the Eucharist, which also implies the hygienic purity of the hands; and this since ancient times.”
PETITION: Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society! Sign the petition here.
Bux, who was a consultor to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, pointed to the fact that in the traditional liturgy, “after having consecrated the species, the priest keeps his thumbs and index fingers together, so as not to touch anything else until the Communion of the faithful is concluded.”
He also mentioned that “incense, which has sanitizing power,” is generously used by the Eastern churches. “This is also foreseen in the Roman and Ambrosian rites, but by some it is considered a sign of triumphalism,” he added.
In the Novus Ordo, putting the norms of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal into practice would mean that “the Blessed Sacrament would be treated as it should be and the faithful would be reassured in spirit and body,” Bux claimed.
Fr. Thomas Petri, O.P., who is vice president and academic dean at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., stressed on Twitter, “We don’t handle it with gloves and we certainly don’t put the Blessed Sacrament in a plastic baggie.”
Petri’s Pontifical Faculty, through its Thomistic Institute, was also responsible for writing the guidelines on the phased restoration of public Masses, which were subsequently recommended by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
According to the Thomistic Institute, even receiving Holy Communion directly on the tongue, which some consider to be the most dangerous thing to do amid the COVID-19 pandemic, is possible “without unreasonable risk.”
“Opinions on this point are varied within the medical and scientific community: some believe Communion on the tongue involves an elevated and, in the light of all the circumstances, an unreasonable risk; others disagree,” the document pointed out. “If Communion on the tongue is provided, one could consider using hand sanitizer after each communicant who receives on the tongue.”
The guidelines specifically referred to Redemptionis Sacramentum, an instruction published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2004. According to the document, “each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue.”
Three options for distributing Holy Communion were discussed in detail by the Thomistic Institute. “Option 1 provides for Mass without any distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful. Option 2 provides for Holy Communion immediately at the end of Mass, with additional precautions (our recommended option). Option 3 provides for Holy Communion during Mass, with more modest precautions.”
The Thomistic Institute went on to explain the benefits of the second option.
“This is our recommended option, because it respects the symbolic and liturgical integrity of the Mass (which should be celebrated without mask or gloves), avoids any practices in the Mass that could become sources of future liturgical abuse, gives a greater freedom to the faithful to determine whether or not they will come forward for Holy Communion (some may be nervous about doing so), and also provides for additional precautions to reduce risk,” the guidelines stated.
They added, “It also will permit the priest to remove his chasuble for the distribution of Holy Communion, given that it is difficult to launder if anyone should sneeze or cough on him.”
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lifesitenews--2020-05-27--Pope prays again for Chinese Catholics to be ‘good citizens’ as communists wage persecution

ROME , Italy , May 26 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Last Sunday , Pope Francis once again called Chinese Catholics to be “ good citizens.
” On the feast of Our Lady of Sheshan , patroness of China , the Holy Father briefly talked about the Asian country following his weekly Regina Caeli prayer .
“ We entrust to the guidance and protection of our Heavenly Mother the pastors and faithful of the Catholic Church in that great country , ” Pope Francis said , “ so that they may be strong in faith and firm in fraternal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charity and fraternal hope , and good citizens.
” The pope did not mention the 2018 accord between the Vatican and China , the details of which are not public .
Since the 1950s , the Vatican had supported the underground Church , which is still being persecuted by the Chinese government today .
The Vatican-China deal seemingly legitimized the Communist-organized Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association ( CPCA ) , despite its allegiance to the pro-abortion , pro-contraception Chinese government over the Church .
“ Dear Catholic brothers and sisters in China , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church , of which you are an integral part , shares your hopes and supports you in the trials of life , ” the Holy Father said on Sunday .
The Church “ accompanies you with prayer for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit , so that the light and beauty of the Gospel , God ’ s power for the salvation of all who believe , may shine in you .
In expressing to all of you once again my great and sincere affection , I impart to you a special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guard you !
” Last March , in a video presenting his monthly prayer intentions , Pope Francis had already encouraged Chinese Catholics to be “ good citizens ” while telling them not to engage in “ proselytism.
” “ The Church wants Chinese Christians to be truly Christians , and to be good citizens , ” Pope Francis said .
“ They should promote the Gospel , but without engaging in proselytism , and they need to achieve the unity of the divided Catholic community , ” he said , likely referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization calling itself a church and the underground Church .
The pope claimed that the Church in China “ looks to the future with hope.
” The remarks of the Holy Father came as part of a video presenting his prayer intentions for the month of March .
He concluded the brief video by asking for prayer “ that the Church in China may persevere in its faithfulness to the Gospel and grow in unity.
” Catholics and other Christians are still persecuted by communist China .
An official report by the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Chinese government under President and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping have “ doubled down on the ‘ sinicization ’ of religion — a campaign that aims to bring religion in China under closer official control and in line with officially sanctioned interpretations of Chinese culture.
” The report found that the rise in persecution of Catholics corresponded to the signing of the secret deal with the Vatican .
“ In September 2018 , the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed an agreement with the Holy See , paving the way for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities .
Subsequently , local Chinese authorities subjected Catholic believers in China to increased persecution by demolishing churches , removing crosses , and continuing to detain underground clergy .
The Party-led Catholic national religious organizations also published a plan to ‘ sinicize ’ Catholicism in China.
” Recognized China expert Steven Mosher said the government is attempting to make the Bible a book that fits within the communist government ’ s agenda .
“ So far , it is ( 1 ) no longer possible to buy a copy of the Bible online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) existing copies of the Bible are being confiscated whenever the authorities come across them , and ( 3 ) there are new versions of all sacred texts — Christian , Buddhist , Muslim , etc .
— that reinforce Communist ideology in the making.
” Bob Fu , a Chinese Evangelical pastor , testified in 2018 that one of the ways China hopes to make Christianity more Chinese is to introduce a new translation of the Old Testament and write new commentaries on the New Testament .
“ The plan made it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means to change ‘ Christianity in China ’ into ‘ Chinese Christianity , ’ ” Fu said before a subcommittee of the House Committee of Foreign Affairs .
Bishop James Su Zhimin , who refused to join the state-run “ church , ” experienced persecution even more directly .
He was arrested in 1996 .
In November 2003 , his family discovered him by chance at a hospital , surrounded by government authorities .
According to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission , “ [ h ] e has not been heard or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inquiries .
In all , he has spent 40 years in prison , without charge , without trial .
Before being arrested in 1996 , Bishop Su Zhimin was held off and on for 26 years either in prison or forced labor camps.
” The human rights magazine Bitter Winter wrote that “ believers were offered monetary rewards if they agreed to ask the priests ’ relatives and friends to put pressure on them to join the CPCA.
” This took place in the Diocese of Mindong in the southeastern province of Fujian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those priests are exposed to “ threats , coercion , and suppression.
” The local government in a part of the diocese had invited Catholics to a meeting , telling them that priests who refuse to join the state-sanctioned “ church ” — for instance , Bishop Guo Xijin , an auxiliary bishop in the diocese — need to be “ transformed.
” “ They promised that churches would function normally as long as the priests joined ” the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association .
Then Catholics were offered bribes to help with integrating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state-sanctioned “ church.
” “ Moreover , the participants were asked to create compromising situations , for example , pretend to be giving money to priests or have women pose as if they are involved with them , and take photos , which would later be used to intimidate them , ” Bitter Winter continued .
As a last step , priests who continue to resist “ will be put under house arrest , and their power and water supply would be cut off .
They will be pressured ‘ until they break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commit suicide.
’ ” As Bitter Winter reported , even Christian groups approved by the Chinese government are not safe from persecution .
Numerous facilities of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement , a state-sanctioned Protestant community , were destroyed in recent months .
Hong Kong ’ s Cardinal Joseph Zen has been the most prominent and outspoken critic of the secret deal between the Vatican and China .
In February , Zen told LifeSiteNews in an exclusive video interview that the CPCA “ has always been objectively schismatic ” and remains that way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holy See.
” As he had done before , Zen attacked Vatican secretary of state , Cardinal Pietro Parolin , as “ not acting for the Faith.
” “ I ’ m sorry to say , he is not a man of faith because he despises the heroes of faith , ” Zen said about the cardinal , who is , to a large extent , responsible for the deal between the Vatican and China .
Commenting on the deal , Zen warned that communists “ never accept compromise .
They want full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the bottom .
They finished the operation selling the Church .
”

The Church 'accompanies you with prayer for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit,' the pope insisted in a set of brief remarks during his daily Regina Caeli prayer.
ROME, Italy, May 26, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Last Sunday, Pope Francis once again called Chinese Catholics to be “good citizens.” On the feast of Our Lady of Sheshan, patroness of China, the Holy Father briefly talked about the Asian country following his weekly Regina Caeli prayer.
“We entrust to the guidance and protection of our Heavenly Mother the pastors and faithful of the Catholic Church in that great country,” Pope Francis said, “so that they may be strong in faith and firm in fraternal union, joyful witnesses and promoters of charity and fraternal hope, and good citizens.”
The pope did not mention the 2018 accord between the Vatican and China, the details of which are not public. Since the 1950s, the Vatican had supported the underground Church, which is still being persecuted by the Chinese government today. The Vatican-China deal seemingly legitimized the Communist-organized Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA), despite its allegiance to the pro-abortion, pro-contraception Chinese government over the Church.
“Dear Catholic brothers and sisters in China, I wish to assure you that the universal Church, of which you are an integral part, shares your hopes and supports you in the trials of life,” the Holy Father said on Sunday.
The Church “accompanies you with prayer for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, so that the light and beauty of the Gospel, God’s power for the salvation of all who believe, may shine in you. In expressing to all of you once again my great and sincere affection, I impart to you a special Apostolic Blessing. May Our Lady always guard you!”
Last March, in a video presenting his monthly prayer intentions, Pope Francis had already encouraged Chinese Catholics to be “good citizens” while telling them not to engage in “proselytism.”
“The Church wants Chinese Christians to be truly Christians, and to be good citizens,” Pope Francis said. “They should promote the Gospel, but without engaging in proselytism, and they need to achieve the unity of the divided Catholic community,” he said, likely referring to the distinction between an official state-sanctioned organization calling itself a church and the underground Church.
The pope claimed that the Church in China “looks to the future with hope.” The remarks of the Holy Father came as part of a video presenting his prayer intentions for the month of March.
He concluded the brief video by asking for prayer “that the Church in China may persevere in its faithfulness to the Gospel and grow in unity.”
Catholics and other Christians are still persecuted by communist China.
An official report by the United States government pointed out that in 2019, the Chinese government under President and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping have “doubled down on the ‘sinicization’ of religion — a campaign that aims to bring religion in China under closer official control and in line with officially sanctioned interpretations of Chinese culture.”
The report found that the rise in persecution of Catholics corresponded to the signing of the secret deal with the Vatican.
“In September 2018, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed an agreement with the Holy See, paving the way for the unification of state-sanctioned and underground Catholic communities. Subsequently, local Chinese authorities subjected Catholic believers in China to increased persecution by demolishing churches, removing crosses, and continuing to detain underground clergy. The Party-led Catholic national religious organizations also published a plan to ‘sinicize’ Catholicism in China.”
Recognized China expert Steven Mosher said the government is attempting to make the Bible a book that fits within the communist government’s agenda.
“So far, it is (1) no longer possible to buy a copy of the Bible online [in China], (2) existing copies of the Bible are being confiscated whenever the authorities come across them, and (3) there are new versions of all sacred texts — Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, etc. — that reinforce Communist ideology in the making.”
Bob Fu, a Chinese Evangelical pastor, testified in 2018 that one of the ways China hopes to make Christianity more Chinese is to introduce a new translation of the Old Testament and write new commentaries on the New Testament.
“The plan made it clear that ‘Sinicization of Christianity’ means to change ‘Christianity in China’ into ‘Chinese Christianity,’” Fu said before a subcommittee of the House Committee of Foreign Affairs.
Bishop James Su Zhimin, who refused to join the state-run “church,” experienced persecution even more directly. He was arrested in 1996. In November 2003, his family discovered him by chance at a hospital, surrounded by government authorities.
According to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, “[h]e has not been heard or seen from since, despite repeated international inquiries. In all, he has spent 40 years in prison, without charge, without trial. Before being arrested in 1996, Bishop Su Zhimin was held off and on for 26 years either in prison or forced labor camps.”
The human rights magazine Bitter Winter wrote that “believers were offered monetary rewards if they agreed to ask the priests’ relatives and friends to put pressure on them to join the CPCA.”
This took place in the Diocese of Mindong in the southeastern province of Fujian. Refusing to join the CPCA, those priests are exposed to “threats, coercion, and suppression.”
The local government in a part of the diocese had invited Catholics to a meeting, telling them that priests who refuse to join the state-sanctioned “church” — for instance, Bishop Guo Xijin, an auxiliary bishop in the diocese — need to be “transformed.”
“They promised that churches would function normally as long as the priests joined” the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. Then Catholics were offered bribes to help with integrating priests of the underground Church into the state-sanctioned “church.”
“Moreover, the participants were asked to create compromising situations, for example, pretend to be giving money to priests or have women pose as if they are involved with them, and take photos, which would later be used to intimidate them,” Bitter Winter continued.
As a last step, priests who continue to resist “will be put under house arrest, and their power and water supply would be cut off. They will be pressured ‘until they break down, go insane, or even commit suicide.’”
As Bitter Winter reported, even Christian groups approved by the Chinese government are not safe from persecution. Numerous facilities of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, a state-sanctioned Protestant community, were destroyed in recent months.
Hong Kong’s Cardinal Joseph Zen has been the most prominent and outspoken critic of the secret deal between the Vatican and China.
In February, Zen told LifeSiteNews in an exclusive video interview that the CPCA “has always been objectively schismatic” and remains that way, “but with the blessing from the Holy See.”
As he had done before, Zen attacked Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, as “not acting for the Faith.”
“I’m sorry to say, he is not a man of faith because he despises the heroes of faith,” Zen said about the cardinal, who is, to a large extent, responsible for the deal between the Vatican and China.
Commenting on the deal, Zen warned that communists “never accept compromise. They want full surrender. And so now we are at the bottom. They finished the operation selling the Church.”
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lifesitenews--2020-05-27--Senior Twitter ‘fact checker’ has compared Trump officials to Nazis

TELL VIMEO : Stop silencing conservatives and Christians !
Sign the petition here .
UNITED STATES , May 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – One of Twitter ’ s chief “ fact-checkers ” has posted several tweets indicating serious bias against the Trump administration , including describing President Donald Trump as a “ racist tangerine ” and likening White House staff to Nazis .
The historic tweets of Yoel Roth , who is the Head of Site Integrity for Twitter , emerged after the social media platform placed a “ Get the facts ” label on a Trump tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurring with mail-in ballots .
The “ Get the facts ” label links to a page which describes Trump ’ s claims as false , and highlights articles by left-wing media outlets CNN , The Washington Post , and The Hill .
It is the first time such a label has been used on one of Trump ’ s tweets .
In the immediate aftermath of Trump ’ s 2016 election victory , Roth indicated disdain for Trump voters in a tweet reading : “ I ’ m just saying , we fly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist tangerine for a reason.
” In early 2017 he posted a tweet referring to “ ACTUAL NAZIS IN THE WHITE HOUSE ” and a subsequent post appeared to liken Trump counsellor Kellyanne Conway to Joseph Goebbels , the famous Minister of Propaganda for Nazi Germany .
Roth has also described Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as a “ a personality-free bag of farts.
” Trump hit back at Twitter yesterday , accusing them of “ interfering in the 2020 Presidential Election.
” Trump accused the platform of “ completely stifling FREE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as President , will not allow it to happen !
” These statements appear to strengthen recent reports that federal action may soon be taken to combat anti-conservative bias by big tech companies .
Twitter has recently claimed the company enforces its rules “ impartially for all users , regardless of their background or political affiliation.
” But in 2018 Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey admitted to The Washington Post the “ left leaning ” bias among its staff .
“ It ’ s no secret we are largely left leaning , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , our board and our company , ” Dorsey said .

This is the first time a 'Get the facts' label has been placed on a Trump tweet.
TELL VIMEO: Stop silencing conservatives and Christians! Sign the petition here.
UNITED STATES, May 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – One of Twitter’s chief “fact-checkers” has posted several tweets indicating serious bias against the Trump administration, including describing President Donald Trump as a “racist tangerine” and likening White House staff to Nazis.
The historic tweets of Yoel Roth, who is the Head of Site Integrity for Twitter, emerged after the social media platform placed a “Get the facts” label on a Trump tweet warning of the likelihood of voting fraud occurring with mail-in ballots.
The “Get the facts” label links to a page which describes Trump’s claims as false, and highlights articles by left-wing media outlets CNN, The Washington Post, and The Hill. It is the first time such a label has been used on one of Trump’s tweets.
In the immediate aftermath of Trump’s 2016 election victory, Roth indicated disdain for Trump voters in a tweet reading: “I’m just saying, we fly over those states that voted for a racist tangerine for a reason.”
I’m just saying, we fly over those states that voted for a racist tangerine for a reason. — Yoel Roth (@yoyoel) November 9, 2016
In early 2017 he posted a tweet referring to “ACTUAL NAZIS IN THE WHITE HOUSE” and a subsequent post appeared to liken Trump counsellor Kellyanne Conway to Joseph Goebbels, the famous Minister of Propaganda for Nazi Germany.
Yes, that person in the pink hat is clearly a bigger threat to your brand of feminism than ACTUAL NAZIS IN THE WHITE HOUSE. — Yoel Roth (@yoyoel) January 22, 2017
“Today on Meet The Press, we’re speaking with Joseph Goebbels about the first 100 days…” —What I hear whenever Kellyanne is on a news show — Yoel Roth (@yoyoel) January 22, 2017
Roth has also described Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as a “a personality-free bag of farts.”
How does a personality-free bag of farts like Mitch McConnell actually win elections? — Yoel Roth (@yoyoel) July 28, 2017
Trump hit back at Twitter yesterday, accusing them of “interfering in the 2020 Presidential Election.”
Trump accused the platform of “completely stifling FREE SPEECH,” adding that “I, as President, will not allow it to happen!”
These statements appear to strengthen recent reports that federal action may soon be taken to combat anti-conservative bias by big tech companies.
….Twitter is completely stifling FREE SPEECH, and I, as President, will not allow it to happen! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2020
Twitter has recently claimed the company enforces its rules “impartially for all users, regardless of their background or political affiliation.”
But in 2018 Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey admitted to The Washington Post the “left leaning” bias among its staff.
“It’s no secret we are largely left leaning, and we all have biases. That includes me, our board and our company,” Dorsey said.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-27--Virginia family sues governor over ban on religious gatherings

GREAT FALLS , Virginia , May 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A Catholic family of 12 has filed a First Amendment lawsuit against Virginia ’ s Democrat Gov .
Ralph Northam over his COVID-19 executive order barring state residents from freely assembling for religious worship .
Northam ’ s March 30 order forbids public gatherings of 10 people or less , in the name of halting the spread of the coronavirus .
Most of the state began Phase 1 of Northam ’ s gradual reopening plan on May 15 , but not the Northern Virginia region .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( CAL ) is representing the Diaz-Bonilla family in its case against the restriction – which , in addition to stopping them from frequenting secular establishments as a group , bars them from “ going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation ( Confession ) , receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist ( Holy Communion ) , and praying on their private property with their priest and other believers.
” “ The Executive Orders wrongly and unconstitutionally classify the exercise of religion as non-essential , ” attorney H. Robert Showers says .
“ In reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just essential as anything the Executive Orders sought to protect.
” Last week , the Trump administration declared religious institutions “ essential.
” “ Governor Northam ’ s restrictions on religious expression are overly broad , discriminatory , and unconstitutional , ” CAL ’ s CEO Harmeet K. Dhillon adds .
“ Our plaintiffs have been blessed with 10 children .
But Governor Northam ’ s Order discriminates against them because of the size of their family—prohibiting them from attending a religious service together , with their Priest present , while smaller families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Order also discriminates against religious gatherings .
Our clients can go to secular institutions together , but it is a crime for them to [ attend ] religious services together at their parish.
” This is not the only lawsuit Northam is facing over the policy .
Liberty Counsel is currently representing Pastor Kevin Wilson and Lighthouse Fellowship Church , which faces up to a year in jail and/or a $ 2,500 fine for holding Palm Sunday services .
As of May 26 , the United States is estimated to have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more than 100,000 deaths and 477,000 recoveries .
An estimated 43 % of those deaths have come from nursing homes ( with the percentages for specific states often much higher ) , and mounting evidence suggests far more of the public has contracted and recovered from the virus than the official count indicates .
At the same time , state bans on “ non-essential ” activity across the country have caused massive job losses , with more than 33 million Americans filing for unemployment and studies predicting that tens of thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never reopen .
The suppression of religious exercise has been one of the focal points for resistance to the COVID-19 lockdowns across the country , along with prohibitions on peaceful protesting outdoors , even when the protestors abide by “ social distancing.
” Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

'Our plaintiffs have been blessed with 10 children. But Governor Northam’s Order discriminates against them because of the size of their family—prohibiting them from attending a religious service together, with their Priest present...'
GREAT FALLS, Virginia, May 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A Catholic family of 12 has filed a First Amendment lawsuit against Virginia’s Democrat Gov. Ralph Northam over his COVID-19 executive order barring state residents from freely assembling for religious worship.
Northam’s March 30 order forbids public gatherings of more than 10 people, in the name of halting the spread of the coronavirus. Most of the state began Phase 1 of Northam’s gradual reopening plan on May 15, but not the Northern Virginia region.
In response, the Center for American Liberty (CAL) is representing the Diaz-Bonilla family in its case against the restriction – which, in addition to stopping them from frequenting secular establishments as a group, bars them from “going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion), and praying on their private property with their priest and other believers.”
“The Executive Orders wrongly and unconstitutionally classify the exercise of religion as non-essential,” attorney H. Robert Showers says. “In reality the right to practice your faith is just essential as anything the Executive Orders sought to protect.” Last week, the Trump administration declared religious institutions “essential.”
“Governor Northam’s restrictions on religious expression are overly broad, discriminatory, and unconstitutional,” CAL’s CEO Harmeet K. Dhillon adds. “Our plaintiffs have been blessed with 10 children. But Governor Northam’s Order discriminates against them because of the size of their family—prohibiting them from attending a religious service together, with their Priest present, while smaller families do not face such a prohibition. The Order also discriminates against religious gatherings. Our clients can go to secular institutions together, but it is a crime for them to [attend] religious services together at their parish.”
This is not the only lawsuit Northam is facing over the policy. Liberty Counsel is currently representing Pastor Kevin Wilson and Lighthouse Fellowship Church, which faces up to a year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine for holding Palm Sunday services.
As of May 26, the United States is estimated to have seen more than 1.7 million COVID-19 cases, with more than 100,000 deaths and 477,000 recoveries. An estimated 43% of those deaths have come from nursing homes (with the percentages for specific states often much higher), and mounting evidence suggests far more of the public has contracted and recovered from the virus than the official count indicates.
At the same time, state bans on “non-essential” activity across the country have caused massive job losses, with more than 33 million Americans filing for unemployment and studies predicting that tens of thousands of small businesses that have closed down will never reopen.
The suppression of religious exercise has been one of the focal points for resistance to the COVID-19 lockdowns across the country, along with prohibitions on peaceful protesting outdoors, even when the protestors abide by “social distancing.”
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-23--Bishops, doctors, bioethicists urge Trudeau gov’t to fund COVID-19 vaccine without ties to abortion

ONTARIO , May 22 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A group of Canadian Catholic bishops , doctors , and scholars have sent a joint letter to the Canadian prime minister calling for his government to fund an ethical coronavirus vaccine not derived from fetal cells harvested from aborted babies decades ago The letter , dated May 21 , was sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and copied to the Canadian health minister , Patty Hajdu .
It includes the signatures of Winnipeg archbishop Richard Gagnon ( president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops ) ; Moira McQueen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute ; Helen McGee , president-elect of the National Association of Catholic Nurses of Canada ; and Archbishop Sotirios , chairman of the Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops .
The letter urges the Trudeau government to fund “ alternative ” vaccines that are not made using fetal cells harvested from aborted babies years ago and to make ethically sourced vaccines available to Canadians .
The letter does not explicitly say one should not use the first coronavirus vaccine that is made available .
However , it does recommend that an ethically sourced vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a vaccine with a fetal cell line lineage .
PETITION : No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus !
Sign the petition here .
“ We endorse the earliest possible development of safe , effective anti-viral vaccines and the broadest uptake of vaccination .
We urge your government to fund the development of vaccines that do not create an ethical dilemma for many Canadians , ” says the letter .
“ On one hand , the wide uptake of vaccines is essential to protect citizens from the transmission of disease .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion- derived cell lines raises conscience concerns for anyone who might be offered that vaccine and is aware of its lineage .
This dilemma will emerge if there are no alternatives to vaccines developed with the use of human fetal cell lines obtained from elective abortions.
” The letter includes signatures from various other Canadian Catholic bioethics groups , such as the Catholic Civil Rights League , Priests for Life Canada , and St. Michael ’ s University .
McQueen told LifeSiteNews that the letter came about because of conversations between her and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said another factor in penning the correspondence was the April letter from the U.S. Catholic bishops and pro-life leaders .
This letter asked the Trump administration to ensure that Americans will have access to coronavirus vaccines that are “ free from any connection to abortion.
” “ We decided to compose a letter for the PM , and contacted different people and organizations , most of whom signed on to our final version , ” said McQueen to LifeSiteNews .
McQueen said the intent of the letter is to ask the Trudeau government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethical vaccine made available for those who want it .
“ The main point is to ensure that those of us who object to unethical vaccines , no matter which company or group is the manufacturer , will be able to receive morally acceptable ones .
The research for those is also underway and has a good chance of success , ” said McQueen to LifeSiteNews .
Last week , Canada ’ s National Research Council ( NRC ) announced a collaboration with the Chinese firm CanSino Biologics Inc. ( CanSinoBIO ) to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Ad5-nCoV , in Canada .
LifeSiteNews reported that the vaccine candidate Ad5-nCoV uses the HEK293 cell line , which is made from fetal cells harvested from an aborted baby decades ago and is the property of the NRC .
Trudeau announced last Saturday that Health Canada approved the coronavirus vaccine Ad5-nCoV to be used in human clinical trials .
Earlier this week , Dr. Kulvinder Gill , the president and co-founder of Concerned Ontario Doctors , warned that the Canadian government ’ s new deal with China to produce a coronavirus vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Canada should instead fund vaccine trials with allied nations .
The letter says the use of coronavirus vaccine candidates “ derived from elective abortions ” such as “ PER.C6 and HEK 293 ” are ethically unacceptable .
“ Our ethical objections relate to the use of this abortion-derived lineage , both the destruction and the exploitation of unique human lives , ” says the letter .
“ The subsequent manufacture of vaccines using such ethically-tainted human cell lines demonstrates profound disrespect for the dignity of the human person.
” The 2008 document @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doctrine of the Faith condemned the use of aborted fetal tissue research .
The document says that for “ grave reasons ” such as “ danger to the health of children , ” parents are allowed to use a vaccine “ developed using cell lines of illicit origin.
” The document also says one must keep in mind that “ everyone has the duty to make known their disagreement and to ask that their healthcare system make other types of vaccines available.
” The letter lists examples of vaccines under development that do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which the signatories say are acceptable , such as one being developed by Dr. Wilfred Jefferies , a Vancouver immunologist at the University of British Columbia .
Recently , LifeSiteNews reported that Vancouver archbishop Michael Miller donated to Jefferies ’ s project after being assured that his vaccine research is free from the use of aborted fetal cells .
In closing , the letter refers to Dr. David Prentice of the Charlotte Lozier Institute , who lists coronavirus vaccines undergoing tests that are ethical and unethical .
McQueen said to LifeSiteNews that Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates .
“ Dr .
Prentice was very helpful in indicating which vaccines are ethical ( some do n't even use cell lines ) and which are not .
He also listed some that , at the minute , may or may not be ethical , but that will become clearer .
”

The letter urges the Trudeau government to fund 'alternative' vaccines that are not made using fetal cells harvested from aborted babies years ago.
ONTARIO, May 22, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A group of Canadian Catholic bishops, doctors, and scholars have sent a joint letter to the Canadian prime minister calling for his government to fund an ethical coronavirus vaccine not derived from fetal cells harvested from aborted babies decades ago
The letter, dated May 21, was sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and copied to the Canadian health minister, Patty Hajdu.
It includes the signatures of Winnipeg archbishop Richard Gagnon (president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops); Moira McQueen, executive director of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute; Helen McGee, president-elect of the National Association of Catholic Nurses of Canada; and Archbishop Sotirios, chairman of the Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops.
The letter urges the Trudeau government to fund “alternative” vaccines that are not made using fetal cells harvested from aborted babies years ago and to make ethically sourced vaccines available to Canadians.
The letter does not explicitly say one should not use the first coronavirus vaccine that is made available. However, it does recommend that an ethically sourced vaccine be offered to those who consciously object to a vaccine with a fetal cell line lineage.
PETITION: No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus! Sign the petition here.
“We endorse the earliest possible development of safe, effective anti-viral vaccines and the broadest uptake of vaccination. We urge your government to fund the development of vaccines that do not create an ethical dilemma for many Canadians,” says the letter.
“On one hand, the wide uptake of vaccines is essential to protect citizens from the transmission of disease. On the other, a vaccine produced using abortion- derived cell lines raises conscience concerns for anyone who might be offered that vaccine and is aware of its lineage. This dilemma will emerge if there are no alternatives to vaccines developed with the use of human fetal cell lines obtained from elective abortions.”
The letter includes signatures from various other Canadian Catholic bioethics groups, such as the Catholic Civil Rights League, Priests for Life Canada, and St. Michael’s University.
McQueen told LifeSiteNews that the letter came about because of conversations between her and Helen McGee regarding ethical vaccines.
McQueen said another factor in penning the correspondence was the April letter from the U.S. Catholic bishops and pro-life leaders. This letter asked the Trump administration to ensure that Americans will have access to coronavirus vaccines that are “free from any connection to abortion.”
“We decided to compose a letter for the PM, and contacted different people and organizations, most of whom signed on to our final version,” said McQueen to LifeSiteNews.
McQueen said the intent of the letter is to ask the Trudeau government to ensure that there is an alternative ethical vaccine made available for those who want it.
“The main point is to ensure that those of us who object to unethical vaccines, no matter which company or group is the manufacturer, will be able to receive morally acceptable ones. The research for those is also underway and has a good chance of success,” said McQueen to LifeSiteNews.
Last week, Canada’s National Research Council (NRC) announced a collaboration with the Chinese firm CanSino Biologics Inc. (CanSinoBIO) to test its trial coronavirus vaccine, known as Ad5-nCoV, in Canada.
LifeSiteNews reported that the vaccine candidate Ad5-nCoV uses the HEK293 cell line, which is made from fetal cells harvested from an aborted baby decades ago and is the property of the NRC.
Trudeau announced last Saturday that Health Canada approved the coronavirus vaccine Ad5-nCoV to be used in human clinical trials.
Earlier this week, Dr. Kulvinder Gill, the president and co-founder of Concerned Ontario Doctors, warned that the Canadian government’s new deal with China to produce a coronavirus vaccine is a “dangerous endeavour” and that Canada should instead fund vaccine trials with allied nations.
The letter says the use of coronavirus vaccine candidates “derived from elective abortions” such as “PER.C6 and HEK 293” are ethically unacceptable.
“Our ethical objections relate to the use of this abortion-derived lineage, both the destruction and the exploitation of unique human lives,” says the letter.
“The subsequent manufacture of vaccines using such ethically-tainted human cell lines demonstrates profound disrespect for the dignity of the human person.”
The 2008 document Dignitatis Personae from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith condemned the use of aborted fetal tissue research. The document says that for “grave reasons” such as “danger to the health of children,” parents are allowed to use a vaccine “developed using cell lines of illicit origin.” The document also says one must keep in mind that “everyone has the duty to make known their disagreement and to ask that their healthcare system make other types of vaccines available.”
The letter lists examples of vaccines under development that do not use aborted fetal cell lines, which the signatories say are acceptable, such as one being developed by Dr. Wilfred Jefferies, a Vancouver immunologist at the University of British Columbia.
Recently, LifeSiteNews reported that Vancouver archbishop Michael Miller donated to Jefferies’s project after being assured that his vaccine research is free from the use of aborted fetal cells.
In closing, the letter refers to Dr. David Prentice of the Charlotte Lozier Institute, who lists coronavirus vaccines undergoing tests that are ethical and unethical.
McQueen said to LifeSiteNews that Dr. Prentice was helpful in highlighting ethical vaccine candidates.
“Dr. Prentice was very helpful in indicating which vaccines are ethical (some don't even use cell lines) and which are not. He also listed some that, at the minute, may or may not be ethical, but that will become clearer.”
Share