lifesitenews--2020-04-23--Tech companies tout rise of ‘smart’ AI gatekeepers to scan faces, body temps for COVID-19

April 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – As nations debate when and how to lift the restrictions on public activity imposed to halt the spread of COVID-19 , a Taiwanese company has proposed a technological solution to distinguishing the healthy from the infectious , though it is likely to raise privacy concerns .
The Taiwan-based ioNetworks is partnering with the technology company DFI to develop a “ smart thermal control ” system that would scan people at the entrances of public places such as airports for body temperature and facial recognition , which could easily identify people with fevers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to DFI ’ s press release .
DFI elaborates that the “ centralized smart thermal control system eliminates the current over-dependence on human labor in rerouting the traffic flow , guarding entrances , and screening the feverish … snapshots of the feverish can be instantly marked with temperature readings and stored in the database by the system , which in the meantime also alerts the staff to take actions.
” This “ means that no one has to be placed in front of the monitor to manually identify anyone with high body temperatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tediously fast forward through the CCTV footage to track down a possible breach.
” The company toutes the ability to quickly and accurately identify potential carriers as especially useful in “ major transportation facilities ” with a large number of people coming and going , often in a hurry .
“ The smart system does not solely assist the pandemic control as a short-term goal , but it aims to pave the way to a smart city in the long run , ” the press release promises .
PETITION : Pres .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines made from aborted baby cells Sign the petition here .
While such technology would undoubtedly be useful both for cutting off infections and giving the healthy peace of mind as they go about their lives , it is also likely to raise privacy concerns if implemented , particularly in light of the broad range of personal restrictions governments have already imposed on their citizens , and prominent figures such as Trump administration adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci entertaining proposals such as forcing Americans to carry “ certificates of immunity.
” As of April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an estimated 49,651 COVID-19 deaths out of 876,174 known cases , although mounting evidence suggests far more of the public has contracted and recovered from the virus than the official count indicates .
“ In New York City , an epicenter of the pandemic with more than one-third of all U.S. deaths , the rate of death for people 18 to 45 years old is 0.01 percent , or 11 per 100,000 in the population , ” wrote Dr. Scott Atlas , former chief of neuroradiology at Stanford University Medical Center .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 75 and over have a death rate 80 times that .
For people under 18 years old , the rate of death is zero per 100,000.
” He concludes that the “ appropriate policy , based on fundamental biology and the evidence already in hand , is to institute a more focused strategy like some outlined in the first place : Strictly protect the known vulnerable , self-isolate the mildly sick and open most workplaces and small businesses with some prudent large-group precautions .
This would allow the essential socializing to generate immunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequence , while saving lives , preventing overcrowding of hospitals and limiting the enormous harms compounded by continued total isolation.
” Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

April 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – As nations debate when and how to lift the restrictions on public activity imposed to halt the spread of COVID-19, a Taiwanese company has proposed a technological solution to distinguishing the healthy from the infectious, though it is likely to raise privacy concerns.
The Taiwan-based ioNetworks is partnering with the technology company DFI to develop a “smart thermal control” system that would scan people at the entrances of public places such as airports for body temperature and facial recognition, which could easily identify people with fevers, barring them from entry, according to DFI’s press release.
DFI elaborates that the “centralized smart thermal control system eliminates the current over-dependence on human labor in rerouting the traffic flow, guarding entrances, and screening the feverish … snapshots of the feverish can be instantly marked with temperature readings and stored in the database by the system, which in the meantime also alerts the staff to take actions.”
This “means that no one has to be placed in front of the monitor to manually identify anyone with high body temperatures, and no one will have to tediously fast forward through the CCTV footage to track down a possible breach.”
The company toutes the ability to quickly and accurately identify potential carriers as especially useful in “major transportation facilities” with a large number of people coming and going, often in a hurry.
“The smart system does not solely assist the pandemic control as a short-term goal, but it aims to pave the way to a smart city in the long run,” the press release promises.
PETITION: Pres. Trump don't give federal funds to COVID-19 vaccines made from aborted baby cells Sign the petition here.
While such technology would undoubtedly be useful both for cutting off infections and giving the healthy peace of mind as they go about their lives, it is also likely to raise privacy concerns if implemented, particularly in light of the broad range of personal restrictions governments have already imposed on their citizens, and prominent figures such as Trump administration adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci entertaining proposals such as forcing Americans to carry “certificates of immunity.”
As of April 23, the United States has seen an estimated 49,651 COVID-19 deaths out of 876,174 known cases, although mounting evidence suggests far more of the public has contracted and recovered from the virus than the official count indicates.
“In New York City, an epicenter of the pandemic with more than one-third of all U.S. deaths, the rate of death for people 18 to 45 years old is 0.01 percent, or 11 per 100,000 in the population,” wrote Dr. Scott Atlas, former chief of neuroradiology at Stanford University Medical Center. “On the other hand, people aged 75 and over have a death rate 80 times that. For people under 18 years old, the rate of death is zero per 100,000.”
He concludes that the “appropriate policy, based on fundamental biology and the evidence already in hand, is to institute a more focused strategy like some outlined in the first place: Strictly protect the known vulnerable, self-isolate the mildly sick and open most workplaces and small businesses with some prudent large-group precautions. This would allow the essential socializing to generate immunity among those with minimal risk of serious consequence, while saving lives, preventing overcrowding of hospitals and limiting the enormous harms compounded by continued total isolation.”
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-23--Watch Trump’s coronavirus daily briefing for April 23 here

WASHINGTON , D.C. , April 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – LifeSite has begun streaming President Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis .
Here we present his April 23 briefing .
Follow LifeSiteNews for future @ @ @ @ @ s live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers @ @ @ @

LifeSite has begun live-streaming President Trump's daily coronavirus briefings as leftists have suggested they should be censored.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – LifeSite has begun streaming President Donald Trump’s daily briefings about the coronavirus crisis. Here we present his April 23 briefing. Follow LifeSiteNews for future briefings.
Read LifeSite’s live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about here.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-23--New HBO series gives drag-queen makeovers to middle America towns

April 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Cross-dressing as a means of cultural outreach took another unusual turn this week with the launch of a new HBO series about drag queens traveling the United States to give drag makeovers in small towns .
“ We travel across this country to take people from who they are to what they can be , ” declares the trailer for We ’ re Here .
“ We ’ re actually taking some of the locals and turning them into fierce drag queens.
” The trailer starts off lighthearted , focusing on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a more serious tone , framing drag as a path to LGBT acceptance .
“ Love is love is love , ” one of the stars declares , adding that he sees his job as to “ get out there and educate.
” KCRW explained that the show stars Bob the Drag Queen , Shangela , and Eureka O ’ Hara , all of whom were previously featured on RuPaul ’ s Drag Race .
`` We 're familiar with the challenges that people are going to face .
We 're familiar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Shangela elaborates .
“ But we 're also products — and I think good products — of small towns .
But as long as you go in there with an open mind and some activism … we have found pockets of support that we would n't have expected.
” “ Racism and intolerance is just a part of the fabric of where we are , ” adds Darryl , the protege of Bob the Drag Queen .
“ If I 'm not willing to live in the shoes of somebody who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect someone to understand my experiences as a black man ?
If you see where black people had to come from , then we have that much farther to go for people who are gay or lesbian , for people who are trans.
” Ultimately , Shangela says , the show ’ s mission is to further mainstream drag — and , implicitly , gender fluidity — by bringing it to parts of the United States where it ’ s less common : “ If ‘ Duck Dynasty ’ is your mainstream , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there yet .
But that ’ s what this show , ‘ We ’ re Here , ’ is hoping to do.
” PETITION : Parents demand 'Sesame Street ' drop show with drag queen Sign the petition here .
Compassion for people ’ s differences is far from drag ’ s only message , however .
The nationwide Drag Queen Story Hour movement , in which drag queens read to children at public libraries , admits that its purpose is to indoctrinate children about “ intersectionality ” and “ learn ( ing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue gender binary.
” This erasure of objective gender distinctions has impacted various corners of society , from prisons to athletics , but is primarily controversial for the harm it can inflict on gender-confused people .
In 2017 , the University of Cambridge ’ s Stonewall report found that 96 percent of trans students in Scotland attempted self-harm through actions such as cutting themselves , and 40 percent attempted suicide .
Forty percent in the United States have attempted suicide , as well , according to a 2016 survey from the National Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to a 2011 study out of Sweden , trans people remain 19 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population , even after surgery to reconstruct their bodies .

'We're Here' boasts that 'we're actually taking some of the locals and turning them into fierce drag queens.'
April 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Cross-dressing as a means of cultural outreach took another unusual turn this week with the launch of a new HBO series about drag queens traveling the United States to give drag makeovers in small towns.
“We travel across this country to take people from who they are to what they can be,” declares the trailer for We’re Here. “We’re actually taking some of the locals and turning them into fierce drag queens.” The trailer starts off lighthearted, focusing on the flamboyance of drag, but soon takes on a more serious tone, framing drag as a path to LGBT acceptance.
“Love is love is love,” one of the stars declares, adding that he sees his job as to “get out there and educate.”
KCRW explained that the show stars Bob the Drag Queen, Shangela, and Eureka O’Hara, all of whom were previously featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
“We're familiar with the challenges that people are going to face. We're familiar with the hardships in a small town,” Shangela elaborates. “But we're also products — and I think good products — of small towns. But as long as you go in there with an open mind and some activism … we have found pockets of support that we wouldn't have expected.”
“Racism and intolerance is just a part of the fabric of where we are,” adds Darryl, the protege of Bob the Drag Queen. “If I'm not willing to live in the shoes of somebody who does drag, then how can I expect someone to understand my experiences as a black man? If you see where black people had to come from, then we have that much farther to go for people who are gay or lesbian, for people who are trans.”
Ultimately, Shangela says, the show’s mission is to further mainstream drag — and, implicitly, gender fluidity — by bringing it to parts of the United States where it’s less common: “If ‘Duck Dynasty’ is your mainstream, then we still haven’t gotten there yet. But that’s what this show, ‘We’re Here,’ is hoping to do.”
PETITION: Parents demand 'Sesame Street' drop show with drag queen Sign the petition here.
Compassion for people’s differences is far from drag’s only message, however. The nationwide Drag Queen Story Hour movement, in which drag queens read to children at public libraries, admits that its purpose is to indoctrinate children about “intersectionality” and “learn(ing) to see beyond the pink and blue gender binary.”
This erasure of objective gender distinctions has impacted various corners of society, from prisons to athletics, but is primarily controversial for the harm it can inflict on gender-confused people.
In 2017, the University of Cambridge’s Stonewall report found that 96 percent of trans students in Scotland attempted self-harm through actions such as cutting themselves, and 40 percent attempted suicide. Forty percent in the United States have attempted suicide, as well, according to a 2016 survey from the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE). According to a 2011 study out of Sweden, trans people remain 19 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population, even after surgery to reconstruct their bodies.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-23--On Earth Day, Pope Francis repeats belief that natural disasters are the planet’s revenge

PRAYER PLEDGE : Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus Sign the petition here .
VATICAN CITY , April 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― Pope Francis has insisted once again that natural disasters , like the Wuhan coronavirus , are the unforgiving earth ’ s revenge for sins against the environment .
The pontiff made his remarks as part of yesterday ’ s weekly general audience , one dedicated to celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day .
Because of the current lockdown in Vatican City , the papal speech was broadcast from inside his library @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ sinned against the earth , against our neighbors and ultimately against the Creator.
” “ There is a Spanish saying that is very clear about this , ” he said .
“ It goes : ‘ God always forgives ; we humans sometimes forgive , and sometimes not ; the earth never forgives ’ .
The earth does not forgive : if we have despoiled the earth , its response will be very ugly.
” This was an echo of previous statements about the cause of the Wuhan pandemic and the beliefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pontiff ’ s chief influences .
Using the Book of Genesis , his encyclical Laudato Si ’ , and his recent post-synodal exhortation Querida Amazonia as source material , Pope France stressed that humanity has failed in our responsibility to care for the earth .
He also praised secular environmentalist groups for taking “ to the streets ” to raise awareness .
“ Because of our selfishness we have failed in our responsibility to be guardians and stewards of the earth .
‘ We need only take a frank look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is falling into serious disrepair , ’ ” the pontiff said , quoting Laudato Si ’ .
“ We have polluted it , we have despoiled it , endangering our very lives .
For this reason , various international and local movements have sprung up in order to appeal to our consciences .
I deeply appreciate these initiatives ; still it will be necessary for our children to take to the streets to teach us the obvious : we have no future if we destroy the very environment that sustains us.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of looking at our common home ” as something other than a “ storehouse of resources for us to exploit.
” He stated again that “ natural tragedies ” are caused by human mistreatment of the planet .
“ For us believers , the natural world is the ‘ Gospel of Creation ’ : it expresses God ’ s creative power in fashioning human life and bringing the world and all it contains into existence , in order to sustain humanity .
As the biblical account of creation concludes : “ God saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was very good ” ( Gen 1:31 ) , ” he said .
“ When we see these natural tragedies that are the earth ’ s response to our mistreatment , I think : ‘ If I ask the Lord now what he thinks about it , I do not believe he is saying it is a very good thing ’ , ” the pontiff continued .
“ It is we who have ruined the Lord ’ s work !
” In March , Pope Francis told a Spanish journalist that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nature “ throwing a fit ” in response to environmental pollution .
Earlier this month , he told his English biographer that natural disasters like fires and floods are nature ’ s response to human activity .
One of his theological advisors , Leonardo Boff , published an article in March saying that diseases were Gaia ’ s “ reprisal ” against human beings .
Pope Francis ’ approach contrasts slightly with the perennial doctrine of the Church that pestilence and other natural disasters are a corrective punishment from God , caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yesterday ’ s audience , the pontiff also touched on two other controversial themes of his reign : the sacralization of the planet and globalism .
Pope Francis stated that humanity is “ called to renew our sense of sacred respect ” for the planet , which he said was not only “ our home but also God ’ s home.
” The ground we stand on is “ holy ground.
” The pontiff then praised indigenous peoples for their “ gift of contemplation ” and , calling for one world plan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of approval to two meetings of the United Nations ’ governing body about the planet .
“ As a single and interdependent family , we require a common plan in order to avert the threats to our common home .
‘ Interdependence obliges us to think of one world with a common plan ’ , ” he said , again quoting his Laudato Si ’ .
“ We are aware of the importance of cooperation as an international community for the protection of our common home .
I urge those in positions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important international Conferences : COP15 on Biodiversity in Kunming , China , and COP26 on Climate Change in Glasgow , United Kingdom .
These two meetings are of great importance.
” The pontiff also pledged his support for national and local environmental action , saying that it would be helpful if people at “ all levels of society ” would come together to create a popular movement “ from below.
” The speech was in keeping with Pope Francis ’ s keen interest in the environment which became globally known with the 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Critics of the pontiff ’ s approach to the theology of creation have subsequently objected to actions and rhetoric that divinize the planet , suggesting that the earth is conscious or even supernatural .
The introduction of the Andean figure of the Earth Mother , or “ Pachamama , ” to ostensibly Christian worship during the 2019 Synod of Bishops for the Amazonian Region shocked many faithful Catholics and led to a purging of several wooden copies of the image from a Roman church by Austrian layman Alexander Tschugguel .
The working document @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Amazon came under heavy criticism for their departures from orthodoxy , and the resultant post-synodal exhortation Querida Amazonia has been questioned for its rosy view of indigenous pagan spirituality .

PRAYER PLEDGE: Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus Sign the petition here.
VATICAN CITY, April 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― Pope Francis has insisted once again that natural disasters, like the Wuhan coronavirus, are the unforgiving earth’s revenge for sins against the environment.
The pontiff made his remarks as part of yesterday’s weekly general audience, one dedicated to celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Because of the current lockdown in Vatican City, the papal speech was broadcast from inside his library.
Pope Francis declared that humanity has “sinned against the earth, against our neighbors and ultimately against the Creator.”
“There is a Spanish saying that is very clear about this,” he said.
“It goes: ‘God always forgives; we humans sometimes forgive, and sometimes not; the earth never forgives’. The earth does not forgive: if we have despoiled the earth, its response will be very ugly.”
This was an echo of previous statements about the cause of the Wuhan pandemic and the beliefs of eco-theologian Leonardo Boff, one of the pontiff’s chief influences.
Using the Book of Genesis, his encyclical Laudato Si’, and his recent post-synodal exhortation Querida Amazonia as source material, Pope France stressed that humanity has failed in our responsibility to care for the earth. He also praised secular environmentalist groups for taking “to the streets” to raise awareness.
“Because of our selfishness we have failed in our responsibility to be guardians and stewards of the earth. ‘We need only take a frank look at the facts to see that our common home is falling into serious disrepair,’” the pontiff said, quoting Laudato Si’.
“We have polluted it, we have despoiled it, endangering our very lives. For this reason, various international and local movements have sprung up in order to appeal to our consciences. I deeply appreciate these initiatives; still it will be necessary for our children to take to the streets to teach us the obvious: we have no future if we destroy the very environment that sustains us.”
The pontiff called for a “new way of looking at our common home” as something other than a “storehouse of resources for us to exploit.” He stated again that “natural tragedies” are caused by human mistreatment of the planet.
“For us believers, the natural world is the ‘Gospel of Creation’: it expresses God’s creative power in fashioning human life and bringing the world and all it contains into existence, in order to sustain humanity. As the biblical account of creation concludes: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Gen 1:31),” he said.
“When we see these natural tragedies that are the earth’s response to our mistreatment, I think: ‘If I ask the Lord now what he thinks about it, I do not believe he is saying it is a very good thing’,” the pontiff continued.
“It is we who have ruined the Lord’s work!”
In March, Pope Francis told a Spanish journalist that he believed the coronavirus pandemic was the result of nature “throwing a fit” in response to environmental pollution. Earlier this month, he told his English biographer that natural disasters like fires and floods are nature’s response to human activity. One of his theological advisors, Leonardo Boff, published an article in March saying that diseases were Gaia’s “reprisal” against human beings.
Pope Francis’ approach contrasts slightly with the perennial doctrine of the Church that pestilence and other natural disasters are a corrective punishment from God, caused by original and individual sin.
During yesterday’s audience, the pontiff also touched on two other controversial themes of his reign: the sacralization of the planet and globalism.
Pope Francis stated that humanity is “called to renew our sense of sacred respect” for the planet, which he said was not only “our home but also God’s home.” The ground we stand on is “holy ground.”
The pontiff then praised indigenous peoples for their “gift of contemplation” and, calling for one world plan to confront ecological damage, gave his stamp of approval to two meetings of the United Nations’ governing body about the planet.
“As a single and interdependent family, we require a common plan in order to avert the threats to our common home. ‘Interdependence obliges us to think of one world with a common plan’,” he said, again quoting his Laudato Si’.
“We are aware of the importance of cooperation as an international community for the protection of our common home. I urge those in positions of leadership to guide the preparations for two important international Conferences: COP15 on Biodiversity in Kunming, China, and COP26 on Climate Change in Glasgow, United Kingdom. These two meetings are of great importance.”
The pontiff also pledged his support for national and local environmental action, saying that it would be helpful if people at “all levels of society” would come together to create a popular movement “from below.”
The speech was in keeping with Pope Francis’s keen interest in the environment which became globally known with the 2015 promulgation of his Laudato Si’. Critics of the pontiff’s approach to the theology of creation have subsequently objected to actions and rhetoric that divinize the planet, suggesting that the earth is conscious or even supernatural.
The introduction of the Andean figure of the Earth Mother, or “Pachamama,” to ostensibly Christian worship during the 2019 Synod of Bishops for the Amazonian Region shocked many faithful Catholics and led to a purging of several wooden copies of the image from a Roman church by Austrian layman Alexander Tschugguel. The working document and final report for the Synod on the Amazon came under heavy criticism for their departures from orthodoxy, and the resultant post-synodal exhortation Querida Amazonia has been questioned for its rosy view of indigenous pagan spirituality.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-23--Overcome spiritual starvation with knowledge of God

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

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate: https://give.lifesitenews.com/sustainlife?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=desc&utm_campaign=mml
Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 4.23.2020. Mother continues reading from the book Theology Explained. Today's episode focuses on overcoming spiritual starvation by drawing close to God.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-04-23--Ashley Judd backs NARAL campaign attacking GOP for ‘putting lives at risk’

April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The pro-abortion lobbying group NARAL has announced a new advertising campaign , supported by left-wing actress Ashley Judd , that accuses pro-life Americans of hypocrisy for opposing some of the lockdown measures states have taken in response to COVID-19 .
“ By asking people to work before it ’ s safe or denying them essential health care , anti-choice officials made it clear they don ’ t value human life , ” NARAL claims in a series of statements highlighted by Breitbart .
The videos target U.S. Attorney General William Barr , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , state GOP leaders including Texas Lt. Gov .
Dan Patrick and Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos , and others .
Judd lent her voice for the campaign , claiming that it proves those opposed to aborting innocent babies have “ never been about valuing human life ” : However , the campaign ’ s premise that lifting the lockdowns , which have dealt heavy strain to both the economy and the health system , would endanger public health is very much in dispute .
On Wednesday , BlazeTV host Steve Deace noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding a statewide election as scheduled , did not see a predicted explosion in COVID-19 deaths .
PETITION : Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here .
Further , pro-life medical experts fault groups like NARAL for demanding the abortion industry reeceive a special exemption from the suspensions currently being asked of every legitimate medical field .
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists ( AAPLOG ) noted that , in addition to being non-essential , abortion “ generates more patients to be seen in already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion , ” AAPLOG noted .
“ Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room , most commonly for hemorrhage .
Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage .
Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.
” Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .

April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The pro-abortion lobbying group NARAL has announced a new advertising campaign, supported by left-wing actress Ashley Judd, that accuses pro-life Americans of hypocrisy for opposing some of the lockdown measures states have taken in response to COVID-19.
“By asking people to work before it’s safe or denying them essential health care, anti-choice officials made it clear they don’t value human life,” NARAL claims in a series of statements highlighted by Breitbart. The videos target U.S. Attorney General William Barr, various Republican attorneys general across the country, state GOP leaders including Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, and others.
Judd lent her voice for the campaign, claiming that it proves those opposed to aborting innocent babies have “never been about valuing human life”:
We’ve always known that for anti-choice politicians, it’s never been about valuing human life. It’s about control. (1/2) — ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) April 21, 2020
If they valued people’s lives, they wouldn’t be denying constituents essential healthcare or telling them to put themselves in unsafe situations during a pandemic. The NARAL Foundation is calling out their hypocrisy. https://t.co/PMhtIYW9g0 (2/2) — ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) April 21, 2020
However, the campaign’s premise that lifting the lockdowns, which have dealt heavy strain to both the economy and the health system, would endanger public health is very much in dispute. On Wednesday, BlazeTV host Steve Deace noted that Wisconsin, which NARAL faults for holding a statewide election as scheduled, did not see a predicted explosion in COVID-19 deaths.
PETITION: Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here.
Further, pro-life medical experts fault groups like NARAL for demanding the abortion industry reeceive a special exemption from the suspensions currently being asked of every legitimate medical field. The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) noted that, in addition to being non-essential, abortion “generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms.”
“Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion,” AAPLOG noted. “Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room, most commonly for hemorrhage. Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage. Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.”
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-23--NY state first issues, then rescinds do-not-resuscitate order amid COVID-19

ALBANY , New York , April 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , on April 17 the state of New York issued a do-not-resuscitate guideline for any patient found in cardiac arrest – telling paramedics not to try to revive people if there was no beating heart .
However , within hours of the New York Post first reporting on the drastic measure on April 21 , Howard A. Zucker , the Commissioner of Health for New York State , announced that the do-not-resuscitate ( DNR ) guideline would be rescinded .
Thus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still work on patients for 20 minutes by providing CPR .
Marie T. Hilliard , co-chair of the Catholic Medical Association ’ s ethics committee , told LifeSiteNews that the proposal , “ in ethical terms , is a utilitarian approach where the individual patient no longer is the focus.
” “ Not only is patient trust eroded , but also societal trust in the healing professions is lost , ” continued Hilliard , a registered nurse , trained canon lawyer , and expert in education .
“ If there is a shortage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which currently has been deemed not to be the case in the United States ) , there are moral triage parameters in which each patient is assessed to determine if their organ capacity will allow the patient to benefit from the limited medical resource , ” she said .
“ Such decisions , ” Hilliard explained to LifeSiteNews , “ should not be made based solely on a presumption of non-survival or even the potential for a positive COVID-19 diagnosis , or as some policies propose , based on age or disability .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ proportionate benefit to the patient in each specific case .
The patient-specific clinical information is not available in the field for the emergency responders to make such a decision.
” The do-not-resuscitate guideline had been proposed by physician leaders of the Emergency Medical Services ( EMS ) Regional Medical Control Systems and the State Advisory Council – in accordance with American Heart Association guidance .
It was based on standards recommended by the American College of Emergency Physicians and adopted in multiple other states , the New York Department of Health explained in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued April 17 , 2020 at the recommendation of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services , and reflected nationally recognized minimum standards.
” “ However , they don ’ t reflect New York ’ s standards and for that reason DOH Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker has ordered them to be rescinded , ” the statement explained .
Hilliard said that do-not-resuscitate orders , or those that discontinue resuscitation , “ can be a moral option if they are based on informed consent of the patient or their surrogate decision maker , or if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be people “ in hospice programs ” who “ do not want to extend the natural dying process when their heart stops from a terminal disease , ” the ethicist pointed out .
However , “ the reported and now rescinded Emergency Medical Services policy takes that decision away from the patient.
” According to the New York Department of Health , the do-not-resuscitate guideline was “ necessary during the COVID-19 response to protect the health and safety of EMS providers by limiting their exposure , conserve resources , and ensure optimal use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lives.
” Hilliard countered that “ not to continue those measures until the hospital assumes care and the ability of the patient to survive can be assessed , violates the provider-patient trust codified in all health professional practice acts.
” When the New York Post first reported on the DNR order , the Department of Health had insisted the new guideline had been in use “ in many areas of the US as well as other locations throughout the world.
” “ These changes are based on standards widely agreed upon by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control Systems across [ the state of New York ] and the Medical Standards Committee of the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council , ” the New York Post was told .
Like Hilliard , paramedics and other emergency workers were not happy with state authorities .
“ They ’ re not giving people a second chance to live anymore , ’ ’ said Oren Barzilay , head of the city union whose members include uniformed EMTs and paramedics .
“ Our job is to bring patients back to life .
This guideline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported by the New York Post , the New York City Fire Department “ swiftly issued a letter Friday , … telling city emergency services workers that ‘ the NYC 911 system will continue to maintain a higher level of care , ’ meaning attempted revivals at scenes would continue.
” “ Emergency responders are trained and skilled at resuscitation , ” echoed Hilliard , the co-chair of the Catholic Medical Association ’ s ethics committee .
“ They want to save lives.
” Hilliard characterized the do-not-resuscitate guideline as “ demoralizing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consent and treatment futility are to be determined when more clinical data is available , ” she added .
“ Clearly , we stand in [ awe ] of our health care providers responding to a call to save a life when their own may be put at risk .
There , too , case specific hazards must be assessed and protection provided for responders .
But a general policy that abandons a patient who is contagious is not the answer.
” Prior to the controversy about the do-not-resuscitate guideline , cardiac arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals in New York City , due to the coronavirus pandemic and its effect on hospitals in the Big Apple .

'Not only is patient trust eroded, but also societal trust in the healing professions is lost.'
ALBANY, New York, April 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, on April 17 the state of New York issued a do-not-resuscitate guideline for any patient found in cardiac arrest – telling paramedics not to try to revive people if there was no beating heart.
However, within hours of the New York Post first reporting on the drastic measure on April 21, Howard A. Zucker, the Commissioner of Health for New York State, announced that the do-not-resuscitate (DNR) guideline would be rescinded. Thus, at a minimum, first responders will still work on patients for 20 minutes by providing CPR.
Marie T. Hilliard, co-chair of the Catholic Medical Association’s ethics committee, told LifeSiteNews that the proposal, “in ethical terms, is a utilitarian approach where the individual patient no longer is the focus.”
“Not only is patient trust eroded, but also societal trust in the healing professions is lost,” continued Hilliard, a registered nurse, trained canon lawyer, and expert in education.
“If there is a shortage of equipment, such as ventilators (which currently has been deemed not to be the case in the United States), there are moral triage parameters in which each patient is assessed to determine if their organ capacity will allow the patient to benefit from the limited medical resource,” she said.
“Such decisions,” Hilliard explained to LifeSiteNews, “should not be made based solely on a presumption of non-survival or even the potential for a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, or as some policies propose, based on age or disability. These are patient-specific decisions, addressing the proportionate benefit to the patient in each specific case. The patient-specific clinical information is not available in the field for the emergency responders to make such a decision.”
The do-not-resuscitate guideline had been proposed by physician leaders of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Regional Medical Control Systems and the State Advisory Council – in accordance with American Heart Association guidance. It was based on standards recommended by the American College of Emergency Physicians and adopted in multiple other states, the New York Department of Health explained in a statement.
The guideline was “issued April 17, 2020 at the recommendation of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, and reflected nationally recognized minimum standards.”
“However, they don’t reflect New York’s standards and for that reason DOH Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker has ordered them to be rescinded,” the statement explained.
Hilliard said that do-not-resuscitate orders, or those that discontinue resuscitation, “can be a moral option if they are based on informed consent of the patient or their surrogate decision maker, or if efforts become futile.”
One example would be people “in hospice programs” who “do not want to extend the natural dying process when their heart stops from a terminal disease,” the ethicist pointed out. However, “the reported and now rescinded Emergency Medical Services policy takes that decision away from the patient.”
According to the New York Department of Health, the do-not-resuscitate guideline was “necessary during the COVID-19 response to protect the health and safety of EMS providers by limiting their exposure, conserve resources, and ensure optimal use of equipment to save the greatest number of lives.”
Hilliard countered that “not to continue those measures until the hospital assumes care and the ability of the patient to survive can be assessed, violates the provider-patient trust codified in all health professional practice acts.”
When the New York Post first reported on the DNR order, the Department of Health had insisted the new guideline had been in use “in many areas of the US as well as other locations throughout the world.”
“These changes are based on standards widely agreed upon by the physician leaders of EMS Regional Medical Control Systems across [the state of New York] and the Medical Standards Committee of the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council,” the New York Post was told.
Like Hilliard, paramedics and other emergency workers were not happy with state authorities.
“They’re not giving people a second chance to live anymore,’’ said Oren Barzilay, head of the city union whose members include uniformed EMTs and paramedics. “Our job is to bring patients back to life. This guideline takes that away from us.”
As reported by the New York Post, the New York City Fire Department “swiftly issued a letter Friday, … telling city emergency services workers that ‘the NYC 911 system will continue to maintain a higher level of care,’ meaning attempted revivals at scenes would continue.”
“Emergency responders are trained and skilled at resuscitation,” echoed Hilliard, the co-chair of the Catholic Medical Association’s ethics committee. “They want to save lives.”
Hilliard characterized the do-not-resuscitate guideline as “demoralizing to these heroes.”
“Determination of patient consent and treatment futility are to be determined when more clinical data is available,” she added. “Clearly, we stand in [awe] of our health care providers responding to a call to save a life when their own may be put at risk. There, too, case specific hazards must be assessed and protection provided for responders. But a general policy that abandons a patient who is contagious is not the answer.”
Prior to the controversy about the do-not-resuscitate guideline, cardiac arrest victims were already no longer taken to hospitals in New York City, due to the coronavirus pandemic and its effect on hospitals in the Big Apple.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-23--UK Chief Medical Officer says strict lockdown will last till after Christmas

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world : Feed your flock Sign the petition here .
WARRINGTON , England , April 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― A Catholic priest in England has asked the faithful to request the freedom to return to Mass after a U.K. Chief Medical Officer stated that the current lockdown won ’ t be over by Christmas .
Professor Chris Whitty has stated that Britain must stay under lockdown until a coronavirus vaccine or cure is developed .
British newspapers are reporting that “ senior government officials ” have warned that the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest remarks from the government about an indefinite extension of the isolation make clear to us that we are dealing with something bigger than we thought at first , ” declared Fr .
Henry Whisenant during this morning ’ s live-streamed Mass at St. Mary ’ s Shine in Warrington , England .
“ Surely there comes a time when we need to start to write to people , whether it 's the bishops or the government , to briefly , charitably , and clearly request that a way must be found to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The homilist noted that a short video by Catholic families and individuals asking for the return of public Masses is already circulating in Britain .
Earlier in his homily Fr .
Whisenant reflected on the story of St. George and the Dragon , and suggested that British Catholics may have encountered a metaphorical dragon during the pandemic .
“ We were told for a short time that we must close our churches , and so with a heavy heart we have done that .
Meanwhile , week by week we have waited eagerly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ Now , as of yesterday , the government ’ s Chief Medical Officer has claimed that we could be affected by severe social distancing measures even into next year , into 2021 , ” he continued .
“ The question is , at what point do we admit that maybe there is a dragon here ?
” Fr .
Whisenant was swift to say it would be unfair to cast the government in the role of a dragon .
He means that there is an “ alarming policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a notion that society can be shut down , and the people of God deprived indefinitely of their faith for the sake of speculations which are not even verified and which are hotly contested among scientists and immunologists.
” The homilist pointed out that Britons are allowed to go into the supermarket , “ rub shoulders with people ” and touch items other people have touched , so “ how is it not possible to set up two meter social distancing measures here in the church ?
” Whisenant observed that , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in St. Mary ’ s Shrine at once .
There they could “ at least be comforted by the presence of the Blessed Sacrament , ” he observed .
Reflecting on the government ’ s instructions to “ Stay at home , protect the NHS , save lives , ” Fr .
Whisenant questioned the sacrifice of all other institutions for the National Health Service .
“ Jobs and livelihoods are being lost every day , ” he stated , “ and even as we mourn many who have died of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are told that others , perhaps many thousands , will die at home through suicide , depression , abuse , and neglect―and all this for the sake of one institution.
” “ Why is this ?
” he asked .
“ Was the NHS created for man , or man for the NHS ?
” Whisenant suggested that there is a “ very real danger ” of making an idol out of the NHS , a sad irony as England ’ s patron St. George , whose feast Catholics celebrate today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dioclesian persecution because he would not worship an idol .
The homilist recalled British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s Easter Sunday address , in which Johnson did not acknowledge the Christian significance of the day .
Instead the Prime Minister talked about forming a “ human shield ” around the NHS and called the health system “ the beating heart of the country.
” Whisenant ended his homily by reflecting on the healing of St. George , during his battle with the dragon , by the fruit of the orange grove in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How can we go on and on without the sacraments , the fruit of Christ ’ s passion ?
” he asked .
Whisenant cited St. Thomas Aquinas ’ teaching that the sacraments are necessary for our salvation because they are “ the medicine of our soul.
” He again encouraged viewers to write for the freedom to receive the sacraments again .
If St. George had not chosen to eat the fruit and continue his battle against the dragon to save the maiden , his story would have ended very differently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , charitably , and clearly ” request the reopening of the churches , British Catholics should contact their MPs , who can be found through this special search engine , and their bishops .
The contact details for the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales can be found through this search engine .
The contact details for the Catholic Bishops of Scotland can be found here .
The Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland belong to the Irish Catholic Bishops ’ Conference , and their contact details are here .

British newspapers are reporting that 'senior government officials have warned that the lockdown could last 18 months.
Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock Sign the petition here.
WARRINGTON, England, April 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― A Catholic priest in England has asked the faithful to request the freedom to return to Mass after a U.K. Chief Medical Officer stated that the current lockdown won’t be over by Christmas.
Professor Chris Whitty has stated that Britain must stay under lockdown until a coronavirus vaccine or cure is developed. British newspapers are reporting that “senior government officials” have warned that the lockdown could last 18 months.
“These latest remarks from the government about an indefinite extension of the isolation make clear to us that we are dealing with something bigger than we thought at first,” declared Fr. Henry Whisenant during this morning’s live-streamed Mass at St. Mary’s Shine in Warrington, England.
“Surely there comes a time when we need to start to write to people, whether it's the bishops or the government, to briefly, charitably, and clearly request that a way must be found to life the lockdown on the churches.”
The homilist noted that a short video by Catholic families and individuals asking for the return of public Masses is already circulating in Britain.
Earlier in his homily Fr. Whisenant reflected on the story of St. George and the Dragon, and suggested that British Catholics may have encountered a metaphorical dragon during the pandemic.
“We were told for a short time that we must close our churches, and so with a heavy heart we have done that. Meanwhile, week by week we have waited eagerly for news of the way out,” he said.
“Now, as of yesterday, the government’s Chief Medical Officer has claimed that we could be affected by severe social distancing measures even into next year, into 2021,” he continued.
“The question is, at what point do we admit that maybe there is a dragon here?”
Fr. Whisenant was swift to say it would be unfair to cast the government in the role of a dragon. He means that there is an “alarming policy, an alarming way of thinking, a notion that society can be shut down, and the people of God deprived indefinitely of their faith for the sake of speculations which are not even verified and which are hotly contested among scientists and immunologists.”
The homilist pointed out that Britons are allowed to go into the supermarket, “rub shoulders with people” and touch items other people have touched, so “how is it not possible to set up two meter social distancing measures here in the church?” Whisenant observed that, with these precautions, 50 people could fit in St. Mary’s Shrine at once. There they could “at least be comforted by the presence of the Blessed Sacrament,” he observed.
Reflecting on the government’s instructions to “Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives,” Fr. Whisenant questioned the sacrifice of all other institutions for the National Health Service.
“Jobs and livelihoods are being lost every day,” he stated, “and even as we mourn many who have died of the virus, and we pray for their souls, we are told that others, perhaps many thousands, will die at home through suicide, depression, abuse, and neglect―and all this for the sake of one institution.”
“Why is this?” he asked. “Was the NHS created for man, or man for the NHS?”
Whisenant suggested that there is a “very real danger” of making an idol out of the NHS, a sad irony as England’s patron St. George, whose feast Catholics celebrate today, died as a martyr during the Dioclesian persecution because he would not worship an idol. The homilist recalled British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Easter Sunday address, in which Johnson did not acknowledge the Christian significance of the day. Instead the Prime Minister talked about forming a “human shield” around the NHS and called the health system “the beating heart of the country.”
Whisenant ended his homily by reflecting on the healing of St. George, during his battle with the dragon, by the fruit of the orange grove in which he took temporary refuge.
“How can we go on and on without the sacraments, the fruit of Christ’s passion?” he asked.
Whisenant cited St. Thomas Aquinas’ teaching that the sacraments are necessary for our salvation because they are “the medicine of our soul.” He again encouraged viewers to write for the freedom to receive the sacraments again. If St. George had not chosen to eat the fruit and continue his battle against the dragon to save the maiden, his story would have ended very differently, the homilist concluded.
To “briefly, charitably, and clearly” request the reopening of the churches, British Catholics should contact their MPs, who can be found through this special search engine, and their bishops. The contact details for the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales can be found through this search engine. The contact details for the Catholic Bishops of Scotland can be found here. The Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland belong to the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and their contact details are here.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-23--Abortions resume in Texas following new COVID-19 executive order

PETITION : Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here .
AUSTIN , Texas , April 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Abortions in Texas are no longer banned as part of the Lone Star States ’ measures combating the coronavirus pandemic .
An executive order going into effect Wednesday allowed some elective surgeries , and the state later clarified that this applies to abortions .
Texas Governor Greg Abbott had not been clear on whether abortions would be possible again when he first issued the executive order on April 17 .
“ Ultimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for courts to make , ” Abbott said , according to the Texas Tribune .
He added that an allowance for abortion is “ not part of this order .
The way that the order is written is in terms of what doctors write about the type of treatment that is provided.
” As the Texas Tribune reported on Wednesday , abortion centers “ certified they met the requirements and have ‘ received acknowledgement ’ from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
” Several abortion mills were open on Wednesday , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fort Worth , Austin , and McAllen .
Founder and CEO Amy Hagstrom Miller stated the executive order “ allows providers to resume both medication and procedural abortions.
” Dyana Limon-Mercado , executive director of Planned Parenthood Texas Votes told the Texas Tribune that the “ past month has been an unthinkable nightmare for Texans who have been forced to travel out of state just to access essential health care , if they ’ re able to access care at all.
” Prior to the current executive order , abortion supporters and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over whether abortion could be banned at all , even during a pandemic .
A first lawsuit claimed the suspension of abortions was an unconstitutional infringement on the “ right ” to abortion , enforcement of which should be immediately blocked .
It also claimed the wording of the decree could be interpreted as prohibiting the use of abortion pills .
The lawsuit even suggested that killing children in abortion would actually be beneficial during a public health crisis because “ prenatal care and delivery involve much greater exhaustion of hospital health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General Ken Paxton responded by calling the abortion lobby “ unconscionable ” for putting their business above the health needs of the state .
Subsequently , several courts confirmed the abortion ban in Texas .
At the end of March , the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit temporarily stayed a federal judge ’ s injunction against the Governor ’ s order banning abortions .
Attorney General Paxton had filed for immediate appellate review after federal judge Lee Yeakel ruled that the abortion industry must be allowed to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The benefits of a limited potential reduction in the use of some personal protective equipment by abortion providers is outweighed by the harm of eliminating abortion access in the midst of a pandemic that increases the risks of continuing an unwanted pregnancy , as well as the risks of travelling to other states in search of time-sensitive medical care , ” Yeakel claimed .
In early April , Kyle Duncan and Jennifer Walker Elrod ruled that Texas ’ “ drastic ” executive action is warranted for public health reasons , irrespective of Roe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ When faced with a society-threatening epidemic , a state may implement emergency measures that curtail constitutional rights so long as the measures have at least some ‘ real or substantial relation ’ to the public health crisis and are not ‘ beyond all question , a plain , palpable invasion of rights secured by the fundamental law , ’ ” the judges wrote .
Just this week , Texas Right to Life reported that “ the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has once again rebuked a lower federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ban on elective medical procedures against chemical abortions as the COVID-19 pandemic continues .
This ruling effectively prohibits 98.5 % of elective abortions in Texas until further notice in an effort to conserve personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and hospital capacity to respond to the coronavirus .
”

Several abortion facilities were already open again on Wednesday.
PETITION: Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here.
AUSTIN, Texas, April 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Abortions in Texas are no longer banned as part of the Lone Star States’ measures combating the coronavirus pandemic. An executive order going into effect Wednesday allowed some elective surgeries, and the state later clarified that this applies to abortions.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott had not been clear on whether abortions would be possible again when he first issued the executive order on April 17.
“Ultimately, obviously that will be a decision for courts to make,” Abbott said, according to the Texas Tribune. He added that an allowance for abortion is “not part of this order. The way that the order is written is in terms of what doctors write about the type of treatment that is provided.”
As the Texas Tribune reported on Wednesday, abortion centers “certified they met the requirements and have ‘received acknowledgement’ from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.”
Several abortion mills were open on Wednesday, including Whole Woman’s Health facilities in Fort Worth, Austin, and McAllen. Founder and CEO Amy Hagstrom Miller stated the executive order “allows providers to resume both medication and procedural abortions.”
Dyana Limon-Mercado, executive director of Planned Parenthood Texas Votes told the Texas Tribune that the “past month has been an unthinkable nightmare for Texans who have been forced to travel out of state just to access essential health care, if they’re able to access care at all.”
Prior to the current executive order, abortion supporters and the state of Texas had argued in court over whether abortion could be banned at all, even during a pandemic.
A first lawsuit claimed the suspension of abortions was an unconstitutional infringement on the “right” to abortion, enforcement of which should be immediately blocked. It also claimed the wording of the decree could be interpreted as prohibiting the use of abortion pills.
The lawsuit even suggested that killing children in abortion would actually be beneficial during a public health crisis because “prenatal care and delivery involve much greater exhaustion of hospital health care services and PPE than abortions.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton responded by calling the abortion lobby “unconscionable” for putting their business above the health needs of the state.
Subsequently, several courts confirmed the abortion ban in Texas.
At the end of March, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit temporarily stayed a federal judge’s injunction against the Governor’s order banning abortions.
Attorney General Paxton had filed for immediate appellate review after federal judge Lee Yeakel ruled that the abortion industry must be allowed to continue business as usual in Texas.
“The benefits of a limited potential reduction in the use of some personal protective equipment by abortion providers is outweighed by the harm of eliminating abortion access in the midst of a pandemic that increases the risks of continuing an unwanted pregnancy, as well as the risks of travelling to other states in search of time-sensitive medical care,” Yeakel claimed.
In early April, Kyle Duncan and Jennifer Walker Elrod ruled that Texas’ “drastic” executive action is warranted for public health reasons, irrespective of Roe v. Wade’s legal merits.
“When faced with a society-threatening epidemic, a state may implement emergency measures that curtail constitutional rights so long as the measures have at least some ‘real or substantial relation’ to the public health crisis and are not ‘beyond all question, a plain, palpable invasion of rights secured by the fundamental law,’” the judges wrote.
Just this week, Texas Right to Life reported that “the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has once again rebuked a lower federal district court, allowing Texas to enforce a ban on elective medical procedures against chemical abortions as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. This ruling effectively prohibits 98.5% of elective abortions in Texas until further notice in an effort to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) and hospital capacity to respond to the coronavirus.”
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lifesitenews--2020-04-23--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

April 23 , 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--2020-04-23--UK judge orders disabled woman be fitted with contraceptive device against her will

UNITED KINGDOM , April 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A judge in England has ruled that a woman reported to have learning disabilities will be fitted with a contraceptive device against her will .
Representatives of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust told Justice Gwynneth Knowles that the woman – who is in her late twenties and is currently pregnant – has already given birth multiple times and has had those children removed from her custody .
They also explained that she suffers from medical conditions and suggested that future pregnancies could put her health at risk .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's my life , ” the woman told the judge , according to several sources , including The Mirror , Metro , and BBC .
“ I should have the choice on what I want , ” she added .
“ Where is the outrage over this ?
” wondered Twitter user Tami Hollingsworth .
“ If you can do this to a woman , why ca n't you do this to a rapist ?
” The unnamed woman had said she would consent to quarterly contraceptive injections but did not want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , doctors told the court they feared she would fail to show up for her appointments every three months , thereby putting her at risk for pregnancy .
As a Court of Protection jurist , Justice Knowles is tasked with reviewing cases concerning people who may lack the capacity to make decisions for themselves .
The BBC reported that in her written ruling , Knowles decided that inserting a contraceptive device was in the woman 's best interest , and decided it should be fitted during her planned Caesarean section operation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lockdown restrictions .
Forced abortion is on the rise in the U.K .
In October 2019 , a judge ordered a disabled woman be forced to have an abortion and doctors could restrain her while committing it .
“ This is an outrage which should shock every right-thinking person , ” John Deighan , Deputy Chief Executive of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children , said at the time .
“ It is a level of cruelty and barbarity reminiscent of how people with mental health issues were treated in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force abortion on any person is abhorrent and to do so in the name of medicine calls into question the structures of law and justice in our society.
” In February 2020 , a judge ordered another forced abortion on a vulnerable woman who had been raped by her carer .
Also in 2019 , another disabled woman narrowly escaped a forced abortion after massive public outcry .

'It's my body and it's my life,' the woman told the judge.
UNITED KINGDOM, April 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A judge in England has ruled that a woman reported to have learning disabilities will be fitted with a contraceptive device against her will.
Representatives of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust told Justice Gwynneth Knowles that the woman – who is in her late twenties and is currently pregnant – has already given birth multiple times and has had those children removed from her custody.
They also explained that she suffers from medical conditions and suggested that future pregnancies could put her health at risk.
“It's my body and it's my life,” the woman told the judge, according to several sources, including The Mirror, Metro, and BBC.
“I should have the choice on what I want,” she added.
“Where is the outrage over this?” wondered Twitter user Tami Hollingsworth. “If you can do this to a woman, why can't you do this to a rapist?”
Where is the outrage over this? If you can do this to a woman, why can't you do this to a rapist? @Alyssa_Milano
LOOK AT THIS!!!!!!
Judge rules woman must have contraceptive device https://t.co/Ys72rU3Gym — Tami Hollingsworth (@Tammarie123) April 22, 2020
The unnamed woman had said she would consent to quarterly contraceptive injections but did not want to be fitted with the proposed device. However, doctors told the court they feared she would fail to show up for her appointments every three months, thereby putting her at risk for pregnancy.
As a Court of Protection jurist, Justice Knowles is tasked with reviewing cases concerning people who may lack the capacity to make decisions for themselves.
The BBC reported that in her written ruling, Knowles decided that inserting a contraceptive device was in the woman's best interest, and decided it should be fitted during her planned Caesarean section operation.
The hearing was held via Skype due to lockdown restrictions.
Forced abortion is on the rise in the U.K. In October 2019, a judge ordered a disabled woman be forced to have an abortion and doctors could restrain her while committing it.
“This is an outrage which should shock every right-thinking person,” John Deighan, Deputy Chief Executive of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, said at the time. “It is a level of cruelty and barbarity reminiscent of how people with mental health issues were treated in the 1930s of Nazi Germany. To force abortion on any person is abhorrent and to do so in the name of medicine calls into question the structures of law and justice in our society.”
In February 2020, a judge ordered another forced abortion on a vulnerable woman who had been raped by her carer.
Also in 2019, another disabled woman narrowly escaped a forced abortion after massive public outcry.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-23--Abortions in Arkansas to stay banned amid COVID-19, appeals court rules

PETITION : Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here .
LITTLE ROCK , Arkansas , April 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has allowed the state of Arkansas to ban abortions amid the coronavirus pandemic , thus overturning a prior ruling by a federal judge .
United States Circuit Judge Bobby E. Shepherd , a nominee of President George W. Bush , concluded the directive of the Arkansas Department of Health banning abortions “ bears a real and substantial relation to the State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
” At the same time , Shepherd pointed out that the directive “ does not operate as an outright ban on all or virtually all pre-viability abortions .
First , the directive does not apply to medication abortions , which are available in Arkansas up to 10 weeks.
” “ Moreover , ” the judge continued , “ contrary to the district court ’ s finding , the directive does not operate as an outright ban on pre-viability abortions for women who are past 10 weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contraindicated.
” He also noted there was an exception to the abortion ban if “ there is a threat to the patient ’ s life if the procedure is not performed.
” Finally , the court pointed out that “ the total number of Arkansas residents infected with , and dying from , COVID-19 is growing daily ; PPE [ personal protective equipment ] continues to be used ; and state officials remain concerned with continued spread of the disease , supply shortages , and burdens on hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ the district court committed a serious error in failing to meaningfully apply the Jacobson framework , which resulted in a clear abuse of discretion.
” “ The consequence of this error , which effectively ‘ bestow [ ed ] on [ surgical ] abortion providers a blanket exemption from a generally-applicable emergency public health measure , ’ is magnified because of its ‘ effect on the [ S ] tate ’ s ongoing emergency efforts to slow COVID-19 , ’ ” he added .
“ Further , we think that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usurped the power of state authorities bypassing judgment on the wisdom and efficacy of … emergency measures ’ in the midst of a public health crisis.
” On April 14 , District Judge Kristine G. Baker , who was nominated by President Barack Obama during his first term , had prohibited the authorities from enforcing the state ’ s provisions “ against any providers of surgical abortions in Arkansas to bar all surgical abortions.
” On April 3 , the Arkansas Department of Health had issued a directive “ on Elective Surgeries.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visits that can be safely postponed shall be rescheduled to an appropriate future date , ” the directive stated .
Exceptions to this rule were essentially only “ a threat to the patient ’ s life , ” as well as “ a risk that the patient ’ s condition will rapidly deteriorate.
” A week later , on April 10 , Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge clarified that the April 3 directive included abortion centers .
“ All medically unnecessary surgeries and procedures , including abortions , must be postponed until after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violate the Department of Health ’ s directive will be met with decisive action , and my office will forcefully defend the State officials involved in keeping Arkansans safe , ” Rutledge said .
Not long after , on April 13 , the American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) announced it was taking “ emergency legal action … on behalf of Little Rock Family Planning Services and its patients to prevent the state from using the guise of the COVID-19 crisis to prevent people from obtaining abortion care.
” Within a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Eastern District of Arkansas had agreed with ACLU ’ s reasoning , arguing that the directive of the state Department of Health appears to “ unconstitutionally restrict pre-viability abortions and , therefore , [ is ] facially unconstitutional .
”

Prior judgment by District Court was 'serious error,' resulting 'in a clear abuse of discretion.'
PETITION: Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here.
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, April 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has allowed the state of Arkansas to ban abortions amid the coronavirus pandemic, thus overturning a prior ruling by a federal judge.
United States Circuit Judge Bobby E. Shepherd, a nominee of President George W. Bush, concluded the directive of the Arkansas Department of Health banning abortions “bears a real and substantial relation to the State’s interest in protecting public health in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
At the same time, Shepherd pointed out that the directive “does not operate as an outright ban on all or virtually all pre-viability abortions. First, the directive does not apply to medication abortions, which are available in Arkansas up to 10 weeks.”
“Moreover,” the judge continued, “contrary to the district court’s finding, the directive does not operate as an outright ban on pre-viability abortions for women who are past 10 weeks … or for whom medication abortion is contraindicated.”
He also noted there was an exception to the abortion ban if “there is a threat to the patient’s life if the procedure is not performed.”
Finally, the court pointed out that “the total number of Arkansas residents infected with, and dying from, COVID-19 is growing daily; PPE [personal protective equipment] continues to be used; and state officials remain concerned with continued spread of the disease, supply shortages, and burdens on hospitals and other healthcare facilities.”
Shepherd wrote that with the prior ruling, “the district court committed a serious error in failing to meaningfully apply the Jacobson framework, which resulted in a clear abuse of discretion.”
“The consequence of this error, which effectively ‘bestow[ed] on [surgical] abortion providers a blanket exemption from a generally-applicable emergency public health measure,’ is magnified because of its ‘effect on the [S]tate’s ongoing emergency efforts to slow COVID-19,’” he added.
“Further, we think that in so doing, the district court ‘usurped the power of state authorities bypassing judgment on the wisdom and efficacy of … emergency measures’ in the midst of a public health crisis.”
On April 14, District Judge Kristine G. Baker, who was nominated by President Barack Obama during his first term, had prohibited the authorities from enforcing the state’s provisions “against any providers of surgical abortions in Arkansas to bar all surgical abortions.”
On April 3, the Arkansas Department of Health had issued a directive “on Elective Surgeries.”
“Procedures, testing, and office visits that can be safely postponed shall be rescheduled to an appropriate future date,” the directive stated. Exceptions to this rule were essentially only “a threat to the patient’s life,” as well as “a risk that the patient’s condition will rapidly deteriorate.”
A week later, on April 10, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge clarified that the April 3 directive included abortion centers.
“All medically unnecessary surgeries and procedures, including abortions, must be postponed until after this crisis has ended. Those who violate the Department of Health’s directive will be met with decisive action, and my office will forcefully defend the State officials involved in keeping Arkansans safe,” Rutledge said.
Not long after, on April 13, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced it was taking “emergency legal action … on behalf of Little Rock Family Planning Services and its patients to prevent the state from using the guise of the COVID-19 crisis to prevent people from obtaining abortion care.”
Within a day, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas had agreed with ACLU’s reasoning, arguing that the directive of the state Department of Health appears to “unconstitutionally restrict pre-viability abortions and, therefore, [is] facially unconstitutional.”
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lifesitenews--2020-04-23--Why parents should baptize their newborn if a priest is forbidden to do it

April 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — We all hope and pray to God that the draconian policies of many dioceses during this time of coronavirus lockdown will soon give way to a more flexible , reasonable , and pastorally responsible approach .
It is understandable that larger public gatherings should be limited , but it is impossible to understand why safe-distance confessions , appointments for Holy Communion , anointing of the dying , and infant baptisms should be prohibited or subject to stringent regulations .
Catholics object to the lack of sacramental access not because of “ displaced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bourgeois entitlement , ” to borrow words from a recent author , but because Christ our God has given us these sacraments for our spiritual journey , especially at the more crucial moments of it , and He has willed that our salvation hinge on these graced means of contact with His divine humanity .
Desire for the sacraments is spiritually efficacious , but it is precisely a desire to receive them as they are and as soon as may be ; and the Church ’ s hierarchy , for its part , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desire as soon as may be .
I would go so far as to say the pastors of the Church should bend over backwards to figure out how to bring the sacraments to the faithful in situations of crisis and emergency , when spiritual battles will tend to be worse , not easier .
Here , I will not argue any further for such obvious points , which others have already covered .
I simply wish to point out that parents of any newborn , if they can not obtain the ministrations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( a few weeks maximum ) , should go ahead and baptize their children .
As the Church teaches , baptism is the most necessary of all the sacraments ; indeed , in a certain sense , we can say it is the only absolutely necessary sacrament .
It removes the stain of original sin from the soul , removes the child from the dominion of the prince of darkness , and makes him a member of the Mystical Body of Christ .
“ Amen , amen I say to thee , unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Holy Ghost , he can not enter into the kingdom of God ” ( Jn .
3:5 ) .
On the basis of these truths , St. Thomas Aquinas spells out quite clearly why laymen may baptize : It is due to the mercy of Him “ Who will have all men to be saved ” ( 1 Tim 2:4 ) that in those things which are necessary for salvation , man can easily find the remedy .
Now the most necessary among all the sacraments is Baptism , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : since for children there is no substitute , while adults can not otherwise than by Baptism receive a full remission both of guilt and of its punishment .
Consequently , lest man should have to go without so necessary a remedy , it was ordained , both that the matter of Baptism should be something common that is easily obtainable by all , i.e.
, water ; and that the minister of Baptism should be anyone , even not in [ holy ] orders , lest from lack of being baptized , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Summa III , q .
67 , a .
3 ) Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger says : “ Nobody is born a Christian , not even in a Christian world and of Christian parents .
Being Christian can only ever happen as a new birth .
Being a Christian begins with baptism , which is death and resurrection ( Rom 6 ) , not with biological birth ” ( Truth and Tolerance , 87 ) .
The child of nature ’ s womb has to be re-formed in the Church ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is met and mended by the mercy of God .
In this way the baptized infant is already spiritually eating and drinking the reality of Christ , that is , are united to Him in the Mystical Body : “ By baptism a man is ordered to the Eucharist , and therefore from the fact of children being baptized , they are destined by the Church to the Eucharist ; and just as they believe through the Church ’ s faith , so they desire the Eucharist through the Church ’ s intention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive its reality ” ( Summa III , q .
68 , a .
9 ) .
Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world : Feed your flock Sign the petition here .
That a baby should be baptized as soon as possible after birth is not open to dispute , as this article lays out compellingly .
The current Code of Canon Law removes all doubt : It is certainly fitting that a priest or other hierarchical minister do a baptism .
St. Thomas Aquinas says this pertains to the nobility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conferred with an appropriate completeness of ceremony and with all due solemnity , particularly when the traditional Roman rite or the Byzantine rite is utilized .
Canon law reflects this fittingness , while also providing for extraordinary ministers of baptism : I find it fascinating that canon law says that pastors are supposed to teach all Christians how to baptize .
Is that something you have ever heard from the pulpit ?
I certainly haven ’ t .
Bishop Athanasius Schneider , in his magnificent book Christus Vincit : Christ ’ s Triumph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brooklyn : Angelico Press , 2019 ) , describes how his mother baptized him : There were no priests in Kyrgyzstan , and only very rarely would a priest come secretly .
My mother could not leave me without baptism—it was impossible for her .
So , one week after my birth , she baptized me herself because she knew her catechism well , and she knew that it was possible [ . ]
...
They were always repeating the basic contents of their good old German catechism and they had written down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baptize me , my mother took a prayer book , in which the baptismal formula was written , and water .
I was one week old , and my father was present .
She spoke the words as she poured the water over me , and when she finished , she looked up at my father and asked , “ Did I do this correctly ?
” And my father said , “ I don ’ t know.
” And then she said , “ Well , I have to repeat it.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Again , she poured the water over me , pronouncing the words , and then she felt reassured that it had been done properly .
I was baptized Antonius , after St. Anthony of Padua .
Six months later , a Jesuit priest , Fr .
Antonius Šeškevičius , came from Lithuania and told all the German mothers to bring the babies who had not been baptized by a priest because he wanted to make sure we were baptized .
My mother brought me to him and I was “ baptized ” for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no doubt about the validity of my baptism !
( pp .
11–12 ) A complete guide on how to do the baptism correctly and how to document it for Church records may be found here , courtesy of the Latin Mass Society of England & Wales .
Since there are those , like Bishop Schneider ’ s dear mother — or , more likely , a pastor or chancery official later on — who might be anxious about whether or not the baptism was done correctly , it seems prudent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if there were any doubt later , one could easily demonstrate that all had been done properly .
Once the quarantine has passed and a priest is available again , parents may request that he use the Rituale Romanum to supply ceremonies omitted in baptism .

Parents of any newborn, if they cannot obtain the ministrations of a priest within a reasonable time frame (a few weeks maximum), should go ahead and arrange for someone else to baptize their children.
April 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — We all hope and pray to God that the draconian policies of many dioceses during this time of coronavirus lockdown will soon give way to a more flexible, reasonable, and pastorally responsible approach. It is understandable that larger public gatherings should be limited, but it is impossible to understand why safe-distance confessions, appointments for Holy Communion, anointing of the dying, and infant baptisms should be prohibited or subject to stringent regulations.
Catholics object to the lack of sacramental access not because of “displaced individualism, denial of reality, and bourgeois entitlement,” to borrow words from a recent author, but because Christ our God has given us these sacraments for our spiritual journey, especially at the more crucial moments of it, and He has willed that our salvation hinge on these graced means of contact with His divine humanity. Desire for the sacraments is spiritually efficacious, but it is precisely a desire to receive them as they are and as soon as may be; and the Church’s hierarchy, for its part, has a solemn obligation to meet that desire as soon as may be. I would go so far as to say the pastors of the Church should bend over backwards to figure out how to bring the sacraments to the faithful in situations of crisis and emergency, when spiritual battles will tend to be worse, not easier.
Here, I will not argue any further for such obvious points, which others have already covered. I simply wish to point out that parents of any newborn, if they cannot obtain the ministrations of a priest within a reasonable time frame (a few weeks maximum), should go ahead and arrange for someone else (a relative, a friend) to baptize their children. As the Church teaches, baptism is the most necessary of all the sacraments; indeed, in a certain sense, we can say it is the only absolutely necessary sacrament. It removes the stain of original sin from the soul, removes the child from the dominion of the prince of darkness, and makes him a member of the Mystical Body of Christ. “Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:5).
An instruction of the Sacred Congregation of the Propaganda, July 31, 1902, to the missionaries among the Nestorians, states that baptism shall be conferred on the infants within eight days after birth, and if necessary, private baptism should be given rather than wait longer for solemn baptism. It adds that if circumstances are such that the priest cannot be had within a month, some layperson should be asked by the parents to baptize the child, rather than delay the baptism. It is better for the parents themselves not to baptize the infant, since, as the instruction adds, the one who is the natural parent should not also be the sacramental parent (unless there is no one else to baptize the infant). This is a matter of fittingness and explains why, in a church baptism, the godparents are always distinct from the natural parents.
On the basis of these truths, St. Thomas Aquinas spells out quite clearly why laymen may baptize:
It is due to the mercy of Him “Who will have all men to be saved” (1 Tim 2:4) that in those things which are necessary for salvation, man can easily find the remedy. Now the most necessary among all the sacraments is Baptism, which is man’s regeneration unto spiritual life: since for children there is no substitute, while adults cannot otherwise than by Baptism receive a full remission both of guilt and of its punishment. Consequently, lest man should have to go without so necessary a remedy, it was ordained, both that the matter of Baptism should be something common that is easily obtainable by all, i.e., water; and that the minister of Baptism should be anyone, even not in [holy] orders, lest from lack of being baptized, man should suffer loss of his salvation. (Summa III, q. 67, a. 3)
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger says: “Nobody is born a Christian, not even in a Christian world and of Christian parents. Being Christian can only ever happen as a new birth. Being a Christian begins with baptism, which is death and resurrection (Rom 6), not with biological birth” (Truth and Tolerance, 87). The child of nature’s womb has to be re-formed in the Church’s womb. The helplessness of fallen man is met and mended by the mercy of God. In this way the baptized infant is already spiritually eating and drinking the reality of Christ, that is, are united to Him in the Mystical Body: “By baptism a man is ordered to the Eucharist, and therefore from the fact of children being baptized, they are destined by the Church to the Eucharist; and just as they believe through the Church’s faith, so they desire the Eucharist through the Church’s intention, and, as a result, receive its reality” (Summa III, q. 73, a.3).
Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock Sign the petition here.
That a baby should be baptized as soon as possible after birth is not open to dispute, as this article lays out compellingly. The current Code of Canon Law removes all doubt:
Can. 867 §1. Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks; as soon as possible after the birth or even before it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it. §2. An infant in danger of death is to be baptized without delay.
It is certainly fitting that a priest or other hierarchical minister do a baptism. St. Thomas Aquinas says this pertains to the nobility of the sacrament: it can be conferred with an appropriate completeness of ceremony and with all due solemnity, particularly when the traditional Roman rite or the Byzantine rite is utilized. Canon law reflects this fittingness, while also providing for extraordinary ministers of baptism:
Can. 861 §1. The ordinary minister of baptism is a bishop, a presbyter, or a deacon[.] … §2. When an ordinary minister is absent or impeded, a catechist or another person designated for this function by the local ordinary, or in a case of necessity any person with the right intention, confers baptism licitly. Pastors of souls, especially the pastor of a parish, are to be concerned that the Christian faithful are taught the correct way to baptize.
I find it fascinating that canon law says that pastors are supposed to teach all Christians how to baptize. Is that something you have ever heard from the pulpit? I certainly haven’t.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider, in his magnificent book Christus Vincit: Christ’s Triumph over the Darkness of the Age (Brooklyn: Angelico Press, 2019), describes how his mother baptized him:
There were no priests in Kyrgyzstan, and only very rarely would a priest come secretly. My mother could not leave me without baptism—it was impossible for her. So, one week after my birth, she baptized me herself because she knew her catechism well, and she knew that it was possible[.] … They were always repeating the basic contents of their good old German catechism and they had written down the most important Catholic truths. To baptize me, my mother took a prayer book, in which the baptismal formula was written, and water. I was one week old, and my father was present. She spoke the words as she poured the water over me, and when she finished, she looked up at my father and asked, “Did I do this correctly?” And my father said, “I don’t know.” And then she said, “Well, I have to repeat it.” And she repeated the entire ceremony. Again, she poured the water over me, pronouncing the words, and then she felt reassured that it had been done properly. I was baptized Antonius, after St. Anthony of Padua. Six months later, a Jesuit priest, Fr. Antonius Šeškevičius, came from Lithuania and told all the German mothers to bring the babies who had not been baptized by a priest because he wanted to make sure we were baptized. My mother brought me to him and I was “baptized” for the third time. So, I have no doubt about the validity of my baptism! (pp. 11–12)
A complete guide on how to do the baptism correctly and how to document it for Church records may be found here, courtesy of the Latin Mass Society of England & Wales. Since there are those, like Bishop Schneider’s dear mother — or, more likely, a pastor or chancery official later on — who might be anxious about whether or not the baptism was done correctly, it seems prudent to have someone film the baptism, so if there were any doubt later, one could easily demonstrate that all had been done properly.
Once the quarantine has passed and a priest is available again, parents may request that he use the Rituale Romanum to supply ceremonies omitted in baptism.
May 5, 2020 update: This article has been modified to make it clear that it is not the parents who should baptize their own child (though this would not be by any means invalid!), but someone else, because it is an ancient custom that a biological parent should not simultaneously be a “spiritual” parent (that is why we have “godparents”).
Peter Kwasniewski, Thomistic theologian, liturgical scholar, and choral composer, is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College in California (B.A. Liberal Arts) and The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC (M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy). He taught at the International Theological Institute in Austria and the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Austria Program, then helped establish Wyoming Catholic College in 2006. There he taught theology, philosophy, music, and art history and directed the choirs until leaving in 2018 to devote himself full-time to writing and lecturing. Today he contributes regularly to many websites and publications, including New Liturgical Movement, OnePeterFive, LifeSiteNews, Rorate Caeli, The Remnant, and Catholic Family News, and has published thirteen books, including four on traditional Catholicism: Resurgent in the Midst of Crisis (Angelico, 2014, also available in Czech, Polish, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Belarusian), Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness (Angelico, 2017), Tradition and Sanity (Angelico, 2018), and Reclaiming Our Roman Catholic Birthright: The Genius and Timeliness of the Traditional Latin Mass (Angelico, 2020). His work has been translated into at least eighteen languages. Kwasniewski is a scholar of The Aquinas Institute in Green Bay, which is publishing the Opera Omnia of the Angelic Doctor, a Fellow of the Albertus Magnus Center for Scholastic Studies, and a Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center. He has published over a thousand articles on Thomistic thought, sacramental and liturgical theology, the history and aesthetics of music, and the social doctrine of the Church. For news, information, article links, sacred music, and the home of Os Justi Press, visit his personal website, www.peterkwasniewski.com.
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