lifesitenews--2020-08-11--Taxpayer-funded, illegal ‘sex ed’ propaganda threatens children in Ohio

August 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The city of Cleveland , Ohio is putting the lives of its children at risk .
And it is receiving federal taxpayer funds to do so .
No , it ’ s not COVID .
For that low-risk disease , children are sheltered , masked , kept away from many schools , and scared to death by the hovering helicopter government bureaucracy .
But what about advice to teens that leads to lifelong complications from underage sexual promiscuity , along with the high likelihood of emotional disaster ?
And may cause the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Who will be held accountable for this ?
Cleveland is not alone , but let ’ s look specifically at what Cuyahoga County , Ohio communicates to teens on a website the health department operates , www.216Teens.org ( 216 is the Cleveland area code ) .
It ’ s funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and claims to tell the truth about sexuality for adolescents .
But very quickly the extreme bias is evident .
The site includes zero pro-life or abstinence-focused resources .
There is a nominal page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as almost impossible .
Adolescents who visit the site will read biased , X-rated , high-risk , pro-abortion , and pro-homosexual advice encouraging early experimental sex .
216Teens is not “ medically accurate ” and “ evidence-based ” as it claims to be .
All the best medicine and evidence points to providing youths with an unequivocal message that delaying sex until marriage is positively correlated with life success and healthy outcomes .
Premature sexuality leads to the opposite result .
A YouTube video produced by Protect Ohio Children lays out the irresponsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-abortion , pro- “ LGBTQ , ” condom-obsessed , anti-abstinence advice .
For instance , the 216Teens Facebook page included a recent post from NARAL ( National Abortion Rights Action League ) that trashes authentic abstinence .
“ Say it with us .
Abstinence only programs don ’ t work .
No matter how many times the anti-choice movement pushes its lies about sex ed , science isn ’ t on their side .
EVERY young person deserves inclusive , evidence-based sex ed at school .
” Ohio parents need to recognize that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law mandating that sexuality education shall emphasize abstinence until marriage .
Where are Ohio lawmakers and the Ohio State Board of Education to hold the Cuyahoga County Board of Health accountable for this illegal , child-endangering action ?
On March 17 , 216Teens posted on Facebook this pandemic advice for teens : “ While you are out purchasing all the toilet paper and water consider adding these items to your emergency preparedness list : filled birth control prescriptions , emergency contraception , menstruation products , condoms.
” What happened to social distancing ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat politicians ’ funerals , does the virus cease being a threat during progressive activities like underage teen sex ?
How stupid does this health department think Cleveland ’ s people are ?
Another post on June 5 told kids , “ Guess what ?
There isn ’ t an age requirement for buying condoms.
” Take that , parents !
And another post gave the phone number and website for Preterm , a Cleveland area abortion clinic , while another on July 24 offered this helpful information : “ Did you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identity and expression ?
” PETITION : Support school choice and call on the U.S. Senate to pass the SCHOOL Act !
Sign the petition here .
No , this is a lie .
There are two sexes , male and female .
Facts , not mythology , is what a health department should be offering to teens .
Parent avoidance is the theme of another page on the 216Teens site to make sure teens know all the sexuality services available without parental consent .
The good news is that the Protect Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio governor Mike DeWine ( 614-644-4357 ) and Ohio attorney general Dave Yost ( 614-466-4986 ) .
Other posts on 216Teens include promotion of www.bedsider.org , a vulgar site that is a whole problem in itself .
Bedsider promotes itself as “ an online birth control support network for women 18–29 operated by Power to Decide , the campaign to prevent unplanned pregnancy.
” But Bedsider is way beyond birth control , providing sex advice for “ Frisky Fridays ” and asking , “ Is the pandemic wrecking your libido ?
” It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from aphrodisiacs to sex toys .
Just what every Ohio teen needs from a health department .
Ohio has an abstinence education law .
Right ?
Right .
Meanwhile , through 216Teens , “ Bedsider ” is being promoted to teens as young as 13 in northeast Ohio .
Power to Decide ( Bedsider ’ s parent group ) raises a whole nest of new questions .
Power to Decide/Bedsider has a Pop Culture Partners section on its site and serves as an “ expert adviser ” to Cosmopolitan , Bustle , Glamour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sex-drenched “ progressive ” programs Grownish , Good Trouble , The Fosters , The Bold Type , Blackish , Unexpected , and East Los High ; the program Sex Education on Netflix ; Disney ’ s Andi Mack ; MTV ’ s 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom ; and Hulu ’ s Shrill .
Power to Decide launched a social campaign , “ Thanks Birth Control !
, ” picked up by many of these pop culture partners .
Ever wonder why the “ early sex is normal and cool ” message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of it .
Power to Decide joined SIECUS , Planned Parenthood , Advocates for Youth , and others to start the campaign “ Sex Ed for All ” in May 2019 .
In announcing this effort , they ’ ll “ no longer observe National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month.
” Why ?
With the new focus on “ LGBTQ ” behaviors , the sex ed cartel is way beyond concerns about pregnancy alone .
This coalition is committed to selling underage teens on their sexual “ rights ” with a new emphasis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” identifiers and non-white teens .
And 216Teens picked up this “ justice ” emphasis with a recent Facebook post inviting teens “ 13 to 19 ” to an online summit to learn about the intersection of “ racial and reproductive justice.
” Pro-abortion groups are beginning to capitalize on trending concerns about racial inequality to conflate it with access to abortion and contraception .
These are “ justice ” issues , teens will be taught .
“ You have ‘ rights ’ that are being denied !
” So will abstinence messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s where many fear this is going .
What can Ohioans do ?
Call the governor and the attorney general .
Ohio children are being corrupted and exploited by 216Teens.org and comprehensive sexuality education in general .
It ’ s promiscuity promotion , plain and simple .
And our kids deserve the “ right ” to hear the truth .
Ohio has an abstinence education law , and we need to follow it !

The city of Cleveland, Ohio is putting the lives of its children at risk. And it is receiving federal taxpayer funds to do so.
August 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The city of Cleveland, Ohio is putting the lives of its children at risk. And it is receiving federal taxpayer funds to do so.
No, it’s not COVID. For that low-risk disease, children are sheltered, masked, kept away from many schools, and scared to death by the hovering helicopter government bureaucracy.
But what about advice to teens that leads to lifelong complications from underage sexual promiscuity, along with the high likelihood of emotional disaster? And may cause the death of a child through abortion?
Who will be held accountable for this?
Cleveland is not alone, but let’s look specifically at what Cuyahoga County, Ohio communicates to teens on a website the health department operates, www.216Teens.org (216 is the Cleveland area code).
It’s funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and claims to tell the truth about sexuality for adolescents. But very quickly the extreme bias is evident. The site includes zero pro-life or abstinence-focused resources. There is a nominal page on abstinence, which dismisses it quickly as almost impossible. Adolescents who visit the site will read biased, X-rated, high-risk, pro-abortion, and pro-homosexual advice encouraging early experimental sex.
216Teens is not “medically accurate” and “evidence-based” as it claims to be. All the best medicine and evidence points to providing youths with an unequivocal message that delaying sex until marriage is positively correlated with life success and healthy outcomes. Premature sexuality leads to the opposite result.
A YouTube video produced by Protect Ohio Children lays out the irresponsible, dangerous messages of 216Teens and its pro-abortion, pro-“LGBTQ,” condom-obsessed, anti-abstinence advice.
For instance, the 216Teens Facebook page included a recent post from NARAL (National Abortion Rights Action League) that trashes authentic abstinence. “Say it with us. Abstinence only programs don’t work. No matter how many times the anti-choice movement pushes its lies about sex ed, science isn’t on their side. EVERY young person deserves inclusive, evidence-based sex ed at school. ”
Ohio parents need to recognize that this is open defiance of an Ohio law mandating that sexuality education shall emphasize abstinence until marriage. Where are Ohio lawmakers and the Ohio State Board of Education to hold the Cuyahoga County Board of Health accountable for this illegal, child-endangering action?
On March 17, 216Teens posted on Facebook this pandemic advice for teens: “While you are out purchasing all the toilet paper and water consider adding these items to your emergency preparedness list: filled birth control prescriptions, emergency contraception, menstruation products, condoms.” What happened to social distancing?
Along with rioting, looting, and Democrat politicians’ funerals, does the virus cease being a threat during progressive activities like underage teen sex?
How stupid does this health department think Cleveland’s people are?
Another post on June 5 told kids, “Guess what? There isn’t an age requirement for buying condoms.” Take that, parents! And another post gave the phone number and website for Preterm, a Cleveland area abortion clinic, while another on July 24 offered this helpful information: “Did you know there are 64 terms that describe gender identity and expression?”
PETITION: Support school choice and call on the U.S. Senate to pass the SCHOOL Act! Sign the petition here.
No, this is a lie. There are two sexes, male and female. Facts, not mythology, is what a health department should be offering to teens.
Parent avoidance is the theme of another page on the 216Teens site to make sure teens know all the sexuality services available without parental consent.
The good news is that the Protect Ohio Children video gives the phone number for Ohio governor Mike DeWine (614-644-4357) and Ohio attorney general Dave Yost (614-466-4986).
Other posts on 216Teens include promotion of www.bedsider.org , a vulgar site that is a whole problem in itself. Bedsider promotes itself as “an online birth control support network for women 18–29 operated by Power to Decide, the campaign to prevent unplanned pregnancy.”
But Bedsider is way beyond birth control, providing sex advice for “Frisky Fridays” and asking, “Is the pandemic wrecking your libido?” It provides teen readers a list of topics from aphrodisiacs to sex toys.
Just what every Ohio teen needs from a health department. Ohio has an abstinence education law. Right? Right.
Meanwhile, through 216Teens, “Bedsider” is being promoted to teens as young as 13 in northeast Ohio.
Power to Decide (Bedsider’s parent group) raises a whole nest of new questions. Power to Decide/Bedsider has a Pop Culture Partners section on its site and serves as an “expert adviser” to Cosmopolitan, Bustle, Glamour, and Teen Vogue magazines; the sex-drenched “progressive” programs Grownish, Good Trouble, The Fosters, The Bold Type, Blackish, Unexpected, and East Los High; the program Sex Education on Netflix; Disney’s Andi Mack; MTV’s 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom; and Hulu’s Shrill.
Power to Decide launched a social campaign, “Thanks Birth Control!,” picked up by many of these pop culture partners. Ever wonder why the “early sex is normal and cool” message seems to be everywhere? This explains some of it.
Power to Decide joined SIECUS, Planned Parenthood, Advocates for Youth, and others to start the campaign “Sex Ed for All” in May 2019. In announcing this effort, they’ll “no longer observe National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month.” Why? With the new focus on “LGBTQ” behaviors, the sex ed cartel is way beyond concerns about pregnancy alone.
This coalition is committed to selling underage teens on their sexual “rights” with a new emphasis on “justice” for “LGBTQ” identifiers and non-white teens.
And 216Teens picked up this “justice” emphasis with a recent Facebook post inviting teens “13 to 19” to an online summit to learn about the intersection of “racial and reproductive justice.”
Pro-abortion groups are beginning to capitalize on trending concerns about racial inequality to conflate it with access to abortion and contraception. These are “justice” issues, teens will be taught. “You have ‘rights’ that are being denied!”
So will abstinence messages become “racist”? That’s where many fear this is going.
What can Ohioans do? Call the governor and the attorney general. Ohio children are being corrupted and exploited by 216Teens.org and comprehensive sexuality education in general. It’s promiscuity promotion, plain and simple. And our kids deserve the “right” to hear the truth.
Ohio has an abstinence education law, and we need to follow it!
Linda Harvey is president of Mission America.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-11--Citizens sue California city for removing saint’s statue from City Hall

August 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A community-led campaign in San Buenaventura , California , is demanding that local officials restore a statue of the city ’ s founder , St. Junípero Serra , to its place in front of city hall , where it had stood for over eighty years , until last month .
From June 20 , when a chanting mob at a “ Tear Down Junípero Serra ” event attempted to follow through on their threat , through two long online city council meetings , right up to the pre-dawn hours of July 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the heroic people of this mission city have fought back at every step of the way .
After the initial threat upon the monument in late June , Venturans from diverse backgrounds quickly organized themselves to more effectively fight back against the violent mobs and the city ’ s first attempts to destroy Father Serra ’ s good name and his place in Californian history .
In hours of public comment and thousands of letters and emails , residents expressed outrage and alarm about the city ’ s proposal to remove the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put to the voters .
However , on July 15 , less than a month after the statue ’ s removal was first mentioned , the City Council unanimously voted that the statue was not a landmark and should be removed from its place of honor .
Only a handful of locals were awake and watching when , on July 23 , at three in the morning , the city workers arrived in the misty darkness to dismantle their founder ’ s monument .
The locals huddled around the statue pedestal until they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They continued to beseech the city officials and crane company manager to halt the removal and harried them for their participation until the statue was strapped to the back of a flatbed truck and shipped off to an undisclosed warehouse in L.A .
The city has already removed the wooden statue that was used as the model for the molding of the bronze statue , which has stood in the City Hall atrium since the 1980s .
The city has not reported how it disposed of it .
The Coalition for Historical Integrity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned Venturans represented by local attorney James McDermott , filed a lawsuit on July 21 against the City of San Buenaventura , requesting that the Ventura Superior Court void the actions taken by the City Council .
If the court rules that the city illegally removed the landmark status of the monument , the city could be required to place the statue back in front of City Hall .
The County Board of Supervisors is now considering removing Father Serra from Ventura County ’ s seal and police badges .
Ventura locals are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight these erasures of Father Serra .
They ’ ve organized a large rally to be held at the now empty pedestal in front of City Hall to demand the return of their monument .
This event is not just a demand , but also a celebration of their history , they report .
“ Join us in demanding the return of our Father Serra monument and asking that the Ventura City Council and County Board of Supervisors respect and preserve our diverse , beautiful California history !
” reads one August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ races and cultures brought their unique gifts together in creating today ’ s California .
Let us remember our true history and take pride in its cultural collaboration !
” reads another .
PETITION : Urge U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference to defend Catholic heritage and statues !
Sign the petition here .
Promoters of the rally say their message , that the battle for Father Serra continues , has been well received by the public .
“ I hadn ’ t realized how many Ventura residents were upset by the removal of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corner advertising the August 15th rally .
We had so much positive feedback from people who wanted the statue returned to its spot , ” says Emily Lyons , 23 , a Ventura resident who , during the last few weeks , in her time off work , has been promoting the rally in downtown Ventura .
`` It was really encouraging to realize how many people were on our side — and were ready to do something about it !
” With no end in sight to CHI ’ s lawsuit and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fall , the locals don ’ t expect this battle to bring home their founder to be quick or easy .
“ Thank you for what you ’ re doing , girls !
” called out one store owner on Main Street , Ventura , just below where the statue stood , to three volunteers handing out rally posters to the storekeepers .
“ I totally support your cause .
Good luck !
” To read more about the people of Ventura ’ s fight for their monument , visit defendserra.com .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their GoFundMe .

Locals have rallied to bring home the statue of their saintly founder, squirreled away by city officials and police at three o'clock in the morning.
August 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A community-led campaign in San Buenaventura, California, is demanding that local officials restore a statue of the city’s founder, St. Junípero Serra, to its place in front of city hall, where it had stood for over eighty years, until last month.
From June 20, when a chanting mob at a “Tear Down Junípero Serra” event attempted to follow through on their threat, through two long online city council meetings, right up to the pre-dawn hours of July 23, when city workers removed the statue, the heroic people of this mission city have fought back at every step of the way.
After the initial threat upon the monument in late June, Venturans from diverse backgrounds quickly organized themselves to more effectively fight back against the violent mobs and the city’s first attempts to destroy Father Serra’s good name and his place in Californian history.
In hours of public comment and thousands of letters and emails, residents expressed outrage and alarm about the city’s proposal to remove the statue and asked that the question be put to the voters. However, on July 15, less than a month after the statue’s removal was first mentioned, the City Council unanimously voted that the statue was not a landmark and should be removed from its place of honor.
Only a handful of locals were awake and watching when, on July 23, at three in the morning, the city workers arrived in the misty darkness to dismantle their founder’s monument. The locals huddled around the statue pedestal until they were forced back by four policemen. They continued to beseech the city officials and crane company manager to halt the removal and harried them for their participation until the statue was strapped to the back of a flatbed truck and shipped off to an undisclosed warehouse in L.A.
The city has already removed the wooden statue that was used as the model for the molding of the bronze statue, which has stood in the City Hall atrium since the 1980s. The city has not reported how it disposed of it.
The Coalition for Historical Integrity (CHI), a group of concerned Venturans represented by local attorney James McDermott, filed a lawsuit on July 21 against the City of San Buenaventura, requesting that the Ventura Superior Court void the actions taken by the City Council. If the court rules that the city illegally removed the landmark status of the monument, the city could be required to place the statue back in front of City Hall.
The County Board of Supervisors is now considering removing Father Serra from Ventura County’s seal and police badges.
Ventura locals are bringing the community together on August 15 to fight these erasures of Father Serra. They’ve organized a large rally to be held at the now empty pedestal in front of City Hall to demand the return of their monument. This event is not just a demand, but also a celebration of their history, they report.
“Join us in demanding the return of our Father Serra monument and asking that the Ventura City Council and County Board of Supervisors respect and preserve our diverse, beautiful California history!” reads one August 15 rally flier.
“Many different races and cultures brought their unique gifts together in creating today’s California. Let us remember our true history and take pride in its cultural collaboration!” reads another.
PETITION: Urge U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference to defend Catholic heritage and statues! Sign the petition here.
Promoters of the rally say their message, that the battle for Father Serra continues, has been well received by the public.
“I hadn’t realized how many Ventura residents were upset by the removal of the statue until I was on a street corner advertising the August 15th rally. We had so much positive feedback from people who wanted the statue returned to its spot,” says Emily Lyons, 23, a Ventura resident who, during the last few weeks, in her time off work, has been promoting the rally in downtown Ventura. “It was really encouraging to realize how many people were on our side — and were ready to do something about it!”
With no end in sight to CHI’s lawsuit and three city council seats opening up in the fall, the locals don’t expect this battle to bring home their founder to be quick or easy.
“Thank you for what you’re doing, girls!” called out one store owner on Main Street, Ventura, just below where the statue stood, to three volunteers handing out rally posters to the storekeepers. “I totally support your cause. Good luck!”
To read more about the people of Ventura’s fight for their monument, visit defendserra.com. To donate to their cause, visit their GoFundMe.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-08-11--Cdl. Burke: A pro-abortion presidential candidate ‘may not ... receive Holy Communion’

LA CROSSE , Wisconsin , August 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Cardinal Raymond Burke reiterated on Fox News last week that so-called “ Catholic ” politicians , including Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , must be denied Communion for advocating policies contrary to natural law and basic Church teaching , including on topics such as abortion and homosexuality .
“ They may not present themselves to receive Holy Communion , because they ’ re not in communion with Christ , ” Burke said during an August 8 Fox News interview with Martha MacCallum .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a favor to these people to tell them don ’ t approach , because if they approach , they commit sacrilege.
” Cardinal Burke is the former prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura , the highest Vatican court .
Before that , he was the archbishop of St. Louis , Missouri and the bishop of La Crosse , Wisconsin .
The cardinal said “ Catholic ” politicians so often back abortion and pro-LGBT legislation that many non-Catholic leaders of government believe that the Church has changed her teaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve had non-Catholic leaders of government in this nation tell me that they were certain that the Catholic Church ’ s teaching on abortion and the so-called same-sex ‘ marriage , ’ and so forth , have changed , because so many Catholics on Capitol Hill are regularly supporting this kind of legislation ... [ a ] nd that ’ s a scandal.
” Already in 2004 , then-archbishop Burke had warned Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry not to present himself for Communion .
According to canon law ( can .
915 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.
” A politician supporting abortion or homosexuality is generally seen by faithful Catholics as “ obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin.
” Current Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has repeatedly touted his Catholic faith , even though his platform is radically pro-abortion .
In a campaign video released earlier this year , he said , “ I go to Mass , and I say the rosary .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Last year , Biden had told a PBS interviewer that Pope Francis gives him Communion after he was denied Communion by a Catholic priest because of his public support for abortion .
In July , Biden published his Agenda for Women , promising to restore domestic and overseas funding to the abortion industry .
PETITION : Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden !
Sign the petition here .
He dedicated one section to “ Reproductive Health , ” which is generally a reference to abortion .
The former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , among other things , he “ will work to codify Roe v. Wade , and his Justice Department will do everything in its power to stop the rash of state laws that so blatantly violate Roe v. Wade.
” Roe v. Wade is the 1973 Supreme Court ruling essentially imposing abortion across the country under the guise of a woman ’ s right to privacy .
Many states passed legislation trying to limit the widespread killing of unborn babies .
One form of legislation is so-called heartbeat bills , which prohibit abortions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s heartbeat can be detected after roughly six weeks of pregnancy .
One of Biden ’ s leading contenders to become vice president , Democratic California senator Kamala Harris , was also criticized by Burke for her anti-Catholic bias on display during the confirmation process for U.S. district judge Brian Buescher , a member of the Catholic fraternal organization the Knights of Columbus .
One of Harris ’ s lengthy questions to Buescher was , “ Since 1993 , you have been a member of the Knights of Columbus , an all-male society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men .
In 2016 , Carl Anderson , leader of the Knights of Columbus , described abortion as ‘ a legal regime that has resulted in more than 40 million deaths.
’ Mr. Anderson went on to say that ‘ abortion is the killing of the innocent on a massive scale.
’ Were you aware that the Knights of Columbus opposed a woman ’ s right to choose when you joined the organization ?
” Referring to homosexual “ marriage , ” Harris also asked , “ Were you aware that the Knights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined the organization ?
” “ Have you ever , in any way , assisted with or contributed to advocacy against women ’ s reproductive rights ?
” another question went .
Cardinal Burke , in the Fox News interview , was dismayed by these questions .
“ This is completely unacceptable , ” he said .
“ I mean , I think you ’ re an everyday citizen — whether you ’ re a Catholic or not , you need to look at that kind of statement for what it is and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a person who I want to be the leader of my nation , ’ ” Burke added .
Burke briefly talked about sexual abuse among clergy , pointing out that the majority of cases were of a homosexual nature .
“ We have to come clean on who was responsible for these situations , ” he said .
“ The far greater part of them have been homosexual acts with adolescents or young men .
And I ’ m not homophobic , but we can not have this active homosexual activity in the @ @ @

The former prefect of the Vatican's highest court insisted that Catholic pro-abortion politicians who present themselves for Communion cause 'a scandal.'
LA CROSSE, Wisconsin, August 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Cardinal Raymond Burke reiterated on Fox News last week that so-called “Catholic” politicians, including Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, must be denied Communion for advocating policies contrary to natural law and basic Church teaching, including on topics such as abortion and homosexuality.
“They may not present themselves to receive Holy Communion, because they’re not in communion with Christ,” Burke said during an August 8 Fox News interview with Martha MacCallum. “It’s not a punishment. Actually, it’s a favor to these people to tell them don’t approach, because if they approach, they commit sacrilege.”
Cardinal Burke is the former prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the highest Vatican court. Before that, he was the archbishop of St. Louis, Missouri and the bishop of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
The cardinal said “Catholic” politicians so often back abortion and pro-LGBT legislation that many non-Catholic leaders of government believe that the Church has changed her teaching on these matters.
“I’ve had non-Catholic leaders of government in this nation tell me that they were certain that the Catholic Church’s teaching on abortion and the so-called same-sex ‘marriage,’ and so forth, have changed, because so many Catholics on Capitol Hill are regularly supporting this kind of legislation … [a]nd that’s a scandal.”
Already in 2004, then-archbishop Burke had warned Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry not to present himself for Communion.
According to canon law (can. 915), “Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.”
A politician supporting abortion or homosexuality is generally seen by faithful Catholics as “obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin.”
Current Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has repeatedly touted his Catholic faith, even though his platform is radically pro-abortion.
In a campaign video released earlier this year, he said, “I go to Mass, and I say the rosary. I find it to be incredibly comforting.”
Last year, Biden had told a PBS interviewer that Pope Francis gives him Communion after he was denied Communion by a Catholic priest because of his public support for abortion.
In July, Biden published his Agenda for Women, promising to restore domestic and overseas funding to the abortion industry.
PETITION: Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden! Sign the petition here.
He dedicated one section to “Reproductive Health,” which is generally a reference to abortion. The former vice president under President Barack Obama said, among other things, he “will work to codify Roe v. Wade, and his Justice Department will do everything in its power to stop the rash of state laws that so blatantly violate Roe v. Wade.”
Roe v. Wade is the 1973 Supreme Court ruling essentially imposing abortion across the country under the guise of a woman’s right to privacy. Many states passed legislation trying to limit the widespread killing of unborn babies. One form of legislation is so-called heartbeat bills, which prohibit abortions as soon as the unborn baby’s heartbeat can be detected after roughly six weeks of pregnancy.
One of Biden’s leading contenders to become vice president, Democratic California senator Kamala Harris, was also criticized by Burke for her anti-Catholic bias on display during the confirmation process for U.S. district judge Brian Buescher, a member of the Catholic fraternal organization the Knights of Columbus.
One of Harris’s lengthy questions to Buescher was, “Since 1993, you have been a member of the Knights of Columbus, an all-male society comprised [sic] primarily of Catholic men. In 2016, Carl Anderson, leader of the Knights of Columbus, described abortion as ‘a legal regime that has resulted in more than 40 million deaths.’ Mr. Anderson went on to say that ‘abortion is the killing of the innocent on a massive scale.’ Were you aware that the Knights of Columbus opposed a woman’s right to choose when you joined the organization?”
Referring to homosexual “marriage,” Harris also asked, “Were you aware that the Knights of Columbus opposed marriage equality when you joined the organization?”
“Have you ever, in any way, assisted with or contributed to advocacy against women’s reproductive rights?” another question went.
Cardinal Burke, in the Fox News interview, was dismayed by these questions. “This is completely unacceptable,” he said.
“I mean, I think you’re an everyday citizen — whether you’re a Catholic or not, you need to look at that kind of statement for what it is and say, ‘This isn’t a person who I want to be the leader of my nation,’” Burke added.
Burke briefly talked about sexual abuse among clergy, pointing out that the majority of cases were of a homosexual nature.
“We have to come clean on who was responsible for these situations,” he said. “The far greater part of them have been homosexual acts with adolescents or young men. And I’m not homophobic, but we cannot have this active homosexual activity in the priesthood.”
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lifesitenews--2020-08-10--Google bans viral video showing former abortionist describing how abortions are done

URGENT PETITION : Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade !
Sign the petition here .
August 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A 2016 Live Action video showing the reality of chemical and surgical abortions was removed by Google-owned YouTube last week and then suddenly reinstated after outcry from pro-life activists .
The video , which has been viewed almost 1.8 million times on the Google-owned platform , has now been reinstated after the pro-life organization appealed against the removal .
In the video , former abortionist Dr. Anthony Levatino describes four different kinds of abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convey the brutal reality of the procedures .
Live Action founder and president Lila Rose tweeted about the censorship on Friday evening .
“ The video has been live since 2016 , includes medically accurate animations of abortion & is narrated by a former abortionist , ” Rose wrote .
In an email sent to Live Action , YouTube said the video had been flagged for review and subsequently found to have violated their “ community guidelines.
” “ You know what *actually* violates community guidelines ?
” the Susan B. Anthony List @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The intentional killing of an innocent human person.
” It is not the first time a Live Action video has been censored on the platform .
In 2019 , the big-tech giant removed a 2011 Live Action investigative video that showed Planned Parenthood employees agreeing to aid undercover investigators posing as sex traffickers attempting to arrange abortions for underage sex workers .
When censoring that video , YouTube claimed it violated their policy on “ nudity or sexual content , ” but without any explanation agreed to reinstate the video after Live Action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these ‘ mistakes ’ keep happening to us , @ TeamYouTube ?
” Rose tweeted Friday .
Last year , Google admitted to interference in Ireland ’ s 2018 abortion referendum after pro-transparency website Project Veritas revealed that YouTube had “ blacklisted ” a large number of videos on its platform in advance of the referendum while also interfering with search results .
Among the searches affected by interference from Google were “ irish catholic , ” unborn life , ” and “ abortion is wrong.
” The interference in search results came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which allowed abortion nationwide .
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has previously insisted that its censorship tools are managed “ algorithmically ” and the company does n't “ manually tune ” search results .
However , when pressed by Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz during an antitrust hearing at the U.S. House of Representatives last month , Pichai admitted that the creation of lists of blocked sites “ can involve a manual portion .
”

The 2016 video shows Dr. Anthony Levatino describing four different kinds of abortion, with animated drawings conveying the brutal reality of the procedures.
URGENT PETITION: Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade! Sign the petition here.
August 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A 2016 Live Action video showing the reality of chemical and surgical abortions was removed by Google-owned YouTube last week and then suddenly reinstated after outcry from pro-life activists.
The video, which has been viewed almost 1.8 million times on the Google-owned platform, has now been reinstated after the pro-life organization appealed against the removal.
In the video, former abortionist Dr. Anthony Levatino describes four different kinds of abortion, with animated drawings primarily used to convey the brutal reality of the procedures.
Live Action founder and president Lila Rose tweeted about the censorship on Friday evening.
“The video has been live since 2016, includes medically accurate animations of abortion & is narrated by a former abortionist,” Rose wrote.
BREAKING: @YouTube just DELETED one of our Abortion Procedures videos, which had over 1.8 million views, claiming it violated “Community Guidelines” The video has been live since 2016, includes medically accurate animations of abortion & is narrated by a former abortionist RT! pic.twitter.com/N0HJfNnsq2 — Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) August 7, 2020
In an email sent to Live Action, YouTube said the video had been flagged for review and subsequently found to have violated their “community guidelines.”
“You know what *actually* violates community guidelines?” the Susan B. Anthony List Twitter account posted, “Abortion: The intentional killing of an innocent human person.”
.@YouTube is suppressing the medical facts of what an abortion does to a developing human child: https://t.co/4ktTG2cCFw — Susan B. Anthony List (@SBAList) August 7, 2020
It is not the first time a Live Action video has been censored on the platform.
In 2019, the big-tech giant removed a 2011 Live Action investigative video that showed Planned Parenthood employees agreeing to aid undercover investigators posing as sex traffickers attempting to arrange abortions for underage sex workers.
When censoring that video, YouTube claimed it violated their policy on “nudity or sexual content,” but without any explanation agreed to reinstate the video after Live Action appealed its removal.
“Why do these ‘mistakes’ keep happening to us, @TeamYouTube?” Rose tweeted Friday.
Last year, Google admitted to interference in Ireland’s 2018 abortion referendum after pro-transparency website Project Veritas revealed that YouTube had “blacklisted” a large number of videos on its platform in advance of the referendum while also interfering with search results.
Among the searches affected by interference from Google were “irish catholic,” unborn life,” and “abortion is wrong.” The interference in search results came within one week of the referendum, which allowed abortion nationwide.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has previously insisted that its censorship tools are managed “algorithmically” and the company doesn't “manually tune” search results. However, when pressed by Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz during an antitrust hearing at the U.S. House of Representatives last month, Pichai admitted that the creation of lists of blocked sites “can involve a manual portion.”
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lifesitenews--2020-08-10--After months of condemnation for no lockdown, Sweden’s COVID deaths drop to near-zero

PETITION : No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus !
Sign the petition here .
August 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – As heated debate continues over the emergency measures taken around the world to limit the spread of COVID-19 , new data suggest Sweden ’ s oft-derided approach of not locking down may have paid off in the long run .
The country of 10 million people has seen a total of 82,972 infections and 5,766 deaths .
Unlike many nations , it never shut down its schools or economy and did not restrict individual freedoms to nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and much of Europe .
Sweden ’ s leaders faced a steady drumbeat of international condemnation as deaths curved upward from April through June , though the curve flattened in July .
Daily deaths fell to the low thirties in mid June , and have been in single digits since July 20 .
In April , Swedish epidemiologist Anders Tegnell explained to Nature magazine that Sweden started from the understanding that COVID-19 “ is not a disease that can be stopped or eradicated ... until a working vaccine is produced , ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Swedish laws , which “ are mostly based on voluntary measures — on individual responsibility.
” “ Closedown , lockdown , closing borders — nothing has a historical scientific basis , in my view , ” Tegnell said .
“ We have looked at a number of European Union countries to see whether they have published any analysis of the effects of these measures before they were started , and we saw almost none.
” Notably , Tegnell also acknowledged that Sweden “ underestimated the issues at care homes , and how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have controlled this more thoroughly.
” This was the same error infamously made in New York , suggesting that Sweden ’ s overall early outlook was disproportionately impacted by nursing home deaths .
Although Sweden did not implement a draconian lockdown , nor did its general population suffer terrible infection rates , it has been accused of committing “ active euthanasia ” on its elderly coronavirus patients .
Nursing homes in the Nordic country have been accused of denying their patients basic medical care including food and water and giving them respiratory-inhibiting drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a nurse in Sweden , said , “ People suffocated , it was horrible to watch .
One patient asked me what I was giving him when I gave him the morphine injection , and I lied to him.
” “ Many died before their time .
It was very , very difficult.
” “ Regarding its medical facilities , the Scandinavian country 's approach was to keep hospital intensive-care units from being overwhelmed with elderly patients who had a low chance of surviving and thus keep them open for younger people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Such a surge did not happen and the elderly were denied access to unused facilities , ” reported the Christian Post .
“ They told us that we should n't send anyone to the hospital , even if they may be 65 and have many years to live .
We were told not to send them in , ” according to Löfvenberg .
The Christian Post noted , “ Those suspected to have COVID-19 were quickly placed on palliative care , given morphine , and denied supplementary oxygen and intravenous fluids and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this was essentially a death sentence.
” The Swedish Public Health Agency said that “ 48.9 % of deaths were care home residents up to and including 14 May , ” the BBC reported that month .
While numerous international headlines have recently begun expressing openness to the possibility Sweden ’ s non-lockdown overall strategy paid off , other reports still urge skepticism .
The Hill health writer Chia-Yi Hou writes that “ we will never know if doing more would have actually helped.
” MedPage Today quotes doctors attributing the results to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their summer outdoors .
Sweden not locking down appears to have also benefited the country economically .
While the country ’ s second-quarter GDP dropped an historic 8.6 % , CNBC reports , it still fared much better than others declines in Europe , such as Spain ( 18.5 % ) , Portugal ( 14.1 % ) , France ( 13.8 % ) , and Germany ( 10.1 % ) , as well as the overall European Union decline of 11.9 % .

Unlike many nations, Sweden never shut down its schools or economy and did not restrict individual freedoms to nearly the degree seen in the United States and much of Europe.
PETITION: No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus! Sign the petition here.
August 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – As heated debate continues over the emergency measures taken around the world to limit the spread of COVID-19, new data suggest Sweden’s oft-derided approach of not locking down may have paid off in the long run.
The country of 10 million people has seen a total of 82,972 infections and 5,766 deaths. Unlike many nations, it never shut down its schools or economy and did not restrict individual freedoms to nearly the degree seen in the United States and much of Europe.
Sweden’s leaders faced a steady drumbeat of international condemnation as deaths curved upward from April through June, though the curve flattened in July. Daily deaths fell to the low thirties in mid June, and have been in single digits since July 20.
Are we just going to ignore the fact that Sweden never issued stay-at-home orders, kept schools open, didn't close businesses and the general public does not wear masks… …and the entire country is down to LESS THAN 1 DEATH per day from COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/J953lGhWGc — James Todaro, MD (@JamesTodaroMD) August 7, 2020
In April, Swedish epidemiologist Anders Tegnell explained to Nature magazine that Sweden started from the understanding that COVID-19 “is not a disease that can be stopped or eradicated…until a working vaccine is produced,” and that widespread lockdowns would be incompatible with Swedish laws, which “are mostly based on voluntary measures — on individual responsibility.”
“Closedown, lockdown, closing borders — nothing has a historical scientific basis, in my view,” Tegnell said. “We have looked at a number of European Union countries to see whether they have published any analysis of the effects of these measures before they were started, and we saw almost none.”
Notably, Tegnell also acknowledged that Sweden “underestimated the issues at care homes, and how the measures would be applied. We should have controlled this more thoroughly.” This was the same error infamously made in New York, suggesting that Sweden’s overall early outlook was disproportionately impacted by nursing home deaths.
Although Sweden did not implement a draconian lockdown, nor did its general population suffer terrible infection rates, it has been accused of committing “active euthanasia” on its elderly coronavirus patients.
Nursing homes in the Nordic country have been accused of denying their patients basic medical care including food and water and giving them respiratory-inhibiting drugs like morphine and midazolam.
Latifa Löfvenberg, a nurse in Sweden, said, “People suffocated, it was horrible to watch. One patient asked me what I was giving him when I gave him the morphine injection, and I lied to him.”
“Many died before their time. It was very, very difficult.”
“Regarding its medical facilities, the Scandinavian country's approach was to keep hospital intensive-care units from being overwhelmed with elderly patients who had a low chance of surviving and thus keep them open for younger people should a surge in the virus occur. Such a surge did not happen and the elderly were denied access to unused facilities,” reported the Christian Post.
“They told us that we shouldn't send anyone to the hospital, even if they may be 65 and have many years to live. We were told not to send them in,” according to Löfvenberg.
The Christian Post noted, “Those suspected to have COVID-19 were quickly placed on palliative care, given morphine, and denied supplementary oxygen and intravenous fluids and nutrition.”
“For many residents, this was essentially a death sentence.”
The Swedish Public Health Agency said that “48.9% of deaths were care home residents up to and including 14 May,” the BBC reported that month.
While numerous international headlines have recently begun expressing openness to the possibility Sweden’s non-lockdown overall strategy paid off, other reports still urge skepticism. The Hill health writer Chia-Yi Hou writes that “we will never know if doing more would have actually helped.” MedPage Today quotes doctors attributing the results to variables such as Swedes spending more of their summer outdoors.
Sweden not locking down appears to have also benefited the country economically. While the country’s second-quarter GDP dropped an historic 8.6%, CNBC reports, it still fared much better than others declines in Europe, such as Spain (18.5%), Portugal (14.1%), France (13.8%), and Germany (10.1%), as well as the overall European Union decline of 11.9%.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-10--LA mayor will pull the plug on water, electricity to churches that defy lockdowns

PETITION : Support pastors fighting against oppressive state mandates !
Sign the petition here .
LOS ANGELES , August 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Los Angeles Democrat Mayor Eric Garcetti has made good on his previous threat to shut off power to buildings where social distancing is not practiced , including churches .
In March , Garcetti threatened to cut off power to any “ irresponsible and selfish ” private entity that defied shutdown orders , which in California currently include a ban on indoor religious services in 29 counties representing 80 percent of the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of COVID-19 .
Numerous churches have defied the order , including Grace Community Church of Sun Valley , Cornerstone Church of Fresno , Destiny Christian Church of Rocklin , and Harvest Rock Church of Pasadena .
Last Wednesday , Garcetti announced that , effective the following Friday evening , “ if LAPD responds and verifies that a large gathering is occurring at a property , and we see these properties offending time and time again , they will provide notice and initiate the process to request that DWP shut off service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By turning off that power , shutting down that water , we feel we can close these places down , which usually are not one-time offenders , but multiple offenders , ” The mayor said .
His announcement focused on secular gatherings such as large house parties , but the threat applies to churches , as well .
“ California Christians now have a choice – serve the Lord or have their basic utilities cut off , ” Liberty Counsel founder and chairman Mat Staver responded .
“ Liberty Counsel is working to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the United States so that we can set the precedent once and for all – that no governor will be able to ignore the fact that religious freedom is free in the United States of America.
” Across the world , many secular authorities have heavily restricted the right to religious assembly in the name of containing COVID-19 , from in-person gathering to singing to the distribution of Holy Communion , even in some cases banning people from gathering in parking lots and worshiping from within their individual cars .
But of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic leaders voluntarily imposing such restrictions on their congregations .
Bishops in parts of the United States , France , Malta , Jerusalem , Singapore , the Philippines , England , and Wales have all forbidden receiving Communion on the tongue .
In the U.S. territory of Guam , St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Parish has posted warnings not to kneel during prayer .
“ When officials restrict church attendance to a certain number , they attempt to impose a restriction that in principle makes it impossible for the saints to gather as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the elders of California ’ s Grace Community Church .
“ When officials mandate distancing , they attempt to impose a restriction that in principle makes it impossible to experience the close communion between believers that is commanded in Romans 16:16 , 1 Corinthians 16:20 , 2 Corinthians 13:12 , and 1 Thessalonians 5:26 .
In all those spheres , we must submit to our Lord .
”

Police have been told to provide notice that power will be shut off at properties where large gatherings frequently occur.
PETITION: Support pastors fighting against oppressive state mandates! Sign the petition here.
LOS ANGELES, August 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Los Angeles Democrat Mayor Eric Garcetti has made good on his previous threat to shut off power to buildings where social distancing is not practiced, including churches.
In March, Garcetti threatened to cut off power to any “irresponsible and selfish” private entity that defied shutdown orders, which in California currently include a ban on indoor religious services in 29 counties representing 80 percent of the state’s population, in the name of containing the spread of COVID-19. Numerous churches have defied the order, including Grace Community Church of Sun Valley, Cornerstone Church of Fresno, Destiny Christian Church of Rocklin, and Harvest Rock Church of Pasadena.
Last Wednesday, Garcetti announced that, effective the following Friday evening, “if LAPD responds and verifies that a large gathering is occurring at a property, and we see these properties offending time and time again, they will provide notice and initiate the process to request that DWP shut off service within the next 48 hours.”
“By turning off that power, shutting down that water, we feel we can close these places down, which usually are not one-time offenders, but multiple offenders,” The mayor said. His announcement focused on secular gatherings such as large house parties, but the threat applies to churches, as well.
“California Christians now have a choice – serve the Lord or have their basic utilities cut off,” Liberty Counsel founder and chairman Mat Staver responded. “Liberty Counsel is working to bring these cases to the Supreme Court of the United States so that we can set the precedent once and for all – that no governor will be able to ignore the fact that religious freedom is free in the United States of America.”
Across the world, many secular authorities have heavily restricted the right to religious assembly in the name of containing COVID-19, from in-person gathering to singing to the distribution of Holy Communion, even in some cases banning people from gathering in parking lots and worshiping from within their individual cars.
But of arguably greater concern for the faithful are Catholic leaders voluntarily imposing such restrictions on their congregations. Bishops in parts of the United States, France, Malta, Jerusalem, Singapore, the Philippines, England, and Wales have all forbidden receiving Communion on the tongue. In the U.S. territory of Guam, St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Parish has posted warnings not to kneel during prayer.
“When officials restrict church attendance to a certain number, they attempt to impose a restriction that in principle makes it impossible for the saints to gather as the church,” declared Pastor John MacArthur and the elders of California’s Grace Community Church. “When officials mandate distancing, they attempt to impose a restriction that in principle makes it impossible to experience the close communion between believers that is commanded in Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, and 1 Thessalonians 5:26. In all those spheres, we must submit to our Lord.”
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lifesitenews--2020-08-10--Black Lives Matter’s ‘queer’ founders have emasculated professional sports

PETITION : Support priest who was suspended for calling out the Black Lives Matter organization !
Sign the petition here .
WASHINGTON , D.C. , August 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – We have witnessed an unthinkable degradation : As the whole country watched , three Marxist women forced nearly every Major League Baseball player to kneel before them and their strange countercultural creed .
By bending their knees , these men have paid homage not to civil rights , but to Marxism ; to the destruction of the nuclear family ; to transgender and gay political power squashing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself ; to the defunding of police ; and to the erasure of western history and culture .
The great American pastime is no longer great .
In fact , it is no longer American .
The revolution was over before it began , as hundreds of professional ballplayers in recent weeks quietly surrendered themselves to the abhorrent ideology of Black Lives Matter , founded in 2013 by a trio of militant Marxist women – Patrisse Khan-Cullers , Opal Tometi , and Alicia Garza .
Khan-Cullers identifies as lesbian and Garza is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The queer-affirming women pulled off a mass castration of the players ’ Judeo-Christian beliefs and whatever patriotism they held in their hearts .
What ’ s more , the emasculation of these athletes was televised .
We now watch American geldings romp around out on the ballfield .
Many of these men no doubt thought they were doing a good thing by taking a knee before their games , but as Rush Limbaugh has noted , their actions can not be justified by claiming ignorance .
“ All you got ta do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there you will find that [ BLM is ] a proud pro-Marxist , anti-American organization.
” “ And yet every professional sports league believes they ’ re getting into bed with a civil rights organization , ” observed Limbaugh .
“ It ’ s the most amazing thing.
” “ The Black Lives Matter organization has never repudiated nor denied its manifesto and practices , which are committed to Marxism ( which includes atheism ) , a rewriting of history , hate for anyone who disagrees with them , and anti-Semitism , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Media commentary titled , “ I 'm Boycotting Professional Sports Leagues That Endorse Black Lives Matter , And You Should , Too.
” “ They call for the destruction of Israel , which they call an ‘ apartheid state ’ that ‘ practices genocide , ’ ” he explained .
“ Many of their leaders , such as Melina Abdullah , the head of BLM Los Angeles , claim Louis Farrakhan as their spiritual advisor…a man whose hate-filled dogma has for decades wanted every Jew ‘ exterminated.
’ They consciously have chosen locations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jewish neighborhoods so that the ensuing riots would cause the residents to ‘ feel pain.
’ ” “ We now live in an environment where bullies filled with hate have the ability to dictate practices , ” continued Rabbi Barclay .
“ Where the loudest shout down what is right and righteous to push people to surrender to their dogma .
And their hate has now pushed itself into acceptance on an institutional level.
” None of this should be surprising .
Major League Baseball ( MLB ) was already poised to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last year , every single MLB team hosted a “ Pride Night ” except for the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers , although both of those teams have held homosexual “ pride ” events previously .
Teams have routinely posted pictures of these events on social media , treating “ pride ” as just another theme night , yet they simultaneously wrap these events in a mantle of social justice , hyping their promotion of “ diversity ” and “ inclusion.
” MLB has been normalizing homosexuality for young baseball fans for years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to “ Pride Night ” gay “ marriage ” proposals and former Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank kissing his “ husband ” out on the pitcher ’ s mound .
The gaying of professional baseball is pretty much complete , so social justice demanded new and greater fealty .
“ Literally , folks , the NFL , Major League Baseball , and the NBA are in bed with Black Lives Matter , ” Limbaugh emphasized during his radio show .
“ Black Lives Matter is an acknowledged , proud , not hiding it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional sports is in bed with it.
” Out of the 750 or so major league players on team rosters at the start of the season , only one – the San Francisco Giants ’ Sam Coonrod – refused to kneel , citing his Christian faith .
“ I ’ m just a Christian .
I believe I can ’ t kneel before anything but God , Jesus Christ , ” he told reporters after the game .
Three Marxist , queer-affirming women have stolen professional sports from middle America , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gladly handed themselves over .

Hundreds of professional ballplayers in recent weeks quietly surrendered themselves to the abhorrent ideology of the Black Lives Matter organization.
PETITION: Support priest who was suspended for calling out the Black Lives Matter organization! Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – We have witnessed an unthinkable degradation: As the whole country watched, three Marxist women forced nearly every Major League Baseball player to kneel before them and their strange countercultural creed.
By bending their knees, these men have paid homage not to civil rights, but to Marxism; to the destruction of the nuclear family; to transgender and gay political power squashing not just religious liberty, but religion itself; to the defunding of police; and to the erasure of western history and culture.
The great American pastime is no longer great. In fact, it is no longer American.
The revolution was over before it began, as hundreds of professional ballplayers in recent weeks quietly surrendered themselves to the abhorrent ideology of Black Lives Matter, founded in 2013 by a trio of militant Marxist women – Patrisse Khan-Cullers, Opal Tometi, and Alicia Garza. Khan-Cullers identifies as lesbian and Garza is “married” to a “transgender man.”
The queer-affirming women pulled off a mass castration of the players’ Judeo-Christian beliefs and whatever patriotism they held in their hearts. What’s more, the emasculation of these athletes was televised.
We now watch American geldings romp around out on the ballfield.
Many of these men no doubt thought they were doing a good thing by taking a knee before their games, but as Rush Limbaugh has noted, their actions cannot be justified by claiming ignorance. “All you gotta do is go to their website, and there you will find that [BLM is] a proud pro-Marxist, anti-American organization.”
“And yet every professional sports league believes they’re getting into bed with a civil rights organization,” observed Limbaugh. “It’s the most amazing thing.”
“The Black Lives Matter organization has never repudiated nor denied its manifesto and practices, which are committed to Marxism (which includes atheism), a rewriting of history, hate for anyone who disagrees with them, and anti-Semitism,” wrote Rabbi Michael Barclay in a PJ Media commentary titled, “I'm Boycotting Professional Sports Leagues That Endorse Black Lives Matter, And You Should, Too.”
“They call for the destruction of Israel, which they call an ‘apartheid state’ that ‘practices genocide,’” he explained. “Many of their leaders, such as Melina Abdullah, the head of BLM Los Angeles, claim Louis Farrakhan as their spiritual advisor…a man whose hate-filled dogma has for decades wanted every Jew ‘exterminated.’ They consciously have chosen locations for their ‘protests’ that are Jewish neighborhoods so that the ensuing riots would cause the residents to ‘feel pain.’”
“We now live in an environment where bullies filled with hate have the ability to dictate practices,” continued Rabbi Barclay. “Where the loudest shout down what is right and righteous to push people to surrender to their dogma. And their hate has now pushed itself into acceptance on an institutional level.”
None of this should be surprising. Major League Baseball (MLB) was already poised to make this “social justice” leap.
Last year, every single MLB team hosted a “Pride Night” except for the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, although both of those teams have held homosexual “pride” events previously.
Teams have routinely posted pictures of these events on social media, treating “pride” as just another theme night, yet they simultaneously wrap these events in a mantle of social justice, hyping their promotion of “diversity” and “inclusion.”
MLB has been normalizing homosexuality for young baseball fans for years, going so far as to expose them to “Pride Night” gay “marriage” proposals and former Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank kissing his “husband” out on the pitcher’s mound.
The gaying of professional baseball is pretty much complete, so social justice demanded new and greater fealty.
“Literally, folks, the NFL, Major League Baseball, and the NBA are in bed with Black Lives Matter,” Limbaugh emphasized during his radio show. “Black Lives Matter is an acknowledged, proud, not hiding it, Marxist, anti-American organization. And professional sports is in bed with it.”
Out of the 750 or so major league players on team rosters at the start of the season, only one – the San Francisco Giants’ Sam Coonrod – refused to kneel, citing his Christian faith.
“I’m just a Christian. I believe I can’t kneel before anything but God, Jesus Christ,” he told reporters after the game.
Three Marxist, queer-affirming women have stolen professional sports from middle America, and the league, team owners, and players gladly handed themselves over.
Follow Doug Doug Mainwaring is a journalist for LifeSiteNews, an author, and a marriage, family and children's rights activist. He has testified before the United States Congress and state legislative bodies, originated and co-authored amicus briefs for the United States Supreme Court, and has been a guest on numerous TV and radio programs. Doug and his family live in the Washington, DC suburbs.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-10--Trump: Joe Biden is ‘against God,’ Bible, religion

PETITION : Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden !
Sign the petition here .
August 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – President Donald Trump cast his Democrat opponent Joe Biden as an enemy of Christianity Thursday , arguing that if elected he would serve as a puppet for radical secularists .
“ He ’ s following the radical left agenda : take away your guns , destroy your Second Amendment , no religion , no anything , hurt the Bible , hurt God , he ’ s against God , ” Trump told a gathering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio , as part of a broader critique against the former Vice President .
“ I don ’ t think he ’ s gon na do too well in Ohio.
” Breitbart reported that Trump stood by his comments in a subsequent interview with Fox News Channel ’ s Geraldo Rivera , arguing that whatever reservations Biden might personally harbor would be subsumed by the radicalism of his handlers .
“ Well , people that control him totally are ” against the Bible , Trump said .
“ I mean it may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he ’ s going to have no control .
They ’ re going to take him over.
” “ Like so many people , my faith has been the bedrock foundation of my life , ” responded Biden , who claims to be Catholic .
“ For President Trump to attack my faith is shameful.
” Biden added that Trump ’ s comments “ show us a man willing to stoop to any low for political gain , and someone whose actions are completely at odds with the values and teachings that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , Biden ’ s presidential platform is directly at odds with his professed faith , starting with his “ healthcare ” plan .
It calls for “ codifying ” Roe v. Wade in federal law ; repealing the Hyde Amendment ( which bars direct public funding of most abortions ) ; forcing states to accept Medicare funding for Planned Parenthood ; reversing the Mexico City Policy ( which bars federal funds from supporting abortion overseas ) ; and directing the Justice Department to “ do everything in its power ” to block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notification requirements , ultrasound laws , and waiting periods .
On religious liberty , Biden has called for reinstating the Obama-era birth control mandate that forced religious organizations like the Little Sisters of the Poor to finance abortifacient drugs , and has released an “ LGBTQ+ equality ” plan that , by redefining federal civil rights law to cover “ sexual orientation ” and “ gender identity , ” would force religious Americans to submit to innumerable practices and beliefs that conflict with their beliefs about marriage , sexuality , and gender .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignored Church teaching on abortion and Religious Freedom , ” Fr .
Michael Orsi , a priest of the Diocese of Camden , New Jersey , who currently serves as parochial vicar for St. Agnes Parish in Naples , Florida , told LifeSiteNews last month .
“ A 2004 Memorandum from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , signed by Cardinal Ratzinger , states , ‘ a politician consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion laws ’ the politician ’ s pastor is to inform him that he should not receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of most bishops to enforce the sanction is , in fact , more scandalous than Biden ’ s positions , ” Fr .
Orsi lamented .

'He’s following the radical left agenda: take away your guns, destroy your Second Amendment ... no anything,' the president said last week in Ohio.
PETITION: Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden! Sign the petition here.
August 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – President Donald Trump cast his Democrat opponent Joe Biden as an enemy of Christianity Thursday, arguing that if elected he would serve as a puppet for radical secularists.
“He’s following the radical left agenda: take away your guns, destroy your Second Amendment, no religion, no anything, hurt the Bible, hurt God, he’s against God,” Trump told a gathering of supporters at Burke Lakefront Airport in Ohio, as part of a broader critique against the former Vice President. “I don’t think he’s gonna do too well in Ohio.”
Breitbart reported that Trump stood by his comments in a subsequent interview with Fox News Channel’s Geraldo Rivera, arguing that whatever reservations Biden might personally harbor would be subsumed by the radicalism of his handlers.
“Well, people that control him totally are” against the Bible, Trump said. “I mean it may be a little bit harsh for him, but he’s going to have no control. They’re going to take him over.”
“Like so many people, my faith has been the bedrock foundation of my life,” responded Biden, who claims to be Catholic. “For President Trump to attack my faith is shameful.” Biden added that Trump’s comments “show us a man willing to stoop to any low for political gain, and someone whose actions are completely at odds with the values and teachings that he professes to believe in.”
In fact, Biden’s presidential platform is directly at odds with his professed faith, starting with his “healthcare” plan. It calls for “codifying” Roe v. Wade in federal law; repealing the Hyde Amendment (which bars direct public funding of most abortions); forcing states to accept Medicare funding for Planned Parenthood; reversing the Mexico City Policy (which bars federal funds from supporting abortion overseas); and directing the Justice Department to “do everything in its power” to block state pro-life laws as modest as parental notification requirements, ultrasound laws, and waiting periods.
On religious liberty, Biden has called for reinstating the Obama-era birth control mandate that forced religious organizations like the Little Sisters of the Poor to finance abortifacient drugs, and has released an “LGBTQ+ equality” plan that, by redefining federal civil rights law to cover “sexual orientation” and “gender identity,” would force religious Americans to submit to innumerable practices and beliefs that conflict with their beliefs about marriage, sexuality, and gender.
“Joe Biden has stubbornly and contumaciously ignored Church teaching on abortion and Religious Freedom,” Fr. Michael Orsi, a priest of the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, who currently serves as parochial vicar for St. Agnes Parish in Naples, Florida, told LifeSiteNews last month. “A 2004 Memorandum from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, signed by Cardinal Ratzinger, states, ‘a politician consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion laws’ the politician’s pastor is to inform him that he should not receive Communion.”
“The failure on the part of most bishops to enforce the sanction is, in fact, more scandalous than Biden’s positions,” Fr. Orsi lamented.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-10--Pro-gay Catholic bishop: Trump is ‘so much anti-life’

PETITION : Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden !
Sign the petition here .
LEXINGTON , Kentucky , August 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Bishop John Stowe said President Donald Trump , the first sitting president to speak at the annual March for Life in the nation ’ s capital , “ is so much anti-life.
” Stowe also suggested he wants to change Catholic teaching on the family to accommodate homosexuality and gender ideology .
Stowe was appointed bishop of Lexington , Kentucky , by Pope Francis in 2015 .
Taking part in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Stowe said , “ For this president to call himself pro-life , and for anybody to back him because of claims of being pro-life , is almost willful ignorance .
He is so much anti-life because he is only concerned about himself , and he gives us every , every , every indication of that.
” The webinar was organized by the International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs , which says it focuses on “ Democracy , Migration , the Future of the Church , Dialogue and Peace.
” While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he views as Trump ’ s narcissism , he did offer his own understanding of what being “ pro-life ” actually means .
“ Yes , we have to be concerned for the unborn children , ” he admitted at one point .
“ It ’ s foundational for us , but it ’ s all connected.
” But in that that context , Stowe said “ our understanding of pro-life has to be the vision that was described as the seamless garment vision.
” The term “ seamless garment ” refers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin .
According to that theory , intrinsic evils like abortion are essentially morally equivalent to societal ills like poverty .
“ Pope Francis has given us a great definition of what pro-life means , ” Bishop Stowe said .
“ He basically tells us we can ’ t claim to be pro-life if we support the separation of children from their parents at the U.S. border , if we support exposing people at the border to COVID-19 because of the facilities that they ’ re in , if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adequate health care access to that health care , if we keep people from getting the housing or the education that they need , we can not call ourselves pro-life.
” Stowe recounted that Cardinal Blase Cupich , the Archbishop of Chicago , had attempted to amend a document by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ( USCCB ) on voting .
Cupich wanted “ to include the paragraph from Gaudete et exsultate from Pope Francis about what the real pro-life issues are , the totality of pro-life issues.
” Not adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ was a sad day for the leadership of the Church in the United States.
” Pope Francis wrote in section 101 of his 2018 Apostolic Exhortation : The other harmful ideological error is found in those who find suspect the social engagement of others , seeing it as superficial , worldly , secular , materialist , communist or populist .
Or they relativize it , as if there are other more important matters , or the only thing that counts is one particular ethical issue or cause that they themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unborn , for example , needs to be clear , firm and passionate , for at stake is the dignity of a human life , which is always sacred and demands love for each person , regardless of his or her stage of development .
Equally sacred , however , are the lives of the poor , those already born , the destitute , the abandoned and the underprivileged , the vulnerable infirm and elderly exposed to covert euthanasia , the victims of human trafficking , new forms of slavery , and every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uphold an ideal of holiness that would ignore injustice in a world where some revel , spend with abandon and live only for the latest consumer goods , even as others look on from afar , living their entire lives in abject poverty .
The Pope did not outright say that the killing of human beings is equal to poverty , sickness , and other issues , stating merely that unborn human life is just as sacred as that of poor people or sick people .
He did , however , claim that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than others .
If followed to its logical conclusion , this means that stopping abortion – the killing of innocent human beings – is not more important than offering help to poor people .
Pope Benedict himself pointed out in 2006 that there are three “ principles which are not negotiable.
” The Pope emeritus mentioned “ protection of life in all its stages , from the first moment of conception until natural death , ” in the first place .
He also talked about “ the natural structure of the family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the lifelong union of one man and one woman , as well as the parents ’ right “ to educate their children.
” In other words , while different responses to social ills like poverty are possible for Catholics , they can not vote for a candidate compromising on any of these issues .
Contrary to Stowe ’ s claims , President Trump has actually implemented a significant number of pro-life measures , understood in the traditional sense of protecting innocent human beings from being killed by abortion .
Among other accomplishments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on foreign aid to abortion-involved groups ( including International Planned Parenthood Federation ) , banned groups that commit or refer abortions from Title X family planning funds , overturned Obama-era regulations that barred states from defunding Planned Parenthood , and issued rules protecting Americans from being forced to subsidize abortion in government-mandated health insurance plans .
In addition , the administration has consistently worked to defend life and oppose abortion at the United Nations , from resisting pro-abortion agenda items and resolution language to affirming that abortion isn ’ t a human right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump announced that the U.S. is cutting ties with the pro-abortion World Health Organization ( WHO ) due to its mishandling of the coronavirus crisis .
This year , Trump declared January 22 , the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision imposing abortion on demand across the country , to be “ National Sanctity of Human Life Day.
” A few days later , he became the first U.S. president to attend the annual March for Life in Washington D.C .
In a proclamation issued prior to the march , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the born and unborn , the poor , the downcast , the disabled , the infirm , and the elderly — has inherent value ” and said the U.S. “ proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to protect the precious gift of life at every stage , from conception to natural death.
” During his speech at the March for Life , Trump said , “ Young people are the heart of the March for Life .
And it ’ s your generation that is making America the pro-family , pro-life nation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eternal truth : Every child is a precious and sacred gift from God , ” he continued .
“ Together , we must protect , cherish , and defend the dignity and the sanctity of every human life.
” “ When we see the image of a baby in the womb , we glimpse the majesty of God 's creation , ” Trump said to roaring applause .
“ When we hold a newborn in our arms , we know the endless love that each child brings to a family .
When we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the splendor that radiates from each human soul .
One life changes the world.
” “ And to all the moms here today , we celebrate you and we declare that mothers are heroes , ” Trump added later on .
“ Your strength , devotion , and drive is what powers our nation .
Because of you , our country has been blessed with amazing souls who have changed the course of human history.
” Bishop Stowe suggests that for some people , active homosexuality is ‘ part of who they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ webinar to once again push his support for homosexuality and gender ideology , explicitly saying , “ Our understanding of family has to change.
” “ We have to be in a different understanding of family , and that ’ s where the LGBT issues come into play , ” he said .
“ I agree completely with [ another webinar participant ] that our credibility is on the line with the whole generation , and more , of young people who just don ’ t buy that teaching , and know from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people that they know , that there are good and loving people that happen to identify as LGBT , and that ’ s part of who they are.
” By claiming that a person is defined by his or her homosexuality or gender confusion , Stowe essentially reduces a person to his or her tendencies or inclinations in sexual matters .
The person would be unable to change .
The Catechism of the Catholic Church distinguishes between a person , who is never “ intrinsically disordered ” ; a person ’ s inclinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” but only inherently sinful if acted upon ; and a person ’ s actions , which can be “ intrinsically disordered.
” Stowe encouraged people to keep insisting the Church to change the teaching .
“ There is a sensus fidei , there is a sense of the faithful , that also has to be part of Church teaching , ” he claimed .
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church , the term sensus fidei does not prevent large numbers of the faithful from adhering to false teachings .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not err in matters of belief .
This characteristic is shown in the supernatural appreciation of faith ( sensus fidei ) on the part of the whole people , when , from the bishops to the last of the faithful , they manifest a universal consent in matters of faith and morals.
” The role of the “ the sacred teaching authority ( Magisterium ) ” is also emphasized , meaning it ’ s impossible to express as sensus fidei something contradicting that teaching authority .
“ Pope Francis has said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much as they teach , and you can ’ t be a good teacher if you ’ re not a good listener , ” Stowe said nonetheless .
“ And you can ’ t be a good teacher if you ’ re not a good student.
” On homosexuality , the Catechism is very clear .
“ Basing itself on Sacred Scripture , which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity , tradition has always declared that ‘ homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered , ’ ” the Church teaches .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They close the sexual act to the gift of life .
They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity .
Under no circumstances can they be approved.
” Former homosexuals have also pointed out that the LGBT lifestyle is inherently anti-life , both spiritually and physically .
US bishop promotes ‘ celebration of Pride ’ with prayer card , rainbow crucifix Pro-gay bishop who criticized Covington boys to lead ‘ LGBTQ ’ retreat at Notre Dame

Bishop Stowe also criticized Trump supporters, saying, it's 'almost willful ignorance' for anybody to back the president 'because of claims of being pro-life.'
PETITION: Urge Catholic bishops to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion Biden! Sign the petition here.
LEXINGTON, Kentucky, August 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Bishop John Stowe said President Donald Trump, the first sitting president to speak at the annual March for Life in the nation’s capital, “is so much anti-life.”
Stowe also suggested he wants to change Catholic teaching on the family to accommodate homosexuality and gender ideology.
Stowe was appointed bishop of Lexington, Kentucky, by Pope Francis in 2015.
Taking part in a webinar at the end of July, Stowe said, “For this president to call himself pro-life, and for anybody to back him because of claims of being pro-life, is almost willful ignorance. He is so much anti-life because he is only concerned about himself, and he gives us every, every, every indication of that.”
The webinar was organized by the International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs, which says it focuses on “Democracy, Migration, the Future of the Church, Dialogue and Peace.”
While Stowe did not further comment on what he views as Trump’s narcissism, he did offer his own understanding of what being “pro-life” actually means.
“Yes, we have to be concerned for the unborn children,” he admitted at one point. “It’s foundational for us, but it’s all connected.” But in that that context, Stowe said “our understanding of pro-life has to be the vision that was described as the seamless garment vision.”
The term “seamless garment” refers to a theory first spelled out by the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin. According to that theory, intrinsic evils like abortion are essentially morally equivalent to societal ills like poverty.
“Pope Francis has given us a great definition of what pro-life means,” Bishop Stowe said. “He basically tells us we can’t claim to be pro-life if we support the separation of children from their parents at the U.S. border, if we support exposing people at the border to COVID-19 because of the facilities that they’re in, if we support denying people who have need to adequate health care access to that health care, if we keep people from getting the housing or the education that they need, we cannot call ourselves pro-life.”
Stowe recounted that Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, had attempted to amend a document by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on voting.
Cupich wanted “to include the paragraph from Gaudete et exsultate from Pope Francis about what the real pro-life issues are, the totality of pro-life issues.” Not adding this paragraph to the document, Stowe said, “was a sad day for the leadership of the Church in the United States.”
Pope Francis wrote in section 101 of his 2018 Apostolic Exhortation:
The other harmful ideological error is found in those who find suspect the social engagement of others, seeing it as superficial, worldly, secular, materialist, communist or populist. Or they relativize it, as if there are other more important matters, or the only thing that counts is one particular ethical issue or cause that they themselves defend. Our defence of the innocent unborn, for example, needs to be clear, firm and passionate, for at stake is the dignity of a human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of development. Equally sacred, however, are the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, the abandoned and the underprivileged, the vulnerable infirm and elderly exposed to covert euthanasia, the victims of human trafficking, new forms of slavery, and every form of rejection. We cannot uphold an ideal of holiness that would ignore injustice in a world where some revel, spend with abandon and live only for the latest consumer goods, even as others look on from afar, living their entire lives in abject poverty.
The Pope did not outright say that the killing of human beings is equal to poverty, sickness, and other issues, stating merely that unborn human life is just as sacred as that of poor people or sick people.
He did, however, claim that there is not one issue more important than others. If followed to its logical conclusion, this means that stopping abortion – the killing of innocent human beings – is not more important than offering help to poor people.
Pope Benedict himself pointed out in 2006 that there are three “principles which are not negotiable.” The Pope emeritus mentioned “protection of life in all its stages, from the first moment of conception until natural death,” in the first place.
He also talked about “the natural structure of the family,” emphasizing that a family is based on the lifelong union of one man and one woman, as well as the parents’ right “to educate their children.”
In other words, while different responses to social ills like poverty are possible for Catholics, they cannot vote for a candidate compromising on any of these issues.
Contrary to Stowe’s claims, President Trump has actually implemented a significant number of pro-life measures, understood in the traditional sense of protecting innocent human beings from being killed by abortion.
Among other accomplishments, Trump reinstated and expanded the ban on foreign aid to abortion-involved groups (including International Planned Parenthood Federation), banned groups that commit or refer abortions from Title X family planning funds, overturned Obama-era regulations that barred states from defunding Planned Parenthood, and issued rules protecting Americans from being forced to subsidize abortion in government-mandated health insurance plans.
In addition, the administration has consistently worked to defend life and oppose abortion at the United Nations, from resisting pro-abortion agenda items and resolution language to affirming that abortion isn’t a human right and promoting abstinence education. In May, Trump announced that the U.S. is cutting ties with the pro-abortion World Health Organization (WHO) due to its mishandling of the coronavirus crisis.
This year, Trump declared January 22, the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision imposing abortion on demand across the country, to be “National Sanctity of Human Life Day.” A few days later, he became the first U.S. president to attend the annual March for Life in Washington D.C.
In a proclamation issued prior to the march, Trump declared that “every person — the born and unborn, the poor, the downcast, the disabled, the infirm, and the elderly — has inherent value” and said the U.S. “proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to protect the precious gift of life at every stage, from conception to natural death.”
During his speech at the March for Life, Trump said, “Young people are the heart of the March for Life. And it’s your generation that is making America the pro-family, pro-life nation.”
“All of us here understand an eternal truth: Every child is a precious and sacred gift from God,” he continued. “Together, we must protect, cherish, and defend the dignity and the sanctity of every human life.”
“When we see the image of a baby in the womb, we glimpse the majesty of God's creation,” Trump said to roaring applause. “When we hold a newborn in our arms, we know the endless love that each child brings to a family. When we watch a child grow, we see the splendor that radiates from each human soul. One life changes the world.”
“And to all the moms here today, we celebrate you and we declare that mothers are heroes,” Trump added later on. “Your strength, devotion, and drive is what powers our nation. Because of you, our country has been blessed with amazing souls who have changed the course of human history.”
Bishop Stowe suggests that for some people, active homosexuality is ‘part of who they are’
Bishop John Stowe also used the webinar to once again push his support for homosexuality and gender ideology, explicitly saying, “Our understanding of family has to change.”
“We have to be in a different understanding of family, and that’s where the LGBT issues come into play,” he said. “I agree completely with [another webinar participant] that our credibility is on the line with the whole generation, and more, of young people who just don’t buy that teaching, and know from their experience, and know from the people that they know, that there are good and loving people that happen to identify as LGBT, and that’s part of who they are.”
By claiming that a person is defined by his or her homosexuality or gender confusion, Stowe essentially reduces a person to his or her tendencies or inclinations in sexual matters. The person would be unable to change. The Catechism of the Catholic Church distinguishes between a person, who is never “intrinsically disordered”; a person’s inclinations, which can be “intrinsically disordered” but only inherently sinful if acted upon; and a person’s actions, which can be “intrinsically disordered.”
Stowe encouraged people to keep insisting the Church to change the teaching. “There is a sensus fidei, there is a sense of the faithful, that also has to be part of Church teaching,” he claimed.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the term sensus fidei does not prevent large numbers of the faithful from adhering to false teachings.
“The whole body of the faithful … cannot err in matters of belief. This characteristic is shown in the supernatural appreciation of faith (sensus fidei) on the part of the whole people, when, from the bishops to the last of the faithful, they manifest a universal consent in matters of faith and morals.”
The role of the “the sacred teaching authority (Magisterium)” is also emphasized, meaning it’s impossible to express as sensus fidei something contradicting that teaching authority.
“Pope Francis has said it repeatedly: Bishops have to listen as much as they teach, and you can’t be a good teacher if you’re not a good listener,” Stowe said nonetheless. “And you can’t be a good teacher if you’re not a good student.”
On homosexuality, the Catechism is very clear. “Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered,’” the Church teaches. “They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.”
Former homosexuals have also pointed out that the LGBT lifestyle is inherently anti-life, both spiritually and physically.
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