lifesitenews--2020-01-15--WATCH: 600+ protest opening of new Planned Parenthood abortion mill in California

BALDWIN PARK , California , January 15 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Hundreds of pro-lifers joined a prayerful protest against a Planned Parenthood facility in California scheduled to open within weeks that will offer “ abortion services.
” Led by Bishop David G. O ’ Connell , one of the auxiliary bishops in Los Angeles , more than 600 faithful walked in a candlelight procession on Monday evening from St. John the Baptist Catholic Church to the new facility located in Baldwin Park , less than half a mile away .
At the abortion mill , the bishop , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building , as well as the people , to Mary , the Mother of God .
A large statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe , venerated by Catholics as the patroness of the unborn , and a Divine Mercy image were carried by the Knights of Columbus .
The consecration prayer , written by the Father Kolbe Missionaries of the Immaculata , asked Mary “ that you do not allow the sin and scourge of abortion to continue in our city , our state , our nation , nor in the world.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Our Lady “ this land , any buildings to be constructed upon it , and all the people who would enter it , especially unborn children and their mothers and fathers , and healthcare professionals.
” After the consecration , the bishop went around the building to sprinkle blessed salt as well as holy water on the property .
In a short homily , Bishop O ’ Connell remarked that “ the sin of abortion is having a terrible effect on everybody , ” including families .
Pointing to Our Lady saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new life beginning in her , ” he called for a change of heart “ in our country , in our Church , in our people – a change of heart to receive the gift of new life , of the unborn.
” Referring to the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe , O ’ Connell told the faithful , “ It ’ s beautiful that you bring her with us as we walk for life , stand for life.
” Father Michael Gutierrez , pastor of St. John the Baptist , encouraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the ballot box , saying , “ We pray today , we vote tomorrow !
” Speaking of politicians , he emphasized , “ Make sure they are people for life !
Pay attention to what goes on in your city !
” On January 22 , the anniversary of Roe v. Wade , Planned Parenthood will be hosting local city officials for an open house at the new facility in Baldwin Park .
Members of the pro-life movement will be protesting in front of the building from 8 a.m. to 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all their invited supporters that they are not welcome .
Life is sacred , and the culture of death surrounding Planned Parenthood is unwelcome and unwanted .
Bring pro-life signs and posters , ” reads a flyer handed out at Monday night ’ s candlelight procession .
Planned Parenthood has been implicated in sex trafficking .
As LifeSite reported , “ Seven clinics in four different states were found to be willing to participate in the exploitation of minor girls , supplying birth control , STD testing , and abortions to children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parenthood didn ’ t report any of it .
Staffers even coached the traffickers on how best to avoid being detected by law enforcement , so that these young girls could remain in slavery.
” Twenty years ago , hundreds of pro-lifers successfully prevented a Planned Parenthood facility from opening in Monrovia , only minutes from Baldwin Park .
The abortion center had been built and equipped , but numerous large protests led city officials to give in and buy for $ 800,000 the property where Planned Parenthood wanted to start performing abortions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the lot remains empty to this day .

Hundreds of faithful were led by Bishop David O’Connell in prayer outside of the Planned Parenthood building.
BALDWIN PARK, California, January 15, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Hundreds of pro-lifers joined a prayerful protest against a Planned Parenthood facility in California scheduled to open within weeks that will offer “abortion services.”
Led by Bishop David G. O’Connell, one of the auxiliary bishops in Los Angeles, more than 600 faithful walked in a candlelight procession on Monday evening from St. John the Baptist Catholic Church to the new facility located in Baldwin Park, less than half a mile away.
Hundreds of faithful led by Bishop David G. O’Connell in consecration to Mary outside of @PPFA abortion facility in Baldwin Park, CA (last Monday, January 13, 2020). pic.twitter.com/G6sQe2RRXG — Martin Bürger (@magisterbuerger) January 15, 2020
At the abortion mill, the bishop, priests and faithful consecrated the lands and the building, as well as the people, to Mary, the Mother of God. A large statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, venerated by Catholics as the patroness of the unborn, and a Divine Mercy image were carried by the Knights of Columbus.
The consecration prayer, written by the Father Kolbe Missionaries of the Immaculata, asked Mary “that you do not allow the sin and scourge of abortion to continue in our city, our state, our nation, nor in the world.”
The faithful went on to entrust to Our Lady “this land, any buildings to be constructed upon it, and all the people who would enter it, especially unborn children and their mothers and fathers, and healthcare professionals.”
After the consecration, the bishop went around the building to sprinkle blessed salt as well as holy water on the property.
In a short homily, Bishop O’Connell remarked that “the sin of abortion is having a terrible effect on everybody,” including families. Pointing to Our Lady saying “yes” to receive “the new life beginning in her,” he called for a change of heart “in our country, in our Church, in our people – a change of heart to receive the gift of new life, of the unborn.”
Referring to the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, O’Connell told the faithful, “It’s beautiful that you bring her with us as we walk for life, stand for life.”
Father Michael Gutierrez, pastor of St. John the Baptist, encouraged the faithful to make the right decisions at the ballot box, saying, “We pray today, we vote tomorrow!” Speaking of politicians, he emphasized, “Make sure they are people for life! Pay attention to what goes on in your city!”
On January 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Planned Parenthood will be hosting local city officials for an open house at the new facility in Baldwin Park. Members of the pro-life movement will be protesting in front of the building from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“Join us in showing them and all their invited supporters that they are not welcome. Life is sacred, and the culture of death surrounding Planned Parenthood is unwelcome and unwanted. Bring pro-life signs and posters,” reads a flyer handed out at Monday night’s candlelight procession.
Planned Parenthood has been implicated in sex trafficking. As LifeSite reported, “Seven clinics in four different states were found to be willing to participate in the exploitation of minor girls, supplying birth control, STD testing, and abortions to children who were being trafficked. And Planned Parenthood didn’t report any of it. Staffers even coached the traffickers on how best to avoid being detected by law enforcement, so that these young girls could remain in slavery.”
Twenty years ago, hundreds of pro-lifers successfully prevented a Planned Parenthood facility from opening in Monrovia, only minutes from Baldwin Park. The abortion center had been built and equipped, but numerous large protests led city officials to give in and buy for $800,000 the property where Planned Parenthood wanted to start performing abortions. The building was torn down, and the lot remains empty to this day.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-15--The poison of porn must be stopped. Here’s how

January 15 , 2019 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Terry Schilling has been fighting to ban or restrict porn to protect the family , but he 's being met with quite a bit of resistance from other conservatives .
Schilling is the Executive Director of the American Principles Project ( APP ) , an organization dedicated to supporting family values and their expression in politics .
APP has been at the center of the debate on an important pro-family issue : pornography .
This debate has surprisingly divided even the conservative movement .
Libertarians oppose government regulation and intervention .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Still another faction wants to only add an age verification requirement .
In today ’ s episode of The Van Maren Show , Jonathon Van Maren and Terry Schilling delve into the debate surrounding governmental regulations on pornography , today ’ s pornography-related laws , and what Schilling proposes we do to protect our children and our culture .
The average age at which children today are exposed to pornography is just 11 .
The reason ?
Pornography creators and websites target children , advertising in places children are likely to frequent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaged and eventually addicted in order to stay in business .
Currently , the only hurdle a child must overcome to access the content is to check a box saying he or she is at least 18 .
This was n't always the case .
In 1996 , the Communications Decency Act ( CDA ) was passed .
It was designed to restrict children 's access to pornography on the internet , similar to the Federal Communications Commissino ( FCC ) indecency regulations followed by TV and radio .
In 1997 , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court ruled that the age verification requirements imposed by the anti-indecency provisions of the CDA were too much of a burden to pornography users .
Since then , access to pornography has been largely unrestricted .
The court argued that the Internet was not as easily accessible as radio and television and therefore was not required to follow the same standards that prevented the transmission of obscenity across airwaves .
Schilling points out that despite this ruling , as the Internet grows , other statutes on the books that restrict the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pornography , but they just aren ’ t being enforced .
One argument for not enforcing these statutes is that pornography is free speech and is therefore protected by the First Amendment .
Schilling and Van Maren agree porn is truly just obscenity , not art or free speech .
And its impacts can last a lifetime .
Van Maren highlights a recent email he received that is sadly all too common .
He was contacted by a 12th grader who shared that he saw porn for the first time when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen a `` gangbang '' before he had held a girl ’ s hand .
He couldn ’ t even talk to a girl without photos of naked women flashing in his head .
His story is heartbreaking and not unique .
Most people who oppose banning or restricting pornography don ’ t realize just how badly pornography exposure affects children .
Schilling proposes a balanced solution that can gain partisan support and stand up to court challenges .
He recommends implementing a solution with which Great Britain has experimented : allow people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to adult content .
Schilling explains it would be similar to cable packages in that users can order regular ( filtered ) Internet or unrestricted ( unfiltered ) Internet .
Another option Schilling proposes is a true age verification – more than just checking a box verifying that a user is over 18 .
Many who disagree with Schilling say parents need to just be parents and teach their kids about the dangers of porn , and that the government does n't need to be involved .
Schilling argues that parents don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tobacco companies alone , but have the government ’ s help through laws restricting the sale of cigarettes to minors .
Van Maren posits that people don ’ t truly understand the poisonous nature of porn and the effect it has on brain development when they argue the government shouldn ’ t be involved .
Schilling and Van Maren note that when many think of porn , the pages of Playboy come to mind .
But porn today has evolved into something far more violent and graphic .
Listen to the full interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently surrounding the banning or restricting of pornography , Schilling cites a Gallup poll showing that only nine percent of Americans oppose a ban on porn .
Around 50 to 60 percent of people support restricting pornography to people over 18 .
And another 30 percent support banning pornography altogether .
So , despite the debate , Americans resoundingly support restrictions on pornography in some way .
Schilling outlines his strategy for forming a broad coalition uniting both Democrats and Republicans .
The focus would be on banning revenge pornography , `` deepfake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face onto pornography actors ) , and adding an age verification to pornography sites .
Both Schilling and Van Maren see this as only the beginning of the fight .
At American Principles Project , Schilling ’ s goal is to unite families and engage families around political issues impacting them .
With this activation of the family , Schilling sees the debate on pornography as one that can easily be won .
Readers can learn more about American Principles Project here .
The Van Maren Show is hosted on numerous platforms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iTunes , and Google Play .
For a full listing of episodes , and to subscribe to various channels , visit our Pippa webpage here .
To receive weekly emails when a new episode is uploaded , click here .

We have to band together to fight pornography before it ruins our culture.
PETITION: Call on U.S. Attorney General to declare war on porn” Sign the petition here.
January 15, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) – Terry Schilling has been fighting to ban or restrict porn to protect the family, but he's being met with quite a bit of resistance from other conservatives.
Schilling is the Executive Director of the American Principles Project (APP), an organization dedicated to supporting family values and their expression in politics. APP has been at the center of the debate on an important pro-family issue: pornography. This debate has surprisingly divided even the conservative movement. Libertarians oppose government regulation and intervention. Other conservatives want to ban pornography completely. Still another faction wants to only add an age verification requirement.
In today’s episode of The Van Maren Show, Jonathon Van Maren and Terry Schilling delve into the debate surrounding governmental regulations on pornography, today’s pornography-related laws, and what Schilling proposes we do to protect our children and our culture.
The average age at which children today are exposed to pornography is just 11.
The reason? Pornography creators and websites target children, advertising in places children are likely to frequent. The porn industry needs kids to become engaged and eventually addicted in order to stay in business. Currently, the only hurdle a child must overcome to access the content is to check a box saying he or she is at least 18.
This wasn't always the case. In 1996, the Communications Decency Act (CDA) was passed. It was designed to restrict children's access to pornography on the internet, similar to the Federal Communications Commissino (FCC) indecency regulations followed by TV and radio.
In 1997, in Reno v. American Civil Liberties Union, the Supreme Court ruled that the age verification requirements imposed by the anti-indecency provisions of the CDA were too much of a burden to pornography users. Since then, access to pornography has been largely unrestricted.
The court argued that the Internet was not as easily accessible as radio and television and therefore was not required to follow the same standards that prevented the transmission of obscenity across airwaves.
Schilling points out that despite this ruling, as the Internet grows, other statutes on the books that restrict the transmission of obscenity across airwaves basically apply to pornography, but they just aren’t being enforced.
One argument for not enforcing these statutes is that pornography is free speech and is therefore protected by the First Amendment. Schilling and Van Maren agree porn is truly just obscenity, not art or free speech. And its impacts can last a lifetime.
Van Maren highlights a recent email he received that is sadly all too common. He was contacted by a 12th grader who shared that he saw porn for the first time when he was in sixth grade. He had seen a “gangbang” before he had held a girl’s hand. He couldn’t even talk to a girl without photos of naked women flashing in his head. His story is heartbreaking and not unique. Most people who oppose banning or restricting pornography don’t realize just how badly pornography exposure affects children.
Schilling proposes a balanced solution that can gain partisan support and stand up to court challenges. He recommends implementing a solution with which Great Britain has experimented: allow people to order their Internet with or without access to adult content.
Schilling explains it would be similar to cable packages in that users can order regular (filtered) Internet or unrestricted (unfiltered) Internet. Another option Schilling proposes is a true age verification – more than just checking a box verifying that a user is over 18.
Many who disagree with Schilling say parents need to just be parents and teach their kids about the dangers of porn, and that the government doesn't need to be involved. Schilling argues that parents don’t have to take on big tobacco companies alone, but have the government’s help through laws restricting the sale of cigarettes to minors.
Van Maren posits that people don’t truly understand the poisonous nature of porn and the effect it has on brain development when they argue the government shouldn’t be involved. Schilling and Van Maren note that when many think of porn, the pages of Playboy come to mind. But porn today has evolved into something far more violent and graphic.
Listen to the full interview here:
Although there has been debate recently surrounding the banning or restricting of pornography, Schilling cites a Gallup poll showing that only nine percent of Americans oppose a ban on porn. Around 50 to 60 percent of people support restricting pornography to people over 18. And another 30 percent support banning pornography altogether. So, despite the debate, Americans resoundingly support restrictions on pornography in some way.
Schilling outlines his strategy for forming a broad coalition uniting both Democrats and Republicans. The focus would be on banning revenge pornography, “deepfake” pornography (imposing someone’s face onto pornography actors), and adding an age verification to pornography sites.
Both Schilling and Van Maren see this as only the beginning of the fight. At American Principles Project, Schilling’s goal is to unite families and engage families around political issues impacting them.
With this activation of the family, Schilling sees the debate on pornography as one that can easily be won.
Readers can learn more about American Principles Project here.
The Van Maren Show is hosted on numerous platforms, including Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, iTunes, and Google Play.
For a full listing of episodes, and to subscribe to various channels, visit our Pippa webpage here.
To receive weekly emails when a new episode is uploaded, click here.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-01-17--As San Francisco becomes more liberal, young people, minorities are fleeing

January 17 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — San Francisco is getting to be a hellhole , and not just because crooks are having a field day , or a vast homeless army has prompted new tech `` innovations '' in poop-map apps .
It 's actually becoming a city with a hollowed out look , redolent of some place like Steubenville , Ohio or maybe Utica , New York , during the bad years — empty storefronts and missing young people .
So much for the trope that left-wing cities , with their walkable boulevards full of food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bookstores , artisan cheese shops , gourmet restaurants , and cafés , are more lively and liveable than right-wing places .
For a while , that did seem to be the story .
But it 's coming to an end .
Sure , there 's vast wealth .
But despite California being in an economic boom , the place is starting to look like Venezuela .
The U.K .
Guardian of all places has a haunting report : At the beginning of this decade , one beloved block in San Francisco had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bookstore .
Sparky 's diner , a favorite final hangout for night owls , queer teens and the blackout drunk , was open round the clock .
Today , this block of Church Street just south of Market has the kind of abandoned storefronts that are usually a shorthand for declining mill towns , not centers of the tech future .
But all those closed shops are emblematic of today 's San Francisco , where even in upscale areas , the city 's economic boom can look surprisingly like an economic crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , second-wave gentrification , in which an influx of well-heeled residents means not Blue Bottle coffee shops and Kinfolk-inspired interior design stores , but emptiness .
Nobody mentions that maybe people do n't want to shop in some place where a drunk is puking in the doorway and the district attorney does n't want to prosecute , so the pukes — and homeless camps and other quality life issues — affect the quality of life .
In San Francisco , the well heeled locals can always order online .
But it goes well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out its poor people .
And it 's happening worst in disproportionately blue states .
Taxes , minimum wage hikes , greenie regulations , freezes on new construction , rent control , all supposedly to help `` working families , '' have all had one unintended consequence : hitting the poor as hard as possible , driving them to move out .
After all , anyone with a six- or seven-figure salary in some lawyer or tech job has no problem buying or renting a house in San Francisco .
But these are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be manning the cash registers in some low-margin business on the first floor .
Housing costs have been driven so high by leftist taxes , environmental regulations , and NIMBY-ism that the low-margin shops , the startups , and the poor are the ones who in the end bear the brunt of all the `` reforms . ''
There 's no place for the working poor in a blue city whose entire economic model is premised on taxing `` the rich . ''
New Yorkers have told me that this empty storefront effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York , by the way , home to similar unintended consequences from the same supposedly help-the-poor policies .
And it 's not just the poor who staff shops who are leaving the city .
It 's also the black people — the city has gotten much whiter in the past decade as people on the bottom rungs of the economic ladder move on to economically friendlier places where both jobs and housing are attainable .
And ominously , the young people are fleeing .
Here 's a recent piece by Monica Fike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a crisis , even with the appearance of vast wealth in the state .
You can bet that a lot of those fleeing are San Franciscans .
And a city without young people is not going to grow , innovate , or enact change , not in the long run — in this case , even in the short run .
It 's going to have that hollowed out look of western Europe , which has been steeped in socialism for decades , except that it 'll adopt that uglier rust belt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even uglier socialist Venezuelan look .
What 's striking about all this is that the state 's ruling Democrats do n't see a crisis .
They should ; they are losing congressional seats as a result of it .
But they do n't .
They dismiss the Venezuelification of their bluest cities as nothing .
Not one politician puts out word , as some Latin countries sometimes do , that people should n't leave , even if it 's a useless argument without reforms .
Not one talks of lowering taxes on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the rich , or who depend on the rich to buy their products , can have a chance at survival .
They ought to be panicking about the loss of their tax base , their congressional clout , and their bad future .
But they do n't .
They live for themselves , they seek to entrench themselves in power forever , and everything is going to stay the same with them on top .
It wo n't work .
It will only get worse .
And they wo n't know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they will Blame Trump .
Published with permission from the American Thinker .

This is a crisis, even with the appearance of vast wealth in the state of California.
January 17, 2020 (American Thinker) — San Francisco is getting to be a hellhole, and not just because crooks are having a field day, or a vast homeless army has prompted new tech “innovations” in poop-map apps.
It's actually becoming a city with a hollowed out look, redolent of some place like Steubenville, Ohio or maybe Utica, New York, during the bad years — empty storefronts and missing young people. So much for the trope that left-wing cities, with their walkable boulevards full of food trucks, handmade crafts, knitting shops, bookstores, artisan cheese shops, gourmet restaurants, and cafés, are more lively and liveable than right-wing places. For a while, that did seem to be the story. But it's coming to an end. Sure, there's vast wealth. But despite California being in an economic boom, the place is starting to look like Venezuela.
The U.K. Guardian of all places has a haunting report:
At the beginning of this decade, one beloved block in San Francisco had a taqueria, a flower shop and a bookstore. Sparky's diner, a favorite final hangout for night owls, queer teens and the blackout drunk, was open round the clock. Today, this block of Church Street just south of Market has the kind of abandoned storefronts that are usually a shorthand for declining mill towns, not centers of the tech future. But all those closed shops are emblematic of today's San Francisco, where even in upscale areas, the city's economic boom can look surprisingly like an economic crisis. What this represents is a strange, second-wave gentrification, in which an influx of well-heeled residents means not Blue Bottle coffee shops and Kinfolk-inspired interior design stores, but emptiness.
Nobody mentions that maybe people don't want to shop in some place where a drunk is puking in the doorway and the district attorney doesn't want to prosecute, so the pukes — and homeless camps and other quality life issues — affect the quality of life. In San Francisco, the well heeled locals can always order online.
But it goes well beyond that. The city has chased out its poor people. And it's happening worst in disproportionately blue states. Taxes, minimum wage hikes, greenie regulations, freezes on new construction, rent control, all supposedly to help “working families,” have all had one unintended consequence: hitting the poor as hard as possible, driving them to move out.
After all, anyone with a six- or seven-figure salary in some lawyer or tech job has no problem buying or renting a house in San Francisco. But these aren't the people who are going to be manning the cash registers in some low-margin business on the first floor. Housing costs have been driven so high by leftist taxes, environmental regulations, and NIMBY-ism that the low-margin shops, the startups, and the poor are the ones who in the end bear the brunt of all the “reforms.”
There's no place for the working poor in a blue city whose entire economic model is premised on taxing “the rich.” New Yorkers have told me that this empty storefront effect was first seen in Michael Bloomberg's New York, by the way, home to similar unintended consequences from the same supposedly help-the-poor policies.
And it's not just the poor who staff shops who are leaving the city. It's also the black people — the city has gotten much whiter in the past decade as people on the bottom rungs of the economic ladder move on to economically friendlier places where both jobs and housing are attainable. And ominously, the young people are fleeing. Here's a recent piece by Monica Fike at LinkedIn describing the problem:
Where have all the kids gone in California? The number of those under 18 fell by more than 400,000 over the past decade to 8.9 million, according to the latest Census data for the state. Declining immigration and the lowest birthrate in California's history are to blame. Experts also cite migration of young people to other states. The decline in youth populations is being felt across the U.S., reports Bloomberg, with 30 states having recorded similar drops in the under-18 age bracket between 2010 and 2019.
This is a crisis, even with the appearance of vast wealth in the state. You can bet that a lot of those fleeing are San Franciscans. And a city without young people is not going to grow, innovate, or enact change, not in the long run — in this case, even in the short run. It's going to have that hollowed out look of western Europe, which has been steeped in socialism for decades, except that it'll adopt that uglier rust belt look or, more likely, the even uglier socialist Venezuelan look.
What's striking about all this is that the state's ruling Democrats don't see a crisis. They should; they are losing congressional seats as a result of it. But they don't. They dismiss the Venezuelification of their bluest cities as nothing. Not one politician puts out word, as some Latin countries sometimes do, that people shouldn't leave, even if it's a useless argument without reforms. Not one talks of lowering taxes on the rich so that the people who work for the rich, or who depend on the rich to buy their products, can have a chance at survival. They ought to be panicking about the loss of their tax base, their congressional clout, and their bad future. But they don't. They live for themselves, they seek to entrench themselves in power forever, and everything is going to stay the same with them on top.
It won't work. It will only get worse. And they won't know what hit them. The only certainty is that they will Blame Trump.
Published with permission from the American Thinker.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-17--Trump criticizes liberals’ ‘growing totalitarian impulse’ as he vows to protect school prayer

WASHINGTON , D.C. , January 17 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Yesterday , the Trump administration released a new guidance affirming students have the right to pray in schools and promised to continue protecting religious freedom via nine proposed new regulations .
As he spoke , the president was surrounded by religious leaders who had joined him in the Oval Office on National Religious Freedom Day .
It is a “ sacred principle in our republic that government must never stand between the people and God , ” said President Trump .
“ Yet in public schools around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from praying , sharing their faith , or following their religious beliefs.
” “ It is totally unacceptable .
You see it on the football field .
You see it so many times where they ’ re stopped from praying , ” observed the president , declaring , “ We are doing something to stop that.
” With Trump at the White House was Joe Kennedy , a high school football coach who was fired for silently praying on the field , according to Politico .
“ Tragically , there is a growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeks to punish , restrict , and even prohibit religious expression , ” Trump continued , noting that not that many years ago , it would have been unthinkable that something like that could happen .
He called the “ right to pray ” a “ very important and powerful right.
” There has not been a federal guidance regarding protected prayer and religious expression in public schools since 2003 , according to the White House , and “ the update will help safeguard students ’ rights by giving education providers and students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public schools.
” The new guidance means that states “ will be required to report instances in which the right to pray has been denied in public schools , ” Politico reported .
“ The proposed rules would eliminate burdensome Obama-era requirements that unfairly imposed unique regulatory burdens only on religious organizations , ” the White House continued .
The Office of Management and Budget will release a memo requiring federal agencies “ to ensure that the grant-making practices of state recipients of Federal funding comply with the First Amendment.
” “ From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America has been rooted in the truth that all men and women are endowed with the right to follow their conscience , worship freely , and live in accordance with their convictions , ” he said .
“ On Religious Freedom Day , we honor the foundational link between freedom and faith in our country and reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the religious liberty of all Americans.
” Terry Schilling , executive director of the American Principles Project ( APP ) , said it ’ s become “ abundantly clear ” that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump.
” “ Throughout his presidency , Donald Trump has been a consistent champion of religious liberty , ” said Schilling .
“ Today ’ s actions by his administration further solidify this , offering important protections to faith-based groups who faced unfair discrimination under the previous president and ensuring that the First Amendment rights of students are fully respected.
” Tony Perkins , president of the Family Research Council , said Trump ’ s actions yesterday will address something that is a problem in many parts of the country .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials are either ignorant about student speech or outright hostile to prayer , but in too many instances , kids have been taught that expressions of faith aren ’ t welcome , ” he said .
“ Believe it or not , this kind of federal guidance is supposed to be updated every couple of years — and yet , almost two decades have gone by , and no president has , ” Perkins explained .
“ So , this morning , for the first time since 2003 , districts across America are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ rights .
And to ensure that schools are listening , local agencies will have to promise to abide by the law before they get a cent of federal funds.
” The president also put forth a “ Proclamation on Religious Freedom Day , 2020 , ” in which he briefly recounted the significance of religious liberty in America ’ s history and his administration ’ s efforts to more firmly secure religious freedom in the United States and around the world .
“ On this Religious Freedom Day , we reaffirm our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right of religious freedom , both at home and abroad , ” states the proclamation , in part .
“ Our Founders entrusted the American people with a responsibility to protect religious liberty so that our Nation may stand as a bright beacon for the rest of the world.
” From its opening pages , the story of America has been rooted in the truth that all men and women are endowed with the right to follow their conscience , worship freely , and live in accordance with their convictions .
On Religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ link between freedom and faith in our country and reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the religious liberty of all Americans .
Religious freedom in America , often referred to as our “ first freedom , ” was a driving force behind some of the earliest defining moments of our American identity .
The desire for religious freedom impelled the Pilgrims to leave their homes in Europe and journey to a distant land , and it is the reason so many others seeking to live out their faith or change their faith have made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago , the Virginia General Assembly passed the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom , which was authored and championed by Thomas Jefferson .
Jefferson famously expounded that “ all men shall be free to profess , and by argument to maintain , their opinions in matters of Religion , and that the same shall in no wise diminish , enlarge or affect their civil capacities.
” This statute served as the catalyst for the First Amendment , which enshrined in law our conviction to prevent government interference in religion .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power of that Amendment , America is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world .
Since I took office , my Administration has been committed to protecting religious liberty .
In May 2017 , I signed an Executive Order to advance religious freedom for individuals and institutions , and I stopped the Johnson Amendment from interfering with pastors ’ right to speak their minds .
Over the last 3 years , the Department of Justice has obtained 14 convictions in cases involving attacks or threats against places of worship .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country , I signed an Executive Order last month to ensure that Federal agencies are using nondiscrimination authorities to combat this venomous bigotry .
I have also made clear that my Administration will not tolerate the violation of any American ’ s ability to worship freely and openly and to live as his or her faith commands .
My Administration also remains cognizant of the stark realities for people seeking religious liberty abroad and has made protecting religious minorities a core pillar of my Administration ’ s foreign policy .
Repressive governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass detention , and torture , while terrorist organizations carry out barbaric violence against innocent victims on account of their religion .
To cast a light on these abuses , in July 2019 , I welcomed survivors of religious persecution from 16 countries into the Oval Office .
These survivors included Christians , Jews , and Muslims , who all shared similar stories of persecution .
At the United Nations in September , I called on global leaders to take concrete steps to prevent state and non‑state actors from attacking citizens for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and safety of places of worship .
And , last summer , the State Department convened its second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom , where our diplomats engaged a broad range of stakeholders in government and civil society , both religious and secular , to identify concrete ways to combat religious persecution and discrimination around the world and ensure greater respect for freedom of religion and belief .
On this Religious Freedom Day , we reaffirm our commitment to protecting the precious and fundamental right of religious freedom , both at home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with a responsibility to protect religious liberty so that our Nation may stand as a bright beacon for the rest of the world .
Today , we remain committed to that sacred endeavor and strive to support those around the world who still struggle under oppressive regimes that impose restrictions on freedom of religion .
NOW , THEREFORE , I , DONALD J. TRUMP , President of the United States of America , by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as Religious Freedom Day .
I call on all Americans to commemorate this day with events and activities that remind us of our shared heritage of religious liberty and that teach us how to secure this blessing both at home and around the world .
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of January , in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty , and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth .

'The government must never stand between the people and God,' Trump said as he promised to protect the First Amendment and the rights of students to pray in school.
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 17, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Yesterday, the Trump administration released a new guidance affirming students have the right to pray in schools and promised to continue protecting religious freedom via nine proposed new regulations.
As he spoke, the president was surrounded by religious leaders who had joined him in the Oval Office on National Religious Freedom Day.
“The government must never stand between the people and God.” — President @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/PqcJLItiVJ — The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 16, 2020
It is a “sacred principle in our republic that government must never stand between the people and God,” said President Trump. “Yet in public schools around the country authorities are stopping students and teachers from praying, sharing their faith, or following their religious beliefs.”
“It is totally unacceptable. You see it on the football field. You see it so many times where they’re stopped from praying,” observed the president, declaring, “We are doing something to stop that.”
With Trump at the White House was Joe Kennedy, a high school football coach who was fired for silently praying on the field, according to Politico.
“Tragically, there is a growing totalitarian impulse on the far left that seeks to punish, restrict, and even prohibit religious expression,” Trump continued, noting that not that many years ago, it would have been unthinkable that something like that could happen. He called the “right to pray” a “very important and powerful right.”
There has not been a federal guidance regarding protected prayer and religious expression in public schools since 2003, according to the White House, and “the update will help safeguard students’ rights by giving education providers and students the most current information concerning prayer in public schools.”
The new guidance means that states “will be required to report instances in which the right to pray has been denied in public schools,” Politico reported.
The White House also announced:
To receive Federal funds, local educational agencies must confirm that their policies do not prevent or interfere with the constitutionally-protected rights outlined in the [new] guidance.
The updated guidance will help improve individuals’ ability to file a complaint if they are denied the ability to participate in protected religious expression.
The new guidance makes clear that students can read religious texts or pray during recess and other non-instructional periods, organize prayer groups, and express their religious beliefs in their assignments.
“The proposed rules would eliminate burdensome Obama-era requirements that unfairly imposed unique regulatory burdens only on religious organizations,” the White House continued. The Office of Management and Budget will release a memo requiring federal agencies “to ensure that the grant-making practices of state recipients of Federal funding comply with the First Amendment.”
President Trump also issued a proclamation declaring January 16 “Religious Freedom Day.”
“From its opening pages, the story of America has been rooted in the truth that all men and women are endowed with the right to follow their conscience, worship freely, and live in accordance with their convictions,” he said. “On Religious Freedom Day, we honor the foundational link between freedom and faith in our country and reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the religious liberty of all Americans.”
Terry Schilling, executive director of the American Principles Project (APP), said it’s become “abundantly clear” that “faithful Americans have a strong ally in President Trump.”
“Throughout his presidency, Donald Trump has been a consistent champion of religious liberty,” said Schilling. “Today’s actions by his administration further solidify this, offering important protections to faith-based groups who faced unfair discrimination under the previous president and ensuring that the First Amendment rights of students are fully respected.”
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, said Trump’s actions yesterday will address something that is a problem in many parts of the country.
“In a lot of districts, school officials are either ignorant about student speech or outright hostile to prayer, but in too many instances, kids have been taught that expressions of faith aren’t welcome,” he said.
“Believe it or not, this kind of federal guidance is supposed to be updated every couple of years — and yet, almost two decades have gone by, and no president has,” Perkins explained. “So, this morning, for the first time since 2003, districts across America are about to get a lesson in students’ rights. And to ensure that schools are listening, local agencies will have to promise to abide by the law before they get a cent of federal funds.”
The president also put forth a “Proclamation on Religious Freedom Day, 2020,” in which he briefly recounted the significance of religious liberty in America’s history and his administration’s efforts to more firmly secure religious freedom in the United States and around the world.
“On this Religious Freedom Day, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting the precious and fundamental right of religious freedom, both at home and abroad,” states the proclamation, in part. “Our Founders entrusted the American people with a responsibility to protect religious liberty so that our Nation may stand as a bright beacon for the rest of the world.”
Full text of the proclamation:
Proclamation on Religious Freedom Day, 2020
From its opening pages, the story of America has been rooted in the truth that all men and women are endowed with the right to follow their conscience, worship freely, and live in accordance with their convictions. On Religious Freedom Day, we honor the foundational link between freedom and faith in our country and reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the religious liberty of all Americans.
Religious freedom in America, often referred to as our “first freedom,” was a driving force behind some of the earliest defining moments of our American identity. The desire for religious freedom impelled the Pilgrims to leave their homes in Europe and journey to a distant land, and it is the reason so many others seeking to live out their faith or change their faith have made America their home.
More than 230 years ago, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which was authored and championed by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson famously expounded that “all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of Religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge or affect their civil capacities.” This statute served as the catalyst for the First Amendment, which enshrined in law our conviction to prevent government interference in religion. More than 200 years later, thanks to the power of that Amendment, America is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world.
Since I took office, my Administration has been committed to protecting religious liberty. In May 2017, I signed an Executive Order to advance religious freedom for individuals and institutions, and I stopped the Johnson Amendment from interfering with pastors’ right to speak their minds. Over the last 3 years, the Department of Justice has obtained 14 convictions in cases involving attacks or threats against places of worship. To fight the rise of anti-Semitism in our country, I signed an Executive Order last month to ensure that Federal agencies are using nondiscrimination authorities to combat this venomous bigotry. I have also made clear that my Administration will not tolerate the violation of any American’s ability to worship freely and openly and to live as his or her faith commands.
My Administration also remains cognizant of the stark realities for people seeking religious liberty abroad and has made protecting religious minorities a core pillar of my Administration’s foreign policy. Repressive governments persecute religious worshipers using high-tech surveillance, mass detention, and torture, while terrorist organizations carry out barbaric violence against innocent victims on account of their religion.
To cast a light on these abuses, in July 2019, I welcomed survivors of religious persecution from 16 countries into the Oval Office. These survivors included Christians, Jews, and Muslims, who all shared similar stories of persecution. At the United Nations in September, I called on global leaders to take concrete steps to prevent state and non‑state actors from attacking citizens for their beliefs and to help ensure the sanctity and safety of places of worship. And, last summer, the State Department convened its second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, where our diplomats engaged a broad range of stakeholders in government and civil society, both religious and secular, to identify concrete ways to combat religious persecution and discrimination around the world and ensure greater respect for freedom of religion and belief.
On this Religious Freedom Day, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting the precious and fundamental right of religious freedom, both at home and abroad. Our Founders entrusted the American people with a responsibility to protect religious liberty so that our Nation may stand as a bright beacon for the rest of the world. Today, we remain committed to that sacred endeavor and strive to support those around the world who still struggle under oppressive regimes that impose restrictions on freedom of religion.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2020, as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to commemorate this day with events and activities that remind us of our shared heritage of religious liberty and that teach us how to secure this blessing both at home and around the world.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
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lifesitenews--2020-01-17--Undercover video shows Bernie Sanders organizer pining for ‘violent reaction,’ reeducation ‘gu

Undercover video shows Bernie Sanders organizer pining for ‘violent reaction,’ reeducation ‘gulags’ if Dem loses

January 17 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Much has been made of Independent Vermont senator and Democrat presidential contender Bernie Sanders ’ self-identification as a socialist , an ideology associated with some of the most notorious human rights abuses of the 20th century .
A new undercover investigation by the conservative group Project Veritas reveals that some within Sanders ’ campaign take the historical parallels much further than previously known .
This week , Project Veritas released the first and second parts of its # Expose2020 undercover video series , which catches the Sanders campaign ’ s Iowa Field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking with striking candor about what he would like to see happen to conservatives , to the wealthy , and to Democrats who support other candidates in the party primary .
“ In Nazi Germany , after the fall of the Nazi Party , there was a sh**-ton of the populace that was f***ing Nazified , ” Jurek says .
“ Germany had to spend billions of dollars re-educating their f***ing people to not be Nazis.
” he predicted that doing the “ same f***ing thing here ” would be necessary to reeducate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was the purpose of Sanders ’ “ free education for everybody ” stance : “ To that end , Jurek also defends the gulags of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin as places “ meant for re-education , ” where forced workers “ were actually paid a living wage ” and “ had conjugal visits.
” In reality , peasants , political dissidents , and others were abducted by the state and forced into menial labor without trial , working 14-hour days in squalid conditions , and many died due to exhaustion , starvation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos , Jurek fantasizes about forcing billionaires to “ break rocks for 12 hours a day ” to teach them they aren ’ t superior to the working class , and that “ f***ing Milwaukee will burn ” if Sanders loses the Democrat nomination ( complete with police getting “ f***ing beaten ” ) , and dragging television pundits into the streets and lighting them on fire .
“ Well , I ’ ll tell you what in Cuba , what did they do to reactionaries : you want to fight against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die for it , motherf***er , ” he declares .
“ If your speech is calling for people to be eliminated on the base of race , gender , religious… like for whatever reason , things that people can ’ t change , then you should expect a f***in ’ violent reaction.
” Jurek , who has an arrest record for drugs and intoxication , also claims that “ many of the organizers ” within the Sanders camp are “ further left than the Democratic Socialists , ” and that many Sanders supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement , which is known for violence .
Most disturbingly , Project Veritas adds that following its first report , it received a tip from associates of Jurek who expressed concern that he might someday attempt to assassinate Trump .
The Washington Times reports that so far , the Sanders campaign is dismissing the revelations .
“ The hundreds of thousands of Iowans we ’ ve talked to this caucus season don ’ t care about political gossip ; they care about making healthcare a human right , taking on climate change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wars , ” said Sanders ’ Iowa state director Misty Rebik .
“ That ’ s our focus.
” RealClearPolitics currently has Bernie Sanders in second place among the Democrat field , with 19.2 % of the vote to former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s 27.2 % .

Project Veritas caught a Sanders field organizer speaking with striking candor about what he would like to see happen if Sanders loses.
January 17, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Much has been made of Independent Vermont senator and Democrat presidential contender Bernie Sanders’ self-identification as a socialist, an ideology associated with some of the most notorious human rights abuses of the 20th century. A new undercover investigation by the conservative group Project Veritas reveals that some within Sanders’ campaign take the historical parallels much further than previously known.
This week, Project Veritas released the first and second parts of its #Expose2020 undercover video series, which catches the Sanders campaign’s Iowa Field Organizer, Kyle Jurek, on tape speaking with striking candor about what he would like to see happen to conservatives, to the wealthy, and to Democrats who support other candidates in the party primary.
“In Nazi Germany, after the fall of the Nazi Party, there was a sh**-ton of the populace that was f***ing Nazified,” Jurek says. “Germany had to spend billions of dollars re-educating their f***ing people to not be Nazis.” he predicted that doing the “same f***ing thing here” would be necessary to reeducate Trump supporters, and in fact suggested that was the purpose of Sanders’ “free education for everybody” stance:
To that end, Jurek also defends the gulags of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin as places “meant for re-education,” where forced workers “were actually paid a living wage” and “had conjugal visits.” In reality, peasants, political dissidents, and others were abducted by the state and forced into menial labor without trial, working 14-hour days in squalid conditions, and many died due to exhaustion, starvation, or execution.
Elsewhere in the videos, Jurek fantasizes about forcing billionaires to “break rocks for 12 hours a day” to teach them they aren’t superior to the working class, and that “f***ing Milwaukee will burn” if Sanders loses the Democrat nomination (complete with police getting “f***ing beaten”), and dragging television pundits into the streets and lighting them on fire.
“Well, I’ll tell you what in Cuba, what did they do to reactionaries: you want to fight against the revolution, you’re going to die for it, motherf***er,” he declares. “If your speech is calling for people to be eliminated on the base of race, gender, religious… like for whatever reason, things that people can’t change, then you should expect a f***in’ violent reaction.”
Jurek, who has an arrest record for drugs and intoxication, also claims that “many of the organizers” within the Sanders camp are “further left than the Democratic Socialists,” and that many Sanders supporters are also members of the far-left Antifa movement, which is known for violence.
Most disturbingly, Project Veritas adds that following its first report, it received a tip from associates of Jurek who expressed concern that he might someday attempt to assassinate Trump.
The Washington Times reports that so far, the Sanders campaign is dismissing the revelations.
“The hundreds of thousands of Iowans we’ve talked to this caucus season don’t care about political gossip; they care about making healthcare a human right, taking on climate change, making college affordable, and ending endless wars,” said Sanders’ Iowa state director Misty Rebik. “That’s our focus.”
RealClearPolitics currently has Bernie Sanders in second place among the Democrat field, with 19.2% of the vote to former Vice President Joe Biden’s 27.2%.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-17--Cardinal Müller: Benedict XVI could not keep silent because he saw the ‘danger’

ROME , January 17 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Benedict XVI said he could not remain silent in his new book because he sees the voices of those who wish to abolish priestly celibacy as a “ great danger ” for the Church , Cardinal Gerhard Müller has said .
In a recent interview with Corriere della Sera , the former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith ( CDF ) added that while “ some are putting pressure on Francis , ” the “ contribution ” of Benedict ’ s new book with Cardinal Sarah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The new volume , titled From the Depths of Our Hearts , “ has a theological and ecclesiastical value greater than that of many other bishops and theologians , ” Cardinal Müller said .
The cardinal ’ s comments were given to Corriere but were edited out of the printed edition for reasons of length .
The cardinal , however , provided LifeSiteNews with the full text .
Elaborating on the “ danger ” Benedict sees , the cardinal pointed to forces within the Church that are ready to use the Amazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Synod discussed the possibility of ordaining married men , but the Amazonian bishops represent only a small part of the world episcopate , ” the cardinal told Corriere .
“ The Catholic priesthood is at stake here .
Some , as in Germany , are beginning to say : why not elsewhere ?
If you destroy a principle , then everything falls.
” This principle , he said , is the truth of the Catholic priesthood .
“ We Catholics are not like Protestants who see the ministry only as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us are representatives of Jesus Christ , the Good Shepherd and High Priest , ” he explained .
Cardinal Müller was appointed prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI and is the editor of Joseph Ratzinger ’ s opera omnia .
In July 2017 , Pope Francis replaced the 72-year-old German prelate with Spanish Jesuit theologian Luis Ladaria as prefect of the CDF .
In his interview with Corriere , Cardinal Müller made clear he has no concerns about the new book causing any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francis and the Pope emeritus .
“ We don ’ t have two popes , there is only one pope , Francis , ” he said .
“ We say ‘ pope emeritus ’ as a form of courtesy , ” but “ in reality , Benedict XVI is a bishop emeritus.
” The cardinal said that those who see the new book by Benedict XVI and Cardinal Sarah as a “ sort of interference ” forget that while the Roman Pontiff is the “ principle of unity in the Church … all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such in the Magisterium of the Church together have the responsibility for the depositum fidei.
” Pressed on two common issues posed by those who advocate a relaxing of celibacy in the Latin Rite — i.e .
married priests in the Eastern Churches and the ordination of former Anglican clergy — Cardinal Müller stressed “ they are exceptions , in the name of the superior value of the unity of the Church.
” But he added : “ it does not mean abolishing the principle.
” In 1980 , Pope John Paul II @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Provision , ” enabling bishops to ordain former Anglican clergy as diocesan priests , once they received a dispensation from the Holy See regarding celibacy .
In his 2009 apostolic constitution , Anglicanorum caetibus , Pope Benedict XVI authorized a similar provision within a new Anglican Ordinariate that he established with this document .
When asked how he explains the storm of controversy surrounding Benedict XVI ’ s new book with Cardinal Sarah , Cardinal Müller pointed to rampant “ opportunism.
” “ When Ratzinger was Pope , ” the cardinal observed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they adored him .
Now they don ’ t visit him , they don ’ t listen to him , they even manage to slow down the publication of his works in Italian.
” “ The opportunists are always the greatest enemies of the credibility of the Church , ” he said .

ROME, January 17, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Benedict XVI said he could not remain silent in his new book because he sees the voices of those who wish to abolish priestly celibacy as a “great danger” for the Church, Cardinal Gerhard Müller has said.
In a recent interview with Corriere della Sera, the former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) added that while “some are putting pressure on Francis,” the “contribution” of Benedict’s new book with Cardinal Sarah is “a help to the Pope.”
The new volume, titled From the Depths of Our Hearts, “has a theological and ecclesiastical value greater than that of many other bishops and theologians,” Cardinal Müller said.
The cardinal’s comments were given to Corriere but were edited out of the printed edition for reasons of length. The cardinal, however, provided LifeSiteNews with the full text.
Elaborating on the “danger” Benedict sees, the cardinal pointed to forces within the Church that are ready to use the Amazon Synod to weaken the Catholic priesthood.
“The Synod discussed the possibility of ordaining married men, but the Amazonian bishops represent only a small part of the world episcopate,” the cardinal told Corriere. “The Catholic priesthood is at stake here. Some, as in Germany, are beginning to say: why not elsewhere? If you destroy a principle, then everything falls.”
This principle, he said, is the truth of the Catholic priesthood.
“We Catholics are not like Protestants who see the ministry only as a function in the Church. Priests for us are representatives of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd and High Priest,” he explained.
Cardinal Müller was appointed prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI and is the editor of Joseph Ratzinger’s opera omnia. In July 2017, Pope Francis replaced the 72-year-old German prelate with Spanish Jesuit theologian Luis Ladaria as prefect of the CDF.
In his interview with Corriere, Cardinal Müller made clear he has no concerns about the new book causing any “confusion between the magisteriums” of Francis and the Pope emeritus.
“We don’t have two popes, there is only one pope, Francis,” he said. “We say ‘pope emeritus’ as a form of courtesy,” but “in reality, Benedict XVI is a bishop emeritus.”
The cardinal said that those who see the new book by Benedict XVI and Cardinal Sarah as a “sort of interference” forget that while the Roman Pontiff is the “principle of unity in the Church … all bishops, even emeriti, participate as such in the Magisterium of the Church together have the responsibility for the depositum fidei.”
Pressed on two common issues posed by those who advocate a relaxing of celibacy in the Latin Rite — i.e. married priests in the Eastern Churches and the ordination of former Anglican clergy — Cardinal Müller stressed “they are exceptions, in the name of the superior value of the unity of the Church.” But he added: “it does not mean abolishing the principle.”
In 1980, Pope John Paul II authorized what is called the “Pastoral Provision,” enabling bishops to ordain former Anglican clergy as diocesan priests, once they received a dispensation from the Holy See regarding celibacy. In his 2009 apostolic constitution, Anglicanorum caetibus, Pope Benedict XVI authorized a similar provision within a new Anglican Ordinariate that he established with this document.
When asked how he explains the storm of controversy surrounding Benedict XVI’s new book with Cardinal Sarah, Cardinal Müller pointed to rampant “opportunism.”
“When Ratzinger was Pope,” the cardinal observed, “many people came to visit him and they adored him. Now they don’t visit him, they don’t listen to him, they even manage to slow down the publication of his works in Italian.”
“The opportunists are always the greatest enemies of the credibility of the Church,” he said.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-17--Transgender propaganda is media’s way of making you believe 2 plus 2 equals 5

January 16 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — George Orwell knew that totalitarian dictatorships retain power by compelling people to agree that 2+2=5 .
But what happens if it 's not the government , but the media that lie ?
With the American media pushing transgenderism , we 're finding out .
With accelerating force , the media insist that biological sex is meaningless and that people 's sex is determined by their feelings .
We are told to accept that people , through wishing , hormones , and surgery , can magically become the opposite sex .
Over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has made people realize that , in a free society , no one should be penalized for a sexual preference .
Today , the transgender movement , using the homosexual movement , is working with the media to force us to give it the same rights and respect .
This ignores that homosexuality is different from so-called transgenderism .
Homosexuality does not force us to deny biology .
Homosexual men are still men , and homosexual women are still women .
Their differences are behavioral .
Transgenderism , however , is not about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about denying fundamental biological realities .
The saddest thing is that those who have accepted the media 's drumbeat , often as an antidote to deep depression , are discovering to their cost that it 's a lie .
Those committed to individual liberty will let people claim to be the opposite sex , or a camel or a Martian .
But while the First Amendment ensures that our government can neither tell us that these beliefs are true nor punish us for denying those beliefs , our media are subtly trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired in this media war to have us accept that 2+2=5 is an NBC article bemoaning women suffering from periods .
Wait .
That 's wrong .
It 's not about the fact that , since the dawn of humankind , periods have been a pain in the tuchis .
Instead , the article is about the psychic suffering of women who think they 're men but , in relentless fealty to biological reality , still have periods : When transgender model and activist Kenny Ethan Jones experienced his [ sic ] first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both physical and psychological pain .
Initially , Jones , who had not yet come out as trans at the time , felt like he [ sic ] was losing control and did n't understand what was happening to his [ sic ] body .
However , one thing was clear : He [ sic ] did n't feel like himself .
`` I did n't believe that having periods would be a part of my lived experience , '' Jones told NBC News .
`` I felt isolated ; everything about periods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a boy [ sic ] , was experiencing this and nothing in the world documented that . ''
He [ sic ] currently experiences a wide range of challenges with his [ sic ] monthly bleeding , especially when it comes to getting his [ sic ] hands on menstrual hygiene products .
Women all have a wide range of challenges when it comes to periods .
They are painful , messy , and inconvenient , and they alienate women from their own bodies .
You 're not different , Kenny .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ real horror for Kenny , though , is that the companies who make tampons , pads , and other products for menstruation keep marketing them as if their customer base is ... get this ... female : The same women who believe they 're men also believe they deserve special price breaks on menstrual products ... because they 're not really women .
They 're just men who every month have a period just like women : The article demonstrates that our media are relentlessly using the transgender movement to force Americans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have us believing that trangenderism is real , what else will they have us believe ?
Perhaps they 'll have us believe that , when Iran shot down a passenger jet flying out of Tehran Airport , Donald Trump was responsible for the 176 innocent people who died .
What 's sad is that , even in Iran , a tyrannical nation in which lies are government currency , the people are n't buying that story .
Published with permission from the American Thinker .

Once the media have us believing that trangenderism is real, what else will they have us believe?
January 16, 2020 (American Thinker) — George Orwell knew that totalitarian dictatorships retain power by compelling people to agree that 2+2=5. But what happens if it's not the government, but the media that lie? With the American media pushing transgenderism, we're finding out.
With accelerating force, the media insist that biological sex is meaningless and that people's sex is determined by their feelings. We are told to accept that people, through wishing, hormones, and surgery, can magically become the opposite sex.
Over the years, the homosexual rights movement has made people realize that, in a free society, no one should be penalized for a sexual preference. Today, the transgender movement, using the homosexual movement, is working with the media to force us to give it the same rights and respect. This ignores that homosexuality is different from so-called transgenderism.
Homosexuality does not force us to deny biology. Homosexual men are still men, and homosexual women are still women. Their differences are behavioral.
Transgenderism, however, is not about behavioral choices or biology. It's about denying fundamental biological realities. The saddest thing is that those who have accepted the media's drumbeat, often as an antidote to deep depression, are discovering to their cost that it's a lie.
Those committed to individual liberty will let people claim to be the opposite sex, or a camel or a Martian. But while the First Amendment ensures that our government can neither tell us that these beliefs are true nor punish us for denying those beliefs, our media are subtly trying to recalibrate our brains.
The latest shot fired in this media war to have us accept that 2+2=5 is an NBC article bemoaning women suffering from periods. Wait. That's wrong. It's not about the fact that, since the dawn of humankind, periods have been a pain in the tuchis. Instead, the article is about the psychic suffering of women who think they're men but, in relentless fealty to biological reality, still have periods:
When transgender model and activist Kenny Ethan Jones experienced his [sic] first period, he [sic] faced both physical and psychological pain. Initially, Jones, who had not yet come out as trans at the time, felt like he [sic] was losing control and didn't understand what was happening to his [sic] body. However, one thing was clear: He [sic] didn't feel like himself. “I didn't believe that having periods would be a part of my lived experience,” Jones told NBC News. “I felt isolated; everything about periods was tailored to girls, yet me, a boy [sic], was experiencing this and nothing in the world documented that.” He [sic] currently experiences a wide range of challenges with his [sic] monthly bleeding, especially when it comes to getting his [sic] hands on menstrual hygiene products.
Women all have a wide range of challenges when it comes to periods. They are painful, messy, and inconvenient, and they alienate women from their own bodies. You're not different, Kenny. You just think you are.
The real horror for Kenny, though, is that the companies who make tampons, pads, and other products for menstruation keep marketing them as if their customer base is…get this…female:
Some transgender and gender-nonconforming people who menstruate, like Jones, say when the products are categorized as women's products, they can feel alienated — and may even avoid purchasing them altogether.
The same women who believe they're men also believe they deserve special price breaks on menstrual products…because they're not really women. They're just men who every month have a period just like women:
The hurdles some trans men [sic] and gender-nonconforming people who menstruate say they face include the high cost of period supplies[.]
The article demonstrates that our media are relentlessly using the transgender movement to force Americans to believe that 2+2=5. Once the media have us believing that trangenderism is real, what else will they have us believe?
Perhaps they'll have us believe that, when Iran shot down a passenger jet flying out of Tehran Airport, Donald Trump was responsible for the 176 innocent people who died. What's sad is that, even in Iran, a tyrannical nation in which lies are government currency, the people aren't buying that story.
Published with permission from the American Thinker.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-17--Utah lawmaker moves to break seal of Confession, calls Catholic backlash ‘soft threat’

January 16 , 2020 ( Catholic League ) — Earlier this week , we contacted the Speaker of the House in the Utah legislature , Rep. Brad R. Wilson , expressing our outrage over a bill sponsored by his Democratic colleague , Rep. Angela Romero , that would vitiate the seal of Confession .
The pretext of her legislation is knowledge of the sexual abuse of minors learned in the confessional .
We are very pleased with the response by Speaker Wilson : he is opposed to the Romero bill .
Rep. Romero is now doubling down , saying she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusing me of making a “ soft threat.
” Romero is obviously referring to the following concluding portion of my letter of January 10 to her .
“ You are treading on dangerous territory .
When the government seeks to police the sacraments of the Catholic Church — or encroach on the tenets and practices of any world religion — it is gearing up for a court fight .
The First Amendment secures religious liberty , and that entails separation of church and state.
” I stand by that statement .
Regarding her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of making a “ soft threat.
” She moved well beyond the “ threat ” stage when she introduced a bill that attacks a sacrament of the Catholic Church — and there is nothing “ soft ” about that .
Now she is claiming victim status because of a pushback by Catholics .
What did she expect ?
That Catholics would allow an agent of the state to trample on their constitutionally protected rights ?
Here is what Romero told the media .
“ Am I against organized religion ?
No .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little more personal for me .
I ’ ve had victims here in Utah , people who have experienced and sexual abuse and child abuse .
Their perpetrators were protected by a religious institutions .
I have a problem with that.
” [ This is exactly the way she was quoted . ]
I have a problem with so-called Catholics telling me they are not against the Catholic Church when they seek to destroy one of their sacraments .
That gets real personal .
As for the perpetrators , there is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give it to me — showing that breaking the seal of Confession would result in prosecuting molesters .
It is a red herring , a contrived pretext that would allow the government to effectively cause the Sacrament of Reconciliation to implode .
No practicing Catholic would ever sponsor such a bill , nor would a member of the faithful from any another religion .
Does Romero really think that if she succeeded , priests would cooperate ?
They would go to jail before putting themselves at risk of being excommunicated .
It would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has embarked on a fool ’ s errand : she will never succeed in getting what she wants , and what she wants is much more than foolish — it is obscene .
Published with permission from the Catholic League .

Rep. Angela Romero moved well beyond the 'threat' stage when she introduced a bill that attacks a sacrament of the Catholic Church.
January 16, 2020 (Catholic League) — Earlier this week, we contacted the Speaker of the House in the Utah legislature, Rep. Brad R. Wilson, expressing our outrage over a bill sponsored by his Democratic colleague, Rep. Angela Romero, that would vitiate the seal of Confession. The pretext of her legislation is knowledge of the sexual abuse of minors learned in the confessional.
We are very pleased with the response by Speaker Wilson: he is opposed to the Romero bill. Rep. Romero is now doubling down, saying she is going forward with her bill, accusing me of making a “soft threat.”
Romero is obviously referring to the following concluding portion of my letter of January 10 to her. “You are treading on dangerous territory. When the government seeks to police the sacraments of the Catholic Church — or encroach on the tenets and practices of any world religion — it is gearing up for a court fight. The First Amendment secures religious liberty, and that entails separation of church and state.”
I stand by that statement. Regarding her remark, I would never accuse her of making a “soft threat.” She moved well beyond the “threat” stage when she introduced a bill that attacks a sacrament of the Catholic Church — and there is nothing “soft” about that. Now she is claiming victim status because of a pushback by Catholics. What did she expect? That Catholics would allow an agent of the state to trample on their constitutionally protected rights?
Here is what Romero told the media. “Am I against organized religion? No. I’m Catholic. Maybe this is a little more personal for me. I’ve had victims here in Utah, people who have experienced and sexual abuse and child abuse. Their perpetrators were protected by a religious institutions. I have a problem with that.” [This is exactly the way she was quoted.]
I have a problem with so-called Catholics telling me they are not against the Catholic Church when they seek to destroy one of their sacraments. That gets real personal. As for the perpetrators, there is no evidence — I have asked her to give it to me — showing that breaking the seal of Confession would result in prosecuting molesters.
It is a red herring, a contrived pretext that would allow the government to effectively cause the Sacrament of Reconciliation to implode. No practicing Catholic would ever sponsor such a bill, nor would a member of the faithful from any another religion.
Does Romero really think that if she succeeded, priests would cooperate? They would go to jail before putting themselves at risk of being excommunicated.
It would be too kind to say that she has embarked on a fool’s errand: she will never succeed in getting what she wants, and what she wants is much more than foolish — it is obscene.
Published with permission from the Catholic League.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-17--Bishop: Amazon Synod final doc will be ‘mockery of our faith,’ pope should destroy it

January 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — “ Let ’ s hope that Pope Francis will destroy the final document , but hopes are truly slim .
Lord , have mercy.
” With these words , the Dutch bishop Robert Mutsaerts voiced his concern over the Amazon Synod .
Its final document ( analyzed here by LifeSite ) is steeped with cultural relativism , calls for revolutionizing priesthood and suggestions to introduce “ Amazonian ” elements into the Catholic liturgy .
In an interview published on Wednesday by the Italian daily Il Giornale , Mutsaerts , auxiliary bishop of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here the interview he gave to LifeSiteNews on the theme of priestly celibacy ) , spoke about his own vision of the Amazon Synod that took place in Rome last October .
According to Bishop Mutsaerts , the real objective of this “ already written synod ” was to introduce the ordination of married men , female deacons , and a new “ Amazonian ” rite into the Catholic Church .
He went even farther in his reflections : “ It seems ... that the synod brought Amazonian idolatry to Rome , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also said the Amazon Synod had opened “ Pandora ’ s box ” of innovations for the whole Church , starting with Germany , whose official “ Synodal Path ” will open in less than two weeks .
A majority of German bishops are openly lobbying for the revolutionizing of a woman ’ s role in the Church , the scrapping of the rule of celibacy for priests in the Latin Church , and the liberalization of sexual morality .
Among the strong words used by Bishop Mutsaerts are “ deception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sees the Amazon Synod as marking a clear “ break ” with tradition .
Below is LifeSite ’ s full translation of Mutsaerts ’ s interview with Il Giornale .
Il Giornale ( IG ) : Is the problem really the drop in vocations ?
Bishop Robert Mutsaerts ( BRM ) : Eighty percent of the Amazonian population lives in large cities , and the problem of the lack of priests is not at all different there from that of many other areas of the world .
The problem is rather a lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by accepting married priests .
It is enough to see what is happening in the Anglican church , where married priests are already a common practice .
The crisis in other churches is even greater than in the Catholic Church : the collapse of faith is dramatic .
IG : Why then such an orientation for the Synod ?
BRM : The key words in the final document of the synod were not “ Mother Earth ” and “ the ecosystem , ” but “ viri probati , ” “ deaconesses , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was Cardinal Hummes who pushed the outcome in that direction .
Of course , now the results will not be limited to the Amazon region .
Pandora ’ s box is open , and there will be implications for the whole Church .
The local bishops , starting with Germany , will ask the same thing .
It was a synod that deceived the faithful .
That is the sad conclusion : it was a mockery of our glorious faith , a break with tradition .
IG : What will happen now ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francis will destroy the final document , but hopes are truly slim .
Lord , have mercy .
IG : What do you think of the conclusions of the synod on married priests ?
BRM : It is a synod already written , with a predetermined outcome .
The 180 synod fathers were carefully selected by Pope Francis , and those who opposed the proposals were never invited .
All the speeches on the environment , climate change , ecology , and Mother Earth were a cover for the final proposals , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What would you have expected from the synod ?
BRM : The Amazon Synod did not offer clear solutions , which are the purpose of synods .
It was rather a mix of confusion and controversy .
It has nothing to do with Revelation , redemption , or anything remotely related to what is essential in Catholic teaching .
Even Jesus is hardly mentioned .
It all began with the instrumentum laboris , which mentions religious peoples and their vision of the cosmos .
Shouldn ’ t we bring Christ to the Amazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the synod brought Amazonian idolatry to Rome .
IG : Why are you so concerned about the conclusion of the synod ?
BRM : Because nothing was as it should have been .
During a press conference , the prefect of the Department of Communication , Paolo Ruffini , denied that the faithful had prostrated themselves before a wooden statue in the presence of the pope .
But there is a video , on the web , that shows exactly the opposite : a dozen people , including a Franciscan friar , bowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wooden statue , with the pope watching .
Is the wooden statue a representation of the fertility goddess Pachamama , or does the statue represent the Amazonian version of Our Lady ?
The pope himself called it a statue of Pachamama , while the Vatican denied that it represented an idol .
In short , it was a synod-mockery of our faith , a rupture with the Christian tradition .

'Let's hope that Pope Francis will destroy the final document,' Dutch bishop Robert Mutsaerts declared, 'but hopes are truly slim. Lord, have mercy.'
January 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — “Let’s hope that Pope Francis will destroy the final document, but hopes are truly slim. Lord, have mercy.” With these words, the Dutch bishop Robert Mutsaerts voiced his concern over the Amazon Synod. Its final document (analyzed here by LifeSite) is steeped with cultural relativism, calls for revolutionizing priesthood and suggestions to introduce “Amazonian” elements into the Catholic liturgy.
In an interview published on Wednesday by the Italian daily Il Giornale, Mutsaerts, auxiliary bishop of Den Bosch in the Netherlands (see here the interview he gave to LifeSiteNews on the theme of priestly celibacy), spoke about his own vision of the Amazon Synod that took place in Rome last October.
According to Bishop Mutsaerts, the real objective of this “already written synod” was to introduce the ordination of married men, female deacons, and a new “Amazonian” rite into the Catholic Church. He went even farther in his reflections: “It seems … that the synod brought Amazonian idolatry to Rome,” Mutsaerts told Serena Sartini of Il Giornale.
He also said the Amazon Synod had opened “Pandora’s box” of innovations for the whole Church, starting with Germany, whose official “Synodal Path” will open in less than two weeks. A majority of German bishops are openly lobbying for the revolutionizing of a woman’s role in the Church, the scrapping of the rule of celibacy for priests in the Latin Church, and the liberalization of sexual morality.
Among the strong words used by Bishop Mutsaerts are “deception” and “mockery”: he sees the Amazon Synod as marking a clear “break” with tradition.
Below is LifeSite’s full translation of Mutsaerts’s interview with Il Giornale.
* * *
Il Giornale (IG): Is the problem really the drop in vocations?
Bishop Robert Mutsaerts (BRM): Eighty percent of the Amazonian population lives in large cities, and the problem of the lack of priests is not at all different there from that of many other areas of the world. The problem is rather a lack of faith. This is not solved by accepting married priests. It is enough to see what is happening in the Anglican church, where married priests are already a common practice. The crisis in other churches is even greater than in the Catholic Church: the collapse of faith is dramatic.
IG: Why then such an orientation for the Synod?
BRM: The key words in the final document of the synod were not “Mother Earth” and “the ecosystem,” but “viri probati,” “deaconesses,” and “the Amazonian rite.” It was Cardinal Hummes who pushed the outcome in that direction. Of course, now the results will not be limited to the Amazon region. Pandora’s box is open, and there will be implications for the whole Church. The local bishops, starting with Germany, will ask the same thing. It was a synod that deceived the faithful. That is the sad conclusion: it was a mockery of our glorious faith, a break with tradition.
IG: What will happen now?
BRM: Let’s hope Pope Francis will destroy the final document, but hopes are truly slim. Lord, have mercy.
IG: What do you think of the conclusions of the synod on married priests?
BRM: It is a synod already written, with a predetermined outcome. The 180 synod fathers were carefully selected by Pope Francis, and those who opposed the proposals were never invited. All the speeches on the environment, climate change, ecology, and Mother Earth were a cover for the final proposals, on married priests and deaconesses.
IG: What would you have expected from the synod?
BRM: The Amazon Synod did not offer clear solutions, which are the purpose of synods. It was rather a mix of confusion and controversy. It has nothing to do with Revelation, redemption, or anything remotely related to what is essential in Catholic teaching. Even Jesus is hardly mentioned. It all began with the instrumentum laboris, which mentions religious peoples and their vision of the cosmos. Shouldn’t we bring Christ to the Amazon? It seems on the contrary that the synod brought Amazonian idolatry to Rome.
IG: Why are you so concerned about the conclusion of the synod?
BRM: Because nothing was as it should have been. During a press conference, the prefect of the Department of Communication, Paolo Ruffini, denied that the faithful had prostrated themselves before a wooden statue in the presence of the pope. But there is a video, on the web, that shows exactly the opposite: a dozen people, including a Franciscan friar, bowing to the ground in front of a wooden statue, with the pope watching. Is the wooden statue a representation of the fertility goddess Pachamama, or does the statue represent the Amazonian version of Our Lady? The pope himself called it a statue of Pachamama, while the Vatican denied that it represented an idol. In short, it was a synod-mockery of our faith, a rupture with the Christian tradition.
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