lifesitenews--2020-03-05--Virginia gov signs law banning counseling affirming kids’ biological sex

RICHMOND , Virginia , March 5 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has signed a bill into law that prevents parents from seeking counseling for their children who are experiencing unwanted same-sex attractions or gender confusion .
House Bill 386 prohibits what it calls “ conversion therapy ” of people under 18 years of age .
The term “ conversion therapy ” is defined as “ any practice or treatment that seeks to change an individual ’ s sexual orientation or gender identity , including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward individuals of the same gender.
” At the same time , the new law does not cover “ counseling that provides acceptance , support , and understanding of a person or facilitates a person ’ s coping , social support , and identity exploration and development , including sexual-orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices , as long as such counseling does not seek to change an individual ’ s sexual orientation or gender identity.
” What does that mean ?
The Family Foundation , a Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was passed as allowing “ licensed professionals to provide ‘ acceptance , support , and understanding ’ to a minor undergoing ‘ gender transition ’ or exploring unnatural sexual desires.
” “ That ’ s right – a counselor could encourage a young boy to ‘ transition ’ into a girl , but would be prohibited by law from helping that same boy understand and affirm his identity as a boy !
” the organization wrote .
Not complying with this law could lead counselors to lose their licenses .
This also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counselors .
Governor Northam said in a statement that “ conversion therapy ” would send a “ harmful message ” to a child or adolescent , indicating “ that there is something wrong with who you are.
” Pro-family and parental rights advocates argue that those who tell children they were somehow “ born in the wrong body ” are the ones actually sending the message “ that there is something wrong with who you are.
” “ This discriminatory practice has been widely discredited in studies and can have lasting effects on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater risk of depression and suicide , ” Northam claimed .
“ No one should be made to feel they are not okay the way they are—especially not a child .
I ’ m proud to sign this ban into law.
” As a matter of fact , the best studies show the worst outcomes for people who medically “ transition ” to be a member of the opposite sex .
Medical “ transition ” includes the removal of healthy reproductive organs , chemical castration via cross-sex hormones , and mutiliating surgeries that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of the opposite sex .
An analysis of the best and longest studies , published by The Public Discourse , came to the conclusion that “ the medical literature throws up enormous warning signs , and adults are not the only ones who will pay the price for not heeding them.
” “ A pattern begins to emerge as we survey some of the best and longest outcome studies on transition—the longer the studies , and the better the methods , the more negative the results , ” Paul Dirks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
Dirks went on to raise a number of questions .
However , few answers can be given , since only a small number of studies have been done so far .
He asked , “ How will young people who are medically transitioned prior to adulthood fare psychologically after thirty years of transitioned life ?
What percentage of the medically transitioned have since detransitioned ?
How many suicides are contained within the groups that are lost to follow-up ?
” Last December , LifeSiteNews reported on the world ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place in Manchester , England , and featured women who had lived as men for a significant part of their lives .
One detransitioner asked , “ How can I possibly be loving myself if I am sacrificing my general health in order to change my whole being ?
” In an attempt to become a man , she had both breasts removed .
One of the experts who spoke at the conference was David Bell , the former president of the British Psychoanalytic Society .
Bell said he doesn ’ t believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow-up checks on their patients .
He also remarked that the term “ puberty blockers ” for the powerful drugs given to children to delay the onset of puberty is “ misleading.
” Bell believes that the drugs probably have physiological consequences beyond delaying puberty .
Like Paul Dirks in his article for The Public Discourse , Bell lamented “ the lack of long term evidence ” in the field of people attempting gender “ transitions.
” For the first time in 26 years , Democrats control both legislative chambers and the governorship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pass a number of anti-religious liberty , pro-LGBT , and pro-abortion measures .

While a counselor could encourage a young boy to try to 'become' a girl, the counselor would not be allowed to affirm the boy’s male identity.
RICHMOND, Virginia, March 5, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has signed a bill into law that prevents parents from seeking counseling for their children who are experiencing unwanted same-sex attractions or gender confusion.
House Bill 386 prohibits what it calls “conversion therapy” of people under 18 years of age.
The term “conversion therapy” is defined as “any practice or treatment that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender.”
At the same time, the new law does not cover “counseling that provides acceptance, support, and understanding of a person or facilitates a person’s coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual-orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, as long as such counseling does not seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.”
What does that mean? The Family Foundation, a Virginia pro-family organization, explained the bill before it was passed as allowing “licensed professionals to provide ‘acceptance, support, and understanding’ to a minor undergoing ‘gender transition’ or exploring unnatural sexual desires.”
“That’s right – a counselor could encourage a young boy to ‘transition’ into a girl, but would be prohibited by law from helping that same boy understand and affirm his identity as a boy!” the organization wrote.
Not complying with this law could lead counselors to lose their licenses. This also would affect Christian pastors who are licensed counselors.
Governor Northam said in a statement that “conversion therapy” would send a “harmful message” to a child or adolescent, indicating “that there is something wrong with who you are.”
Pro-family and parental rights advocates argue that those who tell children they were somehow “born in the wrong body” are the ones actually sending the message “that there is something wrong with who you are.”
“This discriminatory practice has been widely discredited in studies and can have lasting effects on our youth, putting them at a greater risk of depression and suicide,” Northam claimed. “No one should be made to feel they are not okay the way they are—especially not a child. I’m proud to sign this ban into law.”
As a matter of fact, the best studies show the worst outcomes for people who medically “transition” to be a member of the opposite sex. Medical “transition” includes the removal of healthy reproductive organs, chemical castration via cross-sex hormones, and mutiliating surgeries that attempt to make one look more like a member of the opposite sex.
An analysis of the best and longest studies, published by The Public Discourse, came to the conclusion that “the medical literature throws up enormous warning signs, and adults are not the only ones who will pay the price for not heeding them.”
“A pattern begins to emerge as we survey some of the best and longest outcome studies on transition—the longer the studies, and the better the methods, the more negative the results,” Paul Dirks, the author of the piece, pointed out.
Dirks went on to raise a number of questions. However, few answers can be given, since only a small number of studies have been done so far.
He asked, “How will young people who are medically transitioned prior to adulthood fare psychologically after thirty years of transitioned life? What percentage of the medically transitioned have since detransitioned? How many suicides are contained within the groups that are lost to follow-up?”
Last December, LifeSiteNews reported on the world’s first gender detransition conference. The conference took place in Manchester, England, and featured women who had lived as men for a significant part of their lives.
One detransitioner asked, “How can I possibly be loving myself if I am sacrificing my general health in order to change my whole being?” In an attempt to become a man, she had both breasts removed.
One of the experts who spoke at the conference was David Bell, the former president of the British Psychoanalytic Society.
Bell said he doesn’t believe that gender “reassignment” clinics do follow-up checks on their patients. He also remarked that the term “puberty blockers” for the powerful drugs given to children to delay the onset of puberty is “misleading.” Bell believes that the drugs probably have physiological consequences beyond delaying puberty.
Like Paul Dirks in his article for The Public Discourse, Bell lamented “the lack of long term evidence” in the field of people attempting gender “transitions.”
For the first time in 26 years, Democrats control both legislative chambers and the governorship in Virginia, and they have promised to pass a number of anti-religious liberty, pro-LGBT, and pro-abortion measures.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-05--VP Pence prays before meeting of coronavirus task force, left goes insane

PRAYER PLEDGE : VP Pence is right .
We need prayer to fight coronavirus , not political antics !
Sign the petition here .
WASHINGTON , DC , March 5 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The political left has attacked Vice President Mike Pence and the Trump administration for praying before a meeting of the coronavirus task force .
A February 26 photo showing members of the task force bowing their heads in prayer went viral only days later .
Senator Bernie Sanders , one of the main contenders in the Democrats ’ presidential primaries , used the word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administrations ’ response to the coronavirus epidemic .
“ Trump ’ s plan for the coronavirus so far : -Cut winter heating assistance for the poor -Have VP Pence , who wanted to ‘ pray away ’ HIV epidemic , oversee the response -Let ex-pharma lobbyist Alex Azar refuse to guarantee affordable vaccines to all , ” Sanders wrote .
“ Disgusting , ” he added .
Thomas Chatterton Williams , who writes for Harper ’ s Magazine and The New York Times Magazine , tweeted , “ Mike Pence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution .
We are so screwed.
” In response , LifeSiteNews has launched a prayer pledge , emphasizing the need “ to ask help from God first , and then get to work.
” The petition , which at the time of this writing has been signed roughly 9,000 times , “ asks our politicians to unite , to protect Americans as much as humanly possible — and then , leave the rest to God.
” “ A touching & powerful photo of @ VP @ Mike_Pence & the President ’ s Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his office .
Thank you VP Pence and each one who is serving , ” Graham said .
“ Let ’ s join them in asking God for His wisdom , direction , & help in the response to this virus.
” For Jonathon van Maren , the left ’ s reaction to Pence and others praying before discussing measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak shows “ just how post-Christian our culture has really become.
” On his LifeSiteNews blog , van Maren pointed out that the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prayer , ” where churches called upon the faithful “ to beg God for assistance in the face of a spreading disease that was felling millions.
” “ It was understood , if not accepted , that God was in control of all things , and thus that begging Him for a reprieve was essential , ” the pro-life activist added .
Meanwhile , Marc Siegel , a professor of medicine at New York University and medical correspondent for Fox News , praised the Trump administration for its handling of the coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerging contagions for about 20 years now , and I have to tell you , I ’ ve never seen one handled better , ” Siegel told Breitbart News Sunday , according to The Western Journal .
“ The task force are really top players , ” Siegel continued .
He explained that the actions of the task force are appropriate to the current situation , including “ restricting travel , isolating patients who are sick , and trying to cut down on contact .
It ’ s a very hard thing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all over the world.
” LifeSiteNews ’ s John-Henry Westen recently talked to China expert Steve Mosher , who is the president of the Population Research Institute .
Mosher reassured listeners to The John-Henry Westen Show that despite the Chinese government ’ s poor handling of the outbreak , it is well contained in the United States .
Also , researchers are developing more advanced methods of testing for the virus daily , and a vaccine is being worked on , Mosher explained .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus have been reported in the United States .
Nine of those cases led to death .

PRAYER PLEDGE: VP Pence is right. We need prayer to fight coronavirus, not political antics! Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, DC, March 5, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The political left has attacked Vice President Mike Pence and the Trump administration for praying before a meeting of the coronavirus task force. A February 26 photo showing members of the task force bowing their heads in prayer went viral only days later.
Senator Bernie Sanders, one of the main contenders in the Democrats’ presidential primaries, used the word “disgusting” in a tweet on the Trump administrations’ response to the coronavirus epidemic.
“Trump’s plan for the coronavirus so far: -Cut winter heating assistance for the poor -Have VP Pence, who wanted to ‘pray away’ HIV epidemic, oversee the response -Let ex-pharma lobbyist Alex Azar refuse to guarantee affordable vaccines to all,” Sanders wrote. “Disgusting,” he added.
Trump's plan for the coronavirus so far: -Cut winter heating assistance for the poor
-Have VP Pence, who wanted to “pray away” HIV epidemic, oversee the response
-Let ex-pharma lobbyist Alex Azar refuse to guarantee affordable vaccines to all Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/98HVjUVY8C — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) February 27, 2020
Thomas Chatterton Williams, who writes for Harper’s Magazine and The New York Times Magazine, tweeted, “Mike Pence and his coronavirus emergency team praying for a solution. We are so screwed.”
Mike Pence and his coronavirus emergency team praying for a solution. We are so screwed. pic.twitter.com/p020FBIK9J — Thomas Chatterton Williams �� �� (@thomaschattwill) March 1, 2020
In response, LifeSiteNews has launched a prayer pledge, emphasizing the need “to ask help from God first, and then get to work.”
The petition, which at the time of this writing has been signed roughly 9,000 times, “asks our politicians to unite, to protect Americans as much as humanly possible — and then, leave the rest to God.”
On Twitter, Vice President Mike Pence received support from famous preacher Franklin Graham.
“A touching & powerful photo of @VP @Mike_Pence & the President’s Coronavirus Taskforce praying when they met last week in his office. Thank you VP Pence and each one who is serving,” Graham said.
“Let’s join them in asking God for His wisdom, direction, & help in the response to this virus.”
A touching & powerful photo of @VP @Mike_Pence & the President’s Coronavirus Taskforce praying when they met last week in his office. Thank you VP Pence and each one who is serving. Let’s join them in asking God for His wisdom, direction, & help in the response to this virus. pic.twitter.com/9tbMhSWe7d — Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) March 2, 2020
For Jonathon van Maren, the left’s reaction to Pence and others praying before discussing measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak shows “just how post-Christian our culture has really become.”
On his LifeSiteNews blog, van Maren pointed out that the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 was met with “special days of prayer,” where churches called upon the faithful “to beg God for assistance in the face of a spreading disease that was felling millions.”
“It was understood, if not accepted, that God was in control of all things, and thus that begging Him for a reprieve was essential,” the pro-life activist added.
Meanwhile, Marc Siegel, a professor of medicine at New York University and medical correspondent for Fox News, praised the Trump administration for its handling of the coronavirus.
“I’ve been handling these emerging contagions for about 20 years now, and I have to tell you, I’ve never seen one handled better,” Siegel told Breitbart News Sunday, according to The Western Journal.
“The task force are really top players,” Siegel continued. He explained that the actions of the task force are appropriate to the current situation, including “restricting travel, isolating patients who are sick, and trying to cut down on contact. It’s a very hard thing to do when people are pouring in from all over the world.”
LifeSiteNews’s John-Henry Westen recently talked to China expert Steve Mosher, who is the president of the Population Research Institute.
Mosher reassured listeners to The John-Henry Westen Show that despite the Chinese government’s poor handling of the outbreak, it is well contained in the United States. Also, researchers are developing more advanced methods of testing for the virus daily, and a vaccine is being worked on, Mosher explained.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 80 cases of people infected by the coronavirus have been reported in the United States. Nine of those cases led to death.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--Court to hear case of 6-year-old traumatized by teacher insisting ‘girls aren’t real&#82

Court to hear case of 6-year-old traumatized by teacher insisting ‘girls aren’t real’

OTTAWA , March 5 , 2020 ( Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms ) — The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal has ordered that the case of a young girl ( “ NB ” ) and her mother against the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board , the child ’ s former teacher and the principal of the school , will proceed to a full hearing .
The Tribunal has dismissed an application from the school board for a summary hearing — an attempt to have the case dismissed at an early stage of proceedings .
The school board argued unsuccessfully that the child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of success and should not be permitted to proceed .
The family brought the claim for discrimination on the basis of gender identity , for teaching NB and her class there are no such things as girls or boys .
NB identifies strongly with her biology as a girl .
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms ( jccf.ca ) filed an amended application on the family ’ s behalf , including a claim for discrimination on the basis of sex , noting the child ’ s rights to security of the person and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 ) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms had also been infringed .
In early 2018 , NB was a 6-year-old student in a grade one class taught by “ JB ” .
The teacher showed the class a YouTube video entitled , “ He , She , and They ?
!
?
— Gender : Queer Kid Stuff # 2 ” .
The video contained a number of statements about gender identity , and asserted that “ some people aren ’ t boys or girls ” and that those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ or a ‘ he ’ might not have a gender .
In order to determine who is a girl or a boy — or neither , the video says , all you have to do is ask someone their pronouns .
On another occasion , the teacher drew a gender spectrum on the board and asked each student to identify where they fit on the spectrum .
NB indicated that she was on the furthest end of the spectrum marked “ girl.
” The teacher then told the class that “ girls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not real ” .
This was extremely upsetting to NB .
NB went home and told her parents , repeatedly asking why her identity as a girl was “ not real.
” She stated that she was not sure if she wanted to be a mommy when she grew up , and asked if she could “ go to the doctor ” about this issue .
NB also expressed feeling that she “ had to do something ” about the fact that she is a girl .
This followed a lesson by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sex changes .
Neither the school nor the teacher obtained parental consent to teach this young child that her sense of self as a girl was a fiction .
The parents allege that the teacher ’ s conduct undermined their daughter ’ s foundational concept of identity , and also contradicted biological reality .
Despite the family ’ s expression of concern , school officials refused to take any steps to correct the impact of these lessons on NB .
Ultimately the family opted to move her to a different school , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer have a teacher who said that “ girls are not real.
” Even after moving to the new school , NB continued to be upset by her experience in JB ’ s class , and grappled with the concept that her own identity was not something real .
Her mother was concerned enough to seek guidance from a psychologist on how to assist her daughter , according to the application .
Some gender theorists and activists now argue not only that “ gender identity ” is on a spectrum , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meaning that there are no longer distinct categories of male and female .
Among other things , the family is asking the Tribunal to rule that the school board stop “ teaching gender theory in any manner which suggests that sex categories of male and female do not exist , or are fluid , or exist on a spectrum.
” In its application to have the matter dismissed at the summary hearing stage , the school board argued that classroom discussions about gender identity and gender expression can not be the basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In its response , the Justice Centre argued on behalf of the family that gender identity is a new concept which is poorly defined and logically convoluted .
As a protected ground under the Code , it is important that the Tribunal develop a body of case law to understand the limits and manifestations of discrimination under this ground , especially when it conflicts with protections previously in existence , namely that of sex — particularly for women and girls .
“ If everyone has a gender identity , and gender identities are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s gender identity as a girl should be protected , ” said Justice Centre staff lawyer Lisa Bildy .
“ If the School Board can accommodate the inclusion of trans and other gender identities into the classroom setting , then surely they can accommodate the inclusion of children who experience no discord between their biology and their sense of self.
” Published with permission from the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms .

The girl's family brought the claim for discrimination on the basis of gender identity, for teaching the child and her class there are no such things as girls or boys.
OTTAWA, March 5, 2020 (Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms) — The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal has ordered that the case of a young girl (“NB”) and her mother against the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, the child’s former teacher and the principal of the school, will proceed to a full hearing. The Tribunal has dismissed an application from the school board for a summary hearing — an attempt to have the case dismissed at an early stage of proceedings. The school board argued unsuccessfully that the child’s case had no reasonable prospect of success and should not be permitted to proceed.
The family brought the claim for discrimination on the basis of gender identity, for teaching NB and her class there are no such things as girls or boys. NB identifies strongly with her biology as a girl. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (jccf.ca) filed an amended application on the family’s behalf, including a claim for discrimination on the basis of sex, noting the child’s rights to security of the person and equality under sections 7 and 15(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms had also been infringed.
In early 2018, NB was a 6-year-old student in a grade one class taught by “JB”. The teacher showed the class a YouTube video entitled, “He, She, and They?!? — Gender: Queer Kid Stuff #2”. The video contained a number of statements about gender identity, and asserted that “some people aren’t boys or girls” and that those who do not feel like a ‘she’ or a ‘he’ might not have a gender. In order to determine who is a girl or a boy — or neither, the video says, all you have to do is ask someone their pronouns.
On another occasion, the teacher drew a gender spectrum on the board and asked each student to identify where they fit on the spectrum. NB indicated that she was on the furthest end of the spectrum marked “girl.” The teacher then told the class that “girls are not real, and boys are not real”. This was extremely upsetting to NB.
NB went home and told her parents, repeatedly asking why her identity as a girl was “not real.” She stated that she was not sure if she wanted to be a mommy when she grew up, and asked if she could “go to the doctor” about this issue. NB also expressed feeling that she “had to do something” about the fact that she is a girl. This followed a lesson by the teacher on the concepts of gender spectrum and sex changes.
Neither the school nor the teacher obtained parental consent to teach this young child that her sense of self as a girl was a fiction. The parents allege that the teacher’s conduct undermined their daughter’s foundational concept of identity, and also contradicted biological reality.
Despite the family’s expression of concern, school officials refused to take any steps to correct the impact of these lessons on NB. Ultimately the family opted to move her to a different school, which made NB happy that she would no longer have a teacher who said that “girls are not real.” Even after moving to the new school, NB continued to be upset by her experience in JB’s class, and grappled with the concept that her own identity was not something real. Her mother was concerned enough to seek guidance from a psychologist on how to assist her daughter, according to the application.
Some gender theorists and activists now argue not only that “gender identity” is on a spectrum, but that sex is also on a spectrum, meaning that there are no longer distinct categories of male and female. Among other things, the family is asking the Tribunal to rule that the school board stop “teaching gender theory in any manner which suggests that sex categories of male and female do not exist, or are fluid, or exist on a spectrum.”
In its application to have the matter dismissed at the summary hearing stage, the school board argued that classroom discussions about gender identity and gender expression cannot be the basis of a Human Rights Code infringement. In its response, the Justice Centre argued on behalf of the family that gender identity is a new concept which is poorly defined and logically convoluted. As a protected ground under the Code, it is important that the Tribunal develop a body of case law to understand the limits and manifestations of discrimination under this ground, especially when it conflicts with protections previously in existence, namely that of sex — particularly for women and girls.
“If everyone has a gender identity, and gender identities are protected under the Code, then NB’s gender identity as a girl should be protected,” said Justice Centre staff lawyer Lisa Bildy. “If the School Board can accommodate the inclusion of trans and other gender identities into the classroom setting, then surely they can accommodate the inclusion of children who experience no discord between their biology and their sense of self.”
Published with permission from the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--‘Depraved’: Viral social media video shows teen dancing, celebrating her abortion

March 5 , 2020 ( Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ) — An online video has surfaced which shows a young woman dancing in an abortion clinic and smiling as her unborn baby is killed during an ultrasound guided surgical abortion .
Eden Linton , SPUC Youth and Education Officer said : “ This video is grotesque .
For any person to celebrate and smile as an innocent human is torn apart is utterly depraved.
” The video , which was posted the on the social media platform , TikTok , is captioned , “ Abortion Time !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the girl cradling her early pregnancy bump and laughing in a car as she arrives at a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic .
She is then seen dancing in celebration in the waiting room , whilst another couple sat sadly in the corner .
The footage shows the ultrasound-guided abortion where the baby is then sucked from the womb .
The girl is seen smiling cheerfully on the bed with her legs in stirrups .
The video has been viewed millions of times and has sparked controversy across social media with many users reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ms Linton said : “ Watching a mother smile and dance whilst her unborn baby is sucked through a tube is a reflection of just how depraved the ‘ pro-choice ’ culture has become .
An entire generation has been indoctrinated to believe that abortion is something to be celebrated , and footage like this is the result .
“ TikTok is currently one of the most popular social media platforms , which is tailored specifically for very young children and teenagers to use .
It is worrying to think of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this video and similar content .
TikTok is a social media platform which is used by children and teenagers to post and share short video clips .
Since its launch in 2018 , TikTok has risen to incredible levels of popularity with over 500 million people using the platform each month .
Amongst its users are pro-abortion activists who have used the platform to create and share disturbing abortion content .
In February , another TikTok video sparked controversy after the footage showed a pregnant woman finding out the sex of her unborn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end .
A range of ‘ humorous ’ abortion content is also rife throughout the platform which includes girls meeting aborted foetuses in the afterlife and ‘ best friend ’ abortion appointments where young teenage girls video themselves going to abortion clinics on a day out .
Published with permission from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children .

The video, which was posted the on the social media platform TikTok, is captioned 'Abortion Time! Take 2.'
March 5, 2020 (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children) — An online video has surfaced which shows a young woman dancing in an abortion clinic and smiling as her unborn baby is killed during an ultrasound guided surgical abortion. Eden Linton, SPUC Youth and Education Officer said: “This video is grotesque. For any person to celebrate and smile as an innocent human is torn apart is utterly depraved.”
“Abortion Time! Take 2”
The video, which was posted the on the social media platform, TikTok, is captioned, “Abortion Time! Take 2”. The footage shows the girl cradling her early pregnancy bump and laughing in a car as she arrives at a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic. She is then seen dancing in celebration in the waiting room, whilst another couple sat sadly in the corner. The footage shows the ultrasound-guided abortion where the baby is then sucked from the womb. The girl is seen smiling cheerfully on the bed with her legs in stirrups.
The video has been viewed millions of times and has sparked controversy across social media with many users reporting that they were disturbed by the footage.
Ms Linton said: “Watching a mother smile and dance whilst her unborn baby is sucked through a tube is a reflection of just how depraved the ‘pro-choice’ culture has become. An entire generation has been indoctrinated to believe that abortion is something to be celebrated, and footage like this is the result.
“TikTok is currently one of the most popular social media platforms, which is tailored specifically for very young children and teenagers to use. It is worrying to think of the millions of young children who have viewed this video and similar content.
TikTok’s Distressing And Dangerous Abortion Content
TikTok is a social media platform which is used by children and teenagers to post and share short video clips. Since its launch in 2018, TikTok has risen to incredible levels of popularity with over 500 million people using the platform each month.
Amongst its users are pro-abortion activists who have used the platform to create and share disturbing abortion content.
In February, another TikTok video sparked controversy after the footage showed a pregnant woman finding out the sex of her unborn baby and having a surprise abortion at the end. A range of ‘humorous’ abortion content is also rife throughout the platform which includes girls meeting aborted foetuses in the afterlife and ‘best friend’ abortion appointments where young teenage girls video themselves going to abortion clinics on a day out.
Published with permission from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--Top pro-life group demands closure of abortion facilities ignoring safety standards

March 5 , 2020 ( Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ) — The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ( SPUC ) has reacted angrily to yet another report that abortion providers in England are disregarding Government safety standards .
SPUC is calling for the clinics to be shut down .
Minister for Care Helen Whately revealed to the House of Commons that nearly two thirds of abortion clinics failed to meet Government standards , including safety .
Antonia Tully of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ( SPUC ) said : “ Every month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the shocking ways in which women ’ s safety is put at risk through widespread malpractice in abortion facilities in England .
When is the Government going to take action to stop the abuses going on in the abortion industry ?
These clinics should be shut down.
” In response to a parliamentary question , the Minister told the House of Commons that the Care Quality Commission ( CQC ) currently rates 59.3 % of abortion clinics in England , a total of 121 , as “ requires improvement , ” while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The only real improvement would be to close these abortion clinics .
It is not really surprising that women should receive substandard treatment in clinics which kill thousands of unborn babies every year , ” said Antonia Tully .
In the last two months SPUC has reported on shocking health and safety breaches in two abortion facilities run by BPAS , Britain ’ s biggest abortion provider .
The CQC report on the Doncaster clinic , published in February , found equipment that failed to meet infection prevention control .
While earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , SPUC highlighted the appalling state of the BPAS clinic in Streatham , South London .
In response to a string of scandals in the UK , the Government announced , in 2017 , that it would implement mandatory ratings for all abortion clinics .
For example , Marie Stopes , which carries out around 70,000 abortions a year in Britain , was found by the CQC to have 2,600 safety flaws at its clinics in 2016 .
As Philip Dunne , the then Health Minister , said at the time of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These new powers will help the CQC to shine a light on poor practice in services that for too long have had too many examples of substandard care.
” However , it appears that the introduction of CQC ratings in 2017 has made little impact on abortion clinics .
Published with permission from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children .

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children has reacted angrily to yet another report that abortionists in England are disregarding government safety standards.
March 5, 2020 (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children) — The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has reacted angrily to yet another report that abortion providers in England are disregarding Government safety standards. SPUC is calling for the clinics to be shut down.
Minister for Care Helen Whately revealed to the House of Commons that nearly two thirds of abortion clinics failed to meet Government standards, including safety.
Antonia Tully of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) said: “Every month this year we have seen a report on the shocking ways in which women’s safety is put at risk through widespread malpractice in abortion facilities in England. When is the Government going to take action to stop the abuses going on in the abortion industry? These clinics should be shut down.”
In response to a parliamentary question, the Minister told the House of Commons that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) currently rates 59.3% of abortion clinics in England, a total of 121, as “requires improvement,” while nine clinics are rated “inadequate.”
“The only real improvement would be to close these abortion clinics. It is not really surprising that women should receive substandard treatment in clinics which kill thousands of unborn babies every year,” said Antonia Tully.
Repeated Breaches Of Health And Safety
In the last two months SPUC has reported on shocking health and safety breaches in two abortion facilities run by BPAS, Britain’s biggest abortion provider.
The CQC report on the Doncaster clinic, published in February, found equipment that failed to meet infection prevention control. While earlier in January, following a CQC report, SPUC highlighted the appalling state of the BPAS clinic in Streatham, South London.
Little Change
In response to a string of scandals in the UK, the Government announced, in 2017, that it would implement mandatory ratings for all abortion clinics.
For example, Marie Stopes, which carries out around 70,000 abortions a year in Britain, was found by the CQC to have 2,600 safety flaws at its clinics in 2016.
As Philip Dunne, the then Health Minister, said at the time of the introduction of the rating system:
“These new powers will help the CQC to shine a light on poor practice in services that for too long have had too many examples of substandard care.”
However, it appears that the introduction of CQC ratings in 2017 has made little impact on abortion clinics.
Published with permission from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--Nova Scotia moves to ban pro-life free speech outside abortion centers

HALIFAX , Nova Scotia , March 5 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Nova Scotia is advancing a bill that targets pro-lifers protesting in front of abortion clinics .
The Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Act — Bill 242 was introduced by NDP Nova Scotia MLA Claudia Chender and has the support of the once pro-life Catholic premier of Nova Scotia , Stephen McNeil .
It passed second reading Wednesday and now awaits a committee review .
The law would ban any type of pro-life protest in an “ access zone ” against a patient or physician thatt “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boundaries of any parcel of land on which the facility is located.
” It will also bar photographing , videotaping , and audio recording of anyone within the “ access zone , ” which is defined as hospitals that provide abortions but could also extend to offices and even residences of those who perform abortions if “ [ t ] he Governor in Council may , by regulation , ” decide to do so .
Abortion is currently available in four hospital locations in Nova Scotia .
If the Nova Scotia bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join similar legislation in B.C.
, Alberta , Ontario , Quebec , and Newfoundland .
Section 15 reads : “ A police officer may arrest , without warrant , a person who the police officer believes on reasonable and probable grounds has committed or is committing an offence under this Act.
” This section is of grave concern for people ’ s freedoms , according to Campaign Life Coalition ( CLC ) , which says the way this part is currently worded could mean that a simple phone call to police is all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , violating his right to due process .
In anticipation of such legislation , Campaign Life Coalition ( CLC ) launched a petition against any type of law in Nova Scotia restricting the freedom of protest and speech and is concerned that such legislation leaves too much power to the courts and police .
“ This draconian ‘ bubble zone ’ bill calls on the police and courts to do the bidding of leftist ideologues who want to stomp down the voices of conservative-minded citizens in Nova Scotia , ” said David Cooke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in comments to LifeSiteNews today .
Cooke went onto say public spaces are constitutionally protected for anyone to use freely , adding , “ For the liberals to step in and create anti–free speech zones in public spaces , where citizens may face arrest for being pro-life , is antithetical to a free and democratic society.
” He also mentioned the fact to LifeSiteNews that the mainstream media have ignored the CLC petition , which already had over 2,400 signatures when it was delivered to Nova Scotia ministers Mark Furey and Randy Delorey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,100 signatures .
A first offense under conviction is punishable by a fine of up to $ 5,000 or a six-month prison term , or both , going up to a maximum fine of $ 10,000 , or one year in prison , or both , for a second offense .
If a corporation is found guilty of violating the law , it faces fines of up to $ 25,000 for a first offense , then a possible $ 100,000 for a second offense .
Ruth Robert , coordinator for CLC Nova Scotia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to why this law was introduced , which she notes is the direct result of pro-life protests .
In late September of 2019 , Robert helped lead a 40 Days for Life protest outside the Victoria General hospital Women ’ s Choice Clinic in Halifax , where abortions are performed .
Robert told LifeSiteNews that during the last week of the event , Megan Boudreau , a student at Saint Mary ’ s University in Halifax , was angry at the protests .
This caused her to create a campaign against the pro-life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone ” law for Nova Scotia .
Liberal MLA Labi Kousoulis then began working with Boudreau late last year on anti–free speech bubble zone legislation .
Boudreau obtained a 140-signature petition demanding buffer zones outside facilities where abortions take place in the province .
It had the support of Chender , who tabled it in the Nova Scotia Province House on Tuesday .
Boudreau also has an online version of the petition that has around 1,100 signatures as of today .
She was quoted as saying in the Halifax publication The Chronicle Herald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care should be harassment-free.
” Robert says that despite not having the support of any local politicians , she vows to continue the fight to oppose the bill .
She will be presenting to the committee on behalf of CLC on March 6 at Province House .
“ I ’ m planning to contact the legislative council and ask to speak to the committee , now that it passed second reading and bring our views on it because we have not been contacted , ” she said to LifeSiteNews .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve got one with over 3,000.
” Robert noted that laws already exist for people to call the police if they feel threatened by anyone and added that bubble zone laws will do nothing but “ silence people ” and are a “ danger to democracy.
” To sign CLC ’ s petition , see below .
Office of the Premier 7th Floor , One Government Place 1700 Granville Street Halifax , NS B3J 1X5 Phone : ( 902 ) 424-6600 Fax : ( 902 ) 424-7648 [ email protected ]

Those who oppose the proposed law insist that laws already exist for people to call the police if they feel threatened.
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, March 5, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Nova Scotia is advancing a bill that targets pro-lifers protesting in front of abortion clinics.
The Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Act — Bill 242 was introduced by NDP Nova Scotia MLA Claudia Chender and has the support of the once pro-life Catholic premier of Nova Scotia, Stephen McNeil. It passed second reading Wednesday and now awaits a committee review.
The law would ban any type of pro-life protest in an “access zone” against a patient or physician that “extends a distance of 50 metres from the boundaries of any parcel of land on which the facility is located.”
It will also bar photographing, videotaping, and audio recording of anyone within the “access zone,” which is defined as hospitals that provide abortions but could also extend to offices and even residences of those who perform abortions if “[t]he Governor in Council may, by regulation,” decide to do so.
Abortion is currently available in four hospital locations in Nova Scotia. If the Nova Scotia bill ultimately receives royal assent, it will join similar legislation in B.C., Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland.
Section 15 reads: “A police officer may arrest, without warrant, a person who the police officer believes on reasonable and probable grounds has committed or is committing an offence under this Act.”
This section is of grave concern for people’s freedoms, according to Campaign Life Coalition (CLC), which says the way this part is currently worded could mean that a simple phone call to police is all it would take to arrest someone protesting, violating his right to due process.
In anticipation of such legislation, Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) launched a petition against any type of law in Nova Scotia restricting the freedom of protest and speech and is concerned that such legislation leaves too much power to the courts and police.
“This draconian ‘bubble zone’ bill calls on the police and courts to do the bidding of leftist ideologues who want to stomp down the voices of conservative-minded citizens in Nova Scotia,” said David Cooke, CLC’s campaigns manager, in comments to LifeSiteNews today.
Cooke went onto say public spaces are constitutionally protected for anyone to use freely, adding, “For the liberals to step in and create anti–free speech zones in public spaces, where citizens may face arrest for being pro-life, is antithetical to a free and democratic society.”
He also mentioned the fact to LifeSiteNews that the mainstream media have ignored the CLC petition, which already had over 2,400 signatures when it was delivered to Nova Scotia ministers Mark Furey and Randy Delorey in December. It currently has over 3,100 signatures.
A first offense under conviction is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or a six-month prison term, or both, going up to a maximum fine of $10,000, or one year in prison, or both, for a second offense.
If a corporation is found guilty of violating the law, it faces fines of up to $25,000 for a first offense, then a possible $100,000 for a second offense.
Ruth Robert, coordinator for CLC Nova Scotia, gave some background to LifeSiteNews as to why this law was introduced, which she notes is the direct result of pro-life protests.
In late September of 2019, Robert helped lead a 40 Days for Life protest outside the Victoria General hospital Women’s Choice Clinic in Halifax, where abortions are performed.
Robert told LifeSiteNews that during the last week of the event, Megan Boudreau, a student at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, was angry at the protests. This caused her to create a campaign against the pro-life protesters to push for a “bubble zone” law for Nova Scotia.
Liberal MLA Labi Kousoulis then began working with Boudreau late last year on anti–free speech bubble zone legislation.
Boudreau obtained a 140-signature petition demanding buffer zones outside facilities where abortions take place in the province. It had the support of Chender, who tabled it in the Nova Scotia Province House on Tuesday. Boudreau also has an online version of the petition that has around 1,100 signatures as of today.
She was quoted as saying in the Halifax publication The Chronicle Herald, “Abortion is health care and health care should be harassment-free.”
Robert says that despite not having the support of any local politicians, she vows to continue the fight to oppose the bill. She will be presenting to the committee on behalf of CLC on March 6 at Province House.
“I’m planning to contact the legislative council and ask to speak to the committee, now that it passed second reading and bring our views on it because we have not been contacted,” she said to LifeSiteNews.
“They talk about a 140-signature petition, but we’ve got one with over 3,000.”
Robert noted that laws already exist for people to call the police if they feel threatened by anyone and added that bubble zone laws will do nothing but “silence people” and are a “danger to democracy.”
Contact:
To sign CLC’s petition, see below.
https://www.campaignlifecoalition.com/petition/id/30/page/211
Office of the Premier
7th Floor, One Government Place
1700 Granville Street
Halifax, NS B3J 1X5
Phone: (902) 424-6600
Fax: (902) 424-7648
[email protected]
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--New head of German bishops thinks Protestants can receive Catholic Eucharist

MAINZ , Germany , March 5 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The newly elected president of the German bishops ’ conference , bishop Georg Bätzing , voiced his support for a study arguing in favor of having Christians of any background receive the Eucharist during a Catholic Mass .
The study , titled “ Together at the Lord ’ s Table , ” was published in the fall of 2019 by the “ Ecumenical working group of Evangelical and Catholic theologians ” ( “ Ökumenischer Arbeitskreis evangelischer und katholischer Theologen ” ) .
The working group , Bätzing stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting of the German bishops in Mainz , based its conclusions on “ recent theological and especially liturgical insights and the results of previous ecumenical dialog.
” “ It is my personal conviction that what is written there is justifiable , ” the bishop added .
The study prepared by the ecumenical working group pointed out that Martin Luther and his followers believed in the real presence , as do Catholics .
“ Luther and the Lutherans defended the real presence of Christ against Zwingli , who interpreted the presence of Christ in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then also dissociated themselves from Calvin , whose attempt to go beyond Zwingli and to think of the presence of Christ as spiritually worked , they could understand in this wise man.
” Cardinal Kurt Koch , president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity , was very critical of the document .
He said it was based on an “ assumption ” he can not share — “ namely , that the Catholic Eucharistic celebration and the Protestant last supper are identical.
” LifeSiteNews reported earlier this year on Koch ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained that there are “ many open questions with regard to the understanding of the Eucharist — for example , the thought of the Sacrifice does not even occur.
” In addition to his support for having Protestants receive Holy Communion , bishop Bätzing claimed that the issues discussed during the synodal path are helping with evangelization .
“ These are issues serving the evangelization of our country , ” the bishop of Limburg said .
He is convinced that the synodal path will remove obstacles for people of goodwill in Germany .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on four areas : power and separation of powers within the Church , priestly life today , women in the Church , and sexual morality .
In all areas , demands have been made by participants in the synodal path to change the perennial teachings and longstanding disciplines of the Church .
Faithful Catholics have observed how the word “ evangelization ” is used more and more to defend and advance a progressive agenda in the German church , following a request made by Pope Francis .
In a 2019 letter , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that evangelization has to be “ our guiding principle par excellence.
” The apostolic nuncio to Germany , archbishop Nikola Eterović , expressed a similar position during the spring meeting .
“ Evangelization is not only a duty of the Church and its representatives according to the mandate of the Risen Lord , but also a right of the people who do not yet know Jesus Christ and his Gospel , or do not know them sufficiently , ” the nuncio told the German bishops .
Bishop Bätzing disqualified some of the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the synodal path .
Abolishing the entire hierarchy of deacons , priests , and bishops , as proposed by one of the founders of “ Maria 2.0 , ” is “ no longer the Catholic Church , ” he said .
However , Bätzing emphasized the need to make use of “ all the wiggle room ” that exists , explicitly pointing to the difference between female priests and female deacons .
In his 1994 apostolic letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis , Pope John Paul II declared “ that the Church has no authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church ’ s faithful.
” In that document , he did not mention deacons .
A big part of the press conference focused on reparations for victims of clerical sexual abuse in Germany .
Compensation would follow guidelines already established by the state ( around €50,000 per victim ) , bishop Stephan Ackermann of Trier explained .

The study making the claim, which Bishop Georg Bätzing supports, based its conclusions on 'recent theological and especially liturgical insights and the results of previous ecumenical dialog.'
PETITION: Join faithful German Catholics in resisting bishops’ plan to ‘Protestantize’ Church Sign the petition here.
MAINZ, Germany, March 5, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The newly elected president of the German bishops’ conference, bishop Georg Bätzing, voiced his support for a study arguing in favor of having Christians of any background receive the Eucharist during a Catholic Mass.
The study, titled “Together at the Lord’s Table,” was published in the fall of 2019 by the “Ecumenical working group of Evangelical and Catholic theologians” (“Ökumenischer Arbeitskreis evangelischer und katholischer Theologen”).
The working group, Bätzing stated at the press conference concluding the spring meeting of the German bishops in Mainz, based its conclusions on “recent theological and especially liturgical insights and the results of previous ecumenical dialog.”
“It is my personal conviction that what is written there is justifiable,” the bishop added.
The study prepared by the ecumenical working group pointed out that Martin Luther and his followers believed in the real presence, as do Catholics.
“Luther and the Lutherans defended the real presence of Christ against Zwingli, who interpreted the presence of Christ in bread and wine purely anamnetically, and then also dissociated themselves from Calvin, whose attempt to go beyond Zwingli and to think of the presence of Christ as spiritually worked, they could understand in this wise man.”
Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, was very critical of the document. He said it was based on an “assumption” he cannot share — “namely, that the Catholic Eucharistic celebration and the Protestant last supper are identical.”
LifeSiteNews reported earlier this year on Koch’s remarks. The Swiss cardinal also explained that there are “many open questions with regard to the understanding of the Eucharist — for example, the thought of the Sacrifice does not even occur.”
In addition to his support for having Protestants receive Holy Communion, bishop Bätzing claimed that the issues discussed during the synodal path are helping with evangelization.
“These are issues serving the evangelization of our country,” the bishop of Limburg said. He is convinced that the synodal path will remove obstacles for people of goodwill in Germany.
The synodal path in Germany is focusing on four areas: power and separation of powers within the Church, priestly life today, women in the Church, and sexual morality. In all areas, demands have been made by participants in the synodal path to change the perennial teachings and longstanding disciplines of the Church.
Faithful Catholics have observed how the word “evangelization” is used more and more to defend and advance a progressive agenda in the German church, following a request made by Pope Francis.
In a 2019 letter, the Holy Father had reminded Catholics in Germany that evangelization has to be “our guiding principle par excellence.”
The apostolic nuncio to Germany, archbishop Nikola Eterović, expressed a similar position during the spring meeting.
“Evangelization is not only a duty of the Church and its representatives according to the mandate of the Risen Lord, but also a right of the people who do not yet know Jesus Christ and his Gospel, or do not know them sufficiently,” the nuncio told the German bishops.
Bishop Bätzing disqualified some of the “maximum demands” made in the context of the synodal path. Abolishing the entire hierarchy of deacons, priests, and bishops, as proposed by one of the founders of “Maria 2.0,” is “no longer the Catholic Church,” he said.
However, Bätzing emphasized the need to make use of “all the wiggle room” that exists, explicitly pointing to the difference between female priests and female deacons.
In his 1994 apostolic letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, Pope John Paul II declared “that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful.” In that document, he did not mention deacons.
A big part of the press conference focused on reparations for victims of clerical sexual abuse in Germany. Compensation would follow guidelines already established by the state (around €50,000 per victim), bishop Stephan Ackermann of Trier explained.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-05--WATCH: Dem Congresswoman compares abortion with ‘wisdom teeth extraction’

U.S. House of Representatives member Jackie Speier of California sought to minimize the health risks involved with abortion by saying abortion is safer than the extraction of wisdom teeth .
Speier was commenting on a case that went before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday , challenging Louisiana ’ s requirement that abortion centers make arrangements for admitting women to nearby hospitals in cases of life-threatening complications .
In the short video , Speier can be heard to insist that the case “ has nothing to do with health care and has everything to do with politics.
” “ Abortions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could do on an outpatient basis , ” she asserted , “ safer than doing an endoscopy or wisdom teeth extraction.
” The pro-abortion California Democrat was quickly subjected to criticism on social media .
The dental-themed responses were nearly endless .
Some were noteworthy .
“ I remember when I thought about extracting my wisdom teeth but chose not to and now they are a healthy loving teenager I thank god for every day , ” said Spectator USA commentator Stephen L. Miller .
The Federalist ’ s Sean Davis said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wisdom teeth extraction ended with a dead baby 100 % of the time.
” “ But teeth don ’ t have their own cardiovascular , musculoskeletal , and nervous system like unborn babies do , so it ’ s not safer for the baby , ” tweeted J.M .
Wood Sr. “ A wisdom tooth doesn ’ t have a heart , ” noted MTBowers .
“ Or a brain .
Or arms and legs .
Or its own DNA.
” “ The teeth would come out in the world .
Made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The doctor would then consult with the mother and then execute the molars , ” said Twitter user Tehani , clearly referencing Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s heinous suggestion last year that babies born alive as the result of a botched abortion could be made comfortable while parents consulted with doctors about whether to end the child ’ s life .
“ My wisdom teeth look almost identical in the jar as the baby ’ s body parts , ” said BlueBird .
“ Good analogy.
” Rep. Speier ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Capitol , just across the street from the Supreme Court , where Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-New York , was simultaneiously offering ominous comments about the same Louisiana case , threatening two Supreme Court Justices who might vote against the increased medical safety regulations for women undergoing abortions .
“ I wan na tell you , Gorsuch , I wan na tell you , Kavanaugh : you have released the whirlwind , and you will pay the price !
” he exclaimed .
“ You won ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with these awful decisions .
”

U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier called abortion one of the 'safest procedures you could do' and was subsequently ripped for her comments.
WASHINGTON, March 5, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A Democratic Congresswoman compared abortion with having wisdom teeth pulled.
Abortion is extremely safe. The risk of complication is lower than from a colonoscopy, wisdom tooth removal or a tonsillectomy, which do not require admitting privileges. The law before #SCOTUS is all about chipping away at Roe, NOT about protecting women. #MyRightMyDecision pic.twitter.com/q4siDHze6v — Jackie Speier (@RepSpeier) March 4, 2020
U.S. House of Representatives member Jackie Speier of California sought to minimize the health risks involved with abortion by saying abortion is safer than the extraction of wisdom teeth.
Congresswoman Jackie Speier: Abortions are ‘safer than a wisdom teeth extraction’pic.twitter.com/DbqD1x5nke — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 5, 2020
Speier was commenting on a case that went before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, challenging Louisiana’s requirement that abortion centers make arrangements for admitting women to nearby hospitals in cases of life-threatening complications.
In the short video, Speier can be heard to insist that the case “has nothing to do with health care and has everything to do with politics.”
“Abortions are one of the safest procedures you could do on an outpatient basis,” she asserted, “safer than doing an endoscopy or wisdom teeth extraction.”
The pro-abortion California Democrat was quickly subjected to criticism on social media. The dental-themed responses were nearly endless. Some were noteworthy.
“My gums, my choice,” mocked one Twitter user.
My gums my choice — ��GeekArmy�� (@GCgeekarmy) March 5, 2020
“I remember when I thought about extracting my wisdom teeth but chose not to and now they are a healthy loving teenager I thank god for every day,” said Spectator USA commentator Stephen L. Miller.
I remember when I thought about extracting my wisdom teeth but chose not to and now they are a healthy loving teenager I thank god for every day. https://t.co/6cVvfFAUi3 — Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) March 5, 2020
The Federalist’s Sean Davis said, “I wasn’t aware that a wisdom teeth extraction ended with a dead baby 100% of the time.”
I wasn’t aware that a wisdom teeth extraction ended with a dead baby 100% of the time. https://t.co/i2CWLv9XFd — Sean Davis (@seanmdav) March 4, 2020
“But teeth don’t have their own cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and nervous system like unborn babies do, so it’s not safer for the baby,” tweeted J.M. Wood Sr.
But teeth don’t have their own cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and nervous system like unborn babies do, so it’s not safer for the baby. — J. M. Wood, Sr (@JMWoodSr) March 5, 2020
“A wisdom tooth doesn’t have a heart,” noted MTBowers. “Or a brain. Or arms and legs. Or its own DNA.”
A wisdom tooth doesn’t have a heart. Or a brain. Or arms and legs. Or its own DNA. — MTBowers (@bardolator) March 4, 2020
“The teeth would come out in the world. Made comfortable and wrapped with a blanket. The doctor would then consult with the mother and then execute the molars,” said Twitter user Tehani, clearly referencing Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s heinous suggestion last year that babies born alive as the result of a botched abortion could be made comfortable while parents consulted with doctors about whether to end the child’s life.
“The teeth would come out in the world. Made comfortable and wrapped with a blanket. The doctor would then consult with the mother and then execute the molars.” — Tehani (@tehani87) March 5, 2020
“My wisdom teeth look almost identical in the jar as the baby’s body parts,” said BlueBird. “Good analogy.”
My wisdom teeth look almost identical in the jar as the baby’s body parts. Good analogy. — BlueBird (@BlueBir97379403) March 5, 2020
Rep. Speier’s comments were made on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, just across the street from the Supreme Court, where Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, was simultaneiously offering ominous comments about the same Louisiana case, threatening two Supreme Court Justices who might vote against the increased medical safety regulations for women undergoing abortions.
“I wanna tell you, Gorsuch, I wanna tell you, Kavanaugh: you have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price!” he exclaimed. “You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-05--Bill requiring proper burial for aborted babies passes Utah House

SALT LAKE CITY , March 5 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Utah lawmakers moved one step closer this week to more respectful treatment of fetal remains with the state House ’ s passage of legislation requiring aborted babies to be either buried or cremated .
The House voted 58-14 for Senate Bill 67 on Wednesday , the Salt Lake Tribune reported .
Originally applying to both abortions and miscarriages , the vote followed debate over a proposed amendment that would have allowed parents the option to choose whatever their hospital ’ s traditional disposal method is instead .
Lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held firm that abotion victims must be either buried or cremated .
Motivated by horror stories about abortion facilities destroying the babies they kill with methods such as “ big ovens , ” or abortionists stockpiling corpses on their own property , these measures are meant to prevent the bodies of aborted children from being treated like medical waste , both out of respect for their dignity and to underscore their humanity .
“ The point of the bill is to provide humanity to the unborn child , whereas the point of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away in that it treats that corpse as medical waste and not as a human , ” Republican state Rep. Brady Brammer argued .
“ Amputated limbs don ’ t have their own genome , ” said Republican state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee , the bill ’ s lead sponsor .
“ Amputated limbs don ’ t have their own DNA .
Amputated limbs don ’ t have their own heartbeat , but deceased humans do.
” Abortion defenders across the country have criticized such fetal burial measures for allegedly burdening women who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place their legal obligations and associated costs solely on abortion or medical facilities , meaning the only “ burdens ” are whatever personal inferences they draw from recognizing the humanity of their dead children .
An earlier version of the measure already passed the Utah Senate 22-6 .
The amended version must now return to the Senate for another vote , which it is likely to pass .
Republican Gov .
Gary Herbert is expected to sign SB67 into law .

If voted into law, the measure would keep unborn children from being disposed of like medical waste.
SALT LAKE CITY, March 5, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Utah lawmakers moved one step closer this week to more respectful treatment of fetal remains with the state House’s passage of legislation requiring aborted babies to be either buried or cremated.
The House voted 58-14 for Senate Bill 67 on Wednesday, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. Originally applying to both abortions and miscarriages, the vote followed debate over a proposed amendment that would have allowed parents the option to choose whatever their hospital’s traditional disposal method is instead. Lawmakers adopted the change for miscarried babies but held firm that abotion victims must be either buried or cremated.
Motivated by horror stories about abortion facilities destroying the babies they kill with methods such as “big ovens,” or abortionists stockpiling corpses on their own property, these measures are meant to prevent the bodies of aborted children from being treated like medical waste, both out of respect for their dignity and to underscore their humanity.
“The point of the bill is to provide humanity to the unborn child, whereas the point of the amendment takes a little bit of that away in that it treats that corpse as medical waste and not as a human,” Republican state Rep. Brady Brammer argued.
“Amputated limbs don’t have their own genome,” said Republican state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, the bill’s lead sponsor. “Amputated limbs don’t have their own DNA. Amputated limbs don’t have their own heartbeat, but deceased humans do.”
Abortion defenders across the country have criticized such fetal burial measures for allegedly burdening women who have abortions. In fact, they generally place their legal obligations and associated costs solely on abortion or medical facilities, meaning the only “burdens” are whatever personal inferences they draw from recognizing the humanity of their dead children.
An earlier version of the measure already passed the Utah Senate 22-6. The amended version must now return to the Senate for another vote, which it is likely to pass. Republican Gov. Gary Herbert is expected to sign SB67 into law.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-05--Ohio to automatically ban abortion after Roe v. Wade falls if new bill passes

COLUMBUS , Ohio , March 5 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Lawmakers in Ohio are preparing for a future without Roe v. Wade , with this week ’ s introduction of legislation that would automatically ban abortion in the state upon the infamous ruling ’ s invalidation .
Republican state Rep. John Becker introduced House Bill 538 , under which physicians who abort preborn babies would face up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $ 5,000 , in addition to losing their medical licenses .
Abortion-seeking women would not be subject to punishment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ file lawsuits against their abortionists .
The conditions of the bill would only take effect , however , if and when Roe v. Wade is either overturned by another Supreme Court ruling or rendered null and void by a constitutional amendment .
`` Ohio is a pro-life state , '' Becker declared , the Cleveland Scene reported .
`` If and when the Supreme Court decides to return the issue of abortion back to the states , we want to be prepared for what comes next.
” Because it wouldn ’ t take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ trigger bill ” won ’ t provoke lawsuits or impact future abortion deliberations at the Supreme Court .
Supporters say it ’ s important to prepare state laws for a favorable ruling they hope President Donald Trump ’ s judicial nominees will deliver in the near future .
The court is currently reviewing a Louisiana law imposing safety standards on abortionists , but while it ’ s theoretically possible the court could take the opportunity to pass judgment on Roe , many expect that case to end with a far more limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislatures of numerous states have introduced total or near-total abortion bans , in hopes of provoking legal challenges that would necessarily instigate such a review .
Ohio itself also has one such bill , which would add killing the preborn to the state ’ s existing murder statutes , pending in the legislature .

Abortionists could lose their medical license and be given up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 5, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Lawmakers in Ohio are preparing for a future without Roe v. Wade, with this week’s introduction of legislation that would automatically ban abortion in the state upon the infamous ruling’s invalidation.
Republican state Rep. John Becker introduced House Bill 538, under which physicians who abort preborn babies would face up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, in addition to losing their medical licenses. Abortion-seeking women would not be subject to punishment, but would be given the right to file lawsuits against their abortionists.
The conditions of the bill would only take effect, however, if and when Roe v. Wade is either overturned by another Supreme Court ruling or rendered null and void by a constitutional amendment.
“Ohio is a pro-life state,” Becker declared, the Cleveland Scene reported. “If and when the Supreme Court decides to return the issue of abortion back to the states, we want to be prepared for what comes next.”
Because it wouldn’t take effect until after Roe falls, the “trigger bill” won’t provoke lawsuits or impact future abortion deliberations at the Supreme Court. Supporters say it’s important to prepare state laws for a favorable ruling they hope President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees will deliver in the near future.
The court is currently reviewing a Louisiana law imposing safety standards on abortionists, but while it’s theoretically possible the court could take the opportunity to pass judgment on Roe, many expect that case to end with a far more limited ruling.
In the meantime, the legislatures of numerous states have introduced total or near-total abortion bans, in hopes of provoking legal challenges that would necessarily instigate such a review. Ohio itself also has one such bill, which would add killing the preborn to the state’s existing murder statutes, pending in the legislature.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--Trump’s attorney general deserves compassion on fighting the Deep State

March 6 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — Many are disappointed and frustrated that Deep-State actors are not being prosecuted for their acts that certainly appear to be crimes while , on the other hand , conservatives are facing long jail sentences for less egregious behavior .
Some are even suggesting that Attorney General William Barr is a member of the Deep State himself and never intends to prosecute Deep-State malefactors .
However , prosecuting such Deep-State snakes as Brennan , Clapper , Clinton , Comey , McCabe , and others involves a number of difficulties .
Consider : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inside .
They know what to expect and how to game the system .
They have friends on the inside .
• From decades of `` public service , '' most of them are quite wealthy .
They will be able to afford top-notch legal talent to defend them .
• Probably most of the apparently criminal acts occurred in Washington , D.C. , meaning that the cases would have to be prosecuted there .
The Washington jury pool is over 90 % Democrat and biased in favor of the snakes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judges in Washington are as biased as the jurors .
Just last week , for example , Judge Amy Berman Jackson demonstrated that she is little better than a Democrat National Committee operative .
• The defendants will be able to craft `` graymail '' defenses , putting the government to the dilemma of either harming national security by disclosing classified information , or dropping charges .
• Early failure may be fatal to any later cases .
If the first case to go to trial should result in a dismissal or a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNC-complicit corporate media would trumpet headlines about it for weeks .
It could ruin chances for success in later cases .
In light of all of these difficulties — and there are probably more that are not readily apparent from the outside — it is not strange that , if A.G. Barr is preparing prosecutions , it would take some time .
Perhaps this is part of what President Trump was referring to when he recently remarked that the swamp was a lot deeper than he had expected .
Frankly , in light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprised if any successful prosecution results .
It would take immense hard work , legal genius , and some luck .
This article originally appeared at the American Thinker .
It is published with permission from the author .

In light of all the many difficulties involved, it is not strange that if A.G. Barr is preparing prosecutions, it would take some time.
March 6, 2020 (American Thinker) — Many are disappointed and frustrated that Deep-State actors are not being prosecuted for their acts that certainly appear to be crimes while, on the other hand, conservatives are facing long jail sentences for less egregious behavior. Some are even suggesting that Attorney General William Barr is a member of the Deep State himself and never intends to prosecute Deep-State malefactors.
However, prosecuting such Deep-State snakes as Brennan, Clapper, Clinton, Comey, McCabe, and others involves a number of difficulties. Consider:
These actors know the system from the inside. They know what to expect and how to game the system. They have friends on the inside. From decades of “public service,” most of them are quite wealthy. They will be able to afford top-notch legal talent to defend them. Probably most of the apparently criminal acts occurred in Washington, D.C., meaning that the cases would have to be prosecuted there. The Washington jury pool is over 90% Democrat and biased in favor of the snakes and against the Trump administration. The judges in Washington are as biased as the jurors. Just last week, for example, Judge Amy Berman Jackson demonstrated that she is little better than a Democrat National Committee operative. The defendants will be able to craft “graymail” defenses, putting the government to the dilemma of either harming national security by disclosing classified information, or dropping charges. Early failure may be fatal to any later cases. If the first case to go to trial should result in a dismissal or a “not guilty” verdict, the DNC-complicit corporate media would trumpet headlines about it for weeks. It could ruin chances for success in later cases.
In light of all of these difficulties — and there are probably more that are not readily apparent from the outside — it is not strange that, if A.G. Barr is preparing prosecutions, it would take some time. Perhaps this is part of what President Trump was referring to when he recently remarked that the swamp was a lot deeper than he had expected.
Frankly, in light of these difficulties, we should be surprised if any successful prosecution results. It would take immense hard work, legal genius, and some luck.
This post originally appeared at the American Thinker. It is published here with permission from the author.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--Persecution of pro-lifers will intensify as Roe v. Wade nears its end

March 6 , 2020 ( Life Issues ) — Few can forget Bette Davis ’ famous line in the movie All About Eve .
“ Fasten your seatbelts , it ’ s going to be a bumpy night.
” By comparison , America ’ s current political and social climate warrants something much more stabilizing than seatbelts !
A recent inventory of current events shows there are no signs of the storm abating .
The confirmation hearing of Justice Brett Kavanaugh was despicable .
Some of those making outrageous accusations against a sitting judge with an unblemished record later admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats in the US Senate recently filibustered pro-life efforts to end heinous acts against humanity .
Pro-life Republicans simply advocated access to healthcare for babies who survived abortion .
Secondly , they supported legislation to end late-term abortion at five months , well after a baby is able to feel the horrendous pain of the abortion procedure .
Extreme members of the Senate said a resounding no .
Let the meaning of “ live dismemberment abortion ” sink in .
It seems unthinkable that we would even be having these debates in Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even lower .
Wednesday , US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer actually threatened two Justices of the US Supreme Court .
At a pro-abortion rally in front of the Supreme Court building he declared , “ I want to tell you , Gorsuch .
I want to tell you , Kavanaugh .
You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price !
You won ’ t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.
” ( emphasis added ) Chief Justice Roberts issued a stunning and rare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ …threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate , they are dangerous.
” Not batting an eye , Schumer accused the Chief Justice of being “ biased.
” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered a scathing rebuke and the President weighed in .
Notoriously liberal Harvard Law School professor Laurence Tribe and the American Bar Association condemned Schumer ’ s remarks .
You ’ d think this and other pushback would at least generate an apology from Senator Schumer .
We were all disappointed .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deliver an extreme pro-abortion diatribe defending his support for the depraved practice of abortion on demand .
The closest thing the Senator got to an apology was stating he used the wrong words .
This outrageous and unacceptable behavior could easily incite someone on the extreme Left to act out in violence against Supreme Court justices .
And it ’ s probably going to get worse .
Pro-abortion Democrats have become completely unhinged with fear and rage because they see the writing on the wall .
Roe v Wade , in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not last .
We must stay strong .
This is no time to be intimidated , afraid , or let up on our efforts .
Satan and his earthly pawns know abortion ’ s time is limited and they ’ ve stepped up their demonic game .

A recent inventory of current events shows there are no signs of the storm abating.
March 6, 2020 (Life Issues) — Few can forget Bette Davis’ famous line in the movie All About Eve. “Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night.”
By comparison, America’s current political and social climate warrants something much more stabilizing than seatbelts!
A recent inventory of current events shows there are no signs of the storm abating.
The confirmation hearing of Justice Brett Kavanaugh was despicable. Some of those making outrageous accusations against a sitting judge with an unblemished record later admitted they never met the man.
Pro-abortion Democrats in the US Senate recently filibustered pro-life efforts to end heinous acts against humanity. Pro-life Republicans simply advocated access to healthcare for babies who survived abortion. Secondly, they supported legislation to end late-term abortion at five months, well after a baby is able to feel the horrendous pain of the abortion procedure. Extreme members of the Senate said a resounding no.
Let the meaning of “live dismemberment abortion” sink in.
It seems unthinkable that we would even be having these debates in Congress. Yet a pro-abortion Democrat has sunk even lower.
Wednesday, US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer actually threatened two Justices of the US Supreme Court. At a pro-abortion rally in front of the Supreme Court building he declared,
“I want to tell you, Gorsuch. I want to tell you, Kavanaugh. You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price! You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.” (emphasis added)
Chief Justice Roberts issued a stunning and rare rebuke that read in part, “…threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous.”
Not batting an eye, Schumer accused the Chief Justice of being “biased.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered a scathing rebuke and the President weighed in. Notoriously liberal Harvard Law School professor Laurence Tribe and the American Bar Association condemned Schumer’s remarks.
You’d think this and other pushback would at least generate an apology from Senator Schumer. We were all disappointed. He used his time on the Senate floor to deliver an extreme pro-abortion diatribe defending his support for the depraved practice of abortion on demand. The closest thing the Senator got to an apology was stating he used the wrong words.
This outrageous and unacceptable behavior could easily incite someone on the extreme Left to act out in violence against Supreme Court justices.
And it’s probably going to get worse. Pro-abortion Democrats have become completely unhinged with fear and rage because they see the writing on the wall. Roe v Wade, in all its bloody glory, cannot and will not last.
We must stay strong. This is no time to be intimidated, afraid, or let up on our efforts. Satan and his earthly pawns know abortion’s time is limited and they’ve stepped up their demonic game.
Published with permission from Life Issues.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-06--Did Pope Francis just encourage the communist regime in China?

March 6 , 2020 ( CatholicCulture.org ) — “ Today , the Church in China looks to the future with hope , ” Pope Francis said in the video message communicating his monthly prayer intentions .
Yes , but that hope looks increasingly forlorn , as Chinese authorities continue to close down Catholic churches that do not accept the leadership of the government-backed Patriotic Association .
“ The Church wants Chinese Christians to be truly Christians , and to be good citizens , ” the Pope said in his video message , adding that “ they need to achieve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course Christians should be good citizens , and of course Catholics should work for unity within the Church .
But in the context of the current situation in China , the Pope ’ s message is truly stunning , because his prayer intention expresses exactly the message that Beijing authorities want to convey .
From Beijing ’ s perspective , a “ good citizen ” is someone who accepts the ideological leadership of the Communist Party — and in this case its reliable arm , the Patriotic Association .
So when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens , ” the Pope seems to be saying that Catholics should follow the lead of the Patriotic Association .
At least you can be very sure the Beijing regime will convey that message , claiming the Pope ’ s endorsement .
Admittedly the Pope did not actually say that Catholics should accept the Patriotic Association .
But again , it ’ s an absolute certainty that Communist officials will put that interpretation on his words .
And since that “ spin ” is so utterly predictable , why use those words ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing regime to turn a papal prayer into a propaganda tool ?
Remember that in June 2007 , Pope Benedict XVI warned Chinese Catholics against the “ entities that have been imposed ” on the Church — an unmistakable reference to the Patriotic Association .
In his letter to the Church in China , Pope Benedict said : So is Pope Francis proposing that Chinese Catholics accept the leadership of a group whose fundamental purpose is “ incompatible with Catholic doctrine ” ?
Is he contributing to the Beijing regime ’ s campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Communist Party umbrella ?
And is he — this is in some ways the most stunning part of the video message — incorporating that message in a request for prayers from the universal Church ?
When he cites the need “ to achieve the unity of the divided Catholic community , ” Pope Francis is making a different point .
For years the Vatican has sought to overcome the split between the “ official ” Catholic Church , recognized by the Chinese government , and the “ underground ” Church , loyal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Re , the former prefect of the Congregation for Bishops , said that the secret accord the Vatican struck with Beijing in 2018 was a product of diplomatic initiatives that had begun under Pope John Paul II and continued under Pope Benedict XVI .
That ’ s true ; there had been a long history of negotiations .
But Cardinal Re went further .
In a public rebuke to Cardinal Joseph Zen , the most prominent critic of the secret accord , Cardinal Re said that Pope Benedict XVI had endorsed an early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Italian prelate said that Cardinal Zen did not understand the current diplomatic accord , and suggested that Cardinal Zen ’ s persistent opposition damaged the unity of the Church .
To no one ’ s surprise , the feisty Cardinal Zen fired back , asking rhetorically why , if he endorsed the deal , Pope Benedict had not signed it .
He reiterated his insistence that the former Pontiff had explicitly rejected a similar arrangement .
And he proposed that the Vatican could clarify the matter if it would “ just show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not been allowed to see to date.
” That last point is significant .
Eighteen months after the Vatican-Beijing agreement was announced , we still don ’ t know what it says .
We do know that : • The Vatican has accepted the legitimacy of eight government-appointed bishops who had previously been excommunicated because they were ordained without the approval of the Holy See ; • Three bishops who were loyal to the Holy See voluntarily stepped down , to be replaced by bishops who had the government ’ s approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ underground ” Church have been recognized by the Patriotic Association , while the others remain subject to harassment by public officials ; • Churches that resist the Patriotic Association have been closed down , with government officials giving spurious explanations ; • Red flags have replaced crucifixes in Catholic churches , and portraits of government leaders have replaced portraits of the Pope ; surveillance cameras are in place to monitor worshippers ; the national anthem is sung during Mass ; • In some provinces , Christmas celebrations have been cancelled , funerals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force of the US bishops ’ conference reported “ Bibles confiscated , and children under 19 forbidden from attending Mass and receiving religious instruction.
” These are the fruits of the secret Vatican-Beijing agreement , promoted by Vatican officials who say that the deal was necessary for the sake of unity in the Chinese Church .
Now Pope Francis asks us all to pray that Chinese Catholics will be “ good citizens , ” for the sake of that same unity .
But it appears to be unity accepted on Beijing ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an institution whose purpose is “ incompatible with Catholic doctrine.
” For faithful Chinese Catholics it is unity in suffering .

In the context of the current situation in China, the pope’s message is truly stunning.
PETITION: Support Cardinal Zen's plea to stop the “murder of the Church in China” Sign the petition here.
March 6, 2020 (CatholicCulture.org) — “Today, the Church in China looks to the future with hope,” Pope Francis said in the video message communicating his monthly prayer intentions. Yes, but that hope looks increasingly forlorn, as Chinese authorities continue to close down Catholic churches that do not accept the leadership of the government-backed Patriotic Association.
“The Church wants Chinese Christians to be truly Christians, and to be good citizens,” the Pope said in his video message, adding that “they need to achieve the unity of the divided Catholic community.”
Of course Christians should be good citizens, and of course Catholics should work for unity within the Church. But in the context of the current situation in China, the Pope’s message is truly stunning, because his prayer intention expresses exactly the message that Beijing authorities want to convey.
From Beijing’s perspective, a “good citizen” is someone who accepts the ideological leadership of the Communist Party — and in this case its reliable arm, the Patriotic Association. So when he encourages Chinese Catholics to be “good citizens,” the Pope seems to be saying that Catholics should follow the lead of the Patriotic Association. At least you can be very sure the Beijing regime will convey that message, claiming the Pope’s endorsement.
Admittedly the Pope did not actually say that Catholics should accept the Patriotic Association. But again, it’s an absolute certainty that Communist officials will put that interpretation on his words. And since that “spin” is so utterly predictable, why use those words? Why make it so easy for the Beijing regime to turn a papal prayer into a propaganda tool?
Remember that in June 2007, Pope Benedict XVI warned Chinese Catholics against the “entities that have been imposed” on the Church — an unmistakable reference to the Patriotic Association. In his letter to the Church in China, Pope Benedict said:
Likewise, the declared purpose of the afore-mentioned entities to implement “the principles of independence and autonomy, self-management and democratic administration of the Church” is incompatible with Catholic doctrine, which from the time of the ancient Creeds professes the Church to be “one, holy, catholic and apostolic.”
So is Pope Francis proposing that Chinese Catholics accept the leadership of a group whose fundamental purpose is “incompatible with Catholic doctrine”? Is he contributing to the Beijing regime’s campaign to gather all Catholics together under the Communist Party umbrella? And is he — this is in some ways the most stunning part of the video message — incorporating that message in a request for prayers from the universal Church?
When he cites the need “to achieve the unity of the divided Catholic community,” Pope Francis is making a different point. For years the Vatican has sought to overcome the split between the “official” Catholic Church, recognized by the Chinese government, and the “underground” Church, loyal to Rome. This week Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the former prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, said that the secret accord the Vatican struck with Beijing in 2018 was a product of diplomatic initiatives that had begun under Pope John Paul II and continued under Pope Benedict XVI. That’s true; there had been a long history of negotiations.
But Cardinal Re went further. In a public rebuke to Cardinal Joseph Zen, the most prominent critic of the secret accord, Cardinal Re said that Pope Benedict XVI had endorsed an early draft of the agreement with Beijing. The Italian prelate said that Cardinal Zen did not understand the current diplomatic accord, and suggested that Cardinal Zen’s persistent opposition damaged the unity of the Church.
To no one’s surprise, the feisty Cardinal Zen fired back, asking rhetorically why, if he endorsed the deal, Pope Benedict had not signed it. He reiterated his insistence that the former Pontiff had explicitly rejected a similar arrangement. And he proposed that the Vatican could clarify the matter if it would “just show me the signed text, which I have not been allowed to see to date.”
That last point is significant. Eighteen months after the Vatican-Beijing agreement was announced, we still don’t know what it says. We do know that:
The Vatican has accepted the legitimacy of eight government-appointed bishops who had previously been excommunicated because they were ordained without the approval of the Holy See;
Three bishops who were loyal to the Holy See voluntarily stepped down, to be replaced by bishops who had the government’s approval;
Only three bishops of the “underground” Church have been recognized by the Patriotic Association, while the others remain subject to harassment by public officials;
Churches that resist the Patriotic Association have been closed down, with government officials giving spurious explanations;
Red flags have replaced crucifixes in Catholic churches, and portraits of government leaders have replaced portraits of the Pope; surveillance cameras are in place to monitor worshippers; the national anthem is sung during Mass;
In some provinces, Christmas celebrations have been cancelled, funerals have been banned;
A task force of the US bishops’ conference reported “Bibles confiscated, and children under 19 forbidden from attending Mass and receiving religious instruction.”
These are the fruits of the secret Vatican-Beijing agreement, promoted by Vatican officials who say that the deal was necessary for the sake of unity in the Chinese Church. Now Pope Francis asks us all to pray that Chinese Catholics will be “good citizens,” for the sake of that same unity. But it appears to be unity accepted on Beijing’s terms, unity under the rule of an institution whose purpose is “incompatible with Catholic doctrine.” For faithful Chinese Catholics it is unity in suffering.
Published with permission from CatholicCulture.org.
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