lifesitenews--2020-04-21--Catholic bishops in England, Wales put their support behind ‘the work of Satan’

April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The terrifying moral seriousness of what the Catholic Bishops ’ Conference of England and Wales ( CBCEW ) is doing in supporting the government ’ s Relationships and Sex Education legislation can be better understood by reflecting on the unforgettable address given by the late Carlo Cardinal Caffarra at the fourth annual Rome Life Forum , organized by Voice of the Family , on May 19 , 2017 .
His Eminence said : In our Western culture , have there been developments that evidence with particular clarity the conflict between the attractive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the culture of the lie constructed by Satan ?
I answer in the affirmative , and I wish to note two such developments in particular [ . ]
...
The first development is the transformation of the crime of abortion ( nefandum crimen , “ unspeakable crime , ” in the words of the Second Vatican Council ) into a right .
Note well , here I am not speaking of abortion the act .
I am speaking of the greatest legitimation the juridical order can bestow on a behaviour — that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a personal right , which is an ethical category .
This means to call evil good , to call darkness light .
“ When he lies , he speaks according to his own nature , for he is a liar and the father of lies.
” This is an attempt to produce an “ anti-Revelation.
” What is the logic that ushers in this ennoblement of abortion ?
It is first of all the uttermost negation of the truth of man [ . ]
...
The second development is the ennoblement of homosexuality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the truth of marriage , of the mind of God the Creator with regard to marriage .
Divine Revelation has communicated to us God ’ s design for marriage : the rightful union of man and woman , font of new life .
In the mind of God , marriage has a permanent structure rooted in the duality of the human mode of being : feminine and masculine .
Not two opposite poles , these , but the one with and for the other .
Only in this way does man emerge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God ’ s fundamental laws in governing the universe is that He does not act alone , but enlists our cooperation .
The union of man and woman who become one flesh constitutes human cooperation with the creative act of God [ . ]
... Let us summarize , then .
The pillars of creation are two : the human person in his irreducibility to the material universe , and the conjugal union between man and woman , the locus in which God creates new human persons “ in His image and likeness.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the status of a personal right is the demolition of the first pillar .
The ennoblement of homosexual relationships as equivalent to marriage is the destruction of the second pillar .
At the root of this is the work of Satan , who wants to construct an actual anti-creation .
He is hurling at God a final , terrible challenge .
“ I will show you that I can create an alternative to your creation .
And man will say he is better off in my alternative creation than he is in yours.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , built upon a profound contempt for man , Satan declares that the human person is incapable of ascending to the splendour of Truth ; that he is incapable of enduring the paradox of an infinite desire for happiness ; that it is not possible for him to find himself in the sincere gift of himself .
Reflecting on these words of Cardinal Caffara , I would make the following observations concerning the position of the CBCEW on abortion and on the ennoblement of homosexuality : • His Eminence Cardinal Caffara speaks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ crime of abortion ... into a right ” as Satan ’ s demolition of the first pillar of God ’ s creation .
• The right of access to abortion , as I explained in my last blog post , is fundamental to the government ’ s statutory guidance , which has been approved by Parliament and supported by the Catholic bishops of England and Wales .
• And His Eminence speaks of the “ ennoblement of homosexuality ” as involving the destruction of the second pillar of God ’ s creation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RSE guide for Catholic educators Learning to Love published in 2017 , says : “ [ W ] e would like to emphasise that an exalted form of love exists just as powerfully in relationships between people of the same sex as it does in heterosexual relationships [ . ]
” His Eminence Cardinal Caffara concluded his address to the Rome Life Forum by telling us what must be done .
He said : In this battle between creation and anti-creation , we are called upon to bear witness .
Testimony is our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The New Testament provides extremely rich teaching on this matter .
I will limit myself to articulating the three fundamental meanings of bearing witness .
( i ) To bear witness means to proclaim , to speak openly and publicly .
He who does not bear witness in this way is like a soldier who flees from battle at the decisive moment .
We are no longer witnesses , but deserters , if we do not speak openly and publicly .
( ii ) To bear witness means to announce , to proclaim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which implies also the primordial evidence discoverable by right reason alone [ the natural law ] .
It is to proclaim in particular the Gospel of Life and Marriage .
( iii ) To bear witness means to announce , to proclaim openly and publicly , the Gospel of Life and Marriage as it is put on trial ( cf.
, Jn 16:8–11 ) .
Let me explain .
I have spoken several times of a battle .
This conflict more and more resembles a trial , a legal proceeding , in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As in every trial , there are also witnesses for the defense , witnesses in favor of Jesus and his Gospel .
In today ’ s world , the proclamation of the Gospel of Marriage and of Life takes place in a context of hostility , of contestation , of unbelief .
For it to be otherwise , we would have to accept one of two options : either to be silent about the Gospel , or to proclaim something else entirely .
Of course , I do not mean to imply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of antagonism with others .
Once again , reflecting on Cardinal Caffara ’ s words , Catholic parents in England and Wales have a particular obligation to bear witness — and in particular , perhaps , Catholics in SPUC and in the pro-life movement generally have such an obligation — to the terrifying moral seriousness of what is being done in the name of the CBCEW particularly in relation to abortion and homosexuality , “ at the root ” of which , for reasons explained by Cardinal Caffara in a wider context , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The terrifying moral seriousness of what the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) is doing in supporting the government’s Relationships and Sex Education legislation can be better understood by reflecting on the unforgettable address given by the late Carlo Cardinal Caffarra at the fourth annual Rome Life Forum, organized by Voice of the Family, on May 19, 2017. His Eminence said:
In our Western culture, have there been developments that evidence with particular clarity the conflict between the attractive power of the Crucified and Risen Lord and the culture of the lie constructed by Satan? I answer in the affirmative, and I wish to note two such developments in particular[.] … The first development is the transformation of the crime of abortion (nefandum crimen, “unspeakable crime,” in the words of the Second Vatican Council) into a right. Note well, here I am not speaking of abortion the act. I am speaking of the greatest legitimation the juridical order can bestow on a behaviour — that of subsuming it into the category of a personal right, which is an ethical category. This means to call evil good, to call darkness light. “When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” This is an attempt to produce an “anti-Revelation.” What is the logic that ushers in this ennoblement of abortion? It is first of all the uttermost negation of the truth of man[.] … The second development is the ennoblement of homosexuality. Here we find the complete rejection of the truth of marriage, of the mind of God the Creator with regard to marriage. Divine Revelation has communicated to us God’s design for marriage: the rightful union of man and woman, font of new life. In the mind of God, marriage has a permanent structure rooted in the duality of the human mode of being: feminine and masculine. Not two opposite poles, these, but the one with and for the other. Only in this way does man emerge from his original solitude. One of God’s fundamental laws in governing the universe is that He does not act alone, but enlists our cooperation. The union of man and woman who become one flesh constitutes human cooperation with the creative act of God[.] … Let us summarize, then. The pillars of creation are two: the human person in his irreducibility to the material universe, and the conjugal union between man and woman, the locus in which God creates new human persons “in His image and likeness.” The axiological elevation of abortion to the status of a personal right is the demolition of the first pillar. The ennoblement of homosexual relationships as equivalent to marriage is the destruction of the second pillar. At the root of this is the work of Satan, who wants to construct an actual anti-creation. He is hurling at God a final, terrible challenge. “I will show you that I can create an alternative to your creation. And man will say he is better off in my alternative creation than he is in yours.” Using a horrifying strategy of lies, built upon a profound contempt for man, Satan declares that the human person is incapable of ascending to the splendour of Truth; that he is incapable of enduring the paradox of an infinite desire for happiness; that it is not possible for him to find himself in the sincere gift of himself.
Reflecting on these words of Cardinal Caffara, I would make the following observations concerning the position of the CBCEW on abortion and on the ennoblement of homosexuality:
His Eminence Cardinal Caffara speaks, above, of the transformation of the “crime of abortion … into a right” as Satan’s demolition of the first pillar of God’s creation.
The right of access to abortion, as I explained in my last blog post, is fundamental to the government’s statutory guidance, which has been approved by Parliament and supported by the Catholic bishops of England and Wales.
And His Eminence speaks of the “ennoblement of homosexuality” as involving the destruction of the second pillar of God’s creation.
The CBCEW, in an RSE guide for Catholic educators Learning to Love published in 2017, says: “[W]e would like to emphasise that an exalted form of love exists just as powerfully in relationships between people of the same sex as it does in heterosexual relationships[.]”
His Eminence Cardinal Caffara concluded his address to the Rome Life Forum by telling us what must be done. He said:
In this battle between creation and anti-creation, we are called upon to bear witness. Testimony is our mode of being in the world. The New Testament provides extremely rich teaching on this matter. I will limit myself to articulating the three fundamental meanings of bearing witness. (i) To bear witness means to proclaim, to speak openly and publicly. He who does not bear witness in this way is like a soldier who flees from battle at the decisive moment. We are no longer witnesses, but deserters, if we do not speak openly and publicly. (ii) To bear witness means to announce, to proclaim openly and publicly, divine Revelation, which implies also the primordial evidence discoverable by right reason alone [the natural law]. It is to proclaim in particular the Gospel of Life and Marriage. (iii) To bear witness means to announce, to proclaim openly and publicly, the Gospel of Life and Marriage as it is put on trial (cf., Jn 16:8–11). Let me explain. I have spoken several times of a battle. This conflict more and more resembles a trial, a legal proceeding, in which the accused is Jesus and his Gospel. As in every trial, there are also witnesses for the defense, witnesses in favor of Jesus and his Gospel. In today’s world, the proclamation of the Gospel of Marriage and of Life takes place in a context of hostility, of contestation, of unbelief. For it to be otherwise, we would have to accept one of two options: either to be silent about the Gospel, or to proclaim something else entirely. Of course, I do not mean to imply that Christians must intentionally foster a spirit of antagonism with others.
Once again, reflecting on Cardinal Caffara’s words, Catholic parents in England and Wales have a particular obligation to bear witness — and in particular, perhaps, Catholics in SPUC and in the pro-life movement generally have such an obligation — to the terrifying moral seriousness of what is being done in the name of the CBCEW particularly in relation to abortion and homosexuality, “at the root” of which, for reasons explained by Cardinal Caffara in a wider context, “is the work of Satan.”
John Smeaton is the Chief executive officer of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). He has worked fulltime in the pro-life movement for more than four decades. He was educated at Salesian College, London, before going to Oxford where he graduated in English Language and Literature. He qualified as a teacher, becoming head of English at a secondary school. He is married to Josephine. He has a grown-up family and lives in north London.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--To restore the Faith in modern times, good liturgy is indispensable

April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — People sometimes object to my body of work in defense of the traditional Latin Mass and in critique of the liturgical reform of the sixties and seventies by saying : “ Do you think that Latin , or chant , or the priest facing east , is some sort of magical recipe for success — all we have to do is put this into practice and all will be well ?
That ’ s very simplistic.
” I agree that that would be a simplistic point of view .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that good liturgy , in and of itself , does not automatically set people in the right direction .
An immediate and total conversion of an individual through the liturgy is a rare grace .
It can happen , as one exposure to solemn Vespers at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in 1886 converted Paul Claudel from glib agnosticism to a fervent Christian faith , but it can not be predicted or assumed .
What people bring to the liturgy is important : are they searching for God ?
Are they looking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlies all things and alone explains all things ?
Are they ready to yield themselves to a power they can not comprehend or control , that they are called first of all to acknowledge and adore ?
I see every conversion — whether to theism , Christianity , Catholicism , or the traditional liturgy — as God ’ s grace finding a welcome in a soul that has been furrowed to receive the seed .
The furrowing can take all manner of forms : suffering , loneliness , a philosophical disposition , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship of love with another person who can open one ’ s eyes to see new things .
My argument is not about any “ magical ” recipe for instant success , but rather about a potent instrument or set of instruments that we neglect at our peril : traditional liturgical rites , customs , practices , and art forms , with their deep associations with and evocations of the sacred , the supernatural , the otherworldly .
It is not easy for fallen human beings to be lifted out of and above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the gifts that Providence has bestowed on us over the millennia of sacramental worship is a simple matter of being responsible stewards of the mysteries of God , ensuring ( as far as it lies in our hands ) the proper context for representing and assimilating the richness of the Christian mystery and avoiding its banalization , which is no less offensive to God than it is harmful to us .
If our worship does not “ provoke ” us with a challenge to our worldly , fleshly , humanistic way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith and longing for God and confirms us in our bad habits of secularism and materialism .
Our sensitivity to the divine is left dormant , or worse , deadened .
The modern liturgical crisis originates from an abandonment of a true norm for liturgy that exists not only outside our individual community , but outside our historical period and our manipulative legislative reach .
Liturgical rites in all apostolic-sacramental Christian churches have always been seen as a gift that reaches us from afar , from our predecessors , bearing within themselves the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devotion , piety , and dogma .
They are not born from us and for us , but pre-exist us and outlast us .
This , indeed , is one of the greatest blessings of tradition in the Catholic Church : it is not something we ourselves manufacture , but something to which we must surrender , placing ourselves to be formed into the hands of others who have gone before us .
We can contribute , yes — but only in such a way that we do not destroy the inheritance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Man has a strange fascination with “ getting the job done ” and “ I ’ ll do it my way ” and “ we can build a better world.
” All of these slogans reek of Pelagianism — the view that our salvation is primarily our achievement .
All are diametrically opposed to the Catholic principle of tradition , according to which what is important is doing the job that was handed down to me and to you — doing it not my way or your way , but the right way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liturgy , we are to build up not an earthly city destined to fail , but a ladder to the heavenly Jerusalem that lasts forever .
Lay people have the vocation to build up the earthly city , to be sure ; but always with a view to preparing citizens for the city that eternally endures .
The liturgy must be the time when we “ lay aside all earthly cares , ” as the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom says , and turn completely to the Lord and His Kingdom .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ earthly cares when we look beyond them , much as people find that the solution to a vexing problem comes once they turn away from it for a while and do something else .
The liturgy is the sphere of the “ something else.
” This is why , to take one example among many , Pius X tried to lead the Church away from the use of secular-flavored music at Mass .
If we hear in the Kyrie the same operatic Mozart that we hear in the theater — or , nowadays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sounds not too different from the folk music revival radio channel or the advertising jingles on TV — we are left prisoners to the same old world from which we need to be lifted and , in a way , distanced , “ transferred to the kingdom of his beloved Son ” ( Col. 1:13 ) , so we can get proper perspective and the freedom to worship the God of our fathers , the God of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , the God who dwells in light inaccessible : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s holiness is a consuming fire and His love seeks everything , a liturgical life lived to the full , with the outward signs and practices of tradition , breaks apart the complacent ego fed on a diet of flattery and platitudes .
We are not allowed to remain asleep , but , in different ways , are awakened to the reality of God , which is at once overwhelming and freeing .
Eucharistic worship is nothing less than a total , radical surrender of one ’ s being into the hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who inscribes his Word into our flesh .
Man ’ s highest dignity consists in worship , the giving of thanks and praise ; his most dynamic activity consists in receiving divine gifts — or , as St. Dionysius and St. Thomas say , suffering them .
Baptism brings with it the mystery of a sacramental character by which the soul is imprinted or inscribed with an ineradicable conformity to Christ the High Priest .
By it the Christian is enabled to receive divine gifts and use them fruitfully ( cf .
Summa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is the first , greatest , and eternal identity of the Christian : the one who receives divine gifts poured out from the Heart of Christ , and so bears lasting fruit .
For this reason , worship ’ s highest dignity consists in its being at once a transparent communicator of divine initiative and a delicate modeling of human receptivity .
That is why I defend the traditional Latin Mass , which accomplishes this communication and modeling to perfection ; that is why I love everything about it , down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share it with everyone .
It is not an instant fix to our crisis .
But it is an indispensable condition for restoring the Faith in our times .
Without it , we will not have a firm and deep enough spiritual foundation on which to build Catholic lives , families , and societies .
We need to build on solid rock , not bring in endless truckloads of sand .

April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — People sometimes object to my body of work in defense of the traditional Latin Mass and in critique of the liturgical reform of the sixties and seventies by saying: “Do you think that Latin, or chant, or the priest facing east, is some sort of magical recipe for success — all we have to do is put this into practice and all will be well? That’s very simplistic.”
I agree that that would be a simplistic point of view. It’s not what I hold.
I recognize that good liturgy, in and of itself, does not automatically set people in the right direction. An immediate and total conversion of an individual through the liturgy is a rare grace. It can happen, as one exposure to solemn Vespers at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in 1886 converted Paul Claudel from glib agnosticism to a fervent Christian faith, but it cannot be predicted or assumed. What people bring to the liturgy is important: are they searching for God? Are they looking for an encounter with the sacred mystery that underlies all things and alone explains all things? Are they ready to yield themselves to a power they cannot comprehend or control, that they are called first of all to acknowledge and adore?
I see every conversion — whether to theism, Christianity, Catholicism, or the traditional liturgy — as God’s grace finding a welcome in a soul that has been furrowed to receive the seed. The furrowing can take all manner of forms: suffering, loneliness, a philosophical disposition, a passion for the arts, a deep relationship of love with another person who can open one’s eyes to see new things.
My argument is not about any “magical” recipe for instant success, but rather about a potent instrument or set of instruments that we neglect at our peril: traditional liturgical rites, customs, practices, and art forms, with their deep associations with and evocations of the sacred, the supernatural, the otherworldly. It is not easy for fallen human beings to be lifted out of and above themselves to the divine. Making use of the gifts that Providence has bestowed on us over the millennia of sacramental worship is a simple matter of being responsible stewards of the mysteries of God, ensuring (as far as it lies in our hands) the proper context for representing and assimilating the richness of the Christian mystery and avoiding its banalization, which is no less offensive to God than it is harmful to us. If our worship does not “provoke” us with a challenge to our worldly, fleshly, humanistic way of thinking, then it fails to awaken faith and longing for God and confirms us in our bad habits of secularism and materialism. Our sensitivity to the divine is left dormant, or worse, deadened.
The modern liturgical crisis originates from an abandonment of a true norm for liturgy that exists not only outside our individual community, but outside our historical period and our manipulative legislative reach. Liturgical rites in all apostolic-sacramental Christian churches have always been seen as a gift that reaches us from afar, from our predecessors, bearing within themselves the cumulative “weight” of prayer, devotion, piety, and dogma. They are not born from us and for us, but pre-exist us and outlast us. This, indeed, is one of the greatest blessings of tradition in the Catholic Church: it is not something we ourselves manufacture, but something to which we must surrender, placing ourselves to be formed into the hands of others who have gone before us. We can contribute, yes — but only in such a way that we do not destroy the inheritance.
Inebriated with technology and technique, Modern Man has a strange fascination with “getting the job done” and “I’ll do it my way” and “we can build a better world.” All of these slogans reek of Pelagianism — the view that our salvation is primarily our achievement. All are diametrically opposed to the Catholic principle of tradition, according to which what is important is doing the job that was handed down to me and to you — doing it not my way or your way, but the right way. In the Church and in her liturgy, we are to build up not an earthly city destined to fail, but a ladder to the heavenly Jerusalem that lasts forever. Lay people have the vocation to build up the earthly city, to be sure; but always with a view to preparing citizens for the city that eternally endures. The liturgy must be the time when we “lay aside all earthly cares,” as the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom says, and turn completely to the Lord and His Kingdom. We will find an answer to our earthly cares when we look beyond them, much as people find that the solution to a vexing problem comes once they turn away from it for a while and do something else.
The liturgy is the sphere of the “something else.” This is why, to take one example among many, Pius X tried to lead the Church away from the use of secular-flavored music at Mass. If we hear in the Kyrie the same operatic Mozart that we hear in the theater — or, nowadays, if we hear a ditty that sounds not too different from the folk music revival radio channel or the advertising jingles on TV — we are left prisoners to the same old world from which we need to be lifted and, in a way, distanced, “transferred to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Col. 1:13), so we can get proper perspective and the freedom to worship the God of our fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who dwells in light inaccessible: “I Am Who Am.”
Because God’s holiness is a consuming fire and His love seeks everything, a liturgical life lived to the full, with the outward signs and practices of tradition, breaks apart the complacent ego fed on a diet of flattery and platitudes. We are not allowed to remain asleep, but, in different ways, are awakened to the reality of God, which is at once overwhelming and freeing. Eucharistic worship is nothing less than a total, radical surrender of one’s being into the hands of Christ, the Word made flesh who inscribes his Word into our flesh. Man’s highest dignity consists in worship, the giving of thanks and praise; his most dynamic activity consists in receiving divine gifts — or, as St. Dionysius and St. Thomas say, suffering them. Baptism brings with it the mystery of a sacramental character by which the soul is imprinted or inscribed with an ineradicable conformity to Christ the High Priest. By it the Christian is enabled to receive divine gifts and use them fruitfully (cf. Summa III, q. 63).
This is the first, greatest, and eternal identity of the Christian: the one who receives divine gifts poured out from the Heart of Christ, and so bears lasting fruit. For this reason, worship’s highest dignity consists in its being at once a transparent communicator of divine initiative and a delicate modeling of human receptivity. That is why I defend the traditional Latin Mass, which accomplishes this communication and modeling to perfection; that is why I love everything about it, down to the last detail, and wish to share it with everyone. It is not an instant fix to our crisis. But it is an indispensable condition for restoring the Faith in our times. Without it, we will not have a firm and deep enough spiritual foundation on which to build Catholic lives, families, and societies. We need to build on solid rock, not bring in endless truckloads of sand.
Peter Kwasniewski, Thomistic theologian, liturgical scholar, and choral composer, is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College in California (B.A. Liberal Arts) and The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC (M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy). He taught at the International Theological Institute in Austria and the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Austria Program, then helped establish Wyoming Catholic College in 2006. There he taught theology, philosophy, music, and art history and directed the choirs until leaving in 2018 to devote himself full-time to writing and lecturing. Today he contributes regularly to many websites and publications, including New Liturgical Movement, OnePeterFive, LifeSiteNews, Rorate Caeli, The Remnant, and Catholic Family News, and has published thirteen books, including four on traditional Catholicism: Resurgent in the Midst of Crisis (Angelico, 2014, also available in Czech, Polish, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Belarusian), Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness (Angelico, 2017), Tradition and Sanity (Angelico, 2018), and Reclaiming Our Roman Catholic Birthright: The Genius and Timeliness of the Traditional Latin Mass (Angelico, 2020). His work has been translated into at least eighteen languages. Kwasniewski is a scholar of The Aquinas Institute in Green Bay, which is publishing the Opera Omnia of the Angelic Doctor, a Fellow of the Albertus Magnus Center for Scholastic Studies, and a Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center. He has published over a thousand articles on Thomistic thought, sacramental and liturgical theology, the history and aesthetics of music, and the social doctrine of the Church. For news, information, article links, sacred music, and the home of Os Justi Press, visit his personal website, www.peterkwasniewski.com.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--WATCH: Police officer interrupts Mass, priest refuses to kick out 12 faithful

SONCINO , Italy , April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Police interrupted a Mass celebrated with only 12 faithful present last Sunday in the northern Italian village of Soncino , close to Milan .
A video shows a police officer talking to the priest , Don Lino Viola , right after the homily .
Moments later he returned , trying to get Viola to speak to the town ’ s mayor , who was on hold on the police officer ’ s the phone .
However , the priest refused to bend to the will of the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online news outlet , spoke of “ few faithful ” present at the Mass , “ only about fifteen , but still too many for the strict rules that have imposed the prohibition of religious celebrations and any other form of assembly.
” Public Masses in Italy had been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic back in March .
Mayor Gabriele Gallina said “ it would have been enough ” for Viola “ to get the faithful out and continue the celebration.
” However , the priest refused to do that .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Viola on Sunday afternoon .
“ Nothing was broken , there is a good relationship between us , but it would have been enough to let the faithful go out , and perhaps everything would have gone smoothly.
” Don Lino Viola later clarified that there a grand total of 13 people were present in the church , including the priest .
He pointed out that “ six extra people ” walked in while he was changing in the sacristy to get ready for Mass .
“ They were a family who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had died , plus a lady who had lost a relative to coronavirus two days earlier .
It wasn ’ t human to send them out , ” he emphasized .
The priest explained that the faithful were four meters apart from each other , even though most so-called social distancing guidelines only recommend about two meters , at most .
Everybody was wearing masks .
While a fine of €280 was imposed on each of the faithful present for Mass , Viola told people not to pay .
The priest , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if anything , the parish will take care of it .
I ’ m convinced that I haven ’ t created an assembly.
” He promised to talk to local authorities , specifically the Prefect of the Province of Cremona , “ and I want to talk to a lawyer to understand if there hasn ’ t possibly been an abuse of power.
” La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana pointed out that police entering the church building and interrupting the celebration of Mass might actually constitute a violation of international law between Italy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the public authority may not enter for the exercise of its duties in buildings open to worship without having given prior notice to the ecclesiastical authority , ” unless there is an emergency .
Bishop Antonio Napolioni of Cremona did not support his priest .
A statement issued by the diocese on Monday called out Viola for “ failure to comply with current emergency regulations prohibiting the celebration of Mass in the presence of the faithful.
” “ With regard to the matter , the Diocese of Cremona , while aware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many priests and faithful due to the forced and prolonged deprivation of the Eucharist , can not but emphasize with regret that the behavior of the parish priest is in contradiction with civil norms and canonical indications that for several weeks now have been affecting the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church in Italy and of our Church of Cremona , ” the statement continued .
Instead of thanking Don Lino Viola for standing strong and defending the faithful present at the Mass , the diocese felt “ the duty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in this difficult period , have been able to express a deep sense of communion and ecclesial belonging also through the rigorous and precise respect of the current norms , aware of the responsibility that the Church has towards civil society and the health of our fellow citizens.
” Avvenire , an Italian daily newspaper owned by the Italian Bishops ’ Conference , only reported on Bishop Napolioni ’ s statement .
Prior to that , there was no article discussing the fact that a police officer had interrupted Mass .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the only case of government harassing priests amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
In mid-March , a priest in Marina di Cerveteri outside of Rome did not “ have the chance to begin the concluding rite inside an empty church ( but with faithful watching live on streaming ) when two local police officers in antiviral masks swoop in behind the altar , ” reported the New Daily Compass .
The police argued that “ the parish priest had left the doors of his church open and outside in the churchyard , faithful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the few faithful present in the churchyard had kept a safe distance , far greater than the commonly known one-meter recommendation decreed by the Italian government.
” Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò , the former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States , suggested that this case “ may simply have been an excess of zeal by two local policemen , especially if they have to work under all the extra stress that has arisen since to coronavirus outbreak.
” “ It must also be clear , though , especially in a country like Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1929 , that the ecclesiastical authorities have sole rights over places of worship , ” Viganò explained .
“ The Holy See and the local Ordinary really ought to have protested over such a violation of the Lateran Treaty , which was confirmed again in 1984 and which is still in force.
” According to Viganò , “ the authority of Bishops , given directly to them by God , melts away like snow and shows how cowardly they all are .
This might lead to even worse abuses in the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let me take this opportunity to ask for a forthright condemnation of this unacceptable meddling by government forces in affairs which are the direct responsibility of the Church Authorities .
”

SONCINO, Italy, April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Police interrupted a Mass celebrated with only 12 faithful present last Sunday in the northern Italian village of Soncino, close to Milan. A video shows a police officer talking to the priest, Don Lino Viola, right after the homily.
Moments later he returned, trying to get Viola to speak to the town’s mayor, who was on hold on the police officer’s the phone. However, the priest refused to bend to the will of the local authorities.
Cremona Oggi, a local online news outlet, spoke of “few faithful” present at the Mass, “only about fifteen, but still too many for the strict rules that have imposed the prohibition of religious celebrations and any other form of assembly.” Public Masses in Italy had been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic back in March.
Mayor Gabriele Gallina said “it would have been enough” for Viola “to get the faithful out and continue the celebration.” However, the priest refused to do that.
The mayor explained that he had already talked to Viola on Sunday afternoon. “Nothing was broken, there is a good relationship between us, but it would have been enough to let the faithful go out, and perhaps everything would have gone smoothly.”
Don Lino Viola later clarified that there a grand total of 13 people were present in the church, including the priest. He pointed out that “six extra people” walked in while he was changing in the sacristy to get ready for Mass.
“They were a family who at that Mass commemorated some people who had died, plus a lady who had lost a relative to coronavirus two days earlier. It wasn’t human to send them out,” he emphasized.
The priest explained that the faithful were four meters apart from each other, even though most so-called social distancing guidelines only recommend about two meters, at most. Everybody was wearing masks.
While a fine of €280 was imposed on each of the faithful present for Mass, Viola told people not to pay. The priest, who was fined €680, said that “if anything, the parish will take care of it. I’m convinced that I haven’t created an assembly.”
He promised to talk to local authorities, specifically the Prefect of the Province of Cremona, “and I want to talk to a lawyer to understand if there hasn’t possibly been an abuse of power.”
La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana pointed out that police entering the church building and interrupting the celebration of Mass might actually constitute a violation of international law between Italy and the Vatican.
The agreement states that “the public authority may not enter for the exercise of its duties in buildings open to worship without having given prior notice to the ecclesiastical authority,” unless there is an emergency.
Bishop Antonio Napolioni of Cremona did not support his priest. A statement issued by the diocese on Monday called out Viola for “failure to comply with current emergency regulations prohibiting the celebration of Mass in the presence of the faithful.”
“With regard to the matter, the Diocese of Cremona, while aware of the intimate suffering and profound discomfort of so many priests and faithful due to the forced and prolonged deprivation of the Eucharist, cannot but emphasize with regret that the behavior of the parish priest is in contradiction with civil norms and canonical indications that for several weeks now have been affecting the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church in Italy and of our Church of Cremona,” the statement continued.
Instead of thanking Don Lino Viola for standing strong and defending the faithful present at the Mass, the diocese felt “the duty to thank all the priests of Cremona who, in this difficult period, have been able to express a deep sense of communion and ecclesial belonging also through the rigorous and precise respect of the current norms, aware of the responsibility that the Church has towards civil society and the health of our fellow citizens.”
Avvenire, an Italian daily newspaper owned by the Italian Bishops’ Conference, only reported on Bishop Napolioni’s statement. Prior to that, there was no article discussing the fact that a police officer had interrupted Mass.
The interruption of the Mass in Soncino was not the only case of government harassing priests amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In mid-March, a priest in Marina di Cerveteri outside of Rome did not “have the chance to begin the concluding rite inside an empty church (but with faithful watching live on streaming) when two local police officers in antiviral masks swoop in behind the altar,” reported the New Daily Compass.
The police argued that “the parish priest had left the doors of his church open and outside in the churchyard, faithful had gathered in prayer. However, the few faithful present in the churchyard had kept a safe distance, far greater than the commonly known one-meter recommendation decreed by the Italian government.”
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, suggested that this case “may simply have been an excess of zeal by two local policemen, especially if they have to work under all the extra stress that has arisen since to coronavirus outbreak.”
“It must also be clear, though, especially in a country like Italy which signed a Concordat with the Church in 1929, that the ecclesiastical authorities have sole rights over places of worship,” Viganò explained. “The Holy See and the local Ordinary really ought to have protested over such a violation of the Lateran Treaty, which was confirmed again in 1984 and which is still in force.”
According to Viganò, “the authority of Bishops, given directly to them by God, melts away like snow and shows how cowardly they all are. This might lead to even worse abuses in the future if it is not corrected now. Let me take this opportunity to ask for a forthright condemnation of this unacceptable meddling by government forces in affairs which are the direct responsibility of the Church Authorities.”
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--22 states now using drones to enforce lockdowns: Live coronavirus updates

LifeSite ’ s previous ( and future ) live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about can be viewed HERE .
An MSNBC report features a New Jersey police department showing off the drones it uses to “ enforce social distancing.
” The report indicates the drones , which come from a Chinese company , have been widely disseminated across the U.S. to 43 agencies in 22 states .
April 21 , 2020 , 12:47 p.m. EST : Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says public Masses will be allowed again on May 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will cover the remainder of tuition costs , after scholarships and grants have been applied , for the fall 2020 semester for all incoming full-time undergraduate students enrolled in its on-campus programs .
President Father Dave Pivonka , TOR , said , “ As a University , we feel called by God to ease the burden for students , so they can experience the irreplaceable value of a Franciscan University education .
We ’ ve heard from many students whose concerns over the pandemic are making the decision to leave home for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families and students have seen their ability to pay for college evaporate due to the economic impact of the coronavirus .
We hope this unique response will help them to overcome these obstacles and uncertainties and step out in faith with us.
” Christendom College announced earlier this month it will refund $ 970,000 in room and board fees to students for the period that they have been away from campus due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Dr. Matthew Tsakanikas , who heads Christendom ’ s theoloy department , is also making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and select New Testament lectures available online for free , in order to help strengthen the faith of those confined to their homes .
April 21 , 2020 , 8:59 a.m. EST : Read about how Trump ’ s pandemic expert Dr. Anthony Fauci has called for the abolition of handshakes but not sex with strangers HERE .
“ Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee ( R ) and Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp ( R ) announced Monday afternoon that they are taking the initial steps of allowing ‘ non-essential ’ businesses to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ‘ vast majority ’ of businesses in Tennessee will be permitted to restart their engines on May 1.
” April 20 , 2020 , 4:51 p.m. EST : Below are some of today ’ s LifeSite articles on the coronavirus crisis : • Police threaten woman with $ 5,000 fine for praying outside Maryland abortion center • China cracked down on live-streamed services of underground churches during coronavirus lockdown • Catholic bishops , pro-life leaders : COVID-19 vaccines should be ‘ free from any connection to abortion ’ • Did China ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the world ?
April 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Americans continue to grow frustrated at attacks on their civil liberties .
More and more have joined protests demanding their states reopen .
Facebook says it has removed the promotion of “ anti-quarantine events ” in California , New Jersey , and Nebraska after “ consultation ” with state governments .
The Daily Wire has released a video montage of Americans being arrested or harassed by authorities for exercising basic constitutional rights or doing activities like surfing alone in the ocean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rachel Alexander has highlighted how researchers at the National Institutes of Health “ claimed there weren ’ t enough resources to plan for both a flu pandemic and a coronavirus pandemic .
So they skipped the clinical trials on treatments for the coronavirus .
However , money abounded for all the frivolous studies NIH performed.
” Those taxpayer-funded studies included one on the effect of cocaine on honeybees ( it makes them twice as likely to dance ) , giving sex steroids to male goldfish ( they become “ more social and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and whether walking lengthens lifespan ( it does ) .
The Society of St. Pius X ( SSPX ) was “ fined £118 for holding an Easter Vigil Mass in its main Paris church during the Covid-19 lockdown , ” The Tablet reports .
They are contesting the fine .
The Family Research Council has published a new report on restrictions on freedom of religion during the coronavirus crisis .
Texas is slowly beginning to re-open this week .
CNA reports , “ After receiving more than 300 letters during the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation to Mary ’ s protection on Friday , May 1 , at a shrine in northern Italy.
” In the Toronto Sun , Brian Lilley blasted Health Canada ’ s recent decision “ not to approve a cheap and rapid test for COVID-19 , one made right here in Canada , because of what the WHO [ World Health Organization ] says.
” “ Let me get this straight : We have a company that can provide accurate results using a blood test and we won ’ t use it because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Lilley asked .
Stanford University has released a report on coronavirus antibody testing that apparently shows “ the virus ’ s spread could be far wider than previously believed ” – meaning its death rate is far lower than what has been reported and that many coronavirus-positive people have had mild or no symptoms .
Reason reported April 17 that a teenager who posted on Instagram about having the coronavirus was along with her family threatened with arrest .
She and her family are now suing the local sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Marquette County Sheriff 's Department showed up on the family ’ s doorstep , ” Reason explained .
“ He was there under orders from Sheriff Joseph Konrath to demand that Amyiah [ the 16-year-old ] and her father , Richard Cohoon , remove Amyiah ’ s Instagram posts .
If they refused , Klump said the family faced charges for disorderly conduct and Klump told them he would ‘ start taking people to jail , ’ according to the suit.
” A Canadian 17-year-old was ticketed for shooting basketball hoops by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ unconscionable ’ that Riker ’ s Island inmates who were released due to coronavirus concerns are committing new crimes , [ New York ] Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday , ” the New York Post reported .
“ De Blasio said the number of re-offenders remains relatively small and said the city was ‘ buckling down ’ on monitoring and supervising released prisoners.
” In Florida , a man is accused of committing murder the day after he was prematurely released from prison because of the coronavirus .
Maryland ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisoners early .
In New Jersey , the government has shut down a drive-through tulip farm .
Its owners are still allowed to sell their tulips for “ curbside pickup , ” though .

Live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to pro-life issues, faith, and freedom.
LifeSite’s previous (and future) live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about can be viewed HERE.
An MSNBC report features a New Jersey police department showing off the drones it uses to “enforce social distancing.” The report indicates the drones, which come from a Chinese company, have been widely disseminated across the U.S. to 43 agencies in 22 states.
Insane. Police are using drones to enforce social distancing by spying on Americans in their backyards. Police chief says invasion of privacy is worth it “if it saves one life.” At a certain point even the most obsequious bootlickers will have had enough pic.twitter.com/9yeWAENjHh — Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) April 20, 2020
April 21, 2020, 12:47 p.m. EST: Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says public Masses will be allowed again on May 15.
Austria's head Sebastian Kurz just announced that from May 15 on, public Masses will be allowed again! https://t.co/LhCYxgj5Mq — Maike Hickson (@HicksonMaike) April 21, 2020
Franciscan University of Steubenville has announced it will cover the remainder of tuition costs, after scholarships and grants have been applied, for the fall 2020 semester for all incoming full-time undergraduate students enrolled in its on-campus programs.
President Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, said, “As a University, we feel called by God to ease the burden for students, so they can experience the irreplaceable value of a Franciscan University education. We’ve heard from many students whose concerns over the pandemic are making the decision to leave home for college more difficult. Also, many families and students have seen their ability to pay for college evaporate due to the economic impact of the coronavirus. We hope this unique response will help them to overcome these obstacles and uncertainties and step out in faith with us.”
Christendom College announced earlier this month it will refund $970,000 in room and board fees to students for the period that they have been away from campus due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Matthew Tsakanikas, who heads Christendom’s theoloy department, is also making his New Evangelization & Catholic Apologetics course and select New Testament lectures available online for free, in order to help strengthen the faith of those confined to their homes.
April 21, 2020, 8:59 a.m. EST: Read about how Trump’s pandemic expert Dr. Anthony Fauci has called for the abolition of handshakes but not sex with strangers HERE.
“Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) announced Monday afternoon that they are taking the initial steps of allowing ‘non-essential’ businesses to reopen,” Reason reports. “The ‘vast majority’ of businesses in Tennessee will be permitted to restart their engines on May 1.”
April 20, 2020, 4:51 p.m. EST: Below are some of today’s LifeSite articles on the coronavirus crisis:
April 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Americans continue to grow frustrated at attacks on their civil liberties. More and more have joined protests demanding their states reopen.
Facebook says it has removed the promotion of “anti-quarantine events” in California, New Jersey, and Nebraska after “consultation” with state governments.
We really want to set the precedent that tech platforms will remove protest events if government tells them to? No way that could go wrong https://t.co/21Zy1k5Iug — Peter J. Hasson (@peterjhasson) April 20, 2020
The Daily Wire has released a video montage of Americans being arrested or harassed by authorities for exercising basic constitutional rights or doing activities like surfing alone in the ocean during the pandemic.
At The Stream, Rachel Alexander has highlighted how researchers at the National Institutes of Health “claimed there weren’t enough resources to plan for both a flu pandemic and a coronavirus pandemic. So they skipped the clinical trials on treatments for the coronavirus. However, money abounded for all the frivolous studies NIH performed.”
Those taxpayer-funded studies included one on the effect of cocaine on honeybees (it makes them twice as likely to dance), giving sex steroids to male goldfish (they become “more social and swim closer to female goldfish”), and whether walking lengthens lifespan (it does).
The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) was “fined £118 for holding an Easter Vigil Mass in its main Paris church during the Covid-19 lockdown,” The Tablet reports. They are contesting the fine.
The Family Research Council has published a new report on restrictions on freedom of religion during the coronavirus crisis.
Texas is slowly beginning to re-open this week.
CNA reports, “After receiving more than 300 letters during the coronavirus pandemic, the Italian bishops will entrust the nation to Mary’s protection on Friday, May 1, at a shrine in northern Italy.”
In the Toronto Sun, Brian Lilley blasted Health Canada’s recent decision “not to approve a cheap and rapid test for COVID-19, one made right here in Canada, because of what the WHO [World Health Organization] says.”
“Let me get this straight: We have a company that can provide accurate results using a blood test and we won’t use it because an international body in Geneva says no?” Lilley asked.
Stanford University has released a report on coronavirus antibody testing that apparently shows “the virus’s spread could be far wider than previously believed” – meaning its death rate is far lower than what has been reported and that many coronavirus-positive people have had mild or no symptoms.
Reason reported April 17 that a teenager who posted on Instagram about having the coronavirus was along with her family threatened with arrest. She and her family are now suing the local sheriff’s department.
“Patrol Sergeant Cameron Klump from Marquette County Sheriff's Department showed up on the family’s doorstep,” Reason explained. “He was there under orders from Sheriff Joseph Konrath to demand that Amyiah [the 16-year-old] and her father, Richard Cohoon, remove Amyiah’s Instagram posts. If they refused, Klump said the family faced charges for disorderly conduct and Klump told them he would ‘start taking people to jail,’ according to the suit.”
A Canadian 17-year-old was ticketed for shooting basketball hoops by himself last week.
“It is ‘unconscionable’ that Riker’s Island inmates who were released due to coronavirus concerns are committing new crimes, [New York] Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday,” the New York Post reported. “De Blasio said the number of re-offenders remains relatively small and said the city was ‘buckling down’ on monitoring and supervising released prisoners.”
In Florida, a man is accused of committing murder the day after he was prematurely released from prison because of the coronavirus.
Maryland’s Governor Larry Hogan is also releasing many prisoners early.
In New Jersey, the government has shut down a drive-through tulip farm. Its owners are still allowed to sell their tulips for “curbside pickup,” though.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-04-21--Trump’s pandemic expert calls for abolishing handshakes but not sex with strangers

April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Trump administration ’ s top advisor on the COVID-19 crisis fielded a question about the health risks of casual sexual encounters during a wide-ranging interview last week , offering a strikingly more lax answer than he did on the far-less intimate act of shaking hands .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , was interviewed last week for the Snapchat program Good Luck America .
The interview was released in segments on the social media platform , but the full transcript has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , the interviewer asks : “ If you ’ re swiping on a dating app like Tinder , or Bumble , or Grindr , and you match with someone that you think is hot , and you ’ re just kind of like , ‘ Maybe it ’ s fine if this one stranger comes over.
’ What do you say to that person ?
” Fauci , who has been largely supportive of imposing drastic changes on Americans ’ daily lives in the name of halting COVID-19 ’ s spread , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” because it involves “ relative risk.
” “ If you ’ re willing to take a risk—and you know , everybody has their own tolerance for risks—you could figure out if you want to meet somebody , ” he said .
“ And it depends on the level of the interaction that you want to have .
If you ’ re looking for a friend , sit in a room and put a mask on , and you know , chat a bit .
If you want to go a little bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s your choice regarding a risk.
” “ The one thing you don ’ t want to do is make sure the person is feeling well , ” Fauci continued .
“ Even though there ’ s a lot of asymptomatic infections , that ’ s one of the things that ’ s really troublesome .
That if everybody transmitted would only transmit when they ’ re sick , that would be much easier .
But what we ’ re seeing , which becomes really problematic , is that there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asymptomatic person .
And we ’ ve got well-documented now , you know , that situation on the nuclear carrier , the Roosevelt , USS Roosevelt , where hundreds of sailors have gotten infected from people that were not sick .
That ’ s tough.
” Fauci ’ s apparent comfort with people judging their own health risks of sexual encounters with near-total strangers stands in stark contrast with comments he made earlier this month on a different type of human interaction .
“ I don ’ t think we should ever shake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with you , ” he said on the Wall Street Journal podcast .
“ Not only would it be good to prevent coronavirus disease , it probably would decrease instances of influenza dramatically in this country.
” “ As a society , just forget about shaking hands , ” he repeated in a Sinclair Broadcast group interview .
“ We don ’ t need to shake hands .
We ’ ve got to break that custom .
Because as a matter of fact , that is really one of the major ways that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fauci did walk back those comments somewhat in the Snapchat interview , acknowledging that “ people will go back to handshaking , but we should probably be a little bit reserved in how we do that unless it ’ s in a social situation where it ’ s necessary.
” Even so , he also lamented the “ problem with human nature ” being that “ what will happen is that we will get over this .
There ’ ll be new generations .
They won ’ t have a corporate memory of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be acting the same way as we act all along.
” During Fauci ’ s tenure advising President Donald Trump , critics have raised concerns over several of his public comments , from suggesting the possibility of requiring Americans to carry “ certificates ” documenting their immunity to COVID-19 , to implying that the public might have to wait for a vaccine to be developed , tested , and released before regaining their freedoms .
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the @ @

April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Trump administration’s top advisor on the COVID-19 crisis fielded a question about the health risks of casual sexual encounters during a wide-ranging interview last week, offering a strikingly more lax answer than he did on the far-less intimate act of shaking hands.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was interviewed last week for the Snapchat program Good Luck America. The interview was released in segments on the social media platform, but the full transcript has been published by Vanity Fair.
At one point, the interviewer asks: “If you’re swiping on a dating app like Tinder, or Bumble, or Grindr, and you match with someone that you think is hot, and you’re just kind of like, ‘Maybe it’s fine if this one stranger comes over.’ What do you say to that person?”
Fauci, who has been largely supportive of imposing drastic changes on Americans’ daily lives in the name of halting COVID-19’s spread, responded that the question was “tough” because it involves “relative risk.”
“If you’re willing to take a risk—and you know, everybody has their own tolerance for risks—you could figure out if you want to meet somebody,” he said. “And it depends on the level of the interaction that you want to have. If you’re looking for a friend, sit in a room and put a mask on, and you know, chat a bit. If you want to go a little bit more intimate, well, then that’s your choice regarding a risk.”
“The one thing you don’t want to do is make sure the person is feeling well,” Fauci continued. “Even though there’s a lot of asymptomatic infections, that’s one of the things that’s really troublesome. That if everybody transmitted would only transmit when they’re sick, that would be much easier. But what we’re seeing, which becomes really problematic, is that there’s a considerable amount of transmission from an asymptomatic person. And we’ve got well-documented now, you know, that situation on the nuclear carrier, the Roosevelt, USS Roosevelt, where hundreds of sailors have gotten infected from people that were not sick. That’s tough.”
Fauci’s apparent comfort with people judging their own health risks of sexual encounters with near-total strangers stands in stark contrast with comments he made earlier this month on a different type of human interaction.
“I don’t think we should ever shake hands ever again, to be honest with you,” he said on the Wall Street Journal podcast. “Not only would it be good to prevent coronavirus disease, it probably would decrease instances of influenza dramatically in this country.”
“As a society, just forget about shaking hands,” he repeated in a Sinclair Broadcast group interview. “We don’t need to shake hands. We’ve got to break that custom. Because as a matter of fact, that is really one of the major ways that you can transmit a respiratory illness.”
Fauci did walk back those comments somewhat in the Snapchat interview, acknowledging that “people will go back to handshaking, but we should probably be a little bit reserved in how we do that unless it’s in a social situation where it’s necessary.” Even so, he also lamented the “problem with human nature” being that “what will happen is that we will get over this. There’ll be new generations. They won’t have a corporate memory of it, and we’ll probably be acting the same way as we act all along.”
During Fauci’s tenure advising President Donald Trump, critics have raised concerns over several of his public comments, from suggesting the possibility of requiring Americans to carry “certificates” documenting their immunity to COVID-19, to implying that the public might have to wait for a vaccine to be developed, tested, and released before regaining their freedoms.
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-21--Lawsuit challenges Tennessee city’s ban on drive-in church services

CHATTANOOGA , Tennessee , April 20 , 2020 ( Alliance Defending Freedom ) – Attorneys representing a Chattanooga church filed suit in federal court Thursday to challenge the city ’ s ban on drive-in services .
Originally , the city and its mayor , Andrew Berke , tailored its COVID-19 restrictions to a statewide order that allows for drive-in services but abruptly reversed course to specifically to prohibit them .
On April 9 , Berke posted a message aimed at churches on the city website and on his official Facebook page regarding the order , stating that “ drive-in services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ windows rolled up , for any length of time , will be considered a violation of our shelter-in-place directive.
” Neither the mayor nor the city has been willing to back off on the amended directive , despite the U.S. Department of Justice ’ s strong concern over the overreaching bans , as expressed in a statement of interest that the agency filed in a similar ADF case in Mississippi .
“ City officials go too far when they single out churches for punishment , preventing them from alternate versions of worship during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comply with health and safety recommendations from both state and federal authorities , ” said Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel Ryan Tucker , director of the ADF Center for Christian Ministries .
“ It makes no sense that you can sit in your car in a crowded parking lot or at a drive-in restaurant in Chattanooga , but you can ’ t sit in your car at a drive-in church service .
Chattanooga ’ s ban is unnecessary and unconstitutional , and that ’ s why we have filed suit.
” Earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tab Church asked the Chattanooga Police Department whether drive-in church services were permitted in the city .
Ball was told that a drive-in church service would not violate the city ’ s order .
And another pastor in Chattanooga told Ball that he discussed holding a drive-in church service directly with the mayor , who indicated at that time that it was permissible .
On April 9 , the city and the mayor banned drive-in church services , so the church cancelled its plan for a drive-in Easter service but intends to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lawsuit explains , “ Despite being on notice from both the DOJ and ( the church ’ s ) counsel that its drive-in church ban is unconstitutional , the City issued another statement on April 14 , 2020 , stating that ‘ The Mayor is required to reissue these orders every seven days and continues to do so until it is deemed safe to lift this order .
This means ... No drive-in church service.
’ ” The complaint filed in Metropolitan Tabernacle Church v. City of Chattanooga , filed with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Tennessee , asks the court to rule the city ’ s ban unconstitutional and bar its enforcement for running afoul of the freedoms protected by the First Amendment and state law .
Nathan Kellum , one of more than 3,100 attorneys allied with ADF , is serving as local counsel in the case on behalf of the church .
Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building , non-profit legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith .

The city of Chattanooga was going to allow church members to worship in their cars but then rescinded the permission.
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, April 20, 2020 (Alliance Defending Freedom) – Attorneys representing a Chattanooga church filed suit in federal court Thursday to challenge the city’s ban on drive-in services. Originally, the city and its mayor, Andrew Berke, tailored its COVID-19 restrictions to a statewide order that allows for drive-in services but abruptly reversed course to specifically to prohibit them.
On April 9, Berke posted a message aimed at churches on the city website and on his official Facebook page regarding the order, stating that “drive-in services … even in their cars with the windows rolled up, for any length of time, will be considered a violation of our shelter-in-place directive.” Neither the mayor nor the city has been willing to back off on the amended directive, despite the U.S. Department of Justice’s strong concern over the overreaching bans, as expressed in a statement of interest that the agency filed in a similar ADF case in Mississippi.
“City officials go too far when they single out churches for punishment, preventing them from alternate versions of worship during this pandemic that are specifically designed to comply with health and safety recommendations from both state and federal authorities,” said Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel Ryan Tucker, director of the ADF Center for Christian Ministries. “It makes no sense that you can sit in your car in a crowded parking lot or at a drive-in restaurant in Chattanooga, but you can’t sit in your car at a drive-in church service. Chattanooga’s ban is unnecessary and unconstitutional, and that’s why we have filed suit.”
Earlier this month, Pastor Steve Ball of Metro Tab Church asked the Chattanooga Police Department whether drive-in church services were permitted in the city. Ball was told that a drive-in church service would not violate the city’s order. And another pastor in Chattanooga told Ball that he discussed holding a drive-in church service directly with the mayor, who indicated at that time that it was permissible.
On April 9, the city and the mayor banned drive-in church services, so the church cancelled its plan for a drive-in Easter service but intends to begin drive-in services on April 19.
As the lawsuit explains, “Despite being on notice from both the DOJ and (the church’s) counsel that its drive-in church ban is unconstitutional, the City issued another statement on April 14, 2020, stating that ‘The Mayor is required to reissue these orders every seven days and continues to do so until it is deemed safe to lift this order. This means … No drive-in church service.’”
The complaint filed in Metropolitan Tabernacle Church v. City of Chattanooga, filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, asks the court to rule the city’s ban unconstitutional and bar its enforcement for running afoul of the freedoms protected by the First Amendment and state law. Nathan Kellum, one of more than 3,100 attorneys allied with ADF, is serving as local counsel in the case on behalf of the church.
Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith.
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lifesitenews--2020-04-20--Saskatchewan gov’t reverses ban on drive-in religious services after legal challenge

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world : Feed your flock Sign the petition here .
NIPAWIN , SK , April 20 , 2020 April 20 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Government of Saskatchewan has reversed the decision of the Saskatchewan Health Authority prohibiting drive-in religious services , and instead issued guidelines which recognize the right for churches to hold such services with appropriate safety precautions .
On Tuesday , April 14 , 2020 , the Justice Centre wrote a letter challenging the Saskatchewan Health Authority for its decision to categorize drive-in religious services as “ mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health Order .
Prior to Easter , the Nipawin Apostolic Church had carefully planned a drive-in Easter service , in the same format as a drive-in movie , ensuring that social distancing would be observed .
The church requested people stay in their vehicles and to listen to the service and participate in worship via their radios .
Car windows would remain closed , and people could flash their car lights instead of saying `` Amen . ''
The Saskatchewan Health Authority deemed the church 's Easter drive-in service a `` mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Order .
The church was forced to cancel the planned drive-in church service , or face the risk of the church and its parishioners being penalized with steep fines .
The Health Authority decision was ostensibly based on a concern that attendees would leave their vehicles and engage in personal interactions without social distancing .
On Saturday , April 18 , 2020 , the Saskatchewan Government released new guidelines conceding that drive-in services can occur with appropriate safety measures .
“ The Charter protects freedom of religion , association and assembly not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and especially , in difficult times , ” stated Jay Cameron , Litigation Manager for the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms .
“ Given the presence of reasonable safety measures , the restriction of such assembly for religious worship is illegal .
We appreciate the Saskatchewan government ’ s reasoned and rational revision to its policies on this issue .
”

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NIPAWIN, SK, April 20, 2020 April 20, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Government of Saskatchewan has reversed the decision of the Saskatchewan Health Authority prohibiting drive-in religious services, and instead issued guidelines which recognize the right for churches to hold such services with appropriate safety precautions.
On Tuesday, April 14, 2020, the Justice Centre wrote a letter challenging the Saskatchewan Health Authority for its decision to categorize drive-in religious services as “mass gatherings” in violation of Saskatchewan's Public Health Order.
The Justice Centre’s letter stated:
“The Covid-19 outbreak does not, however, suspend the exercise of the Charter. The restriction of public religious gatherings in which people exclusively occupy their personal vehicles on a parking lot while worshiping is irrational, unnecessary and not a minimal impairment of Charter rights.”
Prior to Easter, the Nipawin Apostolic Church had carefully planned a drive-in Easter service, in the same format as a drive-in movie, ensuring that social distancing would be observed. The church requested people stay in their vehicles and to listen to the service and participate in worship via their radios. Car windows would remain closed, and people could flash their car lights instead of saying “Amen.”
The Saskatchewan Health Authority deemed the church's Easter drive-in service a “mass gathering” in violation of the Public Health Order. The church was forced to cancel the planned drive-in church service, or face the risk of the church and its parishioners being penalized with steep fines. The Health Authority decision was ostensibly based on a concern that attendees would leave their vehicles and engage in personal interactions without social distancing.
On Saturday, April 18, 2020, the Saskatchewan Government released new guidelines conceding that drive-in services can occur with appropriate safety measures.
“The Charter protects freedom of religion, association and assembly not only in good times, but also, and especially, in difficult times,” stated Jay Cameron, Litigation Manager for the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms.
“Given the presence of reasonable safety measures, the restriction of such assembly for religious worship is illegal. We appreciate the Saskatchewan government’s reasoned and rational revision to its policies on this issue.”
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lifesitenews--2020-04-22--Scott Hahn praises ‘courageous’ leadership of Burke, Viganò, Schneider

April 21 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Renowned author and Scripture scholar extraordinaire Scott Hahn says he ’ s not sure there ’ s anyone who has been shepherding Catholics as “ courageously ” as Cardinal Raymond Burke , Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò , and Bishops Athanasius Schneider have .
Hahn made the laudatory remarks during an appearance on this week ’ s The John-Henry Westen Show after he was asked whether or not COVID-19 is a form of God ’ s punishment .
“ Well , you know , when people ask , ‘ Is this a divine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loaded question , ” Hahn said .
“ It ’ s also a complicated question .
You know , I would say , ‘ Is God getting even with us ?
Is God getting back at us ?
’ No .
God is trying to get us back to Himself .
That 's the purpose of punishment .
So is this a punishment ?
Well , yeah .
And why ?
Because we have sinned.
” “ I think we have got to rethink almost everything from the ground up to realize that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will make sense out of our lives and our world and our own sins and the sinfulness of this world .
And I believe that 's exactly what Archbishop Viganò was getting at , as well as Cardinal Burke .
And , I say , Archbishop Schneider ’ s book has opened my eyes to this as much as anything I 've ever read .
So thank you for pointing to those three good shepherds .
There are a lot of others as well , thank God , but I 'm not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shepherding the flock are courageously as those three.
” Burke , Viganò , and Schneider have been the targets of severe criticism by some of Pope Francis ’ most devoted admirers in recent years .
They have all publicly stated in recent weeks that COVID-19 is in some way due to man ’ s wayward behavior , including the Pachama idol Pope Francis placed in the Vatican gardens .
Hahn and Westen discussed during their nearly hour-long conversation the church ’ s response to the coronavirus outbreak as well as what the Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wish that our spiritual fathers , our priests , could be more creative in imagining ways to dispense the sacraments instead of simply shutting the doors , ” Hahn said .
“ Hahn ’ s newest book , “ Hope to Die : The Christian Meaning of Death and the Resurrection of the Body , '' is set to be released later this week .
“ I called the printer and said , ‘ stop the presses !
I need to rewrite that last chapter !
’ ” Hahn told Westen on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for my family , it was the lengthiest Lent I have ever known — a strangely blessed and eerie time.
” The coronavirus is “ forcing us to recognize not only the inevitability of our suffering and death , but there is also a sense in which we can recognize what God wants to do with it , ” he said .
The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show ’ s YouTube channel and right here on my LifeSite blog .
It is also available in audio format on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ACast .
We are awaiting approval for iTunes and Google Play as well .
To subscribe to the audio version on various channels , visit the ACast webpage here .
We ’ ve created a special email list for the show so that we can notify you every week when we post a new episode .
Please sign up now by clicking here .
You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel , and you ’ ll be notified by YouTube when there is new content .
You can send me feedback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emailing [ email protected ] .

The three prelates have all publicly stated in recent weeks that COVID-19 is in some way due to man’s wayward behavior.
April 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Renowned author and Scripture scholar extraordinaire Scott Hahn says he’s not sure there’s anyone who has been shepherding Catholics as “courageously” as Cardinal Raymond Burke, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, and Bishops Athanasius Schneider have.
Hahn made the laudatory remarks during an appearance on this week’s The John-Henry Westen Show after he was asked whether or not COVID-19 is a form of God’s punishment.
“Well, you know, when people ask, ‘Is this a divine punishment?’…that’s a loaded question,” Hahn said. “It’s also a complicated question. You know, I would say, ‘Is God getting even with us? Is God getting back at us?’ No. God is trying to get us back to Himself. That's the purpose of punishment. So is this a punishment? Well, yeah. And why? Because we have sinned.”
“I think we have got to rethink almost everything from the ground up to realize that this Catholic faith is the only thing that will make sense out of our lives and our world and our own sins and the sinfulness of this world. And I believe that's exactly what Archbishop Viganò was getting at, as well as Cardinal Burke. And, I say, Archbishop Schneider’s book has opened my eyes to this as much as anything I've ever read. So thank you for pointing to those three good shepherds. There are a lot of others as well, thank God, but I'm not sure there are anyone who has been shepherding the flock are courageously as those three.”
Burke, Viganò, and Schneider have been the targets of severe criticism by some of Pope Francis’ most devoted admirers in recent years. They have all publicly stated in recent weeks that COVID-19 is in some way due to man’s wayward behavior, including the Pachama idol Pope Francis placed in the Vatican gardens.
Hahn and Westen discussed during their nearly hour-long conversation the church’s response to the coronavirus outbreak as well as what the Church teaches on death.
“I do wish that our spiritual fathers, our priests, could be more creative in imagining ways to dispense the sacraments instead of simply shutting the doors,” Hahn said. “
Hahn’s newest book, “Hope to Die: The Christian Meaning of Death and the Resurrection of the Body,” is set to be released later this week.
“I called the printer and said, ‘stop the presses! I need to rewrite that last chapter!’” Hahn told Westen on his podcast today. “For me and for my family, it was the lengthiest Lent I have ever known — a strangely blessed and eerie time.”
The coronavirus is “forcing us to recognize not only the inevitability of our suffering and death, but there is also a sense in which we can recognize what God wants to do with it,” he said.
The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show’s YouTube channel and right here on my LifeSite blog.
It is also available in audio format on platforms such as Spotify, Soundcloud, and ACast. We are awaiting approval for iTunes and Google Play as well. To subscribe to the audio version on various channels, visit the ACast webpage here.
We’ve created a special email list for the show so that we can notify you every week when we post a new episode. Please sign up now by clicking here. You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel, and you’ll be notified by YouTube when there is new content.
You can send me feedback, or ideas for show topics by emailing [email protected].
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lifesitenews--2020-04-23--Texas Supreme Court to decide if dad should share daughter with mom’s ex-boyfriend

AUSTIN , Texas , April 22 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in a landmark case that could decide whether or not parents have a constitutional right to raise their own children .
The case , known as “ In re CJC , ” centers around a father who is battling against a non-relative for custody of his five-year-old daughter .
The unrelated man was the fiancee of the girl ’ s mother , who passed away in 2018 .
“ It ’ s hard to imagine that a court of law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perfectly-fit father does not have the right to raise his own little girl , yet that ’ s exactly what ’ s at stake , ” said Jeremy Newman , director of public policy with Texas Home School Coalition ( THSC ) , in a statement .
“ If this case goes the wrong way , it could set a terrifying precedent in which courts in the future don ’ t have to favor parents in custody battles .
Anyone , regardless of family status , could lay claim to a child , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case so significant is not just that an unrelated man was given custody of another man ’ s daughter , but that he was given custody on the grounds that the father had no greater right to custody than did a completely unrelated individual who happened to have cohabitated with her , ” wrote Newman in a Texas Scorecard commentary published yesterday .
“ This is a story that I don ’ t want any other parents to have to go through , ” said the girl ’ s father , identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video titled “ Ann is being unconstitutionally taken away from her Dad.
” “ She ’ s already lost one parent , ” said Chris of his now five-year-old daughter , and “ she wants to be with her other parent full time.
” “ It ’ s disheartening to know that someone who hasn ’ t been involved in her life ... can potentially have rights to her , ” he said .
“ She ’ s my daughter , ” he declared .
“ She ’ s my everything .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we lose this case , it could have a devastating effect , ” explained Holly Draper , attorney for Chris , “ because it would set the precedent that boyfriends , nannys , roommates — anyone who happened to be living in the home with the child , and had a relatively minimal role in their life — can sue for custody and actually get rights and tie with your child.
” “ If courts begin requiring fathers to share their parent privileges with other men who have no familial relationship with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatherhood becomes diminished — and so do the incentives of men to become fathers and to fulfill their duties.This precedent would impact these legal rights for mothers as well , ” warned Texas Values president and attorney Jonathan Saenz .
The nine justices and attorneys involved in the case participated in the session via remote teleconferencing due to the state ’ s coronavirus stay-at-home orders .
The legal team for the boyfriend asserted that “ Because Chris and Ann ’ s mother had previously agreed to split custody , the action of going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of custody was a ‘ grant of parental authority ’ to the court forever , ” said Newman , who observed the court proceedings .
They argued that by doing so “ Chris had ceded all his parental authority to the court when he made the decision to enter into this agreement with Ann ’ s mother , ” he added .
“ The very basic question that the court is being asked to answer is whether or not parents have a constitutional right to raise their own kids , ” Newman told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Newman , “ is if the court sides with the fiance , there ’ s a very real possibility we could end up in scenario in Texas where if you have a live-in boyfriend , or if you hire a nanny , or if you even have a student who you ’ re renting out a room in your house , you could give that person the legal right to take custody of your child , ” just because you let them live in your house for a short period of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go into court , they are not giving away their constitutional right with respect to any future non-parent down the road who is going to intervene in the future , ” Draper told the court .
“ And the notion that that could possibly be the case should scare every fit parent.
” “ This is an issue that , whether you ’ re on the right or you ’ re on the left , everybody can agree , ” Draper told LifeSiteNews .
“ It seems to me like the entire political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same page.
” The conflict arose after the child ’ s mother died in a tragic car accident in 2018 .
At the time , the mother and father were divorced and were sharing approximately 50/50 custody of their daughter .
During the last 11 months of her life , the mother lived with her boyfriend .
As a result , the daughter also lived with her mother ’ s boyfriend for about half of that 11-month period .
After the mother ’ s death , the daughter ’ s maternal grandparents filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ custody of their four-year-old granddaughter .
The court dismissed the suit , noting the grandparents ’ inability to prove that leaving the father as sole custodian would cause any harm to the child .
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Trump do n't give federal funds to COVID-19 vaccines made from aborted baby cells Sign the petition here .
Despite finding that the father was an entirely fit parent , the court still granted partial custody to the boyfriend .
It reasoned that the boyfriend was not required to provide the same proof as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the boyfriend ’ s argument that he should be allowed to come before the court on an equal footing with the actual father .
The judge concurred that there should be no presumption in favor of the father having sole custody of his own daughter .
As this case has made its way through the Texas court system , multiple concerned parties have filed amicus briefs supporting the father ’ s constitutional rights , including the Texas Public Policy Foundation , Texas Home School Coalition , Alliance Defending Freedom , Parental Rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Advocacy .
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also weighed in with a brief on behalf of the father .
A comprehensive timeline of the case can be found here .

Policy and legal analysts say the case could have a 'devastating effect' on parental rights if justices rule against the father.
AUSTIN, Texas, April 22, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in a landmark case that could decide whether or not parents have a constitutional right to raise their own children.
The case, known as “In re CJC,” centers around a father who is battling against a non-relative for custody of his five-year-old daughter. The unrelated man was the fiancee of the girl’s mother, who passed away in 2018.
What’s at stake
“It’s hard to imagine that a court of law would ever have to decide that a perfectly-fit father does not have the right to raise his own little girl, yet that’s exactly what’s at stake,” said Jeremy Newman, director of public policy with Texas Home School Coalition (THSC), in a statement.
“If this case goes the wrong way, it could set a terrifying precedent in which courts in the future don’t have to favor parents in custody battles. Anyone, regardless of family status, could lay claim to a child,” he said.
“What makes the case so significant is not just that an unrelated man was given custody of another man’s daughter, but that he was given custody on the grounds that the father had no greater right to custody than did a completely unrelated individual who happened to have cohabitated with her,” wrote Newman in a Texas Scorecard commentary published yesterday.
“This is a story that I don’t want any other parents to have to go through,” said the girl’s father, identified only as “Chris” in a video titled “Ann is being unconstitutionally taken away from her Dad.”
“She’s already lost one parent,” said Chris of his now five-year-old daughter, and “she wants to be with her other parent full time.”
“It’s disheartening to know that someone who hasn’t been involved in her life … can potentially have rights to her,” he said.
“She’s my daughter,” he declared. “She’s my everything. She’s worth fighting for.”
“If we lose this case, it could have a devastating effect,” explained Holly Draper, attorney for Chris, “because it would set the precedent that boyfriends, nannys, roommates — anyone who happened to be living in the home with the child, and had a relatively minimal role in their life — can sue for custody and actually get rights and tie with your child.”
“If courts begin requiring fathers to share their parent privileges with other men who have no familial relationship with their child, then the status of fatherhood becomes diminished — and so do the incentives of men to become fathers and to fulfill their duties.This precedent would impact these legal rights for mothers as well,” warned Texas Values president and attorney Jonathan Saenz.
Today’s hearing
The nine justices and attorneys involved in the case participated in the session via remote teleconferencing due to the state’s coronavirus stay-at-home orders.
The legal team for the boyfriend asserted that “Because Chris and Ann’s mother had previously agreed to split custody, the action of going to the court to authorize that split of custody was a ‘grant of parental authority’ to the court forever,” said Newman, who observed the court proceedings.
They argued that by doing so “Chris had ceded all his parental authority to the court when he made the decision to enter into this agreement with Ann’s mother,” he added.
“The very basic question that the court is being asked to answer is whether or not parents have a constitutional right to raise their own kids,” Newman told LifeSiteNews.
“The bottom line,” said Newman, “is if the court sides with the fiance, there’s a very real possibility we could end up in scenario in Texas where if you have a live-in boyfriend, or if you hire a nanny, or if you even have a student who you’re renting out a room in your house, you could give that person the legal right to take custody of your child,” just because you let them live in your house for a short period of time.
“When two fit parents go into court, they are not giving away their constitutional right with respect to any future non-parent down the road who is going to intervene in the future,” Draper told the court. “And the notion that that could possibly be the case should scare every fit parent.”
“This is an issue that, whether you’re on the right or you’re on the left, everybody can agree,” Draper told LifeSiteNews. “It seems to me like the entire political spectrum really ought to be on the same page.”
How the case evolved
The conflict arose after the child’s mother died in a tragic car accident in 2018. At the time, the mother and father were divorced and were sharing approximately 50/50 custody of their daughter.
During the last 11 months of her life, the mother lived with her boyfriend. As a result, the daughter also lived with her mother’s boyfriend for about half of that 11-month period.
After the mother’s death, the daughter’s maternal grandparents filed suit against the father, seeking sole custody of their four-year-old granddaughter. The court dismissed the suit, noting the grandparents’ inability to prove that leaving the father as sole custodian would cause any harm to the child.
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Despite finding that the father was an entirely fit parent, the court still granted partial custody to the boyfriend. It reasoned that the boyfriend was not required to provide the same proof as the grandparents had been.
The judge agreed with the boyfriend’s argument that he should be allowed to come before the court on an equal footing with the actual father. The judge concurred that there should be no presumption in favor of the father having sole custody of his own daughter.
As this case has made its way through the Texas court system, multiple concerned parties have filed amicus briefs supporting the father’s constitutional rights, including the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Home School Coalition, Alliance Defending Freedom, Parental Rights Foundation, and A Voice for Choice Advocacy.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also weighed in with a brief on behalf of the father.
A comprehensive timeline of the case can be found here.
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