Pro-abortion extremist Lilianne Ploumen, the former minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation in the Netherlands, was honored by Pope Francis with entry into the Order of St. Gregory the Great, according to the Lepanto Institute, Dutch radio BNR, and the Order’s website.
The award was presented at the Vatican in June 2017, when Ploumen took part in an official state visit with the king and queen of the Netherlands. News about the award, however, was aired on Dutch radio BNR on December 17 and the first U.S. news story about the honor was published by the Lepanto Institute on Jan. 12, 2018.
Ploumen officially was given the medal and title Commander in the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great, a knighthood of the Holy See. The honor is given for service to the Holy See and the Catholic Church and for a person’s excellent work in their communities or countries. The motto of the Order is Pro Deo et Principe, which means “For God and Ruler.”
Some of the members of the Order include Otto von Hapsburg, Alice von Hildebrand, G.K. Chesterton, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, and Bob Hope.
Ploumen is a strong supporter of contraception, abortion, and the LGBT agenda, which means she supports policies and moral views in direct conflict with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
In 2017, she launched the global program SheDecides. As its website states, SheDecides was launched “to support the fundamental rights of girls and women to decide freely and for themselves about their sexual lives, including whether, when, with whom and how many children they have.”
“SheDecides was created as an immediate response to US President Donald Trump’s reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule — also known as the Mexico City Policy – a policy which has devastating effects on women, girls and their communities around the world,” states the website. “The rule prevents NGOs outside the US from receiving money from the US government if they provide safe abortions or information about abortion.”
According to The Independent, as of July 2017 SheDecides had raised more than $300 million.
In her interview with Danish radio BNR, Ploumen explains that she “received a high award from the Pope,” and that she sees it as confirmation of the work she has done for girls and women concerning abortion.
A translation of the interview was published by the Lepanto Institute. Part of the exchange is as follows:
BNR: And there is another prize, from the Pope …
Lilianne Ploumen: Yes, I won another prize. I received a high award from the Pope.
BNR: For what you did for abortions?
Ploumen: Well, it doesn’t say that, but it is in itself interesting that it says it is for service/merits for society.
BNR: Well, that would be applicable to a lot of other people.
Ploumen: Yes, for sure, but the Vatican probably knows that I started “SheDecides” and they gave me this prize – very special.
BNR: What kind of prize is it, exactly?
Ploumen: Commander in the order of Gregorius.
BNR: Congrats.
Ploumen: Thank you.
BNR: It is rather progressive of the Pope.
Ploumen: Yes, very. And I am very happy with it.
BNR: Do you see it as confirmation of what you are doing for girls and women, for abortion?
Ploumen: Yes, that, and also, the last couple of years I invested a lot of time in establishing contacts with the Vatican.
BNR: Lobbying?
Ploumen: Yes, Lobbying. Especially since the Vatican, mainly with the previous popes, were very rigid when it comes to women’s rights. And that is not going to change in the short term, but perhaps there are some areas in which we can work together, and that is what I tried.
Back in May 2015, Minister Ploumen met with Pope Francis to discuss climate change. After the meeting, she said, “It’s fantastic that Pope Francis is to make a statement on climate change. We face huge challenges that will require efforts from all of us, including religious leaders. With their influence and authority they can have a positive impact on the debate.”
Full story at CNSnews.com.
This Pope seems to relish confusion and chaos, he is in need of much prayer.
Unsettling. Our faith is in Christ, not a fallen creature. Pray for Truth and to be open to the movings of the Holy Spirit. The Church is full of infidels but we must be honest about our own selves and read God’s Word to guide us.
This is horrible. As bad as when Pope Benedict XVI lifted the automatic excommunication of Bishop Richard Williamson!
It’s quite clear why Ms. Ploumen thinks she got the award. Now, the Vatican needs to clearly explain why she actually got it. If the Vatican can’t, we have a situation which is difficult to imagine.
They did. She was part of a delegation and everyone got one.
It should not have happened.
I can’t imagine how only one reader hss commented on this horrible ordeal. Guess that the editor/management is from another country where freedom of speech is not allowed or liberals who stifle conservatives points of view.
Is the pope Catholic? Try reading some of the saints discussions on what actions a pope conducts for him to be automatically excommunicated. No peers are required.
Anyone still have any doubts about where P. Francis stands?
Most disgraceful pontificate in at least half a millenium.
Orémus pro pontífice nostro Francésco!
Previous 4 weren’t much better. Look at the implosion on Georgetown University’s statistics/findings, since the early 1960s. Hundreds of millions have lost the true faith and nolonger practice it. That represents a huge failure on the part of the V2 leadership and measure of the devils success to drive souls into hell. That of course is against our loving Father in Heaven’s holy Will!