Pro-life leaders around the world have expressed their joy following President Donald Trump’s suspension of American funding of the World Health Organization.
In London, England, John Smeaton, director of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), told LifeSiteNews that the decision was “brilliant and brave.”
“This is a brilliant and brave move from President Trump,” Smeaton said via email.
“Not only has the World Health Organisation been planning for years to promote abortion in a COVID-19-type pandemic, it has become abundantly clear even to the secular world that the WHO is serving the world’s most corrupt power structures rather than the common good….”
Also in London, Maria Madise, SPUC’s international director, told LifeSiteNews that Trump had shown “real political courage and leadership.” She added that WHO had been using the tragedy to push its anti-life, anti-family agenda.
“This is a brilliant and most welcome move by the U.S. president,” Madise said via email.
“Apart from WHO’s scandalous delay in reporting on the extent of the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan followed by giving inconsistent advice, WHO has used this crisis to aggressively advance its attacks on the inviolable rights of life and the family under the guise of tackling the pandemic,” she continued.
“Prompted by COVID-19, WHO is working on classifying abortion as an ‘essential health service’ so that abortion could go on under lockdown. Drugs used in medical abortion were already listed as ‘essential medications’ by WHO in 2017. Now, in light of restrictions with entering health facilities, they promote home abortions with these drugs, which is terrible and deadly advice that some governments have sadly followed in their guidance.”
Madise reminded LifeSiteNews that WHO’s executive director of emergencies program, Mike Ryan, had revealed that WHO officials might begin entering homes to remove family members who are sick.
“Since WHO’s first director, Dr Brock Chisholm, wrote in 1948: ‘Children have to be freed from… religious and other cultural “prejudices” forced upon them by parents and religious authorities,’ WHO’s anti-life and anti-family track record has not improved,” she said….
Father Frank Pavone of Titusville, Florida’s Priests for Life paid tribute to Trump’s action, saying it was a contrast to the “failed leadership” of a Democrat rival.
“President Trump’s withholding of funds from the WHO is yet another in a long series of decisive, courageous decisions in dealing with [COVID-19] and in protecting Americans and their families, in sharp contrast to the failed leadership of Joe Biden,” Pavone told LifeSiteNews….
“Thank God that the one making these difficult and life-saving decisions is President Trump and not Mr. Biden,” Pavone concluded.
The above comes from an April 15 story in LifeSiteNews.
“Madise reminded LifeSiteNews that WHO’s executive director of emergencies program, Mike Ryan, had revealed that WHO officials might begin entering homes to remove family members who are sick.”
Paranoia, anyone?
I am glad there is at least one Catholic clergy who appreciates Trump and says so. He’s the first I’ve ever heard say anything positive about him. I’m sure their tune will change if Biden is elected, for it seems, unless I am mistaken, that he has a champion sitting in the Chair of Peter. Hope I am wrong, and would love to be corrected.
Fr. Pavone has always called out the pro abortion “Catholics” on his website Priests for Life. He is one of the few brave ones. His life has been threatened for it too. But what the heck, if there is nothing worth dying for, then they is nothing worth living for.
There are many members of the clergy who appreciate what Mr. Trump has been doing for life, marriage and family, religious liberty and more. The US Bishops Conference has issued statements in praise of some of the Trump administration’s actions. That said, let us all pray for more clergy willing to speak out publicly, in both praise and criticism, regardless of party, about our leaders as their policies effect matters of morality and faith. I’m blessed to have the support of my bishop and pastor, who expect the clergy of our diocese to be actively pro-life (to mention one example). As long as I’m speaking and acting in line with the teachings of Christ and His Church, they “have my back.” I know others, however, for whom such is not the case. Talk with your priests, bishops and deacons and encourage them in truth and love. (Ephesians 4:15)
It seems likely Fr. Pavone feels the liberty to speak and act as he does because it’s not clear to which bishop (or religious superior) he is responsible. Even his website states, “By a decree of the Vatican dated November 11, 2019 (Congregation for the Clergy, Prot. N. 2019 4532), he was transferred out of the Diocese of Amarillo and granted the opportunity to continue to carry out his pro-life work under a new and supportive bishop.” Does anyone know who his “new and supportive bishop” is? What he is saying and doing are good. Yet, he appears to not be accountable to a bishop as are (and should be) other clergy. That may well account for some of his forthrightness (without having to be concerned about repercussions to his priestly ministry).
Because of Trump’s gross mismanagement of the pandemic many have died and many will die. Trump seems to value the almighty dollar more than the elderly. While Trump may be anti-abortion, he is not pro-life.
The Chinese Communists leaders, not most of the regular Chinese people, are at fault for most of this. They knew the virus had gotten away in Wuhan. Even the Italians are saying so and trying to sue them. The Chinese government knew but did not warn. Churches and other houses of worship are being destroyed there too.
FYI – according to the diocese of Orlando, where Priests for Life is located: Fr. Frank Pavone is not a Priest of the Diocese of Orlando and does not have faculties from Bishop John Noonan. One’s good standing is determined by a bishop (or possibly religious superior) and usually attested to in letter form. Though the Priests for Life website indicates he is a priest in good standing, if he is, I’m surprised it doesn’t indicate the bishop attesting to that good standing. Other than to the Almighty, to Whom we are all accountable, to whom is Fr. Pavone accountable and living out his promise of obedience?