Progressives Are Attacking Christianity, and They Seem to Have Allies in Protestant Denominations and the Catholic Church

MAY FIRST -- THE MAY DAY CELEBRATION OF LABOR. But, there is a lot going on that has more to do with just being human. • • • PRESIDENT TRUMP FORCES ABORTION LANGUAGE OUT OF A UN RESOLUTION. As the United Nations moves farther away from being a protector of human life everywhere to being a radical supporter of the worldwide Progressive-Globalist agenda; President Trump stands out as a defender of human life, calling out the UN whenever it strays form that mission. • Catholic News Agency (CNA) reported on April 25 that : "Language referring to abortion was removed from a United Nations resolution on the care of sexual abuse survivors in wartime, after the Trump administration threatened to veto the measure. US officials said they oppose the UN Security Council resolution on the grounds of a phrase that implied support for abortion, according to the BBC. They threatened to veto the resolution if the abortion language was not dropped. The phrase that was opposed by the US, AND by Russia and China, was : 'Recognizing the importance of providing timely assistance to survivors of sexual violence, urges United Nations entities and donors to provide non-discriminatory and comprehensive health services, in line with Resolution 2106,' the BBC reported. The phrase was dropped, and the resolution passed 13-0 without any references to sexual or reproductive health services, with Russia and China abstaining." • Britain and France opposed the US move, favoring the pregnancy termination reference in the resolution. CNA says : "While the original resolution had been met with widespread support, council members and international leaders from various countries accused the US of diluting the measure by removing the phrase. 'And we regret that the language on services for survivors of sexual violence, recognizing the acute need for those services to include comprehensive reproductive and sexual health care, including safe termination of pregnancies, did not meet with all the council members' support,' British diplomat Tariq Ahmad told NPR. French UN ambassador Francois Delattre said it was 'intolerable and incomprehensible' that the council 'is incapable of acknowledging that women and girls who suffered from sexual violence in conflict, and who obviously didn't choose to become pregnant, should have the right to terminate their pregnancy,' according to the BBC. • Why should the UN try to tell independent nations how to manage their abortion policies? It is within every nation's sovereign right to permit or not to permit abortion. Oddly, in some of the countries where "the care of sexual abuse survivors in wartime" is most often a current issue, the government refuses abortion. Yet, the UN tried to leap over these countries' sovereignty by passing an umbrella resolution that permits abortion. But, President Trump stopped the UN abortion train. • • • ATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS CONTINUE AND ARE AN ATTACK ON THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION. There has been a lot of discussion recently about the new David Horowitz book “Dark Agenda: The War to Destroy Christian America.” Horowitz himself wrote an article for American Thinker on April 26, stating that attacks on Christians are an attack on America's constitutionally protected freedom of religion. • Horowitz wrote : "The Islamic State (ISIS) has now taken credit for the Moslem massacre of Christians in Sri Lana. On average over 300 Christians a month are killed for their faith globally. This is the end result of a campaign of disrespect and hate towards Christians that have become a significant theme of American politics as well." • Horowitz asks : "Is it merely coincidental that the most rapidly rising candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, Pete Buttigieg launched his campaign with an unfounded and unprovoked attack on America’s Vice President because he is a Christian? In fact, as Buttigieg’s governor in Indiana, Pence had been particularly generous to Buttigieg when he publicly revealed his sexual orientation. But Buttigieg would not be dissuaded by Pence’s gesture of tolerance. Buttigieg’s hatred was inspired by Pence’s Christian beliefs, not [by] any anti-gay behavior on his part. In other words, it was an assault on Americans’ most basic freedom -- religious liberty. Buttigieg’s attack took place without so much as a demurral from any national Democratic figure, and in fact led directly to Buttigieg’s ascension to third place in the Democratic primary race. That alone speaks volumes about the anti-Christian prejudices manifested by the left in this country." • Horowitz considers how Barack Obama referred to the Sri-Lankans murdered in church as “Easter worshippers” -- "as though they were druids on holiday rather than Christians worshipping their Savior on the day they believed He rose from the dead. The other side of this disrespect is the zeal with which leftists have closed ranks around supporters of the Islamic war against infidels, like congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, both of whom have done fund-raising speeches for terrorist-related groups. In a recent article about the Sri Lanka attacks in National Review, Doug Bandow writes : 'Christianity’s dominant role in American culture has obscured the fact that it is the most persecuted faith globally.' In fact, Christianity is almost invisible in America’s public culture and is its most persecuted faith as well. (In terms of violent acts, filed under 'hate crimes,' Jews are the most frequent targets, thanks to the anti-Semitic propaganda emanating from Moslem Brotherhood front groups and bigots like Ilhan Omar. But unlike Jews, Christians are attacked for the specific beliefs of their faith.)" • Horowitz reminds us that : "The Christians who created America made religious liberty and freedom of conscience the foundation of all Americans’ other freedoms. In doing so, Christians gave a great gift, not only to Americans but to people all over the world whose freedoms Americans have defended. This America is now under attack. Freedom of speech for conservatives is now non-existent on America’s university campuses....Democrats are determined to destroy the Electoral College, which was designed to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. They are working to destroy America’s borders, give rapists, murderers and Boston Marathon bombers the right to vote, give non-citizens who are here illegally the right to vote, give children the right to vote, and oppose IDs at the ballot box so people who disrespect our democracy can vote as many times as they wish. The war on American democracy has reached a critical point. To grasp the nature of this war, and to understand its goals, it is essential to recognize its origins in the war against Christians. Christian beliefs in the sanctity of life, in free will (and hence individual accountability), and in the flawed nature of humanity are the principal bulwark against our descent into the barbarism which Progressivism promises us." • • • METHODISTS FACE OFF ON LGBT POLICIES. NBC News reported recently that : "United Methodists edge toward a breakup over LGBT policies. The differences have simmered for years, and came to a head in February at a conference in St. Louis where delegates voted 438-384 for a proposal called the Traditional Plan, which strengthens bans on LGBT-inclusive practices. A majority of US-based delegates opposed that plan and favored LGBT-friendly options, but they were outvoted by US conservatives teamed with most of the delegates from Methodist strongholds in Africa and the Philippines." • NBC said that : "Many believe the vote will prompt an exodus from the church by liberal congregations that are already expressing their dissatisfaction over the move. Some churches have raised rainbow flags in a show of LGBT solidarity. Some pastors have vowed to defy the strict rules and continue to allow gay weddings in Methodist churches. Churches are withholding dues payments to the main office in protest, and the UMC's receipts were down 20% in March, according to financial reports posted online. 'It's time for some kind of separation, some kind of amicable divorce,' said James Howell, pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, who posted a video assailing the proposal for its 'real meanness.' " • The UMC's nine-member Judicial Council convened a four-day meeting in Evanston, Illinois, in the week after Easter to consider legal challenges to the Traditional Plan. United Methodist News (UMN) reported : "Court OKs part of Traditional Plan, exit plan." UMN said : "That was the Judicial Council’s ruling on a requested review of the Traditional Plan, which was approved during a special denomination-wide legislative session in February to strengthen enforcement of bans on 'self-avowed practicing' gay clergy and same-sex weddings....The Traditional Plan legislation the court held constitutional will take effect in the US church January 1, 2020. In Africa, Europe and the Philippines, the legislation will take effect 12 months after the next General Conference in May 2020. The disaffiliation petition, 90066, goes into effect immediately. " • UMForward, an organization that "works to strike at the roots of white supremacy, queer and transphobia, sexism and all other theological malpractice and manifest a robust witness to the creative, liberating, and loving One that sets us all free. Centering the voices, wisdom, and experiences of people of color and the LGBTQIA+ community that have far too long been silenced, ignored, or belittled, the people of UMForward invite all into community that is rich in love and deep in commitment to justice for all" had this to say about the United Methodist Judicial Council decision on the Traditional Plan. Reverend Alex da Silva Souto wrote : "The Judicial Council put the final nail in the coffin of the United Methodist Church (UMC). Their ruling allowed many of the Traditional Plan’s most discriminatory and punitive measures to remain in the Book of Discipline (BoD) thereby exacerbating the assaults on LGBTQIA+ people and further empowering agents of harm. This creates an unbearable level of toxicity and unsustainability. I have serious concerns as to whether General Conference 2020 will be able to fix this vicious mess. We have not managed to clean up the BoD from all the harm inflicted unto us since 1972. How will 2020 be any different? Progressives have been fighting for survival mechanisms and deploying creative forms of resistance for so long, but now many of our places of refuge have been taken away. We are ready to begin thriving through God’s grace, rather than remain in survival mode. That may mean living into a new expression of Methodism. It is increasingly clear that our current expression is corrupted beyond repair. To make matters worse, far-right exclusionary local churches have the upper hand even when it comes to disaffiliation. A gracious exit is available for conservative churches in progressives ACs, because 'no good Christian would punish a church that wants to leave.' But progressive churches in exclusionary ACs will probably be in deep trouble, given the punitive tendencies of conferences dominated by WCA. Going forward, a number of inclusive churches will continue to discern whether they can continue to acquiesce to the now-institutionalized abuses of the UMC. These churches remain at the mercy of their Annual Conferences. I hope our church can, at the very least, acknowledge that some local churches cannot in good conscience remain complacent to the harm and abuse currently perpetuated by the UMC....Thanks be to God for the ones on the margins doing the work of resistance and liberation, Reverend Alex da Silva Souto, April 26, 2019." • NBC said : "While other mainline Protestant denominations have embraced gay-friendly practices, the UMC still bans them, though acts of defiance by pro-LGBT clergy have multiplied. Many have performed same-sex weddings; others have come out as gay or lesbian from the pulpit. Enforcement of the bans has been inconsistent; the Traditional Plan aspires to beef up discipline against those engaged in defiance. Traditional Plan supporter Mark Tooley, who heads a conservative Christian think tank, predicts that the UMC will split into three denominations -- one for centrists, another oriented toward liberal activists and a third representing the global alliance of US conservatives and their allies overseas. 'It's a question of how long it takes for that to unfold -- and of who and how many go into each denomination,' Tooley said. 'A lot of churches will be irreparably harmed as they divide.' " • UMN wrote : "In some parts of Europe, United Methodists unhappy with passage of the Traditional Plan have met to consider options." • UMN noted that : "Sierra Leone Area Bishop John K. Yambasu, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries mission agency’s vice president, made clear in his emotional remarks to fellow directors. The bitter aftermath of GC2019 -- including accusations of voting irregularities -- has led Yambasu to question the true commitment to a global church, he said. And he is considering whether the African United Methodists should look at changing to an autonomous, affiliated membership. 'Africans have been abused and misused,' the bishop declared....He also added that the directors of Global Ministries 'failed as a board to do our duty' to engage in the denominational debate that was occurring 'and now we are caught in between.'....Yambasu said he believes it is not too late to rethink what has occurred. If invited, 'God is still able to do something in our denomination,' he said." • • • A WORLDWIDE ISSUE IN PROTESTANT CHURCHES. What is happening in the United Methodist Church is worthy of consideration because it is by no means an isolated affair. Protestant denominations all over the world are arguing about whether to ordain gay clergy -- a battle that has largely been won by the gay community -- and about whether to perform same-sex marriages. While I am not a theologian, it seems to me that the LGBTQ+ issue has been subsumed inot a political issue that is also of a worldwide nature. We only need look at the political -- really US constitutional -- arguments in the United Methodist Judicial Council's latest decision to see the political nature of the United Methodist Church itself. At issue is the fundamental question of whether Christianity permits gay pastors, same-sex married pastors, or same-sex marriage at all. Archbishop of Canterbury Welty has "disinvited" same-sex partners of bishops to the 2020 worldwide Lambeth Conference of Anglican and Episcopalian bishops. It seems that the generally acceptable position of welcoming all people into membership in Protestant Christian churches, while not ordaining LGBT+ people as pastors, not accepting them as pastors if they enter into same-sex marriages, and not performing same-sex marriages in the church, is no longer acceptable to the LGBT+ community. Most of the hierarchies of Protestant churches have adopted the political Progressive agenda item of opening every aspect of social life to LGBT+ people. But, there is no reason for Christian churches to do the same. Loving and welcoming those in the LGBT+ community does not mean that the Christian church has change its dogma to accommodate the LGBT+ political agenda. • • • THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS A DIFFERENT ISSUE TO RESOLVE. It is the issue of "the two Popes." • The Italian L'Espresso wrote on April 17 about the two Popes. We have already discussed the open letter of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI concerning the sexual abuse problem among priests. L"Espresso wrote : "In the week that followed the explosive publication of Joseph Ratzinger’s [Pope Benedict XVI] 'notes' on the scandal of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, there are at least seven essential elements that have come into the open, which are to be kept in mind in view of future developments. The first concerns the genesis of the publication of the 'notes.' In the introductory paragraphs, Ratzinger says that he wrote them 'in the hiatus between the announcement of the meeting of the presidents of the episcopal conferences and its real and proper beginning,' or between September 12 2018, the day of the announcement, and February 21 2019, the opening day of the summit. But Ratzinger also says that he wrote them to 'contribute one or two remarks to assist in this difficult hour.' From which one deduces that he wrote them in order to offer them, first of all, to the leaders of the Church gathered at the Vatican by Pope Francis to discuss the question. This was confirmed on April 13 by 'Corriere della Sera,' the most widely read secular Italian newspaper, one of the press outlets that two days before had published the full text of the 'notes : 'Benedict sent the eighteen-and-a-half pages on pedophilia ‘to the gracious attention’ of the secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, before the global meeting of the episcopal conferences, to make them known also to Francis.' What happened however is that none of the participants at the summit received Ratzinger’s text. Francis thought it better to keep it to himself, locked away in a drawer. And no one would have known anything about it if Ratzinger himself, about forty days later, had not decided to make it public, formally in a little-known Bavarian magazine, 'Klerusblatt,' but practically in a dozen major publications, Catholic and not, all over the world and in several languages, after alerting the highest Vatican authorities to this, as he himself has revealed : to 'Having contacted the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the Holy Father himself, it seemed appropriate to publish this text in the Klerusblatt.' " • A second element, says L'Espresso, is the initial reaction of the Vatican media -- "Frosty. The official portal 'Vatican News' covered Ratzinger’s text several hours after it had been made public, among the second-class news items, with a brief and bureaucratic summary and with no link to the complete text. And the same was done by 'L’Osservatore Romano' printed on the afternoon of April 11, with the same concise summary buried at the bottom of page 7, without any lead on the front page and beneath a much more prominent article by the Jesuit Antonio Spadaro, director of 'La Civiltà Cattolica' and the main advisor and ghostwriter of Pope Francis. Since it is known how close the pope is to the highest officials of the Vatican media -- prefect of the dicastery for communication Paolo Ruffini and editorial director Andrea Tornielli, in addition to Fr. Spadaro -- this chill in registering the publication of the text by Ratzinger cannot help but reflect strong irritation on the part of Francis." • L'Espresso says that in the following days, the Vatican media was "entirely taciturn on the contents and repercussions of Ratzinger’s text and instead bent on giving distracting and justifying emphasis -- with two successive editorials by Tornielli and by 'L’Osservatore Romano' director Andrea Monda -- to a concomitant gesture of Francis that was as disconcerting as it was spectacular, his kissing the feet of the two rival leaders in the ferocious war between tribes in South Sudan that has already claimed 400,000 lives." • BUT, for L'Espresso, it was the silence of Pope Francis himself that was telling : "In the homily for Palm Sunday, on April 14, the Pope took as a basis for comparison the 'silence of Jesus throughout his Passion,' a silence that 'overcomes the temptation to answer back, to act like a ‘superstar’. Because 'in moments of darkness and great tribulation, we need to keep silent, to find the courage not to speak, as long as our silence is meek and not full of anger. The meekness of silence will make us appear even weaker, more humble. Then the devil will take courage and come out into the open.” A more-or-less TAKE THAT, Pope Benedict. L'Espresso states : "Silence is the typical reaction of Jorge Mario Bergoglio every time he is seriously put to the test. He adopted it with the 'dubia' of the four cardinals [who openly asked him to explain a theological matter], with the uncomfortable questions of ex-nuncio in the United States Carlo Maria Viganò [about Francis knowing that the Archbishop of Washington was a pedophile] and now with the contribution of the Pope Emeritus....Domenico Agasso, the current coordinator of the website 'Vatican Insider' directed until a few months ago by Tornielli and still under his supervision....[wrote] this exegesis of the papal homily followed, on Sunday April 14, by two other articles by Agasso with very eloquent titles : 'Francis and the shadow of Ratzinger, the coexistence that weighs on the Vatican' and 'Coexistence between the two popes is possible only if the emeritus is able to remain invisible.' • L'Espresso reveals that : "The most diligent in taking a position has been Stefania Falasca, an editorialist for the newspaper of the Italian episcopal conference, 'Avvenire,' but above all a longtime friend of Bergoglio, together with her husband, Gianni Valente, director of the Vatican agency 'Fides' and another leading writer for 'Vatican Insider.' It is useful to recall that Bergoglio’s first telephone call after his election as pope, on the very evening of March 13 2013, was to none other than Stefania Falasca. And a good two times, in the days that preceded that conclave, the then-archbishop of Buenos Aires had been to dinner at her house, where Tornielli was also present. So then, with two tweets shortly after the publication of Ratzinger’s 'notes;' Falasca accused the pope emeritus of having violated two requirements that the 2004 directory 'Apostolorum Successores' imposed on all bishops emeritus : 'not to interfere in any way' with the reigning bishop, and not to 'even hint at some kind of parallel authority.' ” • And there is the rub. L'Espresso writes : "But there are also those who state : 'They want to silence Benedict XVI because he is telling the truth.' And this brings us to the sixth element of the story : the interview of Cardinal Gerhard Müller by Riccardo Cascioli in 'La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana' of April 15. The whole interview is worth reading. But here are three passages in which Müller vindicates the freedom of the pope emeritus to 'speak the truth' : 'Of course bishops emeritus must stay out of the everyday governance of the Church, but when it comes to doctrine, morality, faith they are obligated to speak by divine law. All have promised during episcopal consecration to defend the ‘depositum fidei.’ The bishop and great theologian Ratzinger has not only the right but also the duty to speak and give testimony of revealed truth. The apostles Peter and Paul, the founders of the Roman Church, gave their lives for the truth. Peter and Paul did not say : ‘Now there are other successors, Timothy and Titus, let’s let them speak publicly.’ They gave testimony right to the end of their lives, all the way to martyrdom, with blood. A bishop emeritus, when he celebrates a Mass, in the homily must he not speak the truth?....No one can change this divine law, if one does so he is a heretic, he is a schismatic.' " • Here are the final remarks of the Müller interview : "Q: Cardinal Müller, what consequences do you expect from the publication of these 'notes' by Benedict XVI? A: I hope that some will finally begin to address the problem of sexual abuse in a clear and correct way. Clericalism is a false response. 'Clericalism' being the mantra that for Pope Francis would be the cause of all the evils of the Church." • L'Espresso adds : "Finally, the seventh but not last element of the story: Francis’s visit to Benedict, on the afternoon of April 15, for Easter and birthday greetings, as shown in the photo released by the Vatican press office. During those same hours there came out on the front page of 'L’Osservatore Romano' an editorial by Tornielli entitled 'That ‘penitential way’ which unites the two pontificates,' which insists on the harmonious appeal of the two popes - in the major documents of the respective pontificates and most recently also in the 'notes' -- to prayer, penance, and the conversion of hearts as the master path for overcoming the scandal of abuse." • • • IS POPE FRANCIS TROLLING PRESIDENT TRUMP? Rather than seeing the visit as a sign of a truce, L'Espresso warns : "But once again, not a single word from Francis and his spokesman on the contents of Ratzinger’s “notes” concerning the ultimate root of the scandal. On this the divergence between Francis and Benedict remains intact. And unpredictable in its developments." It is obvious to those who follow the words of Pope Francis that he is not interested in the theological foundations of the Church's dogma. He is pushing a political Progressive agenda, much as the LGBT+ community is doing in the United Methodist Church. If we need proof, consider this breaking story published by CNA on Monday : "Peter’s Pence, a global charitable fund overseen by Pope Francis, will support migrants in limbo in Mexico, the charity has announced. 'Men and women, often with young children, flee poverty and violence, hoping for a better future in the United States,' said the Peter’s Pence website. 'However, the US border remains closed to them. All these people were stranded, unable to enter the United States, without a home or livelihood. The Catholic Church hosts thousands of them in the hotels within dioceses or religious congregations, providing basic necessities, from housing to clothing.' A $500,000 allocation will go to 27 projects in 16 dioceses and religious congregations who are seeking to provide housing, food and basic necessities to the migrants. The Peter’s Pence website said there were six migrant caravans, totaling 75,000 people, that entered Mexico, as did other groups. Most of these people came from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Fleeing violence or poverty or seeking a better life, migrants are sometimes encouraged by human traffickers’ false promises of jobs in the US. Some take out loans to pay for the trip, which then may lead to retaliation against families if unpaid. The trips can be dangerous, with sexual assault of women a common danger. 'Thanks to these projects, and thanks to Christian charity and solidarity, the Mexican Bishops hope to be able to continue helping our migrant brothers and sisters,' the Peter’s Pence website said." The organization also said the donations are needed because “media coverage of this emergency has been decreasing, and as a result, aid to migrants by the government and private individuals has also decreased.” • Money and Markets said on Tuesday the President Trump hasn’t mentioned the Pope’s tactics yet, and he’s sure to be unhappy about it judging by tweets he sent Monday evening when he said : “Also, stop the MARCH to US.” The President's tweet was : "The Coyotes and Drug Cartels are in total control of the Mexico side of the Southern Border. They have labs nearby where they make drugs to sell into the US. Mexico, one of the most dangerous country’s in the world, must eradicate this problem now. Also, stop the MARCH to US.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 30, 2019." The President then added : "If the Democrats don’t give us the votes to change our weak, ineffective and dangerous Immigration Laws, we must fight hard for these votes in the 2020 Election! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 30, 2019." • The Pope is definitely out of his league if he means to take on the master of communication, 21st century style. • • • DEAR READERS, while the CNA was touting Pope Francis's gesture in support of migrants illegally pouring into the US -- we might ask why Francis didn't send the money to Honduras, Guatemala or El Salvador, those Progressive-socialist regimes the Pope seems to like, to help keep their citizens who are "fleeing violence or poverty or seeking a better life" at home -- CNA was also reporting about the annual 2019 "United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Report" (USCIRF). USCIRF is a bipartisan commission that advises the President, Congress, and the Secretary of State on international religious freedom issues. CNA wrote : "The majority of the world’s worst violators of religious freedom are found in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa," according to the USCIRF report released Monday. The report's introduction focused on abuses against China's Uyghur Moslems. the USCIRF Reprt said that with the exception of Cuba -- another favorite stopover for Francis -- the only majority Chirstian country listed, other than Russia, all the countries identified as the worst offenders are located in the eastern hemisphere. USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee said in a release accompanying the report : “Our goal is not only to call out the offenders, but to provide concrete actions for the US government to take in working with these countries to get off our lists." Each year the group identifies “countries of particular concern” (CPC) using the criteria of “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations” of religious freedom. Non-state actors are given the designation “entities of particular concern” (EPC) using similar criteria. CNA quotes the Report : "Some of these violations include torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; prolonged detention without charges; causing the disappearance of persons by the abduction or clandestine detention of those persons; or other flagrant denial of the right to life, liberty, or the security of persons." Among the 16 countries designated as CPCs for 2019 are ten flagged by the state department in November 2018 : Myanmar, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The list also includes six other countries : Central African Republic, Nigeria, Russia, Syria, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. In addition the group identified 12 countries that meet either one or two of the three criteria for a CPC, placing them on the 'Tier 2' list. These include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, and Turkey. Among the ECPs of concern this year, USCIRF identified the Islamic State, the Taliban in Afghanistan, al-Shabaab in Somalia, and, making their first appearance on the list this year, the Houthis in Yemen and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist militant group in Syria." • The USCIRF Report particularly highlights the plight of the Uyghur Moslem minority in China. To date, between 800,000 to 2 million Uighurs -- or about 10% of their population -- have been detained and sent to “re-education camps” to be subjected to abuse and political indoctrination. The report calls on the US government to sanction those in the Chinese government responsible for the detention of the Uyghurs. It also recommends the appointment of a special advisor to the President on international religious freedom." • The USCIRF Report noted that while the Vatican reached a provisional agreement with China on the appointment of bishops in September, “nevertheless, repression of the underground Catholic Church increased during the latter half of the year.” Among the report's inclusion of commissioners' "individual views” were those of Johnnie Moore, who called the Vatican-China deal “one of the most alarming incidents as it relates to religious freedom in the entire year. Within days of the Vatican negotiating its deal, the Chinese used it as cover to embark upon the closure of several of the nation’s largest and most prominent unregistered church communities,” Moore wrote. He believes the Vatican “now bears a significant moral and legal responsibility to help solve the problem which it helped created -- albeit inadvertently -- by providing China license to viciously crack down on Christian communities (as cited in this report), and by providing the Chinese government further cover to continue its incomprehensible, inexcusable and inhumane abuses of Moslem citizens in the western part of the country. While I am entirely for direct engagement on these issues, including with the most severe violators in the world, that engagement must not result in these types of unintended consequences, as has been the case in China. The Vatican made a terrible mistake, which it must take seriously. This debacle must be dealt with urgently and seriously.” • Everyone from a Chinese Cardinal living in Hong Kong to innumerable conservative and religious journalists and historians warned Pope Francis publicly that he was making a grave error in trusting China to deal honorably or even humanely with mainland China Christians once he agreed that the Communist Chinese Party could have the last word in selecting Chinese Catholic bishops. Pope Francis even acknowledged the warnings and said he would take personal responsibility for his decision. • WELL, dear Pope Francis, decision time has arrived -- only 5 months after you signed the unholy deal with the CCP. What will you do now?? Send Peter's Pence money to help the Chinese "fleeing violence or poverty or seeking a better life" as Christians. Step up. Or step aside. Pope Benedict can certainly do a much better, and less political, job.