In this week’s edition:

• Canadian priest faces sexual assault allegations

• Persecution of Catholic Church continues in Nicaragua

• Trump proposes the government pay for IVF

• House committee investigates HHS over backing of minor sex changes

• and more!

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Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB accused of sexual assault

Summary: The prominent figure in Catholic media for almost 20 years has been accused of sexually assaulting a junior priest prior to World Youth Day in 2002.

Details:

• Fr. Rosica is best known for his role in organizing the 2002 World Youth Day, his role as a Vatican advisor and attaché, and affiliation with Catholic television network Salt+Light Television.

• The plaintiff was a new priest in the late 1990s when he met Fr. Rosica, and claims that he exploited his position of seniority to facilitate the abuse.

• The plaintiff alleges that Fr. Rosica exposed himself and touched the plaintiff inappropriately, and that that Basilians were aware of alleged prior impropriety by the priest.

• The order removed Fr. Rosica’s priestly faculties in March.

• Father has denied any wrongdoing and has filed for the lawsuit to be dismissed so that a canonical court may address the issue.

Why we care: This type of abuse seems to be one that often flies under the radar. More often we focus our critiques on abuse of minors, as well we should given their protected status. Perhaps we are alone in feeling this way, but it seems as though this type of priest-on-priest or priest-on-seminarian abuse gets swept under the rug, or at least does not garner the same outrage. We’re happy to see that some action is being taken to try to mete out justice, even if the Canadian bishop won’t. Hopefully this victim’s courage will encourage other adult abuse victims to come forth and seek retribution.

Ortega regime removes, confiscates priests' retirement fund

Summary: After having frozen the fund a year ago, the Nicaraguan dictatorship cancelled The Insurance Fund for Priests Association as part of its crackdown on NGOs, thus eliminating the retirement fund.

Details:

• The fund was created over 20 years ago as a retirement fund for priests

• Priests, parishes, and other organizations pay $150 annually into the fund

• Priests over 75 receive a $300 pension from the fund, while priests over 65 receive $150

Why we care: This is part of our continued coverage of the persecution of the Church in Nicaragua. Each story that comes out is a staunch reminder of how blessed we are in our country to have the religious freedom we do, despite the many attacks on it. Please continue to keep the Church in Nicaragua in your prayers.

Trump proposes that the government pay for IVF

Summary: During a rally in Michigan, former-President Trump announced a policy in which the government would - or insurance companies would be mandated to - pay for in vitro fertilization treatment.

Details:

• Trump cited being “pro-family” and “want[ing] more babies” as a motivating factor behind the policy, as well as the prohibitive cost of the treatment.

• Many pro-life Catholics have criticized the former president over the announcement.

Why we care: It’s tough as it is as Catholics not to feel politically homeless, but when the politicians who are supposed to be on the conservative side of the aisle come out in support of IVF - well, that just makes it even harder. What happened to both moral and fiscal conservatism? Once upon a time we would have said “no” not only to such a moral evil but also to the notion of the government paying for it. We’re hopeful that mentality will someday return.

Oversight and Accountability Committee begins probe into HHS over gender-affirming care for minors

Summary: The committee is investigating the Biden HHS over allegations that it pressured World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) to promote gender-affirming care for minors.

Details:

• Court documents suggest that Admiral Rachel Levine, the assistant secretary for health, pressure WPATH to change their suggested guidelines.

• Internal emails reveal WPATH intended to discourage doctors from offering gender-affirming care to young children, but eventually dropped the suggestions after pressure from Levine.

Why we care: We’re glad to see someone taking action about these insane guidelines coming from our government about “gender-affirming care”. It’s absolutely mind-boggling to consider how many minors might have received care (and still can in half the states), possibly based on these WPATH guidelines. Here’s hoping the investigation is fruitful and that some protection of children can be restored.

Other stories

• Our Lady of Mercy shrine in France receives Nihil Obstat

• St. Teresa of Avila’s body incorrupt after nearly 500 years

• How Clear Channel “soft-cancelled” Pro Life Across America

• Massachusetts sued over alleged targeting of pro-life pregnancy centers

• Knights of Columbus in Detroit raise over $60k to build baseball facilities for disabled athletes

• A NH school district hid a student’s gender confusion from the mother; the NH supreme court just sided with the school district

• Don’t use the terms ‘daughter’ or ‘son’ says VT Department of Health; opt for ‘gender-neutral’ terms instead

• Individuals will no longer be able to change gender on licenses or IDs in TX

Quote of the Week

What’s going on:

• Sept 6 is the Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart

• On Sept 8 we celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

• The Holy Father begins his trip to Papua New Guinea

• The Holy Father’s prayer intention for September is “for the cry of the Earth”

• Notable Feast Days