In this week’s edition:

• The Biden administration goes after the pro-life agenda

• Other countries demonstrate sanity on transgender issues

• Eurovision runner-up’s conversion and testimony

• Movie on Bl. Carlos Acutis opens

• and more!

7 Pro-life activists sentenced to prison time

Summary: Seven pro-life activists were sentenced to prison time after being convicted of violating the FACE Act and conspiracy against rights. The charges were brought up over a sit-in staged by the activists at a D.C. abortion clinic in 2020.

Details:

• the FACE Act was signed in 1994 and is primarily known for prohibiting the use of physical force/obstruction to prevent a person from obtaining an abortion

• Conspiracy against rights originated in 1870 and was originally intended to combat people who were attempting to prevent African Americans from voting

• Conspiracy against rights can result in up to a decade in prison

• The shortest sentence was for 21 months, while the longest was for 57

• David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office said, As evidenced by today’s sentencings, the FBI and our judicial system will not tolerate the obstruction of civil rights.”

• Critics of the sentences point to the difference in treatment between pro-life activists and other protestors and claim the invocation of Conspiracy Against Rights is further evidence of a weaponized DOJ.

Why we care: We won’t make any arguments about whether the protestors were in the wrong or not, or whether the charges brought were appropriate or proportionate to the alleged crimes. What is apparent, however, is the stark difference between the DOJ’s treatment of pro-life activists and that of BLM/Palestinian/etc. protestors. These folks seem to get barely a slap on the wrist while the FBI raids the home of a pro-life activist. It seems fairly clear where the administration’s priorities lie, especially considering that Biden recently released a proclamation in which he pledge to re-codify Roe as the law of the land.

Church in Mexico wins trans baptismal lawsuit

Summary: A transgender person filed a lawsuit requesting that the Church change the sex on his baptismal record. A court ruled in favor of the Diocese of Querétaro, pointing to precedent supporting autonomy of religious institutions.

Details:

• A male individual requested that the diocese change his baptismal record to reflect his so-called identified gender.

• When the diocese declined, the individual involved the National Data Protection Institute which ordered the diocese to make the change.

• The diocese challenged the federal agency’s order, and both district and appeals courts found in favor of the diocese.

• The ruling was appealed to the Supreme Court of Mexico, which refused to take the case, “noting that it had already given sufficient guidelines within its jurisprudence to resolve the matter.”

• With that, the decision of the appeals court in favor of the diocese stands

Why we care: It’s encouraging to see a nation’s legal system defend religious liberty and not back down to the transgender agenda. This news coincides with the government of Peru decreeing transsexualism a mental disorder. While we’re glad to see these decisions, we also find it frustrating to see these victories abroad and not have hope for similar victories here in the U.S. We’d love for the courts at home to mount a similarly staunch defense of religious freedom, and as more evidence comes out as to just how harmful these notions are, we hope that our legal system will put restrictions on gender-affirming care in place.

Catholic revert wins 2nd at Eurovision 2024

Summary: Marko Purišić, 25 - professionally known as “Baby Lasagna” - recently placed 2nd as the Croatian representative in Eurovision 2024. In a recent interview with a Croatian magazine Mr. Purišić detailed his reversion to his faith and how it changed his life.

Details:

• Mr. Purišić grew up Catholic but viewed it more as “folklore”

• Mr. Purišić fell away from his faith and into bands with anti-Christian themes

• He found success as a professional musician but states he felt empty until a reversion a few years ago after a conversation with a priest.

Why we care: It’s impossible to include all the encouraging quotes here, but there are several in the article. We’re largely disconnected from Eurovision in the U.S., but seeing as the contest is broadcast across many European countries, countries in the Americas, and on YouTube and TikTok, we feel safe in saying that Mr. Purišić likely has a very large platform. We hope that he can use this platform in a wonderful to share his conversion story and evangelize. Please join us in praying for him on his faith journey and for a conversion of all souls.

Movie on Bl. Carlos Acutis opens across the U.S.

Summary: “Eucharistic Miracles: The Heartbeat of Heaven” opened this past weekend in theatres across 21 states and Washington, D.C.

Details:

• The film focuses on Acutis and the Eucharistic miracles he studied

• The filmmaker hopes the film can be help to inspire Eucharistic revival in the U.S.

• The film is suitable for anyone ages 8 and up

Why we care: Apart from the goals of Eucharistic revival, we think it’s fascinating and edifying to study the life of a contemporary Catholic on the path to sainthood. It’s easy to feel detached from 1st-century martyrs or even 19th century religious, but an average kid living in the 21st century is someone most of us can see in ourselves and can serve as a role model for young Catholics. Bl. Carlos Acutis, pray for us!

Other stories

• Butker’s jerseys sell out

• We’re pretty sure our readers are familiar with the story, but you can find the full text of Butker’s speech here

• Last week we discussed the upcoming document on apparitions. Read 4 features of the document here

• In our continuing discussion of the faith and technology, here’s a piece on an app for finding Mass times

• 1,000+ attend Eucharistic procession in DC

• As we celebrated St. Dymphna’s feast day, Bishop Conley opens up about mental health struggles

Saint of the Day

St. Bernardine of Siena

What’s going on:

• Notable Feast Days