Chinese Whistleblower Dying in Prison - Archfather Urges Freedom

By Jean DuBois

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 7 Nov 2021 (NRom) 

The imprisonment of Zhang Zhan, a Chinese attorney and citizen-journalist, raised significant humanitarian concerns around the world. She released over 100 YouTube videos of the circumstances in Wuhan, China that led to the global pandemic. The Chinese government attempted to silence her, eventually giving her a four year sentence on a flimsy pretext. She is currently in poor health and at risk of death in prison. His Holiness and Eminence Papa Rutherford I issued a statement today on the situation. The Anglo-Roman Holy Father urged the Chinese government to release her immediately. The full text of the statement is below.

STATEMENT TEXT

     We are compelled by brotherly love for humanity to speak about what can only be called a human rights violation perpetrated by the government of China. Our curial officials made Us aware that a Chinese citizen and attorney Zhang Zhan was prosecuted and jailed for filming and publicising the occurrences in Wuhan that ultimately led to the current global pandemic. The Chinese government exploited its legal system to arrest her and imprison her, imposing a four-year sentence. She engaged in a hunger strike as an act of protest, at times being force fed by prison officials. This has taken a toll, understandably, on her health. Particularly given the unjust nature of her imprisonment, this is the direct responsibility of the Chinese government. If she dies in prison or as a result of the ordeal later, the Chinese government will be culpable. Indeed, it has been reported that she is now in very poor health and in danger of dying. Therefore, We call upon the Chinese government to order her immediate release from prison to aid in her recovery to full health. We further encourage that her conviction be overturned and expunged from her record forthwith. 

Apostolic Letter: What would Jesus do in a story of two classes of society

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 3 October 2021 (NRom)

Apostolic Letter
of His Holiness and Eminence
Papa Rutherford I

Laudetur Jesus Christus!

What would Jesus do in a story of two classes of society, one privileged and the other a complete underclass? The world has seen many such divisions in its history such that we know it is a common and persistent condition. Today in the world, We have observed a new dividing line established around the world that is becoming increasingly widespread. This dividing line is marking the difference between those who can work and those who cannot (or at least severely limiting their options); between those who can go to any school into which they can gain admission and those who cannot; between those who can travel freely and those who cannot; and between those who can go to events, restaurants, and other public spaces and those to whom such things are closed indefinitely. This dividing line is even defining the difference between those who can go to many churches in those who cannot. Even my brother the Bishop of Rome has slammed shut the doors to that sacred and beloved church that we share by right, the Basilica of St. Peter, and indeed the entirety of the Vatican City- State, to one specific group of people mocked by this dividing line. The Basilica and the Vatican have historically been sites welcoming countless pilgrims and those in need of refuge, but no more. It is a shame and a blight against the Church.

This dividing line We reference marks the difference between those who have had the COVID-19 vaccine and those who have not, whatever the reason. This has gone beyond, as We have stated before, legitimate concerns of public health (for We Ourselves indeed promote good health in its totality) and instead crossed into the realm of totalitarianism against which our civilisation and Our Church have always bravely fought. Even many segments of the Church, however, are turning their backs on those in need and refusing to serve all humanity regardless of divisions. And so We ask again, what would Jesus do?

Scripture is clear. Jesus walked with lepers and associated with the poor, the downtrodden, and those deemed undesirable by much of society. Our Lord healed the sick, made the blind see, and raised the dead. He told those who were unloved that He Himself loved them. He raised up those who were low and welcomed them into his circle, both on earth and in heaven.

Coming out of the front of the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome is the Bernini colonnade, curved to symbolise the outstretched arms of the Holy Church embracing the world – indeed Jesus Himself embracing the world through His spotless bride, the Church. Today so many have forgotten that symbol and the eternal truth behind it, as well as the example that it sets for each of us. The colonnade ultimately represents Christ embracing the entire world, regardless of race, nationality, wealth, or any other method of subdividing humanity, including vaccination status.

We as Christians cannot tolerate the idea that we would separate our fellow man into two categories according to whether or not they had a specific vaccine. We cannot turn a deaf ear to the concerns of those who have not received that vaccine. We cannot ignore and trample underfoot concerns of others simply because we may disagree with them. Not only does it set a dangerous precedent that has been used countless times, including by the Nazis in their eugenic policies, which they themselves borrowed from the United States of America’s eugenics efforts, but it is an act against love of our fellow man. It is an act against that fellowship that we are called upon to exhibit by our Lord Himself.

Therefore, let us all promote good health, as we should always do, but let us promote above all a love of our fellow man here on earth. Let us pray for those with whom we disagree rather than vilifying, chastising, and harming them in any way. Let us raise up our brothers and sisters as Christ has done.

The World is Traveling a Dangerous Path

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 21 August 2021 (NRom)

Encyclical on decisions being made by government and industry leaders around the world

Carissimi,

The world is traveling along a dangerous path, guided by many troubling decisions and policies by government and industry leaders around the world, fueled by popular determination. Those decisions and policies are not led by God, but instead are induced by widespread public panic and other considerations that do not take into account the totality of public good. Indeed that very panic and fear was partly grown by government and other entities at the beginning of the pandemic, and partly was fueled by them like pouring gasoline on a bonfire. Earlier examples of leadership in both government and industry in previous pandemics did not stoke fear and impose such draconian restrictions on individual liberty, fueling a divided population and hatred very rarely seen – and with arguably no worse results in outcome. The degree of restrictions imposed, as well as already-underway mandates for essentially forced vaccination are, We are bound by Our teaching office to say, shortsighted. Such policies fail to take into account the potential long-term consequences of such actions, which can be very broad and diverse in scope. It appears the goal is to limit institutional liability and placate the panicked portion of the population (for indeed the entirety of the world population is not content to live in fear). However, We must caution against such actions, for they place the focus too narrowly and fail to take into account the totality of cost, both short-term and long-term, to both institutions and individuals. It saddens Us, though, for this is to be expected. Throughout the pandemic, government and many institutions around the world have consistently disregarded the true public good and the rights and benefits of individuals. The totality of health must not be pushed to the side to focus on one disease. The totality of public good likewise must not be trampled underfoot or put out of mind.

True public good is that which is defined by God, not by man. In democratic societies, such as those found across Europe and the Americas, good inevitably is defined for purposes of policy by popular vote – that is, it is defined by the people. Yet Christian people know better than this. Christian people know that what is good and what is bad cannot be determined by popular vote. If the leaders of a democratic nation, elected by majority vote, chooses a path that is wrong, the fact that they are supported by a majority does not, in the eyes of God, render that wrong decision to be right. Likewise, if the leaders of a nation or an institution are petitioned by vocal members of their constituents to take certain actions and travel down a particular path, the legitimacy of those actions are not determined by their popularity. Yet it is the clamoring voice of the majority that typically determines what elected leaders will do in a democratic society. Even if it is a determined minority that is pushing a certain action, it is in fact the will of the majority if the majority remains silent and does not oppose. Silence is a vote. Then, what is determined to be right in the eyes of the people is forced upon everyone, even quite often if it goes against their conscience, and even if it is truly wrong in the eyes of God. True freedom can never exist in a society that believes what is good and what is right may be determined by popular vote.

Today’s society believes itself so superior to previous societies, which it often considers oppressive and authoritarian. Yet, We see no true difference. It matters not the title of an office in government, but rather it matters what they do. Oppression and tyranny can easily happen, no matter the form of government. Oppression of the people by a tyrannical king is no different than oppression of the people by an elected official or by an angry mob.

It is Our duty to express this, Our sincerely-held religious belief that the world is traveling down an extremely dangerous path. This journey is led by government and industry leaders, but it is also the responsibility of popular determination. God controls life, not man, and humanity would do well to remember that rather than behaving with such hubris as it does now. Where this will end, we as mere humans cannot know. Let us all pray, though, that peace and freedom in Christ will prevail. This path is dangerous for the world, but so too it seems that speaking out in the love of Christ against the world going down this path is dangerous, for love of one’s fellow man is likewise a victim of the pandemic. May all Christians, then, receive Our Apostolic blessing to speak the truth of the Christian faith and proclaim the love of God in all things.

Archfather Comments on Current Societal Situation – New Encyclical

By A. DiNardo

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 14 August 2021 (NRom)

His Holiness and Eminence the Archfather released a new encyclical addressing different pressing issues challenging society now. These include social infrastructure, healthcare, government and institutions, and more. The Holy Father wrote that so many people have squared off against each other in harmful ways during the present debates. He called for everyone to display kindness and empathy during these difficult times and urged cautious restraint in policy decisions. His Holiness also wrote that religion and authentic science are not incompatible. He also expressed significant concern that apparent agendas may be clouding judgment and causing more suffering and confusion. The encyclical ended with an assertion that society must look to God to know what is right. The full text of the encyclical by the Holy Father is given below.u

_______________________

Encyclical “The Present Societal Conditions”

Within the Octave of Saint Lawrence the Deacon and Martyr

Carissimi, the present societal conditions of the pandemic have exposed some of the darkest aspects of human nature. Modern society in its hubris thinks itself to have progressed so much from earlier eras in world history, yet again and again whenever humanity thinks thusly, it proves itself to be no different and no better. While technology and various aspects of life may change, the hearts of man remain constant, stubbornly refusing to love others in the example of Christ.

During this pandemic we have seen an intense breakdown in social infrastructure; we have seen winners and losers be chosen by government decree; we have seen many people with other diseases not receive proper treatment because society acts as if the current pandemic’s disease is the only one that matters; and we have seen the rights of countless individuals and even the sovereignty and rights of Holy Mother the Church trampled underfoot.

Indeed, we have seen countless acts of man’s inhumanity to man, as people choose sides in the various pandemic-related debates and are often willing not only simply not to listen to those on the other side, but to do harm of various types to those who do not think the same. That harm has taken the form of verbal abuse, employment-related damage, financial damage, and even physical assault. Truly society shows itself to have the same dreadful base instincts that it pretends it does not have but has always had.

Also during this pandemic we have seen the darkness of those who seek to control others, even on a large scale. There are those of what is arguably an oligarchy – major businesses and banks that exercise a tremendous amount of direct or indirect political influence – who have profited and are continuing to profit immensely from the conditions imposed by governments during the pandemic. The head of one such company is apparently now poised to become the world’s first personal trillionaire – an amount of money that no individual needs. We see open calls for what has been termed the “great reset,” a complete reordering of society dictated by the virus, not by the doctrine of faith that underlies society. The great technology that has improved so many aspects of life and has even multiplied the ability of Holy Mother the Church to exercise Her earthly ministry ironically has not only enabled fear and panic to spread at a lightning pace over a vast geographical area, but also enabled control mechanisms to be employed much more quickly and efficiently on a wide scale.

The attempt to exercise such control, no matter the stated reason, is nothing more than the arrogance of mankind seeking to play God. Mankind, having turned its back on its Creator, seeks to control that which cannot be controlled. Ultimately such attempts must fail in time, but that does not prevent them from doing massive amounts of harm to others and to society in the process.

Health and even public health must be balanced against other important considerations. Fear and panic must not govern. Groupthink must not drive decision-making, for right is right, even if no one is right, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is wrong. Government leaders and even individuals must not put on blinders and focus only on one issue. Issues must not be solved with a short-term mentality. Faith must be put in God and in God alone. Mankind in its arrogance must not think itself to be equal to God and attempt to control, for it will fall in the process.

At the centre of the debate now is the widespread presence of vaccine mandates in many countries around the world – a trend that no doubt will grow. In Italy, for example, the so-called Green Pass, a document that proves one has been vaccinated against COVID-19, has been mandated to go to a growing list of public places. This has turned many business owners effectively into policeman, which is problematic. It also restricts those who have not been vaccinated from a normal life – apparently potentially even from going to the grocery store. It has even been said that those who are unvaccinated should remain effectively under house arrest. Many churches in Italy are banning those who are unvaccinated, even going so far as to say they are unwelcome. In fact, Our Roman brother the Bishop of Rome is imposed the same restriction on the Vatican City-State, including the Basilica of St. Peter, the very church of the Prince of the Apostles of whom in humility We are temporal successor. Truly We cannot imagine St. Peter or any of our other most holy predecessors making such an abhorrent decision. Certainly We expect they would have been prudent, but not slam shut the doors of the church to any group of people, for the church is for everyone – especially those who are suffering and who are ill. We Ourselves have blessed the sick and the suffering in the Basilica of St. Peter and in St. Peter’s Square within Our city of Rome. That Our brother the Bishop of Rome would impose such a policy is unthinkable to Us. That any of Our brother priests would impose such a policy is likewise unthinkable to Us.

These are not the only such restrictions, though. In some places like the United States, where government mandates, particularly at a federal level, are difficult or impossible, mandates are still going into effect. Rather than being imposed by government, they are imposed by private institutions and employers. In some cases, the choice given is either to get the vaccine or not to work in a particular company, which can easily have career and financial implications. In other cases, employment without the vaccine may still be continued, but there are significant penalties and restrictions imposed.

Such restrictions do not allow for choice of conscience, either, for a significant penalty placed upon a given preferred choice is not in fact real and free choice. Such restrictions and mandates also failed to take into account the many other factors beyond the current issue of the pandemic.

These mandates also bring to the forefront the aforementioned issue of widespread control in the arrogance of mankind. Humanity with all of its technology and all of its scientific advancement has widely abandoned God and sought to replace religion with a vapid humanistic form of scientific philosophy to guide life. This is both sad and ironic since religion and science are not incompatible. Indeed, authentic science is nothing more than an explanation in human language of God’s universe and the way He created it to function. That science progresses and builds on prior knowledge, even sometimes finding that earlier ideas were incorrect, is a result of the vastness of the mind of God, which humanity is incapable of knowing in its entirety. That science is a complex process over time, and new knowledge may demonstrate that old ideas and scientific thought were incorrect should give any rational person pause when serious decisions are made by government and industry that can have wide-reaching, dramatic consequences based on rapidly changing data and science. That a variety of political and other agendas are intertwined with scientific research should give further pause. Many times it is better to exercise prudent and cautious restraint.

Now, We must reiterate that We in general are in favour of vaccines and encourage those who wish to take them to do so, with proper consultation with their own physicians. Yet, in charity we must all be kind and respect those who have hesitancy to take any given vaccine or who refuse them all together – even if we vehemently disagree with the reasons. There are in fact, however, many valid reasons for which some people choose not to take a given vaccine. For example, no Catholic may rightly take a vaccine that is made directly with aborted fetal tissue under any circumstances. We have already spoken on this given Our direction on the matter, including which of the present vaccines are morally acceptable. Others may have medical reasons by which they may not take a vaccine. Yet in the present zeal to vaccinate one and all, exceptions are being challenged – even those who object on religious grounds. Again, a desired choice that comes with a negative consequence is not a free choice at all.

It seems that society is using a stick and honey approach, which should give rational people of faith even more pause. First came the encouragement campaigns, with even some local governments paying people to get vaccines. Then there were certain discretionary recreational activities that some cases required vaccines. Educational campaigns were launched, and various public figures used their popularity to promote getting the vaccine. That was the so-called honey – which failed to produce the results that government perhaps the population wanted. Now has come the stick. Around the world those who fail to comply, even if they have what they believe is a valid reason for not wanting to get the vaccine, suffer often serious consequences. That should give yet again pause to any rational person of faith.

We must therefore insist and encourage caution and rational restraint in mandates, whether they are for vaccines in the present pandemic or for anything else determined by anyone to be, in their opinion, in the best interests of society. One need only look to history to know where this can lead and where it has led. Even if the present vaccine campaign were to be itself positive or at least benign in impact, the precedent it sets to force anything on anyone, even if it goes against their conscience or own determination about what is best for them, sets a dangerous precedent that is quite concerning. It is not that long ago that forced sterilization in the United States was a common practice, for example. That, too, was deemed to be in the best interest of society. And, any society that allows the wholesale murder of millions of unborn children cannot claim that it is making policies in the best interests of society, of health, and of life.

Once again, We commend and applaud all of Our brother clerics and all healthcare workers and others who seek to improve and save life on earth, for the right to life is the most fundamental of all rights – the right upon which all other rights are necessarily dependent. Yet society must not seek to play God, arrogantly attempting to control. Matters of health must be balanced against other factors. We must be skeptical of any policy that seeks, directly or indirectly, to force people to violate their conscience, no matter the real or stated good intentions of that policy. What is good is not defined by government or by popular vote or by an angry mob. It is God and God alone that determines what is good. We look to science to know what to do, it will be to no avail if we do not simultaneously look to God to know what is right.

Reflection for the First Week of Lent from His Holiness and Eminence the Archfather

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 26 February 2021 (NRom)

Reflection for the First Week of Lent
from His Holiness and Eminence the Archfather

Dear brethren, now in this first week of Lent, Americans lower their flags to half-staff for those who have died from COVID-19, and in our beloved Italy, the civil government continues to restrict the free movement of people. It is said in the United States that the death toll is above 500,000. Let us pause, then, to place all of this in perspective as Christian people. 

Consider that approximately 9 million people die each year around the world from starvation. Pause and reflect upon that – 9 million people dead from lack of food. That is worldwide, but it is a number on the order of 20 times more than the number of stated coronavirus deaths in the United States. Very few of those hunger deaths are in the United States, it seems, and thus the problem is so often ignored by Americans. Yet, starvation deaths are only part of the global food problem. Countless more people suffer from health problems stemming from hunger. These numbers were expected to increase dramatically as a result of the pandemic measures, even potentially doubling.

In the United States, currently the wealthiest nation in the world, 35 million people suffer from hunger. That is on the order of 10% of the population. That is inconceivable. 

Now, it is easy, it seems, for Americans to ignore the deaths from starvation since they are almost exclusively outside of American borders. Yet, as Christians we cannot ignore the plight of other people outside our borders, no matter the nationality. Keeping in mind the magnitude of such deaths around the world, which happened every year, not simply during a pandemic, helps to keep in perspective the mortality rate in the United States, Europe, and around the world by the novel coronavirus pandemic. That those pandemic deaths may not be in vain, We counsel that those advanced countries now reflect upon their own mortality and place themselves in solidarity with those in countries that suffer high death rates from starvation, disease, and other causes on an annual basis around the world. 

Also, bearing in mind, again, that starvation, malnutrition, and hunger are ongoing problems, why does the government of the United States and of the various states therein not attack it with the same degree of apparent enthusiasm, rigour, and seriousness with which it employs measures related to COVID-19? There is simply no excuse for a failure to address such a serious, ongoing, and both national and global problem. That is particularly true considering that the various coronavirus measures enacted around the world have disproportionately impacted the poor and vulnerable, i.e., those most at risk for death from starvation, hunger, and malnutrition, as well as other problems. There appears to be no comprehensive plan by the governments of the Western world to address that issue. Financial payments from the public treasury have been entirely insufficient. Meanwhile, certain companies are making massive windfall gains as a result of the measures. 

It is immoral and against the laws of God for any government to impose such measures that ask some to make massive sacrifices for others, particularly while a small subset of the population is reaping massive benefits. Governments that have claimed absolute authority and forced such sacrifices likewise have an absolute responsibility to make their victims completely and entirely whole. That can be done either out of the public treasury, spreading the cost thereby proportionately across a wide number of people in the taxpayer base, as well as by taxing the dramatic windfall gains made by some of the individuals and companies that are wealthy in the extreme. That is not socialist redistribution of wealth, but simple ethics and acceptance of responsibility on the part of the government. 

As we progress through Lent, therefore, let us all offer our own sacrifices and Lenten denials to the benefit not only of the poor souls in purgatory, but to those who are suffering on earth now – especially those who are in danger of death from starvation or mallet he from hunger. Let us work in peace to establish justice on earth.

Patriarchal Letter “Come Holy Ghost” to the People of the World on Septuagesima Sunday

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 31 January 2021 (NRom)

Patriarchal Letter “Come Holy Ghost”

to the People of the World

Septuagesima Sunday

31 January 2021 

RVTHERFORDVS PP. I

COME Holy Ghost, and enlighten the people of the world! As the pre-Lent season begins today with Septuagesima Sunday, the people of the world are rightly tired of the continuation of extreme pandemic measures – and they are rightly tired of corporate oligarchy that is making tremendous windfall gains the longer the pandemic measures continue. As oligarchs grow fatter, and more powerful, countless people lose their jobs, see their businesses fail, and cannot find work. Governments around the world who claim to be for the rights and welfare of mankind instead force this outcome that adds to the already swollen moneybags of massive corporations while destroying the lives, mental health, and even physical health of others – all without the promised compensation for their sacrifice. If nothing else, this pandemic has laid bare the true motivations of companies, and it has laid bare true loyalties of government. 

It has been asked “Who will pay for all of this compensation? How can we actually afford to compensate those who have lost?” Yet if it is not the massive oligarchs who have made approximately one trillion dollars since the pandemic began, and if it is not to be spread around proportionately to the entirety of taxpayers, then the only other option is to force the sacrifice upon those very people who have lost their jobs and lost their businesses. What right do governments have to pick winners and losers? That is what they are doing and what they have done during the pandemic. What right do governments have to harm certain people and demand the sacrifice from a subset of the population while others are unscathed or even thrive? It is a complete and utter abdication of their obligations under God as leaders of government. In Italy, the premier maneuvers to avoid being voted out, despite the growing vox populi. In Britain, bishops demand evidence of justification for continued church shutdowns, which has not been forthcoming. In the United States, the physical fence recently installed around the US Capitol and the White House serves as a metaphor for the continued insulation and isolation of government from the people, not just in America, but around the world. It is a sorry state of affairs. 

Yet, Holy Mother the Church was instituted by Christ for all humanity, great and small. Christ hung on the Cross for everyone, regardless of fleeting national borders and deep ethnic and cultural identity. The caring nature of Christ’s Holy Church extends to everyone, even to those who do not believe and do not profess the Christian faith. 

As the governments of the world abdicate their responsibility, for which they will answer to God and for which We earnestly hope for their reconciliation in the love of Christ, the Holy Church instead will continue to speak and advocate and work for the condition of all mankind. We do not measure victory in a popular vote count, in money, or in buildings. Rather, we count our victory as saving what souls we can and helping those whom we can help. When St. Lawrence, that great Roman Deacon and Martyr was asked to show the government officials the true treasure of the Church that they had heard was in his keeping, he agreed and showed them the poor of Rome. 

The problem is so vast, as it has always been in one way or another, that it is tempting to say that our own organisational or individual efforts are in vain. However, to do so is to abandon our faith. It is that very vastness as well that governments exploit, saying that they are the only ones, alongside their oligarch partners, who can have any hope of success. Do not fall into the trap of believing that lie. It is only God that has the power to help us with problems on such an immense scale. Let us not believe that mere human agency is sufficient, for it has never been as history plainly shows. Yes, government has an absolute responsibility to help the people in its borders and even without its borders according to its ability, using the public treasury to do so. However, it is not government that is the dispenser of good, but rather we may only consider it an instrument for helping to do the work of God. Therefore, its legitimacy only comes when it does indeed employ its resources and doing the work of God. 

Each of us likewise has the capacity to be an instrument of God, helping those whom God puts in our path. We cannot and must not be concerned with numbers or other superficialities. Rather, let us each seek every day to attempt to do God’s will in all that we do, taking opportunities to help others as they arise, ever vigilant of those who may be in need.

Rutherfordus Ap. I
Servant of the Servants of Christ

Archfather Responds Regarding the Right to Life

By Jean DuBois

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 29 January 2021 (ORCNS)

Earlier today His Holiness and Eminence the Archfather gave an allocution in response to a recent executive order of the American president. The executive order promoted and sought to provide funding for expansion of abortions around the world. Other Catholic leaders joined in the opposition with similar statements. The complete text of the allocution is as follows:

__________________________

Archpatral Allocution on the Right to Life

regarding Recent Executive Orders

of Joseph Biden acting as

President of the United States

THE current wealth and power of the American Republic, held for what is thus far a relatively brief period in the history of world civilisation, conveys upon it tremendous responsibility in the use of both. It also makes the affairs and decisions of the United States in so many cases the business of the world, for the actions of the American government quite often have impact, even lasting impact on other nations. It is with this in mind that We, whose own nation’s history extends over twelve hundred years and involves the spreading of the saving grace and freedom of the Christian faith to all corners of the world, must and will respond to the grave and troubling orders issued recently by the American president regarding the right to life and funding for abortions, even outside of the United States political borders.

The President referred to abortion access as “…protecting women's health at home and abroad.” No one who professes the Catholic faith may in any way consider this to be legitimate, for the scourge of abortion is in no way a simple matter of healthcare. The president by that order apparently seeks to provide massive amounts of United States federal funding to organisations that provide abortions around the world. US citizens and others resident in the United States who love Christ, therefore, called by Us to petition government representatives in order to seek this order being stopped, block, or rescinded. Such is the duty of all who love Christ, for, while the First and Great Commandment is that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our mind, and all our spirit, the Second Great Commandment is that we love our neighbour as ourselves. It is that very love and those two commandments, from which all other commandments derive, that we see in the form of Christ pendant upon the Cross. How, then, can the Christian faithful turn a blind eye not only to the United States governmental endorsement of the wholesale murder of over one million children every year, so many of them from among the impoverished and ethnic minorities, but also to the current United States government effort to expand the work of both domestic and global murder factories?

We cannot call ourselves Christians if we profess to believe, but leave those beliefs with in the four walls of the church as we leave Sunday to go out in the world. Rather, we are all called to take that faith, flowing from the altar of God, the very Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross in which we participate during the mass, out into the world. God calls upon us to live our faith in our daily lives, in the workplace, and in our political participation. Filled with the fire of Christ, do not let your voice be silenced by anyone when you are speaking the truth of Christ.

As we fast approach the Lenten season, let us all around the world to dedicate ourselves spiritual acts against the persecutors of the church, that all may be called to repentance and reconciliation with Christ and His Holy Church.

Archfather Releases Statement on Vaccine Ethics, Correcting Vatican Position

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 23 December 2020

The following Patriarchal Letter of His Holiness and Eminence the Archfather Rutherford I was released today by the Patriarchal Household. The original Italian and English translation text are provided. 

Lettera Patriarcale "Siamo costretti dal dovere"

mercoledì 23 dicembre 2020

Ai fedeli cristiani:

Siamo costretti dal dovere, e alla luce dei recenti commenti del nostro confratello Romano, a chiarire la posizione dottrinale cristiana riguardo all'attuale serie di vaccini contro il coronavirus. La domanda principale su cui scriviamo è il quesito se i vaccini prodotti con cellule staminali da feti abortiti possano essere utilizzate nel caso in cui non siano disponibili altri vaccini. Quindi Noi dobbiamo correggere la dichiarazione Vaticana recente. 

Questi vaccini sono stati giustamente oggetto di molti dibattiti morali, considerati la crisi umanitaria che circonda la risposta dei governi civili alla pandemia, la rapidità con cui i vaccini sono stati portati al pubblico, ed il grado in cui il governo civile e le organizzazioni private ne hanno fortemente promosso l'uso. È ragionevole che le ditte farmaceutiche e la comunità medica cerchino di applicare la conoscenza della creazione di Dio all'alleviamento della sofferenza. Tuttavia, lo sviluppo dei prodotti farmaceutici deve essere entro i limiti della dottrina morale. La cura di una malattia non potrebbe comportare un atto intrinsecamente malvagio. L'atto intrinsecamente malvagio qui studiato è il grado in cui lo sviluppo del vaccino comporta l'uso di cellule staminali da feti abortiti. Un certo numero di vaccini, anche se apparentemente hanno usato tali cellule nelle prime fasi d’esperimenti animali, ma utilizzati secondo le loro dichiarazioni e per quanto la Nostra conoscenza nessuna cellula staminale da feti abortiti nella produzione effettiva del vaccino. Anche se non possiamo essere d’accordo col'uso di tali cellule staminali anche nelle fasi di prova, il collegamento alle fasi di prova precedenti è così remoto e l'effettiva produzione del vaccino, cioè lo sviluppo di quella sostanza che viene iniettata nel corpo, non ha utilizzato cellule staminali da feti abortiti, e quindi i Cristifedeli possono utilizzare legittimamente e moralmente tali vaccini se scelgono di farlo. 

Venendo ancora alla questione se i vaccini prodotti con cellule staminali da feti abortiti possano essere utilizzati nel caso in cui non siano disponibili altri vaccini, siamo legato dal Nostro dovere pastorale ad affermare con autorità che tali vaccini non possono essere utilizzati, perché farlo è la cooperazione diretta non solo con il male intrinseco, ma con una delle più grandi piaghe della civiltà moderna. Qualsiasi pastore religioso che insegni o proclami il contrario parla falsamente e contro la Dottrina della Santa Fede Cattolica. I fedeli devono resistere tanto quanto sono in grado di prendere tali vaccini. Allo stesso modo, i governi civili del mondo devono proibire ed assicurare, anche attraverso le frontere nazionali, che i vaccini contro il coronavirus che non hanno utilizzato cellule staminali da feti abortiti nella loro produzione siano messi a disposizione di tutti coloro che desiderano prendere il vaccino.

Tuttavia, dobbiamo ribadire ancora una volta ciò che abbiamo detto nella Nostra enciclica “Fede Deve Guidare” del maggio di quest'anno:

"Diciamo innanzitutto che generalmente crediamo che il concetto di vaccini sia positivo e complessivamente vantaggioso. L'interrogazione riguarda specificamente chi dovrebbe e può decidere se ricevere o meno una vaccinazione particolare. Inoltre, per quanto riguarda i vaccini contro il coronavirus in fase di sviluppo, vi è un'ulteriore preoccupazione per la rapida natura dello sviluppo di tali vaccini, che potrebbe comportare un vaccino reso problematico. C'è anche una marcata mancanza di conoscenza del nuovo coronavirus stesso, poiché la gran parte di ciò che si pensava fosse assolutamente vero da alcuni scienziati diversi mesi fa ed è stato usato come giustificazione per diverse misure governative severe e oppressive contro il pubblico è stato ora rivisto drasticamente. La mancanza di conoscenze concrete è una questione seria che deve essere affrontata dalla comunità medica e scientifica prima che qualsiasi vaccino venga rilasciato per uso pubblico.”

Auguriamo ai Cristifedeli del mondo un benedetto stagione del Santo Natale nella speranza in Christ che tempi più tranquilli nel prossimo futuro vengano.

Ego Arichpater R.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

Patriarchal Letter “Siamo costretti dal dovere”

23 December 2020

To the Christian Faithful:

We are compelled by duty, and in light of recent commentary by our fellow Roman brother, to clarify the Christian doctrinal position regarding the current series of coronavirus vaccines. The key question on which We write is the issue of whether vaccines that were produced with aborted fetal stem cells may be used in the case that no other vaccines are available. Therefore We must correct the recent Vatican statement. 

These vaccines have rightly been the subject of much moral debate, given both the humanitarian crisis surrounding the government response to the pandemic, the speed with which the vaccines have been brought to the public, and the degree to which civil government and private organisations have strongly promoted their use. It is reasonable that pharmaceutical companies and the medical community would seek to apply knowledge of God’s creation to the alleviation of suffering. Yet, the development of pharmaceuticals must be within the bounds of moral doctrine. The cure to a disease may not involve an intrinsically evil act. The intrinsically evil act here being investigated is the degree to which vaccine development involves the use of stem cells from aborted fetuses. A number of the vaccines, although they apparently used such cells in early animal test phases, used according to their own statements and to Our best knowledge no stem cells from aborted fetuses in the actual production of the vaccine. Although We cannot condone the use of such stem cells even in test phases, the connection to the earlier test phases is so remote and the actual production of the vaccine, i.e., the development of that substance which is being injected into the body, did not use aborted fetal stem cells, and thus the faithful may legitimately and morally use such vaccines if they choose to do so. 

Now coming to the issue of whether vaccines that were produced with aborted fetal stem cells may be used in the case that no other vaccines are available, We are bound by Our pastoral duty to state with authority that such vaccines may not be used, for to do so is direct cooperation with not only intrinsic evil, but one of the greatest plagues upon modern civilisation. Any religious leader who teaches or proclaims otherwise is speaking falsely and against the Doctrine of the Holy Catholic Faith. The faithful must resist as much as they are able taking any such vaccines. Similarly, the governments of the world must band such vaccines and insure, even across national borders, that coronavirus vaccines that did not use aborted fetal stem cells in their production be made available to all those who wish to take the vaccine.

However, We must again reiterate what We said in Our encyclical Faith Must Guide of May of this year:

“Let Us first state that We generally believe the concept of vaccines to be positive and overall beneficial. The question here relates specifically to who ethically should and can make the decision regarding whether or not to receive a particular vaccination. Furthermore, regarding the coronavirus vaccines being developed, there is a further concern of the rapid nature of development of said vaccines, which could result in a vaccine rendered problematic. There is also a marked lack of knowledge about the novel coronavirus itself, for much of what was thought to be absolutely true by some scientists several months ago and was used as justification for widespread severe and oppressive government measures against the public has now been revised dramatically. The lack of concrete knowledge is a serious question that must be addressed by the medical and scientific community before any vaccine is released for public use.”

We wish the Christian faithful of the world a blessed Christmas season in the hope in Christ for more peaceful times to come in the near future.

Ego Arichpater R.