Catholic bishops vow to resist blue state law intruding on ‘sacred’ trust: ‘Obey God rather than men’
The Catholic bishops of Washington state are resisting a new law signed by Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson that they say would violate the seal of confession, which would result in excommunication for any priest who complies. Spokane, Washington, Bishop Thomas Daly released a statement in response to the law in which he said that he and his priests “are committed to keeping the seal of confession – even to the point of going to jail.” The new law, signed last week by Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson, who is Catholic, added “members of the clergy” to a list of professionals who are required to report information that relates to child abuse or neglect to law enforcement, and the measure does not provide an exception for information offered at a confessional. The law is set to go into effect on July 26. A central tenet of the Catholic sacrament of confession is that priests are bound by an absolute seal of confidentiality, an obligation that requires them to keep anything learned in confession a secret. Violating this tenet results in what is called “excommunication,” which cuts a person off from the church and eternal life, according to Catholic teaching. DOJ INVESTIGATING ‘ANTI-CATHOLIC’ WASHINGTON STATE LAW REQUIRING CLERGY TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE While Daly said that his diocese has a zero-tolerance policy regarding child sexual abuse and that the church would “do everything within our power to keep your children safe,” he said the “Sacrament of Penance is sacred and will remain that way in the Diocese of Spokane.” Seattle Archbishop Paul Etienne framed the issue as a question of whether the clergy is “answerable to God or state.” He quoted a scripture passage that reads, “We must obey God rather than men.” “This is our stance now in the face of this new law. Catholic clergy may not violate the seal of confession – or they will be excommunicated from the Church,” said Etienne, adding: “All Catholics must know and be assured that their confessions remain sacred, secure, confidential and protected by the law of the Church.” CHOOSING AN AMERICAN POPE ‘CANNOT BE AN ACCIDENT,’ SAYS PAUL MAURO Etienne said that the law cuts to the heart of the First Amendment’s ban on the state either establishing or prohibiting the free exercise of a religion. “Once the state asserts the right to dictate religious practices and coerce information obtained within this sacrament – privileged communication – where is the line drawn between Church and state? What else may the state now demand the right to know? Which other religious practices will it try to legislate?” asked the archbishop. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division opened an investigation into the law for possible violations of the First Amendment’s religious protections. A statement by the division said that the new law “singles out ‘members of the clergy’ as the only ‘supervisors’ who may not rely on applicable legal privileges, including religious confessions, as a defense to mandatory reporting.” BROOKLYN BISHOP BRENNAN ON WHAT POPE LEO XIV MEANS FOR THE CHURCH “The law appears to single out clergy as not entitled to assert applicable privileges, as compared to other reporting professionals,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We take this matter very seriously and look forward to Washington State’s cooperation with our investigation,” said Dhillon. Bishop Joseph Tyson of Yakima, Washington, posted on Facebook that he was grateful for the Justice Department’s investigation, saying that the bishops’ attempts to meet with the governor about the law had gone unanswered. “I realize that many may disagree but in a way that parallels attorney client privilege, the seal of confession allows the penitent to come to grips with moral accountability and culpability,” said Tyson. “We want to hope and pray that the heart of an offender would be so moved by the mercy of God and the guidance of the skilled clergy that it would necessarily lead to an encounter beyond the sacramental seal with law enforcement.” Ferguson did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Florida state lawmaker who recently ditched Democratic label announces gubernatorial bid
Florida state Sen. Jason Pizzo, who announced last month that he was switching from Democrat to no party affiliation, has revealed that he plans a Sunshine State gubernatorial bid. “Yes I am,” Pizzo said after CBS News Miami’s Jim Defede asked the state senator whether he plans to run for governor. In a written statement to Fox News Digital, Pizzo declared, “Florida is ready for someone to put people before party, and get back to basics in public service. The state is facing significant fiscal and resiliency challenges, and I’m [the] best one to guide us through.” SUNSHINE STATE DEM ANNOUNCES SWITCH TO NO AFFILIATION: ‘DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN FLORIDA IS DEAD’ Current Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican who is currently serving his second term, is not eligible to run for governor again in 2026. The state constitution stipulates, “No person who has, or but for resignation would have, served as governor or acting governor for more than six years in two consecutive terms shall be elected governor for the succeeding term.” FLORIDA STATE SENATOR WHO QUIT DEMOCRATIC PARTY SLAMS IT AS ‘RUDDERLESS’ AND ‘WITHOUT DIRECTION’ U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla. announced a bid for the job in February after President Donald Trump publicly urged him to do so. DESANTIS SIGNS BILL BANNING FLUORIDE ADDITIVES IN FLORIDA PUBLIC WATER: ‘HYDRATE, NOT MEDICATE’ “Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!” Trump declared in a February Truth Social post.
Trump signs EO offering illegal migrants ‘exit bonus’ in first-ever self-deportation program
President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order establishing the first ever self-deportation program which incentivizes illegal migrants to voluntarily leave the country in a free flight and with a cash bonus. The new program, titled “Project Homecoming,” authorizes government-funded flights and offers money to illegal migrants willing to self-deport. Trump announced the signing of the order in a video post on Truth Social and said that the program will end up saving taxpayers “billions and billions” of dollars. DHS UNLEASHES POSSIBLE MONEY-SAVING MEASURE FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS TO SELF-DEPORT: ‘SAFEST OPTION’ “We are making it as easy as possible for illegal aliens to leave America. Any illegal alien can simply show up at an airport and receive a free flight out of our country,” Trump said. “Illegals can book a free flight to any foreign country as long as it’s not here. You can go anywhere you want.” Trump added that illegal migrants will be offered a “very important exit bonus” to leave. Homeland Security said earlier this week that migrants would be offered a $1,000 stipend each to leave. The department said this will be 70% cheaper for American taxpayers, as it currently costs DHS, on average, over $17,000 to arrest, detain, and deport someone. “This deportation bonus will save American taxpayers billions and billions of dollars,” Trump said. ICE FILES DETAINERS AGAINST 2 ILLEGAL ALIENS, INCLUDING 1 FACING ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES FOR SHOOTING SPREE He advised illegal migrants to use the Homeland Security CBP One app to arrange their deportations. The Biden-era app was previously used to expedite migrants to schedule appointments at official ports of entry before they were paroled into the U.S. That function was ended on the first day of Trump’s second term and the app is now being used to encourage migrants to self-deport and notify some migrants that their legal status has been revoked. Trump said that there would be stiff consequences for those who do not comply with his order, but added that migrants who have behaved in the U.S. may get a chance to come back in – as long as they follow the rules of the new plan. “Illegal aliens who stay in America face punishments, including significant jail time, enormous financial penalties, confiscation of all property, garnishment of all wages, imprisonment and incarceration and sudden deportation, in a place, and manner solely of our discretion,” Trump said. “So to all illegal aliens who book your free flight right now, we want you out of America. But if you’re really good, we’re going to try and help you get back in.” The White House said the financial incentives will benefit Americans in the long-term, given it estimates that illegal migrants will cost taxpayers $150 billion in FY 2023 alone. “Over the last 4 years, the United States has endured a full-scale invasion of aliens entering and remaining in the country illegally, causing a relentless onslaught of crime, vagrancy, violence, and death in countless American communities,” the White House said in a statement. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “This lawless invasion has also limited the capacity of American schools and hospitals to provide for American citizens and has diverted billions of dollars in Federal, State, and local social services from Americans in need.” Trump also took a shot at former President Biden, whose administration oversaw record numbers of border crossers. “What Biden did to this country can never be explained. Will never, ever be accepted. Eventually, when the illegals are gone, it will save us trillions of dollars,” Trump said.
Delhi-NCR Weather Update: Light rain with strong winds turns weather pleasant, check forecast
Delhi Weather Update: Delhi-NCR weather suddenly turned pleasant after strong and cool winds swept across the region, however, the city also experienced dust storm. In a big relief from the scorching heat, some drizzling was also witnessed.
Shashi Tharoor highlights significance of name ‘Operation Sindoor’: ‘Colour of Sindoor not very different from…’
‘Operation Sindoor’ was launched by the Indian armed forces in the early hours of May 7, successfully destroying nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).
THIS Indian missile, hailed as Indian army’s hero, failed Pakistani attacks overnight
All of Pakistan’s aerial attacks were thwarted by India’s Iron Dome, known as the Akash Air Defense System. The Army successfully showcased the missile’s accuracy and speed last year, with Akash precisely hitting targets flying swiftly in the sky.
India, Pakistan agree to full and immediate ceasefire, says US President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump announced that India and Pakistan have agreed to full and immediate ceasefire.
Why longtime Trump ally and former Republican Gov. Paul LePage is aiming for a political comeback
LEWISTON, MAINE – EXCLUSIVE – Former two-term Gov. Paul LePage of Maine says President Donald Trump is a major reason why he’s coming out of political retirement at age 76 – and he’s eyeing a campaign comeback. “I never, ever had any aspirations to go to Washington until now,” LePage said this week in his first national interview after launching his bid for the House in Maine’s Second Congressional District, which is a top swing seat the GOP aims to flip in the 2026 midterm elections. The contest will likely be one of the most closely watched House races in the country next year as the Republicans aim to hold their fragile majority in the chamber. “Donald Trump, I think, is doing what is necessary in addressing the debt this country is facing. And I think that’s a big, big thing for me,” LePage said as he was interviewed in the Maine city where he was born and raised. HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN CHAIR SPELLS OUT HIS PLAYBOOK TO HOLD THE CONGRESSIONAL MAJORITY LePage highlighted, “I have a friend in the White House right now. I know President Trump. I think I can have an audience of President Trump. I know several of his secretaries very well. And so I think this is a good time. It’s a good time for me to go help.” LePage – the brash and blunt politician who won over blue-collar workers struggling with economic woes, which helped the Republican businessman win election and re-election in the blue-leaning state – was one of the first major GOP elected officials to endorse Trump when the president first ran for the White House nearly a decade ago. “I was Donald Trump before Donald Trump became popular,” LePage joked at the time, in a line that’s since become famous. The conservative governor, who grabbed national attention with controversial comments made during his tenure, briefly moved with his wife, Ann, to Florida after finishing his second term in 2019. “I am done with politics. I have done my eight years. It’s time for somebody else,” he said at the time. CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS TARGETING THESE HOUSE REPUBLICANS IN 2026 MIDTERM BATTLE But LePage re-established residency in Maine five years ago and challenged his successor as governor, Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, in the 2022 election. LePage ended up losing his bid for a third term by 13 points to Mills, but he did carry the 2nd Congressional District in that race. Moderate Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, a U.S. Marine veteran who deployed to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and who often bucks his own party in Congress, has held the seat since first winning it in 2018. But Golden won re-election by a razor-thin margin last year in the district, which is the second-most rural in the U.S. and the largest east of the Mississippi River. And Trump, who carried the district in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential elections by nine, seven and 10 points, earned an electoral vote each time, as Maine and Nebraska, are the only two states in the union to allocate their electoral votes partially by congressional district. MAINE’S GOLDEN TAKES AIM AT FELLOW DEMOCRATS OVER POLICY Golden, in a statement after LePage announced his candidacy, said, “I thought Paul was doing his best work in retirement.” But the 42-year-old Golden has yet to announce whether he’ll seek re-election next year or instead run for either the state’s Senate seat or the open governor’s office. In his Fox News interview, LePage reiterated that the nation’s debt is a top motivation for him to return to politics. As of May 8, the national debt was $36,212,886,111,158.26, according to Fox News’ National Debt Tracker. “It’s the spending and the debt that this country has, and I’m worried about my grandchildren, great-grandchildren. And I think we have a president now that’s really willing to tackle it, and I’m willing to help,” he said. But LePage added that “the other thing that is really big is what’s happening in our country with the woke environment. I think I want to be there to help clean that up if we can. Having boys play in girls’ sports is really sad.” He also highlighted his Tuesday meeting—part of a three-day swing through the congressional district—with Maine student Cassidy Carlisle, whom he described as “the courageous young woman fighting unfair male competition in girls’ sports.” Maine’s 2nd Congressional District shares a long border with Canada. When asked if he’ll be spotlighting border security and immigration as major issues in his campaign, Lepage said, “Big time.” But the controversial tariffs the president placed on nations across the globe last month has strained relations with Canada. “I’m all for the tariffs,” LePage said. “The tariffs will fix our international trade and lower taxes.” LePage acknowledged: “Is it going to hurt in the short term? Yeah, it’s going to hurt a little bit in the short term, but I think it’s necessary.” And he predicted that “the tariffs are going to be a short-term problem. I think they’re going to settle out.” LePage spoke with Fox News at Lewiston’s Franco Center, a performing arts center and historic site of Franco-American culture located in a former Gothic church built in 1907 for French Canadian immigrants in Maine, which is located alongside the city’s historical mills and canals. The former governor, who survived a troubling and often brutal upbringing, gave Fox News a tour of the many dwellings within blocks of the Franco Center, where he spent his childhood. The eldest son of 18 children, LePage grew up speaking French in an impoverished home with an alcoholic and abusive father who was a mill worker. At age 11, he ran away from home after his father beat him and broke his nose. He lived on the streets of Lewiston and often crashed on friends’ couches for a couple of years before earning a living shining shoes, washing dishes at a restaurant, and haling boxes for a local truck
India-Pakistan War: Video showing EAM Jaishankar apologising is FAKE! WATCH here
The government has cautioned citizens against a fake video, widely being circulated online, showing External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar apologising to the world amid the ongoing war with Pakistan
Delhi Weather: Yellow Alert issued, forecast for rain, expected for few more days
Delhi Weather: Yellow Alert issued, forecast for rain, expected for few more days