(LifeSiteNews) — In the world of pro-life journalism and advocacy, LifeSiteNews has stood as a beacon of truth for over two decades, committed to defending the sanctity of life, the integrity of faith, the strength of family, and the pursuit of freedom. Yet, recent events have sparked a wave of online agitation, with some voices, including Father James Altman, calling for readers to “defund” our organization and “cancel your donations.” It’s a saddening development, one that overlooks the heart of what LifeSiteNews truly is: not the work of a single individual but a collaborative effort by over 60 dedicated staff members and their families, who pour their lives into this mission every day.
From our inception, LifeSiteNews has always been about the team – a larger group of committed individuals and families who sacrifice time, energy, and often personal comfort to bring you unfiltered news and analysis. These are not faceless entities but real people: researchers digging deep into stories, writers crafting compelling narratives, editors ensuring accuracy, and support staff handling the logistics that keep everything running smoothly. It’s never been about one person; it’s about this extended family united in purpose.
Consider the calls to “defund LifeSite.” Who exactly is being targeted here? Is it the hardworking researchers who uncover critical topics and prepare detailed show notes? The lighting and camera crews who ensure our videos are professional and engaging? The video editors who spend hours perfecting each segment? The graphics artists who create eye-catching imagery? The team brainstorming headlines to capture attention? The social media specialists who promote our content across platforms, reaching millions? The engineering staff who maintain our video servers and website, ensuring reliability in an era of censorship? Or the email coordinators who prepare daily sends to keep our subscribers informed? These individuals – many of them parents raising families grounded in faith – don’t deserve to have their livelihoods threatened. They are the unsung heroes behind every article, every show, and every breakthrough story.
Take, for instance, our recent joys and trials within the LifeSite family. In the past couple of weeks, we’ve celebrated the births of two new lives: Nicholas welcomed his baby girl, Stella, into the world, and Tim joyfully announced the arrival of his son, John Patrick. These moments remind us that our work is intertwined with the very values we defend – life and family. Yet, even as we’ve navigated internal transitions, including the recent board decision regarding John-Henry Westen’s role, one of our staff members has been at the hospital bedside of his father, who is battling late-stage sarcoma. Amid the online storm, this colleague has had to balance profound personal grief with the demands of our mission.
At a time when these good people should be receiving prayers and support from those who’ve benefited from their tireless efforts, many are instead fielding angry phone calls – often laced with unchristian language – and vitriolic emails. This surge of hostility, fueled by gossip and agitation from figures like Father Altman and others, stands in stark contrast to the Christian call to love one’s brother. As St. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:31-32, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” True charity doesn’t manifest in rage or division; it builds up the body of Christ.
We are deeply grateful to those who see beyond the noise of the internet rage machine. To our faithful supporters who recognize that LifeSiteNews is powered by over 60 staff members and their families – all dedicated to delivering the best news and programming on life, faith, family, and freedom – thank you. Your continued support ensures that this vital work endures, not for the glory of any one person but for the common good of protecting life and defending truth.
In these challenging times, let us pray for unity, discernment, and charity. And pray for those of us at LifeSiteNews who remain committed to our mission, bolstered by the collective strength of our fantastic team. With your support, we will continue to shine a light in the darkness.
