VATICAN CITY, 1 DEC 2008 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for December is: "That, faced by the growing expansion of the culture of violence and death, the Church may courageously promote the culture of life through all her apostolic and missionary activities".
His mission intention is: "That, especially in mission countries, Christians may show through gestures of brotherliness that the Child born in the grotto in Bethlehem is the luminous Hope of the world".
BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/DECEMBER/... VIS 081201 (90)
Monday, December 01, 2008
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
2.9M Hispanic Voters get Anti-Obama Email from Hispanic Bishop (English Version)
WASHINGTON, October 31 /Christian Newswire/ -- Randall Terry and William Greene are available to comment on this project and the recent drop in Catholic support for Obama.
Randall Terry says: "Bishop Gracida's radio ad is causing a massive uproar and major defection from Obama in the Catholic Community. This may be the first time in American history that an election is determined by Hispanics and a Catholic Bishop."
The letter was sent in Spanish. The following text and audio clip From Catholic Bishop Rene H. Gracida was sent this morning (Friday, October 31) to 2.9 Million Hispanic Voters via email.
Bishop Gracida's ad is running on radio and TV in swing states. Here is the English Translation of the Spanish text that was sent to 2.9 million Hispanic voters.
Dear Friends:
We only have days left before a critical election to elect a new president. In this moment, like no other moment in history, Hispanic votes will decide the future of the United States. That means that we have a great weight of responsibility.
During this election, there are many Catholics who have told the Catholic people that it is ok to vote for Obama for president.
That is simply not true. Unfortunately, it is a lie.
Please, read the words of a beloved Hispanic bishop, Bishop Rene H. Gracida, who has faithfully served the Hispanic Catholics of Florida and Texas.
"I am Bishop Rene A. Gracida, reminding all Catholics that they need to vote in these elections with an informed conscience.
A Catholic cannot say that he/she voted in this election in good conscience if he/she votes for a candidate in favor of abortion.
Barak Hussein Obama is a candidate in favor of abortion."
This magnificent message of our dear Bishop is available as a radio ad that can be aired on Hispanic radio stations. Click here to listen to this ad. (Haga clic aquí para escuchar este anuncio.) If you are interested in spreading this message to other Hispanic voters and if you want to give us a donation so that other Catholics can listen to Bishop Gracida, please give what you can as soon as possible. Click here to contribute to our cause. (Haga clic aquí para contribuir a nuestra causa.)
When we enter the voting booth, we must not forget that Obama supports the killing of unborn babies even until the day they are to be born. This, in the eyes of God, is murder.
We must not help someone who has the intention of killing babies - especially Hispanic babies. It is a fact that Obama has used our tax dollars to place abortion clinics in Hispanic neighborhoods.
Remember that our loyalty to our Lord Jesus Christ is much more important than any political party.
It is your decision for whom you want to vote. There are many candidates that are against the culture of death, who support life and who love the United States and our people, but as Bishop Gracida said - We cannot vote for Obama with a clear conscience.
Again we ask you to give a gift if you can so that more people can listen to Bishop Gracida’s ad, and we also ask for your prayers for this cause in defense of life.
And we ask you to send this message to your friends and your family.
As Catholics, we understand that we owe everything to our God and our Mother, the Virgin of Guadalupe.
May God bless you and whatever happens, remember the words of Bishop Gracida when you enter the voting booth this Tuesday.
Sincerely,
Norma Nelly Vielma
Paid for by the RightMarch.com PAC. Not endorsed by any candidate or campaign committee. Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Christian Newswire
Randall Terry says: "Bishop Gracida's radio ad is causing a massive uproar and major defection from Obama in the Catholic Community. This may be the first time in American history that an election is determined by Hispanics and a Catholic Bishop."
The letter was sent in Spanish. The following text and audio clip From Catholic Bishop Rene H. Gracida was sent this morning (Friday, October 31) to 2.9 Million Hispanic Voters via email.
Bishop Gracida's ad is running on radio and TV in swing states. Here is the English Translation of the Spanish text that was sent to 2.9 million Hispanic voters.
Dear Friends:
We only have days left before a critical election to elect a new president. In this moment, like no other moment in history, Hispanic votes will decide the future of the United States. That means that we have a great weight of responsibility.
During this election, there are many Catholics who have told the Catholic people that it is ok to vote for Obama for president.
That is simply not true. Unfortunately, it is a lie.
Please, read the words of a beloved Hispanic bishop, Bishop Rene H. Gracida, who has faithfully served the Hispanic Catholics of Florida and Texas.
"I am Bishop Rene A. Gracida, reminding all Catholics that they need to vote in these elections with an informed conscience.
A Catholic cannot say that he/she voted in this election in good conscience if he/she votes for a candidate in favor of abortion.
Barak Hussein Obama is a candidate in favor of abortion."
This magnificent message of our dear Bishop is available as a radio ad that can be aired on Hispanic radio stations. Click here to listen to this ad. (Haga clic aquí para escuchar este anuncio.) If you are interested in spreading this message to other Hispanic voters and if you want to give us a donation so that other Catholics can listen to Bishop Gracida, please give what you can as soon as possible. Click here to contribute to our cause. (Haga clic aquí para contribuir a nuestra causa.)
When we enter the voting booth, we must not forget that Obama supports the killing of unborn babies even until the day they are to be born. This, in the eyes of God, is murder.
We must not help someone who has the intention of killing babies - especially Hispanic babies. It is a fact that Obama has used our tax dollars to place abortion clinics in Hispanic neighborhoods.
Remember that our loyalty to our Lord Jesus Christ is much more important than any political party.
It is your decision for whom you want to vote. There are many candidates that are against the culture of death, who support life and who love the United States and our people, but as Bishop Gracida said - We cannot vote for Obama with a clear conscience.
Again we ask you to give a gift if you can so that more people can listen to Bishop Gracida’s ad, and we also ask for your prayers for this cause in defense of life.
And we ask you to send this message to your friends and your family.
As Catholics, we understand that we owe everything to our God and our Mother, the Virgin of Guadalupe.
May God bless you and whatever happens, remember the words of Bishop Gracida when you enter the voting booth this Tuesday.
Sincerely,
Norma Nelly Vielma
Paid for by the RightMarch.com PAC. Not endorsed by any candidate or campaign committee. Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Christian Newswire
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
'Jane Roe' Releases Video for JustONEJudge.com, Encouraging Millions of Americans to Vote to Support a Culture of Life
Join Norma McCorvey and Bella Star Eduardo Verastegui in web campaign to collect 2 million e-signatures on the JustONEJudge.com petition.
CLEVELAND, October 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- "Jane Roe", Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff in the Roe v. Wade case 35 years ago that legalized abortion released a video today at www.JustONEJudge.com urging people to vote November 4th because of the far-reaching effects of the Supreme Court nominations by the next president and confirmation by United States Senators . See the compelling appeal of Norma McCorvey at http://www.JustONEJudge.com.
"This is the first time I've felt I really had a voice in what was going on in terms of really reversing the decision of the Supreme Court," said Norma McCorvey. "I'm proud to be pro-life now rather than pro-abortion."
"Ten years ago, McCorvey began speaking publicly on the abortion issue from a Christian and pro-life perspective. Her knowledge of the pro-life movement and the abortion industry from the
time when she was the anonymous plaintiff in the Supreme Court provides her with a unique perspective."
"I'm working as a catalyst to assist other pro- life individuals and organizations in their particular areas of expertise. Just ONE Judge is so important because it emphasizes how one person can make a difference. I know how important one person is and I want to do what I can to get 2 million individuals to sign the pledge," said McCorvey.
The goals of the JustONEJudge.com campaign are twofold: 1) to emphasize the importance of one individual's vote and how each person can educate himself or herself on find out where the candidates stand on the issue of life, and 2) to sign the online petition to be presented to the next president and Senate, demonstrating the large numbers of citizens who are passionate about the issue of life.
"This issue needs to return to the states, so citizens can lobby their state legislatures for laws that protect the dignity of all human life from the moment of conception through natural death..." said Jason Jones, founder of Just ONE Judge.
The JustONEJudge.com campaign asks Americans to study all the candidates and to pledge their votes to candidates who will support the nomination and confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice who values life.
Joe Condit, National Grassroots Director of Just ONE Judge said, "This election is not about party or politics, but something far more important. It's about preserving Life, from natural conception to natural death. And it is about redeeming America as a nation committed to life and liberty and justice for all."
Just ONE Judge is a nondenominational, nonpartisan, not for profit, grassroots citizens organization focused on educating people to learn about the candidates and to understand how their one vote can impact the all-important vote on the Supreme Court of the United States. To learn more visit www.JustONEJudge.com. Contact us at 920-544-1378 or info@JustONEJudge.com.
Christian Newswire
CLEVELAND, October 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- "Jane Roe", Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff in the Roe v. Wade case 35 years ago that legalized abortion released a video today at www.JustONEJudge.com urging people to vote November 4th because of the far-reaching effects of the Supreme Court nominations by the next president and confirmation by United States Senators . See the compelling appeal of Norma McCorvey at http://www.JustONEJudge.com.
"This is the first time I've felt I really had a voice in what was going on in terms of really reversing the decision of the Supreme Court," said Norma McCorvey. "I'm proud to be pro-life now rather than pro-abortion."
"Ten years ago, McCorvey began speaking publicly on the abortion issue from a Christian and pro-life perspective. Her knowledge of the pro-life movement and the abortion industry from the
time when she was the anonymous plaintiff in the Supreme Court provides her with a unique perspective."
"I'm working as a catalyst to assist other pro- life individuals and organizations in their particular areas of expertise. Just ONE Judge is so important because it emphasizes how one person can make a difference. I know how important one person is and I want to do what I can to get 2 million individuals to sign the pledge," said McCorvey.
The goals of the JustONEJudge.com campaign are twofold: 1) to emphasize the importance of one individual's vote and how each person can educate himself or herself on find out where the candidates stand on the issue of life, and 2) to sign the online petition to be presented to the next president and Senate, demonstrating the large numbers of citizens who are passionate about the issue of life.
"This issue needs to return to the states, so citizens can lobby their state legislatures for laws that protect the dignity of all human life from the moment of conception through natural death..." said Jason Jones, founder of Just ONE Judge.
The JustONEJudge.com campaign asks Americans to study all the candidates and to pledge their votes to candidates who will support the nomination and confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice who values life.
Joe Condit, National Grassroots Director of Just ONE Judge said, "This election is not about party or politics, but something far more important. It's about preserving Life, from natural conception to natural death. And it is about redeeming America as a nation committed to life and liberty and justice for all."
Just ONE Judge is a nondenominational, nonpartisan, not for profit, grassroots citizens organization focused on educating people to learn about the candidates and to understand how their one vote can impact the all-important vote on the Supreme Court of the United States. To learn more visit www.JustONEJudge.com. Contact us at 920-544-1378 or info@JustONEJudge.com.
Christian Newswire
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
What Happened to Freedom of Speech?
After an Amazing Box-Office Success in Theatres Across the Nation, EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed is Coming to DVD on October 21, 2008
LOS ANGELES, October 16 /Christian Newswire/ -- After an amazing box office success, landing the title as the Top Grossing Documentary of 2008, EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed will be making its debut in the DVD market on October 21, 2008. Distributed by Vivendi Entertainment, EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed will continue to open up the debate of freedom of speech and freedom of education in the United States.
The film's success speaks for itself. It opened in the Top 10, achieving the number 5 position on a per-screen average. It has already made its place in history as the Number 12 Top Grossing Documentary of all time, and the Number 1 Conservative Documentary. The initial buzz about the film was so intense that it became the #1 most popular blog on the Internet (3/24/08), the #6 Top search on Yahoo (4/8/08), and received over 2 million web hits, more than any other movie's website during this time. All this, while surrounded by not only controversial subject matter, but a lawsuit from Yoko Ono claiming unfair copyright use as the film uses and critiques the John Lennon song "Imagine." A federal judge noted the filmmakers would probably win on the doctrine of "Fair Use" and denied the motion for a preliminary injunction which would have removed the film from theaters.
Produced by Premise Media, the release of EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed on DVD will be accompanied by grass roots outreach by Motive Entertainment, the company that spearheaded the grass roots marketing for Hollywood blockbusters like The Passion of the Christ, Polar Express and The Chronicles of Narnia.
The film's numbers proved that freedom-loving Americans were outraged to discover that teachers and professors across the nation are teaching a theory as indisputable fact and that scientists who dissent from that theory are being silenced and ousted.
Ben Stein, the highly recognizable television personality, actor and former White House presidential speech writer, is on a journey to answer one of the biggest questions ever asked: 'Were we created, or are we the result of random chance - a mud puddle struck by lightning?' Stein, who is also a lawyer, an economist, an author and social commentator, is stunned by what he finds on his journey. He discovers an elitist scientific establishment that has traded in its skepticism for dogma. But even worse, Stein uncovers a long line of biologists, astronomers, chemists and philosophers who have had their reputations destroyed and their careers ruined by a scientific establishment that allows absolutely no dissent from Charles Darwin's theory of random mutation and natural selection.
"Big Science in this area has lost its way," says Stein. "Scientists are supposed to be allowed to follow the evidence wherever it may lead, no matter what the implications are. Freedom of inquiry has been greatly compromised, and this is not only anti-science, it's anti-American."
EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed uncovers that educators and scientists are being ridiculed, denied tenure and even fired in some cases for the fact that they believe there is evidence of "design" in nature, challenging the idea that life is a result of random chance. For example, Stein meets Richard Sternberg, a double PhD biologist who allowed a peer-reviewed research paper describing the evidence for intelligence in the universe to be published in the scientific journal Proceedings. Not long after publication, officials from the National Center for Science Education and the Smithsonian Institution where Sternberg was a Research Associate began a coordinated smear and intimidation campaign to get the promising young scientist expelled from his position. This attack on scientific freedom was so egregious that it prompted a congressional investigation.
On his journey, Stein meets other scientists such as astrobiologist Guillermo Gonzalez, who was denied tenure at Iowa State University in spite of his extraordinary record of achievement. Gonzalez made the mistake of documenting the design he has observed in the universe. There are others, such as Caroline Crocker, a brilliant biology teacher at George Mason University who was forced out of the university for briefly discussing problems with Darwinian Theory and for telling the students that some scientists believe there is evidence of design in the universe. The list goes on and on.
Unlike some other documentary films, EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed doesn't just talk to people representing one side of the story. The film confronts scientists such as Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, influential biologist and atheist blogger PZ Myers and Eugenie Scott, head of the National Center for Science Education. The creators of EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed crossed the globe over a two-year period, interviewing scores of scientists, doctors, philosophers and public leaders. The result is a startling revelation that freedom of thought and freedom of inquiry have been expelled from publicly funded high schools, universities and research institutions.
"The incredible thing about EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed is that we don't resort to manipulating our interviews for the purpose of achieving the 'shock effect,' something that has become common in documentary film these days," said Walt Ruloff, co-founder of Premise Media and co-producer. "People will be stunned to actually find out what elitist scientists proclaim, which is that a large majority of Americans are simpletons who believe in a fairy tale. Premise Media took on this difficult mission because we believe the greatest asset of humanity is our freedom to explore and discover truth."
The extensive grass roots theatrical campaign for EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed, spearheaded by Motive Entertainment president Paul Lauer, included nationwide screenings and endorsements with key leaders, extensive promotional materials, a promotional resource DVD, publicity, radio promotions and Internet. In addition, a pre-launch campaign included unprecedented partnerships and a widespread campaign together with educators, youth, scientists, families and the media nationwide. These materials, resources and relationships will extend beyond the theatrical successes and be further developed through the current EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed DVD campaign.
EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed is scheduled for release on DVD on October 21, 2008. For more information on Ben Stein’s journey visit www.expelledthemovie.com.
About Premise Media: Premise Media Corporation develops, finances and produces independent films, books and DVD's for the domestic and international marketplace, "Producing world class media that stirs the heart and inspires the mind to truth, purpose and hope." Company principals and producers Logan Craft, Walt Ruloff and John Sullivan can be contacted via its website ( www.premisemedia.com).
About Motive Entertainment: Los Angeles-based Motive Entertainment, which directed the grassroots marketing campaigns for Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, the Tom Hanks/Robert Zemeckis film Polar Express and the record-breaking Walden Media/Disney epic series, The Chronicles of Narnia, is a leading company in film and entertainment marketing ( www.motivemarketing.biz).
About Vivendi: Vivendi Entertainment is one of the Universal Music Group (UMG) family of companies. UMG's parent Vivendi, is a $50B France based international organization, whose other media holdings include Canal+ and Vivendi Games. For more information please visit www.vivendient.com.
Christian Newswire
LOS ANGELES, October 16 /Christian Newswire/ -- After an amazing box office success, landing the title as the Top Grossing Documentary of 2008, EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed will be making its debut in the DVD market on October 21, 2008. Distributed by Vivendi Entertainment, EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed will continue to open up the debate of freedom of speech and freedom of education in the United States.
The film's success speaks for itself. It opened in the Top 10, achieving the number 5 position on a per-screen average. It has already made its place in history as the Number 12 Top Grossing Documentary of all time, and the Number 1 Conservative Documentary. The initial buzz about the film was so intense that it became the #1 most popular blog on the Internet (3/24/08), the #6 Top search on Yahoo (4/8/08), and received over 2 million web hits, more than any other movie's website during this time. All this, while surrounded by not only controversial subject matter, but a lawsuit from Yoko Ono claiming unfair copyright use as the film uses and critiques the John Lennon song "Imagine." A federal judge noted the filmmakers would probably win on the doctrine of "Fair Use" and denied the motion for a preliminary injunction which would have removed the film from theaters.
Produced by Premise Media, the release of EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed on DVD will be accompanied by grass roots outreach by Motive Entertainment, the company that spearheaded the grass roots marketing for Hollywood blockbusters like The Passion of the Christ, Polar Express and The Chronicles of Narnia.
The film's numbers proved that freedom-loving Americans were outraged to discover that teachers and professors across the nation are teaching a theory as indisputable fact and that scientists who dissent from that theory are being silenced and ousted.
Ben Stein, the highly recognizable television personality, actor and former White House presidential speech writer, is on a journey to answer one of the biggest questions ever asked: 'Were we created, or are we the result of random chance - a mud puddle struck by lightning?' Stein, who is also a lawyer, an economist, an author and social commentator, is stunned by what he finds on his journey. He discovers an elitist scientific establishment that has traded in its skepticism for dogma. But even worse, Stein uncovers a long line of biologists, astronomers, chemists and philosophers who have had their reputations destroyed and their careers ruined by a scientific establishment that allows absolutely no dissent from Charles Darwin's theory of random mutation and natural selection.
"Big Science in this area has lost its way," says Stein. "Scientists are supposed to be allowed to follow the evidence wherever it may lead, no matter what the implications are. Freedom of inquiry has been greatly compromised, and this is not only anti-science, it's anti-American."
EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed uncovers that educators and scientists are being ridiculed, denied tenure and even fired in some cases for the fact that they believe there is evidence of "design" in nature, challenging the idea that life is a result of random chance. For example, Stein meets Richard Sternberg, a double PhD biologist who allowed a peer-reviewed research paper describing the evidence for intelligence in the universe to be published in the scientific journal Proceedings. Not long after publication, officials from the National Center for Science Education and the Smithsonian Institution where Sternberg was a Research Associate began a coordinated smear and intimidation campaign to get the promising young scientist expelled from his position. This attack on scientific freedom was so egregious that it prompted a congressional investigation.
On his journey, Stein meets other scientists such as astrobiologist Guillermo Gonzalez, who was denied tenure at Iowa State University in spite of his extraordinary record of achievement. Gonzalez made the mistake of documenting the design he has observed in the universe. There are others, such as Caroline Crocker, a brilliant biology teacher at George Mason University who was forced out of the university for briefly discussing problems with Darwinian Theory and for telling the students that some scientists believe there is evidence of design in the universe. The list goes on and on.
Unlike some other documentary films, EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed doesn't just talk to people representing one side of the story. The film confronts scientists such as Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, influential biologist and atheist blogger PZ Myers and Eugenie Scott, head of the National Center for Science Education. The creators of EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed crossed the globe over a two-year period, interviewing scores of scientists, doctors, philosophers and public leaders. The result is a startling revelation that freedom of thought and freedom of inquiry have been expelled from publicly funded high schools, universities and research institutions.
"The incredible thing about EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed is that we don't resort to manipulating our interviews for the purpose of achieving the 'shock effect,' something that has become common in documentary film these days," said Walt Ruloff, co-founder of Premise Media and co-producer. "People will be stunned to actually find out what elitist scientists proclaim, which is that a large majority of Americans are simpletons who believe in a fairy tale. Premise Media took on this difficult mission because we believe the greatest asset of humanity is our freedom to explore and discover truth."
The extensive grass roots theatrical campaign for EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed, spearheaded by Motive Entertainment president Paul Lauer, included nationwide screenings and endorsements with key leaders, extensive promotional materials, a promotional resource DVD, publicity, radio promotions and Internet. In addition, a pre-launch campaign included unprecedented partnerships and a widespread campaign together with educators, youth, scientists, families and the media nationwide. These materials, resources and relationships will extend beyond the theatrical successes and be further developed through the current EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed DVD campaign.
EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed is scheduled for release on DVD on October 21, 2008. For more information on Ben Stein’s journey visit www.expelledthemovie.com.
About Premise Media: Premise Media Corporation develops, finances and produces independent films, books and DVD's for the domestic and international marketplace, "Producing world class media that stirs the heart and inspires the mind to truth, purpose and hope." Company principals and producers Logan Craft, Walt Ruloff and John Sullivan can be contacted via its website ( www.premisemedia.com).
About Motive Entertainment: Los Angeles-based Motive Entertainment, which directed the grassroots marketing campaigns for Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, the Tom Hanks/Robert Zemeckis film Polar Express and the record-breaking Walden Media/Disney epic series, The Chronicles of Narnia, is a leading company in film and entertainment marketing ( www.motivemarketing.biz).
About Vivendi: Vivendi Entertainment is one of the Universal Music Group (UMG) family of companies. UMG's parent Vivendi, is a $50B France based international organization, whose other media holdings include Canal+ and Vivendi Games. For more information please visit www.vivendient.com.
Christian Newswire
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Obama Distorts His Abortion Record in Third Debate
WASHINGTON, October 16 /Christian Newswire/ -- "On partial-birth abortion and on the rights of infants who survive abortions, Barack Obama's answers in the third presidential debate were highly misleading," commented Douglas Johnson, longtime legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the nation's largest pro-life organization.
-- The Illinois Born-Alive Infants Protection Act (BAIPA) was a simple three-sentence bill to establish that every baby who achieved "complete expulsion or extraction" from the mother, and who showed defined signs of life, was to enjoy the legal protections of a "person." As a state senator, Obama led the opposition to this bill in 2001, 2002, and 2003. On March 13, 2003, Obama killed the bill at a committee meeting over which he presided as chairman. In the October 15 debate, Obama said, "The fact is that there was already a law on the books in Illinois that required providing lifesaving treatment." This claim is highly misleading. The law "on the books," 720 ILCS 510.6, on its face, applies only where an abortionist declares before the abortion that there was "a reasonable likelihood of sustained survival of the fetus outside the womb." But humans are often born alive a month or more before they reach the point where such "sustained survival" - that is, long-term survival - is likely or possible (which is often called the point of "viability"). When Obama spoke against the BAIPA on the Illinois Senate floor in 2001 -- the only senator to do so -- he didn't even claim that the BAIPA was duplicative of existing law. Rather, he objected to defining what he called a "previable fetus" as a legal "person" -- even though the bill clearly applied only to fully born infants. These events are detailed in an August 28, 2008 NRLC White Paper titled "Barack Obama's Actions and Shifting Claims on the Protection of Born-Alive Aborted Infants -- and What They Tell Us About His Thinking on Abortion," which contains numerous hyperlinks to primary sources.
-- Because 720 ILCS 510.6 gives complete discretion to the abortionist himself, and because a 1993 consent decree issued by a federal court nullified key provisions (such as the definition of "born alive"), the law was so riddled with loopholes as to be virtually unenforceable even with respect to babies who had clearly achieved the capacity for long- term survival. During Obama's time in the state Senate there were bills (other than the BAIPA) to close some of these loopholes in order to provide more effective protections for post-viable abortion survivors. Obama opposed those bills, too. On April 4, 2002, Obama opposed a bill (SB 1663) that would have more strictly defined the circumstances under which the presence of a second physician (to care for a live-born baby) would be required during a post-viability abortion; Obama argued that this would "burden the original decision of the woman and the physician to induce labor and perform an abortion . . . [I]t's important to understand that this issue ultimately is about abortion and not live births."
-- In the debate, Obama said that the state BAIPA "would have helped to undermine Roe v. Wade." To evaluate this claim, one must examine the actual language of the BAIPAs. The original 2001 bill was only three sentences long; the third sentence was as follows: "(c) A live child born as a result of an abortion shall be fully recognized as a human person and accorded immediate protection under the law." As recently as August 19, 2008, the Obama campaign issued a memo in which it singled out that sentence as "Language Clearly Threatening Roe." This claim is consistent with Obama's 2001 argument that a "previable fetus" should not be regarded as a person, even when born alive.
-- At the March 13, 2003 committee meeting over which Obama presided, the "immediate protection" clause was removed and replaced with the "neutrality clause" copied from the federal BAIPA, which said explicitly that the bill had no bearing on the legal status of any human "prior to being being born alive." Obama then led the committee Democrats in voting down the bill, anyway. For years afterwards, Obama claimed that the state BAIPA had lacked the "neutrality clause," and on August 16, 2008, Obama said that NRLC was "lying" when we said otherwise. This dispute was reviewed by both FactCheck.org and Politifact.org, both of which came down on NRLC's side. To read the original 2001 Illinois BAIPA side-by-side with the amended 2003 version -- both of which Obama voted against -- click here.
-- In the presidential debate, Senator John McCain accurately noted that Obama had opposed Illinois legislation to ban partial-birth abortions. This is true -- indeed, during his primary contest with Hillary Clinton, Obama's supporters presented detailed accounts lauding his leadership in opposing legislation to ban partial-birth abortion, afford legal protection to born-alive babies, and require parental notification for abortion. (Under Article IV, Section 8 of the Illinois Constitution, the effect of voting "present" on the Illinois Senate floor is exactly the same as voting "no.") In his response to McCain in the debate, Obama said, "I am completely supportive of a ban on late-term abortions, partial-birth or otherwise, as long as there's an exception for the mother's health and life, and this did not contain that exception." Here, Obama packed two distortions into a single sentence. First, Obama is using the phrase "late term" to refer to the third trimester of pregnancy. It has long been established that the great majority of partial- birth abortions are performed in the fifth and sixth months; these are babies developed enough to be born alive (hence the term "partial birth"), but are not "late term" in the sense that the phrase is used by pro-abortion advocates. Secondly, the Supreme Court has defined the term "health" to include, in the abortion context, "all factors -- physical, emotional, psychological, familial and the woman's age -- relevant to the well-being of the patient."
-- Obama is a cosponsor of the so-called "Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA) (S. 1173), which would nullify all state and federal laws that "interfere with" access to abortion before "viability" (as defined by the abortionist). The bill would also nullify all state and federal laws that "interfere with" access to abortion after viability if deemed to enhance "health." Because the term "health" is not qualified in the bill, no state would be allowed to exclude any "health" justification whatever for post-viability abortions, because to do so would impermissibly narrow a federally guaranteed right. In short, the FOCA would establish a federal "abortion right" broader than Roe v. Wade and, in the words of the National Organization for Women, "sweep away hundreds of anti-abortion laws [and] policies." The chief sponsors and advocacy groups backing the legislation have acknowledged that it would make partial-birth abortion legal again, nullify state parental notification laws, and require the state and federal governments to fund abortions.
-- Speaking to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund on July 17, 2007, Obama said, "The first thing I'd do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing that I'd do."
-- In the presidential debate, Obama said, "But there surely is some common ground when both those who believe in choice and those who are opposed to abortion can come together" -- for example, by "helping single mothers if they want to choose to keep the baby." Yet, Obama advocates cutting off all federal aid to crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs). Across the nation, CPCs provide all manner of assistance to women who are experiencing crisis pregnancies, and they save the lives of many children. There is a very modest amount of federal funding going to such centers in some states. Pro-life lawmakers have pushed legislation to greatly expand such funding, but it has been blocked by lawmakers allied with the abortion lobby. Late in 2007, RHrealitycheck.org, a prominent pro-abortion advocacy website (representing the side hostile to such funding), submitted in writing the following question to the Obama campaign: "Does Sen. Obama support continuing federal funding for crisis pregnancy centers?" The Obama campaign's written response was short, but it spoke volumes: "No."
***
For further information or documentation, contact NRLC at 202-626-8820, send e-mail to Legfederal@aol.co m, or visit the NRLC website at www.nrlc.org; For additional information on Obama's sweeping pro-abortion agenda, read "Efforts to Sell Obama to Pro-Life Americans_Collide With His Support for Sweeping Pro-abortion Policy Changes," by NRLC's Douglas Johnson (from National Review Online) and "Obama's Abortion Extremism" by Robert P. George, professor of jurisprudence at Princeton University (from Public Discourse).
Christian Newswire
-- The Illinois Born-Alive Infants Protection Act (BAIPA) was a simple three-sentence bill to establish that every baby who achieved "complete expulsion or extraction" from the mother, and who showed defined signs of life, was to enjoy the legal protections of a "person." As a state senator, Obama led the opposition to this bill in 2001, 2002, and 2003. On March 13, 2003, Obama killed the bill at a committee meeting over which he presided as chairman. In the October 15 debate, Obama said, "The fact is that there was already a law on the books in Illinois that required providing lifesaving treatment." This claim is highly misleading. The law "on the books," 720 ILCS 510.6, on its face, applies only where an abortionist declares before the abortion that there was "a reasonable likelihood of sustained survival of the fetus outside the womb." But humans are often born alive a month or more before they reach the point where such "sustained survival" - that is, long-term survival - is likely or possible (which is often called the point of "viability"). When Obama spoke against the BAIPA on the Illinois Senate floor in 2001 -- the only senator to do so -- he didn't even claim that the BAIPA was duplicative of existing law. Rather, he objected to defining what he called a "previable fetus" as a legal "person" -- even though the bill clearly applied only to fully born infants. These events are detailed in an August 28, 2008 NRLC White Paper titled "Barack Obama's Actions and Shifting Claims on the Protection of Born-Alive Aborted Infants -- and What They Tell Us About His Thinking on Abortion," which contains numerous hyperlinks to primary sources.
-- Because 720 ILCS 510.6 gives complete discretion to the abortionist himself, and because a 1993 consent decree issued by a federal court nullified key provisions (such as the definition of "born alive"), the law was so riddled with loopholes as to be virtually unenforceable even with respect to babies who had clearly achieved the capacity for long- term survival. During Obama's time in the state Senate there were bills (other than the BAIPA) to close some of these loopholes in order to provide more effective protections for post-viable abortion survivors. Obama opposed those bills, too. On April 4, 2002, Obama opposed a bill (SB 1663) that would have more strictly defined the circumstances under which the presence of a second physician (to care for a live-born baby) would be required during a post-viability abortion; Obama argued that this would "burden the original decision of the woman and the physician to induce labor and perform an abortion . . . [I]t's important to understand that this issue ultimately is about abortion and not live births."
-- In the debate, Obama said that the state BAIPA "would have helped to undermine Roe v. Wade." To evaluate this claim, one must examine the actual language of the BAIPAs. The original 2001 bill was only three sentences long; the third sentence was as follows: "(c) A live child born as a result of an abortion shall be fully recognized as a human person and accorded immediate protection under the law." As recently as August 19, 2008, the Obama campaign issued a memo in which it singled out that sentence as "Language Clearly Threatening Roe." This claim is consistent with Obama's 2001 argument that a "previable fetus" should not be regarded as a person, even when born alive.
-- At the March 13, 2003 committee meeting over which Obama presided, the "immediate protection" clause was removed and replaced with the "neutrality clause" copied from the federal BAIPA, which said explicitly that the bill had no bearing on the legal status of any human "prior to being being born alive." Obama then led the committee Democrats in voting down the bill, anyway. For years afterwards, Obama claimed that the state BAIPA had lacked the "neutrality clause," and on August 16, 2008, Obama said that NRLC was "lying" when we said otherwise. This dispute was reviewed by both FactCheck.org and Politifact.org, both of which came down on NRLC's side. To read the original 2001 Illinois BAIPA side-by-side with the amended 2003 version -- both of which Obama voted against -- click here.
-- In the presidential debate, Senator John McCain accurately noted that Obama had opposed Illinois legislation to ban partial-birth abortions. This is true -- indeed, during his primary contest with Hillary Clinton, Obama's supporters presented detailed accounts lauding his leadership in opposing legislation to ban partial-birth abortion, afford legal protection to born-alive babies, and require parental notification for abortion. (Under Article IV, Section 8 of the Illinois Constitution, the effect of voting "present" on the Illinois Senate floor is exactly the same as voting "no.") In his response to McCain in the debate, Obama said, "I am completely supportive of a ban on late-term abortions, partial-birth or otherwise, as long as there's an exception for the mother's health and life, and this did not contain that exception." Here, Obama packed two distortions into a single sentence. First, Obama is using the phrase "late term" to refer to the third trimester of pregnancy. It has long been established that the great majority of partial- birth abortions are performed in the fifth and sixth months; these are babies developed enough to be born alive (hence the term "partial birth"), but are not "late term" in the sense that the phrase is used by pro-abortion advocates. Secondly, the Supreme Court has defined the term "health" to include, in the abortion context, "all factors -- physical, emotional, psychological, familial and the woman's age -- relevant to the well-being of the patient."
-- Obama is a cosponsor of the so-called "Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA) (S. 1173), which would nullify all state and federal laws that "interfere with" access to abortion before "viability" (as defined by the abortionist). The bill would also nullify all state and federal laws that "interfere with" access to abortion after viability if deemed to enhance "health." Because the term "health" is not qualified in the bill, no state would be allowed to exclude any "health" justification whatever for post-viability abortions, because to do so would impermissibly narrow a federally guaranteed right. In short, the FOCA would establish a federal "abortion right" broader than Roe v. Wade and, in the words of the National Organization for Women, "sweep away hundreds of anti-abortion laws [and] policies." The chief sponsors and advocacy groups backing the legislation have acknowledged that it would make partial-birth abortion legal again, nullify state parental notification laws, and require the state and federal governments to fund abortions.
-- Speaking to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund on July 17, 2007, Obama said, "The first thing I'd do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing that I'd do."
-- In the presidential debate, Obama said, "But there surely is some common ground when both those who believe in choice and those who are opposed to abortion can come together" -- for example, by "helping single mothers if they want to choose to keep the baby." Yet, Obama advocates cutting off all federal aid to crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs). Across the nation, CPCs provide all manner of assistance to women who are experiencing crisis pregnancies, and they save the lives of many children. There is a very modest amount of federal funding going to such centers in some states. Pro-life lawmakers have pushed legislation to greatly expand such funding, but it has been blocked by lawmakers allied with the abortion lobby. Late in 2007, RHrealitycheck.org, a prominent pro-abortion advocacy website (representing the side hostile to such funding), submitted in writing the following question to the Obama campaign: "Does Sen. Obama support continuing federal funding for crisis pregnancy centers?" The Obama campaign's written response was short, but it spoke volumes: "No."
***
For further information or documentation, contact NRLC at 202-626-8820, send e-mail to Legfederal@aol.co m, or visit the NRLC website at www.nrlc.org; For additional information on Obama's sweeping pro-abortion agenda, read "Efforts to Sell Obama to Pro-Life Americans_Collide With His Support for Sweeping Pro-abortion Policy Changes," by NRLC's Douglas Johnson (from National Review Online) and "Obama's Abortion Extremism" by Robert P. George, professor of jurisprudence at Princeton University (from Public Discourse).
Christian Newswire
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Pro-life Catholic Bishop Confirms that a Catholic Cannot Vote for Obama in Good Conscience
An Open Letter to American Bishops regarding 'Catholic moral teaching' and the 2008 election presents "the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church..." concerning "the candidacy of Barack Hussein Obama."
ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- The "Open Letter", by Randall Terry, has been sent by certified mail to all U.S. Bishops. (See complete Open Letter at www.humbleplea.com.)
Following is the complete response from Bishop Gracida concerning the Open Letter and Faithful Catholic Citizenship. Faithful Catholic Citizenship proves - using the words of John Paul II - that a Catholic cannot in good conscience vote for Back Obama.
"Dear Randall,
I have visited the humbleplea.com website and have read the Open Letter [to the U.S. Bishops] and brochure 'Faithful Catholic Citizenship.'
You have done an excellent job of presenting the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church and applying it to the candidacy of Barack Hussein Obama.
I encourage you to disseminate the two documents as widely as possible. More and more bishops are speaking up in the way you desire.
I hope and pray that their numbers will increase before November 4.
Blessings!
Rene Henry Gracida
Bishop Emeritus of Corpus Christi"
An Open Letter to American Bishops regarding 'Catholic moral teaching' and the 2008 election and Faithful Catholic Citizenship can be read online at www.humbleplea.com.
"We are begging U.S. Catholic Bishops to correct the error put forth by Catholic Attorney Doug Kmiec (and others) that says:
It is time to set the record straight that it violates no aspect of Catholic teaching for a Catholic Voter to endorse, support, or vote for Barack Obama... (Doug Kmiec, Catholic Attorney and Author, Can a Catholic Support Him?; pg 36.)
...U.S. Catholic bishops have confirmed that it is the intent of the voter, and not the candidate's support for abortion, that determines the candidate's acceptability for the Catholic vote. (Pg. 82, Doug Kmiec, Can a Catholic Support Him? )
"This assertion by Doug Kmiec is false. We pray other bishops will correct the error being taught in their name. We are urging the faithful to read the letter themselves, then call their bishop to urge them to publicly correct the erroneous teaching being put out in their names.
"We also encourage Catholics and Evangelicals to download and distribute this material at their neighborhood churches." -- Randall Terry, Founder, Operation Rescue
Call 904 687 9804 to schedule an interview.
Christian Newswire
ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- The "Open Letter", by Randall Terry, has been sent by certified mail to all U.S. Bishops. (See complete Open Letter at www.humbleplea.com.)
Following is the complete response from Bishop Gracida concerning the Open Letter and Faithful Catholic Citizenship. Faithful Catholic Citizenship proves - using the words of John Paul II - that a Catholic cannot in good conscience vote for Back Obama.
"Dear Randall,
I have visited the humbleplea.com website and have read the Open Letter [to the U.S. Bishops] and brochure 'Faithful Catholic Citizenship.'
You have done an excellent job of presenting the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church and applying it to the candidacy of Barack Hussein Obama.
I encourage you to disseminate the two documents as widely as possible. More and more bishops are speaking up in the way you desire.
I hope and pray that their numbers will increase before November 4.
Blessings!
Rene Henry Gracida
Bishop Emeritus of Corpus Christi"
An Open Letter to American Bishops regarding 'Catholic moral teaching' and the 2008 election and Faithful Catholic Citizenship can be read online at www.humbleplea.com.
"We are begging U.S. Catholic Bishops to correct the error put forth by Catholic Attorney Doug Kmiec (and others) that says:
It is time to set the record straight that it violates no aspect of Catholic teaching for a Catholic Voter to endorse, support, or vote for Barack Obama... (Doug Kmiec, Catholic Attorney and Author, Can a Catholic Support Him?; pg 36.)
...U.S. Catholic bishops have confirmed that it is the intent of the voter, and not the candidate's support for abortion, that determines the candidate's acceptability for the Catholic vote. (Pg. 82, Doug Kmiec, Can a Catholic Support Him? )
"This assertion by Doug Kmiec is false. We pray other bishops will correct the error being taught in their name. We are urging the faithful to read the letter themselves, then call their bishop to urge them to publicly correct the erroneous teaching being put out in their names.
"We also encourage Catholics and Evangelicals to download and distribute this material at their neighborhood churches." -- Randall Terry, Founder, Operation Rescue
Call 904 687 9804 to schedule an interview.
Christian Newswire
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Project to Alert The Voting Public Obama's Not Pro-life Reaches Phase Two
MEDIA ADVISORY, October 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Wisconsin Right to Life Political Action Committee is continuing its national E- card campaign to expose Senator Barack Obama's extreme positions on abortion and infanticide.
The theme of the project is to tell voters that too many Americans still believe Obama is pro-life. He's not.
The second in a series of four E-Cards, to be released each week beginning with October 7, 2008, was sent today, October 14. Click here to view both E-Cards.
Full documentation of Obama's record can be found on a link to each E-Card. Recipients are encouraged to forward each E-Card to family and friends around the nation. This project is expected to reach hundreds of thousands of Americans each week.
Authorized and paid for by the Wisconsin Right to Life PAC, Rick Fox Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Christian Newswire
The theme of the project is to tell voters that too many Americans still believe Obama is pro-life. He's not.
The second in a series of four E-Cards, to be released each week beginning with October 7, 2008, was sent today, October 14. Click here to view both E-Cards.
Full documentation of Obama's record can be found on a link to each E-Card. Recipients are encouraged to forward each E-Card to family and friends around the nation. This project is expected to reach hundreds of thousands of Americans each week.
Authorized and paid for by the Wisconsin Right to Life PAC, Rick Fox Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Christian Newswire
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Sacrifice and Prayer for Election of Pro-Life Candidates
Young Adult Catholics Invite Americans to Pray and Offer Up Sacrifices in Support of Pro Life and Family Values This Election
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- Sacrifices for Life, a young adult Catholic organization in support of the sanctity of life, invites others for a call to action to uphold family values through sacrifice and prayer from now until Election Day. This initiative is a pro-life effort to rally Christians to make daily sacrifices for the cause of restoring a culture of life in America -- to help turn the tide against abortion and other anti-life practices that are threatening to destroy the family, and ultimately, society itself.
"The upcoming election is crucial for the pro-life movement in this country, said Diana Roccograndi, Sacrifices for Life founder. "Many of us are praying and working to elect pro- life candidates who will fight to uphold our family values - our prayers and works will be more powerful when united with sacrifice."
There are numerous examples in the Old and New Testaments and the lives of the saints, which prove that prayer and action combined with sacrifice can bring God's mercy and healing to our land. Suggestions for sacrifices include abstaining from sweets, television, complaining, or anything one can do without or increasing prayer, fasting, volunteering, or charitable works. When making a sacrifice, participants are encouraged to say a prayer especially one that implores Our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, so that she may end child-killing in America today as she ended it in the Americas many years ago. The organizers of this effort urge that now is the time to implore God to save his children and our nation!
The effort is growing exponentially as Election Day approaches with members joining from across the country. For more information and to participate in this effort go to www.sacrificesforlife.org. Flyers and sample cover letters are available for download and may be distributed to all concerned Christians, parishes, schools, communities and Christian organizations. The organizers ask that everyone to generously offer sacrifices from now until the elections on November 4th and to join them in this effort by distributing the flyer widely to others.
Christian Newswire
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- Sacrifices for Life, a young adult Catholic organization in support of the sanctity of life, invites others for a call to action to uphold family values through sacrifice and prayer from now until Election Day. This initiative is a pro-life effort to rally Christians to make daily sacrifices for the cause of restoring a culture of life in America -- to help turn the tide against abortion and other anti-life practices that are threatening to destroy the family, and ultimately, society itself.
"The upcoming election is crucial for the pro-life movement in this country, said Diana Roccograndi, Sacrifices for Life founder. "Many of us are praying and working to elect pro- life candidates who will fight to uphold our family values - our prayers and works will be more powerful when united with sacrifice."
There are numerous examples in the Old and New Testaments and the lives of the saints, which prove that prayer and action combined with sacrifice can bring God's mercy and healing to our land. Suggestions for sacrifices include abstaining from sweets, television, complaining, or anything one can do without or increasing prayer, fasting, volunteering, or charitable works. When making a sacrifice, participants are encouraged to say a prayer especially one that implores Our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, so that she may end child-killing in America today as she ended it in the Americas many years ago. The organizers of this effort urge that now is the time to implore God to save his children and our nation!
The effort is growing exponentially as Election Day approaches with members joining from across the country. For more information and to participate in this effort go to www.sacrificesforlife.org. Flyers and sample cover letters are available for download and may be distributed to all concerned Christians, parishes, schools, communities and Christian organizations. The organizers ask that everyone to generously offer sacrifices from now until the elections on November 4th and to join them in this effort by distributing the flyer widely to others.
Christian Newswire
DFW Catholic and RealCatholicTV.com Bring Catholic News and Programming to the Masses Through Unique Partnership
DALLAS, Oct. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- Internet users worldwide can now access solid Catholic news and programming thanks to the partnership of DFW Catholic and RealCatholicTV.com. By subscribing to receive DFW Catholic's daily news updates via email, users will receive one free month of Premium Access service from RealCatholicTV.com. The relationship, while still in its infancy, is certain to draw more users to both sites and inform viewers about Catholic news and promote orthodox Church teaching.
DFW Catholic, a MetroCatholic publication, is a one-of-a-kind website which provides daily Catholic news occurring around the world from the Vatican to the local parish. The site, which supplements the periodic print publications offered by the diocesan newspapers, will soon be followed by other regional sites in Texas and subsequent sites in major markets across the U.S.
RealCatholicTV.com is an internet-based Catholic television station that offers episodes on morality, movie reviews, news and political commentary, entertainment, apologetics, and much more. The group aims to provide viewers with a means to increase their personal holiness through catechesis and evangelization about the truth of the Christian faith.
"As I see it, the promotion is entirely open- ended," said Simon Rafe, Senior Platform Administrator for RealCatholicTV.com. "We want as many people as possible to benefit from this." Both groups share the objective of informing the public about current events, while at the same time spreading the truth about the teachings of the Catholic Church.
"We are both young lay organizations and feel this partnership will help us achieve our common goal of utilizing top-notch Catholic media to evangelize to as many people as possible," said Chad Simpson, CEO of MetroCatholic, Inc. "We are excited to be working with RealCatholicTV.com and are eager to see the fruit of both ministries."
For news and more information, visit www.DFWCatholic.org.
Christian Newswire
DFW Catholic, a MetroCatholic publication, is a one-of-a-kind website which provides daily Catholic news occurring around the world from the Vatican to the local parish. The site, which supplements the periodic print publications offered by the diocesan newspapers, will soon be followed by other regional sites in Texas and subsequent sites in major markets across the U.S.
RealCatholicTV.com is an internet-based Catholic television station that offers episodes on morality, movie reviews, news and political commentary, entertainment, apologetics, and much more. The group aims to provide viewers with a means to increase their personal holiness through catechesis and evangelization about the truth of the Christian faith.
"As I see it, the promotion is entirely open- ended," said Simon Rafe, Senior Platform Administrator for RealCatholicTV.com. "We want as many people as possible to benefit from this." Both groups share the objective of informing the public about current events, while at the same time spreading the truth about the teachings of the Catholic Church.
"We are both young lay organizations and feel this partnership will help us achieve our common goal of utilizing top-notch Catholic media to evangelize to as many people as possible," said Chad Simpson, CEO of MetroCatholic, Inc. "We are excited to be working with RealCatholicTV.com and are eager to see the fruit of both ministries."
For news and more information, visit www.DFWCatholic.org.
Christian Newswire
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Barack Obama's Sweeping Agenda for Pro-Abortion Policy Changes Examined by NRLC's Douglas Johnson in 'National Review Online'
NRLC Legislative Director Douglas Johnson and other NRLC staff persons are available for interviews on the subject of Mr. Johnson's new article on National Review Online, "Unholy Messaging," including radio debates with advocates for Barack Obama
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Obama campaign and its allies have adopted an extensive "messaging strategy" that seeks to persuade religiously committed Americans that Obama has a middle-of- the-road position on abortion policy and will promote "abortion reduction."
Douglas Johnson, longtime legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) and author of an article published today on National Review Online, titled "Unholy Messaging," calls the Obama effort "a brazen scam."
"The scam depends on the Obama campaign, with cooperation from the mainstream news media, deflecting attention away from Obama's actual record, and from his extensive commitments to pro-abortion interest groups," Johnson said. "Barack Obama is firmly committed to an agenda of sweeping pro-abortion policy changes that, if implemented, will surely greatly increase the number of abortions performed."
Johnson noted that a few short months ago, during his primary contest, Obama and his advocates were boasting about his record of leadership in opposition to legislation to ban partial-birth abortions, to protect infants born alive during abortions, and to require parental notification for minors seeking abortions, among other pro-life bills. "Those boasts were well-founded, and the current effort to re-package Obama as a moderate is a brazen scam," Johnson said.
The Obama "messaging" campaign includes a recently launched "Faith, Family & Values Tour" that will visit Colorado, Indiana, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Florida, New Mexico, Virginia, and Wisconsin. In addition, various independent groups are disseminating advertising and literature that advances the same strategy.
Among the specific Obama positions documented in Johnson's article (which contains extensive hyperlinks to documentation):
-- Obama is a cosponsor of the so-called "Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA, S. 1173),, which Johnson calls "the most sweeping piece of pro-abortion legislation ever proposed in Congress." The FOCA is a bill that would make partial-birth abortion legal again, strike down restrictions on taxpayer funding of abortion, and nullify virtually every state and federal law or policy that would in any way "interfere with" access to abortion, including parental notification laws. In a letter sent to every member of Congress by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on September 19, Cardinal Justin Rigali wrote, "No one who sponsors or supports legislation like FOCA can credibly claim to be part of a good-faith discussion on how to reduce abortions. In a speech to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund on July 17, 2007, Obama said, "The first thing I'd do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing that I'd do."
-- Obama advocates the nullification of state laws requiring parental notification or consent for a minor daughter's abortion, which would be one of the effects of the FOCA. Moreover, since entering the U.S. Senate, Obama has had two opportunities to vote directly on the question of parental notification for interstate abortions on minors, and he voted "no" on both occasions.
-- Obama advocates repeal of the Hyde Amendment, the law that since 1976 has blocked almost all federal funding of abortion, even though both pro-life and pro-abortion analysts agree that this law has prevented many abortions. By even the most conservative estimate, there are more than one million Americans alive today because of the Hyde Amendment. "Because the Hyde Amendment must be renewed annually, a new president hostile to the Hyde Amendment could quickly place it in jeopardy," Johnson observed. The FOCA would also nullify all state laws restricting state funding of elective abortion.
-- In a written response to a pro-abortion advocacy group, the Obama campaign said that Obama is opposed to continuing current federal funding for "crisis pregnancy centers," which provide needed assistance to many thousands of pregnant women.
-- NRLC has thoroughly documented that in the Illinois state Senate, Obama led the opposition to legislation to protect babies who are born alive during abortions, and persisted in his opposition even after Congress had enacted a virtually identical federal bill without a single dissenting vote. Obama has in numerous ways actively misrepresented the content of this legislation, and his actions on it, but even when such misrepresentations were proved by NRLC and others, the major media simply let Obama abandon them and fall back to a different set of equally misleading claims.
In his article, Johnson criticizes recent coverage in the "mainstream news media," which, he writes, "have, with few exceptions, been very compliant with Obama's recent efforts to downplay his hard-line pro-abortion history and policy commitments, for the purpose of winning the general election." Typically, journalists simply describe Obama's position as "supports abortion rights," without giving details regarding his advocacy of federal funding of abortion, invalidation of parental notification laws, and the rest.
****
NRLC Legislative Director Douglas Johnson and other NRLC staff persons are available for interviews on the subject of the Obama agenda on abortion, including radio debates with advocates for Barack Obama. Call 202-626-8820.
Mr. Johnson's article has been cross-posted on the NRLC website under the title "Efforts to Sell Obama to Pro-Life Americans Collide With His Support for Sweeping Pro-abortion Policy Changes."
Christian Newswire
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Obama campaign and its allies have adopted an extensive "messaging strategy" that seeks to persuade religiously committed Americans that Obama has a middle-of- the-road position on abortion policy and will promote "abortion reduction."
Douglas Johnson, longtime legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) and author of an article published today on National Review Online, titled "Unholy Messaging," calls the Obama effort "a brazen scam."
"The scam depends on the Obama campaign, with cooperation from the mainstream news media, deflecting attention away from Obama's actual record, and from his extensive commitments to pro-abortion interest groups," Johnson said. "Barack Obama is firmly committed to an agenda of sweeping pro-abortion policy changes that, if implemented, will surely greatly increase the number of abortions performed."
Johnson noted that a few short months ago, during his primary contest, Obama and his advocates were boasting about his record of leadership in opposition to legislation to ban partial-birth abortions, to protect infants born alive during abortions, and to require parental notification for minors seeking abortions, among other pro-life bills. "Those boasts were well-founded, and the current effort to re-package Obama as a moderate is a brazen scam," Johnson said.
The Obama "messaging" campaign includes a recently launched "Faith, Family & Values Tour" that will visit Colorado, Indiana, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Florida, New Mexico, Virginia, and Wisconsin. In addition, various independent groups are disseminating advertising and literature that advances the same strategy.
Among the specific Obama positions documented in Johnson's article (which contains extensive hyperlinks to documentation):
-- Obama is a cosponsor of the so-called "Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA, S. 1173),, which Johnson calls "the most sweeping piece of pro-abortion legislation ever proposed in Congress." The FOCA is a bill that would make partial-birth abortion legal again, strike down restrictions on taxpayer funding of abortion, and nullify virtually every state and federal law or policy that would in any way "interfere with" access to abortion, including parental notification laws. In a letter sent to every member of Congress by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on September 19, Cardinal Justin Rigali wrote, "No one who sponsors or supports legislation like FOCA can credibly claim to be part of a good-faith discussion on how to reduce abortions. In a speech to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund on July 17, 2007, Obama said, "The first thing I'd do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing that I'd do."
-- Obama advocates the nullification of state laws requiring parental notification or consent for a minor daughter's abortion, which would be one of the effects of the FOCA. Moreover, since entering the U.S. Senate, Obama has had two opportunities to vote directly on the question of parental notification for interstate abortions on minors, and he voted "no" on both occasions.
-- Obama advocates repeal of the Hyde Amendment, the law that since 1976 has blocked almost all federal funding of abortion, even though both pro-life and pro-abortion analysts agree that this law has prevented many abortions. By even the most conservative estimate, there are more than one million Americans alive today because of the Hyde Amendment. "Because the Hyde Amendment must be renewed annually, a new president hostile to the Hyde Amendment could quickly place it in jeopardy," Johnson observed. The FOCA would also nullify all state laws restricting state funding of elective abortion.
-- In a written response to a pro-abortion advocacy group, the Obama campaign said that Obama is opposed to continuing current federal funding for "crisis pregnancy centers," which provide needed assistance to many thousands of pregnant women.
-- NRLC has thoroughly documented that in the Illinois state Senate, Obama led the opposition to legislation to protect babies who are born alive during abortions, and persisted in his opposition even after Congress had enacted a virtually identical federal bill without a single dissenting vote. Obama has in numerous ways actively misrepresented the content of this legislation, and his actions on it, but even when such misrepresentations were proved by NRLC and others, the major media simply let Obama abandon them and fall back to a different set of equally misleading claims.
In his article, Johnson criticizes recent coverage in the "mainstream news media," which, he writes, "have, with few exceptions, been very compliant with Obama's recent efforts to downplay his hard-line pro-abortion history and policy commitments, for the purpose of winning the general election." Typically, journalists simply describe Obama's position as "supports abortion rights," without giving details regarding his advocacy of federal funding of abortion, invalidation of parental notification laws, and the rest.
****
NRLC Legislative Director Douglas Johnson and other NRLC staff persons are available for interviews on the subject of the Obama agenda on abortion, including radio debates with advocates for Barack Obama. Call 202-626-8820.
Mr. Johnson's article has been cross-posted on the NRLC website under the title "Efforts to Sell Obama to Pro-Life Americans Collide With His Support for Sweeping Pro-abortion Policy Changes."
Christian Newswire
New Prayer Program from Loyola Press Helps People Become Passionate About Praying
CHICAGO, Oct. 7 /Christian Newswire/ -- It's one thing to produce products about prayer, but quite another to teach people how to pray. Partners in Prayer, a new service of Loyola Press, was created to teach adults and children how to experience a close relationship with God through prayer.
This hands-on, practical workshop for catechetical leaders offers highly creative and proven ways of engaging children in reflective prayer and provides ready-to-use approaches to bringing deeper meaning to praying traditional Catholic prayers.
The workshop, conducted by Loyola Press's trained facilitators, gives leaders the practical skills, resources, and confidence they need to help children find God, know God, and love God through the power of prayer.
From its inception in 1912, Loyola Press has remained faithful to its Ignatian heritage of helping people experience God in all things. Partners in Prayer is an expression of this ongoing and always growing commitment to the spiritual life of individuals and parishes.
Paul Campbell, SJ, Vice President for Mission and Identity, believes that the program uniquely expresses Loyola Press's dedication to nurturing the spiritual life. "The strength of Partners in Prayer is that it truly helps adults and children build a deep relationship with God, because when people know how to talk with God, it's easy for them to walk with God."
For more information on Partners in Prayer, please contact Kathy Suzuki at 773-529-5690 or Suzuki@loyolapress.com
Loyola Press, founded in 1912, is a nonprofit publishing company committed to meeting the spiritual and educational needs of individuals, parishes and families by providing resources that support children's faith formation, language arts education and whole community catechesis. As a ministry of the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), Loyola Press is dedicated to providing a wide variety of literature on topics including Ignatian prayer & spirituality, saints, ongoing spiritual growth, Catholic life and history. www.loyolapress.com
Christian Newswire
This hands-on, practical workshop for catechetical leaders offers highly creative and proven ways of engaging children in reflective prayer and provides ready-to-use approaches to bringing deeper meaning to praying traditional Catholic prayers.
The workshop, conducted by Loyola Press's trained facilitators, gives leaders the practical skills, resources, and confidence they need to help children find God, know God, and love God through the power of prayer.
From its inception in 1912, Loyola Press has remained faithful to its Ignatian heritage of helping people experience God in all things. Partners in Prayer is an expression of this ongoing and always growing commitment to the spiritual life of individuals and parishes.
Paul Campbell, SJ, Vice President for Mission and Identity, believes that the program uniquely expresses Loyola Press's dedication to nurturing the spiritual life. "The strength of Partners in Prayer is that it truly helps adults and children build a deep relationship with God, because when people know how to talk with God, it's easy for them to walk with God."
For more information on Partners in Prayer, please contact Kathy Suzuki at 773-529-5690 or Suzuki@loyolapress.com
Loyola Press, founded in 1912, is a nonprofit publishing company committed to meeting the spiritual and educational needs of individuals, parishes and families by providing resources that support children's faith formation, language arts education and whole community catechesis. As a ministry of the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), Loyola Press is dedicated to providing a wide variety of literature on topics including Ignatian prayer & spirituality, saints, ongoing spiritual growth, Catholic life and history. www.loyolapress.com
Christian Newswire
Friday, October 03, 2008
Not Catholic, But a Very Christian Man
Billy Graham to Turn 90: Public Invited to Send Personal Stories, Birthday Wishes
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- For more than 60 years, evangelist Billy Graham has preached the good news of God's love in-person to nearly 215 million people at hundreds of events and countless millions more via television and radio. Now, all of the individuals, churches and ministries he has impacted have a unique opportunity to say something in return.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) announced today it is collecting stories and birthday wishes for the evangelist, who turns 90 on November 7, 2008. All who have been personally touched by an aspect of Billy Graham's ministry are welcome and encouraged to visit www.billygraham90.com to share a greeting or a personal story about his ministry they feel would encourage Mr. Graham at this milestone. Submissions will be accepted until November 1.
"My father is a humble man who would never expect to be honored and recognized like this on his birthday," said Franklin Graham, BGEA president and CEO and Graham's eldest son. "We urge all who made a commitment to Jesus Christ through my father's ministry to share your story or simple greeting, as nothing could uplift him more on this special day."
Along with providing a place where visitors can submit stories and greetings, www.billygraham90.com also contains resources that churches and other ministries can download to inform others about this birthday celebration. In addition, messages can be mailed to: Billy Graham's 90th Birthday, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201.
Following Mr. Graham's birthday in November, all of the greetings and wishes in honor of his faithful decades-long ministry will be combined into books and presented to him during a special tribute dinner with family and ministry friends later in the month.
As Mr. Graham turns 90, the impact of his ministry continues to be felt worldwide. In addition to holding international evangelistic Festivals, Franklin Graham has overseen the development of several exciting new projects at the BGEA that are reaching millions of people across the United States and around the globe.
From its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association runs a wide range of domestic and international ministries, including: large- scale festivals led by evangelists Franklin Graham and his son Will Graham; Dare to Be a Daniel, a youth evangelism training project; My Hope World Evangelism Through Television; the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team of crisis-trained chaplains; and many others through print, television, telephone, radio and the Internet. For more information, please visit www.billygraham.org.
Christian Newswire
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- For more than 60 years, evangelist Billy Graham has preached the good news of God's love in-person to nearly 215 million people at hundreds of events and countless millions more via television and radio. Now, all of the individuals, churches and ministries he has impacted have a unique opportunity to say something in return.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) announced today it is collecting stories and birthday wishes for the evangelist, who turns 90 on November 7, 2008. All who have been personally touched by an aspect of Billy Graham's ministry are welcome and encouraged to visit www.billygraham90.com to share a greeting or a personal story about his ministry they feel would encourage Mr. Graham at this milestone. Submissions will be accepted until November 1.
"My father is a humble man who would never expect to be honored and recognized like this on his birthday," said Franklin Graham, BGEA president and CEO and Graham's eldest son. "We urge all who made a commitment to Jesus Christ through my father's ministry to share your story or simple greeting, as nothing could uplift him more on this special day."
Along with providing a place where visitors can submit stories and greetings, www.billygraham90.com also contains resources that churches and other ministries can download to inform others about this birthday celebration. In addition, messages can be mailed to: Billy Graham's 90th Birthday, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201.
Following Mr. Graham's birthday in November, all of the greetings and wishes in honor of his faithful decades-long ministry will be combined into books and presented to him during a special tribute dinner with family and ministry friends later in the month.
As Mr. Graham turns 90, the impact of his ministry continues to be felt worldwide. In addition to holding international evangelistic Festivals, Franklin Graham has overseen the development of several exciting new projects at the BGEA that are reaching millions of people across the United States and around the globe.
From its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association runs a wide range of domestic and international ministries, including: large- scale festivals led by evangelists Franklin Graham and his son Will Graham; Dare to Be a Daniel, a youth evangelism training project; My Hope World Evangelism Through Television; the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team of crisis-trained chaplains; and many others through print, television, telephone, radio and the Internet. For more information, please visit www.billygraham.org.
Christian Newswire
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Host Desecration Videos Back on YouTube
America Needs Fatima outraged
SPRING GROVE, Penn., Oct. 2 /Christian Newswire/ -- Host desecration videos originally pulled from YouTube have been reposted. The America Needs Fatima campaign is sickened by this blasphemy and has collected 18,201 signatures on a protest petition in just 7 days.
The 40 separate desecration videos -- originally posted in mid-August -- showed the Host being flushed down a toilet, stomped on and fed to ducks, among other sickening spectacles.
In response to the America Needs Fatima petition, the desecration videos were pulled from YouTube on October 1, but were reposted the same day.
Robert Ritchie, director of America Needs Fatima, explained: "As Catholics, we believe the Host is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ. Witnessing the desecration of the Host causes anguish to Catholics all over the world."
Ritchie added: "In the past, YouTube has removed videos offensive to Jews and members of other religions, including one showing a teenager urinating on a Holocaust memorial. Why can't Catholics be afforded the same respect for our deeply held beliefs? "
"The desecration of the Host is not an acceptable form of free speech. The only message it conveys is one of unremitting hatred," Ritchie said.
Go to www.AmericaNeedsFatima.org/yt/ to sign and send a petition protest to YouTube.
Or convey your own protest message in a polite yet firm manner to YouTube by calling (650) 253-0000 or FAXing (650) 253-0001.
America Needs Fatima aims to capture the heart and soul of America with the message of Our Lady of Fatima.
ANF is a project of The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP), which was founded in 1973 by a group of concerned Catholics to lead an intellectual resistance to liberalism, socialism and communism, as well as to affirm the positive values of tradition, family and property.
For more information on the projects and activities of America Needs Fatima, go to www.ANF.org. To schedule an interview with Robert Ritchie, call Gary Isbell at 717-309-1990.
Christian Newswire
SPRING GROVE, Penn., Oct. 2 /Christian Newswire/ -- Host desecration videos originally pulled from YouTube have been reposted. The America Needs Fatima campaign is sickened by this blasphemy and has collected 18,201 signatures on a protest petition in just 7 days.
The 40 separate desecration videos -- originally posted in mid-August -- showed the Host being flushed down a toilet, stomped on and fed to ducks, among other sickening spectacles.
In response to the America Needs Fatima petition, the desecration videos were pulled from YouTube on October 1, but were reposted the same day.
Robert Ritchie, director of America Needs Fatima, explained: "As Catholics, we believe the Host is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ. Witnessing the desecration of the Host causes anguish to Catholics all over the world."
Ritchie added: "In the past, YouTube has removed videos offensive to Jews and members of other religions, including one showing a teenager urinating on a Holocaust memorial. Why can't Catholics be afforded the same respect for our deeply held beliefs? "
"The desecration of the Host is not an acceptable form of free speech. The only message it conveys is one of unremitting hatred," Ritchie said.
Go to www.AmericaNeedsFatima.org/yt/ to sign and send a petition protest to YouTube.
Or convey your own protest message in a polite yet firm manner to YouTube by calling (650) 253-0000 or FAXing (650) 253-0001.
America Needs Fatima aims to capture the heart and soul of America with the message of Our Lady of Fatima.
ANF is a project of The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP), which was founded in 1973 by a group of concerned Catholics to lead an intellectual resistance to liberalism, socialism and communism, as well as to affirm the positive values of tradition, family and property.
For more information on the projects and activities of America Needs Fatima, go to www.ANF.org. To schedule an interview with Robert Ritchie, call Gary Isbell at 717-309-1990.
Christian Newswire
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
YouTube Gets 18,201 Petitions, Host Desecration Videos Pulled
SPRING GROVE, Penn., Oct. 1 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today, responding to a worldwide protest from Catholics, the internet video sharing site YouTube has removed 40 videos showing horrible desecrations of the Holy Eucharist from its site. The account of the author was also suspended.
Catholics are thrilled and prayers of thanksgiving are being offered.
The video removal petition was circulated by the Catholic group America Needs Fatima and 18,201 people signed it in only seven days.
For over a month, an individual from Canada had posted 40 videos showing the Holy Eucharist being stepped on, burned, stapled, smoked and nailed to a stick -- even flushed down the toilet.
The videos shocked Catholics and caused America Needs Fatima to launch a petition on September 23 asking YouTube to remove the videos.
"I was never so offended in my life," said Michael Jordan, who joined the petition from Marysville, California. "The videos were pure hate."
The petition spread like wildfire. America Needs Fatima webmaster Joseph Ritchie said: "I never saw so many people sign a petition so fast. They came in from all over the world, even Russia."
"We're now sending YouTube a 'thank you' note." Mr. Ritchie said. "The 'thank you' message lets Catholics tell YouTube how happy they are with the videos being removed."
"It's important the staff at YouTube see that Catholics not only have courage to defend the faith, but courtesy to say 'thank you' as well," he said.
For more information on the 'thank you' message to YouTube, or for interviews, call Robert Ritchie at 717- 309-1990, or go to www.ANF.org.
Christian Newswire
Catholics are thrilled and prayers of thanksgiving are being offered.
The video removal petition was circulated by the Catholic group America Needs Fatima and 18,201 people signed it in only seven days.
For over a month, an individual from Canada had posted 40 videos showing the Holy Eucharist being stepped on, burned, stapled, smoked and nailed to a stick -- even flushed down the toilet.
The videos shocked Catholics and caused America Needs Fatima to launch a petition on September 23 asking YouTube to remove the videos.
"I was never so offended in my life," said Michael Jordan, who joined the petition from Marysville, California. "The videos were pure hate."
The petition spread like wildfire. America Needs Fatima webmaster Joseph Ritchie said: "I never saw so many people sign a petition so fast. They came in from all over the world, even Russia."
"We're now sending YouTube a 'thank you' note." Mr. Ritchie said. "The 'thank you' message lets Catholics tell YouTube how happy they are with the videos being removed."
"It's important the staff at YouTube see that Catholics not only have courage to defend the faith, but courtesy to say 'thank you' as well," he said.
For more information on the 'thank you' message to YouTube, or for interviews, call Robert Ritchie at 717- 309-1990, or go to www.ANF.org.
Christian Newswire
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Catholic Clergy Call on YouTube to Remove Offensive Videos
HARRISBURG, Penn., Sept. 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy requests that YouTube immediately remove all videos depicting the desecration of Catholic hosts (consecrated wafers of bread used in sacred worship). Currently, forty videos are online showing the blasphemous sacrilege against the Most Holy Eucharist (also known as the Blessed Sacrament). We urge YouTube to show the same respect and decency it recently extended to our Jewish brothers and sisters when a similar incident occurred that greatly offended the children of Abraham.
YouTube recently removed a video showing a teenager urinating on the Holocaust memorial in Greece. It was taken down on August 27th, 2008, after five days of protests from Jewish communities around the world. Sadly, the same response has not been extended to Catholic Christians as the offensive videos showing desecration of the Eucharist have been up for more than two months. One of these forty videos shows a host being flushed down the toilet.
Another video shows someone literally absconding from a Catholic Mass with a Host in his possession. The ease with which persons can take Holy Communion since the option to receive in the hand was introduced in the late 20th century, and the subsequent acts of desecration and sacrilege, make it paramount that our bishops seriously consider revoking this method. Restricting reception to Communion on the tongue and disallowing in the Hand is but one possible remedy. Frequent Eucharistic Holy Hours with Benediction will also be of great assistance and encouragement. Voluntary expansion of the Eucharistic fast from one hour to three hours before receiving Holy Communion is another help. Greater reverence for the Blessed Sacrament will be enhanced not only by removing reception in the hand but also by encouraging kneeling as well. Placing the Tabernacle back in the center of our church sanctuaries is another obvious sign of belief in the Real Presence.
We urge all our brother priests and deacons to be very conscious of our public acts of Latria (worship) of the Holy Eucharist as the real, true and substantial Body & Blood, Soul & Divinity of Christ. The attention, reverence and devotion we show to Blessed Sacrament as its ordinary ministers will only inspire our people to aspire to emulate our love for Jesus in this most sublime presence. We also pray for those poor souls who commit these vile acts of sacrilege and ask them to please stop.
Christian Newswire
YouTube recently removed a video showing a teenager urinating on the Holocaust memorial in Greece. It was taken down on August 27th, 2008, after five days of protests from Jewish communities around the world. Sadly, the same response has not been extended to Catholic Christians as the offensive videos showing desecration of the Eucharist have been up for more than two months. One of these forty videos shows a host being flushed down the toilet.
Another video shows someone literally absconding from a Catholic Mass with a Host in his possession. The ease with which persons can take Holy Communion since the option to receive in the hand was introduced in the late 20th century, and the subsequent acts of desecration and sacrilege, make it paramount that our bishops seriously consider revoking this method. Restricting reception to Communion on the tongue and disallowing in the Hand is but one possible remedy. Frequent Eucharistic Holy Hours with Benediction will also be of great assistance and encouragement. Voluntary expansion of the Eucharistic fast from one hour to three hours before receiving Holy Communion is another help. Greater reverence for the Blessed Sacrament will be enhanced not only by removing reception in the hand but also by encouraging kneeling as well. Placing the Tabernacle back in the center of our church sanctuaries is another obvious sign of belief in the Real Presence.
We urge all our brother priests and deacons to be very conscious of our public acts of Latria (worship) of the Holy Eucharist as the real, true and substantial Body & Blood, Soul & Divinity of Christ. The attention, reverence and devotion we show to Blessed Sacrament as its ordinary ministers will only inspire our people to aspire to emulate our love for Jesus in this most sublime presence. We also pray for those poor souls who commit these vile acts of sacrilege and ask them to please stop.
Christian Newswire
Monday, September 29, 2008
Fr. Pavone: Pulpit Under God's Authority, Not Government's
WASHINGTON, September 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, commented today on the "Pulpit Freedom Sunday" that a group of pastors observed this past weekend, in which they spoke about the moral qualifications of candidates for public office, with a freedom that they maintain the IRS is wrongly taking from pastors.
"This effort is not about bringing politics into the pulpit; it's about getting government out of the pulpit," Fr. Pavone explained. "It should be Church authority, not government authority that determines the criteria for how pastors should address politics."
"When a preacher goes into a pulpit, he does so under the command and authority of God, to preach God's word. Now God's word cannot really be God's if the government can limit or censor it. Moreover, if preachers didn't historically have the freedom to challenge government authority, we would have neither Christianity nor the United States of America," Fr. Pavone pointed out.
"My advice to my fellow priests and pastors is simply this: Don't have a knee-jerk reaction to the actions some pastors took this weekend, simply dismissing such actions as inappropriate. Rather, think about whether you are fully exercising the freedom you already do have under the law, and think about how much you are not doing simply because you fear legal entanglements."
Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro- life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.
Christian Newswire
"This effort is not about bringing politics into the pulpit; it's about getting government out of the pulpit," Fr. Pavone explained. "It should be Church authority, not government authority that determines the criteria for how pastors should address politics."
"When a preacher goes into a pulpit, he does so under the command and authority of God, to preach God's word. Now God's word cannot really be God's if the government can limit or censor it. Moreover, if preachers didn't historically have the freedom to challenge government authority, we would have neither Christianity nor the United States of America," Fr. Pavone pointed out.
"My advice to my fellow priests and pastors is simply this: Don't have a knee-jerk reaction to the actions some pastors took this weekend, simply dismissing such actions as inappropriate. Rather, think about whether you are fully exercising the freedom you already do have under the law, and think about how much you are not doing simply because you fear legal entanglements."
Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro- life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.
Christian Newswire
Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage Will Increase Prevalence of Homosexuality: Voters Unaware of Research
SAN DIEGO Calif., Sept. 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- Voters in several U.S. states soon will decide whether same-sex marriage will be permitted in their state. However, most voters are unaware of scientific research which reveals that social endorsement of homosexuality, as would be the case with the legalization of same-sex marriage, will lead more individuals into a homosexual lifestyle.
Trayce L. Hansen, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist, recently reviewed extensive worldwide research on the origins of homosexuality and the impact social endorsement has on the rate of homosexual behavior.
Dr. Hansen's findings are reported in a newly released article entitled, "Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Will Increase Prevalence of Homosexuality: Research Provides Significant Evidence." This latest piece is the author's third in a series of articles concerning same-sex marriage, homosexuality, and children. The previous articles in the series are entitled, "Love Isn't Enough: Five Reasons Why Same- Sex Marriage Will Harm Children" and "Pro- Homosexual Researchers Conceal Findings: Children Raised by Openly Homosexual Parents More Likely To Engage in Homosexuality." All three articles, as well as other background information and research references, are available on her website at http://www.drtraycehansen.com.
Christian Newswire
Trayce L. Hansen, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist, recently reviewed extensive worldwide research on the origins of homosexuality and the impact social endorsement has on the rate of homosexual behavior.
Dr. Hansen's findings are reported in a newly released article entitled, "Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Will Increase Prevalence of Homosexuality: Research Provides Significant Evidence." This latest piece is the author's third in a series of articles concerning same-sex marriage, homosexuality, and children. The previous articles in the series are entitled, "Love Isn't Enough: Five Reasons Why Same- Sex Marriage Will Harm Children" and "Pro- Homosexual Researchers Conceal Findings: Children Raised by Openly Homosexual Parents More Likely To Engage in Homosexuality." All three articles, as well as other background information and research references, are available on her website at http://www.drtraycehansen.com.
Christian Newswire
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
AFTAH Confronts San Francisco Mayor Newsom for Welcoming Homosexual Orgies and Public Nudity on City Streets
NAPERVILLE, Ill., Sept. 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- Americans for Truth (AFTAH) will join other pro-family groups on the steps of the San Francisco City Hall Friday, Sept. 26, to confront Mayor Gavin Newsom for welcoming a sadistic homosexual street fair to the city -- featuring hundreds of men walking around fully naked and engaging in public sex acts, as police stand idly by without enforcing decency laws.
The 25th annual "Folsom Street Fair" will be held this Sunday, Sept. 28, in San Francisco. AFTAH President Peter LaBarbera will join other pro-family leaders in pre- and post-Folsom press conferences on the steps of San Francisco City Hall to highlight the public depravities that could only happen in San Francisco - home to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (third in line to be President):
WHAT: Two press events exposing the Folsom Street Fair and the politicians who enable it;
WHERE: San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 26, 11:00 AM - prior to Folsom; and Monday, Sept. 29, 10:00 AM - post-Folsom;
WHO: Peter LaBarbera, AFTAH; Linda Harvey, Mission America; Diane Gramley, American Family Association of Pennsylvania; and Anthony Gonzalez, St. Joseph's Men's Society.
Said LaBarbera: "Mayor Newsom sent a welcome letter to Folsom participants. When AFTAH published it on our website, Folsom organizers sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding that we take it down. So it appears that either Mayor Newsom or Folsom organizers are not so 'proud' of this vile 'street fair' after all."
LaBarbera said most Americans would be stunned to learn what goes on at Folsom under the cover of police protection:
Rampant public nudity including men walking the streets in nothing but their socks and sneakers;
Public street orgies in which men engage in heinous sex acts as thousands of fairgoers walk by;
Public sadistic whippings;
Blatant anti-Christian bigotry - e.g., the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" -- transvestite mock "nuns" who work closely with Folsom; and religious-themed "sex toys" sold by vendors.
Public health hazards: Folsom promotes local gay sex clubs where unsafe, anonymous sodomies (e.g., "barebacking") occur that spread diseases.
Police blame their inaction on politicians who tell them not to intervene or enforce the law.
"AFTAH already has gathered video and photo documentation of previous Folsom crimes - including rampant nudity and public orgies - on city streets with children in the crowd. We will be videotaping again Sunday," LaBarbera said. "Democratic politicians like Newsom, Mark Leno and self-avowed Catholic Nancy Pelosi celebrate or refuse to denounce this event. Are these the Democratic values they want to model to the rest of the nation?"
"If the American public were to discover the despicable acts that are allowed to go on in Speaker Pelosi's own congressional district - and which she carefully avoids condemning - she'd be sitting at home collecting unemployment rather than being two heartbeats away from the presidency," he said.
Christian Newswire
The 25th annual "Folsom Street Fair" will be held this Sunday, Sept. 28, in San Francisco. AFTAH President Peter LaBarbera will join other pro-family leaders in pre- and post-Folsom press conferences on the steps of San Francisco City Hall to highlight the public depravities that could only happen in San Francisco - home to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (third in line to be President):
WHAT: Two press events exposing the Folsom Street Fair and the politicians who enable it;
WHERE: San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 26, 11:00 AM - prior to Folsom; and Monday, Sept. 29, 10:00 AM - post-Folsom;
WHO: Peter LaBarbera, AFTAH; Linda Harvey, Mission America; Diane Gramley, American Family Association of Pennsylvania; and Anthony Gonzalez, St. Joseph's Men's Society.
Said LaBarbera: "Mayor Newsom sent a welcome letter to Folsom participants. When AFTAH published it on our website, Folsom organizers sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding that we take it down. So it appears that either Mayor Newsom or Folsom organizers are not so 'proud' of this vile 'street fair' after all."
LaBarbera said most Americans would be stunned to learn what goes on at Folsom under the cover of police protection:
Rampant public nudity including men walking the streets in nothing but their socks and sneakers;
Public street orgies in which men engage in heinous sex acts as thousands of fairgoers walk by;
Public sadistic whippings;
Blatant anti-Christian bigotry - e.g., the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" -- transvestite mock "nuns" who work closely with Folsom; and religious-themed "sex toys" sold by vendors.
Public health hazards: Folsom promotes local gay sex clubs where unsafe, anonymous sodomies (e.g., "barebacking") occur that spread diseases.
Police blame their inaction on politicians who tell them not to intervene or enforce the law.
"AFTAH already has gathered video and photo documentation of previous Folsom crimes - including rampant nudity and public orgies - on city streets with children in the crowd. We will be videotaping again Sunday," LaBarbera said. "Democratic politicians like Newsom, Mark Leno and self-avowed Catholic Nancy Pelosi celebrate or refuse to denounce this event. Are these the Democratic values they want to model to the rest of the nation?"
"If the American public were to discover the despicable acts that are allowed to go on in Speaker Pelosi's own congressional district - and which she carefully avoids condemning - she'd be sitting at home collecting unemployment rather than being two heartbeats away from the presidency," he said.
Christian Newswire
Friday, September 19, 2008
SBA List President: 'Obama is Lying About Record on Born Alive Infant Protection Act'
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today, in response to a new Ohio ad by the Barack Obama campaign addressing Obama's position with regard to opposing the Born Alive Infant Protection Act the Susan B. Anthony List offered comment and facts on Obama's record:
"If only 'change' was all about how Barack Obama could change his past votes. He knows his extreme record on abortion doesn't resonate with values voters in battleground states, and sadly it is too late to change his votes. So now he's truly lying - bordering upon the pathological -- with this new television ad. The only favorable interpretation of this ad would be that he is suffering from some sort of amnesia," said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "However, that seems unlikely. His inhuman vote on the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act is too memorable and will repel values voters across the country. American voters are savvy - they can and will see through Barack Obama's cynical attempt to play the politics of personal gain when unborn lives are on the line."
"Obama built a straw man out of the public's condemnation of his vote. No one claimed he wants to leave every single newborn infant to die - just the most vulnerable ones - those almost full term girls and boys whose abortion was unsuccessful," said Dannenfelser.
Documents recently obtained by the National Right to Life Committee reveal a discrepancy between the facts and Barack Obama's rhetoric about the Born- Alive Infant Protection Act:
· Barack Obama opposed the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act as an Illinois State Senator. He spoke against the bill, calling it an "unnecessary burden" for women and voted against it three times. Despite that opposition, he has since declared support for the federal version of the same legislation that aims to protect newborn babies who survive abortions.
· After NARAL pulled its opposition to the legislation, Obama continued to oppose it.
· Obama has publicly stated he opposed the legislation due to its lack of a "neutrality clause" - language expressing that the bill had no bearing on the legal status of unborn children with regard to abortion.
· Official legislative documents show that Obama in fact presided over a committee hearing where "neutrality clause" language - identical to the federal language - was added to the Illinois version of the Born Alive Infant Protection Act.
· After voting in support of the "neutrality clause," Obama then joined fellow Democrats to oppose the bill, killing it by a vote of 6-4, even after the addition of the "neutrality clause."
· The bill Obama killed is nearly identical to the federal version of the Born Alive Infant Protection Act signed by President Bush in 2002.
Since its founding, the Susan B. Anthony List has helped elect 75 pro-life candidates to the House, seven to the Senate, and seven to other statewide offices across the country.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 147,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
www.sba-list.org
Christian Newswire
"If only 'change' was all about how Barack Obama could change his past votes. He knows his extreme record on abortion doesn't resonate with values voters in battleground states, and sadly it is too late to change his votes. So now he's truly lying - bordering upon the pathological -- with this new television ad. The only favorable interpretation of this ad would be that he is suffering from some sort of amnesia," said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "However, that seems unlikely. His inhuman vote on the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act is too memorable and will repel values voters across the country. American voters are savvy - they can and will see through Barack Obama's cynical attempt to play the politics of personal gain when unborn lives are on the line."
"Obama built a straw man out of the public's condemnation of his vote. No one claimed he wants to leave every single newborn infant to die - just the most vulnerable ones - those almost full term girls and boys whose abortion was unsuccessful," said Dannenfelser.
Documents recently obtained by the National Right to Life Committee reveal a discrepancy between the facts and Barack Obama's rhetoric about the Born- Alive Infant Protection Act:
· Barack Obama opposed the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act as an Illinois State Senator. He spoke against the bill, calling it an "unnecessary burden" for women and voted against it three times. Despite that opposition, he has since declared support for the federal version of the same legislation that aims to protect newborn babies who survive abortions.
· After NARAL pulled its opposition to the legislation, Obama continued to oppose it.
· Obama has publicly stated he opposed the legislation due to its lack of a "neutrality clause" - language expressing that the bill had no bearing on the legal status of unborn children with regard to abortion.
· Official legislative documents show that Obama in fact presided over a committee hearing where "neutrality clause" language - identical to the federal language - was added to the Illinois version of the Born Alive Infant Protection Act.
· After voting in support of the "neutrality clause," Obama then joined fellow Democrats to oppose the bill, killing it by a vote of 6-4, even after the addition of the "neutrality clause."
· The bill Obama killed is nearly identical to the federal version of the Born Alive Infant Protection Act signed by President Bush in 2002.
Since its founding, the Susan B. Anthony List has helped elect 75 pro-life candidates to the House, seven to the Senate, and seven to other statewide offices across the country.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 147,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
www.sba-list.org
Christian Newswire
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Catholic Priests and Former Abortionist Confront Congress
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- On the heels of controversies involving House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Joseph Biden's comments on the Catholic Church and abortion, Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, today ended three days of visits to the offices of members of Congress, challenging them to admit what abortion is.
"The abortion debate often lacks a starting point, because the word has lost practically all its meaning," Fr. Pavone stated. "We've been visiting Congressional offices, bringing diagrams of the procedure and quotes of abortionists, and then have asked, 'Is this what you mean when you say abortion?'"
Joining Fr. Pavone in these Capitol Hill meetings were Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., former abortionist Dr. Anthony Levatino, Fr. Denis G. Wilde, O.S.A., Fr. Peter J. West, Fr. Victor Salomon, and the Coordinator of Priests for Life's Lay Missionaries, James J. Pinto. The details of the "Is This What You Mean?" campaign, along with the quotes and diagrams, can be found at www.priestsforlife.org/isthiswhatyoumean.
"The last thing that abortion supporters want to talk about is abortion," Fr. Pavone added. "But this campaign puts the words of the abortionists before the public, so that those who vote in favor of abortion can no longer hide from its violent reality."
Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro- life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.
Christian Newswire
"The abortion debate often lacks a starting point, because the word has lost practically all its meaning," Fr. Pavone stated. "We've been visiting Congressional offices, bringing diagrams of the procedure and quotes of abortionists, and then have asked, 'Is this what you mean when you say abortion?'"
Joining Fr. Pavone in these Capitol Hill meetings were Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., former abortionist Dr. Anthony Levatino, Fr. Denis G. Wilde, O.S.A., Fr. Peter J. West, Fr. Victor Salomon, and the Coordinator of Priests for Life's Lay Missionaries, James J. Pinto. The details of the "Is This What You Mean?" campaign, along with the quotes and diagrams, can be found at www.priestsforlife.org/isthiswhatyoumean.
"The last thing that abortion supporters want to talk about is abortion," Fr. Pavone added. "But this campaign puts the words of the abortionists before the public, so that those who vote in favor of abortion can no longer hide from its violent reality."
Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro- life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.
Christian Newswire
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Pro-Life Organizations Launch Nationwide Campaign Against Planned Parenthood
CHICAGO, Sept. 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- This Thursday, September 18, leaders from more than 20 pro-life organizations will come together in Rosemont, Ill., to draft a joint resolution, expected to outline a plan to de-fund and shut down Planned Parenthood.
The pro-life advocates will gather at the "Planned Parenthood: BAD for America" summit, organized by the Pro-Life Action League, of Chicago, to share techniques that have proved successful in impeding Planned Parenthood's objectives across the country. This is the first time so many pro-life groups from across the country have gathered in a single location to address fighting Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider.
"Each pro-life group emphasizes different strategies for effectively reducing abortion, but we all share a common goal - to stop abortion forever," says Eric Scheidler, PLAL communications director. "Even as the abortion rate declines nationally, Planned Parenthood's abortion numbers are on the rise - and now Planned Parenthood has launched a major expansion, aggressively targeting the young and vulnerable of our nation. Today more than ever, the pro-life movement must stand together to oppose Planned Parenthood."
Scheidler led the effort last year to oppose the opening of a massive new Planned Parenthood facility in Aurora, Ill. - called "Ground Zero" by Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards -- and has advised other pro-life groups around the country on mobilizing grassroots resistance to Planned Parenthood's designs on their communities.
The summit agenda includes presentations by experts who are veterans from the pro-life battlefield, including the following:
"Fighting Planned Parenthood in the Courtroom" with Tom Brejcha, chief counsel of Thomas More Society/Pro-Life Law Center, which has litigated cases against Planned Parenthood in state and federal court.
"Exposing the True Face of Planned Parenthood to the American Public" with Kristan Hawkins, executive director of Students for Life of America, which has exposed Planned Parenthood's willingness to accept racially motivated donations through a series of widely viewed YouTube videos.
"Planned Parenthood's Vision for the Future" with Jim Sedlak, executive director of STOPP Planned Parenthood, the nation's leading Planned Parenthood watchdog group, which has charted Planned Parenthood's expansion effort.
Scheidler and his father, Joe Scheidler, renowned pro- life advocate, will facilitate discussion and drafting of a joint resolution on steps the pro-life coalition will take to combat Planned Parenthood in the coming years.
"Planned Parenthood is a huge organization, flush with cash, but no enemy is too big when we work together," the younger Scheidler says. "When all of these pro-life groups gather on Thursday, America will see a unified front in the battle to save unborn babies from their number-one enemy, Planned Parenthood."
Christian Newswire
The pro-life advocates will gather at the "Planned Parenthood: BAD for America" summit, organized by the Pro-Life Action League, of Chicago, to share techniques that have proved successful in impeding Planned Parenthood's objectives across the country. This is the first time so many pro-life groups from across the country have gathered in a single location to address fighting Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider.
"Each pro-life group emphasizes different strategies for effectively reducing abortion, but we all share a common goal - to stop abortion forever," says Eric Scheidler, PLAL communications director. "Even as the abortion rate declines nationally, Planned Parenthood's abortion numbers are on the rise - and now Planned Parenthood has launched a major expansion, aggressively targeting the young and vulnerable of our nation. Today more than ever, the pro-life movement must stand together to oppose Planned Parenthood."
Scheidler led the effort last year to oppose the opening of a massive new Planned Parenthood facility in Aurora, Ill. - called "Ground Zero" by Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards -- and has advised other pro-life groups around the country on mobilizing grassroots resistance to Planned Parenthood's designs on their communities.
The summit agenda includes presentations by experts who are veterans from the pro-life battlefield, including the following:
"Fighting Planned Parenthood in the Courtroom" with Tom Brejcha, chief counsel of Thomas More Society/Pro-Life Law Center, which has litigated cases against Planned Parenthood in state and federal court.
"Exposing the True Face of Planned Parenthood to the American Public" with Kristan Hawkins, executive director of Students for Life of America, which has exposed Planned Parenthood's willingness to accept racially motivated donations through a series of widely viewed YouTube videos.
"Planned Parenthood's Vision for the Future" with Jim Sedlak, executive director of STOPP Planned Parenthood, the nation's leading Planned Parenthood watchdog group, which has charted Planned Parenthood's expansion effort.
Scheidler and his father, Joe Scheidler, renowned pro- life advocate, will facilitate discussion and drafting of a joint resolution on steps the pro-life coalition will take to combat Planned Parenthood in the coming years.
"Planned Parenthood is a huge organization, flush with cash, but no enemy is too big when we work together," the younger Scheidler says. "When all of these pro-life groups gather on Thursday, America will see a unified front in the battle to save unborn babies from their number-one enemy, Planned Parenthood."
Christian Newswire
Monday, September 15, 2008
Fr. Pavone Announces Completion of Liturgical Guide for Pro-life Preaching
AMARILLO, Texas, Sept. 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, announced today the culmination of a three-year project to assist priests to preach on abortion and the Culture of Life.
"For the past three years, I have written homily hints on how to take the readings assigned to each Sunday and preach on abortion," Fr. Pavone said. "The lectionary has a three-year Sunday cycle, and today we completed the reflections for each Sunday of each of the three years. Now, these homily hints can be used as each cycle continues to repeat through the years."
Fr. Pavone has preached on abortion throughout the 50 states each day since September of 1993. A careful analysis of the responses of the people, integrated with a careful study of the pastoral plan of the United States bishops, has produced an approach that preachers can rely on with confidence.
The reflections are available online at www.priestsforlife.org/liturgy. Priests, deacons, and parish ministers can also receive a weekly email with the homily hints for upcoming Sundays, as well as a set of General Intercessions for Mass and a paragraph on pro-life issues for the parish bulletin. The email can be requested at clergy@priestsforlife.org.
Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro- life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.
Christian Newswire
"For the past three years, I have written homily hints on how to take the readings assigned to each Sunday and preach on abortion," Fr. Pavone said. "The lectionary has a three-year Sunday cycle, and today we completed the reflections for each Sunday of each of the three years. Now, these homily hints can be used as each cycle continues to repeat through the years."
Fr. Pavone has preached on abortion throughout the 50 states each day since September of 1993. A careful analysis of the responses of the people, integrated with a careful study of the pastoral plan of the United States bishops, has produced an approach that preachers can rely on with confidence.
The reflections are available online at www.priestsforlife.org/liturgy. Priests, deacons, and parish ministers can also receive a weekly email with the homily hints for upcoming Sundays, as well as a set of General Intercessions for Mass and a paragraph on pro-life issues for the parish bulletin. The email can be requested at clergy@priestsforlife.org.
Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro- life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.
Christian Newswire
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Pro-Life Perspective from Values Voters Summit
SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser Available for Comment on Pro-Life Politics and the Role of Women at the Values Voters Summit
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 /Christian Newswire/ -- Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser will be attending the Values Voters Summit at the Hilton Washington (1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C.) on September 12 - 13, 2008.
WHO: Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
WHAT: Media Availability to discuss the following:
-"Abortion Politics 2008" - An SBA List Panel on Saturday, 3:15-4:00pm, Georgetown East - Concourse Level, Hilton Washington
-GOP Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin's authentic pro-life leadership
-GOP Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin's ability to reach and energize women voters
-The abortion issue and its impact in politics
-The importance of Ronald Reagan's three-legged stool for the GOP
-The role of women in politics
-The influence of the Catholic vote
-Presidential candidates and their abortion records
-Personal testimony about John & Cindy McCain's pro- life worldview
-The 2008 election and its importance for the Supreme Court
-How everyday citizens can make a real difference for candidates
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Joy Yearout at (703) 380-6674 or by email at jyearout@sba-list.org.
In addition to extensive fundraising for pro-life candidates, the Susan B. Anthony List will implement "When Women Vote, Pro-Life Candidates Win!"-- a sophisticated voter mobilization program that will target over one million pro-life women voters across seven battleground states. The Susan B. Anthony List plans to invest over $6 million in its 2008 election efforts.
Since its founding, the nonpartisan Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund has helped elect 75 pro-life candidates to the House, seven to the Senate, and seven to other statewide offices across the country.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 147,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
www.sba-list.org
Christian Newswire
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 /Christian Newswire/ -- Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser will be attending the Values Voters Summit at the Hilton Washington (1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C.) on September 12 - 13, 2008.
WHO: Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
WHAT: Media Availability to discuss the following:
-"Abortion Politics 2008" - An SBA List Panel on Saturday, 3:15-4:00pm, Georgetown East - Concourse Level, Hilton Washington
-GOP Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin's authentic pro-life leadership
-GOP Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin's ability to reach and energize women voters
-The abortion issue and its impact in politics
-The importance of Ronald Reagan's three-legged stool for the GOP
-The role of women in politics
-The influence of the Catholic vote
-Presidential candidates and their abortion records
-Personal testimony about John & Cindy McCain's pro- life worldview
-The 2008 election and its importance for the Supreme Court
-How everyday citizens can make a real difference for candidates
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Joy Yearout at (703) 380-6674 or by email at jyearout@sba-list.org.
In addition to extensive fundraising for pro-life candidates, the Susan B. Anthony List will implement "When Women Vote, Pro-Life Candidates Win!"-- a sophisticated voter mobilization program that will target over one million pro-life women voters across seven battleground states. The Susan B. Anthony List plans to invest over $6 million in its 2008 election efforts.
Since its founding, the nonpartisan Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund has helped elect 75 pro-life candidates to the House, seven to the Senate, and seven to other statewide offices across the country.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 147,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
www.sba-list.org
Christian Newswire
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Churches Become Safe Haven for Women Facing Unplanned Pregnancy
SIOUX FALLS, SD, Sept. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- Church leaders across South Dakota are organizing "The Lampstand Project" to mobilize a coalition of churches who pledge to support women and families facing unplanned pregnancy. The churches want to reach out to those who choose alternatives other than abortion when faced with the difficult decision.
A press conference will be held Wednesday, September 10th at 10 a.m. at the Ramada Airport Center (1301 West Russell). The Lampstand Project hopes to identify and mobilize at least 800 churches in the state that are willing to be a light in their community and encourage women to choose life for their unborn child. The coalition boldly supports Initiated Measure 11, which will be on the ballot November 4th. Measure 11 stops abortion as birth control, preventing up to 97 percent of all abortions in South Dakota.
The Lampstand Project represents the entire spectrum on Christian faith traditions. The group wants to demonstrate love and compassion for women facing an unplanned pregnancy by offering support throughout pregnancy and after the baby is born. Lampstand churches will place emblems in their windows helping women easily identify them as a safe and welcoming place they can go for support.
"We believe it is not enough to just be pro-life and preach a sermon once a year on Sanctity or Respect Life Sunday. Our affirmations go beyond words and include specific actions and commitments to women and unborn children," said Steve Hickey, Pastor at Church of the Gate in Sioux Falls. "Spiritual leaders are stepping up to care for women and children, something the Bible calls 'pure religion.' It is not true South Dakota women only have Planned Parenthood to turn to in a time of crisis. In every remote corner of this state are churches ready to tangibly help provide safe places for women and children, born and unborn." Churches, individuals and businesses can help in many ways, from simply posting a yard sign to volunteering at the VoteYesForLife.com office. For more information, please contact VoteYesForLife.com at 605.271.7581.
Source: South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Data, Statistics, and Vital Records
Christian Newswire
A press conference will be held Wednesday, September 10th at 10 a.m. at the Ramada Airport Center (1301 West Russell). The Lampstand Project hopes to identify and mobilize at least 800 churches in the state that are willing to be a light in their community and encourage women to choose life for their unborn child. The coalition boldly supports Initiated Measure 11, which will be on the ballot November 4th. Measure 11 stops abortion as birth control, preventing up to 97 percent of all abortions in South Dakota.
The Lampstand Project represents the entire spectrum on Christian faith traditions. The group wants to demonstrate love and compassion for women facing an unplanned pregnancy by offering support throughout pregnancy and after the baby is born. Lampstand churches will place emblems in their windows helping women easily identify them as a safe and welcoming place they can go for support.
"We believe it is not enough to just be pro-life and preach a sermon once a year on Sanctity or Respect Life Sunday. Our affirmations go beyond words and include specific actions and commitments to women and unborn children," said Steve Hickey, Pastor at Church of the Gate in Sioux Falls. "Spiritual leaders are stepping up to care for women and children, something the Bible calls 'pure religion.' It is not true South Dakota women only have Planned Parenthood to turn to in a time of crisis. In every remote corner of this state are churches ready to tangibly help provide safe places for women and children, born and unborn." Churches, individuals and businesses can help in many ways, from simply posting a yard sign to volunteering at the VoteYesForLife.com office. For more information, please contact VoteYesForLife.com at 605.271.7581.
Source: South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Data, Statistics, and Vital Records
Christian Newswire
Monday, September 08, 2008
First-Ever Internet Catholic TV Station Launches
RealCatholicTV.com Premieres
SOUTH BEND, Ind., September 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- RealCatholicTV.com launched the first television station of its kind on the internet. For the first time, this week all internet users can access solid Catholic programming including, daily news, daily political commentary, daily features on saints and history. From October 1st Premium Users will be able to access regular episodes on morality, movie reviews, entertainment, apologetics, and much more.
As of 2004, the number of hours spent on the internet overtook the number of hours spent watching television in the US. Additionally, the majority of people under 30 now use the internet for their news, information, and education, as well as entertainment. RealCatholicTV.com provides solid Catholic programming targeted directly at the internet audience.
Says Michael Voris, Sr. Executive Producer and host of the network's flagship show, The Vortex, "We hope to make possible 'direct and immediate access to important religious and spiritual resources' for Catholics and Non-Catholics alike. Through Real Catholic TV, viewers will be able to 'overcome distance and isolation' by joining our 'virtual community of faith' that will both inspire and entertain. For the first time, 'young people and young adults, the elderly and home-bound, persons living in remote areas, the members of other religious bodies' and those who are merely interested in access to authentic Catholic programming have a safe and common place to come on the Internet."
RealCatholicTV.com utilizes an easy to navigate site featuring proprietary technology. The site will provide content through a video player that will allow users to view, send, and download content regardless of their computing platform with no plug-ins required. All viewers will have free access to home page content - daily news and commentary (current events and politics) from the Catholic perspective, messages directly from Catholic bishops to the faithful, program previews, and more.
Premium memberships for $10.00 per month will allow access to the full site which includes original programming such as The Other View - a talk show featuring five women co-hosts; Catholic Critic - movie/book/art reviews; Moral Compass - a "Front Line" style approach to church teaching on morality, and Shadow Priest - an edgy presentation of profound Catholic teaching aimed at the young, tech-savvy audience, and at least a dozen more programs.
RealCatholicTV.com has the support of various bishops in the US including Archbishop Charles Joseph Chaput of Denver, Colorado, Bishop David R. Choby of Nashville, Tennessee, and Bishop Robert Francis Vasa of Baker, Oregon, as well as Bishops around the world such as Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, all who are all making appearances on Real Catholic TV this month. Check out their Shepherd's Voice channel at www.RealCatholicTV.com.
For additional information on this launch, contact Ashley Walker or Christine Schicker of The Maximus Group at 678-990-9032 or visit www.realcatholictv.com.
ABOUT RealCatholic TV - RealCatholic TV was formed in early 2008 by lay Catholics faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church with extensive experience in commercial broadcast television. RealCatholic TV aims to provide everyone with means to increase their personal holiness through catechesis and evangelization about the truth of the Christian faith. We aim to convert non-Catholics to the faith founded personally by Jesus Christ, and strengthen the faith of existing Catholics.
Christian Newswire
SOUTH BEND, Ind., September 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- RealCatholicTV.com launched the first television station of its kind on the internet. For the first time, this week all internet users can access solid Catholic programming including, daily news, daily political commentary, daily features on saints and history. From October 1st Premium Users will be able to access regular episodes on morality, movie reviews, entertainment, apologetics, and much more.
As of 2004, the number of hours spent on the internet overtook the number of hours spent watching television in the US. Additionally, the majority of people under 30 now use the internet for their news, information, and education, as well as entertainment. RealCatholicTV.com provides solid Catholic programming targeted directly at the internet audience.
Says Michael Voris, Sr. Executive Producer and host of the network's flagship show, The Vortex, "We hope to make possible 'direct and immediate access to important religious and spiritual resources' for Catholics and Non-Catholics alike. Through Real Catholic TV, viewers will be able to 'overcome distance and isolation' by joining our 'virtual community of faith' that will both inspire and entertain. For the first time, 'young people and young adults, the elderly and home-bound, persons living in remote areas, the members of other religious bodies' and those who are merely interested in access to authentic Catholic programming have a safe and common place to come on the Internet."
RealCatholicTV.com utilizes an easy to navigate site featuring proprietary technology. The site will provide content through a video player that will allow users to view, send, and download content regardless of their computing platform with no plug-ins required. All viewers will have free access to home page content - daily news and commentary (current events and politics) from the Catholic perspective, messages directly from Catholic bishops to the faithful, program previews, and more.
Premium memberships for $10.00 per month will allow access to the full site which includes original programming such as The Other View - a talk show featuring five women co-hosts; Catholic Critic - movie/book/art reviews; Moral Compass - a "Front Line" style approach to church teaching on morality, and Shadow Priest - an edgy presentation of profound Catholic teaching aimed at the young, tech-savvy audience, and at least a dozen more programs.
RealCatholicTV.com has the support of various bishops in the US including Archbishop Charles Joseph Chaput of Denver, Colorado, Bishop David R. Choby of Nashville, Tennessee, and Bishop Robert Francis Vasa of Baker, Oregon, as well as Bishops around the world such as Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, all who are all making appearances on Real Catholic TV this month. Check out their Shepherd's Voice channel at www.RealCatholicTV.com.
For additional information on this launch, contact Ashley Walker or Christine Schicker of The Maximus Group at 678-990-9032 or visit www.realcatholictv.com.
ABOUT RealCatholic TV - RealCatholic TV was formed in early 2008 by lay Catholics faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church with extensive experience in commercial broadcast television. RealCatholic TV aims to provide everyone with means to increase their personal holiness through catechesis and evangelization about the truth of the Christian faith. We aim to convert non-Catholics to the faith founded personally by Jesus Christ, and strengthen the faith of existing Catholics.
Christian Newswire
Friday, August 29, 2008
National Right to Life Praises Palin
Solid pro-life ticket contrasts with pro-abortion ticket
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today the National Right to Life Committee praised John McCain's pick of pro-life Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate.
"We're thrilled," said Karen Cross, National Right to Life Political Director. "Senator McCain has demonstrated his dedication to life in his selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate."
National Right to Life President Wanda Franz, Ph.D added, "Governor Palin brings another strong pro-life voice to the Republican ticket, in sharp contrast to the pro-abortion ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden."
"We've both been very vocal about being pro-life," Palin, a mother of five, said in an interview shortly after the birth of her youngest son Trig, who has Down Syndrome. "We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential."
The differences between the McCain/Palin ticket and the Obama/Biden ticket are clear. While Senator McCain has a very strong record on the life issues, Barack Obama is the most pro-abortion candidate ever nominated by a major political party.
Senator Obama voted multiple times to deny care and protection to children born alive after abortion attempts. He is also co-sponsor of an extreme bill, the so-called "Freedom of Choice Act," that would make partial-birth abortion legal again and require taxpayer funding of abortions. For further information, go to www.nrlc.org.
"The country now has a clear choice," added Darla St. Martin, Co-Executive Director of the National Right to Life Committee, "between an avowed pro-abortion ticket that would continue to push for unrestricted abortion on demand, and a strongly pro-life ticket that will bring us closer to a society that embraces the value and dignity of human life."
The National Right to Life Committee is the nation's largest pro-life group with affiliates in all 50 states and over 3,000 local chapters nationwide. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect those threatened by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Christian Newswire
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today the National Right to Life Committee praised John McCain's pick of pro-life Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate.
"We're thrilled," said Karen Cross, National Right to Life Political Director. "Senator McCain has demonstrated his dedication to life in his selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate."
National Right to Life President Wanda Franz, Ph.D added, "Governor Palin brings another strong pro-life voice to the Republican ticket, in sharp contrast to the pro-abortion ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden."
"We've both been very vocal about being pro-life," Palin, a mother of five, said in an interview shortly after the birth of her youngest son Trig, who has Down Syndrome. "We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential."
The differences between the McCain/Palin ticket and the Obama/Biden ticket are clear. While Senator McCain has a very strong record on the life issues, Barack Obama is the most pro-abortion candidate ever nominated by a major political party.
Senator Obama voted multiple times to deny care and protection to children born alive after abortion attempts. He is also co-sponsor of an extreme bill, the so-called "Freedom of Choice Act," that would make partial-birth abortion legal again and require taxpayer funding of abortions. For further information, go to www.nrlc.org.
"The country now has a clear choice," added Darla St. Martin, Co-Executive Director of the National Right to Life Committee, "between an avowed pro-abortion ticket that would continue to push for unrestricted abortion on demand, and a strongly pro-life ticket that will bring us closer to a society that embraces the value and dignity of human life."
The National Right to Life Committee is the nation's largest pro-life group with affiliates in all 50 states and over 3,000 local chapters nationwide. National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect those threatened by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Christian Newswire
Christian Coalition of America Applauds John McCain's Choice of Pro-life Conservative Governor Sarah Palin
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christian Coalition of America commends Senator John McCain for his selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, a pro-life conservative mother of 5 children including a Downs Syndrome baby born during April. Liberal and pro-life columnist Nat Hentoff said about Governor Palin in his column on May 26th: "I offer my unsolicited suggestion for (McCain's) vice president: the first woman -- and youngest -- governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, who is an unstereotypical and effective Republican."
Governor Palin said about her husband's and her feelings about their newest child: "We've both been very vocal about being pro-life. We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential."
She served notice to her Alaskan constituents after the birth of Trig Paxson Van Palin that being the mother of a child of special needs would not hinder her professional commitments: "It's a sign of the times to be able to do this. There is no reason to believe a woman can't do it with a growing family. My baby will not be at all or in any sense neglected." And she added, "I will not shirk my duties."
Roberta Combs, President of the Christian Coalition of America said: "Governor Sarah Palin is a bold choice for Vice President who is a courageous advocate for unborn children. In addition, she is a conservative who is a reformer not afraid to shake up the establishment. I congratulate Senator McCain for his outstanding selection for his vice presidential running mate."
Christian Newswire
Governor Palin said about her husband's and her feelings about their newest child: "We've both been very vocal about being pro-life. We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential."
She served notice to her Alaskan constituents after the birth of Trig Paxson Van Palin that being the mother of a child of special needs would not hinder her professional commitments: "It's a sign of the times to be able to do this. There is no reason to believe a woman can't do it with a growing family. My baby will not be at all or in any sense neglected." And she added, "I will not shirk my duties."
Roberta Combs, President of the Christian Coalition of America said: "Governor Sarah Palin is a bold choice for Vice President who is a courageous advocate for unborn children. In addition, she is a conservative who is a reformer not afraid to shake up the establishment. I congratulate Senator McCain for his outstanding selection for his vice presidential running mate."
Christian Newswire
Pro-Life Champion Solidifies GOP Ticket
SBA List President Statement on Sen. John McCain's Vice Presidential Selection
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today, in response to the announcement that Sen. John McCain chose Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate, the President of the Susan B. Anthony List offered the following statement:
"Sarah Palin is the whole package. There couldn't be a better vice presidential pick," said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "Women voters are electrified, and Sarah is someone who is truly in sync with the way real American women think. She is a reform-minded woman who will give all Americans, born and unborn, the authentic leadership they deserve."
"The majority of American women support commonsense restrictions on abortion. Adding Palin to the GOP ticket will resonate with independent women voters nationwide. By choosing the boldly pro- life Sarah Palin as his running mate, John McCain has taken his stand as the one true, authentic pro-life ticket."
Palin's Personal Pro-Life Story:
In April of this year, Sarah Palin gave birth to her fifth child, Trig, who was born premature with Down Syndrome. Recent statistics show that in the U.S., approximately 90% of Down Syndrome diagnoses end with the mother choosing abortion. Palin on her family's reaction to the diagnosis, in her own words:
"We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed." (April 18, 2008, Anchorage Daily News)
"We've both [Palin and husband Todd] been very vocal about being pro-life. We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential." (May 3, 2008, Associated Press)
"I'm looking at him [Trig] right now, and I see perfection. Yeah, he has an extra chromosome. I keep thinking, in our world, what is normal and what is perfect?" (May 3, 2008, Associated Press)
In 2006, Sarah Palin was endorsed by the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund in her race for Alaska governor. In addition to extensive fundraising for pro- life candidates, the Susan B. Anthony List will implement "When Women Vote, Pro-Life Candidates Win!" -- a sophisticated voter mobilization program that will target over one million pro-life women voters across seven battleground states. The Susan B. Anthony List plans to invest over $6 million in its 2008 election efforts.
Since its founding, the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund has helped elect 75 pro-life candidates to the House, seven to the Senate, and seven to other statewide offices across the country.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 147,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
www.sba-list.org
Christian Newswire
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today, in response to the announcement that Sen. John McCain chose Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate, the President of the Susan B. Anthony List offered the following statement:
"Sarah Palin is the whole package. There couldn't be a better vice presidential pick," said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "Women voters are electrified, and Sarah is someone who is truly in sync with the way real American women think. She is a reform-minded woman who will give all Americans, born and unborn, the authentic leadership they deserve."
"The majority of American women support commonsense restrictions on abortion. Adding Palin to the GOP ticket will resonate with independent women voters nationwide. By choosing the boldly pro- life Sarah Palin as his running mate, John McCain has taken his stand as the one true, authentic pro-life ticket."
Palin's Personal Pro-Life Story:
In April of this year, Sarah Palin gave birth to her fifth child, Trig, who was born premature with Down Syndrome. Recent statistics show that in the U.S., approximately 90% of Down Syndrome diagnoses end with the mother choosing abortion. Palin on her family's reaction to the diagnosis, in her own words:
"We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed." (April 18, 2008, Anchorage Daily News)
"We've both [Palin and husband Todd] been very vocal about being pro-life. We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential." (May 3, 2008, Associated Press)
"I'm looking at him [Trig] right now, and I see perfection. Yeah, he has an extra chromosome. I keep thinking, in our world, what is normal and what is perfect?" (May 3, 2008, Associated Press)
In 2006, Sarah Palin was endorsed by the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund in her race for Alaska governor. In addition to extensive fundraising for pro- life candidates, the Susan B. Anthony List will implement "When Women Vote, Pro-Life Candidates Win!" -- a sophisticated voter mobilization program that will target over one million pro-life women voters across seven battleground states. The Susan B. Anthony List plans to invest over $6 million in its 2008 election efforts.
Since its founding, the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund has helped elect 75 pro-life candidates to the House, seven to the Senate, and seven to other statewide offices across the country.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 147,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
www.sba-list.org
Christian Newswire
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Pope Considers Mission as Peter's Successor
Zenit News Agency
"The mission of Peter, and of his successors, is precisely to serve this unity of the one Church of God"
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (Zenit) - Benedict XVI says that his mission as the successor of St. Peter is ensuring that the Church never identifies itself with just one nation or culture.
The Pope affirmed this today after he prayed the midday Angelus with crowds gathered at the summer papal residence at Castel Gandolfo.
Referring to the Gospel reading for today's Mass, the Holy Father reflected on the mission of Peter, who received from Christ "the keys of the kingdom of heaven."
Like Peter, he said, "we too today desire to proclaim with deep conviction: Yes, Jesus, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God! We do this knowing that Christ is the true 'treasure' for which it is worth sacrificing everything; he is the friend who never abandons us, because he knows the most intimate longings of our heart."
"Jesus is the 'Son of the living God,' the promised Messiah, who has come to earth to offer salvation and to satisfy the thirst for life and love that inhabits every human being," the Pontiff added. "How much humanity would gain by welcoming this proclamation that brings joy and peace with it."
Benedict XVI noted that in this dialogue with Peter, Christ mentions the Church for the first time," whose mission is the actuation of the great design of God to gather the whole of humanity into one family in Christ."
He added: "The mission of Peter, and of his successors, is precisely to serve this unity of the one Church of God made up of pagans and Jews; his indispensable ministry is to make sure that the Church never identifies herself with any particular nation or culture, but that she be the Church of all peoples, to make present among men -- who are marked by countless divisions and contrasts -- the peace of God, the unity of those who have become brothers and sisters in Christ: This is the unique mission of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, the successor of Peter."
The Holy Father concluded by asking the faithful to pray for him as he shoulders such an "enormous responsibility," so that, "faithful to Christ, together we can announce and bear witness to his presence in our time."
"The mission of Peter, and of his successors, is precisely to serve this unity of the one Church of God"
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (Zenit) - Benedict XVI says that his mission as the successor of St. Peter is ensuring that the Church never identifies itself with just one nation or culture.
The Pope affirmed this today after he prayed the midday Angelus with crowds gathered at the summer papal residence at Castel Gandolfo.
Referring to the Gospel reading for today's Mass, the Holy Father reflected on the mission of Peter, who received from Christ "the keys of the kingdom of heaven."
Like Peter, he said, "we too today desire to proclaim with deep conviction: Yes, Jesus, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God! We do this knowing that Christ is the true 'treasure' for which it is worth sacrificing everything; he is the friend who never abandons us, because he knows the most intimate longings of our heart."
"Jesus is the 'Son of the living God,' the promised Messiah, who has come to earth to offer salvation and to satisfy the thirst for life and love that inhabits every human being," the Pontiff added. "How much humanity would gain by welcoming this proclamation that brings joy and peace with it."
Benedict XVI noted that in this dialogue with Peter, Christ mentions the Church for the first time," whose mission is the actuation of the great design of God to gather the whole of humanity into one family in Christ."
He added: "The mission of Peter, and of his successors, is precisely to serve this unity of the one Church of God made up of pagans and Jews; his indispensable ministry is to make sure that the Church never identifies herself with any particular nation or culture, but that she be the Church of all peoples, to make present among men -- who are marked by countless divisions and contrasts -- the peace of God, the unity of those who have become brothers and sisters in Christ: This is the unique mission of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, the successor of Peter."
The Holy Father concluded by asking the faithful to pray for him as he shoulders such an "enormous responsibility," so that, "faithful to Christ, together we can announce and bear witness to his presence in our time."
Monday, August 25, 2008
Prayers for life
Please help...
At http://www.prayercampaign.org/, you’ll be able to click on the link that will bring you to a prayer, in English and Spanish, that we invite you, your family, and your parish to pray daily for nine weeks, from September 1 to November 3 (the day before Election Day).
At http://www.prayercampaign.org/, you’ll be able to click on the link that will bring you to a prayer, in English and Spanish, that we invite you, your family, and your parish to pray daily for nine weeks, from September 1 to November 3 (the day before Election Day).
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Obama, Biden, Abortion, and the Catholic Church: Protests, Vigils, Banners, and Lit Drops Begin at Catholic Churches
Denver Schedule Below for Catholic Churches and Protests from Sat 8/23 to Mon 8/25
DENVER, August 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- Randall Terry states: "Obama jumped into political and religious quicksand by picking Biden; Catholic Bishops and voters will determine whether the Obama/Biden ticket sinks into political oblivion on November 4."
"The question is: Will Catholic bishops be courageous and clear, or will they equivocate or remain aloof? If Catholic Bishops, Priests, and laity put Catholic teaching on human life the ahead of the Democrat Party, Obama is doomed.
"The words of John Paul II are clear; the issue is our courage and obedience. It is our job to make Holy Noise at every level; at our Cathedrals, our parishes, in print, on the web - boldly declaring: 'No Catholic may in good conscience vote for Obama, because of his support of child-killing.'" -- Randall Terry, Founder, Operation Rescue
(We have created the following banner, newspaper ads for diocesan newspapers, and brochures for Catholics to use nationwide at no charge.)
3' x 5' Color Banner: "A Vote for Obama is a Vote for Dead Children" (Warning: graphic image) www.ahumbleplea.com/Docs/ObamaBanner.pdf
Newspaper Ad: "Wanted: Catholics to Rescue the Innocent" (Currently running in Denver Catholic Register) www.ahumbleplea.com/RebukeObama.htm
Brochure: "Is it Immoral to vote for Obama for President?" (Quotes John Paul II on Catholic teaching.) www.ahumbleplea.com/Docs/StopObama.pdf
What follows is Catholic Dogma; any Catholic who contradicts this is betraying Church Teaching:
"When a parliamentary or social majority decrees that It is legal, at least under certain conditions, to kill unborn human life, is it not really making a 'tyrannical' decision with regard to the weakest and most defenseless of human beings?...In the case of an intrinsically unjust law, such as a law permitting abortion or euthanasia, it is therefore never licit to obey it, or to take part in a propaganda campaign in favour of such a law, or vote for it....The moral gravity of procured abortion is apparent in all its truth if we recognize we are dealing with murder." John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae
Saturday 8/23 Schedule:
5:00 P.M: Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate; Lit Drop, and Large Graphic Banners, "A Vote for Obama is a Vote for Dead Children" (showing a dead child) at 1530 Logan St, Denver, 80203. Banners will be used after Mass.
6:30 P.M: Heritage Christian Center (African American Church) Lit Drop, Graphic Banners. 9495 East Florida Ave, Denver, 80247
8- 10 P.M. Graphic Banners at Elitch Gardens: 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, 80204, at closed event for media.
Sunday 8/24 Schedule:
10:30 A.M: Catholic Cathedral Lit drop and Banners (details above)
1:30 - 4:00: P.M. Interfaith Gathering; denouncing treachery against innocent life. Wells Fargo Theatre, Colorado Convention Center; 700 14th St.
6:30 P.M: Catholic Cathedral Lit drop and Banners (details above)
Monday 8/25:
10:00 AM African American Caucus
12 Noon: Hispanic Caucus
2 PM Opening of DNC, Pepsi Center
Note: For any media who would like to travel with our team for a short while, we have several other planned events not listed above.
Contact: Joe Landry 406-860-9738; 904-687-9804
Christian Newswire
DENVER, August 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- Randall Terry states: "Obama jumped into political and religious quicksand by picking Biden; Catholic Bishops and voters will determine whether the Obama/Biden ticket sinks into political oblivion on November 4."
"The question is: Will Catholic bishops be courageous and clear, or will they equivocate or remain aloof? If Catholic Bishops, Priests, and laity put Catholic teaching on human life the ahead of the Democrat Party, Obama is doomed.
"The words of John Paul II are clear; the issue is our courage and obedience. It is our job to make Holy Noise at every level; at our Cathedrals, our parishes, in print, on the web - boldly declaring: 'No Catholic may in good conscience vote for Obama, because of his support of child-killing.'" -- Randall Terry, Founder, Operation Rescue
(We have created the following banner, newspaper ads for diocesan newspapers, and brochures for Catholics to use nationwide at no charge.)
3' x 5' Color Banner: "A Vote for Obama is a Vote for Dead Children" (Warning: graphic image) www.ahumbleplea.com/Docs/ObamaBanner.pdf
Newspaper Ad: "Wanted: Catholics to Rescue the Innocent" (Currently running in Denver Catholic Register) www.ahumbleplea.com/RebukeObama.htm
Brochure: "Is it Immoral to vote for Obama for President?" (Quotes John Paul II on Catholic teaching.) www.ahumbleplea.com/Docs/StopObama.pdf
What follows is Catholic Dogma; any Catholic who contradicts this is betraying Church Teaching:
"When a parliamentary or social majority decrees that It is legal, at least under certain conditions, to kill unborn human life, is it not really making a 'tyrannical' decision with regard to the weakest and most defenseless of human beings?...In the case of an intrinsically unjust law, such as a law permitting abortion or euthanasia, it is therefore never licit to obey it, or to take part in a propaganda campaign in favour of such a law, or vote for it....The moral gravity of procured abortion is apparent in all its truth if we recognize we are dealing with murder." John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae
Saturday 8/23 Schedule:
5:00 P.M: Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate; Lit Drop, and Large Graphic Banners, "A Vote for Obama is a Vote for Dead Children" (showing a dead child) at 1530 Logan St, Denver, 80203. Banners will be used after Mass.
6:30 P.M: Heritage Christian Center (African American Church) Lit Drop, Graphic Banners. 9495 East Florida Ave, Denver, 80247
8- 10 P.M. Graphic Banners at Elitch Gardens: 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, 80204, at closed event for media.
Sunday 8/24 Schedule:
10:30 A.M: Catholic Cathedral Lit drop and Banners (details above)
1:30 - 4:00: P.M. Interfaith Gathering; denouncing treachery against innocent life. Wells Fargo Theatre, Colorado Convention Center; 700 14th St.
6:30 P.M: Catholic Cathedral Lit drop and Banners (details above)
Monday 8/25:
10:00 AM African American Caucus
12 Noon: Hispanic Caucus
2 PM Opening of DNC, Pepsi Center
Note: For any media who would like to travel with our team for a short while, we have several other planned events not listed above.
Contact: Joe Landry 406-860-9738; 904-687-9804
Christian Newswire
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Presidential Report Card Shows Big Difference Between McCain and Obama on Moral and Family Issues
Campaign for Children and Families does not support or oppose candidates for public office, and provides the following information solely for educational purposes
SACRAMENTO, Aug. 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- With the Democratic and Republican party conventions right around the corner, it's time for voters to get the facts on where Barack Obama and John McCain stand on significant moral, family, and fiscal issues facing America.
Campaign for Children and Families, a leading West Coast family issues leadership organization, is pleased to announce the Presidential Report Card to inform voters of the positions of McCain and Obama on eight significant state and national issues.
"Let the record show that John McCain and Barack Obama are polar opposites on partial-birth abortion, parental notification of abortion, marriage protection on the ballot, homosexual indoctrination of schoolchildren, gay adoptions, gun-owner rights, activist judges, and raising taxes," said Randy Thomasson, president of Campaign for Children and Families. "No one should base their vote on personality or mere feelings. Our carefully-researched report card shows you exactly where Obama and McCain stand on issues of importance to voters, their families, and our nation's future."
Click here to view the Presidential Report Card
CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (CCF) is a leading California-based nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing children and families in California and America. CCF stands for marriage and family, parental rights, the sanctity of human life, religious freedom, and back-to-basics education. The organization, which does not support or oppose candidates for public office, provides non-partisan information on candidates' positions that matter to families.
Christian Newswire
SACRAMENTO, Aug. 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- With the Democratic and Republican party conventions right around the corner, it's time for voters to get the facts on where Barack Obama and John McCain stand on significant moral, family, and fiscal issues facing America.
Campaign for Children and Families, a leading West Coast family issues leadership organization, is pleased to announce the Presidential Report Card to inform voters of the positions of McCain and Obama on eight significant state and national issues.
"Let the record show that John McCain and Barack Obama are polar opposites on partial-birth abortion, parental notification of abortion, marriage protection on the ballot, homosexual indoctrination of schoolchildren, gay adoptions, gun-owner rights, activist judges, and raising taxes," said Randy Thomasson, president of Campaign for Children and Families. "No one should base their vote on personality or mere feelings. Our carefully-researched report card shows you exactly where Obama and McCain stand on issues of importance to voters, their families, and our nation's future."
Click here to view the Presidential Report Card
CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (CCF) is a leading California-based nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing children and families in California and America. CCF stands for marriage and family, parental rights, the sanctity of human life, religious freedom, and back-to-basics education. The organization, which does not support or oppose candidates for public office, provides non-partisan information on candidates' positions that matter to families.
Christian Newswire
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Virginia Anglican Churches Praise Fairfax Judge Ruling on Contracts Clause
FAIRFAX, Va. (August 19, 2008) – The 11 Virginia Anglican congregations sued by The Episcopal Church (TEC) and the Diocese of Virginia responded to the Fairfax County Circuit Court ruling issued today concerning the Contracts Clause and the assertion by TEC and the Diocese that the 11 Anglican congregations waived their right to invoke the Virginia Division Statute.
Judge Randy Bellows ruled that TEC and the Diocese failed to timely assert their claim that the 11 Anglican congregations contracted around or waived their right to invoke the Division Statute. In addition, the judged ruled that the Division Statute does not violate the contracts clause provisions of the U.S. and Virginia Constitutions as applied to these properties. The rulings can be found at www.anglicandistrictofvirginia.org. Today’s rulings mean that there are only a small number of issues remaining to be decided at the October trial, and the 11 Anglican congregations are hopeful that they can be resolved quickly.
“We are pleased that Judge Bellows ruled in our favor on these questions. He ruled very clearly that our congregations are able to rely on the Virginia Division Statute in order to keep our church property. We have maintained all along that our churches’ own trustees hold title for the benefit of their congregations. TEC and the Diocese have never owned any of the properties and their names do not appear on deeds to the property. The Virginia Supreme Court has consistently stated that Virginia does not recognize denominational trusts of the sort asserted by TEC and the Diocese,” said Jim Oakes, vice-chairman of the Anglican District of Virginia. All 11 churches are members of ADV.
“Given today’s ruling, we hope and pray that TEC and the Diocese would put away this needless litigation. We have consistently remained open to exploring avenues for amicable discussions, and have been grieved that TEC has chosen to continue to pursue a path of confrontation rather than civil dialogue. This litigation has done nothing to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ,” Oakes continued.
To comply with the requirements of the Virginia Division Statute, Virginia Code § 57-9, which recognizes the right of a congregation to keep its property when a majority votes to separate from a divided denomination, the voting churches reported to their local circuit courts their votes to disaffiliate from The Episcopal Church and the Diocese and to affiliate with CANA through membership in ADV. In most of these churches, 90% or more of the members voted to leave the denomination due to the clear division within The Episcopal Church, which the Fairfax County Circuit Court confirmed.
The Episcopal Church and the Diocese abruptly broke off settlement negotiations in January 2007 and filed lawsuits against the Virginia churches, their ministers and their vestries. The decision of The Episcopal Church and the Diocese to redefine and reinterpret Scripture caused the 11 Anglican churches to sever their ties.
The Anglican District of Virginia is an association of Anglican congregations in Virginia. Its members are in full communion with constituent members of the Anglican Communion through its affiliation with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), a missionary branch of the Church of Nigeria and other Anglican Archbishops. ADV members are a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a community of 77 million people. ADV is dedicated to fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission to make disciples while actively serving in three main capacities: International Ministries, Evangelism, and Strengthening Families and Community. ADV is currently comprised of 21 member congregation.
http://www.anglicandistrictofvirginia.org/
Judge Randy Bellows ruled that TEC and the Diocese failed to timely assert their claim that the 11 Anglican congregations contracted around or waived their right to invoke the Division Statute. In addition, the judged ruled that the Division Statute does not violate the contracts clause provisions of the U.S. and Virginia Constitutions as applied to these properties. The rulings can be found at www.anglicandistrictofvirginia.org. Today’s rulings mean that there are only a small number of issues remaining to be decided at the October trial, and the 11 Anglican congregations are hopeful that they can be resolved quickly.
“We are pleased that Judge Bellows ruled in our favor on these questions. He ruled very clearly that our congregations are able to rely on the Virginia Division Statute in order to keep our church property. We have maintained all along that our churches’ own trustees hold title for the benefit of their congregations. TEC and the Diocese have never owned any of the properties and their names do not appear on deeds to the property. The Virginia Supreme Court has consistently stated that Virginia does not recognize denominational trusts of the sort asserted by TEC and the Diocese,” said Jim Oakes, vice-chairman of the Anglican District of Virginia. All 11 churches are members of ADV.
“Given today’s ruling, we hope and pray that TEC and the Diocese would put away this needless litigation. We have consistently remained open to exploring avenues for amicable discussions, and have been grieved that TEC has chosen to continue to pursue a path of confrontation rather than civil dialogue. This litigation has done nothing to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ,” Oakes continued.
To comply with the requirements of the Virginia Division Statute, Virginia Code § 57-9, which recognizes the right of a congregation to keep its property when a majority votes to separate from a divided denomination, the voting churches reported to their local circuit courts their votes to disaffiliate from The Episcopal Church and the Diocese and to affiliate with CANA through membership in ADV. In most of these churches, 90% or more of the members voted to leave the denomination due to the clear division within The Episcopal Church, which the Fairfax County Circuit Court confirmed.
The Episcopal Church and the Diocese abruptly broke off settlement negotiations in January 2007 and filed lawsuits against the Virginia churches, their ministers and their vestries. The decision of The Episcopal Church and the Diocese to redefine and reinterpret Scripture caused the 11 Anglican churches to sever their ties.
The Anglican District of Virginia is an association of Anglican congregations in Virginia. Its members are in full communion with constituent members of the Anglican Communion through its affiliation with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), a missionary branch of the Church of Nigeria and other Anglican Archbishops. ADV members are a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a community of 77 million people. ADV is dedicated to fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission to make disciples while actively serving in three main capacities: International Ministries, Evangelism, and Strengthening Families and Community. ADV is currently comprised of 21 member congregation.
http://www.anglicandistrictofvirginia.org/
Anglican-Roman dialogue ‘not at an end’
By: George Conger.
Dialogue between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church has not necessarily come to an end, a Vatican official has stated. But the form future talks take will depend on how the communion implements the suggestions offered by the 2008 Lambeth Conference.
In an Aug 7 interview with the Catholic News Service, the head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity’s Anglican desk, Mgr Donald Bolen said the “dialogue will continue” between Rome and the Anglican Communion.
In three progressively harsher speeches to the bishops at Lambeth, Cardinal Ivan Dias, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and Cardinal Walter Kasper chastised the Anglican Communion for its disorder and lack of theological seriousness. Cardinal Dias, prefect for the Congregation of the Evangelisation of Peoples, warned that the Anglican Communion was suffering from “spiritual Alzheimer’s”, and was in danger of forgetting its apostolic roots as it followed the spirit of the age in determining doctrine and discipline.
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, the Archbishop of Westminster and head of the Roman Catholic Church in England, urged Anglicans to put their house in order, saying there was little point in pursuing theological dialogue when Anglicans failed to live up to their side of the agreements.
Cardinal Walter Kasper, the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, urged Anglicans to embark on a new “Oxford Movement” to revitalize the church, but also warned that moves by the Church of England to introduce women bishops and the apparent laxity over gay clergy had effectively ended the quest for Roman recognition of the validity of Anglican orders. Msgr. Bolen told CNS that Lambeth “in many respects was positive” as he witnessed “strong support” for a moratorium on same-sex blessings, the consecration of gay bishops, and respect for diocesan structures from the bishops at Lambeth.
“A sense of direction emerged which was largely, but not universally agreed, and which should translate into greater cohesion within the Anglican Communion, giving it stronger boundaries and a stronger sense of identity,” he said. An ecumenical participant in the conference, Mgr Bolen said “we went into the Lambeth Conference in a wait-and-see mode and we came out of it with some encouragement, but still waiting.”
He backed Cardinal Kasper’s call for a new Oxford movement within Anglicanism, saying it could lead to a greater recognition of "the importance of the role of the episcopacy, the need for authority in the church and a concern for fidelity with the church's tradition throughout the ages."
However, Cardinal Kasper was not “subtly suggesting that we bring individuals into the Catholic Church -- some may come -- but what he was asking was that Anglicans be attentive to the treasures that lie within their tradition as well as ours,” he said.
Moves to welcome Anglican ecclesial bodies---dioceses, parishes, religious orders---into the Roman orbit appear to be on hold. On July 5 Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith wrote to the leader of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC), Archbishop William Hepworth, stating the Vatican was giving “serious attention” to the “prospects of corporate unity” with TAC and other traditionalist Anglicans.
However, the Vatican would wait and see what happened after Lambeth before it acted. “The situation within the Anglican Communion in general has become markedly more complex” in recent months, Cardinal Levada noted, and the Vatican would respond once it knew which way the Anglican Communion would turn.
Dialogue between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church has not necessarily come to an end, a Vatican official has stated. But the form future talks take will depend on how the communion implements the suggestions offered by the 2008 Lambeth Conference.
In an Aug 7 interview with the Catholic News Service, the head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity’s Anglican desk, Mgr Donald Bolen said the “dialogue will continue” between Rome and the Anglican Communion.
In three progressively harsher speeches to the bishops at Lambeth, Cardinal Ivan Dias, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and Cardinal Walter Kasper chastised the Anglican Communion for its disorder and lack of theological seriousness. Cardinal Dias, prefect for the Congregation of the Evangelisation of Peoples, warned that the Anglican Communion was suffering from “spiritual Alzheimer’s”, and was in danger of forgetting its apostolic roots as it followed the spirit of the age in determining doctrine and discipline.
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, the Archbishop of Westminster and head of the Roman Catholic Church in England, urged Anglicans to put their house in order, saying there was little point in pursuing theological dialogue when Anglicans failed to live up to their side of the agreements.
Cardinal Walter Kasper, the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, urged Anglicans to embark on a new “Oxford Movement” to revitalize the church, but also warned that moves by the Church of England to introduce women bishops and the apparent laxity over gay clergy had effectively ended the quest for Roman recognition of the validity of Anglican orders. Msgr. Bolen told CNS that Lambeth “in many respects was positive” as he witnessed “strong support” for a moratorium on same-sex blessings, the consecration of gay bishops, and respect for diocesan structures from the bishops at Lambeth.
“A sense of direction emerged which was largely, but not universally agreed, and which should translate into greater cohesion within the Anglican Communion, giving it stronger boundaries and a stronger sense of identity,” he said. An ecumenical participant in the conference, Mgr Bolen said “we went into the Lambeth Conference in a wait-and-see mode and we came out of it with some encouragement, but still waiting.”
He backed Cardinal Kasper’s call for a new Oxford movement within Anglicanism, saying it could lead to a greater recognition of "the importance of the role of the episcopacy, the need for authority in the church and a concern for fidelity with the church's tradition throughout the ages."
However, Cardinal Kasper was not “subtly suggesting that we bring individuals into the Catholic Church -- some may come -- but what he was asking was that Anglicans be attentive to the treasures that lie within their tradition as well as ours,” he said.
Moves to welcome Anglican ecclesial bodies---dioceses, parishes, religious orders---into the Roman orbit appear to be on hold. On July 5 Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith wrote to the leader of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC), Archbishop William Hepworth, stating the Vatican was giving “serious attention” to the “prospects of corporate unity” with TAC and other traditionalist Anglicans.
However, the Vatican would wait and see what happened after Lambeth before it acted. “The situation within the Anglican Communion in general has become markedly more complex” in recent months, Cardinal Levada noted, and the Vatican would respond once it knew which way the Anglican Communion would turn.
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