http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16337
VATICAN CITY, June 20 (CNA) - As the Year for Priests gets underway, the Congregation for the Clergy has launched a website dedicated to providing clerics with resources about the Year.
The website, www.annussacerdotalis.org, was designed to assist priests by providing them with notes, news and documents regarding the Year for Priests. Cardinal Claudio Hummes, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, explained that the site is intended to help priests by facilitating their walk with Christ, especially during this Year.
The website includes the biography and message of the Holy Curé of Ars (St. Jean Vianney), lives of holy priests, a section of prayers for priests and teachings of the Fathers of the Church and the Magisterium on various theological topics.
In addition, the website allows priests to receive a newsletter with articles of interest and information for personal formation.
The Holy Father officially inaugurated the Year for Priests during Vespers at St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday evening, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He had announced his intention to declare a Year for Priests last March.
In an email to priests around the world, Cardinal Hummes noted that the last three months have been a time of “intense preparation for explaining the reasons for this special year but also, and above all, to raise enthusiasm in you and in your faithful so that this ‘time of grace’ may bear the best apostolic fruit of fidelity and intense renewal in your commitment to ministry.”
Now that the Year has begun, Hummes is calling on priests to participate with enthusiasm. “The Year for Priests has been very warmly received throughout the whole world,” he said in his email. “It is having positive repercussions. Let us get involved with commitment and creativity.”
Monday, June 22, 2009
Kansas pro-life groups receiving death threats after Tiller's murder
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16338
WICHITA, KAN., June 20 (CNA) - Several pro-life groups in Wichita have received death threats after last month’s killing of abortionist George Tiller.Operation Rescue says they have received various threats over the years, but that number has increased drastically since Tiller’s shooting.
Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue, told The Wichita Eagle that some of the threats have mentioned the pro-life prayer vigil and memorial scheduled for this each day this weekend. Off-duty officers have been hired to help with security at the weekend’s events.
Of the messages received, some have threatened “vengeance” against the pro-life movement, while others specifically targeted Newman and his family.
Although leaders of the pro-life movement have spoken out against the shooting, some abortion supporters have accused the pro-life movement of encouraging the attack on Tiller, one of the few doctors in the country who provided late-term abortions.
Scott Roeder, 51, has been charged with first-degree murder in Tiller's death and was found to have ties to anti-government groups.
The Kansas Coalition for Life has also received a number of threats since the shooting, one of which was in the form of a text message saying, "One of you is going to die for what you did to Tiller."
Another group, Kansans for Life, told The Wichita Eagle that it has also received threats. Mary Wilkinson explained that she answered the phone, only to hear a loud, angry caller saying, “You’ve killed him. Now I hope somebody comes and kills you all.”
The call led the group’s state development director, David Gittrich, to report the threat to the police.
However, Wilkinson says she feels optimistic now.
"I think things are settling down now," she told The Wichita Eagle. "I just think the community needs some healing time."
CNA attempted to contact several Wichita-area pro-life groups but didn't receive responses.
WICHITA, KAN., June 20 (CNA) - Several pro-life groups in Wichita have received death threats after last month’s killing of abortionist George Tiller.Operation Rescue says they have received various threats over the years, but that number has increased drastically since Tiller’s shooting.
Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue, told The Wichita Eagle that some of the threats have mentioned the pro-life prayer vigil and memorial scheduled for this each day this weekend. Off-duty officers have been hired to help with security at the weekend’s events.
Of the messages received, some have threatened “vengeance” against the pro-life movement, while others specifically targeted Newman and his family.
Although leaders of the pro-life movement have spoken out against the shooting, some abortion supporters have accused the pro-life movement of encouraging the attack on Tiller, one of the few doctors in the country who provided late-term abortions.
Scott Roeder, 51, has been charged with first-degree murder in Tiller's death and was found to have ties to anti-government groups.
The Kansas Coalition for Life has also received a number of threats since the shooting, one of which was in the form of a text message saying, "One of you is going to die for what you did to Tiller."
Another group, Kansans for Life, told The Wichita Eagle that it has also received threats. Mary Wilkinson explained that she answered the phone, only to hear a loud, angry caller saying, “You’ve killed him. Now I hope somebody comes and kills you all.”
The call led the group’s state development director, David Gittrich, to report the threat to the police.
However, Wilkinson says she feels optimistic now.
"I think things are settling down now," she told The Wichita Eagle. "I just think the community needs some healing time."
CNA attempted to contact several Wichita-area pro-life groups but didn't receive responses.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Funny
Hat tip to fisheaters.com
Scene: New York City, man is going to jump off the building. Up rushes good Irish cop. Cop yells up to the man "Don't jump! Think of your father"
Man replies "Haven't got a father; I'm going to jump."
The copy goes through a list of relatives, mother, brothers, sister, etc. Each time man says "haven't got one; going to jump."
Desperate the cop yells up "Don't jump! Think of the Blessed Virgin"
Man replies "Who is that?"
Cop yells "Jump, Protestant! You're blocking traffic!"
Scene: New York City, man is going to jump off the building. Up rushes good Irish cop. Cop yells up to the man "Don't jump! Think of your father"
Man replies "Haven't got a father; I'm going to jump."
The copy goes through a list of relatives, mother, brothers, sister, etc. Each time man says "haven't got one; going to jump."
Desperate the cop yells up "Don't jump! Think of the Blessed Virgin"
Man replies "Who is that?"
Cop yells "Jump, Protestant! You're blocking traffic!"
Catholic Joke
Hat tip to fisheaters.com
Two men considering a religious vocation were having a conversation. "What is similar about the Jesuit and Dominican Orders? " the one asked.
The second replied, "Well, they were both founded by Spaniards -- St. Dominic for the Dominicans, and St. Ignatius of Loyola for the Jesuits. They were also both founded to combat heresy -- the Dominicans to fight the Albigensians, and the Jesuits to fight the Protestants."
"What is different about the Jesuit and Dominican Orders?"
"Met any Albigensians lately?"
Two men considering a religious vocation were having a conversation. "What is similar about the Jesuit and Dominican Orders? " the one asked.
The second replied, "Well, they were both founded by Spaniards -- St. Dominic for the Dominicans, and St. Ignatius of Loyola for the Jesuits. They were also both founded to combat heresy -- the Dominicans to fight the Albigensians, and the Jesuits to fight the Protestants."
"What is different about the Jesuit and Dominican Orders?"
"Met any Albigensians lately?"
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Newman Society: Catholic Colleges Are Lost
Says Schools Need Direction, Guidelines
MANASSAS, Virginia, JUNE 18, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Many Catholic universities are lost and are in need of specific policies to help them go in the right direction, says the Cardinal Newman Society.
The society said this Wednesday in response to the expressed desire of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities to eliminate the U.S. bishops' policy against honoring public figures who are at odds with fundamental Catholic beliefs.
The association's summer newsletter reported this week that the board of directors concluded during its most recent meeting that "it would be desirable for the [U.S. bishops] to withdraw" their guidelines.
The 2004 bishops' guidelines state: "The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."
The association, which represents over 200 institutions, added that "juridical expressions of bishops' or universities' responsibilities should be kept to a minimum" in order to maintain good relations between the prelates and educators.
Patrick Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society, said is was evident "that the many secularized Catholic colleges and universities are more concerned with doing away with the rules than ending the scandals."
"Lobbying the bishops to back off a perfectly reasonable policy would be a shameful action by the Catholic higher education establishment," he added.
The Cardinal Newman Society noted that the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities is not the only group of university leaders looking to either put an end to or amend the current policy.
After protests erupted around the University of Notre Dame's decision to honor President Barack Obama at its graduation ceremony, Jesuit Father Charles Currie, president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, affirmed that his association had already begun to lobby the conference for a policy change.
Reilly countered that "our leading Catholic universities have lost their way, and they need precisely the sort of clear direction from the bishops that the 2004 policy on Catholic honors and platforms represents."
He added, "Catholic colleges and universities would like all of the privileges of being Catholic, but none of the responsibilities of being high-profile witnesses for the fullness of the Catholic faith."
MANASSAS, Virginia, JUNE 18, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Many Catholic universities are lost and are in need of specific policies to help them go in the right direction, says the Cardinal Newman Society.
The society said this Wednesday in response to the expressed desire of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities to eliminate the U.S. bishops' policy against honoring public figures who are at odds with fundamental Catholic beliefs.
The association's summer newsletter reported this week that the board of directors concluded during its most recent meeting that "it would be desirable for the [U.S. bishops] to withdraw" their guidelines.
The 2004 bishops' guidelines state: "The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."
The association, which represents over 200 institutions, added that "juridical expressions of bishops' or universities' responsibilities should be kept to a minimum" in order to maintain good relations between the prelates and educators.
Patrick Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society, said is was evident "that the many secularized Catholic colleges and universities are more concerned with doing away with the rules than ending the scandals."
"Lobbying the bishops to back off a perfectly reasonable policy would be a shameful action by the Catholic higher education establishment," he added.
The Cardinal Newman Society noted that the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities is not the only group of university leaders looking to either put an end to or amend the current policy.
After protests erupted around the University of Notre Dame's decision to honor President Barack Obama at its graduation ceremony, Jesuit Father Charles Currie, president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, affirmed that his association had already begun to lobby the conference for a policy change.
Reilly countered that "our leading Catholic universities have lost their way, and they need precisely the sort of clear direction from the bishops that the 2004 policy on Catholic honors and platforms represents."
He added, "Catholic colleges and universities would like all of the privileges of being Catholic, but none of the responsibilities of being high-profile witnesses for the fullness of the Catholic faith."
Pope: There's an Answer to Empty Confessionals
Explains St. John Vianney's "Virtuous Circle" Secret
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 18, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is urging priests to not become resigned to empty confessionals, but to help people rediscover the beauty of the sacrament by deepening their understanding of the Eucharist.
The Pope stated this in a letter to the priests of the world, on the occasion of the Year for Priests, which begins Friday in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney, the Curé d'Ars.
The saint "taught his parishioners primarily by the witness of his life," the Pontiff affirmed. "It was from his example that they learned to pray, halting frequently before the tabernacle for a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament."
He taught them about the Eucharist, but it was "most effective when they saw him celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass," the Holy Father said.
He added that the saint "was convinced that the fervor of a priest's life depended entirely upon the Mass" and "was accustomed, when celebrating, also to offer his own life in sacrifice."
This identification with the sacrifice of the Cross led him from the altar to the confessional, Benedict XVI affirmed.
He continued: "Priests ought never to be resigned to empty confessionals or the apparent indifference of the faithful to this sacrament. In France, at the time of the Cure of Ars, confession was no more easy or frequent than in our own day, since the upheaval caused by the revolution had long inhibited the practice of religion.
"Yet he sought in every way, by his preaching and his powers of persuasion, to help his parishioners to rediscover the meaning and beauty of the Sacrament of Penance, presenting it as an inherent demand of the Eucharistic presence.
"He thus created a 'virtuous' circle."
Hospital for souls
The Pope explained that St. John Mary spent long hours in church before the tabernacle, inspiring the faithful "to imitate him by coming to visit Jesus with the knowledge that their parish priest would be there, ready to listen and offer forgiveness."
Over time, he said, penitents started coming from all over the country, and the priest would be in the confessional for up to 16 hours a day.
Thus, the Pontiff said, his parish became known as "a great hospital of souls."
He quoted the saint who said: "It is not the sinner who returns to God to beg his forgiveness, but God himself who runs after the sinner and makes him return to him."
The Holy Father urged priests to learn from St. John Mary Vianney to "put our unfailing trust in the Sacrament of Penance, to set it once more at the center of our pastoral concerns, and to take up the 'dialogue of salvation,' which it entails."
He noted that "those who came to his confessional drawn by a deep and humble longing for God's forgiveness found in him the encouragement to plunge into the 'flood of divine mercy' which sweeps everything away by its vehemence."
"He awakened repentance in the hearts of the lukewarm by forcing them to see God's own pain at their sins reflected in the face of the priest who was their confessor," Benedict XVI stated.
He continued, "To those who, on the other hand, came to him already desirous of and suited to a deeper spiritual life, he flung open the abyss of God's love, explaining the untold beauty of living in union with him and dwelling in his presence."
The Pope affirmed: "In his time the Cure of Ars was able to transform the hearts and the lives of so many people because he enabled them to experience the Lord's merciful love.
"Our own time urgently needs a similar proclamation and witness to the truth of love."
He affirmed that the saint "sought to remain completely faithful to his own vocation and mission," lamenting that "a pastor can grow dangerously inured to the state of sin or of indifference in which so many of his flock are living."
The Pontiff noted the priest's sacrifices on behalf of the souls who came to him in confession, quoting his words to another confrere: "I will tell you my recipe: I give sinners a small penance and the rest I do in their place."
"Souls have been won at the price of Jesus' own blood," the Holy Father stated, "and a priest cannot devote himself to their salvation if he refuses to share personally in the 'precious cost' of redemption."
--- --- ---
On ZENIT's Web page:
Full text: www.zenit.org/article-26209?l=english
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 18, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is urging priests to not become resigned to empty confessionals, but to help people rediscover the beauty of the sacrament by deepening their understanding of the Eucharist.
The Pope stated this in a letter to the priests of the world, on the occasion of the Year for Priests, which begins Friday in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney, the Curé d'Ars.
The saint "taught his parishioners primarily by the witness of his life," the Pontiff affirmed. "It was from his example that they learned to pray, halting frequently before the tabernacle for a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament."
He taught them about the Eucharist, but it was "most effective when they saw him celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass," the Holy Father said.
He added that the saint "was convinced that the fervor of a priest's life depended entirely upon the Mass" and "was accustomed, when celebrating, also to offer his own life in sacrifice."
This identification with the sacrifice of the Cross led him from the altar to the confessional, Benedict XVI affirmed.
He continued: "Priests ought never to be resigned to empty confessionals or the apparent indifference of the faithful to this sacrament. In France, at the time of the Cure of Ars, confession was no more easy or frequent than in our own day, since the upheaval caused by the revolution had long inhibited the practice of religion.
"Yet he sought in every way, by his preaching and his powers of persuasion, to help his parishioners to rediscover the meaning and beauty of the Sacrament of Penance, presenting it as an inherent demand of the Eucharistic presence.
"He thus created a 'virtuous' circle."
Hospital for souls
The Pope explained that St. John Mary spent long hours in church before the tabernacle, inspiring the faithful "to imitate him by coming to visit Jesus with the knowledge that their parish priest would be there, ready to listen and offer forgiveness."
Over time, he said, penitents started coming from all over the country, and the priest would be in the confessional for up to 16 hours a day.
Thus, the Pontiff said, his parish became known as "a great hospital of souls."
He quoted the saint who said: "It is not the sinner who returns to God to beg his forgiveness, but God himself who runs after the sinner and makes him return to him."
The Holy Father urged priests to learn from St. John Mary Vianney to "put our unfailing trust in the Sacrament of Penance, to set it once more at the center of our pastoral concerns, and to take up the 'dialogue of salvation,' which it entails."
He noted that "those who came to his confessional drawn by a deep and humble longing for God's forgiveness found in him the encouragement to plunge into the 'flood of divine mercy' which sweeps everything away by its vehemence."
"He awakened repentance in the hearts of the lukewarm by forcing them to see God's own pain at their sins reflected in the face of the priest who was their confessor," Benedict XVI stated.
He continued, "To those who, on the other hand, came to him already desirous of and suited to a deeper spiritual life, he flung open the abyss of God's love, explaining the untold beauty of living in union with him and dwelling in his presence."
The Pope affirmed: "In his time the Cure of Ars was able to transform the hearts and the lives of so many people because he enabled them to experience the Lord's merciful love.
"Our own time urgently needs a similar proclamation and witness to the truth of love."
He affirmed that the saint "sought to remain completely faithful to his own vocation and mission," lamenting that "a pastor can grow dangerously inured to the state of sin or of indifference in which so many of his flock are living."
The Pontiff noted the priest's sacrifices on behalf of the souls who came to him in confession, quoting his words to another confrere: "I will tell you my recipe: I give sinners a small penance and the rest I do in their place."
"Souls have been won at the price of Jesus' own blood," the Holy Father stated, "and a priest cannot devote himself to their salvation if he refuses to share personally in the 'precious cost' of redemption."
--- --- ---
On ZENIT's Web page:
Full text: www.zenit.org/article-26209?l=english
Year of the Priest 19 June 2009 to 19 June 2010
MEDIA ADVISORY, June 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- Worldpriest has organised four Masses to be celebrated June 19 at 3 pm local time in Sydney, Australia, Kerala, India, Knock Shrine, Ireland, New York City, USA. Celebrants will be George Cardinal Pell, Fr. Sebastian Koodappattu OCD, Archbishop Michael Neary, and Monsignor Michael Curran. respectively
Additionally, to mark the World Day of Prayer for Priests and the beginning of the Year of the Priest On Sunday 21 June, Mass will be celebrated in the RTE National TV studios by Fr. Brendan Kilcoyne; President of Saint Jarlath's College, Tuam. Music will be provided by the Classicus Youth Chamber Choir, directed by Maire Ledwith Butler, with organist Ronan Murray.
Worldwide live broadcast will be at 11:15 am Dublin time on RTE One National Television. This will be available for viewing the following week on www.worldpriestday.com.
The Worldpriest organisation, with offices in Dublin Ireland and New York, USA have designed a new logo to celebrate the Year of The Priest, which is available free to use through www.worldpriest.com.
Worldpriest also developed a Catholic Identity Card for their wallets in the event of an emergency asking that a priest be called. It is also a reminder to pray for our priests in this Year of The Priest.
"It must be a year that is both positive and forward looking in which the Church says to her priests above all, but also to all the Faithful and to wider society by means of the mass media, that she is proud of her priests, loves them, honours them, admires them and that she recognises with gratitude their pastoral work and the witness of the their life. Truthfully priests are important not only for what they do but also for who they are." --Cláudio Cardinal Hummes Prefect, Congregation for the Clergy.
"Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of priests" is the theme of the Year for Priests announced by Pope Benedict XVI, according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office.
Worldpriest is a not-for-profit organization which offers on-line resources to priests and promotes the World Day of Prayer for priests annually.
Worldpriest Inc. USA: 15th Floor / 410 Park Avenue / New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 231-8265 / Fax: (212) 751-3500 / E-mail info@worldpriest.com
Worldpriest Europe: St.Mary's / Bloomfield Ave. / Morehampton Road / Donnybrook / Dublin 4 Ireland Tel: 00 353 1 2314600 / Fax: 00 353 1 2315202 E-mail info@worldpriest.com
Christian Newswire
Additionally, to mark the World Day of Prayer for Priests and the beginning of the Year of the Priest On Sunday 21 June, Mass will be celebrated in the RTE National TV studios by Fr. Brendan Kilcoyne; President of Saint Jarlath's College, Tuam. Music will be provided by the Classicus Youth Chamber Choir, directed by Maire Ledwith Butler, with organist Ronan Murray.
Worldwide live broadcast will be at 11:15 am Dublin time on RTE One National Television. This will be available for viewing the following week on www.worldpriestday.com.
The Worldpriest organisation, with offices in Dublin Ireland and New York, USA have designed a new logo to celebrate the Year of The Priest, which is available free to use through www.worldpriest.com.
Worldpriest also developed a Catholic Identity Card for their wallets in the event of an emergency asking that a priest be called. It is also a reminder to pray for our priests in this Year of The Priest.
"It must be a year that is both positive and forward looking in which the Church says to her priests above all, but also to all the Faithful and to wider society by means of the mass media, that she is proud of her priests, loves them, honours them, admires them and that she recognises with gratitude their pastoral work and the witness of the their life. Truthfully priests are important not only for what they do but also for who they are." --Cláudio Cardinal Hummes Prefect, Congregation for the Clergy.
"Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of priests" is the theme of the Year for Priests announced by Pope Benedict XVI, according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office.
Worldpriest is a not-for-profit organization which offers on-line resources to priests and promotes the World Day of Prayer for priests annually.
Worldpriest Inc. USA: 15th Floor / 410 Park Avenue / New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 231-8265 / Fax: (212) 751-3500 / E-mail info@worldpriest.com
Worldpriest Europe: St.Mary's / Bloomfield Ave. / Morehampton Road / Donnybrook / Dublin 4 Ireland Tel: 00 353 1 2314600 / Fax: 00 353 1 2315202 E-mail info@worldpriest.com
Christian Newswire
Leading Pro-Life Priest Asks, 'Haven't We Learned From the Child Abuse Scandal?'
STATEN ISLAND, NY, June 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, responded today to the news that the Board of Directors of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities concluded at their meeting last week that "it would be desirable for the [U.S. bishops] to withdraw" their 2004 statement, "Catholics in Political Life."
"It's bad enough that this Association doesn't seem to understand the role of bishops," Fr. Pavone stated. "But what's worse is that it doesn't seem to understand the underlying reason for the bishops' position against honoring pro-abortion public figures. It's not about religion, it's not about academic freedom, and it's not about universities. It's about the proper human response to the barbaric dismemberment of children."
Fr. Pavone continued, mocking the Association, "Sure, keep advising the bishops. Have them withdraw the statement. How terrible that we should make any clear effort to distance ourselves from the violent child- killing taking place among us."
Fr. Pavone concluded, "In the view of history, any irresponsible silence of the Church about clergy sex abuse will pale in comparison to the silence of so many about the abortion holocaust."
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
"It's bad enough that this Association doesn't seem to understand the role of bishops," Fr. Pavone stated. "But what's worse is that it doesn't seem to understand the underlying reason for the bishops' position against honoring pro-abortion public figures. It's not about religion, it's not about academic freedom, and it's not about universities. It's about the proper human response to the barbaric dismemberment of children."
Fr. Pavone continued, mocking the Association, "Sure, keep advising the bishops. Have them withdraw the statement. How terrible that we should make any clear effort to distance ourselves from the violent child- killing taking place among us."
Fr. Pavone concluded, "In the view of history, any irresponsible silence of the Church about clergy sex abuse will pale in comparison to the silence of so many about the abortion holocaust."
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
Monday, June 15, 2009
Change Is Possible for Gays, Says Psychologist
APA Admits Homosexuality Also Due to Environmental Factors
By Genevieve Pollock
ENCINO, California, JUNE 15, 2009 (Zenit.org).- A Catholic psychologist who specializes in reparative therapy with homosexuals says it's possible for those with same-sex attractions to change, despite agenda-driven ideologies that state the opposite.
Joseph Nicolosi, founder and director of the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic in Encino, spoke with ZENIT about his experience as a clinical psychologist and the former president of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH).
NARTH, a "scientific, non-religious and non-political" organization, recently put out an article about the little known revision of the American Psychological Association's (APA) statement on homosexuality, which was highlighted last month in a WorldNetDaily article titled "Gay Gene Claim Suddenly Vanishes."
Nicolosi explained that NARTH has been actively working on a research project compiling scientific data to dispute the APA's claim on homosexuality, targeting three unscientific assumptions that form the basis of their policy.
He stated that these erroneous assumptions are: "Psychotherapy does not change homosexuality, trying to change the homosexual person will harm him, and there is no greater pathology in homosexual persons than in heterosexual persons."
The psychologist asserted that the "APA is not governed by scientists, but by political interests."
"There has been no new data to justify their policies," he added, "but they tend to give in to social and political pressure," and thus "NARTH has been putting pressure on them to scientifically back up their stance on the biological nature of homosexuality."
Now, Nicolosi reported, the APA has "diminished its position saying homosexuality is biologically determined." They have dropped the specific reference to a hypothetical "gay gene," he affirmed.
In other words, he said, they are beginning to recognize that homosexuality is also due to environmental factors, not just biological elements.
"In fact," he stated, "I and many of my colleagues at NARTH believe it is more environmental than biological."
Nicolosi noted that "the most important scientific information" gives "much more evidence for environmental causes of homosexuality than for biological."
Possible
The most essential point however, the psychologist affirmed, "is that change is possible, that men and women can come out of homosexuality."
"This idea of 'once gay, always gay' is a political position, not a scientific position," he added.
The therapist affirmed that he has seen this in his own private practice, and that it is also substantiated in a body of scientific research.
Nicolosi, also the author of "Healing Homosexuality: Case Stories of Reparative Therapy" and "A Parent's Guide to Preventing Homosexuality," asserted that many people have already adopted the erroneous assumptions put forth by the APA.
There is a need to assist and minister to men and women "who are looking for help to come out of homosexuality," he said, "because so many times they are just told 'Well, you're born this way,' pointing to the APA and saying 'because they said it.'"
He expressed the hope that as the APA recognizes the efficacy of therapy with homosexual persons, more psychologists will be encouraged to be involved in this type of treatment.
"Within our profession," the psychologist explained, "we trump politics with science." In other words, if we challenge the APA with scientific data, it "has to override any political or special interest forces."
The therapist emphasized the need for all people to share this message with homosexual persons that "you don't have to be gay."
Encouragement
If you know a homosexual person, he said, "encourage that person, educate him, give that person information, take the opportunity to let him know that choice is possible."
"They need to believe it," he added.
Nicolosi explained: "It is a very hard therapy. First of all, it is hard in itself because you have to dig deep into emotional issues. Homosexuality is not about sexual issues, but emotional. There are the emotional underpinnings that have to be addressed.
"Then not only are you having to deal with those emotional underpinnings that are challenging on an individual level, but you have the other battle of a culture that is saying to you, 'You're homophobic; you're naïve; you're not facing reality; you're just a guilt-ridden Christian, get with it.
"You're fighting a culture that is not supporting you, plus you have your own individual battle. So it's a two-front war."
"With the AIDS epidemic, this could be about life and death here," he asserted. "We're not talking about something insignificant."
The psychologist underlined the need to "inform and educate young people."
He explained: "So when a 15-year-old boy goes to a priest and says, 'Father I have these feelings, I have these temptations,' that priest should say, 'you have a choice; if you don't want to be gay there are things that you can do.'"
"The boy should not to be told, 'God made you this way,'" Nicolosi said.
Scientific data
He continued: "This is not about going after an oppressed minority. It's not about pointing out pathology for the sake of pointing out pathology.
"This is telling young people, look, if you go down this road, you are likely to have a higher level of depression, anxiety, failed relationships, sexual promiscuity, drug and alcohol abuse than people who live their lives heterosexually. You will get involved in more, to be polite, esoteric exotic sexual practices. It goes on and on and on.
"And that's just science, simply a comparison of two groups."
The therapist added, "This notion that you are going to fall in love with a man and live happily ever after is Hollywood. The reality is that it's a hard lifestyle."
Nicolosi, also a national speaker on the topic, urged the development of more Catholic programs, noting that other faiths have already been putting forth a "vital ministry helping people coming out of homosexuality."
"Our doctrine is clear," he said, "and even if we have a weaker ministry, our doctrine on homosexuality is more brilliant than anything the Protestant denominations can come up with."
The psychologist specifically referenced a 1986 document signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger before he became Pope, addressed to the Catholic bishops "On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons."
In the letter, the cardinal, at that time prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, outlined the moral underpinnings and practical considerations of the pastoral care of "those whose suffering can only be intensified by error and lightened by truth."
In this light, Nicolosi underlined the importance of helping homosexual persons who want to change, because "if you are Christian, you have to believe that you are intended for the opposite sex" and that "sexual complementarity is part of the natural law."
This is something that "should be evident to everyone," as "our Christian anthropology," he stated, and yet "it is amazing" how many people are confused about this.
"They actually believe, or want to believe, either for personal reasons or political reasons, that God created two kinds of people: homosexuals and heterosexuals," Nicolosi noted.
"It is seeping into the consciousness without critical evaluation," he cautioned, the resignation that "God just made them that way."
Courage
The psychologist appealed to priests to not be intimidated to teach about homosexuality from the pulpit, noting that he has met many Catholics who are "discouraged that there is no resource for them."
"We have Courage as the only orthodox Catholic ministry, and it's underfunded, underrepresented and essentially pushed to the side," he stated.
He reported that "Courage is only represented in 10% of the parishes in this country" and thus many "men and women who want to come out of homosexuality" are left without resources on a local level, making it "very tough for them."
Nicolosi suggested that if a priest is working with a homosexual person and is uncertain about how to help, to refer him to a reparative therapist, "who really knows about this particular kind of treatment."
"Not to just any generic psychotherapist," he added, "but to a therapist who has training in sexual re-orientation change."
Referencing Cardinal Ratzinger's letter, he warned against a "studied ambiguity" in the face of the real need homosexual persons have for outreach from the Church.
--- --- ---
On the Net:
National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality Web site: www.narth.com
Cardinal Ratzinger's Letter: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19861001_homosexual-persons_en.html
By Genevieve Pollock
ENCINO, California, JUNE 15, 2009 (Zenit.org).- A Catholic psychologist who specializes in reparative therapy with homosexuals says it's possible for those with same-sex attractions to change, despite agenda-driven ideologies that state the opposite.
Joseph Nicolosi, founder and director of the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic in Encino, spoke with ZENIT about his experience as a clinical psychologist and the former president of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH).
NARTH, a "scientific, non-religious and non-political" organization, recently put out an article about the little known revision of the American Psychological Association's (APA) statement on homosexuality, which was highlighted last month in a WorldNetDaily article titled "Gay Gene Claim Suddenly Vanishes."
Nicolosi explained that NARTH has been actively working on a research project compiling scientific data to dispute the APA's claim on homosexuality, targeting three unscientific assumptions that form the basis of their policy.
He stated that these erroneous assumptions are: "Psychotherapy does not change homosexuality, trying to change the homosexual person will harm him, and there is no greater pathology in homosexual persons than in heterosexual persons."
The psychologist asserted that the "APA is not governed by scientists, but by political interests."
"There has been no new data to justify their policies," he added, "but they tend to give in to social and political pressure," and thus "NARTH has been putting pressure on them to scientifically back up their stance on the biological nature of homosexuality."
Now, Nicolosi reported, the APA has "diminished its position saying homosexuality is biologically determined." They have dropped the specific reference to a hypothetical "gay gene," he affirmed.
In other words, he said, they are beginning to recognize that homosexuality is also due to environmental factors, not just biological elements.
"In fact," he stated, "I and many of my colleagues at NARTH believe it is more environmental than biological."
Nicolosi noted that "the most important scientific information" gives "much more evidence for environmental causes of homosexuality than for biological."
Possible
The most essential point however, the psychologist affirmed, "is that change is possible, that men and women can come out of homosexuality."
"This idea of 'once gay, always gay' is a political position, not a scientific position," he added.
The therapist affirmed that he has seen this in his own private practice, and that it is also substantiated in a body of scientific research.
Nicolosi, also the author of "Healing Homosexuality: Case Stories of Reparative Therapy" and "A Parent's Guide to Preventing Homosexuality," asserted that many people have already adopted the erroneous assumptions put forth by the APA.
There is a need to assist and minister to men and women "who are looking for help to come out of homosexuality," he said, "because so many times they are just told 'Well, you're born this way,' pointing to the APA and saying 'because they said it.'"
He expressed the hope that as the APA recognizes the efficacy of therapy with homosexual persons, more psychologists will be encouraged to be involved in this type of treatment.
"Within our profession," the psychologist explained, "we trump politics with science." In other words, if we challenge the APA with scientific data, it "has to override any political or special interest forces."
The therapist emphasized the need for all people to share this message with homosexual persons that "you don't have to be gay."
Encouragement
If you know a homosexual person, he said, "encourage that person, educate him, give that person information, take the opportunity to let him know that choice is possible."
"They need to believe it," he added.
Nicolosi explained: "It is a very hard therapy. First of all, it is hard in itself because you have to dig deep into emotional issues. Homosexuality is not about sexual issues, but emotional. There are the emotional underpinnings that have to be addressed.
"Then not only are you having to deal with those emotional underpinnings that are challenging on an individual level, but you have the other battle of a culture that is saying to you, 'You're homophobic; you're naïve; you're not facing reality; you're just a guilt-ridden Christian, get with it.
"You're fighting a culture that is not supporting you, plus you have your own individual battle. So it's a two-front war."
"With the AIDS epidemic, this could be about life and death here," he asserted. "We're not talking about something insignificant."
The psychologist underlined the need to "inform and educate young people."
He explained: "So when a 15-year-old boy goes to a priest and says, 'Father I have these feelings, I have these temptations,' that priest should say, 'you have a choice; if you don't want to be gay there are things that you can do.'"
"The boy should not to be told, 'God made you this way,'" Nicolosi said.
Scientific data
He continued: "This is not about going after an oppressed minority. It's not about pointing out pathology for the sake of pointing out pathology.
"This is telling young people, look, if you go down this road, you are likely to have a higher level of depression, anxiety, failed relationships, sexual promiscuity, drug and alcohol abuse than people who live their lives heterosexually. You will get involved in more, to be polite, esoteric exotic sexual practices. It goes on and on and on.
"And that's just science, simply a comparison of two groups."
The therapist added, "This notion that you are going to fall in love with a man and live happily ever after is Hollywood. The reality is that it's a hard lifestyle."
Nicolosi, also a national speaker on the topic, urged the development of more Catholic programs, noting that other faiths have already been putting forth a "vital ministry helping people coming out of homosexuality."
"Our doctrine is clear," he said, "and even if we have a weaker ministry, our doctrine on homosexuality is more brilliant than anything the Protestant denominations can come up with."
The psychologist specifically referenced a 1986 document signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger before he became Pope, addressed to the Catholic bishops "On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons."
In the letter, the cardinal, at that time prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, outlined the moral underpinnings and practical considerations of the pastoral care of "those whose suffering can only be intensified by error and lightened by truth."
In this light, Nicolosi underlined the importance of helping homosexual persons who want to change, because "if you are Christian, you have to believe that you are intended for the opposite sex" and that "sexual complementarity is part of the natural law."
This is something that "should be evident to everyone," as "our Christian anthropology," he stated, and yet "it is amazing" how many people are confused about this.
"They actually believe, or want to believe, either for personal reasons or political reasons, that God created two kinds of people: homosexuals and heterosexuals," Nicolosi noted.
"It is seeping into the consciousness without critical evaluation," he cautioned, the resignation that "God just made them that way."
Courage
The psychologist appealed to priests to not be intimidated to teach about homosexuality from the pulpit, noting that he has met many Catholics who are "discouraged that there is no resource for them."
"We have Courage as the only orthodox Catholic ministry, and it's underfunded, underrepresented and essentially pushed to the side," he stated.
He reported that "Courage is only represented in 10% of the parishes in this country" and thus many "men and women who want to come out of homosexuality" are left without resources on a local level, making it "very tough for them."
Nicolosi suggested that if a priest is working with a homosexual person and is uncertain about how to help, to refer him to a reparative therapist, "who really knows about this particular kind of treatment."
"Not to just any generic psychotherapist," he added, "but to a therapist who has training in sexual re-orientation change."
Referencing Cardinal Ratzinger's letter, he warned against a "studied ambiguity" in the face of the real need homosexual persons have for outreach from the Church.
--- --- ---
On the Net:
National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality Web site: www.narth.com
Cardinal Ratzinger's Letter: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19861001_homosexual-persons_en.html
Friday, June 12, 2009
Pro-Life Action League Tells Obama, 'Abortion is Not Health Care': Group to Protest Health Care Speech at A.M.A. Meeting
CHICAGO, June 12 /Christian Newswire/ -- "President Obama has declared his intention to reduce abortion. Now he is seeking support from the American Medical Association for his health care plan, and we're calling on him to remember that commitment," said Eric Scheidler, communications director of the Pro-Life Action League. "Our message is simple: Abortion is not health care."
Scheidler's group will hold a pro-life rally outside the Hyatt Regency in Chicago starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 15, where Obama will speak about his health care plan to A.M.A. delegates.
In his commencement address at Notre Dame, Obama called for "common ground" on the abortion issue and stated his desire to reduce abortion, which he called a "heart-wrenching decision."
Scheidler is calling on President Obama to follow through on this commitment and ensure that any reform of the nation's health care system will:
• Provide support to the 3,000 pro-life pregnancy resource centers across the country struggling to meet the needs of pregnant women.
• Withdraw federal funding from the nation's largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, which receives $349,600,000 of taxpayers' money every year.
• Maintain strong conscience protections for doctors and other health professionals so they are free to care for their patients without taking part in abortion.
"It is time for President Obama to join the pro-life movement in providing compassion and support to the thousands of women in the United States faced with unintended pregnancies who think abortion is their only option," said Scheidler.
"We invite President Obama to reconsider his position on abortion. But whatever his stand, we can still work together to offer women and families the help and hope they need to choose life."
Contacts for the media:
Eric Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League: (630) 896- 1200, (773) 251-8792 (cell)
Tom Ciesielka, TC Public Relations: (312) 422-1333, tc@tcpr.net
About Pro-Life Action League
The Pro-Life Action League was founded by Joseph M. Scheidler in 1980 with the aim of saving unborn children through non-violent direct action. Through prayer vigils outside abortion facilities and sidewalk counseling, the League reaches out to abortion- bound women and couples with abortion alternatives, confidential counseling and access to pregnancy resources.
Since July 2007, the League has been at the center of the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood's flagship abortion facility in Aurora, Ill., dubbed, "Ground Zero" of the abortion battle by abortion supporters and opponents alike. The League has closed eight abortion clinics in Chicago alone and nearly a hundred across the country.
The Pro-Life Action League is a nonprofit organization, supported solely by private donations. For more information, visit www.prolifeaction.org.
Christian Newswire
Scheidler's group will hold a pro-life rally outside the Hyatt Regency in Chicago starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 15, where Obama will speak about his health care plan to A.M.A. delegates.
In his commencement address at Notre Dame, Obama called for "common ground" on the abortion issue and stated his desire to reduce abortion, which he called a "heart-wrenching decision."
Scheidler is calling on President Obama to follow through on this commitment and ensure that any reform of the nation's health care system will:
• Provide support to the 3,000 pro-life pregnancy resource centers across the country struggling to meet the needs of pregnant women.
• Withdraw federal funding from the nation's largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, which receives $349,600,000 of taxpayers' money every year.
• Maintain strong conscience protections for doctors and other health professionals so they are free to care for their patients without taking part in abortion.
"It is time for President Obama to join the pro-life movement in providing compassion and support to the thousands of women in the United States faced with unintended pregnancies who think abortion is their only option," said Scheidler.
"We invite President Obama to reconsider his position on abortion. But whatever his stand, we can still work together to offer women and families the help and hope they need to choose life."
Contacts for the media:
Eric Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League: (630) 896- 1200, (773) 251-8792 (cell)
Tom Ciesielka, TC Public Relations: (312) 422-1333, tc@tcpr.net
About Pro-Life Action League
The Pro-Life Action League was founded by Joseph M. Scheidler in 1980 with the aim of saving unborn children through non-violent direct action. Through prayer vigils outside abortion facilities and sidewalk counseling, the League reaches out to abortion- bound women and couples with abortion alternatives, confidential counseling and access to pregnancy resources.
Since July 2007, the League has been at the center of the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood's flagship abortion facility in Aurora, Ill., dubbed, "Ground Zero" of the abortion battle by abortion supporters and opponents alike. The League has closed eight abortion clinics in Chicago alone and nearly a hundred across the country.
The Pro-Life Action League is a nonprofit organization, supported solely by private donations. For more information, visit www.prolifeaction.org.
Christian Newswire
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Komen Gave Planned Parenthood Abortion Businesses Over $700K Last Year
LifeNews.com April 9, 2008 Steven Ertelt
Posted on LifeNews.com Thursday, April 10, 2008 4:54:49 AM by rhema
A new report from a Planned Parenthood watchdog finds chapters of the Komen Race for the Cure breast cancer group gave affiliates of the national abortion business over $700,000 last fiscal year. The enormous amount should be a red flag to pro-life advocates, one leading activist says.
Figures from STOPP International show Komen chapters giving $711,485 from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006 to Planned Parenthood affiliates.
Jim Sedlak, a representative of the watchdog group says the numbers are concerning given than millions of pro-life Americans will participate in Komen events during the month.
"More and more people are speaking up about the fact that Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a breast cancer research foundation, supports Planned Parenthood," Sedlak told LifeNews.com on Wednesday.
He pointed to studies showing abortion increases a woman's chances of contracting breast cancer and said that makes the donations extremely questionable.
"The fact that Komen Affiliates give money to Planned Parenthood contradicts Komen’s claim that it works to end breast cancer," Sedlak said. "This is ridiculous and must stop."
Sedlak urged pro-life advocates to disassociate themselves with any Komen events until the organization's affiliates stop giving money to the abortion business.
He also urged pro-life people to make Planned Parenthood's pro-abortion mission clear to Komen officials and event participants.
He called Planned Parenthood "an organization that kills babies, exploits women, corrupts youth and increases the likelihood of breast cancer by promoting contraception and abortion."
The amount of the grants from Komen affiliates to Planned Parenthood appears to be on the rise and 25 Komen affiliates now have a partnership with the abortion business.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure spokeswoman Rebecca Gibson previously confirmed hat 19 of the 122 Komen affiliates made grants totaling $374,253 to Planned Parenthood during the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
Komen officials have dismissed the grants saying they are for breast cancer screenings, but pro-life advocates say the money is fungible and that it frees up funds Planned Parenthood could use for breast screenings but instead uses on abortions.
The Catholic Diocese of Lafayette has asked parishioners there to refrain from participating the march and, last month, the St. Louis Archdiocese asked people to boycott the event.
In November 2006, the Phoenix, Arizona diocese asked parishioners to tell Komen to stop giving money to Planned Parenthood.
"Some will argue the grant is earmarked for areas other than abortion or contraception, so the affiliation between the organizations is inconsequential," Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted said of the Komen grants to Planned Parenthood.
"But the sad reality is that the grant money now frees up Planned Parenthood funds for those other areas opposing life and counter to our Catholic faith," he explained.
The Komen grants to Planned Parenthood prompted medical research analyst and Hispanic outreach director Eve Sanchez Silver to resign from her leadership position within Komen.
Silver eventually had a meeting with Komen officials about their grants and abortion's link with breast cancer.
"SGK officials did not appear to have knowledge of simple breast facts," Silver said in a statement LifeNews.com received.
Silver explained that the breast is an organ that is not mature at birth and SGK officials appeared to be surprised to learn that the breast does not become fully mature until after 32 weeks of pregnancy.
As a result of that state of development, interruption of pregnancy via an abortion before 32 weeks leaves breast cells exposed to estrogen, which is highly carcinogenic.
She indicated the Komen representatives also appeared to be "more concerned about assisting women after they had contracted breast cancer, than informing them to avoid breast cancer risk by avoiding abortions and having [an] early, full term pregnancy."
"This is an appalling lack of concern for the women the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is supposed to be helping," Silver added.
Donations during the 2006-2007 fiscal year from Komen affiliates to Planned Parenthood abortion businesses include:
PP of Texas Capital Region received $62,886 from the Austin Komen Affiliate.
PP of Idaho received $15,000 from the Boise Komen Affiliate.
PP Association of the Mercer Area received $20,000 from the Central and South Jersey Komen Affiliate.
PP of Albuquerque received $30,000 from the Central New Mexico Komen Affiliate.
PP of Sandoval received $15,000 from the Central New Mexico Komen Affiliate.
PP of New Mexico received $60,000 from the Central New Mexico Komen Affiliate.
PP of Northern New York received $2,000 from the Central New York Komen Affiliate.
PP of Central Texas received $45,000 from the Central Texas Komen Affiliate.
PP of the Rocky Mountains received $7,163 from the Denver Metropolitan Komen Affiliate.
PP in El Paso received $5,410 from the El Paso Komen Affiliate.
PP in Grand Rapids received $14,661 from the Grand Rapids Komen Affiliate.
PP in Greater Amarillo received $11,500 from the Greater Amarillo Komen Affiliate.
PP of Nassau County received $75,000 from the Greater New York City Komen Affiliate.
PP in Madison received $30,000 from the Madison Komen Affiliate.
PP of Wisconsin received $42,077 from the Milwaukee Komen Affiliate.
PP in Milwaukee received $13,143 from the Milwaukee Komen Affiliate.
PP in Triangle received -$317 from the North Carolina Triangle Komen Affiliate.
PP Health Systems received $21,000 from the North Carolina Triangle Komen Affiliate.
PP in North Texas received $32,400 from the North Texas Komen Affiliate.
PP of Orange and San Bernardino Counties received $90,805 from the Orange County Komen Affiliate.
PP of Delaware received $39,987 from the Philadelphia Komen Affiliate.
PP in Phoenix received $24,850 from the Phoenix Komen Affiliate.
PP of Western Washington received $750 from the Puget Sound Komen Affiliate.
PP of San Antonio received $31,496 from the San Antonio Komen Affiliate.
PP of West Palm Beach, Florida received $36,000 from the South Florida Komen Affiliate.
Posted on LifeNews.com Thursday, April 10, 2008 4:54:49 AM by rhema
A new report from a Planned Parenthood watchdog finds chapters of the Komen Race for the Cure breast cancer group gave affiliates of the national abortion business over $700,000 last fiscal year. The enormous amount should be a red flag to pro-life advocates, one leading activist says.
Figures from STOPP International show Komen chapters giving $711,485 from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006 to Planned Parenthood affiliates.
Jim Sedlak, a representative of the watchdog group says the numbers are concerning given than millions of pro-life Americans will participate in Komen events during the month.
"More and more people are speaking up about the fact that Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a breast cancer research foundation, supports Planned Parenthood," Sedlak told LifeNews.com on Wednesday.
He pointed to studies showing abortion increases a woman's chances of contracting breast cancer and said that makes the donations extremely questionable.
"The fact that Komen Affiliates give money to Planned Parenthood contradicts Komen’s claim that it works to end breast cancer," Sedlak said. "This is ridiculous and must stop."
Sedlak urged pro-life advocates to disassociate themselves with any Komen events until the organization's affiliates stop giving money to the abortion business.
He also urged pro-life people to make Planned Parenthood's pro-abortion mission clear to Komen officials and event participants.
He called Planned Parenthood "an organization that kills babies, exploits women, corrupts youth and increases the likelihood of breast cancer by promoting contraception and abortion."
The amount of the grants from Komen affiliates to Planned Parenthood appears to be on the rise and 25 Komen affiliates now have a partnership with the abortion business.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure spokeswoman Rebecca Gibson previously confirmed hat 19 of the 122 Komen affiliates made grants totaling $374,253 to Planned Parenthood during the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
Komen officials have dismissed the grants saying they are for breast cancer screenings, but pro-life advocates say the money is fungible and that it frees up funds Planned Parenthood could use for breast screenings but instead uses on abortions.
The Catholic Diocese of Lafayette has asked parishioners there to refrain from participating the march and, last month, the St. Louis Archdiocese asked people to boycott the event.
In November 2006, the Phoenix, Arizona diocese asked parishioners to tell Komen to stop giving money to Planned Parenthood.
"Some will argue the grant is earmarked for areas other than abortion or contraception, so the affiliation between the organizations is inconsequential," Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted said of the Komen grants to Planned Parenthood.
"But the sad reality is that the grant money now frees up Planned Parenthood funds for those other areas opposing life and counter to our Catholic faith," he explained.
The Komen grants to Planned Parenthood prompted medical research analyst and Hispanic outreach director Eve Sanchez Silver to resign from her leadership position within Komen.
Silver eventually had a meeting with Komen officials about their grants and abortion's link with breast cancer.
"SGK officials did not appear to have knowledge of simple breast facts," Silver said in a statement LifeNews.com received.
Silver explained that the breast is an organ that is not mature at birth and SGK officials appeared to be surprised to learn that the breast does not become fully mature until after 32 weeks of pregnancy.
As a result of that state of development, interruption of pregnancy via an abortion before 32 weeks leaves breast cells exposed to estrogen, which is highly carcinogenic.
She indicated the Komen representatives also appeared to be "more concerned about assisting women after they had contracted breast cancer, than informing them to avoid breast cancer risk by avoiding abortions and having [an] early, full term pregnancy."
"This is an appalling lack of concern for the women the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is supposed to be helping," Silver added.
Donations during the 2006-2007 fiscal year from Komen affiliates to Planned Parenthood abortion businesses include:
PP of Texas Capital Region received $62,886 from the Austin Komen Affiliate.
PP of Idaho received $15,000 from the Boise Komen Affiliate.
PP Association of the Mercer Area received $20,000 from the Central and South Jersey Komen Affiliate.
PP of Albuquerque received $30,000 from the Central New Mexico Komen Affiliate.
PP of Sandoval received $15,000 from the Central New Mexico Komen Affiliate.
PP of New Mexico received $60,000 from the Central New Mexico Komen Affiliate.
PP of Northern New York received $2,000 from the Central New York Komen Affiliate.
PP of Central Texas received $45,000 from the Central Texas Komen Affiliate.
PP of the Rocky Mountains received $7,163 from the Denver Metropolitan Komen Affiliate.
PP in El Paso received $5,410 from the El Paso Komen Affiliate.
PP in Grand Rapids received $14,661 from the Grand Rapids Komen Affiliate.
PP in Greater Amarillo received $11,500 from the Greater Amarillo Komen Affiliate.
PP of Nassau County received $75,000 from the Greater New York City Komen Affiliate.
PP in Madison received $30,000 from the Madison Komen Affiliate.
PP of Wisconsin received $42,077 from the Milwaukee Komen Affiliate.
PP in Milwaukee received $13,143 from the Milwaukee Komen Affiliate.
PP in Triangle received -$317 from the North Carolina Triangle Komen Affiliate.
PP Health Systems received $21,000 from the North Carolina Triangle Komen Affiliate.
PP in North Texas received $32,400 from the North Texas Komen Affiliate.
PP of Orange and San Bernardino Counties received $90,805 from the Orange County Komen Affiliate.
PP of Delaware received $39,987 from the Philadelphia Komen Affiliate.
PP in Phoenix received $24,850 from the Phoenix Komen Affiliate.
PP of Western Washington received $750 from the Puget Sound Komen Affiliate.
PP of San Antonio received $31,496 from the San Antonio Komen Affiliate.
PP of West Palm Beach, Florida received $36,000 from the South Florida Komen Affiliate.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Dr. Alveda King Calls Comparison of George Tiller to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 'Offensive Beyond Belief'
ATLANTA, June 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Alveda King, Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., today reacted to remarks by late-term abortionist LeRoy Carhart that compared the killing of George Tiller to the assassination of her uncle.
"For LeRoy Carhart to mention the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who worked through peaceful and non-violent means, in the same breath with that of George Tiller, whose work ended peace and brought violence to babies in the womb, is offensive beyond belief," said Dr. King. "The analogy is just wrong."
"Dr. Carhart also speaks of hate crimes," added Dr. King. "I would simply ask him, is it not hateful to regard an entire class of people as non-human because they're unwanted?"
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, also commented, "The message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was that every human being has equal dignity. LeRoy Carhart and every other abortionist violate that message every time they dismember a baby. The comparison is ridiculous."
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 LeRoy Carhart to mention the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who worked through peaceful and non-violent means, in the same breath with that of George Tiller, whose work ended peace and brought violence to babies in the womb, is offensive beyond belief," said Dr. King. "The analogy is just wrong."
"Dr. Carhart also speaks of hate crimes," added Dr. King. "I would simply ask him, is it not hateful to regard an entire class of people as non-human because they're unwanted?"
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, also commented, "The message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was that every human being has equal dignity. LeRoy Carhart and every other abortionist violate that message every time they dismember a baby. The comparison is ridiculous."
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
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Notre Dame Alumni Report Feeling Disenfranchised
Concerned Students Are Not Learning Catechesis
By Genevieve Pollock
DEARBORN, Michigan, JUNE 2, 2009 (Zenit.org).- A Notre Dame alumni coalition is entering phase two in the program to replace the university's leadership, using their pocketbooks as leverage.
David DiFranco, '95 graduate and spokesman of ReplaceJenkins.com, told ZENIT that although the initiative materialized amid the public protest of the school's decision to honor President Barack Obama at the May 17 commencement ceremony, the work is far from being over.
The coalition launched the national outreach effort in April appealing to alumni and benefactors to hold back donations until the university's president, Father John Jenkins, is replaced.
"Our endeavor is entering a new phase," he said. "We did not establish ourselves to prevent Obama from speaking" at the university's commencement ceremony.
This event gave us a "rallying cry," DiFranco said, but "the culminating point in our endeavor is still a long way off."
The problem at Notre Dame, he explained, is that "something needs to change in the leadership."
The coalition is calling for a new university head "who is committed to the authentic identity of Notre Dame, grounded in the teachings of the Catholic Church."
The protest against Obama's invitation to give the commencement address and receive an honorary law doctorate served to "wake people up," the spokesman said, as many alumni did not realize the situation at the school.
The alumni are "feeling disenfranchised," he said. They are surprised at the bad leadership of administration and faculty.
"Obama's invitation to speak was not the worst part," DiFranco explained. The defense made by university president Father John Jenkins of the decision "angered alumni even more."
He added that there was also an outcry over the fact that during the commencement ceremony, many students showed support for Obama, shouting campaign slogans, which "shows that the students are not learning their catechesis."
Clear cut
Over 80 bishops and more than 367,000 Catholics voiced disagreement with Father Jenkins, saying he disregarded the 2004 guidelines from the U.S. bishops that state: "Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles" with "awards, honors, or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."
This is a very "clear cut case," DiFranco said. Obama is not just pro-choice, but is among a very small minority who actively defends abortion rights in every instance.
The spokesman asserted that the percentage of students standing against the decision should match the percentage that is Catholic.
The admissions office of the university estimates that 80%-85% of each incoming freshman class identifies themselves as Catholic.
DiFranco acknowledged that although most media attention focused on the fact that only 40 seniors out of some 2,900 boycotted the ceremony, there may have been many more who were against the university's decision.
Now, he said, although the press dropped the story after commencement day, we are just beginning the second phase of the campaign, to "connect with Notre Dame individuals who have power to induce change."
DiFranco affirmed that the project has been initially successful, with responses from every alumni era.
On graduation day, the coalition had confirmed over $15 million in donations withheld from the university.
Although the coalition has not released an updated number, the spokesman affirmed that the total number of donations "has swelled."
The group is carefully sorting through and confirming other pledges, and DiFranco stated that there are still tens of millions of dollars to be authenticated.
The coalition will formally deliver its campaign results to the Notre Dame administration at a moment it deems "appropriate," he said.
The alumnus concluded by affirming that there are glimmers of hope for Notre Dame, despite the need for some changes.
He reported that several faculty members contacted the coalition to express support, though requesting anonymity.
At Notre Dame, "there is a contingent with some strength," DiFranco said, and with the right environment and situation, "you may see something positive coming out."
--- --- ---
On the Net:
Coalition Web site: http://www.replacejenkins.com/
By Genevieve Pollock
DEARBORN, Michigan, JUNE 2, 2009 (Zenit.org).- A Notre Dame alumni coalition is entering phase two in the program to replace the university's leadership, using their pocketbooks as leverage.
David DiFranco, '95 graduate and spokesman of ReplaceJenkins.com, told ZENIT that although the initiative materialized amid the public protest of the school's decision to honor President Barack Obama at the May 17 commencement ceremony, the work is far from being over.
The coalition launched the national outreach effort in April appealing to alumni and benefactors to hold back donations until the university's president, Father John Jenkins, is replaced.
"Our endeavor is entering a new phase," he said. "We did not establish ourselves to prevent Obama from speaking" at the university's commencement ceremony.
This event gave us a "rallying cry," DiFranco said, but "the culminating point in our endeavor is still a long way off."
The problem at Notre Dame, he explained, is that "something needs to change in the leadership."
The coalition is calling for a new university head "who is committed to the authentic identity of Notre Dame, grounded in the teachings of the Catholic Church."
The protest against Obama's invitation to give the commencement address and receive an honorary law doctorate served to "wake people up," the spokesman said, as many alumni did not realize the situation at the school.
The alumni are "feeling disenfranchised," he said. They are surprised at the bad leadership of administration and faculty.
"Obama's invitation to speak was not the worst part," DiFranco explained. The defense made by university president Father John Jenkins of the decision "angered alumni even more."
He added that there was also an outcry over the fact that during the commencement ceremony, many students showed support for Obama, shouting campaign slogans, which "shows that the students are not learning their catechesis."
Clear cut
Over 80 bishops and more than 367,000 Catholics voiced disagreement with Father Jenkins, saying he disregarded the 2004 guidelines from the U.S. bishops that state: "Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles" with "awards, honors, or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."
This is a very "clear cut case," DiFranco said. Obama is not just pro-choice, but is among a very small minority who actively defends abortion rights in every instance.
The spokesman asserted that the percentage of students standing against the decision should match the percentage that is Catholic.
The admissions office of the university estimates that 80%-85% of each incoming freshman class identifies themselves as Catholic.
DiFranco acknowledged that although most media attention focused on the fact that only 40 seniors out of some 2,900 boycotted the ceremony, there may have been many more who were against the university's decision.
Now, he said, although the press dropped the story after commencement day, we are just beginning the second phase of the campaign, to "connect with Notre Dame individuals who have power to induce change."
DiFranco affirmed that the project has been initially successful, with responses from every alumni era.
On graduation day, the coalition had confirmed over $15 million in donations withheld from the university.
Although the coalition has not released an updated number, the spokesman affirmed that the total number of donations "has swelled."
The group is carefully sorting through and confirming other pledges, and DiFranco stated that there are still tens of millions of dollars to be authenticated.
The coalition will formally deliver its campaign results to the Notre Dame administration at a moment it deems "appropriate," he said.
The alumnus concluded by affirming that there are glimmers of hope for Notre Dame, despite the need for some changes.
He reported that several faculty members contacted the coalition to express support, though requesting anonymity.
At Notre Dame, "there is a contingent with some strength," DiFranco said, and with the right environment and situation, "you may see something positive coming out."
--- --- ---
On the Net:
Coalition Web site: http://www.replacejenkins.com/
New statistics show U.S. Catholics increase in numbers
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16201
WASHINGTON D.C., June 5 (CNA) - The 2009 Official Catholic Directory has released new statistics on the Catholic population. The directory shows that there are 68.1 million Catholics in the United States, an increase of about one million from the previous year which maintains Catholics as 22 percent of the U.S. population.
The directory, also known as the Kenedy Directory, reports that there are 41,489 diocesan and religious order priests, 60,715 religious sisters, 4,905 religious brothers and 16,935 permanent deacons.
In 2008 there were 887,145 infant baptisms, 42,629 adult baptisms, and 81,775 baptized Christians who entered full communion with the Church. The Kenedy Directory lists 18,674 parishes, including 91 new parishes, and 189 seminaries with 4,973 students.
Over 722,000 students are in high school religious education programs, while over three million are in elementary school religious ed.
There are 6,133 Catholic elementary schools and 1.6 million students. The country’s 1,341 Catholic high schools educate over 674,000 students, while 234 Catholic colleges and universities serve, over 795,000 students.
U.S. Catholic hospitals number 562 and serve almost 85.3 million patients, while 3009 Catholic social service centers assist 27.2 million people annually.
According to a press release from the U.S. bishops' conference, Catholic organizations in the United States provide an estimated $28.2 billion in services through institutions represented by the Catholic Health Association ($5.7 billion), Catholic Charities USA ($3.5 billion), and the National Catholic Education Association ($19.8 billion).
These figures do not include assistance provided through parishes and other organizations such as the Knights of Columbus.
WASHINGTON D.C., June 5 (CNA) - The 2009 Official Catholic Directory has released new statistics on the Catholic population. The directory shows that there are 68.1 million Catholics in the United States, an increase of about one million from the previous year which maintains Catholics as 22 percent of the U.S. population.
The directory, also known as the Kenedy Directory, reports that there are 41,489 diocesan and religious order priests, 60,715 religious sisters, 4,905 religious brothers and 16,935 permanent deacons.
In 2008 there were 887,145 infant baptisms, 42,629 adult baptisms, and 81,775 baptized Christians who entered full communion with the Church. The Kenedy Directory lists 18,674 parishes, including 91 new parishes, and 189 seminaries with 4,973 students.
Over 722,000 students are in high school religious education programs, while over three million are in elementary school religious ed.
There are 6,133 Catholic elementary schools and 1.6 million students. The country’s 1,341 Catholic high schools educate over 674,000 students, while 234 Catholic colleges and universities serve, over 795,000 students.
U.S. Catholic hospitals number 562 and serve almost 85.3 million patients, while 3009 Catholic social service centers assist 27.2 million people annually.
According to a press release from the U.S. bishops' conference, Catholic organizations in the United States provide an estimated $28.2 billion in services through institutions represented by the Catholic Health Association ($5.7 billion), Catholic Charities USA ($3.5 billion), and the National Catholic Education Association ($19.8 billion).
These figures do not include assistance provided through parishes and other organizations such as the Knights of Columbus.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Pro-Life Action League Uses Handbooks, Not Handguns as Weapon
Tiller's death serves as reminder that violence is not the answer
CHICAGO, June 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- In light of abortionist George Tiller's tragic death, the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League is encouraging others to use a different weapon against abortion.
The League has published a free, pocket-sized, 96- page handbook, Sharing the Pro-Life Message, that arms pro-lifers with the facts, figures and reasoned arguments they need to share the truth about abortion with compassion and conviction.
"It has always been my philosophy that we convert abortionists," said Joseph M. Scheidler, the League's national director. "As activists committed to saving lives, we vigorously oppose violence."
The handbook is designed to change the hearts and minds of those who support abortion, one by one, through respectful dialog on this controversial issue.
"If you've ever had to explain or defend the pro-life message to a friend, family member, co-worker or even a complete stranger, you need this handbook," League communications director Eric Scheidler says. "We're giving it away for free because we're convinced it will help save lives."
The League hopes that pro-life Americans will use this book to work peacefully toward changing hearts and minds on abortion.
"The only weapon the pro-life movement needs is truth," Scheidler says. "And that's what Sharing the Pro- Life Message offers."
Any pro-lifer in the U.S. or Canada can order a copy of Sharing the Pro-Life Message at www.FreeProLifeHandbook.com. Bulk orders for church, school or pro-life groups also are available.
About Pro-Life Action League
Pro-Life Action League was founded by Joseph M. Scheidler in 1980 with the aim of saving unborn children through non-violent direct action. Through prayer vigils outside abortion facilities and sidewalk counseling, the League reaches out to abortion- bound women and couples with abortion alternatives, confidential counseling and access to pregnancy resources.
Since July 2007, the League has been at the center of the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood's flagship abortion facility in Aurora, Ill., dubbed, "Ground Zero" of the abortion battle by abortion supporters and opponents alike. The League has closed eight abortion clinics in Chicago alone and nearly a hundred across the country.
The Pro-Life Action League is a nonprofit organization, supported solely by private donations. For more information, visit www.prolifeaction.org.
Christian Newswire
CHICAGO, June 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- In light of abortionist George Tiller's tragic death, the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League is encouraging others to use a different weapon against abortion.
The League has published a free, pocket-sized, 96- page handbook, Sharing the Pro-Life Message, that arms pro-lifers with the facts, figures and reasoned arguments they need to share the truth about abortion with compassion and conviction.
"It has always been my philosophy that we convert abortionists," said Joseph M. Scheidler, the League's national director. "As activists committed to saving lives, we vigorously oppose violence."
The handbook is designed to change the hearts and minds of those who support abortion, one by one, through respectful dialog on this controversial issue.
"If you've ever had to explain or defend the pro-life message to a friend, family member, co-worker or even a complete stranger, you need this handbook," League communications director Eric Scheidler says. "We're giving it away for free because we're convinced it will help save lives."
The League hopes that pro-life Americans will use this book to work peacefully toward changing hearts and minds on abortion.
"The only weapon the pro-life movement needs is truth," Scheidler says. "And that's what Sharing the Pro- Life Message offers."
Any pro-lifer in the U.S. or Canada can order a copy of Sharing the Pro-Life Message at www.FreeProLifeHandbook.com. Bulk orders for church, school or pro-life groups also are available.
About Pro-Life Action League
Pro-Life Action League was founded by Joseph M. Scheidler in 1980 with the aim of saving unborn children through non-violent direct action. Through prayer vigils outside abortion facilities and sidewalk counseling, the League reaches out to abortion- bound women and couples with abortion alternatives, confidential counseling and access to pregnancy resources.
Since July 2007, the League has been at the center of the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood's flagship abortion facility in Aurora, Ill., dubbed, "Ground Zero" of the abortion battle by abortion supporters and opponents alike. The League has closed eight abortion clinics in Chicago alone and nearly a hundred across the country.
The Pro-Life Action League is a nonprofit organization, supported solely by private donations. For more information, visit www.prolifeaction.org.
Christian Newswire
Monday, June 01, 2009
Dr. Alveda King -- Sorrow that Dr. Tiller Didn't Live to Repent
ATLANTA, June 1 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Alveda King, Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said today that the killing of late-term abortionist George Tiller brings tremendous sorrow.
"Two years ago, I visited George Tiller's clinic in hope of telling him that babies desire mercy," said Dr. King. "I wanted to share with him the harm I experienced from abortion. My prayer was that one day he would join me in repentance. I am deeply sorry that his life was taken before that could happen."
"It's especially horrifying that Dr. Tiller was shot in church," added Dr. King. "My grandmother, Alberta King, was killed by a Christian-hating gunman as she played the organ during Sunday services. Just as the womb should be a safe haven, so should church. I condemn this murder in the strongest possible terms."
A colleague of Dr. King's in a pro-life African-American coalition, Pastor Stephen Broden, also declared, "Pro- lifers are devastated by the Tiller killing. In the great tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we pray, march, and counsel peacefully. Just as earlier civil rights workers, pro-lifers do not answer violence with violence."
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
"Two years ago, I visited George Tiller's clinic in hope of telling him that babies desire mercy," said Dr. King. "I wanted to share with him the harm I experienced from abortion. My prayer was that one day he would join me in repentance. I am deeply sorry that his life was taken before that could happen."
"It's especially horrifying that Dr. Tiller was shot in church," added Dr. King. "My grandmother, Alberta King, was killed by a Christian-hating gunman as she played the organ during Sunday services. Just as the womb should be a safe haven, so should church. I condemn this murder in the strongest possible terms."
A colleague of Dr. King's in a pro-life African-American coalition, Pastor Stephen Broden, also declared, "Pro- lifers are devastated by the Tiller killing. In the great tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we pray, march, and counsel peacefully. Just as earlier civil rights workers, pro-lifers do not answer violence with violence."
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
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