Fr. Pavone Says Reid Health Care Bill is a Gift Americans Won't Accept
STATEN ISLAND, NY, Dec. 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, the largest pro-life ministry in the Catholic Church, issued the following statement on this morning's passage of the Reid health care bill in the Senate.
"Apparently a Senate bill that unleashes unprecedented funding for abortions is the Senate's idea of a Christmas gift," said Fr. Pavone. "Given that taxpayers oppose public funding of abortion by a three- to-one margin, perhaps next November Senators will learn just how offensive their gift is. Beginning immediately, Priests for Life is mobilizing voters to put the right to life first in every election."
Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro- life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit http://www.priestsforlife.org/ .
Christian Newswire
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The U.S. Senate's Christmas Gift to America: Abortion for All, at Taxpayer-Expense
"This bill is a betrayal of conscience for millions of Americans. And it is a betrayal of the principles proclaimed by Reid, Nelson, and Casey."
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- In response to this morning's passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act introduced by Senator Harry Reid (D- Nev.), Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser offered the following statement:
"On Christmas Eve, the U.S. Senate gave Americans a gift no one wants: abortion for all, at taxpayer- expense. Even more tragic, they can thank self- described 'pro-life' senators like Ben Nelson, Bob Casey, Jr., and Harry Reid for paving the way for legislation that will open the floodgates for the greatest expansion of government-backed abortion since Roe v. Wade.
"Today's vote was a career-affecting vote. The senators who voted to advance this legislation should consider themselves on notice. Votes have consequences, and the Susan B. Anthony List will use all the resources at our disposal to educate their constituents about today's result. As this debate moves forward, pro-life House members would do well to consider the impact of their own votes. Abortion is never good for women, and it should never be a legitimate aspect of any 'health care' debate.
"If this bill is signed into law, for the first time, federally funded and managed health care plans will cover elective abortions. Pro-life Americans in states that choose to 'opt-out' of abortion coverage will still be forced to foot the bill for abortions in California and New York.
"This is not 'compromise' or 'middle ground.' The only ones who support the senate abortion language are a handful of senators so far-removed from the consciences of their own constituents that it's laughable. Discussions of 'different accounts' and 'separate checks' are just a smokescreen.
"This bill is a betrayal of conscience for millions of Americans. And it is a betrayal of the principles proclaimed by Reid, Nelson, and Casey. Today's vote is exactly the type of 'leadership' that repels the American electorate. Americans are hungry for authenticity. They are hungry for leaders whose actions follow their principles, for stalwart representatives who will never abandon their convictions for a sweet deal. Unfortunately, on Christmas Eve 2009, as a result of that lack of real leadership, Americans received the gift of abortion in the name of 'health care reform.'
"The good news for the pro-life movement is that Bart Stupak is already a leader for Life in the House, and we know he won't compromise his principles. The Susan B. Anthony List plans to reinforce Stupak's leadership with our own efforts to target key members of the House of Representatives.
"Unlike the House version of health care reform, the Senate bill as amended by Senator Harry Reid (D- Nev.) does not prohibit abortion coverage for plans offered in federally subsidized health care exchanges. The state "opt-out" provision does nothing to prevent one state's tax dollars from funding abortions in other states."
The new public insurance exchange managed by the Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) will cover abortions. Each state through OPM can provide two multi-state plans and only one of them will exclude abortions. OPM's current health care program, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), does not include any plans that cover elective abortion. The bill also includes a reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, without language to prevent federal funding of abortions.
As part of its Votes Have Consequences project, the Susan B. Anthony List has funded television ads in Nevada (video) and Pennsylvania (video), radio ads in Nevada, Arkansas, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and targeted advocacy telephone campaigns nationwide to mobilize pro-life Americans to contact Congress and urge their legislators to defend Life in health care reform.
For the last several months, the Susan B. Anthony List has mobilized tens of thousands of pro-life Americans nationwide to urge Congress to exclude abortion from healthcare reform. Susan B. Anthony List activists have sent over one million letters to Congress requesting an explicit exclusion of abortion from health care reform.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 280,000 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.
http://www.sba-list.org/
Christian Newswire
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- In response to this morning's passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act introduced by Senator Harry Reid (D- Nev.), Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser offered the following statement:
"On Christmas Eve, the U.S. Senate gave Americans a gift no one wants: abortion for all, at taxpayer- expense. Even more tragic, they can thank self- described 'pro-life' senators like Ben Nelson, Bob Casey, Jr., and Harry Reid for paving the way for legislation that will open the floodgates for the greatest expansion of government-backed abortion since Roe v. Wade.
"Today's vote was a career-affecting vote. The senators who voted to advance this legislation should consider themselves on notice. Votes have consequences, and the Susan B. Anthony List will use all the resources at our disposal to educate their constituents about today's result. As this debate moves forward, pro-life House members would do well to consider the impact of their own votes. Abortion is never good for women, and it should never be a legitimate aspect of any 'health care' debate.
"If this bill is signed into law, for the first time, federally funded and managed health care plans will cover elective abortions. Pro-life Americans in states that choose to 'opt-out' of abortion coverage will still be forced to foot the bill for abortions in California and New York.
"This is not 'compromise' or 'middle ground.' The only ones who support the senate abortion language are a handful of senators so far-removed from the consciences of their own constituents that it's laughable. Discussions of 'different accounts' and 'separate checks' are just a smokescreen.
"This bill is a betrayal of conscience for millions of Americans. And it is a betrayal of the principles proclaimed by Reid, Nelson, and Casey. Today's vote is exactly the type of 'leadership' that repels the American electorate. Americans are hungry for authenticity. They are hungry for leaders whose actions follow their principles, for stalwart representatives who will never abandon their convictions for a sweet deal. Unfortunately, on Christmas Eve 2009, as a result of that lack of real leadership, Americans received the gift of abortion in the name of 'health care reform.'
"The good news for the pro-life movement is that Bart Stupak is already a leader for Life in the House, and we know he won't compromise his principles. The Susan B. Anthony List plans to reinforce Stupak's leadership with our own efforts to target key members of the House of Representatives.
"Unlike the House version of health care reform, the Senate bill as amended by Senator Harry Reid (D- Nev.) does not prohibit abortion coverage for plans offered in federally subsidized health care exchanges. The state "opt-out" provision does nothing to prevent one state's tax dollars from funding abortions in other states."
The new public insurance exchange managed by the Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) will cover abortions. Each state through OPM can provide two multi-state plans and only one of them will exclude abortions. OPM's current health care program, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), does not include any plans that cover elective abortion. The bill also includes a reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, without language to prevent federal funding of abortions.
As part of its Votes Have Consequences project, the Susan B. Anthony List has funded television ads in Nevada (video) and Pennsylvania (video), radio ads in Nevada, Arkansas, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and targeted advocacy telephone campaigns nationwide to mobilize pro-life Americans to contact Congress and urge their legislators to defend Life in health care reform.
For the last several months, the Susan B. Anthony List has mobilized tens of thousands of pro-life Americans nationwide to urge Congress to exclude abortion from healthcare reform. Susan B. Anthony List activists have sent over one million letters to Congress requesting an explicit exclusion of abortion from health care reform.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 280,000 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.
http://www.sba-list.org/
Christian Newswire
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Orthodox leader Patriarch Kirill is one of Russia's people of 2009
Moscow (ENI). Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill I has been honoured in a Russian 2009 Person of the Year award, taking top honours along with President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at an awards ceremony held at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow. The award is given by an organization called the Russian Biographical Institute. It honours public figures in spheres such as religion, politics, sports, medicine, education and culture. Winners are chosen by a committee and also by voting in the media and on the Internet. [331 words, ENI-09-0994]
Russian church official reiterates 'no dialogue' with female bishop
Trier, Germany (ENI). The external relations' head of the Moscow Patriarchate has reiterated that Patriarch Kirill I of the Russian Orthodox Church will not take part in meetings with the newly-elected leader of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) as she is a female bishop. "Despite the fact that we do not recognise the Protestant church as a church, there had in the past been meetings between the chairperson of the EKD and the Patriarch. That is not possible anymore. The Patriarch cannot meet a woman bishop," Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk said in an interview with the German weekly magazine, Der Spiegel. [334 words, ENI-09-0992]
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wisconsin ‘pro-choice Catholic’ group is disowning Catholic heritage, Archbishop Listecki states
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18077
LA CROSSE, WISC., December 16 (CNA) - A self-described Wisconsin Catholic group which holds that Catholics can disregard Church teaching on abortion, contraception and human sexuality is disowning its heritage, Archbishop-designate of Milwaukee Jerome E. Listecki said in a Dec. 15 statement.
The group Young Catholics for Choice, which is a part of the dissenting group Catholics for Choice, has begun collaborating with Family Planning Health Services of Wausau. Members of the group have gone on local television and also have advocated for the “Plan B” contraceptive at a press conference.
Archbishop-designate Listecki said the group is conducting an advertising campaign to convince Catholics they can disregard Church teaching and still remain in good standing.
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” the archbishop-designate insisted.
He added that it is his duty as a bishop to state “clearly and unequivocally” that these views are in “grave contradiction” to Catholic teaching. By professing and disseminating such views, members of groups like Young Catholics for Choice “in fact disown their Catholic heritage,” and are “tragically distancing themselves” from communion with the Church.
“We pray that they may reconcile their position which is contrary to the Catholic Faith they claim to profess,” Archbishop-designate Listecki’s statement concluded.
LA CROSSE, WISC., December 16 (CNA) - A self-described Wisconsin Catholic group which holds that Catholics can disregard Church teaching on abortion, contraception and human sexuality is disowning its heritage, Archbishop-designate of Milwaukee Jerome E. Listecki said in a Dec. 15 statement.
The group Young Catholics for Choice, which is a part of the dissenting group Catholics for Choice, has begun collaborating with Family Planning Health Services of Wausau. Members of the group have gone on local television and also have advocated for the “Plan B” contraceptive at a press conference.
Archbishop-designate Listecki said the group is conducting an advertising campaign to convince Catholics they can disregard Church teaching and still remain in good standing.
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” the archbishop-designate insisted.
He added that it is his duty as a bishop to state “clearly and unequivocally” that these views are in “grave contradiction” to Catholic teaching. By professing and disseminating such views, members of groups like Young Catholics for Choice “in fact disown their Catholic heritage,” and are “tragically distancing themselves” from communion with the Church.
“We pray that they may reconcile their position which is contrary to the Catholic Faith they claim to profess,” Archbishop-designate Listecki’s statement concluded.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
I hope old Sam is right about us on this one
Actor blames Catholic Church for lack of Golden Compass sequels
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18066
LONDON, ENGLAND, December 16 (CNA) - Actor Sam Elliot has blamed the Catholic Church for stopping sequels from being made to the Golden Compass movie based on the first book of Philip Pullman’s atheistic trilogy His Dark Materials.
The film, starring Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Eva Green, grossed more than $380 million worldwide after its Christmas 2007 release, but took in only $85 million in the U.S. According to the Internet Movie Database, the film had a budget of $180 million.
The 65-year-old Elliot, who played a Texan “aeronaut” in the film, charged that a Catholic-led campaign against the movie stopped its sequels from being made.
“The Catholic Church happened to The Golden Compass, as far as I'm concerned,” Elliot remarked to the Evening Standard.
He said the movie did “incredible” at the box office but the Catholic Church “lambasted” the filmmakers and “scared off” New Line Cinema executives.
The movie itself is about a young heroine named Lyra who fights against an evil organization called the Magisterium, which many people see as a reference to the Catholic Church's body of teachings of the same name. The anti-religious message was reportedly toned down compared to the book.
Bill Donohue of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights had charged that the books and movie sold “atheism for kids.”
He told the Evening Standard that he was “delighted that the boycott worked.”
"I knew if we could hurt the box office receipts here, it might put the brakes on the next movie,” he added.
Donohue said he protested the movie because of its “deceitful attempt to introduce Christian children to the wonders of atheism in a backdoor fashion at Christmas time.”
“Everyone agrees the film version was not anti-Catholic, but that hardly resolves the issue. The fact is that each volume in the trilogy becomes increasingly anti-Catholic,” he continued.
Pullman, the author of the book on which the Golden Compass was based, said that the likelihood of the film trilogy being completed is decreasing.
He said that Catholics’ efforts against the film “must have played a part” in the trilogy being shelved, the Telegraph reports.
Pullman has denied his series is anti-Catholic, claiming it is a warning about what religion can do “when it gets its hands on the levers of power.”
According to CinemaBlend.com, the first book of the His Dark Materials trilogy is the most mild “by far” and the movie had most of its anti-religion references stripped.
“That kind of sanitization would have been impossible when adapting later books,” the movie website continued, noting that the series “quite literally” becomes a story about homosexual angels trying to kill God.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office for Film & Broadcasting had initially published a positive review of the movie, which was later pulled.
Archbishop of Denver Charles J. Chaput had said the film had an “aggressively anti-religious, anti-Christian undercurrent” and an “absence of joy or any real laughter.” He criticized the promotion of “this cold, angry, anti-religious fable” as holiday fare and invited Catholics to voice their concerns to New Line Cinema.
Bishop of LaCrosse, Wisconsin Jerome Listecki sent a letter about the film to his priests, urging them to warn parents about the books’ attacks on the Christian faith.
"Instead of using fantasy to lead people to truth and to God, this trilogy tries to lead them away from God," he said.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18066
LONDON, ENGLAND, December 16 (CNA) - Actor Sam Elliot has blamed the Catholic Church for stopping sequels from being made to the Golden Compass movie based on the first book of Philip Pullman’s atheistic trilogy His Dark Materials.
The film, starring Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Eva Green, grossed more than $380 million worldwide after its Christmas 2007 release, but took in only $85 million in the U.S. According to the Internet Movie Database, the film had a budget of $180 million.
The 65-year-old Elliot, who played a Texan “aeronaut” in the film, charged that a Catholic-led campaign against the movie stopped its sequels from being made.
“The Catholic Church happened to The Golden Compass, as far as I'm concerned,” Elliot remarked to the Evening Standard.
He said the movie did “incredible” at the box office but the Catholic Church “lambasted” the filmmakers and “scared off” New Line Cinema executives.
The movie itself is about a young heroine named Lyra who fights against an evil organization called the Magisterium, which many people see as a reference to the Catholic Church's body of teachings of the same name. The anti-religious message was reportedly toned down compared to the book.
Bill Donohue of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights had charged that the books and movie sold “atheism for kids.”
He told the Evening Standard that he was “delighted that the boycott worked.”
"I knew if we could hurt the box office receipts here, it might put the brakes on the next movie,” he added.
Donohue said he protested the movie because of its “deceitful attempt to introduce Christian children to the wonders of atheism in a backdoor fashion at Christmas time.”
“Everyone agrees the film version was not anti-Catholic, but that hardly resolves the issue. The fact is that each volume in the trilogy becomes increasingly anti-Catholic,” he continued.
Pullman, the author of the book on which the Golden Compass was based, said that the likelihood of the film trilogy being completed is decreasing.
He said that Catholics’ efforts against the film “must have played a part” in the trilogy being shelved, the Telegraph reports.
Pullman has denied his series is anti-Catholic, claiming it is a warning about what religion can do “when it gets its hands on the levers of power.”
According to CinemaBlend.com, the first book of the His Dark Materials trilogy is the most mild “by far” and the movie had most of its anti-religion references stripped.
“That kind of sanitization would have been impossible when adapting later books,” the movie website continued, noting that the series “quite literally” becomes a story about homosexual angels trying to kill God.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office for Film & Broadcasting had initially published a positive review of the movie, which was later pulled.
Archbishop of Denver Charles J. Chaput had said the film had an “aggressively anti-religious, anti-Christian undercurrent” and an “absence of joy or any real laughter.” He criticized the promotion of “this cold, angry, anti-religious fable” as holiday fare and invited Catholics to voice their concerns to New Line Cinema.
Bishop of LaCrosse, Wisconsin Jerome Listecki sent a letter about the film to his priests, urging them to warn parents about the books’ attacks on the Christian faith.
"Instead of using fantasy to lead people to truth and to God, this trilogy tries to lead them away from God," he said.
Federal appellate court to review San Francisco board’s anti-Catholic resolution
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18065
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., December 16 (CNA) - A full panel of judges on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments concerning the constitutionality of the San Francisco Board of Supervisor’s resolution attacking the Catholic Church for its opposition to the adoption of children by homosexuals.
The panel will review the earlier opinion of a three-judge Ninth Circuit panel that upheld the resolution.
Robert Muise, an attorney with the Thomas More Law Center, will argue on behalf of the plaintiffs, the Catholic League and two Catholic residents of San Francisco.
The Law Center in a statement charged that the resolution sounded “like a Ku Klux Klan anti-Catholic diatribe.”
It refers to the Vatican as a “foreign country” interfering in the affairs of the city. It says the Church’s teaching on homosexuality is “insulting to all San Franciscans,” “hateful,” “insulting and callous,” “defamatory” and “insensitive and ignorant.”
The Board’s resolution refers to the Inquisition and urges the Archbishop of San Francisco and Catholic Charities of San Francisco to defy Church directives.
The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Board on March 21, 2006.
The lawsuit charges that the resolution violates the Establishment Clause of the Constitution on the grounds that it expresses government hostility toward the Catholic Church.
In the Thomas More Law Center’s view, the “anti-Catholic” resolution sends a clear message to the plaintiffs and other faithful Catholics that “they are outsiders, not full members of the political community.” It also tells those who oppose Catholic beliefs that they are “insiders” and “favored members of the political community.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., December 16 (CNA) - A full panel of judges on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments concerning the constitutionality of the San Francisco Board of Supervisor’s resolution attacking the Catholic Church for its opposition to the adoption of children by homosexuals.
The panel will review the earlier opinion of a three-judge Ninth Circuit panel that upheld the resolution.
Robert Muise, an attorney with the Thomas More Law Center, will argue on behalf of the plaintiffs, the Catholic League and two Catholic residents of San Francisco.
The Law Center in a statement charged that the resolution sounded “like a Ku Klux Klan anti-Catholic diatribe.”
It refers to the Vatican as a “foreign country” interfering in the affairs of the city. It says the Church’s teaching on homosexuality is “insulting to all San Franciscans,” “hateful,” “insulting and callous,” “defamatory” and “insensitive and ignorant.”
The Board’s resolution refers to the Inquisition and urges the Archbishop of San Francisco and Catholic Charities of San Francisco to defy Church directives.
The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Board on March 21, 2006.
The lawsuit charges that the resolution violates the Establishment Clause of the Constitution on the grounds that it expresses government hostility toward the Catholic Church.
In the Thomas More Law Center’s view, the “anti-Catholic” resolution sends a clear message to the plaintiffs and other faithful Catholics that “they are outsiders, not full members of the political community.” It also tells those who oppose Catholic beliefs that they are “insiders” and “favored members of the political community.”
Wisconsin state senator calls for Planned Parenthood inquiry, cites video evidence
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18068
APPLETON, WIS., December 16 (CNA) - Following the release of an undercover video showing staffers at a Wisconsin Planned Parenthood clinic giving false information to a woman they believed was seeking an abortion, a state senator has called for an investigation into the organization.
An undercover video made by Live Action Films shows staffers at a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic near Appleton, Wisconsin giving conflicting and unscientific information about human development.
One staffer claimed that an unborn baby has only “heart tones,” not a heartbeat, until “about seventeen or eighteen weeks” into gestation.
The fetal heartbeat actually begins at around three weeks into pregnancy.
The video also shows the abortionist saying the unborn child is “not a baby at this stage” and telling the young woman that having an abortion is “much safer” than having a baby.
Wisconsin State Senator Glenn Grothman has called for an investigation, saying legislators should make sure Planned Parenthood does not “mislead” young girls in the future.
He called for the medical board to begin an investigation into whether the abortionist should continue to have a medical license.
Wisconsin law requires women seeking abortions to receive medically accurate information, a press release from Live Action says.
Teri Huyck, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, issued a statement on Friday saying that the doctor provided “honest, medically accurate information.” She described the videos as “edited.”
Live Action has sent the full unedited footage to Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Outagamie County District Attorney Carrie Schneider for review.
Lila Rose, the president of Live Action, charged that Planned Parenthood “poses” as a mainstream health provider but hides the facts of fetal development “so they can sell more abortions to more women.”
“An abortion is not a mere surgery. Instead, abortion determines whether a woman's unborn son or daughter will live or die,” she added.
“Planned Parenthood's pattern of medical malpractice and refusal to accept correction from scientific authorities further separates them from the rest of the medical community, who base their treatment on sound scientific guidance, not deceiving patients."
APPLETON, WIS., December 16 (CNA) - Following the release of an undercover video showing staffers at a Wisconsin Planned Parenthood clinic giving false information to a woman they believed was seeking an abortion, a state senator has called for an investigation into the organization.
An undercover video made by Live Action Films shows staffers at a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic near Appleton, Wisconsin giving conflicting and unscientific information about human development.
One staffer claimed that an unborn baby has only “heart tones,” not a heartbeat, until “about seventeen or eighteen weeks” into gestation.
The fetal heartbeat actually begins at around three weeks into pregnancy.
The video also shows the abortionist saying the unborn child is “not a baby at this stage” and telling the young woman that having an abortion is “much safer” than having a baby.
Wisconsin State Senator Glenn Grothman has called for an investigation, saying legislators should make sure Planned Parenthood does not “mislead” young girls in the future.
He called for the medical board to begin an investigation into whether the abortionist should continue to have a medical license.
Wisconsin law requires women seeking abortions to receive medically accurate information, a press release from Live Action says.
Teri Huyck, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, issued a statement on Friday saying that the doctor provided “honest, medically accurate information.” She described the videos as “edited.”
Live Action has sent the full unedited footage to Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Outagamie County District Attorney Carrie Schneider for review.
Lila Rose, the president of Live Action, charged that Planned Parenthood “poses” as a mainstream health provider but hides the facts of fetal development “so they can sell more abortions to more women.”
“An abortion is not a mere surgery. Instead, abortion determines whether a woman's unborn son or daughter will live or die,” she added.
“Planned Parenthood's pattern of medical malpractice and refusal to accept correction from scientific authorities further separates them from the rest of the medical community, who base their treatment on sound scientific guidance, not deceiving patients."
Off-duty COP pulls GUN on pro-life counselor in Aurora, IL
This morning, Rachelle Crile, one of our most committed sidewalk counselors, was threatened by an off duty Chicago police officer who pointed his gun at her from inside his minivan.
Rachelle had been counseling in the bitter cold and was warming up in her car when the man and his female passenger pulled into the Blockbuster lot nearby her car.
Somehow Rachelle knew they were headed to Planned Parenthood and after praying about it, she peacefully approached the car with literature. When she reached the driver's window, he pointed a gun at her, and she backed away with her hands up.
The couple then drove into the Planned Parenthood lot, and Rachelle called the police. Then sidewalk counselor Marie Sulita called me, and I rushed out there.
There were about eight police cars there when I arrived, and then several reporters showed up. Despite being shaken up, Rachelle courageously spoke to the press -- taking the opportunity to explain the life-saving mission of sidewalk counseling.
The police discovered that the man is a Chicago police officer, and there was indeed a gun in his car. But he claims he was only showing Rachelle his badge! Outrageous.
A police report was filed, but no charges. Rachelle will be following up with the DuPage County state's attorney -- I'll let you know about any developments.
You can learn more about the incident at the Pro-Life Action League website, and get links to some of the news stories about it, here:
http://prolifeaction.org/#gun
--- HOW YOU CAN HELP ---
This is a scary thing to happen, especially only a few months after pro-life activist Jim Pouillion was shot and killed in Michigan.
But there are three things you can do to help:
1. PRAY for Rachelle and her husband Jim. This has been a
really tough day for them.
2. PRAY that people will not be frightened away from clinic
witness. Such incidents are extremely rare, and we need to
keep our witness at the abortuaries strong.
3. HELP the Pro-Life Action League with a gift towards
training more great sidewalk counselors like Rachelle:
http://prolifeaction.org/donations?m=e&c=sidewalk
As Rachelle told the reporters this morning, the violence of abortion begets more violence. It's really no wonder that a man bent on seeing his own unborn child killed would pull a gun on a pro-life counselor.
The true wonder is that God keeps calling forth brave Christians like Rachelle to confront this violence with the healing of Christ's boundless love and forgiveness. God bless her.
Yours for Life,
-- Eric
Eric Scheidler
Executive Director
Pro-Life Action League
Tel: 630-896-1200
Facebook: http://prolifeaction.org/facebook .
.
Pro-Life Action League
6160 N Cicero Ave, Ste 600
Chicago, IL 60646, USA
Rachelle had been counseling in the bitter cold and was warming up in her car when the man and his female passenger pulled into the Blockbuster lot nearby her car.
Somehow Rachelle knew they were headed to Planned Parenthood and after praying about it, she peacefully approached the car with literature. When she reached the driver's window, he pointed a gun at her, and she backed away with her hands up.
The couple then drove into the Planned Parenthood lot, and Rachelle called the police. Then sidewalk counselor Marie Sulita called me, and I rushed out there.
There were about eight police cars there when I arrived, and then several reporters showed up. Despite being shaken up, Rachelle courageously spoke to the press -- taking the opportunity to explain the life-saving mission of sidewalk counseling.
The police discovered that the man is a Chicago police officer, and there was indeed a gun in his car. But he claims he was only showing Rachelle his badge! Outrageous.
A police report was filed, but no charges. Rachelle will be following up with the DuPage County state's attorney -- I'll let you know about any developments.
You can learn more about the incident at the Pro-Life Action League website, and get links to some of the news stories about it, here:
http://prolifeaction.org/#gun
--- HOW YOU CAN HELP ---
This is a scary thing to happen, especially only a few months after pro-life activist Jim Pouillion was shot and killed in Michigan.
But there are three things you can do to help:
1. PRAY for Rachelle and her husband Jim. This has been a
really tough day for them.
2. PRAY that people will not be frightened away from clinic
witness. Such incidents are extremely rare, and we need to
keep our witness at the abortuaries strong.
3. HELP the Pro-Life Action League with a gift towards
training more great sidewalk counselors like Rachelle:
http://prolifeaction.org/donations?m=e&c=sidewalk
As Rachelle told the reporters this morning, the violence of abortion begets more violence. It's really no wonder that a man bent on seeing his own unborn child killed would pull a gun on a pro-life counselor.
The true wonder is that God keeps calling forth brave Christians like Rachelle to confront this violence with the healing of Christ's boundless love and forgiveness. God bless her.
Yours for Life,
-- Eric
Eric Scheidler
Executive Director
Pro-Life Action League
Tel: 630-896-1200
Facebook: http://prolifeaction.org/facebook .
.
Pro-Life Action League
6160 N Cicero Ave, Ste 600
Chicago, IL 60646, USA
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Bus ads aim to attract lapsed Catholics in Dallas
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18045
DALLAS, TEXAS, December 14 (CNA) - As Christmas quickly approaches, the Diocese of Dallas has launched a campaign to bring lapsed Catholics back into the Church. One part of the outreach involves bus ads with the message: “Catholics come home for Christmas.”
“When I travel around the diocese, I have so many people tell me that their wife or husband or parents or kids have abandoned their church or faith,” Bishop Kevin Farrell explained to the Dallas Morning News on Sunday. “They're always asking me what we can do about it.”
The recent bus ads are part of the larger Catholics Come Home for Christmas campaign which “is an appeal from the Diocese of Dallas” to “welcome all inactive Catholics to return to the Faith,” the diocesan website says.
“No matter if you've been away from the Church for only a brief period of time or for many years, the important thing that I want you to know is that all of us are praying that during this special time of the year, this Christmas season, you will think about coming home to the Catholic Church,” Bishop Farrell said in a video message. “I hope you will fondly remember the church you grew up in, the church you made your first communion in or confirmation,” continued Bishop Farrell. “Perhaps you will think of your friends and family members who attended the same Catholic school with you or maybe you just remember what it was like to be part of a parish community who praise God together and were strengthened in faith through the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass.”
The Bishop of Dallas also acknowledged that people may have left the Church because they were hurt. “ I hope that whatever the hurt, the anger or the disinterest you experienced in leaving the Church can be healed so that you can once again know the comfort, the joy, the sense of belonging that worshiping with your family, your friends and neighbors can bring,” the bishop said in his video.
“As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, we invite you to join us at any one of more than 70 parishes to welcome the light of the world, Who has saved us,” Bishop Farrell concluded.
The bus advertisements in Dallas have been financially supported by the Knight of Columbus as well as private donors who have worked to put the ads on 13 Dallas Area Rapid Transit buses. The ads cost $359 each and will run through Dec. 27.
To view the Come Home for Christmas video, please visit, http://www.cathdal.org/default.asp?contentID=336
DALLAS, TEXAS, December 14 (CNA) - As Christmas quickly approaches, the Diocese of Dallas has launched a campaign to bring lapsed Catholics back into the Church. One part of the outreach involves bus ads with the message: “Catholics come home for Christmas.”
“When I travel around the diocese, I have so many people tell me that their wife or husband or parents or kids have abandoned their church or faith,” Bishop Kevin Farrell explained to the Dallas Morning News on Sunday. “They're always asking me what we can do about it.”
The recent bus ads are part of the larger Catholics Come Home for Christmas campaign which “is an appeal from the Diocese of Dallas” to “welcome all inactive Catholics to return to the Faith,” the diocesan website says.
“No matter if you've been away from the Church for only a brief period of time or for many years, the important thing that I want you to know is that all of us are praying that during this special time of the year, this Christmas season, you will think about coming home to the Catholic Church,” Bishop Farrell said in a video message. “I hope you will fondly remember the church you grew up in, the church you made your first communion in or confirmation,” continued Bishop Farrell. “Perhaps you will think of your friends and family members who attended the same Catholic school with you or maybe you just remember what it was like to be part of a parish community who praise God together and were strengthened in faith through the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass.”
The Bishop of Dallas also acknowledged that people may have left the Church because they were hurt. “ I hope that whatever the hurt, the anger or the disinterest you experienced in leaving the Church can be healed so that you can once again know the comfort, the joy, the sense of belonging that worshiping with your family, your friends and neighbors can bring,” the bishop said in his video.
“As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, we invite you to join us at any one of more than 70 parishes to welcome the light of the world, Who has saved us,” Bishop Farrell concluded.
The bus advertisements in Dallas have been financially supported by the Knight of Columbus as well as private donors who have worked to put the ads on 13 Dallas Area Rapid Transit buses. The ads cost $359 each and will run through Dec. 27.
To view the Come Home for Christmas video, please visit, http://www.cathdal.org/default.asp?contentID=336
Holy See reiterates opposition to violation of homosexual persons’ human rights
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18049
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., December 14 (CNA) - Following an afternoon panel discussion about treatment of homosexuals by governments around the world, the Vatican’s legal attaché to the United Nations issued a Dec. 10 statement saying the Holy See continues to oppose “all grave violations” of homosexual persons’ human rights.
The letter named such grave violations as the use of the death penalty, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.
“The Holy See also opposes all forms of violence and unjust discrimination against homosexual persons, including discriminatory penal legislation which undermines the inherent dignity of the human person,” continued the letter, signed by Rev. Philip J. Bené of the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations.
“The murder and abuse of homosexual persons are to be confronted on all levels, especially when such violence is perpetrated by the State.
“While the Holy See's position on the concepts of sexual orientation and gender identity remains well known, we continue to call on all States and individuals to respect the rights of all persons and to work to promote their inherent dignity and worth.”
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., December 14 (CNA) - Following an afternoon panel discussion about treatment of homosexuals by governments around the world, the Vatican’s legal attaché to the United Nations issued a Dec. 10 statement saying the Holy See continues to oppose “all grave violations” of homosexual persons’ human rights.
The letter named such grave violations as the use of the death penalty, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.
“The Holy See also opposes all forms of violence and unjust discrimination against homosexual persons, including discriminatory penal legislation which undermines the inherent dignity of the human person,” continued the letter, signed by Rev. Philip J. Bené of the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations.
“The murder and abuse of homosexual persons are to be confronted on all levels, especially when such violence is perpetrated by the State.
“While the Holy See's position on the concepts of sexual orientation and gender identity remains well known, we continue to call on all States and individuals to respect the rights of all persons and to work to promote their inherent dignity and worth.”
Monday, December 14, 2009
Pope expresses 'outrage' after report on sexual abuse in Ireland
By Luigi Sandri
Rome, 14 December (ENI). Pope Benedict XVI has said he is "disturbed and distressed" by the findings of an official report that says the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland failed to deal with allegations of sexual abuse. A Vatican statement issued after a meeting in Rome between the Pope and senior Irish bishops said that the pontiff, "shares the outrage, betrayal and shame felt by so many of the faithful in Ireland", and is to draw up a document on the consequences for the church there. The meeting followed the publication of an Irish government-commissioned report, which concluded that church authorities had covered up abuse over three decades. [493 words, ENI-09-0977]
This summary may be copied or re-posted provided the information printed below is retained.
Individual paragraphs may be reproduced provided ENI is acknowledged as the source.
For details of subscriptions to the full ENI News Service, which contains full text articles, contact ENI at the address below.
ENI Online - www.eni.ch
Ecumenical News International
PO Box 2100
CH - 1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland
Tel: (41-22) 791 6088/6111
Fax: (41-22) 788 7244
Email: eni@eni.ch
Rome, 14 December (ENI). Pope Benedict XVI has said he is "disturbed and distressed" by the findings of an official report that says the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland failed to deal with allegations of sexual abuse. A Vatican statement issued after a meeting in Rome between the Pope and senior Irish bishops said that the pontiff, "shares the outrage, betrayal and shame felt by so many of the faithful in Ireland", and is to draw up a document on the consequences for the church there. The meeting followed the publication of an Irish government-commissioned report, which concluded that church authorities had covered up abuse over three decades. [493 words, ENI-09-0977]
This summary may be copied or re-posted provided the information printed below is retained.
Individual paragraphs may be reproduced provided ENI is acknowledged as the source.
For details of subscriptions to the full ENI News Service, which contains full text articles, contact ENI at the address below.
ENI Online - www.eni.ch
Ecumenical News International
PO Box 2100
CH - 1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland
Tel: (41-22) 791 6088/6111
Fax: (41-22) 788 7244
Email: eni@eni.ch
2009 not a good year for human rights, Congressman Chris Smith says
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18035
WASHINGTON D.C., December 13 (CNA) - In observance of Human Rights Day on December 10, Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) released a summary of the numerous human rights abuses in China, Cuba, Sudan, Vietnam and other countries. Rep. Smith highlighted that 2009 has not been a good year for many people around the world.
Vietnam, whose president met with Pope Benedict on Friday, was cited by Rep. Smith in his 2009 summary as a place where respect for human rights has gone “from bad to worse.”
“Hanoi has unleashed a torrent of repression upon courageous citizens fighting for basic rights. These victims have been imprisoned by the regime for practicing their faith and standing up for what they believe in,” he charged.
Smith has introduced to the U.S. House the Vietnam Human Rights Act for the purpose of holding the Vietnamese government accountable for its mistreatment and incarceration of democracy activists, people of faith and labor rights activists.
Rep. Smith, who is the ranking member on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, also voiced concern about human rights in China.
“The United States has been sending a message that profits and money-making and climate change issues trump human rights,” he claimed.
China has an oppressive one-child policy and its women reportedly have the highest suicide rate in the world.
Smith also voiced concern about peace in Sudan, which has suffered massacres, sexual violence and the destruction of entire villages.
On the matter of U.S.-Cuba relations, he advocated that the release of political prisoners should be a priority ahead of permitting travel to Cuba or altering the trade embargo on the country.
Last week the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) held a hearing on international child abduction. Parents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and judicial and legal experts on relevant international law testified at the hearing.
Rep. Smith, an executive member of TLHRC, said that child abduction is a “growing problem” that needs “real systematic change.”
WASHINGTON D.C., December 13 (CNA) - In observance of Human Rights Day on December 10, Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) released a summary of the numerous human rights abuses in China, Cuba, Sudan, Vietnam and other countries. Rep. Smith highlighted that 2009 has not been a good year for many people around the world.
Vietnam, whose president met with Pope Benedict on Friday, was cited by Rep. Smith in his 2009 summary as a place where respect for human rights has gone “from bad to worse.”
“Hanoi has unleashed a torrent of repression upon courageous citizens fighting for basic rights. These victims have been imprisoned by the regime for practicing their faith and standing up for what they believe in,” he charged.
Smith has introduced to the U.S. House the Vietnam Human Rights Act for the purpose of holding the Vietnamese government accountable for its mistreatment and incarceration of democracy activists, people of faith and labor rights activists.
Rep. Smith, who is the ranking member on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, also voiced concern about human rights in China.
“The United States has been sending a message that profits and money-making and climate change issues trump human rights,” he claimed.
China has an oppressive one-child policy and its women reportedly have the highest suicide rate in the world.
Smith also voiced concern about peace in Sudan, which has suffered massacres, sexual violence and the destruction of entire villages.
On the matter of U.S.-Cuba relations, he advocated that the release of political prisoners should be a priority ahead of permitting travel to Cuba or altering the trade embargo on the country.
Last week the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) held a hearing on international child abduction. Parents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and judicial and legal experts on relevant international law testified at the hearing.
Rep. Smith, an executive member of TLHRC, said that child abduction is a “growing problem” that needs “real systematic change.”
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Pope warns on 'deceitful' aspects of liberation theology
Rome (ENI). An exhortation by Pope Benedict XVI to Brazilian bishops to reject "certain deceitful principles" of liberation theology has been condemned by a movement campaigning for reforms in the Roman Catholic Church. Meeting a group of Brazilian bishops on 4 December at the Vatican, the Pope recalled a 1984 document on liberation theology issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he headed this body responsible for ensuring doctrinal orthodoxy. [348 words, ENI-09-0969]
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Fourth Catholic priest gunned down in South Africa in nine months
Cape Town (ENI). A French priest ministering to impoverished people, the Rev. Louis Blondel of the Missionaries of Africa, shot dead in his home by child robbers, is the fourth Roman Catholic cleric killed by South African criminals since March. Blondel, aged 70 was shot dead around in the early hours of 7 December in Dieplsloot, north of Johannesburg. He and another priest, the Rev. Guido Bourgeois, also 70, who was born in Canada, were awakened by three boys who forced their way into the priest's offices through a broken window in their living quarters at the Sacred Heart Catholic church premises. [465 words, ENI-09-0962]
Reid plans to kill hundreds of children on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother
Senate Defeats Pro-Life Health Care Amendment
Abortion will be funded under Reid bill
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Senate defeated an amendment today that would bar funding of elective abortions in the massive health care bill. By a vote of 54-45, the Senate tabled, effectively killing, the Nelson- Hatch amendment, which is similar to the Stupak-Pitts amendment in the House.
Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America, stated:
"Nelson-Hatch was a reasonable amendment that does one thing: ensures federal funds are not spent on elective abortions. What the government funds, we get more of. Without this amendment, the health care bill will violate two of Pres. Obama's promises: that the bill will not fund abortion and that he will work to reduce abortions.
"Since abortion costs less than delivery of a baby, it is not unlikely that bureaucrats, facing pressure to reduce costs, will sign off on paying for abortion but not for the health care that pregnant women and their babies need. This could lead to women being coerced into abortion by their own government.
"The Senate bill is now at odds with the House version, which prohibits funding of elective abortions.
"Federal funding of abortion will increase the number of abortions and lead to higher health care costs for women who suffer complications, such as hemorrhaging, infection, subsequent premature births, and psychological issues.
"If more children are aborted, who will pay for this massive government entitlement when it balloons in 20 years?"
Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.
Christian Newswire
Abortion will be funded under Reid bill
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Senate defeated an amendment today that would bar funding of elective abortions in the massive health care bill. By a vote of 54-45, the Senate tabled, effectively killing, the Nelson- Hatch amendment, which is similar to the Stupak-Pitts amendment in the House.
Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America, stated:
"Nelson-Hatch was a reasonable amendment that does one thing: ensures federal funds are not spent on elective abortions. What the government funds, we get more of. Without this amendment, the health care bill will violate two of Pres. Obama's promises: that the bill will not fund abortion and that he will work to reduce abortions.
"Since abortion costs less than delivery of a baby, it is not unlikely that bureaucrats, facing pressure to reduce costs, will sign off on paying for abortion but not for the health care that pregnant women and their babies need. This could lead to women being coerced into abortion by their own government.
"The Senate bill is now at odds with the House version, which prohibits funding of elective abortions.
"Federal funding of abortion will increase the number of abortions and lead to higher health care costs for women who suffer complications, such as hemorrhaging, infection, subsequent premature births, and psychological issues.
"If more children are aborted, who will pay for this massive government entitlement when it balloons in 20 years?"
Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.
Christian Newswire
Monday, December 07, 2009
A good example of why all Anglicans should swim the Tiber
I believe Rowan Williams may be a good man, but being a good bishop requires more. A backbone would be a start.
------------------
Archbishop of Canterbury warns on election of U.S. lesbian bishop
New York (ENI). The election of an openly lesbian priest, who lives with her partner, as a bishop in the U.S. Episcopal (Anglican) Church is likely to cause further problems in the worldwide Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has said. "The election of Mary Glasspool by the diocese of Los Angeles as suffragan [assistant] bishop-elect raises very serious questions not just for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the Communion as a whole," said Williams, the leader of the 77-million Anglican Communion, in a 6 December statement. [419 words, ENI-09-0956]
------------------
Archbishop of Canterbury warns on election of U.S. lesbian bishop
New York (ENI). The election of an openly lesbian priest, who lives with her partner, as a bishop in the U.S. Episcopal (Anglican) Church is likely to cause further problems in the worldwide Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has said. "The election of Mary Glasspool by the diocese of Los Angeles as suffragan [assistant] bishop-elect raises very serious questions not just for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the Communion as a whole," said Williams, the leader of the 77-million Anglican Communion, in a 6 December statement. [419 words, ENI-09-0956]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)