Rome (ENI). A new book about Pope John Paul II reveals that shortly before the 1981 assassination attempt on the pontiff's life, he learned that the militant Red Brigades group planned to kidnap him. ''Shortly before the attack, the Italian secret services warned that the Red Brigades' terrorists had a plan to kidnap John Paul,'' the book, "Why he is a saint", explains. Polish Monsignor Slawomir Oder, who is heading the cause for the canonisation of Pope John Paul, co-authored the book with Italian journalist, Saverio Gaeta, and presented it to the public on 27 January. Before the 13 May 1981 attack on the Pope by a Turkish assailant, the Red Brigades, which aimed to overthrow the Italian State, had assassinated Roman Catholic Judge Vittorio Bachelet. [398 words, ENI-10-0064]
ENI Online - http://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
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Fr. Pavone Condemns Violence of Scott Roeder and the Abortion Industry
STATEN ISLAND, Ny., Jan. 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, issued the following statement today on the conviction of Scott Roeder in the murder of abortion doctor George Tiller.
"Violence is antithetical to the pro-life movement," said Fr. Pavone, "which is why Priests for Life is part of the vast chorus of pro-life groups condemning the killing of George Tiller. On the other hand, violence is the practice of the abortion industry, which kills real people in the womb every day. Moreover, abortion advocates have done numerous acts of violence against pro-life people, and I receive death threats several times a month. It would be nice to hear abortion advocacy groups condemn these things once in a while."
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
"Violence is antithetical to the pro-life movement," said Fr. Pavone, "which is why Priests for Life is part of the vast chorus of pro-life groups condemning the killing of George Tiller. On the other hand, violence is the practice of the abortion industry, which kills real people in the womb every day. Moreover, abortion advocates have done numerous acts of violence against pro-life people, and I receive death threats several times a month. It would be nice to hear abortion advocacy groups condemn these things once in a while."
Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro- life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.
Christian Newswire
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Fr. Frank Pavone Comments on Attempts to Block Tebow Ad
STATEN ISLAND, Ny., Jan. 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, commented today on the efforts of pro-abortion groups to keep CBS from broadcasting a Focus on the Family ad featuring quarterback Tim Tebow and his mother during the Super Bowl.
"Why should it bother people who call themselves pro- choice if women watch Pam Tebow and her son Tim on Super Bowl Sunday and freely decide to choose life? Would fewer abortions be a bad thing?" asks Fr. Pavone. "As for the argument that the ad should not be shown because it is divisive, since when do we broadcast only things on which the American people all agree? In that case, the Super Bowl itself could not be broadcast."
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
"Why should it bother people who call themselves pro- choice if women watch Pam Tebow and her son Tim on Super Bowl Sunday and freely decide to choose life? Would fewer abortions be a bad thing?" asks Fr. Pavone. "As for the argument that the ad should not be shown because it is divisive, since when do we broadcast only things on which the American people all agree? In that case, the Super Bowl itself could not be broadcast."
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
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Celebrity Cruises distorting facts about anti-priest policy
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2010/01/celebrity-cruises-distorting-facts-about-anti-priest-policy/
CATEGORY: The Last Acceptable Prejudice — Fr. John Zuhlsdorf @ 10:47 am
I have in the past written (HERE and HERE) about how the cruise line, Celebrity Cruises has for some reason booted priest/chaplains from their ships. I have suggested that perhaps you find other cruise lines if that is the sort of thing you like to do.
It seems that Celebrity Cruises, rather than defend its policy and stick to its guns, is pretty much fibbing about why they did what they did.
I find this on the site of the Catholic League with my emphases and comments:
CELEBRITY CRUISES IS A SINKING SHIP
January 26, 2010
Catholic League president Bill Donohue responds to comments made in defense of Celebrity Cruises’ decision to discontinue its policy of having priests celebrate daily Mass:
On January 14, we criticized Celebrity Cruises for effectively stiffing Catholic priests and laypersons who were counting on daily Mass being celebrated on board this year. Since then, some have defended the new policy by [NB:] distorting the truth of what actually occurred.
To be specific, it is a slight of hand to say, as Celebrity spokeswoman Liz Jakeway did, that the new policy is “built around our guests’ feedback and their suggestion that we ‘level the playing field.’” There was feedback alright, but it was hardly amicable. Quite the opposite: Celebrity acknowledged in its initial memo of December 14, 2009 that the new policy was written in response to “a great deal of negative feedback” pertaining to Catholic services. In the same memo, it says “We know that from time to time, there have been some negative comments from non-Catholic passengers, as Celebrity mentions in their note.” In other words, [Here it is:] Celebrity let bigotry—not parity—drive its new policy.
Similarly, one would never know the truth of what happened by reading Cathy Lynn Grossman’s column in USA Today. She makes it sound as if Catholics had been cut a deal by Celebrity at the expense of others. She reports that some “were annoyed that Catholic clergy had ever been favored over other faiths that have daily or weekly prayers.” But there was no favoritism: there is a profound difference between non-Catholic clergy not requesting daily religious services and their being denied by Celebrity.
If Celebrity and its cheering section can’t defend the new policy on principle, then it should at least not play fast and loose with the facts. We understand the need for corporate damage control, but we have no tolerance for dishonesty.
Contact: captainsclub@celebritycruises.com
CATEGORY: The Last Acceptable Prejudice — Fr. John Zuhlsdorf @ 10:47 am
I have in the past written (HERE and HERE) about how the cruise line, Celebrity Cruises has for some reason booted priest/chaplains from their ships. I have suggested that perhaps you find other cruise lines if that is the sort of thing you like to do.
It seems that Celebrity Cruises, rather than defend its policy and stick to its guns, is pretty much fibbing about why they did what they did.
I find this on the site of the Catholic League with my emphases and comments:
CELEBRITY CRUISES IS A SINKING SHIP
January 26, 2010
Catholic League president Bill Donohue responds to comments made in defense of Celebrity Cruises’ decision to discontinue its policy of having priests celebrate daily Mass:
On January 14, we criticized Celebrity Cruises for effectively stiffing Catholic priests and laypersons who were counting on daily Mass being celebrated on board this year. Since then, some have defended the new policy by [NB:] distorting the truth of what actually occurred.
To be specific, it is a slight of hand to say, as Celebrity spokeswoman Liz Jakeway did, that the new policy is “built around our guests’ feedback and their suggestion that we ‘level the playing field.’” There was feedback alright, but it was hardly amicable. Quite the opposite: Celebrity acknowledged in its initial memo of December 14, 2009 that the new policy was written in response to “a great deal of negative feedback” pertaining to Catholic services. In the same memo, it says “We know that from time to time, there have been some negative comments from non-Catholic passengers, as Celebrity mentions in their note.” In other words, [Here it is:] Celebrity let bigotry—not parity—drive its new policy.
Similarly, one would never know the truth of what happened by reading Cathy Lynn Grossman’s column in USA Today. She makes it sound as if Catholics had been cut a deal by Celebrity at the expense of others. She reports that some “were annoyed that Catholic clergy had ever been favored over other faiths that have daily or weekly prayers.” But there was no favoritism: there is a profound difference between non-Catholic clergy not requesting daily religious services and their being denied by Celebrity.
If Celebrity and its cheering section can’t defend the new policy on principle, then it should at least not play fast and loose with the facts. We understand the need for corporate damage control, but we have no tolerance for dishonesty.
Contact: captainsclub@celebritycruises.com
Pro-life Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad draws protesters and defenders
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18447
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., January 27 (CNA) - Plans to air a pro-life Super Bowl ad with Tim Tebow and his mother have attracted protest from pro-abortion women’s groups. Defenses of the advertisement, themed “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life,” have come from Tebow and the organization sponsoring the commercial.
The 30-second ad, sponsored by Focus on the Family, intends to encourage respect for life. College football star quarterback Tim Tebow and his mother will reportedly share their story in the ad.
Tebow’s mother contracted a life-threatening infection while pregnant with Tebow during mission work in the Philippines. She refused medical advice to abort her unborn son, whom she would name Timothy.
Tim Tebow has won the 2007 Heisman Trophy and has helped lead his University of Florida team to two BCS championships.
The New York-based Women’s Media Center has billed the ad as an “attack on choice” and has called on the 2010 Super Bowl broadcaster CBS to remove the ad.
The center was coordinating the protest with the National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority and other groups.
“An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year—an event designed to bring Americans together,” said Women’s Media Center president Jehmu Greene.
The protesters’ letter to CBS executives claimed that the ad uses one family’s story to “dictate morality to the American public” and risks women’s health by encouraging them to disregard medical advice.
The Women’s Media Center also made unspecified charges that Focus on the Family is an “anti-equality, anti-choice, homophobic organization” that purportedly engaged in “race baiting” in the 2008 election.
“CBS is aligning itself with a political stance that will alienate viewers and discourage consumers from supporting its shows and advertisers. The decision to air this ad would be ethically, economically and politically disastrous for CBS,” the organization claimed.
Organizers of the protest have also sent letters to the National Football League (NFL) and to Super Bowl advertisers.
On Sunday Tebow met with reporters in Mobile, Alabama and spoke about the ad.
"I know some people won't agree with it, but I think they can at least respect that I stand up for what I believe," he remarked, according to the Associated Press.
Tebow said he has always been “very convicted” of his views on abortion because “that’s the reason I’m here, because my mom was a very courageous woman.”
“So any way that I could help, I would do it.”
Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger said he and his colleagues were “a little surprised” at the reaction to the ad.
"There's nothing political and controversial about it," he told the Associated Press. "When the day arrives, and you sit down to watch the game on TV, those who oppose it will be quite surprised at what the ad is all about."
"We understand that some people don't think very highly of what we do," Schneeberger said. "We're not trying to sell you a soft drink—we're not selling anything. We're trying to celebrate families."
Last year a planned pro-life Super Bowl ad from CatholicVote.org on the potential of President Barack Obama was rejected by NBC.
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., January 27 (CNA) - Plans to air a pro-life Super Bowl ad with Tim Tebow and his mother have attracted protest from pro-abortion women’s groups. Defenses of the advertisement, themed “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life,” have come from Tebow and the organization sponsoring the commercial.
The 30-second ad, sponsored by Focus on the Family, intends to encourage respect for life. College football star quarterback Tim Tebow and his mother will reportedly share their story in the ad.
Tebow’s mother contracted a life-threatening infection while pregnant with Tebow during mission work in the Philippines. She refused medical advice to abort her unborn son, whom she would name Timothy.
Tim Tebow has won the 2007 Heisman Trophy and has helped lead his University of Florida team to two BCS championships.
The New York-based Women’s Media Center has billed the ad as an “attack on choice” and has called on the 2010 Super Bowl broadcaster CBS to remove the ad.
The center was coordinating the protest with the National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority and other groups.
“An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year—an event designed to bring Americans together,” said Women’s Media Center president Jehmu Greene.
The protesters’ letter to CBS executives claimed that the ad uses one family’s story to “dictate morality to the American public” and risks women’s health by encouraging them to disregard medical advice.
The Women’s Media Center also made unspecified charges that Focus on the Family is an “anti-equality, anti-choice, homophobic organization” that purportedly engaged in “race baiting” in the 2008 election.
“CBS is aligning itself with a political stance that will alienate viewers and discourage consumers from supporting its shows and advertisers. The decision to air this ad would be ethically, economically and politically disastrous for CBS,” the organization claimed.
Organizers of the protest have also sent letters to the National Football League (NFL) and to Super Bowl advertisers.
On Sunday Tebow met with reporters in Mobile, Alabama and spoke about the ad.
"I know some people won't agree with it, but I think they can at least respect that I stand up for what I believe," he remarked, according to the Associated Press.
Tebow said he has always been “very convicted” of his views on abortion because “that’s the reason I’m here, because my mom was a very courageous woman.”
“So any way that I could help, I would do it.”
Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger said he and his colleagues were “a little surprised” at the reaction to the ad.
"There's nothing political and controversial about it," he told the Associated Press. "When the day arrives, and you sit down to watch the game on TV, those who oppose it will be quite surprised at what the ad is all about."
"We understand that some people don't think very highly of what we do," Schneeberger said. "We're not trying to sell you a soft drink—we're not selling anything. We're trying to celebrate families."
Last year a planned pro-life Super Bowl ad from CatholicVote.org on the potential of President Barack Obama was rejected by NBC.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
NOW v. Tebow?
Following struggles documented by National Journal, NOW searches for a way to make itself relevant in an increasingly pro-life America.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser responded to the objections from the National Organization for Women (NOW) to Focus on the Family's Super Bowl Pro-Life Tim Tebow advertisement. She offered the following statement:
Earlier this year, NOW President Terry O'Neill, confessed to the National Journal that the organization is struggling. "It seems to me we are stalled out...".
The National Journal article, contrasted the grassroots success of the Susan B. Anthony List with the apparent decline of NOW's grassroots effectiveness.
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, Jan. 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser responded to the objections from the National Organization for Women (NOW) to Focus on the Family's Super Bowl Pro-Life Tim Tebow advertisement. She offered the following statement:
NOW and company are losing their grip as their pro- abortion position sinks in public opinion. I had no idea NOW leaders were such experts on sports. Missed that part of their mission.Today, the AP released a story detailing NOW's efforts to call on CBS to drop the Tebow Super Bowl ad. The ad, produced by Focus on the Family, tells the story of Pam Tebow's decision to continue with her pregnancy against doctor advice and give birth to the college football star, Tim Tebow.
What is real here is their desperation to keep full information from women. Shouldn't the "pro-choice" position respect Pam Tebow's decision to choose Life? What is the worst case scenario in allowing the ad to air? Women are exposed to an example of sacrifice for the sake of an unborn child. NOW needs to explain where the harm and threat to women and children is here.
Earlier this year, NOW President Terry O'Neill, confessed to the National Journal that the organization is struggling. "It seems to me we are stalled out...".
The National Journal article, contrasted the grassroots success of the Susan B. Anthony List with the apparent decline of NOW's grassroots effectiveness.
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
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Pro-Life Majority Takes Charge of Nation's Capital
Thousands March for Life, Send Message to Congress
Evidence of Growing Pro-Life Reality in America
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today's March for Life in Washington, D.C. on the 37th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade is another indicator that the majority of Americans are influencing the nation says Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. She offered the following statement:
This growing, bursting at the seams March for Life is an impressive and visible sign of a quiet populist reality. The numbers marching today are spillover of a movement growing exponentially that has just achieved what no other issue base can claim -- helping to bring down the President's top domestic priority.
President Obama was so ideologically fixated upon forcing all of us to finance almost every abortion committed in this nation that he ultimately paid for that extremism with the death of health care.
There are lessons here. The people marching today from every nook and cranny of the nation represent millions more who find 'pro-choice' rhetoric empty of meaning and abortion-friendly policies a violation of their consciences.
According to recent national surveys a majority of Americans now consider themselves pro-life.
They have made their voice heard on the health care bill. We will see evidence of this tidal wave of opinion in important Congressional races this November 2nd.
The Susan B. Anthony List will be continuing its national tour to mobilize pro-life Americans in key Congressional Districts, Women Speak Out: Abortion is NOT Health Care, in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas January 26 -29, 2010. Details can be found at www.sba-list.org/tour. 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
Evidence of Growing Pro-Life Reality in America
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today's March for Life in Washington, D.C. on the 37th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade is another indicator that the majority of Americans are influencing the nation says Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. She offered the following statement:
This growing, bursting at the seams March for Life is an impressive and visible sign of a quiet populist reality. The numbers marching today are spillover of a movement growing exponentially that has just achieved what no other issue base can claim -- helping to bring down the President's top domestic priority.
President Obama was so ideologically fixated upon forcing all of us to finance almost every abortion committed in this nation that he ultimately paid for that extremism with the death of health care.
There are lessons here. The people marching today from every nook and cranny of the nation represent millions more who find 'pro-choice' rhetoric empty of meaning and abortion-friendly policies a violation of their consciences.
According to recent national surveys a majority of Americans now consider themselves pro-life.
They have made their voice heard on the health care bill. We will see evidence of this tidal wave of opinion in important Congressional races this November 2nd.
The Susan B. Anthony List will be continuing its national tour to mobilize pro-life Americans in key Congressional Districts, Women Speak Out: Abortion is NOT Health Care, in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas January 26 -29, 2010. Details can be found at www.sba-list.org/tour. 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
Friday, January 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Dr. Alveda King to Planned Parenthood: Stop Lying About Martin Luther King, Jr.
ATLANTA, Jan. 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Alveda King, Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., responded today to Planned Parenthood's King Day press release linking the work of the abortion business to the civil rights leader.
"Every year Planned Parenthood tries to imply that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would approve of what it does today because he received an award from the organization 44 years ago," said Dr. King. "Every year they lie. My Uncle stood for equal protection and non- violence -- two concepts that Planned Parenthood violates every day by being the nation's largest abortion business."
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, stated that Planned Parenthood is no stranger to falsehoods. "Videotape reveals that Planned Parenthood doesn't tell the truth to women and doesn't tell legal authorities about possible criminal activity," said Fr. Pavone. "Its implied claims about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are just more of Planned Parenthood's stock in trade -- deceit."
"Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did not attend the event where his award was presented. We don't even know if he wrote the words of the acceptance speech that was read at the banquet," added Dr. King. "In 1966, abortion on demand was unthinkable. To imply that Uncle Martin's receipt of that award constitutes his endorsement of what Planned Parenthood engages in today -- the destruction of human lives -- is an outrage."
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
"Every year Planned Parenthood tries to imply that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would approve of what it does today because he received an award from the organization 44 years ago," said Dr. King. "Every year they lie. My Uncle stood for equal protection and non- violence -- two concepts that Planned Parenthood violates every day by being the nation's largest abortion business."
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, stated that Planned Parenthood is no stranger to falsehoods. "Videotape reveals that Planned Parenthood doesn't tell the truth to women and doesn't tell legal authorities about possible criminal activity," said Fr. Pavone. "Its implied claims about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are just more of Planned Parenthood's stock in trade -- deceit."
"Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did not attend the event where his award was presented. We don't even know if he wrote the words of the acceptance speech that was read at the banquet," added Dr. King. "In 1966, abortion on demand was unthinkable. To imply that Uncle Martin's receipt of that award constitutes his endorsement of what Planned Parenthood engages in today -- the destruction of human lives -- is an outrage."
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, January 18, 2010
Los Angeles County Schools and Sheriff's Department Forced to Pay More Than a Quarter-Million Dollars in Center for Bio-Ethical Reform (CBR) Attorney Fees
MEDIA ADVISORY, Jan. 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- Pursuant to a unanimous ruling issued in favor of The Center For Bio-Ethical Reform (CBR) by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, several of its deputies, and a middle school official in the Los Angeles County School District were forced to pay $260,000 in costs and fees for infringing on CBR's constitutional right to demonstrate with graphic abortion images on the public streets in California. CBR attorneys at The Thomas More Law Center yesterday announced the processing of the Los Angeles County attorney fee award payment.
In deciding this appeal, the Ninth Circuit ruled that, "There is . . . no precedent for a 'minor' exception to the prohibition on banning speech because of listeners' reaction to its content. It would therefore be an unprecedented departure from bedrock First Amendment principles to allow the government to restrict speech based on listener reaction simply because the listeners are children."
Not content to mislead its students by covering-up the horror of abortion in the classroom, Los Angeles County tried to extend their cover-up to the public streets outside the classroom.
Ironically, while the Los Angeles County schools were wasting taxpayer money interfering with CBR's First Amendment right to expose the horror of abortion, The Los Angeles Times yesterday reported a story headlined, "L.A. schools paid $200 million more in salaries than budgeted" with a sub-headline which read "The payments occurred despite the layoffs of 2,000 teachers and hundreds of other employees."
Ironically, while the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was wasting taxpayer money interfering with CBR's First Amendment right to expose the horror of abortion, NBCLosAngeles.com yesterday reported a story headlined, "County Budget: A Crisis of Gargantuan Proportions."
Ironically, while the Los Angeles County Schools argue that its students are old enough to obtain abortion without parental consent, school officials argue that its students are not old enough to see abortions without parental consent. Ironically, while the Los Angeles County Schools are supposed to be teaching students to respect the Constitution, school officials are being rebuked by the Federal Appeals Courts for flagrantly violating CBR's constitutional rights.
Ironically, while the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution, Sheriff's deputies are being rebuked by the Federal Appeals Courts for flagrantly violating CBR's constitutional rights.
In addition to CBR being threatened with arrest for showing students the truth about abortion, CBR volunteer James Pullion was recently shot and killed for showing students abortion photos outside a public school in Michigan. CBR is serving notice on would- be shooters that we are contracting with licensed, armed, security personnel who will protect our staff while displaying abortion photos in public.
CBR is also serving notice on law enforcement departments and other agencies of government which attempt to intimidate us with improper threats of arrest, that such abuses will result in CBR lawsuits which will you will lose, along with the loss of hundreds of thousands in wasted tax dollars.
For interviews or further statements contact:
Don Cooper
Project Manager/The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform
P.O. Box 219
Lake Forest, CA 92609
office: 949-206-0600
cell: 541-760-6620
email: don@cbrinfo.org
webpage: http://www.abortionno.org/
Please see The Thomas More Center announcement on the following link: www.abortionno.org/pdf/CBRvsLACSD-VictoryLetter.pdf
Find the entire Press Release in pdf format at: http://www.abortionno.org/pdf/LACountyAttorneyFeePressRelease.pdf
Christian Newswire
In deciding this appeal, the Ninth Circuit ruled that, "There is . . . no precedent for a 'minor' exception to the prohibition on banning speech because of listeners' reaction to its content. It would therefore be an unprecedented departure from bedrock First Amendment principles to allow the government to restrict speech based on listener reaction simply because the listeners are children."
Not content to mislead its students by covering-up the horror of abortion in the classroom, Los Angeles County tried to extend their cover-up to the public streets outside the classroom.
Ironically, while the Los Angeles County schools were wasting taxpayer money interfering with CBR's First Amendment right to expose the horror of abortion, The Los Angeles Times yesterday reported a story headlined, "L.A. schools paid $200 million more in salaries than budgeted" with a sub-headline which read "The payments occurred despite the layoffs of 2,000 teachers and hundreds of other employees."
Ironically, while the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was wasting taxpayer money interfering with CBR's First Amendment right to expose the horror of abortion, NBCLosAngeles.com yesterday reported a story headlined, "County Budget: A Crisis of Gargantuan Proportions."
Ironically, while the Los Angeles County Schools argue that its students are old enough to obtain abortion without parental consent, school officials argue that its students are not old enough to see abortions without parental consent. Ironically, while the Los Angeles County Schools are supposed to be teaching students to respect the Constitution, school officials are being rebuked by the Federal Appeals Courts for flagrantly violating CBR's constitutional rights.
Ironically, while the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution, Sheriff's deputies are being rebuked by the Federal Appeals Courts for flagrantly violating CBR's constitutional rights.
In addition to CBR being threatened with arrest for showing students the truth about abortion, CBR volunteer James Pullion was recently shot and killed for showing students abortion photos outside a public school in Michigan. CBR is serving notice on would- be shooters that we are contracting with licensed, armed, security personnel who will protect our staff while displaying abortion photos in public.
CBR is also serving notice on law enforcement departments and other agencies of government which attempt to intimidate us with improper threats of arrest, that such abuses will result in CBR lawsuits which will you will lose, along with the loss of hundreds of thousands in wasted tax dollars.
For interviews or further statements contact:
Don Cooper
Project Manager/The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform
P.O. Box 219
Lake Forest, CA 92609
office: 949-206-0600
cell: 541-760-6620
email: don@cbrinfo.org
webpage: http://www.abortionno.org/
Please see The Thomas More Center announcement on the following link: www.abortionno.org/pdf/CBRvsLACSD-VictoryLetter.pdf
Find the entire Press Release in pdf format at: http://www.abortionno.org/pdf/LACountyAttorneyFeePressRelease.pdf
Christian Newswire
Dallas Roe Memorial Evnets (Saturday, January 16, 2010)
I was at this march with my son Robert, we boarded the busses at 7:30 am for a Rosary at the Routh Street Abortion Center, and then we went to the Roe Memorial Mass at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe. This video (by Matthew Warren) is of the march that followed the Mass.
Lord have mercy on our nation and we send our prayers for all victims of abortion.
Hat tip to Matthew Warner
Lord have mercy on our nation and we send our prayers for all victims of abortion.
Hat tip to Matthew Warner
Dr. Alveda King on King Day: The Dream Includes Us All, Born and Unborn
MEDIA ADVISORY, Jan. 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Alveda King, Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., released the following comments today on the celebration of her Uncle's life.
"Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of a Beloved Community where all are treated with respect and dignity," said Dr. King. "He fought against society's exclusion of people who were treated as less than human because of their appearance. Today, we are compelled to continue Uncle Martin's fight by standing up for those who are treated as less than human because of their helplessness and inconvenience.
"The unborn are as much a part of the Beloved Community as are newborns, infants, teenagers, adults, and the elderly. Too many of us speak of tolerance and inclusion, yet refuse to tolerate or include the weakest and most innocent among us in the human family. As we celebrate the life of Uncle Martin, let us renew our hearts and commit our lives to treating each other, whatever our race, status, or stage of life, as we would want to be treated. Let us let each other live."
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, will join Alveda and her family as a program participant in the Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.
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
"Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of a Beloved Community where all are treated with respect and dignity," said Dr. King. "He fought against society's exclusion of people who were treated as less than human because of their appearance. Today, we are compelled to continue Uncle Martin's fight by standing up for those who are treated as less than human because of their helplessness and inconvenience.
"The unborn are as much a part of the Beloved Community as are newborns, infants, teenagers, adults, and the elderly. Too many of us speak of tolerance and inclusion, yet refuse to tolerate or include the weakest and most innocent among us in the human family. As we celebrate the life of Uncle Martin, let us renew our hearts and commit our lives to treating each other, whatever our race, status, or stage of life, as we would want to be treated. Let us let each other live."
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, will join Alveda and her family as a program participant in the Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.
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, January 14, 2010
Catholic Relief Services calls Haitian earthquake 'disaster of the century'
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18259
BALTIMORE, MD., January 13 (CNA) - Catholic Relief Services Haiti country representative Karel Zelenka is calling the recent earthquake in Haiti a “disaster of the century” in a message to the organization's Baltimore headquarters on Jan 13.
“People have been screaming and praying all over the place throughout the night. It is a disaster of the century, we should be prepared for thousands and thousands of dead and injured,” said Zelenka.
Most people, said Zelenka, are “in a shock.”
Zelenka continued to say that all of the CRS staff in Haiti are accounted for, except for two. However, they are having a “terrible problem with communications – only incoming calls” as well as the possibility of soon running out of supplies, including food and water.
Zelenka also told CRS that there are “no organized rescues yet – all done with bare hands” and that the damage is “incredible all around, but our offices seem fine.”
CRS Senior Communications director Tom Price told CNA that their facilities in Haiti were “shaken, and one of the walls was damaged, but there were no injuries to people in the building.” Price confirmed that the two missing staff members have yet to be found.
When asked what CRS is planning to do in response to the crisis, Price told CNA, “we have committed an initial 5 million dollars for immediate use in relief efforts. Our agency is geared up for a major emergency response” which will include “mobilizing food and emergency capacity of people and deploying emergency shelter and hygiene kits that we already had in Haiti” with supplies coming in from the neighboring Dominican Republic.
BALTIMORE, MD., January 13 (CNA) - Catholic Relief Services Haiti country representative Karel Zelenka is calling the recent earthquake in Haiti a “disaster of the century” in a message to the organization's Baltimore headquarters on Jan 13.
“People have been screaming and praying all over the place throughout the night. It is a disaster of the century, we should be prepared for thousands and thousands of dead and injured,” said Zelenka.
Most people, said Zelenka, are “in a shock.”
Zelenka continued to say that all of the CRS staff in Haiti are accounted for, except for two. However, they are having a “terrible problem with communications – only incoming calls” as well as the possibility of soon running out of supplies, including food and water.
Zelenka also told CRS that there are “no organized rescues yet – all done with bare hands” and that the damage is “incredible all around, but our offices seem fine.”
CRS Senior Communications director Tom Price told CNA that their facilities in Haiti were “shaken, and one of the walls was damaged, but there were no injuries to people in the building.” Price confirmed that the two missing staff members have yet to be found.
When asked what CRS is planning to do in response to the crisis, Price told CNA, “we have committed an initial 5 million dollars for immediate use in relief efforts. Our agency is geared up for a major emergency response” which will include “mobilizing food and emergency capacity of people and deploying emergency shelter and hygiene kits that we already had in Haiti” with supplies coming in from the neighboring Dominican Republic.
Pope's representative to Haiti gives first-hand account of destruction
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18256
PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI, January 13 (CNA) - Speaking with the Vatican's Fides news agency, the Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, described the devastation in the streets of the capital Port-au-Prince. He reported on what he had observed of the situation of religious and government officials in the area and described widespread destruction.
Archbishop Auza stated his observations of the situation in the capital to Fides, saying, "Port-au-Prince is totally devastated. The cathedral, the archbishop's office, all of the big churches, all of the seminaries have been reduced to rubble."
The nuncio said that the resident priest at that cathedral had informed him of the likely death of Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot as he was buried under rubble along with hundreds of priests and seminarians. Other news reports confirmed that the archbishop did pass away in the earthquake.
Auza reported that many government buildings had been razed. All of the Ministry buildings but one were on the ground, as were the Presidential Palace and the schools.
"Parliament with the Senators, the schools with the children, the supermarkets were reduced to nothing," the nuncio stated.
The nuncio had made his way across the city to see the Haitian President and "express his condolences and solidarity" and found that, because they had been outdoors, he and his family had been saved although their home had crumbled.
People who live in front of the collapsed U.N. headquarters had reported to Auza that the head of that mission, Hedi Annabi, was trapped inside with hundreds of others.
The nuncio said that he had returned to his residence later in the morning to find "Priests and Sisters in the street, no longer with homes. The Rector of the seminary saved himself, as did the Dean of studies, but the seminarians are under the rubble. You hear yells everywhere from underneath the rubble."
"The CIFOR (according to Fides, an institute of study for religious men and women) collapsed with students inside that were participating in a conference. The office of the nuncio resisted (the earthquake), there was no one injured, but all of us are in shock!" he said.
"So many things were broken, including the tabernacle, but we are more fortunate than others. Many relatives of the personnel are dead, their houses destroyed. Everyone is asking for help. We will have a problem with water and food before long. We cannot go inside and stay there for very long because the ground continues to shake, so we're camping out in the yard."
PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI, January 13 (CNA) - Speaking with the Vatican's Fides news agency, the Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, described the devastation in the streets of the capital Port-au-Prince. He reported on what he had observed of the situation of religious and government officials in the area and described widespread destruction.
Archbishop Auza stated his observations of the situation in the capital to Fides, saying, "Port-au-Prince is totally devastated. The cathedral, the archbishop's office, all of the big churches, all of the seminaries have been reduced to rubble."
The nuncio said that the resident priest at that cathedral had informed him of the likely death of Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot as he was buried under rubble along with hundreds of priests and seminarians. Other news reports confirmed that the archbishop did pass away in the earthquake.
Auza reported that many government buildings had been razed. All of the Ministry buildings but one were on the ground, as were the Presidential Palace and the schools.
"Parliament with the Senators, the schools with the children, the supermarkets were reduced to nothing," the nuncio stated.
The nuncio had made his way across the city to see the Haitian President and "express his condolences and solidarity" and found that, because they had been outdoors, he and his family had been saved although their home had crumbled.
People who live in front of the collapsed U.N. headquarters had reported to Auza that the head of that mission, Hedi Annabi, was trapped inside with hundreds of others.
The nuncio said that he had returned to his residence later in the morning to find "Priests and Sisters in the street, no longer with homes. The Rector of the seminary saved himself, as did the Dean of studies, but the seminarians are under the rubble. You hear yells everywhere from underneath the rubble."
"The CIFOR (according to Fides, an institute of study for religious men and women) collapsed with students inside that were participating in a conference. The office of the nuncio resisted (the earthquake), there was no one injured, but all of us are in shock!" he said.
"So many things were broken, including the tabernacle, but we are more fortunate than others. Many relatives of the personnel are dead, their houses destroyed. Everyone is asking for help. We will have a problem with water and food before long. We cannot go inside and stay there for very long because the ground continues to shake, so we're camping out in the yard."
Pelosi’s archbishop slams her rationale for supporting abortion
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18260
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., January 13 (CNA) - Archbishop George Niederauer responded today to Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) recent comments that she has “some concerns about the Church's position respecting a woman's right to choose.” Justifying her decision to support abortion by citing her free will “is entirely incompatible with Catholic teaching,” the archbishop insisted.
Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi told Newsweek’s Eleanor Clift in a December 21, 2009 interview that she disagrees with the Church on certain issues but considers herself a “practicing Catholic.”
“I have some concerns about the church's position respecting a woman's right to choose. I have some concerns about the church's position on gay rights. I am a practicing Catholic, although they're probably not too happy about that. But it is my faith. I feel what I was raised to believe is consistent with what I profess, and that is that we are all endowed with a free will and a responsibility to answer for our actions. And that women should have that opportunity to exercise their free will,” Pelosi said.
Archbishop Niederauer countered in his January 13 column, “Embodied in that statement are some fundamental misconceptions about Catholic teaching on human freedom.” God gave human beings the capacity to choose between good and evil in order to give them the gift of freedom, even at the cost of many evil choices, the archbishop said.
But this gift of freedom, the freedom wrongly cited in justifying a woman’s right to choose, among other fallacies, does not justify the position that “all moral choices are good if they are free,” insisted Archbishop Niederauer, because “the exercise of freedom does not imply a right to say or do everything.”
Addressing those who advocate for “reproductive choice” while claiming to be Catholic, Archbishop Niederauer emphasized, “it is entirely incompatible with Catholic teaching to conclude that our freedom of will justifies choices that are radically contrary to the Gospel—racism, infidelity, abortion, theft. Freedom of will is the capacity to act with moral responsibility; it is not the ability to determine arbitrarily what constitutes moral right.”
The belief in the validity of arbitrarily determining right and wrong is widespread both in and outside of the Church, the archbishop noted.
Touching on the meaning of one's conscience, the San Francisco archbishop described it as “the judgment of reason whereby the human person, guided by God’s grace, recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act. In all we say and do, we are obliged to follow faithfully what we know to be just and right.”
“As participants in the life of the civil community,” Archbishop Niederauer wrote, “we Catholic citizens try to follow our consciences, guided, as described above, by reason and the grace of God. While we deeply respect the freedom of our fellow citizens, we nevertheless are profoundly convinced that free will cannot be cited as justification for society to allow moral choices that strike at the most fundamental rights of others. Such a choice is abortion, which constitutes the taking of innocent human life, and cannot be justified by any Catholic notion of freedom.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., January 13 (CNA) - Archbishop George Niederauer responded today to Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) recent comments that she has “some concerns about the Church's position respecting a woman's right to choose.” Justifying her decision to support abortion by citing her free will “is entirely incompatible with Catholic teaching,” the archbishop insisted.
Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi told Newsweek’s Eleanor Clift in a December 21, 2009 interview that she disagrees with the Church on certain issues but considers herself a “practicing Catholic.”
“I have some concerns about the church's position respecting a woman's right to choose. I have some concerns about the church's position on gay rights. I am a practicing Catholic, although they're probably not too happy about that. But it is my faith. I feel what I was raised to believe is consistent with what I profess, and that is that we are all endowed with a free will and a responsibility to answer for our actions. And that women should have that opportunity to exercise their free will,” Pelosi said.
Archbishop Niederauer countered in his January 13 column, “Embodied in that statement are some fundamental misconceptions about Catholic teaching on human freedom.” God gave human beings the capacity to choose between good and evil in order to give them the gift of freedom, even at the cost of many evil choices, the archbishop said.
But this gift of freedom, the freedom wrongly cited in justifying a woman’s right to choose, among other fallacies, does not justify the position that “all moral choices are good if they are free,” insisted Archbishop Niederauer, because “the exercise of freedom does not imply a right to say or do everything.”
Addressing those who advocate for “reproductive choice” while claiming to be Catholic, Archbishop Niederauer emphasized, “it is entirely incompatible with Catholic teaching to conclude that our freedom of will justifies choices that are radically contrary to the Gospel—racism, infidelity, abortion, theft. Freedom of will is the capacity to act with moral responsibility; it is not the ability to determine arbitrarily what constitutes moral right.”
The belief in the validity of arbitrarily determining right and wrong is widespread both in and outside of the Church, the archbishop noted.
Touching on the meaning of one's conscience, the San Francisco archbishop described it as “the judgment of reason whereby the human person, guided by God’s grace, recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act. In all we say and do, we are obliged to follow faithfully what we know to be just and right.”
“As participants in the life of the civil community,” Archbishop Niederauer wrote, “we Catholic citizens try to follow our consciences, guided, as described above, by reason and the grace of God. While we deeply respect the freedom of our fellow citizens, we nevertheless are profoundly convinced that free will cannot be cited as justification for society to allow moral choices that strike at the most fundamental rights of others. Such a choice is abortion, which constitutes the taking of innocent human life, and cannot be justified by any Catholic notion of freedom.”
Abortion becomes issue in Massachusetts race for U.S. Senate
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18266
BOSTON, MASS., January 14 (CNA) - Abortion has become a live issue in the Jan. 19 special U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts. While both candidates generally support permissive abortion law, controversy has centered upon pro-life conscience protections, partial-birth abortion and the place of abortion in the health care bill.
State Sen. Scott Brown, a Republican, is running against Democrat Martha Coakley, the state Attorney General.
According to Massachusetts Citizens for Life, Brown opposes taxpayer funding for abortion and the so-called Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). Unlike Brown, Coakley opposes a ban on partial birth abortion, parental consent requirements for minors seeking abortions, and favors taxpayer funding for abortion.
While Brown supports specifically exempting abortion from health care, Coakley opposes it.
Massachusetts Citizens for Life has supported Brown, claiming the less consistently pro-abortion rights candidate will be “a pro-life vote in the Senate,” the Boston Herald reports.
At the recent Monday night candidate debate, Coakley said she would not vote for a health care bill with a Stupak Amendment in it. She also asked Brown if he accepted the endorsement of a Massachusetts right-to-life organization.
Brown said he had a “very big tent.”
“You and I both have the same position on abortion,” he continued. “Roe v. Wade is the law of the land.”
He said there was a “very real difference” in that he opposed partial-birth abortion and she did not.
Coakley denied that characterization, but Brown said she had criticized the ban on partial birth abortion in an editorial.
Brown said he did not believe in federal funding of abortion but did support a “very strong” parental notification law. He charged that Coakley would be a “social crusader” on behalf of the pro-abortion rights group EMILY’s List.
For her part, Coakley cited Brown for supporting legislation that would allow hospital employees to “deny emergency care to rape victims if it was their choice.”
Brown defended his amendment, which failed in a 2005 vote, saying it allowed hospitals with “religious preferences” not to perform abortions or provide those services.
The Coakley campaign is now running a campaign ad on the issue.
Catholic hospitals have sought conscience exemptions from laws mandating emergency contraception for victims of sexual assault, citing concerns the treatment could kill any newly-conceived human being.
Brown and Coakley are among the candidates seeking to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy left by the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy.
While Massachusetts is a heavily Democratic state, some polls show a close race between the Republican and Democratic candidates.
BOSTON, MASS., January 14 (CNA) - Abortion has become a live issue in the Jan. 19 special U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts. While both candidates generally support permissive abortion law, controversy has centered upon pro-life conscience protections, partial-birth abortion and the place of abortion in the health care bill.
State Sen. Scott Brown, a Republican, is running against Democrat Martha Coakley, the state Attorney General.
According to Massachusetts Citizens for Life, Brown opposes taxpayer funding for abortion and the so-called Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). Unlike Brown, Coakley opposes a ban on partial birth abortion, parental consent requirements for minors seeking abortions, and favors taxpayer funding for abortion.
While Brown supports specifically exempting abortion from health care, Coakley opposes it.
Massachusetts Citizens for Life has supported Brown, claiming the less consistently pro-abortion rights candidate will be “a pro-life vote in the Senate,” the Boston Herald reports.
At the recent Monday night candidate debate, Coakley said she would not vote for a health care bill with a Stupak Amendment in it. She also asked Brown if he accepted the endorsement of a Massachusetts right-to-life organization.
Brown said he had a “very big tent.”
“You and I both have the same position on abortion,” he continued. “Roe v. Wade is the law of the land.”
He said there was a “very real difference” in that he opposed partial-birth abortion and she did not.
Coakley denied that characterization, but Brown said she had criticized the ban on partial birth abortion in an editorial.
Brown said he did not believe in federal funding of abortion but did support a “very strong” parental notification law. He charged that Coakley would be a “social crusader” on behalf of the pro-abortion rights group EMILY’s List.
For her part, Coakley cited Brown for supporting legislation that would allow hospital employees to “deny emergency care to rape victims if it was their choice.”
Brown defended his amendment, which failed in a 2005 vote, saying it allowed hospitals with “religious preferences” not to perform abortions or provide those services.
The Coakley campaign is now running a campaign ad on the issue.
Catholic hospitals have sought conscience exemptions from laws mandating emergency contraception for victims of sexual assault, citing concerns the treatment could kill any newly-conceived human being.
Brown and Coakley are among the candidates seeking to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy left by the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy.
While Massachusetts is a heavily Democratic state, some polls show a close race between the Republican and Democratic candidates.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Bush to receive Cardinal O'Connor Award for pro-life efforts
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18200
WASHINGTON D.C., January 8 (CNA) - Former President George W. Bush will be presented with an award by the lay group Legatus, for his work in advancing the pro-life cause. The ceremony will be held at the annual Legatus Summit Feb. 5-6 in Dana Point, Calif., where Bush will address the business group for the first time since leaving office a year ago.
The prestigious Cardinal John J. O'Connor Pro-Life Award is being given in response to the former president's eight years of pro-life legislation. Legatus cites his administration's opposition to embryonic stem cell research, an executive order barring federal funds from being used for abortion related projects abroad, the appointment of two pro-life Supreme Court Justices and a rule protecting federally funded health employees from taking part in abortion or practices that conflict with their faith as policies that Bush helped enact during his presidency.
The group of Catholic business professionals also noted that one of the former president's last efforts while in office included a declaration of Jan. 18, 2009 as “National Sanctity of Human Life Day,” along with a statement that “the most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent.”
The former president will be a accompanied by a host of other speakers at the event, including Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, actress Patricia Heaton, entrepreneur Frank J. Hanna III, Fr. Robert Spitzer, Newt and Callista Gingrich, and Thomas Donahue, the president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
“I’ve been speaking to a number of Legatus chapters about the Summit, and people are really excited,” said Kathleen Eaton, the event chairperson, on Thursday. “It’s been a rough year on a number of fronts, and they really need this shot in the arm. They want to come together to pray and learn more about what the Church is saying on different issues.”
Previous recipients of the Cardinal John J. O'Connor Pro-Life Award have included Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life, Fr. Thomas Euteneuer of Human Life International, Judie Brown of the American Life League, Sen. Rick Santorum, Sen. Sam Brownback, and Rep. Henry Hyde.
WASHINGTON D.C., January 8 (CNA) - Former President George W. Bush will be presented with an award by the lay group Legatus, for his work in advancing the pro-life cause. The ceremony will be held at the annual Legatus Summit Feb. 5-6 in Dana Point, Calif., where Bush will address the business group for the first time since leaving office a year ago.
The prestigious Cardinal John J. O'Connor Pro-Life Award is being given in response to the former president's eight years of pro-life legislation. Legatus cites his administration's opposition to embryonic stem cell research, an executive order barring federal funds from being used for abortion related projects abroad, the appointment of two pro-life Supreme Court Justices and a rule protecting federally funded health employees from taking part in abortion or practices that conflict with their faith as policies that Bush helped enact during his presidency.
The group of Catholic business professionals also noted that one of the former president's last efforts while in office included a declaration of Jan. 18, 2009 as “National Sanctity of Human Life Day,” along with a statement that “the most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent.”
The former president will be a accompanied by a host of other speakers at the event, including Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, actress Patricia Heaton, entrepreneur Frank J. Hanna III, Fr. Robert Spitzer, Newt and Callista Gingrich, and Thomas Donahue, the president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
“I’ve been speaking to a number of Legatus chapters about the Summit, and people are really excited,” said Kathleen Eaton, the event chairperson, on Thursday. “It’s been a rough year on a number of fronts, and they really need this shot in the arm. They want to come together to pray and learn more about what the Church is saying on different issues.”
Previous recipients of the Cardinal John J. O'Connor Pro-Life Award have included Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life, Fr. Thomas Euteneuer of Human Life International, Judie Brown of the American Life League, Sen. Rick Santorum, Sen. Sam Brownback, and Rep. Henry Hyde.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Christian Security Network Releases 2009 Crime Report Against Christian Organizations in the United States
"These are not just numbers, they are people killed or hurt and millions of dollars in losses" states church security expert
CINCINNATI, Jan. 4 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Christian Security Network receives phone calls and e-mails from Christians across the country on a weekly basis telling them they are concerned about their safety while at church - the 2009 crime statistics report shows that there is good cause.
"It is disheartening to see all these incidents and loss of life in churches in 2009 and even sadder because we know 2010 isn't going to be any different unless the status-quo changes," stated Jeff Hawkins, executive director of the Christian Security Network.
The 2009 report published by the Christian Security Network outlines 1,237 crimes against Christian churches including 12 homicides, 38 other violent incidents including, 3 sexual assaults, 3 kidnappings, 98 arsons, and over 700 burglaries resulting in more than $24 million in property loss.
Hawkins goes on to state, "People want to be protected, especially at church, and as we have seen from incidents in 2009, criminals don't care that they are targeting a church - they are seen as soft targets."
The crime report, the first of its kind, specifically tracked incidents just against Christian organizations, mostly churches, for all of 2009.
"These are not just numbers, these are people who have been killed or seriously injured serving their church. The church is supposed to be a place of peace and protection. Many of these incidents just didn't have to happen. With a few precautions, changes in operations, and training of staff and volunteers, they may have been averted. The church has to start taking responsibility for the safety of their staff, volunteers, and congregation and good stewards of the gifts God has provided." Hawkins concluded.
Jeffrey A. Hawkins is available for interviews on this topic by telephone or Skype. He is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement and security and formerly chief security officer for an international Christian ministry. He is frequently quoted in magazines, newspapers, radio, and television.
For a copy of the report "Crimes Against Christian Organizations in the United States - 2009" or for an interview with Mr. Hawkins contact Nancy Kirkpatrick at (800) 805-7126 or nancy@christiansecuritynetwork.org
The Christian Security Network is a national organization dedicated to the advancement of security and emergency planning for Christian churches, schools, ministries and missionaries.
Christian Newswire
CINCINNATI, Jan. 4 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Christian Security Network receives phone calls and e-mails from Christians across the country on a weekly basis telling them they are concerned about their safety while at church - the 2009 crime statistics report shows that there is good cause.
"It is disheartening to see all these incidents and loss of life in churches in 2009 and even sadder because we know 2010 isn't going to be any different unless the status-quo changes," stated Jeff Hawkins, executive director of the Christian Security Network.
The 2009 report published by the Christian Security Network outlines 1,237 crimes against Christian churches including 12 homicides, 38 other violent incidents including, 3 sexual assaults, 3 kidnappings, 98 arsons, and over 700 burglaries resulting in more than $24 million in property loss.
Hawkins goes on to state, "People want to be protected, especially at church, and as we have seen from incidents in 2009, criminals don't care that they are targeting a church - they are seen as soft targets."
The crime report, the first of its kind, specifically tracked incidents just against Christian organizations, mostly churches, for all of 2009.
"These are not just numbers, these are people who have been killed or seriously injured serving their church. The church is supposed to be a place of peace and protection. Many of these incidents just didn't have to happen. With a few precautions, changes in operations, and training of staff and volunteers, they may have been averted. The church has to start taking responsibility for the safety of their staff, volunteers, and congregation and good stewards of the gifts God has provided." Hawkins concluded.
Jeffrey A. Hawkins is available for interviews on this topic by telephone or Skype. He is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement and security and formerly chief security officer for an international Christian ministry. He is frequently quoted in magazines, newspapers, radio, and television.
For a copy of the report "Crimes Against Christian Organizations in the United States - 2009" or for an interview with Mr. Hawkins contact Nancy Kirkpatrick at (800) 805-7126 or nancy@christiansecuritynetwork.org
The Christian Security Network is a national organization dedicated to the advancement of security and emergency planning for Christian churches, schools, ministries and missionaries.
Christian Newswire
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