in this issue:
hot button issues: CIVILITY / PLAN B / SEXUAL WISDOM
abortion/breast cancer: MEDIA SILENCE
catholic bishops: COLORADO / KENTUCKY
congress: BROWNBACK / PENCE
conscience: NEW JERSEY / WASHINGTON
morning-after abortion pill: CLARIFICATION
planned parenthood: FLORIDA / NEW YORK
vaccines: CHILDREN OF GOD FOR LIFE
reminders: SAVING THOSE DAMNED CATHOLICS / ULTRASOUND
reflection for prayer: PSALM 19:8-10
hot button issues
CIVILITY: ALL’s Judie Brown examines the statement made by lay Catholics as part of the Catholic Civility Project. She said the signers of that statement do not seem to be aware “that abortion is not a political issue, nor is it a public policy question.”
Link: “Sacrilege, scandal and murder-or civility?” American Life League, 11/14/07
PLAN B: An American Life League ad addresses the attack on Catholic healthcare by pro-abortion forces who wish to force religious hospitals to distribute so-called emergency contraception to sexual assault victims. The ad urges Catholic bishops to stand firm against such pressure.
Link: “When it comes to defending the faith, there is no Plan B,” American Life League, 11/13/07
SEXUAL WISDOM: One of the most valuable books I have ever read is Sexual Wisdom by Richard Wetzel, M.D. Dr. Wetzel said, “The truth about sex is that all people are free to love each other in the most genuine sense of the term; they can be free from addictive, harmful attitudes about sex.” In his book, Dr. Wetzel presents a detailed explanation of the subject and the about the harmful effects that few want to admit. Sexual Wisdom is a guide for parents, young adults, educators and physicians. It covers a wide range of subjects including sexual morality and teaching the facts about human sexuality to children.
TO ORDER: For a limited time only you can get a copy of this wonderful handbook for parents for $5 plus shipping and handling. Call ALL Resources at 866-LET-LIVE.
abortion/breast cancer
MEDIA SILENCE: Mainstream news organizations have had little to say about yet another scientific study linking abortion and breast cancer.
Link: “Media ignores major insurance report stating abortion is ‘best predictor of breast cancer,'” Life Site News, 11/12/07
catholic bishops
COLORADO: Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver and bishops Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs and Arthur Tafoya of Pueblo have signed a statement urging action against Planned Parenthood, which is building a new abortion facility in Denver: “We urge the Catholic community and all people of good will to defend themselves and their beliefs against Planned Parenthood by every legal and ethical means at their disposal.”
Link: “Statement regarding Planned Parenthood,” Colorado Catholic Conference, 11/8/07
KENTUCKY: The local newspaper showed a photo of Louisville Archbishop Joseph Kurtz kneeling in prayer outside an abortion facility. About 250 people were gathered for prayer. Archbishop Kurtz credited them for their “courage to speak out on the convictions on behalf of the sanctity of life.”
Link: “Archbishop joins abortion protest,” Louisville Courier-Journal, 11/11/07
congress
BROWNBACK: Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) is trying to convince Senate leaders to deny tax dollars to organizations that perform abortions. “We should not use tax dollars to subsidize abortion clinics,” his letter states, “particularly when there are serious concerns regarding their compliance with state law and medical standards.”
Link: “Brownback urges halt to federal funding of abortions,” Associated Press, 11/13/07
PENCE: Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) has introduced a bill that could deprive Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers of funding under the Title X program. However, the bill, HB 4133 (search at http://thomas.loc.gov) provides exceptions for abortion in cases of rape, incest or perceived threat to the mother’s life.
Link: “Pence legislation would cut Planned Parenthood funding,” Citizen Link, 11/9//07
conscience
NEW JERSEY: A new state law would force pharmacists to dispense abortifacient and contraceptive medications. “Discussions of morals and matters of conscience are admirable, but should not come into play when subjective beliefs conflict with objective medical decisions,” said state Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, a sponsor.
Link: “New Jersey forces pharmacists to dispense abortifacient drugs regardless of conscience,” Life Site News, 11/5/07
WASHINGTON: A judge in Seattle has ruled that pharmacists do indeed have a right to conscientiously refuse to distribute abortifacients. The decision overrides a Washington state law that would grant no such exemptions. The judge said the law violated pharmacists’ freedom of religion.
Link: “Judge: Druggists may withhold ‘morning-after’ pill,” Seattle Times, 11/9/07
morning-after abortion pill
CLARIFICATION: In last week’s issue, we questioned the translation of an Italian commentator’s reference to an “eventual embryo” in regard to the use of the morning-after pill. We are told that the original Italian version of the comment makes perfect sense and is in line with Catholic teaching. “Eventual embryo” in this context means “in the event that the woman using the morning-after pill has conceived.” Not all women who resort to this drug have in fact conceived.
planned parenthood
FLORIDA: In a letter to the editor, the CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Miami, West Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast referred to people who pray outside abortion clinics as “extremists.” One of the people who commented online remarked, “You are the ones killing babies but we’re the extremists. I don’t get it.”
Link: “Extremists who support Planned Parenthood support ideology over science,” TC Palm, 11/11/07
NEW YORK: Planned Parenthood was one of the participants in a student sex fair at the University of Buffalo. The event involved free condom distribution and games involving condoms.
Link: “Students get informed with sexual health fair,” The Spectrum, 11/9/07
vaccines
CHILDREN OF GOD FOR LIFE: New articles have been added to the organization’s web site dealing with vaccines for MMR, HIV/AIDS and the West Nile virus.
reminders
SAVING THOSE DAMNED CATHOLICS: Of Judie Brown’s latest book, Fr. Tom Euteneuer of Human Life International writes, “Judie Brown has never been one to sit back and let the devil have his way. Her great new work, Saving Those Damned Catholics, tells it like it is. I thank Judie for her forthright analysis of the state of the Church. She is not just telling us what is wrong ? she is giving us our marching orders.”
TO ORDER: “Saving Those Damned Catholics” is available from ALL in hardcover or paperback. Call 866-LET-LIVE or purchase online.
ULTRASOUND VIDEO: “Baby Steps: Live from the womb, 16 stages of pre-birth development,” features dramatic 4-D ultrasound images of preborn babies from 8 to 34 weeks. This amazing new video from American Life League is impressing many in the pregnancy center movement, who say is certain to save lives.
TO ORDER: The “Baby Steps” DVD is available from ALL for $9.95 plus shipping and handling. Call 866-LET-LIVE toll-free, or purchase online.
reflection for prayer
PSALM 19:8-10: The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.