in this issue:
hot button issues: GRADUATION SPEAKERS
abortion: IOWA / MICHIGAN
bush watch: OVERSEAS ABORTION
in vitro fertilization: RISKS TO PREBORN
judicial activism: DELAWARE
minors and abortion: PENNSYLVANIA
morning-after abortion pill: MARYLAND / NEW YORK
vaccines: MERCK / TAINTED VACCINES / VACCINE SAFETY
zinger: OVERTURNING ROE?
reflection for prayer: THOMAS A KEMPIS / GOSPEL OF LIFE
hot button issues
GRADUATION SPEAKERS: American Life League’s Crusade for the Defense of Our Catholic Church is on the lookout for pro-abortion speakers at Catholic schools. Graduation time is just around the corner and we want to stem the tide of pro-abortion politicians, bad actors, etc., that will be invited as commencement speakers. Know of any such plans at your local Catholic high school or college? Contact at 540-659-4171.
(Reading: “Crusade for the Defense of Our Catholic Church,” American Life League)
abortion
IOWA: The Iowa state senate approved a bill that would require the reporting of abortions done by chemicals such as mifepristone (RU-486) to the state health department. Republican Nancy Boettger said more abortions in Iowa are being performed with chemicals than by surgical procedures, thus the reporting requirements should be uniform for all abortions.
(Reading: “Abortion pill reporting bill passes Iowa Senate,” Associated Press, 3/18/03)
MICHIGAN: The pro-abortion Center for Reproductive Rights filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Michigan law that prevents payments of fees related to abortion until after a woman has completed a 24-hour waiting period. They argue that the law treats reproductive health care providers and their patients differently than other medical providers and patients.
(Reading: “Michigan abortion providers challenge law preventing payment for abortion-related services until after waiting period,” Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 3/19/03; “Abortion providers challenge Michigan law,” Center for Reproductive Law and Policy, 3/14/03)
bush watch
OVERSEAS ABORTION: Congress and the Bush Administration are said to be bypassing the Mexico City Policy in an effort to send $15 billion for AIDS treatment to various groups that also advocate abortion rights.
(Reading: “Overseas abortion providers to benefit from U.S. billions,” Republican National Coalition for Life FaxNotes, 3/21/03)
in vitro fertilization
RISKS TO PREBORN: Children conceived using the in vitro fertilization technique may be at a much higher risk of suffering from urological defects, including bladder development outside the body, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Though the results of a recent test are preliminary, the situation bears watching.
(Reading: “In vitro fertilization may be linked to bladder defects,” Science Daily, 3/19/93)
judicial activism
DELAWARE: U.S. District Judge Sue Robinson issued a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of Delaware’s new law requiring a 24-hour waiting period before a woman can obtain an abortion. The judge stated that the law is unconstitutional because it contains an exception to save the life of a woman but does not include a health exception. Planned Parenthood celebrated the judge’s ruling because “any restriction on access to abortion must fully protect women’s health.”
(Reading: “U.S. District Judge issues preliminary injunction prohibiting Delaware from enforcing abortion waiting period law,” Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 3/19/03; “Abortions don’t require 24-hour wait, judge rules,” Wilmington [Delaware] News-Journal, 3/18/03)
minors and abortion
PENNSYLVANIA: A Pennsylvania Superior Court panel has ruled that a minor, who was seven weeks away from her 18th birthday and 19 weeks pregnant, does have the maturity and capability to give her informed consent for an abortion. The court ruled 2-1 in favor of the minor’s right to decide.
(Reading: “Minor, in abortion appeal, is rule capable of deciding,” The Legal Intelligencer, 3/21/03; “In re: L.D.F., a minor,” Pennsylvania Superior Court, 3/18/03)
morning-after abortion pill
MARYLAND: The House of Delegates has passed a bill that would effectively permit pharmacists to provide morning-after pill regimens over the counter to customers of any age, including unemancipated minors.
(Reading: “Morning-after pill purchase wins approval from delegates,” Baltimore Sun, 3/25/03; HB615, Maryland General Assembly)
NEW YORK: Mayor Michael Bloomberg has signed legislation that will make the morning after pill regimen available at STD and health clinics in New York City.
(Reading: “Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg signs legislation making emergency contraception available at city health clinics,” New York mayor’s office news release, 3/18/03)
vaccines
MERCK: In accord with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Policy on Socially Responsible Investment Guidelines, Children of God for Life has requested all Catholic bishops’ support a Merck resolution filed and approved by the SEC. The resolution notifies shareholders and brings to vote the issue of using “cell-cultures from aborted humans” in their vaccines. In proxy cards mailed to shareholders this week, Merck recommends a vote against this resolution.
(Reading: “Stockholder proposal concerning ethical and social performance of the company,” Merck proxy statement; “SEC forces Merck to reveal use of aborted fetal cell lines in vaccines,” Children of God for Life/Human Life International news release, 3/27/03)
TAINTED VACCINES: To obtain information on vaccines and the types that are manufactured using the cells from aborted children ? and what to do about it ? please see the Children of God for Life web site.
VACCINE SAFETY: To learn about risk factors and other questions relating to the safety of vaccines, please see the National Vaccine Information Center web site.
zinger
OVERTURNING ROE? “Should the Supreme Court overturn Roe and return the fundamental question of abortion’s legality to the states, NARAL Pro-Choice America estimates that abortion could be made illegal in 17 states.”
COMMENT: This is precisely why the goal of the pro-life movement must be personhood for every innocent human being from conception. No pro-lifer wants to see the decriminalized act of murder by abortion continued in any state, let alone 33 states.
(Reading: “Lessons from before Roe: Will the past be prologue?” Guttmacher Report, 3/03)
reflection for prayer
THOMAS A KEMPIS: Jesus has now many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few that are willing to bear His cross. He has many that are desirous of comfort, but few of tribulation. He finds many companions of His table, but few of His abstinence. All desire to rejoice with Him, few are willing to suffer with Him.
(Reading: “Imitation of Christ,” Thomas a Kempis)
GOSPEL OF LIFE: The Church’s spiritual motherhood is only achieved-the Church knows this too-through the pangs and “the labor” of childbirth (cf. Revelation 12:2), that is to say, in constant tension with the forces of evil which still roam the world and affect human hearts, offering resistance to Christ: “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5).
Like the Church, Mary too had to live her motherhood amid suffering: “This child is set … for a sign that is spoken against-and a sword will pierce through your own soul also-that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35). The words which Simeon addresses to Mary at the very beginning of the Savior’s earthly life sum up and prefigure the rejection of Jesus, and with him of Mary, a rejection which will reach its culmination on Calvary. “Standing by the cross of Jesus” (John 19:25), Mary shares in the gift which the Son makes of himself: she offers Jesus, gives him over, and begets him to the end for our sake. The “yes” spoken on the day of the Annunciation reaches full maturity on the day of the Cross, when the time comes for Mary to receive and beget as her children all those who become disciples, pouring out upon them the saving love of her Son: “When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!'” (John 19:26).
NOTE: The pro-life Feast of the Annunciation was celebrated this past Tuesday, March 25.
(Reading: “Evangelium Vitae,” Section 103)