12/5/03
in this issue:
hot button issues: CATHOLIC CIVIL RIGHTS / CRUSADE ACTION ITEMS
abortion: DANGERS DOCUMENTED
activism: IRELAND
adolescents: POLL
birth control insurance: STATE COURT RULINGS
campaign for human development: ARTICLES OF INTEREST
catholic bishops: PUNISHING POLITICIANS / WISCONSIN
choose life license plates: NEW JERSEY
euthanasia: PROTECT YOURSELF
human cloning: ALERT
in vitro fertilization: RISKS
miracle: TERRY WALLIS
pharmacists: WISCONSIN
planned parenthood: MAKING A DIFFERENCE
terri schiavo: UPDATES
reflection for prayer: POPE PIUS XI
hot button issues
CATHOLIC CIVIL RIGHTS: American Life League’s Crusade for the Defense of Our Catholic Church points out that “Catholic Bishops of California and Catholic-affiliated institutions in the state have a duty to actively disobey such laws.”
COMMENT: This applies to every state. As Pope John Paul II teaches in The Gospel of Life: “Christians, like all people of good will, are called upon under grave obligation of conscience not to cooperate formally in practices which, even if permitted by civil legislation, are contrary to God’s law. Indeed, from the moral standpoint, it is never licit to cooperate formally in evil.”
(Reading: “California Supreme Court must defend Catholics’ civil rights, not abridge them,” American Life League news release, 11/24/03)
CRUSADE ACTION ITEMS: Know what you can do to affirm truth. American Life League’s Crusade for the Defense of Our Catholic Church web site features these items:
- More pro-life activities and projects
- Jump-starting the pro-life group in your parish
- Praying the Luminous mysteries of the Rosary
abortion
DANGERS DOCUMENTED: The most recent, updated report on detrimental effects of abortion is now available.
(Reading: “List of new studies documenting abortion’s dangers available free,” Elliot Institute)
activism
IRELAND: Irish pro-lifers say the proposed European Union constitution leaves out something very important: God and Europe’s Christian heritage. An online petition addresses this failing. Please note: the petition is for Irish citizens only.
(Reading: Christians for Europe)
adolescents
POLL: Gallup polls indicate that young people between the ages of 13 and 17 are more pro-life than their parents’ generation.
(Reading: “Teens lean conservative on abortion,” Gallup Polls, 11/18/03; “Gallup Poll shows U.S. teens significantly more pro-life than adults,” LifeSiteNews.com, 11/20/03)
birth control insurance
STATE COURT RULINGS: The question before state courts in New York and California deals with employee prescription drug benefits that include birth control and whether or not Catholic health care facilities’ employee benefit programs can be exempted from the law. In New York, state justice Dan Lamont ruled against Catholic Charities, claiming there is a secular right to birth control coverage. That ruling will be appealed.
(Reading: “Courts to examine state contraceptive laws,” Associated Press, 11/29/03; “Challenge to contraception law turned back,” Associated Press, 12/1/03)
campaign for human development
ARTICLES OF INTEREST: These items raise issues about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development:
- “Shooting ourselves in the feet: How one of the most potent weapons serving the ‘Culture of Death’ lies in the pockets of Catholic donors,” Catholic Citizens of Illinois, 9/15/2003;
- “Just how bad is the Campaign For Human Development? Thirteen news reports with information you need to share with your fellow Catholics,” Catholic Citizens of Illinois, 11/19/2003
catholic bishops
PUNISHING POLITICIANS: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops agreed that a task force should study what penalties might be handed out to politicians who are at odds with the “consistent ethic of life.” Said Bishop Robert Carlson of South Dakota: “We live today in a sick society. Each one of us must recommit ourselves to being unconditionally pro-life. You cannot be a Catholic in good faith and vote for a pro-abortion candidate for public office when you have a choice. Regardless of your political party, you cannot be a Catholic legislator at the state level or congressman or senator at the national level and vote for abortion. Those that do, like Senators Kennedy, Daschle and Kerry are wrong, and are a scandal for the Church.”
COMMENT: May the task force address the primacy of the inviolable right to life of every innocent human being, and leave the other threads of their seamless garment for another time. If a human being is not born, he cannot wear any garment!
(Reading: “Task force on Doctrinal note … on the participation of Catholics in political life,” Most Rev. John H. Ricard, SSJ, 11/10/03; “Bishops consider sanctions for Catholic politicians who support abortion,” Associated Press, 11/10/03; “Bishops to pressure Catholic politicians,” Washington Times, 12/4/03; Respect Life Sunday homily, Most Rev. Robert Carlson, 10/5/03, copies available by request from of the Diocese of Sioux Falls Respect Life Office)
WISCONSIN: Bishop Raymond Burke of LaCrosse wrote privately to three Catholic elected officials, telling them their voting records were not in line with Church teachings on abortion. The matter became public in a series of Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports. U.S. Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.) told the paper his votes are formed by his “independent judgment and conscience,” and not “by a set of marching orders” from the Church. Bishop Burke, who has just been appointed archbishop of St. Louis, told the paper if certain lawmakers continue to support abortion, “I would simply have to ask them not to present themselves to receive the sacraments because they would not be Catholics in good standing.”
(Reading: “Bishop appeals to Catholic lawmakers,” Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 12/4/03; “Officials bristle at bishop’s epistle,” Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 12/5/03)
choose life license plate
NEW JERSEY: The DMV has turned down the Choose Life license plate, claiming it did not comply with state regulations. DMV chief Diane Legreide said she would have approved the license plate without the words “Choose Life.” Gov. James McGreevey, a Catholic, has been silent.
(Action: Ask Gov. McGreevey about his silence. E-mail can be sent through the state web site)
(Reading: “‘Choose Life’ license plate rejected in New Jersey,” WINS, 11/26/03; Choose Life, Inc.)
euthanasia
PROTECT YOURSELF: The International Anti-Euthanasia Task Force has developed a Protective Medical Decisions Document designed to suit individual state laws.
(Reading: “Protective Medical Decisions Document,” The International Anti-Euthanasia Task Force)
human cloning
ALERT: The United Nations has postponed consideration of an official U.N. position on human cloning. Cloning proponents are now pressing the U.N. to resume discussions and take a firm stand in support of human cloning.
ACTION: Register your opinion that the U.N. must not concur with those who support so-called therapeutic human cloning (otherwise known as “clone and kill”). Ask your U.N. delegation to stand firm.
CONTACT: The U.S. Mission in New York may be contacted by “>e-mail. You may write to: Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations, 799 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017-3505. Phone: 212-415-4000. Fax: 212-415-4443.
To contact the U.S. Mission in Geneva, write: Route de Pregny 11, 1292 Chamb?sy. Phone: 749 41 11. Fax: 749 48 80.
For details, please request documentation from “>American Life League.
(Reading: “Bid set to revive U.N. ban on stem cell research,” Reuters, 12/3/03)
in vitro fertilization
RISKS: Because of the use of technologies like IVF, researchers are suggesting that human chimeras — people who are mixtures of two genetically distinct individuals — may be becoming more common.
(Reading: “IVF babies ‘more likely’ to have mixed-up genes,” British Medical Journal, 11/13/03)
(Background: “When does human life begin? The final answer,” American Bioethics Advisory Commission)
miracle
TERRY WALLIS: The man who awoke from an alleged “vegetative state” after 19 years is doing well, but can use some help. If you want to know how you can help make a difference in his life, see The Terry Wallis Trust.
pharmacists
WISCONSIN: Wisconsin pro-life pharmacist Neil Noeson is being persecuted for his pro-life position. Pro-lifers who are concerned about situations like this may express very polite and courteous support for Mr. Noeson’s principled stand in opposition to filling prescriptions for abortive chemicals. Write to the or call 608-266-2112. To learn more about his case, please request this information from Pharmacists for Life.
planned parenthood
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: In Texas, the Coalition for Life is putting a huge dent in Planned Parenthood’s business. In Indiana, three Planned Parenthood clinics will close due to “rising costs and declining demand” for their services.
ACTION: Contact American Life League’s STOPP International to learn how to get involved in the effort to stop Planned Parenthood.
(Reading: “Planned Parenthood will shut down 3 clinics,” Indianapolis Star, 11/28/03)
terri schiavo
UPDATES: For the most current, and the most comprehensive news reporting on Terri’s fight, please see World Net Daily and search “Schiavo.” Additional resources include “Terri’s Fight,” the family’s web site and Children of God for Life’s Terri Schiavo section.
reflection for prayer
POPE PIUS XI: With God and Jesus Christ excluded from political life, with authority derived not from God but from man … the result is that human society is tottering to its fall, because it has no longer a secure and solid foundation…. When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony.
(Reading: “Quas Primas,” 12/11/25)