in this issue:
catholic bishops: KANSAS
ethics: SINGER
euthanasia: SCHIAVO
fetal tissue: GEORGETOWN
human cloning: KOREA
morning-after abortion pill: ECKERD / FDA
planned parenthood: TEXAS
politics: MISSOURI
roe v. wade: NEW HEARING
reflection for prayer: MARK 8:34-36
catholic bishops
KANSAS: Archbishop James Keleher is requesting that “none of our Catholic institutions invite any person in the pro-choice movement, or any politician who espouses the pro-choice movement or has a voting record endorsing pro-choice legislation, to address, give workshops, or otherwise make any presentations at these institutions.” The notice follows an appearance by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a pro-abortion Catholic, at the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth.
(Reading: “Prelate moves to bar abortion-rights speakers,” Kansas City Star, 2/18/04; “Archbishop requests no pro-choice speakers be invited to archdiocesan institutions,” The [Archdiocese of Kansas City] Leaven, 2/13/04)
ethics
SINGER: Peter Singer, the “ethicist” who believes killing disabled infants is justified, is cutting back on his teaching schedule at Princeton University so he can spend more time with his family in Australia. Singer’s 1999 hiring touched off a firestorm. It is reported that he is currently considered a “popular and respected professor on campus.”
(Reading: “Princeton’s star bioethics prof cutting schedule,” Newark Star-Ledger, 2/12/04)
euthanasia
SCHIAVO: State appeals court rulings will enable further investigation to take place in the case of Terri Schiavo, the disabled Florida woman whose husband seeks court permission to have her feeding tube withdrawn. Michael Schiavo’s attorneys are fighting a law that gave Gov. Jeb Bush the authority to override the withdrawal order. Terri’s parents are also fighting for the right to be involved in the case. The appeals ruling overturns a lower court’s decision that the parents were not allowed to intervene.
(Action: Please take part in the survey on the WFTV web site at)
(Reading: “Appeals court rules in favor of Bush, Schiavo’s parents,” Associated Press, 2/13/04)
fetal tissue
GEORGETOWN: American Life League’s American Bioethics Advisory Commission is challenging Georgetown University, a Catholic institution, to stop conducting research using aborted fetal cell lines. The university claims the research is ethical, and Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington accepted that position. ABAC noted, “The university’s claim that the potential benefits of this research justify continuing it not only flies in the face of [Church directives], but also lacks any sound moral judgment.” Children of God for Life has also prepared a response that explains why the research is not ethical and stated, “A Catholic institution cannot morally justify any illicit research.”
(Action: Children of God for Life is seeking signatures on a petition to Cardinal McCarrick, asking him to overturn Georgetown’s research policy. The petition is online.)
(Reading: “Georgetown not acting in accordance with Church doctrine,” American Life League news release, 2/9/04; “Setting the Catholic record straight,” Children of God for Life)
human cloning
KOREA: In the wake of recent reports that South Korean researchers have created cloned human embryos (Communique, 2/13/04), American Life League has renewed its call for Congress to ban on all forms of human cloning.
(Action: Members of Congress should be urged to examine the facts carefully and enact the strongest possible anti-cloning law. Legislation has been offered that addresses human cloning, but to date, none of the proposals represents an airtight, complete prohibition against cloning human beings.)
(Reading: “Congress must act immediately to ban all forms of human cloning,” American Life League news release, 2/16/04)
morning-after abortion pill
ECKERD: It is now reported that three Eckerd pharmacists in Denton, Texas who were “disciplined” for refusing to fill a prescription for the morning-after abortion pill were in fact fired. An Eckerd spokesman told LifeSiteNews.com, “pharmacists are not allowed to opt out of filling a prescription for religious, moral or ethical reasons.” Eckerd Drugs is a subsidiary of J.C. Penney.
COMMENT: Pharmacists must be given the right to decline to fill prescriptions if they consider the dispensing of such drugs immoral. In the case of so-called emergency contraception, the “medication” involved can cause abortion.
(Action: Wayne Harris is chairman and CEO of Eckerd. To contact Eckerd, call or fax Tami Alderman, Manager, Community Relations, phone 727-395-6380, fax 727-395-7934. Additionally, a message may be sent to Eckerd Drugs at online. Allen Questrom is chairman and CEO of J.C. Penney. He may be contacted at J.C. Penney Co., Inc., 6501 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75024, phone 972-431-1000)
(Reading: “Texas pharmacists fired by Eckerd Corporation for ethical stand on morning-after pill,” LifeSiteNews,com, 2/4/04)
FDA: The Food and Drug administration has delayed until May a decision on making the Plan-B morning-after abortion pill available over the counter. Barr Laboratories, which makes Plan-B, said more time is needed to study the pills’ effects on 16- and 17-year-old girls.
(Action: Messages may be sent to the and to urging the government to deny the request to offer these drugs over the counter. Messages to your members of Congress are also encouraged.)
(Reading: “FDA postpones morning-after pill decision,” Associated Press, 2/14/04; “American Life League cautiously optimistic over FDA delay,” American Life League news release, 2/13/04)
planned parenthood
TEXAS: Pro-lifers are holding a rally in College Station on Feb. 28 to counter an appearance by Planned Parenthood president Gloria Feldt. Feldt is addressing a pro-abortion luncheon “celebrating” Roe v. Wade. The pro-life groups will hold a news conference and rally prior to the luncheon, and pray outside while Feldt’s speech is in progress. Jim Sedlak of American Life League’s STOPP International is speaking at the pro-life event.
(Contact: More information is available from the at 979-846-2825)
(Reading: “Calling all pro-lifers,” Coalition for Life news release, 2/19/04)
politics
MISSOURI: Gov. Bob Holden told a pro-abortion rally he’s renewing his pledge to veto any “anti-choice” legislation. It is perhaps a moot point, however, since pro-life forces have enough votes to override any veto, as they did in the fall when they overrode Holden’s veto of a bill requiring a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion. Planned Parenthood immediately filed suit, and the regulation remains tied up in court.
(Reading: “Holden criticizes legislature for abortion restrictions,” Associated Press, 2/17/04)
roe v. wade
NEW HEARING: A federal appeals court has agreed to listen to arguments in a case designed to overturn the 1973 Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade. Norma McCorvey, the “Roe” of the original case, is asking the courts to revisit the decision in light of new scientific research and changes in the law. Oral arguments are scheduled March 2.
(Reading: “Court to hear ‘Roe’s’ challenge to ’73 ruling,” World Net Daily, 2/16/04)
reflection for prayer
MARK 8:34-36: Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?