in this issue:
activism: QUOTABLE / ROCK FOR LIFE / TEACHERS UNION
catholic colleges: LOYOLA NEW ORLEANS / VILLANOVA
infertility treatment: RISKS I / RISKS II / RISKS III
reminder: WORLD FAMILY CONFERENCE
reflection for prayer: PSALM 51:10-11
activism
QUOTABLE: From Cheryl Sullenger of the California Life Coalition: “If this anti-free speech ordinance is passed and we are prohibited from telling attendees of political functions in residential areas about a politician’s abortion stand, then the First Amendment might as well be torn from the Constitution and thrown in the trash.” She was speaking of a San Diego County Board of Supervisors vote banning the “targeted” picketing of homes. Pro-lifers had held demonstrations outside the homes of abortionists and Planned Parenthood officials.
(Reading: “Supervisors seek to ban ‘targeted’ picketing,” The San Diego Channel, 3/19/02)
ROCK FOR LIFE: Scripps-Howard columnist Terry Mattingly’s report on Rock for Life‘s ministry has appeared in countless newspapers around the country. Mattingly focused on efforts to ban the group’s “abortion is homicide” T-shirts from public schools. The article points out that pro-life shirts are being singled out, while students are allowed to wear shirts that promote rock groups with names like Slayer and Megadeath.
(Reading: “The Rock for Life pledge,” Scripps-Howard news service, 1/23/02)
TEACHERS UNION: Springfield, Mass., educator Gerard O’Brien is making a federal case over the fact that his payments to a teachers’ union are used to support pro-abortion groups and condom distribution programs. O’Brien says because of his Catholic faith, he cannot support that. So he’s filed suit in federal court. Attorney Gregory Hession told Fox News, “Mr. O’Brien is not anti-union. He’s against paying for a union that violates his deeply held religious beliefs.”
(Reading: “Catholic teacher sues unions over family planning fees,” Fox News, 3/19/02)
catholic colleges
LOYOLA NEW ORLEANS: Newly-installed Archbishop Alfred Hughes expressed public concern over this week’s appearances by the National Organization for Women’s Kim Gandy on the campus. Archbishop Hughes says the staunchly pro-abortion Gandy’s views are “contrary to the clear and unambiguous teachings of the Catholic Church.” The archbishop also expressed his concerns to the Jesuit college’s president. Gandy is a Loyola graduate. Pro-lifers picketed Loyola earlier this year during an appearance by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
(Reading: “Archbishop upset over Loyola speaker,” The Times Picayune, 3/16/02; “NOW President Kim Gandy responds to New Orleans archbishop, defends Loyola University law school,” National Organization for Women news release, 3/15/02)
VILLANOVA: Several groups are criticizing the decision to invite former Sen. George Mitchell to keynote a March 22 modern peacemakers conference. Mitchell had a solidly pro-abortion record in the Senate. Former Villanova student government president Peter Burchett said, “Villanova has a bad case of liberal speaker tunnel vision in which the only qualified speakers are screaming pro-abortion advocates, or Catholic politicians that earn ‘A’ ratings from the National Abortion Rights Action League.”
(Reading: “Pro-abortion Catholic and author of Freedom of Choice Act to address Villanova,” news release, 3/13/02)
infertility treatment
RISKS I: Researchers say infants conceived through in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection “have twice as high a risk of a major birth defect as naturally conceived infants.” The study indicates that the increased risk is present in both single and multiple pregnancies.
(Reading: “The risk of major birth defects after intracytoplasmic sperm injection and in vitro fertilization,” New England Journal of Medicine, 3/7/02, pp. 725-730)
RISKS II: According to a new study, “The use of assisted reproductive technology accounts for a disproportionate number of low-birth-weight and very-low-birth-weight infants.” As outlined by the researchers, “assisted reproductive technology” includes in vitro fertilization, frozen embryo transfer and donor embryo transfer.
(Reading: “Low and very low birth weight in infants conceived with use of assisted reproductive technology,” New England Journal of Medicine, 3/7/02, pp. 731-737)
RISKS III: An editorial by Allen A. Mitchell, M.D., of the Boston University School of Public Health somewhat downplays the risks listed in the two articles cited above, noting “the majority of couples who require assistance with reproduction will not be affected.” His commentary, however, does point out some of the circus-like marketing that now surrounds the “assisted reproductive technology” business: “competition for clients, which has led to aggressive marketing of fertility services to referring doctors and directly to consumers, as well as to reductions in costs, with some clinics offering attractive financing problems.”
COMMENT: “Consumers”?
(Reading: “Infertility treatment — more risks and challenges,” New England Journal of Medicine, 3/7/02, pp. 769-770; online version for subscribers only)
reminder
WORLD FAMILY CONFERENCE: Plans are unfolding for American Life League’s next Celebration of Life World Family Conference, scheduled for July 10-14 in New Orleans. Speakers include former ambassador Alan Keyes, Life Dynamics founder Mark Crutcher and Omaha Archbishop Elden Curtiss. Conference outlines and registration information may be found online. Discount registration is available until April 10.
reflection for prayer
PSALM 51:10-11: Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me. Do not banish me from your presence; do not take your holy spirit away from me.