Week in Review – In these days of death and destruction, Lubbock, TX, offers some hope.
On this anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 2001, let us take a few moments and pray for the families of the 2,977 individuals—including at least four preborn babies—who lost their lives that day. Let us particularly remember the first responders—police and firefighters—who rushed to the scenes in New York City; Washington, DC; and Stonycreek Township, PA, to aid the victims. In a special way, we remember those 415 New York City first responders who died in the rubble of the Twin Towers and the hundreds more who died from injuries suffered that day.
This week in Lubbock, TX, the pro-life community is working to pass a local ordinance declaring that Lubbock is a “Sanctuary City for the Unborn.” If they are successful in having the ordinance passed, Lubbock will join over a dozen other Texas communities to adopt that designation. The other Texas cities include: Waskom; Westbrook; Whiteface; Big Spring; Colorado City; Naples; Gilmer; East Mountain; Gary City; Joaquin; Tenaha; Rusk; and Wells. The specific wording of the ordinance can be different in each city, depending on local conditions.
Mark Dickson is the founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn Initiative and the author of the proposed ordinance. According to published reports, state senator Charles Perry and state representatives Dustin Burrows and John Frullo, all representing the Lubbock area, sent a letter to the city’s mayor, Dan Pope, and the city council in August urging them to adopt Dickson’s ordinance.
The ordinance has two parts; the second part would take effect as soon as the ordinance is passed, while the first part would take effect if Roe v. Wade were overturned. According to KCBD:
- The first part is called public enforcement. This section can only go into effect if the Roe v. Wade ruling is overturned. If the ordinance is passed and Roe v Wade is overturned, the ordinance would issue fines of $2,000 to anyone who performs or aids an abortion.
- The second part is called private enforcement, which would take effect as soon as the ordinance is passed. According to the ordinance sent to council members, any family member of the terminated (child) could sue the persons who performed and aided in the abortion.
The significance of the Lubbock fight is two-fold: 1. Lubbock, with a population over 270,000, would be the largest city by far to make this declaration; and 2. Although there are currently no abortions taking place within the city limits, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas recently announced that it will be opening a new facility in the city by the end of this year and that it plans to add medical and surgical abortions at some point in the future.
Obviously, the ordinance would not immediately prevent Planned Parenthood from committing abortions in Lubbock, but it would allow family members of the preborn child to sue Planned Parenthood, its staff, and medical personnel for any abortions committed.
Although the actual ordinance has not, yet, been passed, one version does contain an exception for life of the mother. We pray that will be removed before the ordinance passes.
In other news this week, racist Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) has two national offices, one in New York City and the other in Washington, DC. As we have discussed in this newsletter, Planned Parenthood has been under attack by its own employees for its racist and “white supremacist” operations. CBS News reports that “Planned Parenthood’s roughly 70 union-eligible D.C. staffers unanimously voted to join SEIU Local 500, a local branch of the second-largest union in the U.S. Under the agreement, Planned Parenthood management will ‘address equity in the workplace, codify benefits, and provide members a voice in organizational decision making.’” (PLTW Note: Why don’t they just close down racist PP?)
ALL in the News – ALL Directors Featured Prominently in this Week’s News Cycle
This week, American Life League executive director Jim Sedlak was interviewed by One News Nowand featured in an article regarding a recent poll of Democrats and Republicans and their views on abortion. The article can be found here.
Judie Brown’s weekly commentaries and press statements continue to be featured as a column on Renew America. This week’s Tuesday commentary, The Ninety-Two, was featured on the site’s front page. The same commentary was also reprinted in Heartbeat International’s Pregnancy Help News.
Jim Sedlak’s Pro-Life Activism from Creation to Death is a weekly talk-radio program on the Radio Maria USA network. The show can be heard live every Friday at noon (Eastern Time) and is repeated on Saturdays (10 PM).
Video of the Week – Fr. James Altman calls out the hypocrisies of the Church hierarchy.
From YouTube: Fr. James Altman calls out the hypocrisies of the Church hierarchy and their destructive leftist politicization of the Catholic Church that has slapped faithful Catholics in the face and led many others astray. Fr. Altman also explains the basis of human nature and our purpose in life.
Action Item of the Week – Marian Blue Wave
When the Marian Blue Wave launched in October 2019, no one expected it would spread across America as quickly as it did. Within weeks of the program’s announcement, the Marian Blue Wave had thousands of prayer pledges, not only across America but also across the world. Every continent (except Antarctica) has at least dozens—and counting—of Marian Blue Wave Prayer Partners.
The Marian Blue Wave was inspired by a tweet from Bishop Strickland of Tyler, Texas. Bishop Strickland tweeted out a call for a Marian Blue Wave in response to the governor of New York allowing abortions up to birth. But what was a Marian Blue Wave? After months of developing and working with the bishop, American Life League launched the Marian Blue Wave—a call to Catholics across America to say one Rosary a week for the specific intention of ending all abortion, shutting down every Planned Parenthood facility, and protecting Jesus in the Eucharist.
One of the best aspects of joining the Marian Blue Wave is that you can participate no matter where you live. Once a month, all Marian Blue Wave prayer partners come together for a Live Rosary hosted on the American Life League Facebook page. Prayer Partners send in their petitions, and all together, the Marian Blue Wave prays specifically for an end to abortion, the closure of all Planned Parenthood facilities, and the protection of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Would you like to participate in the next Live Rosary and join the ever-growing Marian Blue Wave?
It’s easy. Join thousands of your peers and just go to the Marian Blue Wave sign-up page. You’ll receive an e-mail each week, and we will let you know the date and time of the monthly Live Rosary.
Pro-life Social Media – ‘We Need More Priests Like Him’: Catholic Twitter Comes to Fr. Altman’s Defense
Wherever you find a courageous priest, a weak-kneed bishop is not far behind. Such is the case of Fr. James Altman of the diocese of La Crosse, WI, and his superior.
Last week, Fr. Altman’s video homily, “You Cannot be Catholic & a Democrat. Period.” went viral. Faithful Catholics wondered how a powerful message could find the light of day when so many prelates seek to appease lukewarm Catholics rather than properly form their consciences. On September 9, the answer came via a “statement” by Bishop William Callahan of La Crosse:
“The tone Fr. Altman offers comes off as angry and judgmental, lacking any charity and in a way that causes scandal both in the Church and in society.”
Who knew that saving souls lacks charity? Contrast Callahan’s statement with Bishop Strickland’s of Tyler, TX:
As the Bishop of Tyler I endorse Fr Altman’s statement in this video. My shame is that it has taken me so long. Thank you Fr Altman for your COURAGE. If you love Jesus & His Church & this nation…pleases HEED THIS MESSAGE https://t.co/D413G0lfQV
— Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) September 5, 2020
So how are the faithful to square two opposing opinions by two shepherds of the Church? It’s confounding but, thankfully, Catholic Twitter knows a good priest when they hear one:
I stand with Father James Altman. pic.twitter.com/oFFrzIbQBe
— Dr Taylor Marshall 🙏🏻🔥 (@TaylorRMarshall) September 10, 2020
As I watched Fr. James Altman’s video, I wept-by the time the video was over I was sobbing.
— mary (@mary13791945) September 10, 2020
I don’t understand how Father James Martin, knowing that Biden’s and Kamala’s platform to abort babies-even to the point of full term,could support such evil.
Babies are tortured.😭🙏🏼
Everyone should go to youtube and listen to Fr. Altman…it is refreshing to know that their are Priests that will stand up for Christ and all of us. God Bless Fr. Altman and keep him in your prayers
— Crucesignatis (@Crucesignatis4) September 10, 2020
We need more priests like Fr. Altman.
— Fred Simon (@FredSim69351984) September 10, 2020
Fr. Altman isn’t wrong.
— Matthias’ Biases (@MatthiasB07) September 9, 2020
Notice that he never said Fr. Altman spoke untruth (he admits that the truth was spoken), but only that Father didn’t use the right “tone” (gasp!)— it hurt the sensitive feelings of Catholic Democrats who wish to vote for pro-aborts. Today’s biggest sin is being a meanie.
— Leila Miller (@LeilaMillerLCB) September 10, 2020
Thank you Fr. Altman. You don’t know me. Over the last 20 years every once and awhile a priest will come along and keep me in the RCC: an FSSP, a diocesan priest, a Norbertine, a CPM, Frs. Donald Calloway, Hollowell, Altman. What happens when there are no more men such as these?
— Joseph Sciambra @ The Sons of St. Joseph (@sonsofstjoseph) September 10, 2020
My letter of support for Fr Altman to Bishop William Callahan of LaCrosse, WI. pic.twitter.com/LOSRB1Iion
— Leticia Velasquez (@CauseofourJoy) September 10, 2020
Say three Hail Marys for Fr. Altman. Then say another one for more priests like him.
