Apparently Obama and his nominees are of the mind that those who stand and pray outside the abortion facilities for the life of a soon to born child are dangerous. What is truly dangerous is the form of extremism that goes on in the facilities. Therein, so called doctors tear out the human being waiting to be born from the womb of its mother. I call that extreme.
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION LINKS PRO-LIFERS TO EXTREMISTS
Washington Times 4/14/09 The Department of Homeland Security is warning law enforcement officials about a rise in “rightwing extremist activity,” saying the economic recession, the election of America’s first black president and the return of a few disgruntled war veterans could swell the ranks of white-power militias.
A footnote attached to the report by the Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis defines “rightwing extremism in the United States” as including not just racist or hate groups, but also groups that reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority.
“It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration,” the warning says.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
WAITING ON THE WAITING PERIOD
Is it too much to expect that you wait 24 hours before taking the life of an innocent human being? We spend years of litigation determining the guilt of defendants in capital murder cases before we condemn them to execution. Could we not give one day (24 hours) to think about the death of an innocent human being waiting to be born?
COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 2, 2009) – By a vote of 10-7 on party lines, the Senate Medical Affairs Committee gave favorable approval Thursday to the 24-hour waiting period before abortion. Republicans supported the bill and Democrats opposed it.
The bill which passed the S.C. House in February by a vote of 83-28, now goes to the full Senate where pro-abortion Democrat Brad Hutto of Orangeburg vowed to kill the measure with amendments and “extreme” debate.
South Carolina Citizens for Life asks that you make personal contact with your State Senator to encourage him to support the 24-hour waiting period when it is debated in the full Senate.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 2, 2009) – By a vote of 10-7 on party lines, the Senate Medical Affairs Committee gave favorable approval Thursday to the 24-hour waiting period before abortion. Republicans supported the bill and Democrats opposed it.
The bill which passed the S.C. House in February by a vote of 83-28, now goes to the full Senate where pro-abortion Democrat Brad Hutto of Orangeburg vowed to kill the measure with amendments and “extreme” debate.
South Carolina Citizens for Life asks that you make personal contact with your State Senator to encourage him to support the 24-hour waiting period when it is debated in the full Senate.
NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE CONVENTION
My wife and I have attended many NRL Conventions and found them all to be helpful, entertaining and educational. You are encouraged to attend.
NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE CONVENTION Charlotte, NC
The NRLC 2009 Convention will take place on June 18-20, 2009 at the Blake Hotel In Charlotte, NC. South Carolina and North Carolina Right to Life committees will co-host this event. You will come away with a greater knowledge of the Life issues and learn what you can do to fight for Life.
A special rate of $154 flat room rate for 1- 4 people per room is available. Call 714 372 4100 to reserve a room and go to the NRLC website at http://www.nrlc.org/ to register online for the convention.
NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE CONVENTION Charlotte, NC
The NRLC 2009 Convention will take place on June 18-20, 2009 at the Blake Hotel In Charlotte, NC. South Carolina and North Carolina Right to Life committees will co-host this event. You will come away with a greater knowledge of the Life issues and learn what you can do to fight for Life.
A special rate of $154 flat room rate for 1- 4 people per room is available. Call 714 372 4100 to reserve a room and go to the NRLC website at http://www.nrlc.org/ to register online for the convention.
GUIDANCE FROM THE CHAPLAIN
Some Guidance from Monsignor Joseph Roth P.A , South Carolina Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Chaplain
Some “politicians” have brought forth the “counter gospel”. They downplay the gift of Life and proclaim the killing of little children in the womb is just fine! They have made Christians fearful of being mocked and try to push us all into a contraceptive mentality that destroys God’s gift of life.
Why do we let that happen? Why are we silent? Do the words of Jesus not come across clearly enough? “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”
My brothers and sisters; we are here because we have life and our parents or guardians protected that life. It is our duty to stop the nonsense that says innocent life can be destroyed at will, in the womb of the mother or torn from the womb to die.
Every child, regardless of size, color, shape, physical ability or mental ability, has a right to life that no one on earth has the authority to take away. Love Life! Protect Life! Sustain Life! It is God’s gift not ours! It is “wonderful in our eyes”. Let evil not prevail, but may the life-giving gift of a child, the most vulnerable of the vulnerable, be cherished and respected now and always!
Crimes against life are seen as a means of gathering votes for political office. Catholic Politicians are stating that the child in the womb is not a person and so it can be destroyed. Some say that even if an attempt was made for an unsuccessful abortion and the child is delivered, it may still be left to die! What in the name of all that is holy is our country coming to?
It is your duty and mine, to not be silent, but to stand up for the child who cannot yet even speak for himself or herself! Morality is defined by God and it is not up for a vote to determine its viability! WE must defend those who cannot defend themselves.
Evil is evil! Sin is Sin! You and I must be unafraid to defend the truth and to be people of life or one day my friend; someone not might, but will be determining your life-span.
We need to return to the love of Our Catholic Faith as given to us by Our Lord Jesus Christ! We need to re-dedicate our lives and our lifestyle to Jesus. We need to return to the teachings of Christ and His Church and not let these be trampled upon by politicians, even some who profess to be Catholics. We need to pray as a family! We need to make frequent use of the Sacrament of Penance (Confession). We need to be available for our children and not turn their education over to the State alone. We need time with our children and meaningful time. We need time for each other! Money and power are not bad, but they must be used for the good of all God’s people. As Catholics in America, it is for us to lead the way and proclaim the truth by what we say and what we do. We must lead by example. It must be our way of Life.
Some “politicians” have brought forth the “counter gospel”. They downplay the gift of Life and proclaim the killing of little children in the womb is just fine! They have made Christians fearful of being mocked and try to push us all into a contraceptive mentality that destroys God’s gift of life.
Why do we let that happen? Why are we silent? Do the words of Jesus not come across clearly enough? “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”
My brothers and sisters; we are here because we have life and our parents or guardians protected that life. It is our duty to stop the nonsense that says innocent life can be destroyed at will, in the womb of the mother or torn from the womb to die.
Every child, regardless of size, color, shape, physical ability or mental ability, has a right to life that no one on earth has the authority to take away. Love Life! Protect Life! Sustain Life! It is God’s gift not ours! It is “wonderful in our eyes”. Let evil not prevail, but may the life-giving gift of a child, the most vulnerable of the vulnerable, be cherished and respected now and always!
Crimes against life are seen as a means of gathering votes for political office. Catholic Politicians are stating that the child in the womb is not a person and so it can be destroyed. Some say that even if an attempt was made for an unsuccessful abortion and the child is delivered, it may still be left to die! What in the name of all that is holy is our country coming to?
It is your duty and mine, to not be silent, but to stand up for the child who cannot yet even speak for himself or herself! Morality is defined by God and it is not up for a vote to determine its viability! WE must defend those who cannot defend themselves.
Evil is evil! Sin is Sin! You and I must be unafraid to defend the truth and to be people of life or one day my friend; someone not might, but will be determining your life-span.
We need to return to the love of Our Catholic Faith as given to us by Our Lord Jesus Christ! We need to re-dedicate our lives and our lifestyle to Jesus. We need to return to the teachings of Christ and His Church and not let these be trampled upon by politicians, even some who profess to be Catholics. We need to pray as a family! We need to make frequent use of the Sacrament of Penance (Confession). We need to be available for our children and not turn their education over to the State alone. We need time with our children and meaningful time. We need time for each other! Money and power are not bad, but they must be used for the good of all God’s people. As Catholics in America, it is for us to lead the way and proclaim the truth by what we say and what we do. We must lead by example. It must be our way of Life.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Embryonic Holocaust
With the stroke of his pen President Barrack Hussein Obama sentenced hundreds of thousands or perhaps millions of human beings to death without charges or a trial. These nascent human beings will be destroyed to please the so called scientists who wish to experiment upon them as was done on guinea pigs in days past. Though embryonic stem cell testing is legal in the US and has never been illegal. It failed to produce any results, giving way to adult stem testing which has had miraculous results in treating many illnesses and conditions. Who but the Federal and some State governments would fund a failing enterprise?
We are witnessing a Federally Funded Embryonic Holocaust of our unborn brothers and sisters created in the lab or in their mother’s womb. This class or cultural group of helpless, dependent human beings, frozen or thawed or newly created for destruction will never see a day of our world because they were made the object of “scientific” experimentation. Obama’s order has cheapened human life..
The following may help to clarify what we mean by embryonic holocaust; (you will note that I omitted all the flowery and so called justifiable reasons for this slaughter of the innocent.)
Fertilization is a process by which two reproductive cells having a single set of chromosomes fuse to become a zygote, which develops into a new organism. The resultant zygote has two sets of chromosomes. (A new unique human being)
Embryo is the term given to a fertilized egg from the time of implantation to 8 weeks when it is called a fetus. (The young of an animal in the womb, or more specifically, before its parts are developed and it becomes a fetus.)
A fetus is the term for the young of an animal in the womb or egg, esp. in the later stages of development when the body structures are in the recognizable form of its kind, in humans after the end of the second month of gestation.
A definition of the term Holocaust is the mass slaughter of people (especially Jews by the Nazis during World War II) Genocide.
Genocide is the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.
Embryonic stem cell testing is the process wherein an embryo is created only to be destroyed for research purposes.
Embryonic Holocaust means the deliberate and systematic destruction of early humans at the dawn of life.
Federal funding of embryonic stem cell testing is the sanctioned financial support (by law or executive order) of the process that destroys human beings in the early stages. Federal funding comes from taxation of the people in the United States. The United States government is using money coerced from taxpayers to kill future taxpayers.
We have allowed our country to sink lower into the moral abyss. Federal or state funding for Planned Parenthood has contributed to the same results as FFEH, for we have sanctioned and funded the deaths of fifty million unborn children since Roe v Wade in 1973.
There will be no way to measure this wanton destruction of human life. We are allowing our society (ourselves) to sink as low as the Nazis in WW2 to be guided only by our animal instincts. God help us.
We are witnessing a Federally Funded Embryonic Holocaust of our unborn brothers and sisters created in the lab or in their mother’s womb. This class or cultural group of helpless, dependent human beings, frozen or thawed or newly created for destruction will never see a day of our world because they were made the object of “scientific” experimentation. Obama’s order has cheapened human life..
The following may help to clarify what we mean by embryonic holocaust; (you will note that I omitted all the flowery and so called justifiable reasons for this slaughter of the innocent.)
Fertilization is a process by which two reproductive cells having a single set of chromosomes fuse to become a zygote, which develops into a new organism. The resultant zygote has two sets of chromosomes. (A new unique human being)
Embryo is the term given to a fertilized egg from the time of implantation to 8 weeks when it is called a fetus. (The young of an animal in the womb, or more specifically, before its parts are developed and it becomes a fetus.)
A fetus is the term for the young of an animal in the womb or egg, esp. in the later stages of development when the body structures are in the recognizable form of its kind, in humans after the end of the second month of gestation.
A definition of the term Holocaust is the mass slaughter of people (especially Jews by the Nazis during World War II) Genocide.
Genocide is the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.
Embryonic stem cell testing is the process wherein an embryo is created only to be destroyed for research purposes.
Embryonic Holocaust means the deliberate and systematic destruction of early humans at the dawn of life.
Federal funding of embryonic stem cell testing is the sanctioned financial support (by law or executive order) of the process that destroys human beings in the early stages. Federal funding comes from taxation of the people in the United States. The United States government is using money coerced from taxpayers to kill future taxpayers.
We have allowed our country to sink lower into the moral abyss. Federal or state funding for Planned Parenthood has contributed to the same results as FFEH, for we have sanctioned and funded the deaths of fifty million unborn children since Roe v Wade in 1973.
There will be no way to measure this wanton destruction of human life. We are allowing our society (ourselves) to sink as low as the Nazis in WW2 to be guided only by our animal instincts. God help us.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
CATHOLIC “VOTERFLECTIONS”
A recent story carried in the Catholic Miscellany touted the number of Catholic politicians elected to Congress and the US Senate. The story would be more meaningful if it identified practicing Catholics who support the Church’s positions on Life issues and those who merely call themselves Catholic but are lapsed or inactive. CINOS (Catholics in name only) will not positively affect our culture for they go along to get elected, always challenging the church positions on life and marriage, instead of opposing those who promote secularism.
In the recent elections when the American people chose candidates who supported the death culture we found that 54% of all Catholics were in that number. What is harder to explain is the 45% of Catholics who do attend weekly mass also voted for the candidate of death for the unborn? How many brother knights were in that number? Let’s face it most American Catholics are inactive or do not know what Catholicism is about. What does this say of our knowledge of our faith, our leadership, our solidarity or our charity for the almost born?
We now face an enemy of life that controls all three branches of our government led by a man who promised to sign a “Freedom of Choice” act designed to legislate the killing of the unborn. Furthermore The Prevention First Act if passed will use out taxes to promote the killing of our unborn future and make abortion a way of life.
The Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus has steered a straight course leading us in the Catholic way. They look to the Pope and the Vatican for direction. We must learn from them and follow their leadership.
In the recent elections when the American people chose candidates who supported the death culture we found that 54% of all Catholics were in that number. What is harder to explain is the 45% of Catholics who do attend weekly mass also voted for the candidate of death for the unborn? How many brother knights were in that number? Let’s face it most American Catholics are inactive or do not know what Catholicism is about. What does this say of our knowledge of our faith, our leadership, our solidarity or our charity for the almost born?
We now face an enemy of life that controls all three branches of our government led by a man who promised to sign a “Freedom of Choice” act designed to legislate the killing of the unborn. Furthermore The Prevention First Act if passed will use out taxes to promote the killing of our unborn future and make abortion a way of life.
The Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus has steered a straight course leading us in the Catholic way. They look to the Pope and the Vatican for direction. We must learn from them and follow their leadership.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
DIGNITY OF THE PERSON
What a wonderful gift from the Holy Father. In today's world there are so many complex challenges to the dignity of man. This document will serve as an ethical reference fro many years.
DIGNITAS PERSONAE, VATICAN INSTRUCTION ON BIOETHICS, WELCOMED FOR GUIDANCE ON ISSUES OF PROCREATION AND MEDICAL RESEARCH
Dignitas Personae (The Dignity of a Person), an Instruction from the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) on ethical issues arising from biomedical research, provides guidance on how to respect human life and human procreation in our heavily scientific age, said Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"We welcome the Instruction as theologians, medical personnel, researchers and married couples consider new scientific and medical procedures that have profound ethical implications bearing upon the procreation of children and the integrity of marriage," Cardinal George said in a December 12 statement. "We applaud developments which advance medical progress with respect for the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception," he said. "We oppose discarding or manipulating innocent lives to benefit future generations, or promoting the creation of new human life in depersonalized ways that substitute for the loving union between a husband and wife."
DIGNITAS PERSONAE, VATICAN INSTRUCTION ON BIOETHICS, WELCOMED FOR GUIDANCE ON ISSUES OF PROCREATION AND MEDICAL RESEARCH
Dignitas Personae (The Dignity of a Person), an Instruction from the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) on ethical issues arising from biomedical research, provides guidance on how to respect human life and human procreation in our heavily scientific age, said Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"We welcome the Instruction as theologians, medical personnel, researchers and married couples consider new scientific and medical procedures that have profound ethical implications bearing upon the procreation of children and the integrity of marriage," Cardinal George said in a December 12 statement. "We applaud developments which advance medical progress with respect for the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception," he said. "We oppose discarding or manipulating innocent lives to benefit future generations, or promoting the creation of new human life in depersonalized ways that substitute for the loving union between a husband and wife."
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
MAKE A DIFFERNCE IN 2009
Resolve to make a difference in 2009!
One hour a week saving precious lives at an abortion clinic, Planned Parenthood or a Pregnancy Center.
Boycott companies that fund Planned Parenthood and the Homosexual Agenda!
Write at least three letters a month to elected officials, letters to the editor and/or companies that fund the "Culture of Death".
Become better informed on the critical issues of our time, speak-up and defend Life, Family and Faith!
Watch at least 50% less TV, devoting the time in growing our faith, and putting our faith into action
One hour a week saving precious lives at an abortion clinic, Planned Parenthood or a Pregnancy Center.
Boycott companies that fund Planned Parenthood and the Homosexual Agenda!
Write at least three letters a month to elected officials, letters to the editor and/or companies that fund the "Culture of Death".
Become better informed on the critical issues of our time, speak-up and defend Life, Family and Faith!
Watch at least 50% less TV, devoting the time in growing our faith, and putting our faith into action
MOST AMERICANS FAVOR SOME RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION
KC POLL FINDS MAJORITY OF AMERICANS FAVOR SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION
The findings also highlighted the differences between Catholics who attend Mass on a regular basis and those who do not. According to the poll, 65 percent of the Catholic population attends Mass at least “once or twice a month.” Of those, 59 percent describe themselves as “pro-life.” In contrast, only 29 percent of non-practicing Catholics describe themselves as such. Of note, the study found that non-practicing Catholics are more likely to call themselves “pro-choice” than the general U.S. population. Whereas 65 percent of non-practicing Catholics consider themselves to be pro-choice, 50 percent of Americans say the same thing.
For copy of complete article go to Columbia on line at http://www.kofc.org/un/publications/columbia/detail.cfm?id=548145
The findings also highlighted the differences between Catholics who attend Mass on a regular basis and those who do not. According to the poll, 65 percent of the Catholic population attends Mass at least “once or twice a month.” Of those, 59 percent describe themselves as “pro-life.” In contrast, only 29 percent of non-practicing Catholics describe themselves as such. Of note, the study found that non-practicing Catholics are more likely to call themselves “pro-choice” than the general U.S. population. Whereas 65 percent of non-practicing Catholics consider themselves to be pro-choice, 50 percent of Americans say the same thing.
For copy of complete article go to Columbia on line at http://www.kofc.org/un/publications/columbia/detail.cfm?id=548145
FOCA MEANS WAR
FOCA MEANS WAR
“If President-elect Barack Obama goes through with his campaign pledge to sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act, holy hell is going to break loose”, began Ray Kerrison of the New York Post in his December article on FOCA. He noted that:
FOCA may be the most radical social legislation in decades. It seeks to strip every last restraint from abortion - outlawing states’ requirements for waiting periods, informed consent or parental consent; preventing health and safety regulation of abortion clinics and abortionists and even ending restrictions on partial-birth abortion.
With one stroke of the president’s pen, it would nullify every one of the 330 or so federal, state and local abortion laws on the books, most of them supported by a majority of Americans.
And that’s just the start. The law would also compel taxpayers to fund abortions and provide abortions in military hospitals. Most provocatively of all, it would force religious hospital and health-care institutions to perform abortions in violation of their convictions.
The Catholic Church, for one, won’t stand for it. The ranking American prelate to the Holy See, James Cardinal Stafford, denounced Obama’s vision as “aggressive, disruptive and apocalyptic.”
The US bishops have always been united in their moral condemnation of abortion. But they have stopped short of flexing political muscle, evading a head-on confrontation. That may now change. Chicago’s Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Paprocki went further. He said flatly that if the Obama administration attempted to force Catholic hospitals to provide abortions, they’d shut them down rather than comply. “There are grave consequences,” he said. “It would not be sufficient to sell them to someone who would perform abortions. That would be a morally unacceptable cooperation in evil.”
“If President-elect Barack Obama goes through with his campaign pledge to sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act, holy hell is going to break loose”, began Ray Kerrison of the New York Post in his December article on FOCA. He noted that:
FOCA may be the most radical social legislation in decades. It seeks to strip every last restraint from abortion - outlawing states’ requirements for waiting periods, informed consent or parental consent; preventing health and safety regulation of abortion clinics and abortionists and even ending restrictions on partial-birth abortion.
With one stroke of the president’s pen, it would nullify every one of the 330 or so federal, state and local abortion laws on the books, most of them supported by a majority of Americans.
And that’s just the start. The law would also compel taxpayers to fund abortions and provide abortions in military hospitals. Most provocatively of all, it would force religious hospital and health-care institutions to perform abortions in violation of their convictions.
The Catholic Church, for one, won’t stand for it. The ranking American prelate to the Holy See, James Cardinal Stafford, denounced Obama’s vision as “aggressive, disruptive and apocalyptic.”
The US bishops have always been united in their moral condemnation of abortion. But they have stopped short of flexing political muscle, evading a head-on confrontation. That may now change. Chicago’s Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Paprocki went further. He said flatly that if the Obama administration attempted to force Catholic hospitals to provide abortions, they’d shut them down rather than comply. “There are grave consequences,” he said. “It would not be sufficient to sell them to someone who would perform abortions. That would be a morally unacceptable cooperation in evil.”
DIGNINTY OF THE PERSON
DIGNITAS PERSONAE, VATICAN INSTRUCTION ON BIOETHICS, WELCOMED FOR GUIDANCE ON ISSUES OF PROCREATION AND MEDICAL RESEARCH
Dignitas Personae (The Dignity of a Person), an Instruction from the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) on ethical issues arising from biomedical research, provides guidance on how to respect human life and human procreation in our heavily scientific age, said Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"We welcome the Instruction as theologians, medical personnel, researchers and married couples consider new scientific and medical procedures that have profound ethical implications bearing upon the procreation of children and the integrity of marriage," Cardinal George said in a December 12 statement. "We applaud developments which advance medical progress with respect for the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception," he said. "We oppose discarding or manipulating innocent lives to benefit future generations, or promoting the creation of new human life in depersonalized ways that substitute for the loving union between a husband and wife."
Dignitas Personae (The Dignity of a Person), an Instruction from the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) on ethical issues arising from biomedical research, provides guidance on how to respect human life and human procreation in our heavily scientific age, said Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"We welcome the Instruction as theologians, medical personnel, researchers and married couples consider new scientific and medical procedures that have profound ethical implications bearing upon the procreation of children and the integrity of marriage," Cardinal George said in a December 12 statement. "We applaud developments which advance medical progress with respect for the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception," he said. "We oppose discarding or manipulating innocent lives to benefit future generations, or promoting the creation of new human life in depersonalized ways that substitute for the loving union between a husband and wife."
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Long Haul
We just lost a political battle to preserve the headway made against Roe v Wade in 1973. People in the pro-life movement will find wisdom in the comments of one of our leaders.
We are in this movement for the long haul. Our work does not depend on political successes or failures. We do what we do because it is right and we are called by God to do it. Pro-life work has been and will continue to be a long haul, but our strength is that we never give up. Pro-Lifers NEVER give up! We do not run in vain nor labor in vain. Our task now is to expand and strengthen our county chapters, a task already underway. We will keep South Carolina a pro-life state. We are and will continue to be the resistance movement to the culture of death. Let us this day recommit our lives to prayer, work, and especially to gratitude so that we truly may “shine like lights in the world.” Innocent unborn babies and the medically vulnerable members of our human family need us now more than ever. Holly Gatling Ex. Dir SCCL
We are in this movement for the long haul. Our work does not depend on political successes or failures. We do what we do because it is right and we are called by God to do it. Pro-life work has been and will continue to be a long haul, but our strength is that we never give up. Pro-Lifers NEVER give up! We do not run in vain nor labor in vain. Our task now is to expand and strengthen our county chapters, a task already underway. We will keep South Carolina a pro-life state. We are and will continue to be the resistance movement to the culture of death. Let us this day recommit our lives to prayer, work, and especially to gratitude so that we truly may “shine like lights in the world.” Innocent unborn babies and the medically vulnerable members of our human family need us now more than ever. Holly Gatling Ex. Dir SCCL
CHOOSE MARY
Choose Mary
Mary, the mother of Life itself, the patroness of the unborn is available to us in this struggle for a culture of life, what better way to save the babies marked for destruction by abortion. Many of us fought hard to preserve the life aspects of our culture. Perhaps we did not pray enough. Prayer can accomplish much more than man can do by himself. If we ask the Lord He will answer our prayers but we must be prepared. (Just before the battle of Jericho) Joshua also said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will perform wonders among you." Joshua 4-1.
Mary, the mother of Life itself, the patroness of the unborn is available to us in this struggle for a culture of life, what better way to save the babies marked for destruction by abortion. Many of us fought hard to preserve the life aspects of our culture. Perhaps we did not pray enough. Prayer can accomplish much more than man can do by himself. If we ask the Lord He will answer our prayers but we must be prepared. (Just before the battle of Jericho) Joshua also said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will perform wonders among you." Joshua 4-1.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
WE SHALL NOT WEARY
One of my favorite current day theologans is Father Neuhaus editor of First Things magazine , He is authored a book called "Catholic Matters" that I found most enlightening . You can read his monthly comments on the public square section of First Things at http://www.firstthings.com/ .
WE SHALL NOT WEARY, WE SHALL NOT REST by Rev. Richard John Neuhaus
The pro-life movement that began in the 20th century laid the foundation for the pro-life movement of the 21stcentury. We have been at this a long time, and we are just getting started. All that has been and all that will be is prelude to, and anticipation of, an indomitable hope. All that has been and that will be is premised upon the promise of Our Lord’s return in glory when, as we read in the Book of Revelation, “he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” (21:4, RSV, here and below) And all things will be new.
That is the horizon of hope that, from generation to generation, sustains the great human rights cause of our time and all times—the cause of life. We contend, and we contend relentlessly, for the dignity of the human person, of every human person, created in the image and likeness of God, destined from eternity for eternity—every human person, no matter how weak or how strong, no matter how young or how old, no matter how productive or how burdensome, no matter how welcome or how inconvenient. Nobody is a nobody; nobody is unwanted. All are wanted by God, and therefore to be respected, protected, and cherished by us.
We shall not weary, we shall not rest, until every unborn child is protected in law and welcomed in life. We shall not weary, we shall not rest, until all the elderly who have run life’s course are protected against despair and abandonment, protected by the rule of law and the bonds of love. We shall not weary, we shall not rest, until every young woman is given the help she needs to recognize the problem of pregnancy as the gift of life. We shall not weary, we shall not rest, as we stand guard at the entrance gates and the exit gates of life, and at every step along the way of life, bearing witness in word and deed to the dignity of the human person—of every human person.
(For rest of the article go to http://lifewatch.org/ ( Sept 2008 newsletter)
WE SHALL NOT WEARY, WE SHALL NOT REST by Rev. Richard John Neuhaus
The pro-life movement that began in the 20th century laid the foundation for the pro-life movement of the 21stcentury. We have been at this a long time, and we are just getting started. All that has been and all that will be is prelude to, and anticipation of, an indomitable hope. All that has been and that will be is premised upon the promise of Our Lord’s return in glory when, as we read in the Book of Revelation, “he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” (21:4, RSV, here and below) And all things will be new.
That is the horizon of hope that, from generation to generation, sustains the great human rights cause of our time and all times—the cause of life. We contend, and we contend relentlessly, for the dignity of the human person, of every human person, created in the image and likeness of God, destined from eternity for eternity—every human person, no matter how weak or how strong, no matter how young or how old, no matter how productive or how burdensome, no matter how welcome or how inconvenient. Nobody is a nobody; nobody is unwanted. All are wanted by God, and therefore to be respected, protected, and cherished by us.
We shall not weary, we shall not rest, until every unborn child is protected in law and welcomed in life. We shall not weary, we shall not rest, until all the elderly who have run life’s course are protected against despair and abandonment, protected by the rule of law and the bonds of love. We shall not weary, we shall not rest, until every young woman is given the help she needs to recognize the problem of pregnancy as the gift of life. We shall not weary, we shall not rest, as we stand guard at the entrance gates and the exit gates of life, and at every step along the way of life, bearing witness in word and deed to the dignity of the human person—of every human person.
(For rest of the article go to http://lifewatch.org/ ( Sept 2008 newsletter)
Monday, September 15, 2008
KNIGHTS LEADER SPEAKS OUT
”Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight addressed the 126th annual convention of the Knights of Columbus. (In the early years after abortion was legalized, the Knights provided key leadership in helping to oppose abortion.)
Mr. Anderson powerfully spoke to his audience regarding the election of pro-abortion candidates — regardless of party affiliation. His remarks can apply to all of us, even if we aren’t Catholic. Here are a few quotes: In obvious reference to the presidential election, he said, “We have heard a great deal this year about the need for change, but at the same time, we are told that one thing cannot change — namely, the abortion regime of Roe vs. Wade. It is time that we demand real change, and real change means the end of Roe vs. Wade.”
Mr. Anderson also clearly stated that abortion should be the number one issue for Catholic voters. “What political issue could possibly outweigh this human devastation [abortion]? The answer, of course, is that there is none.” He added, “Abortion is different. Abortion is the killing of the innocent on a massive scale.”
Mr. Anderson had a pointed message for pro-abortion politicians and activists. He said it was time to “end the political manipulation of Catholic voters. It is time to stop creating excuses for pro-abortion candidates. Catholics should no longer be asked to be partners in the abortion regime by voting for politicians who support abortion.”
Finally, Mr. Anderson had some sound advice for Catholics, and all Americans for that matter, if this nation is to once again protect innocent human life. We will never succeed in building a culture of life if we continue to vote for politicians who defend and support a culture of death. It is time that Catholics shine a bright line of separation between themselves and all those politicians of every political party who defend the abortion regime of Roe vs. Wade.”
And he held out hope for our future. “Imagine if this year, millions of Catholic voters simply said ‘no’ — ‘no’ to every candidate of every political party who supports abortion. It's time we stop accommodating pro-abortion politicians, and it's time we start demanding that they accommodate us.”
I might add, imagine if every pro-life voter — regardless of religious affiliation — were to only vote for pro-life candidates, we would change our nation! America could once again be a country that nurtures and protects those too tiny or defenseless to defend themselves.
Bradley Mattes, Executive DirectorLife Issues Institute
Mr. Anderson powerfully spoke to his audience regarding the election of pro-abortion candidates — regardless of party affiliation. His remarks can apply to all of us, even if we aren’t Catholic. Here are a few quotes: In obvious reference to the presidential election, he said, “We have heard a great deal this year about the need for change, but at the same time, we are told that one thing cannot change — namely, the abortion regime of Roe vs. Wade. It is time that we demand real change, and real change means the end of Roe vs. Wade.”
Mr. Anderson also clearly stated that abortion should be the number one issue for Catholic voters. “What political issue could possibly outweigh this human devastation [abortion]? The answer, of course, is that there is none.” He added, “Abortion is different. Abortion is the killing of the innocent on a massive scale.”
Mr. Anderson had a pointed message for pro-abortion politicians and activists. He said it was time to “end the political manipulation of Catholic voters. It is time to stop creating excuses for pro-abortion candidates. Catholics should no longer be asked to be partners in the abortion regime by voting for politicians who support abortion.”
Finally, Mr. Anderson had some sound advice for Catholics, and all Americans for that matter, if this nation is to once again protect innocent human life. We will never succeed in building a culture of life if we continue to vote for politicians who defend and support a culture of death. It is time that Catholics shine a bright line of separation between themselves and all those politicians of every political party who defend the abortion regime of Roe vs. Wade.”
And he held out hope for our future. “Imagine if this year, millions of Catholic voters simply said ‘no’ — ‘no’ to every candidate of every political party who supports abortion. It's time we stop accommodating pro-abortion politicians, and it's time we start demanding that they accommodate us.”
I might add, imagine if every pro-life voter — regardless of religious affiliation — were to only vote for pro-life candidates, we would change our nation! America could once again be a country that nurtures and protects those too tiny or defenseless to defend themselves.
Bradley Mattes, Executive DirectorLife Issues Institute
Sunday, August 17, 2008
DEATH WISH
DEATH WISH
The United States of America seems to have a death wish, and we have traveled far down the road to having that wish realized. When law divorces itself from common sense and spawns the illegitimate offspring of distortions of law, resulting in illegal laws—based neither on the natural law nor divine law—this undermines law itself, generating disdain for the law. Erosion of trust in the courts, or the system in general, is inevitable.
There is yet another candidate for the office of president of the United States who has in an extraordinary way done everything possible to breathe life into all of the barbaric elements of the death wish. He and his party make no apologies for their support of abortion, partial-birth abortion, and even infanticide. It’s hard to believe that we have degenerated to the point that we’ll murder a helpless baby should it escape the violence of an abortion and be born alive.
Can a Catholic vote for such persons? We are told, “yes”, for a “proportionate reason.” What, I might ask, is the proportionate reason so weighty as to excuse supporting those responsible for what is tantamount to genocide? Rev John Corapi -www.fathercorapi.com
The United States of America seems to have a death wish, and we have traveled far down the road to having that wish realized. When law divorces itself from common sense and spawns the illegitimate offspring of distortions of law, resulting in illegal laws—based neither on the natural law nor divine law—this undermines law itself, generating disdain for the law. Erosion of trust in the courts, or the system in general, is inevitable.
There is yet another candidate for the office of president of the United States who has in an extraordinary way done everything possible to breathe life into all of the barbaric elements of the death wish. He and his party make no apologies for their support of abortion, partial-birth abortion, and even infanticide. It’s hard to believe that we have degenerated to the point that we’ll murder a helpless baby should it escape the violence of an abortion and be born alive.
Can a Catholic vote for such persons? We are told, “yes”, for a “proportionate reason.” What, I might ask, is the proportionate reason so weighty as to excuse supporting those responsible for what is tantamount to genocide? Rev John Corapi -www.fathercorapi.com
One Man
One man and God
It seems but a few years back when Len Vercellotti an fellow member of Grand Citizens for Life and a brother knight explained that he was going to form a Birthright chapter south of the Strand. Len set about to gain the necessary licensing and approvals and financing with his wife Marita lining up the volunteers. Len is a prayerful man and directed by God, Birthright of Georgetown opened its doors on March 25, 2002.
The center was established by members of Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church, Pawleys Island, SC with the assistance of K of C Council 11028 (Pawleys Island). Birthright is an interdenominational organization, where women facing unplanned pregnancy found a place where they could receive support and understanding.
Birthright of Georgetown, Inc., incorporated in South Carolina, is an all volunteer organization serving the women in Georgetown County and from surrounding areas. With a board of directors, it is staffed by 30 volunteers. Affiliated with Birthright International, which has 400 centers in the U.S. and Canada, it maintains a hotline (800-550-4900), which is staffed by trained counselors and is available 24-7. Calls are referred to the center at 1905 Front St. There are no paid members of the organization and all services are offered free of charge. The mission of the center is to assist women facing unplanned pregnancy by offering them understanding and information related to community services. Besides friendship, the center offers free pregnancy tests, prenatal information, and referrals on medical help, financial assistance, parenting skills, legal help, adoption and continuing education.
In 2007, Birthright of Georgetown handled 737 calls, had 589 office visits, and received 93 abortion minded contacts. Of the abortion minded women, 29 clients made decisions to continue their pregnancies. The numbers of clients served were 101 adult clients, 40 teenage clients, and 34 clients who received help on a one-time basis. Continuing funding comes from GSCL, surrounding churches, KC Council 11028 and grants from several foundations. Len is proof that with God’s help an ordinary man can do extraordinary things.
It seems but a few years back when Len Vercellotti an fellow member of Grand Citizens for Life and a brother knight explained that he was going to form a Birthright chapter south of the Strand. Len set about to gain the necessary licensing and approvals and financing with his wife Marita lining up the volunteers. Len is a prayerful man and directed by God, Birthright of Georgetown opened its doors on March 25, 2002.
The center was established by members of Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church, Pawleys Island, SC with the assistance of K of C Council 11028 (Pawleys Island). Birthright is an interdenominational organization, where women facing unplanned pregnancy found a place where they could receive support and understanding.
Birthright of Georgetown, Inc., incorporated in South Carolina, is an all volunteer organization serving the women in Georgetown County and from surrounding areas. With a board of directors, it is staffed by 30 volunteers. Affiliated with Birthright International, which has 400 centers in the U.S. and Canada, it maintains a hotline (800-550-4900), which is staffed by trained counselors and is available 24-7. Calls are referred to the center at 1905 Front St. There are no paid members of the organization and all services are offered free of charge. The mission of the center is to assist women facing unplanned pregnancy by offering them understanding and information related to community services. Besides friendship, the center offers free pregnancy tests, prenatal information, and referrals on medical help, financial assistance, parenting skills, legal help, adoption and continuing education.
In 2007, Birthright of Georgetown handled 737 calls, had 589 office visits, and received 93 abortion minded contacts. Of the abortion minded women, 29 clients made decisions to continue their pregnancies. The numbers of clients served were 101 adult clients, 40 teenage clients, and 34 clients who received help on a one-time basis. Continuing funding comes from GSCL, surrounding churches, KC Council 11028 and grants from several foundations. Len is proof that with God’s help an ordinary man can do extraordinary things.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Marcy in Heaven
My older sister Marcy died on Father's day following a stroke some seven years earlier. In a few minutes Marcy went from being a bright and vibrant person who loved to dance, sing and travel to a person confined to a wheel chair needing basic assistance.
Who knows why a Loving God allows these things to happen? Who knows the lessons Marcy learned throughout this difficult time? I know what I saw and experienced.
Marcy was always full of life and was Pro-life. She raised her family of four to love and respect the gift of life.
All this time her children supported her and acted only for her well being, providing the medical care and love she so desperately needed. Never once did any of her children act against Marcy's interests. They exhibited much love toward their mother.
When her death was expected in a few weeks, they arranged hospice support making certain she received food an nutrition according to her condition. The nursing home people from Briarwood were extremely loving in their care for her, right up until the end. she had an opportunity to receive our church's Sacrament of the Sick (Last rites) shortly before she died.
As an active pro-life person I know that not all people receive this care and concern. I am so thankful that she was treated with such dignity all the days she lived with disabilities. I am especially grateful I was able to visit with her to say good bye.
Marcy, we will meet again in the presence of the Lord. Say Hi to Mom and Dad
Who knows why a Loving God allows these things to happen? Who knows the lessons Marcy learned throughout this difficult time? I know what I saw and experienced.
Marcy was always full of life and was Pro-life. She raised her family of four to love and respect the gift of life.
All this time her children supported her and acted only for her well being, providing the medical care and love she so desperately needed. Never once did any of her children act against Marcy's interests. They exhibited much love toward their mother.
When her death was expected in a few weeks, they arranged hospice support making certain she received food an nutrition according to her condition. The nursing home people from Briarwood were extremely loving in their care for her, right up until the end. she had an opportunity to receive our church's Sacrament of the Sick (Last rites) shortly before she died.
As an active pro-life person I know that not all people receive this care and concern. I am so thankful that she was treated with such dignity all the days she lived with disabilities. I am especially grateful I was able to visit with her to say good bye.
Marcy, we will meet again in the presence of the Lord. Say Hi to Mom and Dad
ARGUMENTS AGAINST ABORTION
THE BASIC ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST ABORTION -There are three steps, or premises, to the argument for outlawing abortion.
The first is that one of the most fundamental purposes of law is to protect human rights, especially the first and foundational right, the right to life. The second is that all human beings have the right to life. The third is that the already-conceived but not-yet-born children of human beings are human beings. From these three premises it necessarily follows that the law must protect the right to life of unborn children.
There are only three possible reasons for disagreeing with this conclusion. “One may deny the first, second, or third premises. For if all three are admitted, the "pro-life" conclusion follows.
First, there are those who admit that all persons have a right to life and that unborn children are persons, but deny that this right should be protected by law (the first premise). This is a serious legal error. The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation. 'The inalienable rights of the person must be recognized and respected by civil society and the political authority. These human rights depend neither on single individuals nor on parents; nor do they represent a concession made by society and the state; they belong to human nature and are inherent in the person by virtue of the creative act from which the person took his origin. `The moment a positive [human] law deprives a category of human beings of the protection which civil legislation ought to accord them, the state is denying the equality of all before the law. When the state does not place its power at the service of the rights of each citizen, and in particular of the more vulnerable, the very foundations of a state based on law are undermined....’81 " (C 2273).
Second, there are those who admit that the law should protect the right to life and that unborn children are human beings, but deny that human beings have the right to life (the second premise). This is a very serious moral error.
It is essentially the philosophy of power, of "might makes right." Those in power - doctors, mothers, legislators, adults - decree the right to kill those who lack the power to defend themselves: the smallest, most vulnerable, and most innocent of all human beings. No good reason can justify this decree; a good end does not justify an intrinsically evil means. If the babies shared the powers of the abortionists and could fight back with scalpels, there would be few abortions.
Third, there are those who admit that the law should protect the right to life and that all humans have that right, but deny that unborn children are humans (the third premise). This is a serious factual and scientific error.
Before Roe v. Wade legalized abortion, all science texts taught the biological understanding that the life of any individual of any species begins at conception, when sperm and ovum unite to create a new being with its own complete and unique genetic code, distinct from both father and mother. All growth and development from then on is a matter of degree, a gradual unfolding of what is already there. There is no specific or distinct point in our development when we become human. (What were we before that, birds?) Only when abortion became legal did the science textbooks change their language and cease teaching this understanding - not because of any new science but because of a new politics.
(This article was excerpted from the Luke Hart series “Basics Elements of the Catholic Faith” (section 7) published by the Knights of Columbus. The series is available free of charge from New Haven. )
The first is that one of the most fundamental purposes of law is to protect human rights, especially the first and foundational right, the right to life. The second is that all human beings have the right to life. The third is that the already-conceived but not-yet-born children of human beings are human beings. From these three premises it necessarily follows that the law must protect the right to life of unborn children.
There are only three possible reasons for disagreeing with this conclusion. “One may deny the first, second, or third premises. For if all three are admitted, the "pro-life" conclusion follows.
First, there are those who admit that all persons have a right to life and that unborn children are persons, but deny that this right should be protected by law (the first premise). This is a serious legal error. The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation. 'The inalienable rights of the person must be recognized and respected by civil society and the political authority. These human rights depend neither on single individuals nor on parents; nor do they represent a concession made by society and the state; they belong to human nature and are inherent in the person by virtue of the creative act from which the person took his origin. `The moment a positive [human] law deprives a category of human beings of the protection which civil legislation ought to accord them, the state is denying the equality of all before the law. When the state does not place its power at the service of the rights of each citizen, and in particular of the more vulnerable, the very foundations of a state based on law are undermined....’81 " (C 2273).
Second, there are those who admit that the law should protect the right to life and that unborn children are human beings, but deny that human beings have the right to life (the second premise). This is a very serious moral error.
It is essentially the philosophy of power, of "might makes right." Those in power - doctors, mothers, legislators, adults - decree the right to kill those who lack the power to defend themselves: the smallest, most vulnerable, and most innocent of all human beings. No good reason can justify this decree; a good end does not justify an intrinsically evil means. If the babies shared the powers of the abortionists and could fight back with scalpels, there would be few abortions.
Third, there are those who admit that the law should protect the right to life and that all humans have that right, but deny that unborn children are humans (the third premise). This is a serious factual and scientific error.
Before Roe v. Wade legalized abortion, all science texts taught the biological understanding that the life of any individual of any species begins at conception, when sperm and ovum unite to create a new being with its own complete and unique genetic code, distinct from both father and mother. All growth and development from then on is a matter of degree, a gradual unfolding of what is already there. There is no specific or distinct point in our development when we become human. (What were we before that, birds?) Only when abortion became legal did the science textbooks change their language and cease teaching this understanding - not because of any new science but because of a new politics.
(This article was excerpted from the Luke Hart series “Basics Elements of the Catholic Faith” (section 7) published by the Knights of Columbus. The series is available free of charge from New Haven. )
Elections Have Consequences
In her column “Let Common Sense Prevail”, Wanda Franz, Ph.D. President NRLC, points out that the pro-life movement must focus on getting Supreme Court justices appointed who are guided by the Constitution
In an election year, these efforts must be guided by plain common sense, as summarized in the following principles.
First, “elections have consequences.” Just recall how Bill Clinton wrecked the pro-life policies of his presidential predecessors, how he gave us judges such as Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Second, “there are no ideal candidates for political office”—or, at best, very few of them. Anyone who thinks that one day there will be a majority of saints running Capitol Hill is foolish.
Third, “the point is not to make a statement but a difference”—more accurately, a positive difference.
Fourth, “don’t fall in love with your candidate.” We all know candidates who are 100% pro-lifers, but have no chance of getting elected. …..close ranks behind the pro-life winner and support him in the general election.
Fifth, “the perfect is the enemy of the good.” By insisting on the unattainable we may lose the attainable. And when we lose as pro-lifers, babies die. The thing about pro-life common sense is that it compels you to act, instead of pontificating about your “principles.” Act
In an election year, these efforts must be guided by plain common sense, as summarized in the following principles.
First, “elections have consequences.” Just recall how Bill Clinton wrecked the pro-life policies of his presidential predecessors, how he gave us judges such as Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Second, “there are no ideal candidates for political office”—or, at best, very few of them. Anyone who thinks that one day there will be a majority of saints running Capitol Hill is foolish.
Third, “the point is not to make a statement but a difference”—more accurately, a positive difference.
Fourth, “don’t fall in love with your candidate.” We all know candidates who are 100% pro-lifers, but have no chance of getting elected. …..close ranks behind the pro-life winner and support him in the general election.
Fifth, “the perfect is the enemy of the good.” By insisting on the unattainable we may lose the attainable. And when we lose as pro-lifers, babies die. The thing about pro-life common sense is that it compels you to act, instead of pontificating about your “principles.” Act
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