LifeNet

Cardinal Dolan: "If You Want ‘Inclusion,’ I’ve Got a List"

From an guest column by Cardinal Dolan last week in the Wall Street Journal. The Cardinal won't mind us posting this ... Mostly excerpted below the link.

If You Want ‘Inclusion,’ I’ve Got a List

I am proud that my country and my church are both committed to the noble ideal of inclusion. ... We couldn’t dare to claim to be “one nation under God” if it were otherwise.

Yet society and the church are falling short of this noble ideal. By accepting one dominant cultural narrative that presumes to define those who are “excluded,” we are ignoring those who don’t tidily fit into the prevailing cultural story line. Want some examples?

• Moms and dads in lifelong, life-giving marriage, cherishing a large number of children, who are routinely ridiculed and regularly stereotyped as threatening to the planet.

• Fragile unborn babies, who have no legal protection in most states, with all of us forced to pay for the taking of their lives.

• Parents, especially struggling ones, who must pay constantly increasing taxes to support monopoly government schools and who are denied the right to use tax dollars to send their children to the schools of their choice.

• Citizens who for ethical reasons can’t obey the tidal wave of bureaucratic decrees on healthcare and are forced to choose between their consciences and their jobs.

• A gay person trying his best, with God’s grace, to live according to biblical teaching, who hears church leaders call that morality unjust and oppressive.

• Immigrants who came to this country eager to work in the belief that America was a sanctuary but who can’t get a labor permit and are treated with scorn.

• A woman who chooses to give birth to a baby while worried by hints and even outright threats that she’ll lose her job.

• Young people who are spiritually thirsty for a sense of awe, reverence and transcendence but who have difficulty finding a church to satisfy their needs.

• Relief agencies labeled as lawbreakers by members of Congress for welcoming, feeding and housing refugees.

• Our beloved elders near the end of life, who are coaxed into feeling useless, a burden, with euthanasia the answer.

• Folks who want only inspiration, encouragement and clear teaching from their pastors and religious leaders, but who instead must listen to dissent every Sabbath.

• Cops who face danger daily, who see their colleagues killed and wounded, their resources shrinking, and the criminals they apprehend released in an hour.

• Elderly people who are scared to take the bus or subway, or to walk down the block for milk and bread.

• Parents who worked two jobs and saved for decades to send their children to college, and struggled to pay back the loans they had to take, only to see their neighbors with weekend homes have their loans forgiven.

These good people tell us they are also marginalized and excluded. Rarely do I find them bitter, angry or judgmental. They, too, want a society that is inclusive—not merely for the groups now chic to defend, but for all.

 

Presentation: "Authentic Manhood and the Pro-Life Movement"

The information - and note the March 25th Gift of Life Walk in NYC.

Results of the Michigan trial of six Red Rose Rescue participants

This trial was held at the 46th District Court in Southfield, Michigan before Judge Cynthia Arvant for a Red Rose Rescue that took place on 23 April 2022. The rescuers arrested for their intervention on behalf of the innocent are Fr. Fidelis Moscinski, Laura Gies, Dr. Monica Miller, Elizabeth Wagi, Jacob Gregor, & Matthew Connolly.

Below is from the Red Rose Rescue facebook page. It is a long posting so we are simply putting up the link. Of special interest: the testimony of Fr. Fidelis and the herculean efforts of the defense attorney.

Go here - it's a bit easier to read. ->  Southfield Michigan Red Rose Rescue Trial Day 4.

 

KC Chiefs field goal kicker's "pro-life example is a lesson in Christian courage"

Harrison Butker, who was wearing a scapular when he kicked the winning field goal in the Super Bowl (picture below) is not afraid to express his pro-life views.

Last July, Butker laid his reputation on the line when, in an ad campaign put out by Catholic Vote, he endorsed the pro-life ballot measure known as the Value Them Both Amendment to improve the Kansas constitution. The proposed amendment, to which residents of Kansas tragically voted “no” in August, would have overturned the Kansas Supreme Court decision in 2019 to enshrine abortion as a “right” under the constitution under the guise of personal autonomy.

Despite the opposition to his campaign, Butker once again took a stand for life following the ballot movement’s failure, speaking out against the “terrible legislation” that allows for the unborn to remain unprotected and observing that Kansas could have become “a place where all children are valued at every stage of life.” 

“When the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that the meaning of life in the Kansas Constitution refers only to those outside the womb, they left those without a voice to be targeted by terrible legislation and outside forces,” he wrote. “The only way to defend the unborn, protecting the Sanctity of Life, is to amend the Kansas Constitution.”

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While some might fail to see the significance in Butker’s support of a failed pro-life campaign, it is important to remember just how strongly today’s cancel culture criticizes and condemns those who stand up against the set narrative. Given the massive backlash following the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, for example, Butker’s continued dedication to the pro-life cause, as a man who has everything to lose, exemplifies a deep moral courage and a firm commitment to truth that Christians everywhere can learn from and ought to imitate in our own daily lives. 

 

From the Catholic League - Fact Sheet on "Jane's Revenge"

 

Jane's Revenge Fact Sheet

Overview

Jane's Revenge is a militant group of pro-abortion extremists. They use the tactics of
domestic terrorism to target pro-life activists, many of whom are Catholic. They
frequently employ incendiary bombs, vandalism, and other forms of property destruction
to intimidate those they disagree with.
Targeting Catholics and Other People of Faith
The blog for Jane's Revenge is littered with bombastic statements that demonstrate great
euphoria for the organization's violence. These screeds joyously recount the carnage and
mayhem the organization has caused while calling for more destruction. Many display an
obvious animus for pro-life activists, especially Catholics and other people of faith.

On May 30, 2022, Jane's Revenge attacked a Catholic pro-life pregnancy resource center in Hollywood, FL.
On June 2, 2022, Jane's Revenge attacked a Christian pro-life ministry in Des Moines,
IA. One of the phrases spray painted on the facility read, "God loves abortion."
On June 7, 2022, Jane's Revenge fire-bombed a Christian pro-life ministry in Amherst,
NY.
In a letter dated June 16, 2022, Representative Michael Guest (R-MI) noted that Jane's
Revenge attacks often come with threatening messages such as "'Jane was here;' 'Abort the church;' and 'If abortions aren't safe, you aren't either.'"
On June 25, 2022, Jane's Revenge attacked a pregnancy resource center in Lynchburg,
VA. According to Jane's Revenge, it chose to attack this location because "Lynchburg is
a hotbed of Christian fascism" as it is the home of Liberty University.
On June 25, 2022, Meta, Facebook's parent company, circulated an internal memo that
designated the abortion rights group Jane’s Revenge as a terrorist organization for their
many attacks on pro-life activists and other people of faith.
On June 26, 2022, Jane's Revenge recounted the destruction of the organization's "night of rage." The group threatened that these acts of violence were just the beginning and specifically warns "Christian extremists" that more "is in store for you."
On June 26, 2022, Jane's Revenge allegedly vandalized the sign of All Saints Parish with the phrase "If abortions aren't safe neither are you xoxo Jane" in Portland, OR.

Acts of Violence
May 8, 2022: Madison, WI—Jane's Revenge claimed responsibility for firebombing the
offices of Wisconsin Family Action.
May 14, 2022: Reisterstown, MD—Jane's Revenge claimed responsibility for
vandalizing Alpha Pregnancy Center.
May 25, 2022: Lynnwood, WA—Jane's Revenge claimed responsibility for vandalizing
Next Steps Pregnancy Services.
May 30, 2022: Eugene, OR—Jane's Revenge claimed responsibility for vandalizing
Dove Medical Center, a pregnancy resource center.
May 30, 2022: Hollywood, FL—Jane's Revenge claimed responsibility for vandalizing
the Respect Life Office, a pregnancy resource center run by the Archdiocese of Miami.
June 2, 2022: Des Moines, IA—Jane's Revenge claimed responsibility for vandalizing
Agape Pregnancy Resource Center.
June 2, 2022: Washington, DC—Jane's Revenge claimed responsibility for vandalizing
Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center.
June 7, 2022: Amherst, NY—Jane's Revenge claimed responsibility for firebombing
CompassCare, a pregnancy resource center.
June 7, 2022: Asheville, NC—Jane's Revenge allegedly vandalized Mountain Area
Pregnancy Services.
June 8, 2022: Vancouver, WA—Jane's Revenge claimed responsibility for vandalizing
Options360 Women's Clinic, a pregnancy resource center.
June 10, 2022: Gresham, OR—Jane's Revenge allegedly firebombed First Image, a
pregnancy resource center.
June 14, 2022: Minneapolis, MN—Jane's Revenge allegedly vandalized Minnesota
Citizens for Life.
June 19, 2022: Dearborn Heights, MI—Jane's Revenge allegedly vandalized Lennon
Pregnancy Center.
June 19, 2022: Redford, MI—Jane's Revenge claimed responsibility for vandalizing
Pregnancy Care Center.
June 21, 2022: Jackson, MI—Jane's Revenge allegedly vandalized the offices of
Representative Tim Walberg and the Jackson Right to Life.

June 25, 2022: Paso Robles, CA—Jane's Revenge allegedly vandalized the Tree of Life
Pregnancy Center.
June 25, 2022: Longmont, CO—Jane's Revenge allegedly firebombed Life Choices, a
pregnancy resource center.
June 25, 2022: Winter Haven, FL—Jane's Revenge allegedly vandalized the Life Choice
Pregnancy Center.
June 25, 2022: Lynchburg, VA—Jane's Revenge allegedly vandalized Blue Ridge
Pregnancy Center.
June 26, 2022: Portland, OR—Jane's Revenge allegedly vandalized All Saints Parish.
June 27, 2022: Burlington, VT—Jane's Revenge claimed responsibility for vandalizing a
pregnancy resource center.
June 29, 2022: Everett,WA—Jane's Revenge claimed responsibility for firebombing a
pregnancy resource center.
July 3, 2022: Hialeah, FL—Jane's Revenge allegedly vandalized the Pregnancy Help
Medical Clinics.
July 3, 2022: Southfield, MI—Jane's Revenge claimed responsibility for vandalizing
Mother and Unborn Baby Care.
July 5, 2022: St. Paul, MN—Jane's Revenge allegedly vandalized Birthright, a
pregnancy resource center.
July 8, 2022: Worcester, MA—Jane's Revenge claimed responsibility for vandalizing
Problem Pregnancy and Clearway Clinic.

Department of Justice's Response

In 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) did not charge a single person in connection to any of the attacks by Jane's Revenge. Meanwhile, the DOJ's Civil Rights Division has
charged 26 pro-life individuals with Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act
violations. There have been few FACE Act violators charged in recent years. In 2021, there were four individuals charged. In 2020, there was only one. In 2019, there were two. In 2018,there was one. From 2011 to 2017, there was a total of nine people charged with FACE Act Violations.

The Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at DOJ is Kristen Clarke. She is a vocal
proponent of abortion who has repeatedly expressed her support for preserving Roe v.
Wade, and she also oversees investigations into violations of the FACE Act.
Clarke has called Alliance Defending Freedom a "hate group" and Liberty University a
"fundamentalist Christian school." She has submitted testimony to the Senate that Amy
Coney Barrett was unfit to serve as a justice because she would likely rule to overturn
Roe v. Wade. She has frequently criticized pro-life laws and courts that upheld them. She has branded a law protecting Down Syndrome babies "draconian."
Serving under Clarke in DOJ's Civil Rights Division is Associate Attorney General
Vanita Gupta. At an event celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Division,
Gupta portrayed the overturning of Roe v. Wade as a "devastating blow to women
throughout the country" that took away "the constitutional right to abortion" and
increased "the urgency" of the DOJ's work—including the "enforcement of the FACE
Act, to ensure continued lawful access to reproductive services."
While the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been part of several of the
investigations regarding the attacks made by Jane's Revenge, the FBI's involvement did
not lead to any charges being filed in 2022. Several of the pro-life organizations have
complained about the FBI's less than enthusiastic investigations. Conversely, the FBI
showed great zeal in arresting several of the 26 pro-life activists charged in 2022 with
FACE Act violations. Possibly out of fear of Congressional oversight, on January 24, 2023, Caleb Freestone and Amber Smith-Stewart were indicted by a federal grand jury in Florida for attacks on pregnancy resource centers in Winter Haven, Hollywood and Hialeah by Jane's Revenge. Both also appear to be affiliated with Antifa. However, even though these acts of domestic terrorism have occurred across the country, these are the only two indictments of anyone affiliated with Jane's Revenge.

Two reports on Long Island NY Red Rose Rescues and trials.

You have to hit the links for the complete stories.

The first is published in the National Catholic Register.

Hempstead:

Father Fidelis Defends the Truth, and Pays the Price. Father Fidelis Moscinski’s courageous actions in living out the faith challenge me to always grow deeper in trust of God.

“To live in truth is the basic minimum of human dignity, even if the price to defend the truth can be costly. You need to always remain faithful to the truth. Truth can never be betrayed.” —Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko

On Jan. 23, I went to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York for the trial of Father Fidelis Moscinski, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, who was charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act at Planned Parenthood in Hempstead, Long Island. As I watched the trial unfold, it struck me that although the prosecutors presented the physical facts in what Father had done, the truth of what actually takes place inside Planned Parenthood was, as usual, hidden under “reproductive health care” and the continued denial of the harm abortion does to women and families. 

In July 2022, Father placed bicycle locks on the gates of the Planned Parenthood in the hopes of keeping the clinic closed. His goal was to speak to the women coming in for an abortion and offer them resources that would allow them to keep their babies. The locks were eventually cut by the fire department, at which time Father laid down in front of the fence for a short while until the time of his arrest. The original charge was for an ordinance violation, which was then changed to a misdemeanor FACE charge.

And this is for a three person Manhasset RRR. Off the Red Rose Facebook page. Again, hit the link for the complete story.

        "Guilty"

The judge asked Laura Gies to rise, and Moroney then read the charge of "Obstructing Government Administration" in the second degree, then asked the captain their verdict:

"Guilty."

Next the judge read the charge for "Trespass Violation," and the response was:

"Guilty."

Attorney Elio Forcina refused the request to have the jury polled.

Fr. Fidelis arose to receive the same two "guilty" verdicts, followed by John Hinshaw who, standing before the jury, likewise received identical verdicts for each charge of "Obstructing Government Administration" in the second degree, and the "Trespass Violation."

Mr. Soffey, counsel for Fr. Fidelis and John, asked the jury to be polled. So the judge asked each of the six jurors, two women and four men, to individually verbalize their decision.

Twelve somberly spoken words of "guilty" sounded out in the hushed court as each juror pronounced their unfortunate and unjust decisions for each rescuer.

The judge then thanked the jury and her staff and the attorneys for their service, and noted that the whole process of the trial was "run smooth and efficiently."

This brought to the mind of the author just how "smooth and efficiently" abortion mills over the years have been butchering babies by the millions.

40 thoughtful signs- many handmade - at the March for Life

Not a sign ... but Tony Dungy - who won Super Bowl rings as both a player and coach and is currently an NBC football analyst  - spoke at the March with his wife. They have 11 children, eight of whom are adopted.

 

Meanwhile - a bonus - at the Renaissance Hotel, March for Life HQ, well over80 vendors, including this -

And having finished the March ...

Two articles: Mark Houck not guilty on both phony FACE charges outside Planned Parenthood

The first article is from LIfeNews with a link that is available for anyone. The second is Bill McGurn's column in the Wall Street Journal. The WSJ has a paywall so we've excerpted most of the column - McGurn won't mind.

A Philadelphia jury has found pro-life father Mark Houck not guilty on both counts in the case of the bogus charges the Biden administration filed against him. Houck is facing bogus charges that he violated the federal FACE law when he was helping women outside an abortion center. An abortion business escort accosted and bullied his son and Houck stepped in to stop it – and, in doing so, the older abortion center volunteer fell down. Houck could have faced over a decade in prison if he was found guilty.

“Mark and his family are now free of the cloud that the Biden administration threw upon them. We took on Goliath – the full might of the United States government – and won,” he said.

Breen added: “The jury saw through and rejected the prosecution’s discriminatory case, which was harassment from day one. This is a win for Mark and the entire pro-life movement. The Biden Department of Justice’s intimidation against pro-life people and people of faith has been put in its place.”

During the trial, Houck delivered strong, clear testimony about what really happened on October 13, 2021 and testified that the two incidents that day were caused by the aggressive actions of now-former clinic escort Bruce Love.

*************************

Andrew Bath of the Thomas More Center, a pro-life legal group, described what was at stake in the case.

“I don’t know how anyone could hear what we’ve heard over the past few days and think that Mark deserves to be in prison. I don’t know how anyone could watch this grueling trial and think that Bruce Love was a helpless victim and Mark a violent monster. And I don’t know how anyone could hear the moving and courageous testimony of young Mark Jr. and come away with their hearts hardened against his father. As Brian McMonagle told the jury, “This case is about a father’s love for his child.”

“I truly believe that we’ve sent a message to Biden’s DOJ and the abortion industry that, despite all their money and power, they can’t get away with abusing government power to destroy the lives of heroic sidewalk counselors without triggering a confrontation with the Thomas More Society,” he added.

And here is the WSJ column -

Justice for Mark Houck: A pro-life father is acquitted on charges that he interfered with abortion access.

This was a case that never should have been brought. U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert suggested as much when he asked the prosecutor whether federal law didn’t “seem to be stretched a little thin here.” The FBI’s decision to arrest Mr. Houck as though he were John Dillinger also suggested a political stunt.

Mr. Houck is a pro-life “sidewalk counselor” who for years has prayed and protested outside the Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center, a Planned Parenthood clinic in Philadelphia. His goal is to try to persuade women entering the clinic not to go through with their abortions. That is also his constitutional right.

But in 1994 Congress passed the Face Act, which makes it a crime to intimidate or use force to interfere with an abortion provider or a woman seeking an abortion. Prosecutors allege Mr. Houck violated the act when, in two separate instances on Oct. 13, 2021, he shoved volunteer clinic escort Bruce Love.

That much everyone agreed on. But in court, Messrs. Love and Houck offered different versions of events. Mr. Love, now 73, claimed he was twice shoved to the ground without any provocation. Mr. Houck said he pushed Mr. Love because he was harassing his 12-year-old son, Mark Jr., saying crude things to him.

The dispute cut to the heart of intent. If Mr. Houck shoved Mr. Love to interfere with the provision of an abortion, he violated the Face Act. But if Mr. Houck shoved Mr. Love because he was harassing his son, it was a streetside altercation that never should have become a federal case.

In this light, it’s worth noting last week’s admission by the CEO for Planned Parenthood Southeast Pennsylvania, Dayle Steinberg. Ms. Steinberg testified that she’d sent an email about a week after the incident recommending that Mr. Love not serve as an escort “while this case is in litigation.” She noted that Mr. Love had a problem following the clinic’s “non-engagement” policy—even though he was spoken to “on numerous occasions.”

Whatever the reason Mr. Krasner’s office didn’t prosecute, the FBI didn’t arrest this public enemy until Sept. 23, 2022—almost a full year after the altercation.

The FBI came to Mr. Houck’s home as though he were a violent gangster. His wife, Ryan-Marie, said a SWAT team of about 25-30 armed agents arrived around 7 a.m. The FBI disputes details of her account. They deny it was an actual SWAT team and insist that Mrs. Houck’s estimate of the number of agents is an “overstatement.” But the bureau also refused to say exactly how many armed agents there were.

And whether these armed agents were a SWAT team is beside the point. The question is: Was this show of force justified for a man who was never a threat or flight risk? On top of it all, one of Mr. Houck’s team of lawyers at the Thomas More Society, Matt Heffron, had emailed the assistant U.S. attorney in June saying Mr. Houck would accept a summons to surrender himself.

On the evidence, the raid appeared calculated to send a political message. It was less than two months before the midterm elections. Many saw it that way. In October 2022, 11 U.S. senators and 29 members of Congress sent a letter to FBI Director Chris Wray asking if the raid on Mr. Houck was an example of “weaponiz[ing] the power of federal law enforcement . . . against pro-life Americans based solely on their beliefs.”

Good question. Ever since Joe Biden’s victory speech in 2020 promising to “heal” and “unify” America, he has called his political opponents “extremists” and accused them of being a “threat to democracy.” Recall the letter he got from the National School Boards Association equating angry parents with “domestic terrorism.” Mr. Biden didn’t dismiss the letter as he should have. Instead he had Mr. Garland ask the FBI to look into the supposed threats.

Mark Houck’s position on abortion makes him unwelcome at the commanding heights of American culture. But it is precisely the unpopular defendant that is most at risk of political prosecution.

Six pictures - the Vigil Mass before the March for Life, at the DC Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

The Basilica was literally wall to wall. Mostly young, with people in the side altars watching the main altar by closed circuit. At the end of the Mass there was a Eucharistic Procession around the Basilica to begin the Holy Hour. The Basilica upper church official capacity is 9,000. Judging by the number of standees, there were 10,000 to 11,000 attendees.

Note the umbrella or awning above the Bishop carrying the Monstrance.

There were dozens of West Point cadets at the Vigil.

Coming soon - two dozen great signs - many handmade - at the March!

Fr. Fidelis found guilty of violating FACE law on Long Island; potential 6 months in prison

Here is an extensive article from Lifenews - hit the link for the entire article. Note the last excerpted paragraph quotes the founder of PAAU. The acronym stands for Progressive Anti Abortion Uprising and they are a left wing prolife (and growing with a turnout at this past Friday's March for Life) organization.

 Father Fidelis Moscinski was found guilty of a federal FACE violation for an alleged “lock and block” rescue at a Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Hempstead, NY on July 7, 2022. According to court testimony, during the one-man rescue action Father Fidelis placed multiple locks on the gate leading into the only entrance of the Planned Parenthood facility. Once the locks were cut off by the local fire department, Father Fidelis physically lay in the driveway obstructing cars before being taken into custody by local police.

The defense argued that, because the rescue resulted in only a 10 minute traffic obstruction, it should be treated as a local misdemeanor and should not be prosecution, noting that there were no complaints from patients entering Planned Parenthood that day.

Jennifer Bono, Director of health center operations at the Planned Parenthood in question located at 540 Fulton Avenue contradicted herself when she said there were complaints, when earlier she had told the FBI there were none.

Defense attorneys also argued that the government was discriminating against Father Fidelis based on his viewpoint — which the judge ignored.

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Terrisa Bukovinac, founder and executive director of PAAU, a pro-life group for liberals, told LifeNews, “It is outrageous that the FACE Act is still being employed to target pro-life activism in a post Roe vs. Wade America. There is no federal right to an abortion! Father Fidelis is a hero for putting his body in between the babies and their killer and we encourage others to do the same.”