LifeNet

Outstanding Family Life Conference honors Cardinal O'Connor

On Saturday, March 27, St. Joseph Seminary hosted the annual Archdiocese of New York Family Life Conference, honoring in 2010 the legacy of Cardinal O'Connor as we approach the 10th anniversary of his death on May 3rd.

The conference began with this beautiful prayer, composed by Sister Lucy Marie Vasile, S.V.:

Lord Jesus Christ, desire of every human heart, make us instruments of Your grace and effective messengers of the Gospel of Life to all those whom we come in contact with. We pray that You pour out Your Holy spirit upon us, and bless our efforts this day, so that they may bear fruit in the lives and hearts of many, in order to bring about a culture of life and a civilization of love in our land.

We pray especially this day to learn from and be inspired by the life, example, and legacy of Cardinal O'Connor - like him, may we work and pray tirelessly until our dying breath so that all human life might be revered as a sacred gift from Almighty God.

May we be mindful of what he taught us, that we are not simply pro-life, we are pro the mystery of life, pro the wonder of life, pro the joy of life. May we be courageous, as he was, in bringing this Gospel of Life to the heart of every man and woman and to make it penetrate every part of society. We entrust all families and the cause of life to the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, our merciful Mother. We ask all of this in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

The crowd of over 500 required holding the conference in the Seminary gym for the first time in several years.

Speakers included New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan; Mrs. Helen Alvare, the past spokesperson for the American Catholic bishops and currently a professor at George Mason University; Fr. Charles P. Connor, Ph.D., historian for the Diocese of Scranton, noted author and co-producer of several series on EWTN; and Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, S.V., Superior General of the Sisters of Life.

All four speakers were outstanding!

Archbishop Dolan addressed the Conference for 20 minutes, starting at 10 a.m.

He affectionately spoke of Cardinal O'Connor as an outstanding "priest, bishop, and churchman" who was responsible for a revival of the "spirit of Catholic pride, confidence, and moral clarity" in the Church in New York and beyond. He spoke of two prophets: Pope John Paul II, a prophet for the Universal Church who called the faithful to be "counter-cultural", as he personally and charismatically "reinvigorated and recreated" the pro-life movement. Cardinal O'Connor was the second, a prophet of the Church in the U.S. who championed the respect life cause as a "heroic apostle for life," one of whose crowning accomplishments was the founding of the religious order of the Sisters of Life.

Helen Alvare then shared personal memories of her time working as the point woman in the nineties for the Bishops on pro-life issues, and she observed that John Paul II and Cardinal O'Connor were given as gifts during a most negative legislative and cultural period. They both saw themselves as servants, a role where leadership is seen as gift, not possession.

 
Commenting on the current legislative and cultural scene, Helen said the fact is that "we're here stronger than ever despite hurdles". Other points: abortion advocacy is still not mainstream, with groups not as "out there" to promote abortion; abortion is not a story of freedom and progress but unhappy tales with "old 60s feminism" seen today as a negative. We, on the other hand, take the "body" seriously - the body means something, which is why we fight for traditional marriage while not advocating discrimination against homosexuals. We are consistent with regard to capital punishment; science gives us a window into the womb that we cannot ignore, with celebrity Moms and babies the latest fashion. On the current healthcare continuing debate: tell the truth; she quoted Cardinal George's letter, "we want everyone to have good healthcare and no one killed by the system". 

She also expressed an opinion that Speaker Pelosi misled Bart Stupak to get him on board for healthcare, telling him she had the votes and he could either settle for an executive order, or come away with nothing. Helen's point: be pro-life to the end - not almost.

Fr. Charles P. Connor addressed the "transforming element" that was Cardinal O'Connor. He spoke about his receiving the Congressional Gold Medal  and about Mary O'Connor Ward (the Cardinal's sister) who wrote how "clearly and unambiguously" he would teach Catholic doctrine and on pro-life matters. He defied labels like "liberal or conservative". When questioned about the rose lapel pin he wore, the Cardinal said it represented "all the roses not allowed to grow." On personhood, the decision to be made is "who shall live or die?" He was accused of being a one-issue bishop, despite his remarkable record across the board. As Bishop of Scranton, John O'Connor would say on life there is "no compromise".

Fr. Connor spoke about Pope Leo the XIII's letter in 1885 regarding public and private conscience and to be morally consistent, as opposed to the familiar statement today on abortion "personally opposed, but...". Fr. Connor quoted the late Fr. Richard Neuhaus who spoke to a Vanity Fair article quote, "O'Connor is a fanatic...the most effective...most dangerous...for the masses."

Fr. Connor called the crowd to contemplation and activity for a culture of life.

Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, S.V., the Superior General of the Sisters of Life reflected on the spirituality of Cardinal O'Connor and his establishment of the Sisters of Life. They began with only 8 young women and now have 69 sisters.

Sister spoke of the spirituality of Cardinal O'Connor, touching on three elements. Eucharistic - he was intimately connected to the person and privilege of Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist. Marian - he was unselfconsciously connected in prayer to God's mother. Ecclesial - "I am a churchman" he would say as he connected all he did to the Mystical Body of Christ and to the heart of the Church. He saw the Mass as the great act of contemplation. 

Mother Agnes quoted from his writings about his experiences as a US Navy chaplain in Okinawa and told us how a personal experience visiting Dachau shaped his adult life and his determination to promote the sacredness of all life, from the womb until natural death. This experience became his inspiration for the new religious order and his charism of life reflected in the Sisters of Life. Mother told us that he possessed the gifts of preaching, teaching, counsel, spiritual vision, prophesy, fearless love, and Christian personalism. He saw every person as a unique and specific reflection of God: "He made you because he loves you."

Mother Agnes says farewell to Archbishop Dolan as he leaves the Conference.

Sr. Mary Elizabeth and Sr. Lucy Marie Vasile's smiles say it all! Thanks for a great day!

Great coverage of Lima, Peru March for Life

Thanks to Chris Bell of Good Counsel Homes for forwarding us these videos. Give thanks for the prophetic activity of Miss Nellie Gray for starting the original March for Life in Washington, D.C., which is now growing world-wide.

Here's the invitation video for the March held on March 20th - very amusing and touching!

Here is video of the actual March with 20,000 participants.

Fr. Paul Marx, founder and long time head of Human Life International

Father died at the age of 89, on March 20th, and was buried last Friday. He was AWESOME, just a great man.

Fr. Thomas Euteneuer, the current head of Human Life International, called LifeSiteNews today with the news of Fr. Marx's death and stated the following about his organization's founder:

"Because of Fr. Paul Marx, the world has a pro-life movement. He travelled 3 million miles to over 90 countries and was like the Johnney Appleseed of the pro-life movement planting pro-life groups everywhere he went. Pope John Paul II called him the apostle of life with good reason. We miss him terribly but we pray that he has entered into the fullness of life for which he worked so hard in this world."

Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life also issued a statement on the 21st. about the passing of the great pro-life priest:

"I just learned with sorrow of the death of one of the world's greatest pro-life advocates, Fr. Paul Marx, OSB.

"Fr. Marx was, first and foremost, a priest who was not afraid to be a prophet. He knew that his mission in bearing witness to the Gospel and in fostering love of God and neighbor compelled him to speak up for our smallest neighbors, those in the first moments and weeks of life. He undertook countless initiatives, made seemingly endless trips, gave innumerable talks, wrote a warehouse of articles and books, and inspired countless people in the effort to build a Culture of Life.

"I first came to know Fr. Marx through his founding and leadership of Human Life International and the remarkable conferences he held for pro-life advocates around the world. He was always a clear reminder to his brother priests that we should never be afraid to speak about abortion, contraception, and the beauty of human sexuality as taught by the Church. All of us at Priests for Life are grateful for the strong encouragement he gave to our ministry. We will pray not only for the repose of his soul, but for the continued fruit of his labors in the minds and hearts of so many people and in the policies of so many nations."

Population Research Institutue,another group Father Marx was closely associated with, has posted a memorial page where anyone can leave condolences Fr. Marx, in Memoriam

Planned Parenthood head thanks the 55 NETWORK sisters who came out in support of the Obamacare bill.

One has to wonder (1) what orders did the sisters belong to and (2) how are they doing for vocations?

Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards has praised the Catholic religious sisters who endorsed the Senate health care bill, claiming they deserve gratitude for making “a critical demonstration of support” for a bill that significantly increased coverage of “reproductive health care.”

... she also said the bill was a “huge victory for women’s reproductive health” because it significantly increased insurance coverage of “reproductive health care, including family planning.”

“Reproductive health care” and “women’s rights” are euphemisms common among abortion advocates.

Richards, the daughter of former Democratic Texas governor Ann Richards, noted that some in Congress opposed her agenda.

“The simple and discouraging truth is that we have an anti-choice House of Representatives,” she claimed.

At the end, some pro-life Democrats did hold fast

Remember, 34 Democrats voted against the healthcare bill in the House.

Pro-Life Democrat Who Split With Stupak Pans Obama Abortion Executive Order

Congressman Dan Lipinski of Illinois had been a member of the Stupak dozen but joined a few other pro-life Democrats in splitting with Rep. Bart Stupak.

Although Stupak made the deal to trade his and a handful of votes from other pro-life Democrats -- ensuring passage of the pro-abortion bill -- Lipinski stood his ground.

"It was rather lonely, yes," Lipinski told the Chicago Tribune this weekend about voting against the pro-abortion health care bill after other pro-life Democrats compromised. "But I could not vote for a bill that would change the status quo on funding for abortion."

Lipinski also indicated he thinks the executive order Obama signed will eventually be overturned in court and that it won't truly ban abortion funding.

"People have asked me, ‘If it was good enough for Stupak, why wasn't it good enough for you?'" Lipinski said. "The executive order most likely will be overturned by the federal courts. The order does not trump the law."

That's the same analysis leading pro-life groups have put forward about the lack of effectiveness of the Obama order.

Lipinski told the Tribune that he will continue advocating the pro-life perspective.

"It's not just about being against something, it's believing that every individual deserves dignity and respect, whoever they are, at whatever stage of life they're in," Lipinski said. "That is something I hear my Democratic colleagues say. And I say that it's self-evident that the individual is there at conception."

We should contact Lipinski's office and thank him. go here to contact him: Congressman Daniel Lipinski

Obamacare

The passage of the Obama healthcare package chills every chamber of the heart.

 

Many aspects of this destructive piece of legislation defy reason, but sadly not purpose. Its purpose was evidently clear and particularly dire; its process sought to ignore the will of the people and the dictates of our Constitution. This Administration continues to incrementally undermine our nation’s founding principles, as this bill attests. Real healthcare “needs” in it are dwarfed by the losses created in its wake – in the budget, the long-term deficit, in the loss of honor and integrity of the President and Congressional leaders in the giving and receiving of bribes, and in the lives of every American, born and unborn, who will bear the burden of this ill-fashioned bill just signed into law. Democrats have placed us on a path leading away from our country’s unique and inherent identity and purpose. The American founders’ stalwart and visionary call to freedom and liberty “for ourselves and our posterity” became a beacon to the world. Our Constitutional framework and the hope it engendered for so many through the years has taken a mighty blow. Shameless egos and personal power plays held sway. Obamacare’s passage may be called a political win, but it marks an historic failure of character for its leaders entrusted with the well being of our nation. Weep again for the innocent unborn lives given no value, while leaders made cheap deals to protect their puny political palaces.

 

It is certain now that President Obama’s expanding control and entitlements seek to tether us indefinitely to a fat and growing-fatter government, while the umbilical cords of our pre-born children are increasingly severed. “Pro-life Democrat” Rep. Bart Stupak’s actions hurt all the more because he has come forward with the same bold rationale that defies the facts before our public’s eyes. The “executive order” will do little to protect human life or prevent taxpayer funding of abortions. It provides cover – a way out of a sticky situation for Mr. Stupak within his Party of Abortion. Will it be enough to give him comfort when he looks at himself in the mirror each morning? Let’s pray for Mr. Stupak.

 

Our HVCL will continue to fight to protect the most vulnerable among us – and this includes our United States of America.

 

 

Judith Anderson, Co-director

Hudson Valley Coalition for Life.

 

Statement for LifeNet

Feast of the Annunciation: new life is welcomed!

03/25/10

Very sad news. The sudden passing of Reverend Valentin Rivera

Some very sad news:  Rev. Valentin Rivera, a strong pro-life advocate from Yonkers passed away last night (Tuesday).  You may recall that

Rev. Rivera gave the opening prayer and also spoke at Mayor Amicone's Respect Life rally in January at the Polish Community Center. 

 

Reverend Rivera, on the podium at the Yonkers Rally, next to Theresa Bonopartis

 

 

 

 Rev. Rivera was a beacon of light on behalf of human life within the Yonkers community.  He will be sorely missed.  He and his family will be in our prayers.  Rev. Rivera, may you rest in the Lord's peace. 

 

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:

 

VIEWING:  Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal

Casa De Dios

205 New Main St.

Yonkers

 

Monday, March 29 -  1 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Tuesday, March 30 -  9 a.m. until 11 a.m. (followed by the burial)

 

Rev.

 

 

Michael Moore takes credit for Stupak flip-flop

We are posting this letter - sent to one of our subscribers - as a representative reminder of just how vile a significant slice of the pro-abortion lobby is. As if anyone needed to be reminded.

The multi-millionaire Moore Welcome to Michael Moore.com is the producer of such movies as Fahrenheit 9/11, Sicko, and the recently released Capitalism: A Love Story. He is a socialist (except when it comes to movie-making), and claims to be a good Catholic.

He is hugely pro-abortion, and in fact made a video years ago when he went to a New Jersey Right to Life Convention and belittled the people attending.

At 300+ pounds, he is a big lad - here he is in one of his thinner pictures -

 
But his ego is much, much bigger then his body.

This letter is a follow-up to a prior letter, titled My Congressman, Bart Stupak, has Neither a Uterus Nor a Brain  urging his fellow constituents to take on Stupak.  A sad but sobering commentary. This is how a significant slice of the pro-abortion cabal thinks.

The letter:

How the People in My District Got Stupak to Change His Mind -- and Thus Saved the Health Care Bill ...a letter from Michael Moore

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Friends,

Well, our full court press on my congressman, Bart Stupak worked! Hundreds of my neighbors here in his Michigan district spent the weekend organizing thousands of voters to get busy and save the health care bill. We called Stupak's congressional office non-stop and we got thousands of people up here to flood his email box.

And then a rare thing happened: An elected representative did what the people told him to do. It was nothing short of amazing.

Stupak, and his seven "right to life" Democrats who had said they would vote against the bill, reversed themselves after what Stupak said Sunday afternoon was a week of his staff having "really taken a pounding." Hey, all we did here in northern Michigan was let him know that we would be unceremoniously tossing him out of Congress in this August's Democratic primary. One of our group announced she would oppose him in the Dem primary. That seemed to register with him.

All of this made Stupak look pretty worn down at his press conference yesterday, pleading with people like us to stop calling his house and waking his wife "at two or three in the morning." Hey! That's not us. We never call during Carson Daly!

Obama needed 216 votes in the House last night -- and he barely got them (219 was the final number). Had Stupak not done a 180 in the last 24 hours, the health care bill would have gone down in flames. Thank you, to all of you here in northern Michigan who did what had to be done. You and you alone saved this bill in the final moments.

Stupak stood on the floor of the House last night and, in a surreal moment, spoke against the "Stupak Amendment"! Once he got through his medieval meanderings about where babies come from, he gave one helluva speech.

And, that's when Republican congressman Randy Neugebauer of Texas shouted out: "Baby killer!" Wow. I guess the fertilized egg police felt betrayed by Bart.

Those of us here in Michigan will now decide what to do about our misguided congressman. We're a forgiving lot, but maybe not this time. We shall see.

Bart, I'm glad you discovered you didn't have a uterus. And, like the scarecrow, I'm glad you found a bit of your brain.

A good night it was -- important little steps were taken to bring our country into the civilized world.

Now, we have some real work to do if we really want to say we have universal health care. The sharks who run the insurance companies have every intention of turning this lemon into some very profitable lemonade.

Yours,
Michael Moore
[email protected]
MichaelMoore.com

P.S. Someday, the Hyde Amendment is going to have to go. No Democratic president should ever agree to anything that discriminates against women.

  

Phylis Schlafly: "... the myth of the pro-life Democrat"

"Not only would an Executive Order be rendered meaningless in the face of Congress passing legislation which actively provides for the massive expansion and funding of abortion services, but anyone who doubts the abortion tsunami which awaits this bill becoming law lives in a fantasy world."

UPDATE: Vote was 219-212. 34 Democrats did vote against the bill. No republicans voted for the bill, so there was bipartisan opposition to the bill.

Democratic house party whip confirms that executive order cannot change a law

See our prior post here Statement by National Right to Life Committee on so-called abortion "deal" .

And this -

Statement by National Right to Life Committee on so-called abortion "deal"

UPDATE: Democratic house party whip confirms that executive order cannot change a law

This is not yet posted on the NRTL website - no doubt it will be there shortly. Take note of the third paragraph:

The executive order promised by President Obama was issued for political effect.  It changes nothing.  It does not correct any of the serious pro-abortion provisions in the bill.  The president cannot amend a bill by issuing an order, and the federal courts will enforce what the law says.

STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE COMMITTEE ON ABORTION "DEAL" ON HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION WASHINGTON -- (Sunday, March 21, 2010, 6 PM EDT) --  In response to today's announcement regarding an agreement between Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mi.) and President Obama on the pending health care bill (H.R. 3590), the following statement was issued by the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of right-to-life organizations in the 50 states:    The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) remains strongly opposed to the Senate-passed health bill (H.R. 3590).  A lawmaker who votes for this bill is voting to require federal agencies to subsidize and administer health plans that will pay for elective abortion, and voting to undermine longstanding pro-life policies in other ways as well.  Pro-life citizens nationwide know that this is a pro-abortion bill.  Pro-life citizens know, and they will be reminded again and again, which lawmakers deserve their gratitude for voting against this pro-abortion legislation.     The executive order promised by President Obama was issued for political effect.  It changes nothing.  It does not correct any of the serious pro-abortion provisions in the bill.  The president cannot amend a bill by issuing an order, and the federal courts will enforce what the law says.     To elaborate:  The order does not truly correct any of the seven objectionable pro-abortion provisions described in NRLC's March 19 letter to the House of Representatives, which is posted here: www.nrlc.org/AHC/NRLCToHouseOnHealthBill.pdf .  Regarding Community Health Centers (CHCs), NRLC has documented the problem created by H.R. 3590 here:  www.nrlc.org/AHC/NRLCMemoCommHealth.html. Prof. Robert Destro, a professor of law and former dean of the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America, and an expert on abortion-related litigation, has sent lawmakers a letter explaining why the bill opens the door to direct federal funding of abortion in Community Health Centers:  www.nrlc.org/ahc/DestroLetterToStupakOnCommHealthCenters.pdf . Prof. Destro clearly explains why it is the statutory language that will govern.    Regarding the new program to provide tax credits to purchase private insurance, the executive order merely tinkers with the formalities of a bookkeeping scheme under which federal subsidies will pay for plans that cover elective abortion -- a break from the longstanding principles of the Hyde Amendment.    The order does nothing at all to mitigate the other abortion-related problems described in the NRLC letter, dealing with bill provisions that create dangerous regulatory mandate authorities, revise Indian health programs, and create pools of directly appropriated funds that are not covered by existing restrictions on funding of abortion.  Nor can the order correct the omission from the pending legislation of the necessary conscience-protection language that had been included in House-passed health care legislation last November (the "Weldon language").    For additional information regarding the abortion-related components of the legislation, and NRLC's assessment of the gravity of these issues, please refer to the March 19 letter linked above, and other materials posted on the NRLC website at www.nrlc.org/AHC/Index.html.

For further questions or comments on this project, feel free to email us at [email protected]!       To contact  by phone: (202) 626-8800   To contact us by mail: National Right to Life, Inc. 512 10th St., NW Washington, DC 20004-1401

Religious sisters speak out against NETWORK and CHA endorsement of Obamacare funding of abortion

The self-decribed social justice group of sisters, NETWORK as well as the Catholic Hospital Association (CHA) have done great damage to Catholic witness against abortion. In fact they've given cover to several purportedly pro-life congressman, who've switched their votes froom NO to YES on the healthcare bill.

The NETWORK statement was signed by 55 sisters claiming to represent almost 60,000 other sisters!

Here is a statement from the Conference of Major Superiors of Women Religious strongly supporting the Bishops -

March 17, 2010

In a March 15^th statement, Cardinal Francis George, OMI, of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, spoke on behalf of the United States Bishops in opposition to the Senate’s version of the health care legislation under consideration because of its expansion of abortion funding and its lack of adequate provision for conscience protection. Recent statements from groups like Network, the Catholic Health Association and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) directly oppose the Catholic Church’s position on critical issues of health care reform.

The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, the second conference of Major Superiors of Women Religious in the United States, believes the Bishops’ position is the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church.

Protection of life and freedom of conscience are central to morally responsible judgment.  We join the bishops in seeking ethically sound legislation.

Mother Mary Quentin Sheridan, R.S.M.

President

On behalf of the Membership of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious

AND here is a statement from Sister Mary Ann Walsh, USCCB Director of Media Relations  refuting the claims:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Clarification

Washington—A recent letter from Network, a social justice lobby of sisters, grossly overstated whom they represent in a letter to Congress that was also released to media.

Network’s letter, about health care reform, was signed by a few dozen people, and despite what Network said, they do not come anywhere near representing 59,000 American sisters.

The letter had 55 signatories, some individuals, some groups of three to five persons.  One endorser signed twice.

There are 793 religious communities in the United States.

The math is clear. Network is far off the mark.

Sister Mary Ann Walsh
Director of Media Relations
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Catholic Medical Association: Obamacare funds abortion

Another confirmation.

CMA's analysis shows the Senate bill the House may vote on this weekend definitely contains abortion funding and promotion.

"The evidence is clear that the Stupak amendment is absolutely essential if massive new funding of abortion is to be prevented," it says.

Local Planned Parenthood head is happy with the pending Obamacare legislation

From yesterday's Journal News -

Don't Let Abortion Sink Healthcare Reform

... family planning services, including abortions, are exactly the type of services that should be included in any health insurance plan.

As a trusted provider of health care to millions of women and families, Planned Parenthood knows how important family planning and abortion services are in a basic insurance plan.

And the author, Reina Schiffrin president and chief executive officer, Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Hawthorne, goes on from there. Hit the link for her five reasons to not take abortion out of the health reform.

In case you missed it - here's the "Stand with Stupak" video

From catholicvote.org

Cardinal Francis George, head of Bishops Conference, on rejecting Senate health care bill

An unequivocal statment.

USCCB again critiques health care reform bill, answers Catholic Health Association

... the bishops were left disappointed and puzzled to learn that the basis for any vote on health care will be the Senate bill passed on Christmas Eve. Notwithstanding the denials and explanations of its supporters, and unlike the bill approved by the House of Representatives in November, the Senate bill deliberately excludes the language of the Hyde amendment. It expands federal funding and the role of the federal government in the provision of abortion procedures. In so doing, it forces all of us to become involved in an act that profoundly violates the conscience of many, the deliberate destruction of unwanted members of the human family still waiting to be born.

What do the bishops find so deeply disturbing about the Senate bill? The points at issue can be summarized briefly. The status quo in federal abortion policy, as reflected in the Hyde Amendment, excludes abortion from all health insurance plans receiving federal subsidies. In the Senate bill, there is the provision that only one of the proposed multi-state plans will not cover elective abortions – all other plans (including other multi-state plans) can do so, and receive federal tax credits. This means that individuals or families in complex medical circumstances will likely be forced to choose and contribute to an insurance plan that funds abortions in order to meet their particular health needs.

Further, the Senate bill authorizes and appropriates billions of dollars in new funding outside the scope of the appropriations bills covered by the Hyde amendment and similar provisions. As the bill is written, the new funds it appropriates over the next five years, for Community Health Centers for example (Sec. 10503), will be available by statute for elective abortions, even though the present regulations do conform to the Hyde amendment. Regulations, however, can be changed at will, unless they are governed by statute.

Additionally, no provision in the Senate bill incorporates the longstanding and widely supported protection for conscience regarding abortion as found in the Hyde/Weldon amendment. Moreover, neither the House nor Senate bill contains meaningful conscience protection outside the abortion context. Any final bill, to be fair to all, must retain the accommodation of the full range of religious and moral objections in the provision of health insurance and services that are contained in current law, for both individuals and institutions.

This analysis of the flaws in the legislation is not completely shared by the leaders of the Catholic Health Association. They believe, moreover, that the defects that they do recognize can be corrected after the passage of the final bill. The bishops, however, judge that the flaws are so fundamental that they vitiate the good that the bill intends to promote. Assurances that the moral objections to the legislation can be met only after the bill is passed seem a little like asking us, in Midwestern parlance, to buy a pig in a poke.

What is tragic about this turn of events is that it needn’t have happened. The status quo that has served our national consensus and respected the consciences of all with regard to abortion is the Hyde amendment. The House courageously included an amendment applying the Hyde policy to its Health Care bill passed in November. Its absence in the Senate bill and the resulting impasse are not an accident. Those in the Senate who wanted to purge the Hyde amendment from this national legislation are obstructing the reform of health care.

This is not quibbling over technicalities. The deliberate omission in the Senate Bill of the necessary language that could have taken this moral question off the table and out of play leaves us still looking for a way to meet the President’s and our concern to provide health care for those millions whose primary care physician is now an emergency room doctor. As Pope Benedict told Ambassador to the Holy See Miguel H. Diaz when he presented his credentials as the United States government’s representative to the Holy See, there is “an indissoluble bond between an ethic of life and every other aspect of social ethics.”

Two basic principles, therefore, continue to shape the concerns of the Catholic bishops: health care means taking care of the health needs of all, across the human life span; and the expansion of health care should not involve the expansion of abortion funding and of polices forcing everyone to pay for abortions. Because these principles have not been respected, despite the good that the bill under consideration intends or might achieve, the Catholic bishops regretfully hold that it must be opposed unless and until these serious moral problems are addressed.
---

Archbishop Chaput: Catholics, Health Care, and the Senate's Bad Bill

The Capuchin, Franciscan head of the Archdiocese of Denver -

Archbishop Chaput

The Senate version of health care reform currently being forced ahead by congressional leaders and the White House is a bad bill that will result in bad law. It does not deserve, nor does it have, the support of the Catholic bishops of our country. Nor does the American public want it. As I write this column on March 14, the Senate bill remains gravely flawed. It does not meet minimum moral standards in at least three important areas: the exclusion of abortion funding and services; adequate conscience protections for health care professionals and institutions; and the inclusion of immigrants.

Groups, trade associations, and publications describing themselves as “Catholic” or “prolife” that endorse the Senate version—whatever their intentions—are doing a serious disservice to the nation and to the Church, undermining the witness of the Catholic community and ensuring the failure of genuine, ethical health care reform. By their public actions, they create confusion at exactly the moment Catholics need to think clearly about the remaining issues in the health care debate. They also provide the illusion of moral cover for an unethical piece of legislation.

******

... the bishops have tried earnestly for more than seven months to work with elected officials to craft reform that would serve all Americans in a manner respecting minimum moral standards. The failure of their effort has one source. It comes entirely from the stubbornness and evasions of certain key congressional leaders, and the unwillingness of the White House to honor promises made by the president last September.

Third, the health care reform debate has never been merely a matter of party politics. Nor is it now. Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak and a number of his Democratic colleagues have shown extraordinary character in pushing for good health care reform while resisting attempts to poison it with abortion-related entitlements and other bad ideas that have nothing to do with real health care. Many Republicans share the goal of decent health care reform, even if their solutions would differ dramatically. To put it another way, few persons seriously oppose making adequate health services available for all Americans. But God, or the devil, is in the details—and by that measure, the current Senate version of health care reform is not merely defective, but also a dangerous mistake.

Catholic Bishops issue healthcare bulletin: fix or oppose

Yesterday afternoon, the USCCB contacted dioceses across the country with a new bulletin insert. The Conference realizes that most parishes will not be able to utilize the insert for this weekend. They have asked, however, that dioceses use every means of dissemination and social networking available to get this important action alert out, as action in the House is expected in days. Please do the same!

The full text of the bishops insert is below, and Here it is in pdf

USCCB NATIONWIDE BULLETIN INSERT/ACTION ALERT
Updated 3-11-2010
Stop Abortion Funding in Health Care Reform!
Protect Conscience
Ensure Affordable Health Coverage
Allow Immigrants to Purchase Private Health Insurance

As long-time advocates of health care reform, the U.S. Catholic bishops continue to make the moral case that genuine health care reform must protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. Health care reform should provide access to affordable and quality health care for all, and not advance a pro-abortion agenda in our country. Genuine health care reform is being blocked by those who insist on reversing widely supported policies against federal funding of abortion and plans which include abortion, not by those working simply to preserve these longstanding protections.

• On November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed major health care reform that reaffirms the essential, longstanding and widely supported policy against using federal funds for elective abortions and includes positive measures on affordability and immigrants.

• On December 24, the U.S. Senate rejected this policy and passed health care reform that requires federal funds to help subsidize and promote health plans that cover elective abortions. All purchasers of such plans will be required to pay for other people’s abortions through a separate payment solely to pay for abortion. And the affordability credits for very low income families purchasing private plans in a Health Insurance Exchange are inadequate and would leave families financially vulnerable.

• Outside the abortion context, neither bill has adequate conscience protection for health care providers, plans or employers.

• Congressional leaders are now trying to figure out how the rules of the House and Senate could allow the final passage of a modified bill that would satisfy disagreements between House and Senate versions.

ACTION: Contact your Representative and Senators today by e-mail, phone or FAX.

• To send a pre-written, instant e-mail to Congress go to www.usccb.org/action.

• Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your Members’ local offices.
Contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at www.house.gov & www.senate.gov.

MESSAGE – HOUSE:
“I am pleased that the House health care bill maintains the longstanding policy against federal funding of abortion. On the other hand, the provisions on abortion funding in the current un-amended Senate health care bill are seriously deficient and unacceptable. I urge you to work to uphold essential provisions against abortion funding, to include full conscience protection and to ensure that health care is accessible and affordable for all. I urge you to oppose any bill unless and until these criteria are met.”

MESSAGE – SENATE:
“I am deeply disappointed that the current un-amended Senate health care bill fails to maintain the longstanding policy against federal funding of abortion and does not include adequate protection for conscience. I urge you to support essential provisions against abortion funding, similar to those in the House bill. Include full conscience protection and ensure that health care is accessible and affordable for all. I urge you to oppose any bill unless and until these criteria are met.”

WHEN: Votes in the House and Senate are expected at any time. Act today! Thank You!

Powerful Witnesses for Life: 'Conceived in Rape or Incest' Testimonies

"My value is not based on how I was conceived, who raised me, what other people think of my life, or even what I do with my life. I'm not a product of rape, but a child of God."  Rebecca Kiessling

The March 8th audience that packed Rory Dolan's in Yonkers, NY and that included Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone, former Mayor John Spencer and Liam McLoughlin, was transfixed as courageous "survivors" conceived in rape or incest told their stories at the pro-life event sponsored by Expectant Mother Care's Chris Slattery.

Some who came may have feared a dark evening with sordid tales of victimhood. Instead the evening rang with music, hope and faith, and affirmations of life!

The articulate panelists included

Juda Myers - an adoptee, conceived in rape, singer/songwriter, author and pro-life speaker from Texas (www.juda4praise.com) 

Tony Kiessling - conceived in rape and raised by his single mom, university science professor from Pennsylvania (www.rebeccakiessling.com/Othersconceivedinrape.html)

Rebecca Kiessling - an adoptee, conceived in rape, adoptive mother, author of Heritage House '76 pamphlet, "Conceived in Rape: A Story of Hope," family law attorney and international pro-life speaker from Michigan (www.rebeccakiessling.com)

Liz Carl - rape victim/birthmother, university student and pro-life speaker from Kentucky, active with Cardinals for Life.

Pam Stenzel - an adoptee conceived in rape, author and international abstinence speaker from Minnesota (www.pamstenzel.com)

Kristi Hofferber - an adoptee, conceived in incest, adoptive mother, pastor's wife and pro-life speaker from Illinois (www.under-his-wing.com)

Irene van der Wende - rape victim who regrets her abortion, herself conceived in violence, an anti-abortion activist and ambassador for the unborn from the Netherlands.

Tim - an adoptee, conceived in rape, his story appears here (www.rebeccakiessling.com/Othersconceivedinrape.html)

Donations were requested to benefit EMC FrontLine Pregnancy Centers that operate 12 pro-life clinics and centers in NYC, and one mobile ultrasound clinic. Founded in 1985, EMC has served 100,000 women and saved 34,000 from certain abortions (www.EMCFrontLine.org).

For other information about this event or to donate to EMC, you can write to Expectant Mother Care-EMC FrontLine Pregnancy Centers at P.O. Box 134, Bronx, NY 10470 or contact Chris Slattery directly at [email protected] or call 718.884.9210;914.224.5773.

Video: Bart Stupak on healthcare and abortion

Deal or no deal? Stupak discusses abortion and other issues in the pending legislation.

Journal News: Feature article on Fr. Frank Pavone, head of Priests for Life

An even-handed feature from the Journal News - 

Mission: Fight abortion on many fronts

Marion and her husband, Joseph, knew that the oldest of their two sons had become a pretty serious Roman Catholic, even talking about his faith during advanced-placement presentations at school. They didn't know that he was considering becoming a priest.

So Frank tagged along to the third annual March for Life. It was a disorganized gathering that attracted little notice on a biting cold day. But the influence of that march on Frank Pavone has rippled across the nation's "culture wars" for more than three decades.

"I didn't know much about abortion," he said recently. "Going to the march made me realize this wasn't a private issue, but a public issue. All these people from different backgrounds were coming to Washington to say so. It was more than a religious issue, a political issue. This was a matter of civil rights and human rights."

Pavone was ordained in 1988 and five years later took over Priests for Life, a tiny anti-abortion group with $3,000 in the bank. Today, Priests for Life is a national force with a $12 million budget, 60 full-time staffers and a leadership position atop the religious right.

Father Dan Egan, S.A. Memorial Mass at Graymoor, March 7, 11 a.m. Pilgrim Hall

Throughout his life, Father Daniel Egan, S.A. fought for the lives and dignity of men and women suffering from and in recovery from addictions. He helped society understand addiction as an illness, not a crime. John D. Harris wrote a book entitled, "The Junkie Priest" about his street ministry to addicts and his pioneering work in the field through his work in ministry, outreach, rehabilitation and education. Active until his death, Father Egan's final ministry was to AIDS/HIV patients at Highbridge-Woodycrest Center in the Bronx.

February 10th marks the tenth anniversary of the death of Father Daniel Egan,S.A. at the age of 83. March 4-5-6 is the Dan Egan Retreat Weekend at Graymoor, a retreat named in is honor, similar to the Matt Talbot Retreats. This is a fitting time and Graymoor will remember him at their regular Sunday Mass at 11 a.m., Pilgrim Hall. An exhibit in his honor will take place after Mass in the 3rd Floor Seminar Room.

Survivors Speak Out - Monday, March 8, 6-9 p.m., Rory Dolans, Yonkers

Join us for this evening of "stunning, inspirational pro-life testimonies," says Chris Slattery of Expectant Mother Care-EMC FrontLine Pregnancy Centers.

Eight symposium speakers from across the country who were survivors of rape and incest will give their personal testimonies.

Also, special guest Jerry O'Sullivan on Uileann Pipes with Irish Music interludes.

No cover charge; food and drink available for purchase. Donations to be requested for Expectant Mother Care-EMC FrontLine Pregnancy Centers.

You can register for this event at [email protected] or make an online donation at www.EMCFrontLine.org or call 718.884.9210 or 914.224.5773

Representative Bart Stupak confirms opposition to the healthcare bill by pro-life Democrats

Watch both videos -

Here is a quote from the video below:"At least 12 ... unless you fix this abortion language we can't vote for a final version of the bill"

Catholic Bishops will oppose Obama healthcare proposal as currently constituted

Go here for the full commentary.

“The bill requires each American purchasing such a plan to make a separate payment to the insurer every month, solely to pay for other people’s abortions,” Doerflinger continued, calling this an “enormous imposition” on the consciences of the millions of Americans who oppose abortion.