Pope Says Pharmacists Need to Conscientiously Object to Assisting in Abortions, Euthanasia

In a meeting with the International Federation of Catholic Pharmicists, Pope Benedict XVI called on pharmacists to recognize the full scope of human dignity and to stand up for their convictions.

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=54451

Kansas Abortion

For those who have yet to hear of Dr. George Tiller, he is the abortion provider whom the Kansas Attorney General filed charges against that made it on to the O'Reilly Factor. The Sedgick County court wouldn't hear the charges, so now 8,000 Wichitans have petitioned to have a Grand Jury trial to see if there is any evidence the Tiller has been performing illegal abortions. However, now the Kansas Supreme Court put that on hold until the middle of November.

http://www.kansas.com/611/story/211401.html

This is a little action from across the Atlantic where our friends in the UK just had their March for Life. The total babies killed since it was legal in 1967 is reported as 6.7 million.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7064964.stm

Redemptorist Priest Refuses UN Prize Money

Fr. Kocherry in New Delhi has rejected a UN Foundation prize of 646 thousand euros towards his work with Indian fisherman. He sees the money as coming from multinational companies who actually block social justice and who are interested in buying people off.

Fr. Kocherry is very straightforward with the reporter from AsiaNews as he says, “the time has come to reveal what is the true diabolical nature of the United Nations and all of its collaborators. I will go on doing what I have always done, maybe with the few resources that I have at my disposal but with a clean conscience, without falling into the trap of greed for money. We are in search of the Divine Kingdom and its justice, but we know that it’s a long and difficult process which foresees the cross”.

http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=10629&size=A

SCHIP Veto Upheld

The House voted to uphold President Bush's veto of the SCHIP bill. The government will hopefully draft another bill to reathorize this program for the poor that protects the sanctity of life. Some of the stipulations in the bill that was denied were subsidies for contraception, sterilization, and an expansion of prenatal care that would have included abortion. Planned Parenthood had been a strong supporter of the blocked legislation. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/10/20071018-4.html

Creating Life

Here is an interesting article on what some scientists are doing in their quest to create 'something that meets the criteria for life - has a metabolism, replicates and evolves'. Their plans are to use the synthetic forms to clean up oil spills and scrub the ozone. It raises some interesting questions as to what life is. They are taking different genomes and putting them together in a cell they have emptied to see it if will perform the functions listed above. I'm not a biologist, so some of the descriptions may be slightly off, but this is the gist of the story.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7041353.stm

Kansas City Planned Parenthood Charged with Unlawful Abortions and False Records

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8SB7KPG0&show_article=1

USCCB Spokeswoman Takes on Guttmacher Study

Deirdre A. McQuade, a USCCB official, spoke out on Friday about the Guttmacher study that is previously mentioned in this blog. For one thing, the study tries to make the case that legalizing abortion makes abortion safe. However, the Guttmacher definition of a safe abortion is simply that it meet legal requirements in the permissive country. This can hide the number of women that actually die, not to mention are injured in the procedure. Furthermore, she notes, the infant dies in every safe abortion.

http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2007/07-159.shtml

Chinese Play Politics with Dalai Lama

Here is a little article on international politics, and how long someone can hold a grudge. The Dalia Lama is meeting with President Bush soon, but the Chinese government wants the meeting canceled as they fear it will hurt foreign relations. The Lama was exiled from China 48 years ago for an uprising in Tibet, and the Chinese haven't forgotten about him. He was exiled for attempting to gain independence for Tibet, and has worked since then for peace and human rights in that part of the world.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7046445.stm

PRI Questions the Guttmacher Numbers

The Population Research Institute is skeptical of the Guttmacher study mentioned earlier in this blog. They allege that the number of abortions assumed to be occurring illegally in countries like Columbia are inflated. Guttmacher claims the number of abortions in Columbia was in the hundreds of thousands in 2003 (the last year with available data) while the government puts the number at 50.

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=54125

Abortion Study Conducted By Biased Organization

The last blog entry discusses an abortion study that found results showing a strong similarity between abortion rates in countries where abortion is illegal and countries where it is legal. However, the research was done by World Health Organization and the Guttmacher Institute . The Guttmacher Institute began as a "semiautonomous division of Planned Parenthood Federation of America", and currently describes itself as a non-for-profit organization. The Guttmacher Institute was formerly known as the Alan Guttmacher Institute, named for the former president of Planned Parenthood. He was also the vice president of the American Eugenics Society which is now called the "Society for the Study of Social Biology". Guttmacher was also a member of the Association for Voluntary Sterilization. This group still exists under the name, "Engender Health".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guttmacher_Institute
http://www.guttmacher.org/about/history.html

Study Tracking Abortion Rates Claims Legality Not a Significant Factor

I came across this story this morning on Foxnews.com. The story describes a study that found that women are just as likely to get an abortion in countries where abortions are outlawed as in countries where it is legal.

One particular quote that I found particularly disturbing was a quote from Sharon Camp, president and chief executive officer of the Guttmacher Institute. She says the following: "The only way to decrease unsafe abortion is to increase contraception."

Just another example of the culture of death in our society.

USAID Quits Free Contraception Program to Philippines

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is ending its program of providing free contraceptives to the Philippines. They had stopped sending condoms in 2004 and will now halt their supply of other birth control products in the coming year. This change is in response to the country's promotion of natural family planning.

San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), is overjoyed at this turn of events. However, he has a big fight still ahead with the Philippine House of Representatives who are planning to purchase P1 billion in condoms, pills, and other agents to moderate population.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/63836/Bishop-thankful-for-USAIDs-exit-from-contraception-program

EU Death Penalty

While all 27 European Union members have banned the death penalty, only Ireland, Malta, and Poland protect life in the womb. Poland came out against an EU-sponsored event to promote anti-death penalty, saying that the issue should be broadened. Here is the link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7037038.stm

UNICEF Backing "Deliver Now" Initiative - Includes Advocacy for Legalized Abortion

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is helping support a new initiative - the "Deliver Now for Women and Children" campaign put together by UN agencies and non-profit groups. The goal is improved maternal and child health, yet the "professional care" extends to "safe abortion".
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10593

Some of Burma's Protesters are Burned Alive

In the city of Yangon, the Junta Government forces have set up a crematorium where they have been disposing of the bodies of protesters and also using it to kill the severely injured prisoners taken in the recent anti-regime demonstrations.
Pro-government marches are being demanded of Burmese citizens after the recent uprising. Every family in the country is expected to send one or two people to participate and show public support for the Junta government. Refusal to march could result in a fine and up to 3 months in prison.
The Junta continue to persecute the Buddhist monks whom they claim are acting against Buddha. The state has only admitted they are holding 135 monks and 78 civilians, while other sources project 6,000 people detained with hundreds of casualties.
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=10499&size=A

CHA Livid Over Insurance Bill Veto, but Bill Endangers the Unborn

The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) expired Sept 30, and President Bush vetoed a bill that would have renewed the program.
The Catholic Health Association is condemning Bush for failing to protect the 10 million children that it says are in need of coverage.
The president had threatened to reject the bill if it included large funding increases, and the senate bill included an additional 35 billion dollars.
The regulations for insurance coverage were also altered to subsidize contraception, sterilization, and create a potential for state funded abortion. While the recently expired SCHIP regs had a clause to cover unborn children, the new senate bill, if it had passed, would have allowed a redefinition of prenatal care to include abortion. Further changes in the program were to allow state abstinence program money to be reallocated into family planning programs - a reason that Planned Parenthood was backing the bill.

The battle rages on, as Democrats will vote to overturn the veto in 2 weeks and try to jam the highly modified program back at the GOP, and claim that the administration is against insuring children. The president has been working to renew the program, but with a lower fund increase. He has also outlined a broad private health insurance plan in here.

SCHIP is on a 16 week extension, so the 6.5 million children currently under coverage remain insured.
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=53947
http://ncregister.com/site/article/4550
http://www.lifeethics.org/www.lifeethics.org/2007/10/schip-goes-on-in-spite-of-veto.html

October- Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness month

This month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. According to the USCCB, domestic violence is any violence in the form of physical, sexual, psychological or verbal- it is sinful and many times it is a crime. (When I cry for help, USCCB, 2002) Domestic violence is also a pattern of coercive behaviors perpetrated by one person with the goal of establishing power and control over the victim. The coercive behaviors may include physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, progressive social isolation, economic deprivation and intimidation. (FBI and Ohio Medical Association definition)

Prayer intention for this month:

That victims of domestic violence and their abusers may break their silence, cry out to God and find help from caring and wise people.

“Kindle a flame Lord, to lighten the dark and take all fear away.”

Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, through your unconditional love made manifest in your beloved Son Our Lord Jesus, you showed us how to manifest love, care and respect in our relationships. In our community many women, children and men are beaten and abused by those who claim to love them.
Help us to be more caring in our personal relationships and that our community be a safe environment for those who are battered. Show your love and mercy to the abusers, that they may seek sincere help and healing. We ask this through Christ Jesus, Our Lord and Savior. Amen

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost… as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Australian Bishops Call on Catholics to Reject Amnesty International

The bishops of Australia have requested that relationships with this once respected human rights group be severed. This is in response to Amnesty's recent policy decision to support legal abortion. Archbishop Philip Wilson of Adelaide states that their current position conflicts with the Catholic understanding of human dignity. The bishops urge Catholics and others who believe that human dignity spans from natural conception to natural death to find other ways of protecting and promoting human rights.

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=53942

Supreme Court Rejects Plea from Catholic Charities on Contraception

A New York law requiring employers to provide contraceptive coverage in health insurance for employees. Churches are exempt, but not institutions run by them, and Catholic Charities made an appeal based on religious freedom. The US Supreme Court will not hear the case.

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=53887

Mass Imprisonment of Burmese Monks

4,000 Buddhist monks are being held in an unused race course and a technical college following country-wide pro-democracy protests last week. The ruling Junta military party have largely returned the country to its economic flow, but the military is everywhere stopping people to make sure they aren't trying to smuggle out pictures to foreign press. Internet access is down, and outside news agencies are being warned against as "assassins on air". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7022437.stm

Prayer for our Civil Leaders

I thought I would share this prayer for our civil leaders, composed by our first American bishop, John Carroll. Archbishop Timothy Dolan used it to conclude his homily at the Red Mass in Washington, D.C. on Sunday. For the full text of the homily, click here.

We pray Thee, O almighty and eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations ... We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through Whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy holy spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of the United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality.

Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they maybe enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world can not give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen

PRD against Cardinal Rivera

Mexico, DF- October 1, 2007:
The Archdiocese of Mexico city issued a press release informing the public that most of the harsh verbal attacks perpetrated against His Eminence Cardinal Norberto Rivera is orchestrated by the Partido Revolucionario Democratico (Democratic Revolutionary Party) in their hatred and disgust to the Cardinal.
The Archdiocese said that they have invited PRD for dialogue, but they refuse to. The Archdiocese recognizes and respects politicians’ views, but does not approve of ruthless calumny against the Church and her members. The Archdiocese said that- “The Church also has opinions and viewpoints regarding social doctrine that does not coincide with politicians’ proposals. For this reason, it is not right to attack the Church’s call for the respect of life with violence and unkind remarks.” A few weeks ago, several bishops across the Mexican territory collectively supported and commended Cardinal Rivera in handling these attacks and for advocating for the defense of human life.

more on- http://www.aciprensa.com/noticia.php?n=18541&PHPSESSID=b8ceba7fd50edb8edfc0bb83a8379f75

Aurora Planned Parenthood to Open

The occupancy permit that has been denied may be granted today, as Planned Parenthood will be allowed to open in their new Aurora location. They were accused of defrauding the residents of Aurora as to what type of facility was being built. See earlier post for more information.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gyA_oJVeM8i4oNYpxyMy2Vb4wQfQD8S0OIH00

U.S. death penalty possible end in sight

The United States Supreme Court has decided hear a case regarding the constitutionality of lethal injection on the grounds that it is cruel and unusual punishment. The procedure perhaps causes great pain without the person being able to display many signs in this regard. Most death penalty cases in the U.S. make use of this type of procedure.

If this procedure were to be found by the U.S Supreme Court to in fact be cruel and unusual punishment then the use of the death penalty would be set back and hopefully set aside for the better alternative. Life imprisonment protects society adequetely. The death penalty is not necesary and puts us in the position of playing God. Which I am certainly not in the position to do. The death penalty is also quite costly.

Let's pray that killing doesn't continue with more killing. Let's pray for life in this area and all areas of life from conception to natural death.

To see the article regarding the Supreme Court hearing this lethal injection case click on the link below. God bless.

http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=25513