State of Union Address: Bush Calls Congress to Ban Unethical Buying, Selling, Patenting, or Cloning of Human Life

"On matters of science and life, we must trust in the innovative spirit of medical researchers and empower them to discover new treatments while respecting moral boundaries. In November, we witnessed a landmark achievement when scientists discovered a way to reprogram adult skin cells to act like embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough has the potential to move us beyond the divisive debates of the past by extending the frontiers of medicine without the destruction of human life. So we are expanding funding for this type of ethical medical research. And as we explore promising avenues of research, we must also ensure that all life is treated with the dignity it deserves. So I call on the Congress to pass legislation that bans unethical practices such as the buying, selling, patenting, or cloning of human life."

full text of President's speech

CWN: Watch Out for New Embryonic Breakthrough Spin

CWN has just reported on a biotech firm making a claim that it can extract stem cells from an embryo without damaging the embryo. But apparently, the reality of the story does not match up right with the headline.

CWN source article

Huge Rally for Family in Spain Gets Stern Words from Deputy Prime Minister

In the wake of a rally in Madrid (earlier KSJ article) with almost 2 million participants, Maria Fernandez de la Vega, the deputy prime minister of Spain claims the Catholic hierarchy in her country is "falsifying the truth" concerning the socialist government's policies on the family. She also states that the Church has an disproportionate conception of their authority with the secular state.

More from the CWN source article

Kirkuk Churches are Bombed, as Intimidation Campaign Continues Against Iraq's Catholics

Three churches were struck this afternoon in Kirkuk, Iraq. These are the first reported attacks on Christian churches in the area. The bombings come just one day after Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had stated that Christian churches would be given adequate protection .

Read more from my CWN Source Article.

Pro-Life Groups May Put New Pre-Abortion Patient Screening on Missouri's Nov Ballot

According to the article linked below, the measure would require that any abortion provider thoroughly check each patient's background and lifestyle to ensure they are not coerced into the
procedure.

The article claims further that the abortionist would not be able to perform a nonemergency abortion unless "the imminent death or serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman" would follow. In other words, a nonemergency abortion would have to be/or be near an emergency - and this is where the pro-choice groups are calling this a ban for all practical purposes.

90,000 signatures are needed to get the initiative on the ballot, and this should be attainable.

The measure could help people in the future like Paula Talley. The article disclosed that she was forced into having an abortion ten years ago because of economic hardship and fears of her family's reaction.
Baltimore Sun Source Article

Christians Kidnapped by Taliban in Pakistan

The same Taliban group under Baitullah Mehsud that is thought to be behind the Bhutto assasination less than two weeks ago has taken five Christians captive. They demand the release of six terrorist commanders in custody of law enforcement in exchange for the Christians.

Chinese Communist Party Members Lose Jobs for Having More than One Child

More here from Breitbart.com

Iraqi Catholic Churches Bombed

Chaldean Catholic Churches and other institutions including an orphanage and two convents were bombed in Baghdad and Mosul yesterday (Epiphany Sunday). Thankfully, no one was killed. Terrorists have threatened Iraq with a series of bombing attacks in an effort to drive the Christians out of the country.

CWN source article

Italian Cardinal and Several Parliament Leaders Push for Moratorium on Abortion

Get the CWN article here:
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=55753

UN Population Fund Report Stresses Need for Contraception; Bemoans Religious Uptick in Cities

UNFPA's annual report has been released which explains the growing need to add to their budget for contraception. The group pressures countries to spend money on reproductive health services, but adds that millions of pregnancies are still unwanted. The report expresses their interest in expanding their influence with adolescents.
Catholic World News (CWN) reports that only some 51 of the 389 million dollar budget the UNFPA receives actually goes to population and development programs. The majority goes to reproductive health programs. CWN goes on to mention that the UNFPA has been charged by US and British with assisting China's mandatory abortion program. The NY Times has asserted UNFPA involvement in a Peru program involving coerced sterilization.

CWN reports that the US withdrew it's annual contribution to the UNFPA several years ago and it has not been granted again.

CWN source article on UNFPA and their latest report

CWNews Writes of 21 Men and Women who Died for the Faith in 2007

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=55689

We do wish everyone a happy new year, but here's to those who gave up their lives in the last.