Obama takes swipe at pro-life activists, ignores Gosnell during Planned Parenthood speech | LifeSiteNews.com

Posted on May 4, 2013 by pk

April 26, 2013 LifeSiteNews.com – President Obama took a combative stance during his speech to Planned Parenthood today, pledging his unconditional support to the abortion giant, and, at more than one point, taking a swipe at pro-life activists who oppose the organization.

“No matter how great the challenge, no matter how fierce the opposition, there’s one thing that the past few years have shown,” said President Obama, “that Planned Parenthood is not going anywhere. It’s not going anywhere today. It’s not going anywhere tomorrow.”

via Obama takes swipe at pro-life activists, ignores Gosnell during Planned Parenthood speech | LifeSiteNews.com.

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HHS Proposal Falls Short In Meeting Church Concerns

Posted on February 8, 2013 by pk

February 7, 2013

Statement issued from the office of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

  •  Bishops look forward to finding acceptable solutions to shortcomings

  • Concerned that first-rate charities still given second-class status

  • Seek clarification on confusing finance plan

His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan

WASHINGTON—The Feb. 1 Notice of Proposed Rulemakingfrom the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) shows some movement by the Administration but falls short of addressing U.S. bishops’ concerns.

“Throughout the past year, we have been assured by the Administration that we will not have to refer, pay for, or negotiate for the mandated coverage.We remain eager for the Administration to fulfill that pledge and to find acceptable solutions—we will affirm any genuine progress that is made, and we will redouble our efforts to overcome obstacles or setbacks,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), in a February 7 statement. “Thus, we welcome and will take seriously the Administration’s invitation to submit our concerns through formal comments, and we will do so in the hope that an acceptable solution can be found that respects the consciences of all.At the same time, we will continue to stand united with brother bishops, religious institutions, and individual citizens who seek redress in the courts for as long as this is necessary.”

He listed three key areas of concern: the narrow understanding of a religious ministry; compelling church ministries to fund and facilitate services such as contraceptives, including abortion-inducing drugs, and sterilization that violate Catholic teaching; and disregard of the conscience rights of for-profit business owners. These are the same concerns articulated by the USCCB Administrative Committee in its March 2012 statement, United for Religious Freedom.

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Posted in Administration, Attacks, Catholic Politicians, Contraception, Freedom of Conscience, HHS Mandate, Religious Freedom, USCCB | Leave a comment

EWTN Pressing on in Face of Latest HHS Notice | Daily News | NCRegister.com

Posted on February 2, 2013 by pk

EWTN Pressing on in Face of Latest HHS Notice | Daily News | NCRegister.com.

Statement of Michael P. Warsaw, president and chief executive officer of EWTN Global Catholic Television Network and publisher of the Register, in response to notice of proposed rulemaking by the U.S. government on the HHS contraceptive services mandate issued Friday, Feb. 1, 2013:

This morning the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a notice of proposed rule making on the government mandate that employee health plans must provide contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs as part of their coverage. On Feb. 9, 2012, EWTN was the first organization to file a lawsuit challenging this mandate shortly after the original rules were promulgated by the government. That lawsuit is still pending in the US District Court in Birmingham, Ala. Continue reading →

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Posted in Administration, Church Doctrine/Teaching, Contraception, Freedom of Conscience, HHS Mandate, Persecution, Persecution-Attack, Religious Freedom | Leave a comment

Religious Liberty Threatened

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Ray

Did you know that January 16th was Religious Freedom Day in America? It didn’t get a lot of attention, since President Obama was busy signing executive orders, but he also put out a proclamation on religious freedom.

“Because of the protections guaranteed by our Constitution, each of us has the right to practice our faith openly and as we choose,” the President wrote. “As we observe Religious Freedom Day, let us remember the legacy of faith and independence we have inherited, and let us honor it by forever upholding our right to exercise our beliefs free from prejudice or persecution.”

That’s one heck of a proclamation from an Administration whose actions have attacked religious liberty for Americans.

The sad fact is, under President Obama, Americans have been forced to fight for their religious liberty in the courts. More than 110 plaintiffs are fighting the HHS mandate, which has caused business owners to face excruciating decisions between complying—and violating their consciences—or facing massive fines.

And the drive toward redefining marriage—now under consideration in the Supreme Court—has already begun to affect people who disagree by interfering with their rights to practice their faith.

Read more

 

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Bishop Finn: National Catholic Reporter should not call itself Catholic

Posted on January 26, 2013 by pk

Bishop Finn: National Catholic Reporter should not call itself Catholic | LifeSiteNews.com.

There is clearly an increasing boldness in the assertions of US Bishops regarding scandal of those who, while calling themselves Catholic, defy the Church and dissent from its teaching!

by John Jalsevac
Fri Jan 25, 2013 18:02 EST

January 25, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The National Catholic Reporter, a newspaper renowned for its “liberal” editorial stance on numerous doctrinal and moral issues, should not advertise itself as Catholic, according to Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City.

The headquarters of the Reporter (not to be confused with the National Catholic Register) are located in Bishop Finn’s diocese, putting the paper under his ecclesiastical authority.

Bishop Robert Finn

“I have received letters and other complaints about NCR from the beginning of my time here,” writes Bishop Finn in a new column published today in the diocesan newspaper. The column was published to coincide with the feast of St. Francis de Sales, considered the patron saint of journalists by the Catholic Church.

The bishop listed the editorial positions taken by NCR that officially condemn Catholic Church teaching, including “on the ordination of women, insistent undermining of Church teaching on artificial contraception and sexual morality in general, lionizing dissident theologies while rejecting established Magisterial teaching, and a litany of other issues.”

Bishop Finn pointed out that his predecessor, Bishop Charles Helmsin, had demanded that NCR remove the name “Catholic” from its name in the late sixties, a request that was ignored at the time.

“From my perspective, NCR’s positions against authentic Church teaching and leadership have not changed trajectory in the intervening decades,” said Bishop Finn.

The bishop also said that he has attempted to dialogue with the leadership of the newspaper, but to no avail.

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NCRegister | Thou Shall Not Think

Posted on January 13, 2013 by pk

NCRegister | Thou Shall Not Think.

by Donald DeMarco Saturday, Jan 12

I was told, when I first arrived in Canada, that Canadians are not particularly decisive, that they would be reluctant to bet on which way the elevator was moving even if they had two choices.

It is a country, so I was informed, of “the bland leading the bland.” And no less than media guru Marshall McLuhan declared that “the Canadian beaver is an apt symbol of our dammed-up creativity.”

The recent row concerning whether or not Canadians should think about when life begins leads me to think that the biblical version of the aforementioned epigram is more pertinent: “the blind leading the blind.”

There is merit, apparently, in not being able to see, for what one might see could be fearful and troubling.

Continue reading →

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The call to be Servants of God’s plan — Fr. Marvin Deutsch, M.M.

Posted on January 7, 2013 by pk

To be servants as best we can of the grace that invites all men to find Christ - I believe these words of Leo the Great give us a brief discretion of who we are as missionaries sent out into the whole world to accomplish this task. Not everyone believes this these days. When Pope Benedict was asked if people of other religions should be given the opportunity to know Christ, he responded:

There are those who say that non-Christians should be “left in peace” out of respect for their own “authentic” beliefs, whatever that may be. But how can this be the case if the true authenticity of every person is found in communion with Christ and not without him? Isn’t it our duty to offer them this essential reality?

In Chapter 10:9 of John’s gospel, Jesus says, I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. In John 14:6, Jesus says: I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Thus, there can be no fulfillment without Christ. Friends, this is the meaning of the Epiphany. It reveals to us the plan of the Father from all time until now. As humble servants of this great truth, we pray for our society, Maryknoll, and the whole Church, that we all may be in the words of Pope Leo – servants of God to carry out this plan to invite all peoples to find Christ.

Fr. Marvin Deutsch, M.M.

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ObamaCare mandate may force nuns devoted to the eldery to leave U.S. | LifeSiteNews.com

Posted on December 20, 2012 by pk

Remember this when Religious Freedom comes up in conversation!

by Kirsten Andersen

  • Wed Dec 19, 2012 16:39 EST

ObamaCare mandate may force nuns devoted to the eldery to leave U.S. | LifeSiteNews.com.

BALTIMORE, December 19, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Obama administration’s HHS mandate may force the Catholic Little Sisters of the Poor to cease their U.S. operations, according to Sister Constance Carolyn Veit, the religious order’s communications director.

Continue reading →

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Posted in Abortion, Attacks, Church Doctrine/Teaching, Contraception, Freedom of Conscience, Persecution-Attack, Religious Freedom | Leave a comment

Domino’s founder sues feds over health care law – TwinCities.com

Posted on December 16, 2012 by pk

In the story below, notice the mention of Richard Thompson, Thomas More Law Center in Ann Arbor, MI.  He was the speaker at our banquet in about 2005.

Domino’s founder sues feds over health care law – TwinCities.com.

DETROIT—The founder of Domino’s Pizza is suing the federal government over mandatory contraception coverage in the health care law.

Tom Monaghan, a devout Roman Catholic, says contraception isn’t health care but a “gravely immoral” practice.

He filed a lawsuit Friday in federal court. It also lists as a plaintiff Domino’s Farms, a Michigan office park complex that Monaghan owns.

Monaghan offers health insurance that excludes contraception and abortion for employees. The new federal law requires employers to offer insurance including contraception coverage or risk fines.

Monaghan says the law violates his rights, and is asking a judge to strike down the mandate. There are similar lawsuits pending nationwide.

A message left Saturday for Monaghan’s attorney, Richard Thompson, was not immediately returned.

The government says the contraception mandate benefits women.

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Posted in Apologetics, Church Doctrine/Teaching, Contraception, Freedom of Conscience, Persecution-Attack, Religious Freedom | Leave a comment

BREAKING: Philippines Lower House passes anti-life RH bill after 14 years | LifeSiteNews.com

Posted on December 13, 2012 by pk

Note particularly, in this story, the impending effect on religious liberty.  Quotes:

  • The bill, which forces taxpayers to fund contraception and abortifacients, was protested strenuously by the nation’s Catholic leadership and faithful,
  • The RH Bill forces medical professionals and businesses to promote and perform a full range of “reproductive health services,” regardless of conscientious objection. The bill promises to fine and jail opponents who spread as-yet-undefined “malicious” falsehoods about the bill, and requires couples to undergo government-mandated RH training and certification before they can obtain a marriage license.

BREAKING: Philippines Lower House passes anti-life RH bill after 14 years |LifeSiteNews.com.

by John-Henry Westen

  • Wed Dec 12, 2012 15:06 EST

MANILA, December 12, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – After repeatedly reintroducing the legislation for 14 years, the Philippines lower House has voted 113 to 104 to pass the controversial RH bill at second reading – the most difficult stage.

“This is a very dark day for the Philippines and for the fight for life and family around the world,” said Human Life International President Fr. Shenan Boquet. “Abortion is right around the corner,” he warned.

The bill, which forces taxpayers to fund contraception and abortifacients, was protested strenuously by the nation’s Catholic leadership and faithful, but was pushed by President Benigno Aquino and internationally by pro-abortion groups.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino

Debate lasted throughout the evening on December 12, and the 113 – 104 vote was taken around 2 am. December 13. The House is scheduled to have a third reading of the bill on Monday, December 17, and another version of the RH Bill has also been scheduled for a vote in the Senate next week.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino, an ardent supporter of the legislation, hopes to sign a final version of the bill into law by the end of the year.

The RH Bill forces medical professionals and businesses to promote and perform a full range of “reproductive health services,” regardless of conscientious objection. The bill promises to fine and jail opponents who spread as-yet-undefined “malicious” falsehoods about the bill, and requires couples to undergo government-mandated RH training and certification before they can obtain a marriage license.

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Posted in Abortion, Attacks, Bishops, Church Doctrine/Teaching, Contraception, Religious Freedom | Leave a comment