We know well that Holy Innocents continue to be killed in our world through abortion. The Feast of the Holy Innocents is an often over-looked feast on the Church’s Calendar coming is the busy week of the Christmas Octave. And yet there is something very astonishing and even dangerous to consider on this feast.
I’ll explain what I mean by dangerous in a moment. But for now consider some biblical facts with me.
1.When God was drawing close to liberating his chosen people from slavery in Egypt there occurred the order to murder of the all the baby boys among the Hebrews. It is almost as though Satan sensed that God was up to something good and Satan raged through Pharaoh in murderous anger and fear. Thankfully the actual numbers were reduced since the Egyptian midwives engaged in civil disobedience, refusing to allow the practice to continue.
2.At the time of Jesus, when God was preparing to liberate his People from sin, there also occured the murder of innocent baby boys. Here too it was almost as though the Devil sensed that God was up to something good and he once again raged, this time through Herod in murderous anger and fear. Thankfully too this infanticide also ended at some point.
3.Notice the pattern. When God prepared a great liberation the Devil went after the babies. In our time, on a scale as never before, the Devil is going after our babies in murderous anger and fear. What is he afraid of? Is God planning something big in the near future? Is there a great liberation at hand? Is there a great advancement of evangelization and conversion in the offing? We can only speculate. But patterns are patterns and Scripture has a way of repeating its patterns and echoing down through the centuries.
Why is this a dangerous reflection? Because I want to make it clear that abortion, the killing of the innocents in our age, is NOT and never can be considered something good, or a “positive sign.” Such a speculation as this might cause some to wrongly conclude that abortion is part of God’s plan or something we should see “positively.” We should not. It must be fought. It is of Satan. I want to conclude by reminding you that the great liberation that followed the past infanticides did not occur until AFTER those murderous rages were stopped. Hence, to follow the pattern established in Scripture and to see a potentially great and liberating act of God we must first see an end to the slaughter. Work and pray to end abortion. May the Holy Innocents pray for us!
By: Msgr. Charles Pope This can be found at http://blog.adw.org/2009/12/pondering-abortion-on-the-feast-of-the-holy-innocents/
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Population control abuses had the full support of the establishment
The U.S. government made foreign aid contingent on Third World countries’ adoption of population control programs and did not flinch when the reports of abuse rolled in. Private groups and individuals from the Ford Foundation to the Rockefellers poured money into reducing the population of developing countries. As the two most populous countries in the world, China and India were especially targeted. In China, the official one-child policy overseen by Xinzhong Qian required women to abort second children or be sterilized, and millions were forced to do so—by the open requirement of Chinese law. In India, desperate poor women by the millions were denied government aid unless they agreed to be sterilized, again openly and publicly so, by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s government. Even today, some Indian states deny government benefits to families with more than two children and offer payments to poor families to be sterilized. The most prominent population control organizations in the world then and now, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), supported such programs, and they were blessed by the highest level of the international establishment years after their abuses first became publicly known. “[I]t is not surprising that both the IPPF and UNFPA decided to help China implement the one-child policy,” wrote Connelly. “UNFPA even awarded Qian with the first United Nations Population Award, complete with diploma, gold medal, and a monetary prize of $12,500. Indira Gandhi was the co-winner. When the honorees came to New York to receive their awards, [United Nations] Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar congratulated them: ‘Considering the fact that China and India contain over 40% of humanity, we must all record our deep appreciation of the way in which their governments have marshaled the resources necessary to implement population policies on a massive scale.’” Qian was forced to resign his post shortly after receiving his UN award due to pressure from Chinese women’s groups.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Project Rachel to tackle extreme abortion rates in Eastern Europe
Rome, Italy, Dec 19, 2009 / 02:18 pm (CNA).- Project Rachel is working to expand its ministry into Romania and Ukraine, where women report having had between 13 and 30 abortions. Speaking with CNA in Rome, Vicki Thorn, Executive Director of Project Rachel, described how the priestly vocation is fundamental to discovering and offering new opportunities for post-abortion healing.
Vicki Thorn is a veteran in the field of post-abortion healing, having been involved in the ministry for 25 years. Recently she has been traveling to Europe to address the issue of abortion in eastern European nations, especially Romania and the Ukraine.
"Eastern Europe has had huge numbers of abortions, in part because of communism, (but it's due to) all kinds of things. Doctors and priests see that this is a big issue because people are coming forward and they're talking. The doctors are saying that there are women with 13 to 30 abortions," she told CNA.
"I don't even know what you do with that. I've done this for 25 years, and I'm like, whew, I don't even know how we come at this question."
"In Russia the average woman according to their statistics has had nine abortions, but my own experience of talking to the physicians in Romania and Ukraine is that we're talking 13 to 30."
Thorn said that there was a doctor in Romania who told her of a woman that had solicited 70 abortions. "Do you think that's possible?" the doctor had asked Thorn.
"Maybe what she's saying is the '70 times 7' in the Bible," she replied to him, "perhaps she was saying, 'I've had so many abortions, you wouldn't believe it.'"
"So, this is a psychological issue. We're looking at countries with huge depression factors in women, alcoholism, fertility questions follow this, and it's the priests who see this in the beginning.
"When the bishops called for a post abortion healing ministry in the States, right after abortion was legalized, in their first pastoral plan, it was because they were confessors and they knew the problem. Nobody else knew it, it took me seven years to find experts, but the bishops knew because they were priests who had heard confessions."
Thorn also recounted that she first discovered the gravity of the situation in Romania when she was giving a conference on post-abortion healing through Project Rachel last year in Rome. There was a Greek Orthodox bishop in the assembly who stood up and exclaimed, "We need this!"
According to Thorn, the Greek Orthodox bishop said that at the time his Church's method of bringing about healing was to give a penance of seven years without the Eucharist.
"We have to tell people in other countries that there is a means of doing this," said Thorn.
Project Rachel is described on its website as "a network of professional counselors and priests, all trained to provide one-on-one spiritual and psychological care for those who are suffering because of an abortion."
Thorn explained to CNA that the outreach goes beyond what you'd imagine. "Just last night one of the priests here, when he heard what I did, said, 'Oh, that's some of the most moving ministry I've ever done.'”
"So, this awareness of the woman who believes she's committed the unforgivable sin; that when you reject the creation, you've rejected the creator, then to be forgiven and to be set free... that's what priests are called to do.
"This is a ministry not only for women and for men ... but also for priests. It affirms who they are, it is the essence of their call to be priests.”
When asked if the ministry has a place only within the Catholic Church, Thorn responded, "When I was in Romania, I was with the Orthodox, with the Greek Catholics and the Roman Catholics.
"Any place there's a sacramental model, Project Rachel fits,"she said.
The next step in the process of branching out to other Eastern European nations, Thorn told CNA, would be a Project Rachel seminar including leaders from these nations, "probably in Poland, and probably in the next year."
The idea is to bring leaders to the seminar from a number of Eastern bloc countries and send them home well informed. "Then we'll take it from there," said Thorn.
Part of the education would be taken care of through the manual on post-abortion healing (of which Thorn was the primary author), recently revised by the U.S. Bishops' Conference, to share knowledge with bishops' conferences abroad and lead them to offer the ministry in their areas. "If that happens, they can translate it top-down to the priests, and then if we get religious women involved we have the means to provide care wherever."
"If we could get communities of religious to take this as a charism... that will then allow Eastern Europe and Latin America to move very quickly."
Thorn told CNA that she's also seeing, "a lot of interest in mental health professionals,” but that “really the Church is the ideal place to do this. We have the means.”
"When I started doing Project Rachel, it was clear to me. We have clergy, we have mental health professionals, we have all these people within the Church that can provide care in this network and it's a holistic response.
"We have the opportunity and the means to do this any place in the world," she added.
Vicki Thorn has just released a book on the introduction of a ministry for post-abortion syndrome within the Church, called, “Project Rachel: The Face of Compassion.” The book is currently available in Italian from the Vatican Press, and she hopes to have an English version out soon.
This can be found at. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/project_rachel_to_tackle_extreme_abortion_rates_in_eastern_europe/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29
Vicki Thorn is a veteran in the field of post-abortion healing, having been involved in the ministry for 25 years. Recently she has been traveling to Europe to address the issue of abortion in eastern European nations, especially Romania and the Ukraine.
"Eastern Europe has had huge numbers of abortions, in part because of communism, (but it's due to) all kinds of things. Doctors and priests see that this is a big issue because people are coming forward and they're talking. The doctors are saying that there are women with 13 to 30 abortions," she told CNA.
"I don't even know what you do with that. I've done this for 25 years, and I'm like, whew, I don't even know how we come at this question."
"In Russia the average woman according to their statistics has had nine abortions, but my own experience of talking to the physicians in Romania and Ukraine is that we're talking 13 to 30."
Thorn said that there was a doctor in Romania who told her of a woman that had solicited 70 abortions. "Do you think that's possible?" the doctor had asked Thorn.
"Maybe what she's saying is the '70 times 7' in the Bible," she replied to him, "perhaps she was saying, 'I've had so many abortions, you wouldn't believe it.'"
"So, this is a psychological issue. We're looking at countries with huge depression factors in women, alcoholism, fertility questions follow this, and it's the priests who see this in the beginning.
"When the bishops called for a post abortion healing ministry in the States, right after abortion was legalized, in their first pastoral plan, it was because they were confessors and they knew the problem. Nobody else knew it, it took me seven years to find experts, but the bishops knew because they were priests who had heard confessions."
Thorn also recounted that she first discovered the gravity of the situation in Romania when she was giving a conference on post-abortion healing through Project Rachel last year in Rome. There was a Greek Orthodox bishop in the assembly who stood up and exclaimed, "We need this!"
According to Thorn, the Greek Orthodox bishop said that at the time his Church's method of bringing about healing was to give a penance of seven years without the Eucharist.
"We have to tell people in other countries that there is a means of doing this," said Thorn.
Project Rachel is described on its website as "a network of professional counselors and priests, all trained to provide one-on-one spiritual and psychological care for those who are suffering because of an abortion."
Thorn explained to CNA that the outreach goes beyond what you'd imagine. "Just last night one of the priests here, when he heard what I did, said, 'Oh, that's some of the most moving ministry I've ever done.'”
"So, this awareness of the woman who believes she's committed the unforgivable sin; that when you reject the creation, you've rejected the creator, then to be forgiven and to be set free... that's what priests are called to do.
"This is a ministry not only for women and for men ... but also for priests. It affirms who they are, it is the essence of their call to be priests.”
When asked if the ministry has a place only within the Catholic Church, Thorn responded, "When I was in Romania, I was with the Orthodox, with the Greek Catholics and the Roman Catholics.
"Any place there's a sacramental model, Project Rachel fits,"she said.
The next step in the process of branching out to other Eastern European nations, Thorn told CNA, would be a Project Rachel seminar including leaders from these nations, "probably in Poland, and probably in the next year."
The idea is to bring leaders to the seminar from a number of Eastern bloc countries and send them home well informed. "Then we'll take it from there," said Thorn.
Part of the education would be taken care of through the manual on post-abortion healing (of which Thorn was the primary author), recently revised by the U.S. Bishops' Conference, to share knowledge with bishops' conferences abroad and lead them to offer the ministry in their areas. "If that happens, they can translate it top-down to the priests, and then if we get religious women involved we have the means to provide care wherever."
"If we could get communities of religious to take this as a charism... that will then allow Eastern Europe and Latin America to move very quickly."
Thorn told CNA that she's also seeing, "a lot of interest in mental health professionals,” but that “really the Church is the ideal place to do this. We have the means.”
"When I started doing Project Rachel, it was clear to me. We have clergy, we have mental health professionals, we have all these people within the Church that can provide care in this network and it's a holistic response.
"We have the opportunity and the means to do this any place in the world," she added.
Vicki Thorn has just released a book on the introduction of a ministry for post-abortion syndrome within the Church, called, “Project Rachel: The Face of Compassion.” The book is currently available in Italian from the Vatican Press, and she hopes to have an English version out soon.
This can be found at. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/project_rachel_to_tackle_extreme_abortion_rates_in_eastern_europe/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Abortion clinic escort strikes Planned Parenthood investigator Lila Rose
San Jose, Calif., Dec 19, 2009 / 03:37 am (CNA).- Legal charges are pending against a male Planned Parenthood escort who struck pro-life activist Lila Rose on the hands on Thursday outside an abortion clinic. She warned that the surprising attack should not help create a “double standard” that hinders clinic protesters’ free speech rights.
Rose, the president of Live Action Films who has led undercover investigations into the abortion provider, was not injured in the attack.
She was on a public sidewalk outside a Planned Parenthood affiliate in San Jose, California with a group of about 20 students and three adults to pray and provide information to women who might be open to alternatives to abortion, a statement from Live Action says.
Shortly before noon on Thursday, she interacted with a uniformed male Planned Parenthood escort.
According to Rose, she spoke to the escort from the public sidewalk and asked him if he was familiar with the abortion procedure.
The escort then approached her rapidly from the Planned Parenthood parking lot and said, “You idiot. You've caused so much trouble. You piece of crap."
Rose asked if she could show him a picture of what abortion “really does to a baby.” The escort then struck Rose on the hand, knocking literature and a Bible to the ground.
According to Live Action Films, the police report said Rose stepped further back on the sidewalk and the escort stepped toward her.
He was visibly shaking and said “It’s a woman’s choice!”
To this, Rose responded “What about the baby’s choice?”
The escort said “It’s not a baby!” and turned and walked away.
Police were called and interviewed Rose and several witnesses. She suffered no injuries in the attack, but charges of assault and battery are pending.
In a Friday e-mail Rose told CNA that she was “very surprised” at what happened. She said the escort appeared to recognize her, which has not happened before at a clinic.
“Unborn children face much, much worse...they are violently denied their very lives, and they are totally defenseless,” she added.
Rose emphasized that pro-lifers have the right to free speech on public sidewalks.
“If this right is infringed upon by threatening physical contact, the law must intervene and the guilty party must accept the consequences.”
Saying that pro-life sidewalk counselors are subjected to “the most rigorous scrutiny,” she warned that a double standard could be created if threatening physical contact against sidewalk counselors is allowed.
Rose also reported “good news”: a woman who thought she was pregnant and was considering abortion turned around. One of the parents and their daughter at the clinic then drove the woman and her friend to a crisis pregnancy center.
She told CNA that her organization has not heard anything from Planned Parenthood.
Live Action in a statement said it maintains a “strong commitment to non-violent public discourse.”
“We expect Planned Parenthood will respond to their escort's attack by publicly disavowing the use of violence,” the statement said.
this can be found at: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/abortion_clinic_escort_strikes_planned_parenthood_investigator_lila_rose/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29
Rose, the president of Live Action Films who has led undercover investigations into the abortion provider, was not injured in the attack.
She was on a public sidewalk outside a Planned Parenthood affiliate in San Jose, California with a group of about 20 students and three adults to pray and provide information to women who might be open to alternatives to abortion, a statement from Live Action says.
Shortly before noon on Thursday, she interacted with a uniformed male Planned Parenthood escort.
According to Rose, she spoke to the escort from the public sidewalk and asked him if he was familiar with the abortion procedure.
The escort then approached her rapidly from the Planned Parenthood parking lot and said, “You idiot. You've caused so much trouble. You piece of crap."
Rose asked if she could show him a picture of what abortion “really does to a baby.” The escort then struck Rose on the hand, knocking literature and a Bible to the ground.
According to Live Action Films, the police report said Rose stepped further back on the sidewalk and the escort stepped toward her.
He was visibly shaking and said “It’s a woman’s choice!”
To this, Rose responded “What about the baby’s choice?”
The escort said “It’s not a baby!” and turned and walked away.
Police were called and interviewed Rose and several witnesses. She suffered no injuries in the attack, but charges of assault and battery are pending.
In a Friday e-mail Rose told CNA that she was “very surprised” at what happened. She said the escort appeared to recognize her, which has not happened before at a clinic.
“Unborn children face much, much worse...they are violently denied their very lives, and they are totally defenseless,” she added.
Rose emphasized that pro-lifers have the right to free speech on public sidewalks.
“If this right is infringed upon by threatening physical contact, the law must intervene and the guilty party must accept the consequences.”
Saying that pro-life sidewalk counselors are subjected to “the most rigorous scrutiny,” she warned that a double standard could be created if threatening physical contact against sidewalk counselors is allowed.
Rose also reported “good news”: a woman who thought she was pregnant and was considering abortion turned around. One of the parents and their daughter at the clinic then drove the woman and her friend to a crisis pregnancy center.
She told CNA that her organization has not heard anything from Planned Parenthood.
Live Action in a statement said it maintains a “strong commitment to non-violent public discourse.”
“We expect Planned Parenthood will respond to their escort's attack by publicly disavowing the use of violence,” the statement said.
this can be found at: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/abortion_clinic_escort_strikes_planned_parenthood_investigator_lila_rose/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29
Friday, December 18, 2009
Holy See delegation pushes for 'authentic human ecology' at Copenhagen Conference
Copenhagen, Denmark, Dec 18, 2009 / 07:46 pm (CNA).- Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the head of the Vatican delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, addressed the High-Level Segment of the conference on Thursday. His message underscored the inefficacy of the current economic and development models, promoted the efforts of the Church and others to raise awareness to safeguard an "authentic human ecology" and pledged continued Vatican support for all initiatives that protect creation.
Migliore began his address by asking aloud what the reasons might be for the delay in adopting "common binding measures and adequate budgets for an effective mitigation and adaptation to ongoing climate change."
He attributed the lethargy to a mixture of the complexity of the issue, conflicting national interests, difficulty in quantifying individual responsibility and overbearing energy policy. All of these considerations, he continued, converge on the central element of "the necessity of a new and deeper reflection on the meaning of the economy and its purposes, and a profound and far-reaching revision of the model for development, to correct the malfunctions and distortions."
Earth's ecological health and man's moral and cultural well-being require it, he said.
"With realism, trust and hope we must assume the new responsibilities which call us to the scene of a world in need of a deep cultural renewal and a rediscovery of fundamental values on which to build a better future," said Migliore, calling for action to curb "deeply interlinked" moral crises evident in humanity today.
If the structures in place cannot provide us with an informed direction to discover and respond with in a timely manner to the "tangible reality of climate change," he stated, "reason and the innate sense of shared responsibility of the people once again must prevail."
The nuncio then pointed out that "an impressive series of initiatives" has already been started by individuals, groups, local authorities "to give form to the two cornerstones of the response to climate change: adaptation and mitigation."
However, technical solutions aren't enough, Migliore underscored. The response to climate change must include more projects that inform, educate, and develop a sense of responsibility in all people towards "environmentally sound patterns of development and stewardship of creation."
Migliore called the evidence of the success of such initiatives in the world a "widespread ecological conversion."
Through awareness, he said, a solidarity will arise that will ensure our future.
He then highlighted the Holy See's "significant efforts to take a lead in environmental protection," giving the examples of the Vatican City's greater reliance on renewable energy sources and advocacy and education programs that promote environmental responsibility by all types of Church institutions.
"We must safeguard creation - soil, water and air - as a gift entrusted to everyone, but we must also and above all prevent mankind from destroying itself," stated Migliore in defense of efforts to change currently unsustainable production and consumption models.
"The degradation of nature is directly connected to the culture that shapes human coexistence: when the human ecology is respected within society, the environmental ecology will benefit. The way humanity treats the environment influences the way it treats itself."
Echoing the sentiments of the Holy Father in his encyclical Caritas in Veritate and his recent message for the World Day of Peace, Migliore said, "Environment and climate change entail a shared responsibility toward all humanity, especially the poor and future generations.
"There is an inseparable link between the protection of creation, education and an ethical approach to the economy and development. The Holy See hopes that the process in question can ever more appreciate this link and, with this outlook, continues to give its full cooperation."
this can be found at: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/holy_see_delegation_pushes_for_authentic_human_ecology_at_copenhagen_conference/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29
Migliore began his address by asking aloud what the reasons might be for the delay in adopting "common binding measures and adequate budgets for an effective mitigation and adaptation to ongoing climate change."
He attributed the lethargy to a mixture of the complexity of the issue, conflicting national interests, difficulty in quantifying individual responsibility and overbearing energy policy. All of these considerations, he continued, converge on the central element of "the necessity of a new and deeper reflection on the meaning of the economy and its purposes, and a profound and far-reaching revision of the model for development, to correct the malfunctions and distortions."
Earth's ecological health and man's moral and cultural well-being require it, he said.
"With realism, trust and hope we must assume the new responsibilities which call us to the scene of a world in need of a deep cultural renewal and a rediscovery of fundamental values on which to build a better future," said Migliore, calling for action to curb "deeply interlinked" moral crises evident in humanity today.
If the structures in place cannot provide us with an informed direction to discover and respond with in a timely manner to the "tangible reality of climate change," he stated, "reason and the innate sense of shared responsibility of the people once again must prevail."
The nuncio then pointed out that "an impressive series of initiatives" has already been started by individuals, groups, local authorities "to give form to the two cornerstones of the response to climate change: adaptation and mitigation."
However, technical solutions aren't enough, Migliore underscored. The response to climate change must include more projects that inform, educate, and develop a sense of responsibility in all people towards "environmentally sound patterns of development and stewardship of creation."
Migliore called the evidence of the success of such initiatives in the world a "widespread ecological conversion."
Through awareness, he said, a solidarity will arise that will ensure our future.
He then highlighted the Holy See's "significant efforts to take a lead in environmental protection," giving the examples of the Vatican City's greater reliance on renewable energy sources and advocacy and education programs that promote environmental responsibility by all types of Church institutions.
"We must safeguard creation - soil, water and air - as a gift entrusted to everyone, but we must also and above all prevent mankind from destroying itself," stated Migliore in defense of efforts to change currently unsustainable production and consumption models.
"The degradation of nature is directly connected to the culture that shapes human coexistence: when the human ecology is respected within society, the environmental ecology will benefit. The way humanity treats the environment influences the way it treats itself."
Echoing the sentiments of the Holy Father in his encyclical Caritas in Veritate and his recent message for the World Day of Peace, Migliore said, "Environment and climate change entail a shared responsibility toward all humanity, especially the poor and future generations.
"There is an inseparable link between the protection of creation, education and an ethical approach to the economy and development. The Holy See hopes that the process in question can ever more appreciate this link and, with this outlook, continues to give its full cooperation."
this can be found at: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/holy_see_delegation_pushes_for_authentic_human_ecology_at_copenhagen_conference/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Low birthrate, family breakdowns show dangers of secularism, Pope tells bishops of Belarus
Pope Benedict XVI met on December 17 with the Catholic bishops of Belarus, who were in Rome for their ad limina visit. The Pontiff told the bishops that their priority should be “to underline the power of faith: a faith rooted in solid tradition.” That strong faith, he said, would be an antidote to “the temptations of secularization, hedonism, and relativism-- signs of which are the problems of the falling birthrate, the fragility of families, and the illusion of finding fortune outside the homeland.” The Pope observed that the Orthodox Church in Belarus will make common cause with Catholics in this fight against secularism
this can be found at. http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=4947
this can be found at. http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=4947
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Re-Birth of Population Control
ROME, DEC. 13, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The Copenhagen climate summit has brought with it an outpouring of opinions on environmental issues. Among these is a disturbing return to the Malthusian position of seeing population control as the solution to the world's problems.
A planetary law imposing China's one-child policy on all nations is what is needed, according to an opinion article by Diane Francis, published Dec. 8 in the Canadian newspaper, the National Post.
Francis predicted this would reduce the current world population of 6.5 billion down to 3.43 billion by 2075. While more extreme than most, Francis is hardly alone in advocating population control.
Just prior to the Copenhagen summit, Britain's Optimum Population Trust launched a carbon offset scheme, reported the Guardian newspaper on Dec. 3.
As explained by John Vidal, the paper's environment editor, this allows rich consumers to offset their jet-set lifestyle by paying for contraception in poorer countries.
According to Vidal, the trust's calculations show that the 10 metric tons of carbon emitted by a return flight from London to Sydney could be offset by preventing the birth of one child in a country such as Kenya.
It seems neo-colonialism is still alive in the attitudes of some environmental activists who don't see any problem in urging developing nations to curb their population so that the carbon emissions of richer countries can be offset.
The launch of the scheme followed a report published in August by the trust titled: "Fewer Emitters, Lower Emissions, Less Cost: Reducing Future Carbon Emissions by Investing in Family Planning."
The conclusions of the study stated: "The cost/ benefit analysis found that family planning is considerably cheaper than many low carbon technologies."
"Based on the study's findings, it is proposed that family planning methods should be a primary tool in the optimum strategy for reducing carbon emissions," the report advocated.
Disaster predictions
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) joined the Malthusian chorus with the publication of its State of World Population 2009 Report.
Greater access to "reproductive health" was constantly urged by the report. This U.N. term is understood to include access to condoms, contraceptives and abortion.
"We have now reached a point where humanity is approaching the brink of disaster," stated Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA's executive director at the London launch of the report Nov. 18.
The report was greeted in the press with titles such as "UN: Fight Climate Change With Free Condoms," (The Associated Press, Nov. 18).
"Birth Control: The Most Effective Way of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions," trumpeted the Nov. 19 headline in the London Times newspaper in its coverage of the report.
Confusingly, alongside the call for reproductive health in developing nations were other statements that contradicted the thesis that less people in poorer countries would bring the world back from the precipice of environmental disaster.
"The dominant responsibility for the current build-up of greenhouse gases lies with developed countries," the report admitted.
"The linkages between population and climate change are in most cases complex and indirect," it also conceded.
A better guide to the issue of population and the environment came in a special report published by The Economist magazine in its Oct. 31 issue.
In the editorial that accompanied the report the magazine pointed out that the trend to lower fertility in developing countries is already advanced. "Today's fall in fertility is both very large and very fast," it said.
Immoral
We can limit the human impact on the environment in three ways the editorial maintained: population policy, technology and governance. Regarding population there is not much more to be done the magazine argued. Only "Chinese-style coercion" could bring about a speedier reduction in fertility.
Notably, for a publication that in no way espouses religion, the editorial also added that: "Forcing poor people to have fewer children than they want because the rich consume too many of the world's resources would be immoral."
The report itself proposed that the way to deal with carbon emissions and environmental concerns is not to try and reduce fertility but to alter economic growth so that it is less polluting and to make it less resource-intensive.
British sociologist Fran Furedi explored the return of Malthusianism in a piece written for the Web site Spiked. His Dec. 7 commentary harshly attacked the proposals of the Optimum Population Trust for being "a zombie-like Malthusian organization devoted to the cause of human depletion."
"Throughout most of history, human life has been valued in and of itself; it has been seen as possessing a special quality that could not be reduced to quantities to be measured by misanthropic accountants," he observed.
Furedi based his comments on a humanist perspective and not on a religious foundation. There is a unique quality to human life he argued. He also wondered why other humanists were not interested in defending human life and standing up for ideals developed in the Renaissance and the Enlightenment.
Losing faith
"A world that can place an equal sign between a baby and carbon is one that has lost its faith in humanity," Furedi lamented.
Another interesting commentary was published on Dec. 9 by the Australian Web site, On Line Opinion. It was written by Farida Akhter from Bangladesh. According to the article, she is the executive director of an organization that works with communities in Bangladesh and she also runs a feminist publishing house.
Akhter reflected on the UNFPA's State of World Population report and argued that it is a simplistic approach to consider that women can solve environmental problems simply by reducing their fertility.
Targeting the developing nations simply doesn't make sense, she affirmed. Citing data from the UNFPA report she stated that the world's richest half-billion people are responsible for 50% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions.
So, she continued, even if we reduce population growth in the poorest countries their contribution to the reduction of carbon emissions or consumption of resources will be not be significant.
"Let's not make women the target for contraceptives in the name of solving climate change," she concluded.
A sentiment shared by Jennie Bristow, editor of the British publication, the Abortion Review.
She also wrote an article for Spiked on the topic of population and ecology, on Oct. 6.
Bristow defended abortion and contraception, but also pointed out that history is full of examples where these practices have been imposed upon women by authorities who wanted to decide how many children should be born.
Respect
Her essay was critical of the pro-life position, yet she also argued that: "Serious questions have to be asked about how genuine the commitment to free choice is among those who ultimately would like women to choose not to have children, or more than a certain number of children."
We do indeed have a responsibility towards the environment pointed out Benedict XVI in his June 29 encyclical "Caritas in Veritate."
What is at stake, however, is something more than just ecological issues, the Pope added. Respect for nature also includes a respect for human life. "Our duties towards the environment are linked to our duties towards the human person, considered in himself and in relation to others," the encyclical argued (No. 51).
If the two become opposed, then "herein lies a grave contradiction in our mentality and practice today," the Pontiff continued. A contradiction being proposed by not a few voices in the debate over how to approach environmental issues today.
this can be found at: http://www.zenit.org/article-27826?l=english
A planetary law imposing China's one-child policy on all nations is what is needed, according to an opinion article by Diane Francis, published Dec. 8 in the Canadian newspaper, the National Post.
Francis predicted this would reduce the current world population of 6.5 billion down to 3.43 billion by 2075. While more extreme than most, Francis is hardly alone in advocating population control.
Just prior to the Copenhagen summit, Britain's Optimum Population Trust launched a carbon offset scheme, reported the Guardian newspaper on Dec. 3.
As explained by John Vidal, the paper's environment editor, this allows rich consumers to offset their jet-set lifestyle by paying for contraception in poorer countries.
According to Vidal, the trust's calculations show that the 10 metric tons of carbon emitted by a return flight from London to Sydney could be offset by preventing the birth of one child in a country such as Kenya.
It seems neo-colonialism is still alive in the attitudes of some environmental activists who don't see any problem in urging developing nations to curb their population so that the carbon emissions of richer countries can be offset.
The launch of the scheme followed a report published in August by the trust titled: "Fewer Emitters, Lower Emissions, Less Cost: Reducing Future Carbon Emissions by Investing in Family Planning."
The conclusions of the study stated: "The cost/ benefit analysis found that family planning is considerably cheaper than many low carbon technologies."
"Based on the study's findings, it is proposed that family planning methods should be a primary tool in the optimum strategy for reducing carbon emissions," the report advocated.
Disaster predictions
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) joined the Malthusian chorus with the publication of its State of World Population 2009 Report.
Greater access to "reproductive health" was constantly urged by the report. This U.N. term is understood to include access to condoms, contraceptives and abortion.
"We have now reached a point where humanity is approaching the brink of disaster," stated Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA's executive director at the London launch of the report Nov. 18.
The report was greeted in the press with titles such as "UN: Fight Climate Change With Free Condoms," (The Associated Press, Nov. 18).
"Birth Control: The Most Effective Way of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions," trumpeted the Nov. 19 headline in the London Times newspaper in its coverage of the report.
Confusingly, alongside the call for reproductive health in developing nations were other statements that contradicted the thesis that less people in poorer countries would bring the world back from the precipice of environmental disaster.
"The dominant responsibility for the current build-up of greenhouse gases lies with developed countries," the report admitted.
"The linkages between population and climate change are in most cases complex and indirect," it also conceded.
A better guide to the issue of population and the environment came in a special report published by The Economist magazine in its Oct. 31 issue.
In the editorial that accompanied the report the magazine pointed out that the trend to lower fertility in developing countries is already advanced. "Today's fall in fertility is both very large and very fast," it said.
Immoral
We can limit the human impact on the environment in three ways the editorial maintained: population policy, technology and governance. Regarding population there is not much more to be done the magazine argued. Only "Chinese-style coercion" could bring about a speedier reduction in fertility.
Notably, for a publication that in no way espouses religion, the editorial also added that: "Forcing poor people to have fewer children than they want because the rich consume too many of the world's resources would be immoral."
The report itself proposed that the way to deal with carbon emissions and environmental concerns is not to try and reduce fertility but to alter economic growth so that it is less polluting and to make it less resource-intensive.
British sociologist Fran Furedi explored the return of Malthusianism in a piece written for the Web site Spiked. His Dec. 7 commentary harshly attacked the proposals of the Optimum Population Trust for being "a zombie-like Malthusian organization devoted to the cause of human depletion."
"Throughout most of history, human life has been valued in and of itself; it has been seen as possessing a special quality that could not be reduced to quantities to be measured by misanthropic accountants," he observed.
Furedi based his comments on a humanist perspective and not on a religious foundation. There is a unique quality to human life he argued. He also wondered why other humanists were not interested in defending human life and standing up for ideals developed in the Renaissance and the Enlightenment.
Losing faith
"A world that can place an equal sign between a baby and carbon is one that has lost its faith in humanity," Furedi lamented.
Another interesting commentary was published on Dec. 9 by the Australian Web site, On Line Opinion. It was written by Farida Akhter from Bangladesh. According to the article, she is the executive director of an organization that works with communities in Bangladesh and she also runs a feminist publishing house.
Akhter reflected on the UNFPA's State of World Population report and argued that it is a simplistic approach to consider that women can solve environmental problems simply by reducing their fertility.
Targeting the developing nations simply doesn't make sense, she affirmed. Citing data from the UNFPA report she stated that the world's richest half-billion people are responsible for 50% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions.
So, she continued, even if we reduce population growth in the poorest countries their contribution to the reduction of carbon emissions or consumption of resources will be not be significant.
"Let's not make women the target for contraceptives in the name of solving climate change," she concluded.
A sentiment shared by Jennie Bristow, editor of the British publication, the Abortion Review.
She also wrote an article for Spiked on the topic of population and ecology, on Oct. 6.
Bristow defended abortion and contraception, but also pointed out that history is full of examples where these practices have been imposed upon women by authorities who wanted to decide how many children should be born.
Respect
Her essay was critical of the pro-life position, yet she also argued that: "Serious questions have to be asked about how genuine the commitment to free choice is among those who ultimately would like women to choose not to have children, or more than a certain number of children."
We do indeed have a responsibility towards the environment pointed out Benedict XVI in his June 29 encyclical "Caritas in Veritate."
What is at stake, however, is something more than just ecological issues, the Pope added. Respect for nature also includes a respect for human life. "Our duties towards the environment are linked to our duties towards the human person, considered in himself and in relation to others," the encyclical argued (No. 51).
If the two become opposed, then "herein lies a grave contradiction in our mentality and practice today," the Pontiff continued. A contradiction being proposed by not a few voices in the debate over how to approach environmental issues today.
this can be found at: http://www.zenit.org/article-27826?l=english
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Cardinal Bertone calls for religious freedom and respect for human rights in Arab countries
Rome, Italy, Dec 12, 2009 / 02:59 am (CNA).- In what constitutes the first interview for a documentary on the Vatican produced by the Al Jazeera network in collaboration with the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, encouraged the fostering of religious freedom and respect for human rights in Arab countries, especially in the Middle East.
According to L'Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Bertone explained that dialogue between Catholics and Muslims is an "important factor for peace and respect.” He also encouraged "a peaceful coexistence of all with all," explaining that the Church "defends the rights of all: the right to live, the right to education, the right of association, the rights of all minorities."
In that sense, he said, "it is necessary to ensure freedom to worship for everyone, dialoguing and working together to help those who are most in need." "The Church,” he added, "promotes the welfare of peoples regardless of their religion." Given that fact, he urged the defense of minorities, especially Christians "who are in Muslim countries,” a task that "we must pursue together."
Cardinal Bertone went on to discuss his telephone conversation with the Patriarch of Baghdad, Cardinal Emmanuel Delly, after the terrible attacks that hit the offices of the Chaldean Patriarchate, among other areas.
Addressing the people of the Middle East, the Cardinal urged "Arab Christians to stay, because they play a positive role, although some may make mistakes." This is an issue that is often raised when policy makers from the region visit the Vatican, he said.
The Al Jazeera Documentary
The new documentary, which is intended to show the reality of the Vatican to the Muslim world and will be broadcast by Al Jazeera in six months, also includes interviews with several cardinals. Among those prelates are: Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue; Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture; Claudio Maria Celli, President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications and Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Academy for Vita.
According Kenawi Mohamed, Cardinal Bertone's interviewer, "the decision to make the documentary stems from the desire to make known the universal reality of the Catholic Church and the Vatican to the Arab and Muslim world, in particular the Vatican, an independent entity guided by the pope, who is both a spiritual leader and head of state."
Kenawi said the documentary, which has been well received by members of the Roman Curia, "can serve to help the Arab world better understand the figure of the pope and the role of the Holy See in the current international scenario.”
this can be found at: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18038&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29
According to L'Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Bertone explained that dialogue between Catholics and Muslims is an "important factor for peace and respect.” He also encouraged "a peaceful coexistence of all with all," explaining that the Church "defends the rights of all: the right to live, the right to education, the right of association, the rights of all minorities."
In that sense, he said, "it is necessary to ensure freedom to worship for everyone, dialoguing and working together to help those who are most in need." "The Church,” he added, "promotes the welfare of peoples regardless of their religion." Given that fact, he urged the defense of minorities, especially Christians "who are in Muslim countries,” a task that "we must pursue together."
Cardinal Bertone went on to discuss his telephone conversation with the Patriarch of Baghdad, Cardinal Emmanuel Delly, after the terrible attacks that hit the offices of the Chaldean Patriarchate, among other areas.
Addressing the people of the Middle East, the Cardinal urged "Arab Christians to stay, because they play a positive role, although some may make mistakes." This is an issue that is often raised when policy makers from the region visit the Vatican, he said.
The Al Jazeera Documentary
The new documentary, which is intended to show the reality of the Vatican to the Muslim world and will be broadcast by Al Jazeera in six months, also includes interviews with several cardinals. Among those prelates are: Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue; Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture; Claudio Maria Celli, President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications and Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Academy for Vita.
According Kenawi Mohamed, Cardinal Bertone's interviewer, "the decision to make the documentary stems from the desire to make known the universal reality of the Catholic Church and the Vatican to the Arab and Muslim world, in particular the Vatican, an independent entity guided by the pope, who is both a spiritual leader and head of state."
Kenawi said the documentary, which has been well received by members of the Roman Curia, "can serve to help the Arab world better understand the figure of the pope and the role of the Holy See in the current international scenario.”
this can be found at: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=18038&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Archbishop encourages 'sexual responsibility' to combat AIDS in El Salvador
San Salvador, El Salvador, Dec 9, 2009 / 10:01 am (CNA).- With many AIDS prevention campaigns relying solely on condom use, Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas of San Salvador has asked the government to promote “sexual responsibility” as the most effect form of preventing the spread of the disease.
“Certain international agencies are regularly promoting campaigns encouraging condom use, but not even one study exists which proves its effectiveness against this disease,” the archbishop explained in a dialogue with the press.
Archbishop Escobar noted that, “in the African countries where they have distributed the most prophylactics, the virus has spread the most.” Therefore, he recommended programs which emphasize “fidelity between spouses, and abstinence between singles.”
“It is the life lived in accordance to that which is moral which really combats the disease,” the prelate stated. He also noted that the campaigns which emphasize condom use “may provoke greater premature sexual activity.”
“It has been shown that condoms do not offer complete security against the transmission of the virus while experts acknowledge that condoms fail more than 20% of the time.” The archbishop recalled that the Catholic Church insists that “the prevention of AIDS requires the responsibility of the carriers, that the youth postpone their sexual relations, that couples remain faithful to each other, and that dangerous or immoral habits must be changed.”
Official statistics state that 22,210 cases of AIDS have been reported in El Salvador since 1984.
This can be found at: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17983&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29
“Certain international agencies are regularly promoting campaigns encouraging condom use, but not even one study exists which proves its effectiveness against this disease,” the archbishop explained in a dialogue with the press.
Archbishop Escobar noted that, “in the African countries where they have distributed the most prophylactics, the virus has spread the most.” Therefore, he recommended programs which emphasize “fidelity between spouses, and abstinence between singles.”
“It is the life lived in accordance to that which is moral which really combats the disease,” the prelate stated. He also noted that the campaigns which emphasize condom use “may provoke greater premature sexual activity.”
“It has been shown that condoms do not offer complete security against the transmission of the virus while experts acknowledge that condoms fail more than 20% of the time.” The archbishop recalled that the Catholic Church insists that “the prevention of AIDS requires the responsibility of the carriers, that the youth postpone their sexual relations, that couples remain faithful to each other, and that dangerous or immoral habits must be changed.”
Official statistics state that 22,210 cases of AIDS have been reported in El Salvador since 1984.
This can be found at: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17983&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Population control history has been full of abuse:
Since its beginnings in the 19th Century and especially
since its exponential growth after World War II, the
global population control movement has inflicted documented
human rights abuses on millions of women
worldwide. During the overpopulation hysteria of
the 1960s and 1970s and into the 1980s, nations from
Mexico to India implemented coercive population control
policies that forcibly sterilized millions of women,
forced millions more to have abortions, and also forcibly
sterilized millions of men. Some of these abuses
routinely continue to this day, particularly in China.
Columbia University History Professor Matthew Connelly
wrote in Fatal Misconception: The Struggle to Control
World Population, “The great tragedy of population
control, the fatal misconception, was to think that one
could know other people’s interests better than they
knew it themselves.”1 In the case of the global population
control movement, it was and is wealthy, elite,
white Western people deciding how many children less
fortunate people should have. Connelly details the racist
agenda of the founders of the modern population
control movement, which wanted to reduce the number
of “racially inferior” human beings. Just a few examples
of the resulting systematic human rights abuses are below.
since its exponential growth after World War II, the
global population control movement has inflicted documented
human rights abuses on millions of women
worldwide. During the overpopulation hysteria of
the 1960s and 1970s and into the 1980s, nations from
Mexico to India implemented coercive population control
policies that forcibly sterilized millions of women,
forced millions more to have abortions, and also forcibly
sterilized millions of men. Some of these abuses
routinely continue to this day, particularly in China.
Columbia University History Professor Matthew Connelly
wrote in Fatal Misconception: The Struggle to Control
World Population, “The great tragedy of population
control, the fatal misconception, was to think that one
could know other people’s interests better than they
knew it themselves.”1 In the case of the global population
control movement, it was and is wealthy, elite,
white Western people deciding how many children less
fortunate people should have. Connelly details the racist
agenda of the founders of the modern population
control movement, which wanted to reduce the number
of “racially inferior” human beings. Just a few examples
of the resulting systematic human rights abuses are below.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Planned Parenthood struggling financially, Harvard study finds
Washington D.C., Dec 5, 2009 / 01:46 am (CNA).- Last week, InsiderCatholic.com issued a story referring to a Harvard Business School case study which outlined some of Planned Parenthood's recent financial difficulties. According to Mauricio Roman's article, Planned Parenthood has recently consolidated its affiliates, pushed for more cost effective procedures such as chemical abortions versus in-clinic abortions, and has tried to increase its sale of emergency contraceptive kits.
The Harvard case study, released in April of 2009, claims that "tough economic times, a hostile political environment" and inability to raise philanthropic dollars are among the reasons for Planned Parenthood's financial difficulties, despite the fact that the non-profit organization claimed $85 million in profits in 2008.
"Planned Parenthood may call itself a non-profit but the numbers don't lie: abortion is a big business," said Colin Mason, Director of Media Production for the Population Research Institute to CNA.
"Planned Parenthood talks the talk on 'wanting to reduce abortions' but that is actually the last thing they want. Why would they? Abortions are their bread and butter. When rates drop, Planned Parenthood feels the heat, as we're seeing now."
When asked if their financial difficulties are among the reasons that Planned Parenthood is working so hard to ensure federally-funded abortions in the new health care reform, Mason told CNA that "it is likely that this particularly strong push is a result of their slashed revenues."
"As abortion becomes more and more unpopular, Planned Parenthood suffers. Federal funding ensures a reliable budget."
Mason continued to tell CNA that "Planned Parenthood is beginning to have an odor of disreputability, and is losing funding at the state and local level as a result. They are shrouded in scandals that seem to pop up at every turn, from their proven practice of covering up statutory rape, to their willingness to accept racist donations."
"It is telling," said Mason, "that major companies like Target, who used to give to Planned Parenthood, have ceased. Planned Parenthood is beginning to develop a 'creep factor,' which takes its toll on revenue and patronage."
Ultimately, Mason believes that "Americans are becoming more and more uncomfortable with the entire idea of abortion and that is one of the biggest reasons why America’s biggest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, is starting to see a massive fall-off."
"It is our hope," Mason told CNA, "that, just as the ovens of Auschwitz stand empty now as a public memorial to millions of slain Jews, so someday Planned Parenthood’s clinics will stand empty to remind us of the countless babies sacrificed in the name of 'choice'."
This can be found at: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17953&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29
The Harvard case study, released in April of 2009, claims that "tough economic times, a hostile political environment" and inability to raise philanthropic dollars are among the reasons for Planned Parenthood's financial difficulties, despite the fact that the non-profit organization claimed $85 million in profits in 2008.
"Planned Parenthood may call itself a non-profit but the numbers don't lie: abortion is a big business," said Colin Mason, Director of Media Production for the Population Research Institute to CNA.
"Planned Parenthood talks the talk on 'wanting to reduce abortions' but that is actually the last thing they want. Why would they? Abortions are their bread and butter. When rates drop, Planned Parenthood feels the heat, as we're seeing now."
When asked if their financial difficulties are among the reasons that Planned Parenthood is working so hard to ensure federally-funded abortions in the new health care reform, Mason told CNA that "it is likely that this particularly strong push is a result of their slashed revenues."
"As abortion becomes more and more unpopular, Planned Parenthood suffers. Federal funding ensures a reliable budget."
Mason continued to tell CNA that "Planned Parenthood is beginning to have an odor of disreputability, and is losing funding at the state and local level as a result. They are shrouded in scandals that seem to pop up at every turn, from their proven practice of covering up statutory rape, to their willingness to accept racist donations."
"It is telling," said Mason, "that major companies like Target, who used to give to Planned Parenthood, have ceased. Planned Parenthood is beginning to develop a 'creep factor,' which takes its toll on revenue and patronage."
Ultimately, Mason believes that "Americans are becoming more and more uncomfortable with the entire idea of abortion and that is one of the biggest reasons why America’s biggest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, is starting to see a massive fall-off."
"It is our hope," Mason told CNA, "that, just as the ovens of Auschwitz stand empty now as a public memorial to millions of slain Jews, so someday Planned Parenthood’s clinics will stand empty to remind us of the countless babies sacrificed in the name of 'choice'."
This can be found at: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17953&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29
Thursday, December 3, 2009
New Uruguayan president-elect means pro-life battle is compromised, leader warns
Montevideo, Uruguay, Dec 3, 2009 / 11:10 am (CNA).- Following the announcement that Uruguay's left-wing candidate won the country's recent presidential election, pro-life leader Alvaro Fernandez warned that “the ballot for life in Uruguay is frankly compromised,” as the newly elected leader has said he would not oppose a possible legalization of abortion, as did his predecessor, outgoing President Tabare Vasquez.
In an interview with CNA, Fernandez explained that president-elect Jose Mujica was a member of the Tupamaros during the 1970s, a Marxist group that resorted to violence to bring about social change in Uruguay. His wife, who was also a member, is also “clearly supportive of the legalization of abortion.”
Fernandez said the differences between the various presidential candidates “were notable, not only for exterior reasons or because of their different political styles, but also because of deep philosophical differences.”
For example, he said, former president and candidate of the National Party, Luis Lacalle, “had promised he would veto any law on abortion that was passed by Parliament. Mr. Mujica promised he wouldn’t put any obstacles against the law on abortion.”
In order to warn the fellow Uruguayans of the importance of the November 29 elections, Fernandez explained, Uruguayan pro-lifers took the streets on November 23 to protest the legalization of abortion, with some 3,500 participating.
“What is certain and sure is that the pro-life battle in Uruguay is frankly compromised,” Fernandez said, adding that pro-lifers “would continue fighting like always. We will do everything we can to achieve the impossible. We are counting on the prayers of all, and, much to the dismay of Mr. Mujica, on the help of Divine Providence.”
Carlos Polo, the director of the Office for Latin America of the Population Research Institute, told CNA, “While it is true that candidate Mujica said he supported abortion, President Mujica does not necessarily have to come down on the side of his personal convictions. He won by a very small margin and almost half of the country does not concur with his positions.” For this reason, Polo warned, “Mujica must govern everyone and not only a particular social or political group, as there is a growing social tendency in Uruguay against the legalization of abortion.”
This can be found at: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17910&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29
In an interview with CNA, Fernandez explained that president-elect Jose Mujica was a member of the Tupamaros during the 1970s, a Marxist group that resorted to violence to bring about social change in Uruguay. His wife, who was also a member, is also “clearly supportive of the legalization of abortion.”
Fernandez said the differences between the various presidential candidates “were notable, not only for exterior reasons or because of their different political styles, but also because of deep philosophical differences.”
For example, he said, former president and candidate of the National Party, Luis Lacalle, “had promised he would veto any law on abortion that was passed by Parliament. Mr. Mujica promised he wouldn’t put any obstacles against the law on abortion.”
In order to warn the fellow Uruguayans of the importance of the November 29 elections, Fernandez explained, Uruguayan pro-lifers took the streets on November 23 to protest the legalization of abortion, with some 3,500 participating.
“What is certain and sure is that the pro-life battle in Uruguay is frankly compromised,” Fernandez said, adding that pro-lifers “would continue fighting like always. We will do everything we can to achieve the impossible. We are counting on the prayers of all, and, much to the dismay of Mr. Mujica, on the help of Divine Providence.”
Carlos Polo, the director of the Office for Latin America of the Population Research Institute, told CNA, “While it is true that candidate Mujica said he supported abortion, President Mujica does not necessarily have to come down on the side of his personal convictions. He won by a very small margin and almost half of the country does not concur with his positions.” For this reason, Polo warned, “Mujica must govern everyone and not only a particular social or political group, as there is a growing social tendency in Uruguay against the legalization of abortion.”
This can be found at: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17910&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29
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