Sebelius' Role In KS Abortion Scandal Makes Her Unfit For HHS Post

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February 9th, 2009

If nominated, Operation Rescue vows to actively oppose her appointment

Topeka, KS - Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is reported to be at the top of the list for appointment by President Barrack Obama as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Operation Rescue vows to oppose her nomination based on her involvement in an illegal abortion cover-up scandal.

Sebelius was first elected to the governor's office with the help of huge campaign contributions from late-term abortionist George R. Tiller, who has earned Kansas the dubious moniker of the Abortion Capital.

"Sebelius is joined at the hip with the abortion industry," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "She owes them her political career and has been more than willing to pay them back with personal favors that have shielded them from legislation and criminal prosecution. Her corrupt abortion politics make her unfit to serve."

Sebelius' abortion entanglements:

· Sebelius held a secret party for Tiller and his entire abortion clinic staff in April, 2007, at the official governor's mansion. Photos show her pointing with apparent gratitude to Tiller, holding a campaign t-shirt featuring her name. Tiller has been charged with 19 counts of illegal abortions and faces trial next month.

· Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann has told Sebelius to refrain from presenting herself for Communion until she makes "a public repudiation of her previous efforts and actions in support of laws and policies sanctioning abortion."

· Sebelius has opposed or vetoed several abortion-accountability bills, including popular clinic regulation legislation in 2005.

· Sebelius meddled with an investigation by the KS Board of Healing Arts in the death of Christin Gilbert, who died from a botched abortion at Tiller's Wichita clinic in January, 2005. The Board's politically-motivated premature conclusions covered her veto clinic regulations. The Board was recently asked to re-open that investigation due to political corruption and new evidence.

· Sebelius attended a Planned Parenthood fundraiser on the occasion of her birthday in May, 2007. PP CEO Peter Brownlie led a conga-line dance in her honor during the party. Brownlie's clinic was later charged with 107 criminal counts of conducting illegal late-term abortions. Those charges are now pending.

· Sebelius appointed a former abortion clinic "escort" John Carmichael, a militant supporter of Tiller's Political Action Committee, ProKanDo, to the Human Rights Commission. His name was quietly withdrawn ten months later.

· Sebelius appointed political supporter and abortionist Howard Ellis to serve on the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts after he surrendered his medical license in Missouri rather than face disciplinary action. Ellis resigned under pressure, and two months later was charged by the Board with attempting to persuade a physician to falsify records.

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About Operation Rescue®

Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation. Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates. Click here to support Operation Rescue.

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Web site: www.operationrescue.org

E-mail: info@operationrescue.org

Newly formed St. Gianna Physician's Guild supports pro-life practices

Italian sainted doctor-mother inspires U.S. Catholic physicians

If a picture is worth a thousand words, the members of the St. Gianna Physician's Guild are hoping that an image of St. Gianna Beretta Molla will help them spread the faith in a "silent" evangelization of the medical community in the United States.

Continue reading here: http://www.osv.com/OSVNav/OSVNewsweeklyJanuary182009/SainteddoctormotherinspiresCatholicphysicians/tabid/7403/Default.aspx

Unlicensed California Abortionist Sentenced To Over 3 Years In Prison

Unlicensed California Abortionist Sentenced To Over 3 Years In Prison

February 2nd, 2009

Bertha Bugarin is scheduled for sentencing on 9 more felonies in San Diego County on Feb. 6

Los Angeles, CA - Bertha Bugarin was sentenced in a Los Angeles court on Friday to 3 years, 4 months in prison for committing illegal abortions without a medical license. Prosecutors had asked for five years.

Bertha appeared in court sobbing uncontrollably and begging for leniency and mercy. Her 22-year old daughter, Evangelina Bernal, cried as she read a prepared statement extolling the virtues of her mother.

"In sentencing Bugarin, Judge Sam Ohta has forgotten that Bugarin's victims were given no such mercy. Many of the women were cruelly given abortions without anesthesia or pain medication," said Operation Rescue spokesperson Cheryl Sullenger.

"Bugarin preyed on vulnerable Hispanic neighborhoods. She hoped to earn the maximum amount of profit by providing the shoddiest care, hoping the illegal status of many in those neighborhoods would prevent them from reporting what one journalist described as her 'shop of horrors.' Her victims will have to live with the trauma and injury Bugarin inflicted on them for the rest of their lives. Bugarin is a cold-hearted predator whose only remorse is that she got caught."

Bugarin has a long history of total disregard for the law and the safety of women who came to her abortion business that once operated 11 abortion mills. At least six of Bugarin's abortionists have lost their medical licenses due to negligence and fraud.

One of her abortionists, Laurence Reich, was a twice-convicted sex offender who molested and raped his abortion patients. Reich surrendered his license in 2006, but continued to work as an abortionist for Bugarin until his arrest in February, 2008.

Even after her arrest in a Los Angeles Police raid on 4 of her remaining 6 clinics, Bugarin continued to operate in San Diego County until her arrest there.

Bugarin pled guilty to 9 felony counts in San Diego County and is scheduled for sentencing there on Friday, February 6, 2009.

"We are very thankful that Bugarin's clinics are now closed and that she is on her way to jail where she belongs. We worked very long to protect the women of Southern California further abuse at the hands of this ruthless predator," said Sullenger.

"This sends a message to abortionists around the nation who have the attitude that they are above the law: We are watching you, and we will not stop working to enforce the laws until you, like Ms. Bugarin, are brought to justice."

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About Operation Rescue®

Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation. Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates. Click here to support Operation Rescue.

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Web site: www.operationrescue.org

E-mail: info@operationrescue.org

From http://www.americanpapist.com/2009/01/breaking-pro-life-devout-catholic-named.html This is Great News!

Breaking: Pro-life, devout Catholic named new RNC chair!

I'm hearing that it happened just minutes ago: Former Maryland Lt. Gov. (and former state party chairman) Michael Steele has been elected as the new chair of the Republican National Committee.

So who is he?!

CollegeNews tells us:

"Steele is a staunch social conservative: devoutly Catholic, pro-life, anti-embryonic stem cell research, etc."

Sounds like my kind of guy!

And no Kmiec-style justifications needed to support him.
update: WaPo blog:

The Republican National Committee elected Michael Steele as its first African American chairman today in Washington, a decision that came after an excruciating series of ballots that displayed a level of drama rarely seen in national politics.

On the sixth and final ballot Steele bested South Carolina Republican party Chairman Katon Dawson 91 to 77.

"It's time for something completely different and we are going to bring it to them," Steele said after his victory. "This is our opportunity. I cannot do this by myself."

Leading Vatican Prelate Says Document of US Bishops Partly to Blame for Election of “Most Pro-Abortion President”

Exclusive Interview: Leading Vatican Prelate Says Document of US Bishops Partly to Blame for Election of “Most Pro-Abortion President”

Also says Bishops’ Catholic News Service needs to be given "some new direction"

By Hilary White, Rome Correspondent

ROME, January 28, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A document of the US Catholic Bishops is partly to blame for the abandonment of pro-life teachings by voting Catholics and the election of the “most pro-abortion president” in US history, one of the Vatican’s highest officials said in an interview with LifeSiteNews.com.

Archbishop Raymond Burke, the prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, named a document on the election produced by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops that he said “led to confusion” among the faithful and led ultimately to massive support among Catholics for Barack Obama.

The US bishops’ document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” stated that, under certain circumstances, a Catholic could in good conscience vote for a candidate who supports abortion because of "other grave reasons," as long as they do not intend to support that pro-abortion position.

Archbishop Burke, the former Archbishop of St. Louise Mo. and recently appointed head of the highest ecclesiastical court in the Catholic Church, told LifeSiteNews.com that although “there were a greater number of bishops who spoke up very clearly and firmly ... there was also a number who did not.”

But most damaging, he said, was the document “Faithful Citizenship” that “led to confusion” among the voting Catholic population.

“While it stated that the issue of life was the first and most important issue, it went on in some specific areas to say ‘but there are other issues’ that are of comparable importance without making necessary distinctions.”

Archbishop Burke, citing an article by a priest and ethics expert of St. Louis archdiocese, Msgr. Kevin McMahon, who analysed how the bishops’ document actually contributed to the election of Obama, called its proposal “a kind of false thinking, that says, ‘there’s the evil of taking an innocent and defenceless human life but there are other evils and they’re worthy of equal consideration.’

“But they’re not. The economic situation, or opposition to the war in Iraq, or whatever it may be, those things don’t rise to the same level as something that is always and everywhere evil, namely the killing of innocent and defenceless human life.”

Archbishop Burke also cited the work of the official news service of the US Catholic Bishops’ Conference, that many pro-life observers complained soft-pedalled the newly elected president’s opposition to traditional morality.

“The bishops need to look also at our Catholic News Service, CNS, they need to review their coverage of the whole thing and give some new direction, in my judgement,” he said.

MUST READ: Bishop Hermann of St. Louis – Strongest Ever Pro-Life Column

By Bishop Robert J. Hermann, Archdiocesan Administrator

January 27, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Editor’s note: The following are excerpts from the column of Bishop Hermann published in the St. Louis Review and republished by LifeSiteNews.com with permission. (To read the whole column, see: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09012707.html)

In our Supreme Court and in our Congress, we have a plethora of so-called Catholics who are failing to live their Catholic identity. Over 50 percent of our electorate voted for a president who is one of the most pro-culture-of-death candidates from a major party to run for the highest office of the land.

Yes, we can thank one-half of our Catholics for bailing out on their faith!

After almost 50 years of having 50 percent of Catholics abandoning their Catholic identity, we cannot expect to turn this culture around by short-term political efforts.

In order to bring about a transformation from a culture of death to a culture of life, we have to restore our Catholic identity.

This means that all of us, as Catholics, have to undergo a profound transformation. It means that we have to take a good look at every facet of our Catholic life, including the serious study of life issues, the regular and devout use of our Sacramental system, especially the devout and weekly attendance at Mass, the regular reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the devout praying of the daily Rosary, and then the faithful, loving and firm witness to lax Catholics about our Catholic beliefs and practices.

We have to live our lives in such a way that we will be unafraid to witness to what we believe and live.

I may courageously say that I am willing to die to end abortion, but am I equally willing to say that I am ready to let my ego get ruffled daily for the same cause? Yet … that is where I need to arrive if I am to be a credible witness.

What a glorious opportunity we all have to make a difference in the pro-life cause. Until we are willing to be politically incorrect in order to be biblically correct, we will never convince anyone that our religion is worth living.

It does not take 100 percent of our Catholics to transform this country. If 75 percent of our Catholics were steeped in Catholic identity, the abortion issue would be over for our entire country.

For the whole column by Bishop Hermann see:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09012707.html

OBAMA LAUNCHES ABORTION BAILOUT

President Obama Launches Abortion Bailout with Repeal of Mexico City Policy, Says SBA List President "The abortion bailout has begun." Susan B. Anthony List President Criticizes President Obama's Repeal of Pro-Life Mexico City Policy WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today the president of the Susan B. Anthony List commented on President Barack Obama's anticipated executive order to repeal the pro-life Mexico City Policy: "President Obama campaigned on finding 'common ground' on abortion policy, but his first presidential decision to roll back the commonsense Mexico City Policy signals to American taxpayers that the abortion bailout has begun," said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "It's unfortunate that President Obama has made subsidizing international abortion groups one of his first priorities, even as abortion numbers here at home are on the decline. America should respond to women's needs in developing countries with real assistance that also upholds their dignity, not by promoting or paying for abortions. I am disappointed by President Obama's decision to bypass the will of American taxpayers and promote the radical agenda of Planned Parenthood and the abortion lobby." Through the Susan B. Anthony List Stop the Abortion Bailout! Campaign ( www.stoptheabortionbailout.com), over 75,000 letters have been sent to the U.S. Senate advocating the preservation of federal abortion funding restrictions. The campaign's goal is to secure the 41 votes necessary to sustain a filibuster against measures promoting federal taxpayer funding of abortion. President Reagan first established the pro-life Mexico City Policy in 1984. Named for the city where it was announced, the policy declared that American tax dollars would not fund nongovernmental organizations involved in performing or promoting abortions abroad. President Bill Clinton rescinded the policy his first day in office. President G.W. Bush reinstated the policy as his first executive order on January 22, 2001. The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 152,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process. www.sba-list.org

FROM OPERATION RESCUE:

Photos of Roe v. Wade Events in Nation's Abortion Capital, Wichita, KS

January 23rd, 2009

Wichita, KS - Operation Rescue led a candlelight prayer vigil outside the nations's largest late-term abortion mill, Women's Health Care Services, on the 36th memorial of Roe v. Wade.

As about 150 pro-lifers gathered for prayer, double the number from the previous year, troubled abortionist George Tiller slipped out the gate and headed off for home.

"In previous years, Tiller has posted defiant banners, held rallies, even offered free abortions. There was none of that this year," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "He tried to simply sneak out of his abortion mill without anyone noticing."

Tiller currently faces 19 criminal charges of having committed illegal late-term abortions in 2003. Operation Rescue revealed new allegations of criminality at Tiller's abortion mill when it released the results of an undercover investigation that showed WHCS employees intentionally underestimating fetal ages and viability in order to justify illegal abortions.

After the group finished their vigil at Tiller's abortion clinic, they adjourned to Operation Rescue's National headquarters for a premiere showing of the new movie "22 Weeks."

VIEW PHOTOS HERE

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About Operation Rescue®

Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation. Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates. Click here to make a secure donation online.
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Web site: www.operationrescue.org

E-mail: info@operationrescue.org

Pro-Life Activists to Lay 1400 Flowers in Front of White House to Honor 1400 African American Children Killed Each Day Through Abortion

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Pro-Life Activists to Lay 1400 Flowers in Front of White House to Honor 1400 African American Children Killed Each Day Through Abortion WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 /Christian Newswire/ --A prayer vigil and memorial is to be lead by well known civil rights activist Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Vigil will take place on Friday Jan. 23 at 12:00 PM on the Pennsylvania side of the White House. This event is part of a major pro-life witness challenging President Obama to stand for social justice and human rights for all Americans called the Birmingham Letter Project. See thebirminghamletterproject.com for more information. The group still plans to sidewalk chalk a pro-life message and display in front of the White House on Saturday Jan. 24 at 10:00 AM in spite of loosing a federal court case today and in spite of facing arrests. For more information or interviews call: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney at 202.547.1735 Cell: 540.538.4741

Dr. Alveda King to Keynote White House Rally for Birmingham Letter Project

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Dr. Alveda King to Keynote White House Rally for Birmingham Letter Project WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Alveda King, Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will deliver the keynote address at a rally in front of the White House Friday. The rally will honor the 1,400 African American children aborted every day in the United States. "Over 45 years ago, my Uncle, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote from a Birmingham jail cell that '[i]njustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,'" said Dr. King. "Today, there is no greater injustice than that suffered by the 4,000 babies, 1,400 of them black, who die on any given day at the hands of abortionists. Friday, we will stand witness in front of the White House and testify to President Obama that while he is living his dreams, those babies will be dying horrible deaths because of the policies he supports." The 12:00 PM rally this Friday is a part of the Birmingham Letter Project, a four-day program that, like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous letter, challenges Christians to leave their comfort zones and confront injustice. "I see the pride on African American faces everywhere, pride in the tremendous breakthrough President Obama represents," added Dr. King. "But I also can close my eyes and see the millions upon millions of young black, white, red, and yellow faces who never had the chance to live, overcome, or witness history. Friday, we will challenge President Obama to see those faces as well." Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro- life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.

Operation Rescue Statement Regarding the 36th Memorial of Roe v. Wade

Week's Events Show Major Disconnect Amongst Americans Regarding Life

January 21st, 2009

Wichita, KS - Operation Rescue releases the following statement regarding the 36th memorial of Roe v. Wade:

This momentous week marked three events that show how Americans suffer from a major disconnect regarding the value of human life.

On Monday millions celebrated the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who championed the cause of human equality. On Tuesday, the nation celebrated the inauguration of President Barack Obama with prayers that Americans will treat each other with the respect we deserve.

But tomorrow, Americans will mark the 36th memorial of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that decriminalized abortion in America. Some who celebrated the legacy of Dr. King and the presidency of Mr. Obama will even celebrate this moment.

Therein lays the disconnection with reality and the hypocrisy. While advocating for social justice on one hand, many - including much of the media - ignore the greatest injustice of our time.

Abortion devalued the lives of an entire class of human beings, and as a result nearly 50 million innocent boys and girls have been brutally killed by the most horrific means imaginable. Humans in the earliest and most vulnerable stages of life do not enjoy the equality that Dr. King advocated nor are they afforded the respect that Pastor Rick Warren referred to during the Inaugural Invocation.

Abortion has also degraded women, encouraging men use them as objects then leave them to deal with the consequences, because without protections for all, we are all left vulnerable.

Equality and respect for all is still a dream.

Nevertheless, the pro-life movement has made great strides in recent years in changing the hearts of Americans, especially among the youth, who are more pro-life than ever. The number of abortions are at their lowest point in three decades. Abortion clinics are closing at an astounding rate, and pro-life pregnancy help centers vastly outnumber abortions mills. Law enforcement agencies are finally beginning to arrest and prosecute abortionists who flout the law.

But more must be done.

Operation Rescue is dedicated to the goal of achieving legal protections for the pre-born. Until that can be accomplished, we will work to expose the failing abortion industry and save innocent lives. Our plan has succeeded in closing dozens of abortion mills and swaying public opinion. Working together can stop the killing regardless of who sits in the White House.

But first, Americans must reconnect with reality and shun the hypocrisy of empty rhetoric. Actions speak louder than words. If we truly value life, we will act now and not stop until all are protected.

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About Operation Rescue®

Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation. Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates. Click here to support Operation Rescue.

________________________________
Web site: www.operationrescue.org

E-mail: info@operationrescue.org

From Coast to Coast, Women to Tell of Abortion's Impact on Their Lives

From Coast to Coast, Women to Tell of Abortion's Impact on Their Lives WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- Members of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign (SNMAC), the world's largest network of men and women harmed by abortion, will give their personal abortion testimonies at Washington, DC's March for Life on Thursday and San Francisco's Walk for Life West Coast on Saturday. "The Silent No More women and men have suffered years of torment because of abortion," said SNMAC co- founder Janet Morana. "This week they will stand in front of the Supreme Court and on the streets of San Francisco to proclaim that the time for healing has begun. To be pro-life is to be pro-woman. Everyone still locked in silence and shame can come forward and embrace new hope and peace." "We who oppose abortion do not oppose those who have had abortions; rather we embrace them with love," added SNMAC co-founder Georgette Forney, a keynote speaker at Saturday's Walk for Life West Coast. "We who have lived with the pain and regret of abortion declare to our nation that abortion is unjust, cruel, and oppressive. If hope is truly to be restored, abortion must end." Since the launching of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign in 2003, 2,739 women and men have shared their testimonies publicly at over 325 gatherings in 44 states and seven countries where more than 41,000 spectators have heard the truth about abortion's negative aftereffects. More than 6,100 people are registered to be Silent No More. Raising awareness about the hurtful aftermath of abortion and the help that is available to cope with the pain are two of the Campaign's goals. The Silent No More Awareness Campaign is a joint project of Anglicans for Life and Priests for Life. For more information, please visit our website: www.SilentNoMoreAwareness.org

New Campaign to Stop the Abortion Bailout

SBA List President Available for Comment on 36th Anniversary of Roe, Stop the Abortion Bailout Campaign Just in time for Tomorrow's 36th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. . . Stop the Abortion Bailout! SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser Available for Comment on Abortion Policy, New Campaign to Stop the Abortion Bailout WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser is available for comment on tomorrow's 36th anniversary (January 22nd) of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. WHO: Marjorie Dannenfelser President, Susan B. Anthony List WHAT: Media Availability to discuss the following: Stop the Abortion Bailout! Advocacy Campaign Pro-woman, Pro-Life leadership in politics and America today What abortion policy changes can be expected from the Obama Administration The impact of 36 years of legalized abortion in America The abortion issue and politics Americans are pro-life - attitudes with regard to abortion policy Through the Stop the Abortion Bailout! Advocacy campaign, over 60,000 letters have been sent to the U.S. Senate to advocate the preservation of federal abortion funding restrictions at www.stoptheabortionbailout.com. The goal of the campaign is to secure the 41 votes necessary to sustain a filibuster against measures promoting federal taxpayer funding of abortion. Last month, over 50 abortion groups submitted an extensive report to the Obama-Biden transition team detailing demands for massive increases in taxpayer funding and major abortion policy reversals. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Joy Yearout at (703) 380-6674 or by email at jyearout@sba-list.org. The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 152,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process. www.sba-list.org

Annual Indoor Pro-Life Gathering Will Return to US Capitol on January 22

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Annual Indoor Pro-Life Gathering Will Return to US Capitol January 22 National Pre-born Service Gets Last-Minute Approval for Prestigious Venue WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- Thursday morning's National Service for the Pre-born, previously known as the National Memorial for the Pre-born and their Mothers and Fathers, will take place inside the new US Capitol Visitor Center after being initially turned down for an indoor venue this year. An alternate site at the Heritage Foundation Building was made available to attendees, but the service will now be returned to the US Capitol complex itself. "This is a significant turn of events," said Rev. Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council and co-founder of the Pre-born Service. "It looked like pro- lifers were being permanently barred from using US Capitol meeting space after the last election, but it has turned out not to be the case after all. And we all have Senator Orrin Hatch to thank for this welcome development." Utah Senior Senator Orrin Hatch intervened as official sponsor of this year's National Pre-born Service and made last-minute arrangements for the principle coordinating groups, The National Pro-Life Religious Council, The National Clergy Council, Priests for Life and Faith and Action, to return to the Capitol. This year's National Pre-born Service will feature Fr. Frank Pavone, Rev. Rob Schenck and Pastor Kenneth Barney. They will be joined by Pro-Life attorney Steve Peroutka and dozens of clergy and other pro-life leaders from every Christian denomination and tradition. The National Pre-born Service is in its 14th Year and has become the premiere indoor Capitol Hill pro-life event. "This year's Pre-born Service is more important than ever," said Rev. Schenck. "We now have an administration that threatens to reverse all the pro-life gains of the last eight years. We must be a strong witness to the Gospel of Life in the midst of the Congress. This venue allows us to do just that. I am very grateful to Senator Hatch for working so hard on our behalf." Pro-life groups are being asked to spread the word on the very welcome last-minute location change as far and wide as possible. Details: National Pre-born Service, Thursday morning, January 22, 2009 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM Congressional Auditorium Capitol Visitor Center East Side of the US Capitol Washington, DC All clergy are invited to participate in the program and will be given assignments on site. No preparation is necessary. Clergy should vest according to their own custom, but must arrive early to do so. The service is free and open to all pro-life people. As usual, the service will dismiss in time for all attendees to participate in the Annual March for Life that follows.

50 MILLION DEAD CHILDREN

Georgians Mourn the Death of Over 50 Million Children

ATLANTA, Jan. 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- Thursday, January 22, 2009, marks the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Since the Roe decision, 50 million children have died as a result of abortion. Georgia Right to Life (GRTL) is calling for those children to be remembered through their Together for Life Memorial Service and Silent Walk. This is Georgia's largest annual pro-life gathering. It is being held on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, GA.

The Memorial Service, sponsored by Georgia Right to Life begins at 11:30 AM and is followed by a one-mile long silent, peaceful walk through downtown Atlanta.

This year GRTL is adding a new way to remember these children. Georgians are invited to remember the children who have been lost by visiting the nation's first virtual Abortion Holocaust Memorial Wall at Supportpersonhood.com.

While visiting the site, people will be able to remember each individual victim of abortion by granting them an identity and providing an epitaph on the virtual wall.

"We need to be a voice for the voiceless by remembering these children. This gives us as a nation the opportunity to remember these children not just on January 22nd but on every day throughout the year," stated Dan Becker, President of Georgia Right to Life, on the launching of the Abortion Holocaust Memorial Wall.

The featured speakers at this year's service are Dr. Alveda C. King, niece of Martin Luther King Jr. and Pastoral Associate for Priests for Life and Archbishop Wilton Gregory, of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Dr. Alveda King noted, "The right to life is a civil right that transcends political parties."

On January 22, 2009, Georgia Right to Life is walking for the civil rights of every unborn child; the right to be valued in law as a person from the moment of fertilization until natural death.

Over 30,000 abortions are performed in Georgia annually.

Georgia Right to Life is a non-profit, non-partisan, non- sectarian organization of diverse and caring people united to engage in actions that will restore respect and effective legal protection for all human beings from the moment of fertilization until natural death.

For more information about the Abortion Holocaust Memorial Wall, check out www.personhood.net.

From Catholic Sentinel (sentinel.org/)

To paraphrase St. John: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but votes for FOCA, thus showing a disregard for his pre-born brother or sister, he is a liar.”

"I do not see how any Catholic senator or representative could vote for the passage of FOCA without recognizing that such a vote would constitute a direct and intentional declaration of their disdain for Catholic teaching. Such a vote would be tantamount to a public declaration of their intention to abandon the Catholic faith."

BEND, OR (Catholic Sentinel) — The Mass readings for the week between Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord are taken from the First Letter of St. John. These readings are not always used for it often happens, depending upon the day on which Christmas falls, that the season of ordinary time begins immediately after the celebration of Epiphany. This year, however, the occurrence of Christmas allowed for a full week between these two post-Christmas celebrations and thus the readings from St. John’s first letter. As often happens, the daily Mass readings are both appealing and challenging. The reading of Thursday from I John 4:19ff is particularly appropriate in this year when the life issues are very much on the minds of pro-life persons.

The reason for the increased awareness and even concern on the part of the pro-life community is the specter of the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) which is highly rumored to be in the works at the federal level. It is this act which has stimulated the bishops of the United States to launch a massive postcard campaign calling upon the House and Senate to abandon FOCA. While further details about the dramatic impact of FOCA on our American culture can be found in many places, I will simply say that it would establish abortion as a federally protected right and, as I understand it, preclude state limitation or regulation of abortion. Further, since abortion would be a federally protected right, it is very possible that even Catholic health care institutions and Catholic Physicians would be mandated to provide this heinous service.

Thus I strongly urge all who have a glimmer of concern for the lives of pre-born children to engage themselves in this postcard campaign. This is not an action which would limit or alter present permissive abortion laws, which some so-called Catholic pro-choice persons might object to, it would simply preclude a dramatic expansion of that permissiveness. Thus it would be very difficult for any Catholic, no matter how much in favor of abortion itself, to find a reason to refuse to participate in this campaign. At the same time, I do not see how any Catholic senator or representative could vote for the passage of FOCA without recognizing that such a vote would constitute a direct and intentional declaration of their disdain for Catholic teaching. Such a vote would be tantamount to a public declaration of their intention to abandon the Catholic faith. It would be imperative that the faith consequences of such a declaration be allowed to fall fully on the heads of those who would make it.

The writing from St. John applies: “Beloved, we love God because He first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from Him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

We of the Catholic faith certainly know that love of God is central to our tenets, this is the appealing part. It is hard to imagine a Catholic saying, “I am a Catholic in good standing but I do not love God.” But the inspired scriptures tell us that whoever does not love his brother or neighbor does not and, indeed, cannot love God. This is the challenging part. The people of Jesus’ day understood this and it was this understanding that prompted them to ask, “And who is my neighbor?” For all of us, and especially for Catholic legislators in every strata of government, it is necessary to declare, in conformity with the Natural Law and the teaching of the Catholic Church that, the pre-born child is our brother, our sister, our neighbor!

It may sound a little strong to state that legislators “hate” the pre-born child but hate is an absence of love and love means to wish another well. There is nothing about abortion that wishes the pre-born child well. The preservation of abortion “rights” is already an absence of love for the pre-born child but the passage of FOCA could be construed as nothing less than active and positive disregard, even hatred, for these our brothers and sisters. To paraphrase St. John, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but votes for FOCA, thus showing a disregard for his pre-born brother or sister, he is a liar.” Lots of things can be rationalized in government but I do not see any way in which any Catholic could rationalize or justify an affirmative vote for FOCA.

It is not necessary for your postcards to be as outspoken as this bishop but you do have an obligation to participate in this concerted effort to show love for the tiniest and most defenseless of our brothers and sisters. President-elect Obama made it very clear, prior to the election, that he would happily sign FOCA and the millions of Catholics who voted for him hopefully did so for reasons other than this promise and certainly not because of it. It seems to me that it is particularly incumbent upon these same voters to make it clearly known to their representatives that their vote may not in any way be taken as a sign of support for FOCA.

Another way in which we show our affirmative love for our pre-born brothers and sisters is by way of our annual memorial on Jan. 22. This year the Diocesan Office of Pro-life Activities has scheduled a rosary and Mass at St. Joseph’s in Prineville on Thursday evening, Jan. 22. The rosary will commence at 6:30 p.m. with Mass beginning at 7 p.m. While I recognize that many parishes host similar memorial Masses to pray for the two-fold victims of abortion, the child and the mother, I invite any who can to join me at the rosary and Mass at St. Joseph’s in Prineville.

Regardless of how many years have passed since the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court Decision and regardless of how prevalent and routine abortion has become in this country, the simple truth remains, it is an act of extreme violence to the pre-born child and to the distressed mother. Thus, if anyone says, “I love God” and still favors abortion, he is, to quote St. John, a liar. May we all live out faithfully what it means to love God.

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The Most Reverend Robert F. Vasa is the Bishop of Baker, Oregon. A long time champion of the dignity of every human person from conception to natural death he has shown himself to be a man of courage in standing for life. This editorial appeared in the Catholic Sentinel.

HEAVEN SPEAKS ABOUT ABORTION

"Anne," a wife and mother of six, who wishes to remain anonymous, reveals her journey to the Heart of Jesus. The messages she hears in her heart, which she believes are from Jesus and Mary and some Saints, reveal the tender, solicitous love that our Savior has for each one of us. Permission to publish these messages has been granted by Anne's bishop, Most Reverend Leo O'Reilly, Diocese of Kilmore, Ireland. The messages are in booklet form titled 'Direction for Our Times', and can be read and downloaded free or purchased at www.directionforourtimes.com.
May you be blessed with God's grace as you read these messages . . .

August 1, 2005
Jesus:

My children, you are all so precious to Me. there is a temptation for souls to believe that if they have made a grave mistake, they are not welcome in heaven or they are not suitable companionship for Me. This is not true. And this temptation must be fought against. Sin is forgivable. All sin. I want to direct attention here specifically to the sin of abortion. This sin has become so common place in your world that some souls have come to believe it is not serious. Well, dear little soul, you must understand that it is the enemy of all things living who has spread this error. This is a trick, a master deceit of such proportion that it has resulted in the slaughter of many. Now, you may wonder at My feelings on this. I will share them with you. I am grieved, in the extreme. I am sad each time I welcome a rejected little one back to Myself. And they are welcomed home, believe Me. I am all mercy and love and these little ones are in no way at fault, so heaven gives them great joy upon their return. In the same way, we will welcome you home, regardless of your sins. Be at peace. There are many souls in heaven who have committed sins of this magnitude. You might say heaven is filled with sinners, My friend, but these are repentant sinners. Would you like to repent and serve as My beloved apostle? I know that you would and it is for this reason that I have come to you with these words. You are forgiven. I have many things to share with you that will help you to understand your situation. Rest your wounded little heart against Me now as I show you how to return in completeness.