Register Update: Supreme Court Overturns Part of DOMA, Dismisses Proposition 8 Case

Supreme Court Overturns Part of DOMA, Dismisses Proposition 8 Case WASHINGTON — In a 5-4 decision on June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), ruling that it denied legally married same-sex couples’ equal protection under the law.  Read more... DOMA’s Demise: The Battle Over the Definition of Marriage WASHINGTON — The history of the battle over the definition of marriage is part of a larger movement to change laws and public opinion on homosexuality. The issue is complex because the wording of laws on marriage, the rules for amending the state constitutions, the various court precedents and the wording of proposed laws and amendments differ from state to state.  Read more... Supreme Court Strikes Down DOMA, Dismisses Prop. 8 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, and the federal government must recognize “gay marriages” accepted by individual states.  Read more... 12 things you need to know about the Court’s homosexual “marriage” decisions Here are 12 things you need to know about the homosexual "marriage" decisions just issued by the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court has just dealt a pair of blows to the fight to defend the reality of marriage as being between a man and a woman. There will be time for analysis later. For now, let’s try to understand the basic facts of what just happened. Here are 12 things you need to know.   Read more... Marriage Is Dead And The Church Is Next DOMA is dead. And, technicalities aside, Prop 8. in California is dead, paving the way for same-sex marriage there. While many people will try to dissect these opinions and look for legal silver linings based on the narrowness of this or that part of the rulings, make no mistake, as a practical matter marriage as we knew it is over. The dam has burst even if all the water has not yet traversed the breach.  Read more...

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20 Week Ban Hurts The Pro-Life Cause!

Legislation That Hurts The Cause Friend, As many of you may know, last week, the House of Representatives passed the "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” (H.R. 1797), a bill that would ban all abortions nationwide to the first twenty weeks of pregnancy. While we applaud the convictions of lawmakers to act in the wake of the horrors of Kermit Gosnell, we must ensure that proposed legislation does not blunt the efforts of the pro-life movement. Josh Craddock, United Nations Liaison for Personhood Education, recently wrote an article that details the fundamental flaws and inconsistencies of the twenty week ban. He writes: "The problem with so-called “fetal pain” legislation is that it obscures the real issue: the personhood of the unborn child from the moment of fertilization. Instead, it teaches that abortion is bad because it’s painful." The central issue we are advocating is the protection of human life, not whether a child feels pain. Every human being, made in the image of God, deserves to be respected, valued, and protected from the moment of conception. Check out the linked image below to read Josh Craddock's article, "Why fetal pain hurts (the pro-life cause)." Yet another contradiction to this bill is that it grants an exception for babies conceived in rape or incest. Rebecca Kiessling, spokesperson for Personhood USA, who is also featured in the article, points out: "Are babies conceived in rape somehow incapable of feeling pain?" It is morally wrong for this bill to punish innocent children by death, because of the sins of one of their parents! Every innocent child deserves equal protection under the law and we must fight to guarantee these rights for the unborn. It is incumbent upon us to support legislation and legislators that have an unwavering commitment to our mission to recognize the personhood of all human beings. Our mission must be not curtailed by half measures and political palatable distractions that hinder the pro-life cause, instead of advancing it forward. To learn more about the twenty week ban, read Josh Craddock's article, "Why fetal pain hurts (the pro-life cause)." For Life, Keith Mason Founder Personhood USA

Angry Pro-Abortion Mob Thwarts Texas Bill Inspired by Gosnell, Karpen Horrors

Angry Pro-Abortion Mob Thwarts Texas Bill Inspired by Gosnell, Karpen Horrors June 26, 2013 Austin, TX - A ban on late-term abortions failed last night in the Texas Legislature amid high drama and chaos created by an angry mob just as the special session ended. The law was prompted by horrific details that came forth during the Pennsylvania trial of late-term abortionist Kermit Gosnell who was convicted of murdering late-term babies born alive during abortions and by allegations brought against Houston abortionist Douglas Karpen by three former employees who say that he routinely killed babies born alive in ways similar to the practices of Gosnell. "The angry mob that thwarted the vote last night wasn't defending women. Those in that mob actually were defending those who commit the most horrific of abortion abuses on viable babies while subjecting women to substandard conditions and care. Their misguided actions only served to continue to endanger the lives and health of women while allowing those who exploit vulnerable women to continue their despicable and predatory behavior," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. Operation Rescue had worked with the women who blew the whistle on Karpen and released photos of large babies with huge gashes in their necks who had been aborted by Karpen, according to the women. "We supported the Texas ban on late-term abortions because we've seen the victims of late-term abortion and heard the first-hand horror stories of former abortion clinic employees," said Newman. "This is more about protecting human rights than than anything else. To hear the pro-aborts in hysteria over the prospect that viable babies might be spared from a barbarically brutal death is frankly disturbing." The legislation passed in the House and was taken up by the Senate during a special session called by Gov. Rick Perry. In order to block a vote on the bill, State Sen. Wendy Davis launched a filibuster yesterday that was intended to run until midnight when the session expired. However, a violation of the filibuster rules prompted an objection at 9:40 p.m. stopping the filibuster and throwing the session into chaos. Lack of security personnel made attempts to clear the unruly gallery futile. A vote was taken at 11:45 p.m. but at midnight time expired and there was uncertainty of whether the bill was passed in time. At about 3:00 a.m., it was announced that Lt. Gov. Dewhurst could not get the bill signed in time due to the mayhem caused by the chanting mob. "We live in a Constitutional Republic. We do not live by mob rule. While the mob may have prevailed through thuggery this time, the result was a defeat for pregnant women and their babies. Women deserve better," said Newman. "We support the call for a second special session to make sure the voices of the majority of people who oppose late-term abortions are heard and the rule of law has an opportunity to prevail."

________________________________ About Operation Rescue® Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation and has become a strong voice for the pro-life movement in America. Operation Rescue is now headquartered in a former abortion clinic that it bought and closed in 2006.  From there, Operation Rescue launches its innovative new strategies across the nation, exposing and closing abortion clinics through peaceful, legal means. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to stop abortion and ultimately restore legal personhood to the pre-born in obedience to biblical mandates. Click here to support Operation Rescue.   Click here to make a secure donation online.   About Pro-Life Nation Pro-Life Nation is an initiative of Operation Rescue that offers a goal-oriented strategy to end abortion.  For more visit ProLifeNation.org and read our new booklet that details our strategy.   ________________________________ Web site: www.operationrescue.org  E-mail: info.operationrescue@gmail.com

SCOTUS Rulings Don't Change True Definition of Marriage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: June 26, 2013 CONTACT: Adam Cassandra 540-622-5230 - acassandra@hli.org Statement online: http://ow.ly/mpecx SCOTUS Rulings Don't Change True Definition of Marriage        FRONT ROYAL, Virginia - Human Life International President Father Shenan J. Boquet expressed disappointment today with the United States Supreme Court rulings on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California's Proposition 8, but said that no matter what the Court decided, God's definition of marriage has not, and will not change, and must continue to be defended. "Since marriage is an institution that predates any government, the nature and definition of marriage were never in doubt, and thus could not justly be changed by any court or vote," said Father Boquet. "Marriage still is, and has always been, a covenant by which one man and one woman establish a partnership for life that is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children." "We must continue to demand that our political leaders recognize and protect this most natural institution especially in this time of intense bigotry and discrimination toward those who defend marriage in the public square," said Father Boquet. "Most Americans know that this debate over marriage will never ultimately be settled by the Court, for at least two reasons," said Father Boquet. "First, those who are leading the assault on marriage have demonstrated again and again their disdain for laws that defend marriage and for the will of those with whom they disagree. Theirs is a crusade against both faith and reason, and they are no more likely to stop with a court decision than are the defenders of marriage." "Second," he said, "the definition of marriage is not determined by any court or any legislative vote. A just nation recognizes and upholds the true meaning of marriage for the common good of the people and the institutions of the nation." "Our larger task remains the same - to remind all people of good will that without marriage, there is no prosperous and unified future for any nation," Father Boquet said. "As the lifetime, faithful, and life-welcoming union of one woman and one man, marriage is naturally the best place to welcome children into the world and form them in love and truth. The more a society understands this natural fact, the healthier and more unified it will be. The more this natural fact is attacked, the more divided we will become, needing ever more expensive governmental solutions (welfare, prisons, etc.) to compensate for the natural good that has been discarded." "Finally we note that these decisions do not bode well for the freedom of those religious institutions, such as the Catholic Church, who can only uphold the true definition of marriage. We expect that persecution of the Church will increase as opponents of true marriage demand that no dissent be tolerated, and that religious institutions participate in performing 'marriage' ceremonies for same-sex couples or suffer charges of discrimination. We are prepared for these inevitable events, and we stand in solidarity and hope with all who defend marriage." About HLI: Human Life International: For the Glory of God and defense of Life, Faith and Family. Founded in 1981, HLI is the world's largest international pro-life and pro-family organization, with affiliates and associates in over 80 countries on six continents. www.hli.org ###

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New Research: Unwanted Pregnancies Become Wanted Children

New Research: Unwanted Pregnancies Become Wanted Children

Written by Rebecca Oas, Ph.D.

NEW YORK, June 21 (C-FAM) From the stage at the recent Women Deliver conference, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s daughter Chelsea revealed that her much-admired maternal grandmother was the child of unwed teenage parents who “did not have access to services that are so crucial that Planned Parenthood helps provide.”
Chelsea’s grandmother was born of an unintended pregnancy. And new research shows that her family is not alone in treasuring a person who – if Planned Parenthood had been successful – would not have been born.
“Every child a wanted child” is the rallying cry of family planning organizations that promote abortion as a way to achieve that goal. The New York Times Magazine recently described a study of women who were turned away from abortion clinics because their pregnancies were too far along. Researchers found that in the vast majority of cases – 95% – the mothers bonded with their babies. A significant percentage later denied having ever sought an abortion, despite the fact they were included in the study on that basis.
In a different long-term study, Dr. Rebecca Callahan observed a similar change in attitude among mothers with unwanted pregnancies in rural Bangladesh. Although 42% of the women initially labeled their pregnancies as unwanted, over half of them changed their views retrospectively. Over 60% of women who originally stated their intention to have no more children classified subsequent births as wanted or, at worst, mistimed. Callahan presented her findings at the 2013 meeting of the Population Association of America.
Instead of focusing on the positive finding that women’s initial aversion or ambivalence about pregnancy does not mean the child will be unwanted, Callahan expressed concern that “the rationalization of births as wanted distorts the true level of unintended pregnancy.”
While neither study examined why the women’s preliminary attitudes toward their pregnancies were negative, both were dismissive of the mothers’ eventual change of heart. “It’s psychologically in our interest to tell a positive story and move forward,” Dr. Katie Watson told The New York Times Magazine. “[I]t’s wonderfully functional for women who have children to be glad they have them,”
The fact that many wanted children result from unwanted pregnancies calls into question the very reason for organizations like Planned Parenthood and the United Nations Population Fund, whose mission statement seeks “to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted.”
The Guttmacher Institute, founded by Planned Parenthood, publishes articles warning of the dire consequences for “unwanted” children – implying that they would have been better off never being born. Despite current research demonstrating that an unplanned pregnancy does not necessarily predict an unwanted child, these findings are rarely used to develop interventions to encourage expectant mothers to embrace their unplanned offspring or consider placing them for adoption.
Experts have observed a tendency among researchers to make these recommendations reflective of the priorities of their organizations. The ongoing study by an abortion advocacy group examining women turned away from abortion tends to downplay the findings that characterize abortion or unnecessary or harmful. Gynecologist Dr. Byron Calhoun described how medical journals routinely downplay the link between abortion and preterm birth despite the evidence contained in the articles they published.

Heroic News: “How will same sex 'marriage' change our culture?” plus 6 more

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• How will same sex 'marriage' change our culture?
• Scalia: No 'right' to homosexual behavior
• Indian teen dead after forced abortion
• Killing for 'quality of life'
• Texas could become safest state in USA for unborn
• Gay 'Marriage' Decision Looms Over Supreme Court
• Pediatricians fighting 'homophobia?'

How will same sex 'marriage' change our culture? Posted: 24 Jun 2013 10:14 PM PDT Not long ago, supporters of same-sex “marriage” asserted that it would have minimal impact on our nation’s marriage culture. Now, some advocates suggest that “gay marriage” will alter a central social institution. What’s going on?

Scalia: No 'right' to homosexual behavior Posted: 24 Jun 2013 10:04 PM PDT As the Supreme Court prepares to rule this week on the legality of federal and state bans on same-sex “marriage,” Justice Antonin Scalia has said there is no “right to homosexual conduct” granted by the United States Constitution.

Indian teen dead after forced abortion Posted: 24 Jun 2013 10:02 PM PDT According to police, a 17-year-old mother died following a forced abortion last Thursday in India.

Killing for 'quality of life' Posted: 24 Jun 2013 09:52 PM PDT “The next day, at a clinic near my home,” Nicastro writes, “I felt my son’s budding life end as a doctor inserted a needle through my belly into his tiny heart…As horrible as that moment was – it will live with me forever – I am grateful. - See more at: http://touchstonemag.com/merecomments/2013/06/9993/#sthash.LXDMbVzR.dpuf

Texas could become safest state in USA for unborn Posted: 24 Jun 2013 09:50 PM PDT Republicans used their majority to cut short debate and give preliminary approval early Monday to some of the toughest abortion restrictions in the country as time was running out on the Texas Legislature's special session.

Gay 'Marriage' Decision Looms Over Supreme Court Posted: 24 Jun 2013 09:48 PM PDT Sometime in the next week or so, the Supreme Court will announce the outcomes in cases on California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex 'marriage' and the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Pediatricians fighting 'homophobia?' Posted: 24 Jun 2013 09:47 PM PDT n its first sexual-orientation policy update in nearly a decade, the nation’s largest pediatricians group said its members should do more to fight “heterosexism” and “homophobia,” as well as step up their care of teens with same-sex attractions.

The Freedom Faith Gives

Tribulation Times

June 26, 2013  

(Mat 16:24-25) Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it.



POPE FRANCIS: "The Church exists to proclaim, to be the voice of a Word, her husband, who is the Word. The Church exists to proclaim this Word until martyrdom. Martyrdom precisely in the hands of the proud, the proudest of the Earth".

BISHOP OLMSTED: The Freedom Faith Gives



GEORGIA BULLETIN: The Martyr Who Walked On His Hands



CATHOLIC SENTINEL: Syrian priest killed during rebel attack on Franciscan convent

A 49-year-old Syrian priest and hermit was killed June 23, apparently when a group of rebels attacked the Franciscan Convent of St. Anthony in Ghassanieh, a village in the north near the Turkish border.

Franciscan Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the head of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, told Vatican Radio June 24 that Father Francois Murad was not a Franciscan, but had taken refuge in the convent when it became clear he was not safe at the Syriac Catholic hermitage he was building nearby.

Syriac Catholic Archbishop Jacques Behnan Hindo of Hassake-Nisibi told Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, that Father Murad "sent me several messages which showed he was aware of living in a dangerous situation and was willing to offer his life for peace in Syria and the world."

Father Pizzaballa told Vatican Radio that Ghassanieh -- "like other Christian villages -- has been almost completely destroyed and is almost totally abandoned." He said he believes the only people left in Ghassanieh "are the rebels with their families, rebels who are not from Syria and who are extremists."

"The only thing we can do, other than pray for Father Francois and all the victims, is pray that this folly ends soon and that no more weapons are sent to Syria because that would only prolong this absurd civil war," Father Pizzaballa said.

The Franciscan leader said Syria is a "battleground, and not just between Syrian forces, but also for other Arab countries and the international community. The ones paying the price are the poor, the small and the least, including the Christians."

"The international community must put the brakes on this," he said.

Thoughts and Sayings of Saint Margaret Mary: Love of the Cross, Contempt and Suffering

18. I know of no other happiness in life than to remain ever hidden in our nothingess- to suffer and love in silence- to embrace our crosses, praising and thanking Him Who gives them to us.

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