U.S. Bishops Make Final Plea to Stop Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill

From a CNA article:

In a final, urgent plea to prevent the passage of the current form of the Senate health care bill, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on Saturday evening sent a letter to Congressmen asking them to vote “no.”

“For decades,” the letter says, “the United States Catholic bishops have supported universal health care. The Catholic Church teaches that health care is a basic human right, essential for human life and dignity.”

" . . . First, the bishops argue that health care reform “must protect life and conscience, not threaten them." The Senate bill "extends abortion coverage, allows federal funds to pay for elective abortions (for example, through a new appropriation for services at Community Health Centers that bypasses the Hyde amendment), and denies adequate conscience protection to individuals and institutions."

"Simply put," the letter to Representatives continues, "health care reform ought to continue to apply both parts of the Hyde amendment, no more and no less."

The bishops also argue that, despite claims to the contrary, "the status quo prohibits the federal government from funding or facilitating plans that include elective abortion. The Senate bill clearly violates this prohibition by providing subsidies to purchase such plans."

"While the Senate provides for one plan without abortion coverage in each exchange, those who select another plan in an exchange to better meet the special needs of their families will be required to pay a separate mandatory abortion fee into a fund exclusively for abortions. This new federal requirement is a far more direct imposition on the consciences of those who do not wish to pay for the destruction of unborn human life than anything currently in federal law."

" . . . The bishops regret that the House leadership is “ignoring the pleas of pro-life members for essential changes in the legislation.”

“Apparently they will not even try to address the serious problems on abortion funding, conscience protection and fair treatment of immigrants."

"We are bishops, not politicians, policy experts or legislative tacticians. We are also pastors, teachers, and citizens. At this point of decision, we cannot compromise on basic moral principles. We can only urge -- and hope and pray -- that the House of Representatives will still find the will and the means to adopt health care reform that protects the life, dignity, conscience and health of all.

“The legislation the House adopted, while not perfect, came closer to meeting these criteria. The Senate legislation simply does not meet them," the bishops say.

"With deep regret, but clear in our moral judgment, we are compelled to continue to urge House members to oppose the Senate bill unless these fundamental flaws are remedied. At this critical moment, we urge Representatives to take the steps necessary to ensure that health care reform respects the life and dignity of all, from conception to natural death," the letter concludes."

The Catholic Position on Health Care Reform 3/15/2010

The Democrat proposed health care reform bill has been portrayed in every which way by leading Democrats. The rhetoric has become so twisted that most Americans are unsure what it contains. This tactic of confusing and wearing down the American people into submission is deceptive. One of the issues in the debate of health care reform is the federal funding of abortions. We hear from the Democrats that it is not in the bill, but when you study the bill you find out otherwise. Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued the following statement on the state of health care reform (click here) in which he says:

The American people and the Catholic bishops have been promised that, in any final bill, no federal funds would be used for abortion and that the legal status quo would be respected.

However, the bishops were left disappointed and puzzled to learn that the basis for any vote on health care will be the Senate bill passed on Christmas Eve. Notwithstanding the denials and explanations of its supporters, and unlike the bill approved by the House of Representatives in November, the Senate bill deliberately excludes the language of the Hyde amendment. It expands federal funding and the role of the federal government in the provision of abortion procedures. In so doing, it forces all of us to become involved in an act that profoundly violates the conscience of many, the deliberate destruction of unwanted members of the human family still waiting to be born.

Joe Biden Admits to Church Hierarchy: Nuns Over Bishops

According to Catholic Bishops the language in the current health care bill proposed by the Democrats is not clearly opposed to the government providing for or mandating abortion coverage.

Bishop William Murphy, Chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, wrote to Congress saying: “no health care reform plan should compel us or others to pay for the destruction of human life, whether through government funding or mandatory coverage of abortion.”

Joe Biden, vice President and Roman Catholic told Jake Tapper of ABC News in an interview that he found it easy to prefer siding with modernist nuns over abortion than the Bishops of the Catholic Church.

TAPPER: You're a observant Catholic.

BIDEN: Sure.

TAPPER: And there's a big debate right now within the Catholic Church about this bill, and a lot of these last few members that you're trying to get are Catholic democrats who oppose abortion. And I'm wondering, first of all, how you can side with nuns over bishops?

BIDEN: That's easy. I love the nuns.

In the same interview Joe Biden admits in his last response:

"You know we're going to control the insurance companies."

Joe not only must have been absent during the Catholic Hierarchy lesson at parochial school but must have also missed his latin philosophy lesson:

"Corruptisima respublica plurimae leges"

"In the most corrupt state are the most laws" (Terence)

Pro-Abortion Politicians 'Must' be Denied Communion

In June 2004 then-head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI issued a letter entitled 'Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion. General Principles' to U.S. Bishops who were debating the issue stating, in part:

"5. Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person’s formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church’s teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist.

6. When "these precautionary measures have not had their effect or in which they were not possible," and the person in question, with obstinate persistence, still presents himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, "the minister of Holy Communion must refuse to distribute it" (cf. Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts Declaration "Holy Communion and Divorced, Civilly Remarried Catholics" [2002], nos. 3-4). This decision, properly speaking, is not a sanction or a penalty. Nor is the minister of Holy Communion passing judgement on the person’s subjective guilt, but rather is reacting to the person’s public unworthiness to receive Holy Communion due to an objective situation of sin."

Spanish bishops heeded this letter on November 27, 2009 when, according to a LifeSite article, the Plenary Assembly of the Spanish Episcopal Conference issued a statement saying that politicians who vote for a proposed law liberalizing abortion in Spain place themselves in an "objective state of sin and, while the situation lasts, may not be admitted to Holy Communion."

Catholicism vs. Catholic American Politicians 2009

Asking only what is expected of them, the Catholic Church is finally holding accountable those Catholics in leadership roles, to show us their faith.

America was founded on Christian principles. It was what framed our laws we see today and has continued to frame them. From the deliverance from the totalitarian King of England, to the emancipation of the slaves, to the current struggle of ensuring life for children in the womb, Christian principles have and must prevail to keep our country strong and civil. The farther we veer from these principles the weaker we become and the more we shrink from human civility.

As Pope John Paul II phrased it:

"If there is no ultimate truth to guide and direct political activity, then ideas and convictions can easily be manipulated for reasons of power. As history demonstrates, a democracy without values easily turns into open or thinly disguised totalitarianism."

- Pope John Paul II. Centesimus annus (May 5, 1991)

The article explains:

Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop' Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, said Monday that his group will "work with senators of both parties" to address their concerns. But his group blasted the Senate health bill on Friday, and Doerflinger said Monday that the conference will oppose it if their concerns are not met.

James Ch. 2:10-26:

"And whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all.

For he that said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also, Thou shalt not kill. Now if you do not commit adultery, but shall kill, you art become a transgressor of the law.

. . .What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he has faith, but has not works? Shall faith be able to save him?

And if a brother or sister be naked, and want daily food: And one of you say to them: Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit?

So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself.

But some man will say: You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without works; and I will show you, by works, my faith.

You believe that there is one God. You do well: the devils also believe and tremble.

But wilt you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, offering up Isaac his son upon the altar? See you, that faith did co-operate with his works; and by works faith was made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled, saying: Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him to justice, and he was called the friend of God.

Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith alone?

. . . For even as the body without the spirit is dead; so also faith without works is dead."

Kathleen Sebelius to Defend Both Abortion AND Adoption

Another walking contradiction. Sebelius, a Roman Catholic vetoed pro-life abortion legislation in Kansas in 2003, 2005, 2006, and again in 2008 including a measure that would have required informing women who are considering an abortion about both the development of their unborn child and the alternatives to abortion. Yet, today we learn that she is championing adoption policies by celebrating the 10th anniversary of National Adoption Day. Well, which is it? Veto bills that inform women of abortion alternatives yet later on celebrate adoption when it's politically expedient? Will you support life or veto legislation that attempts to protect life? Apparently she wants it both ways. Sounding similar to Pontius Pilate style governing, Roman Catholic Sebelius both defends death and life by defending abortion and adoption. And here I thought that 'human enlightenment' had propelled the 'humanistic condition' to mature beyond 1st century rulers the likes of Pontius Pilate.

Why couldn't she just champion pro-life policies instead of vetoing every pro-life bill that came across her table? After all she was first a citizen of Catholicism before she became a citizen of Kansas. Her Archbishop said he hoped his meetings with her would make her understand the need “to take the difficult political step, but necessary moral step, of repudiating her past actions in support of legalized abortion” and also the need to extend “the maximum legal protection to the unborn children of Kansas.” In her last veto, the governor of Kansas ended it by scowling at pro-lifers in her veto message saying, “For years, the people of Kansas have asked their elected officials to move beyond legislative debates on issues like abortion.” Have the people of Kansas really asked that Sebelius? or do you just assume it since you won an election?

Apparently, Sebelius also has selective hearing. For years her Archbishop has likewise asked her to move beyond legislative debates on issues like abortion and finally become faithful to her true citizenship in heaven by enacting moral policies that defend the unborn. When Sebelius received the Sacrament of Confirmation she was elected first by God as a representative of His divine laws. Sacramental Confirmation is an indelible mark on the soul that swears an oath to God to uphold his principles, teachings, and the faith in all its forms. Sebelius, you were elected by God before the citizens of Kansas even heard of you. When you were baptized you were elected a citizen of Heaven - a country that existed long before Kansas was established. When will Roman Catholic Sebelius move beyond political self aggrandizement and live up to the sacramental vows made in Confirmation of defending the teachings of the Church? Whom do you serve, God or man?

But like Pilate, Sebelius admits to listening to the mob first before God. Like Pilate, she knows which strings will strike a chord with promoting her popularity in the political arena. She knows what to feed the angry mob to save herself. But we can be fair, Pilate probably acted out of fear of the angry pack before him, so we can assume that perhaps Sebelius is acting out of fear of the prowling pack looking to devour yet another faithful pro-life Catholic politician and continue embarrassing Roman Catholicism. She knows that the media will lap up her celebration of adoption along with any celebration of Roe v. Wade. Then she can breathe a sigh of relief, for she has deluded herself that is better to fear the world rather than God. She knows how to work the bloodthirsty pack and as long as she gives the world greater credence than she owes to God, then she's got it made in the liberal media today.

Sebelius further claims that she is 'personally opposed' but dares not force her morals on somebody else. Oh really? So if I'm a lawmaker back when the decision came to make rape illegal, which I am personally opposed to, should I have vetoed such a proposal because "I dare not impose my morals on another"? Of course not, that is, not unless I was a careerist politician and thought that I answered not to God, but to mob. Not unless I made a careful calculation of how it would look to the mob for my political advancement.

Sebelius didn't fool her Archbishop who stated “The governor has spoken to me on more than one occasion about her obligation to uphold state and federal laws and court decisions. I have asked her to show a similar sense of obligation to honor divine law". Rape was only repulsive to man's law only after and only because it was first repulsive to God's law. Slavery was legal for centuries even though divine law repudiated it. People considered slavery established precedent while they unjustly enslaved their fellowman until they were emancipated. Had slave owners and those who supported slavery listened to divine law, slavery could have ended much sooner. God's laws made it to the books only after man finally figured it out and accepted the truth in them. The same is true with abortion.

Meanwhile, for politicians to remain consistent, they cannot celebrate life on November 21, only to celebrate death on January 23.

For more on Archbishop Naumann of Kansas and the exchanges with Sebelius click here.

Archbishop Naumann:

"The Catholic Church views abortion as first and foremost a moral issue - not a religious or faith issue - because the sacredness of human life pertains to the natural law, which reveals the intrinsic rightness or wrongness of human acts through reason."

Pelosi’s Government-Run Health Plan Will Require a Monthly Abortion Premium

This headline by article from Republican Leader John Boehner isn't just "playing" politics, it's a grim reality. Knowing Nancy Pelosi's Catholic Pro-Abortion track record, it isn't surprising. The article states:

line 17, p. 110, section 222 under “Abortions for which Public Funding is Allowed” the Health and Human Services Secretary is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run plan. The Speaker’s plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions.

What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run plan. It’s right there on line 16, page 96, section 213, under “Insurance Rating Rules.” The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account -and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services.

Section 213 describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run plan. The Commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month.

In fact the US Conference of Catholic Bishops reaffirms that Pelosi is legislating such a government funded abortion program in another article. More recently, the USCCB asserts on October 8, 2009 that:

“No one should be required to pay for or participate in abortion. It is essential that the legislation clearly apply to this new program longstanding and widely supported federal restrictions on abortion funding and mandates, and protections for rights of conscience. No current bill meets this test…. If acceptable language in these areas cannot be found, we will have to oppose the health care bill vigorously.”

They recommend in a USCCB NATIONWIDE BULLETIN INSERT:

Please contact your Representative and Senators today and urge them to fix these bills with the pro-life amendments noted below. Otherwise much needed health care reform will have to be opposed. Health care reform should be about saving lives, not destroying them.

ACTION: Contact Members through e-mail, phone calls or FAX letters.

 To send a pre-written, instant e-mail to Congress go to www.usccb.org/action.

 Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your Members’ local offices.

 Full contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at www.house.gov & www.senate.gov.

MESSAGE to SENATE:

“During floor debate on the health care reform bill, please support an amendment to incorporate longstanding policies against abortion funding and in favor of conscience rights. If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed.”

MESSAGE to HOUSE:

“Please support the Stupak Amendment that addresses essential pro-life concerns on abortion funding and conscience rights in the health care reform bill. Help ensure that the Rule for the bill allows a vote on this amendment. If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed.”

WHEN: Both House and Senate are preparing for floor votes now. Act today! Thank you!

Catholic Bishops: Health Care Reform Plan Being Proposed by President Obama and Democrats in Congress Will Allow Federal Funds to Pay for Abortions

According to a FOX News Article,

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Pro-Life Activities Secretariat is encouraging all archdioceses and parishes in the U.S. to send a pre-written e-mail that urges House members to oppose any rule that will not allow debate on an amendment that would prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used for abortions, and to send another e-mail to senators to support the amendment.

Senator Ted Kennedy on Government Health Care

First of all, God rest the soul of Mr. Ted Kennedy. All humans are created in the image and likeness of God and destined for eternal happiness with God in Heaven. He died with his family around in prayer the entire day and with a priest by his deathbed until the end. May Our Lord bestow the grace upon Mr. Kennedy's soul to, God willing, earn the promised eternal happiness our Lord gives to those who know, love, and serve Him in this world.

Second, just because a celebrity, whether from Hollywood or from D.C., passes away, doesn't mean they deserve automatic canonization. Even Mother Teresa's life is still being examined by the very Church that thinks favorably of her. An examination of Mother Teresa's life is still being conducted with the thorough scrutiny required to acknowledge the praiseworthiness of her life. This, even after the esteem, pride, honor and example of authentic Catholic charity she exhibited in her earthly life. We pray for her eternal happiness with God in Heaven. There are hundreds of departed Catholics who lived a virtuous life and yet are still not accounted in the book of Saints. Some never will, even though the apparent exhibition of their lives seemed blameless.

When it comes to celebrities, the media quickly takes and misconstrues pity. The pity we should all have for anyone who's time has expired in this world and are facing their eternal destiny. The media twists true pity for a dead celebrity by immediately celebrating their life as one of heroic virtue and a model of sanctity. Elvis, Michael Jackson, Princess Diana, have all been prematurely swooned over immediately after the news of their deaths. Instead, we should quietly pray for their souls.

On the issue of government health control, we are told that Ted Kennedy was one of its strongest advocates. The Democrats are already starting to exploit his death to advance the Obama administration's policy of government oversight of health care. This is sickening. The tacky Democrats did this before in November of 2002 at the funeral of Paul Wellstone. It turned into a huge Democrat DNC pep rally while the corpse lie in repose. When Trent Lott and Gov. Jesse Ventura attempted to publicly give their condolences, they were booed out of the service by the whipped up crowd. A real classy exhibition from the party of 'tolerance' and 'heart'. It appears the Democrats don't learn from their mistakes and are now contemplating calling the Obama Health Bill the "Ted Kennedy Health Reform Bill". Another dose of tackiness from the loony left.

I'm all for reform. We should all be reforming our own lives each and every day and working to make the world a better place. Our Lord said, "Be perfect like the Heavenly Father is Perfect." He also said, "Woe to those who scandalize the children." He also threw out the money lenders from the temple. There are many things Our Lord did that we should not just latch onto any one thing alone. For example many politicians latch onto only one or two of the 8 Beatitudes. Or latch onto one of Christ's Teachings, but usually never all of His Teachings like His Instituting the Blessed Sacrament (John 6), or His condemnation of divorce (Matt 5:32, Matt 19:7-9), or His Instituting the Church upon the Apostles that would exist from then until the end of time (John 14:26, Matt 16:17 and 28:18), etc.

There are some lines one should not cross to make the world a better place. Euthanasia, child abuse, tyranny, birth control, abortion, rape, pornography, communism, etc. are examples of such lines society should never cross in institutionalizing a contrived 'better place'. Another line one doesn't cross is turning a funeral into a political pep rally or a tool to wage political war.

Another line that is trying to be crossed is socialized medicine. Ted Kennedy once chided government involvement in health care with these words in a March 12, 2003 Senate floor speech:

"I do not believe it is the role of the Senate to interfere with or regulate the kind of medical advice that a doctor can give to a patient."

You would think with such a principled viewpoint Mr. Kennedy would oppose Government Health Care. On the contrary, Mr. Kennedy chose to apply this principle and retract it whenever it suited his career. The above quote was used by Mr. Kennedy when he was opposing the ban on partial birth abortion. The atrocious act where a doctor partially delivers the baby late into a mother's pregnancy, inserts scissors into the baby's skull to insert a vacuum to remove its brains, and systematically, limb by limb, using forceps, to dismember the baby all while it's heart is still beating. Mr. Kennedy in this case was wrong and regardless of how the media tries to present his life, Mr. Kennedy will always be wrong when it came to his selective support of Government intervention on a health bill, yet oppose it when it suits his political advancement.

Obama Thinks Pope Benedict is a Fool

Obama to Pope Benedict: "I will try to reduce abortions in America"

How will Obama, the B.S. Artist, "Reduce Abortions"? His pro-contraceptive and pro-sterilization track record tells us how. Reducing abortions is good - if you can believe our B.S.-ing dictator. However, the end doesn't justify the means. Obama's "promise" is actually a finger in the eye of the natural law and therefore, Catholic Teaching that teaches in favor of natural human biology and against contraception and sterilization; something Pope Benedict tried to also make clear to Obama at their July 10 visit.

According to this Reuters report, Obama told Pope Benedict XVI that he wanted to reduce abortions in the U.S. He just won't bother reducing them overseas with his federal funding of them that he reinstated in January to celebrate the 36th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. He won't bother doing it right by appointing a pro-life Supreme Court Justice. In fact, this outright lie to Pope Benedict should be viewed in context with what he said during his campaign when he said, in paraphrase, "One more Supreme Court justice can overturn Roe vs. Wade. This is what is at stake. When it comes to a woman's 'fundamental' right to choose, I will not yield and Planned Parenthood will not yield." And then when he said, "if one of my daughters gets pregnant, I don't want them 'punished' with a baby." Is this Obama's mathematics of 'reducing abortions'? The last time I checked you don't bring positive numbers down by increasing the positives. The report also stated:

"President Obama not long ago told the American people that he would support policies to reduce abortions, but today he is effectively guaranteeing more abortions by funding groups that promote abortion as a method of population control," said Douglas Johnson, legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee.

His vow to "try to reduce abortions in America" is a finger in the eye of Pope Benedict. Obama will reduce abortions only by the tired and failed method from yesteryear of proliferating condoms, the abortion pill, and promoting sterilizations. Obama, the 'self-acclaimed' progressive is stuck in the 1980's.

His track record is in clear opposition to the Church's position on contraception and sterilization. Obama's method of "reducing" abortions is clearly contrary to the document the Holy Father delivered to the President, "Dignitatis Personae" (On the Dignity of Persons) which is a 2008 instruction by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that gives the Catholic teaching on the ethics of embryonic research and reiterates Church opposition to contraception and abortion, mentioning new methods of birth control such as female condoms and the morning-after pill. We can study Obama's record to apply an educated estimate of how he'll "reduce" abortions in America:

January 22 Buried in the House Stimulus Bill, in Section 5004, is the "State Eligibility Option for Family Planning." This would make national Medicaid a money machine to the tune of $87 billion for family planning clinics in the United States. (Family planning in the U.S., as well as in Canada and elsewhere, means: "Planning not to have families," i.e., promote contraception, sterilization and abortion.) The U.S. already spends more than $400 million on overseas "family planning" assistance each year.

January 23 Obama overturns, by executive order, the Mexico City Policy of previous presidents that forbade the funding of abortions and abortion groups outside U.S. boundaries. (No TV cameras or press were present for the signing on a late Friday afternoon when news services were shut down. Hundreds of millions of dollars will go to support abortions in poor countries, especially in Asia, Africa and South America.)

- Appended to the statement announcing the end of the Mexico City Policy, Obama declared: "In addition, I look forward to working with Congress to restore U.S. financial support for the UN Population Fund." (That funding was halted in 2002 when a State Department investigation showed the Fund supported China's coercive one-child-per- family policy through forced abortions and sterilizations.)

January 27 A Congressional committee debates the Prevention First Act (PFA), which, if passed, would hand over millions for "family planning" methods, attack freedom of conscience rights for health providers and financially pave the way for the proposed Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), which would strip all states of the ability to restrict abortions and homosexual activism. The Prevention First Act was introduced by Senate majority leader Harry Reid (Mormon, pro-abortion) on January 6, 2009. The act claims to reduce unintended pregnancies and abortion and is based on the premise that contraception prevents abortion. (In reality, contraception is the gateway to abortion.)

January 29 The Senate, by a 59-39 vote, rejects national medical coverage in the SCHIP program for unborn children and their pregnant mothers. This, pro-life sources say, will lead to more abortions, supposedly against the president's intention of reducing abortions.

February 25 As feared by pro-life groups, the Omnibus Appropriations Bill cuts funding for abstinence education by $54 million, while giving more money to Planned Parenthood programs. This leaves only $95 million for national programs. This money disappears later on.

- Time magazine, in attacking opponents of the FOCA bill, is accused of many inaccuracies, non-sequiturs and misrepresentations. Time has described the bill as "mythical." Yet, Obama announced his intentions to sign such a bill in 2006, again in a July 2007 speech to Planned Parenthood and once more on January 22, 2008 on the Roe v. Wade anniversary.

March 6 Obama shuts out pro-life groups from attending today's White House health care summit, called to discuss how health care reform should be implemented. Pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood, however, are invited to attend. Planned Parenthood's president, Cecile Richards, called for including access to abortion in any health care reform plan.

March 9 Obama eliminates eight-year-old limits on federal money for the use of embryonic stem cells for research - which kills newly conceived embryos - by presidential decree, in a room packed with scientists. "As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering," the President said, (forgetting that human embryos are killed in the process).

Nowhere in the world has embryonic stem-cell research produced a single therapy or treatment. Meanwhile, adult stem-cell research has over 70 therapies to its credit so far. The President's Executive Order also removes the HHS Secretary's duty to pursue funding for adult stem-cell research.

- This ends ability of pro-abortionists, including President Obama, to say they are "pro-choice" because they no longer allow health officials a choice to oppose or disapprove.

- The HHS administration announces the intention to abolish the "final rule" (protection of conscience for health workers opposed to abortion, contraception, IVF, etc).

Obama's Steps for the First 100 Days projects the end of the Mexico City Policy, the Hyde Amendment, the Kemp-Kasten Amendment, the Weldon Amendment, restrictions on emergency contraception (Plan B), the termination of all abstinence-only programs and a reversal of the recent HHS regulation protecting pro-life physicians and institutions. By Day 50, many of these had been accomplished already.

March 20 Various Congressional Bills are gutting abstinence education while promoting "comprehensive" sex education heavy on contraception. The Administration is now giving financial aid to Marie Stopes International, a British abortion provider with branches throughout Africa.

April 3 The UN Commission on Population and Development celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Cairo Conference on Population. The European Union, the US Obama Administration and Canada, propose "fertility reduction"

April 9 The President signs executive order for embryonic stem-cell research under the slogan "science should triumph ideology." Let's remember that Obama muzzled the science of when life begins by refusing to acknowledge the scientific fact that life begins at conception. Was this Obama's version of 'science triumphing over ideology'?

April 23 Secretary of the State Hillary Clinton admits before the House Foreign Relations Committee that as far as the new government is concerned, the term "reproductive health" includes abortion. "The Obama government will promote abortions overseas." "We are now an Administration that will protect the rights of women," she also added: "The 20thCentury reproductive rights movement, really embodied in the life and leadership of Margaret Sanger, was one of the most transformational in the entire history of the human race." (Note: Margaret Sanger was a radical eugenicist and racist of the 1920's and the 1930's who lived and worked in New York City).

- The Administration's new International Ambassador, Melanne Verveer, White House Director for Foreign Women's issues, confirmed President Obama's commitment to population control as outlined, she claimed, at the UN Population Conference in Cairo 15 years ago.

(Adapted from LifeSiteNews)

Pope Benedict's July 10, 2009 Meeting with Obama Likened to Moses vs. Pharoah

Pope calls on Obama to "let my people go" when he pressed Obama on abortion and embryonic stem cell research. Pope Benedict's unusually scheduled 40 minute afternoon July 10 meeting in L'Aquila, Italy to accomodate President Barack Obama at the end of Obama's G-8 summit, also in L'Aquila can be likened to Moses' meeting with Egypt's Pharoah Ramses II. The Pharoah, like Obama, was likewise powerful and ambitious, known for government expansion and building government structures (ie. stimulus projects).

Although Pope Benedict didn't exactly turn his pastoral staff into a serpent, he did leave a very important message to the President: Dignitatis Personae - the Vatican's bioethics document and Caritas et Veritate - the Pope's latest encyclical. According to a LifeSiteNews article, "Dignitatis Personae" (On the Dignity of Persons) is a 2008 instruction by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that gives the Catholic teaching on the ethics of embryonic research and reiterates Church opposition to contraception and abortion, mentioning new methods of birth control such as female condoms and the morning-after pill.

In exchange, the President delivered Pope Benedict a relic of John Neumann Bishop of Philadelphia from1852 to 1860. Perhaps President Obama's contact with this sacred relic gives us a powerful avenue of prayer to reach him. John Neumann, known as the Miracle Worker, coupled with Pope Benedict's moral direction to our President, can be American ROMAN Catholics' hope. Click here for novena to John Neumann or for a short prayer:

Father, you called John Neumann to labor for the gospel among the people of the new world. His ministry strengthened many others in the Christian faith: through his prayers may faith grow strong in this land. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
(Courtesy: Catholicity)

O'Reilly on Obama's Secularism

Everybody is inclined to worship. Obama has drawn his line in the sand and chosen to worship at the altar of secularism where creation, including man, is made into a god. By imposing strict regulations on what will be his global warming policies for America, he would only hurt the economy further. Not to mention the damage of using his status to announce to the country that the fate of the planet is solely in man's hands and not in God's where it rightfully belongs. Obama's religion will step on anybody's toes and crush every opposition even in the face of a declining economy that needs LESS government regulations to resuscitate it - not more. A faltering economy that needs MORE respect for the One True God - not less. More respect for the God of our fathers - not disrespect to God by worshipping the false god of the jetsetting trendies.

Bill O'Reilly commented about Obama's false religion in this video segment. What's interesting about O'Reilly's piece is that although Bill O'Reilly can be less traditional in his views, he holds the line against abortion. He calls Obama on his hypocrisy. "Above my pay grade" is the response we heard from Obama when asked when life began. This while claiming that he touts science as the hallmark of all Truth to peddle more government regulation in new global warming policies.

The religion of secularism attempts to replace God with humans. Let's be clear - God is in control of the planet's fate not man. Man is in control insofar that he doesn't offend God with his wanton defiance of His laws (Sodom and Gomorrah). Secularists like Obama see it the same way except their god is the creation not the Creator. Obama believes that things like using a traditional light bulb, cutting down a tree, or driving an SUV is an offense against his false god and that these must be stopped even at the expense of the nation's welfare; at the expense of the lives of unborn children whom secularists believe are a burden on the growing population; at the expense of a faltering economy that needs less government regulation to become productive again, not more regulation in the form of global warming policies; at the expense of a nation's heritage of utilizing its natural resources to provide for our needs.

If Obama wants to appease the gods, he should take O'Reilly's advice and pray. If Obama had any respect for God, he would be wise to entrust our country to His Almighty Hand and trust less in his own. He could practice the phrase, "Work like everything depends on you, and Pray like everything depends on God." Obama can help our country, except right now, he is barking up the wrong tree.

Notre Dame Graduates will Remember

In a way I feel bad for the students and parents of the Notre Dame graduating class of 2009. Their day became overshadowed by a decision that would forever change the face of the University. On the other hand, perhaps they will someday remember that this was a turning point for real authentic change to all Catholic Universities. This can be additional reason to celebrate. Perhaps something good will come of Fr. Jenkins decision. Until we see the outcome, graduates will remember this day as one of mixed signals from their University President. If Fr. Jenkins didn't want to attract attention to his school or to the remaining Catholic Universities in America then he should have thought twice about giving an honorary degree to a president that would spark a Church controversy. If major policy changes come cracking down on Catholic Universities, then there is only one person to blame (or give credit to) - the decision maker, President of Notre Dame Father Jenkins.

It would have been okay to invite the president to speak, but not to glorify him with a rare honorary degree. Why couldn't Father Jenkins compromise and say, "we'll extend the invitation to Obama to deliver the commencement address, but it would be prudent not to exalt the pro-abortion president with an honorary degree"? What could have possibly compelled the man to dig in his heels with arms crossed over his chest and say "this is my playground - Church teaching falls in line after what I think"?

Then I suppose that maybe Fr. Jenkins really does believe that Obama has the magic touch. That maybe gay marriage, embryonic stem cell research, abortion, medical conscientious objection, and denial of parental notification of abortions are A-OK. That maybe his statements stating that he disagrees with Obama's positions were really just contrived, for-show declarations so he can keep his Catholic job.

This is mere speculation and Father Jenkins did say the words that he disagreed with Obama's positions on life issues. However actions speak louder than words. Father Jenkins' actions today of elevating and aggrandizing a staunch offender of the Catholic Church, by its mere symbolic act of paying a special mark of recognition to him (without citing any accomplishments or tangible reasons why he actually deserved the elevation), seem to trump any wording he may have used to downplay his decision.

This charade may have ended, but I anticipate there will be a response from the Vatican or the US Catholic Conference of Bishops that will change some major policies in all American Catholic Universities. Let's hope some good can finally come out of this debacle.

Notre Dame Scandal - The Questions We Must Ask

Who, What, Where, and Why?

Fr. Jenkins, the President of 164 year old Notre Dame, plans on exalting President Obama by making him only the 9th President to receive an honorary degree from the Catholic University at this Sunday's commencement ceremony. The questions we all need to ask about this decision are who, what, where, and why. However, the more Notre Dame speaks, the more questions are raised.

In defense of his decision Fr. Jenkins made this statement in a letter to the graduating class of 2009:

"There is much to admire and celebrate in the life and work of President Obama," wrote Fr. Jenkins. "He's a remarkable figure in American history and I look forward to welcoming him to Notre Dame . . . Ultimately, I hope that the conversations and the good will that will come from this day will contribute to closer relations between Catholics and public officials who make decision on matters of human life and human dignity."

Aren't there already Catholic public officials in place 'who make decisions on matters of human life and human dignity' like Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, Kathleen Sebelius, etc.? Is an honorary degree to Obama meant to bring Biden, Pelosi, Sebelius, and Kerry into closer relations? Will they have a group hug when Obama returns with his prize? Will Obama tell these Catholic politicians 'go forth and become pro-life with me'? Will giving a rare honorary degree to a staunch pro-abortion president like Obama bring him around? Will Obama think, while holding his free degree in hand, 'you know I might reverse Roe v. Wade'?

After discerning Obama's staunch pro-abortion track record let's see how receptive he might be by Fr. Jenkins 'subtle' hints about the pro-life position :

"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you" (Matt. 7:6)

Will the Luck of the Irish Change Obama?

Father Jenkins, President of Notre Dame University, believes in the enchanting magic of Obama. We look no further than his recent aggrandizing statements exalting the President with great bows of glowing praise. Entranced by Obama, Father Jenkins made these lofty statements on Obama's lucky "rainbow magic" without citing proof of even one accomplishment as evidence:

"inspiring this nation to heal its divisions of religion, culture, race and politics in the audacious hope for a brighter tomorrow." (1)

"an inspiring leader who faces many challenges . . . and is addressing them with intelligence, courage and honesty" (2)

"He's a remarkable figure in American history" (3)

"Mr. Obama has been a healer" (4)

Where is the evidence that earns Obama such words of adulation? This, and Fr. Jenkins' intent to dignify Obama with the tribute of an honorary degree (making Obama only the 9th President in the university's 164 year old history to be elevated with such an honor) you'd think Fr. Jenkins believes that Obama is "changing the marshmallows into magical shapes and colors":




Fr. Jenkins stated in a letter to graduates of 2009: "The President’s visit to Notre Dame can help lead to broader engagement on issues". Not if all you're doing is enchanting pro-abortion politicians by handing out rare honorary degrees willy-nilly. And without even once publicly challenging Obama on abortion - not once! Perhaps Obama has converted Father Jenkins into believing that he too can change marshmallow orchards into magical shapes and colors. Studying Obama's 100 day track record, it's going to take more than "rainbow magic" to change Obama's view on abortion.

Hint to Fr. Jenkins: There are no leprechauns with pots of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Catholic Notre Dame Gives Obama Honorary Degree While Secular ASU Cites President's "Inexperience" to Deny Him Theirs

"You either belong entirely the world or entirely to God."

- St. John Marie Baptiste Vianney (Patron Saint of Parish Priests)

If only St. John Vianney spent his earthly life with us today . . . what a different world we would see.

Father Jenkins, President of Notre Dame - the most prominent Catholic University in America, is drawing a line in the sand. Except, instead of standing for Catholic principle, Fr. Jenkins is crossing over the line and stepping across to the other side. FOXNews today has reported some of the wording Obama will receive when the Catholic University exalts the most prominent liberal pro-abortion President in the country's entire history with an honorary degree. In contrast, at Arizona State University's commencement ceremony, officials there decided against giving Obama an honorary degree citing his inexperience.

The article reports that the language on the honorary degree the president will receive at Notre Dame University on Sunday will read:

"A community organizer who honed his advocacy for the poor, the marginalized and the worker in the streets of Chicago, he now organizes a larger community, bringing to the world a renewed American dedication to diplomacy and dialogue with all nations and religions committed to human rights and the global common good.

"Through his willingness to engage with those who disagree with him and encourage people of faith to bring their beliefs to the public debate, he is inspiring this nation to heal its divisions of religion, culture, race and politics in the audacious hope for a brighter tomorrow."

The article continues to report both sides of the story:

Not so, says George Weigel, a Catholic theologian and distinguished senior fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center who takes particular issue with the statement that Obama engages his political opponents.

"I don't see any evidence that President Obama takes the moral arguments of those who disagree with him on the life issues seriously," Weigel told FOXNews.com. "This was most clear in his address at the time he announced the federal government's stance on embryonic destructive stem cell research."

Weigel said he opposes Notre Dame's decision to invite Obama to speak at its commencement, and he said it's "completely inappropriate" to make him the ninth U.S. president to receive an honorary degree there.

"You can't be more offended than people like myself already are," he said.

. . . Randall Terry, who runs stopobamanotredame.com in protest of the president's visit, said the degree's language betrayed the teachings of the Catholic church.

". . . Obama is not acknowledging the right to life, so it's impossible for him to promote the common good."

Even more astonishing is the poll that found 50 percent of Roman Catholics supported Notre Dame's decision to venerate Obama with an honorary degree.

Meanwhile, Arizona State University, a secular institution, has done the opposite of what Notre Dame, a national symbol of the Church in academia, is planning to do. The Associated Press and FOXNews also reported that:

Unlike Notre Dame, Arizona State University will not award President Obama an honorary degree when he delivers the commencement address

Although they are renaming a scholarship fund after Obama, they are not giving him the adulation and wreath of an honorary degree, and they explain why in an AP Report:

"he hadn't accomplished enough yet to earn an honorary degree."

Even more surprising is Obama's submission to this fact when he said:

"I come here not to dispute the suggestion that I haven't yet achieved enough in my life," he said.

". . . But more than that I come to embrace the notion that I haven't done enough in my life. I heartily concur," the president said. "I come to affirm that one's title, even a title like 'president of the United States,' says very little about how well one's life has been led."

So why is Notre Dame elevating Obama with such fealty? One can only wonder if Notre Dame has lost its way and can no longer stand on principle.

Notre Dame Website Already Glorifying King Obama

Will Notre Dame refuse to recall St. Thomas More's last words?:

"I die the King's good servant, but God's first."

- St. Thomas More (Last words from the execution scaffold on Tower Hill in London July 6, 1535)

In a statement made on their website, Notre Dame President, Fr. Jenkins is already glowing over Obama (Mr. 100% NARAL approved in 2005, 2006, 2007) and his upcoming Sunday "visit". If you haven't heard, Fr. Jenkins has invited Obama to receive an honorary degree and deliver the Commencement address to the most prominent Catholic University in the United States of America. Obama would be only the 9th president to be dignified with an honorary degree from Notre Dame in its over 160 year history of existence.

Like a child who can't wait to open his Christmas presents Fr. Jenkins is already lavishing praise upon heaps of adulation from fellow liberal adorers. One statement calls Obama "an inspiring leader who faces many challenges – the economy, two wars, and health care, immigration and education reform". Absent in this list of challenges that Fr. Jenkins' inspiring hero faces is the greatest challenge of all time for every modern day leader - protecting the innocent child in the womb. If Obama is so inspiring a leader, then why hasn't he inspired you Fr. Jenkins to challenge Obama's pro-abortion policies?

Another statement reads "Mr. Obama has been a healer". Is that so? Where is the proof? What tangible evidence do you have for dignifying Obama? Fr. Jenkins only passively states his disagreement over Obama's abortion policy, which isn't even directed to Obama himself, in the end of the statement as if he was compelled to save face.

The statement opens in a defensive posture: "Presidents from both parties have come to Notre Dame for decades to speak to our graduates". However, speaking is not all that's going on at the commencement ceremony. Notre Dame is elevating Obama with the dignity of receiving an honorary degree. Of the 'decades' of presidents speaking to Notre Dame's graduates only 8 would be exalted with an honorary degree in its 160 year history.

Furthermore, Fr. Jenkins is missing the point here. The root of Roman Catholic America's embarrassment with Fr. Jenkins welcoming the President goes beyond Republican/Democrat politics, race, or social traditions. Fr. Jenkins is overlooking his duty to lead as a representative of the Church in favor of human opinion. He is squandering his duty to uphold supernatural grace for the sake of social grace. He is confusing weakness for charity.

The 'visit' by Obama to the most prominent American Catholic institution in the entire nation isn't a mere 'drop in and say hi' social call - 'won't you give me a glass of lemonade because I'm parched and then I'll be on my way' visit. No, Fr. Jenkins has carefully planned and scheduled and fully intends to use the podium of the most prominent "Roman" Catholic University in America - the traditional American icon of Catholic academia - to publicly exalt and elevate glory upon the most prominent pro-abortion liberal politician in America. The problem is this: the message Notre Dame sends to the world is that Catholicism - to the most prominent Catholic University in the nation - can take the backseat to human opinion.

Some say that Obama may become a pro-life champion by some stroke of "Irish Luck". If, and I mean if, this happens then and only then should Notre Dame credit the man. But Obama's pro-abortion policies in his first 100 days in office are not deserving of aggrandizement. Obama once flaunted the pro-life movement declaring: "Planned Parenthood will not yield, and I will not yield". Where is Obama's inspiring work as a 'uniter' in this statement Fr. Jenkins? His 100 day track record has proven Obama's aggression true.

Let us remember the context of this event. Notre Dame isn't just a building with a podium. It is a traditional symbol of Catholic America. It is an institutional icon of the Church. It is a symbol of Christ Himself. President Obama isn't just a man occupying the oval office. He isn't merely filling a flat, voiceless, opinion-less, policy-less, vacancy. He is actively using his power to tear down the most natural moral law written in the hearts of every man - innocence of children and our duties to defend them.

Fr. Jenkins is seeing this as a D vs R political arena with tentative social repurcussions if he disinvites Obama. With his fixation upon the social and political arena, Fr. Jenkins fails to see that this is really a spiritual arena. In the spiritual arena the stakes are higher and the repurcussions are far more lasting and serious than any social faux pas. Fr. Jenkins, there are some human traditions we can afford to break.

In another letter to the Notre Dame graduating class of 2009 Fr. Jenkins defends his position with a quote from Scripture: "As St. Peter wrote (I Pt. 2:17), we should honor the leader who upholds the secular order." By giving out Notre Dame's only 9th honorary degree in its 160 year history? Also, Fr. Jenkins, the passage (1 Peter 2:17) actually reads like this: "Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." Fr. Jenkins must have also been missing in Sunday school when they studied Matthew's Gospel: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you" (Matt. 7:6). As far as honoring the king we can pass along St. Thomas More's last words to Fr. Jenkins when the Saint said: "I die the King's good servant, but God's first."