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Communique – Jan. 23, 2004


in this issue:

hot button issues: CATHOLIC CRUSADE
abortion: REPORT CARDS
bioethics: BAN
catholic politicians: NEW ORLEANS
dark side: PRAYER FOR ABORTIONISTS 
naral: MICHELMAN / YOUTH MOVEMENT
now: GIVE US YOUR TIRED, POOR, OLD RHETORIC
planned parenthood: IOWA 
ru-486: UK DEATHS
youth activism: HEROES
reflection for prayer: PSALM 15:1-4

hot button issues

CATHOLIC CRUSADE: American Life League marked the Roe v. Wade anniversary by publishing a newspaper ad commending Bishop Raymond Burke of La Crosse, Wis., for his decisive means of addressing Catholic politicians in his diocese who support legal abortion.

(Reading: “New ad: You can’t be Catholic and pro-abortion,” American Life League news release, 1/22/04)

abortion

REPORT CARDS: Americans United for Life studied each state’s efforts to protect women and their preborn children. Louisiana, Texas and Pennsylvania recorded the best scores according to the group’s standards. Vermont, Oregon and Hawaii were at the bottom of the list. Researchers noted that many states either do not regulate abortion facilities, or simply do not enforce safety or health rules there.

(Reading: “Louisiana, Texas and Pennsylvania top inaugural 2004 state report cards,” Americans United for Life news release, 1/14/04)

bioethics

BAN: The President’s Council on Bioethics is nearing agreement on a report that will likely recommend a ban on some laboratory procedures, such as creating human-animal hybrids. However, critics say current proposals do not go far enough in reeling in a baby-making and research industry that many feel is far out of control.

(Reading: “Bioethics panel calls for ban on radical reproductive procedures,” Washington Post, 1/16/04, p. A2)

catholic politicians

NEW ORLEANS: Archbishop Alfred Hughes has posted a notice in his archdiocesan newspaper, writing that “When Catholic officials openly support the taking of human life in abortion, euthanasia or the destruction of human embryos, they are no longer faithful members of the Church and should not partake of Holy Communion.” The action stops short of telling priests to refuse Communion to certain individuals. The archbishop’s spokesman, Fr. William Maestri, said, “This is not a matter of ‘imposing’ moral values. It’s a matter of stating them and witnessing them.”

(Reading: “Hughes exhorts Catholic pols to toe the line,” Times-Picayune, 1/16/04)

dark side

PRAYER FOR ABORTIONISTS: The pro-abortion Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice posts this “prayer” on its web site: “We give thanks especially for the doctors and nurses and other health care workers ? who support women through abortion services.”

COMMENT: Lord, have mercy!

(Reading: “Prayer for providers of women’s health care,” Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice)

naral

MICHELMAN: In her National Press Club swan song as president of what is now called NARAL Pro-Choice America, Kate Michelman sticks to the same lines she’s used throughout her nearly 20 years at the helm of that organization: abortion is a “fundamental right that this democracy is founded on.”

COMMENT: Tell that to Washington, Jefferson, Madison, et al.

(Reading: “The Culture of Death at the National Press Club,” Crosswalk.com, 1/16/04)

YOUTH MOVEMENT: Columnist Lynn Vincent notes the uphill battle NARAL faces in replacing its old guard with younger pro-aborts: “Teens, increasingly, just don’t like abortion.” Yet NARAL continues to plead, “We need your help getting other young people involved to protect ? a woman’s right to choose — or else quite frankly, we’re gonna lose it.”

COMMENT: Thankfully, an overwhelming majority of young people are aware that what NARAL “chooses” is an action that kills a human being.

(Reading: “Growing their own,” World Magazine, 1/17/04)

now

GIVE US YOUR TIRED, POOR, OLD RHETORIC: In announcing a rally at the Supreme Court building, NOW’s Kim Gandy said, “We are prepared to protect our right to abortion, birth control and all reproductive health services, as well as our right to have children and plan our own families without government interference.”

(Reading: “NOW president and D.C. activists to honor Roe v. Wade anniversary at Supreme Court by calling for reproductive freedom for all,” National Organization for Women news release, 1/16/04)

planned parenthood

IOWA: Managers of a Planned Parenthood location in Bettendorf, Iowa are so miffed at the regular witness of pro-lifers outside their doors that they’ve adopted an oft-used Planned Parenthood strategy — Pledge-A-Picket. Contributors pledge to give a certain amount for each pro-life demonstrator sighted outside the facility. Planned Parenthood says it’s tired of the “deluge of verbal harassment and intimidation.” A woman at a pregnancy care center across the street says all she’s ever seen is a small group of elderly people who walk down the sidewalk and pray one day a week.

(Reading: “Planned Parenthood fundraiser takes aim at protesters,” Quad City Times, 1/15/04)

ru-486

UK DEATHS: British health officials have admitted that they are aware of two cases of “suspected fatal reactions in association with the use of Mifegyne [RU-486].” No details were provided, other than the fact that the deaths had occurred at some point after the drug became available in the U.K. in 1991. Jack Scarisbrick of Life, a British pro-life group, said, “This is clearly another cover-up.”

(Reading: “Revealed: Two British women die after taking controversial new abortion pill,” The Telegraph [U.K.], 1/08/04)

youth activism

HEROES: Members of the California Baptist University debate team had reached the final round of a tournament and were given their topic: to argue that the U.S. Supreme Court should overturn the recently approved partial-birth abortion law. The team responded by doing they only thing their consciences would allow them to do. They forfeited. “We’ve debated other moral issues,” said team captain Mary Pryfogle, “but Scripture is very clear on this.”

(Reading: “Debaters forfeit rather than argue for abortion,” World Net Daily, 1/14/04)

reflection for prayer

PSALM 15:1-4: Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain? Whoever walks without blame, doing what is right, speaking truth from the heart; Who does not slander a neighbor, does no harm to another, never defames a friend; Who disdains the wicked, but honors those who fear the LORD; Who keeps an oath despite the cost.