Operation Rescue to Ryan: Keep Your Promise to Defund Planned Parenthood

Washington, DC - Operation Rescue is ardently urging House Speaker Paul Ryan to publicly announce that there will be a provision for completely defunding Planned Parenthood in the next Continuing Resolution.

In a letter faxed to Speaker Ryan yesterday, Operation Rescue President Troy Newman reminds Ryan of promises made by he and President Donald J. Trump to defund America's largest abortion provider.

"On behalf of the majority of Americans that oppose the tax funding of Planned Parenthood due to their heavy involvement in the morally reprehensible business of abortion, I urge you to keep your promise to the American people," Newman stated.

Newman added urgency to his plea, noting that Operation Rescue has documented 42 medical emergencies at Planned Parenthood abortion facilities since January 2016, that have required ambulance transport of patients to hospitals for treatment that Planned Parenthood was not equipped to provide.

"It is important to note that our list is not comprehensive. The actual number of women injured at Planned Parenthood abortion facilities is expected to be much higher," said Newman.

He spoke to Ryan about the tragic death of Cree Erwin-Sheppard, who died due to a botched first-trimester abortion she received at Planned Parenthood in Kalamazoo, Michigan, last year.

"An autopsy revealed that. . . Cree received a 4 cm full tissue perforation of her uterus, which caused internal bleeding," Newman wrote. "She was sent home without having been treated or informed of this life-threatening injury. Cree's brother, Tyler Sheppard, has since become involved in trying to expose the truth about the lack of skill and care Cree received at Planned Parenthood."

Newman also mentioned the death of Tonya Reaves, who succumbed to a fatal abortion she received at a Chicago-area Planned Parenthood abortion facility in 2012.

"It is simply unconscionable for Federal tax money to continue to go to this organization that has caused so much human suffering and loss of life in violation of the moral consciences of the majority of U.S. citizens - not to mention the criminal conduct Planned Parenthood is accused of committing," said Newman.

Earlier this year, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and five of its affiliates were referred to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation and prosecution by House and Senate panels after their investigations revealed Planned Parenthood had illegally participated in the sale of aborted baby remains for profit.

"Planned Parenthood must be defunded in the next Continuing Resolution, in keeping with your promises. We can accept no more excuses for delay," Newman said.

Please contact Speaker Ryan and demand the immediate defunding of Planned Parenthood. Link to Ryan's E-mail contact page.


View Newman's Letter to Ryan

   

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. For more information or to make a donation to help them with their work, please use this link. 

Patrick Henry Hughes is the Reason why Abortion Should be Stopped!

The video below was sent to me by one of my Facebook friends.

With all the violence going on in our world, particularly to God's precious little ones, it is inspiring to see a story of someone who overcame so much in his life.  His father states in this video that Patrick is his hero; after seeing the sacrifice his Dad has made, I consider his Dad one of my heroes.

My friend Patty states; "no more killing our babies.. no one has the right to take another human's life.. esp. when we are: unborn/newborn, child, teenager, adult and elderly plus the disabled, both physically and mental disabled... period..end of story."  She's right - no one has that right.  God is the giver of life and every child conceived is a precious gift from Him.

Please view the video below or on YouTube by using this link.





 For more information on Patrick Henry Hughes, please follow this link to his website.  

Baby Human Watch

April the Giraffe highlights a disconnect about 

which new lives we choose to save and celebrate

By Teresa Tomeo

Our Sunday Visitor

Life is beautiful, and no doubt we were all given a wonderful glimpse into God’s incredible creation as we watched April the Giraffe finally give birth via live stream from the Harpursville, New York, zoo. That much-anticipated event finally occurred on Easter weekend; a time when new beginnings and rebirth are most recognized by Christians around the globe. April’s labor actually broke online viewing records, according to YouTube. The story has also been in the media spotlight for months, and the birth on April 15 sparked even more coverage, as well as a number of baby-naming contests.

Read more ...

   

Our Sunday Visitor brings you Catholic clarity in a complex world, using our national weekly newspaper, other publications, books, web presence and other products to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. For more information or to subscribe, use this link. 

Thank You to Those Who Came Out to Protest PP in Center City Philly on April 29th

from Ted Meehan
Pro-Life Delco

Thanks to all who braved the maze of closed streets, and traffic generated by the NFL Draft and Penn Relays to come to 12th & Locust to Protest Planned Parenthood, and call for their Defunding. About 25 heroes made it in to the Gates of Hell, and each one was a blessing.

A few months ago, Planned Parenthood's CEO Cecile Reochsrds testified before Congress. And she admitted that PP does no mammograms! She also tried to defend the claim that abortion makes up only 3% of PP's business. She did have to admit that 86% of nongovernment income was from abortions. But wanted to count each patient contact to justify the 3% figure. This would be like McDonalds - claiming hamburgers to be 3% of its business by counting each French fry as a separate product.

Since PP receives $550 million from American Taxpayers, Richards was asked about an item on their Financial Report which was titled "Surplus Revenue". It listed $160 million.

She said half of that is invested - primarily in NY Real Estate - WHICH IS NOT WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE! The other half goes to their "nonpartisan" political PAC. Asked how many Republicans received financial support from this "nonpartisan" PAC, she indicated that ZERO Republicans had received support over the previous 5 years. And, once again, THIS IS NOT WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE!

What goes on at Planned Parenthood besides aborting babies? A series of videos had been released a year ago which showed Executives from Planned Parenthood negotiating prices for the sale of body parts taken from the aborted babies - which happens to be illegal! The pro-abortion media ignores this story and parrots the PP talking point that the videos "have been edited". The evil continues.

In 2014, the 12th & Locust Planned Parenthood was cited for failing to report sexual abuse of underage girls, as required by law. Six files were checked at random - including four 13 year olds, and two 14 year olds. Zero reports had been sent to either Law Enforcement or Child Protective Services. No subsequent inspection by DOH has revisited the level of compliance. Since 2014, several requests have been made to see the reports, but none have been produced! Is there something to hide?

On April 21, the Chairman of the House Health Committee sent a demand to Secretary Karen Murphy to produce a full report on compliance. The letter was co-signed by 47 additional Reps, including the Speaker, the Secretary of the GOP Caucus, the Whip, the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and Pro-Life Caucus Chair. A number of legislators involved in combatting human trafficking also signed on.

These little girls are often victims of rape or incest. Abortions destroy evidence against their attackers. Sometimes they are being exploited by dysfunctional drug addicted caretakers selling them to buy drugs. Some are trapped in sex trafficking rings. Without reporting, these little girls remain trapped in a nightmare - with no protection and no hope!

Stop sending our money to this criminal enterprise. Defund Planned Parenthood!

Below are additional pictures from the April 29th Prayer rally.

  

Voices for Life is an e-publication dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. To read our Mission Statement, use this link.  Follow us on Facebook, Google, and Pinterest.  Help us spread the pro-life message by sharing our articles on your favorite social networks.

Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  

National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna:  Call or text 610-626-4006  

If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available.  Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.  

Assistant Principal Who Bullied Pro-Life Students Placed on Leave

By Trey Elmore
Church Militant

An assistant principal at Downington STEM Academy in Pennsylvania was caught on video harassing and threatening young pro-life students. A video published April 26 shows 16-year-old Conner Haines and his 19-year-old sister Lauren holding up pro-life signs on a public sidewalk near the high school. Assistant Principal Zach Ruff is shown yelling and cursing at them, cursing Jesus Christ, and admitting he is "gay as the day is long."

The high school has placed Ruff on administrative leave following the incident, issuing the following statement:

We have begun a thorough investigation into this unfortunate situation and have placed the staff member on administrative leave. We do not condone or support the conduct expressed in the video and are deeply disappointed that this incident occurred. His conduct does not represent the values of the school district or the respect we expect our employees to show for the civil rights of others.

This has now become a personnel matter, and we must follow the policies and procedures that we have in place concerning staff issues. We truly apologize to all for the actions of this employee.

Church Militant reached out to the high school for comment and contact information for Ruff. The email given to Church Militant ended up being non-functioning.

Throughout the confrontation, Conner spoke to the passing vehicles about abortion. Ruff walked up close to the student, stuck his finger in the teenager's face and snapped, 

"Don't talk to my students! I will call the police if you don't shut up."

A moment after Ruff began standing in front of the two activists, Conner remarked that the unborn victims of abortion are imagebearers of God. Ruff shouted, "You can go to Hell, where they are, too!"

When Conner told Ruff that children were being murdered, Ruff spun around and barked "They're not children; they're cells."

Ruff repeatedly threatened to call the police on the teenagers, accusing them of harassment. The first time Conner spoke the name of Our Lord, Ruff got in his face and said,

"Listen here, son, I'm as gay as the day is long, and twice as sunny. I don't give a f*** what you think Jesus tells me and what I should and should not be doing."

Conner didn't back down: "Jesus can set you free from your sins. It's the truth; it's the Gospel. He died on the Cross.

Church Militant article continues

Comments for the school? Call 610-269-8460 (ask for public relations) and Drexel Univ at 215-895-1965.  Mr. Ruff is a PhD student at Drexel.

Blogger's Note: God bless Conner and Lauren who did not back down from this person in authority. In attempting to intimidate them, he made a fool of himself. They stood their ground with grace and holy boldness; sharing the truth about Jesus and these babies being 'imagebearers' of God.  

Pray for this man's soul that their powerful message of salvation would pierce his heart. May he be saved and set free from the darkness and lies of the enemy.

Cardinal Dolan Calls Pro-Abortion DNC Pledge Extreme, Disturbing, Intolerant

from United States 

Conference of Catholic  Bishops

WASHINGTON–Cardinal Timothy Dolan, chair of the USCCB's Committee on Pro-Life Activities, reacted to the announcement by the Democratic National Committee's chair pledging support only for pro-abortion candidates. Calling the pledge "very disturbing," Cardinal Dolan urged party members to "challenge their leadership to recant this intolerant position."

Full statement follows:

"The recent pledge by the Democratic National Committee chair to support only candidates who embrace the radical unrestricted abortion license is very disturbing. The Democratic Party platform already endorses abortion throughout the nine months of pregnancy, even forcing taxpayers to fund it; and now the DNC says that to be a Democrat—indeed to be an American—requires supporting that extreme agenda.

True solidarity with pregnant women and their children transcends all party lines. Abortion doesn't empower women. Indeed, women deserve better than abortion.

In the name of diversity and inclusion, pro-life and pro-'choice' Democrats, alike, should challenge their leadership to recant this intolerant position."

  

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of the hierarchy of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands who jointly exercise certain pastoral functions on behalf of the Christian faithful of the United States. The purpose of the Conference is to promote the greater good which the Church offers humankind, especially through forms and programs of the apostolate fittingly adapted to the circumstances of time and place. This purpose is drawn from the universal law of the Church and applies to the episcopal conferences which are established all over the world for the same purpose.  For more information, please use this link.  

1973: The Year Humanists, Eugenicists, and Abortion Advocates Joined Forces

By Carole Novielli
Live Action News

The Humanist Manifesto was a document written in rejection of orthodox teaching on religion and the existence of God and was signed by several prominent leaders in the abortion movement. 

In 1933, 34 humanists, including John Dewey, gathered together to write the radical Humanist Manifesto 1, which came at a time when eugenic philosophy was dominating culture. It rode in on the heels of Hitler’s reign of terror in Nazi Germany and preceded, by just a few short years, the very first committee on euthanasia (National Society for the Legalization of Euthanasia), put together by several members of Margaret Sanger’s American Birth Control League as well as members of the American Eugenics Society.

Interestingly enough, in 1957, Sanger received the “Humanist of the Year” award.  In 1973, 40 years after the first Manifesto was penned, Humanist Manifesto II was drafted. This Manifesto came at a time when overpopulation, birth control, and abortion were prominent concerns, and it is reflected in the text of the document:

We reject all religious, ideological, or moral codes that denigrate the individual, suppress freedom, dull intellect, dehumanize personality. We believe in maximum individual autonomy… the possibilities of individual freedom of choice exist in human life and should be increased….

The right to birth control, abortion and divorce should be recognized… a civilized society should be a tolerant one. The insertion of abortion into Humanist Manifesto 11 attracted leaders in the movement who signed onto the Humanist ideology.

Signers included:

• Alan F. Guttmacher, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
• Norman Fleishman, executive vice president of Planned Parenthood World Population, Los Angeles
• Lawrence Lader, chairman of the National Association for Repeal of Abortion Laws (which later became NARAL)
• Henry Morgentaler, M.D., Canadian abortionist and past president of Humanist Association of Canada
• Betty Friedan, founder of N.O.W., who was later granted the “Humanist of the Year” award in 1975

Manifestos I and II rejected God and attempted to outline how humans could work to save themselves from the ills of society.

Book Cover: Humanist Manifesto
1 and 11 edited by Paul Kurtz

Paul Kurtz, who published the Manifestos in 1973, wrote about this in his preface:

As in 1933, humanists still believe that traditional theism, especially faith in the prayer-hearing God, assumed to love and care for persons…is an unproved and outmoded faith…. Reasonable minds look to other means for survival.

Manifesto II reinforced the belief that God and religion were to be ignored while human reasoning was to be exalted:

We believe… that traditional dogmatic or authoritative religions that place revelation, God, ritual, or creed above human needs and experience do a disservice to the human species…. As nontheists, we begin with humans not God….”

Life News article continues

Blogger's Note:  The common denominator in socialism, communism, fascism and modern day progressivism has, at its roots, godlessness and a pagan worldview. Hence, the ultimate acceptance and approval of the worst of sins, premeditated murder of unborn babies.

Believing in "maximum individual autonomy" is the antithesis of the Truth in the Word of God.  This godless philosophy is self-destructive for individuals and nations.  History has recorded over many millennia the downfall of civilizations who rejected or denied the existence of God and made themselves god.   

US University Sells Morning-After Pill in Vending Machine

Society for the Protection Unborn Children

Students at UC Davies University in California can now purchase the morning-after pill from a vending machine on campus.

The "Wellness to Go" machine sells the emergency contraceptive (known as Plan B in the States) as well as condoms, sanitary products and painkillers.

"I believe most of the college students are sexually active on college campus, which means we should have more resources and more talk on these issues, decreasing the stigma," said senior Parteek Singh, 21, who spearheaded the move to install the vending machine.

In America, 'emergency contraception' became available to women of all ages without a prescription in 2013.

Kristan Hawkins, head of Students for Life of America, opposed the move, saying:

 "Colleges and universities should be offering pregnant and parenting students options of housing, financial aid, diaper decks, and childcare instead of handing over abortion drugs."

What is Plan B?

The drug used in Plan B, Levonorgestrel, is a progestin, and it is not known exactly how it works. There is debate on whether 'emergency contraceptives' are abortifacient, and if so, how often, but information on the drug says that it may alter the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation should fertilization occur.

SPUC article continues

Voices for Life is an e-publication dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. To read our Mission Statement, use this link.  Follow us on Facebook, Google, and Pinterest.  Help us spread the pro-life message by sharing our articles on your favorite social networks.

Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  

National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna:  Call or text 610-626-4006  

If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available.  Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.  

Attack on Pro-Life Activist at an Abortion Facility Results in Capture of Child Rapist

By Cheryl Sullenger
Operation Rescue

Montgomery, AL — April 14, 2017, seemed at first like just another routine day at the abortion clinic for a number of pro-life activists who spent the morning offering help to women and their companions as they reported to Reproductive Health Services, an abortion facility located on Perry Street in Montgomery, Alabama.

As one of the activists, Daniel French, approached one couple, the man became angry and threw his coffee on French and spit in his face.

The police were called to the scene where they arrested Logan Craft inside the abortion facility then marched him out to an awaiting police car. He was charged with Aggravated Assault and Harassment.

Continue reading this article and view Operation Rescue's video using this link.

   

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. For more information or to make a donation to help them with their work, please use this link. 

Does Your State Senator Know You Support PA SB300?

Friends of Life,

Right now we have a window of opportunity to encourage your State Senator in shifting your tax dollars away from Planned Parenthood, the state's leading abortion business, after a committee just passed SB300, bringing it to the full Senate.

Here's the roll call:

Voting YES on SB300: Argall (R), Aument (R), DiSanto (R), Eichelberger (R), Hutchinson (R), Scarnati (R), Ward (R).
Voting NO on SB300: Blake (D), Browne (R), Costa (D), Haywood (D), Hughes (D).

To find out who your State Senator is, use our Citizen Action Center by entering your zip code at the bottom of the page.

Know the facts surrounding Planned Parenthood's extreme activities in Pennsylvania.

For our detailed report explaining these facts - including the lack of any prenatal care – click here to get your free copy.

SB300 passed with a vote of 7-5 in the State Senate Finance Committee. A few dozen Planned Parenthood supporters were in the committee room - including their head lobbyist - and they are currently pushing hard to stop SB300 from advancing. A big reason why - over the last four reporting cycles Planned Parenthood has received over $21 million in both federal and state taxpayer funding.

Here's a glimpse into what Planned Parenthood in Pennsylvania looks like:

1) Zero prenatal care - not one Planned Parenthood facility in Pennsylvania offers prenatal services. (Although, until we exposed this fact, they had advertised this fact on their websites.)

2) Zero mammograms - not one Planned Parenthood facility is even licensed to perform mammograms. (Even though they frequently have suggested women would be denied access to mammograms if they were defunded.)

3) Drop in patients served. Planned Parenthood has had a 16% decrease in patients over their last two reporting years (2013-2015).

4) There are only 25 Planned Parenthood facilities compared to over 300 Community Health Centers across Pennsylvania.

Planned Parenthood is a bad investment for PA taxpayers. There are better options that provide more comprehensive women's health services that don't include abortion. That's why Pennsylvania needs SB300. Be sure to encourage your State Senator to support SB300.

Thank you!



Michael Geer, President
Pennsylvania Family Council

P.S. - Please share the news of this email with others.

Click here to forward this email or share on Facebook or Twitter:

Pennsylvania Family Council

23 N Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101

717-545-0600 | pafamily.org

Bucks County Right to Life to Host Town Hall Meeting on May 22nd

from Bucks County Right to Life

Pro-Life Federation Executive Director Michael Ciccocioppo and Education Director Matthew Wagner will be in our area on their statewide Pro-Life Town Hall Tour to share the most up-to-date information on a variety of pro-life topics and to answer questions about current efforts to bring about a culture of life in our state and the nation. 

Topics will include: 

• Life is Winning 
• Death is Losing 
• Roe Will Go, 
• Fake News is Failing, 
• How to Achieve the Dream

Here’s your opportunity to learn and to share with those at the epicenter of LIFE in Pennsylvania.

Monday, May 22, 2017

7:00 - 9:00 pm

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish 

St. Mary's Hall

East State Street & Maple Avenue

Doylestown, Pennsylvania (map)

All are welcome to attend. No registration or fee required. For details, contact Kathy Cox at 215-348-4381.  

The meeting is sponsored by Bucks County Right to Life and the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation.

Bucks County RTL is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian group of community members who believe in the inherent dignity and value of every human life. Through educational, legal, and peaceful means, we seek to impact Bucks County with truth and support for key life issues.  For more information, please use this link. 

The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, Inc., is committed to promoting the dignity and value of human life from conception to natural death and to restoring legal protection for preborn children. Through legislation, political action, education and other legal means, we proclaim the truth about abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia.  For more information or to find out how you can become involved, please use this link.  

Mother Gives Birth to Healthy Conjoined Twins After Refusing Abortion

Callie and Carter Torres

By Micaiah Bilger

Life News

When doctors told Chelsea Torres that she was carrying conjoined twins, they warned her that the babies probably would not survive past the first trimester.

Doctors encouraged Torres and her husband, Nick, of Blackfoot, Idaho, to consider having an abortion, The Daily Mail reports. They refused.

The Idaho parents now are so thankful that they did not listen to their doctors’ advice. Their twin girls, Callie and Carter, were born in January, and they are doing well, according to the report.

Here’s more from the report:

Callie and Carter are omphalo-ischiopagus twins, which make up less than five per cent of conjoined twins.  This means they have just two legs and one pelvis between them, but have two separate torsos that face each other.  The girls do not appear to share any vital organs.

Today, the girls are three months old and healthy. The family said Callie and Carter are doing so well that doctors do not recommend separating them.

Daily living is more difficult with conjoined twins. The twins require a lot of custom-made things, like car seats and clothes. Chelsea said she sews clothing together to fit the twins.

She said a few people stare when they see the twins, but most are very supportive.

“I’m so happy I didn’t terminate Callie and Carter, they are amazing,” their mother told the Mail. “I knew termination would not happen and I’m glad that little speck of thought I did have, I pushed away.”

Life News story continues 

Voices for Life is an e-publication dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. To read our Mission Statement, use this link.  Follow us on Facebook, Google, and Pinterest.  Help us spread the pro-life message by sharing our articles on your favorite social networks.

Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  

National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna:  Call or text 610-626-4006  

If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available.  Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.  

PA Pro-Life Urges You to Protect Your Right to Vote

Maria V. Gallagher, Legislative Director
Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation


The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation urges you to protect your right to vote for appellate judges in Pennsylvania! House Bill 111 would take away that right and allow our pro-abortion Governor, counseled by a small, elite group of people, to appoint these judges rather than having them elected by a vote by the people.

House Bill 111 could come up for a vote in the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee soon. Therefore, we ask you to contact the following pro-life members of the committee and urge them to oppose House Bill 111 because you don’t want your right to vote for judges to be taken away!

Chairman Ron Marsico (R )-- rmarsico@pahousegop.com; (717) 783-2014

Rep. Joseph Petrarca (D)-- jpetrarc@pahouse.net; (717) 787-5142

Rep. Becky Corbin (R )-- bcorbin@pahousegop.com; (717) 783-2520

Rep. Harold English (R )-- henglish@pahousegop.com; (717) 260-6407

Rep. Barry Jozwiak (R )-- bjozwiak@pahousegop.com; (717) 772-9940

Rep. Kate Klunk (R )-- kklunk@pahousegop.com; (717) 787-4790

Rep. Jerry Knowles (R )-- jknowles@pahousegop.com; (717) 787-9029

Rep. Tedd Nesbit (R )-- TNesbit@pahousegop.com; (717) 783-6438

Rep. Jeff Pyle (R )-- jpyle@pahousegop.com; (717) 783-5327

Rep. Rick Saccone (R )-- Rsaccone@pahousegop.com; (717) 260-6122

Rep. Paul Schemel (R )-- pschemel@pahousegop.com; (717) 783-5218

Rep. Tarah Toohil (R )-- ttoohil@pahousegop.com; (717) 260-6136

Rep. Jesse Topper (R )-- jtopper@pahousegop.com; (717) 787-7076

Rep. Martina White (R )-- mwhite@pahousegop.com; (717) 787-6740

Thank you for making these critical calls and sending these important emails!

The Cross of Adverse Diagnosis [Divine Mercy]

Theresa Bonopartis, Director
Lumina/Hope & Healing After Abortion

I have been very blessed to present a webinar for “Be Not Afraid,” an organization whose mission is to provide comprehensive, practical, peer-based support to parents experiencing an adverse prenatal diagnosis so they will carry to term. Unfortunately, many couples receiving an adverse diagnosis are pressured to abort given little time to find out the resources available to enable them to have their babies. Sadly, some give in to the pressure only to recognize later how wrong the decision was.

My training, "Special Considerations When Providing Support to Post-Abortive Mothers Who Experienced an Adverse Prenatal Diagnosis" focuses on ministering to those who terminate pregnancy after receiving an adverse diagnosis and how it is beneficial for these parents to have their own healing ministry.

We at Lumina have been holding retreats for those who have experienced abortion due to an adverse diagnosis for a number of years. The retreats touch my heart in a profound way as I listen to the stories of couples who very often were prepared for the birth of their child only to receive heartbreaking news of an abnormality, coupled with the undeniable pressure to terminate the pregnancy as “the loving thing to do.”

What is sadly lacking in our communities are resources to give these couples hope, and the means to continue to love their unborn children no matter what the abnormality or length of life. In spite of the diagnosis, abortion is never the answer but only adds to the pain and denies the family of time spent with their child, no matter how short it may be.

As one woman told me, “Looking back, I can see what was missing from the conversation in the doctor’s office. They never mentioned anything remotely positive. Surely there was something they could have told us that wasn’t bleak and morbid, like the fact that we could love our daughter no matter what her physical or mental condition.”

Over the years, I have been privileged to work side by side with one of the founders of “Be Not Afraid,” Tracy Windsor, with the shared hope of being a sign of Christ to these couples, whether they brought the pregnancy to term or gave in to the pressures of termination.

As we celebrate Divine Mercy, a time that calls us to Mercy Himself, I am reminded of the unfathomable beauty of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the love and redemption found at His cross, a redemption that embraces us whether we follow Him without reserve, or give in to our human weaknesses.

Those who have chosen to bring their pregnancy to term surely walk the way of the cross in choosing to “Be Not Afraid,” trusting in Christ as they embrace their cross and loving their child through its life no matter how short or challenging.

Those who give in to the pressure to abort, feeling pressured or believing it is the loving thing to do so their child will not suffer, also find in the end, the ultimate love of the cross, walking the way of Calvary to the only love deep enough to forgive and heal our wounds: Christ’s redemptive sacrifice, and His unfathomable mercy.

He is there for them both, because He loves us all. Let us remember in our prayers and sacrifices, those who carry the cross of an adverse diagnosis. If we do not have an outreach, let us try to promote organizations like “Be Not Afraid” so those who receive an adverse prenatal diagnosis are offered support in their sorrow, resources, and hope that they can love no matter what. Let us also pray that those who terminated will come to find the love of Christ on the cross, His mercy that forgives, understands, and desires to heal.

• For the next date for Adverse Retreat contact: Lumina@postabortionhelp.org.

• For support for an adverse diagnosis contact: Be Not Afraid at www.benotafraid.net.

• For more information about Lumina, Good Counsel's post-abortion healing ministry, please use this link.  

    

Living with the pain of abortion can be overwhelming. Feelings of anxiety, panic, grief, guilt and shame can often seem insurmountable, but there is a way out of the pain. You do not have to suffer alone! Countless women and men have reached healing through Lumina’s services. In addition to our own programs we refer to professional therapists, clergy, and other post-abortion resources.  Use this link for more information on Lumina.

Delaware Clinic Leased by Stephen Brigham to Close

Note: Moira Sheridan is a Delaware pro-life activist who attended a tenant/landlord hearing on April 24, 2017, involving Stephen Brigham's Premiere ObGyn and a landlord that has tried for three years to remove the abortion business from his property. Below is Sheridan's encouraging first-hand report. -OR Staff


By Moira Sheridan
Operation Rescue


Wilmington, DE - It took only 15 minutes for the fate of Premier Ob-Gyn to be decided: CLOSED. The abortion clinic in Wilmington, Delaware, is leased by disgraced abortionist and scofflaw, Stephen Brigham, who was on record as the "manager," renting the property under the auspices of Integrity Family Health. At the short hearing in the Court of Common Pleas in Wilmington, attended by local pro-lifers, David Williams and Moira Sheridan, Judge Susan Ufberg accepted Brigham's lawyer's offer to "vacate the property within two weeks" after a brief rehash of his failure to pay 9 months' rent totaling $37,708.05.


Continue reading Sheridan's encouraging, first-hand report!

Voices for Life is an e-publication dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. To read our Mission Statement, use this link.  Follow us on Facebook, Google, and Pinterest.  Help us spread the pro-life message by sharing our articles on your favorite social networks.

Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  

National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna:  Call or text 610-626-4006  

If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available.  Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.  

Will Trump End the Obamacare Mandate Forcing Little Sisters of the Poor to Fund Abortions?

Pro-life advocates have complained that big corporations were protected from the mandate, but Catholic nuns were not.  

By Steven Ertelt
Life News

Will President Donald Trump end the Obamacare mandate that forced the Little Sisters of the Poor and other religious organizations to fund abortions?

A legal filing the Trump Administration made with a federal appeals court doesn’t bring pro-life advocates any closer to the answer. Although pro-life voters supported Trump with the hopes that he would strike the mandate and protect the religious rights of pro-life advocates, the question is still up in the air.

According to the legal filing, the Trump Administration has asked for 60 more days to consider whether to end the lawsuit the Obama Administration is participating in to force the pro-life advocates to pay for abortion causing drugs or to continue it.

The Washington Post has more today on this a non decision:

The Justice Department has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit for an additional 60 days to negotiate with East Texas Baptist University and several other religious groups objecting to a requirement to which they are morally opposed.

The request doesn’t necessarily mean Justice plans to continue defending the mandate — the agency could just be buying extra time as the new administration figures out its next move. A DOJ spokeswoman said Tuesday she had no comment on the request to the fifth circuit.

Life News article continues 

Blogger's Note: Prayer is a powerful weapon in this war between light and darkness.  Please pray that the Obamacare mandate will be reversed for all religious groups.

"The prayers of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16 
Jesus is our righteousness.

Planned Parenthood Doc Who Wanted Lamborghini for Selling Aborted Babies Caught Selling Baby Parts Again

By Steven Ertelt
Life News

Mary Gatter, the Planned Parenthood senior executive who infamously was caught on tape saying “I want a Lamborghini” while discussing and arranging the sale of body parts of aborted babies has been caught again.

As LifeNews reported in 2015, Mary Gatter, the Medical director at Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley in California, was caught selling aborted baby body parts to undercover investigators posing as officials with a biotech company that acts as a middleman to sell aborted baby body parts to universities and other places that conduct such research.

In the prior video, Gatter discusses the pricing of aborted baby body parts — telling the biotech company officials that the prices for such things as a baby’s liver, head or heart are negotiable. She also tells the officials that she could talk with the Planned Parenthood abortion practitioners to potentially alter the abortion procedure to kill the baby in a way that would best preserve those body parts after the unborn child is killed in the abortion.

In this new video, Gatter is again caught haggling over per-specimen pricing for livers, lungs, and brains, even while insisting the purchaser must do all the work to harvest.

The video is the second of a never-before-seen batch of undercover footage being released by The Center for Medical Progress.

At a Planned Parenthood conference evening reception, CMP investigators posing as buyers from a biotech company are introduced to Dr. Gatter for the first time by Dr. Deborah Nucatola, Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s Senior Director of Medical Services.

“I wanted you to meet Mary Gatter,” says Dr. Nucatola, before Dr. Gatter steps forward.

Gatter was for many years the Medical Director of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, before moving to the same position at the Pasadena affiliate, and then being elected President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s Medical Directors’ Council. As Medical Director at PPLA, Gatter oversaw the affiliate’s partnership with Novogenix Laboratories, LLC, a local for-profit fetal organ and tissue harvesting company.

“I did it in LA, I’m committed to it, I think it’s a great idea,” says Gatter to the purported body parts buyers. Discussing the number of abortions at her Pasadena clinic, Gatter asks, “What kind of volume do you need and what gestational ages?”

SIGN THE PETITION! Congress Must De-Fund Planned Parenthood Immediately

Life News report continues

Dangerous Depo Deception Continues

While Admitting Risks, WHO Continues to Recommend
 Injectable Contraceptives for Women at High Risk of Contracting HIV

by Jonathan Abbamonte
Population Research Institute

Since 1991, numerous studies have shown that injectable contraceptives like Depo-Provera may increase women’s risk of contracting HIV. The World Health Organization (WHO) has now changed its recommendations on certain injectable contraceptives in light of mounting evidence and increasing concern.

A new guidance statement recently released by the WHO has moved progestogen-only injectable contraceptives from category 1 to category 2 for women at high risk of contracting HIV.

A meta-analytical study[1] sponsored by the Population Research Institute released last year found that women using certain injectable contraceptives (DMPA-IM) were nearly fifty percent more likely to contract HIV (HR: 1.49, 95% CI 1.28 – 1.73). Other meta-analytical studies using different methods have arrived at similar results.[2]-[3]

Many recent studies have also explored possible biological explanations for why medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), the active ingredient in injectable contraceptive like Depo-Provera, may increase the risk for HIV transmission or viral replication.

Read more about this here

       

The Population Research Institute is a (501c3) non-profit research organization whose core values hold that people are the world’s greatest resource. PRI’s goals are to educate on this premise, to expose the myth of overpopulation, and to expose human rights abuses committed in population control programs. Our growing, global network of pro-life groups spans over 30 countries. For more information, please use this link.

States Choose Sides in Planned Parenthood Funding Battle

From American Life League's 
STOPP International

As anyone concerned about taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood surely knows, last week President Donald Trump signed a bill into law that will further polarize this debate.

Both houses of the United States Congress passed legislation over the last two months allowing states to withhold Title X money from Planned Parenthood or any other organization that commits abortion. That legislation is now the law of the land. Two things about this need explanation.

1. Planned Parenthood Federation of America receives $550 million in taxpayer funding each year and approximately $20 million comes from Title X. Thus, this legislation addresses only a small part of Planned Parenthood’s taxpayer income. However, $20 million is a significant amount of money.

2. The new legislation does not say that states must withhold money from Planned Parenthood, only that the state can withhold the funds if it wants to.

It is not surprising that, in the two weeks since this received congressional approval, a number of states have chosen sides. State officials generally say their state has “defunded” Planned Parenthood by taking one or more of these steps:

• Stopped funding Planned Parenthood through state family planning programs

• Withheld federal Title X family planning grants from Planned Parenthood

• Terminated a Medicaid contract with the organization or barred it from participating in the Medicaid program

The recently passed bill allows all states to implement the second action on this list

Continue reading using this link.

This article originally appeared in this issue of the WSR: 2017-04-19

  

The purpose of STOPP is really quite simple. We intend to cause such discontent with Planned Parenthood programs that it will have no choice but to close its doors and get out of town! That doesn't seem like too much to ask of an organization that has been ruthlessly attacking our children for years-abusing them in the womb and in the classroom.  For more information, please use this link. 

Voices for Life is an e-publication dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. To read our Mission Statement, use this link.  Follow us on Facebook, Google, and Pinterest.  Help us spread the pro-life message by sharing our articles on your favorite social networks.

Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  

National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.

In Southeast Penna:  Call or text 610-626-4006  

If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available.  Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.