What is So Wrong With American Culture?

From Matt Smith
Catholic Advocate

Public high schools indoctrinate in our daughters their right to choose and in our sons the notion that unplanned teenage pregnancies are inconsequential thanks to abortion.

Women are shamed into identifying as pro-choice because supporting the right to life is considered anti-woman. Pro-life men are accused of ignorance and misogyny.

What is so wrong with American culture that we glorify abortion?

It's time for America to re-embrace the sanctity of life. And the first step is to elect leaders to all levels of government who will defend the lives of the unborn by ending taxpayer-funding of abortions, banning late-term abortion, and doing everything in their power to defend the right to life.

More than two centuries ago, our forefathers declared life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as inalienable rights of all people. But today our leaders have lost sight of this.

Instead organizations like Planned Parenthood, NARAL - USA, and Emily's List – militant pro-choice groups – are some of the largest political donors in the country. 

Even many of the most prominent leaders in Washington who claim to be Catholic believe abortion to be a perfectly acceptable practice. Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden are the first to come to mind. 

Please stand with Catholic Advocate to elect the next generation of pro-life leaders.


 Use this link to make a contribution to Catholic Advocate

 

DC Court Rules Birth Control Mandate Compromises Religious Liberty

Friday afternoon, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals – the second most influential court in America after the Supreme Court – ruled 2-1 in favor of two Catholic business owners challenging the Obamacare mandate requiring them to provide their 400 employees with health insurance that includes contraception.

According to a statement from Judge Janice Brown, "The burden on religious exercise does not occur at the point of contraceptive purchase; instead, it occurs when a company's owners fill the basket of goods and services that constitute a healthcare plan."

Judge Brown also expressed that "it is clear the government has failed to demonstrate how such a right – whether described as noninterference, privacy, or autonomy – can extend to the compelled subsidization of a woman's procreative practices."

Religious organizations have praised the rulling, but it is expected the Supreme Court will take up an appeal of this case and make a final ruling on the constitutionality of the mandate.


Read more on this at http://www.reuters.com

Pope John Paul II's Prayer for Life

From Matt Smith, President

Catholic Advocate 

In 2009, the Vatican confirmed the first miracle attributed to Pope John Paul II's intercession—curing a French nun of Parkinson 's disease—and Pope Benedict XVI signed the decree beatifying him in 2011. Last month, the Vatican confirmed the second miracle—curing a Costa Rican woman of a severe brain injury.

Well now it's official. On Friday of last week, Pope Francis approved the second miracle, paving the way for Pope John Paul II to be canonized a saint by the end of 2013.

Pope John XXIII will also be canonized a saint.

These men are still examples for us today. With the Texas State Legislature likely voting this week on the fetal pain bill, I urge you to join me in prayer in honor of these two great men and servants of the Lord and those in Texas carrying the torch for the sanctity of life. 

 

 

Prayer for Life by Pope John Paul II

O Mary, bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life: Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be born,of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference or out of misguided mercy. Grant that all who believe in your son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the people of our time. Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives, and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life.

Blessed Pope John Paul II, pray for us...

Blessed Pope John XXIII, pray for us...

 

The First Amendment

 Matt Smith
President, Catholic Advocate

The First Amendment in the Bill of Rights reads:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assembly, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

So tell me...how did Congress pass a health care law which forces men and women in both the field of medicine and the insurance industry to violate their beliefs by requiring them to perform abortions, make contraception readily available, and provide sterilization?

Patricia,Obamacare violates the core of the First Amendment and Congress must remedy their error by immediately passing legislation to protect religious liberty and provide conscience protections.

That's why I'm urging you to contact your member of Congress today to demand he or she support H.R. 940, the Health Care Conscience Rights Act and your senators to demand they support S. 1204, also the Health Care Conscience Rights Act.

Please use this link to find the direct line for your Representative

The Next 14 Days!

From Matt Smith, President

Catholic Advocate

President Obama took his attack on religion to the international stage earlier this week, telling a crowd in Northern Ireland for the G 8 Summit that parochial education leads to divided communities.

His timing could not be more perfect, because today marks the beginning of the United States Conferences of Catholic Bishops' second annual Fortnight for Freedom.

You may recall last year during this period, Catholic Advocate launched the first ever virtual vigil. This year I'm proud to announce we're doing it again, and with your help it will be even bigger and better.

Will you take a moment right now to sign up for the Virtual Vigil for Religious Liberty?

use this link to sign up for virtual vigil 

Over the next 14 days, we'll engage you in a variety of activities to promote religious liberty in America. From calling your members of Congress and supporting our efforts with a financial gift, to reflecting on carefully selected prayers, we hope you'll participate in some way each day.

I'm excited to report that already today, three members of Congress—Rep. Diane Black (TN-06), Joe Pitts (PA-16), and Chris Smith (NJ-4)—held a forum to speak out against the Obama administration's attacks on religious freedom. Over the next two weeks, dozens more events like this will occur throughout the country.

This is an inspiring time to be a person of faith, and I hope you'll take advantage of the unique opportunity to join with thousands of Americans in support of religious liberty for all. Please follow this link to sign up for the Virtual Vigil and start keeping watch today.

The Tragedy of Abortion

From Matt Smith, President 
Catholic Advocate 
 

All life is sacred.

Last week, we grieved for the victims of a vicious terror attack and horrific accident, rallying behind Boston and West, Texas, during their times of tragedy. We celebrated the heroism of the first responders working — and risking their own lives — to protect the lives of thousands of innocent bystanders.

Why did a Pennsylvania judge yesterday throw out three of seven first degree murder charges against Kermit Gosnell, an abortion doctor accused of killing seven infants after they were born alive?

How does President Obama justify headlining the Planned Parenthood annual gala tomorrow night?

For a country that talks about treasuring life during times of tragedy, we certainly turn a blind eye to the tragedies happening every day in Planned Parenthood clinics and other doctors' offices throughout the country.

The double standard is horrifying. As Americans, we should praise those who defend and protect life instead of bankrolling those who take life away with our tax dollars. This is why we urgently need to support the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act, which will ban federal funding from any organization that performs abortions.

Will you call your member of Congress today and ask him/her to support the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act?

 Use this link to view H.R. 217 Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act

Our goal is to reach all 435 Congressional offices by May 1 — one week from today. Can we count on your help? 

Use this link to find your Congress member

Thank you in advance for standing up for the sanctity of life.