No One Should be Forced to Participate in Abortion

By Greg Schleppenbach
LIFE ISSUES FORUM

In early November, three brave nurses came to Washington, D.C. to tell their disturbing stories of coercion to members of Congress and the public-about how they were forced to choose between participating in abortion and losing their jobs.

Cathy DeCarlo came to the U.S. from the Philippines in 2001 to advance her nursing career. In 2004, the New York City hospital that hired her assured her that she would never have to compromise her conscience by participating in an abortion. But on May 24, 2009, the hospital tricked Ms. DeCarlo into serving a patient having a late-term abortion. If she didn't assist, she would lose her nursing license, destroying her career.

"I'll never forget that day as I watched in horror as the doctor dismembered and removed the baby's bloody limbs, and then I had to account for all the pieces," Cathy said at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol. "I still have nightmares about that day."

Fe Vinoya is a nurse in a same-day surgery unit in New Jersey where she and twelve other nurses were told they had to be trained to assist in abortions. Their jobs were threatened if they refused. "After years of working as a critical care and emergency room nurse, I never imagined that the hospital I worked for would force me to choose between taking the life of an unborn child and losing my job," Fe said. "[W]hen the government denies or coerces healthcare providers' conscience[s], it not only hurts patients and those of us committed to serving them, it also deters others from joining the profession," Fe added.

The third nurse, Sandra Mendoza, worked for eighteen years in pediatrics at the Winnebago County Health Department in Rockford, IL. In 2015, Sandra was informed that her clinic was being merged with women's health services and, consequently, all nurses would have to be cross-trained in abortion referrals and abortion-causing drugs. When Sandra objected, she was told that if she didn't participate, she could no longer work at the health department.

"Like many nurses I know... I view nursing as more than just a job, but a calling and a vocation," Sandra said. "I'm called to protect life not destroy it. I'm called to serve others and do no harm, as the Hippocratic Oath I took states. While we may not all agree on abortion, I'd hope we can all agree that no doctor or and nurse should be forced out of employment on account of their faith and commitment to protecting life."

In addition to medical providers and trainees being forced to participate in abortion, churches and others who oppose abortion are being forced to provide insurance coverage for it in a growing number of states. Current federal conscience protection laws are failing to prevent such discrimination due to loopholes and insufficient enforcement mechanisms. This can be solved, but your help is needed.

The Conscience Protection Act (H.R. 644/S. 301) fixes those loopholes and provides victims of discrimination with the ability to defend their rights in court. Contact Congress now through www.humanlifeaction.org to urge your representatives to enact the Conscience Protection Act as part of its Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations bill. Finally, follow and share the #StandWithNurses social media campaign advocating for nurses like Cathy, Fe, and Sandra. Your voice matters!

Greg Schleppenbach is the Associate Director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. For more information on the bishops' pro-life activities, please visit www.usccb.org/prolife.

Join Us for our Designer Bag Bingo on Dec 10th to Benefit Sidewalk Servants

Our Lady Help of Christians Basement

1500 Marian Road

Abington, PA 19001 (Map)

Sunday, December 10, 2017

3:00 - 6:00 pm 

from Dr.  Monique Ruberu

Many loving, prayerful trained sidewalk counselors wait outside downtown Philadelphia abortion centers hoping to share resources and a moment of conversation with abortion minded men and women. They offer prayer, love, financial and emotional support to people entering into these places. They often spend hours at a time in inclement weather hoping to save a child from certain death or to touch the heart of a worker. These people take time out of thier schedules. They often drive quite a distance and brave downtown traffic to be there. They respond to persecution with love and prayer. One by one they are trying to cover every hour that the abortion centers are open in downtown Philly every day of the year.

TICKETS $27.50 on line, $25 in person before the event, $30 at the door

More information can be found using 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 the Community Women's Center at  215-826-8090


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.  

Time to Call for Action on Dismemberment Ban Bill

On Tuesday, December 5, a few pro-life people from around our state, and some of our Pro-Life Legislative Leaders, will host a meeting with the Harrisburg News agencies to call upon the House leadership to call up and pass the long awaited Dismemberment Ban (S.B.3). This call will take place on the steps of the rotunda from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

This is not a rally. It is an articulation of the provisions of this bill, in the hope that focusing attention on this issue will encourage House members to seize this moment of grace to advance the Cause of Life. But the presence of some supporters at this event adds weight to our call to our Representatives.

So, for anyone able to come to Harrisburg on December 5, please make the effort. Your presence can make a life affirming difference. 

What is S.B. 3?

Current Pennsylvania law bans abortions after 24-weeks gestation with exceptions to prevent the death of the mother or loss of major bodily function, rape, and incest.   S. B. 3 extends this ban to 20-weeks gestation and bans dismemberment abortions.  In 2015, abortionists committed 1,968 such abortions in Pennsylvania.

The passage of S. B. 3 represents a small but significant step toward providing legal protection from abortion for all children and their mothers.  Consideration of S. B. 3 also provides an excellent opportunity to educate our fellow citizens regarding the pro-life position.

Why Attend?

Your presence provides spiritual and temporal encouragement to the pro-life leaders in the Pennsylvania House who are about to face significant resistance from the abortion industry, a hostile media and their pro-abortion colleagues.  Our presence also counters the likely gathering of the forces of the Culture of Death in our Capitol.  Such a gathering on April 11, 2016, led by Cecile Richard, the National President of Planned Parenthood, resulted in the delay of passing pro-life legislation.  So, please attend on December 5, 2017.  You will receive information and encouragement to visit your Sate House Member and urge him or her to support S. B. 3.  

What Happens if the Pennsylvania House Passes S.B. 3?

The Pennsylvania Senate passed S.B. 3 on February 8, 2017.  So, if passed by the Pennsylvania House, the bill goes to pro-abortion Gov. Tom Wolf, who has pledged to veto this legislation.  The House and the Senate could then attempt to override Gov. Wolf's veto, which would likely become a major issue in Pennsylvania's 2018 Gubernatorial Election.

What is Dismemberment Abortion?

Instruments of mass destruction

"A second trimester D&E abortion is a blind procedure. The baby can be in any orientation or position inside the uterus. Picture yourself reaching in with the Sopher clamp and grasping anything you can. At twenty weeks gestation, the uterus is thin and soft so be careful not to perforate or puncture the walls. Once you have grasped something inside, squeeze on the clamp to set the jaws and pull hard - really hard. Reach in again and grasp whatever you can. Set the jaw and pull really hard once again and out pops an arm about the same length. Reach in again with that clamp and tear out the spine, intestines, heart and lungs." - Anthony Levatino, M.D. (former abortionist)

Pictures of children who have been killed by this procedure can be viewed at the Silent Scream using this link. 

Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Coalition, Pennsylvania Catholic Network, People Concerned for the Unborn Child, Pa. Family Association Action, Eagle Forum, Pro-Life Berks, Bucks County Pro-Life Coalition, Centre County Pro-Life Coalition, Chester County Pro-Life Coalition, Pro-Life Delco, Delaware County Lawyers for Life, Montgomery County Pro-Life Coalition, Northeast Philadelphia Pro-Life Coalition, The King's Men and Voices for the Unborn.  

Spain’s National Court Strips Planned Parenthood Affiliate of ‘Public Service’ Designation

By Dr. Susan Berry
Breitbart

The National Court of Spain has stripped the Family Planning Federation – a division of the International Planned Parenthood Federation – of its designation as a “public service organization.”

The organization has been embroiled in scandal since May 2016 when it was revealed it had been receiving illegal funding over the past seven years, reports ACl Prensa, whose original article was translated and adapted by Catholic News Agency (CNA).

The National Court reportedly allowed the group’s continued designation as a “public service organization” when it promised to make some reforms, but on November 25, the Court permanently revoked Family Planning Federation’s (FPF) status as a public group, stripping it of numerous tax, economic, administrative, and legal benefits.

According to the report, Polonia Castellanos, president of the Christian Lawyers Association (CLA) – which worked to have the abortion provider’s designation removed – said, 

“An organization which has systematically failed to comply with the law cannot be granted that status.”

Castellanos requested that FPF be refused “the more than €400,000 they receive with the money coming out of our pockets,” and observed the organization is funded by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, also under investigation due to allegations of profiteering from the sale of body parts of aborted babies.

CLA filed a complaint arguing that FPF “had not declared income from ads they ran in a pharmaceutical magazine, prohibited under Spanish law, nor were they penalized for such advertising,” says the report.

“Such illegal conduct is incompatible with the advancement of the public interest, in this case, protecting the public’s health,” stated the Interior Ministry upon removing the group’s public service designation, adding that FPF’s actions involve “betraying the confidence that society places in that entity which claims to benefit the community in exchange for receiving important advantages.”

In addition to its ruling stripping the abortion provider of its public service designation, Spain’s National Court also required FPF to pay court costs for its litigation.

Breitbart report continues

Pro-Life Group Sues Illinois Over Bill Requiring Public Funds For Abortions

By Grace Carr
The Daily Caller

A pro-life organization filed a lawsuit Thursday against the state of Illinois, saying that the law requiring taxpayer dollars to fund elective abortions is unconstitutional and should be repealed.

The Thomas More Society (TMS) filed the taxpayer lawsuit against Illinois officials in an attempt to counteract a recently passed state’s law — House Bill 40 — that requires taxpayers to fund abortions. Taxpayer lawsuits are brought by private individuals in order to protect the public treasury.

TMS, along with the Springfield Catholic Diocese, filed the suit with the Sangamon County Circuit Court on behalf of Illinois taxpayers.

House Bill 40 mandates Illinois residents pay for abortions for those on Medicaid and state employee health insurance. There is no limit on the number of abortions that Medicaid will cover or the number of dollars that can be spent on abortions under the bill.

“The people of Illinois totally reject taxpayer-funded abortions,” Thomas More Society Special Counsel Peter Breen said in a Thursday press release obtained in an email. “Under HB 40, Illinoisans will be forced to pay for 20,000 to 30,000 abortions per year with their tax dollars.” The Illinois state budget doesn’t include money to pay for these abortions, he added.

“Regardless of your feelings about abortion, it is incredibly fiscally irresponsible to enact a law designed to spend millions of dollars that Illinois does not have,” Breen said.

“The state legislative process has steps that must be correctly followed in order to prevent budget-busting laws like this from being ramrodded through. It is part of our civic process of checks and balances.” 

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services estimates the annual taxpayer cost of abortions under House Bill 40 is roughly $1.8 million.

The Daily Caller report continues

The ‘What If I Hadn’t Been Born?’ Question and Why it so Annoys Pro-Abortionists

By Dave Andrusko
National Right to Life

I didn’t know until today that Rachael Larimore is now the online managing editor of the Weekly Standard. In a former professional life she was a senior editor at Slate.

The news of her promotion reminded me of a column (and a follow up column) she once wrote for Slate titled, “What if I hadn’t been born” (here and here) which touched off a flurry of comments.

And because she is not one of us (Larimore describes herself as a “moderate on social issues), it made her observations all the more telling. She is talking about people, like herself, who could have been aborted (for a whole host of reasons, including being “unwanted”) but weren’t (also for a host of reasons). Larimore wrote

And I think the reason that we freak out the pro-choice movement so much is not that we’re woman-hating sex phobes. It’s that we fly in the face of the narrative about how awful life is for unwanted children. We give lie to the claim that a fetus is just a clump of tissue. We offer painfully real evidence of what happens if you don’t have an abortion.

Looking back let me offer a couple of summary points about those who found Larimore unpersuasive–and their wholly unpersuasive rebuttals.

In a colossal failure of moral imagination, the pro-abortion mind cannot get past how the unborn child doesn’t “look” like a baby, especially early in his or her development. But what I found fascinating, which was obvious given the topic of “what if I hadn’t been born,” is how easily the pro-abortion mind glides to the “proper“ conclusion.

Which is? Heck, if you weren’t born, you wouldn’t have known that you were obliterated along the way. And moms and dads will just transfer the love they would have bestowed on you to the next child (assuming there is a next child).
Proponents of this use the benign example of miscarriages which are, of course, unintentional.

Let’s double back to the first objection–“lookism.” Can you think of a more efficiently heartless way of lethally marginalizing whole categories of people than airily announcing, “They don’t look like us”? 

And, duh, what the unborn child looks like at, say, ten weeks, is what each and every one of us fortunate to be alive looked like when we were at that stage of fetal development. 

Folks, that’s what homo sapiens look like.

And as for point number two (miscarriages/accidents), Larimore writes, “But here’s the thing” …..

“Our government protects our right to our lives as much as it reasonably can—it’s illegal to murder or assault someone, and you can be severely punished for causing accidental deaths—but it can’t guarantee us life."

"Tragedies happen: People die in accidents, or prematurely from cancer. To suggest that society shouldn’t recognize a right to be born just because some pregnancies end in miscarriage is like saying the government shouldn’t protect us because we could get hit by a bus anyhow.”

National Right to Life 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 the Community Women's Center at  215-826-8090

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.  

Christmas Caroling at Philadelphia Women's Center

                                     
Once again a "Peace in the Womb" Christmas Caroling Day will be held outside  the Philadelphia Women's Center in Chinatown section of Philadelphia.

We will gather around a large empty Christmas crèche manger -- symbolizing both the hopeful anticipation of a child's birth and the emptiness left behind by abortion – and sing carols about the Christ child. Babies have been SAVED from abortion when their mothers heard these carols and were moved by the thought of how Mary said "YES" to be the mother of Jesus. Bring with you your rosaries and your loving and merciful heart.

Please dress warm and invite your family and friends.  All are welcome!

Be advised that you will have to find parking at this vigil.

Doctor Fired for Refusing to Do Abortions Wins Major Court Case

By Society for the Protection of Unborn Children
Life News

A Polish Catholic doctor who lost her job for refusing to insert abortifacient devices has had her case upheld by a Norwegian Court.

Katarzyna Jachimowicz, an experienced family doctor who moved from Poland with her family to the municipality of Sauherad in Norway in 2010 to respond to the country’s shortage of medical professionals, became the first medical professional in Norway sacked for exercising her conscience rights.

Trampling conscience rights

According to LifeSiteNews, Dr. Jachimowicz’s employers accepted her conditions, that she would not refer for abortions or insert intrauterine devices (IUDs), which can act as abortifacients, before hiring her. Her ethical stance caused no problems in the four years she worked in the clinic, but in 2015, the Norwegian Government eliminated conscience rights for family doctors, making it illegal for them to refuse any form of birth control, including the insertion of IUDs, which are not considered abortifacients by the government.

Dr. Jachimowicz said that family doctors could refuse to insert IUDs by claiming a lack of skill, but she did not wish to resort to this loophole. She was asked to either comply or leave, but after refusing to resign, was fired in 2015.
A legal saga

In February, Dr. Jachimowicz lost her first legal battle, where she argued that her rights were violated and that her dismissal by the state-run health care system was illegal. 

Now, the court of appeals in Skien has upheld her case and reversed the previous decision by the court in Notodden. The appellate court ruled that her employer, the municipality of Sauherad, has to pay her 600,000 Norwegian Krone (about £53,000) in legal fees.

The case marks the first legal victory for freedom of conscience in Norway.

Life News article continues 

Abortion Business Turns One California Main St. Into "Murderer's Row"

By Cheryl Sullenger
Operation Rescue

El Cajon, CA - It did not take long for the FPA Women's Health abortion business in San Diego to find a new location once it shut down its location on Miramar Road. Now, it is open for business in the East County community of El Cajon - right on Main Street next door to a large grocery store - and just 220 yards away from its competitor, Planned Parenthood.


Why would FPA want to move within easy walking distance of Planned Parenthood? Probably because their new Planned Parenthood neighbor is a non-profit that only offers medication abortions, while FPA is a for-profit abortion business that offers both medication and surgical methods. To complicate matters, Planned Parenthood and FPA have long been fierce competitors in California.


"FPA has turned Main Street into 'Murderer's Row,' and I'm guessing there won't be enough room in town for both abortion businesses. At least one of them is bound to fail," said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue.

Continue reading to find out how you can take action to help clean up Main Street!

   

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. 

Annual 'Peace in the Womb' Christmas Caroling to Take Place on Dec 16th at PP in NE Philly

"Peace in the Womb" Christmas Caroling Day 

Planned Parenthood

2551 Comly Road

Philadelphia, Pa.  (map)

Saturday, December 16th - 9:30 – 10:30 am 

Once again a "Peace in the Womb" Christmas Caroling Day will be held outside  the Comly Road Planned Parenthood in Northeast Philadelphia, Pa.

We gather around a large empty Christmas crèche manger -- symbolizing both the hopeful anticipation of a child's birth and the emptiness left behind by abortion – and sing carols about the Christ child. Babies have been SAVED from abortion when their mothers heard these carols and were moved by the thought of how Mary said "YES" to be the mother of Jesus.

Please dress warm and invite your family and friends.  All are welcome!

These events are sponsored by the Pro-Life Action League.

 

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 the Community Women's Center at  215-826-8090

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.