New March for Life Gets Off to a Running Start

by: Jeanne Monahan

August 13, 2013, marked the one-year anniversary of the passing of Nellie Gray, founder of the March for Life (MfL).  Nellie's tireless pro-life work following the decision of Roe and continuing for the next forty years, (until the age of 88!), built the strong foundation upon which the March for Life now continues its work to promote the dignity of the human person.

Following the passing of Nellie the questions were asked by the Board for the March for Life: "What can we do to build on this incredible woman's legacy? And how can the March for Life further promote a culture of life?"  The answers included a strategic expansion of scope of the March for Life, and thus the board brought on new staff to help with digital media, legislative issues, and ecumenical outreach.

As we begin our first monthly newsletter, I'd like to take a few minutes now to share with you some of the work of the March for Life over the course of the past year. Many people often ask MfL staff: "What do you do after January"? In addition to coordinating the largest pro-life gathering in the world every year on the anniversary of the Supreme Court decisions in Roe and Doe, the March for Life staff also works on a day-to-day basis to build a culture of life. It is our ultimate goal to work to create a culture where no woman would ever choose abortion.

One of the ways we do this is through media; the MfL regularly represents the pro-life voice in mainstream news. Over the course of the past year, the MfL has been interviewed on such major outlets as the Today Show, NBC Nightly News, National Review, and Washington Post on a variety of issues related to a culture of life, including speaking out on Emergency Contraception (which can act as an abortifacient), the safety of abortion clinics, and adoption, among other themes. Please check out our website to view or read any of these interviews: marchforlife.org.

article continues at http://www.marchforlife.org

Jeanne Monahan was recently appointed to the role of President of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund. In this capacity she proudly directs a small non-profit organization committed to restoring a culture of life in the United States, most notably through the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., held on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Previously Jeanne worked with the Family Research Council (FRC), where she focused on issues related to the inherent dignity of the human person, including abortion, women's health, and end-of-life issues. Prior to FRC Jeanne worked for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of the Secretary. Her federal government experience includes global health policy, as well as domestic and international health care issues. Before working in public policy, Jeanne worked for the Catholic Church in a variety of positions involving educating on life issues, human sexuality, marriage, and family.
 
Jeanne has made frequent media appearances including interviews on NBC's Nightly News with Brian Williams, CNN's John King USA and FOX News Hour with Brett Baier. Jeanne's writings have appeared in U.S. News and World Report, USA Today , the Washington Post and numerous others publications.

Jeanne holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from James Madison University and a Masters degree in the theology of marriage and family from the Pope John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.

Mo. Lawmakers to Consider Extending Abortion Wait Period

Reblogged from CBS St. Louis:

Women seeking an abortion in Missouri would need to wait an additional two days under legislation proposed in the state Senate.

Republican Sen. David Sater says it would offer more time to consider the decision and could reduce the number of abortions. He said he thinks some people have too hastily decided to have an abortion and ultimately regretted the decision.

The Unexpected Pro-Life Witness

by Anabelle Hazard

Never in my worst nightmares did I ever think I’d one day be lying on an operating table, voluntarily submitting my body and my baby for a DNC.  But there I was, discovering at 13 weeks of pregnancy that my long awaited baby had lost his heartbeat at 11 weeks and one day old.  A history of a traumatic and ER-ending miscarriage at home, and the possibility of intensive bleeding while traveling internationally left me with little choice.

It was while researching a courtroom scene for my novel that I first I learned of the difference between two of the most commonly used abortion procedures.  (Caution: graphic medical details to follow) For babies ages 8-13 weeks old, the Dilation and Cutterage (DNC) technique is used.  Here, the cervix is dilated, a cutterage (hook like instrument) is used to remove the baby and a vacuum collects the remains.   For older babies at 13-20 weeks, Dilation and Evacuation (D & E) technique is applied. The cervix is dilated (larger because the babies are more formed), suction is inserted, and a Sopher Clamp (forceps) is used to grasp at random body parts and dismember the baby.

continue reading here http://catholicstand.com

 Anabelle Hazard is a practicing Catholic, non-practicing attorney, happy homeschooler, penniless novelist (of Catholic novels “Sand and Water” & “Fireflies Dance”), and long-winded blogger at Written By the Finger of God.

Contacting Your Legislator - Tips from March for Life Education & Defense Fund

The March for Life Education and Defense Fund calls on its members to reach out to their elected officials concerning life issues. Below are guidelines to follow when writing letters, sending e-mails or making phone calls to your legislators.

Writing a Letter

• Clearly identify what your letter is concerning, and address only one subject or piece of legislation per letter.
• Clearly state what you want the Member of Congress to do (sponsor, oppose, vote for, investigate, etc.)
• Be brief, but give good reasons for your letter or request. Keep your letter to no more than one page.
• Send a thank you letter if appropriate.

Follow these guidelines when addressing your letter:

To a Senator: The Honorable (full name) __(Rm.#)__(name of)Senate Office Building United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator LAST NAME:

To a Representative: The Honorable (full name) __(Rm.#)__(name of)House Office Building United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative LAST NAME:

 
continue reading at http://www.marchforlife.org

Mission Statement for the March for Life Education and Defense Fund

“These Life Principles express the ideals motivating prolife Americans and indicate the purpose of the MARCH FOR LIFE: -We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all human beings are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among which is the right to life, and Therefore  continue reading here.

 

NPR Poll Shows Americans Desire Parental Permission Restrictions on Morning After Pill

Source: NPR-Truven Health - Credit: Danny DeBelius

NPR released the results of a poll they conducted on the Plan B One-Step morning after pill. Michael Taylor, M.D., chief medical officer at Truven Health Anayltics told the Herald Online, “We survey 100,000 people annually to gauge the nation’s pulse on a variety of health related topics.’ He went on to say “We have been running this survey for over 25 years, and have addressed a wide variety of healthcare topics ranging from healthcare reform to drug side-effects. The data from the survey help us understand how consumers view the healthcare system.”

The Truven Health Anayltics poll on the morning after pill was specifically created to find out if Americans believed restrictions should be put on the controversial contraceptive. In April the morning after pill was made available over the counter without a prescription to girls 16 and under through the ruling of a federal judge in New York. Then in June the Food and Drug Administration made the Plan B One-Step morning after pill available over the counter without any age restrictions.

 continue reading at http://liveactionnews.org

A New Pro-Life Generation

Teens at a "Youth for Truth" rally outside Planned Parenthood in Aurora, IL

A significant change in our culture has gone largely unnoticed: young people are more pro-life than their elders. Generations for Life is the Pro-Life Action League's outreach to this new pro-life generation.

Generations for Life empowers teens to be effective pro-life leaders by helping them to establish lively pro-life clubs within their own high school communities and youth groups. Visit the Generations for Life blog for the latest GFL news.

Transforming the Culture

Generations for Life is on the leading edge of a growing youth movement to transform the culture and usher in an era of reverence for all human life from conception to natural death—a culture in which all people, whatever their age, ability, background or physical condition, are treated as members of one human family and children of God.

Teens at Youth for Truth rally outside Planned Parenthood Aurora

continue reading at http://prolifeaction.org

The Pro-Life Action League was founded by Joseph M. Scheidler in 1980 with the aim of saving unborn children through non-violent direct action.

Government’s Heavy Hand Favors Abortion Over Faith

By Rebecca Hagelin

For decades Dr. James Dobson has been the voice of strong families, vibrant faith, and conscientious citizenship. His personal integrity and strong commitment to help families raise Godly children is legendary. Millions have relied on his sage advice and sound wisdom, broadcast on radio stations across the country, first through the Focus on the Family ministry he founded, and now through his new ministry (on whose board of directors I serve), “Family Talk”. And of course, his unrelenting defense of pre-born children is well-known – and backed up over the years by his support for women in crisis pregnancies and for adoption ministries, as well as his personal compassion towards those in need.

Novena to End Abortion - Day 9 - Let us Pray for a Greater Respect for All Life

From John-Paul and Annie
PrayMoreNovenas.com

Today is Christmas Eve and the last day of our Christmas Novena! I hope and pray that you have a blessed and holy Christmas. 

 

Today, let us continue to pray for an end to abortion and for a greater respect for all life as we celebrate the birth of our Lord!

 

Here are the novena prayers for today:

 

Day 9 - Christmas Novena Prayers 

 

Opening Prayer:

 

V. O God, come to my assistance.

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.

 

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

 

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

 

The Journey in Egypt

 

 

O most sweet infant Jesus, who dwelled as an exile

in Egypt for seven years, where spoke your first words,

and, first begin to walk upon this earth. 

 

Have mercy upon us.

 

Have mercy on us, O Lord. Have mercy on us.

 

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.

 

Amen.

 

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Russia Chooses Life

by Steven W. Mosher

 

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law banning abortion advertising. Some members of the Duma (the Russian state assembly), are talking about going even further and banning the procedure itself.  The Russian Orthodox Church, whose numbers are swelling with converts and “reverts,” is weighing in as well.  One Orthodox prelate called abortion a “mutiny against God.” I couldn’t have put it better myself.

This is an amazing turn about in a country which has long been known for its tragically high abortion rate. 

 Until recently, the average woman in Russia could expect to have seven abortions over her lifetime.  Even The New York Times, no bastion of pro-life sentiment, has been compelled to acknowledge that Russia's high abortion rate was damaging the health and fertility of Russian women. As the paper noted in a 2003 editorial, "Now the Russian government is attempting to slow the abortion rate.  It is an admirable goal, given the toll that multiple abortions have taken on the health and fertility of Russia's women.” Not to mention the toll that abortion has taken on the unborn, and on the population as a whole.

Abortion was forced on the Russian people by the Bolsheviks (the Russian communist party under Lenin), who upon coming to power in 1920 legalized abortion up to birth without any restrictions. Their goal was to destroy the family by encouraging women to get abortions, get out of the home and into the workforce.  Russia was the first country in the world to declare war on the unborn in this way.  Of course, with its purges, mass executions, and Gulag it warred on the unborn in other ways as well.  

In fact, it was the early Bolsheviks who developed the suction abortion machine that is still in use in abortion clinics today.  They actually developed two versions.  The first was the electric suction abortion machine used in abortion clinics in the U.S. and other countries. The second was the manual vacuum aspirator, a hand-held and operated abortion machine that is used in less developed countries in places where no electric power is available.

PRI has played a role in helping to turn Russia back to life.  I participated in the first Demographic Summit at the Russian State Social University in Moscow in May, 2011.  We talked with senior Russian leaders about the need to protect life.  Not long thereafter, a law was passed banning abortion of unborn babies older than 12 weeks.  It also mandated a waiting period of 2-7 days for those wanting an abortion, and required that anyone advertising abortion services include a warning to the effect that “abortion is hazardous to a woman’s health.”  Now, of course, advertising of any kind has been banned.

Taken individually, each of the laws put in place by the Russian government has a fairly small demographic impact.  The Russian government, for example, pays a one-time baby bonus of $13,000 to the parents of every newborn.  According to Russian demographer Igor Beloborodov, however, this generous bonus has only convinced 8 percent of couples of reproductive age to consider having another child.

The cumulative effect of all of the pro-life, pro-natal policies taken to date is far more significant. While there are still, according to the Russian Health Ministry, 1.7 abortions for every live birth in the country, that ratio is shrinking as the birth rate climbs and abortion becomes gradually less common.

As a result of the adoption of enlightened policies to protect the sanctity of human life, Russia's population decline has been virtually halted, and the country has been put on a more stable demographic course.

Russia’s demographic winter is not yet over, but there are signs of a spring thaw.  

Steven W. Mosher is the President of the Population Research Institute. 

 The pro-life Population Research Institute is dedicated to ending human rights abuses committed in the name of "family planning," and to ending counter-productive social and economic paradigms premised on the myth of "overpopulation." Find us at http://pop.org