Celebrate Independence Day and Help Reform Health Care
07/02/2009 09:08 AM Filed in: Health
Care
A
call to action from the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops:
The Virtue of Fortitude and Lawmaking
06/30/2009 02:11 PM Filed in: Editorials
Cardinal Protests Move to Fund D.C. Abortions
06/30/2009 02:08 PM Filed in: Abortion
WASHINGTON—Cardinal
Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, chair of the Committee
on Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops, wrote to members of the House
Appropriations Committee today urging them not to fund
abortions in the District of Columbia. Last week the
House subcommittee considering the Financial Services
appropriations bill for 2010 voted to permit direct
public funding of abortion in the nation’s
capital.
Cardinal Rigali said that the subcommittee’s action “effectively nullifies the Dornan amendment,” which for a total of 18 years has prevented public funding of elective abortions in the District. He said this move, “presumably the first step in a broader effort to restore such funding throughout the federal government,” is misguided for three reasons.
“First, public funding of abortion is rejected by the American people, as numerous surveys of public opinion have shown,” Cardinal Rigali said. He also noted that Catholics recently sent “tens of millions of postcards to their elected representatives in Congress, opposing…any weakening or reversal of current appropriations riders on abortion.”
“Second, no lawmaker or Administration can support such a policy change and still claim to support ‘reducing abortions.’ The evidence is overwhelming, and universally recognized by groups on all sides of the abortion issue, that the availability of public funds for abortion greatly increases abortions,” the bishops’ Pro-Life Committee Chair argued.
“Third, this action takes place as Congress is working to win broad support for a much-needed major reform of our health care system,” Cardinal Rigali noted. “This is the worst of all possible times to be injecting the divisive issue of public abortion funding into the debate on government health policy.”
Cardinal Rigali concluded by urging the full House Appropriations Committee to reverse the subcommittee’s action and retain the funding ban in current law. The full text of his letter is available at: www.usccb.org/prolife/Rigali-DornanAmendment-2009.pdf.
Cardinal Rigali said that the subcommittee’s action “effectively nullifies the Dornan amendment,” which for a total of 18 years has prevented public funding of elective abortions in the District. He said this move, “presumably the first step in a broader effort to restore such funding throughout the federal government,” is misguided for three reasons.
“First, public funding of abortion is rejected by the American people, as numerous surveys of public opinion have shown,” Cardinal Rigali said. He also noted that Catholics recently sent “tens of millions of postcards to their elected representatives in Congress, opposing…any weakening or reversal of current appropriations riders on abortion.”
“Second, no lawmaker or Administration can support such a policy change and still claim to support ‘reducing abortions.’ The evidence is overwhelming, and universally recognized by groups on all sides of the abortion issue, that the availability of public funds for abortion greatly increases abortions,” the bishops’ Pro-Life Committee Chair argued.
“Third, this action takes place as Congress is working to win broad support for a much-needed major reform of our health care system,” Cardinal Rigali noted. “This is the worst of all possible times to be injecting the divisive issue of public abortion funding into the debate on government health policy.”
Cardinal Rigali concluded by urging the full House Appropriations Committee to reverse the subcommittee’s action and retain the funding ban in current law. The full text of his letter is available at: www.usccb.org/prolife/Rigali-DornanAmendment-2009.pdf.
Bishops, Catholic Health Care, Unions find Common Ground on Respecting Rights of Health Care Workers
06/23/2009 09:56 AM Filed in: Health
Care |Economic
Justice
Unprecedented Dialogue among Leaders of Catholic Health
Care, Labor and Bishops leads to ‘Guidance and
Options’ on new ways forward on applying Catholic
Teaching in workplace
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), along with leaders from Catholic health care and the labor movement, released “guidance and options” for creating a fair process for health care workers to decide whether or not to form a union. Outlined in a new document entitled Respecting the Just Rights of Workers: Guidance and Options for Catholic Health Care and Unions, the principles reflect a unique and ground-breaking consensus between Catholic health care employers and unions and are the result of a dialogue that began more than a decade ago. The document can be found on the USCCB Web site at: www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/respecting_the_just_rights_of_workers.pdf
The three-way dialogue was initiated by the USCCB in an effort to find common ground on alternative approaches for carrying out Catholic social teachings on the rights of workers to freely choose whether or not to be represented by unions.
“Though they had different perspectives and points of view in many areas, the participants shared the conviction that it is up to workers—not bishops, hospital managers, or union leaders—to decide how they will be represented in the workplace,” said Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who chaired the dialogue. “This remarkable dialogue produced an unprecedented agreement because of the principles of Catholic social teaching and the quality of the leaders involved.”
The new Guidance and Options document offers seven key principles for appropriate conduct by both employer and union representatives that will help ensure that employees are able to make an informed decision without undue influence or pressure from either side. The document suggests that unions and employers agree, in writing, on the specific ways they will:
Guidance and Options does not bind individual bishops, hospitals or unions. Rather it offers principles and practical alternatives for leaders of Catholic health care and unions who want to avoid the tension and conflict that often accompanies organizing drives. More than 600,000 employees work in nearly 600 Catholic hospitals nationwide.
It took more than two years to reach agreement on the new principles, which build on the recommendations of an initial working paper issued in 1999 by the USCCB Subcommittee on Catholic Health Care and Work. In December 2006, the USCCB reconvened leaders of Catholic health care and unions to develop additional, practical guidance for achieving the recommendations in the original “A Fair and Just Workplace” paper.
“Because Catholic Health Care is a ministry not an industry, how it treats its workers and how organized labor treats Catholic Health Care are not simply internal matters, but should reflect Catholic teaching on work and workers, heath care and the common good,” said Cardinal McCarrick.
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), along with leaders from Catholic health care and the labor movement, released “guidance and options” for creating a fair process for health care workers to decide whether or not to form a union. Outlined in a new document entitled Respecting the Just Rights of Workers: Guidance and Options for Catholic Health Care and Unions, the principles reflect a unique and ground-breaking consensus between Catholic health care employers and unions and are the result of a dialogue that began more than a decade ago. The document can be found on the USCCB Web site at: www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/respecting_the_just_rights_of_workers.pdf
The three-way dialogue was initiated by the USCCB in an effort to find common ground on alternative approaches for carrying out Catholic social teachings on the rights of workers to freely choose whether or not to be represented by unions.
“Though they had different perspectives and points of view in many areas, the participants shared the conviction that it is up to workers—not bishops, hospital managers, or union leaders—to decide how they will be represented in the workplace,” said Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who chaired the dialogue. “This remarkable dialogue produced an unprecedented agreement because of the principles of Catholic social teaching and the quality of the leaders involved.”
The new Guidance and Options document offers seven key principles for appropriate conduct by both employer and union representatives that will help ensure that employees are able to make an informed decision without undue influence or pressure from either side. The document suggests that unions and employers agree, in writing, on the specific ways they will:
- demonstrate respect for each other’s organization and mission,
- provide workers with equal access to information from both sides,
- adhere to standards for truthfulness and balance in their communications,
- create a pressure-free environment,
- allow workers to vote through a fair and expeditious process,
- honor employees’ decision regardless of the outcome, and
- create a system for enforcing these principles during the course of an organizing drive.
Guidance and Options does not bind individual bishops, hospitals or unions. Rather it offers principles and practical alternatives for leaders of Catholic health care and unions who want to avoid the tension and conflict that often accompanies organizing drives. More than 600,000 employees work in nearly 600 Catholic hospitals nationwide.
It took more than two years to reach agreement on the new principles, which build on the recommendations of an initial working paper issued in 1999 by the USCCB Subcommittee on Catholic Health Care and Work. In December 2006, the USCCB reconvened leaders of Catholic health care and unions to develop additional, practical guidance for achieving the recommendations in the original “A Fair and Just Workplace” paper.
“Because Catholic Health Care is a ministry not an industry, how it treats its workers and how organized labor treats Catholic Health Care are not simply internal matters, but should reflect Catholic teaching on work and workers, heath care and the common good,” said Cardinal McCarrick.
CHA Project: I Can't Wait for Health Care Reform
06/22/2009 09:58 AM Filed in: Health
Care
A
new video from the Catholic Health
Association:
Learn more about the Catholic Health Association's commitment to health care reform at: www.OurHealthCareValues.org
Go here for more on the bishops' position on health care reform.
Learn more about the Catholic Health Association's commitment to health care reform at: www.OurHealthCareValues.org
Go here for more on the bishops' position on health care reform.
FCC releases report on Broadband Strategy for Rural America
06/15/2009 02:13 PM Filed in: Economic
Justice |Rural Life
From
NCRLC:
While the country made the complete switch this weekend from analog to digital broadcast television, many parts of rural America are waiting for broadband services. Michael J. Copps, Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman, has released a report concluding that all rural Americans must have the opportunity to benefit from broadband services. It provides a starting point for developing policies on extending broadband to rural areas.
The report can be read at http://wireless.fcc.gov/outreach/index.htm?job=broadband_home
While the country made the complete switch this weekend from analog to digital broadcast television, many parts of rural America are waiting for broadband services. Michael J. Copps, Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman, has released a report concluding that all rural Americans must have the opportunity to benefit from broadband services. It provides a starting point for developing policies on extending broadband to rural areas.
The report can be read at http://wireless.fcc.gov/outreach/index.htm?job=broadband_home
Affordable Health Insurance Elusive in Rural America
06/15/2009 02:09 PM Filed in: Health
Care |Rural Life
From
NCRLC:
Family farmers and ranchers are considered small business owners and do not qualify for competitive health insurance rates. You can hear the challenges faced by Iowa farmer Linus Solberg in a story that aired this past weekend on National Public Radio.
You will also hear from Larry Harbour, an entrepreneur and rural small business owner in Nebraska. Larry is one accident away from losing it all. Insurance would cost his family at least $24,000 per year, so he and his wife go without.
Small business is the backbone of rural America, and Center for Rural Affairs Research Director Jon Bailey reports in the story that if you work for or own a small business, you are more likely to have inadequate health insurance, or none at all.
Family farmers and ranchers are considered small business owners and do not qualify for competitive health insurance rates. You can hear the challenges faced by Iowa farmer Linus Solberg in a story that aired this past weekend on National Public Radio.
You will also hear from Larry Harbour, an entrepreneur and rural small business owner in Nebraska. Larry is one accident away from losing it all. Insurance would cost his family at least $24,000 per year, so he and his wife go without.
Small business is the backbone of rural America, and Center for Rural Affairs Research Director Jon Bailey reports in the story that if you work for or own a small business, you are more likely to have inadequate health insurance, or none at all.
Help for Immigrants -Yes Same-Sex Agenda - No
06/02/2009 02:28 PM Filed in: Migration
|Marriage and
Family
BISHOPS SUPPORT FAMILY REUNIFICATION SENATE BILL, NOT
ABLE TO SUPPORT SIMILAR HOUSE
LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON—Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, expressed the Committee’s support for the Reuniting American Families Act (S. 1085) introduced May 20. He did so in a June 2 letter to Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
The Act proposes reforms to the family-based immigration system that would allow immigrant families to more quickly reunite in the United States.
“Family reunification has represented the cornerstone of the U.S. immigration system, and should remain its central tenet in the future,” Bishop Wester said. He stressed that the United States “should resist proposals which would erode the family-based immigration system.”
Bishop Wester emphasized the importance of ensuring that the nuclear family stays together. “It is extremely important that barriers that keep the nuclear family—husband, wife and child—divided are removed as soon as possible,” he said, adding that S. 1085 “achieves this goal.”
Bishop Wester also issued a second letter indicating that the bishops’ Committee on Migration is not supporting similar legislation in the House. In a June 2 letter to Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), Bishop Wester wrote: “As you know, the USCCB supported H.R. 6638, similar legislation that you introduced during the 110th Congress. Unfortunately, however, while the bishops support many of the provisions in the Reuniting Families Act, your decision to include in the bill the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), which would provide marriage-like immigration benefits to same sex relationships, makes it impossible for the bishops to support this year’s version of your bill.”
Bishop Wester noted that UAFA “would erode the institution of marriage and family” and called it “a position that is contrary to the very nature of marriage which pre-dates the Church and the state.” Consequently, he indicated that the Committee is instead offering its strong endorsement to the Senate version.
Among other provisions, S. 1085 would enable the immediate relatives (husbands, wives, and children) of legal permanent residents to legally enter the country more quickly; recapture family visas from prior years that were lost to bureaucratic delay; reduce family-visa backlogs from sending countries; and ensure that the widows and orphans of legal permanent residents are able to remain in the United States.
Bishop Wester also said that “Positive changes in the family-based immigration categories, such as those included in S. 1085, should be a central feature of any comprehensive immigration reform effort.”
WASHINGTON—Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, expressed the Committee’s support for the Reuniting American Families Act (S. 1085) introduced May 20. He did so in a June 2 letter to Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
The Act proposes reforms to the family-based immigration system that would allow immigrant families to more quickly reunite in the United States.
“Family reunification has represented the cornerstone of the U.S. immigration system, and should remain its central tenet in the future,” Bishop Wester said. He stressed that the United States “should resist proposals which would erode the family-based immigration system.”
Bishop Wester emphasized the importance of ensuring that the nuclear family stays together. “It is extremely important that barriers that keep the nuclear family—husband, wife and child—divided are removed as soon as possible,” he said, adding that S. 1085 “achieves this goal.”
Bishop Wester also issued a second letter indicating that the bishops’ Committee on Migration is not supporting similar legislation in the House. In a June 2 letter to Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), Bishop Wester wrote: “As you know, the USCCB supported H.R. 6638, similar legislation that you introduced during the 110th Congress. Unfortunately, however, while the bishops support many of the provisions in the Reuniting Families Act, your decision to include in the bill the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), which would provide marriage-like immigration benefits to same sex relationships, makes it impossible for the bishops to support this year’s version of your bill.”
Bishop Wester noted that UAFA “would erode the institution of marriage and family” and called it “a position that is contrary to the very nature of marriage which pre-dates the Church and the state.” Consequently, he indicated that the Committee is instead offering its strong endorsement to the Senate version.
Among other provisions, S. 1085 would enable the immediate relatives (husbands, wives, and children) of legal permanent residents to legally enter the country more quickly; recapture family visas from prior years that were lost to bureaucratic delay; reduce family-visa backlogs from sending countries; and ensure that the widows and orphans of legal permanent residents are able to remain in the United States.
Bishop Wester also said that “Positive changes in the family-based immigration categories, such as those included in S. 1085, should be a central feature of any comprehensive immigration reform effort.”
Death of Charlene Crommett
06/01/2009 05:30 PM
Charlene
Crommett, age 55, died on Saturday, May 30, 2009.
Charlene had worked in the Pro-Life Office of the
Diocese of Fargo and was a member of the North Dakota
Catholic Conference's Holiness of Human Life Committee.
Visitation is tonight from 5 pm to 7 pm, with a prayer
service at 7 pm, at Fredrikson Funeral Chapel in
Kindred. The funeral Mass will be at 2 pm on Tuesday,
June 2, 2009 at St. Maurice’s Church in Kindred.
May our Lord grant her eternal rest and comfort her
family and friends.
U.S. Bishops Express "Profound Regret" About Shooting Death of Abortion Doctor
06/01/2009 05:29 PM
WASHINGTON—Speaking
on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,
Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, chairman of the
bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities,
expressed profound regret upon learning of the shooting
death of abortion doctor George Tiller.
"Our bishops' conference and all its members have repeatedly and publicly denounced all forms of violence in our society, including abortion as well as the misguided resort to violence by anyone opposed to abortion," Cardinal Rigali said. "Such killing is the opposite of everything we stand for, and everything we want our culture to stand for: respect for the life of each and every human being from its beginning to its natural end. We pray for Dr. Tiller and his family."
"Our bishops' conference and all its members have repeatedly and publicly denounced all forms of violence in our society, including abortion as well as the misguided resort to violence by anyone opposed to abortion," Cardinal Rigali said. "Such killing is the opposite of everything we stand for, and everything we want our culture to stand for: respect for the life of each and every human being from its beginning to its natural end. We pray for Dr. Tiller and his family."
USCCB Submits Proposal to NIH on Stem Cell Guidelines
05/22/2009 02:31 PM Filed in: Embryonic
stem cell research
WASHINGTON—The
National Institutes of Health (NIH) missed “an
enormous opportunity to show how sound science and
responsible ethics can not only co-exist but support
and enrich each other,” said Msgr. David Malloy,
General Secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB), in comments on draft guidelines to
authorize federally funded human embryonic stem cell
research. The comments were submitted during the
official public comment period on the proposed
guidelines, which ends May 26. The Conference has also
provided a convenient way for other concerned citizens
to submit comments to the NIH on this issue, by
visiting the Web site www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign.
Msgr. Malloy cited the dignity of human life at every stage and the innate human right not to be subjected to harmful experimentation without one’s express and informed consent. He said laws that fail to recognize this right “do not succeed in nullifying the right in question, but only call into question their own moral legitimacy.”
Msgr. Malloy higlighted the “central fact of science” relevant to the issue of embryonic stem cell research, that the embryo that will be destroyed to obtain embryonic stem cells “is a human being at a very early stage of his or her development.”
This is not a matter of religious belief, he said, but a fact acknowledged by federal advisory groups on this issue, including the National Bioethics Advisory Commission appointed by President Clinton. This group concluded that because human embryos deserve “respect” as a form of human life, destroying them for stem cells is “justifiable only if no less morally problematic alternatives are available for advancing the research.”
Msgr. Malloy added that alternative methods of stem cell research, such as reprogramming ordinary adult cells into “induced pluripotent stem cells” (iPS cells) without harming human life, have made great advances under a federal policy preventing researchers from destroying live human embryos for federally funded research.
“Yet President Obama’s executive order of March 9 not only rescinded that policy, but also rescinded the executive order of 2007 instructing the NIH to thoroughly explore new avenues for obtaining pluripotent stem cells without destroying human embryos,” Msgr. Malloy said. “Both science and ethics have been ignored in this decision.”
Msgr. Malloy said the President’s executive order and the draft guidelines fail the Bioethics Commission’s test, “by failing to require that morally unproblematic avenues for exploring important medical research goals be thoroughly investigated before the NIH considers any avenues that require destroying embryonic human life.”
“Avenues of stem cell research which pose no moral problem are now showing great promise. In fact, human patients suffering from all the conditions cited by President Obama when he signed his executive order – cancer, juvenile diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, heart disease – have been shown in peer-reviewed studies to benefit from clinical trials using human stem cells,” he said. “And in every case, the benefit has come not from embryonic stem cells, but from the adult and cord blood stem cells that this organization and others have said should receive priority attention.”
Msgr. Malloy expressed relief the proposed guidelines do not seek to fund research in which embryos are created for the purpose of research, but explained how “in key respects the Guidelines are nonetheless broader or more permissive than any policy approved in the past by any branch of the federal government..” He also asked the Obama Administration to “make a clear and authoritative statement, as the Clinton Administration did, that it will never fund research that relies on the creation of human embryos for research purposes.”
“As the President noted,” Msgr. Malloy said, “we must not make ‘a false choice between sound science and moral values.’ In fact, these sources of guidance both point in the same direction, away from destructive embryonic stem cell research. His executive order and these Guidelines nonetheless insist on a course of action that is both morally objectionable and, increasingly, scientifically obsolete.”
Noting that prominent stem cell researchers have recently expressed their own moral misgivings about destroying human embryos for research, Msgr. Malloy concluded, “This is not merely a political or ideological problem, or a problem of religious dogma, but a deeply human problem: We are testing the limits of our obligation to treat all fellow human beings, of every age and condition, with basic respect.”
The full text of the comments to NIH regarding the draft guidelines can be found online at www.usccb.org/prolife/NIHcomments.pdf.
---
Msgr. Malloy cited the dignity of human life at every stage and the innate human right not to be subjected to harmful experimentation without one’s express and informed consent. He said laws that fail to recognize this right “do not succeed in nullifying the right in question, but only call into question their own moral legitimacy.”
Msgr. Malloy higlighted the “central fact of science” relevant to the issue of embryonic stem cell research, that the embryo that will be destroyed to obtain embryonic stem cells “is a human being at a very early stage of his or her development.”
This is not a matter of religious belief, he said, but a fact acknowledged by federal advisory groups on this issue, including the National Bioethics Advisory Commission appointed by President Clinton. This group concluded that because human embryos deserve “respect” as a form of human life, destroying them for stem cells is “justifiable only if no less morally problematic alternatives are available for advancing the research.”
Msgr. Malloy added that alternative methods of stem cell research, such as reprogramming ordinary adult cells into “induced pluripotent stem cells” (iPS cells) without harming human life, have made great advances under a federal policy preventing researchers from destroying live human embryos for federally funded research.
“Yet President Obama’s executive order of March 9 not only rescinded that policy, but also rescinded the executive order of 2007 instructing the NIH to thoroughly explore new avenues for obtaining pluripotent stem cells without destroying human embryos,” Msgr. Malloy said. “Both science and ethics have been ignored in this decision.”
Msgr. Malloy said the President’s executive order and the draft guidelines fail the Bioethics Commission’s test, “by failing to require that morally unproblematic avenues for exploring important medical research goals be thoroughly investigated before the NIH considers any avenues that require destroying embryonic human life.”
“Avenues of stem cell research which pose no moral problem are now showing great promise. In fact, human patients suffering from all the conditions cited by President Obama when he signed his executive order – cancer, juvenile diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, heart disease – have been shown in peer-reviewed studies to benefit from clinical trials using human stem cells,” he said. “And in every case, the benefit has come not from embryonic stem cells, but from the adult and cord blood stem cells that this organization and others have said should receive priority attention.”
Msgr. Malloy expressed relief the proposed guidelines do not seek to fund research in which embryos are created for the purpose of research, but explained how “in key respects the Guidelines are nonetheless broader or more permissive than any policy approved in the past by any branch of the federal government..” He also asked the Obama Administration to “make a clear and authoritative statement, as the Clinton Administration did, that it will never fund research that relies on the creation of human embryos for research purposes.”
“As the President noted,” Msgr. Malloy said, “we must not make ‘a false choice between sound science and moral values.’ In fact, these sources of guidance both point in the same direction, away from destructive embryonic stem cell research. His executive order and these Guidelines nonetheless insist on a course of action that is both morally objectionable and, increasingly, scientifically obsolete.”
Noting that prominent stem cell researchers have recently expressed their own moral misgivings about destroying human embryos for research, Msgr. Malloy concluded, “This is not merely a political or ideological problem, or a problem of religious dogma, but a deeply human problem: We are testing the limits of our obligation to treat all fellow human beings, of every age and condition, with basic respect.”
The full text of the comments to NIH regarding the draft guidelines can be found online at www.usccb.org/prolife/NIHcomments.pdf.
---
Bishops Renew Call for Health Care Reform
05/22/2009 02:29 PM Filed in: Health
Care
WASHINGTON—Expressing
hope that the current dialogue would bring about real
reform, Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre,
N.Y. offered the U.S. bishops’ principles and
criteria for health care reform in a May 20 statement
to the Senate Committee on Finance’s Roundtable
Discussion on “Expanding Health Care
Coverage.” On May 21, the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB) sent letters expressing the
same message to the House, Senate and White House.
Bishop Murphy, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Social Justice and Human Development of the USCCB, noted that the bishops “have been and continue to be consistent advocates for comprehensive health care reform leading to accessible and affordable health care for all,” renewing the bishops’ long-term support for health care reform.
Saying it involves fundamental issues of human life and dignity, Bishop Murphy called health care a “critical component” of the ministry of the Catholic Church.
“The Church provides health care, purchases health care and picks up the pieces of a failing health care system,” Bishop Murphy said. “The Catholic community encounters and serves the sick and uninsured in our emergency rooms, shelters and on the doorsteps of our parishes. One out of six patients is cared for in Catholic hospitals. We bring strong convictions and everyday experience to the issue of health care.”
Bishop Murphy added that Congress should continue the federal funding prohibition on abortions and noted that, “No health care reform plan should compel us or others to pay for or participate in the destruction of human life.” Bishop Murphy further stated, “To preserve this principle is morally right and politically wise as well. No health care legislation that compels Americans to pay for or participate in abortion will find sufficient votes to pass.”
He offered on behalf of the U.S. bishops, principles and criteria for health care reform. These included respect for life, priority concern for the poor, access for all, comprehensive benefits, equitable financing, pluralism and freedom of conscience.
Noting that the U.S. bishops look forward to working with Congress on this issue, Bishop Murphy added, “Health care is a social good, and accessible and affordable health care for all benefits both individuals and the society as a whole. The moral measure of any health care reform proposal is whether it offers affordable and accessible health care to all, beginning with those most in need. This can be a matter of life or death, of dignity or deprivation.”
The full text of Bishop Murphy’s statement is available online at http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-05-usccb-health-care-statement.pdf.
Bishop Murphy, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Social Justice and Human Development of the USCCB, noted that the bishops “have been and continue to be consistent advocates for comprehensive health care reform leading to accessible and affordable health care for all,” renewing the bishops’ long-term support for health care reform.
Saying it involves fundamental issues of human life and dignity, Bishop Murphy called health care a “critical component” of the ministry of the Catholic Church.
“The Church provides health care, purchases health care and picks up the pieces of a failing health care system,” Bishop Murphy said. “The Catholic community encounters and serves the sick and uninsured in our emergency rooms, shelters and on the doorsteps of our parishes. One out of six patients is cared for in Catholic hospitals. We bring strong convictions and everyday experience to the issue of health care.”
Bishop Murphy added that Congress should continue the federal funding prohibition on abortions and noted that, “No health care reform plan should compel us or others to pay for or participate in the destruction of human life.” Bishop Murphy further stated, “To preserve this principle is morally right and politically wise as well. No health care legislation that compels Americans to pay for or participate in abortion will find sufficient votes to pass.”
He offered on behalf of the U.S. bishops, principles and criteria for health care reform. These included respect for life, priority concern for the poor, access for all, comprehensive benefits, equitable financing, pluralism and freedom of conscience.
Noting that the U.S. bishops look forward to working with Congress on this issue, Bishop Murphy added, “Health care is a social good, and accessible and affordable health care for all benefits both individuals and the society as a whole. The moral measure of any health care reform proposal is whether it offers affordable and accessible health care to all, beginning with those most in need. This can be a matter of life or death, of dignity or deprivation.”
The full text of Bishop Murphy’s statement is available online at http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-05-usccb-health-care-statement.pdf.
New Web site views economic crisis through lens of Catholic faith
05/22/2009 10:03 AM Filed in: Economic
Justice
WASHINGTON—In
response to the current economic crisis and its moral
and human impacts, a new USCCB Web site has been
developed to better share Catholic social teaching on
economic life and how it can shape the responses of
Catholics to the economic crisis.
Catholic Teaching on Economic Life (www.usccb.org/jphd/economiclife) features the ten-point “A Catholic Framework for Economic Life,” which is downloadable in handout form. The Web site is sponsored by the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
The site includes statements on economic life from both the U.S. bishops and Pope Benedict XVI and the Holy See, ideas for parishes, stories of groups responding to the crisis, prayer guides, Podcasts, videos, and even an interactive quiz. The site also features a database of information on issues related to the crisis, including health, housing, labor, and trade. All resources are designed for practical use on the parish level for making sense of the economic crisis.
Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee of Domestic Social Justice and Human Development, outlined a central theme in a letter to the nation’s leaders:
“This crisis involves far more than just economic or technical matters, but has enormous human impact and clear ethical dimensions which should be at the center of debate and decisions on how to move forward. Families are losing their homes. Retirement savings are at risk. People are losing jobs and benefits. Economic arrangements, structures and remedies should have as a fundamental purpose safeguarding human life and dignity.”
"Our hope is that Catholics across the United States can use these new resources to understand the economic crisis in the light of Church teaching on economic life. One of the central themes of this teaching is that the dignity of the human person always comes first. This is a message of hope in tough economic times,” said John Carr, Executive Director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.
To view the new Web site, go to www.usccb.org/jphd/economiclife.
Catholic Teaching on Economic Life (www.usccb.org/jphd/economiclife) features the ten-point “A Catholic Framework for Economic Life,” which is downloadable in handout form. The Web site is sponsored by the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
The site includes statements on economic life from both the U.S. bishops and Pope Benedict XVI and the Holy See, ideas for parishes, stories of groups responding to the crisis, prayer guides, Podcasts, videos, and even an interactive quiz. The site also features a database of information on issues related to the crisis, including health, housing, labor, and trade. All resources are designed for practical use on the parish level for making sense of the economic crisis.
Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee of Domestic Social Justice and Human Development, outlined a central theme in a letter to the nation’s leaders:
“This crisis involves far more than just economic or technical matters, but has enormous human impact and clear ethical dimensions which should be at the center of debate and decisions on how to move forward. Families are losing their homes. Retirement savings are at risk. People are losing jobs and benefits. Economic arrangements, structures and remedies should have as a fundamental purpose safeguarding human life and dignity.”
"Our hope is that Catholics across the United States can use these new resources to understand the economic crisis in the light of Church teaching on economic life. One of the central themes of this teaching is that the dignity of the human person always comes first. This is a message of hope in tough economic times,” said John Carr, Executive Director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.
To view the new Web site, go to www.usccb.org/jphd/economiclife.
North Dakota to Set Up Health Care Directives Registry
05/18/2009 04:17 PM Filed in: Health
Care
Midwest Rural Assembly
05/18/2009 09:50 AM Filed in: Rural Life
From NCRLC:
Midwest Rural Assembly set for August 10-11
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
As a sponsoring organization, NCRLC is excited about the Midwest Rural Assembly happening August 10-11 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This regional meeting will build on the policy work of the National Rural Assembly and link grassroots groups and community leaders with members of Congress and USDA staff. This is also an opportunity to share information and strategies to advance a sustainable rural development agenda for the greater Midwest region.
FYI: Besides a sponsoring organization of the Midwest Rural Assembly, NCRLC also participated in last summer's National Rural Assembly. That Assembly's founding document, the Rural Compact, and its Policy Opportunity Snapshots (pdf) have helped to raise both the visibility and the volume of our grassroots efforts with Congress and the new Administration.
Midwest Rural Assembly set for August 10-11
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
As a sponsoring organization, NCRLC is excited about the Midwest Rural Assembly happening August 10-11 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This regional meeting will build on the policy work of the National Rural Assembly and link grassroots groups and community leaders with members of Congress and USDA staff. This is also an opportunity to share information and strategies to advance a sustainable rural development agenda for the greater Midwest region.
FYI: Besides a sponsoring organization of the Midwest Rural Assembly, NCRLC also participated in last summer's National Rural Assembly. That Assembly's founding document, the Rural Compact, and its Policy Opportunity Snapshots (pdf) have helped to raise both the visibility and the volume of our grassroots efforts with Congress and the new Administration.
Most Americans Pro-Life
05/15/2009 12:38 PM Filed in: Abortion
A new Gallup poll shows
that for the first time since 1995 most Americans
consider themselves "pro-life." The results should not
surprise those who have paid attention to the trend in
recent years toward a culture of life.
See the Gallup poll results
here.
The Fight for Education - Story from the Plains
05/15/2009 11:51 AM Filed in: Education
Like
the families in D.C., the families of the Turtle
Mountain Indian Reservation in North Dakota also face
obstacles when it comes to education. Check out this
story on St. Anne's Catholic School.
The Fight for Education - Story from D.C.
05/15/2009 11:47 AM Filed in: Education
The
families of Washington, D.C. are in a tough political
fight to preserve the nation's only federally-funded
voucher program -- a successful program by all
accounts. Check out and share this must-see video about
their struggle for education.
Bishops Issue Statement on First Anniversary of Postville Enforcement Actions, Continue Call for Immigration Reform
05/11/2009 04:01 PM Filed in: Migration
WASHINGTON—To
commemorate the first anniversary of the Postville,
Iowa, immigration worksite enforcement action, Bishop
John C. Wester, chairman of the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration
released a statement recalling the humanitarian cost of
such actions and calling, once again, for the reform of
our nation immigration policies.
“My brother Catholic bishops and I understand and support the right and responsibility of government to enforce law,” said Bishop Wester. “We strongly believe, however, that worksite enforcement raids do not solve the challenge of illegal immigration. Instead they lead to the separation of U.S. families and the destruction of immigrant communities. ”
Bishop Wester called families to pray for “those hurt by the raid and to work for comprehensive immigration reform so that others will not face similar pain and cruelty in the future.”
“The Postville action of a year ago is a disturbing reminder of the need to repair the nation’s broken immigration policies,” said Bishop Wester.
Read Bishop Wester’s statement.
“My brother Catholic bishops and I understand and support the right and responsibility of government to enforce law,” said Bishop Wester. “We strongly believe, however, that worksite enforcement raids do not solve the challenge of illegal immigration. Instead they lead to the separation of U.S. families and the destruction of immigrant communities. ”
Bishop Wester called families to pray for “those hurt by the raid and to work for comprehensive immigration reform so that others will not face similar pain and cruelty in the future.”
“The Postville action of a year ago is a disturbing reminder of the need to repair the nation’s broken immigration policies,” said Bishop Wester.
Read Bishop Wester’s statement.
BISHOPS URGE CATHOLICS TO CONTACT CONGRESS AND NIH: OPPOSE DESTRUCTIVE STEM CELL RESEARCH
05/09/2009 04:26 PM Filed in: Embryonic
stem cell research
WASHINGTON—The
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
launched a new “Oppose Destructive Stem Cell
Research” campaign today, equipping citizens to
contact Congress and the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) to oppose embryonic stem cell research and
support ethical cures and treatments “we can all
live with.” The campaign is facilitated by the
USCCB’s partner organization, the National
Committee for a Human Life Amendment.
Following President Obama’s March 9 executive order, the NIH proposed guidelines for federally funded research that will require destroying live human embryos for their stem cells. The draft guidelines are open for public comment through May 26.
The campaign homepage, www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign, summarizes why the proposed guidelines are unacceptable, provides links to USCCB resources (including the bishops’ statement “On Embryonic Stem Cell Research” and multi-media resources and ads), and encourages web users to “Contact Congress & NIH Now” through an e-mail interface. Several resources are available in both English and Spanish.
The campaign site explains that the NIH guidelines “would—for the first time—use taxpayer funds to encourage the killing of embryonic human beings for their stem cells.” It continues, “Embryonic stem cell research treats innocent human beings as mere sources of body parts, as commodities for our use.”
The webpage features a video of Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, critiquing the draft guidelines.
“The Catholic bishops of the United States will be writing to Congress and the Administration about the need to restore and maintain barriers against the mistreatment of human life in the name of science, and we urge other concerned citizens to do the same,” Cardinal Rigali said.
Catholics and other citizens are urged to contact both NIH and Congress because members of Congress and the Administration have expressed interest in pursuing an even broader policy. “They want to obtain stem cells by destroying human embryos specially generated for research through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or cloning procedures – a ‘create to kill’ policy,” the campaign page explains.
Those who want to call for stem cell research and cures “we can all live with” may speak out by visiting www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign and clicking on “Contact Congress & NIH Now.”
Following President Obama’s March 9 executive order, the NIH proposed guidelines for federally funded research that will require destroying live human embryos for their stem cells. The draft guidelines are open for public comment through May 26.
The campaign homepage, www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign, summarizes why the proposed guidelines are unacceptable, provides links to USCCB resources (including the bishops’ statement “On Embryonic Stem Cell Research” and multi-media resources and ads), and encourages web users to “Contact Congress & NIH Now” through an e-mail interface. Several resources are available in both English and Spanish.
The campaign site explains that the NIH guidelines “would—for the first time—use taxpayer funds to encourage the killing of embryonic human beings for their stem cells.” It continues, “Embryonic stem cell research treats innocent human beings as mere sources of body parts, as commodities for our use.”
The webpage features a video of Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, critiquing the draft guidelines.
“The Catholic bishops of the United States will be writing to Congress and the Administration about the need to restore and maintain barriers against the mistreatment of human life in the name of science, and we urge other concerned citizens to do the same,” Cardinal Rigali said.
Catholics and other citizens are urged to contact both NIH and Congress because members of Congress and the Administration have expressed interest in pursuing an even broader policy. “They want to obtain stem cells by destroying human embryos specially generated for research through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or cloning procedures – a ‘create to kill’ policy,” the campaign page explains.
Those who want to call for stem cell research and cures “we can all live with” may speak out by visiting www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign and clicking on “Contact Congress & NIH Now.”
Legislative Session Finished
05/09/2009 04:24 PM Filed in: Legislature
The North Dakota
Legislative Assembly has finished its work. That does
not mean, however, that there will not be more work to
do. Federal issues will need our attention as well as
the implementation of state laws passed during the just
concluded session.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
Action Alert: SCHIP
04/24/2009 08:34 AM Filed in: Health
Care |Legislature
Contact Your Representatives and Ask them to Help North
Dakota's Children --
Vote Yes on HB 1478
The North Dakota House of
Representatives will soon vote on HB
1478 which would expand the
current State Children's Health Insurance Program.
A conference committee met today on the bill,
and we need to urge Representatives to support the
Conference Committee report, which expands the program
to cover children of the working poor who do not have
health insurance up to 200% of the federal poverty
level.
When:
Contacts are
needed Immediately in
support of this effort.
Message: Please support the
Conference Committee report on HB 1478.
When: Immediately.
Who: North Dakota
Representatives
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or
701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail
at the address listed at the Legislative Council
website. More
information on contacting your
legislators.
No Voice at the Table?
04/20/2009 01:26 PM Filed in: Education
|Legislature
North
Dakota Legislative Assembly to nonpublic
schools:
Oh, and one more thing -- you can’t have a seat at the table when it comes to deciding the future of North Dakota’s educational system.
That is apparently the view of some legislators who are resisting allowing a representative from nonpublic schools to sit on the new North Dakota Commission on Education Improvement - even as a nonvoting member.
The commission is part of the massive House Bill 1400, a major overhaul of the state's education system. The Senate Appropriations Committee saw the justice involved and added a nonvoting representative from the nonpublic schools to the commission. Some legislators, however, oppose having any nonpublic representation on the commission.
Contact HB 1400's conference committee members and urge them to support including a nonpublic school representative on the Commission for Education Improvement.
Sen. Layton Freborg,R-Underwood (lfreborg@nd.gov);
Sen. Tim Flakoll, R-Fargo (lflakoll@nd.gov)
Sen. Ryan Taylor, D-Towner (rtaylor@nd.gov)
Rep. RaeAnn Kelsch, R-Mandan (rkelsch@nd.gov)
Rep. John Wall, R-Wahpeton (jwall@nd.gov)
Rep. Phil Mueller, D-Valley City (pmueller@nd.gov)
- You can’t open a school without state approval;
- We will tell you what subjects you must teach;
- All of your teachers and principals must be licensed by the state;
Oh, and one more thing -- you can’t have a seat at the table when it comes to deciding the future of North Dakota’s educational system.
That is apparently the view of some legislators who are resisting allowing a representative from nonpublic schools to sit on the new North Dakota Commission on Education Improvement - even as a nonvoting member.
The commission is part of the massive House Bill 1400, a major overhaul of the state's education system. The Senate Appropriations Committee saw the justice involved and added a nonvoting representative from the nonpublic schools to the commission. Some legislators, however, oppose having any nonpublic representation on the commission.
Contact HB 1400's conference committee members and urge them to support including a nonpublic school representative on the Commission for Education Improvement.
Sen. Layton Freborg,R-Underwood (lfreborg@nd.gov);
Sen. Tim Flakoll, R-Fargo (lflakoll@nd.gov)
Sen. Ryan Taylor, D-Towner (rtaylor@nd.gov)
Rep. RaeAnn Kelsch, R-Mandan (rkelsch@nd.gov)
Rep. John Wall, R-Wahpeton (jwall@nd.gov)
Rep. Phil Mueller, D-Valley City (pmueller@nd.gov)
Governor Signs Abortion, Human Trafficking Bills
On
April 8, Governor Hoeven signed into law:
- SB 2265, which requires a notice to be posted at abortion facilities informing women of the right not to be coerced into an abortion; and
- SB 2209, which prohibits human trafficking.
New Poll Shows Strong Support for Conscience Rights
WASHINGTON—A
nationwide poll conducted on March 23-25 found that 87
percent of adults surveyed believe it is important to
“make sure that healthcare professionals in
America are not forced to participate in procedures and
practices to which they have moral objections.”
Conducted by the polling company™,
inc./WomanTrend on behalf of the Christian Medical
Association (CMA), the survey also showed majority
support even among self-identified
“pro-choice” respondents for the
two-month-old conscience protection regulation now at
risk of being rescinded by the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS). Deirdre McQuade, spokeswoman on
abortion at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
(USCCB), welcomed the data and urged HHS to keep the
current regulation in place.
“The Obama administration has moved to rescind a vital HHS regulation protecting the conscience rights of health care providers,” McQuade said, “But according to this new survey, the majority of Americans—whether ‘pro-life’ or ‘pro-choice’, male or female, Republican or Democratic—support the regulation and oppose its rescission.”
The survey summary and methodology are available at www.freedom2care.org. The Freedom2Care Coalition is an ad hoc coalition organized by the CMA to defend the conscience rights of health care professionals and students.
The USCCB and Freedom2Care are helping Americans voice their support for the regulations by midnight April 9 when the public comment period draws to a close. To date, a total of over 73,000 e-mail messages have been sent to HHS through Freedom2Care.org and the USCCB’s e-mail campaign facilitated by its partner organization, the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment.
“Only one day remains to defend the existing regulation,” McQuade explained. “I urge all concerned citizens to e-mail HHS and pray for the protection of conscience rights.”
The USCCB has advocated for the strongest possible protection for conscience rights since the current regulation was first considered in the summer of 2008. For additional resources, including links to the e-mail campaign and bi-lingual YouTube videos of medical professionals and USCCB president Cardinal Francis George, visit: www.usccb.org/conscienceprotection.
“The Obama administration has moved to rescind a vital HHS regulation protecting the conscience rights of health care providers,” McQuade said, “But according to this new survey, the majority of Americans—whether ‘pro-life’ or ‘pro-choice’, male or female, Republican or Democratic—support the regulation and oppose its rescission.”
The survey summary and methodology are available at www.freedom2care.org. The Freedom2Care Coalition is an ad hoc coalition organized by the CMA to defend the conscience rights of health care professionals and students.
The USCCB and Freedom2Care are helping Americans voice their support for the regulations by midnight April 9 when the public comment period draws to a close. To date, a total of over 73,000 e-mail messages have been sent to HHS through Freedom2Care.org and the USCCB’s e-mail campaign facilitated by its partner organization, the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment.
“Only one day remains to defend the existing regulation,” McQuade explained. “I urge all concerned citizens to e-mail HHS and pray for the protection of conscience rights.”
The USCCB has advocated for the strongest possible protection for conscience rights since the current regulation was first considered in the summer of 2008. For additional resources, including links to the e-mail campaign and bi-lingual YouTube videos of medical professionals and USCCB president Cardinal Francis George, visit: www.usccb.org/conscienceprotection.
Dear Prudence . . .
04/05/2009 02:31 PM Filed in: Editorials
Senate Passes Pro-Life Legislation
04/03/2009 06:27 PM Filed in: Legislature
|Abortion
The North Dakota Senate
passed two bills and a resolution concerning abortion.
HB 1445, which requires that before a woman consents to an abortion she is informed that the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being, passed 34 to 11.
HB 1371, which requires that a woman be given an opportunity to view an ultrasound before consenting to an abortion, passed 44 to 1.
HCR 3015, which expresses the Legislative Assembly's opposition to the Freedom of Choice Act, passed by a voice vote.
HB 1445, which requires that before a woman consents to an abortion she is informed that the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being, passed 34 to 11.
HB 1371, which requires that a woman be given an opportunity to view an ultrasound before consenting to an abortion, passed 44 to 1.
HCR 3015, which expresses the Legislative Assembly's opposition to the Freedom of Choice Act, passed by a voice vote.
House Defeats Threat to Religious Liberty
04/03/2009 06:25 PM Filed in: Religious
Liberty |Legislature
The state House of
Representatives defeated SB 2278, which would have
added sexual orientation to the state’s Human
Rights Act without adequately protecting religious
liberties. The vote was 34 to 54.
Action Alert! Women Deserve the Truth II
04/01/2009 06:39 PM Filed in: Legislature
|Abortion
Now is the time to call
or email your state senator and express your support
for HB 1445, which requires that before a woman
consents to an abortion she is informed that the
abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate,
unique, living human being.
The Senate Judiciary Committee gave HB 1445 a Do Pass recommendation. The bill now goes to the Senate floor for a final vote.
Message: Please vote Yes on House Bill 1445, women deserve to know the truth about abortion.
Who: North Dakota Senate
When: Now. The Senatecould vote on HB 1445 as early as Monday, April
6.
Today,
Friday, April 3
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
The Senate Judiciary Committee gave HB 1445 a Do Pass recommendation. The bill now goes to the Senate floor for a final vote.
Message: Please vote Yes on House Bill 1445, women deserve to know the truth about abortion.
Who: North Dakota Senate
When: Now. The Senate
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Urgent Action Alert: Religious Liberty Threatened by Sexual Orientation Bill
03/30/2009 05:01 PM Filed in: Legislature
|Religious
Liberty
SB 2278 would add
“sexual orientation” to the North Dakota
Human Rights Act, giving sexual expression and sexual
activities protected status under the law. The proposal
raises troubling religious liberty concerns for
churches as employers and providers of educational and
social services, and to all individuals whose religious
beliefs do not condone homosexuality or other sexual
acts outside of marriage. Tell your state
representatives not to discriminate against you and
your religious beliefs. Ask them to vote NO on SB 2278.
(Read more on why SB 2278 threatens
religious liberty.)
Message: Please protect our religious liberties and vote NO on Senate Bill 2278.
When: Immediately.The House will
likely vote on it as soon as they come back from the
flood/blizzard recess. Friday, April
3.
Who: North Dakota Representatives
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Why Does Senate Bill 2278 Threaten Religious Liberty?
Senate Bill 2278 adds “sexual orientation” to the North Dakota Human Rights Act, making it a protected class under the law in matters of employment and public accommodations. The definition of sexual orientation is ambiguous enough to extend to sexual acts and expressions. Public accommodations includes most services, including private education, rental of church and school meeting rooms, and use of Knights of Columbus halls. Many people and religious bodies do not approve of homosexuality and other sexual activities outside of marriage. Senate Bill 2278, however, does not protect churches or employers from being forced to violate their religious beliefs.
Doesn’t the bill have religious exemptions?
At first glance, SB 2287 appears to exempt religious entities, but a closer look reveals that the exemptions are not exemptions at all. Only one of the “exemptions” applies to matters involving sexual orientation and it is so narrowly drawn that it only applies to employment for “religious positions.” It does not apply to other personnel, such as school employees, and it does not apply at all to public accommodations.
The other “exemptions” thrown into the bill do not apply to matters involving sexual orientation.
In short, Senate Bill 2278 contains no real protection for religious entities from claims of discrimination based on sexual orientation (which includes sexual activities), whether it be in employment matters or public accommodations.
Message: Please protect our religious liberties and vote NO on Senate Bill 2278.
When: Immediately.
Who: North Dakota Representatives
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Why Does Senate Bill 2278 Threaten Religious Liberty?
Senate Bill 2278 adds “sexual orientation” to the North Dakota Human Rights Act, making it a protected class under the law in matters of employment and public accommodations. The definition of sexual orientation is ambiguous enough to extend to sexual acts and expressions. Public accommodations includes most services, including private education, rental of church and school meeting rooms, and use of Knights of Columbus halls. Many people and religious bodies do not approve of homosexuality and other sexual activities outside of marriage. Senate Bill 2278, however, does not protect churches or employers from being forced to violate their religious beliefs.
Doesn’t the bill have religious exemptions?
At first glance, SB 2287 appears to exempt religious entities, but a closer look reveals that the exemptions are not exemptions at all. Only one of the “exemptions” applies to matters involving sexual orientation and it is so narrowly drawn that it only applies to employment for “religious positions.” It does not apply to other personnel, such as school employees, and it does not apply at all to public accommodations.
The other “exemptions” thrown into the bill do not apply to matters involving sexual orientation.
In short, Senate Bill 2278 contains no real protection for religious entities from claims of discrimination based on sexual orientation (which includes sexual activities), whether it be in employment matters or public accommodations.
Catholic News Stories About Flood Response
03/27/2009 07:56 PM
Blessing against Floods
03/27/2009 02:56 PM
National Catholic Rural Life Conference provides the
following Blessing against Floods from the Rural Life
Prayerbook:
Blessing against Floods
(The priest accompanied by the people carries a relic of the Holy Cross with which to bless the stream or river. There he devoutly reads, facing in turn the four directions, the beginnings of the four Gospels, and after each Gospel adds the following prayers
V. Help us, God, our salvation.
R. And free us because of the glory name.
V. Save Your servants.
R. Those who hope in You, my God.
V. Lord, do not act with us as our sins would demand.
R. Nor repay us according to the measure of our evils.
V. Send us help, Lord, from the holy place.
R. And from Sion protect us.
V. Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry reach up to You.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, You make the wicked man just, and You do not desire the death of the sinner. Your servants have confidence in Your mercy. We humbly beg Your majesty that You will, by Your heavenly aid, kindly shield us from the dangerous waters, and preserve us by Your continued care, so that we may always gladly serve You, and by no temptation be separated from You, through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, descend upon these waters, and keep them within bounds.
R. Amen.
(And it is sprinkled with holy water.)
ht: Fr. Tom Graner
Blessing against Floods
(The priest accompanied by the people carries a relic of the Holy Cross with which to bless the stream or river. There he devoutly reads, facing in turn the four directions, the beginnings of the four Gospels, and after each Gospel adds the following prayers
V. Help us, God, our salvation.
R. And free us because of the glory name.
V. Save Your servants.
R. Those who hope in You, my God.
V. Lord, do not act with us as our sins would demand.
R. Nor repay us according to the measure of our evils.
V. Send us help, Lord, from the holy place.
R. And from Sion protect us.
V. Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry reach up to You.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, You make the wicked man just, and You do not desire the death of the sinner. Your servants have confidence in Your mercy. We humbly beg Your majesty that You will, by Your heavenly aid, kindly shield us from the dangerous waters, and preserve us by Your continued care, so that we may always gladly serve You, and by no temptation be separated from You, through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, descend upon these waters, and keep them within bounds.
R. Amen.
(And it is sprinkled with holy water.)
ht: Fr. Tom Graner
Some More Flood News
03/27/2009 12:59 PM
The parishes of Holy
Spirit, St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Anthony’s
and Nativity are outside of the evacuation zones,
otherwise known as city high ground.
Sts. Anne and Joachim, the pastoral center and Shanley/Sullivan school off of 52nd Ave S. are all in one of the evacuation zones, but built on a spot higher above the surrounding area. Currently, the area is protected by the city’s levees, but with the new possibility of a 43’ river crest, much is unknown. Some sandbagging has been done around windows and doors as a precaution.
The Bishop Aquila’s house is also higher elevation of the projected crest, even if the levee’s don’t hold. Power and water may be cut off, though.
Cardinal Muench Seminary has had its levee built up by the Army Corps of Engineers, but was partially evacuated Thursday afternoon for precautionary reasons.
The Presentation Sisters in Fargo have a large levee in their backyard, but 6 of the infirm have been transferred to Valley City and many of them are going to evacuate as a precaution.
Rosewood, Villa Maria and Riverview have all been evacuated for precautionary reasons. Many of them are being transferred to Maryvale in Valley City, which will be taking in up to 47 people.
In Wahpeton, the Carmelite sisters have evacuated and are in Hankinson with the Franciscans. St. John’s made it through ok.
Enderlin experienced some flooding in town with the Maple river, but the parish is ok.
Sts. Anne and Joachim, the pastoral center and Shanley/Sullivan school off of 52nd Ave S. are all in one of the evacuation zones, but built on a spot higher above the surrounding area. Currently, the area is protected by the city’s levees, but with the new possibility of a 43’ river crest, much is unknown. Some sandbagging has been done around windows and doors as a precaution.
The Bishop Aquila’s house is also higher elevation of the projected crest, even if the levee’s don’t hold. Power and water may be cut off, though.
Cardinal Muench Seminary has had its levee built up by the Army Corps of Engineers, but was partially evacuated Thursday afternoon for precautionary reasons.
The Presentation Sisters in Fargo have a large levee in their backyard, but 6 of the infirm have been transferred to Valley City and many of them are going to evacuate as a precaution.
Rosewood, Villa Maria and Riverview have all been evacuated for precautionary reasons. Many of them are being transferred to Maryvale in Valley City, which will be taking in up to 47 people.
In Wahpeton, the Carmelite sisters have evacuated and are in Hankinson with the Franciscans. St. John’s made it through ok.
Enderlin experienced some flooding in town with the Maple river, but the parish is ok.
Frei's Lose Home
03/27/2009 12:55 PM
Director of Education for
the Fargo Diocese, Tom Frei and his wife, Tracey lost
their home to flooding yesterday. This video clip tells
their story. Tracey is a former board member of the
North Dakota Catholic Conference.
Watch CBS Videos Online
Watch CBS Videos Online
Protecting Conscience Rights in Health Care: Our Voice is Needed!
03/27/2009 10:51 AM Filed in: Religious
Liberty |Health
Care
The U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) is inviting public
comment on a proposal to rescind an important federal
regulation issued in December. The regulation
implements and enforces three federal laws protecting
the conscience rights of health care providers,
especially those at risk of being discriminated against
because of their moral or religious objection to
abortion.
The Catholic community must speak out to protect Catholic doctors, nurses and hospitals.
Additional Information & Conscience Protection Resources
The Catholic community must speak out to protect Catholic doctors, nurses and hospitals.
Additional Information & Conscience Protection Resources
Bishop Zipfel asks for prayers and assistance for those affected by flooding
03/27/2009 10:13 AM
My dear sisters and
brothers in the Lord:
Hour by hour we are receiving information about the rising flood waters touching the families, homes and communities in various parts of our state. Linton, Beulah and Hazen in our diocese have been among the first communities to be struck. Some people have already been evacuated from their homes. We must all turn in prayer to God that He will protect us in this difficult time.
Stories of people who are offering themselves to assist their neighbors in need are both encouraging and uplifting. "Anything you did for one of my brothers here, however humble, you did for me."
For all who are suffering due to the flood waters, let us ask for God's protection and grace. Through it may we grow in our love for God and each other.
Your shepherd,
Bishop Paul Zipfel
(icon of St. Gregory the Wonderworker, patron for protection against floods)
Hour by hour we are receiving information about the rising flood waters touching the families, homes and communities in various parts of our state. Linton, Beulah and Hazen in our diocese have been among the first communities to be struck. Some people have already been evacuated from their homes. We must all turn in prayer to God that He will protect us in this difficult time.
Stories of people who are offering themselves to assist their neighbors in need are both encouraging and uplifting. "Anything you did for one of my brothers here, however humble, you did for me."
For all who are suffering due to the flood waters, let us ask for God's protection and grace. Through it may we grow in our love for God and each other.
Your shepherd,
Bishop Paul Zipfel
(icon of St. Gregory the Wonderworker, patron for protection against floods)
Flood Message from Catholic Charities
03/27/2009 10:08 AM
In
these times of uncertainty, you can be assured that
Catholic Charities North Dakota is assisting with flood
fighting efforts and preparing to respond to the needs
of those affected by the flooding and winter storms
currently occurring throughout the state of North
Dakota. Disaster Management staff are monitoring
the situation, together with the state and local
response groups formulating our agency's role in the
process.
* Catholic Charities North Dakota is currently assisting with finding volunteers to help with the sandbagging effort and working with other agencies to fill volunteer needs. Once the threats associated with the flooding and storms pass, CCND will continue to respond to the needs of people in the affected areas through several means.
* A Disaster Response officer with Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) has been deployed to North Dakota. Joe Mahoney, Program Officer for CCUSA Disaster Response Office, arrived in North Dakota just in time to witness the intensity of the flood fight in eastern North Dakota and the serious flooding coupled with heavy snow in the central and western parts of the state. On Monday, Catholic Charities USA began working side-by-side with Catholic Charities North Dakota staff to help implement Disaster Response for the Diocese of Fargo and Diocese of Bismarck. Once the threat of weather and flooding has passed, assessment teams will identify unmet needs in communities.
* Counseling Services are available to everyone regardless of religious affiliation. If you see someone in your community in need of counseling, please have them get in touch with our nearest office.
How can your parish help?
· Urge volunteers to form groups to volunteer to assist in the community. Contact Colleen (chardy@catholiccharitiesnd.org ) or Joan (jedwards@catholiccharitiesnd.org ) or call 1-800-450-4457 to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
· If residents in your parish have been affected, please let us know what their needs are. We will have funds available to assist these families.
· Donate to the Disaster Response effort at Catholic Charities North Dakota at www.catholiccharitiesnd.org <</span>http://www.catholiccharitiesnd.org/> or send donations to our office at
Catholic Charities North Dakota
5201 Bishops Blvd., Suite B
Fargo, ND 58104
* Catholic Charities North Dakota is currently assisting with finding volunteers to help with the sandbagging effort and working with other agencies to fill volunteer needs. Once the threats associated with the flooding and storms pass, CCND will continue to respond to the needs of people in the affected areas through several means.
* A Disaster Response officer with Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) has been deployed to North Dakota. Joe Mahoney, Program Officer for CCUSA Disaster Response Office, arrived in North Dakota just in time to witness the intensity of the flood fight in eastern North Dakota and the serious flooding coupled with heavy snow in the central and western parts of the state. On Monday, Catholic Charities USA began working side-by-side with Catholic Charities North Dakota staff to help implement Disaster Response for the Diocese of Fargo and Diocese of Bismarck. Once the threat of weather and flooding has passed, assessment teams will identify unmet needs in communities.
* Counseling Services are available to everyone regardless of religious affiliation. If you see someone in your community in need of counseling, please have them get in touch with our nearest office.
How can your parish help?
· Urge volunteers to form groups to volunteer to assist in the community. Contact Colleen (chardy@catholiccharitiesnd.org ) or Joan (jedwards@catholiccharitiesnd.org ) or call 1-800-450-4457 to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
· If residents in your parish have been affected, please let us know what their needs are. We will have funds available to assist these families.
· Donate to the Disaster Response effort at Catholic Charities North Dakota at www.catholiccharitiesnd.org <</span>http://www.catholiccharitiesnd.org/> or send donations to our office at
Catholic Charities North Dakota
5201 Bishops Blvd., Suite B
Fargo, ND 58104
Update on Various Bills
The
state legislature will take up several important bills
when it returns from the flood-fighting recess. Now is
the time to contact your legislators on these
bills.
Senate Bill 2278 - Adds Sexual Orientation to Human Rights Act
The bill goes to the House floor for a final vote next week.
While the Catholic Church condemns arbitrary discrimination and prejudice against a person because of sexual attraction, the North Dakota Catholic Conference opposes this bill for several reasons.
Contact your Representatives and urge them to vote “No” on SB 2278. Let them know you do not condone unjust discrimination because of sexual attraction, but that SB 2278 is a bad bill.
Senate Bill 2283 - Health Care for Pregnant Women and Unborn Children
The bill is on the House calendar and could be voted on as early as Monday.
Contact your Representatives and urge them to vote “Yes” on SB 2283.
Go here to find out more.
House Bill 1371 - Ultrasound Bill
Received a favorable recommendation from the Human Services Committee, but the full Senate still has to vote on it.
Contact your Senator and urge him or her to vote “Yes” on HB 1371.
House Concurrent Resolution 3015 - Anti-FOCA Resolution
Received a favorable recommendation from the Human Services Committee, but the full Senate still have to vote on it.
Contact your Senator and urge him or her to vote “Yes” on HCR 3105.
House Bill 1445 - Woman told before abortion that the act will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being.
The bill is still in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will probably act on it early next week.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference does not send out action alerts until a committee completes action on the bill. You may contact the Judiciary Committee and urge them to support HB 1445 without amendments.
House Bill 1572 - “Personhood Bill”
The bill is still in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will probably act on it early next week.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference does not send out action alerts until a committee completes action on the bill. You may contact the Judiciary Committee and urge them to support the Catholic Conference’s proposed amendments to HB 1572.
Go here for more information.
House Bill 1478 - Children’s Health Insurance
The Human Services Committee restored the Governor’s recommendation to expand coverage to 200% of the federal poverty level. The bill is now being reviewed by the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference does not send out action alerts until a committee completes action on the bill. You may contact the Appropriations Committee and urge them to support funding the Children’s Health Insurance Program to at least 200% of the federal poverty level.
Contact Information:
1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Senate Judiciary (for HB 1445 and HB 1572)
Dave Nething - Chairman
Curtis Olafson - Vice Chairman
Tom Fiebiger
Stanley W. Lyson
Carolyn Nelson
Mac Schneider
Senate Appropriations Committee (For HB 1478)
Ray Holmberg - Chairman
Bill Bowman - Vice Chairman
Tony S. Grindberg - Vice Chairman
Randel Christmann
Tom Fischer
Ralph L. Kilzer
Aaron Krauter
Karen K. Krebsbach
Elroy N. Lindaas
Tim Mathern
Larry J. Robinson
Tom Seymour
Rich Wardner
John Warner
Senate Bill 2278 - Adds Sexual Orientation to Human Rights Act
The bill goes to the House floor for a final vote next week.
While the Catholic Church condemns arbitrary discrimination and prejudice against a person because of sexual attraction, the North Dakota Catholic Conference opposes this bill for several reasons.
- The bill contains no real protections for religious entities
- The bill contains no protections for faith-driven organizations not owned by churches
- It does not expressly exempt youth and scouting organizations
- The bill’s definition of “sexual orientation” encompasses acts, including sexual acts outside of marriage
- Existing law already protects workers engaged in lawful activities outside of work
Contact your Representatives and urge them to vote “No” on SB 2278. Let them know you do not condone unjust discrimination because of sexual attraction, but that SB 2278 is a bad bill.
Senate Bill 2283 - Health Care for Pregnant Women and Unborn Children
The bill is on the House calendar and could be voted on as early as Monday.
Contact your Representatives and urge them to vote “Yes” on SB 2283.
Go here to find out more.
House Bill 1371 - Ultrasound Bill
Received a favorable recommendation from the Human Services Committee, but the full Senate still has to vote on it.
Contact your Senator and urge him or her to vote “Yes” on HB 1371.
House Concurrent Resolution 3015 - Anti-FOCA Resolution
Received a favorable recommendation from the Human Services Committee, but the full Senate still have to vote on it.
Contact your Senator and urge him or her to vote “Yes” on HCR 3105.
House Bill 1445 - Woman told before abortion that the act will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being.
The bill is still in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will probably act on it early next week.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference does not send out action alerts until a committee completes action on the bill. You may contact the Judiciary Committee and urge them to support HB 1445 without amendments.
House Bill 1572 - “Personhood Bill”
The bill is still in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will probably act on it early next week.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference does not send out action alerts until a committee completes action on the bill. You may contact the Judiciary Committee and urge them to support the Catholic Conference’s proposed amendments to HB 1572.
Go here for more information.
House Bill 1478 - Children’s Health Insurance
The Human Services Committee restored the Governor’s recommendation to expand coverage to 200% of the federal poverty level. The bill is now being reviewed by the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference does not send out action alerts until a committee completes action on the bill. You may contact the Appropriations Committee and urge them to support funding the Children’s Health Insurance Program to at least 200% of the federal poverty level.
Contact Information:
1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Senate Judiciary (for HB 1445 and HB 1572)
Dave Nething - Chairman
Curtis Olafson - Vice Chairman
Tom Fiebiger
Stanley W. Lyson
Carolyn Nelson
Mac Schneider
Senate Appropriations Committee (For HB 1478)
Ray Holmberg - Chairman
Bill Bowman - Vice Chairman
Tony S. Grindberg - Vice Chairman
Randel Christmann
Tom Fischer
Ralph L. Kilzer
Aaron Krauter
Karen K. Krebsbach
Elroy N. Lindaas
Tim Mathern
Larry J. Robinson
Tom Seymour
Rich Wardner
John Warner
Flood and Weather Updates
03/26/2009 09:56 AM
The
North Dakota legislature has recessed until Monday so
people can focus on fighting the floods around the
state. Both the Senate and House appropriations
committees, however, will continue to meet. Those
concerned about human service issues should watch the
Senate committee’s actions on HB 1012.
The offices of the Fargo Diocese are closed for the rest of the week. The Junior High Youth Rally for the Fargo Diocese, which was scheduled for Saturday, has been cancelled.
When the legislature returns next week, it will take up several important bills. Updates and action alerts on those bills will soon be posted. Keep checking this website for more information.
The offices of the Fargo Diocese are closed for the rest of the week. The Junior High Youth Rally for the Fargo Diocese, which was scheduled for Saturday, has been cancelled.
When the legislature returns next week, it will take up several important bills. Updates and action alerts on those bills will soon be posted. Keep checking this website for more information.
Urgent Action Alert: Restore Federal Abstinence Funding
03/25/2009 10:59 AM
The
U.S. Senate Budget Committee will likely consider an
amendment to restore abstinence funding tomorrow, March
26. As chairman of the committee, Senator Kent
Conrad’s support for the amendment is crucial.
Call Senator Conrad’s office immediately and urge him to support the “Bunning-Graham amendment” to continue Title V abstinence education funding.
North Dakota received about $89,000 in abstinence education funding in the 2007 fiscal year. Organizations like Make a Sound Choice, the Dickinson School District, and SADD benefited from this funding. Act now to keep such support by contacting Senator Conrad.
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
senator@conrad.senate.gov
Call Senator Conrad’s office immediately and urge him to support the “Bunning-Graham amendment” to continue Title V abstinence education funding.
North Dakota received about $89,000 in abstinence education funding in the 2007 fiscal year. Organizations like Make a Sound Choice, the Dickinson School District, and SADD benefited from this funding. Act now to keep such support by contacting Senator Conrad.
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
senator@conrad.senate.gov
Bishop Aquila Issues Flood Statement
03/22/2009 11:43 AM
Statement of Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila, Bishop of
Fargo
March
22, 2009
To the faithful of the Diocese of Fargo and to all
people of good will, as we face the potential for
serious flooding in several locations in the Diocese of
Fargo, be assured of my prayers for each and every one
of you. Through communication with flood authorities
and contact with the many Catholic parishes in the
areas of concern, I am working to stay informed of the
needs of individuals and communities throughout the
Diocese.
During this time we must first turn in prayer to God
that He will protect our families, our homes, and our
communities. Prayer to the Holy Spirit for the gifts of
wisdom and counsel is essential too in the decisions
that will need to be made in the days ahead. I ask
especially those in the diocese who live outside of the
affected areas to increase your prayer, praying that
those in the center of the flood fight will be
protected and may experience the peace only God’s
love can give.
I am grateful for our young people -- youth group
members and high school and college students -- who are
embracing this opportunity to help with sandbagging
those communities and homes which are threatened; the
parishes and diocesan entities like Catholic Charities
North Dakota who are establishing ways to meet the
unique needs of people now and after this threat
subsides; and the individuals who are doing small
things, like providing food or offering childcare, that
make a tremendous difference for those laboring to save
their homes. The Fargo Catholic Schools Network has set
up a Flood Fight Update e-mail system which puts out
calls for assistance with sand bagging every few hours.
For more information, contact Shanley High School. Your
work is prayer in action, prayer which offers hope and
assurance during this struggle.
For all who are suffering due to the potential flood, I
pray for God’s protection and blessing over you
and for the calming strength of His grace. As in any
adversity, with faith, hope and charity, God will grant
us the particular graces we need in this trial and we
will grow in our love for God and each other.
On Human Trafficking
03/21/2009 09:03 AM Filed in: Human
Trafficking
The Fargo Forum has some
feature stories on the work of the God’s Child Project
and the
Institute for Trafficked, Exploited &
Missing Persons, both North Dakota-based
entities, and the work they do in Guatemala and
elsewhere. One story focuses on the problem of human
trafficking.
The stories are here: http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/234766/
In North Dakota, Senate Bill 2209, which bans human trafficking, received its final passage by the House on March 13. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature. A similar bill, HB 1185, was defeated on the grounds that it was no longer necessary. Thanks go the sponsors of both bills and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem for making this possible.
The stories are here: http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/234766/
In North Dakota, Senate Bill 2209, which bans human trafficking, received its final passage by the House on March 13. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature. A similar bill, HB 1185, was defeated on the grounds that it was no longer necessary. Thanks go the sponsors of both bills and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem for making this possible.
Action Alert: Health Care for Pregnant Women and their Unborn Children
03/20/2009 10:11 AM Filed in: Health
Care |Legislature
Call Your
Representatives and Ask them to Help Low-income
Pregnant Women and their Unborn Children --Vote Yes on
SB 2283
The North Dakota House of
Representatives will soon vote on SB 2283, which would expand medical
assistance to low-income pregnant women. Calls are
needed Immediately
in support of this
modest, but important, effort to ensure that poor
pregnant women and their unborn children receive
essential health care.
Message:
Please vote
Yes
on Senate Bill 2283, to
help pregnant women and their unborn children.
When: Immediately.
The bill is already on the House calendar.
Who: North Dakota
Representatives
Where:
1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447)
or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the
Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your
legislators.
More information about SB 2283:
- North Dakota ranks at the bottom among states when it comes to providing prenatal care to low-income women and their unborn children.
- The bill only extends coverage to pregnant women at less than 165% of the federal poverty level.
- Most of the funding for the bill comes from federal sources.
- Coverage does not include abortion.
- Mothers who do not receive prenatal care are three times more likely to give birth to a low weight baby and their baby is five times more likely to die.
- In Catholic teaching, a person’s access to basic health care should not depend on how much a person earns. This is especially true for the unborn child, who should not be denied health care because his or her mother cannot afford it.
House Passes Abortion Non-Coercion Sign
03/19/2009 03:34 PM Filed in: Legislature
|Abortion
The North Dakota House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 2265 - the abortion non-coercion sign bill by a vote of 83 to 6. The bill was not amended by the House, so it now goes to the Governor for his signature!
Several New Testimonies Posted
03/18/2009 04:59 PM Filed in: Legislature
Three Pro-Life Victories - Call Your Legislators
03/17/2009 01:02 PM Filed in: Legislature
|Abortion
Legislative
committees gave favorable recommendations on three
pro-life bills today.
HB 1371 - the ultrasound bill - received an unanimous “do pass” recommendation from the Senate Human Services Committee and now goes to the Senate floor.
HCR 3015 - the anti-FOCA resolution - received a 5-1 “do pass” recommendation from the Senate Human Services Committee and now goes to the Senate floor.
SB 2265 - abortion non-coercion sign posting requirement - received an unanimous “do pass” recommendation from the House Human Services Committee and now goes to the House floor.
Call your Senator and ask him or her to vote “yes” on House Bill 1371 and House Concurrent Resolution 3015.
Call your Representatives and ask them to vote “yes” on Senate Bill 2265.
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
HB 1371 - the ultrasound bill - received an unanimous “do pass” recommendation from the Senate Human Services Committee and now goes to the Senate floor.
HCR 3015 - the anti-FOCA resolution - received a 5-1 “do pass” recommendation from the Senate Human Services Committee and now goes to the Senate floor.
SB 2265 - abortion non-coercion sign posting requirement - received an unanimous “do pass” recommendation from the House Human Services Committee and now goes to the House floor.
Call your Senator and ask him or her to vote “yes” on House Bill 1371 and House Concurrent Resolution 3015.
Call your Representatives and ask them to vote “yes” on Senate Bill 2265.
Where: 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) or e-mail at the address listed at the Legislative Council website.
More information on contacting your legislators.
Catholic Bishops Voice Support for Pro-Life Bills
03/12/2009 10:49 AM Filed in: Legislature
|Abortion
Catholic Bishops Voice Support for Pro-Life Bills
Bismarck, North Dakota - Speaking at the state capitol in Bismarck, North Dakota’s Roman Catholic bishops affirmed their support for state legislation to protect unborn human life, including a modified version of the “personhood” bill.
In a joint statement released at the event, Bishop Paul A. Zipfel of Bismarck and Bishop Samuel J. Aquila of Fargo reaffirmed their “steadfast commitment to defending human life from conception to natural death” and urged passage for legislation that would bring the state closer to ending abortion and to establishing legal protection for all unborn children. “The people of North Dakota, through their public officials, have steadily and strategically advanced the cause for life, making the state one of the most pro-life in the nation,” the bishops said.
The bishops stated that several bills introduced this legislative session provide “another opportunity to move forward.” The bishops expressed support for House Bill 1445 which requires that a woman considering an abortion be told that the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being, HB 1371, which gives a woman an opportunity to view an ultrasound of her unborn child, SB 2265, which helps ensure that women are not coerced into abortions, and SB 2391, which improves the successful alternatives-to-abortion program. The bishops also voiced their support for House Concurrent Resolution 3015, which expresses the legislature’s opposition to the Freedom of Choice Act.
Discussing House Bill 1572, which some have called the “personhood” bill, the bishops proposed a set of amendments to remedy perceived problems with the bill’s current language. After consulting with various experts, including some with extensive and lengthy experience in abortion law, the bishops concluded that the bill’s existing language raises many unanswered questions, could lead to unintended consequences and injustices, and would not achieve the goal of providing a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade and its progeny.
Expressing support for the bill’s concept, the bishops stated that they could support HB 1572 if it was amended to address the concerns.
Download the statement here.
Download a summary of pro-life bills and the bishops’ positions here.
Download the proposed amendments here.
Download a description of what the amendments would do here.
Read a letter by Catholic University of America Law Professor Robert Destro on the amendments
Bismarck, North Dakota - Speaking at the state capitol in Bismarck, North Dakota’s Roman Catholic bishops affirmed their support for state legislation to protect unborn human life, including a modified version of the “personhood” bill.
In a joint statement released at the event, Bishop Paul A. Zipfel of Bismarck and Bishop Samuel J. Aquila of Fargo reaffirmed their “steadfast commitment to defending human life from conception to natural death” and urged passage for legislation that would bring the state closer to ending abortion and to establishing legal protection for all unborn children. “The people of North Dakota, through their public officials, have steadily and strategically advanced the cause for life, making the state one of the most pro-life in the nation,” the bishops said.
The bishops stated that several bills introduced this legislative session provide “another opportunity to move forward.” The bishops expressed support for House Bill 1445 which requires that a woman considering an abortion be told that the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being, HB 1371, which gives a woman an opportunity to view an ultrasound of her unborn child, SB 2265, which helps ensure that women are not coerced into abortions, and SB 2391, which improves the successful alternatives-to-abortion program. The bishops also voiced their support for House Concurrent Resolution 3015, which expresses the legislature’s opposition to the Freedom of Choice Act.
Discussing House Bill 1572, which some have called the “personhood” bill, the bishops proposed a set of amendments to remedy perceived problems with the bill’s current language. After consulting with various experts, including some with extensive and lengthy experience in abortion law, the bishops concluded that the bill’s existing language raises many unanswered questions, could lead to unintended consequences and injustices, and would not achieve the goal of providing a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade and its progeny.
Expressing support for the bill’s concept, the bishops stated that they could support HB 1572 if it was amended to address the concerns.
Download the statement here.
Download a summary of pro-life bills and the bishops’ positions here.
Download the proposed amendments here.
Download a description of what the amendments would do here.
Read a letter by Catholic University of America Law Professor Robert Destro on the amendments
Sad Victory of Politics Over Science and Ethics
03/09/2009 04:33 PM Filed in: Embryonic
stem cell research
WASHINGTON—Cardinal
Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life
Activities, today called President Obama’s
executive order on embryonic stem cell research
“a sad victory of politics over science and
ethics.” Under the order, for the first time in
U.S. history, federal tax dollars will be used to
encourage researchers to destroy live human embryos for
stem cell research. Cardinal Rigali also cited a
January 16 letter in which Cardinal Francis George,
president of the USCCB, urged President-elect Obama not
to issue such an order.
Cardinal Rigali’s statement follows:
“President Obama’s new executive order on embryonic stem cell research is a sad victory of politics over science and ethics. This action is morally wrong because it encourages the destruction of innocent human life, treating vulnerable human beings as mere products to be harvested. It also disregards the values of millions of American taxpayers who oppose research that requires taking human life. Finally, it ignores the fact that ethically sound means for advancing stem cell science and medical treatments are readily available and in need of increased support.
“In his January 16th letter to President-elect Obama, Cardinal George, writing as President of the USCCB, cited three reasons why such destructive research is ‘especially pointless at this time’:
• ‘First, basic research in the capabilities of embryonic stem cells can be and is being pursued using the currently eligible cell lines as well as the hundreds of lines produced with nonfederal funds since 2001.
• ‘Second, recent startling advances in reprogramming adult cells into embryonic-like stem cells – hailed by the journal Science as the scientific breakthrough of the year – are said by many scientists to be making embryonic stem cells irrelevant to medical progress.
• ‘Third, adult and cord blood stem cells are now known to have great versatility, and are increasingly being used to reverse serious illnesses and even help rebuild damaged organs. To divert scarce funds away from these promising avenues for research and treatment toward the avenue that is most morally controversial as well as most medically speculative would be a sad victory of politics over science.’
“If the government wants to invest in hope for cures and promote ethically sound science, it should use our tax monies for research that everyone, at every stage of human development, can live with.”
Cardinal Rigali’s statement follows:
“President Obama’s new executive order on embryonic stem cell research is a sad victory of politics over science and ethics. This action is morally wrong because it encourages the destruction of innocent human life, treating vulnerable human beings as mere products to be harvested. It also disregards the values of millions of American taxpayers who oppose research that requires taking human life. Finally, it ignores the fact that ethically sound means for advancing stem cell science and medical treatments are readily available and in need of increased support.
“In his January 16th letter to President-elect Obama, Cardinal George, writing as President of the USCCB, cited three reasons why such destructive research is ‘especially pointless at this time’:
• ‘First, basic research in the capabilities of embryonic stem cells can be and is being pursued using the currently eligible cell lines as well as the hundreds of lines produced with nonfederal funds since 2001.
• ‘Second, recent startling advances in reprogramming adult cells into embryonic-like stem cells – hailed by the journal Science as the scientific breakthrough of the year – are said by many scientists to be making embryonic stem cells irrelevant to medical progress.
• ‘Third, adult and cord blood stem cells are now known to have great versatility, and are increasingly being used to reverse serious illnesses and even help rebuild damaged organs. To divert scarce funds away from these promising avenues for research and treatment toward the avenue that is most morally controversial as well as most medically speculative would be a sad victory of politics over science.’
“If the government wants to invest in hope for cures and promote ethically sound science, it should use our tax monies for research that everyone, at every stage of human development, can live with.”
Cover the Uninsured Week
03/06/2009 08:21 PM Filed in: Health
Care
"Cover
the Uninsured Week" is coming up soon: March
22-28, 2009. The nation has begun a vigorous
debate and this is an opportune time to begin
praying, learning and advocating for health care
reform. Here is a two-page handout with resources
for you to use and to share with
others.
Stimulus Mysterious
03/06/2009 07:32 PM Filed in: Legislature
Question:
What do you get when you combine a record budget
surplus, a biennial legislature, and millions of
dollars of federal stimulus money coming half-way
through the legislative session? Answer: A lot of
questions.
The Governor and the Legislative Assembly are starting to reexamine everything in light of the economic stimulus money coming from the federal government. You can read Governor Hoeven’s initial recommendations for the money here.
In addition to determining how to spend the money, some people are asking whether the state legislature will be able to weigh-in before the end of the 80 day session.
The Governor and the Legislative Assembly are starting to reexamine everything in light of the economic stimulus money coming from the federal government. You can read Governor Hoeven’s initial recommendations for the money here.
In addition to determining how to spend the money, some people are asking whether the state legislature will be able to weigh-in before the end of the 80 day session.
