Weekly News

Friends,

Our marriages are under attack! Where is the righteous indignation? Where is the rage? And, where is the leadership?

We have recently seen what can be accomplished by the power of the people standing up for what is right in the streets of Kiev. What strongholds can be brought down by such actions! Not the hateful actions of the "rent-a-mob" that always shows up in support of abortion, homosexuality and against the Americans. But, a huge and peaceful mass of Canadian citizens filling the city center!

The present government of Canada and its handpicked lawyers on the Supreme Court are now in the final stages of their attack on the sacred institution of marriage. What will we do about it? Most contemporary Canadian Christians will do nothing - their personal comfort and pleasures being paramount - they feel "uncomfortable" taking a stand on "controversial" matters... (Rev.
3:15,16)

But, what should we do? Of course, we must PRAY - pray against this onslaught from the gates of Hell. But, we must also ACT. Prayer, itself is action, of course, as God is still in the business of answering the sincere prayers of His children. But, we must also put feet to our prayers!

Organize a RALLY in your city; hit the streets! Network with others in other cities; mobilize anyone who calls himself or herself a real Christian. Take a stand. What does it take, if not this? It is time to Take Back Canada.

It's time to visit MPs at their offices and their homes (we know they totally ignore our emails) remind them they are being paid to be our elected "representatives" and that in next Spring's election, you will use all your influence against any MP who will not protect the family in Canada. Hold them accountable. Encourage the few MPs that have taken a courageous stand. And, tell Stephen Harper to act like a real man, not like a weak, cautious diplomatic politician.

There are several organizations that are well placed to lead this battle; to them we should look for coordination of our efforts: The "Canada Family Action Coalition", "Concerned Christians Canada", "REAL Women", "Campaign Life Coalition", "Focus on the Family", and the new "Enshrine Marriage Canada." Several of these groups have always wanted to do their own thing, to avoid close cooperation with others. But the government's current actions present a clear and present danger, not only to the churches, but also to every man, woman and child in Canada. Let's set aside our protected turfs, and act as God's people.

Please contact these fine groups, offer your services, and get things going. Now, even before Christmas. You can be certain that the "dark side' is very active behind the scenes. And, please remember what you learned years ago when you read C.S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters" - the devil will try every trick in his extensive inventory to keep you from doing the right thing.

In His service,

Take Back Canada
http://takebackcanada.com

The Supreme Court of Canada’s decision gave the federal government the go-ahead to legalize homosexual marriage but they did not declare the traditional definition of marriage unconstitutional. What they did was pass the issue back to Parliament for elected representatives to ultimately decide. The court refused a government request to say the Canadian Constitution required the legalization of homosexual marriage. The court’s stated: “We urge Members of Parliament to have a full, informed and vigorous debate on this issue, and we ask there be a free vote so that all members may vote according to their conscience.”

Unfortunately Parliament no longer serves the public as a reflection of its views. An alleged “free vote” in Parliament is nothing of the kind. To pass this controversial same-sex marriage bill, the Prime Minister requires, because of his split caucus, that all 39 cabinet ministers and possibly the 28 parliamentary secretaries, vote for the bill. This means that voters in at least these liberal ridings in Canada, who are represented by these politicians, will be disenfranchised on this most crucial question of this generation. Moreover, the liberals will exert intense pressure on its backbenchers and insist they vote for the bill.

An alternative that will allow all voters to participate in this controversial issue is a Referendum, to be held in accordance with the provision of the 1992 Federal Referendum Act. Now is the time for the government to do so.

Also, the recent attack on the thousands of years old understanding of the institution of marriage indicates that it is essential that it be protected by a constitutional amendment. An organization, Enshrine Marriage Canada has now been established to undertake this work. EMC is a not-for-profit, non-partisan, secular organization with a single objective: to coordinate a national campaign to enshrine the traditional legal definition of marriage in the Canadian Constitution. (Press release follows).

Archbishop Urges Catholics to Protest Same-sex Marriage

Halifax Daily News

Saturday, December 11, 2004
By Cathy Nicoll

The Roman Catholic archbishop of Halifax wants Nova Scotians who are opposed to same-sex marriage to make their voices heard. Archbishop Terrence Prendergast is calling on "all Canadians who care for society's future" to urge their members of Parliament to vote against legalizing gay weddings.

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled Thursday that Ottawa has the power to redefine marriage to include same-sex couples, but religious officials can't be forced to perform weddings against their beliefs.

Yesterday, Prendergast said the church continues to affirm that marriage is the partnership between a man and a woman, with the purpose of procreation.

"Marriage serves children. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child affirms that all children have a right to know and to be connected to their mothers and fathers," he said.

Changing this definition will weaken Canadian society, Prendergast said.

"The project to impose a new authoritative meaning of marriage by the power of the state is bound to have an impact on this vital human institution," he said.

"It strips down the public meaning of marriage to a couple-centered, close-relationship view. It dismisses as incidental the central role of marriage as a union that bridges male-female difference. It dismisses the central role of marriage as a union open to the procreation of children."

Free vote

Prendergast said people should let their MPs know what they think, and Prime Minister Paul Martin should allow a free vote on the matter.

"I am thinking that a pastoral letter to the Catholic community early in the New Year might be an effective vehicle to mobilize our members," he said.

The United Church of Canada welcomed the court ruling, saying it balances equality and religious freedom.

In its submission to Canada's highest court, the country's biggest Protestant church spoke in favour of the right of same-sex couples to be legally married, but also supported the right of individual churches to decide whether they perform such weddings.

'Equality, freedom'

"The United Church believes that equality and religious freedom can live side by side, supporting each other and building a stronger society," said Choice Okoro, the United Church's program officer for human rights.

In August 2000, the 37th General Council affirmed that human sexual orientations, whether heterosexual or homosexual, "are a gift from God and part of the marvellous diversity of creation," she said.

cnicoll@hfxnews.ca

Dear Peter:

A great Canadian who was the founding leader of the NDP had it right, homosexuality is a condition that is not a disease nor is there a "homosexual gene". Tommy Douglas had even a harsher description.

The whole scenario surrounding this issue is one of being led by the media and not the constituency of Canada.

It has been noted that most societies average around 200 years for their existence and their fall is caused by weakening from within. It is characterized by the acceptance of homosexuality as being normal, weakening of marriages, families and lack of children.

Guess what, we are on that road to perdition. Peter, I don't think you have the courage to vote against party direction but you should follow your once great leader Tommy Douglas on this issue and your constituents.

Constituent,

Enshrine Marriage Canada has just come on stream today via the web at www.enshrinemarriage.ca, its board of directors has an impressive list of names. One of the notables, is Dr. William Gairdner, Author of "War on the Family" and "what's wrong with Canada" and others.

The organization is formed to add the definition of marriage as one man and one woman to our Constitution. Please go to their website and see if you can become involved, and above all else sign their ON-LINE petition.

ACT NOW, even though the Christmas season is upon us, the family and marriage is in need of our support and protection.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada responded to over 20 requests from television, radio and print media over the last two days, and we were present at the Supreme Court for further interviews. You will find us quoted in today’s Toronto Star, the Ottawa Citizen and the Globe and Mail. However, we want you to get as much information as possible so that you will understand this important issue. Please take the time to read through this summary, and especially take note of the things that you can do to make a difference.

In July 2003 the federal government said it would introduce a bill to redefine marriage and asked the Supreme Court of Canada to comment on the wording of the bill and related issues. The court replied on December 9^th and in effect passed this issue back to Parliament where it properly belongs. It also strongly endorsed religious freedom but this now needs legislation to give it teeth.

While the Supreme Court has said that Parliament may redefine marriage, it has not said that it must redefine marriage to include same-sex couples. The Court refused to answer whether the Charter requires that marriage be redefined. They merely said the federal government could redefine marriage if it chooses to do so.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada welcomes the strong affirmation of religious freedom in the Court’s reply. The Court has made it clear that the Charter guarantee of religious freedom protects not only clergy but also churches who define marriage as being between a man and a woman. In addition, the court gives instructions that provincial human rights codes are to be interpreted in light of the Charter guarantee of religious freedom.

However, the Court also said that where there is a clash of rights, where for example religious freedom and the equality rights of gays and lesbians clash, religious freedom may be limited. There are many religious freedom issues that the opinion does not address, including protection for civil officials and protection against discrimination for religious institutions that do not recognize same-sex marriage. Until there is legislative protection, people of faith will not be fully protected.

Furthermore, the court also made it clear that protecting religious freedom for clergy and religious institutions is a responsibility of provincial governments. The EFC has already been in contact with provincial governments who so far have refused to legislate protection for religious freedom. We will be calling on provincial governments to enact laws that will guarantee protection for religious freedom for clergy, religious institutions and civil officials. In January, we will launch a campaign to encourage our constituency to stand with us to press their provincial governments for strong protection for religious freedom.

Canada’s Minister of Justice and the Prime Minister have promised to introduce legislation early in the new year to redefine marriage to include same-sex couples. Parliament is deeply divided on this issue and a vote on this bill will be very close.

You will likely hear proposals to have a constitutional amendment and/or a national referendum on the definition of marriage. The EFC supports various efforts to retain the traditional definition of marriage. A constitutional amendment will require at least seven provinces with at least 50 percent of the population to agree to the amendment, so it is certainly a long shot. Unless the results of national referendum would be in some way binding, it would only be a national opinion poll on the issue. Therefore it would not force the government to take any action based on the results.

As this issue moves out of the courts and into Parliament, it is essential that MPs know where their constituency stands. As we have been meeting with MPs over the last few months, many have indicated that they have only been hearing from gays and lesbians in their constituencies. The EFC will continue to meet with MPs and speak to this issue. Your support participation will complement this action.

Our silence as Christians will be interpreted as consent to the proposed legislation to redefine marriage. Now is the time to speak. This debate is about the nature and structure of marriage and we have an opportunity to participate in this national discussion about the essence of marriage.

Let us participate in a constructive way, and in a manner that is befitting those who worship and serve a risen Saviour. May we be Christ-like in all that we say and do, that He alone might be glorified.

Above all, pray for the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice, the leader of the Official Opposition and the other party leaders, and for all Members of Parliament, for they are God’s agents to do good (Romans 13).

If we can be of any assistance, please contact us. We are very grateful for your prayers on this issue and for the EFC staff. God has been very gracious and we continue to depend on Him.

THE EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP OF CANADA
Gathering Christians for greater effectiveness in ministry and public witness

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada gathers Christians together to dialogue, to equip and to partner for greater effectiveness in ministry and public witness. Since 1964 the EFC has provided a national forum for evangelicals and a constructive voice for biblical principles in life and society.

The EFC affiliates include evangelical congregations, denominations, educational institutions and ministry organizations, who uphold a common statement of faith. It is an active participant in the World Evangelical Alliance.

Public Witness and Same-Sex Unions (adopted 2003)

WHEREAS public witness and evangelism take place in the context of culture, and

WHEREAS Canadian society, despite a rich Judeo-Christian heritage, is now a secular society characterized by religious and cultural diversity, and

WHEREAS Canada is a free and democratic society, and

WHEREAS the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Section 15) guarantees all Canadian citizens both individual rights and freedoms (civil liberties) as well as freedom of conscience and religion, and

WHEREAS we voluntarily acknowledge the Holy Scriptures as the basis upon which we order our lives in all matters of faith and practice, and

WHEREAS our interpretation of Scripture prohibits homosexual practice, and

WHEREAS we believe that marriage, as historically and currently defined in Canadian society as the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others, is consistent with God's plan for sexual bonding and the only appropriate context for sexual intimacy, and

WHEREAS we believe that this definition, while distinguishing between types of social relationships, does not discriminate against those of homosexual orientation, and

WHEREAS our interpretation of Scripture also challenges us to respect civil authority while living out our faith in the presence of the broader society, and

WHEREAS we have agreed as an Assembly (in 1996) to re-establish the priority of evangelism,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we the delegates of the 157th Assembly of the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches, hereby declare our intention to:

Reaffirm our understanding of Scripture concerning the practice of homosexuality (as contained in Resolutions passed at Assemblies in 1987 and 1996);

Reaffirm our commitment to the Statement Affirming a Christian View of Marriage (adopted at Assembly in 1999);

Continue to respectfully urge both provincial and federal governments to maintain the opposite-sex definition of marriage (as described in the Resolution on The Distinction Between Marriage and Same-sex Relationships, adopted in 2002);

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we will strive, at all times and in all places, to speak the truth as we understand it, in love and with humility;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that constituent churches are advised to develop and implement policies, which celebrate and affirm marriage as a covenant union between a man and a woman in the presence of God, and the Christian wedding service as a fundamentally religious ceremony;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that constituent churches be encouraged to develop positive and proactive ministries aimed at teaching biblical principles for marriage so that the marriages of those who attend will be strengthened.

Introduction:

In light of the recent judicial ruling in Nova Scotia that opened the door to same-sex marriages in that province, the Council of the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches believes it is prudent to issue the following provisional statement, which will be brought to our Annual Assembly in August 2005 for further consideration. This statement is based on the Scriptures and the following previous resolutions/statements of the Assembly, which are attached as Appendices to this statement.

Appendix I Resolution on Homosexuality, Assembly, 1987
Appendix II Resolution on Homosexuality: Reaffirmation of Position, Assembly, 1996
Appendix III Statement Affirming a Christian View of Marriage, Assembly, 1999
Appendix IV Resolution on the Distinction between Marriage and Same-Sex Relationships, Assembly, 2002
Appendix V Resolution: Public Witness and Same-Sex Marriages, Assembly, 2003.
Appendix VI Public Statement Concerning Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Unions, Assembly, 2003

Provisional Statement

Whereas, we believe 1) that "the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments have their authority from God alone, and are given to us by divine inspiration" and 2) that "they are the only perfect supreme, infallible, and sufficient standard of faith and practice" (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Psalm 199:105; quotations are from the first article of The Basis of Union, adopted in 1905-06); and

Whereas, we believe 1) that the gospel of Jesus Christ and the coming of the kingdom of God lead to the flourishing of all human life, 2) that the flourishing of human life does not come from fulfilling human desires, but by conforming to the way of life revealed by God in the Bible and exemplified in the life and teaching of Jesus, and 3) that we have an obligation as followers of Jesus Christ to bear witness to the fullness and abundance of life as God intends it to be lived (Deuteronomy 6:1-5; Joshua 1:7-9; Psalm 1:1-3; 119:1-2; John 10:10); and

Whereas, we believe 1) that God's design for the expression of human sexuality is the union of a man and a woman in a lifelong marriage relationship, 2) that this plan is revealed in the creation texts (Genesis 1:26-31 and 2:18-25) and affirmed in the teaching of Jesus (Matthew 19:4-6), and 3) that sin has disrupted God's design and led to various kinds of unnatural sexual acts and other sinful behaviour (Romans 1:18-32); and

Whereas, we believe

1) that God ordained heterosexual marriage as the relationship in which our natural desire for loving companionship, sexual fulfillment, and procreation should be satisfied (Genesis 1:28; 2:18-25), and

2) that violating the order of nature which God has established brings harmful consequences to the individual and to society (Romans 1:24-27); and

Whereas, we believe the Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments condemn the practice of homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and 1 Timothy 1:8-11); and

Whereas, we believe that the pastors and chaplains of our Convention should uphold the moral standards taught in Scripture, be examples to their flocks, and be prepared to obey God rather than men (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5; Titus 1:6-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 4:18-20),

Be it resolved that no pastor or chaplain, who is registered as authorized to solemnize marriages under the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches shall perform or assist at any same-sex marriage ceremony, and if any pastor or chaplain does, his/her authorization to perform marriages shall be revoked by the Board of Ministerial Standards and Education.

Furthermore, such action by any pastor or chaplain who performs or assists at any same-sex marriage ceremony may be subject to review and may result in the removal of his/her credentials/accreditation with the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches.

LifeSiteNews.com has come out with some interesting news. A record number of Japanese women are unmarried and childless, leading the country perilously close to a childless society. The country has actually coined a new term to describe the phenomenon - 'shoshika,' which means "a society without children," according to a BBC report. The population, if current trends continue, will be reduced by 20 percent by mid-century, with nearly 50 percent of those being elderly -- an "impossible" situation for maintaining the health and pension systems.

Women in the country are reticent to marry, blaming employer and social expectations, such as long working hours for men, coupled with the expectation that women stay at home after having children. The country has already introduced three policies to encourage women to have more children - all intended to improve childcare access so that women can continue to work. So far women haven't bought the idea. Japan's birthrate fell to a record low of 1.29 last year. The birthrate, which has been falling for decades, now ranks among the lowest in the world.

Planned Parenthood again offers "Choice on Earth" Greeting Card. "In its continual attempt to 'normalize' abortion, Planned Parenthood has once again chosen to offend the Christian community by releasing the latest edition of its 'Choice on Earth' holiday cards," said Jim Sedlak, executive director of American Life League's STOPP (Stop Planned Parenthood) International, in a release dated 11/29/04. "Contrary to the open-minded image the abortion organization aims to present for itself, Planned Parenthood has zero tolerance for anyone - or any religious group - that recognizes abortion as an evil act that kills an unborn baby."

"By replacing 'peace' with 'choice,' or more accurately, 'killing the innocent on earth,' Planned Parenthood is essentially saying 'abortion on earth,'" Sedlak said. "This blatant mockery of Christian values - and of Christ Himself - truly demonstrates the bigoted, anti-religion, anti-God nature of Planned Parenthood."

God Bless

Jerry Novotny, OMI

"The Catholic Church cannot be neutral when attacks on the family, on marriage, on motherhood and fatherhood, on sexual morality or on unborn life are mounted in the name of women. The Church unequivocally condemns every abuse of women that takes place within the family, but the answer is not the destruction of the family". (Dale O'Leary)

(TABLE OF CONTENTS):

1. Japanese robot to chat lonely elderly out of senility

2. International Conference Calls on Muslims and Others to Become More Involved in Protecting the Family

http://www.c-fam.org/whoweare.htm. The Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute (C-FAM) is a non-profit organization. It is designed to serve the needs of United Nations delegates, extra-governmental and non-governmental organizations, missions and consulates. C-FAM intends to fulfill an educational need to inform the public at large regarding family and human rights issues. Specifically, C-FAM will be an advocate on behalf of the rights and responsibilities of men, women and children, especially within the framework of the family as the fundamental unit of society.

ITEM #2. (C-Fam.org/LifeSiteNews.com) - The Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute reports today on the two-day governmental conference in Doha, Qatar that ended on Tuesday with a document endorsing the traditional family as the foundation of society. The Doha Declaration, says C-Fam, reaffirms that the "family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to the widest possible protection and assistance by society and the State, “and calls upon all nations to "uphold, preserve and defend the institution of marriage."

The Doha International Conference for the Family was hosted by the State of Qatar to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the UN's International Year of the Family.

The Conference attracted hundreds of participants from different countries and cultures, including members of parliaments, scholars, and nongovernmental organizations. Prominent religious speakers included Pope Shenonda III of the Egyptian Coptic Church, Orthodox Jewish Rabbi Daniel Lapin, and Alfonzo Cardinal Lopez Trujillo of the Catholic Church.

C-Fam reports that the wife of the Emir of Qatar opened the Conference with a speech praising the family as a "sacred institution" that forges a "strong bond between males and females which conforms to human nature in bearing and raising new generations." Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned warned against current attempts "under the guise of modernity" to redefine the traditional religious and cultural understanding of the family.

The former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahatir Mohammad, also delivered a speech in which he called the family the "pillar, which stabilizes human society and sustains the good values in human cultures," and linked emerging attempts to redefine the family with the "moral collapse of the human society." Along with some other Muslim speakers, Mohammad also stressed the need for Muslims to become more involved in protecting the family, since in the age of globalization and the mass media, even the Muslim family is showing "cracks in its structure."

Dr. Gary Becker, Nobel laureate in economics echoed Sheika Mozah's call for a "mentality" that views the family not "as a burden to development, but rather as a driving force behind it."

C-Fam reports that the Doha Declaration calls on governments to "reassess" their "population policies, particularly in countries with below replacement birthrates" and to "ensure that the inherent dignity of human beings is recognized and protected throughout all stages of life."

See the declaration and other conference information at: http://www.dicf.org.qa/english/documents/doha_declaration/index.html

Roman Catholic organizations and the Vatican have reacted with outrage to the news that a hospital in the Netherlands has been carrying out "mercy killings" on newborn babies.

Opponents said the Dutch had lost their moral compass, as it emerged that a hospital recently proposed guidelines for mercy killings of terminally ill newborns, and then said it had already begun carrying out such procedures. This included administering a lethal dose of sedatives.

See the full report at ekklesia:
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_04121eut.shtml

Incredible India, Amazing India. It could well be a slogan for India as a destination for medical tourism too. But there's one kind of medico-tourism few talk about - medical termination of pregnancy. And the 'tourist’ is mainly from the Gulf.

The reason is simple: Muslim countries don't allow abortion. Result: Indian women residing there, as also some of their nationals, have to look elsewhere to get it done. And what better place than Apna Bharat?

The patients come from the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain and even from
Afghanistan, say doctors. Pakistan? Very few. "If the woman already has two or three children or is in a precarious state of health, we go ahead and do it. Besides, if I don't do it, someone else will," says a top doctor here.

For most, abortion in India is easy come, easy go. Working women prefer to do it over their weekend - Friday-Saturday. They fix up beforehand with a gynecologist in India, and catch a flight on Thursday evening. The next day after an ultrasound, they are ready for the surgery, which takes six to seven minutes. After recuperating, they catch the flight back home on Saturday and resume duty on Sunday.

View full text at The Times of India:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/946798.cms

ITEM #5. Capturing the innocent (Child pornography)

One in four women and one in six men have been sexually abused by age 18.

As chilling as those statistics are, one other statistic will freeze your soul -- the sexual abuse is likely to be perpetrated by someone the child knows.

Susan Scribner of Children's Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis told the St. Louis County Police Department's First Safety Seminar recently that children who are sexually abused are frequently abused by someone the child knows and that the abuse might be just one facet of an otherwise positive relationship.

[NOTE: Child pornography is now quite literally epidemic around the world - and that includes the USA. It is often perpetrated by those known and trusted by the families. Below please find an excellent article from a St. Louis newspaper. Copied below that are just a few of the almost 2300 articles on child pornography from the most current national and international newspapers. They represent merely the tip of the iceberg. This
is true sexual dysfunction - on a global scale, and the victims are our kids. -- Dianne Irving, Ph.D.]

View article at:
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/neighborhoods/stories.nsf/news/story/1ED6861E8BB26CE686256F5B007BCFC8?OpenDocument&Headline=Capturing+the+innocent

ITEM #6. 'No drop' in world hunger deaths

A child still dies of hunger every five seconds, eight years on from a pledge to halve the world's hungry by 2015, a United Nations agency has said.

The annual UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report says present levels of hunger cause the death of more than five million children a year.

The number of chronically hungry people has hardly budged since 1996.

But the FAO says the target of halving that figure remains within reach, and has urged richer nations to do more.

Read article at BBC News:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4078003.stm

ITEM #7. How system failed 50 NSW children

More than 50 NSW children died in suspicious circumstances or from abuse or neglect despite authorities being warned they were at risk, a new report has found. NSW Ombudsman Bruce Barbour today released his first Reviewable Deaths Annual Report, which looked at the deaths of 161 children and young people between December 2002 and December 2003. The report reviewed 137 deaths in detail and found 61 per cent died in suspicious circumstances or from abuse or neglect.

In 103 of the detailed cases, there had been a risk of harm concerning the children reported to the Department of Community Services (DoCS) in the three years before their deaths.

Of those at-risk children, 53 later died of abuse, neglect or under other suspicious circumstances.

Twenty-two per cent of the 137 detailed cases involved Aboriginal children.

See more at smh.com.au:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/12/09/1102182405175.html

ITEM #8. One billion 'denied a childhood'

More than one billion children around the world face a brutal existence because of poverty, war and Aids, the UN children's agency reports. The conditions in effect deny them a childhood, Unicef says.

More than half of under-18s are affected, according to its report, The State of the World's Children.

"Too many governments are making informed, deliberate choices that actually hurt childhood," said Carol Bellamy, director of Unicef.

"When half the world's children are growing up hungry and unhealthy, when schools have become targets and whole villages are being emptied by Aids, we've failed to deliver on the promise of childhood," Ms Bellamy said, launching the annual report in London on Thursday.

View full text at BBC News:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4080023.stm

ITEM #9. Stem-cell 'miracle' thriving

Doctors expect the bone marrow stem-cell transplant procedure will prove useful for hundreds of sufferers, especially infants.

Three months ago, Genevieve Claveau was in a wheelchair, unable to walk or feed herself and dying from a rare form of rheumatoid arthritis.

Today, Claveau, 23, is up and running, hiking Mont Tremblant, working full time and loving every second of her new life.

"It's a bit of a miracle," said Claveau, who underwent an experimental bone marrow stem-cell transplant at the Royal Victoria Hospital in August to treat Still's disease, a rare disorder that affects about one person in 100,000.

The transplant is actually an infusion of her own stem cells, culled from her blood, purified and then reinjected.

For article, go to canada.com:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41747

ITEM #11. Surgical Sex

When the practice of sex-change surgery first emerged back in the early 1970s, I would often remind its advocating psychiatrists that with other patients, alcoholics in particular, they would quote the Serenity Prayer, "God, give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

View the entire Article at CERC:
http://catholiceducation.org/articles/homosexuality/ho0093.html

ITEM #12. CHINA and India are on the brink of an explosion in HIV infections

Randall Tobias, the US government's global AIDS co-coordinator, said today the Asia-Pacific region had a growing HIV/AIDS problem which was second only to Africa.

"It's very important that the world's attention not be directed solely at Africa, where the problem has been so great, but also directed to Asia and the rest of the world," he said.

"Many experts in the field believe India and China (are) among two of the countries in the world that are on the verge of explosive expansions (in infections)."

With huge populations in both China and India, even relatively low infection rates could result in large numbers of people with the disease.

Mr. Tobias said India had an infection rate of 0.8 per cent, which totaled around five million HIV infections, compared to South Africa, which had the worst rate in the world and also had around five million infections.

View the entire Article at news.com.au:
http://www.news.com.au/common/printpage/0,6093,11475487,00.html

(1) Online: http://www.lifeissues.net/help_us.html

(2) Or by mail donation: Saint Kolbe Foundation, 25108 Marguerite Parkway, #B- 250, Mission Viejo, CA 92692-2400, U.S.A. (or directly to Fr. Jerry Novotny OMI.)

Kenney Decries Dutch Move Toward Infanticide

December 8, 2004

Ottawa - Conservative Member of Parliament today denounced the movement toward infanticide in the Netherlands.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Kenney said that the Dutch embrace of euthanasia was a "cautionary tale" for Canada.

The text of his speech follows:

Mr. Jason Kenney (Calgary Southeast, CPC): Mr. Speaker, 60 years ago Canadian troops were fighting and dying in Holland for the liberation of that country from the evils of the Nazi regime. That regime represented a culture of death, which began with a deliberate policy of euthanizing those deemed weak, infirm or imperfect.

In a sad irony, Holland has now chosen to embark on the same slippery slope toward desecularizing human life.

Three years ago the Dutch parliament made it legal for doctors to kill adult patients deemed to be suffering. Now the Dutch medical association has proposed legalizing the killing of children under the age of 12, including infants.

Predictably, this practice has already begun, with the revelation that sick babies are being killed in Dutch hospitals, babies that obviously cannot give their consent for their lives to be taken by medical professionals in cold blood.

The slippery slope has become a vertical cliff. Holland today has become a cautionary tale for those here in Canada who would legitimize the taking of innocent human life.

The practice of infanticide under any circumstance is literally barbaric. I hope that our Dutch friends will soon reverse this course toward the culture of death and will instead embrace the sanctity of innocent human life - the central animating principle of those who liberated them sixty years ago.

I want to thank all of you who responded to our recent action alert regarding the Doha Declaration. Your support made all the difference!

As usual our own delegation was part of the problem. Despite that, however, thousands of us helped achieve this important victory.

Sharon Slater, the President of United Families International, explains the actions at the UN on Monday in more detail in the United Families International alert I have included below. I hope you will especially consider the additional actions to help that she suggests.

Thank you again for your overwhelming response. Together we are making a difference, not just in Canada, but also in the international community!

You helped us make history at the UN on Monday by responding to our recent action alert and e-mailing key UN delegations in support of the Doha Declaration on the Family. Thanks to you the General Assembly “recognized” the Doha Declaration on Monday. In just two days, our action alert generated over 95,000 e-mails into key UN mission offices!

Professor Richard Wilkins, of Brigham Young University Law School and Managing Director of BYU’s World Family Policy Center, was the moving force behind the international “Doha Process” which led to the drafting of the Doha Declaration. He characterized the importance of what you helped accomplish this way: “The Doha Declaration restates and reaffirms important commitments of the international community to the family. As a result of the action by the General Assembly on Monday, the Doha Declaration becomes part of the canon of documents which comprise international law.”

Charlie Colchester, International Director of CARE, another organizer of the Doha conference stated that this was “one of the most significant developments at the United Nations in two generations.”

I cannot emphasize enough what a major accomplishment this is for those of us supporting the family at the international level, and how valuable your support was in achieving this victory. Key supporters of the Doha Declaration and pro-family leaders around the world have contacted me to express their profound thanks to the thousands of you who helped. They have assured me that your e-mails of support sent to missions of the countries we targeted made a real difference in the outcome on Monday. At the end of this message I suggest some additional things you can do to build on this great success at the UN and further help in supporting the family around the world.

The Doha process was a series of pro family international conferences held this year in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the UN International Year of the Family. The process culminated in a conference last week hosted by the government of Qatar in the city of Doha. Building on the regional conferences, scholars, government leaders, UN delegates and dignitaries, pro family organizations and concerned citizens from around the world gathered in Doha and created the Doha Declaration, a reaffirmation of the important role of the traditional family and specific recommendations to the United Nations to safeguard the family. Of course, UFI was there.

Last Friday, several days after the Doha conference concluded, it became clear that there was serious opposition to a resolution recognizing the Doha Declaration at the UN General Assembly. The delegates in opposition threatened to take it to a vote and a heated debate ensued.

One of their main objections was that the resolution did not recognize “various forms of the family”- a deliberate attempt to have the UN recognize the homosexual lifestyle. These opposing country delegations knew that formal recognition would give pro family supporters around the world a vital tool to defeat this and other potential anti family UN provisions in the future.

It appeared that the resolution was in danger of being tabled, so, late Friday, Professor Wilkins sent out an urgent SOS to pro family government and non government contacts around the world.

UFI responded, not just with our alert, but also by dispatching people to New York to actively lobby for adoption of the resolution. UFI's founder Susan Roylance and Director of Communications Lynn Allred took an all night flight on Sunday to meet with UN delegations to elicit support for the proposal, joining Doug Clark, our International Policy Director who stopped off in New York en route back from Qatar.

Susan Roylance explained, “I suppose some of the victory was as much what was NOT in the resolution as what was in. They did NOT get in any reference to various forms of the family, or a reference to families based on the list -- which includes sexual orientation. And, they did NOT get any reference to previous treaties or conference documents (which could have opened up a lot of discussion, and stopped the Resolution), and they did NOT have to have a vote on it -- it passed by consensus. Three very important victories.”

(Susan and Lynn have filed an interesting report of their experiences. That report is linked below)

But, as is always critical if we are to win at the international level, others pitched in as well.

Tuve Skanberg in Sweden, who serves on UFI's International Board also worked tirelessly over the weekend to contact pro family parliamentarians, newspapers and citizens groups across Europe to pressure their governments.

Fernando Milanes of Red Familia , the leading pro-family coalition in Mexico and the organization that chaired the World Congress of Families in Mexico City, one of the regional conferences leading up to the Doha Conference, also went to work immediately to help garner support for the resolution.

Those of us who are U.S. citizens can be especially proud that the United States, along with the G-77 (over 100 developing countries) was a major sponsor of the Doha Declaration. Dr. Wade Horn, representing the United States gave a stirring pro family speech on the UN floor.

It is heroes like these and many others who immediately went to work that saved the day for families once again.

The Doha International Conference for the Family -- and in particular the Doha Declaration -- marks an important new beginning for family in international law. It can profoundly change the course of international law related to marriage, parents and children, human life and dignity and other important issues.

Perhaps the best proof of its importance is the statements made by the nations ( Australia , Canada, Iceland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland), which dissented from the consensus announced by the General Assembly on Monday. Their statements made it clear that they are so committed to trying to get the UN to recognize “various other forms of the family” and other efforts that would undermine families around the world that they would not even agree to the Doha Declaration language.

They know full well what our victory can mean. And I emphasize “can” because we must stay on the offensive to protect the family around the world.

You can do a few simple things right now to help in that effort. by going to our World Family Alliance Web site. The World Family Alliance is a growing worldwide coalition of pro-family groups and individuals that UFI is supporting.

We have made this easy for you do with just a few clicks of your mouse. Please support us by doing the following.

It is important that we express our appreciation to our friends every bit as much as our opposition to our opponents. The WFA will use these expressions of support for the family at future international meetings and conferences.

It took all of our efforts to make it happen. I am personally very grateful for your support!

To read the official UN press release on the action by the General Assembly, click here.

We are only able to do the things we are presently doing to defend marriage and the family in the U.S. and around the world because of the generous financial support of people like you. Please consider making the most generous contribution you can to support UFI.

United Families International is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, so contributions by U.S. citizens are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. You can easily and securely make a contribution online or print out a form to mail in a contribution. Click here.

The Supreme Court needs to remember that the operative word in its title is “court” — and the fact that it is a court limits its “supremacy” to interpretation of the laws as written by Parliament.

The Supreme Court is not the final arbiter of public morality. It is not the final authority on what law should be.

• In the 1929 ‘persons’ case, the SCOC ruled that women are not persons within the meaning of the law. The Court was wrong then.

• The Supreme Court has ruled that pre-born children are not persons within the meaning of the law. The Court was wrong then.

• And now the Supreme Court has ruled that the definition of marriage can be arbitrarily changed; that “we have matured as a society” to the point where the courts and the government can declare moral equivalency between marriage and practices that are unnatural, unhealthy and immoral.

The government is wrong, wrong, wrong in this reference hearing that the Court to which it is trying to shift culpability.

The government is as wrong in this reference hearing as the Court to which it is trying to shift culpability.

The government is wrong to raise this issue: the definition of marriage pre-dates the institution of human governments.

The government is wrong to support this issue, because it violates an earlier decision of Parliament, just five years ago, that “marriage is between one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.” As Gerry Chipeur (the lawyer for Senator Anne Cools and MP Roger Galloway) told the Supreme Court: the Crown cannot be of two minds about this; in 1999, by an overwhelming majority in Parliament, the Crown asserted that the traditional definition of marriage stands.

The government is wrong to try to force upon the Canadian public a momentous change that actually violates the Constitution, which declares (in the Preamble to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms) that Canada recognizes the supremacy of God. That supremacy that goes far beyond the limited supremacy of the high court; and any legislation — or court ruling — that does not accord with God’s opinion is unconstitutional.

Happily, a coalition is being formed to fight for a constitutional amendment that will supersede the government’s wrong-headed legislation and the Supreme Court’s wrong-headed endorsement of it.

It’s time for Parliament to find its spine, and draw a line in the sand and tell the Supreme Court it must stay in its proper zone within the division of governmental powers: interpreting the law as it finds it written, not re-writing laws according to the changeable winds of postmodern trendiness.

And it’s time for Parliament to recognize that forcing the public to accept a spurious “right” to sodomy and perversion is beyond the government’s authority. The Constitution debars any legislation that would bring the law into disrepute. The legislation being pushed by Irwin Cotler and the Liberal Cabinet is certain to bring the disapprobation of all moral Canadians. It is repugnant.

Finally, it’s time for the pro-moral majority in Canada to warn the government that its attempt to force us to accept legislation that most of us find disgusting can only bring civil chaos.

How do we warn the government? Write, phone, fax or e-mail the Prime Minister, the Justice Minister, and your own MP and warn them that decent Canadians will not accept immoral legislation being forced upon them and their children.

Right Hon. Paul Martin, PC, MP - Prime Minister, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, K1A 0A6

Telephone: (613) 992-4211 * Fax: (613) 941-6900 * Email: Martin.P@parl.gc.ca

Hon. Irwin Cotler, PC MP - Minister of Justice, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, K1A 0A6

This week's news illustrates a perfect storm of sexual chaos that has descended upon virtually all institutions in American society--including the armed forces. First, a group of former service members sued to overturn the military's ban on homosexual conduct--a cause they believe was aided by an Army court decision overturning the criminal conviction of a soldier who engaged in a heterosexual sex act"in a military barracks." Meanwhile, the judge advocate general of the Air Force may lose his job for "fraternization" with various women, and sexual harassment and assaults are reported to be rampant at the Air Force Academy. All these stories suggest that Congress acted wisely when it codified the military ban on homosexual conduct on the grounds that putting people with sexual attractions to one another in conditions of "forced intimacy with little or no privacy" had the potential to undermine "morale, good order and discipline." The last thing the military needs right now is to inject yet more sexual tension into the ranks. The current crisis is a good illustration of what happens when you loosen the bonds, which once limited legitimate sexual relations to the marriage of one man and one woman.

At our last CCRL meeting we decided that we wanted to pray a Novena collectively for our Bishop in light of Bishop Prendergast's strong press release on same-sex marriage.

Prayer Novena - this prayer should be said from Dec 16 to 24 (9 days) with the special intention to pray for our Bishop. Please join us in doing so that he might be strengthened & guided by the Holy Spirit to shepherd his flock as God intended.

Archbishop of Halifax calls on Canadians to speak out about Marriage. December 9, 2004 Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, SJ, of Halifax, has called on all Canadians who care for society's future to make their minds known to their elected representatives in the upcoming Parliamentary debate on the definition of marriage.

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Halifax and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Yarmouth made the call in a statement commenting on today’s Supreme Court’s response on marriage.

The Archbishop said in the statement, "In concert with all the Roman Catholic Bishops in Canada, we continue to affirm that marriage is the loving, life-giving partnership between a man and a woman. Its purpose is the good of the couple and the procreation and education of children – and thus is necessary for the survival of society. “

Archbishop Prendergast highlights the upcoming opportunity to participate in the political debate on this fundamental matter, when the bill is introduced in Parliament. “This Parliamentary debate will provide all Canadians with the ultimate opportunity to actively affirm their belief that the understanding of marriage as the committed and stable relationship of a man and a woman is a basic element in the stability of society and family life in our country, a fundamental value of our human life together.

“I call on all Canadians, whatever their background, be they believers or other persons of good will who care for society's future, to make their minds known to their elected representatives. The Prime Minister should grant all Members of Parliament a true free vote on this matter, one unconstrained by cabinet solidarity. Only in this way can parliament's democratic deficit be overcome.

“In our Canadian society, we diligently support the human dignity of all persons. We firmly believe that upholding marriage as the free and faithful union of one man and one woman will strengthen this society.

” Now is the time to consciously dedicate ourselves to the task of proclaiming and protecting this essential reality of marriage which is held in common by the many cultures and faith traditions in our country today.”

Archbishop Terrence Prendergast is fulfilling his pastoral responsibilities in the Yarmouth area until Sunday. He will return to Halifax on Sunday evening. He may be reached on Friday through the Diocese of Yarmouth Chancery Office in Yarmouth 902 – 742-7163. You may also contact him at any time directly byemail:

It is helpful to email a draft of the proposed questions in preparation for an interview.

Marilyn J. Sweet, Tel.: 902-429-9800; ext. 312
Communications Officer Cell: 902 798-1787
Archdiocese of Halifax E-mail: msweet@catholichalifax.org
1531 Grafton Street, Halifax, N.S. B3J 2Y3

Pro-life prayer warriors outside the Albany Medical Clinic in Chicago this past weekend who witnessed a Christmas miracle, according to Dan Gura.

OPINION - Have you ever been so close to a miracle that you could feel the presence of God?

On December 18th, the Pro-Life Action League began their 2nd annual "Empty Manger" Abortion Mill Caroling Day in front of Planned Parenthood's headquarters and concluded three mills later at one of the busiest abortuaries in the City of Chicago, Albany Medical Surgical Center.

Abortion mills are places of despair where the murder of innocents does not stop during Advent. Abortionists show no respect for the sanctity of the womb or for the season; business was booming on that unseasonably warm winter day.

Yet, miracles do happen--and a week before Christmas, one did in this most evil of places.

While Eric Scheidler led two score of Christmas carolers "mak(ing) a joyful noise unto the Lord" (Psalm 98:5) the Holy Spirit was inside softening a mother's heart.

While we gathered on the windswept sidewalk witnessing in song to the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a mother, who was inside prepared to end the life of her pre-born child, was being filled with the saving power of His grace.

While we stood singing "Away In A Manger" and "Silent Night" in front of the abortion mill, a mother was sitting in the waiting room feeling her child moving inside her.

This was the "choice" which she had come to remove, yet now she had doubts.

Was it the haunting melody of "What Child Is This?" that made the mother realize the babe in her womb was so afraid of her "choice"? Or was it the empty manger around which we gathered that had opened her eyes?

It matters not because our humble voices were used as an instrument of His hand; together they rose in harmony to heaven itself.

There is a old saying that, "When you sing, you pray twice." On that day, our many prayers were answered.

Kathy Meiding, who sidewalk counsels every Saturday at Albany, watched helplessly from the alley as the couple drove by her into the parking lot. They exited their car and responded to her offer of a rosary "with a barrage of the f-word. The man then hustled the woman inside."

"They were inside for about fifteen minutes when the mother walked out and just stood there. She was silent but looked very upset." Kathy rushed over and offered to help her. "The woman said she could hear the singing inside and started thinking about the Virgin Mary and couldn't go through with it."

Kathy escorted the woman around the corner to Women's Center, a crisis pregnancy center for women, where they prayed together for her unborn child.

Corrina Gura, president of Augustana College Right to Life summed it up, "We all had other places to be--shopping, sleeping in, or decorating our houses--but there is nothing more rewarding then publicly testifying to our love of God and the birth of the Christ Child at the saddest place on earth. The way He answered our prayers, it was amazing. It was a miracle."

A wave of elation swelled through the choir as we learned of the Christmas miracle which had taken place, behind a barbed wire topped fence, but within earshot of our joyful noise.

This Christmas season, please remember the Women's Center, and the volunteers who make miracle happen there every day, in your prayers.

_______________

Dan Gura and his family live in Lake Zurich, Illinois

_______________

What are your thoughts concerning the issues raised in this commentary? Write a letter to the editor at letters@illinoisleader.com, and include your name and town.

To View the new 4d Sonogram by GE Click HERE How did our NS Member of Parliament vote in the last parliament ? Did he or she vote to define Marriage as one man and one woman? *Did they support pro-life legislation when presented?* Find out More by going to www.clcns.com/mpvotes (Click Here)	Click Menu Item for More Information
	Archbishop T. Prendergast comments of the NS Supreme Court decision on Same-sex marriage . Click Here What can be done? Click here
	Two thirds of Canadians support legal protection for the unborn.
	Pro-life Pilgrimage, March for Life, Photos Click
	Family and Life Resources and Sex Education in NS
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