Weekly News

American Christians to Join Canadians in Honoring Traditional Marriage Feb 8th to 15th .
Campaign Life Coalition Pilgrimage, Bus Tour, March for Life, May 2004
What is Parliament Prorogued? An answer from RealWomen.
URGENT BILL 250 Coming Back
Family Life Conferences

I worked 23 years in critical care, and I saw a lot of suffering. In an area where burnout and turnover is high, a core of co-workers and I were together for most of that time. We nurtured not only our patients, but also each other. We were a team that went through the mechanics involved in advanced life support while never losing sight of the person within the tangle of tubes. It was not easy, but we never crossed over the line from caring to killing.

Comment: As a critical care nurse myself, I started reading this op-ed with great hope. Generally, it is pretty good-until the end when she says "When I told Dad no (when he said "kill me"), he rested his head on my shoulder. His life was simply not mine to take. For that one time, black and white had faded to gray."

The impression left is that when death personally touches a medical professional, they then begin to understand that killing is not really a black and white issue. Having had 35 years of nursing experience in critical care, hospice, oncology, etc. as well as caring for relatives with chronic or terminal illnesses, I find this very disturbing. I've seen some of the toughest cases imaginable including my own mother's and daughter's but I've never been tempted to kill any of them. Euthanasia IS a black and white issue.

The title of one of the National Assn. of Prolife Nurses' (www.nursesforlife.org) pamphlet says it all and beautifully: Take my hand, not my life. (Nancy Valko)

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/Editorial+%2F+Commentary/25733F56B86EB30586256E21003E6B27?OpenDocument&Headline=LIFE+AND+DEATH%3A+CARING,+NOT+KILLING

Marriage has to be presented as something precious, something that will help bring happiness and fulfillment to a person, as couples undertake a life-long project of mutual, exclusive, total, irrevocable and sincere self-giving. The fact that families and youth are oftentimes misinformed and given false security should not be tolerated any longer. There is no such thing then as a 100% protection from HIV/AIDS or other STD's through condom use today. This data should not remain unnoticed, since many users, including youth, think that the condom provides total protection.

See the entire article at LifeIssues.com:
http://www.lifeissues.net/writers/tru/tru_01familysafesex1.html

THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much, Nellie. I appreciate your kind introduction, and thank you for including me in this celebration of life. I'm calling you today from Roswell, New Mexico. (Applause.) And it sounds like you've got some people who know where Roswell is here in the audience. (Applause.)

I know that good folks have gathered there on the Mall from every corner of America to take part in the 31st March For Life. And I want you to pass on my best to each one of them in person, please, and tell them how much I appreciate their devotion to such a noble cause. (Applause.)

You believe, as I do, that every person, however frail or vulnerable, is a blessing. (Applause.) Each of us has a special dignity, a place and purpose in this world. And in the Declaration of Independence, our founders stated this self-evident truth: The right to life does not come from government, it comes from the Creator of life. (Applause.)

During the past three years we've made real progress toward building a culture of life in America. As President, I've signed the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act. (Applause.) I have signed legislation supporting maternity group homes. (Applause.) Working with the Congress, we have refused to spend taxpayers' money on international programs that promote abortion overseas. (Applause.) We're opposed to the destruction of embryos for stem cell research. (Applause.) And last November, it was my honor to sign into law a ban on the brutal procedure of partial birth abortion. (Applause.)

Nellie, I want you to know that our administration is vigorously defending this law against those who would seek to overturn it in the courts. (Applause.) I also want you to know without your hard work and dedication to the cause of life, these achievements would not have been possible.

But we all know there is still more to do. Earlier this week, I proposed that we double federal funding for abstinence education programs. (Applause.) We will continue to support crisis pregnancy centers, adoption, parental notification laws, and the vital work of faith-based groups. (Applause.)

I strongly support the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which the House Judiciary Committee approved yesterday. (Applause.) And now the entire Congress should act on this bill so I can sign it into law. (Applause.)

We'll also work with Congress to pass without delay a comprehensive and effective ban on human cloning. (Applause.) We can push the limits of medical science while maintaining the highest of ethical standards. Human life is a creation, not a commodity, and should not be used as research material for reckless experiments. (Applause.)

Above all, we must continue with civility and respect to remind our fellow citizens that all life is sacred and worthy of protection. (Applause.) I know as you return to your communities you will redouble your efforts to change hearts and minds, one person at a time. (Applause.) And this is the way we will build a lasting culture of life, a compassionate society in which every child is born into a loving family and protected by law. (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Nellie. I appreciate so very much the opportunity to speak to you and the assembled crowd. May God bless you all, and may He continue to bless America. (Applause.) Thank you very much. (Applause.)

The Orthodox Natural Family Planning Association is dedicated to raising awareness about Natural Family Planning in an Orthodox context, and to supporting those Orthodox Christians who are trying to practice NFP in their own lives.

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Thousands have taken part in demonstrations and marches to mark the 31st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that brought legal abortion to the US. Over 8000 Catholics celebrated mass in Washington, along with 4 cardinals, 40 bishops and 300 priests. A message from President Bush, which was read out at the event, stated: "Your efforts are helping to build a
society where all children are welcomed in life and protected in law."

Conservative Party Leadership Contender Boasts of Pro-Abortion Anti-Family Stand

VANCOUVER, January 21, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Belinda Stronach kicked off her campaign for the Conservative Party leadership today in Vancouver, dubbing the visit the "FUNcouver campaign." Stronach, a political neophyte, read a statement from teleprompters to the media, in which she said that she was in favour of same-sex marriage. Her campaign manager, John Laschinger, later added that she is also pro-abortion.

Laschinger claimed that an internal poll by the campaign found that 75 per cent of members of the new party favour a candidate who is middle of the road, not hard right on social issues.

Key organizer of Stronach's trip to the Lower Mainland, Tim Crowhurst, a public relations consultant, said he's confident that Stronach can rid the new party of "negative connotations" some Canadians had regarding the old Alliance and Reform parties. "She also opens up the party to a whole wide swath of people who have never been involved in politics before, particularly young people, women, minorities, as well as the gay population."

Stronach is the daughter of Frank Stronach, founder and former President/CEO of the giant auto-parts maker Magna International. In a first for Ontario in 100 years, Premier Ernie Eves announced the 2002 Ontario budget from the Magna International auto parts firm in Aurora, north of Toronto.

Read local coverage at: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/story.asp?id=F22CA5FC-F760-4C72-AFE2-76A107659B7C

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"Sex is sweet," a minister told thousands of youth at a conference yesterday.

But if you are patient and wait for marriage, Gender minister Bakoko Bakoru said, "you will have sex for 40 years and you'll get tired of it."

Patience and abstinence were the key points in two speeches delivered to the youth yesterday by Bakoru and First Lady Janet

Speaking to more than 2,000 youth at the International Conference Centre, Ms Museveni advised them to abstain - and to stick to one partner once married - to avoid catching HIV/Aids.

She also advised the young people to ignore calls to use condoms, saying that rich companies that promote the rubber pieces are only after more money.

"Don't give your airtime to anyone talking to you about using condoms," Ms Museveni said.

Medical authorities say that if used correctly and consistently, condoms reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases but the first lady said she could "not be apologetic" for opposing their use.

The President's wife also said she couldn't speak to her own children about condoms but added that she understands other parents do it out of desperation.

She told participants that self-control, which is critical to defeating the Aids scourge, must be "God-centred".

Ms Museveni is the matron and founder of the organisers, the Uganda Youth Forum.

Earlier, minister Bakoru had urged the youth to stick to the ABC formula (Abstinence, Being faithful and Condom use) to avoid HIV - but replaced condom use with 'character formation'.

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Two British women have died after taking the controversial abortion pill RU-486, the Government has admitted.

Melanie Johnson, the public health minister, disclosed last week that since 1991, when the drug became available in Britain, the Committee on Safety of Medicines had received two reports of "suspected fatal reactions in association with the use of Mifegyne [RU-486]". She was replying to a parliamentary question by the Labour MP Jim Dobbin, the chairman of the Parliamentary all-party Pro-Life group.

Miss Johnson said: "The reporting of a suspected adverse drug reaction does not necessarily mean that the drug was responsible. Many factors, such as the medical condition that is being treated, other pre-existing illnesses or other medications might have contributed."

Pro-life campaigners said last night that the disclosure highlighted the danger of using the abortion pill and accused ministers of concealing the deaths. Jack Scarisbrick, the national chairman of the anti-abortion group Life, said: "I hope this serves as a warning to women on just how dangerous these powerful drugs are. Why haven't we been told of this before, though? This is clearly another cover-up."

The disclosure of the deaths of two British women follows the announcement in the United States in September of what was believed to be the fifth death linked to RU-486 since its introduction in 1988.

Holly Patterson, 18, from California, died from septic shock, a week after taking RU-486 to abort her unborn baby. The other four deaths, caused by bleeding or infection believed to be linked to RU-486, occurred in France and the United States.

Mr Scarisbrick said, however: "There's a good chance that if these two women had not taken RU-486, they would not have died, and given how unreliable the reporting system is, if two deaths have been reported then there are probably 20 others that went unreported."

The drug, which was developed in France in the Eighties, is used by about 20,000 women a year in Britain.

No other details about the deaths or the victims are available. The news comes just four months after it emerged that family planning groups in Britain had applied for restrictions on the use of RU-486 to be relaxed.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service, backed by the Family Planning Association, has asked the Department of Health to cut the number of times a woman has to see a doctor in order to complete the abortion pill procedure.

At present women take the abortion pill, which kills the foetus, and return to their doctor two days later to take a hormone pill called misoprostol. The second pill, which ensures that the foetus is flushed out of the womb, is thought to pose the bigger risk to women who opt for chemical abortion.

Both tablets are currently given under medical supervision but the family planning groups want both drugs to be handed to the woman at the same time so that she does not need to return for a second appointment. A medical check-up after the abortion is completed would still be recommended.

Dr Gordon Stirrat, the emeritus professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Bristol University, said: "The greatest risk comes from bleeding from miscarriage induced by the drug. There is also the risk of infection if some of the foetus remains in the womb." He added, however: "The small number of deaths have to be taken in the context of the very large number of people who take the drugs."

Dr Donna Harrison, a gynaecologist in Michigan, said: "Regardless of their views on abortion there are many doctors who are concerned about the safety of RU-486. There are so many things that can go wrong."

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "Our number one priority is the safety of patients and we continually monitor the safety of the drugs used in abortion."

Is the United Nations loosing sight of its charter and purpose to help children? For example, would you say UNICEF is the 'good guys' or the 'bad guys'. This used to be a major United Nations effort to help children and to improve child survival. In recent years it has moved steadily in the direction of radical anti-life and anti-family policies. Recently a high-ranking UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) official called for the legalization of prostitution. Urban Jonsson also called for UNICEF to "make condoms available for everybody, everywhere and at all times." Specifically, he urged UNICEF to take actions to "decriminalize sex work and facilitate the organization of sex workers." He stated that such moves must be made in the near future if we are to win the war against HIV/AIDS.

For example, why would you say UNESCO is strongly 'Pro-Abortion'. A UNESCO (UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) document entitled, "Unwanted Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion" has just been revealed. It specifically states, "governments should make abortion legal, safe and affordable." Further, "Legislature should remove legal restrictions to access of abortion and family planning services to adolescents." And further, "Wherever the law allows, government should guarantee the privacy of those seeking abortion services, especially adolescent women." It also states, "It is common to require adolescents to obtain parental consent for abortionÉthis alone can dissuade an adolescent from seeking a proper medical procedure..." In an accompanying document entitled, "Review of International Standards for Rights of the Child and Adolescent Rights," UNESCO describes how to pressure a nation that has not embraced this "adolescent reproductive rights" revolution.

It states that it is now possible "to hold countries accountable on the basis of human rights violations at the UN office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and through its Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. For further detailed information, consult C-FAM at <a href="mailto:c-fam@c-fam.org">c-fam@c-

Missouri Democratic Party Chairwoman May Scheve acknowledges that she's in a fix. Scheve, a former legislator from South County, is a practicing Catholic. She also supports abortion rights. That stance now could threaten her religious standing, and that of some other area Catholic politicians, according to press reports about the St. Louis area's incoming new archbishop, Bishop Raymond Burke.

Comment: Bishop Burke is a courageous man and it's about time politicians who use their Catholic faith to win votes while supporting abortion understand that such a position is a contradiction.

A bit of background on the statement in the article that "In 1990, Schoemehl had touched off church criticism when he announced that, if elected governor in 1992, he'd veto legislation to make it more difficult - or easier - to get an abortion in Missouri."

At the time, the mayor changed his former strong prolife position in preparation in his bid as a Democratic candidate for governor of Missouri. Even more unfortunately and as the Post-Dispatch said "But Schoemehl's action was praised by the Rev. Lawrence Biondi, the head of St. Louis University, and by the Rev. Kevin O'Rourke, head of the Center for Health Care Ethics at the university's medical school. Both men said they had been consulted by Schoemehl in developing his new position." (source: "Schoemehl Shifts Stand On Abortion", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 7, 1990.) When then-Archbishop May spoke out about this, Fr. Biondi "said he had been unaware when talking to a reporter Tuesday that Schoemehl's position included a decision to veto restrictive legislation" but Fr. O'Rourke said "he viewed Schoemehl's chosen course as a wise one." (source: "Catholic Divided Over Mayor's Abortion Stand", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 8, 1990)

Obviously, Bishop Burke has his work cut out for him here in St. Louis. (Nancy Valko)

Read article at St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/columnists.nsf/Jo+Mannies/9126CFAF47850A7A86256E190016DE52?OpenDocument&Headline=New+archbishop's+stance+makes+some+Catholic+politicians+unea&highlight=2%2Cbishop%2Cburke

Information of the Bus Tour and Pilgrimage to National March for Life, St. Anne de Beaupre, St. Joseph's Oratory and Ottawa click here.

Makes Plans Now and join pro-life people from across the country to demand protection for our unborn citizens. Join other Nova Scotians by Clicking Here.

Sandy Rios took the reins in 2001 as President of Concerned Women for America, which, with 500,000 members, is the nation's largest public policy women's organization. In this role, she has become a recognized voice on Capitol Hill and at the White House. She appears regularly on major broadcast media, including ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN and Fox, and is frequently quoted in key print media, such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, and many Christian publications. Sandy has more than 10 years of experience as a radio talk-show host, including CWA's nationally syndicated broadcast, Concerned Women Today. In addition, she serves as the chairman of the North Korea Freedom Coalition. The mother of two adult children, Sandy resides in metropolitan Washington, D.C.

• We warned them, they mocked us, now we've been proved right
Last Sunday I read - with regret and hope - this newspaper's leading article in support of the Rev Joanna Jepson's legal struggle against doctors who aborted a foetus after six months because the mother had decided she did not want a child with a cleft palate.
Daily Telegraph 11/12 10:18 http://www.dailytelegraph.co.uk
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