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I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Tim 2,1-2)
(NEW YORK – C-FAM) Irish abortion laws and sovereignty stand in the dock next week when the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) hears a challenge to Ireland's constitutional protection of life "from conception."
Three petitioners in the case A, B & C v. Ireland allege that they were forced to travel overseas to obtain abortions, undergoing unnecessary expenses and hardship due to the nation's pro-life laws. They claim violations of various rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Third-party interveners Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, the European Center for Law and Justice and the Alliance Defense Fund (on behalf of Family Research Council), contend that it is "Ireland's sovereign right to determine when life begins" and what rights attach to pre-natal life. They also claim that domestic remedies have not been exhausted, and that therefore the ECHR lacks jurisdiction to hear the case.
The right to religious freedom can only mean its exercise - not the freedom from confrontation. The meaning of “freedom of religion” has nothing to do with creating a society that is “free from religion”!
Forcibly removing the symbol of the Cross is a violation on the same level as would to force atheists to mount this symbol. The blank white wall is also an ideological statement – especially, if over the previous centuries, it had not been empty. A "value-neutral" state is fiction, which is often used for propaganda purposes.
An alleged right not to be confronted with religious content, cannot be stronger than the right to free exercise of religion.
The states, which have signed the European Convention on Human Rights, have understood that the "right to freedom of religion" is certainly not a "freedom from religion".
Lawyers speak of the "slippery slope". Resist the beginnings! Today institutions are affected by iconoclastic attempts, tomorrow I will no longer be allowed to wear a religious chain around my neck.
Instead of fighting religious intolerance, religion, by way of its symbols, is being attacked.
One cannot fight political problems by fighting against religion.
Anti-religious fundamentalism makes itself an accomplice of religious fundamentalism when it provokes through intolerance.
Christianity by its very nature pushes outwardly - it can never be dismissed as private nor be locked into a ghetto!
The majority of the affected population would like to retain the cross! It is also a problem of democratic politics, giving priority to individual interests so blatantly.
The cross is the logo of Europe. It is a religious symbol, but still much more than that.
Italy's Parliament passed an emphatic measure last week directing the Italian government to push for a United Nations (UN) General Assembly resolution that "condemns the use of abortion as an instrument of demographic control and affirms the right of each woman not to be forced to undergo abortion." The move has surprised pro-life observers at the UN, where Italy almost invariably supports the European Union (EU) majority in measures hostile to the rights of the unborn. The parliamentary effort was led by Rocco Buttiglione, head of the Union of Christian Democrats, with the support of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's governing People of Freedom Party and the Center Democrats.
The AM No.2 regarding the OBIOLS I GERMA REPORT, which was attacking the Pope and introducing the controversial term "sexual and reproductive health rights" HAS BEEN REJECTED!!! Thanks for praying !!!
The Parliament convened at a plenary sitting in its seat in Strasbourg discusses this week on the Annual Report on Human Rights in the World 2008 and the European Union’s policy on the matter (2008/2336 (INI)). The rapporteur is the Spanish socialist Raimon Obiols i Germà.
The liberal group (ALDE) tabled an amendment written by Sophie in't VELD (Netherlands) and Marco Cappato (Italy). This amendment promotes abortion through sexual and reproductive health rights to combat AIDS and condemns the Pope for having expressed its doubts about the effectiveness of the use of the sole condom in the fight against AIDS in Africa.
The amendment reads as follows:
45a. [The European Parliament] Underlines the importance of promoting sexual and reproductive health rights, as a precondition for any successful fight against HIV/AIDS, which causes enormous loss in terms of human lives and economic development, affecting particularly the poorest regions in the world; firmly condemns the recent declarations made by Pope benedict XVI, banning the use of condoms and warning that condom use could even lead to an increased risk of contagion; is concerned that those statements will severely hamper the fight against HIV/AIDS; points out that empowerment of women also helps to counter HIV/AIDS; calls on the governments of the Member States to act together to promote sexual and reproductive health rights and education, including on the use of condoms as an effective tool in the fight against this scourge;
(NEW YORK – C-FAM) The European Parliament's largest umbrella group backed away from its strong pro-life and pro-family positions in a new draft position statement for the 2009 European elections. Members of the mainly Christian Democrat group pushed back last week with a host of amendments aimed at restoring the organization's traditional role of safeguarding human life and the family at the European Parliament.
In a position statement released in January entitled "Draft EPP Election Document 2009," the European People's Party (EPP) removed some bedrock principles supporting traditional marriage and human life found in their 2004 position statement. The EPP is the largest group in the European Parliament with 288 members from 74 coalition parties, primarily Christian Democrat Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Members of the EPP will use the final version of the statement in the course of campaigning in the upcoming continent-wide elections, scheduled for the 4th through 7th of June.
A resolution has been passed at the European Union that proposes to standardise among all member states the legal status of same-sex relationships. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) issued a media release saying that the resolution represents a “soft-law” approach to the universal recognition of abortion as a human right.
23.1.2009: lifesitenews.com: Hundreds of Thousands at Giant Washington March For Life
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 23, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Hundreds of thousands of pro-life demonstrators marched through the U.S. capital Thursday, protesting the deaths of almost 50 million unborn children by surgical abortion since the practice was legalized nationwide in 1973.
The March for Life, held on the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision that struck down state laws nationwide, attracted large groups from around the nation, including Catholic dioceses and parishes, organizations of priests and laity, and various pro-family and pro-life organizations. Well over half of the participants were under thirty years old, including a very high percentage of adolescents. (read more ...)
23.1.2009 Obama: First Decisions: Funding Abortion though Family Planning Programs worldwide
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 23, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Yesterday hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates convened for the annual March for Life in Washington D.C., to commemorate the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton cases that legalized abortion in the United States.
At the same time, newly-sworn in President Barack Obama defied expectations that he would sign an executive order revoking the Mexico City policy, which prohibits taxpayer monies from going to organizations that promote or perform abortions overseas. Instead Obama postponed doing so for a day, and released a statement defending Roe v. Wade and calling for “common ground” in the “sensitive and often divisive” abortion debate.
“On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters,” said Obama. “I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose.”
He continued, “While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.”
Today, however, Obama is set to sign an executive order rescinding the Mexico City Policy, ensuring that taxpayer monies will be spent on promoting and performing abortions overseas and initiating what is widely expected to be the most pro-abortion administration in U.S. history.
Supporters of the Pro-Life movement (www.catholicvote.com) have had the following advertisment running on TV in America lately.
Listen to Obama (before the election and decision, if feel it is hard to believe (more ...)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7,14-15)
