Below is information about the assisted suicide bills and such. Please take a moment to raed to see what you can do...
In the past several months we have witnessed the passing and now implementation of the Washington State I-1000 assisted suicide Initiative making assisted suicide legal in that state. We were shocked when Judge Dorothy McCarter legalized assisted suicide in the state of Montana by judicial fiat.
Luxembourg just passed a bill that legalized euthanasia that was delayed by Grand Duke Henri who refused to sign the bill into law forcing the Luxembourg government to amend their constitution to remove the historical power of the monarch to sign legislation into law. To thank Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg: http://alexschadenberg.blogspot.com/2009/03/hero-unable-to-stop-legalized-killing.html
We experienced temporary victories in many states including New Hampshire and Hawaii.
There are currently bills to legalize assisted suicide in Scotland, with an upcoming bill in Canada.
You need to attend the Second-International Symposium on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide.
Second-International Symposium on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide - Never Again
Register to learn how to stop the euthanasia lobby. (Space is Limited)
The Second-International Symposium is designed to build an effective, unified and focused group of organizations and individuals to stop the euthanasia death lobby.
The Second-International Symposium is May 29 - 30, 2009 at the National Conference Center http://www.conferencecenter.com/ - near the Washington DC - Dulles Airport.
* We have acquired a Meeting ID with United Airlines that offers flight discounts for all the participants. The Meeting ID is: 585JQ. You can contact United Airlines directly or you can book with Conlin Travel (1-800-783-9559) who are friendly to our work. You simply need to quote the United Airlines Meeting ID when booking the flight.
The registration cost for the Symposium is $199 regular or $139 for a student or a person with a disability. You are able to register online by going to the International Symposium page at www.epcc.ca. We are happy to receive payment for registration by check or credit card.
The room rate at the National Conference Center is: $139 regular room (plus all taxes). Online registration can be accessed online by finding the link at the registration section of our website at: www.epcc.ca
The registration and room rate includes the cost for all meals and refreshment breaks on May 29 - 30.
The Co-Sponsors of the Symposium are:
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, Compassionate Health Care Network, Not Dead Yet, Physicians for Compassionate Care, Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation, Institute for the Study of Disability and Bioethics, Vermont Alliance for Ethical Health Care, ALERT, Care Not Killing Alliance, & No Less Human.
The list of speakers can be found by connecting to the link at www.epcc.ca
We have now received many requests from people who wish to attend the Second International Symposium and we are hoping that many people will be able to donate for this purpose. For those who are unable to attend the Symposium, but are willing to donate the cost of registration please send either $199 or $139 to the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition.
In order to operate the Symposium at a breakeven financial basis we are seeking groups and individuals who are willing to advertise in the Symposium booklet. Supporters will be acknowledged in the Symposium booklet based on the level of support. Supporter levels are Gold supporter - $500, Silver supporter - $250, Bronze supporter - $100.
A webpage dedicated to the Second-International Symposium can be accessed at: www.epcc.ca
Every group that is concerned about the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide needs to send a representative to the Second-International Symposium.
Information Update:
This is an excellent article about Philip Nitschke, Australia's Dr. Death: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25247235-5000117,00.html
Stephen Drake from Not Dead Yet has been following the Final Exit Network arrests: http://notdeadyetnewscommentary.blogspot.com/
Diane Coleman from Not Dead Yet has written a great article: Assisted Suicide and Disability: http://www.abanet.org/irr/hr/winter00humanrights/colemand.html
Wesley Smith's comments on the bill to legalize assisted suicide in Scotland: http://www.wesleyjsmith.com/blog/2009/03/scottish-assisted-narrow-assisted.html
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition - Box 25033, London Ontario Canada N6C 6A8
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition International - Box 611309 Port Huron MI 48061-1309
Call toll free at: 1-877-439-3348, Email: info@epcc.ca
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Happy Feast of St. Joseph!
Happy feast of St. Joseph! He's my man! I love him.
May your day be blessed!
Donna-Marie
May your day be blessed!
Donna-Marie
Let's pray about this..
Wichita, Kan., Mar 19, 2009 / 06:35 am (CNA).- Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is being urged to sign new state legislation that would require Kansas abortionists to offer women an ultrasound image or heartbeat record of their unborn child before an abortion procedure. One pro-life advocate said the governor’s refusal to sign the bill would “extinguish” hopes she would work to reduce abortions.
On Tuesday the Kansas Senate voted in favor of the bill by 36 to 2. The “Woman’s Right to Know Act,” S.B. 238, would also require clinics to post signs saying that coerced abortions are illegal.
Both the Senate and the House votes on the bill gave it more than the two-thirds majority support necessary to override a veto, the Kansas City Star reports. Once the legislation is enrolled, Gov. Sebelius will have ten days to sign the law, veto it or allow it to become law by inaction.
Brian Burch, President of the Chicago-based Catholic organization Fidelis, urged the governor to sign the legislation before she attends her confirmation hearings concerning her nomination to become U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
“Some pro-life defenders of Gov. Sebelius, including the governor herself have argued that she is open to common sense, bipartisan solutions to reducing the number of abortions,” Burch said. “The Kansas House and Senate have answered their call with this legislation, passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan approval. The Governor has a wonderful chance to match her record with her rhetoric.”
“If the Kansas Governor vetoes this bill, she will not only dash the hopes of her pro-life supporters, but... (Continued here).
On Tuesday the Kansas Senate voted in favor of the bill by 36 to 2. The “Woman’s Right to Know Act,” S.B. 238, would also require clinics to post signs saying that coerced abortions are illegal.
Both the Senate and the House votes on the bill gave it more than the two-thirds majority support necessary to override a veto, the Kansas City Star reports. Once the legislation is enrolled, Gov. Sebelius will have ten days to sign the law, veto it or allow it to become law by inaction.
Brian Burch, President of the Chicago-based Catholic organization Fidelis, urged the governor to sign the legislation before she attends her confirmation hearings concerning her nomination to become U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
“Some pro-life defenders of Gov. Sebelius, including the governor herself have argued that she is open to common sense, bipartisan solutions to reducing the number of abortions,” Burch said. “The Kansas House and Senate have answered their call with this legislation, passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan approval. The Governor has a wonderful chance to match her record with her rhetoric.”
“If the Kansas Governor vetoes this bill, she will not only dash the hopes of her pro-life supporters, but... (Continued here).
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Pope Benedict's trip to Africa and fighting AIDS
Rome, Italy, Mar 17, 2009 / 10:49 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI began his first papal trip to Africa today, departing from Rome to bring the Gospel to a continent racked with violence and corruption but also one which he sees as burgeoning with hope. On the plane, the Holy Father also addressed the continent’s battle with AIDS and noted that condom distribution “aggravates” the problem.
The Pope’s March 17-23 trip will bring to the fore the Church’s efforts to assist Africans in finding solutions to problems that have dogged international and internal efforts to lift its people out of poverty and beyond corruption.
As is traditional on papal trips, Pope Benedict fielded a series of questions this morning from reporters flying aboard his Alitalia flight to Cameroon. According to The Telegraph, Pope Benedict highlighted the Church’s efforts to fight the spread of AIDS through promoting abstinence and fidelity within marriage.
In fact, said the Pope, AIDS is “a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems."
An increasing number of African countries have adopted the Church’s stance on using... (Continued here)
The Pope’s March 17-23 trip will bring to the fore the Church’s efforts to assist Africans in finding solutions to problems that have dogged international and internal efforts to lift its people out of poverty and beyond corruption.
As is traditional on papal trips, Pope Benedict fielded a series of questions this morning from reporters flying aboard his Alitalia flight to Cameroon. According to The Telegraph, Pope Benedict highlighted the Church’s efforts to fight the spread of AIDS through promoting abstinence and fidelity within marriage.
In fact, said the Pope, AIDS is “a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems."
An increasing number of African countries have adopted the Church’s stance on using... (Continued here)
Happy St. Patick's Day!
"Christ shield me this day: Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me."~St. Patrick
Monday, March 16, 2009
Book Reviews: Coming up!
I am excited that I will be reviewing these books in the very near future...
and...
Stay tuned!
Pope Benedict asks for prayers for his trip to Africa
Vatican City, Mar 15, 2009 / 11:03 am (CNA).- Before tens of thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI asked all present to pray, “invoking Mary, Mother and Queen of Africa,” for his upcoming apostolic voyage to Africa. The Pope described himself as a pilgrim in Africa proclaiming Christ crucified, who renews the world.
The Holy Father referred to the reading for the Third Sunday of Lent from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, saying “Paul stresses that he has nothing to offer and to give than the Good News of his Cross.”
“This is the grace of the Gospel that is capable of transforming the world; this is the grace that can renew Africa, because it generates an irresistible power of peace and of profound, radical reconciliation,” the Pontiff explained. “The Church, then, does not pursue economic, social and political goals; the Church proclaims Christ, certain that the Gospel can touch the hearts of all and transform them, thus renewing persons and societies from within.”
Benedict announced that he will visit Yaoundé, Cameroon and Luanda, Angola and asked for prayers from all to his patron saint, St. Joseph. During his visit to Africa from March 17-23, Benedict XVI will celebrate his name day on the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19.
“St. Joseph,” Pope Benedict said, “warned by an angel in a dream, had to flee with Mary to Egypt, in northeast Africa, in order to protect the newborn Jesus, whom Herod wanted to kill. This fulfilled the Scriptures: Jesus trod in the footsteps of the ancient patriarchs, and, like the people of Israel, he returned to the Promised Land after being in exile in Egypt.”
“I entrust to the heavenly intercession of this great Saint the upcoming pilgrimage and the populations of Africa as a whole, with the challenges that mark them and the hopes that animate them,” the Pope added. “In particular, I think of the victims of hunger, of disease, of injustice, of fratricidal conflicts and of every form of violence that continues to afflict adults and children, without sparing missionaries, priests, religious and volunteers." (Continued here)
The Holy Father referred to the reading for the Third Sunday of Lent from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, saying “Paul stresses that he has nothing to offer and to give than the Good News of his Cross.”
“This is the grace of the Gospel that is capable of transforming the world; this is the grace that can renew Africa, because it generates an irresistible power of peace and of profound, radical reconciliation,” the Pontiff explained. “The Church, then, does not pursue economic, social and political goals; the Church proclaims Christ, certain that the Gospel can touch the hearts of all and transform them, thus renewing persons and societies from within.”
Benedict announced that he will visit Yaoundé, Cameroon and Luanda, Angola and asked for prayers from all to his patron saint, St. Joseph. During his visit to Africa from March 17-23, Benedict XVI will celebrate his name day on the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19.
“St. Joseph,” Pope Benedict said, “warned by an angel in a dream, had to flee with Mary to Egypt, in northeast Africa, in order to protect the newborn Jesus, whom Herod wanted to kill. This fulfilled the Scriptures: Jesus trod in the footsteps of the ancient patriarchs, and, like the people of Israel, he returned to the Promised Land after being in exile in Egypt.”
“I entrust to the heavenly intercession of this great Saint the upcoming pilgrimage and the populations of Africa as a whole, with the challenges that mark them and the hopes that animate them,” the Pope added. “In particular, I think of the victims of hunger, of disease, of injustice, of fratricidal conflicts and of every form of violence that continues to afflict adults and children, without sparing missionaries, priests, religious and volunteers." (Continued here)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Today's Victorious Catholic Rally at the Capital!
"More than 5,000 Catholics attended a rally for religious freedom at the State Capitol in Hartford today. The rally, which featured the state's bishops and Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, came a day after a bill that would strip Connecticut Catholic bishops and priests of their administrative powers was abruptly withdrawn by its legislative sponsors..." (Continued here at the Knights of Columbus)
PLEASE ALSO CHECK OUT THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS LINK (above) TO VIEW SOME GREAT VIDEOS OF CONNECTICUT'S BISHOPS AT THE RALLY TODAY - VERY MOVING AND AWESOME!
More news:
"More than 4,000 Catholics from around the state stood in the drizzle on the north lawn of the state Capitol this morning to protest a bill that would have changed the way the church governs itself.
The bill, initially scheduled for a public hearing today before the legislature's judiciary committee, was pulled amid questions over its constitutionality.
But an informal hearing on the bill was called by Republican legislative leaders.
'The co-chairs decided for whatever reason to cancel everything ... but there are an awful lot of folks who feel very passionately about this issue," Sen. John Kissel of Enfield, the ranking Republican on the judiciary committee, said. "We don't have the authority to call a formal hearing. But we felt it would be good for those folks who wanted to come down here to express their views...' (Continued here in the Hartford Courant)
More news here:
"Legislators in the Constitution State, Connecticut, have declared war on the First Amendment. The attack was launched in the form of a bill that exclusively targets the Catholic Church and would strip bishops and priests of their ability to administer dioceses and parishes.
The bill (Raised Bill No. 1098) -- under consideration by the state's Judiciary Committee -- would wrest authority over church affairs from pastors and bishops and instead turn over control to a series of elected boards, explicitly excluding the bishops and pastors from voting.
The bill was written and rushed before committee without even the courtesy of a call to or request for input from any of Connecticut's Catholic bishops.
Of course, the First Amendment couldn't be clearer in its guarantees. It states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof "¦ ." That protection was extended to every citizen of the United States, in every state, with the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868..." (Continued here at the Stamford Advocate)
Update from the Capital building
"About 1,500 people are expected to be at the state capitol today to voice their opinion about SB 1098, which would allow government to have a hand in Catholic parish finances. The three Connecticut diocese urged parishioners to attend today to voice their opinion. So far, mobs and mobs of people are here wearing red stickers that say “religious freedom.” However, there are two things going on at once here. Outside, in the rain, is a rally. Inside is a forum where people can voice their opinions on the matter. Both are at noon. I’m at the hearing now and will try to disappear to the rally in a bit.
Stay tuned." This is from Tracy Simmons's blog, Waterbury Republican reporter. Check it out here
Stay tuned." This is from Tracy Simmons's blog, Waterbury Republican reporter. Check it out here
The Catholic Rally at the Capital Building
Let's pray for those thousands of Catholics flocking to the Capital building today to express their opposition to proposed Bill 1098. A lot has been happening these past few days and bishops, priests, and laity are up in arms.
This past Thursday, the Judiciary Committee of the CT State Legislature, chaired by Senator Andrew McDonald of Stamford and Rep. Michael Lawlor of East Haven introduced a bill (S.B. 1098) that is a direct attack on the Roman Catholic Church. The proposed bill also violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
Please check my blog posts below for email addresses and phone numbers to call to voice your opposition to the proposed Bill.
Although the Hearing that was scheduled for today has been curiously cancelled at this point in time (after thousands and thousands have voiced their opposition), Catholics should not sit back and relax. Lent is a time of penitential sacrifice. What better way than sacrifice a bit of our time to voice our opinions. It is a free country after all - at least at the moment. Let's pray and act. Invoke the intercession of the saints and our dear Blessed Mother for protection. Many rosaries should be prayed. Groups can meet in their parishes to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. What more powerful weapon than the Rosary and prayer before the Blessed Sacrament?
Please act and pray, pray and act. Don't just sit there! If you are not able to be active, your prayers are very powerful and very welcome.
Check out a Catholic News Agency story here: Hartford, Conn., Mar 10, 2009 / 11:35 am (CNA).- Catholics around the country are upset over a new bill in the Connecticut Senate that, in the words of the Archbishop of Hartford, "forces a radical reorganization of the legal, financial, and administrative structure of our parishes." The bill, which bears resemblance to Voice of the Faithful’s Strategic Plan, is being supported by Dr. Paul Lakeland, who believes that in this case it’s appropriate to use state legislation to force the Church’s hand.
Dr. Paul Lakeland, Fairfield University Chair of Catholic Studies, Voice of the Faithful member, former Jesuit Priest, and author of several books including “The Liberation of the Laity: In Search of an Accountable Church,” recently discussed his support for Connecticut’s controversial Bill No. 1098 with CNA. Dr. Lakeland is also scheduled to testify before the Connecticut General Assembly on behalf of the bill... (Continued here)
Check out the Waterbury Republican's Matter of Faith blog here for more up to date information. Tracy Simmons will be covering the rally today and will be reporting on it through her blog. Check back throughout the day.
This past Thursday, the Judiciary Committee of the CT State Legislature, chaired by Senator Andrew McDonald of Stamford and Rep. Michael Lawlor of East Haven introduced a bill (S.B. 1098) that is a direct attack on the Roman Catholic Church. The proposed bill also violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
Please check my blog posts below for email addresses and phone numbers to call to voice your opposition to the proposed Bill.
Although the Hearing that was scheduled for today has been curiously cancelled at this point in time (after thousands and thousands have voiced their opposition), Catholics should not sit back and relax. Lent is a time of penitential sacrifice. What better way than sacrifice a bit of our time to voice our opinions. It is a free country after all - at least at the moment. Let's pray and act. Invoke the intercession of the saints and our dear Blessed Mother for protection. Many rosaries should be prayed. Groups can meet in their parishes to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. What more powerful weapon than the Rosary and prayer before the Blessed Sacrament?
Please act and pray, pray and act. Don't just sit there! If you are not able to be active, your prayers are very powerful and very welcome.
Check out a Catholic News Agency story here: Hartford, Conn., Mar 10, 2009 / 11:35 am (CNA).- Catholics around the country are upset over a new bill in the Connecticut Senate that, in the words of the Archbishop of Hartford, "forces a radical reorganization of the legal, financial, and administrative structure of our parishes." The bill, which bears resemblance to Voice of the Faithful’s Strategic Plan, is being supported by Dr. Paul Lakeland, who believes that in this case it’s appropriate to use state legislation to force the Church’s hand.
Dr. Paul Lakeland, Fairfield University Chair of Catholic Studies, Voice of the Faithful member, former Jesuit Priest, and author of several books including “The Liberation of the Laity: In Search of an Accountable Church,” recently discussed his support for Connecticut’s controversial Bill No. 1098 with CNA. Dr. Lakeland is also scheduled to testify before the Connecticut General Assembly on behalf of the bill... (Continued here)
Check out the Waterbury Republican's Matter of Faith blog here for more up to date information. Tracy Simmons will be covering the rally today and will be reporting on it through her blog. Check back throughout the day.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Three Dioceses to Rally at the Capital
The more attending the gathering, the better! Now, all three dioceses of Connecticut are planning to rally at the Capital tomorrow.
I am told that some may be early and be in Hartford by 10:00 AM on the north steps of the Capitol. Most will be there for noon.
THE MORE, THE BETTER!!!!!!!
Visit to read the Bill and obtain contact information to send your protest message
For the full contact information for each of the elected officials on the Judiciary committee follow this link: here Click on their web page for their full contact information.
To be even more effective follow up your email with a personal phone call.
I am told that some may be early and be in Hartford by 10:00 AM on the north steps of the Capitol. Most will be there for noon.
THE MORE, THE BETTER!!!!!!!
Visit to read the Bill and obtain contact information to send your protest message
For the full contact information for each of the elected officials on the Judiciary committee follow this link: here Click on their web page for their full contact information.
To be even more effective follow up your email with a personal phone call.
News Times article RE: Hearing canceled on proposed Bill 1098
HARTFORD -- The co-chairmen of the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday afternoon abruptly cancelled the public hearing Wednesday on a controversial change to the way that Catholic churches are run.
News of the cancellation -- and the termination of the proposed legislation for the legislative session ---came during a noontime news conference of minority Republican lawmakers.
In reaction, House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk and Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, R-Fairfield, said they would welcome busloads of Catholics from throughout the state and host a day-long hearing on the issue anyway.
"What are we gonna tell them?" Cafero quipped during the news conference. "Game called on account of rain?"
Sen. Andrew J. McDonald, D-Stamford and Rep. Michael P. Lawlor, D-East Haven, withdrew the proposal from the public-hearing list in response to a request by two reform-minded Catholics: Tom Gallagher of Greenwich and Paul Lakeland, director of the Center for Catholic Studies and Fairfield University.
The two chairmen issued the following statement:
"For reasons that are unclear, Connecticut has had generations-old laws on the books singling out particular religions and treating them differently from other religions in our statutes. That doesn't seem right. In fact, many of our existing corporate laws dealing with particular religious groups appear to us to be unconstitutional under the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. If that is correct, any changes to that law would likely also be unconstitutional.
"With that in mind, it would serve no useful purpose to have a conversation about changing the laws that govern existing Roman Catholic corporations until we know if any of these existing laws are constitutional. At the request of the proponents who are advocating this legislation,, we have decided to cancel the public hearing for tomorrow, table any further consideration of this bill for the duration of this session, and ask the Attorney General his opinion regarding the constitutionality of the existing law that sets different rules for five named separate religions.
"We think it would be more appropriate to invite representatives from all religious denominations around the state together with legal scholars on this topic to participate in a forum regarding the current law. Such a conversation would be more appropriate to have when the legislature is not in session and other more important issues, such as the current fiscal crisis, are resolved. We intend to do that once we have the benefit of the Attorney General's opinion.
"In the meantime, we think it would be most beneficial if the proponents who requested these changes and church officials meet together privately to see if they can come to a resolution on their own. Open and honest communication between these two groups could only help. For our part, we intend to reach out to representatives of the Catholic Conference and continue the discussion that began in 2008 on this issue. We hope they will agree to meet with us."
See article here at the News Times for a limited time.
News of the cancellation -- and the termination of the proposed legislation for the legislative session ---came during a noontime news conference of minority Republican lawmakers.
In reaction, House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk and Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, R-Fairfield, said they would welcome busloads of Catholics from throughout the state and host a day-long hearing on the issue anyway.
"What are we gonna tell them?" Cafero quipped during the news conference. "Game called on account of rain?"
Sen. Andrew J. McDonald, D-Stamford and Rep. Michael P. Lawlor, D-East Haven, withdrew the proposal from the public-hearing list in response to a request by two reform-minded Catholics: Tom Gallagher of Greenwich and Paul Lakeland, director of the Center for Catholic Studies and Fairfield University.
The two chairmen issued the following statement:
"For reasons that are unclear, Connecticut has had generations-old laws on the books singling out particular religions and treating them differently from other religions in our statutes. That doesn't seem right. In fact, many of our existing corporate laws dealing with particular religious groups appear to us to be unconstitutional under the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. If that is correct, any changes to that law would likely also be unconstitutional.
"With that in mind, it would serve no useful purpose to have a conversation about changing the laws that govern existing Roman Catholic corporations until we know if any of these existing laws are constitutional. At the request of the proponents who are advocating this legislation,, we have decided to cancel the public hearing for tomorrow, table any further consideration of this bill for the duration of this session, and ask the Attorney General his opinion regarding the constitutionality of the existing law that sets different rules for five named separate religions.
"We think it would be more appropriate to invite representatives from all religious denominations around the state together with legal scholars on this topic to participate in a forum regarding the current law. Such a conversation would be more appropriate to have when the legislature is not in session and other more important issues, such as the current fiscal crisis, are resolved. We intend to do that once we have the benefit of the Attorney General's opinion.
"In the meantime, we think it would be most beneficial if the proponents who requested these changes and church officials meet together privately to see if they can come to a resolution on their own. Open and honest communication between these two groups could only help. For our part, we intend to reach out to representatives of the Catholic Conference and continue the discussion that began in 2008 on this issue. We hope they will agree to meet with us."
See article here at the News Times for a limited time.
From the Diocese of Bridgeport website: Proposed Bill 1098
"ALERT ALERT ALERT
The public hearing for Proposed Bill 1098
may have been postponed,
but the Bill is STILL ALIVE.
Our Rally in Hartford is STILL ON
for Wednesday, March 11, at 10:30 a.m.
DETAILS ON BUS TRANSPORTATION
ARE NOW POSTED ONLINE!"
Check their website here for bus information, etc.
The public hearing for Proposed Bill 1098
may have been postponed,
but the Bill is STILL ALIVE.
Our Rally in Hartford is STILL ON
for Wednesday, March 11, at 10:30 a.m.
DETAILS ON BUS TRANSPORTATION
ARE NOW POSTED ONLINE!"
Check their website here for bus information, etc.
Wake up Connecticut: Do Something about Bill 1098!
(UPDATED WITH NEW INFORMATION plus the public hearing has been postponed, but Catholics are still urged to call, email, and attend rallies in opposition. All three dioceses in CT are rallying on Wednesday at the Capital. Please see the link in this post for the Bridgeport diocese for instructions about buses, etc. ALSO, check blog posts after this one for other information. Just click on "home" at the bottom of this post when finished reading and you will see the other posts.)
Please take a moment to see what's going on in Connecticut and what Catholics NEED to do to stop this craziness! I will put a few pieces of information below and will end with an email address and phone number to call TODAY if you can. This is scheduled to go down tomorrow.
Diocesan Statement on Proposed Legislative Bill # 1098 / 2009
This past Thursday, the Judiciary Committee of the Connecticut State Legislature, which is chaired by Sen. Andrew McDonald of Stamford and Rep. Michael Lawlor of East Haven, introduced a bill that directly attacks the Roman Catholic Church and our Faith.
This bill violates the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. It forces a radical reorganization of the legal, financial, and administrative structure of our parishes. This is contrary to the Apostolic nature of the Catholic Church because it disconnects parishes from their Pastors and their Bishop. Parishes would be run by boards from which Pastors and the Bishop would be effectively excluded.
This bill, moreover, is a thinly-veiled attempt to silence the Catholic Church on the important issues of the day, such as same-sex marriage.
The State has no right to interfere in the internal affairs and structure of the Catholic Church. This bill is directed only at the Catholic Church but could someday be forced on other denominations. The State has no business controlling religion.
The Pastors of our Diocese are doing an exemplary job of sound stewardship and financial accountability, in full cooperation with their parishioners.
For the State Legislature - which has not reversed a $1 billion deficit in this fiscal year - to try to manage the Catholic Church makes no sense. The Catholic Church not only lives within her means but stretches her resources to provide more social, charitable, and educational services than any other private institution in the State. This bill threatens those services at a time when the State is cutting services. The Catholic Church is needed now more than ever.
We reject this irrational, unlawful, and bigoted bill that jeopardizes the religious liberty of our Church.
I urge you to call and e-mail Sen. McDonald and Rep. Lawlor – contact information is available after Mass. I also ask you to come to Hartford this Wednesday, March 11, to be present at the public hearing. Details on bus transportation will be available on Monday in the parish office.
It is up to us to stop this unbridled abuse of governmental power.
It is time for us to defend our First Amendment rights.
It is time for us to defend our Church!
Most Reverend William E. Lori
The Bridgeport diocese is currently organizing buses to attend the hearing on Wednesday, March 11th. Please make arrangements to join us on the 11th to send a clear and powerful message to our elected officials that we will not stand by and let them dictate any kind of organizational restructuring of our Church! Please bring clear signage opposing the bill with you on Wednesday. More details will be coming regarding transportation. Please check the Diocesan website (http://www.bridgeportdiocese.com/) frequently for updates regarding the bill and transportation information. Also, be sure to listen to Bishop Lori’s message.
From "Creative Minority Report"...
"Many people seem confused. What is really at stake with this proposed law in Connecticut? The truth is, everything. The bottom line is that Catholic Churches in Connecticut would cease to be Catholic in the universal sense. Each parish would be subject to a board of lay people who are subject to no one but themselves. This would lead to hundreds of renegade parishes with various levels of inclusion. Pastors would almost become irrelevant. The Bishop, even more so. Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus writes in the Advocate of Stamford Connecticut:
'Free exercise' of religion includes the way a Church chooses to organize. Strip the bishops and priests of their role in financial matters and their message becomes subject to the approval of those holding the purse.
Historically, 'under trustee control, not only was pastoral authority practically eliminated, but the Church's message was utterly dependent upon the congregation's cultural and political
Under such a law, it is not too much to say that the Roman Catholic Church would no longer be 'catholic.' Boards -- independent of their bishops -- could create parishes more unique than universal. Some denominations prefer such a set up, but the point is we must remain free to choose.
Anderson references the U.S. Constitution, but let's look a little closer to home, The Connecticut Constitution.
It reads...
'It being the right of all men to worship the Supreme Being, the Great Creator and Preserver of the Universe, and to render that worship in a mode consistent with the dictates of their consciences, no person shall by law be compelled to join or support, nor be classed or associated with, any congregation, church or religious association. No preference shall be given by law to any religious society or denomination in the state. Each shall have and enjoy the same and equal powers, rights and privileges, and may support and maintain the ministers or teachers of its society or denomination, and may build and repair houses for public worship.' (Continued here at Creative Minority Report)
And at another blog, "In Principio erat Verbum"...
"The principles of religious freedom and universal tolerance towards all denominations are the cornerstone of the American Constitution. The First Amendment specifically is regarded as The Free Exercise Clause, which prohibits the United States Government from any legislation that inhibits a free exercise of religious beliefs. The principle was further advocated by Thomas Jefferson in his treatises on the separation of Church and State as the definitive norm for American religious and political autonomy.
However, the State of Connecticut has introduced a bill, namely Bill 1098 that seeks to displace Catholic Bishops from their present status as the head of parish and institutional corporations. They seek to initiate a legislative agenda that initiates a lay-trustee system to replace the current structure of Connecticut’s corporate structure rules, which would make the Bishop or his representative the minority shareholder on the corporate board and subject to lay trustee approval. Needless to say, this is a hostile attempt by a legislative body to curtail the First Amendment rights of Catholics in the State of Connecticut. Catholics in that state and... (Continued here at "In Principio erat Verbum")
Catholics are urged to voice your opposition to this bill by calling Senator McDonald at 1-800-842-1420 or by email at McDonald@senatedems.ct.gov and Representative Lawlor at 1-800-842-8267 or by email MLawlor99@juno.com . You may also go to Hartford on Wednesday, March 11th to be present at the public hearing at 12:00 noon, in Room 2C of Legislative Office Building.
Here's a list of other email addresses to express your opposition to Bill 1098:
McDonald@senatedems.ct.gov; mlawlor99@juno.com; Handley@senatedems.ct.gov; Gerald.Fox@cga.ct.gov; John.A.Kissel@cga.ct.gov; Arthur.ONeill@housegop.ct.gov; Bill.Aman@cga.ct.gov; Ryan.Barry@cga.ct.gov; Jeffrey.Berger@cga.ct.gov; Charles.Clemons@cga.ct.gov; Eric.Coleman@cga.ct.gov; Matthew.Conway@cga.ct.gov; Christopher.Coutu@housegop.ct.gov; Patricia.Dillon@cga.ct.gov; Doyle@senatedems.ct.gov; Mary.Fritz@cga.ct.gov; Bob.Godfrey@cga.ct.gov; Gomes@senatedems.ct.gov; Minnie.Gonzalez@cga.ct.gov; Kenneth.Green@cga.ct.gov; Gail.Hamm@cga.ct.gov; William.Hamzy@housegop.ct.gov; John.Hetherington@housegop.ct.gov; Ernest.Hewett@cga.ct.gov; Gary.Holder-Winfield@cga.ct.gov; DebraLee.Hovey@housegop.ct..gov; Bryan.Hurlburt@cga.ct.gov; Themis.Klarides@housegop.ct.gov; David.Labriola@housegop.ct..gov; Michael.McLachlan@cga.ct.gov; Meyer@senatedems.ct.gov; Bruce.Morris@cga.ct.gov; Melissa.Olson@cga.ct.gov; Peggy.Reeves@cga.ct.gov; Kelvin.Roldan@cga.ct.gov; Andrew.Roraback@cga.ct.gov
TR.Rowe@housegop.ct.gov; Joseph.Serra@cga.ct.gov; James.Spallone@cga.ct.gov; Joseph.Taborsak@cga.ct.gov; William.Tong@cga.ct.gov
Toni.Walker@cga.ct.gov; Elissa.Wright@cga.ct.gov
PLEASE do something! It's a very small sacrifice of a few moments of time (or more time by going to Hartford) to do the right thing for Lent.
God bless!
Donna-Marie
Please take a moment to see what's going on in Connecticut and what Catholics NEED to do to stop this craziness! I will put a few pieces of information below and will end with an email address and phone number to call TODAY if you can. This is scheduled to go down tomorrow.
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Diocesan Statement on Proposed Legislative Bill # 1098 / 2009
This past Thursday, the Judiciary Committee of the Connecticut State Legislature, which is chaired by Sen. Andrew McDonald of Stamford and Rep. Michael Lawlor of East Haven, introduced a bill that directly attacks the Roman Catholic Church and our Faith.
This bill violates the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. It forces a radical reorganization of the legal, financial, and administrative structure of our parishes. This is contrary to the Apostolic nature of the Catholic Church because it disconnects parishes from their Pastors and their Bishop. Parishes would be run by boards from which Pastors and the Bishop would be effectively excluded.
This bill, moreover, is a thinly-veiled attempt to silence the Catholic Church on the important issues of the day, such as same-sex marriage.
The State has no right to interfere in the internal affairs and structure of the Catholic Church. This bill is directed only at the Catholic Church but could someday be forced on other denominations. The State has no business controlling religion.
The Pastors of our Diocese are doing an exemplary job of sound stewardship and financial accountability, in full cooperation with their parishioners.
For the State Legislature - which has not reversed a $1 billion deficit in this fiscal year - to try to manage the Catholic Church makes no sense. The Catholic Church not only lives within her means but stretches her resources to provide more social, charitable, and educational services than any other private institution in the State. This bill threatens those services at a time when the State is cutting services. The Catholic Church is needed now more than ever.
We reject this irrational, unlawful, and bigoted bill that jeopardizes the religious liberty of our Church.
I urge you to call and e-mail Sen. McDonald and Rep. Lawlor – contact information is available after Mass. I also ask you to come to Hartford this Wednesday, March 11, to be present at the public hearing. Details on bus transportation will be available on Monday in the parish office.
It is up to us to stop this unbridled abuse of governmental power.
It is time for us to defend our First Amendment rights.
It is time for us to defend our Church!
Most Reverend William E. Lori
The Bridgeport diocese is currently organizing buses to attend the hearing on Wednesday, March 11th. Please make arrangements to join us on the 11th to send a clear and powerful message to our elected officials that we will not stand by and let them dictate any kind of organizational restructuring of our Church! Please bring clear signage opposing the bill with you on Wednesday. More details will be coming regarding transportation. Please check the Diocesan website (http://www.bridgeportdiocese.com/) frequently for updates regarding the bill and transportation information. Also, be sure to listen to Bishop Lori’s message.
From "Creative Minority Report"...
"Many people seem confused. What is really at stake with this proposed law in Connecticut? The truth is, everything. The bottom line is that Catholic Churches in Connecticut would cease to be Catholic in the universal sense. Each parish would be subject to a board of lay people who are subject to no one but themselves. This would lead to hundreds of renegade parishes with various levels of inclusion. Pastors would almost become irrelevant. The Bishop, even more so. Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus writes in the Advocate of Stamford Connecticut:
'Free exercise' of religion includes the way a Church chooses to organize. Strip the bishops and priests of their role in financial matters and their message becomes subject to the approval of those holding the purse.
Historically, 'under trustee control, not only was pastoral authority practically eliminated, but the Church's message was utterly dependent upon the congregation's cultural and political
Under such a law, it is not too much to say that the Roman Catholic Church would no longer be 'catholic.' Boards -- independent of their bishops -- could create parishes more unique than universal. Some denominations prefer such a set up, but the point is we must remain free to choose.
Anderson references the U.S. Constitution, but let's look a little closer to home, The Connecticut Constitution.
It reads...
'It being the right of all men to worship the Supreme Being, the Great Creator and Preserver of the Universe, and to render that worship in a mode consistent with the dictates of their consciences, no person shall by law be compelled to join or support, nor be classed or associated with, any congregation, church or religious association. No preference shall be given by law to any religious society or denomination in the state. Each shall have and enjoy the same and equal powers, rights and privileges, and may support and maintain the ministers or teachers of its society or denomination, and may build and repair houses for public worship.' (Continued here at Creative Minority Report)
And at another blog, "In Principio erat Verbum"...
"The principles of religious freedom and universal tolerance towards all denominations are the cornerstone of the American Constitution. The First Amendment specifically is regarded as The Free Exercise Clause, which prohibits the United States Government from any legislation that inhibits a free exercise of religious beliefs. The principle was further advocated by Thomas Jefferson in his treatises on the separation of Church and State as the definitive norm for American religious and political autonomy.
However, the State of Connecticut has introduced a bill, namely Bill 1098 that seeks to displace Catholic Bishops from their present status as the head of parish and institutional corporations. They seek to initiate a legislative agenda that initiates a lay-trustee system to replace the current structure of Connecticut’s corporate structure rules, which would make the Bishop or his representative the minority shareholder on the corporate board and subject to lay trustee approval. Needless to say, this is a hostile attempt by a legislative body to curtail the First Amendment rights of Catholics in the State of Connecticut. Catholics in that state and... (Continued here at "In Principio erat Verbum")
Catholics are urged to voice your opposition to this bill by calling Senator McDonald at 1-800-842-1420 or by email at McDonald@senatedems.ct.gov and Representative Lawlor at 1-800-842-8267 or by email MLawlor99@juno.com . You may also go to Hartford on Wednesday, March 11th to be present at the public hearing at 12:00 noon, in Room 2C of Legislative Office Building.
Here's a list of other email addresses to express your opposition to Bill 1098:
McDonald@senatedems.ct.gov; mlawlor99@juno.com; Handley@senatedems.ct.gov; Gerald.Fox@cga.ct.gov; John.A.Kissel@cga.ct.gov; Arthur.ONeill@housegop.ct.gov; Bill.Aman@cga.ct.gov; Ryan.Barry@cga.ct.gov; Jeffrey.Berger@cga.ct.gov; Charles.Clemons@cga.ct.gov; Eric.Coleman@cga.ct.gov; Matthew.Conway@cga.ct.gov; Christopher.Coutu@housegop.ct.gov; Patricia.Dillon@cga.ct.gov; Doyle@senatedems.ct.gov; Mary.Fritz@cga.ct.gov; Bob.Godfrey@cga.ct.gov; Gomes@senatedems.ct.gov; Minnie.Gonzalez@cga.ct.gov; Kenneth.Green@cga.ct.gov; Gail.Hamm@cga.ct.gov; William.Hamzy@housegop.ct.gov; John.Hetherington@housegop.ct.gov; Ernest.Hewett@cga.ct.gov; Gary.Holder-Winfield@cga.ct.gov; DebraLee.Hovey@housegop.ct..gov; Bryan.Hurlburt@cga.ct.gov; Themis.Klarides@housegop.ct.gov; David.Labriola@housegop.ct..gov; Michael.McLachlan@cga.ct.gov; Meyer@senatedems.ct.gov; Bruce.Morris@cga.ct.gov; Melissa.Olson@cga.ct.gov; Peggy.Reeves@cga.ct.gov; Kelvin.Roldan@cga.ct.gov; Andrew.Roraback@cga.ct.gov
TR.Rowe@housegop.ct.gov; Joseph.Serra@cga.ct.gov; James.Spallone@cga.ct.gov; Joseph.Taborsak@cga.ct.gov; William.Tong@cga.ct.gov
Toni.Walker@cga.ct.gov; Elissa.Wright@cga.ct.gov
PLEASE do something! It's a very small sacrifice of a few moments of time (or more time by going to Hartford) to do the right thing for Lent.
God bless!
Donna-Marie
Sunday, March 8, 2009
My new book: The Heart of Catholicism
Many of you know that I have been working away on writing my new book, "The Heart of Catholicism" for Alpha Penguin. I'm on the home stretch with it now. It is due to be released this fall and you can pre-order through my website: Donna Cooper O'Boyle.Com or through Amazon.Com right here.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Many new reviews over at "Embracing Motherhood"
Go on over and visit Embracing Motherhood to see some of the latest reviews of my new books when you get a minute. There are also details on the book give-away contest winners.
God bless your Sunday!
Donna-Marie
God bless your Sunday!
Donna-Marie
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