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Pro-Life Lobbying Making UN Groups Nervous

Former UN Assistant Secretary General for External Affairs Tells Groups to Lie

NEW YORK, February 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The effectiveness of the pro-life and pro-family lobbyists at the United Nations is starting to worry some groups. The Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute (C-Fam) reports that the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) has convened a meeting to help pro-abortion groups at the UN counter the charge that the UN promotes abortion.

At the meeting, Gillian Sorensen, a senior adviser at Ted Turner's UN Foundation, and former UN Assistant Secretary General for External Affairs, instructed those present to lie about the UN activities in "reproductive health services." C-Fam's Friday Fax news service reports that, "she told the audience members that whenever the issue of abortion is raised, they should respond by saying that the UN only supports such uncontroversial components of sexual and reproductive health services as safe delivery and healthy motherhood initiatives."

Such an attempt at deception seems futile however since the UN's promotion of abortion and sterilization has become so widely known. In June 2001, Andras Vamos-Goldman, a Canadian delegate to the UN publicly admitted that "reproductive health services" means abortion to UN organizations such as UNICEF and the UNFPA.

In an astonishing revelation of contempt for those US citizens whom various groups at the UN purport to represent, Sorensen said that in the United States, "there is a huge reservoir of ignorance and apathy, a great vacuum in this country that has been seized by the hard right." The president of the UN Association of the USA, and a former US ambassador, William Luers, said, "that an American knows nothing about this organization." He suggested that direct questions be answered using "sports metaphors."

Said Samantha Singson, the International Affairs Officer of Campaign Life Coalition and a long-time UN pro-life lobbyist, "This report re-confirms something that pro-life lobbyists at the UN have known for years. The use of vague language and euphemism has enabled United Nations officials to deny involvement in abortion activities while quietly funding programs and services that are indeed abortion-inclusive."

To read the Friday Fax from C-Fam:
http://www.c-fam.org/

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Profit the Driving Force Behind Democrat Filibuster of Judicial Nominations

"It isn't just about 'abortion rights,' the battle is about abortion profits"

WASHINGTON, February 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com/CNSNews.com) - In the first interview since his resignation, former Republican counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Manuel Miranda, told CNSNews.com that the primary motivation behind a Democrat push to disrupt judicial nominations is not because of political ideology, but money. Special interest groups like abortion lobbyists, trial lawyers, and labour unions are driven by a desire for money more than by a liberal agenda, he said.

"What would be truly shocking to the American people is the profit motive that is involved," he said.

Miranda resigned under pressure from Democrat senators after reading memos found on a publicly shared computer that detailed the activist groups' and Democrat's intentions to derail the nominations.

"It isn't just about 'abortion rights,' the battle is about abortion profits," Miranda explained. "The axis of profits that undergirds the fight in the Judiciary Committee is the axis between trial lawyers - who want particular types of judges who rule in particular ways on their cases - and, not the 'abortion rights' lobby, but the abortion clinics lobby."

"The 'abortion rights' lobby is just a front for something much worse," he continued, "which is the abortion clinics' lobby, represented by the National Abortion Federation."

Abortion clinics make $1,000 profit for every abortion they perform, Miranda said. "That's where the money is," he said.

The commonly believed idea that there is no "big money" behind the Democrat motivation is a misconception, Miranda claims. "The abortion clinics' lobby is an industry as large as any industry that lobbies in Washington…the enormity of the money that is behind the Democratic push is astounding and shocking," he said.

When confronted with the charge that the Association of Trial Lawyers of America was deliberately disrupting the judicial nomination process, Carlton Carl, spokesman for the ATLA, told CNSNews.com that the accusation was "a blatant lie."

CNSNews.com later learned that, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a non-profit organization that tracks political contributions, the "ATLA and its members rank fourth on the list of the top 100 political contributors since 1989. Since then, ATLA and its members have given $22,413,466 in political contributions, 85 percent of it to Democrats and 11 percent to Republicans," the interview stated.

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Bush Recess Appoints Pro-Life William H. Pryor Jr. to US Court of Appeals

WASHINGTON, February 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In a press-release Friday, the White House announced the appointment of William H. Pryor Jr. to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Pryor has served as the Attorney General of Alabama since 1997.

President Bush used his recess-appointment powers to seat Pryor, after his nomination had been blocked by filibusters in the Senate. The President has a constitutional right to fill judicial vacancies while the Senate is in recess.

The appointment marks the second such move by Bush in five weeks, as he made a similar recess appointment of US District Judge Charles Pickering to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans on January 15th. The Republican Senate was unable to garner the 60 votes necessary to end the Democratic filibuster. Pickering's appointment was opposed by many abortion-rights groups because of his record on reproductive rights

The White House press-release confirms that a bipartisan majority of Senators supports his confirmation, but that a "minority of Democratic Senators has been using unprecedented obstructionist tactics to prevent him and other qualified nominees from receiving up-or-down votes. Their tactics are inconsistent with the Senate's constitutional responsibility and are hurting our judicial system," the White House release said.

In June 2003, Pryor called the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision "the worst abomination of the history of constitutional law." He also called the day the decision was handed down "the day seven members of our high court ripped the Constitution and ripped out the life of millions of unborn children."

Read the statement from the President at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/02/20040220-6.html

Read the related LifeSiteNews.com coverage of the Pickering appointment, "Bush Installs Pro-Life Judicial Nominee Foiling Filibusters by Pro-Abortion Senators" at:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/jan/04011603.html

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Bishop of San Jose Denies Historicity of Gospels in Response to "Passion" Film

McGrath criticized by local Catholics for supporting pro-homosexual organizations

SAN JOSE February 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Roman Catholic bishop of San Jose California has written an editorial for the local paper in which he denies the historical truth of the Gospels. In response to the accusations of anti-semitism which have been made against the film, "The Passion of the Christ," Bishop Patrick J. McGrath wrote in The Mercury News on February 18, that the charge of anti-Semitism cannot be leveled against Catholicism since Catholics do not adhere to the literal, historical truth of Scripture.

Without commenting directly on the film, which he says he has not seen, the bishop wrote, "While the primary source material of the film is attributed to the four gospels, these sacred books are not historical accounts of the historical events that they narrate. They are theological reflections upon the events that form the core of Christian faith and belief."

However Bishop McGrath's statement that the Gospel accounts of the Passion of Christ are mere "theological reflections" contradicts Church teaching.

For example, the Second Vatican Council document Dei Verbum states, "Holy Mother Church has firmly and with absolute constancy held, and continues to hold, that the four Gospels…whose historical character the Church unhesitatingly asserts, faithfully hand on what Jesus Christ, while living among men, really did and taught…"

Bishop McGrath has been criticized by local Catholic groups for his support of pro-homosexual organizations and his exclusion of the Christian group Courage, a support group for homosexuals who try to live according to Christian morality.

Bishop McGrath's editorial:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/entertainment/special_packages/passio...

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Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Claims Abortion and Homosexuality Are "Canadian Values"

OTTAWA, February 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Bill Graham, Canada's minister of Foreign Affairs, in a speech to the Kroeger Leadership Forum, claimed the pro-abortion, anti-family position as that of most Canadians. The speech focused on the improvements of Canada's relations with the US since the dispute over Canadian involvement in the war in Iraq.

Near the end of the speech Graham related questions put to him by representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations working at the UN at an annual government human rights meeting. Graham said one questioner asked him "whether we were prepared to compromise our strong international support for sexual and reproductive rights for women, and for freedom from discrimination for gays and lesbians."

Graham responded, "the answer to that is no. The U.S. has its own reasons for its positions on these issues, and we take different positions reflecting the values of our own citizens." He went on to claim these as "deeply held commitments that reflect Canadian values" but did not mention that there is in fact deep division among Canadians on these "values". Much of the advance of abortion and homosexuality in Canada has been imposed by court-made law, forcing elected government members to vote the will of the party elites and decades of media and institutional propagandizing of the public.

Said Graham, "We are going ahead in asking the Supreme Court to rule on issues concerning equality rights with respect to the definition of marriage. On the international stage, we will continue working to support multilateral initiatives such as the International Criminal Court."

Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition responded, "(Graham) refuses to acknowledge that the majority of Canadians in poll after poll want some limitations on abortion. He is merely a shill for the pro-abortion movement. He is an embarrassment to the people of Canada."

The Canadian pro-abortion stand does not sit well with other member states of the UN. Samantha Singson, Campaign Life Coalition's International Affairs Officer, and a long-time pro-family, pro-life lobbyist at the UN said, "Canadian delegations to the United Nations have repeatedly snubbed the sovereignty of countries whose laws forbid abortion."

For the Graham's full speech:
http://webapps.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/minpub/Publication.asp?publication_id=380778&La...

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Canadian Bill C-250 is Back: Hate Crimes Change Passes Second Reading in Senate

Senator Cools described legislation as "pernicious and unprecedented," a "menace"

OTTAWA, February 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Bill C-250 passed second reading in the Senate on Friday and is now before the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs for review, despite the valiant efforts of Senator Anne Cools. The private member's bill by homosexual activist Svend Robinson seeks to add the term 'sexual orientation' to hate crime law.

According to an October 6, 2003 article published in the homosexual newspaper, Capital Xtra, "the hate crime legislation … is more important to everyone in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community than the right to marry."

Last October, LifeSiteNews.com reported on the efforts of Senator Cools to stop the bill. She told her colleagues that they should "grasp the enormity and danger of the proposal before us." She referred to the legislation as "pernicious and unprecedented," a "menace" and "a cruel proposition intended to criminalize the verbal and written expression of moral opinion on human sexuality and on human sexual practices."

In a letter today, REAL Women of Canada is entreating all pro-family groups, "churches, organizations and individuals, to apply without delay to appear before the Committee as a witness to speak to this bill."

REAL Women emphasizes that anyone accepted to appear as a witness will have all their expenses paid by the Senate - airfare (or mileage), accommodation, meals, taxis, etc.

The pro-family organization also emphasizes that even if Paul Martin calls an election for May 10, Parliament will not dissolve until April 4th, after which time any bills outstanding will automatically die.

Concerned Canadians are being encouraged to write to Senator George Furey, the Chairman of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, and also Committee Clerk, Marcy Zlotnick. They can be reached as follows:

Senator George Furey
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The Senate
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4
Tel: 613 943-7865
Fax: 613 947-2104

Ms. Marcy Zlotnick
Committee Clerk
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The Senate
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4
Tel: 613 943-7865
Fax: 613 947-2104
mailto:

Read related LifeSiteNews.com coverage of the bill:

CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE ASKS GOVERNMENT TO SCRAP HOMOSEXUAL HATE CRIMES BILL http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/apr/03041702.html

COURT AGREES WITH HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL THAT BIBLE = HATE LITERATURE http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/feb/03021001.html

Canadian Senator Cools Warns Colleagues of "Danger and Enormity" of Homosexual Hate Crime Bill http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/oct/03102803.html

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Ontario Catholic Teachers Union Proposes More Pro-Gay Measures

TORONTO, February 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Since LifeSiteNews.com reported last week on the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) meeting resolution to encourage the federal government to allow homosexual 'marriage', Catholic teachers have emailed to express their disappointment and outrage with the union to which they are forced to contribute dues.

However, in addition to promotion of homosexual marriage, other proposals to be voted on at the union's upcoming March 13 annual general meeting call for more actions contradicting Catholic moral or other principles:

* No.59 proposes "That Policies Human Rights be amended by the addition of a new section to read: 'inclusive learning and working environments for gay, lesbian, transgendered and two-spirited students and teachers"'
* No. 162 proposes " That Policies Human Rights be amended by the addition of a new section to read: 'That the Association provide curriculum documents developed to support an inclusive environment for gay, lesbian, transgendered and two-spirited students and teachers"'
* No. 176 proposes "That the Association distribute the Canadian Teachers' Federation document Seeing the Rainbow to all the Catholic schools in Ontario."
* No. 155 proposes "That Policies Human Rights be amended by the addition of a new
section to read: "That the Association encourage all members to use inclusive language, and that the Association model this use in all Association business.

Of note, most of the homosexual activist proposals which fly in the face of Catholic teaching were proposed by OECTA's own Human Rights Committee.

Many Catholic teachers who have heard about the scandal are contacting their union representatives to encourage them to vote against the proposals at the upcoming AGM.

Comments received by LifeSiteNews.com from faithful Catholic teachers include:

- "How this resolution supporting same-sex marriage in a supposed Catholic Teachers' Union could even possibly be considered is beyond me. We must stand together, defend our faith, and protect our Catholic schools. If this motion is passed, will we be expected to teach to the homosexual agenda in years to come?"

- "Every single catholic teacher should be speaking out against this. To not speak out is a sin - omission."

- "I for one do not want to be a part of or have anything to do with an organization that would even CONSIDER supporting this."

Finally, one teacher pointed out that the resolutions contravene the OECTA Statement of Principles which begins by noting that OECTA is "To promote Catholic Values."

See details on the AGM:
http://www.oecta.on.ca/agm2004/schedule.htm

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Ontario Catholic Teachers Association Mulls Promotion of Homosexual 'Marriage'
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/feb/04021904.html

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U.S. National Catholic Reporter Endorses Homosexual 'Marriage'

Alternative National Catholic Register takes faithful, pro-family line

KANSAS CITY, February 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The U.S. based National Catholic Reporter, which boasts a readership of 120,000 in 96 countries, and a General Excellence Award from the Catholic Press Assoc., has endorsed homosexual 'marriage'. In its current February 20 edition, the dissident Catholic publication says, "The ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts allowing same-sex civil marriage is a beneficial step along the path of human understanding and human rights."

In contrast, the National Catholic Register, a competing paper with a smaller distribution, has remained faithful to Catholic teaching. LifeSiteNews.com spoke today with Fr. Owen Kearns, Publisher and Editor in Chief of the Register, as well as the paper's executive editor Tim Hoopes, about the Register's editorial position on homosexual marriage.

Editorials in the paper have warned readers to be prepared to defend traditional marriage. And articles have been published providing reasoned arguments to do so. The National Catholic Register has also backed the use of a federal marriage amendment and has frequently cited the Pope and Vatican on the issue.

True to Catholic form, the paper urges prayer. The November editorial on the subject of protecting marriage closed with a call to prayer saying, "In his apostolic letter on the rosary, Pope John Paul II said he was calling for daily rosaries with two main intentions: for peace and for the family. He said the attacks on the family were 'menacing ... so as to make us fear for the future of this fundamental and indispensable institution and, with it, for the future of society as a whole.'"

To subscribe to the National Catholic Register visit:
http://www.ncregister.com/subscribe/

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LifeSite Newsbytes

Cal Thomas on The Passion: It's Showtime
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/calthomas/ct20040223.shtml

Breakpoint:The Passion of the Christ: A Viewer's Guide
http://www.pfm.org/BPtemplate.cfm?Section=BreakPoint_Home&Template=/ContentManag...

Catholic Passion Outreach
http://passion.catholicexchange.com/

The Case Against Physician-Assisted Suicide
Dr. Hendin is professor of psychiatry at New York Medical College and medical director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. He is the author of Seduced by Death: Doctors, Patients, and Assisted Suicide and co-edited The Case Against Assisted Suicide: For the Right to End-of-Life Care with Kathleen Foley, M.D. His work was cited by the U.S. Supreme Court in its decision that there was no constitutional right to assisted suicide.
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/p040201b.html

Madame Hillary: The Road to the White House
http://www.hebookservice.com/BookPage.asp?prod_cd=c6427

A UK pharmacy chain has apologised to a 23-year-old woman who was refused the morning-after pill by two staff members on conscientious grounds.. It wants there always to be one pharmacist on duty who will dispense morning-after pills. [Sheffield Today, 20 February]
http://www.spuc.org.uk/news/20040223.htm

Estimates of the cost of providing UK state-funded in vitro fertilisation (IVF) have been revised downwards. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence is expected to suggest later this week that all infertile women under 40 should receive three free attempts at IVF. [ITV, 23 February]
http://www.spuc.org.uk/news/20040223.htm

Marriage Changes May Shake Churches' Tax Exemptions
http://www.cnsnews.com//ViewCulture.asp?Page=\Culture\archive\200402\CUL20040223...

U.S. 'Marriage Penalty' Targeted
http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0030902.cfm

Bill Forces Shots on All Children
Homeschoolers fight state legislation that criminalizes parents who object
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=37258

N.J. Teachers Conference Promotes Irresponsible Sexual Behaviour
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/5270/CFI/family/index.htm

Mystery Surrounds Death of Albany Diocese Priest
http://thewandererpress.com/a2-26-2004.htm

Reflections On A Press Conference And Agony In Albany
http://thewandererpress.com/b2-26-2004.htm

When Relativism Becomes Theology
The demise of Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/thomas200402230853.asp

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