Politics
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Tuesday January 6, 2004
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Print- Washington Cardinal Ends Catholic University's Use of Aborted Fetal Cell Lines
- 'Theology of the Body' Reveals Why Sex is Central to the Culture War
- Nine Hungarian Hospitals Agree to Halt Abortions on National Holidays
- Priests for Life announces "National Christian Voter Registration Sundays" for 2004
- Ugandan Priest Urges Resistance to EU Pressure to Legalize Abortion
- Stem Cell Breakthrough: Yet Another Reason Human Embryo Source Unnecessary
- Australian Pharmacists Refuse to Sell "Morning-After Pill"
- Prime Minister Martin To Re-Introduce Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Without Changes
- LifeSite NewsBytes
Washington Cardinal Ends Catholic University's Use of Aborted Fetal Cell Lines
TODAY'S HEADLINES
WASHINGTON, January 6, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A pro-life victory was realized in the last few weeks of the year when Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick wrote a pro-life group December 15 to assure them that a "problem" at a Catholic University "has been resolved." Children of God for Life Director Debra Vinnedge told LifeSiteNews.com that last fall she wrote the Cardinal asking him to stop Georgetown University - a Catholic institution - from using aborted fetal cell lines.
Children of God for Life, which concentrates on the use of aborted fetal cell lines in vaccines, discovered that Georgetown University's Medical Research Centre was using aborted fetal cell lines MRC-5, WI-38, IMR-90 and HEK (human embryonic kidney). Vinnedge told LifeSite that GU's tissue culture bank inventory now shows that all the objectionable cell lines have been removed.
In his letter to Vinnedge, Cardinal McCarrick wrote: "I am happy to give you a report of the investigation which I was able to do of the tissue culture research being carried out at Georgetown University Medical School. I have had this matter thoroughly investigated and I am pleased to tell you that Georgetown Medical Centre's Tissue Culture Bank is now well aware of the moral problems concerning use of certain cell lines and research involving tissue culture."
The Cardinal expressed his thanks to Vinnedge saying, "Thank you so much for your kindness in calling my attention to this. I am grateful to you for your vigilance in an important area of moral concern."
Vinnedge responded to the Cardinal's letter writing, "It is with deepest appreciation that I write to thank you for intervening to stop the use of aborted fetal cell lines in medical research at Georgetown University. Your actions demonstrate a profound respect for the sanctity of human life and Catholic teaching. You have set an impressive example for other Catholic and Christian research facilities and have given us great hope that one day we may indeed put an end to all such illicit and immoral practices."
Back to Top'Theology of the Body' Reveals Why Sex is Central to the Culture War
OTTAWA, January 6, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Famous modern philosopher Peter Kreeft has often brought to awareness that much of the culture wars centre around sex. Abortion, contraception, pornography, prostitution, divorce, homosexuality, promiscuity, adultery, sex education, and more of the most common fronts in the culture war revolve around sex.
Christopher West, a professor of sexual ethics in the St. John Vianney Seminary in Chicago and visiting professor of the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family Australia campus, has presented a compelling explanation for the attack on God-given sex. West is a world-renowned expert on the "Theology of the Body" - a revolutionary conception of human sexual truth as first expounded by Pope John Paul II early in his pontificate.
West suggested at a talk Monday that since the Scriptures use the marital union of a man and woman as the prime analogy of the relationship between God and His Church, the marital union is a foretaste of heaven. Given that the marital union expresses most powerfully the participation of life with God, says West, it is precisely there that Satan would strike hardest. West proposed that the Enemy of Man, whose main goal is to dissuade Man from Heaven, strikes first and foremost at the gift of God of sexuality.
When practiced as it was meant to be, that union is a total gift of self to the spouse, the exact opposite of lust - the use of the spouse or partner as an object for self gratification, said West.
West told LifeSite that he would make himself available for interviews on the fascinating topic in the near future.
If you can't wait check out West's website:
http://www.christopherwest.com
Nine Hungarian Hospitals Agree to Halt Abortions on National Holidays
BUDAPEST, January 6, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Pro-life efforts in Hungary have led directors and ob/gyn departments at nine hospitals to agree to not to perform abortions on three new national holidays: March, 25th (Day of the Unborn Child), June, 1st (International Day of Life by UN) and on December, 28th (Feast of Holy Innocents).
The concession comes after the largest pro-life group in the country, Alpha Alliance for Protecting Unborn, Newborn Babies, Children and Families in cooperation with the U.S.-based Helpers of God's Precious Infants and 18 other pro-life organizations held a 400-strong pro-life procession and prayer vigil in Budapest on December 27. The event commenced with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Laszlo Biro representing the Hungarian Catholic Bishops Conference.
Dr. Imre Teglasy, PhD. founder and secretary-general of Alpha Alliance, noted that the press coverage of the event was significantly boosted by a Hungarian radio reporter troubled by the then-upcoming event who said on Radio Forbidden (Tilos Radio) that he would exterminate all Christians from Hungarian society.
To send congratulations to the pro-life group email:
(with files from Pro-Life E-News)
Priests for Life announces "National Christian Voter Registration Sundays" for 2004
"The most important issue on which to evaluate a candidate is his or her position on abortion"
NEW YORK, January 6, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Priests for Life has announced "National Christian Voter Registration Sundays" for 2004. The effort to register voters at Catholic parishes nationwide is one part of the organization's overall strategy for the election year.
The dates for Voter Registration Sundays are Jan. 18, March 7, May 2, July 4, and Sept. 5. The exact process is described at http://www.priestsforlife.org/vote . Other Christian organizations are joining in the effort as well, and Priests for Life is urging that drives be conducted on a statewide and diocesan level, as was recently done in a few states.
Priests for Life, with a multi-million dollar budget and a staff of 40 full-time people, has made the 2004 Elections its primary focus this year. "All our activities are totally non- partisan," explains National Director Fr. Frank Pavone. "But non- partisan doesn't mean timid or half-hearted. We are working aggressively to impart a simple, three-fold message based on the teachings of the US Bishops in their 1995 document Living the Gospel of Life. Our message is
a) Believers have a duty to get out and vote.
b) The most important issue on which to evaluate a candidate is his or her position on abortion, because if a politician cannot respect the life of a little baby, how is he supposed to respect yours?
c) Public servants who take a "pro-choice" position contradict Catholic teaching, the Gospel of Christ, and the founding principles of the United States of America."
During the year, Priests for Life will utilize mass media and extensive travels to all fifty states to disseminate its message. "It's not our job to tell people how to vote; it is our job, however, to give them moral guidance in exercising their civic responsibilities, and we intend to carry out that job with clarity and vigor," Fr. Pavone concluded.
Ugandan Priest Urges Resistance to EU Pressure to Legalize Abortion
KAMPALA, January 6, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Fr. Felix Sciqnnqmeo, a Catholic priest in Uganda, led prayers to mark World Day of Peace, which were followed by a peace march.
Kampala's New Vision newspaper reports that in his remarks, the priest said Uganda must resist pressure from Europe and the United States to legalize abortion. "Adopt children, don't kill them. Hope Uganda does not legalise abortion," he said.
See the New Vision coverage:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200401060292.html
Stem Cell Breakthrough: Yet Another Reason Human Embryo Source Unnecessary
LA JOLLA, CA, January 6, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, announced an alternative to embryonic stem cells yesterday. The company research team discovered a synthetic substance known as reversine that is able to trigger human adult cells to revert back to more primitive, undifferentiated stem cell-like cells. Scripps stem cells were created from adult muscle cells.
Stem cell research is a relatively new and emerging field in medicine. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells, which means they can be transformed into cells ordered to almost any bodily tissue. In theory, this may aid in the repair and regeneration of tissues previously thought irreparable; for instance, the brain in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, or heart tissue in heart attack sufferers, and so on.
Dr. Peter Hollands, an embryologist who now runs an umbilical cord blood bank in the Toronto area says that "common sense" dictates that resources be directed toward adult over embryonic stem cell research." "Embryonic stem cells have many legal, moral, ethical and religious objections before even the practicalities of obtaining the cells, growing them, storing them and not least transplanting them are addressed," Dr. Hollands told LifeSiteNews.com in an interview. "Adult and umbilical cord blood stem cells are readily available, have no objections associated with them and are tried and tested in clinical use. Umbilical cord blood stem cells, for example, have been used over 3000 times for 45 different diseases!"
Adult stem cells to date have been harvested from bone marrow - a source that is painful and difficult to extract. This new advance would mean an improved, simpler source of stem cells and as well, an end to embryonic cells and the killing necessary to create them.
See LifeSiteNews feature "Stem Cell News and Resources" at:
http://www.lifesite.net/features/stemcellembryo/
Read previous LifeSiteNews report of blood as an alternative stem cell source at:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/dec/031202.html
Read previous LifeSiteNews report of skin as an alternative stem cell source at:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/dec/031210.html
Australian Pharmacists Refuse to Sell "Morning-After Pill"
Group says [MAP] is not intended for repetitive use but no realistic plans offered to prevent this
AUSTRALIA, January 6, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Pro life Pharmacists in Australia are refusing to dispense the new "Morning-After Pill (MAP)," Postinor-2. In addition, other pharmacists who, although not necessarily members of pro-life groups, are refusing to sell the drug, citing safety and legal concerns.
The MAP became available over the counter in Australia effective January 1, following approval of its sale by a drugs scheduling committee late last year.
Contrary to manufacturers claims that the drug is contraceptive in effect, Canadian Physicians For Life president Dr. Rob Pankratz states that, in approximately 75 percent of cases, the MAP is abortifacient, in that it makes implantation of a newly formed foetus impossible. In the other 25 percent of cases, if the pill is taken before ovulation, ovulation may be inhibited. Dr. Pankratz goes on to say "use of the [MAP] involves a direct attack on an already formed unique human life."
Dr. Pankratz also documents a troubling 10-fold increase in dangerous ectopic pregnancies caused by use of the MAP.
The Physicians For Life website (http://www.physiciansforlife.ca) warns that increased access to MAP's will increase its use. "The 1998-99 annual report of Planned Parenthood Federation of America showed an 83.5% increase in 'emergency contraception clients,'" the report says.
The same Physicians For Life report also states "Manufacturers stress that the [MAP] is not intended for repetitive use but offer no realistic plan to prevent this. In Asia, repetitive [MAP] use (and health consequences) have become commonplace, and health authorities there have become concerned."
Read the CNS news report at:
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=\ForeignBureaus\archive\20040...
Prime Minister Martin To Re-Introduce Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Without Changes
VICTORIA, BC, January 6, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Paul Martin Liberals plan to re-introduce the pot legislation bill (formerly bill C-38) that died with the retirement of former Prime Minister Jean Chretien at the close of Parliament late last year. There are to be no changes to the bill, which proposes the legalization of possession of marijuana in the amount of 15 grams (approximately 15 cigarettes).
The government has reportedly made this decision despite a recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling that it is within the federal government's power to continue to make marijuana possession a crime.
REAL Women of Canada issued a press release last November expressing satisfaction that "Canada has escaped one of the dopiest pieces of legislation ever with the killing of Bill C-38 (decriminalization of marijuana), as a result of the Prorogation of Parliament."
The Canadian women's organization lists several serious flaws in the bill and concludes "It was naïve, superficial and dangerous. It would have created more problems and dangers to society than are already experienced by present marijuana use."
Focus on the Family Canada research director Derek Rogusky, in reaction to the September 2002 Senate report which came out in favour of decriminalizing marijuana, pointed to evidence that decriminalization does in fact lead to greater use of cannabis. For example, in the Netherlands, marijuana decriminalization was accompanied by large increases in the number of users, particularly among youth. From 1984 to 1992 the rate of cannabis use among students increased by 250%.
Rogusky called the 2002 report "totally irresponsible...Marijuana is not harmless and legalizing its use and production will do nothing to reduce Canada's drug problems."
Rogusky pointed out evidence that shows adolescents who use marijuana are 85 times more likely to begin using cocaine than teens who have never smoked marijuana.
Other health risks attributed to long-term use of marijuana, he said, include serious pulmonary damage, memory lapses, pseudo-hallucinations, reduced bloodflow that can lead to strokes, tumours, and negative effects on the development of unborn children.
See LifeSiteNews coverage of the retired bills at:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/nov/03111201.html
LifeSite NewsBytes
Montreal-based law firm Heenan Blaikie LLP Hires Former PM Jean Chretien
http://cbc.ca/stories/2004/01/05/chretien_lawfirm040105
Msgr. Mario Paquette to Become New CCCB General Secretary
http://www.cccb.ca/MediaReleases.htm?CD=404&ID=1469
French Cardinal Tauran Expresses Concern With Muslim Countries' Treatment of Christians
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040103/NEWS10/101030071
Princess Dianna Letter Accused Prince Charles of Plotting to Kill Her
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/content_objectid=13784399_method=full_sitei...
Birth-rate crisis set to make Jews a minority in Israel
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/01/05/2003086454
Anglican Church of Uganda Rejects U.S. Gay Bishop
http://www.allafrica.com/stories/200311040074.html
Hollinger Chairman Conrad Black May be Ousted
http://money.cnn.com/2004/01/06/news/companies/hollinger.reut/
Kindergartner Censored for Distributing Gifts With Religious Message
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=\Culture\archive\200401\CUL20040106a...
Lieberman Says First Action as President Would Be Repeal of Restrictions on Stem Cell Research
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040104/ap_on_el_pr/on_the_is...
Toddlers Glued to Tube, Study Says
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/afa/62004e.asp
Pornography Tied to Green River Killer
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/afa/62004c.asp
Transgendereds Follow in Homosexuals' Footsteps
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/afa/52004c.asp
UNFPA Donor Nations on the Rise
http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0029640.cfm
Calculated Deception: Cloning Advocates Aren't Telling the Truth
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PV02D2&f=PG03I03
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