Wednesday July 1, 2009

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LifeSiteNews Canada Day and Independence Day Message. Taking a few days off. LSN returns Monday July 6

Dear readers,

Wednesday is Canada Day and Saturday Independence Day. LifeSiteNews will not be publishing Thursday and Friday in order to give our staff a much deserved long weekend break.

Let us leave you with a thought for these two auspicious occasions. It comes from the preaching of a 38-year-old priest on Wednesday - Canada Day - on the subject of patriotism. "Who," he said, "do we honor as patriots but those who sacrifice themselves and even their blood to save the lives of their fellow Canadians?" "And therefore," he continued, "who are the true patriots today but those who sacrifice themselves to save the lives of their fellow Canadians - unborn Canadians."

There are 100,000 unborn Canadians killed every year, 1,000,000 unborn Americans killed every year. Let us be true patriots and fight for the lives of our fellow Canadians and Americans. Even if that means sacrificing our wealth, our reputation, our time, or even one day our very lives.

Stand tall this Canada Day and Independence Day dear pro-life Canadians and Americans. You are the true patriots.

God Bless,

John-Henry Westen
Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief
LifeSiteNews.com

P.S. Check out the many letters we received again today on the Development and Peace issue. There has been a flood of supportive emails these past few days.

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Cardinal Rigali: You Can't Claim to be "Reducing Abortions" but Publicly Funding them in D.C.

WASHINGTON, July 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote to members of the House Appropriations Committee yesterday urging them not to fund abortions in the District of Columbia. Last week the House subcommittee that is considering the Financial Services appropriations bill for 2010 voted to permit direct public funding of abortion in the nation's capital.

Cardinal Rigali said that the subcommittee's action "effectively nullifies the Dornan amendment," which for a total of 18 years has prevented public funding of elective abortions in the District. He said this move, "presumably the first step in a broader effort to restore such funding throughout the federal government," is misguided for three reasons.

"First, he said, "public funding of abortion is rejected by the American people, as numerous surveys of public opinion have shown." He also noted that Catholics recently sent "tens of millions of postcards to their elected representatives in Congress, opposing   any weakening or reversal of current appropriations riders on abortion."

"Second, no lawmaker or Administration can support such a policy change and still claim to support 'reducing abortions.' The evidence is overwhelming, and universally recognized by groups on all sides of the abortion issue, that the availability of public funds for abortion greatly increases abortions."

"Third, this action takes place as Congress is working to win broad support for a much-needed major reform of our health care system," Cardinal Rigali noted. "This is the worst of all possible times to be injecting the divisive issue of public abortion funding into the debate on government health policy."

Cardinal Rigali concluded by urging the full House Appropriations Committee to reverse the subcommittee's action and retain the funding ban in current law.

The full text of his letter is available here.

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Al Franken Win Hands Supermajority to Senate Democrats

By Kathleen Gilbert

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Minnesota State Supreme Court on Tuesday declared Democrat Al Franken the winner of Minnesota's U.S. Senate seat, delivering the last seat Senate Democrats needed to secure a filibuster-proof majority.

Republican incumbent Norm Coleman conceded the hard-fought race after the state Supreme Court rejected his five arguments that the recount of the November 4 vote had been unfair.  Out of 2.4 million ballots cast, the final recount showed Franken defeated Coleman by 312 votes.  In the initial count, Coleman had 206 more votes than Franken, but the narrow margin sparked an automatic recount.

"The Supreme Court has made its decision and I will abide by the results," Coleman told reporters yesterday.  "In these tough times we all need to focus on the future, and the future is that we have a new United States senator."  In a victory speech outside his home in St. Paul, Senator-elect Franken said he was humbled by the closeness of the election and the "enormity of the responsibility" of his new post.

Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty said he would sign the election certificate immediately.  Franken, a liberal radio personality, author, and former Saturday Night Live regular, will likely take his seat in the Senate next week. 

Sen. Arlen Specter's recent switch from Republican to Democrat affiliation in late April had boosted the Democrats to being one seat away from the 60-seat supermajority capable of keeping Republicans from attempting to block legislation.  The 60-vote tally includes two Independents, Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., who regularly vote with the Democrat party.

While few were confident that Franken's win would amount to a surefire rubber-stamp Congress for President Obama's legislation, many took the news as a pivotal shift in the Senate power structure.

"With 60 votes now in the Senate, there's no excuse for Democrats not passing our energy (and climate) bill," a senior House Democratic aide told FOX News.

The Huffington Post's Dan Sweeney noted that previously "it was up to the Democrats to keep their people in line and, at the same time, woo a moderate Republican (read: the women from Maine) into joining the Democratic ranks on a cloture vote," referring to left-leaning Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snow.

"But that is no longer the case," wrote Sweeney. "Now, it is the Republicans who must keep their people in line and convince a Democrat to come to the other side.

"That may seem like a small shift, but it has could have big implications."

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Pro-Abort Sen. Specter Announces Switch to Democratic Party 
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042802.html

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Pro-Life Groups Announce New Colorado Personhood Initiative

Denver, June 29, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Colorado Right to Life, the state's largest pro-life organization, has announced that it is joining with the Denver-based Personhood USA to fight for the affirmation of the rights of all humans from the beginning of their biological development.

Colorado Right To Life and Personhood USA will host a press conference tomorrow on the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol as they submit language for a new Personhood initiative to the Colorado Legislative Council Staff Thursday, marking the beginning of the 2010 Colorado Personhood Initiative. 

"Over half-a-million Coloradans voted for personhood in 2008. Their votes acknowledging the God-given right to life of the preborn revolutionized the pro-life movement and they encourage us toward victory," stated Gualberto Garcia Jones, one of the initiative's sponsors.

"Personhood USA's volunteers plan to work around the clock to keep the momentum going in order to ensure that all humans are protected in Colorado."
 
The initiative, endorsed by Georgetown University medical ethicist Dr. Dianne N. Irving, awaits approval by the Secretary of State before grassroots volunteers can collect signatures to place it on the 2010 ballot.

"In 2008 our state's Personhood Initiative demonstrated an unparalleled grassroots effort, with more signatures gathered by volunteers than any other ballot initiative in the state's history, and 1,300 petition circulators," said Leslie Hanks, the 2010 co-sponsor and long-time vice president of Colorado Right To Life. "Abortion is wrong because it's a baby; it's always wrong to intentionally kill a baby."

About seven states across the U.S. are considering personhood legislation so far this year.  A similar personhood bid, known as Amendment 48, sponsored by Colorado for Equal Rights, made it on the 2008 ballot but was voted down following a comprehensive advertisement campaign by pro-abortion advocates.

To find out more about the personhood movement, click here.

Contact:

Donna Ballentine
American RTL

1-888-888-2785 (ARTL)
 
Gualberto Garcia Jones J.D.
Personhood Colorado

202-595-3500

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Judge Puts Kibosh on DC Gay "Marriage" Referendum

By Peter J. Smith

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A Superior Court judge has thrown out a request from local black pastors and marriage advocates to suspend a new law for the District of Columbia that recognizes same-sex "marriages" contracted outside the district until the people are able to hold a referendum on the matter.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Judith E. Retchin dismissed the motion for an injunction on the Jury and Marriage Amendment Act of 2009 (JMA) filed by the Stand 4 Marriage D.C. coalition, led by Bishop Harry Jackson of Beltsville's Hope Christian Church.

Retchin affirmed the decision of the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics (BOEE) to block the referendum on the JMA, saying that putting the JMA up to a popular vote did not constitute a "proper subject" for a referendum. Retchin stated that the proposed referendum would have the effect of "authorizing discrimination" on the basis of gender or sexual orientation, which would violate provisions of the DC Human Rights Act (DCHRA) that prohibit discrimination on "gender or sexual orientation."

Retchin also said that a key 1995 Court of Appeals ruling cited by marriage advocates, Dean vs. D.C., which upheld a city clerk's refusal to grant a marriage license to a homosexual couple, did not support their case. The judge stated that Dean "involved a different factual scenario and presented a different legal question than is before the Court" as no state had legalized same-sex "marriage" at the time, and the marriage statutes of the D.C. code have since been changed to be gender-neutral.

Retchin stated that D.C. voters have initiative processes available to repeal a law, although elsewhere in her decision she states that even the initiative process is subject to the DCHRA.

"We are disappointed with the court's ruling, but our clients will proceed immediately with an initiative which will preserve marriage between one man and one woman in D.C.," said Brian Raum, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, in a statement.
 
"Marriage redefinition activists will advance their agenda by any means necessary, even if that means snuffing out fundamental rights like the right to vote. ADF will continue to defend the right of District residents to exercise their right to vote, because their elected representatives and this court have refused to do so."

The JMA was passed by the D.C. council on May 5. Barring an intervention from Congress, the JMA will become law July 6 at the end of a 30-day period for Congressional review.

Read the decision in Jackson v. District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics here.
http://www.dccourts.gov/dccourts/docs/09-4350_Jackson_v_DCBOEE.pdf

See related coverage by LifeSiteNews.com:

Appeal Filed against DC Board's Decision to Deny Public Vote on Same-Sex "Marriage"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jun/09061714.html

D.C. Ethics Board Rejects Referendum on Homosexual "Marriage" Advocated by Black Pastors
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jun/09061511.html

Washington DC Approves Same-Sex "Marriage" Recognition
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050610.html

D.C. Prepares to Recognize Out of State Same-Sex "Marriages" May 5
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09041705.html

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Financially Troubled Planned Parenthood of El Paso Closes Doors

EL PASO, Texas, July 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In 1937, Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger personally visited her gleaming new Planned Parenthood offices in El Paso, Texas. This past June 30, however, American Life League joined local pro-life activists in celebration of a major victory as all seven of the Planned Parenthood of El Paso facilities permanently close their doors.

The El Paso Planned Parenthoo group announced at a press conference Friday that it would shut down after 72 years of operation due to financial concerns, citing a drop in donations and government funds.

"Today, it is with deep heartfelt regret that I have to announce that Planned Parenthood Center of El Paso will close all of its care centers as of June 30, 2009," Analinda Moreno, the El Paso group's interim CEO, told the press.

Rita Diller, director of American Life League's STOP Planned Parenthood project, said they expect "many more closures in the days to come, as people become aware of Planned Parenthood's sex-crazed birth control and abortion business."

"What happened to Planned Parenthood of El Paso is part of a larger trend," Diller said. "One by one, with hard work and prayer, these facilities are closing down, no matter how entrenched Planned Parenthood may seem to be in a particular community."

See related LifeSiteNews.com article:

Planned Parenthood Booted Out of Texas Panhandle 
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/dec/08122214.html

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Ohio Supreme Court Allows Planned Parenthood to Conceal Abortion Records in Sexual Abuse Case

By Kathleen Gilbert

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Parents suing a Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio clinic for failing to report statutory rape may not access other girls' medical records to see if they establish a pattern of neglect, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled today. 

The lawsuit involves a 14-year-old girl who, unbeknownst to her parents, aborted a child in 2004, conceived after having relations with her 21-year-old soccer coach.  Ohio state law requires that parents give consent for a minor's abortion, but the parents say only the coach signed off on the procedure. 

Attorneys Charles Miller and Brian Hurley had attempted to procure the medical records of other minor girls who received abortions at the clinic to establish whether the facility had routinely neglected to report statutory rape. 

The First District Court of Appeals in 2007 denied that the records should be handed over, even if the patients' identifying information were not included, saying that even so "it is arguable that disclosure would result in a privacy invasion."  The court said such information would only be available to the attorneys had they filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of a group of parents against the clinic.

The Supreme Court at first declined to hear the appeal in January, but later reversed itself.

Hurley is also pursuing another case of abuse cover-up on behalf of a now-grown woman who says Planned Parenthood failed to report the routine sexual abuse committed against her by her father.  Under Ohio law, suspected sexual abuse must be reported to authorities; however, the anonymous Ohio woman says the abuse was allowed to continue for another 18 months because Planned Parenthood did not act on information she divulged.

An ongoing sting operation by the student group Live Action Films has recently added to the growing pile of evidence that Planned Parenthood facilities in several states across America routinely sidestep laws mandating the reporting of sexual abuse.

The group released a video this week showing a Planned Parenthood counselor telling a girl, who said she was 14 and impregnated by a 31-year-old, that the clinic "does sometimes bend the rules a little bit" rather than report sexual abuse to state authorities. 

To see a map of violations at Planned Parenthood clinics across America click here.

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Planned Parenthood Employee in Alabama Admits 'Bending the Rules' of Mandatory Reporting for Sexual Abuse  http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jun/09063004.html

Woman Sues Planned Parenthood for Covering up Incest - Suffered Years of Abuse  http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/feb/09022013.html

Appeals Court Agrees to Conceal Planned Parenthood Records in Statutory Rape Case  http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/aug/07082909.html

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Heroically Pro-Life Brazilian Archbishop's Resignation Accepted Under Cloud of Vatican Newspaper Misrepresentation

By John-Henry Westen

RECIFE, Brazil, July 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - This morning, the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Archbishop Jose Cardoso Sobrinho, the metropolitan archbishop of Olinda and Recife. The pope appointed Bishop Fernando Antonio Saburido as his successor. Pro-life activists around the world are very familiar with Archbishop Cardoso for his heroic defense of the unborn despite criticism he received even from Archbishop Salvatore (Rino) Fisichella, the President of Pontifical Academy for Life.

The acceptance of his resignation at this time has raised many questions; however, there is no evidence to indicate that it was undertaken as a punitive measure.  The Vatican announcement merely states that the archbishop's "resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit."  Bishops are required to submit a letter of resignation to the Pope on the completion of their 75th year, but accepting the resignation is at the discretion of the Pope.  Archbishop Cardoso just turned 76 yesterday.

For his ardent defense of the lives of unborn twins, Archbishop Cardoso has been vilified in the media since February of this year.  The media pounced on the archbishop due to his action in the very hard case of a nine-year-old girl who was raped by her step-father and was carrying twins. 

The priest involved and Archbishop Cardoso himself did everything in their power to work with the family and the child to assist them with their needs and also to save the lives of the twins she was carrying.  An international abortion lobby group was pushing the family to have the girl abort, apparently seeing the case as a golden opportunity to press for legal abortion in the nation.  As a last-ditch effort to save the lives of the unborn twins, after the girl was moved by pro-abortion activists to an unknown location, the archbishop announced that those involved in procuring the abortions would suffer an automatic excommunication.

The international anti-life media jumped on the announcement, portraying the archbishop as heartless and cruel.  At first the archbishop was defended by his confreres in the episcopate locally and also by the Vatican's Prefect for the Congregation of Bishops Cardinal Battista Re.

However, the relentless media attacks and falsifications, coupled with public denunciations from political leaders including Brazil's health minister as well as its President, began to affect even his brother bishops.

The most devastating rejection of Archbishop Cardoso's actions came from the President of the Pontifical Academy for Life in the pages of the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano. Without ever having consulted his brother Archbishop in Brazil, Archbishop Fisichella launched what has been seen as a scathing attack on Archbishop Cardoso.

Fisichella's Vatican newspaper article implied that Archbishop Cardoso had not been caring enough for the rape victim, that he had "hastily" announced the excommunication and defended the abortionists from excommunication.  Criticism from other bishops around the world followed with two French bishops and a Canadian cardinal chiming in.

When Archbishop Cardoso requested that he be permitted to defend himself in the pages of the Vatican newspaper, and correct factul errors present in Fisichella's article, his request was declined. 

The world's pro-life movement followed the story closely and were, especially due to this persecution, all the more endeared to Archbishop Cardoso.  Human Life International put those sentiments into reality in April as it presented Archbishop Cardoso with a prestigious award recognizing his valiant defence of life.

The award was presented by Monsignor Ignacio Barreiro-Carámbula, JD, STD, head of HLI's bureau in Rome.  LifeSiteNews.com spoke with Monsignor Barreiro about his reaction to Archbishop Cardoso's resignation.

"It is regrettable that his resignation has been accepted without an official clarification that defends him against the unjust accusations leveled against him by Archbishop Fisichella in his article of March 15," said Monsignor Barreiro.  "Nevertheless it would be an act of justice if, even after the retirement of Archbishop Cardoso, that those clarifications would be published for two reasons.

Firstly, "To clarify the confusions created by Archbishop Fisichella with regard to extreme cases. It should be made absolutely clear that under no circumstances is an abortion permitted." And, secondly, "A clarification that would underline that Archbishop Cardoso and his archdiocese paid the best pastoral care to the young girl who eventually suffered the abortion."

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Young Children Removed from UK Schools for "Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour"

By Hilary White

LONDON, June 30, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A U.K. government report has described as "worrying" the discovery that children in the youngest grades of primary school are being removed from class for "inappropriate sexual behaviour." According to the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted), 14 out of the 69 schools surveyed had related problems with children as young as four acting out.

The report mentioned children touching other children "inappropriately" and using "sexually graphic language." Other offenses included swearing, attacking staff and throwing furniture. In some of the schools in the investigation, the same children had been suspended ten times in one year.

The report says that teachers who contacted social services over worries about the children's sexualized behavior were often turned away, with one being told that the child would "grow out of it."

Miriam Rosen, director of education at Ofsted, said, "Sexualised behaviour can indicate a child protection issue, so the important thing is that they refer to the social services so they can deal with the problem."

In the report's conclusion, Ofsted is "urgently" asking the government for guidelines to help teachers "identify" appropriate sexual behavior and when to refer a child to social services in case that child is at risk of abuse.

The revelation comes at the same time as government plans to introduce explicit "sex education" to children as young as five are moving forward.

In April this year, Children's Secretary Ed Balls said that, starting in 2011, personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) will become a compulsory subject for all students in English schools from age four through the end of high school. Previously schools were obliged only to teach lessons in human reproduction, contraception and puberty in science lessons and could opt out of the PSHE courses.

Norman Wells, head of the Family Education Trust (FET), told LifeSiteNews.com (LSN), that the problem is more systemic than isolated cases of child abuse. "Inappropriate sexual behavior among young children in primary schools is all part of the price we are paying for our highly sexualized culture," he said.

The FET is a research and lobby group that investigates the causes of family breakdown in the UK. Wells accused the government of "caving in to the demands of the sex education lobby" in its plans to expand sex education in the national curriculum.
 
"We are failing to learn the lesson that introducing children to sexual language and imagery, whether on television, videos, DVDs, the internet, or in formal school lessons will inevitably break down children's natural sense of reserve."

Read related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

UK Sex-Ed Backfire: Survey Reveals Increased Pregnancy Rates in Teens Subjected to Program
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/mar/04031505.html

UK Contraception and Abortion Promoters calling for Sex Ed for Four Year-Olds
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/08070408.html

Looney England - Boys As Young As 12 To Be Given "Credit Cards" For Obtaining Condoms
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jun/09060801.html

UK Schools Handing Out Morning-After Pill to Students of All Ages
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/aug/06081002.html

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Abortion Linked to Subsequent Pre-Term Births, New Research Again Confirms

By Patrick B. Craine

AMSTERDAM, June 29, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Having an abortion is dangerous for subsequent children, an international team of researchers has concluded.  The team, led by Dr. Robbert van Oppenraaij of Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, presented their findings on Monday to the 25th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in Amsterdam.

In his presentation, Dr. van Oppenraaij reported that one abortion increases the risk of premature birth in a next pregnancy by 20 percent. With two or more abortions, the risk is raised by 90 percent, and the risk of a very premature birth - meaning 34 weeks or less - is doubled.

"It can be concluded," said Dr. van Oppenraaij, "that a history of abortion is associated with an increased risk for premature delivery and very premature delivery."

The conference presentation was based on a March 2009 article published by the team in the ESHRE's Human Reproduction Update.  The research consisted of a literature review of over 75 investigations conducted between 1980 and 2008, focusing on predicting the health of pregnancies based on early pregnancy complications.

The article admits the difficulty of predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes after abortion because of the many variables, such as different abortion methods and gestational age.  Nevertheless, they say, "it can be concluded that a history of TOP [termination of pregnancy] is associated with an increased risk for PPROM [preterm premature rupture of membranes], PTD [preterm delivery] and VPTD [very preterm delivery]. These risks depend on the number of TOP."

Numerous independent studies have found this link between abortion and premature births in subsequent pregnancies, as LifeSiteNews.com has reported.  Most significantly, LSN reported in February this year on the findings of a German team who evaluated over two million pregnancies between 1995 and 2000. According to this study, the risk of very premature birth is increased by 30 percent after one abortion, and by 90 percent after more than one.

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

More Research Links Abortion with Preterm Births in Subsequent Pregnancies
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09030404.html

Massive German Study Confirms Abortion Significantly Increases Premature Birth Risk
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/feb/09021111.html

New Study Confirms Abortion Increases Risk of Future Premature Births
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/apr/05042906.html

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General Electric to Use Embryonic Stem Cells for Testing, Phase Out Lab Rats

By Alex Bush

BOSTON, Mass, July 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - General Electric has announced that it will use embryonic stem cells provided by Geron Corporation for the purpose of testing toxic effects of drug treatments.

GE issued a statement, attempting to preempt criticism over the decision, saying, "We acknowledge the considerable debate and take very seriously the ethical and societal issues associated with research using stem cells derived from embryonic or fetal tissue."

"We conduct our research in an ethically and scientifically responsible manner," the statement said.

However, embryonic stem cells have been the center of heated controversy since harvesting the cells requires the destruction of embryonic human beings.

But Geron Corporation indicates that in this case it believes that the ends justify the means.

"Up to three quarters of toxicity problems are not detected until preclinical or later stages of drug development and this significantly increases the cost of developing new drugs," Geron Corporation said in a press release, "Earlier detection of toxicity problems could reduce both overall drug development costs and potentially harmful patient exposure in clinical trials."

Konstantin Fielder, General Manager of Cell Technologies at GE Healthcare said that stem cells harvested from human embryos could even replace lab rats as the primary scientific testing method.

"Once you have human cells and you can get them in a standardized way, like you get right now your lab rats in a standardized way, you can actually do those experiments on those cells," he said.

Both GE and Geron have said that the stem cells to be used are listed on a National Institutes of Health registry, making them eligible for use in the United States.

Contact Information for General Electric:
https://www.ge.com/contact/contact_form.html?ref=http://www.ge.com/

Or by phone: (203) 373-2211

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Northern Ireland Politician Cleared of Wrongdoing after Reiterating Christian Teaching on Homosexual Acts

By Hilary White

BELFAST, July 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Iris Robinson, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP for Strangford, has been cleared in an internal Assembly investigation of her comments on the BBC that homosexual acts are sinful and that homosexual inclinations can be overcome with counselling. Belfast media reports that Northern Ireland Assembly ombudsman Tom Frawley has said the case does not "warrant any further action in terms of the [assembly] code."

The row started last year when Mrs. Robinson, who has described herself as a "born again and again" Christian, told the BBC Radio Ulster's Stephen Nolan Show that homosexuals who so desired could benefit from counselling to discontinue the homosexual lifestyle. She said, "I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals - trying to turn away from what they are engaged in."

"I'm happy to put any homosexual in touch with this gentleman and I have met people who have turned around and become heterosexuals," she added.

In a report, leaked to the News Letter paper, to be presented to the Standards and Privileges Committee, Frawley said, "Much of the language that gave rise to the complaint was introduced to the discussion by the interviewer rather than by Mrs. Robinson."

The report said that Robinson had been asked if she agreed with the dictionary definition of particular words and language that is used in the Bible in relation to homosexuality. Frawley's report quoted Mrs. Robinson, saying that she had made it clear in the interview that her comments had been "scriptural, and what I clarified it with was very very clear that my Christian belief teaches me that you love the sinner and hate the sin and that goes right across every type of sin."

Robinson later defended her position that homosexual acts are sinful and destructive, but said that God can forgive anything. "Just as a murderer can be redeemed by the blood of Christ, so can a homosexual. ... If anyone takes issue, they're taking issue with the word of God."

"Effectively" Frawley's report said, "she was asked if she agreed with the dictionary definition of particular words and language that is used in the Bible in relation to homosexuality."

Mrs. Robinson told the News Letter, "People know and understand that I was asked to make a comment on my religious beliefs and I did so. It was never my intention to cause hurt or offence to any person. The complaints that were levelled in my direction were quite clearly politically-motivated."

In addition to the internal Assembly investigation, Robinson had been under police investigation for a possible charge of "hate crimes" after police received over 100 complaints about her "homophobic" comments. A police spokesman later said that they were satisfied that no offence had been committed.

Read related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Northern Ireland MP Investigated for "Homophobic" Remarks
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jun/08060908.html

Northern Irish Christian Politician Embattled for Voicing Christian Views on Homosexuality, Abortion
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/08072209.html

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Pope Accepts Resignation of Bishop Involved in Homosexual Encounters

By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman, Latin America Correspondent

VATICAN CITY, July 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Pope has accepted the resignation of Uruguayan Bishop Francisco Domingo Barbosa Da Silveira, removing him from office following public revelations that he had engaged in sodomy with two men.

The involvement of Bishop Barbosa in homosexual activity was revealed after he lodged a criminal complaint against his two accomplices for extortion.

According to media accounts, one of the two had filmed the sexual encounter with Barbosa using a cell phone, and later attempted to extort money from the bishop in exchange for silence.

After Barbosa complained to authorities, the scandal became public, and members of the bishop's diocese of Minas demanded his resignation, which was accepted by the pope several days later.

"The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the diocese of Minas submitted by Monsenor Francisco Domingo Barbosa Da Silveira, in conformity with article 401.2 of the CDC [Code of Canon Law]," the Vatican said in a written communication issued to the press.

Article 401.2 orders that "A diocesan Bishop who, because of illness or some other grave reason, has become unsuited for the fulfillment of his office, is earnestly requested to offer his resignation from office."

The Uruguayan Episcopal Conference issued a statement expressing its "profound grief for the serious sin" committed by Barbosa, which they said "has damaged the Church and especially the Diocese of Minas."

"We ask the Father, rich in mercy, to strengthen our brother to continue accepting the consequences of his actions, and that these painful facts will not obscure the faithfulness of many," the bishops added.

Barbosa apologized for his actions in a written statement that was read from the pulpits of the diocese.

The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual attraction is objectively disordered, although such a disorder is not necessarily the fault of the person who suffers from it.  However in contrast to the psychological disorder represented by homosexual attraction, the Church teaches that homosexual acts are "intrinsically evil," constituting a "mortal sin."

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Group Funded by Canadian Bishops' D&P Joins with Others to Denounce the "Natural Family" and "Family Rights"

Says pro-family legislation is "fundamentalist" and that families are products of social evolution

By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman, Latin America Correspondent

PUEBLA, MEXICO, July 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A Mexican organization that receives tens of thousands of Canadian dollars annually from the Canadian Catholic bishops Development & Peace organization, added its name to the list of organizations and individuals endorsing a statement denouncing the concept of the "natural family" and urging the state of Puebla not to protect family rights in the state's constitution.

The statement endorsed by the D&P funded group also objects to a proposed amendment to protect the right to life "from the moment of conception."

The organization, known as "Comaletzin," has its name included in the endorsements of a statement that was published in March of this year in the Mexican newspaper Cambio, which states that "we subscribe to the broad concept of families that…is contained in the Mexico City Declaration, in which it is determined that families are not part of a natural process, but the 'product of historical and cultural evolution of distinct societies.'"

"It therefore seems to us to be fundamentalist and doctrinaire to speak of only one model of the family, and based on this concept, of the 'rights of the family," to leave out of the Constitution of Puebla all other forms of family organization, such as all of the those that exist in the reality of our state," the statement continues.

Comaletzin received $32,000 from the bishops' Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (D&P) in the 2007-2008 year.
 
The signed protest was directed against a proposed amendment to the constitution of Puebla which states: "The Government recognizes the family as the primary, natural, and fundamental group, which constitutes a political and social unit that promotes the teaching and transmission of cultural, ethical, and social values necessary for the development of the different generations that comprise it."

The statement also objects to language proposed for the state's constitution that would protect the right to life from conception, an idea vigorously opposed by Comaletzin.

"We ask the legislators [of Puebla]: When did you consult experts on these topics to define in the initiative that human life begins in the moment of conception?" the signers ask.

"The constitutional reform, disguised as protection for the family, seeks fundamentally to criminalize women who interrupt their pregnancy even when it is the product of a rape," complains the statement.  The text of the reform, which ultimately passed despite Comaletzin's opposition, does not provide criminal penalties for women who obtain abortions.

As LifeSiteNews reported in April, Comaletzin and other D&P funded organizations have repeatedly involved themselves in campaigns to prevent the passage of pro-life amendments to state constitutions in Mexico.

Ofelia Pastrana, the group's General Coordinator, also told LifeSiteNews in a recent interview  that Comaletzin sought to obtain legal permission for an abortion for a woman afflicted with Down Syndrome. In addition, the group promotes the use of contraceptives, contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Seven other D&P funded groups have been involved to varying degrees in pro-abortion, pro-contraception, anti-family, and anti-Catholic activities in Mexico, and numerous other D&P partners are involved in similar activities in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, according to previous reports  by LifeSiteNews.

However, despite the evidence contained in numerous newspaper accounts, telephone interviews, public statements, and the groups' own websites, D&P has not yet acknowledged that any of its partners advocate such positions.

Contact Information:

Contact information for every Canadian bishop

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
2500 Don Reid Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1H 2J2
E-mail:
Phone: (613) 241-9461
Fax: (613) 241-9048

Related Links:

Click here for all LifeSiteNews coverage of the D&P scandal  

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New Orleans Homosexual Couple Ask Fed. Court to Overturn Marriage Amendment

By Kathleen Gilbert

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, July 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Two New Orleans men are suing Louisiana state officials in a federal court for denying them a marriage certificate, claiming that the U.S. Constitution and international law give them a "right" to marry - despite Louisiana's constitutional ban on same-sex "marriage."

In the text of the complaint, the two men said they are "physically, mentally and emotionally fit" for marriage, and "are in all respects capable of entering a committed, married relationship were they not prohibited from doing so under the Louisiana Constitution and Louisiana Civil Code."

The complaint claims the constitutional marriage definition violates articles 8, 9, 10, and 14 of the United States Constitution, as well as several articles in international rights documents mostly addressing equal protection, discrimination based on sex, and the right of men and women to marry.

The document names as defendants Brenda Hurst, director of the Orleans Parish marriage license office; Darlene Smith, state registrar of vital records and statistics; Alan Levine, secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, and state Attorney General Buddy Caldwell.

According to the Times-Picayune, one of the partners, Kristoffer Bonilla, said he prepared the lawsuit before he and partner John Thomas Wray applied for the marriage license. 

"The arguments against gay marriage are pretty silly," Bonilla said. "As history progresses, you can't make silly arguments anymore."

State Senator A.G. Crowe, said the suit was "a slap in the face to the 10th amendment protecting the states from the federal government."  "It's trying to use the court system to create conflict between state and federal government," said Crowe. 

78% of Louisiana voters supported enshrining the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman in the state constitution in 2004.  A district judge threw out the amendment weeks later as "unconstitutional," only to have it reinstated by the state Supreme Court.

Louisiana is one of thirty states that have adopted a constitutional marriage amendment. 

Two homosexual couples in May filed a federal lawsuit in California, after that state's Supreme Court ruled to uphold the constitutional marriage amendment voters passed last November.

Six states now allow same-sex "marriage," with New Hampshire recently joining Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont. 

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Unhappy with Democracy, Bush v. Gore Rivals Join to Ask Fed Court to Overturn Proposition 8  http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09052813.html

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UK Conservative Leader Speaks at Gay Pride Fundraiser

By Alex Bush

LONDON, UK, July 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - David Cameron, leader of the UK Conservative party, attended a gay pride fundraiser called "Pride at Paramount" yesterday where he expressed his party's desire to embrace the homosexual lobby, reports PinkNews, a U.K. homosexual news outlet.

"That's the kind of change we need today. That's the kind of change the new, compassionate Conservative Party understands," he said to the attendees. "And together, as politicians and individuals, we can bring about that change. No to bigotry and prejudice. Yes to responsibility and equal rights. It's a change worth fighting for."

Cameron boasted about how the Tories have changed their attitude towards the homosexualist cause: "Just think if ten years ago a Conservative candidate had suggested holding a fundraiser as part of Gay Pride week. I'm not sure they'd have got many Conservatives to attend … and I'm not sure there would have been many gay people there either."

"But here we are this evening, standing side by side. It is a sign of how our society is changing. It's a sign of how much the Conservative Party has changed," he said.

Cameron, who became leader of the Tories in 2005, and who has been hailed as one who would fight for traditional values, said in 2005 that he wished to re-civilize "our society, with school discipline, with strong families, and with cultural change."  He also added that society is not the same thing as the State, and decryied Labour's "command and control state," which minutely regulates nearly every aspect of British private as well as public life.

But in 2007, Cameron voted with the Labour Government in favor of the controversial Sexual Orientation Regulations, the same regulations that are closing Catholic adoption agencies for not allowing homosexuals to adopt from them.

Cameron also said that he would not support legislation that would make eugenic abortion for disabled children up to birth illegal in 2008.

This past May Cameron also committed to "outreach" with homosexual activists, a promise he seems eager to keep.

Related LifeSiteNews.com Coverage:

Oppressive Sexual Orientation Regs Pass in UK Parliament; House of Lords Tomorrow
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/mar/07032004.html

UK Tory Leader's Support for New Gay Law Contradicts Previous Statements on Family
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/mar/07032006.html

British Tory Leader Supports Unlimited Abortion for Disabled Unborn Children
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08081510.html

"Outreach to Gay Activists" among Top Five Priorities for UK Conservative Party
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050410.html

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Slim Hope Of New Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Leader Promoting Pro-Life, Pro-Family Issues

By Thaddeus M. Bakllinski and Steve Jalsevac

TORONTO, July 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership win by Tim Hudak this past weekend is certain to bring in major change to the ailing party, with a substantial shift back to the right. It also provides some slim hope of advances for life and family should the PCs defeat the reigning Liberals in the 2011 election.

The leadership race required three ballots to give Hudak the win over the strong campaigns of pro-life rival Frank Klees and socially liberal Christine Elliot. The newly-elected leader of Ontario's Progressive Conservative Party, in his past political career, was qualified by Campaign Life Coalition as "pro-life with exceptions." Hudak has however been a great disappointment for pro-life, pro-family Ontarians who had originally expected the MPP to stand up for life and family since his first election win under the Harris regime.

In his recent party leadership campaign, Hudak, consistent with his past performance, refused to announce a stand on pro-life issues. However, his campaign promise to abolish the notorious Ontario Human Rights commission likely made the big difference in winning over social conservative party members who were not impressed with the rejection of that policy by Klees and Elliot. Klees's emphatic rejection of the Harris government's policy of some tax support for independent schools likely also cost him much needed votes from social conservatives.

Another item that might indicate some possible hope for the advancement of pro-family initiatives in a Hudak government is the fact that Conservative strategist and leading Canadian homosexual political activist Jamie Watt backed the Christine Elliot campaign instead of the Hudak campaign.

Although Hudak was backed by a who's who of the former Mike Harris regime, Watt, who was one of the influential "whiz kids" in the Harris government, did not join his former associates in supporting Hudak. This may herald the possibility that Hudak has distanced himself from the homosexualist agenda promoted by Watt in both the federal and provincial Conservative camps.

Watt's decision to back Elliot, the most socially liberal of the candidates, did not appear to help Elliot, who many considered to be Hudak's most serious competitor, but who was eliminated in the second round of the voting,
 
The fact that Hudak has surrounded himself with social liberals from the Mike Harris brain trust considerably tempers expectations for any significant advances for life and family from the new leader.  His wife, Deb Hutton, for example, a major influence in Mike Harris's office, is said to be pro-abortion, pro-gay rights and firmly ensconced on the socially liberal side of the PC party. The same applies to some of the other key players in Hudak's campaign who will be given important positions in the party and expect some payback of support for their policies in return for their leadership campaign efforts.

Still, if Hudak expects to win the next provincial election in 2011, it is expected he will determine he cannot follow the disastrous examples of previous leaders Ernie Eves and John Tory, both of whom completely alienated the natural social conservative base of the party, guaranteeing the party's defeat at the polls.

Political observers and pundits are waiting to see if Hudak will govern as his own man and in some significant ways reflective of his social conservative leanings, or give precedence to the advice and direction of  the influential people to whom he owes his leadership win.

See related LifeSiteNews article:
More on Campaign Life Coalition Endorsement of Frank Klees in Ontario PC racehttp://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jun/09060809.html

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More Letters to the Editor on Canadian Catholic Development and Peace Scandal (July 1)

Re: LifeSiteNews' Detailed Response to Canadian Bishops' Whitewash Report on Development and Peace
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jun/09063010.html

Dear LSN People,

Bravo and bravo again!! Your reporting on the Development and Peace funding of those who promote abortion has been admirable, both for its consistency and accuracy. The connivance of some Bishops with regard to the manipulative tactics on the part of Development and Peace are a sign of the times. It simply shows how deeply entrenched within the Church are a good number of people determined to undermine the Church's teaching from the inside.

I firmly believe in the saying, "If you are in a war and do not know it, you are probably losing." Thank you for making us more aware of the war within.

Someone has said, "The truth will set you free, but it will make you suffer first." My admiration for your perseverance and my sympathy for your suffering.

Father Albert Lalonde, o.m.i.
Manitoba, Canada

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I'm one of thousands of Catholics who attends Mass every week and uses Donation Envelopes provided by my Parish.
 
The boxes of envelopes usually contain 1 or more envelopes, spaced out during the year, to allow Parishoners to make a donation to "Development and Peace".  Your information came out just a few days AFTER the last D & P envelopes went in ... and I, as usual made a donation to what I thought was a worthwhile cause.
 
If the Canadian Catholic Bishops have not corrected their ways by the time the next donations are "due" I will be enclosing no money, but a nice little "note" advising them of their errors ... and further advising them that as long as even 1 cent of my money goes to support abortion - anywhere - they will not see any money from me.
 
I firmly believe in a statement made by a (non-Catholic) friend of mine ... "Money doesn't talk - it YELLS !"
 
Fred Petrie
Miramichi, NB
Canada

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You guys keep doing what you do best. Report the truth!!! I will pray protection for you as you come under attack by liberal Catholics (Is there such a thing?). You are doing what is right and Just. Keep it up. Good work.

Jae Ewing
White Rock, B.C.

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Hello Mr. Westen,

After reading the distressing news of our Bishops’ response to the D&P funding of pro-abortion groups I have decided to donate what I would normally donate to the CCCB for their annual appeal to LifeSiteNews. I am utterly appalled at their conclusions and the attack upon your fine work.

I have come to the conclusion that pro-life, faith filled Catholics have become an unwelcomed and persecuted minority in the Church bureaucracy, therefore this bureaucracy (the CCCB or D&P) will never again receive funding from me.
 
I pray that your work may continue and that you will be blessed for it.
 
Luciano Toscan
Guelph, Ontario, Canada

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Dear Lifesitenews,
 
I just want to thank you for all the work you have done and courage you have shown in this D&P scandal. You have 'fought' this battle for life and truth in the way that our bishops should be. In order to do that however, you will come under serious attack (as you have) and that is the very reason why so many of our bishops have not been living up to their mission.
 
Perhaps it's time to flood with mail of support to all of our Priests and Bishops that choose to 'fight' for our dear Lord, as well. We can see them coming under attack even from each other.
 
With Prayers,
Anna Vautour in Nova Scotia, Canada

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To LifeSiteNews:
 
Please be assured of my prayers in regards to your efforts in raising the issues over CCODP funding and abortion.  I have followed your coverage from the beginning and am 100% behind your work on this matter.  I have sent e-mails to the CCCB, CCODP and Archbishop Wiesgerber in support of your findings.  A copy of my most recent e-mail is attached.  This is not a very comfortable situation for anyone but the facts are the facts.  Thank you for your efforts!!

Paul Burgoyne
Roseisle, Manitoba
 
The following is the content of e-mails recently shared with CCCB and Archbishop Wiesgerber.
 
“To: CCCB
 
Thank you for your response to my e-mail.  I will take your comments under advisement.  However, you should know that I am not entirely satisfied with the investigation of the allegations – not all of the allegations appear to  have been addressed.   I am disappointed that D&P may have funded groups which promote abortion on the one hand while using D&P funds for other projects not related to the promotion of abortion.  I am even more disappointed that the CCCB apparently is comfortable with this situation.  In my conscience I can no longer make donations to D&P until these very serious moral issues are addressed.  In my opinion the leadership of the CCCB have missed the mark on this issue.  I will find other ways to fulfill my Catholic duties to aid the poor.
 
Paul Burgoyne
Roseisle, Manitoba
 
From: CECC/CCCB media [mailto:]
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 12:31 PM
Subject: CCCB Committee of Inquiry Reports: Development and Peace cleared of suspicion
 
For your information,
(CCCB – Ottawa) In its report on five Mexican Non-Governmental Organizations that had received project funding from Development and Peace, the Committee of Inquiry of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has come to the conclusion the allegations are unfounded “that financial assistance by Development and Peace aided projects related to the promotion of abortion.” At the same time as recognizing that the five Mexican organizations were imprudent in signing a United Nations report on the human rights situation in Mexico that included orientations not in accord with Catholic teaching, the Committee of Inquiry has encouraged the CCCB to continue to support Development and Peace, which it had founded more than 40 years ago.

Media release: http://www.cccb.ca/news
 
Gérald Baril
Communications Service
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
E-mail:

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I am astounded that the two bishops who 'investigated' the CCODP affair were ignorant of or simply ignored the status quaestionis. They made it easy for themselves to reject the findings of LSN by the simple device of misrepresenting LSN's allegations.

LSN alleged that CCODP was funding organizations in Mexico and across the globe which, besides the morally legitimate activities for which they were funded by CCODP, also engaged in or supported efforts by other groups agitating for more liberal abortion laws. LSN was not alleging that CCODP was pro-abortion or that it was financially supporting the pro-abortion efforts of the funded groups.

So it is careless  and perhaps uncaring misrepresentation on the part of these bishops to accuse LSN of allegations "that financial assistance by the ...(CCODP) aided projects related to the promotion of abortion". Instead, LSN presented credible evidence that CCODP was funding  groups in Mexico and elsewhere who were in effect trying to do both very good things (v.g. the alleviation of poverty) and very bad things (v.g. the elimination of the poor - the unborn) by lobbying for 'reproductive choice" -  a strange inconsistency to want to alleviate poverty by eliminating the poorest of the poor.

In effect, LSN was alleging at most material cooperation between CCODP and the funded groups. So the bishops, given the preponderance of evidence adduced by LSN in favour of material cooperation as a fact, should have addressed the moral propriety of material cooperation in this particular situation. I have no doubt that if they had, they would have concluded (even given the well-known fuzziness of the morality of material cooperation) that, objectively, the funding of these organizations was highly immoral and that the CCODP, if it is allowed to continue, should fund integrally  pro-life organizations (perhaps even diocesan bishops or conferences of bishops in foreign countries).

The Bishops' Report strikes me as a blatant and scandalous cover-up. I sincerely hope that the CCCB rejects it out of hand and orders a more honest investigation.

John Hartley
Retired
University of Toronto

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I have read the (CCCB) document attached to your article "LifeSiteNews' Detailed Response to Canadian Bishops' Whitewash Report on Development and Peace."
 
Is this there all there is?  Surely you have failed to attach the supporting documentation containing details of interviews with local bishops, priests and stakeholders, review of documentation, financial reports, etc.
 
I looked on the CCCB website for such missing information and failed to find it there also.  What is presented is weak and smacks of "here you are: believe us".  But I guess the web site lacks "authority".
 
I am heartily sick of the conduct of our poor bishops in North America and Europe.  The shenanigans of the last few years must have caused many to reject the Church because of their ineffectiveness.  I have seen many members of my own family completely reject the Church because of the hidden clergy abuses.
 
I support only local causes where I can attend meetings, talk to board members and participate myself.  It's bad enough that we in Ontario are forced to pay for abortion through taxation without being asked to fund its promotion through D&P.

John C. MacAlister
Whitby, Ontario

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I Linda Middleton will not support Development and Peace. Thank you for all this information.

Linda Middleton
Thorold, Ontario

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Let the Bishops know that we will boycott all church donations until the Bishops take the appropriate action.

Dave Cortens
San Clemente, California

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Dear everyone at Lifesitenews,

In this time of great hostility, know that you are in our prayers. You do a terrific job at lifesitenews, I enjoy reading your news reports and have come to trust and admire your dedication to the truth. 

It is a temptation that we experience during busy and trying times, to give all of our energy to the problem at hand, and to neglect prayer.  But it is exactly when we are amidst the intense spiritual warfare that we must redouble our efforts in our prayer, and to hold fast to the Lord, or our efforts will be futile.  Know that you are in my prayers always, but especially during this trying time.  The work you are doing is very inspirational; keep up the good work!

Leah Hallman
Alberta, Canada

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