Wednesday February 9, 2000
See today’s LifeSiteNews stories
SWEEPING FEDERAL HOMOSEXUAL LEGISLATION THIS WEEK
OTTAWA, Feb 9 (LSN.ca) – The Toronto Star reported yesterday that the Liberal government is set to introduce an omnibus bill Thursday or Friday which would alter more than 60 federal statutes to grant legal equality between married spouses and homosexual couples. While the terminology of “spouse” and “marriage” will be retained for heterosexual unions, the relationships would be treated as on par with regard to pensions, income tax, immigration, and other matters.
LifeSite has learned that a cabinet meeting was held yesterday on the subject and a Liberal Caucus briefing meeting on the issue of “Modernizing Benefits and Obligations” (for same-sex couples) is set for today over the noon hour. The briefing will be provided by Ministers McLellan, Martin, Stewart, Robillard and Caplan and is restricted to Members of Parliament only – even MP’s staff are not allowed to attend.
The legislation is expected to come up against fierce opposition by religious and family groups. Pro-family groups were stunned by the undemocratic ramming through of Ontario’s pro- homosexual legislation in only three days and say they are not willing to allow a repeat on the federal scene. Real Women Canada, Canada Family Action Coalition, Focus on the Family, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the Catholic Church, Orthodox, Jewish and Muslim groups are expected to respond to the proposals.
Similar legislation has been proposed the world over and the battle boils down to the preservation of the natural family. Pope John Paul II addressed the issue with politicians in Rome on January 13 when the regional government proposed laws granting homosexual partners and other cohabiters some of the same rights as married couples. “I ask authorities to avoid any initiative which could favor or guarantee legal equality between the family and other forms of living together,” he said. “A natural society is founded on matrimony.”
See the coverage in the Star at:
https://www.thestar.com/editorial/news/20000208NEW01b_NA-GAY8…
BAN OF PROMOTION OF HOMOSEXUALITY IN SCHOOLS INTACT IN UK
LONDON, Feb 9 (LSN.ca) – In a major victory for pro-family forces in Britain Monday, the House of Lords rejected (210 to 165) government legislation that would have repealed a law banning the promotion of homosexuality in schools. Section 28 assures that local authorities “shall not promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”.
The opposition to the repeal of Section 28 was lead by Catholic Cardinal Thomas Winning of Scotland and supported by leading Church of England bishops and Dr. Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi, financial support for the pro-family effort came courtesy of Brian Souter, a successful businessman.
The Telegraph reported that the Government is expected to seek to reverse the Lords vote in the Commons later this year.
See the report in the Telegraph at:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=000140326706927&rtmo;=gljkrg…
See related LifeSite coverage:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2000/jan/00011805.html https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2000/jan/00012403.html
LEGAL ABUSE OF PRO-LIFERS USED AS PRECEDENTS AGAINST FREEDOM
DALLAS, Feb 9 (LSN.ca) – As was predicted, the legal abuse heaped on pro-lifers by successful lawsuits launched by abortionists and their supporters against peaceful pro-life protesters are being used against other forms of protest.
The Dallas Observer reports that two furriers have launched lawsuits against the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade accusing the group of violating the federal anti-racketeering law, known as RICO. In 1998, the National Organization for Women was successful in a lawsuit under the RICO act, which bankrupted many leaders of the US pro-life movement.
Two weeks ago, Macy’s filed suit against the Dallas-based Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT) and the Norfolk, Virginia-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The suit rang familiar to pro-lifers. It alleged that protests at the company’s stores in Massachusetts intimidate customers and prevent people from doing lawful business with the stores.
“I don’t want to be compared to Operation Rescue, by any means, but the use of the RICO statute to target anything related to speech is a big mistake,” said Paul Goodwin executive director of CAFT. “They made a fundamental mistake to use the RICO statute to shut down anti- abortion groups. You open the door to where anybody who doesn’t like a protest group can find some way of using it.”
See the story in the Dallas Observer at:
https://www.dallasobserver.com/issues/2000-02-03/news2.html
See LifeSite coverage of the RICO suit against pro-lifers:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/1998/april/98042001.html https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/1998/april/98042102.html https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/1998/april/98042203.html
(with files from Pro-Life E-News)
CHASTITY WEEK TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK
WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (LSN.ca) – The third annual National Week of Chastity starts next week, February 13-19, amid growing interest and participation. The number of supporting organizations has jumped from 50 to 100 over the last year and continues to grow. Supporting organizations include American Life League, the Challenge Task Force on Chastity, Project Reality and Teen Aid.
“Finally, people are starting to clearly understand the direct connection between abortion, disease, heartbreak, divorce and many other side effects resulting from unchaste living,” said National Week of Chastity Coordinator Cathy Brown. “Chastity obviously prevents out-of- wedlock pregnancy and the possibility of disease – and that would put Planned Parenthood and the rest of the abortion industry out of business. But chastity also promotes family and the dignity of the individual.”
For more information visit:
https://www.chastityweek.org
US NEWS ROUNDUP
New Jersey abortionist Steven Brigham has begun a 120-day jail sentence in Albany, N.Y., on a tax conviction. He also must make $8,188 restitution to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finances. https://www.mcall.com/html/news/allentwn/17598.htm
Cardinal Bernard Law, Archbishop of Boston, was quoted by Church News yesterday as saying “to believe in the Gospel of Life is to do all within our power to champion the right of life for every human being.” “The option of abortion is never an option, because it goes against the fundamental right to life of an innocent child,” he said and ended saying that “we can and shall overcome” the culture of death. https://www.eclesiales.org/english/index.html#33
The Lancaster Intelligencer Journal reported Saturday that Planned Parenthood of the Susquehanna Valley last week asked the Pennsylvania Health Department for permission to perform abortions without the required emergency patient transfer agreement with area hospitals, since the hospitals have withheld cooperation. (Pro-Life Infonet)
On Monday Circuit Court Judge Lucy Chernow Brown delayed the distribution of “Choose Life” license plates in Florida which was scheduled to begin in March. (Pro-Life E-News) https://www.herald.com/content/today/digdocs/041667.htm
WorldNetDaily reported that Michael New, the US soldier who refused to serve wearing a UN uniform several years ago, was in court again disputing his bad conduct discharge. https://www.worldnetdaily.com/bluesky_exnews/20000208_xex_mic…
LIFESITE NEWSBYTES
The New York Times reported that France has begun handing out morning after abortifacient pills in schools. https://www.nytimes.com/library/world/europe/020800hth-france…
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) appointed Miss Universe, Mpule Kwelagobe, its Goodwill Ambassador for Botswana yesterday. UNFPA ambassadors usually use their fame to target youth for “reproductive health” which includes sex education, contraception and abortion. https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2000/20000208.pop750.doc.h…