Dear Readers,
LifeSiteNews has a major exclusive today on a storm brewing within the Vatican on the topic of brain death and organ donations. A faction of medical professionals, scientists and ethicists has managed to deliberately exclude from an upcoming Vatican conference, Catholic professionals who insist there is a serious ethical problem with the organ transplant industry’s criteria for defining death. It is a very complex topic but with a simple bottom line – organs are being removed from living persons, these critics claim, under the definition of “brain death”. This definition, and its many permutations, is said to be a fiction created for the benefit of the organ transplant industry. This is a big story worth much serious attention. The dissenting members of the Pontifical Academy for Life are appealing to Rome to have the stacked conference canceled.
John McCain is no Sarah Palin, with his less solidly defined beliefs on life and family issues and his more staid speaking style, but his speech last night was impressive enough to receive enthusiastic, repeated cheers from the Republican delegates. John McCain certainly did not lack for sincerity and seemingly genuine commitment to return the Republican Party to its roots and clean up the corruption in Washington. Reform was his emphasis. Social conservatives are still leery of the man and many are hoping that Palin and other traditional values Republicans can positively influence him. It remains to be seen if John McCain really gets it but increasing numbers are now willing to give him a try – thanks mostly to his choice of Sarah Palin.
The news on Palin is still a flood. We have therefore published another News Highlights report today. Peggy Noonan has some highly unusual comments to relate, which we suggest, based on our own observations, are likely valid. The hatred for Palin is so intense it can almost be felt as a presence – and it is mostly related to her being a now very influential woman with strong pro-life principles. Another article from the Times On Line further advances what we alluded to in our commentary yesterday – there is a lot more to the Palin phenomenon than most realize. The Times writer feels she may represent the vanguard of a new American “reform rooted in a distant conservatism” due for a comeback. In other words this could be the beginning of a spontaneously started US revolutionary change.
San Francisco’s Archbishop George H. Niederauer finally came out with a public statement correcting his notoriously dissident Catholic diocesan member, Nancy Pelosi. We praise him for that, but can’t help but notice that his is by far the weakest of the statements from US bishops on the matter. Since his appointment Niederauer has generally himself been a constant scandal to the office of archbishop of a prominent US diocese. Many are questioning how it was possible that such an extraordinarily weak man was appointed to that troubled, high profile diocese. It clearly needed a strong, faithful leader but instead got one who has done nothing to halt the moral and faith rot in the Church in San Francisco. What does it take for Rome to finally take action?
The 40 Days for Life is coming up. This growing movement is indeed good news.
Well, it appears a Canadian election will begin on Sunday and the Prime Minister will start campaigning that very day. Somehow it seems par for the course that the government will use the Lord’s Day to launch an election – as though Sunday, God, His Will, having His blessing, are not relevant to Canadian politics. Of course that applies to all the parties nowadays. Nevertheless, many Canadians will persevere and do their best, trusting in God, to elevate the process to honour higher principles.
The various pro-life, pro-family organizations will be encouraging their supporters to get ready, hound the candidates with questions on their stands on life and family and encourage them to put first things first. Above all, the grassroots will be encouraged to do that themselves. The stories of pro-life, pro-family people voting with their pocketbooks or according to long standing party loyalties must end – otherwise nothing will change. Vote for the man or woman always, not the party, says Jim Hughes of Campaign Life Coalition.
It’s time now for anyone able to travel to Toronto to register for the International Pro-Life Conference Oct 2-4. I have been to a lot of these major conferences over the years and, based on that experience, can guarantee that it will be a surprisingly powerful experience for those who attend. It is well worth the effort of setting those days and that money aside and making the effort to be there. This is how the future is built, how the troops are informed, inspired and armed to go out and change the world. It is also an exceptional opportunity to network, build new friendships with like minded people and just feel that you are far from alone in your beliefs. See https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/08072505.html
Have a good weekend.
Steve Jalsevac
LifeSiteNews.com.