Recent US News

By Kathleen Gilbert WASHINGTON, D.C., April 28, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Over 40 retired military chaplains are urging President Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates to consider the impairment of religious liberty that would likely result from imposing a “non-discrimination” policy regarding open homosexuals in the military. The Family Research Council (FRC) and the Alliance Defense Fund Wednesday released a letter signed by the chaplains expressing concern over what they claim would be a threat to Christian free speech if the military's “don't ask, don't tell” (DADT) policy on open homosexuals in the military were to be lifted.  Defense Secretary Gates confirmed […]

By Kathleen Gilbert FRESNO, California, April 26, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A suspended gay activist Fresno priest has expressed dismay over the pope's appointment of Archbishop José Gomez to head the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in place of Cardinal Roger Mahony. California Catholic Daily last week highlighted Rev. Geoffrey Farrow's April 17 blog post referring to Gomez's appointment: “What does this mean for the future of the Catholic Church in Los Angeles and California? It means a sharp thrust to the right.” Rev. Farrow was suspended from the priesthood in 2008 when he declared himself an open homosexual and urged his congregation to […]

By Patrick B. Craine WASHINGTON, D.C., April 27, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Two more U.S. bishops have discontinued their diocesan collection for the national fund of the U.S. Bishops' domestic anti-poverty arm, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), LifeSiteNews (LSN) has learned. Bishop Joseph Adamec of Altoona-Johnstown decided to discontinue the CCHD collection in the fall of 2009, said Tony DeGol, the diocese's secretary for communications. “The bishop felt that we needed to do an annual special collection for Catholic Charities, so he decided to replace the Catholic Campaign for Human Development with the collection for Catholic Charities, that will […]

Friday April 23, 2010 Pouillon Murderer Sentenced to Life in Prison By John Jalsevac April 23, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Harlan Drake, the truck driver who shot and killed pro-life activist James Pouillon and local gravel pit owner Mike Fuoss, has been sentenced to life in prison. The sentence was handed down by Circuit Judge Gerald D. Lostracco on Thursday. According to the Flint Journal, the judge told Drake that, “As you go off to prison today, you’re certainly no hero in anyone’s book.” Drake shot and killed Pouillon on September 11, 2009, as the pro-life grandfather stood outside of the […]

By Patrick B. Craine GREENSBURG, Pennsylvania, April 26, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Bishop Lawrence Brandt of Greensburg, Pennsylvania announced Thursday that his diocese will no longer support the U.S. bishops' domestic anti-poverty arm, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), because the national organization has funded groups that promote activities contrary to Catholic teaching. Speaking at a fundraising dinner for Catholic Charities of Greensburg, the bishop announced his plan to develop a Diocesan Poverty Relief Fund to support the poor locally with funds that had previously been sent to the national CCHD. “This change allows our diocese to know exactly how […]

By James Tillman April 26, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Loyola Marymount University, a Jesuit institution in Los Angeles, has announced that Deval Patrick, the current governor of Massachusetts, and Marlene Canter, former member of the Los Angeles Unified School District board, will be speaking at their 2010 commencement; both are on record as being in favor of abortion and homosexual “marriage.” Deval Patrick, who served as Assistant Attorney General during the Clinton administration, worked to prevent a referendum eliminating same-sex “marriage” from coming before the people while governor of Massachusetts.  His campaign website boasts that he “helped lead the fight to keep […]

Monday April 12, 2010 Governors Issue Proclamations Highlighting Trauma of Abortion By Peter J. Smith UNITED STATES, April 12, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The U.S. governors of Texas and Minnesota have both issued official proclamations that put the spotlight on the traumatic effects of abortion on individuals and families and the healing that is available, by declaring April “Abortion Recovery Awareness Month” – drawing praise from pro-life groups and ire from abortion advocates. Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota noted in their declarations that abortion recovery services are fostering “a culture of life and hope” and playing […]

Monday April 12, 2010 Pro-Abort Groups Praise Justice Stevens, Call for Pro-Abort Successor By James Tillman WASHINGTON, D.C., April 12, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – As Justice John Paul Stevens retires from the U.S. Supreme Court, pro-abortion groups are calling upon President Obama to ensure that another firmly pro-abortion justice will succeed him. Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, praised Justice Stevens for his “long and productive tenure as an associate justice.” Stevens was among the majority of the members of the Supreme Court who voted to uphold Roe. v. Wade in the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey. He also opposed […]

Thursday April 22, 2010 Virginia Axes ‘Health’ Exception in State Funding for Abortions By Peter J. Smith RICHMOND, April 22, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Virginia General Assembly has approved budget changes requested by pro-life Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell on Wednesday, which would prohibit state funding for elective abortions except in cases of rape, incest, fetal abnormality or when the life of the mother is in jeopardy. The Republican-dominated House of Delegates approved the changes to the budget by an overwhelming majority of 64 votes in favor, 30 against, with 1 abstention. The Democrat-led Senate just approved McDonnell’s amendment narrowly by […]

Wednesday April 21, 2010 Tennessee First State to Opt Out of Abortion Mandate in Health Bill NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 21, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Less than one month after Congress passed its sweeping health care bill, Tennessee’s Legislature has become the nation’s first to make clear that abortion will not be a funded benefit in its health exchange programs. Bipartisan majorities in both the state House (70-23) and the state Senate (27-3) easily approved language which states, “No health care plan required to be established in this state through an exchange pursuant to federal health care reform legislation enacted by the […]