1. Catholic, pro-life leaders decry petition to protect abortions in Michigan, By Daniel Meloy, Crux, January 11, 2022
Catholic and pro-life leaders in Michigan expressed disappointment that a coalition of abortion rights supporters are planning a petition drive to protect abortion access in the state constitution.
The coalition, which includes Reproductive Freedom for All, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, Planned Parenthood of Michigan and Michigan Voices, was set to file language with the Michigan Board of State Canvassers that would amend the Michigan Constitution to “explicitly affirm” abortion rights.
The proposed amendment would override Michigan’s 1931 ban on abortion.
…
“More than anything, women considering an abortion deserve support, love, and compassion,” said Rebecca Mastee, policy advocate for the Michigan Catholic Conference.
“For decades, abortion has been touted as the only option, harmless and easy, yet we know this is a lie. Abortion hurts women.” She said the efforts to “enshrine abortion in the state constitution is a sad commentary on the outsized and harmful role the abortion industry plays in our politics and our society.”
Mastee added: “We look forward to standing with women through a potential statewide ballot campaign to promote a culture of life and good health for both moms and unborn children.”
https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2022/01/catholic-pro-life-leaders-decry-petition-to-protect-abortions-in-michigan
___________________________________________________________
2. New Jersey lawmakers pass last-minute expansion of abortion access, By Jonah McKeown, Catholic News Agency, January 10, 2022, 3:23 PM
Lawmakers in New Jersey have, on the last day of their legislative session, voted to pass a bill which expands abortion access in the state and codifies “abortion rights.”
The bill passed by both houses of the New Jersey state legislature the afternoon of Jan. 10 was vigorously opposed by the state’s Catholic conference. The bill now goes to Gov. Phil Murphy for his signature.
Bill S49/A6260, which was introduced Jan. 6, codifies a “fundamental right to reproductive autonomy, which includes the right to contraception, the right to terminate a pregnancy, and the right to carry a pregnancy to term.”
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250068/new-jersey-lawmakers-pass-last-minute-expansion-of-abortion-access
___________________________________________________________
3. Catholic priest in India will face trial for alleged hate speech, By Kate Olivera, Catholic News Agency, January 10, 2022, 4:39 PM
A Catholic priest in India will face trial for allegations of hate speech during an interreligious meeting last year.
Father George Ponnaiah is a priest of the Diocese of Kuzhithurai, in southern India. The accusations against him stem from a meeting in July 2021 against coronavirus restrictions on worship and the construction of new churches.
During the meeting, Ponnaiah allegedly made comments against the local government and leaders of India’s ruling, pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party. He was arrested several days later and released on bail.
…
Persecution against Christians in India is on the rise. A recent report suggested that Christians in India were the targets of 305 violent incidents in the first nine months of 2021.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250069/catholic-priest-in-india-will-face-trial-for-alleged-hate-speech
___________________________________________________________
4. Pakistan’s top court grants bail to Christian facing blasphemy charge, By Catholic News Agency, January 10, 2022, 9:00 AM
The Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision to grant bail to a Christian accused of blasphemy should give hope to others facing the charge, according to a prominent lawyer.
Saif ul Malook welcomed the court’s ruling on Jan. 6 that Nadeem Samson should be released on bail.
“It is a very important ruling, the first in the judicial history of Pakistan,” the lawyer said in a video call reported by the Jubilee Campaign, a nonprofit promoting human rights.
Samson, identified as a Catholic by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), was arrested in 2017 and imprisoned in Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, after a property dispute.
He was charged with insulting the Muslim Prophet Muhammad under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250064/pakistan-s-top-court-grants-bail-to-christian-facing-blasphemy-charge
___________________________________________________________
5. A magazine launched by a saint is still thriving 100 years later, By Catholic News Agency, January 10, 2022, 12:00 PM
The Auschwitz martyr St. Maximilian Kolbe once said: “If we do not have Catholic media, our shrines will one day be empty.”
In January 1922, the Polish priest decided to do something about it. That month, he published 5,000 copies of the first issue of the monthly magazine Knight of the Immaculate in the city of Kraków.
…
On Jan. 8, the saint’s 128th birthday, Kraków Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski celebrated a Mass marking the magazine’s centenary.
…
In a letter read out at the Mass, Pope Francis gave thanks for the magazine’s mission and encouraged its editors to be authentic witnesses of the faith.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250065/a-magazine-launched-by-a-saint-is-still-thriving-100-years-later
___________________________________________________________TCA Media Monitoring provides a snapshot from national newspapers and major Catholic press outlets of coverage regarding significant Catholic Church news and current issues with which the Catholic Church is traditionally or prominently engaged. The opinions and views expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Catholic Association. |
