TCA Podcast, – “Conversations with Consequences,” Episode 144 – Speaking For The Unborn This March For Life & How To Protect Our Kids From Pornography
With the March for Life this week, Dr. Grazie Christie is joined by TCA colleagues Maureen Ferguson and Ashley McGuire discussing how to prepare for a post-Roe world and the importance of offering women REAL choice and ways to flourish. With headlines this week of the detrimental impact pornography is having on children as young as 11, the team also discusses practical ways to shield your children from the scourge of smartphones and social media. Dr. Steven Christie also joins discussing his new book, Speaking for the Unborn, offering real 30 second rebuttals every pro-lifer should know to help win more hearts and minds over to protect vulnerable life in the womb. Father Roger Landry also offers an inspiring homily to prepare us for this Sunday’s Gospel. Catch the show every Saturday at 7amET/5pm ET on EWTN radio!
https://thecatholicassociation.org/podcast/ep-144-speaking-for-the-unborn-this-march-for-life-how-to-protect-our-kids-from-pornography/
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1. What It Means to Be Pro-Life, Faith-driven pregnancy resource centers are becoming more prominent., By Patrick E. Kelly, The Wall Street Journal, January 21, 2022, Pg. A13, Opinion
Hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates will gather in Washington on Friday for the annual March for Life. Every year it is one of the biggest demonstrations in the nation’s capital, but some of the movement’s most dedicated members won’t be there. They’ll be where they usually are, day in and day out—at pregnancy resource centers caring for mothers and children, born and unborn.
Pregnancy resource centers have existed since before the Supreme Court ruled on Roe v. Wade nearly 50 years ago, but their numbers have soared since abortion on demand was declared a constitutional right. Between 2,500 and 4,000 centers exist nationwide, supporting millions of pregnant and new mothers every year. Many if not most are faith-based.
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Such centers are likely to become even more prominent with time. Along with everyone participating in the March for Life, their staff and volunteers are hoping and praying the Supreme Court overturns Roe in the Dobbs case later this year. Such a decision would empower states to restrict abortion and protect unborn life—something that 61% of Americans support, based on new Marist polling sponsored by the Knights of Columbus—and that means more mothers and children will be in need of love and support. Pregnancy resource centers will be there.
Mr. Kelly is supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-it-pro-life-means-march-for-pregnancy-centers-knights-of-columbus-abortion-roe-v-wade-11642712536
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2. Justices Let Texas Abortion Ban Continue, Order leaves challenge to law in limbo while state high court weighs procedural issues, By Jess Bravin, The Wall Street Journal, January 21, 2022, Pg. A3
The Supreme Court allowed Texas’ six-week abortion ban to remain in effect indefinitely, issuing an order Thursday blocking litigation against the law while the state’s highest court weighs a procedural question related to the measure’s enforcement.
The court’s order was unsigned and, as is typical, provided no explanation. The three liberal justices dissented, arguing that Thursday’s order undermined the court’s December decision permitting abortion providers to proceed in limited fashion with their lawsuit against the Texas law.
“This case is a disaster for the rule of law and a grave disservice to women in Texas, who have a right to control their own bodies,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in dissent, joined by Justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-permits-continued-enforcement-of-texas-six-week-abortion-ban-11642715257?
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3. A March for Equality, By Grazie Pozo Christie, National Review, January 21, 2022, 6:30 AM, Opinion
Equality is on everyone’s minds these days, and for good reason. We are a prosperous nation — wildly so by world-historical standards — yet opportunities to flourish escape too many Americans. As a nation, we are working to change this hard reality, and as a physician, I’m happy about that, because many of my patients are marginalized and left behind. For many decades, the laudable effort to repair our tattered social fabric has ignored a group of people who are arguably the most powerless. I’m referring to my youngest and most vulnerable patients: unborn babies.
This is why I am so pleased with the theme of this year’s March for Life in Washington, D.C.: Equality begins in the womb.
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The Supreme Court justices five decades ago never had a chance to see what I now see routinely. They never had the chance to see what most Americans see today: the treasured black-and-white images that announce a baby on the way for expectant parents and grandparents, friends, and loved ones.
My field, fetal ultrasound, has won American hearts and minds to the humanity of the unborn. Science has spoken in favor of my little patients. My vulnerable, voiceless patients have too often been dehumanized, marginalized, and abandoned. They’ve been called “blobs of cells” and mere “products of conception.” What does the no-longer mysterious, patently obvious humanity of my patients demand? Our solidarity and compassion. Equality. Protection from the brutal segregation of the wanted from the unwanted. And, at long last, an end to Roe v. Wade.
Grazie Pozo Christie is a policy adviser for The Catholic Association.
https://www.nationalreview.com/2022/01/a-march-for-equality/
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4. Pope vows justice for abuse victims after Ratzinger faulted, By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press, January 21, 2022, 5:39 AM
Pope Francis pledged Friday to provide justice to victims of clergy sexual abuse, a day after an independent audit faulted his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, for having botched four cases of abusive clergy when he was archbishop of Munich, Germany.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pope-vows-justice-for-abuse-victims-after-ratzinger-faulted/2022/01/21/689b7536-7aa6-11ec-9dce-7313579de434_story.html
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5. Progressive and pro-life, By Jennifer Harper, The Washington Times, January 21, 2022, Pg. A2
The annual March for Life in the nation’s capital includes a determined but lesser known population of supporters.
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They expressed their views in an essay for Newsweek published Thursday, and cited signs that now appear at the annual event representing such groups as Secular Pro-Life, Feminists for Life and Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians.”
“This change at the March reflects the growing number of nonreligious and progressive Americans who oppose abortion. In 2012, the Pew Research Center found that 24% of non-religious Americans believe abortion should be mostly or always illegal. In 2018, Gallup found that figure was up to 30 percent,” the authors noted.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/jan/20/inside-beltway-america-now-constant-crisis/
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6. Students embracing social justice movement of our time: Being pro-life, Actively supporting mothers with prenatal care, housing assistance, food, and clothing, By Scott Walker, The Washington Times, January 21, 2022, Pg. B3, Opinion
Young people are the future of a society that values the sanctity of innocent life. Thankfully, more and more students understand that being pro-life is the social justice issue of our time.
I am proud to be part of the March for Life today to defend life and encourage the pro-life generation to plan for a post-Roe world. These are challenging yet exciting times.
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Those in college right now and younger are part of the generation that can end abortion. They understand that it is the social justice issue of our time. And they are ready to do something about it. Let’s pray for their success!
Scott Walker is the president of Young America’s Foundation and served as the 45th governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/jan/20/students-embracing-pro-life-the-social-justice-mov/
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7. Catholic President Biden Holds His Most Pro-Abortion Stance Ever, as 2022 March for Life Gets Underway, Biden has repeatedly declared his support for ‘Roe v. Wade’ as pro-life advocates gather in the hopes that it will topple this year., By Lauretta Brown, National Catholic Register, January 21, 2022
As the first in-person March for Life of Biden’s presidency takes place Friday, he has positioned himself the farthest away from the pro-life position that he has been his whole political career.
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This stands in contrast to the way the U.S. bishops reacted to the Dobbs case. Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, the chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, stated in December:
“In the United States, abortion takes the lives of over 600,000 babies every year. Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health could change that. We pray that the Court will do the right thing and allow states to once again limit or prohibit abortion, and in doing so protect millions of unborn children and their mothers from this painful, life-destroying act. We invite all people of good will to uphold the dignity of human life by joining us in prayer and fasting for this important case.”
Pope Francis, who is often praised by Biden, once again has made available a plenary indulgence to encourage those participating in the March for Life.
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The White House did not respond to the Register’s request for comment regarding President Biden’s stance on the March for Life or the plenary indulgence for those Catholics participating.
https://www.ncregister.com/blog/catholic-president-biden-holds-his-most-pro-abortion-stance-ever-as-2022-march-for-life-gets-underway
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8. Abortion Supporters Are Busy Making Plans for a Post-Roe World — Are We?, If the Supreme Court does overturn Roe, abortion policy would return to the states. Abortion advocates are also preparing for that battle, By Maureen Ferguson, National Catholic Register, January 20, 2022, Opinion
For the first time in nearly 50 years, pro-life Americans will descend upon our nation’s capital for the annual March for Life with the well-founded hope that the Supreme Court might finally overturn Roe v. Wade.
Yes, the hope is real that the high court will consign the tragic decision that has resulted in the deaths of 63 million unborn children to the dustbin of history. But the prospect of such a momentous ruling in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization presents a daunting challenge for those of us who care about unborn children and their mothers. Are we ready? Have we built the “culture of life” that Pope St. John Paul II called for in Evangelium Vitae? Are we prepared to accompany mothers in need and to welcome their babies into the world?
The truth is that the construction of a culture of life is still very much a work in progress. The staggering demand for abortion tells us how much work we have before us.
On the one hand, the pro-life community has been supporting mothers in need since the 1970s, founding an extensive network of nearly 3,000 pregnancy resource centers soon after Roe was handed down. The Catholic Church has led these efforts from the start. If the court overturns Roe, however, the needs will skyrocket. Happily, the Church is leading with a new initiative to meet the increased needs of mothers and children in a post-Roe world.
And the Church needs your help.
The new initiative is called Walking With Moms in Need. It is a nationwide but parish-based effort. The vision is a church-wide response to mothers and children in need. The hope is to engage everyone in the pews to build a culture of life in a comprehensive and practical way.
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Clearly, the abortion lobby is busy making plans for a post-Roe world. Are we? If your parish has yet to implement Walking with Moms in Need, there is no time like the present. Prayerfully consider teaming up with your fellow parishioners to launch this life-saving program.
Maureen Ferguson is a senior fellow for The Catholic Association.
https://www.ncregister.com/blog/post-roe-world
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9. Coalition to protect, advance Catholic health care launches, By Shannon Mullen, Carl Bunderson, Catholic News Agency, January 20, 2022, 4:38 PM
Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska, and the leaders of five Catholic medical or professional associations on Thursday founded the Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance, meant to support the reception and provision of health care in accord with Church teaching.
“This Alliance brings together the best minds in medicine, law, business, and theology. I look forward to working with CHCLA and my brother Bishops to guide and support CHCLA in this important work that will not only bring faithful medicine to our people, but bring our people to a deeper relationship with God,” Conley, chair of the group’s episcopal advisory board, said in a statement.
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The alliance’s board is composed of representatives of the Catholic Medical Association, the National Catholic Bioethics Center, the Catholic Benefits Association, the Catholic Bar Association, and Christ Medicus Foundation.
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Douglas G. Wilson, CEO of the Catholic Benefits Association, spoke Thursday about the recent disclosure in a federal lawsuit, reported by the National Catholic Register in November, that the U.S. Department of Health (HHS) is developing sweeping new regulations that would require U.S. health care providers to provide abortion and gender-transition services, without any religious exemptions.
Such extreme regulations, said Louis Brown, executive director of the Christ Medicus Foundation, a Catholic health sharing network, “would in effect make Catholic health care illegal in the United States.”
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250161/coalition-to-protect-advance-catholic-health-care-launches
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10. Poll finds American majority want Roe v Wade to go, By Katie Yoder, Catholic News Agency, January 20, 2022, 6:29 PM
More than 60% of Americans disagree with the central holding of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, according to a new Knights of Columbus/Marist Poll survey.’
The poll, released two days before the Jan. 22 anniversary of Roe v. Wade, found that 44% say that the Supreme Court should leave abortion up to each individual state and 17% say the court should make abortion illegal.
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While 55% of respondents identified as “pro-choice” and 40% called themselves “pro-life,” only 17% agreed that “abortion should be available to a woman any time she wants one during her entire pregnancy.” This number stayed low regardless of political affiliation. Only 31% of Democrats, 1% of Republicans, and 19% of independents said a woman should be able to obtain an abortion at any time.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250168/poll-finds-american-majority-want-roe-v-wade-to-go
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11. Order of Malta sovereignty will be ‘totally preserved,’ Tomasi promises, By The Pillar, January 20, 2022
Cardinal Silvano Tomasi has told the leadership of the Order of Malta that the order’s sovereignty will be “totally preserved” in an eventual new constitution for the knights.
The cardinal, who is Pope Francis’ special delegate charged with overseeing its reform, issued a letter Thursday, after senior knights objected to a draft constitution, drawn up under Tomasi, which would make the order an explicit “subject” of the Holy See, and jeopardize its status in international law.
https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/order-of-malta-sovereignty-will-be
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12. Milwaukee archdiocese provides gender theory policy based on biological sex, By Jonah McKeown, Catholic News Agency, January 20, 2022, 3:04 PM
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee this week put forth a policy related to gender theory, which includes the provision that only pronouns corresponding to a person’s biological sex are to be used in parishes, schools, and other Catholic institutions or organizations.
The policy states that “As a general rule, in all interactions and policies, parishes, organizations, and institutions are to recognize only a person’s biological sex,” which it defines as “the sex with which a person is born, regardless of acceptance or perceived identity.”
“Permitting the designation of a preferred pronoun, while often intended as an act of charity, instead promotes an acceptance of the separability of biological sex and ‘gender’ and thus opposes the truth of our sexual unity,” it said.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250164/milwaukee-archdiocese-provides-gender-theory-policy-based-on-biological-sex
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13. Joe Donnelly confirmed as US ambassador to the Holy See, By Catholic News Agency, January 20, 2022, 5:18 PM
In a voice vote on Thursday the U.S. Senate confirmed Joe Donnelly as ambassador to the Holy See. The former senator for Indiana was nominated for the post by president Joe Biden in October 2021.
The Jan. 20 vote made Donnelly the twelfth U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250166/joe-donnelly-confirmed-as-us-ambassador-to-the-holy-see
___________________________________________________________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.
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