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HAMMERFEST, Norway (AP) -- After hiding below the horizon for two long months, the sun has finally risen in Hammerfest, casting a pale pink hue over the Arctic landscape surrounding the world's northernmost refugee shelter....
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran on Wednesday snubbed a proposal agreed to by four influential oil producers to cap their crude output if others do the same, with a senior Oil Ministry official saying Tehran has no intention of freezing oil output levels....
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- Jeb Bush, John Kasich and Marco Rubio are locked in a high-stakes political chess match in South Carolina, strategically moving money and other campaign resources around in a bid to pull ahead in the Republican primary race - or at least keep their campaigns afloat if they don't....
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- The Latest on the civil war in Syria (all times local):...
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook says his company will fight a federal magistrate's order to help the FBI hack into an encrypted iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino, California shooters. The company said that could potentially undermine encryption for millions of other users....
WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops."Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others.""Even as Americans rema...
WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others."
"Even as Americans remain troubled by abortion," wrote Cardinal Dolan, a powerful and well-funded lobby holds "that abortion must be celebrated as a positive good for women and society, and those who cannot in conscience provide it are to be condemned for practicing substandard medicine and waging a 'war on women'." He said this trend was seen recently when President Obama and other Democratic leaders prevented passage of the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, "a modest measure to provide for effective enforcement" of conscience laws.
"While this is disturbing," said Cardinal Dolan, "it is also an opportunity." Pro-life Americans should reach out to "the great majority of Americans" who are "open to hearing a message of reverence for life." He added that "we who present the pro-life message must always strive to be better messengers. A cause that teaches the inexpressibly great value of each and every human being cannot show disdain or disrespect for any fellow human being." He encouraged Catholics to take part, through prayer and action, in the upcoming "9 Days for Life" campaign, January 16-24. More information on the campaign is available online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxJwfcefUiU
He also cited the Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis as a time for women and men to find healing through the Church's Project Rachel post-abortion ministry.
The full text of Cardinal Dolan's message is available online.
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Keywords: Roe v. Wade, anniversary, Pro-Life, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, 9 Days for Life, USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Year of Mercy, Project Rachel, Pope Francis
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WASHINGTON-The Office of General Counsel of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) filed an amicus curiae brief in the U.S. Supreme Court, February 1, on behalf of USCCB, the Texas Catholic Conference and several Christian partners in support of a Texas law mandating health and safety standards protecting women who undergo abortions. Other groups joining the brief include the National Association of Evangelicals, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. The case is Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, currently before the U.S. Supreme Court."There is ample evidence in this case that hospital admitting privileges and ambulatory surgical center requirements protect women's lives and health," said the brief. "When such requirements are not enforced, abuses detrimental to women's lives and health arise."The brief noted that some abortion clinics have decla...
"There is ample evidence in this case that hospital admitting privileges and ambulatory surgical center requirements protect women's lives and health," said the brief. "When such requirements are not enforced, abuses detrimental to women's lives and health arise."
The brief noted that some abortion clinics have declared the standards too strict, although the standards are similar to those issued by the abortion industry. It added that abortion providers "should not be allowed to rely upon their own failure to comply with health and safety laws" as a reason to strike such laws down. The brief said the providers' resistance to such regulations is not in the best interests of women's health and safety. It also noted that over 40 years of precedent, including the Court's 1992 decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, reaffirms that states may regulate abortion to protect maternal life and health.
Full text of the brief is available online: www.usccb.org/about/general-counsel/amicus-briefs/upload/Whole-Woman-s-Health-v-Hellerstedt.pdf
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Keywords: General Counsel, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Texas law abortion, amicus curia, National Association of Evangelicals, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, U.S. Supreme Court
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(Vatican Radio) The government of Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk survived a no-confidence vote on Tuesday though a majority of lawmakers harshly criticized its work.Earlier in the day Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko asked the prime minister and prosecutor-general to resign to "restore trust in the government". As regional correspondent Stefan Bos reports, the political crisis came amid fresh fighting in eastern Ukraine that killed several Ukrainian servicemen. Listen: Outside Parliament in Kiev protesters demanded his resignation. Inside the building Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk wasn't welcomed either. Ukrainian President Poroshenko urged him to step down saying the prime minister had lost the support of the ruling coalition, which includes Poroshenko's own party, the Poroshenko Bloc.The Poroshenko Bloc announced it would vote in the parliament that the government’s work has been “unsatisfactory” after sever...
(Vatican Radio) The government of Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk survived a no-confidence vote on Tuesday though a majority of lawmakers harshly criticized its work.
Earlier in the day Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko asked the prime minister and prosecutor-general to resign to "restore trust in the government". As regional correspondent Stefan Bos reports, the political crisis came amid fresh fighting in eastern Ukraine that killed several Ukrainian servicemen.
Listen:
Outside Parliament in Kiev protesters demanded his resignation. Inside the building Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk wasn't welcomed either. Ukrainian President Poroshenko urged him to step down saying the prime minister had lost the support of the ruling coalition, which includes Poroshenko's own party, the Poroshenko Bloc.
The Poroshenko Bloc announced it would vote in the parliament that the government’s work has been “unsatisfactory” after several officials resigned over a perceived lack of reforms and ongoing corruption.
The latest standoff comes also as authorities struggle handle fresh fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists.
Kiev said that at least three of its servicemen were killed and seven others wounded in the past 24 hours in clashes with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Officials of Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe were due to meet Wednesday in Belarus to discuss the difficult road to peace.
More than 9,000 people have been killed and as many as 1.5 million people are believed to have been displaced since the conflict began in April 2014.
(Vatican Radio) This evening Pope Francis will celebrate Holy Mass, this time in Ciudad Juarez at the end of his six day stay in Mexico. But in the morning his first appointment will be at the Cereso 3 State prison in the city which used to be a hotspot of gang power.Our Correspondent in Mexico Veronica Scarisbrick tells us more. For many years now Ciudad Juarez has represented first for Mexicans and then for Central Americans a personal dream, that of crossing the border to reach ‘El Norte’, the United States.This search for a better future for most has often become a dashed dream. For those who make it here crossing the border is often impossible, for those without papers the risk of falling into the hands of traffickers is even greater.Just imagine for a moment the state of mind of migrant minors who reach this desolate place, dubbed until not so long ago the murder capital of the world. A place notorious for the unsolved murders of hundreds of women and r...
(Vatican Radio) This evening Pope Francis will celebrate Holy Mass, this time in Ciudad Juarez at the end of his six day stay in Mexico. But in the morning his first appointment will be at the Cereso 3 State prison in the city which used to be a hotspot of gang power.
Our Correspondent in Mexico Veronica Scarisbrick tells us more.
For many years now Ciudad Juarez has represented first for Mexicans and then for Central Americans a personal dream, that of crossing the border to reach ‘El Norte’, the United States.
This search for a better future for most has often become a dashed dream. For those who make it here crossing the border is often impossible, for those without papers the risk of falling into the hands of traffickers is even greater.
Just imagine for a moment the state of mind of migrant minors who reach this desolate place, dubbed until not so long ago the murder capital of the world. A place notorious for the unsolved murders of hundreds of women and rife with all kinds of violence, much of it gang and drug based.
Located in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert, it’s Mexico alright but without a crumb of glamour. There’s a river which provides a natural physical divide, and a looming chain link fence divide.
And it’s by this chain link fence that Pope Francis will celebrate Holy Mass on the evening of Wednesday 17th of February at the end of his six day stay in Mexico. Right on the border with the United States, so near that it’s within earshot of the El Paso inhabitants on the other side of the fence.
Pope Francis flies in to Ciudad Juarez in the morning and his first appointment is at the Cereso 3 State prison which used to be a hotspot of gang power.
Officials with the diocese say 800 inmates have already been chosen for that special meeting with Pope Francis, half of them women. On this occasion he will also meet with family members.
Ciudad Juarez is not a place for the faint hearted but it seems that when Pope Francis arrives here the worst of the bloodshed of this once hell hole has been left behind.
Certainly during this Jubilee Year of Mercy it will give Pope Francis a chance to console prisoners, workers, and the inhabitants of this long suffering Mexican City.
Inhabitants many of whom have been orphaned, widowed or simply traumatised by the violence they’ve witnessed.
With Pope Francis in Mexico, I’m Veronica Scarisbrick
Washington D.C., Feb 17, 2016 / 12:11 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Fears of the Zika virus outbreak’s possible effects on the health of women and unborn children should be a motivation to help those infected and prevent more infections, one congressman said last week.“Experts cite possible links with the Zika infection of pregnant mothers and disorders affecting their unborn children, although they – including our witnesses today – are quick to point out that no definitive proof of such a linkage (exists),” Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) said at a joint Congressional subcommittee hearing on the Zika virus Feb. 10.“In the meantime, we must work harder to prevent maternal infections and devise compassionate ways to ensure that any child born with disabilities from this or any other infection is welcomed, loved and gets the care he or she needs,” he continued.The congressman called for further research on vaccinations and treatments for the Zika virus and o...
Washington D.C., Feb 17, 2016 / 12:11 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Fears of the Zika virus outbreak’s possible effects on the health of women and unborn children should be a motivation to help those infected and prevent more infections, one congressman said last week.
“Experts cite possible links with the Zika infection of pregnant mothers and disorders affecting their unborn children, although they – including our witnesses today – are quick to point out that no definitive proof of such a linkage (exists),” Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) said at a joint Congressional subcommittee hearing on the Zika virus Feb. 10.
“In the meantime, we must work harder to prevent maternal infections and devise compassionate ways to ensure that any child born with disabilities from this or any other infection is welcomed, loved and gets the care he or she needs,” he continued.
The congressman called for further research on vaccinations and treatments for the Zika virus and on drugs that might prevent the disease’s transmission from a mother to her unborn baby.
“Currently no therapeutics exist to treat Zika virus nor is there a vaccine – but that gap need not be forever,” he said.
Zika virus is predominantly transmitted by mosquito bite, though in some cases it is also sexually transmitted and believed to be transmitted from pregnant mother to child.
About 1 in 5 people infected with the Zika virus become ill. Most of those who become ill suffer mild symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control has said.
More alarming, however, is the virus’ suspected role in causing microcephaly among newborns if their mother catches the virus while pregnant. Microcephaly is a condition where a person has an abnormally small head. The condition is often accompanied by brain defects and other health problems.
Outbreaks of Zika virus infection previously took place in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. In May 2015 health authorities confirmed the first virus infections among people in Brazil. Active virus transmission is confirmed as far north as Mexico, with some travel-associated cases in the U.S.
The World Health Organization has recommended that people in areas of potentially infected mosquitos wear protective clothing and repellants and stay indoors. It has also advised avoiding travel to areas of a possible Zika outbreak, particularly for pregnant women.
Some pro-abortion activists have tried to use the Zika virus’ alleged link with microcephaly to encourage an expansion of legal abortion in Latin America.
Rep. Smith cited Brazil’s ambassador to the United States, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado, who said that microcephaly in newborns can be caused by “a number of other diseases.”
“Health experts are dealing with something new: the link between Zika and microcephaly is unprecedented in the scientific literature and requires in-depth studies and analyses,” the ambassador said.
Rep. Smith also cited Boston Children’s Hospital’s fact sheet on microcephaly, which said some children who have the condition have normal intelligence and health.
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