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 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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Catholic News 2
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...
(Vatican Radio) After leaving Havana, Pope Francis sent a telegram to Cuban President Raul Castro, thanking him for hosting him and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill for their historic encounter.Calling himself a missionary of mercy and peace, the Holy Father said the world "cannot cease to strive along the path of dialogue, encounter, and understanding, if we wish to achieve peace, reconciliation, and the coexistence of all people of goodwill". The full text of the telegram is below:Telegram Format of a letter addressed to the President of Cuba on the occasion of the Meeting of His Holiness Pope Francis and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill12 February 2016MR PRESIDENT: ON MY WAY TO MEXICO FOR MY PASTORAL JOURNEY AS A MISSIONARY OF MERCY AND PEACE, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS HOSPITALITY DURING MY BRIEF STOPOVER IN CUBA, WHICH HAS GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECALL THE AFFECTIONATE AND WARM WELCOME THE CUBAN PEOPLE EXTENDED TO ME LAST SEPTEMBER. ABOVE ALL,...
(Vatican Radio) After leaving Havana, Pope Francis sent a telegram to Cuban President Raul Castro, thanking him for hosting him and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill for their historic encounter.
Calling himself a missionary of mercy and peace, the Holy Father said the world "cannot cease to strive along the path of dialogue, encounter, and understanding, if we wish to achieve peace, reconciliation, and the coexistence of all people of goodwill".
The full text of the telegram is below:
Telegram Format of a letter addressed to the President of Cuba on the occasion of the Meeting of His Holiness Pope Francis and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill
12 February 2016
MR PRESIDENT: ON MY WAY TO MEXICO FOR MY PASTORAL JOURNEY AS A MISSIONARY OF MERCY AND PEACE, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS HOSPITALITY DURING MY BRIEF STOPOVER IN CUBA, WHICH HAS GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECALL THE AFFECTIONATE AND WARM WELCOME THE CUBAN PEOPLE EXTENDED TO ME LAST SEPTEMBER. ABOVE ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU, MR PRESIDENT, AND YOUR GOVERNMENT FOR THE WILLINGNESS TO MAKE POSSIBLE MY MEETING WITH HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA. IT HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT MEETING, FROM WHICH I HOPE MUCH GOOD WILL COME. WE CANNOT CEASE TO STRIVE ALONG THE PATH OF DIALOGUE, ENCOUNTER AND UNDERSTANDING, IF WE WISH TO ACHIEVE PEACE, RECONCILIATION, AND THE COEXISTENCE OF ALL PEOPLE OF GOODWILL. I ASSURE YOU, AND THE BELOVED CUBAN NATION WHICH I CARRY IN MY HEART, OF MY PRAYERS, AND PLEASE ALSO PRAY FOR ME. FRATERNALLY, FRANCIS.
(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace has sent a message to the Latin-American meeting entitled “Using the Encyclical Laudato si’ to Defend Our Territorial Rights, Our Land and Our Forests”. In his message, the Cardinal hopes that the encyclical Laudato si’ written by Pope Francis will, "be a valuable contribution to the work that you are undertaking." The meeting is taking place in San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico, from the 13 to the 14 February during the Papal visit.Below find the English translation of Cardinal Turkson's messageTo the participants in the Latin-American meeting “Using the Encyclical Laudato si’ to Defend Our Territorial Rights, Our Land and Our Forests”:In the name of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, I extend fraternal greetings to the indigenous communities, the popular movements and human rights organizations ...
(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace has sent a message to the Latin-American meeting entitled “Using the Encyclical Laudato si’ to Defend Our Territorial Rights, Our Land and Our Forests”.
In his message, the Cardinal hopes that the encyclical Laudato si’ written by Pope Francis will, "be a valuable contribution to the work that you are undertaking." The meeting is taking place in San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico, from the 13 to the 14 February during the Papal visit.
Below find the English translation of Cardinal Turkson's message
To the participants in the Latin-American meeting “Using the Encyclical Laudato si’ to Defend Our Territorial Rights, Our Land and Our Forests”:
In the name of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, I extend fraternal greetings to the indigenous communities, the popular movements and human rights organizations gathered at San Cristobal de las Casas for this Latin-American meeting, during which you will work on how to care for and share our common home.
We are aware of your efforts to defend your rights to your land in your territory and to its forests, now threatened by a system that idolizes money and respects neither the dignity of persons nor the fragility of the planet. We hope that your reflections will be fruitful and lead to constructive actions to face these numerous challenges. We hope that the encyclical Laudato si’ of Pope Francis will, as you have pointed out, be a valuable contribution to the work that you are undertaking.
In this respect, I would like to reiterate what I said to our second World Meeting of Popular Movements in July 2015: “The poor have organized themselves to counter social exclusion, scandalous inequality and the degradation of their environment. In this way, you have created movements not only to protest against injustice, but also to take your own initiative and resolve problems of access to housing, land and work – Techo, Tierra y Trabajo, for which neither States nor the market have solutions. Despite your insecurity, you are tilling the land, building houses and creating jobs. In these processes, the Church wants to join hands with you so that, every day, your social cooperatives, neighbourhood councils, peasant and indigenous communities are strengthened, and more opportunities and better conditions are provided for the integral development of the excluded as individuals, families and peoples”.
The present time is particularly difficult. We live with the globalization of indifference marked by the technocratic paradigm. We keep on witnessing persistent violations of human and social rights throughout the planet. Yet at the same time we detect hope on the horizon. All people are looking for a beneficial change. The indigenous people -- displaced and threatened and hindered by certain models of "progress" that do not provide for the dignity of everyone -- can share with the entire world the valuable example of life in harmony with nature. This lights the way for the change that we need.
Expressing the Church’s closeness to each of you, I urge and encourage you on your way. May God our Father give you the strength to continue to struggle for land, housing and work in defence of peace and of Mother Earth.
Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson, President
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is in Mexico on his 12th Apostolic Journey, after meeting with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in Havana, Cuba to sign a joint declaration. The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, spoke with Veronica Scarisbrick about the Holy Father's meeting with the Patriarch and his arrival in Mexico.Listen to their conversation: Noting that the Pope and the Patriarch's encounter was private, Fr. Lombardi said the climate of the discussion was "very friendly, but 'friendly' is too little an expression for he says the encounter [began] with the Patriarch saying 'my brother' and ended with 'finally, finally we meet, you are my brother'. This means he was very happy and the Patriarch was also happy."He notes this will not be a unique episode but is merely the beginning of a closer relationship. "The Pope has said that they spoke about some concrete initiatives, but he has not ex...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is in Mexico on his 12th Apostolic Journey, after meeting with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in Havana, Cuba to sign a joint declaration. The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, spoke with Veronica Scarisbrick about the Holy Father's meeting with the Patriarch and his arrival in Mexico.
Listen to their conversation:
Noting that the Pope and the Patriarch's encounter was private, Fr. Lombardi said the climate of the discussion was "very friendly, but 'friendly' is too little an expression for he says the encounter [began] with the Patriarch saying 'my brother' and ended with 'finally, finally we meet, you are my brother'. This means he was very happy and the Patriarch was also happy."
He notes this will not be a unique episode but is merely the beginning of a closer relationship. "The Pope has said that they spoke about some concrete initiatives, but he has not explained what. The talk was not theoretically but was concrete."
"The dynamic element is the personal encounter between the Pope and the Patriarch."
Mexican welcome
Turning to the arrival of Pope Francis in Mexico, Fr. Lombardi said "here in Mexico City we have these incredible crowds, over a million people. There was a very good preparation for the little arrival ceremony, with people, songs, and dances.
As per his usual, the Holy Father immediately broke protocol upon arrival, going to meet the people. "In this sense I think we have already experienced how the great Mexican people is happy to have the Pope with them and how the Pope desires to meet personally and directly many, many people. This is obviously a place where the Pope speaks his [native] language; this is an advantage. I think it will be a marvellous encounter with this land where the people has always demonstrated an enormous love for the popes."
Concluding the interview, Fr. Lombardi said, "the vitality of the youth of this people will give a sense of hope, of dynamism, and future, and also the encounter with the Virgin of Guadalupe will give a sense of tenderness and spirituality to these days."
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has a fortnightly telephone appointment with a youth prison in Buenos Aires, where he speaks to the young people incarcerated there.The head of the Vatican Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, revealed this during a press conference in Mexico City on Friday.When asked about the prison riot at Topo Chico prison in Monterrey, Mexico, which left 49 people dead, Fr. Lombardi said the event had “troubled the heart” of Pope Francis.Pope Francis is scheduled to visit a prison near the end of his visit to Mexico in the city of Juarez, which Fr. Lombardi said was still on the schedule, adding Pope Francis has a strong commitment to ministry to prisoners.“Not only has he visited penitentiaries in Rome, such as the Holy Thursday ceremony in Rebibbia, where he met with detainees” – Father Lombardi said – “Pope Francis also every 15 days carries out a telephone conversation with young prisoners in Buenos Aires.”
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has a fortnightly telephone appointment with a youth prison in Buenos Aires, where he speaks to the young people incarcerated there.
The head of the Vatican Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, revealed this during a press conference in Mexico City on Friday.
When asked about the prison riot at Topo Chico prison in Monterrey, Mexico, which left 49 people dead, Fr. Lombardi said the event had “troubled the heart” of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis is scheduled to visit a prison near the end of his visit to Mexico in the city of Juarez, which Fr. Lombardi said was still on the schedule, adding Pope Francis has a strong commitment to ministry to prisoners.
“Not only has he visited penitentiaries in Rome, such as the Holy Thursday ceremony in Rebibbia, where he met with detainees” – Father Lombardi said – “Pope Francis also every 15 days carries out a telephone conversation with young prisoners in Buenos Aires.”
(Vatican Radio) After arriving in Mexico City on Friday night, Pope Francis made a brief appearance outside the Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican Embassy), where he will be staying while in the Mexican capital.He told the people they “needed to rest” ahead of the weekend’s festivities, and accepted two white roses from well-wishers.He also led the crowd in a Hail Mary.Finally, he left them with these word: ``Look at the Virgin and remember these faces: The people who love us, those we love, those we do not like, those who do not like us, and are envious of us.''
(Vatican Radio) After arriving in Mexico City on Friday night, Pope Francis made a brief appearance outside the Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican Embassy), where he will be staying while in the Mexican capital.
He told the people they “needed to rest” ahead of the weekend’s festivities, and accepted two white roses from well-wishers.
He also led the crowd in a Hail Mary.
Finally, he left them with these word: ``Look at the Virgin and remember these faces: The people who love us, those we love, those we do not like, those who do not like us, and are envious of us.''
Congo Brazzaville's Catholic newspaper, “La Semaine Africaine” reports this week that the Bishops of Congo Brazzaville, at the end of their Plenary Assembly, have released a pastoral statement calling on the people of the Republic of Congo to live their “Christian vocation as witnesses of God’s mercy to others.” This, the Bishops emphasise, “means showing God’s forgiveness, compassion, tenderness and love, to build a fairer Congo, where unity, reconciliation, dialogue, harmony and sharing take precedence over selfishness, hatred, rancour, vindictiveness and divisions,” the Bishops emphasise.The communique of the Bishops says that their plenary assembly focussed on the theme of mercy so that they could give special attention to the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis. They urge the faithful to "take actions for peace and justice in Congo,” which according to the Bishops is a country increasingly, &...
Congo Brazzaville's Catholic newspaper, “La Semaine Africaine” reports this week that the Bishops of Congo Brazzaville, at the end of their Plenary Assembly, have released a pastoral statement calling on the people of the Republic of Congo to live their “Christian vocation as witnesses of God’s mercy to others.” This, the Bishops emphasise, “means showing God’s forgiveness, compassion, tenderness and love, to build a fairer Congo, where unity, reconciliation, dialogue, harmony and sharing take precedence over selfishness, hatred, rancour, vindictiveness and divisions,” the Bishops emphasise.
The communique of the Bishops says that their plenary assembly focussed on the theme of mercy so that they could give special attention to the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis. They urge the faithful to "take actions for peace and justice in Congo,” which according to the Bishops is a country increasingly, “affected by poverty, misery, pessimism, injustice, vices such as impunity, corruption, fraud, extortion and prostitution," reads the pastoral statement in French.
"Congo needs peace and it's up to us to build it, avoiding all acts of violence and conflicts that lead to war.” The Bishops describe war as the enemy of progress and of humankind.
Further in the statement, the Bishops make a link between love and mercy, stressing the importance "of communion, sharing, exchange and solidarity." They exhort the faithful to put into practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy especially "in today's society, which is characterised by the globalization of indifference, hatred and violence."
All these factors are opposed to an attitude of mercy. Congolese people must work to overcome all that inflames differences, ethnicity, differences among political parties and religions, the Bishops appeal. Congo’s prelates call upon the people to be more forgiving of one another and encourage Catholics to avail themselves of the Sacrament of reconciliation that brings "freedom gives joy and revives hope."
With regard to the family, they call for the protection of families saying that it is from strong families that strong nations emerge. They urge politicians to be "artisans of peace, of reconciliation, of justice and of truth." The Bishops appeal to the Congolese authorities to organise "fair and transparent elections" (due in October) which will guarantee the rule of law.
Referring to the media, the Bishops remind media practitioners to strive towards the truth and to promote social inclusion by building bridges that facilitate inclusion.
In conclusion, the prelates stress once more the theme of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy which requires all citizens to be, “Merciful like the father.” In particular, they urge the faithful to "rediscover the love of God who forgives and restores life.
(Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va)
VIENNA (AP) -- Antonio Piani appears to have beaten the odds stacked against refugees finding work in Europe, but the hotel where he works was set up specifically to employ people like him....
VIENNA (AP) -- Antonio Piani appears to have beaten the odds stacked against refugees finding work in Europe, but the hotel where he works was set up specifically to employ people like him....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Beginning this summer, a visit to a local Army recruiting office will include a new set of gymnastic tests to help determine what military jobs a recruit is physically capable of performing....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Beginning this summer, a visit to a local Army recruiting office will include a new set of gymnastic tests to help determine what military jobs a recruit is physically capable of performing....
MUNICH (AP) -- Russia's prime minister accused the West on Saturday of rekindling the Cold War, telling a meeting of top defense officials, diplomats and national leaders that sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea and new moves by the NATO alliance "only aggravate" tensions....
MUNICH (AP) -- Russia's prime minister accused the West on Saturday of rekindling the Cold War, telling a meeting of top defense officials, diplomats and national leaders that sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea and new moves by the NATO alliance "only aggravate" tensions....
