February 2011 Newsletter
Posted By cmbuuck on May 12, 2011
Abortion Foes Make Case—Rosa Salter Rodiguez, The Journal Gazette, January 30, 2011—About 1,500 Fort Wayne area abortion-rights opponents Saturday heard their cause compared to earlier movements concerning slavery and racial segregation. Since the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, abortion-rights opponents have worked to restrict or outlaw the procedure. The Rev. John Rapheal spoke at the Scottish Rite Center before the 37th annual March For Life sponsored by the Allen county Right to Life.
A Roman Catholic priest from New Orleans and a University of Notre Dame alumnus, Raphael is perhaps best known for speaking at the 2009 alternative commencement at Notre Dame on the day President Obama gave the commencement address there. Raphael said that as a black man, he was criticized for being critical of the first black U.S. president. But he said his critics confused the “symbolism” of Obama’s election with “the substance” of his policies on abortion, which he called immoral because they do not protect the unborn, “the weakest and most vulnerable members of society”. Other Supreme Court decisions that upheld injustices were eventually overturned, he said, citing the reversal of the Dred Scott case that allowed slavery to be extended into the territories and the Plessy v. Ferguson case, which upheld racial segregation. “We are in the tradition of the abolitionists of the 1850s and the civil rights workers of the 1960s,” he said, “we do not know when the change will take place, but we do know that until the change takes place we cannot give up.”
The Rally was followed by a march to the E. Ross Adair Federal Building. U.S. Rep. Marlin Stuzman R-3rd, Rep Jackie Walorski, R-Lakeville, and Republican Indiana General Greg Zoeller spoke to the group. U.S. Rep. Mike Pence R-6th, appeared on a video recording. The speakers called for an end to federal funding for Planned Parenthood because it provides abortion.
Lutherans for Life from around the Nation Come to March for Life—Dennis Di Mauro, from Right to Life Today, February 28, 2011—Participants at this year’s march included student groups from Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin, and Lutheran High School in St. Louis, Missouri, as well as local students from Trinity Christian School in Fairfax, Virginia. Also attending was a delegation from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s Life Ministries office, led by their director, Maggie Karner.
The marchers were encouraged by the good weather, the large participation of young people, and the support of so many members of Congress, including the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, who encouraged the crowd in a pre-march speech and promised that the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion bill would be a top legislative priority for the new Congress. All these events energized the marchers to do more in their churches and communities to defend the unborn and to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to their parents and the grandparents.
By marching, they followed a proud tradition of Lutheran pro-life awareness started by the reformer Dr. Martin Luther in the 16th Century. He wrote, “He (God) is not hostile to children, as we are. But God emphasizes His word to such an extent that He sometimes gives offspring even to those who do not desire it, yes even hate it How great, therefore, the wickedness of human nature is! How many girls there are who prevent conception and kill and expel tender fetuses, although procreation is the work of God”
Lutherans have attended the March for Life since it began in 1974. Since 1998, Lutherans for Life has maintained an organized presence at the march, beginning with a communion worship service at a local Lutheran church.Dr. Peter Scaer of Concordia Seminary offered an inspiring prayer at the rally. To read the prayer go to our website, info@lutheranforlifefortwayne.org
Pro-Life Lawmakers Push at Least 13 Bills on Issue State PAC Prioritizing Some To Make Most Of Possible “Banner Year.”—Kevin Leininger, Fort Wayne News Sentinel, February 5, 2011—With November’s election producing Republican majorities in the Indiana House of Representatives and Senate, pro-life activists expect 2011 to be a very good year for their cause. “For the first time in several years, we have an opportunity to have bills heard. Ninety-eight percent of the new legislators are actively, passionately pro-life…” Indiana Right to Life Political Action Committee Field Coordinator Sue Swayze said Friday at a legislative briefing for local reporters.
At least 13 pro-life bills have been introduced, which is probably more than can be passed in a session that must also deal with education reform, budget problems and other challenges. So the PAC has identified bills and causes it considers priorities:
House Bill 1205 would prevent the state from entering into contracts with or making grants to any entity that performs abortions or operates facilities in which they are performed. Senate Bill 116 would require Indiana to opt out of abortion coverage offered by any health plan under the new federal health-care reform act. Senate Bill 457 is an “informed consent” law that would require women to be informed orally and in writing with information pertaining to abortion, such as adoption and fetal development. Senate Bill 1258 would regulate chemically induced abortions. A chemical-abortion clinic on Coliseum Boulevard recently closed, but the procedure remains a “horrific circumstance” for women using it, Allen County Right to Life Executive Director Cathie Humbarger said. “The home becomes an abortion mill.” Senate Bill 522 would ban abortion after 20 weeks-the point at which Humbarger said the fetus is capable of feeling pain. There’s even a bill that would outlaw abortion entirely-should the Supreme Court ever repeal its Roe vs. Wade decision.
