Dear Friends,

I am happy to send you my bi-weekly column. Our Subscription drive continues, and I urge you to help us reach many more people by inviting them to subscribe to this regular message. They need only write to subscribe@priestsforlife.org.

God bless you!

Sincerely,
Fr. Frank Pavone

The Bishop and the Atheist
Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

Bishop William Weigand of Sacramento has something to say to pro-abortion politicians who claim to be Catholic. So does Doris Gordon, an atheist and the founder of "Libertarians for Life."

On January 22, 2003, Bishop Weigand preached the following words:

"As your bishop, I have to say clearly that anyone - politician or otherwise - who thinks it is acceptable for a Catholic to be pro-abortion is in very great error, puts his or her soul at risk, and is not in good standing with the Church. Such a person should have the integrity to acknowledge this and choose of his own volition to abstain from receiving Holy Communion until he has a change of heart."

He made explicit that fact that his words have direct application to Gray Davis, the Governor of California, who is pro-abortion and says he is Catholic. The bishop's homily made national news. And many of the faithful are saying It's about time.

Yet to speak this way is the duty of a bishop. More surprising to many is that an atheist would say the same. My friend, Doris Gordon, founded "Libertarians for Life" (www.L4L.org) and recently wrote an article, "A Libertarian Atheist Answers 'Pro-Choice Catholics.'" She issues this challenge:

"The Church holds that such children are human persons with rights, yet the "personally opposed" hold that it should be a woman's choice to destroy themIf there is a credible reason for such a position, what is it? Opposition to legal abortion cuts across the religious and political spectrum. I'm an atheist. I was born and raised Jewish. Catholicism had nothing to do with my coming to understand why abortion is a wrong, not a right, and why it should not be legal."

Both Bishop Weigand and Doris Gordon are calling for consistency. If one claims to be Catholic, he/she should accept the teachings of Catholicism. It's as simple as that. Holy Communion, moreover, reinforces the need for consistency. Communion means "union with." To receive Communion is not magic. It is, rather, the summit and source of all our efforts to think, desire, choose, and live in union with Jesus Christ. When one knows the definitive teaching of Jesus as expressed in the Church, and deliberately refuses to accept it, he/she rejects "communion" at that moment. It no longer makes sense to receive physically the One whom you have rejected by clinging to your own conflicting doctrine.

Moreover, both the bishop and the atheist are saying that abortion is wrong not because the Church says so, but because of what abortion is. The taking of a child's life is simply not a civilized act. Nor is stealing. The Church teaches against stealing, but we don't hear people complain that laws against stealing are an imposition of religious doctrine. They realize that stealing does not only violate religious doctrine; it violates basic human rights. So does abortion. That truth isn't so hard to understand. But if we forget, then fortunately, we have both bishops and atheists to help us.

Contact Priests for Life at PO Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314; Tel: 888-PFL-3448, 718-980-4400; Fax: 718-980-6515; email: mail@priestsforlife.org; web: www.priestsforlife.org

El obispo y la atea P. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

El obispo de Sacramento, William Weigand, tiene algo que decirles a los políticos pro-aborto que dicen ser católicos. Doris Gordon, atea, fundadora de "Libertarios por la vida" (Libertarians for Life), también.

El 22 de enero de 2003, el obispo Weigand predicó las siguientes palabras: "Como su obispo, tengo que decir claramente que cualquiera, político o no, que piensa que es aceptable para un católico ser pro-aborto comete un grave error, pone su alma en peligro y no está en buenas relaciones con la Iglesia. Esa persona debería tener la integridad de reconocer esto y elegir voluntariamente abstenerse de recibir la Santa Comunión hasta que cambie su corazón."

Explícitamente señaló que, de hecho, sus palabras tienen aplicación directa a Gray Davis, el gobernador de California que es pro-aborto y dice ser católico. La homilía del obispo fue noticia a nivel nacional. Y muchos de los fieles dicen que ya era hora.

Sin embargo, expresarse de esta manera es la obligación de un obispo. Más sorprendente para muchos es que una atea diga lo mismo. Mi amiga, Doris Gordon, fundó "Libertarios por la vida" (www.L4L.org) y recientemente escribió el artículo, "Un libertario ateo contesta a los "Católicos pro-elección"" lanzando el siguiente desafío:

"La Iglesia afirma que esos niños son personas con derechos, sin embargo los que se "oponen personalmente" afirman que debería ser una decisión de la mujer destruirlos. Si hay una razón creíble para tal posición, ¿cuál es? La oposición al aborto legal abarca todo el espectro político y religioso. Yo soy atea. Nací y fui criada como judía. El catolicismo no tiene nada que ver con mi comprensión que el aborto está mal, que no es un derecho, y por que no debería ser legal."

Tanto el obispo Weigand cómo Doris Gordon hacen un llamado a la coherencia Si uno afirma ser católico, debería aceptar las enseñanzas del catolicismo. Es muy sencillo. Más aún, la Santa Comunión refuerza la necesidad de coherencia. Comunión significa "unión con." Recibir la comunión no es magia. Es más bien la cima y fuente de todos nuestros esfuerzos para pensar, desear, elegir y vivir en unión con Jesucristo. Cuando uno conoce la enseñanza definitiva de Jesús expresada en la Iglesia y deliberadamente rehúsa aceptarla, en ese instante, rechaza la "comunión." No tiene más sentido recibir físicamente a Aquel a quien se ha rechazado al aferrarse a la propia doctrina contradictoria.

Más aún, tanto el obispo cómo la atea están diciendo que el aborto está mal no porque lo diga la Iglesia, sino por lo que el aborto es. Simplemente, tomar la vida de un niño no es un acto civilizado. Tampoco lo es robar. La Iglesia se opone al robo, pero no oímos gente quejándose que las leyes que reprimen el robo son una imposición de una doctrina religiosa. Se dan cuenta que robar no sólo viola doctrinas religiosas, viola derechos humanos básicos. También el aborto. La verdad no es muy difícil de entender. Por si lo olvidáramos, afortunadamente contamos con obispos y ateos que nos ayudan.

Dear Friends,

I am happy to send you my bi-weekly column. Our Subscription drive continues, and I urge you to help us reach many more people by inviting them to subscribe to this regular message. They need only write to subscribe@priestsforlife.org.

God bless you!

Sincerely,
Fr. Frank Pavone

Triduum
Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

We are quickly approaching the Church's observance of the days of which our Lord spoke -- the days of His betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection. This sacred three-day period, the Triduum, is the kernel of the entire liturgical year. It begins on the evening of Holy Thursday and concludes on the evening of Easter Sunday. It is packed and overflowing with ancient symbolism and themes for profound meditation, not the least of which is the infinite dignity of human life.

The Triduum happened, after all, because of human life. God loves human beings, and the crucifixion and resurrection of God-in-the-flesh ushers human beings into eternal life. The "gates of heaven" are not made of silver or gold, but rather of human flesh and bones. Jesus brings to heaven the very same nature that all of us, born and unborn, share. The events of the Triduum are very physical: His Body given at the table, nailed to the cross, laid in the tomb, risen from the dead. These days give meaning to the human body. We are not free to neglect the body: we must feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, tend to the sick, and protect the unborn from the abortionists' forceps.

On Holy Thursday, Mass is not permitted without a congregation. It is the day on which the Lord gave the commandment of brotherly love, and gave us the Eucharist, which establishes communion among brothers and sisters. The washing of the feet reveals the meaning of the Eucharist and the cross: He laid down his life for us; so we must lay down our lives for one another. The Triduum teaches us, then, that it is our business when someone is unemployed, or discriminated against, or about to have an abortion. It is our business, because the business of a Christian is love.

No Mass is permitted on Good Friday, or during the day on Holy Saturday. The tabernacle is empty. The Church experiences the strange silence and emptiness of the first Good Friday. The Lord has been taken away. To love one another, we must be able to enter the other's emptiness. How deep, indeed, is the loneliness of the empty womb for those who have experienced abortion. It is a haunting emptiness, enduring through life, and crying out for our compassionate care.

Good Friday is also the day that the Lord gave us the greatest example of forgiveness. And He was a victim of capital punishment. It is a day to renew our determination to work for alternatives to the death penalty and alternatives to war.

The Day of Days is Easter. The Easter Vigil cannot begin before dark, because the Church wants to dramatize the fact that darkness (symbolizing sin and death) is conquered by light (symbolizing the Risen Christ). "Christ our Light!" the deacon proclaims. "Thanks be to God!" the people respond. Thanks, indeed, because the victory belongs to Life! Don't let anything take that Easter joy from you!

Contact Priests for Life at PO Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314; Tel: 888-PFL-3448, 718-980-4400; Fax: 718-980-6515; email: mail@priestsforlife.org; web: www.priestsforlife.org

Triduo
P. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

"Destruid este templo y lo reconstruiré en tres días."

Nos aproximamos rápidamente a los días en que la Iglesia observa aquello de lo que habló nuestro Señor, los días de su traición, crucifixión y resurrección. Este período sagrado de tres días, el triduo, es el meollo de todo el año litúrgicoComienza el Jueves Santo y termina en la noche del domingo de Pascua. Es un derroche de antiguo simbolismo, está repleto de ellos y de temas para la meditación profunda, uno de los cuales es la dignidad infinita del vida humana.

El triduo ocurrió, después de todo, por causa de la vida humana. Dios ama a los seres humanos y la crucifixión y resurrección de Dios encarnado introduce a los seres humanos a la vida eterna. Las "puertas del cielo" no están hechas de plata u oro, sino de carne y huesos humanos. Jesús lleva al cielo la mismísima naturaleza que todos nosotros compartimos, nacidos y no nacidos. Los eventos del triduo son ante todo físicos: Su Cuerpo entregado en la mesa, clavado en la cruz, depositado en la tumba, resucitado entre los muertos. Estos días dan sentido al cuerpo humano. No tenemos libertad para descuidar el cuerpo, debemos alimentar a los hambrientos, acoger al desamparado, cuidar los enfermos, y proteger a los no nacidos de los forceps del abortero.

El Jueves Santo, no se permite celebrar misa sin una congregación. Es el día en que el Señor dio el mandamiento del amor fraternal y nos dio la Eucaristía, que establece comunión entre hermanos y hermanas. El lavado de los pies revela el sentido de la Eucaristía y la cruz: Entregó su vida por nosotros, así que debemos entregar nuestras vidas por cada uno. El triduo nos enseña, entonces, que es asunto nuestro cuando alguien esta desempleado, o es discriminado, o a punto de tener un aborto. Es asunto nuestro porque el asunto del cristiano es el amor.

No se permite la misa el Viernes Santo, o durante el día el Sabado Santo. El abernáculo está vacío. La Iglesia experimenta el silencio extraño y el vacío de aquel primer Viernes Santo. El Señor ha sido llevado. Para amarnos, debemos ser capaces de entrar en el vacío del otro. Cuan profunda, en efecto, es la soledad del vientre vacío para aquellos que han experimentado un aborto. Es un vacío obsesionante, que dura toda la vida y que clama por cuidados compasivos.

Viernes Santo es también el día en que el Señordio el mayor ejemplo de perdón. El fue víctima de la pena capital. Es un día para renovar nuestra determinación a trabajar por alternativas a la pena de muerte y alternativas a la guerra.

El día supremo es Pascua. La Vigilia Pascual no puede comenzar antes del anochecer porque la Iglesia quiere dramatizar el hecho que la oscuridad (que simboliza la muerte y el pecado) es conquistada por la luz (que simboliza Cristo Resucitado). "¡Luz de Cristo!" proclama el diácono.  "¡Demos gracias a Dios!" responde el pueblo. ¡Gracias, en efecto, porque la victoria pertence a la Vida! ¡No deje que nada le quite esa alegría pascual!

Dear Friends,

I am happy to send you my bi-weekly column. Our Subscription drive continues, and I urge you to help us reach many more people by inviting them to subscribe to this regular message. They need only write to subscribe@priestsforlife.org.

God bless you!

Sincerely,
Fr. Frank Pavone

Vindicated
Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

I wasn't even a priest yet when the "NOW vs. Scheidler" case began in June of 1986. During the 17 years since then, the National Organization for Women (NOW) has attempted to penalize Joseph Scheidler, Director of the Pro-life Action League, and others who work in union with him.

For doing what, you ask? That question is the heart of the case.

Joe Scheidler and company have labored ceaselessly to save children from abortion and to help their parents find the resources to care for their children. They have gone to the very places where those children were scheduled to be killed, and have peacefully intervened for their lives. They have provided the final refuge for those lives, the final intervention for the parents who were not moved by all the political, legislative, religious, multimedia and educational work of the pro-life movement. Armed with nothing but the rosary, the pro-life activists endured heat, cold, ridicule and rejection in order to be there for those in need, and to stand in solidarity with the poorest of the poor. And many lives were in fact saved.

But in the eyes of the National Organization for Women, the pro-life activists engaged in "violence" and "harassment." In fact, NOW tried to use the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) statutes against the pro-lifers. RICO laws were crafted to stop organized crime and drug trafficking, not the peaceful, non-violent intervention of those who are trying to save lives.

After 17 years of litigation, the Supreme Court gave the final word on February 26, 2003, deciding by an 8 to 1 majority that RICO cannot be used against the pro-life activists, even if their activities deprived the abortion mills of business. This is a victory for common sense and, in its implications, a victory for the pro- life movement and for the unborn.

There is still an unresolved issue, of course, that goes beyond the technical boundaries of the case. The fact is that abortion is not a legitimate business in the first place. While the Justices wrestled with the notion of "property," and whether it could be said that pro-life activism deprived the abortion mills of their property, nobody addressed the fact that the abortion mills deprive God of His property! The pro-abortion forces complained that Joe Scheidler trespassed into the "clinics." But the crime of trespassing into the sacred space of the womb, and violating it with bloodshed, was never raised.

Yes, this decision is a victory. But it is only a first step. The reputations of these pro-life activists must be fully restored. They never committed any violence Moreover, the path they have forged must be followed by the rest of us. Presence at the abortion mills, sidewalk counseling, street preaching, and good old-fashioned American picketing are honorable activities, are integral to our movement, and deserve to be promoted by pro-life groups and by the Church at every level. Thank God for those who do these things; I am honored to be among them.

Reivindicados
P. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

Ni siquiera era sacerdote cuando comenzó el caso "NOW vs Scheidler" en junio de 1986. Durante los 17 años transcurridos, la Organización Nacional de Mujeres (NOW - National Organization for Women) ha intentado penalizar a Joseph Scheidler, Director de la Liga de Acción Pro-Vida (Pro-Life Action League) y otros que trabajan junto con él.

¿Por hacer qué? - preguntarán. Esa pregunta es la clave del caso.

Joe Scheidler y compañía han trabajado incesantemente para salvar niños del aborto y ayudar a sus padres a encontrar los recursos para cuidar sus niños. Han ido a los mismísimos lugares adonde se iba a matar a esos niños y han intervenido pacíficamente para salvarles la vida. Han proveído un refugio final para sus vidas, una intervención final para los padres que no estaban conmovidos por el trabajo a nivel político, legislativo, religioso, educativo y en multi-media del movimiento pro-vida. Armados solamente con un rosario, los activistas pro-vida soportaron calor, frío, ridículo y rechazo para poder estar presentes allí para aquellos que los necesitaban y para pararse en solidaridad con los más pobres entre los pobres. De hecho, muchas vidas fueron salvadas.

Pero a los ojos de la Organización Nacional de Mujeres, los activistas pro-vida practicaron "violencia" y "hostigamiento". De hecho, NOW trato de invocar las leyes RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations - Organizaciones Corruptas e Influenciadas por Chantajistas) contra los activistas pro-vida. Las leyes RICO fueron diseñadas para detener al crimen organizado y al narcotráfico, no las intervenciones pacíficas y no-violentas de aquellos que están tratando de salvar vidas.

Después de 17 años de litigio, la Corte Suprema dijo la última palabra el 26 de febrero de 2003 decidiendo por una mayoría de 8 a 1 que no se puede invocar RICO contra los activistas pro-vida, aún si sus actividades impedían los negocios de las fábricas de abortos. Esta es una victoria para el sentido común y, por sus implicaciones, una victoria para el movimiento pro-vida y para el no-nacido.

Por supuesto, todavía queda una cuestión por resolver que va más allá de las limitaciones técnicas del caso. El hecho es que el aborto no es un negocio legítimo, para empezar. Mientras los magistrados de la corte debatían la noción de "propiedad" y si se podía decir que el activismo pro-vida privaba a las clínicas de aborto de su propiedad, ¡nadie se ocupó del hecho que las clínicas de aborto privan a Dios de su propiedad! Las fuerzas pro-aborto se quejaron que Joe Scheidler allanó ilícitamente las "clinicas." Pero el crimen de allanar ilícitamente el espacio sagrado del vientre y violarlo derramando sangre, nunca se consideró.

Sí, esta decisión es una victoria. Pero es solo un primer paso. La reputación de estos activistas pro-vida debe ser restaurada completamente. Nunca cometieron ningún acto de violencia. Más aún, el sendero que han abierto debe ser seguido por el resto de nosotros. La presencia en las clínicas de aborto, la consejería en las veredas, predicación callejera y el tradicional piquete amerciano son actividades honorables, son parte integral de nuestro movimiento y merecen ser promovidos por los grupos pro-vida y por la Iglesia a todo nivel. Gracias a Dios por los que hacen estas cosas; me siento honrado de contarme entre ellos.

Dear Friends,

Below is the text of our current Priests for Life newsletter. Thank you for being
one of our subscribers.

We want to expand the numbers of those who receive this email. Can you help us? Please invite those on your own email lists to join ours by writing to subscribe@priestsforlife.org.

And remember, this week, all new episodes of my "Defending Life" program on EWTN will begin. They will be seen every Tuesday at 5:30pm, Wednesday at 5am, and Friday at 10pm (all times Eastern). Information on content is at www.priestsforlife.org/media/defnlife8blurbs.htm. Spread the word!

God bless you!
Fr. Frank Pavone

Priests for Life Newsletter
Volume 13, Number 2
March-April 2003

Lenten Preaching on Life

Basic themes

The season of Lent prepares the faithful, through a special emphasis on penitence, to celebrate the Paschal Mystery and to renew the vows of their baptism. It is also a time of final preparation of catechumens to receive the new life in water and the Holy Spirit.

This double meaning of Lent incorporates and illumines why the Church is pro-life and provides a liturgically consistent way of preaching about it throughout this time of year.

The dynamics of baptism are those of life, welcome, and mutual responsibility. Baptism immerses us into the death and resurrection of Christ, by which death in all its forms is destroyed. Moreover, God's sovereign choice is the first step in the process. He has chosen us, and He has chosen our brothers and sisters in the family of the Church that comes about through baptism. Hence we learn that we have responsibility not only for those we "choose," but for those whom God chooses to entrust to our care.

The penitential preparation for baptism -- whether for its reception or renewal -- is necessary precisely because the dynamics of sin lead us to exalt our own "choices" over and above the moral demands of justice and charity. Sin, furthermore, obscures our judgment about the dignity and rights of others, and makes us all too ready to ignore them. Hence, the sacrament by which we become brothers and sisters in One Body is also the sacrament of "enlightenment."

Penitential practices

The works of charity that constitute a fundamental form of penance can include reaching out to those in need of concrete assistance in their pregnancy. Volunteering at pregnancy resource centers is a perfect way to do this, as is the effort to make such centers better known in the community. A common fund could be established, for example, to purchase an ad in the paper or the Yellow Pages. Giving to such a fund is, in fact, helping the poorest of the poor.

To stand up in any way for the unborn child can be a penitential act, since it often brings unwarranted criticism, even from fellow worshipers who should be doing more themselves to end abortion.

Sacramental preparation

The vows of baptism call us to reject Satan's "empty promises." Chief among them in our day is the empty promise that abortion is a solution to our problems, as individuals and as a society. Preparing people for the sacraments necessarily includes providing insights into this most urgent moral issue of our day.

The doctrines of the Eucharist, Confirmation, and the Holy Spirit provide profound insights into our pro-life commitment. (Contact us for the brochures and tapes that explain these connections in detail.) Meetings with sponsors for baptism and confirmation provide an opportunity to explain their obligation to strengthen others to understand and be faithful to the demands that the sanctity of life places upon us.

A Note from the Vatican

On November 24, 2002, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a "Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life." The document can be found in its entirety on the Priests for Life website at www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/dicasteries/02-11-24cdfpoliticallife.htm.

The date of the publication of such documents is often significantly linked to the contents. In this case, the date was the Solemnity of Christ the King. The Christian acknowledges that Jesus is Lord not only of individuals, but of nations. His word is final not only in the way people live their private lives, but also in the way they organize themselves politically.

An initial key point of the document is that the faithful are called to "exercise their proper task of infusing the temporal order with Christian values." Christianity is not a religion that has an open door to heaven but a closed door to earth. Instead, it is open to both. The citizen of heaven is called to be a good citizen on earth, and preparation for heaven implies filling the earth with truth, justice, and peace. This effort is to be made regardless of the magnitude of evil in the world. Some religious groups consider efforts to improve this world as "washing the windows on the Titanic." But for Catholics, participation in the political process is neither worthless nor dirty, but virtuous.

The document then examines the problem of "relativism," and also seeks to articulate the proper understanding of the rightful autonomy of Church and State. The Catholic Church stands for religious freedom, and does not believe it is the role of the state to impose sectarian beliefs and practices by law. Yet the rightful distinction between Church and State does not divorce either entity from the demands of morality. This is the third term in an often oversimplified equation. There are demands of morality that flow from human nature and the common good. The state, and those who serve in public office, have the obligation to serve the human person and the common good. The values involved here -- such as life itself -- transcend sectarian differences and legitimate pluralism.

The kind of relativism often found (and imposed) in modern political life is one by which the legislator, even if a believer, is expected to view all opinions and convictions about values, morality, and what constitutes the common good, as equally valid. From this flows the "duty" to keep a clear separation between one's public role and one's personal beliefs.

Catholic teaching, again, does not hold that all personal and sectarian beliefs should or can be translated into law. To attempt to criminalize all sin would lead to absurd and unenforceable scenarios. But fundamental rights, starting with life, are to be defended by the state without exception or compromise. If a public official is not personally convinced of someone else's fundamental rights, he or she has no right to publicly obstruct them.

Section 6 of the document summarizes these points in the following words:

"Promoting the common good of society, according to one's conscience, has nothing to do with «confessionalism» or religious intolerance. For Catholic moral doctrine, the rightful autonomy of the political or civil sphere from that of religion and the Church -  but not from that of morality - is a value that has been attained and recognized by the Catholic Church and belongs to inheritance of contemporary civilization.["All the faithful are well aware that specifically religious activities (such as the profession of faith, worship, administration of sacraments, theological doctrines, interchange between religious authorities and the members of religions) are outside the state's responsibility. The state must not interfere, nor in any way require or prohibit these activities, except when it is a question of public order. The recognition of civil and political rights, as well as the allocation of public services may not be made dependent upon citizens' religious convictions or activities. "The right and duty of Catholics and all citizens to seek the truth with sincerity and to promote and defend, by legitimate means, moral truths concerning society, justice, freedom, respect for human life and the other rights of the person, is something quite different. The fact that some of these truths may also be taught by the Church does not lessen the political legitimacy or the rightful «autonomy» of the contribution of those citizens who are committed to them, irrespective of the role that reasoned inquiry or confirmation by the Christian faith may have played in recognizing such truths."

We will continue commentary on this document in future newsletters.

Silent No More: A New National Campaign Begins

This past January, as our nation reached the 30-year mark of Roe vs. Wade, something new took place at pro-life marches from coast to coast. Women who have had abortions gathered with signs saying "I regret my abortion." Many of them spoke about their experience. Following is an excerpt from an article by Georgette Forney, Executive Director of NOEL and Co-Founder of Silent No More.

"This mobilization of women will be the beginning of a national campaign to raise awareness about the negative after-effects of abortion and speak the truth about abortion's emotional, spiritual and physical consequences for women. The campaign is entitled: "Silent No More - Women speak out about their abortion experience." The campaign will also seek to reach the many women who are suffering in silence, offering them abortion recovery, help and resources. Please spread the word about the campaign. Encourage women who regret their abortion to participate in it!"The campaign is being sponsored by a partnership between NOEL (the National Organization of Episcopalians for Life), the Justice Foundation and Priests for Life. In addition, we have also developed an ad hoc coalition of abortion recovery programs to provide the support and healing for women who come forward when they learn help is available."As a woman who had an abortion at age 16, I believe we are the voice that hasn't been heard. There is a lot of talk about whether or not abortion should be legal, but very little attention is given to the women who have actually had abortions. I regret having an abortion and I know that there are millions of women who feel the same way. The truth is abortion affects us physically, emotionally and spiritually. It's time to speak honestly about the pain we've lived with and we want to help women who are hurting find healing. After 30 years it's time to listen to the women who have experienced it. Silent No More needs to connect with women who regret their abortion and are ready to speak out. During the events, each woman is encouraged to participate by sharing a brief testimony, and the rest of the time holding a sign that reads "I Regret My Abortion." While the campaign is encouraging women to speak publicly, we recognize not everyone is comfortable doing so. Therefore, we also invite women to join us and simply hold a sign as their testimony."

You can find more information about "Silent No More" at www.HelpAfterAbortion.com. You can read hundreds of post-abortion testimonies by going to www.priestsforlife.org/postabortion/postabortiontestimonywomen.htm.

Celebrating the Annunciation

We encourage you to celebrate with special emphasis the Feast of the Annunciation this year. The following prayer may be useful, and you will find other resources at www.priestsforlife.org/annunciation.htm.

Redeemer in the Womb Lord Jesus Christ, You took our human nature upon Yourself. You shared our life and death, our childhood and adulthood.You also shared our time in the womb. While still God, while worshiped and adored by the angels, while Almighty and filling every part of the universe, You dwelt for nine months in the womb of Mary. You were our Redeemer in the womb, our God who was a preborn child.Lord Jesus, we ask You to bless and protect the children who today are in their mothers' womb. Save them from the danger of abortion. Give their mothers the grace to sacrifice themselves, in body and soul, for their children. Help all people to recognize in the preborn child a brother, a sister, saved by You, our Redeemer in the womb.

In Spanish

Redentor en el Vientre

Señor Jesucristo, compartiste nuestra misma naturaleza. Nuestra vida y nuestra muerte, nuestra infancia y nuestra madurez.También compartiste nuestra vida dentro del vientre maternal. Siendo Dios, adorado y alabado por los ángeles, Tú que llenas a plenitud todo el universo, viviste nueve meses dentro del vientre de María. Eres nuestro redentor en el vientre, nuestro Dios en condición pre-natal.Señor Jesús, te rogamos, bendice y protege a los niños que se encuentran en los vientres de sus Madres. Sálvalos del peligro del aborto.Dale a sus Madres la gracia que necesitan para que puedan sacrificarse en cuerpo y alma por sus hijos. Ayuda Señor a la gente para que puedan reconocer en los niños, aún antes de nacer, a un hermano o hermana, que ha sido redimido por Ti, nuestro Redentor en el vientre.

General Intercessions

The bishops have requested a pro-life prayer in the petitions at every Mass. Priests for Life provides, on our website, suggested intercessions based on the readings for each Sunday. We offer these, furthermore, both in English and in Spanish. They are prayers for a culture of life, and thus cover a broad spectrum of life issues. See www.priestsforlife.org/prayers/intercessionindex.htm, and please bring it to the attention of other priests!

Recommended Reading

The Ashes that Still Remain - Rev. Thomas Koys

The author of this book is a member of the Chicago chapter of Priests for Life. Using his knowledge of the Civil War and his love of the Catholic Faith, Fr. Koys draws lessons from both to give his readers a deeper understanding of the pro-life movement.

Published by CMJ Marian Publishers, Oak Lawn, IL
ISBN #1-891280-43-0
This book may be ordered from Priests for Life (orders@priestsforlife.org)

Sterilization Reversal - A Generous Act of Love - John L. Long, Ed.

In this book, twenty couples share their stories about how repentance led them to reverse surgical sterilizations that either the husband, or wife, or both had undergone. This is a helpful pastoral resource to awaken the consciences of married couples.

Published by One More Soul, 1846 N. Main St., Dayton, OH 45405-3832; Tel. 800-307-7685; OMSoul@OMSoul.com; www.OMSoul.com

Prayer Intentions

You are encouraged to remember the following intentions as you pray the Liturgy of the Hours:

March intention:  That God may strengthen those who suffer ridicule and rejection for their pro-life convictions.

April intention:  That God may bless and console the fathers of aborted children.

>From the Abortion Providers...

"The physician will usually first notice a quantity of amniotic fluid, followed by placenta and fetal parts, which may be more or less identifiable." (Warren Hern, Abortion Practice, p.114, in section on First Trimester Abortion).

Reminder: All priests are asked to sign and return the statement regarding political responsibility that was in our previous newsletter. You can view it at www.priestsforlife.org/elections/politicalresponsibility.htm

Good News: Fr. Frank Pavone has been elected President of the National Pro-life Religious Council (www.nprcouncil.org), an ecumenical organization through which many denominations work together to end abortion. This group can be a good resource to introduce to local ecumenical clergy councils.

Dear Friends,

I am happy to send you my bi-weekly column. Our Subscription drive continues, and I urge you to help us reach many more people by inviting them to subscribe to this regular message. They need only write to subscribe@priestsforlife.org.

Good news -- Next week, all new episodes of my "Defending Life" program on EWTN will begin. They will be seen every Tuesday at 5:30pm, Wednesday at 5am, and Friday at 10pm (all times Eastern). Information on content is at www.priestsforlife.org/media/defnlife8blurbs.htm. Spread the word!

God bless you!

Sincerely,
Fr. Frank Pavone

Images
Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

"I have been a pro-choice believer my entire life until someone shared your web-site with me. I was first shocked then sickened by what I saw. God, how could I have been so misguided my entire life? I actually believed it was not a baby. I actually believed a first trimester abortion was fine. Boy did you open my eyes. I believe that God worked with me today to show me the right way. I have often wondered if I was wrong but always dismissed those thoughts until I saw these photographs."

I have always been convinced that showing people pictures of aborted babies is a powerful way to convince them that abortion is wrong. Because of this, I recently posted several galleries of such images on my website, at www.priestsforlife.org/images. Now despite the fact that the Priests for Life website has thousands of pages of print, and hundreds of hours of audio files, nothing on that site has changed more minds about abortion than the pictures. No pages are visited more frequently, and we keep getting emails like the one above, and like these:

"I'm 25, white...from an middle class family in NY. Before seeing this site I was 100% pro choice... However after seeing these photos, I can honestly say I have changed my opinion."

"Your website has completely changed my views. I, personally, did not believe in abortions, but I felt it should be left up to the woman. Now I have realized that the "glob of tissue" the abortion clinics often talk about is truly a human being. I will pass information about this website along to everyone I know. Thank you so much. You have saved more unborn babies' lives then you'll ever know."

"Up until now I've been indecisive on the subject of abortion, unable to decide if a foetus could be considered a person, a living thing. After seeing these images I am now against this horrific procedure."

The images also have an impact on those who are already pro-life, as the following email indicates:

"Today, I saw your website with the photos of the aborted babies and wept. I have always been anti-abortion and have voted against any candidate whose party or platform supports abortion. However, like many of the uninformed masses, abortion was something abstract, impersonal yet immoral. Your web site has changed my view of abortion forever."

There is no "magic answer" to end abortion in our nation, and I interact every day with many pro-life groups and leaders to support many different strategies. But it is a big mistake to think that the pictures "don't work" or "everyone knows" what abortion is. The more you use the photos, the more you learn that the opposite is true. They make a hidden injustice visible.

You are free to download and print the images, and their medical authentication, at www.priestsforlife.org/images. If people you know are unsure about abortion, send them to that web page. They will never be the same.

Contact Priests for Life at PO Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314; Tel: 888-PFL-3448, 718-980-4400; Fax: 718-980-6515; email: mail@priestsforlife.org; web: www.priestsforlife.org

Imágenes
P. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

"He estado a favor del aborto toda mi vida hasta que alguien compartió su sitio de Internet conmigo. Lo que vi primero me shockeó y despues me asqueó. ¿Dios, como puedo haber estado tan equivocado toda mi vida? De verdad creía que no era un bebé. Creía de veras que no había ningún problema con un aborto en el primer trimestre. Caramba, si abrieron mis ojos. Creo que Dios ha trabajado conmigo hoy para mostrarme el camino correcto. A menudo me preguntaba si estaba equivocado pero descartaba esos pensamientos
hasta que vi las fotografías."

Siempre he estado convencido que mostrar fotos de bebés abortados a la gente es una forma poderosa de convercerlos que el aborto está mal. Por eso, recientemente publiqué una galería de imagenes en mi sitio (www.priestsforlife.org/images). A pesar que el sitio de Priests for Life tiene miles de páginas de texto, y cientos de horas de archivos de audio, no hay nada sobre el aborto en nuestro sitio que haya cambiado tantas mentes como las fotos. No hay otra página que se visite con tanta frecuencia, y recibimos
constantemente mensajes de correo electrónico como el anterior y como este:

"Tengo 25, blanco... de una familia de clase media en NY. Antes de ver este sitio era 100% pro-aborto (pro-choice)... Sin embargo, despues de ver estas fotos, puedo decir honestamente que he cambiado de opinión."

"Su sitio ha cambiado mi visión completamente. Personalmente, no creía en el aborto, pero sentía que era cosa de cada mujer. Ahora me he dado cuenta que el "tejido" del que hablan las clínicas de aborto es realmente un ser humano. Voy a pasar la información sobre este sitio a todos los que conozco. Muchas gracias. Han salvado más vidas de niños por nacer de las que se imaginan

"Hasta ahora estaba indecisa sobre la cuestión del aborto, incapaz de decidir si el feto podía considerarse una persona, un ser viviente. Despues de ver estas imágenes estoy en contra de este horrendo procedimiento."

Las imágenes también han impactado a los que ya son pro-vida, como lo indica el siguiente e-mail:

"Hoy he visto su sitio con las fotos de los bebés abortados y lloré. Siempre he sido anti-aborto y he votado contra cualquier candidato cuyo partido o plataforma apoya el aborto. Sin embargo, como muchos de la masa desinformada, el aborto era algo abstracto, impersonal aunque inmoral. Su sitio ha cambiado mi visión para siempre."

No hay una "respuesta mágica" para acabar con el aborto en nuestra nación. Todos los días me relaciono con muchos líderes y grupos pro-vida para apoyar diferentes estrategias. Pero es un gran error pensar que las fotos "no funcionan" o que "todos saben" lo que es el aborto. Cuanto más use las fotos, mas comprobará que lo opuesto es cierto. Hacen visible una injusticia oculta.

Siéntase libre para imprimir o descargar las imágenes y la certificación médica de www.priestsforlife.org/images. Si la gente que Ud. conoce no está segura sobre el aborto, refiéralos a esa página de la red. Nunca serán los mismos.

Dear Friends,

I composed this prayer which you may find useful and comforting. Please pray it each day and pass it along! You may find it posted at www.priestsforlife.org/prayers/trust.htm

God bless you!
Fr. Frank Pavone
Director, Priests for Life
President, National Pro-life Religious Council

An American Christian's Prayer in Time of Anxiety

"Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy, keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety, as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ."

Lord, as we face threats from our enemies, we turn our face to you for deliverance. You are mighty, O Lord, and you are able to deliver us from all the plotting of evil people.

As your people, O Lord, we are not afraid to face the truth of the threats that surround us. We know they are there, and we do not find our peace by pretending they aren't.

Yet we, Your people, are able to see a larger truth. We see the truth that You alone are God, and that all the earth is in Your hands. The winds, the waves, and the paths of the human heart, are under Your Sovereign control.

You allow us, O God, to live in the shadow of death, but you also allow us to know that You have conquered death by the resurrection of Your Son.

You allow us, O God, to experience anxiety, but you also allow us to know that peace which surpasses all understanding, which the world cannot give and which none can take away.

You allow us, O God, to be tested, but you also allow us to triumph.

You alone are God. In You alone, we are bold enough to say to those who hate us: "We are not afraid of you or your co-conspirators. We are Americans, and we are Christians. We have been through the fire before. The flag still flies and the Cross still stands. Secure in the shadow of both, we will neither be afraid nor distracted. We will serve our God, we will live our lives, we will love our country -- and long after you and your terrorist plots are gone and forgotten, we will still be celebrating our freedom and proclaiming the glorious name of our Savior."

Amen.

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