Catholic Fire

Wichita, KS – Judge Clark Owens denied a motion filed by attorneys for abortionist George R. Tiller that challenged the constitutionality of the state statute mandating a jury of six for misdemeanor cases. Tiller had asked for a jury of twelve to hear his 19 misdemeanor charges of illegal late-term abortions. “We appreciate Judge Owen’s ruling that Tiller will have to have a jury of six, like every other person who faces misdemeanor charges in the State of Kansas. Maybe some day Tiller will understand that he is not above the law nor is he entitled to special privileges,” said Operation Rescue spokesperson Cheryl Sullenger, who was present at the hearing. The jury pool will be sent a special juror questionnaire at least four weeks ahead of trial. Judge Owens agreed to the request, usually reserved for capital murder cases, because of the complex issues involved in Tiller’s case and because of the high emotions and strongly held opinions that surround the abortion issue. A trial date wa...

Governor’s Veto Prompts Pastoral Action On the day of my return (Monday, April 21) from the exhilarating experience of participating in Pope Benedict’s pastoral visit to the United States, I learned that Governor Kathleen Sebelius had vetoed the Comprehensive Abortion Reform Act (HS SB 389), which had been passed by significant majorities in both chambers of the Kansas Legislature. Last week, an attempt to override the governor’s veto failed in the Senate by two votes. Governor Sebelius in her veto message claimed: “For years, the people of Kansas have asked their elected officials to move beyond legislative debates on issues like abortion.” From her veto message, I received the impression the governor considered it a waste of the Legislature’s time to pass a statute that attempts to protect some women by making certain they have the opportunity to be well-informed: 1) about the development of their unborn child; and 2) about abortion alternatives available to them. Evidently, the gove...

LifeSiteNews.Com: Birth Control Pill Linked to Hardening of the Arteries Researchers at the University of Ghent, conducting a long-term study on 1,300 healthy women aged 35 to 55 living in a small town in Belgium, have observed that those women who take oral contraceptives may have more plaque (a hard, fatty deposit) buildup in their arteries. MORE Catholic Online: Kansas Law May Require Abortion Providers to Report Abuse If signed into law, the law would require abortion clinic employees to report suspected abuse of underage girls.The bill is expected to be vetoed by the state governor. MORE LifeNews.com: Poll Finds Women in Battleground States Don't Know John McCain's Abortion Stance Washington, DC -- A new poll commissioned by Planned Parenthood finds 16 percent of women in top presidential battleground states can't say whether John McCain's abortion views match their own. The abortion business worries the results show women who support abortion may back McCain beca...