Catholic Fire

What Is The First And Foremost Right Of All Women?

Following their private meeting in the Oval Office today, a joint communique was released by President Bush and Pope Benedict. Full text: His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush met today in the Oval Office of the White House. President Bush, on behalf of all Americans, welcomed the Holy Father, wished him a happy birthday, and thanked him for the spiritual and moral guidance, which he offers to the whole human family. The President wished the Pope every success in his Apostolic Journey and in his address at the United Nations, and expressed appreciation for the Pope’s upcoming visit to “Ground Zero” in New York. During their meeting, the Holy Father and the President discussed a number of topics of common interest to the Holy See and the United States of America, including moral and religious considerations to which both parties are committed: the respect of the dignity of the human person; the defense and promotion of life, matrimony and the family; the education ...

At CNN's Faith in Public Life's Compassion Forum at Messiah College 13 April Obama was asked when life begins. You would think he would at least attempt to come up with some kind of intelligent answer rather than evade the question, but that's exactly what he did. He was trapped. If he admitted the simple medical fact that life begins at conception that would reveal the obvious -- that abortion is killing an innocent human life. And, if he admits that, then everything he stands for is a lie. Transcript: QUESTION: Senator, do you personally believe that life begins at conception? And if not, when does it begin? OBAMA: This is something that I have not, I think, come to a firm resolution on. I think it’s very hard to know what that means, when life begins. Is it when a cell separates? Is it when the soul stirs? So I don’t presume to know the answer to that question. What I know, as I’ve said before, is that there is something extraordinarily powerful about potential life and...

What a positive message! Contrast this with Hillary's and Obama's negative and childish ad campaign discussed at Stop the ACLU. Then, while you're at it, if you haven't seen it yet (once is more than enough) take a look at McCain's latest ad admitting he's a liberal . Slip of the tongue? I think he accidentally spit out the truth.

VATICAN CITY, 3 FEB 2008 (VIS) - At today's Angelus prayer on this the fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Benedict XVI entrusted various intentions to the prayers of the faithful present in St. Peter's Square and to everyone listening to him. Remarking that yesterday is the Day of Consecrated Life, the Pope called for prayers for all those people whom "Christ calls to follow Him more closely with a special form of consecration". And he asked the Virgin Mary "to ensure many holy vocations to consecrated life, which is a priceless treasure for the Church and for the world. "Another prayer intention", said the Holy Father, "is offered to us by the Day for Life which is being celebrated today in Italy and which has as its theme 'Serving life'". In this context he exhorted everyone, "each according to his or her possibilities, profession and responsibilities, to feel in themselves an obligation to love and serve life, from its beginning t...

"The most radical and elevating affirmation of the value of every human being was made by the Son of God in His becoming man in the womb of a woman." ~ Pope John Paul II

In all the dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. The Mass “For Peace and Justice” (no. 22 of the “Masses for Various Needs”) should be celebrated with violet vestments as an appropriate liturgical observance for this day. General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 373

We ask for blessings on all those who have served their country in the armed forces. We ask for healing for the veterans who have been wounded, in body and soul, in conflicts around the globe. We pray especially for the young men and women, in the thousands, who are coming home from Iraq with injured bodies and traumatized spirits. Bring solace to them, O Lord; may we pray for them when they cannot pray. We ask for, echoing John Paul II, an end to wars and the dawning of a new era of peace, As a way to honor all the veterans of past wars. Have mercy on all our veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Bring peace to their hearts and peace to the regions they fought in. Bless all the soldiers who served in non-combative posts; May their calling to service continue in their lives in many positive ways. Give us all the creative vision to see a world which, grown weary with fighting, Moves to affirming the life of every human being and so moves beyond war. Hear our prayer, O Prin...

I truly don't understand Fred Thompson. On the one hand, he says that life bgins at conception - yes, that's true - but yet, he does not believe in defending or protecting human life. What does this say about him? To me it says, that he is afraid to stand up for his beliefs, that he lacks moral courage and conviction. Read the background for yourself and share what you think. I am very disappointed in this man. He is not a true pro-life candidate.

Almighty God, this nation has always rejoiced in its welcome to the "tired, the poor, the rejected, and the huddled masses." The handicapped, the powerless, and the stranger have mightily enriched this land. Strengthen us to be faithful to our heritage. Renew in us a deep reverence for each precious human life. Inspire us to care for the weakest and the most vulnerable among us so that we may truly show to others the love you have shown to us. Bless those with troubled pregnancies; inspire them to chose life. Help us to care for and not destroy the aged and the handicapped. Grant the grace of conversion to those who are caught in the culture of death. Make us again a people and a nation dedicated to the truths that "all people are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights," the chief of which is the right to life. Amen.

"Respect for human life should provide a motive for the natural virtue of courage. The awesome respect for the immortal soul of every human being, a truth known only by revelation, can provide a positive motive. The second motive will not eclipse the first, but will give it a greater influence and increase our determination. Pro-abortion political leaders who acknowledge that they do not approve of abortion are an excellent case in point." ~ Fr. Benedict Groeschel, The Virtue Driven Life , page 147

Catholic Carnival 125 hosted by Jen is up at Daughter of the King. There are some great posts there, but I particuarly enjoyed reading The full experience of being open to new life by Elena at My Domestic Church.

"Science is a gift of God to all of us, and science has taken us to a place that is biblical in its power to cure... And that is embryonic stem cell research." Read the LifeNews story here.

By John Jalsevac TAYLORS, S.C., June 11, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In a talk to the National Catholic Men’s Conference this past weekend, Senator Sam Brownback criticized the commonly held notion that abortion should always be allowed in cases of rape, reports the Associated Press. “Rape is terrible. Rape is awful,” Brownback said to the approximately 500 conference attendees, but then asked, “Is it made any better by killing an innocent child? Does it solve the problem for the mother that’s been raped?” “We need to protect innocent life. Period.” The June 9th conference was hosted by St. Joseph’s Covenant Keepers. The president of the conference, Steve Wood, in introducing Senator Brownback criticized politicians who call themselves Catholic, but who in their public life repudiate fundamental Catholic teachings, specifically on abortion. “I don’t know about you,” said Wood, “but this stuff by many Catholic politicians who say, ‘I’m personally opposed, but.’ But what? You should have ...

"For thus says the Lord, the God who made the heavens, who made the earth, shaped it, set it firm – he did not make it to be empty, but to be full of life – “I am the Lord, there is no other." ~ Isaiah 45: 18

Movie Reviews: Amy Proctor reviews Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End . Bottom Line Up Front : What a HUGE disappointment... Tito's review of Into Great Silence (Die Groß Stille) can be found here. Exhilarating Holiness!"--Tito of Custos Fidei Book Reviews: Jeff Miller reviews Catholic Priesthood and Women: A Guide to the Teaching of the Church by Sister Sarah Butler, MSBT. When I first read about this book I was intrigued by both the subject and author and ordered it. [ Read more here. ] Jeff also writes a great review of Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith. Oswald Sobrino reviews Strangers in a Foreign Land: The Organizing of Catholic Latinos in the United States by George E. Schultz -- don't let the name fool you: he's Latino himself through his mother. [ Read more here. ] George Weigel's review of the Holy Father's Jesus of Nazareth is here. Michael Dubriel's review is here. Linda, the Pro-...

Mercatonet has a story on the French doctor who discovered that a patient with Down's had an extra chromosome at the 21st pair. ...The genetic diagnosis known as Trisomy 21 was born, establishing the first ever link between mental disability and a chromosome disorder -- and heralding a new era in genetics. It was a discovery of incalculable importance to people with the condition and their families -- if only at first from a symbolic point of view. The embarrassing and misleading term "mongolism" was gradually retired (although it still crops up) and the term Down's adopted after John Langdon Down who first described the syndrome. But Lejeune's contribution went beyond the scientific into the realm of what we might call "public relations" as he sought to open people's eyes to the human dignity of those affected by the syndrome and their claim on our love and effort. With his trademark combination of precise observation, moral insight and poetry he o...

A powerful story , documented by the Kansas City Star, about a family whose whole goal was to love and welcome the little one who would die soon after birth. Via Julie D . and The Anchoress .

I just finished reading these posts from CNA and Lifesite News about the Bishops in Connecticut and Wisconsin no longer opposing the Morning After Pill because it is now a law in their states that all hospitals must prescribe this medication. First of all, it seems to me that that is a flagrant violation of the law. How can the state say that a church-related (Catholic) hospital must violate its religious beliefs by administering a dangerous medication to a woman which could seriously harm her and destroy the life of her child? I really don't understand this at all, nor do I understand how the Bishops in Connecticut or Wisconsin can simply cease opposing the "Morning After Pill". It may be the law in their states, but they still need to uphold the teachings of the Church. Perhaps I am misinterpreting this, but it all seems very bizarre and shocking! Fortunately, I found this post from The Catholic Transcript which explains a little more, but I am still flabergasted by ...

In Part I , I summarized the basics of stem cell research and cloning, discussed the moral implications of embryonic stem cell research, and the politics involved. Here in Kansas, our bishops, in conjunction with the Knights of Columbus, have been working very hard to educate the public - especially Catholics - about stem cell research. A new short documentary commissioned and released by the four Catholic bishops of Kansas entitled “The Science of Stem Cells: Finding Cures and Protecting Life” figures to play a key role in educating the public about what is involved. View it here. You can read A Pastoral Letter from the Catholic Bishops of Kansas - full text to learn more. In this post, I would like to share some of the miraculous results scientists and physicians have obtained through adult stem cell research. First, let's review the definition of an adult stem cell. An adult stem cell is a differentiated stem cell obtained from adult tissue, blood from the umbilical cord, and ...