Catholic Fire

Concerned Women of America has recently posted its views on lawmakers mandating the vacine for HPV on its website: Concerned Women for America does not object to the new vaccine that protects against certain strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV, a sexually transmitted disease that can cause cervical cancer in women. Proponents of the vaccine, however, wrongly wish to compel every young girl from 9-11 years old to be vaccinated before she attends school. Concerned Women for America is committed to support, protect and advocate the God-given right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children. Parents know what is best for their daughters and if given the information about this disease will make the best decision for the health of their child. Therefore, we urge lawmakers to resist mandating this vaccine. Let parents be parents, for heaven's sake! Yes, I object to the government treating our children like a herd of cattle. Why don't they spend that ...

As a teenager, I was taught to value my virginity by my parents and my Catholic school teachers (who were nuns from the Congregation of Notre Dame, for the most part); however, when I moved outside of that protective, sheltered environment, and began college, that wasn’t the message I received at all. In fact, it was just the opposite. You’re an adult now – you’re free to do whatever you want – and believe me, the temptations were at times overwhelming. Today, young men and women are bombarded with sexual temptations by the media and our sex-crazed culture. The messages are stronger than they ever were before and sex has lost its sacredness for many. In my work as a crisis pregnancy counselor, I am seeing women who are becoming more sexually active at younger ages. And, not only are they more active, but they are involved with more partners, increasing their chances of contracting an STD. Many young adults are unhappy and end up being dangerously hurt by the delusion that the media has...

The Feb. 5 issue of People magazine included a story about actress Marissa Jaret Winokur who, according to the teaser, "learned the cause of her cervical cancer and now makes sure other women know how to prevent it." The sole cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease. Winokur contracted cervical cancer at age 27 due to previous sexual promiscuity, or to put it as ambiguously as possible, said Winokur, "I learned about a year ago that HPV, a common virus, causes cervical cancer. Now there is an HPV test that might have caught my precancerous cells earlier." The "prevention," according to Winokur? No, not a chaste lifestyle. "There's a vaccine, which can be given to women before they're sexually active," she said in People. "It makes sense to take these precautions. I'll encourage my friends' teenage daughters to get vaccinated." Aside from the fact Winokur has no business telli...