Catholic Fire

Pope Francis spoke on defending human life during his address at the Angelus in St. Peter's Square, Feb. 2. VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis called on all Catholics to welcome, serve and respect life, whether still unborn or approaching its natural end. He asked that everyone, each in his or her own "particular role and sphere, feel called to love and serve life, to welcome it, respect it and promote it, especially when it is fragile and needs attention and care, from the mother's womb to its end on this earth." The pope's remarks came after reciting the Sunday Angelus with people gathered in St. Peter's Square Feb. 2, which was designated in Italy as the Day for Life. The pope encouraged all associations and movements involved in "the defense and promotion of life" to continue their work. He also quoted a statement by Italian bishops that "every child has the face of the Lord, lover of life, a gift for families and society."...

In response to Nancy Pelosi's comments earlier today , Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of the Susan B. Anthony List, made the following remarks: “As a mother and practicing Catholic, I have a modest proposal for Mrs. Pelosi: that she consider the Church's teaching which says each life is sacred and reject the idea that each abortion is.“ H/T: Creative Minority Report

“The news that researchers have developed a technique for human cloning is deeply troubling on many levels.  Creating new human lives in the laboratory solely to destroy them is an abuse denounced even by many who do not share the Catholic Church's convictions on human life.” ~ Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley via CNA.

“Some abortionists may have cleaner sheets than Gosnell, and better sterilized equipment and better trained accomplices, but what they do – what Gosnell did – kill babies and hurt women – is the same." Representative Chris Smith, (R–N.J.) Source

"Because the efforts to dislodge what is evil are so arduous – we know that evil will not give up without a fight; It shouldn’t surprise us that certain groups – even those under the banner of 'Catholic,' have set a different agenda, one that while supporting a public work of assistance to those in need, nonetheless chooses not to address unjust and destructive laws that take their daily toll of thousands of human lives." Read the excellent article this quote was taken from at The Catholic Key Blog: Bishop Finn - What Laity Must Do in Battle for Life

“The direct taking of an innocent life can never be negotiated. ... Dialogue is important, but the question is fairly raised, 'May we negotiate about things that are intrinsic evils?' and I think the answer is no.” ~ Bishop Robert W. Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese For more information, read Bishop Finn to Obama: No dialogue possible over 'irreconcilable' differences.

"I've watched the Obama administration tell us how much they care about protecting lives from the flu. If they really want to help make children safer, let me make a suggestion: Start doing all you can to move this country to being pro-life." ~Mike Huckabee at Fox News. H/T: Danielle Bean on Twitter .

"How bitter the irony of those who promote abortion as a form of 'maternal' health care! How disconcerting the claim that the termination of life is a matter of reproductive health!" "Particularly disturbing is the crushing yoke of discrimination that women and girls so often endure, not to mention the unspeakable practice of sexual violence and exploitation which causes such humiliation and trauma." ~ Pope Benedict XVI speaking in Africa on March 20, 2009 Pope appeals for African families, condemns promotion of abortion

“Genocide is always gravely wrong. Deliberately targeting civilians in combat is always gravely wrong. Abortion, infanticide and euthanasia are always gravely wrong. There are no exceptions, because all of these evil actions intentionally attack the innocent. No authority can legitimately demand our cooperation in intrinsically evil acts -- and authority loses its legitimacy when it tries to do so.” ~ Archbishop Chaput, speaking to Catholic cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado Full story here.

"Remember this, the greatest, moral, political, cultural contest of our time is…the contest between the culture of Life and the culture of Death...God has put us here in America and He has put us here not to be like everybody else. He has put us here not to be American Catholics but Catholic Americans and in this moment of history – to exemplify that most boldly, courageously, persuasively, persistently, in contending for the culture of life." ~ Fr. Richard John Neuhaus at the Fourth Annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., April 13, 2007

"When does a new individual of the species Homo sapiens come into existence? Multiple scientific studies have examined the earliest stages of life and there is only one answer that is consistent with the scientific facts: a new human life commences at the moment of sperm - egg fusion, an event that occurs in less than a second." ~ Maureen L. Condic, Ph.D., Senior Fellow at the Westchester Institute for Ethics and the Human Person and Associate Professor of Microbiology and Anatomy at the University of Utah School of Medicine

"You’ll have to drag me out, go right ahead. I’m not closing this hospital, we will not perform abortions, and you can go take a flying leap.’” ~ Bishop Paul Loverde from the diocese of Arlington weighing in on the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), saying that if he oversaw a Catholic hospital he would neither close the facility nor allow it to perform abortions if FOCA were to become law .

Referrring to the soon to come Obama administration , Students for Life of America spokeswoman and executive director Kristan Hawkins, commented: "I think it's going to actually help our movement right now. I think it's going to help unite everybody and bring people back to the fold, get people reinvigorated. I feel like the past eight years, everybody thought, '[Since] we have a pro-life president, we don't have to do that much. He's looking out for us; don't worry about it.' I think it's going to get people back into the fold, being vigilant, watching what's happening in Washington."