"We regret that other forms of cohabitation have been placed on the same level as this union, while the concept, consecrated in the biblical tradition, of paternity and maternity as the distinct vocation of man and woman in marriage is being banished from the public conscience."

Sunday, February 14, 2016, First Sunday of Lent

 
Just in time for the close of National Marriage Week and World Marriage Sunday, Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill remind us that

"19. The family is the natural centre of human life and society. We are concerned about the crisis in the family in many countries. Orthodox and Catholics share the same conception of the family, and are called to witness that it is a path of holiness, testifying to the faithfulness of the spouses in their mutual interaction, to their openness to the procreation and rearing of their children, to solidarity between the generations and to respect for the weakest.

"20. The family is based on marriage, an act of freely given and faithful love between a man and a woman. It is love that seals their union and teaches them to accept one another as a gift. Marriage is a school of love and faithfulness. We regret that other forms of cohabitation have been placed on the same level as this union, while the concept, consecrated in the biblical tradition, of paternity and maternity as the distinct vocation of man and woman in marriage is being banished from the public conscience.

"21. We call on all to respect the inalienable right to life. Millions are denied the very right to be born into the world. The blood of the unborn cries out to God (cf.Gen4:10).
The emergence of so-called euthanasia leads elderly people and the disabled begin to feel that they are a burden on their families and on society in general.

"We are also concerned about the development of biomedical reproduction technology, as the manipulation of human life represents an attack on the foundations of human existence, created in the image of God. We believe that it is our duty to recall the immutability of Christian moral principles, based on respect for the dignity of the individual called into being according to the Creator's plan...."

 
2/13/16 Update from D.C.

In addition to its own Action Center alerts, the U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops has explained that "Action alerts for pro-life issues can also be found through our partner organization, the National Committee for the Human Life Amendment" (cf, Human Life Action, Action Alerts) How is the Pa Delegation Responding? (2/13/16 Update)
	Support ANDA	Support CWPIA	Support FADA
	“Please tell your elected represen-tatives that you expect them to up-  hold the right of conscientious objection to    abortion by     enacting  the policy  of the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (ANDA).  Let them know that Congress's failure    in December 2015    to pass even  the  modest, common- sense protections of ANDA… is  not acceptable”	“The Act would prohibit the federal government and any state that receives certain federal funding from discriminating against child welfare service providers on the basis that they decline to provide a child welfare service that conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs or moral conviction” (HR 1299 / S 667).	“The First Amendment Defense Act… would bar the federal government from discriminating against individuals and organizations based upon their religious beliefs or moral convictions that marriage is the union of one man and one woman or that sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage”    (HR 2802/ S 1598).
1.   Bob Brady (D)	In 12/15, voted FOR Omnibus without ANDA	?	?
2.   Chaka Fattah (D)	In 12/15, voted FOR Omnibus without ANDA	?	?
3.   Mike Kelly (R)	In 12/15, voted AGAINST Omnibus which lacked ANDA	Sponsor	Co-Sponsor
4.   Scott Perry (R)	In 12/15, voted AGAINST Omnibus which lacked ANDA	?	Co-Sponsor
5.   Glenn Thompson (R)	In 12/15, voted FOR Omnibus without ANDA	Co-Sponsor	Co-Sponsor
6.   Ryan Costello (R)	In 12/15, voted FOR Omnibus without ANDA	?	?
7.   Pat Meehan  (R)	In 12/15, voted AGAINST Omnibus which lacked ANDA	?	?
8.   Mike  Fitzpatrick (R)	In 12/15, voted FOR Omnibus without ANDA	Co-Sponsor	?
9.   Bill Shuster (R)	In 12/15, voted AGAINST Omnibus which lacked ANDA	?	?
10. Tom Marino  (R)	In 12/15, voted AGAINST Omnibus which lacked ANDA	Co-Sponsor	Co-Sponsor
11. Lou Barletta  (R)	In 12/15, voted AGAINST Omnibus which lacked ANDA	Co-Sponsor	?
12. Keith Rothfus (R)	In 12/15, voted AGAINST Omnibus which lacked ANDA	Co-Sponsor	Co-Sponsor
13. Brendan Boyle (D)	In 12/15, voted FOR Omnibus without ANDA	?	?
14. Michael Doyle (D)	In 12/15, voted FOR Omnibus without ANDA	?	?
15. Charlie Dent  (R)	In 12/15, voted FOR Omnibus without ANDA	?	?
16. Joseph Pitts   (R)	In 12/15, voted FOR Omnibus without ANDA	Co-Sponsor	Co-Sponsor
17. Matthew Cartwright (D)	In 12/15, voted FOR Omnibus without ANDA	?	?
18. Tim Murphy  (R)	In 12/15, voted FOR Omnibus without ANDA	Co-Sponsor	Co-Sponsor
·    Bob Casey (D)	In 12/15, voted FOR Omnibus without ANDA	?	?
·    Pat Toomey   (R)	In 12/15, voted AGAINST Omnibus which lacked ANDA	?	?

• Click to Email Pa's Congressional Delegation, asking for Co-Sponsorship/Support of legislation backed by the USCCB and/or the NCHLA.
• UPDATE 2: What Can Be Gleaned Thus Far of Philosophies on Marriage/Family and the Sanctity of Human Life of Those Who Would Like to Represent Pa's 8th Congressional District?

 
Harrisburg Update 

• Click to Email all of Bucks County's representatives and senators in Harrisburg.
• Click to Email the leadership in Harrisburg, re: "priorities" language.

 
Other Items of Interest

• Long before Tim Tebow, the NFL had Mark Bavaro - a quiet, Catholic, pro-life champion
• The Lepanto Institute's concerns about Catholic Relief Services
• LifeSite's report on the Texas attorney general's efforts to defend conscience
• What's up with Cardinal Dolan?
• What's up at Chestnut Hill College? 
• A fascinating talk on the Sistine Chapel

"The devil said to Him, 'I shall give to You all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish.  All this will be Yours, if You worship me.'  Jesus said to him in reply, 'It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and Him alone shall you serve.”