May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us
(from the Responsorial Psalm on 1/1/14)
WASHINGTON
- People of good will need their senators to oppose ardently pro abortion judicial nominess. It is deeply troubling that Senator Casey was among those who voted on November 21, "to take away the ability...to use filibusters against judicial nominees, including those pro-life groups oppose" (www.lifenews.com/2013/11/21/senate-democrats-break-rules-to-take-away-filibuster-on-judges-from-republicans/). We have seen the immediate, deleterious impact in the confirmation of Georgetown law professor and abortion extremist Cornelia Pillard to the D.C. Federal Court of Appeals. As reported by the Catholic News Agency, she “has a record of advocating strongly for an unqualified right to access abortion and contraception, against the ability to teach abstinence education....Her views have also sparked religious freedom concerns....The confirmation was...celebrated by Reproductive Health Reality Check, a contraception and abortion advocacy group which predicted that ‘the impact of Pillard’s confirmation could last for decades.’”
It is also deeply troubling that
Senators Casey and Toomey voted for S 815, which the US Conference of Catholic
Bishops says "could be used to punish as discrimination what the Catholic
Church teaches." We need Representative Fitzpatrick to OPPOSE the
house version, HR 1755.
In the interest of basic human dignity
- particularly the welfare of children - please CO-SPONSOR/ SUPPORT HR 3279
(the Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act), HR732/S32/S369 (the Child
Interstate Abortion Notification Act), HJRes51 (an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States relating to marriage), HR940/S1204 (the Health
Care Conscience Rights Act), HR3133/S1808 (the Marriage and Religious
Freedom Act), HR7/S946 (the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act), HR1797/S1670/S 886 (the Pain
Capable Unborn Child Protection Act), and HR301/S653 (To provide for the
establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious
Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia).
Please work to de-fund Planned
Parenthood and to achieve what the USCCB has called a "just and fair Farm
Bill" and "compassionate immigration reform."
Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2013
- Support HR 3279
As per Cardinal
O'Malley's 11/1/13 letter to the U.S. House of Representatives, "I am
writing to ask your support for Rep.Chris Smith's Abortion Insurance Full
Disclosure Act' (H.R.
3279)." Why is our “pro life” congressman Mike Fitzpatrick NOT
one of the 121 co-sponsors of H.R.
3279 ?
Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act -
Support HR 732 / S 32 / S 369
As the USCCB previously
explained, "a mother in Pennsylvania, where parental involvement is
required, testified before Congress that her daughter was taken without her
knowledge to New Jersey for a secret abortion by the parents of her daughter's
boyfriend.... 'We urge Congress to pass this law to help protect vulnerable
girls from this kind of exploitation'" (USCCB, 4/27/05).
Kudos to Mike
Fitzpatrick for being among the 112 co-sponsors of HR
732. NEITHER of our “pro life” senators – NEITHER Bob Casey NOR Pat
Toomey - are among the 6 co-sponsors of S.32.
However, kudos to Pat Toomey for being one of the 28 co-sponsors of S.369.
De-Fund Planned Parenthood
In a 4/13/11 letter to the U.S. House of
Representatives, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, then chairman of the USCCB's
Committee on Pro-Life Activities, called for de-funding Planned Parenthood. As per the American Life
League's 2013 Study on Planned Parenthood Federation of America,
"neither the American taxpayer nor healthcare in general benefits by
funding an organization dedicated (by choice) to abortion." As they
each identify themselves as “pro life,” we need Fitzpatrick, Casey, and Toomey to
work to de-fund Planned Parenthood.
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA) -
Oppose HR 1755 / S 815
As S 815
has already passed the Senate (with votes from BOTH Casey and Toomey), it is
all the more vital that Mike Fitzpatrick opposes HR 1755. While Casey was a co-sponsor of S 815,
the Pennsylvania
Family Council notes that "It is deeply disappointing and troubling
that U.S. Senator Pat Toomey broke his promise to Pennsylvania voters that he
would oppose the 'Employment Non-Discrimination Act' (ENDA) should it come
before the Senate." The Pa Family Council set up a web site to
facilitate contacts to Toomey (https://www.votervoice.net/PAFI/Campaigns/33809/Respond).
As per the USCCB's
10/31/13 letter to the U.S. Senate, "the USCCB continues to promote the
dignity of both work and marriage and to oppose unjust discrimination on any
grounds, including those related to homosexual inclination or sexual identity.
But we cannot support a bill, like ENDA, that does not justly advance the
dignity of all workers and authentic non-discrimination, but instead:
- Lacks a BFOQ exemption. ENDA does not include an exemption for a 'bona fide occupational qualification' (BFOQ)....
- Lacks a status/conduct distinction. ENDA’s vague definition of 'sexual orientation' would encompass sexual conduct outside of marriage, thus legally affirming and specially protecting that conduct.
- Supports marriage redefinition....
- Rejects the biological basis of gender. ENDA’s definition of 'gender identity' lends force of law to a tendency to view 'gender' as nothing more than a social construct or psychosocial reality, which a person may choose at variance from his or her biological sex. This provision also fails to account for the privacy interests of others....
- Threatens religious liberty. ENDA could be used to punish as discrimination what many religions – including the Catholic religion – teach, particularly moral teaching about same-sex sexual conduct. Moreover, the bill’s religious freedom protection, which is derived from Title VII, covers only a subset of religious employers, and as a result of recent litigation, is uncertain in scope. Recent experience also shows that even exempted employers may face government retaliation for relying on such exemptions."
Farm Bill
As per an 11/1/13 letter to the U.S. Senate's Farm Bill Conference Committee from Bishop Stephen E. Blaire (Chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development), Bishop Richard E. Pates (Chairman of the USCCB's Committee on International Justice and Peace), and others: "A just and fair Farm Bill will put poor and hungry people first, serve small and medium-sized family farms, promote sustainable stewardship of the land, and help vulnerable farmers and rural communities at home and abroad."
Federal Marriage Amendment - Support HJ Res 51
As per an 11/1/13 letter to the U.S. Senate's Farm Bill Conference Committee from Bishop Stephen E. Blaire (Chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development), Bishop Richard E. Pates (Chairman of the USCCB's Committee on International Justice and Peace), and others: "A just and fair Farm Bill will put poor and hungry people first, serve small and medium-sized family farms, promote sustainable stewardship of the land, and help vulnerable farmers and rural communities at home and abroad."
Federal Marriage Amendment - Support HJ Res 51
On 6/28/13,
Representative Tim Huelskamp introduced H.J. RES. 51,
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to
marriage. As per the Administrative
Committee of the USCCB, "We offer general support for a Federal
Marriage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as we continue to work to protect
marriage in state legislatures, the courts, the Congress and other appropriate
forums" (Reaffirmed
on 3/14/06). Mike Fitzpatrick has not joined the 57 co-sponsors of H.J. RES. 51
(including Representative Chris Smith). The National Organization for Marriage
has a special web site to send messages on HJ Res 51: http://capwiz.com/nationformarriage/issues/alert/?alertid=62920816.
Health Care Conscience Rights Act - Support HR
940 / S 1204
As
per the USCCB, "All House and Senate members should be urged to
support and co-sponsor the Health Care Conscience Rights Act, so our First
Freedom can regain its proper place as a fundamental right protected in our
health care system." Kudos go to Mike Fitzpatrick for being among
the 190 co-sponsors of HR
940. However, NEITHER of our “pro
life” senators – NEITHER Casey NOR Toomey - are among the 15 co-sponsors of S
1204. The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference has a special site (www.votervoice.net/PACC/campaigns/30694/respond),
to contact Fitzpatrick, Casey, and Toomey, as well as the president and the
vice president, in support of HR
940 / S
1204.
Immigration Reform
The USCCB has a web
site to facilitate this message to Senators Casey and Toomey and Representative
Fitzpatrick (http://www.capwiz.com/justiceforimmigrants/issues/alert/?alertid=62312721&type=CO):
"I agree with
the U.S. Catholic bishops that now is the time to pass just and compassionate
immigration reform. I ask that in the 113th Congress you support immigration
reform that
- Provides a path to
citizenship for undocumented persons in the country;
- Preserves family
unity as a corner-stone of our national immigration system;
- Provides legal
paths for low-skilled immigrant workers to come and work in the United States;
- Restores due
process protections to our immigration enforcement policies;
- Addresses the root
causes (push factors) of migration, such as persecution and economic disparity.
I look forward to
monitoring your public position on this vital issue to our nation. Our nation
can no longer wait."
Marriage and Religious Freedom Act - Support
HR 3133/S1808
"Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San
Francisco, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee
for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, and Archbishop William Lori of
Baltimore, chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, expressed
strong support for the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act (S. 1808) introduced...in
the U.S. Senate by Senator Mike Lee. Both archbishops previously endorsed the
companion Marriage and Religious Freedom Act introduced by Rep. Raúl Labrador
in the U.S. House of Representatives on September 19, 2013 [i.e., HR
3133]" (USCCB
Chairmen Praise Introduction of the ‘Marriage and Religious Freedom Act’ in the
Senate, 12/12/13). NEITHR Casey NOR
Toomey has joined with Senator Mike Lee and the 13 co-sponsors of S.
1808. Fitzpatrick has NOT joined Rep. Raul Labradour and the 93
co-sponsors of HR 3133! The
National Organization for Marriage has a special web site (http://capwiz.com/nationformarriage/issues/alert/?alertid=63028046&PROCESS=Take+Action),
to contact Casey, Toomey, and Fitzpatrick - with copies to Lee and Labradour.
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act - Support
HR 7 / S 946
In his 11/1/13
letter to the U.S. House of Representatives, Cardinal O'Malley notes the
USCCB's support for HR
7 (introduced by Representative Chris Smith). Why is our “pro life”
congressman Mike Fitzpatrick NOT one of the 139 co-sponsors of HR
7? NEITHER of our “pro life”
senators – NEITHER Bob Casey NOR Pat Toomey - are among the 23 co-sponsors of
senate version S
946. While Casey is the sponsor of S
142 (without any co-sponsors), it strikes this blogger as inferior to S
946.
Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act -
Support HR 1797/ S 1670 / S 886
As per a 6/14/13
letter to the U.S. House of Representatives from Cardinal O'Malley, "I
urge you to support the common-sense reform offered by H.R. 1797." Kudos to Mike Fitzpatrick for his
favorable vote on 6/18/13. Kudos to Pat Toomey for being among the 40
co-sponsors of S. 1670
and the 34 co-sponsors of S.
886. Our “pro life” senator Bob Casey is NOT a co-sponsor of S. 1670
and is NOT a co-sponsor of S.
886.
To provide for the establishment of the
Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near
East and South Central Asia - Support HR 301 / S 653
As per Bishop
Pates' 5/20/13 letter to Senators Roy Blunt and Carl Levin, "As Chair
of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops, I commend your tireless efforts to advance
religious freedom as evidenced by your sponsorship of S. 653, a bill to
establish a Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities
in the Near East and South Central Asia." On 9/18/13, Mike Fitzpatrick voted
favorably on the House version, HR 301 -
Bravo. On 12/19/13, Pat Toomey signed on as a co-sponsor of S.653, but Casey is NOT among those 20 co-sponsors. Bob, have you lost appreciation for religious
freedom?
HARRISBURG
Support Admitting Privileges legislation
As per the Pa Pro
Life Coalition, "The Republican and Democrat leaders of the Pa. House
Pro-Life Caucus ...are preparing to re-introduce 'Admitting Privileges'
legislation....The lead sponsors of this legislation are seeking to gather
additional co-sponsors before introducing it....[It] has the same language as
H.B. 1314 in the 2011-2012 term....Please urge your State House members to
co-sponsor Admitting Privileges legislation in the 2013-2014 term." Bucks
County's own Paul Clymer is already on board as a co-sponsor.
Support Marriage / Family and HB 1349 - Oppose HB1647/SB719
"A Marriage
Protection Amendment to the Pennsylvania State Constitution may be the only way
to preserve the definition of marriage as the union between one man and one
woman" (Pennsylvania
Catholic Conference):
- Support HB 1349: On 5/8/13, Bucks County's own Paul Clymer joined Daryl Metcalfe and 25 others, in introducing HB 1349, which seeks to strengthen Pennsylvania's Constitution, by adding this: "Marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife and no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized."
- Oppose HB1647/SB719: In a 7/12/13 memo, Representative Mark Cohen announced that he was "introducing a bill to repeal the Pennsylvania Defense of Marriage Act and to recognize all same sex marriages made in other states and other countries" [HB 1647]. HB 1647 and its companion SB 719 would negate the fundamental right of children to both a mom and a dad!
The Pennsylvania
Catholic Conference has a web site, to facilitate a message to Governor
Corbett, in support of marriage and Pennsylvania's DOMA (https://www.votervoice.net/PACC/Campaigns/32995/Respond).
Oppose
HB300/SB300, as it is “intolerant
and prejudiced against people of faith”
We are witnessing powerful efforts to obfuscate and promote HB 300 and SB 300: "Legislation
introduced in Pennsylvania to prevent discrimination could end up prohibiting
Catholic schools from requiring teachers to abide by Catholic teaching,
religious freedom advocates in the state are warning....Supporters of the bill are using controversy
over the firing of Michael Griffin, a French and Spanish teacher at Holy Ghost
Preparatory School, to advocate for the bill’s passage....The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference said in
an action alert that the legislation is 'intolerant and prejudiced against
people of faith.' The legislation will 'jeopardize many churches and
their charitable outreach,' the alert said, warning that similar laws have
closed Catholic adoption agencies and 'trampled religious liberty'"
(Catholic News Agency, 12/13/13).
While HB 300 / SB 300 is "intolerant and prejudiced against
people of faith", as many as 28 original co-sponsors are identified as
Catholic (i.e., Brendan Boyle, Thomas Caltagirone, Mike Carroll, Dominic Costa, Paul Costa, Tina Davis (???), Frank Dermody, John Galloway, Patrick Harkins, Joseph Markosek, Michael McGeehan, Thomas Murt, Eddie Day Pashinski, John Sabatina, Mario Scavello, Thomas Killion, Robert Matzie, and Catherine Harper)in the House. Patrick Browne, Jay Costa, Chuck McIlhinney, Lisa Boscola, Wayne Fontana, John Blake, Mike Stack, Sean Wiley, John Yudichak, and Richard Kasunic in the Senate.)!
While HB 300 / SB 300 is "intolerant and prejudiced against
people of faith", 6 of its original co-sponsors are from Bucks County:
- Cardinal Dougherty/LaSalle University alumnus Rep. Tina Davis,
- Bishop Egan alumnus Rep. John Galloway,
- OLMC parishioner Sen. Chuck McIlhinney,
- Bishop Conwell/St Joseph's University alumnus Rep. Marguerite Quinn,
- Holy Family alumnus Rep. Steve Santarsiero, and
- Villanova alumnus Scott Petri.
While HB 300 / SB 300 is "intolerant and prejudiced against
people of faith", Governor Corbett has now said that he would be willing
to sign it (cf., Courier
Times, 12/19/13)! As per a 12-18-13 mailing from the Pennsylvania Family Council, "In 2010, when seeking the office of Governor, Tom Corbett indicated he would oppose
such legislation"
The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference has a special web site
to ask Gov Corbett, Lt Go Cawley, your representative and your senator to oppose HB300/SB300: https://www.votervoice.net/PACC/Campaigns/33451/Respond.
Oppose SB 872, "Prohibiting mental health
professionals from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with an
individual under 18 years of age" - Pa's Version of NJ's S2278
In contrast to
philosophies behind SB 872 and S 2278, eminent Catholic psychiatrist Dr. Rick
Fitzgibbons of Montgomery County maintains that "Youth have the right
to be provided informed consent about the serious medical and psychiatric
illnesses, and risks, of the homosexual lifestyle. Pediatricians, mental health
professionals, physicians, nurses and school counselors have a clear legal
responsibility to do so, and parents, family members, educators, and clergy a grave
moral responsibility" (Same-Sex
Attractions in Youth and Their Right to Informed Consent, 5/21/12).
DOYLESTOWN
Bucks County Register
of Wills Donald Petrille “argues that marriage is rooted in the 'biological
fact that opposite-sex couples reproduce,' and that the government should not
'deprive a child of access to the comfort of their creators'" (Philadelphia
Inquirer, 11/25/13).
The Courier
Times has advocated abandoning efforts to seriously support Petrille:
"we support Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia’s suggestion the
county should refuse to mount a serious and costly defense against a federal
lawsuit targeting Bucks County Register of Wills Don Petrille.... the county
commissioners should seriously consider Marseglia’s suggestion to unlace the
boxing gloves. The commissioners have to approve paying those bills, and so
they are within their rights to instruct county attorneys to stand down."
- Please email Bucks County Register of Wills Don Petrille and the Bucks County Commissioners (and the Courier Times), thanking Mr. Petrille for doing his job (i.e., defending traditional marriage) and upholding the law!
