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3-24 US bishops implementing strategic plan

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=2389

      The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is preparing to implement a strategic plan whose five priorities are strengthening marriage, vocations to the priesthood and religious life, faith formation and sacramental practice, the life and dignity of the human person, and the appreciation of cultural diversity. In November, the bishops will vote on the plan, which will guide the conference until 2011. To assist with the plan’s implementation, Father J. Brian Bransfield, a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and executive director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis, has been named the USCCB’s assistant general secretary. Father Bransfield, 41, holds a doctorate in sacred theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.

     Commenting on the presidential election last year, Father Bransfield wrote, “Conscience winces when it hears a candidate claim that he can fix health care, but still agree that a child in the womb can be killed. Conscience knows that if a candidate favors human embryonic stem cell research, which always includes the killing of a human person, then our neighborhoods can never be free of violence-- because we just voted for violence.” . . .

3-24 US bishops call on Obama administration to enforce conscience-protection laws

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=2397

      In response to a proposed recission of conscience-protection regulations for health-care workers, Anthony Picarello and Michael Moses, general counsel and associate general counsel of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, argue that the Obama administration has a constitutional duty to enforce existing federal laws that protect the conscience rights of health-care workers. Making clear that the bishops oppose abortion, Picarello and Moses add, “Because the Administration holds itself out as one committed to a policy of 'choice' regarding abortion, the Administration cannot, consistent with that policy, remove the choice of nurses, doctors, clinics, or hospitals not to provide or facilitate abortions.” . . .

3-24 Illinois bishops warn against state FOCA law

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=2386

      The Illinois Catholic Conference is urging the state’s Catholics to oppose the Reproductive Health and Access Act. The conference notes that the legislation, which has passed the Illinois House Human Services Committee, would “make abortion a fundamental right, preventing any common-sense regulation such as parental notification; expand public funding of abortion through Medicaid during a time when the state cannot meet its current fiscal obligations; invalidate the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act protecting health care professionals and employers; and mandate comprehensive sex education for all children in public schools.” . . .

3-24 As media lashing continues, Harvard scientist backs Pontiff

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=2377

      Pope Benedict’s comments on AIDS and condoms continued to garner criticism from editorial pages and health officials. Calling the pope “absolutely and unequivocally wrong,” Guyana's Health Minister Leslie Ramsammy said, “Whilst I would hope that Catholics would continue to be extremely supportive of their Church and the pope ... on this issue, they (should) rely on the evidence, and we need at this time to come out forcefully with the evidence to demonstrate that condoms and lifestyle matter.” However, Dr. Edward Green-- Director of the AIDS Prevention Research Project at the Harvard School of Public Health and Center for Population and Development Studies-- came to the pontiff’s defense, as did some newspaper columnists. “The pope is correct,” said Dr. Green, “or [to] put it a better way, the best evidence we have supports the pope’s comments.” . . Pray for our Holy Father

3-24 ACT UP calls Pope an ‘assassin,’ stages protest outside Paris cathedral

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=2379

      Carrying signs that called Pope Benedict XVI an assassin, the militant activist group ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) threw condoms as worshippers left Sunday Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral at Paris. Police made 11 arrests after clashes between ACT-UP and supporters of the Pope. In 1989, some 5,000 ACT UP members protested at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, resulting in the desecration of the Holy Eucharist. . . .

      On his trip to Africa, the Pope expressed his thoughts about the AIDS epidemic and the present government that has been accused of abuses in crushing political opponents. He said, “A Christian can never remain silent in” the face of violence, poverty, hunger, corruption or abuse of power.