For the last 40 years the U.S. Catholic Bishops, to a great extent, have ignored the elephant in the room. The problems have now compounded to the point that it takes two elephants to carry the load. However, it appears that the bishops have finally seen the elephants and have garnered the courage to tackle some of the problems. Just look at the following headlines.

Bishop Blasts Pro-Choice Politicians
US bishops warn Obama on abortion issues
Catholic bishops plan to forcefully confront Obama
Bishops Fire Warning Shot Across Bow of HHS Obama
Bishops Call Obama-Supported Abortion Rights Bill a Threat to Catholic Church
U.S. bishops swiftly and forcefully respond to pro-abortion policies from Obama

These headlines are just a sample of the dozens I found, and they are all from the same day. Unfortunately for unborn millions, it is too little, too late. The most pro-abortion candidate in history has been elected to the most powerful position in the world.

These are encouraging signs because it seems as if there have been more outspoken bishops in the last 40 days than in the previous 40 years.  

In 1968, after Pope Paul VI issued the encyclical Humanae Vitae (On Human Life), there was an outcry of dissent from hundreds, including bishops, theologians, priests, and others condemning the encyclical and the Pope. Arguably, this dissent fostered all the problems noted in the picture above, and many others as well. 

Imagine how different the world would be if the bishops had responded in 1968 as they have in these last 40 days. If they would have courageously supported the Pope, disciplined the offenders, properly catechized the laity, and continued to do so through the years, I dare say that there would be no elephants in the room today, and the scandals that have plagued the church for so many years would never have happened. Oh, and we would not have killed 50 million unborn babies. There is no questioning the fact that a well-formed Catholic laity could have changed the world.

It is my hope that the bishops will not only stand united in their efforts to protect life, but also come to realize that in order to form properly the conscience of the person in the pew there needs to be, once again, constant teaching from the pulpit. Get back to the basics. A 40 year diet of feel good homilies has contributed to most Catholics having a poorly formed conscience. We need sermons that teach, instill, inculcate the truths of the faith about the Real Presence, Church authority, heaven and hell, sin, importance of Confession, redemptive suffering, the right to life, just to name a few. For a longer list, just open the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The bishops must also make it a priority to reach out to the millions of fallen away Catholics by outwardly encouraging and supporting Catholic radio, EWTN, and the myriad of faithful Catholic apostolates found on the Internet.

During this most recent bishops’ conference, St. Louis Auxiliary Bishop Robert Hermann said, “Any one of us here would consider it a privilege to die tomorrow to bring about the end of abortion.” I would hope that is the case, but if there were a secret ballot he may find a few no votes.

The Catholic faithful do not want their bishops to have to die so that the unborn may live. What we want is to see and hear the bishops unified and outspoken in their support for life throughout the year, not just on Respect Life weekend or at election time. We want to see them exercising true pastoral affection by disciplining dissident Catholic politicians and theologians who insist on publically disputing the truths of the Faith, and if they refuse to repent, to protect the unity of the Church by barring them from the sacraments. In short, we want leaders.

I call upon every Catholic to make a promise to your bishop: that you will pray for him every day. Pray that he has a listening ear to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and the courage to follow them. Go ahead, write a letter or email him - today.

Take courage, my friend.

There is no way to sugarcoat this post. If you voted for Obama I am going to take you to task. You tell me how I am wrong.

Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, and all the rest of you so-called Christians, look at this picture and the ones in the preceding posts, here and here, and tell me how your vote for Obama was upholding your Christian values. You so often throw out the phrase “What Would Jesus Do?” to justify your belief in the importance of various other social issues.

Here is my question for you.

Do you really think Jesus would have voted for a candidate who has promised to do all in his power — and his power will now be great — to allow for the continued, unrestricted, killing of unborn babies? Do you really believe Jesus would have voted for Obama? If this is your belief, you can drop the Christian pretense. You may recall from scripture,  (Jn 10:10) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Jesus continues in verse 11; “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” and He did just that. He died so that we might live.  An unborn baby is part of we. If you are interested, the previous posts mentioned above will give you additional scriptures.

We have a merciful God who is waiting to forgive. If you have the courage, read the following post: More than 100 Million Wounded By Abortion Since Roe vs. Wade, it talks about God’s unfathomable mercy.

Let this be your conversion, like the one St. Paul had on the road to Emmaus, and start fighting for Life.

Take courage, my friend.

Our investigative report has found the following:

Aborted Baby Disposal Procedure

1. Call Disposal service (have them pull up to the back door)
2. Dump babies in bucket
3. Take to landfill for burial disposal
4. Unlock front door and set out “Open for Business” sign

Maybe I exaggerate, maybe not, but Where does one put 50 million aborted babies?

Life must prevail!!! By life I mean; babies, human beings, little children, kids, little ones, the innocent, unforgettable laughs and smiles, occasional heartache, and always the greatest hugs anyone could ever imagine.

By voting for McCain you give life a chance. You give children a chance to play in the fields instead of becoming part of the field.

Don’t any of you “Christians for Obama” have any integrity left? I will only give you one scripture: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these (Matthew 19:14).” I would say abortion is the ultimate hindrance.

Now, if your integrity is still intact and you are open to hearing the truth, I recommend you scroll down the home page and read the other posts. Hopefully, you will come to your senses. Babies are a gift, not a burden. 

One final question; don’t any of you Obama voters have a heart? If you look at these images — I purposefully left out the graphic body parts — and just think I am over-the-top-stupid, then I say you need to see a cardiologist because you are an absolute miracle. You are a walking, talking, human being with no heart.

Do the right thing. Vote for Life. This means no voting for Obama and no to practically every other democrat as well

Take courage my friend. 

An Open Letter To The Unborn

My little ones. I died so that you too might have life. I am sorry that so many Christians continue to turn their backs on you and Me by voting for pro-abortion candidates.  Their voting for these candidates will perpetuate the killing of millions of your brothers and sisters in the womb.

I had hoped that after 35 years of abortion on demand, selfishness and greed would finally give way to Love.

Be consoled, my little ones, I will take care of you as I have for those millions already killed by abortion.

signed 

Jesus Christ

Take courage my friend.

For additional information, explanation, and resources, please read the previous posts found below or at the following links:
Catholic Democrats…& the scandal of abortion
Iraq War Casualties…versus abortions
Catholic and pro-choice…How can that be?

To all Catholic Democrats…what are you thinking?

Senator Obama’s disciples in the media and, it appears that many of his followers as well, have been comparing the Senator to Jesus Christ, the Messiah and/or the “community organizer.” I must admit, I stand in awe of the Olympic, mental gymnastics, perfect 10, Gold Medal screwed up thinking that brings one to that conclusion. I have to tell you, they are dead (pun intended) wrong! The more accurate comparison would be to that of Pontius Pilate, who even though he says to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no case against this man,” he still handed over Jesus to be crucified.

The innocent is condemned to death…then and now. 

Senator Obama, has repeatedly supported the death of the most vulnerable of all human persons, a baby in the womb, according to his 100% National Reproductive Rights Action League voting record. He voted not only against the ban on partial birth abortion but also the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. He has promised to sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), which essentially abolishes any and all state and federal regulation of abortion, such as, informed consent and parental notification in the case of minors seeking an abortion,  state laws providing “conscience clause” protection for pro-life doctors who decline to provide abortions, and these are just the tip of the iceberg. 

As unconscionable as is his total and blatant disregard for human life, there is still something even more deplorable. That something is a Catholic or any Christian for that matter, who, by their voting for pro-abortion candidates, follows in the footsteps of the chief priests and the crowds, crying out for the death of the innocent unborn child. Instead of dying on the altar of the cross, these little persons die on the altar of the abortion mill operating table.

Am I being too harsh, too condemning? I think not! I am not the first to bring up this comparison; I am only tweaking the analogy.

Can you not understand or do you not care that, in the U.S.A., not only   babies have been killed by abortion but, another 100 million souls have been wounded by their involvement in this horror.

I do not want to confuse you with the facts but, if you have any integrity and are truly interested in having a “well formed” Catholic conscience, — for you non Catholics, you will not have to become Catholic if you agree with us on this matter — I encourage you to read the following articles, every word. When you have read these articles and letters you will be “informed” as to the Truth. The proof of having a “well formed” conscience will be voting for life over death, even if it means holding your nose while you vote for the Republican in this presidential election.

My hope and prayer is that these materials will penetrate and enlighten your mind and soften your heart so that you will always be a well-formed Catholic and a staunch advocate for life.

Take courage my friend.

Pro-Life Catholics For Obama
Should abortion be the litmus test for political support? by George Weigel

Obama’s Abortion Extremism by Robert George

A PASTORAL LETTER FROM BISHOP MARTINO of the Diocese of Scranton

A Politician’s Promise: No Right to Life! No Freedom!, by Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D., S.S.L., D.D, Diocese of Paterson, NJ

A PASTORAL LETTER…ON THE DUTIES OF CATHOLIC POLITICIANS AND VOTERS, by Most Reverend Michael J. Sheridan, Bishop of Colorado Springs - This was written before the 2004 election but is even more relevant today.

I thought you should know, by Bishop Robert J. Hermann, Archdiocese of St. Louis, Archdiocesan Administrator

If you have not read my other Prolife posts, I encourage you to do so. In addition to my splended prose, you will find many more links for further conscience forming. At least look at the images; nothing graphic, just thought provoking. At this time, you can find them on the home page, or click on the Prolife link in the Categories listings.

And finally, the premier document on life,  Evangelium vitae, The Gospel of life, by Pope John Paul II. This is not for the faint of heart. 

Many of you who are against the war in Iraq, are at the same time cooperating, if only in the voting booth, in a war that is killing millions of babies while still in their mothers’ wombs. You are voting for politicians who are willing to allow babies to die by their support of pro-abortion legislation.

Is the Iraq war an unjust war? There can be reasonable arguments on both sides of that question. However, in the war against the unborn in the womb there are no reasonable arguments on the side of killing babies, only false information, peer and/or parental pressures, selfish desires, a lack of responsibliity, greed, and fear mongering. 

Do not quote me the law. Do not tell me about the so-called constitutional right to choose. If a government refuses to protect its weakest citizens by failing to give them the most basic of human rights, the right to life, is it any wonder that so many within our society seem to care little for their neighbor? Even common courtesies in speech and behavior are disappearing at an alarming rate.

Eighty years ago every Christian denomination was pro-life. Today, only the Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, and a remnant within the Protestant denominations still abide by the words of Jesus where He says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these (Matthew 19:14).” I would say abortion is the ultimate hindrance.

Even though the Catholic Church is and always has been absolutely 100% unequivocally pro-life, far too many of its members try to justify, through some kind of mind-twisting illusion, that life issues are no more important than any other social issue; and therefore, they do not have to vote to protect life. They could not be farther from the truth. 

The facts are these, as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: #2271- Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law:

You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.

God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves. Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.

The bishops in the United States have, in essence, said that concerns for poverty, immigration, or other social issues cannot take precedence over life issues. The right-to-life is fundamental with all other social issues being secondary to life.

You do not have to believe me. Read some of what the bishops have said here and in a previous post here.

By the way, a pro-choice Christian (Catholic or Protestant) is an oxymoron (contradictory terms). You cannot be both. You decide: stand with Jesus or stand with Planned “Ending” Parenthood and other abortion providers and supporters.

If you vote for a pro-abortion candidate when there is an alternative as there almost always is, especially in this presidential election, you are pro-choice. Don’t try to spin it any other way. If you consider yourself a Christian and gleefully vote pro-choice, you should be ashamed to cross (pun intended) the threshold of your church’s front door.

For America to reclaim the moral high ground she must start with protecting life and start with this election, she must.

If only we had had the U.S. military protecting the rights of the unborn in 1973 instead of the U.S. Supreme Court eliminating those rights.

Take courage, my friend.

I think it is time to put a warning sign on all “home pregnancy test kit products.” Something like this! →→

It will probably tick off abortion proponents, like Planned Parenthood and others, because it will illuminate the truth that they have been trying so hard to bury for thirty-five years.
——————————

I think I went off on a tangent before I even got started. If I do that, is it still called a tangent?

——————————
Now to what I was really going to write about.

Have you seen this baby countdown pregnancy ticker? It is called a  widget, and it is designed to be easily placed into a web page or blog. It allows you to follow the development of the baby as he, she, or they grow. The countdown is from conception to birth. For nine months you get to watch and learn about the baby’s development.

There are several different kinds, but I like this one best because, if you click on the heart button, you hear the sound of a beating heart, which in reality begins beating by 18 days after conception; go ahead and try it. This is a great instructional tool for children as well as a heartfelt reminder for anyone who may be contemplating having an abortion.

So, I call upon everyone to get a baby countdown pregnancy ticker no matter whether you have a pregnant member of the family or not, and place it on your web page or blog. We want these everywhere on the Internet so everyone will be reminded of the fact that

——————————
I am finally ready to get to the title of this post: “A Planned Parenthood Pregnancy Countdown Baby Ticker.”

For anyone who has any doubt about what is important to Planned Parenthood or any other abortion provider, one just has to look at one of their baby tickers. It took a clandestine operation, mind you (but I am former USAF Special Ops) to secure this information. Be sure it gets widespread dissemination. Here it is.

 
No heartbeat sounds from this meter, only the cash register “cha-ching.”

Why don’t we start calling them Planned “Ending” Parenthood, for that is what they do?

*** They had another ticker which we were unable to procure, but we did see it in operation. It counted down to the death of the baby. ***
——————————

On to some other life issues:  Don’t forget to stand for life this coming Sunday October 5, 2008 in a “Life Chain” along thousands of highways around the country, and the “40 Days for Life” campaign needs you now through November 2, 2008.

Don’t forget to vote Pro-Life in November; millions of babies’ lives are at stake.
——————————

Follow these links to different “baby tickers” for your website or blog:

Pregnancy Countdown Widget-Fetal Monitor-Baby Cam!

Baby Ticker - The Baby Countdown Pregnancy Ticker

This next one is for your desktop:

Parents.com-Personalized Pregnancy Tracker Widget

There are others if you want to search for them.

Take courage, my friend.

These numbers are staggering. The loss of

babies to abortion has brought catastrophic consequences — emotional, physical, and spiritual — to not only many of the women who carried those children, but also to the fathers, the millions of grandparents, other family members and friends who, in some way, encouraged, forced, or assisted in these abortions. In addition, there are  millions of siblings that having learned of their aborted brothers and sisters, now experience anger and/or fear.

We are a country of 227 million adults, 18 years and older. Tens of millions of your friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, church members, and the list goes on, are silently suffering. Perhaps someone reading this post has recently understood the reality that a someone, not just a something, was terminated by an abortion. The startling fact is that one out of every two or three people you see walking down the street has been directly or indirectly involved with an abortion.

The grief, sorrow, and anguish felt by so many millions will often manifest itself in psychological trauma such as nightmares, alcohol and drug abuse, relationship problems, and even suicidal tendencies. At least one in four will develop chronic stress known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Follow this link to read about some of the physical and neuropsychological symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder brought on by abortion.

Many are tormented by feelings of deep sorrow and guilt, but there is a light at the end of what, for many, has been a long dark tunnel. Mercy Himself is waiting for you, to forgive, heal, and renew lives.

The following words are taken from the diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, by Saint Faustina Kowalska. Jesus says to her, “Let the greatest sinners place their trust in my mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy towards tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than asked. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to my compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in my unfathomable and inscrutable mercy.” (Diary, 1146)

All hearts can rejoice at the message of these words, for God’s mercy is greater than any sin.

Pope John Paul II wrote: “I would like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed … do not lose hope … The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost and you will be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord.” (John Paul II  Evangelium Vitae, 1995, #99)

The following are some of the many resources available where you will find caring, non-judgmental, loving help.

Rachel’s Vineyard

Rachel’s Vineyard Australia

Rachel’s Vineyard is a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Weekend retreats offer you a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment where women and men can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing.
 
Hope After Abortion   

After Abortion – Elliott Institute

Abortion Recovery International

Silent No More Awareness

A word of caution regarding counseling or therapy from Theresa Burke, PhD, founder of Rachel’s Vineyard and co-author of Forbidden Grief: The Unspoken Pain of Abortion:

“Post-abortion healing is a specialty unto itself. The average psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or counselor of any other academic stripe who does not understand post-abortion issues can often inflict more harm than good on the unsuspecting woman. Many may believe they have enough insight to help, but unless they have had additional training, they often don’t. Certainly, if your thoughts and feelings become so overwhelming that you feel you can no longer cope, seek professional assistance immediately. But generally, I encourage you to take the time to find one of the growing number of professional therapists and experienced lay counselors who have received special training in post-abortion healing.”

Take courage, my friend.

Is this really complicated? I think not!

I am sick and tired of hearing abortion proponents talk about how the issue of abortion is so incredibly complex or, that abortion is no simple matter.  I say to that, balderdash, blather, bunkum, claptrap, drivel, garbage, idiocy, piffle, poppycock, rigmarole, rubbish, tomfoolery, trash, twaddle, nonsense!

(My thanks to Dictionary.com for this list of G-rated terms. I knew I couldn’t write what first came to mind.)

What is so complex about the abortion issue? From one of my favorite bumper stickers:

“If it is not a baby, you are not pregnant!” Corollary: If you are pregnant, it IS a baby! Baby = person, and in this country, persons have rights. At least they used too.

Thomas Jefferson, in the penning of the Declaration of Independence, uses no convoluted lawyer speak. He uses words that everyone, for all time, will understand, unless they CHOOSE to reject this simple truth, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (for the pc crowd, …all persons, peoples, males and females, and whatever are created equal…)

It took a civil war plus another 100 years to clarify what these simple words mean, not because the words are complex or difficult to understand but, because man is often selfish, arrogant, prideful, lacking in charity and fails to love.

In our day, we are once again ignoring the simplicity of the words and twisting them to suit our own selfish desires and pursuits. We, as a nation, no longer care about life but only lifestyle. We have all but ignored the Life aspect of the Declaration; Liberty is showing some scars; and all that is left is the pursuit of Happiness which is being sought after in all the wrong places and for all the wrong reasons.

Tell me what is so complicated about the following:

How can so many, be so willing to cooperate, if only in the voting booth, in the killing of INNOCENT human life? We are talking about little babies. What has happened to the soul of the human person?

God is surely weeping.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere…”

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This is the tag line for an Open letter by Dr. Alveda King, Niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who is a Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life. Her letter is an appeal to all people of good will… to save the children, to restore the culture of life to America.

Read the complete letter here, and while at the “Priests For life” website take a few more minutes to look around. There you will find a wealth of information and resources to help better equip you to be the voice for those who have no voice and to Take a Stand For Life.

Take courage my friend.

This series is drawn from the booklet Kid Safe Cyberspace: A Parent’s Guide… This 20 page booklet and other resources are available here. To read Part 1 of this series, click here. Follow this link for a printable Internet Safety Tips page.

Part 2: The beginning of the last paragraph in Part 1 reads in part: Parenting has never been easy and protecting your kids from Internet dangers will be no different. The world is out to rip your kids from the safety and protection of the family…

The phrase “Pornification of America” has been coined in recent years to describe pornography’s skyrocketing climb from seedy bookstores, back alleys and “adult” movie theaters to mainstream contemporary life. It is now found everywhere but, most prevalent and at its most vile, on the Internet which is where your kids are or will be hanging out. 

Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security thinking that you or your children are immune to this plague ravaging society. The multi-billion dollar pornographic industry uses many forms of deception to lure Internet surfers, often unsuspectingly, to their websites. I can guarantee you that if you have kids using a computer, with no parental controls and filtering software, they have already been exposed to pornography and possibly to predators. Even if you have filters on your computers, technology is not the complete answer and there is still much you need to know and do to protect your kids.

How can I convince you that your children are at risk? 

Read the rest