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Friday January 23, 2004

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Boston Archbishop Says Pro-Abortion Politicians "Shouldn't Dare Come to Communion"

WASHINGTON, DC, January 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In an interview with LifeSiteNews.com following the Vigil for Life Mass in Washington Wednesday, Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley expressed his great desire for a renewal of faith among Catholics. Asked about the problem of Catholic politicians promoting abortion, the Archbishop noted that the problem "is not only politicians but those (Catholics) who vote for them." He stressed repeatedly the "great need for adult catechesis among our people."

"These politicians should know that if they're not voting correctly on these life issues that they shouldn't dare come to communion," the Archbishop told LifeSiteNews.com.

Archbishop O'Malley noted that beyond pro-abortion politicians, that reception of Holy Communion by those not in a state of grace is sadly commonplace. "I think it's in the context of a greater problem - Catholics feel that everyone is entitled to go to communion all the time. That has to be addressed. You know if a (pro-abortion) politician asked me I would say you shouldn't go to communion, I wouldn't go to communion. They don't understand why." He explained, "At a funeral sometimes they will announce that communion is for Catholics and people get all offended, so we've lost the notion of the sacredness of communion and the kind of disposition we need to have."

Aside from his stressing the "great need" for adult catechesis, the Boston Archbishop said the solution lies in holiness. Catholics must "be willing to live their faith heroically, the testimony of holiness is the only thing that's going to be able to convince people. Mother Teresa could speak about life issues in a way, because of the ethos of her life, that was much more powerful than the most eloquent preacher or teacher. We have to live our faith very deeply in order to draw people."

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Catholic Rally and Youth Mass at March for Life Fills Washington's MCI Stadium to Capacity

WASHINGTON, DC, January 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Over 15,000 youth filled the Washington MCI Center yesterday for a youth rally and Mass immediately preceding the March for Life. After the youth sang joyfully with Catholic monk rapper Fr. Stan Fortuna and other pro-life musicians, three Cardinals, 21 Bishops and 300 priests concelebrated the Mass.

The Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, was graced with the moving singing of the Bishop McNamara High School Gospel Choir.

After the Mass, Cardinal McCarrick asked the 700 seminarians in attendance to stand. Their rising was greeted with massive applause, and the Cardinal quipped to his brother bishops "you see your Excellencies, help is on the way."

Many participants were brought to tears when the Cardinal asked young men and boys in the crowd who may feel God is calling them to the priesthood to stand. He asked the same of young ladies and girls who felt called to religious life. Between the two groups, hundreds stood, and thousands and thousands applauded.

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Over 100,000 Attend US National March for Life in Washington

Participation by U.S. religious leaders A Major factor in Massive Turnout

WASHINGTON, January 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - LifeSiteNews.com participated in the US National March for Life in Washington yesterday. Speaking at the Rose dinner following the March, chief organizer Nellie Gray announced that the official estimate on participants was over 100,000. A bird's eye view of the activities indicated that the great success of the march is largely due to the massive encouragement and participation of clergy, religious brothers and sisters and many of the nations' top religious leaders.

The 31st annual March for Life began at noon with a rally in front of the White House. In addition to the address by President Bush given by phone, several Congressmen addressed the massive crowd including: Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and Reps. Christopher H. Smith (R-N.J.), W. Todd Akin (R-Mo.), Todd Tiahart (R-Kan.), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Jim Ryun (R-Kan.), Melissa Hart (R-Pa.), Mike Pence (R-Ind.), Ron Lewis (R-N.Y.), Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.), Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), Steve King (R-Iowa), Thaddeus G. McCotter (R-Mich.), Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas), and Patrick J. Toomey (R-Pa.).

Pro-life leaders from all 50 states as well as those from France, Italy, Poland, Ireland and Britain were in attendance at the march. Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and some 20 bishops joined in the actual march to the Supreme Court building.

The March for Life is known as the largest march in Washington but despite its size it is also famed for being the most peaceful, and for leaving the least mess.

Gray said, "We pledge support to stop this home-grown terrorism of individuals and governments participating in the intentional killing of an estimated 4,000 preborn children each day."

The theme of the 31st annual March for Life was: Build Unity on the Life Principles. "We are calling for Americans to come together on goals and strategies to overturn Roe vs. Wade, by following the guidance of the Life Principles, said Gray. "This means providing Constitutional protection for the unalienable right to life of each human in existence at fertilization. There is no justification for the state or any individual intentionally to kill an innocent born or preborn human in existence at fertilization. Murder is not a feminist/abortionist's right of 'privacy'

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B.C. Commissioners Denied Choice - Marry Same-Sex Couples or Quit

VANCOUVER, January 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In a letter Tuesday, B.C. Commissioners were given an ultimatum from the B.C. Vital Statistics Agency, which stated that any Commissioner "who feels that they cannot solemnize same-sex marriages" must "resign their appointments" by March 31. The letter gave no details about what would happen if a Commissioner refused to step down.

Conservative MP Paul Forseth (New Westminster-Coquitlam-Burnaby) said that "It looks like the province has decided to jump the gun and actively promote same-sex marriage as a matter of government operational policy." Forseth said that a change in conditions of employment mid-way through a term would be unfair, and rather suggested that Commissioners should be divided into two groups - those who will perform the ceremonies and those who will not.

The definition of marriage was altered in May last year by the B.C. Court of Appeal to "the union of two persons;" in July, the same Court lifted a moratorium which would have suspended the requirement for implementation until July 12, 2004.

A COMPAS poll commissioned by the National Post late last year found that 63% of Canadians are supportive of maintaining the current definition of marriage as the union between one man and one woman. 31% opposed maintaining the current law and supported altering the definition of marriage to encompass homosexual couplings.

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/jul/03070702.html

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Homosexual Hate Crime Bill May be Resurrected in Canada

Much more Important to Gay Activists Than 'Marriage'

OTTAWA, January 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - REAL Women of Canada has warned that homosexual hate crime Bill C-250 may be resurrected when Parliament resumes in February. According to an article published in the homosexual newspaper, Capital Xtra of October 6, 2003, "the hate crime legislation … is more important to everyone in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community than the right to marry."

REAL Women cautions that homosexual activist MP Svend Robinson will be looking for ways to bring Bill C-250 back to life from its death in the Senate, even though Parliamentary rules do not allow for it.

Moreover, REAL Women points out that House Speaker Peter Milliken (Kingston and the Islands) will likely assist Robinson in this abuse of the Parliamentary process since he is a self-acknowledged homosexual who in 1996, before being elected Speaker, had introduced a private member's bill (Bill C-256) similar to Mr. Robinson's Bill C-250.

REAL Women has urged that all supporters of the family and religious freedom ask their MPs to object to the attempt to reinstate the bill, and to also caution Mr. Milliken against this abuse of the Parliamentary process.

Please write to:

Your MP
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Email: last name, period and first initial of MP adding @parl.gc.ca

The Hon. Peter Milliken, M.P.
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Fax: (613) 996-1958
E-Mail: Milliken.P@parl.gc.ca

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Ohio Passes Strongest Same-Sex 'Marriage' Ban in U.S.

COLUMBUS, January 23, 2004 (CWNews.com/LifeSiteNews.com) - The Ohio Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would ban same-sex 'marriage' as well as benefits for "domestic partners" for state employees. The House had already passed the bill and Gov. Robert Taft has said he will sign the bill.

The proposed law says that same-sex marriage is "against the strong public policy of the state," and that marriage is formally defined as being between one man and one woman. It was formulated as a way to keep the state from having to recognize same-sex 'marriage' if other states legalize it.

The ban on domestic partner benefits makes the law the strongest of same-sex 'marriage' bans passed in 37 states. The prohibition applies to gay and unmarried heterosexual couples. The bill provides exceptions on the ban for cities, towns, schools, and private companies.

Republican Sen. Jay Hottinger, a longtime supporter of the same-sex 'marriage' ban, said that opponents were misstating the bill's intentions. He said the bill was not an attack on gays, but was meant to protect a traditional definition of marriage. "This is solely and clearly clarifying and protecting the definition of marriage between one man and one woman," Hottinger said

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LifeSite NewsBytes

Labor Secretary Chao: U.N. a Threat to U.S.
Tom DeWeese, president of the American Policy Center, charged that the goal of this unholy alliance was to "erase national boundaries," redistribute wealth on an international scale and steer decisions on American affairs from representative government to the "global village," with all of us as "global citizens."
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/1/23/103603.sh...

Eves ready to step down
http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040123.wee...

Unborn Victim of Violence Law Passes U.S. House Committee
See bill here:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:h.r.1997:

Experts Say Internet Porn Use Growing Exponentially...Even Among Christians
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/afa/232004b.asp

Christian Involvement in Porn Benefits Organized Crime
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/afa/232004c.asp

Canada's future tied to UN, PM says
Martin says Canada must commit to reviving UN, NATO, other global groups
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thes...

Donohue: 'Relentless' Attacks on 'The Passion' Will Backfire
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/1/23/175643.shtml

'Passion' and Intrigue – Peggy Noonan
The story of the Vatican and Mel Gibson's film gets curiouser
http://www.opinionjournal.com/forms/printThis.html?id=110004...

Fr. Benedict Groeschel opens his eyes
http://www.franciscanfriars.com/frglenn10.htm

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