Florida Roman Catholic Bishops now ALSO Oppose Personhood Constitutional Amendment to END Child-Murder-by-Abortion
- Roman Catholic Bishops in MICHIGAN (2006), GEORGIA (2008), COLORADO (2008 & 2009), MONTANA (2008), and NORTH DAKOTA (2009) have also opposed Personhood legislation in their States
PLEASE PUBLICIZE WIDELY - THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS IN MULTIPLE STATES HAVE REPEATEDLY UNDERMINED PERSONHOOD EFFORTS TO END ABORTION IN THEIR STATES BY RECOGNIZING THE PERSONHOOD OF THE UNBORN, AT FERTILIZATION, WITH NO EXCEPTIONS.
TOGETHER WITH THE ANTI-PERSONHOOD EFFORTS OF BOTH NATIONAL RIGHT TO "LIFE" [sic] and AMERICANS UNITED FOR "LIFE" [sic], WHO HAVE ALSO BOTH OPPOSED PERSONHOOD LEGISLATION
TO END ABORTION IN THE STATES, THE INESCAPABLE EFFECT OF THE ANTI-LIFE EFFORTS OF ALL THREE: i.e., 1) THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS, 2) NATIONAL RIGHT TO "LIFE" [sic], and 3) AMERICANS UNITED FOR "LIFE" [sic], HAS BEEN TO DELAY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF JUSTICE FOR PRE-BIRTH HUMAN BEINGS, AND THEREFORE TO PROLONG THE ABORTION HOLOCAUST IN AMERICA.
Steve Lefemine
Columbia Christians for Life
Columbia, South Carolina
October 1, 2009
______
Florida Bishops Oppose Personhood Amendment
www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/sep/09092913.html
September 29, 2009
Quotes from article:
[emphasis added]
In their fight against the proposed amendment, the state's pro-abortion lobby is receiving indirect support from some unexpected quarters: the chanceries of all nine bishops who direct the Florida Catholic Conference.
The Conference, which serves as the official public policy voice of the Florida bishops, released an email alert Friday afternoon, ... "... , the bishops do not support this current amendment effort."
"The bishops of Colorado, Montana, Georgia, and North Dakota have taken positions substantially the same as the Florida Catholic Conference when personhood debates
were underway in their own states."
"... the clear difference between personhood and incrementalist arguments is the alarming tendency of the latter to conflate prudence with proportionalist ethics, accepting a lesser evil to achieve a greater good."
"Almost four decades of false prudence have cost Americans over 51 million innocent lives lost through abortion," stated Kenney. "Personhood is the best strategy for ending that tragedy."
______
[emphasis added]
Florida Bishops Oppose Personhood Amendment
By Eric Giunta
September 29, 2009
LifeSiteNews.com
September 29, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Florida pro-life activists suffered a major setback last week in their efforts to garner support for a Personhood Amendment, which would enshrine the right to life of every human being into their state constitution.
In their fight against the proposed amendment, the state's pro-abortion lobby is receiving indirect support
from some unexpected quarters: the chanceries of all nine bishops who direct the Florida Catholic Conference.
The Conference, which serves as the official public policy voice of the Florida bishops, released an email alert Friday afternoon, alerting supporters that, "although the bishops of Florida clearly share the desire for our state laws to recognize all life from its very beginning to natural end [CCL: sic], after careful consideration and deliberation with legal counsel, the bishops do not support this current amendment effort."
The same email noted that signature collection would not take place in any parish or diocesan entity in the state.
The same correspondence included a link to a more thorough statement by the bishops, which may be accessed on the Conference website. The statement, dated September 19, affirms the bishops' collective commitment [CCL: sic] to
"the full legal recognition of the right to life of every unborn child and the defense of human life in all its stages, from conception to natural death."
However, the statement continues, "it is our opinion, and that of the legal experts with whom we have consulted, that passage of this amendment would not achieve the goal of overturning Roe v. Wade." [CCL: sic]
The bishops first note the unlikelihood of such an amendment passing, given Florida law's stipulation that constitutional amendments be approved by at least 60% of voters. Furthermore, the federal courts would almost certainly strike down such an amendment as unconstitutional, and the [CCL: FAITHLESS - Matthew 19:26] bishops express fear that,
should the case be heard by the United States Supreme Court (which is presently dominated by pro-Roe justices)
it might well "lead to a reaffirmation of Roe."
The bishops go on to reaffirm their view "that it will be more prudent to pursue incremental measures that add to existing protections in law and help change hearts and minds."
[ CCL: God's Requirement for Murder is JUSTICE, NOT incremental "Regulation" !!!
Exodus 20:13, KJB ]
In an interview with LifeSiteNews (LSN), Shaun Kenney, executive director of American Life League (ALL), stated that Florida personhood organizers were "disappointed, but undaunted" by the memorandum.
"Planned Parenthood committed over $3 million opposing personhood in Colorado," said Kenney. "While those advising the bishops argue that state personhood amendments will not hold up in federal courts, if state personhood amendments aren't legally viable, Planned Parenthood and the abortion lobby wouldn't be committing the millions of dollars in resources opposing it."
Dr. Mike McCarron, executive director of the Florida Catholic Conference, elaborated on the bishops' reasoning, telling LSN in an interview: "Without question, extensive energy and money would be spent and false hopes would be raised by this personhood amendment effort. I say this with true respect for those attempting it."
McCarron added, "If Roe were reaffirmed now it would not only set back the prolife movement but it would make its eventual overturning even more difficult, or worse, enshrine into the law of the land a federal right to privacy, complicating the situation further."
When asked whether representatives from the American Life League (ALL) and Personhood Florida had had opportunities to present their case to the bishops, McCarron replied, "Yes, ALL visited our office before the media roll-out; organizers connected with Florida Personhood (but not the primary spokespersons) approached us and we spoke with them. They were aware of the bishops' position that they would not actively support it." McCarron added, however, "The bishops hope to avoid divisive interactions with the organizers of the amendment."
McCarron made it clear that the differences between the bishops and the amendment organizers were matters of prudential judgment, not principle, and that the bishops did not intend to impose these prudential judgment in a binding way on their Catholic faithful. Hence, pro-life Catholics are still free to support or oppose the amendment.
McCarron added, "The bishops of Colorado, Montana, Georgia, and North Dakota have taken positions substantially the same as the Florida Catholic Conference when personhood debates were underway in their own states."
______
CCL Comments:
Roman Catholic Bishops are appointed by the Pope, and serve at the pleasure of the Pope. The recent premature {forced ?] resignation of outspoken, anti-abortion, pro-life hero Roman Catholic Bishop Joe Martino (Scranton, PA) gives the impression that Rome / the Pope did not want to allow outspoken, anti-abortion, pro-life hero Roman Catholic Bishop Joe Martino to continue to have the "bully pulpit" of his position as Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, PA to advance the pro-life effort.
Outspoken Anti-Abortion Roman Catholic Bishop in Scranton, PA
Summoned to Rome, Submitted Resignation
Scranton Bishop Announces Resignation in Press Conference, Scranton, PA, August 31, 2009
Pro-Life / Anti-Abortion Scranton Bishop Joseph Martino
- Including United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Press Release:
"Pope Accepts Resignation Of Scranton Bishops"
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/2009-09-03-Outspoken-Anti-Abortion-RC-Bishop-Scranton-PA-Summoned-to-Rome-Submitted-Resignation-Press-Conf-08-31-09.doc
Strong Pro-Life / Anti-Abortion Scranton, PA Roman Catholic Bishop Joseph Martino
forced to resign by the Vatican / Pope ? That is what the sum of evidence indicates.
The Vatican / Rome's Pope appoints all the Roman Catholic Bishops and Cardinals.
September 7, 2009
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/2009-09-07Pro-Life-Scranton-PA-Catholic-Bishop-Martino-forced-to-resign-by-the-Vatican-Pope.doc
______
LifeSiteNews article, " Florida Bishops Oppose Personhood Amendment" continued:
Kenney, however, remarked on a singular difference between the position of the Florida Catholic Conference and
other state initiatives. "While Colorado and other states are much more permissive about pro-life activities within parishes, the outright ban against organized efforts in Florida is somewhat disheartening for Catholics to see."
Kenney also responded to the arguments of the bishops about the prudential aspects of the amendment, saying, "While both approaches are committed to prudence, the clear difference between personhood and incrementalist arguments is the alarming tendency of the latter to conflate prudence
with proportionalist ethics, accepting a lesser evil to achieve a greater good."
"Almost four decades of false prudence have cost Americans over 51 million innocent lives lost through abortion," stated Kenney. "Personhood is the best strategy for ending that tragedy."
Representatives from Personhood Florida were unavailable for comment before this story went to press.
LifeSiteNews ...
Posted 2009-09-29 8:04 PM (#24221) By: Philomena
http://www.aipnews.com/talk/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=8462&posts=3
[ END ]
______
______
Related reports:
www.ChristianLifeandLiberty.net, Home page (Right to Life Act of SC / SC Personhood Bills - including audio of
2005 SC House and SC Senate committee meetings
www.ChristianLifeandLiberty.net, "RTL Act of SC" - History of Right to Life Act of SC / SC Personhood Bill since
2005, first introduced in 1998
www.ChristianLifeandLiberty.net, "News" page
www.RighttoLifeActofSC.net - History of Right to Life Act of SC / SC Personhood Bill since 2005, including audio of
2005 SC House and SC Senate committee meetings
2009/2010 Session - South Carolina Personhood Bills (House and Senate)
SC House Bill - H.3526 (52 co-sponsrs)
www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/bills/3526.htm
SC Senate Bill - S.450 (13 co-sponsors)
www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/bills/450.htm
2009-2010 State-Level Personhood (and other selected) Legislation:
- Including State-Level Personhood Bills and Constitutional Amendments
- ALA, GA, MD, MISS, MONT, ND, OR, SC, VA
May 25, 2009 / Revised June 16, 2009 / Corrected and Revised November 12, 2009
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/2009-05-25-2009-2010-State-Level-Personhood-and-other-selected-Legislation.doc
______
Catholic CFR-members (two) on Americans United for Life (AUL) Directors/Advisory Boards;
AUL Sr. Legal Counsel attacked Columbia Christians for Life Personhood position
AUL Board of Directors - Catholic CFR-member George S. Weigel, Jr., Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, DC
AUL Board of Advisors - Catholic CFR-member Professor Robert P. George, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
September 22, 2009
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/2009-09-22-Catholic-CFR-members-Americans-United-for-Life-AUL-Directors-Advisory-Boards.doc
Romanist, Jesuit-advised, Americans United for "Life" [sic] senior legal counsel attacks CCL's "Personhood" position
Americans United for "Life" [sic] has been an opponent of State-level Personhood Legislation to END abortion.
September 21, 2009
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/2009-09-21-Romanist-Jesuit-advised-Americans-United-for-Life-sr-legal-counsel-attacks-CCL-Personhood-position.doc
Catholic Bishops in North Dakota opposed state personhood bill which passed North Dakota House;
opposition of Roman Catholic leaders helped defeat historic personhood bill in North Dakota Senate by 29-16 vote
- Judie Brown (ALL) article, April 3, 2009 - "NORTH DAKOTA BISHOPS NULLIFY PERSONHOOD!"
- Steve Lefemine (CCL) commentary, May 21, 2009 - The Vatican / Roman Catholic hierarchy is NOT pro-life !!!
(Including the Bishops, Cardinals, Pope, Vatican, Jesuit General)
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/2009-05-21-Judie-Brown-April-3-2009-ND-Bishops-nullify-personhood.doc
______
______
OPPOSITION TO STATE-LEVEL PERSONHOOD BILLS AND AMENDMENTS
by ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS and NATIONAL RIGHT TO "LIFE" [sic]:
National Right To Life: The Judas Of The Preborn
By Dr. Patrick Johnston ; The Covenant News ~ July 10, 2006
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/H3213-S111-159.doc
Anti-abortion constitutional amendment petition falls short in Michigan
National Right to Life does it again - this time in Michigan...
Right to Life of Michigan did not support the petition drive to ban abortion in Michigan by a state constitutional amendment, and neither did the Michigan Catholic Conference.
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/H3213-S111-160.doc
Catholic Bishops in Michigan and Michigan chapter of National Right to Life
opposed proposed state personhood constitutional amendment for November 2006 ballot
- Judie Brown (ALL) article, July 10, 2006 - "DEFEAT AT THE HANDS OF OUR FRIENDS" [sic]
- Steve Lefemine (CCL) commentary, March 16, 2009 - The Roman Catholic hierarchy is NOT pro-life !
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/2009-03-16-Judie-Brown-July-10-2006-MICH-Defeat-at-hands-of-friends.doc
SC's National RTL chapter not supporting RTL Act of SC
- Is SC Citizens for Life really "Pro-Life" ? (flyer for distribution included)
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/RTLAofSC-07-12.doc
Colorado Catholic Conference (Colorado's three Catholic Bishops) does not back Personhood Amendment
The Denver Post, February 28, 2008, "Catholic Conference does not back personhood amendment"
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/2008-02-28-DenverPost-CathConf-no-pers-amend.doc
Catholic Bishops in Georgia, Montana, and Colorado opposed state personhood amendments for the pre-born
January 27, 2009 (including Judie Brown (ALL) article from March 7, 2008 - "We remain steadfast, but...")
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/2009-01-27-Catholic-Bishops-GA-MT-CO-oppose-pers.doc
North Dakota Senate defeats 'personhood' bill
North Dakota Roman Catholic Bishops help defeat bill
April 3, 2009
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/2009-04-03-ND-Senate-ND-RC-Bishops-defeat-personhood-bill.doc
Catholic Bishops in North Dakota opposed state personhood bill which passed North Dakota House;
opposition of Roman Catholic leaders helped defeat historic personhood bill in North Dakota Senate by 29-16 vote
- Judie Brown (ALL) article, April 3, 2009 - "NORTH DAKOTA BISHOPS NULLIFY PERSONHOOD!"
- Steve Lefemine (CCL) commentary, May 21, 2009 - The Vatican / Roman Catholic hierarchy is NOT pro-life !!!
(Including the Bishops, Cardinals, Pope, Vatican, Jesuit General)
www.christianlifeandliberty.net/2009-05-21-Judie-Brown-April-3-2009-ND-Bishops-nullify-personhood.doc
______
______
CCL NOTE: There are many dedicated, indiviudal pro-life Roman Catholics in the pews.
However, the Roman Catholic hierarchy (e.g., Bishops), has opposed personhood
legislation for the unborn, in Michigan (2006), Georgia (2008), Montana (2008),
Colorado (2008 & 2009), in North Dakota (2009), where a state-level Personhood Bill
made history by passing the North Dakota House, only to be defeated, with the
help of the opposition of the North Dakota Roman Catholic Bishops, in the
North Dakota Senate. Now, the NINE CATHOLIC DIOCESES (nine Roman Catholic
Bishops) of the Florida Roman Catholic Conference, have also come out officially
AGAINST their state's effort to pass a Florida Personhood Constitutional
Amendment to END child-murder-by-abortion !!!
Judie Brown (American Life League, nation's largest Catholic grassroots pro-life organization) article wrote:
"As we ponder the situation that has arisen not only in North Dakota, but also in states like Colorado, Georgia and Montana, where Catholic bishops have undermined personhood efforts, we really need to inquire of them regarding