Obituary for Mike Farmer
Farewell, Faithful Servant
May the angels lead him into paradise;
May the martyrs come to welcome him,
and take him to the holy city,
the new and eternal Jerusalem.
New (Old) Editorials Added
Action Alert: Farm Bill Priorities
Call Your Senators Today
Ask
Them to Support Amendments that Feed the Hungry and
Target Farm Supports to Those Who Need It
Most
The Senate will be voting on
The Food and Energy
Security Act (HR 2419), the version of the Farm
Bill approved by its Senate Agriculture Committee
last week. We urgently need your help in supporting
critical funding for Food Stamps and emergency food
assistance; reforms in commodity supports to help
smaller and moderate scale farmers; as well as
support for conservation programs that benefit all
rural communities.
Immediate Action
Required:
Call Senator Byron Dorgan and
Senator Conrad (click for contact information.)
Urge our Senators to:
Vote YES on
amendments that provide additional funding for
Food Stamps and for emergency food assistance
(TEFAP). The
Senate Agriculture Committee-approved bill
contains $1 billion less in new investments for
the Food Stamp Program and The Emergency Food
Assistance Program (TEFAP) than the House-passed
bill (H.R. 2419).
Vote YES on
the Dorgan-Grassley amendment, which ensures
support for U.S. farmers who need it most.
Today 66 percent of
commodity payment programs go to 10 percent of our
nation’s farmers, the biggest and most
affluent. Urge the Senate to pass a fair commodity
title that better targets payments to those who
need them while closing loopholes that have
permitted the powerful to collect multiple
payments. The status quo, which directs the
majority of payments to large and wealthy
agribusinesses while leaving behind the majority
of farm families, is
unacceptable.
Vote YES on
amendments that reduce trade-distorting
subsidies. Our brothers and sisters who
till the land in developing countries, where
three-quarters of the population rely on
small-scale farming for their livelihood, are
struggling to survive in an increasingly global
market that stymies their efforts to feed their
families and work their way out of
poverty.
Support the
Food Aid provisions of the bill.
Support the
committee bill which provides for a
“safebox” with no waivers, and sets
aside $600 million of PL 480 Title II resources
for development programs. We must protect
Title II resources that address chronic hunger, in
order to mitigate future emergencies and to help
the poorest reach long term food security. Oppose
attempts to weaken Committee-passed provisions on
Food Aid.
Background:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops,
National Catholic Rural Life Conference, Catholic
Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services have been
working together to seek a new kind of Farm Bill that
reflects a commitment to feed the hungry at home and
abroad, to offer effective support for those who till
the land, while promoting fairness and equity for
farmers and ranchers. We especially support efforts
to target agriculture resources to those who need
help the most rather than those who need it
least.
The 2007 Farm Bill was approved by
the U.S. House of Representatives (HR 2419) this
summer. The Senate expects to begin voting on its
version of the Farm Bill the week of November 5. The
bill approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee
makes important investments in conservation and
includes key provisions for beginning farmers and
socially disadvantaged farmers. However, more needs
to be done to address the inequities in farm
supports, especially programs that are trade
distorting and that harm farmers in developing
countries. While ensuring a genuine farm safety net,
savings from greater fairness improvements need to be
used for nutrition assistance to low-income people,
conservation and rural
development.
We will continue to work for
fairness and justice in our food and farm policies as
the Farm bill moves to conference committee for final
passage, possibly before
Thanksgiving.
The U.S.
Bishops have stated that "the primary goals of
agricultural policies should be providing food for
all people and reducing poverty among farmers and
farmworkers in this country and abroad." (For I Was
Hungry and You Gave Me Food: Catholic Reflections on
Food, Farmers and Farmworkers). See letters on
USCCB’s 2007 Farm Bill priorities at:
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/agric.shtml.
Click here for a pdf copy of the Action
Alert.
Action Alert: Support SCHIP and the Unborn Child Rule
The Senate is expected to vote on the SCHIP bill the week of October 29.
You may call your Senators through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or:
Senator Kent Conrad
Washington: (202) 224-2043
Bismarck: (701) 258-4648
Toll Free: 1-800-223-4457
Fargo: Telephone: (701) 232-8030
Grand Forks: Telephone: (701) 775-9601
Minot: Telephone: (701) 852-0703
senator@conrad.senate.gov
Senator Byron L. Dorgan
Washington: (202) 224-2551
Bismarck: (701) 250-4618
Toll Free: 1-800-666-4482
Fargo: (701) 239-5389
Grand Forks: (701) 746-8972
Minot: (701) 852-0703
senator@dorgan.senate.gov
Action Needed:
Congress should improve the SCHIP bill and garner strong bipartisan support. The bill can be improved in ways that will strengthen and increase support for SCHIP by making the regulation providing states the option to enroll the unborn child in their SCHIP programs permanent.
A final SCHIP reauthorization should codify the unborn child rule, so states are secure in being able to choose life-affirming health services for needy children and their mothers without involvement in abortion. Without the unborn child option, the only way states could provide prenatal care would be by defining the pregnant woman as the patient in need of “child health assistance," which would trigger funding for abortion. Also, many children born as U.S. citizens would not receive needed prenatal care because of their mother’s immigration status.
The legislation should also maintain and expand coverage, reduce enrollment barriers, and expand outreach. Sufficient funding should be included in order to provide health care coverage to an additional four million more low-income children, reducing the number of uninsured children by nearly half.
USCCB Position:
“As Catholic organizations united by our common faith and committed to the principles of Catholic social teaching, we recognize and affirm the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and the inherent dignity of every human being. We consider access to adequate health care to be a basic human right, necessary for the development and maintenance of life and for the ability of human beings to realize the fullness of their dignity. A just society is one that protects and promotes fundamental human rights and dignity, with special attention to meeting the basic needs of children and the vulnerable, including the need for safe and affordable health care.” (Letter to Senate Budget Committee from USCCB, Catholic Charities USA, and Catholic Health Association, March 15, 2007)
“The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has worked persistently to support and strengthen the nation’s vital efforts to provide adequate and affordable health care, especially to the most vulnerable members of our society, our children. We have joined with Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities USA to encourage Congress to strengthen, expand and improve the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). We urge the Congress not to turn away from this essential national priority, but to renew its efforts to enact a strong, effective and improved national investment in the health of our children.
...We are convinced the bill can also be improved in ways that will strengthen and increase support for SCHIP. In 2002, the Department of Health and Human Services improved SCHIP by allowing states to interpret the word “child” in the statute to include the period from conception to birth. Twelve states (AR, CA, IL, LA, MA, MI, MN, RI, TN, TX, WA, WI) have already chosen to provide health care to pregnant women and their unborn children under this regulatory option.
Codifying this option will allow states to retain choice and flexibility in how best to provide essential health services to pregnant women and children. Access to prenatal care will allow more children to be born in good health, without a need for more extensive and expensive medical intervention. States will be able to choose improved coverage for unborn children and their mothers, without being required to expand state funding for abortions which would be especially tragic in a program dedicated to the lives and health of children…” (Letter to members of U.S. Congress from Bishop DiMarzio, Chairman of the USCCB Domestic Policy Committee, October 24, 2007)
We urge Congress not to turn away from the effort to reauthorize SCHIP. Congress has a responsibility to support this successful program and improve it by including coverage of the unborn child. Congress should enact a strong, effective, and improved national investment in the health of our children.
Background:
The SCHIP program is now in the process of being reauthorized. Temporary funding for SCHIP has been included in the Continuing Resolution (H.J. Res. 52) that will keep the government running to November 16, 2007. A first bill (H.R. 976) was vetoed by the president, and the veto was sustained. A revised bill (H.R. 3963) was passed by the House on October 25, 2007 by a vote of 265-142. This is not a veto proof majority. It is expected that the Senate will act on the legislation during this week. The president has threatened to veto the revised bill in its current form.
For more information on the unborn child rule see: http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=258
To see a copy of at letter from USCCB to the Senators: http://ndcatholic.org/files/SenateSCHIPLetter.pdf
Farm Bill Out of Committee -- Conrad's Take
DREAM ACT Fails to Clear Hurdle
Yesterday the U.S. Senate voted 52-44 to move to consideration of S. 2205, the DREAM Act. Sixty votes were required in order to move to debate on the bill.
The bad news is that the DREAM Act most likely will not be considered this year. The good news is that the legislation received majority support (52 votes and likely 56 if absent Senators had voted) and that we are narrowing the gap of achieving 60 votes to move toward consideration of immigration legislation. Below you will find the results of the vote.
Senators Conrad and Dorgan voted against moving the bill forward. Please contact them to express your disappointment.
Action Alert: Contact Senators to Support Dream Act
Take Action!
Votes on the bill could continue until the end of the week. Call 202-224-3121 ASAP and ask your Senator to vote yes on the DREAM Act, S. 2205.
For more information on the DREAM ACT:
WHAT: The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (S. 2205, the DREAM Act) is likely to be debated on the floor of the U.S. Senate this week. Sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Richard Lugar (R-IN), the bill would provide many students who are children of undocumented immigrants and who graduate from high school, with the opportunity to gain citizenship and access to higher education.
ACTION NEEDED: Click on "Take Action" and enter your zip code to contact both of your Senators today and ask them to support the DREAM act. We have provided a pre-formatted letter for you to personalize and to help get you started.
BACKGROUND: S. 2205 would permit certain immigrant students who have grown up in the United States to apply for temporary legal status and eventual permanent status if they attend college for two years or serve in the U.S. military. It applies to those young persons who entered the United States at least five years prior to enactment of the bill. S. 2205 does NOT contain a provision permitting states to more easily offer in-state tuition to undocumented students (this provision was included in earlier versions of the bill)
National Catholic Rural Life Conference Seeks Director
The nonprofit, membership-based National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC) is seeking an Executive Director. Applications are invited immediately. The Executive Director has overall management responsibility for NCRLC and its four pillars of advocacy, outreach, education and spirituality. NCRLC is based in Des Moines, Iowa and currently has a staff of four. The executive director is expected to have experience in rural pastoral life, sustainable agriculture and food policy. Fundraising and program development are important elements. He/she reports to a national Board of Directors. Full job description at www.ncrlc.com.
Send a cover letter, your resume and salary history by November 12, 2007 to:
Sr. Christine Pratt, NCRLC Search Committee, 537 Lime St., Fremont, OH 43420
Or email to cpratt@toledodiocese.org
SCHIP Position
Since the vote on whether to override the President's veto is a federal matter, the North Dakota Catholic Conference will take direction, if any, on the matter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB.) USCCB has historically supported SCHIP and has been involved in discussions regarding the renewal of the program. At this time, however, it has not expressed a position on the vote on whether to override the President's veto.
Since some abortion proponents attempted to include abortion funding in SCHIP and to prohibit states from including unborn children as “children” under the law, some persons are under the impression that USCCB opposes the current legislation. This is not true. Those efforts were defeated and the bill sent to President Bush retain the current law's prohibitions on using SCHIP for abortion.
For further clarification, the Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities – USA supported the SCHIP legislation passed by Congress and which the President vetoed.
Letter on Farm Bill
Respect Life Program Part II
Column for August/September Posted
Inevitably, someone, looking at another state, will ask, “Why don't we do that?” What works or is possible in one state, however, may not work or be possible in another state. Here is a look at some laws in other states that have not been embraced in North Dakota. (Read More . . .)
USCCB Migration Chair Expresses Concern About Debate
“The immigration reform debate, while provoking informed analysis and thoughtful discussion, also has generated harsh rhetoric against migrants in this country, particularly those without legal status,” said Bishop Barnes. “Fanned by talk radio and anti-immigrant organizations, this rhetoric has inflamed fears and misunderstanding among some portions of the American public, leading to a polarized and vitriolic atmosphere.”
Bishop Barnes also said that the increase in enforcement initiatives at the federal and local levels will not solve the issue of illegal immigration but will drive immigrants further into the shadows and create fear in immigrant communities. Bishop Barnes pointed to enforcement raids, state and local enforcement initiatives, and other administrative actions as examples of an immigration system that needs reform.
“We reaffirm our view that enforcement-only measures at any jurisdictional level will further drive undocumented migrant workers into a hidden underclass and create more fear and suspicion in immigrant communities,” Bishop Barnes said.
“The U.S. bishops acknowledge the right of our country to secure our borders and enforce immigration law. Such enforcement, however, must respect human rights and dignity and minimize the separation of families.”
Bishop Barnes urged Congress to return to the consideration of comprehensive immigration reform as soon as possible. “We call upon Catholics and all Americans to work together constructively to ensure a positive outcome to this vital national debate.”
Vatican Answers Questions on Nutrition and Hydration
WASHINGTON—In response to a request by the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s teaching on providing nutrition and hydration to patients in a persistent “vegetative state.”
The bishops presented two questions in a formal manner, known as a “dubium,” to the Congregation. The reply, which was approved by Pope Benedict XVI.
The responses reaffirm the church position that patients in a “vegetative state” are living human beings with inherent dignity and deserve the same basic care as other patients. This basic care would include nutrition and hydration, even when provided through artificial assistance.
“The administration of food and water even by artificial means is, in principle, an ordinary and proportionate means of preserving life,” according to the Congregation’s response. “It is therefore obligatory to the extent to which, and for as long as, it is shown to accomplish its proper finality, which is the hydration and nourishment of the patient. In this way suffering and death by starvation and dehydration are prevented.”
The bishops also asked for clarification as to whether nutrition and hydration could be removed if physicians determined that the patient would never recover consciousness. The Congregation affirmed that the patient must receive “ordinary and proportionate care which includes, in principle, the administration of water and food even by artificial means” regardless of the prognosis of recovery of consciousness.
A Vatican commentary noted some possible exceptions.
“When stating that the administration of food and water is morally obligatory in principle, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith does not exclude the possibility that, in very remote places or in situations of extreme poverty, the artificial provision of food and water may be physically impossible,” it said.
“Nor is the possibility excluded that, due to emerging complications, a patient may be unable to assimilate food and liquids, so that their provision becomes altogether useless. Finally, the possibility is not absolutely excluded that, in some rare cases, artificial nourishment and hydration may be excessively burdensome for the patient or may cause significant physical discomfort, for example resulting from complications in the use of the means employed.”
“These exceptional cases, however, take nothing away from the general ethical criterion, according to which the provision of water and food, even by artificial means, always represents a natural means for preserving life, and is not a therapeutic treatment. Its use should therefore be considered ordinary and proportionate, even when the “vegetative state” is prolonged,” it added.
The bishops asked the Holy See for clarification of the Church’s teaching after Pope John Paul II’s address on March 20, 2004, to an international congress sponsored by the Pontifical Academy for Life and the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations.
“We are grateful that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith responded to our request with such a thorough investigation and explanation,” Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport, Connecticut, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Doctrine, said in introducing the Response. “We hope the Church’s documents on this issue will provide help and guidance to pastors, ethicists, doctors, nurses and families involved in the care of those diagnosed as being in a persistent ‘vegetative state.’”
The responses from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) ( www.usccb.org/comm/hydrationletter.doc ), a CDF commentary ( www.usccb.org/comm/hydrationcommentary.doc ), approved by Cardinal William Levada and bishop members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and a Q&A from the USCCB Committee on Doctrine and Committee on Pro-Life Activities ( www.usccb.org/comm/hydrationq&a.doc ) can be found on the Web.
Climate Change
To find out more about what you can do, check out:
The Climate Change Justice and Health Initiative - a project of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change
The Prairie Climate Stewardship Network
Senate Votes on Two Internation Abortion Issues
On September 6, the Senate voted 48-to-45 to approve an amendment by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) to restore the “Kemp-Kasten Amendment” deleted from the bill in committee. Since 1985, this provision has denied U.S. funds to any organization or program that, as determined by the President, “supports or participates in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization.”
“I commend the Senate for refusing to participate in such atrocities against vulnerable women and their children in the developing world,” Ms. McQuade said. “At the same time, it is disconcerting to think that this was considered debatable at all – and that the vote was so close. By a vote of 53 to 41, the Senate also passed an amendment by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) to negate the Mexico City Policy. An amendment offered by Senator Brownback to reinstate the policy was defeated by the same margin.
“After witnessing their good sense on the Kemp-Kasten provision, I am extremely disheartened to see our Senators reject the Mexico City Policy,” Ms. McQuade said.
In a letter sent to all Senators before the votes, Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia and chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities, had urged Senators to preserve both the Mexico City and Kemp-Kasten policies. Without the Mexico City policy, he said, “abortion-promoting organizations will exploit their status as the conduits for U.S. aid to promote abortion to vulnerable women in the Third World.”
Before the votes, President George W. Bush also reaffirmed his pledge to veto any appropriations bill that “weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion.” Deirdre McQuade expressed her appreciation for the President’s veto pledge: “We are very grateful to the President for his commitment to these basic, long-standing policies protecting both mother and child. We hope and expect that due to his pledge, and the pledge by many members of Congress to uphold such a veto, the Mexico City Policy will be preserved in law this year.”
The full text of Cardinal Rigali’s letter to the Senate can be found at: www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/abortion/foreignops2008.pdf
North Dakota 101
An Orientation to
the Northern Plains for Clergy from
All Denominations
October 8 - 9, 2007
Maryvale at Valley City
Sponsored by the eleven member denominations of the
North Dakota Conference of
Churches
For
All
New or Experienced Clergy, Church Workers, and Their
Spouses
Effective ministry in any setting requires a
knowledge of the people and the place — the
history, culture and realities of life in the area.
Whether you are new to the ministry or have years of
experience, North Dakota 101 is designed to help you
gain a greater understanding of North Dakota, its
people, and life on the Northern Plains. Speakers
include representatives from a variety of fields and
veteran pastors who will share their knowledge of
North Dakota. This annual event is an enlightening
experience and opportunity to meet others from around
the state who face similar challenges.
For more information, download the brochure
or contact the North
Dakota Conference of Churches at: 701-226-8037;
exe_sec.ndcc@yahoo.com.
Tribune Letter on Emergency Contraception -- With Study Citations
Planned Parenthood's Amy Jacobson accuses pro-life groups of falsely claiming that emergency contraception is an abortifacient. Maybe we could quibble about the definition of “abortifacient,” but the fact remains that both the FDA and the pill's manufacturer admit that emergency contraception may prevent implantation of a newly formed embryo. [Concerning the definition of what is an embryo, see http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/bioethic/fact298.shtml.] Call it what you will, but in those cases where fertilization has occurred, emergency “contraception” works only because it prevents the embryo from attaching to the uterine wall. [According to the FDA, "EC pills ... act by delaying or inhibiting ovulation, and/or altering tubal transport of sperm and/or ova (thereby inhibiting fertilization), and/or altering the endometrium (thereby inhibiting implantation)" (FDA Notice, 62 Fed. Reg. 861 [Feb. 25, 1997]).]
Ms. Jacobson also claims that greater access to contraception and emergency contraception will reduce unintended pregnancies and abortions. A report from Planned Parenthood's own research arm, however, shows that states that most aggressively promote contraceptives have some of the highest abortion rates in the country. States that do not, such as Kansas and the Dakotas, have the lowest abortion rates. [Data available from Guttmacher Institute's "Contraception Counts: Ranking State Efforts" (http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/2006/02/28/IB2006n1.pdf) and "Abortion in Women's Lives" (http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/2006/05/04/AiWL.pdf); for analysis of the data, see: Response to Guttmacher Institute’s Claims On Contraception and Abortion Policy and Latest Guttmacher Institute Report At Odds With Itself.]
Studies from other countries also show that contraceptive programs do not reduce abortion rates. [A. Glasier et al., “Advanced provision of emergency contraception does not reduce abortion rates," Contraception 69 (May 2004): 361-6 (www.cwfa.org/images/content/scotland0905.pdf; visited Feb. 14, 2007).T. Raine et al., “Direct Access to Emergency Contraception Through Pharmacies and Effect on Unintended Pregnancy and STIs,” Journal of the American Medical Association 293 (2005): 54-62 (www.dph.sf.ca.us/sfcityclinic/providers/Directaccesscontraception.pdf; visited Feb. 14, 2007).Xiaoyu Hu et al., “Advanced provision of emergency contraception to postnatal women in China makes no difference in abortion rates: a randomized controlled trial,” Contraception 72 (2005): 111-6.S. Girma and D. Paton, "Matching Estimates of the Impact of Over-the-Counter Emergency Birth Control on Teenage Pregnancy," University of Nottingham School of Business Occasional Paper Series, No. 2005-15 (October 2005) (www.nottingham.ac.uk/%7Elizecon/RePEc/pdf/matching.pdf; visited Feb. 14, 2007; Anna Glasier, Editorial, “Emergency Contraception: Is it worth all the fuss?”, British Medical Journal 333 (2006): 560-1; A. Williams, "The Morning-After Pill," Scottish Council of Human Bioethics (Nov. 2005) (www.schb.org.uk, click on "Publications" then "Sexual Health;" T. Tyden et al., “No reduced number of abortions despite easily available emergency contraceptive pills,” Lakartidningen 99 (2002): 4730-2, 4735 (abstract at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12523048&dopt=Citation; visited Feb. 14, 2007; J. Gardner et al., “Increasing Access to Emergency Contraception Through Community Pharmacies: Lessons from Washington State,” Family Planning Perspectives 33 (2001): 172-5 (www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3317201.pdf; visited Feb. 14, 2007).]
In fact, says one recent overview: “Most studies that have been conducted during the past 20 years have indicated that improving access to contraception did not significantly increase contraceptive use or decrease teen pregnancy.” [Douglas Kirby, “Reflections on Two Decades of Research on Teen Sexual Behavior and Pregnancy,” Journal of School Health 69.3 (March 1999).]
The same is true with emergency contraceptives. When leading experts who favor emergency contraception programs recently summarized 23 studies gauging the effect of such programs, they had to admit that not one of the 23 found a reduction in unintended pregnancies or abortions. [E. Raymond et al., “Population Effect of Increased Access to Emergency Contraceptive Pills,” Obstetrics & Gynecology 109 (2007): 181-8.]
Labor Day Statement
2007-2008 Respect Life Program
Once a month, we will post one of the articles on this web site.
To start us out, here is The Person with Mental Illness: Bearing God's Image by Rev. Richard Gill, L.C.
Life Issues Workshop October 27
Morning presentations on beginning-of-life issues include: “Prenatal Testing and Perinatal Hospice” by Dr. Richard Vetter and “Women’s Health Issues” by Dr. Mary W. Martin, FACOG.
Afternoon workshops will focus on end-of-life care. Presentations include “Ethical Approach to End-of-Life Care Decisions” by Fr. Dale Kinzler, “The Catholic Health Care Directive” by Christopher Dodson, and “Catholic Funerals and Cremation” by Fr. Brian Moen.
Parish nurses, health care providers and interested persons are encouraged to attend. Contact hours will be available for nurses. Cost is $10/person. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required. For more information contact Rachelle, 701-356-7910, e-mail: rachelle.sauvageau@fargodiocese.org.
Click here for a registration form.
Nation's Bishops Decry Amnesty International Decision to Support Abortion
The statement follows.
A Statement of the President of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops
Bishop William S. Skylstad, Bishop
of Spokane
August 23, 2007
After nearly a year of dialogue
with leaders of Amnesty International (AI), the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops strongly
protests the recent action of AI’s
International Council to promote worldwide access to
abortion. This basic policy change undermines
Amnesty’s longstanding moral credibility and
unnecessarily diverts its mission. In promoting
abortion, Amnesty divides its own members (many of
whom are Catholics and others who defend the rights
of unborn children) and jeopardizes its support by
people in many nations, cultures and religions who
share a consistent commitment to all human
rights.
Amnesty International's action will lead many people
of conscience to seek alternative means to end grave
human rights abuses, fight injustice, and promote
freedom of conscience and expression. The
essential work of protecting human life and promoting
human dignity must
carry on. We must continue to
oppose the use of the death penalty and the crushing
effects of dehumanizing poverty. We must continue to
stand with prisoners of conscience, refugees and
migrants, and other oppressed peoples. But we will
seek to do so in authentic ways, working most closely
with organizations who do not oppose the fundamental
right to life from conception to natural
death.
To some,
the action of Amnesty International may appear to be
a compassionate response to women in difficult
situations of pregnancy, but this is a false
compassion. True commitment to women's rights
puts us in solidarity with women and their unborn
children. It does not pit one against the other
but calls us to advocate on behalf of both. As
our Conference has argued, a far more compassionate
response is to provide support and services for
pregnant women, advance their educational and
economic standing in society, and resist all forms of
violence and stigmatization against women. The
Catholic Church provides these services to many women
around the world and will continue to do
so.
We call upon Amnesty International
once again to act in accord with its noblest
principles, reconsider its error, and reverse its
policy on abortion.
Conrad Farm Bill Meetings
Hillsboro Farm Bill Meeting
Where:
Lynn Kritzberger Farm
¾ of a mile west of the 104 Interchange off I29
When:
Tuesday, August 28 at 2 p.m
Mandan Farm Bill Meeting
Where:
Kevin and Yvonne Schmidt Farm
5105 Hwy 1806, Mandan
When:
Wednesday, August 29 at 10 a.m
Earthquake in Peru
First, Father Jack Davis, a priest from the Fargo Diocese serving in Peru has notified the diocese that he and the visitors helping with the mission are fine.
Second, below is information from Catholic Relief Services on their activities and how you can help.
Catholic Relief Services Responds to Deadly
Earthquake in Peru
CRS
field teams poised to deliver emergency medical care,
shelter
Baltimore,
MD, August 16, 2007 – Catholic
Relief Services (CRS) staff in Peru are rushing to
assist survivors of the country’s worst
earthquake in more than 30 years. More than 450
people are reported dead, and over 1,500 others
injured.
Last
night’s powerful 8.0 magnitude earthquake
toppled homes, churches and buildings from the
temblor’s epicenter in the Department of Ica to
the capitol city Lima, over 100 miles away. Powerful
aftershocks, registering as high as 6.0 are expected
to continue, putting people already affected by
extreme winter weather at even greater
risk.
Initial
reports from Ica say bodies remain buried in the
rubble, and hospitals are struggling to provide
care. Thousands of victims, now homeless, are
seeking shelter.
The
Pan American Highway, the only thoroughfare on the
coast of Peru, is severely damaged, making what is
normally a 2.5-hour journey into one of more than 8
hours. And the destruction of phone lines and
cellular towers has further hampered relief
efforts.
CRS
field staff are identifying critical needs and
coordinating the delivery of life-saving supplies.
Based on past CRS disaster relief efforts, medical
equipment, food, shelter, blankets and other
essential materials will be critical over the next
several days.
The
government of Peru has declared a state of emergency,
and countries such as Mexico and Panama have pledged
aid.
CRS
staff on the ground in Peru available for interviews.
Please contact Robyn Fieser at 410-951-7341 or e-mail
her at rfieser@crs.org. Biographical material
is available upon request.
How
to Help:
Donate
online: www.crs.org
Donate
via phone: 1-877-HELP-CRS
Mail a
check:
Catholic
Relief Services
P.O.
Box 17090
Baltimore,
Maryland 21203-7090
Memo
section of check: Peru Earthquake
Fund
Parish Social Ministry Training Opportunity
Parish Social Ministry Regional Trainings are an opportunity for people in parishes, dioceses and Catholic Charities agencies to gain practical hands on experience and to share best practices in a convening rooted in prayer and community.
Highlights of this Parish Social Ministry Regional Training will include:
• an opportunity to learn new skills;
• a prophetic vision of church in our world today;
• the fundamental call we share to be church to each other and the stranger;
• a spiritually renewing and encouraging atmosphere.
Download a brochure and registration form.
For more information, contact:
Kathy Langer
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud
(320) 229-6020 or 1-800-830-8254 ext 2020
klanger@gw.stcdio.org
Story on SCHIP and North Dakota
Dodson Responds to Omdahl Column
Ten Commandments Monument
Restore Justice Web Site Revised
Organ Donation Conference -- Registration Form Now On-Line
U.S. House of Representatives Passes Historic Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a new Farm Bill that makes historic investments in fruit and vegetable production, conservation, nutrition and renewable energy while maintaining a strong safety net for America's farmers and ranchers.
"This Farm Bill is about much more than farms. It is about the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and increasingly the fuel we will use. It assures that we will have a safe, strong food supply now and for years to come," Chairman Peterson said.
"I am proud of the balanced and forward-looking Farm Bill that we have passed supporting conservation, nutrition, rural, renewable energy, labor, and farm country."
Important highlights of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) include:
. Investing more than $1.6 billion in priorities to strengthen and support the fruit and vegetable industry in the United States. A new section for Horticulture and Organic Agriculture includes nutrition, research, pest management and trade promotion programs.
. Implementing Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for fruit, vegetables and meat after years of delay.
. Expanding the USDA Snack Program, which helps schools provide healthy snacks to students during after-school activities to all 50 states and continuing the DOD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which provides a variety of fresh produce to schools.
. Strengthening and enhancing the food stamp program by reforming benefit rules to improve coverage of food costs and expand access to the program with additional funding support.
. Including key provisions that invest in rural communities nationwide, including economic development programs and access to broadband telecommunication services.
. Providing farmers participating in commodity programs with a choice between traditional price protection and new market-oriented revenue coverage payments.
. Strengthening payment limits to ensure that people making more than $1 million a year (adjusted gross income) can't collect conservation and farm program payments and closing loopholes that allow people to avoid payment limits by receiving money through multiple business units.
. Extending and making significant new investments in popular conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Farm and Ranchland Protection Program, and many others.
. Making important new investments in renewable energy research, development and production in rural America.
. Rebalancing loan rates and target prices among commodities, achieving greater regional equity.
. Establishing a new National Agriculture Research Program Office to coordinate the programs and activities of USDA's research
agencies to minimize duplication and maximize coordination at all levels and creates a competitive grants program.
. Protecting and sustaining our nation's forest resources.
The House of Representatives passed the 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) by a vote of 231-191. The Senate must now consider the Farm Bill.
The 2002 Farm Bill expires on September 30, 2007.
CHA Brings 30 Diverse Organizations Together To Support SCHIP Reauthorization and Oppose the President's Veto Threat
Health Care Conference on Organ Donation
Check back for more information.
ND Conference of Churches to Host Conference with NCRLC Speaker
FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP: CLIMATE & ENERGY
MEDINA - “Faithful Stewardship: Climate & Energy” will be the topic of the annual Rural Life Convocation to be held on August 19 – 20, sponsored by the Rural Life Committee of the North Dakota Conference of Churches.
Tim Kautza, a science and environmental specialist with the National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC) will lead the convocation. Kautza, who was recently named NCRLC’s interim executive director, brings 30 years of natural science experience with a masters degree in education to faith issues and parish ministry. Kautza will lead discussions of the principles of faithful stewardship and energy, and personal, community and societal stewardship opportunities.
Also serving as a resource person for the event will