This Week's "Not So Catholic" Politician
Governor Bill Ritter (CO)
Catholic Colorado Governor Signs Bill Mandating Catholic Hospitals Give Information on Abortion Drug
Governor Ritter ran as a pro-life candidate in last fall's election. (read below)
This Week's Headlines
Joint Chiefs Of Staff Against Repeal Of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy Marine General Peter Pace, the chairman of the U.S. military Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke out against homosexuality Monday, saying homosexual activity is “immoral” and should not be condoned by the military.
Senate Won't Vote on Embryonic Stem Cell Research Funding Until April
The U.S. Senate won't take up a contentious bill that would force taxpayers to fund embryonic stem cell research funding until after Easter. However, Senate leaders from both parties are negotiating the debate details for it and an alternative bill may be included for a vote as well.
Protection of Religious Freedom Undertaken by U.S. Attorney General Initiative
U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales launched an initiative to better protect freedom of religion in the country, in a project known as The First Freedom Project—religious freedom is listed first in the Bill of Rights and is a “fundamental freedom on which so many of our other freedoms rest,” said a statement released by the Department of Justice.
Democrats Slip Benefits for Planned Parenthood into Iraq War Funding Bill
Apparently the Democrats consider an emergency war funding bill to be an appropriate place to include funding for so-called "emergency contraception" for Planned Parenthood. On Thursday, the Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives was scheduled to take up a $124.1 billion Supplemental Appropriations bill to fund the war in Iraq.
From Our Shepherds
Vatican
Life and family are “non negotiable” values for politicians who desire Communion In his document on the Eucharist, “Sacramentum Caritatis,” released Tuesday morning, Pope Benedict XVI recalled that the defense of life and the protection of the family are “non negotiable” values for Catholic politicians and legislators who wish to be receive Communion in the Church....“Worship pleasing to God can never be a purely private matter, without consequences for our relationships with others,” he said, “it demands a public witness to our faith.” 03/14/2007
Pope: Catholic Politicians Have "Non-Negotiable" Duty to Oppose Abortion (Life News.com)
Vatican Prelate: Catholics will “do everything possible” to prevent Homosexual Civil Unions Bishop Sgreccia, says, ”Everything based on untruths is destined to damage someone, if not many people.”
Legislation permitting de facto and same-sex unions would be so damaging to family life and society that Catholics will do “everything possible” to ensure the laws do not pass, the head of the Pontifical Academy for Life said last week.
Bishops
Cardinal O’Malley calls for more humane immigration policy The immigration raid in New Bedford last week is evidence of the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform in the United States, said Cardinal Sean O’Malley in a comment published yesterday in the Boston Globe.
Commentary
The Crime of Conviction — General Pace and Morality
Are You Really a Catholic, or Do You Just Play One on TV? The Church of Whatever the Media Likes.
State News
Assisted Suicides at All Time High New Oregon Figures Show
New York Catholics Rally Against Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill
Delaware Bill Allowing Human Cloning Will Get Hearing Next Week
Oregon Bill Threatens Pro-Life Centers
MARCH 17, 2007
issue # 2
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Presidential Race 2008
A homosexual activist group attacked "Democratic Candidates" for not responding to General Pace's statement that homosexuality is "immoral".
John Edwards
"It is long past time to end the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy and to allow openly gay men and women to serve in the military," Edwards said. "It is critical to our national security that we have the best people in our military. Gay men and women have continually served our country with honor and bravery, and we should honor their commitment and never turn away anyone who is willing to serve their country because of their sexual orientation."
"This is an issue of fundamental fairness - and our military ought to treat everyone fairly. I applaud Congressman Meehan on his important legislation." (posted on JohnEdwards 08 blog)
Hillary Clinton
“Well, I’ve heard from a number of my friends, and I’ve certainly clarified with them any misunderstanding that anyone had, because I disagree with General Pace completely. I do not think homosexuality is immoral.” (Bloomberg News)
Sen. Clinton said she opposed the “don’t ask, don’t tell” military policy towards homosexuality —one of the first policies instituted by her husband during his presidency-- that does not ask candidates to the military about their sexual orientation, but requires that they keep their sexuality private and do not engage in homosexual activity.
Clinton's Gay Outreach
Barck Obama
Sen. Obama released a statement Thursday, saying, “I do not agree with General Pace that homosexuality is immoral.”
Obama Mum On Gay "Immorality"
Sam Brownback
Asked whether he agreed with Pace's comments, Brownback said: "I do not believe being a homosexual is immoral, but I do believe homosexual acts are. I'm a Catholic and the church has clear teachings on this." (APNews)
"We should not expect someone as qualified, accomplished and articulate as General Pace to lack personal views on important moral issues," Brownback said. "In fact, we should expect that anyone entrusted with such great responsibility will have strong moral views."Brownback Supports Pace's Remark On Gays
H.R. 1246 Bill Would Repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell"
Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Mass, reintroduced the “Military Readiness Enhancement Act,” which, if passed, would repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell.” In addition to Meehan, 109 House members, including three Republicans, and nine member of the Armed Services Committee are sponsoring the legislation. (view co-sponsors)
Colorado Legislation
Catholic Colorado Governor Signs Bill Mandating Catholic Hospitals Give Information on Abortion Drug
Governor Ritter, a Roman Catholic, ran as a pro-life candidate in last fall's election. (lifesitenews.com)
Colorado Catholic hospitals must offer abortifacient drugs to victims of rape under a controversial new law signed by Gov. Bill Ritter Thursday, the Denver Post reported.
Colorado Right to Life opposed the law, saying the drug is falsely marketed as contraception when in fact it can cause early-stage abortion. Pro-life groups had successfully lobbied against previous versions of the bill, under the administration of former Republican Gov. Bill Owens.
Additionally, opponents of the bill said the measure should have included a clause requiring that parents be informed before the information was given to minor girls.
Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput challenged Ritter in January to ensure his actions as governor reflected his professed Roman Catholic faith. Ritter ran as a pro-life candidate in last fall's election. (read article)
To contact Gov. Bill Ritter:
Bill Ritter, Governor
136 State Capitol
Denver, CO 80203-1792
Phone (303) 866-2471
governor.ritter@state.co.us