DEFENDING LIFE QUARTERLY CULTURE OF LIFE NEWSLETTER OF THE OHIO STATE COUNCIL, KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Quarter 3, 2015
Planned Parenthood Unmasked Five Videos Released; More to Come
By Gary Anderson, State Culture of Life Director It did not take long after the U.S. Supreme Court's June decision affirming same sex marriage for another earth-shaking event to take place beginning in mid-July: the release of a series of undercover videos by the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) of top Planned Parenthood doctors cavalierly discussing the killing of unborn babies and the harvesting of their organs for profit. Predictably, the organization has been in full denial mode. but the shocking videos speak for themselves. Several U.S. Senators and Representatives have called for official investigations of Planned Parenthood with the goal in mind of defunding the abortion giant. We can only hope and pray that our federal and state officials and legislators will seize this opportunity to once and for all strip away all public funding-to the tune of $500 million per year-from this most evil organization. Sadly, a bill to defund was recently defeated in the Senate. As additional videos are released, the pressure on Congress to defund 1
should increase dramatically. We must seize the opportunity to keep the pressure on our elected officials to do the humane thing by diverting our tax dollars away from this billion dollar blood business. CLICK HERE for contact information for your elected officials.
Protest Planned Parenthood Join the Nationwide Event August 22. By Gary Anderson, State Culture of Life Director
Never before in the history of legalized abortion has the unethical, unjust, violent, and hideous world of Planned Parenthood been so graphically exposed is it has been in the series of videos released over the past several weeks by the Center for Medical Progress (CMP). Now is the time for pro-lifers to stand as one and insist that this blood business be defunded and shut down for good. CLICK HERE for all the details. Sponsored by Citizens for a ProLife Society, Created Equal, 40 Days for Life, and the Pro-Life Action League.
Follow-up to Defunding of Planned Parenthood Source: National Committee for a Human Life Amendment (NCHLA) Even if you didn't have an opportunity to contact Congress before the vote to defund Planned Parenthood please do so now. It remains important that your U.S. senators hear from you again. Majority Leader McConnell switched his vote at the last moment in order to enter a motion for the vote to be reconsidered at a later time. There may be other opportunities to obtain the goal of S. 1881. Please take a moment to say thank you if your senators were among the 53 voting for life. If your senators did not vote in favor of defunding Planned Parenthood, it is critical that they hear from you now. It only takes a moment to let them know we are still engaged and still expecting life-protecting decisions from them.
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Votes of Ohio’s U.S. Senators: Senator Rob Portman: Voted for S. 1881 Senator Sherrod Brown: Voted against S. 1881
Capitol Hill Switchboard: (202-224-3121) CALL NOW! Message to Senator Portman in Support of S. 1881: "Thank you for supporting S. 1881 to deny federal funds to Planned Parenthood. Americans should not be forced to subsidize the nation's largest abortion network, and women should not have to go for their genuine health care needs to places that traffic in unborn children's body parts. Women deserve better than abortion. I hope you will continue to support reallocating federal funds from abortion providers to mainstream health facilities so there is no reduction in funding for women's health." Message to Senator Brown Voting Against S. 1881: "I am deeply disappointed that you voted against S. 1881 denying federal funds to Planned Parenthood. Americans should not be forced to subsidize the nation's largest abortion network, and women should not have to go for their genuine health care needs to places that traffic in unborn children's body parts. Women deserve better than abortion. I hope you will reconsider your vote, and in future will support reallocating federal funds from abortion providers to mainstream health facilities so there is no reduction in funding for women's health."
Cardinal O'Malley: Planned Parenthood's Work Reflects "Throwaway Culture" Decried by Pope Source: U.S.C.C.B., July 29, 2015 WASHINGTON—Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM Cap., archbishop of Boston and chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), responded, July 29, to recent videos showing leaders from Planned Parenthood discussing the provision of fetal organs, tissues, and body parts from their abortion clinics.
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Full text of Cardinal O’Malley’s statement follows: Pope Francis has called abortion the product of a “widespread mentality of profit, the throwaway culture, which has today enslaved the hearts and minds of so many.” The recent news stories concerning Planned Parenthood direct our attention to two larger issues involving many institutions in our society. The first is abortion itself: a direct attack on human life in its most vulnerable condition. The second is the now standard practice of obtaining fetal organs and tissues through abortion. Both actions fail to respect the humanity and dignity of human life. This fact should be the center of attention in the present public controversy. If the Planned Parenthood news coverage has caused anyone to experience revived trauma from their own involvement in abortion, be assured that any and all persons will be welcomed with compassion and assistance through the Church’s post-abortion healing ministry, Project Rachel. If you or someone you know would like confidential, nonjudgmental help, please visit www.projectrachel.com.
National 54 Day Rosary Novena Just Ahead Second Annual Event Begins August 15-Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary Our nation and world are engulfed in an unprecedented spiritual crisis, so we turn to Our Lady and her Rosary to bring about victory through her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, during these dark times. This second annual novena begins on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15 and runs through October 7, the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. You can subscribe to daily reflections throughout the novena, as well as join the event on Facebook by visiting their website. CLICK HERE
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National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children Slated for September 12 3rd Annual Event to Take Place Across Ohio and Nation Since September of 2013, the National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children has become an annual event calling on pro-life Americans to honor the gravesites of our unborn brothers and sisters. Solemn prayer vigils are conducted at these gravesites or memorials, of which there are 45 across the United States, as well as at a myriad of other sites dedicated in memory of aborted children, including a great many here in Ohio. Councils are encouraged to host a memorial service at an approved site, either by itself or in tandem with another council(s). Details are available on their event website. CLICK HERE. Following is a list of gravesites or memorials in Ohio:
National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children September 12, 2015 Abortion Gravesites/Memorials in Ohio OHIO-MAJOR SITES Gravesite of Six Aborted Babies Woodland Cemetery 118 Woodland Avenue Dayton, OH 45409 Map and Directions Day of Remembrance: Details coming soon. Sponsored by: Dayton Right to Life Tomb to the Unborn Child Franciscan University of Steubenville 1235 University Boulevard Steubenville, OH 43952 Map and Directions Day of Remembrance: Details coming soon. Sponsored by: Franciscan University Students for Life
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Other Sites: In addition to the above major burial sites in Ohio, below is a list of other memorial sites in Ohio dedicated to the memory of aborted children. OHIO Pro-Life Memorial Garden Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church 954 N. Maple Avenue Fairborn, OH 45324 Map and Directions Day of Remembrance: Details coming soon.
Eastside Vineyard Church 333 Jericho Road Pickerington, OH 43147 Map and Directions Day of Remembrance: Details coming soon. Sponsored by: Greater Columbus Right to Life Memorial to the Unborn Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Humbolt Street and Broad Street Wadsworth, OH 44281 Map and Directions Day of Remembrance: Details coming soon. Memorial to the Unborn Holy Cross Cemetery 100 E. Waterloo Road Akron, OH 44319 Map and Directions Day of Remembrance: Details coming soon. Sponsored by: Right to Life of Northeast Ohio
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Memorial to the Unborn Greenlawn Cemetery 2569 Romig Road Akron, OH 44320 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Memorial to Unborn Human Victims of Abortion St. Andrew Parish 1899 McCoy Road Columbus, OH 43220 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Memorial to Aborted Children Gate of Heaven Cemetery 11000 Montgomery Road Cincinnati, OH 45249 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Memorial for the Unborn St. Mary Catholic Cemetery 701 East Ross Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45217 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Memorial for the Unborn St. John Vianney Church 7575 Bellflower Road Mentor, OH 44060 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Memorial for the Unborn Lourdes University 6832 Convent Boulevard Sylvania, OH 43560 Map and Directions; Host a memorial service at this site. 7
Memorial for the Unborn Immaculate Conception Church 37932 Euclid Avenue Willoughby, OH 44094 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Memorial for the Victims of Abortion St. Mary's Cemetery Madison Avenue Wooster, OH 44691 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Memorial Marker for the Unborn Gethsemani Cemetery 2001 Spencerville Road Lima, OH 45805 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Memorial to the Unborn St. Stephen Church 1930 W 54th Street Cleveland, OH 44102 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Memorial to the Unborn Holy Family Catholic Church 584 W Broad Street Columbus, OH 43215 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site.
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Memorial to the Unborn St Patrick Catholic Church 260 N Grant Street Columbus, OH 43215 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Memorial to the Unborn St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery West Wayne Street, near Side Cut Metropark Maumee, OH 43537 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Memorial to the Unborn St. Clement Catholic Church Cemetery 216 E. Wooster Street Navarre, OH 44662 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Memorial to the Unborn Church of the Transfiguration 972 S. Miami Street West Milton, OH 45383 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Memorial to the Unborn St. Joseph Parish 418 E. 2nd Street Dayton, OH Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Monument to the Unborn St. John the Evangelist Parish 510 Jackson Avenue Defiance, OH 43512 Map and Directions; Host a memorial service at this site. 9
Perpetual Flame for the Unborn 324 E Miltown Road Worcester, OH 44691 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Rachel Mourning Memorial Our Lady of Consolation Shrine Park 315 Clay Street Carey, OH 43316 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Tomb to the Unborn Child Catholic Familyland 3375 County Road 36 Bloomingdale, OH 43910 Map and Directions Host a memorial service at this site. Holy Trinity Catholic Church 2649 U.S. 20 Swanton, OH 43558 Map and Directions Host a memorial service
World Meeting of Families Welcomes Pope Francis for Philadelphia Event September 22-25 "Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive" Since its inception by St. John Paul II in 1994, the World Meeting of Families has strengthened the sacred bonds of families across the globe. Held every three years, and sponsored by the Holy See's Pontifical Council for the Family, the World Meeting of Families is the world's largest Catholic gathering of families. Each World Meeting of Families has a theme that energizes and enlivens the event while adding great depth of 10
meaning to our understanding of families. The theme of the World Meeting of FamiliesPhiladelphia 2015 is "Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive," emphasizing the impact of the love and life of families on our society. For full event details, CLICK HERE.
Lifesaving 40 Days for Life Campaign Just Ahead Fall Campaign Begins September 23; Runs Through November 1 Since 2007, the 40 Days for Life spring and fall campaigns have saved over 10,300 babies from abortion. The campaigns have been responsible for the closing of over two dozen abortion clinics in over 579 vigil locations across the U.S., Canada, and in over 28 other countries around the globe. Additionally, over 118 abortion clinic workers have quit their jobs and over 60 abortion clinics have closed, including several right here in Ohio. The mission of the campaign is to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity during a focused 40 day campaign of prayer, fasting, and peaceful activism, with the purpose of repentance, to seek God’s favor to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion in America and around the world. Now is the time to contact your local Right to Life chapter to determine if a local 40 Days for Life campaign is scheduled. If so, schedule at least one day during the 40 day period when your council and its families and friends will provide peaceful, non-confrontational prayer coverage at the selected abortion clinic. If there is no local 40 Days for Life campaign, contact the national campaign by CLICKING HERE and sponsor a local campaign.
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Ultrasound Initiative Saving Babies Every Day
In 2009, the Supreme Council launched one of the most important campaigns in the Order's history: the Ultrasound Initiative. Since that time, nearly 600 ultrasound machines have been provided by the Knights of Columbus to worthy pregnancy care centers, primarily in the United States.
Ohio councils have now placed 28 statewide! A wonderful accomplishment, indeed! But more machines are needed now. When you consider that close to 90% of pregnant women considering an abortion have a change of heart and deliver their precious babies after having seen a sonogram of their children in the womb, we can't afford to wait. Every passing day means lives saved by pregnancy care centers with machines, and lives lost by those without machines.
The time is now to get on board with the Ultrasound Initiative. Worthy Grand Knight, let's get it on the agenda for this new fraternal year. For more info, see Activity #45 on pages 62-63 of the General Program Handbook. This is a Supreme Council Featured Program. For more details: Gary Anderson, State Culture of Life Director 614-402-3842 garyanderson5656@yahoo.com
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