Bishop Robert Hermann caused quite a stir when, at the recent assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops he said that, “We have lost 50 times as many children in the last 35 years as we have lost soldiers in all the wars since the Revolution. I think any bishop here would consider it a privilege to die tomorrow to bring about an end to abortion. If we are willing to die tomorrow, then we should be willing to, until the end of our lives, take all kinds of criticism for opposing this horrible infanticide.”
Bishop Hermann Calls for More Abortion Awareness
Thank you so much, Bishop Hermann for this bold statement! In a follow-up interview with the St. Louis Review, he expanded upon this message. The bishop’s message paralleled that of League National Director Joe Scheidler’s from the Washington Post last week when he explained, “we should be totally fearless in promoting this cause without being concerned about political correctness, without trying to build coalitions with pro-choice people.” The bishop also added,
I feel we need to be in an awareness-raising campaign to open our eyes to really see the destruction that we’ve brought about. There should be 50 more million Americans in our midst, and anyone under 35 can look around and say, ‘Where are they?’ And, ‘I’m very lucky to be alive.’
Again, the bishop’s remarks were directly in line with the mission and purpose of the League. It’s very affirming when you hear such holy, devoted people supporting your work!
Russian City Prohibits Abortions For A Week
In an effort to bring down its astronomical abortion rate of 70%, Russia named 2008 the “Year of Family.” Russians will celebrate the Russian Day of Motherhood this week. One city will be going way beyond in their effort to promote motherhood: their doctors will not be performing any abortions this week.
The city of Novorossiysk (forgive the pronunciation!) will instead be holding information seminars, showing films, and counseling women on how to be good mothers. A representative from the city’s government said “doctors will do everything they can to stop women from doing the irreparable.”
While we praise the effort and love that they are making counseling for alternatives available to these women, Russia has a long way to go. Their problem is a cultural one that cannot be changed simply by halting abortions for one week.
Seventh Circuit Rules Against Choose Life License Plates
We had such high hopes for the Seventh Circuit Court’s ruling on Illinois Choose Life License Plates, since the Supreme Court ruled that barring them was illegal. Unfortunately, a three member panel ruled recently that banning the plates was not “viewpoint discrimination” but was “content restriction”-that is, they plan to reject all plates dealing with the abortion issue, not just the ones proposed by pro-lifers. This would make more sense if the pro-aborts had pushed to get a plate of their own, but since “Have An Abortion” plates wouldn’t be very popular, they haven’t tried to get any. Chicago’s very own Thomas More Society Pro-Life Law Center will be asking the courts for a rehearing en banc (that is, asking all of the judges of the 7th Circuit to hear the case) and, if that doesn’t work, they plan to take this to the Supreme Court. Believe me, the Thomas More Society won’t stop fighting until pro-lifers are fully granted their First Amendment rights.
Upcoming Events: Our Lady Of Guadalupe Mass
Our December 12 Mass at Federal Plaza in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe is fast approaching. Cosponsors of this event include the Archdiocese of Chicago Office for Hispanic Catholics, Respect Life Office, and Office for Peace and Justice as well as the Thomas More Society. Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller will be presiding; the bilingual, solemn mass will begin at noon. We hope you will plan to join us!
The League offices will be closed Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th so we can spend time with our families over Thanksgiving. We hope you have a joyful Thanksgiving and that you thank God for His greatest gift, the gift of LIFE.
