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Yes, Prayer Can Make a Difference
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This week Planned Parenthood announced that their Columbia clinic would no longer be licensed to perform abortions. For five years, Forty Days for Life has held regular prayer vigils in front of the clinic. The head of the central Missouri Forty Days for Life campaign, Kathy Forck, said: "I really feel this is God's victory." Forty Days for Life will continue their prayer vigils, praying for the complete closure of the Columbia clinic. Thanks to all those who have faithfully attended the Columbia vigils for so many years. |
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CEI Deadline is Only One Month Away!
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Missourians for Children's Education, the campaign committee for the Children's Education Initiative (CEI), has set April 15 as the deadline for submission of signatures to the MCC and other pro-CEI agencies. Parishes and Catholic schools: send your notarized petition pages and completed circulator registration forms to the Missouri Catholic Conference, P.O. Box 1022, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102. If you need help, contact the MCC at 1-800-456-1679.
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Parishes-Keep the CEI Signatures Coming
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This week the MCC received notarized petition pages in support of the Children's Education Initiative (CEI) from the following parishes: Sacred Heart, Springfield; St. Patrck, Wentzville; Our Lady Parish and School, Festus; St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Louis; St. Joseph School, Scott City; and St. Mary, West Plains. We also received additional signatures from Saint Vincent de Paul, Cape Girardeau and Visitation, Kansas City. Thank you for all of your hard work! |
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MCC Says Respect Human Dignity When Considering Same-Sex Issues
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The Missouri Catholic Conference is urging state legislators to respect the rights of all when considering legislation that would ban discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. The general counsel for the Catholic Conference, Tyler McClay, testified before a House committee on Thursday, March 13, offering examples of how HB 1930, sponsored by Representative Kevin Engler (R-Farmington), could have unintended but harmful consequences. "We do not support discrimination, but we also believe that people need to have space for their religious beliefs, particularly with regard to facilitating marriage ceremonies," McClay told the committee.
McClay said that it was contrary to human dignity to force persons to photograph lesbian weddings, arrange the flower decorations, or in other ways directly participate in same-sex weddings or similar activities, when to do so would be contrary to their sincerely held religious convictions. McClay recounted how fines were imposed on New Mexico photographer Elaine Huguenin for declining to provide photography services for a lesbian wedding. This summer the New Mexico Supreme Court upheld those fines, her religious and moral convictions notwithstanding.
Also of concern is whether the legislation would force church facilities to open their doors to same-sex ceremonies and other activities. St. Peter Parish just across from the State Capitol opens Selinger Center to the Lions Club and other community groups. The MCC's written testimony expressed concern that the legislation would require a church hall like Selinger Center to be used for same-sex ceremonies and similar activities.
Other organizations that spoke in opposition of HB 1930 included: the Missouri Chamber of Commerce; Associated Industries of Missouri; and the Missouri Baptist Convention.
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From The Federalist Papers
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"It is of great importance in a republic, not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers; but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part." (Federalist #51).
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"Show Me Life" Rally
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On Tuesday, people rallying for the "Show Me Life" pro-life action day filled the Missouri Capitol. Over 400 people flooded the capitol to show their support and commitment to life. Pro-life supporters lobbied their Representatives and Senators, speaking to them about key pieces of pro-life legislation. The MCC attended the rally, distributing information on pro-life legislation and urging people to speak to their legislators. At the rally, House Speaker Tim Jones (R-Eureka) talked about what it really means to be pro-life and how important these issues are to upholding the freedoms that this country offers. The keynote speaker, Susan Jaramillo, talked about the abortions she had when she was younger and the negative impact they have had on her entire life. She is now a pro-life advocate, urging others not to make the same mistakes that she did.
Thank you to all of the people who made the trip to Jefferson City!
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Missouri House Passes 72-Hour Waiting Period for Abortion
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This week, the Missouri House passed the 72-hour waiting-period bill, HCS HBs 1307 & 1313, sponsored by Representative Kevin Elmer (R-Nixa) and Representative Keith Frederick (R-Rolla), by a vote of 115-39. The bill will now move to the Senate, where a companion Senate bill, sponsored by David Sater (R-Cassville), faces significant opposition from Democratic lawmakers who filibustered the bill when it was brought up for debate on the Senate floor. Senate Floor leader Ron Richard (R-Joplin) said he may stop debate on the bill and bring it to a vote, if those opposing it refuse to sit down. The Missouri Senate over the last few years has been very reluctant to "call the previous question" in order to stop debate on legislation. Stay tuned. |
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Senate Committee Looks at Death Penalty Bills
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This week the Senate's Progress and Development Committee heard several bills that would end or change how the death penalty is carried out in our state.
Senator Gina Walsh (D-St. Louis) is the sponsor of SB 775, which would end the death penalty in Missouri. In testifying Senator Walsh told the committee that the death penalty is a "polarizing political issue," but since she had a close friend who was murdered she knows the ramifications of the issue and why she supports ending the death penalty.
Senator Rob Schaaf (R-St. Joseph) is the sponsor of SB 804, which would put more controls on the execution process by still allowing the Department of Corrections to write the rules, but prevent procedures such as paying cash for the drug and hiding the pharmacy company as part of the execution team, whereby the identity could be concealed. He called some of the current practices of the DOC "shenanigans."
Senator Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City) is the sponsor of SB 787, which would put the rule making authority for execution procedures under a "Capital Sentencing Procedure and Protocols Commission" that would include stakeholders in the process such as judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers and crime victims. The bill would enact a one-year moratorium on executions for which the procedures were developed.
Numerous witnesses, including the MCC, testified in support of all these bills. The MCC reminded the committee that many faith traditions, including the Catholic Church, oppose executions because it disregards the sanctity and dignity of human life. Other witnesses reported that the death penalty is costly, arbitrary, and prone to mistakes.
The committee plans to review the bills and possibly combine some for further debate in the Senate. |
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