MCC Weekly Update 4/14/2023

U.S. Appeals Court Preserves Partial Access to Abortion Pill

A federal appeals court this week ruled that the abortion drug mifepristone will remain approved for use for up to seven weeks in pregnancy, with new limitations on how it is dispensed, while a federal case plays out. The 2-1 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals partially overturned a lower court’s ruling blocking access to the abortion drug. While the court kept the initial FDA approval of the drug in effect, it put a hold on 2016 FDA rules allowing the drug to be used through 10 weeks of pregnancy and to be sent in the mail. 

The ruling is the latest development in the lawsuit brought by the Alliance Defending Freedom challenging mifepristone’s approval. The group argues that the FDA did not adequately review safety risks in its initial approval. A U.S. District Court judge had completely blocked the FDA’s approval. With the latest ruling, the legal battle over the abortion drug may ultimately end up before the Supreme Court. 

In response, Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, provided a statement:

“The 5th Circuit was right to recognize the dangers of unrestricted chemical abortion to women’s health and safety. We are grateful for the restoration of protections, and any limitation on the use of these lethal drugs. We hope that the final ruling will result in removal of chemical abortion from the market altogether. Abortion is never the right choice for a difficult or unexpected pregnancy, as it always ends one life and risks another. We pray ardently that our nation will authentically support and accompany women, so that ending the lives of their children alone in their own homes will be unthinkable.”

Benefits Cliff Bill Advances in House

On Wednesday, Senate Bill 82 was referred to the House Committee on Rules and Legislative Oversight. SB 82, sponsored by Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold), would allow a recipient of government assistance to maintain a level of transitional benefits in cases where an increase in the recipient’s income would otherwise cause them to lose access to the full amount of their benefits. Additionally, under this bill, the Department of Social Services would limit any initial application for SNAP, TANF, child care assistance, or any medical assistance or health insurance program to a concise, non-duplicative, and easily accessible form on the Department's website. Describing the bill to the Senate, Coleman said the bill would make it easier for those on government assistance to gradually increase their wages to the point that they would no longer need any government assistance at all. 

The MCC has testified in support of the proposal. The bill must now be voted out of committee before being considered by the entire Missouri House. 

House Passes Campus Religious Liberty Bill

The House this week passed a bill meant to protect the rights of religious student groups at public universities. HB 136, sponsored by Rep. Brad Hudson (R-Cape Fair), would prevent universities from denying a religious student group the same benefits as other student groups on campus. Specifically, the bill prohibits discrimination against a belief-based student association based on its requirement that leaders of the association adhere to its sincerely held beliefs, sincere practice requirements, or standards of conduct. 

The bill passed the House with a vote of 108-42 and now goes to the Senate for consideration. The MCC provided testimony in support of this legislation.

Midwest March for Life

Missourians will have the opportunity to come together to witness for the unborn, women, and families at the 2023 Midwest March for Life. The event will be held on Wednesday, April 26th on the south lawn of the Missouri State Capitol. The great lineup of speakers includes Bishop Shawn McKnight, Shawn Carney, CEO and President of 40 Days For Life, and Lauren Muzyka, President and CEO of Sidewalk Advocates For Life. Click here to visit the Midwest March for Life website to learn more about the great day of activities planned.

Divine Mercy Sunday

This Sunday, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. The Feast of the Divine Mercy, as it is also known, is celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, which concludes the Octave of Easter.

In the 1930s, Jesus chose a humble Polish nun, St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, to receive private revelations requesting a feast celebrating his mercy. He asked that the Feast of Mercy be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter and include a public blessing and liturgical veneration of His image with the inscription “Jesus, I trust in You.”

This promise of mercy has been affirmed by the Church, which has made Divine Mercy Sunday an occasion for receiving a plenary indulgence, which is “the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sin whose guilt has already been forgiven” (CCC, no. 1471). The plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful under the usual conditions (Confession, Eucharist, prayer for the intentions of the pope, and complete detachment from sin, even venial sin). The faithful may either take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy in any church or chapel or recite the Our Father and Creed in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus. 

For the Eucharistic Holy Hour for Divine Mercy Sunday or more information, click here.

Pope Francis tells “Keyboard Warrior” Catholics to Proclaim Gospel in-Person   

Speaking in St. Peter’s Square on April 12, Pope Francis urged “keyboard warriors” to focus less on grandstanding from behind their desk, and instead dedicate their time to being physically present in society as a representative of the Faith. 

“One does not proclaim the Gospel standing still, locked in an office, at one’s desk, or at one’s computer engaging in polemics like ‘keyboard warriors’ and replacing the creativity of proclamation with copy-and-paste ideas taken from here and there,” Pope Francis said. “The Gospel is proclaimed by moving, by walking, by going.” 

Pope Francis then referenced the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians, in which St. Paul instructed Catholics to don the armor of God and have their feet “shod in readiness for the Gospel of peace.” Pope Francis emphasized that St. Paul connects zeal for the Gospel with footwear “because one who goes to proclaim must move, must walk.”