Brother Knights
There will be an Exemplification of the Fourth Degree at 11:30am, Sunday, March 9, 2008 in St. Bernard’s Church on Wicks Lane in the Billings Heights.
All Sir Knights are invited to attend and renew their dedication to the patriotic portion of our Order. Dinner will follow the Exemplification.
Harold Kelso
PFN Father Pauwelyn Assembly #587,
Billings, MT
Popularity: 66% [?]
Popularity: 52% [?]
Congress considers transforming AIDS relief into a massive abortion program financed by U.S. taxpayers
ACTION
A Congressional committee is about to take America’s overseas AIDS relief program and use it as a vehicle for population control and abortion promotion. Knights are urged to write to their members of Congress (especially if they’re members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee) to oppose this change. See additional details at the bottom of this e-mail alert.
BACKGROUND
The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is due for reauthorization in 2008. In 2003 this bill was passed with bipartisan support and has a proven record of success in saving lives.
Last month, however, the House Foreign Affairs Committee proposed a reauthorization bill (the “Global HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008″) which would drop the program’s exclusive focus on HIV/AIDS, and define HIV/AIDS and pregnancy as a “dual threat” to women’s lives.
The $50 billion authorized by the bill would then be used for both AIDS relief and what are termed “women’s reproductive health services” and “family planning services.” Although the bill’s definition of “reproductive health” does not mention “abortion,” abortion advocates have long interpreted “reproductive health” and “family planning” to include abortion. Women seeking solely HIV/AIDS treatment could unexpectedly find themselves subjected to abortion counseling.
MEXICO CITY POLICY
Currently, the Mexico City Policy provides that no U.S. population assistance funds can be given to non-governmental organizations unless they certify that it will not perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning. But the Mexico City Policy does not apply to AIDS relief legislation. The insertion of “reproductive health” and “family planning” in AIDS relief legislation is a ploy to redirect AIDS relief money to international abortion organizations, and represents an end run around the Mexico City Policy restrictions. Foreign abortion groups that cannot currently obtain US funding for family planning would be able to do so under this AIDS relief legislation.
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES AFFECTED
Catholic health institutions deliver approximately 25% of all HIV and AIDS care worldwide, and this bill places Catholic participation in jeopardy. Men, women and children seeking treatment for HIV and AIDS by Catholic providers in the world’s poorest regions could lose their access to treatment.
On February 6, Bishop Thomas Wenski, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, and Ken Hackett, President of Catholic Relief Services, wrote to the Foreign Affairs Committee, welcoming the major increase in funding for AIDS relief, but said that they were “deeply troubled” by inclusion of ‘reproductive health’ and ‘family planning’ services . . .”
That is why the National Right to Life Committee and many other organizations are asking that the legislation be changed, and we ask that you do, too.
Click here for the full text of Bishop Wenski’s letter and a fact sheet.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Contact members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee by phone, FAX or e-mail. This is especially important if your own representative in Congress is a member of the committee. Click here for a list of committee members.
Even if your representative is not on the committee, it will also be helpful to contact your representative and your U.S. senators by mail, Fax, e-mail or phone. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121 or call your representative’s local office.
MESSAGE
When you reauthorize the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), please do NOT link the AIDS/HIV program to family planning and abortion. PEPFAR should keep its bipartisan focus on saving human lives. Those suffering from HIV/AIDS should not be sacrificed to the cause of abortion and population control.”
WHEN
Due to the death of Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos, markup of this legislation has been postponed until February 25. Immediate action will ensure that your voice is heard before the committee action is taken.
Popularity: 44% [?]
Below is the planned schedule for Pope Benedict XVI’s visit:
Tuesday, April 15
Arrive in Washington, DC
Wednesday, April 16 (Pope Benedict XVI’s 81st Birthday)
10:30 a.m. – Meet with the President of the United States, The White House
5:30 p.m. – Meet with the bishops of the United States, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Thursday, April 17
10:00 a.m. – Mass hosted by the Archdiocese of Washington, Washington Nationals baseball stadium
5:00 p.m. – Address Catholic educators: presidents of 200 Catholic colleges and universities and education leaders from 195 dioceses, The Catholic University of America
6:30 p.m. – Meet with interfaith leaders, Pope John Paul II Cultural Center
Friday, April 18
Depart for New York
10:45 a.m. – Speech to the United Nations General Assembly, United Nations
6:00 p.m. – Meet with ecumenical leaders, St. Joseph Church in Manhattan
Saturday, April 19 (3rd anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict XVI)
9:15 a.m. – Mass for Priests, Deacons and Religious, St. Patrick’s Cathedral
4:30 p.m. – Meet with Children with Disabilities, St. Joseph’s Seminary Chapel
Youth and Seminarian Rally, Grounds of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers
Sunday, April 20
9:30 a.m. – Visit to Ground Zero, World Trade Center Site
2:30 p.m. – Mass hosted by the Archdiocese of New York, Yankee Stadium
8:00 p.m. – Depart for Vatican City
Popularity: 29% [?]