Dear Parishioners
US Capitol Building in Washington, DC
Last week the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a package of appropriations bills that currently exclude the Hyde, Weldon, and Helms amendments and other longstanding, pro-life language that have always had bipartisan support in Congress. This legislation could now force foreign countries with strong legal and cultural opposition to abortion to embrace abortion in order to receive desperately needed help for their people. Pope Francis has referred to this type of situation as ideological colonization. Further, this legislation allows for abortions and abortion advocacy to be funded with tax dollars.
RI Congressman James Langevin with Speaker of the House Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer.
Sadly yet not surprisingly, our U.S. Representatives, Mr. Langevin and Mr. Cicilline voted in favor of these bills. Mr. Langevin represents the Second Congressional District which includes East Greenwich and Warwick. He is Catholic and has claimed to be pro-life. However, as these votes indicate, Congressman Langevin does not favor protecting the lives of the innocent unborn and believes that tax dollars should pay for abortion. I urge you to contact Mr. Langevin and share your disappointment and dismay at his shameful vote. Contact the Congressman at his Rhode Island Office at (401) 732-9400 Also, contact U.S. Senators Reed and Whitehouse to encourage them to stop the funding of abortion with tax dollars.
The drive to eliminate these pro-life amendments has long been a goal of the radical pro-abortion lobby led by Planned Parenthood. The Biden Administration and Speaker Pelosi are their champions and use the pro-abortion messaging strategy, abandoning the slogan of "choice" to claim that abortion instead is essential healthcare for women.
But this claim is contrary to the facts. Abortion is a marginal practice, neither performed nor accepted by most healthcare providers; it does not improve and can even jeopardize women's life and health. Moreover, American law has recognized for decades that it is not "just another medical procedure." Far from being integral to our healthcare system, abortion is something that supporters seek to impose on that system by force of law.
Further, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law" (No. 2271).
President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Langevin, and Senator Reed, all of whom profess to be Catholic, would do well to reflect upon the words of Pope Francis. The Holy Father states:
"Among the vulnerable for whom the Church wishes to care with particular love and concern are unborn children, the most defenseless and innocent among us. Nowadays, efforts are made to deny them their human dignity and do with them whatever one pleases, taking their lives and passing laws preventing anyone from standing in this way. Precisely because this involves the internal consistency of our message about the value of the human person, the Church cannot be expected to change Her position on this question. It is not 'progressive' to try to resolve problems by eliminating a human life."
The Missions in Diocese of Daru-Kiunga in Papua New Guinea
Next weekend is the Annual Mission Cooperative Appeal at OLM. Each year a missionary visits our parish to preach about the work of the Missions. In turn, we generously offer our financial and spiritual support to these missionaries. In this way, we bear witness to the reality that we are a universal Church. Fr. Jose Jacob, SMM, a member of the Montfort Missionaries, is preaching all the Masses next weekend about the Mission Diocese of Daru-Kiunga in Papua New Guinea. Father worked for many years there and understands well the needs of the Mission Church. Our support aids in faith formation programs, offering the Sacraments, and serving the poor and needy. The Diocese of Daru-Kiunga is very poor and needs our prayers and financial support. Next week's Second Collection is our chance to help, so please be generous. Thank you for your support.
Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless. Go Sox!