PRI to Make Strategic Presentation at Upcoming Vatican-Sponsored Family Summit
Carlos Beltramo, PRI’s European representative, recently met with Vatican representatives to discuss the upcoming Sixth Meeting of the Families of the World, which will take place in Mexico City from January 13-19, 2008. The conference is being organized by the Pontifical Council for the Family and will focus on life and family issues, Dr. Beltramo shared with Bishop Grzegorz Kaszak, Secretary of the Council, some of PRI’s recent experiences in organizing and running “analysis groups,” consisting of highly qualified professionals in various fields, to deal with pro-life crises in Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Columbia, and Ecuador. Bishop Kaszak was very impressed with PRI’s ability to forge alliances between often competing pro-life groups in different countries, and with the overall professionalism of PRI’s strategic approach. The Council, he remarked, gets three or four requests each day from bishops around the world who are unsure how to respond to threats to life within their own dioceses and countries, and that PRI’s approach would help the Church to meet a crucial challenge.
Bishop Kaszak has invited Seven Mosher to address the upcoming Meeting, and share with the hundreds of bishops and tens of thousands of laity who will be attending PRI’s unique approach to meeting the global threats to life and family.
The Meetings of the Families of the World was an initiative of Pope John Paul II which, like World Youth Day, is being continued by Pope Benedict XVI.
Oregon Court Rules Frozen Embryos Can Be Destroyed
The Oregon Court of Appeals has ordered six frozen embryos destroyed after ruling they can be treated as personal property in a divorce. The court ruled unanimously on Wednesday that an agreement leaving the final decision up to the ex-wife must be followed.
In an opinion by Presiding judge Rex Armstrong, the court ruled there is a contractual right to determine the fate of the embryos as personal property.
See the Source: William McCall, “Ore. Court rules frozen embryos can be destroyed,” OneNewsNow.com, 9 October 2008, http://www.onenewsnow.com/AP/Search/US/Default.aspx?id=281248
Update: Sex-Selection Advertising in India Blocked
Internet giants Google and Microsoft have pulled adverts for sex selection products and other services considered illegal in India after being threatened with legal action, activists said Thursday.
“Sponsored links in Google have come down considerably. They have disappeared from Microsoft India search,” activist Sahu George, who filed the petition, told AFP. A random search for “gender selection” on Yahoo, however, produces links to resources and clinics offering to help people choose the gender of their child,
See the Source: “legal threat forces Google, Microsoft to pull India gender selection ads,” Daily Times, 19 September 2008, http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008/09/19/story_19-9-2008_pg4_18
Parents Fight Planned Parenthood for Shielding Pedophiles
Two parents are seeking punitive damages against Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio for failing to report suspected child abuse. The lawsuit involves their daughter, a 14-year-old girl from St. Bernard, “Jane Roe,” who got an abortion in March 2004. The father of the aborted child was her 21-year-old soccer coach.
Their daughter got an abortion and a sexually transmitted disease, yet her relationship with the coach continued several more weeks, according to her parents’ attorneys. The parents allege Planned Parenthood failed to obtain their consent for the abortion.
See the Source: Jon Craig, “Abortion Records Case Opens,” The Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 October 2008, http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081008/NEWS0107/810080306
LA Rep: “Sterilize the Poor,” Subsequently Demoted
Louisiana State Representative John LaBruzzo recently proposed offering taxpayer money to poor women and men to be sterilized and to offer tax incentives to higher income people to have more children.
He was recently removed from his position as vice chairman of the House Health and Welfare Committee, though he remains on the committee. House Speaker Jim Tucker commented, “Some of [LaBruzzo’s] comments … have impeded his abilities to … be an effective member of our leadership team.”
See the Source: “Louisiana Rep. Labruzzo Demoted After Sterilize Welfare Flap” BayouBuzz.com, 7 October 2008, http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Government/Louisiana_rep._Labruzzo_Demoted_After_Sterilize_Welfare_Flap_7672.asp
