In This Issue:
- PRI in the Media
- No Defense for Zen
- Abandoned by the Vatican
- Catholic Identity Conference 2022
- Deepening Depopulation
- The Aging Boom
- Preferences Persist
- Pro-Family Principles
- Communist China
- Cardinal Zen’s Trial
- UN Misdeeds
- Bye-Bye Traditional Values
- Unnecessary UNAID
- Science Gone Mad
- More Risks Exposed
- Fertility Treatments Covered
- Leading the Fight
- Pro-Life Around the World
- Unjust Punishment
- Ireland’s March for Life
- Pro-Life on the Home Front
- A Baby’s Heartbeat
- Pro-Life Doorknocker Shot
- Good News
- Rescued and Baptized
PRI in the Media
No Defense for Zen: Cardinal Zen, the loudest supporter of religious freedom and the Underground Catholic Church in China, was taken to trial this week on trumped-up CCP charges. Zen, along with four trustees involved with his 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund, was arrested for not properly registering this charity (which defends pro-democracy demonstrators). PRI President Steven Mosher points out that the Vatican and its main resident should be defending Zen, but instead Pope Francis seems more concerned about not offending the CCP.
El artículo está disponible en Español aquí y aquí también.
Abandoned by the Vatican: Dr. Christopher Manion reported on the same issue above, the abandonment of Cardinal Zen by the Vatican, in this piece for The Wanderer. Although Pope Francis refuses to directly address the persecution of Zen, other world leaders are not so quiet. Surprising support arose from the European Parliament, which passed a resolution condemning the arrest of Zen and his fellow trustees.
Catholic Identity Conference 2022: This weekend PRI President Steven Mosher joins Catholic leaders, including John-Henry Westen and Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò at the Catholic Identity Conference. It will include talks on varying topics regarding the Church and the Vatican, along with the Catholic response to various forms of persecution.
Deepening Depopulation
The Aging Boom: The falling births and rising ages in California prompted the Orange County Register to look at the larger demographic picture in the United States. Between now and 2060, the nation will experience key demographic milestones. One such prediction claims that as soon as 2034 there will be more seniors (65 years or older) than minors (18 and younger).
Preferences Persist: A new study following sex-selective abortion trends among emigrants from Asian countries was released this past week. It shows that the indoctrinated preference for boys over girls, especially amongst Chinese and Indian families, persists despite the new norms they find in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.
Pro-Family Principles: The Ethics and Public Policy Center, along with several other affiliates, published a list of principles as the basis for pro-family public policy. As the EPPC points out, strong families are necessary for a healthy society. Policymakers should take note of this and assist this positive development for the sake of the nation.
Communist China
Cardinal Zen’s Trial: The trial followed around the world was adjourned following the prosecution’s case, after only two days (of the scheduled five). Cardinal Zen and his co-defendants pleaded not guilty but were unable to present the defense or call witnesses. They were also prevented from cross-examining the prosecution, as it was deemed “irrelevant” by Judge Ada Yim.
“The trial has been a total sham so far, with the prosecution able to present its case, but Cardinal Zen and the other defendants unable to question witnesses or present their defense,” says PRI President Steven Mosher. “The surprise postponement of the continuation of the trial until October 26 may represent an attempt by Beijing to put pressure on the Vatican.”
UN Misdeeds
Bye-Bye Traditional Values: The Transforming Education Summit, a UN conference on education, called for the “uprooting” of traditional values last week, alongside a push for the increased spread of comprehensive sexuality education. Conservative groups were not welcomed at the conference, where parental rights were undermined and ideology pushed at every turn.
Unnecessary UNAID: Rural African villages need food and clean water, but instead Sweden and the UN send them endless contraceptives, pro-life advocate Obianuju Ekeocha shares on Twitter. PRI President Steven Mosher responded with the following:
“In Africa:
Chinese Communists build roads and ports (and then steal them back.)
The West sends condoms and abortions (and steals their children).
Both bribe officials to accept their ‘aid.’
Not much to choose from here for Africans.”
Science Gone Mad
More Risks Exposed: A new research study printed in Hypertension finds a link between IVF transfer with frozen embryos and high blood pressure in the resulting pregnant mothers. The large-scale study found that this process, compared to natural conception and fresh embryo transfer, is associated with a 74% higher risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. At this time researchers are unable to pinpoint exactly which parts of the frozen embryo transfer process increase hypertension.
Fertility Treatments Covered: Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer and private employer, is partnering with a fertility start-up, Kindbody, to provide fertility treatments for their employees. Starting Nov. 1 participating employees will have access to over 30 fertility clinics and IVF labs, along with access to surrogacy benefits. The announcement of these changes comes only a month after Walmart’s announcement that it is expanding abortion coverage.
Leading the Fight: Young woman Chloe Cole is leading the fight against transgender ideology and the growing trend of transitioning children. A “former trans kid” herself, Chloe shares her story of both her and her parents being pressured into transition decisions that will affect Chloe for the rest of her life.
Pro-Life Around the World
Unjust Punishment: The European Union is threatening to withhold 7.5 billion euros from Hungary for “corruption.” The EU claims that conservative PM Viktor Orban has undermined democracy, despite the fact that Orban has been voted in for four consecutive terms by his citizens. These threats are a cover for the EU’s dislike and punishment of Orban’s pro-family, pro-life, anti-LGBT, and anti-transgender policy.
“Hungary is being targeted by the Globalist cultural Marxists who control the EU,” says PRI President Steven Mosher. “The EU is trying to use the power of the purse to strangle Hungary’s democracy. Turning the truth on its head, the EU attacks Hungary’s government and Viktor Orban for ‘acting un-democratically.’ In truth, it is the EU that is acting undemocratically, seeking to punish the country for its pro-family and anti-LGBT policies.”
Ireland’s March for Life: Thousands of pro-lifers gathered in Dublin’s March for Life on September 17th to urge the Irish Government to include all perspectives in the upcoming abortion review. Besides representation in this “Three Year Review,” the marchers are also seeking general acknowledgment from the government, which pretends that pro-life voters don’t exist.
Pro-Life on the Home Front
A Baby’s Heartbeat: Dr. Nicole Saphier soundly disproved the lies Stacey Abram told at last Tuesday’s campaign event. Abrams claimed that a six-week-old baby’s heartbeat was a “lie” and “manufactured” by the ultrasound machine to “convince people that men have the right to take control of a woman’s body.” Dr. Saphier responded to this with the medical fact that the cells that will develop into the center of a baby’s heart start contracting at three weeks, making a visible and audible heartbeat on ultrasound around 5 to 6 weeks.
“Even as early as 22 days after conception, babies have hearts,” says PRI President Steven Mosher. “But I’m not sure that people who deny that have hearts of their own. If they did, it’s hard to imagine that they would be so heartless.”
Pro-Life Doorknocker Shot: An 84-year-old pro-life volunteer was shot while going door-to-door discussing Proposal 3, a pro-abortion measure that will be on the ballot in Michigan this Fall. The woman was shot in the back while leaving a residence, after a disagreement at the door. Thankfully the wound was not fatal and the volunteer is currently recovering.
“What astonishes me is that the man who shot the pro-lifer—in the back, no less—has as of this writing not yet been charged with any crime,” says PRI President Steven Mosher. “The gunman claims that it was an accident, but it very well may have been attempted murder. If you point a loaded gun at someone you are arguing with and the gun goes off, odds are that you pulled the trigger. I suspect that we are seeing our two-tiered justice system in operation once again, with one set of rules for pro-lifers, and another set of rules for the pro-aborts in power.”
Good News
Rescued and Baptized: Fourteen babies were saved from abortion and this past Sunday they were baptized at the Parish of St. Josemaría Escrivá in Spain. The mothers of these children were given a chance to choose life and grow at the Más Futuro (“More Future”) association and the Rescatadores Juan Pablo II (“John Paul II Rescuers”).
Quote of the Week
“From the time that the ovum is fertilized, a life is begun which is neither that of the father nor of the mother, it is rather the life of a new human being with his own growth. It would never be made human if it were not human already.”
~Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, source
