The Silence is Deafening

Dear Friends, Another note or two. Add Oregon Senator Ron Wyden to your prayer and call list. He is another embarrassment to our state with his lack of true compassion. His email is: http://wyden.senate.gov/ Note #2 Terri Schaivo is Catholic. This cannot be ignored, nor can the "deafening silence" of her Catholic brothers and sisters in positions of leadership. We need to wonder: where are the prayers and statements against this killing? Where are the Peace and Justice groups who speak out so readily against the death penalty of mass murderers, but are quiet about a helpless woman, who might have become too much of a nuisance to her husband. What happened to in "sickness and in health?" Out of curiousity, I have contacted Sister Helen Prejean, of Dead Man Walking fame. Picking and choosing who to defend isn't a consistent position. It will become almost silly to take these people seriously who make money off of the anti-death penalty issue. I'll let you know if/when she responds. Who's opinion are you curious about? Why not ask? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Sister Helen, As director of an Oregon-based apostolate VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life, I would like to know if you have spoken out against the death by starvation sentence levied against Terri Schiavo in Florida. We know that you are against the death penalty and we consider this to fit into this category. Please let us know what you have done to help her. Thank you, Carolyn Wendell VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97383 503.767.3333 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note #2 1/2 Mea Culpa about the missing pieces of any emails. Thank goodness you can read between the lines. God Bless Us All, Carolyn

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS – ARCHDPDX & EMO

Dear Advocates for Life,

Western Oregon Catholics are on the verge of possibly losing some of our churches and schools: properties bought and paid for with hard-earned "Catholic" money. We have already paid out more than fifty- three million dollars. The "problem" was a climate that enabled an anti-Culture of Life and Family attitude. Although only a handful priests acted out, the climate is still thriving and has to stop. This is another scandal in our Church.

When you're a parent it's important to separate your children from bad influences to keep them on the straight and narrow. The same holds true for relationships in adulthood and organizations. They too are affected by peer pressure and lose their way. On Monday, March 7th, I attended the Interfaith Advocacy Day put on by the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO). Oregon Catholic Conference represented by Bob Castagna and Anthony Granados were there representing Oregon Catholics. (The head of EMO, Philip Kennedy-Wong, was at Oregon Catholic Conferences Advocacy Day on Feb 21st. and the latter Interfaith Advocacy Day.)

EMO's Interfaith Advocacy Day reflected the member churches support for same-sex marriage. The listing on EMO's website includes homosexual churches : ie. Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches and all member churches seem to encourage same-sex marriage, some affliated with Basic Rights Oregon, a pro-activist homosexual organization. Check their links. Connect these dots.

http://www.emoregon.org/aboutemo.htm then: EMO Denominations
http://mccchurch.org/
http://www.basicrights.org/

Oregon Catholic Conference's legislative agenda has reflected the EMO agenda throughout the years. They have shied away from the Roman Catholic positions of supporting unborn life and monogamous heterosexuality. Even the packets distributed at both advocacy days were similar down to the color, identical font, spacing and same pages of some content. And remember the election? Oregon Catholic Conference had voter registration done on targeted Catholic churches by the EMO-connected National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice http://www.nicwj.org/ out of Chicago using the same name as the U.S. Bishops: "Faithful Citizenship Program". I asked Bob Castagna if he thought Oregon priests would assume that this group was from the US Bishops.
In this climate, Catholic priests are feeling comfortable about speaking up for homosexual activity and use the judgmental and inaccurate term "homophobe" for those of us who support Roman Catholic Church teaching (Catholic Sentinel March 11 Letters to the Editor).

From the Vatican - Cardinal Arinzi, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacrament states "The question arises; take the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It says it is not condemning a person for having homosexual tendency. We don't condemn anybody for that. But a person stands condemned for acting on it.” Pope John Paul II suggested that the world-wide push for same-sex unions is part of an "ideology of evil". “It is legitimate and necessary to ask oneself if this is not perhaps part of a new ideology of evil, perhaps more insidious and hidden, which attempts to pit human rights against the family and against man.”

VOCAL was sent this information. It connects more dots. Judge for yourselves.

Oregon Churches and organizations calling themselves Catholic have homosexual componants that are not in compliance with Roman Catholic Church teaching.

http://www.catholiclesbians.org/ click on "Resources" then click on "Lesbian and Gay Friendly Places" then click on "Oregon"
http://www.koinoniacommunity.org/ Koinonia Catholic Community - Performs same-sex "marriages"(also a member of Basic Rights Oregon)

A distubing note on this group. Click on music. Koinonia former directors include Tom Conry and Patrick Loomis do music for the OREGON CATHOLIC PRESS. Are we singing songs that could be indoctrinating us?

Let's help the Climate of Oregon. We have to be good stewards of our money, time and talents.
Over the years the value of the relationship between the Oregon Catholic Conference and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon has been questioned. VOCAL feels that it is time to end this relationship. In light of our bankruptcy, the lack of Roman Catholic teaching being understood and questioned, it is time for a real change. Silence implies consent of the support of anti-Catholic teachings.
Can we afford spiritually and financially to continue as we have? Does this truly help us help others serve the Living God?

It is the Springtime of the Laity following Jesus Christ:
The Way, the Truth and the Life.

Would the OCC Support Withdrawing Food and Water from Terri Schiavo?

Dear Advocates for Life, Those of us who went to Oregon Catholic Conferences Advocacy Day (Monday, February 21st) were disappointed that only HB 2020 was mentioned in the Advocacy for Life Issues. Now, we are more concerned with, why we weren't told that the previous Thursday, Feb. 17th, Bob Castagna went before the Sentate Judiciary, speaking for all Catholic Oregonians, in support of Senate Bill 248. Maybe the following will explain why. FIRST - Words about the Dignity of the Human Person before an explanation of SB 248. In a speech last year, Pope John Paul II affirmed the inherent dignity of every human being: “Even our brothers and sisters who find themselves in the clinical condition of a ‘vegetative state’,” he said, “retain their human dignity in all its fullness.” They are not “vegetables,” but fellow human beings in need of our love and care. The Holy Father added that these patients have “the right to basic health care (nutrition, hydration, cleanliness, warmth, etc.).” He reminded us that providing water and food, even by artificial means, is “morally obligatory, insofar as and until it is seen to have attained its proper finality, which in the present case consists in providing nourishment to the patient and alleviation of his suffering.” " There are times when even such basic means may cease to be morally obligatory, because they have become useless or unduly burdensome for the patient. Deliberately to remove them in order to hasten a patient’s death, however, would be a form of euthanasia, which is gravely wrong." SENATE BILL 248 "Modifies power of guardian to withhold or withdraw artificially administered nutrition and hydration for protected person." "A guardian may consent to the withholding or withdrawing of artificially administered mutrition and hydration for a protected person only under the circumstances described in ORS 127.580 (1)(a), (b), (d), (e) or (f) and if the protected person has a medical condition specified in ORS (1)(b), (d), (e), or (f) and, if the protected person has a medical condition. ORS 127.580 Oregon Revised Statutes that are part of SB 248 ADVANCE DIRECTIVES FOR HEALTH CARE 127.580 Presumption of consent to artificially administered nutrition and hydration: exceptions. (1) It shall be presumed that every person who is temporarily or permanently incapable has consented to artificially administered nutrition and hydration, other than hyperalimentation, that are necessary to sustain life except in one or more of the following circumstances: (a) The person while a capable adult clearly and specifically stated that the person would have refused artificially administered nutrition and hydration. (NOT ALLOWED BY CHURCH) (b) Administration of such nutrition and hydration is not medically feasible or would itself cause severe, intractable or long-lasting pain. (ALLOWED BY CHURCH) (c) The person has an appointed health care representative who has been given authority to make decisions on the use, maintenance, withholding or withdrawing of artificially administered nutrition and hydration. (not part of SB 248) (d) The person does not have an appointed health care representative or an advance directive that clearly states that the person did not want artificially administered nutrition and hydration, and the person is permanently unconscious. (WHAT DO YOU THINK?) (e) The person does not have an appointed health care representative or an advance directive that clearly states that the person did not want artificially administered nutrition and hydration, the person is incapable, and the person has a terminal condition. (WHAT DO YOU THINK?) (f) The person has a progressive illness that will be fatal and is in an advanced stage, the person is consistently and permanently unable to communicate by any means, swallow food and water safely, care for the person’s self and recognize the person’s family and other people, and it is very unlikely that the person’s condition will substantially improve. (WHAT DO YOU THINK) go to www.leg.state.or.us for info and audio testimony. Senate Bill 248 does not reflect the words of our Holy Father. We will not succeed to make a Culture of Life, by making concessions. We must think with the Mind of the Church then, even if we fail at the Legislature, we haven't failed before Jesus Christ. VOCAL asks the Oregon Catholic Conference to pull support of SB 248 as it stands. If there are amendments that agree with Church teachings, we will be happy to support the OCC. This endorsement could be causing scandal to the Catholic Church. I don't want to be part of this. We believe it would have been better to say nothing at all, than support this poorly written law. There were six good pro-life Senate and House Bills passed over by the OCC. We are a voice for those who have no voice. If we don't speak up, who will? Jesus said, 'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. REV. 3:16-17 God Bless, Carolyn Wendell “We shall be called to account not only for every idle word, but also for every idle silence.” St. Ambrose V.O.C.A.L. Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 Member of Catholic Media Coalition "In Line with the Church, on line with the World."

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Dear Pro-Life Advocates, The theme at Oregon Catholic Conference's Advocacy Day was "A Place at the Table." Having advocates for the unborn invited would be considered a sequel to "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" It's pretty obvious that the unborn haven't been a priority and this year there are six bills protecting them and their mothers that will be ignored, with one exception. A letter from the OCC was given for HB 2020 the Unborn Victims of Violence Act aka Laci and Connor Peterson's Law in a show of support, but only if the death penalty is kept from being applied for the second murder, if applicable. The reason for not even giving a letter in support of the other bills was because they might not be successful. I pointed out that they had worked for eight years for a State Earned Income Tax Credit and aren't the twelve thousand plus unborn Oregonian lives taken each year by abortion worth their effort. No response. On the bright side, there were at least thirty unborn advocates, many that had never been to an Advocacy Day. This showing demonstrated to the Bishops and the Conference that the unborn deserve a voice and a "Place at the Table". The Conference invited a busload of Sisters from a Seattle Peace and Justice committee otherwise, we would have filled up most of their seats. The Oregon Catholic Conference works very closely with the Justice and Peace Ministry of the Archdiocese. They both work very closely with the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. On March 19th there is a Peace Together Reflection Day at the University of Portland. Their keynote speaker, Dr. Diana Hayes, has this to say about pro-life advocates: "I find it very ironic that the very people who are "pro life" (in terms of before the fetus becomes a human child outside of the womb) are the very ones who are so pro-capital punishment and so pro throwing-the-book at children. But they do nothing with these children from the day they're born until something happens. Especially if they're born into poverty (which too many of our children today are being born into, because of the over-stressed lives of their parents) we simply ignore all of that. We ignore the reasons for perhaps why they're acting out in such violent ways -and just kill them too. So they murder and we murder. That's my take on the whole thing --and neither action is legitimate or moral." This is just a taste of what's in store for us at the Day of Reflection. The Justice and Peace Committee has an on-line survey http://www.archdpdx.org/news&events/survey-2005.html and this will dictate the direction our parishes will go. How can the Church in Oregon breathe with one lung? How can we make decisions as a Church that costs everyone in the pews money, yet are vilified and kept from participating in the process. Their vision cannot be 20/20 without us. The abortion issue grounds people. It is the foundational issue of the Life Issues. Life Issues are NOT all the same. We can make a difference for the Catholic Church in Oregon. It is already beginning. God Bless, Carolyn Wendell “We shall be called to account not only for every idle word, but also for every idle silence.” St. Ambrose V.O.C.A.L. Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385

CONNOR PETERSON'S GRANDFATHER TO SPEAK AT CAPITOL MONDAY

Dear Advocates for the Unborn, The House Judiciary Committee is holding it's first hearing during the 2005 legislative session on the Speaker’s Unborn Victims of Violence bill (HB 2020). Testimony on behalf of HB 2020 will include Ron Grantski – Laci Peterson’s father! Mr. Grantski is traveling from California to urge Oregon Legislators to recognize the deaths of both women and unborn victims of violence. Testimony will be taken from the general public, if there's time. This will be held at 8:30 am, which will conflict with the OCC Advcacy Day somewhat. This is where discernment comes in. We need to pray to the Holy Spirit and see where we're needed. There will also be a PRESS CONFERENCE at 11:00am, all are welcome, Ron Grantski will be here also. This should be over at 11:30am, in time to get to St. Joseph's for lunch and conversation. Let's pray that the Oregon Catholic Conference has these on their agenda. 2005 Session - Culture of Life House Bills - www.leg.state.or.us HB 2020 - UNBORN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE ACT/The Laci and Connor Peterson Law Expands criminal homicide to include causing death of unborn child. Provides exceptions for lawful abortions and acts committed by pregnant women. HB 2531 - CLINIC REGULATIONS Includes medical facility operated substantially for purpose of performing abortions in definition of ambulatory surgical center. (In Oregon, veterinary hospitals have more regulations for dogs than abortion clinics have for women) HB 2532 - INFORMED CONSENT aka WOMEN'S RIGHT TO KNOW Requires information to be given to pregnant female 24 hours prior to abortion. Specifies information health care provider must provide to obtain informed concent. Requires Department of Human Services to provide information about assistance services, abortion procedures, medical risks and fetal development and viability. Requires health care providers to report to Center for Health Statistics on compliance with Act. Requires reporting of induced termination of pregnancies as fetal deaths. Requires Director of Human Services to impose civil penalty on person who willfully fails to comply with Act. Prohibits Center for Health Statistics from disclosing identity of health care provider without provider's consent. Authorizes Speaker of House of Representatives and President of Senate to appoint members of Legislative Assembly to intervene in action challenging validity of Act. (Oregon Health Department lobbied AGAINST this bill in 2002 and testified with Planned Parenthood and NARAL) HB 2401 - DECLARES STATE POLICY RELATING TO ADOPTIONS/SUPPORTS MARRIAGE Requires Department of Human Services, Oregon licensed adoption agency or approved child-caring agency of this state that may consent to adoption of child to give preferences to prospective adoptive parents who are married over those who are unmarried or same-sex partners. Requires department or agency to give preference to prospective adoptive parents who live in this state over those who live outside this state. Provides exceptions. (relatives, etc. CW) HB 2550 - FETAL PAIN AWARENESS ACT Requires physicans to inform pregnant females considering abortion about fetal pain and to report on abortions performed. Requires Department of Human Services to publish information about fetal pain. Authoritizes Center for Health Statistics to adopt rules to facilitate physican reporting. Authorizes private action for damages for violation of information requirements of Act. Requires physicians to report to center on compliance with Act. Requires reporting of induced terminations of pregnancies as fetal deaths. Permits Speaker of House of Representatives and President of Senate to appoint sponsor of Act to intervene in action challenging validity of Act. Creates crime of unlawful abortion reporting. Punishes by maximum 30 day's imprisonment, $1,250 fine, or both. HB (NUMBER UNAVAILABLE) PARENTAL NOTIFICATION OF ABORTION FOR MINOR DAUGHTER (Oregon Health Department lobbied against this bill in 2002 and testified with Planned Parenthood and NARAL) GO TO THE LEGISLATIVE WEBSITE FOR INFO ON WHEN HEARINGS FOR THESE OTHER HOUSE BILL COME UP. We are called to be faithful and not to worry about the success of anything that Christ has put before us. We have been called to bring common sense back to our home and our State. Learning about "How a bill becomes a law" might be something we wouldn't necessarily desire on our own, however, our lives are really not our own. They were paid for with a Price. Join us for Holy Mass at 7am at St. Joseph in Salem. Let's offer this as a Lenten Sacrafice in reparation for lack of True Justice owed our Lord Jesus Christ and for the life of Terri Schiavo to be spared and placed in the arms of her devoted family. Dear Lord Jesus Christ. Please protect us as we work to protect the helpless that have no voice. God's Blessing and Strength for us all, Carolyn Wendell “We shall be called to account not only for every idle word, but also for every idle silence.” St. Ambrose V.O.C.A.L. Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385