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People of Life E-NewsletterJuly 2010
Greetings!
Welcome to our new subscribers, and thanks for reading the July edition of the People of Life e-newsletter. This edition is packed full of information  on pro-life issues, news, people, events and the bishops' ongoing efforts to work toward increased respect for human life. Enjoy and feel free to pass along to friends and family.
   Sincerely,
 TomGrenchikSignature
"On Abortion in Federal Health
 Insurance Pools"

Statement by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities
health care 1
WASHINGTON - July 15, 2010

"This week it was reported that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) had approved a new high-risk health insurance program for residents of Pennsylvania that by its terms would cover abortions without meaningful limits. This federal program, established by the

new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), will provide health services until 2014 to uninsured persons with pre-existing conditions. The Pennsylvania plan, while purporting not to fund "elective" abortions, made clear in its text that all abortions that satisfy the requirements of certain Pennsylvania statutes (i.e., all abortions that are not illegal in that state) would be covered, and reimbursed, with a combination of private premiums and federal funds drawn from the U.S. Treasury. This first announcement . . . more.
NEW! - Announcing 2010-2011 Respect
Life Program Theme

"The Measure of Love is to Love Without Measure"

RespectLifeProgram2010-11PosterAnnouncing the theme for the 2010-2011 Respect Life Program: "The Measure of Love is to Love Without Measure." In addition to six engaging new educational articles on relevant topics such as hope for infertile couples and reaching youth with the pro-life message, updates to this year's program include an interactive new web site to replace the CD-ROM of years past. The entire program will be available to the public to download, reproduce and distribute with proper citation. The site will debut in time for the beginning of the 2010-2011 program on October 3, Respect Life Sunday.

Begun in 1972, the Respect Life Program stresses the value and dignity of human life. It is observed in the 195 Catholic dioceses in the United States.

Life Issues Forum
 
"A Critical Distinction"

by Tom Grenchik

      On June 23, 2010, the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Doctrine released a clarification entitled: The Distinction between Direct Abortion and Legitimate Medical Procedures. Since most folks don't read every new posting on the vast USCCB web-site, this helpful statement could be overlooked.

      The statement notes that "On November 5, 2009, medical personnel at the St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, performed a procedure that caused the death of an unborn child. Most Reverend Thomas Olmsted, the Bishop of Phoenix, has judged that this procedure was in fact a direct abortion and so morally wrong.... more.

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About People of Life
People of Life is the pro-life action campaign of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Our mission is to promote respect and legal protection for all human life, from conception to natural death. Become a member, visit here.

"We are a People of Life because God, in his unconditional love, has given
us the Gospel of Life, and we are called to act accordingly."
- Pope John Paul II, The Gospel of Life

Also In This Issue
Announcing 2010 Respect Life Program
Life Issues Forum
NEW! Prayer Card to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Meet The Intern
SamuelVasquezSamuel Vasquez is currently a doctoral student in theology at Catholic University of America. Originally from California, he completed undergraduate studies in philosophy and theology at Notre Dame. Samuel assists the Pro-Life Secretariat with research, writing and translation projects. While working at the USCCB, Samuel was introduced to his soon-to-be bride (also a USCCB employee) by a colleague. For Samuel, "marriage is a lifelong pro-life vocation. We are all called to holiness, and to be holy is to be fully living, whether it be as a pro-life advocate who is married or consecrated. Through this internship, I have learned so much about how to integrate my pro-life convictions into my studies and daily life." Samuel hopes to be a professor of theology and is looking forward to his wedding next month.

  Prayer Corner
NEW! Prayer Card

Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Virgin of Guadalupe, Patroness of unborn children, we implore your intercession for every child at risk of abortion. Help expectant parents to welcome from God the priceless gift of their child's life.
Console parents who have lost that gift through abortion, and lead them to forgiveness and healing through the Divine Mercy of your Son.
Teach us to cherish and to care for family and friends until God calls them home. Help us never to see others as burdens.
Guide our public officials to defend each and every human life through just laws. Inspire us all to bring our faith into public life, to speak for those who have no voice.
We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.
 
To order in English (Item #1012) or Spanish (Item #1013) please call 1-866-582-0943.

For more pro-life prayers, visit our Prayers for Life page.
Upcoming Events

  • Aug. 15, The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • Oct. 5 National Catholic Partnership on Disability Webinar: Pre-Natal Diagnosis. More info here