2016-01-27T08:02:00+00:00

Last updated on: January 27, 2016 at 8:02 am   By

Yangon, Burma, Jan 27, 2016 / 01:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A century and a half ago, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd took their mission of evangelization and service to what is now Myanmar, or Burma. This year, they’re celebrating their anniversary jubilee in the country. “The journey of 150 years reminds us to honor the past, celebrating the present and to nurture a legacy of our mission for the future with hope,” Sister Elizabeth Joseph, R.G.S., told CNA Jan. 19. On Jan. 16 the sisters held a jubilee thanksgiving Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Yangon. Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the Archbishop of Yangon, said the Mass. “It’s a joyful moment for our communities to be grateful to God and pay tribute to our founding members and missionaries who bravely dedicated their lives serving Christ through their service despite tough moments,” Sr. Elizabeth said. The Good Shepherd sisters launched a year of spiritual preparation for the jubilee. Its members reflected on themes like “Rooted in God and in Reality,” “Remembering the Past with Gratitude,” “Embracing Challenges with Hope” and “Taking Risks Together for Mission.” The preparations included spiritual retreats, reflections and monthly community sharing. Sr. Elizabeth said these helped deepen the sisters’ spirituality and strengthen their vision and mission “in the footsteps of our founding members.” The preparations produced “deep joy and gratitude.” “We are committed to the Gospel values of justice, mercy, respect, human dignity and reconciliation for creating a better world,” Sr. Joseph emphasized. Cardinal Bo, the first cardinal from Myanmar, used his homily at the jubilee Mass to praise the contributions and service of the Good Shepherd sisters in the country. He noted the sisters’ ministry in serving the disadvantaged, marginalized and oppressed. He praised their role in the development of the country, and compared the sisters’ history to Myanmar's most prominent river, the Irrawaddy. “It flows to give life to the whole of Myanmar,” the cardinal said. “The Good Shepherd sisters carry  a mission of reconciliation, searching for the lost, healing the wounded, sharing merciful love.... which will continue to flow,” Cardinal Bo continued. At the conclusion of Mass, Sr. Regina Htoo, R.S.G., provincial superior for Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, delivered a message of gratitude. She thanked God and everyone who accompanied the journey of the congregation. She summarized the words of the sisters’ foundress, St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier: “gratitude is the memory of the heart.” The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd was founded by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier. Gregory XVI approved its establishment in 1835 in Angers, France. The Good Shepherd Sisters answered a request for help from Bishop Paul Ambrose Bigandet, the first apostolic vicar of Lower Myanmar, arriving in 1866.   The pioneering sisters experienced many trials in the underdeveloped region inhabited by myriad ethnic tribes. The people suffered poverty, ethnic civil wars, illiteracy, and corruption. On top of this, the country suffered natural disasters like drought and floods. Low-technology farming, poor communication, and poor transportation systems also posed barriers. In the 1960s the country went through a nationalization drive accompanied by an ideology of Burmese socialism. The anti-Western trend included xenophobia that worked to suppress the missionaries and isolate the country. The trends had disastrous impacts on the country’s economy and worsened poverty. Christian institutions were seen with suspicion and considered foreign. They were confiscated, and all nuns and missionaries were driven out of the country and the institutions fell into the hands of corrupt and unqualified staff. This led to the deterioration of education, health and social services in the country. Meanwhile, a few Good Shepherd sisters returned in 1973 to re-establish the Good Shepherd missions. They engaged themselves in teaching catechism and the English language in seminaries. From 1973 to the present, the Good Shepherd mission has grown remarkably in pastoral activities. The sisters are active in several dioceses and have established a strategic network with the local administration and NGOs. There are more than 50 sisters serving in over six communities in Myanmar. The sisters now help provide education and vocational training for young women in social crisis. The sisters are active in healthcare. They run a boarding school for poor girls and day-care centers for HIV-positive children and the children of parents living with HIV or drug addiction. The sisters also care for prostitutes, women at risk of human trafficking, and street children. They are active in prison ministry, social outreach and advocacy programs on human rights and dignity, gender equality, pro-life issues, ecology, justice and peace. They are active in interreligious dialogue, especially with Buddhists who constitute the majority religion in Myanmar. Read more

2016-01-27T07:01:00+00:00

Last updated on: January 27, 2016 at 7:01 am   By

Ibadan, Nigeria, Jan 27, 2016 / 12:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The bishops of southwest Nigeria have praised the country’s apparent progress towards countering the Boko Haram insurgency. “Occurrences of senseless killing by the Boko Haram have decreased and many displaced people are apparently returning to their former homes. We prayerfully congratulate the Nigerian Army and the security forces for their sacrifice and commitment,” the Catholic bishops of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province said. “We appeal to the government that the current general vigilance in the area of security be sustained so as to forestall a recurrence of the worst days of insurgency in Nigeria. In the meantime we plead that great care be taken to avoid punishing innocent people for the crimes of the guilty insurgents.” The Islamist extremist group Boko Haram began a violent uprising in northern Nigeria in 2009. It seeks to impose an Islamic state. An estimated 20,000 people have been killed in the uprising, while 2.3 million may have been driven from their homes. The group became notorious around the world after its partisans kidnapped over 200 girls from a school in Chibok in 2014. The group’s activities have expanded into Cameroon. The bishops of the Ibadan region said that the public in Nigeria tends to believe that President Muhammadu Buhari is well intentioned and is working hard to address critical problems like the insurgency and corruption. The province’s bishops issued their statement at the close of their first plenary meeting of 2016, held Jan. 18-19. The province includes the Archdiocese of Ibadan and five other dioceses. Their message noted the Catholic Church’s Jubilee of Mercy. The year is intended “to remind all human beings of the mercy we enjoy from God the Father of all and to focus us on the role of Jesus Christ as the face and personification of God's mercy.” The bishops echoed Pope Francis’ call for God’s mercy to be manifest wherever Christians are. “We call especially on all Catholics in Nigeria to seek God's mercy through penance, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the practice of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy which includes the mutual forgiveness of wrongs,” they added. The bishops outlined their “ABCs” of the Year of Mercy: ask for God’s mercy; be merciful; and communicate God’s mercy. “That so much injustice, violence and bloodshed permeate our society today is a clear indication that we all indeed need God's mercy, for blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy,” the message continued. The bishops praised efforts to enhance and protect “the sanctity of human life, marriage and family in all areas of life.” They have authorized a pro-life, pro-family catechesis as a handbook on Church teaching. They also praised Catholic education efforts, while warning of a lack of resources and unjust takeovers of schools. The bishops discussed the economic downturn in Nigeria and emphasized the need to resolve conflicts over the payment of workers’ salaries. The controversy is causing “considerable hardship” among people in many Nigerian states. “Our leaders must avoid any sign of threat, arrogance or impunity in dealing with sensitive public challenges,” they said. “Most people are bearing the brunt of the current economic situation with everything they have and the leaders must not add more emotional trauma to their burden.” According to the bishops, Nigerians are happy to see prosecutions for embezzlement of public funds. They called for respect for the rights and dignity of the accused. Official lawlessness is “always toxic for public sanity,” they warned. The bishops noted the desire for peaceful co-existence and the need for “genuine, harmonious relations among religions.” They encouraged groups and individuals in interreligious work to foster interaction and collaboration among people of different religions. In their view, such efforts will help promote mutual understanding and prevent hatred and violence. Read more

2016-01-26T23:25:00+00:00

Last updated on: January 26, 2016 at 11:25 pm   By

Mumbai, India, Jan 26, 2016 / 04:25 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Archdiocese of Bombay issued a clarification last week after WhatsApp users in Maharashtra were circulating a 'misleading' message which promoted a superstitious understanding of the Year of Mercy. The archdiocese's Jan. 19 statement noted that the text “gives the impression that merely walking through the Doors of Mercy will result in the forgiveness of sins.” “These doors are not magical doors and we need to understand that to experience and obtain the indulgence, the faithful are called, as pilgrims, to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to participate in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with a reflection on mercy, make a profession of faith, and pray for the Holy Father and for his intentions for the good of the Church and of the entire world.” The archdiocese's noted added, “It must be understood that walking through the Door of Mercy indicates the desire for the forgiveness of sins, and walking through it symbolises a leaving behind of the past and entering into a new life through Christ, who is the door.” “Please note that walking through the Holy Doors is not a substitute for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.” A source in the Bombay archdiocese recounted to CNA that the misleading WhatsApp message was based on an article about the opening of the local Holy Doors which appeared in a local daily newspaper. The source added that the article had not entered deeply into the theological, sacramental, or liturgical significance of the Year of Mercy. The archdiocese has prepared catechetical resources to help the faithful participate in the year of Mercy. It is emphasizing that merely passing through the Holy Doors does not exempt one from the need for spiritual preparation through participation in the sacraments, and that it must be accompanied by a conversion of heart. Mumbai-area parishes are hosting catechetical seminars to help explain to the faithful the importance and meaning of the Year of Mercy. Pope Francis opened the Year of Mercy Dec. 8, 2015, and it will close Nov. 20, on the feast of Christ the King. The jubilee year includes Holy Doors in every diocese. When they pass through the doors pilgrims can receive a plenary indulgence – under the usual conditions. Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay opened the Doors of Mercy at Mumbai's Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount on Dec. 20, 2015. He   reminded the faithful: “This is the Lord's Gate: let us enter through it and obtain mercy and forgiveness.” The doors were then opened, using the Bible as the key, with the following invocation, "Open the Gates of Justice; we shall enter and give thanks.” The cardinal in his homily at the Mass explained the characteristics and significance of the Holy Year and urged the faithful to “fix your eyes on Jesus”   and to be “agents of God’s mercy.” “No one should say that it is difficult to reach God and difficult to obtain mercy, for the Church is indeed the vehicle of mercy,” Cardinal Gracias said. “We are the Church and it becomes our Christian duty to spread the message of God’s mercy and reconciliation.” “With the corporal and spiritual acts of mercy, we have direction; with the example of our religious leaders, we have motivation; and with God’s mercy through Jesus himself, we have a straight path.” Read more

2016-01-26T20:22:00+00:00

Last updated on: January 26, 2016 at 8:22 pm   By

Washington D.C., Jan 26, 2016 / 01:22 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Supreme Court of the United States on Monday declined to hear a case that overturned North Dakota’s limits on abortion to before a fetal heartbeat can be detected. A state pro-life g... Read more

2016-01-26T16:28:00+00:00

Last updated on: January 26, 2016 at 4:28 pm   By

Vatican City, Jan 26, 2016 / 09:28 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Tuesday Pope Francis met with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani for the first time, an encounter that focused heavily on human rights, religious freedom, and an end to the spread of terrorism. Originally scheduled to take place in November, Rouhani’s visit was canceled at the last minute due to the Nov. 13, 2015, attacks in Paris. It also follows the lifting of international sanctions against the country after a long-anticipated nuclear agreement was reached in July.  The Jan. 26 meeting between Francis the Iranian president took place in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, and lasted 40 minutes. Rouhani was accompanied by a delegation of 12 persons, all of whom were men save an Iranian woman who served as one of two interpreters assisting during the encounter. Rouhani spoke in Farsi, while Pope Francis spoke in Italian. A Vatican communique described the meeting between Francis and Rouhani as cordial, and centered largely on relations between the Holy See and Iran, the life of the Church in the country, and the actions of the Holy See in promoting the dignity of the human person and religious freedom. Though no mention was explicitly made of Iran’s role in the Syrian and Iraq conflicts, the topic was likely a key point of discussion, as well as the condition of Christians across the Middle East. However, the Vatican communique did note that Iran’s important role in the region in promoting “suitable political solutions to the problems afflicting the Middle East, to counter the spread of terrorism and arms trafficking” was spoken about, as well that of other countries. “In this respect, the parties highlighted the importance of interreligious dialogue and the responsibility of religious communities in promoting reconciliation, tolerance and peace,” the communique said. Discussion also touched on the conclusion and application of the recently-agreed to Nuclear Accord. After months of negotiation representatives of the United States, Iran, and other nations met in Vienna in July, reaching a long-awaited deal aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear activity in exchange for the lifting of international economic sanctions. Nuclear-related sanctions on Iran were lifted on the condition that country abides by the framework set, however, sanctions related to terrorism, human rights abuses and ballistic missiles remain. Rouhani’s meeting with Pope Francis is part of a larger European tour that will also take him to Paris, and marks the first time an Iranian president or head of government has visited Europe since 1999. As is customary during papal encounters with heads of state, both Francis and Rouhani exchanged gifts once their conversation was over. Pope Francis gifted the Iranian president a large medal of St. Martin cutting off part of his cloak to give to a poor man, telling him, “it’s a sign of brotherhood.” The Pope also gave Rouhani copies of his 2015 encyclical on the care for our common home, Laudato si'. Since it hasn’t yet been translated into Farsi, Francis gave the president copies in both Arabic and English. For his part the Iranian president gave Francis a large tapestry, which he explained “was made by hand in the holy city of Qom,” which sits just southwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran. He also gave the Pope a large book with colorful illustrations. As the two were headed to the door, Francis thanked Rouhani for the visit, and said that “I hope for peace.” In turn, the Iranian president asked the Pope for prayers. After speaking with the Pope, Rouhani subsequently met with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, as well as the Secretary of Relations with the States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher. Read more

2016-01-26T13:03:00+00:00

Last updated on: January 26, 2016 at 1:03 pm   By

Vatican City, Jan 26, 2016 / 06:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Fr. Engelmar Unzeitig, a young priest with Czech roots serving in Germany and Austria, was arrested by the Nazis on April 21, 1941. His crime? Preaching against the Third Reich from his pulpit, p... Read more

2016-01-26T11:37:00+00:00

Last updated on: January 26, 2016 at 11:37 am   By

Vatican City, Jan 26, 2016 / 04:37 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his 2016 Lenten message, Pope Francis called the faithful to place special emphasis on the spiritual and corporal works of mercy this Lent, taking into account the current Jubilee Year of Mercy. “God’s mercy transforms human hearts; it enables us, through the experience of a faithful love, to become merciful in turn,” the Pope wrote in the short document, released Tuesday by the Vatican. The spiritual and corporal works of mercy, the pontiff said, “remind us that faith finds expression in concrete everyday actions meant to help our neighbours in body and spirit: by feeding, visiting, comforting and instructing them.” “On such things will we be judged,” he said. The title of this year's message was drawn from the Gospel of Matthew: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,” and has the subtitle: “The works of mercy on the road of the Jubilee.” In the message, signed the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4 2015, the Pope said those who are truly poor are the ones who believe themselves to be rich. “This is because they are slaves to sin, which leads them to use wealth and power not for the service of God and others, but to stifle within their hearts the profound sense that they too are only poor beggars,” he said. “The greater their power and wealth, the more this blindness and deception can grow,” he said. Pope Francis recounted the parable of the poor man Lazarus who would beg at the door of the Rich Man. Lazarus represents Christ, the Pope said, and therefore “the possibility of conversion which God offers us and which we may well fail to see.” This blindness “is often accompanied by the proud illusion of our own omnipotence,” he observed. Such an illusion can take “social and political forms,” he explained, citing as examples the “totalitarian systems of the twentieth century.” In modern times, this illusion is seen in “the ideologies of monopolizing thought and technoscience, which would make God irrelevant and reduce man to raw material to be exploited.” The Pope went on to explain how the illusion can link back to the “idolatry of money,” leading to a lack of concern for the poor “on the part of wealthier individuals and societies.” “They close their doors, refusing even to see the poor,” he said. “For all of us, then, the season of Lent in this Jubilee Year is a favourable time to overcome our existential alienation by listening to God’s word and by practising the works of mercy.” Pope Francis stressed that “the corporal and spiritual works of mercy must never be separated.” “By touching the flesh of the crucified Jesus in the suffering, sinners can receive the gift of realizing that they too are poor and in need,” he said. “This love alone is the answer to that yearning for infinite happiness and love that we think we can satisfy with the idols of knowledge, power and riches.” The Pope warned against constantly refusing “to open the doors of their hearts to Christ who knocks on them in the poor,” as such consistent refusal on the part on the part of the “proud, rich and powerful” leads to condemnation. This year's Lent will begin Feb 10 with Ash Wednesday, when the Church will send out “Missionaries of Mercy” – priests with the faculties to pardon sins in cases otherwise reserved for the Holy See – as part of the Jubilee Year. In the opening section of the message, Pope Francis centered his reflection on Mary as the image of the Church's evangelization, “because she is evangelized. The Pope began by reiterating the call for mercy to be celebrated and experienced in a particular way this Lent, citing the Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year of Mercy. “The mercy of God is a proclamation made to the world, a proclamation which each Christian is called to experience at first hand,” he said. After receiving the “Good News” from the angel Gabriel, Mary proclaims the Magnificat in which she “prophetically sings of the mercy whereby God chose her,” the Pope recounts. He describes Mary as the “perfect icon of the Church which evangelizes, for she was, and continues to be, evangelized by the Holy Spirit, who made her virginal womb fruitful.” Pope Francis then reflected on the history of mercy as seen in the covenant between God and the people of Israel. “God shows himself ever rich in mercy, ever ready to treat his people with deep tenderness and compassion, especially at those tragic moments when infidelity ruptures the bond of the covenant, which then needs to be ratified more firmly in justice and truth,” he said. “Here is a true love story, in which God plays the role of the betrayed father and husband, while Israel plays the unfaithful child and bride.” “This love story culminates in the incarnation of God's Son,” who the Father has made “mercy incarnate,” the Pope said, citing the Jubilee Bull of Induction. “As the Son of God, he is the Bridegroom who does everything to win over the love of his bride, to whom he is bound by an unconditional love which becomes visible in the eternal wedding feast.” Pope Francis reflected how it is through mercy that God restores his relationship with the sinner. “In Jesus crucified, God shows his desire to draw near to sinners, however far they may have strayed from him. In this way he hopes to soften the hardened heart of his Bride.” Pope Francis concluded the message by calling on Mary's intercession during the upcoming Season of Lent. “Let us not waste this season of Lent, so favourable a time for conversion!” Read more

2016-05-05T17:01:00+00:00

Last updated on: May 5, 2016 at 5:01 pm   By

Washington D.C., May 5, 2016 / 11:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- “Women’s liberation.” “Women’s rights movement.” “War on women.” For many, the buzzwords surrounding the intersection of feminism and the pro-life movement call to mind a conflict between the two campaigns. However, for many of those involved in the pro-life movement, pro-life and feminist goals are aligned, not opposed. In popular society many people are “hearing a lot of messaging that that’s false in the order of ‘in order to be pro-woman, you have to be pro- choice',” said Jeannie Mancini, president of the March for Life, to CNA. “That’s not true, and it’s even damaging.” To help break down that message, March for Life organizers chose the theme of “Pro-Life and Pro-Woman Go Hand-in-Hand” for the 2016 March for Life. Mancini explained: “We wanted to educate that being pro-life and pro-woman really do fit together like hand and glove.” “To be pro-woman and pro-life is empowering,” she asserted. For Aimee Murphy, the defense of all human life – including the unborn – is a natural outgrowth of the beliefs she holds not only as a Catholic, but as a feminist as well. “Abortion as an act of violence against preborn human beings is contrary to equality, non-discrimination and non-violence, which are the core foundational tenets of feminism,” she explained to CNA. “As such, we believe abortion is in fact antithetical to the core tenet of feminism, and as a result authentic feminism really does line up with pro-life beliefs.” Murphy, who is executive director of the “Life Matters Journal”, helped host “Empowering Women Through Life,” a gathering held before the March for Life to discuss both women’s empowerment and the defense of all life. The women who attended the feminist rally, Murphy said, continue the feminist traditions and beliefs started by early suffragists like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who themselves opposed abortion. “So many of our attendees are standing up and reclaiming this title of ‘feminist',” she said. Outside the pro-life movement, however, these non-violent and egalitarian ideals of feminism have been confused with abortion, a practice that directly opposes women’s empowerment, Murphy noted. “Women really were sold this lie, especially during the 60s and 70s, that in order to be successful, in order to be career-oriented, in order to get a good education, that they needed to have the right to abortion. Honestly, it is an idea rooted in a system of patriarchy.”   Abortion is a product of patriarchy in that it arises from a culture “in which men’s bodies are seen in the default,” she explained. “Our society is built around the idea that the ideal, the perfect worker, the default worker, can’t have children.” When this is this case, Murphy continued, “you then start to view pregnancy as a disease, as a problem needed to be fixed.” “It really is a disempowering idea that women need to be free of children in order to be empowered and to be successful.” Pro-life feminism and non-violence, Murphy responded, challenges this narrative. “We’re unwilling to take our liberation as part and parcel of the patriarchal idea that we need to kill our children. We, as women, know that we are strong enough and can seek our empowerment without killing our own offspring.” Murphy sees this pro-life message of empowerment and non-violence “ is not only the future of the pro-life movement but also the future of feminism.” “Any time that any class of human beings is being oppressed for the sake of another we cannot truly say that we are making progress.” A women’s empowerment that respects life can help make further strides for women, children, and society at large, she said. “We can’t continue to sacrifice our children on the altar of success, whether we are men or women.” There are also practical means for pro-life activists to help empower and support women to make choices for their future, Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, told CNA. “In order to end abortion in our country, it’s not going to be done with just rhetoric, it’s going to be done with actions.” “What better way to show women facing unplanned pregnancy,” she said, “than to actually be there and be another option for her?” One of the practical projects SFLA undertakes is its Pregnant on Campus initiative, which helps to link students facing unplanned pregnancies with resources on campus and in their communities. The initiative started, Hawkins recalled, after a pro-life student at Fordham lost her housing scholarship “because they wouldn’t allow pregnant students in their dorms.” The pro-life group on campus, she retold, banded together to help the student find housing and financial support options, and “went to bat” with the administration over some of their policies. “She chose life and it was a painful process.” The experiences at Fordham illuminated a need for work on other campuses around the country, Hawkins said. “We know that there are resources out there: it’s about getting them promoted and getting them out on the campuses.” Students on campus work not only to help fellow students have access to these resources and offer community support such as baby showers and supply drives, but also to work “with the campuses to make changes to policies they currently have that could be discriminating.” For students facing unplanned pregnancies, Hawkins explained, “not only are we promoting alternatives in the community, but we’re that voice saying ‘we’re going to be your cheerleader.’” These programs, along with other initiatives to support women both attain their goals and keep their children, are a key part of women’s empowerment, she said. “Abortion is the opposite of empowerment,” Hawkins stated. “To me, it’s crazy that abortion is considered ‘a feminist issue’ when it’s actually the opposite of feminism. Abortion is telling her ‘you can’t do it all.’” “Really it’s the pro-life movement that’s saying, ‘we can help you through this.’”This article was originally published Jan. 26, 2016. Read more

2016-01-26T10:01:00+00:00

Last updated on: January 26, 2016 at 10:01 am   By

Washington D.C., Jan 26, 2016 / 03:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- “Women’s liberation.” “Women’s rights movement.” “War on women.” For many, the buzzwords surrounding the intersection of feminism and the pro-life movement call to mind a conflict between the two campaigns. However, for many of those involved in the pro-life movement, pro-life and feminist goals are aligned, not opposed. In popular society many people are “hearing a lot of messaging that that’s false in the order of ‘in order to be pro-woman, you have to be pro- choice',” said Jeannie Mancini, president of the March for Life, to CNA. “That’s not true, and it’s even damaging.” To help break down that message, March for Life organizers chose the theme of “Pro-Life and Pro-Woman Go Hand-in-Hand” for the 2016 March for Life. Mancini explained: “We wanted to educate that being pro-life and pro-woman really do fit together like hand and glove.” “To be pro-woman and pro-life is empowering,” she asserted. For Aimee Murphy, the defense of all human life – including the unborn – is a natural outgrowth of the beliefs she holds not only as a Catholic, but as a feminist as well. “Abortion as an act of violence against preborn human beings is contrary to equality, non-discrimination and non-violence, which are the core foundational tenants of feminism,” she explained to CNA. “As such, we believe abortion is in fact antithetical to the core tenant of feminism, and as a result authentic feminism really does line up with pro-life beliefs.” Murphy, who is executive director of the “Life Matters Journal”, helped host “Empowering Women Through Life,” a gathering held before the March for Life to discuss both women’s empowerment and the defense of all life. The women who attended the feminist rally, Murphy said, continue the feminist traditions and beliefs started by early suffragists like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who themselves opposed abortion. “So many of our attendees are standing up and reclaiming this title of ‘feminist',” she said. Outside the pro-life movement, however, these non-violent and egalitarian ideals of feminism have been confused with abortion, a practice that directly opposes women’s empowerment, Murphy noted. “Women really were sold this lie, especially during the 60s and 70s, that in order to be successful, in order to be career-oriented, in order to get a good education, that they needed to have the right to abortion. Honestly, it is an idea rooted in a system of patriarchy.”   Abortion is a product of patriarchy in that it arises from a culture “in which men’s bodies are seen in the default,” she explained. “Our society is built around the idea that the ideal, the perfect worker, the default worker, can’t have children.” When this is this case, Murphy continued, “you then start to view pregnancy as a disease, as a problem needed to be fixed.” “It really is a disempowering idea that women need to be free of children in order to be empowered and to be successful.” Pro-life feminism and non-violence, Murphy responded, challenges this narrative. “We’re unwilling to take our liberation as part and parcel of the patriarchal idea that we need to kill our children. We, as women, know that we are strong enough and can seek our empowerment without killing our own offspring.” Murphy sees this pro-life message of empowerment and non-violence “ is not only the future of the pro-life movement but also the future of feminism.” “Any time that any class of human beings is being oppressed for the sake of another we cannot truly say that we are making progress.” A women’s empowerment that respects life can help make further strides for women, children, and society at large, she said. “We can’t continue to sacrifice our children on the altar of success, whether we are men or women.” There are also practical means for pro-life activists to help empower and support women to make choices for their future, Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, told CNA. “In order to end abortion in our country, it’s not going to be done with just rhetoric, it’s going to be done with actions.” “What better way to show women facing unplanned pregnancy,” she said, “than to actually be there and be another option for her?” One of the practical projects SFLA undertakes is its Pregnant on Campus initiative, which helps to link students facing unplanned pregnancies with resources on campus and in their communities. The initiative started, Hawkins recalled, after a pro-life student at Fordham lost her housing scholarship “because they wouldn’t allow pregnant students in their dorms.” The pro-life group on campus, she retold, banded together to help the student find housing and financial support options, and “went to bat” with the administration over some of their policies. “She chose life and it was a painful process.” The experiences at Fordham illuminated a need for work on other campuses around the country, Hawkins said. “We know that there are resources out there: it’s about getting them promoted and getting them out on the campuses.” Students on campus work not only to help fellow students have access to these resources and offer community support such as baby showers and supply drives, but also to work “with the campuses to make changes to policies they currently have that could be discriminating.” For students facing unplanned pregnancies, Hawkins explained, “not only are we promoting alternatives in the community, but we’re that voice saying ‘we’re going to be your cheerleader.’” These programs, along with other initiatives to support women both attain their goals and keep their children, are a key part of women’s empowerment, she said. “Abortion is the opposite of empowerment,” Hawkins stated. “To me, it’s crazy that abortion is considered ‘a feminist issue’ when it’s actually the opposite of feminism. Abortion is telling her ‘you can’t do it all.’” “Really it’s the pro-life movement that’s saying, ‘we can help you through this.’” Read more

2016-01-26T07:08:00+00:00

Last updated on: January 26, 2016 at 7:08 am   By

Washington D.C., Jan 26, 2016 / 12:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The multiple crises in the Middle East show the need for continued peacemaking and humanitarian efforts, the U.S. Catholic bishops have told foreign policy leaders in the Obama administration. ... Read more

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