----- Forwarded message from Priests_for_Life@xmr3.com -----
Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 10:24:07 -0500
From: Priests for Life <Priests_for_Life@xmr3.com>
Reply-To: Priests for Life <Priests_for_Life@xmr3.com>
Subject: Priests for Life Newsletter - March/April 05
To: moeryjan@aquinas.edu
March 23, 2005
Dear Friends,
The announcement below is being sent to media throughout the country today, and I want you to be among the first to hear the
good news. Then, after that announcement, you will find the text of our current Priests for Life newsletter.
Please let me know what you think and how you may be able to help! Let us rejoice and do the work that has to be done!
Best regards,
Fr. Frank Pavone
News Release
Contact: Jerry Horn (540) 220-0095
March 23, 2005
Pro-Life Society of Priests Announced by Fr. Pavone and Bishop Yanta
March 23, 2005, Amarillo, Texas. Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, officially announced today that he is
founding a pro-life community dedicated to the formation and training of priests, deacons, brothers and seminarians who will
devote themselves fully to the proclamation of the Gospel of Life. This initiative will be based in the diocese of Amarillo,
Texas, under the authority and stewardship of Bishop John W. Yanta.
"It has been a dream of mine for over a decade to form a community that can accept seminarians who want to devote their
entire ministry to the defense of the unborn," said Fr. Pavone. "While there are religious communities that give special
emphasis to the right to life, the Church has no institutional society of men whose exclusive focus is to protect innocent
human life from the tragedy of abortion and euthanasia. It is time for such a community. I am grateful to Bishop Yanta for
allowing me the opportunity to make this dream a reality."
Bishop Yanta, who has served on the Priests for Life Episcopal Board of Advisors since 1998, and who has been particularly
devoted to the pro-life cause throughout his priesthood, has already offered several buildings in his diocese that will serve as
the center for the new apostolate. "I am excited about supporting Fr. Pavone in venturing forth, with and through the Holy
Spirit, in the establishment of a Society of Apostolic Life for priests and seminarians dedicated to pro-life ministry - an
immense need at this time in history," said Bishop Yanta today. "The Lord has provided several vacant buildings that once
served as a Christian Brothers High School with boarding facilities, a chapel, gym, and spacious grounds. The Diocese of
Amarillo is happy to make these available (at no cost) to Priests for Life and the proposed Society of Apostolic Life."
This society of apostolic life, while drawing on the spirit and mission of the Priests for Life organization, will be a completely
separate entity, known as Missionaries of the Gospel of Life. Priests for Life will continue to exist as an association of the
Christian faithful under Canon Law, and Fr. Pavone will continue to serve as its National Director. In order to initiate the
historic formation of this pro-life community of priests, deacons, brothers and seminarians, Fr. Pavone has officially become a
priest of the Diocese of Amarillo, and will begin assembling a formation team for the community. Priests for Life is also in the
process of establishing a headquarters in the diocese, but will continue to maintain its current offices and staff in New York,
Washington D.C., Virginia, California, and Rome, Italy.
"This is a pivotal moment in time," said Fr. Pavone. "Throughout the history of the Church, God has intervened in times of
great moral crisis and has raised up within His Church the charisms necessary to address those crises. I have long been
convinced that God is raising up numerous disciples ready to devote their entire lives to ending the tragedy of abortion, which
the bishops have identified as the fundamental human rights issue of our day. I have no doubt that we will see a tremendous
and immediate response to this initiative."
Fr. Pavone announced that men considering joining this community can attend a discernment retreat he will conduct on June
24-26 in Amarillo. There will also be a seminarians pro-life conference in Newark, NJ from August 16-21, during which Fr.
Pavone will also discuss the new community. Those interested in the community may contact vocations@priestsforlife.org.
Bishops from around the world praised the historic effort.
From Denver, Colorado, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said: "Under Father Frank Pavones leadership, Priests for Life has
been a tireless and important national voice defending the sanctity of human life. In supporting Fr. Pavones new initiative,
Bishop Yanta and the people of the Diocese of Amarillo are offering a vital service to Catholics throughout the United States."
From St. Louis, Missouri, Archbishop Raymond L. Burke said: "I have received with great joy the news of the foundation of
a priestly society of apostolic life dedicated to the apostolate of the respect for human life. In every time period, the Holy Spirit
has inspired founders of institutes of the consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, so that the spiritual needs of the Church
and world might be more fully addressed. Surely, there is a great need in our time for a priestly society dedicated to the
conversion of our culture of death and the promotion of a civilization of life. The work of the Priests for Life and its National
Director, Father Frank Pavone, has surely prepared the way for the timely foundation of the priestly society of apostolic life. I
commend Bishop John W. Yanta for his pastoral vision and generosity in inviting Father Pavone to make the new foundation
in the Diocese of Amarillo. I pray that God will bless abundantly Bishop Yanta, Father Pavone and the new foundation."
From Phoenix, Arizona, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted praised Priests for Life: "[This organization] has offered a courageous
and articulate proclamation of the Gospel of Life for a number of years. While standing strong in the defense of every human
life, it has offered persuasive reasons for respecting the dignity of each person, especially the most vulnerable and innocent
among us."
From Rome, Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said: "In todays world, the
idea of a new religious community founded for the purpose of working to protect human life may seem like a sign of
contradiction - but it may just be what the world of today needs! The call to protect life is not only a foundation of our faith as
Catholics, but it is the very basis of our recognition of human rights and the right to life. The human dignity with which we
have been endowed by God binds us together as members of the one family."
More information about the Pro-Life Society of Priests can be found on our website at
www.priestsforlife.org/pressreleases/apostolicassocsummary.htm
Priests for Life Newsletter
Volume 15, Number 2
March-April 2005
Can you make a gift to enable us to send this newsletter to every priest in your diocese? Call Jerry at (718) 980-4400
Prayer Intentions
You are encouraged to remember the following intentions as you pray the Liturgy of the Hours:
March intention: That vacancies on our nation's courts may be filled with strong pro-life judges.
April intention: That youth leaders have the courage and creativity to speak about abortion.
Priests for Life Advisory Board of Bishops
His Eminence Alfonso Cardinal Lopez-Trujillo
President, Pontifical Council for the Family
His Eminence Renato Cardinal Martino
President, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
Most Rev. John F. Donoghue
Archbishop of Atlanta
Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput OFM Cap.
Archbishop of Denver
Most Rev. Edwin F. O'Brien
Archbishop of Military Services
Most Rev. John J. Myers
Archbishop of Newark
Most Rev. John W. Yanta
Bishop of Amarillo
Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted
Bishop of Phoenix
Most Rev. Ronald M. Gilmore
Bishop of Dodge City
Most Rev. Sam G. Jacobs
Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux
Most Rev. Emilio S. Allue
Auxiliary Bishop of Boston
Most Rev. Rene H. Gracida
Bishop Emeritus of Corpus Christi
Most Rev. Paul V. Donovan
Bishop Emeritus of Kalamazoo
Most Rev. James D. Niedergeses
Bishop Emeritus of Nashville
Most Rev. James C. Timlin
Bishop Emeritus of Scranton
Most Rev. James S. Sullivan
Bishop Emeritus of Fargo
Most Rev. Francis A. Quinn
Bishop Emeritus of Sacramento
Most Rev. Albert H. Ottenweller
Bishop Emeritus of Steubenville
Most Reverend Juan Fremiot Torres
Bishop of Ponce
Most Reverend John Quinn Weitzel
Bishop of Samoa Pago Pago
Priests for Life Prayer Cards
Order the Priests for Life daily prayer of commitment to end abortion. Available in quantities of 25...excellent for pro-life
events, parishes, schools.
Priests for Life Mass Cards
Friends and loved ones who have died will be remembered in the prayers and Masses of Priests for Life. Our new Mass cards
are available free of charge. You may send in your offering for each enrollment when you use it.
Order Form for Prayer Cards and Mass Cards
Please mail your order to: Priests for Life P.O. Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314
Or fax it to (718) 980-3900 or Email: orders@priestsforlife.org
Name: ___________________________________
Address: _________________________________
City: ____________________________________
State/Zip: ________________________________
Phone: __________________________________
Email: __________________________________
__I have made my check payable to: Priests for Life.
__I have donated online at www.priestsforlife.org/donate
__Please charge my contribution to my credit card:
Card Type:_______________________________
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Prayer to End Abortion prayer cards: product #1670
Quantity ____25; ____50; ____75;____100; _____other (increments of 25)
@ $.10 Each for total $______
Mass Cards: product #1708
Quantity_______ (Free)
Additional Donation $__________
Total Donation $___________
Coming to your Community...
At the invitation of the local diocese, or of individual parishes or pro-life groups on a national, state, or local level, Priests for
Life is ready to come to your community to inspire and instruct those who work to defend life against abortion. Because we
maintain regular contact with all pro-life groups, we are ready to bring updates on pro-life strategy and projects that are turning
the tide on abortion throughout our land.
In addition to our 45 lay staff, Priests for Life is blessed to have a Speakers' Bureau of priests, deacons, and other lay experts.
Among the speakers are our four full-time priests on staff: Fr. Peter West, Fr. Denis G. Wilde, OSA, Fr. Walter Quinn, OSA,
and Fr. Frank Pavone.
Our pastoral associates Jim Pinto and Dr. Paul Schenck, also serve the organization, bringing to our Speakers' Bureau a wealth
of experience in pro-life activism and pastoral ministry prior to their joining the Catholic Church.
Paul was raised Jewish. He became a Christian and served for 22 years as a priest in the Anglican tradition. His pro-life
activism brought him all the way to the Supreme Court in the case Schenck vs. Pro-Choice network, which was decided in his
favor in 1997. In 2004, Paul was received into the Catholic Church by Fr. Frank Pavone.
Jim Pinto served as a priest in the Anglican Tradition for over 20 years and entered into full communion with the Roman
Catholic Church in 2003. He is recognized nationally as an advocate for the poor, for racial reconciliation, and for the right to
life.
The Speakers' Bureau also includes our Pastoral Associates Dr. Theresa Burke and her husband Kevin, Dr. Alveda King, the
niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and our Associate Director Janet Morana.
We also have other priests and deacons who are available for speaking on a part time basis.
We are ready to visit your community for a wide range of activities.
We offer seminars for the clergy, both Catholic and Protestant, on how to handle the abortion issue in preaching, counseling,
and parish activities. We conduct training sessions for lay people who want to become active in the pro-life movement, or who
have been active but are looking for new ideas and motivation.
We speak at pro-life conferences, address students in their schools and youth groups, give retreats, pray at abortion facilities,
and conduct parish weekends which include preaching at all the Sunday Masses. We are also glad to offer individual
consultation for the development of pro-life strategies and activities in compliance with the Bishops' Pastoral Plan for Pro-life
Activities.
When we travel to an area, we want that to be the beginning of a fruitful relationship of pro-life encouragement and activity.
We are one movement across the United States, and we want to work with you and your community on an ongoing basis.
When we are in your area, we want to get to know as many people as possible, and help them to get to know us, our activities
and initiatives.
And aside from travel expenses, we have no required stipend!
A partial listing of the travel schedules of our priests can be found on our web site at www.priestsforlife.org/travel2.html.
Our hallmarks are availability and flexibility. We want to do whatever you need us to do! To inquire about the availability of a
Priests for Life priest, contact our Travel Office at PO Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314; Tel: 888-PFL-3448 ext. 258;
718-980-4400 ext. 258; Travel Dept. Fax: 603-908-3075; email: travels@priestsforlife.org
Terri Schiavo
[Note: By the time this newsletter goes to print, we do not know what Terri Schiavo's situation will be. Whatever it is, however,
her life provides a critical test for society -- a test we cannot afford to fail.]
She is not dying. She is not in a coma. She is not alone, but rather has loving parents and siblings ready to care for her for the
rest of her life. She has not requested death.
Yet a battle rages regarding whether Terri Schiavo should be starved. She has sustained brain injuries and cannot speak or eat
normally. Nevertheless, the only tube attached to her is a small, simple, painless feeding tube that provides her nourishment
directly to her digestive system.
Her legal guardian is her husband, who already has another woman -- by whom he also has children. He wants Terri's feeding
tube removed. Of course, he could simply allow her to be cared for by her parents and siblings, and get on with his life, but he
refuses.
On February 6, Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, visited Terri Schiavo for the second time, spoke with
her and prayed with her. He found her "wide awake, alert, aware, and responsive." At various times in the visit she tried to
vocalize responses, but otherwise communicated with her eyes and her smile, and by returning the kisses of her parents.
Terri is not dying. This is not a matter of "letting her go," because she isn't "going" anywhere. If, however, she is deprived of
nourishment, then she would slowly die in the same way that any of us would slowly die if we were deprived of nourishment.
It is called starvation.
If the courts permit that to happen, then why should that permission apply only in Terri's case? And where does the state get
the authority to starve people?
For more information on this crucial case, visit our website, www.priestsforlife.org. If you want educational cards on Terri's
situation, contact our orders department at orders@priestsforlife.org, or by calling 888-PFL-3448, ext. 237, or by writing
Orders Department, Priests for Life, PO Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314.
Judges
The Constitution of the United States places the responsibility for writing laws in the hands of elected lawmakers. These men
and women serve in the State legislatures and in the United States Congress. They are accountable to the voters who put them
into office and who can remove them from office. They are to represent the voters as they craft and pass legislation that
represents the will of the people.
Meanwhile, however, key aspects of public policy that contradict the will of the majority of Americans have, over the last
several decades, been imposed upon us by another branch of government, the Judiciary. Unelected Federal judges, who are not
accountable to voters and who serve for life, have given us policies that ban prayer and Bible-reading in public schools, that
allow abortion-on-demand throughout pregnancy, and that remove more and more moral boundaries to perverse sexual
behavior.
In the Elections of 2004, many voters made their choice for President and for their US Senators based on their view of the
proper role of judges, namely, to apply the law rather than write their own opinions into law. Now, the President and the US
Senate have a joint, solemn obligation to fill the many vacancies in the Federal judiciary. The President presents nominees; the
Senate votes to confirm them by a simple majority.
In the past four years, we have seen an unprecendented and unconstitutional effort by pro-abortion Democrats in the Senate to
block well-qualified nominees who enjoyed the support of the majority of the Senators. The blocking was done by filibuster --
that is, a technique of prolonging debate indefinitely, and hence preventing a final vote. The filibuster is a tool that can be used
to block legislation, but here it is being used to block judicial nominees. Meanwhile, many courts remain vacant. The motive
for these filibusters has been that many of these nominees are considered too religious and too pro-life.
Now the question is whether we will see the same behavior in this new Congress, especially with the prospect of Supreme
Court vacancies on the horizon, and whether the Senate will act to prevent the filibusters. Contact your US Senators and
demand that the Senate prevent the filibusters of judicial nominees. Tell your Senator you want to see an up-or-down vote on
each of the President's nominees, without anti-religious bias. If a Senator opposes a nominee of the President, then let the
Senator vote against that nominee. Let those who favor the nominee vote in favor. The point is, let there be a vote, and let the
process work like the Constitution says it should.
Happy Anniversary, Evangelium Vitae!
This year marks the tenth anniversary of one of the most important documents Pope John Paul II has ever written. "The Gospel
of Life" ("Evangelium Vitae") is an "encyclical letter" (meaning it is a letter of high authority sent around the world by the
Pope), and presents the Church's answer to the question, "Why is life good, why is it sacred, why should it be protected in
every circumstance?"
Priests for Life is preparing educational materials that you can use throughout the year to deepen your understanding of this
historic document. For more information about these materials, or for copies of the encyclical itself, contact our Orders
department orders@priestsforlife.org, or by calling 888-PFL-3448, ext. 237, or by writing Orders Department, Priests for Life,
PO Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314.
Gearing up for Commencement!
Over a million children per grade level throughout the nation would have been with us had they not been killed by abortion.
Over a million members of each graduating class this year have been legally destroyed. Priests for Life asks, therefore, that
each school yearbook and graduation ceremony include a remembrance of those who would have been graduating had they not
been aborted.
A sample entry in a school yearbook could say the following: "In prayerful remembrance of our fellow students who have been
lost from abortion...We do not condemn those who felt they had to do this; rather, we weep with them now...and we pray for
the day when the most frail and vulnerable lives will enjoy the same protections the rest of us do."
In the graduation ceremony, an empty chair or a lit candle, or a cap and diploma resting by themselves can stand as a reminder
of these students, and the words above can be spoken to explain the significance of these symbols.
Please, do something. How can we explain it if we forget or ignore these children?
Alveda King joins Priests for Life Staff
Dr. Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King, Jr., has become a Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life. A pro-life advocate as
well as a civil rights advocate, Dr. King will head up the Priests for Life Office of African American Outreach. She will be
available for speaking engagements in parishes, schools, and pro-life events as a member of the Priests for Life Speakers
Bureau.
She also participates in the Silent No More Awareness Campaign (a project of Priests for Life and NOEL), through which she
speaks about her own two abortions and how the Lord Jesus Christ has brought her forgiveness and healing. Alveda has stood
with the Silent No More Awareness Campaign in Washington, DC and elsewhere at gatherings in which the women hold signs
that say "I Regret My Abortion."
On her website, KingForAmerica.com, Alveda declares that like her uncle, she too has a dream about equality. But she asks,
"How can the dream survive if we murder the children?"
Priests for Life Clergy Seminar
Washington, DC
April 12-13, 2005
If you are a priest, deacon, or lay pastoral leader, we want you to know about the "Washington DC Briefing" that we are
privileged to co-sponsor on Tuesday April 12 and Wednesday April 13 in our nation's capitol.
The National Pro-life Religious Council and Priests for Life are teaming up with Wallbuilders, www.wallbuilders.com , to co-
sponsor this inspiring briefing. Under the expert guidance of David Barton, President of Wallbuilders, you will get a "Spiritual
Tour of the Capitol" on Tuesday evening. You will learn things you never knew about the Christian convictions of our
Founders, see some of the their original letters, and learn how much the very foundations of our nation are rooted in the
Gospel.
Then, on Wednesday, you will hear from members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the White House. They
will talk about the issues of the day, but more importantly, they will talk about how they live out their Biblical convictions as
they handle the issues of the day.
When you read the newspaper or watch television, you only see a small fraction of the men and women who serve in
Washington. You will leave this briefing greatly inspired to know how many men and women of faith are there, living and
spreading the Gospel of Christ.
These briefings are held by invitation, and space is limited. If you are interested in receiving an invitation, call our office today
at 1-888-735-3448 and ask for John at extension 297. Alternately, you can email john@priestsforlife.org or fax 413-803-0073.
You can also go to www.wallbuilders.com and click on "Pastors' Briefings" under "Upcoming Events." Find the April 12-13
event and request an invitation. Please join us!
This newsletter can be found online at www.priestsforlife.org/newsletters/prevnewsletters.html
Remember to support our work at www.priestsforlife.org/donate
Contact Priests for Life at PO Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314; Tel: 888-PFL-3448, 718-980-4400; Fax: 718-980-6515;
email: mail@priestsforlife.org; web: www.priestsforlife.org
K-1-903749-22973439-2-15977-US1-5DB0D5D5
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