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Archdiocese endorses right-to-life push
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Cardinal William Keeler
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - In a recent letter to archdiocese of Baltimore pastors, Cardinal William Keeler, leader of American Catholicism's founding diocese, urged support for what organizers are calling the first nationwide, curbside effort to invoke “conversion, forgiveness and prayer” for participants, providers and supporters of abortion.
“In ‘The Gospel of Life’ Pope John Paul II reminded us that ‘the life of every individual, from its very beginning, is part of God's plan,’ ” Keeler wrote. “I am writing to ask you to share this truth by promoting and participating in a national, ecumenical effort called ‘Forty Days for Life.’ ”
Coordinated across 89 cities in 33 states, the curbside and at-home effort — which supporters say will bring publicity and healing to the violence of abortion in America — will take place between Sept. 26 and Nov. 4.
In Maryland the push will involve numerous faith communities gathering to pray on public sidewalks outside area abortion facilities. Catonsville’s Hillcrest Clinic and Baltimore's Planned Parenthood abortion facilities were specifically identified in Keeler’s letter.
“My reaction would be ... as long as they don't come into our building and as long as they are not on our parking lot, they are free to do what they want to do,” said Hillcrest Clinic spokesperson Cheryl Wolf.
“They have a right to picket ... [but] I believe the right to an abortion is a choice that should be made by a woman,” Wolf said.
“The number one thing about [the event] is for people to unite in prayer and fasting for an end to abortion,” said Joe Healy, a Catonsville resident and vigil coordinator at that site.
“The second thing is the vigil outside the abortion facilities,” Healy said, noting that his group planned morning-to-evening coverage at Hillcrest, six days a week.
Organized by a coalition of pro-life activists under the 40 Days for Life banner, the campaign is striving for 24-hour, seven-day-a-week public “prayer, fasting, and prayerful witness” over the Biblically significant 40-day period.
“The general focus [of the campaign] really is prayer and fasting,” said Keith Hamilton, a Harford County resident and Baltimore site coordinator.
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Examiner Reader said:
When writing this article, Mr. Corrigan should acknowledge that for years he was a regular picketer outside medical facilities that provide abortion services. To do otherwise, is to give the impression that this is an impartial reportage, which is certainly isn't. The editor should have assigned this story to a different reporter in order to avoid such an obvious prejudice.
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Examiner Reader said:
What is this guy's comment about killing babies because the child has a brth defect? And that someone may have to take care of that child for the rest of their life? That's reason to terminate -- to kill -- an innocent human being? Come on! If that's the level of importance you place on human life, no wonder we have so many people being killed, from babies to senior citizens, to everyone in-between. May God have mercy on your soul, and the souls of every other person who takes God's greatest creation of human life, and treats human life like garbage.
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Examiner Reader said:
Who is the Catholic Church to weigh in on this issue, one reader asks? The Catholic Church is the one Church founded by Jesus Christ and His Apostles, and is the deposit of faith and moral living. That's like asking "who is Jesus to say anything about life issues?" Second, let's look at the 10 Commandments given to Moses by God, specifically "Thou shalt not kill." That's straightforward enough. Third, if you read the Gospels, the consistent message of the sanctity of human life is present throughout Christ's teachings. Fourth, if you read a document called the "Didache" (The Teachings of the 12 Apostles), the specific mention about not engaging in abortion is clearly stated. These are timeless teahings about the sanctity of human life. Where do we humans feel that we are above God? Or are we simply re-creating the sin of Adam and Eve? They put themselves above God, and look at the result.
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Examiner Reader said:
I recently read this story while working in a local area pub as I sat alone reading I thought to myself... Who is the catholic church or any one else to past judgement against a woman or even there for both woman and man who decide to terminate a pregnancy! lets put it into prespective a woman is brutally raped and becomes pregnant, why should she have to either raise a child that was not ment to be or carry it untill term and give it away and still live with giving birth to a child born from a crime commited agaist her! Or here's another a man and a woman already have a child and due to a previous complicated pregnancy the dr. tells her this new fetus is going to be born severly handicaped! would you want to bring a child into this world that is going to have to depend on some one for the rest of it's life? I'm not saying that everyone should just go and have an abortion. But no one should judge anyone else for why they are having an abortion in the first place!
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Examiner Reader said:
Everyone deserves the right to be born. After all, weren't we all given that right? Life is a precious gift and should never be denied for any reason. It is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. I will be happy to pray and fast for an end to this holocaust.
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