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ACTION ALERT: Urge Congress to Enact the Conscience Protection Act
Archbishop Chaput’s Q and A with Crux–“Coercion in American Culture is ‘Soft’ but Real”
Earlier today Crux published the text of a Q and A with Archbishop Chaput, “Coercion in American Culture is ‘Soft’ but Real.” You can read the full text of the Archbishop’s exchange with Crux contributor Charles Camosy at the following link https://cruxnow.com/interviews/2018/02/28/chaput-coercion-american-culture-soft-real/.
Renewed Push + Harmful Legislation = We Need You
There is a renewed push for harmful legislation here in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, 18 State Senators and 74 State Representatives are cosponsors to legislation with dangerous consequences to your religious freedom and privacy rights – Senate Bill 613 & House Bill 1410.
That’s more than one third of both the State House and State Senate sponsoring a bill jeopardizing your fundamental freedoms. That is too close for such problematic legislation. Don’t let this continue.
So I ask: Can I count on your help?
- Will you contact your State Senator and State Representative about the harms of SB 613 & HB 1410?
- Will you use our free eBook [more below] to share and defend against this dangerous legislation?
- Take Action
Please contact your State Senator and State Representative and tell them to oppose SB 613 and HB 1410. We’ve made it easy to email both through our Citizen Action Center.
Click here to contact your elected officials.
- Free eBook
There have been misunderstandings circulating about on this legislation that we want to help resolve, which is why we have created an eBook containing valuable facts and insights to help inform and educate on SB 613 and HB 1410.
Ironically, not only would SB613 and HB1410 jeopardize your fundamental freedoms but it would also add the following line to our existing law:
Public policies, reflecting an open and welcoming environment and ensuring equal opportunity, foster economic growth and prosperity which benefit the inhabitants of this Commonwealth.
Public policies that are truly “open” and “welcoming” would provide space for all people to live and work in the public square according to their conscience. But SB 613 and HB 1410 would do the exact opposite, potentially treating good people as enemies of the state.
What you’ll find in this new eBook:
1) SB 613 / HB 1410 IS UNFAIR TO HARD-WORKING PENNSYLVANIANS.
FACT #1 – SB 613 & HB 1410 would force good people to either participate in events or messages contrary to their beliefs or face crippling fines and penalties. No one should be forced to choose between their business or their faith.
See what’s happened around the country when states pass laws like SB613 and HB1410.
FACT #2 – SB 613 & HB 1410 would make it illegal for religious schools and churches to hire employees that agree with their teachings on sexuality, marriage and gender.
2) SB 613 / HB 1410 ALLOWS MEN IN WOMEN’S RESTROOMS.
FACT #3 – Laws like SB 613 and HB 1410 have been used to force employers and schools to open sex-specific locker-rooms, showers and restrooms to those of the opposite biological sex.
While the bill does not specifically say “bathroom” it does discuss “facilities” and “privileges,” which have been read elsewhere to include restrooms, locker rooms and showers. And states like Washington have made it clear that these types of laws are vehicles to forcing open such facilities to members of the opposite biological sex.
Find out exactly how SB613 & HB1410 would affect bathrooms, locker rooms and shower facilities.
The state officials that are sponsoring this harmful legislation may certainly be driven by good intentions. But they are now taking a law intended to prevent discrimination and amending it in a way that it can be used to punish many good people in Pennsylvania.
Thank you for reading this eBook and putting it to use in helping to defend religious freedom and privacy rights here in Pennsylvania.
One final note – the only reason this dangerous legislation has not become law yet is because of people like you getting involved. We were told in 2016 that it was a “done deal” yet you joined thousands in teaming up with Pennsylvania Family Council to make your concerns loud and clear to elected officials. And we stopped it.
If we are going to continue to protect religious freedom and to defend privacy rights here in Pennsylvania, it’s going to be because individuals and families came together and committed themselves to doing something about it.
I know with your continued partnership with us that I’ve been able to count on you as an advocate for pro-family values and I’m glad to have your help as we continue this ongoing battle. Thanks for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Michael Geer, President
Pennsylvania Family Council
Archbishop Chaput’s Statement Regarding Shooting at High School in Parkland, Florida
STATEMENT OF MOST REVEREND CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. CAP.
REGARDING SHOOTING AT MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL IN PARKLAND, FLORIDA
“Nineteen years ago I sat with the parents of children murdered in the Columbine High School massacre, and buried some of their dead. Nothing seems to change, no matter how brutal the cost. Terrible things happen; pious statements are released, and the nation goes back to its self-absorbed distractions.
The latest massacre in south Florida requires two things from all of us. We need to pray for the victims and their families because — as I witnessed firsthand at Columbine — their suffering is intense and long lasting. And we need to be angry: angry at our lawmakers for doing so little to prevent these catastrophes; angry at our news and entertainment media for simultaneously feeding off these tragedies and fueling them with a steady stream of sensationalism and moral incoherence; angry at ourselves for perversely tolerating these things, and then forgetting them until the next round of violence.
This is Lent. As a people, we have a lot to repent and confess. And let’s not lie to ourselves that tighter gun restrictions — as vital and urgent as they now are — will solve the problem. We’ve lost our respect for human life on a much broader scale, and this is the utterly predictable result.”
+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia
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Legislation to Protect Babies with Down Syndrome
Turzai, Ward Unveil Legislation to Protect Babies with Down Syndrome
HARRISBURG – House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) and Rep. Judy Ward (R-Blair) introduced House Bill 2050 today, which would prohibit the abortion of a child due solely to a diagnosis of possible Down syndrome.
Yesterday, Gerber introduced the world to Lucas Warren, who was selected as the 2018 Gerber baby. Lucas is a healthy 1-year-old from Dalton, Ga., who is full of spirit and potential. He also has Down syndrome.
Down syndrome is a congenital, chromosome abnormality causing developmental delays and physical limitations impacting a child’s height and facial appearance. In recent years, celebrity support and public awareness about advances in support for families impacted by the condition have dramatically improved the life span and educational and work opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome.
According to recent reports, at the turn of the 20th century a baby diagnosed with Down syndrome was not expected to live past their 10th birthday. In 2018, the life expectacy for an individual with Down syndrome has been extended to age 60 and beyond.
Under current law, a woman can obtain an abortion prior to 24 weeks gestational age for any reason, except if the woman’s sole reason is to select the sex of the child. House Bill 2050 will expand that exception to prohibit aborting a child due solely to a prenatal diagnosis that the unborn child has Down syndrome. The law would have no restrictions on a mother obtaining an abortion in cases of rape, incest or personal endangerment.
“We’re raising the concern in Pennsylvania because of some tragic trends in European countries. In Iceland, they’ve become notorious for the claim that Down syndrome has been nearly eliminated. What they fail to mention is that Iceland has a 100 percent abortion rate of pre-born children with this diagnosis,” said Turzai. “I believe in the dignity of every human being. None of us are born perfect, and we all have something beautiful to contribute. Pennsylvania is a loving, compassionate community, and we want to extend welcome and support to Down syndrome families. They need to know they’re not alone.”
Studies show that as many as nine out of 10 children diagnosed in utero with Down syndrome are aborted in the United States, and mothers are being indirectly or directly pressured or advised to make this decision by genetic counselors and the culture.
“The future has never been brighter for babies born with Down syndrome,” said Ward. “Medical and social advances have changed what it means to live with this condition. Down syndrome means that opportunities exist in every area of school, community and even professional life. We’ve learned too much to accept that Down syndrome citizens should be considered anything less than full members of the community. They deserve respect and the protection of our laws.”
House Bill 2050 was introduced today with the broad bipartisan support of over 70 cosponsors.
Four other states have taken steps to protect these children by passing laws prohibiting abortions because of a Down syndrome diagnosis.
“Although Chloe’s Law (Act 130 of 2014) has been a valuable tool in educating parents about the quality of life of a person with Down syndrome, the abortion rate for children is still too high,” said Turzai. “It’s time to protect children with Down syndrome at every stage of life – especially at their most vulnerable.”
To the people of the Church in Philadelphia
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Just-announced legislation would help save lives in PA
“Around 180 babies are born with Down syndrome in Pennsylvania every year, according to the State Department of Health. And studies show that as many as 9 out of 10 children diagnosed in utero with Down syndrome are aborted. That’s just one example of the cost of abortion on Pennsylvania. And it’s something we can change.”
Help us protect unborn children diagnosed with Down syndrome
What is the cost of abortion?
We alerted you this week about the U.S. Senate voting to end late-term abortion (which unfortunately fell short of the 60% majority need to overcome a filibuster on the bill; both U.S. Senators from Pennsylvania – Bob Casey and Pat Toomey – voted yes).
What’s alarming is the Congressional Budget Office in response to this federal bill actually put a price on a person’s life – claiming we would “save” around $7,000 for every child aborted at 21 weeks or later.
That is a dangerous proposition – one with devastating consequences. If this becomes our mentality – “saving money” over saving lives – where will it end?
For instance, what about an unborn child diagnosed with Down syndrome? Should they be eradicated from society simply because of this diagnosis?
The sad truth is that here in Pennsylvania, a baby can be aborted simply because of a diagnosis of Down syndrome. Having developmental delays – being “different” – should be no reason to abort an unborn child. Yet here in Pennsylvania, that is permitted by law.
Whether it be a lack of understanding about people with Down syndrome or a worldview that pressures abortion as a “solution” or perhaps lawmakers with faulty logic on putting a dollar-value on a person’s life, the majority of babies given a diagnosis of Down syndrome are aborted.
Thankfully, some state lawmakers are trying to change this here in Pennsylvania. New legislation has just been announced that would stop any child from being aborted solely due to a diagnosis of possible Down syndrome.
Please take a moment to contact your State Senator and State Representative and ask them to co-sponsor this legislation. We have set up an action alert to automatically identify your state officials and to email them this request. Just click here or go to tinyurl.com/ValueAll.
Around 180 babies are born with Down syndrome in Pennsylvania every year, according to the State Department of Health. And studies show that as many as 9 out of 10 children diagnosed in utero with Down syndrome are aborted. That’s just one example of the cost of abortion on Pennsylvania. And it’s something we can change.
Thank you for continuing to stand with us and with those who cannot speak for themselves. May we continue to advocate truth and to save more lives here in Pennsylvania.
Sincerely,
Michael Geer, President
Pennsylvania Family Council
Support Unborn Children with Down Syndrome
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ACTION ALERT: Urge Senate to Enact Pro-Life Legislation
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