House Passes Bill to Ban Most Abortions After 20 Weeks
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WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | Oct. 6-19, 2017 | Volume 78, Number 23 ORLANDO DIOCESE PALM BEACH DIOCESE VENICE DIOCESE Mass of Faithful Community faith Solidarity advocates stand is at the heart for Puerto Rico for life of recovery House passes bill to ban most abortions after 20 weeks MATT HADRO “Stories of children being born earlier in Catholic News Agency pregnancy, as early as 20 weeks post-fertil- ization, are becoming more common,” he WASHINGTON D.C. | The U.S. House wrote. “These procedures after the middle point of pregnancy also pose serious dan- passed a ban on abortions after 20 gers to women – as evidenced by a disturbing weeks of gestation in a largely party- number of news stories about the death or line vote. The measure is a major pro- serious complications of women undergoing such procedures.” life legislative priority, but it is expect- Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) said in a floor ed to fail in the Senate. statement supporting the bill that “The Pain- “The New England Journal of Medicine Capable Unborn Child Protection Act will has documented that premature babies are moderate our extreme position and ensure surviving earlier and earlier, yet our nations we protect the most vulnerable – like Micah laws fail to protect these children,” stated Pickering, a lively five-year-old I met last Maureen Ferguson, senior policy advisor week.” with The Catholic Association. He explained that Micah was born prema- The House passed the Pain-Capable Un- turely, at the age childen would be protected born Child Protection Act late in the after- by the bill: “Micah was able to survive and noon of Oct. 3 by a vote of 237 to 189, largely thrive after spending more than four months along party lines. The chamber also passed in the neonatal intensive care unit. He is now a version of the bill in 2015; but Tuesday’s in kindergarten, and I found out when talking bill, as in 2015, is expected to fail in the Sen- to him that we share a love of Legos.” ate. “The bottom line is this: 20 weeks is half- If it were to be signed into law, the bill way through a pregnancy. It’s too late to end would “not only save between 11,000-18,000 the life of an unborn baby,” Hultgren stated. lives a year, but will serve to educate the pub- “It violates what Americans want, it violates lic on the humanity of the unborn person and science, and it violates our country’s most en- affirm the science of fetal pain early in devel- during values.” opment,” said Jeanne Mancini, president of The White House has promised to sign the the March for Life.” bill if it passes both chambers, in line with a It bans most abortions past 20 weeks, ex- promise that President Donald Trump made cept in cases of rape, incest, or when the life on the campaign trail to sign certain pro-life of the mother is at stake. Pro-life leaders have bills if they were sent to his desk. pointed to studies which say that unborn ba- (R-Ariz.), who introduced the bill, said on the “We hold that every child, from conception “The bill, if enacted into law, would help bies can feel pain by 20 weeks post-fertiliza- House Floor Monday evening. “It is the worst onward, deserves love and the protection of to facilitate the culture of life to which our tion, and that a small number can actually human rights atrocity in the history of the the law. We believe that no person or govern- Nation aspires,” the White House stated on survive with the proper medical care, if born United States of America.” ment has the right to take the life of an inno- Tuesday. “The United States is currently out at that stage of the pregnancy. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, cent human being – and we hold that the real of the mainstream in the family of nations, “The fact is that more than 18,000 late- chair of the Pro-Life Committee of the United problems that lead women to consider abor- in which only 7 out of 198 nations allow elec- term, pain capable unborn babies were tor- States Conference of Catholic Bishops, asked tion should be addressed with solutions that tive abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.” turously killed without anesthesia in Amer- House members to support the bill in a Sept. support both mother and child,” Cardinal Among those seven countries are China and ica in just the last year,” Rep. Trent Franks 29 letter. Dolan wrote. North Korea. n Las Vegas Festival $2 million prays to heal guide... in hurricane following and so relief donated mass much to Florida shooting more dioceses WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | Oct. 6-19, 2017 FLORIDACatholic ORLANDO DIOCESE Mass of Solidarity for Puerto Rico Donations were collected by Catholic Charities as family members pray for loved ones on the island GLENDA MEEKINS of the Florida Catholic staff ORLANDO | Tears began to flow for Delbert Rodriguez and Sonia Mendez, parishioners at St. Charles Borromeo in Orlando as they spoke of their family still in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, a devastating Category 4 storm that struck the island Sept. 20. Rodriguez had only just spoken to his daughter — more than a week after Maria left its mark. “Thankfully, she is well,” he said trying to contain his sobs. “We can’t go right now, but we are trying to help them from here. We are strengthened in the faith.” Rodriguez and Mendez were among the hundreds of people who flocked to the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando Sept. 30 for a Mass of Solidarity to pray for those affected by the hurricane. In a moving display of patriotism and solidarity, those gathered sang La Borinqueña — the island’s anthem — to the sound of Puerto Rico’s traditional instrument, the cuatro. Flags waved as the delegation of priests and deacons processed to join their flock in their hour of need. Teresa Salamanca came with her family from Holy Spirit Parish in Lake Wales and is originally from Ponce. She was touched by Bishop John Noonan’s response to Puerto Rico’s People pray at the Mass of Solidarity Sept. 30 for those affected by Hurricane Maria. (GLENDA MEEKINS | FC) crisis with the Mass of Solidarity. “The love he has for his people shows me that he is united in solidarity with those who are suffering. It says a lot about him.” Salamanca’s seven siblings and more than 20 nieces and nephews are still in Puerto Rico. Although it was almost a week before she heard from anyone, she said, “We did not despair because we have faith. I know that God will pro- tect them.” When one of her sisters finally got through, she broke down crying and told her that damage throughout Puerto Rico had been catastrophic and it appeared as if fire had burned everything. Those who attended the Mass came with donations of food, water and personal hygiene items for Catholic Chari- ties of Central Florida. The residents of Puerto Rico con- tinue to struggle without power and basic necessities such as food and water. Salamanca’s sister reported to her: “Tonight we get hot dogs and tomorrow corned beef, then Spam. The only prob- lem is that we only prepared for one week.” Grocery stores People across Central Florida leave donations of food have not been replenished as there is no electricity to light and personal hygiene articles for the residents of Puerto the stores. The National Guard has come in to protect the Rico, who continue to struggle without power and community and everyone is being extremely careful and basic necessities following Hurricane Maria. (GLENDA cautious. MEEKINS | FC) “They live day to day,” Salamanca said. “Their cash is running out. People are getting to a moment of despera- ing in our hope and our faith. Our ‘Island of Enchantment’ tion.” is not abandoned. Father David Vargas, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Lake “Puerto Rico will again stand with the glory and grace of Wales, is a native of Aguada in Puerto Rico. He said al- Our Lord,” he continued. “The coqui will not stop singing; though common sorrow bound those gathered, a resound- the jibaro will not stop taking up his machete to go work in People in Puerto Rico wait in line for gasoline.The island ing chord of hope was felt throughout the community. the field; the compadre and comadre will not stop laugh- was devastated Sept. 20 by Category 4 Hurricane Maria, “This is not God’s last word. He continues to speak to us,” ing and smiling, because God has blessed our ‘Island of the strongest hurricane in more than 80 years. Many lost Father Vargas said. “The hurricane passed through Puerto Enchantment’ and Puerto Rico, as the precious island that everything and are struggling to access the everyday Rico, but also through our hearts. But we are here celebrat- it is, will rise.” n needs. (COURTESY) Oct. 6-19, 2017 Florida Catholic YOUR ORLANDO COMMUNITY A2 Advocates fearlessly choose life GLENDA MEEKINS know what her life was going to Morning Star School in Orlando. of the Florida Catholic staff bring. But I had this little baby in The reality that Caitlin needed my arms so I just loved her and to be independent and her future ORLANDO | October is Respect brought her up the way I would secured confronted her.