14
The Anchor
N.H. refuses Planned Parenthood funds continued from page one
judges attempt to overrule their decisions. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England president Steve Trombley said in a July 1 statement that the state had “curtailed access to affordable birth control,” which would be result in fiscal costs. “Without publicly-funded family planning services, expenses accrued by the state of New Hampshire will drastically increase. In 2008, our services and other family planning providers helped New Hampshire women prevent 6,600 unintended pregnancies, which could have resulted in approximately 2,900 unintended births. These New Hampshire services saved the federal and state governments $21,334,000 in 2008,” he said. The federal government stepped in and granted a $1 million no-bid contract straight to Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. “There is an urgent need to reinstate the services with an experienced provider that is familiar with the provision of Title X family planning services and applicable laws, regulations and administrative requirements, and has a history of successfully providing services in these areas of the state,” the contract said. While the federal government and Planned Parenthood keep busy reminding people that Title X funds are not permitted to directly fund abortions, critics say the funds — used on administrative and other costs — free up dollars for the ending of
young lives. In a statement, New Hampshire House Speaker William O’Brien responded to the funding by saying that the federal government had usurped the rights of the state. “It’s clear that New Hampshire policies and traditions mean nothing to an Obama Administration that is fixated on delivering a liberal agenda and providing handouts to special interests that support the president,” he said. Here in the Commonwealth, Massachusetts Family Institute president Kristian Mineau told The Anchor that the Obama Administration has repeatedly trampled the rights of states. President Barack Obama and his secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius are “joined at the hip” with Planned Parenthood. Sebelius, in particular, has a “single-focus agenda to promote abortion,” which is a severe conflict of interest, he said. “She is definitely marching to the drumbeat of Planned Parenthood, and certainly, that is not an organization that has women’s health in their best interests,” he added. He called Planned Parenthood a “nefarious organization” that is also well politicized “wise serpent.” “When you’re dealing with a snake like that, when you grab it by its tail, you need to watch out because it has venom-
October 7, 2011
ous activities elsewhere,” he said. In September, Congress mounted an investigation of Planned Parenthood. Rep. Cliff Stearns, chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, wrote a letter that demanded the organization provide documentation on how it has spent federal funds. The letter questioned whether the abortion group had been handling those funds properly and whether it has followed federal guidelines on the mandatory reporting of underage sexual abuse. Opponents of Planned Parenthood say the organization could never justify receiving millions of taxpayer dollars each year. Rita Diller, director of the American Life League’s Stop Planned Parenthood project, told The Anchor, “Planned Parenthood kills an innocent human being by
abortion every 95 seconds. It does not deserve one penny of taxpayer money.” In April this year, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Huston said in a letter to the U.S. Congress that during a time of painful budget cuts, Planned Parenthood should receive no taxpayer dollars. He noted that abortions account for one-third of Planned Parenthood’s income and the organization has aborted more than five million children the 1970s. The group also mounts “numerous legislative campaigns and litigation strategies” that oppose any limits on abortion, fight parental notification and refuse recognition of the conscience rights of healthcare workers. “Whether to fund the largest abortion network in the country is not one of those hard choices,” he said.
From birth to death, everyone has guardian angel, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Guardian angels exist to protect every human life from its beginning to end, Pope Benedict XVI said. “The Lord is always near and active in human history, and he also accompanies us with the unique presence of his angels, which the Church today venerates” on feast of the Guardian Angels October 2, he said before reciting the Angelus. Guardian angels are “ministers of divine care for every person,” he said. “From the beginning to the time of death, human life is surrounded by their unceasing protection,” the pope told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. He asked everyone to pray for the protection of all those who do the Lord’s work, especially for those who face religious intolerance. The Gospel reading of the day’s liturgy, he said, recalled Jesus’ parable of the vineyard where the servants would harm or kill the vineyard workers, even the vineyard owner’s own son. The reading “spurs us to pray for all
who work in the Lord’s vineyard, especially where they face violence and threats because of their faith,” he said. After spending nearly three months at the papal summer villa in Castel Gandolfo, the pope made his permanent return to the Vatican October 1. Before leaving the hilltop villa, the pope thanked Vatican employees and security for their help in making his vacation unfold with “tranquility and serenity.” In a September 29 audience with a delegation of town officials, parish leaders, local Italian security as well as Vatican employees and guards, the pope thanked them for their assistance and “qualified service.” He also met with villa employees September 28, telling them how much he enjoyed being immersed in nature and silence, both of which help people get closer to God. In a quiet peaceful setting, “it’s easier to find oneself, listen to one’s inner voice — I would say the presence of God — that gives deep meaning to our life,” he said.
praying for her pooch — Serena Shea kisses her Yorkshire terrier, Champ, following the blessing of pets at Immaculate Conception Church in North Easton, Mass., in 2010. The blessing traditionally occurs on or close to the October 4 feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of animals. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)