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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Writer The Diocese of Portland, Maine is among several groups that successfully collected the 55,000 signatures needed to place a People’s Veto on the 2009 ballot to prevent implementation of the state’s recent ruling in favor of same-sex marriage.

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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Writer A bill that would have stopped the Obama Administration’s plan to use taxpayer dollars to fund abortions in the nation’s capital was defeated by members of the House Appropriations Committee. According to a report by LifeNews.com, Rep. Todd Tiahrt, who sponsored the Tiahrt-Davis bill to stop the funding, was disappointed by the vote, saying it would only lead to more abortions rather than the reduction that Obama claims to want. "When given the opportunity this week, Democrat appropriators voted to allow the District of Columbia to use public funding for abortions without limitations,” Tiahrt said. “The door is now open for American taxpayers to pay for abortions, even into the ninth month of pregnancy. This was the wrong decision and one that is contrary to the will of the American people." Since the Tiahrt/Davis Amendment was rejected by the Appropriations Committee, the version of the bill that will go to the floor of the House will allow taxpayer-funded abortion in Washington D.C. Pro-life House members will not be able to introduce an amendment that would prevent taxpayer-funded abortion in Washington D.C. unless the Rules Committee allows it. The taxpayer-funded abortion in Washington D.C. could open the door to allowing taxpayer-funded abortion in other places as well. Tiahrt cited a recent study showing nearly 70 percent of Americans oppose using taxpayer dollars to fund or subsidize abortions. He also pointed out that implementation of the same provision to prohibit funding of abortions caused a 34 percent decrease in the number of abortions between 1996 and 2000. "We have heard the President himself say we need to reduce abortions," the Kansas congressman continued. “The Tiahrt-Davis amendment would help accomplish that. This language should remain in place to help save the precious lives of the unborn. Not surprising is the jubilant reaction of pro-abortion forces, such as Nancy Keenan of NARAL. She called prohibiting taxpayer funded abortions in the District of Columbia a "discriminatory policy" and applauded the panel for "follow[ing] President Obama's lead." "We cleared an important hurdle, thanks to the leadership of subcommittee chairman Rep. Jose Serrano and our pro-choice allies on the House Appropriations Committee," Keenan said. Keenan urged members of the House Rules Committee to disallow a vote on a second Tiahrt amendment on the House floor to restore the abortion funding ban. "As this bill moves to the full House, our activists are ready to work to ensure that Congress upholds the committee's action," she said. © All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com

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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Writer President Barack Obama will meet with Pope Benedict XVI tomorrow in Rome where the two are expected to have a “frank” discussion about abortion. During the meeting, the president and first lady will present the Pope with a stole that was draped over the body of St. John Neumann of Philadelphia. Limited coverage of the meeting will be televised live by Catholic TV.

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by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Writer A new program that supports separated or divorced persons who with to remain faithful to the obligations of the Sacrament of Matrimony has been launched in the U.S.

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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Writer The Vatican has released Pope Benedict XVI's new encyclical, “Caritas in veritate” (Charity in Truth), in which the Holy Father forcefully maintains the link between life ethics and social ethics.

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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Writer Cardinal Justin Rigali, Chairman of the U.S. Catholic bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, criticized the final guidelines for human embryonic stem cell research issued yesterday by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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Father Edmund Sylvia, C.S.C. and I are at EWTN producing the next ten programs for The Abundant Life. They are slated to air this Fall. It has been a dynamic week filled with great guests and great topics. Here is an overview: Widowhood: Challenge and Grace, Guest: Ronda Chervin, Ph.D. The Cross in Our Lives: Living in Hope and Confidence, Guests: Linda Santo (mother of Little Audrey Santo), Lisa Valianti O'Brien Our Lady, Our Mother, Guest: Michael Shea Angels: Our Spiritual Friends, Guest: Mike Aquilina Socialism: Threat to Freedom, Guest: Samuel Gregg The Spiritual Battle: Round II, Guests: John LaBriola, Father Tom Euteneuer Lay Apostolates in Mission: Guests, Bobbi and Dan Vaughan, Pete Truax, Monsignor Matthew Odong The Defense of Traditional Marriage, Guests: Paul Rondeau, Mary Jo Anderson, Father Tom Euteneuer Divorced and Catholic: What is One to Do?, Guests: Lisa Duffy, Vince Frese Confirmation: Call to Knighthood: Guest, Thomas K. Sullivan As you can see, we have a diverse group of shows and a diverse group of guests. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to move through the week.

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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Writer The National Institutes for Health (NIH) published their official guidelines today regarding human embryonic stem cell research after admitting that they disregarded 30,000 of the approximately 49,000 comments received during the public comment period because they were deemed to be “not responsive to the question put forth."

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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Writer   Nothing noteworthy came of the president’s “round table” discussion with Catholic journalists last week. He called differences on the abortion issue “healthy,” said his conscience clause protections would be “robust” and advised Christians to examine their beliefs about homosexuality to be sure they’re not hurting anyone.

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by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Writer The Pope has sent a letter to the leaders of industrialized nations meeting in Italy this week for a G8 summit to unite in order to face the economic challenges that are currently affecting the destinies of mankind.

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