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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
A group of House Democrats have introduced legislation aimed at overturning the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies recognition of gay marriage and gives states the right to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.
Oprah’s Ratings Continue to Decline
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Unpopular political positions and a penchant for promoting New Age quackery is suspected as being the reason for the continued decline in the ratings of The Oprah Winfrey Show, which have now reached record lows.
Senate Health Care Plan Includes Abortion and Rationing
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Less than 24 hours after its introduction as a bi-partisan solution to the controversial health care reform plans currently under consideration, the bill introduced yesterday by Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) includes even more abortion coverage than the House bill and would give doctors a financial incentive to reduce care to the elderly and disabled.
Sec. Sebelius Dodges Questions about Abortion and Communion
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), who is pro-choice and Catholic, dodged questions about whether or not she believes abortion should be included in health care reform, and if she continues to take Communion after being told to refrain from the Sacrament by her hometown bishop.
Pregnant Teen Gunned Down at Bus Stop
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
In a tragic example of the devastation wreaked on the innocent by the breakdown of the family, a 15 year-old pregnant teen in foster care, who was being molested by her 36 year–old adopted brother, was shot and killed while waiting at a school bus stop in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Mixed Signals from White House on Abortion in Health Care
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The White House is planning to meet this week with a major pro-life leader about the problem of abortion coverage in health care reform, but at the same time, it is refusing to speak with a pro-life Congressman who claims to have enough votes to derail the House bill if abortion coverage is not specifically excluded.
Going on Retreat
My Dear Friends in Christ,
I am going on retreat for the next eight days. Please keep me in your prayers during this time. I will try to get a blog or two out to you while away, but if not, I will be back with you the week of September 27. May the abundant life of Jesus Christ be yours.
In His Service,
Johnnette
Judge Protects Backers of Traditional Marriage
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
A U.S. District Court has issued a temporary order preventing the release of the names of citizens who signed a petition in support of a marriage referendum in the state of Washington after groups in favor of same-sex marriage threatened to publish the names on the internet.
Pressure Builds to Defund ACORN
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
An increasing number of lawmakers are calling for a thorough investigation and the severing of all government ties with ACORN (Assocation of Community Organizations for Reform Now) after an undercover sting revealed workers giving advice on how to skirt federal law.
Reunification of Russian and Orthodox Churches May Happen Soon
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
In an interview with an Italian daily, the Catholic Archbishop of Moscow said the reunification of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches – which have been separated for more than a millennium - could be achieved “within months.”