1. State election recap: Pro-life victories
(PHN) - The week after the 2022 midterm elections, Right to Life of Northeast Ohio sent out an email to supporters with the subject line, “Upset about midterm election results? Read this.” Leading up to the midterms, conservatives hoped for a shift of power in both chambers of Congress. Pro-life groups were optimistic that at least some of the five abortion-related ballot measures would lead to pro-life victories—especially after a discouraging failure in August when a pro-life constitutional amendment failed to pass in Kansas. Instead, Republicans barely took the U.S. House, failed to gain the Senate, and all five ballot measures went pro-aborts’ way. But the Right to Life of Northeast Ohio newsletter encouraged supporters to look on the bright side. On a state level, the group pointed out, Republicans—who are more likely to vote pro-life—have control of both chambers of the legislatures of 30 states and a majority on the state Supreme Courts of more than half of the states. Despite the disappointments on Nov. 8, the pro-life movement saw multiple state-level victories, solidifying the pro-life status of some states or opening the door to future victories in others. MORE
RELATED: Five U.S. states codify abortion, reject pro-life measures despite Catholic efforts >>
2. Senate passes same-sex marriage bill, sending it back to the House
(CNA) - The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday evening to pass the Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA), sending the bill back to the House for a final vote before it reaches the president’s desk. The bill, which would repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and provide for federal recognition of same-sex marriages, has drawn criticism from Catholic leaders for not providing strong enough legal protections for individuals who believe marriage to be between one man and one woman, as taught by the Catholic Church. The present bill would not require any state to allow same-sex couples to marry, but would require states to recognize any and all marriages — regardless of “sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin” — contracted in other states. The bill garnered bipartisan support, clearing the Senate Nov. 29 by a vote of 61-36, and will return now to the House. Should the House pass this amended version, the bill will proceed to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature, which he has pledged to give. Biden first signaled his support for same-sex marriage a decade ago, putting him at odds with the teaching of his Catholic faith. MORE
RELATED: How a proposed marriage law targets religious liberty LISTEN
3. FBI director: 70% of abortion-related threats and violence are against pro-lifers
(LiveAction) - Testifying before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, FBI Director Christopher Wray stated last week that about 70% of abortion-related violence and threats since the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization have been perpetrated against pro-life groups. On November 17th, Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) questioned Wray about recent allegations that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI under the Biden administration have been unfairly targeting pro-life individuals for prosecution when, in fact, the actual surge in violence has been against pro-lifers at the hands of abortion advocates – crimes the FBI has seemed to ignore. Wray replied, “My view — plainly expressed to all of our people, including in the context of abortion-related violence — is that I don’t care what side of the issue you’re on, you don’t get to engage in violence, and we are equal-opportunity when it comes to that.” MORE
RELATED: Six Months After Abortion Activist Firebombed Pro-Life Group’s Office, No One Has Been Arrested >>
4. Federal Court Protects Female Athletes and Doctors, Rejects Administration’s Redefinition of Biological Sex
(DC) - A U.S. federal court has issued a major ruling rejecting the Biden administration’s attempt to redefine the word “sex” to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in federal law. The ruling protects both female athletes and doctors who affirm in the biological reality of male and female. The ruling comes after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced in May 2021 that it would unilaterally redefine the word “sex” in Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and in Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” After that announcement, two doctors sued HHS, arguing that this redefinition would force them to perform harmful medical procedures that purport to change a person’s biological sex, even it violated their religious beliefs or best medical judgement. In an amicus brief (friend-of-the-court brief), attorneys with Alliance Defending Freedom told the court earlier this year that the Biden Administration’s mandate would also directly impact female athletes by “requiring them to compete against men on women’s sports teams.” MORE
RELATED: Federal Court Blocks Joe Biden’s Mandate Trying to Force Christian Doctors to Do Abortions >>
5. Christian Groups Organize “World’s Largest Baby Shower” to Help Moms in Need
(LifeNews) - A group of Houston Christian radio stations organized a large scale campaign to assist pregnancy help centers in their work serving pregnant women and families, resulting in a remarkable response of support for pregnancy help across the U.S. The “World’s Largest Baby Shower” was presented by the Hope Media Group, which owns Houston Christian radio station KSBJ and others in the area. The group spent nearly a month promoting the donation drive culminating in late August, according to a Christian Music Broadcasters article. Ultimately a nation-wide event, DJs with the various Houston radio stations and others across the country encouraged community residents to donate to pregnancy centers. Hope Media Group’s audiences “exceeded expectations” the group said, with more than 55,000 diapers, 44,976 wipes, 200 cans of formula, and nearly $30,000 in gift cards donated to 40 pregnancy help centers in the United States during the campaign. “It was awesome!” said Sandra Ontiveros, senior director of operations for the Houston Pregnancy Help Center, one of the centers that benefited from the baby shower. MORE
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Detransitioner Chloe Cole Gives Powerful Testimony Against ‘Gender-Affirming Care’ At Capitol >>
Detroit bishop calls for penitential Advent after passage of abortion initiative >>
State Supreme Court reinstates Georgia’s six-week ban on abortions >>
Montana voters reject law requiring medical care for infants post-birth >>
New Lawsuit Alleges FDA’s Approval of Chemical Abortions Violated the Law >>
US premature birth rate highest in 15 years, while infant mortality rate declines >>
National Adoption Day ceremonies bring families together across the nation >>
Meet the 3 women the U.S. bishops are considering for sainthood >>
New Jersey Democrats Scrap Amendment for Right to Kill Babies in Abortions Up to Birth >>
Abortionist Admits Faking “Health” Reasons to Kill Healthy 6-Month-Old Baby in Abortion >>
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Indiana officer and wife adopt baby surrendered in Safe Haven Baby Box
(LiveAction) - An Indiana police officer and his wife have adopted a baby girl rescued through a Safe Haven Baby Box. WNDU reports that Bruce and Shelby Faltynski adopted baby Myah on November 18, National Adoption Day, months after she was found surrendered in the baby box. MORE
“They helped me to not make the biggest mistake of my life” - Woman pressured to abort twins praises pregnancy help, pays it forward
(PHN) - Aisha Taylor set a steady course for her life. After graduate school in Michigan, the young woman moved to Detroit and worked in corporate finance. She decided to leave that job and become an entrepreneur. Then an unexpected pregnancy impacted her world and changed the course of her life. Her boyfriend pushed her to abort. MORE
Outpouring of public support leads man to change mind about assisted suicide
(LiveAction) - A Canadian man who had said he was considering euthanasia due to his potential homelessness has changed his mind thanks to an outpouring of public support, according to City News. MORE
She Refused Her Fiancé’s Abortion Demand, Now She Has This Adorable Little Boy
(LifeNews) - Faith was 21 when she became pregnant. Her fiancé and family said her life would be over unless she had an abortion. But when she stumbled on a pregnancy resource center, she found the support and help she had been refused.“ I had just found out I was pregnant, and I was driving by on Highway 72 and I saw big purple letters — ‘Pregnancy Resources Center,’” Faith told the Daily Caller in an interview. “I thought, ‘I’m a pregnant person; I wonder what they do there.’” MORE
A dozen children get forever families during Pennsylvania court’s Adoption Day ceremony
(LiveAction) - November is National Adoption Month, and for nine Pennsylvania families, it took on a special significance as 12 children found their forever families. Organized by the Lancaster Bar Association, the group of new lawyers helped to make the day special for the happy families. MORE
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How To Keep Your Kids Catholic
(MessyFamily) - A few months ago, we sent a link to our email subscriber list with a link to fill out our listener survey. We received SO MANY responses and unsurprisingly, the number one desire our listeners have is to learn how to keep their kids Catholic.
It’s interesting to read that because, while our culture has dramatically changed in the last 10 years, the desire of our listeners hasn’t – we’re still overwhelmingly trying to raise our children in the faith in such a way that they’ll stick around! So what can we do practically to encourage our children to remain in the Church, and not just stay but to thrive in and love their faith as we do? We have a few ideas! MORE
BONUS:
Don’t let Christmas take you by surprise: lessons for Advent from the Church >>
Carlo Acutis comic book: Meet the teenager who loved the Eucharist >>
RESOURCE: An App for Catholic Family Life
CatholicHôM (Households on Mission) is a new app dedicated to supporting Catholic families. Download the CatholicHôM app and become part of a dynamic online community of families, at every age and stage, supporting each other in becoming Households on Mission to love like Christ. Download the app from the Apple App Store or from Google Play.
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Archbishop Gomez calls for evangelizing response to secular age
(CNA) - Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, the outgoing president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, addressed his fellow U.S. bishops on Nov. 15 at their annual fall assembly in Baltimore. He used the occasion to speak passionately — and optimistically — about how evangelization can counteract the increasing secularization of society. MORE
Abortion activist explains how she manipulated voters in recent elections
(LiveAction) - In an interview with The Cut, a key abortion activist has revealed the tactics she used to secure defeats of pro-life initiatives at the ballot box in Kansas and Kentucky. MORE
The battle for religious freedom: Conviction points the way forward
(CWR) - Catholics are not winning any popularity contests….Simply standing on the ground of freedom may entail a losing battle. We need a more compelling articulation of our message, embodied in a joyfully countercultural witness. MORE
A Catholic Discussion on End of Life Issues
(NCBC) - Staff ethicist DiAnn Ecret from the National Catholic Bioethics Center discusses End-of-Life issues as they relate to our Catholic faith. DiAnn has an extensive background in nursing and academics, and currently teaches nursing students as an assistant professor at Ave Maria University, Florida. WATCH
Disabled Canadian man complains about pressure to accept assisted suicide because his care costs too much
(BioEdge) - In an on-going case in Ontario, a severely disabled man is suing the Canadian government and local health authorities for poor care and for pushing him to accept assisted dying.
“I’ve been pressured to do an assisted suicide,” Roger Foley told the New York Post. MORE
She created 48 embryos via IVF and lives with guilt: ‘We don’t know what to do with them’
(LiveAction) - To increase the odds of getting pregnant, couples often create and freeze more embryos than they plan to use and at least 80% do not survive, while it is estimated that one million embryos are currently frozen in the United States — many of them abandoned by parents who don’t know what to do with them. MORE
Gender-affirming medicine: what good is evidence anyway?
(BioEdge) - In another article on the transgender issue, in the blog of The Hastings Center, three academics from NYU Grossman School of Medicine (including the well-known Art Caplan) contends that “Absence of Evidence Is Not Absence of Efficacy”. They note that there the evidence for gender-affirmative medicine is very weak. MORE
‘I never knew’: Abortion videos show people the truth… and change minds
(LiveAction) - As the abortion industry peddles misinformation in an attempt to convince people that abortion is necessary for society to thrive, the need for exposing the truth is more important than ever. Many people don’t understand — and they are never taught — what abortion really is or what it does. As these man-on-the-street videos, taken on the streets of Los Angeles, demonstrate, once people see the horror and reality involved with it, they find it impossible to justify the taking of innocent life. MORE
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The Culture of Life Update is published monthly by the Office of Marriage, Family and Respect Life of the Diocese of Steubenville. Designed for busy people, the Culture of Life Update provides a once-a-month overview of news stories related to life, marriage and the family. It's a great and easy way to get informed.
The news provided in the Culture of Life Update is for information purposes only. The inclusion of any article is not meant to be an endorsement of a particular author’s viewpoint, nor it is meant to be an endorsement of the organization providing the information.
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