Posted on 07/14/2004 2:23:53 PM PDT by old and tired
The American Life League, based in suburban Washington, has a simple message for Catholics: You can't be pro-abortion and Catholic.
To reach the faithful in the Northeast, where its research shows the greatest concentration of Catholics who say they favor abortion rights, the league has sent 12 college students on a "Crusade for Life," visiting cities and parishes from Maine to Washington.
The students, who will be in the Philadelphia area fromWednesday to July 19, speak at churches, pray and counsel women outside abortion clinics, and speak to anti-abortion- rights groups.
Their message - and their methods - may not be appreciated by all they target. Emily Bissonnette, who attends Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, acknowledged that the group has had verbal confrontations. But she said the students - mostly from public and private schools in the Midwest and West - have also been "overwhelmed" by the support they've received.
Don't look for the students to speak in churches in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, however. While they will attend Masses here, the archdiocese, along with those in Baltimore, Metuchen, N.J., and Burlington, Vt., have withdrawn invitations or requested that the students not speak at services.
Catherine Rossi, a spokeswoman for the Philadelphia Archdiocese, said that "while the archdiocese appreciates [the league's] efforts to preserve the sanctity of life, it would be inappropriate for them to speak here." The archdiocese, in a letter to the league written by its vicar of administration, Msgr. Joseph Cistone, on behalf of Cardinal Justin Rigali, said that it had reviewed the league's request but had "not granted" permission to speak.
The archdiocese did not cite a reason. The group's director for the crusade, Joseph Stars, speculated that the denials were prompted by the group's sharp criticism (including ads in the Washington Times and USA Today) of American bishops' "tepid response" to Catholic politicians who voice pro-abortion rights views. Rossi denied there was any direct connection.
Yeah, I know the guy from ALL who helped organized this. I was supposed to meet these students earlier this summer, but didn't get to. You can read their journal on the ALL site.
I pray for the Church at all times to do that which is right. Life would be so much easier if everyone would do what is right at all times.
One of them was at a Mass I went to in Manchester NH, at Ste. Marie parish - she was wonderful, and a refreshing example of young Catholicism today.
You can't be pro-abortion and Christian / human / intelligent / caring / loving / peaceful / fruitful / humble / obedient
I hope your efforts have an impact. Thanks.
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