Ecumenism

1. Traditional Anglicans (i.e., those who reject the Episcopal Church's strong revisionist tendencies) have formed their own province here in North America. Psst. Over here. You're always welcome here on this side of the Tiber.

2. In other inter-religious news, the Ecumenical Patriarch is again saying very positive things about the quest for restoration of full communion between East and West. Please, Lord, make it happen soon! In other Orthodox news, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow has died. Please pray for the repose of his soul, and for a successor committed to the unity of the Church.

3. Austin Ruse of C-Fam lays out what the future holds under Madame Clinton as Secretary of State. It isn't pretty.

4. The future of American health care -- rationing, just like in the UK, where dollar values are placed on human life. Here's the key quote that says it all, if you don't want to read the whole thing. It concerns a man who needs a particular medicine (annual cost $54,000) to stop the spread of his cancer: "But at that price, Mr. Hardy’s life is not worth prolonging, according to a British government agency, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. The institute, known as NICE, has decided that Britain, except in rare cases, can afford only £15,000, or about $22,750, to save six months of a citizen’s life." They even call the agency "NICE". Mr. Orwell, call your office.

5. The tragedy of modern Spain continues. In addition to a birth rate far below replacement rates, Spain has also seen a doubling in the number of abortions over the past decade. Here's what's even more tragic: the "Equality Minister" (whatever the heck that means -- can you even imagine?) of the Socialist government is talking about "reforming" the law to make it even easier to have an abortion. The only conclusion is that the government there actually wants more women to have abortions. Sick, and evil, a symptom of deep cultural dispair.

6. The last reigning sovereign in Europe with actual ruling authority, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg will now be stripped of his veto power because he opposed a bill that would legalize euthanasia in his tiny nation. Please offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the witness of this Catholic ruler.

7. Today's the 75th anniversary of the ratification of the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution, which ended Prohibition. It's a little early in the day for me, but later on I'm going to honor the occasion in the only appropriate way. I suggest you do likewise.