Threats to the Church's Liberty

1. Here's a good summary of the situation in Connecticut, where the state government is trying to shut up the Catholic Church by accusing her of illegal lobbying. Here is Bishop Lori's statement, and if you're a real legal geek like me you can even read the documents in his federal lawsuit against the state. This is a very, very important case for the liberty of the Church.

2. Follow-up to the item yesterday about the Catholic health plan in Boston that may have gotten itself into an arrangement that would require them to cooperate in abortion. The Archdiocese of Boston is reviewing the situation.

3. Hopefully this won't encourage deranged consequentialists who believe that evil means can be used for "good" ends, but it appears that Dr. Tiller's abortion clinic will be permanently closed.

4. Meanwhile, the media continues to lionize abortionists, this time turning the hero treatment onto Dr. Hern of Colorado. Time magazine offers this wistful nonsense about Dr. Tiller. Our objective media, going maudlin for men who kill babies for a living.

5. The government (which would never ration health care and let people die from neglect, nosirree, Bob) wants you to sign an advance directive i.e. a living will), and may even give you a tax break if you do so. Problem is that these documents all too often are "refuse treatment, let me die" documents that encourage passive euthanasia by the "medical futility" crowd.

6. Another reminder that those who cite Cardinal Bernardin for the idea that abortion is just one among many issues should instead read what the man actually said. Here's a key quote: when asked if Catholic voters should disqualify candidates who don'’t support a human life amendment, he said, "Well, certainly. That’s what the consistent life ethic is all about... I don’t see how you can subscribe to the consistent ethic and then vote for someone who feels that abortion is a 'basic right' of the individual."

7. Spent yesterday in Albany at the Rally for Marriage. Crazy atmosphere up there, hard to tell what's going to happen on same-sex "marriage". There's even some odd speculation that Tom Duane, the gay Senator and prime same-sex "marriage" sponsor, might switch sides in order to get his bill passed. Weird. Keep praying. Contact your State Senator. Pray some more.