By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Katie Holmes, wife of actor Tom Cruise and the daughter of devout Catholics, is said to have convinced her husband to raise their daughter Suri as a Catholic rather than in their adopted Scientology.
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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Some of the nation's largest multiracial, multiethnic, and multigenerational faith-based and policy organizations, representing more than 30 million people, went on record to voice opposition to any healthcare bill that funds abortion, violates conscience, rations care, or limits freedom.
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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
An article appearing in the semi-official Vatican newspaper,
L’Osservatore Romano, calls the decision to award President Obama with a Nobel Peace Prize “premature” and questions the award because of his stance on abortion.
According to the
Catholic News Agency, the article notes that “the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Barack Obama has taken everyone somewhat by surprise, first and foremost the U.S. president himself.”
It also points out that during the last 90 years the prize has never been awarded to a sitting U.S. president. When former Pres. Jimmy Carter received the award in 2002 he had been out of office for some time, but was still involved in politics and able to influence the process for world peace.
However, Obama’s case is much different, which is why “Analysts have almost unanimously interpreted his selection as a way of pressuring Obama to make pacifist choices as his administration continues forward,” the paper surmised.
The article also noted the administration’s waffling and indecisiveness regarding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which makes the president’s global reputation questionable. The paper called this fence straddling into question, as well as his back-and-forth on bioethical issues such as abortion and health care provider conscience issues.
The Vatican newspaper brought up the subject of Mother Teresa’s Peace Prize. “Obama ought to recall that in 1979 he was preceded by Mother Teresa, who had the courage to state in her acceptance speech that the harshest war with the greatest number of ‘fallen’ is the practice of abortion, legalized and facilitated as well by the international structures.”
The article also pointed out that Pope John Paul II was a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize for years but was never chosen for the award in spite of the fact that he is largely credited for the fall of the Berlin Wall.
“Pope Wojtyla was considered by the members of the committee as too ‘conservative’ in other areas, and they feared that awarding it to him would be seen as favoring the Catholic Church over other religions. Their fears were evidently overcome in the much more controversial case of the selection of Obama,” the paper said, noting that the selection process has become mired in political correctness.
However, the article concluded, “at the same time, as the director of the Holy See’s Press Office has stated, we cannot help but rejoice at the recognition of President Obama’s efforts at nuclear disarmament and his personal disposition towards a policy that seeks peace more than the affirmation of U.S. power in the world.”
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®
http://www.womenofgrace.com
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Back in the early 1990's, I had the privilege of serving as associate producer for a four-hour television documentary that encompassed the evangelization of Europe and the efforts to bring Christianity to the New World. Called
River of
Light, it was produced by British film maker, John Bird, and was part of a series of films he produced about Our Blessed Lady.
Part of my assignment was to join the crew for eight days in Spain where they were producing some key segments for the documentary. It was a blessed experience in many ways and on many levels. One of the most significant moments for me came when we visited the Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located in the Estremadura in the village of Guadalupe.
What I didn't realize but came to know was that Our Lady of Guadalupe played a significant role in the life of Christopher Columbus and in the founding of the New World.
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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Proponents of a controversial hate crimes law that will grant special rights to homosexuals and could threaten religious freedom, used a military spending bill to usher the new law to victory in the U.S. House.
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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Two Connecticut physicians are asking the state to decide on the meaning of “suicide” in order to be able to assist their mentally competent but terminally ill patients to die if they so desire.
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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
While delivering the keynote address at the annual fundraising dinner for one of the world’s most radical homosexual activist organizations this weekend, President Barack Obama made sweeping promises to the homosexual community, including his intent to sign hate crimes legislation, to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell military policy and the Defense of Marriage Act. He also pledged his continued support for embattled homosexual nominees Kevin Jennings and Chai Feldblum.
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One of the great blessings of Catholic radio is its ability to have a significant impact in the lives of those who listen and, as a program provider for EWTN Global Catholic Radio, I have the opportunity to experience this often.
Take this past Monday's program for example. At the beginning of the program I shared a little about the difference between good fear and morbid fear and the virtue of trust. Apparently, it struck a chord with a lot of our listeners. Following is one email we received. What touched my heart about this woman's experience is that she began to see God making a difference in her life almost immediately.
When you have finished reading the piece you can find additional information about the topic by listening to the podcast of our program (go to the website www.womenofgrace.com) or you can read my post dated 04/28/09.
May God bless you and meet
your deepest need!
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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The surprise announcement that President Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize has taken everyone, including the President, by surprise, with most wondering at the rationale behind the choice.
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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
A new report based on a recent national survey by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that while increasing numbers of Americans say they favor civil unions for same-sex couples, the majority remain opposed to same-sex marriage and homosexuality in general.
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