Correcting misleading information on FOCA

Those of us who were encouraged to pray the FOCA novena are asked to be aware of several misleading statements contained therein. Click here to read the Catholic News Agency article detailing the efforts of the USCCB to correct misleading information contained in the novena (which, incidentally, did not originate with and had no connection to the USCCB). While it is very important that we be diligent ambassadors of pro-life issues, it's equally as important to be consistent and correct in that message.

FOCA

Another reminder(thanks to Sister Andrea W.) about the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), which could potentially become law at the beginning of the Obama Administration. Some of the ramifications of FOCA are:

• All hospitals, including Catholic hospitals would be required to perform abortions upon request. If this were to happen, some U.S. Bishops have indicated they would consider closing down Catholic hospitals rather than perform abortions. More than 30% of all hospitals in the United States are Catholic.
• Partial birth abortions would be legal and have no limitations.
• All U.S. tax payers would be funding abortions.
• Parental notification will no longer be required.
• The number of abortions could increase by as much as 100,000 annually.
• Perhaps most importantly the government would then have control in the issue of abortion.

If you have not yet signed the petition, go to www.fightfoca.com. Also, we're asked to pray a novena (actually starting yesterday, but beginning today is OK, too) to move the hearts and minds of the new administration to re-consider its stance toward FOCA.