Signs of the (digital) times

"You don't adapt to injustice; you oppose it"

That statement above is probably the most necessary and most striking statement people need to hear during these times. During these times of what? Well, in an era where it is easy to forget that all persons are to be protected from harm, and that a tiny baby's being inside his mother's womb since he's not due to be born yet does not wipe out his personhood (in the same way, personhood is not magically bestowed the moment a baby makes it to the "outside world" -- he is a person from day 1, and by "day 1" I am referring to conception).

Justice in all forms and in all aspects of daily life is what we ought to be striving for, and yet we know that for one reason or another, things are done -- sometimes on a grand scale -- which show that some people's sense of fairness seems to be based on extra-terrestrial standards. Who knows what their motivations are? It's only God who ultimately knows -- and knows completely -- what is in their heart. Still, we do what we can so that fairness prevails as much as possible.

Right now there is so much going on pertaining to the birth control mandate in the US; in fact, developments are happening so fast that it's hard to keep up. Plus, there's the wealth of information one has to sift through to know what's going on and to make sure you're getting the facts and sound analyses. So, I've gathered some of the (I believe) most factual accounts and analyses of the issue, from sources I trust. But first, something which should make you think, no matter what part of the culture of life/culture of death spectrum you're on right now:

"Think about this: the pro-abortion side has always cried for Christians to 'keep your rosaries off my ovaries,' yet they want Churches and religious organizations to fund their sex lives. Do you see the irony in this?

Imagine if the President mandated that all companies pay for every employee’s Bible, religious supplies and gas money to get to church. It is ludicrous to think we can force anyone to pay for this, so why is it ok to force companies to fund its employees’ bedroom activities?"

You'll find that in one of the articles I'm sharing below.

To start off, here's a graphic that illustrates the situation concisely:

This post from Mommy Life has an article dated Jan. 24 containing a statement from a US bishop about Obamacare's violence against Americans' First Amendment rights (for those who are still catching up on what the entire issue is all about, there's a bit of basic summary here).

Here's a piece from The Wall Street Journal that analyzes the situation, pre-"compromise". There's quite a bit of background information here as well. Dated. February 8.

Pro-life leader Bryan Kemper weighs in on the contraception mandate, too, and shares the official statement issued by Priests for Life National Director Fr. Frank Pavone about the lawsuit the organization is filing against the US government. If you'd like to go directly to the statement, it's here.

EWTN Global Catholic Network has also filed a lawsuit to stop the contraception mandate.

Though it has been mostly Catholics expressing their opposition to the trampling of constitutional rights, Evangelical Christians have begun to voice out their rejection of the mandate as well -- a most welcome and edifying development! Know more about it from here and here.

Then came the "accommodation" or "compromise" from the government as a result of the firm resistance from the people a couple of days ago. Is it any better? Judging from the response, it indicates a disdain for religious liberty even more.

Why abortion groups opposed the religious exemption but support the "compromise" (Jill Stanek)

Unacceptable -- former Vatican ambassador, Prof. Robert George, others respond (CatholicVote)

Update: President Obama's FALSE accommodation on birth control mandate -- it is actually worse. (Bryan Kemper)

"Adjustment" to HHS mandate nothing but a shell game (Pro-Life Action League)


Fr. Frank Pavone's statements should really be some kind of road map in these exciting times:

"The rule is unjust. You don't adapt to injustice; you oppose it."

On our own shores, the Philippines, the same thing is happening.

So, since Filipinos are basically great imitators, I rejoice over the vigorous opposition that defenders of life and liberty are carrying out against the tyrannical policies of the leader of the "Land of the free."

Let the tiny ones speak...

... even though in reality, they need us born ones to be their voice.

* Translation of Tagalog text: I AM PRO-LIFE! Hopefully you are, too. The RH Bill is one step toward legalized abortion in our country.

* February is PRO-LIFE MONTH in the Philippines!! Information about the different events can be found here (update: the Eucharistic celebration on Feb. 26 will be held at the main church in Antipolo instead of the Manila Cathedral). International speakers Michael Voris of RealCatholicTV.com and Luana Stoltenberg and Kay Painter of Operation Outcry are flying in for a series of speaking engagements, the schedule of which is here.

How's life around the planet?

A lot has been going on in the crusade to uphold the culture of life. Some of the news has been rather disappointing, and I'd like to highlight the positive developments and tidbits in this post. Here they are in five headlines:

Council of Europe votes against euthanasia
January 27, 2012. (Romereports.com) For the first time in decades, euthanasia has been directly rejected by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

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Largest crowd ever for TeenSpeak 2012
- Posted by John (Jan. 31, 2012 at 11:48 am)

“Phenomenal!” “Absolutely fantastic!” “I loved it!”

These are just some of the comments that sum up the reaction of the more than 140 teens and adults who attended TeenSpeak 2012 on January 28 at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Brook, Illinois—the largest crowd we’ve ever had at a TeenSpeak conference!

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Miss Delaware: "Life is beautiful, and life begins at conception"
By Jessica Ferraro, Pubished Jan. 31st, 2012

Maria Cahill is not your typical Miss Delaware. Underneath the glittery dresses, and dazzling smile is a girl who is down-to- earth, motivated, and courageous.

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Spain's new government to eliminate homosexualist indoctrination
BY MATTHEW CULLINAN HOFFMAN

February 1, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Spain’s new government, swept into power in November after seven years of socialist rule, has announced the elimination of a controversial program to indoctrinate students with homosexualist and socialist ideology.

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Breaking news: Honduras court rules against morning-after pill
Posted on Feb. 2, 2012 by Wendy Wright

The Supreme Court of Honduras has ruled against the morning-after pill by one vote. This ruling covers the concept of morning-after pill, not just one brand. The decision isn’t available yet. The president of the supreme court was the deciding vote.

Which fork is used for what?

That question expresses a dilemma many diners wrestle with at some point when faced with the dozen or so utensils in a restaurant that's not of the kitchenette kind. The contents of the plate later on may be the same -- sustenance -- but the difference lies primarily in the care with which the chow... er, the food is presented and consumed. The whole table set-up in a fine dining restaurant may spell sophistication, luxury or opulence, but what can really be said of it is that the setup is well-thought-out and carefully prepared and not haphazardly done.

That last part can also be said of the whole affair that a dad executed in "Fine Dining," a short film conceptualized and directed by Lance Katigbak, a Broadcast Communication major at the University of the Philippines. Instead of expensive dinner plates, silverware and wine goblets, there is plastic tableware. Even the food is as basic as a meal in a poor neighborhood can get. But sans fine china and elegant linen, there is the care that goes into preparing the whole setup; it is, after all, a gift to a loved one. And just as Lance stated in an interview for an article earlier this year, "poverty doesn’t have to be a hindrance to be able to do loving acts. "

One wonderful recent development is that this 18-year-old student was recognized for "Fine Dining" at the Manhattan International Film Festival in January, winning the People's Choice Award over 14 other entries from different countries (more details here). What? A movie with no sex, blood, gore and exaggerations of socio-political conditions of any sort was applauded and given recognition? There is hope in the world after all.

Anyone who is not from the Philippines and who has not had a chance to spend more than a day or two in this country will be unable to fully appreciate the details of this film. watch it just the same -- it may yet serve another purpose besides inspiration in the technical sense. Who knows? It may afford you a deeper (or initial) insight into the lives of people who make do with extremely less than what you're accustomed to and yet give of themselves amid the poverty. Even if it's merely through carefully prepared meal of instant noodles done with love and devotion.