Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Defend the Vatican at the UN


Today, in many international arenas, the values and virtues upon which the greatest achievements of civilization were built are under attack. Certain organizations, in the name of a false “liberation,” seek to undermine central truths regarding the nature of the human person and of the family. In the name of a false doctrine of human rights, they deny what makes men truly human and violate true human rights.
These groups have made the Holy See at the United Nations a particular target. They attack the Holy See’s credentials, ignoring the fact that the Holy See has engaged in diplomatic relations since the 4th Century and currently exchanges diplomats with 177 nations. The true ground of their animus, however, is the Holy See’s steadfast defense of the sanctity of human life and the inviolable dignity of the family….
Join with the Member States in gratitude for the spiritual and moral witness of the Holy See at the United Nations. The world would be far poorer if the voice of the Holy See within the United Nations were ever silenced. May that day never come.
For more information and to sign the petition, please visit Defend the Vatican at the UN:

For information about the mission and work of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute (C-FAM), please visit:

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I was invited to serve as a member of the Holy See Delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in 2011.  Truth was absent in UN initiatives being advanced in the name of “empowerment of women and girls”, as the falsehoods actually being promoted were reproductive rights, reproductive health, freedom to choose one’s sexuality (especially for young girls), gender (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, etc.)  Lies, deception, manipulation were used to attack God’s moral law.  A prime example of how some persons use words to advance their own agenda was a delegate from Greece who quoted Mother Teresa of Calcutta in order to support the delegate’s promotion of the availability of abortion. Yes, she quoted Blessed Mother Teresa in order to promote abortion!  It is hard to describe the palpable sense of evil which pervaded the UNconference building:  clearly ungodly work was going on, and continues to go on.  But this is why the Holy See must be present at the UN:  this is why faithful Catholics must be present at the UN, and in every part of society, in order to promote and defend the Truth.
Each and every one of us is called to accomplish our role with faithfulness, courage and charity, and to put at the Lord’s service the gifts and talents He has given us. We must strive to develop a well-formed conscience so that we can indeed stay focused on our Lord as “the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) 
Whether we are called to serve the Church “formally” or “informally” we need to be well-formed in the Catechism and Social Doctrine of the Church, in addition to God’s moral law, so that we are able to lovingly carry out our baptismal mission to share the Gospel with others.
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI speaking at the UN in 2008

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Monday, February 3, 2014

Prayer Intentions


His Holiness Pope Francis' universal prayer intention for February is:
“That the Church and society may respect the wisdom and experience of older people”.

His intention for evangelization is:
“That priests, religious, and lay people may work together with generosity for evangelization”.

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“The offering of oneself to God relates to every Christian, because we are all consecrated to Him through baptism … making a generous gift of our life, in the family, at work, in the service the Church, in works of mercy…

Pope Francis
Angelus, 2 February 2014
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“I encourage you to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere…. Evangelise with love, take God's love to all… Be messengers and witnesses to the infinite goodness and inexhaustible mercy of the Father”.

Pope Francis
Audience with Members of the Neocatechumenal Way, 1 February 2014

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Let us be close in prayer with and for our sisters and brothers, especially those who are sick , those who mourn, and those who are suffering from the effects of extreme weather conditions.  May God grant them every grace and blessing.

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