 |
Catholic Bishops Criticize Ella Abortion Drug
|
 |
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
June 25, 2010
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A representative of the nation's Catholic bishops is criticizing the Ella abortion drug, which a Food and Drug Administration panel recently approved the sale of as supposedly an "emergency contraception." USSCB spokeswoman Susan Will said the decision was essentially a "foregone conclusion."
Willis said she "can't recall the last time the FDA rejected an application for any new 'reproductive health' drug or device-no matter how risky it proved to be for mothers or unborn children?"
"The agency routinely approves drugs and devices to block reproduction that are later found unacceptably dangerous for women," Willis said, noting the FDA still has not recalled the patch, despite its link to the deaths of at least 29 apparently healthy young women due to blood clots. "While some at the FDA may believe their deaths to be an acceptable trade-off so that others can avoid pregnancy, the victims' families no doubt feel differently."
Willis, who is the Assistant Director for Education & Outreach for the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, says it is "false and deceptive" for the FDA panel, the media and abortion advocates to promote Ella as an "emergency contraceptive" like Preven and Plan B.
"Depending when they are taken relative to ovulation and intercourse, Preven and Plan B may act primarily as contraceptives (by disrupting ovulation, for example), or sometimes as very early abortifacients (by modes of action that interfere with the embryo's movement to the womb or ability to implant there)," the USCCB official explained.
But the reason the backers of Ella can promote it as "more effective" is because Ella, "like its close chemical cousin RU-486-blocks progesterone receptors in the uterine lining," Willis explains. "This destroys the capacity of the mother's reproductive organs to produce the progesterone necessary to support the embryo through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy."
"Because Ella is formulated precisely to prevent a newly conceived human being from implanting in and receiving nutrition from the uterine lining, or to disrupt the process if it has begun, the American Association of Pro Life Obstetricians & Gynecologists properly calls Ella an embryocidal drug," Willis says.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, the top pro-life spokesman for the nation's bishops, wrote the FDA a letter on June 17 saying, "Millions of American women, even those willing to use a contraceptive to prevent fertilization in various circumstances, would personally never choose to have an abortion. They would be ill served by a misleading campaign to present [Ella] simply as a 'contraceptive'."
Willis points out that, when used in animal studies, Ella killed rat, rabbit, and monkey embryos, and caused severe congenital defects in embryos whose gestational age was advanced when Ella was administered.
"This is an important point. In all three major clinical trials in women, some women were later found to have been pregnant before the intercourse for which they sought "emergency contraception." In addition, trials have shown that Ella fails to kill the newly conceived human embryos in about 2% of cases," Willis says. "The survivors may then face severe congenital anomalies. Lastly, Ella has been detected in maternal tissues 14 days after taking the drug, so children conceived during that period also could be deformed or killed by the drug."
Willis concludes: "The FDA must drop the fantasy that Ella is contraception, and reject Ella in order to safeguard the lives and health of children exposed to this poison pill."
|
| |
BACK IN CONCERT
CHESTER COUNTY VOICES ABROAD
Friday, July 9, 2010, 7:30 pm
SS. Simon & Jude Church
Rts 3 & 352, West Chester
Just back from their performing tour in Europe, this talented group of local high school students will be giving a benefit concert for Chester County Pro-Life Coalition. Under the direction of Marge Campbell, they will offer an evening of inspiring music sure to leave you in awe.
Admission is free. An offering will be taken
|
| |
|
Birthright
|
|
This is the second entry in a monthly feature in this newsletter in which we are providing a space for other Chester County pro-life organizations to communicate their mission and services.
Birthright is a pregnancy care center. Our offices here in West Chester and Coatesville are independently operated and part of the organization of Birthright International. Birthright International was started in the late 1960's by Louise Summerhill in Canada as an alternative to the abortion clinics. Birthright provides loving, non-judgmental support to women who need help with unplanned or difficult pregnancy. From that first office there are now over 500 offices in almost every state in the United States and Canada as well as some in Africa (our Birthright office in West Chester supports an office in Ghana, Africa, as well as the newly started office in Coatesville.) Besides these, there are other local offices located in Philadelphia, Pottstown, Bala Cynwyd, and Wilmington, De.
The mission of Birthright has stayed the same throughout these years. We provide support to girls and women who need assistance during their pregnancy. Women come to us for a variety of reasons i.e. due to an unplanned pregnancy, lack of medical insurance, difficult financial circumstances, domestic abuse or lack of family support. The women range from teenage high school students and college students to grown women in the later years of child bearing. We are non-denominational and are not affiliated with any one church. Birthright is intentionally not political. Our focus is to provide a safe and caring place where girls and women of all backgrounds and circumstances will feel comfortable to come to us for support.
The services offered at Birthright of West Chester are varied. We offer free pregnancy testing, maternity clothes and baby clothes (up to 9 months size). We can assist, through referrals, in helping a client to find housing and educational programs in the community. We give information on adoptions and refer a woman to adoptions agencies when wanted. Most of all, we provide counseling, encouragement, and care to women who are facing a difficulty during their pregnancy.
Birthright is funded entirely by local donations. We receive donations from churches, senior citizen groups, Scout troops and individuals. Our Birthright office of West Chester has been serving women for 28 years. When financially able, we have advertised on television. Most advertisement is done with print ads in local newspapers, high school and college calendars and planners and church bulletins. Many of our clients come in due to word-of -mouth recommendations. (We are located just a few blocks away from West Chester University.)
We serve over 250 women a year including about 160 pregnancy tests. We provide about 100 layettes for the newborn babies born to our clients.
The office staff and our Board of Directors are made up entirely of volunteers. Our volunteers range in age and come from a variety of life and work experiences. All have a wonderful commitment to serving and helping others. The office is open 6 days a week.
Birthright has been a success story for these many years due to the continuing and wonderful support of our donors, large and small. Whether that support is financial, material items or prayerful support it is very much appreciated and instrumental in our commitment to helping women and their unborn children.
To volunteer, donate, or if you need our help, we can be reached locally at:
112 S. High St. West Chester PA 19382
610-436-0773
or
529 E. Lincoln Highway Coatesville PA 19320
610-384-8020.
Our web site is: www.birthright.org.
|
| |
Looking Ahead
(details to follow in later editions.)
40 Days for Life
We will be participating in the next campaign which will run from September 22 to October 31.
Octoberfest
An Octoberfest will be held on October 9 at the West Chester K of C.
|
|
|
|
PRO-LIFE CALENDAR
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Between 40 Days for Life Campaigns Miracles Happen.
Raleigh, North Carolina was one of the first states to ever conduct a 40 Days for Life campaign. Their 3 years of faithfulness to prayer, fasting and witnessing has been blessed by the announcement from their local newspaper, the Raleigh News & Observer confirms that, as of 6/23, "One of the four Triangle abortion clinics will no longer do procedures after Saturday, but it's is unclear whether it will close or simply stop offering abortions."
The Observer also stated that: Abortions in NC have declined 4.6 percent from previous years.
We have not been so blessed as NC as our Chester County Planned Parenthood has had an increase of abortion. We are blessed with faithful sidewalk councilors and those that continue with the same prayer, fasting and witnessing at our local PP during our 40 Days for Life Plus campaign. But more hourly coverage is evidently needed.
Our status is not totally bleak. With the Chester County Women Services coupons for "Free" pregnancy and ultra sound tests, being giving out to potential clients at PP, it has been reported that women have left PP with coupons in hand and visited CCWS Medical for help. CCWS exposes the women to "all" of their options and directs them in acquiring help in maintaining their own health and those of their children, born and unborn.
Come join us in offering both hope and life at PP in West Chester. We have coupons available for you to hand out as babies cannot wait till Sept 22nd when the next National 40 Days for Life campaign begins.
PauletteMatthews@hotmail.com 610-286-5450 or Uta Trogele at utat@comcast.net
|
| |
|
Pennsylvanians for Human Life:
Education Services
|
|
Pennsylvanians for Human Life is looking for volunteer speakers to present respect life programs. They will provide thorough training.
Tuesday, July 13th - 10 AM - 12 NOON or
Tuesday, July 20th 10 AM - 12 NOON
PHL office: 590 Snyder Avenue, West Chester
Please contact them by phone: 610-696-0780 or email: Pennlife@Verizon.net to reserve a spot. For more info see: www.pennlife.org.
|
| |
|
We Stand up for Life
|
|
The following business people are proudly pro-life. We encourage you to patronize them if you need the services that they provide.
|
Annette Best
|
PC Service and Support
|
610-383-1264
|
|
Berwyn Dry Cleaners
|
Includes alterations & custom made dresses
|
484-716-5050
|
|
Andrew Bianco
|
Landscape Architect
Professional Photographer
|
610-389-1938
610-273-7567
|
|
James Bond
|
Odd jobs - handyman
No job too small
|
484-947-7431
|
|
Chris Carbo
|
PC Service and Support
|
484-680-1382
|
|
Jim & Kathy Dibrino
|
The Great Frame Up-picture framing
|
610-687-3060
610-640-4002
Wayne & Frazer
|
|
Sandra Elmore
|
Personal Training
|
610-524-1075
|
|
Garage Doors D'town & Morgantown
|
610-458-9596
|
|
Brigette Erwin, PhD.
|
Clinical Psychologist
|
484-947-8820
|
|
Walter Gies
|
landscaping
|
484-340-6698
|
|
Craig Glantz
|
Web Site Design
|
cglantz777@gmail.com
|
|
Len Iacono
|
Century 21 Alliance Real Estate
|
610-329-2850
610-696-1100
|
|
Mike Nyquist
|
remodeling and home improvement
|
610-476-7308
|
|
Jack O'Brien Jr.
|
Electrical Contractor
|
610-269-6426
|
|
Brian Popma
|
Residential Painting & Powerwashing
|
610-692-5928
|
|
Regina Luminis Academy
|
Traditional Catholic Elementary School
|
610-269-3905
|
|
Paul Rucker
|
Blue Boy Products - installation & test of backflow valves
|
610-284-1055
|
If you have a business, are pro-life, and would like to be identified as such in our newsletter, please let us know.
|
| |
|
Monthly Update & Action Meetings
|
|
The Helpers of God's Precious Infants prayer vigil on the first Saturday of each month, is followed by a short meeting to update us on pro-life news - local, state, and national. The meetings usually are in the cafeteria ay St. Agnes and begin around 9:45 am and are over by 11 am. Come learn what you can do to help and be more involved with upcoming legislation and other pro-life events. All are welcome. To receive regular emails about these meetings, send your email address to rmmaxwell@yahoo.com.
|
| |
|
Sidewalk Counseling Workshop
|
|
Need some advice how to approach the women at Planned Parenthood? What is our mission? Learn more about it . Call Katie Flemming (484-639-3491) or send an e-mail to Uta Trogele (utat@comcast.net)
|
| |
Prayer to Stop Abortions at Planned Parenthood
Father, all life is in Your care. You have entrusted us to one another, that we may show our brothers and sisters the same love You have for us.
We pray, then, for the least among us, the children in the womb. Protect them from the violence of abortion.
We pray for those that are scheduled to die. Save them from death.
Give new hope to their parents that they may turn away from the desperate act of abortion.
Grant conversion to the abortionist and to the staff.
Show us how we are to respond to the bloodshed in our midst, and lead us to the day when this place of death will be transformed into a haven for life.
Guard us with your joy and peace for in You, life is victorious.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
|
| |
|
Do You Have Yours Yet?
|
|
Pennsylvania is one of only eighteen states to offer a pro-life license plate. Your purchase of this plate provides financial help to mothers and babies and is also an advertisement for Life that will be viewed by hundreds of thousands of people. To get your plate, go to www.pachoose-life.org or call 215-885-2919 for the required application. It is not tied to the renewal of your car registration, so you can apply at anytime. There is a fee of $44. ($20 to PennDOT, $4 to PA prisons and $20 goes to a Crisis Pregnancy center in your county.) Only the $20 is renewed each year to continue your support for mothers and babies.
|
| |
|
E-Mail Delivery
|
|
Anyone who would like to have this newsletter delivered by e-mail rather than by the Post Office, please send your email Address to info@chescoprolife.org. This will get the newsletter to you more quickly and will save us some postage.
|
|
