Petals in the Dust: India's Missing Girls
Gino and Nyna Caputi, Catholics for the Common Good members, provide a wonderful example of the principle of solidarity. They saw something intolerable, something extermely horrible, and they did not turn away. They have taken on a huge project to make a film to let the world know about the deadly assault on girls in India.

U.S. Bishops-- Senate Health Bill Unacceptable
Essential Changes Needed Before Moving Forward
WASHINGTON, DC, Decermber 22, 2009 —The current health care reform bill is “deficient” and should not move forward without “essential changes,” the chairmen of three committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said December 22.

Marriage Restored in Maine
Voters Rebuke Governor, Legislature
Same-Sex "Marriage" Rejected
AUGUSTA, ME, November 2, 2009 – Tonight was a great victory for the people of Maine as Question One, the ballot measure to restore the definition of traditional marriage, passed with a comfortable margin. With 87% of precincts reporting, the measure was passing 52.7% to 47.3%.

Novena and Help Needed for
Critical Marriage Vote in Maine
Polls Show Toss Up
SAN FRANCISCO, Friday, October 23, 2009 -- On November 3 the voters of Maine have one last chance to restore the definition of marriage and block the teaching of same-sex "marriage" in schools by passing Question 1 (similar to Prop 8 in California). StandforMarriageMaine.com campaign is being swamped by massive TV advertising expenditures, and imported paid staff and volunteers by the other side. Being outspent by a margin of two to one and polls showing a tie, prayers are desperately needed.

Natinal Implications of Maine Vote on Marriage
Urgent Help Needed
SAN FRANCISCO, October 16, 2009 - The voters of Maine have one last chance to restore the definition of marriage in their state by passing Question 1 on the November 3 ballot (similar to Prop 8 in California). This election has national significance because if they lose, the advocates of same-sex “marriage” will be able to claim, for the first time ever, majority voter support for redefining marriage. We did not win Prop 8 in California to lose in Maine!

Speedy End Sought in Prop 8 Legal Challenge
Hearing For Summary Judgment Tomorrow
SAN FRANCISCO, Tuesday, October 13, 2009 -- Tomorrow there will be a hearing in Federal District Court in San Francisco on ProtectMarriage.com's motion requesting summary judgment to avoid a trial in the latest challenge to Prop 8. An equal protection suit was filed in May on behalf of two same-sex couples. They are represented by two high-profile attorneys, Theodore Olson and David Boies -- famous for representing George Bush and Al Gore, respectively, in the post election lawsuit that decided the 2000 Presidential election.

CA Governor Defies Prop 8 Voters
Signs Bill Recognizing Out-of-State Same Sex "Marriages"
SACRAMENTO, October 12, 2009 – Late last night, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger further undermined marriage and the family in California by signing SB 54, a bill to recognize same-sex “marriages” in California that were performed in other states or countries. With the Governor’s signature, out-of-state same-sex “marriages” performed prior to the passage of Prop 8 on November 4, 2009, are now valid in California. Same-sex “marriages” performed after the passage of Prop 8 are now also recognized in California with “the same rights, protections, and benefits” as marriage with the exception of using the word “marriage”.

U.S. Bishops Losing Patience on Healthcare
Current Bills Are Unacceptable
WASHINGTON, DC, October 8, 2009 -- In a tersely worded letter to House leaders today, the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops made it clear that neither the House or Senate versions of the healthcare reform bill are acceptable because they undermine or violate "fundmental values" for the protection of "life and the dignity of all." They repeated the same consistant pleas that they have made throughout the debate on healthcare. Unless Congress addresses these serious problems, "we will have to oppose the health care bill vigorously."

The Future of Humanity Passes
Through Marriage and the Family
In the papal encyclicals from "Humanae Vitae" (1968) to "Evangelium Vitae" (1995) and especially the apostolic exhortation "Familiaris Consortio" (1981) and the magnificent "Letter to Families" (1994), Popes Paul VI and John Paul II have dedicated much attention to marriage and the family in today’s culture. From the first year of his pontificate, John Paul II constantly emphasized: “the family is the way of the Church." The family is a school of communion, based on the values of the Gospel.

U.S. Senate Adopts Hate Crime Amendment
Brownback Strenghtens Speech Protection
WASHINGTON, DC, July 16, 2009 -- Late tonight, the U.S. Senate adopted the "Leahy Hate Crimes Amendment" to the Department of Defense Authorization Bill, but not before an amendment to the amendment was offered by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), and adopted that added and strengthened first amendment protections.