Freedom>

Prop. 8 Judge: Pope Hurt Homosexuals
SAN FRANCISCO, California, August 9, 2010 -- In the 136-page ruling overturning California's ban on "gay marriage," Judge Vaughn Walker cites a document signed by then-Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, to show that "religious beliefs that gay and lesbian relationships are sinful" can "harm gays and lesbians."

New Bill Introduced to Combat Child Sex-Trafficking within U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 24, 2010 – New legislation designed to aggressively address the sexual exploitation of children by sex-traffickers was introduced into the House of Representatives this week by U.S. Representatives Carolyn Maloney (NY-14) and Chris Smith (NJ-04). The bill would add $45 million to law enforcement and victim-assistance efforts.

Human Trafficking Facts -- 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 14, 2010 -- Compiled by the U.S. Department of State

U.S. Supreme Court Rules Gay, Diversity Rights Override Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 28, 2010 -- The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a Christian student group does not have the right to restrict its membership to practicing Christians, in a decision Christian rights groups are calling a significant blow to religious freedom.

US Bishops Set Record Straight on Healthcare Bill
Note Way Forward -- Clarify Misconceptions
WASHINGTON, May 25, 2010—The U.S. bishops called for steps to protect the lives of the most vulnerable particularly the unborn, provide fairness for immigrants, and guarantee conscience protections for individual and institutions in a statement on health care reform issued on May 21.

Cardinal George:
Mormons, Catholics Must Defend Religious Freedom
PROVO, UT, February 23, 2010 -- The fight to defend moral principles is linking Mormons and Catholics like never before. "In recent years, Catholics and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have stood more frequently side by side in the public square to defend human life and dignity,"  Francis Cardinal George told nearly 12,000 students, faculty and community members gathered Tuesday at BYU.

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.

New Abortion Amendment Still Unacceptable
Senate Still Expanding Fed Role in Abortion
WASHINGTON, December 19, 2009 --The Senate health reform bill should not move forward in its current form, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City said December 19, as senators proceeded closer to a vote. Cardinal DiNardo chairs the bishops’ Committee on Pro-life Activities. Bishop Murphy chairs the bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. Bishop Wester chairs the bishops’ Committee on Migration.

USCCB Deep Healthcare Bill Concerns
Bishops Praise Reps for Pro-Life Vote
Not Supporting Any Specific Legislation
WASHINTON, DC, November 10, 2009 -- While the US bishops expressed appreciation to the Representatives that supported the Stupak Amendment blocking federal funding of abortions in the House-passed healthcare bill, they expressed deep concern with other aspects of the legislation. US Catholic Conference of Bishops strongly supports reform that provides affordable universal access to healthcare, however, contrary to some news reports, they are not supporting any specific legislation.

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.

Major Threat to Religious Liberty
Stop Effort To Rescind Conscience Regulation
Hear Message from Cardinal George
The Obama Administration has proposed to rescind regulations protecting healthcare workers and institutions from coercion or discrimination because the refuse to cooperate with abortion, sterilizations, or unethical research.  You can help oppose this effort by sending comments by email or mail by April 9. Background, instructions, and talking points follow.

CA Supreme Court Denies Doctor's Rights of Conscience 
Refusing Artificial Insemination to Lesbian Woman Not an Option 
SACRAMENTO, August 19, 2008-- In a case of a lesbian woman seeking artificial insemination, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that doctors don't have the right to refuse to provide nonessential care to patients, even when the sought procedure conflicts with their religious beliefs.

CA Court of Appeal Reverses Decision on Homeschooling
Parents Have the Right to Homeschool Their Children
LOS ANGELES, August 12, 2008-- The California Court of Appeal decided that parents are allowed to homeschool their children according to the CA Education Code. This overturned the previous ruling of the court which banned hoomeschooling in California.

Defense of Marriage -- A Crime in Canada
Priest Cleared but Others Fined
Accused of Exposing Homosexuals to Hatred
TORONTO, JULY 8, 2008 -- The Canadian Human Rights Commission has closed its case against Father Alphonse de Valk, the editor and publisher of Catholic Insight magazine [but not before leaving the priest with $20,000 of legal bills]. What was the basis of the charge? The Catechism?