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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?

Conscience Rights Under Threat
Health Issues Spark Conflicts
ROME, June 1, 2008 -- The attempt to limit religion to the purely private sphere is a major area of conflict in many countries. One of the areas of battle involves Christians and Church-based institutions active in health care.

CCG Defends Parents' Rights to Homeschool
CCG Legal Team Contributes to Briefs for CA Appeals Court
SAN FRANCISCO, April 28, 2008--When the California Court of Appeal granted a rehearing for the case that led to a decision banning homeschooling in California, it invited several amicus parties to submit briefs. Catholics for the Common Good has decided to participate in the effort to defend the fundamental rights of parents to educate their children.

California Court Rules:
Parents Don't Have Right to Homeschool
SAN FRANCISCO, March 11, 2007-- A California appeals court ruled that parents do not have a constitutional right to homeschool their children without teaching credentials. The ruling may affect an estimated 166,000 homeschoolers around the state and put their parents at risk of prosecution.

Human Trafficking Awareness Day -- January 11
Child Sex Trafficking Huge Problem in the U.S.
ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 8 -- On June 22, 2007, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution making January 11th an annual day of awareness and vigilance for the countless victims of Human Trafficking across the globe. Shared Hope International (SHI), an organization working to eliminate sexual slavery, has conducted assessments in 10 U.S. cities examining the condition of America's trafficked youth.

California Governor Signs SB 777
Anti-Family Viewpoint Discrimination Now Law

SACRAMENTO, Calif., October 13, 2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 777 into law late on Friday evening.
"I am honestly shocked that Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB 777, an anti-family viewpoint discrimination bill" said William B. May, Chairman of Catholics for the Common Good. "He vetoed a similar bill last year before the election."

A Final Appeal: Save Christian Iraq
ROME, May 28, 2007 - In Iraq's bloody war, which is being fought primarily by Muslim groups against other Muslims and infidels, the Iraqi Christians are the only ones who are not using weapons or bombs, not even to defend themselves. There aren't any armed Christian militias in Iraq. In fact, they are the most vulnerable and persecuted group. In 2000, they were more than a million and a half, 3 percent of the population. Today it is estimated that fewer than500,000 remain. Sandro Magister reports.