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Cardinal to Congress: Fund Abstinence Programs
Friday, 11 May 2007 14:18
Says Alternative Will Victimize American Youth
WASHINGTON, D.C., MAY 10, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Cardinal Justin Rigali has urged the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees to maintain funding levels for abstinence education for youth.
In his letter to the committees as they consider the upcoming fiscal year, Cardinal Rigali, the archbishop of Philadelphia and chairman of the U.S. bishops' committee for pro-life activities, explained that "authentic abstinence education has provided a valuable alternative to programs that accept and facilitate premarital sexual activity."
Cardinal Rigali said there are at least 500 abstinence programs serving many thousands of young people throughout the country.
"These programs form character and educate our youth about the decisions they face, empowering them to make healthy choices that do not jeopardize their health and future," he stated.
By one estimate, for every $1 the federal government spends on abstinence education, it spends $12 on "safe sex" and contraceptive programs.
"While programs incorporating the latter emphasis are sometimes called 'comprehensive' sex education, they are more accurately described as compromised education," Cardinal Rigali wrote.
He continued: "The abstinence message is mentioned, but then undermined with the false message that premature sexual experimentation does no real harm if steps are taken to avoid pregnancy.
"Obviously, if that 'comprehensive' or internally divided approach becomes the norm for all such education, the result will not be to expand diversity and pluralism in this field but to eliminate it.
"Catholic schools and other organizations truly dedicated to the message of personal responsibility and abstinence before marriage will be unable to participate in government programs."
Cardinal Rigali concluded, "America's young people would be the real victims of this misguided approach."
Code: ZE07051011
Date: 2007-05-10
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Prayer for Life
O Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son, enlighten the minds and hearts of those blinded to the truth that life begins at conception so that they may see that the pre-born in the womb is already adorned with Your image and likeness. Enable us to guard, cherish and protect the lives of all those who are unable to care for themselves. For You are the Bestower of Life, bringing each man from non-being into being, sealing each with your divine and infinite love and we glorify you together with Your Father, Who is without beginning, and your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
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Wisdom from the Church Fathers
| While the Bridegroom tarried, they slumbered and slept: Give ear, ye prudent, to our Lord's parable, for it is all light. All of them slept, both the foolish and the wise -- Which signifies that the good and the wicked die until the resurrection. The same sleep comes upon the ten of them, which is as much as to say, That death is the same for all creation without distinction. One was the sleep of the wise and of the foolish, For one is death, both of the righteous and of sinners. The good die, as the wise virgins slept; And the bad die, as the foolish also slept. Behold, all creation looketh for the coming of the Bridegroom, Christ, Who cometh at the end with His angels. But since He hath tarried, all generations slumber and sleep with the sleep of death, while looking for when He cometh. A Homily on the Ten Virgins by Mar Jacob, Bishop of Serugh |