Pastoral Statement 2021 by Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI
More human beings died in abortion that any other cause of death in 2020. The statistics compiled by Worldometers gives the astounding heart- breaking reminder that there were over 42.6 million abortions worldwide this past year. Abortion was almost more than all other causes combined. Since Roe v Wade 48 years ago 62 million precious babies have been brutally destroyed in abortion in the USA, far surpassing all the military personnel death in all our wars. This past year abortions almost doubled the half a million who died because of COVID. This terrible holocaust continues to increase because sadly, by many, unborn babies are still not recognized and appreciated as human beings. Biology and all recent medical research affirms our belief based on many scriptural references and constant teaching of the church that from the first moment of conception, these precious babies are unique, living human beings made in the very image of God calling us to be pro-life and pro-eternal life at all stages of life and they die a brutal, violent death in abortion. Our motto is; choose life for both mother and child.
A Pastoral Letter on the Human Dignity of the Unborn, Holy Communion, and Catholics in Public Life by the Most Reverend Salvatore Joseph Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco.
Executive Summary
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you” (Jer 1:5). A young Jeremiah heard the Lord speak these words to him over 2500 years ago. In these times in which we are living, the scourge of abortion ignores the reality that humans are made in the image of God, known and beloved by God. This pastoral letter addresses all Catholics, but especially Catholics in public life, calling for deep reflection on the evil of abortion and on the meaning of receiving Holy Communion, the Bread of Life.
Every Friday, VAERS makes public all vaccine injury reports received as of a specified date, usually about a week prior to the release date. As of today, VAERS data released showed 86,080 reports of adverse events following COVID vaccines, including 3,186 deaths and 10,152 serious injuries between Dec. 14, 2020 and April 16, 2021. Of the 3,186 deaths reported as of April 16, 26% occurred within 48 hours of vaccination, 17% occurred within 24 hours and 41% occurred in people who became ill within 48 hours of being vaccinated. This update published by Children’s Health Defense reports only a partial view of the worldwide pandemic.
“Happy Resurrection Day”to each and everyone. In the hour of darkness when we are suffering with the pandemic and world problems, it is a good time to reflect on Easter and its meaning for us. Pope Francis asks us to reflect this year on what it means to go to Galilee. He states that Christians need to take to heart the Easter message and Not to Be Afraid, assuring us that in Galilee where the Lord preceded us, Christian expectations will be fulfilled, their tears will be dried and their fears will be replaced by hope.
Where do we begin? Is it possible to become instruments of peace when hatred and divisions run so deep? The answer is yes and there are small actions we can also take on an individual basis.
Abortion is the modern-day Massacre of the Innocents. We, as women, wish our feminine cry to be heard round the world. This declaration comes from the depth of our maternal hearts, which are devoted to defending the cause of life and combatting the culture of death. We therefore wholeheartedly affirm: “We will not be complicit in the modern-day Massacre of the Holy Innocents and we therefore refuse to accept any and all vaccines made using cells derived from aborted human fetuses.”
St. Boniface stated: “The Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship, but to keep her on her course.” This means that each of us has a responsibility to stand up for truth, defend the weak and stand up against the forces of evil in our society.
Eighty-six Catholic women from 25 countries issued a letter Monday opposing what they called “abortion-tainted” COVID-19 vaccines, and arguing Church statements approving their use rely on “an incomplete assessment of the science of vaccination and immunology.”
Currently, elderly patients comprise the fastest growing segment of the world’s population. The number of people worldwide 65 years and older was estimated at 506 million as of 2008 and by 2040 will increase to 1.3 billion. As patients age, the incidence and prevalence of certain pain syndromes increase. One example is Japan. Because its population is aging and cancer is the number one cause of death, Japan leads the world in consumption of painkillers.
Catholic teaching on homosexuality is laid out in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and in a number of magisterial documents. The Church teaches that while homosexual sexual acts, like other sexual acts outside of marriage, are sinful, having a homosexual orientation itself is not a sin.
