Author Archives: rocklandrtl

Atty General’s Opinion Would Expand Late-Term Abortion in New York

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In the face of several failed attempts in the NY state legislature to change state law to expand third-trimester abortions, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is going the “legal opinion” route.

Holding that the U.S. Supreme Court rulings override existing state law, Schneiderman’s opinion now gives New York hospitals and clinics legal grounding to perform late abortions when the health of the mother — not just her life — is in danger.

The “health of the mother,” as defined by the World Health Organization, is “any condition that may impact her physical, emotional, psychological, or financial well being.”

The Supreme Court adopted this definition, effectively extending abortion on demand for the full nine months of pregnancy for nearly any reason you can think of, which is why on its face “health of the mother” is simply ridiculous.  Abortion should not be committed against an unborn baby for any reason at any time. And, according to the New York State Catholic Conference, Schneiderman’s move is an invitation for late-term abortion providers to “set up shop” in New York.

Bedroom Air Conditioning Comes to Good Counsel in Spring Valley

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3. SV-GV Front(3)

The Good Counsel home in Spring Valley — a welcoming and comfortable home for all

The cheerful little house on Linden Ave. in Spring Valley received a big upgrade this past spring: Air conditioning upstairs! For the first time, the bedrooms of all the residents — expectant moms, new mothers and their babies, — were cool and comfortable, and quiet, now that the fans that whirred constantly to beat back the heat are gone.

This residence is one of the six  Good Counsel homes in the metropolitan area and Alabama, established to provide a loving home, supportive residential care, and community-based services for homeless young mothers who have chosen Life for their babies in the face of incredible obstacles.

6. Sample Bedroom with AC

For the first time, the moms’ and babies’ bedrooms have air conditioning, powered through an upgraded electric system

A preliminary study last year showed that, in addition to the air-conditioners themselves, this older home would require upgrades of a new electrical panel and wiring to provide the needed power. A budget of $8,000 was set. 

Fundraising began in September 2015, and the goal was reached in 5 months! Work began in April and was completed this May, just in time for the sweltering days of summer.

7. New ACs from the outside (1)

A view of the side of the house, showing an air conditioner in each window.

Through the efforts of the Spring Valley Volunteer Team and the generosity of many private donors and charitable groups in Rockland, all the young women and children at Good Counsel in Spring Valley slept well, in comfort, this summer. And a benefit of a good night’s sleep in facing the challenges of the day to come  is no small thing.

There are many other improvements that need to be made at the Spring Valley home and the others in the Good Counsel program. If you would like to help make a big change in the lives of the homeless women and their children, please make a donation to this most important cause.

Rest in Peace, Dick Baker

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The Rockland Right to Life Committee extends its condolences to Cathy Baker on the passing of her beloved husband, Dick, on Aug. 19.

Dick Baker of Tomkins Cove died at home, surrounded by his family. Cathy is the co-founder of Birthright of Rockland and a was member of the group of Rockland prolifers who joined together to fight the legalization of abortion in New York in 1969. Their efforts resulted in the establishment of the Rockland Right to Life Committee.

Visiting hours will be Monday, Aug. 22, 2016 from 2-4 and 7-9pm at Higgins Funeral Home in New City, N.Y. A funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 23, at  10 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Church with burial to follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dick’s memory to Birthright of Rockland County.
Dick’s obituary may be found here.

House Passes Conscience Protection Act

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quote 2The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Conscience Protection Act yesterday by a vote of 245-182. This bill protects physicians, nurses, clinics, hospitals, and even health insurance providers from being forced by the government to provide, refer, or pay for abortions.

Nita Lowey voted against this legislation. Lowey is the representative of the 17th Congressional District in New York, which covers Rockland County.

The Senate now must pass this bill for it to become law.

For a precise and short discussion of why this bill was necessary, read “Obama’s Assault on the Right of Conscience,” (Politico) by David Weldon, former member of the House of Representatives, who  sponsored the Weldon Amendment (2009), which aimed to protect those who object to abortion.

The Conscience Protection Act is the second big prolife victory in the House in recent years. In May 2015 it passed a ban on abortions after 20 weeks. This bill was blocked by the Senate in September.

‘America, God Shed His Grace on Thee’

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Margie Michael

Margie Fitton, co-founder of the Rockland Right to Life Committee, and her son, Michael, were among the worshippers at the morning of prayer for Life and America.

Starting the July 4th Independence Day holiday with a morning of prayer for our nation has become a tradition at the Mary Help of Christians Chapel at the Marian Shrine in Stony Point. With plenty of time left in the day for barbecues and fireworks, hundreds first come here to ask God for his blessing and healing for America, its leaders and its people, and to pray  for a restoration of respect for the gift of Life.

The morning included mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and recitation of the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. The concelebrants were three priests who are known for their prolife efforts in Rockland: Fr. Nicholas Callahan, formerly of St. Catherine’s in Blauvelt and now studying canon law in Rome, Fr. Brendan Gormley of St.Anthony’s in Yonkers, and Fr. John Wilson of St. Gregory’s in Garnerville.

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Fr. Brendan Gormley and Fr. Nicholas Callahan

Wilson Eileen

Newly-ordained priest Fr. John Wilson gives Eileen Peterson his “first blessing.”

The main celebrant and homilist was Fr. Nicholas who spoke about why the prolife movement has reason for hope, even in the face of  recent Supreme Court rulings against us. Drawing a comparison between the impact of death and horror on the battlefield and the response to the slaughter of millions by abortion,  he said that there eventually comes a point of great “discouragement and exhaustion” against the familiarity of “blood, futility, suffering, and death.” That happens, he said,  because we are made to love life, and it’s “what the human soul wants to have.” There will be a turning point where the cause for life will prevail.

And also, he noted, from a theological point of view, the battle against evil has already been  won on the Cross, where we find in Christ the “grace to repair every heart and heal every wound.”

At the end of mass, the crowd lined up in the vestibule to receive the “first blessing” from Fr. John Wilson, who was  recently ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of New York.

This annual morning of prayer, sponsored by the Rockland County Catholic Coalition and the Helpers of Gods’ Precious Infants, has  become an occasion where many who have spent decades in the prolife movement get the chance to see each other again. Margie Fitton, co-founder of Rockland Right to Life and past president,  was among the worshippers. Eileen Peterson was organist and led the choir.

 

Local Writer Publishes Prolife Book

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Cover imageSean Miller, a guest blogger for this website, recently published his first book, Full of Life, a collection of prolife writings. It became available on Amazon last week.

The book is meant to celebrate the Gift of Life and to provide inspiration and encouragement for all of us to stand up for life and support those in need – both the unborn baby and the mothers and fathers of the child.

Many of you know Sean, who’s been active in the prolife movement since 1994. He’s from “over the border” in Bergen County, but frequently works closely with prolife groups here in Rockland.

His 21 essays originally appeared on this website, but Full of Life presents them in one source. The essays are not intended to be biographical, but if you read them all you’ll find insights into the heart of a man who journeyed from mixed feelings about abortion as a college student to the front lines of the struggle – the sidewalk outside the abortion clinic where he strives – with never-failing love, compassion, and gentleness – to be a “last lifeline of hope” for a desperate pregnant woman about to enter its doors.

Legislative Session Ends in Albany: No Assisted Suicide

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NY SealThe legislative session in Albany came to an end on Friday, June 17, without a floor vote on the assisted suicide bill. That means there will be no further consideration of this legislation until the NYS Assembly and Senate reconvene next year.

However, this by no means suggests that we can let down our guard. The supporters of physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill know that it may take several years to get this bill through and are geared up for the battle. We have to be ready to oppose them for as long as it takes.

The deceptively titled “Medical Aid in Dying Act,”(A.10059) was taken up by the NYS Assembly Health Committee in May. There it passed by vote of 14-11 to move on to the next step, the Codes Committee. But the session ended with no further action being taken.

Ellen Jaffee of the 97th AD in Rockland, a member of the Assembly Health Committee, voted for this bill.

Thank you to everyone who was part of the effort to stop this dangerous legislation — visiting our legislators in Albany, contacting them by phone and email, and sending postcards.

Please continue to keep yourself informed, as this issue will no doubt be back next year. Here are some sources for information:

New York Alliance Against Assisted Suicide
Not Dead Yet
New York State Catholic Conference

Legislative Session Ends in Albany: Two Abortion Bills Fail to Become Law

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NY SealAbout three weeks before the current legislative session ended in Albany on June 17, two pro-abortion bills passed in the NYS Assembly. However, they were never taken up for a vote in the Senate, and, therefore, did not become law.

These were the “Boss Bill” (A.1142), a bill restricting the religious liberty of faith-based employers and A.6221, a bill related to abortion expansion.

The “Boss Bill” was sponsored by Ellen Jaffee, of the 97th AD, and co-sponsored by two other Rockland representatives, Ken Zebrowski ( 96 AD) and James Skoufis (99 AD). The bill passed in a 114-33 vote.

Karl Brabanec (98 AD) voted against this bill, which got nine fewer votes that it received last year when the Assembly also approved it.  But similar to last year, there was no vote on the matter in in the Senate.

A.6221, which would permit unlimited late-term abortion in New York state was also co-sponsored by Jaffee, Zebrowski and Skoufis. Brabanec opposed it. It passed the Assembly 95-51 in May, was referred to the Senate Health Committee in June, and did not emerge from there.

Assembly Passes Conscience-Crushing Boss Bill (New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedom) 

A.6221 Glick / S.4432 Stewart-Cousins: In relation to abortion expansion (NY Catholic Conference)

Death Lobby Rushing Toward Assisted Suicide in New York

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nys RTLAlthough assisting suicide is only legal for a small fraction of the world’s population, advocates are focused on promoting this dangerous legislation in New York. The NY Assembly Health Committee voted to move forward with the legislation yesterday.

A.10059 and the companion bill S.7579 have gotten traction under the false notion that assisted suicide will be providing terminally ill people with merely one more “option.” However, this is far from the truth. This deceptively titled “Medical Aid in Dying Act” is riddled with dangerous problems that seek to destroy existing protections for the vulnerable.

Most legislators have never considered legislation like this, and they need to know that New York does not want to destroy existing protection for those facing a difficult diagnosis.

It is urgent that you make contact with your Assemblymember now and urge them to oppose assisted suicide bills A10059/S7579.

AD 96 — Kenneth Zebrowski  518-455-5735, ZebrowskiK@assembly.state.ny.us
(Clarkstown & Haverstraw, part of Ramapo)

AD 97 — Ellen Jaffee  518-455-5118, JaffeeE@assembly.state.ny.us
(Orangetown, part of Ramapo)

AD 98 — Karl Brabenec  518-455-5991, brabeneck@assembly.state.ny.us
(Ramapo)

AD 99 — James Skoufis 518-455-5441, SkoufisJ@assembly.state.ny.us
(Stony Point)

The assisted suicide legislation’s language purports to establish “safeguards” around assisted suicide and restrict it to the terminally ill and the competent. However, these kinds of assisted suicide proposals are opposed by medical groups (including the Medical Society of the State of New York and the American Medical Association) and many in the disability rights community. Safeguards simply do not work:

  • There is no protection for those seeking assisted suicide because they suffer from treatable depression or any other mental health issue
  • Predictions that someone will die in six months are often wrong
  • Abuse of elders and people with disabilities is a growing but often undetected problem
  • If assisted suicide is legalized, it will quickly become the cheapest alternative to medical treatment
  • There is no residency requirement: New York is already home to the abortion capital of the nation, it need not become a suicide destination as well