This month (January 2009), the US Senate and Congress will take up the Freedom Of Choice Act (FOCA). If this legislation becomes law, the following are likely to happen:
- Overturning of all pro-life state laws (including parental consent, parental notification, and partial birth abortion bans)
- Increased use of tax dollars for abortions
- Mandate that all hospitals perform abortions – this would mean the closing of all Catholic hospitals
- Mandate that all OB/GYNs receive abortion training
- Closing of pro-life pregnancy centers
- Prevention of passage of any future pro-life laws
In other words, all pro-life laws and services of the last 36 years since the legalization of abortion will be wiped out.
However, starting this upcoming weekend (January 18), our Bishops and Archbishops will sponsor a nationwide postcard campaign to our US Senators and Representatives. Postcards will be passed out during and after Masses in all parishes. There are 3 ways the Knights of Maryland will be involved:
1) Filling out the postcards, and encouraging other members of your council, parish, family and your friends to fill out the postcards.
2) Assisting parish pro-life committees in execution of the campaign - passing out and collecting postcards, making sure the postcards are addressed and stamped properly, promotion, etc...
3) In parishes where there is not pro-life leadership for this project, the Knights should step up and assume leadership.
Contact your pastor and your parish pro-life committee, and make yourselves available. Make sure your council is prepared to help, and that you have volunteers ready to go.
We faced this same type of legislation in 1993, and a similar postcard campaign was successful of the defeat of this legislation. We can succeed again.
Contact us if you have questions. Let’s once again lead the way in protecting our preborn brothers and sisters.
Vivat Jesus!
The Maryland Knights of Columbus Pro-Life Chairs