As we celebrate Easter Sunday (tomorrow) it is appropriate that we observe that our national leadership offers us the same message of hope and redemption through the passion, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus that our clergy does. For that reason, my last post (earlier today) included those remarks and offered hope for our country. In this message, I catch up on other current events.
It is a bit lengthy, and I have provided links to even more detailed narratives, so one may need to pick-and-choose. However, please look at the paragraphs on Abortion Survivors Network and LifeFirst, then do not skip the paragraphs at the end !
Federal Judge Permanently Enjoins EEOC Abortion Regulation for Catholic Business Group: (The Washington Stand https://washingtonstand.com/commentary/federal-judge-permanently-enjoins-eeoc-abortion-regulation-for-catholic-business-group ). “In 2023, the EEOC under President Biden issued new regulations effectively rewriting the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) to include abortion. The inclusion of abortion effectively reversed the pro-life effect of the law, and the explicit inclusion of fertility treatments also ran afoul of the religious convictions of some Catholics.
Now, Catholic businesses may not be forced to subsidize abortions or fertility treatments, ruled federal Judge Daniel Traynor, a Trump appointee to the District Court of North Dakota, on Tuesday. Traynor granted 9,000 Catholic businesses a permanent injunction against an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) rule requiring employers to provide abortion-related leave and other practices contrary to these businesses’ religious beliefs.”
I recently wrote an essay on this topic, if anyone wants to read it. Federal law is unequivocal on the subject, which speaks to the unexplained lust by the previous administration for the death of babies in defiance of existing federal law.
Abortion Survivors Network. https://abortionsurvivors.org/ I recently got an email from Melissa Ohden, founder of ASN and herself a survivor of an attempted abortion. I am pleased to have been a supporter of ASN from the beginning and to call Melissa a friend. I highly recommend to be familiar with all that ASN does and the appearances and testimonies Melissa gives before legislative bodies in support of respect for the life of every person developing in the womb. Over the last couple of years, the web site has been hugely improved with more and more inspiring stories of people who survived an abortion, often concurrently sad and tragic and filled with the pain of rejection while in the womb, but now asserting that their lives mattered than as much as they do now.
UK Supreme Court Defines ‘Man,’ ‘Woman,’ and ‘Sex’ as Biological. (The Washington Stand https://washingtonstand.com/news/uk-supreme-court-defines-man-woman-and-sex-as-biological). “Britain’s highest court just issued a landmark ruling on the definition of “man” and “woman.” In 2018, Scottish legislators broadened the definition of “woman” as used in the Equality Act of 2010 (EA 2010) to include biological males who identify as women, even those who have not yet undergone gender transition procedures, provided that the males have gender recognition certificates (GRC) identifying their genders as female. The legislative redefinition was quickly challenged and, after a series of court battles, found its way to the U.K. Supreme Court.
The court unanimously ruled on Wednesday “that the terms ‘man’, ‘woman’[,] and ‘sex’ in the EA 2010 refer to biological sex.” The court wrote, “As a matter of ordinary language, the provisions relating to sex discrimination can only be interpreted as referring to biological sex.” The justices continued, “For example, the provisions relating to pregnancy and maternity … are based on the fact of pregnancy and giving birth to a child. As a matter of biology, only biological women can become pregnant. Therefore, these provisions are unworkable unless ‘man’ and ‘woman’ have a biological meaning…”
“Interpreting ‘sex’ as certificated sex would cut across the definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’ and thus the protected characteristic of sex in an incoherent way,” the justices explained. They continued, “The practical problems that arise under a certificated sex approach are clear indicators that this interpretation is not correct… The Court rejects the suggestion … that ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ can refer to biological sex in some sections of the EA 2010, and certificated sex in others.” The justices stipulated, “The meaning of ‘sex’ and ‘woman’ must be consistent throughout the EA 2010.” They concluded, “The meaning of the terms ‘sex’, ‘man’[,] and ‘woman’ in the EA 2010 refer to biological sex, as any other interpretation would render the EA 2010 incoherent and impracticable to operate… Therefore, a person with a GRC in the female gender does not come within the definition of a ‘woman’…”
Terror Spreads in Nigeria as Killing Sprees Spike against Christians. (The Washington Stand https://washingtonstand.com/commentary/terror-spreads-in-nigeria-as-killing-sprees-spike-against-christians- ) This is an ugly and frightful story.
Newsletter from Inspira Resource Center April 2025. Why educate the public and emphasize support for pregnancy centers ? Why advocate for life with our legislature and why go to the Texas Rally for Life ? Abortion is illegal in Texas !
“June 24, 2022 was a turning point for America. Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision to federally protect a woman’s “right“ to have an abortion, was overturned. The legal parameters of abortion would now be up to each state. This overturn caused Texas’ Trigger Law to go in effect in the state, banning all abortions except for cases where the mother’s life was in danger. Texas’s restrictions prohibit the mailing of abortion pills into Texas.” [Which has not at all prevented the pills form being mailed to women in Texas, even from Mexico–GAB]
“While the numbers of “reported” abortions have drastically decreased, these same numbers show us that Texas residents are simply going to neighboring states to have abortions performed. According to Texas’s Health and Human Services statistics, 96% of Texas residents seeking abortion obtained the procedure in Texas in 2021, with only 4% seeking abortions out of state. In 2023, 99% of Texas residents seeking abortion were receiving them out of state. A study through the Guttmacher Institute shows that states with more lenient abortion laws have continued to see abortion rates rise as mothers from Texas and other states with abortion restrictions travel to obtain abortions. “In New Mexico, the number of clinics more than doubled…and the number of abortions rose by 256%.”
They go on to write that most women do not want an abortion but are sometimes in such difficult life situations and under such stress (and often under pressure by others) that they feel they have no choice. That is why we must help women be aware of the vast amount of help available at pregnancy centers and through county, state and federal programs. Every possible need can be met in some venues, but not equally everywhere. And, there are some reasons why women seek an abortion that we cannot do anything about. I give a lecture on these issues and the future of the pro-life movement, when asked.
Arkansas to Allow Christian Adoption and Foster Care Groups to Bypass Same-Sex Homes. (The Washington Stand https://washingtonstand.com/news/arkansas-to-allow-christian-adoption-and-foster-care-groups-to-bypass-samesex-homes- ). “Also known as House Bill 1669 or the Keep Kids First Act, the new law prohibits the state government from requiring faith-based organizations to “perform, assist, counsel, recommend, consent to, refer, or participate in any placement of a child for foster care or adoption when the proposed placement would violate the private child placement agency’s sincerely held religious or moral beliefs.” This is yet another example of compliance with federal law.
“In recent years, there has been considerable debate and litigation over whether Christian charities that work with government agencies should be required to adhere to antidiscrimination laws regarding gender identity and sexual orientation.
In 2021, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia that officials in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, could not exclude Catholic Social Services (CSS) from its foster program solely because the organization refused to place children with same-sex couples.”
LifeFirst https://lifefirst.org/ One cannot say enough about what LifeFirst does for our local communities, but also across Texas and beyond ! Please check the web site. However, I call attention especially to their educational outreach and particularly their student contests. The winners exhibit such remarkable talent as to demand you to look at them. Therefore, I am supplying links from the recent newsletter. Please take a minute to look at these. Notice the upcoming gala. Support them as much as you can.
https://lifefirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Video-Contest-Winners-2025.2.pdf https://lifefirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Senior-High-Fine-Art-Winning-Entries-2025-2.pdf https://lifefirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Junior-High-Fine-Art-Winning-Entries-2025-1.pdf https://lifefirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Oratory-Contest-2025-Winners-1.pdf
(LifeFirst Newsletter) “Bunni Pounds, president and founder of Christians Engaged, recently highlighted LifeFirst’s Pro-life Answers 101 in her call to action to Christians nationwide. So far, the article has been published on two prominent websites with national reach, The Stream, and Intercessors For America. We encourage you to follow the links above to read Bunni’s article. Please join us in prayer that those who encounter it will use Pro-Life Answers 101 to respond to pro-abortion talking points they’re faced with. “
“Hawaii, here we come! This summer, our When Does Life Begin and Pro-Life Answers 101 resources will be featured at two seminars in Hawaii! Young people from across the nation will get the opportunity to learn about these powerful tools. Afterward, they’ll be equipped to take them back to their home states to share in their communities.”
India’s first successful Abortion Pill Reversal baby – and the “cherry on top” (Pregnancy Help News) “Heartbeat is the largest network of pregnancy help organizations in the U.S. and globally and manages the Abortion Pill Rescue® Network (APRN). The APRN consists of more than 1,400 healthcare professionals, pregnancy centers, hospitals, and pharmacies worldwide that administer the APR protocol.”
Barbados’ only pregnancy center celebrates 10 years of service (Pregnancy Help News) “Unborn Justice is the only pregnancy help center in Barbados and over the past 10 years it has developed a wide range of services for men, women, and children facing unplanned or overwhelming pregnancies. What began as an idea in 2014 materialized to helping a few young women in need and later bloomed into a registered pro-life charity.”
Missouri AG orders Planned Parenthood centers to ‘cease-and-desist’ chemical abortions (Pregnancy Help News) “This order is a necessary enforcement mechanism to prevent Planned Parenthood from continuing to disregard Missouri law and to protect the health and safety of Missouri women,” Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in a recent press release.
“Planned Parenthood has a documented history of subverting state law, including failure to file complication reports,” he continued. “This cease and desist letter ensures that basic health and safety standards are met. Given Planned Parenthood’s history, I will continue to ensure their compliance with state law.”
Touting financial difficulties and convenience, Planned Parenthood advances abortion with new app (Pregnancy Help News) “In yet another instance of profit before people, a Planned Parenthood affiliate is using its fiscal problems and the supposed threat posed by the current administration to justify offering chemical abortion access via a smart phone app.
Planned Parenthood of Illinois conceded “financial difficulties” and cited a purported “uncertain future” because of the Trump administration in announcing its PPDirect app last month and also referenced in-person visits to procure chemical abortion pills as something negative.
“Offering medication abortion through the PPDirect app allows patients to connect with us through their phone and removes the barrier of having to visit a health center,” Tonya Tucker, interim president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, said.”
California’s lawsuit to stop Abortion Pill Reversal (Pregnancy Help News) “The attorney general in California is suing Heartbeat International for promoting Abortion Pill Reversal (APR).” [Seriously ? Why the lust to kill babies ?]
And, finally… Oscar winner Kieran Culkin praises wife, asks her for more children during acceptance speech (Pregnancy Help News). ‘The real stuff is me being home with my kids, when I’m reading them books and singing them songs until they go to sleep. That’s the whole point of life. The rest of it I’m doing so I can get back to that” – Actor Kieren Culkin.
In December, he told The New York Times of his family, “I took a shot at the most beautiful and charismatic person I’ve ever known, and she said yes to a date with me. Now I’m married to her, so I aimed pretty high there, and I ended up with my best friend and a great person. I have two beautiful kids, and I want to be the best dad ever, so I work really hard at that.”
“It was in his January 2024 Emmys speech for his lead role in “Succession” that he thanked his mom for “giving me life” and also asked his wife for more children. “Thank you for sharing your life with me and giving me two amazing kids, Zissou and Wilder Wolf. I love you so many and so much. And Jazz, I want more [children]. You said maybe if I win. I love you so much,” he told her with a smile
At the Oscar awards he said,”About a year ago, I was on the stage like this, and I very stupidly, publicly, said that I want a third kid from her because she said if I won the award … she would give me the kid. Turns out she said that ’cause she didn’t think I was gonna win….
After the show we’re walking through a parking lot… we’re trying to find her car … and she goes, ‘Oh, God, I did say that. I guess I owe you a third kid.’ And I turned to her and I said, ‘Really, I want four.’ And she turned me — I swear to God this happened. It was just over a year ago — she said, ‘I will give you four when you win an Oscar.’
I held my hand out, she shook it, and I have not brought it up once until just now. You remember that, honey? You do? Okay, then I just have this to say to you, Jazz, love of my life, ye of little faith. No pressure. I love you.
A funny but warm way to end this post !