The France 24 website reports today (April 30, 2011) that some 160,000 Parisian adolescents can now receive a "contraceptive checkbook" at school, which entitles them to free contraception without having to involve their parents.
The "contraception pass" -- which was launched across the Paris region on April 26 -- has been described as a "checkbook" by local authorities.
The pass allows students -- aged between 15 and 18 -- to access free contraception anonymously without having to visit a family planning center or see their family doctor.
"In a system where young people have to go through their parents to access health care, the right to acquire contraception and decide on abortion autonomously is not being provided for," a leaflet on the project explained.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Muslim Militant Men Murder Minister in Ethiopia; Pregnant Wife Is Also Attacked, Left Unconscious
The Spero Forum website reports today (April 30, 2011) that on April 21 four Muslim men beat an Evangelical pastor to death and assaulted his pregnant wife in Worabe, Ethiopia -- an area that is 97 percent Muslim.
The Muslims lured Abraham Abera from Kale Hiwot Church -- his home and place of ministry -- at 9:30 p.m. They told him that his friend was sick and needed his immediate attention.
Abraham left with the men. They began to beat him with rods. The minister's wife, Birtukan, saw the men attack her husband and ran to intervene, but the Muslims beat her also.
Abraham died on the spot, and his wife -- who sustained a severe head injury -- was left unconscious in the street. She was found and taken to a hospital where she regained consciousness the next day. Fortunately, her unborn baby survived the attack.
The Muslims lured Abraham Abera from Kale Hiwot Church -- his home and place of ministry -- at 9:30 p.m. They told him that his friend was sick and needed his immediate attention.
Abraham left with the men. They began to beat him with rods. The minister's wife, Birtukan, saw the men attack her husband and ran to intervene, but the Muslims beat her also.
Abraham died on the spot, and his wife -- who sustained a severe head injury -- was left unconscious in the street. She was found and taken to a hospital where she regained consciousness the next day. Fortunately, her unborn baby survived the attack.
Obama Proclaims May 5 as National Day of Prayer; "Be Thankful for Blessings We Take for Granted"
The Christian Post website reports today (April 30, 2011) that President Barack Obama yesterday proclaimed May 5 as the National Day of Prayer, continuing a long tradition in the face of protest.
With ongoing opposition -- from atheists and other nonbelievers -- Obama made sure this year's proclamation did not exclude any group.
"Let us be thankful for the liberty that allows people of all faiths to worship -- or not to worship -- according to the dictates of their conscience, and let us be thankful for the many other freedoms and blessings that we often take for granted," he stated.
The proclamation comes just two weeks after a federal appeals court overturned a 2010 lower court ruling that found the annual prayer day to be unconstitutional.
With ongoing opposition -- from atheists and other nonbelievers -- Obama made sure this year's proclamation did not exclude any group.
"Let us be thankful for the liberty that allows people of all faiths to worship -- or not to worship -- according to the dictates of their conscience, and let us be thankful for the many other freedoms and blessings that we often take for granted," he stated.
The proclamation comes just two weeks after a federal appeals court overturned a 2010 lower court ruling that found the annual prayer day to be unconstitutional.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wiesenthal Center Honors Pope John Paul II; He Was First Pope to Enhance Relations with Jews
The Simon Wiesanthal Center announced today (April 29, 2011) that it will honor the beatification of the late Pope John Paul II by including highlights of his historic friendship and solidarity with the Jewish people as part of the permanent exhibit of the Center's renowned Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, according to the Religion News website.
Rabbi Marvin Hier -- Founder and Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center -- said, "John Paul II will be remembered for charting a new course in the often-troubled relationship between the Church and the Jewish people."
Rabbi Hier added, "He was the first Pope in the 2,000-year history of the Church to pray in a synagogue, the first to visit a concentration camp, and the first to recognize the state of Israel."
He concluded, "We want these achievements to be part of the permanent installation of the Museum of Tolerance...for future generations."
Rabbi Marvin Hier -- Founder and Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center -- said, "John Paul II will be remembered for charting a new course in the often-troubled relationship between the Church and the Jewish people."
Rabbi Hier added, "He was the first Pope in the 2,000-year history of the Church to pray in a synagogue, the first to visit a concentration camp, and the first to recognize the state of Israel."
He concluded, "We want these achievements to be part of the permanent installation of the Museum of Tolerance...for future generations."
Mass. Catholic Bishops Blast Sex Ed Website; Call on State to Stop Funding Sex Website for Teens
The Boston Herald website reports today (April 29, 2011) that the four Catholic bishops of Massachusetts are calling on the state to stop funding a sexual education website for teens that uses graphic language to describe sex acts and downplays the physical and emotional risks of abortion.
In a statement released today by the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, the four bishops urged the state to eliminate a $100,000 grant that funds www.mariatalks.com which is maintained by the independent AIDS Action Committee.
The bishops also asked that the site be taken down.
The state Department of Public Health has defended the site as an important tool for providing accurate sexual health information to teens.
In a statement released today by the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, the four bishops urged the state to eliminate a $100,000 grant that funds www.mariatalks.com which is maintained by the independent AIDS Action Committee.
The bishops also asked that the site be taken down.
The state Department of Public Health has defended the site as an important tool for providing accurate sexual health information to teens.
Prince William and Kate Write a Wedding Prayer; Read by Lord Bishop of London During Sermon
The Washington Post website reports today (April 29, 2011) that Prince William and Kate Middleton -- now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge -- composed a prayer for their wedding at Westminster Abbey.
Their prayer was read by the Right Rev. Richard Charters, Lord Bishop of London, during his sermon today:
"God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage.
"In the business of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.
"Strengthened by our union, help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen."
Their prayer was read by the Right Rev. Richard Charters, Lord Bishop of London, during his sermon today:
"God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage.
"In the business of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.
"Strengthened by our union, help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen."
Arkansas Supreme Court Supports Judge's Ruling; Allowed State Agency to Seize Abused Children
The Christian Broadcast Network website reports today (April 29, 2011) that the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a judge in a lower court was right to terminate the parental rights of seven people whose children were seized from the compound of evangelist Tone Alamo in 2008.
A state agency seized the children after it was alleged that some were being abused at Alamo's complex in southwestern Arkansas. Alamo was eventually convicted in federal court and sentenced to prison.
The Supreme Court, in effect, rejected arguments that the judge in the lower court violated the parents' religious freedom.
The justices said the children could have been at risk if they had remained in the compound.
A state agency seized the children after it was alleged that some were being abused at Alamo's complex in southwestern Arkansas. Alamo was eventually convicted in federal court and sentenced to prison.
The Supreme Court, in effect, rejected arguments that the judge in the lower court violated the parents' religious freedom.
The justices said the children could have been at risk if they had remained in the compound.
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