ACTION ALERT

California “Trojan Horse” Marriage Bill
Designed to Set Stage for Prop. 8 Repeal
SAN FRANCISCO, July 22, 2010 – A bill coming to an August vote in the California Assembly, SB 906, appears to be harmless and well intentioned. However, it is really, "a Trojan horse sponsored by the opponents of Prop 8. It is another slap at the 7 million voters who passed it," said William B. May, Chairman of Catholics for the Common Good.

"Eggsploitation" Reveals the Infertility Industry’s Dirty Little Secret
Hidden Dangers, Health Risks, and Exploitation of Young Women
NEW YORK, NY, July 28, 2010 – The infertility industry has a dirty little secret that is dressed in deceptive advertising, large monetary incentives and appeals to altruism. Using these tactics, the industry targets young, vulnerable women for a precious commodity: human eggs. Eggsploitation, a new documentary released today by The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network, is a tragic spotlight on the booming and risky business of selling eggs, and reveals the health risks and exploitation of women through egg donation.

U.S. Tax Dollars Fund Pro-Abortion Kenyan Referendum
CCG Joins 170 Leaders from 21 Countries in Opposition
WASHINGTON, July 21, 2010 --Catholics for the Common Good has join a worldwide group of leaders by siging a petition supporting Kenyan citizens in their effort to defeat a referendum on a new, pro-abortion constitution on August 4. At the same time Kenyans are fighting to protect the unborn and women from the scourges of abortion, three members of the U.S. Congress have obtained evidence that 23 million in U.S. tax dollars are being funnedled to the campaign to support the passage of the pro-abortion amendments LifeSiteNews reports there is also evidence that the U.S. has enlisted pro-abortion groups to convince Kenyans to approve the constitution despite federal laws prohibiting such activity.

ACTION ALERT

ABA Considers Resolution to Redefine Marriage
Appeals to States: Clear Barriers to Same-Sex "Marriage"
Ask Lawyers to Write to Bar Association
SAN FRANCISCO, July 16, 2010 -- When it meets for its annual convention in San Francisco, August 5 - 10, 2010, the American Bar Association will be considering a resolution appealing for the redefinition of marriage at the state level .

DC Appeals Court Rejects Right of Voters to Decide Marriage
Majority Finds "Traditional" Marriage Discriminatory
WASHINGTON, July 15, 2010 — In a narrow 5–4 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, upheld the decision of the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics to block residents from voting on the legal definition of marriage. This was despite a requirement by the D.C. Charter, which serves as a constitution for the district, that guarantees citizens the right to initiate and vote on any legislation except for “laws appropriating funds.”

"Marriage and Children—Reshaping the Dialog to Reflect the Human Reality"
Manhattan Forum Lecture, July 27
OAKLAND, CA, July 7, 2010 --  Catholics for the Common Good Chairman, William B. May, will present the Seventh Manattan Forum Lecture in the monthly series that culminates in a day long conference on the Manhattan Declaration on September 18 in Danville, CA. May who led the Catholic response in the Prop 8 campaign, will discuss of how to apply the lessons of Prop 8 to rebuilding a marriage culture.

New Bill Introduced to Combat Child Sex-Trafficking within U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 24, 2010 – New legislation designed to aggressively address the sexual exploitation of children by sex-traffickers was introduced into the House of Representatives this week by U.S. Representatives Carolyn Maloney (NY-14) and Chris Smith (NJ-04). The bill would add $45 million to law enforcement and victim-assistance efforts.

U.S. Supreme Court Rules Gay, Diversity Rights Override Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 28, 2010 -- The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a Christian student group does not have the right to restrict its membership to practicing Christians, in a decision Christian rights groups are calling a significant blow to religious freedom.

Closing Arguments Frame the Issues in Trial to Overturn Prop 8
Case Goes to the Judge
Decision Pending on Future of Marriage
SAN FRANCISCO, June 16, 2010 – The message delivered to Federal District Judge Vaughn Walker by Prop 8 proponents during the closing arguments at the trial to redefine marriage in San Francisco was clear. The voters have overwhelming authority and rational reasons for defining marriage between a man and a woman. The voters’ decision to pass Prop 8 cannot be overturned unless the plaintiffs negate every single claim of state interest for promoting the uniquely pervasive institution that channels procreative activity into a stable relationship.

Pray for the Prop 8 Marriage Trial

No TV Cameras, says Prop 8 Trial Judge
Closing Arguments on Wednesday, June 16
SAN FRANCISCO, June 11, 2010 -- Yesterday, Federal District Judge Vaughn Walker announced that there would be no TV cameras permitted for the closing argument in the federal trail to overturn Prop 8. He was responding to requests by TV networks to televise closing arguments.

EU Animal Protection Policy Could Threaten Human Embryos
Euro Bishops: Respect Difference Between Animals and Human Dignity
BRUSSELS, June 11, 2010 -- The Council of Ministers of the European Union is about to formally adopt a draft directive with a provision that would require laboratories to avoid testing that uses living animals but leaves the door open for using stem cells from living embryos as an alternative. The Commission of European Bishop Conferences (COMECE) has issued a statement charging, "some Member States which have no explicit legislation on human embryonic stem cells could be obliged under this legislation to apply testing methods involving such ethically contentious cells."

My Daddy's Name Is Donor
Recent study follows children of sperm donors
Findings show troubled adults isolated from families
SAN FRANCISCO, June 11, 2010 -- It is estimated that as many as 30,000 to 60,000 children in the U.S. are conceived each year through sperm donation. Until now, there have not been any studies examining the long-term effects of this method of clinical conception on the children. A recent study finds that as adults, many children of sperm donors have trouble relating to and trusting their families, they have profound struggles with their origin and identity, and they worry about forming intimate relationships with related individuals. This study supports the Stand with Children message that every child without exception desires a mother and a father and has the right to know and be cared for by their biological parents.

CT Court Protects Vulnerable from Assisted Suicide
Medical Suicide Ramifications and Law Reserved for the Legislature
HARTFORD,CT, June 10, 2010 -- On Tuesday, a superior court in Connecticut dismissed an attempt by Compassion and Choices (formerly the Hemlock Society) to overturn a law banning assisted suicide in that state. In Connecticut, it is a form of manslaughter to assist someone in ending their life.

Pray for the Prop 8 Marriage Trial

Judge's Questions Point to Absurdity of Prop 8 MarriageTrial
Preparations for Closing Arguments on June 16
Prayer Needed
SAN FRANCISCO, June 9, 2010 -- The Prop 8 trial in San Francisco took another bizarre twist yesterday as groundwork is being laid for closing arguments in the case that are scheduled for Wednesday, June 16. The Judge asked plaintiffs and proponents for responses to series of questions that only highlight the absurdity of putting marriage and the intentions of California voters on trial. Some of the questions are listed below to demonstrate the point.