|
“Jumping the Barriers” Cherish life Conference |
On a bright sunny Saturday morning (June 27), attendees to our Cherish Life Conference at the Parliamentary Annexe were greeted at the gate by a small group of the “unhappy ones”, complete with megaphone. However, their raucous calls neither upset nor deterred our members and guests from attending the Conference. (One has to wonder if the rent-a-crowd officials pay time-and-a-half for Saturdays.)
Our guest speakers were passionate and articulate, and this conference provided them with the perfect forum to inform us of how they are jumping the barriers that the pro-abortion lobby continually try to erect. Go to www.cherishlife.org.au, click “Video and Audio”, then click “Conference 2009” to see their talks.
Lisa Demedio from Rachel’s Vineyard (www.rachelsvineyard.org.au) spoke first. Lisa started this program of post-abortion healing retreats in Brisbane, something that is definitely needed. She explained how the pain of post-abortion trauma can become a little less stark and shattering by attending these weekend retreats and with help, women (and men) who have been hurt by abortion can start the long process of healing.
Kevin Rosengren, 2008 Father of the Year, was our next speaker talking on “When Babies Were the Bonus”. Kevin is the father of 12 university educated children. He spoke with great respect and admiration of his wife Noelene and feels the award really belongs to her. He spoke on the value of family life, the role of the father and how he made time to take one week of holidays four times a year with his wife and children, no matter what was happening. This shows your family they are important to you, the father, and makes for a harmonious home life. Kevin reminded us of a bygone era where each child was simply accepted as he/she arrived with much joy and anticipation on every occasion by the whole family. He cannot ever recall discussing how many children to have. It wasn’t a topic for discussion as each new life was accepted if and when they came. If he could give one bit of advice to any young father, it would be this: “CONSISTENTLY SHOW LOVE AND RESPECT TO THE MOTHER OF YOUR CHILDREN. THIS WILL GUARANTEE YOU A SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP AND A HAPPY FAMILY”. A transcript of Kevin’s talk is available on our website.
Leon Stark, standing a mere 6’ 8” (approximately 2.03m) has stepped up and is “doing something” to raise money for Cherish Life Queensland to enable us to give each student their own set of “Precious Feet” pins. Leon spoke on his motivation behind his decision to run the Bridge to Brisbane race in August. He feels that the feet pins make a big impact on young people, encouraging them to think of someone other than themselves, and seeing these little feet make the baby a reality.
Brendan Wong spoke about the campaign of prayer under the banner of “40 Days of Prayer for Life” (www.40daysforlife.com/brisbane). Brendan gave the background to how the 40 days of prayer started in America and how he and his wife felt it in their hearts that this was the mission they were called to do. The prayer campaign earlier this year took place outside the abortion mill at Bowen Hills and for 40 days and 40 nights people, young and old, from all denominations took part in a 24 hour vigil of prayer there. Whilst it would be impossible to know how many women chose to continue with their pregnancy and have their baby instead of an abortion, business at that particular abortion place certainly slowed down for the 40 days. The prayer vigil will be held again next year ending at Easter and we encourage you all to participate. Email Brendan at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and sign up. Remember — everyone can do something.
Dr Janet Gross, a courageous doctor from Victoria who refuses to refer for abortion, was our keynote speaker. Dr Gross showed great strength of character when last year, before the liberalisation and decriminalisation of the abortion laws in Victoria, she erected a sign outside her medical practice stating “Dear Patients: I do not refer women for abortion. I will not obey the proposed legislation forcing doctors to refer for abortion.” As you are all aware, the laws on abortion in Victoria now allow abortion up to 24 weeks with no doctor’s referral needed and up to the day of birth with a doctor’s referral. These laws so incensed both pro-life doctors and doctors who refer for abortion that they formed a coalition “Doctors for Conscience” to fight them. Seems even doctors who already refer for abortions objected to being made to refer for it.
Dr Gross spoke about the coincidence of the head of the Victorian AMA being savagely attacked in a park the day after he spoke out against the Gestapo-like laws, and the coincidence of Medicare taking a great interest in her bookwork after she had spoken against the laws. (Since returning home from the Conference, she has informed me that her surgery had been broken into and trashed).
For those who were unable to attend the Conference, please go to our website www.cherishlife.org.au, click on “Video and Audio”, click “Conference 2009” to see Dr Gross’ full presentation.
Anne Webster was our final speaker of the day and she opened with a statement from Martin Luther King that runs along the lines of “…one doesn’t have to be religious to know the immorality of things happening in society, however religion sheds light and gives conviction and courage and clarity to my views…” Anne won the award for Best Presentation of a Research Proposal: ‘Options for resolution of unplanned pregnancy and foetal personhood’, and she stated that her faith underpins her values.
She informed the audience that 11 states in USA are currently fighting for the constitutional rights of the unborn. (It was made part of Germany’s constitution in 1995.) Her presentation covered the issue of when life begins and with modern molecular biology, it is obvious life begins from the moment of conception. Anne also pointed out that as the abortion rate rose, the adoption rate plummeted. Furthermore, to try and get information on the process of adoption (should someone be thinking about gifting their child to a childless couple) is extremely difficult to obtain. One has to wonder why?
Anne’s research also shows that the median age of women having abortions was 26 — a statistic taken off a pro-abortion website, hardly “too young” to have a baby. This pro-abortion website quotes women as saying that the easiest choice was to parent — and yet they continue to push women down an abortion path. Her research also found that there is a large discrepancy in regards to the large amount of space given to abortion in text books as compared to that on parenting or adoption. Her presentation is also up on our website (directions as above).
Thank you to Fiona Simpson MP who sponsored the room at the Parliamentary Annexe – we look forward to another successful Conference there next year.
Teresa Martin
State President
Omission from President’s Report last newsletter: The AFA & NCC were also involved in letterbox drops in the Aspley area prior to the last election which contributed to removing Bonny Barry from parliament. |
|
NOW on DVD - The Terri Schiavo Story |
Bobby Schindler, brother of Terri Schiavo (www.terrisfight.org), and guest speaker at our 2008 Cherish Life Conference, has let us know that the DVD of “The Terri Schiavo Story” is now available. Should you wish to order a copy, please contact the Cherish Life office on 3871 2445 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Cost is $30 including p & h. Orders must be prepaid. |
Dominican Republic Protects the Unborn
http://www.personhoodusa.com/content/abortion-permanently-crime-dominican-republic-pro-life-victory-comes-vote-167-32
22 April 2009
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — In response to recent efforts by international pro-abortion groups seeking to decriminalize abortion in the Dominican Republic, legislators permanently enshrined the right to life for pre-born humans by rewriting the Constitution of the Dominican Republic with the words “the right to life is inviolable from conception until death.”
The vote of 167 to 32 was held yesterday afternoon and served as a major victory to those working to protect all human life.
Fourth Poll This Month Shows U.S. Public Opinion Trending Pro-Life on Abortion
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com)
The 4th poll released in June has confirmed a definite shift in American public opinion towards the pro-life perspective on abortion. A new Rasmussen Reports poll joins surveys from Gallup, Pew and Fox News in confirming that Americans are taking a decidedly more pro-life position on abortion.
The Rasmussen survey, released on May 5, asked a different question than the others and found that 58% of Americans say abortion is morally wrong most of the time. Just twenty-five percent disagree and the rest had no opinion.
The survey found women are more strongly pro-life than men as 64% of women believe most abortions are morally wrong, a view shared by just 51% of men. Of those who identified themselves as pro-life, 88% say most abortions are morally wrong as do 29% of those who call themselves pro-choice.
Meanwhile, another Rasmussen survey question found a majority of Americans, 52%, think it is too easy to get an abortion in America. That’s up 7% from two years ago when 45% thought it was too easy. Just 13 % now say it’s too hard to get an abortion, while 21% believe the current availability is about right.
Ohio Law to Stop Pressuring Women Into Having Abortion Goes Into Effect Today
Excerpt from LifeNews.com 8 April 2009
Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) — A new Ohio law that will help stop women from being pressured or forced into a decision to have an abortion goes into effect today. The Protecting Pregnant Women from Coercion & Violence Bill received lopsided bipartisan support in the state legislature. The measure would require abortion facilities to display a poster in their waiting areas making it clear to women that no one can coerce or pressure them into having an abortion they really don’t want. This notice would indicate that, under Ohio law, an abortion can only be performed if the woman signs a consent form indicating she is consenting voluntarily and without coercion. It would also inform the woman that, if she is coerced into having an abortion, she should not sign a consent form and should inform abortion centre employees.
Connecticut Governor Rell Signs Bill Banning Ultrasounds Without Medical Reason
Excerpt from LifeNews.com
Hartford, CT (LifeNews.com) — Under a new bill pro-abortion Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell signed into law last week, an ultrasound of an unborn child can’t be done without a medical reason or authorization from a physician. Rell claimed she signed the bill because she is concerned about the health and safety of mothers and unborn children. However, no studies have revealed any negative health affects for either by viewing an ultrasound. The bill is also an effort to target the new ultrasound “boutiques” that allow parents of unborn children to view an ultrasound and take home their children’s first baby pictures of them moving around in the womb. The new law will take effect on July 1. |
|
NEWSFLASH: USA: ABORTION RATES DROPPING |
|
Source: LifeNews.com 1 July 2009 Wisconsin Abortions Drop for Fifth Straight Year
— Set Record for Lowest Since Roe v Wade.
Minnesota Abortions Drop for Second Straight Year
— Lowest Total Since 1975
|
Marriage Day 2009 - Thursday 13th August
Your help is needed to fill the Great Hall, Parliament House, Canberra, Thursday 13th August for the National Marriage Day Breakfast. www.marriageday.org.au
RSVP with payment by 24th July to: The Secretary, National Marriage Day Committee,
PO Box 1093, Young, NSW, 2594
Single $85 Double $150 Table for Eight $600
September Function — Angele (“22 Weeks”)
For those of you have seen the movie “22 Weeks” we screened earlier this year, Angele is the woman who went through that experience. A function will be held with Angele as guest speaker — further details next newsletter.
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats Brisbane — Healing after Abortion — 23-25 October 2009
Weekend retreats are offered throughout the year — please contact us for dates, cost and venues. We are expanding over the State; if you’re interested in hosting a retreat please contact Lisa on
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or (07) 3376 7078 (Leave a message if it goes to voicemail)
Further retreat details are on the website www.rachelsvineyard.org.au
ANNUAL CHERISH LIFE FUNDRAISING DINNER —
6 NOVEMBER 2009
Indooroopilly Golf Club – details in next newsletter.
Priceless Life Centre DINNER -
11 NOVEMBER 2009
Greek Club, West End. Guest speaker John Anderson.
Phone (07) 3856 3007 www.pricelesslifecentre.org.au |
|
