In this week’s edition:

• Planned Parenthood hands out free “care” at DNC

• +Cupich comes under fire for DNC invocation

• VP Harris, Democrats outline platform - you’ll never guess the major tenets

• Nicaraguan persecution of the Church continues

• and more!

“Safe, legal, and rare” tossed out in favor of abortion van at DNC

Summary: Planned Parenthood parked a mobile clinic outside the recent Democratic National Convention, offering free vasectomies and abortions.

Details:

• Planned Parenthood was present at the first two days of the DNC, offering abortions, vasectomies, and emergency contraceptives.

• Appointments were required, and the group reported that all their slots were filled.

• It’s estimated that 25 abortions were performed.

• Their presence reflects the topic du jour of the DNC, where abortion was mentioned 119 times on the first night alone.

• This platform is a significant departure from Hilary Clinton’s now-infamous “safe, legal, and rare” line from 1992, and even Obama’s critiques from 2008.

Why we care: We obviously feel that even one abortion is too many, so it’s not like we’re wishing the Democrats would return to their former position. What is shocking is just how brazen they’ve become; no longer does evil feel the need to hide behind the guise of “unfortunate but tolerated”. We’re not sure how any Catholic feels comfortable voting for any candidate that stands so unashamedly in support of abortion.

Cardinal Cupich criticized for his opening prayer at the DNC 

Summary: Cardinal Cupich’s failure to mention abortion or a dedication to protecting the unborn is a departure from past invocation convention (pardon the pun) and has generated some controversy.

Details:

• Cardinal Mahoney’s 2000 DNC invocation received substantial attention for his call to “choose life” and protect the unborn.

• Catholic leaders since have used this invocation as a template for their own prayers at Democratic conventions.

• e.g. Fr. James Martin, S.J. prayed for the unborn in his benediction at the closing of the 2020 DNC.

• +Cupich’s exclusion of any such reference drew the criticism of Illinois Right to Life, journalist Phil Lawler, and others.

Why we care: We’re puzzled as to why Cardinal Cupich would willfully - we presume - exclude a reference to abortion or the unborn. “Tradition” or precedence aside, it’s no secret what the Church teaches on abortion. A strong condemnation of abortion would have been especially powerful when juxtaposed with the Planned Parenthood presence discussed above. Our initial thought is that perhaps the cardinal was afraid such a mention would ruffle too many feathers or burn the wrong bridges; if that’s the case, we would suggest the good cardinal re-examine Christ’s approach to systemic injustices (read: the Cleansing of the Temple). Speculation aside, let us pray for Cardinal Cupich, for the courage to stand up for the most vulnerable, and the eradication of the grave evil of abortion.

Harris vows to sign “reproductive freedom” into law as Democrats renew commitment to abortion, IVF, etc.

Summary: In her speech for her acceptance of the Democratic nomination for president, VP Kamala Harris reaffirmed her support for reproductive care, echoing the positions taken by her party earlier in the convention.

Details:

• Harris’ reference to “reproductive freedom” came moments after saying that America’s prosperity depends on Americans being “fully able to make their own decisions about their own lives.”

• She also said that Trump and “and his allies” were “out of their minds” for - as she claimed - wanting to “limit access to birth control, ban medication abortion, and enact a nationwide abortion ban…create a national anti-abortion coordinator, and force states to report on women’s miscarriages and abortions.”

• Harris is not alone in these sentiments, as the 2024 Democratic platform includes:

  • A plank to enshrine Roe v. Wade

  • Protecting IVF and gender-affirming care

Why we care: It used to feel like Americans were just two groups trying to reach the same point, just from different angles. For many of us it’s likely still the case that we have more in common than not. However, while watching Harris’ speech, it’s tough to avoid the feeling that Democrats want something entirely antithetical to what we as Catholics, Christians, and conservatives want. The average DNC attendee is certainly not representative of the average American, and yet a good portion of Americans will vote for this party and their policies. We generally dislike the language of “political enemy”, but more and more it feels like that’s the case. Join us in praying for our nation - for morality, for conversion, for unity.

Nicaraguan continues crackdown on Catholic Church, removes tax exemptions

Summary: Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega has eliminated an exemption from income tax for churches just one day after shutting down 1,500 NGOs.

Details:

• The decision came shortly after cancelling the organizations and exiling two more priests.

• The change to the Nicaraguan law affects churches and religious organizations of any denomination, who will now have to pay 10-30% in income tax.

• The move is considered quite significant, one that will wind up “financially suffocating the (Catholic) Church so that it falls under its own weight.”

• Ortega’s wife, Vice President Murillo, said that this and other changes were made “as an act of solidarity”.

Why we care: No matter if it be in Nigeria, China, or Nicaragua, it pains us to see Catholics and the Church under attack. We don’t have much to add here other than to bring the issue back to your attention and to urge you to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted throughout the world.

Other stories

• Australian foundress on path to sainthood

• Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows of Chandavila, Spain approved by Vatican

• US Gov’t fears tens of thousands of missing migrant youth may be trafficked

• Vandalism of Chicago pregnancy center shortly after DNC closed 

• Capuchin friar arrested for ‘only-in-Hollywood’ fraud scheme

• An analysis of AI’s place in Catholicism and lay apostolates

• Experts see no features of decomposition in Sr. Wilhelmina Lancaster

Quote of the Week

What’s going on:

• Aug 29 is The Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist

• Aug 31 is a Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

• Notable Feast Days