Trump's IVF EO met with criticism

And judge shuts down USCCB's lawsuit

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Holy Scrollers
February 24, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

Good morning Holy Scrollers!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I’ve started running some advertisements for the newsletter on Facebook and Instagram, so I’d be interested to hear if one comes across your feed. On a more serious note, please continue to pray for our Holy Father as he is alert yet remains in critical condition. With the pleasantries done, let’s get into the news!

In this week’s edition:

  • Pro-lifers up in arms over President Trump’s IVF executive order

  • USCCB sues over funding freeze which has forced Catholic Charities to pare back

  • HHS to study abortion pill risks

  • and more!

Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary @ twitter, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Summary: President Donald Trump's recent executive order to expand access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) has drawn criticism from pro-life advocates who argue that the procedure conflicts with their ethical and moral beliefs.

Details:

  • The executive order aims to fulfill a campaign promise by increasing IVF accessibility and reducing associated costs.

  • Pro-life groups, including Students for Life of America, oppose the order, citing concerns over the destruction of embryos inherent in the IVF process.

  • The Catholic Church maintains that IVF is morally unacceptable, as it separates procreation from the marital act and often involves the discarding of embryos.

Why we care: It’s strange to consider but it’s entirely possible that from a pure numbers perspective IVF kills - or will kill - more children than abortion has or will. It’s a disgusting and evil practice that should be fought from all sides, and no one can call him or herself Catholic or pro-life while supporting IVF. I’m sympathetic to those couples struggling with infertility that find hope in IVF, and it does seem a bit callous to tell them to “suck it up because no one has a right to a child”, but at the end of the day right is right. If we are to truly be consistent defenders of life then this is simply another front where we must stand our ground while prayerfully accompanying those struggling with infertility.

Summary: A federal judge has denied the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) request to lift a funding suspension imposed by the Trump administration, which the bishops claim severely impacts refugee assistance programs.

Details:

  • The USCCB filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging the funding suspension for refugee resettlement programs is unlawful.

  • The suspension, enacted through an executive order by President Trump, has resulted in millions of dollars in unpaid reimbursements for services already provided to refugees.

  • U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden denied the bishops' request for a temporary restraining order, stating such orders are "an extraordinary remedy."

  • The funding freeze has had a "devastating" impact on refugee aid efforts, including forcing local Catholic Charities groups to lay off staff and consider stopping some programs.

Why we care: I discussed previously how in general I’m a fan of the funding freeze - for too long too much spending has gone too unchecked and it’s time we got our ducks in a row. That said, there are legitimate uses of those funds, and services provided by Catholic Charities and the like would fall in that category in my humble opinion. It’s a delicate balancing act - handling the situation at the border while also ensuring that legitimate refugees and migrants get the dignified care they need. Hopefully some resolution can come about soon so that these good works of mercy may continue.

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Summary: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced plans to examine safety issues associated with the abortion pill mifepristone, following directives from President Donald Trump.

Details:

  • Kennedy, recently confirmed as HHS Secretary, stated that President Trump has instructed him to investigate safety concerns related to mifepristone.

  • The announcement comes amid ongoing debates over the safety and regulation of chemical abortions in the United States.

  • Pro-life advocates have raised concerns about the potential health risks of mifepristone, urging for stricter regulations.

  • The investigation's findings could influence future policies regarding the availability and regulation of abortion-inducing drugs.

Why we care: Hopefully, dear reader, I don’t have to sell you on why the abortion pill is bad simply based on it doing what it says on the tin. The safety - or lack thereof - of the pill when it comes to the baby is pretty evident, and we’ve seen at least two notable and unfortunate events where the use of the pill led to the death of the mother. I’d love to see the investigation of the pill lead to it eventually being banned, but given that President Trump has expressed support for keeping the pill available and Mr. Kennedy has supported access to abortion I’m not going to hold my breath. I’d love to be proven wrong though, and perhaps this investigation will lead to a change of heart for both gentlemen and result in a permanent ban of the pill and another battle won in the war against death. One can only hope - and pray, of course.

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Quote of the Week

“In the face of my darkness, you are light. In the face of my mortality, you are life.”

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