The Right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old by John E. McInerney

To one and all:

Every year, as part of the Pro-Life Breakfast the Ancient Order of Hibernians hosts on January 22nd before the Right to Life March, I usually give a talk or write an article, or both. This year it was held at the Irish Channel in Washington, DC. I wish to share my 2012 article with you.


Senator Kennedy on “the right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old”


by John E. McInerney

Political flip-flops bounce around the political news these days during this 2012 election season. Words uttered or opinions expressed decades agocan be instantly quoted, sometimes to a politician’s embarrassment. 

The late Edward Kennedy’s 47 years in the US Senate brought him to top leadership positions and roles. Many times if Kennedy supported a piece of legislation, others who respected him often voted the same way Senator Kennedy voted. Known as a powerhouse and a leader, he earned the title of “lion of the 
Senate.” His support of an issue was often persuasive that it often carried the day. His opposition to an issue was often hard to counter.  

In the Senate when the issue of abortion came up for debate and discussion since 1973, Kennedy could be counted on to support the right of a woman to abort her unborn baby. Since Roe vs. Wade, he held that the Supreme Court ’s decision was the law of the land and we had an obligation to obey the 
law. This is the way many lawyers reason. Ted Kennedy was liberal.

However, traditionally at one time, liberals stood up for the rights and dignity of human beings. They believed in a just wage for work performed. However, they would work hard to cheat the hangman and the abortionist of their wages because of their respect for human dignity and life. Tragically, somewhere along the line the abortion lobby seized control of the Democratic Party. Today the issue is not even debatable or negotiable in the party’s platform. Democratic candidates and office holders must 
fall into step with the new doctrine of the Democratic Party if they want to be re-elected and move up in its leadership. Sadly, principle and listening to one’s conscience has taken a back seat for so many Catholic Democrats to the gospel proclaimed by Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-choice 
America. 

It came as a surprise to many others and me when a copy of a 1971 letter Senator Kennedy wrote on his pro-life views on abortion. Here is some of what Senator Edward Kennedy wrote to Thomas Dennelly of Great Neck, New York in his 1971 letter.  

“Dear Mr. Dennelly: 

”I appreciate your letter containing your views on abortion. There are many moral and legal aspects arising from this complex issue which is gaining the acceptance of large numbers of women faced with unwanted pregnancies, while disturbing the consciences of a great many other Americans.

”Opponents maintain that abortion is wrong from every theological, moral and medical aspect. Proponents are firmly convinced that the woman, alone, has the right to decide.

”While the deep concern of a woman bearing an unwanted child merits consideration and sympathy, it is my personal feeling that the legalization of abortion on demand is not in accordance with the value which our civilization places on human life. Wanted or unwanted, I believe that human life, even at its earliest stages, has certain right which must be recognized - the right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old.

”On the question of the individual's freedom of choice there are easily available birth control methods and information which women may employ to prevent or postpone pregnancy. But once life has begun, no matter at what stage of growth, it is my belief that termination should not be decided merely 
by desire.

”I share the confidence of those who feel that America is willing to care for its unwanted as well as wanted children, protecting particularly those who cannot protect themselves. I also share the opinions of those who do not accept abortion as a response to our society's problems - an inadequate 
welfare system, unsatisfactory job training programs, and insufficient financial support for all its citizens.

”When history looks back on this era it should recognize this generation as one which cared about human beings enough to halt the practice of war, to provide a decent living for every family, and to fulfill its 
responsibility to its children from the moment of conception.”

Sincerely,
Edward M. Kennedy

In Kennedy’s letter he strongly affirmed the Catholic, pro-life conviction about the sanctity of unborn human life, from the time of conception. As an amateur historian I often ask the question of “what if” in history.”

What if Lincoln lived out his term after the Civil War? 
What if Theodore Roosevelt did not become president in 1901 as the result of 
assassination? 
What if President Kennedy did not visit Dallas in 1963?
What if the decision of Roe vs. Wade was never written in 1973?

In all of these cases history as we know it today would have changed – be it for the better or the
worse. We do not know but can only speculate. If Senator Kennedy continued to hold these pro-life convictions throughout his legislative career and eloquently speak out the fundamental pro-life 
message against abortion – we may not have the issue we are facing in these times in this nation. 

Tragically and unfortunately, Senator Kennedy abandoned this pro-life conviction in his subsequent legislative career. In fact he became the most prominent Catholic politician in America to dissent from 
the Church’s teachings and beliefs on abortion.  Being from the most prominent Catholic family in our nation, he gave an invitation to Governors Mario Cuomo and to many other Catholic legislators, governors and politicians to follow suit and abandon and ignore the fundamental teachings of our 
Catholic Faith. The very basic first principle of Christianity is life.

Kennedy’s flip-flop has its serious consequences on the value of human life in history today. Some segments of the Republican Party have followed Kennedy’s lead on the issue. If Kennedy had used his God-given talents to advocate protecting human life from conception, there would not have been an avalanche of Catholic elected officials following him. This created a serious scandal. 

Here in 2012, the Democratic Party is strongly pro-abortion while the Republican Party is staunchly pro-life. It is basically a question on who among us has the right to live and who does not have the right to live. When it comes down to it, both parties may disagree over philosophy, policy, issues, law, and programs. But if there were no life – none of us would be here today. Basically, both parties can and need to agree on the gift of life as something we all share in common while fully realizing that without life 
nothing would exist. By respecting life we can then discuss and argue the other issues. 

On the “what ifs” of history, surely Senator Kennedy’s original pro-life attitude and belief in 1971 would have had a great impact if he continued to eloquently speak out against abortion and in defense of human life. Unfortunately, there is no way of telling the impact President Kennedy’s brother could have had if he had stayed the course and proclaimed the pro-life message. 

Tragically, he did not stand up for the life and dignity of unborn infants. He did not stand up and speak out about the violence committed on unborn babies and women during abortions. Remember what Senator Kennedy wrote in1971 – “Wanted or unwanted, I believe that human life, even at its earliest stages, has certain rights which must be recognized - the right to be born, the right to love, the right to 
grow old.

Catholic Church importing Muslims into America.

I've just learned Cleveland Catholic Charities is importing, sponsoring and employing Muslims (Plain Dealer 12/28/2011) under the guise of rescuing war refugees. I've given my last dollar to the Catholic Church.

At a time when Christian/Catholic people are being murdered and their Churches burned throughout the Muslim world, e.g., Nigeria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Iran et al, our church is importing Muslims. Yes, the same ones who are blowing up churches and killing Christians/Catholics throughout the world. Now wouldn't you think they should be sponsoring Catholics and/or Christians rather than Muslims?

Now I know that not ALL Muslims are bad guys, but their faith leaves no room for we infidels - it's their way or no way. It's what their so-called spiritual leaders (Mullahs) teach them. And therein lies the danger of their residency in America. They don't become American, they remain Muslims in America. And I would guess there's an agenda here somewhere.

It's a problem America. It's a problem in France, Germany and Italy, to name a few nations where a large Muslim populations are growing. No matter how American major print media spins the reality of the story, it will be a problem here as well. And the Catholic Church is aiding and abetting it.

State of New Jersey about to honor a dishonorable, bigoted and hateful man

The following text is excerpted from letters sent by Sean Pender, New Jersey AOH State Board President and J. Michael Finn, Ohio State Board Historian.

" As most of you know the New Jersey Hall of Fame has nominated an Irish Catholic Bigot, Thomas Nast as a potential 2012 inductee to the Hall. We have voiced our displeasure regarding this issue and have received a tremendous amount of press coverage. Unfortunately the NJ Hall of Fame has told us again today that they will NOT remove Nast from the list of nominees so we need to continue our protest. No other nationality or religion would stand for this type of prejudice and bigotry and we as Irish Catholics cannot either. Background information at

http://www.njaoh.com/472/taking-a-stand-against-honoring-antiirish-cartoonist/

 The actual book by Nast (its a small booklet, actually) in available for download from the Library of Congress. The link is below. Instead of reading McAffee's description you and read the actual book and view Nast's pictures of ape-like Irishmen. Even a Hibernian meeting. Its called "Miss Columbia's Public Schools." On the far left side of the page is the choice of download options.

http://www.archive.org/details/misscolumbiaspub02pull

 Attached is a Nast picture with an Ohio connection. Nast drew this after the Ohio legislature passed a bill called the Geghan Bill. The bill was simply to allow religious freedom in state institutions (prisons, asylums, poor houses). These institutions were run by Protestant chaplains who would deny the access of priests to Catholic inmates. The law called for equal access and equal facilities. It also stopped Catholics and members of other religions from being forced to attend Protestant worship services. Sounds pretty harmless. Nast was  convinced that the Catholic Church was running the Ohio legislature and that this was a subversive plot to take over the public schools. The Ohio Catholic bishops supported the bill. It was passed but later revoked by the incoming legislature and governor (Rutherford B. Hayes).

Here a bishop (a strong resemblance to Archbishop Purcell of Cincinnati) sits on the throne with his feet on the constitution. In back of the bishop is a picture of a priestly looking St. Geghan, labeled “The Representative of Rome, not of Cincinnati.” A picture of the Pope is also displayed with the caption “A Foreign Prince Reigning in the United States.” Also in the picture are priests standing under a doorway with a sign above which reads, “Ohio Roman Legislature.” The entire cartoon bears the caption “The Established (Foreign) Church in Ohio – What are you going to do about it?”

It’s now 2011 and we ask, what are YOU going to do about it? We ask that all concerned Catholics call, email and/or write Don Smith, Executive director of the NJ Hall of Fame to express your disappointment in this horrible nomination and ask for it to be immediately withdrawn:

Don Smith Executive Director, NJ Hall of Fame Cell: 908-832-1020

Email: djsmith@njhalloffame.org


New Jersey Hall of Fame

c/o Charles Edison Fund

1037 Raymond Boulevard, Suite 340


Newark, NJ 071020"

Father John Sullivan, S.J.

Father John Sullivan, S.J.

Letter from Vince Francioli, Benedictine High School Teacher to Russ Davis

This was sent to classmate Russ Davis, who invited Vince to attend our Benedictine Mens' Breakfast.

September 25, 2010

Dear Russell,

That was the most enjoyable reunion I have attended in a very long time. How very thoughtful of you to arrange it and to invite me.

Thank you for the photos. I hope to see you in church sometime. Many of  us from Mt. Carmel (recently closed Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church) are going to the 11:00 Mass at Our Lady of Peace. Come there and see us. I am sure everyone would enjoy talking to you.

God bless you. I remain your old teacher,

Vince Francioli

The Birmingham Six

September 19, 2010

Birmingham, England. Pope Benedict XVI beatified Cardinal John Henry Newman, a 19th century convert from Anglicanism. Newman was an enormously influential man in both the Anglican and Catholic churches. The beatification moves him closer to possible canonization. 

In a related story, the six men arrested for allegedly plotting an attack on Pope Benedict were released without charge. No weapons or suspicious materials were  found in their homes. The arrests had overshadowed the Pope's visit in the English media.

Makes you wonder.

Sister Mary Ignatia, Sister of Charity of Saint Augustine

REMEMBERING AN IRISH-AMERICAN SAINT

By

J.C. Sullivan

Cleveland, Ohio. “Three things are necessary for the salvation of man,” said Thomas Aquinas. “To know what he ought to believe, to know what he ought to desire and to know what he ought to do.” Some of our fellow human beings never recognize even one of these truths. Rare is the person who understands two. One who understood all three was a woman who began life in County Mayo as Della Gavin and ended it as Sr. Mary Ignatia, Sister of Charity of Saint Augustine (CSA). Forty years after her passing she has been commemorated and fondly remembered.

A woman ahead of her time, many believe she should be commemorated for her life’s work and vision. Cleveland Attorney John Myers is one of those people. Through his efforts, and the support of numerous others, a street in Cleveland has been co-named Sister Ignatia Way. All this, forty years after her passing. A gathering of her sisters, dignitaries, friends, recovering alcoholics and others were on hand for a ceremony honoring Sister Ignatia’s memory.

From Ballyhane, two miles outside Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland,  Patrick J. and Barbara (Neary) Gavin emigrated with their seven year old daughter. In 1916, while World War I was raging in Europe, she entered the sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine in 1916. Eleven years later, with fragile health and exhaustion dogging her, she was transferred from the Music Department to the new St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio. While there she was approached by a co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous to allow one of his patients into the hospital for care. Thus began a spiritually-directed endeavor with men and women addicts. In 1952 she was transferred to St. Vincent Charity Hospital in Cleveland, “to work with AAs.”

On the feast of the Holy Rosary she received permission to open “Rosary Hall Solarium.” Its initials also honor a co-founder of AA, “Robert Holbrook Smith.” Revitalizing RHS is Executive Director Dan Davies’ mission. “The rosary today was said in honor of Sr. Ignatia, who prayed it daily with patients.”

“My boss at the time was the late Bob Sweeney, who had Mulranny roots,” said Myers. “Bob had the sad honor of being one of her pallbearers when she died.  He made me aware of whom she was and I was amazed this woman had helped co-found AA, which is in every country of the world.” To have a woman who was a daughter of Ireland and daughter of Cleveland have such a remarkable affect on the world is a remarkable thing.”  Myers thinks that because she was a woman, and a religious, she never got proper recognition in her lifetime from those outside CSA. Myers believes AA would never have achieved its current status without the spirituality connected with the program. “Myers also gives much credit to former Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell, then-Council President Frank Jackson and Cleveland City Council for supporting the legislation co-naming East22nd St.  He was also sure to thank the Gavin and Neary families of Mayo who “shared their daughter with the world.”

Sr. Ignatia was a second cousin to Cleveland’s Fr. Jim O’Donnell. Mary O’Donnell Hayes (John), who is active in the West Side Irish American Club, is another cousin. Sister’s late brother, Patrick, Jr., had no offspring.

Sr. Judith Ann Karam, President and CEO of Sisters of Charity Health System said Catherine O’Donnell Lenihan worked with Sister during the 1960s. Her father, Mike O’Donnell, is Sister Ignatia’s cousin. Her Catherine’s husband is Frank Lenihan from Ballycroy. “This is a wonderful celebration of the life of Sister and the wonderful community that is AA. It was always so awe-inspiring for me to see the work she was doing and the influence she had on the people she served.

 Her legacy, according to Sr. Mary Denis, Archivist, for the Sisters of CSA, is, first and foremost, all those who were present at the ceremony. those who have struggled with demons and have come to sobriety.” Furthermore, for the community and those who have ministered and supported them, has always been “a willing acceptance of whatever God sends can indeed be a blessing, not only for oneself, but in untold ways, for countless others.  Bill Wilson recalled having a small dinner with her on her 50^th jubilee and could only think of her of poignant and repeated saying, ‘Eternity is with us now.’ 

Sister Ignatia was one of the untold many living saints who now, and throughout the ages, have ministered to humanity. John Myers believes the gift, the miracle, of a path to sobriety, which Ignatia helped form, is something larger than any one person, one program or one institution. “… Her genius was to infuse a movement with a life-renewing and sustaining spirituality. Not that of a faraway Pope, or the dogmas of religion; not the church or the clergy, but rather, the simple spirituality which is appropriately here on the street, an every day spirituality, an every man, every woman  spirituality; a higher power found, recognized and shared here on the street.  This is why we gather on the street, in this small way, long overdue, to honor her memory and say thank you.”