The FDA has approved the testing of treatments using embryonic stem cells on humans. California-based Geron Corporation will test the use of embryonic stem cells on adults paralyzed by spinal injuries.

In 2009, when President Barack Obama rescinded President George W. Bush’s restrictions on the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research through the National Institutes of Health, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) noted that, “The federal government, for the first time, will spend taxpayers’ money to encourage the destruction of living human beings to obtain research material.”

As the Pennsylvania Bishops explain in Questions and Answers on Stem Cell Research, “Government funding would further encourage researchers to destroy human embryos. We must oppose the use of our tax dollars for research that involves the destruction of human life. ”

In the encyclical Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II wrote, “it must nonetheless be stated that the use of human embryos or fetuses as an object of experimentation constitutes a crime against their dignity as human beings who have a right to the same respect owed to a child once born, just as to every person.”

While embryonic stem cell treatments have not been associated with any successful cures, there are numerous successful treatments attributed to adult stem cell therapy.

According to a report in the National Catholic Register, a Seattle adult stem-cell researcher, Theresa Deisher, has sought an injunction against the expansion of federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research. Ms. Deisher and others contend that funding for embryonic  stem cell research violates the Dickey-Wicker Amendment, which prohibits research grants that would cause abortions.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ruled that Ms. Deisher has standing, and the case will go back to district court were arguments will be heard.

For more information on stem cells, see Stem Cells Q & A.

The PCC Administrative Board, which is composed of both clergy and laity, meets three times a year to conduct the affairs of the Conference by ratifying public policy positions within the guidelines set by the Board of Governors and offering guidance to the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference staff.

The Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, which meets annually, comprises the local ordinary bishops of Pennsylvania, that is, the ecclesiastical superiors of each Pennsylvania diocese. The function of the board, which is governed by its chairman, Cardinal Justin Rigali, is to establish the principles of the conference and determine its policies. Each ordinary bishop appoints two members to the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference Administrative Board, one of whom is a priest and serves as a personal representative of the bishop to the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference.

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference is the public affairs arm of Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops and the Catholic dioceses of Pennsylvania. There are 10 Catholic dioceses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Eight are Latin Rite dioceses, fully contained within the Commonwealth. Two are Byzantine Rite dioceses with Apostolic Sees in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference has set broad objectives and highlighted some particular issues of concern.

Photo credit: The Catholic Witness, Diocese of Harrisburg

1. Abuse is never a child’s fault, a point that children need to hear over and over again. Offenders try hard to make children feel complicit in the abuse or to blame them for the abuse. Children learn that that is never true! The blame always belongs to the adult who is taking advantage of a child’s trust and vulnerabilities.

2. God loves children forever and wants them to live holy and happy lives. If a child has been abused, that child learns they are still innocent and loved by God and their families. The shame of child sexual abuse needs to be put where it belongs: on the abuser.

3. Abuse that has happened should be reported. Children learn to tell a parent or another trusted adult if someone is hurting them and to keep telling until they are believed. One study shows that children tell of their abuse an average of nine times before someone believes them. Parents can help children learn whom they can trust by pointing out the adults who can be trusted. Parents can also teach children the correct names of private body parts. This simple step gives children the vocabulary to tell others what happened to them.

4. You can recognize abuse when it happens. Children learn to trust that feeling that says something isn’t right and to tell a parent or other trusted adult when something happens that makes them feel uneasy. Children learn to question if someone is telling them to do what the child doesn’t like but says it is because he loves the child. Children learn to tell parents or trusted adult if another person makes them sad or confused or tries to get them to break rules. This can stop the process of grooming by which an abuser lures a child toward danger. A child who questions another’s inappropriate behavior can send a message to the offender that this child is not an easy target, but one that will tell what is being done to him/her.

5. There are ways to spot a grooming process. Offenders are willing to spend a great deal of time grooming the family, the child and even the community so they may be seen as a trusted family friend. Children learn that anyone who lets children break rules, gives them alcohol or shows them pornography needs to be reported to parents and other trusted adults. Children learn not to keep secrets from parents. They learn that they should tell parents when someone gives them special gifts or is always touching them or tickling them and says not to tell.

6. Parents or other trusted adults will talk about this subject. Children often try to protect their parents from bad news, so they need to learn they can tell their parents anything. This lesson is conveyed when parents stay involved in their children’s activities and talk with them about what is happening in their lives. This is how children learn what can be shared with parents. The more effective safe environment programs include parents in the learning process. This gives the child a clear signal that this subject is not off limits but instead is something to be talked about with family members.

7. Boundaries exist. Learning about personal boundaries can protect children and their knowing boundaries reinforces the teaching to listen to one’s instincts. Children who listen to the voice that says, “This doesn’t feel right,” can protect themselves.

8. Children can stand up for themselves. Children need to be respectful and obey, yet at the same time need to know there are times when it is okay to say no to an adult. Children learn when it is appropriate for them to say, “No, stop doing that.” For example, they hear they can say no to someone who makes them uncomfortable, shows them pornography, or offers them alcohol.

9. There are ways to explain inappropriate behavior. Children learn how to describe what’s happening when someone is doing something that just seems a “little weird” even though it may not seem wrong. The ability to articulate what has happened to a child enables a child to more easily confide in a parent or other trusted adult. This can alert the adult to a potentially dangerous situation so it can be avoided. This is ultimately the goal of safe environment education.

Find more information about child protection and victim assistance in the dioceses of Pennsylvania at pacatholic.org.

“Marriage between a man and a woman is the bedrock of any society. The misuse of law to change the nature of marriage undermines the common good,” Cardinal George said. “It is tragic that a federal judge would overturn the clear and expressed will of the people in their support for the institution of marriage. No court of civil law has the authority to reach into areas of human experience that nature itself has defined.”

Joining Cardinal George in his criticism of the court decision was Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage. Archbishop Kurtz noted that “Citizens of this nation have uniformly voted to uphold the understanding of marriage as a union of one man and one woman in every jurisdiction where the issue has been on the ballot. This understanding is neither irrational nor unlawful,” he said. “Marriage is more fundamental and essential to the well being of society than perhaps any other institution. It is simply unimaginable that the court could now claim a conflict between marriage and the Constitution.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT MARRIAGE

Pennsylvania Catholic Conference

Marriage: Unique for a Reason

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The adoption process is a major undertaking, emotionally and legally. Some birth mothers want to maintain contact with their children; some do not; and some want to reserve the right to decide later. Sometimes years later siblings want to learn more about their brother or sister who was adopted. The legal process for adoption should safeguard the interests of all parties involved; but the current law in Pennsylvania could use some improvement.

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference is supporting Senate Bill 1360, revising the Adoption Act, as it significantly improves services for those involved in the adoption process. The bill has two key components. First, it recognizes and establishes procedures for voluntary open adoption agreements, whereby a prospective adoptive parent can enter into a voluntary agreement with a birth relative of a child to permit continuing contact between the child and a birth relative.

“Some children who are older refuse adoption because they feel it’s disloyal to their birth parents that they still see,” says Kelly Bolton, Director of Adoption Services in Harrisburg. “This helps children say it’s an ok deal because their birth parents are on board.”

Under the legislation, all parties involved must consent to having contact. Bolton also added nearly all adoptions from birth facilitated by Catholic Charities of Harrisburg have some form of contact between the birth parent, adoptee and adoptive family.

The second part of the bill streamlines procedures for accessing adoption records and directs DPW to establish a statewide confidential registry for the receipt, filing and retention of medical and social history information and authorization forms for all adoptions finalized or registered in Pennsylvania.

Adoption services in Pennsylvania follow a confidential intermediary system. An intermediary is a person certified by a judge to search for adoption information upon the request of an adoptee. Under current law, only adoptees can request information. The revision allows for increased access so that birth parents and other relatives of the parties involved, like siblings, may also request information.

In recent years, we have heard disheartening statistics showing an increase in abortions taking place in the state of Pennsylvania. A life-affirming alternative to abortion is adoption. By working to improve the adoption process, we may help more mothers see adoption as a viable choice for their children.

The Pennsylvania Catholic Advocacy Network is urging state senators to support SB 1360. Visit, call or write your state senator, or log on to www.pacatholic.org/current_issues/catholic-advocacy-network/ to join the Advocacy Network and send an e-mail message.

PCC advocates many life and dignity issues as well as Catholic education, religious liberty, marriage and family, social justice, health care, and faith. When you sign up for the Advocacy Network, check any and all of the categories on the sign-up screen to receive updates on each of them. Join us, be heard, make a difference.

August 2010 PCC Column written by Kassandra Meholick, who lives in the Diocese of Harrisburg. She is a senior at Kent State University in Ohio and just completed a summer internship with the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference.

Richard M. Doerflinger

Congress passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) in March, amidst an unresolved debate about the legislation’s impact on abortion and conscience protection. As president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Francis George explained then that the bishops had to oppose the final bill despite their strong support for health care reform, because (among other things) it “appropriates billions of dollars in new funding without explicitly prohibiting the use of these funds for abortion.” Others dismissed this charge, saying that legislative intent and a last-minute executive order from President Obama prevented abortion funding.

Fast-forward to July, when one of those PPACA provisions appropriating billions of dollars was about to take effect. Section 1101 of the Act provides $5 billion for “high-risk insurance pools,” providing much-needed health coverage for people with “pre-existing conditions” who cannot otherwise get coverage. This program ends in January 2014, when these patients can join others in purchasing qualified health plans on the new state insurance exchanges. State governments can propose the benefits list and other details for covering their residents in these pools, but the federal government makes final decisions and provides all government funds for subsidizing this coverage.

Pro-life groups found that several states – beginning with Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Maryland – had announced on their web sites that their statewide plans would include elective abortions. (New Mexico used the phrase openly; Pennsylvania said its plan would not cover “elective abortions,” but would cover abortions that are legal under the Supreme Court’s decisions – meaning any abortion an abortionist sees as needed for a woman’s social or emotional “well-being.”) These plans were described as already approved, and New Mexico had already begun signing up enrollees.

Public criticism of this development prompted immediate denials and evasive responses. An initial response from the Department of Health and Human Services insisted that “federal funds” would not cover these abortions – leaving open the prospect that everyone who enrolls could be forced to fund other people’s abortions with their premium dollars. Late on July 14, however, HHS issued a new and more welcome response, saying that abortions simply “will not be covered” in these plans except in cases of rape, incest or danger to the mother’s life, as has long been true in federally subsidized health plans for federal employees.

Now pro-abortion groups are crying foul, with the interesting complaint that this pro-life outcome goes beyond anything in PPACA or the executive order. In other words, they are saying the bishops’ analysis of loopholes in these documents is right.

The high-risk pool program is just one funding stream left open to abortion by PPACA. For now it seems pro-life forces have won the first round, through careful research and a prompt public response. But PPACA needs a legislative fix to close such loopholes once and for all. That fix is offered by the “Protect Life Act” (H.R. 5111) sponsored by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) and 115 other House members, including 13 Democrats. Whether these or other billions of dollars in taxpayers’ funds are used to help kill unborn children is not a matter we should leave to shifting politics or to chance.

Life Issues Forum by Richard M. Doerflinger, Associate Director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. To learn more about the bishops’ pro-life activities see www.usccb.org/prolife.

This should have been good news; but alarms were raised when a careful reading of the approved insurance plan revealed it would cover abortions. Following a public outcry, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a statement that the agency will act to exclude abortion from this program.

The Bishops of Pennsylvania welcomed the commitment from HHS to exclude abortion from the federal health insurance program and echoed the sentiments of a July 15 statement issued by the chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB):

This week it was reported that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) had approved a new high-risk health insurance program for residents of Pennsylvania that by its terms would cover abortions without meaningful limits. This federal program, established by the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), will provide health services until 2014 to uninsured persons with pre-existing conditions. The Pennsylvania plan, while purporting not to fund “elective” abortions, made clear in its text that all abortions that satisfy the requirements of certain Pennsylvania statutes (i.e., all abortions that are not illegal in that state) would be covered, and reimbursed, with a combination of private premiums and federal funds drawn from the U.S. Treasury. This first announcement that $160 million in federal funds would be used to provide pro-abortion coverage raised an alarming precedent. Later the news also became public that the state of New Mexico would be covering “elective abortions” in its federal high-risk pool, which was already accepting enrollees.

Last night, however, HHS reacted to public criticisms by announcing that it will act to exclude abortion from this federally funded program, in accord with the assurances that Secretary Sebelius and President Obama have repeatedly made that PPACA will not be used to promote abortion. We welcome this new policy, while continuing to be gravely concerned that it was not issued until after some states had announced that pro-abortion health plans were approved and had begun to enroll patients. This situation illustrates once again the need for Congress to enact legislation clearly stating once and for all that funds appropriated by PPACA will not pay for abortions or for insurance coverage that includes abortion. Such legislation would mirror the Hyde amendment and similar provisions which prevent such abortion funding in all other federal health programs.

In this program as in others, the issue of government involvement in the taking of innocent human life should not remain subject to the changeable discretion of executive officials or depend on the continued vigilance of pro-life advocates. It is vitally important for people with serious medical conditions who have been unable to obtain coverage to receive the help offered by programs such as this – and for them to be assured that their coverage will be life-affirming, not life-threatening.

For the latest news and information about the Bishops’ positions on health care reform, log on to www.pacatholic.org/health-care.

Photo by Sara A. Fajardo/CRS

On January 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake hit Haiti causing extensive damage, killing many and leaving thousands homeless and in crisis.  Six months later, hope has been restored and progress is being made. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is still there helping meet the needs of the Haitian people.

Here is a progress report:

• Distributed food to nearly 900,000 people. Currently providing food to more than 90,000 students in over 270 schools, and monthly food rations to more than 100 orphanages and child-care centers in Port-au-Prince and Les Cayes, benefiting nearly 10,000 children.
• Provided emergency shelter materials to more than 114,000 people.
• CRS health care team performed over 960 emergency operations and conducted 62,000 outpatient consultations.
• Supported hundreds of thousands of people with food, water, sanitation, shelter materials and protection, including at two of the largest camps for the displaced. Established five “child-friendly spaces” for unaccompanied children at camps, regularly attended by more than 1,500 children.
• Installed over 600 latrines and hand-washing stations, as well as potable water tanks and inflatable water bladders, in Port-au-Prince and environs, providing an estimated 375,000 gallons of water per month.
• Provided assistance to numerous local and international partners in Haiti, including 164 Church partners.

Read more about the response in Haiti at crs.org.

EITC provides a tax credit to businesses that contribute to organizations that give scholarships to students to attend the school of their choice. Many Catholic school students benefit from EITC scholarships.  If your state Representative or state Senator is on this list, visit, call, fax, writer or send an e-mail to thank him or her for supporting EITC. (NOTE: some legislators represent more than one diocese.)

Not sure who is your state legislator? Look it up with this tool from the Pennsylvania Catholic Advocacy Network.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Allentown Diocese

• Sen. Argall
• Sen. Boscola
• Sen. Browne
• Sen. Folmer
• Sen. Mensch
• Sen. Musto
• Sen,O’Pake
• Sen. Rafferty

• Rep. Brennan
• Rep. Caltagirone
• Rep. Day
• Rep. Freeman
• Rep. Goodman
• Rep. Grucela
• Rep. Harhart
• Rep. Kessler
• Rep. Knowles
• Rep. Mann
• Rep. McCall
• Rep. Reichley
• Rep. Rohrer
• Rep. Samuelson
• Rep. Santoni
• Rep. Seip

Altoona-Johnstown Diocese

• Sen. Corman
• Sen. Eichelberger
• Sen. Kasunic
• Sen. Wozniak

• Rep. Barbin
• Rep. Burns
• Rep. Conklin
• Rep. Fleck
• Rep. Geist
• Rep. Haluska
• Rep. Hanna

Erie Diocese

• Sen. Earll
• Sen. Robbins
• Sen. Scarnati
• Sen. D. White
• Sen. M.J. White
• Sen. Wozniak

• Rep. Brooks
• Rep. Causer
• Rep. Fabrizio
• Rep. Gabler
• Rep. George
• Rep. Harkins
• Rep. Hornaman
• Rep. Longietti
• Rep. Oberlander
• Rep. Rapp
• Rep. S. Smith
• Rep. Sonney
• Rep. Stevenson

Greensburg Diocese

• Sen. Kasunic
• Sen. Logan
• Sen. Stout
• Sen. Ward
• Sen. D. White

• Rep. Casorio
• Rep. Daley
• Rep. DeWeese
• Rep. Harhai
• Rep. Kula
• Rep. Mahoney
• Rep. Markosek
• Rep. Oberlander
• Rep. Pallone
• Rep. Petrarca
• Rep. Pyle
• Rep. Reese

Harrisburg Diocese

• Sen. Alloway
• Sen. Brubaker
• Sen. Corman
• Sen. Eichelberger
• Sen. Folmer
• Sen. Gordner
• Sen. Piccola
• Sen. Smucker
• Sen. Vance
• Sen. Waugh
• Sen. Yaw

• Rep. Belfanti
• Rep. Buxton
• Rep. Creighton
• Rep. Cutler
• Rep.  Denlinger
• Rep. DePasquale
• Rep. Fairchild
• Rep. Fleck
• Rep. Gingrich
• Rep. Grell
• Rep. Harris
• Rep. Helm
• Rep. Kauffman
• Rep. Marsico
• Rep. Miller
• Rep. Moul
• Rep. Phillips
• Rep. Saylor
• Rep. Sturla
• Rep. Swanger
• Rep. Tallman
• Rep. True

Philadelphia Archdiocese

• Sen. Brubaker
• Sen. Dinniman
• Sen. Erickson
• Sen. Farnese
• Sen. Folmer
• Sen. Greenleaf
• Sen. Hughes
• Sen. Kitchen
• Sen. McIlhinney
• Sen. Mensch
• Sen. Pileggi
• Sen. Rafferty
• Sen. Stack
• Sen. Tartaglione
• Sen. Tomlinson
• Sen. Washington
• Sen. Williams

• Rep. Adolph
• Rep. Barrar
• Rep. Bishop
• Rep. Boyle
• Rep. Briggs
• Rep. Brown
• Rep. Clymer
• Rep. Cohen
• Rep. Cruz
• Rep. Curry
• Re[. DiGirolamo
• Rep. Donatucci
• Rep. Drucker
• Rep. D. Evans
• Rep. Farry
• Rep. Galloway
• Rep. Gerber
• Rep. Godshall
• Rep. Harper
• Rep. Houghton
• Rep. Johnson
• Rep. Josephs
• Rep. W. Keller
• Rep. Killion
• Rep. Kirkland
• Rep. Lentz
• Rep. Manderino
• Rep. McGeehan
• Rep. Melio
• Rep. Micozzie
• Rep. Milne
• Rep. Murt
• Rep. Myers
• Rep. M. O’Brien
• Rep. O’Neill
• Rep. Parker
• Rep. Payton
• Rep. Perzel
• Rep. Petri
• Rep. Quigley
• Rep. Roebuck
• Rep. Ross
• Rep. Sabatina
• Rep. Santarsiero
• Rep. Shapiro
• Rep. J. Taylor
• Rep. R. Taylor
• Rep. Thomas
• Rep. Vitali
• Rep. Waters
• Rep. Watson
• Rep. Williams
• Rep. Youngblood

Pittsburgh Diocese

• Sen. Costa
• Sen. Fontana
• Sen. Kasunic
• Sen. Logan
• Sen. Orie
• Sen. Pippy
• Sen. Robbins
• Sen. Stout
• Sen. D. White
• Sen. M.J. White

• Rep. Brooks
• Rep. D. Costa
• Rep. P. Costa
• Rep. Daley
• Rep. Deasy
• Rep. DeLuca
• Rep. Dermody
• Rep. DeWeese
• Rep. Ellis
• Rep. Frankel
• Rep. Gergely
• Rep. Gibbons
• Rep. Kortz
• Rep. Kotik
• Rep. Levdansky
• Rep. Markosek
• Rep. Marshall
• Rep. Matzie
• Rep. Mustio
• Rep. Preston
• Rep. Readshaw
• Rep. Sainato
• Rep. M. Smith
• Rep. S. Smith
• Rep. Solobay
• Rep. Stevenson
• Rep. Wagner
• Rep. Wheatley
• Rep. White

Scranton Diocese

• Sen. Argall
• Sen. Baker
• Sen. Boscola
• Sen. Browne
• Sen. Gordner
• Sen. Mellow
• Sen. Musto
• Sen. Scarnati
• Sen. Yaw

• Rep. Baker
• Rep. Carroll
• Rep. Eachus
• Rep. Everett
• Rep. Major
• Rep. Mirabito
• Rep. Mundy
• Rep. Murphy
• Rep. Pashinski
• Rep. Pickett
• Rep. Scavello
• Rep. Siptroth
• Rep. K. Smith
• Rep. Staback
• Rep. Wansacz
• Rep. Yudichak

EDUCATION

The big news about the budget is funding for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. EITC provides a tax credit to businesses that contribute to organizations that give scholarships to students to attend the school of their choice. Many Catholic school students benefit from EITC scholarships. The successful education program was cut by $15 million last year and was scheduled to be cut another $10 million this year. But thanks to the hard work of the Advocates of Catholic Education in Pennsylvania, this year’s cut was avoided. EITC will be funded at the same level as last year – $60 million. Better still, the share that funds scholarships for students in nonpublic schools was increased more than $2 million to $40 million.

Public schools were one of the winners in this year’s budget; their basic subsidy was increased $250 million for a total of $5.1 billion. Comparatively, non-public school students benefit from a small line item the state education budget that pays for textbooks, materials and a few special services. Those line items received a minimal decrease of less than 1%.

HEALTH CARE

Catholic health care facilities like hospitals and long-term care homes have a special mission to serve the poor. Many of their patients and residents are eligible for Medical Assistance (MA). Fortunately, no payment reductions were made to hospitals in the final budget. The budget also includes a modernized MA payment system that will improve and stabilize reimbursements to hospitals and will help leverage federal matching funds. Hospital officials say the new system will help to enhance patient access to care and provide hospitals with much needed additional funding.

Long-term nursing facilities, assisted living centers, and other long-term care services however, suffered a $34 million loss of funding in several different programs.

The budget counts on $850 million from an extension of the Federal Medical Assistance Program (FMAP) that Congress has yet to approve. If this does not happen, the governor and lawmakers will have to modify the budget to address the shortfall.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Catholic Charities agencies provide a number of programs that are funded by the state. Many of these programs, such as services to people with disabilities to help them live independently, are paid for by the state’s Human Services Development Fund (HSDF), which was cut by $2 million.

A slight cut of $38,000 to the state funded alternatives to abortion program, administered by Real Alternatives, Inc., seems minuscule within the billions of dollars being spent all together on the broad range of social service programs. However, each of those dollars would go a long way to helping women choose life for their unborn children.

The efforts of grassroots supporters made a definite difference in this year’s budget, especially for EITC. Advocates visited, called, faxed, and wrote letters and e-mails to their state legislators. Some wrote letters to the editor of local newspapers. Many more prayed for our elected leaders and the future of our Commonwealth. Thank you for your support.

If you are not yet a member of the Pennsylvania Catholic Advocacy Network or the companion Advocates for Catholic Education in Pennsylvania, consider signing up at www.pacatholic.org. Join us. Be heard. Make a difference in Pennsylvania.

PCC Column July 2010 by A.B. Hill, Communications Director of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference – the public affairs arm of Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops and the Catholic dioceses of Pennsylvania.