California forces Catholic Colleges to pay for abortion

The Democrats, the party of death, in action. Jerry Brown, a "Catholic", in action. Let it never be forgotten: the picture at left shows Brown with political ally and mass murderer (909 people killed at Jonestown) Jim Jones.

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

Gov. Jerry Brown's administration has reversed an earlier decision to allow two Catholic universities to eliminate coverage of most abortions for employees, saying state law requires health insurance plans to cover all abortions.

The state had previously allowed insurance companies to offer plans to Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount universities that denied coverage for "elective" abortions, and allowed it only for abortions needed to save a woman's life or prevent serious health damage. Loyola Marymount, in Los Angeles, implemented its policy in January, while Santa Clara's was due to take effect next year.

Urged by abortion-rights groups and university employees to reconsider the issue, Brown's Department of Managed Health Care, in letters to be sent Friday to insurers for both universities, said the exclusions violate a 1975 state law that requires group health plans to cover all basic services - defined, by the law, as those that are "medically necessary."

"Abortion is a basic health care service," the department's director, Michelle Rouillard, said in the letter.
In addition, she said, "the California Constitution prohibits health plans from discriminating against women who choose to terminate a pregnancy. Thus, all health plans must treat maternity services and legal abortion neutrally."

Rouillard told the insurance companies to review all health plans, including those the department had previously approved, to make sure they comply with the law.

Wesley Smith writes: "What starts in California doesn’t stay in California. Forced abortion coverage will be the next front in the war against religious freedom."

Knights of Columbus Promise Matching Funds for People of Iraq!

Displaced Christians in Iraq.
Photo/Khalid Mohammad/AP.

God bless the Knights! From Catholic News Agency:

"New Haven, Conn., Aug 12, 2014 / 02:54 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Knights of Columbus have established a matching fund to assist Christians and other religious minorities facing severe persecution or displacement in Iraq and nearby countries.

“The unprovoked and systematic persecution and violent elimination of Middle East Christians, as well as other minority groups, especially in Iraq, has created an enormous humanitarian crisis,” Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said Aug. 12.

“It has shocked the conscience of the world that people are systematically being purged from the region where their families have lived for millennia – simply for their faith,” Anderson continued.

“It is imperative that we stand in solidarity with them in defense of the freedom of conscience, and provide them with whatever relief we can.”

In addition to an initial pledge of $500,000, the Catholic fraternal organization will match another $500,000 in donations from the public.

Militants with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, known as ISIL or ISIS, have seized large areas of Iraqi territory. They took the country’s largest Christian city, Qaraqosh, on the night of Aug. 6, forcing tens of thousands to flee.

The militants have ordered Christians and other minorities to convert, pay a tax known as a jizya, or be killed.

Anderson cited Pope Francis’ request that the world pray and support those affected by the “terrible persecution.”

“We are asking our members, and all people of good will, to pray for those persecuted and support efforts to assist them by donating to this fund,” the head of the Knights of Columbus said.

Donations may be made through the webpage www.kofc.org/Iraq or via check or money orders sent to K of C Christian Refugee Relief, Knights of Columbus Charities, P.O. Box 1966, New Haven, CT 06509-1966.

The Knights of Columbus said that 100 percent of all donations will be used for humanitarian assistance.

Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax-deductible."

Second SF Demonstration for Iraqi Christians: Press Shows Up

Today, American Assyrian Christians and their supporters marched in solidarity with the Christians and other abused minorities in Iraq and Syria. The demonstration began at 11AM at San Francisco's UN Plaza, followed by a march to the Federal Building.

This time the press covered the event, something they did not do (except for an article we wrote, published by the good people at California Catholic Daily) at Saturday's larger demonstration. The San Francisco Chronicle covered the event, and Mark Matthews from NBC Bay Area was there too. That will probably appear on this evenings newscast. Here are some pictures from the event:

Mark Matthews of NBC Bay Area intervieing His Excellency Bishop Royel.

The people are very passionate--many have relatives there.

An older lady with family in Iraq. She was mad at the UN, the Pope, and President Obama for not doing enough. It's easy to understand her anger.

More protesters arrive at the plaza.

The demonstrators were of all ages.

The crowd grew--I'd say about 300 people, a lot smaller than last Saturday's demonstration. It's easier to get people on the weekend, of course.

Sr. Ignatius, RSHM, with some young women from USF.

Another shot of His Excellency Bishop Royel.

Ron Konopaski, the leader of San Francisco's 40 Days for Life campaign.

More media. Not sure who they were.

Preparing to march to the Federal Building.

A reminder from Our Lord.

Photos from the SF Rally for Iraqi Christians

On Saturday, August 2, at least 2,000 people gathered in San Francisco's Justin Herman Plaza as part of the worldwide day of solidarity with the persecuted Christians in Iraq. Many of those gathered were Assyrian Christians, with family still living back there. A number of Assyrian bishops and clergy were at the rally, as well as Congressman Jeff Denham, who represents California's 10th District in Washington DC.



Here are some pictures I took with my smart phone--clicking on a picture will give you the larger version. The rally was scheduled for 10AM, but people were still arriving right up until after 11.

His Grace Bishop Mar Awa Royel, the California bishop of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, gave the invocation. That's him in the yellow circle in the photo below.

His Grace was followed by Congressman Jeff Denham, who pleaded for Democrats and Republicans in Washington to put aside their differences, and to help the people of Iraq. The congressman i9s in the yellow circle in the photo below.

Below is another eastern Bishop who was at the rally--I did not get his name.

There were lots of very moving signs:

 

Latin Rite Catholics were there to show support for their Assyrian brothers and sisters:

That's Sr. Ignatius, and Mr. Franco Reguzzoni, a teacher from De La Salle High School in Concord holding the flag with the "We Are N" symbol attached. A shining example for his students!

And the Catholic Military families were there, too!

After the rally, our shepherds took the lead in the March to Union Square

The demonstration more than filled Union Square.

There will be another demonstration supporting the Assyrian Christians this Friday at San Francisco's United Nations Plaza. It will begin at 11:00 AM. You can find more details here:



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