HEROES
Very Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, retired Bishop of Phoenix
After 18 years leading the Phoenix Diocese, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted retired this July, leaving a legacy of courage, fidelity, and fatherly love. From the start of his episcopacy, he was known for praying publicly outside of Planned Parenthood, where he offered rosaries every year on Christmas Eve and Good Friday. His public witness inspired many, including Mayra Rodriguez, a young abortion clinic director who subsequently left, reconciled with the Church, and now fights “to make abortion unthinkable.”
Bishop Olmsted supported 40 Days for Life from its inception as well as the Knights of Columbus’ drive to put an ultrasound machine in every pregnancy resource center. His writings, homilies, and presentations fearlessly proclaimed the Gospel of Life to his flock, but he is best remembered for his humility, his devotion to prayer, and his love.
Bishop Olmsted eschewed the Diocese’s lavish bishop’s residence for a small room in the cathedral rectory, and is known for his genuine friendships with everyone from his fellow bishops to his maintenance staff.
We wish him a blessed retirement and ask for his prayers.
Matt Birk, candidate for Lt. Governor, Minnesota
Following the Dobbs decision in June, Matt Birk, former NFL center for the Vikings and candidate for lieutenant-governor of Minnesota, spoke at a National Right to Life event. No surprises there – he has been outspoken in defense of the unborn and women’s dignity for decades.
Pro-abortion operatives “outed” his remarks on social media in mid-July, prompting scathing ad hominem attacks. His measured but firm response was perfect:
Our culture tells women they need to look a certain way and they should focus on their careers… they tell women it’s either/or. You can have a career or you can be a mother. Why don’t we uplift both those things? I don’t think we promote motherhood enough. It’s a beautiful institution.
Bottom line: He scored a touchdown for human life and the dignity of women.
Bishop David L. Ricken, Diocese of Green Bay
This month the Diocese of Green Bay, WI, added a clause to its education policy manual, reaffirming natural law and Church teaching on sexuality.
The policy notes:
The Church teaches that our identities as male and female are part of God’s good design in Creation, that our bodies and sexual identities are gifts from God, and that we should accept and care for our bodies as they were created.
To that end, students and faculty in diocesan schools are now required to use pronouns and wear clothing consistent with their biological sexes. For defending children and families from “transgender” ideology, we salute Bishop David L. Ricken. He led his diocese with true courage.
ZEROES
Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, D-NY, and Senator Bob Menendez, D-NJ
Self-professed Catholics, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, D-NY, and Senator Bob Menendez, D-NJ, joined Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-MA, and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, D-OR, to introduce the so-called “Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation Act.” The act seeks to shut down pregnancy resource centers (PRC’s) across the country, claiming they deliberately “mislead women about reproductive healthcare.” That’s slander.
It is true that PRC’s discourage women from abortion. Their stated mission is to empower women who want to carry their children to term by eliminating the barriers that stand in their way. PRC’s fill a gap for pregnant moms that Planned Parenthood will never even acknowledge.
Shame on these Catholic senators for driving this malicious attack on PRC’s and the countless vulnerable mothers and children they serve.
Sign CatholicVote’s petition to stop this attack here.
Jamie Manson
Catholics for Choice President Jamie Manson has earned her “zero” for her outspoken support of the anti-PRC bill. In her endorsement, she said, “So-called ‘crisis pregnancy centers’ masquerade as abortion providers but deliberately deceive pregnant people through lies, disinformation, and anti-abortion propaganda. These fraudulent clinics, nearly all of which are religiously affiliated and many of which are Catholic, exist to coerce people – but coercion is not healthcare.”
Actually, Jamie Manson, what is deceptive is your use of the name “Catholic” when your organization is nothing more than an anti-Catholic hate group…
…as CatholicVote proved in this special report.
Governor Laura Kelly, Kansas
On August 2, Kansans will head to the polls for a referendum that could remove the so-called “right to abortion” from their state constitution. Catholic Governor Laura Kelly has used her position to campaign against the amendment, warning that “if that amendment would pass …. The Legislature would immediately come back with some very severe restrictions on a woman’s ability to control her own fate.”
Governor, let’s drop the euphemisms. You believe the only way women can “control their fate” is if they have the power to violently end the lives of their own children. Women deserve better than that, and Catholics deserve better representation than you.
SUBZERO
On July 19, a majority of Catholics in the House of Representatives – 93 out of 129 Members – voted to pass the so-called “Respect for Marriage Act.”
This bill stands in total opposition not only to the Catholic faith but to basic American principles of freedom and religious liberty.
The names of the Catholic Members of Congress who voted in favor of the codification of gay “marriage” are listed here.
Catholics and their allies must not merely stand by and hope this bill dies in the Senate. Write to your senators today.
