Knights of Columbus raise $1.3 million for storm victims

September 11, 2017 CNA Daily News News Briefs 0 Print

New Haven, Conn., Sep 12, 2017 / 12:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- As Knights of Columbus members volunteer to aid the victims of recent storms, the organization has also raised over $1.3 million to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.

“We have seen incredible generosity from our members, and we invite others to join us in providing aid that is urgently needed,” Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said in a Sept. 8 statement.

“The funds we raise will make a real difference in the lives of those already affected and those who are bracing for the worst.”

Hurricane Harvey has either damaged or destroyed over 93,000 Texas homes, and state authorities say the death toll has climbed to 70 people. While damage reports are still being conducted, Gov. Greg Abbott estimated that the cost to rebuild will be between $150-180 billion.

Hitting the Florida Keys on Sunday, Hurricane Irma was downgraded to a tropical storm on Monday after passing through Malibu towards southern Georgia. So far the hurricane has killed seven people in the U.S., adding to the 38 lives taken in the Caribbean.

Last week, members of the non-profit global fraternity volunteered to assist in Florida's disaster plan, and Texas Knights have continued to bring aid to victims affected by the Hurricane Harvey.

Already providing shelter for the displaced victims of Texas, the Knights have started to remove debris in order to help people back into their homes. The organization has also provided thousands of meals to Texas residents, including 5,000 in Beaumont and 8,000 in Ingleside.

With the money fundraised from the Knights throughout the U.S., the fraternity has now opened its doors to receive donations from the general public.

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Massachusetts bishops decry push for abortion expansion

November 13, 2020 CNA Daily News 0

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 13, 2020 / 10:30 am (CNA).- Catholic bishops in Massachusetts are fighting a state measure to expand legal abortion.

An amendment adopted by the state house on Thursday would allow for abortions in certain circumstances throughout pregnancy, a move the state’s Catholic Conference has said goes “well beyond what is enshrined in state law.”

The amendment to a larger budget bill was adopted by the state house on Thursday by a 108-49 vote, State House News Service reported. A dozen Democrats voted against the amendment, while one Republican voted for it.

Under House amendment 759, abortions can be performed after 24 weeks in the case of a lethal fetal anomaly.

In addition, 16 and 17 year-old girls could also have an abortion without parental consent.

Minors under the age of 16 can obtain a judicial bypass waiver to get an abortion without parental consent. A waiver could be granted via teleconference, according to the bill’s sponsor, State House News Service reported.

“The Catholic Church teaches that life itself starts at conception and ends with natural death,” the Massachusetts Catholic Conference stated on Nov. 11 in opposition to the amendment.

Three bishops in the state issued the joint statement—Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston, Bishop Robert McManus of Worcester, and Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, SDV, of Fall River.

Of the changes to the parental consent law, the bishops said that under the amendment, “a 16 or 17 year old girl would be deprived of the guidance and support of an adult at the time of making this life changing decision.”

The measure does require “life-saving equipment” to be present in the room when an abortion is performed past 24 weeks, but the bishops say that the amendment’s language “is nuanced enough that the physician would not be required to use the equipment” if a baby survived an abortion attempt.

Legislators introduced similar legislation, the “Roe Act,” in 2019 to act as a “trigger law” in the event that Roe v. Wade would be overturned by the Supreme Court. “Trigger laws” either legalize abortions in a state or restrict them, in the event that Roe is overturned and states once again have the authority to ban or allow abortions.

“While we acknowledge the amendment addresses some concerns that were raised about the deeply troubling provisions of the Roe legislation, the fact remains that abortion would remain an option under certain circumstances for the full term of the pregnancy,” the bishops stated.

“That fact alone is in direct conflict with Catholic teaching and must be opposed.”

Once the state senate passes a budget, the senate and house bills will be reconciled in a conference committee, which produces a final report for a final vote by the legislative chambers. Then the final bill is sent to the governor for signature.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones criticized the procedure for using the budget process to pass an abortion amendment.

“I don’t care what side of the issue you’re on, this being done as part of the budget process in a lame duck session, under the cover of darkness, in the midst of a pandemic is wrong,” Jones said, as reported by State House News Service.


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