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Des Moines, Iowa, Mar 1, 2018 / 05:00 pm (CNA).- On Wednesday, the Iowa Senate approved a measure 30-20 that would prohibit abortions in the state after a baby’s heartbeat is detected during a pregnancy.

The legislation, Senate File 2281, moves that a physician cannot perform an abortion after a heartbeat has been detected. The measure would require that physicians test women before an abortion to determine the presence of a fetal heartbeat. The bill would make certain exceptions in cases of medical emergencies.

The legislation now moves on to the House of Representatives, which has a Republican majority.

A statement from the the Iowa Catholic Conference said that the state’s bishops “support the life-affirming intent of ‘heartbeat’ abortion legislation such as Senate File 2281.”

“We appreciate legislators for their efforts to advance the protection of unborn children and we remain committed to helping with efforts aimed at resolving questions regarding the bill’s constitutionality,” the statement continued.

During the legislation’s presentation in the Senate, the bill’s sponsor Sen. Amy Sinclair said that the presence of a beating heart is the “indication of another human being’s life,” according to the Des Moines Register.

Fetal heartbeats during pregnancy can be detected around 6-7 weeks of pregnancy.

“Please take a moment with me to reflect on what it means to be human, to be a person with rights, to aggressively defend your own right to life and to defend your reasonable expectation that your government should actively support you and all other individuals with a beating heart in that very same endeavor,” Sinclair said

“Senate File 2281 gets at the very heart and soul of what it means to be an American, of what it means to be a person,” she continued.

Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, a leading opponent of the bill, called the legislation “unfathomable,” saying that “there are no other provisions in Iowa code that say an Iowan cannot access medical care unless it is to prevent death.”

If the bill passes, and a physician did perform an abortion after a fetal heartbeat had been detected, the doctor could be criminally charged with a Class D felony and serve upwards of 5 years in prison.

The fetal heartbeat abortion ban was attempted last year by House Republicans, but withdrawn when it failed to gain support. However, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad did sign a bill last year prohibiting most abortions after 20-weeks of pregnancy.

“Science shows that life begins at conception,” the Iowa bishops’ statement read.

“May we continue to work together in solidarity on ways to protect vulnerable people, including the unborn.”

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Indianapolis, Ind., Mar 1, 2018 / 04:53 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A married Catholic priest in the Indianapolis archdiocese faces several criminal domestic violence charges after he allegedly assaulted his wife in September 2017.

The priest serves the Pers… […]

Los Angeles, Calif., Mar 1, 2018 / 02:18 pm (CNA).- Amid the crime thrillers, historical dramas and love stories at the Oscars this year, one little-noticed short film tells a true story of religious solidarity in a face of terrorism.

When militants w… […]

Juneau, Alaska, Mar 1, 2018 / 03:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The bishops of Alaska released a joint pastoral letter this month, highlighting the meaning, origin, and implications of human dignity in today’s world.  

“What God creates is g… […]

Washington D.C., Mar 1, 2018 / 12:05 am (CNA/EWTN News).- While the phrase “ball and chain” is still sometimes tossed around by those who view marriage as a burden, a recent study shows that men who tie the knot reap a plethora of benefits…. […]

Washington D.C., Feb 28, 2018 / 04:00 pm (CNA).- “Passion of the Christ” star Jim Caviezel told CNA that he relied on scripture, daily Mass and the rosary to portray holiness on the big screen in “Paul, the Apostle of Christ.”

The film, which premieres March 23, depicts the persecution of the early Christians in Rome under Emperor Nero, along with an imprisoned Saint Paul conveying a message of hope at the end of his life.

“I thought that that was one of the greatest parts of the script,” Caviezel told CNA. “Here is a beat up old man in prison, facing execution. How can this man be a light to the world?”

“But it’s often through our struggles, our trials, our tragedies that triumph comes,” the Catholic actor said.

Caviezel plays the role of Saint Luke, who regularly visits Paul in prison to document his story while composing the Acts of the Apostles. The audience sees Luke serving the early Christian community in Rome as a physician, spiritual leader and writer.

“He [Luke] mentioned the Virgin Mary more than any other writer,” reflected Caviezel on portraying the Gospel evangelist, “I use the rosary to focus, to pray.”

“I go to Mass every day and the Eucharist is Christ in me,” Caviezel continued, “Everything that I do is always with heaven’s help. It directs my path. It guides me. It is where I got my talent from. What I give back to God from what he has given me … he just multiplies it and blesses it in ways that I never thought possible.”

Caviezel says that he also has “a great devotion to the patron saint of actors, Saint Genesius.”

The role of Paul is played by British actor James Faulkner, who previously had supporting roles in “Game of Thrones” and “Downton Abbey.”

“Well I’m happy to admit that Jim is a much more devout Christian than am I, and I drew from his faith whenever possible,” said Faulkner, who was raised in the Church of England.

Faulkner told CNA that playing Paul changed him as he “read and reread Paul’s letters” in preparation for the role.

“Do I have more humility? Yes. Do I have more love for my fellow man? Yes. Is there a possibility of redemption even for myself? Yes, there is,” reflected Faulkner.

Behind the scenes, “Paul, the Apostle of Christ” felt different than his previous experience on the set of “Game of Thrones,” Faulkner said.

“Being placed in a much simpler environment, and feeling entirely supported by those around you, and loved by those around you, I found to be an extraordinary experience.”
Conversion and forgiveness are major themes of “Paul, the Apostle of Christ,” Caviezel said.

“The greatest controversy of this film is forgiving at all costs, and that doesn’t mean weakness or the acceptance of evil. It means meeting evil face-to-face … that’s the hardest thing,” he said.

“Some of the most powerful dialogue centers around what true courage is,” continued Caviezel, “Courage is ardent love. Love creates change by igniting a passion in each one of us. One person at a time.”

The film is dedicated to the world’s persecuted Christians. “We were writing this script through those heavy intense times with ISIS and the problems that are going on in Syria and the Middle East,” executive producer Eric Groth told CNA. He said his team also reflected “on the martyrs of the centuries who have laid down their lives” in guiding the actors of the film.

“Paul, the Apostle of Christ” was written and directed by Andrew Hyatt, who previously directed the film, “Full of Grace,” about the Virgin Mary’s last days on earth. Both films were produced by the Catholic group ODB Films, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

ODB Films says it is “dedicated to fostering an encounter with Christ through artfully made, spiritually rich films.”

Groth told CNA he hopes that Catholics will reach out and invite friends to the film who are not familiar with the Biblical story.

“I want them to reach out and take someone who might be struggling in their life and go to see a non-cheesy, Christian film that looks at faith through a very human lens and through a very real lens.”

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Washington D.C., Feb 27, 2018 / 04:20 pm (CNA).- A group of about 100 people–including Franciscan friars, religious sisters, and laity–gathered in the rotunda of the Russell Senate Building in Washington on Tuesday, and were led away in flex cuffs in… […]

Birmingham, Ala., Feb 27, 2018 / 02:59 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Next month, EWTN Global Catholic Network will premiere the television series “Scripture and Tradition,” a new weekly Bible study hosted by Scripture scholar Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ.

The series will replace one of Fr. Pacwa’s previous shows, “Threshold of Hope.”

Created in response to viewer demand, the new show will launch Tuesday, March 6 at 2 p.m. ET, with encores on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. ET.

“For over three decades, Father Mitch Pacwa has been a favorite of EWTN audiences around the globe,” said EWTN Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael P. Warsaw in a press release.

“I am confident our viewers will be excited about this newest program which plays to Father Mitch’s strength as a Scripture scholar.”

EWTN President Doug Keck, who aided in the show’s creation, said it “will talk about Scripture in light of Catholic Tradition – spotlighting early Church documents that illuminate the way we understand the Bible.”

Fr. Pacwa has authored numerous Bible studies with thematic focuses. He will kick off the new show with his book, ‘Winning the Battle Against Sin,’ which discusses Scriptural teachings on sin and forgiveness.

“After that, I’d like to counterbalance that with my Bible study called ‘Saved,’ which tackles the theme of salvation,” he said in a press release. “I’ve also done Bible studies on the life of Christ.”

Saying that he will take the new ministry “step by step,” Fr. Pacwa added that he also hopes to study individual books of the Bible, beginning with Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Viewer questions will make up a significant part of the show, and can be submitted at www.facebook.com/groups/ewtnbiblestudy.

Father Pacwa is a Jesuit priest who holds a Ph.D in Old Testament studies from Vanderbilt University, as well as a Master of Divinity and an S.T.B. in Theology from Loyola University Chicago.

He previously taught Scripture at Loyola University and the University of Dallas. He currently hosts “EWTN Live” and serves as a senior fellow at the St. Paul Institute for Biblical Studies.

EWTN Global Catholic Network was launched in 1981 by Mother Angelica of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration. The largest religious media network in the world, it reaches more than 275 million television households in more than 145 countries and territories.

In addition to 11 television channels in multiple languages, EWTN platforms include radio services through shortwave and satellite radio, SIRIUS/XM, iHeart Radio, and over 500 AM & FM affiliates. EWTN publishes the National Catholic Register, operates a religious goods catalogue, and in 2015 formed EWTN Publishing in a joint venture with Sophia Institute Press. Catholic News Agency is also part of the EWTN family.

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Washington D.C., Feb 26, 2018 / 06:09 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- With the U.S. Supreme Court hearing a case that could have a great impact on the future of public sector unions, the U.S. bishops have filed an amicus brief citing Pope Benedict XVI in oppositi… […]

Washington D.C., Feb 26, 2018 / 01:24 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The US bishops’ conference has designated today, Feb. 26, 2018, as “National Call-in Day for the Protection of Dreamers.”

The bishops are urging Catholic to contact their sen… […]