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Gosnell's Pro-Choice Critics

Christopher Check

May 17, 2013

In the wake of “Doctor” Kermit Gosnell’s conviction for the gruesome murders of helpless infants, abortion enthusiasts have scrambled to distance themselves from his house of horrors. Planned Parenthood officials issued an editorial applauding the conviction on the grounds that Gosnell violated “laws and regulations in the state of Pennsylvania.” They criticized the “unthinkable conditions” of his abortuary—pardon me, “clinic.”

They are silent, of course, on the central matter of Gosnell’s crimes: severing the spinal chords of living, breathing, whimpering infants.

Of course they are. To allow that scissoring the skull of a helpless infant constituted murder would expose abortion’s advocates to the question: “What, then, is the difference between an infant not yet birthed...

The Little Way v. The Great White Way

Michelle Arnold

May 17, 2013

The year was 1897. A young Carmelite nun lay dying of tuberculosis. It was a custom in many religious communities of the time for consecrated religious to circulate a brief biography of deceased members as a remembrance and to encourage prayer for the repose of the dead. While she lay on her deathbed, Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus could hear two of her sisters outside discussing the biography they would have to write for her. Bishop Patrick Ahern tells the story in his book, titled Maurice & Thérèse: The Story of...

Godparenting For Dummies

Peggy Frye

May 16, 2013

Celebrant: Are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty as Christian parents?

Godparents: We are.

(The Rites of the Catholic Church)

Most of those promises made by well-meaning godparents at the baptismal font are more often than not left at the door of the church. Friends of mine tell me that they rarely have contact with their godparents. Some don't even know where they are, or worse yet, who they are. According to many surveys, a majority of Catholics are clueless about the role of godparents in the child’s spiritual life. A large number of those surveyed said they view the role of a godparent as simply an honorary title bestowed on some favorite relative or friend in a one-...

How to Quote the Bible Like a Pro

Jim Blackburn

May 16, 2013

Are you able to quote book, chapter, and verse numbers for every Bible passage that you know? If not, does it prevent you from engaging in faith discussions with people who are able to?

I often hear from Catholics who admit that they are intimidated by how well many anti-Catholics seem to know the Bible. When challengers come around slinging Bible verses left and right, these otherwise knowledgeable Catholics clam up, shying away from the conversation in fear of embarrassment. They know what the Bible says but, since they cannot cite many verses off the top of their heads, they feel ill-equipped to defend their faith. Do you ever feel this way? If so, you would probably like to do something about it.

One option is to invest some time and effort into memorizing...

When Doctors Think You're a Liar

Trent Horn

May 15, 2013

So, I’m getting married to the most amazing woman in the world on Saturday. I know. Pretty exciting, right? Amid the whirlwind of preparation I decided to go to the doctor and get a physical just to make sure I start off marriage without any unexpected problems. I was expecting a full battery of tests but after a quick overview with the stethoscope the doctor said, “Well, everything looks fine. I think we should just do an STD test.”

“But I’ve never had any sexual partners, so I don’t need one,” I replied.

The doctor gave me an incredulous look and then proceeded to do a few more tests. I asked him about different kinds of cancer risks, because I am the kind of person who keeps emergency food supplies under his bed and memorizes tsunami evacuation routes when I visit the...

Once a Godparent, Always a Godparent

Michelle Arnold

May 15, 2013

It seems that not a week goes by that we at Catholic Answers do not hear from parents who are having second thoughts about the appropriateness of a godparent of one of their children. See if you can pick out a common thread in these tales of woe:

My wife and I have best friends that recently separated. One has lost contact for over two years with our children and he was a godparent. As we have not had any contact, birthday cards, or even a phone call, I am in no position to trust him with any godparent responsibilities expected of him. The official day they became godparents was at the baptism of both our children. Is there any specific way I need to make it clear I want him removed from any duty expected of him?