AUSTRALIA: "BABIES BORN ALIVE" BILL WAS RE-INTRODUCED TO PROTECT CHILDREN BORN ALIVE AFTER FAILED ABORTIONS: ALLEGED NEWS. [1] The goal of this bill is to ensure that a child who is born alive because of a failed abortion procedure is entitled to the same level of medical care and treatment as any other new-born child, Alleged News. [1]
Queensland
Queensland Health Guidelines as on April 21, 2023 for termination of pregnancy are reportedly as follows: point 5.4.3 under the heading of 'Other fetal considerations', Table 23 details what is to happen in the case of a live birth, Alleged News;
'Do not provide life sustaining treatment, e.g. gastric tubes, IV lines, oxygen therapy', Alleged News. [1]
Babies left to die
Johanna Howe, Associate Professor in Law at the University of Adelaide, said, "In Victoria and Queensland in the last 10 years, 724 babies have been born alive and I hate to say it, but actually left to die. They have no rights to medical treatment, no rights to palliative care," Alleged News. [1]
Thus the bill seeks to offer medical care to babies born alive after failed abortion.
Bill voted down
In September 2023, Western Australia's Upper House voted down the 'Babies Born Alive' bill which would offer rights to survivors of abortion, Alleged News. [2]
[1] Children Born Alive Protection Bill Re-introduced, Alleged News
God is calling us each day to be bearers of love and light to the world. Any believer who is serious about following the ways of God can attest that this is not an easy task. James and John - the "sons of thunder" had their own path to walk towards holiness.
SOUTH AFRICA: VOTERS ARE DUE TO HEAD TO THE POLLS ON 29 MAY 2024 FOR GENERAL ELECTIONS.
VOTE PROLIFE!
Abortion is a tragic issue which has affected many in the beautiful land of South Africa. On 1 February 1997 abortion-on-demand was legalized in South Africa. By 2024 an estimated two million babies in South Africa had lost their lives through abortion, mostly with taxpayers' money. [1] This loss of life has left devastation in its wake. Nationwide demonstrations against the abortion law have swept the country over past years as pro-lifers repeatedly marched to Parliament. People from Worcester, Velddrift, Hermanus, Malmesbury, Durbanville, Belville, Klipjeville, Cape Town, Kroonstad, Bloemfontein, Durban, East London, Pretoria, as well as many others areas have protested the abortion law over the past few years. [1], [2], [3], [4]. [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13].
Protests at abortion clinics
Protests at abortion clinics have been widespread throughout the country, such as the protests at Marie Stopes Clinic in Cape Town [2] and Pretoria [9].
National Alliance for Life
National Alliance for Life (NAL) is a platform for pro-life organizations, churches and individuals to be heard. This vibrant platform is strongly supported by pro-lifers in South Africa and further afield. An NAL conference pamphlet affirmed that "We must take a stand against the killing of children until it (abortion) is abolished." [13]
Dr de Vos
Dr Jacques de Vos faced charges for allegedly telling a pregnant woman that 'her fetus was a human being' and that an abortion kills an unborn human, Alleged News. [14] Dr de Vos lost his employment and was banned from practising medicine, Alleged News. [14] He was only a week away from finishing his medical degree, Alleged News. [14] Protests regarding the fate of Dr de Vos spread from South Africa to Kenya, Alleged News. [15] More than 19,000 signatures from African citizens - concerned about the fate of pro-life Dr Jacques de Vos - were delivered to High Commissioner Thembela Ngculu at his Nairobi office; Alleged News. [15] In 2022, Dr de Vos was cleared to practise again after a five-year ban, Alleged News. [16]
Forced sterilisations at hospitals
In South Africa, at least 15 hospitals and 48 staff were involved in coerced or forced sterilisation of women living with HIV/Aids, Alleged News. [17] A report by the Commission for Gender Equality in South Africa investigated reported cases and found that staff at the hospitals were party to gross human rights violations, as well as those of reproductive rights, Alleged News. [17]
Abortion without consent
Buyiselwa Daweti said her horrific ordeal with a private hospital in Cosmo City in 2002 inspired her to fight for reproductive health rights and awareness, especially for vulnerable women sterilised against their will, Alleged News. [17]
"I had an abortion without my consent, which is in line with [forced] sterilisation, based on a lie by a doctor, who said my twins were not growing. He gave me tablets stating he wanted the twins to grow. The next day, I had a miscarriage which I thought was natural," Daweti said; Alleged News. [17]
Forced sterilisations
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), a Chapter 9 institution, released its report on 24 February 2020 revealing how hospitals forced and coerced women to agree to being sterilised, Alleged News. [17] The cases of violated women date back to 2001, Alleged News. [17] Some of the women made to sign sterilisation agreements while in severe pain only learned later from private gynaecologists that their fallopian tubes had been cut during labour, Alleged News. [17]
Learned during labour
Other women learned during labour that they would be sterilised, allegedly after hospital doctors told them women with HIV should not have children, Alleged News. [17] The CGE found that the women were made to sign forms under duress, as they were threatened with not being assisted with caesarean procedures they needed: Alleged News. [17]
Call to stop illegal abortion advertisements
Director Justin Jones noted that "you cannot drive anywhere in a South African city these days without seeing illegal posters selling prophets, potions . . . Then there are also the ones that are selling things like "quick abortions" . . . which are inevitably done by unlicensed practitioners in unsafe conditions."
"When the various posters are analysed, it becomes noticeably clear as to why the originator or owner uses the illegal (guerilla type) approach to advertise.
The practises they are advertising are normally illegal, and they are preying on the poor, the desperate and the marginalised." [18]
Outrage against backstreet abortions - public protest
Protest marches took to the streets in South Africa as outrage against backstreet abortions continued to grow. [19] Deputy Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, accompanied by Gauteng Health MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi and Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell, led a march against illegal and unsafe abortions, Alleged News. [19]
Dead foetuses litter the streets
Most of the numbers of unidentified infant bodies received by the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services (FPS) medico-legal mortuary in Braamfontein are foetuses; Alleged News. [19] They are abandoned - discarded around the city, Alleged News. [19] Foetal osteologist Roxanne Thornton works with these deceased infants, Alleged News. [19] The dead babies come in as viable foetuses (more than 26 weeks), and as non-viable foetuses (those who would not survive outside the womb), Alleged News. [19] (The viable foetuses are thus dead preborn infants of more than six-and-a-half months, Alleged News.)
Osteologist Thornton said many of the abandoned foetuses are illegal abortion cases, mostly stillborn and abandoned; Alleged News. [19] Osteologist Thornton said, "I work with foetal prenatal bones. The goal is to prove the case forensically. The reason I do this is because there are hardly any inquests for the dumped [foetuses] - they don't get investigated and they are forgotten. This is an injustice.
"I believe these children should have a voice. A lot are dumped just around the corner from a shelter or abortion clinic," Alleged News. [19]
Pro-lifer received conviction
In February 2013, Mr Peter Throp received a conviction for damaging property by placing pro-life stickers over illegal abortion stickers, Alleged News. [19] Mr Throp received sentence of a fine of R5 000 or three months imprisonment, suspended for five years, Alleged News. [19] In March 2014, the Cape Town High Court upheld Mr Throp's appeal; Alleged News. [19]
15% of maternal deaths due to abortion complications
Unsafe, illegal pregnancy terminations lead to 15% of South Africa's maternal deaths, Alleged News. [19] According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in South Africa 15% of maternal deaths are due to abortion complications, Alleged News. [19]
Abortion is legal for children in South Africa
On December 11, 1996, South Africa enacted the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act. This Act gives women of any age or marital status access to abortion services upon request during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and, in certain cases, extends access to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. [19] Currently, in South Africa, children are legally barred from drinking alcohol and from driving cars until they are 18 years of age. [19]
In South Africa, children between 12-14 years of age are being granted abortions, many of them without their parents' knowledge. [19]
Over 10,000 babies are abandoned in South Africa every year
Every year, over 10 000 babies are abandoned in South Africa, with the majority of them found dead, Alleged News. [20] Director Nadine Grabham said, "A lot of babies are abandoned due to failed abortions. Born alive, only to die from unsafe abandonment," Alleged News. [20]
Sadness in South Africa
The introduction of abortion-on-demand in 1997 made abortion legal in South Africa. Instead of backstreet abortions becoming less, they have - alongside legal abortions - proliferated to the point that illegal stickers advertising abortion are a common sight in South Africa. Dead babies have been discarded in the streets, such as the eleven foetuses found in a bucket at a taxi rank in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape; Alleged News. [21] There had been speculation that the foetuses could have originated from a local clinic, Alleged News. [21]
Every abortion causes the death of an innocent child
Dr Claude Newbury of Pro-Life South Africa wrote the following, "Every abortion, legal or illegal, causes the death of a totally innocent, helpless unborn child." [22]
THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY OF SOUTH AFRICA
IS STAGGERING UNDER THE WEIGHT OF DEATH
DUE TO ABORTION
VOTE PRO-LIFE!
THE FOLLOWING SOUTH AFRICAN VOTERS GUIDE ENLIGHTENS WHICH PARTIES
- ACKNOWLEDGE ALMIGHTY GOD IN THE CONSTITUTION
- CONTENT OF EDUCATION TO BE CONTROLLED BY THE PARENTS
- RIGHT TO LIFE (AGAINST ABORTION AND EUTHENASIA)
- OPPOSES COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS
REDEMPTORIS CUSTOS is the Apostolic Exhortation on St Joseph.
The Introduction begins with a quote from Matthew, followed by Saint John Paul II's own comment. Called to be the Guardian of the Redeemer, "Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife" (cf. Mt 1 :24).
Inspired by the Gospel, the Fathers of the Church from the earliest centuries stressed that just as St. Joseph took loving care of Mary and gladly dedicated himself to Jesus Christ's upbringing, he likewise watches over and protects Christ's Mystical Body, that is, the Church, of which the Virgin Mary is the exemplar and model.
On the occasion of the centenary of Pope Leo XIII's Encyclical Epistle Quamquam Pluries, and in line with the veneration given to St. Joseph over the centuries, I wish to offer for your consideration, dear brothers, and sisters, some reflections concerning him "into whose custody God entrusted his most precious treasures." I gladly fulfill this pastoral duty so that all may grow in devotion to the Patron of the Universal Church and in love for the Savior whom he served in such an exemplary manner.
In this way the whole Christian people not only will turn to St. Joseph with greater fervor and invoke his patronage with trust, but also will always keep before their eyes his humble, mature way of serving and of "taking part" in the plan of salvation.
I am convinced that by reflection upon the way that Mary's spouse shared in the divine mystery, the Church - on the road towards the future with all of humanity - will be enabled to discover ever anew her own identity within this redemptive plan, which is founded on the mystery of the Incarnation.
This is precisely the mystery in which Joseph of Nazareth "shared" like no other human being except Mary, the Mother of the Incarnate Word. He shared in it with her; he was involved in the same salvific event; he was the guardian of the same love, through the power of which the eternal Father "destined us to be his sons through Jesus Christ" (Eph 1:5).
Apostolic Exhortation Redemptoris Custos of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II on the Person and Mission of Saint Joseph in the Life of Christ and of the Church
Fasting is an essential part of spiritual life. This form of renunciation can be carried out in the spirit of penance, as request, as meditation, as repentance, as appeal to God. In spiritual history, many have fasted in preparation for revelation. Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights as He sought clarification on His role as Messiah, and confronted satanic rule. Following the example of our Divine Lord, we celebrate forty days of fasting and repentance annually.
Lent - time of purification, penance and re-orientation
This Church season is called Lent, and is a time of purification, penance, and re-orientation of our lives towards God. Our fasting is a plea before God to liberate us from personal sin, and to liberate our nations from the vexations of the results of manifold sin and their encroaching power to distress. Fasting and prayer are spiritual methods to confront structural evil.
Structural evil
Structural evil is that which enters large, unwieldy organizations in which many good people - rendered powerless through custom and rules - may find themselves faced with the decision to bow their morals before the throne of mass production and ever-increasing profit values, at the cost of personal values and allegiance to the Laws of God - or lose the very income they and their families depend upon.
Jesus gave guidance that public mourning designed to attract attention and public acclaim is not to be sought. Rather, fasting should be done silently, in secret before God the father. This kind of fasting will be rewarded. And the reward? God often grants the penitent request. The repentant heart finds peace. Relationships are restored. The breach in peace is healed, and love rules in the heart and life of the penitent once more. Courage is given to the fasting person not to bow morals in pursuit of daily necessities, but to find godly alternatives. In short, God rewards with His Providence and Love.
Inward renewal
The time of fasting, in close relationship to God, makes all things inwardly new. The act of fasting makes us appreciate the gifts of life even more. Fasting renews the inner being.
Fasting is to be done with discretion and as a spiritual aid alone. Fasting to the point of anorexia is not advocated by spiritual teaching. Here again - as in all things - moderation and common sense is the key. Those suffering with diabetes are not encouraged to fast from food, as this is detrimental for their health. For those whose health situation, youth or senior age do not allow fasting, there is fasting of another kind: fasting (abstinence) from an unkind word, malicious gossip or inappropriate thought. Ask God for guidance and He will lead you in the right path for your personal spiritual renewal.
Jesus taught during the Sermon on the Mount, "When you fast, do not look sombre like the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, Who is unseen; and your Father, Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." [1]
