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70,000 Women a Year Die From Unsafe Abortions
After three years of research, the New York-based Guttmacher Institute has concluded that although contraceptive use has lowered the number of abortions worldwide, unsafe abortions still account for a staggering 70,000 deaths a year, particularly in the developing world. More than half the deaths are in sub-Saharan Africa, a region with the lowest rates of contraceptive use and the highest rates of unintended pregnancies.
"In much of the developing world," said the Institute's president Sharon Camp, "abortion remains highly restricted, and unsafe abortion is common and continues to damage women's health and threaten their survival."
Dominican Republic Bans Abortion, No Exceptions
As support for legal access to abortion in the US drops (with only 47 percent of Americans thinking it should be legal), the Dominican Republican has decided to go one better: they want to constitutionally ban the procedure altogether.
With support for the Catholic Church and the country's Catholic population, lawmakers recently ratified an amendment that makes it illegal for women to terminate pregnancy in all cases. Abortion is now constitutionally forbidden even if the mother or fetus's life is at risk.
Ireland Released Five Volumes on Abuses, But No Names
Ireland released an extensive report yesterday revealing that more than one thousand children were beaten, neglected, or raped at Catholic reform schools. The five-volume accounting took nine years to compile and covers six decades, but it doesn't include a single name of a priest, brother, or nun who abused children at the Catholic institutions. A religious order in question successfully sued the government in 2004 to keep the names secret.
Thousands March Against Looser Abortion Laws in Spain
Over 100,000 to 500,000 people (depending who you believe) marched in Spain Sunday to demonstrate against government laws that would increase access to abortion. As part of one protest, children danced while singing "Thank you mommy for letting me live."
Since 1985, when Spain decriminalized abortion, women can only receive abortions in special cases: up to 12 weeks into pregnancy in the case of rape; up to 22 weeks in the case of malformation of fetus; at any point if it represented a threat to physical or mental health of the woman.
Controversy Commences at Notre Dame Over Obama Speech
Newt Gingrich recently expressed his disapproval of Notre Dame's decision to host President Obama as the commencement speaker in less than 140 characters. He tweeted: "It is sad to see notre dame invite president obama to give the commencement address Since his policies are so anti catholic values."
Newt, the twice-divorced former speaker of the house who will become a Catholic this weekend, isn't the only person upset.
Using Protection: Vatican Defends Pope on Condoms
Earlier this week, Pope Benedict XVI took a controversial stance against condoms when it comes to AIDS prevention. World health experts and the French government have come out against the Pope's position, and German Catholic bishops are hinting at dissent. But, the Vatican is sticking to the Pope's belief that condoms make the AIDS problem worse.
Front Page: Pope Heads to Africa With Anti-Condom Message
- Traveling to Africa for his first papal visit, Pope Benedict XVI maintained that condoms make the AIDS crisis worse. Instead he will advocate abstinence. — Telegraph
- The rate of new home construction in the US unexpectedly jumped 22.2 percent last month.
Archbishop Warns Against Worshipping Obama
While Americans hope President Obama's plans will be the savior the economy needs, a Catholic archbishop has warned against treating Obama like a savior. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver maintains that "in democracies, we elect public servants, not messiahs."
Speaking at a lecture in Canada, Chaput also shared his criticism of Obama's policy.
Catholic Church Offers Indulgences Once Again
"Why are we bringing it back? Because there is sin in the world."
With that matter-of-fact answer one Catholic bishop in Brooklyn explained why the Church has decided to start peddling indulgences —or, get-out-of-purgatory free cards!
Briefing Book! NBC Rejects Obama/Abortion Super Bowl Ad
- Abortion: NBC rejects Obama/aboriton ad that claims unwanted babies can grow up to be president, just like Obama. CatholicVote was ready to spend $1.5 million to air it during Super Bowl. — Jezebel
- Technology: "I'm sorry for any incontinence."
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