Fr. Thomas Euteneuer, President of Human Life International is pictured with Diocesan Respect Life Directors Colleen and John Miner during the annual Pro-Life Day of Reparation held at the Shrine of the North American Martyrs  in Auriesville, NY on Sunday, August 6th.

Respect Life Directors John and Colleen Miner along with Msgr. Dennis Duprey of Notre Dame Church in Malone, NY, are pictured with NYS Senator Betty Little (R,C,I-Queensbury) at the annual Public Policy Forum held in Albany, NY.

U.S. BISHOPS: CURRENT HEALTH CARE BILLS VIOLATE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES; WILL SEEK CHANGES OR HAVE TO OPPOSE

WASHINGTON—Three chairmen of the bishops’ committees working on health care reform urged the U.S. Congress to improve current health care reform legislation, expressing their “disappointment that progress has not been made on the three priority criteria for health care reform” cited in their previous letters. Read More...

NYS Bishops Same-Sex Marriage Statement

Recently, proposals have been put forth in our state to recognize so-called “same-sex marriage,” a radical step that would remove from marriage its most basic, fundamental characteristic, thereby altering its very essence. Our Governor has ordered recognition of such unions from other states as “marriages” in New York. This redefinition defies reason. Additionally, the state Assembly last year approved a measure to permit such “marriages” here, though to date the Senate has not.
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USCCB Statement on Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Stem cell research has captured the imagination of many in our society. Stem cells are relatively unspecialized cells that, when they divide, can replicate themselves and also produce a variety of more specialized cells. Scientists hope these biological building blocks can be directed to produce many types of cells to repair the human body, cure disease, and alleviate suffering.  Stem cells from adult tissues, umbilical cord blood, and placenta (often loosely called “adult stem cells”) can be obtained without harm to the donor and without any ethical problem, and these have already demonstrated great medical promise. But some scientists are most intrigued by stem cells obtained by destroying an embryonic human being in the first week or so of development. Harvesting these “embryonic stem cells” involves the deliberate killing of innocent human beings, a gravely immoral act. Yet some try to justify it by appealing to a hoped-for future benefit to others.
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Cord Blood Bill Signed Into Law

On August 1, 2007 Governor Eliot Spitzer signed into law a piece of legislation strongly supported by the New York State Catholic Conference that will promote the donation, collection, preservation Read more...

Colorado bishops' statement on Planned Parenthood

For up-to-date Pro-Life News be sure to visit www.nrlc.org.

To contact your legislators...

You can now send letters to your elected representatives with the simple click of a button.  Go the New York State Catholic Conference web site at www.nyscatholic.org and click on "Action Center".  Follow the instructions for the action alert on the "Unborn Victims of Violence Act."  The letter is already written for you!  It's that easy.  You can e-mail the letter directly to your legislators, or print it out to fax or mail.  You can also find out who your representatives are, secure background information on them, obtain votes of interest, even send notes to media outlets in your community.  Be sure to check it out and tell your friends.

Photo Above: Dr. John Middleton was the honoree at the second annual New York State Right to Life Educational Fund Celebration of Life Gala held on Friday, November 18th in Albany. Dr. Middleton received the award for over thirty years of service, from  founding to present. He retired his position last month. Dr. Middleton and wife, Claire are parishioners of Our Lady of Victory Church in Plattsburgh.

Photo Above: Bobby Schindler, brother of Terri Schindler-Schiavo was the guest speaker at the second annual NYS Right to Life Education Fund Celebration of Life Gala held Friday, November 18th in Albany. Mr. Schindler spoke about his sister Terri's untimely death and about the sanctity of all human life. The Schindler family continues to wage a battle to save other innocent people with disabilities from the same fate that Terri suffered. Picture here are Mr. Schindler and Colleen Miner, Diocesan Respect Life Co-director.

Photo: Sarah Badore, Plattsburgh State University Student; Michael Bergman, a Peru nursing home care giver and Amanda Miner, DeSales University Student stand up for life during the Good Friday Stations of the Cross outside Plattsburgh's Planned Parenthood. A group of over one hundred, including many Diocesan priests, gathered to pray for the lives which are lost weekly. The Plattsburgh location is the only surgical abortion mill in the Diocese of Ogdensburg although two other locations kill babies by chemical abortion(RU-486)-Saranac Lake and Malone

Four Lifechains (one hour of silent, prayerful witness to the sanctity of life) were held around the Diocese in observance of Respect Life Sunday. As in previous years, Lifechains were held in Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake. New locations included Ogdensburg and Tupper Lake. Shown above is the Lifechain along Wawbeek Ave in Tupper Lake which was attended by a hundred participants, including 47 teens who are members of this year's confirmation class.

Members of the Diocese of Ogdensburg Rachel's Vineyard team (Rita Mawn, Dale Barr, Sandy Izzo & John Miner) met Cardinal Justin Rigali (Archdiocese of Philadelphia) after Mass during the National Rachel's Vineyard Conference in Malvern, Pennsylvania.