Saint Anthony of Padua
Roman Catholic Church
East Northport, NY 11731


       Freedom Of Choice Act


The first session of the 110th Congress is due to consider to passage of the Freedom of
Choice Act.  This bill is not supported by The Catholic Bishops' Conference as it contains
serious implications for the rights of the unborn as well as for catholic health care systems
and others. It may come up for a vote as early as January 21st or 22nd.
The Bishops have stated the following:
1.       FOCA will invalidate laws to protect a woman from unsafe abortion clinics and to
ensure that she is informed about abortion.  
2.       FOCA will require taxpayers to fund abortions.
3.       FOCA will require states to allow "partial-birth" and other late-term abortions.
4.       FOCA will require states to allow abortions by non-physicians.
5.       FOCA will bar laws protecting a right of conscientious objection to abortion.
6.       FOCA will deny parents an opportunity to be involved in their minor daughter's
abortion decision.
A vote for FOCA is a vote against modest, reasonable, widely supported laws that promote
and protect women's health, ensure informed consent, protect minors and ensure parental
involvement, safeguard rights of conscience, and respect the desire of most citizens not to
pay for abortions with their tax dollars. It is the most radical and extreme abortion legislation
ever considered in the United States.
Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Please go the Catholic Bishops' website for a more detailed description of the proposed bills
S. 1173 FOCA and HR. 1964: www.usccb.org.
Please pray for the just and right decision of the congress.  A suggestion offered is to make a
novena in the coming days; perhaps fast one or two days; do what you can to let your
opinions be known to your congressional representatives.

You can email your comments directly to the White House at comments@whitehouse.gov.
You can also call the white switchboard and let them know your thoughts. They can also
direct you to a phone number of your congress persons if you need that information. The
phone number is: 202.456.1414

Here is the suggested prayer:
The Plan: To say a novena (9 days of prayer ) starting on January 11. For Catholics, the
prayer of choice will be the rosary with intentions to stop the FOCA. For non Catholics,
encourage them to pray their strongest prayers with the same intentions, also for nine
consecutive days.

The hope is that this will branch and blossom as to become a global effort with maximum
impact. We have very little time so we all must act fast. Just do two things:

Start the novena on January 11 and pray for nine consecutive days.  Remember that with
God all things are possible and the power of prayer is undeniable. If you are against the
senseless killing of defenseless children then the time is now to do something about it!
May God bless you all!

Let us continue to pray and act in whatever way we can to see our congregational goal for
justice carried out.